The Westchester County Board of Legislators will vote on a resolution 4pm this afternoon to remove Catherine Borgia as chair of the board effective immediately, with Vice Chair Nacy E Barr to serve temporarily as acting chair.
This follows the BOL releasing a statement Monday, April 24th asking Borgia to resign as chair she followed that up with a statement of her own later in the day stating she did not violate any law, the County Charter or the rules of the board or the ethics laws.
Borgia said some of her colleagues had been distracted by politics and personal advancement and that they believe a political witch hunt against her will advance them individually, and she will not resign.
The resolution to be voted Wednesday afternoon states;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Catherine Borgia is hereby removed as Chair of the Board, effective immediately, with the Vice Chair, Nancy Barr, acting as Temporary Chair until such time, within 60 days of the date hereof, in accordance with the Rules of the Board, that the Board shall select a new Chair, (see draft of resolution below).
RES- Removal of County Board Chair by Black Westchester Magazine on Scribd
Black Westchester has extensively covered the child sex predator scandal of Westchester County Board Of Legislators (BOL) staffer Anand Singh, asking how long the BOL knew and the fact that DA Mimi Rocah is investigating the matter. Several of the members of the BOL including James Nolon and Damon Maher have individually shared with Black Westchester and released statements they feel Chairwoman Catherine Borgia should resign.
The resolution states that members of the Board expressed concern that after multiple conversations with the Board Chair, both individually and collectively, the Chair continues to be less than forthright with her colleagues in her recounting of events related to the Sexual Allegation of Singh.
It goes on to say that, according to Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure, (“Mason’s”) Sec. 586(1): “It is an almost invariable rule in legislative bodies of the United States that the bodies have full authority concerning the selection of their officers” and further, Mason’s Sec. 581 governs removal of the presiding officer by a majority vote of the Board.
The Board is making the following determination based on the following facts:
- The Board Chair failed to consult with relevant County Departments which could have provided risk assessment and guidance such as the County Human Resources and the Law Departments.
- The Board Chair failed to communicate with other Board members, specifically Board Leadership, to ensure that the risks associated with the Sexual Allegation were appropriately assessed and addressed.
- The Board Chair failed to adequately protect Board staff, guests and the institution. Board members have lost confidence that Catherine Borgia can lead the Board
The Board has provided Borgia notice and an opportunity to be heard. The vote will take place 4pm today, Wednesday, April 26th.
The vote will likely be unanimous to remove Borgia.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story!
