tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post3424033610107854491..comments2023-10-30T06:13:34.382-04:00Comments on Supervisor Feiner: $325 AN HOUR DEFENSE LAWYER? WHY I'M VOTING NO.Paul Feinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17087805120754057844noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-17467578285338628582007-10-13T22:10:00.000-04:002007-10-13T22:10:00.000-04:00Thanks Ed!Everyone else note that the Town Clerk g...Thanks Ed!<BR/><BR/>Everyone else note that the Town Clerk gets $73,686 for what the anonymous blogger says is really a part-time job.<BR/><BR/>Let's assume that our fair Town needs a full-time clerk, so maybe Alfreda Williams could come in earlier and as an incentive we'll double her pay to compensate her for working the full day. Then she'll be earning $147,373 and be the Town's highest full time employee. Oops, I forgot, she also earns $5,000 as the Custodian of Elections. Not a bad racket.<BR/><BR/>But since she had "permission" to come to class late, why is she telling people that in the morning she is doing Town work, just not at Town Hall. <BR/><BR/>Oh yeah, Alfreda's been so busy that she probably forgot to give credit to Winsome Gordon, the Town's grant coordinator for obtaining the grant to defray the cost of the records storage room. <BR/><BR/>But Alfreda does a mean job as waitress for the Town Board when they order in dinner at work sessions. And let me not overlook how well she sets out the plates of candy for the Town Board at work sessions and Town Board meetings. <BR/><BR/>Finally, I wasn't questioning having to submit a FOIL request. I was only reminding residents that the Town Clerk was moving at lightening speed backwards to fulfill those troublesome requests of some residents.<BR/><BR/>And, it was the Town Clerk who refused to process Email FOIL requests despite State Laws of July 2006 which obligated the Town Clerk to comply with them and, in a Town the size of Greenburgh, to fulfill those requests by Email if so requested.<BR/><BR/>But there's only so much she can do when getting to the office after 12:00. <BR/><BR/>I guess the next step is to FOIL to see the written authorization allowing her to come to work in the afternoon.<BR/>If I FOIL on behalf of anonymous, will Francis and Gil get their copies?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-40738590099238778802007-10-13T11:28:00.000-04:002007-10-13T11:28:00.000-04:00If an elected official, and the Town Clerk is an e...If an elected official, and the Town Clerk is an elected official, simply "follows orders," then it may stand to reason all elected officials "follow orders."<BR/><BR/>But who gives the orders?<BR/><BR/>Since the supervisor is a full time position, and the clerk is a full time position could it be the supervisor? (And while we're at it, since the town clerk is a full time position, codified by NYS law, who is empowered to let the clerk come to work after noon?)<BR/><BR/>If the supervisor does not tell the clerk what to do, are each of the board members available at all times for the clerk to call and ask what to do? And, if so, does she need at least three votes to procede?<BR/><BR/>The town clerk did and does her work without having to get directions; her working hours, if as you allude, were reduced to "mid-afternoon, as far as I can see, contrary to common sense and the law. So I don't think she or the "allowers" would jeopardize their positions by authorzing a part time job with full time pay.<BR/><BR/>Mr. or Ms. 10/12 5:57 PM, you should get your s--t together before you denigrate Hal or anyone else from your supercilious tower of anonymity. If you're so damn sure, and so smug put your name to it to let Hal face his accuser.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-52094666784425607382007-10-12T17:57:00.001-04:002007-10-12T17:57:00.001-04:00Remember (or maybe it was before you began to care...Remember (or maybe it was before you began to care Hal)-<BR/>It was the stated policy of the Supervisor to require FOIL requests for routine materials. And yes, there were always three votes to back him up. The Clerk simply did what she was told to do - and excused from attendance at Town Hall before mid-afternoon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-87370816871117091162007-10-12T17:57:00.000-04:002007-10-12T17:57:00.000-04:00Remember (or maybe it was before you began to care...Remember (or maybe it was before you began to care Hal)-<BR/>It was the stated policy of the Supervisor to require FOIL requests for routine materials. And yes, there were always three votes to back him up. The Clerk simply did what she was told to do - and excused from attendance at Town Hall before mid-afternoon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-47221721267715035692007-10-10T11:31:00.000-04:002007-10-10T11:31:00.000-04:00Actually, the Town Clerk's office has also been ch...Actually, the Town Clerk's office has also been charged with negotiating franchise agreements with cable providers Cablevision and Verizon.