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