CARMEL – Putnam County legislators believe that balance of powers between branches of government are a core protection grounded in our nation’s foundational documents.
At their regular monthly meeting this week, lawmakers voted 5-3 to approve a resolution giving the legislature control over selecting the five-members to the board.
Previously, the county executive appointed board members, subject to confirmation by legislators.
The issue came to the fore in June when the division of the executive and legislative branches of government became evident after the lawmakers 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 had 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 to serve.
At this week’s meeting, Legislators William Gouldman of Putnam Valley, Laura Russo of Patterson, and Erin Lee Crowley of Mahopac voted against the resolution, which passed.
Under the new provision, two members of the board will be nominated by the county executive, one member by the chair of the legislature, one member by the simple majority of the legislature and one member by the minority leader of the legislature with all nominations confirmed by a simple majority vote of the legislature.
The resolution also mandates that no member of the ethics board may be an appointed officer or employee of Putnam County nor shall he or she hold office in a political party or be employed as a lobbyist or hold elected office in the county.
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