Long-Time Brooklyn District Manager Resigns From Post Ahead Of Schedule

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The long-time Brooklyn community board district manager who was arrested twice for stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend has resigned from his post earlier than originally planned, the board's chair said Wednesday.

Craig Hammerman, who has served with Community Board 6 for nearly 30 years, originally said in a statement he would resign on Friday, Oct. 20. CB6 Chair Sayar Lonial, though, told a board meeting that Hammerman's last day was Wednesday.

"After careful consideration, all parties involved agreed that in fact his last day with our board would be today," Lonial said Wednesday night. "I want to thank Craig for his years of service. After what could only be described as a difficult time for everyone involved, we thought that a clean break would be best."

Hammerman was arrested twice in April after police said he used his ex-girlfriend's Uber account to follow her to a Bed-Stuy hotel, then broke a restraining order she took out against him.

In June, he turned down a plea deal that would have seen him admit to a violation but have more serious charges against him dropped. The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office is expected to drop the charges against him, according to his attorney.

Hammerman, who did not attend Wednesday night's meeting, was the board's highest paid member, earning over $110,000 a year.

Community Board 6 is a city advisory panel that covers Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus and Park Slope.

The board's finance, personnel and law committee will interview candidates for Hammerman's replacement, and the full board will vote to approve one after that process.

"The institutional knowledge that Craig brought with his years of experience will be missed," Lonial said. "But times change, and with those changes we ourselves must look to change, not necessarily in fear but instead as an opportunity."

Image: Patch file photo