The WFP, the GOP, Wiltshire and Gordon

GORDON

Guess I better get caught up on what is turning out to be a wild year in the City of Troy.

-As expected, Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, got the GOP Selection Committee’s nod. That recommendation now goes to the full committee, which is also expected to approve his nomination. If recent history is any indication, he will also have the Conservative and Independence Party lines.

-The Working Families Party is holding a press conference Monday (May 4) to announce at least a partial slate of candidates. As expected Council President Rodney Wiltshire, D-At Large, will head up the ticket. Other incumbents include, as expected, Democrats Anastasia Robertson in District 2 and Bob Doherty in District 4.

WILTSHIRE

Also slated to speak at the press conference at the top of The Approach is Peggy Kownack, A Democrat running for an At Large seat. Anasha Cummings, who had one of the corniest press conferences in recent memory to announce his bid for an At Large seat, is not listed as a speaker but he was out of town and is expected to run with WFP support.

Others in this year’s lineup include District 1 candidate Jessica Ashley, who served on the Council in the early 2000s and who ran in 2013 on the Green Party line, and District 5 candidate David Bissember.

KOWNACK

The WFP is going to be a major player. If the status quo holds true there will be a three-way primary for the all-powerful Democratic Party line with Patrick Madden getting the party proper support (that of Rensselaer County Chairman Tom Wade and company) and newcomer Ernest Everett also running.

That means even if Wiltshire loses the primary he will still be the WFP candidate on the general election ballot in November. If Wiltshire wins the primary, however, it could be the end of the Democratic Party hierarchy as we know it.

-The same could apply for the GOP with Carmella Mantello all but announcing her candidacy for mayor. She said she is starting her own line – Keep Term Limits in Place – so if she loses to Gordon in the primary she will be on the ballot. If she beats Gordon, he will still have the I and C lines and still be on the ballot.

-While it doesn’t seem likely any candidate would wage a serious run on the I or C minor party lines the WFP can and have rallied the troops and could use Wiltshire’s campaign to make their every increasing influence all the more significant.

-The Wade Democrats will likely not endorse Doherty in 4 or Robertson in 2 and it’s still unclear who they have to run for those seats.

DOHERTY

-Incumbent At Large Councilwomen Lynn Kopka and Erin Sullivan-Teta – both Wade Dems – have not announced their intentions but it would be surprising if they don’t run again. Especially given this year’s wild dynamics and the fact they are loyal to a party that needs them.

-Former Councilman Mark McGrath announced he is running for his old seat in District 2 and the enrolled Conservative will get the Wilson Pakula from the GOP. It’s not clear if the Wade Dems will challenge Robertson or not.

-Gordon can’t run for his District seat and for mayor and the neither Wade Dems, the Wiltshire Dems nor the GOP have not announced a candidate in District 1.

KOPKA

-Republican Dean Bodnar is running for his fourth and final term and the Dems – both Wade and Wiltshire camps – haven’t said anything about any opposition at this point in time.

-The Wade Dems will likely find someone to run against Doherty in 4.

-The GOP will find someone to run in 5 and the Wade Dems might too.

-District 6 is wide open.

MADDEN

-One more thing … word is Madden might be getting cold feet and who can blame him. Politics has always been called a “blood sport” in Rensselaer County and this year the metaphor could cross the line into the literal. And, the surviving candidates will have to deal with a multi-million deficit, six unions without contracts, likely indictments from a grand jury and that’s including all the other stuff like a crumbling infrastructure, racial tension, crime, arsonists, an eclectic electorate with a host of different needs --- and as sure summer is here now winter will come back and some pipes will surely freeze.

The smartest guy of the whole lot is Mayor Lou Rosamilia who opted to not run again.   

Mark McGrath is running for his old seat

MCGRATH

Mark McGrath, the spirited eight-year former councilman from District 2 who was term limited out two years ago, is running for his old seat.

“It’s been difficult watching the Council and the administration become the focal point of failure and ridicule around the Capital District,” he said when asked why he was running again. “People are disgusted.”

McGrath interviewed with the Republican Party Selection Committee Monday night. The enrolled Conservative Party member needs the GOP’s permission to run on their line as he did in each of his four successful elections.

The incumbent, Anastasia Roberston, a Democrat, has not announced her intention to run again but she is stepping up her public appearances by holding marches in response to the recent shootings in her neighborhood.

