Rick Matters ended his tenure on the EG Town Board tonight with the same principle and character which has informed his entire time of service. He acted in the interest of Town residents in acting to NOT approve a contract with Bruen, which in his analysis needed further review with the Board. He offered a three-month contract with an adjusted quarterly payment while additional issues were being reviewed which was rejected by Malone and Mangold. So both resolutions failed for lack of a majority.
The fact is that there are a host of issues which have been cited by the State Comptroller's office in audits of the Town's Ambulance District which have not yet been acknowledged or implemented. (Bringing the financial operation of the Ambulance District under the control of the Town Comptroller is just one of them.) The proposed Bruen contract still calls for quarterly payments of about a quarter of a million dollars to the Squad. Something like this has been going on for a long time. And there has NEVER been an audit of the Squad's financial operations. A million a year in tax levy and insurance payments collected and disbursed by an entity which has never been audited.
So in his final official act as a Town Board member, Rick did the right thing in making sure that a contract was not approved pending further review. I hope that this is a sign of what we can expect from the new majority.
Thank You Rick Matters!!!!
Bravo Rick and Keith. Regrettably Sue's relationship with Bruen has clouded her ability to make decisions on behalf of the town.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rick, your service has been appreciated.
If Sue was really on the side of Bruen, and the residents of this town, she would know that Bruen which is about 95 percent paid now has a union and that the union is battling certain things in management (like leaving the town unprotected) So I guess she really isn't on Bruen's side or the residents of this town's side either, she is on the side of the people that have presided over the mismanagement of Bruen for years.
ReplyDeleteRick Matters has ALWAYS been the only town board member from either political party who operates with only the best interests of the taxpayers in mind.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bruen, friends and neighbors, is a seathing cesspool of financial mismanagement and corruption. One of these days there will be a real, serious audit of Bruen and when that happens we will learn things about how much unbelievable money Bruen takes in and where that money actually goes.
Maybe one of these days the Management of Bruen will wake up, along with all of the tax payers too.
ReplyDeleteRick Matters is a thoughtful gentleman and a truly gentle man. Nice guy. Has the caring gene in abundance. Rare breed - smart, hard working, does his research. He is a non political politician. We will not see his likes again unless and until there is a third party takeover of town politics.
ReplyDeleteFYI.....The latest OSC audit report on the Ambulance District is available at the following link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/towns/2010/eastgreenbush.pdf
The earlier report from 2001 is not available on the Comptroller's website, but I have a .pdf copy of it. If anyone wants a copy, send me an e-mail at eggadfly@yahoo.com and I'll send it to you/
Rick Matters, never even once, put a family member or friend in a town job. That makes him singularly unique. Rick tolerated Phil Malone's public temper tantrums and adolescent behavior with dignity. Rick always strove to do the right thing. He worked hard, too hard really, on behalf of our town. THANK YOU Rick. Best wishes from grateful taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of you semi juvenile delinquent politicians (Mary Ann Matters excepted) take note, pay attention, try to learn something will you?
Rick Matters--
ReplyDeleteThank you for your selfless service to residents. You were an asset to East Greenbush and you will be missed.
In an era when local, state and national politicians have been in nothing but a race to the every bottom of the barrel Rick Matters was a shining light. He stood heads and shoulders above the likes of O'Brien, Mangold, Malone and Langley.
ReplyDeleteAlong with the Ethics Board, and the more than capable leadership of Jack Conway, Rick Matters is almost solely and directly responsible for the less than perfect but better than nothing ethics code than currently exists in East Greenbush.
When town attorney Joe Liccardi was doing everything in his power to prevent the recommended ethics code from being made public Rick Matters did the right thing and created a resolution to inform the public and bring some openness and transparency to the ethics code process.
It was my good fortune to be neighbors with Rick and Mary Ann Matters for the years we lived in East Greenbush.
I echo Ann and Ray's sentiments. Rick did a great job for the town and established a precedent for how a local official should act. He always put the public interest first, was diligent in his preparation and maintained a sense of decorum and civility that others could learn from. I was always impressed by how many people came before the board with a problem and during their presentation said something like "Mr. Matters came over and he can tell you how bad it looked." He responded to individual residents' concerns regardless of their political affiliation.
ReplyDeleteRay's comments about Rick's contribution to getting a Code of Ethics are right on point but don't even tell half the story. Without betraying any confidences I would just say that he worked tirelessly and effectively behind the scenes to get that done. When the Code passed and I tried to thank him for all of his work he refused to take credit preferring instead, as is his way, to acknowledge everyone's work but his own. That's because in his mind he was just doing the job he was elected to do. We'll miss him on the board but Mary Ann will have him by her side when she needs advice or insight so his experience will still be working for the town. His was really a job well done.
