Thursday, July 22, 2010

Another one bites the dust...

Let's play "Where's Waldo?," New Paltz Times Edition. Somewhere in this week's paper is an incredible tidbit that should be much easier to learn about than it actually is.

No, it's not the Don Kerr nonsense that I will be blogging about this weekend because I can't stand the way people are reacting and I have a few things I need to get off my chest...

No, it's not the coverage of things going on in places other than New Paltz...

In fact, it's not even in the regular paper.

Ok, on to the Alman@c...

Boring hippy artsy stuff...

Cute lil blurb about Memento, one of my favorite movies, but no...

What could it be? Where is this secret surprise?

Looking, looking...

What's this? The college diner is hiring waitresses?

OMFG!

Yes, yet another Village Clerk has said "Peace out!!!" to the crazy village. In the classifieds of this week's Alman@c, there is a teeny tiny little ad at the bottom of the job postings advertising for a Village Clerk.

As far as I can tell, the Village Board has not accepted Carol Robins' resignation during any of the meetings this year. Also, as far as I can tell, Carol was definitely reappointed Village Clerk at the June reorganization meeting. The only other explanation is that she has, finally, had enough and is moving on. I can't imagine even these weirdos would reappoint someone, only to dismiss her a month and a half later (although I will float a conspiracy theory after I fill in the background).

Let's look back...

When Jean Gallucci (Trustee/Deputy Mayor) left her position as Village Clerk-Treasurer, the position was split into two. This was a good thing. Unfortunately, the Village knew what to do with a Treasurer, but never established the funding, autonomy, support, or even job description necessary to have a viable Clerk position.

So the saga begins!

In 2006, the Village hired some woman as Clerk. I don't even know who she was, all I know is she didn't last very long.

In 2007, the Village hired a really smart, super hot and amazing woman as Clerk. She lasted 10 months before finally giving up.

For 2008, the Village Clerk was the former assistant to both Mayors. She was smart and capable and lasted pretty long (about a year and a half), but also decided to cut and run in the end.

For part of 2009 and 2010 (so far), the Village Clerk has been Carol Robins, who had been Deputy Clerk under the former Clerk (the only Village Clerk since the position split to actually have a Deputy). My experience with Carol is limited, but I've always found her to be kind, courteous, professional, and as helpful as she can be given the fact that she is surrounded by a bunch of total psychos who aren't exactly forthcoming, transparent, reasonable, mature, ethical or law-abiding.

The Clerk position requires a pretty specific skill set. The Clerk, in theory, should be acting as Records Management Officer, Chief Elections Officer, and a liaison between the Village Board and the public. What the Village has provided for, thus far, amounts to a secretary and cashier. Will the Village finally take this opportunity to make the position what it should be, or will we have another overpaid counter person who isn't allowed to do anything else, even though he or she may be qualified to do amazing things with the position? I have no doubt that the Village will opt for another temp rather than modeling the position on a professional standard that exemplifies most municipal Clerks across the state.

So...

Who out there can type and make change? Have any experience working in a psych ward? I hear there's a "Clerk" position opening up real soon...

4 comments:

  1. I might have to take that job so that I can learn how to be on facebook and surf all day while working...HINT!
    -korn

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  2. I'm curious to hear your take on the Don Kerr ridiculousness. Mine is: so stupid that anyone cares!!!

    And wait, are you telling me that the NPT isn't reporting on what's actually happening in NP that might be of interest to people? Burying the lede, perhaps? I'M SHOCKED!!!

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  3. dear korn,
    is that like a kernel of korn, or is it an anagram for ronk, or kron, or nork? did you have korn on the kob for dinner, or just some krummy kan of korn with kwackers?

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  4. You know I had actually just experienced some bad korn on the kobb for dinner...and yeah, it's my last name...
    Where is my facebook tutorial !!!

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