ROBERTSON

Although Robertson ran with Democratic Party support two years ago, she has since aligned herself with Council President Rodney Wiltshire, who is running for mayor. Wiltshire has been at odds with the Democratic Party proper, namely Rensselaer County Chairman Tom Wade.

Wiltshire did interview in front of the party’s Selection Committee, but that body picked Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement District Executive Director Patrick Madden. Wiltshire, though, has said he will take his case to the full committee in hopes of getting their support and has vowed to run regardless of that committee’s decision.

That’s the long way of saying Robertson will likely not get the Democratic Party support should she opt to run again in District 2.

Two mayoral hopefuls, former Councilwoman Carmella Mantello and Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, also interviewed in front of the Republican Selection Committee Monday. McGrath had also toyed with running for mayor but the GOP would not give him the Wilson Pakula - the party's permission - to run on its line.

All nine Council seats are up this year with Districts 5 and 6 being vacant as their respective represenatives – Ken Zalewski and Gary Galuski – are term limited out. Wiltshire’s vacated his At Large seat to run for mayor and should Gordon pursue his mayoral aspiration his District 1 seat will be vacant as well.     

Democratic Committee selects Patrick Madden for mayor

MADDEN

The Troy Democratic Party Selection Committee is expected to announce it is recommending Patrick Madden, the long-time executive director at the Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, for mayor either later today or tomorrow.

The recommendation will now go to the full committee for a formal vote. The full committee could accept Selection Committee’s recommendation but could vote for someone else who interviewed or someone else altogether. A break from the Selection Committee, however, is unusual and would require a candidate to buck county chairman, Tom Wade, and city chairman, Jack McCann, both of whom serve on the Selection Committee.  

The Selection Committee interviewed a number of candidates for the city’s top spot including Council President Rodney Wiltshire and newcomer Earnest Everett, both of whom have announced their intention to run a primary if they don’t get the party’s support.

Also interviewed were county Legislator Ed Manny and Elizabeth Young-Jojo, the former executive director at the city’s Downtown Improvement District.

Madden, who is not enrolled in any party and can’t vote for himself in a primary, has headed up TRIP, a non-profit organization geared toward housing for low and moderate income individuals and families, since 1987. He is Rensselaer County Executive’s Kathy Jimino’s brother. Jimino is arguably the most powerful Republican in Rensselaer County.

WILTSHIRE

Wiltshire was elected citywide twice and has publicly battled with Wade and the party hierarchy. He has stated he will take his case to the full committee to try to get the party’s endorsement but is prepared to run a primary should he fall short. He will also likely get the Working Families Party support and if that happens he will be on the ballot in November regardless of what the full Democratic committee does over the next couple weeks or the Democratic Party voters say in September’s primary. If Madden is successful in September, as the dynamics stand now, he will have one line headed into November’s general election.

Everett, on the other hand, does not have the ground troops the WFP will provide Wiltshire, and being a newcomer has less of a chance than Wiltshire to swing the full committee to his side. Everett could even have a tough time getting the required 421 signatures – 5 percent of the enrolled Democrats in the city – to get on the primary ballot. But, if the Wade Democrats want to derail Wiltshire, they would help Everett get the necessary signatures because, it is widely believed, he would siphon votes from the council president.

EVERETT (TU PHOTO)

Nobody has formally announced their mayoral intentions for the Republicans but former Councilwoman Carmella Mantello is expected to do so next month. And Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, has all but announced too. Councilman Dean Bodnar, R-District 3, said he is ready and willing to run should the party need him to step up but added he would not primary Gordon should his Council colleague get the endorsement.

Mantello, though, indicated she is moving ahead with her own campaign regardless of what the party does. Appearing on Talk 1300, she said she would seek the Green Party endorsement and create another line along the theme of keeping term limits in place in Troy.

An odd dynamic is that Madden is Jimino's brother and Gordon works for Jimino as the county's DWI coordinator.

Last month, Mayor Lou Rosamilia, a Democrat, announced he would not seek a second term.

More information as it becomes available.       

Peggy Kownack is running for Troy City Council.

KOWNACK

Longtime activist Peggy Kownack is throwing her hat in the ring for an At Large seat on the Troy City Council.

“I've submitted my resume for consideration as a candidate for Troy City Council At-Large to the Democratic Party and am waiting for an interview to be scheduled,” said Kownack, who is a regular attendee – and vocal participant - in nearly every Council meeting.

She said she was also contacted by people in the Working Families Party to run on their line as well.

