Somebody sent me what appears to be a subscription to "Casino Journal." It looks like a "trade magazine" for the casino industry. Its sub-head is "All Gaming - All the World." It was sent to:
Don Johnson
Casino Boss
Capital View Casino East G
(and then my address - misspelled)
Right inside the front cover - on page 2 is the Ad I scanned and printed above. Read it and weep!!! This is an example of what has been "invited" to our community by our Town Board. Would YOU be proud to show that to your spouses, significant others, kids? The people who engineered this train wreck fiasco should be deeply ashamed of themselves. (And I just got an e-mail from the Republican Chairman comparing the casino initiative to FedEx. Good grief!!) Anything for the fantasy dollar, right?
Our Board of Education, with its "head in the sand" neutrality should be ashamed of itself too. Fine upstanding moral citizens having "no opinion" as to whether this trash belongs in our community? Do your homework.
I will bet the farm Ed Gilbert/Chris Defruscio and everyones best friend John Tirino sent that to your home.
ReplyDeleteCare to wager ??
Priceless presentation Mr. Johnson, my compliments... As I think we all knew it would , it fell on deaf ears up front as tonight's vote proved. I hope out of all the arguments and new material presented tonight that the Save East Greenbush attorney found something he could use to help right this wrong.
ReplyDeleteChaotic town board meeting tonight. Don Johnson's reading of the 'Devilicious' ad and Tom Grant's exchanges with Keith Langley provided a bit of levity on an otherwise bizarre and intense night. Keith Langley had his best meeting as Supervisor: he answered questions, offered a couple of explanations, had a consultant explain an important issue, and made real sense on the Public Comment resolution (as did Deb DiMartino). I think that one needs to be looked at again.
ReplyDeleteThen there was Sue Mangold's parting comments before recusing herself on the casino resolution. She told Save East Greenbush to stay together and punish the people on the board who are making bad decisions by running their own candidates. It sounded like she's not planning on running again and who could blame her? This can't have been much fun for her.
But above all else there was the casino. As always. Two things are clear: the residents of this town have mounted an overwhelming case against siting a casino in EG and the town board doesn't care. They've made up their minds and nothing is going to change that. This, of course, raises the issue of what is motivating them to stand so steadfast in the face of barrage after barrage of withering condemnation. Dwight Jenkins' remarks tonight probably offer the best road map if you want to take that journey. Thompson Hill is clearly a place where money, influence and politics have found common cause, and the rest of us be damned.
So many great comments were made tonight and there are so many good people fighting the good fight trying to stop this white elephant. It makes me proud to be part of it, win, lose or draw. Mary Ann Matters has opened up a new dynamic in town board politics and that's a good thing. The appointments to CFAC are excellent, especially Maura Ryan, so there's room for optimism. But any night that sees the casino move forward must ultimately be placed in the loss column. Like I said, it was a chaotic night at Town Hall.
Langley went from being "the resolution is the resolution" to "the process is a process" this evening.
ReplyDeleteJack, Sue Mangold never should have run, or been elected in the first place. She was a last second replacement when the democrats tried to sneak an illegal candidate past us and got caught.
ReplyDeleteI like Sue. I admire the Hart family business success. I share in the grief over their past tragedy. But Sue Mangold has far,far too many conflicts of interest to ever properly represent the people beyond her family and business associates.
@anon 10:00 am, excellent point and I totally agree. I believe the only reason why our supervisor finally broke silence as much as he did was because Feathers and Co. were in attendance, otherwise I think we would have seen the same arrogant man we've been seeing. He still answered no questions other than like @anon pointed out "the process is the process." Feathers was there a few hours earlier meeting with someone in the town hall, saw him when I drove by.
ReplyDeleteJack, as always a great synopsis of last night. Chaotic, intense and bizarre are probably the three best adjectives to describe last night. Oddly, even though they voted the way I expected, I walked away feeling the most confident that we will win this thing. It seems the board knows this thing is not kosher, but not all of them are smart enough to just put an end to the inevitable. It was definitely bizarre, because I even felt a little encouragement from Sue!
Props to Tom Grant for coaxing Supervisor Langley to finally speaking up and answering some questions at last night's Town Board meeting. It's now time for Supervisor Langley to start answering EVERYONE'S questions during the public comment period at EVERY monthly Board meeting.
ReplyDeleteMr. Grant's comment comparing Mr. Langley to Jay Leno was priceless!
Dear Gadfly, while reviewing our Ethics Code I noticed it stated:
ReplyDelete"Section 16 – Political Solicitations ( c ) No town officer or employee may engage in activities related to his/her political party while formally acting as representative of the town. Activities Prohibited include fund raising, collecting signatures, and organizing meetings."
Does this mean Phil Malone is in violation? I am not familiar with the process so wanted to double check with you.
Dear Gadfly,
ReplyDeleteWhile you're double checking on Phil Malone per 12:12's request, would you also please double check on Court Attendant and Town Republican Chairman Chris DeFruscio and Deputy Supervisor and Rensselaer County Conservative Party Vice Chairman Ed Gilbert.
Jack Conway kindly shared with me some of his statement at the Board meeting last night. I thought the portion on the definition of "representative democracy" was right on point. The machine politics and wheeling and dealing done by the players and "bus drivers" around here has gone on long enough. But they're back at talking about "cross endorsement" again in an attempt to preserve what's left of the ability to back room deal. Here's that telling comment from Jack:
ReplyDelete"Members of this Town Board are not free agents or independent operators. They are elected representatives. The theory of representative democracy is that we elect officials who are responsible to a constituency. When issues, views and preferences are presented to members of the Town Board it is their responsibility to re-present (represent) those views in official actions. The overwhelming evidence presented here and at every public meeting in the last four months demonstrates that the community opposes a casino by a factor of almost 6 to 1. Yet you vote 4-1 in favor. This board has failed to do the job for which it was elected.
