Deputy Dawg

For the past 15 months, North Greenbush has not had a Deputy Supervisor. This is largely because the Town Supervisor was not aware he could appoint one and after the 5 day period in which the Supervisor alone is empowered to make the appointment without the consent of the Town Board, absolutely no one in the Democratic camp wanted to be labeled as the Deputy of Supervisor Evers. Consequently, even though the appointment power for the position has rested with the Town Board, the Democrats who hold the majority left it vacant.
The North Greenbush Pipeline has learned that Mr. Evers plans to announce he is “appointing” his “right hand man” as the Deputy Supervisor. Conservative Councilman Ernie Kern will be knighted by the Supervisor as Deputy Supervisor even though he no longer has the legal authority to make the appointment. Sound familiar? Just another day in North Greenbush Government.
Mr. Kern is noted for his insightful commentary at town board meetings. Yes, well, here’s what the Town Law says about the Deputy Supervisor:

S 42. Deputy supervisor.
The town board of any town may at any time establish the office of deputy supervisor. The deputy supervisor shall be appointed by the supervisor to serve at the pleasure of the supervisor, and in case the office of supervisor becomes vacant any deputy supervisor in office at the time such vacancy occurs shall continue to serve until the successor of such deputy supervisor is appointed. If the supervisor shall fail to appoint a deputy supervisor within five days after the establishment of the office or within five days after a vacancy occurs in the office, the town board shall have power to appoint such deputy supervisor.

Sorry Mr. Supervisor, once again you don’t read or don’t care whether you have the authority to act. The Town Board alone has the power to appoint a Deputy Supervisor because you failed to make an appointment within 5 days of their being a vacancy. Just don’t let Ernie sign any contracts or checks in your absence.

Update on the Comprehensive Plan Meeting

We hope to provide an update later but so far word is that the reform brigade showed up at the meeting as anticipated. There was no confrontation. One would expect that the town board will have to decide whether the Supervisor can pack a committee with political pals from two election districts or the Town Board affirms its relevance and authority to vote on all Board appointed and constituted commitees.