Kownack is involved in a number of civic organizations and activities, most notably breathing new life into the Troy Central Little League.

While Kownack is a longtime enrolled Democrat, the fact the WFP approached her too is telling.

Council President Rodney Wiltshire announced he is running to replace Mayor Lou Rosamilia, who opted not to seek a second term, but he does not have the blessing of the Democratic Party proper, namely Chairman Tom Wade. He does, though, have strong support within the WFP.

WILTSHIRE

Wiltshire said he too will send a resume and interview in front of the Democratic Party committee. There are some Wade Dem – I call them “Wade Dems” for the sake of clarity - names out there like Legislators Ed Manny and Cindy Doran, but no one other than Wiltshire has formally announced. Wade and Wiltshire, during individual appearances on TALK1300 said they are each prepared to primary.

While the mayor’s race will get most of the headlines – especially this year when there is a good chance of a GOP primary as well – all nine Council seats are also up for grabs.

Right now, on paper, the Democrats have a 7-2 majority. But, the real majority is an odd coalition of four Democrats – Wiltshire Dems - and two Republicans with three Democrats who remain loyal to the party left out of most, if not all, of the decision making.

WADE

It will be interesting if Wiltshire and the WFP can fill an entire slate to run against Wade Dem candidates or if they will target only certain seats.

Unlike Wiltshire, the other two At Large councilmembers – Lynn Kopka and Erin Sullivan-Teta – are Wade Democrats and it’s unclear if they will run again, if the Wiltshire Democrats will put up two more candidates or who the GOP will get to run for the three seats. It’s also not known if the Democrats will put up a third candidate to join Kopka and Sullivan-Teta on the ticket.

(As an aside, Kownack might be running with the Wiltshire Dems but she is far from likely to toe anyone’s line. We'll talk to her about it this Saturday on Talk1300.)

BODNAR

Here is a cursory look at the rest of the Council:

-In District 1, Councilman Jim Gordon, a Republican, has all but announced his intention to run for mayor - he is even holding a fundraiser on April 21. While it might be the only GOP stronghold in the city, people in the ‘Burgh will cross party lines for the right candidate.

-In District 2, Councilwoman Anastasia Robertson, a Democrat, is in Wiltshire’s camp and former Councilman Mark McGrath, an enrolled Conservative who ran with GOP support, is likely to run for his old seat. It’s not clear if the Wade Democrats will challenge Robertson.

DOHERTY

 -In District 3 incumbent Dean Bodnar, a Republican, has two more years before he is term limited out. Bodnar is a Republican but he is more independent than a party loyalist. With chaos running rampant across the ballot this year, it would not be a surprise if everyone just leaves Bodnar alone and focuses their fight in other areas.

-In District 4, Councilman Bob Doherty, a Democrat, is squarely in the Wiltshire camp. The district heavily favors Democrats so it will be interesting to see who the Wade Dems put up.

-In District 5, Councilman Ken Zalewski is term limited out. He is one of Wiltshire’s biggest supporters but all three factions – Wade Dems, Wiltshire Dems and the GOP – have a shot at this district.

-In District 6, Councilman Gary Galuski is also term limited out. He is a staunch Wade Dem but like District 5 it’s a toss-up.

One sure is it’s going to be a fun year in the Collar City.  

Rosamilia is still out; Republican odds are in

MANTELLO

The fact Mayor Lou Rosamilia will not run for a second term did little to change the mix of potential Republican candidates or the odds of them getting into the race, according to Vegas bookmakers.

-Carmella Mantello: The former councilwoman and twice mayoral candidate has all but announced her intention to run for a third time. She is all over social media weighing in on about every issue facing the city, she routinely sends out FOIL requests and even put out an unsolicited statement on Rosamilia’s decision to not run again. After serving six years on the Council representing District 3 she ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Mark Pattison and then, a dozen years later, ran unsuccessfully against Rosamilia.  She really has nothing to lose and despite the Republican Party proper ready to endorse Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, for the spot she is gearing up for a primary if it comes down to it. The Republicans have offered Mantello a job – such as head of the Planning Department – if she withdraws and if Gordon wins but nobody expects her to believe them or to take the deal even if she did. ODDS of her running stand at 2 to 1.

GORDON

-Jim Gordon: It’s a little harder to tell if Gordon is running since he is already an elected official and the electorate – and his party since he is in the minority - expects him to make some noise. But, while he clearly wants to run he would have to give up the district seat he worked so hard to win – and the $15,000 paycheck that comes with it. The Rensselaer County STOPDWI coordinator would, however, enjoy the Conservative and Independence party lines should he make it past what would be a near certain primary against Mantello. On the flip side of that, she would not have them and they are crucial to a Republican winning a citywide election since Democrats outnumber the GOP by about 5 to 3. He too has built up his name recognition beyond his Lansingburgh district. ODDS of him running stand at 2 to 1.

MCGRATH

 -Mark McGrath: The “Draft McGrath” movement is alive and well albeit too small to swing the Republicans into giving the enrolled Conservative Party member permission to run on its line. He could, though, play hardball with City Chairman Mark Wojcik and run a Conservative Party primary his can and then try to run in the general on just the minor party line. But, McGrath won’t run a suicide mission as a vendetta. Instead, he said, he is 99 percent sure he will run again in District 2, where he served eight years before being term limited out of office two years ago. ODDS of him running for mayor stand at 15 to 1.

TUTUNJIAN

-Harry Tutunjian: There is no question the former eight-year mayor loved the job and would like nothing more than to be in City Hall again. He did a decent job too before being term limited out. He had his critics, without a doubt, but compared to the Rosamiia debacle, he was FDR, JFK and Ronald Regan all rolled into one. But, he lost twice for Legislature so if the GOP endorses him this year it’s because everyone else bailed out – even Mantello. Odds of him running stand at 20 to 1.

 

It gets real: Feds subpoena records from Troy Council

My version of the story is below but so I don’t rehash all the old news or t 
he Times Union article, the subpoenas issued Wednesday does lead to some interesting questions and observations:

-Why did the EPA subpoena the Council, which had nothing to do with the actual demolitions, rather than go directly to the administration which did? Also, all the records – with the exception of emails and other communications, are already public documents.

-Attorney Don Boyajian’s name is the only one mentioned in the subpoena. His partner, Bill Dryer represented former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno in his second trial that ended with an acquittal ending a nearly decade long investigation and prosecution by the feds. 

-Including the fact Boyajian owned the buildings in 2010, there are other constants from 2010 through 2014: Bill Dunne was on the Council in 2010 and, after being term limited out at the end of 2011, became director of the Planning Department for Mayor Lou Rosamilia in 2012 and Fire Chief Tom Garrett was chief then and when the King Street buildings were knocked down.

-At this stage of the game it is far better to receive a subpoena than not since the targets likely won’t hear anything until there are indictments – if any should be forthcoming, that is.  

-Rosamilia, after taking a beating about frozen pipes and hosting one of the worst press conferences in the history of not just Troy but the world, goes back into hiding with a solid “no comment.”

-The Council, under President Rodney Wiltshire, is again vindicated for holding hearings into the demolition projects.

-I don’t recall the April 2013 demolition of the Ardex Building at 744 Pawling Ave. but the feds remember it because they requested documents related to that too. As an aside, Reeves was in town for that one and did declare the emergency himself.

-The federal government takes its time when investigating such matters but for them to first question City Hall employees in City Hall, like investigators did earlier this year, and then issue subpoenas it is painfully obvious they are taking the whole thing seriously.

-It’s just one more disastrous turn of events for Rosamilia and one more reason I don’t think he runs again.

STORY

The Troy City Council received a sweeping federal subpoena, Wednesday, as part of the ongoing probe into controversial demolition projects on King Street and at the King Fuels site.

According to the subpoena, first reported by the Times Union, the Environmental Protection Agency is demanding a host of records from January 2010 to the end of 2013. That includes records from the last two years of Mayor Harry Tutunjian’s term and includes three consecutive city Councils.

The row of buildings on King Street was demolished by an emergency decree called by Fire Chief Tom Garrett. Former City Engineer Russ Reeves was on vacation at the time. He had previously denied a request by the buildings’s owner, attorney Don Boyajian, to declare them a public hazard and to knock them down under the city’s emergency demolition procedure.

The city Council, through a half dozen public hearings, the FBI the EPA and the state Labor Department have been looking into whether or not public safety was in jeopardy during the demolition. Asbestos was known to have been in the buildings but not properly abated and the buildings were demolished while Bomber’s remained open next door. Patrons were seen freely entering and exiting the bar/restaurant while the wrecking ball swung not 50 feet away.

According to the subpoenas, if the Council turns over records the individual members do not have to appear in Albany on April 1.

