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

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

WHAT IF....

Forrest Gump and Sean Penn had a child. Would that child be District 2 Councilman Mark McGrath?

We can never tell if Mark McGrath is simply a dumb individual or simply cannot grasp a reality that does not comport with his own fantasy world.

In a recent tirade, Councilman McGrath ranted that Spring Little League received a grant for a façade facelift from the LDC. McGrath's issue seems twofold: It is a waste of taxpayer money and Spring Little League draws players that do not reside in Troy.

McGrath has been told numerous times by numerous people (including the Administration) that the LDC is not a City Agency or Bureau. It is not the City of Troy. The LDC, like many quasi-public corporations is a separate legal entity. It is akin to the New York State Thruway Authority. The Thruway Authority is not "The State." This may be a hard concept for a third-grader but should not be too difficult for an adult. While one can criticize the number and necessity for such entities, that does not change reality.

The LDC does not expend taxpayer dollars. Their money is raised through fees.

Therefore, is McGrath lying every time he rants about such entities wasting taxpayer dollars or is he just dumb and cannot comprehend facts that actually comport with reality?

The first option is always a good political move despite the ethical implications. One can never go wrong ranting about wasted taxpayer dollars.

McGrath could, in concert with others, apply for a grant for his district's own little league. Why he chooses not to aid his constituents is a mystery.

The fact that Spring Little League serves many non-Trojans, which is true, should be a source of pride and not a point of criticism. Hasn't the mantra of the previous mayors been making Troy attractive to people outside of the city? Don't we want to bring people in to the City? Wasn't one of the selling points for PILOTS, such as the Dinosaur, is that it will be a destination spot for people in the region?

Spring Little League draws many players from outside of Troy. That is because it is a great league. McGrath should be promoting Spring Little League, not denigrating those that have built it in to one of the premiere leagues in the region.

District 6 Councilman Donohue has identified a project that he should spearhead: sprucing up the entrances to the city. It's not a game changer by any means but it is a positive step. We expect him to act. The former council passed a landlord registry to try and curb some of the issues with absentee landlords. They tried something.  McGrath is just a talker.

See you at the next game.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Someone needs to name one thing that McGrath has ever done to help his district!

Anonymous said...

If it was the ST Dodgers he wouldn't say a word .

Anonymous said...

He's wicked cool. That's what he does.

Anonymous said...

Well --he effectively got rid of Anastasia

Anonymous said...

Spring is NOT a little league program. It is cal ripken. It is also plagued by mis-management.

Anonymous said...

And next will rid Troy of the mute named Teta.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how the continued jealousy of the uber-successful ST program grows.

Anonymous said...

Some quick hits...

From the City's website:

"During 2008, the TLDC entered into a loan agreement with the City for $3,000,000..."

- While the LDC is not-for-profit, in 2014 the LDC listed expenditures of approximately $225,000 in "Professional Fees" and approximately $100,000 in "Bad Debts". 100K here, 100K there. Pretty soon you're talking about real money.

Given that the City is less than broke, does it make any sense to thank everyone for their hard work, shut it down or scale it back, and get some/most/all of that three mil back? Will the City be any less pretty or vibrant if it stops giving and loaning money?

- IMHO, all (3?) of the Little Leagues in Troy should get $5,000 from the City every year, and that the Mayor and a Soldier should throw out the ceremonial first pitch(es).

- Unfortunately, there is something worth noting from Spring Little League's Grant request:


"In October of 2015, the previous Board of Directors resigned leaving the organization in significant debt."

Wait a minute. A Little League in "significant debt"? How much? How? Why?


- And finally, way off topic...

Has anyone else noticed an increased State Police presence in the City? Is it at the request of someone or some agency? Can a TPD reader explain?



Obligatory mentions: Harry, Mirch, Cox, Dunne, McCashion, Lou, Cooper Apologies to any unintentional omissions

Anonymous said...

And how about the giant sign @Spring that somehow avoided the loophole of going through Planning for approval???

Anonymous said...

The canal system opened today. This is the earliest opening ever. I'm sure Carmella will be tweeting Facebooking and press releasing that it all because she is council president.

