This is evidence of two things; that the current failed Mayor will not seek re-election and that the Gazetto will not be supporting him again. 2 terms was two too many. Roger Hull is right. This was a one year fix that does nothing to control future costs. No wonder the DEMS kept it a big secret. They promised $600,000 in savings and then kicked the rusty can down the road for others to solve.
Note to all opposition leaders: Take a peek at the City snow removal contracts. Another snow job from the DEM working together crew!
Hull a fiscal conservative? His track record says no
Before the Republicans get too enthusiastic about endorsing Roger Hull for mayor of Schenectady, they might want to consider some of his credentials — especially with regard to fiscal conservatism, one of their supposed hallmarks. For many years after arriving at Union College, Roger was quick to respond to faculty interest in capital improvements to academic facilities by saying (here I paraphrase): “I am a fiscal conservative. I don’t start new capital projects until I have the money in hand or pledged to complete them.” Nice words, and music to the ears of those dedicated to cautious fi nancial planning. His later record at Union is rather at odds with this high-minded approach. When he developed an interest in “cleaning up” Seward Place, with renovations to house students, with the purchase and renovation of the former Ramada Inn (also for student housing), and with renovations to dormitory space on campus, he did so with $40 million to $50 million of borrowed money, indebtedness that Union College will live with for many years. Although concern for student housing is certainly legitimate, this kind of borrowing and spending, without some of it going to the core function of the college (as I recall we are an institution of higher learning), is a striking example of skewed priorities. Of course, if the cash had been available for these expenditures, there would be little reason to complain. The point is, here we have a self-described fiscal conservative borrowing and spending to a fare-thee-well. Then again, maybe that’s what the Republicans want in a candidate. If so, they are welcome to him.
GEORGE H. SHAW Schenectady The writer is a Union professor emeritus.
In a Feb. 19 letter to the Gazette, [“Hull a fiscal conservative? His track record says no”] emeritus professor George Shaw has criticized former Union College President Roger Hull, who is now a candidate for mayor of Schenectady, for being fi scally irresponsible. Professor Shaw’s example is the borrowing for renovating homes on Seward Place and the former Ramada Inn to provide new student housing. I must disagree with my good friend George Shaw. I am among those who recognize these forward-looking projects have been a win-win for Union College and Schenectady. I recall Roger Hull arriving at Union College 20 years ago, after serving for 10 years as president of Beloit College in the small city of Beloit, Wisc. Roger talked about how he had worked with the officials and citizens of Beloit, and how he looked forward to new challenges. Surveys showed a major reason for accepted applicants not coming to Union College was the negative image of Schenectady. After a long downward spiral and a slow upward slog, downtown Schenectady has almost magically become an exciting and vibrant place. It has been a team effort. High on the list of credits should be Roger Hull for his early leadership and support for Schenectady 2000, Proctors, the Metroplex Development Authority and many smaller businesses and cultural enterprises. Returning to Seward Place, it was mostly forgotten that it was named after Union College alumnus William Seward He had become governor of New York at the age of 37, an abolitionist and a U.S. senator. Abraham Lincoln became president by narrowly defeating Seward in 1860. Lincoln subsequently recruited Seward to serve as secretary of state. The Seward Place project renewed appreciation of this heritage. The class of 2000 raised funds for a monument to Seward. It was Roger Hull who oversaw the restoration of the iconic 16-sided Nott Memorial building that graces the center of the Union College campus. It is often used for promotional images of Schenectady. It had deteriorated because it served no purpose. Roger Hull also saw the need for purpose. The splendidly restored building provides a unique study space and a spectacular venue to host conferences and exhibits.
FRANK WICKS Schenectady The writer is a Union College professor.
Some thoughts Am wondering if the new party if it comes to be and wins this Nov. if they will continue with the same policies, but just be more efficient at executing them. Will there be from that Adm. continued support of the Downtown at the expense of the neighborhoods neglect/taxpayers? Will they be a new, more likable/personable group, but with the same intentions of continuing with the same formula? It would seem to me that it will be very hard to suppress/stop, by any group, the forward juggernaut of the Plex no matter what their intentions are. Seeing that the Plex has 50 or so million invested now, it is unlikely it will be derailed. The prevailing reasoning will surely be that there is too much invested now to let what has become to fail, and it's too late to turn back now. So the questions for this or any group will be: What stand will they take on the Plexs involvement where the City is concerned? Yes the Plex is a county run entity, but it does have a rep. of the city on it's board and it will have one again. Would this be an Alliance Party nominee? Some have asked me if this group would just be a new figurehead, but following the same plan as before, just managing it better. I do not know. That would be up to the new party to answer that question. A new broom supposedly sweeps clean, Hope someone is holding the dustpan.
Some thoughts Am wondering if the new party if it comes to be and wins this Nov. if they will continue with the same policies, but just be more efficient at executing them. Will there be from that Adm. continued support of the Downtown at the expense of the neighborhoods neglect/taxpayers? Will they be a new, more likable/personable group, but with the same intentions of continuing with the same formula? It would seem to me that it will be very hard to suppress/stop, by any group, the forward juggernaut of the Plex no matter what their intentions are. Seeing that the Plex has 50 or so million invested now, it is unlikely it will be derailed. The prevailing reasoning will surely be that there is too much invested now to let what has become to fail, and it's too late to turn back now. So the questions for this or any group will be: What stand will they take on the Plexs involvement where the City is concerned? Yes the Plex is a county run entity, but it does have a rep. of the city on it's board and it will have one again. Would this be an Alliance Party nominee? Some have asked me if this group would just be a new figurehead, but following the same plan as before, just managing it better. I do not know. That would be up to the new party to answer that question. A new broom supposedly sweeps clean, Hope someone is holding the dustpan.
