`Good old boy network' taking root in Queensbury
Arrest made at downtown Glens Falls protests; Pavilion moving to Shirt Factory
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You've probably heard of "the good old boy network."
The term originated in the South and referenced groups of white males who bonded and used those friendly connections for advancement, often without merit in politics.
Whether it exists here in any of our local communities is open to debate and varies from community to community, but after seeing some odd behind-the-scenes maneuvering by the Town Board in Queensbury in recent weeks, I'm beginning to wonder.
This latest chapter of small-town politics actually ties in with the conflict of interest controversy the town has not addressed.
This latest chapter starts with the job opening for the cemetery superintendent position.
Who knew such a position even existed? But since the position pulls a taxpayer-subsidized salary north of $70,000, that's going to attract some interest from the public whether they are qualified or not. Throw in great insurance benefits and overseeing the crematorium and cemetery is a pretty attractive gig.
With the "good old boy network" of times past, a job like this might go to a relative or friend of some well-connected politician, but Queensbury is doing this the right way to prevent that.
It hires an independent contractor to manage its human resources and handle the preliminary screening for jobs in the town. In this case, Marge Mulligan screened the applicants and reduced the field to three finalists who the Town Board members interviewed.
It is not unusual for the Town Board to reach a consensus on these job picks before they are put up for a vote in public. The final vote is often a unanimous rubber stamp. The board hired two other people Monday night without debate or controversy.
That's what was supposed to happen back on April 7 with the cemetery superintendent position.
Instead, the cemetery commissioners came forward and questioned the board why it was not involved in the selection. When they were told they had no legal role in the hiring process, the retiring cemetery superintendent, Connie Goedert, came forward and addressed the board as well.
Here's the problem with that: Goedert should not be anywhere near the process of hiring her replacement because she is also chairman of the Queensbury Republican Committee. Her vice chairman, Michael Dixon, sits on the Town Board and you can make a case that he should have recused himself from voting, too.
One thing led to another two weeks ago and the vote was eventually tabled which led to Monday night and a second attempt to get the consensus choice approved.
This time the cemetery commissioners wrote a letter to the Town Board late on Monday afternoon questioning the credentials of the finalist.
This brings us back to the "appearance" of a conflict of interest because Goedert, Dixon and Town Board member Tim McNulty all hold leadership positions in the local Republican Party.
Were they acting because of concerns about the quality of the candidate, or were they acting out of deference to Goedert's political leadership position.
Dixon, who is running against John Strough for supervisor this fall, will depend on Goedert's help in getting elected supervisor this fall.
As the role was called, Dixon voted against the recommended cemetery superintendent and new board member, Scott Gushlaw, followed suit.
Did Dixon truly have reservations based on a last-minute letter with no verified facts or was he worried about offending Goedert?
We don't know?
But it makes you wonder whether Dixon is playing politics because he is running for supervisor.
Ultimately, the recommended cemetery superintendent was approved when Tim McNulty, who holds an even hire political position than Goedert as chairman of the Warren County Republicans, voted to hire the candidate and end the debate.
The "good old boys" failed this time, but they are worth watching, because something tells me we will be seeing this more and more in Queensbury.
Voters need to remind Town Board members to stop playing politics.
Man arrested at protest
WNYT-TV is reporting that a South Glens Falls man was arrested for menacing in the second degree and disorderly conduct after revving a chainsaw at an anti-Trump rally in downtown Glens Falls Saturday.
Multiple demonstrators had previously reported the incident on social media.
Police arrested Thomas Howard, who was wearing a Trump shirt and hat, after revving a chain saw and mocking and threatening demonstrators on the corner of Bay and Glen Street downtown.
WNYT reported that video of the incident showed four Glens Falls police officers surround the man, handcuff him and walk him to a patrol car.
Story hour look back
The Adirondack Explorer looked back at the drag queen story hour controversy in Lake Luzerne that divided the town and led to Neal Herr's development of a satirical musical about the events to be shown in June at the Wood Theater in Glens Falls.
After a public outcry, the drag queen story hour was canceled, threats were made against the library, staff resigned and the library was closed.
Looking back, the actual story seems satirical.
Tick website
Warren County has established a website to track tick exposures in Warren County.
Considered the concerns about Lyme Disease and the increasing number of ticks in the region, it is a groundbreaking local effort to address the problem.
The Warren County Public Health team, which investigates reports of many types of tick disease in Warren County, recently worked with Warren County Department of Planning and Community Development to create a new website to track tick exposures and encounters in Warren County.
Warren County reported that, "Those who get tick bites, find them on their skin or clothes or on their pets are asked to report their exposure through this website. 63 people submitted reports in the first 24 hours, detailing where they were found and when they were found.
Front page flaw
Nothing is more mortifying for an editor than an outdated story on the front page. I didn't sleep much on Election Night 2000 after The Post-Star ran a headline proclaiming George W. Bush the next president of the United States only to see Al Gore claw back his concession after we went to press and leave the race in limbo for weeks to come.
Eventually, the headline was correct, but still it was embarrassing.
Local newspapers don't usually report much about what the Pope is doing, but considering it was Easter Sunday, The Post-Star led its front page with a story about the Pope making a surprise appearance at St. Peter's after his recent illness.
It probably seemed like a nice, safe good news story, especially with vice president J.D. Vance meeting with the Pope that day.
But then the Pope died in the middle of the night making the pope's celebratory actions and headline - "Pope delights crowd with Popemobile tour" - an unfortunate choice for Monday's front page.
Pavilion to move
In early February, reader Lisa Adamson contacted me to tell about a friend who was trying to save the Farmer's Market pavilion and relocate it to Crandall Park.
I wrote about it the Feb. 14 Front Page about how the developer was just going to tear it down.
Pema Reed tried to get support for the idea by reaching out to various officials in Glens Falls. She said she had the support of Claudia Braymer, Ben Driscoll and Diana Palmer.
Reed called the pavilion a "historical gem."
Earlier this month, the pavilion was saved when the Glens Falls Common Council decided to fund $5,000 to relocate the pavilion - not to Crandall Park - but to the Shirt Factory grounds on Lawrence Street.
Glens Falls At-Large Council Member Jim Clark said the city could use occupation tax funds if the pavilion was used to support events and tourism.
Shirt Factory owner Eric Unkauf said over 50 festivals and events are held at the site each year in support of the idea.
Since Bonacio Development won't have to pay to have the structure torn down, it has promised $5,000 toward the relocation.
Pema Reed should be congratulated for a job well done.
Ken Tingley spent more than four decades working in small community newspapers in upstate New York. Since retirement in 2020 he has written three books and is currently adapting his second book "The Last American Newspaper" into a play. He currently lives in Queensbury, N.Y.
Yet another menace arrested who is not a drag queen or a trans woman.
The GOBN has been imbedded in QBY/Warren County forever. It’s mostly a Republican only play. Too the public, it’s very subtle but involves both the elected officials and most of the prominent businessmen and community leaders. On the positive side, it has helped GF and surrounds grow and proper over the past 40 years when compared to other smaller upstate areas. Downsides would be the narrow thinking, favoritism and exclusiveness. John Strough broke the door down but they are coming after him again. Hopefully John remains strong enough to deflect the challenge.