What’s going on (not the Marvin Gaye song) in Saratoga
Ripped from the headlines- DPW Commissioner was allowed to borrow from the General Fund, monies to offset the deficit between costs and income received for our water and sewer usage (our bills). It appears former Commissioner of Finance Ivins let the amount get up to nearly $1.5 million dollars. The problem as I understand it is that DPW has to pay back the General Fund for the monies borrowed, which hasn’t been done for a while, as a matter of fact since Ivins and Scirocco were in office, there was never even a plan on how to proceed with the payback. This, fellow Justice League members is going to result in sky rocketing water and sewer bills and I mean sky rocketing for Saratoga Springs home owners. Thanks to the smarts of current Commissioner of Finance Madigan and Deputy Bachner, they have started a framework on repayment and have already done so. Thank you, for that, girls. I say girls because they are very bright and businesses savvy young ladies, plus I like the term girls, meaning no disrespect to them.
One other item that may or may not interest you, but it does bug me. Usually when I’m out at night fighting crime and there are fireworks going off, I always think it’s because of my costume and City protection (give me some leeway folks). However, all kidding aside, it seems every Saturday night between 9:30 and 10:00 fireworks are booming. I have an idea, why fireworks every weekend? We all know how costly these displays are, so I have a suggestion. Those that spend the money for these fireworks do the following. Take the money you would have spent on these Saturday blasts, split the cost in half and put ½ in an account for fireworks for special events like 4th of July, Hat’s Off, First Night and a few other special events, then take the other ½ and donate it to a different food pantry or other needy non profits. You can have the distinction of being named a co sponsor of all the firework events and the tax breaks for the charitable donations. Then at least we won’t have to cry when the money is not there for a special event fireworks display.
Just a note on Commissioner Franck’s announcement of making a motion to have the Imperial Ruler, I mean Mayor Johnson remove the entire Housing Authority Board for past failures and now the insult of not replying to the state after having 3 months to write a response to the audit’s findings at this coming Tuesday’s Council meeting. Is this Commissioner the only one that has the pelotas to tackle this head on? It seems that the Mayor sits on his throne, I mean seat and is trying to use mental telepathy with Sutton while any of these discussions are being held at the table. I’ll tell you right now Mayor, its useless trying to play mind games with Deputy Sutton.
DPW is in deep trouble. Most municipalities require that a Professional Engineer be the Commissioner of Public Works. Look at Saratoga County. I am not saying that Tim Wales would be any better than Skippy.
ReplyDeleteSo if the water Department borrowed all of this money, and Ken Ivans allowed this to happen without council approval, Ivans was hiding money. We have had reduced city services because of this and Johnson Ivans Shirocco and Wirth were elected because of a fabricated budget crisis.
To the poster who had the things to say about the mind games, can you do me a favor and repost without using the reference to Sutton that you used? I don't mind using crazy titles for people but I really don't like using this one. I do appreciate you posting however, but give her a new title. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the City's Water and Sewer costs, City utility bills are going up "big time" because of all this mismanagement of Public Works, the previous finance Commissioner Ivins and the Mayor's involvement with Water Gate. And, let's not forget the huge increase in the County's sewer charge to the City. Check out the big increase in the City budget for the cost to the County Sewer District. $120,000 increase in that item alone. Is anyone within the GOP even care that the City taxpayers are once again being fleeced by the County??
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't the Mayor or Scirocco even speaking up about this problem…or are they again too close to the problem??
You are correct in everything you wrote. What is sad is the state of the Republican Party. J. Herrick was a large factor in the down fall and this new Chairman David Harper is keeping the slide greased for a further ride down. This is what happens when an aging Good Old Boy's Network tries to keep a grip on a Party. There should be a good 2 Party system in a City so races can be decided by qualified people not as a favor for someone. Challenging an incumbent with past bad Commissioner's or loser's is a bad sign for a political Party. Sad.
ReplyDeleteSkip Scirocco is probably the most incompetent Comm. ever to be elected to office. It doesn't surprise me @ all that he's put the DPW dept. in debt & now we, the taxpayer have to pay because he is incapable do perform his duties. All while the dumb shit continues to extend our water out to Wilton??? WTF!!!!! All while employees in his dept. had to be laid off, essential service down graded, & Skippy crying during every budget workshop he needs more money to hire more people. Where does he spend the extra money in his labor line??? In his office, hiring an Ex. Secertary so she can protect his lair, & last week hiring his son to fill a position that hasn't been filled in 5 yr. nor is it funded. All this guys does is continue to suck the public dry while lining his pockets & taking care of his incompetent son. Believe me, the apple didn't fall very far from the rotting tree.
ReplyDeleteNearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. -Abraham Lincoln
ReplyDeleteHow is the Mayor doing?
From what I can see he is still limping but ok otherwise.
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