The East Greenbush First team has published its Platform and Plan for governing on their website and it is available at this link: http://www.eg1st.org/platform
What a refreshing and encouraging approach to candidacy and governing!! This slate has done their homework and has produced a plan to which they can be held accountable by the people.
I read the platform last evening. EG1st seems to have a very comprehensive plan. I have seen none of this from the Republicans or Dems. Granted this will not happen overnight. Give Jack, Tina and Tom the chance to do what the others have not. I know how I am going to vote.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Anony. I don't believe that anything like this has ever been produced by candidates before. It demonstrates that they have done their homework in a very serious manner. And it's a standard by which performance can be judged - it's like a job description which good businesses put in place for employees. It's a very serious, mature and intelligent approach to governing East Greenbush. They should be complemented and elected.
ReplyDeleteI haven't fully reviewed their platform yet, will do, but I don't see the words Capital Plan or Financial Recovery Plan in the index of topics. Maybe it's coming. Still, they're head and shoulders above the other candidates. If the voter turn out for the primary yesterday, which was disgraceful, is any indication of voter interest, EG1st has their work cut out for them but seven weeks to get people's attention isn't much time. Hopefully, residents will decide to help themselves and vote on 11/3 for Jack, Tina & Tom. Otherwise, they have no right to complain about anything under the sun.
ReplyDeleteWhile they don't use those specific terms, they address it under their Town Finance section "The crisis in Town finances must be addressed with an aggressive, multi-faceted strategy that seeks to restore our credit rating, control the rising cost of government, access external sources of funding, and implement a strict system of internal controls. We must create sound long-term financial policies and keep the public informed."
DeleteIt's possible to look at the whole Platform as a financial recovery plan.
DeleteNow that the primary is over, Mary Ann Matters and Deb DiMartino should sit down with Supervisor Langley and start governing as they were elected to do. First thing they should do is straighten out the problem with Anthony Corellis and work together.
ReplyDelete9/11 @ 4:59 p.m. Sorry, but the good ship SWF sailed and sunk. It's resting on the ocean floor insalvagable. Let it RIP.
ReplyDeleteThis post is dedicated to EG1st and their new and detailed platform. So much to talk about and learn. Hopefully, they will be putting their platform piece by piece in the Advertiser as well. The concept of residents, not self-serving political neophytes, governing their/our town is as refreshing as the autumn air. This is a history making event in East Greenbush. Let's all come together to make it happen.
JACK, TINA, & TOM 11/3/15
Resident forums are great but with so little time left until 11/3 the candidates time would be better spent going door to door. The majority of people who will attend the forums are already supporters. Time is precious now.
ReplyDeleteI asked Jack the same question, and this is what he said:
Delete"We're out in the neighborhoods every night and day. We're trying to run a campaign of ideas and substance and we want to put ourselves out there and answer questions. EG FIRST is a new kind of politics. We'll combine the best of the old - getting out and meeting everyone - with some new approaches that will give people an in depth look at how we think and what we want to do. It's time residents were given more than sound bytes and insincere campaign slogans."
Well Talks is sure quiet. Wouldn't be surprised if they were trying top put together some kind of scenario to counter the inevitability of EG1st. I think the Town is absolutely tired of the machines. And Maney, Hart, Benko and McCabe working for Langley's survival is revealing. Both machines are in survival mode. "They're all the same. It's all about the insider "projects" and what they've cooked up. Just a follow-up on that ultimate conspiracy of the casing fiasco. Hart, Maney, Davis, Langley, DeFruscio and the rest. All in the same bathtub.
ReplyDeleteAnd how many ovens are going to be in that quad-duplex on Thompson Hill, Joe? So it's "ovens" that define a living unit? They've got it all figured out.
Do you think the Dem ticket could be in to any kind of reform agenda? They nominated somebody who owes the Town $41,000 according to the State Comptroller. Talk about in your face arrogance.
Delete7:17 PM (Chris?) They are as much reformers as the Langley ticket. Supervisor Langley has had over three years to recoup the owed monies. Why don't you ask him why he hasn't even tried to collect.
ReplyDeleteTalks is quiet because DVW and Stenson run it but they don't want to be tagged with it while they're campaigning. Sorry guys, too late. You should have thought of that before you started a flog-blog dedicated to negativity instead of positivity. Now you're trying to put yourselves out there as voices of reason? Good luck with that. How about supporting the voices of reason instead, Jack, Tina and Tom. Nobody believes that you guys want any better for the town than we have right now. If you're trying to convince us otherwise, sorry again, we're not idiots.
