Metal detectors are legal, not political It's very clear some Schenectady elected public servants have contempt for taxpayers daring to question their decisions. Mind you, these rascal taxpayers are picking up the freight for the mainly part-time pols' lucrative salary/health/ retirement package.
These city politicians label activists and the press negative troublemakers. Even though ill feelings exist, at the last City Council meeting it appeared hostility hit a new low.
For the first time ever at a council meeting, residents had to be checked out by a metal detector. The operation included several uniformed court officers and a city cop. In the past, some council members and Mayor Brian Stratton have privately talked about pulling the plug on televising council meetings. If that's not bad enough, the same political ilk considered ending the forever tradition of residents speaking at meetings.
Because of the censorship attempts, it appeared the metal detector/uniformed officer scenario was just another harassment tactic designed to discourage the public.
Come to find out, all the security trappings were added because City Court Judge Vince Versaci was holding a trial in a nearby court room.
The guards said all entering the second floor had to be frisked mechanically. Otherwise, a no-goodnik might pretend interest in the council meeting, then sneak down the hall to cause courtroom grief.
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BIGK75
July 3, 2007, 11:02pm
Guest User
Yeah, cause Schenectady has nothing better for their cops to be doing, right? Oh, they were probably all on overtime.
It seems that if the city council members had their way all their meeting would be held in private and the residents would find out what laws and taxes were adopted when they wanted to tell us.
You are right. If the council had its way, we wouldn't know anything. That's all we are to these birds. Money.
However, I videotaped the Committee Meetings monday July 2nd, and SACCTV-16 is going to play it on Friday July 6th. It's my first attempt so its shaky, amateurish. But I promise that I'll be bringing a tripod the next time and will raise it up higher to get a better view.
If the council ever decided to close off the video feed from the council meetings, I'll be there too.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
And how long is the meeting? I would have to record it, as I'm at work. And I'm sure with it on at that hour, I'll have to fool around with my DVR a bit to get it recorded.
Just heard from Pat that there is some confusion on when the tape will air. Now she says it may be 11AM or 4PM. I will call chnl16 in the morning and try to get the correct time. Since they don't open till 9am you probably won't be able to get it recorded. Hope they air it more than once.
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