ROTTERDAM Parisi raises access squabble Says can’t obtain town worker data BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net
Sole Republican Gerard Parisi says he had to resort to filing a request under the state’s Freedom of Information Law after his inquiries to fellow Town Board members went unanswered. Parisi, the former town attorney, was requesting a list of all part-time and full-time town workers before and after New Year’s Day. He said he lodged inquiries with both Supervisor Frank Del Gallo and Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski, but never received an answer. “So I foiled for it before last agenda meeting which was 20 days ago or so,” he said in an e-mail correspondence last week. “Still no response to my FOIL either.” But Godlewski, a Democrat, disputed Parisi’s claim. He said he was never personally asked for the information before the FOIL request was submitted and then given to the town attorney for review. “I got absolutely nothing,” he said Tuesday. “Not a letter, nothing.” Instead, Godlewski faulted Parisi for not seeking the information through the proper channels. He said he’s tried to keep Parisi in the loop with his own correspondences, but hasn’t received anything back from the board member. “He hasn’t come to me and asked anything,” he said. The tension between Parisi and the other board members — Conservatives and Democrats — has been palpable recently. Parisi has hinted that the other board members have shut him out of the process, while Godlewski and Del Gallo have publicly questioned why his law firm removed files from the town attorney’s office. In an e-mail correspondence with town Comptroller Pat Aragosa, Parisi questioned why his FOIL request wasn’t being answered. Aragosa then informed him the request had been forwarded to the town attorney for review, which prompted Parisi to wonder whether the town was taking his request or the state’s FOIL law seriously. “Not to mention I am a sitting town board member and should not have to FOIL, but several Town of Rotterdam officials and employees have either chosen or been instructed to not speak to me or answer any of my questions,” he wrote to Aragosa Friday. “It is quite unprofessional.” Robert Freeman, the executive director of the state Committee on Open Government, chastised the town for not complying with Parisi’s request. He said any information that is accessible to the rest of the board members should be made available to Parisi. “In my opinion, that’s unreasonable and that’s not what the democratic process is supposed to be about,” he said. Godlewski said the town is more closely scrutinizing requests for any personnel information following the state comptroller’s report last month. He also found it ironic that Parisi was complaining about the town’s FOIL procedure. Last year, Godlewski repeatedly filed requests for the privately generated study of the work done by GAR Associates during the revaluation. These requests were either dismissed or unheeded, in the face of a recommendations by Freeman. “It’s like the pot calling the kettle black,” he said of Parisi.
Here's one for everyone..............what does FDG, our elected supervisor think about this? I could give two sh!ts what bob no change says or thinks. Someone better remind him that he is NOT the town supervisor. What does FDG think??? Anybody??? Does he EVEN know what a FOIL is????
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Isn't Godlewski's "tit-for-tat" approach great? (Whines) Well you did it to meeeeeeeeeee!
I agree. When Godlewski decided to run for TB (again), he did so on the pretense that he was genuinely interested in the Town's welfare. This event brings out in the open...Bob's real purpose is payback. And we are stuck with this (him) for (only) 4 years.
There is no reason that a standing Board member cannot have access to the payroll records. We are paying them to govern our Town...not to be hindered by the majority party or have to jump thru hoops to do their job.
When will this nonsense stop? When will these elected official for 'all' partys start doing the work they were elected to do?
Only in rotterdam.
Guess this dem run will be a one term deal just like obama's.
The reps are no better.....bring in the independents!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Maybe FDG's executive secretary hasn't read his mail to him yet??? (my bad!)
Constantino tormented Joe Signore when he was the lone Rep. too. Nothing has changed. It's the same old story as the song goes.
As an aside, FOIL mandates a response in five days as to when the records might be available. The town clerk should know that. She can read. Where's the team on this one?
Gerard should not have to FOIL for anything like this, but he may have put every request in writing so lapses of memory and responses that requests were never made cannot be disputed. What a way to run a business! That was another campaign promise by FDG wasn't it?
It's the stuff that they made their pointy hats with
Thanks for the visual!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I agree that Parisi should have the same access that all the other board members have. But maybe Parisi should think about handing over all the documents he has taken from the town first. Then maybe others may play more nice nice with him.
I mean no matter how you look at it this is still politics. It is all give and take. Is it right? not really but if Parisi wants to be a part of the team maybe he should bring his playbook to practice.
I asked my personal attorney about that matter, and he phrased it to me this way.
When you go to your attorney for a house closing, who keeps all the documents? Not me! I leave the closing with a copy of my sales contract and and other addendums. Any other work that was done remains the property of the attorney. Communications, notes, etc.
If the town TRULY didn't have documents they were entitled to, a simple, quick lawsuit would solve that issue. There's probably a REASON no one is suing. No standing! However, Parisi has the LAW on his side with the FOIL request issue, GiantsFan56. And the law doesn't have a provision for "turning over documents he has taken from the town first." That, if it has any merit, is treated as an entirely separate matter.
I don't know about you, but I don't want my town to be run in an "eye for an eye," vengeful manner. Do your jobs!
The difference here tbv, is that ALL of the information belongs to the taxpayers! WE paid the attorney and WE should have access to ALL and EVERYTHING that concerns this town.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
TBV ~ really? your personal attorney? Did he just graduate from law school? You can excuse the answer if he just graduated and passed the bar ~ but fire him if otherwise ~ why?
His example lacks a very important disclaimer ~ IF Jerry was a contract employee ~ the contract may spell out who owns the files. Not to mention that IF the documents were created on materials owned by the town ~ like the paper, files and ink that printed out the copies ~ the town may have ownership claims.
TBV ~ you've done "legal research" what do you think?
I think that unless EACH AND EVERY PERSON here has been made privy to said contract, then we have NO IDEA!
But you'd love to assume it says that the town has a clause in the contract stating that everything is the property of the town. I'm not going to lie to myself or anyone else and assume that. However, I see NOTHING wrong with the fact that the former attorney for the town supplied the town with all contracts, memorandums, etc.
Perhaps you could contact Mertz, Tom, and see what Bob G. is missing. Then, maybe, I could tell you what I think.
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