SURGERY SUCCESSFUL

We are happy to announce that Mayor Tutunjian's recent surgery went fine. The recovering pol even displayed the extracted specimen that had blocked oxygen from reaching his brain to a Times Union photographer.

CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION

Troy's mayor continues to display an utter lack of originality by announcing a Charter Review Commission. A intriguing idea that had been proposed for the City Council's February Agenda less than 48 hours before the Mayor's announcement.

That's not to say that the commission's composition isn't original. Outside of the token Democrats and with the possible exception of Mr. Tyson, each person works for, or has contributed t,o the Mayor.

We could take the Commission a bit more seriously if the following people were chosen instead of Harry's posse:


David B. Mitchell

Patrick Morphy

Art Judge

Peter Kehoe

Henry Bauer

Mark Pattison

Jack Mahoney

Mark McGrath

Clem Campana

Bill Dunne

Then, toss in a resident or two as well as a few people who have worked for other municipalities.
What's the point? Individuals that currently or formerly work with the Charter. Right now, it looks like a Tutunjian contributor circle jerk. Or, maybe the Council should just set-up their own review commision.

It's not yet known when they'll begin to commissionate.

WATER DEAL

Newly elected At-Large Councilman John Brown has proposed a deal to settle the disputed water bill between Troy and Rensselaer:

Democratic Councilman John Brown wants to consider an upfront $600,000 payment from Rensselaer toward settling the debt, which includes penalties and interest. A further repayment schedule would follow, he said.

Brown has invited Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, a Democrat, to explain the proposal to the City Council's Public Utilities Committee later this month.

The issue of water payments from Rensselaer has languished under two city administrations. Councilman Bill Dunne pushed the idea of a settlement for years while in the minority but the idea fell on deaf ears.

It's about time someone moved this issue forward. The numbers can be changed but it's a start. There's an amount of money Rensselaer can afford to pay. Find that number and structure it into a lump some payment and periodic payments over time. Harry has had years to close this deal and has failed. May as well let someone else try.

The idea that the two municipalities will go to trial over this is silly. All that does is give Troy a useless judgment that Rensselaer may not be able to pay. A settlement agreement will include safeguards for Troy's interests in case of a default. It's not that complicated folks.

Additionally, another detail the media chose to ignore:

The City of Rensselaer would have a designated account to stay current on all future service which would net Troy over $700,000 a year they are not collecting as of now. So in total Troy would receive around $1.5 million in 2008 from this deal and anywhere from $700,000 to $900,000, or more, every year going forward.

They may want to find an arbitrator or mediator to help hash out the details, including what Rensselaer can reasonably afford to pay in the lump sum. Settlements are compromises. Troy is not going to see the full amount. On the other hand, Rensselaer will no longer pull a dine-and-dash.

Maybe Troy can use some of the money to pay its 911 debt to the County.

THE CLERKS OFFICE

When the incoming Troy City Clerk and his staff reported for duty, something was amiss. Items were missing, templates had been deleted from computers and documents shredded. No word yet as to who may been so childish as to destroy city property.