Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Actually, I am saying that voters should be able to elect the people who our spend tax dollars. I believe that is what the American Revolution was fought for.   The Metroplex Board spends our tax dollars but not one of its members is elected by the voters.   Since we already elect the County Legislature, it would be the simplest and most natural thing to do --- eliminate the separate board and have the County Legislators vote on all the matters that the Metroplex Board currently votes on.  That way - the people making the decisions would be accountable DIRECTLY to the voters.

Oh -- and regional economic planning is NOT socialism or fascism or corporatism.   It is just the most effective way to do economic planning and development.

Quoted from CICERO

Let's start ending redundancy at the town level and get rid of the planning commission.

Quoted from CICERO

I'm saying your plan is a fairy tale.  It will never happen. It never does.  The fascist/corporatist system is a system that allows appointed government bureaucrats to regulate and control private business with tax breaks, grants, loans, and direct regulations.  It is in this system where the government or controlling party can take credit during prosperous economic times, then blame business during poor economic time.  That is why pure socialism where the government has total control of economic production never happens in a democracy, first is because they know the people wouldn't accept it, second because that would mean ownership of the economy, and with ownership comes blame.  That is why government creates unelected cabinets, agencies, czars, and authorities. The fascism/corporatism system is the happy medium that gives the government control of the economy while insulating them from political retribution.  

Oh - and by the way - central economic planning isn't effective.  The system is failing as down around us as I type.  The central planners would love to blame the impending economic collapse on capitalism.  So they are not to blame when the riots begin.

Quoted from rachel72

"The state Authorities Budget Office just issued a report examining whether Schenectady County needs the seven — count ‘em — seven local economic development authorities serving it: the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, the Schenectady County IDA, the City of Schenectady IDA, the Town of Rotterdam IDA, the Schenectady Local Development Corporation, the Schenectady County Community Business Center and, last but certainly not least, the Schenectady County Community Resource Corporation.

The report concludes that the county would be at least as well and probably better served by fewer authorities, and expressed skepticism at officials’ insistence that the seven entities operate as “a unified economic development team.”

Instead, the ABO found “no evidence that authorities have adopted a coordinated project application and review process, use a common application for financial assistance, or that relevant project and financial assistance information is shared among all of the authorities involved.”"

Who needs a planning commission when 7 economic 'authorities' are in Schenectady County?

Redundant and ridiculous.

Capitalism usually means that businesses are competing ....not that 7 different economic authorities are fighting one another. It's a hostile businesses environment anyway you look at it.  

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

   Why not consolidate the municipal level and the county levels or just eliminate the county level altogether?  Some of the services delivered by the county are now delivered by the state and others are delivered by the local municipalities (cities, towns and villages).  The municipalities may enter into "regional compacts" to provide some services.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I disagree with your negative view.  By your argument ANY government - even a village or a town is a fascist institution.   Are you promoting no government at all .. anarchy ?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

You are the dumb a** and obviously can't read very well -- I never said Metroplex was a mandated service.
And you definitely do not have your facts in order -- Metroplex does not exist at the "pleasure of the taxpayers" -- The taxpayers can not vote for its board nor can they vote to dissolve the entity.

Quoted Text

Mission Statement

Basis in Statute

The Authorities Budget Office (ABO) was created as an independent office pursuant to Chapter 506 of the Laws of 2009 (“The 2009 Public Authorities Reform Act”).

Organizational Structure

The ABO is an independent office that, by law, receives administrative assistance and support from the Department of State for the effective and efficient execution of its powers and duties. The ABO is supported through a special fee on public authorities that is assessed by the State Division of the Budget.

ABO Mission

The mission of Authorities Budget Office is to make public authorities more accountable and transparent, and to act in the public interest consistent with their intended purpose. The ABO carries out its mission by:

Collecting, analyzing and disseminating to the public information on the finances and operations of state and local public authorities;
Conducting reviews to assess the operating and governance practices of public authorities and compliance with state laws;
Promoting good governance principles through training and technical assistance, and the issuance of policy guidance and recommended best practices; and
Investigating complaints made against public authorities for non-compliance or inappropriate conduct.
Powers and Duties

The powers and duties of the ABO include, but are not limited to:

Overseeing the operations and finances of public authorities to assure they are acting in the public interest and consistent with their intended public purpose.
Collecting, analyzing and disseminating organizational, operational, performance and financial information on public authorities for the purpose of making this information available to the public.
Evaluating the compliance of public authorities with their mission statements and the laws of New York State and advising and guiding public authorities concerning their compliance.
Making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on debt, compensation, procurement practices, property transactions, structure and mission, and other issues related to improving the performance and transparency of public authorities.
Promulgating regulations to carry out the purposes for which the ABO was created.
Enforcing compliance with statutory requirements, including publicly warning and censuring authorities for non-compliance and recommending the dismissal of officers and directors.
Investigating and acting on complaints concerning the failure of a public authority to comply with State law.
Issuing reports of its activities, findings, analysis and recommendations.

