That Judges Returned 2 Homes

Energizes 2 Trying To Save Theirs

COOPERSTOWN – Two citizens’ efforts to buy back their homes sold off for delinquent taxes in last year’s tax sale were in the forefront again during public comment at the county Board of Representatives’ February meeting this morning, following a report that, due to irregularities, a judge had thrown out two other tax sales.

Maria Ajello, who lost her home in the Town of Richfield, and Robert Force, who lost his home and 99 acres in the Town of Butternuts, both spoke with emotion this morning to 14 stolid representatives who, on advice of counsel, have declined to say anything about the issue until resulting lawsuits are resolved.

In an unusual move, Joe Mahoney, the Daily Star’s county reporter who wrote the article on the two resolved cases, took to the floor during public comment, asking why, in two months, no county board member has responded to county Veterans Office director Jack Henson, who asked for special consideration of vets.  Mahoney received no answer today.

READ ROBERT FORCE’S NOVEMBER PRESENTATION TO COUNTY BOARD

That set the stage for Force, who first appeared before the board in November to make his plea, wearing his service uniform.  Afterwards, he said, he was questioned by his superior in the Reserves about improperly wearing his uniform.   Today, he criticized whoever may have lodged that complaint, pointing out that, while service people are prohibited from wearing uniforms in court, the county Board of Representatives is not a court.

Ajello, who has appeared before the board monthly since her property was taken in last year’s tax sale, said eloquently, “The gallows are starting to be built for the 2015 hangings.”