I have requested that the forum Administrator post a letter that I recently composed and mailed to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller - Office of Local Government and School Accountability that requests that an independent and comprehensive audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority be conducted.  There has been no audit of this organization by the State Comptroller's office since the its establishment in 1998.

There have been numerous stories published in the Daily Gazette that address development that is planned in the City of Schenectady. Most of the business development plans include financing, in the form of grants and no/low interest loans from the Metroplex Authority. We have also recently learned that the Metroplex converted a loan to a grant for a business (Parsons Child and Family Center) that has been unable to achieve sustained profitability.

While I make no accusations or claims of impropriety or illegal activities by those on the Metroplex Board of Directors and administrative staff, I believe that an independent and comprehensive audit of the Metroplex is needed to ensure the accountability of expenditures of public revenues and to provide transparency to the operations of the organization.

I have concerns about the continued redistribution of public revenues (i.e., taxes) to private businesses being performed by the Metroplex.  I believe that the focus of the Metroplex needs to be on financing the installation and maintenance of the infrastructure required to support business development and on establishing "shovel ready" sites.  Business owners seek a climate/environment with established infrastructure, low taxes and cost of operations, and a trained, educated and skilled workforce in which to establish or expand operations.

If you agree with my assertion that an independent and comprehensive audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority should be performed by the New York State Comptroller's Office, I encourage you to write letters (or cut, paste, and edit my letter as required) expressing your support for this cause.

The Administrator will also be posting the letter that I received from the New York State Comptroller's Office in response to my correspondence.  I have contacted many of the area media outlets (newspaper, radio, television, etc.) to share with them my call for the audit.  I am hopeful that the concerns of the Schenectady County taxpayers will be addressed by our state government.

197 Eaton Corners Road

Delanson, New York 12053

November 29, 2007

Mr. Ken Madej

Chief Examiner

Office of Local Government & School Accountability

New York State Office of the State Comptroller

22 Computer Drive West

Albany, New York 12205

Dear Mr. Madej:

I am writing to request that the Office of Local Government & School Accountability conduct a comprehensive audit of the finances of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority (hereafter “Metroplex”). As a taxpayer and resident of Schenectady County, l cite the need for an independent audit by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller of this organization to ensure the accountability of the expenditures of public revenues and to provide transparency to the operations of the Metroplex.

The creation of the Metroplex was prompted by the Schenectady 2000 Project, an effort that began in the early 1990s to revitalize Schenectady. The economic development agency uses a portion of the county sales tax receipts to promote private investment. The Metroplex Board of Directors is comprised of individuals who are appointed to represent the interests of the City of Schenectady and the surrounding towns in the county. According to the Metroplex website, the administrative staff consists of five paid employees.

It is my understanding that your office has not audited the Metroplex since its founding in 1998. The results of the Metroplex self-directed audits, conducted by independent certified public accountants with the firm Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co., LLP of Albany, for years 2003 and 2004 are posted on the organization’s web site ( http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org) under the “About Us” link. There are, however, no audit documents published for the years 2005 and 2006.

I have outlined in the attached document a list of questions pertaining to the Metroplex Development Authority’s operations that have been posed by many of my fellow Schenectady County residents. Several elected officials in the county government have stated that there is limited disclosure by the organization regarding the application process, the criteria for funding decisions, and the management of public revenues. I am uncertain as to which of these questions/concerns might be addressed in the audit performed by your office.

It is for the reasons cited above that I respectfully request that the Office of Local Government and School Accountability of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller conduct a comprehensive review and audit of the Metroplex Development Authority’s operations and finances and publish the results via mail, email or other means so that it may be available to Schenectady County residents for review at the earliest available time.

If you should require additional information pertaining to my inquiry, please contact me by telephone at (518)xxx-xxxx or in writing to the above address.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Bradley E. Littlefield



Questions to be addressed in an audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority:

What are the credentials of the company who performs the Metroplex self-directed audits? How was this firm selected?

Why are the results of the 2005 and 2006 annual self-directed audits not published to the Metroplex website? Are they available for inspection by the residents and taxpayers in Schenectady County?

Why do the operating expenses of the agency amount to ~15-20% of the annual tax revenues when the Board of

Directors positions are purported to be non-paid and the administrative staff consists of only five employees?

How much tax revenue is being realized from the businesses that are/have been financially supported by the grants and loans awarded by the Metroplex? (i.e., return on investment to the taxpayers)

How many full time and permanent jobs have been created by the businesses that have received financing from the Metroplex?

What percentage of the loans extended have been repaid? What is the percentage of loans that are in default?

What are the losses that have been realized?

What tax benefits are the residents of Schenectady County realizing from the spending decisions that have been made by the Metroplex for past/present/future projects?

What is the value of the collateral that has been pledged to secure the loans awarded and where/how are these collateral holdings being placed? Are the loans secured only by the Metroplex or does New York State retain some interest in the collateral holdings/assets. If there is financial collateral, is it in a particular bank or security, is it liquid and what rate of interest, if any, is it earning?

How much of future revenues have been allocated/awarded?

Describe the application process for requesting Metroplex funding and define the decision criteria.

List those applications that have been denied and provide the basis for denial.

How and by what criteria are contractors and construction firms selected? How does a company become eligible to compete for work - is there a formal process by which bids are solicited? (These questions are of interest because there appears to be an established relationship between the Metroplex and the Galesi Group.)

What is the amount of revenue that has been forfeited by the City of Schenectady and Schenectady County by extending tax incentives (e.g., tax “amnesty”) to businesses that are establishing operations with Metroplex financial support?

When is the projected return on investment expected to begin? When will these properties enter the tax rolls? What guarantees are in place in the event of default?

What is the policy regarding converting loans to grants for businesses that cannot achieve sustained profitability? Upon what criteria are these decisions based? For what period of time does the Metroplex commit to providing ongoing financial support?

Here is the respond from the NYS Comptroller:

Sorry to say, but this letter just seems to say...Yeah, we got your mail, whaddya want us to do about it?

BigK,

I agree with your assessment that the response to my correspondence is non-commital.  If others believe that this cause is worthy of their support, each will need to submit their request, by mail or phone, to the Mr. Madej, Chief Examiner.  His contact information is available in the letter posted above.

I agree...NON COMMITTAL!
We should all sign a petition-like letter and send it on!

Should the STATE audit metroplex?????? WOW!!! that's a paradox if I ever heard one.......

If anyone is interested in contacting Mr. Madej of the State Comptroller's Office - Office of Local Government & School Accountability,
the contact information, including an email address is provided below.


ALBANY REGIONAL OFFICE
Kenneth Madej, Chief Examiner
Office of the State Comptroller
22 Computer Drive West
Albany, New York 12205-1695
(518 ) 438-0093 | Fax (518 ) 438-0367
Email: Muni-Albany@osc.state.ny.us
Serving: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Schenectady, Ulster counties

To date, the results of the poll asking if the New York State Office of the State Comptroller should perform an independent and comprehensive audit of the finances and operations of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority are:

Yes:  18  (94.7%)

Undecided:  1  (5.3%)

No:  0  (0%)

The above totals represents the sums of the votes made at both the schenectadyny.info and the rotterdamny.info web sites.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

After 10 years, it’s time for independent audit of Metroplex

    With the 10th anniversary of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority [Metroplex] in 2008, an independent and comprehensive audit of the Metroplex by the New York State Offi ce of the State Comptroller’s Office of Local Government and School Accountability is required to ensure the accountability of expenditures of public revenues and to provide transparency to the operations of the organization.
    The creation of the Metroplex was prompted by the Schenectady 2000 project, an effort that began in the early 1990s to revitalize Schenectady. The economic development agency uses a portion of the county sales tax receipts to promote private investment.
    The Daily Gazette has published many articles that address development planned for the city of Schenectady. Most of the plans include financing, in the form of grants and no or low-interest loans awarded by Metroplex.
    While I make no accusations or claims of impropriety by those on the Metroplex board of directors and administrative staff, there are many residents who share my questions and concerns about the application process, the criteria for funding decisions, the distribution of funds to the various municipalities of Schenectady County, and, most importantly, the return on the taxpayers’ investment of public revenues to finance private businesses.
    Though the results of self-directed annual audits of Metroplex and other information are available at the organization’s Web site (www.schenectadymetroplex.org), an independent and comprehensive audit by the New York State Comptroller’s Office will provide full and impartial disclosure of the organization’s operations to the taxpaying residents of Schenectady County.
    BRAD LITTLEFIELD
    Delanson

Brad, as the residents who are paying for all of the Metroplex's decisions they don't believe we have the right to question their decisions. After all they think that they have to think for us as we can't think for ourselves and they know what's best for us. Until the people who are paying for all these loans and handouts stand up and scream enough is enough it'll continue to be business as usual.

Quoted Text

Quoted from shadow:
Until the people who are paying for all these loans and handouts stand up and scream enough is enough it'll continue to be business as usual.

Shadow,

I agree with your assertion.  I have stood up by writing letters to the NYS Comptroller's office and to the Editor of the Daily Gazette.  I understand that
others have also written letters to the state Comptroller's office.  I would ask that if you and others agree with my position on this issue, that you stand with me.
Write a short Letter the Editor of the Daily Gazette referencing my letter (published today) and stating your position.

