--------- By Jack Conway
The Town Board has scheduled a Special Meeting for Thursday, June 12 at
4:30 p.m. to consider a site specific resolution to support a casino on
Thompson Hill in East Greenbush. The reason for this Special Meeting
only six days before the regularly scheduled June meeting is either that
the board's bosses at Saratoga Casino and Raceway told them to get a
move on or the Smart Way Forward has decided it will conduct all
important business as far away from the public eye as possible. They
settled a $65,000 age discrimination suit against the Supervisor and
appointed an entire Board of Ethics in this manner. Now it looks like
they're ready to ignore the fact that 83 of the 106 people who spoke at
the last board meeting and public hearing spoke against the casino and
approve this monstrosity. Otherwise, why would they duck into the
shadows to take this vote?
One unfortunate turn of events for
Rita Cox, er I mean Keith Langley, is that Phil Malone and Sue Mangold
tricked Mary Ann Matters into agreeing to allow public comment at
Special Meetings so if you are able to make the meeting, please come
ready to tell our elected representatives how you feel about the casino
and the underhanded way they continue to handle the most important
matter to ever come before this town. Saratoga's application for the
Casino at East Greenbush is due at the Resort Gaming Facilities Location
Board on June 30th so the Supervisor better have a good reason to
declare this matter time-sensitive enough to schedule a Special Meeting
when the regular meeting will be held in plenty of time. It almost
seems like they're afraid the public will show up in even greater
numbers on Wednesday to demonstrate displeasure over the fact that our
elected representatives have vacated their vows of office and now work
for a corporate entity hell bent on destroying this town.
Are
people aware that Saratoga Casino and Raceway has to submit an analysis
of the environmental impact and costs to the town of this project with
their application? Where are those analyses? Have members of the town
board seen them? If so, why do they think it's okay to shill for the PR
drivel that passes for the revenue benefits to the town but haven't
seen fit to share the truth about a casino's impact with us? If they
haven't seen them, how dare they make a decision without that
information? Other towns have pushed their casino developers to the
wall. Our town board rolled over.
Keith Langley, Mary Ann
Matters, Deb DeMartino, Phil Malone, Sue Mangold: it's time to end the
madness and vote 'No' in the public interest. History won't be kind to
anyone who casts a 'Yes' vote because even if East Greenbush is not
selected to be the site of the Capital Region casino we'll never forget
that you tried to sell our town to the highest bidder. The Save East
Greenbush movement has garnered the support of thousands (that's right -
thousands) of town residents. This town is firmly opposed to a casino
on Thompson Hill. In meeting after meeting we have presented evidence
documenting the harmful effects of a casino on our town. The Town Board
should vote 'No' not only because it's the right thing to do but
because they know they haven't done their due diligence and even this
bunch can't believe there's any honor in making the most important
decision in town history without knowing all the facts.
Save East Greenbush, vote "No" on Thursday.
Be sure and check the weather report for Thursday afternoon. It's quite possible Supervisor Langley will be "forced" to reschedule his "special" meeting time to Friday morning at 8:45 due to "inclement weather." That's what Supervisor Langley did the last time he scheduled one of his "special" meetings.
ReplyDeleteMy G*d Mr. Langley, what are you afraid of? You control the majority of the Town Board, you set the Board Agenda, you have the votes to do whatever you want. Why would you inconvenience the large numbers of Town residents who are interested in the Casino issue by scheduling a meeting at 4:30PM on a Thursday afternoon? What was the problem with having the vote at the regularly scheduled Wednesday Board meeting?
ReplyDeleteDear Jack,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. Whether one is in favor of the Casino proposal or not, this is exactly the wrong approach for Supervisor Langley to take. Process is very important. I have found over the years that if people feel the process behind a decision is fair and transparent, they will generally come to accept the final outcome, even if they don't agree with it.
Calling a special meeting at a difficult date and time for many interested people to attend flies in the face of fairness, transparency and open government. The wonderful thing about living in the United States of America is that each person's voice is given the same weight, no matter how they sound or what syntax is chosen.
The special scheduling of such an important meeting raises legitimate concerns about the fairness of the process and will needlessly deprive the residents of the Town, who are unable to attend, an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns before their elected members of the Town Board.
