Rotterdam Supervisor Steven Tommasone said he is committed to using a portion of the $1 million the town received this year from Metroplex for economic development, including building infrastructure.
“Our administration, in my view, has been the first to carry through on utilizing those funds for planning and economic development,” he said.
During last year's budget workshop, I tried to earmark a portion of our share of the metroplex revenue for economic development. That was the intended use for the revenue although not a mandate. The board did not not agree with my vision at the time.
........and plans that generate more $$ to build infrastructure ,to make make more plans that make more $$ to build infrastructure to make more......etc etc.........
seems like the engine is started and this merry-go-round will produce and is in the right time and at the right place.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
“In my opinion this is the nicest manufacturing space in the entire Capital Region,” he said.
Here Gillen was referring to the Rotterdam Industrial Park. And this is all well and good. But the fact remains that Galesi has a gazillion dollars already and could have developed that park whenever he wanted. The metroplex should have invested our tax dollars into the infrustructure of the county BEFORE they dolled up State Street. They are doing things a** backwards.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
ROTTERDAM Town demands Metroplex name appointment BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Rotterdam officials are demanding the county Legislature immediately appoint the town’s nominee to the Metroplex Development Authority Board of Directors, in a tiff based on a fear the organization is considering moving local businesses to other Schenectady municipalities. In a resolution passed unanimously Wednesday, Town Board members called on County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage to immediately appoint Patrick Saccocio to the Metroplex board; Saccocio was nominated to replace Arthur Brassard, who resigned from the Metroplex board in June. Saccocio was nominated by the town in August,. Among the 11 positions on the Metroplex board, six are up for reappointment, including each of the town-selected representatives. With the exception of Brassard, all of the town members have continued to serve the board until the Legislature ratifies the new appointments. Because they lack representation on Metroplex, Rotterdam officials expressed concern over potential deals to move companies out of town. “The county should never allow personnel to be utilized for such efforts, nor should the county ever allow for even the appearance that the legislative body would condone such activity,” the resolution states. Savage said the demand for Saccocio’s confirmation isn’t warranted because of all the appointments are up next month. Savage, a Democrat, said the timeline to approve appointments this year has been no different than any other period over the last decade. “Everyone has been held over, so it really hasn’t been an issue except with Art Brassard, who resigned to take a political position,” she said Thursday. But Rotterdam board member John Mertz, a Republican and the author of the town resolution, was skeptical. He said the message is intended as a safeguard to ensure the county either confirms a Rotterdam appointment immediately or stops any potential Metroplex deals that would pull business from the town. “It’s a screaming message to county Legislature — you need to make sure we’re not harmed in this process,” he said. “This goes to transparency in government and accountability to the taxpayers.” Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said the town’s concerns are unfounded. As evidence, he pointed to the $119 million worth of new investment his agency has assisted in bringing to the town, including the FedEx and Railex facilities and other development in the Rotterdam Industrial Park. “Metroplex is not involved with efforts to take companies out of Rotterdam,” he said. “The track record is clear,” The agency did help move Villa Italia from Rotterdam’s Hamburg Street to Broadway in the city two years ago. In this instance, however, Gillen said the company had already planned a move outside Schenectady and Metroplex only assisted to rein the business back into the county. “Instead of recognizing the positive impact of this coordinated economic development program, some town officials want to continue to look in the rear view mirror pointing to a single case where a company moved from Rotterdam to the city,” he said. Part of the town’s worry may stem from future expansion plans being considered by the Golub Corp., which now maintains the Price Chopper distribution center and corporate headquarters in Rotterdam. Company officials said they are exploring expansion of the warehouse and headquarters off Duanesburg Road in an area that is largely surrounded by wetlands. “We have wetlands issues here in terms of further development,” said company spokeswoman Mona Golub. “We are exploring our options of growing this company in Schenectady [county] and we have every intention of doing that.” Legislator Joseph Suhrada, RRotterdam, suggested the lack of a Rotterdam appointment on Metroplex and rumors of Golub’s expansion is tied to politics. He accused Savage of stonewalling the Rotterdam appointment to allow negotiations with the city to occur. “While there is no one watching guard for Rotterdam, [Savage] and the Democrats are attempting to entice the Golub Corporation out of Rotterdam and into downtown Schenectady,” he said. “Apparently, the Democrats have declared war on the Rotterdam taxpayers.” Town officials declined to identify any pending action or active negotiations that might have prompted the resolution. Mertz said the only motivation behind the message was to ensure Rotterdam has a voice in any discussion that may later have a negative effect on town business. “We’re asking for reassurance that Metroplex efforts aren’t being used to raid the town’s businesses at all,” he said.
“Metroplex is not involved with efforts to take companies out of Rotterdam,” he (Gillen) said. “The track record is clear,”
The agency did help move Villa Italia from Rotterdam’s Hamburg Street to Broadway in the city two years ago. In this instance, however, Gillen said the company had already planned a move outside Schenectady and Metroplex only assisted to rein the business back into the county.
Even if this company PLANNED on moving out of Schenectady County and they wanted to help keep them in the county, couldn’t they have stayed at their location, or at least in the town of Rotterdam?
Quoted Text
“Instead of recognizing the positive impact of this coordinated economic development program, some town officials want to continue to look in the rear view mirror pointing to a single case where a company moved from Rotterdam to the city,” he said.