If Rick Matters retires from his current job and decides to run for town supervisor he will, without a doubt, be the greatest supervisor the people of East Greenbush could ever possibly elect.
ReplyDeleteDear 3:13 PM:
ReplyDeleteHe would certainly have my vote over Mr. Langley and Mr. Defruscio.
Very interesting piece by Brendan Lyons in yesterdays TU entitled "Pays to send Cash to Power." It's about the political landscape in Halfmoon. Read it and see if it rings any bells.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Pays-to-send-cash-to-power-5085232.php#photo-5631135
In case you missed it.
ReplyDeleteBrendan Lyons is the TU Reporter who broke the Mr. Defruscio/ Ms. Andeago story in November of 2011.
Stay tuned!!
Gadfly:
ReplyDeleteAnd it is a mere coincidence that our very own Phil Malone got a job with the very same company that did the DPW and waste treatment plant solar projects and all of that happening of course at the very same time.
And just a couple of years later all of our fire stations install solar panels in buildings that are empty 95% of the time and, surprise, surprise Phil Malone's company does those projects as well.
Coincidence? Yea sure. And Martha A. is a terrific letter writer as well.
Rick Matters is the only politician in East Greenbush without some connection to the nastiness that so dominates our town.
@ 10:01
DeleteIf Brendan Lyons is researching for a story about Mr. Defruscio this could get very interesting very quickly. Mr. Lyons might discover why the Mr. Defruscio controlled East Greenbush Republican Committee has refused to update its Financial Disclosure Statements with the NYS Board of Elections.
Follow the money...
Hey Anony....By posting the Link to Mr. Lyon's story on Halfmoon, I did not suggest that he was doing a story on EG - though it would be welcome at any time. The more Press the better, I'd say. We know that TU stories on EG are as rare as hen's teeth.
DeleteGadfly,
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be something if Alysia Santo, Bill Lambdin and Brendan Lyons felt the need to cast their gazes across the River once again? They could also serve as effective watchdogs in support of the Gadfly's work.
Happy Christmas everybody.....and here's to a great New Year. Maybe a new era in EG.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all the gadfly's
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 4:56 on 12/23/13
ReplyDeleteIf Mr. Defruscio and his executive members of the Republican Committee are not filing necessary Financial Disclosure Statements with the NYS Board of Elections, Langley, Matters, and DiMartino would be well served to put some distance between themselves and that group.
7:10am,
ReplyDeleteI just checked the NYS Board of Elections website. Still no updated filing of the required Financial Disclosure Statements from Mr. Defruscio's East Greenbush Republican Committee. I wonder why Mr. Defruscio would choose to break the law to avoid public and transparent disclosure of his election activities?
Why don't you file a complaint with the Court?
DeleteDear Gadfly:
DeleteThe initial complaint should be filed with the Board of Elections. They will then send a notice to Mr. Defruscio's Committee. The BOE notice will ask Mr. Defruscio's Committee to comply with the law before any sanctions are considered.. Their intent isn't necessarily to file criminal charges. The BOE would prefer to induce Mr. Defruscio to "voluntarily" provide the required information..
If Mr. Defruscio Committee were to ignore that request, it is quite possible further action could be initiated which could result in the Republican Committee's Treasurer being assessed with a financial penalty.
Since the BOE has been recently criticized for its lax enforcement of election law violations they might very well have an enhanced interest in this issue.
Like I said, since you know the "path" why don't you follow it?
DeleteDear Gadfly,
DeleteThe Board of Elections has been made aware of this situation. Let's see what happens.
One more point......You're after ""financial disclosure." Didn't Ms. Mangold block such activity in regard to the Ethics Code for two years? You want transparency, but your own people block it. Go figure.....
DeleteDear Gadfly,
DeleteMs. Mangold is most certainly not my "people." I strongly believe in financial disclosure and transparency from ALL elected and appointed policy making officials as well as their political leaders.. East Greenbush needs BOTH a strong ethics code AND ethical people involved in the governmental and political process.
Political party leaders unable or unwilling to follow basic election related disclosure requirements do not set a positive example for their future political patronage governmental employees.
How will these political appointees respond when they are asked to provide basic governmental information to interested members of the general public?
OK....I've got it now. And I agree. A fellow reformer sounded like a Dem for a while there to my jaded ears. The Reps should get their reports in.
DeleteDear Gadfly, thank you for creating this very informative blog. My thanks also to all those who participated in sharing their thoughtful insights. Jim C., thank you for letting us all know who you are, it's been nice getting to know you, as well as the many others who wear the label Gadfly with pride.
ReplyDeleteGoing down the political memory lane of our little hamlet, brings some interesting memories, some good and others not so good. I'm sure most will agree with me, no matter what your politics are. As we enter another new year, I pray the gap between our differences will narrow, as we all can pursue what is best for everyone and not certain individuals. Don, Dwight, Ray, Jack and Ann, thank you for being an outstanding demonstration of "We The People..." voices in our local government.
