AUBURN - Mirroring recent woes with the Auburn Industrial Development Authority, another city committee has gained a new chairman and lost at least one member who fingered politics as the reason.
James Dacey submitted his resignation last week after interim City Manager Michael Long installed John Montone as chairman of the Auburn Municipal Power Agency.
“I see (the agency) going in a different direction. I see a new consensus building. I'm a realist and I know if you are in the minority, it's very hard to get things done,” said Dacey.
He told Long he wanted to take over as chairman, a position open since Steve Rich resigned in June.
Long said he would poll board members for their opinions, according to Dacey.
Dacey said politics were a large part of why Montone received the position on Aug. 31, but declined to elaborate.
“I really don't know (why he quit), he can do what he wants,” Montone said. He has not seen the resignation letter, he added.
Dacey's main beef with Montone, who was appointed to the board by former City Manager John Salomone at the mayor's request, is the conflict of interest caused by him pulling double duty as a position-holder in both the city and the county power agencies.
Montone serves as vice chairman of the Cayuga County Public Utility Agency as well as his new position of chairman for the city's counterpart agency.
The city power agency is exploring partnering with the county's to form a municipal power system.
The city organization is waiting for funding before selecting a consultant for a preliminary feasibility study, Montone said.
Montone, superintendent of the village of Solvay Electric Municipal Power, said the agency interviewed consulting firms and compiled a short list of possible candidates
According to Dacey, minorities members of the agency are reviewing a consulting firm the agency discounted last year because it is “not a good match for the city.”
Dacey's quit 2.5 years before his term expires.
He e-mailed his resignation last week, and later mailed a letter to Long.
He is “not surprised” Long hasn't responded to his departure.
Long could not be reached for comment.
Before joining the board, Montone criticized the city agency for only meeting once a month.
On Wednesday, he said he intends to have the group meet at least once a month, sometimes twice. He aims to schedule a meeting with Long and Mayor Timothy Lattimore to set up the board's first meeting since April.
“I think that there's probably people quite happy that I won't be on the board anymore. I tend to... take time to contemplate what's best of the city,” Dacey said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
“I see (the agency) going in a different direction. I see a new consensus building. I'm a realist and I know if you are in the minority, it's very hard to get things done,” said Dacey.
He told Long he wanted to take over as chairman, a position open since Steve Rich resigned in June.
Long said he would poll board members for their opinions, according to Dacey.
Dacey said politics were a large part of why Montone received the position on Aug. 31, but declined to elaborate.
“I really don't know (why he quit), he can do what he wants,” Montone said. He has not seen the resignation letter, he added.
Dacey's main beef with Montone, who was appointed to the board by former City Manager John Salomone at the mayor's request, is the conflict of interest caused by him pulling double duty as a position-holder in both the city and the county power agencies.
Montone serves as vice chairman of the Cayuga County Public Utility Agency as well as his new position of chairman for the city's counterpart agency.
The city power agency is exploring partnering with the county's to form a municipal power system.
The city organization is waiting for funding before selecting a consultant for a preliminary feasibility study, Montone said.
Montone, superintendent of the village of Solvay Electric Municipal Power, said the agency interviewed consulting firms and compiled a short list of possible candidates
According to Dacey, minorities members of the agency are reviewing a consulting firm the agency discounted last year because it is “not a good match for the city.”
Dacey's quit 2.5 years before his term expires.
He e-mailed his resignation last week, and later mailed a letter to Long.
He is “not surprised” Long hasn't responded to his departure.
Long could not be reached for comment.
Before joining the board, Montone criticized the city agency for only meeting once a month.
On Wednesday, he said he intends to have the group meet at least once a month, sometimes twice. He aims to schedule a meeting with Long and Mayor Timothy Lattimore to set up the board's first meeting since April.
“I think that there's probably people quite happy that I won't be on the board anymore. I tend to... take time to contemplate what's best of the city,” Dacey said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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