Full Text
CORTLAND COUNTY 60 Central Avenue Cortland NY 13045 Boyden Prepared to Lead Cortland County Legislature FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CORTLAND – With the recent removal of Susan Briggs (LD11) as Chair of the Legislature, Majority Leader Donnell Boyden (LD 8-Scott/Preble) is prepared to sit at the helm of the Cortland County Legislature. Boyden, who is serving his second term on the Legislature, was elected by his Republican peers as Majority Leader in January of 2014, and will now serve as Chairman, as well as Acting County Administrator, a position vacated last August. Boyden has also served on the Buildings & Grounds Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, Agriculture/Planning/Environment Committee, and Chair of the Highway Committee. Boyden is also serving his third year on the Board of Directors for the Soil & Water Conservation District. The County Legislature voted 12-4 Thursday night to remove Briggs, stating they had “no confidence in Ms. Briggs’ ability to act in the best interest of Cortland County.” Briggs had served as Chair since January, 2014. She retains her seat as a Legislator serving the Cortlandville district. “Despite the circumstances surrounding Ms. Briggs’ departure, she has left the County in a great position,” Boyden said. “This Legislature, with the cooperation of our Department Heads and our new Director of Budget & Finance, will continue to pursue the Legislative Agenda set forth more than a year ago by Ms. Briggs.” Boyden credits Briggs and this Legislature with the adoption of an Assigned Counsel Plan, imminent construction of the Little York Lake dam, and keeping taxes under the 2% property tax cap as just a few of the long-lingering projects that have been addressed already this term. Legislator Kevin Whitney, (LD 13 – Cortlandville) will replace Boyden as Majority Leader. Whitney, currently chair of the Budget & Finance Committee, has served on a number of Legislative Committees and has been an integral part of the upgrades to the County’s radio system and computer aided dispatch program. “I’m honored to have the support of my fellow legislators,” Whitney said. “I look forward to working with my Party, and more importantly the entire Legislature, to ensure that residents continue to receive the services they deserve and that Cortland County remains a place we can all be proud of.” The Chair of the Legislature and Acting County Administrator are responsible for the overall administration of the County Operations, advising department heads on policy decisions and guiding and advising the Legislature on policy decisions. “This is not a responsibility I take Boyden said. “I will maintain an open door policy and I encourage residents, department heads and employees to contact me with any concerns.” To contact Mr. Boyden residents may call [PHONE REDACTED], or e-mail him at [EMAIL REDACTED].