SCHENECTADY Stratton starts push to keep job Mayor planning to run on his record BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Four years ago, many city residents thought Sam Stratton had returned from Washington to fi x their city by running for mayor once more, not realizing that he was dead and his son Brian was running. Even though Democrat Brian U. Stratton had represented the city for years, one Democratic insider said the only way Sam’s son would become mayor would be if he relied on name recognition. But Stratton won’t have to count on that this year. “Let the record speak, as opposed to the heritage,” Stratton said Tuesday as he kicked off his re-election campaign. “That is what I intend to tell voters of this city as I ask for their vote once more: Look at the record.” Four years ago, he promised taxpayers that record would include a new vision for Schenectady, in which he would sell off the money-losing parking garage, push for a new YMCA at the Big ‘N’ Plaza on Nott Street, and create a hightech corridor on Erie Boulevard that would redevelop the largely abandoned Alco site. There has been progress on those fronts: Metroplex Development Authority bought the garage, the YMCA will break ground at the Big N this fall, and plans are now under way to begin work at Alco. But he has seen less success in some of his other promises, ranging from tax stabilization to police improvements. So far no candidate has surfaced to challenge him on those issues; the Republicans have not yet found anyone to run against him. On financial matters, he promised that if he was elected, he would “hold the line on taxes.” In his first budget, taxes went up 5.7 percent, in addition to a new garbage fee. In his second budget, taxes went up 2 percent. This year’s budget included a tax reduction of 1 percent, and Stratton believes another tax cut is “highly likely.” He argued that such a cut is not election-year budgeting. “If it was, then last year would have been zero percent so I could save it all for this year, when it really mattered,” he said. “But we have to give the people some relief. It’s because we’ve made the progress we have that we can do that.” That progress started with a shock. Days after he took offi ce in 2004, he learned that the city was running a large deficit and might run out of cash by mid-year if nothing was done. The Schenectady City Council sold the city’s $20 million in delinquent tax liens to a private collection firm and lobbied for a $5 million increase in annual state aid. The city also consolidated its vehicle maintenance division with the county’s, which will save Schenectady $5 million over five years. Now, the city has had a healthy surplus for two years in a row. When Stratton was campaigning four years ago, he didn’t know he was going to inherit a financial disaster. So his campaign focused on basic services. He promised to fix potholes in the winter, repair more sewer and water pipes and sweep the streets, vowing, “I will see to it basic services are the foundation of a new beginning.” So far, the city has purchased a zipper, which allows it to more permanently patch sections of roadway, and city crews now use cold patches to fix potholes in the winter, a change from previous policy. The sewer and water crews have better equipment now, allowing them to do more work than before. And recent budgets included the purchase of two new street sweepers so that most streets can be cleaned after garbage pickup each week. “These are the less-glamorous things, but they’re probably what most people see,” Stratton said. “We’ve increased our credit rating, but they want to see basic services.” While Stratton sees progress in improving basic services, his other main objective remains at least partially unmet. For four years now, Stratton has been struggling to find a solution to the city’s crime problem. During the campaign, he created a task force dedicated to helping him meet seven goals. He’s still working toward most of them. His goals were: figure out how to put more officers on the street, crack down on “rampant street crime,” increase neighborhood patrols, share county-city law enforcement personnel, get the police to cooperate with sheriff deputies who patrol city streets, push for a cap on police overtime and fi nd more police grants. Stratton was critical of his own efforts toward those goals. Improving the police department remains one of the top priorities in his reelection platform. “We will restore public faith and discipline, take control, and make sure we have nothing less than a police force we can all be proud of,” Stratton promised Tuesday. As for the goals he set four years ago, there are more police on the street, particularly because Project Impact puts a state trooper on patrol several times a week, but it’s not enough, Stratton said. Crime is still rampant, he added. Money is set aside in the 2007 budget specifically for neighborhood patrols, with about 200 overtime hours for police to walk or bike through their zone. But again, Stratton said, there