Wednesday, December 17, 2014
SAVED!!!! by Jack Conway
When our Town Board passed the generic resolution of support in April it
was pretty clear that we were getting a casino. Eight months and the
dedicated work of hundreds of people later we defeated the combined
interests of corporate predators, land speculators and irresponsible
elected officials. East Greenbush has in fact been saved. There were
so many heroes in this fight but my vote for the most important goes to
each and every one of the 3,058 people who signed the petition to oppose
the Capital View Casino. This was a community wide effort that was so
well organized and creative beyond the abilities of any one or two of
us. We showed up again and again and made our voices heard. I hope
everyone else is feeling the sense of pride and accomplishment that I'm
feeling tonight. I'm happy for all of my friends, old and new, and am
so proud to be part of this community. In fact, my only concern tonight
is for the Boys and Girls Club of Albany who were made a pawn in a
cynical game. It's been a great day.
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Part of the whole Thompson Hill plot was the paving of Thompson Hill Road. I believe that a contract obligation with the Town calls for the developer of Thompson Way to pay for the paving of Thompson Hill Road. Conveniently, the Town Engineer determined that the road needed to be repaved to accommodate the weekend of traffic diversion for the Mannix Roundabout. This amounted to a nice (and illegal) gift to the Thompson Hill developer. If the Town did something which the Thompson Way developer was obligated to do by contract, the Town should get the reimbursement. Simple. But this is the kind of thing that greases the palms of the insiders every day. Mr. Langley said at the Board meeting on Wednesday that he wanted to put this matter to bed. Not going to happen Keith until that audit ordered last December on the matter is done and the reimbursement is received from the players on the Hill.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Jack! And to the TB, Zoning Board, Planning Board: we will be watching future plans for that Thompson Hill Road plot very carefully. Thank you for energizing us.
ReplyDeleteBiz Journal story on the Great Day:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2014/12/east-greenbush-casino-opponents-cheer.html?ana=e_alby_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2014-12-18&u=slaDyKDTUY2OrqQF2TTrjo8ldos&t=1418911136
Kathy Sheehan finds herself walking away with a bag of nothing. THAT happens to be a nice added little perk to this! The parasite of Albany will need to figure out her own financial solutions and NOT feed off of any other municipalities.
ReplyDeleteHere's Chris Churchill's story on Save East Greenbush. Be sure to look at all the pics.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Churchill-East-Greenbush-casino-opponents-win-big-5964342.php
I was most impressed last night when Casino Keith raised his eyebrows at the lady that was speaking and she chastised him for it! Boy, did he come down off his high horse! I loved it!
ReplyDeleteAs always, excellent post Jack! While I feel sad for Howe Caverns who desperately wanted this, and Tyre who like us adamantly did not want this, and for all of those opposed in Schenectady, I am extremely relieved. There is a big fight ahead of us, and it is important for the town of East Greenbush to not have Feather's & Co. distracting us any longer. Just as 7/24 was a day Mary Ann shook our town, 12/17 marks a day that the residents Saved our town. We fought some of the most powerful politicians and money, and won! Many still don't understand what we were saving, but that's OK we don't need to explain any more.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a crazy experience, and I still don't know how to describe it. I am grateful to have met all of you and to have fought one of the most important battles in our town with you all! 5 members of our town board cannot put their differences a side and work together as a team, but 3,000 No Casino residents were able to - teamwork is key! Using differences can be an advantage, I wish our Town Hall can figure that out.
Bonnie K.
The Supervisor put this up on the Town website:
ReplyDelete"Dear Residents,
The Gaming Facility Location Board has made its recommendation. In East Greenbush, it’s time to move forward. Although there are residents on both sides of the issue, it is now time to come together and focus on future progress for our town. I will continue my on-going commitment to restore fiscal health, control taxes, and create jobs for East Greenbush.
Thank You,
Keith Langley, Supervisor"
Dear Keith,
Before you start talking about "moving forward," you should be thinking about an apology to the residents of this Town for the crap you and your co-conspiritors put us through and the costs we've had to absorb in order to preserve the character of our Town. You and your buddies really blew this one and it's time for an apology and some pennance.
Instead of an apology or even any acknowledgement regarding the fight his residents put on, he decided to start the town board meeting reading an email he received that thanked him and the board on the superb job they were doing! At least Jack got the most honest response out of Keith in regards to voting on a resolution to have a public hearing about amending the Ethics law. Our supervisor didn't sugarcoat his concern that by allowing ethics complaints to be filed by residents there may be some against him that could hurt him come election time.
DeleteBK
Dear BK:
DeleteI also found it very interesting that Supervisor Langley explained his vote on his motion to table (prevent the Board from voting on) the Ethics Resolution by expressing his concern that a resident of the Town might file an ethics complaint against him two weeks before the November election.