Your job is not to represent Saratoga Casino & Raceway, not to represent the County Executive, not to represent land speculators up on Thompson Hill, not to represent those suffering from “heartbreaking poverty” in Albany and Troy and not to represent the need of Saratoga racino employees for career advancement. Your job is to represent us and you have so far failed to do that. But it’s not too late. Reject this application, begin the task of putting this community back together and get back to the work we elected you to do."
Dear Gadfly, Would you please further explain your "cross endorsement" comment?
DeleteWell this is what I've heard.... Langley and DeFruscio have proposed a deal in which Langley gets the Dem endorsement for Supervisor and the Reps don't oppose the two Dems running for Town Board. The Dems would get four town appointments for their trouble. I think it's a sign that the need for governmental reform is really taking hold with a broader new constituency. This constituency surfaced because the old machines tried the old "boss" routines with the casino issue. The boys are desperate to hang on to the patronage and graft, so "off to bed we go."
DeleteGot to love the level they will stoop to to sell their crap!!! Didn't cigarette makers get smacked down for using such advertising? Why then are the casino's allowed to advertise with such filth, drawing attention from certain age groups that aren't even allowed to gamble?
ReplyDeleteDon,
The wheeling and dealing seems like it will never stop in this town. I for one will vote for none of them currently seating on the board, the only one that has a slight chance of getting my vote ever again is MAM, and thats slight at best.
You are such a complete fraud,
ReplyDeleteTo whom does this refer anon4:32?
DeleteGadfly, I don't believe the so-called "deal" between Langley and the Dems for two reasons, (1) King Langley would get to maintain his power and (2) there's no guarantee that after the election he would honor the 4 appointments part of the deal. If they think the very obstinate and defiant SOB Keith Langley, at the beginning of a brand new 4 year term, would put 4 Dems in jobs in town hall, they're completely crazy. Langley would be the winner in that deal...and so would MAM because she'd get to continue to be both sides the third vote. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteI think it's like this.....If they don't join forces is some way, the question will not be "who's driving the bus" but "are the old machine players anywhere near the bus." DeFruscio really screwed this one up. He didn't do his homework and gave fatal advice and direction to Langley. Remember he had Langley convinced that it wasn't "anybody but McCabe?" Langley actually believes that DeFruscio's "genius" is what got him elected. Neither one of them know that it doesn't work that way anymore. The old Dems have been discredited, and the old Reps are pretty much down the same path now. That's why the "save our mutual backsides" agenda is being advanced. They fell for Feathers, laid down with a dog and are rising up with fleas.
DeleteReally, Jack? "She's not planning on running again and who could blame her? This can't have been much fun for her." I could puke! She's as crooked and below board as the rest of them. Are you forgetting how she sat stonefaced with the rest of them while the residents begged and pleaded for NO votes and she voted YES anyway...TWICE...when she knew GD well that she should have NOT have been voting...and that she should not have even been in the room when the rest of them were voting. Are you forgetting when she said the casino would give us "something to do?" Are you forgetting how she said "probably none of us are getting re-elected" but she voted YES anyway for her own profit and gain? Are you forgetting how she went on the radio talk shows to defend the project? Are you forgetting when you said "If you do this thing, they better dig the casino hole nice and deep because we're going to bury your political careers in it?" C'mon, Jack. She's not snow white, she's more like the wicked queen! She did her voting and her damage to the town. Now WE live with it! Call a spade a spade, Jack. We all know better about Sue HART Mangold.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 8:13: I think you're missing what I was trying to say (or maybe I didn't say it well). I wasn't exonerating Sue of anything, just commenting that on a personal level she looks like she's had enough. I fought her tooth and nail for two years to get financial disclosure in the Code of Ethics and I am committed to never voting again for anyone who voted for the casino. I meant it when I said we'll bury their political careers on Thompson Hill. I agree that her recusal doesn't matter as much as her 'Yes' vote that allowed Saratoga C & R to apply for the casino license. And I worry about the story behind that land deal. I apologize if it seemed like I was defending her politics but she is a human being and I couldn't revel in how sad she looked last night. My wife says that one of my personality flaws is that I let people off the hook too easily and maybe that applies here.
ReplyDeleteI think she looked sad because she got caught, that's never fun, and she's embarrassed. She's hopefully also feeling a little guilty for doing what she did at the expense of the town and the residents she pledged to serve. I still wonder when it will come out that Langley and Feathers stayed silent while she voted the future of the town away. They should be held accountable, too. Lastly, I don't fault anyone for being compassionate. It's an admirable quality in a human being. It was Jesus who said, "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone."
DeleteGadfly, you know how we know that Langley is in bed with the Dems on this casino deal? Because the Matters have turned away from him, both of them. I observed them at the last board meeting. They no longer speak. If the Matters have turned away from him, he's doing something or a lot of things terribly wrong.
ReplyDeleteMr. Gadfly, since Feathers is an attorney can an ethics charge be filed against him with the state bar association for staying quiet while Mangold voted illegally? Now THAT would be devilicious!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I wasn't able to attend library meeting. But one thing that I hope we do work on is the primary in September, starting with Cuomo---he and his corruption need to go and I am a lifelong Dem. Maybe with Cuomo out (and I know it is an uphill battle), the casinos will be out.
ReplyDeleteAlso I was disappointed with the applause at the end of the casino vote. I thought it was confusing, although I know people were applauding the no vote. Of course the real disappointment was that the last 3 remaining board members couldn't represent the people of this town. 140 out of 16,000 at the job fair certainly is not a majority.
The gentleman pleading with DiMartino and Malone--I was wishing for that American Hollywood ending--that one of them could vote ethically-do the right thing for the town- especially with Feathers and Company in the room. Now that's an American political story.
