The-Leader_2010-09-30

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75th Year, No. 39 Freeport, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Freeport Homecoming is hot!
FREEPORT MARCHING band prepares to strut its stuff.
FREEPORT OFFENSE ready to snap the ball versus Farnningdale. Red Devils lost 42-39.
Under unseasonably warm and sunny skies, the Freeport community gathered on Saturday, September 25, to support the Freeport High School's Red Devils foot­ball team in their homecoming game against Farmingdale High School's Dalers. The festivities began early in the
morning with a fundraiser walk benefit­ing Dollars for Scholars, and continued into the afternoon with a community fair and parade. At the" fair, school clubs and PTAs sold food and offered fundraising challenges in an effort to raise money for their respective causes. The parade,
which was ledjby niembers of the lotalft' ROTC andlnelu'ded the school's color guard, marching band and cheerleaders, processed past the front of the high school, through the fair and onto the George F. Emma Jr. Memorial Field. The game opened with the National
AntiS'em ariSlflif* announcement of this year's Homecoming court, with seniors Emmanuel Abreu and Charisse Rosario crowned King and Queen. Despite their hundreds of visitors and community sup­porters, the Red Devils were ultimately defeated by the Dalers by a score of 42-39.
Residents query mayor about village treasur-
by Jim Golding
Questions from audience members about two routine resolutions produced the revelation that Village Treasurer Ismaela Hernandez is under investigation and may even have been suspended, but village offi­cials would not provide specifics, saying the issue is a personnel matter and is under investigation.
Suspicions were raised during the trustees' regular agenda meeting on Monday by a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign checks in the absence of the treasurer or deputy treasurer, and a resolu­tion authorizing a facsimile signature of the deputy treasurer Both were approved.
Audience members Peggy Lester, Stephen Malone and Edward Dukich questioned the need to include the mayor as a signatory for checks and expressed concern about having too many officials involved in such financial actions.
Village Attorney Howard Colton said the action "is just renewing" a policy that "is supposed to be done every year," though it has not been done consistently.
over the past several years.
Mr. Colton said the mayor "is akeady authorized to sign checks" and that the vil­lage was complying with a directive from the state comptroller's office.
Ms. Lester said the policy "is not good accounting practice" and proposed an alter­native policy of having the mayor and a trustee, or village attorney both sign checks in the absence of the treasurer and deputy treasurer, Valerie Montes.
Mr. Dukich told the mayor the real issue is "you've lost my trust."
Mayor Hardwick replied that he doesn't "sign off on bills unless a trustee is missing. There are checks and balances," he said. "When was the last time the treasurer and deputy treasurer were unavailable?" (at the same tinie), Mr. Malone asked. "I don't understand why the treasurer can't sign checks!" He then posed a question about the status of the treasurer, citing various rumors he had heard of whether she contin­ued to function in that position.
Mr. Colton replied he "can't comment on whether the treasurer is in place. It's a per­sonnel matter currently being discussed."
Mr. Malone responded that additional facsimile signatures could result "in too many errors." He continued, "If we don't have a functioning treasurer, let's get the name off the bank accounts now." He kept pressing for an answer of whether someone is functioning as treasurer
Mayor Hardwick responded that "the appropriate actions have been taken" and that an investigation is underway.
As Mr. Malone persisted, the village attorney admonished that he asked his question and that his allotted time ended.
Trustee William White noted "There is a chain-of-command in the treasurer's office" and that the deputy treasurer has worked "for the municipality for many years and can serve in the absence of the treasurer." He added, "It is a personnel matter and cannot be discussed in public. The absence of the treasurer will not affect the financial integri­ty of this community."
Mayor Hardwick repeated that "it's a personnel matter under investigation."
Special prosecutors
Trustees also voted on another resolution,
this one appointing two special prosecutors to fill the term of a prosecutor who resigned to join a law firm. The two appointees, Christopher Gomoka and Lisa Yolanda Walker, were sworn in by the mayor and will share the salary of the position. They will prosecute traffic law and vehicle violations. Mr. Colton explained that the county district attorney's office does not prosecute traffic violations within the village, which necessi­tates having the special' prosecutors.
Trustees Jorge Martinez and William White voted against the appointments, cit­ing the lack of notice regarding the two nominees. They had received both resumes just prior to the board meeting. Mr Martinez also question why village residents were not considered.
Mr. Colton said three applications received for the positions were from out­side the village. He said several judges and attorneys locally were asked for rec­ommendations, and that no Freeport can­didates expressed interest.
The two are paid a daily rate of $300 and receive no additional benefits.
(continued on page 3)