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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , January 11 , 2017
City Council grants 2-year residency waiver to comptroller
By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com
The Newburgh City Council has told city Comptroller Katie Mack that she may continue to live outside the City of Newburgh for another two years . Last month , the council voted to grant a waiver allowing the comptroller to continue to live outside the city despite a section of the city charter which requires department heads to live within city limits .
“ I do think there should be compromises in regard to folks who have dedicated their careers to the city and were not always department heads and worked their way up to that level ,” said Councilman Torrance Harvey at a council meeting on Dec . 12 .
“ If it ’ s someone that has dedicated 10-20 years and they work hard and they have a great track record and work history with our city … I think there ’ s got to be a compromise ,” Harvey said , noting , “ This great nation was built on compromise .”
Mack was named acting city comptroller shortly after former Comptroller John Aber was arrested on a charge of fourth-degree grand larceny in connection to city boatlaunch fees in May . She was appointed comptroller in
Orange County District Attorney David M . Hoovler announced that on January 6 , , Michael Allocca , 57 , of Washingtonville , pleaded guilty to the felony of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree , in connection with a scam to defraud workers seeking jobs . The District Attorney ’ s Office announced at the time of Allocca ’ s guilty plea , that it will be recommending the maximum sentence of two to four years in state prison when Allocca is sentenced by Orange County Court Judge Robert H . Freehill on March 24 . The District Attorney ’ s Office will also be seeking an order requiring Allocca to pay restitution to those he defrauded .
It was alleged that Allocca had posed as a union recruiter from Laborer ’ s Union Local 731 and collected $ 150 from at least twenty-four people to whom he had promised union jobs . To date thirteen of those victims
August . Mack has worked in the city finance department for seven years .
“ It ’ s nothing personal against the comptroller ,” said Councilwoman Cindy Holmes , who , along with Councilwoman Hillary Rayford , voted against the waiver . “ I do have a big feeling in my heart that if you ’ re going to be a department head in the city , you should ( live ) in the city .”
“ You receive many blessings from the city , what are you giving back ?” asked Rayford , speaking directly to Mack . “ I ’ ve never said I don ’ t want to move to the City of Newburgh ,” Mack responded . “ I just need the right window of opportunity to come here .”
“ In this particular case , 60-70 hour weeks is giving back to our city on a pretty regular basis ,” said city Mayor Judy Kennedy , defending Mack . “ And getting us through some of our budget sessions was not a cakewalk .”
“ I believe in our employees that are doing a great job for the city ,” Kennedy added .
“ It does have an impact when your department heads live in the city ,” said Councilwoman Karen Mejia , calling on the council to be “ practical ” about the matter . “ I would hate to go down the path of having the conversation of , ‘ What is the employee giving back to the city ?” and
have been identified . In fact , Allocca had no ties to the union . The District Attorney ’ s Office and the Town of New Windsor Police Department are asking the public ’ s help in identifying other victims who may have given Allocca money pursuant to this scheme . Anyone who believes they are a victim of this scam should call Investigator John Chivattoni at the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office at 291-2050 .
Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Allocca .
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kerry Kolek .
“ I have made it a priority under my administration to support Orange County ’ s workers ,” said Hoovler . “ No one deserves to be victimized while they trying to earn money have that negative connotation attached to the personal struggles that families make .”
“ My idea on a good comprise is to have the people that have already worked their way up to a positon be grandfathered in ,” said Councilwoman Genie Abrams , who said Mack ’ s work has so far been “ exemplary .” The requirement should apply to all new department heads moving forward , she said .
The two-year waiver will give the council time to look closer at the law for future ’ s sake , said Harvey , as several department heads currently live outside of the city .
Rayford reiterated her concern that the waiver might set a precedent for department heads who might not want to move to the city . “ This will open up another situation like we had for our chief of police position ,” Rayford said .
Dan Cameron , who recently served as acting police chief and does not live in the City of Newburgh , was grandfathered in shortly before the council passed the residency requirement in 2015 .
Acting fire Chief Terry Ahlers will not serve as permanent fire chief due to his unwillingness to move to the city , Rayford pointed out . An open exam for the firechief position was scheduled for Jan . 7 .
DA announces guilty plea in labor scam case
to support their families . My office regularly works with organized labor to ensure that workers are not victimized . It is particularly reprehensible that someone would impersonate a union official in order to defraud those desperately seeking employment . My office will be recommending
Michael Allocca that this defendant be sentenced to the maximum state prison authorized for this crime .
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SERVING DUTCHESS AND ULSTER COUNTIES
Newburgh to lease ShotSpotter system
Continued from page 1 Kennedy explained . The data is generated in less than a minute ’ s time , she said .
The technology will be paid for with almost $ 352,000 in Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG ) funds . The city will need to come up with almost $ 200,000 to maintain the leased system over the next 18 months .
“ My problem is we get software and … we don ’ t continue with it because we don ’ t have the money ,” said Councilwoman Cindy Holmes , who told a representative attending the meeting from Assemblyman
Frank Skartados ’ office that any and all financial help would be welcomed to help pay for the technology subscription .
Residents at the meeting urged the city to try to raise the money on the crowdfundraising website Gofundme . com . City Corporation Council Michelle Kelson explained the council would have to pass a resolution authorizing the city to accept donations first .
The council voted to table a resolution to purchase the system amid funding concerns last month .