Earlier this year the FBI and EPA interviewed City Hall employees and last year Reeves, who had resigned at the time and Barbara Tozzi were also interviewed.

“It has been my contention from the beginning that the demolition at 4-10 King Street in August 2013 was conducted unethically, and possibly illegally,” said Councilman Ken Zalewski, D-District 5. “The City, in its attempt to circumvent the standard demolition process one day after the City Engineer went on vacation, placed the public at risk of exposure to airborne asbestos particles. “

Mayor Lou Rosamilia, through a spokesman, tells the Times Union his office had no comment on the subpoenas.

 Council President Rodney Wiltshire tells the Times Union the Council’s investigation is validated by the fact federal investigators are bringing the issue to a grand jury. Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, tells the newspaper he reached out to the EPA to see specifically what documents they want.

The EPA is also asking for records regarding the demolition of a number of buildings at the former King Fuels site located on a tract of land in South Troy owned by the Troy Industrial Development Agency. The demolition followed no engineer approved plan, the work was conducted in such a manner it threatened to breach a gas main and there was no asbestos abatement. It was so shoddily done, the demolition was the reason Reeves resigned.

 

The power of Mother Nature

The frost line dipped below the four-foot mark, the benchmark to which most things are built and/or installed, and some pipes froze. I guess that happens when we don’t hit 32 degrees for like six weeks in a row.

And from this brutalist of brutal cold snaps a couple amazing things happened.

-Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, and former Councilman Kevin McGrath, D-District 1, actually agree on something – the city should help out the residents of Lansingburgh.

-Mayor Lou Rosamilia grew a spine and is on the right side of an issue. If you remember the memorable quote by then City Engineer Russ Reeves when a pipe froze, burst and filled South Troy resident Ken Dufty's basement with silt: "It was an Act of God." I criticized Reeves and his boss, then Mayor Harry Tutunjian, for the "Act of God" defense but they too stuck to their guns and as far as I know Dufty filed a claim with his insurance company.

-Rosamilia, despite his “nice guy” persona, is sticking to his guns despite what he said is his personal inclination to help out anyone in need.

And some things even Mother Nature can’t change.  

-When it happens in Troy, something like frozen pipes in February makes the big news and gets everyone riled up.

-The Council used the issue to whack the mayor upside the head.

-The mayor loses another public relations battle by disappearing when the story first broke and staying disappeared for no less than nine days. He loses another battle by not having a very good explanation for the why the city can't thaw the pipes when he held his press conference on Thursday.

-Emotions trump logic once again, and politicians and are quick to take advantage.

Here’s my take on it.

The city can’t just go in and help out the residents for a couple reasons.

A section of code only allows those with a particular license to use the equipment – electric, plumbing and/or welding – necessary to thaw the stretch of pipe from the home to the main line.

There is an exception to that rule – if there is an emergency. I’m sorry, but a homeowner that didn’t heed the city’s warning to leave the water dripping or run the risk of the pipes freezing does not, in my book anyway, constitute an emergency.  

I suppose the city could hire licensed contractors to go in and do the job on a private residence but think of the door that would open. And, along those same lines, the city, in case anyone has been living under a rock, is broke.

No, in the grand scheme of things, if the city hired a plumber it wouldn’t make the big financial picture any better or worse but as I’ve been saying right along you have to start somewhere, and to start by hiring private contractors to help homeowners out of a jam they helped create is not a good spot.

In the old days, if a neighbor needed a hand he went next door or down the block and asked for some help with the unwritten understanding of returning the favor down the road. Now, for some reason, the nearest neighbor is the government.

I applaud Rosamilia for sticking to his guns and I too applaud the plumber, Matt Ward, who listened to his mom and went to help out those in need. 

In the end, though, if I were mayor, I'd probably thaw the damn pipes. It wouldn't be worth the headache. 

   

Rosamilia expected to announce he will not seek a second term

Mayor Lou Rosamilia is expected to announce he will not run for a second term during his State of the City address on Thursday, according to sources close to the mayor.

Rosamilia was elected in 2011 by a comfortable margin over Republican Carmella Mantello, who is likely to take another shot at Troy’s top spot.

The former Hudson Valley Community College accounting professor and former Rensselaer County legislator has had a tough three-plus years in office and the next four, for whoever is mayor, will be all the more difficult.

This year’s budget contains two huge one-shots: A $1.9 million deferral of a mandated pension payment and the $650,000 sale of the former City Hall site. Plus, all six unions are without a contract, emergency dispatch service is expected to increase by at least $250,000, the city is mandated to build a new courthouse and bonded $1.5 million for the project and has bonded millions more for capital improvements. In other words, the city is broke – worse than broke.

