by Richard Kavesh
Nyack, March 11 — The Nyack Village Board has approved a resolution establishing the position of Village Administrator and has set a date for a public hearing to discuss the new law.
We took this action to formalize into a full-time position the duties that our retiring Treasurer John Cincotta has performed for the past three administrations. John recently announced his retirement after nearly 16 years of service to the village. During much of that time he was de facto responsible for the coordination and efficient functioning of all village departments on a daily basis, as well as assuming the role of primary village contact for persons inside and outside of village government.
John’s imminent retirement has made it clear to all of us in Village Hall that Nyack needs a full-time, in-house individual with broad-based administrative skills so that the village can continue to function with the high degree of responsiveness and efficiency that our residents, merchants, and visitors expect and deserve.
As in other municipalities, the position of Nyack Village Administrator would be a Mayoral appointment requiring the assent of the Village Board. Trustee and Deputy Mayor Doug Foster has indicated a desire to be considered for this position. The Village Board recognizes Trustee Foster’s strong skills and professional experience. The Board has been approached by other potentially qualified individuals who will be interviewed and considered during the search process.
Anyone with questions about this or any other village matter can reach me by email at richardkavesh@nyack-ny.gov or by phone at my home (353-1935) or office (358-0229).
Richard Kavesh is the Mayor of the Village of Nyack, NY.
I took a look at the legislation which they are considering, and it seems they’ve tailored the qualifications to make Doug Foster the most likely candidate:
“The Administrator shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of professional qualification, which shall be deemed to be at least a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Public Finance, or City Planning, and not less than five years’ experience in municipal government or management, or the equivalent combination thereof. The Village Administrator may simultaneously hold another position in and for the village as an officer or full-time employee thereof. Residents of the Village of Nyack shall be given a preference in the hiring process for otherwise qualified candidates.”
What’s odd about this is that they make one of the possible qualifications a degree in city planning, even though planning has absolutely nothing to do with administration. This together with the preference for a Nyack resident makes Doug the likeliest candidate. PLUS they specifically write that the administrator may also serve simultaneously as an “officer of the village” – meaning the administrator could also serve as trustee while in the position. Seems like the deck is stacked…
The law will be discussed at a public hearing (as mandated by New York State Law) on April 8.
http://nyack-ny.gov/notice/process-village-administrator
Maybe we need a “watchdog” group to form!
What happened to the PUBLIC MEETING???
(“and has set a date for a public hearing to discuss the new law.”)
I received a response from Richard to several questions I posed to him, but unfortunately, it did not alleviate the concerns we seem to share- seems like the decision to establish the position is a foregone conclusion, and the the public hearing is just a formality.
Also, Richard said that he found it difficult to imagine that any candidate could be found that would be better than Doug Foster- this even before they have begun a search.
And most troublesome is that neither Richard or other board members seem to have any awareness about how this all appears- that a candidate and his close associates are creating a six-figure job for one of themselves.
John Whitley – resident of Nyack & S. Nyack for 22 years.
Odd that Kavesh has gone SO quiet since these questions appeared.
After speaking to a couple of folks at The Journal News, they advised me to e-mail Kavesh with my questions. I have done so, and look forward to his response.
Anything he sends me will be posted here (don’t hold your breath!)
Did Mr. Foster vote “yes” on the vote to create the position of Village Administrator? If he knew he was going to apply for that position, he should have abstained from that vote.
Let see, pass a resolution then have a hearing on the new law?
It’s like selecting a developer and then issuing an RFP.
Read between the lines of Mr. Fosters timeline for the downtown redevelopment and its clear that the only developer who will meet the criteria will be Riverspace (can I have a Ta-Daaa? Cue the smoke and mirrors!)
I guess the ethical questions asked during the recent campaign have fallen mainly upon deaf ears, continuing the policy of non-engagement with uncomfortable issues held over from the previous administration, which was neither responsive or efficient by any stretch of the imagination.
Richard I seem to remember your violent disagreement with Mayor Shields when he appointed then Trustee Mary White to be Village Clerk.
This has nothing to do with the qualifications of either Ms. White or Mr. Foster to perform in either capacity.
It’s called ethics. I too agree with Mr. Gromada on this one but would go one step further.
There should be a waiting period before any elected official applies for a taxpayer funded position; Like a year or two.
Mr. Mayor, If we cannot even count on you to keep your own ethical house in order how are we to assume you will when there are large contracts to be awarded or public property to be considered?
With the enormous financial challenges facing us all I find it hard to believe we are even considering adding another layer of government to our already overburdened tax base. Can you justify this going forward with this years budget recognizing that last years was the largest increase in our local taxes ever?
Nyack needs a Village administrator like a fish needs a bicycle. We already have a staff of professional Department heads who shouldn’t be micromanaged anymore than they already are. If a Mayor and four trustees cannot figure out how to delegate responsibility amongst themselves and the various department heads then what are we paying you for?
It may sound strange coming from a lifelong Democrat but less is more.
Oops, sorry was that my teabag I just dropped on your foot?
The other part of Richard’s post that is laughable is this “so that the village can continue to function with the high degree of responsiveness and efficiency that our residents, merchants, and visitors expect and deserve”
Does this board have any idea what they are doing? This is highly unethical behavior. This board should be questioned on their ability to run Nyack. “Does not smell right” you got that right John. Looks like everything will soon be under Foster’s control. This ad in his website, that he(Doug Foster) profits from. This does not sit well. When is this “public hearing”? How much does this position pay? What strong skills and professional experience does he have to be a Village Administrator? What credentials does this man have? Someone please call the City of Ithaca and find out who this man really is.
1) What is the date for the so-called “hearing”?
2) Why call it a “hearing”? A hearing is done to solicit the public’s comments *BEFORE* a measure/law/ordinance is done — not after. The mayor is offering to make an announcement, not a hearing.
3) Why were there not open public discussions before this decision was made?
4) Does Trustee Foster intend to resign his position as Nyack Village Trustee if he is hired as the new Nyack Village Administrator?
This just smells bad. So much for the mayor’s promise to have an open and accessible Village government.
I agree with Mr. Gromada on this one.
There is no date listed for the meeting? Also, shouldn’t this be a civil service type position and be posted? What is this salary? I expect it’s a high paying one?
Is it just me, or is it odd that during the campaign, Doug Foster called for the position of Village Adminstrator, and made it part of his platform. And now that he’s elected, he reveals that he wants to be that Village Administrator. This does not smell right to me. Also isn’t the whole concept of Village Administrator that it’s not a political position??
If he wants the position, he should resign from his position on the board.
John Gromada