Monday, January 13, 2014

Troy Council minority will likely get its counsel


GORDON
It doesn’t appear hiring a lawyer for the two minority Troy Council members is dead yet.
Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, said he and Councilman Dean Bodnar, R-District 3, will discuss the matter with Mayor Lou Rosamilia in an effort to find the $15,000 necessary to pay attorney Kelly Cramer.
KOPKA
There was some confusion at the first Council meeting earlier this month as to how to pay the salary. It is, after all, the first time the minority opted to take advantage of a section of the Charter that was changed to allow the hire in 2009. But, it’s also the first time members of the minority were given committees to chair so the need for an attorney to draw up legislation is there, Gordon said.
While the Times Union indicated the matter never came up for a vote, it said President Rodney Wiltshire did not have the majority five votes necessary to allocate the money. Two members – Lynn Kopka, D-At Large, and Gary Galuski, D- District 6 - asked where the money would come from. A legitimate question, it appears nobody really had the answer to.
I don’t see how Rosamilia can do anything but find the money somewhere since the position is in the Charter so the minority will likely get its counsel. But, since there was not a line item allocating the salary in this year’s budget, the mayor will have to find the money and then ask the Council to formally transfer it. The amount, according to the Charter, is the same as the majority counsel, $15,000, who is now Joe Liccardi.
I’ve gone back and forth on the need for the minority attorney since I first heard it discussed back in the 90s when Republican Carmella Mantello was the vocal opposition. On the one hand, the minority should have legal expertise in the spirit of a true two-party system. On the other, the corporation counsel is supposed to work for the entire Council so, in a perfect world, the minority has access to that office. It’s hardly ever a perfect world, however, and the corporation counsel is hired by the mayor and knows who to thank for a paycheck.
While it was nothing more than a discussion for years, by a local law that largely flew under the radar then President Clement “Chappy” Campana, a Democrat, successfully steered through an amendment to the charter allowing the appointment in 2009. It was vetoed by then Republican Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and the Council eventually overrode. Tutunjian and Campana, in an odd spirit of bipartisanship since they’ve never had that great of a relationship, both spoke against the hire and/or procedure at the meeting earlier this month.
The fact the salary was questioned, however legitimate, is another indication of the divide between the majority caucus. Whiltshire (pictured above) should have known about the transfer of funds but there is a learning curve with any new president. I also suppose the Council could have just OKed the salary and put the onus on Rosamilia to find the money and then formally transfer it later but that didn’t happen. While it wasn’t all out animosity, it was a sign that people of both parties are going to be watching every move Wiltshire makes.




 


 

77 comments:

  1. They should get rid of both counsels and make Silverman do his job and forget about running for City Judge.

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    1. Remember Silverman I wont forget your misdeeds Better Pack up and leave after the next election you little squirrel

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  2. HAD ENOUGH

    Really I think we have had enough of Chappy and Harry, fellows please go live your lives and stay out of Troy politics and Troy government.

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    1. I tried to listen to the whining of Jim Franco on Sunday morning at 10:00am on talk radio 1300. What a crybaby he is with his lack of credibility with his fake e-mail correspondence between city council members and the final straw was when the news came on at 18 minutes after the hour, cutting off the sick banter of Jimino. and Franco.

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    2. Jimino only said unfunded mandates 3 times. It was a miracle!

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  3. When can Mark McGrath come back?

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    1. Mark why do you keep blogging about yourself, move on with your life you're in the same position as Harry and Chappy. Thanks we've had enough of all of you guys. Enjoy your job with McInerny you're two of a kind.

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    2. Counsel --he didn't need any stinkin Counsel!!!!!!!!!! Looked good in his nutra-rat sweater too.

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    3. Unfortunately for Troy there is a for sale sign in front of his house.

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    4. What about his very large side kick. You know. The one that owns pips with the zba chairman

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    5. I heard he and willy are both moving to South Carolina and close to Fitzgerald in Virginia

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  4. This mark McGrath not do anything to help my family in fact he part of problem not solution with rat jim Gordon and rat citizen Vito who got fired from ge and had to tell bill chamberlain. And rat snow man king Murphy and park corvette on my family property while on 112 burn and I plant Vito old cell phone and call council make mirch tear down on his dollar he cost cox family millions in lost revenue and I would not have to be driving this pos Chevy s10 from 1988 that sonny doin teach me welding and I was a cook worked with my brother and started tree business come from Florida cu horror story my brother tell me of troy and how he treated and I come help and enlist friends randy and john and eddy and we open wards up on 5th under new mayor watch and I dot shake mayor Lou hand

