Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito has stepped down from the Griffiss Local Development Corp. board after 15 years.

Destito, who has been a director since GLDC’s formation in 1994, said she resigned because of new Assembly rules that bar a member from serving on boards that receive state money through the efforts of that lawmaker. Over the years Destito has successfully requested that Assembly discretionary funds be channeled to GLDC to support the ongoing conversion of the former Griffiss Air Force Base into a business park. GLDC is tasked with the overseeing the redevelopment.

“It’s with mixed emotions,” Destito, D-116, Rome, told board members. “It’s bittersweet.”
Her years of service were noted by several board members, observing she had been part of the reuse of Griffiss from the start. The base’s active flying mission ended in 1995 as a result of the 1993 round of U.S. military installation closings and consolidations.

More than $350 million has been invested in Griffiss in public and private dollars in the last 12 years. More than 5,000 people work in the business park.

The board has 15 volunteer members with designations made by state, county and Rome officials. Two appointments are made by the Assembly speaker; two by the state Senate; five by the governor, including the county executive and mayor of Rome; three by the county executive; and three by the Rome mayor. Directors serve three-year terms and hold office until their successors have been appointed or designated.

With Destito’s resignation, there are now two vacancies. The other open seat was held by the former Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert, who retired from public office at the end of 2006. His old seat is one of the governor’s appointments, according to Mary Rizzo, spokesperson for Mohawk Valley EDGE, which provides staff for GLDC.

More information can be found at: Rome Sentinel