It's an understandable mistake

REID (TIMES UNION PHOTO)

I think it is an honest mistake. Actually, it’s so understandable it’s painful.

I can see how it all went down now.

Martin Reid, chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature, gets let go from a pretty nifty $70,000--plus job at the state School Board’s Association and signs up for unemployment. The state Labor Department is pretty liberal in granting unemployment benefits to those just out of work – only to scrutinize later - and since he was making a good buck he gets the max, $405 a week.

Each week he hops online and answers a series of questions to get his $405, one of those being: “Did you work from such and such a date to such and such a date.”

Reid, sitting at his computer on a Sunday night or Monday morning, thinks about the previous week and comes to the only logical conclusion – he didn’t work.

Sure, he approved a resolution honoring the Hoosick Falls Junior Varsity Volleyball team for coming in third out of the four JV volleyball teams in Class DD. Yes, he signed off on another resolution urging state lawmakers to repeal the Safe Act.  And yes, he personally found the legislatures Veteran of the Month to honor and nominated a Rensselaer County Dairy Queen because he is friends with the teen’s parents.

That’s the gist of what the 19-member panel – that has an annual budget of $1.3 million – does at their monthly meetings so it’s understandable if Reid was confused with the word “work.”

But, for being the titular head of that body, Reid gets $30,000. Therein lies the rub.

He failed to report that income – whether he earned it or not – while collecting more than $15,000 in unemployment benefits and that is a problem.

 According to the Times Union, a state administrative law judge assigned the case said Reid: “Willfully and intentionally misrepresented the facts.”

According to the TU, each week Reid collected benefits he told the state he made less than the $405 eligibility threshold to collect any unemployment at all. But, also according to the TU, he made about $1,150 every other week to clap for volleyball teams (that last part was mine, not according to the TU.)

I did, however, break out my calculator and divided $1,150 by two and discovered Reid earned (made is a better word) $575 per week as chairman of the Legislature. That, in case you need me to hold your hand through this complex arithmetic, is $170 more than $405.

The state Labor Department referred the case to Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove, who has yet to indicate whether or not he will pursue criminal charges.

I would say Abelove, who like Reid is a Republican, is in a tough spot.

ABELOVE

His office just agreed to dismiss endangering the welfare of a child charges against the county’s top Republican operative, Rich Crist, for an altercation Crist had with his 17-year-old son. And it just so happens Crist makes more than $95,000 a year working for Reid. Also, according to the TU, Abelove , who has been in office all of 21 days, hired one of Reid’s relatives, Christine Labbate, as an assistant district attorney.

And, Crist’s brother, Greg Crist, represented Reid through his dance with the Labor Department.

Legalize for that scenario is: “In a tough spot.”

As an aside, I don’t see the difference between this case and that of Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, who the AG threatened to sue in an effort to recoup more than $30,000 in unemployment benefits Galuski collected while he earned $15,000 a year on the Council.

One difference is that Crist, who is Reid’s spokesman, told the TU Reid settled the case and paid what he was supposed to pay. I don’t know if Galuski did or not, but one reason the AG threatened civil action was because he wasn’t making his payments.

Why one is civil at the state level and the other referred to a local DA as a criminal matter I have no idea.

A police complaint, a notice of claim and there is still a deficit

ZALEWSKI

I was writing a Councilman Ken Zalewski vs. Councilman Gary Galuski column along the same lines as ChrisChurchill at the Times Union, but he beat me to it. And did a good job with it too.

Still, the one unanswered question – in addition to the fact the Troy City Council is squabbling over petty stuff rather than dealing with what is a major financial situation in the city – is why are they even filling a vacant position. Any vacant position. With anyone. It's in the budget, but so what. Spend it somewhere else. 

You can read Zalewski’s account of what transpired by clicking here.

Basically, the argument was about who the Council should hire as the assistant city clerk for $27,000 a year, Rebecca Sweeney or Rhonda Reed. The first is daughter to Board of Elections employee Mary Sweeney who is a loyalist to Democratic Party Chairman Tom Wade. The second is friend of Council President Rodney Wiltshire, or at least his wife. The first ran for a committee seat in District 8 and beat both Wade and Wiltshire (which is still kind of funny to me.)

GALUSKI

During the public debate, Zalewski said the last city clerk, Bill McInerney, was touted by members of the Council, including Galuski, as a hard working member of the Democratic Party. Little did anyone know at the time the hard work he was doing included forging absentee ballots.