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    1. I speak with ken young sr who tell me horror stories of troy snd this councilman and I had to come to troy to see it. I have so many people come to me with information on how bad troy is and the government surpressing them. They did my family up on 5th first two ton engine harry now Lou. I speak with counsil and get to bottom. Jack rj should have been mayor. He paved the way for Lou and he owes us take down our building and dethrone rat citizen Vito and karma king coming the one with the most toys win. For me I have an 88 s10 sweet red rims and racing stripes

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  5. If you watch 60 minutes about A-Rod look at that Tony Bosch guy ratting everyone out and think about Kevin McGrath at the Brunswick state troopers with his lawyer. Bet that was the same.

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    1. do you ever not think about Kevin? Let it go. You'll rest easier. Letting someone get inside your head like that can't be healthy. Or is it a crush?

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    2. Flattered Kevin? Funny how you told people you didnt have time to run again because of new job but you have time to post on blogs and facebook and giggle with the other misfits at council meetings

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    3. Must be someone who works for Cats Eye with a rat fixation

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    4. You prolly think that funny

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    5. here are facts: His name is in Your mouth. He owns you. You are consumed by Him and can't let it go. Its okay. Let it go. It's only hurting you. Or is this an "it gets better" moment?

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  6. I'm confused by it all. Maybe a few extra pancakes at Manory's on Saturday might help me understand. Rodney & Gordon? I can see them manning the controls of the flying shark, as together they plan to create green jobs, and bring harmony between the political parties. I would imagine this is all confusing the crap out of Gulumpski too. Rods going to flex his muscles --bring a lunch Gary Extra syrup.please on those johnnycakes.

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    1. Then why did Rodney speak against solar panels at the recent zba meeting?

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    2. If the solar panels that Rod spoke against don't get pass by the ZBA expect a massive lawsuit against Rod and the city. Maybe Rod should be careful who he flexes his muscles to.

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    3. Are you saying solar king spoke against solar panels? Did he want the contract for himself? Does he still want them on the land fill? What is going on here Jim please let us know? Did he sell his soul for a run at the mayors race in 2016 I'm so confused Jim please do a story on this. Why does he blow his snow into the public street. Oh jeez so many questions

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    4. I though his father was a solar panel.

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    5. Let's see if Rodney can lift Bill Dunne with his tongue

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    6. He didn't speak against the solar panels, he was speaking against the shotty company trying to pass them off as a good system. He used his knowledge and expertise to defend the tax payers and constituents of this city. get your facts straight. You are all grasping at straws to take him down. It's pathetic.

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    7. Don't you ever work rodney? You have all this time to twist things in your favor. Pathetic

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    8. I heard the company is going to sue the city. A municipality that says no to solar energy and a counc president trying to use his political weight to get something shot down. I don't think a counsel man has the right to speak against something using his title as a threat It will be interesting who is named in the lawsuit. Rod thinks he can just lick things away

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    9. Hopefully we get no more snow and rod doesn't has to throw hi snow into the clean street. Don't forget rod. It's only a title lil boy

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    10. Will Lou fund an additional 15000 in the illegal position rodney passed with only 2 votes. Chappy and harry both think this mans a fool

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    11. Look out bobby. Sondra little is coming for you

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    12. Rodney was only speaking about the shoddy company? I was there and Rodney rambled to the point that most in the room thought he was on drugs. And how is Rod's company doing anyway? Fortunately we get free healthcare, dental and eyeglass coverage from Rod's council appointment. Right Jolene? Now if we can only get Sara on the dole.

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    13. 12:31 -- read the charter. The individual caucus determines the counsel position, not the entire council. Money is the only issue that gets voted on by the entire council.

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    14. Yes they pick it but still need to vote it as a whole. Nummy

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    15. We need mark McGrath back

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    16. Please, NO more McGraths

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  7. I hear Neil Kelleher is working against the City of Rensselaer regarding the casino. His position with Off Track Betting is hurting Rensselaer County. We lose 10 million in sales tax. Even when we vote these clowns out they still screw the taxpayer.

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  8. The Greedy Bunch is back.

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  9. Lou should hire rod to lick the snow up. Get rid of hayner

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  10. Lou should hire Lynn to clean pipes thru city

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  11. I Kenneth s denaker will expose all the wrongdoing of troy. I just moved here. My friend robert cox told me stories I didn't believe. Time to change things I had to come see for myself and help my friend bob

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  12. Can't you get a better picture of Jim Gordon? He's so dreamy.

