The backroom maneuvering of Ed Sykes’ Town of Delaware board is once more demonstrated by the continuing membership on the board of Harold Roeder, who has sold his Hortonville home and purchased a home in Pennsylvania. Legally, membership on the board requires residence in the town. Is Roeder residing with his son, whose residence is in Delaware Township? Certainly the sale of one home and the purchase of another imply intent to change residence.

New York State law distinguishes between residence, which can be temporary, and domicile, which is permanent. So, assuming Roeder is “residing” temporarily somewhere in Delaware, the board is taking advantage of that vagueness in the law. And the reason is clear: if Roeder can hold his seat until after the Democratic Party holds its caucus, then Sykes, et al, can name their choice to fill Roeder’s seat for the remainder of his term. If he resigns sooner, then an election for the seat would be held. Clever, maybe legal, but not democratic.

Roy Tedoff

Hortonville, NY