needs to be more. Sharing with county sheriff’s deputies has also not been a success, he said. “I’m still looking for a way,” Stratton said. “I still think we could do consolidated booking if we really want to. We are using the sheriff’s dogs more often … and we’ve been looking at ways to supplement or substitute school resource officers with sheriff’s deputies.” He’s also still trying to get the police to cooperate with deputies who write tickets in the city. “I welcome them pulling over people, doing their job,” Stratton said. “The PBA [police union] is upset over turf issues. We have to stop that. They’ve heard that from me, and they’re going to continue to hear it again and again.” He’s still fighting the union over his proposed cap on overtime as well. He wants to limit how much overtime each officer can earn, in hopes of allowing younger and lesser-paid officers to earn more of it. “That’s been a very difficult one,” Stratton said, adding that he’s trying to get a limit included in the next police contract. The contract is in negotiations now. On his list of police goals, Stratton said he has had one significant success — getting more state and federal grants to support policing. Among the most noticable effects: security cameras throughout Hamilton Hill, Vale, and the downtown; and computers installed in police cars that automatically read every license plate they pass. “That’s not just for parking tickets,” Stratton said of the licenseplate hunters. “They may find parole violators, stolen vehicles, wanted people.” MARC SCHULTZ/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Mayor Brian U. Stratton announces his bid for re-election Tuesday on the steps of Schenectady City Hall.
Stratton won't accept Schenectady Conservative backing Schenectady mayor says police influence in party could limit reform efforts
By MIKE GOODWIN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Friday, June 8, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Mayor Brian U. Stratton said Thursday that he won't accept the Conservative Party's endorsement in this year's election, describing the party's leadership as little more than a proxy for the Schenectady police union. "Given my continued commitment to cleaning up the police department and restoring integrity and public confidence, I will not compromise those goals in any manner, both perceived and otherwise, by seeking or accepting the endorsement of the Conservative Party," Stratton said.
But leaders of the third party said Stratton didn't have much of a choice: they never considered endorsing him.
"We didn't invite him for an interview," said Schenectady County Conservative Party Chairman Randy Pascarella, whose party is expected to vote on endorsements Sunday. "The Conservative Party endorses people with conservative values. I don't think Brian Stratton is very conservative."
Stratton is a Democrat who has been at odds with the Conservatives for years. The party backed his opponent, Republican Peter J. Guidarelli, in the 2003 mayoral race, but Stratton managed to win a narrow victory.
Over the past four years, Schenectady police officers have worked to increase their power in the Conservative Party, mounting a registration efforts to get family members and other allies in the party.
Last year, the cops toppled members of the Schenectady County jail guards union who held leadership positions in the party's executive committee. The jail guards then began an effort to take over the local Working Families Party.
The mayor said he couldn't accept the third-party's cross-endorsement amid his efforts to reform the police department, which is the focus of a grand jury investigation into missing drug evidence. So far, one officer has been arrested and a supervisor is on paid leave while the department evaluates how he handled evidence.
Stratton's recent choice of former State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett to take over as the city's public safety commissioner has rankled some police officers.
Earlier this week, Bennett announced he planned to take over discipline of police officers rather than continue the city practice of using an outside arbitrator to decide officer discipline. Schenectady Police Benevolent Association President Robert Hamilton said the union is weighing whether to file a legal challenge to the change.
Hamilton, a member of the county Conservative Party's executive board, declined to address Stratton's remarks.
Several Democratic insiders said the party's county leaders fear anger over the battle in Schenectady could lead the Conservatives to endorse Republican candidates for county legislature seats and town government posts in the county's suburbs, where the races are usually more competitive.
While the Conservatives have had little impact on races in the city, their endorsement could make the difference in suburban races where Democrats either trail the GOP in enrollment or have only a nominal advantage.
Stratton's re-election chances probably will not be imperiled by his refusal of the third-party line.
