POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Legislator Kristofer Munn (D, Red Hook), who has a pending lawsuit against the county’s ethics committee, railed against a county ethics committee member nominated for reappointment. Munn’s denouncement of a reappointment was made on Monday night.
County Executive Marc Molinaro submitted the name of retired Sheriff’s Detective Paul Piastro to fill the unexpired term of committee member Kip Bleakly-O’Neill who recently resigned. Piastro was recommended to serve the remainder of her term, which expires on December 31. The same resolution included the reappointment of Yvonne Flowers, who was first appointed in 2012. Flowers, a registered Democrat, is a member of Poughkeepsie’s common council. When Flowers was first appointed, she was not an elected official. The legislature has voted for her reappointment in the past, even after she was elected to the council.
Munn had reprimanded the ethics committee after they reviewed complaints against him. Objecting to the reappointment, Munn, referring to Ms. Flowers as “Yvette” said “I don’t think the county board of ethics is any place for political elected officials or political insiders – I feel that someone more independent would be better in that role,” in explaining his vote against Flowers.
Republican Legislator Will Truitt argued that Munn’s history of ethics complaints should prevent him from voting on the appointment of Piastro and reappointment of Flowers. Munn did not recuse himself.
When told that Democratic legislators, except for Randy Jackson opposed her reappointment, Flowers was perplexed. “Some of the same members voting against me tonight voted for my reappointment the last time.” Legislator Craig Brendli, a Democrat representing part of the city, voted against the reappointment this time but approved it the last time. “I have served on the Board of Ethics for a few years and have been committed to being impartial when making decisions related to complaints filed. I appreciate the reappointment and thank those who trust I will continue to do a great job on the committee.”
Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver supported both appointments. “During Ms. Yvonne Flowers’ time on the Board of Ethics she has demonstrated herself as a calm and guiding force through difficult legal matters. I fear that this newfound opposition to her re-appointment is politically motivated due to her (and the entire Board of Ethics) finding a current legislator guilty of violating ethics laws.”
Molinaro was confident in his recommendations. “We adopted the most comprehensive ethics law in the state. We select individuals who represent the community will serve independently and to the best of their ability. Paul Piastro and Yvonne Flowers bring important life experiences, personal and professional backgrounds, and needed professionalism to this board.”
When the votes were cast, Piastro and Flowers were both approved by a majority vote, with Democrat Nick Page absent from the meeting and Republican Alan Surman of Dover voting against the resolution.
