Did you know that Flo received a $3000.00 increase in salary plus has been put in charge of collecting the property taxes with another increase in salary, plus she got the 1.2% increase like everyone else. Tara voted on it. She was part of the Executive session that gave her MOTHER the raise. I guess it is good to have your daughter in charge of your salary. You know that she will not let you starve.

A 1.2% raise is hardly a fortune. Was this the amount of increase for the rest of the town employees?

Well, I have no comment about the salary increase - it's an employment issue and who am I to say someone doesn't deserve a salary increase (plus I have no idea when the last time she received a raise, etc.). However, it's my opinion that (if what you say actually happened), ethically I believe that Tara should have recused herself from any vote pertaining to her mother.

If this really happened, then she may have violated the Town's Code of Ethics Sec. 11-3 which states, "no town employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest."

Malta Code

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If people actually attended the monthly Board meetings, they would see for themselves that Tara Thomas typically abstains from any votes that relate to her mother. You can check out the November minutes to validate that. You will also see the same thing when the December minutes are printed. There are no ethics violation occurring.

Which is why I said "IF THIS HAPPENED."

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Originally posted by MALTAMANIAC:
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I'm sorry if I post pertinent factual information that may be helpful instead of drivel that simply creates ignorant arguments.

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Originally posted by Lynda Bablin:
If people actually attended the monthly Board meetings, they would see for themselves that Tara Thomas typically abstains from any votes that relate to her mother. You can check out the November minutes to validate that. You will also see the same thing when the December minutes are printed. There are no ethics violation occurring.

Good to know.. except the "typically abstains" scares me... shouldn't it be "always abstains."

Tara should not be involved in even the talks of anything happening in the Town Clerk's office in executive sessions, but she does. So whether she abstains in the vote, she has had her input before the vote.

All other employees received 1.2% except Flo sickels, Tara's mother, and Roger Crandall. He received an extra $1000.00. The other employees asked for more but isn't it amazing that only Flo and roger got the raises. This has put the moral in the "Town Family" in a very negative light.

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Good to know.. except the "typically abstains" scares me... shouldn't it be "always abstains."

I only say "typically" since I haven't been around for every single vote that has been taken. I'm sure if I made a blanket statement that she "always" abstains, I'd be chastised by someone if I had happened to miss the odd time she didn't (if, in fact, that ever did happen)

I would tend to agree with Irish, Tara should probably recuse, as opposed to abstaining. As soon as the discussion begins, she should disclose the relationship, and recuse. Waiting until the end or deliberating before abstaining is typically not ethical/proper. Not playing politics or anything like that, just stating my technical experience before town boards and planning boards in other munis.

Get Real Planner 29....Tara sits in executive session and thinks that her mother doesn't make enough money. This year, because Sylvia resigned, she is also making more money because she will now be collecting the taxes. Linda also got a raise because she will do all of the work like she always does. This will give Flo more time to play Solataire and talk on the phone about Republican business.

How would you know this unless you are also in Executive Session... such goings on are not public knowledge... just sayin'...

Does this mean that the Town Clerk is now doing 2 jobs? Town Clerk and Tax Collector?

Political sniping season has begun or resumed. I was going to try to just let this blow by and maybe I'll regret not sticking to that resolve.

Tara does not participate in inappropriate or unethical ways in decisions relating to her mother or the Town Clerk's office.

The proposed reconfiguration of Tax Receiver and Town Clerk offices will require voter approval. Watch for that date. I don't have it in front of me right now.

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Which is why I said "IF THIS HAPPENED."

"IF" is a mighty big word there....who is calling the kettle black here potato famine feminine?

???? - - I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean? I don't speak "maniac"...

Since I'm pure as the driven snow and certainly never refer to pot or kettle as sooty, be sure I'm not looking to get into this fight. However, good one Maniac. I guess that makes me a potato famine feminine too! Quite the mouthful. Been called far worse; witness the unpleasent turn the Blackhawk or Black Heart series has taken. I'm crest fallen (or is that crestfallen?) Well, my crest ain't as hight as it once was.

$3,000.00 increase in salary? That'll cost every household in Malta about 2/3rds of a cent extra per year. Call the cops!