Sunday, May 5, 2013

Hamlet on Hampton Lake



“To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them……”

I’ve been thinking about this Post for a while, but the comment on the previous post from “I Support Langley” has provided the impetus to publish it now.  I think the argument goes something like ---  the stipend, longevity and sickleave money will never be recouped so why spend the legal money to go after it?  Well, here are a few reasons to follow the Comptroller’s recommendation:

First, Mr. Langley doesn’t seem to understand how to use the “power” of being in the minority.  He is in a position to offer a Resolution to recoup the subject funds and have that Resolution defeated by Malone, O’Brien and Mangold – thereby requiring them to take a public stand against the advice of the Comptroller.  Langley has the “cover” of State Law, a strong ethical standard and the authority of the Comptroller of the State of New York, and he’s looking for an “out.”  We deserve a vote!!

Second, it looks to me like the recoupment amount is about one and a half times the amount of the General Fund/Highway Fund tax increase this year.  Successful recoupment could have meant no tax increase in these funds this year.

Third, breaking the law, cutting ethical corners and generally screwing the public will continue until it actually COSTS the perpetrators something.  That’s why our society has a justice system.  Does anybody actually believe that the $14 million in sewer bond revenue is not being eyed by folks who would just love to have a “forgive, forget and move forward” atmosphere present when that money is up for grabs???  When it comes to bad behavior, unless you “nail” it, you “license” it.

Fourth, we already have a lawyer on the Town payroll – salary and benefits.

Fifth, why should the proposition that the money will never be recovered be accepted?  The Comptroller used different language related to the stipends and the longevity/sickleave matters.  I think he said that the longevity/sickleave funds SHOULD be recovered – not just the possibility investigated. 

Well there are a few reasons.  I think the first and the third are the most important.  Being in the minority is NOT to be powerless.  Mr. Langley is in a position to make a very positive reform record and force the majority into a very unseemly public record.  He doesn’t seem to know how to do that.  In this connection, the general screwing of the public will continue until every time it happens, somebody makes it cost something for the perps. 

101 comments:

  1. Bravo, Gadfly! We have allowed this to go unpunished for too long. Every parent knows that poor behavior must be addressed in a way that is meaningful to the belligerent wrong-doer. It seems that we must spend a little on an attorney (or pressure the current town attorney) to send a warning to those who will have custody over the $14 mil. If the current Town Attorney is too involved in the wrongdoing or too busy, perhaps the terms of his employment and the terms of employment for the Deputy Town Attorney should be examined.
    Langley is likely to be even less powerful after the next election. The time is now!

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  2. I do think it is fair to state that if Langley and Matters had had one more supporter we would have the ethics code recommended by the Ethics Board but soundly rejected by O'Brien, Mangold and Malone.

    That, in and of itself, would have been a HUGE achievement and a potential game changer for what currently passes as goverance in our town.

    Voters, by the way, need to think about and recognize that, for all intent and purpose, O'Brien, Mangold amd Malone told the citizens of this town: "Screw you when it comes to ethics." They really and truly said just that.

    What is less clear is if we would have had fewer patronage appointments in the police department and, especially, the DPW.

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    1. I really do admire what Rick Matters did in regard to Ethics. One of the most important parts of Rick's accomplishment was to put extraordinary effort securing and babysitting Keith's rather weak and reluctant support.
      Two things about your statement bother me:
      1. If there had been one more "supporter" Keith and his "supporter" might overwhelmed Matters
      2. The ethics code alone would not turn unethical people in the right direction. It would have taken leadership from the Supervisor, support for the Board and it's work, and interested parties filing complaints.
      The Ethics Code would have been a good step but what would have been HUGE is ethical behavior. At the core of the previous post on this blog is the concept that unethical resolutions still draw unanimous approval in this Town. The wrong thing was done by the current Board in 2012 with a yes vote from every member in regard to elected officials sick pay.
      There has been talk on this blog about how hard it is to institute political change. Agreed, it is difficult. The path to appropriate leadership in ethics is:
      a. be above reproach yourself
      b. make every effort to educate others about ethics
      c. have a zero tolerance approach to ethics
      Do as I say, not as I do does not work.

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    2. 320pm
      You make a lot of sense.
      it seems to me as if there is some sort of a shell game going on with McCabe, Langley and DeFruscio. They all seem to be in cahoots with each other trying to prevent any type of reform from happening.
      Not that Malone is any better, It's just that he's on the outs with McCabe, Langley and DeFruscio.
      This might explain why Langley won't use his power and leadership.

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  3. To 3:20 PM This Town needs people like YOU in power. Will you ever consider throwing your hat in the ring? If not, please consider writing more comments like the above.

