The Schenectady development agency working with their partners in crime(The Metroplex Authority) have accomplished virtually nothing.
The following video tells the tale of local IDAs but doesn't mention anything about their steroid enhanced massive big brother; The Schenectady Metroplex Authority, who have given out hundreds of millions in various corporate grants, massive tax exemptions, zero interest loans, very low interest loans and property giveaways.
The Schenectady IDA is a drop in the bucket compared to the humungous spending and giveaways of the Metroplex, who have no problem giving these same tax breaks, grants, no interest loans and properties to their own board members. The Metroplex gives themselves all the benefits and take over tons of properties only to rent them back to the city or other board members.
Job creation?
The only jobs created are legal positions to handle the Metroplex/Galesi Empire's assets.
You Paid For It: Public Authorities Updated: Monday, July 14 2014, 11:20 PM EDT
ALBANY -- Public authorities hand out a lot of public money in an effort to spur economic development and create jobs.
But are they really creating jobs? Click the following link for the video:
What is a Public Authority? Public authorities are corporate instruments of the State created by the Legislature to further public interests. Public authorities have various levels of autonomy from the State based on the powers, as well as the constraints, built into their legislative mandate. Some public authorities are completely self-supporting and operate entirely outside the budget process, while others rely on State appropriations to fund operations. In addition, most authorities are authorized to issue bonds—without voter approval—to develop and maintain infrastructure, such as roads and schools, or to fund projects for third parties, including hospitals and nursing homes. The debt service for these bonds is usually supported by revenues of the project, such as tolls that are levied by the authority, fees paid by the third party or appropriated payments from the State to repay outstanding debt. The State has also assigned specific revenue streams to an authority as a way for the authority to pay debt service. Unlike traditional State agencies, many authorities conduct business outside of the typical oversight and accountability requirements for operations including, but not limited to, employment practices, contracts and procurement procedures, and financial reporting. Each public authority is governed by a separate board of directors appointed by elected officials for varying terms of office. The Public Authorities Accountability Act of 2009 (Chapter 506 of the Laws of 2009) will require many new measures designed to improve the oversight and accountability of New York’s public authorities. New reporting requirements including mission statements, measurement reports and capital projects reporting will provide more information on authority operations. In addition, the State Comptroller is granted discretion to review certain public authority contracts ensuring a higher level of oversight of public authority contracts.
Mayor McCarthy and his team are doing a great job in the city. Keep up the good work.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
what was the jobs creation number that was tossed around last election cycle? 5500?
The taxpayers in this county have a BIRTHRIGHT ENTITLEMENT to have a COMPLETE DETAILED list of each and every job supposedly created.
This includes whether the job existed PRIOR to a taxpayer funded project, where the job was previously, how much it paid, how much it pays now, and whether a Schenectady city or county resident occupies the job, also, did the incumbent move into the city or county after taking the job (if a non city or county resident previously)
For the jobs "created" what is the title, pay, duty description, if the job was filled by a city or county resident, whether the person occupying the job was on public assistance previously, whether the person is still getting SOME public assistance, does the incumbent own or rent, did the incumbent either move INTO the city because of the job or buy a house since getting the job, educational background of the incumbent, age of incumbent. What insurance benefits are provided, what percent of the premium the employer pays, does insurance cover spouse and children? What is the pension plan if any?
Cost of the project, amount of tax exemptions, etc related to each job should be detailed, i.e., so we know how much it cost the taxpayers to create the job.
Such listings should include whether it's a metroFRAUD project (taxpayer funded) job, whether it is a job created/moved to the city or county that was a business that opened/moved here specifically because of the other plex jobs, and whether the jobs were created/moved here under conditions that had NOTHING to do with plex, etc (good examples, Shop Rite had NOTHING to do with plex; that expansion of Socha plaza has NOTHING to do with plex, and not a dime of tax money.)
And a list must also be provided of the jobs that dried up, same information above.
And NO, a certain "outreach" job serving the wealthy people in Niskayuna is NOT attributable to the dems or plex.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
The taxpayers in this county have a BIRTHRIGHT ENTITLEMENT to have a COMPLETE DETAILED list of each and every job supposedly created.
This includes whether the job existed PRIOR to a taxpayer funded project, where the job was previously, how much it paid, how much it pays now, and whether a Schenectady city or county resident occupies the job, also, did the incumbent move into the city or county after taking the job (if a non city or county resident previously)
For the jobs "created" what is the title, pay, duty description, if the job was filled by a city or county resident, whether the person occupying the job was on public assistance previously, whether the person is still getting SOME public assistance, does the incumbent own or rent, did the incumbent either move INTO the city because of the job or buy a house since getting the job, educational background of the incumbent, age of incumbent. What insurance benefits are provided, what percent of the premium the employer pays, does insurance cover spouse and children? What is the pension plan if any?
"Unlike traditional State agencies, many authorities conduct business outside of the typical oversight and accountability "
Expect a front page story, next day or so, from Ray Gillen once again denouncing these stories? Maybe a pilot story? Might use the now hip 10 yrs ago line likethe rest of the group ? Heck, maybe even address the falling property values in his booming, better then 10 yrs ago, downtown.
