One of the funniest quotes in a long time was printed in this paper on Sunday and it was from Troy Police Benevolent Association President Bob Fitzgerald: "...And we have always had a good working relationship with the city."

It's almost as funny as the classic "Let them try to tow dirt."
And towing dirt is about as plausible as the PBA acting in good faith.
Historically it has had historic battles with the city. Once, a while back, then City Manager David Grandeau went to the station and demanded everyone get off their duff and go walk the beat and then he officially -- we're not sure what "officially" means but he got some ink out of it -- named a sand trap at Frear Park Golf Course after then PBA President Jack Rogers.
Fitzgerald, if you remember, took the battle to the next step. He, in a very public manner, and by that we mean he called all the news outlets, said the reason John Tedesco was named chief over two other very qualified candidates, Richard "Buddy" McCavy and Tony Magnetto, was because he killed an investigation into an employee using/and or selling drugs out of City Hall.
We haven't heard much about that now have we. Or his lawsuit. He is also suing the city for a suspension levied against him in 2007 for untold millions of dollars.
The PBA is political too and one reason the Democrats took the Troy council. There contact is already up and it's not even close to implausible for the union to stall, ignore Tutunjian, back a candidate of their choosing and then get a favor paid back in the form of a contract that will benefit its members.
Can't blame the union or Fitzgerald really, he's paid his full time salary to represent the rest of the 100 or so officers and make sure they get the best deal they can
It's all about overtime. The mayor's and the chief's desire to bring into a semblance of management and the PBA's desire to get all they can.
Think about it: According to a report in this paper by Dave Canflield, the union is winning:
Five members of the department to date have collected an overtime amount more than 50 percent of their base salary. One detective, Ronald Epstein, has earned some $39,758 this year in overtime alone — roughly equal to the starting salary of a police officer in the city — boosting his total pay to date $103,252.
He was the city’s highest overtime earner in 2009, taking in $68,000 in overtime for a total salary exceeding $140,000.
In all, 13 PBA members have collected more than $20,000 in overtime so far this year.
And as we said, it ain't just the overtime, it's the pension and the pension costs for a lifetime.

Jim Franco

If you remember a couple years ago, the New York Civil Liberties Union threatened to sue the city after it shut down the Center for Independent Media for presumed code violations.


It just so happens at the time the center was hosting a controversial exhibit by Wafaa Bilal called “The night of Bush capturing Virtual Jihadi,” a video game with the objective of tracking down and killing Pres. George Bush.

While we understand why the city opted to use a heavy hand since tracking down the president - any president whether you like him or not - is pretty offensive it does still fall under the realm of freedom of speech.

We said then and say now that the city would have been better off just ignoring the entire thing and most people would have just written off Bilal as some nut job trying to grab headlines by shocking people through so called art.

Well, our theory is proven because Bilal is again in the news for having a camera mounted to the back of his head. Yes, you read that right. He actually got a camera – with a 2-inch diameter and 1-inch thick – implanted to the back of his head to create “art.”

As far as we know the NYCLU didn’t follow the proper legal procedures and the suit was never officially filed but we maintain Bilal wasn’t worth the time or energy the city expended to shut down the sanctuary.

We readily admit to not knowing too much about art – outside of the fact he used to have a pretty cool bar on Fourth Street (an old joke, we know) – but our guess it can encompass about anything including a game with the goal of killing the president and/or mounting a camera on the back of your head.

Actually, a staffer glued a piece of Velcro on the back of his head and stuck his cell phone to it. He could be the next Rembrandt.

We don't even have to weigh in on this one to make it entertaining. (NOTE: The documents you see below are on public record. They are statements given to the State Police in the ongoing voter fraud investigation)


(From Councilman Mark McGrath)
Bill, a simple "lets work together...." after my initial and sincere request would have sufficed. However it wouldn't have played as well in Peoria ! LOL Thanks for the banter.



From: "dunne4troy@aol.com"

To: mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 3:46:44 PM
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

I have no issue with the Visitor Center. So let's work together to find another $50K for Chief Tedesco. Yes, I am concerned about the taxpayers and an increase in violent crime. That's what our suggestions target.


