County interviews attorney candidates

    WATKINS GLEN—The legislature tabled resolutions to appoint a county attorney to a four year term and went into executive session to further discuss the position at the regular meeting held on Monday, Jan. 9.
    Long time county Attorney James Coleman retired in 2011 and then assistant county Attorney Dennis Morris stepped into the role as acting county attorney.  Morris was elected Schuyler County judge in November and was sworn in on Jan. 2.  Since that time, assistant county Attorney Kristin Hazlitt has acted as county attorney.
    County Administrator Tim O’Hearn said that, in terms of finalizing a hire, he did not have “definitive information to bring to the legislature.”  He was prepared to discuss contract terms and work history of an individual in consideration, however because the position is a personnel issue that discussion occurred behind closed doors in executive session.  Potential candidates have been interviewed by legislators, but it is unclear how close the county is to making a hire.  
    In other business:
    • The agenda for the regular legislature meetings may soon appear online prior to scheduled meetings.  Mark Rondinaro requested that the agenda be placed online sometime between the legislative resolution review committee meeting and the regular meeting of the legislature.  The LRRC meets on the Wednesday prior to the regular meeting.  Clerk Stacy Husted explained that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently signed the open meetings law, the implications of which she will be discussing at a later meeting.  Chairman Dennis Fagan, who was elected to a second term as chairman at the LRRC held on Wednesday, Jan. 4, asked whether it was possible to post the meeting agenda on the county’s website. Husted explained that the agenda is delivered to the press on Fridays, and Fagan asked that it also be placed online.  
    • Legislators Fagan and Stewart Field were officially sworn in at the LRRC by county Clerk Linda Compton. Gary Whyman, who was elected treasurer in the November election, was also sworn in to his new position.
    • The legislature passed several resolutions appointing legislators, officials and other individuals to terms on boards, committees and agencies.  The term lengths vary from one to four years.
The next meeting of the legislature is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 in the legislative chambers.