Retired Marine Denied Police Officer Position in Sleepy Hollow

Retired Marine Corps Capt. Greg Lobato has been denied a police officer’s position twice in recent weeks by the Board of Trustees of Sleepy Hollow, a decision that is not sitting well with some residents.

The Journal News’ Jorge Fitz-Gibbon writes that Lobato is the brother of Trustee and Deputy Mayor Jennifer Lobato-Church, and some residents believe other trustees have denied her brother the post for political reasons. Lobato-Church abstained from the two votes on the matter, July 29 and Tuesday night.

Sleepy Hollow had two candidates for two police positions, and the board unanimously hired Antonio Guzzo for one of the posts at the July meeting, according to meeting minutes. Trustees Bruce Campbell, Dorothy Handelman, Evelyn Stupel and Karin Wompa have voted against Lobato’s appointment twice without explanation.

Below are copies of the minutes of the board’s July 29 meeting where Guzzo was hired and Lobato was denied for the first time:

Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow Appointing Police Officer

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has canvassed civil service eligible list #69-589,

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow hereby makes the following appointment to the Sleepy Hollow Police Department; Antonio Guzzo of Sleepy Hollow, at an annual starting salary of $45,930.00;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED said appointment is effective July, 30th, 2014 and contingent upon his satisfactory completion of any and all remaining preemployment screening tests and subject to Civil Service Rules and a probationary period of between 12 and 78 weeks.

Move: Trustee Wompa Seconded: Trustee Campbell Vote: 6-0

Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow Appointing Police Officer

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has canvassed civil service eligible list #69-589,

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow hereby makes the following appointment to the Sleepy Hollow Police Department; Gregory Lobato, at an annual starting salary of $45,930.00;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED said appointment is effective July, 30th, 2014 and contingent upon his satisfactory completion of any and all remaining preemployment screening tests and subject to Civil Service Rules and a probationary period of between 12 and 78 weeks.

Move: Trustee Rosenbloom Second: Mayor Wray Vote: 4-2 Motion: Denied

Roll Call by Deputy Mayor Lobato-Church:
(Mayor Wray stepped down as Chair for the purpose of this vote)

Trustee Rosenbloom and Mayor Wray voted: Yes

Trustees: Wompa, Stupel, Handelman and Campbell voted: No

Deputy Mayor Lobato-Church voted: Abstained

Click here to read the story on The Journal News website.