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Corfu mayor announces he will now supervise village office and staff

By Howard B. Owens

Mayor Ralph Peterson informed village trustees through an e-mail that beginning immediately he is assuming supervision of village staff and the office.

He removed Trustee Ken Lauer from the position.

Peterson said he was assuming the position of department head through the powers vested in him as mayor and Corfu's executive officer.

From his e-mail:

It is my intent to evaluate with whatever resources and evaluation tools necessary, the entire working process as well as reporting, accounting, record management, as well as security of the Office and records that are presently in place. After this evaluation I will institute whatever changes necessary to insure that the Village Office and the staff are functioning at the highest levels of professionalism, efficiency and accountability.

Daniel Jones

Local government like Lord of the Flies. I wish the trustees had more flexibility and capacity to remove him, or that there was a recall mechanism in New York.

Jun 17, 2013, 9:59am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Hey! Didn't Pigmeat Markham have a song about this? Oh, sorry, I guess that was "Here Comes The Judge". Different office, but it sure fits!

Maybe some independent will write & perform, "Here Come Da King"!

Jun 17, 2013, 10:09am Permalink
Gale Conn-Wright

I predict that the staff will resign again and this mayor will become a one man band. Fortunately, he will be bringing the "highest levels of professionalism, efficiency and accountability" to this task. And hopefully, a legal way will be found to remove this man from any position of power as soon as possible.

Jun 17, 2013, 11:36am Permalink
Lori Silvernail

After all the stories I've read about him, my prediction is that they're going to have to install wider doors so his head will fit through them.

Jun 17, 2013, 11:55am Permalink
Ross Jarvela

Are there not checks and balances written into every level of the federal, state and local government to avoid what is taking place?

It would seem to make sense that if there were no other provision to deal with the dictatorial power struggle; an ousting would be in order on the grounds that he is declared unfit to lead due to apparent delusions.

What could be the next chapter in this story?

"Mayor changes village name to 'Petersonville' and all shall bow/curtsey"

Jun 17, 2013, 12:48pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Ross - Unfortunately, in New Yotk State, no. There is no recall mechanism like there is in other states, and there are so many layers of local government that its hard to find definite structure in how to handle in a situation like this. The trustees can seek action through the State Supreme Court, but that's very time consuming, and its unclear as to whether section 33.2 of the Public Officers Law authorizes the Governor to remove the Mayor via a petition from village residents. We need a total restructuring of how our local governments are set up, with clearer definitions and more streamlining.

Jun 17, 2013, 1:48pm Permalink
Lisa Falkowski

That poor Village. Just when things calm down and you think they might actually function in some normal capacity under Mr. Petersons' Mayoralship, he chooses to do something else that is a little less than tactful. Batten down the hatches, folks ~ here it comes!

Jun 17, 2013, 1:51pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

I really feel for the Trustees, I get the sense that they're trying their earnest to deal with a disastrous Mayor, all the consequences that his actions are bringing and the ensuing (rightful) public outrage. Our state's laws should help them, not be vague and have a process that's difficult to navigate.

Jun 17, 2013, 1:55pm Permalink
Al Graham

Peterson had a atty at the last board meeting and im sure he advised him that the restrictions the board put on him to protect the employees are not inforcable. Don't be fooled by his bull! This is just the latest attempt of his to mess with the clerks. You have to ask yourself that after decades of no problems with the office or the records what other reason but messing with the girls does he have? What expertize in office management or record keeping does he have?!!! With the bids coming way over for the sewer project and the police dept in total disarray Peterson chooses to pick the office records to make his focus?!! I hope that the Village resident rise up and show up at next Mondays board meeting and show your support for these ladies!!

Jun 17, 2013, 5:42pm Permalink

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