Auditors question $20,000 overtime for Sheriff’s s

[tanouryjr]

romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20080916-141514

I thought this was a confidential report, therefore I haven't spoken on it yet. But appearantly it has been released. At this time I would just encourage you all to read this article and the conflicting statements of the CE and Sheriff. I would also ask where all those legislators that voted for the $20,000 pay raise are now?

This is yet another example of tax money being abused and wasted. The last example was the grand jury report regarding the failed oversight in the Social Services department. And this is only what we have heard about. Just imagine what we're not being told about.

[smiley]

It stated in the article "No fraud is alleged in the report." let's not jump the gun, yet.....
I find it funny that a great big article was put in the paper on this but they will not address the fact that the deputies and dispatchers are still working with out a contract. Funny that the newspapers don't print anything on that.
Larry what is your stance on the unsettled contract that will be expiring in December.... it hasnt been settled but will be expiring?!!!!?!@#@#$ That is what should be making the news. That is what should be the legislators concerns right now!

[lefty]

I find it hard to believe that the paper would print the article at this point speculating that there was an impropriety with the Sheriff's secretary overtime. The way it is written it would lead some people to believe there was some type of wrongdoing.

Mr. Tanoury ,

this is addressed to you, Why does this type of article make the headlines When ;

The members of the Oneida County Sheriff's Road Patrol, and the 911 dispatchers have been working without a contract since 2006. Why does this issue not make headlines, why does this issue not get mentionioned by you, or your colleagues on the legislature. Mr. Tanoury I believe that you are a stand up guy, and thats why I am challenging you to address this situation with the local media and also with your fellow legislators, I know you will do the right thing..and stand up for the hard working men and women who are represented by this Union..

Mr. Tanoury I know that you bring this issue to light, because it is the right thing to do !

Sincerely

Your friend

Lefty

[Clipper]

I hope that Larry Tanoury Jr is able to address this issue satisfactorily. I would be willing to bet that the article can be attributed to Donna Donovan and Mr. Picente and sensationalism meant to stir discontent and draw away from the fact that they won't settle with the deputies.

We had a great thread going on here, and on the OD forums before their collapse or demise. I guess the deputies gave up on it after a while.

I think it is a known fact that I support both the deputies and Tanoury Jr as a legislator. It is time to address the contract issues, as smiley and lefty state in their posts.

I admire what Tanoury Jr is doing in shaking up the "business as usual" atmosphere in the legislative chambers, and the "underhanded and patronizing crap" that goes on their by some of the senior members, simply defending their seats and the influence that goes with them.

My answer to them is to either use their influence for the good of the county's citizens as a whole or step down and let someone take the seat who will work for the betterment of the county and their constituents.

Larry, don't let the old guard distract you with violations of Robert's Rules of Order. There are many more important violations of the rights of the citizens of Oneida County going on, with the contract with EDGE, the Airport contract issue, and other concerns, such as the ongoing stonewalling of the Sheriff Deputy's contract negotiations. Someone should be pushing to sit down with an arbitrator and to finalize this mess, instead of dragging it on incessantly. If it were the pay and benefits of the legislators in question, you can bet your ass the opponents of the contract at the legislative level, would be crying for a resolution.

Instead of spending money and wasting time, fighting the OIN for cigarette taxes, address issues of importance to the citizens now. We are probably spending more on advertising and fighting the legal battles with the OIN than what will be realized in cigarette taxes and gas taxes on a county level for significant period. Townsend either needs to get a grip on reality or find another job. He is fighting a personal vendetta with Halbritter at OUR expense. He should not worry about winning or losing, as I think he is already labeled a "loser" by most in the county. I predict that in the end, the OIN is going to be the winner, and we will have pissed away a lot of money in vain.

Keep up the good work Larry, and please DO ADDRESS THE DEPUTY CONTRACT ISSUE SOON! The citizens of the county, and the deputies deserve a resolution to the issue.

