Feeling
stunned that the word ‘casino’ appeared on the April 16th Town Board
agenda and realizing that only the laser focused Dwight Jenkins had kept his
bearings and opposed the resolution. The
entire resistance began that night with Dwight’s objection.
Watching
Silvy Lang and Mary Beth Earley walk into the auditorium at Columbia High
School with Silvy wearing a sandwich board and Mary Beth carrying signs. When the crowd broke into applause I had a
feeling we were on to something.
The May
31st meeting at Elizabeth Wade’s empty house where twenty or more of
us sat on the floor and fomented a revolution.
That was the day we met Michelle Salisbury.
The
June 4th public hearing at Genet where despite the efforts of paid
ringers from Saratoga an entire town turned out to rain down its fury on five
terrified-looking members of our Town Board.
There were so many eloquent speakers that night but the ones I remember
best were Maria Barrington, David Stone and Eric Breimer. Eric’s Star Wars reference was especially
memorable.
Realizing
that Tina Tierney had turned into a one woman research cyclone. They had millions of dollars, an entire
industry complex built to sell casinos to unsuspecting towns and Spectrum
Gaming. We had only Tina. They were badly outnumbered..
The
June 12th farce when our town was wrapped up, put on a boat and sold
down the river. As we were leaving,
Feathers turned and tried to stare me down but right at that moment my friend
Janet turned to me and said “I hope we get a casino, I always wanted to be a
hooker.” The look on Feathers face was
priceless.
Scenes
from the first submission to the Gaming Commission: receiving edits from Cara Benson and Michelle
Salisbury at the last minute and trying with all my might to ignore them. Although it cost me some sleep that night
both sets of comments were stunningly good.
Going over to Mary Beth’s house to get the final tally and copies of the
petition and fearing that I would have to pry them from her. Instead she laughed, handed them over and we
spent a half an hour in her driveway wishing this casino away. Meeting Maura Ryan in my driveway at 12:45
a.m. on the night before the submission was due to exchange pieces we were
working on.
Reading
Mary Ann Matters’ conversion in the Advertiser.
The
enraged look on Jo Ann’s face when someone stole our lawn sign and replaced it
with a pro-casino sign. I’ve known her
since she was 16 so all I can say is whoever did that is very lucky she didn’t
catch them.
Scene
from the second submission to the Gaming Commission: sitting at Maura Ryan’s dining room
table. Maura, Tina and Jo Ann were
assembling the packages. They did the
work, I was talking. We were playing to
our strengths.
I think
our greatest triumph was the public hearing before the Facilities Location
Board. Twelve hours, 47 eloquent
speakers and a gift wrapped tribute to Save East Greenbush from the Deputy
Supervisor. The only thing better than
Ed’s ‘tribute’ was watching Joanne Rector rip him a new one in her
rejoinder. Joanne waged a one woman
guerilla war on Saratoga Casino & Raceway.
Guess who’s still standing.
Jeff
Meyers out-lawyering Tom West by a country mile at the ZBA hearing.
Suzanne
Aairdo telling Keith Langley in no uncertain terms that the casino is his
legacy as she walked out of the room.
The day
of triumph. I could only think of six
times in my life when I was more nervous than waiting to hear the verdict: my
wedding day, the mornings my two sons were born, the mornings my two
granddaughters were born and when I had to give the Skidmore commencement
address before 5,000 people at SPAC.
Waiting on line in the Concourse, a casino developer pushed in front of
us in line and when I told him to get to the back of the line, he said “I don’t
have to, I’m a developer.” I told him
“Predators have to get in line just like prey.”
Very satisfying moment.
And
then “For the Capital Region, Rivers …”
I didn’t hear the rest. Sharing that joy with so many special people
will be something I will always treasure.
The tears streaming down Jennifer Jenkins face made me cry. She was the heart of the whole thing and I
was so happy for her.
Do not become what you hate. Remember to stick to your guns but do not gloat for then you will be no better then the ones you hate and despise. Remember there was people who honestly believed this was a good thing for East Greenbush. Do not sneer or jeer them. Move on or else you become just like Ed Gilbert. Make this about the town and how to improve it. Not how to run Keith out of town and how to get back at him. If you do then he can say whatever he wants.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe Jack hates anyone. As far as running Keith out of town I believe he did that to himself. You can play mind games and pretend your not affiliated with Keith but Your boy Keith is done.
ReplyDelete@ 8:17 PM-
ReplyDeletePlease read 6:18 PM on the previous post. Keith Langley owes all of the residents of the Town, both pro and anti casino, at the very least a heartfelt apology for the underhanded, secretive and autocratic way he handled the entire Casino process. Mr. Langley is not a monarch. He is an elected public official. Sadly, Supervisor Langley has forgotten that as the Supervisor he is the public servant of, by and for the people of East Greenbush, not just for himself and his handful of favored political cronies.
