Whole Lot of "Leaving" Going On
Does anyone else, besides me, miss seeing the fall leaves? If so, here’s a taste of autumn in the New York Adirondacks. Autumn in all its splendor! [Photo submitted by IRB seasonal resident Lori Henry.]
Does anyone else, besides me, miss seeing the fall leaves? If so, here’s a taste of autumn in the New York Adirondacks. Autumn in all its splendor! [Photo submitted by IRB seasonal resident Lori Henry.]
Speaking of "leaving"...the City Commission voted on Tuesday night to relieve IRB Finance Director Marty Schless of his duties.
Mystery: Tuesday night's agenda item was listed as "Evaluation of City Treasurer." How did an evaluation discussion turn to termination? Did Commissioner Kennedy jump the gun and make an improper motion--a procedural error that, once again, went unnoticed?
Commissioner Kennedy voted NOT to fire Schless some months back and pointed to the lack of a plan as to her reasoning. So what's different now? There still isn't a plan...at least one the public has been made privvy to...yet she changed her vote?
Besides, isn't adoption of a resolution required to fire a charter officer? If so, why wasn't one drafted and passed? The word is that Schless will be staying on for 30 days, but how and when was that decided? It didn't happen at the meeting. And, since Marty reports to the commission, was this decision to keep him on for another month made off the dais and "outside" the sunshine? Was the commission polled by a third party in violation of the Sunshine Law?
What effect, if any, does firing Schless for writing the infamous Grieshaber check have on the City's lawsuit against the former City Manager? Won't Grieshaber now just say..."Hey, it was IRB's misstep, not mine; they even fired their own official over it"?
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
10 comments:
During the discussion these dolts blamed the Treasurer for writing the infamous Grieshaber check.
How much have we spent on this case so far, 15 to 20,000 big ones to recover 13,000? And, the case is not over yet. If Grieshaber gets a copy of the meeting tapes his lawyer will have lots of fun poking more holes in the City's case now that the Commission has officially blamed the Treasurer for writing the check.
Why do I sense a whistle blower's suit in the making?
When will these idiots realiaze that everybody in the entire world has stopped spending.
Take a moment and really think about the last 2 to 3 years here in IRB. When you think back, this town was somewhat stable. We had our problems like many other towns, but they were more about how the developers were taking advantage of our laws and leaving us with truly ugly building. The commission then realized what was going on and took action. In fact, the previous commissions didn’t put up with any non-sense. The papers were always presenting a very slanted view on what was actually happening in town. Never reporting any of the good things. They would grab one issue and raise Cain with it. We will all be better when they have all gone bankrupt, and these so called reporters have to get a real job. I doubt many can make it without a handout or going on welfare. Keep in mind, these reporters all backed what we are now dealing with, incompetence. Today IRB is sparsely mentioned in the local rags. I guess the change we wanted and the change we got over the past several years isn’t exactly the same. Let’s look at it. A new commission that is clearly out of touch with the people of IRB, the issues we have, the financial mess we are in, just to name a few. We have a new lawyer whose Cracker Jack degree, you know the free one in the box, is starting to show. An incompetent treasurer, know about for years, finally now gone. No city manager. A city planner acting the role of manager, incompetent in both areas. Financially, we are broke. Our taxes have been raised across the board on everything. All the while our commission talks about buying property, hiring consultants for everything, spending, spending, spending, and more spending. We are a mess. All of which has taken place in the blink of an eye. And who is to blame? We, the people are. We got exactly what we wanted but never gave a thought about the consequences. Like the old saying goes, watch out what you wish for, you might just get it! I wish to thank the McCoughlins, Johnstones, Victor “Limp” Wood, Jose “Commissar” Coppen, Patti “Duh” Munieo, Jim “Shifty” Labide and the entire A2 KKK club, Betsy “I didn’t steal nothing” Schromf, Jim and Betts “Memorial Library” Driscoll, Mr. “I got beat up by a 93 year old lady” Leo Coughlin and any citizen who voted for this disaster of a commission. Change is good isn’t it?
What's wrong with hope and change? Or should we be hoping for a change? We never know how good we have it until it's gone. We all followed empty promises and a stack of lies. Yes, I agree we are all to blame. I can't believe we really put dumb and dumber up there.
That is hysterical....
Thank you Leo for your fine reporting. So that's how these people got elected. Classic!
IRB is hardly mentioned in the "local rags" because the "local rags" are populated with friends the fab five.
Mr. Schless will serve out 30 days PER HIS CONTRACT. Per that same contract Mr. Schless serves at the pleaseure of the City Commisson. Contrary to your statements Ms. Obarski, he is not elected or appointed to be "a voice of the people". He is hired by, fired by, and is employed by the Commission.
Dear Anonymous #8
The Treasurer's fiduciary duty is to the people of Indian Rocks Beach according to the Charter. Everyone should read that document to understand the protections for the people contained within it. For example, the Charter sets forth that budget content, format, preparation, etc. is the sole responsibility of the City Manager.
In fact, the fiduciary duty of all the Charter officers is to the people of Indian Rocks Beach. Remember when Nixon fired the special prosecutor and several of his Cabintet members resigned? Same principle applies here, the fiduciary of Cabinet officers is to the people after their appointment is confirmed by the Senate.
All of the Charter officers, in addition to their professional fiduciary, are supposed to stand up to the Commission when they are running amuck. They are supposed to keep the Commission informed of the need for policy decisions or direction by the Commission.
True, the Charter officers are hired and fired by the Commission, but, after being hired they work for the people and are supposed to read the Charter and follow it, not be intimidated by the Commission. The Charter officers are a check and balance on each other and the Commission.
Each Charter officer's contract with the City sets forth the terms of severance in case of termination for cause, termination without cause, or resignation. The Commission had the right to fire the Treasurer and they did.
My only regret is that no asked the Treasurer, on the record, why on earth he borrowed money from the General Fund to give to the Sewer Fund. The borrowing, without Commission approval, was clearly improper. The Treasurer should have also been asked if he agrees or disagees with all the analysis by the consultants and auditors, who don't seem to agree with one another. We've probably lost the opportunity to get these explanations, on the record.
For example, the Treasurer and then City Attorney opined and or testified, under oath, on several occassions that the Treasurer and Greishaber were soley responsible for the check to Greishaber.
Salzman, Brobeil and Grieshaber had no problem telling the Commission or individual Commissioners when they had abused the law or Charter. Their working relationships with the Commission were solid and mutually respectful with the exception, of course, of Grieshaber and Schless writing that stupid check.
Bill Ockunzzi
Thank You Bill for the info about the Charter Officers.
The commission is going to talk about getting rid of the Clerk and Treasurer as Charter Officers and put them under the City Manager.
So this would mean they work for the City Manager not the people or the commission.
With the luck we have had with City Managers over the last few years, we cannot afford to do away with these two Charter Officers checks and balances on each other and the commission.
Also, please have the guts to put your names to these post.
Post a Comment