Marv Cermak: Brothers deserve to be Schenectady patroons

Marv Cermak, Covering Schenectady

Published 9:07 pm, Monday, April 21, 2014

A year ago last month, I suggested brothers Jack and Dennis McDonald were the most worthy candidates I could think of for the Patroon Award, the city's highest honor.

Needless to say, that didn't happen. I suspect one drawback was they aren't enrolled Democrats, the town crunch party. Of course, there is the probable kiss of death — a suggestion from the news media.

I recall former Democrat Mayor Brian U. Stratton bestowing the Patroon award on six people one night. All six just happened to be longtime Democrat Committee members.

This old buzzard isn't enrolled in a political party in an ongoing attempt to be Switzerland — that is, neutral. Conversely, it's saddening to witness petty politics — instead of merit — played by some of the community's alleged leaders.

Back in 2000, when downtown Schenectady was a ghost town, the McDonald brothers converted an abandoned Liberty Street eyesore building into the popular Pinhead Susan's Irish Pub. At the time, I told them they were nuts to invest in a dead downtown.

Since then, the brothers have turned around the badly deteriorated Van Dyck Jazz Club and transformed the failed former Lower Mohawk Club into the busy Stockade Restaurant/Inn. I had written about these success stories in the past Patroon suggestion column.

What I forgot was Jack McDonald had previously bought and converted the failing former Veronica Lynch Real Estate building into a downtown office for his engineering firm. He also renovated a rundown Stockade home and moved his residence to the city.

As a sidelight, it's interesting to note the brothers achieved all this without grants, alias free money, from Metroplex. Several new restaurants have popped up in the last few years, but the brothers took the leap when the city was at rock bottom.

For cynics who think this may read like a paid advertisement for the McDonalds, I add this disclaimer: I've never once eaten or had a drink at the three aforementioned restaurants.

Finally, I'm certain the brothers aren't lying awake at night because they're not Patroons, but I'm spouting because what's right is right.

Porbably because they are not cronies of McC and Co

This is old news. The Patroon Award has been politicized like everything else by the failed DEM machine. Only DEMS need apply. The next Patroon will go to Peggy King who showed up to pick a Chamber
award for Mayor McCheese. The fact that tax cheat Morris won an award {after fleeing the City} tells you all you need to know about the joke award an the idiots handing them out.

Quoted from benny salami

This is old news. The Patroon Award has been politicized like everything else by the failed DEM machine. Only DEMS need apply. The next Patroon will go to Peggy King who showed up to pick a Chamber
award for Mayor McCheese. The fact that tax cheat Morris won an award {after fleeing the City} tells you all you need to know about the joke award an the idiots handing them out.

it IS a political award........

the way I see it....who is going to reward these Dems ...huh????????only themselves.....the rewards go to those who participate in the agenda that is

set forth to become "One of Them"....patroon.....pontoon....spitoon.....it's not anything to be proud of......do you remember those past ???

Quoted from Patches

the way I see it....who is going to reward these Dems ...huh????????only themselves.....the rewards go to those who participate in the agenda that is

set forth to become "One of Them"....patroon.....pontoon....spitoon.....it's not anything to be proud of......do you remember those past ???

Before you know it, McC will be giving a patron aware to Galesi who has never even put his pinky toe in Schenectady city nor I'd bet anywhere within Schenectady county.  

Not to mention Galesi has done absolutely NOTHING for Schenectady city or county excerpt sit back and take all the tapayers' money that the past 10 years of dems have stoen from the people.

HE HAS A BANK BOOK...AND SLEEPS AT NIGHT