Galuski didn’t much like that since he was indicted in the scandal. The charges were later dropped but still, it must have hit a nerve, because he allegedly said to Zalewski: “If you ever embarrass me like that again I’ll take you out.”

According to the Times Union, Zalewski filed a complaint with the Troy Police Department. Now that crime is down in Lansingburgh – history tells us the wanna be gangsters who kept shooting everything up this summer don’t like the cold weather – the TPD detectives I’m sure will send this squabble to the top of their “to do” list.

KOPKA

And still the question remains … why not leave it vacant for a while, save a little bit of money and maybe help close the deficit a little. Instead, both sides were hell-bent on getting their own person into a job.  

The latest complaint comes on the heels of Councilmen Jim Gordon and Dean Bodnar filing a notice of claim against another member of the Council, Lynn Kopka, for an email that hinted the two may have not gone along with a piece of legislation because they were bought off.

Meanwhile, the city spent $6 million more than it took in over the past three years and is staring at what could amount to an $800,000 deficit this year.

The asinine notice of claim and the bogus complaint to the Troy Police Department are indicative of where everyone’s focus is – on petty BS and personal agendas rather than the big picture and what is actually good for the city.  

You can't make this up: Councilmen files notice against fellow councilwoman (with EMAILS and DOCUMENTS)

KOPKA

In all my years of covering the Capital Region, in all the arguments, name calling, finger pointing and backstabbing I’ve seen nearly countless members of elected boards engage in with each other, I’ve never seen one sue another one.

But, this is Troy and the electeds here tend to set the bar for everyone else.

Last week, Republican councilmen Dean Bodnar, District 3, and Jim Gordon, District 2, filed a notice of claim against Councilwoman Lynn Kopka, D-At Large, for allegedly libelous comments she made in an email.

What makes it even funnier, Kopka inadvertently sent the email where she allegedly slanders Bodnar and Gordon to Bodnar and Gordon – and who knows who else. Honestly, you just can’t make this stuff up.

The email in question was about a piece of legislation that would require any contractors doing a project for the city worth more than $250,000 to implement an apprenticeship program. The non-union shops are against it while the unions – and by extension the shops that hire union help – are in favor of it. The program would make projects more expensive for the city because the contractors would be required to hire the apprentices. On the flip side, it does provide young people an opportunity to learn a trade.

(It’s odd in that a liberal Democrat like Kopka would be staunchly against a piece of legislation favored by the unions and seemingly go out of her way to stop it while two Republicans voted for it. Again, you can’t make this stuff up.)

Kopka, in an email note, to Josh Reap, legislative representative to the Associated Builders and Contractors of New York State, said:

“I thought the 2 republicans - Dean Bodnar and Jim Gordon - were leaning toward a no vote. I think the unions bought them off somehow. They do not have any of the info you provided to me. If you approach them, please do not mention my involvement - just tell them that you represent various contractors, etc and are aware of the legislation.

Your info and a call from a Troy contractor may push them to call the mayor to veto. Time is ticking thought. Keep me posted.”

Bodnar was infuriated and sent this scathing email to Kopka:

“It's 7:50 am on Saturday, and I'm seeing this for the first time. When you phoned me yesterday you didn't mention exactly what you'd written in this email which you'd sent to Jim "by mistake". You just said you sent him something and that now Jim had probably sent it on to everybody in the world...

BODNAR

REALLY? You're accusing Jim and me of being "BOUGHT OFF" on this issue? Do you have any idea what you've said here? Damn it Lynn, I want you to march right over to your acting district attorney and insist he impanel a grand jury to look into this. How can you possibly assert something like this when all we did was disagree with you on a legislative issue. I'm shocked and disgusted--what the hell kind of person are you? I'm copying Kelly Cramer on this---Kelly, please inform us if we have legal grounds for a suit for slander.

Jim's right--the ABC and anyone else who opposed the apprenticeship resolution had every opportunity to speak to all councilmembers for weeks prior to the vote. Where the hell were they? In fact, Jim and I had many conversations during that period in which we actually solicited opinions from local contractors to get their input on this. We honestly studied the issue, presented concerns in public forums on two occasions, sought dissenting views, and ultimately voted in favor based on the information provided. Isn't that what legislators are supposed to do? And because our vote was at odds with yours, WE WERE BOUGHT OFF???

