We ignored last weeks Council meeting and, in particular, the independent audit issue. Looks like the Council majority doesn't know much about the procurement policy. Who could blame them. It's probably archaic and annoying.
Nonetheless, the Council, in a bipartisan show of support, voted 6-2 in favor of hiring an independent auditor. The Administration does not look favorably on such an endeavor.
We feel constrained to support the Council's decision. The fiscal mess facing Troy is daunting. The Council has approved $30,000 for the independent audit. The amount spent on the audit could either save money immediately or put procedures in place to prevent the City from edging close to the abyss every budget season. The amount allocated is a drop in the proverbial bucket.
Every citizen should call upon the Administration and show support for the audit. The Administration should hop on board and support the audit. If done right, it could be the best investment in Troy for some time.
We do not understand the reluctance of the Administration in embracing the audit. We think it's a win-win. It shows the citizens that the Council and Mayor are united and serious about fixing the mess and an outside set of eyes is always useful. It's time to strip this thing down and pull it apart.
If the procurement policy wasn't followed, follow it. Mayor, get on board. This train only leaves once. Government owes it to the people to turn over every rock before the inevitable tax hike comes barreling down the tracks.
Look into refinancing the debt. It could save $2,000,000 a year.
SINKHOLE FIXED
For now. Campbell Avenue has re-opened. Further repairs are coming in May. An engineer close to City government did suggest that the entire area of Campbell Avenue, near Franklin Terrace, is compromised and it is only a matter of time, a year, two, three, before the road will need to be closed or re-routed. He blames it on Irene so saturating the soil in that location that the area will ultimately collapse.
Sinkhole, we hardly got to know you.
LANSINGBURGH FIXES
The section of Troy known as Lansingburgh will receive almost one million dollars for street improvement, including sidewalks and better lighting. City officials hope the lighting improvements will improve shooting accuracy and new sidewalks will allow for easier fleeing.
55 comments:
Refinancing $2,000,000 in debt will kick the can down the road and the real pay back will cost more. Stay with the payment plan as we approach the end. Where is the uncollected $1,000,000 in tickets, fines, unpaid bills, etc. that was mentioned in the campaign. That should be the focus.
It's nice that the Burgh is getting all that money for sidewalks and lighting but let's face it. The place is still going to be a shithole. Better to use the money to revitalize a targeted area, like the Powers Park block or blocks of waterfront, to create a safe "downtown" that will attract businesses and residents. Then let it expand outward into other sections. Otherwise you're just creating a nicer environment for the hookers and criminals
I don't think the Administration was opposed to the audit. They were just pointing out that we have a procurement process, as designated by the Charter, that Carmella was not following. She jumps up and down every time someone doesn't follow the rules, but they don't seem to apply to her.
The hookers shouldn't have nice sidewalks to stroll on? She works hard for her money
Madden is 100% against the independent audit, the question is why.
Still waiting for the Mayor to release his blue ribbon commission findings on the budget and the deficit. It's been about 3 months.
Two points...
You are not refinancing $2,000,000. Refinancing could save $2,000,000 per year.
There are two audits done each year - OSC and Bonadio & Co. A third audit is just a waste of $30K.
We have contracts coming up, CSEA, TPD TFD. That 2 mil could come in handy. It was suggested to Monica but dismissed out of hand. I doubt she even read the e-mail explaining it.
Do we want to extend the payments or tighten our belts? We would need some big public hearings on that and you'd want some evidence that a majority of taxpayers were behind it. Then again, if the answer is another Harry-Lou level tax increase, maybe refinancing is the way to go.
We need a bake sale I think.
I'll bring the special brownies.
Sounds like something Mark McGrath would suggest!
@7:27 your SOL cause your EBT card isn't accepted at Lucas. So buzz off u jealous SOB
If the TFD, TPD and CSEA would reside in Troy, then perhaps they would understand.
I'm a fireman and we aren't going to live in this cesspool. You think I'm sending my kids to school with the same animals I'm driving to the ER for toothaches everyday?
Once this contract is settled I'm moving even farther away. The only time I come to this hell hole is on my work shift.
Can you really blame us?
7:43, the chance you are TFD is about 0.0001% Nice try stirring shit up.
0.0001% is a little high, but we get your point.
Maybe a residency requirement for city employees, and one that is enforced, is what is needed.
Maybe cause its a waste of money. Thanks for playing.
Seeing how 23% of firemen ( 19% of police ) live in Troy I don't doubt the veracity of the firemans claims whatsoever.
Did you attend Trump University? You don't get to just write down random numbers and proclaim them as factual statistics. That's not how it works.
Look at the state laws on residencey jack ass then comment.
When insulting someone, at least spell check. RESIDENCY
Why won't our fire & police live here? Sure do enjoy our money though.
The civil service exam for TFD can and has specified that Troy residents who pass the exam take precedent over non residents, ie Pete Ryan's kid. Why isn't that standard? Jack ass.
Lots of North Greenbushers are in the fire and police departments in Troy, many are members of the Wynantskill Fire Department.
Pen 15
Chief garret will always disappoint!!
NYS law exempts fire & police from municipal residency requirements. Blame New York County for that one. That said, all other city employees DO face the municipal residency requirements and the powers that are (namely the HR dept) has been woefully lacking in enforcement of those rules. All of the union contracts MUST be re-negotiated and sooner than later please.
Camazilla wins the TFD award and she tells Madden and everyone who will listen we have to do more with less. Except for the firemen. Madden wasn't a happy camper as she gloatingly accepted her award. That may have been a big mistake boys.
