Tuey turns down 19k Raise to stay as Kingston Comptroller, Noble Leaves City Hall in Panic

After John Tuey announced unexpectedly that he was resigning to become Rockland County Rra , or the equivalent of what the Ulster Rra is here. Mayor Noble went to the council to ask their permission to try and keep John Tuey at any cost which the council voted 8-0 giving Mayor Steve Noble permission to do just that. Mayor Noble according to multiple sources offered Tuey $115, 000 a year to stay as Comptroller for the city with a five year contract. A generous 19k increase to the 96k Tuey currently is paid. Tuey had Mayor Noble on the edge of his seat until the last minute, we hear it was at a going away party that took place at city hall yesterday that Mayor Noble got confirmation that Tuey wasn't changing his mind and was done. Tuey started to give remarks about his time as Comptroller and Noble left before Tuey could finish. Where to?! That's a question city hall staffers were left wondering because it wasn't back to the Mayor's office, where the doors were locked and lights were off, well before the cake was cut according to several close to the situation yesterday.  We assume of course he had to do the walk of shame over to the recreation center to an angry Mayor Julie Noble's office to see what to do next. Julie too disgusted to walk across the street herself, after Steve couldn't manage to keep Tuey.

It wasn't about money to all though, according to those familiar with the situation. Beside a new job offer that may or may not even exist....we assume it does exist. What had Tuey seeking new employment in the first place was Mayor Steve Noble himself and not even an extra 22k a year, which would have made him the highest paid employee in the city could change that. Makes you wonder how bad must it be over there at city hall where Tuey was able to deal w Mayor Shayne Gallo for four years and his bipolar outbursts?!  In the end Tuey could deal with mental instability but not major incompetence in a Mayor more interested in bike lanes and composting than saving Kingston money. Tuey wanted off the sinking ship known as the Noble administration before the inevitable tax hikes started that Tuey as Comptroller saw coming a mile away to pay for Noble's alt left agenda to radically change Kingston.

Tuey played his cards perfectly, he leaves the city with reputation intact elevated by Mayor Noble who begged him to stay when all outside observers agreed that a new Comptroller for less than the current 96k annual salary Tuey made after being with the City for close to a decade was an easy decision. The budget session is far enough away that there is plenty of time to get a new Comptroller up to speed. Mayor Noble has a week now to scramble and replace Tuey or temporarily put Deputy Comptroller Crystal Knox in the job while he does a more detailed search.