The City of Troy, New York, "Where Henry Hudson Turned Around."

Friday, January 22, 2016

WATER WORLD

Well, there's no getting around all these stories. It's all about the water these past few days. We have the water main break in Lansingburgh; carcinogens  in well water up in Hoosick Falls and lead in the water out in Flint. Water, water, water.

Troy, for the most part, has pulled together. Mantello has set aside partisanship and she and Mayor Madden appeared together at a press conference. There were no casualties. Something Trojans like to see. After all, we are all in this together. Unless you have water. Then, not really.

According to the Times Union:

"The city's $2.7 million project to replace the shattered 33-inch water main that caused a regional crisis will be fast-tracked, the City Council was told Thursday night.

The City Council voted 9-0 to approve the environmental review of the project to replace 3,700 feet of the cracked riveted steel main with a 36-inch cast iron main."

The issues even drew the attention of Congressman Paul Tonko (D) and State Senator Kathleen Marchione (R). Tonko has been working on this issue for over a year, gathering data on the need for updated infrastructure. But, we know how fast Washington works. The phrase "studying an issue" usually results in a report that gathers dust somewhere in D.C.

In the meantime, Cohoes and Waterford are weighing alternate water sources. An expensive proposition.

But, as always, there's one in every crowd: The man that reminds every woman of their first husband - District 2 Councilman, Mark McGrath.

During Troy's meeting, Councilman Mark McGrath said he was frustrated the city hadn't moved quicker last year to take on the water main replacement, after it was warned in a city engineering study about the need to replace the main.

The city was particularly concerned because of the large number of people served by the connection and the size of the main — the largest in the city at 33 inches, McGrath said.

Now, we like Mark. He's guaranteed fodder for any site but Mark, did you really need an engineer to tell you that infrastructure built during the Theodore Roosevelt Administration could fail, at any time? Mark has made a career of pointing fingers and laying blame. He is entering his ninth year as an elected official and his only initiative has been his selection as Mantello's caddy, with any extra $2,500 in salary.

People should be aware that not all public officials have been blind to the impending infrastructure problem. To their credit, both Mayor Pattison and Mayor Tutunjian did take efforts to address the issue. Tutunjian sought money to address some of these issues. Mayor Pattison took some criticism for allocating CDBG dollars and other revenue sources towards infrastructure instead of using the money to lower taxes.

It's never been more clear that the underlying root of Troy's problems was the serial bonding that took place in the 1990's. Without that, there would still be problems, to be sure. But, the debt incurred 20+ years ago unleashed a can of worms that hangs around our necks like an albatross of mixed metaphors.



54 comments:

Anonymous said...

McGrath could easily go down as the worst elected official in city history. He's constantly on his soap box about something. Funny thing is, none of the efforts are ever directed to righting a wrong in his own district. North Central is a disaster, but where's Mark? He's in council district 1. He Michael LoPorto without the accent.

Anonymous said...

Frank Lopasta and Dworsky have ruined this city. People think that it was Lou and Peter who set this city back 20 years. Thank you for telling the truth.

Anonymous said...

Is it Tango Down Friday, or did I miss it?

Anonymous said...

Mark McGrath, the man who reminds everyone of their first husband-- priceless

Anonymous said...

Wow you first 2 should have the water tested in your houses today.

Anonymous said...

It's McGrath, Dworsky and LaPosta who are the culprits in this story? The engineering report on Francos 1300 report shows clearly the pipe that burst had been identified and stated it had to be replaced. It sat on Lou's desk for how many years? He was too busy at a ribbon cutting and Ryan was too busy making sure the new water system at the golf course worked. You people are drinking something a lot harder than water.

Phana24JG said...

How can one even suggest McGrath may be THE substandard elected official, give the abject failure that he replaced, and the historical Clown Prince Demo mentioned in the OP? In case you managed to miss it, the water main failure impacted EVERY district. Furthermore, if I heard Chris Wheland correctly, he suggested they had some indication there was a serious problem in that area for some time.

While Demo properly identifies the Dworsky Disaster as the root of our financial problems, dismissing the state as a potential partner is rather short-sighted. It is disastrous state policies over the past 50+ years that have left upstate cities so vulnerable. Instead of proposing a 5 billion clean energy scam(State of the State address), Dear Leader Cuomo could actually put that money toward something that is useful, such as vital infrastructure.

Anonymous said...

As someone poignantly noted: a robust police and fire cadre is nice to have, but it is essential that we have water. Who will have the political will to effect change...

Anonymous said...

"I'm going to blow the roof off of this place next week. Not this week, as my previous bragging has indicated" - Dirty Joe

Anonymous said...

Not Tango Down Friday? Damn. Joe don't text me anymore! Is it Monday?

Anonymous said...

why is the cop that has to investigate the dirty cops the one that gets the bad rap. If the cops didn't break the law then there would be no investigations.

Anonymous said...

What the hell have our council reps done for us living in the north end. K Mcgrath & Gordon were both ineffective.

Anonymous said...

How about Boss Hogg Jim Gully? Where was he?

Anonymous said...

9:21--Gully has been on the job less than a month--wtf? Born & bred in the Burgh McGrath was busy funking up big boy deals downtown, and Gordon in mayor mode from minute one--so neither got shit done.Gully will leave them in his dust

Anonymous said...

Yeah- and a guy who ran 5 times and won db

Anonymous said...

I think they were talking about Kevin McGrath. Why I don't know. Harry, care to answer?

Anonymous said...

And that exactly summerizes why NC is in the mess it's in. Your choice is Anastasia or Mark.

Anonymous said...

