POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
Isn't it funny sometimes......how things "coincidentally" happen together?
It's uncanny!
Take, for instance,
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Property Taxes Were NOT Reduced 10%
Heyman's page.
"Reduced the growth of property taxes by 30 percent
In 2008, the town tax rate was reduced 10 percent!"
According to this article in MPNnow from Nov. '08, the Supervisor and Comptroller ended up admitting that reducing the tax rate by that much wasn't the smartest thing to do, because then it affects the next years budget that much more......and then ya gotta do some creative accounting to make it all work out.
"Reduced the growth of property taxes by 30 percent
In 2008, the town tax rate was reduced 10 percent!"
According to this article in MPNnow from Nov. '08, the Supervisor and Comptroller ended up admitting that reducing the tax rate by that much wasn't the smartest thing to do, because then it affects the next years budget that much more......and then ya gotta do some creative accounting to make it all work out.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Blogger's Remorse Hits Again!
ANOTHER blog's commentary has mysteriously disappeared from the un-biased, un-tainted, non-political, real-stuff blog!
Is there a glitch in that system?
It looks like it was modified today at 2:53 PM.
Is there a glitch in that system?
It looks like it was modified today at 2:53 PM.
Morelle Campaign Contributions
Link to NYSBOE site.
Link to history of contributions to Morelle.
A lot of information on there, and history too.
Link to history of contributions to Morelle.
A lot of information on there, and history too.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Perticone's Local 13 Audited In November 2008
Link to PDF of letter from USDOL.
John Perticone is the Business Manager/Financial Secretary for Plumbers, AFL-CIO Local Union 13, and is the person responsible for making sure the finances are in order and are following the rules.
The following are the 6 pages from the USDOL to Mr. Perticone detailing some of the violations with his record keeping:
John Perticone is the Business Manager/Financial Secretary for Plumbers, AFL-CIO Local Union 13, and is the person responsible for making sure the finances are in order and are following the rules.
The following are the 6 pages from the USDOL to Mr. Perticone detailing some of the violations with his record keeping:
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Stuff - Apprentices Etc.
I was just checking out The Labor News site and reading some of the material on there.
Their newsletter is chock full of articles, advertisements and such on there.
A few I found interesting.
Here's an ad:
In this one, they want you to call your congressperson and tell them to support the employee free choice act. They want you to have the right to form a union if you want to.
What if you don't want to form a union?
Do workers have that free choice?
What if you don't want to have an apprenticeship program? (You train your people like the union does......with 'on the job training'.)
Do workers have that free choice?
What if you are an independent "merit shop" contractor, and want to get an apprenticeship program for your business, but NYS doesn't offer one for your line of work?
Would they have the "free choice" of bidding on public works projects?
Or will they be excluded from bidding, and end up not being able to feed their family because they can't get any work anymore?
Amending Town Law to mandate apprenticeship programs is not giving the Town of Irondequoit "Free Choice" on whose bids they accept, and it's not giving any other contractors in Irondequoit "Free Choice" of bidding on public works projects because they are being "forced" into adding the extra cost of sponsoring apprenticeship programs for their business in order to be able to continue to bid, or, even worse.....not giving them the "Free Choice" of even having an apprenticeship program...because NYS doesn't offer one for their line of work.
Free Choice - only to form a union.
Well, it almost did. When the whole board unanimously decided to send our tax money - not only out of town, but out of the whole state - to move the Senior Center to King$ Pork.
But, that was ok......right?
This is a great opinion piece about the Employee Free Choice Act.
I sympathize with the author when he tells the tales of the union guy who can't find work and can't feed his family.
Makes me stop and think about what this apprenticeship law would do to some families.
They would be out of work and couldn't feed their families either.
But, that's ok......right? Because they "couldn't be bothered" with training their employees......right?
As long as yoos guyz can get work.....the heck with everyone else!
That's what mandating an apprentice law will do.
It will force some people out of business, it will raise the costs of public works projects and in turn raise my taxes, and it will enable unions to be the majority of bidders for public works projects.