Anonymous said...

Spring Little League holds the record for being robbed the most times. Stealing money from kids, who does such a thing?

Anonymous said...

South Troy will be looking for a new coach come June.

Anonymous said...

A point missing is the TLDCs objective is to spur development. How does that coincide with a $5000 gift to refil the coffers of a pillaged LL? Something stinks here.

Anonymous said...

He's an angry little man with small hands. You know what that means.

Anonymous said...

There is no surprise of public insider money being given to Spring LL as it's been a democratic stronghold for over a decade and run primarily with democratic loyalists.

Anonymous said...

Spring is not a little league program. In Troy, there are only two LLI sanctioned programs: TCLL & LLL.

Anonymous said...

Yeah ok angry little man. She'll win again next time. Her brother runs her campaign and will forget more than youll ever know about winning elections. Loser.

Anonymous said...

6:32 - Baseless

Anonymous said...

The next Blog entry ought to be about the Rens. Co DA's problem with the AG's office. What is this crap?

Phana24JG said...

What is conveniently ignored is that these quasi-public corporations were created simply to avoid the debt ceilings that were/are imposed on various levels of government. These corps are controlled by the govt agencies that created them, and pretending they are independent entities is ridiculous. Does anyone seriously believe recent decisions about proposed toll increases had nothing to do with the Governor's office?

Anonymous said...

Abelove-Worst DA ever

Anonymous said...

10:29 Lmao

Anonymous said...

A bare assed baboon could have beaten Anastasia. Actually a bare assed baboon could've won against McGrath too.

Anonymous said...

That is just rude.she is super friendly when she nows you.maybe she just don't like you.

Anonymous said...

9:44 thanks Mark. You're right. An angry old leprechaun cruising around Troy in a midlife crisis convertible is wicked hot.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but the LDC's "independence" from the city is a legal fiction, in most places and most particularly in Troy.

Anonymous said...

We want to personally thank Monica for her work in destroying Harry's Monument Square proposal and for all the new low-income housing the queen poverty pimp has thrust upon us. HG4YN

Anonymous said...

Actually, Spring is not a little league but a youth baseball association. If Spring was a little league, the league could not then have players from outside their boundaries as chartered little leagues have specifically marked out territory. For example, a young player from North Greenbush could not play in Spring because that is territory administered by Twin Town Little League. Youth baseball associations can have players from anywhere as they are not chartered.

Just a clarification of a minor point.

Anonymous said...

How much? How? Why?

Anonymous said...

7:19, YHUYA,

Anonymous said...

That's a good one considering Fat Harry's plan had low income housing buried in the fine print. Harry denied it of course, which means one of three things:

(1) He didn't read it
(2) He read it and didn't understand it
(3) He lied.

No wonder he can't get elected.
HL3TN. Harry Lost Three Times Now.

Hugh G Rection said...

Save it Harry, didn't you lie to the council when you told them there was no low income housing in the first proposal you signed off on. Turns out you had low income housing included in that plan. So stop with your garbage!! You still don't get it, we remember all the shit you shoveled our way, and you wonder why everyone hates you. You were horrible for Troy, you and all the scum you brought with you!

Anonymous said...

I know Mike Teta and he worked on her election. So what? She still won on her own.and she can win again if the dems can work together.

Anonymous said...

You men really checked out Mark's hands. Aint that a chick thing.

Anonymous said...

Mike Teta? Lol.

Anonymous said...

Mike is a great guy and so isn't his sister Erin.
So there's that.

Anonymous said...

muscles is the fake Mcgrath

Anonymous said...

Yeah ok Fredo. YOU are the fake McGrath.

Anonymous said...

I thought that little league and youth were the same things. This blogger is pretty cool because it keeps me updated on things in this county.I get the times useless all they say is nothing accept sports.

Anonymous said...

I played little.league it was awesome. No drama. No bagg@ge.. Just us down in South Troy.we rocked,!

Anonymous said...

If people.are.going to pick on appearances..well that is just WRONG! How bout we start looking to intelligence and class?!