AUBURN - With their apparent choice for chairman out of the way, Republican Cayuga County Legislators still have another key decision to make before year's end.

Veteran Legislature Clerk Lee Brew will retire Dec. 28 and take with him 15 years of experience. Like the Legislature's chair seat, the position is a political appointment and it will be up to the Republican majority to select Brew's successor.

The Republicans, who outnumber the Democrats 12-3, plan to caucus on Dec. 15 to interview a pool of at least four candidates who've shown interest.

The majority will then make a recommendation to the full Legislature for a vote at the re-organizational meeting Jan. 2.

The four candidates come from in- and outside the county government building, said Majority Leader Linda Murphy, R-Auburn. All of them are Republican.

“I think the decision was not to advertise and there were already people interested,” she said, adding the inter-party selection process has a long history in the Legislature.

The job goes beyond organizing the Legislature's monthly meetings. In addition to producing agendas, meeting minutes, notices and various documents, the clerk also handles insurance claims and acts as public information officer, purchasing agent and county vehicle shepherd.

“If they can't find a place for a job, they put it in this office,” Brew said. “I used to take care of wedding reservations for Emerson Park in the winter.

“You've got to be able to deal with the public, you need to be able to work with everyone on the Legislature, Democrat and Republican,” he said.

Outgoing Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, describes Brew as the glue that holds the Legislature together. Brew, a Republican, has been politically appointed to the job for 15 consecutive years.

Prior to that, he served as deputy clerk of the Legislature. Brew has worked for the county for more than 30 years in all.

Murphy said the majority will be looking for a candidate with exceptional organizational and communication skills as well as some experience in government.

“I think the people interested have that knowledge,” she said.

Legislator-elect and likely Legislature Chairman Roger Mills, R-Owasco, would like to see a larger pool of candidates drawn from in- and outside of county government.

“I think it's too important a position to be decided just because of political affiliation,” Mills said last week. “I just want to make sure we have a good pool.

“We've been fortunate with Lee Brew in there for as long as he has,” he said.

So long, in fact, it will make for a steep learning curve for whoever follows him.

“He (Brew) will be available to train,” Murphy said. “I think the transition will go as smooth as possible.”

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net