Warren Co. Attorney Mary Kissane resigns

QUEENSBURY | Warren County Attorney Mary Kissane has resigned her position effective April 30, and county supervisors participating in a county Personnel & Administration committee meeting held online April 1 discussed what actions to take as a result of her departure after more than three years on the job. During the meeting, county Minority Leader Claudia Braymer, chair of the committee, expressed a farewell sentiment. "Thank you county Attorney Kissane for your good work and your service to the county, and we wish you all the best in your new endeavors," Braymer said. Several county officials have said she is taking on a position with a prominent local legal firm. Meanwhile, the county is faced with a number of lawsuits. The committee met in executive session to discuss two of them, including a $1.5 million federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Ilana "Laney " Morgan" alleging that her civil rights were violated when she was terminated from her county job as a paralegal in Kissane's office. Kissane is listed as a defendant in the claim. The federal lawsuit follows a state appeals court decision in February that determined that Morgan had not received "due process" in the termination procedure and returned the matter back to the county. The other legal case identified as a subject of discussion in the April 1 executive session was a lawsuit filed by June Maxam of Chestertown alleging that county officials did not file required documents when taking on a number of new positions this year. Emerging from the executive session, Queensbury at-large supervisor Doug Beaty asked whether the county had started the process of looking for a new County Attorney. Braymer suggested that the county should consider obtaining proposals from legal firms about providing interim legal services. Queensbury at-Large Supervisor Brad Magowan said Braymer's suggestion was "an excellent idea." But Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover said that Robert Terwilliger, the county's Assistant Attorney, should assume the duties of the County Attorney during the process of selecting Kissane's successor and that he should be informed of any developments in legal matters. Braymer said that since Kissane had already designated Terwilliger as her deputy, there would indeed be no break in legal coverage. County Administrator Ryan Moore suggested that he and Kissane review the existing job description for the County Attorney post and update the listed duties and responsibilities. Earlier, Kissane reminded the board that her legal assistant left her position as of April 2, and that post needed to be filled.

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Warren Co. Attorney Mary Kissane resigns

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