In a press release issued today, First Ward supervisor Randall Martin announced that he has "formally requested that State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli launch an independent investigation into possible legal and ethical violations by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors." The subject of the investigation is Board of Supervisors chair Matt Murell's decision to hire outside legal counsel--without public notice, a board vote, or a formal resolution--to review the citizen-initiated petition for a referendum to create a county executive position.
The following is the letter that Martin submitted to DiNapoli:
Dear Comptroller DiNapoli,
I am writing to formally request that your office initiate an independent investigation into recent actions taken by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors that raise serious concerns regarding transparency, legal compliance, and ethical governance.
Specifically, it has come to public attention that the Chairman of the Board authorized the hiring of outside legal counsel to review a countywide referendum petition without seeking or obtaining formal approval from the full Board of Supervisors. This unilateral action appears to have been conducted without public notice, discussion, or recorded resolution, raising serious questions about the proper use of taxpayer funds and adherence to New York State’s Open Meetings Law and procurement policies. To date, the Chairman of the Board has not disclosed information regarding the cost, or fees associated with hiring outside legal counsel.
Furthermore, there is growing concern among constituents about the Board’s biased handling of the referendum process, which seeks to establish the office of County Executive. The process by which petition signatures were reviewed and invalidated appears to lack neutrality, and the decision to engage outside counsel was done in a manner that has undermined public trust in the integrity of the democratic process.
Given the significance of this issue and its impact on county wide governance, I respectfully request that your office:
- Conduct a full review of the decision-making and expenditure processes related to the hiring of legal counsel;
- Determine whether the hiring conformed to state law, budgetary protocols, and board-approved procedures;
- Examine the handling of the referendum petition for any evidence of partisan or unethical interference.
Public confidence in our local institutions depends on a transparent and lawful government. An independent review by your office would go a long way in restoring trust and ensuring accountability. . . .
In his press release, Martin asserts: "The public deserves to know whether their tax dollars are being spent in accordance with the law. It is deeply troubling that such a consequential decision was made behind closed doors, without transparency or oversight. The public's trust in county government is at stake."
Martin was appointed to the position of First Ward supervisor by the Common Council in January 2025, after the resignation of Claire Cousin. In the June primary, he lost his bid to be the Democratic candidate for First Ward supervisor but continues to run as a Working Families Party candidate.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK
“Behind closed doors.” Could possibly used to describe how some believe Randall was preselected to replace Claire Cousins against the wishes of many First Ward residents and both their council members.
ReplyDelete“Unilaterally.” So is Martin’s press release. Wouldn’t this request carry more weight if it was co-signed by other supervisors and other local elected leaders? Seems like grandstanding as a last ditch campaign tactic. 🤔
One reason Columbia County fails the Singapore or New Zealand test on transparency is its supervisors.
ReplyDeleteMost of them are rarely neutral post election season.
Supervisor Randall Martin’s plea to the State Comptroller sounds civic‑minded. It also omits that both he and Hudson Mayor Kamal have conflicts with the Galvan Foundation. Kamal's are well‑known from the Times Union stories. Martin’s are quieter: he rents from Galvan and sits on the Hudson board that approves Galvan's tax deals. Randall did not recuse.
The obvious opportunity here is for a principled Democrat to expose fraud in Democratic towns and Dem supervisors, and for Republicans to do the same within their own towns and ranks.
That would confer instant credibility and show voters and taxpayers principle and backbone.
Corruption here is bipartisan. Donkeys and elephants are all in the backrooms behind closed doors, even if not at the same time.
Also Randall, from your campaign website you list several accomplishments.
- How exactly did you "resolve Allen St. tree cutting issue"?
- Is it your job to "stand up against (federal) Medicaid cuts?"
- What exactly did you do to "expand 911 Services?"
We don't mean to nitpick... but when you say "re-elect" when you were never elected in the first place, it could be confusing to new residents.
The biggest issue in the 1st Ward (outside of City Hall dysfunction) is arguably the never-ending saga of the Waterfront/Colarusso fiasco. It costs the city money, keeps the courts busy, and relates to health and wealth from the Terraces to Allen St.
And here again an odd conflict exists. You are the _appointed_ 1st Ward Supervisor (during the winter recess we should add), but you also serve on the City of Hudson Planning Board, which is currently reviewing the Colarusso issue.
To whom do you owe a fiduciary duty? Are you thinking about what is best for your neighbors and residents in the 1st Ward, or the City as a whole, or simply the laws and rules of the Planning Board?
A well run city (with an ethical mayor and good lawyers) would ask you to recuse from the Planning Board decision on the Colarusso matter, or resign as 1st Ward Supervisor.
Yeah, it’s beyond weird that he’s on these regulatory boards: IDA/Planning Board and holds a county supervisor seat—all appointed and not elected. Much like the power broker himself, Robert Moses, who held several conflicting appointments of power—but unlike Moses, Martin’s accomplishments are harder to define.
DeleteStill, the basic question is unanswered. Why is Randall calling in the Comptroller, who generally has pretty good creds on this stuff?
ReplyDelete