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Tyner's Comments 'Inappropriate, Disrespectful,' Says Molinaro

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- County Executive Marc Molinaro is condemning Legislator Joel Tyner, who was recently censured by the Board of Legislators for comparing a county commissioner to the Nazis.

Joel Tyner

Joel Tyner

Photo Credit: File
Marc Molinaro

Marc Molinaro

Photo Credit: File

Molinaro said the comments were "inappropriate, disrespectful and hurtful."

"I am certain you did not wish to take this action," Molinaro said. "While this entire ordeal has elicited many emotions, the most palpable to me was sadness."

The legislature unanimously voted to censure Tyner after he said Robert Balkind , the county public works commissioner, was "following orders...just like the Germans 70 years ago," at a June 5 Democratic caucus meeting when discussing the county's takeover of the Poughkeepsie city bus system.

Tyner said the attack was not pre-planned and said the county takeover of the bus system was an attack on democracy. He has declined to apologize for the comments.

Molinaro said a simple apology from Tyner would've made the censuring unnecessary.

"We should admit when we have erred, apologize when we overstep and accept sincere remorse when it is extended," Molinaro said. "Civility in our discourse is no weakness and to solve problems and mold consensus it should remain a hallmark of our service together."

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