Yeah, we’re looking at just this one thing…let’s forget about the fact that they pulled MVP out of the Industrial Park that they poured money into…
Quoted Text
Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said the town’s concerns are unfounded. As evidence, he pointed to the $119 million worth of new investment his agency has assisted in bringing to the town, including the FedEx and Railex facilities and other development in the Rotterdam Industrial Park.
-----------------------
Quoted Text
“Instead of recognizing the positive impact of this coordinated economic development program, some town officials want to continue to look in the rear view mirror pointing to a single case where a company moved from Rotterdam to the city,” he (Ray Gillen) said.
So, what have you given us to look forward to?
Joe Suhrada hit it on the head, as far as I'm concerned.
Quoted Text
Joe Suhrada - “While there is no one watching guard for Rotterdam, [Savage] and the Democrats are attempting to entice the Golub Corporation out of Rotterdam and into downtown Schenectady,” he said. “Apparently, the Democrats have declared war on the Rotterdam taxpayers.”
“We’re asking for reassurance that Metroplex efforts aren’t being used to raid the town’s businesses at all,” John Mertz said.
Neil Golub, CEO of the Golub Corporation IS on the board of the Metroplex. So we are talking one in the same here. I don't think intice is the right word. It seems that it could be a joint effort.
Yes Mr. Golub is on the board of the Metroplex. Clearly he is not a true republican. He clearly is in favor of big government. Mr. Golub, along with the rest of the dictatorship, clearly is in favor of taxing the people and spredding the wealth to who or whatever they deem fit. Including themselves.Ya know...socialism!
The democratic, socialist dictatorship needs to be dis-ban! And so does the Metroplex...like ASAP!! The metroplex is the golden calf that both parties want control of.
And I believe that some of us have heard the rumor that Golubs are considering moving the office complex to downtown and expanding the distribution center in place of it. However, I think a few years ago, we were all lead to believe that when the Golub's purchased those homes along Rt 7, it was for the future home of a new office complex. I believe that the golubs have been looking into re-routing roads in the area of Dunnsville/Duanesburg...again! Now this could be due to a new future office complex, or just for the new warehouse expansion.
All I know is that everyone needs to start attending the county legislature meetings!!!! And if you can't go to the meetings, we can still flood them with emails!!! And Mr. Mertz, thanks for speaking up!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
All I know is that everyone needs to start attending the county legislature meetings!!!!
I can't agree more, Bumble. It is discouraging how few residents understand what the county government is doing.
The Metroplex Development Authority is responsible for over a half a million dollars a year in compensation to the FIVE staff members. The financial grants of public revenues to private business are nothing but a means to control and consolidate power further. While our taxes increase (by 9.7% this year), our infrastructure is decaying and crime is rampant in our communities.
Savage has declared war on the county taxpayers and now is waging a battle against the towns of Schenectady county by her refusal to approve the town's selection for appointment to the Metroplex Authority Board. While I call for the dissolution of the Metroplex Authority, we must have representation while the agency is being systematically dismantled.
If we are to take back our government, we each need to commit to becoming involved. That requires more than posting on this forum. We must get out the vote for the opponents to the present majority party members. It is not too late to begin to plan for the ouster from elected office of the Chair as 2009 is not that far away. Once the balance of power in the County Legislature shifts, we must continue with demands for smaller government, fiscal constraint, and transparancy and accountability of the actions and deeds of our elected representatives.
Savage has declared war on the county taxpayers and now is waging a battle against the towns of Schenectady county by her refusal to approve the town's selection for appointment to the Metroplex Authority Board. While I call for the dissolution of the Metroplex Authority, we must have representation while the agency is being systematically dismantled.
Z, I couldn't agree more. While the Metroplex Authority is being dismantled, the people need equal representation not only in the Metroplex Authority but also in the County Legilature elected body. Both of which lack equality. The deliberate actions to bar equal representation just reinforces the lack of trust and accountability.
It is time for the people to take a stand to take back their government which has served their own personal and political agendas with no regard for the over taxed people.
“We have wetlands issues here in terms of further development,” said company spokeswoman Mona Golub. “We are exploring our options of growing this company in Schenectady [county] and we have every intention of doing that.”
The city of Schenectady has a VERY LARGE gay/lesbian population that lives in the Stockade area(think Lark Street)...find out who they are backing......there are MANY forces at work....and while the politicians wont touch this with a 10' pole....I will.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
“We have wetlands issues here in terms of further development,” said company spokeswoman Mona Golub. “We are exploring our options of growing this company in Schenectady [county] and we have every intention of doing that.”
The city of Schenectady has a VERY LARGE gay/lesbian population that lives in the Stockade area(think Lark Street)...find out who they are backing......there are MANY forces at work....and while the politicians wont touch this with a 10' pole....I will.....
The conservatives will have a battle here......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The city of Schenectady has a VERY LARGE gay/lesbian population that lives in the Stockade area(think Lark Street)...find out who they are backing......there are MANY forces at work....and while the politicians wont touch this with a 10' pole....I will.....
And what's that got to do with the price of tea in China (or imported from there)?
The city of Schenectady has a VERY LARGE gay/lesbian population that lives in the Stockade area(think Lark Street)...find out who they are backing......there are MANY forces at work....and while the politicians wont touch this with a 10' pole....I will.....
And what's that got to do with the price of tea in China (or imported from there)?
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