His party enjoys a heavy enrollment advantage over the Republicans in the city and the GOP is having difficulty finding even a nominal candidate to run against him this year, leaving little risk for the mayor to reject the third party line. So far most speculation has centered on a run by city Republican Chairman Mike Cuevas to simply ensure Stratton has an opponent.
Pascarella said the influence of the cops is overstated.
Of the roughly 3,000 Conservatives registered in Schenectady County, Pascarella said, "We might have 100, 150 officers who are Conservatives."
Stratton points to fiscal success Schenectady's mayor seeks re-election by touting city progress, vow to cut taxes
By MIKE GOODWIN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, June 13, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Mayor Brian U. Stratton formally began his campaign for a second term Tuesday, claiming his administration has returned the city from the brink of bankruptcy and restored pride to a municipality that once had the state's lowest municipal credit rating.
Stratton started by thanking "the people of this great city," recognizing sacrifices made by residents, an apparent reference to tax increases and a trash collection fee his administration imposed to stabilize finances.
"There have been challenges and personal sacrifice," Stratton said. "But together, we have worked to bring a city back from the brink and in the process forge a stronger community."
The Democrat also pointed to several building projects that have been undertaken downtown during the last four years, including the recently completed construction of a movie theater and a hotel.
But city Republican Chairman Mike Cuevas, who is mulling a run against Stratton, said crime is a growing problem and the city's residential neighborhoods have been ignored by Stratton's administration.
"Anybody can go up Crane Street or Broadway, Albany Street or Guilderland Avenue, and see these neighborhoods have not seen any significant attention since the end of the (Mayor Albert P.) Jurczynski administration," Cuevas said. "We have drug dealing in parts of the city that were once considered ... the best."
When Stratton took office Jan. 1, 2004, he inherited a city that was in difficult financial straits. A state audit found that millions of dollars set aside for construction projects were used to pay for day-to-day operations. Within weeks of Stratton taking office, the state comptroller notified the city it could run out of money by mid-year. Then, during Stratton's first year, Moody's Investors Service gave the city the lowest bond rating in the state.
Stratton said his stewardship helped secure more than $5 million in new state aid, brought in cash by selling property tax liens and left the city with an $8 million surplus by the end of last year. Moody's has raised the city bond rating several times. Last year, it lifted it above junk-bond status for the first time in four years.
"Four years ago, we laid forth a vision for this city. One of hope, opportunity and redemption," Stratton said as he stood on the steps of City Hall surrounded by Democratic supporters and city employees. "Together, we have achieved so much, which only shows us how much more we can do.
"We will continue to invest in and rebuild our city. We will continue to build a better, stronger community for everyone."
Stratton, who is expected to slash property taxes when he unveils his 2008 budget later this year, promised to cut taxes if elected to a second term. But Cuevas said the city's current tax rate, recognized for years as the highest property tax burden in the region, is driving people to the suburbs. "You're going to get a lesser percentage of owner-occupied housing," he said.
He also questioned Stratton's decision to eliminate the public safety commissioner's post four years ago. Stratton restored the job -- and appointed former State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett -- this year after the State Police had to investigate the disappearance of drugs from the city's vice squad. Stratton said he cut the job in 2004 for budgetary reasons. Cuevas said the post -- which paid $100,000 -- was needed to keep down crime. "Rip Van Stratton has woken up from his four-year slumber," he said.