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  4. You people are wasting your time. Our Town Attorney is not going to go after any of that money. Doesn't your lawn need mowing?

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  5. Could someone please describe what reform actually means?

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  6. I am interested in your Reform party. Could you please post when your next meeting is scheduled along with directions to your office. I would like to attend and introduce myself and find out more about your organization. I can't seem to find a website, perhaps I am not looking it up correctly.

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  7. EGDemands just put something up which asserts that this Blog is spreading a computer invading virus which steals your personal information. You'll have to take that up with Google. Maybe it's just Jim L. trying to drum up some business.

    Personally, I think they're scared of the stuff we discuss here. Some looney-tune sent me a comment which asserts that the EG reform movement is a spin-off of the communist party.

    All we want folks, is a Town government which is accountable and honest and open. We want a Town government which can be asked questions. You may notice that the Supervisor has declared that there will be no questions asked of the Board at Board meetings. It's this kind of behavior which stimulates things like the Gadfly Blog. There wouldn't be much need for us if the Town had a financial recovery plan, a relevant ethics code and some certified financial statements.

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  8. Rumor on the street is Jim L is hacking into your blog to see who is doing all the bashing. He has connections.

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    Replies
    1. If he could, maybe he'd find himself there, ya think? Has he moved off the Talks blog? They've been awfully quiet.

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    2. They have all made deals for this year. They couldn't be happier.

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  9. The Sword of the Lord and of GideonMay 6, 2013 at 9:08 PM

    Gee wiz, they're really opening up on the EGDemands......you guys must have hit some pay dirt here. Rick and Toni are apparently worried that you've created some interest in they're having to return the illegal money. They're saying "don't read." Kinda like the Nazi's burning books, I'd say.

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    1. Don't forget Linda Kennedy. She has probably taken as much as Toni. OSC audit failed to mention her. She is as guilty as the rest.

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    2. The Sword of the Lord and of GideonMay 6, 2013 at 9:28 PM

      OSC "picked and chose" what it wanted to or had to address. They left a couple of big stones "un-turned," so to speak. They have JCOPE on one side and the political loyalties of the front office on the other. A fine line to walk. Perhaps you should take your concern up with them, and see how far you get.

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  10. I need to make an "editorial comment" here. I think I need to remind readers that it was OSC which discovered and addressed the longevity and sick-leave payments to Town elected officials. These payments were not a part of the "taxpayer complaints." If anybody has a problem with this issue being addressed, they should take it up with OSC. I happen to feel that they have a point, and their discovery only serves to support the contention that the "taxpayer complaints" made that the few are bleeding the system for personal benefit. OSC just found another teet being sucked. (Pardon the mixed metaphor.)

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  11. I have heard from two very reliable sources that Town Democratic Powerbroker Patrick Maney has advised recipients of the unauthorized stipend, sick leave and longevity incentives that they should be prepared to repay those monies if the Town decides to pursue a recoupment strategy. Mr. Maney has also advised Supervisor Langley that such a strategy would be successful from a legal perspective. Nobody has ever said Pat Maney isn't a top notch Attorney.

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  12. I think the alternative, however politically unattractive, is for the Town Board to do what it should have done in the first place. And that is to authorize those payments. That, very simply, is the law. The fact that the former supervisor chose to hide behind a "that's the way it has always been done" defense for the illegal expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money is meaningless.

    The Town Board has a job to do. Either take proactive or positive steps to recoup the illegally spent taxpayer money - or authorize those expenditures. In order to fully comply with the OSC audit I do not see a third alternative.

    Of course this town board is good for awarding patronage and nepotism jobs and damn little else unless forced either by the state or by citizen activism. So, I guess we'll see what happens next.

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    1. Somehow I don't think that authorization of those expenditures is what OSC had in mind. You might want to ask them. They specifically talked about recoupment. Why not write a letter to DiNapoli or the Attorney General and ask them if a retroactive authorization of illegal disbursements makes the issue go away. It would be a novel approach to addressing illegal activities in our society.

      If the matter could be submitted to a vote of the people, you might have a case. But you'd be amending the salary schedules of several previous years - years for which the current Board has no authority.

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    2. There is a process for seeking the Opinion of the State Comptroller or the Opinion of the Attorney General on matters. I'm not sure that this is one of those cases, but it might be interesting. These opinions are cited in McKinneys, which are the volumes containing the current state of the laws of the state with case law citations and related Opinions. OSC has issued an Opinion of sorts already in the Audit Report. It would be interesting to see if OSC would reverse itself. It's my feeling that what was said in the report already had the "clearance" from the front office at OSC. And the fact of the matter is, as I cited above, OSC discovered the longevity and sick-leave payments and did what they did in the report. Taxpayer's complaints were not the initiating force.

