fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Local ethics law draws scrutiny

by George Pattison
April 24, 2017
in Uncategorized
0
Bill McKenna
Bill McKenna

A case involving a member of the Woodstock Town Board has drawn attention to the local ethics law, which seeks to establish standards of conduct for town officers, employees, and consultants, and to procedures followed by the volunteer board that administers and enforces the statute.

The recent scrutiny follows councilman Bill McKenna’s disclosure at the March 12 meeting of the Town Board that the Ethics Board had requested him to appear on March 18 to respond to a complaint alleging that he had violated one or more provisions of the ethics law, which the town adopted in 2000.

The written summons to appear before the five-member ethics panel illustrated a deficiency in the law, said McKenna at the meeting and in subsequent interviews, because it did not specify the nature of the complaint against him. Perhaps the law should be amended so that people who were accused of an offense were informed of the charge they were facing before they were questioned by the board, he said.

The complaint relates to appearances by McKenna — and, possibly, additional Town Board members who have yet to be identified — at meetings of other town agencies, reportedly the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Two provisions of the ethics law prohibit such appearances by town officers or employees under certain circumstances, such as the representation of a private interest or the inducement of another official to violate the ethics statute. [See related letters in the Feedback section of this issue.]

Overlying the current case is the broader issue of secrecy. With few exceptions the Ethics Board conducts its business in private, typically to preserve the anonymity of complainants and defendants during its investigation of a complaint. If, after an investigation and a series of due-process steps including a hearing, the board finds that a violation of the law has occurred, it may recommend appropriate disciplinary actions to the Town Board, which is authorized to impose such sanctions.

The particulars of the McKenna case raise two questions: whether, as the councilman suggests, flaws in the ethics law undermine the rights of the accused and should be corrected; and whether the Ethics Board has been overzealous in its pursuit of secrecy.

On the first question, a cursory review by Woodstock Times of the local ethics law — and of Article 3 of the state Administrative Procedure Act, which complements and informs the local law — found no provision directing the Ethics Board to omit the specific charge when it notifies individuals that they are the subject of a complaint. (As noted, the review of the law was cursory and is subject to corroboration by a legal authority.)

The Town Board is evaluating at least one proposed amendment to the ethics law, while the Ethics Board is reportedly preparing others for its consideration. Whether any of the proposed changes relate to notifying defendants about the charges lodged against them could not be determined at press time, as attempts to reach two members of the ethics panel for comment were unsuccessful.

Page 1 of 2
12Next
Tags: Ethics lawPlanning BoardZoning Board of Appeals
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Passion Play an emotional experience

Next Post

Sharon Core paints with a lens

George Pattison

Related Posts

It Won’t Be This Way Forever at Opus 40
Uncategorized

It Won’t Be This Way Forever at Opus 40

August 11, 2022
The New Paltz Paint Swap keeps old paint out of the landfill and saves money for DIYers
Uncategorized

The New Paltz Paint Swap keeps old paint out of the landfill and saves money for DIYers

July 6, 2022
Letters to the editor (2/23/22)
Uncategorized

Letters to the editor (2/23/22)

March 8, 2022
Halloween was a real treat and at its peak in New Paltz
Uncategorized

Halloween was a real treat and at its peak in New Paltz

November 3, 2021
How Saugerties streets got their names, part II
Uncategorized

Town of Saugerties sets 7 p.m. Halloween curfew

October 28, 2021
Donna Smith to replace Jewell Turner as Gardiner’s deputy town clerk
Uncategorized

Gardiner bridge closing for $393,575 replacement

October 22, 2021
Next Post

Sharon Core paints with a lens

Trending News

  • Ignoring road closure signs, driver gets tractor trailer stuck on mountain road in Saugerties for 24 hours 2.7k views
  • Visit Kingston’s 12,240-square-foot squat, centrally located with wood-burning fireplace 2k views
  • Dog rescued from Wallkill River’s icy grip 712 views
  • Controversy ensues as KCSD walks back Black History Month opt out language 694 views
  • Judge tosses most serious charge against trooper in death of eleven-year-old  580 views
  • Saugerties Snow Moon parade postponed until Sunday due to weather 500 views

Weather

Kingston
◉
28°
Clear
6:59 am5:20 pm EST
Feels like: 28°F
Wind: 2mph NW
Humidity: 79%
Pressure: 30.31"Hg
UV index: 0
FriSatSun
52/30°F
43/23°F
45/30°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing