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

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

NEW COMMISH

According the Times Union:

The city's new commissioner of planning and economic development will get a $15,000 boost in his salary under a unanimous vote by the Troy Local Development Corp. at its May meeting.
Steve Strichman will receive the additional compensation as the TLDC's CEO in addition to his budgeted city commissioner's salary of $76,485, bringing his total income to $91,485.
"The administration asked us to do it," TLDC Chairman Kevin O'Bryan said Monday.

City Council President Carmella Mantello was displeased:

City Council President Carmella Mantello said she did not know about the TLDC payment to Strichman.

"As a matter of public policy, it was an end run around the budget process," Mantello said.
"It lacks transparency," said Mantello, observing that the mayor should have come to the council to ask for a higher salary for the job. "Just wait for my press conference!"

TLDC operates independently from the city government.

Of course, it is not an end-run around the budget process as the TLDC, like the Industrial Development Authority, are independent entities, distinct from the City. Yes, there mission is inextricably linked to the City, but they are different entities. District 2 Councilman Mark McGrath has struggled with this concept for years, requesting IDA records from the city numerous times, only to be told that he must request the records from the IDA.

In fact, both the IDA and the TLDC have the authority to give salaries to city officials that sit on their respective boards. It just has not occurred in the past. Neither Deputy Mayor Crawley or former Commissioner Dunne took salaries from these entities.

As for transparency, this is it. The vote is the transparency. The City Council does not oversee the IDA or TLDC. The vote is public and Strichman will need to be confirmed by the Council.

Why the extra $15,000 was needed is unknown.

O'Bryan said the $15,000 payment reflects the work that has to be done by Strichman that is independent of his role as planning commissioner.

Except that the former Commissioner, as well as former Deputy Mayor Crawley, did the same work without the salary bump. In fact, according to the Charter, the Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development is automatically on the TLDC board so...isn't it part of their duties?





34 comments:

Anonymous said...

This will open the door to seeing the books. Is he working on Troy time? Does he get a check from the LDC? Does the LDC give a check to the city? If so what about his benefits and SS withholding? Who pays that? Open and transparent bullshit. Democritusyou can't even defend this move. Imagine this administration is making Bill Dunne look ethical.

Anonymous said...

Joel is the worst DA ever.

Anonymous said...

6:21, nice try but you need to do better. He will draw a city and a TLDC paycheck. Why wouldn't benefits come through his full-time position? Why wouldn't there be SS withholdings? Why would it open the books? Do you think they will drop off the money in a brown paper bag?

Whether it's a good idea, whether this position should pay 90,000+ is one thing. It is not unethical. It may be bad policy, but how is it unethical? You conspiracy nuts need to do better.

Anonymous said...

Never used the term "unethical". As far as the paper bag you might be on to something. Now I'm sure you have never tried to make a payroll every week but I didn't know that the LDC ever had employees. When you employee people you have to carry Workmen Comp and Disability insurances. You have to match Social Security and unemployment benefits you need a payroll service. This is a large expense to carry for just one employee especially if he works for the city full time. I could be wrong about the # of employees that the LDC has but I think I'm not. Oh and by the way was this part made known about the extra $15k when they put this job out for resumes? I seem to remember it not being in the proposal.

Anonymous said...

Pat and manbun in damage control.

Phana24JG said...

If the guy is good and merits the salary, fine. However, I know if a Rep Mayor ever pulled the extra 15K stunt, we would already have 20 comments whining about transparency, ethics, and the like.

Anonymous said...

Find someone who will take the original salary. It is not the private sector and he is not running a hedge fund. He knew what the position paid.

Been around a while said...

As anticipated the one day honeymoon of the Mayor and the want to be Mayor is over.

Anonymous said...

Love last nights finance for dummies tutorial. Where was carm? She needs to take notes and get educated.

Anonymous said...

Another thing tough guy at 7:04. What does this "brown bag bonus" do to the people of Troy? Is this now added into his pension?

Anonymous said...

Check out Franco 1300 report. He blisters Madden ass and exposes this new hump he hired.



