At the Dec 2nd legislature session, Republicans in the county legislature voted to appoint 11 members to 2 boards that have 14 members in total. Appointments to these boards should have one or two members up every year but to appoint / reappoint 4 to 6 members of a 7 member board in one meeting is not normal.
I researched these appointments and was disappointed at how disorganized appointments to these boards have been handled. It seems people are appointed and remain on these boards without being reappointed or replaced when their term expires. Even when there are term limits.
Republicans stated that this was not rushed however 2 of the reappointments were not even finished with their first term. Their terms expire in June 2026 yet they are being reappointed 6 months early? One of them for a 3 year term?
These decisions should of been made by the 2026 legislature under the leadership of the new chair of the legislature. Democrats will have a lot of work to do once we are swore into office and the start of our term in January 2026.
Are you interested in serving on a county board? View the list of boards at http://ongov.net/executive/boards/ and contact me if you are interested.
Transparency
As I researched the 3 boards that were mentioned at the Dec 2nd session, I found 2 of the 3 did not list board members and term information. Here is the most up to date information for OCIDA & OCDC:
Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA)
Board members serve 3 year terms and can only serve no more than 2 consecutive terms.
| Board Members | Appointed – Term Expires |
|---|---|
| Alan Marzullo | Dec 2, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Mark Muthumbi | Dec 2, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Cydney Johnson | April 4, 2023 – May 31, 2027 |
| Leslie English | Aug 1, 2025 – June 1, 2027 |
| Garard Grannell | April 1, 2025 – June 1, 2028 |
| Randy Wolken | Dec 2, 2025 – May 31, 2028 |
| Elizabeth Dreyfuss | April 4, 2023 – May 31, 2029 |
OCIDA was created under the New York State Industrial Development Agency Act of 1969 as a legally separate corporate governmental agency constituting a public benefit corporation. OCIDA was formed to promote and develop the economic growth of Onondaga County and to assist in attracting industry to the County through bond and sale/leaseback financing programs and other activities. The County Legislature appoints the entire governing board and is able to impose its will. OCIDA is presented discretely as a component unit of the County.
Onondaga Civic Development Corporation (OCDC)
| Board Members | Appointed – Term Expires | Appointed By |
|---|---|---|
| Michael LaFlair | Feb 2, 2016 – Oct 6, 2026 | Chair Burtis |
| Vincent Cioci | Aug 12, 2022 – Oct 6, 2026 | County Executive McMahon |
| Janice Herzog | Dec 2, 2025 – Oct 6, 2027 | County Executive McMahon |
| Virginia Biesiada O’Neill | Aug 31, 2021 – Oct 6, 2027 | Joint |
| Christopher Daniel | April 2, 2024 – Oct 6, 2027 | Chair Burtis |
| Kimberly Townsend | May 7, 2019 – Oct 6, 2028 | Chair Burtis |
| Mitchell Latimer | Nov 18, 2019 – Oct 6, 2028 | County Executive McMahon |
OCDC was organized to stimulate economic growth and lessen the burdens of government through facilitating investments that will promote job creation and retention, improve the quality of life of Onondaga County citizens, generate prosperity, and encourage economic vibrancy for Onondaga County as a whole, by using available incentives including the issuance of negotiable bonds for Onondaga County’s non-profit organizations. The Board of Directors is comprised of seven voting directors whereby three are appointed by the chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, three are appointed by the Onondaga County Executive and one additional director jointly appointed by the Onondaga County Legislature and County Executive all subject to confirmation by the Onondaga County Legislature and the County can impose its will. OCDC is presented discretely as a component unit of the County.
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) lists information about their board and members on their website at https://ocrra.org/about-ocrra/ocrra-team/board-of-directors/
Related Articles
Onondaga County Legislature Democrats, Republicans have spat over ‘lame duck’ appointments – Central Current
GOP seeks to fill 12 board positions before ceding control of Onondaga County Legislature – Syracuse.com
Onondaga County Legislature Democratic Caucus Letter About Appointments
Onondaga Civic Development Corp. provides $1 million to start stocking the aquarium – Syracuse.com
