I look at the old plaza at Curry and Guilderland ( along with that burned out building ) and also the sorry state of affairs that the Capital Plaza on Altamont ave. has become.

I know that the Recovery Room is putting a restaurant there, but I cant help but think that having 8 + local businesses instead of 1 restaurant and bar is much much better.

I went to many of the businesses at Capital Plaza, the old bar that was there always had good food and a good music in my experiences.  The seamstress there was excellent and how many mens clothing stores are left anywhere local?  Seems a real shame they are all gone.

The Curry and Guilderland plaza keeps being mentioned about turning into another drug store ( just what the town needs ).  

So instead of having 12 + businesses in the town, we trade all that off for a boarded up corner and a bar?  

Really?  

You are using too much common sense here magik.

In rotterdam it is all about political parties, who you know, what you know with no regard for the taxpayers. If rotterdam doesn't get these clowns out of office soon, rotterdam, as we knew it, will just be a fond memory and will be a twin of the city. In just a little over 6months, look at the damage that is already being done to rotterdam. And how many more years is left with this bunch?

Most importantly, and the most similarity to the city, is how, we the taxpayers, had to dole out over $100K to seal a deal between a PRIVATE seller and buyer!!! That is absured, shameful and scandalist!

It's sad, but instead of 'scandal', it's become a government strategy!

IT'S TIME TO TAKE YOUR COUNTY BACK FOLKS!!!!

Personally, I would have preferred a WalGreens on the site - but that ship has sailed away never to return.  So lets hope that the current proposal works out and is a benefit to the town.

Capital Plaza is privately owned correct?  This is between the buyer and seller.  The town has no stake in it.  Well, not until they interject themselve into it using the taxpayer check book.  

Quoted from CICERO

Capital Plaza is privately owned correct?  This is between the buyer and seller.  The town has no stake in it.  Well, not until they interject themselve into it using the taxpayer check book.  

The town's "stake" in Capital Plaza is expanding our tax base and igniting interest in economic development in our town.   As far as the taxpayer's check book, IDA gets little .. if any .. from the town budget .. and gets funds through grants and bond issues .. and successfully completing one project and rolling funds to the next project.

The only way IDA hits the taxpayers check books .. is the way the old IDA gave out PILOTS the way dentists used to give lollipops to their child patients.
Lets curb the PILOTS and let IDA & Metroplex draw new business and tax base to our town.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The town's "stake" in Capital Plaza is expanding our tax base and igniting interest in economic development in our town.   As far as the taxpayer's check book, IDA gets little .. if any .. from the town budget .. and gets funds through grants and bond issues .. and successfully completing one project and rolling funds to the next project.

Quoted Text

Metroplex will provide a $65,000 grant toward the cost of demolition. The Rotterdam IDA will provide a grant of $60,000 toward the cost of site work and demolition.

Yes, $125K magically appears, without the taxpayer paying a penny.  That's the way politicians keep money "off budget" by passing the cost on to a generation of people that can't even vote for them, through bonds.  Very Democratic, wouldn't you say?   They are just spending money MY kids will have to pay for in the future.  But what the hell, that's $125K BBL doesn't have to pony up, I'm sure BBL will know who to write those campaign contibution checks to.

The government should NOT be involved in PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS!! Sweetening the pot and sealing a deal with taxpayer's money is just a form of extortion. Yes extortion! When the government gets involved in PRIVATE transactions between PRIVATE sellers and buyers it does 3 things.....
1. It inflates the government to a platform of false economic dependency and security.
2. It also makes a false appearance that it is the 'government' and not 'capitalism/businesses' that drives success!
3. It places the government in the decision making on exactly who and what business gets created and where, which ultimately leads to corruption and back room deals and yes even kick backs and guaranteed campaign donations. (which happens now!!)
.........and the metroplex, as a prime example, is guilty of all three!!!

NYS is the most business un-freindly state in the country. There are no business coming to NYS...why?  Laws, regulations, fees, high taxes, more taxes and more taxes!!! Businesses are fleeing NYS and new ones are non-existent. So now, to lure them into NYS, they expect 'we the people/taxpayers' to foot the bill, to seal deals, that wouldn't be necessary if these regulations/taxes never existed.

As far as grants and bond issues...........where did that money come from? THE TAXPAYERS!! They didn't just pull it out of thin air!
I'm all for tax incentives for business, in the short term. Let's face the facts here.....businesses are leaving NYS and new businesses won't come to NYS because OF NYS!!!