Kudos to Councilperson Malone, whose position is also up for election in November, for putting good government ahead of crass partisan politics by voting against Supervisor Langley's motion to stifle further discussion on this important issue.
And kudos to Councilperson Matters for introducing the Resolution in the first place.
The obvious take away... Councilpersons Matters and Malone are quite comfortable with having an open and productive discussion regarding the Ethics Law.
Supervisor Langley... not so much.
Be well,
Tom
Bonnie very kindly said, "Mary Ann shook our town," but I still feel as though I owe the residents of EG an apology. I voted "yes" for the casino project twice and I own it. The first time I voted, I knew absolutely nothing about the casino project or industry except what I was being told by supporters of it. The second time I voted, I was better educated thanks to opponents of the project who were deluging my in-box with research material, and I was becoming increasingly unsettled about the project, but I didn't have the courage to break with my colleagues on the board. In June, an over-confident, over zealous politico rocked my world when he delivered the 'play ball or else' message over two cups of coffee. It was as if he threw a bucket of freezing cold water in my face. I woke up and positively knew at that moment what I had to do. In July, I found the strength and courage and publically withdrew my support for the casino; the rest is history. For the rest of my term, I will never again allow myself to be rushed into making a decision. In fact, a couple of times already, I have stated that I won't be rushed in "casino-like fashion." Everyone knows what that means. In the absence of ALL of the information I need to make an informed decision for the town, I will vote no or abstain. I will do my best to always be as informed as possible. Because of this experience, I not only found my courage, I found my purpose. I have since aligned myself with good, smart people who also only want's best for the town and can help us get there. I have never been happier in the job and I am looking forward to championing change in the coming years. With your forgiveness, support and encouragement, I will do my best to make this town all it can be and all that it is longing to be.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Mary Ann Matters
Mary Ann - thank you for being up front with us, it is appreciated. Can you now, PLEASE focus on public safety, our brave men and women within our police department are suffering, they need your help, no contract, short staffed, constant breaking down vehicles, just start asking some questions, you will be amazed, and SHOCKED!
DeleteMary Ann,
DeleteI appreciate your candor. I think everyone in town does, and this is exactly what this town needs, more politicians like you. Willing to admit they made a mistake, willing to not go along with the party just because the party says so, and willing to do what is right and just and fair, just because it is right and just and fair.
Mary Ann, I have been in similar circumstances when I was in the Rescue squad and I had 3 bully's pushing me around each and everyday, I fought hard, but in the end I waked away, I had to to keep my sanity. I applaud you for standing your ground, and will tell you, you have an ally here. If you ever need anything just ask.
Again thank you for your strength, I hope you and Rick and all of your family have a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
It's really amazing how completely out of touch "Casino" Keith Langley is with the residents of East Greenbush, those both for and against the Casino project. Over the past three years, "Casino" Keith has demonstrated an inability and unwillingness to come together with anyone in East Greenbush, with the notable exception of his Court Attendant, Chris DeFruscio.
ReplyDeleteThe Town Board is scheduled to conduct its 2015 Organizational Meeting at 6:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2015, at the East Greenbush Town Hall.
Let's attend and observe how "Casino" Keith proposes to "move forward" and "come together and focus on future progress for our town"
Mary Ann - Your honesty about what transpired during the whole process is greatly appreciated. We all make mistakes but I couldn't agree more that you have a right to be given as much information as possible in a timely manner before you cast a vote on anything. I also would like to thank the over zealous politico who's threats are responsible for the Mary Ann who has now found her purpose. Many times in life we have to go it alone to do what we feel is right. A funny thing though is when others witness someones courage and determination, it gives them the courage to do what's right..
ReplyDeleteFor eight looooong months Casino Keith stared back at begging, pleading residents with dead eyes of disdain and did not even appear sympathetic to their fear and loathing of the idea of a casino in our town. Now that he has lost the fight, he expects people to "come together and focus on future progress for our town?" Isn't that exactly what people were begging HIM for in APRIL? YES! Did he give it to us? NO! It's unfathomable that he thinks anyone wants to work with him. He has proven that he doesn't want to work with anybody, he wants people to work FOR him. It's laughable that Mary Ann writes this heartfelt apology but all HE can say is "it's now time to come together and move forward." DO YOU INTEND TO APOLOGIZE, KEITH? Do you have any idea what you've put this town through? Do you care? No, no, and no! KEITH LANGLEY HAS GOT TO GO!
ReplyDeleteNO LANGLEY 2015!
