DA to review possible open meetings violations in Vernon

Town of Vernon resident and one of the leaders of the Vernon Residents for Sensible Government, Mike Doble, is questioning Supervisor Joe Reilly's use of the "announcements" section of the past two board meetings, citing he is in violation of open meetings laws.

Town Clerk Marie Kumershek told board members last night that County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus had received multiple complaints from citizens regarding politicking during the announcement period of the past two town board meetings. 

Nickolaus forwarded those complaints to the district attorney's office.

The town board discussed whether the March 4 meeting should be looped on television throughout the day, given the investigation.

"We should not pull the tape," Reilly said.  "We're doing a service to the community ... We'll leave it up to the DA to determine if there was electioneering.  To be politicking, a candidate would have had to say 'vote for me.'"

Chairman Fred Michalek said he recalled Reilly say something to that effect at the board's  Feb. 19 meeting.

"That's where I called you out of order," he said.

The board voted 4 to 1 to keep replaying the meeting.  Michalek was the only opposing vote.