To: dunne4troy@aol.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 3:39 pm
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

Evidently my "Tea Party pals" threaten you, oh that's right anyone with a difference of opinion is a threat and "Right Wing". Now let me explain some budgetary processes for you, you stated " We propose using $400,000 in actual revenue from the sale of the parking garage to fund equipment purchases. Again, this is not a one-shot." Are we going to sell the garage again next year to supplement the $400,000 ? Oh that's right someone else owns it. Since we cannot duplicate the revenue it's a "one shot". On at least three different occasions I asked if we could discontinue funding the visitor center. This is $50,000 we could put toward the police overtime, this is tangible and would be money well spent, the silence is deafening. As For the citizens of Troy to believe you and your cohorts are actually looking out for what's best for them is sad. I've attached a file I've named "the whole truth" it's a disgusting look into the cesspool of your comrades. Thanks


The Whole Truth


From: "dunne4troy@aol.com"

To: mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 2:53:42 PM
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

Sorry, my bad. Private citizen.
No smoke screen; more public safety and lower taxes. Take a look around, violent crime up 33% and you want to cut public safety and raise taxes. I think your Tea Party pals are going to be looking for a new Mayoral candidate if you're not careful.
Typical right-wing nonsense. Scare people. Deficit! What's next? Going to say we plan on banning hand guns? Our proposed budget has revenue equal to expenses. We propose using $400,000 in actual revenue from the sale of the parking garage to fund equipment purchases. Again, this is not a one-shot.
To get back to my "rant," each year this administration has been in office, it has used a one-shot in a revenue line called Appropriated Fund Balance (A1000-8018-0000). Since 2005, this amount is close to $8 million. That's our surplus from previous years, not a guaranteed, recurring revenue source. And not a peep from you. Why now all the concerns over a one-shot that really isn't?
If the Chiefs don't need equipment, what were those items listed in the capital plan the administration just gave us? Ten police cars, two fire trucks and an ambulance. We're trying to use revenue we have to purchase equipment and not burden the taxpayer further. If the Chiefs don't need anything, tell them not to submit a capital plan request next time.

Thanks for your consideration.
Bill
PS: You want to compromise, help us eliminate more waste to fund additional police OT. I can think of a few areas...

From: Mark McGrath

To: dunne4troy@aol.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:10 pm

Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

Public citizen ? I highly doubt you"ll be able to walk away and contain yourself. That's an opinion only. You keep asking me to answer a rant that makes absolutely no sense to me or others I've asked. Normally when something as bizarre as your rant is sent you would think the "train has finally left the rail". But Bill we've debated for five years and I've become accustomed to your penchant to use a smokescreen in order to deceive and thwart attention away from the problems you create. This smokescreen covers the irresponsible budget amendments and also keeps the press off the impending indictments. If you want to respond with name calling or another rant I will be happy too attach the pdf file of the sworn affidavits, it's sickening. Now the facts, the chiefs did not ask for additional vehicles in their budgets and the city will be starting the next budget cycle with a $900,000 deficit if you have your way. Again, I want to thank you for your consideration on a compromise.



From: "dunne4troy@aol.com"

To: mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 10:57:34 AM
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

Duped? Give Mr. Smoczynski some credit, why don't you. What agenda do I have? More public safety, less taxes. Ok, if that's an agenda. What do you mean broke? We've heard from the Mayor we're going to have another surplus in 2010. How is that broke? Mark, here's a simple solution to your problem. Vote no to our changes. By the way, I'm still awaiting your answer to my 2008 budget question.

My only agenda is to be a public citizen again - 12/31/11. You'll be rid of me them. Hope you can wait that long.

----------
From: Mark McGrath
To: dunne4troy@aol.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 9:51 am
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

As clearly as you deceived Mr. Smoczynski you are know trying to deceive the citizens of Troy. At no time did Chief Tedesco ask for additional vehicles, he stated there are four new vehicles currently being fitted and have not even hit the road yet. This business of the Crown Vics needing to be bought up is your solution, not the chiefs. I don't consider Chief Garret's request for an ambulance when the question was posed by you to him "what would you do if you had an extra 100,000 dollars?". Again, you put a good spin on things but are your usual deceptive self. Also, I had a face to face conversation yesterday with Mr. Smoczynski's boss Dep. Comptroller Hancox and cautioned him about dealing with council people with agendas. I explained I felt Mr. Smoczynski was duped. Thanks for the compromise, just continue to bring Troy back to the good old days, bankrupt. Thanks


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "dunne4troy@aol.com"
To: mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com; Harry.Tutunjian@troyny.gov; Joe.Mazzariello@troyny.gov
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney@troyny.gov; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley@troyny.gov
Sent: Thu, November 18, 2010 9:24:12 AM
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

