Last Wednesday night the Town Board passed a Resolution
(140-2012) “Authorization to Develop a Strategic Communications Plan." The purposes are to “explore media options to
promote our quality of life and encourage businesses and families to take root
in our Town;” and “to promote the positive aspects of the Town of East
Greenbush to aid growth in the Town, and not only maintain our quality of life
but also to improve it for all residents;” and “to develop a strategic
communications and marketing campaign to promote the progress being made in
East Greenbush and all we have to offer.”
The original attached appropriation was $20,000. Ms. Mangold moved (and it was approved) to
reduce the appropriation to $10,000.
Let me suggest an alternative approach. It won’t cost a dime. It will save a hell of a lot of money. It will create a governance atmosphere which
will attract the positive attention from media outlets across the region. And it will stabilize and even reduce
taxes. Here are some things which can be
done right away – the fact is they are “late.”
1) Develop,
implement and enforce the Financial Recovery Plan which OSC called for in the audit
report issued in 2008. This is the
report which disclosed the inter-fund borrowing and the $2.5 million debt which
led to the “junk” bond rating for the Town.
These conditions were “self-inflicted,” and they will only be cured by “self-discipline”
by those in charge of spending tax money.
2) Institute
the savings required by the early retirement incentive on which the Town spent
$500,000.
3) Do
Town hiring and employment pursuant to a Town-wide work-load analysis. Now THIS is something worthy of some spending
on a professional consultant. It would
remove the “family and friends” considerations. Personal Service expenditures are by far the largest in any government and business operation. And these expenses have "tails" which never end. They extend beyond the end of employment. East Greenbush has a massive hemorrhage here, and it will continue to increase.
4) Stop
Patronage and Nepotism hiring.
5) Develop
a “business sensible” and economical solution to the wastewater treatment
problem. This means disclosure to and “ownership”
by the stakeholders – the taxpayers.
This process must not be seen as a “feeding frenzy” of the locals looking
for lucrative contracts, or a power grab by one party or another.
6) Pass
a strong Ethics Code. One that includes
financial disclosure and eliminates the “wiggle room” accorded to the
connected. Statesmanlike behavior on
this issue, rather than the “weasel work” done on the original draft of the
Ethics Board would go far in establishing the credibility of the Board.
7) Audit
Bruen and bring the financial operation under the direct control of the Town’s
comptroller’s office pursuant to an “ancient” OSC recommendation. This no-bid and single source contract has
NEVER been audited in the life of the relationship.
I’m sure there are additional initiatives for the list. Feel free to add them.
The best marketing the Town can do for itself is to practice
good open, transparent and accountable government. Until that happens and becomes evident to
citizens, all the campaigns in the world won’t amount to a hill of beans. It will be just like lipstick on a pig.
Colossal waste of $10,000 - just pissing tax dollars away. I assume this is just one of several ways they plan to throw some money McCabe's way. He would make a helluva Propaganda Minister - such a job simply calls for an MBS (Masters in Bull S***).
ReplyDelete1.) Force property owners - like Sue Mangold's family - to make improvements to Columbia Tpke properties.
ReplyDelete2.) Reduce spending AND taxes by 15%
3.) Follow the law - every law; every time.
4.) Teach Keith Langley how to speak in public and how to handle media interviews.
5.) Share openly with citizens and taxpayers. Answer questions. Actually engage with taxpayers. For an example read the minutes from any Guilderland town board meeting.
6.) Hold public information meetings that include a Q & A portion that are separate and distinct from town board meetings.
7.) Hold town officials, town department heads and town employees accountable.
8.) Tear down the incredibly nasty old restrooms in town park.
9.) Institute volunteerism for town projects.
10.) Clean up Town Hall. Paint the exterior, remove the "garden" from the chimney.
11.) Buy a real American flag for the community room in town hall.
12.) Provide informative power point presentations as a part of town board and all other public meetings.
13.) Upgrade the town's web site.
14.) Hold a contest for ideas to install a planting or other structure or design at the Rt 4/ Columbia Tpke intersection.
15.) Pass an ordinance baring posting junk on telephone poles.
16.) Force political candidates to remove their campaign signs within 48 hours after the polls close.
17.) Include public comments and questions before and after the annual organizational meeting.