Dear Mary Ann---Everyone makes errors in judgement at times in their life. Everyone has misplaced their trust one or two times in their life. We learn from our experiences and move forward. We brush ourselves off and live in the present and plan for the future. Regrets are a waste of time because...a person can't change the past so why dwell on it...you live and learn. And heck--everyone learned Supervisor Langley cannot be trusted. It's a shame but at least everyone now knows and you had a huge hand in exposing him. For that, I THANK YOU! As a resident of EG it is a pleasant change and very refreshing to see a Board member expose another's underhanded tactics...so thank you. You have earned more trust from more residents and THAT is a GREAT "take away" for you from the casino experience. Good for you finding your courage! In most negative experiences there are positives. We, the residents now know who we can and cannot trust and that is a great "take away" for us!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I was one of the EG citizens who pleaded with the town board, week after week, to listen to us, the majority. At each public hearing, Keith and his cohorts wordless sat, glassy-eyed, as we presented study after study for them to examine. You would have thought that we were presenting them with a platter piled high with crap for the distasteful looks that we received. There was no interest in researching the industry or our concerns about the 2 schools and the girl scout camp. The public hearings were an unpleasant necessity that they simply endured. Fast forward. Keith and his amigos lost. Keith is now waxing poetic about how we need to come together and put the casino behind us. Does he think that we are stupid? Does he think that he can simply sweep under the rug the last 8 months of his imperial rule, replete with his little court jester, Ed? How great it would be for him if we were, in fact, dumb enough to simply forgive and forget. Sorry Keith, ain't gonna happen. You put us through hell. You took our free time. You forced us to dig deep into our pockets to stop your devious self-serving plan. I realize that you have a difficult time hearing your constituents when they speak so I'll try and make it easy for you. SCREW YOU. WE'RE KICKING YOUR ASS OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER. Can you hear me now?
ReplyDeleteLangley/DeF/Gilbert just don't get it. I don't know whether it's a function of intelligence or something else.
Delete7:50 p.m. It's probably both. They don't seem intelligent per se. In fact, they major in making mistakes. At last night's board meeting, the irrepressible Ed Gilbert spoke during the comment period. He said that public hearings were unnecessary because there is nothing the board can learn from the public. Every time the man speaks, something stupid comes out of his mouth. Langley seems to be comfortable with stupid because he keeps him, and others of his ilk, around when they obviously contribute nothing of value to the government process. The whole lot of them clearly have NO people or political skills at all. It's frequently embarrassing and sometimes laughable.
Delete6:18....they weren't listening to you. They were carrying water for the "insider players" on Thompson Hill. It was nothing about the good of the Town, it was about a deal the boys had made for themselves. It involved the illegal Plat approval and a bunch of options - and relied upon the rolling over of Town officials. This behavior will be coming to a stop as soon as we replace most of the Board. The current "insiders" will have to get in line and obey the law just like everybody else.
DeleteIt was a function of plain and pure greed. Why else would the businessmen and the politicians of a town proceed to damage and diminish their own community and neighborhood. I learned that these very "leaders" have been "raping" our town all along. I apologize to real rape victims for use of this word, but on a some level this is what it felt like to me -meeting after meeting and board after board. Furthermore, even domesticated animals won't soil their own beds.
DeleteI agree 100 percent, but remember folks its not just Langley that needs to go. The only one right now that should be given any type of vote is Mary Ann.
DeleteLangley said, "I will continue my on-going commitment to restore fiscal health, control taxes, and create jobs for East Greenbush." On going commitment? I think everyone would like to know WHEN the restoration of fiscal health will start. When will a financial recovery plan be implemented? Does one even exist? If so, where is it? Can we see it? When will the cheap trick of increasing fees NOT replace an increase in taxes? And why does the Supervisor think it's his job to create jobs? Does he even know what his role is? We need a Supervisor in office who knows what he's doing. That Supervisor is NOT Keith Langley.
ReplyDeleteNO LANGLEY 2015!
@ 6:18 PM- What you have written should be printed on a palm card sent and emailed to each of the 3,058 Town residents who signed the NO Casino petition 2 weeks before the election.
ReplyDeleteNO "Casino" Langley in 2015!!!!!
Two things. First, Mary Ann Matters stands tall as the only member of our current town board who takes full responsibility for her actions and demonstrates an ability to listen and learn. Her change of heart provided momentum for the No Casino cause at an important time and her courageous decision to strike out on her own has resulted in a number of good government initiatives, the most recent being assuring that town jobs are properly classified with County civil service and that the payroll is formally certified. As I said in another context, for my money she's now a fully vested Casino Slayer. We all owe her a debt of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteSecond, 6:18, you are a genius. Your comment is perfect and it says everything I would have liked to say if I was smart enough to think of it. You're absolutely right in every word. Ed Gilbert likes to say "we heard you, we just didn't agree with you" but had they heard us they would now be fully educated on why a casino was such a bad idea. The truth is they didn't hear a word we said and they refused to learn a single thing. I'm not sure they even know why they lost. People thought I was kidding or posturing when I asked them for a donation to Save East Greenbush but if he wants us to come together it's time for them to recognize their role in forcing us to spend our money and start to make good on what they owe us. After all, it's our money, not theirs, and we want some of it back.