Mark,

As always, you bring a smile to my face! Remind me, where was your outrage during the fiscal 2008 budget process (Fall 2007) when nearly $3,000,000 in reserve funds were used as a "one-shot" to artificially suppress a tax increase? If $400,000 is "just plain irresponsible," then $3 million must be that times 7.5 (Need me to do the math or are you OK? Trying taking off your shoes and socks, that usually helps me). Oh, that's right, it was an election year for you and Harry. Sorry, I forgot.
The additional $400,000 is not a one shot, as we are using it to purchase needed public safety/parks and recs equipment. If you think that's irresponsible, then advocate for the deletion of the first $500,000 you allude to, since that's just being used toward general fund expenses and not toward something concrete, like needed equipment purchases.
Clearly, you were not paying attention to what was said during the budget meeting - Chief Garrett clearly stated he needs a new ambulance and that at the time, two were in the shop. Our ambulance corps is a significant revenue generator ($1.5 million + or 1) and aging vehicle endangers that revenue, not to mention the safety of the public.
Same is true for police vehicles. We have an aging fleet. That fleet is equipped with expensive, vehicle specific equipment. That type of vehicle - the Crown Vic - is being discontinued. The purchase of additional vehicles assures that we can continue to utilize the equipment we have beyond the life of the vehicle it is currently on. Abandoning the Crown Vic now, means greater expenses later.
If you are so concerned about what the Chiefs had to say, why no advocacy for add'l police OT, which John Tedesco asked for? Surely your highly attuned budgetary abilities ought to be able to solve his conundrum? I will await your suggestion as to how to generate the $100,000 Tedesco mentioned before we sublit out final budget amendment.
Our proposal bolsters public safety and lowers taxes. And you and the Mayor are against it. Simple as that.

Thanks for your time.
Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark McGrath
To: Harry.Tutunjian ; dunne4troy@aol.com; Joe.Mazzariello
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney ; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley
Sent: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 7:55 am
Subject: Re: Contingency Account Discussion

There has to be some compromise in order to move this along. To use the initial $500,000 from the garage sale as a one shot deal is troubling, to compound that by using the additional $400,000 is just plain irresponsible. This will start next years budget process off with a 900,000 nut to make up. It's clear both chiefs expressed they do not need additional vehicles right now, that's from them not other city workers. I would suggest we use $100,000 from the garage sale, 50,000 from the contingency and do away with the funding for the visitors center (50,000). The $200,000 would equate to a little over a point that would bring the tax levy to just under 2%. I believe this would not have a detrimental impact on our citizens and also would conservatively protect us financially. I'm open to discuss or hear other views. Thanks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Harry.Tutunjian
To: dunne4troy@aol.com; Joe.Mazzariello
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney ; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us; jfranco@troyrecord.com; kcrowe@timesunion.com; Dan.Crawley
Sent: Wed, November 17, 2010 4:31:43 PM
Subject: RE: Contingency Account Discussion

Councilman Dunne,
Your email implies that you are speaking for the Council Majority. If that is not the case, and any member disagrees, please let me know.
To date, no member of the Council has provided me with the details of your plan and I continue to rely upon what I have heard. I have heard that the Council Majority wants to purchase four police cars and one ambulance. The Council cannot order me to buy the vehicles. If the Council insists on amending the budget to fund the purchases, I will not buy them. If you insist on reducing the Contingency Account, use the funds for tax relief.
As a result of our efforts the proposed 5.5% tax increase has been reduced to 3%. If the Council wants to reduce the Contingency Account by $250,000 or more, let me know and I will calculate the impact it will have on the tax levy.

Harry J. Tutunjian
Mayor of Troy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: dunne4troy@aol.com [mailto:dunne4troy@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 2:45 PM
To: Harry.Tutunjian; Joe.Mazzariello
Cc: all-members@troycitycouncil.com; Bill.McInerney; michael@derevlany.com; ksmoczynski@osc.state.ny.us

Subject: Contingency Account Discussion

Dear Mayor Tutunjian,

As it is not possible for me to meet during the city's normal hours of operation, I am putting my thoughts in writing in response to your e-mail of yesterday afternoon.
While I appreciate OSC's desire for the city to more substantially fund our A1990 Contingent Account, the account as we are proposing will be funded to an amount greater than six times last years allocation. The council majority feels that it is not appropriate in these hard economic times to "pre-tax" residents with the hope that we can settle both the PBA and UFA contracts before the close of fiscal 2011. We certainly understand that the accounting for any raise to either union will have to be from fiscal 2011 funds, but feel the $310,000 is sufficient at this time. As Comptroller Mazzariello has already pointed out we are anticipating a surplus for fiscal 2010, which could be appropriated for 2011 toward any additional contractual obligations should they arise. Regardless, whatever money we use, it will still be that of the taxpayer. We would prefer they hold onto it as long as possible.
Additionally, our two local sister cities, Albany and Schenectady mirror this thinking. In Albany , a city with a budget almost three times ours, the contingency account is $900,000. Schenectady 's $77 million budget - approximately 20% larger than Troy 's - carries a $209,000 contingency.
The objections voiced by OSC are the same they have voiced every year I have been on the council, but the realities are we cannot ask the taxpayer to fund a multi-million dollar "just in case" fund. Tough economic times and a declining tax bases make OSC's request impossible to comply with. If they have a suggestion for how to raise revenue without unfairly burdening the taxpayer, please have them share it with us.