This is a statement of solidarity with some wonderful people who availed themselves of all the freedoms we hold in this great country to achieve something that mattered deeply to them and me. Tonight Jo Ann and I decorated our Christmas tree with our granddaughters Kayla and Julia. I have only love in my heart. I don't hate anyone in this town, never have and never will. As for getting back at Keith or wanting to run him out of town, I'm at a loss to understand how this collection of thoughts does that. It really has nothing to do with him and it's no commentary on people who supported the casino other than to restate that I disagreed with them. I don't dislike or lose respect for people who disagree with me but I do and I will fight for what I believe in. But this one isn't about the town, it's about an ordeal endured and the people who. pulled me through. Sorry if you didn't see that.
ReplyDelete8:17 p.m. Winners don't have to gloat. The prize of winning is it's own indomitable message and its own reward. The people who "honestly believed this was good for EG" believed so for two reasons: they were blinded by quick-fix money in the millions of dollars and they steadfastly REFUSED to look at the downsides of placing a gambling casino in what looks like Mr. Roger's suburban neighborhood. Neither one of those reasons are honorable, so they don't get a pass for that. To this day, Langley, DeFruscio, Gilbert, et al are sneering and jeering at those who brought Goliath down. They are sore losers who are still harassing the only board member who had the common sense to realize that if you can't beat them, join them. Nobody could be just like Ed Gilbert for he is his own special brand of disgusting. We are all about improving the town and that means Keith Langley must go; not because he made a mistake but because it was a mistake to put him in office, a mistake that has to be corrected. Whoever you are, you're wasting your time trying to garner support for a man who spent eight, long, grueling months staring back at VERY upset residents with deadpan eyes and wishing they would all just drop off the face of the earth. This is the man who said just two nights ago, "I was elected to make these decisions," just like George W. Bush when he said, "I'm the decider!" What this tells taxpayers is that their input isn't needed or appreciated. Bulls*it! He made his bed with the electorate, now he has to lie in it. Your repeated attempts to guilt us into being the bigger person by letting Langley - the ring-leader - off the hook is infuriating. He is responsible for how close our town came to C-day and he must be held accountable for it. Nobody feels sorry for him or forgiving just because he lost. He and his cohorts on the board will be made an example of next November but the carnage starts NOW!
ReplyDeleteDear Jack--your collection of thoughts does not express hate so do not spend a second pondering that. Decorate your tree, enjoy the victory celebrations because we ALL earned them. WE THE PEOPLE contributed to the legal fund, spent time at meetings, sending letters, emails, and running back and forth to Town Hall for meetings and hearings so we deserve to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:17 maybe confusing celebrating with gloating. They are two very different actions and quite frankly, after what we have had to contend with it is Keith & Co. that should be quiet. Their nonsense blogs, ignorance to the public at Town meetings and their "spy job" on some of us have helped to divide the Town, along with the casino issue. They have done enough damage and if a little celebrating begins to bring the Town back together--CELEBRATE! 'Tis the season! Merry Christmas!
Dear Gadfly,
ReplyDeleteIt's quite possible that our community's response to the actions of Keith Langley over the last eight months has done more to unite the Town than ever before. People on both sides of the casino issue have become energized and focused on taking the necessary steps to improve the governmental process in our terrific Town.
Be well,
Tom
I agree Jack's comments are not now and have never been hateful. You disagree with the process, not the person.
ReplyDeleteAll we ever wanted was for those in favor of the casino, was for them to honestly and realistically look at the proven facts against casinos. We weren't against it just to be ornery! It would NOT be beneficial for OUR TOWN! Casinos are only a "win" for the casino operators/owners.
But, we persevered with the magnificent work of Jack, Tom, Don, Maura, Dwight and all of the other very instrumental people!
I am deeply and profoundly grateful to all of you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
I think for now we can take a little break from explaining what we were fighting for, relax, and enjoy the holidays with friends and family. Jack, this was well written and filled with a lot of positive encouragement, thank you! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteBonnie K.
I think it is entirely appropriate for Jack to reflect on some of the highlights of the casino journey and certainly to celebrate some of the characters involved. It serves to help assess the good will in our town and to mobilize for the future.
ReplyDeleteThe danger in refusing to reflect on success and/or failure has been well illustrated by Keith Langley. When he was elected he declared that that success was based on him being a "nice" guy (nice to him seems to mean quiet and inactive) and he refused to recognize the work of others or to entertain the wisdom of the anybody but McCabe argument. This uninformed opinion and erroneous conclusion caused Keith to be quiet and inactive for two years when he should have been working for us. Then, when he finally woke up, he brought us the casino!
