Albano Appointed to Leg Chair, But Doesn’t Come Without Division

Three legislators were nominated to be the new chairperson for the Putnam County Legislature, but once the dust settled, it was District 5 Legislator Carl Albano who was named the new chairman to start a new year.

In what proved to be a divisive decision for the legislature, Albano was elected the new chairman after it took four roll call votes and the appointment of a new legislator, Lou Tartaro to District 3 in order to get Albano through.

Originally, Albano and Dini LoBue of District 8 were the two legislators proposed for the top position. But with just eight legislators on the board at the time, neither could garner enough votes to get the title. Albano received only four votes, with Legislator 9 Kevin Wright abstaining, and LoBue also received only four votes.

After both nominations failed, District 2 Legislator Sam Oliverio implored the rest of the legislature to compromise and nominated District 6 Legislator Roger Gross, but that also didn’t get the necessary votes.

It was only after the agenda item was skipped and Tartaro was appointed that Albano got enough votes to become the chairman. Following the meeting, Albano said he looks forward to keeping things moving smoothly.

“We want to be very productive this year with all our decisions,” Albano said

Albano, a 37-year business owner, said his levelheaded approach and calm demeanor would help bring more civility to the legislature. He was first mentioned to be a possible replacement to past chairman Richard Othmer when other legislators noticed his ability to bring a meeting spiraling out of control back to focus with a few common sense words, Albano said.

“I want to be effective. I want to be sitting there as the chair,” Albano said. “Not doing this as a TV show.”

The two legislators that were nominated, but didn’t get the nod expressed disappointment in the final decision.

LoBue said her leadership capability speaks for itself, but wasn’t surprised she wasn’t elected. She added, “I understand the importance of having two equal branches of government. That the legislature be autonomous, free of any fear of political retribution from the county executive.”

Gross said despite the disappointment, he’s ready to move on. Prior to the meeting when the eight Republican legislators were in caucus, Gross said there was “quite a disagreement” as to who would be appointed chairman and also deputy chairman.

“There is a difference of opinion on the legislature, but it’s over now,” Gross said. “People have been set into their position so I think we can move forward.

Oliverio said he proposed Gross after LoBue didn’t get enough votes, and was disappointed that “party politics overrode what’s good for the people of our county.”

While Oliverio thinks Albano is a good legislator, he said he doesn’t believe Albano is independent enough of MaryEllen Odell and the county executive office. He added he believes Odell will have as much influence over the legislature that it did when Othmer was the chairman.

“It reduces the independence and the ability of the legislature to do what’s right for it’s constituents,” Oliverio said. “…Roger would have been a healer.”

Looking back on the meeting, Oliverio admits nominating Gross right away instead of LoBue might have been the better alternative.

“I think now that would have been a better move,” Oliverio said.

Getting the spot of deputy chairperson was second year legislator Ginny Nacerino, who represents District 4. Nacerino said she “honored” and “humbled” to be appointed, beating out Gross who was also nominated.

Odell said she’s ready to work with the leadership set in place. She said Albano is a legislator about good government. His laidback attitude is refreshing, especially on a board when discussions can get heated.

“You’ll never see Carl raise his voice or get excited,” Odell said. “I think there’s enough of that on the board already.”

The organizational meeting, which took place on Jan. 7 was tense even before it officially began. The eight Republican legislators were in the back behind closed doors more than ten minutes after the meeting was scheduled to start.

Acting as the current chairman was county clerk Dennis Sant, who asked the Republican section of legislature if going back into caucus after the first two votes failed would result in a different outcome, but he got a frosty response.

The only light moment came when Othmer, who was in the audience and is now the highway superintendent of the Town of Kent blurted out “You want me to come back?”