Keep the focus on the issues, and on the need for change, but don't gain a reputation for simply raising hell and making news at the meetings. There has to be a balance where you oppose the bullshit without disrupting the meeting and distracting them from the issue being discussed. I guess as futile as it seems many times, you need to pick your battles. You cannot correct and reform the entire way business has been done for years, overnight. Be patient my friend, and be diligent in your endeavor to change their ways, and it will happen in time. The key words being "in time." Pick your battles wisely, and you will prevail. Pick the battles that are important to the average voter, and the average citizen, and battles that will draw support for you cause. Although business is not conducted in a proper manner, the business itself is the issue to be addressed, and not necessarily the manner it is conducted in. Do you understand the point I am attempting to make? Don't lose sight of the issue in the frustration with the manner in which the meeting is conducted.

Hang in there my friend, and remember, except for our partisan differences in the presidential race, I support you 100% LOL.

[Ralph]

I can't speak for Larry, nor do I know all the in's and out's of the contract negotiations, but I believe these procedures are usually confidential until they are settled......which may be the reason that there are not making headlines.

I know that the times Larry and I have talked that this has been an ongoing thought in his mind. I think they have been working far to long without a contract and without adequate compensation.
This surely needs to be settled.

As far as this overtime stuff........I find it hard to believe that a secretary can accumulate that much in overtime.
More than some folks make in a year, and more than I was being paid when I was with W&S.

Sucks if it is true!

[Clipper]

That is a point well taken Ralph about the confidentiality of the negotiations. I understand that and I am sorry Larry that I neglected to think of that myself.

I still would urge you to keep it on the burner in the legislative chambers even if you can't comment publicly about it. Keep up the good work.

I would also be concerned Ralph with the secretary overtime issue, unless it is simply politics being played by those opposing the sheriff. As has been stated already, an auditor is going to slant his findings or only find what the one paying his fee wants to see in a final report, unless the audit is performed by a government entity, such as the attorney general's office.

[tanouryjr]

You're all absolutely correct in your statements. Ralph is right that I have been supporting the Deputies all along. I have there posters hanging from my wall right now, and stated several times while on the floor of the legislature that we need to take care of our men and woman that serve us. That was one of my statements when voting against the raise. I thought we should take care of the deputies first. However, it's obvious that the media doesn't want to print the real issues, instead focusing on what fits their agenda. The contract dispute is going to arbitration, and I voted "NO" to the attorney that the County Executive hired to represent the "County." It was an attorney from Syracuse. I, along with several other legislators (Democrat and Republican) felt we could find a competent attorney from the local area and one that submitted a lower bid. However, the rest of the board rubber stamped the CE's out-of-town attorney.

Again, I agree with all of you and will keep pushing. But it gets rather lonely when the media doesn't print the good things you do and no one else has the courage to stand with me and do what's right. They have the mindset of not wanting to make any waves or take any strong stances. It's very unfortunate.

[Clipper]

Even when you are drowning in a sea of ignorance and frustration, keep the goal in sight, and keep your cool. Issues, issues, issues. You only need to keep them focused on the issues, and make it known that the citizens of Oneida County are all watching how they address the issues at hand, and that the citizens of Oneida County are the VOTERS that will vote in the next election!

It is a delicate balance beam that you walk Larry. You have to balance between forcing them to address the issues in an appropriate manner, and in public view, while not allowing them to blame you for disrupting the process, and by not causing delay in addressing the issues while folks fight personal battles against your honesty and determination.

I love the video links on your website. They will serve a purpose in that they will show the general public who the blowhards and old guard backroom pols are. It is my opinion that every government meeting should be video taped for broadcast to the public, with qualified exceptions of course, such as personnel issues.

Hang in there Larry. You are an intelligent and dedicated young man with the stamina and energy to get the job done. You have a lot of support, but you can't do it alone, so try and remain a viable candidate for re-election. Hopefully we will have a few more changes after the next election, and more support for your initiatives. A couple of more young, dedicated legislators and we will be on the road to changing the way business is done.

[smiley]

Thank You Larry! Stay Strong!