I respectfully urge Supervisor Langley to reconsider his ill advised meeting time and schedule the site specific vote at the regular Town Board meeting on Wednesday June 18th at 7:00pm.
All the best,
Tom
Tom....I fear that they are doing "what they have been told to do." And this action moves the locus of activity to the legal realm. So be it. As Bonnie Lester has reminded us, Goliath's head was severed with his own sword.
ReplyDeleteThis is what are town politics have become. The unethical way not just this town board, but previous town boards have dealt with issues is uncalled for. The way they hide and sneak, just because they want to, the way they lie and steal just because they think they are entitled, hog wash!!! A government of the people, by the people for the people!!! I see no other way now besides legal action.....so be it
ReplyDeleteI am/was all for the casino project and I attended all the meetings to make sure my decision was a good one for me. After the last meeting at Genet, I was a bit more comfortable with the process, even though the flaws in the beginning of the process were pretty offensive. All of my neighbors were heard with some respect from Town officials if you were able to overlook Ed Gilbert's rude behavior.
ReplyDeleteSo, now here we are with another late notice, another inconvenient time, and another botched resolution roll out. What in the world could Keith Langley be thinking?
Here's what I'm thinking: no need to redo my budget to allow a few dollars per pay period for the slots; no need to imagine what entertainment the casino might bring to town; and no shiny new venue for a special birthday I am looking forward to in 3 years. Keith Langley is so inept that he is provoking the citizens into a rage that will be heard by the selection committee and spoil it for us all.
It's just as well, though, Keith Langley shouldn't have any extra money to play with.
I guess Keith thinks he can't lose. Guess what Keith Eric Cantor just lost even though he outspent his opponent 40 to 1.
DeleteIf a gambler loses $2 million, do you cut them off from losing anymore and addressing the fact they have a problem or do you enable them by giving them another $5.7 million or more to play with and the possibility of losing that as well?
DeleteHow many members are on the Planning Board and please name them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWho will join me in financially supporting this cause? It is well worth the sacrifice. My second check went in the mail this morning. Jack, we expected so much better from the new town board. They will have failed us miserably if they vote yes Thursday. EG is no longer ASLEEP! Support $$$ as much as you can. No gamble here, but a sure thing.
ReplyDeleteShould we bring our signs?
ReplyDeleteSo "Sneaky" Keith Langley is up to his old tricks by scheduling a Special Town Board meeting to consider an important issue. Why should anyone be surprised? It's sad that after two and a half years as Supervisor Mr. Langley has accomplished nothing which would justify a vote for his re-election in 2015. Unfortunately for us, we are stuck with Mr. Langley as the lamest of ducks for the next year and a half. We need to keep attending the Town Board meetings (Special or not) to keep a close watch on what Mr. Langley is up to.
ReplyDeleteIs there a meeting tonight? If so, what time?
ReplyDeletePlanning Board at 7:00pm.
DeleteWhat's up with the possibility of a search before the meeting at 4:30? Is this Langley's way of trying to discourage people from attending the meeting? What on earth is he hiding?
ReplyDeleteGet focused on the real issue people. The metal detector and the possibility of a search are long standing practices on court night.
DeleteThe real issue is the possibility of a casino in our town. But right next to that question is the complete incompetence of every single member of the current town board.
If it were possible Langley, Matters, DiMartino, Mangold and Malone should be run out of town on a rail.
@ Langley was the one who decided to schedule his "special" meeting on court night. The metal detector and the possibility of a search are NOT long standing practices at regularly scheduled town board meetings. It's all about fear and intimidation for Langley.
DeleteNo wonder they need metal detectors. When those who were in favor of the BIG casino find out it's been downsized in half, someone is going to get lynched! Now I get why they may have scheduled this meeting in such short notice, because they won't want to hear the complaints from those who wanted the casino who may change their mind now if they knew they weren't getting what was originally promised. They were used BIG time until the last minute!
DeleteJust another attempt at intimidation by Keith Langley. He's becoming increasingly unraveled and desperate. Welcome to Fortress Langley.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess that it's a DeFruscio ploy. Court "attendant" and all that.....
DeleteDefruscio is driving this bus.....just ask him !
DeleteKathy Jimino and Rich Crist are driving the bus on the casino issue. They, and our County Legislature Delegation have really dumped on the Town of East Greenbush by dictating how the Town Board will vote on this issue. If brains were in gear on the Board, there would be a rejection of the initiative. But they are not reading and integrating the material that is out there. They are in political lock-step. Not pretty, but expected. Jimino and Feathers, perfect together.