Quoted Text

Q: What is the mission of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority?
Answer:
Local Public Authority Name: Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority
Fiscal Year: January 1, 2012 — December 31, 2012
Enabling Legislation: Established in 1998 as a public benefit corporation by the New York State Legislature to institute a comprehensive, coordinated program of economic development activities in the Route 5 and Route 7 corridors of Schenectady County, especially in the downtown region of the City of Schenectady, the enabling Act establishes a key goal of Authority construct "new facilities to adequately accommodate such activities [that] would generate new business, create employment opportunities, provide new sources of tax revenue, and promote effective and orderly redevelopment in the vicinity of the [Metroplex Service District]."
Mission Statement: The mission of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Corporation is to enhance the long-term economic and social vitality as well as overall quality of life in Schenectady County through a comprehensive, coordinated program of economic development within the Metroplex service district with particular emphasis on downtown Schenectady. Attract, incentivize (when necessary) and leverage private investment through various forms of financial assistance; assist with site acquisition assemblage, development and revitalization; and, provide cooperative technical assistance and support through its participation in projects, programs and other initiatives. The Metroplex enabling statute allows the Authority to design, plan, finance, site, construct, administer, operate, manage and maintain facilities within its service district.
Performance Benchmarks / Stakeholder Expectations
Expand the real property tax base
Expand the County-wide sales tax base
Create and retain jobs (measurement based on projections with periodic reports to ascertain the accuracy of projections)
Provide and leverage financial assistance (measurement based on amount of Metroplex participation compared with other funding support, and private investment)
Encourage development in specific key geographic areas (corridor improvement and development) in which investments will be strategically important in accomplishing other objectives and are cost-effective
Improve downtown living via community amenities, civic improvements, community image, attractiveness and marketability
Authority Stakeholder(s): Schenectady County Legislature
Authority Beneficiaries: The residents and taxing jurisdictions of Schenectady County
Authority Customers: Local businesses and local property owners
Authority self-evaluation of prior year performance (based upon established measurements): To be provided by March 31, 2013 related to 2012 performance.
Q: What types of activities does Metroplex do?
A: We can design, plan, finance, site, construct, administer, operate, manage, and maintain facilities within our service district.
Q: What kind of project aid is available?
A: Aid comes in several forms. We provide the grants and loans that are the traditional tools of development agencies. We also provide technical assistance and try to connect businesses with the resources and information they need to continue to grow their business in Schenectady County. Usually Metroplex assistance is matched by private financing on a matching basis with a larger share of project costs coming from private financing.
Q: Where do you get the funds?
A: Metroplex is funded through dedicated sales tax revenues, 70 percent of one-half of one percent of county sales tax.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: Metroplex's original service district of 24 square miles stretches along Routes 5 and 7, which converge near the city's downtown. Several communities in the county have opted to join the authority, so that its territory has now expanded to about 84 square miles. Metroplex Boundaries Map
Q: Can I give some suggestions or voice concerns about any of the projects Metroplex is involved in?
A: Metroplex operates under the NYS Open Meetings Law, solicits public input, seeks consensus on all projects, and works in cooperation with Schenectady County and the City of Schenectady, often partnering with them on major capital projects.
Q: Where can I get more financial information on the Metroplex and its projects?
Public Authority Reporting Page
A: You can get more information by calling us at (51 377-1109, or by fax at (51 382-2575. You can also send us a request by clicking here,  and we will mail you information.
Q: What kind of credit rating does Metroplex have?
A: Metroplex has investment grade credit ratings from three of Wall Street's leading firms. We received an "A" rating from both Standard and Poor and Fitch, and the prestigious "A2" rating from Moody's.
Q: How can I get in touch with someone at Metroplex?
A: You can contact us by calling (51 377-1109, or click here to send us an email.

Quoted Text

What is a Public Authority?
Public authorities are corporate instruments of the State created by the Legislature to further public interests. Public authorities have various levels of autonomy from the State based on the powers, as well as the constraints, built into their legislative mandate. Some public authorities are completely self-supporting and operate entirely outside the budget process, while others rely on State appropriations to fund operations. In addition, most authorities are authorized to issue bonds—without voter approval—to develop and maintain infrastructure, such as roads and schools, or to fund projects for third parties, including hospitals and nursing homes. The debt service for these bonds is usually supported by revenues of the project, such as tolls that are levied by the authority, fees paid by the third party or appropriated payments from the State to repay outstanding debt. The State has also assigned specific revenue streams to an authority as a way for the authority to pay debt service.
Unlike traditional State agencies, many authorities conduct business outside of the typical oversight and accountability requirements for operations including, but not limited to, employment practices, contracts and procurement procedures, and financial reporting. Each public authority is governed by a separate board of directors appointed by elected officials for varying terms of office.
The Public Authorities Accountability Act of 2009 (Chapter 506 of the Laws of 2009) will require many new measures designed to improve the oversight and accountability of New York’s public authorities. New reporting requirements including mission statements, measurement reports and capital projects reporting will provide more information on authority operations. In addition, the State Comptroller is granted discretion to review certain public authority contracts ensuring a higher level of oversight of public authority contracts.

Quoted from CICERO

It's not a negative view, it is reality.  I am not suggesting not have ANY government, I am talking about an economy that is based on free markets and rule of law.  Not an economy where government gives special privilege to certain businesses by collecting money from the citizens in the form of sales tax, or property tax, then redistributing that money to select businesses.(ie: Galesi Group, HighBridge Development)  Or giving property tax exemptions to one business but not offering it to their competitor.  There is no Rule of Law and level playing field because the rules such as taxation are not applied evenly or fairly.  

An economy that is based on rule of law and free markets isn't anarchy, it is what used to be called capitalism.  The central economic planning you suggest, where government takes the citizens money through taxation and then redistributes it to wherever they desire, and gives tax breaks to select businesses within an industry, whether it be the federal, state, or local government, used to be called socialism or corporatism, and yes, even fascism.  

Quoted from senders

you equated them to a mandate...as if having the voters vote for it would make a difference...WE ALREADY VOTE
FOR PEOPLE TO BUDGET/MANDATE/SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS....now you want to breathe 'tax payer life' into the
metroplex as if IT'S ANOTHER LAYER OF GOVERNMENT.....

AND YES THEY DO EXIST AT THE (maybe I stated it wrong) DISPLEASURE of the taxpayers considering our elected
are IN BED with it.....



http://www.abo.ny.gov/abo/about_mission.html