SCHENECTADY Stratton warns of difficult times ahead BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Mayor Brian U. Stratton bid goodbye to the city Monday in his final State of the City address, two weeks before he leaves offi ce. He said the future is bleak. Cuts to federal and state aid could devastate the city, while pension costs may skyrocket, he said. He warned that pension costs may double in the next four years, to more than $10 million. Considering the fi nancial future, he urged the City Council and the next mayor to consolidate everything they can — up to and including the city itself. He called for the city and the surrounding municipalities to eventually consolidate into one governing body. In the meantime, he said, the city should consolidate whatever back-office police functions it can, starting with less-controversial items like record storage. But he said Schenectady should not stop there. City offi cials should keep fighting for consolidation of the entire police department, he said. He stressed the fi scal advantage of countywide police consolidation. “We could effectively cut property taxes by 20 percent,” he said. ....................>>>>...................>>>>.............................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00701&AppName=1
What about cutting City employees? That never happened (actually, 3 more people were hired)
What about eliminating overtime? That never happened (even McCarthy makes an additional $33k a year in overtime with 5 other investigators on staff?!?)
What about taking away the free cell phones and City vehicles? That never happened
What about residency requirements for City workers? That never happened
Fact of the matter is, this current leadership either doesn't have the brains or the courage to make real cuts. So instead, everyone begins yelping "Consolidation! Consolidation!" - well guess what, consolidating incompetence won't fix anything.
What about cutting City employees? That never happened (actually, 3 more people were hired)
What about eliminating overtime? That never happened (even McCarthy makes an additional $33k a year in overtime with 5 other investigators on staff?!?)
What about taking away the free cell phones and City vehicles? That never happened
What about residency requirements for City workers? That never happened
Fact of the matter is, this current leadership either doesn't have the brains or the courage to make real cuts. So instead, everyone begins yelping "Consolidation! Consolidation!" - well guess what, consolidating incompetence won't fix anything.
Stratton was a total failure. He increased the City credit rating by screwing the taxpayers. Nothing happened on consolidation. That's always the answer on the way out the door. Heard it all before from Al.
His final speech was a total embarrassment. He attacked the REP congress and then supported Cuomo's cuts. Building a $25 MILLION Taj Mahal/City Garage was an accomplishment? It's a green building! We need a Mayor that can lead the SPD, sell the City to private businesses and throw over a table at City Hall. Then he has the nerve to talk about a 20% City tax cut -but only if police consolidation happens. 20 people gave him a standing ovation? All either DEM committee hacks or City employees. No one was there. Most left after the Irish dancers.
Logged
Stratton was a total failure. He increased the City credit rating by screwing the taxpayers. Nothing happened on consolidation. That's always the answer on the way out the door. Heard it all before from Al.
