Mayor Gallo announced that he is bringing administrative charges against Steve Noble for incompetence, dereliction of duty, and for making false statements on grant applications. In other words, Gallo is starting the process to fire Noble.
Let's be clear, if Noble wins the Mayor's office, he will just discontinue the efforts to fire him and then be granted back pay. Gallo knows this. Thus, I have to conclude that this is more of an effort to bring down Noble politically than it is an effort to actually fire him.
By doing it this way, Gallo does not endorse anyone in the race, but works to keep the damaging allegations against Noble in front of the public.
I expect that Noble will still not answer the charges. After all, they are absolutely true. I have seen the evidence. Instead, he will respond in a Clintonian manner. He will deny wrong doing, claim political retribution by his accuser, claim it is "old news", etc., etc., etc.
The only question now is whether Ron Polacco can get enough votes on Rep, Con, and Ind lines and Gallo's supporters either stay home, write in Gallo, or vote Polacco in enough numbers to give Polacco a narrow win.
Polacco has one other thing for which he must be careful. He must NOT associate with any of the underhanded political operatives who either will or already have offered their assistance. While the Conservative City Committee is backing Polacco's candidacy, this would change if he decided to associate his campaign with someone like Blaber. If that happened, the Conservative Committee would come out against Ron immediately and publicly.
However, I am confident that Ron is politically savvy enough not do something that colossally stupid. As such, I expect the Conservative Committee will maintain its support for Ron. Now, let's see if he can pull it off. He has a real chance, i.e no incumbent, a split democrat party, allegations against his opponent, etc. It is a real opportunity.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
33 comments:
Edit Anonymous said...
To Taxhike Bill Reynolds (Goodfellas won't post wonder why)
It was good to see you crawled out from under your rock with your recent post on face book. However there were are few things you left out of your post that should be shared in the spirit of public intergerty and transparentecy.
- As Alderman you voted to raise taxes over 75%.
- Alderwomen Mills campaigned for the democrat party line as much as you did and she crushed you. Let's not forget the flyer that was handed out door to door in the 7th ward urging democrats to vote for you.
- Your failure to file your fraudulent paperwork with the Board of Elections to get your tax hike associated name off the democrat primary ballot wasted taxpayers money. By the way Taxhike Bill did you know it is illegal to have a notary notarize your signature days after you actually signed the legal document? Also Taxhike Bill did you know it's a violation of the NYS Ethics Law to have an employee of the State of New York notarize a document (days after you signed it) for political purpose (and from the NYS Office of PUBLIC INTERGERTY at that)?
- You left out if you and Hoffay ever found his wallet.
Come on Taxhike Bill grow up, and a pair at that.
September 12, 2015 at 4:52 PM
What are the chances Republicans would support Provenzano on Independence line? Polacco will get nowhere with Jim a Noble in office!?
Not sure why 7:59 comment is doing here. Why not just write a story about that RC.
If Gallo goes ahead with this CSEA will protect and defend him. And as you know Zweben and Gallo do not have a very good record of firing people.
That couldn't even Fire Blaber. They used a loop hole in civil service to terminate him. Just like Rea and Noble they had no evidence on Blaber either.
Let's give Noble 30 days to campaign Great idea.
They have evidence on all 3 that you mentioned. I can't discuss the details on Rea because information was provided during Executive Session of a Fire Commission Meeting.
As for Noble, some of the evidence was put on this blog.
As for Blaber, they had plenty of evidence including statements from a store owner. Had they needed to, they had the goods.
Keep in mind that firing a civil service protrcted employee is VERY difficult.
The civil service law is very clear that committing perjury on an application for an exam is a basis to void your application and appointment. A little confused as to how that is a "loophole". Once this basis to terminate is found, there is no need to waste tax payer money going forward with a hearing.
As to Mr. Rea, the evidence against him is overwhelming. The fact that his supporters have successfully worked the press in his favor and taken advantage of the anti Gallo crowd to convince an ignorant public to the contrary is of no significance. To date, no judge has reviewed that evidence and, if Mr. Dunn, acting through Mr. Noble, has his way, no judge will ever review the evidence.
If the next Mayor wants to reinstate Mr. Rea without reviewing the extensive certified documents proving his guilt to the charges and without reading the transcripts of the hearing then so be it. The Fire Department will suffer and, in turn, the public safety.
The un-rebutted evidence shows that Mr. Rea was AWOL on dozens of occasions when he was supposed to be at his desk helping to run a department that is responsible for the lives of thousands. He has never offered anything to establish where he was and his claims that he was doing Kingston Fire Department business all over Dutchess County during his work day are absurd on their face. There is nothing confidential about these facts. The various decisions have all been placed in the public domain through the Supreme Court proceedings. The fact that no one has bothered to read the documents before taking uninformed positions is just sad.
You're losing all your credibility for a lame duck Mayor. It's everyone else's fault but Gallo's.
Now, if Steve Ladin was running for mayor this year, we'd have a real cliffhanger. "Jonesy" for Alderman-at-Large!..." Woof.
Rich, firing a civil service employee is not that hard. That's a myth. Problem is management doesn't document properly. Or they allow there pets to commit the same offense ten times then tries to fire someone who does it once. See the problem. And it's costly when you do it wrong.
Fair points, sir.
You are correct. I cannot discuss it, however, as I was briefed in an Executive Session. I take my oath seriously.
This has mess written all over it. Prior to the publicized review was noble and/or wife, and/or head Dept head ever given an performance review? If so what did it say? If not, why? Without a documented prior performance review the mayor is pissing up a rob. From the info publicly disclosed to date, mr noble is facing issues, however without prior documented issues he will skate even if wrong.
Not being done to get him fired. Being done to damage Noble in the election.
Your analysis is very fair though.