The city of Schenectady has made a small fortune selling liens on the houses of residents who don’t pay their taxes, and now Mayor Brian Stratton wants to make even more money by cutting the grace period before the liens on delinquent school taxpayers are sold from six months to a month and a half. That seems a bit rushed, especially with a new system for paying school taxes about to take effect. Beginning this July, taxpayers will no longer pay their school taxes to the city; instead, they’ll have to send them to BOCES in Albany, or drop them off at one of three Key Bank branches in the city. But a lot of taxpayers don’t even know it yet because their July bills haven’t been mailed yet — the school district says they’re coming next week. At least the money won’t be due until the end of July, instead of the 15th. The switch — at Stratton’s behest — was designed to save the city $104,000, because the school district used to pay the city $75,000 a year to do its dirty work, while the job cost $179,000. The new arrangement not only benefits the city, but the school district, since BOCES will charge it only $70,000, and the state will reportedly reimburse all but $14,000. But Schenectady will still have to make the school district whole for any delinquent taxes — last year the amount totaled $81,000 — so Stratton would like to squeeze even more out of the new arrangement. He can do so, generating roughly $60,000, by selling the tax liens earlier than in the past. Selling early will allow the city to invest the money in an interest-bearing account, partially offsetting the amount it would eventually have to give the school district. OK, but will anyone lose their house as a result? It seems unlikely — there have been few foreclosures since the city started doing business with American Tax Funding several years ago. But the fact remains, if a homeowner neglected to pay his April 30 quarterly payment, the lien on his house could be sold just a month and a half later, and whatever happened next wouldn’t be in the city’s hands, but in those of a private collection agency. Stratton should wait a year and find out how smooth the transition to the new system goes before he adopts such a rigid policy. In the meantime, for taxpayers chomping at the bit to pay their July bills, the address will be: Tax Processing Unit, Schenectady City School District, PO Box 13150, Albany, NY 12212.
SCHENECTADY Jurczynski, Stratton trade barbs Ex-mayor blames city’s fiscal woes on 9/11 BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Accompanied by a crowd of Guyanese immigrants, former mayor Al Jurczynski declared Monday that the city’s fiscal decline during his administration was caused by 9/11 and challenged the current mayor to a debate on the issue. Jurczynski, who is running for a seat on the Schenectady County Legislature, insisted that his comments were not meant to further his political career. “I’m not doing this for political reasons. I’m doing it to set the record straight,” he said at Monday’s Schenectady City Council meeting. He issued his challenge during the council’s privilege of the floor. Mayor Brian U. Stratton blasted back during his portion of the meeting, saying people who believe the 9/11 terrorist attacks caused Schenectady’s fiscal mess could just as easily believe in the tooth fairy. Stratton also wound up befriending many of the Guyanese residents who came with Jurczynski. They said the former mayor told them that the best way they could help him politically would be to present their grievances to Stratton en masse. But they appeared to be satisfied when Stratton promised to take their concerns seriously. He got one man to agree with him about the ban on backyard animal slaughter. It was an unusual scene for a council meeting, particularly since Jurczynski is not running against Stratton or any council member. Jurczynski said he is going public now because he wasn’t allowed to talk to the media during his three years at the state Department of State. While he was working there, he said, he had to stay silent while Stratton routinely blamed Jurczynski’s administration for the city’s fiscal problems. On Monday, Jurczynski argued that the true culprit was the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which led to a sudden stock market decline and forced the state to begin charging municipal governments millions in annual pension payments. The first year, Schenectady had to pay $500,000. That jumped to $5 million by 2003. “That pushed Schenectady, Buffalo and other cities over the edge because we were on the edge,” Jurczynski said. “Property taxes spiked after 9/11. The credit rating dropped precipitously.” He challenged Stratton to debate the matter at any time and any place. Stratton responded by criticizing Jurczynski more directly than ever before. STRATTON ANSWERS “Mayor Jurczynski, nothing in any of the reports I have read — the comptroller’s reports, Moody’s [credit rating reports], the audits — has mentioned 9/11 caused the problems. In fact, they said it was very poor financial management,” Stratton said. He went on to add, “But