[Ralph]

I don't know Larry.......

If we can't sell this house I may just have to come out of hiding.

[Clipper]

Ya know Larry, once again you make me wish I was back in the area. I would proudly stand behind you or beside you, and support you as I have done from afar during your campaign and since your election.

You are an amazingly dedicated young man. You represent one of the poorer districts in the county, and you do so valiantly and with purpose. That has not always been the case. The concerns of those from the inner city, and those without influence or money have often been pushed to the background and their concerns ignored. You are a kid from the city, that believes in the city, and it's people, and has the balls to fight for what is rightfully owed to the taxpayers of the inner city.

Most know that I was born and brought up in the area, and although my whole life has not been lived in the city of Utica, Utica has always been my "hometown". I have lived in Arizona, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and now Tennessee. I have traveled the world in the Navy, and while working for the Air Force for 25 years, and traveled the lower 48 as a truck driver. It is my opinion that there is no place more beautiful than central NY and no city more worth saving and revitalizing at any cost, than historic Utica NY.

If we had a city filled with people with your heart and your willingness to work, we would have a city full of people with the faith and the ambition to bring Utica back from it's downslide. People sitting home and bitching about the plight of the city, only feed the monster that is eating our city alive.

We have a population of diversity, and varied abilities and capabilities. We have talent that would serve the world if not for the taxes driving industry from the NE.

We need a legislature full of Larry Tanoury Jr's to make Utica and the mohawk valley a shining example of how diversity can overcome adversity.

Hang in there buddy!

[Ralph]

I just wish more people knew what it was like to commit yourself to a political position like this.

It doesn't matter your motives, as it takes time no matter what.

But to do the job right, to really work for the people that elected you, it takes ALL of your time. There is no such thing as a "part-time" position, be it county or city.
You either do the job or you don't. I am sure anyone that has researched something that they feel they need to know all the details of; has done so on-line, in the libraries and wherever you need to go to get the information.

This is true for politics as well. But in a position such as this, you have no staff, no help......it's all on you.
Plus the committee meetings, public meetings, dinners and brunches that are "must attends", events that you must show your face at.
You must be pleasant and optimistic no matter what the conditions and how you feel that day. Be careful what you say.....you never know who is listening, and you know you will always be mis-quoted and taken out of context.......
....etc., etc., etc.
Your life is not your own anymore.

I have to commend Larry and anyone else in the political arena that is trying to do their job correctly.

It is not a job, but another life one must follow.

[tanouryjr]

Thanks so much to both of you. You have no idea how much I needed that pep talk. You hit the nail on the head Ralph and it would be nice to see you, someone that gets it, get into office. I have watched you work and know what a good job you would do.

Thanks again guys, I REALLY appreciate it. I'm off to another class now, lol.

[Deleted]

According to today's od the secretary in question must repay the $37,000 in o.t. payments. This is a crock! Does anyone really believe that Picente & Griifo didn't know that this kind of o.t. was being paid to this employee? And if they didn't, then why not? Doesn't the c.e., as part of his job supposed to take a look at budget expenditures & question department heads regarding overtime payments? Haven't both Griffo & Picente, when asking for tax increases told the public that they would hold the line on such things as overtime paid to county employees? What we have here is a couple of politicians playing dumb so they can cover their own ass. And the employee must pay back the money, while the sherriff gets thrown under the bus for allegedly approving these payments when he wasen't supposed to. If I was that employee, I'd have a lawyer, post haste. Let both Picente & Griffo swear under oath that they knew nothing about it.

[tanouryjr]

Kracker is absolutely correct! This is a huge cover-up for four elected Republican elected officials. Mr. Timpano blatantly stated that he "dropped the ball" on this one and took the blame. He also stated that he did go to the CE to ask if he approved the OT. He says the CE gave him a similar response to the one he is giving publicly now. So, if that was true, why did he still allow the payments? A full blown investigation needs to be done. And if this woman is required to pay the money back by law, then the ones that broke that law in the first place should be charged criminally.