Many thanks to Rick Matters for his faithful, diligent and honorable service on the Town Board. I echo the many noteworthy sentiments of previous posters. He raised the bar, He lead by example to others, to reach a higher level of integrity in all the decision making processes.
Just about winding down here, friends. My thanks also to the few other individuals who willingly shared their names, as well as offering interesting input here. Those who chose to write Anon., thank you also, I enjoyed reading all your postings. See Don, I believe you created an amazing blog, kuddos to you and all who were guest topic writers.
Happy New Year to all! Bonnie Lester
Thanks very much, Bonnie. We're going to be as objective as we can as the new administration takes control. The Organizational Meeting, and what flows from it, will speak volumes about policy, values and direction for the next couple of years. I hope we see some of the reform values for which we have worked. I've heard from representatives of the new administration that they "want the same things." I guess we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI'm still getting Anonymous and pseudonym comments from folks who used to be in power which seem to indicate continued residence in "sour-puss land." One or two are particularly identifiable. What ever......
Dear Gadfly:
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful as well. But I'm concerned as to what your conversations with the representatives of the new administration have to say about the role of Mr. Defruscio in the new administration?
word is they've not told folks who's staying or going which speaks volumes about policy, values and direction
ReplyDeletenot a pair among them all
Let me make an observation or two about just who set the tone in this Town for a number of years. Not necessarily an excuse, but it helps to understand what might be going on. "We're the majority, and what we pass passes" Remember whacking Langley's salary before he took office? Remember the postcard with the Matters' picture at the end of the campaign. Remember sitting on a Ethics Code for two years? Remember disbanding a Finance Committee because it asked too many questions? You get my drift??? The Dems set a tone which should not have been set, but now the pendulum is swinging back.
DeletePerhaps we will get to a civil society at some point.
I understand what is going on. I deserve better and I pay for it. I was asked to vote for "change" but did not expect to change to similar behavior by different people.
DeleteIt is time for adult behavior from our elected officials. We can make hard choices without being hard people.
Dear Gadfly 6:16 PM:
ReplyDeleteDo two wrongs make a right? I hope not, particularly when the control of taxpayer money is at stake.
Let's have civility now, not later.
Please.
I completely agree about the reform necessary in behavior, but it takes a certain level of character and maturity to achieve that. I'm reminded of the quote from Nelson Mandela recently recalled at the time of his funeral. He was asked about why he did not retaliate against those who imprisoned him for all those years after he was released. His response was that if he had retaliated he'd really still be in a "prison" of his own making.
ReplyDeleteIt will take leadership driven by what is good for ALL of us to change the tone of what happens in local government. We'll just have to see whether the new bunch can pull it off. We'll know a bit after the Organizational Meeting.
Gadfly,
ReplyDeleteWould you know why my tax bill (now on line via the Town website) shows a 2.7% increase in Town taxes for 2014?
Is this a result of Supervisor Langley and Councilperson Rick Matters' recent vote against a no tax increase budget resolution?
Let's hope the new Smart Way Forward majority votes to rescind this increase as soon as possible in conjunction with their zero base budget proposal.
East Greenbush is filled with political thugs who believe that two wrongs do, indeed, make a "right".
ReplyDeleteI recall perfectly the missing DPW fuel records and the swiped DPW computer hard drive. Former supervisor McCabe told me, to my face, that such childish behavior was standard in East Greenbush whenever there was a change in administration. But former supervisor McCabe was almost always talking out of both sides of his mouth and he had persistent trouble with any version of the truth.
I recall very well Ginny O'Brien's public nonsensical comments about cutting newly elected supervisor Langley's pay two years ago. I thought those comments were beneath Ms. O'Brien. But she was fully engaged, at that time, in the proverbial race to the bottom of the cesspool of East Greenbush politics. Shameful.
I recall Ginny O'Brien and Phil Malone going to great lengths to hide the appoinments of her husband and his mother to do nothing jobs at taxpayer expense. Here's to hoping that both Mike O'Brien and Joan Malone's jobs get cut on or before January 2. They have both milked taxpayers for far too much for far too long. Good bye and good riddance to both nepotism hogs feeding at the taxpayer trough. Will they be replaced by simply different nepotism hogs? Stay tuned - we'll see on January 2. Best guess? Yes indeed.
I also think Langley made terrible appointment choices and his completely amatuerish handling of personnel changes through his first two years in office lacked professionalism. Has he learned anything? Doubtful; but we'll see.
The Organizational Meeting in just a few days will be a golden opportunity for taxpayers to begin to see if the decision to give supervisor Langley a majority was prudent and wise or just a different crew but the same old baloney.
