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January 30, 2010
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County Manager VICs among Paterson’s proposed cuts Palmer responds to rumors of nepotism By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN — Amid calls for better disclosure in Essex County government hiring practices, Essex County officials are going the extra mile to dispel surging rumors of nepotism. Several county officials have drawn scrutiny following a news article earlier this month that mentioned county positions recently granted to their relatives. Most prominent among them is County Manager Dan Palmer, who, together with his wife, Board of Supervisors Clerk Deborah Palmer, is related to at least five other county employees. Palmer, along with many town supervisors, has been quick to dispel any implications of nepotism, repeatedly stating that he has been completely up front with the hirings of all his relatives and has not imposed undue influence over the hiring process.
“I’ve never called any department [about a hire] because I understand that when you’re in a position of influence, those single phone calls are a violation of ethics policy. People come to me and ask, ‘Can you put in a good word for me?’ and I say, ‘No, I really can’t.”
— County Manager Dan Palmer
In a Jan. 22 interview, Palmer acknowledged that many county employees are related to each other, as has been the case for many years; but he said that doesn’t mean any unethical hiring practices have occurred. “The worst thing a department head can do is hire a bad employee,” said Palmer, noting how, after six months on the job, employees in many positions become permanent and it becomes very difficult to remove them from the position. For that reason, Palmer explained, many department heads tend to choose someone whose family has a history of employment at the county because they see them as a safe bet. “You know that they have a strong work ethic; they come from a family with a strong work ethic, so it’s a known quantity,” Palmer said. One example is Brianne Weber, Deborah Palmer ’s daughter, who was hired in 2008 to work in the County Clerk’s office. The hire, which required no Civil Service test or minimum qualifications, was authorized by County Clerk Joe Provoncha, Dan Palmer ’s cousin. “I think it had a lot to do with the fact that he knew Deb,” Palmer said, noting his wife’s long record as a hard-working, dependable county employee. Though there may be blood ties between some county employees, Palmer said it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re breaking rules against nepotism, where officials use their power as leverage to get friends and family a job. While many town supervisors can and do write letters of recommendation or make phone calls on behalf of friends and family who’ve applied, Palmer explained, they are not allowed to imply that they will take any reciprocal action based on the decision of whether to hire a specific person. “I’ve never called any department [about a hire] because I understand that when you’re in
See PALMER, page 2
The Butterfly House, a seasonal exhibit, is one of the many attractions at the Paul Smiths VIC. Gov. David Paterson announced plans to close APAadministrated VIC facilities in both Paul Smiths and Newcomb as part of several spending cuts in his proposed 2010-2011 executive budget. By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com RAY BROOK — The North Country took a substantial hit Jan. 18 when Gov. David Paterson unveiled his 2010-2011 executive budget. And while the closing of three correctional facilities is getting the most attention in upstate New York, two other popular facilities are facing closure as well. Paterson’s budget calls for the closure of the Adirondack Park Agency’s Visitor In-
terpretive Centers in Newcomb and Paul Smiths. An official from Paterson’s budget office said shuttering the two VICs would translate to a savings of $129,000 in the coming fiscal year. The state would save $583,000 per year starting in 2011-2012. In a Jan. 18 interview following Patterson’s speech in Albany, APA Spokesman Keith McKeever spoke about what the cuts will mean. “In the governor ’s budget, there is a proposal to phase out the Newcomb and Paul Smiths VICs by January 2011,” McKeever
said. “We won’t be laying off any staff this year. But they are planning to phase them out by next year.” McKeever said due to New York’s economic state, all government agencies are being asked to sacrifice. He said agencies need to scale back services to match need, not want. Agency officials are open to leaving the programs in place, but McKeever said they aren’t a top priority. “The services and programs provided by the VICs are well-received in our
See VICS, page 6
Paterson to move forward with land, easement acquisitions By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com SARANAC LAKE — Just days after Gov. David Paterson announced he’d put a moratorium on state land acquisitions, officials of the state Department of Environmental Conservation said they’re moving forward with a trio of land deals. The Associated Press reported that Paterson’s administration is in the process of wrapping up three different deals to buy the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes, 1,220 acres in the Catskills and conservation rights to 89,000 acres of Adirondack timberlands. Paterson said he’ll halt several other planned purchases of wilderness and open space. According to AP reports, Paterson plans to close on an easement on former Finch Pruyn timberlands located mainly in the central Adirondacks.
Connie Prickett spoke to WNBZ Thursday on behalf of the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. “This has been in the works for two, twoand-half years now,” she said. “So it’s not a surprise and we have been moving forward. Every day there’s been behind-thescenes work going on with the DEC on this conservation easement. It’s great to hear that they’re committed to closing that easement with money in the current fiscal year.” Prickett noted the state isn’t buying any land from the Nature Conservancy. Rather, the state is acquiring a conservation easement, which means it gets certain rights associated with the land. The land in question is owned by ATP Timberland Invest, a Danish pension fund. Once the state gets the easement, ATP maintains ownership of the land and will continue to harvest it for timber. An agreement with the Finch Paper Mill
in Glens Falls requires ATP to continue providing timber to the mill. Prickett noted that the state will maintain recreation rights over the land. “There are some snowmobile rights associated with this, and other recreational rights – and recreational leasing can continue on the land as well,” she said. “There are a lot of economic benefits associated with this arrangement.” Adirondack Local Government Review Board Executive Director Fred Monroe said local governments would prefer to see the state hang onto the money and ride out the recession. But at the same time, Monroe said the review board is pleased that the state is only moving forward with the easement acquisition in regards to the Finch Pruyn land. “We’re happy the state isn’t going forward with the fee acquisition,” he said. “Otherwise, those foresting and timber jobs would be lost.”