18.) Teach Keith Langley how to answer e-mails.
19.) Remove the non functional gate from town park.
20.) Require all department heads to reduce overtime by 10%.
21.) Provide detailed monthly budget versus actual spending to the public at every town board meeting.
22.) Implement a real computer use policy for all town computer equipment.
23.) Upgrade payroll and all town accounting processes to provide for a real monthly accounting books closing and reporting process.
TELL THE TRUTH TO TAXPAYERS.
Absolutely none of which will attract businesses or residents too East Greenbush.
ReplyDeleteDear 6:08 PM:
ReplyDeleteWhat do you suggest?
In a 2010 article the Times Union identified, through research not opinion, that towns like Half Moon and Clifton Park were growing and selling homes while towns like ours were not.
The reason cited in the T-U article was the high taxes in towns like ours (We were specifically mentioned) versus the taxes in Half Moon and Clifton Park.
My suggestions were intended to energize and move our town in a positive direction. Are those bad things?
So, back to my original question...what do you suggest? Are you excited by how the Hart family is dealing with the old Teagan's property on Columbia Turnpike? Do you think the appearance of town hall creates a positive first impression of our town? Can you identify what our town's leadership is doing about our junk bond rating? Don't you think simply doing something positive about that would be a good thing?
What, in your apparently infinite wisdom, do you think is causing the blight that has become Columbia Turnpike? Please share.
Maybe we can join together and see what can be done. Would you support that?
thanks but I offer my suggestions to those who can have a positive impact
Deletebtw half moon does not levy general fund or higwway taxes clifton park does not levy general fund Taxes.
also signs are supposed to com down 3 days after the primary and general elections.
Well one way for Ginny to spruce up Town Hall put Beckers farm on the payroll full time. She seems to know how to get her flowers put in when she wants them. Just an idea!
DeleteThis town seems to move in directions that no one has any idea of at the time of movement and for that,
this town has suffered at the rath of the majority board. High taxes, Not one decent Park, paying for transfer station twice, and even if you don't use it.
Ethics code that doesn't serve the people only serves the select few. Hiring of Family and Friends.
When is it going to stop?
If you take a close look at all the other areas, they have at least something to offer their towns people for what they are paying. This towns offeres
nothing. If you disagree with me offer some suggestions what you feel this town has that no other town has. I think you will have a very hard time convincing me or anyone else this town has much to offer for the taxes we pay. That is why we are in the mess we are in. We have too many hands in the till and to many servents that are not worthy of being paid for a job they do not do for this town.
This town has been run with one thing in mind. How does the majority board get ahead on the taxpayers dollar.
Lets face it Columbia Trnpke looks a mess!
ReplyDeleteWE all know that the Ethics code was approved by the town board because it serves a select few on the board. "That is it plan and simple." That certainly needs to be addressed again and other things like our parks. Okay so they hold Music in the park big deal! Is that all we are getting for our money? I guess so, cause the parks are deteriateing also along with the main troughfare through the town.
East Greenbush is looking a lot like our junk bond statis.
Until we get our select few on our board to acknowledge the mess they have created or change who we have in office this or anything else will not be corrected.
!
What we have is no voice at all. I understand they have taken the questions and answer session out of Town Hall meetings is that true? I Can't believe what window licker Langley has become.
Can you? It sure seems that the ones that trusted in him and believe in him were all dooped.
Yeah bring McCabe back and shove that in our face. I love how this town operates.. Screw the people, and pat myself on the back for doing such a lovely job of it.
That is my evauluation of Town Hall servents.
Is Rick Matters trying to do anything about the mess in OUR Town?
ReplyDeleteI know he would be alone, but with a loud voice he may be able to accomplish something. Or have the crooks in town hall done to him what they tried to do to Ann?
Help me out. Who is Rick Matters again? Isn't he part of the town board majority?
DeleteSure seems that Anonymous 8:20 PM has a sense of humor.
DeleteYou know how you know that Rick Matters is not one of the majority board members. He doesn't have a business in this town.
Or have family in friends working in Town Hall. That is how you tell them apart.
You sure can't tell by his votes. Matters has been voting with the majority board for the last six months on everything.