Oh what? No of you knuckle draggers want to talk about Troy and mismanagement Madden?

Anonymous said...

Joel is the worst DA ever. And Harry was the worst mayor.

Anonymous said...

Gary was the worst Sheriff. Oh forget it.

Anonymous said...

@5:01 the knuckle draggers are in a tough spot here. For years they have ranted about the ethics violations of Kathy Jimino and the county but now are supposed to defend the same tactics used by Pat and the city? All I hear are the crickets.

Anonymous said...

What is the ethical violation?

Anonymous said...

6:33 let me help you out. ''For years'' would indicate that the democrats blamed Harry for ethical violations.

Anonymous said...

The bait and switch is the ethical violation. How many of the current planning office employees who put in applications for the job even got an interview for the original salary? madden is one dirty bird.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, what is the bait and switch? He isn't even Commissioner yet? If he got the bump after confirmed that would be bait and switch. This is not. It might not be a good idea but where's the ethical violation?

I know you're looking to dirty Pat up to make him as bad as Harry, but you'll need more than this. Nice try. A for effort.

Anonymous said...

The interview process is already planned. They already know who is going where. If you are a brother or a wife of someone in this County with a little power, they already know about the dirt, lies & slime. Somebody new may just have a conscious & won't want to drink the kool aide.

Anonymous said...

But F for transparency

Anonymous said...

See, noones talking about Harry so either he or one of his humps brings up his name! Such a pitiful man!

Anonymous said...

That coming from you I'm sure in a compliment... keep singing

Anonymous said...

Some people actually stand in front of the public and lead. Some may not agree with them but they stick their necks out and take both the applause and the criticism. Look no further than Lou and Harry. Then you have those who have failed in their educational opportunities, failed in their obligation to their employers and because of low self esteem and drug abuse have left no foundation for their children. Whether I agree or disagree with the elected officials who are constantly condemned on this site at least they stood out in front and confronted it publicly.

Anonymous said...

Who am I singing to, the feds?

DrewCoop13 said...

Is someone getting the best of you 9:14 ,??? Oh yeah, I AM !!!!!! Stop stalking my page and again your wrong, wasn't mine, but I wish I wish I did it's brilliant. When you opening your store I can't wait to come in

Anonymous said...

@10:44, not sure why you think every post is about you. No one mentioned you so please stop thinking all is about you. It just makes you sound silly!

Anonymous said...

@9:44, couldn't agree more!!

DrewCoop13 said...

Ummmm 7:52 the post from 9:14 mentioned "keep singing" I shared a video I posted to another group of me singing same day as that post. So please, you don't know shit, so how bout you mind your own business for once. Have a good night loser 😃😃😃😃😃

Anonymous said...

@6:51, The post had nothing to do with you and no one cares that you sing on facebook, again stop thinking every post is about you and stop thinking that Harry or his friends are writing them because I know for a fact that is proving you wrong over and over!

Anonymous said...

Funny how people a few things on face book then there father of the year. What a joke!

DrewCoop13 said...

If you say so! How come you know so much about who posts what? If people were men enough to put their names on their posts we would know for sure wouldn't we? Not sure why you corrupt fools find it necessary to read every word I post on my wall. You criminals can't stand me, you criminals have been caught red handed trying to get me involved in local paving scams. And jave been discredited in almost every post you pitifully make about all people who post how scummy and grimey you dirtbags are. Your gang is so pitifully trying to stay relevant but the people of Troy have figured you all out, With Alot of help from me! Just go away !

Anonymous said...

Funny how some people are so consumed by pettiness and jealousy that they constantly look for the bad in people, and refuse to acknowledge the good in those same people. Must be a shitty way to live your life. Consumed by the posts and words of well liked individuals who simply take care of business and call out scumbags for being scumbags. Being consumed with envy must be a sad way to live 9:44

Anonymous said...

@ 2:29 read the 9:44 post and this makes no sense. I tend to agree with him-her. A sad way to live life is your opinion that people are "scumbags". Please tell us how sad your life is.

Anonymous said...

@2:29 guilty conscience??