Back-and-Forth Debate Ensues From Recently Revealed Carnival
Heated debate ensued at the end of a June 12 committee meeting after it was recently revealed the grand reopening of Tilly Foster Farm would become a weekend long carnival, instead of just a Fourth of July fireworks celebration.
During a Physical Services Committee meeting of the Putnam County Legislature, two legislators and some residents went after Legislature Chairman Carl Albano for not providing more information about the recently announced carnival that would take place on the Southeast farm. Broken communication between the legislature and the county executive was once again the focal point of the hardly civil discussion.
As of Friday morning, there was a flier posted on the county website advertising a “Tilly Foster Country Fair” from July 3 to July 6 that includes rides, food, games, fireworks and live music. Admission into the fair on the public farm is free, according to the ad.
While fanfare is surrounding the fair, one of the complaining legislators, Sam Oliverio said during the meeting this is another example of the county executive failing to communicate plans with the other branch of government. Oliverio, as well as Legislator Dini LoBue both chided Albano for not having or demanding more information from the county executive office.
Oliverio said he was caught off guard he was told by Deputy County Executive Bruce Walker about the fair and said had not been addressed at any county committee meeting of the legislature, even though the event is only a couple weeks away.
“This is what drives me crazy about this county. Things go on and we’re not told,” Oliverio, a Democrat running against incumbent and Republican MaryEllen Odell for county executive said. “(This fair) is just happening by dictatorial proclamation.”
LoBue said it’s the legislature responsibility to verify information that should be provided by the county executive office. While not outwardly spoken about the event, Legislator Ginny Nacerino added the legislature should know what the plan in place is, including the anticipated expense.
Southeast resident Ann Fanizzi said the plan should already be put in place so it can be questions and scrutinized rather than it automatically getting a greenlight. She said, “I don’t live in Russia, I don’t have faith. I’m not a person of faith.
In an interview the day after the meeting, Albano said while he admittedly is short on details, he’s fully supportive of it. Despite it already being advertised, Albano said he wasn’t sure if it was completely finalized yet.
He said the legislature has yet to receive any documents about the plan for a carnival. He added, “Conceptually, it would be a nice idea and nice compliment to the farm.”
Albano also defended himself against attacks that he should have pushed for more information before the committee meeting. He said he’s sure the county executive office has put the event together in a way that would result in minimal cost to the county and has faith in the people running it.
“If it was something we found out would cost a fortune of money, I don’t think they would have pursued it, I didn’t verify that yet but of course before it happens we’re going to do that,” Albano said. “But again it’s like no good deed goes unpunished. Unfortunately, we try to come up with good ideas and move in the right direction and there’s always comments that the world is going to end and we’re blowing county money.”
Walker said on Monday the process of preparing for the event was still in the works, with an Incident Action Plan being determined. Because it is not fully complete, Walker said it wouldn’t be worthwhile to share official plans with the legislature just yet.
He said the point of the country fest is to get residents back on the farm and show them what’s going on with the property and where taxpayers’ money is going. Homestyle Catering is donating its services and the proceeds-net expense made from the fair would to go to the county, Walker said. That money would then go in part to pay for any of the expenses from holding the event.
The county executive’s office and sheriff’s department are working closely to develop the IAP that covers safety for the carnival. State police and MTA police are also in the loop, Walker said.
Once the IAP is substantially done, Walker said then he would communicate the information out. He said while he understood the questions raised, many were too premature to answer last week.
“This is not a major event,” Walker said. “This is well under control.”
“This is meant to be a very positive thing,” Walker said of the upcoming event. “We think the public is really going to enjoy it.”