ReplyDeleteNews Flash.....I heard that at the Planning Board meeting tonight the preliminary presentation apparently has the hotel scaled back from 10 to 12 stories to 4 to 6 stories. So they are cutting back. What does that do to the fantasy revenue numbers. This was a preliminary presentation, so the Town Board has no plan yet. How can they approve a plan they don't have at a site which hasn't been analyzed? A ram-rod job by the politicos. Ever thought about following the law??
ReplyDeleteDear Don,
ReplyDeleteAnd the number of hotel rooms have been scaled back to 150 from the original 300. It appears the proposal is still a work in progress.
Best,
Tom
No offence but as I said from the beginning no one is coming to East Greenbush to stay, and the project was to big from the beginning and in a terrible spot and the projected money was fake not to mention they haven't even settled the traffic issues, if it even ever comes which I think is a joke it will be our new town hall when it fails. The Schenectady spot is head and shoulders the best design. Our people are in way over their heads.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the former Destination Casino Resort is gradually morphing into not much more than a large bingo hall with a food court and some slot machines.
ReplyDeleteNot good, Mr. Langley, not good at all.
In earlier posts I wrote that if this project gets selected the first thing that will happen is that it will be downsized by at least half. That's because a Capital Region casino is a loser, plain and simple. The market is saturated and the cachement area for a casino here is small and economically unimpressive. The news that the Springfield, Mass. area may be home to an $800 million casino just makes it worse.
ReplyDeleteThe Casino at East Greenbush is a temper tantrum thrown by a corporation angry that their host city of Saratoga sent them packing. The only reason they came here is because they knew our town board could be had without any effort whatsoever. And they were right.
Who owns the "casino" land right now?
ReplyDeleteVery "vapid performance" by Sue Mangold on Vandengambler this morning.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you like "all in the family" with Sue and Paul? I can't waste my time with them!
ReplyDeleteSue Mangold said she has not heard anything that would change her mind against the casino proposal. Sue also said that opposition is always going to speak up. I guess she just proved that she HAS NOT listened to any of the opposition, and HAS NOT read anything sent by the opposition.
ReplyDeleteReducing the hotel in half cuts the jobs, cuts the revenue, cuts the sales tax collected, cuts the assessment, all of those numbers were marketing gimmicks, just as we thought.
This board has to go!
The unusual times for special town board meetings (= attempts to pull the wool over taxpayers' eyes) has a long history in East Greenbush.
ReplyDeleteThe previous town board used the technique to the max to force taxpayers' to spend $500,000 to allow a few town employees to retire early with a full pension. It was a complete act of fiscal irresponsibility. Outrageously stupid.
Those employees, by the way, were retained as "consultants" and, later, all replaced through the patronage and nepotism that, sadly, continues to dominate how the town boards (past and present) handle hiring.
The special meetings were held as early as 7 am. I know because I attended each and every one of them and I was the only member of the public present.
The misrepresentations of fact has a long history in East Greenbush as well. I challenged the forecast $32,000,000 in economic benefit that was supposed to accrue to the town from the FedEx move. I was told that the number was simply made up and would never be able to be found in terms of real dollars and cents.
I know people don't like Don, Dwight and now Jack Conway. But they, just like I tried to, only want the facts, the truth and what is best for the people of East Greenbush.
"Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act."
George Orwell
I hope our Town Board Members realize how important this vote is TO THEM. If anyone has dreams or aspirations of going further in politics, remember-this one vote will follow you. This vote will put a Casino next to a Girl Scout Camp, little girls ages 5-12. CASINO VERSUS LITTLE GIRLS AGES 5-12. Which one will you vote for? Remember, this vote is forever! This is how you will be known!!!
ReplyDeleteBetting at 4:30 5 - 0 for the casino all in anyone take that action
ReplyDeleteThis was a done deal months ago and rep and dem are in it
Sure thing, Rep and Dem are in on it. The Dem side is driven by the real estate holdings on Thompson Hill (for which that illegal Plat approval was signed last January). Sue Mangold should have recused herself from the Resolution vote. The Rep side is driven by orders from Troy - Jimino and Rich Crist. The statements from the three Board members were empty rationalizations to make excuses for the lock-step they were ordered to follow.