Thank you for your time.
Bill Dunne

The county Legislature, by unanimous vote, approved the appointment of Ed McDonough and Larry Bugbee to four-year terms as commissioners at the Board of Elections.


Bugbee is no surprise really but we can’t figure out why the Republicans voted for McDonough because he is embroiled in the voter fraud scandal currently under investigation by a special prosecutor, Trey Smith.

You would think the GOP would just wash their hands of it and let the Democrats decide if they want someone implicated in voter fraud in charge of making sure elections are on the up and up. The GOP can’t block who the Democrats want to put in the position but they didn’t have to vote for it either – they could have left that decision to the Democrats.

No, McDonough has not been charged with anything and there is no guarantee he will but the GOP could make political hay out of it anyway. This is, after all, Rensselaer County and we’ve seen political hay made over a whole lot less than voter fraud. And the GOP aren't known for playing nice-nice either.

We heard through the grapevine that it is all part of deal the GOP struck with the Democrats over the budget – the GOP vote for McDonough and the Democrats will vote for the budget.

It takes a two-third majority to raise taxes and since Legislator Mike Cristo, a Republican, said he would not vote for a budget that raised taxes at all the six Democrats could conceivably make budgetary demands for their votes on the budget.

Either way, as the voter fraud investigation unfolds McDonough’s future at the board could change.

Jim Franco

What about Sweeney??
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who coasted to victory, gave a nod to her grandmother, Polly Noonan in her victory speech in Manhattan just a few minutes ago. Noonan was a confidante to the late Albany Mayor Erastus Corning for years and was a political force in her own right in the legendary Albany County Democratic Machine.

She also thanked Gov. David Paterson, who appointed her to the post when Hillary Rodham Clinton took a job with the Obama Administration. Funny how his career as governor went into a tailspin shortly after and hers took off.
She also thanked a number of other people but not John Sweeney, the powerful incumbent she defeated a few years ago. By all rights, Sweeney should have won in the heavily Republican district but photos of the apparently intoxicated Congressman ripped over the Internet and then a State Police report about a domestic incident between he and his wife that heavily implied there was physical violence involved.


Yepsen says she’s winning

At 2:48 p.m., an email sent out by the campaign of Joanne Yepsen telling everyone that she was winning. OK, now that that’s taken care of, people can stop voting, we don’t even have to count the ballots and let’s do it all again next year.
She is running against incumbent Roy McDonald in the 43rd Senate District.
All incumbents are in for a tough go of it this year, but before we declare anyone ahead of anyone we’d just as soon wait until the polls close.
We’re being not entirely fair to Yepsen because the email was simply a message urging voters to get out and vote but we thought the wording humorous.


The $5 guy
We noticed a bunch of people walking around downtown looking for the guy who used to pay them $5 to go into the little closet, pull a bunch of switches and then pull the lever.
We told them he was retired and was in Florida.



Turnout
We hear turn out is pretty high as of about 3 p.m. and that doesn’t bode well for the incumbents. When people are motivated they vote. People are not motivated when they are happy with who is in office. They do get out and fill the bubble when they are upset.



The new Machines
“Filling in a little bubble” just doesn’t have the zing to it as saying “flipping a switch” but such is technology. It was our first rip at the new machines, by the way, and while we’re sure they work better than the old machines it just doesn’t feel the same.
There is just more satisfaction slamming the lever over to cast your votes and open the curtain than sliding a piece of paper into the machine. Though the practical message is the same, it just sounds better when you get to slam the lever over.



Seven Democrats
Yes, we get criticized for being in the GOP camp all the time but we’ll have you know we voted for seven Democrats … seven. That’s nearly twice that of the three Republicans we flipped the switch for – or in this case filled in the little bubble for.
Ohhh, and we voted for a Libertarian too. We won’t tell you his name either but that one’s not hard to figure out.
Of the nine, only two were incumbents. Both of them are judges. We just find if hard to get pumped up about judicial races.
 
 
Nothing out of North Greenbush

You can tell there is not a contested race in North Greenbush because this is the first Election Day in recent memory that we didn’t get some bizarre story out of the town.
Usually there is at least one good nugget about politicking within 100 feet of a polling place, or threatened poll workers or something that necessitated the police get called. Well, given the frenzy of some North Greenbush politicians, the fact they made the call didn’t always get the police in a similar frenzy.