The Conundrum Continues

Dear Nieces and Nephews,

If you haven't read the missive from Auntie just prior to this one, please do so. Auntie and the Team indicated a puzzling set of behaviors on the part of the County Executive branch of government.

For example,on one hand, apparently supporting those who are opposed to the Village of Kiryas Joel's improper, illegal and immoral activities and on the other, not actively pursuing a rather easy, in-your-face, opportunity to curb it, such as the (alleged) $40 million fraudulent activity in the village.

Now we have another example of the "dual nature" of the Executive Branch of Orange County Government. (Please note that we are not singling out Stevie Thunder the County Executive, because while he is included, he is not acting alone; there are sooo many other involved.)

The following document is the "Executed" Municipal Cooperation Agreement between the County and the municipalities pursing legal action against the Village of Kiryas Joel, namely the two Woodburys, the two Blooming Groves, the two Cornwalls and Village of Monroe. It may not be easily read in this format but Auntie has enlarged SOME of the troubling issues within the document.

 
       a closer look:


As you can see, it has not been signed by the County Executive, Steve ("Stevie Thunder") Neuhaus, but rather by the Deputy County Executive.

Why is that? Was Steve away on maneuvers? Was he sailing the Seven Seas in search of truth, justice and the American way? Nah! He was seen at the legislative meeting the day the document was signed. And why wasn't it signed in September? Why the delay? We have a good idea why.

We believe that Steve is running for political cover. He does not want to risk alienating his block vote or United Monroe so he is playing both sides. "See?" he can say to KJ "I did not support funding the lawsuit, it was the dullard deputy and the lackluster legislature that did it!", all the while singing the praises of the lawsuit to United Monroe.

By the way, Steve did  not have to secure legislative approval; he could have authorized the funding for the lawsuit on his own. But the political powers of KJ. wouldn't like that.

And here is something that is further down the trickery trail.

 

The "protections" mentioned in the document (section 8 pg 3), make reference to COUNTY ATTORNEY LANGDON CHAPMAN and his obvious conflicts, due to his relationship with KJ.  **http://www.recordonline.com/article/20141026/NEWS/141029573      The protection is called a "chinese wall". Technically the conflicted one does not have access to the info and the one that does have access is honor bound to not divulge anything about the case to the conflicted one. In this case, Sharon Worthy-Spiegel is obligated to maintain the wall of separation between herself and HER BOSS.

Well, that's reassuring! Certainly, no one will risk a breach of the Chinese Wall because, here in Orange County, no one would violate ethics guidelines.

Or would they?



And where is Karl Brabenec on this?

 ** LANGDON SAID: "Way to go, United Monroe, disenfranchising the voters"  and other harassing statments to other legitimately registered poll watchers.Real grown up behavior...