I didn't originally write this to be put on the blog. I wrote it for my own memory and to send to a few friends who were feeling strangely sad after the casino announcement. I really haven't heard any gloating but I have seen exhaustion and relief in addition to feelings of satisfaction. From this post you can see that my own response was mostly deep appreciation of the people I met and admiration for how dedicated and effective they were. And even though I was critical of the Town Board and others involved in pushing the casino while the issue was alive, I haven't been thinking about them since the decision was announced. There will be plenty of time for that later but for now I only hope that the emotions of the many people who threw their hearts and souls into this fight have begun to thaw and they're feeling the glow of a job well done.
ReplyDeleteBeing that it's Saturday, I put some holiday music on the car radio and took a drive through our town. The doors of the Sweater Venture and the Country Truck were open and holiday lights were twinkling. Neighboring homes were beautifully decorated. The roads were bustling with drivers going here and there getting ready for the big day. There was a peacefulness about the day as bikers biked (yes, in 30° weather) and joggers jogged and people walked their dogs. I never appreciated the country-like simplicity of our town and the town's folk as much as I do now. Whether selling Christmas trees, holiday decorations and gifts, a hearty breakfast or lunch, groceries, automotive services, gasoline or a relaxing massage, the town's merchants have a special meaning now and we should appreciate them fully by buying from them whenever possible. After all, they are our neighbors, too! It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood now that we are back to normal. We learned a painful lesson that we have to stay on our toes with this Supervisor at the helm but for the rest of the holiday season, let's lay down our swords and shields and just ENJOY!
ReplyDeletePeace, love, and joy to all...even to you Mr. Langley.
Amen.
DeleteI also made a concerted effort to spend today in the town. I always try to buy local but I made an extra special effort to patronize our shops today. Jack, in addition to the thanks owed to the faces that were upfront, as you mentioned, there were countless hours spent giving up precious summer days staffing tables or going door to door on those precious summer evenings trying to inform folks about informational meetings. The enormous amount of work that went into the preparation of the documents for the Siting Commission...amazing. Together a collective will that will be, in the words of a song from the show Wicked...Because I knew you, I have been changed...for good.
DeleteHappy Holidays to all.
Well said, Jack. I've said all along, that everyone involved in SAVEEASTGREENBUSH amazes me. Really, it's astonishing how the right person came along at the right time to add their expertise to the group. Bonnie Kenna was right when she said something to the affect, there is more that can be accomplished for good, when we are willing to use our differences as a help, rather than a hinderence. That young lady has a lot of wisdom for her years. Bonnie, everyone in SAVEEASTGREENBUSH came together and proved your words to be a relavent realty. I love Christmas, and I would love to share my joy with you all, in wishing you a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSent from my iPad
I think the big, green holiday tree on the front lawn of town hall is really festive and pretty. It brings a semblance of normalcy to an otherwise dysfunctional town hall that is doing the best it can to operate efficiently in the absence of a competent, engaged, responsible Supervisor. It is imperative that residents who have trusted their local elected officials in the past to do their jobs competently and responsibly commit in 2015 to becoming familiar with the town's website and attending town meetings, especially the town board meeting on the third Wednesday of each month, in an effort to become informed and aware of how their tax dollars are being spent. When citizens are present, actively involved, and asking questions, officials who have their mitts on millions of tax dollars aren't so inclined to screw around with the money improperly. There are active citizens already there, so you will be in good company. Even if you just come to listen, your presence is key. Nothing excites officials more than an empty meeting room while they're deliberating about what to do with your money. Hope to see at the Organizational meeting on January 2 and/or the town board meeting on January 21. For more details, please see the town's website. Let's get involved in town government and work to have a truly happy new year.
ReplyDeleteIn the TU today, it says that Feathers has had "very preliminary" conversations about what to do with the [Thompson Hill ] site. Will Langley be cooking up another secret, backroom deal with Jimmy-boy for springing on us in the near future? Here we go again!
ReplyDeleteAnyone that knows Jack, knows that he doesn't have a mean bone in his body, alright well maybe one....LOL
ReplyDeleteI think this whole casino fiasco has united people, people from both sides of the political aisle.
I wish I could have helped out a little more than I did.
Remember people Langley was just the patsy, but with that said I will not vote for the man.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!!
Dear Gadfly:
ReplyDeleteThe East Greenbush Truth Blog has a very interesting post highlighting the possibility of a conflict of interest by one of our Town Board members regarding the expenditure of funds relative to the Mannix Road Roundabout and the paving of Thompson Hill Road.
It's a must read for anyone interested in open and transparent government.
Nicely done East Greenbush Truth and thanks for your efforts!!