Recently, the state Comptroller said the city spend $5.9 million more than it took in from 2011 through 2013 and Moody’s gave the city’s finances a “negative outlook.”

Over the past three years, Rosamilia has had to suspend the head of his Planning Department, Bill Dunne, for installing sidewalks outside the scope of the federal Community Development Block Grant funds, appointed a police commissioner that threw department leadership into chaos, has had to deal with a hostile Council – the majority of which are of his own party - that conducted an investigation into he and his administration for the first time in 36 years. Federal and state agencies are also looking into the controversial demolition projects on King Street and the King Fuels site.

He just never seemed comfortable in the job. He ran almost reluctantly after taking over the party's first candidate, Clement "Chappy" Campana, who ran into issues of his own.

The mayor’s expected decision will open up the slot of a host of possible Democratic Party candidates. Council President Rodney Wiltshire, an enrolled Democrat, said he won’t primary Rosmailia but since his relationship with the party proper is strained – to put it nicely – he may be forced to primary whoever the party picks if he wants the job. More on potential Democratic Party candidates later.    

Mantello clearly wants to run for the Republicans and Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, also is maneuvering for the party’s endorsement.

Wiltshire cancels order for new chairs; shortest lived controversy in Collar City history

WILTSHIRE

The day the purchase order was signed, Council President Rodney Wiltshire opted not to buy nine new chairs – presumably one per Council member - that would have cost $2,352. 

“I've instructed the clerk to cancel the order. I've read some interesting ideas here on getting chairs at low or no cost. Ken Zalewski and Penny thank you for some great ideas. Surplus chairs from an institution that may want to donate them could be a great option,” Wiltshire wrote on Facebook in response to a number of posts critical of the purchase. “Moreover, and just to reiterate, This expenditure is budgeted. But I think that tablets for better productivity is a wiser purchase.”

Councilman Ken Zalewski, D-District 5, attempted to deflect the critics saying the relatively small amount of money is just 0.0035 percent of the city’s $66 million-plus budget.  

“It ignores the fact that every city employee has a decent chair to sit in. It ignores the fact that the Planning Department recently purchased a brand new set of chairs for the conference room to replace already-comfortable but somewhat dilapidated chairs,” Zalewski said of a post on this blog. “Like I said, I don't care either way. I'll sit on the floor if I have to. But come on, an entire blog post on $2,350 out of a $66,124,624 budget? I'm anxiously awaiting similar scrutiny on that other $66,122,274.”

ZALEWSKI

(As an aside, there are links to stories here, here, here and here and  about the entire budget.)

Councilman Jim Gordon, R-District 1, said he learned of the purchase after the aforementioned blog post was put up on Facebook.

“What??? You're kidding?? This is how I learn of such an unnecessary expense? I spoke against this during the budget hearing and will again - I do not need a new chair! No one does!,” he wrote. “If attendees at council meetings can ‘suffer’ on similar chairs then we too can do their business on them. This is ridiculous.”

Prior to Wiltshire’s decision to nix the new chairs, Gordon said on Twitter that he would buy each member of the Council a seat cushion and that he would gladly give his chair to the first person to mention “chairgate” at the Feb. 5 meeting.

A number of citizens and business owners weighed in on social media too.

“What is really sad is they placed the order in the first place. Then cancel the order when it gets too hot on Facebook?” said Debra Lockrow, owner of Artcentric in downtown. “The council needs Facebook conversations to give them a clue on how to behave with fiscal intelligence?”

GORDON

“They paid for those chairs with the money they got from me when they hired GAR to overestimate the value of my property!” said Jo Rehm. “Then it cost me more money to hire someone to come in & do an accurate estimate. Do I get any of that money back, hell no!”

Penny Bonesteel said the Council should explore other options like using the new chairs the Planning Department just purchased. Zalewski concurred and said it would take nine minutes to move the chairs – one minute per chair.

“None of us are naive enough to think 2k is going to tip the bucket one way or the other, but given the circumstances, it definitely sends the wrong message to citizens that are going to have to deal with a lot of butt pain in the foreseeable future,” said Nancy A Bourgeois Wright.

