The Lockport US&J reports on last night's board meeting....
ROYALTON: Criswell returns to Town Board amid protests
Staff ReportsLockport Union-Sun & Journal
Former councilman Lee Criswell was named to fill the vacant seat on the Royalton Town Board at Monday’s meeting, amid protests from members of the community. Criswell, who served for six years, declined to run for re-election in the November election. Bob Stahl also declined to run for re-election. “I feel comfortable with Lee,” Supervisor Richard Lang said Monday. “I asked him. He’s got a lot of experience and expertise and I’m comfortable with that. He has six years experience and he has best interest of the town at heart.”
In the fall, Criswell said, “I’ve had enough. Let somebody else give it a whirl. Things don’t seem to get any easier. No matter what decisions you make, you’re not right anymore.”
When Lang moved up from board member to supervisor, that created a vacancy. There were a half-dozen hopefuls interviewed in December, and Dan Bragg was endorsed and had the councilman job. “I went through the interview process,” Bragg said. “They appointed me and then rescinded me. I was appointed in December and at the end of December, they changed their minds.” Bragg, a member of the Royalton-Hartland School Board, was at the school meeting on Monday and was not aware of the complaints at Criswell’s appointment. “He’s not a bad guy and he brings experience,” Bragg said. “It’s a political process. I have no hard feelings.” Bragg placed fourth in his attempt to be elected to the board in November.
“We didn’t have the authority (to appoint Bragg),” Lang explained. “I wasn’t the supervisor, and the board was not elected at the time. We had no legal grounds to make that appointment at the time.”
Prior to the meeting, Sgt. Scott Little, a member of the 107th Air National Guard, was presented with U.S. and New York state flags, which will be on display at the town hall. Little, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Kuwait, was an employee of the Royalton water department for 19 years.
Deputy Supervisor Jennifer Bieber is collecting pictures of Royalton men and women who have served in the armed forces to put in foyer.
At the reorganization meeting, Tim DeVita was appointed dog control officer, replacing Ellen Johnston. The part-time position pays $10,800.“It was my appointment to make,” Lang said. “Tim DeVita came highly recommended and he knows the job. I feel he will do quality work.”
ROYALTON: Criswell returns to Town Board amid protests
Staff ReportsLockport Union-Sun & Journal
Former councilman Lee Criswell was named to fill the vacant seat on the Royalton Town Board at Monday’s meeting, amid protests from members of the community. Criswell, who served for six years, declined to run for re-election in the November election. Bob Stahl also declined to run for re-election. “I feel comfortable with Lee,” Supervisor Richard Lang said Monday. “I asked him. He’s got a lot of experience and expertise and I’m comfortable with that. He has six years experience and he has best interest of the town at heart.”
In the fall, Criswell said, “I’ve had enough. Let somebody else give it a whirl. Things don’t seem to get any easier. No matter what decisions you make, you’re not right anymore.”
When Lang moved up from board member to supervisor, that created a vacancy. There were a half-dozen hopefuls interviewed in December, and Dan Bragg was endorsed and had the councilman job. “I went through the interview process,” Bragg said. “They appointed me and then rescinded me. I was appointed in December and at the end of December, they changed their minds.” Bragg, a member of the Royalton-Hartland School Board, was at the school meeting on Monday and was not aware of the complaints at Criswell’s appointment. “He’s not a bad guy and he brings experience,” Bragg said. “It’s a political process. I have no hard feelings.” Bragg placed fourth in his attempt to be elected to the board in November.
“We didn’t have the authority (to appoint Bragg),” Lang explained. “I wasn’t the supervisor, and the board was not elected at the time. We had no legal grounds to make that appointment at the time.”
Prior to the meeting, Sgt. Scott Little, a member of the 107th Air National Guard, was presented with U.S. and New York state flags, which will be on display at the town hall. Little, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Kuwait, was an employee of the Royalton water department for 19 years.
Deputy Supervisor Jennifer Bieber is collecting pictures of Royalton men and women who have served in the armed forces to put in foyer.
At the reorganization meeting, Tim DeVita was appointed dog control officer, replacing Ellen Johnston. The part-time position pays $10,800.“It was my appointment to make,” Lang said. “Tim DeVita came highly recommended and he knows the job. I feel he will do quality work.”
