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February 15, 2011
To the Editor:
Two weeks ago, I wrote a letter in regards to the legal fee overages. In that letter, I asked Trustees Kane, Vatter and Edsall three valid questions regarding the issue. Not one of the Trustees addressed the issue, although two of them apparently had time to write long letters to the Local to attack Mayor Gross. It seems that they didn’t feel a need to answer my questions about why the Village residents are going to be paying anywhere from $25,000 to possibly $75,000 more in legal fees than budgeted for this current fiscal year.
Edsall, Vatter and Kane keep saying that it’s all Mayor Gross’ fault, but let’s not forget that they hired the current lawyer against the wishes of the mayor. They apparently did not work out a fee structure that would avoid overages of tens of thousands of dollars. The trustees can’t blame this issue on anyone but themselves. They chose the law firm and they are forcing the Village to pay these legal fees. In my opinion, they have been fiscally irresponsible. Is it any surprise that they do not really want to speak concretely about the legal fees?
To give the Trustees ample opportunity to provide answers, I will re-state the questions here:
1. Why couldn't you find an attorney that was acceptable to the entire board?
2. How is it that a fixed monthly retainer was not negotiated with Tarshis from the beginning, that would have avoided these overages?
3. Now that Tarshis has offered to negotiate a fixed monthly retainer, will you ask that it be retroactive to the beginning of the contract so the village doesn’t have to pay the overages already incurred?
The funds that will be needed to pay for these unnecessary legal fee overages will have to be taken from other expenses. I personally would rather see that money go towards snow removal or other vital services.
Many people keep saying "remember this on election day" and I agree: remember THIS issue on election day.
Tom Bailey
Cornwall on Hudson
(The writer is the chair of the village Board of Ethics.)
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