Be well,
Tom
In this connection Tom, the question occurs to me that it's rather strange that, since Rt. 4 is a State road, the TOWN is doing all the problem solving and paying for the rather brief detour on Thompson Hill Road. We need that Single Purpose Audit on this matter that the Board directed be done exactly a year ago.
DeleteMy question is is this where the "about $150,000" figure George was talking about that we have to repay to close the Luther Rd. sidewalk deal? Also, it was said at the pre-board meeting that if they didn't make a decision about the sidewalks and waited until January it would cost about $30,000 to do so. So, did we just incur another $30,000 to our debt?
DeleteNice connection East Greenbush Truth, now we have the real truth why Rifenburg got the contract. Rifenburg is ripe with something and so is Langley too.
DeleteThe thing that makes the paving of Thompson Hill Road so dubious is the argument that we spent almost $150,000 for a weekend detour. They could have detoured people onto Exit 9 and then back in at Exit 8 (and vice versa) and saved the money. It would have been an inconvenience but name one other example of a town spending tons of money to prevent a 48 hour detour. If Thompson Hill was a national issue we would be heading towards a Congressional investigation to unravel all of what's happened up there. Sadly, though, this is East Greenbush and we don't even have a functional Board of Ethics. But then that's no coincidence because to the powers that be, this isn't a problem just "the way things have always been done."
ReplyDeleteLooks like a "gift" to the developer(s) of the Thompson Way development, doesn't it. I believe that the paperwork on the Thompson Way development specifies that the DEVELOPER is responsible for the paving of Thompson Hill Road. Which would seem to mean that the Thompson Way developer owes the Town the cost of the paving. Slick attempt to get some "players" another perk.
DeleteAs of the last board meeting, Langley's stance is that the code of ethics is the code of ethics. No need to amend the code to allow residents to communicate with the EB because the goal here, let's face it, is to muzzle us residents as much as possible. You'd want to muzzle folks, too, if the complaints were about YOU! Since ethics complaints have been submitted against Langley and Mangold, they should recuse themselves from voting on a public hearing on this subject. The public hearing resolution should be brought back and only Matters, DiMartino, and Malone should vote on it. We all know that Mangold has no problem with conflicts of interest but we do and we need to call them on it!
ReplyDelete@ 12:28 PM- "Casino" Langley's role in the Thompson Hill Road Paving project warrants a Board of Ethics inquiry. I wonder if Matters, DiMartino and/or Malone would be willing to ask the Ethics Board to take a look at it on behalf of the EG taxpayers?
ReplyDeleteUntil Ed Gilbert is OFF the Ethics Board, there would be no point.
DeleteLooks like somebody with some juice leaned real hard on the "Gilbert blog." Appears that something like 13-15 comments were taken down. I didn't copy them all, but they appeared to have been focused on Cooper Ave and Thompson Hill.
DeleteNot to worry. Copies have been made.
DeleteWhat is the avenue for Ethics complaints regarding elected town officials or other in the town employ, since one cannot complain to the Ethics Board, and also what is the function of the Ethics Board?
DeleteLooks like the Supe is beginning to sweat bullets over road paving. Too bad he was never this worried about the casino.
DeleteFunny thing is that the same people got him into both matters.....
DeleteAnd set him up to be the fall guy if it all went south??
DeleteWith the proper advisers he'd have seen that coming. He surrounded himself with some not-too-smart people.
DeleteDear 12:49 PM:
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily disagree with you. But let's first give Mr. Langley the opportunity to publicly explain the reasons behind his actions. That's only fair. Perhaps he'd be willing to do so at the January 2nd Town Board Organizational Meeting.
Be well,
Tom
Very funny, Tom. When has Langley ever publicly explained anything?
DeleteHe did explain his concern about allowing resident to submit ethics complaints. He was sincere in his explanation that what if he had 20 complaints against him come election time. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE
DeleteTom, I can tell you what Langley will say. He'll want us all to "move on" from the Thompson paving job. Just like he wants everyone to "move on" and forget about his casino shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteNot happening, Mr. Langley. You have some explaining to do.
@ 5:45 PM, The State Comptroller's auditors might not be inclined to let Mr. Langley "move on" from this issue so quickly.
ReplyDeleteIn the FOILed notes Feathers says that he's never walked away. The fact is that Feathers always walks away from anything that doesn't go "caching, caching."
ReplyDeleteConsidering that Keith Langley worked for Rifenberg prior to becoming Supervisor in 2012, shouldn't he have recused himself from voting on resolution 131-2013? No wonder he lets Sue Mangold get away with her conflicts of interest! Are they all in bed together? After McCabe was ousted, things were supposed to get better. Could it be that 3 years into Langley's term, things are actually worse?
