69´«Ã½

Donna Adams, a Throop town board member who has experience in commercial real estate and insurance, will succeed Tim Lattimore on the three-member commission. Lattimore's term ended May 31. Adams' six-year term expires May 31, 2030. 

Cayuga 69´«Ã½ Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman, D-Sennett, introduced a walk-on resolution to appoint Adams at the July 23 meeting. 69´«Ã½ Attorney Fred Westphal distributed copies of the resolution before the vote.

After McNabb-Coleman asked if there was any discussion, Legislator Heidi Nightengale, D-69´«Ã½, called the question — a parliamentary tactic to end debate. Legislator Stephanie DeVito, D-69´«Ã½, attempted to table the resolution, but Westphal explained that Nightengale's action took precedent. The procedural vote passed. 

When the Legislature moved on to consideration of Adams' appointment, there was confusion among some lawmakers. Legislator Mark Strong, R-Moravia, questioned whether there would be any discussion. McNabb-Coleman noted the call the question passed, meaning debate had ended and the Legislature would vote on the resolution. 

The Legislature voted 7-4 to approve Adams' appointment. There was bipartisan support for Adams, with five members of the Democratic caucus and two Republican lawmakers voting for the resolution. The no votes were DeVito, Muldrow, Legislator Hans Pecher, C-Genoa, and Strong. 

Muldrow criticized the process while explaining his vote at the meeting and again in an interview with 69´«Ã½. 

"I feel like I was blindsided and undermined," he said. "We talked about having diversity in the community. I've talked about it since I've been elected.

"Diversity doesn't just mean Black and Brown people. It also means different ideas and people. It seems like we continue to get the same board members, we get the same people elected and me, being new elected, that was apparent to me." 

He preferred Tia Gilliam, an 69´«Ã½ resident, for the position. Gilliam, he said, has a presence in the community and is a "pivotal change agent." She's already worked with county department heads, he continued, so she has experience to serve on the commission. 

However, Muldrow says he never had an opportunity to discuss Gilliam as a potential candidate for the post. 

"Ironically, one of the goals and the missions was to find a diverse person to sit in that chair," he added. "I have been speaking about this and advocating for it. Being the first African-American elected to the (county Legislature), I feel as if I should have some weight in the conversation." 

McNabb-Coleman, who also spoke to 69´«Ã½ about the appointment, highlighted the bipartisan support for Adams and revealed there have been talks about the civil service commission seat since January. 

With Democrats in the majority, they control who would fill the vacancy after Lattimore's term expired. McNabb-Coleman said there were discussions within the caucus about who the party could support for the position.

One of the issues raised is whether the appointee should be from 69´«Ã½. Four of the seven members of the Democratic caucus, including Muldrow, represent city districts. 

"The majority of (the Democratic caucus) felt it was good to have representation from outside the city for the county civil service positions," McNabb-Coleman said. 

As a Throop resident, Adams checks that box. She is also a Democrat who has volunteered on local campaigns. McNabb-Coleman said the civil service commission seats are typically party appointments.

Adams' professional experience was also a factor. She has worked in commercial real estate and insurance. 

"One of the things that we said is we feel she has a high level of integrity and great insight into Cayuga 69´«Ã½, and into positions that would be available and how to best recruit for those positions," McNabb-Coleman said. 

Regarding Muldrow's criticism, McNabb-Coleman said there were other candidates floated for the position. However, she added, there was no communication that another legislator would nominate anyone for the seat at the July meeting. 

Adams joins Ryan Foley, a former county legislator, and Bruce Sherman on the commission. The commission's responsibilities include administering civil service exams and posting exam announcements to the public.