Reproduced with permission of The Journal News.
Greenburgh board member to abstain from 'publicity stunt'
By David Novich
The Journal News
Published December 10, 2002
Town Board member Steve Bass has decided to sit out an annual ritual he calls a "publicity stunt," in which officials withhold some of Supervisor Paul Feiner's pay based on his performance.
"The people have a right to review his performance every two years when he's up for election," said Bass, who was elected to the Town Board last year. "To sit around and decide what percentage of the supervisor's salary should be given (back) is not a good way to spend taxpayer time."
Bass said he will not participate in a discussion today about whether the supervisor has met his goals for 2002. Bass said he will also abstain from voting on the issue at a board meeting tomorrow night.
Feiner, who has set 61 goals for this year, said he has won re-election in the past by comfortable margins and the program allows him to be held accountable.
"It forces me to work harder," Feiner said. "If you have objectives, you do in a year what other governments might do in three or four or five years."
Feiner and all of the Town Board members are Democrats.
Feiner is paid $110,000 a year and has given back between $200 and $839 to the town for not reaching his goals. This is the fourth year he will be returning part of his salary.
Feiner said he has missed several of his goals for this year, including opening a town skate park, updating the town's emergency response plan and installing speed bumps.
The board will meet at 3 p.m. today and 7:15 tomorrow night at Town Hall, 320 Tarrytown Road.