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Putnam County Legislature Reorganizes for 2008
Legislator Tony Hay Elected Chair
by Mike Turton
 | | Putnam County Legislature's Chairman Tony Hay and Deputy Chair Mary Ellen O'Dell. |
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The Putnam County Legislature held its 2008 organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 8 at the legislative building in Carmel. Most of the evening was devoted to appointing chairs to various County committees but there was also time for a tribute to a past member of the legislature, congratulations to local law enforcement, announcement of an intention not to seek re-election and the official commencement of at least one weight-loss campaign.
District six Legislator Tony Hay was elected Chair of the Legislature for 2008, replacing 2007 Chair Dan Birmingham. Mary Ellen O'Dell, Legislator for district five, was elected Deputy Chair. Terry Intrary served in that capacity last year.
Vinny Tamagna, who represents district one including all of Philipstown and parts of Putnam Valley was appointed to chair the Physical Services committee. He will also serve on the Health, Social, Educational & Environmental Committee and will act as alternate representative to the Putnam County Soil and Water conservation Board and the Putnam County Board of Health.
Legislator Sam Oliverio, Jr. from District 2 which covers Putnam Valley almost entirely, was appointed to the chair of the Health, Social, Educational & Environmental Committee. He will also sit on the Audit and Administration Committee.
In a statement that was emotional at times, Robert McGuigan, announced that he will not seek reelection to the legislature when his term expires at the end of the year. McGuigan, who has represented district eight for twelve years, indicated that he is leaving "to pursue professional goals."
Unsung heroes across Putnam County are about to get some well-deserved recognition thanks to a new practice initiated by newly-elected Chair Tony Hay. Hay told the legislature that residents are often unheralded despite their exceptional contributions to the quality of life in Putnam County. At his suggestion, each legislator will, in turn, nominate and invite a deserving resident from their district to a meeting of the legislature. Each month's honoree will lead the legislature in reciting the pledge of allegiance to open the meeting and then be recognized for their contributions. Vinny Tamagna will begin the new tradition at the April meeting by inviting a deserving resident from district one.
Legislator Terry Intrary said that history had been made earlier in the day when a record number of promotions were awarded in the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. Referring to the department as "one of the finest police forces in the country," Intrary congratulated the twelve recipients of the promotions.
Legislators paid tribute to long-serving Legislator Regina Morini for her many years of service to the County. Morini did not seek re-election last year and was replaced by Tony Fusco who was elected Legislator for district nine.
In one of the evening's lighter moments, newly-elected Legislator Tony Fusco read a resolution, complete with the mandatory, lengthy collection of legalistic statements beginning with "whereas" in which he publicly resolved to lose 15% of his body weight during the course of the 2008 legislative session. Chair Tony Hay provided oversight for the official weigh-in ceremony which set Mr. Fusco's weight at a substantial 234.5 pounds. Without authorization from the legislature, Hay kindly rounded the figure downward to 234 pounds. Fusco's challenge will be to lose thirty-five pounds by year end. Hay indicated that a series of weigh-ins designed to monitor Fusco's progress will be held during the year, with the first being at the March meeting of the legislature.
The Putnam County News and Recorder was appointed official newspaper for the County. There are two other papers who received this designation, The Putnam County Courier in Carmel and The Putnam County Press of Mahopac.
The full legislature meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Historic Putnam County Courthouse and in committee format at various times during the month. Their schedule of meetings can be found at the PCN&R's web site, www.pcnr.com
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