POUGHKEEPSIE – A sudden resignation by an Industrial Development Agency board member prompted a quick move by Common Council Chairwoman Anne Finney to make a appointment from resumes on hand. Jay Mandle’s departure left only four on the seven-member board.
Finney touted Norman Smith as highly qualified. That was not disputed by other council members. What bothered some was what they saw as unneeded haste and lack of visibility.
“This not the way I am accustomed to resolutions being voted on by this council,” said Christopher Petsas, a former council chair.
Another former council chair, Natasha Cherry, said the IDA cannot function properly with just four members.
Former IDA board members Sarah Brannen and Sarah Salem, removed by Finney earlier this fall, both felt left out of the loop.
“I can understand there is a call for resumes but I would respectfully request that we have time to sit down, have conversations with the various applicants, review the resumes, talk amongst ourselves and then come to a reasonable consensus over the next couple of weeks” Brannen said.
Brannen and Salem both abstained on Smith’s appointment. Petsas was opposed. The other six council members voted for the appointment, so Smith was approved.
