In a surprising turn of events, Robert Ehrlich, the founder of the popular cheese puff brand Pirate’s Booty, has claimed the title of mayor in a newly established village within Sea Cliff, Long Island. This unusual move stems from a little-known New York law called the Citizen Empowerment Act, which allows residents to dissolve their local government.
Ehrlich, who started Pirate’s Booty in 1987, recently announced his intentions during a Sea Cliff town hall meeting. He arrived with a group of three men and presented a list of demands to current village officials. These demands included his request for office space and the immediate resignation of all existing village staff. His declaration of authority was met with shock and anger from local officials, who dismissed his claims as overreach.
The situation escalated as Ehrlich and his team became increasingly agitated when officials rejected their demands. Reports indicate that they raised their voices and expressed frustration for nearly an hour. Meanwhile, the Village of Sea Cliff issued a statement reaffirming that governance remains unchanged and that operations continue under the elected Board of Trustees.
Despite the backlash from village officials, not all residents are opposed to Ehrlich’s bold approach. Some local residents believe he could bring valuable business experience to the village. One resident noted that his success with Pirate’s Booty suggests he could manage the village well.
Ehrlich’s attempt to create a new village hinges on the Citizen Empowerment Act, which requires a petition signed by 10% of the population to dissolve an existing government. In Sea Cliff, with a population of about 5,000, this means he would need 500 signatures to move forward.
As the village prepares for elections on Tuesday, where current Mayor Elena Villafane is running unopposed, Ehrlich has declared himself a write-in candidate. This unusual situation is drawing attention, and many are watching to see how it will unfold.