What did our Council have to say?
Councilman Doherty (D-4) and Council President Wiltshire (D) both acknowledged that the Council must work together to help the citizens and their political careers.
Mayoral candidate Jim Gordon (R-1) passed-the-buck and "blamed Rosamilia's administration for not dealing with the city's distressed financial situation when the state issued its warnings a year ago."
While the Mayor has to shoulder much of the blame, this is not a time for the standard answer used by 5 year-olds the world over: "He did it, not me." That is not leadership. Good leadership is like a good detergent, you can use the gentle cycle but you have to be able to tackle those tough stains. Where was Gordon for the past year. He knew about the tax hike.
Last year, during budget time, the Council requested that the Mayor slash each department by 3%. The purpose of those cuts was to find savings to mitigate a $1.8 million shortfall the city will face in 2016, as a result of deferring pension payments in the 2015 proposed budget. Gordon's response to the cuts:“At this point in time in the city, to entertain any of the reductions that were stated in both the police and fire departments for a 3 percent rollback… would be asinine." Gordon did not offer an alternative and voted for the budget.
No need for dismay, however. You can find Gordon's economic plan right here.
Councilman Doherty also said something telling (yes, we know, but it's still true). "We are going to have to reach out and work across party lines." What party lines, Councilman? Last we checked, the Council had a 7-2 Democratic majority. Of course, Bodnar (R-3) and Gordon (R-1) should have input on any potential solution but what exactly did Doherty mean? We think he meant Democrats working with Democrats. That is, the WFP faction working with Democrats. Sad, really. There is one reason for this factional split: the ambition and ego of Council President Rodney Wiltshire. So, there's two reasons, really.
Now, what to do? The City needs more revenue but taxes can only be raised just so high. The best proposal we heard was a City of Troy Gift Shop. The prices might be high but purchases are voluntary. This idea has gained steam and we can give you a sneak peak at some of the merchandize that may be offered to residents and tourists alike.
36 comments:
Thank you so much. Too funny. And true.
It's funny because its true. Once again, brilliant.
Freaking hysterical
I'll collect them all.
Good post, albeit a tad harsh on Gordon. While clearly not responsible for the Council's relative dysfunction, the reaction by the Administration is clearly open to criticism. There are a variety of tactics that could have been used to secure five votes. That's the beauty of being in the minority, you can just sit there and bitch about the mistakes made by the majority. Who would find it easier to secure five votes, Lou or Jim?
However, we could have a lot of fun with the gift shop concept. How far do we want to stretch the envelope? The Russ Reeves - Tom Garrett demolition video game? The Sanctuary for Independent Media Paint by Numbers book? The disappearing(at least during a meeting) Anastasia Robertson (In)action figure? AND......you get 10% off all purchases made with Bill Dunne IDA bucks. OK, have fun all, back to the race.
Now McTaxion is stealing your stuff.
No one person has rights to a news story. McCashion does read this though. Sometimes he cuts and pastes comments. That's not cool. He should ask permission.
Went a bit easy on Gordo. McGrath's not angry or indignant, just cranky. Ken's not indecisive, just contemplative.
A product to commemorate our Former City Hall. Troy City Hole donught holes. Like owning a piece of the Berlin wall but takes up less space and more delicious.
I'm trying to think of something for Galuski but all I can think of is a food product. Will the gift shop have a freezer?
I would have thought McGrath would have spoken out aginst the budget. He's been silent, he's for it?
To: A Critic. You spelled literate wrong. If no one reads it then why are you?
It's literate, by the way.
...Another Critic
I agree. It's so busy, no one comes here anymore.
Not only did Critic misspell literate, completely was also "poorly written." 8.25, while I can't provide quotes, Mark did a decent job of criticizing the budget w/out really saying much.
Marks not on the council.
No one likes the proposed budget. What are the idea out there to lower it. Do we dip in the remaining reserve fund. That would lower it by a third but we'd have 0 left in reserve for any emergency.
Wow even the old time Democrate are turning on Dunne. What's it gona be Pat yes or no?
