MIDDLETOWN – Orange County Legislator Joel Sierra of Middletown has been absent from his county post for approximately two years following an injury he sustained while serving as a career firefighter in Middletown.
On Monday, Mayor Joseph DeStefano suggested that if he cannot fulfill his duties in county government, he should resign.
“Constituents have been calling here, calling the county, and county legislators and other county officials have questioned his attendance. I join that choir and I believe it is inappropriate for someone, an elected official, if they are unable to go to work for that length of time, they should either resign or be removed from their position,” the mayor said.
That drew a heated response from Sierra’s formally designated advocate, former police chief Raymone Bethancourt, who said DeStefano should not get involved in county business. “For Mr. DeStefano to raise this issue at this time, and I’m just the ex-chief of police, sounds nefarious,” he said.
Bethancourt said if Sierra resigned, the mayor has the authority to nominate his replacement with concurrence from the Middletown Common Council and Wallkill Town Board. And that is a conflict of interest, said the former chief.
Bethancourt said Sierra hopes to return to the legislative chambers and expects to seek re-election when his current term expires. DeStefano said Sierra, who sustained an injury, filed for a firefighter disability, was turned down, took his case to two courts, also was also rejected.