The people I would like to applaud are the Thomson Hill Residents. So far, they are the only ones who haven't been bought and they haven't sold out. And they could have easily taken Feather's tax pay-off.
It's sad and shocking to watch some of the town people and residents kiss up to Feathers thinking they're going to get their hand-out for their support. There is nothing new about people being bought or selling out, and while doing so for any amount is never right. But being bought and selling out so easily for so little? Thus, the proverbial 30 pieces of silver.
One of the Thompson Hill Road residents sold out, actually her son sold her out. Ed Gilbert's mom owns a home there.
DeleteI believe that after Judas took his 30 pieces of silver, he threw them to the ground and then hung himself.
ReplyDeleteIt was Langley and DeFruscio thinking they knew how to govern, and the greedy Dem players who together got the Town in this mess. They all didn't know what they were up against, and now Feathers is driving the bus. How's that working out for you all?? You're all as dumb as a box of rocks, and the Town now has to suffer the consequences. A pox on both your houses.
ReplyDeleteEd Gilbert is related by marriage to a family on Thompson Hill. His mother does not,live there. No Thompson Hill residents have sold out as far as anyone knows. Not a Gilbert fan, but Annon at 4:20, the Judas comment is cruel. Hoping the town has some civility left after this casino debacle.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that it is the greedy and self-serving Reps and Dems that created this casino debacle. If they had put their brains (what ever there is of them) in gear, we wouldn't be here. Arrogant self-serving greed created this mess. They didn't attend to their civic responsibility. Wouldn't hurt to get the Halfmoon FBI down here.
DeleteAnon 10:54 pm: I'm just repeating what happened in history. When the gods you serve are profit and gain, things don't always turn out so well in the end.
DeleteIt is 100% his mother on Thompson Hill
ReplyDelete8/22/14 at 11:20 - I've been part of that extended family since 1982 and have lived 75 yards away from the woman you reference since about 1994: it is Ed Gilbert's STEP-mother who lives up here, not his mother. She hasn't sold anything. Dwight Jenkins
ReplyDeleteI hope citizens have noticed that in the beginning talk about the next election cycle, the focus of the Dems and Reps has centered on patronage and personalities. Not one word about policy or platform. Isn't that a perfect picture of what's been wrong with governing from both those "houses?" They just don't get it. And it's that mind-set which contributed to the casino debacle.
ReplyDeletewhat "beginning talk about the next election cycle, the focus of the Dems and Reps has centered on patronage and personalities" have you heard?
Deletethat "Langley and DeFruscio have proposed a deal in which Langley gets the Dem endorsement for Supervisor and the Reps don't oppose the two Dems running for Town Board. The Dems would get four town appointments for their trouble."?
have any Dems in a position to know replied?
evidently "the focus of the Reps has centered on patronage and personalities".
To the Dem deal makers, don't trust KL to keep his word on anything if he's reinstated on Jan 2015 (God forbid!). The man will agree to anything to get what he wants, then he'll say 'Deal? What deal? I never made any deal.'
ReplyDeleteSee what I mean?? Comments focus on personalities and patronage. Can't we get an issue or governmental policy comment from any of the old guard? I doubt that it can happen. They don't live in that world. That's why we're in trouble.
DeleteIs there a way we can get rid of the Supe now along with everyone of those TB Members? Is there something legal we can't do to impeach everyone of them instead of having to wait til the election of 15; and then we're only going to get rid of three of them; two more morons will remain. What good will that be?
ReplyDeleteWhat you propose would be very expensive and not a sure thing. Whatever money can be raised should be directed to support good government candidates. Honest, dependable people can win if we do the hard work of making citizens aware the attributes of the good government candidates. I think if they have a good example and leadrship the two remaining Town Board candidates would be able to follow along.
DeleteSick of TB DBs, what are you doing to help? It's easy to speak from behind a pseudonym but very unfair. There is no recall of votes in NYS so you're stuck with the "morons" who were duly elected. Y'know, it's easy to criticize, a lot harder to help.
ReplyDeleteGadfly, politics IS personalities and patronage. That's why our entire country's economy is in such peril, because people get elected because they are popular (Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura...) not qualified. In the last local election, the top vote getter was plenty popular, but qualified? Not in the least. How are we served by this? We're not, but she was chosen because of her inexperience, which was a huge disservice to the town. Popularity and patronage are the linchpins of politics and they go together perfectly with profit and gain. After all, nobody gets into public service for the money. They get elected and then make it worth their while. It's all very corrupt and with each election the corruption is perpetuated. It's all very corrupt and very depressing.
ReplyDeleteLet's put it this way......when politics works for the benefit of the social and civil contract, it's about policy and platform. When it's about personalities and patronage, it tends to compromise and destroy the common good. It's just too bad that 8th grade Civics was missed by so many in public life.
DeleteDid anyone make any sense out of the discussion in opposition to providing free training to Town employees? I often disagree with SWF but I can usually understand what they are going for. In this case, they were chattering about how the staff feels about training they will be required to take (?huh, really?)and chattering about opinions that aren't applicable! They actually voted against free training! Training that would have been provided by our insurance carrier. What, exactly, is the issue? Does Langley prefer an untrained staff? Does Langley think if these issue are ignored they will go away? Is Langley under the impression that elected officials and department heads in East Greenbush are above the law?.
ReplyDeleteMost of all the training would protect the taxpayers. Secondarily, it would enable elected officials and department heads to make sensible decisions with ease and confidence. It would also cut back on our astronomically high Girvin and Ferlazzo bill because this administration runs to them on a caase by case basis while they are refusing to become self reliant on the very basic employment issues.
DeleteOf course Langley's over reliance on high paid consultants is a reflection of his inability to manage professional staff. We will probably need to sue him to ever see the financials because this abuse is probably costing us a fortune.