ReplyDelete9/13 a.m. And also why hasn't Supervisor Langley looked into any number of improprieties that have occurred since he was elected in 2012?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Because from day one of his term, he's been working both sides of the political aisle for support. That's why there are democrats in town jobs and why town hall is a virtual fortress of silence. Things would be much worse if Langley could have scored the holy grail of politics, the coveted cross-endorsement. After the casino went bye-bye, so did the cross. The only cross Langley has now, is the one to bear on election day after facing three challengers. Ouch!
Jack/Tina/Tom 2015!
Talks is quiet because Andrea and Pete took a real drubbing in the primary elections.
ReplyDeleteNow Stenson and DVW are running away from Talks responsibility, saying that they "designed" it that way. The third culprit is Jim L. That's the place where DVW's fundraiser was held.
ReplyDeleteLet's get away from which blog is better than the other blog and let's get back to a civil discussion of the important issues.
ReplyDeleteAmen, I stopped reading talks because it's consumed with copying pasting posts from here and complaining (that and it's not a blog about EG politics as much as it's a blog obsessed with MAM and Corellis - boring!).
DeleteTomorrow (9/15) the absentee ballots will be counted at the BOE. There are 138 ballots still left to count, which could change the outcome of the primary on 9/10. There was a lot of foul play involved with getting votes. A lot of lies were told to people, especially town employees, in an effort to scare them into voting for Langley. This is the business as usual mentality of machine politics. We need a refreshing change.
ReplyDeleteJack/Tina/Tom 2015!
The EG1st team knocked it out of the park tonight at the Resident's Forum. Hopefully the video of the meeting will be up on Truth and perhaps the EG1st website for viewing by the citizens of East Greenbush. We all have to pay attention to this slate of candidates. Finally there is a real alternative to the conspiratorial and secret backroom governance from which this Town has suffered for so long. We have a chance for a clean break!!
ReplyDeleteAnother Home Run! Over 1500 signatures to get East Greenbush 1st on the ballot on election day and last night’s very well attended Residents Forum. Looking forward to a Grand Slam on November 3. Jack, Tina, Tom 2015!
DeleteLast night Jack, Tina and Tom answered questions for over two hours. What a refreshing contrast to the Keith Langley policy of not allowing residents to ask questions at TB meetings.
ReplyDeleteJack, Tina and Tom on November 3.
I saw people there last night who may have just been spys for the major party factions. This shows they they're nervous about their competition. For myself, I'd rather see candidate debates then resident forums. Will Supr. Langley attend a debate now that he's all puffed up from winning the primary? Will he go nose to nose with Jack, even Dave? I say no way.
ReplyDelete1248- Jack, Tina and Tom practiced what they been saying all along. They want open and transparent government. Everyone was welcomed and given as much time as they needed to ask questions and express their opinions. If there were "spies" there I'm sure they were impressed as well and might actually be reconsidering their candidates.
DeleteBravo! Jack,
Tina and Tom. You are on the road to victory in November.
The East Greenbush GadflySeptember 16, 2015 at 2:45 PM
ReplyDeleteHere's the latest action from Moody's. I simply can't understand why movement hasn't taken place on this matter. I have a suspicion that the reason is that the administration doesn't want an audit report with a "qualified" opinion. They are under the illusion that if they wait long enough they can get an "unqualified" opinion. The last audit from UHY produced a "qualified" opinion notwithstanding attempts of the responsible administration at that time to assert that it was "unqualified." This is just plain irresponsible.
https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-withdraws-3-local-governments-for-lack-of-audited-financial--PR_334655
Sorry I couldn't make it last night, but I'm already a big supporter of EG1st. Can't wait till election day.
ReplyDeleteJust came from the town board meeting. This might possibly be the most dysfunctional town board in the history of the town. It's bad enough that there are only four board members but tonight there were only three present as CP Malone was absent again. The voting part of the meeting went lightening fast but the comment portion of the meeting was painful to watch as the three board members, including our clueless supervisor, were forced to sit and listen to the same unresolved complaints they hear every month, but this board is deaf, dumb and blind...utterly useless, so nothing gets done. And did one resident really mean it when he said the town finances are fine or was he being facetious? Because of this indefensible supervisor, it is my opinion that the SWF platform that we all bought into never stood a chance. I look forward to seeing what the two councilwomen can do with a competent, sensible supervisor at the helm who hasn't locked them out. Oh, geez, what a mess. For the sake of the town, November can't come fast enough.
ReplyDeleteJack, Tina, Tom 2015!
DVM and Tom Grant had the courage to try to ask questions of Mr. Langley at last nights Town Board meeting. Of course Mr. Langley decided to selectively enforce his ridiculous no questions allowed rule for people he disagreed with by refusing to address their valid concerns. Jack Conway then stood up and attempted to curry favor with Nr. Langley by speaking softly, hoping that Mr. Langley could be coaxed into giving some sort of response. Mr. Conway should know by now that Mr. Langley will never respond. Let's hope Mr. Conway now realizes this. The only way to approach a bully like Langley is to confront him publicity like Dave and Tom. They once again exposed Langley for what he is. Jack's attempt at a kumbaya moment with Keith was embarrassing. Jack needs to toughen up if he is going to be our next Supe.
