We have been stripped of our clan/tribe traditions....AARP cant replace that....they can only take our money via lobbying.....

Quoted from 78

Michael,

I hope that your statement is a result of your frustration but does not reflect your position.  There are a
few individuals on the Schenectady County Legislature who act with fiscal restraint and have voted against
resolutions that propose irresponsible spending.  Unfortunately, their voices are not heard as they are in the minority.

It is easiest to throw the baby out with the bath water.  I prefer, however, to stay informed of the actions of our
elected leaders and to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Yes and no, Brad.  I must admit I still try to do a little wheat sorting myself when it actually comes down to pulling the lever so I respect what you are saying entirely.  However, it is getting increasingly more difficult to send even those who stand up against it back when they can't find a way to affect the outcome.  Before I incur the holy wrath from the masses on that comment, I'll try to explain it somewhat.  If I get a viable alternative to an incumbent (let's say in a primary, for instance) I'll send a fresh set of legs into the game to see if maybe he can bust one loose since my champ hasn't been getting it done even with a great effort.  Do you follow me?  Granted, that approach is for wider fields and doesn't really get a chance in practice, especially in our County races.

You're right, though.  I am frustrated and the comment was bad hyperbole.  More and more, however, I find myself willing to take a chance on newcomers, 'cause let's face it, our seasoned pros just ain't gettin' it done.

I tend to swing more toward Michaels views on this one.  That is why I voted for and supported Angelo, he is a fresh face and new set of legs.  The same old same old is  NOT working.  I have a substantial amount of faith in him.  He is a good man and appears to want to simply do whats right for his district.  I have faith in Jeff McDonald, also a newcomer.  Lets keep our eyes glued to these two and see how they do when they get a few months behind them.  On the other hand we lost one of the greatest representatives of our district, Carolina, she would have been automatically lost if we go by your theory entirely Michael.

http://www.dailygazette.com

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SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Service agency fears loss of funding
Catholic Charities helps out seniors
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    A major provider of meals, adult day care and medical transportation to senior citizens in Schenectady County is worried the county may reduce services because of its financial problems.
    The county pays $1.1 million more toward these programs than is required under federal and state matching requirements; such programs are considered non-mandated but essential.
    John Steele, executive director of the Catholic Charities of Schenectady County, shared his concerns during a public hearing Wednesday. Approximately 20 people attended, most of them representing service providers.
    The Schenectady County Department of Senior and Long Term Care Services sponsored the hearing. The hearing is a federal and state requirement as part of the department’s development of its four-year service plan.
    “You can see that the county is having fiscal issues. The concern I have as a major provider is cutbacks in funding for what we consider essential services,” Steele said. “The bottom line is, how do we protect services?”
    Catholic Charities receives approximately $1 million under contracts with the county to provide congregate and home-delivered meals and transportation services, as well as other programs. Its allocation is nearly one-third of the $3.4 million the county proposes to spend this year for programs and services to assist the county’s large population of people aged 60 and older. That money is a combination of state, federal, local tax revenue and contributions from the nonprofit agencies.
    Steele said the county’s allocation is the same amount it spent in 2007. Meanwhile, he said, Catholic Charities is not receiving an increase in county funding, despite seeing its fuel and food costs for its programs increase.
    Steele said Catholic Charities actually had to reduce staff in 2007 because it lost $46,000 providing case management assistance to senior citizens under the county contract.
    “We are doing more with less,” Steele said. “We have adapted to that loss and we are working with the county to find more efficient ways to provide essential services.”
    Schenectady County officials said the county is facing a revenue shortfall of between $12 million and $16 million going into the 2009 budget process. They plan to review all programs and services, especially nonmandated services such as those provided to senior citizens and youths, to find ways to reduce costs and balance the budget without excessive tax increases. The county must adopt a budget by Nov. 1.
    Paul Deierlein of the state Office for the Aging, who attended the public hearing, said counties must provide a 10 percent match to receive state and federal grants to operate senior citizen programs. Schenectady County, he said, receives state grants for senior citizen programs based on a strict formula.
    Schenectady County exceeds the match, said Senior and Long Term Care Services Manager Cathryn Bern-Smith. She described the county as generous in its support of programs for senior citizens.
    The county receives $1.4 million in state and federal funds. It spends $1.3 million on the programs. The remainder of the projected $3.4 million is overmatch and agency contributions.
    Deierlein said while federal grants for senior citizen programs have remained flat, Gov. Eliot Spitzer is proposing to increase program funding in his Executive Budget. Both the state Senate and Assembly are presenting their own plans. The state must adopt a budget by April 1.
    Deierlein said the state will not pick up the difference should Schenectady County cut back its funding to cover just the 10 percent match. “The state will not pick up the slack.”
    Other speakers at Wednesday’s hearing said the county needs to hire additional staff to administer programs for senior citizens and needs to develop programs to assist senior citizens with mental health problems. Some praised the county plan for its comprehensiveness and its efforts to improve the lives of the county’s senior citizens.
    Larry Czech, a senior citizen who is handicapped and lives in Schenectady County, did not attend the hearing but learned of it through media accounts. He said the county does not do a good enough job informing senior citizens about services available to them.
    “One of my issues is that I know more about Fulton, Montgomery and Albany counties’ senior programs than I do about Schenectady’s,” Czech said.
    He said the department’s name is “partially misleading. Other counties have offices for the aging, Schenectady has the department of senior and long term care services.”
    The county merged its offi ce for the aging with its senior and long-term care department several years ago.
    “They need to do a better job of getting around and letting people know the services they offer,” Czech said.
    Bern-Smith said the department is addressing the issue this year. The department added a link to the Schenectady County Web site. The Web site offers links to NY Connects, the state Office for the Aging and other counties.
    Czech also criticized the location of Wednesday’s meeting, held in the County Office Building on State Street.
    He said parking is difficult for handicapped people to find in the area and that the terrain is difficult for someone with a walker, which he has, to negotiate. Sidewalks leading to the county office building Wednesday still showed signs of the previous night’s winter storm, making foot travel hazardous.     