Gonna' pay your taxes Keven? What's it gonna' be, yes or no?
Taxed, good observation. I do not have any inside information, but I have to believe the fire department presence at the first budget hearing was NOT a coincidence. Obviously, they have heard something and were ready.
Since public safety makes up over half of the budget, if you want meaningful cuts, it's the place to go. The PD is off the table with the events of the summer and Sunday morning's brawl just reinforces that position.
Agree. Cuts need to come from where the money is. In most governments that is in benefits and pensions. I don't like it but that is just reality. Who will take on the disagreeable task of addressing this.
But if you cut the police budget I'll take my highly skilled cop talents somewhere else waaaaaaaah.
Whoever the new Mayor and Council are, if they can get FD and PD to make some concessions in the short term, they can renegotiate a better deal when Troy finally pays down the debt that we have been carrying since the 80's. That debt is due to retire in about 4 years?Seems like the options for the FD and PD would be, make a few concessions on benefits and pensions or face cutting personnel. Maybe stop the loophole that allows them in the last year before retirement to take on as much overtime as possible to boost their salary, thus giving them the most favorable number to base pension on. Even people who support the FD and PD see this as a bit of a scam.
Concessions? We are going to actually convince you that money can only be saved if we hire more cops and fireman.
You people are so easy.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the state mandates (gee, where have we heard this story before?) police and firefighter pension contributions. Unless the law has changed, it would take an act of the state legislature to get concessions on top of negotiations. Hence, reducing fire staffing and/or eliminating OT to maintain staffing is typically the go-to for budget cuts.
The problem is that in addition to the general attitudes these unions have demonstrated, they have the Taylor Law and the Triborough Amendment to back their positions. I really don’t envy the position the next Mayor and Council will discover. Maybe we can pull a Sheehan and just pen in a couple of million from the state just falling onto our laps.
This is 11:10, didn't realize that it was a state mandate on pensions, thanks for the information. Sounds like the unions will be tough. State funds would be sweeeeeeet, but not going to hold my breath.
That's right. The Republicans will still blame the administration, though. They bank on voter stupidity, to the extent they even understand how it works themselves.
We don't need to negotiate. You can't touch my pension. I'm make an extra 30k a year to come in on my day off and pick up back boards and linen at Samaratin hospital. I make a lot more overtime backfilling shifts. I have seniority, work in a quiet house. We spend more time planning meals, surfing porn and tying flies than we do worrying about you.
It's a real bitch because every now and then I have to put on my costume and drive someone with a head cold from Griswold Heights to the emergency room. Boo effing hoo.
No politician is cutting public safety jobs, Razz will just remind you about the burg at sons and how response times will increase. That's all it ever takes you mindless sheep. Oh yeah, taxes are not my problem because I live in Postenkill and like all my co workers can afford to drive a $50k truck to work a few times a month.
Life is good suckers, real good.
Gary run for sheriff again.
No-one reads it? That's preposterous, , it has become the talk of the town. Wit is underrated, this is one of the wittiest blogs I have ever read. If you comment how bad this blog stinks, it means you read it, probably every word. But hey, if you don't like it, there's always Troyspin. You know, the blog where all your nasty comments are posted.
Exactly
@808, maybe you haven't heard but I'm a hero, one of the Bravest. You are powerless against us. UFA all the way.
Hey you want to blog fight? Go ahead I'm on overtime. I'm not going to bed until 10, we are watching this seasons first episode of The Walking Dead on demand.
I'm starving -snack time, see ya - wouldn't want 2 be ya!
8:46 please get some rest. No more overtime for you.
@618 Thanks! We are just finishing breakfast so we can be out at 0800. Only one call last night, so I'm well rested for my real job.
See you in 4 days unless I take a Kelly day, in that case it will be a week from now.
Stop drop and roll over!
Garrett just pulled up, turn off the TV and get out of the recliners.
Troy spin, the blog where every other word is misspelled and is now a footnote on a website no one reads. Perfect place for the loser GOP dregs to hang out.
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