Brad, excellent article. And thanks for speaking for us.
I will be anxiously awaiting a respond from Mr. Gillen or
others in the Metroplex Authority.

Quoted Text

Quoted from JoAnn:
... I will be anxiously awaiting a respond from Mr. Gillen or others in the Metroplex Authority.

I fully expect there to be a response from Gillen that states that there is no need for the requested audit and
that anyone who has questions/concerns can contact him.  This response will, of course, not satisfy my request for an independent, impartial, and comprehensive review of the organizations finances and operations.

It's been obvious for quite some time now that the County Council and Metroplex really doesn't want us to know what they're doing and how they're spending the residents/taxpayers money.

Quoted Text

Thank You. The following information has been submitted:


Form submitted on Tue Jan 15 12:28:23 2008

Personal Information:
   Mr Bradley Littlefield
   197 Eaton Corners Road
   Delanson, NY 12053
   Phone: 518-XXX-XXXX
   Email: XXXXXXXX

Comments:
Dear Attorney General Cuomo,

In early December 2007, I penned a letter to the New York State Office of
the State Comptroller's office requesting that an independent and
comprehensive audit of the operations and the finances of the Schenectady
Metroplex Developement Authority (a public authority) be performed by the
state.  I spoke w/ Mr. Kenneth Madej who informed me that a state audit has
never been conducted of the "Metroplex" since it's inception
ten years ago, despite the law that stipulates that public authorities
must be audited by the state at a minimum of once in every five years.

As the highest law enforcement authority in New York State and an
advocate for consumers and residents, I ask that you investigate and
determine why the Metroplex has apparently been exempt from the
provisions of the law regarding the auditing of public authorities.
Many of the taxpaying residents of Schenectady County share my questions
and concerns about the application process, the criteria for funding
decisions, the awarding of public revenues in the form of grants to
private citizens, the distribution of funds to the various municipalities of
Schenectady County, and, most importantly, the return on the
taxpayers investment of public revenues to finance private businesses.

I thank you in advance for the courtesy of your reply.

Respectfully,

Brad Littlefield




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to the Office of the Attorney General's Home Page

I submitted, by web post, the correspondence above to New York State Attorney General Cuomo.  Confirmation of the receipt of my correspondence was acknowledged by email (below).  I believe that it is time to escalate the question/issue as no satisfactory response has been received to date from the New York State Office of the State Comptroller.  I will post any response that I receive from the Attorney General's office.

Quoted Text

From: webmaster@smtpgw.oag.state.ny.us
To: XXXXXXX
Subject: Comments to AG from Web Site
Date: Jan 15, 2008 12:28 PM
Hi Bradley,

Thank you for sending your comment to the Attorney General.

This is an automatic confirmation of your e-mail to us.  Please do not respond to
this message.

We received your message on Tue Jan 15 12:28:23 2008

Thanks,
New York State Attorney General Web Team

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Metroplex critic doesn’t know what he’s talking about

    This is in response to Brad Littlefield’s Jan. 8 letter asking for an audit of Metroplex by the state comptroller’s office.
    Each year Metroplex conducts an annual audit, which is submitted to the comptroller’s office for review. Copies are also submitted to the state and county legislatures, and they are also posted at our Web site at http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org
    Metroplex is covered by the Public Authorities Accountability Act. All board meetings are open to the public and are broadcast on Channel 16. All projects that involve a commitment of more than $500,000 in funding require a public hearing. All contracts above $25,000 require approval by the board in public session. While board Chairman Ray Gillen is authorized to approve contracts for less than $25,000, he has made it a practice to submit all contracts to the board for approval. Metroplex also must maintain excellent finances as we are rated by credit agencies. We have a current bond rating of A.
For many years, Schenectady operated with a private economic development group that had no audited financials and very little accountability. I know, as I was a member of the board of that group, and resigned my board seat over concerns about the direction of the organization. This private group is no longer the lead agency in economic development.
Metroplex is a major partner in a county economic development team that is accountable, results-oriented and successful.
BRADLEY G. LEWIS
Schenectady
The writer is vice chairman of the Metroplex board and is an economics professor at Union College.     

I want to first say that I think the Gazette could have chosen other words to title this article.

And with that said, I have a question.  Do all Authorities, such as the Thruway Authority have to follow the same guidelines? Such as what Mr. Lewis stated:

Quoted Text

Each year Metroplex conducts an annual audit, which is submitted to the comptroller’s office for review. Copies are also submitted to the state and county legislatures, and they are also posted at our Web site at http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org  

If the Thruway Authority has submitted the same annual audits,, they were still subject an external audit. Wouldn't this be true for the Metroplex as well?

An audit by the organization and submitted to the state is the same as having the fox guard the hen house or the PBA investigating the police department.

Mr. Lewis failed to comprehend the statements contained in my Letter to the Editor of the Daily Gazette which included one in which I acknowledged that there are self-directed annual audits of the Metroplex.  He doesn't agree that an independent and comprehensive audit conducted by the New York State Comptroller's office, that provides full accountability of the operations and the finances of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority (of which he is vice chairman) is not only in the interests of the tax paying residents of Schenectady County, but is also required by the law that governs state audits of public authorities.

I had expected a letter to be written by Metroplex Chairman Gillen and published by the Daily Gazette.  I guess that another insider on the Metroplex board was delegated the task.  Mr. Lewis doth protest too much.  Is he concerned about what an audit by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller may reveal?

The campaign continues.

I'm sure that the Thruway Authority does the same thing as the Metroplex in regards to their own internal audit and YET the Thruway Authority was audited. We are just asking, as taxpayers for a state audit. Now is that really too much to ask for in this great overtaxed state we live in? :-/
And besides, that is the job of the Comptroller and the Attorney General. That's what we pay them to do!

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors
SchenectadyMetroplex Development
Authority

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets of Schenectady Metroplex
Development Authority(a New York public benefit corporation) as of December 31, 2006and 2005,
and the related statements of revenues, expenses, and changes in net assets, and cash flows for the years
then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibilityof the Authority’s management.  Our
responsibilityis to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generallyaccepted in the United
States of America.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of SchenectadyMetroplex Development Authorityas of December 31, 2006 and
2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis on pages 2 through 7is not a required part of the basic
financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Governmental Accounting
Standards Board.  We have applied certain limited procedures, which consisted principally of inquiries
of management regarding the methods of measurement and presentation of the supplementary information.  However, we did not audit the information and express no opinion on it.

Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co. LLP
Albany, New York
June25, 2007

http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org/downloads/2006%20Metroplex%20Audit.pdf

Quoted Text

Metroplex critic doesn’t know what he’s talking about

    This is in response to Brad Littlefield’s Jan. 8 letter asking for an audit of Metroplex by the state comptroller’s office.
    Each year Metroplex conducts an annual audit, which is submitted to the comptroller’s office for review. Copies are also submitted to the state and county legislatures, and they are also posted at our Web site at http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org
    Metroplex is covered by the Public Authorities Accountability Act. All board meetings are open to the public and are broadcast on Channel 16. All projects that involve a commitment of more than $500,000 in funding require a public hearing. All contracts above $25,000 require approval by the board in public session. While board Chairman Ray Gillen is authorized to approve contracts for less than $25,000, he has made it a practice to submit all contracts to the board for approval. Metroplex also must maintain excellent finances as we are rated by credit agencies. We have a current bond rating of A.
For many years, Schenectady operated with a private economic development group that had no audited financials and very little accountability. I know, as I was a member of the board of that group, and resigned my board seat over concerns about the direction of the organization. This private group is no longer the lead agency in economic development.
Metroplex is a major partner in a county economic development team that is accountable, results-oriented and successful.
BRADLEY G. LEWIS
Schenectady
The writer is vice chairman of the Metroplex board and is an economics professor at Union College.  

Ladies and Gentlemen.......Please...... Do not pay any attention to the man behind the curtain.

No...Mr. Lewis is hiding behind his titles...vice chairman of the Metroplex board and is an economics professor at Union College.  Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co. LLP do not actually 'audit' the Metroplex. They just put the information given to them BY the Metroplex into an audit format and submit it to the proper authorities. As taxpayers and as Brad has stated, the taxpayers are just requesting an independent audit by the state. Just like they did for the Thruway authority.

May I also say that there are incentives for 'new' businesses to open up shop in certain areas of Schenectady County. They are called 'Empire Zones'. This was put into place to give new business a tax break if they located in those areas. Well we all know that the Rotterdam Industrial Park is one which did benefit the town with the Railex and the Price Chopper Freezer and Fedex.

But what about the downtown area of Schenectady? I believe that is also considered an Empire Zone. Now Villa Italia moved out of Rotterdam and 're-located' their already lucrative business to Broadway in Schenectady. Villa Italia is considered to be in this Empire Zone now which allows them the tax breaks. The Golub Office complex will be doing the same thing when they move to their new location in Schenectady.

