{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"Woodstock Fires Level 3 Sex Offender Amid Outcry, Board Infighting, and Questions Over Transparency","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":571,"description":"A deepening governance crisis in Woodstock, NY, has come to a head with the official termination of Michael Anello, a Level 3 sex offender who was quietly hired earlier this year as a town maintenance worker. His employment—and the secrecy around it—sparked weeks of public outrage, a power struggle within the town board, and widespread concern over transparency and safety.Michael Anello was hired part-time in March and promoted to full-time in June. His criminal record, which includes a conviction for rape and five years served in prison, came to light in early July. The revelation sent shockwaves through the community and led to an intense debate over accountability, public trust, and the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.“In March he was hired, and it turns out he has a personal relationship with the supervisor’s confidential secretary,” said Noah Eckstein, editor-in-chief of The Overlook, who broke the story. “In 2014, the Town of Woodstock—like many towns across the state—‘banned the box,’ meaning they no longer asked about felony convictions on job applications.”Eckstein explained that while the town may not have broken any laws, the hiring process left many questions unanswered.“I would say it's not a breaking of any laws—it's more an ethical thing. It’s a failure in transparency and communication.”Board Action IgnoredOn July 22, after the full extent of Anello’s criminal history became public, the Woodstock Town Board voted 3-0 to terminate his employment. Board members Anula Cordes, Bennett Ratcliff, and Maria-Elena Conte voted in favor of dismissal. Laura Ricci abstained, and Town Supervisor Bill McKenna refused to vote.McKenna, whose term ends later this year, did not act on the board’s decision, prompting further outrage.“He just stalled on that. He completely waited,” said Eckstein. “Tensions have been high. I’ve been covering local government for many years, and this was the only town in which I thought there would be some sort of physical...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}