I was a speaker at the January 3, 2008 City Council meeting
and complimented the Council for submitting a resolution creating a special
committee to review the sale of City Hall. Suggested it could have been worded
as what to do with City Hall. Looks too much like the fix is in. There were four Troy citizens to be appointed
after certain professionals. One by the Mayor, three by the Council. I even
suggested a citizen with credentials and impeccable honesty.
Then, when the Council discusses it, one councilman wants it
amended to two by the Mayor and two by the Council, giving the arrogant
look that the Mayor could negate the Councils two citizens with the Mayor's
two citizens if he does not like their votes. How generous of the Mayor to
want to hear only what HE wants to hear. We elected him to be Mayor, not
King.
I totally agree with the Jim Franco anyalysis of why the City
Council changed political parties, because of the perception of such heavy
handed arrogance on this issue. This is a glaring example of what he was
talking about.
When I requested that the Council re-open discussion because of
this substantial change, I was denied. In effect, this makes this resolution a
sham and insult to every citizen in the City. This was no mere technical
change. I think it was planned all along, assuming nobody would be allowed to
object. I requested the Corporation Counsel to void the vote, and have the
Council reconsider this in its final form ONLY after public
input.
Saturday, February 2, 2007 9 a.m.
- 1 p.m.
As at City Hall, nothing appeared to be off limits to view or question.
From a public relations point of view, the Mayor originally handled this poorly. I also understand his haste.
I have observed this special group. Regardless of its makeup, after more intensive investigation, it intends to come up with ALL options.
One of them will most likely jump out at you as the correct one.
Present
were the special group, the City Engineer, the City Hall electrician, the
Mayor, Sam Judge, reporters and myself. We toured the
outside building structure, parking structure and the building from basement
to roof. Perhaps it was providential that it was after a heavy
rainfall and it was windy out, giving us a true picture of what a building has
to endure in the northeast. Everyone then retired to the conference room
and had a level headed discussion of what we had seen. They marveled at
some things and recognized the failures and repairs needed for others.
We then went to 6th Avenue and toured the Verizon building, parking, outside, and
basement to roof.As at City Hall, nothing appeared to be off limits to view or question.
From a public relations point of view, the Mayor originally handled this poorly. I also understand his haste.
I have observed this special group. Regardless of its makeup, after more intensive investigation, it intends to come up with ALL options.
One of them will most likely jump out at you as the correct one.
Joe Connors, 928 Third Ave, Troy, NY 12182
518-221-6121