The meeting began with a brief executive session regarding personnel matters, followed by a public statement from the Mayor and council members calling for Councilman Rob Scott to resign after his guilty plea to obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct. The remainder of the meeting focused on budget presentations from the Police Department, Clerk’s Office, and Youth Bureau. No formal votes were taken; council members discussed budget requests and future scheduling.
So good evening, everyone. Welcome to our committee of the whole meeting for October 8th, 2025. We have a budget presentations, uh, an executive session, executive session of discussion of matters concerning the medical financial credit or employment history of a particular person, persons, or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person, persons or corporation. Are we we're going into um executive session first? Yes. Okay, so I would ask for a motion to go into executive session. So moved. Second. What person? For all that long. For discussion of matters concerning the medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person, persons, or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person, persons, or corporations. Okay, my bad. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. We're now going into executive session. See what you do to me, count. Thank you. Good evening, everyone, and welcome back to our committee of the whole meeting and budget meeting. Um, prior to going into the budget, there's uh some business that the council needs to take care of. Um for the public, we know that there was an article that was out regarding uh Councilman Scott's uh case and litigation. And so at this time, I am going to make a statement, and then any council person who would like to make a statement after that will be free to do so. And then we'll move into the budget from there. So public service is a privilege built on the trust and confidence of the people we serve. That trust is sacred, and once it is broken, it cannot simply be overlooked. Councilman Scott's temporary or interim guilty plea is a uh clear representation of the violation of that trust and undermines the integrity of our local government. The residents of Peakskill deserve leaders who uphold the highest ethical standards and follow below both the law and the spirit of the law. It is important that we hold ourselves and our colleagues accountable, that we self-police to maintain the public's trust in local government. When an elected official fails to meet those standards, it is our responsibility and duty to act decisively. For these reasons, I'm calling on Councilman Scott to do the right thing and step down immediately. However, if he chooses not to, we will move forward for a resolution for censorship and also seek the guidance from the governor's office for removal procedures. Here in Peakskill, our progress depends on honest leadership and accountability. Our community deserves nothing less. And that concludes my statement. Is there anyone else who would like to make a statement on the matter? Yes, I would like to add a couple of thoughts to it. First, I I would hold uh Rob in high regard, and um he's a very good person. In my mind, made a mistake. It is a serious mistake. Um, and um it evolved from uh signatures that weren't properly recorded or written in and then evolved to other things in the case. It brought to mind that uh I like Rob um had not run for election before when I got appointed to the board counsel in to 2020. Uh I then had to run separately in 2021, and I didn't know anything about the process. So it happens that I had the good fortune that Drew Claxton came over to my house, sat down with me, and said, Here's what you've got to do, and then she immediately realized I was a terrible campaigner. So she rounded up all the folks that can do that, help you with your campaign, and I was duly elected. And so I think of it as uh I got to be elected under the strong wings of Drew Claxon. Under her support. And I think if Rob had had a Drew Claxon and was operating under her wings, he would never have gotten into this in the first place. So I'm I'm very, very sad about it. I think everything that's been the fight that Rob has put up for this thing is it shows the strength of his character.