Rossi resigns Schuyler County attorney position

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The Schuyler County Legislature accepted the resignation of County Attorney Geoffrey B. Rossi during their regular meeting Monday, Aug. 10. The resignation is effective as of Wednesday, Aug. 12. The legislature also appointed Steven J. Getman to fill the unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2015 at a salary of $98,000 commencing Thursday, Aug. 13.
Rossi said he was resigning to take a position in a private law firm in Binghamton, which Rossi considers to be his hometown. He noted he will be returning to his background of practicing criminal prosecution, adding he had also served in the attorney general's office for eight years in the past, which is more along the lines of criminal prosecution.
"It is in the area of law that I have a strong passion for," Rossi said. "I am very happy about going back to doing that. I think what it is, two things: going back home and also getting back into the practice of criminal law."
Rossi said he has served as the county attorney for a little more than three and a half years, adding his term was coming to an end in December. Getman will be taking over for the remainder of the term, with Rossi adding it would be a good thing for Schuyler County if he were the long-term attorney going forward. However, he noted it is ultimately up to the legislature to decide.
"This was an opportunity that came up that I needed to take now," Rossi said.
In other business:
• The legislature approved filing for an application for state assistance from the household hazardous waste (HHW) state assistance program during their meeting. If the application is accepted, Schuyler County agreed it will fund the entire cost of the household hazardous waste program and will be reimbursed by the state for share of the costs.
• The legislature approved the creation and filling of one part-time keyboard specialist position in the treasurer's office and one part-time clerk position in records management and purchasing. The positions are for hourly rates of $13.04 each.