Lynn, I really don't get upset very easily, but if you smear my reputation, or try to hurt my family--that gets me upset. You've got some serious backtracking to do here. If Jim and I decide to go public with this, you've got one hell of a PR problem 
. And maybe a legal one.”

Gordon too took exception. Here is his email to Kopka:

“This is an interesting thread. Interesting that you suggest that we were "bought off somehow". That's is a very serious accusation especially in the word of public service and ethics. I don't know who Joshua Reap is, but he along with anyone else had the opportunity to express their concerns during the two council meetings this was debated at for several hours. I did have a number of concerns with the original draft and those concerns were mitigated. Additionally, we were assured that any non-union contractor, through their association with the ABC had access to the AP and therefore would be a "qualified" contractor with the city.

GORDON

Finally, I am assuming my eyes were never intended to read this email. And you simply where attempting to make claims regarding myself and Dean privately and suggesting Mr Reap lobby and pressure us to change our mind long after the fact. The issue has passed and is over.

I wonder how many other people may receive this email accidentally...”

 The two Republicans, in turn, filed a notice of claim against Kopka. The opening paragraph of the draft notice of claim states: … “the claimants, Bodnar and Gordon, hereby claim and demand from respondents, Kopka and the City of Troy, monetary compensation for the compensatory and punitive damages sustained by reasons of respondent Kopka’s malicious composition and publication of an electronic email containing numerous libelous statements made of and concerning the claimants.”

  In the end, at the July 10 meeting, the legislation passed by a vote of 6-2 with two other Democrats, Gary Galuski, District 6, and Erin Sullivan-Teta, At Large, voting no and Kopka being absent.

And finally, here are texts of the emails between Kopka and Reap prior to the one Kopka sent to Bodnar and Gordon where she is trying to steer Reap into the best way to get the mayor to veto.

Kopka to Reap on July 24:

“I have not spoken to the mayor yet. will do so later today.”

From Reap to Kopka later that day:

“It was a very good opportunity to voice some concerns and share with the mayor the potential legal problems this legislation may cause both for the city and the many contractors who currently do work for Troy but would no longer be able to do so, should this bill become signed into law.

I have reviewed the legislation you sent me last night and I'm drafting a letter which will highlight our position as well as some of our concerns with the legislation. I will be happy to share a copy with you once its complete. I also got to speak with Bill; it was productive.

I want to thank you for inviting me to that meeting.”

From Kopka back to Reap:

“Josh - get the letter to the mayor (and me) as soon as you can. He only has a day or so before he must act. Happy to include you. All the material presented prior to today's meeting was one-sided.”

Reap to Kopka:

“You got it; letter will be shared tomorrow.”

Kopka to Reap:

“I am not optimistic that the mayor will veto - he is concerned that the council will override (currently split 6 for; 3 against).”

Back to Kopka:

“Thanks. Are there members of the council who voted "yes" but were on the fence?”

And that’s when Kopka sent the email to the world – where she accuses Gordon and Bodnar of being bought off - she thought she was sending just to Reap.

And here is a draft of the notice of claim:

 

Notice of Claim

EXCLUSIVE State: Councilman Galuski improperly collected $34,700 in unemployment benefits (UPDATED)

GALUSKI

A Troy councilman owes the state $34,700 in wrongfully obtained unemployment benefits and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants the money back.

In a lawsuit dated June 9, Schneiderman, on behalf of the state Department of Labor, said Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, improperly collected the money from Feb. 2, 2009 through Sept. 5, 2010 and now must pay it back(The lawsuit can be seen below.)

Galuski, who now works at the Board of Elections in Rensselaer County, was elected to the Council in 2006 and took office in 2007. He is in his last two year term and will have reached his eight year maximum at the end of next year. He was hired at the Board of Elections in 2010 and now makes $39,000. He has made $15,000 in each of his six-plus years on the Council.

According the suit, the state DOL had unsuccessfully attempted to collect the money and then asked Schneiderman, the state’s attorney, to bring the lawsuit.  

Galuski could not immediately be reached for comment.

 

Sully is no dummy; councilwoman's change of heart is telling

SULLIVAN-TETA

Councilwoman Erin Sullivan-Teta peeled away from her two Democratic colleagues on Monday’s vote to issue subpoenas in the investigation into controversial demolition projects in the city.