Wait til you see the Girvin and Ferlozzo bill this year. With all the fighting, grievances and IP's involved with the DPW, the Lawyers are getting rich. The Union lawyers are paid for by their dues, but guess who pays the town bill.......us. All for a bunch of stuff that Corellis has pulled, and the kicker is that the town is gonna lose all of them. The fact is, Corellis should have been fired for the tree incident alone, but it looks like he's off the hook on that also. I really don't understand why he is getting away with all this stuff, but my guess is that Phil doesn't want to ruffle any feathers and Sue just doesn't care anymore.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting that our town board can't agree on the training referendum- which seems to be sensible business practice- ---but they CAN agree on licensing a casino??? If Malone wants to be in the Assembly he needs to learn to sell and he needs to advocate more for what he believes in. What does he believe in anyway?
ReplyDeleteAnony 10:29 a.m. Phil Malone believes in Phil Malone. He will do whatever it takes to further his agenda for himself. It's laughable that he's running against Steve McLaughlin. Come Jan 21, 2015, you will see him back in his seat on the EG Town Board dais. Guaranteed.
DeleteLangley and DiMartino spent more time arguing the language of a simple resolution than the amount of time spent discussing a casino! Utterly ridiculous! The only reason why they argued it was because MAM brought up the resolution. Despicable behavior by our "leader" who because he lost the vote says "maybe we voted prematurely. " Then of course, even though public comment was long over Deb's hisbatnd was allowed to chime in back and forth. They dont even hide their ridiculousness. If another resident said one word Langley would quickly shut them up, but I guess it's fitting that a town board member's husband could speak freely since half the town workers familes get away with whatever they please.
ReplyDeleteI asked Ms. Matters why she voted down the personnel training resolution; did anyone else bother to ask her? She said that she voted it down because although the training is free, she didn't know what she was voting for. She asked for a copy of the training materials but the insurance company couldn't get them to her in time, so she voted no to it that night. She also wants to know that town managers support resos before she votes yes to maximize the chances of them being enforced after they are approved. As we've seen with the monthly department reporting resos (68-2011 and 181-2011), they are not being enforced. That is why Ms. Matters also voted "no" to a third monthly dept reporting reso (107-2014) until the CFAC, which includes the Comptroller, has a chance to meet and decide how they want the monthly reporting to work. We finally have a board member who is working with both sides to get things done, which will prove to be effective if people cooperate. If we're really for good government, we have to trust that Ms. Matters knows what she's doing and support her. She's doing something we haven't seen in a long time, if ever, but she isn't acting alone. She has surrounded herself with smart, knowledgeable advisors who she trusts to steer the town in the right direction. Needless to say, board meetings should be very interesting going forward.
ReplyDelete11:24 AM,
DeleteIsn't Supervisor Langley required to follow the resolutions passed by the Town Board? Looks like he's condoning a runaway government that only enforces the rules he agrees with. Supervisor Langley wasn't elected to be the Queen of East Greenbush no matter what he and DeFruscio think.
If Keith Langley refuses to enforce the directives of the Town Board, he should be brought to task for it, publicly if necessary. His appointee's shouldn't be tasked with cajoling him into doing his job, it is outside their scope. Keith's appointee's should be directed by the Town Board through Langley who is paid to show up and be an administrator.
DeleteI submit that the new Comptroller has had ample opportunity to get familiar with the audit and reporting aspects of his job. He has failed to do this. That is precisely why these matters require the guidance of the Town Board. Does Ms. Matters have some reason to mistrust the insurance carrier? I sure don't. Ms. Matters should ask to attend the first training so she can participate and ask her questions.
Kudos to Sue Mangold for sponsoring this very important and positive good government Personnel Training Resolution. It is a commonsense and cost effective measure which will help ensure that each and every one of our hard working Town employees is treated in a fair and equitable manner.
ReplyDeleteTom, just a few years ago taxpayers paid a settlement to a town police officer who had been subject to some serious racial discrimination.
DeleteI personally know the HR professional who offered, pro bono, to conduct the appropriate training for all town employees.
That offer was rebuffed. Go figure.
A few years later taxpayers got hit again in an age discrimination settlement.
Go figure.
The town's leadership, when it comes to fundamental management practices is beyond incompetent. Even stupid does not quite capture the depth of the managerial incompetence.
And the only consequence is to taxpayers who pay these settlements - over and over and over.
Go figure.
Anybody know of any hi-tech or manufacturing or R&D which choose to locate in municipalities because there's a casino there? Be interesting to know. My instinct is that it would work in just the opposite way. It would seem that the kind of development we need would be discouraged by the presence of a casino. So long term prospects for EG just might be best without one. Particularly since the long term prospects for casinos is dim. Better to be working on some solid development instead of chasing rainbows.
ReplyDeleteIn this connection - related to the question of what do you do with a used casino - a friend suggested that the developer be required to post a bond which would fund the reclamation of the property when the failure takes place. This would keep them from coming to the door asking for taxpayer bailouts to keep the place running, as is taking place elsewhere in the northeast.
MAM voting against the reso for personnel training and the reso for monthly dept reporting---for her reason voting no, I appreciate that. She was provided no information for the training and her reasons are understandable-if the dept managers are against it she is correct, they won't enforce the resos.
ReplyDeleteAND MAM has started to do her homework. She got burned real bad by "following directions" on the casino fiasco, and she has started to think for herself. That's good for all of us, though it's not so good for the bosses and bus drivers.
DeleteIf they were appropriately supervised by a skilled manager they would shar their wishes with their supervisor privately and follow all reasonable instruction in public. unless they are ordered to do something wrong they should do as they are instructed and their opinions are irrelevant. I, too, very much appreciate MAM explaining her vote I just disagree with the notion of being timid about supervising the department heads. They should expect to be guided by the Town Board.
