Joe Suhrada was right in calling for the firing of Death Ray. Death Ray has no planning education and his only experience is former Nisky Democratic Chairman? That's what is necessary to oversee $100 MILLION in sales tax generated revenue? The only other ones who looks good here is Brad Littlefield who has been right about this Metrograft disaster {like bloggers BT, MT, Mr. March, Superfly & moi} from Day One.
The Republicans put Patrick Saccocio(Rotterdam Republican Party Chair Mr. Parisi's law partner) on the Metroplex board of directors. What planning education does an attorney have?? Republicans have a vested interest in keeping Metroplex alive. If I'm not mistaken, I think Saccocio & Parisi's law firm benefit from Metroplex directly with money's for renovation of their office building. But please, correct me if I'm wrong.
They wait till the holiday weekend to release this - so we'll all get our anger out before Monday, not a fight about who was right, who was wrong - but about the failure of this project as a whole.
Folks, we have GOT to keep up this fight - this "agency" has got to be shut down. Save your fighting with each other until next week, after Jacko's funeral, after the fireworks - we need to keep up the fight on this and let EVERYONE know about the failed policies. Tell your neighbors during picnics, talk about it at work next week - spread the word. We can't let something THIS important get buried in a holiday weekend story.
Didn't Surhada want to increase the spending cap on Metroplex? Just not as much as Gillen did. But none the less, he was quoted in the paper saying that he was willing to raise the spending cap of this failure. Probably because his fellow republican Farley's daddy is responsible for creating this huge failure. Or should I say HUGH failure.
Didn't the County Republican Party poll the people to find out if Metorplex was worth making an election issue, and determined it wasn't? True leaders like Brad Littlefield don't follow polls, or sacrifice his principles for party dogma. We know that some or the Republican Party leadership benefited from Metroplex money. Brad initiated this audit, while Tedisco was in back rooms making deals with Savage, making sure the increase got through before the end of a session.
Surhada and the rest of the republicans were compliant in getting the cap increase through. Tedisco carried the legislation that increased the spending cap before the an audit was completed. That's republican fiscal responsibility.
Sorry Graham, Surhada's going to have to wear that failure around his neck with the rest of the Republicans. That's how party politics works.
Surhada voted "no." Maybe you should pay more attention. he also was the the only "no" vote to death Ray Gillen. Attend some meetings and see for yourself like the rest of us. You have obviously shown yourself to be the ultimate democrat partisan in trying to blame Surhada and the rest of the GOP (4 members out of 15) for the disaster here. Again, people who can reason will see that the 4 remaining GOP members are not the big problem, the one party democrat rule with little oversight is.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
You're right as far as creating Metrograft the REPS are to blame. This was a Farley creation. More than enough blame to go around?
As far as reforming it and firing Death Ray-you are wrong. Joe Suhrada and ANG were two voices in the wilderness. The only ones to vote against increasing the bonding and extending the life of this taxpayer ripoff. I would urge people to talk to businesses Downtown and ask you ran it better Mr. Manning or Death Ray. Doubt you could find 3 business people who would say Death Ray.
As to BT's question where to go now-you will not find any reformers with the DEMS. The only one so far speaking my language on this is Brad Littlefield-the DEMS are all for it and the REPS refuse to answer any questions. They prefer talking about the Albany County dump?
Surhada voted "no." Maybe you should pay more attention. he also was the the only "no" vote to death Ray Gillen. Attend some meetings and see for yourself like the rest of us. You have obviously shown yourself to be the ultimate democrat partisan in trying to blame Surhada and the rest of the GOP (4 members out of 15) for the disaster here. Again, people who can reason will see that the 4 remaining GOP members are not the big problem, the one party democrat rule with little oversight is.
Partisan....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.
It's easy to blame the Democrat majority. How about the opposition party??? You act as if the Republicans offer an alternative to Democrats. I'm just pointing out their obvious posturing. Surhada voted "no", just like Finn voted "no" on the County budget. Knowing damn well the vote meant nothing.
The 4 GOP members are not the big problem, they are the same problem. The GOP created the authority when they were in power, and instead of admitting the fundamental wrong of the authority, they just tell the people the reason it isn't working is because THEY(republicans) aren't controlling it.