I’ve never met Sullivan-Teta, but a week ago she stood by Councilwoman Lynn Kopka, D-At Large, and Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, as Mayor Lou Rosamilia decried the investigation as a “witch hunt.”

Her change of heart is telling.

For starters, it reinforces what everyone involved Capital Region politics already knows – her brother, Mike Sullivan, is no dummy.

WILTSHIRE

Sullivan worked for former U.S. Rep. Mike McNulty for years and is now across the river working for Gov. Andrew Cuomo somewhere. He is a behind the scenes kind of guy but he knows the game as well as anyone – he learned from one of the best, Tom Matthews, after all - and I’ll be my house his consult was one reason his sister changed her mind.

Since Mike Sullivan, known as Sully, is no dummy, he must see the writing on the wall when it comes to Rosamilia. By that I mean the mayor is in such a weak spot on so many different levels that there is no way he runs again.

And if it’s not the mayor, then who from the camp of Chairman Tom Wade is left?

KOPKA

Kopka considered running when the nod went to Clement “Chappy” Campana more than two years ago and she is the next logical choice. But, she isn’t doing herself any favors by opposing the Council investigation into what is widely seen as a couple pretty big screw ups by members of the administration.

Then there is President Rodney Wiltshire. It’s no secret he has political ambitions and is thus far looking pretty good in what is a dicey situation. Thing is, he alienated the Wade crew by taking the Independence Party line from the Republicans and that helped knock Kopka, a Wade loyalist, out of the presidency last year.

ROSAMILIA

So long as Wade is around, I don’t see Wiltshire getting the nod without a primary and he’s said he won’t primary Rosamilia. That was a while ago and things could change. If it comes down to a primary between Kopka and Wiltshire, the early money is on Wiltshire. Obstructing a Council investigation into what has been the most ineffective borderline corrupt administration in nearly two decades is not something to put on a palm card.

And then what happens to Wade?

I guess there are other Democrats who would made decent candidates like Legislator Peter Grimm, Legislator Cindy Doran, a registered Conservative, or even someone from a while ago like former Deputy Mayor Jim Conroy.

WADE

But, Troy voters, the majority of which are Democrats, have proven they will toss entire slates of either party if they don’t like what’s going on and I don’t see how anyone could like what’s going on right now. There are no less than three federal agencies and a state agency snooping around the Collar City.  

At this point he only thing the Democrats have going for them is the Republican Party. They have nobody, and there are some who would just as soon cross endorse Wiltshire instead of taking a pounding at the polls in November 2015.

Anyway, the vote to issue subpoenas passed by a 7-2 count and the method of issuing them passed 6-3 with Councilman Bob Doherty, D-District 4, voting against. Doherty may have a point in that a document signed by the majority of Council members as opposed to a formal public vote might not hold up to legal scrutiny. I honestly don’t know, and I don’t think anyone does until a judge rules, or if it will even goes that far. While I applaud Wiltshire for doing what he is doing, he is making it more complicated than it has to be. That said, he is plugging along.

Who gets a subpoena will come later (DOCUMENTS)

WILTSHIRE

The Council will vote to issue subpoenas at tonight’s special meeting but it doesn’t give who it wants to subpoena.

The names will come at a meeting where the Council will address “a subsequent ordinance, specifically identifying and approving the individual or entity to be subpoenas and directing the appearance at subsequent public hearing to provide testimony and documents related to the questions and activities referenced in this ordinance.”

That’s according to the ordinance the Council will address tonight (which can be seen below) which authorizes the Council to investigate “city activities and processes concerning the following; demolition in and around the King Fuels site, demolition in and around the King Street site oversight and direction of the Code Department.”

Obvious names of people in city employment include Planning Commissioner Bill Dunne, Assistant Planner Andrew Kreshick, Fire Chief Tom Garrett, Deputy Mayor Pete Ryan and possibly even Mayor Lou Rosamilia.

ROSAMILIA

The ordinance also gives the Council the authority to subpoena “private individuals.” Obvious names that come to mind are attorney Don Boyajian and contractor J.R. Casale.

I will go into what each could bring to the table, and possibly add more names in a later post.

It seems to me this ordinance should have been passed weeks ago when the Council first questioned former City Engineer Russ Reeves and his assistant Barbara Tozzi. But, they testified voluntarily at the first public hearing so it’s no big deal. The second hearing also featured testimony from those there voluntarily.