So what is going on, is that successful, long standing businesses that have been contributing 100% to the tax base are now being lured to the downtown area specifically for the tax break. Hence, actually losing tax money. So can someone explain the rational to me? Aren't we really just robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to day? I may be seeing this in the wrong light and need some correction.

Quoted from bumblethru

So what is going on, is that successful, long standing businesses that have been contributing 100% to the tax base are now being lured to the downtown area specifically for the tax break. Hence, actually losing tax money. So can someone explain the rational to me? Aren't we really just robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to day? I may be seeing this in the wrong light and need some correction.

They don't care about Peter if they can show that Paul is doing so much better.  And guess what...Peter's broke.  (30,000 people with Peter's broke.)  Oh well, at least Paul's doing good.

I would welcome any of you who disagree with Mr. Lewis's assertions and who support my call for the New York State Comptroller's Office to perform an independent and comprehensive audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority to write a Letter to the Editor of the Daily Gazette.  The point that several of you have made regarding the NYS Thruway audit by the Comptroller's office as being similar is valid.  Why is the Metroplex exempt from the state law that requires public authorities to be audited at a minimum of once every five years?  (I was told of this law by someone in government, I will have to find the exact legislation).  Self-directed audits are, as Shadow contends, "the same as having the fox guard the hen house".  

It is interesting that the louder the outcry by the public becomes in support of the Metroplex audit and the more pressure that is brought upon the government to conduct the audit, the more defensive those on the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority become.  Is there a reason for concern on their parts?  If not, would they not welcome the audit as a chance to show the public that the organization is being run efficiently and in accordance with the law?

It is unfortunate that the two daily newspapers in the Capital District do not have any legitimate investigative journalists.  Those who cover Schenectady County simply present the views, statements, and opinions of the Democratic majority in local government.  They act as cheerleaders for the current government rather than public advocates.

Quoted Text

Is there a reason for concern on their part?  If not, would they not welcome the audit as a chance to show the public that the organization is being run efficiently and in accordance with the law?

Because you are treading on sacred ground where no one has gone before.  In part it boils down to a "how dare you question THE AUTHORITY".

The thruway authority has not removed their foxes from the hen house---maybe they consider their foxes more like Robin Hoods?????

Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow: lost without a heart or brain---- :-/

Cowardly Lion: cant get through it with a roar, just a little meow--- :-/

I'm submitting an LTE today in response to Mr. Lewis' letter.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Is Metroplex trying to hide something?

    In reply to Bradley Lewis’ Feb. 1 letter, I would ask Mr. Lewis (and more to the point, the head of Schenectady Metroplex, Ray Gillen) the following: If, as stated in Mr. Lewis’ letter, “Metroplex is a major partner in a county economic development team that is accountable, results-oriented and successful,” and Metroplex is doing so well and on the right path, what does the Metroplex have to lose by having an outside entity auditing this entity, besides comforting Schenectady County taxpayers?
    Mr. Lewis also stated, “For many years Schenectady operated with a private economic development group that had no audited financials and very little accountability.” Mr. Lewis, how much accountability does Metroplex have?
    Why not put Metroplex’s taxpayerfunded money where its mouth is? Allow an open audit of the records by an outside source, namely New York state (as recommended by Brad Littlefield’s Jan. 8 letter).
    KEVIN MARCH
    Rotterdam

Kevin,

Good letter.  Those who support the call for an independent and comprehensive audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority by the New York State Comptroller's Office need to continue the pressure by writing Letters to
the Editor of the Daily Gazette and Times Union, contacting the Comptroller's Office, NYS Attorney General, and the Governor and by calling into the local talk radio stations when discussion pertains to Schenectady County.

One person alone cannot champion a cause.  I commend those of you, like Kevin, who have given of yourselves in working to ensure integrity in government and to make Schenectady County a better place to live.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Report: $7M results in few jobs
Empire Zone lured businesses
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter

    More than $7 million in state taxpayer money was used over the course of one year to add just 31 jobs in Schenectady County, according to the 2007 Empire Zone annual report.
    The Empire Zone businesses, which are primarily located in the city, spent $54 million to expand or start new companies in exchange for $7.2 million in tax reimbusements and sales tax exemptions, the report said. It refers to activity from 2006; the next report is expected this summer.
    The report makes it clear that Empire Zone benefits successfully encouraged some businesses to relocate and invest in this area. But the report also calls into question the other goal of the program — job growth, particularly among residents in the city’s “economically distressed” areas of Hamilton Hill, Vale and Central State Street. Very few zone businesses are located in that area and in the zone as a whole, almost none of the businesses offered statistics on how many area residents they employed.
    The Empire Zone businesses do employ many people: Countywide they had a total employment of 5,364 workers at 167 companies in 2006, according to the report. But state officials have questioned whether such figures are accurate after discovering widespread misstatements in other cities’ reports, and have criticized the statewide program for not fueling enough job growth each year.
    In Schenectady County, there was an increase of just 31 workers over the previous year, despite the addition of many new businesses with goals of regular job growth. Some of those businesses apparently never even opened, including Camelo Donuts. Others quickly closed — including Sushiart Japanese Restaurant — and still others never met their development goals. Among the latter is the Minority Contractors Technical Assistance Program, MCTAP, which still employs just two people and has yet to open its training center after five years in the program.
OUTLOOK IMPROVING
    There may be better news on the jobs front in the next report, because several zone businesses that were in construction in 2006 — including the Hampton Inn and Movieland — will be able to point to job creation in 2007. Movieland, which opened in May 2007, employs five full-timers and 10 part-timers. The Hampton Inn, which opened in June 2007, has hired about 24 full-timers and six part-timers. In Rotterdam, Railex has opened with Empire Zone benefits and has about 140 employees. Each business pays its taxes, which are then reimbursed by the state.
    “There are a lot of people,” said county economic development chief Ray Gillen, who chairs the Metroplex Development Authority. He expects the 2008 report to show many more jobs.
    He argued the 2007 report at least showed that developers are investing in the area.
    “The investment numbers are pretty good,” he said, noting that $54 million was spent for $7.2 million in tax credits and exemptions. “It confirms the level of investment we’ve been saying. There’s substantial new investment.”
    But the report also lists several new additions to the zone that didn’t expand or add any jobs. Among them are Acme Press, which is 85 years old and has nine full-time workers now — but was listed as having 11 when it was added to the zone in 2006.
    Sepsa North America, which relocated to Schenectady in 2006, has 33 workers now, one less than it lists as having when it came to the city. It had promised to employ 100 workers by the first quarter of 2008.
    One success story could be Villa Italia, which moved to Schenectady from Rotterdam partly because of the Empire Zone benefits. Walk-in business has increased by more than 60 percent since the move to the city’s downtown.
    As business grew, so did the jobs. The pastry bakery had 37 full- and part-time employees when it opened in 2005. Now it has 52 employees, of which roughly half are part-time, owner Bob Mallozzi said.
    He spoke highly of the tax credit program, in which the state reimburses him for the local taxes he pays.
    “It’s been really beneficial,” he said. “It was definitely part of our decision to move here … We exceeded the amount we needed to hire by a lot.”
    He is also one of the few employers who tracked the number of employees from the city’s distressed area. Two of his workers live in the Hill-Vale neighborhoods.
ORIGINAL PLAN
    The original purpose of the state’s Empire Zone program was to encourage job creation and business growth in economically distressed areas. The goal was for businesses to relocate to such areas and hire employees who lived there.
    But the Empire Zone philosophy has changed. According to the state’s development department, the zones are now supposed to “attract new businesses to New York State and to enable existing businesses to expand and create more jobs.” The zones have been widely expanded; in Schenectady County, businesses can now locate in Glenville and Rotterdam as well as the city.
    In response to criticism about the effectiveness of the program, legislators have recently tried to rein in the Empire Zone program in many ways.
    Mayor Brian U. Stratton has tried to push through a rule that would require Empire Zone businesses in Rotterdam and Glenville to hire a percentage of their workers from Schenectady’s distressed areas.
    State legislators also tightened the geographic rules for the program to stop municipalities from extending their zone well beyond the distressed areas. Now there can be just three non-adjacant zones in each area. The change forced Schenectady to jettison some of its zone areas — the city had extended its zone to virtually every commercial property in Schenectady, although businesses could not claim the benefits unless they projected substantial investment or job growth.
    Most recently, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said such reforms were not enough.
    He said the program isn’t monitored closely enough to determine whether it’s effective at retaining and attracting jobs.
    “New York should take another look at the Empire Zone program,” DiNapoli said in February. “We need to know if we’re getting a bang for the taxpayers’ buck.”
    A spokesman for the comptroller’s office reiterated that this week, saying the taxpayers need to closely review the Empire Zone reports to decide whether their money is being well spent by the state.
    “We have advocated for increased transparency and accountability so that public policy makers, local officials and most importantly the taxpayers can understand and determine whether the benefits provided are cost-effective,” said spokesman William Reynolds.

Wow ... Metroplex and the County Legislature should be SO proud of their accomplishments.

Fire Gillen. Impeach Savage. Reduce the tax burden on Schenectady County Residents.

I'm sure glad I don't invest my money the way Metroplex does. Spend $50 to make $1 just doesn't cut it.

