In response to Rotterdam Town Board Member Gerard Parisi calling for state and county politicians to either cut the number of elected officials or reduce their pay and benefit packages in half, Town Supervisor Francis Del Gallo is asking why the local politician hasn’t donated any of his town board salary yet.
In a June 22 release, Parisi said, “Service as a representative of the people should be just that, public service. It should not be a way to line the pockets of elected officials.”
In response, Del Gallo said, “I agree that it should be about public service, so let’s see Gerard Parisi put his money where his mouth is for once.”
Parisi’s position on the Town Board has an annual salary of $10,000. Del Gallo earns an annual salary of $15,000. Del Gallo said he has already donated his entire salary back to Rotterdam.
“He [Parisi] is the one that sent an e-mail around about him running and giving back half of their pay in politics,” said Del Gallo. “What’s good for one is good for the other.”
Parisi said he was only addressing the “out of control” spending in county and state and never took a position asking anyone to donate any money. Parisi said the press release he sent out was in regards to his Assembly bid and not related to Rotterdam.
“The Town of Rotterdam is not the big problem,” said Parisi. “I don’t think Rotterdam’s pay is out of control.”
Del Gallo pointed out a bill by Parisi, who was formerly the town attorney, in late December 2009 where the town was billed for more than $13,000 in out-of-contract legal services and the services were not dated. He stated the New York State Comptroller’s Office Financial Management Guide requires invoices submitted to towns for services to include sufficient information to survive an audit by the state.
“Without dates, there is no way of knowing when the services occurred or if they were duplicated,” said Del Gallo in a statement.
In response, Parisi said there is no requirement to date the services, and if someone read the bill they would be able to see any duplicate services.
Parisi also said it was inappropriate for Del Gallo to release a press release with Town of Rotterdam letterhead and using town resources to address the matter since this subject isn’t town business.
Here is the Parisi press release Del Gallo sent that in response to. I don't see anything about donating money back, the response seems to make little sense.
PRESS RELEASE
Released: 6/22/10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE CALLS FOR DIVORCE
Wants Half from Politicians
105th Assembly District – Upon announcing his run for the 105th Assembly District Republican Gerard F. Parisi made two promises. He first promised to self-impose term limits upon himself. His second promise was to introduce significant cost saving proposals that he explained should have been being fought for by our current incumbent politicians. Today, he is starting to make good on his second promise by announcing his first fiscal proposals:
FIRST SLASHES TO BUDGET NEED TO BE POLITICIANS THEMSELVES
“The politicians who have created our budget problems for years need to look at themselves first. The taxpayers need a divorce from them and we want half!”, quipped Parisi
Parisi was referring to his first proposal which is to cut the number and/or pay and benefit packages of most state and county politicians in half. As an example, the Albany County Legislature has 39 members and assume a $30,000 financial package (salary, health, pension, etc). If that board was dropped to 20 members and each were paid a reduced annual financial package of only $15,000, the annual savings would be $870,000! If this was done on all state and county levels throughout New York, instant savings of tens of millions of dollars would be established. “They are quick to inflict the pain of their budget crisis on the taxpayers but never look to inflict any pain upon themselves, especially in these tough times. Politicians have been overpaid for years by themselves with unrealistic salaries, perks and benefits. Before we can propose credible cuts to others, we have to cut the legislators.”, he continued.
Parisi also specifically complains of the 6 figure packages of many state assemblyman for a part-time position. The packages in the New York State Assembly are staggering and are not realistic in the private sector, according to Parisi. “Service as a representative of the people should be just that, public service. It should not be a way to line the pockets of elected officials”, he added.
“Voters should be asking themselves what their legislator has done to reduce our state budget and our taxes, and before they look to others, have they looked at themselves. Only then can we make credible proposals in other areas of the budget.”, stated Parisi
During the course of the campaign Parisi will be making other fiscal proposals that will significantly reduce the state budget.
First.....we already have term limits. It is in november on election day!!!! The electorate makes that call!
Second.....like who the hell is going to listen to a 'wet behind the ears' peon from rotterdam telling these guy/girls to cut their salaries?Talk about political suicide!!
I thought I'd choke on my adult drink when I read this!!!!
FDG is looking smarter and smarter as time goes on!!!
Have the reps lost their minds?????????????????????
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
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
Del Gallo makes Parisi look like a child. Thanks for posting your press release Gerard, only you could have had it ready to post that quick.
FDG is right, you talk a big game until you have to put up. You thought nothing of asking CSEA full-time employees for all kinds of give backs (especially when you were only really looking for quid-pro-quos from the PBA). You're a disgrace and your attempt to continue to abuse people in our community is, thank God, coming to an end.
Interesting title you gave yourself for the press release "ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE CALLS FOR DIVORCE"
Bumble, I have to disagree with you on Gerard making everyone look bad, looks to me like FDG has put up a challenge that GP won't be able to live up to. Finally someone telling Gerard to go sit down, like a child.
Not once does he suggest cutting spending for government hand out programs. Not once does he mention an investigation and audit of the welfare system. Not once does he mention dismantling the metroplex. Not once does he mention dismantling NYS's tax paid health care that will only be a duplicate cost once obama care kicks in.
Term limits? Salary cuts?
WTH?
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
Zorro 3 hours ago you agreed that I wasn't Gerard, now all of a sudden I'm Gerard again? Make up your mind! Still waiting for those records on that other thread though.
Yes FDG makes GP look like a child, likely because Gp is half his age. I'm glad you are observant.
Bumble: During the course of the campaign Parisi will be making other fiscal proposals that will significantly reduce the state budget.
You're singing to the wrong choir spidey! GP couldn't shine GA shoes!!!
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
MT this is what's called 'dirty rotterdam politics'!!!! AT IT'S BEST!
pass the popcorn!
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
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