DeleteI just found the resolutions for last Wednesday's meeting on the Town Website under "minutes". Rick Matters, former Republican, made the motion for the "Public Information thing" That is a lot worse than simply voting for it. Sue Mangold, Democrat, cut the cost in half on the Matters resolution. It appears to me that Langley and Matters are both Democrats now and Mangold is looking after the interests of the fiscal conservatives. Whats up with this.
DeleteDid Matters become a Dem like Langley? What is it with these guys? No wonder the county republicans are piss-d.
DeleteHeads up, boys and girls. Special Board meeting and CFAC both scheduled for this Thursday. Also a new Town Supervisor message on the Town site.
ReplyDeleteOne thing men and women-when you vote for a dem, you know what you are getting. You do know what to expect-crooks.
ReplyDeleteWhen you vote for a rep you do not get what you expected (Langley and Matters). They are dems in disguise.
OMG ! - 1004am your so right ! I thought when I voted for Langley that I was clearly getting rid of McCabe. I knew nothing about Langley other than his literature provided in my mailbox.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that a FEW people in the Con and Rep partys did know or had a feeling as to what Langley is. The problem was that he had too many fooled. This is troubling. Please, in the future, pay attention to the few that have a funny feeling. There is always a reason for that funny feeling.
ReplyDeleteBoy, 10:04, did you hit the nail Right on the head.
I don't care how you put it. This town and this town board are never honest. That is why this town sucks! It really is never a matter of what you know, it's who you know.
ReplyDelete6:10-I agree, there is a reason for "that funny feeling". It took a long time before I realized there was something to it. Now, I never ignore it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone thought that when they voted they were cleaning house and getting rid of old baggage. All we did was get new baggage. You have to admit one thing. The town board definately has lipsitck on their lips .. All of them!
ReplyDeleteBreaking news. I just heard this morning that Chris Defruscio is now switching from a Rep to a Dem to join Langley. That should make life interesting for Kim Halloran Mike O'Brien and Joe Lamountain.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news!! All the pigs in the SAME sty.
ReplyDeleteWhat do the FEW people who were against Langley think of DeFruscio? If I had to guess, I bet the Few do not think much of DeFruscio. Who ever those Few are, they should be running the Party.
ReplyDeleteSo, we are getting all the ethically challenged in one sty. Good, easier to keep an eye on them.
ReplyDeleteThis is good. It's all out in the open now. Amazing how birds of a feather flock together.
DeleteArtical in Times Union Rag that has our great run down town on the map. EastGreenbush against Albany downtown development. Someone else has noticed what East Greenbush is lacking.
ReplyDeleteIt definately is not too hard to see as you travel though our great town to see the development all in the north end of town and see the south end of it just falling apart.
Great Job East Greenbush Town Board!
Think the people noticed the Tegans building and no development here?
Has Langley hired a new Town Finance Director yet? Let's pay close attention to this one boys and girls. Follow the money.
DeleteAnon Oct 1 7:49. Kindly tell me when this artical was in the Times Union. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOctober 1st, 2012 .. Times Union, it is comparing East Greenbush to the Great Downtown Albany. If that isn't a slap in the face.
DeleteThe growth and developement going on in Albany to get the people from the suburbs moving back to Downtown Albany.
We can "Thank" our Majority board and the great decisons they have made for our town while keeping us out of the loop.
While getting rich off our town. Making a name for themselves.
how about a link?
DeleteThank you Oct 2 6:33 AM.
ReplyDeleteDid you see Lou Desso on channel 6 last night? I just caught the end of the segment, but I THINK he said taxes where NOT being raised in North Greenbush. If anyone saw it, please tell me if that is correct.
Today's T-U has an article about Clifton Park - where there are NO property taxes to support municipal government.
ReplyDeleteClifton Park grows while East Greenbush declines. Doubt it? Take a good look at Columbia Turnpike and ask yourself: "Why won't businesses locate here?"
Gotta love it when the TU prints a story on ethics failures, fiscal mismanagement and a 2million dollar deficit then 2 days later the town sends out property description reports for reassessment (i assume) that should do wonders bringing folks here how much do these people think they can squeeze out of us. really not to mention the hired help in the town hall talking to taxpayers like we're dirt. don't see myself staying any longer than i have to.
ReplyDelete