ReplyDeleteI'm still for Jack over Dave as Supervisor, but I loved Dave's energy over Jack's mini lecture.
Kudos to Eileen Grant, Dave VanWormer and Tom Grant for trying to get Keith Langley to answer important questions about our town finances at last night's TB meeting. As usual, there were no answers forthcoming from Mr. Langley. In fact, Supervisor Langley even refused to allow Town Comptroller, George Phillips, who was sitting in the front row, to respond. Instead, he directed his former Deputy, Ed Gilbert, to say that things "aren't that bad." I'm sorry, Mr. Langley, but I'm with Dave, Eileen and Tom., Why wouldn't you allow Mr. Phillips to respond?
ReplyDeleteAsking Langley to answer questions is pointless. We need to move forward. We need a leader who has control over his temper, who has ideas, who can make a statement. Anyone can stand in front of a room and ask questions.
ReplyDeleteWe need a leader who can write a comprehensive financial recovery plan. We need a leader who can articulate that plan. We need a leader who can move forward on a clear path. We need a leader who actually understands what the Moody's rating means, not just someone who read the article and asks questions.
Come on people, wake up. Aggression gets you no where. Asking questions of Langley is pointless. Read the EG1st platform. Talk to the candidates and find out where they stand, how much they understand, and how they plan to move forward. You will find out a lot by listening.
7:28 a.m.
ReplyDeleteNormally I don't respond to blog comments during the campaign but I think you make some fair points but you misunderstand my motives. I believe candidates have a special responsibility not to use Town Board meetings for campaigning. Some candidates only show up at meetings when they're running for office. I go all the time and if you do too, than you know that I always speak my mind and don't mince words. Loud posturing by candidates at Town Board meetings is not tough and energetic, it is inappropriate and self-serving. That goes for candidates from all parties. One of the biggest problems we have is that politicians (elected and running) put politics before doing what's right for the Town by using Town Board meetings to ply their own agendas. I have never done that and I'm not going to start now because that would be a sign that I'm sacrificing my principles for political advantage, which, in a nutshell, is what I'm running against.
In a campaign, you have numerous avenues to express your views. We had a Residents Forum and will have more. I'm going door to door. We're doing mailings. We hope to have debates. These are the appropriate places to campaign. The Moody's issue is a very serious one and as a resident I needed to express that. But as a candidate, I had an obligation to do so in a polite and respectful manner. If you're embarrassed by that so be it. Personally I think a person shows more toughness by being civil than by being loud. Volume isn't courage, it's just volume.
Jack:
DeleteI didn't see or hear any loud posturing by any of the candidates, including yourself, at last night's TB meeting. I believe that both Dave and Tom responded civilly to Keith's refusal to answer a question about the town's finances from Tom immediately after Keith directed his town attorney and building inspector to answer questions raised from a resident. Both Dave and Tom have also been attending TB meetings for years as well. I'm all for them and any other people to ask questions about town finances and any other issues of interest to them. After all, it's our money the town board is spending.One last thing. Don't forget that Keith is a candidate also and has been for quite some time. That hasn't stopped him from making a number of unprovable assertions in his Supervisors Report over the last several months.
I just sent the following to Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola via Facebook message.
Delete"Mr. Merola......you very publicly endorsed Keith Langley for Supervisor of East Greenbush. You specifically agreed with his claim to have reduced the Town's debt by millions. This claim is a lie and cannot be substantiated. Moody's has just moved East Greenbush from Junk Bond status to its watch list and finally to no rating at all because the Town has not or cannot produce audited financial statements. Some of us taxpayers have been all over this issue for some time. Your credibility has been seriously compromised by your highly questionable politics in this instance."
9:41 AM, It's simple Langley wouldn't allow Phillips to respond because Keith is very worried about what George will say. The last time George responded to questions about town finances didn't work out well for Langley. I'm afraid there will be no effort made to address the finances until Langley is voted out of office. By the way, Don Johnson also made some very good points when he spoke to the board last night. I'm not sure Langley and his SWF ticket heard one word of them though.
ReplyDeleteWhether Langley likes it or not, the questions about the finances are just not going to go away until he decides to answer them. The Langley financial coverup is beginning to stink as much as his Waste Water Treatment Plant.
I too was pleasantly surprised to see DVM stand up to Langley. I'm looking forward to the candidates debates.
Langley is a bully and probably the worst supervisor the town has ever had but still he won the primary. Explain that.