Here are a couple of other articles I found interesting:
I have also received a couple of comments and links from a resident that are very interesting:
"It is deplorable that the left wing of the democrat party is holding NYS hostage by refusing to renew laws that allow Industrial Development Agencies to fund not-for-profit projects.
Link to article about BILL: S.1241 (Thompson) / A.3659 (Hoyt)
Link to article about BILL: A.5700-A (Morelle)/S.2898-A (Stachowski)
Another e-mail comment and link:
"Did a quick search for more articles
This is typical of the projects that Perticone does not want
As they hold up 2.3 billion in work.
Long Island has about $500,000,000 in projects ready to go.
SORRY---can't have that unless you add 25% to the costs."
Article from Long Island Business News.
Their newsletter is chock full of articles, advertisements and such on there.
A few I found interesting.
Here's an ad:
In this one, they want you to call your congressperson and tell them to support the employee free choice act. They want you to have the right to form a union if you want to.
What if you don't want to form a union?
Do workers have that free choice?
What if you don't want to have an apprenticeship program? (You train your people like the union does......with 'on the job training'.)
Do workers have that free choice?
What if you are an independent "merit shop" contractor, and want to get an apprenticeship program for your business, but NYS doesn't offer one for your line of work?
Would they have the "free choice" of bidding on public works projects?
Or will they be excluded from bidding, and end up not being able to feed their family because they can't get any work anymore?
Amending Town Law to mandate apprenticeship programs is not giving the Town of Irondequoit "Free Choice" on whose bids they accept, and it's not giving any other contractors in Irondequoit "Free Choice" of bidding on public works projects because they are being "forced" into adding the extra cost of sponsoring apprenticeship programs for their business in order to be able to continue to bid, or, even worse.....not giving them the "Free Choice" of even having an apprenticeship program...because NYS doesn't offer one for their line of work.
Free Choice - only to form a union.
Well, it almost did. When the whole board unanimously decided to send our tax money - not only out of town, but out of the whole state - to move the Senior Center to King$ Pork.
But, that was ok......right?
This is a great opinion piece about the Employee Free Choice Act.
I sympathize with the author when he tells the tales of the union guy who can't find work and can't feed his family.
Makes me stop and think about what this apprenticeship law would do to some families.
They would be out of work and couldn't feed their families either.
But, that's ok......right? Because they "couldn't be bothered" with training their employees......right?
As long as yoos guyz can get work.....the heck with everyone else!
That's what mandating an apprentice law will do.
It will force some people out of business, it will raise the costs of public works projects and in turn raise my taxes, and it will enable unions to be the majority of bidders for public works projects.
Here are a couple of other articles I found interesting:
I have also received a couple of comments and links from a resident that are very interesting:
"It is deplorable that the left wing of the democrat party is holding NYS hostage by refusing to renew laws that allow Industrial Development Agencies to fund not-for-profit projects.
Joe Morelle has a bill ( A5700 ) that would re-instate the Laws allowing for IDA financing of not-for-profit projects, as has been done in the past. The law expired over a year ago and powerful individuals in Albany do not want the Morelle law reinstated. They do not want a prosperous NYS. They are preventing over $2.3 billion is construction work from moving forward.
Mr Wirt, Mr Conde, and Mr Warner would serve their workers far better by moving the Morelle bill forward rather than attempting to enact discriminatory laws in Irondequoit.
$2.3 billion in projects ready to go, putting thousands and thousands of workers back to work. Yet powerful individuals in Albany refuse to support the Morelle Bill. The work is there, the money is there, the workers are there. Albany will not allow it."
Link to article about BILL: S.1241 (Thompson) / A.3659 (Hoyt)
Link to article about BILL: A.5700-A (Morelle)/S.2898-A (Stachowski)
Another e-mail comment and link:
"Did a quick search for more articles
This is typical of the projects that Perticone does not want
As they hold up 2.3 billion in work.
Long Island has about $500,000,000 in projects ready to go.
SORRY---can't have that unless you add 25% to the costs."
Article from Long Island Business News.
Another e-mail:
"This is absolutely priceless
"This is absolutely priceless
It is probably accurate and needs to be published full page in the I POST.
Can you imagine the Public reading that this is what our Town Board wants to invest tax dollars into?