No one should get optimistic. Langley, DeFruscio, Gilbert (and others) are more likely to think that two wrongs make a right than they are likely to lift themselves, and the town, up to a more professional, mature and responsible place.
Maybe I'm wrong. We'll see come January 2. Stand by.
The Langley (Smart Way Forward) promised zero-base budgeting. Just a few of the actions listed by Ray Mooney on the previous Thread would accomplish a tax cut for 2014. If the 2.7% increase is real, it would seem to mean that the new Langley majority would want to keep the previous majority's tax increase for its own pork and patronage. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and label it DeFruscio's pork and patronage. If they can't separate themselves from him, it becomes the Langley team's pork and patronage and seriously threatens Langley's ability to succeed himself in two years. The new team has to change the way things have been done, or they're gone in two years.
ReplyDeleteWill Mr. Defruscio allow the Mr. Langley Smart Way Forward majority to move "forward" with zero-base budgeting and a tax cut? Will we get the answer at the 1/2 Organizational meeting?
DeleteThis is so good, I've got to copy it here.....it's from Talks and I agree with everything except the first sentence. In fact the first sentence in negated by the rest of the comment......
ReplyDeleteMay RooneyDecember 29, 2013 1:17 PM
Mooney is an ignorant windbag. But he posted something with his name on it - which is more than you can say. What does that make you? A coward?
He paid his taxes fully and promptly. He attended meetings. He asked questions. He wrote to try to influence outcomes.
He was mentioned prominently by Rick McCabe as a factor in McCabe losing the supervisor's election.
Mooney has been mentioned by Jack Conway as a leading supporter of the ethics code process.
I know he did a lot to clean up town park. I know he got absentee ballots approved for library votes. I know he worked with DPW Commish Van Wormer to really improve town park. And I know he got the town to ban trapping in town park.
I kind of liked his letter to Matters and DiMartino posted over on the Gadfly blog.
What have you done Anonymous 10:55 AM?
Dear Gadfly:
DeleteI want to thank you for posting this.
I am modestly proud of what little I was able to accomplish for the good of the taxpayers of East Greenbush. May Rooney did a decent job with her summary.
I made mistakes. I am most certainly no politician. I was probably too outspoken and too strident at times. I most certainly made my fair share of enemies of people opposed to positive change.
But I also tried to be an equal opportunity gadfly.
I refused appointment by Langley to the CFAC when I would not agree to his terms for that appointment. I refused to submit to Ed Gilbert's request to cool it in terms of being critical of the Langley administration.
I am proud of the letter I authored and which some 58 people signed to force the always reluctant OSC to do a real audit of the town's stunningly screwed up bookkeeping system.
I am very proud of the work I tried to do to force the always reluctant town board to pass the ethics code recommended by the ethics board.
I am proud I took town attorney Liccardi on in my appeal for open government. I won that little battle and a more transparent ethics code process was the result.
But I am most proud of the relationships I made and still very much value with you, Dwight, Jack and many others.
For the new year I wish nothing but the best for the taxpayers of East Greenbush. You all universally deserve better than you are getting from every darn taxing authority with their grubby hands in your purses and wallets.
I hate the thought of people losing their jobs especially this time of year, but maybe these were jobs that should have never had people in them? I think someone a few years back hit the nail on the head when they said that every job in the town needs a job description next to it. What do these people do in town hall? It would be nice to know, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI also don't believe that they should be replaced by someones political hacks, but it seems to me that no matter the stage of the politics, that is what usually happens.
Well anyways I hope everyone out there has a Happy New Year
Jim C.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, it might have been more compassionate if the affected people had been given some advance notice prior to their replacement. As it now stands it doesn't look like they will find out until the January 2nd Organizational Meeting. By the way, don't count on the job descriptions being posted.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Let me add my wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone, especially Bonnie Lester who wrote that classy note a couple of days ago. We're really in a whirlwind of speculation at the moment but it's probably best to adopt a 'wait and see' approach. The supervisor and the new majority promised change and a 'smart way forward' and we need to give them a chance to make good on those promises. The organizational meeting will provide some insight but it won't tell us everything we need to know. Government is sluggish in the best of times as I learned all too well with the Code of Ethics. Some things take time. But just as I wish the best for everyone in the New Year, I wish success to the new majority and good things for our town. It may sound like a cliché but the truth is that their success is our success and their frustrations are our frustrations.
