Resolution No. 1-2020
Allegany County Ethics Board Advisory Opinion
November 16, 2020
This Advisory Opinion herein may be subject to withdrawal or revision.
Whereas, on September 3, 2020, Alma Town Councilmen forwarded unsigned complaints against Alma Supervisor Ronald R. Staedt, Jr., and Alma Councilman/Deputy Supervisor Vincent Bock to the Allegany County Ethics Board; and
Whereas, copies of the signed complaints were received on September 21. (It was noted that one Councilman declined to sign the complaint against Deputy Supervisor Bock.); and
Whereas, the Ethics Board officially reviewed the complaints at meetings on September 15, September 23, October 20, 2020, and November 6, 2020; and
Whereas, After the September 23, 2020, Ethics Board meeting, at the direction of the Ethics Board, Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle sent a letter to Mr. Staedt inviting him to come to a meeting to answer and/or address some of the allegations. Mr. Staedt and Town Attorney David Brautigam declined the offer to attend a meeting in person, but Attorney Brautigam did send in a letter; and
Whereas, it appears that Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Staedt, Jr., and Deputy Town Supervisor Vincent Bock have not acted in the best interest of the Town of Alma; and
Whereas, it appears that Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Steadt, Jr., and Deputy Town Supervisor Vincent Bock have not upheld their oath of office, and have acted in a manner unbecoming of town officials; and
Whereas, it appears that Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Steadt, Jr., has acted in an unethical manner; and
Whereas, it appears that the State of Emergencies declared in the Town of Alma by Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Steadt., Jr., have not been properly filed pursuant to NY Executive Law §24. In addition, although
Governor Cuomo’s executive orders provide for virtual meetings and non-public meetings, public hearings, and bid openings, there is no provision or allowance for not meeting; and
Whereas, it appears that due to the overt action of Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Steadt, Jr., there were no Town of Alma business meetings held between March and October 2020, which violates Town Law Section 62.
RESOLVED:
1. Had the Town of Alma Code of Ethics been properly filed (and it does not appear that it was ever filed with the NYS Department of State), the Ethics Board would recommend that Alma Town Supervisor Ronald Steadt, Jr. be fined, suspended, or removed from office for the above-described actions.
2. Had the Town of Alma Code of Ethics been properly filed, the Ethics Board would recommend that Alma Deputy Supervisor Vincent Bock be fined for the above-described actions.
3. This Board of Ethics recommends that the matter be referred to the Allegany County District Attorney and New York State Attorney General for review and requests the Allegany County Clerk of the Board to forward this advisory opinion to those officials.
4. The Board of Ethics directs the Allegany County Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this advisory opinion to the Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, Councilmen, and Attorney for the Town of Alma.
5. The Board of Ethics directs the Allegany County Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this advisory opinion to New York State Attorney General, Allegany County District Attorney, Allegany County Attorney, Allegany County Administrator, and Allegany County Chairman of the Board.
6. The foregoing is the opinion of the Allegany County Ethics Board. Allegany County Ethics Board
Dated this 16th day of
November 2020.