DeleteThis whole operation was a ham-handed amateur job of political manipulation. And in some sense we deserve it for not paying attention to the low-lifes we permit to inhabit Town Hall.
We deserve better, and we shall have better.
This is what I don't get about Sue Mangold's "logic." She says that there is no majority against the casino, and at tonight's meeting she say that nobody on the Board is going to be re-elected. What does that tell us? The vote is ordered, nobody did any research and the people of the Town are against a casino on Thompson Hill.
ReplyDeleteLangley and DeFruscio and (mini-me) Gilbert screwed up big time with the railroad job. The Reps perceived this initiative as a partisan matter, not an issue which would impact the community regardless of Party. Really not good reality perception. They took no notice tonight of the cross-section of people who got up to speak. It takes gumption for somebody 91 years old to get up to state her position about a Town that she loves - from the beginning of her life. And you on the Board didn't take the time to gather her information or the information about other lives here in East Greenbush. You ran with the hype and the "numbers" from Feathers and Rita - which are the same wherever you go. Have you no brain filters for crap?
Can't even speak a partisan point of view on that fiasco that I just witnessed. Have no faith or respect for any of them anymore at all. And the conditions under which that session was held speaks volume for how much they care about the people. I hope the lawyer who spoke first has a ace up his sleeve and the whole dirty deal gets stopped in its tracks...
ReplyDeleteNot to worry Anonymous.....the best is yet to come.
DeleteThere were so many juicy tidbits happening at tonight's SPECIAL Board meeting my head is still spinning. Illusion, Smoke and Mirrors - it was obvious the Casino had come to town. The special meeting, held at 4:30 in the small community room with no mike and no chairs was guaranteed to discourage attendance. A large number of citizens had to stand in the hall. What kind of democracy is this? Not much of one in East Greenbush.
ReplyDeleteThe Board was bored. Obviously. Three of them had prepared written statements explaining their yes votes prior to the meeting. No semblance of listening to impassioned people protesting this very idea of a Casino in town.
What was so very interesting was listening to those in favor of the Casino At least one was a businessman who was promised a parking lot for his business. Although he did not disclosed that information it was mentioned last night at the Planning Board meeting and he didn't deny it when I asked him about it. A man whose land might or maybe has already been sold to the Casino people, a man whose family has lived on the land since the 1700's spoke in favor of the project. His ancestors must be rolling in their graves. At least say you are going to get some money out of it. And then there was poor Mr. Ed Gilbert. We couldn't decide whether he was speaking in his capacity as Deputy Supervisor or as a private citizen. No matter. He managed to put his foot in his mouth by turning to the audience and saying sarcastically - "You all are a real class act." Thinking about running for office Ed? Think again.
I've lived here for almost 30 years. I thought this was a great place to live. It still could be. Let's take it back.
Sue Mangold decided to vote even though ethically, she should have recused herself since her family is probably going to benefit in the construction of Feathers' Folly. And her statements were contradictory - saying we needed the money after saying she had no idea what the finances of the town were. Better to throw money, no matter how little, into the pot rather than try to figure out how to manage what we already have. Amazing. I wish all of you could have been there for the drama.
you may want to read the deed restrictions on part of the property
DeleteSorry I wasn't there, sounds like a real gem of a night from a real gem of a town board.....NOT!!!!
DeleteSuzanne - Well put. It was a strangely beautiful night at Town Hall. Sure, our town board pledged its allegiance to everyone but the people they were actually elected to represent but there was no honor in it and they knew it. Every time the Sneaky Way Forward tries to hide in the shadows they attract a bigger crowd than they might have if they stuck to proper procedures. For the third time in a row the public comment session turned into a No Casino rally. We even heard about a "silent majority" who support the casino. Silent indeed.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyone who now doubts that the resolution passed in April was an attempt to sneak a casino into town? The Gaming Commission really stuck it to our town board by telling them they must at least fake a democratic response to this issue. And fake they did. When I was a student I thought I had perfected a look that told the teacher I was paying attention even when I wasn't. Then I started teaching and realized the look doesn't work. I knew it on my students' faces and I knew it on the faces of our elected representatives. They didn't hear a word.