ReplyDeleteI guess in the context of what's being said about people losing their jobs we should mention the 4, that's right FOUR Bruen Rescue paramedics and/or EMT's who are on indefinite suspension pending termination on January 15th. From what I've heard these are 4 outstanding, committed, decorated, and vastly experienced rescue personnel, with long careers as firefighters in local cities and in the military. Their crime? Sounds like they're too vocal about some bad Bruen policies. Some of them were at that Town Board meeting in November. Some spoke out against the new shared services agreement that sends even our last ambulance to a neighboring town without any paramedics. In light of the last two scathing State Comptroller's office audits of Bruen, in light of the equipment fiasco at Bruen in which $200,000+ vehicles are sold for $1 or something ridiculous, in light of Bruen thinking they own what the Town (you and I) paid for and do rightfully own, in light of a 41% town-wide Bruen tax increase this year (check your 2013 bills and compare to 2012), in light of the fact that I could not get answers on this increase from our Town Board, our Town-Bruen liaison, or Bruen Rescue itself, don't you think it's time the Town Board institute the oversight, both financial and management, that the last OSC audit called for? And isn't it sad that Bruen continues to operate in that same secretive, thuggish, "we're the majority" manner we've seen here in Town for the last 12 years? Happy New Year, Bruen. And to the 4 employees being fired at this joyous time of year, for no good reason that we know of? Our thanks to all of you for your service to the community. Now please, once your termination is complete, come forward and let's hear about what really goes on down there. Dwight Jenkins
ReplyDeleteThank you Dwight for this excellent comment!! I'd like to add a couple of points. On the shared services issue, it seems to me that this "call" belongs to the Town Board which is the Board of Commissioners of the Ambulance District. From what I can tell from the "contracts" with the Squad, there is no authority provided for the Squad to be making such arrangements.
DeleteSecond, since the Squad has never been audited (only the Ambulance District by OSC), before any further contracts are entered into by the District with the Squad, a multi-year audit of the operations of the Squad should be required by the District.
The Town Board has been malfeasant in recent years in its oversight of this operation.
Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Bruen. As a former member I can honestly say that if people only knew what really went on.
DeleteOne of these days it might change.
Well, the agenda is on the website for the organizational meeting along with who is being kept on and who is not. Post the news to a website and then sneak out the door. There's a real compassionate leader for you! Pretty crappy way of letting faithful employees know they no longer have a job. Happy New Year Folks! Good luck trying to come up with the money in the budget to pay for the INCREASED SALARIES for the new appointees and all the unemployment we'll now be paying. They've also ADDED staff! And you all VOTED for this wonderful new majority. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAnd DeFruscio just couldn't resist taking a job for himself. No class, just no class. Real low life stuff. Daisy Mae is back in spades. Back woods of the South.
DeleteSo this is our shining example of the new Smart Way Forward? Not even the courtesy or the courage to speak with the employees who are being let go and thank them for all their efforts. I would certainly hope all these positions were advertised and resumes with their credentials submitted and interviews conducted or are we trading qualified people for political hacks? Doesn't sound like the Smart Way Forward to me, but then I'm just an ordinary taxpayer not a politician. Shame on me for thinking we should be utilizing the most qualified, knowledgeable people regardless of their political connections. I'm disappointed and ashamed that our town employees were treated in this manner. I feel we are losing some very dedicated employees who have worked very hard for this town.
ReplyDeleteAnd...wait until we get the bill for all these patronage positions with hefty raises !
ReplyDeleteLooks to me like there are not a lot of families to share the pork with. Incest city!! Not a good first shot, Chris and Keith.
ReplyDeletePeople are looking at the org agenda, making their observations and their criticisms, and, in some cases, writing off the new majority before Deb and Mary Ann have even been sworn-in. Would everyone who's upset abt the information in the agenda please calm down and wait to see what happens in the first 100 days? Isn't that only fair? We need to support the new majority and give them our vote of confidence. It's the least we can do since they have been elected to save our town from financial bankruptcy. The last regime under Rick McCabe and others before him decimated our town financially. The new majority has a HUGE job fixing the mess the town is in financially. So let's support them and quit complaining abt little things that mean nothing.
ReplyDeleteLet me know when your ready for the "family " connections your not aware of. I was born and raised here and I know ALL the new players and their connections.
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea whats coming. Strap up - you'd better be ready , this is going to be rocky for ALL of us !
Looks like we're going to save some money. It's great to see the cutbacks in personnel at town hall. Trim the fat at DPW and we will be heading in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAnon Dec 30, 8:30 pm--Be honest, the exiting employees were not "qualified" when they were hand picked. How can anyone be "qualified" when we do not know what the qualifications are since there are no job descriptions.
ReplyDeleteAnon Dec 30; 7:42 pm--AGREED! Chris Def taking a job for himself is very poor taste not to mention extremely poor judgement. Keith approving that is yet another example of Keith being a mindless follower doing what Chris directs him to do. If the majority approves that appointment--FOR SHAME.
Anon Dec 30; 9:00 pm--Agreed! Many of the same genetic make up made the appointment roster which makes the "Smart Way Forward" the same as "one step forward and two steps back." Very disappointing and hopefully voters will remember this in 2 years when Keith runs for re-election.
You were warned Dec 30; 8:51 PM-On a positive note, it is refreshing to see some positions eliminated which negates your accusation.