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    3. There is a simple two step process Supervisor Langley can initiate as the Town's Statutory Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
      1. He can write a letter addressed to the recipients of the unauthorized monies asking them for recoupment. In that letter, Supervisor Langley should cite and attach a copy of the OSC Audit. Supervisor Langley should also set a reasonable deadline (typically 10 to 14 business days) for an initial response from the recipients.
      2. If there is no response, or the initial response is non-compliant, Mr. Langley can then, again in his capacity as the Town's CFO, write to Comptroller DiNapoli, with copies of his letters sent to the recipients (with their responses, if any), and ask for an official Comptroller's Opinion for how next to proceed.
      It's just not that complicated. Supervisor Langley does not need Town Board approval to initiate and send his letters, as he is acting in his ministerial capacity as the Town's elected CFO.
      That's assuming of course, Supervisor Langley is in favor of the recoupment of the wayward funds.

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    4. Interesting approach, but I have a couple of comments:

      1) OSC said "the Board" should do thus and so. I'm not sure that the statute extends such powers as you outline to the Supervisor. Take a look at the oversight powers outlined in Town Law.

      2) I don't think OSC issues Opinions as to "how to proceed." The Opinions I have read seem to relate to the interpretation of the provisions of law, and they already gave some direction as to "how to proceed" in the Audit report.

      3) It's clear that the Board's majority would not like its fingerprints on this hot potato.

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  13. Now that would be a real "juicy" solution to the illegal payment of funds - the retroactive authorization of them. But aren't "ex post facto" laws illegal? Kinda like raising the speed limit after a raft of tickets are issued, isn't it? I'd think that the legal cost of trying to weave a way through NYS Town Law and the State Finance Law to do that would be much more expensive than doing the right thing in the first place. And why should the taxpayer be on the hook for illegally disbursed funds in the first place. To suggest that the Board "authorize" an illegality is profoundly offensive.

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  14. Leadership often requires tough decisions. For our Town Board that is probably the biggest obstacle. It must be so easy to spend other people's (meaning taxpayers') money while rewarding your family friends and cronies with jobs. That's got to be the "fun" of being a Town Board member.

    But now the five of them are faced with a truly tough decision. Do they do the right things (HIGHLY UNLIKELY) and seek to recoup the illegal stipends, longevity and sick leave payments? Doing so will hurt the very family members, friends and cronies who benefited while it benefits the people they are supposed to represent - us lowly taxpayers.

    Or do the five of them do what they do best? And that seems to be NOTHING. That's where the betting money should go because when it comes to doing what is best for taxpayers; for doing the right thing these five Town Board members display an obvious penchant for doing nothing.

    The revised ethics code would have gone the same path were it not for the vote forced by Rick Matters. Okay Rick - please step up to the plate again. You are the only decent leader we have. Please get the reimbursement matter on the stipends, longevity and sick leave up for an actual vote. The lowly taxpayers will appreciate it.

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  15. By the way...for the last couple of commenters on the DEMands blog:

    Paranoia is a treatable condition.

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    Replies
    1. Demands blog is a complete joke! If someone can tell me exactly what they are in favor of or exactly what they are against. Someone fill the rest of us in.

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  16. Whether I am a reformer or not I am not so sure.

    But here's what I do know:

    The people accused of being reformers are, in all probability, guilty as charged.

    BUT...

    In working to reform our town these same reformers have stopped illegal practices, ended taxpayer money going to family members and friends for absolutely stupid stipends.

    These same reformers have provided information to taxpayers that our town government seeks to hide. Doubt it? See if you can find the OSC audit anywhere on the town's web site.

    These same reformers ask important questions, they have worked to make our town officials accountable, they have shared the results of their work openly.

    So, THANK YOU and keep reforming. The only people objecting are those whose days at the hog trough have ended.

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    1. THANK YOU, Anonymous. On EGDemands, they're telling us to move away. Trough days are over and they seem to want them back. There's that $14 million of sewer bond money in sight and the drooling has started - and they don't want folks around who ask the right questions.

      With you, I'm still waiting for the OSC audit to appear on the Town website. Until it does, it can be accessed here:

      http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/towns/2012/eastgreenbush.htm

      Then click on the "read the complete report - .pdf" link.

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  17. I just got home from working a double shift so if my typing is not good please excuse me.

    I want to shift the conversation just a bit.

