Essex Ct Brd Not Pleased With Donaldson

From the Plattsburgh Press Republican today:

Supervisor Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand) was not pleased with Essex County manager Cliff Donaldson last night. Ms. Morency disagreed with Donaldsons statement to the Saranac Lake Village trustees that he was directed by the Essex County Brd of Supervisors to find a store to replace the now defunct Ames department store. The 2002 resolution directed the county manager and the County Industrial Development Agency to try to find a new retail store for the Ames Plaza.

The secrecy of his efforts to bring in a major retailer was also discussed because Donaldson never made any reports to the board of supervisors. Ms. Morency said "Nothing has ever been said in the minutes for the last three years about Wal-Mart."

Essex County, Board of Supervisors Chairman Noel Merrihew III (R-Elizabethtown) said it was incorrect of Donaldson to say he was working at the bequest of the board of supervisors. Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah)[NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WISEBUYS] asked Donaldson "What prompted you to start negotiations with Wal-Mart?" "Any official acting in secrecy, doing things their board is not aware of, that is not good."

It appears that there may be plenty of blame to go around. The Essex County Brd. of Supervisors should maybe be a bit more clear in making resolutions. The County Manager should be sure that he understand precisely what the board of supervisors intended. And, there could be a good deal more communication between the supervisors and the county manager.

More on this topic here at WNBZ.