Tomorrow, people unhappy with Matt Murell and his high-handed actions to keep a referendum calling for change in county government structure off the ballot in November will gather in protest at 401 State Street prior to the meeting of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors.
Today, six members of the Board of Supervisors issued an open letter to Murell calling for his resignation. The text of that letter follows.
Your unilateral decision to hire a taxpayer-funded Special Counsel in service of a partisan goal, without informing or seeking the approval of your colleagues on the Board, was a serious breach of process and transparency. In sworn testimony during the recent lawsuit over the popular petition to create a full-time, elected County Executive, evidence showed that you, from within your government office, engaged in unethical and potentially unlawful conduct to block the petition.
For the good of this Board and the people we serve, we respectfully call for your resignation.
It would not have been improper for the Republican Party to use its own funds to challenge the petition. Using taxpayer funds to disenfranchise taxpayers was wholly inappropriate and an abuse of power.
Public service is a calling that demands integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the public good above personal or partisan interests. Those of us privileged to serve must embody these values in both action and appearance. Your conduct in this matter runs directly counter to these ideals. It is an abuse of power, a violation of the public trust, and wholly incompatible with the principles of fairness and integrity that should guide this Board.
True leadership is rooted in service, not self-preservation. Restoring the public's trust is essential, and we unfortunately conclude that cannot happen while you remain in office.
The letter was signed by the following members of the Board of Supervisors: Minority Leader Tistrya Houghtling (New Lebanon), Mike Dvorchak (Hillsdale), Randall Martin (Hudson, First Ward), Linda Mussmann (Hudson, Fourth Ward), John Reilly (Gallatin), and Richard Wolf (Copake).
Where’s the rest of Hudson’s supervisors on this, Miah and Chameides? I know Scalera is one of the Good Ol’ Boys (and likely DINO) so not expecting support from him.
ReplyDeleteFifth Ward supervisor Richard Scalera submitted this reply to the previous comment by email.
DeleteMonday evening I received a text from Minority Leader Tistryia Houghling (BOS) asking if I would sign a resolution calling for Chairman of the Board, Matt Murell to resign? Seems she and other Dems were, "thinking" her word not mine that he did something either illegal or unethical that was serious enough to take that action.
My response was to at least allow him the due process he's entitled to before a full blown character assasination take place! Only after that process happens ,we as a body should look to take necessary action if needed!
Nobody on the BOS is qualified to answer the questions so let's all take a deep breath and allow this to play out.
I did respond to Sup.Houghtling by saying.....Although I would not support signing a resignation resolution,I will support a resolution or request (if warranted) that will call for an investigation of the legality or unethical behavior of the Chairman's actions.
5th Ward Supervisor
Proud Good Ol' Boy
Rick Scalera
I would like to take this opportunity to remind 5th Ward Hudsonians that this is the perfect time for those that are more aligned with the Democratic Party to launch a write in campaign, for both supervisor and common council: against “Proud Good Ol’ Boy Scalera” for supervisor, and against former supervisor, now common council candidate, DSA/WFP-aligned Claire Cousin.
DeleteFor either candidate you can use the same slogan: “Remember 11 Warren Street!”
Once again, Rick Scalera has responded to "Union Jack," submitting his comment by email:
DeleteSurely Union Jack has no understanding what the facts are leading up to the County showing interest and ultimately purchasing the site. However, Candidate for Council President Margaret Morris does for the most part and I'm sure will give you her recollection of how the County became interested.
But then again the truth never matters to some.
The fact is the County never had 11 Warren on their radar but instead was keen on JLE Vacant school.The BOS search committee began their due diligence phase and only until months later at a County Government committee were we asked by a few City Elected Officials (Naming optional) to reconsider JLE because the City had their own plans for that building and wanted to locate several Departments there and needed time to do their due diligence work.
To the County's credit, they stepped aside and allowed that to happen. Months went by with no response, so the County resumed their search and found that 11 Warren St was available. This is the short version of course but the pertinent facts are there and what transpired!
By the way I was under the impression that this was a mandated name requirement site and I think that is appropriate......Does Union Jack have a name? Would be fair to everyone that signs on!
Rick Scalera
5th Ward Supervisor