    I think our entire town board and most of the people working in town hall would be utterly and completely amazed at how much pride us regular folks want to have in East Greenbush. I think the town board would be equally amazed how much us regular folks would be willing to help out, to work to make our town better.

    All the town board needs to do is to be more open, more friendly, more communicative, more honest. All things in their quest to keep us in the dark as they squander OUR money on things important only to the town board members, their family and their friends that I guess they will never do.

    Look at people like Jack Conway. I'll bet a lot there is not a single nasty person on Talks or the other blog who ever put in 1/10th the hours Jack did to help our town. Jack is only one member of our former and now non existent Ethics Board who worked long, hard and wonderfully only to have O'Brien, Mangold and Malone to, quite literally, spit in their face over the ethics code revisions.

    So, keep reforming. East Greenbush is better for it and so are every regular taxpayer.

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  18. Tom Grant (the elder)May 10, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    Congratulations to Angelina Cadena on her upcoming appointment to the position of Town Comptroller and congratulations to the Town Board for making such an outstanding appointment!
    This is government at its finest!!

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  19. OK, for the average EG citizen NOT in any loop, who is Angelina Cadena? What makes her qualified to be Town Comptroller?

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    Replies
    1. Angelina Cadina is the current Town Purchasing Agent.

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    2. Ms.Cadena has also been fulfilling the duties as Comptroller since the resignation of Mr. Breig back in early March. She is a very hard working individual with a desire to meet the challenges that lay ahead. Good luck to her.

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  20. Filling a critical position such as comptroller is totally understandable.

    But Philling a position to create another full time patronage job at the DPW is a disgrace. The person chosen is a family friend of the Malone's and his father is on the Democrat Committee.

    They are going to want to tell you this hiring would be replacing Guynup and or Bender who is retiring in June. B-S , Malone and his board majority are squandering our tax dollars like they are their own to spend.

    Dave VanWormer needs to learn how to do more with less. Time for him to get his feet off the desk, grow a set, and put the men to work. Before you know it he will want to be giving his department Fridays off.

    The underground gas tanks are leaking, all the equipment is falling apart and VanWormer and HIS majority want to hire on FULL TIME JOBS. Complete with a health benefit package, retirement package and the whole nine yards.

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    1. Speaking of leaking gas tanks, there was a consultant hired to do a decision making event with the usual suspects from the staff (Benko, Cherubino, VanWormer, La Barber) and the Supervisor. The resulting report has not been well met by the Board majority. Stay tuned for the decision making on "to stay in the gas business, or not to stay; that is the question". (A little more Shakespeare for you, Gadfly.)
      So far, I'm in the unfamiliar position of agreeing with the majority. Initial review of the report looks a little hinkey AND decision making without the price tag makes no sense.
      Happy Mothers Day!

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    2. You are being Bull Sh#ted by Malone's majority. If you actually want to understand what is taking place you should call Mr. Benko at town hall for a compete explanation. He is our town engineer.

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    3. The reason it wasn't met well by the majority is because Malone wants to waste our money on full time patronage jobs as apposed to maintaining our equipment at the DPW.

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    4. Does this have anything to do with the unauthorized personal use of the Town gasoline by town officials?

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    5. It's me, 11:33, again. @12:37 the tanks are comming out! It's an order on consent... there is no equipment to maintain. The question is about choosing to use swipe cards or building and maintaining new above ground tanks. Lacking a convincing, arguement to the contrary, I will be supporting swip cards.
      @ 12:10 Mr. Benko may well be called upon by his superiors on the board to explain his position and, if so, I intend to be at the BoardY Meeting to listen. I'm not closed minded but so far, swip cards sounds best.
      @12:37 again: I do not support any new DPW appointment. I am for conserving gas, money and patronage.

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    6. Hmmm.... swipe cards. Sounds like free gas for everyone who knows someone with a swipe card.

      I like it. I want swipe cards for Town Employees. Think of all the new friends they are going to have. Hey, maybe they can even trade gas for votes you know," Phil ur up".

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    7. Empty:
      Hopefully they would develop a system where there would be strict oversight over the card usage. Who knows, it might even save the town some money.

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    8. I love this debate on gas. Remember when the gas records disappeared a few years ago? We were assured that there was a "secret" internal control system in place. When the questions first arose, the State Police were waived off by management. And I think Mr. Jenkins did raise a question recently related to the absence of reporting on fuel consumption on the financial reports to the State Comptroller.

      Internal controls are only as good as their implementation and the monitoring that goes with it. And internal controls can be over-ridden by management. We'll just have to keep an eye on those who are supposed to be keeping an eye on the Town's assets. The track record is not good in this area.