But it was a beautiful night because we kept on talking and established the limits of power in this town, The East Greenbush Town Board tonight formally voted itself out of existence by a vote of 5-0. Some of them now work for Kathy Jimino, some for party machines, some for the Thompson Hill money men. All of them moonlight for Saratoga Casino and Raceway. None of them work for us. We're on our own and that's strangely liberating because with friends like that ...
Everybody should get their rest because we're holding another No Casino rally next Wednesday at 7 at Town Hall,
The thing that should be hard for any resident whether you are for or against the casino not one board member stated which would have been very simple knowing this was a done deal for months was to say I believe this motion is going to pass but I have to stand up for the residents on other side (which by the way is about 75 percent contrary to the board ) and vote no that was the saddest thing to see for the taxpayer no one stood by you.
ReplyDeleteLong time reader, first time poster - All I can do is shake my head at what appears to be a lack of willingness to 'hear' the people. I was one of the lucky ones who got to stand in the hallway instead of being able to witness this atrocity first hand. I would truly like to understand who the board thinks they are representing. It was quite clear to me that the overwhelming majority of those present at the meeting today were against the casino. Maybe I don't have all the facts, but at least I am researching in an effort to educate myself and it is quite alarming. Mr DiNapoli's report was an eye opener. On top of that,you have former Connecticut Congressman Bob Steele who has first hand experience to what casinos have done to his state - none of it is good. He states "the area became known as the “embezzlement capital of America” due to a 400-percent rise in arrests for embezzlement, along with a spike in home foreclosures, a drop in property values, and a rise in residents seeking treatment for gambling addiction and its attendant woes such as divorce and family dysfunction." That clearly seems like a winning situation for East Greenbush. I encourage you all to read the Dicey Proposition article featuring Bob Steele that was in a recent edition of the Metroland. Here is the link: http://metroland.net/2014/05/30/dicey-propositions/ If East Greenbush is selected as the location for a casino this town will never be the same.
ReplyDeleteGotta luv MAM on WNYT!
ReplyDelete"Board member Mary Ann Matters, who is serving her first four year term, said a referendum would have been the ideal way to settle things but there simply wasn't enough time. TIMING IS EVERYTHING MAM. WOULDA, COULDA, SHOULDA SPOKE UP BACK WHEN YA 1ST HEARD ABOUT IT!
"As I campaigned last fall, it became woefully apparent that East Greenbush residents have been heavily burdened with taxes for too many years now," Matters explained to the standing room only crowd. EXACTLY WHICH TOWN BOARD MEMBER'S SPOUSE WAS ON THE TOWN BOARD MANY OF THOSE YEARS?
Town board oxymoron: a "silent majority"....if they are silent, how do you know their opinion? If they are a majority, why are they silent? Because the majority at the May town board meeting, the majority at the Genet Public Hearing, and the majority at the special meeting last night were not silent. They were very clear that they are opposed to the casino. So, town board please do not insult us by making up ridiculous statements like there is a "silent majority". If people care then they need to speak up because the people who opposed spoke up and they were blatantly disregarded by you, the people who are elected to represent the majority- the vocal majority, not some non-existent "silent" people who only inhabit your mind.
ReplyDeleteJack, I think we will need some place larger than Town Hall. I am done with that.
ReplyDeleteToo hot, too small and couldn't hear.
There are approx. 3500 people living in the EG over 18 years of age. All you can get together is a maybe a few hundred against the Casino. If the majority of EG was adamantly against the Casino you should have no trouble getting 1000 people outside the Town Hall chanting No Casino. Very Sorry…..NOT…….. to burst your bubble but the majority of people are for the Casino or else you would have a much, much, much larger outcry.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that 25,000 people outside would not have changed any votes. We know it was "wired" by Party instructions. The statements read were written beforehand. The backroom dealing began at the first of the year. The usual people are in the mix - the Dem money boys and girls and the Rep orders from Troy. That's why the secrecy was in place from the beginning. Feather's Folly has become Montgomery's (Langley's) "bridge too far."
DeleteAnonymous 9:44, Its obvious from your comment that you were not at Genet Last week or the town board meeting a couple of weeks ago? If you were you would have saw that we outnumber the people in favor at least 5 to 1, and I think I'm being a little conservative with those numbers.
DeleteAccording to the Town Board meeting minutes from May 21, 2014:
Delete29 Town residents got up and spoke against the casino.
