Monroe Town Board Meeting Erupts Into Chaos

Supervisor Cardone Spoke With Police Following The Meeting

A lot happened at the February 5th, 2024, Monroe Town Board meeting. All of it important.

But, I want to cover what I feel is the most pressing thing to happen first. And In order to do so, we need to rewind the clock back to November 2015. 

During the course of the Monroe Town Board meeting in November of 2015, then councilman Dan Burke was caught on a hot mic saying “This is how you train puppies” in response to the justifiably angry crowd, upset over Harley Doles, Dennis McQuaid, and Dan Burke’s numerous machinations as town council members. 

Burke was then recorded as saying, “You want to lease a synagogue for two years for $200,000, first thing you do, put up a canine waste law, a gun deputy law and then a budget, and then whatever else, go over these houses and everything. It's midnight, you can do whatever you want."

Burke was also publicly called out by Mike Egan, a United Monroe member, in March of 2016, in the pages of The Photo-News, stating, “ You own each and every "suspect" number in the 2015 report. They are the town's numbers (not mine) from its financial reporting system for 2015 while you were in charge.”  

So, it is safe to say that an appearance by Dan Burke at any Monroe Town Board meeting in 2024 could prove to be a controversial one.

And So It Was …

During public comment of the February 5th, 2024 Monroe Town Board meeting, former Town Councilman, Dan Burke, appeared to speak before the board.

Burke read from a prepared statement that chastised Supervisor Cardone for selecting Dorey Houle as Acting Supervisor over Mary Bingham, despite Houle actively campaigning for the state senate seat held by James Skoufis.

Burke called out the appointment of a previously unidentified individual to the Moodna Sewer District Board over Mary Bingham, stating there was a possible violation of NYS Open Meeting Laws with that appointment. [Bingham was later appointed to the Moodna Board by Cardone after public outcry.]

Burke also pointed out that a conflict of interest exists in the appointment of Mike McGinn to the Town of Monroe Ethics Board, given his just completed tenure on the Town Board.

Burke then encouraged the town to provide an additional attorney to Councilwoman Richardson given the various concerns that have come to light concerning the treatment of Richardson by Cardone, as was on display throughout this meeting with the Supervisor often interrupting and shouting over Richardson.

Mr. Burke was cut off after exceeding the three minutes provided to all speakers for Public Comment at Town Board meetings. Here, Cardone asked the other council members if they wanted to respond. No one said anything. Then, a furious Tony Cardone responded to Burke saying, “The only thing I will say Mr. Burke is that you guys when you were on the board did not appoint a council for the minority members. You make the claim that Mr. McGinn is on the ethics board to make a judgment about anybody on this board. No, it includes everybody in the town. And I believe you were also on the Moodna Commission, so you did nothing then and got paid as well, and I’ll leave it at that.” 

I wrote to Councilwoman Bingham for comment on Supervisor Cardone’s remarks here concerning the Moodna Board, but have not yet heard back. I’m a little alarmed that, if it’s true the Supervisor feels the Moodna Board is a do nothing position where you sit around and get paid, why he would appoint Acting Supervisor Houle to that board, as well as the previously unidentified individual that was also appointed to that board.

Councilwoman Richardson replied to Cardone’s statements by saying, “That is a ridiculous comment to make as an executive.” At this point, Cardone began to shout over Councilwoman Richardson as she tried to speak. “I asked if anyone wanted to speak and now you spoke,” Cardone said. Richardson replied, “You cannot preclude what order I speak in.” As Richardson continued to speak, Cardone motioned to adjourn the meeting which was instantly followed by a second from Councilman Scancerlo. 

When running for Town Councilman, Tony Cardone said to The Photo-News the following in October of 2015: “

The most critical issue facing us ... is the nefarious practices and attitude of our current town board toward it populace [sic]. The lack of respect and unethical behavior toward residents is disgusting. Even worse is how females are treated/spoken to, by Dole’s and McQuade’s bullying mentality at meetings, it’s simply repulsive. What mom would be proud of it?”

I wonder what mom would be proud of Mr. Cardone’s treatment of Councilwoman Richardson, and his alleged behind the scenes treatment of Councilwoman Bingham.

Police Arrive

Immediately following the Town Board meeting, a shouting match erupted between Councilwoman Richardson and Councilwoman Houle concerning the potential misuse of executive session during last months, and this month’s, Town Board meetings.

This occurred at the same time Supervisor Cardone and Councilman Scancerlo were said to have hurled insults at Councilwoman Richardson.

Then, Cardone was said to have asked Monroe Town Clerk Valerie Bitzer to call the Village Police.

Officer Hansen then arrived on the scene. According to Lieutenant Timothy Young, in a statement,

“Officers from the Monroe Police Department responded to the Monroe Town Hall for a report of a verbal argument.  Officers interviewed Mrs. Dorey Houle and Mr. Anthony Cardone who confirmed a verbal argument took place over town matters. Ms. Maureen Richardson had left prior to the police arrival so she was contacted by telephone.  Ms. Richardson also stated that a verbal argument took place regarding town matters. No further police action was taken and the case is closed.”

In January of 2016, The Photo-News reported that then acting supervisor Tony Cardone also called the Village Police to report then Town Supervisor Harley Doles for acting “unstable,” a charge that Doles denied.

In a statement to The Photo-News, Councilwoman Richardson said, “Supervisor Cardone is encouraging an air of tension, hostility, and insult. The portions of the meeting spent off camera were heated and inappropriate comments were made to members of the constituency and the board. This led to a heated discussion between board members that for some reason had a town employee calling the police inappropriately when no semblance of a crime was committed. He [Cardone] imbues himself and his majority with legal authorities that don’t exist to subjugate the minority, interfering with my ability to perform my duty to the public. The police should not be used as a political tool. This was a waste of police power and resources, and makes me question further harassment.”