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  21. Malone's majority is a "RIPP OFF". You would think that given the fact that Ginny OBrien is packing her bags and moving out of East Greenbush that she would at least do the right thing on her way out. HELL NO, just watch ,O'Brien and her side kick Mangold will lock arms with Phil the Rip-Off and vote another full-timer right on the payroll .

    Malone sat in the Pre-board last week claiming he is trying to save his constituents money on rectifying the environmental problem at the DPW, while on the agenda for this week he is attempting to squander the tax payers money by hiring one of his family friends for a FULL TIME JOB at the DPW. He is a CROOK.

    He also claimed to be an expert in the gasoline business saying that he has been in the gas business for 30 years. I guess that would have made him about 2 years old when he went into business.

    Malone is a complete Bull Sh#t artist who could care less about his constituents. Good luck, with whom ever aligns themselves with this guy.


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  22. Looks like the gas tank/swipe card issue might be something for the new Town Comptroller to take a look at to see which alternative is more cost-effective.

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    1. I believe that there was a dust up in Rensselaer a few years ago with someone using a gas card without authorization and a wrong doer was bought to justice. I believe that the taxpayers would be better off believing in computers at the various pumps rather that the records that are kept at DPW. I think that there would be far less room for fraud with some outside data being analyzed by our new comptroller than with the DPW oversight. In fact I kinda can't wait to see the savings.
      I wish the new comptroller well and have every confidence that she will provide good council on this issue. Can't wait for the Board meeting.

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    2. Gas cards = License to steal

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    3. I'm sensing some new Pings here.

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    4. Or maybe some Calaways. Wouldn't be the first time that Town cash covered golf expenses. I did hear that some stipend money covered some golf costs down South a while back.

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  23. Ah yes..Lets not forget about the evidentiary credit card allegedly used for some fun awhile back. Just makes you wonder.

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    1. The point is that these credit card swiping perps get caught! wouldn't it be wonderful to know who was pumping gas into what vehicles, when and why? Internal controls fall right ino place if we use the swip cards. No more missing gas records from DPW, no more "we've always done it that way". I think if Town employees are woried aout being seen with swip cards there is a pretty good chance that those very employees are now doing something very bad with the "free" gas. If citizens were to ask questions about the swipe cards they could easily be answered. No problem unless there is wrongdoing.

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    2. The East Greenbush taxpayer is going to be filling up a lot of lawn mowers if this deal goes through. Probably a few boats, some ATV's and let's not forget the family ride. Free gas yippee.

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  24. Internal controls, no matter how sophisticated, are only as good as the monitoring of them. If and when the controls are breached or violated, there have to be consequences which make it "costly" to those doing the violating. If someone is caught in theft, it has to be prosecuted. As somebody said someplace, "if you don't nail it, you license it." I think the reader may be able to supply their own examples from recent local experience without my contributing a list.

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    1. I'm sure accounting for the gas is one important factor in determining the direction to take with the current environmental problem at DPW. It would seem that there are multiple factors to consider in order to arrive at the most appropriate solution. Has that been done?

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  25. Friends and neighbors:

    The DPW gas tank environmental problem happened because of INCOMPETENCE in how our town is managed.

    The EPA requires that underground fuel tanks be tested and certified. That testing is not hard to do or it can be done by a contractor.

    But...like accounting controls (none), an Ethics Board (none), waste treatment releases into the river (many) and really and truly everything else that could be called doing things right the leaders of this town are failures. I don't know what accounts for the incompetence. Best guess lazziness but not knowing combined with not caring are probably factors.

    So, get all excited by the next stupid photo op but as you do keep in mind that, somewhere around town, the next serious failure is happening and will, sooner or later, cost taxpayers money.

    That next failure will very likely be the waste treatment expansion project. That $14 million is nothing less than a complete slush fund waiting to be dipped into. Here's a terrific challenge for our new Comptroller...

    Please set up an OUTSIDE system or process to monitor, manage and protect taxpayers from fraud and incompetence in completing that project.

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  26. To 8:24 AM

    Don't despair. Remember our Supervisor, Keith Langley, is well equipped by virtue of his experience and character to keep a close eye on the waste treatment expansion project. I am confident that, under his decisive leadership, he will be able to bring the project to completion at well under the $14 million authorization.

    Look at how well the Hampton Manor Lake cleanup is going under Keith's guidance.

    The residents of Hampton Manor are especially grateful for all the hard work Keith Langley is doing for them.

    Let's all relax and simply trust Keith on the the Gas Tanks issue. He knows what he is doing. He hasn't been wrong yet.

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    Replies
    1. brought to you by the Committee to re-elect Langley

      really?

