Opinion ID: 773536
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Contacts with Local Political Leaders

Text: 13 In December 1997, the Bakoses wrote to Frank Potter (Potter), Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature, and Robert McEvoy (McEvoy), the Schenectady County Manager, to criticize the Cooperative's resource allocation and to express concerns about its 4-H program. In early January 1998, Bakos met with Potter and McEvoy. After this meeting, Bakos called Warner and told her that he was concerned with animal science funding, horse programming and the lack of safety guidelines. On January 19, 1998, Gorman-Bakos wrote to Warner and Elliott to reiterate the issues raised by Bakos in his recent conversation with Warner. On January 21, 1998, Elliott, Pierotti and Potter met with the Bakoses, who explained their dissatisfaction with the Cooperative, including its response to safety issues and its initial rejection of an out-of-county youth's membership in the Horse & Hounds. The Cooperative agreed that the out-of-county youth could join the Horse & Hounds and that the Cooperative's staff would draft and circulate horse-related safety guidelines within thirty days. 14 On January 23, 1998, Bakos called Elliott to ask that he be scheduled to address the Cooperative's Board of Directors at its next meeting. The request was granted, and Bakos made a presentation to the Board, discussing horse-safety issues and the Cooperative's lack of interest in large animal issues. On February 2, 1998, Gorman-Bakos called Warner to advise her that plaintiffs wanted to transfer the Horses & Hounds to the 4-H program of a neighboring county. Elliott and Warner informed plaintiffs that the Cooperative did not object to such a move. On February 5, 1998, Bakos wrote to Elliott to alert her that they planned to meet with three Schenectady County legislators to discuss the 4-H club, including its lack of safety rules, and alleged financial mismanagement of the Cooperative. On February 23, 1998, Elliott met with two legislators who had conferred with Bakos, and provided the legislators with information they requested.