Following is an open letter to the Supervisor....hopefully, answers to these questions and rumors will put the "OATH ISSUE" to rest.
March 7, 2016
Mr. John Salka
Supervisor
Town of Brookfield
SUBJ: March 8 Special Meeting - Re: Oath of Office & Reinstatements
Dear John:
No doubt you have heard some of the questions regarding the reinstatement of the positions as well as the authority to hold the meeting.
Since you have been in touch with the Town Attorney, Tina Wayland-Smith, I am cc'ing her some of the questions that may come up in tomorrow evening's meeting. Below is a summary and hope to put the rumors to bed... Honna Whelley-Bowen
Supervisor's Authority to call the March 8 Meeting?
Although the Supervisor filed his oath in Wampsville,
does he "technically" need to file with the TOWN CLERK
... as it appears to require in the Town Law book.
Please clarify because the issue has also raised the following:
If not, with respect to the Special Meeting:
(a) Does the Supervisor have the authority to call the meeting; and
(b) Will the Supervisor be eligible to count toward a meeting quorum?
March 8 Meeting - Town Attorney? Questions?
The notice of the Special March 8 Meeting does not include an agenda, so, we ask:
Is this a simple swearing in?
Will the Supervisor answer questions at the meeting?
Will the Town Attorney, be in attendance to answer questions?
Positions on the NOVEMBER Ballot?
Elected officials in the other Towns, Counties were required to run for re-election the following November.
Will the Highway Supt position and Joe Walker's council seat be up for election this November?
Reinstatement - Financial Consequences?
What can be done to compensate for loss of salary and benefits?
It does not sound fair that compensation and benefits should be lost.
If you SIGN the oath and intentionally BREAK the oath, you get retirement pension and benefits--- EXAMPLE: Silver, Bruno, Libous, Skelos.....but "forget" to sign and you're screwed, despite faithfully and honestly fulfilling their duties? What is being done to address this situation?
Following are links to several articles on the CONSEQUENCES to other Town & County Officials which have raised these questions.