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  27. Listen Langley Liker:

    You, like the leaders of this town, are a farce.

    You, like the leaders of this town, have repeatedely misled and lied to the taxpayers and voters.

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  28. Maybe it's time to go with the Comptroller candidate from Glenville. At least he's been a Town Comptroller before. But he wouldn't be from the "inside" - and that's the "rub."

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  29. Who is the Comptroller candidate from Glenville?

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  30. Was there a Town Board meeting last night? If so, did anything important happen?
    Thanks.

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    1. Yea.. Phil Malone didn't show up to do what the people of this town elected him to do.

      VOTE ON THE ISSUES!!

      No show Malone

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  31. I was just reading the DEMands blog. Please---what was the BIG VOTE that caused Phil to be a "no show?"
    What a baby! Sorry, I just could not help myself.

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    1. The "no-show" is a great mystery to me. There were two Resolutions on the agenda to appoint two different people to the Town Comptroller position. First, there was one to appoint Angelina Cadena (the Town Purchasing Agent) to the job - advanced by Langley and Matters. Second, there was one to appoint Peter Stenson to the job - advanced by Mangold and OBrien. Each got two votes for and two votes against, so no Comptroller was appointed. The rumor around is that Malone was in favor of Cadena. If he was, not showing to vote for her is weird. But maybe he didn't want the help of Langley and Matters.

      Also on the agenda was the appointment of a DPW employee - advanced by Malone. But he wasn't there, so it was tabled and he didn't get his (patronage ?) appointment.

      The most interesting thing for me was the hiring of the Wojeski accounting firm to "accumulate and summarize information from the Town's books and records" so that the Toski accounting firm (which has a contract to produce certified financial statements for 2010, 2011 and 2012) can produce the statements for 2010. Apparently the Town's financial records for the period prior to 2010 are in such bad shape that there is no place to start. Remember that UHY, who did the financials for 2009, issued a "qualified opinion" on the financials. For some background, read the latest OSC Town audit available at the link on the upper right on this Blog.

      Remember there was a bit of "hollering" a while back about Reformers interfering with the Town's audit by Toski. Looks to me like Toski's problem lies with the condition of the Town's own financial records. I used to ask, "where are the 2010 Financials?" I guess now we know. Wojeski has to compile the records.

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    2. Dear Gadfly:
      Just curious ... it is my understanding the vote on the Resolution authorizing the hiring of the Wojeski accounting firm was 4 to zero. Langley, O'Brien, Matters and Mangold all voting Yes (Malone absent). Why wasn't this vote also 2 to 2?
      The behavior of Langley and Matters on this vote puzzles me.

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    3. Don't know. You'll have to ask them. But then we can't ask questions at Board meetings, can we.......

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  32. Gadfly:

    Compile or "create" the 2009/2010 records?

    The very idea that the town would hire two different accounting firms to accomplish one simple task should be an insult to every taxpayer in our town. It is a nutty concept for sure and a pure waste of taxpayer money.

    And of course, par for the course in East Greenbush there is zero accountability for this current mess.

    Just like no one is held accountable for the multiple fines we, the taxpayers, paid for the waste treatment plant releases.

    Just like no one is held accountable for the fine we, the taxpayers, just paid for the underground tank environmental mess.

    These things don't just happen through back luck friends and neighbors. They happen through lazziness, inattention, carelessness, incompetence or bad attitudes.

    And WE pay for it. Over and over and over.

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    1. They can't produce simple financial statements, or anything resembling them. Yet, all the while they were busy handing out secret stipends to friends and family and taking Fridays off. And certain blog folk want us to believe what a great job certain people in charge did. I'm embarrased for this town. We all should be.

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  33. Anonymous just sent me a comment trying to blame Rick Matters for bad financial numbers prior to 2009/2010. What a bunch of BS!! Remember the struggle to get a certified audit going during the 2 months when he was in the majority? The rest of the time prior to that we all know who called the shots on disbursements and who facilitated them - and none of this went through the Board.

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  34. I'm also getting comments attempting to lay the fault for bad numbers at the feet of Jim Breig. The implication is that he should have been able to sort things out during his tenure. Breig was supposed to sort out records that it's going to take two accounting firms to do? Nice try. No doubt coming from those who were worried about a forensic audit, and who continually represented the UHY audit opinion as "unqualified." People in office now stated that things were "hunkey-dorry" according to the UHY report. It was a cover-up. Again, take a look at the OSC report at the link above. The Town is in a financial mess and we are seeing minimal effort to get to the bottom of things. And some folks are taking great care not to "offend" those primarily responsible.

