Why do we need a new police chief? Make the senior (in terms of tenure) of the two existing officers the chief. Yes, I know "The Chief" is supposed to be a purely administrative job, not sullying itself with patrol duties, but is there really enough administrative work to do in this tiny village, with a two-person force, that we need somebody sitting behind a desk all day doing paperwork?

When I moved to Cornwall, in 1971, I believe the village force was one man: chief, patrolman, SWAT squad, detective, anti-terrorist unit and drug buster all in one. Could be wrong, but it sure wasn't much more than that.

So, wouldn't this be a wonderful time to plan to implement the Administrative Study of November 2009, regarding h need for a village police department. I urge all to read the report that is posted on the village's website. Perhaps, we could have a referendum on the matter so that everyone's voice is heard.

Ronald Tulloch

I'm doubtful that the general village public really understood the value that Chief Paul Weber represented to our community. His knowledge, experience and people skills transformed the village police force, with a constant eye on the bottom line. His pragmatism transformed the culture within the department, and I honestly can't imagine an equivalent replacement: certainly not from our existing talent pool. Best of luck to you, Chief Weber, in your future endeavors. Eventually, you will be sorely missed by more than the few who are paying attention.

In response to Mr. Wilkinson's post:
The two full time officers are not the only two people responsible for the safety of the village residents. Two full time officers do not cover the number of hours in a week, and I'm sure you realize that a number of part-time officers are needed to fill in the gaps.
What was the village's population in 1971? What is the population today?
Most of our small locally-owned businesses in cornwall have a supervisor position, who is responsible for the administrative tasks that would distract employees from performing their basic duties.

To respond to Mr Wilkinson:

The answer to your post is very simple....Civil service law. Neither officer is eligible.

It would violate the union's collective bargaining agreement.

Additionally, as a taxpayer, I would rather see the police department moving forward with the times as the population of the village increases. It is no longer safe or reasonable to expect a single man to wear the multiple hats of chief, officer, fireman, paramedic, local store clerk, librarian or whatever else was done 40 years ago.

It is reasonable to consider the bottom line when spending taxpayer money, but not to the point of jeapordizing public safety.

Mr. Gioia hit the nail right on the head. Chief Weber's leadership will surely be missed.
Good luck and thank you Chief Weber!

This is a sad time for the village. Mayor Coyne has decided not to rehire our current Chief of Police who has been nothing but supportive of the village board and its efforts to control expenses. He has saved the village over $80,000 in his budget, has offered his legal expertise at no cost and helped in the negotiations for the Police Department contracts, and is highly respected by the police officers. Please support Chief Weber by coming to the board meeting at 7pm on Monday, May 16th . That is the least we can do to support him when he has always done his best to support us. The Mayor works for us. Let him know that we do not want a change in the police chief and that he needs to reconsider his action. When the people protested, Mayor Gross listened to the people and retained the two full-time officers we had on staff. Let?s see if Mayor Coyne will listen to the people.

But the article above says that he retired voluntarily in order to fulfill a legal requirement that would allow him to get his pension. Brendan Coyne indeed said he recommended not rehiring him in any case, but the way I read it, that was irrelevant, in light of Weber's voluntary resignation.

Jan, is the article above inaccurate?

Not inaccurate, but misleading and confusing.

Weber had to retire (for at least one day) to get his pension from his post in Newburgh.

After that one day, he could have been rehired by the Village.

Paul Weber did not choose to leave his post in the Village.

Mayor Coyne is choosing NOT to re-hire him.

Come to the Village Board meeting on Monday night and ask the Mayor, "Why?"

I have to agree with Jan.
The mayor works for us. This is something that the mayor is going to have get his head around. He works for us. Not the other way around. If enough of us tell him that Paul Weber is the man we want as police chief, then to earn his paycheck, the mayor must at least consider Paul Weber for the job. If the mayor doesn't do this then he is not doing his job, and he should be fired. So if you appreciate what Paul Weber has done for us, speak up. Not just to the website. To the mayor himself.

"Village mayor Brendan Coyne also confirmed Weber?s resignation and said that he also recommended Weber not be rehired as police chief when department head appointments came up at the monthly business meeting."

I question the way the writer chose to present this, without a direct quote - Mayor Coyne chose to let go the Village treasurer without consulting the Board until after the fact. The article states that Mayor Coyne recommended that Cheif Weber not be rehired - It was the Mayors choice to make, who was he recommending to?

Please refer to Emily Thomas' statement above - The chief could come back after a day. Seems like once again the tax payers are being misled so that the leader can claim "Well, it isnt a LIE"

"Additionally, as a taxpayer, I would rather see the police department moving forward with the times as the population of the village increases..."

Mr. Vido, if you Giggle...uh, Google...the numbers, you'll find that the population of Cornwall-on-Hudson is today slightly less than it was in 1970. Thank you, however, for your post correcting my original supposition.

My name is Patrick Smith. I found this site after searching for Paul Weber. I met Paul Weber on a boat traveling from Pier 25 to the Financial District in New York City on September 12, 2001. I was a Fireman from Alabama who had just moved to New York City to start a career. After the attacks on the 11th, I was compelled to use my experience in the fire service to assist in any way I could. Not knowing anyone volunteering to work at Ground Zero, I approached Paul Weber and asked if he wouldn?t mind teaming up with me in case anything went wrong. He explained he was a Police Officer for Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department and agreed to work with me the entire day. We spent the day assisting the FDNY in the recovery of those who had fallen the day before. Paul was a great friend to me and I haven?t forgotten the help he provided.

Paul, if you read this, I greatly appreciate your friendship. I regret not keeping in touch over the years. I was glad to see you made Chief of Police in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. I hope you?re doing well. My family thanks you for offering your support on such a horrific day. Take care,

Patrick