Before the last election, we told you about the many people in Greece who work for both the county and the town. Given that the county and towns are often loggerheads about things like, I don’t know, sales tax revenue, this presents a conflict of interest.  Wednesday’s D&C had an excellent piece about this issue (written by Brian Caterino, obviously no one would expect the editorial board to tear themselves away from gangsta rap long enough to explore an important local issue such as this):

The American ideal of the citizen legislator, who takes time from her own life to serve the community, embodies the idea that anyone with sufficient motivations, interest and willingness to learn can run for public office. We dislike the idea of permanent politicians who come to represent entrenched interests. Dual office holding, along with other forms of patronage, undermines the ideal of participation in public service.

Greece residents don’t have to go very far to find examples of dual office holding, incompatible offices, double dipping and just plain cronyism. Our town government is a virtual lab experiment in ethically challenged government. Government in the town of Greece is so closely intertwined with county government that Maggie Brooks and John Auberger have to be restrained from holding hands.

Greece Town government has two major examples of dual office holding. Not just one but two county legislators are serving in positions of considerable town authority. Jeff McCann serves as legislator for the 19th district and as Greece deputy supervisor while Raymond Dirado serves as town attorney and as legislator for the 6th district.

Of the four current town councilmen, only Rick Antelli is not employed by our county government. Mike Barry is clerk for the county legislature, Bob Bilsky works in the county finance office and Jerry Helfer is assistant county executive. In the past, other town councilmen have held positions of authority in the county as well.