    The Town recently spent (was it?) $500,000 on a retirement incentive with the savings supposed to accrue from attrition. How can that happen when permanent positions keep getting added. The savings happen when you don't backfill.

    The situation cries out for a consistent financial policy and plan. There is none. It's a leadership vacuum.

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  35. Gadfly:

    The town board specializes in "bait and switch" tactics to keep taxpayers at bay.

    And for all but the dedicated few who pay attention the tactic works to perfection.

    They delay, obscure, hide, resist sharing, and mislead taxpayers. And, so far anyway, they totally get away with it.

    They used these tactics to perfection on the early retirement option - and you are correct $500,000 of OUR money went to a complete boondoggle. We, the lowly tapxayer, got completely and totally ripped off.

    They used these identical tactics to hide their collective malfeasance on the erstwhile ethics code - until Rick Matters rose above the other 4 slimeballs.

    That's the way it is around here - time after time after time. And it only citizen activism that keeps it from getting worse.

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  36. I understand Jack Conway was beating the Ethics drum again at the last board meeting. He wants a strong ethics policy to be part of Ginny O'Brien's legacy. Are you kidding me? I want to win the lottery to. Never going to happen Jack. Not with this board MAJORITY. You have the support of Langley and Matters on ethics, thats it. None of the MOM gang will go along, not as long as Suzy has a say in it. She could care less what you think.

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  37. Without a doubt the single greatest failure of nepotism and patronage as the sole criteria in hiring for town jobs is the complete and utter lack of accountability.

    When the only people you hire are family and friends accountability goes right out the window.

    And with the lack of accountability goes too the idea that people will do a decent day's work for their pay.

    But taxpayers seem comfortable paying for nothing but malfeasance, ineptitude, corruption and failure after failure after failure.

    Please don't complain about our taxes. We are getting the government our ignorance and apathy entitles us to.

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  38. Not being very objective this morning Mr. Gadfly. Are you sure you're not a secret operative for Malone. That's the new talk on the street you two faced old coot.

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    Replies
    1. This is why I absolutely love my job. Doesn't get any better than this.

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  39. Regardless of your political persuasion - this debacle screws the entire tax base. A permanent , full-time comptroller is essential to good and responsible government. It seems obvious that the pre-board meeting accomplished nothing.

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  40. Just got a spate of comments which I'm not going to post which attempt to lay the state of the Town's financial records before Jim Breig's tenure at Jim Breig's feet. I hardly think it was his responsibility to re-construct past transactions. Nobody knew how bad the state of the records was until UHY had to issue a "qualified" opinion on the 2009 audit. Just remember the atmosphere. The first Finance Committee was established and started to do some good work. But the activities of this committee got too close to what was really going on, and it was abolished by the majority and replaced with a more "accommodating" committee. And there was only one minority member on the Board. Remember that the only reason the Town is getting independent audits is through the persevering efforts of taxpayers interested in sound government. This effort didn't originate with the Board.

    In my opinion, we need a seasoned CPA from "outside" as Town Comptroller.

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  41. That's where you couldn't be more wrong Mr. Gadfly. Mr. Breig's responsibility to have balanced the books upon his accepting the position was his direct responsibility. He could have done so but didn't. You seem to have all the answers, explain to us all why he did not do a basic function expected of a town comptroller ( balance the books). We also have a residency requirement for town employes which would not allow for an out of town CPA.

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    Replies
    1. I suppose we could go round and round on this forever, but I'll take your conclusion about the basic function of a Town comptroller - to balance the books - to be bedrock. I think the issue discovered by Toski, UHY and OSC is that the books prior to Mr. Breig's tenure were not "balanced." And some reconstruction of a number of previous years is necessary.

      A few things on the residency thing. When I said "outside," I meant someone not a protege of either local political organization. And second, I do believe that one of the comptroller candidates was the former Town comptroller of Glenville, who said he would move here. Third, I think there are a couple of "residency" issues which could be tightened up already. Exceptions are being made for the connected.

      We need a highly professional and independent comptroller who operates in such a way that there is absolutely no question as to the public's trust.

      Delete
    2. So, I guess you are suggesting that the new comptroller insist on balanced books when she/he takes over. Isn't that going to be what happens if the old books finally get balanced with the gaggle of outside auditors?
      I do believe that the current Town employee handbook allows a new hire 3 months to take up residence in the Town. There are probably lots of willing, qualified CPA's.

      Delete
  42. do you folks even know what balanced books means

    folks, you won't get a CPA for 50K

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  43. You are probably correct. There are many willing CPA's that would do a great job. Problem being there is not a willing board MAJORITY in place to entertain any such thought.