Please stop with the left vs. right crap. People aren't buying it anymore.
No, Surhada tried to offer a moderate compromise(20% increase in credit limit) because people wanted him to be more "persuasive" and to "work with" the Democrats. Showing how rigidly uncompromising they were, when they would NOT ACCEPT the amended increase ( I am sure he figured they wouldn't), he, along with Santabarbara voted "NO" to the 50% increase. So if his vote against the increase is wrong, in your eyes, how would voting "yes" please you more? See, Mr. Afraid to Run For Office because They Might Attack My Family and Hurt My Ego, you will excoriate him no matter which way he votes, and it is never enough to please you. You have it out for the GOP, and want them to be voted out, even the most conservative member. Where do you really stand in this big fight, tell us. I would like to know how you would vote on each and every measure in a minority of 4. I am sure that Surhada would have voted against the development of the metroplex authority back in 1998, BUT HE WAS NOT ON THE BOARD! Of course the reality is that the monster has been created and he would be the only vote to disband it so without even so much as a co-sponsor for a measure like that, HOW THE HELL CAN HE DO ANYTHING BUT ATTEMPT TO GIVE IT OVERSIGHT???
On one hand you rip the guy for not being a conciliator and compromise artist, and on on the other you say that his votes are only symbolic. well when you get outvoted 14-1 often EVEN YOU TOO WILL FIND there are people who will despise you for standing out like a sore thumb and taking a risk.
Really, Cicero, since you think he has done such a horrific job, along with all other leaders, ever- YOU need to stop worrying about what people will say about you when you run. After all, you said some nasty things about his childnessness that his wife might read, maybe when you run, your wife and kids will be understanding that when their father gets ripped up, it was just the same as what he dished out, albeit anonymously (or so he thinks.)
But the facts is that at least Surhada had the balls to run, let people tear him up, go against powers that be, and put his money where his mouth is. You on the other, only have an easy chair and a laptop with a clever Roman nickname to hide who you are when you dish out your venom. Try serving a little and criticizing a little less. Join the fight in reality instead of wilting in fear behind a computer worrying that the Mrs. will disapprove. But you will find if you do ever summons the courage, that not everyone will think, act and vote just like you. That in the world of "conservatism" there are many stripes. That sometimes people with the same idealogical bent will vote differently and have different priorities. If you made fun of all of them for not having kids, or not having kids with blue eyes for that matter, or for being gay, or whatever you hang-up is that particular day, you would find yourself very alone in the universe. You will be a man alone.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
No, Surhada tried to offer a moderate compromise(20% increase in credit limit) because people wanted him to be more "persuasive" and to "work with" the Democrats.
I would like to know exactly 'what' people wanted him to be more persuasive and to work with the dems! His constituents or his party?
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 number of constituents who favor Metroplex is indeed much higher than those who do not. That I believe is the result of the "spin" that the media and the ruling junta has put out there about so-called "progress." Among us limited government types, we see the dangers in it, as we do the dangers in federal control of education. Yet, the majority of Americans have been persuaded to believe that these things are essential for the good of the populace. It takes time to show them the folly of that and we certainly don't have a sympathetic media, do we? So you regulate it and give it oversight, expose the fraud, show people it does NOT WORK. Disbanding it immediately in the county would result in a huge "voting out" of all opposition, UNTIL you have educated the people enough to see how dangerous it's use is. I would never have wanted it in the first place, believing that a fair and level playing ground with low taxes is BETTER. There would be no need for all of these incentives, tax PILOTS and "deals" if this was a friendly county and state to do business. But liberalism and socialism has destroyed that.
My friends, how do we get back to that better state of affairs that favors none more greatly than others and allows people to engage in commerce and prosper without the need for such artificial inducements here? THAT is the biggest question.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Death Ray has been caught red handed ripping off the taxpayers, hiring people without bids, wasting MILLIONS of sales tax dollars and ya want to blame Joe Suhrada? Come up for air. The Attorney General must now follow up on these horrible audit results. A public authority hiring "consultants" without bids, without contracts is illegal.
