Re May 11 article, “Schenectady County OKs weighted voting to start in ’12”: The vote by the Schenectady County Legislature to approve a “weighted voting” system to conform with the legal requirement for fair representation, and to address the results of the 2010 census, renders the views and needs of Rotterdam residents as being less important than those of other county residents. The 13-2 vote, in which all of the District 4 representatives — [Angelo] Santabarbara, [Tony] Jasenski, [Holly] Vellano and [Judy] Dagostino — walked in lockstep with the Democratic leadership and seemingly placed the interests of retaining party control of the government body above those of the town residents, will result in votes cast by our representatives receiving less consideration and influence than those elected to represent city residents. While I support the decision not to increase the size and cost of the county Legislature, I believe strongly in the principle of “one person, one vote.” I question the constitutionality of this legislation on those grounds because it grants one representative more infl uence and leverage [over] another. I suggest that a more appropriate solution would be to redraw the legislative district lines, as is done at the state level. Such a solution would constrain the size and cost associated with the legislative body while ensuring that the positions of those elected by Rotterdam residents to serve their interests are given equal consideration to those of their colleagues. The town has among the highest collective property assessments (i.e. tax base) of the municipalities in the county and contributes a disproportionate share of revenues to fund county government. Although as a town we pay considerable taxes, our interests and our needs are being discounted by those in county government who continue to work to absorb our town into a “greater city of Schenectady.”
BRIAN P. MCGARRY Rotterdam The writer is the Republican candidate for town supervisor.
Well, now the electorate of that district knows how their legislature's voted and how they think. They clearly need to be voted OUT!!
Haven't heard a peep out of duanesburg or princetown. I guess no respond means their ok with it???
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
Quoted from bumblethru: Haven't heard a peep out of duanesburg or princetown. I guess no respond means their ok with it???
I agree that silence from the other Town Supervisors suggests concurrence or complacency. Is Del Gallo supportive of this change?
Good for McGarry. He's stating for the public record his position in defense of the town residents. Whether you agree or disagree with his position, you know where he stands. Does his campaign opponent have a position on this issue?
I agree that silence from the other Town Supervisors suggests concurrence or complacency. Is Del Gallo supportive of this change?
Good for McGarry. He's stating for the public record his position in defense of the town residents. Whether you agree or disagree with his position, you know where he stands. Does his campaign opponent have a position on this issue?
I for one was pleased to see McGarry take a position on this issue and I agree with it...I only wish he hadn't chosen silence on the REMS scam.
Really the democrats were just doing as they were told.
As usual. County DEMS all disgraced themselves. Talk about stunad all voting to weaken their own votes. Only in Rotterdam. At least Brian McGarry is paying attention. FDG and every local leader should be screaming over this sell out.
I am still in shock that rotterdam's county leg representatives voted in favor of diminishing their vote. And not a peep from duanesburg's, princetown's or rotterdam's elected officials!!!
The democons are digging themselves yet a bigger hole!!!!
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
But in 'present time' it is the democons making the decision....k?
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
Didn't this law come into affect while the reps had the majority of the county leg? so it was ok for the reps but not ok now? consistency people!
Another expert heard from. The law is the Constitution and the Supreme Court one man one vote ruling. The REPS did the right thing by adding a seat to Districts underrepresented. That should have been done now by adding one seat to District 2. But that makes too much sense to the Savage/DEM County implosion crew. They prefer this idiotic answer. Now every vote in Rotterdam/Hilltowns is worth under 1 vote! In any other County the sheeple would be grabbing pitchforks. Here a collective yawn and more plague on both houses nonsense.
The county leg needs to be replaced with a board of supervisors.
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 county leg needs to be replaced with a board of supervisors.
You need to be replaced by a board up side the head. Geeesh is there anything in this god forsaken world that you don't find fault with. Get a life...you're redundant and whiney!!
You need to be replaced by a board up side the head. Geeesh is there anything in this god forsaken world that you don't find fault with. Get a life...you're redundant and whiney!!
Spoken like a true DemoCRAP! Stifle the opposition and skirt the issue!