DeToy moves to block removal from office

Brockport Village Trustee Peter DeToy is challenging the village’s decision to remove him from office.

Ed Riley, the village’s attorney, said a special proceeding has been started by DeToy “whereby he is challenging the authority of the village to censure him pursuant to the resolution.”

Riley said DeToy is basically asking that the resolution be rescinded. “The village is obviously opposed to this action.”

The special proceeding, Riley said, is a legal action that is being used to bring the matter before the courts.

According to village officials, the original action was taken by the board of trustees because they felt it was warranted by DeToy’s comments to village employees and about village employees.

In tape recorded conversations to emergency personnel dispatchers, DeToy allegedly made the comments in question to dispatcher David Smith about the village police department. The tape recorded conversations allegedly occurred in October and again in December.

The village board had asked for DeToy’s resignation to be effective January 7. When the resignation was not submitted, they passed a resolution to seek his removal from office.

The village has retained John R. Parrinello, Esq. to determine whether removal proceedings should be commenced. He will be interviewing key personnel, who have been instructed to cooperate with the investigation, Mayor Josephine Matela said.

Parrinello’s investigation is not limited to DeToy’s allegedly threatening remarks but will entail any other actions and activities that may serve as basis for his removal.

“The lawsuit begun against Mr. DeToy will be defended in order to ensure that the best interest of the village and its employees are insured,” Riley said.

DeToy had no comment.