ROTTERDAM Town clerk says spat with supervisor won’t force her out BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Eunice Esposito took an instant liking to Laura Lee Cagnina when she came to Rotterdam Town Hall looking for a job last year. Cagnina pays sharp attention to detail and has a strong work ethic, the 82-year-old town clerk explained. They get along well in the office and on a lesser note, they’re both Democrats. But when Esposito asked members of the Town Board to hire Cagnina as her full-time assistant in September, they instead brought her aboard as a part-time typist, a position they would keep on a provisional basis until someone could be hired through the county’s Civil Service office. Cagnina, who has previous experience working in offices, never took the civil service exam and is technically ineligible for the full-time post with the town. Now Republican Supervisor Steve Tommasone has scheduled an interview with someone from the county’s civil service list to replace Cagnina. Esposito claims the move is politically motivated and aimed at forcing her from the offi ce she’s occupied for 39 years. “He’s done everything he possible can to make me quit,” she said from her office Tuesday. Tommasone vehemently disagrees. He said finding a civil service replacement to help out in the clerk’s office was always the town’s goal and is the only way to ensure politics is left out of the equation. “I do not want to see extreme politics played with the positions in our Town Hall, and particularly the positions as important as those in the town clerk’s office,” he said. Cagnina claims she wants to take the civil service exam for the position — last offered the month before she was hired —but that the test might not be offered for several years. A county civil service official confirmed the exam might not be given any time soon because they already have a large list of eligible office workers. Esposito wants the town to keep Cagnina on a provisional basis. She said other offices in Town Hall have a history of keeping such appointments. “Why can’t we just appoint her provisionally until she passes the exam,” she asked. “That is what was done traditionally.” David Ernst, a spokesman with the state Department of Civil Service, said the town is entitled to hire a provisional assistant for the clerk’s office for up to nine months. However, he said this term can be extended under certain circumstances. The Rotterdam Democratic Committee recently endorsed Esposito for an unprecedented eleventh term. The town’s Republican Committee answered the endorsement Tuesday by announcing they would back Lynn Fiorello, an assistant in Tommasone’s office, for town clerk. “Lynn has the perfect combination of experience and personal disposition for this position,” said committee chairman Gerard Parisi in a statement. The town Republicans opposed Esposito’s run in both 2001 and 2005. During her last run for re-election, she handily beat challenger Catherine O’Connor by more than 3,000 votes. Esposito admits she had considered retirement. But she said squabbling over Cagnina’s position and her love of town service convinced her to run again. “I wouldn’t pass it up now,” she said of her re-election bid. “Even if it kills me, I’m staying on.”
Anyone who's been to town hall to see the clerk knows Laura is AS capable (without a doubt) as Eunice. Laura could do the job blindfolded and the office works very well together. Not making her provisional until the exam is offered is a political stunt, Tommasone should be ashamed.
When something's working, DONT mess with it. This office works extremely well together and has a great interaction with the public. Tommasone shouldn't micro-manage this department.
First of all, and whether I agree with how this is being played out or not, I don't know why this position is needed at all? Is this position new or existing? I'm reading it as a new position that was requested by Ms. Esposito last Sept.. Why? So the town grants Laura a part time status as opposed to a full time status. Even part time, is in question here. At a time where everyone should be tightening their belt and with the ever rising county taxes we have to absorb, I don't think this position should have been created to begin with. There is enough clerical staff employed by the town that could take on some extra typing that Ms. Esposito can clearly not handle any longer. (no disrespect)
Second, and again the way I read this, it is Ms. Esposito who is making a political issue out of this. Her statement of 'Even if it kills me, I'm staying on', is ludicrous! There just ain't no job/position worth anyone's life or death.
I am looking at this as if it were a private business. It would just make good business sense to leave things as they were by getting rid of this Laura. And if Ms. Esposito can not keep up with the position any longer, than perhaps it is THAT position that needs replacing.
