There’s been much discussion lately regarding the state of Schenectady’s finances and raising taxes. But no one addresses the 600-pound gorilla in the room. Schenectady can no longer afford to be a “city.” In 1950 it had a population of almost 100,000 people, an enormous industrial tax base, and a very small group of people needing social assistance and programs. Today, its population is under 70,000. That makes it the size of Levittown, Long Island. Levittown is an unincorporated hamlet in Nassau County. There’s county police, town of Hempstead garbage removal, and a volunteer fi re department. Its parks are run by Nassau County and the town of Hempstead. So Schenectady has three choices: 1) raise or create new taxes, 2) cut services, or 3) disband the city charter. Imagine a “Schenectady County Police Department” that would bring together the Schenectady, Rotterdam, Niskayuna and Glenville forces under one administration. One “county executive” and one “county Legislature” instead of all these mayors, city/town/village boards and town supervisors. One county parks department instead of fi ve. All these multiple layers of government facilitate a wasteful environment of political cronyism and opportunity for corruption that taxpayers can no longer afford.
Great idea, consolidate then Schenectady can suck the life out of the towns until the taxpayers are in just as bad shape mas those in the city. Those in power in the city hate to lose control but the time has come to cut spending and reduce services until the money coming in equals the monies being spent or go bankrupt.
Great idea so the City can pull the whole County into bankruptcy. Here's another alternative Gov Cuomo please disband the idiots in City Hall and appoint a State Control Board. It's obvious that Mayor McCheese, Porterhouse and Perazo cannot budget and only follow orders from DEM bosses.
Consolidation into a single city-county is a great idea, One that was proposed at least 30 years ago and it will eventually happen --- the only question is how long will the politicians drag their heels fight to keep their little fiefdoms until common sense prevails.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Consolidation into a single city-county is a great idea, One that was proposed at least 30 years ago and it will eventually happen --- the only question is how long will the politicians drag their heels fight to keep their little fiefdoms until common sense prevails.
Explain HOW it will save money!!!!!!!!
We in the towns WILL pay DRASTIC INCREASES in taxes to subsidize the city.
So provide the numbers!
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Great idea so the City can pull the whole County into bankruptcy. Here's another alternative Gov Cuomo please disband the idiots in City Hall and appoint a State Control Board. It's obvious that Mayor McCheese, Porterhouse and Perazo cannot budget and only follow orders from DEM bosses.
Consolidation will simply hide the City idiot's fiscal incompetence in more paperwork.
Like Benny said, the power of the check book has to get out of the hands of the totally inept Mayor and pals. They have no clue what they're doing and keep sinking the Titanic over and over again with each budget proposal.
That is the key question: Present all the numbers which show the consolidation would save money. Someone throws out an enticing figure but neglects to support it with the calculations that generated the enticing figure. 70-75% of budgets are personnel and benefits - no one has explained how merging all the agencies will allow teh Departmenst to reduce staff.
Political fiefdoms - I think that is the town and village representatives doing waht they think is best for the residents in tehir jurisdiction - (aka democracy)
There should be soem effort to consolidate services - it can work (e..g. City picks up Scotia's garbage). But, it is not going to work for every service
There should be soem effort to consolidate services - it can work (e..g. City picks up Scotia's garbage). But, it is not going to work for every service
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo......abolish government garbage pickup and PRIVATIZE IT!!! That in itself would be a huge savings for the taxpayers. Salaries, benefits, pensions, trucks, truck insurance/repairs/fuel, liabilities....blah blah blah!!!!
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 nayboobs would rather b**ch and moan until the day they die than to see our local government actually be brought into the 21st century. The nayboobs are the the American equivalent of the Taliban -- desiring to send us back to the 7th century A,D.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
The nayboobs would rather b**ch and moan until the day they die than to see our local government actually be brought into the 21st century. The nayboobs are the the American equivalent of the Taliban -- desiring to send us back to the 7th century A,D.
If you actually think that consolidation will lower the taxes in schenectady..........than I have a METROPLEX/GILLEN TO NOWHERE to sell you!
The nayboobs you speak of are the overtaxed homeowners that can't sell their homes or afford their high property/school taxes/fees. Have seen or been victim to the high crime. Have had their vehicles damaged due to pot holes. These nayboobs could care less about THREE new employees. It does NOTHING to improve or help their pathetic situation!!
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 nayboobs would rather b**ch and moan until the day they die than to see our local government actually be brought into the 21st century. The nayboobs are the the American equivalent of the Taliban -- desiring to send us back to the 7th century A,D.
Why can't you cite specifics in your claim that consolidation will save. Provide an explanation can you? Explain the effect on taxes, show using some budgetary figures.
As you have not been able to provide one teeny weeny shred of proof that the county taxes are lower now than 50 years ago, it is quite obvious that you cannot provide any rational explanation for what will happen to our taxes under consolidation. As you are NOT a taxpayer, you have no clue whatsoever as to what will happen when we town residents have our taxes increased to pay for all the police in the current city areas. And how about the drastic increase in taxes we will suffer for trash collection as, contrary to what you have claimed--that private collection in towns costs more--you choose to ignore the FACT that in the city, people pay for trash via the "fee" AND THEY PAY via the "tax" since the trash department is NOT funded EXCLUSIVELY by the "fee." AND we town people will be covering the cost for all the delinquent taxpayers in the city, AND we will have to pick up "our share" of the cost of all the current city owned-foreclosed properties.
Just a FEW examples to prove that we who are taxpayers in the towns (unlike YOU you never paid taxes) WILL suffer financially through increased property taxes.
And of course, consolidation will only result in all the people in the towns also seeing an increase in taxes to fund more of downtown.
So, now provide your details, and you can provide some supportive documentation to substantiate what you say?
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
If you actually think that consolidation will lower the taxes in schenectady..........than I have a METROPLEX/GILLEN TO NOWHERE to sell you!
The nayboobs you speak of are the overtaxed homeowners that can't sell their homes or afford their high property/school taxes/fees. Have seen or been victim to the high crime. Have had their vehicles damaged due to pot holes. These nayboobs could care less about THREE new employees. It does NOTHING to improve or help their pathetic situation!!
Consolidation into a single city-county is the best way to go. It will save the taxpayers money. Be much more cost effective. And the government will still be close enough to the people.
And it really doesn't matter if you dislike the fact that a new private business has moved into the city. It is irrational to be so upset about a new private business coming into the city -- and frankly doesn't deserve any additional comment from me.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Logged
Great idea so the City can pull the whole County into bankruptcy. Here's another alternative Gov Cuomo please 
