A heavily split Board of Supervisors last Tuesday selected the first administrator in the history of Schoharie County.
After nearly 20 months of debate, hearings, discussion, and searching, nine supervisors voted in favor and six against naming Steve Wilson as the county's first administrator. Mr. Wilson, who accepted the position on Wednesday, is currently the internal reporting and analysis director for the Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C.
Mr. Wilson will receive an annual salary of $100,000 and is expected to start around November 1.
The debate started quickly at the special meeting Tuesday evening.
Moments after Carl Barbic of Seward made a motion to appoint Mr. Wilson, Jim Buzon of Middleburgh called the question, ending further discussion by supervisors. Mr. Buzon's action had the opposite effect.
Despite Mr. Buzon's motion to call the question, discussion ensued for nearly 45 minutes.
"You don't call the question right off the rip. That's bogus," Phil Skowfoe of Fulton responded to Mr. Buzon's action.
Noting that one of the three finalists backed out, Mr. Skowfoe urged supervisors to take a step back from appointing an administrator.
"There's no shame in starting over."
After the search began with 19 candidates, three were left as finalists. Sarah Purdy, the county administrator for Yates County withdrew her name leaving Mr. Wilson and another candidate from Albany County.
Neither of the remaining candidates were qualified, Mr. Skowfoe argued.
"The one that left was the one that was qualified."
Mr. Buzon noted that supervisors conducted interviews and each were highly qualified.
"We've made up our minds who we're in favor of. What's the sense of beating this to death?" he responded.
Bill Federice of Conesville, who led the committee that recommended the position, was against re-advertising the post.
Any of the three finalists could do the job, he said.
If an appointment is not made, he added, there would be an outcry from the residents of the county.
"They'll cry for a county legislature. We'll look foolish."
Gene Milone of Schoharie, who first broached the issue in January 2014, said he was torn on a selection.
He initially supported Ms. Purdy. "She had it all."
Of the other two that were left, one worked in the federal government most of his career and the other has been a political appointee, Mr. Milone explained.
Larry Bradt of Carlisle, who also noted that the county "probably lost the best one," had questions on Mr. Wilson's longevity and how long he will be around.
In the end, nine supervisors voted in favor of Mr. Wilson and six voted against.
Voting in favor were: Shawn Smith of Blenheim, Leo McAllister of Cobleskill, Mr. Federice, Sean Jordan of Jefferson, Mr. Buzon, Dick Lape of Richmondville, Mr. Milone, Mr. Barbic, and Ms. Bleau.
Voting no were: Mr. Bradt, Sandra Manko of Sharon, Mr. Skowfoe, Tony VanGlad of Gilboa, Earl VanWormer of Esperance, and Harold Vroman of Summit.
Mr. Skowfoe, Mr. VanGlad, Mr. VanWormer, and Mr. Vroman are all past chairmen of the board.
Bill Smith of Broome was absent.
In another split vote, supervisors agreed to set Mr. Wilson's salary at $100,000 with a two-year term.
According to county procedure, there is a one-year probationary period and Mr. Wilson will be given three months' notification if his term is not renewed.
After the votes, Mr. Federice urged supervisors to "look now to make it work" now that a selection has been made.
Mr. VanWormer noted that there have been supervisors on the board for a long time and have seen the county do a lot of good things. He explained he was just being consistent with his vote.