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Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Interim City Manager has big plans
By KATELYN CORDERO
[email protected]
Interim City Manager Joseph Donat,
completed his first official City Council
work session on January 14. He took over
the position at the end of December and
immediately got to work.
Donat filled the role after the
resignation of previous city manager
Michael Ciaravino in December. He took
an unpaid leave of absence from his
position as Deputy Chief of Staff from
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney to
work for the city.
“The congressman wants to help
the city in any way he can, and now
he is making the ultimate sacrifice by
allowing me to be here with the duration
of time needed,” said Donat. “The City
of Newburgh is eternally grateful to his
generosity.”
Donat came into city hall with a list of
priorities he’s already started working
Interim City Manager Joseph Donat.
Skoufis sworn in
Senator James Skoufis held his
swearing-in ceremony this past Sunday,
January 20, at his alma mater, Monroe-
Woodbury Middle School. The Senator
was joined by State Senate Majority
Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
Joining the state leaders in their
remarks was Skoufis’ old math teacher,
Ray Hodges, who said, “Politics
truly was [James’] passion; he was a
genuinely honest and sincere individual
who wanted to make the world a better
place.”
The ceremony celebrated Skoufis’
past and present commitment to putting
his district above all.
“I don’t know anyone who has a
better reputation for constituent service
than James Skoufis when he was in
the Assembly and I know that’s going
to continue in the State Senate,” said
DiNapoli.
Stewart-Cousins
later
added,
highlighting the new diversity in the
State Senate, “The fact is that I’m here
on this weekend celebrating Dr. King
and being at the cusp of creating history
that will make Dr. King proud.”
In his remarks, Skoufis showcased
his commitment to fairness that will
be carried out in the State Senate,
“Everyone, and I mean everyone, is
on. At the top of his list is finding a
competent comptroller to fill the void left
by previous comptroller Katherine Mack.
“We need someone in that position to
steer us in a fiscally sound manner,” said
Donat. “I hope to have offers made in the
foreseeable future.”
Pulling together all the resources
available to collaborate in a meaningful
way is key to Donat for getting work done.
He strives to collaborate, and to support
all departments in the city government.
“It’s my intention to lead by example,
and that’s what I will do over the course of
my time here,” said Donat. “That includes
increasing moral and providing support
to the departments that need it.”
Department heads and their assistants
are part of a non-bargaining unit. This
group will often work on weekends and
during vacation time for emergencies. At
the moment they are not compensated
for the time they work outside of regular
working hours
About 40 employees are part of this
non-bargaining unit. Donat is looking to
offset the time spent on the job outside of
Come to our
working hours with vacation time. He
is also looking to make departments
affected by cuts whole again.
“Often times their responsibility
dictates they be here outside working
hours,” said Donat. “I am looking to
make department heads like DPW, IT,
water, and engineering to have the same
compensation as their counterparts
across the board, evening the playing field
the best I can.”
The deteriorating facilities of the city
are of utmost concern to Donat. He is
working to create a facility plan with an
assessment of the buildings in need of
renovation and relocation.
Donat is approved by the city council
to hold his position for the next three
months. He promises to stay with the city
as long as needed,
“It’s my intention to provide the city
whatever assistance they need,” said
Donat. “The length of my contract is to
the duration of the city’s needs. I believe
that 2019 will be the year of Newburgh.
There are lots of positive things in the
future to tackle.”
OPEN HOUSE
at both our Centers
on Saturday, February 2, 2019 10am -2pm
Snow date Saturday, February 9
We are an
Early Learning Center
catering to the development
of young children
James Skoufis took the oath of office
in front of family and friends Sunday at
Monroe-Woodbury High School.
going to be treated equally in our
Senate district and beyond...blind eyes
will no longer be turned, and rugs will
be flipped over to see what’s been swept
under them.”
Skoufis concluded, “My friends
- Democrats, Republicans, and
Independents - let’s leave here more
committed than ever to fight like hell
for a state government that is of the
people, by the people, and for the people.
Let’s strive for a state government that
is responsive, not repulsive, to New
Yorkers.”
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