Actually the concept of forced apprentice labor is another way of saying the town board wants to spend tax dollars on people who don't know what they are doing.
The law mandates hiring untrained people to do public work."
Included in the e-mail was a link to the June 2009 issue of The Labor News, with the direction to view page three and "The Top 25 Apprentice Excuses" list.
Included in the e-mail was a link to the June 2009 issue of The Labor News, with the direction to view page three and "The Top 25 Apprentice Excuses" list.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Perticone Needs To Recuse Himself .......
.....from voting on the resolution to amend the Town Law mandating apprenticeship programs for contractors and sub-contractors bidding on public works projects over $150,000 & $100,000 (respectively).
No doubt in my mind, there is a conflict of interest here.
I was just reading a story over at YNNRochester (formerly Rnews) that had an article up about Ren Square and how it affects local workers. Link.
There are many quotes from Frank Wirt. A few I find interesting.
For instance, Frank says that "His goal was to get the thousands of trade workers he represents back to work." and that "the construction industry is the worst it's been since the 1970's. He says the carpenters alone are experiencing a 35 to 50 percent unemployment rate."
Well, welcome to what the rest of the country is experiencing!
Unemployment is at an all time high. EVERYONE is feeling the effects of this terrible economy, and many, especially in our area with layoffs etc., are experiencing unemployment.
However, many of these people don't have a "union buddy" who sits on a Town Board and can push a law through that definitely helps the Union.
Frank Wirt is the president of the Rochester Building and Construction Trade Council, which represents about 18 trade unions.
John Perticone is the Vice President.
The blog under this one, with the article written by Clarke Conde, states that he is director of the RBCTC.
See for yourself:
NYSDOL is recruiting a bunch of Apprentices in the Rochester area.
Current Area Recruitment for Apprentice
216 openings
(40)
PLUMBERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (December 31, 2008) - The Plumbing and Heating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council of Rochester, Local 13, will conduct recruitment from January 6 through December 1, 2009 for 20 plumber and 20 steamfitter apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
(23)
BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFT WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (May 29, 2009) - The Bricklayers & Allied Craft workers, Local Union # 3, will conduct a recruitment from June 4, 2009 through May 6, 2010 for 16 bricklayer and mason apprentices, 4 tile setter apprentices, and 3 tile, marble & terrazzo finisher apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at the Bricklayers Local # 3, 3750 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, first Thursday of each month (except holidays). Applicants must apply in person.
(10)
CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (November 17, 2008) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Millwrights Local 1163, will conduct recruitment for 10 millwright apprentices from December 2, 2008 through November 24, 2009, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the following locations and times: 112-118 South Third Street, Olean, the third Wednesday of every month from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.; 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday; 23 Market Street, Binghamton, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 181 Industrial Park Road, Horseheads, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 1159 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga, the first Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon; 3195 Vickery Road, North Syracuse, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 325 Bleeker Street, Utica, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 137 East Main Street, Gouverneur, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 23 Elm Street, Suite 300, Plattsburgh, every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 27 Warehouse Row, Albany, every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.; and 52 Stone Castle Road, Suite 1, Rock Tavern, every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This schedule extends throughout the recruitment period. Applications must be completed on the premises.
(30)
CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 17, 2009) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Region 4 (Rochester), will conduct recruitment for 30 carpenter apprentices from February 17, 2009 through January, 19, 2010, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the local, 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday of every month except holidays during the recruitment period. Applications can be filled out during times stated, only at JATC office. No applications will be accepted through the mail.
(10)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Geneva, NY (February 10, 2009) - The Geneva Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry, Local 840, will conduct recruitment from February 11, 2009 through January 13, 2010 for 10 electrician apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person at the local, 1401 Routes 5 and 20, Geneva, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20-25)
IRONWORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 26, 2009) - The Ironworkers Local #33 JATC, will conduct a recruitment from April 7, 2009 through April 6, 2010 for 20-25 ironworker apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local # 33, 154 Humboldt Street, Rochester, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20+)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 02, 2009) - The Rochester Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 86, will conduct recruitment from February 4, 2009 through January 20, 2010 for 20+ apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the local, 470 West Metro Park, Rochester, the first and third Wednesday of each month. Applications must be completed on the premises.
(40)
ROOFERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (April 09, 2009) - The Roofers JATC of Rochester Local 22 will conduct a recruitment from April 13, 2009 through March 8, 2010 for forty roofer apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local 22, 280 Metro Park, Rochester, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., every Monday excluding holidays. All applications must be completed on site during the time indicated.
(15)
SHEET METAL WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 27, 2009) - The Sheet Metal Workers’ Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 46, will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through February 2, 2010 for 15 apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only at the local, 40 Rutter St., Rochester, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period and no applications leave the premises.
(3)
PAINTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 02, 2009) - The Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through January 6, 2010 for three painter, decorator, paperhanger apprentices, three drywall tapers and three glazier apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
216 new apprentices - who will take on the responsibility of training the next generation of contractors?
Well, so far, just the City of Rochester and now maybe Irondequoit if they pass the resolution.
I don't think any other town or village in Monroe County has an apprenticeship law mandated for their public works projects, except for the City of Rochester which does have an apprenticeship law.(...and who has had such successful ventures with "public works" - ferry, ren square....)
* Brighton
* Chili
* Clarkson
* Gates
* Greece
* Hamlin
* Henrietta
* Mendon
* Ogden
* Parma
* Penfield
* Perinton
* Pittsford
* Riga
* Rush
* Sweden
* Webster
* Wheatland
* Village of Brockport
* Village of Churchville
* Village of East Rochester
* Village of Fairport
* Village of Hilton
* Village of Honeoye Falls
* Village of Pittsford
* Village of Scottsville
* Village of Spencerport
* Village of Webster
Check out the laws in each town and village for public works. None of them have mandated laws for apprenticeship programs.
Don't you think that other towns and villages would be jumping on this "save the town money" apprenticeship program?
Maybe not. I'm not sure how many union guys sit on the boards of other towns.
All I know is that John Perticone sits on Irondequoit's Town Board, belongs to the union, is VP of RBCTC where the president Frank Wirt is saying that his "goal is to get thousands of trade workers he represents back to work."
A good way of doing that is having an apprenticeship law on the books for a town.
An easy way of getting that done is by having your union buddy John Perticone offer a resolution to mandate it for the Town of Irondequoit.
Which is why I think it would be a good idea to have John Perticone recuse himself from voting on this issue.
***Don't forget......a primary is coming up along with elections......unions are a big voting block and politicians like to court them at every opportunity......passing this law would be a big favor to them and they would return the favor in votes.***
No doubt in my mind, there is a conflict of interest here.
I was just reading a story over at YNNRochester (formerly Rnews) that had an article up about Ren Square and how it affects local workers. Link.
There are many quotes from Frank Wirt. A few I find interesting.
For instance, Frank says that "His goal was to get the thousands of trade workers he represents back to work." and that "the construction industry is the worst it's been since the 1970's. He says the carpenters alone are experiencing a 35 to 50 percent unemployment rate."
Well, welcome to what the rest of the country is experiencing!
Unemployment is at an all time high. EVERYONE is feeling the effects of this terrible economy, and many, especially in our area with layoffs etc., are experiencing unemployment.
However, many of these people don't have a "union buddy" who sits on a Town Board and can push a law through that definitely helps the Union.
Frank Wirt is the president of the Rochester Building and Construction Trade Council, which represents about 18 trade unions.
John Perticone is the Vice President.
The blog under this one, with the article written by Clarke Conde, states that he is director of the RBCTC.
See for yourself:
NYSDOL is recruiting a bunch of Apprentices in the Rochester area.
Current Area Recruitment for Apprentice
216 openings
(40)
PLUMBERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (December 31, 2008) - The Plumbing and Heating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council of Rochester, Local 13, will conduct recruitment from January 6 through December 1, 2009 for 20 plumber and 20 steamfitter apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
(23)
BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFT WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (May 29, 2009) - The Bricklayers & Allied Craft workers, Local Union # 3, will conduct a recruitment from June 4, 2009 through May 6, 2010 for 16 bricklayer and mason apprentices, 4 tile setter apprentices, and 3 tile, marble & terrazzo finisher apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at the Bricklayers Local # 3, 3750 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, first Thursday of each month (except holidays). Applicants must apply in person.
(10)
CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (November 17, 2008) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Millwrights Local 1163, will conduct recruitment for 10 millwright apprentices from December 2, 2008 through November 24, 2009, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the following locations and times: 112-118 South Third Street, Olean, the third Wednesday of every month from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.; 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday; 23 Market Street, Binghamton, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 181 Industrial Park Road, Horseheads, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 1159 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga, the first Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon; 3195 Vickery Road, North Syracuse, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 325 Bleeker Street, Utica, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 137 East Main Street, Gouverneur, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 23 Elm Street, Suite 300, Plattsburgh, every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 27 Warehouse Row, Albany, every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.; and 52 Stone Castle Road, Suite 1, Rock Tavern, every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This schedule extends throughout the recruitment period. Applications must be completed on the premises.
(30)
CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 17, 2009) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Region 4 (Rochester), will conduct recruitment for 30 carpenter apprentices from February 17, 2009 through January, 19, 2010, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the local, 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday of every month except holidays during the recruitment period. Applications can be filled out during times stated, only at JATC office. No applications will be accepted through the mail.
(10)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Geneva, NY (February 10, 2009) - The Geneva Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry, Local 840, will conduct recruitment from February 11, 2009 through January 13, 2010 for 10 electrician apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person at the local, 1401 Routes 5 and 20, Geneva, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20-25)
IRONWORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 26, 2009) - The Ironworkers Local #33 JATC, will conduct a recruitment from April 7, 2009 through April 6, 2010 for 20-25 ironworker apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local # 33, 154 Humboldt Street, Rochester, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20+)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 02, 2009) - The Rochester Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 86, will conduct recruitment from February 4, 2009 through January 20, 2010 for 20+ apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the local, 470 West Metro Park, Rochester, the first and third Wednesday of each month. Applications must be completed on the premises.
(40)
ROOFERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (April 09, 2009) - The Roofers JATC of Rochester Local 22 will conduct a recruitment from April 13, 2009 through March 8, 2010 for forty roofer apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local 22, 280 Metro Park, Rochester, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., every Monday excluding holidays. All applications must be completed on site during the time indicated.
(15)
SHEET METAL WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 27, 2009) - The Sheet Metal Workers’ Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 46, will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through February 2, 2010 for 15 apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only at the local, 40 Rutter St., Rochester, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period and no applications leave the premises.
(3)
PAINTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 02, 2009) - The Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through January 6, 2010 for three painter, decorator, paperhanger apprentices, three drywall tapers and three glazier apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
216 new apprentices - who will take on the responsibility of training the next generation of contractors?
Well, so far, just the City of Rochester and now maybe Irondequoit if they pass the resolution.
I don't think any other town or village in Monroe County has an apprenticeship law mandated for their public works projects, except for the City of Rochester which does have an apprenticeship law.(...and who has had such successful ventures with "public works" - ferry, ren square....)
* Brighton
* Chili
* Clarkson
* Gates
* Greece
* Hamlin
* Henrietta
* Mendon
* Ogden
* Parma
* Penfield
* Perinton
* Pittsford
* Riga
* Rush
* Sweden
* Webster
* Wheatland
* Village of Brockport
* Village of Churchville
* Village of East Rochester
* Village of Fairport
* Village of Hilton
* Village of Honeoye Falls
* Village of Pittsford
* Village of Scottsville
* Village of Spencerport
* Village of Webster
Check out the laws in each town and village for public works. None of them have mandated laws for apprenticeship programs.
Don't you think that other towns and villages would be jumping on this "save the town money" apprenticeship program?
Maybe not. I'm not sure how many union guys sit on the boards of other towns.
All I know is that John Perticone sits on Irondequoit's Town Board, belongs to the union, is VP of RBCTC where the president Frank Wirt is saying that his "goal is to get thousands of trade workers he represents back to work."
A good way of doing that is having an apprenticeship law on the books for a town.
An easy way of getting that done is by having your union buddy John Perticone offer a resolution to mandate it for the Town of Irondequoit.
Which is why I think it would be a good idea to have John Perticone recuse himself from voting on this issue.
***Don't forget......a primary is coming up along with elections......unions are a big voting block and politicians like to court them at every opportunity......passing this law would be a big favor to them and they would return the favor in votes.***
Thursday, August 6, 2009
MPN Guest Essay Supporting Apprentice Law
Link to article.
Right off the bat, I have a problem with this opinion.
First, the title:
Apprenticeship programs are good for Irondequoit.....
......IF you belong to the Union. It certainly isn't good for Mike Caccamise, who has owned his Irondequoit business, M.L. Electric Corp., for over 30 years.
Mr. Caccamise can't offer an apprenticeship program through his business because NYS doesn't offer one for his line of work. His only choices, if this law is approved, would be to either join the Union, or not bid on any more public works projects in Irondequoit.
Next:
"Adding an apprenticeship requirement can actually save the town money and increase diversity in the workforce..."
Really? If that were true, then the Union Contractors would always be the lowest bidder on public works projects-because they already have an apprenticeship program in place, right? There would be no need to amend the Town Law to force contractors into either joining the union, or sponsor a mandated apprenticeship program.....or force M.L. Electric Corp. out of being able to bid on public works projects in town because NYS doesn't offer one for his line of work.
Contractors already have the option to have an Apprenticeship Program without a mandated or required law.
How will mandating a law for apprenticeship programs change that and make contractor bids lower?
I'd like to see some specifics on that. How will it lower the costs and create MORE diversity by excluding certain contractors from bidding on public works projects?
Next:
"This is a winning situation for everyone but the few contractors that can’t be bothered with training the next generation of Irondequoit residents."
That, right there, is the most insulting thing I have read.
Is this gentleman actually implying that contractors like M.L. Caccamise "can't be bothered with training the next generation of Irondequoit residents."?!?!
There are contractors out there who would like to offer an apprenticeship program - but are not able to because NYS doesn't offer one for their line of work!
THAT is discrimination!
It absolutely supports Unions, the big chunk of voters every politician wants to court before any election!!!!
Mandating this requirement by amending Town Law will not only hurt small businesses, and help the big unions-but it will pretty much guarantee that the majority of bids will be from only union contractors!
It discriminates against small contractor businesses owned by minorities and women, and against longtime "niche" businesses like M.L. Caccamise Electric Corp.
It WILL drive up the costs of Public Works projects. The contractors that don't offer it now, but will have to offer it to be able to bid on public works projects, will pass on that extra expense through their bids and onto the taxpayer.
Having an apprentice program in place does not guarantee that apprentices will be on the job site, and it does not guarantee that their workers are more trained than a contractor who has no apprenticeship program in place.
This law guarantees nothing other than the bulk of public works projects will more than likely go to union contractors.
It is NOT good "For Irondequoit", at all!
It should also be noted, at the end of the article, that not only is Clarke Conde the director of the RBCTC, which represents about 18 trade unions......John Perticone sits on the Board and is the Vice President.
The Labor News link.
Right off the bat, I have a problem with this opinion.
First, the title:
Apprenticeship programs are good for Irondequoit.....
......IF you belong to the Union. It certainly isn't good for Mike Caccamise, who has owned his Irondequoit business, M.L. Electric Corp., for over 30 years.
Mr. Caccamise can't offer an apprenticeship program through his business because NYS doesn't offer one for his line of work. His only choices, if this law is approved, would be to either join the Union, or not bid on any more public works projects in Irondequoit.
Next:
"Adding an apprenticeship requirement can actually save the town money and increase diversity in the workforce..."
Really? If that were true, then the Union Contractors would always be the lowest bidder on public works projects-because they already have an apprenticeship program in place, right? There would be no need to amend the Town Law to force contractors into either joining the union, or sponsor a mandated apprenticeship program.....or force M.L. Electric Corp. out of being able to bid on public works projects in town because NYS doesn't offer one for his line of work.
Contractors already have the option to have an Apprenticeship Program without a mandated or required law.
