12/28/07 - Democrats select choices for key Legislative posts

(As published by Cortland Standard, Even Geibel reporting)

The county Legislature’s Democratic caucus chose its candidates, leadership positions on the Legislature Thursday night, putting forth Carol Tytler for chairman and naming Sandy Price as majority leader.

Legislator John Daniels (D-Cortlandville) had also been vying for the chairmanship, but Tytler (D-3rd Ward) was chosen by a secret ballot.

The Democrats did not discuss possible appointments for the county attorney and clerk of the Legislature, but have scheduled another caucus to discuss the appointments and meet with possible candidates at attorney James Baranello’s office at 39 Church St. at 4 p.m. Monday.

Democratic Party Chair and Election Commissioner Bill Wood would not comment on the caucus selections this morning.

The Republican Party leadership has put forward its own recommendations: Legislator John Steger (R-Preble and Scott) for chairman, Patrick Perfetti of Homer for county attorney and former Legislature clerk Carletta Edwards for that position once again.

The Republican caucus plans to meet at 8 a.m. Saturday at Republican County headquarters on Port Watson Street to discuss these recommendations.

Tytler said this morning she shared her vision for the next two years and emphasized teamwork and communication as her priorities.

“For us as a Legislature, I think that one of the most important things that we can improve is communications — that’s vital to our success. All things flow from there,” Tytler said.

She addressed important countywide issues such as space needs, economic development, infrastructure, and inter-municipal cooperation, as well as an important concern of her constituents, flooding.

Tytler hopes to hold a strategic planning session with both legislators and county department heads, similar to one she attended after joining the Legislature in 2004, in order to prioritize the issues facing the county in the years ahead.

She seemed optimistic about her chances of emerging as chairman during the Jan. 3 organizational meeting of the Legislature, at which appointments for the leadership positions and other county positions will be decided by the full Legislature.