As the festive season wraps us in its joyful embrace, we’re excited to unveil this year’s Naughty or Nice List, and proud to say The Nice List takes the spotlight, and is much longer than Naughty one!

The overwhelming response and positive submissions from our readers and community residents have made it challenging to keep up with the sheer volume of nominations.The holiday spirit is truly alive and well! Your contributions have illuminated the countless ways these leaders have positively impacted our lives. The nominations flooded in, highlighting individuals and organizations for  their exceptional dedication to community service, commitment to transparency, procedures that build trust, adherence to the letter of the law, running clean campaigns, reporting to the public, commitment to following ethical practices and keeping promises that benefit us all. 

A heartfelt round of applause goes to the incredible local public service officials and organizations, who have earned a spot on our Nice List: 

Michael Sweeton, Town Supervisor; Warwick Town Board; Eileen Astorino, Town of Warwick Clerk and Registrar; Team Warwick Candidates; Dr. David Leach, Superintendent of Schools; WVCSD Teachers and Staff; Warwick, Florida and Pine Island Fire Districts; Suzyn Baron and Warwick Humane Society; Frank Truatt and WTBQ Staff; Warwick Lions Club; Warwick Valley Rotary; Warwick EMS; Village of Warwick DPW; Warwick, Florida and Greenwood Lake Police Departments; Greenwood Lake Mayor Mathew Buckley; Former Mayor Jesse Dwyer; Greenwood Lake Planning Board; Greenwood Lake Public Library; Greenwood Lake Commission; Greenwood Lake UFSD; Florida Historical Society; Florida Public Library; FUFSD Teachers and Staff; Sugar Loaf Historical Society; OC Executive Steve Neuhaus; Assemblyman Karl Brabenec; Senator James Skoufis; Former Senator Mike Martucci; Congressman Pat Ryan!

As we celebrate those on the Nice List, let’s also carry this spirit of positivity forward. Share your stories, express gratitude, and continue to contribute to the goodness that defines our community, recognizing that not everyone deserving of credit has been mentioned.  Your collective recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration and goodwill, making Warwick an even better place to call home.

While the majority of our community members have earned well-deserved spots on the Nice List for their outstanding contributions, we must also acknowledge a few individuals on the Naughty List*. Their  inclusion on the Naughty List is based on reported instances that have raised concerns within the community. These individuals, though fewer in number, serve as a reminder of the challenges we face in building a cohesive and compassionate community: 

Florida Mayor Daniel Harter Jr., for acting without authority and due process, for misuse of municipal powers for personal and political agenda, as alleged in a lawsuit filed against Mayor by village residents;

Florida Trustee Alyssa Werner, for  not disclosing conflict of interest, not recusing herself or abstaining from vote to defend Mayor Harter with public funds;

Elizabeth Cassidy, the attorney for the Village of Florida, for being accused of neglecting to offer legal counsel that aligns with the community’s best interests. Allegations include attempting to retroactively legitimize the Mayor’s unlawful actions through post-fact approvals, filing baseless motions, and presenting misleading information to the court, as detailed in the legal case documents;

Let’s use this as an opportunity for growth, learning, and a renewed commitment to fostering understanding and harmony within our neighborhood. May the spirit of the season inspire positive change and unity for all.

We thank Dispatch readers and all Warwick residents for making our Naughty and Nice List a true reflection of the generosity and kindness that defines this holiday season. Wishing you all a joyous and heartwarming holiday!

*This listing is intended for awareness and discussion within the community, and the newspaper does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or implications of the information presented. Readers are encouraged to seek further information and form their own judgments based on verified facts and reliable sources. More details about legal case could be found here: https://www.wvdispatch.com/2023/12/corruption-unveiled-mayor-harter-and-attorney-cassidy-face-new-allegations-of-misconduct/    

Having acknowledged the local standouts on our Naughty or Nice List, let’s transition from community highlights to a larger scale, and explore the statewide individuals and events that have made their mark on both ends of the spectrum. See who made The New York Coalition for Open Government  “Naughty & Nice List” this year.

Naughty List 2023

City of Ithaca

Meeting minutes are a basic but important task that should not be pushed aside as a we will get to them when we can item.
In 2023, the City of Ithaca was several years behind in posting their meeting minutes. The city budget in 2022 was $84 million. The Ithaca City Clerk’s office has a staff of 5 people. There is no acceptable excuse for not posting meeting minutes online.
Jimmy Jordan – Ithaca Voice

Wayne County Board of Supervisors

The Wayne County Board of Supervisors holds secret club meetings. The 15 member Wayne County Board of Supervisors are all members of the same political party. “Before members gather in the Supervisors’ Chambers on the second floor of the Wayne County Courthouse for the public meeting, the Republicans generally gather in a meeting room downstairs prior to the meeting — with the doors closed.” The Finger Lakes Times asked all members of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors whether their secret sessions should be scrapped. None replied.
Steve Buchiere – Finger Lakes Times

Bethel Planning Board

Residents of Bethel, obtained over 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for greater transparency. One of the items requested in the petition was that the Planning Board broadcast their meetings online for the public to see. Bethel is the only one of Sullivan County’s five most populous towns not to make its meetings available online. Despite the petition the Planning Board has refused to broadcast their meetings.