How will mandating a law for apprenticeship programs change that and make contractor bids lower?
I'd like to see some specifics on that. How will it lower the costs and create MORE diversity by excluding certain contractors from bidding on public works projects?
Next:
"This is a winning situation for everyone but the few contractors that can’t be bothered with training the next generation of Irondequoit residents."
That, right there, is the most insulting thing I have read.
Is this gentleman actually implying that contractors like M.L. Caccamise "can't be bothered with training the next generation of Irondequoit residents."?!?!
There are contractors out there who would like to offer an apprenticeship program - but are not able to because NYS doesn't offer one for their line of work!
THAT is discrimination!
It absolutely supports Unions, the big chunk of voters every politician wants to court before any election!!!!
Mandating this requirement by amending Town Law will not only hurt small businesses, and help the big unions-but it will pretty much guarantee that the majority of bids will be from only union contractors!
It discriminates against small contractor businesses owned by minorities and women, and against longtime "niche" businesses like M.L. Caccamise Electric Corp.
It WILL drive up the costs of Public Works projects. The contractors that don't offer it now, but will have to offer it to be able to bid on public works projects, will pass on that extra expense through their bids and onto the taxpayer.
Having an apprentice program in place does not guarantee that apprentices will be on the job site, and it does not guarantee that their workers are more trained than a contractor who has no apprenticeship program in place.
This law guarantees nothing other than the bulk of public works projects will more than likely go to union contractors.
It is NOT good "For Irondequoit", at all!
It should also be noted, at the end of the article, that not only is Clarke Conde the director of the RBCTC, which represents about 18 trade unions......John Perticone sits on the Board and is the Vice President.
The Labor News link.
More Apprentice Law Ads & Articles On The Primary
I went to the MPNnow site to read the article about the primaries, and there it was!
A flash banner ad next to the Irondequoit articles, with the same information that was in the D&C ad yesterday. I took a screen shot of the first one with the Irondequoit articles page, then just cropped and added the other flash banner messages to the right of the screen shot page. (One of them is kinda faded because I captured the image as it was changing to the next one....sorry...)
A flash banner ad next to the Irondequoit articles, with the same information that was in the D&C ad yesterday. I took a screen shot of the first one with the Irondequoit articles page, then just cropped and added the other flash banner messages to the right of the screen shot page. (One of them is kinda faded because I captured the image as it was changing to the next one....sorry...)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Republican Candidates......
I can't find any video yet, but the Irondequoit Republican Committee has had some bios up for the candidates for Supervisor, Town Board, and judicial seats.
Mary Joyce D'Aurizio, candidate for Town Supervisor.
Mary Joyce D'Aurizio, candidate for Town Supervisor.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Pork, Upstate's Lack of it, and Buying Votes.
Remember the "big member" blog I did a while back where I said:
"Years ago, when the Republicans were the majority of the Senate, earmarks were distributed mostly to special projects on Long Island and upstate NY - while the Democratic majority Assembly sent most of their money to NYC and the surrounding suburbs.
Now that the majority of both chambers are controlled by New York City Democrats.....upstate might see a little less of the $cha-ching$ that they used to get."
A friend recently sent me an article from the Albany Times Union that shows how much Upstate is losing in the "Pork Barrel Spending" game.
"Years ago, when the Republicans were the majority of the Senate, earmarks were distributed mostly to special projects on Long Island and upstate NY - while the Democratic majority Assembly sent most of their money to NYC and the surrounding suburbs.
Now that the majority of both chambers are controlled by New York City Democrats.....upstate might see a little less of the $cha-ching$ that they used to get."
A friend recently sent me an article from the Albany Times Union that shows how much Upstate is losing in the "Pork Barrel Spending" game.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Not again........
I thought after the "5 ft. of land around Pinegrove" blunder, she would be a little more careful when throwing out those "measurement" type numbers......but nooooooooo.
Who needs accurate information when you can just whip out any ol' number and just pretend like you're giving out facts to the public because you know what you are talking about.
Who needs accurate information when you can just whip out any ol' number and just pretend like you're giving out facts to the public because you know what you are talking about.
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