I don't disagree with you about Stratton being inept when it comes to negotiating a contract with the police. I don't believe that Peter G is the guy to do it either.
I agree. No for Peter G. He does fine right where he is. As far as Vince....I think that he can be more effective out of the system.
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 don't disagree with you about Stratton being inept when it comes to negotiating a contract with the police. I don't believe that Peter G is the guy to do it either.
Bring in Vince Riggi.
Vinces hatred towards the police leads me to believe he was either arrested or had a run in with SPD and now has an axe to grind.
Paul Grondahl's March 27 article, "No takers for Schenectady police," discusses the proposal for a feasibility study to dissolve the city police department and replace it with a county law enforcement agency. Unless the study's cost is exorbitant, I believe that elected officials, law enforcement officers and county residents would benefit from an objective study.
Consolidation of law enforcement may provide significant cost savings for taxpayers and better services for county residents. An evaluation of the consolidation experiences in Nassau and Suffolk counties may provide valuable insight into the proposal.
With escalating property taxes, we should not be so eager to dismiss a proposal without assessing its merits.
Ralph Spaulding Pattersonville, ralph.spaulding@gmail.com
Facts argue strongly against county taking over city police force
Your March 27 editorial, “A ‘friendly’ slap in the face,” discussed the Greek mythological character Sisyphus, but this was not the only myth perpetrated in the community regarding the Schenectady police force. Myth No. 1: The city could disband the police department and the county could start a new [one], with new personnel, a clean slate and a new and improved contract. This premise is false. Under the Taylor Law, the same individuals who are currently employed by the city police department would now be members of the county department — with the same contract that currently exists in the city. For this reason alone, the cost of a personnel shift to the county would not solve the existing problems. Same people. Same contract. Same problems. Myth No. 2: Due to the contract, offi cers who act outside the law remain on the force and there is nothing the commissioner or the city can do. Again, a false premise. The Second Class Cities Law provides that the commissioner himself acts as the hearing officer. The commissioner has the ability under the law to remove or otherwise discipline any city police officer who acts outside the law. He can, and should, use this power — a power, incidentally, which the county would not possess if the consolidation went forward. Important decisions need to be based on fact, not myths that easily spread through the community. When the facts have shown that consolidation will benefit each of the municipalities involved, we have enthusiastically embraced opportunities to do so. A perfect example is the agreement between the county and city to consolidate vehicle maintenance, which has led to a better maintained and safer vehicle fleet for the city and savings of over $1 million annually for city taxpayers. We have presented to the mayor ways we think we can help, but we do not feel that, given the facts, the consolidation of law enforcement functions within the county is a realistic solution.
SUSAN SAVAGE Schenectady The writer is the county Legislature’s chairwoman.
Schenectady Mayor [Brian] Stratton is correct in calling for a countywide police force to take over law enforcement duties in the city. He is right for the wrong reasons. Regional government’s day has come. The tax base cannot afford the multiplicity of rinky-dink governmental entities. The numerous local governments provide a nipple for self-serving public servants to feed off. The names never change on Election Day! The many voices denouncing Stratton are the voices of the status quo. If [Chairwoman] Susan Savage is so against a county force patrolling city streets, then why does Schenectady County maintain road patrols countywide? The county lockup makes sense, the road patrols are redundant. Susan wants it both ways. Schenectady has sustained an atmosphere of corruption long before the advent of the Police Benevolent Association. I do not know the origins of the curse, but the political structure of the county sustains the corruption. As one travels west in America, there is less government — the reason being the West was settled after the East, and redundant government was seen as a detriment to economic development. Technology also played a part in the evolution of governance in the West. Our local taxes are 70 percent higher than the national average and the redundant nature of local government(s) is the primary cause. Savage is wrong, Stratton is right.
The plot thickens. Pass the popcorn and the jujubeeds.
Stratton and Savage exchanging jabs. Gardner, Savage's manager getting in an eye poke to Stratton from outside the ropes. The referee (the press) observes it but makes no disqualification. The other wrestling camp (the Republicans) sit in the locker room watching the match on the monitors. Will they come out and take part? Likely not. Not on this day. Is their inaction due to lack of courage or their desire to watch the power struggle for control of their opponenets' camp? Meanwhile, the spectators (the public) applaud, jeer, and call for more blood, er dirt, to be spilled. Who will win the belt and the heart of the diva (the police union)? Will there be a challenge from the Republicans? The issue will be settled in a battle royale steel cage match (November elections).
