The following letter is in response to an article that appeared in TheBinghamton Press on December 27, 1996. The article, indicated that I resigned from the position of Deputy Election Commissioner due to medical reasons. I would expect a capable reporter to query me on the truth before quoting me as resigning.

The local county Board of Elections, like all county election boards statewide, is composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats who are appointed through each of the local political parties. Having an equal number of people from the major parties is supposed to ensure that the board does not favor any one candidate or party.

I took my post as Deputy Commissioner of the Board of Elections in a spirit of providing dignity to the election office and the elective process. As an outspoken Democrat in the County Office Building, I would soon be enlightened on how to play the game or leave my position.

I am a proud person, and a proud member of the Democratic minority. Other political people, embarrassed to be a Democrat in Tioga County but desiring political life, have changed parties for political advantage, and make up a sizable segment of the Republican faction in Tioga County Government.

On March 23, 1995, I addressed the legislative body at an open hearing and requested that they not add paragraph six to amend the Tioga County Ethics Law. However, the legislative body voted to add the following: No county employee may simultaneously hold the position of Commissioner of Elections or Deputy Commissioner of Elections and Chairman or Vice-Chairman of a political party. As I felt that this added paragraph was a direct violation of the Civil Rights Law, I sought legal council. Mr. Gates placed the county on notice and the Legislative body was forced to amend paragraph six to read: No county officer or employee or any member of the Tioga County Legislature, Planning Board, Community Services Board, Industrial Development Board, Local Development Corporation, Soil and Water Conservation Board, or any other County Administrative Board, Commission, or Agency shall be a County Chairman/Chairperson or Vice Chairman/Chairperson of any political party.

I was hoping that the legislative body would have reviewed the county's local law with an eye toward eliminating any prohibition on the part of Commissioners or Deputy Commissioners of Election from holding political office. As they did not, it was now apparent the removal of Chairman Checcchia was the motive behind these actions.

In June of 1996, petitions were given to those who sought to be on the Republican County Committee. It was during this petition process that I witnessed many unethical and unprofessional occurrences within the office of the Board of Elections. It was also apparent that there was a split in the Republican Party between Chairman Checchia's loyal party members and those who supported Mr. Dougherty.

I saw Mrs. Helen Penny come into the Board of Elections and state that she had her petition for committee person ready to be submitted to the Board of Elections. Commissioner Stephens instructed her to take her petition into the legislative office and give it to Carol LaPlante who was collecting petitions in opposition to Checchia so Deputy Blackman could review them for errors. I brought this to the attention of Commission Myers because I felt that those who wanted to be on the county committee and were supporters of Chairman Checchia were at a disadvantage. They did not have the privilege of expert advice to check their petitions for errors. I also felt that they were in direct violation of their own Code of Ethics.

The halls of the County Office Building were now becoming the places for secret meetings with those who worked in the County Office Building with the sole purpose of removing Chairman Checchia. I saw Mr. Neil Hall come into our office on several occasions and have a discussion with Deputy Blackman on the upcoming hearings regarding petitions and the removal of Chairman Checchia.

On July 19, 1996, the rumor mills were really busy. Mrs. Sauerbrey, Mrs. Delaney, Mr. Pierson, and Mr. Emnett were in and out of our office showing great concerns for the filing dates of specification, objections and hearing deadline dates. Note, this was done on county time - another direct violation of the Code of Ethics!

I saw Carole LaPlante come into the office on July 19, 1996, and state that Chairman D'Angelo wanted a brief meeting with Commissioner Stephens, and upon her return to the office stated that the meeting was in regards to the upcoming hearings. Imagine, the chairman of the county legislature having such an interest in the Board of Elections. One must wonder! Could Chairman D'Angelo be in violation of the Code of Ethics?

I could not sit quietly and watch the unethical behavior any longer. I addressed my concerns to Commissioner Meyers. Commissioner Meyers and Commissioner Stephens discussed my concerns. Commissioner Stephens seemed to be sympathetic.

At the end of November, Commissioner Meyers called my home and requested a letter of resignation effective immediately as I had assumed the position of First Vice Chairperson of the Tioga County Democratic Committee. I stated to Commissioner Meyers that I was on disability due to a major operation and upon a release from my doctor I would let him know my decision on staying or leaving the Board of Elections. I was not aware that Commissioner Meyers had replaced me until I received notification from the personnel office that my medical coverage would no longer be in effect as of 12/31/96 because I was no longer an employee of Tioga County.

Once again, I never resigned from my position as Deputy Commissioner, nor did I ever receive a letter of termination from Commissioner Meyers.

If you would like to discuss the dates and times that I have logged in my journal, please contact my attorney, Greg Gates, for an appointment.

I sincerely hope the future will bring the correct meaning of the words ethical behavior and integrity to the Board of Elections and to the Legislative body.