County tax director will not return
By Donna Comella

The Wayne County Board of Supervisors has voted against re-hiring former Director of Real Property Tax Services, Robert Diener.

Diener abruptly resigned his post last month, but quickly asked to be reinstated. The Board, instead, opted to authorize advertising for the job, indicating that Diener was welcome to apply. He did.

Diener was present at Tuesday's meeting that included on the agenda a resolution to appoint him to the post at his same salary of $65,608.

Savannah Supervisor Don Colvin presented the resolution, saying, 'In the 17 years he's been here, there's never been a mark against him. We (re-)appointed him unanimously a few months ago and I think he should be on the job.'

Following a 10-minute Executive Session at the end of Tuesday's meeting, the board took a vote that required a 2/3 majority. With supervisors carrying a vote based on his/her town's population, the 'nays' won 3121 - 891. Marion Supervisor Jody Bender was absent, but her 213 votes would not have mattered. The total was 304 votes more than needed for a 2817 majority of the two-thirds. Only five of the supervisors voting against Diener have a single vote that could have made a difference.

Voting 'no' to appoint were 10 supervisors: Bill Hammond (Macedon), Dave Lyon (Palmyra), Lucinda Collier (Rose), Steve LeRoy (Sodus), Robert Plant (Walworth), Jim Hoffman (Williamson), Kim Park (Wolcott), Joe DeSanto (Arcadia), Leo Jenkins (Galen), and John Young (Huron). Hammond was obviously clear in his decision, and didn't even bother attending the closed-door meeting to discuss it.

The four who backed Diener: Dave Spickerman (Butler), Jim Fabino (Lyons), Joe Molino (Ontario), and Don Colvin (Savannah).

Following the decision, Diener spoke with members of the press, saying he has a 'medical situation' and that he suffers from depression. He mentioned there may be another medical problem, but said that he is being treated for both and that his doctor had cleared him to return to work.

Diener said that since prior boards had 'rescued' other employees and department heads who had problems such as drug addiction or alcoholism, he believes he is being 'punished' for speaking out on other issues.

Calling the supervisors 'politically motivated,' Diener called on voters to 'Throw the rascals out.' He added quickly, 'With the exception of those who voted 'yes'.'

Fourteen of the 15 supervisors' seats are up for election this November.

As for Diener, he told the press, 'I asked for compassion and got none... and then I was excluded from the Executive session...Shame on them.'

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