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Friday, September 18, 2009

A Walk Down Memory Lane

We had many requests to encapsulate the controversies surrounding Mark Evers as Supervisor. Frankly there have been so many, we way have missed a few. But here are "a few".

2006

He permitted the purchase of a $23,500 vehicle, not budgeted or approved by the Town Board.

He unilaterally appointed a Clerk without Board approval.

Refused to order canvass of civil service list for Clerk position despite Board resolution.

Appointed a Senior Clerk position without any town board vote as required by Town Law.(She is still on the town payroll)

Refused to pay approved employee salaries.

Paid $83,000 without Board approval to the contractor in Water 14 while knowing all of the bond money had been expended.

Allowed the Water contract to be exceeded without informing the Board.


2007

He delayed contracts with approved by the Town Board.

He tried to make unilateral appointments to Comprehensive Plan Committee without Town Board approval.

He refused to provide a 2006 Financial Report; an Audit to Budget; an Audit to Budget for Fiscal 2007.

He appointed two more persons to the town payroll without the consent and vote of the appointing authority, the town board.

He ignored the law requiring him to schedule a special meeting to vote on the Comprehensive Plan.

He refused to obey laws requiring him to schedule a voter referendum on his proposal to force the entire town to borrow another million dollars to pay for Water 14.

He negotiated a union contract that allowed department heads to be part of a bargaining unit allowing the union to supervise themselves.

He defrauded the State Retirement System by submitting false declarations that caused a waiver to be issued for the town assessor that allowed him to collect his retirement in addition to his town salary.

He fired a highly qualified Professional Engineer, an Annapolis graduate and veteran because he did not want supervision in the Building Department.


2008

He sold out taxpayers and voters by agreeing to a settlement with the Water contractor that paid another million dollars for Water 14 and forced the whole town to pay.

He failed to supervise the water contract even after the State Comptroller’s critical audit by placing someone in charge of the contract.

He made up false claims about major contamination on Main Avenue to stop the town from accepting a large State grant.

Voted to approve a no bid contract to redo the completed Comprehensive Plan which he ran in 2005 supporting only to sabotage after being elected.

Refused to disclose who the members of his so called Transition Team were in an apparent effort to further his reputation for “open government”.

Stopped the broadcast of town board meeting on Public Access television, again a demonstration of his love for open government.

Appointed an attorney with a criminal record to represent the town in Town Court.

Appointed another attorney to represent the town in Town Court who was removed from the judicial bench in Troy for misconduct by the State highest court.

Appointed a then party chairman to the town IDA which approves loans to folks who might then be solicited for party campaign contributions.

Provided false and perjurious affirmations and records to a State agency to obtain an unlawful benefit to a political supporter.

Allowed a contract vendor to receive free health insurance at taxpayer expense for the past 4 years costing taxpayers $20,000 on his watch.

Placed himself on the town insurance for 3 years at a cost to taxpayers of $15,000. He was forced off by the Board when discovered.

Attempted to grab himself a 280% $42,000 pay raise which was rejected by the Board.


2009

(So Far!)Evers voted with the majority to appoint a “Utilities Inspector” as the “Project Coordinator” for the overspent, mismanaged contract in Water 14, one of the very same people who was part of the management team that got us into this mess.

Has failed to cut spending to reduce the currently estimated $149,000 deficit and claims he will produce a no tax increase budget for 2010.


1 comment:

Interested Party said...

Back in 2005 Mark was going to ride in on his white horse and save the Town from the evil Republicans- as the saying goes- be careful what you wish for.

One down- Louis J. and Alson are next- see you in 2011, fellas- if you aren't thrown out of office before that.