Yes, we know Gallo had temper issues but his saving grace was that he was smart about city issues. I don't necessary have to like the Mayor's personality but I definitely want him to be competent and have the city's interest in all matters. Just like a Dr...That Dr. could have a terrible bedside manner but have incredible skills in the OR that would save my life. I am really concerned about the new democratic Mayor candidate and his lack of experience. Not sure his Uncle can even help him. Ron Polacco does not inspire confidence as I see him just playing a part and delegating all of his responsibilities. Going to have to hope we have a good common council in the next year to keep focus on programs and matters that Mayor Gallo had initiated. I can also see corruption creeping in again into City Hall....too many ways to cover oneself with a lot of family members & friends and paybacks from the candidates. Scary scenario and it is making me want to search for another place to live. Will hold off to see how new administration is doing before making decision to put house on the market. Right now I just see Kingston as a battle ground and victors get the spoils. Tired of it all.....
Temper issues? The man is insane. Never taking responsibility for anything he does. That is why he lost the primary.
People have made comments about low voter turnouts in local elections. Quite possibly they have seen the same old political fighting and nothing really gets done. Gallo had tried to clean up the city, and city hall but was met with apathy from the voters and taxpayers. I also feel that the local papers always being somewhat one sided has contributed to it. I hardly ever read where they praised any good project. Always looking for the negative response. And the opposite party was always willing to accommodate. I see where newspaper subscriptions are down here in the city and just about everywhere else. Readers just get tired of the same old spin.
6:06,
I have personally experienced the temper of Gallo and Sottile. I can tell you that while Shayne loses his temper more quickly than Sottile, when Sottile does lose his temper, it is far far worse than Gallo.
Interestingly, when I questioned Sottile's temperament in the 2007 campaign, the same hypocrites who now criticize Gallo said, " Oh, that's just Jimmy. He's an emotional guy."
Ok if I to believe that the charges are a political and not done for retaliation. Here's the problem. The mayor brings up Noble on charges and suspends him for thirty day. That brings us to the middle of October before it will get in front of an arbitrator. Then another month or more before the finding. Making it well after Election Day.
Rich, if there is compelling evidence against Rea, why did Trela the hearing officer clear him of all charges and write, "It is strongly recommended that Mr. Rea be made whole in all respects for all losses incurred as a result of these charges and specifications and that his good name should be cleared of any wrongdoing."
12:25,
Hearing officers usually rule for worker. Does not mean it did not happen.
12:01,
The idea is not to fire him before Election Day. The idea is to keep the allegations in front of the voters. The idea is to weaken him so he loses in November.
So, it is a combination of politics and vengeance which unfortunately tend to go hand in hand.
Rich. The City picks the hearing officer. So why not pick a hearing officer who is not worker friendly. They are out there and known by both sides.
So you where part of Gallo's committee to get re-elected.
3:29,
I had no position of any kind with that campaign. If you read my blog, you will note my support for Ron Polacco as the Con party nominee.
Sottile was a worst mayor than pete mansuso...god bless pete. How much did sottile and Reynolds raise city taxes and fees? Do the math and those two should be run out of the state. Jimmy can you say storm water regulations and tannery brook?
Keep Hoffary out of city hall vote for polacco.
11:10, the NYS Civil Service speaks of disqualification of applicants. Candidates MAY be disqualified on the basis of negative material facts. Which are facts that would normally cause the candidate NOT to be appointed to a particular civil service position. Such disqualifications MAY be based upon previous negative employment actions (terminations) and criminal convictions. This section of law also covers omissions of material facts (perjury as you say). After appointment, there is a three year period to disqualify (and terminate) an employee under civil service law without the need of a hearing. After that, the employee who falsified his application may be bought up on departmental charges and terminated on the basis that given the facts he/she wouldn't have been offered the original appointment initially. This can happen at any time during the person's career. The public service employer determines what constitutes disqualification and non-selection of candidates. Also, the person who falsified (or omitted) information on a public service application runs the risk of criminal prosecution.
please tell Ron is he wants to be taken seriously as a candidate...stop telling people door to door that his big idea is to turn Dietz Stadium into a concert arena. I mean, really. he better grow up quick & run a serious campaign or he has no chance. hard to believe that these are our 2 choices come November. Let's hope Ron can pull it together & get serious. the last thing this city needs is fuentes & blaber back in city hall, & if Noble wins, that's exactly what we're gonna get. how said the core dems didn't come out & vote. the fringe lunatic group who hijacked the dem party managed to get their candidate in...way to go, dems. hope you're proud in 4 yrs when your taxes double under Noble's leadership...how many new city offices has he vowed to create? I lost count.
So Gallo is going to spend what remains of his time in office, not to mention city employee's time and taxpayer money prosecuting a nakedly political and ultimately pointless effort to discredit the guy who beat him like a rented mule in the primary? To what end? I don't think it will harm Noble much because all but the most dedicated Gallo fans will see it-regardless of the merits of the case- as a final lashing out by a vindictive loser. Wouldn't his lame duck period be better spent preparing another solid budget and trying to secure some of the positive aspects of his legacy? If he wants to continue to attack his enemies real and perceived, let him do it in January on his own time and his own dime.
So have charges been brought forward?
Steve and Julie are on vacation until Monday. Watch out after that.
A quote from the Kingston Times this week:
Nearly a week after the fateful primary, Gallo backed off his election-night vow to bring Noble up on disciplinary charges and suspend him without pay for his alleged lapses. But Gallo said some aldermen — his supporters — wanted the investigation to continue and charges to be brought, if warranted.
“The issue is in play,” said Gallo. “It will be awkward for him to try to govern for four years with this hanging over him.”
"A real political opportunity" in today's Kingston is morally equivalent to a dog failing to pee for three days having "a real opportunity to have kidney stones."
Post a Comment