Come Jan. 1, East Syracuse Mayor Danny Liedka will be sworn in as a member of the Onondaga County Legislature. As of now, he plans to also continue as the village’s mayor until the regular election in the spring.
“I haven’t really made up my mind, but I am leaning toward going through a transition phase,” he said.
On tap for the spring in the village is a promised heated debate regarding the fate of the East Syracuse police department, plus a major project regarding drainage in the village. Liedka hopes to hold dual public offices during that time, allowing for steady representation in the village until those issues have been worked out. The police department dissolution could go to referendum by voters in the spring.
“Once both of those issues are resolved or we are moving forward, I intend on going through a transition phase,” Liedka said.
Holding two public offices is allowable by state law, a representative of the county’s legal team said. It has been the opinion of the state that a representative at state level, such as an assemblyman or senator, cannot hold an additional position at county, town or village level.
The state has created a law that allows an individual to hold a position at the county and town or village level concurrently.
The county could enact a local law to override the state’s ruling, which Onondaga County has not done, the county’s legal representative said. According to state law, Liedka’s plans are legal.
Liedka says he has consulted with three attorneys, the Attorney General’s Office and the New York Conference of Mayors. Neither office returned calls for comment.
Village elections are scheduled for the spring.
