Quirky Request

Town Of Alexandria:

The following is a short sound-byte from the 4.17.12 Town Of Alexandria board meeting. I have been to tons of Town and Village meetings.  It is not always about budgets and construction projects. Sometimes there is correspondence.  This one is quirky and entertaining.... For everyone that missed this meeting....Enjoy!

Does This Winter Weather Make You Feel Crappy?

Don't Worry Feel Happy! 
The Tropical Feel Of Summer Is Right Around The Corner!

Snow Stalls Community Garden

Alexandria Bay Rotary:

Yesterday I met with Ted Jones at the Alexandria Bay Rotary Community Gardens. The gardens are located on the corner of Avery Ave. and Church St. next to Damon Shangraw's Economy Motel. Damon was kind enough to let the Rotary use his property for the gardens. 

Ted spoke with great enthusiasm about the Rotary project. Elaborating on all the possibilities that the community vegetable gardens might yield. I could not help but picture those plots brimming with stalky green leaves, patches of lettuce and rows of red ripe tomatoes. 

Sadly, the raised garden beds are covered in snow this morning.   Looks like planting will be delayed for a few days until the soil reaches the optimal temperature.  The use of the gardens is free to the community.  A water supply and hose are available, so watering will be convenient and free to the gardener.  For more information, please contact the following Rotarian's: Ted Jones, Ron Randall, Bud Garlock, or Pat Snyder. Garden space is limited, reserve your plot today.

Appointments [Political]

 N.Y. VIL. LAW § 4-400 : NY Code - Section 4-400: Mayor

VILLAGE LAW, §4-400(1)(c), (h): In the absence of the village mayor at a village board meeting, the deputy mayor has the power to appoint village officers and employees, subject to village board approval.

 c. (i) to appoint all department and non-elected officers and employees subject to the approval of the board of trustees however, the mayor may delegate the power to appoint certain employees to other village officers or employees;

2. If the mayor and deputy mayor are both absent or unable to  perform the duties of the office, the 

trustees shall appoint one of their number to  act as deputy mayor during the absence or inability of

 the mayor and deputy mayor appointed by him.

Previous mayors had some believing that their position was of greater power than that of trustee. It is not! The mayor chairs the village board meetings and votes only on issues as a tie breaker.  Any of the mayors duties can be delegated or assumed by the trustees.  Historically the mayor would choose a clerk-treasurer or deputy clerk. The trustees would have little or no input but would be required to "back" the mayor when it came time to approve the appointment at a village meeting.

Current Mayor, D. Jury wanted the trustees to have a more active role in our local government. Not to be just 4 bumps on a log as was the case of previous boards. Recently, a search committee was formed to find and appoint a deputy clerk. Four candidates were interviewed and the committee, by vote of approval picked what they deemed as the best. The committee submitted their choice to the mayor and it will be approved by the board this Tuesday night.

Bloggers Note:

This is not a story about who was chosen.  This is a story about the process of making a decision.  This process is called DEMOCRACY! If it seems foreign to you, then you might want to start asking yourself some questions.

Town Councilman Misses 4 Consecutive Meetings

Town of Alexandria:

According to Town Supervisor Hunneyman, they [the board] have contacted the NYS Attorney Generals Office and we are not the only board that has this problem.  Last year Councilman Durand was out of the state for February, March, and April. He only missed 2 meetings because the one in February was canceled due to inclement weather. However, this year  Durand missed all the meetings scheduled for January, February, March, and April.  Hunneyman goes on to say that New York State is well aware of it and they [NYS] don't seem to concerned about it [excessive absences of elected officials].

Audio Clip from the public concerns portion of the 4.17.12 meeting Town of Alexandria

I guess what Supervisor Hunneyman is suggesting is this, if the State of New York isn't worried about the absences  then why am I making it an issue. Let me respond to that by saying, Because it is morally and ethically wrong! Wrong to accept $2,989 annual compensation and not be present for 4 of the 12 months. In my book it is also improper to serve on a municipal board if you know you are going to be absent from the board and absent from the community that elected you.

Councilman Sweet also interjected that there is no local law that lets us deal with that problem. Sweet  admits these absences are a problem. Isn't that what governing boards do..... solve problems even if the problem is in-house? Town Attorney J. Russell also supported Sweet by saying there is nothing in our laws and nothing in state laws..... Councilman Beaudin corrected Sweet and Russell stating that we have something on the books. Councilman D. Williams also stated that when he started on the board 35 years ago he was told you could miss only one meeting.

Ideally, elected town officials job is more than just attending monthly meetings.  They belong to committees, and are liaisons to various groups, organizations, and clubs. You can not govern your community by being out of the state for 4 months or longer. You have to make yourself visible and available whether you are out to dinner, grocery shopping, or attending religious services.  You can not feel the pulse of your community when you are away that long.

As you will hear towards the end of the audio clip, Councilman Sweet prides himself on gathering facts and is critical of anyone that deviates from the facts.  I offer Mr. Sweet one final fact.  It is called the oath of office. Everyone of you swore to this oath.

I,_________________________do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of, ________________________________according to the best of my ability.


Bloggers Note:

Councilman Durand started his 4th four year term in 2009.  As some of you may remember, I ran for one of those 2 seats and I lost.  This is not a grudge or sour grapes because Mr. Durand won and I did not.  To me it is a dilemma,  Why anyone on that board would be thrilled to attend every meeting and perform their duties when one of their own board members does not, it is a mystery to me.