Published: November 29, 2009 04:07 pm      

Officials recess county meeting

Lawmakers debate appointing new commissioner

ALBION — Instead of a normal adjournment, Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature meeting was put into recess because of a resolution to appoint a new commissioner of Social Services.

Current Commissioner Carol Ludwig announced her retirement effective Dec. 30. Over the past several weeks, members of the Legislature have been interviewing candidates in order to fill the vacant position.

The resolution, introduced by Legislator Gary Kent, would appoint Thomas D. Kuryla, deputy commissioner in Seneca County, to fill the vacant position, effective Jan. 1. He would receive 90 percent paid health coverage, be treated as an employee with five years of service and must establish residency in Orleans County within 60 days.

Chief Administrative Officer Charles Nesbitt Jr. would be appointed acting commissioner of Social Services for one day, Dec. 31.

When the resolution came before the board, Kent moved to push it to the back of the agenda so the Legislature could recess the meeting. The recess would allow legislators to call another meeting before their next scheduled one on Dec. 9.

Kent said that calling a meeting before Dec. 9 may be necessary because Kuryla needs to give his current employer 30 days notice. He said that if they wait, Nesbitt will have to be acting commissioner longer than just one day.

According to Kent, the reason for not acting on the resolution Tuesday was that several legislators who originally favored Kuryla had changed their mind. He said that the legislators had interviewed the candidates and all decided that Kuryla was the best choice.

A resolution passed in 1994 stated that preference will go to candidates within the county. Kent said this is what is causing the sudden change of heart, because candidates applied who live in Orleans County. He said that even though the resolution states that someone from Orleans County would take precedence, the 1994 resolution states that the Legislature can make an exception if they vote on it to hire the best candidate. Kent said the best candidate is the person who is on the resolution.

Legislator Lynne Johnson and Kenneth Rush were also not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

“The overall thought was to have everyone there,” said Legislator David Callard.

Callard said that with two absent, several felt uncomfortable making the decision. He said he thinks this whole matter will be resolved by the next meeting and said there was a good number of well-qualified people.

If a special meeting is not called, the resolution will come back up for discussion during the Dec. 9 meeting.

In other board news:

n The Legislature set the unit charge for the 2010 County Solid Waste/Recycling Program. Legislator George Bower said a new contract will be up for negotiation next year. He encouraged the county to recycle as much as possible because their contract price is determined by volume, and the more that is recycled, the more they will save, because the volume goes down.

Contact Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.