Oneida County Committee votes to abolish coroner system, in favor of an appointed medical examiner

The jobs of four elected Oneida County coroners are on the chopping block.

This comes after the Health and Human Services Committee has voted to abolish the corner system and replace them with a single appointed medical examiner.

The Oneida County Executive says the county needs a more efficient and accountable system.

But, one coroner says the County hasn't given him a chance to suggest improvements.

"The system is broken. We can fix it. Give us a chance," said David Julian, one of the four coroners.

Julian says he isn't too happy about the recent six to three vote to abolish the coroner's system and instead appoint a medical examiner. The only real difference between the two is that an medical examiner can actually perform autopsies.

But, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says the system has been an on-going issue for a number of years.

"It's about the process it's about the system that is in place. I believe the system is inefficient. No one is in charge," explained Picente.

Mr. Picente says the job requires a high level of supervision. He says it's not about the coroner's performance. Picente says a requirement of good documentation in the terms of cause of death, investigations and how it all gets processed are all factors that fall into play.

"I think it's about taking the next step into the 21st century into a medical examiner vs. the antiquated four coroners," said Picente.

But, David Julian says Picente is not giving them a chance to improve the coroner's system.

"I came on board and asked to be a help to make this more efficient. I was shut out of the county executive office," said Julian.

Mr. Julian says if the County decides to change the system  they will be losing money, instead of saving it.

He says he has been thinking of various ideas like appointing a head coroner as well as finding an office for the coroners to make the job run more smoothly.

The County Executive says making the switch is not a savings or added expense.

Mr. Picente says the legislation must go through the Ways and Means Committee in order for the full Board of Legislators to vote on it come May.