Some decisions are pure garbage. For many years, Schenectady’s sewage treatment plant was operated by the city. It failed to do its job and, as a result of that failure and the determined efforts of residents, the city formed a public-private partnership in 1991. Residents benefited and, for the first time in years, they were able to use their yards without being overwhelmed by the plant’s stench. In fact, the partnership received the 2011 Excellence Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors because the city met its environmental standards, stayed within its budget and actually saved money. Now the acting mayor and his council colleagues want to reverse a successful 20-year-old decision and, in the process, put more than 20 workers on the city payroll. It makes no sense. While the city would save the fee paid to the private operator, it is making — without any public input — a foolish fi nancial and neighborhood decision that will cost far more than it saves. Why? Because 1) the city failed in the past to operate the facility well, 2) the city has little expertise or resources to deal with problems that might arise, and 3) the city should not be adding to its payroll and future pension and health care benefit costs for decades to come. The decision stinks.
ROGER HULL Schenectady The writer is the Alliance Party candidate for mayor
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
This is such an explosive issue - to be honest he could have written a better letter. He could have included some figures about salary & benefit / pension costs per employee, how it has grown over the last 5 or 10 years.
That would have made a much bigger impact to me if he included such financials.
The numbers would have been speculation and McCarthy could refute it. Hull's letter is succinct and absolutely on point.
Interesting that the same day the TU endorses Roger Hull, his opinion is printed in the Gazette. Now THAT'S clever campaign strategy. Unlike the McCarthy personal attack ads, Roger Hull decides to hit hard on real issues.
Waste plant issue looms Challenger for Schenectady mayor's seat joins protest over plant takeover plan By LAUREN STANFORTH Staff writer Published 10:30 p.m., Sunday, October 30, 2011
SCHENECTADY -- A group of North End residents are upset the city is planning to take back operation of the Anthony Street wastewater treatment plant -- and the mayoral challenger is piggybacking his message with the protest.
The North End Homeowners Association held a joint news conference with Alliance Party founder Roger Hull on Sunday to discuss concerns about the move, which they say the city is doing quietly without resident input.
In 1991, neighboring residents succeeded in getting an outside firm to run the city-owned plant after years of complaints about foul odors. Now that the city wants to take the plant back, residents are concerned the same problems will surface.........................>>>>.................>>>>...............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Waste-plant-issue-looms-2244176.php#ixzz1cLxT3MgD
Poor McCarthy can't help but step in it again. First the debate, then the Times Union endorsement of Roger Hull and now his takeover of pollution plant. Gary McCarthy doesn't know the difference between s*** and shineola. Way to turn off even more residents. Now McCarthy's investigating? On County, City or Metrografts dime?
Put this on the list of big McCarthy faux pas prior to an election:
- $3 million taxpayer dollars for the munic golf course
- $2+ million the City refused to pay to the school district
-No cuts in the budget and an increase in property tax along with increases in fees
-Using 'fee' money to pay other City bills (therefore the fees are now essentially tax money)
-Nonsense response to the pit bull issue by having postal workers handle the situation
-Hiring a part-time secretary to handle the complaint calls coming into City Hall
-Using 'volunteers' to do City Workers jobs in Central Park and elsewhere
-'Giving up' the mayoral cell phone/vehicle although he has this from his other County/City employment
Add this to the Hull slam dunk debate and the TU endorsement along with the Water Treatment plant fiasco...this might be the nail in the McCarthy campaign coffin.
Logged
McCarthy needed to add 21 jobs to the 1,753 he lost while on Metrograft. 
