Signs Of Change: Putnam's New County Exec Pulls Down VIP Parking Spots

CARMEL, NY — The change in administration in Putnam County government has had one highly visible effect — VIP parking spaces for the county executive, vice county executive, and chair of the county legislature are now gone.

And the new county executive not only ordered it, he helped make it happen. Check out his Facebook post from Sunday, his first official day on the job.

"This is the people’s building. We’re here to serve you," County Executive Kevin Byrne said on Facebook. "So much more work to do. We’re just getting started."

Byrne romped into the post, unopposed in November's general election, after having defeated the Putnam Republican establishment's candidate before the GOP primary. Byrne and Legislator Carl Albano had both announced candidacies for county executive, to replace MaryEllen Odell who was term-limited.

Albano withdrew from the race after Byrne broke publicly with Anthony Scannapieco Jr., head of both the county and the Carmel town Republican committees, in an exchange of accusations. In the end, the county Republican Committee endorsed Byrne, a lifelong Carmel resident.

It was an unusual year for the Putnam GOP, which has long controlled the county, as the chair of the Putnam County Legislature was also out of contention for re-election before the primary, when signatures collected on Neal Sullivan's behalf were ruled invalid.

After three decades in the post, Scannapieco resigned as Putnam's Republican election commissioner and was replaced by Kelly Primavera.

In his resignation, Scannapieco wrote that "the political landscape in Putnam County has become more contentious than ever before."

Byrne telegraphed another change in direction on Facebook Dec. 18 after a visit to Tilly Foster Farm, a county park with two businesses connected to the previous administration. He said the new project there on behalf of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County aligned well with "the initial intent" of the county's acquisition of the historic farm.

Byrne was sworn in on Friday. SEE: Byrne Sworn In As Putnam County Executive.

MORE:

• Primavera Takes Over As Putnam GOP Election Commissioner
• Chair Of Putnam County Legislature Off The Primary Ballot
• Letter To The Editor: Transparent Government Is Best
• Shop Hosts Farm Fest At Tilly Foster