Monday, May 18, 2009

Middletown Council Recusals

Recusals are regulated by Ethics Laws. One can ask the Ethics Commission for clarification if one is unsure of the regs in their particular case. If one chooses to recuse themself, they must file an official form stating why. Recently, both Councilors Semonelli & Bozyan did so in regard to the senior housing ordinance.

The former stated that Pat Hayes, Jr., the lawyer for the Bay Ridge Senior development on Forest Ave, while the latter stated that Hayes is attorney for the family trust. However, merely that you use sometimes use a lawyer does NOT establish the business relationship that the regs call for. Not voting on important matters is not to be taken lightly. It's kind of like the reason we elect people.

Those interested in this zoning reg should ask the two Councilors for clarification from the Ethics Board. It costs zilch & others on the Council have certainly done so recently & in the past. When the 2 Councilors said they were recusing & left the dais, they did not state any reason why they were doing so. Later, Councilor Silveira reminded them they must do so.



and the results

Then there is this one. Why would the Council Prez recuse because his daughter goes to MHS? This was on a prom donation from his discretionary fund. Since his daughter doesn't profit from this any more than anyone else, I've got to wonder why? Yeah, yeah, an abundance of caution & all that. Picky, picky.

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