Term limits anyone? IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Eunice is a very well liked person in this town as reflected by her 39 years of service, if Steve T makes an issue out of this and tries to force another yes person into the assistant position it could cost him dearly at the poles. Eunice doesn't have anything else to do with her time and her job is also her social life as she meets a lot of residents to talk to during the coarse of the day. It looks like the Reps want her out but that could be a bad move on their part. Time will tell.
Keeping politics out of this.........my boss certainly would not keep paying me at my job, just because my job was my life, since that would have been MY choice. Or because it was a social outlet for me, again my choice. I, as a taxpayer am not responsible for the choices other people make for their lives.
Remember, I am comparing private sector business here. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Quoted from bumblethru: ... I don't know why this position is needed at all? ...
Those who I have spoken with who have interfaced w/ Ms. Esposito say that, at 82 years old, she is unable to handle the job by herself any longer. They attribute it to decreased efficiency resulting from her advanced age, not the amount of work. She has served the residents of the town of Rotterdam well for many years. It may be time, however, for her to retire. Like a prize fighter, the decision to retire is difficult.
I believe that the position is an elected one. As such, I am unsure of Tommasone's authority to replace Eunice. He would have to have due cause and even then, considering her popularity with town residents, it would be ill-advised for Tommasone to take on this cause. It would not serve him well, particularly if he is perceived as engaging in political strong arming.
If the assistant Ms. Cagnina has not applied through the civil service system, she should not be eligible for hiring. She should either take the necessary exams and compete for the position or another qualified individual should be selected.
The position is an elected slot - the residents have overwhelmingly voted for her numerous times - the same ones she interacts with every single day. If you're not happy with her performance, the place to voice your concerns is at the polls. She's become a fixture in this town.
The issue isn't about her at this point, it's about Laura's position. IIRC, she's been there for quite a while (I'm pretty sure since before Sept). She's helped transition the office to the digital world, something admittedly Eunice wasn't able to do, but none-the-less, got it done.
Eunice is a "people person" - and having been re-elected MANY times, 100% bi-partisan in every election, I trust her judgment until proven otherwise. At 82, and reelected this many times, I trust her more than Mr. Tommasone or any member of the current board.
I dont know Ms.Esposito and her work, I will assume it is good....as for voting for her,,,I never once pulled the lever.....why? because it didn't really matter give Ms.Esposito the part time position and move on folks......it's just a job......the torch is moving on......I'm not too sure how much power a town clerk has politically other than being in 'the know' among other official duties....I will have to look that up......
this town needs an enema......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Eunice is a wonderful lady. She will easily win re-election without trying. But enough already. At 82 she should be thinking about retirement. It's nearly impossible to remove a clerk, Judge or receiver of taxes.
The last two County Clerks died in office. "Even if it kills me I'm staying on". A reason for another re-election? No job is worth that-especially Town Clerk.
I think its time for Eunice to go. Job well done. I am sure with someone new this office could run even better then it does now. Its time for her to retire and start over. From what I hear she is hard to work for. Very very set in her ways and not too nice to the workers. But who knows could be more political rumors.
Hard to work for??? Have you ever dealt with Fiorillo??? Pulllleese. I take Eunnie until she's 90 over that alternative. I hear Greasemer, Surprise and Dawn are hard to work for so I guess by your standards we get rid of them too??? Pullleeessee!!!
This town hall is run by a bunch of Stevie Ego cronys who have failed the residents miserably. Get rid of Stevie Ego and you have a start of easing Eunnie out. Until that happens stay the course Eunnie your the dems not so secret weapon!!!
Egads are you saying we have woodwierd until he dies????
So far, nobody has launched a formidable challenge against John. Unless there's a major issue, I'm betting that job is his as long as he wants it. John's another example of a candidate who loves his job - and does a very good job at it.
Logged
Just this town?
ROTFLMAO! Yes-and with no opposition AGAIN!!