Dear 7:59 AM,
DeleteYou are right on point. Perhaps the greatest disappointment is many of us believed the Smart Way Forward campaign actually meant something. We felt, much as we did with Keith Langley in 2011, that a reform scent was in the air. We were optimistic we were working towards an open and transparent government for East Greenbush which would attract the best and the brightest to serve the taxpayers. and which valued and sought out citizen input and participation.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Well, if the backgrounds of the majority of the proposed Smart Way Forward appointments are any indication, shame on me for being fooled for the second time.
In regards to the Chris DeFruscio Court Attendant appointment, I expect the newly appointed group of Town Attorneys will exercise due diligence and make certain it is carefully vetted through the Office of Court Administration before Chris is once again issued a Badge.
Today I found out what I have suspected for a month or so: I will not be retained in my position of Commissioner of Public Works for 2014. I suspected this was going to happen, even after having been told by my friend Keith Langley, over and over, that he would never allow it to happen. While in his office, pointing at the picture of his family, he would say, "This is what it's all about Dave, family. I would never hurt your family." He made the same assertion in my office, pointing at the picture of my family, on my desk. You see, Keith and I became friends soon after he became Supervisor. We had many lunches together, usually 2-3 times per week. I would stop by his office, or he would stop by my office. I used to drive him around town, showing him the inner workings of the town, showing him what the guys were working on and what I had planned. I took a lot of heat from members of my party for being so close to him. They told me this was gonna happen, but I said it wouldn't, cuz Keith seemed like a stand up guy. He says he just wants to do whats right for the Town. They told me, "You're crazy if you believe that, you'll be gone the first chance he gets". Wow, were they right!
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I knew what I was getting into when I took the job as commissioner. It's a political appointment that could end when the power changes. But I had a window. When I left my secure job in the union workforce, I had a 1 year window to go back. That 1 year was ending when Keith was coming into office, so I consulted with him. "I've heard nothing but good things about you Dave, you'll be fine. I'm not looking to hurt anyone, " is what I was told. (As a matter of fact, that was his favorite line, as I hear he said it to a few others also.) So I stayed in the position. I figured if I did a good job, I'd be here for a while. I have been doing that job for 3 years now, with very good reviews, if I do say so myself. My office door was TRULY always open. Taxpayers always got a return phone call from me. It didn't matter what party you were in, or who you were affiliated with, I treated everyone the same. Many had my cell phone number, even though it was my own phone, not the town's. I never wanted a town phone. I used mine, the same phone that the dispatchers used to call me on at all hours of the night, because I wanted to know every time there was an emergency OT call. Previously, calls went to the foremen of the departments and they would check it out, on OT. I can't tell you how much money I saved the town by going out to check on a possible water break that turned out to be someone draining a pool. That's just 1 example.
I remember my salary being questioned, because I got a raise to $72,000, which was about half of what was being paid to previous full time commissioners and deputies. If you go to eastgreenbush.org you will find out, like I did, that I am being replaced by 2 men, at a cost of $116,000, without adding in benefits. Thats right, I found out I was being replaced by 2 people, by seeing it on the town website. Not from a phone call, email or even a text from the Supervisor. I was called by a friend and was told to look at the website. How's that for being a leader? I have fired and suspended people a few times, always face to face, always hard to do, but how it has to be done....like a man. As I told Mr. Langley's secretary today, this is not about not being retained (ok, maybe it is a little bit), it's how it was done. I have never seen such an act of cowardice in my life. I had to tell her, since he had bolted from Town Hall by the time i got there to see him.
Cow·ard·ice noun \ˈkau̇(-É™)r-dÉ™s, dialect -(ËŒ)dÄ«s\: fear that makes you unable to do what is right or expected; lack of courage
P.S. Now get ready for the Martha Andiago's of the town to start writing in how bad of an employee I was.
See you in 2 years.
Dave VanWormer
As someone who pays very close attention to what goes on in this town, I'm sorry to see Dave Van Wormer go. He did an excellent job as DPW commissioner. Mr. Corellis will have big shoes to fill. I have a neighbor whose wife is very ill. He lives in a place that presents special problems for the snow plows but he needs to be able to get out on a moment's notice to take her to the hospital. I asked Dave what could be done in such a case and he asked for the man's name and address. The next morning at 9 a.m. he visited my neighbor, assessed the situation and implemented a solution that has kept these people safe and given them peace of mind. In my neighborhood the roads have been plowed, the roads repaired, and people have been very satisfied with the performance of DPW in serving the town. The reality of politics in this town is that a new majority will always put their own folks in place but people who are losing their jobs deserve proper notice and the courtesy of a face to face meeting to inform them of the fact. If Dave is right and people will be crawling out of the woodwork to denigrate the job he did, then I want to be the first to say thanks to him for a job very well done.
