At the Oswego County Legislative meeting on Thursday, August 13 I tried to present the following presentation regarding the Sheriff Hilton issue. I was cut off half way through this presentation. Saying my 5 min. had expired.
Many times, in the past when I served on the legislature there were times when during the public comment session, the speakers would go over their time. Because this was an issue showing an embarrassment to the Legislature, they held me and others that spoke about this issue not being right, to the 5 min. Well I feel it is very important that this message get out to the people. This presentation isn’t anything more than a statement of facts and my opinion.
Thank you very much honorable Chairman Weatherup for allowing the public to speak today, Good afternoon Legislators.
I have to make a little side comment here. After reading a plethora of comments on a sitting Legislator’s Facebook page. I find it laughable that many people on his site were upset that the meeting was being held in the afternoon during a time when most people work. This legislator is a big opponent of evening meetings. The Dems have been trying for years to move the meetings to an evening meeting. So all you people can thank your fine legislator Mr. Martino for afternoon meetings.
I’m going to read several publications found on the Oswego County web site.
Mission statement of the Oswego County Legislature.
Mission statement of the Oswego County Administrator.
Oath of office every elected official takes.
I have just read to you three official documents. Nowhere in any of these does it say that any elected official owes allegiance to any one person or party. Which means elected officials represent the people not the party.
What it does say is that any and all elected officials are bound by law to uphold any and all laws and uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of NY.
No one in these chambers or outside have a right to stop any one persons’ ability to support any single political candidate or party.
No one in this legislative body has the authority to be Judge, Jury and executioner.
Several years ago, there was a sitting legislator that was arrested. At that time, I was asked what my thoughts were. I told the paper that the issue was in the hands of the judicial system. Then and now you are innocent until proven guilty. There was an investigation performed and as a result the rules of the Public Officers Law determined the course of action to be taken. NOT the legislative body.
Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason. Let Lady Justice do her job.
This issue at hand isn’t about support of the men in blue or not supporting the men in blue. It’s all about the LAW.
This issue is whether or not public property was misused and any laws were broken.
In my 6 years serving on the Public Safety Committee my disagreements were on the number of patrol cars to be purchased. One year I even made a motion to give Sheriff Todd a raise. I say this to show that I support the Sheriff in many ways.
One main issue I had with Sheriff Hilton was his recommendation to hire SRO’s that would live outside the County of Oswego.
Again, I say this to show that on many issues I support the Sheriff and the men in blue. I support Sheriff Hilton but I don’t support his actions on the day in question.
We are talking about the LAW and the LAW only right now. Nobody is above the LAW.
It is not this legislative body’s job to determine if the Sheriff broke any laws. They may determine if he has broken any Oswego County policies and only determine the course of action to be taken on those infractions.
This legislative body has an obligation to the taxpayers of Oswego County to ensure an investigation is performed by a bipartisan panel, none of which should be from Oswego County.
No one in this legislature or the public can determine the guilt or innocence of an elected official.
Because of that reason and the fact that I have been a witness to the Kangaroo Court held by this legislative body in Executive sessions, a letter should be sent to State Attorney General’s office requesting a complete investigation be performed to determine if any laws were broken by the Sheriff and his deputies on the date in question. Also a letter should be sent to the State Comptroller’s office for the main purpose to find out if there was misuse of taxpayers’ dollars and assets.
Last but not least, it’s about the LAW, it is not about support or non-support of the men in blue.
Good Day to you all and stay safe.
-Frank Castiglia Jr.
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I watched yesterday at the PBA of New York City gave their ringing endorsement to the current President of the US should they all be fired to? The man was off duty, enjoying the day boating. I see that along with Covid, Oswego County has some TDS cases still infesting people.
I watched yesterday as
the PBA of New York City gave their ringing endorsement to the current President of the US should they all be fired to? The man was off duty, enjoying the day boating. I see that along with Covid, Oswego County has some TDS cases still infesting people.
YES MR. Castiglia your 5 minutes are up! I don’t know about anybody else but I’m sick and tired of hearing your rants. Can’t you find a hobby and give us a break. Thought maybe when you retired from the Legislature that was it with your constant need for attention.