DeleteDear AT,
ReplyDeleteI also applaud Councilperson Matters' explanation of her votes and her request for further information. However, it is important to emphasize that Department Managers (and all Town employees for that matter) are required to follow applicable rules promulgated pursuant to enacted Town Board Resolutions, even if they are "against" them. Otherwise, why bother having an elected Town Board at all? I hope you aren't suggesting that Supervisor Langley gets to pick and choose which Resolutions (if any) he wants to enforce?
To 5:57 PM
ReplyDeleteI agree, in a perfect world it would work. In East Greenbush? I don't think so.
@ 6:20 PM, And that's why we are in the mess we are in. Langley has done little if anything to govern by a good example. He is woefully in over his head and we are all literally (Langley's bumbled vote in favor of a tax increase for example) paying for his incompetence.
ReplyDeleteboth the training and monthly report resolutions appear on the pre-board agenda, giving the board members a week to ask questions.
ReplyDeletea week, which is more notice than the first casino resolution.
A week when a board member has a full time job and other responsibilities isn't much time. Also, the bd mbr moving the reso should have provided the info since she was asking other bd mbrs to suppt it. MAM should not have had to ask for it. She is really up against it being the third vote. That's a ton of responsibility for $10K a year.
ReplyDeleteWe could have used some "slow down and examine the questions" on April 16th, couldn't we? think the Thompson Hill boys needed that one fast, just as they needed the Plat approval in January.
DeleteI really do think that it would be difficult to anticipate a request for more information on basic personnel traininng. I don't know for sure but I think the insurance carrier would meet with the TB and tailor the training to the apparent need in the town. Come on, we are all adults, these trainings are commonplace. The only odd thing here is that East Greenbush doesn't have the training already, oh, and of course the fact that Langley wants to keep himself and his staff in the dark.
DeleteSupr Langley won't enforce resolutions he voted no to. Given his ignorance about how to given over a board run town, he needs to be schooled about the consequences of ignoring resolutions and punished accordingly if he doesn't comply. The Assoc of Towns can and should be consulted about this for guidance about how to proceed.
ReplyDeleteKeith Langley believes he most likely will run unopposed Nov 2015. He is sadly mistaken with that belief. He will definitely see himself opposed. His actions have lead him down a path that will find him a challenger.
ReplyDeleteKeith--you sealed your fate for 2015. You will be fighting in a primary for more than the Cons and Indy lines, and you will have to work to hold your seat as Supervisor. You have betrayed the taxpayers of this Town, you betrayed those that voted for you. You refuse to answer questions at Town Board Mtgs. You have chosen to ignore the audit requirements, you choose to ignore the facts surrounding the casino and 2 huge facts are as follows:
1. This Town does NOT meet the state's economic criteria.
2. That site is NOT zoned for commercial. It is zoned residential buffer which is not even close to commercial.
Keith--you and Deb choose to bend over backwards to re-zone that site for a project in which this Town does NOT meet the state's economic criteria put forth. Keith you are wrong on so many fronts.
Regardless of any deals you have Keith, you will find yourself in a primary next year. Continue on this road because it makes it so much easier for your challenger.
God speed to all the qualified challengers!
DeleteMs. Taylor, there is a ton of support for a candidate to primary Langley. He thinks he's got it all sown up if the dems don't run someone against him. He's way too smug. Keep your strategies close to the vest though. The less that snake knows about your plans, the better.
DeleteLet me get this straight. We expect the NYS Gaming Commission to grant approval for a Casino Site to a Town where the local government declines to provide free personnel training for its employees AND where the local town supervisor refuses to provide required monthly financial reporting data to his fellow town board members.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way the Gaming Commission will grant site approval to such an irresponsible local government and its supervisor.
You are right. Site approval should not be granted to a government so lacking in leadership BUT we must all remember that the casino's select host communities with weaknesses that can be exploited. Let's keep an eye on this.
DeleteKeith, old man, now you've gone and done it. You've pissed off Ann Taylor. You might as well start packing up your desk now. When it's all over, you can go and cry in your beer with Ricky McCabe.
ReplyDeleteOutrage will ensue when those unaffected by this foolishness realize exactly whats been happening right under their nose!
DeleteBye~bye Langley and Defruscio. Please take Gilbert with you !
Let's be honest, we can run Boss Hogg against Keith. There are people who are very willing to primary Keith. Since you mention Rick McCabe, heck, he should take a crack at it.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Langley. Paul Vandenburgh of Talk 1300 mentioned this morning that Rita Cox will be on his radio show tomorrow morning to talk about the East Greenbush Casino proposal. Do you think Langley will be joining her on the show to answer Paul's questions?
ReplyDeleteStay tuned...
I think we've learned by now that KL doesn't answer questions, and if he does answer questions, he doesn't answer truthfully. You can't believe or rely on a word out of his mouth. When this is all over, he'll say CASINO? WHAT CASINO? I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A CASINO.
DeleteAnonymous 12:04:
ReplyDeleteI think the exact quote will be 'The casino is the casino.'
Thanks, Jack! You made me laugh out loud!!
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Tom
Have all the members of the Town Planning Board and the Town Zoning Board of Appeals and their Attorneys filed the required financial/ethics disclosure forms?
ReplyDeleteThe NY Times has declined to endorse Gov. Cuomo in the coming Primary, partly because of the failure to follow through on ethics reform. The Times observes that State Government is still bought by big money. I'd say some of that "big money" buying the Gov and others comes from our "friend" Feathers.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to the NYT story that Anony references:
Deletehttp://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/opinion/editorial-governor-cuomo-ethics-reform-hinders-endorsement-zephyr-teachout.html?_r=1
We need to get some of those Halfmoon FBI agents down here to take some sworn statements on the casino fiasco. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a goldmine. There are just too many loose ends. Let them start with the land deals up on the Hill.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to hear some things about how this casino thing went down in the first place, and it's not pretty. Crist and DeFruscio are all over the place doing their "uglies" and subverting the processes which are supposed to belong to people who are elected. Nothing new around here, but this one could destroy the Town as we know it. Jimino and the County Legislature deserve a lot of the blame. But money talks. Wish there was some dye in the bag that some of this came from.