ReplyDelete8:58 - things are clearly worse now. Ed Gilbert , Chris Defruscio , John Tirino are all responsible for the daily dose of b~s we all must endure .
DeleteGadfly - its actually Cha-ching !
Merry Christmas all!
Just another thing Langley wants everyone to move forward on? Is this what the smart way forward is all about? Let's move forward in a smart way by voting Langley out next November.
Deletewas Riffenberg the low bid?
Delete@ 2:36 PM- Check out the post on the East Greenbush Truth blog for further details.
DeleteAccording to the "Informational sheet" handed out by a non-attorney. "Competitive bidding process not required, costs will be amended to base contract. Funds in the amount of $145,337.00 will be utilized from GEIS funds provided by Fed Ex and originally slated for Couse Corner sidewalks."
So there you have it, a $145,000 non-competitive bidding process add on to the Mannix Road Roundabout base project which took funds paid to the Town by Fed Ex intended to be spent for a different sidewalk project.
All of that done at a Tuesday afternoon Special Board Meeting to address an anticipated 48 hour traffic detour.
No wonder people have a basic lack of trust in what passes for government in East Greenbush?
Does the Town have to pay back Fed Ex since the money wasn't used for the sidewalks? Is this stuff even legal?
DeleteGadfly, why are folks upset about a road being paved. Isn't that a good thing?
ReplyDelete1) The paperwork I've seen appears to indicate that the developer of the Thompson Way development is responsible for the cost of paving Thompson Hill Road.
Delete2) Rt. 4 is a State Road. Almost $150,000 of Town funds were spent to pave Thompson Hill Road for a brief detour, for which cost free alternatives existed (as pointed out by Jack Conway above). Why is the Town paying for a detour for a State road when alternatives exist.
3) An audit of the funds expended on the Mannix Road round-about was ordered by the Board one year ago, but has not been done.
4) The final Plat approval for the Thompson Way development was signed last January without an approving Resolution by the Planning Board.
So there is political monkey-business going on with our tax dollars that must be investigated. $150K isn't that much money. Why not just make the developer pay the bill?
DeleteBecause the developer usr Larry Davis, who's in business with the Harts who are in business with Rich Benko who just so happens to be apart of this.
DeleteAll made possible by Supervisor Keith Langley, the Chief Financial Officer of the Town of East Greenbush!
DeleteNot good, Mr. Langley. Not good at all...
Langley may not even be aware of it. A lot goes on behind his back that he knows nothing about because he's too busy running around playing politics. Meanwhile, the Bldg. Inspector is running things HIS way and probably making out like a bandit. Time to retire, Joe AND Hanky-Panky.
DeleteI'm with you, 4:54. The fault lies with Langley for letting Cherubino get away with it. We know Langley has to go but every resident should suggest to whomever we put into the job that we replace Cherubino and Corfellis with honest, well qualified people.
DeleteIf Jeff Pangburn comes back again looking for the residents to fund his sidewalks to nowhere we, the residents, should tell him no. Maybe we should suggest that he go and ask the developers on the hill cuz thats where the money went.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much corruption floating around this town, it's hard to know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteYou begin with the person whose signature is on the documents, payment vouchers and no bid contracts authorizing the actions
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all the Gadfies!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone had a nice holiday and enjoyed time with their families. I sure did. This morning I am getting ready to go to work and am more than a little annoyed that Town workers have been given another day off by Langley. The agreementis for one floater and they already had the day after Thanksgiving off. I hope they left themselves enough time to get the agenda for Jan 2 out on Dec 28 or earlier.
ReplyDeleteThe Police NEVER get a day off . They are always open.
DeleteDear 8:14 AM:
ReplyDeleteThe hard working DPW Transfer Station employees were at their posts bright and early this morning.
Be well,
Tom
I went there today as a matter of fact. One worker was just lounging around chatting....but another guy came running over to help. That is the first time since Joe retired and Reggie was made to change jobs that anyone helped. Hope it continues. Happy New Year!
DeleteI am an avid critic of town operations BUT...every time I have been to the transfer station (not all much) Joe was friendly and helpful. Seriously.
DeleteThis is 8:14 am (home from work now). You folks are making my point. How will our police officers be paid for this extra, unauthorized holiday. I believe their contract calls for extra pay on holidays but I don't think the contract can provide for unauthorized holiday's. If the rest of DPW Is off, how are the dump guys who are working getting paid? who authorized it?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Dec.26 at 8:14
ReplyDeleteThe day after Thanksgiving is not a floater it is a scheduled holiday see page 9 section ix of the bargaining agreement. As for your comment on Dec. 26 at 6:20 what unauthorized holiday? Friday Dec. 26 is a scheduled work day for the police and dpw. Anyone taking off the 26th used either personal time or vacation time, everyone else is working. As a previous dump guy as you call us the 26th is a normal work day at regular pay not premium pay.