Now, though, as the Council gets into the nitty-gritty, it can expect opposition so President Rodney Wiltshire - who has thus far, outside of one misstep, handled the entire thing with a unique mix of professionalism and political savvy - is going by the book.

KOPKA

I say there will be opposition based on the dog and pony show put on by Rosamilia and three members of the Council who are opposed to the inbestigation – Lynn Kopka, D-At Large, Gary Galuski, D-District 6, and Erin Sullivan Teta, I-At Large.

Rosamilia called it a “witch hunt,” which is akin to telling the Council to sit down and rubber stamp my administration instead of doing your job and being a check and balance.

Kopka said Wiltshire has not listened to the entire Council regarding who to subpoena. Galuski said he didn’t try to participate but he wasn’t asked to either.

My guess is, once the ordinance passes tonight, Wiltshire will ask his eight colleagues for a list of people they would like to question.

Why not? The more the merrier and it certainly trumps the “he didn’t include me” argument.

In addition to the Council probe, according to the Times Union, there are no less than three federal agencies and a state agency looking into the projects.

Ordinance 1

Witch hunt or check and balance?

Is the Council investigation into the administration’s actions a witch hunt or is it just doing its duty as a check and balance?

Think of it this way, with the number of missteps – and that’s a kind word to describe some of what has gone on - over the past 10 months or so, what do you expect any member of the Council who takes his or her job seriously to do?

Sit back and watch?

It they did, observers, taxpayers and columnists would bash them for not doing anything. I can hear it now, just like I’ve heard variations of it before: “Where does the Council stand.” Or, “What does the council think about that?” Or “didn’t the Council have to approve it first.”

By holding public hearings, President Rodney Wiltshire is doing his job and so are the members who support the investigation.

Mayor Lou Rosamilia is correct in calling it a witch hunt. But, he only has to worry if the Council actually finds someone turning people into newts (for you Monty Python fans out there) or casting evil spells and not just an eccentric old woman who talks to her cats.

Bad analogy, I know, but the fact remains if Rosamilia and company have nothing to hide, they shouldn’t worry about answering a few questions by a part time legislative body and they should just step up and answer the questions. Just as it’s the Coucnil’s obligation to ask, it’s the mayor’s to answer.

Instead, we have Rosamilia bashing the inquiry and Councilwomen Lynn Kopka, D-At Large, Erin Sullivan-Teta, I-At-Large, and Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, killing the vote on a technicality. Of all the blatant violations of the Charter I’ve seen over the years, not starting a meeting at 7 p.m. is up there with the most petty.

To the Rosamilia apologists who will certainly get on my case and say but “you said the Council should to stay out of the Police Department,” I will say you are correct. I did. But it’s apples to oranges. There wasn’t a sniff of corruption surrounding Police Chief John Tedesco. Anthony Magnetto was given the commissioner’s job as a political payback to some on the Council to appease the Police Benevolent Association. There wasn’t any asbestos strewn about a city street. There weren’t buildings being knocked down without appropriate engineering oversight. And there weren’t any land deals that just don’t pass the smell test.

Funny, I remember when Councilman Bill Dunne first got elected – or it may have been his second term – and I repeatedly called him an “effective check and balance” to then Mayor Harry Tutunjian. And he was. He watched Tutunjian like a hawk and I applauded Dunne for taking his job seriously and doing it well.

Now Dunne is at the center of about every controversy being discussed and he is, obviously, Rosamilia’s planning commissioner. That means Rosamilia is responsible. And Wiltshire and company are watching him like a hawk. The difference is Tutunjian is a staunch Republican and Dunne is as staunch of a Democrat whereas Wiltshire and Rosamilia both ran and won with the Democratic Party support.

Galuski is in his last term but Kopka, who served a terms as Council president, likely has her own ambitions. I’ll give her one name to think on: Beth Walsh. She was Council president before getting beat out by Frank LaPosta and the following year got beat outright on a Republican sweep mainly because of her support of Pattison’s attempt to do away with term limits. Walsh is now a Family Court judge, but I don’t think Kopka has a law degree.  

The Troy Council committee chair chess game

WILTSHIRE

As reported in the Times Union, the Troy Council has agreed on which members will serve as chair to which committees.

Generally, it’s not huge news, but the political intrigue behind the picks this year can’t be ignored. Ken Crowe, of the TU, did a pretty good job addressing it in a straight up news story but since I have the luxury of expressing opinion as well as reporting news, I will expound on Crowe’s astute observations.
For starters, two Republican councilmen were given committees to chair – Jim Gordon, R-District 1, who was elected in November, will chair the Law Committee and Dean Bodnar, R-District 3, who will enter his third term, will chair the Planning Committee.