<BR/><BR/>And by not complying with FOIL laws, the Office of Town Clerk can retard the information flow to the Public that may be important content at Public Hearings. Presumably, Public Hearings should provide the Town Board with reasons to vote for or against proposed Resolutions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-15278982756590415452007-10-10T10:00:00.000-04:002007-10-10T10:00:00.000-04:00Contributions to Alfreda Williams are not ethical ...Contributions to Alfreda Williams are not ethical problems because Williams was not in a policy-making position. But contributions to incumbent Town Council members (Barnes and Bass) are ethical problems in spades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-75814180191036698602007-10-10T08:50:00.000-04:002007-10-10T08:50:00.000-04:00I thought the Town Council wanted to ban pay to pl...I thought the Town Council wanted to ban pay to play? This ain't happening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-69498676414335920732007-10-10T01:24:00.000-04:002007-10-10T01:24:00.000-04:00Will the real Ed Krauss stand up?I think you've go...Will the real Ed Krauss stand up?<BR/><BR/>I think you've got the anonymous wrongly at 6:58.<BR/><BR/>However, attesting to this with my own eyes, I do see that Stephanie Kavourias, Executive Director of Hartsdale Parking, did contribute $100 to Ms. Barnes. As the Parking folks have been, are and will always be, before the Town Board...most recently Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Town Board meeting, Agenda Item CO2 "Resolution authorizing the Town Supervisor to enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Hartsdale Public Parking District for the period 1/01/08 through 12/31/08"... it does seem as though Ms Barnes should not have accepted this campaign contribution especially since she has been most attentive (or was she sleeping through this too) to the goings on regarding the Ethics Board and the laws she voted for.<BR/><BR/>And the Parking District will be back for parking fee increases etc.<BR/>One might even suppose that higher Parking revenues would provide the income that supports raises for the Parking District's employee, Stephanie Kavourias. <BR/><BR/>But after all, who cares. Since the New York State campaign finance web pages are behind, in real time, the County Board of Elections reporting and I did not get a chance to drop in there and obtain a copy of Ms. Barnes' filings, such as they are, I stepped back and withdrew from an earlier statement that attributed a sizeable contribution to Ms. Barnes from the Chair of the Ethics Board. As I'm not going to be able to stop in soon at the Board of Elections, tonight at the Town Board meeting, I'll just ask Ms. Barnes face to face.<BR/><BR/>If it is true, wouldn't that be a dilemma? Ms. Barnes took money from the Parking District and who would decide to judge her, the Ethics Board headed by one of her largest contributors.<BR/><BR/>Glad that we have these fabulous, new, toughest Ethics laws anywhere...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-15525949519780177552007-10-09T23:16:00.000-04:002007-10-09T23:16:00.000-04:00Whoever 6:58 PM is, who put my name to his or her ...Whoever 6:58 PM is, who put my name to his or her trash is a disgusting coward and liar.<BR/><BR/>It's not bad enough that anons post vicious rumors and outright lies on this blog, now they put other peoples'-MINE- name to their BULL SHIT! <BR/><BR/>I never said anything remotely close to Eddie Mae, the head of the parking authority and did not post the posting signed with my name.<BR/><BR/>I think maybe the Blog has run amok.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-5132273150672848312007-10-09T23:00:00.000-04:002007-10-09T23:00:00.000-04:00Mike Sigal gave $200 to Alfreda WilliamsMike Sigal gave $200 to Alfreda WilliamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-88813343684527443912007-10-09T21:05:00.000-04:002007-10-09T21:05:00.000-04:00I think that Judge Doris Friedman lives in Irvingt...I think that Judge Doris Friedman lives in Irvington.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-67588603537275665912007-10-09T20:16:00.000-04:002007-10-09T20:16:00.000-04:00Dear Anonymous 10/9 1:13 PM,Does it bother you tha...Dear Anonymous 10/9 1:13 PM,<BR/><BR/>Does it bother you that there is the possibilty that a Doris Friedam, listed at 21 B South Broadway, Tarrytown NY gave $99 to Alfreda Williams' Committee as reported by that Committee on 9/16/07? Is it the Town Judge, running for reelection? Did she violate any ethics or judicial code of conduct? Did she make the contribution at $99 expecting that it wouldn't be reported (the legal requirement is $100) and Williams' Committee "goofed" by reporting it publicly? Did she make other "unethical" contributions? Only the "Shadow" knows for sure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-21305614720322074222007-10-09T18:58:00.000-04:002007-10-09T18:58:00.000-04:00Did the head of the parking authority donate to Ed...Did the head of the parking authority donate to Eddie Mae? Isn't that a conflict? Doesn't the Parking Authority ask for things from our Town Council?