WESTERLEIGH — Stapleton resident Priscilla Marco was chosen as chair of Staten Island's Community Board 1 in a special election to replace former chair Leticia Remaruo.
Marco, who's served as president of the Van Duzer Civic Association for six years, accepted the position Tuesday night and vowed to work with different communities covered by the board to make sure they get the services they need.
"We are the grassroots of government, we are the guardians of our communities," Marco said. "We have to make sure that our city services are properly delivered, that land use proposals are done according to law."
Remauro, who served as chair since 2009, stepped down on March 1 to pursue new opportunities with her public relations firm, the Von Agency, the Staten Island Advance reported.
Marco said she had big shoes to fill but her years working with labor unions and serving on Community Boards in Washington Heights and Queens makes her up to the task.
Marco said she aims to boost membership numbers on the board. Currently, it has 35 members but has room for 50.
"I think that it’s a problem when you have that many vacancies," she said.
"We need to actively recruit. We need to make sure that our board reflects the diversity of our community."
Marco said she was asked by Borough President James Oddo to consider taking the position of the chair. She moved to Staten Island in 2001, settling in Stapleton, and works as an attorney for the Public Employees Federation.
Since Remauro stepped down before her term was up, Marco will have to run for re-election to stay as chair in July.