I wonder how Pat feels about our firemen representing the diversity of Troy. No minorities no women.
Most of us just establish residency to get hired then move out to the burbs where the generous salary and benefits allow us to raise our kids in peaceful neighborhoods and safe schools.
Can you blame someone for that?
Nice to see the anti-fd guy is posting multiple comments again.
Bro, don't know where the anger/bitterness/jealousy comes from, but you got to let it go. It's not healthy.
1) Wrong about no women (Lt. Melanie Parkes).
2) FD is currently working under a contract that expired in 2013. Can't renegotiate something that they don't have. Sorry.
Peace. Out.
Wrong. NYS law exempts fire and police from STATE public officers residency requirements. Municipalities can impose and enforce their own residency rules on police and fire.
No I can't blame you. High taxes, failing infrastructure, high crime and a poverty dense city. There's not enough good neighborhoods left in the city to attract our highly paid workers to stay.
Live in the burgh? No way.
Downtown? Not conducive to a family.
North Central? You know the answer.
South Troy? Nope
East side? Maybe off Pawling , Pinewoods.
Can't blame anyone for wanting to live where they want to live. Go live in the burbs and enjoy, but I'm not interested in funding it with my tax money. Get a job in Clifton Park.
I don't see his or her comments about the FD as necessarily anti anything.
Are you saying most firemen live in the city ?
I don't think anyone believes that. Do you?
I think it's fair to say that most firemen get their checks from Troy and live elsewhere.
No, I don't think it's "fair" or accurate to say that most firemen live outside of Troy.
It's only a matter of time now when one of Troy's "lazy boy" firemen down at the "Hero House" will search the Internet looking for a story about a child or even better several children dying in a fire and then spin it into something that works to benefit them. Remember several months ago they tried this with a story from Maryland and lied about the circumstances of the story and even brought his own daughter into his post to strengthen his story and his impassioned plea for more money and men. A true hero.
This whole argument is kind of ridiculous. They get paid to fight fire and provide medical care, both of which they do plenty of and do plenty well. They don't get paid to live in a certain address; if that's how it works, then some wives and children should also be on the city payroll. Even if every single firemen lived outside the city (which I believe a handful is a much more accurate description) and moved back in, do you really believe that would solve all of the city's financial struggles? That's just asinine. Look at tax exemptions and PILOT programs for people and companies that benefit from taxpayers while contributing little to nothing to Troy.
Besides, if you work for a car dealership, is that the only dealership you're allowed to buy a car from? If you work at a restaurant, is that the only place you are allowed to eat? It you work at a clothing store, are those the only clothes you are allowed to wear? Keep in mind, also, that many of those businesses provide large employee discounts in addition to earned salaries and benefits? Does the city offer any employee discounts on real estate?
You need to look at the list of FD employees versus a tax roll / voter records / payroll records then.
I have - have u?
The public records are obtainable via FOIL.
Anyone want to guess what percentage live outside the city?
Why? This is America, who says that if you work for a city or municipality you must live there. I never got that. Live wherever you want. It's silly to expect city workers to live in the city they work for, just silly
What about those that rent in Troy? Not going to find them on the tax rolls, either, but they do reside in the city and pay taxes through rent.
Enjoy your money? How so? I don't think they enjoy working multiple jobs never seeing their family's,just to provide and live in the ghetto of Troy. Many do live in Troy so I'm not sure where your getting your information but you may want to check it again
I'm a fire fighters wife and we live in Troy as many do. I'm not sure where you guys get this crap that none live in the city,want better for the city,truly love what the city was and that all for fighters could even afford to move out of some of the worse areas
Ok dart lady
Bro. Really. So you were on a list and didn't get hired. It hurts. It's unfair. I get it. I know it's easier said than done, but you got to let it go.
@3:35 honey, it's little early to be in the bag isn't it? They do have an EAP and other substance abuse services. I would suggest you utilize them.
Great example you retard.
You're entitled to live where you want, but you're not entitled to employment by the City of Troy. It's sad how clueless people are about their rights vs privileges. You want to be a patriotic American? Read the Constitution and get a fucking clue.
Where in the Constitution does it say that all Troy Firefighters should reside in the city of Troy? Perhaps if you did some occasional reading of your own, you could have actually passed the civil service exam, and the rest of us wouldn't be subjected to your spiteful jealous drivel.
Is that the same part of the Constitution that says Wal-Mart employees aren't allowed to shop anywhere else besides Wal-Mart? I must have missed that one.
Stop jerking off to Backdraft, bro. I'm sorry you didn't pass the CPAT but I think its time to get over it and move on.
Wow, I've learned so many exciting things about myself after reading these comments. I swear, between this and Sound Off; I've gotten an $80,000 raise; instead of my apartment in lower Burgh I guess I now own a nice house in the county; I have a nice new truck instead of the 28 year old rust bucket that barely runs sitting in my driveway; I work a side job for my boat (which apparently I have) and vacations (that apparently I go on) and not because I can barely pay my Lansingburgh rent; my health insurance doesn't only not cost more than it did in the private sector but apparently now it's free; and I now get paid to sleep in a "lazy boy" all shift. Did I miss anything?
I tell ya, it must be nice to live in your fantasy land. I'll have to stop by sometime...
Except for the sleeping all day at work thing. I actually like my job and enjoy being busy. You can keep that part of the fantasy, I'll stick with reality there.
I did. Troy can impose and enforce a residency requirement on the police and the firefighters.
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