Who really controls Brookhaven Town Hall?
Swing votes from Republican Walsh have Democrats in the majority
5 comments below
Typically, although not always, Democrat Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld would vote one way first and Conservative Jane Bonner would then cast her vote in the opposite direction. From there, the remaining Town Board members had a tendency to vote along party lines, with the four Republican/Conservatives trumping the three Democrats.
But if Tuesday's roll call on several budget amendments is any indication, people will now have to pay closer attention to the third vote.
Republican Kathy Walsh, the 3rd District councilwoman who now serves as deputy supervisor to Democrat Mark Lesko, showed Tuesday she's not afraid to cross party lines.
Ms. Walsh blocked five budget amendments proposed by fellow majority members at the first meeting following Election Day, forcing town residents and even fellow board members to question what side the newly re-elected councilwoman is on.
"It looks to me like there's a new majority of Democrats with one false Republican," said Middle Island resident Bob Donato, who asked to address the board before it adopted the $151 million 2010 budget along the perhaps newly drawn party lines.
"That's the question," quipped Mr. Lesko.
Ms. Walsh, who denied rumors floating around Town Hall that she has changed her party enrollment, certainly aligned herself with the board's three Democrats Tuesday.
The budget amendments that Ms. Walsh and the Democrats blocked would have eliminated several new positions Mr. Lesko proposed in the 2010 budget, while also undoing several organizational changes the supervisor had suggested.
"These moves were for savings and reductions to the tune of almost $1 million," Ms. Bonner said. "I'm disappointed it didn't get the support."
The adopted 2010 spending plan reflects an 8 percent decrease in spending from the current year.
"I still think it could be better," Ms. Bonner said.
A sixth budget amendment proposed by Mr. Mazzei was approved, eliminating four positions and saving the town more than $325,000.
Another amendment proposed by Ms. Bonner would have kept the division of economic development in the planning department and out of the town supervisor's office. Ms. Walsh voted against that proposal, despite having supported moving economic development from the supervisor's office just last year.
So, why the change of heart?
"The supervisor said he wants to go in a different direction and I'm willing to support that," Ms. Walsh said in an interview following Tuesday night's meeting. "Some of these moves were also recommended by [deputy supervisor for economic development] Paul Pontieri and I think we should give it a try.
"If it doesn't work out and we need to make other changes in the future, I'll be open to it."
Ms. Walsh was appointed deputy supervisor shortly after Mr. Lesko won a March 31 special election over Mr. Mazzei to replace former Supervisor Brian Foley. Mr. Lesko said he appointed Ms. Walsh in an effort to reach across party lines and bring unity to the board.
"[Ms. Walsh and I] have made it clear that we have a partnership based on good government principles," he said.
gparpan@northshoresun.com
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5 comments found
Very true : 11/23/2009
"Tim Mazzei and Kathy Walsh knew or should have known exactly what the Town Clerk was charging for weddings. If they did not know, they were asleep at the wheel and they should resign immeditately! "
REPUBLICANS & THE TOWN CLERK : 11/18/2009
Since comments are being posted about Tim Mazzei and Kathy Walsh, it is important to remember that the Republicans have been in control of the Town Board for the last two years. Whenever anybody tries to tell you that our Town Clerk, Pamela J. Betheil, is a Democrat and that the issue of overcharging for weddings is a problem for the Democrats, remember that our Town Clerk's charges for weddings were known to everybody in Town Hall. Tim Mazzei and Kathy Walsh knew or should have known exactly what the Town Clerk was charging for weddings. If they did not know, they were asleep at the wheel and they should resign immeditately! If they did know, everybody should agree that it was an honest mistake on the part of everybody, no crime was committed, all criminal charges against Mrs. Betheil should be dropped, and she should be permitted to leave her office on January 1 without the vicious personal smears against women that mysogynist, Mark Lesko, has become famous for. Mazzei, Walsh and the Republicans were in control!
Why is the District Attorney not prosecuting them for covering up for Mrs. Betheil? Because no crime has been committed! The District Attorney would drop the case against Mrs. Betheil in a heartbeat if only Lesko and Mazzei would let him. Same is true with regard to Jesse Garcia. They are demanding the blood of Mrs. Betheil to cover up for themselves!!
KATHY WALSH WAS RE-ELECTED!! : 11/18/2009
People who complain about Kathy Walsh should remember one thing! She was re-elected by her consitituents in Council District 3. You can denounce her all you want to, but the people have spoken. That is what democracy is all about. If you cannot live with her for two more years, please see a psychiatrist. You sound like you are on the verge of a breakdown.
: 11/17/2009
WALSH is a R I N O...A REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY !
Just like her like-minded "Moderate Democrats" and "Moderate Republicans", on the national scale, Walsh is NOT TRUSTED, by both sides.
SO, WHY SHOULD ANYONE IN HER DISTRICT, TRUST HER ????
That she goes along with "moves" by PROGRESSIVE Paul Pontieri, should "red flag" to you, that in spite of her "high minded" talk about "good government principles", what it comes down to, is, WALSH IS A POLITICAL OPPORTUNIST, WHO SUBSCRIBES TO HER ONLY ONE "PRINCIPLE"...
WHATEVER IS GOOD FOR KATHY WALSH, IS GOOD FOR BROOKHAVEN !
That's NOT "good government principles", that is a weasely, craven, politician who will VOTE FOR KATHY WALSH, AND "WHAT'S IN IT" FOR KATHY WALSH !
should be ashamed : 11/14/2009
"Even Councilman Tim Mazzei, who for the past two years has served as majority leader, later questioned Ms. Walsh's allegiance." Mr. Mazzei and the rest of those who created Crookhaven should be ashamed of themselves. It is about time that some of the Board members are not afraid to cross party lines, when it is time to vote on behalf of the best interests of the people. Maybe Mr. Mazzei should take a deeper look at what the people want instead of continuing to work in a non bi-partisan nature. Maybe if he did that prior to the special election he would not have been destroyed at the poll's.