ReplyDeleteHow about the board meeting that Dave VanWormer's Democrats slashed the salaries in the Supervisor's office leaving him without enough money to run his department. That was ok right Jack?
DeleteAnonymous 11:02: Dave Van Wormer wasn't on the town board. Guilt by association is a lame argument. That wasn't okay and it wasn't Dave Van Wormer. If that's all you have then my point not only stands but is reinforced.
DeleteHow right you are, Jack. I had an opportunity to forward many citizen complaints to Dave during the seven months I worked at Town Hall. Each and every one was promptly resolved, often with a thank you from the constituent. Keep in mind that sometimes the thing that is best for the Town is contrary to the citizen request. Mr. VanWormer rang the doorbell of the taxpayer and gave them the answer to their questions in a courteous and respectful way, every time. Dave you deserve to be treated better, you did a fine job.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a legal and or ethical prohibition that doesn't permit a political party leader, such as Mr. DeFruscio, from serving as an employee of the Court?
ReplyDeleteSure hate to see the Smart Way Forward detoured by a legal roadblock even before they take office.
When I was on the Board of Ethics I proposed a provision that would prohibit members of political committees from working for the town. The idea was that if you work for the town you should resign from the committee but the Board of Ethics voted it down 3-2. My motivation was to separate government and politics to the maximum extent possible. It's hard to criticize republican activity in this area when the democratic committee chair is on the town board.
DeleteDear 11:25 AM and 12:17 PM,
DeleteThis might also be helpful. From www.nycourts.gov.
"Rules of the Chief Judge. Part 50. Rules Governing Conduct of Non-judicial Court Employees."
Section 50.5 entitled "Prohibition against certain political activities;
"(e) POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS. No employee of the Unified Court System may hold an elective office in a political party, or a club or organization related to a political party, ..."
As I am not a legal or ethics scholar, please feel free to jump in and correct at will. As a layperson though it seems (relatively) clear, that at the very least, the Rules of the Chief Judge seem aimed at discouraging Courts from employing elected political party leaders (read Town Political Chairs) from serving as Non-judicial Court Employees.
Kudos to the Chief Judge if that is indeed what it means.
Mr Conway I certainly agree with you and I also recall that at that time Mr. Langley and Mr. Matters both voted in support of the Board of Ethic's position, which you so eloquently articulated. It is also my understanding (through their campaign literature mailed to my house just prior to the November election) that the new Smart Way Forward majority is committed to enacting the original Ethics Code proposed by the Board of Ethics.
In my view, it is most important that any hint of political influence within the Court system should be discouraged. The proposed appointment of the sitting Chairman of a local Political Party should be rejected. Surely, there are other residents of the Town of East Greenbush willing and able to serve in the position.
Update for Chris DeFruscio watchers...
ReplyDeleteAccording to the NYS Board of Elections website there has still been no required updated Financial Disclosure form filed by the Chris DeFruscio controlled East Greenbush Republican Committee.
It makes it harder to "follow the money" when the election laws are ignored.
Shouldn't Mr. DeFruscio, as a newly appointed Court Attendant, be required to follow the law?
The Rules of the Chief Judge appear to apply to all State Courts The matter should be referred to the Town attorney but I am sure if no action is taken it would be easy enough for someone to inform the Office of Court Administration.
ReplyDeleteAs for the hiring of relatives and relatives of relatives -- wouldn't it be nice if the NEW Town Board reconstituted the OLD Board of Ethics and it resubmitted its original version of the Code? And the NEW Board voted to pass it? Is that just a fantasy? I'm sorry you were fired so brutally Mr. Van Wormer. But all of us should realize that until one party starts behaving in a business-like manner this kind of behavior will continue. It is degrading on so many levels. Sorry Dave.
@ 2:13 pm:
ReplyDeleteWouldn't our sitting Town Justices and the Senior Justice Court Clerk be required to refer this issue to the Office of Court Administration as a potential breach of The Rules of the Chief Judge?
If so, it probably wouldn't hurt for them to give the Town Attorney a heads-up before the January 2nd Organizational meeting.
It's just hilarious!! DeFruscio picks the ONE peanut job that could make him vulnerable to criticism. He could have appointed himself Town Gardner.
ReplyDeleteTo 2:46 PM,
ReplyDeleteThe Town Gardener position doesn't come with a Badge.
Dear Mr. Van Wormer:
ReplyDeleteI have been predicting since the majority changed hands that Supervisor Langley would mishandle the always difficult and always sensitive personnel changes connected to East Greenbush's cesspool of political mismanagement.
Turns out I was regretably right.
In a previous open letter to Matter, DiMartino and Langley posted on this Gadfly blog I argued for your retention. That was based on performance not politics. Everything you said about your responsiveness is 100% factual and accurate.