    Of the two final candidates they seem to both have qualities that would serve them well in the Comptroller position.

    I would tend to lean towards Supervisor Langley and Council person Matters choice.

    Ms. Cadena has been a dedicated and accomplished employee for our town serving in many different departments. It was said at the board meeting that she has been assuming the responsibilities of Comptroller since the departure of Mr. Breig.

    Whom ever is selected as comptroller
    good luck.

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  44. It sounds like the suggestion is that we deserve a competent comptroller. One would think that after three years of service we wouldn't still be at square one, at the same point at which the previous comptroller began. From the outside looking in it doesn't seem like Mr Breig made much progress.

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  45. We're not at square one, Anony. We're starting to get independent audits.....Much resisted by the previous administration, by the way. The Town finances are starting to get the oversight which was much needed. I can personally attest to the fact that Mr. Breig was working to improve the oversight which was needed. Long standing abuses have been stopped. And whether you like it or not, Mr. Breig had a lot to do with that. East Greenbush owes him a vote of thanks. I was not an easy job to walk into what he walked into. Changing the "way things were always done" would not be an easy task for anyone.

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  46. Jim Breig spent countless hours trying to square away the mess he inherited. For anyone to point the finger or attempt to defame him in anyway , has absolutely no idea exactly what the man did while he was employed for EGB.
    He may not have been "perfect" , but we as taxpayers and citizens certaintly got our monies worth from him while he was employed here.

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    Replies
    1. Who left Mr. Breig this so called mess that you refer to.

      Perhaps you could provide some specifics on this matter. Or is your claim just more political propaganda that seems to appear regularly on this blog.

      Delete
    2. You should do some research, beginning with the previous OSC audits of the Town. And throw in a few audits of Bruen, for which the Town Board is supposed to be the Board of Commissioners. And then look at the UHY audit for 2009 (before Mr. Breig's tenure, I believe) and then read the Financial Advisor's report and the Moody's report. You can draw your own conclusions, but I think from the record, you'll have a hard time concluding that Mr. Breig messed up the financial history of this Town.

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    3. Wasn't looking to do any research. Actually I hoping to rely on your wealth of knowledge on the subject.

      Delete
    4. It's clear that you weren't looking to do any work......just be provocative and not to the point. All the material needed to draw an informed conclusion as to who screwed up the Town's books is already on the public record.

      Delete
  47. I'm sorry to go off topic but I just learned of the passing of John Stephenson. John loved this town and was not afraid to say what he thought needed saying. My heart goes out to Marie and her family. In the spiritual sense East Greenbush is a far poorer place for the loss of John Stephenson. May he rest in peace and may Marie find comfort in these trying times.

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    Replies
    1. Not off topic at all Jack. We'll all miss John, and I consider his passing to be a personal loss. We spent some good time working on improving the way "business" gets done in EG. As you suggest, East Greenbush is a poorer place for the loss of John. Peace to his memory.

      Delete
  48. Defame? I didn't know he was famous to begin with. Nice try but where is the Toski report for 2010? Did he forget about that while he was spending the countless hours squaring things away for the past 3 years?

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  49. Dear Gadfly=

    Lets start some good conversation on how the Town looks, like town hall or Ridge Road. I think we can come up with some good ideas.

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    Replies
    1. Now that's pretty oblique.....haven't any ideas as to what you are talking about. Besides that, I usually like to have "good conversation" with people with names.

      Delete
  50. Comptroller update - At a special Town Board meeting held yesterday (5/22), Angelina Cadena was appointed Town Comptroller. The specifics are available in the draft Resolution which is available on the Town website. I am told that votes in favor were Langley, Matters and Malone. One vote against was from Mangold. O'Brien was not present.

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  51. regardless of party lines,politics, whatever else got in the way ~ its ABOUT TIME !!!

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  52. I know back in the day not showing up for meetings was a sure-fire way to receive secret stipends, or something like that. But seriously, why do we pay people for not attending meetings and doing their job? I don't know anything about Ms. Cadena, but let's hope she is hard working and not shy about doing what is needed (for the people). Glad she's in rather than someone who surely wears permanently fitted Democratic blinders.

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  53. Way to go Jimmy Olsen

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  54. Malone used to make snotty comments if Matters missed a meeting.

    Of course back then Matters had a fullt time job and Malone was receiving unemployment care of our town.

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  55. What are the duties of Town Comptroller?

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    Replies
    1. There's a link to the Town Comptroller job description on this page on the Town website:

      http://www.eastgreenbush.org/downloads/cat_view/43-comptroller

      Delete
  56. My hats off to Malone, wtg. There is no need to always vote party lines

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