LIAM MAYO, River Reporter

Buffalo Sewer Authority

When Geoff Kelly a reporter with Investigative Post contacted the Buffalo Sewer Authority and asked if the Mayor’s son was their new public information officer. Kelly was advised that in order to find out who the public information officer is, he had to file a FOIL request. You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!

New York City Police Dept

For encrypting police radio communications in some areas with a plan to encrypt all radio communications by the end of 2024, preventing the news media and the public from listening in real time, as they have been able to do for many years.
Todd Maisel, the founder of NY Media Consortium

Dan Barney

New Haven Supervisor In an angry tirade broke his gavel and interrupted a member of the public when she raised transparency concerns in her public comment to the board (Barney is a repeat offender from last year).
Ken Sturtz – Pallidum Times

Robert Restaino

Niagara Falls Mayor (A repeat offender made last year’s list) Police Dept delay in releasing info to public regarding a police officer shooting Abruptly ending interview with reporter by putting hand over camera Making up new reasons as to why a survey distributed to residents by a City Hall employee should not be released to the public. Restaino claimed the survey results will not be released because he did not “authorize” them. There is no legal basis under the Freedom of Information Law for a Mayor to withhold public records because they were not “authorized”. Has continued his practice from last year of refusing to allow public to speak at special council meetings that he calls.

Buffalo News Editorial, Channel 2 News, Mark Scheer Niagara Gazette

James Montagnino

Saratoga Springs Councilmember For proposing a public comment rule of requiring people to show proof that they live or work in the city in order to speak at City Council meetings.

Shenandoah Briere, Daily Gazette

Mamaroneck village board

In violation of the open meetings law approved a $1 million contract extension for the village administrator in a closed door executive session. Somehow the village attorney who is a retired judge, stated this is ok Town resident Suzanne McCory filed a lawsuit regarding this issue. Suzanne has successfully challenged a previous Open Meetings Law violation.
David McKay Wilson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Dennis Palow

Berne Town Supervisor

In March a resident of the town of Berne went to the microphone to speak at a public hearing and within seconds was interrupted by town supervisor Dennis Palow and verbally attacked. Even worse the supervisor refused to allow the resident to speak and had him removed from the meeting by a police officer.
Outrageous conduct by an elected official Youtube Video, Noah Zweifel – Altamont Enterprise

Governor Kathy Hochul

Despite her promise of bringing a new era of transparency, NY State government is as secretive as ever. NY State budget discussions still occur in secret In her state of the speech not one word was said about government transparency. In her 277 page policy book of 2023 goals, nothing was said about open government. Just before the state legislature ended session we learned about a secret casino deal negotiated between the Governors office and the Seneca Nation. The public and legislators were kept in the dark due to a non-disclosure agreement signed by state officials.

Nice List 2023

Ronald O. Dievendorf

New Mayor for the village of Canajoharie

Started his term with a good change. According to the Amsterdam Recorder: “One campaign promise so far —
moving public comment periods from the end to the beginning of village meetings — will be fulfilled at the Tuesday business session.”
Tyler A. McNeil, Daily Gazette Recorder

NY State Authorities Budget Office

Acting Director, Jeffrey Pearlman

For conducting website transparency reviews as part of their compliance audits. Diligent response to citizen
complaints regarding website transparency issues.

Tom DiNapoli NYS Comptroller

Has conducted several recent audits focusing on transparency. Dept of Transportation regarding FOIL requests and a Long Island school district focusing on website transparency.

Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal

For introducing a bill to implement a hearing officer system to address Freedom of Information Law Appeals and Open Meetings Law Complaints

Senator John Liu

For introducing and passing a bill to make it easier for people to obtain attorney fees when they are successful in a Freedom of Information or Open Meetings lawsuit

Assemblymember Phil Steck

For introducing Attorney Fee reform bill and Constitutional Amendment bill

Jonathan Michael Davis

Mt. Vernon library bd. member

Who has twice called out improper executive sessions which is so rare to see.

THE NEW YORK Coalition For
Open Government
Is Here to Help
www.nyopengov.org