While the Board of Ethics made its decision on the matter of whether an abuse of power had occurred regarding building violations at Mayor French’s Richard Place rental property and his receiving an additional STAR exemption, Councilwoman Laura Brett and Councilman Joe Sack expressed their continuing dissatisfaction with the process at the February 8 City Council meeting.
By Jim Byrne and Robin Jovanovich
While the Board of Ethics made its decision on the matter of whether an abuse of power had occurred regarding building violations at Mayor French’s Richard Place rental property and his receiving an additional STAR exemption, Councilwoman Laura Brett and Councilman Joe Sack expressed their continuing dissatisfaction with the process at the February 8 City Council meeting.
“The appearance of a conflict compromises the decision and undermines people’s confidence in the process,” said Councilwoman Brett.
Councilman Sack began, “We all want this matter to be over, but in a way that people can be confident it was done right. The first time we’ve gotten a representation of the facts was yesterday from the City Manager.”
He continued, “I proposed an independent review, which I still think is necessary.”
Councilman Rich Filippi reiterated his view that the Council asked the Board of Ethics to review the matter, make the final decision, and live with their decision. “The City Council is here to legislate, not investigate.”
Councilwoman Suzanna Keith agreed with Councilman Peter Jovanovich that the Council needed to put the matter behind them and move ahead to address Rye’s pressing financial issues.
The matter wasn’t on the agenda but the Mayor introduced it early. Councilman Jovanovich was the first to speak.
“It’s to Rye’s great benefit that the Board of Ethics brought us back on firm ground. As you know, they found that the Mayor and City employees have not violated the public’s trust. The Mayor was treated by the Building Department and Tax Assessor’s Office just like any other citizen.
“Although it was necessary for me to write to the Board of Ethics, that doesn’t excuse the anguish caused Maureen Eckman of the Building Department or Noreen Whitty, our Tax Assessor, by having their integrity questioned. Unlike Council members, they can’t speak from this dais to defend themselves. I apologize to you. It’s my fervent hope that you never have to undergo this experience again.
“Rye faces major problems. Our infrastructure is crumbling: roads and bridges need repair, sidewalks must be built or improved, and crosswalks made safer. Underneath our roads lie millions of dollars in needed repairs to sewers and storm drains. We have no significant protection from another major flood; the sluice gate is just a start. Even a stroll down Blind Brook reveals that its retaining walls are caving in. We have real work to do.”
After all the Council members had a chance to express their opinion, Mayor French turned to Councilman Sack and asked, “Joe, what is it that I’m being accused of?”
Councilman Sack was quick to reply, “The tone you’ve taken Doug is inappropriate. Since you’ve asked, everyone on the Council wanted you to put out the facts early on. We all sat back to give you the opportunity to end this. Referring this to the Board of Ethics wasn’t the way to proceed.” He added, “As John Alfano said, ‘Usually the Council presents the Board of Ethics with a set of facts and then lets them opine’.”
He continued, “You said these accusations were entirely false. At some point we got a one-sentence e-mail with a house listing from 1992. That was it. The reason Ray Tartaglione was able to come up here and make accusations is that no one gave him the facts. I hope it’s clear there were violations and you did receive two STAR exemptions when not permitted.”
He added, “No one is questioning your intentions. As Laura said, we’re just trying to serve as best we can. The Board of Ethics doesn’t show any findings, so we don’t know how they decided.”
The Mayor responded that, “having a building violation is not misconduct.” Further he emphasized that he did not have violations when the matter was made public. “They came December 23.” The conversion of the Richard Place property from a two-family to a single-family home was done in the 1970s when he was in grade school and over 20 years before he purchased it. The “illegal” third bedroom attic living space was listed as a bedroom on the property card when he bought the home.
At that point in the discussion, with both the Mayor and Councilman Sack struggling to speak civilly to one another, the Mayor was the first to step across the line.
“This all started when Leon Sculti did a video of my homes. It was a volunteer thing and a little creepy. It was filed with a complaint by Ray Tartaglione and that was parroted by people on this dais. What we need to do is take a 360-degree view and look at the relationship of Tartaglione and people on this dais. Why wasn’t Joe Sack humiliated like the rest of the Council [before the last election] with his likeness on the Floatiemobile? We need to take a look at the relationship of the accuser and people on this Council. My question goes back to Sack and Brett, what are the facts of misconduct?”
Councilman Sack came back with, “How disgusting you are to slime people after what you’ve just been through.” He later added, “You’ve made an ugly situation exponentially worse and should be ashamed of yourself.”
In a cool and collected manner, Councilwoman Brett said, “I have nothing to gain from investigating this process. Whatever errors you made Doug I personally believe were innocent ones. My objections are to the process here. It calls into question the way the Board of Ethics functions. That question requires a reasonable process.
“I know at some point we’re going to revise the City Code and look at best practices. I will pass my thoughts on this on to the Corporation Counsel and the Council.”
Mayor French Says Ethics Matter “Closed”
Ethics Board: Mayor French Did Not Receive Preferential Treatment
Ethics Board Offers No Immediate Answers to Questions Posed
Mayor French Issues Memo on Board of Ethics Review, Building Violation, STAR Exemption