I'm sure glad I don't invest my money the way Metroplex does. Spend $50 to make $10 just doesn't cut it.

Quoted from MobileTerminal

Wow ... Metroplex and the County Legislature should be SO proud of their accomplishments.

Fire Gillen. Impeach Savage. Reduce the tax burden on Schenectady County Residents.

Reduce the tax burden----ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.....when have you seen the total amount of taxes decrease??? they may rid us of one tax only to give it 'Peter' or 'Paul'---depending on who's turn it is........

It is a circle jerk.......

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

ALBANY
State comptroller plans to audit Metroplex
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    The state will audit Metroplex Development Authority’s books for the first time since its creation in 1999. Metroplex officials called the state comptroller’s audit routine.
    “It is not triggered by anything. We have all of the procedures in place and we are in full compliance with the public authorities law,” said Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen.
    The State Comptroller’s Offi ce notified Metroplex of its plans in a letter dated Feb. 28. The letter said the office “selected Metroplex for an audit . . . that will evaluate its policies and procedures and internal controls.” There is no indication of wrongdoing suggested in the letter.
    The comptroller plans to examine Metroplex’s operations from Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2007. The period covers some of Metroplex’s major investments when it distributed millions in loans and grants toward the construction of the Hampton Inn and the Bowtie Cinema, as well as provided grants to the Downtown Schenectady Improvement District and the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District.
    Spokesman Bill Reynolds of the State Comptroller’s Office said the audit could take several months.
    Gillen said he looks forward to the audit: “It’s more on operational issues.”
    Metroplex Executive Director Jayme Lahut called the audit “fairly routine for a non-financial audit.” He said Metroplex hires an outside certified public accountant to audit its books annually. Metroplex sends copies of the audits to the comptroller’s office.

I'm pleased to hear that FINALLY an audit will be conducted. HOWEVER...they need to go back further in time. And after the audit is completed, perhaps Cuomo should look into it also. But with Gillen being an appointed Spitzer crony to the board of SCCC, I really don't know how this will play out or how fair of an audit it will be.

Thanks for all of your hard work Brad. Good job! :)

JoAnn,

The thanks go to Mr. Kenneth Madej, the Chief Examiner at the New York State Office of the Comptroller's Office.  He is a public servant who is serving the interests of the public and abiding by the law that requires public authorities to be audited.  I have faith that Comptroller Dinapoli and his staff will perform a thorough and unbiased (performance) audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.  Regardless of the findings, which I hope will show that there has been no impropriety in the actions of Mr. Gillen and the Board of Directors, I am pleased that Mr. Dinapoli is placing public interests before partisan politics.  An accounting of the taxpayers' money and an assessment of the effectiveness of the Metroplex is long overdue.

I want to thank my friends (most of whom I have never met) on both this forum and the Schenectady forum who voiced your opinions and views.  The postings on this board are read, I suspect, by many in the media and in government.  Despite differences of opinion expressed, the dialog captured the attention of many in positions to make the audit a reality.  A special thanks to Kevin March (bigK) for authoring his Letter to the Editor in response to the attacks against me by Metroplex Board member Brad Lewis.

Since the stories have appeared in the Daily Gazette this week, I have heard from many people in the public who I do not know and who have expressed their gratitude for my call for an audit of the Metroplex.  Several business owners have contacted me to share their accounts and frustrations.  I provided to them Mr. Madej's contact information and encouraged them to share their information with the New York State Comptroller's Office.

It is time now to turn our focus toward the next front in our battle to ensure integrity and accountability in government.

Good goin' Brad Littlefield....I have never met you but, am sure glad you are who you are and do what you do.....and I dont mean your job/position etc...I mean who you are......

Though I dont often agree 100% with everyone, the person who has the get-go to get going is the best... :)

Thanks senders.  Perhaps I will have the pleasure of meeting you some day.  I plan to attend the meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature next Tuesday night at 7 pm.  I want to lend my support to Legislator Santabarbara as his first piece of legislation, that provides for a Sheriff's Deputy to be present at the Town of Princetown meetings, comes to the floor for a vote.  So, if any of you are available to attend the meeting, come and join me.  Perhaps we can go out for coffee (my treat) after the meeting.  :)

If all goes as planned, I'm also planning to attend the meeting. Who could pass up the free coffee? :)

Brad, any idea when the audit will take place?

I'd go, but I don't know anyone here well enough to mooch a free cup of java from. It'd be nice to meet some of y'all.

NYS Office of the State Comptroller
http://www.osc.state.ny.us/

Public Authority Regulations
http://www.osc.state.ny.us/pubauth/regulations/index.htm

Quoted Text

Quoted from shadow:
Brad, any idea when the audit will take place?

Mr. Madej of the Comptroller's office stated only that the audit has been scheduled.  However, I believe that I
read in the Daily Gazette article that the Metroplex Chair and Board of Directors have already been notified of
the audit.  I also heard that a request has been made for many documents.

Mr. Madej stated that the audit would likely take several months to complete and perhaps longer if something
that is found requires an investigation.  So, I wouldn't expect to hear anything until early July at the earliest.

Quoted Text

Quoted from MobileTerminal:
I'd go, but I don't know anyone here well enough to mooch a free cup of java from. It'd be nice to meet some of y'all.

MT,

Come on down.  If you don't feel right about accepting my offer for coffee, they you can buy  ;D
Or, we can go "Dutch".

I would really like to meet all of you.  Please try to make it on Tuesday night.

I plan on attending also.  MT,  don't feel bad about mooching coffee from Brad, it gives him the chance to enlighten in person.......a sight to see, don't miss it.   ;)

Quoted Text

Quoted from Rene:
I plan on attending also.  MT,  don't feel bad about mooching coffee from Brad, it gives him the chance to enlighten in person.......a sight to see, don't miss it.

All right now, you can buy your own coffee   :P

Hopefully I'll be there, thanks for the invite!

Someone better bring the aspirin. Cause you always end up with a headache after those meetings! In fact there should be a message from the Surgeon General posted on the door that states, 'WARNING: Attending the Schenectady County meetings can and will cause nausea and headache and confusion'!!! ??) ??) ??)

Quoted Text

All right now, you can buy your own coffee  

Oh no you don't, you're buying and I'm not going to let you off the hook!

I will do my best to make it to the meeting, but my plans are still up in the air at the moment.

I attended the County Legislature Meeting tonight. I always enjoy going to these meetings to see how well our government is working in a partisan manner!

I was also specifically interested in the proposed Resolution 57-8, requesting the NYS Legislature to introduce legislation to increase the bonding for the Metroplex. It was quite evident that businesses that have benefited from the Metroplex were strategically placed in order to speak, all on professionally typed paper, in favor of this increase from $50 Million to $75 Million. When they were done speaking they quickly left.

Some of these businesses were:
Proctors - Philip Morris
Northeast Parent & Child
Key Bank
NY Development Group
Super Steel
Forte-tech
Galesi
Highbridge Development
Wade Lupe Towers
The Schenectady Chamber of Commerce
Robert Ivonella
....and a few others.
Mr. Gillen was there but did not speak.

They also mentioned that since 2004, 3000 new jobs were created.

Those not in favor were few to speak, but had hard facts to back up their statements. Mr. Suhrada and Mr. Santabarbara were the only 2 who were not in favor of the increase and voted "No". Mr. Santabarbara suggested waiting until the audit of the Metroplex was completed before there was a request for an increase. Ms. Savage assured everyone that this audit was just routine. But we all know that the audit was requested of the State Comptroller's office by a private citizen. So it is not routine.

So now we will wait to see if our state legislatures will approve the increase or not. And we will await the outcome of the audit.

We need to start writing letters to the editor very soon, and contacting directly our members of the Albany legislature.  Here's the contact information to tell them that we do NOT want this OK'd.

George Amedore - Assembly Member - 105th district
AmedoreG@ assembly.state.ny.us

DISTRICT OFFICE
1170 Riverfront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010
518-843-0227

ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 426
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5197

Jim Tedisco - Assembly Minority Leader, Assembly Member, 110th district
tediscj@ assembly.state.ny.us

DISTRICT OFFICE
12 Jay Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
518-370-2812

ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 933
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-3751


Hugh T. Farley
Chairman of Majority Program Development
44th Senate District

Capitol Office
Room 412 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
(518) 455-2181, toll-free (800) 224-5201, fax (518) 455-2271

Amsterdam District Office
2430 Riverfront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 843-2188, fax (518) 843-8363

Johnstown District Office
City Hall, 33-41 East Main Street
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 762-3733, fax (518) 762-3721

The only way to e-mail Senator Farley is to go to the following link on his webpage:
http://www.senatorfarley.com/44/Contact.aspx

Quoted from Rene

Oh no you don't, you're buying and I'm not going to let you off the hook!

