FRIDAY FOLLIES

CRIME DOWN?

Now that the Division of Criminal Justice statistics show violent crime dropping, guess who is citing statistics?

Or, to use Tutunjian's theory: Is crime really down or are fewer people reporting crimes?

CITY HALL SALE

The Deputy Mayor thinks it's taking too long to get the City Hall Sale Committee up and running.

It's a shame. If only Harry had been open about this entire process back in the Fall the deal might be done. Instead, the Mayor's election year stunt backfired. It may have cost him a GOP majority on the Council. At the very least, City employees are still toiling away in a building with a structural integrity that has become emblematic of the Tutunjian Administration's integrity.

PAY RAISES

This issue has a tortured chronological history. By now, it is clear that the retroactive raises will not be touched. That's seems best. We can imagine that would be a nightmare scenario in terms of paperwork, budgeting etc.

The 2008 raises are back on the table, according to this article, if they were ever off the table.

According to DPW Commissioner and pay raise expert Bob Mirch:

"I just hope that all members of the majority are willing to tell the truth under deposition of how they met at Democratic headquarters with Chairman (Thomas) Wade and discussed punishing the administrative employees of Mayor Tutunjian," said Mirch. "In a court of law we will definitely hold them accountable. It’s illegal. They’re not judges. We will definitely file a lawsuit because no one is elected to punish people."

We once had a dog like that. You never, ever reached for his bowl while he ate. Good luck with that suit, Bob.

Mirch also threatened to sue the city for violating the Rensselaer County Legislature's post-election pay raise copyright.

WE GOT GIP'D

The South Troy Gateway Project has been less than a success among many South Troy residents. Those same residents may know be happy to learn that they may pay twice for the project.

The City awarded the contract to the lowest, qualified bidder. Then, the Administration gave the contract to another company. Needless to say, the low bidder was displeased. He's filed a Notice of Claim and a 50-h hearing was conducted this week. A suit is expected to be filed in the near future.

Despite the aesthetic quality of the project, we think it's important to remember that the contractor doing the work did not conceive or design the project. The contractor was hired to do the work. Although there may be some differences in what the low bidder would have done, we doubt the result would be significantly more pleasing.

The point is, there's a very good chance we'll be paying twice for the GIP.