It's alright to complain but at least get your facts straight first.
From the Org meeting:
ReplyDeleteESTABLISHING 2014 FLOATING HOLIDAY
Motion by Supervisor Langley that the Town Board does hereby designate Friday, December 26th, 2014, as the 2014 Floating Holiday for non-union employees.
Happy holidays,
Pete Stenson
Definitely worth a look this afternoon!!!
ReplyDeletehttps://eastgreenbushtruth.wordpress.com/2014/12/27/amending-board-of-ethics-local-law/#more-320
YouTube links to the Dec. 17th Board Meeting are up (with more coming) here:
ReplyDeletehttps://eastgreenbushtruth.wordpress.com/
Dear Gadfly:
DeleteThe YouTube links are well worth a close look. My thanks to the East Greenbush Truth for posting them and, as always, many thanks to the Gadfly for the nifty video work.
Be well,
Tom
The 2015 Org Meeting is Friday. With the SWF in a bad way, I think we're all wondering what changes will be made organizationally? Guess we'll just have to wait for the agenda to be released two hours before the meeting.
ReplyDeleteYou tube video's were quite good thanks,
ReplyDeleteJack that was awesome!!!
I couldn't get over how rude Langley was by constantly interrupting the people during the public comment period. He really doesn't seem to be able to carefully listen to what people have to say. He really doesn't show good manners.
ReplyDeleteJack, was the Supervisor saying that he doesn't support allowing residents to file complaints to the ethics board because it might hurt his ability to get re-elected? At every turn he tries to silence and exclude the public from participating in the government of the town and THAT is what will hurt his ability to get re-elected. Why doesn't he see that?
ReplyDeleteThe Supe thinks he was elected by DeFruscio and Crist. Doesn't think he needs to pay attention to any others.
DeleteThat's exactly what he was saying. His tone deafness about the need to separate politics from the Board of Ethics was proven with the appointment of his political hatchet man to the Board but his statements to me at the last Town Board meeting erased any remaining doubt. My position is that if you have conducted yourself in an ethical manner in all dealings than you have nothing to fear, and if you have done less than your best you should have to answer to the people who elected you.
DeleteJack, various town officials do things in secret for one reason - they have to hide something. No different that how McCabe tried to hide the stipends.
DeleteI wonder if Langley feels good about continuing the "traditions" of governmental mismanagement favored by his politically defeated predecessor? What's the old line about failing to heed the lessons of history?
Exactly.
DeleteHere is a direct link to the Ethics discussion with Jack and our Supervisor: http://youtu.be/j5DkMbE7Mbo
ReplyDeleteas the Truth points out, Gilbert was OK with the ethic's complaint clause back in April and in July in his last T.U. blog post. God-forbid someone submit an actual complaint...oh wait, they did and that's now he wants the clause removed! Kudos to the most unethical Ethics Chairman.
DeleteThe problem with the Supervisor's opinion on the matter is that the ethics board needs to keep the complaints private until merit has been determined and/or publicize the action of that complaint with the same celebrity in which is it is introduced. If it is without merit, there is the town website as well as the supervisor's report in the advertiser each week where it can be reported that it was investigated and dismissed as baseless, with the name of the individual who filed it included. By being prepared to report the results with the names of the individuals accused and accusing published, it should cause pause for any baseless claims. Ethics violations can not be evaluated by your friends or employees alone, it is a community effort.
ReplyDeleteAs for Rita Cox's assertion that the opposition killed the casino deal in East Greenbush, is an dramatic overstatement to lay blame on one entity for a place to point fingers and neither the applicant nor the opposition group should be prepared to accept that as gospel. The facts are that it was an inappropriate site with zoning issues, traffic issues and significant competition. Public opposition does not explain why Rensselaer wasn't chosen or Howe Caves for that matter. Howe Caves was hands down the most publicly supported by it's resident of any proposal. Both the applicant and the Town have to accept responsibility for the defeat in that it fundamentally did not adhere to the requirements noted in the RFP. The opposition absolutely played a role in pointing out those deficiencies where the board was wiling to ignore them, but they merely made the commission aware of facts that were difficult to ignore and deserve great credit for doing so.
A copy of the link should be sent to the NYS Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) and Solomen Syed at Time Warner Cable News (albany.twcnews.com). You just can't make this stuff up.
ReplyDeleteThere is also "The Report Misconduct Tip Line" to consider if the Supervisor's behavior falls under the jurisdiction of the JCOPE.
Go to www.jcope.ny.gov
Dear AnonymousDecember 29, 2014 at 12:45 PM--the problem with the Supervisor's assertion is his paranoia, yet again. If he would stop trying to stifle the public, he may have less to fear from the public.
