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Results of whistleblower report sit well with legislators

Dick Riseling makes charter review suggestions

Dan Hust - Staff Writer
Posted 11/25/14

MONTICELLO — Legislators appeared somewhat relieved by the preliminary results of an investigation into whistleblower complaints inside the Sullivan County Dept. of Family Services.

Seven of …

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Results of whistleblower report sit well with legislators

Dick Riseling makes charter review suggestions

Posted

MONTICELLO — Legislators appeared somewhat relieved by the preliminary results of an investigation into whistleblower complaints inside the Sullivan County Dept. of Family Services.

Seven of the nine legislators met with the investigator Thursday for about 40 minutes, and they're scheduled to meet again today (Tuesday) in executive session to get the full report.

In various interviews with the Democrat after Thursday's closed-door, brief summary of the investigation, legislators said no county personnel appeared to have done anything seriously wrong or criminal but that policies and procedures need to be changed.

“For a long time, people had not been evaluated,” assessed Legislator Kitty Vetter, believing that ultimately hamstrung leaders like Health and Family Services Commissioner Randy Parker in effectively handling issues.

“There may be some recommendations coming,” Legislator Alan Sorensen added. “I think it's important we take those very seriously.”

Attorney Richard Graham of the Poughkeepsie firm of Iseman, Cunningham, Riester and Hyde had been hired by County Manager Josh Potosek to conduct the investigation, after legislators nixed a previous firm for being too expensive.

A majority of legislators, however, had voted last week to bring on another attorney - Richard Golden of the Goshen firm Burke, Miele and Golden - to review the proceedings and advise them.

Whether Golden's services are now needed remains to be discussed by legislators, who seemed to be satisfied with Graham's work.

“I'm very happy [with Graham's efforts],” said Legislator Gene Benson, one of five who had controversially hired Golden earlier this month. “I think he did a very objective and thorough job.”

Even during Thursday's abbreviated session, Graham, a former upstate county attorney, impressed legislators with his grasp of the situation.

“I'm pleased,” said Legislator Cindy Gieger. “It's going to be helping with our direction [moving forward].”

While Parker's management style reportedly sparked some of the complaints, Gieger said the outcome will “allow the commissioner to do his job.”

“I believe it [the investigation] was objective,” added Legislator Cora Edwards.

Legislators Ira Steingart and Jonathan Rouis were not present for the investigator's report Thursday, while Kathy LaBuda could not be reached for comment.

Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson said Thursday's brief meeting was insufficient on which to base a public statement, though he did indicate comment may be forthcoming after today's gathering.

Edwards expects the Legislature will focus on updating the whistleblower policy and clarifying duties.

“Personalities should not trump polices and procedures,” she said. “Everyone who wants to do a good job should be valued and recognized for those efforts. We have a way to go before we can be considered a ‘model of good practice.' That is a goal we should set and meet.”

Buck is in

With the late Ira Cohen's family looking on, Acting County Treasurer Nancy Buck was formally appointed to Cohen's role by the Legislature on Thursday.

The vote was unanimous (minus absent Legislator Jonathan Rouis) - indeed, said Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson, “I don't believe there could be a more unanimous decision from this board.”

There had been talk of replacing Cohen with a fellow Democrat, but Buck, a Republican, had served as his deputy for his entire term in office (and in the Treasurer's Office before that), even donating a kidney to replace one of his that failed.

Legislators indicated it was her skill and experience, not politics or emotion, that guided their decision.

“I really, truly believe you are the best for this job, and I'm really glad it crossed party lines,” said Legislator Kitty Vetter.

“Ira Cohen was not only my mentor, but he was my friend, and I miss him,” noted Legislator Cindy Gieger. “... Not only is Nancy the right choice for Sullivan County, but her staff wrote letters on her behalf as well.”

Buck was characteristically modest but firm in her thanks to legislators, family, staff and Cohen's relatives.

“I know I can do this,” she vowed.

She'll have to run for the elected position next November.

Another new leader

Buck was not the only administrator named that Thursday.

Longtime county employee Ed Homenick was officially named Director of Real Property Tax Services, the department which works hand-in-hand with the Treasurer's Office on tax matters.

The position had been vacant since Lynda Levine became Personnel Officer earlier this year.

Homenick will be paid $82,261 a year in the role.

“Ed has done a great job for a long time,” affirmed Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson after the unanimous vote.

More charter chat

Following up on former Sullivan County Charter Review Commission Co-Chair Rob Green's remarks last month, fellow Co-Chair Dick Riseling told legislators on Thursday that he agreed “there was a great deal of amiability and certainly civility at all times” during the Commission's long review of the county's core document.

Nearly a decade later, a new Charter Review Commission is being formed, and both Green and Riseling were asked to speak of their experiences.

However, in contrast to Green, Riseling felt the Commission should be given specific direction from the Legislature in what needs review.

“You are the legislators,” Riseling remarked. “You nine people have powers that you've never realized.”

He also urged legislators to ensure a diverse group (the former Commission had 13 members) and that department heads are available when needed.

“Get people who will study,” Riseling advised of the membership. “... We had some who didn't.”

The prior Commission also adopted a supermajority vote rule and kept meetings open to the public.

Planning to pay

A relatively brief Capital Planning and Budgeting Committee meeting Thursday indicated that Public Works Commissioner Ed McAndrew is seeking close to $13 million for repairs to county roads and bridges in 2015.

“We're looking at just over $7 million for highway work and a little over $5 million for bridgework,” he told legislators.

Most of the bridgework amount is already funded through state and federal monies, but the county is looking at over $6 million in long-term debt if it proceeds.

McAndrew stressed the need to complete the work, and legislators likely will agree to keep it part of the to-be-adopted 2015 county budget.

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