We interrupt this planned piece of good news — about the new, free Schenectady DailyGazette.com website – to acknowledge the downside of having better, day-long access online to news about Schenectady: You get the bad news even faster. To wit: ”Savage headed for third term as legislative chairwoman” (Daily Gazette, Dec. 12, 2007). Breaking online news this afternoon squelched any hope that we had that some “real” Democrats, with real backbones, would reclaim the County Legislature and unseat Susan Savage , when they chose a new Legislative Chairman this January, under Sec. 2.06.8 of the County Charter. According to the Gazette:
“County Legislator Susan Savage is expected to win another two-year re-appointment as chairwoman of the Legislature during its organizational meeting Jan. 1.
“The Niskayuna Democrat’s appointment would be her third as leader of the 15-person Legislature, heading an 11-member caucus of Democrats.
“Democrats unanimously selected Savage for chairwoman during a recent caucus, said Legislator Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady. ‘She is a strong leader,’ he said.
“DiCerbo also said Democrats appreciate her prominent role in “enticing Ray Gillen to come to Schenectady County.”
The fact that Susan Savage rammed through the preposterously unconstitutional Sex Offender Eviction law last summer and faulty amendments, and thereby helped lose the special election to the State Senate, and has since then stuffed the Sex Offender Council with her clones, and engaged in lots of other high-handed conduct (e.g., vis-a-vis the Community College music department) that makes regular folk wince (and is delusional enough to think she should elected to Congress and replace Mike McNulty), should of course just be ignored.
What I need to know is Just What Are Your Afraid Of? You are elected officials, and don’t have the excuses that timid civil servants and managers might have.
I want the public to know that former judge Michael Eidens, although elected as a Democrat and respected throughout the community, has been treated like a pariah by the Democratic Caucus since he spoke out against the Sex Offender laws. Indeed, although Mr. DiCerbo told the Gazette that the caucus met and unanimously chose Savage to again chair the Legislature, Mike Eidens was not present and indeed had never heard about the vote until I called him late this afternoon to ask him about it.
DiCerbo says they chose Savage unanimously. I say they chose Savage pusillanimously. And our Democratic leaders are asking for a revolt within the party by people with a conscience, a brain, a heart, and a spine. There are a lot of us./quote]
Well I guess this is a Merry Christmas present to us, huh? David couldn't have said it any better!
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
SCHENECTADY COUNTY Savage poised to lead again Democrat likely to be tapped for third term BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage is expected to win another two years in the leadership role at the organizational meeting Jan. 1 in the County Office Building. The Niskayuna Democrat’s appointment would be her third as leader of the 15-member Legislature, heading the caucus of 11 Democrats. Republicans are expected to meet soon to select their leader. Robert Farley, R-Glenville, is current minority leader. He said Tuesday night he would serve again if asked by the other three Republicans of his caucus. Two new members of the Legislature will be sworn in that day: Jeffrey McDonald, a Democrat, representing District 2 in the city; and Angelo Santabarbara, a Republican, representing District 4, which covers Rotterdam, Princetown and Duanesburg. Both won election Nov. 6. Democrats unanimously selected Savage as chairwoman during a recent caucus, said Legislator Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady. “She is a strong leader,” he said. DiCerbo also said Democrats appreciate her prominent role in “enticing Ray Gillen to come to Schenectady County. Our success has been due to his aggressive economic development efforts.” Savage said she will appoint Judith Dagostino, D-Rotterdam, as vice chairwoman; Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, as majority leader; and DiCerbo as deputy chair. The leadership positions offer additional stipends ranging from $2,406 for the chair and $1,406 for the other positions, in addition to the $14,093 each legislator receives. Legislators are also eligible for county-paid medical insurance and retirement benefits. Savage said committee assignments also will be announced at the meeting. Democrats currently chair all legislative committees with Republicans in support roles. “No decisions have been made at this point as to chairmanships,” Savage said. Savage, a part-time lobbyist for the state Medical Society, recruited Gillen in 2004 to become Schenectady County commissioner of economic development and planning and also offered him leadership of the Metroplex Development Authority. He received $130,000 — the top salary of a non-union county employee at the time — to become county commissioner. The Metroplex chairmanship is voluntary, but carries immense power over economic development in the county. Gillen at the time was director of industry development for the Empire State Development Corp. He is credited with helping broker deals that have resulted in more than $200 million in investment in the county during his tenure, and the creation of more than 2,000 jobs. Savage would not discuss why she believed she was reappointed chairwoman: “I will leave that to others to say.” She said she is looking forward to leading the Legislature over the next two years. “We have accomplished a lot as a group and we want to keep having good things happen in this county and this community,” she said. “We worked to reinvigorate the economy of the county and tackled tough issues.” Savage said the Legislature’s