NEWS
Schoharie Supers Split on New Pistol Permit Position
SCHOHARIE - Due to SAFE Act Mandates
The County Board split on whether to hire another clerk to process pistol permit paperwork. Due to new state mandates under the SAFE Act, an employee of the Sheriff’s Department has worked overtime to process them.
Supervisor Larry Bradt of Carlisle made a motion to hire another clerk at the Sheriff’s Department to aid in this process. This would be a six month, part time position with no benefits or health insurance. Supervisor Chris Tague of Schoharie asked for a roll call vote.
Supervisor Pete Coppolo asked if Sheriff’s Department correctional officers could work on some of the paperwork. Sheriff Desmond said that the County is already working with the minimum number of COs recommended by the NYS Corrections Commission.
Supervisor Bill Federice of Conesville gave statistics from the Finance Committee. He said that the person working overtime is doing one hour per week.
Supervisor Phil Skowfoe said that there is a long wait already. “You have to wait for them to call,” he said, adding things would go faster. Federice asked if it was due to the pistol recertification process. Supervisor Skowfoe asked for the Sheriff’s opinion. Sheriff Desmond said some people have pistol permits so old that they are now illegible or lost. Residents often come to the County if they lost or can’t read their permit number. “This thing is a total mess,” he said. “I don’t feel the lady working overtime is the proper solution to correcting this problem.”
Supervisor Dave Simkins of Broome asked if the County could bill the state for the time. Chair VanWormer said no.
Supervisor Tague called for a roll call vote. Voting no were Supervisors Bates of Seward, Coppolo, Federice, Hait of Jefferson, Tague, and Vroman of Summit. The measure passed by the weighted vote of 1818-1156.
Supervisor Bradt said there was action at the State Legislature regarding the SAFE Act. Senator Seward co-sponsored a bill to nullify the act outside of New York City. “If they want it down there, they can have it,” he said.
The County Board split on whether to hire another clerk to process pistol permit paperwork. Due to new state mandates under the SAFE Act, an employee of the Sheriff’s Department has worked overtime to process them.
Supervisor Larry Bradt of Carlisle made a motion to hire another clerk at the Sheriff’s Department to aid in this process. This would be a six month, part time position with no benefits or health insurance. Supervisor Chris Tague of Schoharie asked for a roll call vote.
Supervisor Pete Coppolo asked if Sheriff’s Department correctional officers could work on some of the paperwork. Sheriff Desmond said that the County is already working with the minimum number of COs recommended by the NYS Corrections Commission.
Supervisor Bill Federice of Conesville gave statistics from the Finance Committee. He said that the person working overtime is doing one hour per week.
Supervisor Phil Skowfoe said that there is a long wait already. “You have to wait for them to call,” he said, adding things would go faster. Federice asked if it was due to the pistol recertification process. Supervisor Skowfoe asked for the Sheriff’s opinion. Sheriff Desmond said some people have pistol permits so old that they are now illegible or lost. Residents often come to the County if they lost or can’t read their permit number. “This thing is a total mess,” he said. “I don’t feel the lady working overtime is the proper solution to correcting this problem.”
Supervisor Dave Simkins of Broome asked if the County could bill the state for the time. Chair VanWormer said no.
Supervisor Tague called for a roll call vote. Voting no were Supervisors Bates of Seward, Coppolo, Federice, Hait of Jefferson, Tague, and Vroman of Summit. The measure passed by the weighted vote of 1818-1156.
Supervisor Bradt said there was action at the State Legislature regarding the SAFE Act. Senator Seward co-sponsored a bill to nullify the act outside of New York City. “If they want it down there, they can have it,” he said.