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 approved a resolution giving the Legislature authority to choose the board’s five members.
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.
The balance of power has now shifted with the legislators voting themselves authority to appoint most of the Board of Ethics.
The law retains two nominations for the county executive and allots one each to the full Legislature, its chair and its minority leader.
The new appointees will also serve shorter terms — two years instead of three — and county employees, elected officials, lobbyists and officeholders in a political party are ineligible to serve.
The five nominees, including the two appointed by the county executive, must be confirmed by a majority of the Legislature.
County Executive Kevin Byrne must hold a public hearing no later than 20 days after receiving the legislation and approve or veto it within 25 days.
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