Hey skip…i dont know if you know frank was a GREAT person to have in that position…he knows whats going on…maybe you should attend some meetings…do you know about missing minutes from a common council meeting where they pulled a fast one in the city of fulton …not….he knows what they are tryn to do…get off his back…and by the way skip…he is the second man EVER TO TELL ME WELCOME HOME MARINE…not a thank you for your SERVICE……frank i got your back
Hey Chris, actually I have attended and participated in several legislative sub committee meetings with Frank present. The guy was always confrontational and has never been a team member. He is very disliked by many of his colleagues. I’m glad someone has his back. Relating to serving our country, my dad was a prisoner of War in WWII. He was captured in the Invasion of Normandy. He spent 14 months as a prisoner of the Germans and worked in a coal mine. He suffered tremendous physical abuse and starvation. He NEVER ONCE expected or asked for thanks or anything relating to his experience. He didn’t need the attention. He was a strong solider and great father to nine children. Have a great day!
I’m Watching & Skip: First up is I’m Watching, if he was out on his own boat enjoying himself, there would be no problem, he wasn’t he was working as he has admitted in his confession so were the three Deputies he had on a Oswego County Boat, that is against the Hatch Act, the NYPD can endorse anyone they want to that is one organization and so can the Oswego County Sheriff’s union, but not while on duty and using county property. Now Skip, I wouldn’t have to do this rants as you put it, if you guys would do the People’s need instead of the Party’s. You fools just fellow like sheep. I will as I have always kept an eye on the neglectful acts of our Gov’t County or City and speak up for the people. Chris, thanks for having my back, stay safe Marine. This clown(Skip) is a member of the Majority Caucus and is glad I left the seat…
I’m watching and Skip, don’t be cowards use your name like Chris and I do. Is there some reason you both need to hide…Oh Skip, your right I was always confrontational because I was there to represent the people not be a team player with the Party people, like you. Gov’t is By the people for the people, Not by the Party and for the Party…And yes they didn’t and they never like anyone that questions them and doesn’t support them…It means they have to think.
He confessed wow, did they put him under oath in the Kangaroo Court session. Come on people it was a flag, and we all know why this was a big deal because of you know who the flag was celebrating. Saturday there was a gathering of 2000 boats parading with thousands of people, flying flags, trying to set a world record for this most hated politician, thousands more on the raised draw bridges got out of their cars and cheered and even more along the shore front of the 10 mile parade. You know A Coast Guard Plane flew over and dipped it’s wing to the boaters, along with Sheriff helicopters with the County Sheriff units were out their also. By the way there were no incidents, rioting or arrests, no broken windows over turned police cars just people showing their appreciation. Watch it on you tube it took place in Clearwater, Fl. Be careful though you may be blinded or offended by all the flags flying high thousands of them. Feeling a little small town maybe?
Frank. Actually I’m not an elected politician. I’m a community advocate that has watched and listened to your nonsense for years. Give it up Frank, you have never made a positive difference in the county.
Sheriff Hilton is the best thing that’s happened in Oswego County in awhile except for your retirement from the Legislature. Trying to catch folks making mistakes is not Leadership Frank, it’s sad!
It was poor judgement. It’s done and over and hope it never happens again. Nobody is dead. Nobody is bleeding. Some of you are ready to build gallows over this. Some of you want him removed by the Legislature. The only one who can remove him is Cuomo and the voters the nest time he runs. Time to move on to things that really matter like working on the 2021County Budget.
So many comments here in support of the unlawful act from the sheriff … simply out of a devotion to an extreme right-wing president and the minority of American voters who support that extreme right-wing agenda. The police in America have shown themselves to be passionately committed to the perpetuation of institutional racism, to the continued militarization of police forces, to impunity for officers who kill, maim, brutalize, and terrorize American citizens. Many Americans look at Donald Trump’s career and conclude: Trump is a racist and a fascist … and the police are dangerously misguided.
Thank you Comrade M A C, should we expect you and your antifa Burn Loot Murder left wing agenda to show up at the next Legislator meeting? Even your MSM sycophants are tiring of showing your parties killing, maiming, brutalizing and terrorizing American citizens on our own streets. If you really want to see a facist take a look in the mirror.