even if it was 9/11, all of the things we’ve done could have been done years ago.” He offered a list of successful initiatives that Jurczynski could have implemented, including the annual sale of the tax liens, lobbying for additional state aid, consolidating vehicle maintenance with the county, rebidding insurance contracts, investing cash daily and installing energy-efficient utilities. “These are not magic things,” Stratton said. “And much of it I was able to achieve under a Republican governor. So if you believe 9/11 caused the downfall of what we’re seeing here, it just isn’t true.” Jurczynski also argued that the city’s resurgence was due to the influx of Guyanese that he recruited. Many Guyanese fixed up derelict houses in poor neighborhoods and opened new businesses. Stratton, he said, was claiming credit for their good work in his charts of trends in Schenectady’s taxes and credit rating. “It reversed a 10-year downward cycle,” Jurczynski said. “There’s no charts here on the impact of the Guyanese.” After the meeting, Jurczynski watched while a crowd of Guyanese peppered Stratton with complaints, particularly regarding enforcement of the city’s noise ordinance. Police are shutting down outdoor religious ceremonies that are held during daylight hours, they said. Stratton — who opposed the council’s stringent noise ordinance last year and had been selling permits which allow exceptions to the ordinance — promised to look into the matter. Within minutes, he seemed to have convinced several angry women of his sincerity. He promised to call them with a solution — including possibly selling them a noise permit — and handed them his business card after urging them to call him with any other problems. “I want you to call me, OK? It shouldn’t take a council meeting,” he said. They shook his hand and walked away smiling. He said afterward that even though he was sure they came to support Jurczynski’s political career, they had “very legitimate complaints.” “I want to make sure the noise ordinance is enforced correctly and police are not just taking the path of least resistance when neighbors complain because there’s a religious ceremony going on,” he said. “I don’t want to shut the door on legitimate celebrations.” When Stratton appeased the women who were complaining about noise enforcement, Jurczynski directed Guyanese immigrant Walter Chintomby to complain about Stratton’s ban on livestock slaughter. But Stratton appeared to win over Chintomby as well. “We’re trying to find a way to get fresh livestock,” Stratton said. Jurczynski urged Chintomby to explain why it was so important, culturally, for each Guyanese to slaughter livestock rather than buying packaged meat. But Chintomby said he wouldn’t mind buying it if he could only find fresh food. “I understand we don’t want kids to see it,” he said. “I just want to buy it fresh.” Stratton envisions a licensed facility where residents can slaughter animals and dispose of the inedible remains safely. “It’s not a cultural issue so much as it is a common sense issue,” Stratton said. “There are health concerns.”
Ms. Savage must like the "use" of the Guyanese since they dont have 'handle' on the language customs and innuendos--especially in politics as both parties have now totally embarassed and harassed them....that was after encouraging them to come here to work those aweful low paying jobs our kids/us wont....they are a force to be reckoned with in healthcare for long term care.....and ya know what,, the families of those being cared for are 'offended' by the cultural difference and actually make complaints---what the hell--get off your butt and do it yourself.....VERY VERY dangerous game to play here....
Talking about noise ordinance--the only reason folks complain is because when the Guyanese are outside doing whatever it is they do--they aren't speaking Italian/Polish/English.....hhhmmm....
...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
Owner to close yarn shop Bonnie Kotary cites high taxes, competition from big-box stores as factors
By KAREEMA PINCKNEY, Special to the Times Union First published: Wednesday, July 4, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- The owner of an Upper Union Street yarn shop says she is closing because of high taxes. "Our payouts are more than our income. Times have changed," says Bonnie Kotary, 70.
Kotary's Ye Olde Yarn & Gift Shoppe has served customers for 30 years but will close this summer. Kotary first opened her small business in 1978 at McClellan Street and Eastern Parkway.
She stayed there for 22 years and then moved to the upper Union Street area where for the past eight years she has offered high-quality yarns and knitting supplies and free two-hour classes on Monday nights.
Kotary said she was paying $10,000 in sales, payroll and property taxes.
"Another victim of Schenectady's tax structure. ... Everything has gone up in price. It is the tax system," says 28-year employee Shellie Kitchen, 67.
"You can't compete with big-box stores such as Wal-mart and Michael's. It's sad people are buying yarn on the Internet," Kitchen said.
