Movement afoot to abolish Putnam County historian's job
Putnam County prides itself on its 196-year history and promotes tourism by touting its Revolutionary War roots.
But some Putnam officials now say the paid post of county historian is expendable. Eliminating it would require a charter change but would save the financially strapped county about $31,000 a year in part-time salary and benefits.
Under a proposal informally presented to the Legislature by the administration, the nine town and village historians would elect one of their own to serve unpaid, rotating stints as county historian.
Opponents say the underlying goal is to remove current County Historian Alan Warnecke, long a thorn in the side of County Executive Robert Bondi and the Legislature for his efforts to preserve and promote the late 18th-century Hill-Agor farm in Mahopac.
"They're trying to push him out and shut him up," said William McCormack of Mahopac Falls, a member of the now-defunct Lake MacGregor advisory board. In 2003, the county purchased the Hill-Agor farm as part of a 375-acre open-space acquisition that included a former airstrip and what is now the 18-hole Putnam National Golf Club.
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But some Putnam officials now say the paid post of county historian is expendable. Eliminating it would require a charter change but would save the financially strapped county about $31,000 a year in part-time salary and benefits.
Under a proposal informally presented to the Legislature by the administration, the nine town and village historians would elect one of their own to serve unpaid, rotating stints as county historian.
Opponents say the underlying goal is to remove current County Historian Alan Warnecke, long a thorn in the side of County Executive Robert Bondi and the Legislature for his efforts to preserve and promote the late 18th-century Hill-Agor farm in Mahopac.
"They're trying to push him out and shut him up," said William McCormack of Mahopac Falls, a member of the now-defunct Lake MacGregor advisory board. In 2003, the county purchased the Hill-Agor farm as part of a 375-acre open-space acquisition that included a former airstrip and what is now the 18-hole Putnam National Golf Club.