Last updated: 5:32 p.m., Monday, October 5, 2009 SCHENECTADY -- Mayor Brian U. Stratton's 2010 budget calls for a 5.8 percent tax rate increase along with higher water and sewer fees. While the $78.8 million budget released this afternoon would raise spending by 4 percent, the tax levy, which is the total amount to be raised by property taxes, would jump 8.6 percent in the proposal.
The mayor said the increases were the result of higher pension and health insurance costs as well as a cut in state aid.
Stratton delayed the release of his budget two weeks ago, saying it would have resulted in a 20 percent tax hike.
He is urging the City Council to review the budget and make changes that could possibly lower the tax rate. The council must adopt the city budget by Nov. 1.
This is the old DEM rope a dope. Propose a super high budget. Then come in lower but still outrageous and nobody says nuthin. Great job Mayor-you really listened to the people-lol. Another con job. He still refuses to cut anything. 4% INCREASE IN SPENDING. Give back your JEEP.
The other joke is Gary McCarthy. Death Ray really changed things? "No more press releases with no follow up"? {actual quote} Righto-like THE Big House-like Robinson Square-like the Diner-like Van Dyke-like the retail center on Nott St-like Clinton Square Ditch-etc. Yeah Death Ray changed things alright-from bad to worse.
SOS does absolutely nothing. And yet the guy gets re-elected.....with a healthy raise. Exactly what is it that he does? I mean really?
When are the sheople of schenectady going to smarten up with this guy? And here's one better yet....when are the reps or possibly a new NNTP candidate going to run against him?
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
The REPS voted to commit suicide and nobody cares. Flush twice.
The only hope for the City is the NNTP. It must go Countywide. The DEMS have taken over everything.
Stratton only won by 150 votes over Peter G. That was before he raised taxes 30%, refused to reform the SPD, and supported this stunad County force. If Peter G ran as a NNTP in 2011 he would win in a landslide-along with every other NNTP candidate. We have hit rock bottom. The working together team has been fired.
To say that it’s been a difficult budget year for localities would surely be an understatement. Still, the leaders of most of this region’s cities and towns have managed to come up with budget proposals that wouldn’t raise taxes much beyond the nearly dormant rate of inflation. Then there’s Schenectady, where Mayor Brian Stratton has just unveiled a budget that would not only raise taxes 5.8 percent but would cut the city’s cash-flow cushion in half at a time that it badly needs bolstering. What gives? Stratton trots out the usual suspects — the rising cost of employee benefits and pensions — but all municipal leaders have these to deal with. There’s also $1.2 million in added debt service — thanks in large part to the $20 million garage/ office/salt storage edifice being built for the Bureau of Service on Foster Avenue. Was it really necessary? There’s also the annual tax lien sale: The city has netted more than $20 million from these since Stratton took office, but the company that’s been buying them all these years — and collecting on 98 percent of the delinquencies — has been gradually reducing how much it will pay. This year, it slashed the amount from 92 cents on the dollar to just 77!............>>>>..................................>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00703&AppName=1
Stratton-PUNTS! This from the same editors that once called him Mayor 4 Life? Meanwhile in prosperous Saratoga they are cutting 50 City employees. Never in Strattonville. Bring on the NNTP COUNTYWIDE.
The problem is his total lack of business/private sector experience. To add insult to injury Son of Sam is speaking at a "smart growth" seminar at Proctor's with along with Mr. Morris? You can't make this up.
First....Saratoga is also eliminated some police and figherfighter jobs according to the radio this morning.
Second....I am not a fan of SOS, but in defense of him, the gazette ends it's editorial by saying that with SOS is throwing this responsibility to the city council and that this would not have been done if he were the CEO of a private sector business.
WRONG! The CEO of a business will always go back to each department head and are TOLD to CUT COSTS. Either by percentage or a monetary amount.
However, it does appear that SOS and Paterson.....do the same thing....they 'suggest' that each dept cut costs/spending. And when they don't.....oh well!
SOS as with paterson and other government leaders.....they are clearly NOT STRONG LEADERS!
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
Saratoga eliminated jobs across the board-like Son of Sam refuses to do. Schenectady needs a 15% across the board layoff to send a message.
A CEO leads, he will go back to department heads but there is an agenda-a plan. What's the plan? Raise taxes to the constitutional limit-then reassess properties so you can raise some more. Son of Sam does nothing than he hot potatoes it to Mark Blanchard the only one "over there" with any business sense.
Paterson and Son of Sam are branches from the same socialist tree. Remember Son of Sam "worked" for Paterson when he was a State Senator. Both should resign in disgrace.
You were right. His knows as much about sauce as he does budgeting. More people are waking up on this complete failure. Even DEMS who are stick of his taxes and blaming others for his failures. Look for a primary if he is stunad enough to run again-for anything. The REPS voted to commit suicide.
Back to Saratoga-they are cutting their budget by $2 MILLION to $34 MILLION while Stratton INCREASES SPENDING 4% in a recession. The Attorney General should investigate this new City Garage-they could have had the Armory for a song.
i'll rephrase.. i really hate him raising our costs instead of fixing issues.. i think it's irresponsible...
Don't ever change or rephrase what you post here cause of SAL! He knows not of what he speaks or reads or hears! Just ignore the troll....everyone else does!
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
Logged
This is the old DEM rope a dope. Propose a super high budget. Then come in lower but still outrageous and nobody says nuthin. Great job Mayor-you really listened to the people-lol. Another con job. He still refuses to cut anything. 4% INCREASE IN SPENDING. Give back your JEEP.
The REPS voted to commit suicide and nobody cares. Flush twice. 