Despite the pending closing, Kotary and Kitchen smiled as they recalled their greatest pleasures at the shop.
"We've created so many new knitters and beautiful creations," says Kotary.
Kitchen said: "We've made plenty of friends and met many people. We've watched each other's families grow up. We taught children and then taught their children."
Kotary says if the business had been more profitable, her granddaughter, Meaghan Stark, would have taken over.
"Everything is going up. People don't realize the quality of the yarn because they are more apt to (spend) less money," she said.
Mayor Brian U. Stratton acknowledged the city's tax rate is burdensome, but he blamed it on mismanagement by the prior administration and promised tax reduction would be a priority in upcoming years.
He believes Schenectady's "best days are just around the corner" with new construction developments, jobs, and other investments in the city.
"We are trying to turn around our previously dismal situation, doing more in three years than was done in a decade," he said. Kotary will sell everything at half price until her inventory is sold.
Once she closes, Kotary plans to enjoy retirement and complete several knitting projects. Kareema Pinckney is an intern with the Times Union and can be reached at 454-5420 or KPinckney@timesunion.com.
Hmm...maybe she should have moved down to State St. near Broadway, then Mr. Stratton would have been willing to throw money at her. Instead, it's "We're working on it."
Maybe Mr. Stratton should have taken knitting lessons.....he can make sweaters for all those folks being 'left out in the cold'....Does she know the pizza guy???
...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
Stratton moves campaign funds July 13, 2007 by Tim Blydenburgh
SCHENECTADY - Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton has transferred more than $36,000 from his re-election campaign committee to a political action committee, in hopes of clarifying any questions about appropriate spending.
The transfer of money from Friends of Brian Stratton to the Schenectady First Fund will be reflected in a periodic campaign filing that will be available to the public on Monday.
Stratton, a Democrat challenged by Republican Michael Cuevas, raised the eyebrows of election law reformers and legal experts by using money from the Schenectady First Fund to pay for a speech therapy course he took at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., at $1,395.
He also used those funds to pay a $15 parking ticket while on the trip to the city. Reformers and legal experts said it could violate prohibitions of political contributions for personal use.
“I voluntarily took this upon myself to look into this. I want to make sure everything is paid for out of the appropriate fund,” said Stratton, who consulted with the state Board of Elections and his election lawyer before making the transfer.
In the future, money from the Schenectady First Fund will be used to support other candidates or political action committees, Stratton said. He intends to use funds from the political action committee to support Sen. Hillary Clinton’s run for president.
SCHENECTADY Stratton shifts cash as campaign nears for another term State questioned money spent on trip BY EDWARD MUNGER JR. Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Edward Munger Jr. at 843-2830 or emunger@dailygazette.net.
Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton on Friday said he transferred more than $36,000 from his campaign account into the account of his political action committee to clear up any confusion over how he’s been spending money. State officials have said rules governing how money can be spent from political action committees and candidate campaign accounts are vague, Stratton said he shifted $36,325 from his Friends of Brian Stratton account into his Schenectady First Fund political action committee account. Stratton’s spending was at issue earlier this year when financial disclosure forms published on the state Board of Elections Web site showed he spent $1,395 in political action committee money on an October 2006 trip to the Eastern Virginia Medical School for speech impediment treatment. Aside from $15 he spent on a parking ticket, the spending is considered legal, but Stratton said discussions with the state suggested such spending would best come from his Friends of Brian Stratton account. “A lot of the things I’ve been paying for … would have been more appropriate coming out of my candidate committee [account],” Stratton said. Stratton, a Democrat, is seeking another four-year term at the November elections against Republican candidate Michael Cuevas, the city GOP chairman and a city attorney during Mayor Frank Duci’s tenure. Cuevas later Friday said he believes updated campaign finance rules would help clear up any confusion in the future. “Certainly, we believe that all campaign money that’s raised should be spent for legitimate campaign purposes and that’s it,” Cuevas said. Cuevas said