Baldwinsville — In a 4-to-1 vote, the Lysander Town Board has scheduled public hearings to discuss changes in local laws affecting the highway superintendent and the town clerk. With the exception of Councilor Art Levy, who was the sole vote against the motion, officials seek to change the positions from elective to appointive, said Supervisor John Salisbury.
The board began talking about these changes after holding discussions with Van Buren and Baldwinsville officials about potential inter-municipal agreements designed to save taxpayers money, Salisbury added.
“We’re trying to make a better organization that can react to the needs of the town,” he said.
Prior to the July 30 board meeting at which the public hearings were scheduled, the Onondaga County Republican Committee sent out a press release criticizing the proposal.
“This smacks of political cronyism at the highest level,” OCR Chairman Tom Dadey said in the release. “There are a lot of questions on why the Lysander Town Board wants to take the people’s right to vote away from them and grant themselves that power.”
The board has also scheduled a public hearing to change a local law to allow the town board to designate the records access officer, who handles Freedom Of Information Law requests. Currently, department heads (town supervisor and town clerk) are in charge of handling the requests.
Prior to setting the public hearings, Lysander resident Hugh Kimball asked the board to consider postponing the hearings in order to give the public time to develop intelligent questions regarding the proposal. Salisbury responded that residents will be able to speak for and against the proposal at the public hearing and, if the proposed law is adopted by the board, the measure will also be on November’s ballot for residents to cast their vote.
The public hearings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Lysander Town Hall, 8220 Loop Road, Radisson.
Comments
turgid 9 months, 3 weeks ago
It is obvious that not a single Lysander Republican Committee and County Committee Republican understands the concept of a ballot referendum. If the positions are changed to appointed, the VOTERS OF LYSANDER will determine it. The VOTERS DECIDE. Not the Town board. Your (Lysander Republican Committee) signs are an offensive and a bold faced LIE. A referendum is the purest form of democracy. I can see how you and your group would hate democracy.
HughKimball 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Since there were problems on this site first with its not accepting my comments, then multiple postings, and now they are all gone, I will repeat what I wrote.
I am well aware of what a referendum is and the process involved. Mr. Salisbury acknowledged that there was confusion based on press reports. So what I don't understand is the Board's unwillingness to explain what it is they really want to do regarding consolidation or sharing of services. I am also disturbed by Mr. Salisbury's comment that he wants everyone working for the Town to report to him when these two important positions have been responsible to the voters for decades. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Doing away with elections would allow three members of this board and of future boards to appoint friends and family members to these important positions. The voters deserve the right to vote for the best candidate.
My comments to the Board asking them to explain more were made sincerely and in open session for the public to hear. None of the Board members chose to respond. I also made the point that I felt the discussion of the matter in executive sessions was improper. That has now been backed up by the NYS expert on Open Meetings Law, Mr. Robert Freeman.
If you would care to identify yourself here, I would be willing to carry on the discussion.
turgid 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Erin, could you write a comment about what a referendum is and who will make the final decision? It appears Tom Dadey and Hugh Kimball have no idea? Could you clarify for your readers the process? Thank you.
HughKimball 9 months, 3 weeks ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
turgid 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Hugh, the village has appointed forever. I guess nothing works in the village. How many appointments have been made by the previous administration to board and open seats that happen to be friends/family to the Lysander Republican Committee? Can you say all of them.
turgid 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Don't try and play stupid, Hugh. You know exactly who I am. Hugh, the system in the Town Clerk Office is broke and it needs fixed. It will all come out in court.
turgid 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Erin, could you do a story on how the current Town Clerk Lisa Dell and her conspirators are working to deny a citizen of Lysander his civil rights? Never mind. That will come out in court in due time.
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