KOPKA

Despite reports to the contrary, Gordon will not chair the high-profile Public Safety Committee. Rather, that will go to Bob Doherty, D-District 4, and with it comes the unenviable job of dealing with the Troy Police Department drama. And, despite Council President-elect Rodney Wiltshire’s pledge to not give Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6, a committee to chair, he now has two – the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Committees. Council President Lynn Kopka, who will be a straight up At Large representative come Jan. 1, will chair the Public Utilities Committee and not the Planning Committee as she wanted.

A few things stand out.

One giving two minority members their own committees to chair just does not happen and is indicative of the fractured majority caucus. Sure, it’s easy to hide true motives behind the guise of starting the New Year with a “bipartisan spirit” but I’ve been around long enough to know there is more to it.

And that is, quite simply, Wiltshire wants a couple things – a new city clerk and Councilman Ken Zalewski as pro temp - and is unsure he can get five Democratic votes so he needs the two Republicans.

Wiltshire wants to elevate Cheryl Christianson to clerk but the current city clerk, Karla Guererri, is Kopka’s girl. To replace her, Wiltshire needs five votes and since Christianson is Galuski’s sister in law he has to abstain so Wiltshire needs the two Republicans to ensure he has the votes. If it’s a four-four tie, which was a real possibility, Guererri would remain clerk until the tie is broken.

The same goes for pro temp. Galuski (picture left), in an email, said he was going for the job and could have gotten enough votes to put a monkey wrench in Wiltshire’s plans to give it to Zalewski but instead now has two committees to chair.

Another point worth mentioning is, as Crowe points out, Wiltshire and Galuski seemed to have buried the hatchet after a nasty email exchange last week where Galuski said he would vie for pro temp and Wiltshire said he would not be Galuski’s – or anyone else’s – “house nigger.” Nasty stuff, without a doubt, but this is Troy.  

Finally, by not giving Kopka the Planning Committee, Wiltshire sends a clear and distinct message to Kopka and by extension Rensselaer County Democratic Committee Chairman Tom Wade that he is the president, he has some juice and is not afraid to use it.

All in all, it’s pretty savvy chess moves on Wiltshire’s part, unless of course hard core Democrats start getting upset with him playing footsie with the GOP again like he did by accepting the Independence Party line earlier this year to ensure him the presidency. One such Dem is Wade (pictured right) and another is Kopka, and you can bet both are already starting the “treason” whisper campaign among the party faithful. Honestly, I can't say as I blame them.

To wrap up, according to the Times Union and not The Record, Councilwoman-elect Erin Sullivan-Teta, I-At Large, will chair the Human Resources Committee; Wiltshire by default will chair the Finance Committee, Zalewski will chair the Technology Committee and Councilwoman-elect Anastasia Robertson, D-District 2, opted not to accept a chairmanship at all, which is kind of odd but I can’t blame her for avoiding the fray.

The respective committees and the chairs will be formalized on Jan. 9 during the Council’s organizational meeting.

Wiltshire's e-mail, five votes and the GOP

WILTSHIRE

As I’ve been writing for nearly a month, the new dynamic on the Troy Council is going to be interesting - little did I know it would become so interesting so fast.

On Dec. 9, Council President-elect Rodney Wiltshire sent a strongly-worded e-mail to three other councilmen blasting Councilman Gary Galuski for hanging up on him and other perceived acts of disrespect.

In the e-mail, which can be read below, Wiltshire, who is bi-racial, said: “I will not be his (Galuski’s) boy or house nigger.” Yes, the word distasteful, but focusing on just that is a superficial reading of what is really going on.

GALUSKI

While the email is directed at Galuski, one can’t help but wonder if Wiltshire is referring to county Chairman Tom Wade. Wiltshire was one of many Democrats who tried to take Wade out last year with Robert “Rabbit” Riley and there is no love lost between the two. Now that Wiltshire is Council president, he does have some juice and part of that juice comes in the way of appointments – both to committees and to paid positions within City Hall.

WADE

Not surprisingly, who Wiltshire wants and who Wade wants are not the same people.