Dave, I will always respect how supportive you were when it came to improving town park. Your crew was equally responsive after the storm took down all those trees. And you, personally, were wonderfully responsive when I had a drainage question. You were, head and shoulders, above the two previous DPW Commissioners - one of whom now has some dumb ass court attendant position he awarded himself.
So, you have established that Langley is a liar. But, then again he is a politician so it is in some tragic way to be expected. He is also a coward. He also lacks fundamental principles in how to treat other people.
Rick McCabe had his own troubles with the truth. Examples abound in his case as they do for Langley, That's some regretable tradition in East Greenbush supervisors.
I deeply hope that the election in two years results in a independent political movement. Why don't you consider joining the Gadflies and that movement?
Thanks you.
Sincerely,
Ray Mooney
Mr. Mooney thank you I worked for Mr. VanWormer and he did his best to please resident. I am proud to have worked with him.
DeleteLate addition to the agenda ... the ELIMINATION OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS POSITIONS:
ReplyDelete3 Laborer Positions
1 Light Equipment Operator
And in Langley character, he's having Megan Hart notify the affected staff.
What a guy!!!
Wonder what revisions tomorrow will bring ... gotta pay for that new DPW DC somehow!
Well, I posted here several times that Langley didn't deserve a majority and he is proving it even before day one. What say you, Smart Way Forward?
DeleteBy the way, Langley has established beyond a doubt that he is a liar and uncivil oaf but what is up with Hart? She does not have the gumption to tell him to do his own dirty work? He is done but she might create a future for herself if she behaves with some integrity.
This MUST BE a DEMOCRAT run blog site. When all of you see how much the new majority will do to change and improve the town for the BETTER, you will all be ashamed of your silly complaining. If the Repubs had been in for 14 years and the DEMS won in November, the DEMS would do the same thing that is happening now. Out with the old, in with the new. When you take a POLITICAL APPOINTMENT you know that it's TEMPORARY and only good until your party royally screws-up and loses an election. The Repubs won because the Dems made one hell of a MESS of the town. So pleeease, stop your GD whining and complaining and for heaven's sake get off the rant about DeFruscio. I'm SICK to DEATH of hearing about it!
ReplyDeleteIt was my understanding that supervisor Langley was a registered independent. I am as well.
ReplyDeleteThis blog site is non political. The primary writers, those with the courage to use their names anyway, are from all political parties.
This blog, it seems to me has several purposes:
1.) To give taxpayers something any town administration never does - quality, fact based information.
2.) To question decisions that are only political and not made in the best interests of the town's taxpayers. And,
3.) To provide taxpayers a means to communicate with their elected officials and with each other on matters of concern.
No one is whining. Supervisor Langley has a history of questionable decision making and he has a deep history of poor verbal and written communications.
Republican Chairman Chris DeFruscio, who was elected to nothing but has secured a cushy town job by the way, has a history of written misrepresentations from the previous campaign.
The Republican Party is refusing to share its list of campaign donors. How decidedly convenient immediately prior to announcing its own patronage and nepotism appointments.
It is all as simple, and as sad, as that. Deal with it. People in East Greenbush have both the right, the responsibility and a long history of good reason to question the actions of their elected officials.
I don't believe anyone actually believed they'd be held over ... except for possibly Dave VanWormer after numerous alleged assurances.
ReplyDeleteIt's more that Langley WASN'T MAN ENOUGH to tell people to their faces.
And now the wuss calls upon Megan Hart to deliver the 'news' to four DW workers.
Why not Langley or incoming DPW Supervisor Corellis?
Can you really RESPECT any of them?
Ray - for the VERY FIRST time - I agree with you !
ReplyDeleteDear Boys and Girls....
ReplyDeleteI just got a comment from "they gotta go" which reminded me of the creation of the Talks blog and the vile contributions made to the public discourse a few years ago, including vicious personal attacks on me and a few friends. It listed the creators of the blog and the major contributors to it. (You may remember that a good deal of that vile history was deleted by the perps.) I was tempted to print it and let the list go public and say some things about Karma - you know, what goes around comes around. Suffice it to say that some folks are getting what they deserve.
I think we're going to stop until after the Organizational Meeting.
Mr. Van Wormer,
ReplyDeleteI too am very sorry that you have lost your job. No offense but isn't this the same way you got the job to begin with? In no way am I saying its right as a matter of fact I hate the fact that every time the politics in town hall change they have to take it out on the little guys such as yourself. As far as I'm concerned I didn't think you were doing a bad job, but what the hell do I know.
I also do not like the fact that Mr. Langley didn't have the nerve to tell you to your face, but that is just my opinion.
It seems to me that now that you have the credentials you could actually run against Mr Langley come election time? I know this doesn't help the present situation, but it is a thought.
I will also suggest like Ray did, join the Gadfly's