Quoted Text

Partisan politics are already at work in running of Metroplex

    Your May 17 editorial, “Tedisco should keep out of Metroplex Affairs,” highlights two problems regarding efforts to bring true economic revitalization to downtown Schenectady.
    The first is the Gazette’s editorial policy, which seems to reflect a liberal bias. This editorial, admonishing Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, who represents part of the city, to basically mind his own business, is troubling. Would the Gazette prefer that he not weigh in on issues affecting the voters he represents? Although this letter in not intended to defend Tedisco [he doesn’t need it], the editorial itself conjures up the biblical beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps there should be a tenth beatitude that reads: “Blessed are those who can live in glass houses and refrain from throwing rocks, for they shall build lasting legacies of accomplishment.”
    Despite recent changes in the bill, I see nothing wrong with a more deliberate approach in raising the cap. An additional $10 million now should be sufficient to meet foreseeable needs. Going back for more later when we can afford it, and there is a clearly established benefit to be realized, is a reasonable approach.
    The second problem, for which the Gazette seems naïve at best or shamefully ignorant and biased at worst, is the insidious way partisan politics are trumping the original mission of Metroplex to operate on an apolitical basis. Surely you must be aware that Susan Savage, chairwoman of the county Legislature, proudly claims that she recruited Ray Gillen to the position of county commissioner of planning and simultaneously engineered his appointment to the Metroplex chairmanship.
    The issue is not whether Mr. Gillen has done a good job. The issue is Savage’s direct involvement in the selection of the Metroplex chairman; it subverts the statutory intent of maintaining the apolitical character of public authorities. The appointment of a high-level county employee as Metroplex chairman has major potential for political influence on Metroplex affairs.
    Metroplex has done a very good job meeting its major goal of revitalizing downtown Schenectady. Now, it needs to focus more on the very tough task of job creation, which is the real essence of meaningful economic development.
    In the meantime, let’s stop fueling illfounded and partisan bickering, support the progress in our economic development pursuits that is now so visible, and encourage Metroplex to start emphasizing job creation.
    HARRY APKARIAN
    Schenectady
The writer is former vice chairman of Metroplex.

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Legislature supports first bond cap bill Action seeks to go around GOP’s Metroplex proposal
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    The Metroplex Development Authority’s efforts to increase its bonding cap and extend its lifespan hit a political snag following action by the Schenectady County Legislature Wednesday night.
    The snag could hinder efforts by the county’s top economic development engine to fund revitalization projects along lower State Street and within industrial parks.
    Majority Democrats in the Legislature want state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, to reconsider home rule legislation they sent to the state Legislature in April.
    To do so would require Farley to ignore legislation proposed by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco and Assemblyman George Amedore, fellow Republicans. Their legislation amended the county’s home rule request.
    Farley said Wednesday night that he is not willing to do that.
    “I am not going to be part of this game, and I’m not going around Assemblyman Tedisco,” he said.
    Farley said the county Legislature’s resolution puts the current Metroplex legislation in limbo.
    “They don’t have a bill to give a home rule message on,” he said.
    The county Legislature’s home rule legislation supports Senate Bill 7721, the original proposal. Farley amended his legislation, however. The Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions approved the amended version last week. There is no Assembly sponsor because Tedisco and Amedore did not take it up.
    Farley said he supports the amended version, calling the amendments modest.
    Tedicso’s and Amedore’s changes would bar political chairmen and certain county employees from serving on the Metroplex board. Democrats said the legislation targeted Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen, who is a county employee. They also called the changes political tinkering and unnecessary. Republicans said Gillen is exempt from the changes.
    Farley said that “Ray Gillen feels it is a good bill” and that he supports Gillen’s efforts.
    Farley said Tedisco would have to reintroduce the original legislation before he would consider making changes to the amended bill.
    “If Assemblyman Tedisco is willing to reintroduce the original legislation, I am willing to do that,” he said.
    County Legislature Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Niskayuna, called the Democrats’ measure “meaningless” and said it would prevent Metroplex from getting its bond cap raised to $75 million from $50 million. Metroplex also would not have its life extended by five years.
    Gillen said he could transform $25 million in bonds into $100 million in local economic development efforts. The bonds are backed by a dedicated portion of county sales tax that Metroplex receives annually.
    County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said she is confident Metroplex will get its bond cap raised and its life span extended.
    “There are a number of ways it can happen,” she said.
    One scenario is to obtain sponsors in the Assembly other than Tedisco and Amedore and for the state Senate to introduce the original bill. Savage said she has had discussions with state legislators about the Metroplex legislation.
    Farley said he has never seen that happen in his years in the Legislature, and he called the move insulting.
    In other business, the county Legislature approved a four-year contract with unionized workers at the Glendale Home. The 180 employees will receive 3 percent raises each year while the county will achieve significant savings through changes in health care coverage.
    The Legislature also approved a resolution that asks the state Department of Health’s permission to build a $51 million, 200-bed nursing home on the Glendale Home’s campus. The county hopes to have the facility open by 2010.     

