In a unanimous decision the Bethlehem town board appointed Patricia Parsons its new court clerk during its Wednesday, June 25, town board meeting.
The current long-time court clerk, Barbara J. Hodom, is set to retire on Friday, July 18, from the post she had held for three decades.
Parsons has already begun training for the position and working at Bethlehem Town Hall.
She is leaving a job as an administrative assistant from Albany County’s general services department and said she was honored to be selected by town justices Ryan Donovan and Paul Dwyer.
I’m extremely excited. I’ve always had an interest in the criminal justice system. At one point I was planning on becoming a police officer, Parsons said of being appointed to the $58,000 a year job. `I’m honored to work for such respected judges as Judge Dwyer and Judge Donovan. I will be learning from the best, Barbara maybe one of the best court clerks in the area.`
Parsons lives in Delmar and has worked for the county for 35 years and said she approached the town justices about the position once she learned the Hodom was retiring. She ran unsuccessfully for receiver of taxes on the Democratic line in 2007 against current receiver of taxes Nancy Mendick. Judge Dwyer also ran that year, winning against Daniel J.Persing.
Although the board voted yes down the line, one resident harshly spoke out against the appointment. In addition, Councilman Sam Messina, an Independence Party member who has been openly critical of the town appointment process, said he wanted to make appointments `more competitive.`
The five-member town board is made up of a Democratic majority, with Messina and Councilwoman Joanne Dawson as its two Independence members.
Even though Messina voted for Parsons, welcomed her and wished her well in the post, he reiterated his stance on town appointments to his fellow board members.
`These things are not easy for me because sometimes I feel like I am paddling upstream and maybe that is my role these days,` Messina said. `Even though the justices control this appointment this is a $58,000 a year job, it has control of over a million dollars in receipts, it’s a responsible position, and that’s why we have just given Barbara the accommodations and kudos for a job well done.`
Continuing, Messina said, `But as far as I know there was only one candidate.`
The councilman pointed out that neither judge nor Parsons were at the meeting to publicly answer questions about the appointment. Supervisor Jack Cunningham pointed out Parsons had a scheduling conflict and could not attend the meeting.
`My strong recommendation is again, whether its appointed or volunteer positions, whether its on courts or on town government, is to seek a bit more competition, and post for jobs to let people know they’re out there,` Messina said. `I would say the words trust, courage, and political leadership come to mind.`
There was a loud applause from Norman Morand, a Republican Committeeman who has frequented town board meetings in the past and had spoke against Parson’s appointment earlier in the meeting.
`I’m confused I look at the agenda and see that judges D and D went ahead and make [sic] an appointment and now the board is going to rubber stamp it,` `What is going on? I would think that all hiring would be done by the board.`
`It’s starting to stink up here, I’ll tell you that,` Morand concluded.
Town Attorney James Potter answered Morand’s legal inquiries of Parson’s appointment.
`I’ll give you a legal opinion Mr. Morand there’s a section of the New York State Town Law, section 20, that provides that the justices appoint their own clerk, not the town board, so the board is acknowledging the appointment by the two justices of their own clerk.`
Morand asked about others around working in the town that could have been promoted.
`I’m sure there’s people that are on the payroll in the town that were qualified to get a promotion,` Morand said. `Were they considered?`
Potter answered, `I can’t speak to what the justices did, they have appointed their clerk.`
Donovan and Dwyer did not return a call for comment to Spotlight Newspapers.
Messina put forth a proposal in early March to create guidelines for the way the town advertises and appoints people who are non-civil service to various boards and committees not deemed competitive by the state.
The proposal was voted down 4-to-1 at a March 26 board meeting, with
Messina casting the only vote in its favor.
At the time Cunningham and the other board members said Messina’s proposal was unnecessary and a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. The town contends political appointments are far from the norm and point to Parker Mathusa on the planning board, Mike Hodom on the zoning board, and a former supervisor Kenneth Ringler on the 20/20 advisory committee, as all prime examples of other political parties holding town appointments.
Democratic Councilman Kyle Kotary told Spotlight Newspapers in March that Messina’s proposal would tie down the business of the board.
`New York State law is very clear the town board has authority in its discretion to make appointments,` Kotary said at the time. `This is his view, his [Messina] perception, and it would handcuff future board members. It’s like saying, ‘We’re going to legislate how I’m to go vote,’ and that’s insane.`
Parsons officially began the job on Monday, June 30.
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