General News: Resolution Favors Home Rule
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| Town clerk Elaine Tilford Schneer currently holds an elected position. |
March 11, 2009
By Ann Taylor Cerone
New York Governor Paterson's recently proposed state budget could take the election of town clerks and tax collectors out of the local political picture, making them positions by appointment instead.
Yet Cornwall joined several municipalities throughout the state this week in passing a resolution that opposes this measure.
“Local government should be in the hands of the residents, not the state of New York,” said town board member Mary Beth Greene Krafft. “In order to provide impartial service to town residents, we feel these positions should remain elected positions.” Village clerks are appointed, not elected, in accordance with state law.
Town Supervisor Kevin Quigley agrees. “It’s better if they’re elected because you get the best, then,” he said. “I think there’s a safeguard built into it if you’re elected. If you don’t do a good job, then you’re not re-elected. But if you’re appointed, then you’re kind of tenured in.”
Copies of the resolution will be sent to Senator Larkin and Assemblywoman Calhoun, the Orange County Legislature and the governor himself, the board agreed.
The New York Association of Towns, in which Greene Krafft is involved, has hired a lobbyist to speak on towns’ behalf against the appointment of positions, as well as proposed consolidation and/or elimination of positions that could result in a loss of local services.
For example, death certificates – now available locally at the town offices for $10 – could be moved to the county offices in Goshen and possibly cost $30, Quigley said, referencing a document that largely affects his funeral home business.
“That’s just not right. I think this will just turn into a huge bureaucracy that won’t work,” Quigley said.
Comments:
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Long sigh..... if it ain't broke, don't fix it....
posted by Kate Benson on 03/12/09 at 12:12 AM
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