The Tug Hill Commission is overseen by a board of nine unpaid volunteers, all residents of the Tug Hill region. They are appointed three each by the Governor, Speaker of the State Assembly, and majority leader of the State Senate for five year terms. The nine commissioners are chosen by appointing authorities so that two come from each of the four counties that overlap the region, with a ninth member serving “at large.” Commission members set agency policy, budget, and program priorities, and oversee staff through an executive director.
Commissioners are not compensated for their service on the Tug Hill Commission board. Commissioners are reimbursed for mileage to meetings, provided meals at board meetings, and covered for relevant meeting registration and lodging costs. Annual past, present, and projected expenses related to the commission members are approximately $5,000.
The Commission is authorized by New York State legislation first passed in 1972 (Chapter 972, Laws of 1972), and most recently amended in 1998 as Article 37, Section 847 of the New York State Executive Law (Chapter 440, Laws of 1998). Article 37 provides for an every five year report to the governor and state legislature on the quality of and need for (or not) continuation of the Tug Hill Commission and its programs, based on a survey of some 400 local officials and community leaders from the Tug Hill region.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Chairman Jan Bogdanowicz – Montague, Lewis County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor. (Governor appointment: Term – August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2023).
Vice Chairman Michael G. Yerdon, Sr. – Redfield, Oswego County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor, former school board member, current county legislator. (Senate appointment: Term – August 22, 2018 – July 31, 2023).
Secretary Thomas E. Boxberger – Watertown, Jefferson County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former NYS Department of Health Regional Director, current planning board co-chair. (Senate appointment: Term – August 22, 2018 – July 31, 2023).
Leona M. Chereshnoski – Lorraine, Jefferson County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former librarian, involved in multiple regional organizations (NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers Association, Osceola Snowmobile Club). (Assembly appointment: Term – July 10, 2017 – June 30, 2022, expired).
Roger W. Maciejko – Turin, Lewis County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor, former county sheriff deputy. (Senate appointment: Term – August 22, 2018 – July 31, 2023).
Geraldine J. Ritter – Forestport, Oneida County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former NOCCOG circuit rider, former planning board chair. (Assembly appointment: Term – July 10, 2017 – June 30, 2022 expired).
William W. Scriber – Parish, Oswego County; long time resident of the Tug Hill Region, former town supervisor, current planning board chair. (Assembly appointment: Term – September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2022 expired).
Vacant – Governor appointment.
Vacant – Governor appointment.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Katie Malinowski