By Jacquie Rath
"My position at work now requires my ultimate relocation," said Sutton. "The inevitability of this is concrete. What I do not know at this time is when this will occur."
Sutton also addressed rumors circulating in Rockville Centre regarding his personal and professional future. "The question has been raised as to whether or not I am living in Rockville Centre at this time," he said. "To this, the answer is unequivocally yes. And I will continue to do so."
Sutton went on to respond to those who have questioned the status of his family, calling their concerns "purely personal" and "disgraceful." He explained that when his daughter, then a high school sophomore, learned of the impending relocation, she requested that she change schools sooner rather than later. Sutton and his wife complied with the request, and have moved the teen to her new school. "I have seen my family twice in the last four weeks," Sutton said. "But I know I have done what is best for my family, and that is what matters."
"[The rumors] are outrageous, inhuman, and an invasion of privacy," said Rockville Centre Mayor Eugene Murray. "[Sutton] is living here in the village."
During the "privilege of the floor" segment of the meeting, there were many questions from attendees, most of whom are associates of the Residents' Voice Party, the party of trustees Jeanne Farnan Mulry and Andrew Karamouzis. They focused on where Sutton's family is currently living and his intent to leave the village. "I will continue in office as long as I am domiciled in the village," he said.
In what seemed almost like a cross examination, Rockville Centre resident and former Nassau County Prosecutor Frank Schroeder subjected Sutton to a barrage of questions. According to Schroeder, where Sutton is living is of major concern, because it could affect his ability to serve as trustee. "I reside in Rockville Centre" became Sutton's mantra during Schroeder's questioning.
"As long as [Sutton] is a resident of Rockville Centre, he is entitled to serve out his term as trustee," said Deputy Mayor and Trustee Wayne Lipton.
Another topic of discussion was how Sutton's seat on the board will be filled when he leaves. If he is able to remain in the village throughout his term, which ends in 2007, a regular election would determine his replacement. If he is unable to serve out his term, his successor would be determined by a mayoral appointment and possibly a special election.
A special election, according to state law, requires a period of at least 75 days between an elected official's announcement that he or she is leaving office and election day, which this year falls on June 20. Sutton would have to make such an announcement by April 5, therefore, for there to be time to organize a special election. If Sutton resigns before April 5, Murray would appoint someone to serve as trustee until the special election. If Sutton resigns after April 5, the mayor would appoint a successor to serve out the balance of the trustee's term .
"There were many legitimate questions raised [during the board meeting] by village residents about Trustee Sutton's ability to remain a village trustee," said Karamouzis. "These questions must be answered."
"The only reason we are concerned about Trustee Sutton's intent and domicile right now," said Mulry "is that these questions go directly to the issue of whether or not Rockville Centre residents are entitled to a special election in June of 2006 to select his replacement."
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