7 Town residents got up ans spoke for the casino.
According to counts done at the Public Hearing on June 4, 2014: 70% of speakers were against the casino. A percentage of supporters were from Saratoga or employees of the casino.
According to Michael DiMasi from Albany Business Review, at the meeting on June 12, 2014: "47 spoke; most opposed." I was outside in the hallway with approximately 100 other people who were denied access to the meeting because of poor planning.
The numbers are proof that the majority of residents are against the casino. But, as noted above it did not matter how many people are against the casino. The town board made up their minds prior to obtaining public input and only allowed comments out of obligation, not because they were actually gathering input.
Mr. Langley is quoted on CBS 6 stating there is a silent majority of supporters. Not only are they silent, but they were obviously absent from the three meetings.
For Ms. Mangold to insinuate that residents are willing to accept a casino for a new park is insulting. For Ms. Matters to state that her door-to-door conversations in November regarding tax rates are an indication of supporting a casino are insulting.
Our elected officials failed to comprehend or acknowledge the permanent changes that will result from a casino.
Is it true that dpw workers were told to wear casino stickers? and they were seen putting casino lawn signs at empty buildings during work hours?
ReplyDeleteHere's a gem from Sue Mangold that I just saw on Channel 9...."People want perks. We have no money for perks." Well Sue, let me list some of the "perks" the Town has had money for which led to the $2,000,000 interfund debt which the Town has:
ReplyDelete$500,000 for an early retirement incentive for 6 Town Hall insiders, some of whom were hired back as consultants.
$150,000 plus for Stipends paid to Town Hall insiders. The State Comptroller recommended that these be recouped. No action, right?
$250,000 for a sick-leave incentive illegally added to a Town contract.
$40,000 in sick-leave incentive and longevity payments to the former Supervisor and the current Receiver of Taxes. OSC recommended recoupment of these too.
$170,000 paid to and "employee" for whom the Board never created a position and who was never appointed to the non-existent position by the Board.
That's just the start of the list. Over and over again, audits and reviews have pointed to MISMANAGEMENT as the cause of the Town's fiscal pains. The Board could start to manage intelligently instead of doing more "machine driven" decision-making and insider dealing. It was abundantly clear yesterday that nobody on the Board was listening, and it was clear that no effort was made early on this year to weigh the real impact of what was being proposed. The three statements read by the Board members were canned attempts at rationalizing what they were told to do. This kind of governing won't end until the "Machines" are removed from power.
The financial information is very upsetting.
Delete"With anti-tax attitudes as prevalent as ever, lawmakers have found it increasingly difficult to continue providing the public services their residents demand without busting their states' budgets. As a result, gambling is quickly becoming more attractive to lawmakers as a means of supplementing inadequate revenue streams. But state sponsored gambling is both unsustainable and inadequate as a long-term revenue source. States that use gambling revenues as a "quick fix" to avoid politically difficult structural tax reforms in the short run will likely be forced to confront the same difficult tax policy decisions in the future."
From: The Uncertain Benefits, Hidden Costs: The Perils of State-Sponsored Gambling,
by The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
And, I did send this to the town board. Twice. A casino is not going to pay for "perks".
Add an extra $3,000 salary for the Deputy Supervisor.
DeleteHas anyone seen a job description for the position of Deputy Supervisor/Ethics Board Chairperson?
DeleteDear Mrs Aiardo. I realize that this blog is more concerned with accusations than accuracy but I would ask that if you insist on quoting me please quote me accurately. What I said was "yeah you're a classy bunch" and I was speaking directly to those people that thought it was appropriate to interrupt and shout down those they disagree with.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Gilbert - First off my name is Mrs. Johnson. I'm glad you corrected me - although the substance is the same. As one who has misquoted or maligned my husband on many occasions - I can imagine your anger when it happens to you.
DeleteWell, well, well...an appearance by the sardonic Mr. Gilbert. As always, nothing intelligent to say only insults. Mr. Gilbert lives by the motto: "I don't know whether to keep silent and let people think I am ignorant or open my mouth and release all doubts." Keep talking Eddie boy. That high paying job at the casino might be your only option.
DeleteAh, Ed how quickly you forget...
ReplyDeleteYou don't recall your buddies Mulvey and Sheldon being totally rude to McCabe and O'Brien?