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  13. Got good buzz going. Feeling good. I don't care that Villa Valenti burning. Don't hate on me. Feeling indifferent. Need to post more youtube 80's love songs. Dated girl from there, mixed emotions. Wish i could fold up this day and put it in my pocket. Go Jets. Love my kids.

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  14. Why is rod allowed to go to the dpw garage and fill 5 gallon pails up with sand and salt mix. Who authorized this. Does he have a contract to buy from the city. Can I go full up buckets of sand and salt at the garage.

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  15. Are you kidding me. Taking gas for what? Go to the f-in gas station like everyone else you fool. Not one of those ball-less bastards at city hall will do a damn thing about it either. If Crawley was around, he'd be arrested --regardless of what party he belonged to. Who authorized this, Gordon?

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  16. I heard this yesterday. Why because he's an elected official he can just take city sand and salt as his own.

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  17. Taxpayer sand! What next your gonna tell me he blows his snow into the street or he used his title to shoot down a competitors project or on his free time he flies blowup fish. Come on.

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  18. Why was he alllowed to speak against a competitors project and ultimately have it shot down with outright lies. I hope that company brings a lawsuit. Hopefully he really didn't speak against power but that's what I hear.

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  19. What next is the zba chair gonna speak against competing bars to his own. Heard a bar is opening on 112 next to yours. Take rods lead and speak against it

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    1. Hey dummy --news flash --the business was sold a couple of years ago.

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  20. Concerned citizen robileeJanuary 15, 2014 at 9:43 PM

    I heard about him helping himself to sand but not gas. Not right

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  21. taking sand & salt? guess that one green job he created isn't paying off.

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  22. Lou I want my snack back

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  23. regardless of what he took --he took it. I'm sure others do it, but just the absolute gall of his actions are a disgrace.

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    1. He's been a disgrace since his oath of office an shootig down competitors project while bill dunne let him

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    2. Well, we will have to put up with his self-serving b.s. for two years. As we know, he is nobody's house person of color! The chubby one has certified that. The crowd at Mickey's approves and the Rabbitt will soar. Who else wants to hop aboard the train to nowhere?

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  24. Rodney seems to have alienated this administration as they are aware he will run all over them to attain the mayoral position he craves. His strong stance and words against the council and admin. was his way of pointing out how weak they are. It was a brilliant move and ascended him to be Troy's leader.

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  25. Troy's leader --what exactly has he accomplished? Nice guy and all --but cmon, Troy's leader?

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  26. This is no joke. It's no longer when will Mark McGrath be back its more we need him back.

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    1. No we don't. Hot headed fool. Anastasia is a great rep

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    2. He's not coming back. He learned the love of flying fish. Can't get him off the couch anymore or put a shirt on. Next he going to Florida just to take selfies.

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    3. Yeah because we'll miss his hairy chest and dumbass emails. Right.

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  27. I love my jenni says Forrest Gump. Troy has Forrest Dunne what does he love?

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    1. Auditors. Interns. Dormitory authority and toy trains

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    2. Tonya albany med. vic christopher. Irrmarking federal funds for sidewalks for hippies.

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    3. Does troy still get HUD money after bill dunne forced a contractor to redo sidewalks for a north central non for profit. Sondra wouldn't let that happen. Lou bring her back.

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    4. Lou couldn't have a black dept head. It would've freaked out Country Club Pete

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    5. Phony Baloney Pete looking out the window at the River.
      Thinking about jumping out and splatting himself on the pavement.

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  28. Gary is dpw chair. Let's ask him if rod should be down at the salt shed filling up pails for personal use. I plan to speak on this next council meeting. He prolly won't let me speak.

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    1. The only thing he should be Chairing, is a lounge chair. F-in guy failed a Recreation Aid CS test multiple times for God's sake.

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  29. Bills dunne accosted Russ reeves again today what a little bully trying to flex his muscles infront of Barbara

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  30. Middle of January when crime is statistically at it's lowest especially violent crime, well in Troy under this administration it's out of control. Shootings EVERY night and the news is Magnetto is leaving. Well so are the hard working taxpayers too. What happened to our city?

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  31. When is willie going kt South Carolina so they can build a new Stewarts. I want gas and ice cream. Common guys

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    1. You would think dunne would push this project. What has he accomplished. 3 failed bids at city hall site. No alley dining facility. Sexual harrasment and using HUD money for his non profit friends. And sent an illegal mailer for Herman Munster Dougherty in city letterhead

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