Village of Ossining Manager Departure Statement

VILLAGE OF OSSINING OFFICE OF OMAR J. HERRERA & QUANTEL BAZEMORE, VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES & POLICE COMMISSIONERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VILLAGE OF OSSINING MANAGER DEPARTURE STATEMENT & APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM MANAGER WAS NOT APPROVED BY THE ENTIRE VILLAGE BOARD. TRUSTEES HERRERA & BAZEMORE REJECT ACTIONS AS WE LOSE 5TH VILLAGE MANAGER IN 6 YEARS.

April 15, 2019: Ossining, NY- 3 of 5 Village of Ossining board members have decided the village should go into a new direction within the office of the village manager. However, Trustees Herrera & Bazemore disagree and are very disappointed to lose our 5th village manager in 6 years with this administration.

Despite what the Mayor’s release stated: “The Village Board plans to appoint Village Engineer Paul Fraioli as the Acting Village Manager until a permanent replacement is hired. “ portrayed it came from the entire Village Board, when in reality, The Village Board has not had a discussion about any prospective replacement to serve interim manager, the process and/or candidates- a consensus has not been reached, yet a resolution appointing a current full time individual has been placed on this Wednesday’s legislative session for a vote.

“A case can be made that the village has lacked steady leadership in the managers due to personality conflicts. The hardest part of a manager’s job is having 5 bosses. Nationally, we have seen what happens when municipal managers have too much power. In Ossining we are experiencing what happens when managers have too little power. There has to be a balance and respect for the individual office that elected hold and the office of the village management,” said Quantel Bazemore an Ossining Village Trustee.

“The Office of the Village Manager is the Chief Administrator of the municipality, in charge of operations, and is management (except the Police Department). The consistent challenge faced during the last few years is that the Mayor & some Trustees do not accept or understand their role. Trustees are part-time elected officials charged with the responsibility to create & implement local public policy, code & regulations, review & approve annual operating budget, and serve as the Village’s Board of Police Commissioners. Trustees are not charged to directly manage staff or operations; The Village Manager’s job. This atmosphere lends itself to a weak manager’s office, when in reality the Village of Ossining by charter is a weak-mayor form of government. The Village internally has been operating with low morale & trust. This culture that has to be recognized and addressed as a board,” said Omar Herrera, an Ossining Village Trustee.

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About the Village of Ossining

On April 2, 1813, the Village of Ossining became the first incorporated village in Westchester County to be state-chartered. Today, Ossining is a culturally diverse, affordable place to live, rich in both history and natural beauty. Approximately 25,000 people reside in the three and one half square miles of this historic Village on the Hudson River, which boasts extensive shopping, recreational programs, educational enrichment opportunities, and excellent municipal services. Ossining’s role in New York’s heritage has been recognized by its inclusion, as one of only 14 areas, in an Urban Cultural Park System designed to attract visitors to the State.