ReplyDelete10;09- I agree with almost everything you write. Except that I don't think Langley should be given a free pass from answering questions. He should be challenged every meeting to respond to the town residents. In fact, he did direct members of his staff to answer questions selected questions. Langley is trying to play this the same way he attempted to play the casino. Don't answer any questions and make decisions in closed door non-public meetings. This is the attitude that got our town into junk bond status in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't support Dave in the election. I commend him for joining with Jack, Tom, Eileen and Don in trying to get answers from Langley at town board meetings.
Langley needs to realize that part of his job is to answer questions.
Jack, Tina and Tom on election day.
A real, verifiable report on the finances of this town with a certification of the accuracy of the report to the people is what is needed from the CFO, Keith Langley If he can't,or won't produce an audit and prepare our books for an outside audit then the other elected officials should step in and carry out their sworn fiduciary duties These circumstances are neither self serving or political. Moody's Investment Services chose the time to issue their report and this new crisis is based on their well respected analytical judgement.
ReplyDeleteI remain interested in a written, verifiable report to the people of East Greenbush on the fiscal status and forecast. Anecdotal information, private backroom meetings with the Comptroller and vague reassurances in the Advertiser are not acceptable. .
Under Langley's watch:
ReplyDelete- No published Financial Recovery Plan
- No meaningful communication about finances with Town Residents
- Unsubstantiated claims from the Supervisor in campaign ads
- Sound bites from the Comptroller that paint a bleak picture about continued lack of finance controls
- A silly evasionary stunt pulled by our Comptroller (orchestrated by Langley?) to avoid public meeting on finances.
- Downgrade in bond rating from Junk Bond to Cannot Be Rated.
Looks to me like things are still spiraling out of control. Langley's word and his campaign ads are meaningless. We need facts. We need the OSC. We need change.
Don't forget his failed casino that was to be plotted in a residential neighborhood immediately surrounded by a school, nursing home and girl scout camp, and in walking distance to our high school. As well as a whore house, and a plethora of tattoo and smoke shops to get your bongs. Well done Langley, well done!
DeleteI believe the tattoo parlor and porn shop on 9 and 20 happened when the McCabe administration was in power. Where was the vision for 9 and 20 then? What solid commercial operations want to open up with that stuff in the immediate neighborhood? Both machines have been involved in selling the Town down the river for the benefit of the insiders. When is enough, enough?
DeleteTwo new tattoo and two new smoke shops under Langley. The other whore house that got closed down by the fbi I was referring to
Delete@ 5:29 PM, My recollection is that the porn shop came in when McCabe was the Supe but the Reps. had the majority on the TB.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. And the casino debacle was engineered by Dem insiders when the Reps had the (dubious) majority on the TB. Just shows that the machines are both the same stuff.
DeleteNot the porn shop...HONEYBEE
ReplyDeleteHow does this stuff happen? We want the revitalization of 9/20, but nobody in leadership responsibility has the skills to vet the "businesses" they want to put there. What business that doesn't live off the fringes of our culture would want to locate where that kind of stuff is? Is anybody minding the store?
DeletePart One of the Resident's Forum is available here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvWgLlBiGeQ
And Part Two of the Resident' Forum is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjtULmgrOH8
It appears that the Talks and East Greenbush Matters blogs are up and running again. It is obvious both Dems and Republicans are stressed out and afraid that Jack, Tom and Tina are shoo-ins for the November election.
ReplyDeleteThey are taking their cue from the Republicans on the National level. Not willing to talk about any issues of significance - both local parties are focusing on non-issues such as signage, party loyalty and personal attacks. I wondered how long it would take for the Dems to go back on their word to have a clean campaign. I thought Dave's word at the Dem caucus was trustworthy and honest but I was proved wrong. Attacks on Jack's credentials are ludicrous and pathetic - and I would match his resume against any one of the candidates for the other parties. Of course the Matters blog is run by Ed Gilbert - so I guess attacks on Mary Ann and Deb are to be expected.
EG1st has already had 1 very successful Residents' Forum. When are we going to have information sessions from the other candidates? Or are they going to remain silent as they always have in the past?
Let's show the old guard they can no longer thumb their pinocchio noses at us or ignore us. Jack, Tina and Tom in 2015.
You nailed it Anony.....signage, party loyalty and personal attacks. Great minds run deep.
DeleteI have just watched every minute of the 2 part public forum.
ReplyDeleteI found it to be an honest interpretation of current town status, on many levels. While some of the issues were almost painful to learn, the take away message from Jack, Tina & Tom was "We can turn this town around" or we are headed for town wide economic disaster. Jack, Tina and Tom, have had my confidence and vote. NO Doubts from this lifelong resident.