"pedigree" not nepotism

[Dan Roman]

Another new town prosecutor has been appointed in Cheektowaga, after a recent hire apparently failed to meet the residency requirement.
During a work session this week, the Town Board voted to terminate Anthony S. Pecoraro, who was appointed May 13. Pecoraro, whose legal practice is in Williamsville, had been recommended for the job by the two town justices serving at the time.
Town officials said that they couldn’t confirm that Pecoraro had moved into Cheektowaga by July 1, as stipulated at the time of his appointment.
His successor, Nicholas A. Romano, has an impressive résumé. He graduated magna cum laude from law school and works at one of Buffalo’s most prestigious firms, but it’s his pedigree that probably will garner the most attention.
He’s the son of Anthony M. Romano, who retired in April as the town’s coordinator of employee relations but still serves as a part-time consultant. The Town Board has interviewed potential replacements for the employee relations post, and an appointment could happen as soon as Monday’s meeting.
Lawmakers voted unanimously for Pecoraro’s termination and Romano’s appointment.
Town prosecutors, who handle lower-level offenses in municipal courts on behalf of the district attorney, receive a salary of approximately $20,000 and no benefits. Their appointments also must be approved by the DA’s Office.
Councilwoman Diane Benczkowski, chairwoman of the Town Board’s Police & Justice Courts Committee, said she doesn’t think the father-son relationship poses a problem – particularly since the elder Romano soon will be off the town’s payroll.
“Nick was a totally outstanding candidate,” Benczkowski said. “It wasn’t because he’s Tony’s son; it’s just because he’s extraordinary.”
A 2013 graduate of the University at Buffalo’s Law School, Romano has been an associate at Connors & Vilardo since September.
Romano was mentioned as a potential candidate when the prosecutor’s job was vacant in May, but the decision was left to the two town justices with whom the town prosecutors work.
This time, Justice Paul S. Piotrowski was in favor of Romano’s appointment, according to Benczkowski. The other justice seat is occupied by Timothy J. Dwan, appointed to serve through the end of the year following the resignation of Dennis A. Delano Sr.
email: jhabuda@buffnews.com

[WNYresident]

He’s the son of Anthony M. Romano, who retired in April as the town’s coordinator of employee relations but still serves as a part-time consultant.

So this basically means he retired to collect a pension while still receiving a "paycheck" as a consultant?

[WNYresident]

“Nick was a totally outstanding candidate,” Benczkowski said. “It wasn’t because he’s Tony’s son; it’s just because he’s extraordinary.”

How many other people applied for the position? What pool of candidates did our town get to review? Were results on their bar exam compared along with experience listed on their resumes?

[4248]

Extra Ordinary

Besides being another employees son - what "extraordinary" things has he done since he graduated in 2013 ?

Or did she mean "Extra Ordinary" as in there's no positive events that separates him from other "Party Players" ?

Perfect example of "Ordinary Nepotism" - the we have his "Extra ordinary" fathers double dip on the tax funded cookie game. As like in too many Towns - he retires and gets another tax funded position -

So they tie up the one seat by plugging in a Lancaster Resident/Party Playing retired Judge - this way the residency rule can be side stepped - yet use that rule to dump Mr.Peoraro. Is he the same guy that was the head of another "Political Committee"?

Around and around all these past, present and future tax funded vultures go. They see a tax funded cookie just laying there and hope they can beat out the other vultures.

[cheekman]

So this basically means he retired to collect a pension while still receiving a "paycheck" as a consultant?

a another joke.. yep just like holtz pension and a check.. the political machine keeps working... as for this one, Councilwoman Diane Benczkowski, of course she will agree on this. “It wasn’t because he’s Tony’s son; it’s just because he’s extraordinary that is BS!!! the kid just got out of law school wet behind the ears has no clue about court systems. His successor, Nicholas A. Romano, has an impressive résumé. He graduated magna cum laude from law school and works at one of Buffalo’s most prestigious firms... give me a break so do a lot of other kids that just got out of law school. but it’s his pedigree that probably will garner the most attention.