ReplyDeleteAnother problem with the Supervisor's assertion is the definition of an ethics violation. It is quite clearly defined and can be found on the website, file:///C:/Users/ataylor/Downloads/ethics082913FINAL%20voted%20on%20(4).pdf. The Code of Ethics lists a detail of what a violation consists of, what behaviors/votes/actions are considered ethics violations. It seems fairly simple--don't commit any of those acts and you are not in violation. An ethics violation is not a whimsical complaint; it has a definition and guidelines attached to it just as any Human Resource Manual does in a private company.
Based on the Code of Ethics that was written, and is found on the Town's website, it seems fairly black and white.
Yet another ridiculous policy is to make the complaint form available on the town's website yet not allow the public to USE the form. This is the link that takes one to the complaint form, file:///C:/Users/ataylor/Downloads/BOE%20COMPLAINT%20FORM%20(4).pdf.
Another point, if the public is granted the right to submit an ethics complaint, privacy or confidentiality is probably lost.
Since the public and the taxpayers ELECT the Supervisor and PAY the SUPERVISOR'S SALARY, I 100% agree with Jack Conway who wrote in a comment above, "and if you have done less than your best you should have to answer to the people who elected you."
The bottom line---if the Supervisor is afraid of ethics complaints than he is probably doing something(s) that would warrant ethics complaints. Usually a secretive management style leads to paranoia and fears of reprisals...both behaviors the Supervisor appears to exhibit.
Ethics complaints are like audits in that they seek to monitor and correct mistakes in critical systems. Our town officials are afraid of both for the same reason: they know things haven't always been done in a way that could withstand careful review and fear what knowledge of that fact will do to their ability to continue to do whatever they damn well please. Ed Gilbert was put on the Board of Ethics for only one reason: to protect Keith Langley and allies from public scrutiny and, it must be said, he's been very effective in the task. Keith Langley disabled the Code of Ethics which is entirely consistent with his paranoid style of governance. The man snuck an entire Board of Ethics and a casino past the public in carefully orchestrated special meetings designed to exclude the public and pre-empt any criticism of his actions. Fortunately, each of these efforts backfired as will the indefensible decision to forbid the public from filing ethics complaints.
ReplyDeleteyou are all so hard on one man who represents only 16000 people--I am as upset about the casino dealings and lying as anybody-
ReplyDeletebut i just don't think our supervisor is the only one who carries the blame--
we have cuomo, jimino, danaher, fiacco eta al--
where's the venom toward them?
in fact, I believe that your Supervisor was simply doing what he was told by his higher ups--that's why ms matters was worried about what was going to happen to him
if lobbyists and casino operators can change our nys constitution with their money then
langley is just a link in the chain
5:03 - who do you think Langley's higher ups are? I contend that we, the 16000 residents of the town are his higher ups, and he neglected to ask us about the casino and snuck around so we wouldn't find out on our own. After he treated us that way he shouldn't be suprised that the consequences are "hard" and neither should you. As for the others in the chain they aren't the ones who we pay to protect our interests, see to it that our zoning is enforced, follow our master plan, and responsibly manage our finances. This was a local issue and our local representatives (except Matters) failed miserably. Langley is the Supervisor and he failed when we needed him.
Delete@ 5:37 PM- The Supervisor bears the majority of the blame. He is the one who sets the Town Board agendas, he is the one who could have asked questions, he is the one who scheduled the individual meetings to get around the open meetings law, he is the one who sent his deputy supervisor to the casino hearing with false information... the list goes on and on... Mr. Langley let us all down on many, many occasions...
DeleteThere's the rub "I believe that your Supervisor was simply doing what he was told by his higher ups"
ReplyDeleteCan't the man think for himself?
The reality is that the Town Board's "higher ups" are the electors of this Town. For far too long, these folks have forgotten their 8th grade Civics lessons and have considered the Town's political "players" to be their higher-ups. That's how we get illegal Plat approvals, duplexes with 4 front doors, buildings built with sewer connections entirely under the radar, casino initiatives from real estate speculators, roads paved with Town funds to benefit developers, stipends, early retirement incentives for insiders.....and the list goes on and on and on. There's an "underworld" operating in EG made up of both political allegiances that cooperates to screw the electorate. They need to be removed.
ReplyDeleteWhether he was getting it from the people in the county or not Mr. Langley could have said wait a minute here lets take a real good look at this casino thing here. I agree with you yeah he had the so called higher ups calling the shots, but he like MAM could have taken a better look at this casino thing and made up his own mind, and not his mind made up by the people from the county.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the sword....far too long the higher ups in this town have been pretty much getting away with murder. We the electorate got rid of McCabe, and we can damn well do the same with Langley, Mangold, Matters, Dimartino, or Malone. That is the power of the people if you don't like what is going on you go out and vote for a change. The only one on that list that might get my vote is Matters, the rest of them could give me a million dollars and still not get my vote.