Missed you for the coffee, Rene.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Metroplex measure sent to state
Authority seeking approval for extra $25M bond cap
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    Schenectady County’s prime economic development engine won local approval Tuesday to seek a $25-million turbocharge from the state to continue its mission of expanding the tax base and creating jobs.
    The county Legislature approved home rule legislation Tuesday night to ask the state Legislature to expand the Metroplex Development Authority’s bond cap by 50 percent, to $75 million from $50 million, and to extend its life by five years. It is currently scheduled to cease operations in 2028.
    Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said the $25 million increase is exactly what Metroplex can repay over time, based on its current debt, its projected sales tax revenues and the performance of its loan portfolio. The five-year extension would allow it to issue long-term bonds of 20 and 30 years, the usual terms of repayment.
    Gillen said Metroplex should be able to leverage $100 million in investment through the extra $25 million in bonding. Metroplex has a current bond rating of A, about average.
    Metroplex receives about $7 million annually through a portion of the county sales tax. Since its creation in 1999, it has tapped $42 million of its $50 million bonding authority. In the process, it has helped generate $300 million in investment and created 3,000 jobs, according to Metroplex officials.
    Gillen said Metroplex has support in both houses of the state Legislature for the measure.
    The vote in the Democrat-dominated county Legislature was 10-2. Republicans Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, and Angelo Santabarbara, R-Rotterdam, voted against it.
    Minority Leader Bob Farley, R-Glenville, Judy Dagostino, D-Rotterdam, and Philip Fields, D-Schenectady were absent. Jim Buhrmaster, R-Glenville, voted with majority Democrats.
    Suhrada, a frequent Metroplex critic, urged legislators to delay their vote until the state Comptroller’s Office completes an audit of Metroplex, which was announced last week. He also said people are con- cerned Metroplex will never go away, as is the case with the state Thruway Authority, and that it will establish a large debt for the community to repay. His amendment to increase the bond cap by only $10 million failed along party lines.
    During the public comment session, 24 people spoke in favor of extending Metroplex’s bonding cap and two spoke against it. Proponents included major developers and business owners who have benefited from Metroplex’s efforts, including The Galesi Group, Fortitech and the Hampton Inn.
    Galesi executive David Buicko, whose company owns several business parks in the county as well as several downtown Schenectady buildings, said Metroplex is an essential economic development tool and the envy of other communities in the region.
    “It levels the playing field,” Buicko said, meaning Metroplex provides assistance to developers to rehabilitate downtown buildings they would find too costly to fi x on their own.
    “We have a responsibility to the community” to keep Metroplex on track with its mission, Buicko said.
    Brad Littlefield of Delanson, who persistently petitioned the comptroller’s office to audit Metroplex, opposed the legislation. “We should recoup bad investment prior to increasing the bond cap more,” he said.
    He asked the Legislature to delay its vote until after the comptroller completed its audit.

Quoted Text

... Brad Littlefield of Delanson, who persistently petitioned the comptroller’s office to audit Metroplex, opposed the legislation. “We should recoup bad investment prior to increasing the bond cap more,” he said.

Although the quoted statement summed up a portion of my argument, the quote was not taken verbatim from
my comments.  The Gazette is taking liberties in paraphrasing comments while placing them in quotes.  They have
also edited and reworded some of what I have written in my Letters to the Editor.

The Daily Gazette story tells only half the story; the half that supports the majority party.

The 24 people who spoke included only four who seemingly were not recipients of public revenues awarded by the Metroplex.  Of the four members of the public, three spoke against lengthening the charter and increasing the bond cap with the fourth withholding a statement of support or opposition.  The latter spoke of the many redundant organizations that exist in Schenectady County to support business development and of the many forms of public funding (e.g., Empire Zone, Metroplex, IDAs, PILOTs, etc.) received by developers.

The parade of supporters was unquestionably orchestrated by either someone from the Metroplex Board of Directors or the Democratic party controlled County Legislature.  Each businessman read from prepared notes and stated that if it were not for the Metroplex funding, they would not be conducting business in Schenectady County.

Gazette Reporter Lamendola also misreported the vote.  Of the 15 Legislators, 3 (Farley, Dagostino, Fields) were absent/excused, 2 (Suhrada, Santabarbara) voted in opposition, 1 (Dicerbo) abstained and the remaining 9 voted in favor of the legislation.  Legislator Buhrmaster voted for a defeated amendment proposed by Legislator Suhrada to lower the increase in the bond cap from $25M to $10M.  After the amendment was defeated, Buhrmaster voted for the initial proposal.  Legislator Dicerbo, the sponsor of the proposed legislation, requested that the (recorded) sponsorship be changed and abstained from the vote because he is employed by the NYS Office of the Comptroller.  

Legislator Hughes and Savage misrepresented the state audit as "routine".  This is inaccurate and misleading because in the 9 years since the founding of the Metroplex, it has NEVER been audited.

The vote will give the public a better sense regarding which representatives have the public interests in mind.  It is curious that Mr. Farley, the author of the Metroplex law, did not attend the meeting last evening with such an important proposal being voted upon.  Legislator Buhrmaster, who is waging a campaign for Congress on a platform that he will be representing the overtaxed residents, did not vote in a manner that is consistent with that pledge.  He may have lost my support.  I am hopeful that additional Republican candidates and those from third parties will announce their intentions to run for the 21st Congressional District seat.

I heard Legislator Suhrada speaking on the Paul Vandenburgh radio show (WGDJ Talk 1300) about the actions of the Legislature last evening on the legislation to lengthen the charter and increase the bond cap of the Metroplex.  He is
an advocate of the public.

I just hope that the audit is a complete and honest one so we can all see how badly our money has been spent and with how little we as residents have to show for all the money spent.

Obviously success isn't measured by sales taxes returned through metroplex.  I browsed the metroplex website http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org/downloads/Town%20Sls%20Tax%20Update.pdf.  I noticed that Metroplex distributed the county sales tax money back to the towns in 07' was $191,145 less than distributed in 06'.  You would figure with these 2000 new jobs created through metroplex would correspond with more taxes collected.   There was actually only a net gain of $154,106 in sales tax revenue between 99' to 07'.  How many 10's millions were given to these business's for this $154,106 windfall.

The website also states that there are 144,344 residents in Schenectady County.  That's an extra $1.06 per County resident after 9 years of so called economic development.  

Quoted Text

Quoted from Cicero:
... You would figure with these 2000 new jobs created through metroplex would correspond with more taxes collected.

Cicero,

The new number being advertised by the Metroplex is 3000 jobs.  Of course, there is no evidence presented to support the claim.  The job growth, as cited in each subsequent press release, appears to come in increments of one thousand.

Based on the annual review presentation by Metroplex Chair to the County Legislature in early March, I suspect that he is claiming credit for all new jobs in Schenectady County, regardless of Metroplex involvement.  He included in his cited "successes" many projects in which the Metroplex provided little to no input or financial support.  For example, the ~500 jobs that will be staffed at the GE main plant during the next several years have little to do with the Metroplex.  I am hopeful that the audit of the Metroplex by the NYS Office of the Comptroller will find that the realized benefits of the tens of millions of dollars of investment of public revenues exceed those associated with the $7M in Empire Zone grants that were awarded in the county; a gain of 31 jobs.

As for the $1.06 per resident in tax revenue increase, we should amortize that over the next nine years and apply that to the projected $16M budget shortfall in the 2009 county budget.

The legislatures that run the city and the people who run Metroplex sure know how to handle our money don't they. Now we end up with a $16 million shortfall in the budget and the idiots want to tax us to death to try and balance it. The ones in control right now couldn't find their butts with a map let along run a city.

Quoted from Brad Littlefield

The parade of supporters was unquestionably orchestrated by either someone from the Metroplex Board of Directors or the Democratic party controlled County Legislature.  Each businessman read from prepared notes and stated that if it were not for the Metroplex funding, they would not be conducting business in Schenectady County.

This asumption was correct. This was a definate orchestratrated display by the Metroplex and the County Legislature. And as one resident stated, "It looks like a Boy's Club".

It is a good old boys club. It isn't what you know, but who you know.  Clearly, most of these people that they say talked at this meeting last night, in favor of the metroplex, certainly did not even need taxpayers metroplex money. They already have it.

I say that if the NYS Comptroller doesn't do an audit that satisfies the people, there are other avenues. The Beast has got to be stopped before we all go broke.

Well, as I have said to some people (and I don't remember if I posted it on here), I decided that I was going to send an e-mail to both Mr. Amedore and Mr. Tedisco regarding this prior to the bill coming to the floor of the Assembly.

Here's a copy of what I sent yesterday afternoon, with both having auto-replies on their e-mails that they may not be able to answer specific questions.  

I hope that other people also decide to send something to ask them to make sure this doesn't happen.  Also, we need to contact some of the local talk shows.  In fact, due to the issues with the deficit in Colonie, Mark Williams (590, WROW), was saying this afternoon that they are going to be holding a bake sale / bottle drive to help with that deficit.  Maybe they would be willing to have one here in Schenectady for EITHER the Metroplex or the County budget shortfall (which I think would be more in-line with what they're looking to do in Colonie).

Quoted Text

From: March, Kevin
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:36 PM
To: 'Assemblyman James Tedisco'; Assemblyman George Amedore (AmedoreG@assembly.state.NY.US)
Subject: Schenectady Metroplex


Mr. Tedisco and Mr. Amedore,

As the 2 assemblymen who represent Schenectady County at the state level, I wish to address the fact that last night, Schenectady County agreed to request from the state the opportunity for them to raise their debt ceiling from $50 million to $75 million.

