PriceWas Right Second Time Around
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By James Kelly
jkelly@longislandergroup.com
A month after Josh Price was rejected on a 3 – 2 vote for Director of the newly created Bureau of Administrative Adjudication, Price was nominated again for the post and confirmed in a 3-2 vote.
Councilman Gene Cook was the only vote that changed from a no to a yes.
In opening remarks, Councilwoman Joan Cergol asked why a political operative was but forward for a non-partisan position. The Director will be responsible for the appointment of 7 judges for the newly created town court. “What deals were struck to change the outcome, just one month later?” Cergol asked.
Councilman Mark Cuthbertson was curious as to why, in three weeks, the vote could change. He pointed out that only one person was put forward for consideration for this position.
“There is no evidence that we looked at any other candidates,” Cuthbertson said, adding he has concerns for the beginning of this bureau.
Cook, who voted against appointing Price last month, said he did so because the Board did not get the resume until just before the vote. Cook pointed out that Cergol first complained at the November meeting that the full board did not get resumes in time for proper consideration.
Cook agreed with her. He went on to say that since that meeting, neither Cergol nor Cuthbertson put forward even one resume. Price is a former business partner of Cook in an East Northport investment property.
Cuthbertson pointed out that it is not a council person’s job and he believed that the position should have been advertised and instead of a a political appointment, a real recruitment process should have been initiated to find the best candidate possible.
Before calling for the vote, Supervisor Lupinacci interjected that this Director will be the Chief Administrative Judge of the Bureau and is appointed to a 5-year term with the advice and consent of the Town Board. Lupinacci went on to say that being active in a political party should not preclude you from a judgeship, but also stated that once you are in the role you must be non-partisan in the operation of the court.
