What did I miss? How are Rotterdam cops following suit? Bumble you seem to regurgitate everything Mertz says. Come on, even his/your own party didn't want ya/him.... That should tell ya something.,
John Mertz is no Joe Suhrada.
Are you suggesting that Rotterdam cops had something to do with ousting Mertz? He did that himself. He couldn't get along with anyone in any party.
It's not 'my party'. I don't belong to any party...thank God!!! There is not a political party that deserves my loyalty. And yes...the cops played a role in Mertz's demise. And that is no secret to anyone. That is why the cops own the conserv party. It was the plan all along. And that is why the cops are in bed with the liberal bleeding heart dems. Only to screw the reps. EVERYONE knows that!! Isn't that how the city is run now? And just look at how well that turned out...it's pathetic at best.
The sad part is that we the taxpayers are paying for the greed and power and vengeance being spewed by the local dems and conservs. I have never seen such a political mess in my life. And from what I'm hearing, many others feel the same way. There is absolutely no regard for the people who foot the bill for these clowns. There is no regard for the residents of this town. Dems, reps or conservs....they are ALL pathetic! I would not have my name associated with any of them.
While these 'so called' political party members are busy feathering their own beds, not a damn thing is being done to better this community. NOTHING!!! The needs of this town are barely being addressed. I wonder what our kids will think of Rotterdam when they grow up. They can turn around and thank the wonderful political parties and leaders for this great job they have done! NOT!!!
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
Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said Officer John Lewis will also face a disciplinary hearing soon. Lewis was served Monday after leaving St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam where, his attorney said previously, he was in alcohol rehabilitation.
Van Norden will argue at the hearing that Lewis should be fired. Lewis has been arrested five times in the last year, first for incidents involving his ex-wife — including a threat to kill her and any man she might date — and then on charges of drunken driving and criminal mischief while intoxicated.
Now that Lewis has been served with court documents for all of the charges, the city can hold a disciplinary hearing. However, Van Norden said the hearing may be delayed until April.
Leave this good man alone. stop bothering him and he cant be fired... theunion has a contract
SCHENECTADY Officer to face disciplinary hearing Case will be first taken by public safety commissioner BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Darren Lawrence will be the first city police officer to take his chances in a one-on-one disciplinary hearing with Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett. Lawrence has been suspended twice in the past two years, in October 2006 and October 2008. The first suspension came after he allegedly drove drunk, crashed and beat up his passenger to keep the accident quiet. Cases related to that incident have not been resolved in court. No reason was made public for the second suspension. Lawrence has insisted on his innocence in both incidents. Now Bennett will decide whether the officer is guilty and, if so, set his punishment. The hearing is set for March 19-20. Previously, state arbitrators handled city police discipline in private hearings. Bennett assumed authority over discipline in June 2007. Since then, Bennett has threatened officers with the embarrassment of a public hearing if they do not plead guilty to internal disciplinary charges. Several offi cers have accepted discipline and given up all right of appeal in exchange for privacy. But when Lawrence called Bennett’s bluff, the commissioner announced that the hearing would not be public. “I have reached this decision in deference to Civil Rights Law 50-a and HIPAA,” Bennett said in a written decision that refers to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which includes a patient’s right to privacy in medical cases. Bennett added that the Second Class Cities Law requires a public hearing, while the Civil Rights Law says it must be private. The police union has sued the city in regard to Bennett’s disciplinary authority, and Bennett said he cannot follow the Second Class Cities Law unless the city wins. “Since we do not have a defi nitive decision ... concerning the applicability of the Second Class Cities Law, it is prudent to protect the interests of the public and the charged officer and close the hearing to the public,” Bennett wrote. Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said Officer John Lewis will also face a disciplinary hearing soon. Lewis was served Monday after leaving St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, where, his attorney said previously, he was in alcohol rehabilitation. Van Norden will argue at the hearing that Lewis should be fi red. Lewis has been arrested five times in the past year, first for incidents involving his ex-wife — including a threat to kill her and any man she might...........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00901
Lewis should never be able to carry a gun again, anyone who has a pistol permit would have had it taken away from them for a lot less than when officer Lewis has done. How did he pass his psych profile?
Schenectady police leaders vow action Commissioner will soon preside over hearings of some city police officers
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published in print: Thursday, February 26, 2009
SCHENECTADY —Despite police union opposition, the city is moving ahead with plans for Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett to preside over departmental hearings on officer discipline.
Starting next month, Officer Darren Lawrence will be the first to appear before the police department's top official. Officer John Lewis' hearing will follow.