Quoted Text

One scenario is to obtain sponsors in the Assembly other than Tedisco and Amedore and for the state Senate to introduce the original bill. Savage said she has had discussions with state legislators about the Metroplex legislation.

Quoted Text

Quoted from bumblethru:
Do you really think that the motive here is 'working together'? ...

Quoted from Shadow

I think Suzie thinks that she walks on water, is untouchable, and is responsible to no one.  

Quoted Text

EDITORIALS
Time for compromise on Metroplex

    Only in Schenectady does it seem that a mostly successful economic development program — one almost single-handedly responsible for the revival of the city’s moribund business district, among other accomplishments — could be jeopardized by partisan politics the way the Metroplex Development Authority is now being jeopardized.
    That’s just what’s going on as a result of the standoff between Democratic county officials and Republican state legislators over home-rule legislation that the county needs these lawmakers to sponsor in the state Legislature so Metroplex can continue to borrow money against anticipated sales tax receipts.
    Metroplex has spent or loaned all but $8 million of the $50 million allowed under its original charter, and has been seeking permission for a $25 million increase in its bonding cap. The county Legislature went along, and so, at first, did Sen. Hugh Farley; but Assemblyman James Tedisco decided he couldn’t leave well enough alone, insisting, among other things, that the cap should be raised by only $10 million, pending the outcome of an audit by the state comptroller’s office. Then Tedisco, Assemblyman George Amedore and Farley decided to compromise, dropping their demand for a smaller debt cap hike if county leaders would agree to a few somewhat reasonable measures aimed at keeping political apparatchiks off the Metroplex board.
    Unfortunately, county leaders are resisting any effort by the state legislators to meddle. They endorsed their original home rule proposal at a meeting Wednesday night, claiming that if Tedisco, Farley, et al. won’t go along, they’ll find other state lawmakers to sponsor the bills. That’s not the way it usually works in Albany, and despite what Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage seems to think, it probably won’t work this time.
    She may be right, in principle, about the state legislators butting in, but her obstinance on this not only threatens Metroplex’s future, but to once again make Schenectady politics a laughingstock at the Capitol.
    Savage should stop trying to delude herself: Tedisco and the Republicans hold the cards here. And they’ve compromised from their original, ill-advised position. It’s time for Savage and the Democrats to meet them halfway.     

Quoted Text

Quoted Text

EDITORIALS
Time for compromise on Metroplex

    Only in Schenectady does it seem that a mostly successful economic development program — one almost single-handedly responsible for the revival of the city’s moribund business district, among other accomplishments — could be jeopardized by partisan politics the way the Metroplex Development Authority is now being jeopardized.
    That’s just what’s going on as a result of the standoff between Democratic county officials and Republican state legislators over home-rule legislation that the county needs these lawmakers to sponsor in the state Legislature so Metroplex can continue to borrow money against anticipated sales tax receipts.
    Metroplex has spent or loaned all but $8 million of the $50 million allowed under its original charter, and has been seeking permission for a $25 million increase in its bonding cap. The county Legislature went along, and so, at first, did Sen. Hugh Farley; but Assemblyman James Tedisco decided he couldn’t leave well enough alone, insisting, among other things, that the cap should be raised by only $10 million, pending the outcome of an audit by the state comptroller’s office. Then Tedisco, Assemblyman George Amedore and Farley decided to compromise, dropping their demand for a smaller debt cap hike if county leaders would agree to a few somewhat reasonable measures aimed at keeping political apparatchiks off the Metroplex board.
    Unfortunately, county leaders are resisting any effort by the state legislators to meddle. They endorsed their original home rule proposal at a meeting Wednesday night, claiming that if Tedisco, Farley, et al. won’t go along, they’ll find other state lawmakers to sponsor the bills. That’s not the way it usually works in Albany, and despite what Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage seems to think, it probably won’t work this time.
    She may be right, in principle, about the state legislators butting in, but her obstinance on this not only threatens Metroplex’s future, but to once again make Schenectady politics a laughingstock at the Capitol.
    Savage should stop trying to delude herself: Tedisco and the Republicans hold the cards here. And they’ve compromised from their original, ill-advised position. It’s time for Savage and the Democrats to meet them halfway.    

Quoted from 191

True, and Amedor and Jimmu have compromised. Sometimes they need to since I don't think Metroplex is gonna shut down anytime soon, right? Savage doesn't seem to like the word 'compromise' on any issue that comes up before her. Time for the Democrats to throw her out and get someone new.