Human Rights Commission nearly complete

It’s important work: to foster good relationships between the disparate groups that make up Sullivan County.

But the county’s Human Rights Commission was disbanded over a year ago, although a new executive director was appointed this past March. Legislators were to find someone within their districts for the commission itself.

Seven names have so far been submitted to AnnMarie Martin, the legislative clerk: Jack Harb, Al Dumas, Ari Mir-Pontier, Bill Liblick, Clara Lemaire-Pratt, Aaron Rabiner and Dr. Sean Wall-Carty. Still outstanding are commissioners from Districts 1 and 5.

At the full legislature, they approved the seven proposed commissioners, 9-0.

Kudos to the adult care center

COVID-19 is under control at the Care Center at Sunset Lake. It’s been months since a resident was ill with the disease. In the winter, some staff had tested positive, but as of April, there were zero cases of COVID-19.

A recent push to hire at the care center resulted in a few new certified nursing assistants, said county human resources director Julie Diescher in the human resources committee meeting.

Why workers leave

“To date [this year], 71 people have left the county,” said Diescher. As in, 71 county government employees. “Roughly 27 percent of that number retired.” Another 27 percent were probationary and their term ended. Most of the remainder resigned, and the top reasons given were that they moved out of state, found another job, or had family reasons, she said.

Phone votes

Nadia Rajsz’ inability to vote by phone on April 23 has become a flashpoint for commenters, who argue passionately that she was disenfranchised. But the matter might be resolved now.

In the June 17 executive committee meeting, Rajsz spoke up during public comment, arguing for a procedural change. In April, she tried to connect visually (the only way to vote if you aren’t present) and couldn’t. “We need a process, a way to correct that.” In denying her a chance to vote, she said, her constituents were also effectively denied their say.

A number of votes were held that day, most notably one on an employee code of conduct.

The IDA votes by phone, Joe Perrello said.

Apparently, a legal opinion had been rendered.

And that “is a private document,” said deputy county attorney Tom Cawley, hurrying to the microphone. “If anyone shares it publicly, you’ve just waived attorney-client privilege for the entire legislature.”

Commenter Lou Setren requested that a response be made public soon.