Now, turn off the show. Back to reality where, in the end, there will be no change. But, it is a good show for the (over)paying audience.
Schenectady has sustained an atmosphere of corruption long before the advent of the Police Benevolent Association. I do not know the origins of the curse, but the political structure of the county sustains the corruption.
Very well said Mr. Day. However,as you so eloquently pointed this out, what makes anyone think that things will change be it a consolidation or not? The same political structure of the county will continue to sustain corruption. Until this political structure of sustained corruption changes...which is what 'we the people' can change.....nothing will ever change.
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 pros know that managing Sch’dy PD is a nightmare
Re: March 27 article, “Officials bash plan for police study”: One local journalist has characterized Mayor Brian U. Stratton’s effort to sell the idea of consolidating the several municipal police agencies in Schenectady County as an attempt to pass of “a toxic asset,” meaning the Schenectady Police Department. Sadly, that is exactly what the reputation of the police department has been for a very long time. I was hired by the Division of Criminal Justice Services in 1986 to serve as an adviser to county and municipal law enforcement executives on constitutional, legal and ethical issues in police management. One of the programs we offered local police executives was a management studies service. One of the training technicians who ran the program, a former Albany police officer, told me at the time that in police management training and education classes all over the country, the Schenectady Police Department was commonly cited as the paradigmatic management nightmare because the city had given away the store through successive union contracts. The situation that Mayor Stratton has inherited is deeply embedded in the police department’s culture going back decades. Those who say that the department is just poorly managed are ignoring this long and frustrating history. I compliment the mayor on making such a concerted effort to turn it around. His stand is critical to the future of the whole of Schenectady County. While it is doubtful that a countywide police agency will emerge anytime soon, any measure that drives momentum toward reform should be pursued. Between the global, national and state economic crises and the reality of Schenectady’s declining tax base, there is an unprecedented window of opportunity to force change.
Inherited???? Hmmmm...last I knew he was on the council for years and VOTED FOR all of the contracts. NOW HE HAS INHERITED HIS PROBLEMS???
"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."
Hey...look at saratoga, burnt hills/ballston spa and clifton park. How many police dept's do they have?
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
Hold referendum to decide Sch’dy police consolidation issue
Concerning the consolidation of the county’s various police departments, I couldn’t help but wonder what [county Legislature Chairwoman] Susan Savage was referring to when she said that the county would not consider consolidation [March 27 Gazette]. The last time I looked, the city’s population represents just under 50 percent of the county’s population. So just who is Ms. Savage representing? Rather than dismiss the idea based on the opinion of a handful of politicians who are against the proposal (and who stand to gain by the crossover endorsements of the Conservative Party), why not let the people of Schenectady decide through a referendum placed on the ballot this November? If we are truly a representative government, then let the people weigh in on the issue. This city and county have, for far too long, operated under the dictates of a few individuals who decide what is best for the citizens, as long as it meets their needs (the school board also comes to mind). It is high time that the citizens resume having the elected officials answer to them — not the other way around.
A. C. MAZUREK Schenectady The writer is chairman of the city’s civilian police review board.
Niskayuna certainly doesn’t need, or want, consolidated police force
The March 27 editorial (“A ‘friendly’ slap in the face”) suggests that there would be efficiencies and savings from a countywide police department. Nothing could be farther from the truth for the residents of Niskayuna, and I believe our residents would not realize any efficiencies, nor any savings, from a countrywide police force. First, the residents of Niskayuna are fortunate to have such dedicated police officers serving their community. We are proud of all our police officers as they continue to sustain the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. Almost all of our police officers live in the town, and many of them are lifelong residents of our community. They chose to work and live in our community. Our residents appreciate the quick response and attention that our police force provides. Our police chief is able to set priorities, and manage and direct our resources to accommodate the needs and desires of our community. Conversely, a countywide police force would have priorities that, most likely, would be different than those of our police chief, would probably not match the response time or attention shown by our officers, and would be managed by regional police officials whose preferences may be elsewhere. Simply stated, why should Niskayuna support a proposal that may provide less police services than we already have? I firmly believe that we do not see any need, nor is there any desire, to consolidate the Niskayuna Police Department with any other police department in Schenectady County.
JOE LANDRY Niskayuna The writer is town supervisor.
Gee...how does Saratoga/Clifton Park do it? They don't have all of these little town police depts. And their taxes are much lower than ours. However, the way the dems run this county, if they were lucky enough to save money by consolidating police forces, they wouldblow it on some new created taxpaid welfare program...for sure.
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
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