LEGISLATURE STUFF - Order in the House

Greene County Legislature held its annual reorganization meeting, this week, making necessary government appointments and designations. Among those on hand were (left to right), legislature chairman Patrick Linger, Majority Leader Matthew Luvera, Minority Leader Harry Lennon and newly elected lawmakers Michael Lanuto (District 1, Catskill) and James O’Connell (District 3, Athens)

CATSKILL - Swearing-in ceremonies were held for the 14 members of the Greene County Legislature, Tuesday night, including two newly-elected  lawmakers and a Democrat in an unaccustomed position of power.

Taking the Oath of Office every three years is a fairly routine matter with each member echoing the same words spoken by county clerk Marilyn Farrell, vowing allegiance to the Constitutions of the United States of America and New York State.

It is also a solemn event. Representatives of the Republican, Democratic and Conservative parties take their promise seriously.

The evening was marked by an historic moment as Daryl Legg was picked by legislature chairman Patrick Linger to serve as chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism committee.

Legg is only the third Democrat in the half-century-long existence of the GOP-controlled legislature to be placed in that role (Please see related story in our “Better than Hearsay” column).

While aware of the GOP legacy, Legg essentially Ignored the distinction following the official announcement after week-long rumors.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to be the chair for Economic Development and Tourism,” Legg said

“I am very grateful chairman Linger has the faith in me to fulfill the duties of this important committee. I hope it has to do with my ability to do the job. Party doesn’t really matter here,” Legg said.

Legislative Majority Leader Matthew Luvera, asked for his thoughts on the appointment, similarly passed over any partisanship.

“My only thought is this is the [legislature] chairman’s decision. I support his decision. I wish Daryl well leading Economic Development and Tourism. If he does well, we all do well,” Luvera said.

Legislative Minority Leader Harry Lennon, likewise without referring to Party affiliation said, “I’m very proud to have Daryl Legg appointed as chairman of Economic Development and Tourism.

“It is a very important position for Greene County and for the mountaintop,” Lennon said. Legg represents District 7 (Hunter, Lexington, Halcott), the home of one of two internationally-known ski slopes.

Both are significant financial drivers for the county. “Daryl will do a great job representing all of Greene County and I am looking forward to a lot of great accomplishments in this next term of the county legislature,” Lenonn said.

The meeting room was packed with family members taking part in the Oath of Office and Linger, closing the session, said, “The fourteen members you have just sworn-in will be spending a whole lot of time in this building, sometimes more than they bargained for.

“We will be discussing many issues, some we agree on, some we disagree on, and we all know families have to listen to it. We thank them.

“Even if we are not in agreement, at the end of day I hope we go home as friends. We don’t need to be as divided as this country is now. We are about to do some really good things.” Linger said.

“Buckle up. We’ll get through it. It is important to remember, we are policy makers. We don’t deal in operations which fall to [county administrator Shaun Groden] and county department heads,” Linger said.

Legg’s first meeting as committee chair is slated for Monday night, January 13, as part of a series of committee sessions.

The members of the Greene County Legislature for the 3-year term, from January 1, 2025, to the end of December, 2027, are as follows (11 Republicans, one Conservative and two Democrats):

DISTRICT 1, CATSKILL (Matthew Luvera/Majority Leader, Michael Bulich Jay Lucas and Michael Lanuto).

DISTRICT 2, COXSACKIE (Charles Martinez and Thomas Hobart). DISTRICT 3, ATHENS (James O’Connell).

DISTRICT 4, GREENVILLE (Greg Davis, Parliamentarian). 

DISTRICT 5, NEW BALTIMORE (Patrick Linger/legislature chairman).

DISTRICT 6, ASHLAND, JEWETT, PRATTSVILLE, WINDHAM (James Thorington). 

DISTRICT 7, HUNTER, LEXINGTON, HALCOTT (Daryl Legg). 

DISTRICT 8, CAIRO (Harry Lennon/Minority Leader) and Sherry True. DISTRICT 9, DURHAM (Patty Handel).

The legislature committees for the one-year term, 2025, are as follows (chairperson listed first):

County Resources (Michael Bulich, James Thorington, Sherry True, Jay Lucas and Thomas Hobart). 

County Services (Sherry True, Patty Handel, Daryl Legg, James O’Connell, Michael Lanuto and Jay Lucas).

Economic Development & Tourism (Daryl Legg, Patty Handel, Sherry True, James Thorington, Michael Bulich and Michael Lanuto).

Finance (Charles Martinez, Greg Davis, Daryl Legg, Michael Bulich, Sherry True and Michael Lanuto).

Government Operations (Greg Davis, Charles Martinez, James O’Connell, Thomas Hobart, Jay Lucas and Daryl Legg).

Health Services (Patty Handel, Greg Davis, Sherry True, Thomas Hobart, James O’Connell, and Michael Lanuto). 

Public Safety (James Thorington, Charles Martinez, Patty Handel, Greg Davis, Michael Lanuto and Thomas Hobart).

Public Works (James O’Connell, James Thorington, Charles Martinez, Michael Bulich, Patty Handel and Daryl Legg).