What do you do for work?
Collin Hayes
When people ask me what I do for work, I usually give the short answer: "I'm a Legal Editor for a company that publishes local laws." That response satisfies most people's curiosity without going into too much detail.
I admit that there have been times when I've given too much information and eyes start to glaze over. But, in my humble opinion, my job is far more fascinating than it sounds, and it's given me a unique perspective I believe will be invaluable on the Town Council.
In essence, I work with local governments to ensure their laws are up-to-date, legally sound, and reflect their current procedures.
Imagine a town that has never organized its local laws. They send us a stack (electronically, of course) of every law they have on record - sometimes hundreds of ordinances dating back over a century! My team and I act like legal detectives. We pore through everything to determine what's still in effect, discarding laws that have been repealed or superseded. Legislation that is still in effect is organized into chapters by subject matter, and the provisions are numbered so that they can be easily referenced and located in a lengthy Code.
Then comes my favorite part: the editorial and legal analysis. I dive deep into each chapter of the newly organized code, hunting for conflicts and outdated provisions. This involves researching complex legal issues and asking precise questions to help municipalities modernize their laws.
Here are some common issues I encounter:
Local laws that no longer comply with state or federal changes.
Inconsistent terminology, like using "Animal Control Officer" in one section and "Dog Warden" in another; or defining "multiple dwelling" in the zoning definitions section, but using "multifamily dwelling" throughout the rest of the chapter.
Conflicting regulations, such as a 1995 zoning law setting a 6-foot fence height limit, but a 2000 junkyard ordinance requiring an 8-foot fence.
Outdated ordinances, like a 112-year-old law requiring a $1 permit for keeping pigs, hogs or swine that is clearly no longer enforced.
Penalties that need updating to align with current statutes.
After our analysis, clients make their desired updates, and we then thoroughly edit and copyread the code, imposing a uniform style and correcting spelling, grammatical and typographical errors. We then publish the code, both in print and online.
Throughout this process, I work hands-on with busy municipal employees, guiding them to create a useful and accessible legal code for their community.
Why is this important? Because a municipality's code is often overlooked but it's a vital element of local government. Ensuring laws are up-to-date, publicly available, and legally sound aids in enforcement and can protect the community from legal liability.
My job gives me a unique insight into what works well in communities across New York State and how we can improve right here in Avon. I'm excited to bring this knowledge and experience to our Town Council if elected.
