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While Steuben County Legislature Chairman Joe Hauryski, R-Campbell urged officials to think outside the box in 2012, his committee assignments may leave Democrats feeling outside from the start.
Tuesday, Hauryski appointed the Democratic newcomers, Legislator George Welch, D-Corning City, and Legislator Hilda Lando, D-Corning City, to one standing committee apiece.
But Hauryski named Republican legislators to two legislative committees each -- including newcomers Legislator Bill Peoples, R-Addison and Legislator Aaron Mullen, R-Avoca.
Hauryski said party was a factor in determining which newcomers were appointed to legislative committees.
“I have six committees, with five (members) apiece,” he said. “I had a hard enough time with the senior legislators wanting committees. I tried to be fair, but it isn’t easy. I had to pick, and yes, I used party as part of it.”
The county board’s other Democrat, Legislator Randy Weaver, of Hornell, is the Legislature’s Minority Leader and is assigned to two committees. He also is vice-chair of the Agriculture, Industry and Planning Committee.
Weaver said he didn’t know about Lando’s and Welch’s assignments until later, and plans on talking to Hauryski today.
“I didn’t understand,” Weaver said. “It didn’t seem fair to me. I mean we might just do something important.”
A lifelong farmer, Peoples has experience on the Addison school board and county agencies. Mullen has no elected experience and only recently joined a law firm in Corning.
In contrast, Welch has years of experience as a lawyer and Lando has extensive background in business and with Corning, Inc.
Hauryski said another factor in the assignments was trying to spread representation on the committees across the county. Peoples and Mullen represent residents in the central sections of the Steuben.
“I’ve told all the legislators they need to come to as many committees they can, whether they are assigned or not,” Hauryski said. “Everyone needs to be as involved as possible.”
Hauryski, Weaver and the four new legislators were among 10 county lawmakers sworn in to office Tuesday.
Legislators Brian Schu, R-Hornellsville; Scott VanEtten, R-Caton; Pat McAllister, R-Wayland; and Lawrence Crossett, R-Bath rejoined the county board for four years terms.
McAllister was the Legislature’s unanimous vote for vice chairman, while Legislator Gary Swackhamer, R-Hornell was selected Majority Leader, also by unanimous vote.
Legislator Robin Lattimer, R-Bath, did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. Lattimer will continue to fill the unexpired term of former county Legislator Pat Donnelly, who now is the county Treasurer.
While Steuben County Legislature Chairman Joe Hauryski, R-Campbell urged officials to think outside the box in 2012, his committee assignments may leave Democrats feeling outside from the start.
Tuesday, Hauryski appointed the Democratic newcomers, Legislator George Welch, D-Corning City, and Legislator Hilda Lando, D-Corning City, to one standing committee apiece.
But Hauryski named Republican legislators to two legislative committees each -- including newcomers Legislator Bill Peoples, R-Addison and Legislator Aaron Mullen, R-Avoca.
Hauryski said party was a factor in determining which newcomers were appointed to legislative committees.
“I have six committees, with five (members) apiece,” he said. “I had a hard enough time with the senior legislators wanting committees. I tried to be fair, but it isn’t easy. I had to pick, and yes, I used party as part of it.”
The county board’s other Democrat, Legislator Randy Weaver, of Hornell, is the Legislature’s Minority Leader and is assigned to two committees. He also is vice-chair of the Agriculture, Industry and Planning Committee.
Weaver said he didn’t know about Lando’s and Welch’s assignments until later, and plans on talking to Hauryski today.
“I didn’t understand,” Weaver said. “It didn’t seem fair to me. I mean we might just do something important.”
A lifelong farmer, Peoples has experience on the Addison school board and county agencies. Mullen has no elected experience and only recently joined a law firm in Corning.
In contrast, Welch has years of experience as a lawyer and Lando has extensive background in business and with Corning, Inc.
Hauryski said another factor in the assignments was trying to spread representation on the committees across the county. Peoples and Mullen represent residents in the central sections of the Steuben.
“I’ve told all the legislators they need to come to as many committees they can, whether they are assigned or not,” Hauryski said. “Everyone needs to be as involved as possible.”
Hauryski, Weaver and the four new legislators were among 10 county lawmakers sworn in to office Tuesday.
Legislators Brian Schu, R-Hornellsville; Scott VanEtten, R-Caton; Pat McAllister, R-Wayland; and Lawrence Crossett, R-Bath rejoined the county board for four years terms.
McAllister was the Legislature’s unanimous vote for vice chairman, while Legislator Gary Swackhamer, R-Hornell was selected Majority Leader, also by unanimous vote.
Legislator Robin Lattimer, R-Bath, did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. Lattimer will continue to fill the unexpired term of former county Legislator Pat Donnelly, who now is the county Treasurer.
