Hey, I heard a rumor that Mr. Macejka will be getting a job in Schenectady. That will be a watch and see for sure!
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 Barber reappointment on hold Questions raised about possibility of political choice BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com
Schenectady County’s director of real property tax services, a former Republican, remains the last holdout for reappointment in the state, raising questions of whether majority Democrats are seeking to replace him with a political appointment. Nicholas Barber sought reappointment last July to a new sixyear term of office, set to begin Oct. 1, 2007. Barber will earn $80,094 this year. County Manager Kathleen Rooney is responsible for appointing the director, considered a professional position not subject to civil service. According to county documents, Rooney had planned to recommend Barber’s reappointment at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature. The appointment did not appear on the agenda. The Democrat-controlled Legislature must confirm the manager’s appointments for professional positions. Barber remains in office as a holdover. County Attorney Chris Gardner said Barber remains one of several candidates under consideration. He said the county has not made a decision “because we are busy on a lot of other things. [Barber] is in holdover status.’’ According to the state Public Officers Law, Barber remains director until he is reappointed or someone is appointed in his stead. “He has all the powers and duties of the director,” said Joe Hesch, spokesman for the state Office of Real Property Services. Hesch said Barber is the last of 57 real property tax service directors in the state to be reappointed or replaced. The state sent Schenectady County several notices reminding officials to make a decision, he said. “We send these reminders because the law says they have to appoint one. There is no authority to comply them nor is there any penalty,” Hesch said. Dororthy Martin, chairwoman of the state Association of County Directors of Real Property Tax Services, sent a letter in March to Lee Kyriacou, executive director of the state Office of Real Property Services, indicating the association’s “disappointment” about Schenectady County’s indecision. “As you know, the agency as well Rooney should reappoint Barber: “He has done an excellent job. He is a well-rounded individual and has gotten good reviews for his work.” Barber was appointed director in 1991. At the time, he was GOP majority leader in the county Legislature. He resigned his elected position to take the county job. He was able to immediately assume the job because there is no waiting period for elected officials to be hired by the county. Five years ago, he changed his enrollment to the Independence Party, to avoid politicizing the tax office, he said. In 2001, he filed a discrimination complaint against the county after the Legislature passed him over as an interim replacement for county manager. He had expected to be chosen for the county manager position after former County Manager Robert McEvoy retired. He said, however, that inaccurate rumors claiming he had a physical condition possibly ruined his chance at succeeding McEvoy. The County Legislature appointed George Davidson, the county finance commissioner, to be acting county manager instead. as our appointments are defined by statute. We are disappointed, therefore, that Schenectady County is six months late in appointing a director,” Martin wrote. SHUFFLE POSSIBLE Former Rotterdam Assessor John Macejka Jr., a Democrat, is one person under consideration as a replacement for Barber, said county Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam. Several other county officials confirmed the name. Gardner would not confirm Macejka was a candidate, citing confidentiality of applicants. In December, Republican Supervisor Steven Tommasone rejected Macejka and appointed Craig Surprise, a Columbia County assessor, to a six-year term. Macejka blamed politics and residential uproar over the unpopular property revaluation for his ousting. The reassessment was concluded last year by an outside firm, GAR Associates. Macejka was not available for comment. Suhrada said Rooney should reappoint Barber. “He is the most capable and qualified person in that area. He knows that job.” County Legislator Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady, also said
It certainly appears that the city of Schenectady takes Rotterdam's left overs. Of course only the dems. They picked up Paolino, Marco and now soon to be Macejka. I think that I will change my party affiliation to dem. Become active within the party which will then just about guarantee me a job paid for by the taxpayer! Amazing, huh?
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
Only in Schenectady can you be affiliated with a political party, get a high paying job with few responsibilities, no accountability, and not have to worry about being fired for doing next to nothing. Come to Schenectady and watch government grow.
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