NEWBURGH – Mayor Torrance Harvey insisted on being given a start date for the municipal identification card program in Newburgh at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, but city Corporation Counsel Michelle Kelson couldn’t give him one.
Harvey wants the program to start in early July, but Kelson explained the process to set it up takes a substantial amount of time, research, planning and equipment ordering.
The mayor didn’t want to hear that, saying he is “getting very impatient” over the slow start and he locked horns with Kelson at the public session.
“The city council did all that we can do,” he said. Kelson replied, “The lawyer did all that she can do and I have been moving this by myself; the clerk has produced an application …” she said. “We’re just asking for a date,” Harvey said, but Kelson said she didn’t have one. “And this is what I’m saying,” Harvey said. Kelson took offense to the mayor’s pressuring. “I could resign tonight. If you don’t think I am doing my job, take my resignation,” she said. In a raised voice, Harvey said he never told her she wasn’t doing her job. “What I’m saying is I need a date, period,” he shouted.
Councilman Anthony Grice suggested they shoot for a startup around Independence Day as a symbolic gesture.
The city council hopes to hear a more concretely timetable at its session next week.
