Bill Kinne was going to go along, but he wasn't going to get along on this one. "I don't like the way we're doing business," Kinne, D-Syracuse, shouted across the County Legislature Chamber at Majority Leader Kathy Rapp, R- Liverpool.
The issue was approving six directors for the county's new Civic Development Corporation. The underlying issue was Republican control of the legislature through their 11-8 majority. The county executive and the legislature chair nominated the directors; all six are Republicans.
Rapp was taken aback by Kinne’s outburst, “I thought they knew what happened so I was surprised.”
“They’re not political” Rapp said, when asked whether the board should be more balanced politically.
Sam Laguzza, D-Syracuse, sees things differently. “For her to say it’s not political is asinine.”
Laguzza stressed that Republicans ensured control over the board by appointing what he called “entrenched Republicans”
The Republican majority would have passed the board with or without Democratic support. But the Democrats voted in favor of the proposition unanimously. It passed in the legislature 19-0.
Kinne said it was not worth it to vote in opposition. “If I felt I could send a clear decisive message, I would vote no in a heartbeat.” Kinne said.
Kinne’s one vote could not send a message, the Democrat’s eight might, but it made no difference.
But Laguzza said he understands where Republicans are coming from. “If Democrats were in control, we’d probably do the same thing.” Laguzza said. “It’s the nature of the beast. “
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