ROTTERDAM Supervisor seeks accounting of REMS funds BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Supervisor Frank Del Gallo is demanding a full accounting of the advance life support service funds collected by Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services Inc. over five years. In a letter sent to the not-forprofit ambulance service’s attorney last month, Del Gallo said the company’s practice of billing for services provided by the townoperated paramedics and keeping the proceeds was not supported in the contract with Rotterdam. He said “certain town employees” had informed him that those proceeds could be in excess of $300,000 between 2004 and 2009, based on call volume during those years. In the letter, Del Gallo states the town has a “fi scal responsibility to the taxpayers” to determine what happened to the funds. However, he doesn’t mention a specifi c course of action the town intends to take to either recoup or account for the funds. Contacted this week, Del Gallo said he’s not particularly interested in getting the paramedic reimbursements returned to the town. Rather, he wants to understand how much was collected by the company and what happened to the funds. REMS attorney Frank Salamone was somewhat perplexed by the letter. He said Del Gallo had previously indicated he wasn’t interested in recouping the funds, but the tone of the letter seems to suggest that’s his goal. “I just don’t know what the position of the town of Rotterdam is,” he said Tuesday. “It’s impossible for me to respond without knowing what I’m responding to.” Meanwhile, Del Gallo said he’s proceeding with a resolution to put Rotterdam’s ambulance contract and ALS billing contract out to bid. He intends to propose the resolution during the Town Board’s meeting next week and said he urged Dean Ronca, a member of the REMS Board of Directors, to craft a bid. “I told him to put a pencil to paper and draw up a bid,” he said. .........................>>>>.....................>>>>........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01204&AppName=1
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February 3, 2011, 6:24am
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Salamone - just tell the truth - how much was collected, that's what he's asking.
It's about time FDG realize that we'll never recoup those ALS funds...the best he can hope for is accountability of those involved in this illegal fleecing of the public.
On the bidding for ems...only after years of scheming for a tax district, finally getting the vote they thought would go their way that cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars....NOW they want to offer their service at no cost to taxpayers? NOW they want to generate ALS revenue for the TOWN???
They should have been doing these things all along and under no circumstance should they be given a contract until we can identify all of those accountable...and we should start with former Supervisor Steve Tommasone...who gave REMS the ALS money with no statutory authority whatsoever to do so.
Tommasone has some nerve talking about running for office again after this scam...and you can bet that if he says one word publicly about any intentions to run for anything I will be the first to call his sorry a$$ onto the carpet to answer for this...if the AG doesn't get him first.
However, he doesn’t mention a specifi c course of action the town intends to take to either recoup or account for the funds.
If the revenues were retained without written agreement with the town, it should be due and payable. If REMS doesn't have the funds, liens should be placed on their garages.
Salamone - just tell the truth - how much was collected, that's what he's asking.
When asked where all the ALS money went, Salamone could only say "operations"...a pretty broad term. If that is true then they should be able to account for those expenditures and put on a plan to repay the Town...but they can't even do that...never could...no matter how much they were given or how often...or how many times they have claimed to be "self sustaining"...the Town should not even consider a contract with REMS until a justified audit can be performed and the results reported.
“I just don’t know what the position of the town of Rotterdam is,” he said Tuesday. “It’s impossible for me to respond without knowing what I’m responding to.”
What a sorry answer. It does not matter if FDG pursues the ALS funds or not for Salamone to answer the question. It is simple; FDG wants to know where the money was spent. It is important for the residents of Rotterdam to know if the ALS money paid for the EMS services provided to the taxpayer OR did the unaccounted money get funneled into people’s personal accounts.
Rotterdamians should first be glad that FS never ended up on their town board. His comments are shady and he now appears to be back peddling.
It also appears that FS, who represents REMS, has changed direction like the wind. IF REMS was not going to cost the town anything....then why did they push for a vote for a taxing district? Why did they appear to be extorting money from the taxpayers when they are NOW saying they don't need it?
Since REMS was receiving $120K/year, they should full well be supplying the town with their profit/loss information to see what 'operations' the taxpayer's ALS money went to. The rotterdam town board/taxpayers should and has the right to demand it.
PUT IT OUT FOR BID!! imho
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
Who accused? FDG asked a question. FS had the option of answering quickly and truthfully, without hesitation. Instead, he had to look for an ulterior motive to "craft" a politically and legally defensive answer.
I was simply stating that everyone hates lawyers until they hire them...and even after they do!
Looks like FS has been hired by REMS...are you suggesting he not represent them effectively? I hope you don't require the same of your personal attorneys...
Looks like FS has been hired by REMS...are you suggesting he not represent them effectively?
It is typical slimmy lawyer crap! The rotterdam taxpayers are sick and tired of it. The FACT is that FS just ran for rotterdam town board to represent the taxpayers of rotterdam and oversee how their money is spent....correct? I guess that concept just got flushed down the crapper, huh?
Didn't GP represent REMS before FS?
If that's the case.........well there ya have it.
As far as hating lawyers until ya need one? People have no choice.........that's the way the system is set up!
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 FACT is that FS just ran for rotterdam town board to represent the taxpayers of rotterdam and oversee how their money is spent....correct? I guess that concept just got flushed down the crapper, huh?
Once I applied to McDonald's to flip burgers. I didn't get the job, but every time I go for lunch I help behind the counter for a few minutes. I refuse to flush that concept down the crapper.
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