WASHINGTONVILLE Council naming delayed

One of two police cruisers is beyond repair.
WASHINGTONVILLE -- As Michael Donnalley presided over his first council meeting as mayor, remaining council members chose to delay appointing his replacement on council.
Charles Morrow resigned as mayor in October, effective Nov. 1, and council voted to make Donnalley, who was then a councilman, council president, then mayor. He assumed office Nov. 1.
By law, the president of council takes the mayor's post if the mayor resigns, but council President Roy Hartman did not want the job, so he resigned as council president. He did not seek re-election.
There will be four of six council seats vacant in January as no one sought the posts in Tuesday's election. Donnalley had filed for re-election as a write-in candidate, but withdrew after accepting the mayor's post.
Councilwoman Theresa Allison said she plans to take her time to fill the vacant seats. Her term and that of Councilwoman Laura Trummer expire in 2003.
Don Vos, a Washingtonville resident and leader of the county unorganized militia, once again expressed interest in one of the seats. Vos has made his wishes known at the last three council meetings.
New cruiser: Allison said council also delayed making any decision on police Chief J.R. Blakeman's request for a new police cruiser. The department has a 1998 and a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria, and the older model is beyond repair.
Allison said council won't decide about a cruiser until next year. There may not be enough money, she said, especially if the state reduces the amount of local government funds Washingtonville and other communities receive.
"We're watching our money carefully," Allison said. "We have to get through the winter."