believes new campaign finance laws proposed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer would make it easier for candidates to comply. “It’s not as clear as it could be. The new proposed law would spell out specifically what things are legitimate and what’s not. But certainly, personal expenses have always been considered not appropriate,” Cuevas said. FILING UPDATE Stratton outlined the spending Friday as he prepared to file his periodic campaign finance disclosures with the state Board of Elections. The information is due to the state on July 15. The transfer in funds, in essence, repays the political action committee account out of Stratton’s campaign account, he said. “None of these expenses are questionable or not allowable. It’s just a housekeeping matter,” Stratton said. From August of 2005 through Friday, Stratton said he spent roughly 45 percent of the $36,325 on donations to charities, non-profit organizations and labor organizations, Stratton said. “They’re wonderful causes that I wanted to support,” Stratton said. Stratton said he spent 19 percent of that $36,325 on travel-related expenses for conferences and “factfinding trips” to other cities to learn about successful programs and activities. “I do travel to annual conferences which we have memberships to, but other trips that I may take may involve going to another city to meet with another mayor to fi nd out how they’re doing things. I’ve done that a couple of times and just voluntarily paid for it out of political action committee funds,” Stratton said. Stratton spent another 16 percent, or $6,000, out of the PAC account to pay for his citywide newsletter sent out to city voters in 2006, he said. Stratton’s most recent disclosure will also reveal 16 miscellaneous expenditures, which include sending flowers to city workers who, in some cases, lost family members. Some of the miscellaneous expenditures also paid for frames for items hanging in his office at City Hall, Stratton said. Another 4 percent of the money went to support the campaign of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Stratton said. “That’s how it all breaks out. All of these things are fine and well under a candidate committee, but not normally appropriate out of a PAC, and this was all verifi ed by the state Board of Elections,” Stratton said. “I want to set the record straight and be able to do everything that is totally allowed by law. There’s nothing inappropriate,” Stratton said. The changeover in funding will leave Stratton’s political action commitee account at roughly $55,000 and the Friends of Brian Stratton account at approximately $37,000, Stratton said. State Board of Elections Spokesman Robert Brehm on Friday said officials there continue to take issues on a case-by-case basis.
How about, oh, I don't know, this could be a shot in the dark, but work with me on this...Maybe he could go to City Hall (if he knows where it is, considering that's where he works,) and actually pays the dang fine in CASH, or with his own PERSONAL CREDIT CARD, not one linked to some fund that nobody knows what it's for. I know, nobody thought of this before, and we need to think of the future when all things are done by computer and with credit cards, but for now, we do still have cash...
OH COME ON BK....you are talking about 'common sense' here! And you are actually expecting this to happen? Please...strattons office does nothing with common sense! Just with the taxpayers dollar!
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
I finally sat down and watched that taping of the Schenectady City Council meeting that you put on SACC TV 16, Pat. Very interesting watching. I noticed how cramped that room was, except for the table that looked like it was 5 times too long for the room. Also, the council members sit at a round (ok, oblong) table FACING EACH OTHER? And the residents who are coming have to sit in the corners of the room and wait to be called on? Really seems like they want residential input. They really need to come over to Rotterdam and see how the meeting room for the town board meetings is set up, maybe expanding / remodeling the room that they currently have there.
...and just a side question about the meeting, how much of an issue IS there in the city with people not wanting to take care of their backyards, so they just decide to blacktop the entire thing?
I have at least 1 reason that I would immediately vote against B.S. and that is because of his stuttering. I just don't think as a resident who would be going to these meetings that I could stand sitting there listening to him constantly stuttering. I'm sorry, but it's almost like sitting in the Rotterdam Town Board meetings and waiting for Godlewski to ask a question that might not already be out on the floor and/or common sense. It's going to be a long time in waiting. I guess this explains why there are a lot of things in the print media about what he has to say, but not really much, if anything in the TV media. IDK, just my thought.
Logged