There was a large number of people who came to speak last night at the county legislature meeting in regards to this issue, and I was hoping to let you know my feelings.  First, I realize that the county has had the Metroplex authority in effect since 1999.  This means that this organization has been running for approximately 9 years.  

I believe that you would both agree with me that State Street, especially between Erie Boulevard and Nott Terrace, has been changed amazingly, and may in fact, be bringing in many more dollars than it used to before this project began.

What I don't understand is how the County can say that this project is a success and has reached "first base" as someone referenced last night.  They also stated that the additional debt possibility would be needed for the Schenectady Metroplex to be a "homerun."  Well, I am not a professional mathematician, but a couple things bother me with this.  First of all, it took getting into approximately $42 million worth of debt to get to first base. Now, with that being said, that would make me think that the project was about 1/4 through what they expected it to be.  Now, the legislature approved adding another $25 million worth of possible debt to this organization.  If they had a debt ceiling (bonding authority) of $50 million and that only got 1/4 of the job done, how is $25 million going to finish the job, that is unless they're planning on coming back and nickel and diming the community until they get what is really need, which by my calculations would be somewhere near $200 million worth of approval.

Also, if the Schenectady Metroplex is being such a success and so many good things are happening from this, then why is it that they would have to continue to borrow money?  Wouldn't there be a return on the investment coming in?  Shouldn't the projects start to pay off, and in fact, reduce the amount of the debt that the Metroplex is in, and in fact, they should not need any additional debt allowance, as they are getting a return on investment?  

I know that you, Mr. Amedore are a businessman, and successful at that.  I don't know what your profession, Mr. Tedisco, was before you came into the assembly and are now the Assembly Minority leader, but I would pose this question.  

Let's say that you gave someone $50 million to do what they pleased with.  Now, let's say that the same person came back to you and said that they spent the $50 million but that in order to get things going REALLY well, they would need an additional $25 million.  I just don't see where this makes good business sense.  

This would be in accordance with paying off one credit card with another, or to bring up something else that is hitting Schenectady County and the entire nation, let's look at it as a sub-prime loan.  We, the residents of Schenectady County, gave a sub-prime loan to the Metroplex and the Metroplex can't afford to pay it back.  Now, instead of taking back what is rightfully ours, we are supposed to hand out yet another $25 million?  That's right, as residents of Schenectady County, we are the ones who are paying back the majority of this, as the Metroplex draws its money from the sales tax throughout the county.

I respectfully request that you not approve the additional request from the Schenectady Metroplex for an additional $25 million in bonding authority.

This is expanded on since the Metroplex is currently in the process of being prepared for a audit by the State Comptroller.  I would say at a minimum that we should wait to see what the results of the audit are before even considering the idea of lending more money.

I appreciate you taking the time to read and carefully consider this before it comes to the floor in the Assembly.  I would suggest that since I did not see you at the County Legislature meeting last night that you watch SACC-TV in the coming days to see the meeting to see what the residents and business owners had to say about this.  

I hope that you use the insight that has brought you as far as you have come to determine what is truly right for the residents of Schenectady County, which does NOT include additional money for the Schenectady Metroplex, but instead a reduction in the debt that the County and the Metroplex have.

I would appreciate knowing any input that you have on this subject in either way and can be contacted as listed below.

Sincerely,

Kevin T. March
{my address}
{my cellphone}
{my e-mail address}

Quoted Text

A Ponzi scheme usually offers abnormally high short-term returns in order to entice new investors. The high returns that a Ponzi scheme advertises (and pays) require an ever-increasing flow of money from investors in order to keep the scheme going.

The system is doomed to collapse because there are little or no underlying earnings from the money received by the promoter. However, the scheme is often interrupted by legal authorities before it collapses, because a Ponzi scheme is suspected and/or because the promoter is selling unregistered securities. As more investors become involved, the likelihood of the scheme coming to the attention of authorities increases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

Well, as I have said to some people (and I don't remember if I posted it on here), I decided that I was going to send an e-mail to both Mr. Amedore and Mr. Tedisco regarding this prior to the bill coming to the floor of the Assembly.

Here's a copy of what I sent yesterday afternoon, with both having auto-replies on their e-mails that they may not be able to answer specific questions.  

I hope that other people also decide to send something to ask them to make sure this doesn't happen.  Also, we need to contact some of the local talk shows.  In fact, due to the issues with the deficit in Colonie, Mark Williams (590, WROW), was saying this afternoon that they are going to be holding a bake sale / bottle drive to help with that deficit.  Maybe they would be willing to have one here in Schenectady for EITHER the Metroplex or the County budget shortfall (which I think would be more in-line with what they're looking to do in Colonie).

Quoted Text

From: March, Kevin
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:36 PM
To: 'Assemblyman James Tedisco'; Assemblyman George Amedore (AmedoreG@assembly.state.NY.US)
Subject: Schenectady Metroplex


Mr. Tedisco and Mr. Amedore,

As the 2 assemblymen who represent Schenectady County at the state level, I wish to address the fact that last night, Schenectady County agreed to request from the state the opportunity for them to raise their debt ceiling from $50 million to $75 million.

There was a large number of people who came to speak last night at the county legislature meeting in regards to this issue, and I was hoping to let you know my feelings.  First, I realize that the county has had the Metroplex authority in effect since 1999.  This means that this organization has been running for approximately 9 years.  

I believe that you would both agree with me that State Street, especially between Erie Boulevard and Nott Terrace, has been changed amazingly, and may in fact, be bringing in many more dollars than it used to before this project began.

What I don't understand is how the County can say that this project is a success and has reached "first base" as someone referenced last night.  They also stated that the additional debt possibility would be needed for the Schenectady Metroplex to be a "homerun."  Well, I am not a professional mathematician, but a couple things bother me with this.  First of all, it took getting into approximately $42 million worth of debt to get to first base. Now, with that being said, that would make me think that the project was about 1/4 through what they expected it to be.  Now, the legislature approved adding another $25 million worth of possible debt to this organization.  If they had a debt ceiling (bonding authority) of $50 million and that only got 1/4 of the job done, how is $25 million going to finish the job, that is unless they're planning on coming back and nickel and diming the community until they get what is really need, which by my calculations would be somewhere near $200 million worth of approval.

Also, if the Schenectady Metroplex is being such a success and so many good things are happening from this, then why is it that they would have to continue to borrow money?  Wouldn't there be a return on the investment coming in?  Shouldn't the projects start to pay off, and in fact, reduce the amount of the debt that the Metroplex is in, and in fact, they should not need any additional debt allowance, as they are getting a return on investment?  

I know that you, Mr. Amedore are a businessman, and successful at that.  I don't know what your profession, Mr. Tedisco, was before you came into the assembly and are now the Assembly Minority leader, but I would pose this question.  

Let's say that you gave someone $50 million to do what they pleased with.  Now, let's say that the same person came back to you and said that they spent the $50 million but that in order to get things going REALLY well, they would need an additional $25 million.  I just don't see where this makes good business sense.  

This would be in accordance with paying off one credit card with another, or to bring up something else that is hitting Schenectady County and the entire nation, let's look at it as a sub-prime loan.  We, the residents of Schenectady County, gave a sub-prime loan to the Metroplex and the Metroplex can't afford to pay it back.  Now, instead of taking back what is rightfully ours, we are supposed to hand out yet another $25 million?  That's right, as residents of Schenectady County, we are the ones who are paying back the majority of this, as the Metroplex draws its money from the sales tax throughout the county.

I respectfully request that you not approve the additional request from the Schenectady Metroplex for an additional $25 million in bonding authority.

This is expanded on since the Metroplex is currently in the process of being prepared for a audit by the State Comptroller.  I would say at a minimum that we should wait to see what the results of the audit are before even considering the idea of lending more money.

I appreciate you taking the time to read and carefully consider this before it comes to the floor in the Assembly.  I would suggest that since I did not see you at the County Legislature meeting last night that you watch SACC-TV in the coming days to see the meeting to see what the residents and business owners had to say about this.  

I hope that you use the insight that has brought you as far as you have come to determine what is truly right for the residents of Schenectady County, which does NOT include additional money for the Schenectady Metroplex, but instead a reduction in the debt that the County and the Metroplex have.

I would appreciate knowing any input that you have on this subject in either way and can be contacted as listed below.

Sincerely,

Kevin T. March
{my address}
{my cellphone}
{my e-mail address}

heheh - you just posted that at April 10, 2008, 5:43pm

I'm NOT losing my mind, you can't fool me!