priorities remain economic development and reducing taxes. Other priorities are to tackle several major construction projects: the renovation of the county courthouse; the creation of a new county office building in the former TrustCo headquarters on Erie Boulevard; the relocation of the Nott Street headquarters of the county Department of Social Services to 797 Broadway; and the expansion of the Clinton Street Main Branch of the county library. County Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, has bones to pick with Savage. “She has treated people unfairly, she tries to stifle us from speaking, she doesn’t let Republican legislation to come to the floor,” said Suhrada, who has clashed frequently with Democrats. “She is probably the most dictatorial chairperson in the history of the county Legislature. I don’t think she knows how to conduct herself except through sheer political force,” he said. “She is the little steamroller. She thinks democracy is steam rolling over anyone who disagrees.” Savage said she thinks “people will always criticize but when you look at the tremendous amount of progress in the past four years, it shows we have been very effective in leading this community.” She said, “We do a lot of good things, and the community realizes that. We have sent a very positive message and the public has responded to that message in the voting booth.” The organizational meeting will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 1 on the sixth floor of the County Offi ce Building.
Savage will retain top county post Schenectady Democrats to give legislature chairwoman another term
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer . First published: Monday, December 17, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Democratic lawmakers are poised to reappoint legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage to the top spot in Schenectady County government for another two years. "She's a strong leader who listens to us, takes our advice, and (is) willing to change her mind," fellow Democrat Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady, said.
Savage, a Niskayuna Democrat, will officially be re-elected to the post when the legislative panel holds its reorganization meeting on New Year's Day. During that gathering, DiCerbo will be appointed deputy chair, Gary Hughes will become majority leader and Judith D'Agostino is expected to be elected vice chair. Savage, 46, says she is proud of what the legislature has accomplished with her at the helm. "I think my re-election is a result of working together and keeping the momentum going, chiefly in economic development," Savage said, pointing to the numerous redevelopment projects she says have breathed life into downtown Schenectady and other parts of the county. She said she wants to build on that progress and expand the tax base to provide property tax relief. But Republican legislators paint Savage as a bully, who stymies their efforts to debate and introduce legislation. "Her idea of democracy is slamming down the gavel and shutting people up," said Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, a frequent critic. "I expect that she'll continue to act like a little steamroller." Minority Leader Robert Farley, who is expected to hold onto that title when the GOP picks its leadership, was slightly more diplomatic in his assessment of Savage's four-year tenure. "I think the Democratic majority needs to listen more to all the legislators ... There is no free debate and the rules are not followed uniformly," said Farley. "Whoever is elected chairman of the body, we intend to work with them to the best of our ability." Savage said county government has become more transparent with Democrats in control and under her stewardship. "Our message has been positive and we have had great accomplishments over the past four years, and we hope the progress will continue over the next two years," Savage said. Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
"She's a strong leader who listens to us, takes our advice, and (is) willing to change her mind," fellow Democrat Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady, said.
The only way that she'll allow anyone to be listened to is if they work for Proctors or are a Democrat sitting on this board.
Savage said county government has become more transparent with Democrats in control and under her stewardship.
There is nothing more transparent about this government, and it only goes to prove by the way that the Republicans are summarily dismissed and told that nothing can/will be done, unless they're crossing the aisle, as Mr. Farley has when it comes to dealing with Proctors.
Next time, maybe we can look in FULL what's really going on, taxes are going up at an astonishing rate and we get what, a brand new State Street block on the back of taxpayers?
Ms.Savage is just willing to be the whipping post for the public while the rest of the politicians can scurry about behind her(both Dems and Reps) in the shadows.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Nice email Kevin. I hope that you receive a response from Paul Nelson. Perhaps he should have included a few statements in his article from those in the minority party.
Transparent, is that what they are calling the most laughable, dysfunctional, and secretive legislature I can recall in recent history? Members of one political party are kept in the dark about serious issues that concern the public safety and well being of ALL residents in the county? Don't insult my intelligence, transparent my butt!!!!!!
Our only hope is that she seeks McNulty's seat and loses!
Remember that the dems will always be in control UNTIL the reps can change their leadership and strategy and put some good candidates to go up against the dictators.
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
Logged
David couldn't have said it any better!