The casino is a blessing to all those communities who took part especially for those who lost. Sure Schnectady has it easy but do they really. High taxes and a flight of people. Hopefully people show up to the casino/marina. Remember people have to come thru a bad part of town. But I am sure something will change. To the people of Schorarie, you failed in your bid. But you opened our eyes to your plight. You were forgotten about. But your organization should teach you that you don't need the state or the capital district for handouts. You have yourselves. And a strong group of individuals as well. To Rensselaer, you need help but you have little in the way of property. But you have the river. Do not let De Laet's landing sit fallow. There is a future. A future that will benefit all the capital district and the Hudson River. Just open your eyes. Finally to the people of East Greenbush. You need not develop the property that sits on Thompson Hill. You have proven that. But what you do need is an accounting of government that all those who wanted it or didn't are now seeing. Make no bones, those toiling against the forces of greed was trying to plug a large hole. But the decision to have the casino has made people open their eyes. It is the greatest gift you the town could be given. You didn't waste any time or money. You were just gaining an army for the larger battle ahead. So make the most of your army and make it happen. Use that money and power and stop talking online and stop acting in the real world. Start taking action and demand all the neighbors help. Instead of NoCasino it should be No more free ride. No more free ride that the government has given itself in the form of no accountability and free deals to its friends.
ReplyDeleteIn order for them to pay, they would first have to acknowledge doing something wrong, which ain't gonna happen with 80% of this bunch. Langley's attitude is whatever, let's move on. He doesn't get it that some people have been traumatized by this threat to their home environment for the better part of a year. Some are stress sick, have lost faith in government, are angry as hell, and have even put their homes on the market. He doesn't get it that this is unforgivable and unforgettable and that it WILL cost him his job next year. He's a mean, arrogant, nasty man, as are his crewmates. And where is Feathers now? Flown the coop. Will he help Keith get re-elected next year? Don't make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteLet's keep the light shining on Keith Langley. Now that he is finally talking at Board meetings, he has revealed his rude and crude personality to everyone. His poor treatment of his staff and the general public is unconscionable. He is clearly unqualified to run a Town government.
ReplyDeleteWe WILL move on, Casino Keith. Just as soon as you are voted out of office in November.
SAVE EAST GREENBUSH FROM KEITH LANGLEY. VOTE NOLANGLEY ON ELECTION DAY!!!!!
At every opportunity we should address specific issues during the comment period at the Board meetings such as: Has the interfund borrowing stopped? Have you paid back the money that was taken from the water/sewer fund so that there will be no need to raise water/sewer rates? Has the audit for the roundabout project on Mannix Road been completed? You passed a resolution authorizing one. Why isn't it done? Has the developer paid back the money the Town spent to pave Thompson Hill Road? Have you stopped the nepotism? And on and on.
ReplyDeleteWhat HAVE you done Mr. Langley to make the town better? I can't even bring myself to call Langley Supervisor because as far as I know he has done not one thing for the Town. Not one thing. And yet he expects us to turn the other cheek and give him a pass.
Not this time Keith - you have proven over and over again that you are an incompetent nasty man. You forget that you were not elected - McCabe was voted out. You have no base of supporters.
The best you can do is go away.
Keith "Casino" Langley is the lamest of lame duck politicians. However, he still has the potential to cause a lot of damage to our Town if he is not closely watched and questioned. We all need to spend the next 12 months, until January 1, 2016, keeping a close eye on "Casino" Keith. This means attending board meetings (TB, Planning, Zoning, Ethics etc.), FOILing for public information, observing what's going on around Town and at Town Hall, talking with our friends and neighbors about Town government and questioning, questioning, and questioning everything Supervisor "Casino" proposes and enacts through his signature and by Resolution.
ReplyDeleteThis requires a tremendous amount of work, but it needs to be done in order to prevent another Keith Langley secret Casino debacle from taking place.
NO Langley in 2015.
If the Supervisor is sincere about moving forward, the one thing he could do to convince his constituency is to move a Resolution at the next Board meeting rescinding the casino approval Resolutions and removing the possibility of a reprise of this fiasco forever. Keith, if you want to move forward, put something in writing and in law.
ReplyDeleteMOVING FORWARD, what a novelty, lets look at EGPD, the lack of leadership there, how about DPW, how are they doing? Overtime, look at those numbers, year and mileage on police cars and DPW vehicles? How about the aging buildings, you know the one we call Town Hall. Are these things on anyones radar?
DeleteThe PD will never move forward while the Chief is busy driving a school bus . The chief is the one who refuses to keep his fleet current and is soley responsible for the cars with in excess of 160k miles!
DeleteDisgraceful !
Anon:Dec 18@6:18.......your posting is most important! It says it all!
ReplyDelete