I'm waiting to see the "dear editor" letter in the Gazette or Times Union or both
Quoted Text
Dear Editor
In response to all the comments about Schenectady, let me assure you that Mayor McCarthy, Ray Gillen, and their teams are doing a great job in the city. Keep up the good work. The city is doing wonderful
Ronald Pinocchio S....
[eidtor's note the writer is a member of a town planning committee and is not a taxpayer]
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
There has been very little discussion in the past 5 or so years on this forum. Nayboobs whine, Someone disagrees with the Nayboobs -- the Nayboobs attack the person who disagrees. Same old sh*t - just a different day.
There is nothing wrong with a new marquee on Proctor's. There is nothing wrong with 98% of the improvements that have been made in the city and the county --- yet, you folks whine and complain .. and otherwise find some way to put it down.
Proof of mis-use of taxpayer money. Who will NOT discuss?
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
that expansion of Socha plaza has NOTHING to do with plex, and not a dime of tax money
I heard that recently elected county legislator Grant Socha switched parties and will now caucus with the Democrat majority. If true, what promise of favor caused him to change his political loyalty or did it result from a sudden epiphany re: ideology?
Socha Management Plans New Office Building on Route 50 in Glenville
(Schenectady County, NY) Schenectady County today joined with the Town of Glenville to announce plans by Socha Management to construct a new three-story 45,000 square foot mixed use building on Route 50 in the Town of Glenville. The company plans to invest up to $9,000,000 to build this new “mixed use” facility, designed to house retail, offices and corporate apartments. There are also hopes of attracting an established local restaurant.
William Socha, President of Socha Management said, "We feel that the time is right to move forward with a new mixed use building in Glenville as our other properties in the Town continue to perform very well. We have considerable interest by new tenants in this site and we look forward to working with the Town and County to move this project forward.”
Socha Management currently owns and manages Shady Lane Apartments with 444 garden apartments, a 40,000 square foot retail plaza and two office buildings totaling 30,000 square foot all located on Route 50 in Glenville.
Marty Finn, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and member of the County IDA said, "We welcome this new investment by the Socha Family and thank them for their commitment to Schenectady County. This new office building will add to the momentum we are seeing on the Route 50 corridor and is further proof that the County-led unified economic development plan is working.”
Chris Koetzle, Glenville Town Supervisor said, “We continue to work with the County, private investors and the town's Small Business and Economic Development Committee to attract new development in Glenville. The Socha’s commitment to Glenville is well-known and we are sure this project will be a great addition to our community.”
The County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which is administered by Metroplex as part of the County’s unified economic development team, will provide IDA benefits to the project in the form of a waiver on sales tax for building materials used to construct the new building and a payment in lieu of tax (pilot) that sets taxes on the new building at 50% of full value in year one increasing by 5% each year. The company will continue to pay 100% of taxes on the land where the project will be built. The result is more tax revenue for the County, Town and School District. Town officials will handle local approvals for the project.
In recent years, Schenectady County’s economic development team has worked with Town officials to bring a new Target store to a formerly vacant retail site, a new retail building adjacent to Target, a new $20 million Naval Reserve Center and Fortitech to the Airport Business Park, Mohawk Honda to a vacant car dealership and other smart growth investments to the Route 50 corridor.
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Well then, another WASTE of tax money. I had heard differently so I stand corrected.
Another rich person stealing from the taxpayers
Like I said, I stand corrected on this one. I was wrong.
(wow, I say I was wrong, but a cheerleader presented with evidence NEVER will admit he his wrong)
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
It has become abundantly clear that candidates for elected office are not moved to serve from a sense of duty, but rather are campaigning to secure positions of privilege from which they can help themselves to taxpayer revenues. Are there ANY candidates presently in office who have not received special favor in the form of public funding for their (or their connected friends') projects, influence in negotiations of union contracts, granting of zoning change or tax assessment reduction, etc.? Are there any individuals who will serve out of a love of country and community?
It has become abundantly clear that candidates for elected office are not moved to serve from a sense of duty, but rather are campaigning to secure positions of privilege from which they can help themselves to taxpayer revenues. Are there ANY candidates presently in office who have not received special favor in the form of public funding for their (or their connected friends') projects, influence in negotiations of union contracts, granting of zoning change or tax assessment reduction, etc.? Are there any individuals who will serve out of a love of country and community?
The worst part of this, is that every single city/town in the country, likely operates the same, except in smaller or larger scale.
They all try to spend more than their allotted revenue can support, so they "work diligently"(conspire) to find ways around revenue limits for them to spend, helping themselves and business associates to prosper.
Remember, I believe he did two reports on the county dems having spent taxpayer money for that previous bank bldg. on Erie Blvd, thus removing the building from the tax rolls (thus causing more reduction of the city's tax base) and the county dens have done nothing about that building to this day, right? (or did I miss something)
A building to rot by neglect?
I think Greg Floyd should do a "you paid for it" on downtown Schenectady and how taxpayer's money was used to cause the closure of long time taxpaying businesses, and for other taxpaying properties the property value has fallen right in downtown. Not to mention the MASSIVE REDUCTION in property values throughout the city.
We all should e-mail Greg Floyd
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
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