If I remember correctly, even before the "casino ordeal" Langley never made himself available to the public. He was then as now, above us all.......so he thought!
ReplyDeleteI still remember the first TB mtg when he finally spoke.....I think it was to Tom Grant.
Just as expected, Mr. Langley has been left in the political dust. Since the casino decision was made, he hasn't heard from one of the pushers who pushed him into this casino fiasco and have now left his political career for dead. Not a thank you, not a what can we do for you, not a how can we help you has come from a one of those unconscionable greed-mongers. They're gone. But oh how different it would be for him now if EG was chosen as the sight. Politics is a dog-eat-dog world of usury and greed. Only politicians who serve the people and recognize them as their true supporters live to see re-election. By Nov 2015, Mr. Langley will have realized that too late.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that Mr. Langley's political career was "toast" no matter which way the casino decision went. That's because of the way he conducted himself in the process. He had the authority and responsibility as an elected Supervisor to open up the process to the will of the people. He cooperated in keeping it secret.
DeleteJust saw the "house on the hill"(Thompson hill)today.....and yes, there are four (4) front doors!
ReplyDeleteThere is no polling to support whether Langley is re-electable or not, but there are signs that can be read.
ReplyDeleteIn the Southern Tier, applicants broke bread, came together and implored the Governor to re-open the process and reconsider issuing the fourth license. In Rensselaer today, Mayor Dwyer doubled down and asked for the scoring by the commission to be released and explained to him because based on the criteria set by the state, Rensselaer was a clear front runner in virtually every category. While Rensselaer may be smaller than Schenectady, their per capita numbers may put them on an equal basis with Schenectady as far as need.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, here in East Greenbush, nothing but crickets. There is not silent majority now expressing their discontent with NOT getting a casino. No one, other than those who would profit, seem to be all that upset. No great effort to question the process, no articles about what could have been in the advertiser, nothing. The silent majority has remained silent throughout the process which leads one to believe that they never existed. The problem for keith is that even the most ardent supporters are now silent. No one is promoting the muffin man for a future position in town because of his great effort. No one is expressing thanks to Chris or Keith for bringing this great promise of hope to the town. And even the two of them are not promoting a plan of great vision for the town in the absence of this project.
If they were truly the leaders they think they are, they would have been promoting a full agenda of positive options for the town. Tax reform, other potential projects, etc. In fact, come to think of it, they really haven't solicited anyone to come to town. They jumped on what they thought was an opportunity that was brought to them. There are a number of projects or places in the area that can be promoted as being beneficial to the town. Where are they promoting those sites, those projects and doing so in a manner that encourages them to go through the process the way they should?
Is Keith toast? If you were a betting man, (pardon the pun), how much would you bet on him to win? When people start talking about the anyone but Keith ticket, place your bet on anyone BUT him.
NO "CASINO" Langley in 2015!!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is an idea for Langley to promote. Last week in the paper it was reported that Sonic was coming to the area, how about getting one in EG? I have the perfect spot too, the old Weathervane. You know the place that has the second redevelopment sign in front of because the first redevelopment sign rotted away.
ReplyDeleteSorry to break it to you, but the 2015 tax bills are now available.
ReplyDeletehttp://egov.basny.com/EastGreenbush/
Pete Stenson
Pete, can you explain how come I click on this link, search Keith Langley and his property tax is based on $115,800 but according to assessment rolls it's valued at $255,400?
DeletePete,
DeleteCan you explain why both the Tax Levy and the Tax Rate have increased in the Town of East Greenbush portion of the Tax Bill for 2015? I thought I read somewhere that there was supposed to be no tax increases in 2015.
I believe they are different properties that him and his wife own.
ReplyDeletecorrect.
Delete70 Ridge Rd and 4 Langley Ln
Pete Stenson
Jack, in your commentary of December 29, 2014 at 7:30 AM you have, once again, eloquently framed and summarized a discussion (ethics in this case) perfectly when you said “if you have conducted yourself in an ethical manner in all dealings than you have nothing to fear, and if you have done less than your best you should have to answer to the people who elected you.” Going forward, this is the ethical standard to which every one of us in EG needs to hold ourselves accountable and demand from every last person who serves and deals with our town.
ReplyDeleteQuote from page 13 of SELECTION OF THE NEW YORK GAMING FACILITY LOCATION BOARD http://www.gaming.ny.gov/pdf/12.17.14.GFLBSelection.pdf
ReplyDelete“The Board notes that the level of public support for the Capital View project was significantly less than was the case for the other three Capital Region Applicants.”