Legislators fail public with secret talks

The Republican majority in the Cayuga County Legislature met Saturday in a caucus to discuss candidates for that body's chairman's seat, a post that no longer runs the day-to-day operations of county government but still carries considerable clout and a substantial salary.

Despite the obvious stake that all county residents have in this appointment, the GOP continued the tradition of making its choice behind closed doors in the caucus. The law allows them do it because official business is not being finalized; a formal vote still must take place in January in public.

Defenders of this practice claim the chairman is not directly accountable to the residents, but is, rather, a representative of the Legislature.

We don't see it that way, but even if we did, it doesn't establish an excuse for secrecy. Any government body, to the fullest extent possible, should do its business in the open. It's a fundamental principal of democracy.

But after a campaign season in which candidate after candidate talked about openness and accountability, the Legislature cannot relinquish its bad habits.

This year, it looks as if Roger Mills has emerged as the majority's choice.

In truth, both candidates who threw their hat in the ring have potential to be strong choices. Mills and Chris Palermo both bring unique experience - both in private and public service.

A healthy debate in public among all the legislators, along with the pitches from the interested candidates, could have been an invigorating exercise for a body that has badly needed to move in a new direction.

Past history suggests that the decisions made Saturday may not hold up on Jan. 2, the day the Legislature meets to reorganize for a new year.

We urge all of the candidates who are interested in the post to make their case to the public, not just to the handful of GOP insiders in the room on Saturday.

If someone can force this process to be more open, it will be a huge step forward for county government.