ReplyDeleteLest you forget our dear friend Mr. Danaher , who is in this up to his eyeballs!
DeleteSlick Philly thinks he'll slither out and away from any accountability in this casino debacle.
Ask our friend Jack how Danaher reacts when pressed for even some simple answers to basic questions !
I still say why would they give it to EG when they could just as easily give it to Renns and not put up with all the painful activists, lawsuits and dwindling support on the town board? Do they think things will quiet down after a license is issued? Hell no! Feathers and Langley have masters degrees in the art of ignoring people and proceeding as if we don't even exist. I say we turn up the heat. Attend the Planning Bd mtg on 8/27 at 7 pm for more casino fun.
ReplyDeleteWish I could attend the planning board meeting, prior obligations.
ReplyDeleteHere's a story from today's TU. Looks like Mary Ann Matters is driving the local low-lifes nuts.....
ReplyDeletehttp://m.timesunion.com/local/article/East-Greenbush-councilwoman-attacked-on-casino-5714509.php
Mary Ann, you need to remember that these people are really not that bright and they have limited resources when it comes to public discourse. Remember, if they had even limited skills Feathers would not be driving the bus. They got played and are looking for someone to blame. They can't see that they shot themselves in the foot. Remember, these are the same people who screwed up big-time not so long ago....
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/East-Greenbush-tax-collector-target-of-2254513.php
Do we have access to a psychiatrist? I first read the blog mentioned in the article above this morning. Reading it all at once gave me the impression that there are only one or two authors for the whole thing and that the author(s) have an unusual attachment to certain body functions that might indicate a serious illness. Of course, it is also immature in structure and lacking in serious content but that is not a threat. I am, however, very concerned with the thought that the man from the "anus driven" blog is associated with our town government.
DeleteJust a side thought, I wonder how Feathers likes being associated with this blog that supports his casino.
Gadfly, please refresh my memory as to how these Town Clowns screwed up
ReplyDeletenot so long ago.
Read the link directly above: (and below)
Deletehttp://www.timesunion.com/local/article/East-Greenbush-tax-collector-target-of-2254513.php
Oh, Gadfly, this is TOO funny! Langley said he doesn't pay attention to the blogs? Huge honking LIE! He and McCabe have that in common. And what's "horrible" is that he was apparently too busy to help a majority board member with her problem. What a fool. Do Gilbert and DeFruscio VOTE? NO! And DeFruscio says "she's still one of us." In what universe is she still one of you, DeF? And you're unaware of this new blog but you'll look at it? LIE! You're the only one in town who spells her name MARRY! Just for the record, DeF, she spells her name MARY. The Chairman of the Republican Committee should know that! And where is Eddie (Haskell) Gilbert in all this? He's only the blog creator and administrator but no mention of him in Crowe's article? How lucky for him! Guess you take all the blame again, DeF.
ReplyDeletewell, 9:58 you could also help Chris with "there, their and they're" or maybe a little lesson on "then and than" or school him on the correct use of punctuation.
DeleteToday's lesson is on "your" and "you're". After you give the instruction maybe you could give Ed and Chris a cheat sheet. This one has been corrected for them several times over the years.
DeleteI can't imagine Rita Cox, Julie Miner and Jim Featherstonhaugh are supportive of such a repulsive blog site. It doesn't seem to present the type of image designed to attract prospective patrons to a $300 million project.
ReplyDeleteThe Three Stooges (Keith L, Mr. Ed G, and Chris Def) spend their days doodling. Keith L. lives on the blogs to the point that they should be his screen savers and anyone in Town Hall is happy to share that, anyone from EITHER side of the political aisle. The Three Stooges have apparently, with all of their doodling and junior high humor, missed their own "loyalists" jumping ship. What is so pathetic is the Three Stooges did not cause their own loyalists to jump ship by supporting the casino, it was their offensive behavior and dictatorship style of managing that drew them away in droves.
ReplyDeleteThe Three Stooges (Keith, Chris and Mr. Ed) I implore you to continue on this destructive path because now so many of "your own" see you for what you are that they are deserting to the "Reformers". Keep up the good work 'Men"! (And I use that word oh so very loosely in this case.)
If we don't feed it, it will probably go away.
ReplyDeleteProbably, Mr. Gadfly? Nah, this is too much fun. The three stooges - ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that they're called The Three Stooges but perhaps DeF, Dumb (KL), and Blind (Mr. Ed) would be good, too. Mr. Ed can't see the role he's played in bringing down the majority but everyone else can. Hey, Mr. Ed, we thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe Langley/DeFruscio/Gilbert blog certainly reads a bit differently than the open and transparent SWF Advertiser campaign pieces, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteNot good Mr. Langley, not good at all...
This blog is indicative of the bullying of the Langley administration and the lengths they will go to exert pressure on people, even board members, to conform. This sets a very dangerous precedent in government when officials are prevented from doing what the voters elected them to do, which is think INDEPENDENTLY! This 'do it our way or else' mentality is criminal and flies in the face of democracy. The most tragic events throughout history happened because people followed orders blindly and without question. Ms. Matters is showing a level of courage and bravery at this time in the history of EG that the rest of the board members, including the Supervisor himself, has not shown, and for what...money! We need more like her. Stand your ground, Ms. Matters. We are behind you.
