CARMEL – The division of the Executive and Legislative branches of Putnam County government was never more evident than it was Tuesday evening when by a vote of 3-4, the Putnam Legislature failed to confirm two members to the Board of Ethics who had been appointed by County Executive Kevin Byrne.
The Ethics Board ensures that government actions and decisions adhere to proven ethical standards by protecting public trust, promoting integrity, and preventing misconduct.
The board’s membership has recently changed significantly after the death of former Appellate Court Justice John Sweeny and the resignations of Roderick Cassidy and Joseph DeMarzo for personal reasons, leaving only Barbara Scuccimarra and Paul Eldridge.
County Executive Kevin Byrne called it “critical that we continue the work of the Ethics Board and fill its vacancies to ensure ongoing effectiveness.”
Byrne appointed former Kent Supervisor Katherine Doherty and counsel Kiersten Schramek to the board; however, the Putnam Legislature’s Rules, Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations Committee failed to confirm the duo with a ‘no recommendation’ 2-1 vote last month.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham was joined by Legislators Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Regan in voting against confirmation while Legislators William Gouldman, Laura Russo, Jake D’Angelo and Erin Crowley who regularly support Byrne, voted in favor.
Legislators Amy Sayegh and Toni Addonizio were absent. Five votes were needed for the confirmation resolution to pass.
Regan and Birmingham said it was not necessary to appoint the candidates at that meeting because new rules and regulations could be adopted later.
Birmingham explained the votes were “not a reflection on the respective nominees since each would be a credit to the ethics board. However, due to the need to reform the nomination process, and the requirement that all nominees be acted upon within 60 days, combined with a reconstituted appointment process, some of us believed it would be unfair to appoint people for what might be a truncated term.”
Montgomery called the selection procedure inappropriate since she charged the “Mr. Byrne’s chief of staff interviewed the candidates. That’s not good process.”
Gouldman said his colleague’s failure to confirm was wrong: “We have embarrassed these people. Both candidates are very well qualified.”
Comments