He was probably just trying to see how quick we all were at noticing. I guess you won the prize Mobil.  :)

Thanks.  Guess it's just so nice, I posted it twice.  ;)  Guess I'll leave that for others to decide.

http://www.dailygazette.com

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CAPITOL
Tedisco unsure on Metroplex cap Assemblyman said to favor $60 million limit
BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter

    Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, is raising concerns about a proposed bill to increase the bonding authority of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority from $50 million to $75 million, and has not agreed to co-sponsor it.
    The bill, S-7721, is sponsored in the Senate by Tedisco’s fellow Republican, Sen. Hugh Farley of Niskayuna. The Schenectady County Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, requested the legislation, and Farley spokesman David Smingler said it is the senator’s policy to support homerule messages from local governments.
    Tedisco chief of staff Bill Sherman said Tedisco would likely support a smaller increase in the bonding cap, perhaps to $60 million, but also wants to see other changes in the bill, including a qualifications requirement for members of the Metroplex board relating to their experience with public finance and economic development.
    Tedisco also wants the county Legislature required to vote up or down within a certain time period on recommendations for board positions made by local officials, according to Sherman. He said this was prompted by a recent “abuse of power” by Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of the county Legislature, when she postponed a vote on the nomination of Rotterdam’s Patrick Saccocio from August 2007 until February of this year. Saccocio was then confirmed, with Savage voting against.
    In response, Savage released a statement saying: “Neither Mr. Tedisco nor his staff should play politics with the future of economic development in Schenectady County. There is no time for silly games.”
    Savage said: “If Mr. Saccocio [a lawyer] would have recused himself from working for entities with business before Metroplex, then I would have supported his appointment. I am under no obligation to vote for the appointment of Mr. Tedisco and Mr. Sherman’s political buddies. ... I am confi dent that the Assembly minority leader will not want to try to stop all of the economic progress that has occurred in this community during the past four years. There is much more to be accomplished and that should be our shared goal.”
    Sherman said Tedisco also wants to see the results of the state comptroller’s first-ever audit of Metroplex. That won’t be done for at least several months, according to comptroller’s office spokesman Bill Reynolds.
    But Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen, who with two senior staff members met Wednesday with Sherman and Michael Cuevas, the Assembly minority counsel, said the comptroller’s audit should be “a nonissue.” He said he hopes the bill can be passed this legislative session, which is scheduled to end June 23.
    Gillen characterized the meeting as productive. Sherman, who declined to let a reporter attend it, said Tedisco has not made any final decisions on the legislation. He said he was going to contact Savage and Farley about the bill and possible amendments.
    Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, said he shares Tedisco’s concerns about the bill, which he is not opposing but has not co-sponsored. Even though Republicans are in the minority in the Assembly, local legislation such as this is normally introduced by local legislators. There are no Democratic Assembly members from Schenectady County.
    Farley’s bill memo says Metroplex needs the bonding increase “in order to maintain its positive momentum.” Without it, Gillen said, Metroplex would run up against limits in continuing its expansion of the tax base.
    Sherman said Metroplex would not have enough sales tax revenue to pay back the higher amount of bonding, but Gillen disputed that. Metroplex has a good credit rating, Gillen said, and “We have the ability to support additional debt.”
    Farley’s memo said the bill “does not increase any taxes. New projects financed through these bonds bring increased employment and other economic benefits, resulting in a positive fiscal impact on the community.”
    Farley was the driving force behind the creation of Metroplex 10 years ago. His bill memo cites Metroplex as having spurred an economic revival extending from downtown Schenectady to the surrounding towns. Tedisco voted for the bill in 1998, while also supporting amendments to it that did not pass the Senate.
    County Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, who voted against raising the bond cap, said he could support increasing it to a lower amount such as $60 million. He said he believes Savage and the Democrats held up the Saccocio appointment because they were waiting to see if Democrats would be successful in last year’s Rotterdam Town Board elections. They were not.

Senator Farley has made a poor choice in sponsoring the bill to increase the bond cap and lengthen the charter of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.  He has acted irresponsibly in bringing the issue before the NYS Legislature before the results of the State Comptroller's audit are known.

Although I have met Senator Farley and find him to be very personable, I no longer support him as he has shown himself not be fiscally conservative.  He has acted wrecklessly, promoting the increase in public debt without first analyzing the return on investment to the taxpayers and the community.

I applaud both Assemblyman Tedisco and Assemblyman Amedore in their demands for revisions to be made to the Metroplex law to ensure that it serves the public interests and not those of the politicians, their friends, and campaign contributors.  Tedisco and Amedore are justified in their positions that the results of the audit be issued and reviewed before supporting an increase in the bond cap.  Both of these elected representatives and Schenectady County Legislator Suhrada are working to represent the interests of the oppressed taxpayers of Schenectady County and to ensure that the public revenues spent by the Metroplex (Public) Authority are providing a public benefit.

And, for those who have suggested in the past that I am a Republican partisan, I have expressed in my posts my support of Governor Paterson (Democrat) in his call for reduced state spending and his plans for audits/reviews of public authorities, for State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (Democrat) who is exposing waste and fraud, and State Comptroller Dinapoli (Democrat).  I have also expressed my oppositions to Republican representatives like Senator Farley who promote increased government spending and higher public debt.  As an enrolled member of the Conservative party, I support those who are fiscally and socially conservative and who place public interest above those of themselves or their party.

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I support those who are fiscally and socially conservative and who place public interest above those of themselves or their party.

Thats what "public service" is all about.  Too bad the concept has been lost on many elected and appointed officials.

Quoted Text

Farley’s memo said the bill “does not increase any taxes. New projects financed through these bonds bring increased employment and other economic benefits, resulting in a positive fiscal impact on the community.”

Senator Farley needs to provide evidence, not unfounded claims, to support his assertion that the projects financed by the Metroplex have brought about "increased employment and other economic benefits".  Despite Gillen's baseless claims of 1000, 2000, and most recently stated 3000 jobs created by Metroplex projects, there has been no detailed information (i.e., statistics) presented to the public to substantiate the claims.  The county has not released data that shows an increase in sales tax revenues resulting from the Metroplex funded projects.  The county budget deficit continues to increase.  

There are many projects from which financial benefits have not been realized including the Van Dyck restaurant, the Big House, Parsons Child and Family Center, etc.  Loan repayments for several projects have been delayed, restructured, and/or forgiven.  

The taxpayers and residents of Schenectady County should demand accountability.  Public Authorities, by their nature, are unaccountable and often influenced by politics.

Also on this same quote...

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Farley’s memo said the bill “does not increase any taxes. New projects financed through these bonds bring increased employment and other economic benefits, resulting in a positive fiscal impact on the community.”

Saying that this does not increase any taxes means that he hasn't looked at what is happening with the economy in NY or in Schenectady County recently.  Remember that the Metroplex used to be funded by a 1/4% sales tax.  Well, that 1/4% sales tax has gone by the wayside, bringing the county sales tax back down to 8%, however, at the same time, the Metroplex is still getting the 1/4%, meaning that the county is now only getting 7 3/4 %, instead  of the full 8%.  And at the same time, we just had stories where counties all over the capital region are seeing a reduction in the amount of sales taxes coming in due to the current recession.  And the county doesn't even get the full amount from the sales tax anymore.  So, less money brought in, split up more ways.  How does the stuff get paid for that these taxes would have covered in the first place if they came in at the same level?  Easy, it's on land taxes...which keep going up...up...up.

I'm sorry, but I too think that if this is how Mr. Hugh Farley is thinking, then it is time for someone else to come in and to take this position over.  I thank both Mr. Amedore and Mr. Tedisco for the work that they are putting in for the county residents on the state level.  I just wish they could do more to help at this point.

I also applaud Mr. Tedesco and Mr. Amedore for their concern regarding the increase in the bonding for the Metroplex. I also expect that the Gazette will be inundated with opposition from the opposing party. I will be looking forward to the Republicans, in addition to Joe Surhada, to be supportive and vocal of their party's platform and stand on this issue.

Quoted Text

In response, Savage released a statement saying: “Neither Mr. Tedisco nor his staff should play politics with the future of economic development in Schenectady County. There is no time for silly games.”

"There is no time for silly games"  That's the best retort from the Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature?  That equates to a the intellectually devoid response of "oh yeah?" in a debate.