The announcement by the city Tuesday came a day after Bennett and Police Chief Mark Chaires told the City Council they would continue their campaign to root out those who give the department a bad name. The city has said the hearings for the two men will be closed to the public and press.
In October, Lawrence was suspended for 30 days without pay for allegedly punching a man during an argument at a nightspot and then fighting with police officers who responded. No criminal charges were filed against him. Two years earlier, Lawrence faced charges after he lost control of his car, sending it flipping into a ditch near Watervliet-Shaker Road in Colonie.
He also allegedly had fought with his brother-in-law, a passenger in the vehicle, who wanted to report the crash to authorities. Lawrence, who was off duty at the time, was placed on leave and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a violation. The status of those charges could not be determined this week.
Lewis faced criminal charges related to several domestic incidents involving his former wife and more recently for allegedly getting into a physical altercation with his brother, who is also a police officer. He also has drunken-driving charges against him pending.
Lewis is suing the city, contending it conspired with his ex-wife to have him fired from the force.
The chief said Tuesday that he understands the public's frustration and anger over the police problems.
Last week, it was revealed that Officer Dwayne Johnson allegedly on at least two occasions was inside an apartment for at least three hours when he should have been patrolling the streets. Johnson, who earned more than $168,000 last year and was the department's highest-paid officer, was later suspended without pay for 30 days.
"We're going to be getting rid of some guys," Chaires said, adding the city is trying to set a new tone. "We're trying to put people in a position to succeed and focus on the guys doing the right thing."
SCHENECTADY Police Department announces promotion, position changes Chief Chaires says he’s ‘looking for stability’ on force BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.com.
An 18-year city police veteran will be promoted to assistant chief in charge of road patrols, while another assistant chief is moving again, Police Chief Mark Chaires announced Thursday. Lt. Patrick Leguire, who joined the force in 1991, is expected to head the department’s field services bureau, Chaires said. Chaires also announced the promotion of Lt. Stephen F. LaVare to captain. The moves are effective March 1. Leguire was one of two department members honored in 2007 with the Chief’s Award. He was honored then for his dedication. He was also one of several offi - cers honored in connection with the peaceful resolution to a 1997 hostage crisis. He rose to lieutenant in 2006. “I’ve known him throughout his career, I’ve seen his approach to the job,” Chaires said. “He was a very good police officer on the street. He has very good instincts. “He’s comfortable being a boss and he doesn’t have a problem holding people accountable,” Chaires added later. The sends Assistant Chief Michael Seber to the newly created fourth assistant chief post in charge of “support services,” which include hiring, recruiting and grant management. Seber took over field services only in October, after heading the investigative division for six years. That move came after then-Lt. Brian Kilcullen was promoted to assistant chief to head the investigative division. Chaires said then the move for Seber was not meant as a criticism of Seber’s performance but was part of a move to rotate assistant chiefs every two years. Seber has since run into trouble relating to a December rear-end collision and allegations that Seber had been drinking. Three members of the department faced disciplinary action over the incident. No criminal charges were filed. Chaires on Thursday again said the latest move for Seber wasn’t a criticism. Seber, Chaires said, will be eligible to retire later this year and he could leave. “What I’m looking for is stability,” Chaires said. “I know Assistant Chief Kilcullen and Assistant Chief Leguire will be there for a couple of years.” He also said that field services is traditionally the first stop for new assistant chiefs. Chaires proposed the new positions earlier this month as part of a restructuring of the department. The lieutenant positions being vacated are not expected to be filled. Currently, there are three assistant chiefs responsible for investigations, patrol and administration. Chaires, who became chief after being assistant chief of administration, is splitting that department into two. Assistant Chief Jack Falvo is to take the other half of administrative services. Rising to the post of captain, La-Vare also joined the force in 1991 after spending two years with the sheriff’s department. He graduated from Schenectady County Community College and is the son of Carolyn M. LaVare of Rotterdam. LaVare will remain in the department’s internal affairs bureau but with the higher rank of captain. LaVare was the internal affairs officer on the case of Officer Dwayne Johnson. Johnson was suspended for a month without pay after a Daily Gazette investigation found he parked his patrol car for several hours, going into an.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01300
Mertz is a boob in a blue suit. He got told what to do and then got filleted for doing it. I almost feel sorry for the schmuck. Short,,,,,fat,,,,,,,greasy hair,,,,,,,,,,nah,,,,,,,,, He's a soup sandwich.
Why is my friend MARS the only member listed in small black print and not assigned one of those other pretty colors like everyone else that posts here?
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