Day 234 (7+ months from start of performance audit)


From the notes from the April 24, 2008 Governance Committee Meeting of the Schenectady  Metroplex Development Authority:

Quoted Text

Update — Office of State Comptroller Performance Audit

Matthew Horton, OSC Associate Examiner, said that he and his staff started on April 14. No audit objectives have been established to date. In the interim, they have been reviewing the Authority’s financial information. He expects that the work will be completed by the end of May. General discussion followed.

When I spoke early in January 2008 to representatives in the Office of the State Comptroller, I was informed that audits generally take a few months to complete unless there are issues identified that warrant further investigation.  We have been awaiting the results of the audit of the Metroplex by the State Comptroller's Office for 7+ months.  Since the audit was commenced, our elected "representatives" have authorized an increase of $25M in the bond cap and an extension of 8 years to the charter of the public authority.  Meanwhile, we, the residents of Schenectady County are left waiting for the accountability and transparancy that should be enforced by the state government

Might the delay in the release of the report suggest that problems have been found, that the review has been mired in partisan politics,
that there is wasteful inefficiency in government, or is there another preferably more palatable explanation?  

This thread will be updated until answers are received.  In the semblance of the media reporting of the Iran Hostage Crisis, the countdown will continue ...

Day 234, No answers to report.

Maybe channel 6 will investigate what the problem in getting the results of the audit is.

Brad......I think you need another pot of coffee......geez.....no wonder the state hires outside contractors......well, atleast they dont get the
'lifetime' bennies.......

Don't hold your breath, Shadow.  I suspect that someone may have secured the silence and/or cooperation of the local media based on the deafening
silence in reporting this and related issues.  There seems to be few investigative reporters remaining in the local market.

My guess is most of NYS is deaf to things like this.....the media being the fluff and cover for more than just wall street.....

The Katie Couric types have ruled as the 'secretary's of state'(especially NYS) media for too long.....they think they are separate from
us.....acting like saviors.....'you have asked for this'...'you have complained'...........sort of......hell, just report....do your job
media......earn your title as the peoples media of America........get over your responsibility of your narcistic selves......

What happened to all of this so called 'transparency' in government? We, the taxpayers, who pay for this metrobeast, shouldhave had the results of this audit long ago.

Now that election day has come and gone the State Audit of Metrograft must be released. Brad must be strongly supported for staying on this vital issue.

    No news does not mean good news. Forget about the horrible mainstream media around here. BS-6 flatly refuses to update the Big Hose Scandal. The People's Gazetto wrote that the taxpayers wasting $275,000 was a good thing! The Christmas Parade had the worst attendance ever and Legally Blonde had several half filled performances. Parisi's Steakhouse has been permanently closed for over a month with no Metrograft comment. This site is the only place for unbiased Metrograft news. All the news that's not fit to print.

I commend Brad for his diligence in this matter. But I also think it is time that ALL of us summons the comptroller and ask for results and findings. It is also sad to think that channel 6, who prides themselves on their segment on 'your money', will not follow up on the Big House. Or even the audit for that matter.

Is it that our government is closing the door on the media, or is the media just another arm of the government? Could it be that they are ALL corrupt? Please someone, say it's 'no'!

Day 235 - Still no release of audit findings despite field work being completed in early August.

I agree with bumble that more must call for answers.  A single voice will not be heard.  A raucous choir is
required.  Other names need to be in support of this call for government accountability and transparency.  Others must pen letters to the editor of the Spotlight or of the Times Union calling for the report findings to be released.  Those who are passive are allowing for their voices to be silenced.

Provided below the URL to the web page on which the audit results are posted in reverse chronological (date)
order.

http://www.osc.state.ny.us/audits/auditdatelist.htm

Day 236 - Several audit reports posted to the NYS Office of the Comptroller web site.  None pertaining to the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority

Brad, have audits that were started AFTER Metroplex's already been completed?

Don't know the answer to that question, MT.  Not sure that the start dates are available at the site.  I
found the start date of the Metroplex audit on the Metroplex web site (in the minutes of one of the
meetings).

Might be interesting to find out.  Thanks for the info - keep up the outstanding work!

Day 237 - New York State Closed for Business

Day 239 - No new audit results posted to the NYS Office of the Comptroller web site.  Time stands still.