The metroplex/RIDA should have NEVER gotten in the middle of a private transaction using taxpayer's money!!

Quoted from CICERO

Yes, $125K magically appears, without the taxpayer paying a penny.  That's the way politicians keep money "off budget" by passing the cost on to a generation of people that can't even vote for them, through bonds.  Very Democratic, wouldn't you say?   They are just spending money MY kids will have to pay for in the future.  But what the hell, that's $125K BBL doesn't have to pony up, I'm sure BBL will know who to write those campaign contibution checks to.

Until I win the Megamillions and can afford to give out the grants myself  (from the private sector) then I will have to support the efforts of the IDA and Metroplex to bring real economic development to Schenectady County and the Town of Rotterdam.

BBL PAC        (is this bbl construction???  )
PO BOX 12789
ALBANY, NY 12212        

500.00            

23-JUN-10 SUSAN SAVAGE FOR SENATE 2010

July Periodic C State Senator 44

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Until I win the Megamillions and can afford to give out the grants myself  (from the private sector) then I will have to support the efforts of the IDA and Metroplex to bring real economic development to Schenectady County and the Town of Rotterdam.

It's not real economic development.  That's a political buzz word.

Abraham Linconln once asked the question:  

"How many legs a dog has if you call the tail a leg?"  When the person responds "five".  Lincoln said  "No, four, just because you call the tail a leg doesn't make it so."

Political buzz words carry no meaning.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Until I win the Megamillions and can afford to give out the grants myself  (from the private sector) then I will have to support the efforts of the IDA and Metroplex to bring real economic development to Schenectady County and the Town of Rotterdam.

Lowering taxes and cutting spending aren't even on your radar.

Quoted from littlesal

BBL PAC        (is this bbl construction???  )
PO BOX 12789
ALBANY, NY 12212        

500.00            

23-JUN-10 SUSAN SAVAGE FOR SENATE 2010

July Periodic C State Senator 44

Thanks for the address - i will make sure to write to them if I decide to run again.  

Quoted from CICERO

It's not real economic development.  That's a political buzz word.

Abraham Linconln once asked the question:  

"How many legs a dog has if you call the tail a leg?"  When the person responds "five".  Lincoln said  "No, four, just because you call the tail a leg doesn't make it so."

Political buzz words carry no meaning.

We will just have to agree to disagree on this matter.   I have seen Rotterdam languish for too many years (last 40 some) .. while other communities have developed sound town bases .. and these other towns are able to provide better services to their  residents.  I am willing to give the new IDA and Metroplex a chance  .. and see where it takes us.

What Communities?  How is the infrastructure in those Towns/Communities?  Rotterdam always puts the cart before the horse when talking development.  It's been that way for 40 years.  Why you ask?  Because everything is politics in Rotterdam, nobody has a long term vision.  The short term "gains"(political) always outweigh the sensible long term solutions.  

We're debating a Town dog park for god sakes.

Quoted from CICERO

What Communities?  How is the infrastructure in those Towns/Communities?  Rotterdam always puts the cart before the horse when talking development.  It's been that way for 40 years.  Why you ask?  Because everything is politics in Rotterdam, nobody has a long term vision.  The short term "gains"(political) always outweigh the sensible long term solutions.  

We're debating a Town dog park for god sakes.

Well the dog park (using a portion of an existing park)  was an idea that surfaced from a community meeting .. sponsored by the Parks Commission --which has been trying to provide a LONG TERM VISION for our parks and recreation.    

I have worked hard to keep the politics out of the commission -- and I have been asking the residents for "sensible solutions" and their ideas and vision.
It is not easy to keep politics out of town commissions -- I have sincerely tried and I believe that I have succeeded to some extent ...
don't forget .. the commission was created by the GOP led town board (one of its few good ideas)  and I was asked to be a part of it by a GOP town supervisor ---  you can bet that didn't sit well with some people in my own party.   But I took the position and have tried to lead the commission in a way that keeps it out of the partisan fray.   I am not asking for sympathy .. but I have taken some political bruises from my pwn party for taking on this assignment ...
and I do NOT regret it for a moment .. someday .. when I am old and gray .. I hope to be able to look back and say that  we (the commission and the people of the town) put a sound Parks plan together  .. and then executed it .. and gave future generations of town residents something to enjoy and be proud of.