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-78119732103008096232007-10-09T18:01:00.000-04:002007-10-09T18:01:00.000-04:00To ANON, 11:07:I'm hurt. I'm never in the "shadow"...To ANON, 11:07:<BR/><BR/>I'm hurt. I'm never in the "shadow" I always use my name. As withyour critique, My opinions-wrong or right- are there for ANONs like you to criticize. Don't get me wrong, I welcome criticism. Once I separate the parts and distill that which is worthwhile I learn and move forward a better person. <BR/><BR/>The "Tower of Babel," not withstanding, I try to express myself as clearly as possible using the most appropriate words at my command.The piece you refer to was meant to be serious and not humorous, because in my mind there is much tragedy in Greenburgh emanating from Town Hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-84279242558216292007-10-09T17:50:00.000-04:002007-10-09T17:50:00.000-04:00Could it be possible that Sheehan put all idiots o...Could it be possible that Sheehan put all idiots on the ethics board that he now decided to have an outside attorney,[a defense lawyer]with no knowledge of ethics.<BR/>This lawyer knows that his forte is crime,and not ethics and how could he ask for all this money which is unethical.<BR/>Hey Sheehan what's wrong with our law department,are you also saying that they are incompitent.<BR/>It is amazing how you think that you and only you have brains.<BR/>Yes a beebee brain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-83146504210356677142007-10-09T15:27:00.000-04:002007-10-09T15:27:00.000-04:00The revised ethics code doesn't permit public offi...The revised ethics code doesn't permit public officials to accept contributions from appointed town officers. <BR/><BR/>Is Sigal, as ethics chair, an appointed town officer? <BR/><BR/>He's not a department head like the building inspector or the planning commissioner, but all the same he's asking the town for money in the 2008 budget, just like every other department head.<BR/><BR/>While Sigal himself may not have violated the ethics laws, his giving Barnes the contribution puts her in a difficult spot. Why would he do such a thing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-76584536788186543292007-10-09T14:51:00.000-04:002007-10-09T14:51:00.000-04:00Besides Sheehan's possible connections to this law...Besides Sheehan's possible connections to this law firm, Sigal needs to declare if he has any associations with them as well. Something here is not Kosher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-91549113266035275752007-10-09T14:43:00.000-04:002007-10-09T14:43:00.000-04:00Eddie Mae's monetary contribution form was filed w...Eddie Mae's monetary contribution form was filed with the Westchester County Board of Elections. Listed: Myer O.Sigal Jr. Contribution was dated 9/10/07 for $500. A post office box is listed. <BR/>Does Eddie Mae and Steve have to recuse themselves from the vote tomorrow because of the donation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-84534025096341560812007-10-09T13:13:00.000-04:002007-10-09T13:13:00.000-04:00To 11:41, the financial report has been widely dis...To 11:41, the financial report has been widely distributed and I have seen it. So have many others. It shows "Meyer Sigal" with a post office box address.<BR/><BR/>Nothing wrong with anybody making contributions to political candidates. It is different with the Ethics Board members. Their job is to look at "appearances" as well as actual actions. They are supposed to be impartial and be seen as impartial.<BR/><BR/>The reason judges are not permitted to make political contributions is that they are supposed to be seen as totally impartial. It should be the same with Ethics Board members contributing to the Town Board which appoints them. Especially in a hot political climate, in which the Town Council has been waging an ethics war with the Supervisor. Pay to play, remember that?<BR/><BR/>I have already lost confidence in the Ethics Board and that confidence will return only when Sigal is replaced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-4053857003951294892007-10-09T13:07:00.000-04:002007-10-09T13:07:00.000-04:00Mike Sigal is Meyer Sigal, and the contribution is...Mike Sigal is Meyer Sigal, and the contribution is clearly listed on Barnes's latest filing. The slowness of the Board of Election in posting these filings to their website is unfortunate. As of Friday Bass did not file. He is a week late and there are warnings that are sent, and fines can be accessed. Reggie Lafayette, the Commissioner told me Friday that quite often losing candidates take their time until "really" warned or threatened with fines. Often they then come in with a whole pile of documents at the last moment.