The Dutchess County Legislature censured Joel Tyner Monday, an unprecedented measure following comments the legislator made comparing county leaders to fascists.

The comments were made last month in reference to the then-planned consolidation of bus services in the City of Pougkeepsie. Tyner had declined to apologize for the comments on multiple occasions since.

The resolution at Monday's Legislature meeting drew a passionate response from the public during a comment section, and it resulted in an outburst between Tyner and Legislator Joseph Incoronato, R-Wappingers Falls.

COUNTY LEGISLATURE: Censure of Tyner considered

EDITORIAL: Tyner’s sanctimonious comments belie reality

Tyner, a Democrat who represents the towns of Clinton and Rhinebeck, argued that his phrasing was poor, but the issues he raised regarding bus services in the City of Poughkeepsie were valid.

"I've said many, many times that, of course, perhaps I could have worded my comments differently. I've said that many times," he said. "But people in the City of Poughkeepsie are being (cheated)."

The city bus service ended on June 30, and six new county bus routes have been implemented by Dutchess County Public Transit. to service the city.

A censure carries no penalty but stands as a formal reprimand.

Dale Borchert, R-Poughkeepsie, chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature, said no county legislator has ever before been censured. He said the unanimous vote demonstrated unity against Tyner's statements.

"It just shows that all the members of this body, both Republican and Democrat and Independence members that are a part of this body, all agree that Joel has gone too far," he said. "He said things he shouldn't have said, and he treated someone disrespectfully, and we wanted to hold him accountable for that."

During a Democratic caucus meeting June 5, Tyner suggested that county public works Commissioner Robert Balkind was "following orders ... just like the Germans 70 years ago." The comments drew rebukes from county officials and members of the Democratic caucus. Balkind is of Jewish descent.

During the public comment period, 13 people spoke out against the resolution to censure Tyner and two people supported it.

Several said Tyner's statements did not warrant being censured, referencing former Legislator Michael Kelsey, who was arrested on sexual abuse charges. He was convicted after being voted out of office.

"I believe this censure is an injustice, we have people who have done worse without being censured," said Carlton Jones, of the City of Poughkeepsie.

The resolution to censure would have been dropped if Tyner apologized for his comments, Majority Leader James J. Miccio, R-Fishkill, said in advance of Monday's meeting.

According to the resolution:

“…such inexplicable, indefensible and offensive comments are below the dignity of an elected official and demonstrate a lack of respect for county officials, employees and the public, a lack of judgment and professionalism and a lack of fitness for public office…”

The comments have “…brought shame and embarrassment to the Dutchess County Legislature and the citizens of Dutchess County…”

The issue will be referred to the county Human Rights Commission “for review in connection with existing county policies on Equal Employment Opportunity workplace violence and human rights.”

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW