So, I've been out of the loop for a couple of weeks, and it felt great. No internet, no cell phone, no newspapers.....just family, sun, fun, and many good memories made.
Now that I'm back, I'm catching up on all that I've missed. I noticed that Failbany finally passed the budget 4 months late (and it increases spending). Just shy of the "all time record" for late budgets. Congratulations. I also noticed that the Senate passed a property tax cap, but the Assembly doesn't seem to want to. Good ol' Shelly Silver seems to think property tax caps aren't what his constituents need (even though a majority of taxpayers want a property tax cap). He thinks that providing more school aid from the state would lead to lower taxes on the local level. Even though that hasn't shown true in the past.
Well, thanks a lot Shelly! Thanks for thinking of us taxpayers who have had to live with a property tax that is 79% above the national average. Assembly Democrats don't even support bringing this issue to the floor for a vote!
Ugh, Failbany. You suck.
On to other things.....I saw a commercial just before I left for vacation from the Rochester Kids First Coalition. It was really nice. I visited their website too, which is very informative. I liked it. Here's the link if you'd like to view it.
I noticed on the bottom of the home page it said: "The commercial is being paid for by contributions to the Rochester Kid’s First Coalition."
I thought "How great! People donating money for their cause. A bunch of parents, students, and community members donating money for the commercial and the website."
But, since they don't list who the donors are, and how much they donated, I really didn't have a clue as to who paid for their commercial and website.
Then I looked a little closer at Morelle's and Duffy's campaign expenditures. Morelle gave $5,000 and Duffy gave $20,000 to the RKFC. I suppose it is perfectly legal to do that.....but if I donated to one of these campaigns and was an opponent of Mayoral Control - I think I'd be a little ticked that my campaign donation went to funding something I disagree with rather than for the campaigns of the political office they are running for.
When you look up the Rochester Kids First Coalition on the NYSBOE site, it shows they received "other monetary" from Morelle, Duffy, AND the political action committee (PAC) of the Rochester Business Alliance (RBA) who's CEO is Sandy Parker (Unshackle Upstate and Mayoral Control supporter) gave $50,000.00!
I also caught up on the last TB meeting by watching the video from July 27th. Another nice meeting, and informative as well. The audit was discussed, and a point being made that the balance should be at least 5% - which last year it was at 1%, and still is. Public input - An interesting couple from Huron spoke at length about wind turbines, and it was very good to hear their opinions. Up at the family cottage, we can see the giant turbines on Wolfe Island during the day (which isn't bad at all), and at night the lights flashing on and off constantly really looks like an airport, and it does take away from the peaceful view at night.
Anyways, great input from this couple, and an issue that is important not just to Irondequoit, but Webster and Penfield as well. Oh, Irondequoit has some information about wind farms on their blog to check out.
A lengthy public hearing about a telecommunications tower - which was informative as well, and a lot of good comments from the public.
During the "Items For Board Action" at the end of the meeting, at the 188:3 mark of the video, the resolution to authorize attendance to the NYS magistrates association conference from September 26th through 29th was brought to the table. It was explained that every year each town justice must be certified - Valentino went in January, and now Genier and DiNolfo have to be certified. It is a budgeted item, and it is mandated by the state....so they do have to attend to be certified. This is a taxpayer paid junket to NYC for a few days, when the justices/judges could attend locally at R.I.T. in the spring and the fall at no charge. (The taxpayers would have to pay for transportation and meals for the day, instead of a three day vacation to NYC). Deborah Essley brought this point up, and Justice Genier commented that "'To Be Announced' is the way they schedule it at R.I.T. - there is no firm date for the end of the fall."
Essley responds: "November 20th is the date. I talked to the office of...(couldn't hear because Joe G was talking over her saying:) "Well they didn't notify us, alright?"
He goes on to state that all three justices/judges have full time jobs and families, and that it's hard to schedule a date to go locally.....in November.....but it is easy to schedule a 3 day junket to NYC for September 26th-29th.
So, basically, scheduling a 3 day conference is much easier than scheduling a one day, 8 hour certification at R.I.T.
Soooo verrrryyyy busy. Busy, busy, busy!
Waste of taxpayer dollars no matter what lame excuse is put forth. If you can schedule way ahead of time to be away from your full time job and your judicial duties for 3 days in NYC....it should be even easier to schedule yourselves way ahead of time to go to R.I.T. for a day. But noooooooooo. That whole exchange made me giggle. Essley has a good point, and it is her job to look out for the taxpayer regarding budget expenditures. Apparently, justices and judges don't feel the same way.
Thanks, guys!
Ok, back to my vacation....in which I did not use any taxpayer dollars to go on....we went to many places, and one of my favorites is Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay. I don't know if any of you are familiar with Boldt Castle, but I've been fascinated by it and it's history since I was a little kid. We used to hitch the boat up to the car and head up to Clayton to tour around the waters, and I do remember one time going to Alexandria Bay in the mid 1970's and boating along the river and seeing the castle when it was in ruins. It was basically rubble. On the upper floors there are still "graffiti" from years and years ago....I saw one from 1931 "So and so were here", and various "Led Zeppelin '79" etc. I spend more time reading the graffiti on the walls than other things! Little by little, they are renovating the upper floors and the graffiti is disappearing. I kinda like reading all the old messages.
Here's a link to some of the renovations they've done, and it shows old pictures of how deteriorated it was until the Bridge Authority took over, and they have done a great job at restoring it to it's grandeur. Link
Anyways, here's the quick history behind the castle, which is a true "love story"!:
George Boldt, a German, immigrated to the US when he was about 13 and worked in a hotel at first, then had a few ventures that failed. Eventually he became the proprietor of the famous NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel and owned Philadelphia's Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Got married to the love of his life and had a couple of kids. After spending a few summers on Hart Island (it's original name), Boldt bought it for his wife and started construction for the castle as a gift for her in 1900. Then, his wife Louise died and all construction stopped in 1904. The unfinished castle stood there for 73 years, subject to the elements and vandals, until the Thousand Island Bridge Authority bought it for a dollar in 1977 with the agreement that all revenue would go toward the restoration....and restore they have! It's not all "original" stuff, (although they just recently got the Boldt dining room set and it is on display), and most of the renovations are with modern construction - but it's still beautiful.
We take a ferry over to the island ($7.50 for the ferry ride and $7.50 for entrance to the castle grounds) and enjoy the day. The grounds are gorgeous, and many weddings take place there. I took some pictures with my cell phone, so they may not be that great...but you can view other pictures at the above links that show the magnificence of Boldt Castle. One thing I always love up there is the ferry ride over....it's only a 5 minute ride, but you have good views of the area and the other cottages. One cottage is on an island that is just big enough to hold the cottage. There is only room enough for a chair outside, and one door on the cottage leads to nothing but water. I always get a kick out of it. All these grand cottages along the St. Lawrence, and then there's this tiny shack on the water. Here are a couple of pictures of it from the ferry I was on:
Can you imagine owning this cottage? lol I asked one of the staff at the Castle if anyone ever stays there, and he said "Yeah. They were on the roof yesterday."
I suppose that's the only place to "lay out in the sun" at that camp!
Here's a "bird's eye view" of Heart Island (Boldt had it shaped like a heart, and there are many heart themes throughout the grounds) from the Boldt Castle website:
Here's the entrance to the castle:
The staircase in the grand entrance:
Here's the dome above the staircase:
Here's the "arch" that has a little bridge under it:
Here's some detail carved into the wood around the fireplace that I found interesting:
We went to a lot of other places near our cottage to swim - "our" beach is a rock beach, and the kids like to go to the sand beach nearby because "the waves are better and the water isn't as sea-weedy, and the beach is soft to lay on". I like it too!
I am the dot in the water:
All in all it was a great 2 weeks, everybody had fun...even the dogs love it up there, and Tasha gives it two paws up! (She likes to watch the birds and boats from the deck. She's a diva.)
Busy Bees In My Bonnet - apparently, they are not worker bees.
168 comments:
At 190.1 a sitting judge made false statements regarding scheduling of courses at RIT.
He stated: "..to be announced is the way they schedule at RIT. There is no firm date at the end of the fall".
It's troubling a judge would offer the Town Board a line of reasoning using only 1/2 the facts and only those facts that support him obtaining tax dollars for a party.
The Judge further added after a comment of fiscal restraint and best for taxpayers who pay his salary/benefits: " I have to look out for what is best for the judge to do when he has to take a test for eight hours and has to go and sit down and take that test in order to have that certification".
Wonder why Aldersley did not comment on the improper implication that RIT is not a worthy venue. Can't take a test at RIT?--how silly
After the Town Board was informed of the false statements the Board still rewarded a fellow government official with an unnecessary trip at taxpayer expense. If RIT is not suitable for some then they have every right to attend courses on the moon as long as they pay for it.
Resolution 2008-208 on October 21, 2008 the Town Board Resolved, after discussions of the need for fiscal responsibility, voted unanimously and “Resolved that the policy of the Town of Irondequoit with regard to unreserved fund balances is to maintain in unreserved balance a range of percentages to be amended from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 25% of the annual operating budget of each particular operating fund”. The maximum was amended to 20%. Aldersley, Perticone, Evans, Bello and Heyman, voted for a minimum of 5%----then spent the money.
Foolish to think this was an honest effort.
Helllllloooooooooo Jax,
I missed you! It sounds like you had a great vacation. Thanks for sharing some pics and info about where you vacationed. Love the pooch!
Failbany - Love it! Sad but true!
Morelle and Duffy donating some of their campaign money to the RKFC is so lame. I really wish more people really knew what their campaign donations were going for.
The Town Board meeting went very well and once again was bipartisan. What a different feel to when Heyman, Bello and Evans were in. Mary Joyce is so much more approachable. Unlike when MEH would sit there ready to rip people's faces off during public input. :(
So I was wondering why Joe Genier was sitting at the back table during the meeting and then the resolution for the 3 day NYC trip was read and it all made sense.
In my opinion, I think Joe Genier would have been better off not saying anything. His explaination or whatever he was trying to say came off as arrogant and that he could give a flying fig how much it costs the taxpayer's.
Like you said Jax -
Genier goes on to state that all three justices/judges have full time jobs and families, and that it's hard to schedule a date to go locally.....in November.....but it is easy to schedule a 3 day junket to NYC for September 26th-29th.
So, basically, scheduling a 3 day conference is much easier than scheduling a one day, 8 hour certification at R.I.T.
Who Knew?
HILARIOUS! How crazy does this sound?! It's disappointing that no other council people spoke up with Essley.Go Debbie- she stuck to her guns, made sense and fought for the taxpayer's.
Please watch this part of the meeting anyone who missed it. What a trip! :) Priceless!
Anonymous, you commented on the fund balance. I remember the previous board voting to keep the fund balance at 5% or more. The previous board spent the money and it wasn't on emergencies. Heyman had 3assistants and the previous administration also spent over $100,000 consultant fees on King's Park and engineering fees on the outdoor bathrooms etc.
Mary Joyce didn't even hire a secretary yet to try to dig out of the mess left for her.
I also like that there is more explanation of resolutions during the meeting. Not just- all those in favor? Aye - motion carries unanimously.
Glad to have you back Jax and great job on the blog! Thank you! :)
Hey! Thanks! We all had a good time, but it's good to be back home too. The pooch is a good girl. She absolutely loves swimming in the lake and would go for hours if I let her. I can't get her to jump off the dock into the lake though....she just stands at the end of it and barks at us.
I did a blog a while back about the fund balance, and it has the resolution included - where they all voted to keep the unreserved fund balance at 5-20%. Link.
That whole excuse from Genier was just ridiculous. It made no sense whatsoever. He is justifying his 3 day trip to NYC in September by saying he schedules way in advance for it, and it's hard for the judges to make time to get certified because they have full time jobs and families. It's harder for him to schedule a day at RIT way in advance?
Absolutely hilarious....and a blatant waste of tax dollars.
It's much more feasible to have the taxpayers pay for air fare, accommodations, meals, and cab fare for a three day junket to NYC instead of a day of mileage and a couple of meals at RIT. And, forget calling to see when the date is for the certification at RIT.....just say "Well, they didn't notify us, alright?"
Yup, yup, yup...makes sense.
Typical entitlement mentality.
Another Anonymous missed you, too!
Thanks for the great photos. You might think about covering up a little more next time you have your picture taken in a bathing suit.
I didn't see a photo of St. Lawrence with his grill.
Hmmm, the budget. So you are saying that the new supervisor "doesnt have a secretary because she is trying to dig out of this mess?" Is that why YOU think she doesnt have a secretary? LOLOLOLOL. The budget allowed for her to have a secretary or an assistant, whichever word you like to call it.
The audit also said that for the the first time since 2005 the town came in under budget in their spending.
They are so conservative that they got rid of the guy who was bringing in money for the town via almost 2 mil in grants and instead have contracted (without an RFP by the way)a company to look at grants and let Larry know when there are some available. These grants are competitive grants and we will be competing with other towns who have also signed on with this company. Who will get the leg up?
They hired an engineer and state that he will be doing the engineering work for the town, how many times have you watched the mtgs and seen other engineers there? Why are we spending money on another study (again with no rfp) for Pinegrove???
How many times have you called town hall and had a human answer the phone? Or received a return call even? I dont know, I can see where there are some things that SEEM better but it certainly isnt as perfect as you would imply here.
I am not saying that Town Hall is perfect but as far as snarfiness and bipartisanship it is MUCH BETTER!
The employee that you speak of that wrote grants also had other duties like writing EVERYTHING that came out of Heyman's office. MJD doesn't need that. MEH had 3 people assisting her. Even though one of the assistants also wrote grants that position wasn't fully needed anymore.
The budget does allow MJD to have a secretary but she is trying to cut costs because our fund balance was left by the previous administration at 1%. The previous administration used fund balance to cover costs. I'd also like to know what happened to the money that was borrowed for heat pumps and outhouses when Maffei gave grant money for heat pumps and the outhouses were NEVER built?
I disagree with anymore studies of the Pinegrove roof and I have relayed that to the new administration. To my recollection Aldersly and Perticone voted yes on this study too. I also wish that the board voted NO with Deb Essley on the NYC trip for Joe Genier.
When I walk into Town Hall I don't see a bunch of Mary Joyce's friends or the Republican committee working there.Unlike how it used to be.I have had a human answer the phone each time I've called. Guess I've been lucky.
I am not saying everything is perfect or that I agree with all decisions made because I don't. I will say that I feel the present administration, so far, is much more approachable and un political than the last.
I also like the bipartisanship and how Mary Joyce treats EVERYONE respectfully. I do feel that this administration is trying to be much more OPEN than the past. I now receive answers to questions I ask instead of just being told to FOIL my answer. Gotta LOVE some Open Government! I was very happy when the board extended the time on the public hearing for the cell tower last month. I thought that was very considerate.In past years so many times I've sat at meetings and have seen things ram rodded in. :( King's Park and Medley Centre come to mind!
I guess time will tell. Have a great Friday everyone! :)
The Islands are HEAVEN FOR SURE (play in Full Screen)
Several Rochester residents have owned many islands in the Canadian channel.
Thanks for that, anonymous!
Beautiful pictures....even "my" little island cottage was on there (page 15) and some good shots of all the grand properties there.
I noticed a few of Boldt Castle, and a good one that also showed the Boldt Yacht House 'across the way'.
Very nice. Thanks!
Cheri,
Yeah, that's right.....never did find out what happened with that money they bonded for heat pumps after Maffei gave that grant for heat pumps.
I mentioned earlier in the comment section of one of the blogs that I didn't agree with the 10k to Passero for ANOTHER study on the roof. LaBella just gave one last year that said the roof was in good condition but should be replaced in 10 years.
MJD with no secretary/assistant: Why doesn't she just get Republican HQ to provide a political operative in TH to be her assistant....like the Dems did in 2007?
I mean, that's the way things are done, right?
Anonymous @ 2:48 am,
Aw...thank you!
"You might think about covering up a little more next time you have your picture taken in a bathing suit. "
Bathing suit? ;)
Wasn't St. Lawrence like....grilled to death? Ew!
"The employee that you speak of that wrote grants also had other duties like writing EVERYTHING that came out of Heyman's office. MJD doesn't need that. MEH had 3 people assisting her. Even though one of the assistants also wrote grants that position wasn't fully needed anymore."
Haha!! MJD doesnt need someone writing for her? Really? Besides the weekly fluff pieces to the post, what else has the new admin put out? Have you been to the website?
That position wasnt needed anymore? How many grants has the new admin brought in? How many has Larry brought in? We dont need grants in our town?
"she is trying to cut costs because our fund balance was left by the previous administration at 1%."
Really? She is cutting costs by having another study on Pinegrove and by a firm without the benefit of an RFP. Which by town law anything over $10k is supposed to have???
She is trying to save money by redoing the website "because its not user friendly? Really? It was rated as one of the best in the county during sunshine week. Its very user friendly to those of us trying to read it but perhaps it isnt user friendly to those trying to administer it? Maybe without the guy "she didnt need anymore" they dont know what the heck to do and how to provide updates via the web?
I have read here many times by cheri and heard the rants by robert ament about the "bond" for town hall updates. If you check the minutes the bond which is like a line of credit would be used only IF they decided to do that work. Apparently the work is not being done so there is no loan on that, no bond. Check the budget, audit and financial reports.
You dont see MJD friends or republicans working at town hall? How do you know? Do they wear name tags that say what party they belong to? You dont think favors are being done, Cheri? put your ear to the ground, I know you can.
So, the bond money was never credited to the Town?
Gee, maybe it should have been announced on the website or something so we knew. We can't go rifling through old meeting minutes, or audits or things like that...why...just at the last TB meeting a resident brought up that fact.....that we need monthly "info" on the website, or monthly "updates" at meetings on things so we are informed. We can't go searching through multitudes of archives and such to find out what we want to know....like we always had to do previously.
Here's the link from the TB meeting December 15th, 2009.
They discuss the grant and the bond - did you get a clear explanation from that meeting about the bond money? I didn't.
Two days after that TB meeting, I wrote a blog about it. Link.
I was not clear on whether the bond money was used, being used, going to be used, not going to be used.....the explanation at the meeting was not clear to me.
Now, maybe it's just me....or maybe I wasn't paying close attention, or maybe I'm just stupid....but I did not get a clear understanding of where the bond money went....or whether the grant from Maffei was even used. You'd think if it was grant money FOR the heat pumps at the PS building - that work would have been done already, right?
The resolution to bond $400k was in 2008.
The list of "Debt Issue" for major building improvements was dated October 30th, 2008.
A little over a year later, Maffei announced the grant of $440,000 publicly at McAvoy Park, which MEH stated that part of that grant would be used for heat pumps at the public safety building.
I don't think they ever said that the line of credit wasn't extended (the bond) - was that money used for something else? Did the town receive that money?
I am assuming, since they listed the improvements on the 10/30/2008 document as "debt issue", that the bond money was utilized and received by the town for some or all of those things listed.
I also am assuming that the "debt issue", if not covered by the bond, would be appropriated or re appropriated somewhere in the budget.
I haven't looked at the budget papers or the meeting minutes for those months yet, so I'm not sure.
But, like the man at Public Input implied - we shouldn't have to dig through all of that to get updates on work etc. that was to be done in the town....it should have been clearly explained at a monthly meeting or on the website or something.
Those two above deletes are mine. Blogger has been having issues the past few days, and when I tried to post my comment, blogger said it couldn't because my URI was too large. (If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that one.....)
So, I ended up posting multiples, and we don't want that!
:)
I am not saying that our Town doesn't need grants. Of course we do. Grants don't happen over night.I think we all know that. MEH and company were in for 4 years, MJD and company have been in for 7 and a half months.
If you are that interested in what grants are in the works why not call Town Hall? You could even foil the answer to that question if you want to.
Mary Joyce does her own writing. Mary Ellen didn't and I know that for a FACT! Some of the people employed by Heyman were mainly for political reasons. Working on getting her re-elected. I'm not a fan.:(
I also don't need a press release every time Mary Joyce burps. Some things in my opinion that are more important than that are putting the agenda up days in advance of a meeting! That is ALWAYS happening with this administration and NEVER happened with the old one.
Explaining resolutions during a meeting in my opinion - a priority and Mary Joyce is doing that. Heyman and Company rarely did that.
Not having to foil to get an answer is also a big bonus in my eyes. The bi-partisanship that is quite evident is icing on the cake.
I have said before that I don't agree with the $10,000 spent on the Pinegrove roof. I have to wonder why Aldersly and Perticone also voted yes on that resolution. Essley was the only NO!
As far as new employee's at Town Hall that would be Republicans. I haven't seen many new employee's at all. DPW Commissioner was a prior employee, his secretary hasn't changed. Parks and Rec also look the same. MJD didn't even hire one of her Republican friends as her secretary. Town Clerk is still Barb. :) In planning and zoning they did hire Larry but I'm trying to think of what other employee changes there have been other than deleting a few positions.
I have not heard that the $400,000 bond money was never used. Like Jax I'm not convinced that money wasn't used else where.
I remember the night that bond was voted on unanimously of course. I sat at the meeting like everyone else not having a clue what we were bonding $400,000. for. There was NO DISCUSSION! I called Town Hall the next day and asked and I was told I had to Foil that answer. Par for the course.
Funny, Public Official, Planning Board Member,and Low IQ blog administrator has a problem now with not having enough information. Back when nobody had a clue why were bonding $400,000 he had no problem! Now he wants to know why the ball fields never got completed in back of town hall?! Why doesn't he call up his First Lady and ask her? :)
My ear is to the ground and bottom line is I'm never going to agree with everything any administration does. I am encouraged by many efforts that I do see coming out of Town Hall. I especially like how everyone is treated like a human being.
How refreshing! :)
I am happy that you are having such a positive experience Cheri. I cannot agree more that I too like the way resolutions are explained. I also like that department heads are there to answer questions should the need arise.
But you must have an inside line to town hall because I can tell you that many people I know do NOT. I know that I personally have written the town board and have received no responses. I know that I have personally written and called the supervisor and have received no response. I know that I left a message over 2 months ago for the planning department and followed up with an email and still have no response!
Didnt anyone tell you that you should not use the terms "never" and "always" because I remember a couple of months ago that the agenda was NOT up until the day of the meeting. I also remember more times than not the agenda was posted in the previous administration. Always, no, but most, yes.
I am interested in what grants we have received, why should I have to foil that? Why wouldnt the new administration proudly post it on the wonderful website? Why wouldnt they proudly proclaim in the weekly fluff pieces? It is something to be proud of and I hope they are getting them for our community!!
Why would I ask the previous administration about baseball fields? How about asking Mr Spang? They were supposed to be done last fall, this spring at the latest. Maybe they are waiting on the final master plan, oh thats right, nothing is happening with that either. I wonder why?
I wonder why no response to approving things without a bid? Good for Essley for following the law!! This is not a republican thing or a democrat thing, this is about the right thing, something you apparently do not get.
"A press release everythime MJD burps" Hardly, but how about ANY kind of updates??? Where are we sitting on the ice rink that apparently MJD gave Mr Ament permission to carry out, will Irondequoit have an ice rink this winter? They did after all collect ice skates at town hall.
I do agree that MEH had 4 years and MJD has had only 7 months but what about the things they were going to do immediately? They were going to get the money from Congel immediately (insert sound of thump on the podium)They cant even get him to mow the lawn, I hope the town is tacking the costs onto his future payments, lol.
They were going to bring in businesses. The only NEW business I have seen so far is a pawn shop, a tattoo parlor and a Daurizio property overhaul. The others were approved before January.
is any administration perfect> No. But how about using some of your tenacity on finding out about the things you are hearing with your ear to the ground? Perhaps its selective and you dont wish to?
Wait, isnt there a workshop today? What? No agenda yet? That cant be cuz it is ALWAYS posted in plenty of time for the meetings.
LOL I don't think I've EVER seen an agenda for a WORKSHOP!
It's a workshop....there is no agenda.
The next regular TB meeting isn't until the 17th.....if the agenda isn't up by the 16th...then you can crow....but for a workshop? lol please.
BTW - I checked out the budgets for 2009 and 2010 and I didn't see anything about the bond or the grant in either of them.
I guess I'll have to search through a couple years worth of meeting minutes.......
Also, about the Town Website.
Jeff Hands is the network administrator, and as far as I know, he was the NA during the MEH administration too. He's absolutely qualified to run a website - why would he have been hired as a network administrator if he wasn't qualified to put information on a website?
He's obviously still on the job, as I just read a quote from him (page two, in the blue part on the right) at this link that was created in June of this year...so....he's still employed by the town, as well as Brian Bell, in the information services department.
Those two were able to get information on the internet before - why not now?
What is the problem? Did they suddenly forget everything they learned?
Was "the man they let go" really running the town? Seems so to me by the previous comments about him.
If Jeff and Brian are still employed as Information Services employees - THEY are responsible for information being on the website. It got on there before.....all of a sudden in January 2010 it stops?
Interesting.
If they can't do their jobs....then...maybe they shouldn't have one?
Or maybe they arent being given info to update the community? Because, yes, I would agree they should be MORE than capable.
Of course there is an agenda, isnt the workshop usually to discuss the upcoming board meeting?
"Or maybe they arent being given info to update the community?"
Possibly.
Or, maybe they are intentionally not putting info on there?
Ear on ground :)
I've never been to a workshop, so I couldn't tell you what they discuss there.
I can tell you that I have NEVER seen an agenda for a workshop on the Town Website.
Ever.
Anonymous,sorry to hear you aren't hearing back from the Town Board. I didn't find that acceptable with the last administration and it isn't acceptable now.
Like Jax pointed out getting stuff on the web site is somebody elses job. Not Mary Joyce's. I T isn't doing their job, I wonder why? Hmmmmm
Thanks for the lesson on what words I'm allowed to use. I recollect the agenda rarely being up before a meeting in the previous administration. Usually if it was posted it was the day of the meeting. One time I even remember going to town hall to get an agenda the day of a meeting to send to Jax to put up on the foil site. You may say "most" of the time the agenda was posted but it wasn't.Sorry.
As far as Congel goes the previous administration should be ashamed of themselves for passing a deal as flimsy as what we have. I read in the paper that nothing is CLEAR! Due dates etc are all interpreted differently by who you talk to. I remember calling board members prior to the final deal and voicing what my fears were and I was assured repeatedly we were protected.
Well we aren't and I wonder how much anyone can do NOW in this situation! To bad the Heyman crew and school district went for the whole pipe dream.
If something sounds to good to be true it usually is!
So why not call Mr. Spang and ask him about the ball fields? Great idea.
I also know if you call Town Hall and ask Mary Joyce for a meeting you will get one. You would be able to voice all of your concerns in person. She is very approachable. I have gone in twice already to discuss my concerns.
Bottom line is that I'm not the only person in Irondequoit. I do try to watch and voice my opinion when I see something that isn't right. For instance the Pinegrove roof, the NYC trip for Genier and there have been a few other things. It also isn't about Democrats or Republicans for me.
Talk about fluff that is what the new master plan is. The new administration probably doesn't know what to do with it because the Heyman crew spent an incredible amount of money on not much information. Another HUGE waste of money.
What was your opinion on Joe Genier's comments at the last town board meeting regarding the NYC trip?
So if you do make an appt with MJD to discuss grants etc. please let me know how your meeting goes. I'm very interested to hear.
You know what makes me laugh?
The people that were perfectly content for the last 4 years of rarely ever having an agenda posted prior to the day of the meeting. Or sometimes not at all.
Now this administration has been putting up the agenda days in advance and that still isn't good enough.
Priceless!
$400,000 Bond
I recall the Comptroller saying that some money had been obtained thru a Bond Anticipation Note (borrowed against the future $400,000 Bond). A Board Member told be directly the $400,000 Bond Resolution was nothing but a mechanism to get that money into the 2009 budget. I do not think the Bond was sold.
Tim Golan
The Pinegrove Roof Engineering Study (as of a few weeks ago) was never awarded nor started. The issue was being looked into. Experts did write the town and indicate the roof was repairable. It would seem inappropriate to take money from the poor (cdbg) and install a new roof when the life could be extended for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
tim golan
IT guys change, amend, and update all the time.
There will be changes and more information added to the website. The purpose of the new ICAT Committees of Experts is to find means to better the community thru communications. One problem they have is a miserable lack of funding. The existing equipment is obsolete. The IT guys have done miracles by finding free ways to broadcast board meeting live on-line. Other towns pay thousands---our guys did it for free. And with great quality.
Find them $100k for some new equipment as a start.
tim golan
Master Plan: The previous Administration politicized the Master Plan process horribly! That is just fact. Evidence clearly in some Board Minutes and there is no debate whatsoever that several elements of the so called "voice of the community" was pure fantasy as the Board rigged the process to be the voice of 12 insiders with absolutely no public input whatsoever (on some issues)
In fact, the town liaison, an expert in statistical analysis, stated the Parks and Recreation Survey was not statistically valid. They Town had no intention of an open, inclusive, will of the people plan. The Waterfront section contains elements that Engineers will not talk about---yet they want $195,000 to represent the will of the people. They refuse to offer one iota of evidence that any resident(s) want to sell park-type land to real estate developers---yet it is listed as an alternative and a "voice of the community".
The new administration has invested enormous time reading, analyzing, and comparing the politicized documents to several other master plans that actually do represent a voice of the community. It will be no easy process to correct the misinformation, include omitted sections, and actually include some sort of valid statistical analysis that can be substantiated by fact---not the folly of officials.
It is a gross injustice the Library is having to spend over $20,000 to perform tasks that were intentionally omitted and prevented from being a part of the Update.
Just for a comparison I would suggest going to the Town of Penfield website and look thru their Master Plan Update (now in final SEQRA stages) to get a feeling for an open honest complete process. btw--they paid $50,000.
tim golan
LOL Cheri just sent me this.
I had checked the website at noon when I made my comment earlier, and there was no "workshop agenda" on there....and never, ever in the past have I ever seen a workshop agenda on there. Today was the first time.
Only problem is, the date on the top left of the page says 8/10/2010 - and that workshop agenda was not put up until late today.
I like the idea of workshop agendas, and whoever thought of it - great idea. It would have been nice to have it actually up there on the 10th...but hey...first time is a practice one, right?
Regardless, a nice addition to the town website.
Oh-and Tim, thanks for all of your comments. It cleared up a couple of things for me.
So lets see if I have this correct, with Jax's "ear to the ground" she is implying that the 2 IT guys are intentionally not updating the website and Cheri is saying that it is not MJD's job to update the website?
So in this economy these 2 IT guys dont want a job? They are purposely not putting info up that is given to them? They are refusing direct orders from their boss, the supervisor of this town??? Seems a little far fetched to me. MJD seemed to direct people to get new board members up on the web. The live web for board meetings gets up on the web, agendas make it to the web. Seems like Ms Genier is doing her job anyway...
Tim Golan, the man with all the answers, unless you ask him directly for answers....
The man who was dismissed from committees by the Dillon admin, by MEJ, banned from town hall campus by the Schantz admin and the guy who sent creepy flowers to MEH? Really, we are to believe whatever the man with all the answers, the man who always has it on good authority and speaks directly to board members and believes anyone who doesnt buy into "his plan" is corrupt. Ok, I will sit this one out. LOL...Sounds a little like Ament to me, no one is as competent as they are....so I shouldnt even try. ;o)
Wait, let me see if I have this correct:
It is ok for someone to imply that the Supervisor isn't "doing her job" and giving the information to the people to put on the web - but when I speculate...it's NOT ok?
Same as it ever was with you folks, isn't it?
By the way, Jax, I want to thank you for allowing my responses on your site. You dont have to as it is your site and I really do appreciate your willingness to put others responses out there.
Actually, no Jax, Cheri brought it up. Cheri said that MJD doesnt need help and is trying to cut costs. MJD said at the last tb mtg that they were looking into replacing the website because it wasnt "user friendly" though it got rated as one of the best in the county.
I was responding to that. I was stating that the website USED to have tons of current info and updates, what has changed? You then implied that the IT guys are intentionally not putting info up, basicly ignoring direct orders from their boss, the supervisor of the town?
I think that is ridiculous. I think this administration is NOT updating residents. Look at their own republican website, hasnt been updated since they won the election. Maybe current info and updates just arent that important to them?
Im sorry, I made an error, this new administration IS bringing in new businesses. "My sources" tell me that within a few months there will be a total of 4 yes 4 pawn shops on the Ridge. Great.
Actually it was Mary Ellen Jones who kicked me off her finance committee in august of 2006. She was given a written overview of the Kings Park costs at her first committee meeting. Perhaps Mary Ellen Jones could explain why she covered up the costs. The truth is she hid the real numbers of Kings Park Lease costs and chose to ignore the truth. 18 months later town hall wrote they had "new information".
btw-the plan was not owned by me. It was the best plan for everyone. It is now published as the best long term plan for the community in the Master Plan Update.
The Town Board omitted the Library Issue. Why did Officials want the library decided by 12 insiders and not the residents?
Why did the Town Board discuss at a Workshop the library would be decided by only them and a few friends?
$195,000 for a rigged master plan update and they have been caught. There is a lot of good work product in the documents but the attempts to rig the Parks and Rec with phony surveys and omitting the Library subject are nothing less than pure politicization of the process.
Seems like old times. :)
Doesn't matter that 2 people are employed to update the web site,the Supervisor of the town should be updating the web site!? Maybe we can get her to wash windows too. ;)
How does anonymous know what MJD is directing IT to do or not do?
Well somebody needs to call Mary Joyce and tell her that she needs to "spoon feed" the I T dept. Hey, I've got an idea maybe MJD could hire a political operative, you know like Mary Ellen- Debbie and Gail did to run the web site. What is David Seeley up to now? Oh, that's right he's running the Irondequoit Democrats. Oops, wrong party.
I'd like to know how the previous administration justified spending almost $200,000 on a master plan? No wonder our fund balance is at 1%.
Anonymous, I had asked what you thought of Joe Genier's performance last board meeting and what do you think of the NYC trip compared to going to RIT?
Like I said before if you truly do have concerns regarding grants/web site, MJD would meet with you to discuss.
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Or maybe they arent being given info to update the community? Because, yes, I would agree they should be MORE than capable.
August 12, 2010 11:49 AM"
That is speculation. If this anonymous can speculate, then so can I.
Yeah...the previous administration had tons of info on there.
Like, when they did the apprenticeship law, and people called the TH to get a copy of it (it wasn't on the website until 10 days AFTER the public hearing on the apprenticeship law) and couldn't get a copy?
Like that kind of "sharing info"?
To me, the same amount of info is on there that's always been on there.
Ball fields? That should have been taken care of by the last administration. That was not put up on the website by them....but MJD gets the blame for it?
LOL you guys make me laugh!
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
By the way, Jax, I want to thank you for allowing my responses on your site. You dont have to as it is your site and I really do appreciate your willingness to put others responses out there.
August 13, 2010 9:19 AM"
Well, that's how juvenile, immature, biased people like me roll.
One point I want to make is the Workshop agenda - that has never been on the website before.
I assume that they received the WKSHP Agenda on the 10th as that is when it is dated - but it wasn't up until yesterday...the 12th.
That's not MJD's fault.
Anonymous said...
"Cheri said that MJD doesnt need help and is trying to cut costs."
In actuality I said that MJD doesn't need help with writing. MEH needed somebody to write EVERYTHING for her that came out of her office. :)
MJD is trying to cut costs in every dept. I have to give her credit for not even having a secretary yet. She isn't just telling all of the departments to cut costs she is walking the walk.
The previous Supervisor had 3 assistants and so far MJD doesn't even have one. I do think she at least needs a secretary to help her but I do understand her budget concerns. Our town was left in dire straights by the last administration. There was a whole lot of spending going on. Consultants-Attorneys-Engineers-Political Operatives Oh My!
By the way there is even an update on the so-called "un-updated" Town web site with information about the upcoming public hearing for the 120 foot cell tower.
I wonder where 4 pawn shops can even fit on East Ridge Road with all of the new development that 4 years of Heyman-Bello and Evans brought in. NOT!
Really? Did you see the audit report? Sounds like they did pretty good to me!!
So I guess what you are saying is that the website CAN be updated when they choose to? They must be choosing not to update the residents on anything else going on in the community?
Also, you said "Like I said before if you truly do have concerns regarding grants/web site, MJD would meet with you to discuss."
Are you her PR person? Going back to my original comments, its kinda hard to get a meeting when I cant even get a response!!! From anyone!So again, I am glad she clears her schedule for you to come in, I am glad you are getting all the answers YOU need, but I can tell you I am NOT getting responses to emails or phone calls. In fact, of the times I have called town hall (for different reasons for different depts) only 1 time has a human even answered the phone. Took a message and guess what, still no response!I dont need to take too much time from their busy day with a meeting but I would expect a response to emails which can be done at their leisure.
Anonymous 1,
Actually the audit didn't sound that great to me. A resolution to keep our fund balance over 5% was passed quite awhile ago.
Our fund balance being at 1%is dangerously low and makes us financially very vulnerable.
Ball fields were supposed to be completed when Heyman-Bello and Evans were in. Where did they leave the money for that?
Oh that's right we had to spend over $100,000 trying to convince the public to RENT King's Park. How did that work out for them?!
Anonymous said...
“The Town Board omitted the Library Issue. Why did Officials want the library decided by 12 insiders and not the residents?
Why did the Town Board discuss at a Workshop the library would be decided by only them and a few friends?”
The Libraries, being a separate entity, not controlled by the Town based on their charter, have the right to opt out of the Master Plan process as would other separate entities like the Fire Districts and the Sea Breeze Water Authority.
“The new administration has invested enormous time reading, analyzing, and comparing the politicized documents to several other master plans that actually do represent a voice of the community. It will be no easy process to correct the misinformation, include omitted sections, and actually include some sort of valid statistical analysis that can be substantiated by fact---not the folly of officials.”
If what you think is wrong with the Master Plan is corrected by the current administration without openly stating what they feel is wrong with the plan nor without opening it up again to full public input it becomes the politicized folly of MJD and her people.
Also, my understanding the only errors with the document/s are with the Parks and Rec portion, mostly because the Director (Mr Spang) submitted faulty and outdated info.
So, the master plan was a dud. The board "rigged the process." I am sure a professional entity such as CPL,would not risk their reputation to help or hurt anyone politically. And if it is so rigged are you picking and choosing the portions that are now good. You said "$195,000 for a rigged master plan update and they have been caught. There is a lot of good work product in the documents but the attempts to rig the Parks and Rec with phony surveys and omitting the Library subject are nothing less than pure politicization of the process." but yet you go on to say "btw-the plan was not owned by me. It was the best plan for everyone. It is now published as the best long term plan for the community in the Master Plan Update." So YOUR plan is the best in a plan that is rigged?
Cheri said “Like I said before if you truly do have concerns regarding grants/web site, MJD would meet with you to discuss.”
Behind closed doors but not in an open forum so all the people have the answer.
and“To me, the same amount of info is on there that's always been on there.”
There is nothing to speculate about with that statement. Almost nothing has changed on the site since the new administration took over.
I don't see the lack of information on the web site.
Moreover, I see the town meetings video posted and at every one of those meetings MJD impresses on board member's and dept. heads to explain the resolutions in detail.
Big change from the prior "All those in favor - Aye - Motion carries unanimously."
That is all the information that we got on many issues before.
The cell tower information is up regarding the public hearing. Rarely saw something like that being posted with the prior administration.
We couldn't get any information at all like Jax said regarding the apprenticeship. So I'm not sure where all of the concern about the web site is about?
In my opinion you are just looking for something to complain about.
I wonder why every time I have called town hall a human has answered? What
is also interesting is that almost ALL of the employee's are the SAME employee's that worked for Heyman.
So you are saying they answered the phone and returned phone calls when she was in but not Mary Joyce?! Go figure!
I will call over this week a few times and see what happens.
I guess you don't want to talk about the rigged, over priced master plan or about Joe Genier's NYC trip? :)
Regarding the Ice Rink question:
It was not completed last winter due to several adverse conditions.
1. Materials were not available until after the start of the long thaw.
2. Professional Engineers contributed time, labor and GPS Survey Equipment, along with a resident volunteer to map, draw and report findings, to determine the magnitude of slope on the fields at Camp Eastman. The GPS operators agreed the fields were likely the most deceptive they had seen. Irondequoit has an elevation change of about 200 feet between Ridge Rd and Lake shore. Flat areas are few. The Eastman field shopes nearly 4 feet in some areas and is quite deceptive to even the trained eye.
3. Unions challenged the volunteer effort to install rinks for the residents. It seems volunteer efforts by residents to help the children were not permitted under their contract.
Thanks to the Professional Engineers who helped at no cost to the taxpayer.
tg
additional master plan comment--
Supervisor stated at July Board Meeting:
"In terms of the Master Plan. This document has some inadaquacies, and it is a plan that needs to guide this town into the future. There was a great deal of data that had been left out of this document. Some things that are extremely important. Individuals that sat on the committee felt that there was material that needed to be included in that, so we are working diligently to make sure that this draft as we present it to the Board in its final approval state is the best document that we have to lead this town into the future."
INADEQUACIES is an understatement.
Data left out
Committee members felt material was omitted.
Almost seems like for $195,000 officials can buy off engineers to create politicized plans.
Sewer and Road infrastructure details and projections were omitted
Library issue intentionally omitted. ( the most controversial issue since 2002) Perhaps those in charge were unaware of any controversial library issues within the community.
There is not one word on Government in the document.
Not one word on what sort of leadership it may take to move forward.
tg
The Master Plan Timeline as published by Officials showed a start oct 2008 and completion oct 2009---miraculously moments before election.
No town can complete an honest update in one year.
One little problem with their timeline. It omits a legal requirement of New York State.
Explanation:
Comprehensive Plans & SEQRA
The adoption of any Comprehensive Plan in New York State requires that a municipality comply with SEQRA. In SEQRA, the act of adopting a Comprehensive Plan constitutes a Type I action. This means that the adoption of such a plan may have a significant environmental impact on the community as it takes into account the potential for rezoning or reuse of lands requiring the need for more, or improved, or updated infrastructure to do so, etc.
Town Boards, being Lead Agency, are required to make a determination of significance. This requires the Town Board to say that the Comprehensive Plan, in its opinion, will or will not have a significant effect on the environment and it must make a determination of significance or non-significance. It if decides it will not have an effect, it must make findings of non-significance before it can adopt the plan.
If it finds that it will have a significant affect, it can require the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement or a Generic Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This means that although the Town Board believes that some impacts could occur to the Town as a whole, it will address the Town rather than on a site specific basis. For instance, if it is proposing to rezone a portion of the Town, it has to address the general impacts that would occur rather than as a result of a specific property or use.
-------------------------------
So how much time is involved in a SEQRA process?
About 6 months!
About 35 steps to complete. Several Public Meetings.
There is enormous work to be done to correct the gross politicization of the documents. It will be no easy task and will not be done soon.
tg
Speaking of unreturned phone calls and emails. CPL the reputable, wonderful company that we spent $195,000 wouldn't return my email or phone calls.
Anonymous said -
"Cheri said “Like I said before if you truly do have concerns regarding grants/web site, MJD would meet with you to discuss.”
Behind closed doors but not in an open forum so all the people have the answer."
Give me a break, that wasn't what I was saying at all.
Mary Joyce I'm sure would meet with you or anyone else that has questions to discuss any subject that is concerning you. That isn't good enough.
She should really be a mind reader and know every subject that is on ANY resident's mind and have discussions about those subjects in an open forum.
I couldn't even get freedom of information requests responded to with the previous administration but this administration should be able to read people's minds and respond in a open forum.
I guess there is one set of rules for the Democrats and one set for the Republicans. :)
"Almost nothing has changed on the site since the new administration took over."
I know! Gawd, after 7 months you think they'd have changed the whole darn town around!
Sheesh. What's the hold up?
Medley - MEH
Some paving - MEH
Some sewer work - MEH
A couple of Chinese Restaurants - MEH
Some flowers around town - MEH
590 - Schantz
Lakeside Trail - Schantz
Golly gee whiz MJD - what are you waiting for? You've had 7 whole months to do everything - and you have failed!
lol you guys really crack me up.
Seriously. You should start your own blog and put up all this factual info and all the "ear on the ground" stuff that you have so kindly provided on here.
It's a riot!
cheri,
You said " So I'm not sure where all of the concern about the web site is about?" and " I don't see the lack of information on the web site."
So then you agree with me! I was commenting that your conservative supervisor the one that you said "MJD is trying to cut costs in every dept."
because MJD said "we are going to be looking at a new web site because the one we have isnt user friendly" I was saying it IS user friendly. You seem to think it is user friendly as well, so why do we need to waste money on a new website??? Perhaps they know someone who will do this for them? (ear to the ground) God, I hope it is better than the Chamber website!!
ok, so Cheri agrees, there is NO reason to waste money replacing the website because it IS user friendly when they CHOOSE to utilize it.
TG, you are saying then that there will be an ice rink this winter? That was my question, will there be an ice rink this winter? Will RObert Ament, the man with all the freebie connections, be able to get one built at no cost to residents? No increase in staff and it will be run 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm and utilize one of the revenue generating cabins for free to residents for hot cocoa and warming up? With no additional costs to liability insurance, etc. I look forward to it, at no cost to residents.
I am curious, is there more than one blog owner who approves comments? I posted a comment yesterday around 9am, it wasnt posted by 230pm yet now as I look at it this am there are responses to it (timestamp) before it was publicly posted, thats odd.
I am not asking MJD to be a mindreader at all. If she reads email and answers the phone she would know what I am saying to her. Apparently WE should be mindreaders because she isnt responding.
She isnt updating the community on whats happening in our town.
She isnt even doing it during supervisor comments at the board meeting, maybe this week she will answer some of the questions that have been asked.
What is the status of pinegrove?
How many grants have we received so far or have we applied to (now that we paid $10k to a company without an RFP) for grants and we hired Larry who has expertise at grants.
What is the status of the ball fields that were supposed to be done last fall?
WHat is the status of the master plan? In particular will there be more community input on this?
What is the status of the future ice rink? Now that they have had 7 months to research Bobs brainchild?
Why arent they using RFPs required by town law for anything over $10k?
Did they send police officers to the academy?
How are negotiations coming along?
How much money was used from the library budget to pay for this consultant?
Lots of things for MJD to write about in her weekly post column or to update us residents on the website, now that we agree it works just fine.
"I was saying it IS user friendly. You seem to think it is user friendly as well, so why do we need to waste money on a new website???"
LoL
Because, last year, in June, MEH said at the 92:16 mark of the video of the TB meeting, that she hated the website.
If the website was so great, why would she say she hated it? And if she couldn't make it "better", how do you think MJD is going to?
I actually thought the website was one of the better ones in the county at one point for finding information (whether put on early or late), and little by little it is getting even better. If MJD said she is working with people to improve the website (as there has been comments by people at the TB meetings that are working with Brian Bell etc. on this, which has been commended by ALL town board members) - then give it a little time, eh? She can't wave a magic wand, right? Remember....."government is slow".
You think it's a waste of money to maintain/improve a town website so residents can access information?
I disagree completely and unequivocally.
oh! And Gosh sakes, what is the status of the mall?!!!
(Part 1)
I am the only one who approves comments. I am the only blog owner.
I believe I left around 7:50 am yesterday morning, and arrived home around 3:30 pm. All comments were published after that. They are published in the order received.
"If she reads email and answers the phone she would know what I am saying to her. Apparently WE should be mindreaders because she isnt responding."
Then, I suggest, gather your e-mails/correspondence and then put them up on your blog....or better yet FOILing them (for proof of your concerns to the town) and getting to the bottom of this!
"She isnt updating the community on whats happening in our town."
I find that updates are sometimes on the website, as well as conveyed at board meetings. Sometimes, there are articles in the newspaper. You should try reading them sometime, or even watching the TB meetings.
"She isnt even doing it during supervisor comments at the board meeting, maybe this week she will answer some of the questions that have been asked."
What questions were those? The ball fields and skate rink questions? Again, you should put that on your blog and get some attention on it and maybe they will answer it.
"What is the status of pinegrove?"
It's still there, serving the seniors of Irondequoit. What "status" are you talking about? The roof? Again, you could identify this on your blog or maybe you even had it in your e-mail to the town?
"How many grants have we received so far or have we applied to (now that we paid $10k to a company without an RFP) for grants and we hired Larry who has expertise at grants."
Where's the proof that $10k was spent to a company? Do you have any paperwork to prove that it was paid? As far as the grants, you could probably provide the e-mail where you asked about them and put it up on your blog....or better yet, FOIL it so you can document the Town's response and put that up.
"What is the status of the ball fields that were supposed to be done last fall?"
Yeah....why WEREN'T they done last fall...when they were supposed to be done. I wonder if it has something to do with a possible community center/library that could happen in the future....of course that would have to be in the Master Plan I assume...so maybe it will be...remember..."government is slow". This would be another good subject for your blog if you want answers to these questions.
"WHat is the status of the master plan? In particular will there be more community input on this?"
I believe this was briefly mentioned at the last town board meeting. You should try watching it. I'm surprised that Stephanie and John ignore your repeated e-mails to them about this and other things. That would be a concern to me too.
Continued.......
"What is the status of the future ice rink? Now that they have had 7 months to research Bobs brainchild?"
I thought so many of you were opposed to it. Now that it's not being built (as reported in an article in MPNnow) you want to know why? I think the article stated that it might be built late in the fall or something.....maybe you should put up those e-mails where you ask the TB about it....or write a blog about your concerns. Foil it. DO something about it. Complaining on here isn't going to answer your questions.
"Why arent they using RFPs required by town law for anything over $10k?"
Please show me the documents which support your accusations. Or the e-mails where you ask this question to the TB. Or the blog where you wrote about it documenting the resolutions approved for spending 10k on something that didn't have an RFP, and the FOIL'd payment documentation.
"Did they send police officers to the academy?"
Did you call the PD to find out? FOIL it? Watch the TB meetings?
"How are negotiations coming along?"
We can't know that because the unions don't want negotiations public. Been that way since the beginning of time. It would be nice if they were public though...since it's our tax dollars funding it all.
"How much money was used from the library budget to pay for this consultant?"
Irena Scoglio said: "The Library Foundation, an independent private organization, is providing funding." She never says how much it is costing. She and other board members have repeatedly stated that they are their "own board" and the town only gives them the money - they decide what to do with it. If you are concerned about the money they are spending, you need to direct your e-mails to the Library Board.
"Lots of things for MJD to write about in her weekly post column or to update us residents on the website, now that we agree it works just fine."
But....but....MEH said she hated it. How can she have hated something that "works just fine"?
And....if it "works just fine" then why are you complaining about the website?
"What's the status of the Mall"
Same as it was before MEH and company signed that ridiculous PILOT agreement - that has NO language in it to collect that %500k that Congel owes. "We are protected" and "They want to get their shovels in the ground and create jobs" is what we were told.
You should really FOIL the town, SD, and county and find out what exactly is going on!
"be able to get one built at no cost to residents? No increase in staff and it will be run 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm and utilize one of the revenue generating cabins for free to residents for hot cocoa and warming up? With no additional costs to liability insurance, etc. I look forward to it, at no cost to residents."
Can you answer those same questions about the ball fields you want at TH?
Anon---many reasonable questions.
Website---just a comment without direct knowledge. I believe there are very limiting technical factors the IT guys are dealing with. Email or Call them. They care not for politics and want to just do IT stuff. They are very open to discussion and ideas. They do make changes and welcome input.
Ice Rink--don't ask me about next winter. I procured the Engineering GPS help for free. I have been told the Fairport rink is not staffed. Sad the Unions fought citizen volunteer efforts.
Master Plan---read posts. As stated---the SEQRA requires public input. Officials will be adding info, data, and correcting many items. You can be sure the false conclusions stated from the Survey will be corrected. It is a shame the Update was so politicized and a further shame CPL became such a willing participant is doing so.
Police refuse to allow the public to know about their contract schemes. Big guns but afraid of information being public. They pay their pals for not working.
By the way, thank you for alerting me to the agenda for the workshop now being on the website. I see they discussed a resolution regarding pawn shops, I wonder why that is?
I never said its a waste of money to maintain or improve the website, I think that should always be encouraged. Better ways to keep the community informed. What I dont agree with is "researching a NEW website because this one isnt USER FRIENDLY"
Why should I have to FOIL anything? You and Cheri have said how refreshing it is that you dont need to foil anything with this administration. You get responses and meetings, why should I be any different? Though I have to say in full disclosure I have foiled something this year for the first time ever and I did receive the info I requested (though it was 2 weeks late)
Why should I have to provide documentation for laws that are clearly available?
And if you are correct, and they didnt spend the money the town board approved for Pinegrove and or even the grant company then the same could apply for approvals by the previous town board concerning all the things you complain havent been done but approved?
Anonymous, you are correct the Fairport Rink at Potter PLace is no longer staffed (though it used to be)but it was paid for by the Fairport business foundation and it is out in the open. Not behind bldgs where trouble could occur should no one be watching.
And I was not asking you about the future of the ice rink, I was asking town hall. Since they already started a drive for used skates and all.
You're welcome. Isn't it great that new things like workshop agendas are now on the website, when they never were before?
I like this addition.
Now, if we could only get the workshops on vimeo - I would be completely satisfied. Last year, when that was added I was very happy that they decided to do that. All regular planning, zoning, and town board meetings are on there since November of last year - and whoever pushed to get that going (whether it was MEH and company or the IT guys....) I thought it was fantastic to finally have that on the website after almost 4 years of waiting for it.
As far as the pawn shop - I guess they are discussing it because a pawn shop owner wants to have a business and pay property taxes to the town of Irondequoit.
I'm sure you'd like another drug store, or a Chinese restaurant - but I believe the way things work is this:
A proprietor comes before the Town Board asking to have permission to open up a business (pawn shop, liquor store, dollar store, drug store, pizza place, car wash....whatever) and the board discusses it.
They bring it up for a resolution, and have a public hearing where citizens can voice their concerns and speak for or against it.
After the public hearing, they decide whether to allow the business to move there....sometimes with some conditions attached sometimes not....and then it either happens or it doesn't.
I believe that you are able to attend workshops and observe, and you can always speak up at Public Input about the issue. You can send e-mails, or call as well. Then, if it gets to a public hearing, you can also voice your concerns then.
You can always contact the media, write a blog, gather petitions etc. if you feel very strongly against a pawn shop doing business and paying taxes in Irondequoit.
That's your right!
I know - all those used skates! I'm very concerned as well. All those people who donated out of the goodness of their hearts are probably worried sick that their donations of used skates won't be utilized - I mean....to be left out in the dark like that....so very cruel.
I don't recall ever reading about the I-town rink being behind buildings where trouble could happen. I remember reading that it would be at Camp Eastman, but then...because of the slope of it etc., can't be done. I don't remember reading about an alternate place for the rink - where did you read that?
"I never said its a waste of money to maintain or improve the website, I think that should always be encouraged."
Maybe I misunderstood when you said"
"So then you agree with me! I was commenting that your conservative supervisor the one that you said "MJD is trying to cut costs in every dept."
because MJD said "we are going to be looking at a new web site because the one we have isnt user friendly" I was saying it IS user friendly. You seem to think it is user friendly as well, so why do we need to waste money on a new website??? Perhaps they know someone who will do this for them? (ear to the ground) God, I hope it is better than the Chamber website!!
August 15, 2010 7:49 AM"
It isn't "user friendly" as MEH said she hated it - that tells me there could be some improvements...which the IT guys are working on apparently, as it has been mentioned at previous TB meetings that this is what they are doing.
If they are "updating" the existing website - perhaps that is what she means by "new website".
If the IT guys find that it is too difficult to improve the current website to make all the changes needed for you to access information easier, then there might be a completely "new" website independent of the current one.
Either way, money will be spent to update and improve the website - whether it's the current one or a new one.
You said: so why do we need to waste money on a new website???
You are unhappy with the website, yet you say it's user friendly, but yet you want MJD to make changes and get info on there - it costs money to do that whether it's the current one or a new one.
Does the current one live up to your expectations? Or are you happy with the way it is? MEH wasn't.
"Why should I have to FOIL anything? You and Cheri have said how refreshing it is that you dont need to foil anything with this administration. You get responses and meetings, why should I be any different?"
Why did I have to FOIL anything?
I did it to get answers, and to prove what I was accusing the administration of. Burden of proof is on the accuser. I'm sorry if you can't back up what you are accusing them of....that's not my fault. Or MJD's.
"You and Cheri have said how refreshing it is that you dont need to foil anything with this administration. You get responses and meetings, why should I be any different?"
I don't call town hall, e-mail town hall, nor do I ask for meetings - please stop putting words in my mouth.
If you could point out where I said I "don't need to foil anything with this administration"...I would appreciate it. I don't believe I've ever said that, but if you have a link to where I did....feel free to show it to me.
"Why should I have to provide documentation for laws that are clearly available?"
Because you accused them of handing out 10k to someone without an RFP. Link to the resolution where the majority voted "aye" to spend $10 k, and a FOIL request for the RFP would be nice...then you can get a response that shows that they DIDN'T send out an RFP for the 10k.
"And if you are correct, and they didnt spend the money the town board approved for Pinegrove and or even the grant company then the same could apply for approvals by the previous town board concerning all the things you complain havent been done but approved?"
I'm not understanding what you mean by this. What things have I complained about being done haven't been done?
Thanks Jax, I agree with your responses to anonymous.
Anonymous, I don't appreciate my words being taken out of context to fit your agenda. Readers are quite capable of seeing my OWN words in context without you taking snippets to fit your agenda. Thanks!
Great thing about the Foil Site is Jax backs up subjects with documentation. Sure there is alot of opinion in the commentary but the links to meetings, articles, foils, emails etc. are right at your fingertips.
Quite different from Low IQs ramblings of sweet nothings. Well I guess we have to take into consideration who writes that blog. ;)
Anonymous STILL doesn't want to talk about the Joe Genier trip to NYC. Wonder why?
Have a Smiley Day!
As stated earlier-----as of a few weeks ago the money for new engineers for pinegrove had been put on hold. Town received input giving them information they were not aware of.
IT guys can't find docs that are on the existing website. Something about the way they were labeled or not labeled or coded. I had one they were looking for and sent it to them.
Some old Master Plan Comments are on this site. Some of the errors have been corrected. It took a war to get them to do it though. Many many many emails with no response, Over and over and over again till they relented and corrected their misinformation.
There should be more public input.
There should be significant changes in P&R section.
Waterfront Section needs ammending and additions.
Ridge Road section needs more specific Zoning recommendations and implementation strategy.
Library Section needs to be generated. If the political consultant produces non-politicized data, then it should be made a part of the plan. The Lighthouse Point ZOning could be included.
The 2007 Tax Data using old equalized rates and combining town and county to hide the high town rates needs to be corrected.
A sample "government" section was offered to the town. It needs to be included in any final Draft.
TG
"Anonymous STILL doesn't want to talk about the Joe Genier trip to NYC. Wonder why?"
I guess they don't want to respond to that. Maybe they think it's ok to fund a 3 day trip to NYC instead of an 8 hour day at R.I.T. for Genier and Valentino and DiNolfo (I bet they disagree with DiNolfo going, but not Valentino and Genier...lol).
Maybe next year this can be done away with. Since Valentino went in January, it's kinda unfair to deny Genier and DiNolfo their yearly 3 day trip to NYC for their mandated certification this year.
I'm curious to see which one (if any) will be the first to offer to not go to NYC next year, and take the test locally.
It isn't mandated that they HAVE to go to NYC for the certification.....it's mandated that they have to be certified, and if it's more cost effective to go locally for a day instead of to NYC for 3 days - then I think they should realize this and show us how much they care about the taxpayer and go locally. Walk the walk.
I also think that if they want to go to NYC to be certified, they should pay the difference between a day at R.I.T. and a 3 day trip to NYC.....even though it would still be our tax dollars funding their trip since we do pay their salary....I would be ok with that.
I just don't think taxpayers should have to pay for the NYC trip when the certification is available locally at a much lower cost to taxpayers, and I think the excuse offered for why they have to go to NYC was lame.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
I am leaving for the rest of the day....don't know what time I'll be back....but it could be just before True Blood is on and I have to watch that at 9pm. If I get back before that, I'll approve the comments that are waiting......if not....I will try to approve them after True Blood.
Just letting you know that I'll be gone so you don't accuse me of not putting up your comments or anything.
If the training is mandatory and IF the course schedule is IDENTICAL then yes I think it should be done locally at a much lower cost to taxpayers.I could not find the comparisons online. Again, this is not a republican thing or a democrat thing but to me a common sense thing...
That being said I did see that under the annual convention during the 3 days there is also opportunities to take other courses of interest to judges/justices to increase their knowledge and expertise that are not mandatory. Which I also think is good.
I also think that training/improvement shouldnt be deleted from the town budget entirely as their are always trainings and improvements that can/should be done. Not every year, not by the enire dept or staff but improvement none the less.
Jax said "I just don't think taxpayers should have to pay for the NYC trip when the certification is available locally at a much lower cost to taxpayers, and I think the excuse offered for why they have to go to NYC was lame." and "
I also think that if they want to go to NYC to be certified, they should pay the difference between a day at R.I.T. and a 3 day trip to NYC.....even though it would still be our tax dollars funding their trip since we do pay their salary"
Do you agree then that while MJD and Ms Essley paid for their own trip to NYC they should not have attended because there is the SAME course offered for FREE online? Taken in their own time frame and done in the comfort of their own homes without having to leave Irondequoit?
On that same topic, because it seems to be of huge interest to you what I think about this personally~I find it odd that since Ms Essley had access to the course information she didnt share it with the community. If all the board members had the same info and the course descriptions are the same then why would the other board members go along with it as well. Especially if MJD is doing such a good job of saving the town money, I would have thought she would have agreed with Essley as well. Just some random thoughts, since you asked.
Since you seem to have a bee in your bonnet about me not responding to your judge question, why didnt you respond to this question "They hired an engineer and state that he will be doing the engineering work for the town, how many times have you watched the mtgs and seen other engineers there?"
I wonder how much money has spent to date this year on engineers? There have been several meetings (town board and planning board) where the town is represented by different engineering firms. When Larry was hired didnt the administration claim he would save the town tons of money because he is an engineer? Didnt they claim he was more than qualified for the position they hired him for? Yet he too is going to classes to get certified in areas he was not currently certified in? And if you checked the Amherst website when he was hired didnt he seem more qualified for the position of DPW Commissioner, since that pretty much described what he did for Amherst.
And since you said the town hasnt hired friends of the new admin wasnt he a personal friend with Mr Marasco?
Jax, why would I need more proof or documentation regarding the RFP's when it is publicly stated and publicly approved? Didnt you see that portion of the meeting?
So now you agree the library board controls their own money and their own facilities? Hmmm, my understanding is a portion came from the foundation while the rest came from their operating budget. You know, the one that gets all the complaints about cuts. Was this study mentioned in their budget last year? I dont remember that, wherever did they find the money when the buildings are so shabby looking and hours were cut, etc al because of the previous administration.
Why did MEH say she hates the website? I have no idea, you should ask her. I think its great as long as its actually utilized.
jax said, "I'm sure you'd like another drug store, or a Chinese restaurant" um no, nor would I like another diner, bank, crappy car dealership, hamburg/hotdog restaurant or pizza parlor. (since you asked) I would like to see real stores or other types of restaurants because I like to keep my money in Irondequoit as much as possible.
jax also said - "but I believe the way things work is this:
A proprietor comes before the Town Board asking to have permission to open up a business (pawn shop, liquor store, dollar store, drug store, pizza place, car wash....whatever) and the board discusses it.
They bring it up for a resolution, and have a public hearing where citizens can voice their concerns and speak for or against it.
After the public hearing, they decide whether to allow the business to move there....sometimes with some conditions attached sometimes not....and then it either happens or it doesn't."
That is incorrect. Businesses do NOT need to come to the town board to open shop or you would see that monthly. They only need to come to the town board if there is going to be a change in zoning. Technically the town has no right to say "no" to any of the above establishments. In fact, if they tried, with the current laws and zoning they could get sued. There is a special section in the town code that states what businesses cannot come to Irondequoit (like xrated shops and the like)but so far I havent seen that happen. Who knows though with the new tattoo parlors and pawn shops opening maybe that is the new direction of Ridge ROad, I sure hope not.
The Master Plan "Feed Back" link is presumably still activated and received by Clark Patterson Lee.
This is the email address to submit ideas or comments.
(feedback@irondequoitplan.org)
Any ideas and comments should be sent to them. They have kept all the feedback and have shown it to the committee. I do not believe any determination has been made as to the fate of feedbacks. Such as their inclusion in an appendix, perhaps.
The chance for public input is still ongoing.
As mentioned earlier a Government Section of the MP Update is not currently included. The below link is a sample of the sort of ideas I would suggest. It was created with some original concepts as well has some categories and statements from sections of other towns master plans. It is incomplete and only meant to generate positive debate. I do believe the sample would serve as a good base to build upon. I do believe the town must immediately move to 2 Town Board meeting per month. Along with 2 town board workshops per month.
The Town will continue to decline as it has for 10 years----at least on a relative basis to the other east side towns.
Public Input needs to be expanded. Dialogue must be initiated.
Action needs to be taken on several items.
Please look thru this
Sample Government Section and start some dialogue with Board Members.
tg
"Do you agree then that while MJD and Ms Essley paid for their own trip to NYC they should not have attended because there is the SAME course offered for FREE online? Taken in their own time frame and done in the comfort of their own homes without having to leave Irondequoit?"
No.
"Since you seem to have a bee in your bonnet about me not responding to your judge question, why didnt you respond to this question ""They hired an engineer and state that he will be doing the engineering work for the town, how many times have you watched the mtgs and seen other engineers there?""
I'd rather have a bee in my bonnet than a bat in my belfry!
They hired Larry to assist with any engineering questions that could be addressed by him - anything "beyond his realm" or something he can't do - then they hire engineers.
I believe this was explained when they announced his appointment.
They never said he would "be the engineer". He would assist.
"I wonder how much money has spent to date this year on engineers?"
Maybe that's in the e-mail you sent to the town, or maybe you could call and find out, or write a letter to the board (because I'm sure John and Stephanie would answer your questions if you aren't getting any answers from the Republicans), or maybe you could FOIL it?
"There have been several meetings (town board and planning board) where the town is represented by different engineering firms."
I recall two meetings.
"When Larry was hired didnt the administration claim he would save the town tons of money because he is an engineer?"
I believe they said he would save the town some money because instead of paying a retainer or having a contract or whatever they do with engineers....they would utilize Larry's engineering background for some things, and pay an engineering firm for other things.
"Didnt they claim he was more than qualified for the position they hired him for? "
I believe they did.
"Yet he too is going to classes to get certified in areas he was not currently certified in?"
So are the TB members and the Judges/Justices - you yourself said "to increase their knowledge and expertise that are not mandatory. Which I also think is good." about the judges....don't you want Larry to increase his knowledge and expertise too?
"And if you checked the Amherst website when he was hired didnt he seem more qualified for the position of DPW Commissioner, since that pretty much described what he did for Amherst.
And since you said the town hasnt hired friends of the new admin wasnt he a personal friend with Mr Marasco?"
I didn't check the Amherst website, and I don't know if he's a personal friend with Mr. Marasco.
"Jax, why would I need more proof or documentation regarding the RFP's when it is publicly stated and publicly approved? Didnt you see that portion of the meeting?"
Guess not. Link to where it was publicly approved - and the FOIL of the payment of 10k please.
"So now you agree the library board controls their own money and their own facilities?"
Nope. That's what YOU read. What I actually said was:
Irena Scoglio said: "The Library Foundation, an independent private organization, is providing funding." She never says how much it is costing. She and other board members have repeatedly stated that they are their "own board" and the town only gives them the money - they decide what to do with it. If you are concerned about the money they are spending, you need to direct your e-mails to the Library Board.
"Hmmm, my understanding is a portion came from the foundation while the rest came from their operating budget. You know, the one that gets all the complaints about cuts. Was this study mentioned in their budget last year? I dont remember that, wherever did they find the money when the buildings are so shabby looking and hours were cut, etc al because of the previous administration."
I was told by Irena and Stephanie via their online content, and at public input that the library is independently a board that decides what to do with their own money that is budgeted to them by the town. I have no say on the political consultants they hire to push the one library agenda. I believe they found the money in the budget for 2010 - last year the administration increased the money to the library by $158,317.
$1,857,932 for 2010 vs $1,699,615 for 2009. Out of that $158,317 increase to the Library Budget, $131,927 is for increases in salary and fringe benefits for the staff. So, out of that 10% increase to the library budget, 8.3% of it is going towards salaries and benefits - maybe some of that leftover change is going for the consultant too.....but again, the library board is saying that Foundation money is paying for the consultant. Again, you should address your concerns to the library board.
"Why did MEH say she hates the website? I have no idea, you should ask her. I think its great as long as its actually utilized."
Sure, I'll give her a call tomorrow.
"They only need to come to the town board if there is going to be a change in zoning."
My mistake then - I thought they were going before the board to request a zoning change, and that's why pawn shops were brought up.
I guess if a pawn shop wants to do business and pay taxes in Irondequoit then they have every right to do so.
If anyone disagrees with it, they should bring it up at Public Input during one of the town board meetings, since there will not be a public hearing about it because they are not asking for a change in zoning.
Apologies for the error.
As far as engineer costs you could do a comparison. Wait until the year is up and use freedom of information to find out how much was spent on engineers in 2010. Find out how much was spent in 2009 and compare. It was stated that there would be some engineering savings. I believe it's a plus to have an engineer in that position. Speculation really doesn't prove anything.
I have no knowledge of Larry being personal friends with Paul.I really don't know. His appt. was a unanimous decision on the board. If Stephanie and John had concerns I'm sure they would have stated them.
My comment that it's been refreshing not have to foil items and I've been able to get answers to my questions is my own personal experience. The questions I had were answered verbally. I'm not saying that I'll never have to foil anything,I may have to. I will say that I was unable EVER to get an answer verbally without foiling from the previous administration. I remember even having to foil a yes/no question. Insanity!
"Do you agree then that while MJD and Ms Essley paid for their own trip to NYC they should not have attended because there is the SAME course offered for FREE online? Taken in their own time frame and done in the comfort of their own homes without having to leave Irondequoit?"
They paid for their own trip. I commend them for doing that especially in this economy. They had the 3 votes to have the trip approved but they still did the right thing and paid their own way.
Kudos to them!
cheri said "Not having to foil to get an answer is also a big bonus in my eyes" and ".I have had a human answer the phone each time I've called." and "I now receive answers to questions I ask instead of just being told to FOIL my answer." and "Not having to foil to get an answer is also a big bonus in my eyes." and "I also know if you call Town Hall and ask Mary Joyce for a meeting you will get one. You would be able to voice all of your concerns in person. She is very approachable. I have gone in twice already to discuss my concerns."
Sorry Jax, You are correct, it was Cheri who said the above, not you. My apologies.
Jax said " but I believe the way things work is this:
A proprietor comes before the Town Board asking to have permission to open up a business (pawn shop, liquor store, dollar store, drug store, pizza place, car wash....whatever) and the board discusses it.
They bring it up for a resolution, and have a public hearing where citizens can voice their concerns and speak for or against it.
After the public hearing, they decide whether to allow the business to move there....sometimes with some conditions attached sometimes not....and then it either happens or it doesn't."
I said "Businesses do NOT need to come to the town board to open shop or you would see that monthly. They only need to come to the town board if there is going to be a change in zoning."
If you are now saying that the agenda for Tuesday is because of zoning changes I would agree because that is really one of the only reasons to come to the town board. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying above.
Regarding the trip/training it still seems odd or partisan to me. Essley votes no for Valentino, votes no for Genier (and Dinolfo) but votes yes to Larry, the fire marshalls and the new comptroller.
If she had the proof that the classes at RIT were identical to the one in NYC then why didnt she say that or share it with the rest of the board. MJD being very conservative, would have voted against it too. (I would think) And especially which is stated here that yes, Essley and MJD paid for their own trip, but they really didnt need to leave the area as they could have taken it here online. For free.
"Jax, why would I need more proof or documentation regarding the RFP's when it is publicly stated and publicly approved? Didnt you see that portion of the meeting?"
Guess not. Link to where it was publicly approved - and the FOIL of the payment of 10k please."
It was "approved" at the town board meetings. Whether it was spent or not I do not know. Perhpas the town board could update us on that?
"If you are now saying that the agenda for Tuesday is because of zoning changes I would agree because that is really one of the only reasons to come to the town board. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying above."
Originally, that's what I thought because someone mentioned pawn shop and that it was on the workshop agenda......so I assumed that's why it was discussed at the workshop because they were asking for a change. Now that I look at the workshop agenda, I notice that it said:
"Review of Resolution for Pawn Shop Law to be Included on Agenda for August 17, 2010 Regular Town Board Meeting"
So......I guess there is a pawn shop law, and that's why it was discussed?
"MJD being very conservative, would have voted against it too. (I would think) And especially which is stated here that yes, Essley and MJD paid for their own trip, but they really didnt need to leave the area as they could have taken it here online. For free."
Unlike the previous administration, I think that MJD realizes that there isn't just "her party" that resides in town - and she is trying to do what's best for everyone, and not the chosen few. ;)
If Essley and MJD want to use their own money to pay for a trip to NYC - that's their business.
If they wanted to take it online here for free - sure, they could have...but they weren't wasting taxpayer dollars to go on a trip to take a test that they could have taken here. They wasted their own money.
"It was "approved" at the town board meetings."
What meeting was it approved at?
Please link to the meeting where the board voted on that resolution, and approved it.
Just love when snippets of my comments are put in a pile. Oh the memories of the blogger that loved to do that. Hmmmmm...
Dinolfo is a Republican so your partisan theory is a bit flawed regarding the NYC trip.
I think it's hilarious that you are condemning MJD and Deb Essley for spending their own money to go to NYC to get training. What other politician in the Town of Irondequoit has done that? I recall all others spending taxpayer money on the trip. Doesn't matter that they spent their own money, it still isn't good enough, they shouldn't have went.
That's a laugh and a half!
ps - I called Town Hall a little bit ago and low and behold a human answered AGAIN! WOW!
Test:
I just called town hall at this number:
585-467-8840 (Town Hall General Information)
A human answered the phone.
Just for shits and giggles, I called a couple of other town halls as well:
Town of Greece, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd, Greece, NY 14612
(585) 225-2000
A human answered the phone. They used to have THE crappiest website. They redid it last year I think...it's great now.
Town of Chili,
Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday thru Friday.
3333 Chili Avenue, Rochester, New York 14624. * 585.889.3550
Got a recording, which instructed me to "press 1, press 2" etc. - They have a really nice website though. Lots of info, easy to navigate.
Pittsford Town Hall | 11 South Main Street | Pittsford, NY 14534 | (585) 248-6200
A human answered the phone. They have a fantastic town website. Very informative.
Town of Webster,
Town Hall Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Information:
(585) 872-1000
A human answered the phone. Not the greatest website...but it's a website I guess.
The agenda is up, if anyone is interested.
Regular TBM agenda for 8/17.
Some of you might be interested in these items:
DISCUSSION ITEM
Local Law 2 of 2010 Regulating Pawn Shops in the Town of Irondequoit
Development Services
8A2010-4 Adopt a Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing In the Matter of Adopting Local Law 2 of 2010 Regulating Pawn Shops in the Town of Irondequoit
Hopefully, I will see some residents bringing up their concerns at public input about this, since it seems to be a concern among some residents.
jax said (in reference to the judges conference) "even though it would still be our tax dollars funding their trip since we do pay their salary....I would be ok with that."
So you do agree with me, that if there is a class they can do online for free without leaving Irondequoit they should have taken that because the taxpayers (in essence) paid for them to have a holiday though they paid for their own class and transportation?
cheri said "I think it's hilarious that you are condemning MJD and Deb Essley for spending their own money to go to NYC to get training. What other politician in the Town of Irondequoit has done that? I recall all others spending taxpayer money on the trip."
cheri could you please post the resolutions and/or refer to the meeting and/or produce the foil listing "ALL OTHERS" who used tax payer dollars for their training?
cheri said "ps - I called Town Hall a little bit ago and low and behold a human answered AGAIN! WOW!"
so now, since we all know they have caller id I should be taking this personal, so sad.
"So you do agree with me, that if there is a class they can do online for free without leaving Irondequoit they should have taken that because the taxpayers (in essence) paid for them to have a holiday though they paid for their own class and transportation?"
No, I don't agree with you because I said that I would be ok with the Judges using "their own money" to go to NYC for a 3 day trip.
Even though they are paid for their judicial duties by tax dollars.....the judges, the town board etc. have other jobs that aren't funded by taxpayer dollars.
I have no problem with them using their salaries (whether from private or public employment) to fund their own trips to NYC.
What they do with their salaries is not my business in my opinion.
"so now, since we all know they have caller id I should be taking this personal, so sad."
What is that supposed to mean?
"cheri could you please post the resolutions and/or refer to the meeting and/or produce the foil listing "ALL OTHERS" who used tax payer dollars for their training?"
Any training that is mandated by the state must be paid for by taxpayers.
Any resolutions for sending people for training (mandated or not) are in the archives of the meetings.
That's where you can find it.
Link to meeting minutes of the TB
Link to video archives.
So predictable really.
I blocked my number when I called Town Hall because if a human answered I didn't want you anonymous be able to say they answered because they knew it was me.
So I guess you need to think up a new excuse. :)
I didn't block mine. ;)
So - let's see....what time did Jax call?
Hmmm....let's look at the time stamp on her comment, and then determine from the caller ID what her number is.
I purposely did not block my number.
I would assume that TH would not share my number with anyone....there are privacy issues I'm sure.
If they did - it could be a problem.
CONGRATULATIONS
YOU BROKE 100 comments !
Big Controversy over the Cell Tower in West Irondequoit. Elitist fire commissioners have no sense of community whatsoever. They seem to think "neighbor" is only a word.
It is both customary and just common courtesy to involve neighbors when projects are being considered. Residents and community groups have been very vocal that being a 'good neighbor' is part the process of any significant development. Good neighbors who actually care about their friends would speak to the friend next door before installing a privacy fence.
YET----
The St Paul Board of Commissioners needs to explain why they felt the taxpayers of their district were not worthy of being informed of this project from the beginning. Commissioner need to explain why they acted with such callous disregard for their neighbors. Did they perhaps think residents, the real owners of the district, might not want a tower? Might not want their properties devalued? Might not want to be radiated?
Across the Country, and recently in eastern NY, parents of school children, PTA's and District Officials fight hard to keep these radiating towers from within 1500 feet of schools. There is mounting evidence of harm to children who are exposed for an 18 year period to constant radiation.
Verizon clearly stated there is no void in service. They clearly stated the community is currently served.
The project appears to be driven by only greed of Verizon.
The fire department commissioners hid the truth from their neighbors and from the good citizens and taxpayers who fund their glorious fire hall.
tg
Thanks for the congratulations on reaching 100 comments - it's not that big of a deal though...more than half are mine, and I don't count that.
Tim - regarding the cell towers....I'm with the residents on this one, and I'm glad they are fighting it and/or trying to work with Verizon on "disguising" the tower.
They are doing what's necessary to protect their properties and I commend them for doing their due diligence and speaking up!
Good for them!
Since I have repeatedly asked for a link to where 10k was approved and an RFP was not sent out (and I never did get that proof from the accuser) - I looked at the video for the April 20th, 2010 meeting. Link.
At the 71:50 mark of the video, Stephanie and Debbie motion for it to be opened up for discussion.
"Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Passero Associates with respect to roof replacement at Pinegrove not to exceed $10,000"
So, right there that answers the RFP accusation - which anonymous on August 11, 2010 at 8:29 AM said...."study on Pinegrove and by a firm without the benefit of an RFP. Which by town law anything over $10k is supposed to have???"
There is no RFP because it will not exceed $10k.
As for approving it, everyone voted "Aye" except for Debbie Essley.
There was no approval to spend $10k as previously stated by anonymous.
Now, as for paid trips for "all others":
I'm not looking through all of them, but I did find a few mentions in some meeting minutes.
January 24th, 2006 - resolution minutes - Link
Heyman, Bello, and "others" go to NYC.
January 23rd, 2007 - resolution minutes - Link
Heyman, Evans and "others" go to NYC.
January 15th, 2008 - resolution minutes - Link
Comptroller goes to Albany.
Also, on page 5 is the authorization to spend $5,000 for drawings for the library/community center at Kings Park. lol
You can view any resolutions from previous years to see who went to what and how much was in the budget for it.
Feel free to review it.
Here's some more:
1-15-08 resolutions - Link
DeMarco goes to NYC...line item in budget up to $3,000 - plus reimbursement for actual expenses!
1-20-09 resolutions - Link
Genier and DeMarco go to NYC....line item in the budget up to $3,500 - plus reimbursement for actual expenses! Yowza.
Verizon admitted there are no voids in coverage.
The Town is fully serviced.
The tower will devalue property.
what more does the board need?
Protect the residential values and send verizon home.
The Federal Communication Act says they can put the towers anywhere.
Says health concerns may not be used to prohibit them.
BUTT--they do have to demonstrate a lack of service and a need.
This project is driven 100% by greed by all involved parties.
The Fire Commissioners hid their scheme from the residents.
Hope all the student Moms come out and plead for sanity to save the children from 18 years of radiation. The Tower is across from Dake, near the high school, close to Sproule field house.
Will 85% graduation rate be affected and drop further?
There already is a radiating cell tower at the school. Adding another across the street can not possible be advantageous to the health of children.
tg
January 24th, 2006 - resolution minutes - Link
Heyman, Bello, and "others" go to NYC.
January 23rd, 2007 - resolution minutes - Link
Heyman, Evans and "others" go to NYC.
Also, on page 5 is the authorization to spend $5,000 for drawings for the library/community center at Kings Park. lol
You can view any resolutions from previous years to see who went to what and how much was in the budget for it.
Feel free to review it.
Hi Jax,
I reviewed your links and while the one for the comptroller is correct, the other two are not. I could find NO MENTION of the Heyman, Bello "and others" you refer to going to NYC and then Heyman, Evans and others going to NYC.
Hi anonymous,
I am not incorrect at all.
If you go to the link for January 24, 2006 - Heyman and Bello are on page 11.
If you go to the link for January 23,2007 - Heyman and Evans are on page 26.
Thanks for at least clicking the link.
"cheri could you please post the resolutions and/or refer to the meeting and/or produce the foil listing "ALL OTHERS" who used tax payer dollars for their training?"
Well seems like some of the "ALL OTHERS" that took the 3 day NYC trip paid for by taxpayer's were-
Mary Ellen Heyman - twice.
Debbie Evans
Gail Bello
DeMarco - 3 times
Joe Genier
Jim Turner
Kudos again to MJD and Deb Essley for savings thousands of taxpayer dollars and paying their OWN way! :)
ANNOUNCEMENT:
From this point on - all accusations from anyone named "anonymous" must be accompanied by - at the VERY LEAST - a link that backs up what you are saying.
If you do not provide a link, your comment will not be published.
It's one thing to get a 100 comments with intelligent discussions......it's another to have this shit.
I will not continue to hold your hands and do everything for you.
Throw out all the speculation that you want - if you can't back it up with a link - don't bother commenting.
Got it?
Got it!
"Town of Irondequoit, NY Town Code Section 51-13 Policy and Procedure for Securing Professional Services"
"This policy and procedures shall be used by the Town of Irondequoit in procurement of professional services. These include accountants, auditors, legal, engineers, architects, landscape engineers, planners, and other like services"
"A) when professional services are required by the town, the town board, the supervisor and department head shall be notified to prepare the scope of service"
"B)at least 3 firms will be solicited"
"this procedure need not apply with estimated costs of LESS THAN $5000"
To anonymous who wanted to comment at 8:24 AM:
I specifically said you must provide a link. Not a copy and paste, a link.
Your comment will not be published.
To anonymous who wanted to comment at 8:36 AM - you accused me of saying things that I did not say, and did not provide a link to where I supposedly said it.
Your comment will not be published.
If you can't follow directions....please go to another blog to spout off.
Thank you.
http://www.ecode360.com/?custId=IR0059
note see ch51-13
Hey - that's a start. Thank you for at least providing a link.
Now, if you could produce any proof that the TB paid anyone over $5,000 for services without an RFP - (I thought you guys said $10k....now it's $5k?) I would appreciate that also.
Because....in the video for the TB meeting on April 20th, where Larry explains at the 76:10 mark that the he and Pat, when preparing the specs, it could be around $3,800 to $4,500 (under the $5k that you linked to) and at the 76:43 mark speaks about bids.
In the e-code you linked to:
Ch 51-13 K says:
K. This procedure need not apply to services with an estimated cost of less than $5,000. In such cases, the department proposing to utilize such professional service shall review the qualifications of firms capable of performing such professional service, negotiate the scope of such professional service and the project work to be performed and establish fees for such professional service.
Which is what Larry and Pat are doing.
Link.
Next......
Also, regarding the other comment that you would not print, CHERI says above that people who have taken the classes are
MEH (twice)
Bello
Evans
Genier
DiNolfo
DeMarco
Turner...
I was responding to that. When you read the link that YOU provided it clearly states that Evans was listed as an alternate. I also could not find where it says Turner attended.
http://64.211.20.118/weblink7/DocView.aspx?id=25116
for reference to the resolutions regarding the services provided for Passero and Blue Energy
Oh. My. God.
Link to 1/24/2006 resolution minutes, page 11.....
If you read down a little further dear, where it says "and, therefore, be it further resolved"....
they approve, and authorize Heyman, Bello, Turner and DeMarco to go to NYC.
Link to 1/23/07 resolution minutes, page 26......
.....where it says "and, therefore, be it further resolved".....
they approve, and authorize, Heyman, all town board members, town clerk, and DeMarco to go to NYC.
You have to read the whole thing, hon....not just what you want to read.
Thanks for the link to the resolutions regarding Passero and Blue Springs.
If you can provide a link that shows that Blue Springs can't be paid with federal grant money - that would be great....otherwise.....no can do with your other comment.
Passero - in the minutes - the 4th "whereas" down says "preparation of bid/solicitation documents".
That preparation was explained by Larry, in the video of the meeting, that I linked to earlier....where he said "from $3,800 to $4,500" for that.
That does not exceed the 10k or the 5k you are speaking about.
Next.........
Town Board Meeting should be live on-line tonight.
IT guys have found ways to get it to your computer, live.
tg
What? Live online meetings?
Incredible!
That's another "new" thing for the website!
Whoopee!
I know, its amazing they have been doing that for over a year now. I believe the meetings shown live even go back to 2008! As I keep saying, it IS a wonderful website with great professionals working it. Seems like a waste of money to get a new one because THIS ONE is quite user friendly.
They are extremely receptive to ideas. I spoke with them several months ago about new FOIL forms, new formats, new links, new interactive information potential, and online Board Meetings. A few months ago there was online ICAT on a trial basis to see how it would play. There were some glitches that were worked on. Two months ago it was down and last month it worked for the world to see. Now it is up live.
The biggest problem was finding a provider to broadcast live without fees. Other towns pay thousands of dollars. Our IT Guys did it for free.
As I have said before, if you have ideas on IT and ICAT subjects just contact them.
We must move to two board meetings a month, with live online interaction and live call in, and that 3 minute eggtimer needs to find its way into the dumpster.
tg
I seriously can not believe some of the comments on this blog. The partisan, pettiness must be clouding some blogger's eye sight.
Line of the day - "You have to read the whole thing, hon....not just what you want to read."
WOW - Live meetings online! That must really burn you Anonymous.
I'm sure you can think of something to complain about regarding that. Have fun!
Oh. My. God.
4:14pm? They never had a live stream online before.
You could watch it live on your television set - but never on your computer - which is what Tim was talking about.
Jeebuz - I hope this shit isn't contagious.
Well BlogLady---all it took was some discussions with the IT guys early in the year. Some follow up, more discussions of how helpful it would be,and descriptions of other towns that use it. The mechanisms are costly so I was not very optimistic. But VOILA (I think that is french I learned at harley) they kept looking and thinking and working to find some creative method of putting together several IT technologies and used other peoples systems for FREE.
The IT Guys took it upon themselves to organize that huge committee of experts to research how to improve IT for the town.
Hooooorah for the IT guys ----
If you watch tonight's meeting it sure is apparent the master plan was horribly lacking in the areas of cell tower zoning. Almost looks like there may have been an attempt to get it done on the october 2009 time line, just before election, and without any library input or proper zoning attention to such a controversial issue.
tg
Does Anonymous speak and read a different language? OMG
Unbelievable!
I reiterate Jax's line - "You have to read the whole thing, hon....not just what you want to read."
Streaming online LIVE is being done for the first time tonight via the Town website!
I'm very impressed they did this at NO cost! Wonderful! :)
I wanted to just correct something I wrote earlier.....
"If you can provide a link that shows that Blue Springs can't be paid with federal grant money - that would be great....otherwise.....no can do with your other comment."
Should have read "....can provide a link that shows Blue Springs can't be paid by a line item in the budget for grant writing...."
My mistake.
Link to 4/20/2010 TB meeting.
You really don't have to go to the trouble of finding a link though - at the 63:08 mark of the video is when they bring up Blue Springs - Perticone actually asks when an RFP is triggered ("Is it $5,001?)- MJD explains it, they discuss it some more, ask Larry some questions.....and guess what? EVERYONE votes "AYE".
I find it hard to believe that John and Stephanie would go along with an "AYE" vote if it was violating Town Law or anything.
But - if you say they did....then I guess it's true, eh?
Last month was the first official online live board meeting.
IT did several previous shows but on a limited test basis. Several residents watched these to help the IT guys as they tried to get the system working.
WHAT A GREAT BOARD MEETING TONIGHT--
Great input on the cell tower deal. The fire department created a mess by entering into a secret deal. No one showed up from the Fire Dept. They seem to only want a monthly rent check and have no interest in dealing with the residents.
tg
Well - I never knew that there was going to be an online live feed....even last month - I usually watch them on vimeo the next day or the day after that. Was live feed available in 2008?
I got home around 8:30 and clicked on the live feed - the audio was very choppy for me and I couldn't listen to it, so I figure I'll just wait until it's put up on vimeo on the website.
So, what was the verdict with the cell towers?
There was no verdict on the cell tower yet. Sounds like next month will be the decision.
I agree Tim. We didn't hear from the Fire Dept. at all AGAIN. Another meeting where they didn't speak. John did mention that he would like to hear from them. Input was good and there were many informed residents. I'm not a fan of secret deals. ;)
So how do you think they will vote next month? I hope they vote for the resident/home owner's. I guess we'll see.
I don't know if I like the background on the blog......what do you guys think?
Is it easier to read than the black background and white font I had before?
The Fire Dept. didn't speak with the board yet, or speak at the meeting? Really? Weren't they just on the news talking about why they want the tower there? They can go on the news, but not to a board meeting?
That's not good.
I'm with the residents on this one.
Live feed on the computers wasnt available in 2008, I think it began this month or last and I have heard a lot of positive things about this and the vimeo from people without cable!kudos for the IT dept for doing this for the community.
And yes, regarding the blue springs and the passero all 5 voted yes for blue springs all but essley voted yes for passero. Again,not a democrat OR a republican thing, its about doing the right thing. sheesh.
"Again,not a democrat OR a republican thing, its about doing the right thing. sheesh."
No shit. Tell that to the anonymous' on here though....
I agree that the live stream is fantastic. For some reason, I had trouble with the audio and couldn't listen because it was choppy. I'll figure out why and fix it for next month.
I do agree with you too - kudos to the IT guys for getting this up and working for residents who don't have cable.....and for FREE.
Great work.
"Does Anonymous speak and read a different language?"
I think it's joomla. lol
Fabulous improvement in readability. Thank you.
Online went "choppy" about 8:15.
Last month was clearer than being there. IT will get it fixed. (hopefully)
New White background is easier to read. The page is much wider for some reason. The stars are starry.
BTW---the Public Hearing is not closed. Please write the Town Board with any comments on the Tower.
The Law is nearly impossible to get around. Al Gore made his 1996 Telecommunication Act so Towers may go anywhere. Anywhere! Zoning codes are meaningless. The Law clearly state that "Health concerns and hazards" may not be used as a reason to argue or prevent a new tower. The company must show "need". There does seem to be a question of need in this case. Why the hell did the town hire a professor to write there is a need? That needs some explanation.
tg
lol, anonymous did speak (check your time stamp of 11:59pm) but because I agree with you on something then I cant be the same anonymous? priceless, now who's being partisan?
oy
8:40am -
You're not anonymous. You're the Nys Department Of Economic Development dude.
Have a great day!
Anonymous Taxpayer paid employee's hard at work. ;)
Years ago there was a proposed HUGE cell tower up for Town Board approval in East Irondequoit. The neighborhood rallied and even hired a lawyer. To say the least the Town Board voted NO on it. Thankfully there weren't any legal ramifications on that decision.
How does the Fire Dist. sign the lease and not have one conversation with the town?
I called Town Hall earlier today (blocked number) and low and behold a Human answered again.
Not really sure when you are calling Anonymous - Midnight maybe!?
Just went to sign this comment in with the word verification and the word is GOONS!
Funny! Ha :)
"How does the Fire Dist. sign the lease and not have one conversation with the town?"
I know! And since they did sign a lease.....where does that leave the town? Someone on here said that the lawyer for Verizon said the decision is ultimately up to the Supervisor? Does that mean if she says "NO" then the lease is void?
Anonymous could be calling from the cupboard and they recognize her number. I wouldn't answer either....sheesh. ;)
So - the video for the meeting is uploading on vimeo right now....it usually takes a while. I can't wait to watch it. I heard there were some interesting characters in the front row.
Link to Cell Tower Info on town website.
The last one, the "Public Comment in Response to Cell Tower Proposal" is blank. All the other ones are up there, but that last one isn't showing up for me. Anyone else having that problem?
I'm sure it's MJD's fault.
I wish there was a sarcasm font.
Public Comment part is good now. I am able to view it. Thanks!
154 pages.
I see from some of the comments that a few residents aren't against a cell tower....just not in a residential neighborhood.
Some also said they would like the tower disguised as a flag pole, willing to work with Verizon on an alternate location. Some mentioned the Fireman's Exempt - I don't think they own that property anymore. From what I understand, they gave it to the town - regardless - Verizon will probably say that St. Paul's exempt land is too far away from the area coverage they need (I am assuming this).
Some mentioned the School District land - which, if people are concerned about health hazards of the radiation on children - it's not a good place for it. Obviously.
I know people would probably not go for this - but a cool "disguise" for the cell tower (in my opinion)....is a lighthouse.
It would fit in with the "theme" of Irondequoit - surrounded on 3 sides by water, various lighthouse sculptures around town.....I kinda think it's cool. But I don't know if the residents would like to view a 120ft. lighthouse from their yards.
There was some controversy over the Staten Island Lighthouse, but I think it is an interesting "tourist" attraction that would bring more people to the area to see what it is. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. More traffic - but more people maybe spending some money in town.
I do think the lighthouse is cool, and I do think disguising it as a flagpole is neat too.
I'm still with the residents who are against it though - I wouldn't want to walk out of my house and see a 120ft. metal structure every day.....and because they are in an R1 district, they would not be allowed to build a 120ft. tower in their yards....why should Verizon be able to in an R1 district.
What I'm really PO'd about, is that the FD did not contact neighbors or the TB before they signed the lease. Not cool at all! I would be against it for that fact alone!
Who mentioned Clark Patterson Lee as being part of a "rigged" master plan?
Well, we all know WHY Clark Patterson Lee was hired.....don't we?
Hmmmmmmm
Gotta wonder about that.
Where are all my anonymous friends today?
I really....REALLY would LOVE to talk about why things aren't getting on the website.
Nathing...err...I mean nothing is written in STONE here.
Is it?
LOL
Per your recommendation, I called town hall (the supervisors office) on Wednesday, after 12pm but before 330pm~no answer. I then called the Planning Dept. (same time) no answer.
Still waiting on a return call placed on July 15th, a response to email sent on April 22nd to the entire town board in which I receiveda response from 1 board member and a phone call response from another board member.
Jax said "What I'm really PO'd about, is that the FD did not contact neighbors or the TB before they signed the lease. Not cool at all! I would be against it for that fact alone!"
How do you know that the fire dept did not contact the tb? Do you really think that the supervisor (who is a commissioner now and attends Iron comm mtgs) and is a resident of the st paul district, didnt know this was coming? Didnt the supervisor ask to be the lead agency on this issue? (per town board meeting vimeo June 2010)
About signing the lease?
Not just contacting them about putting up a cell tower....I'm sure the FD did tell town board....but even John said he'd like to hear from the FD....that tells me that the FD hasn't really spoken with the town board or the residents. Publicly at a meeting, or to the neighbors as a group or through mailings.
Besides, I did say "did not contact neighbors or the TB before they signed the lease."
It's more about signing the lease and not talking to the neighbors - for me anyways.
For you - it's about MJD.
Hey, whatever floats your boat. Write about it on your blog - I'll write about what I want on mine.
Nope, for me its not about MJD at all. Its about the whole process and I AGREE WITH YOU that the fire dept SHOULD have spoke to neighbors. They have no problem going door to door for donations to their association.
I call the main number 467-8840 and then ask for the Dept. I need.
For instance yesterday I called a human answered I asked to speak with the Supervisor. I was then switched upstairs to the DPW secretary that was taking messages for MJD. I left a message.
Every single time I've called Town Hall at the number above during business hours a human has answered.
Regarding emails to board members sounds like not much has changed from the last administration. I would get an email back maybe from 1 or 2 board members and that's it.
They have updated the web site with some public comments etc regarding the cell tower. It will be interesting to see how this matter plays out. I really hope the board will listen to the people.
Shame on the Fire Dept for not involving the neighbors.
Kind of reminds me of when Heyman, Bello, Evans, Perticone and Aldersley DIDN'T involve the residents of the Town when they voted unanimously to RENT King's Park. Except that involved the WHOLE Town.
I guess all kinds of boards/depts like to see what they can get away with. ;)
You are absolutely right Cherie! I think it is a much better idea to put more and more money, do more and more studies on a facility that only serves part of the town and is worth less than what some of the repairs cost.
I also agree with you that it certainly would have been nice to hear from some firemen, it STILL would be nice to see if the fireman could have a neighborhood meeting of sorts...time will tell.
Regarding your comments on contacting town hall, gee, I wish I had thought of trying the main desk...(rolling of eyes here)and when I get a machine at the department I am transferred to AND leave a message, wouldnt you think a return call would be in order???
responding to "What a great board meeting it was tonight"
Well, it was interesting and looooong thats for sure. I thought it was great that the supervisor attempted to provide some updates to the community. My favorite part of that piece was when she tried to update us on Medley. "She has met with Congel and seen large files" whoopdedoo. So basically, in essence, what she is saying is that we need to be patient. Pretty much what MEH was saying. Hmmm, pretty much a contradiction to their campaigning though, hmmmm.
I also thought the portion regarding the capital improvement plan was very interesting and enlightening. No one is commenting on that? I am surprised.
Pinegrove is 3 miles away from King's Park so spare me. I guess you are speaking of the LaBella consultation that cost the Town $50,000. that had projections of $500,000 parking lots and $200. cabinet knobs etc. Yes fixed studies we spent money on like the master plan and the Pinegrove study that Heyman and company ordered are a waste of money. So yes, I agree with you.
It's also funny that you are justifying Heyman, Evans, Bello, Perticone and Aldersley from voting unanimously with NO PUBLIC INPUT to RENT King's Park! What a laugh I'd love to hear you on here if MJD ever tried that. Oh the hypocrisy! Residents aren't as stupid as you think that's why Heyman, Bello and Evans are NO longer sitting where they used to. :)
As far as the Capital project I haven't seen the whole meeting yet. I only watched up to the portion when Paul was questioning different projects and costs regarding the Capital project. I was glad to see him questioning instead of just rushing to say yes to 4 million. At some point I'll catch the rest.
Regarding the Mall it's to bad that the TB, SB and Comida didn't have the protection in place that was promised. From reading newspaper articles seems like due dates and terms are up for interpretation. All this money spent on attorneys and terms aren't in black in white!? Sorry that isn't MJD's fault her hands are tied by the deal that was hatched before she was Supervisor.
I was told repeatedly that we were protected this time and that Congel was going to have to be accountable and all of this was expressly in the document.
Well guess what it isn't in there!
Jax, I hope you can do something about the sour grape smell in here. ;)
Enjoy your Monday everyone!
What's really funny, is if the Kings Park deal had gone through....the town would have still been responsible for upkeep and maintenance on Pinegrove in addition to the rent they paid to KP landlords.....with no plan in 5 years to what would happen after the lease expired.
We were told many times that the Pinegrove building would not be sold.....so....the town would have still been responsible for upkeep because they still owned it and the Helmer Nature Center was going to still use it....what, they were just going to let the building deteriorate while the Nature Center still operated?
If they did end up selling the building - WISD would more than likely have purchased it, and then the WISD would have to raise their school taxes for repairs.
No matter what the taxpayers were going to pay to maintain the building.
Pinegrove is on a bus line just like KP is - senior transportation is available for Pinegrove just like it would have been for KP - Pinegrove is only 3 miles away from KP so if Pinegrove only serves part of the public, surely just a senior center at KP (open limited hours) would have only served part of the public.
Selective memories don't remember that.
I suppose if the Medley PILOT had language written in it to collect that $500k - or get him back on the tax rolls if he didn't pay - that would make it a lot easier to do exactly that.
But the people we trusted, the ones who said we were protected and that this was a good deal for the town - well - they lied.
We're not protected, and there's nothing that anyone can do about it.
But, you want me to be angry at MJD because she is saying "be patient" on a deal that was made before she became Supervisor.....on a PILOT that doesn't have language written in it to collect that $500k.....on a project that had clear language that demolition was supposed to start 60 days after the entitlement date....which would have been June 7th - your first lady was still in office and didn't do jack shit about him violating the PILOT on when demolition would start.....and I am supposed to hold MJD responsible for a deal that was rammed through by the previous administration.
That's MJD's fault?
LMAO
Sour grapes are funny. But they attract a lot of fruit flies....be ready for the invasion.
Cheri, I agree with you on several issues but unlike you I have an open mind that is bipartisan. i dont let blind hatred of the personal nature conflict with that.
I have also acknowledged several things I think this new admin is doing well. (ex more discussion on resolutions) But because I have a difference of opinion on some issues you constantly label me as being against this admin which I am not. Its not personal, its about OUR town...
Pinegrove studies: I agree with you on this as well. The last admin DID do a study on Pinegrove at the tune of about $50k, why was that? Well, after the Kings Park rental was voted down they had to prioritize what would be done with that bldg, correct? How much these things cost, correct? So they did the study made a determination of a 5 year plan and projects ARE being done. THIS admin now wants ANOTHER study on the roof wich was already done!! Why? And without an RFP.
Master Plan: Again you are correct, the previous admin DID initiate a new master plan and many people on the steering committee CHOSE the group to represent our town, NOT the administration!! Ask anyone who sat on that committee because currently YOU are insulting them.
Ask TG, how a town benefits from an updated master plan as far as grants go. And new zoning. And several areas which are important for OUR community to thrive. So are you saying because of your blind hatred this administration should ignore the Master Plan that has been ALMOST completed? Should they start a new one (ie pay for another one?)(doesnt seem prudent to me)
I agree, again, Pinegrove is 3 miles away from Kings Park. Have you done a foil on WHO goes to Pinegrove? you should and I will leave it at that.
Cap Proj: I agree, it WAS nice to see Paul discuss some issues. Actually it was nice to see Paul speak at all because up til that point we hadnt seen him speak!! What was funny to me, was it seems like it was new info to him and Essley though they discussed it at the workshop 6 days prior. It will beinteresting to me to see if capital projects now go by the wayside or will they keep them and what will they get rid of?
The mall: You are correct, the last admin AND the school district AND comida worked together for the pilot. The current admin made campaign PROMISES as to what they would do regarding Medley if they won. They won! You loved to tell people about promises MEH broke so its ok for one group and not another? Who is partisan??
Also, if I recall correctly, MJD said "she too saw the previous financial security and said that Congel lost the financing after the stock market fiasco. So therefore SHE agreed with MEH, she was telling the truth. She is now saying be patient, which is what MEH was saying. Its ok for one but not the other? Hmmmmm...
Jax, I would comment on your replies but I think I pretty much responded to Cheri and since you two just seem to parrot and play off each other, it may be redundant.
Redundant is you bringing up the "Passero no RFP" stuff.....AGAIN.
It has only been explained to DEATH - and yes, I did repeat some things that Cheri brought up about Pinegrove.
Oh nooooooooo!
You really should do a blog backing up everything that you accuse the administration of - otherwise it's just pure speculation and conjecture on your part.
What were the promises that the new administration campaigned on?
I have most, if not all, of the mailers/ads/letters/interviews from them during campaign season. It's under the labels section marked "election 09"
I'm sure you could find any "promises" they made and have not done in the almost 8 months they've been in office.
Feel free to back up any of your accusations.....really.....anytime you're ready.
would that be similar to your accusations on who the anonymous blogger/s are? lol.
Do campaign promises only come in fliers? Or do they come in print, speeches, public input and questionaires as well? Just curious.
Anonymous said -
"Cheri, I agree with you on several issues but unlike you I have an open mind that is bipartisan."
Oh yeah.That's so obvious.NOT!
Sorry Anonymous,I do have an open mind and I'm bipartisan UNLIKE you!If MJD and company decided to RENT a building with NO public input it doesn't matter to me what party they are I would be out walking to force a referendum. For you it's all about hating Republicans, for me it was about Heyman-Bello and Evans being bad for OUR Town. It had NOTHING to do with them being Democrats!
If it was only about parties for me I would be in total agreement with the study on the roof for Pinegrove or the trip for any of the Judge's to go to NYC. I would just bobble along like you did for 4 years of Heyman, Bello and Evans.
Hilarious that you would even bring up the subject of Paul not speaking much when Gail Bello sat on that dais for 4 years and hardly EVER said a thing. Dripping with HYPOCRISY like usual.
I'm impressed that Essley and Marasco just didn't say AYE to 4 million. Why not review the costs and not rush to raise our taxes. I guess it was a SHOCK to the system for you because for the past years it was -all those in favor - AYE!
The Pinegrove study that you reference that cost $50,000. was a RIDICULOUS piece of you know what. They inflated the costs of certain things so it would SEEM to be more expensive to stay at Pinegrove than move to KP. The prices in that study were INSANE and everybody knew that. $500,000 parking lots, $200. cupboard knobs and $200. splash blocks?! It was JUNK that we paid $50,000 for. Much like the 100,000 that we spent on studying King's Park that went out a window!
As far as WHO attends Pinegrove, any senior that wants to is WHO.Why would I have to foil that?
Anonymous said -
"Ask TG, how a town benefits from an updated master plan as far as grants go. And new zoning. And several areas which are important for OUR community to thrive. So are you saying because of your blind hatred this administration should ignore the Master Plan that has been ALMOST completed? Should they start a new one (ie pay for another one?)(doesn't seem prudent to me)"
Oh, I see.....TG is ok to reference when you agree with his opinion, otherwise you are slamming him for being kicked off of committees etc.
The committee picked two companies, and the TB picked CPL.I also do believe that Heyman in the background was force feeding CPL. I even witnessed this at a Planning board meeting. Heyman sat there directing CPL from the audience. $200,000 was way to much to pay for what we got. Really not Prudent.
I think MJD agrees that the MP is important for the community to go forward. That's why they are correcting the mistakes in it and moving forwards on completing it. NOBODY said that the "not completed" MP should be ignored. But it should be corrected and should be reviewed thoroughly.
continue-
Anonymous said - "Also, if I recall correctly, MJD said "she too saw the previous financial security and said that Congel lost the financing after the stock market fiasco. So therefore SHE agreed with MEH, she was telling the truth. She is now saying be patient, which is what MEH was saying. Its ok for one but not the other? Hmmmmm..."
Link to where she said that. What else can she do but say "be patient" she didn't sign the PILOT deal. Congel had demolition permits, was supposed to start demolition in June of 2009. Why wasn't that addressed by the previous administration? In March, the Supervisor said he had demolition permits. Link: http://foilsforirondequoit.blogspot.com/2009/08/demolition-anytime-soon.html
Why, in July, did Pat Malgieri say that he hadn't talked to Congel since April? They just signed their names to the PILOT and forgot about it?
Link: http://foilsforirondequoit.blogspot.com/2009/08/commencement-of-demolition-for-medley.html
The PILOT was RUSHED through because the developer couldn't wait to get their shovels in the ground. Time lines and dead lines were written in stone so we were told. Penalty payments etc. were all set up. It was a big bunch of BS! Now we read that there are NO set deadlines and all dates are up for interpretation.
MJD can only do so much, which is keep in constant contact with him and update the community. He shouldn't have gotten that PILOT deal to begin with.
The blind hatred you have for me is quite evident and your identity is not a mystery to me anonymous. :)
And by the way... because I'm so partisan is why I'm yet a registered blank. ;)
"would that be similar to your accusations on who the anonymous blogger/s are? lol."
Not really.
"Do campaign promises only come in fliers? Or do they come in print, speeches, public input and questionaires as well? Just curious."
I guess it's where they say "I promise...." followed by whatever it is they are promising.
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