Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — You most likely have heard about Proposition 1 on the ballot this year in New York state, but have you heard about Proposition 2?
It’s only for voters in the town of Greece. Some are calling it a power grab, while the town is trying to set the record straight.
When it comes to Proposition 2, Republican former state Sen. Joe Robach is concerned.
“Quite frankly, (Republican Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich) would be seizing the power to fill the vacancies,” he said.
Robach claims Reilich, with a majority of two board members, could fill empty board spots at their pleasure.
“And take it away from the larger committee, which is made up of, you know, 70 plus people who represent a wide demographic,” Robach said, adding that committee, “would just be a much more open, transparent, inclusive process, as opposed to a sealed, closed-door one with just Reilich and the two people that always vote his way for everything.”
So, is this a power grab?
“No, not at all,” said Reilich. “That’s where there’s a lot of misconceptions.”
Reilich said currently with a vacancy, only the majority ruling party can submit two names, and a name is picked. Proposition 2 opens this process up, so anyone who resides in a ward where there’s an empty seat can submit a name.
“So therefore, we have the opportunity to allow any resident that wants to come forward to be part of town government to do so,” said Reilich. “We took the position that we thought we should leave it up to the residents to make this decision.”
The Greece Town Board would then decide, and that person will have to run in an election. Robach, though, feels much of the board’s selection would be out of the public’s eye and lack transparency.
Robach said there are just too many reasons to raise eyebrows with this administration, and the timing of this proposed law is suspicious.
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The current process, he said, has been in place for several decades.
“It’s never been a problem,” he said. “Now, as Reilich is term-limited out, all of a sudden, the idea came up that we need to change it?”
Reilich said residents can expect more information soon on Proposition 2.
“It’ll be going on the next few days in the mail,” he said. “We try and get it out ahead of the early voting so everyone can be aware of it.”
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