And she is right, the $2,352 is not going to make or break the city and either is the $10,000 confidential secretary or the $27,000-plus assistant city clerk. But the impact is two-fold: One is that pennies eventually lead to dollars and it just sends the wrong message given the city's financial crunch that will get nothing but worse in the very near future.  

Sheriff Mahar will not run for another term

MAHAR

Sheriff Jack Mahar, in a letter to Rensselaer County Chairman John Rustin, said he will not run for a fourth term and instead “enjoy his retirement.”

Now that Mahar’s decision is made, focus is turned to who the major parties will support. Top of the list for the GOP is Pat Russo, a former Troy cop and Mahar’s undersheriff.

Russo has not officially indicated whether or not he will seek the nomination but Bob Ashe, the Hoosick Falls police chief and former North Greenbush Town Board member has also announced his intention to run and has started a Facebook page.

Ashe lost a primary to Mahar in 2003 and appears to be gearing up for a run whether or not he gets the party’s endorsement or not.

GORDON

Two Troy police captains, John Cooney, who was the public information officer, and Terry Buchanan, who headed the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, were considering running for sheriff and undersheriff, respectively, but have since abandoned the notion. Cooney , who would be the only name on the ballot, is a registered Conservative so he would need permission from a major party to be a viable candidate.

It’s unclear who the Democrats will nominate too. Gary Gordon, who lost a bitter battle to Mahar four years ago, has yet to decide if he will run.

While Russo's record is unblemished, Mahar did have a tough three years-plus in office. He and the county are facing a handful of civil suits related to allegations staff inappropriately and illegally accessed the medical records of political foes and others.

Cooney (Buchanan) could join crowded race for sheriff

COONEY

John Cooney, a former Troy police captain and well-known spokesman for the department, is “seriously considering” a run for Rensselaer County Sheriff, according to a number of sources.

And, while the sheriff does not run as a team with his undersheriff – the latter is appointed by the sheriff – his first choice for the number two spot is another former Troy police captain, Terry Buchanan.

ASHE

Cooney’s name is the only one that will appear on the ballot. However, getting there may be a challenge for the political newcomer. He is an enrolled member of the Conservative Party and as such would either have to run on that line alone or seek permission from a major party to run on its line - a piece of paper known as a Wilson Pakula.

Meanwhile, Bob Ashe, the Hoosick Falls police chief, sent a letter to Republican committee members touting his extensive law enforcement history as well as his electability – he served on the North Greenbush Town Board from 2000 to 2004. In 1978 he began work as a dispatcher, moved up to corrections officer and then to the North Greenbush Police Department where he earned the rank of sergeant. He has started a Facebook page touting his candidacy.

FRAGOMENI

Mahar’s undersheriff, Pat Russo, another ex-Troy cop, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate should Sheriff Jack Mahar not seek a third term.

Also, former North Greenbush Police Chief Rocco Fragomeni is said to be interested. He was a lifelong Democrat but recently changed his enrollment to Republican.

MAHAR

What the Republicans do depends largely on what Mahar does. It is clear many in the party would rather he not but will likely hold their nose and back him rather than engage him in a primary. As of this writing, he has not formally said one way or another and party leaders say he has not reached out to them either. (As an aside I didn’t even try calling him because he has not returned a phone call since the last time he ran… and even that was iffy)

Mahar beat back a spirited challenge four years ago by Gary Gordon, another former Troy cop and a registered Conservative who ran with Democratic Party backing.

GORDON

To say the race was contentious is an understatement. In the end, a handful of people filed lawsuits alleging Mahar and his staff inappropriately and illegally accessed their medical records and two officers of the now dissolved jail guard’s union came under a federal investigation for misappropriating union funds.

Gordon, who was also dirtied up during the campaign, has yet to decide if he will take another run at Sheriff.

                       

 

Odds for Republican mayoral candidates

As promised, here are the odds for Republican Party Troy mayoral candidates. The same criteria was used as for the Democrats: it’s not based on winning the election but on who will run and by run we mean publicly announce and begin the arduous task of raising money.

First a bit of history. Troy changed from a city manager form of government to that of a strong mayor in 1994. Mark Pattison narrowly defeated now Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino in the 1995 election and was sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1 1996. The Democrat served the maximum eight years allowed under the charter – despite efforts to abolish term limits. Harry Tutunjian, a Republican, won the next election and the next and served for eight years. For the last three-plus years Democrat Mayor Lou Rosamilia has been at the helm.

The point is, despite the Democrats enjoying a huge enrollment advantage, Republicans do have a shot at the mayor’s office, particularly since the state allows the minor parties to cross endorse major party candidates.