Perhaps Savage is incapable of or unwilling to be objective and consider that there may be ways in which the operations of the Metroplex can be modified to be more effective, with the result of attaining better return on the investment of public revenues.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

http://www.dailygazette.com

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EDITORIALS Tedisco should keep out of Metroplex affairs

    A decade ago, this page supported creation of the Metroplex Development Authority as a way to remove ever-divisive partisan politics from Schenectady County’s economic development equation. Metroplex has, for the most part, succeeded in doing that: Inarguably, more positive economic development has taken place in the county over the last nine years than in the previous 19, and it’s probably because elected officials have little input in the process.
    Thus we endorsed the authority’s request — approved by the county Legislature last month — to have its bonding authority increased by $25 million, and its charter extended fi ve additional years. Unfortunately, that vote didn’t settle the matter — action by the state Legislature is also necessary — and one of the most partisan Republicans in the state Assembly is threatening to delay the home-rule legislation.
    Assemblyman James Tedisco has picked up the mantle for county Legislator Joseph Suhrada, who has decried virtually every Metroplex initiative since Day One and who voted against the bonding measure at the county level. The minority leader (like Suhrada) wants a smaller bonding cap — only $10 million higher than the current $50 million cap that has nearly been reached — and various other changes to the proposal that would further Suhrada’s goal of meddling in Metroplex affairs. All are inadvisable.
    Ray Gillen has done a commendable job running Metroplex. He has also made some mistakes and done some equivocating about them. But for every Van Dyck or Big House failure, there have been several much-larger accomplishments — e.g. the Bowtie Cinema, Proctors, Hampton Inn, MVP garage, Villa Italia, facade improvements, etc.
    The guy deserves more time and money to keep the good things coming. If by some remote chance, the state comptroller’s audit that Tedisco and Suhrada want to await the results of did uncover some problems, it wouldn’t justify shutting off the authority’s revenue stream. Whatever happens, Metroplex will still need the money. That’s why restricting the bonding authority to $60 million makes no sense.
    Tedisco should follow the lead of Sen. Hugh Farley and sponsor a bill on behalf of Metroplex in accordance with the county Legislature’s wishes. Let’s keep the politics out of this.

hahahaha - NON PARTISAN??? HAHAHAHAHAHAH




I never LOL'd so hard as when I read this "non-biased" editorial

Quoted Text

Ray Gillen has done a commendable job running Metroplex. He has also made some mistakes and done some equivocating about them.

equivocating
Equivocate E*quiv"o*cate, v.
To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive

Quoted Text

A decade ago, this page supported creation of the Metroplex Development Authority as a way to remove ever-divisive partisan politics from Schenectady County’s economic development equation. Metroplex has, for the most part, succeeded in doing that: Inarguably, more positive economic development has taken place in the county over the last nine years than in the previous 19, and it’s probably because elected officials have little input in the process.

http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org/

Quoted Text

Directors
Ray Gillen, Chair
Bradley G. Lewis, Vice Chair
Robert L. Wall, Secretary
Sharon A. Jordan, Treasurer
Edward L. Capovani
William R. Chapman
Neil M. Golub
Janet Hutchison
Sharon A. Jordan
Robert J. Mantello
Gary McCarthy
Patrick J. Saccocio


Fiscal Audit Committee

Sharon A. Jordan, Chair
Bradley Lewis
Robert Mantello
Gary McCarthy
William Chapman

Governance Committee

Robert Wall, Chair
Neil Golub
Janet Hutchison
Patrick Saccocio
Edward Capovani

Funny, I don't recognize any of those names being enrolled republicans ... correct me if I'm wrong

I would encourage those who support the position of tabling the legislation to increase the bond cap and lengthen
the charter of the Metroplex until such time that the results of the State Comptroller's audit are released to write letters
to the editor of their local newspaper, to call in to radio talk shows on which this topic is discussed, and to post to web
forums your support for the elected representatives who place public interest ahead of their own, that of their political
party, and that of their campaign donors.

You can be sure that the Schenectady oligarchy is working overtime to line up supporters of the Metroplex (most of
whom are funding recipients or politicians who have benefitted) to write letters and to give testament to the
leadership of the Metroplex and the Democratic controlled county and city governments.


The Metroplex presently has ~$8M of the $50M bond cap and 20 years of charter remaining.  There should be no reason
to rush through passage of the increase in bonding or the lengthening of mission of this public authority during this
legislative session.  To do so, before the Comptroller's audit is released, is fiscally irresponsible and seemingly
politically motivated.

Daily Gazette Opinions:  

e-Mail:  opinion@dailygazette.com
FAX #:  395-3087

WDGJ Talk 1300 - Paul Vandenburg - (518 )476-1300

I believe Patrick Saccocio is a rep. And I would have to guess that since these editorials are not displaying the 'penned' name of it's author on this article, one can only assume that the Gazette is STILL in bed with the dictatorship.  

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Ray Gillen has done a commendable job running Metroplex. He has also made some mistakes and done some equivocating about them. But for every Van Dyck or Big House failure, there have been several much-larger accomplishments — e.g. the Bowtie Cinema, Proctors, Hampton Inn, MVP garage, Villa Italia, facade improvements, etc.

My question is, what is the return on the taxpayer's investment through the Metroplex/Empire Zone. We don't particularly need to hear of the failures and accomplishments. I believe we are all well aware of who and what they are. We would like to see the Balance Sheet. Monies spent/invested vs Monies earned/return investment. And until the taxpayers have that information revealed from the State Audit, the increase on the bond limit should be tabled.

I also suggest including the local Spotlight News for writing letters to the editor. It is actually read more than the Gazette and is NOT bias.

http://www.dailygazette.com

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Gazette too willing to look the other way for Metroplex

    A May 13 Gazette editorial [“Stratton plays with numbers on police OT”] correctly criticized Mayor Stratton for obfuscating the true cost of overtime in the city police department. The editorial argued for transparency and accountability in government.
    Gazette editorialists took a substantially different position regarding Metroplex by suggesting that one only needed to drive down State Street to know that both county and state should extend Metroplex’s life for five years, through 2033, with sales tax receipts in the range of $7 million a year through 2033 and an increase in its bonding authority [April 3 Gazette]. A subsequent editorial suggested that those favoring open bidding when Metroplex awards contracts, gives zero-interest loans or makes land sales were anti-Metroplex [May 1 editorial].
    Apparently this openness and transparency in government can be taken too far. And how many jobs have been created by Metroplex when each project is reviewed? How many no-interest loans and payments in lieu of taxes have been awarded, with what outcome? Which projects are lagging or have failed altogether and at what cost? How are job creation claims monitored and verified? What is done when job targets aren’t achieved?
    Just driving down State Street isn’t enough.
    ELMER BERTSCH
    Niskayuna

Mr. Bertsch, these are the questions WE ALL would like answered!! Great article!!

Quoted Text

And how many jobs have been created by Metroplex when each project is reviewed? How many no-interest loans and payments in lieu of taxes have been awarded, with what outcome? Which projects are lagging or have failed altogether and at what cost? How are job creation claims monitored and verified? What is done when job targets aren’t achieved?

Posting a Letter to the Editor of the Daily Gazette that I submitted on Saturday.  I don't know if it will be published.

Call to table legislation requesting Metroplex bond cap increase the correct one

Re: the May 17th editorial “Tedisco Should Keep Out of Metroplex Affairs”, I support elected officials like State Assemblyman Tedisco, State Assemblyman Amedore, Schenectady County Legislator Suhrada, and Schenectady County Legislator Santabarbara who place the public interests above personal and professional gain, party advancement, and the benefit of campaign donors.

The haste exhibited by the Schenectady County Legislature and the Metroplex Authority to rush passage of legislation to increase by 50% to $75 million the bond cap and to extend the charter of the public authority by five years, while an independent audit by the New York State Comptroller’s Office, is fiscally irresponsible.

The fact that both bodies are Democratic-controlled and that action on the recommendation of a Republican candidate for inclusion on the Metroplex Board of Directors was delayed for months due to the failure of the Legislative Chair to allow the nomination to come to a vote, suggests that it is Ms. Savage, not Mr. Tedisco, who is  “playing politics with the future of economic development in Schenectady County”.

The editorial cited several of the Metroplex mistakes; failures that have resulted in a loss of public revenues that should have been more wisely and securely invested.  According to the minutes of the Metroplex Board of Director meetings, there are other projects for which the loan terms have been restructured to extend the terms and delay dates when balloon payments were due and payable.  At least one recipient of funding that discontinued loan repayments, was awarded by the Board of Directors with the forgiveness of a large portion of the loan to “entice” the borrower to recommence payments.  The Metroplex leadership has issued unsecured loans and has agreed to being repositioned to a subordinate position on a loan.  These practices compromise the security of and jeopardize the return on investment of public (tax) revenues.

In consideration of the recent report by the State Comptroller’s office regarding the ineffectiveness of the Empire Zone Grant program through which $7 million dollars of state taxpayer money was invested in Schenectady County resulting in a mere 31 jobs being created and calls by New York State Governor Paterson and Attorney General Cuomo to audit the hundreds of public authorities that exist in NY state and to investigate and identify fraud, waste, and abuse of public revenues, Assemblyman Tedisco and Legislator Suhrada are right in calling for the legislation to be tabled.  Action should not be taken during this legislative session, but should await the results of the state audit.

The Daily Gazette article “Tedisco unsure on Metroplex cap” that appeared on May 15th failed to disclose that the initial legislation that established the public authority provides for the operations of the Metroplex to continue through 2028.  Further, $8 million of the current bond cap of $50 million remains available for future investment.  Thus, there is no reason to expedite the legislation.  The public revenues paid by the hard working and oppressed county taxpayers must be managed more responsibly.

I received a call from the Gazette asking me to take some of my language regarding the Metroplex out of my letter regarding the finances of the city of Schenectady.  Since I don't think that I will be seeing it in print in the Gazette (and I will give them until Friday), I plan on posting my letter IN IT'S ENTIRETY here when I don't see it.

Just more prove that the Dems and Metroplex proof read all of the articles written in the Gazette.

Quoted from Kevin March

I received a call from the Gazette asking me to take some of my language regarding the Metroplex out of my letter regarding the finances of the city of Schenectady.  Since I don't think that I will be seeing it in print in the Gazette (and I will give them until Friday), I plan on posting my letter IN IT'S ENTIRETY here when I don't see it.

Kevin, send your letter also to the Spotli