As a Jew, I am outraged that the Town Board rejected my request to cancel a meeting of the Town Board on Rosh Hashanah, an important Jewish holiday. The meeting is scheduled for Friday at 5:30. I have always observed the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah.
It is possible that the Board will hire an Ethics Lawyer at that time. The matter was originally on the agenda, was taken off the agenda but could be added at the last minute. I have concerns which I expressed in the following letter to the Town Board.
Friday is Rosh Hashanah. I would expect that the Board will respect my observance of the holiday. I object to the last minute scheduling of an important matter on a Jewish holiday. I am requesting that we hold over all items scheduled for the special Town Board meeting on Friday. I want to have the opportunity to meet with the Ethics Board as a group to discuss the reasons why the Board wants to select this attorney. My understanding from reviewing his resume is that he does not concentrate in ethics. His web site does not even mention ethics as an area he or his firm is involved in.
I understand that he is a brilliant defense lawyer who has represented Anthony Pirro (brother of Al), Robert Chambers (the preppy murderer) and El Sayyid Nosair, a criminal defendant. I do not understand his relevancy. We already have an attorney on the ethics board. Why hire an attorney who does not specialize in ethics?
I also want to know what outreach was made to find attorneys with an ethics background to be considered by this assignment. I also question the Town Board's motivation expediting this matter on a Jewish holiday and a few days before the primary and 2 months before the general election.
I request that we invite others to apply who have ethics experience.
My holiday is beginning at 6 PM. I expect that the Board will honor my request and will respond.
PAUL FEINER