Knapp to be paid

POUGHKEEPSIE – A Dutchess County Supreme Court judge has ordered Republican County Executive William Steinhaus to place the assistant to the County Legislature chairman on the county payroll.

Steinhaus refused to allow former legislator Fred Knapp to be paid as the assistant to Democratic Legislature Chairman Roger Higgins.

“We would simply like the county executive recognize that, put Mr. Knapp on the payroll, allow us to hire our other two clerical people that we have not been allowed to hire, and move on with the business of Dutchess County government so that we can better serve the people that have elected us.”

Justice James Brands ruled that the county executive and county legislature are two separate, but equal branches of county government and the legislature can hire people for its department.

Higgins said Steinhaus’ refusal to allow Knapp on the county payroll smacks of partisan politics.

Knapp left the legislature last year to mount an unsuccessful run for mayor of Poughkeepsie.