Perhaps the most high profile is that of City Clerk. As I reported nearly two weeks ago (and The Record reported today) Wiltshire wants to replace the current city clerk, Karla Guererri, with Cheryl Christianson, who happens to be Galuski’s sister in law.

I initially wrote that it could be interpreted as an attempt to buy off Galuski, but given the email exchange that obviously didn’t work and Galuski remains squarely in Wade’s corner. And by extension that of current Council President Lynn Kopka, who brought her friend Guererri aboard and would just as soon see her stay in the $54,800 a year job.

In other words, the divide I mentioned before between Wiltshire and company and Kopka/Wade and company is reaching the size of the Grand Canyon.

FIVE VOTES

While Wiltshire said there is no way he will nominate Galuski to chair the Parks and Recreation Committee, which he holds now, Galuski points out it takes a majority to approve any appointment. That much is true, but what’s also true is the nomination has to come from Wiltshire.

Furthermore, given his familial ties, Galuski should abstain so that leaves Kopka (pictured left) and Wiltshire vying for five votes out of eight.

What few may know, if it’s a four-for tie, Guererri remains clerk until a five-vote majority is reached, whenever that may be.

Galuski also said he would lobby for the position of Council pro temp, which also needs five votes. Wiltshire, however, would like to see the No. 2 spot go to Councilman Ken Zalewski, D-District 4. As you know, he has always been an independent voice on the Council and also supported Riley over Wade.

Which brings us back to the Great Divide.

Zalewski is squarely in Wiltshire’s corner. I’ve heard Councilman Bob Doherty, D-District 4, is too but his support tenuous at best. I’m less sure of Councilwoman-elect Anastasia Robertson, but I understand she is too.

That said, Wade has the clout the chairmanship brings, and there is also Mayor Lou Rosamilia (pictured right) to think about. I’m not saying it would happen now, but I know in times past which streets get paved, plowed and swept in which district has been tied to how the representative votes on certain issues. The two entities combined can clearly apply some pressure if they so choose.

In the Kopka/Wade corner is Galuski and Councilwoman-elect Erin Sullivan-Teta.

THE GOP

That leaves the two Republicans – Councilman Dean Bodnar, District 3 and Councilman-Elect Jim Gordon, At Large, with a surprising amount of clout on a Democratic Party dominated Council.

Galuski said Wiltshire is ready to nominate Gordon for the high-profile position of Public Safety Committee chair and who knows what else the two may get or want. As an aside, I’m not sure who else would want to chair that committee because the controversy in the TPD is unlikely to go away anytime soon but it is one of the more coveted positions on the Council.  

In the end, the Council is starting off way more interesting than the last one and it’s not even the New Year yet.

THE EMAILS

 

 

Dec. 9 e-mail from Wiltshire to Gary Galuski, Robert Doherty, Ken Zalewski

Guys,

    Gary earlier today around 11AM, very rudely, hung up the phone on me after my 5th or 6th attempt to meet up with him and discuss the transition of the council.

    His behavior was and is bizarre, unprofessional, discourteous, and dis-respectful.  Despite what he may believe, I have never disrespected him in that or any manner.

    I am continually shocked by the manner in which some he behaves.

    I am not Lynn, and I don't wish to be compared to Lynn.  I clearly indicated to him before him hung up on me that I am trying to meet with each councilperson in person (as was done 2 years ago) and we would have our caucus meeting after.  Probably this week.

    I specifically had wished to discuss his committee preferences and also have a serious conversation about the perceived slight that I am told that he has felt from me 2 years ago surrounding the courthouse and the pro-tempore vote.  I had wanted to discuss that with him in person and clarify and apologize for my insensitivity.  Since we are not meeting, I guess he will not receive my apology for that behavior.

    However, it is clear, that he is unwilling to meet me, and discuss things.  He has also not responded to my request for committee preferences.  I had assumed that he would have wished to continue as Parks and Rec chair.

    I am not giving him a chair.

    I have just spoken to Cheryl Christiansen about her proposed appointment and confirmed that Gary's behavior will not and does not reflect on her.  She said that she doesn't share his views on things, and is happy to be professional and keep the affairs separate.

    I have a call and an email into Jack McCann regarding both this and Lynn's behaviors and attitudes, I will insist that he publicly support me and my position.

    Let me be very clear, I am not happy with our phone call, and I will not be treated or addressed in that manner.

    This boat has sailed, I am not trying to fix issues that aren't my doing or responsibility. 

