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Jennifer Bumgarner Confirmed as County Attorney
County to examine county-wide assessment
by Mike Turton
Jennifer Bumgarner was confirmed as the new Putnam County Attorney, but not without discussion. Reading from a prepared statement at the February 5, 2008 meeting of the Putnam County Legislature, legislator Tony Fusco voiced concern over past inconsistencies in the office of the Putnam County Attorney regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOI). In his statement Fusco emphasized the need for open government, pointing out that there are very few exemptions under which information is not required by law to be released to the public. He went on to say that the law department was not "a shield behind which government can hide. Compliance must be immediate." Fusco said that he was not confident that the department had "lived up to the principles of open government" and advocated declining to confirm Ms. Bumgarner as County Attorney until she agreed to support the Freedom of Information Act. A number of legislators came to Bumgarner's defense, citing her integrity, work ethic and proven track record of being open with the public.
Legislator Sam Oliverio underscored Bumgarner's role in helping to bring about the ban on smoking in public buildings, a law that he said became a model for New York State. Oliverio said that when smokers "bombarded" the County with requests for information Bumgarner provided it in a timely and open manner. Legislator Mary Ellen O'Dell praised Bumgarner's professionalism and her willingness to recognize the department's "need for improvement in some areas." Chairman Tony Hay pointed out that language in the County Charter makes it unclear who the County Attorney actually works for - the Legislature or the County Executive - and that the ambiguity must be corrected. Legislator Dan Birmingham agreed but added that the problem with the charter "probably is not the fault of the Legislature, the County Executive or the County Attorney." He stated that the issue would not be solved any quicker without a County Attorney and that even without confirmation Bumgarner would serve as Acting County Attorney. Fusco indicated that he in no way questioned Ms. Bumgarner's integrity and seemed satisfied with having prompted debate on compliance with FOI. In the end, when the vote was taken, Bumgarner was confirmed unanimously as County Attorney.
Legislators approved a budgetary amendment in response to receipt of a grant of $25,000 from the State of New York to undertake a feasibility study of countywide assessment, a move that could eventually lead to single-tier local government. Legislator Dan Birmingham pointed out while some people in Putnam County pay taxes to a village, a town, and a school district. as well as the county, people in some areas only pay taxes on a single, county-wide basis. Birmingham admitted there would be "some painful turf issues" but added, "It's worth looking at." While fellow legislator Terry Intrary acknowledged the importance of "Home Rule" he was emphatic, stating that "people are tired of increased taxes. We need to stick to our guns." Chairman Tony Hay pointed out that the feasibility study was only one small step and that the County would certainly "hear from the towns." He seemed to be speaking to a larger audience when he added, "this is serious folks. Stay tuned."
A delegation from the Mahopac Chamber of Commerce made a presentation regarding the Putnam County Business Expo, which will be held at Villa Barone on Route 6 in Mahopac on May 7. The naming of the Expo highlights an attempt by the Mahopac Chamber to involve businesses from across the county - including those in Cold Spring and other locales in western Putnam County.
Four properties located in the Towns of Southeast and Patterson were added to the Putnam County Agricultural District. The properties, Eng Land Farm, Green Chimneys, High Ridge Farm and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, total eighty-six acres and were approved after being the subject of a public hearing held just prior to the meeting of the legislature.
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