SULLIVAN COUNTY –– A resolution to appoint Rock Hill resident Len Bernardo and Assistant County Attorney Robert Freehill to the County’s Board of Ethics was back on a special meeting agenda on Thursday, one week after Legislative Chairman Rob Doherty implemented “Rule 36” that postponed action on it. 

According to the County’s Ethics Law, the Board of Ethics shall consist of no more than five  volunteer members appointed by the County Manager and confirmed by the Legislature. Furthermore, it says only one member “may be a County official.” 

The Board of Ethics meets at least once annually and any time there is a complaint alleging a violation of the County’s Ethics Law. 

There are at least two vacancies on the board that Sullivan County Legislature Clerk AnnMarie Martin says have been posted since June 8, 2021. Those interested in serving on the Board of Ethics can send an email or letter to Martin stating as such. Bernardo and Freehill are the only letters that have been received in that timeframe.

Grahamsville resident Kenneth Walter, who has previously served as a member, vice chair and chair of the County’s Board of Ethics, has also publicly claimed that John Konefal’s term has expired, which if true, would leave a total of three vacancies. 

During last Thursday’s Government Services Committee meeting, Walter expressed concern over Freehill’s possible appointment. 

“A County attorney should not have a seat on that board,” said Walter, “because if anybody goes before the board, who is a County employee, they have to be represented by the County or somebody has to represent them for legal purposes. There should not be a county attorney on that board if they’re going to be represented by another county attorney.” 

Since Thursday’s special meeting occurred after press time, the Sullivan County Democrat will have more in an upcoming edition.

Early voting

Between October 29 and November 6, Sullivan County residents had the opportunity to cast their ballots at the Government Center in Monticello as part of early voting.

According to the Sullivan County Board of Elections, a total of 3,080 early voting ballots were cast. Of those voters, 1,677 were Democrats, 787 were Republican, 68 were Conservative, 15 were of the Working Families party and 533 were unaffiliated. 

Tablet/Phone Scam

Division of Community Resources Commissioner Laura Quigley informed legislators of a scam where individuals set up shop at the Robert B. Travis Building on the County’s Social Services campus in Liberty, as well as the Ted Stroebele Center in Monticello, advertising free tablets and phones, and asking for people’s social security and benefit card numbers.

Quigley said there have been people who gave out this information and that she and Health and Human Services Commissioner John Liddle have been in contact with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, who said this is also taking place in Orange County.

“There are government programs that can help low income individuals get a track phone, but they should be dealing with the Office for the Aging or Social Services,” said Quigley. “I feel really bad for the folks that have been taken advantage of. They’re really taking advantage of vulnerable populations.”