    I am going to be making some very hard, serious, and possibly controversial decisions in the following days concerning all of these appointments.  I absolutely need YOUR support and confidence.

    I am not his boy, or the house nigger.

Rodney   
      

Rodney G. Wiltshire Jr.

At-Large Councilman

 

Dec. 12 response from Councilman Gary Galuski

Dear Council Member,

I am forwarding an email sent to me by incoming Council President Rodney Wiltshire because it should be seen by all majority members of the Council.  After reading the entire piece, I'm sure you will agree that he owes me an apology as well as others offended by his insensitive and distasteful choice of words.

I am entering my fourth and final term on the city council.  In all of my prior terms, the incoming majority has met to collectively decide committee assignments and committee chairmanships. Never have I or any of my colleagues been submitted to the type of threat incoming Council President Wiltshire issued to me with a guarantee of no chairmanship simply because I asked when we will caucus to conduct such business.  Additionally, he is pretending to grab control of the entire process by handing out committee chairs to his favorites while ignoring senior members of the council.

Recently, he even announced he plans to "give" the Public Safety committee chairmanship to newly elected Republican Jim Gordon.  Two years ago, he opposed giving committee chairmanships to Republicans when Council President Kopka raised the idea which we voted down.

You should be aware that this process deserves and requires the input of all majority members---ALL SEVEN DEMOCRATS.  I urge you to remind incoming Council President Wiltshire he was not elected Emperor and Committee members shall be nominated by the President and confirmed or rejected by a majority of the members of the Council at each organizational meeting. Each committee, if possible, shall have at least one member from a minority political party. (City of Troy Charter Section C-15) He campaigned with promises of transparency in government but, before being sworn into office, projects a closed door style of "my way or the highway" bossism.

 

In closing, I want you to know I wish to remain as the chair of the Recreation Committee where I feel my background and skills can be full utilized and I will be reaching out to each of you for your support for the position of Council President Pro-Tempore.

Sincerely,

GG

 

 

 

 

 

Troy Council appointments are shaping up

WILTSHIRE

KOPKA

Not to say that all is hunky dory between Council President-elect Rodney Wiltshire and company and Lynn Kopka, the current council president who will give up the seat on Jan. 1, but his projected appointments do not indicate an all-out war.

According to sources, Clerk Karla Guererri is out of her $54,800 job, which is no surprise. The new city clerk will be the current deputy clerk, Cheryl Christiansen, Councilman Gary Galuski’s sister-in-law.

Lou Schneider, the assistant deputy clerk who toyed with the idea of running for Council earlier this year, will get bumped up to deputy clerk at a salary of $40,000. Who will take his place is not yet determined, according to sources.

The auditor, Mary Beth Quinn, will keep her $59,600 a year job, according to sources. It’s kind of surprising in that Wiltshire could use it to reward a campaign worker but not really in that her husband, Larry Quinn, back in the day, was a loyalist to Mayor Mark Pattison and active in the Democratic Party.

There are currently no plans to change the $10,000 position of Council secretary currently held by Lucy Larner but it’s not been solidified yet, according to sources.

The position of bingo inspector is also up in the air. It’s such an insignificant job, really, that I don’t know who holds it now and could not figure out how much the position pays since it comes out of a pot of temporary salaries.

Also, the Council will appoint, or re-appoint, some of the city marshals but it depends on whose terms expire next year. You remember last year the Council, behind Councilman Kevin McGrath, went nose-to-nose with Wade over re-appointing Rick Mason to his marshal post. The pay depends on how many eviction notices and other legal documents the marshals chose to deliver, but who gets the job can be a way to throw political muscle around a bit.

While the way the appointments are shaking out aren’t the nuclear bomb they could have been, the one that is a least a quarter stick of dynamite is naming Christianson clerk. Not only is it a message to Kopka, reminding her she is no longer in charge – and an indirect message to Wade that Wiltshire, Councilman Ken Zalewski and company will not bow down to the chairman’s feet – it’s also a way to buy off Galuski (pictured left).

I wrote before that every indication is there is a distinct split in the Council and until this appointment Galuski was considered squarely in the Kopka/Wade corner. But, that was before his sister-in-law will not only stay employed but will get a nearly $15,000 raise to boot.

Pretty savvy strategy by Wiltshire and company.

However, Galuski also has a job at the Board of Elections, which is still controlled by Wade so, in short, I would not want to be Galuski the next time both sides want his vote on something.