I read in the paper today that the NYS Comptroller had no trouble auditing the past Republican Administration of the town of Colonie after the town ended up with an $18 million dollar shortfall. Schenectady has a $14 million dollar shortfall and I have not heard a word from the state about auditing Schenectady or the Metroplex. Could it be because Schenectady is run by a dysfunctional, arrogant, tax and spend Democratic controlled government that the Dems in Albany won't investigate the shortfall?

Is Catholic Charities just another "name" for a government funded welfare program or is it a CATHOLIC organization that is being funded by the government?

The article states that the county is paying to Catholic Charities $1.1M MORE than required by mandates.  This should be discontinued.  JoAnn, your question is an interesting one.  I will be looking for clarification.

Quoted Text

Quoted from shadow:

I read in the paper today that the NYS Comptroller had no trouble auditing the past Republican Administration of the town of Colonie after the town ended up with an $18 million dollar shortfall. Schenectady has a $14 million dollar shortfall and I have not heard a word from the state about auditing Schenectady or the Metroplex. Could it be because Schenectady is run by a dysfunctional, arrogant, tax and spend Democratic controlled government that the Dems in Albany won't investigate the shortfall?

Shadow,

I was questioning that myself.  Could it be that the new Democratic majority in the Town of Colonie government requested the audit to prove that the deficit resulted from management during Republican rule?

You are correct that the NYS Office of the Comptroller should now turn its attention to Schenectady County with the recent announcement of a potential $16,000,000 budget shortfall.  The financial audit of the Schenectady Metroplex must be performed as part of the investigation of government in Schenectady.

I encourage you to write a Letter to the Editor of the Daily Gazette that points out this inconsistency in application of
municipal audits performed by the Democratic State Comptroller.

http://www.ccrcda.org/agen_list_.asp#

It is The Catholic Charities of The Diocese Of Albany.

Hey, the county funds planned parenthood, alternative religions - why not catholics?

Catholic Charities provides a HUGE service to members of the community - of any faith. The provide meals, counseling, HEAP/PA assistance to seniors, tax filing assistance at little or no cost, etc.

Despite it's affiliation with the Catholic Church, this service is needed as much as St. Clare's Hospital is - another Catholic Diocesan institution funded by the County/State and Federal Govt.

I'm not questioning their services. The Catholic Religion is the #1 contributors in the world. They are also the richest!  And I know people who receive benefits from Catholic Charities.  But as I'm reading their website, there is a link>>>>> http://www.rcda.org/

So they must be a tax exempt organization, correct?

Ya, they're definately tax exempt

http://www.ccrcda.org/links.asp

Catholic Charities Network Links

  Catholic Charities USA
  Catholic Charities Disabilities Services
  Community Maternity Services
  St. Peter's Hospital
  St. Mary's Hospital
  St. Clare's Hospital
  Seton Health
  Teresian House
  LaSalle School for Boys
  St. Catherine's Center for Children
  Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
  The Evangelist
  New York State Catholic Conference
  Fidelis Care New York
  Caregivers Program of Catholic Charities
  Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties
  United Tenants of Albany
  Catholic Relief Services
  Care For Life
  DePaul Housing Management
  Catholic Campaign for Human Development
  Catholic Charities of Albany & Rensselaer Counties
  Hispanic Outreach Services
  Sunnyside Center
  Avila Retirement Community
  The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
  The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
  Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Albany
  Cathoilc Charities Housing Office
  Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties
  Catholic Charities of Herkimer County's Prevention Program
  2007 Bishop's Appeal

Can The Catholic Charities of The Diocese Of Albany donate to political campaigns? Being that they are an exempt status?

http://projectfairplay.org/faq/

Q. What types of activities are prohibited under the IRS Code?

A. Church endorsements of candidates and statements of opposition to candidates are strictly forbidden and can result in revocation of a church’s tax-exempt status. (However, clergy may endorse candidates as individuals in forums outside the church or work on behalf of candidates during their personal time.)
In addition, churches may not contribute money to candidates, solicit contributions on their behalf or donate to candidates’ political action committees. Churches may not set up their own PACs.