So without further ado … the odds:

-Carmella Mantello: The former councilwoman has run for mayor twice before – once against Pattison and once four years ago against Rosamilia – and has all but announced her intentions to run this year too.

She narrowly lost an At-Large seat two years ago and has gotten some decent press by exposing irregularities at the less-than-cooperative Board of Elections. She has also criticized the Council for the budget mess it did nothing about and Rosamilia for the same. And perhaps most telling is the fact she recently sent a letter to Republican Party committee members pointing out the many shortcomings in city government as well as her belief there is a need for change.

That said, she had to go directly to the committee members rather than the leadership because, plainly put, they don’t like her much and probably won’t give her the nomination. The thing is, she doesn’t care, has nothing to lose and wants the job perhaps more than anyone in the city - even if it means getting it by first running a primary.

Odds of her running - 2 to 1.

-Jim Gordon: The councilman from District 1 said he has made a decision on a run for mayor but isn’t ready to go public with it yet.

He does have party support should he take the plunge and he has, over the years, made a solid name for himself in his district of Lansingburgh. Being in the minority, he can point his finger at the paper majority of Democrats on the Council and the administration for not doing anything to address the looming fiscal disaster. Close observers, however, know he and his Republican colleague teamed up with four Democrats to form the true majority of six on the same Council that punted the fiscal problems down the road. Let’s just say he has been less than stellar in his role as the minority check and balance watchdog.

Also, he would have to give up his $15,000 Council seat, a seat he won on his third try, to run for mayor and he works for Jimino. a mayoral run would bring her office at least a little bit into the spotlight and that’s something the county executive would rather not see happen.

Odds of him running - 5 to 1.

-Mark McGrath: The former city councilman from District 2 staunchly denies any knowledge of an effort to recruit him into the campaign with “Draft McGrath” signs placed around the city this fall. But, there is no denying he got a kick out of it.

He also got a kick out of being a watchdog on the Council for eight years whether or not it was his own party he was watch dogging or that of the Democrats. He was also elected four times in a district that on paper is a Democratic seat so he obviously appeals to voters across party lines.

He will likely not, however, have the party’s support should he run for mayor – he was recently asked to run for an At Large seat. He responded to that offer with a question: “If I’m running city-wide why don’t I run for mayor?”

A city-wide campaign, though, would take about $150,000. While McGrath does enjoy mixing it up in the press, and the ego-stroke that comes with it, he doesn’t have the temperament or the skill to run the nuts and bolts of a campaign – which includes raising money and coordinating volunteers. A fractured party will do nothing to help that crucial effort. Plus, he is enrolled in the Conservative Party and would need Republican Party permission to even get on the ballot.

Odds of him running – 7 to 1

-Harry Tutunjian: There is no secret the former mayor loved the job and would like to run again but given losses for Council and Legislature the popularity he once enjoyed has evidently waned. The party knows that too and will likely not give him the nod for anything outside another run at Council.

He does, though, have a base of support among the party faithful and does appeal to more moderate voters across party lines. He rightly points to the hypocrisy of some of his critics who would have tarred and feathered him for some of the recent shenanigans - illegal sidewalks, shady demolitions and general incompetence – but have turned a blind eye to Rosamilia and company.

Odds of him running – 15 to 1

-Dan Crawley: The deputy mayor under Tutunjian is currently the executive secretary of the Troy Housing Authority. While his name has been floated as a potential mayoral candidate Crawley doesn’t like the spotlight and would prefer to exercise his influence from behind the scenes.

He has cleaned up the local organization that is funded with federal money and has historically been riddled with scandal and controversy but doesn’t have that much time until he can retire. He may run sometime down the road but likely not this year.

Odds of him running – 20 to 1

-Kevin McCashion: The mad tweeter who coined the phrase #troycrazy has been written up in the Times Union, the Business Review and has appeared on Talk 1300 to give his unique and sometimes off the wall take on all things Troy.

He probably has more enemies than friends and the party wouldn’t even support him for the thankless job of city chair so there is no way he gets the nod for mayor.

But, he did submit a bid to develop the old City Hall Site on Monument Square so there is really no telling what he will do.

Odds of him running – 30 to 1  

Odds for the rest of the field – which includes Councilman Dean Bodnar, THA Comptroller Deb Witkowski, Police Chief John Tedesco and Kevin Vandenburgh stand at 50 to 1.