<BR/><BR/>It is interesting that under the new Ethics Code, contributions to incumbents are much more restricted than they would be to mere challengers.<BR/><BR/>I haven't read the whole code in detail, but a Greenburgh town employee or possibly a member of a Town Board may be restricted in who, or what, they contribute. It seems to me a restriction of "freedom of speech."<BR/><BR/>But, be that as it may, it seems incredibly strange that the Chairperson of the Ethics Board would not recuse himself from gift giving to candidates, whose conduct he must judge.<BR/><BR/>With regards to the controversy over the Board's hiring of this lawyer for the Ethics Board, I am against it. Too me it is a waste of money and he seems to lack the expertise to deal with these issues. Is he being hired to go on expensive fishing expeditions?<BR/><BR/>Also I would be curious whether all of the candidates have filed their financial statement's with the Ethics Board. Right now it is voluntary. What does that mean?<BR/><BR/>Will he be then able to supoena the records of all the candidates who didn't voluntarily file? This could prove quite costly to the town when one is considering a $325 per hour billable rate.<BR/><BR/>Let the Ethics Board order all the filings from the Board of Elections, and let these volunteers look over all of the statements, plain and simple!<BR/><BR/>I hope that Town Board has the good sense to stop this next boondoogle in its tracks.<BR/><BR/>Richard J. GarfunkelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-14040607289390989952007-10-09T11:41:00.000-04:002007-10-09T11:41:00.000-04:00How is anon at 11 so sure that Barnes' financial d...How is anon at 11 so sure that Barnes' financial disclosures show a $500 contribution from Sigal one week before the primary that he or she can call anyone who says otherwise on this blog a "liar"? <BR/><BR/>The state board of elections website shows no such contribution by Sigal. Maybe Sigal made such a contribution, but how is anon at 11 so sure?<BR/><BR/>But even if such a contribution were made, why is there anything wrong with that? It's great that there are citizens active in the community who think it's worthwhile to contribute financially to local candidates running for office.<BR/><BR/>Without the support of local citizens like Sigal, and without any system of public financing of local campaigns, candidates would either have to be wealthy enough to finance their own campaigns, or they would have to take money from people with business pending before the town. <BR/><BR/>Sigal, as ethics chair, has as much right to make contributions as the next person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-67617279325997588122007-10-09T11:07:00.000-04:002007-10-09T11:07:00.000-04:00mr krauss may have something to say but his point ...mr krauss may have something to say but his point is lost on his attempted cleverness. ed - please dont try to mimic the shadow and their ilk. say it in simple plain english.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-49025321629611702582007-10-09T11:00:00.000-04:002007-10-09T11:00:00.000-04:00To Anon 9:57.Don't lie. Barnes' financial disclos...To Anon 9:57.<BR/><BR/>Don't lie. Barnes' financial disclosures show a $500 contribution from Meyer Sigal (that is Mike Sigal) one week before the primary, which is several months after he was appointed to the Ethics Board as its chairman, and while the Ethics Board was considering the old claims against Feiner.<BR/><BR/>If Sigal gave money to Feiner as well then that is wrong also. When did he give Feiner a contribution? This year? If so it's wrong. Two years ago? Sigal wasn't Ethics Board chairman then, so that would be OK.<BR/><BR/>Why can't people be truthful?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-31528151945957601012007-10-09T09:57:00.000-04:002007-10-09T09:57:00.000-04:00There doesn't appear to be any contribution from S...There doesn't appear to be any contribution from Sigal on Barnes' financial disclosure forms on file with the state, but why is it okay for Sigal to give money to Feiner (which he did), but it's not okay for him to give money to Barnes (which it doesn't look like he did anyway).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33594888.post-56400745045499774392007-10-09T07:59:00.000-04:002007-10-09T07:59:00.000-04:00Is it possible that Mike Sigal did not donate to E...Is it possible that Mike Sigal did not donate to Eddie Mae but that his son (if he has one by the same name) did donate?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com