When it comes to Kristen Wilson, it seems Joe Sack is a Hypocrite. Why Joe?

We do not know how many hundreds of thousands or perhaps even millions of dollars Wilson and her firm Harris Beach have been paid in “Outside” legal fees because Sack made Wilson Rye’s Record Access Officer. As Rye’s Record Access Officer, Wilson has refused to provide these records in response to a FOIL request in defiance of the NYS Public Officers Law and the City of Rye FOIL procedure.

Not surprisingly, new Rye City Manager Serrano has no problem with Kristen Wilson thumbing her nose at the NYS Public Officers Law and the City of Rye FOIL procedure. Then again, Serrano is in all likelihood beholden to Sack because Sack gave him 30+ years of service in Rye even though he never worked in Rye and raised his salary from about $150,000 a year to $195,000 a year.

Keep in mind Serrano was hired from Dobbs Ferry after the taxpayers paid $50,000 for a nationwide search. Is any one surprised that Wilson also works in Dobbs Ferry?

It shouldn’t be hard to connect the dots or follow the money.

This is an editorial from Sack printed in the December 10, 2010 Rye City Review:

City should utilize judge’s offered services

To the Editor:

Almost a year ago, former Mayor and State Supreme Court Justice John Carey and I put aside our party affiliations, bridged the generation gap, and drew upon our collective and varied legal and life experiences to author a thoughtful and practical report on ways to improve the city’s Law Department.
At the heart of the recommendations in our report:
–Require the city’s corporation counsel to handle most litigation work as part of his/her fl at retainer fee, to avoid costly and hourly outside counsel bills.

–Prohibit the city’s corporation counsel from receiving any of the work that does go to outside counsel, to avoid any inherent conflicts of interest.

Despite our best efforts, it seems that the rest of the current City Council will decline our advice, as is their prerogative. This is disappointing, but I don’t think our work was in vain, because we flagged and examined the important issues for future councils.

In the meantime, the legal work of the city will go on, and I still look forward to doing what I can to ensure that Rye receives the best representation possible in the most efficient manner possible. For his part, Judge Carey has offered his services for $1 per year, and I hope that my colleagues will agree to find a way to put John’s advocacy skills to work on
behalf of the city.

Joe Sack,
Rye City Councilman