Tango down Saturday? Anyone? Anyone? Did I miss the 911 arrests?

Anonymous said...

Is someone bragging that Mark McGrath beat Anastasia? He ran against the only person in Troy that he could beat!Hell Tut may have been able to beat Anastasia

Anonymous said...

Nothing like reading a bunch of losers attacking a successful official. Mark, keep representing the people like you do and you'll always be elected.

PV

Anonymous said...

11:18 look at his competition, jackwad. The bar hasn't been set too high, you know?

Anonymous said...

Kevin Mcgrath too busy defending himself fron Vindicated Eddies big lawsuit

Anonymous said...

Monday is 25 working days till we are Dunne in the city of Troy. Boom. Unless the meltdown happens first. Boom. Which comes first. Boom.

Phana24JG said...

If Kevin McGrath did such a bad job, why was he overwhelmingly re-elected? One could make the same argument for Mark McGrath, but in fairness 10.29 has a point, Mumbling Marvin could probably have beaten Miss AmeriKKKa, but he did win in the past rather easily if I recall correctly.

Anonymous said...

Did nothing isn't quite the same as doing a bad job. Mark has never taken the lead on any issue that would favorably pact his district. He's an attention whore who, like Mantello, and many others, is all talk. He just talks the loudest so his lack of accomplishment is all the more highlighted.

Anonymous said...

Lack of accomplishment? That's up for debate but what's not up for debate is his public ass spanking and ultimate suspension for Bill Dunne and his dirty sidewalk deal. Boom.

Anonymous said...

Thirty grand in tax warrants still outstanding. Boom. EmbroidMe, epic failure. Public picks up tab. Boom. Tango Down tomorrow. Billie Jean escapes out of state. Business partner dead. Boom. Got to fix a boiler. Boom.

Phana24JG said...

3.53, at this point, I will gladly take a councilman who does no harm and appears to at least give a damn about taxpayers. I expect some attention whoring from a city council member, and provided it's in the best interests of the city, don't mind it.

Chubbys Subs said...

I think Stonledge was a thorn in Harrys side. He prayed for rain axd flooding on Gurley Ave to take the focus off of Kevins recognition of how good the project was.

Anonymous said...

Yeah but you will never see Mark at the boys club mooching a free Turkey. Nor will you ever see Mark inciting a race riot. BOOM

Anonymous said...

Scumbag Vito and McAsshole love Mark McGrath. Thats said it all.

Anonymous said...

Carmzilla gave Mark McGrath a very important job on the new council, he is Secretary of back hair and he also is in charge of mowing Tuts lawn, picking up New clothes for Tut at the tall and fat stores and giving his son boxing lessons

Anonymous said...

Did you say "successful official" and "Mark (back hair) McGrath" in the same sentence. MARK did come in handy just last week, the red light wasn't working near St Paul's so Mark volunteered the use of his face to act for the red light. Worked perfect! Buford T Justice

Anonymous said...

So Phana, you are now defending Mark McGrath?

Anonymous said...

Kevin did a great job on Stoneledge and he did it quietly without the fan fare Tut and company create whenever they do a good deed for the "people" of Troy, who they all hate!

Anonymous said...

Phana, are you defending Mark McGrath?

Anonymous said...

Vary good post Norman Bates

Anonymous said...

Boy 1:15 to 1:30 hope your not back on the pipe. Call your sponsor.

Anonymous said...

Defending Mark McGrath from what? Jealous political wannabes? it's easy to get rid of him, just run against him.

Anonymous said...

Kevin did a great job as councilman, the only people who didn't like him were the old city hall gang. You remember those petty little trolls. They were actually jealous of the good press Kevin got for helping on the project. The old city hall gang. Like petulant 8th graders hating on anything that wasn't their ifea

Anonymous said...

Will we see Mark get his back mowed?

Anonymous said...

Got tax breaks? Yeah, real smart

Anonymous said...

#GotWarrant

Phana24JG said...

1.29, I am defending him and his remarks on this issue. I voted for McGrath(seriously, how could any taxpayer vote for Miss Amerikkka?) and I like his professed fiscal conservatism. I was not paying much attention to local politics during his previous tenure, so I plead some ignorance. I don't know McGrath personally at all, save for a conversation we had when he was circulating petitions.

This is a tough frigging crowd. When I agree with Demo or defend a Democrat, I get accused of sucking-up. When I disagree or defend a Republican, I get ripped. At least I have the gonads to use the same screen name, and let people know my political orientation.

Anonymous said...

kevin did a great job stealing votes.

Anonymous said...

Yeah run alleged Rev Tim Then he can buy his own turkey

Anonymous said...

Yes,but between all of us, he still leads 3-0 in felonies

Anonymous said...

Please. The only reason Mark McGrath wins at anything more than bingo is because his competition is weak and everyone thinks he's related to Pat.

Anonymous said...

There's no PILOT for Stoneledge. It generates hundreds of thousands in property tax revenue, reducing the burden on taxpayers. Unlike Harry's jaw dropping PILOT agreement for the Dinosaur-- a 20 year property tax exemption. Who's picking up all that slack? The Troy taxpayers. Gee thanks Harry!

Anonymous said...

Phana why don't just post on McAssholes blog. Nomeone cares who you like or voted fro,

Anonymous said...

And 70% of the vote, twice!

Phana24JG said...

8.45, why don't you learn some rudimentary communication skills?

Anonymous said...

"Everyone thinks he's relalated to Pat". That lines getting a little old Kevin but you think it works so go with it. What I would love to know though is who would Pat rather be related to? I don't think you'll like the answer son.

Anonymous said...

70% twice? Why didn't he run again?