Second Chances not a consideration in Woodstock, NY
This week, the Woodstock, NY Town Board voted to terminate a town maintenance worker who is also a registrant on New York’s sex offense registry. The decision came after a tense and emotionally charged meeting where community members and board officials clashed over how to handle Innello’s employment and past convictions.
While the vote to fire Innello ultimately passed, what stood out to us was the rare and courageous stance taken by two board members—Supervisor Bill McKenna and Councilmember Laura Ricci—who abstained from the vote and publicly pushed for a more thoughtful, less reactionary approach.
Councilmember Ricci said it best, “If you go look on the New York state page that talks about this individual, the very first thing it says is that information is not to be used to harm the individual… So I think we should give a lot of thought, because each person, when they are redeeming themselves — sometimes people can redeem themselves, and sometimes they can’t… In any event, I think we could be giving this more thought. I don’t think we should be knee-jerk about it.”
It takes real courage to speak those words in a room charged with emotion, especially when doing so risks backlash. At a time when it’s far easier to take the politically safe route, Ricci and McKenna chose to stand up for the belief that redemption is possible and that we should not weaponize the registry against those trying to rebuild their lives. Their bravery reminds us that justice is not just about punishment. It’s also about fairness, due process, and compassion.
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This is indicative of the types of actions that prove the registries are punitive. Maybe this situation could be used to prove it. Since this man was terminated from employment due to his being on the registry and the termination was done by the government, it proves that the registry is being used to cause harm without cause.
This would require him to sue for lost wages and damages yet the outcome since it was termination without legal justification Might open some eyes.
You misread the article. The boyfriend wasn’t fired, his girlfriend was due to him being on the registry. She’s the one being punished because he’s on the registry.
Trump has just signed an executive order on homelessness. Registrants are explicitly mentioned twice in this order. This order will increase the “tracking” of all registrants, whether they are homeless or not, which will probably lead to an increase in the harassment of registrants and their family members.
There is also a section not explicitly directed towards registrants but could lead to an increase in the civil commitment of registrants.
Everyone must read and understand this order. This order must be on the action agenda for every organization, including FAC.
I have been fired from every job I have ever had for being on the registry and am currently unemployed. Gainful employment is not possible if you are on the registry whether you self-disclose or not. This is a fact. If you have been lucky enough to find such a job you are the exception, not the rule. Just because your boss knows you and is aware of your past your job will always remain in constant jeopardy waiting for that one person, customer or co-worker who feels threatened or uncomfortable by your mere presence. All that person has to do to get you fired is to go public.
It is for this reason that it is the registry, not the conviction that prevents me from getting a job. Let us use this information going forward and be clear in our statements to the Courts and to the public.
good to see the registry is not punitive… everyone knows humiliate, joblessness, despair and the frustrations that come with no financial security ALWAYS lead to reform and community security..
The registry strikes again.
Disgusting.