BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Democrat Invited to the Dance

CATSKILL - A message of unity has been sent even as the political boat was rocked with the naming of a Democrat to chair a committee on the Republican dominated Greene County Legislature.

Legislature chairman Patrick Linger has selected Daryl Legg (District 7, Hunter, Lexington, Halcott) to head up the Economic Development & Tourism committee. (Please see related story in “Legislature Stuff”).

The surprise selection came at the board’s annual reorganization meeting, on Tuesday night, when all 14 lawmakers were sworn-in for three-year terms following the November, 2024, election.

Legg, the former Hunter town supervisor, has quickly carved his niche in Catskill, initially taking office in 2022 and gaining a reputation as a lawmaker not hesitant to speak up and stand behind his words.

While it is almost unheard-of for a Democrat to be put into a power position, with 11 Republicans and one Conservative to choose from, along with just two Democrats, ”it’s time to try something different,” Linger said.

“Hopefully I don’t get run out of town,” Linger said, sort of tongue-in-cheek. “My feeling is the biggest issue in politics is division. This is something good for the residents of our county to see.

“More to the point, Daryl does a good job representing his district and at the same time understands we represent not just our particular districts.

“We represent the whole county. It’s okay for this board and its chairman to recognize there is a right place and a right time for this,” Linger said.

Two world-renowned ski slopes and county economic engines are located on the mountaintop, a valid reason to go with Legg.

And it might not hurt that Legg was strongly supported by State Senator Michelle Hinchey in his bid for re-election, in November.

The Senator literally went door-to-door with Legg during his campaign, possibly turning an unexpectedly close race in his favor.

Hinchey has shown political Party blindness, channeling grant funds thru her office to the county, a trend county officials hope keeps happening. 

The Senator also inserted and asserted herself in the recent machinations of choosing a legislature chairman, letting local Democrats know her sentiments on the matter, sentiments also not lost on Republicans.

Linger reportedly revealed his choices to Majority Leader Matthew Luvera and Minority Leader Harry Lennon in late December with mixed GOP reviews, though any dissent was voiced only behind closed doors. 

Linger, Luvera and Lennon have input on all committees. Legg steps in for Linda Overbaugh (District 1, Catskill) who did not seek re-election.

Legg was also appointed by Linger to the board of directors for the Greene County Economic Development Corporation, an annual process.

The designation of a Democrat as a committee head is not mind boggling but it does show an evolution of the county legislature which, since its inception nearly a half-century ago, has been ruled by the GOP.

There was a time when seeing the name of a Democrat as either offering or seconding a resolution was rarer than a real Sasquatch sighting. The minority Party was kept that much out of the loop.

Legg’s appointment is not the only attention-grabber including a shakeup within the GOP where James Thorington (District 6, Prattsville, Ashland, Windham, Jewett) was named chair for the Public Safety committee, replacing Thomas Hobart.

Thorington had been in charge of the Public Works committee. The change by Linger comes after Hobart (District 2, Athens) caused more than a few lawmakers to wiggle uncomfortably in their chairs a year ago.

Hobart, intentionally or not, bypassed the rest of his committee members and the full board by attempting, in his role as committee chair, to kill a resolution related to moving forward on building a new Justice Center.

A wing is being added to the existing county courthouse in Catskill. Hobart said his action was based on not having enough information to make a proper decision on the multi-million dollar project.

Linger and others pointed out that detailed discussions on the Center had been ongoing for eighteen months. Questions were also raised on the propriety of yanking the resolution, which ultimately passed.

It was widely speculated Hobart was cajoled into blocking the measure by a small contingent of opponents to the job led by lawmaker Michael Bulich (District 1, Catskill) and Luvera (also based in Catskill).

Whether that is the motivating factor behind his demotion or not, Hobart still has a seat on Public Safety and three additional committees, including the powerful Government Operations group.

Linger further stretched the envelope by tabbing James O’Connell (District 3, Athens) to step in for Thorington as Public Works chairman.

O’Connell is a legislative newbie, winning election in November, but, “has showed initiative, coming to all of our meetings since last August, asking the right questions, wanting to be on top of things,” Linger says.

One final switch is putting Sherry True (District 8, Cairo) in charge of the County Services committee, replacing Edward Bloomer who is not returning, losing a GOP primary to O’Connell this past summer.

The remaining leadership is the same although there is strategic movement within each committee membership, most noticeably on the two most influential panels, Finance and Government Operations.

Linger, who recently won a third-term as chairman, put to good use the life experiences of another newcomer, appointing Michael Lanuto (District 1, Catskill) to four committees.

Launuto, making his living in the fiscal trade, will be part of the influential Finance committee, again chaired by 87-year old Charles Martinez.

Linger, referring to the chairmanship maneuvers said, “this is a leap of faith but a thought-out leap of faith,” noting all committee appointments are for only one-year in what is the first year of a three-year legislative term.

Legg is not the only Democrat to hold a chairmanship. His predecessor in District 7, Larry Gardner, was named to head what is now the County Services committee by the late chairman Wayne Speenburgh.

It didn’t hold the same drama, however. Gardner was in office for four decades and held in high regard on both sides of the aisle. 

Gardner held the spot for several terms before willingly acquiescing to then-GOP newcomer Bloomer at the start of Linger’s chairmanship.

And ex-lawmaker Aidan O’Connor was picked to lead the Health Services committee by former chair Kevin Lewis, a very practical move.

O’Connor is a veteran helicopter paramedic and was a member of a special State Task Force on the future of ambulance services.