...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
Some thoughts Am wondering if the new party if it comes to be and wins this Nov. if they will continue with the same policies, but just be more efficient at executing them. Will there be from that Adm. continued support of the Downtown at the expense of the neighborhoods neglect/taxpayers? Will they be a new, more likable/personable group, but with the same intentions of continuing with the same formula? It would seem to me that it will be very hard to suppress/stop, by any group, the forward juggernaut of the Plex no matter what their intentions are. Seeing that the Plex has 50 or so million invested now, it is unlikely it will be derailed. The prevailing reasoning will surely be that there is too much invested now to let what has become to fail, and it's too late to turn back now. So the questions for this or any group will be: What stand will they take on the Plexs involvement where the City is concerned? Yes the Plex is a county run entity, but it does have a rep. of the city on it's board and it will have one again. Would this be an Alliance Party nominee? Some have asked me if this group would just be a new figurehead, but following the same plan as before, just managing it better. I do not know. That would be up to the new party to answer that question. A new broom supposedly sweeps clean, Hope someone is holding the dustpan.
Good points. And although everyone is hopeful, one cant help but be a bit cynical. After all we are talking about schenectady county.
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
Hull likely to get backing from GOP MARV CERMAK Covering Schenectady Published 12:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Republican leaders, some privately and others openly, told me Roger Hull is guaranteed to wind up with the Schenectady Republican mayoral endorsement.
The former Union College president previously announced he was the newly formed Alliance Party's candidate for the office in the fall election.
Landing the major party line would give Hull a shot at upsetting the candidate supported by the long-potent Democrat machine, be it City Council President Gary McCarthy or any other party loyalist.
Hull was introduced at last week's GOP Lincoln's Day dinner. Bob Farley, Schenectady County Legislature minority leader, said Hull shook every hand in the ballroom.
"Clearly, Republicans loved seeing him at the dinner,'' Farley said. "Hull proved he could run things at Union College. I think he would do an exceptional job as mayor.''
The Alliance Party is planning to announce its four City Council candidates this week. Alliance and GOP leaders confide that Phil Tiberio, owner of Eastern Office Supply, will be endorsed by both parties. Beyond that, the endorsements are still fuzzy.
What is Hulls platform, what does he plan to do to help the overtaxed residents of Schenectady, how will he get the city out of debt, how will he lower crime rate, and how will he repair/replace the failing infrastructure and rebuild the city?
SCHENECTADY GOP support likely for Hull BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com
The Republicans may join forces with Alliance Party candidate Roger Hull, calculating that he has the best chance of defeating Democrat Gary McCarthy in this year’s mayoral race. The Republicans will decide Friday night whether to endorse Hull or Democrat Fred Lee. Lee asked for the Republican endorsement after the Democrats said they weren’t interested supporting his campaign. Hull also asked both parties to endorse him. The Democrats declined to endorse either of them. ........................>>>>........................>>>>......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01400&AppName=1
Former weatherman joins Hull campaign SCHENECTADY — Schenectady mayoral candidate Roger Hull has added former WRGB weatherman Tim Welch to his ranks of informal advisers. Hull said that Welch will be in charge of handling press distribution, which he described as delivering his message to the media. The candidate maintains that he will be in charge of the campaign. “I’ll be doing most of the things,” Hull said. The two only have an informal history, according to Hull, who said that Welch reached out to him and offered his services. Welch was the chief weatherman for WRGB from 1978 to 1986. His current ventures include a public communications firm, a printing store and he teaches at the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Experience needed for mayoral run MARV CERMAK Published 12:11 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Schenectady mayoral hopeful Roger Hull has been assembling quite a "kitchen cabinet'' according to his email cc lists that have been floating around.
Sources close to the Republican/Alliance Party candidate said the advisers are a mixture of paid and volunteer supporters. Hull will be on the November ballot opposing Democrat acting Mayor Gary McCarthy.
Perhaps the best known Hull staffer is Tim Welch, WRGB weatherman from 1978-86. He was terminated when the station decided it wanted to hire only meteorologists to do weather. He went from TV to starting Welch Public Communications of Saratoga Springs.
Others Hull insiders include:
Howard Becker, a former fundraiser for the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, has been hired to drum up funds for the Hull operation.
Bill McGahay, a former aide in the administration Republican Gov. George Pataki, is now with Capitol Public Strategies, a lobbying and consulting group.
Jim Murphy, an ex-Assembly Democratic staffer, now freelancing in the communications field.
Jay Sherman, former right-hand adviser bower to past Schenectady GOP Mayor Al Jurczynski. Sherman is teaching door-to-door campaign technique to Hull and Alliance Party City Council candidates.
Michael Brockbank, corporation counsel during the Jurczynski administration, has been with Hull from the start
This is evidence of two things; that the current failed Mayor will not seek re-election and that the Gazetto will not be supporting him again. 2 terms was two too many. Roger Hull is right. This was a one year fix that does nothing to control future costs. No wonder the DEMS kept it a big secret. They promised $600,000 in savings and then kicked the rusty can down the road for others to solve.
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