Ed, there is an old saying I respectfully suggest you take note of: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought of a fool than to open it and erase all doubt."
By the way...as the mouthpiece for Langley do you consider yourself in the most obvious conflict of interest position possible given your position on the Ethics Board? If you don't you give further cause to why and your political masters must not be trusted. Don't you get that?
Another "perk"--hiring a Deputy DPM Comm at $30k PLUS FULL BENEFITS! That's a newly created paid position. Got a Langley, MAM buddy in that job.
ReplyDeleteHow come the majority voice is heard when it is the majority that voted these Councilpeople into office; The Councilpeople loved the majority when it was the majority that elected them. Now the majority disagrees with them and they are deaf to the majority.
If they truly believed the majority wanted a casino, one Councilwoman would not have said, 'We won't get re-elected." If the majority wanted a casino they wouldn't be worried about being re-elected.
MAM is the biggest hypocrite and if your husband runs for County Legislature, he is associated with you, which will not bode well for him with election results. Well done MAM, you just killed RKMjr's political hopes for the County!
What the H*^L is a silent majority, Langley?! If they are silent you don't know what they think. Langley, you are such a dolt!
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Ed Gilbert, who ran the EG DEMands slander blog, now posting about blog etiquette, accuracy and appropriate behavior?
ReplyDeleteYou've gotta be kidding me
Mrs Johnson is absolutely correct, the sum and substance of Deputy Supervisor/Ethics Chair Gilbert's comment is indeed the same.
Why should anyond for the Casino show up. What we want to happen is happening. We want a Casino... the Board is voting the way we want. That is why there are more speaking against. If the town board was likely to vote against then we would be there to speak. As it is those for can stay home with thier feet up and enjoy knowing all you crazies are running around like chicken little yelling ..No Casino ...No Casino When it is already a done deal.
ReplyDeleteIs this the new and improved definition of citizenship: "those for can stay home with thier (sic) feet up"? Must be the same citizens who define investing as: all you need is a dollar and a dream.
DeleteA done deal? If it was a done deal, why did the hotel get cut back? Did you get the "new" numbers on that CHANGE? You're putting your hope in a faulty town board that just snuck that hotel CHANGE past you. The done deal wasn't passed by the Gaming Commission yet, maybe you should educate yourself in knowing there are other higher powers involved beyond your circus of a town board.
DeleteAgain, if it would have been likely tht the board was going to vote against the Casino then the silent majority would have showed up.
DeleteIf the Board was most likely to vote against the Casino there would not have been anywhere near the number of No Casino people in attendance. You all just do not want to hear the truth about how attendance at these things work.
It's highly likely the NYS Gaming Commission could reject the EG resolution. Then, will you still be sitting at home with your feet up thinking it's a done deal? Or will you be out in Schenectady starting July 1st, with your "We support the East Greenbush Casino" signs until they make their decision in the fall knowing they could vote against you? There are other towns and cities that need it more than we do and they'll be the ones that get it if they play their cards right. East Greenbush Casino is bluffing with only a pair of deuces at this point.
DeleteIf you are proud and confident in your position, then in the absence of a referendum why don't you stand up and be counted? Otherwise it appears that you are hiding. I know how "attendance at these things work", if people care about an issue then they show up. It is that simple. Please back up your assertion with actual numbers.
DeleteJust wrote a check to Save East Greenbush, Inc. Would encourage anybody who can afford too, to also make a donation. Its quite obvious that nobody has listened to any of the arguments against this proposal if you can call it that. Let the rest of the saga play out in what should be an impartial court setting.
ReplyDeleteTo Ed Gilbert: at the first three Town Board meetings of the year you had inappropriate outbursts during time periods that others had been recognized by the Chair. I can also recall two occasions when you shouted accusations at former councilperson O'Brien, one a particularly creepy question about where she slept at night. You habitually reduce discussions that should be held on political merit to personal insults directed at individuals that you are paid to serve.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would like to inform you that the question of a preBoard meeting being subject to Open Meetings Law was addressed and the Town was ordered to make these meetings open to the public. So your off the cuff pronouncement that only the Board Member who asks a question is entitled to hear an answer is incorrect. The public is there to see and HEAR their government at work.
