County Supers Reject Democratic Committee’s Elections Commissioner Nominee

By Matthew Avitabile

SCHOHARIE — The fight between the County Board of Supervisors and the Schoharie County Democratic Committee continued in another round as the supervisors again declined to appoint the committee’s nominee as one of the county election commissioners.

Following several rounds of back and forth and a lawsuit, the county board declined to name former Old Stone Fort Director and election inspector Carle J. Kopecky as its Democratic election commissioner.

The county Democratic committee said in a statement that it “condemns” the Friday decision.

The case had previously gone to the state Supreme Court, which ruled against the county’s decision to appoint longtime Democratic commissioner Cliff Hay. However, the court did not force the county to appoint the previous individuals nominated by the county Democratic Committee.

The decision at the Board of Supervisors was supported by both Republican and Democratic members, including both of the Democrats on the board, Sharon’s Sandra Manko and Fulton’s Phil Skowfoe.

The Democratic committee argued that “The Board’s continued refusal to act within the bounds of Election Law places Schoharie County at ongoing risk of legal exposure and administrative instability.”

Board Chair and Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice said, “The action by the Board of Supervisors to reject the SCDC nominee at the Friday Board Meeting was 100% within the law.  Ms. Heary would be best served in preparation of her comments by reading the law and the judge’s ruling.”

“The Board of Supervisors does not have the authority to perpetually refuse our recommendation,” said Theresa Heary, Chair of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee. ““In addition to a blatant disregard for the law and the process, the Board of Supervisors is putting both taxpayers and voters at risk. After more than a year without a lawfully appointed Democratic Elections Commissioner, their continued refusal to act creates the appearance of interference with voters’ right to fully and fairly administered elections.”

Heary argued that the Board of Supervisors was wrong and that the Schoharie County Democratic Committee “has followed the law at every step.” 

Sharon Supervisor Sandra Manko said that all along, she and Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe backed Cliff Hay as a “wealth of knowledge” who knew the “Board of Elections inside and out.” She cited the award the Department received last year for high voter turn out.

She said that the Department works well together, both Republicans and Democrats. Manko said that Democratic candidates would consistently seek office during Hay’s tenure, including making sure that there were candidates on the ballot. She added that he has “done so much good over the years. He deserves high praise.” 

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

She added her opinion that Kopecky was “not the right person for the job.” Manko said that she planned to speak further with Skowfoe and that no decision has been made at this time.