by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport Mayor Connie Castaneda says she is “not planning on resigning,” following her arrest March 9 by Brockport Police on 14 counts of official misconduct – a misdemeanor.
The mayor spoke to the media following what was to have been the March 13 regular meeting of the village board. Castaneda cancelled the meeting because the number of people in attendance exceeded the occupancy limit of the meeting room which is 49 persons.
Castaneda said she has been advised by her legal counsel not to comment on the charges. She is charged with renting out rooms in her home in violation of a village law that makes it illegal to have more than three unrelated people living in the same residence.
She said the village attorney has advised her that the charges do not “affect my position as mayor.”
Trustee Carol Hannan said she was very disappointed the meeting had to be cancelled because “people decide to derail village business for their own purposes.” She noted the meeting could have been moved outside.
Hannan said she and other village board members have been advised not to comment on the charges against the mayor but explained, “It is virtually impossible to remove a sitting official. Our hands are tied.”
She added that Brockport Police enforce the laws of the village, “equitably and fairly for all those who live there – there is no double standard,” Hannan said.
Trustee Margaret Blackman expressed concern that residents who came to make public comment at the meeting were not given that opportunity and would have to wait until the next meeting. “I’m sorry they didn’t get to comment,” she said. “They should be heard soon.”
The next regular meeting is March 27, although Blackman expressed interest in holding a special meeting before that time. A budget work session was set for March 15, but that would not include public comment.
