Ulster and Greene counties give out big bonuses

Thanks to state Assemblyman and Attorney General hopeful Richard Brodsky, who has been demanding to know why quasi-public agencies have been handing out bonuses to their executives, we now know that Alexander Mathes, the executive director of the Greene County Industrial Development Agency, raked in a $175,000 bonus on top of his $130,000 salary last year.

According to the Daily Mail, Mathes says that he earned it:

The $175,000 he received in 2009 was based on his performance in 2008, and was by far his banner year. Earlier years he was awarded bonuses ranging from $15,000 in 2007 to $100,000 in 2006.

“This is a performance-based process,” Mathes said.

Brodsky's net caught some sinners in Ulster County, too, according to the Daily Freeman:

... 23 employees of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency shared $26,100 in longevity bonuses ... Michael Bemis, executive director of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, said the $26,100 shared by 23 employees last year was part of a union contract.