ReplyDeleteLet us understand this. East Greenbush has $2M of debt and no plan to deal with that outside of waiting to see if EG wins the golden ticket of a casino license. The Three Stooges sit and doodle while Rome burns. If, GOD FORBID, EG does not win the license, what do the Three Stooges plan for financial recovery? Does Supervisor Keith have a plan? Does his trusty beast of burden Mr. Ed have a plan? Does Chumley Def have a plan? Cumulatively, do the Three Stooges have at least one financial recovery plan between them outside of fingers crossed for a casino license?
ReplyDeleteLarry, Mo, Curly (Keith, Mr. Ed. Chumley)---keep doodling boys, keep doodling boys.
It looks like the Casino negotiated a deal with Albany that guarantees Albany it's first million right after it gets the nod to build a casino in OUR town. All sorts of other goodies as well. All guaranteed in writing. Great job, Keith.You gave everything away and got nothing in return for our town. I liked the idea of a casino until today partly because I thought it would benefit the town. But, with no professional negotiator, our town can watch the benefits go to Albany. We will be left with empty promises and glossy brochures.
ReplyDeleteNow, let's see Chris.....Who's driving the bus??? Looks to me like it's Feathers. Good grief!! Nothing but one genius move after another coming from the guys in the truck.
DeleteLooks like Keith and Chris got played once again. It's too bad they didn't reach out to Albany Mayor Sheehan to learn how to negotiate. This is just too embarrassing. Keith has once again made our Town the laughing stock of the Capital region. For Pete's sake Keith, please try taking advice from someone other than Chris.
ReplyDeleteI just read the updated article. They also pledge "an unspecified amount" to the building of the new convention center in Albany. We, in East Greenbush, have a meeting room where providing the reasonable accommodation of a microphone is mission impossible.
ReplyDeleteWhy would the town guarantee anything in writing if Mr. Feathers won't guarantee anything in writing? It seems like the head stooge is getting sand kicked in his face. This is embarrassing and terrifying. The one driving the bus is driving blindfolded.
ReplyDeleteChris and Keith.....Do you see the "bait and switch" yet? A clearer picture can't be drawn. You sold us out, and now he's making fools of you. There is only one redemptive move. Stop the casino.
ReplyDeleteThey can't stop it now, Mr. GF. It's a run away train. All we can do is hope it doesn't crash into EG and proceed to burn.
ReplyDeleteThere's a second redemptive move for Keith... get some new advisers ASAP.
ReplyDeleteOur town board gave away all of its leverage in April when they proved they were willing to approve the casino without the public's knowledge. This is why Feathers said "I've been impressed with Keith." He delivered us into Feathers' hands without so much as a whimper. A savvy supervisor would have known that all of his leverage came from holding out on the resolution of support. They couldn't even have applied for the license without it. That was the time to drive them to the wall, demand written guarantees, execute a Memorandum of Understanding, and put them on notice that they're not going to move through any part of the process without major givebacks to the town. The tentative deal with Albany shows how willing they were to negotiate to get what they wanted.
ReplyDeleteInstead we got nothing. Even Sue Mangold's proposal to get a professional negotiator was dismissed because it might have thrown a wrench into the works. I think one thing is clear: if this casino comes here, these can't be the people we trust to manage the transition to a casino town. It's just simple logic that we would need a strong anti-casino board if we're going to get the best deal moving forward. Not only have Langley and company proven to be easy marks, they're already fully committed to asking for nothing in return for the millions that will be extracted from this town.
Please, whether republican or democrat ---our county politicians and our town politicians didn't get played; there was no bait and switch; they are not embarrassed, and they don't feel like fools.
ReplyDeleteBut all of you are right about us being sold out. So much for politics and business. So what are we going to do about it?
In addition to financial aid, the East Greenbush team would commit to holding two job fairs in the city of Albany before hiring begins and "subject to its obligations to East Greenbush ... use its best, commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no fewer than 25 percent" of jobs at the resort go to Albany residents.
ReplyDelete"The agreement also includes a pledge by the casino team to sponsor a gaming program scholarship at Schenectady County Community College's satellite campus in Albany.
The casino team says it will also try to buy at least $5 million in goods and services from businesses based in Albany. It also says it will buy $50,000 worth of vouchers and gift cards from Albany businesses for use in its guest loyalty program." From the Times Union story.
So, the 1,700 jobs were down to about a 1,000 by the time Feathers made his submission, and then we learned that a casino anywhere in the Capital District will reduce Feathers' Saratoga revenues by 1/2, but if the East. Greenbush site gets the nod those lost jobs can shift down here. So if a MINIMUM of 25% of the East Greenbush jobs go to Albany that leaves 750 jobs. If Saratoga sends down 300 jobs that leaves 450 jobs. Does Feathers have jobs deals in place with Troy? Perhaps. So there may be 400 jobs at stake once the payoffs have been made. Remember when we were promised 1,700? And of those remaining 400 available jobs how many will go to East Greenbush? Do we have any binding numbers in place? Feathers just held a jobs fair at the American Legion, of all places. How many of those people were from East Greenbush? I think we heard from Julie Miner that about 175 people with EG addresses showed up out of more than 400. So your EG Town Board and Supervisor Langley and County Executive Jimino sold us on jobs but really, in fact, just plain sold us out. Horrible, horrible governance, and thoroughly corrupt.
Every time is go to one of these town meetings I feel myself get so angry over what our elected officials have done to us. Pushing forward to the next step the only one there doing her homework was MAM. The rest can not even pretend they are following this process. They make me sick.
ReplyDeleteDid you see our "brilliant" Supe at the Sheehan Albany announcement? Standing there like a deer in the headlights, propped up by Rita Cox while Sheehan announces $11,000,000 from Feathers to ALBANY for economic development. AND 25% of the jobs generated by the casino. Nice work Keith. How's it working out for you? You are something out of "weekend at Bernies." The only thing left for you is to stop this thing from wrecking our community. Enough with DeF, the Grand one, Crist and Gilbert. Some "brain trust."