Though he didn't invent the term, Richard Nixon invented a constituency he called the "silent majority" which he said supported his expansion of the war in Viet Nam. It was supposedly supportive of his "secret plan." We have the same dynamic in operation here. Mr. Langley and the Board have invented a "constituency" which they say supports their secret initiative with the casino developer. They failed to ask questions. They failed to get information. And they've sold out the interests of the Town's citizens for a mess of unexamined promises.
ReplyDeleteGadfly at 6:41, you forgot one last thing and they will be voted out come election time!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that at least one Town Board Councilperson's statements do not align with the statement regarding a "silent majority." If, as Councilperson Mangold states,'none of us will be re-elected' I would have to ask how is that possible if you feel the majority of EG voters want a casino? It now appears she took the 'easy road' or, as others have indicated, has the opportunity to benefit from the building of the casino. While I understand the fact that even if she had said No to the resolution it would have still passed, she could have made her statement by supporting those who do not want the casino instead of either following orders or following the crowd. I was willing to take a chance on bringing change to the Town Board by casting my vote for the new majority in the last election and all that did was change some faces while leaving (and in some cases increasing) the practices and poor tactics in place from the the previous majority. It is time for an open, honest assessment of the state of this Town. When is the last time the financial statements were shared with the tax payers? They should be published monthly and presented at the Town Board meeting. Let's get past the finger pointing of who was at the helm when the fiscal challenges arose and just fix it and make it available to the tax payers. The last posting on the website is from 2009! Yes, the board was voted in to represent us and I can understand and accept that we do not need to be a part of every decision. However, the financial state of the town and decisions of the casino magnitude do not fall in that category. Trust is earned and transparency is needed.
ReplyDeleteCouncilperson Mangold could care less about the residents of this town. Her family stands to make millions of $$$$$$, if that casino gets built in East Greenbush. She made her little speech like she's been practicing it for 2 months. How much more of her can we take? She is one big conflict of interest and shouldn't even be voting on these issues. Totally self serving. By the way does she even still live in our town?
DeleteJack Conway, I would like to see you as the Supervisor. Please think about it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have changed my political affiliation. I am no longer a Rep. and GLAD of it.
ReplyDeleteDeputy Sup. Ed Gilbert, two negative comments do not cancel each other out. Your negative comment to the room, put you in the same position as those you objected to. I believe it's the Supervisor's job to control the room in a respectable manor. I know because I experienced it first hand.
ReplyDeleteAs Chairperson on the Ethic's Board, how ethical do you think it was for the TB to have a Special Meeting on Court Night, to vote on this extremely important issue? How ethical was it to allow the hallway to be crammed with residents, who couldn't hear a word that was said in the Special Meeting? Is that concerning to you? I was in the hall for an hour and twenty minutes with the overflow crowd. The board didn't have the decency to have microphones and speakers available, so that everyone in attendance could HEAR what the h*ll was going on in the Special Meeting Room. Was it ethical to snub half of the residences who wanted to hear what our TB had to say?
BTW, does John T. (The Muffin Man) work for the town? After Rita Cox spoke to the news media, he was concerned that Ms. Cox got to her car safely. John, who appointed you her body guard? Good Grief John, non of us would have actually touched her. We were QUIET when she spoke to the camera, weren't we? When she was finished, I believe you said, show some respect to me and others. Really John, we were suppose to let her walk to her car and not say anything. You didn't stop others from shouting out their displeasure at the TB when they left the building. Maybe your the new TB Bouncer for Rita Cox. Do you do it for free?
Free at last,
ReplyDeleteI don't think a political affiliation matters. What does is ethics.
I am 100% against this casino, and any other casino under this Legislation. That said, I also wholeheartedly agree there is and has been a conflict of interest with Sue and her family. That said, we should not condemn the Harts, they have helped bring respectable businesses to the area (i.e. Regeneron). Also, one of the Hart's was at the meeting (well, he like the rest of us were in the meeting in the hallway...has anyone mentioned the fact they couldn't even provide a mic?). I assume it was Steve Hart because the entire town kept saying hi Mr. Hart, and since he attends almost all planning board meetings, I just assumed it was him. He was not only against the casino, but he was not happy with the lack of respect in ensuring democracy in that meeting. So, let's be careful in taking down the Harts and the rest of the family and focus on the incompetent town board and their conflicts of interest.
ReplyDelete