Hochul strikes again

with appointment

Editor, OBSERVER:

Gov. Kathy Hochul has just announced recent appointments to her staff and agencies. What I cannot wrap my head around is her promoting the former HR Director of The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to the “Acting Commissioner” position.

During Daniel F. Martuscello’s III tenure as HR Director, he was a defendant in a case (Public Record Alfred P. Montegari V NY State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision).

This court case listed alleged violations of Federal and State Constitutional Rights against an employee who was then the Deputy Chief of Sex Crimes investigations. The verdict against Martuscello and the State also included compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and harm to reputation, officials have said.

This agency has a long history of alleged nepotism and harassment of employees and yet the HR. Director gets promoted for his alleged misdeeds and costs taxpayers’ money by the court verdict.

What kind of message does this send to the rest of the employees, let alone taxpayers. Other “Acting Commissioners” and state employees have been forced to relinquish their positions for a lot less!

Only in New York does a governor promote misdeeds and into a position of authority I might add.

VINCENT BLASIO,

West Seneca

Village needs

to look long term

Editor, OBSERVER:

My 25 years in business taught me a short-term solution is not always the best, such as buying water.

I’m sure that in the long term those getting water via Fredonia reservoir will be receiving safer and less costly spring-fed water treated and supplied by gravity, not pumps. For years Fredonia had one of the best-tasting water in New York state.

By purchasing water, you lose revenue and become subject to price increases beyond your control. Yes, it will cost plenty to bring our water plant and reservoir system up to standards, but in the end it will be worth it.

I truly believe that fixing our water system is the best solution for all the thousands of users.

Many municipalities would love to have a reservoir like ours.

WILLIAM HART,

Fredonia