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the Supr is so mesmerized by THE MONEY that he can't otherwise see straight. By the time he figures it out that MOST of what glitters is PYRITE, it will be too late. He's been way out of his league all along with Feathers & Co. running the show. He should have seen the red flag when Feathers told him he wouldn't pay for the outside, specialized counsel he requested. Yes, requested, not demanded. Aww, what do you care, Keith? By the time this things fails, you'll be long gone and it will be a whole town'a beast of burden. Not good, Keith, not good at all.
ReplyDeleteThe simple fact is this economic development plan is just more payouts to the politicians. In fact this one will give Featherstone's and Sheehan's friends money. This is not for Albany whatsoever. This is simply for Sheehan to remain in power in Albany by giving out money to businesses in exchange for money for support. The simple fact is the 10 million dollar payout to the city would be helpful to Albany, not to Sheehan. But this way gives Sheehan guarantee to keep being mayor.
ReplyDeleteQuestion for the Three Stooges---October is around the corner which means Supervisor Langley should begin, if he has not already done so, to construct a preliminary budget. With no audits, no definitive regarding an oh so coveted Willy Wonka golden ticket casino license for EG, how can he know where to start for his 2015 preliminary budget? His plans for a FRP for EG consist of "fingers crossed on a casino license" which means he has already begun betting on the Town's financial future. No audits mean he doesn't accurately know where the Town stands, where it started and how it got here. Yet Stooge 1 is running around the Capital District in his navy blue blazer yelling, "A casino is coming, a casino is coming!" Stooge 2, beast of burden Mr. Ed-sits at his computer frantically doodling while yelling, "A casino is coming a casino is coming! Our prayers have been answered oh King Langley!" Stooge 3, Chumley Def is busy scampering around Town trying to figure out who the "camp defectors" are while yelling, "A casino is coming, a casino is coming! We did it! We saved the town!"
ReplyDeleteBy all means, who needs audits and a FRP when we can answer our financial stress and red financial status by crossing our fingers and waiting for a casino license.
Truly, the real Three Stooges could not have been more neglectful than the Three Stooges we have in EG.
If our town comptroller was smart he'd be looking for another job. Why would any professional comptroller want to work like this? For that matter, how can a preliminary budget be put together based on the 'Hey, ya never know' mentality of the head stooge? The financials have been kept so under wraps that as far as anyone but Langley knows, a preliminary budget can't be justified. The gross malfeasance (look it up, Chris) of this administration has been so aggregious (look it up, Chris) thus far that it may be time to sound the alarm. A democrat Governor and District Attorney may be very happy to investigate complaints about what's going on with the financials in a way that they were never willing to do with Rick McCabe.
ReplyDeleteDear Gadfly:
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, the members of the Town Board should seriously consider withholding their votes on any Budget proposed by the Supervisor until they receive the financial information they need, e.g., monthly departmental expenditure reports and yearly audit information, in order to make a knowledgeable and informed vote.
Be well,
Tom
Tom, this year, this board may very well be able to do just that. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tom Grant. That would be the most responsible position for the councilpersons to take. Who does Langley think he is? Some backwater dictator?
ReplyDeleteRight on Tom. What's Langley hiding?
DeleteWhen we are talking about the finances we also need a full accounting of consultant fees and overtime costs. We need to know where each department stands in relation to their year to date budget expenditures and a projection. I have a question for the wise folks: If Langley and his carpetbagger friend Phillips can't put a budget together because they are still "getting familiar", do we revert to this year's budget? If so, would it increase the budget by the same amount Langley increased last year.
ReplyDeleteGilFruscio is calling the $11mil and 25% of EG casino jobs from Feathers to Albany an example of the Supe's ability to cooperate with Mayor Sheehan.
ReplyDeleteIt's an example of how foolish he is and how he shouldn't be supervising our town...he endorsed a resolution that promises more to the city of Albany from the developers than to the town he is supposed to represent. Way to go Langley, way to prove you shouldn't be town supervisor.
DeleteTom---excellent suggestion.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Tom Grant. If the TB is being asked to vote on Langley's Budget Langley should be required to tell the TB the financial status of the Town, including what for and how much of our taxpayer money Langley has been spending in secret.
ReplyDeleteThe most likely 2015 revenues would be mitigation fees, building permit fees and taxes on the vacant land. Rumor is that no selection would be made until after Election Day.
ReplyDeleteIf EG is selected for the casino, the best and prudent tactic would be to completely ignore the potential mitigation fees and building permit fees in 2015 budget, then amend if needed - 2015 budget must be adopted by 11/20/14.
The budget schedule works as follows:
Supervisor introduces tentative budget to Town Clerk on 9/30.
Board modifies (or doesn't) to make preliminary budget before the Public Hearing (no later than Thursday after Election Day - 11/6/14.
If not formally adoption, the preliminary budget becomes the adopted one (11/20/14).
Pete Stenson
VOTE -Primary Tuesday September 9- A vote for Teachout and Wu is your vote against the casino. If you are a registered Republican, remind your
DeleteDemocrat neighbors and friends.
Teachout said "casinos are not the direction our state should be taken."
She spoke against corruption, against the money and influence of a character like "Feathers."
How many casino employees does it take to present to the plannning board-- 8! Talk about strong arming.
Also, this "process" is going to take a very short time because all of the
involved investigations or boards (SEQR, planning, zoning) deciding on the casino proposal will be occurring simultaneously.
VOTE- this is still our home, our town- no matter how many powerful and wealthy outsiders try to steal it.
Pete:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your very informative post.
I'm anticipating the Supervisor's Transmittal Letter to the Town Clerk will read something like: "The Budget is the Budget."
All the best,
Tom