The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Based on Supervisor-elect Brandy McDonald’s statements at the Monday, November 13, 2017 town board meeting, Peru residents will not find McDonald at his town hall desk until about 4 p.m. most weekdays. McDonald said that he completes his full-time job daily at 3:30 p.m. and will report to the town hall immediately thereafter. He stated that he plans to appoint town counselor Jim Douglass as deputy town supervisor and asked that the supervisor’s salary be decreased by $3,690 (from $24,900 to $20,910) and the deputy supervisor’s salary be increased by $3,690 (from $1,310 to $5,000). McDonald said, “We will have better coverage. Everyone knows I have a full-time job. That was no secret during the election. I’ll be here right after I get done work and as needed after work and on weekends. There’s no set time for a supervisor.”

In mid-October McDonald responded to a Peru Gazette questionnaire stating, “My employer is fully aware of my political position and potential increase in responsibilities if elected. To make sure I was accessible, I have continually listed my personal cell phone number on the Town of Peru’s website. I pride myself in having a proven record of availability and approachability.” Since McDonald did not specify what hours he would be in the town hall, the Peru Gazette followed up by asking exactly what hours he would be at his town hall desk. McDonald responded, “My availability to perform the Supervisor position if elected, will be conducive to the current town hours and extended when required…” The town hall is currently open to the public from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Responding to McDonald’s proposal, Supervisor Peter Glushko asked, “Why didn’t you bring this up during the budgeting process?” McDonald responded, “Why would I bring it up when we didn’t know who was going to win the election?” Glushko was clearly skeptical about an appointed person (the deputy supervisor) conducting traditional town supervisor duties. He said, “A deputy supervisor takes over if the supervisor is unable to function as supervisor.” Glushko also related how many years it took for the board and the public to accept increasing the supervisor’s salary rate to its current level. He did not want to see the salary decreased for McDonald’s successor. Counselor Jim Douglass agreed that a fair salary is necessary to attract people to the supervisor’s position. He proposed modifying McDonald ’s resolution to include a statement that the the supervisor’s salary will return to the current level, plus any cost of living increases, at the end of McDonald’s term of office.

When councilman Donald McBrayer asked town attorney Matt Favro for his opinion, Favro suggested that the budget approval be delayed to give him time to do additional legal research and to give the board time to think about the issue. The board responded by scheduling a special board meeting for Wednesday, November 15th at 7 p.m. NYS law requires that the budget be approved by November 20th.