“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…

http://nyack-ny.gov/notice/process-village-administrator

(“and has set a date for a public hearing to discuss the new law.”)

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.

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!)

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?