Joe is not perfect-his running for Town Bored makes no sense-but he is by far the best County Legislator. Wait to you hear more from his possible replacements. Put the blame for this where it belongs on stuna Judy DAG who voted FOR all this nonsense. She has had no comment on this pathetic State Audit? Now we know why the DEM controller sat on it for so long. When Holly comes to your door ask where she stands on all this Metrograft disaster. Then watch her run in the other direction.
The horrible audit results answered two questions; why the State released it on July 4th when most people are away and why Death Ray tried to pooh-pooh the pathetic findings.
The Attorney General must now come in with Senior Fraud Investigators and follow up. This is a public corporation which cannot be allowed to hire "consultants" without contracts. It's not somethings awry-everything is awry and must be immediately reformed or ended. Return the sales tax to County consumers and end this experiment in socialism.
The horrible audit results answered two questions; why the State released it on July 4th when most people are away and why Death Ray tried to pooh-pooh the pathetic findings.
The Attorney General must now come in with Senior Fraud Investigators and follow up. This is a public corporation which cannot be allowed to hire "consultants" without contracts. It's not somethings awry-everything is awry and must be immediately reformed or ended. Return the sales tax to County consumers and end this experiment in socialism.
It will be interesting to see how the minority party responds to the audit results. Especially after Tedisco and the Republicans hurried and jammed through the $25 million increase just a year ago. When the people were asking(mostly conservatives) to wait for the results of the audit before making a decision on the increase. That just seemed to hurry the process up for Tedisco and Farley, to get it passed before the end of the legislative session. The Republicans acted as if some concessions were made during the negotiations, and added some amendments supposably preventing the "politicization" of the Metroplex.We know that was just smoke and mirrors. Acting as if they were putting up a partisan fight for something that the Republicans hatched 11 years ago.
Brad Littlefield seems to be the only person out in front of this. He demanded an audit of the authority, and even had editorials in the "Gazetto" published stating such. I don't recall any Republican speaking out and asking for the audit of the Metroplex, asking for accountability.
The Republican Party used to be one based on principles and not on polling. The local Republican Party seems to have taken the Clintonian style of politics. Read the polls, then react.
Whether the plex was run by the dems or reps.....It would still be what it is today. Looking for one political party to save us from the other is like asking the fox to guard the hen house. It's absurd!
If the plex is to exist, it should be run solely by business people in the community. NO POLITICIANS! Since it is sales tax that primarily funds this beast, than it should be run by the business people who have created the sales tax to begin with. It's the already existing business people who know exactly what is needed to build and achieve good, successful businesses. Clearly not our local government officials who obviously can not even govern themselves.
Sure, have the attorney general take a gander at the plex. But no matter how you cut it....neither the dems nor the reps want to see it dissolved. They all want to run it, control it and put their spin on it! Both parties have proven that!
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
If the plex is to exist, it should be run solely by business people in the community. NO POLITICIANS! Since it is sales tax that primarily funds this beast, than it should be run by the business people who have created the sales tax to begin with. It's the already existing business people who know exactly what is needed to build and achieve good, successful businesses. Clearly not our local government officials who obviously can not even govern themselves.
How do you give $75 million dollars to business people with no oversight by elected officials?? Who chooses what business people to run the Metroplex.........Democrats or Republicans?? Can the "non-political" business people who run the Metroplex, contribute to political parties or campaigns? As it stands now, businesses do contribute to political parties and campaigns. Do those political contributions somehow taint the selection process, or influence where the money goes??
That is why the Metroplex is fundamentally a failure. The little guy who pays sales taxes in Schenectady County shopping at Rotterdam Square or Niskayuna Commons, is in essence giving money to a large business like Galesi Group and other large businesses. Businesses that donate thousands of dollars both Democrat and Republican in order to gain favored status with the politicians who hold the purse strings to public funds. Gillen works for the Democrats, he was appointed by the Democrats majority. It is in his best interest for him to steer money to those businesses and large donors that keep his bosses in power.
Metroplex needs to be dissolved. And somebody needs to start that conversation. Brad started the conversation, conservative Republicans need to join him, and break the bonds of party politics.
Logged
You're right as far as creating Metrograft the REPS are to blame. This was a Farley creation. More than enough blame to go around?
"Parking is the our one solid accomplishment?"-Death Ray 
