ROTTERDAM — The Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency is two years late in filing mandated reports with the state to comply with the Public Authorities Law.
The law is designed to increase accountability, openness and the effectiveness of state and public authorities, which are autonomous organizations designed to promote economic development.
The Rotterdam IDA is the only authority or agency in the region to not file its 2007 annual report and its 2008 budget report, according to the state Authority Budget Office Web site.
Rotterdam IDA Chairman Angelo Santabarbara said he is working to finish the 2007 annual report and sent the 2008 budget report to the town, rather than the state. He said he was unaware he had to file the 2008 budget with the state.
“It is our intent to be transparent and open. We will do everything in our power to be in compliance,” said Santabarbara, who was appointed IDA chairman by the Town Board in June 2007.
Santabarbara said he is awaiting some information he needs to complete the 2007 annual report.
“We have requested detailed information from companies we have dealt with in the past, and they haven’t returned the information,” Santabarbara said.
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
It troubles me that the state mandated 2007 filing by the Rotterdam IDA is 18 months late. The explanation that the completion and submittal of the report is awaiting information from companies who were recipients of IDA support is unsettling. Is there a requirement for these companies to cooperate and provide the necessary inputs to the IDA? Are there penalties if they fail to comply?
What is equally bothersome, however, is the bias of the Daily Gazette management that has reportly stated (in a telephone conversation with Kevin) a pro-Metroplex stance and that has repeatedly opposed the calls for the New York State Comptroller's Office to perform an audit of the Schenectady Metroplex as required by state law. Yet, Mr. Lamendola and the Daily Gazette management demand timely filings and insinuate wrong doing by another public authority (the Rotterdam IDA) that happens to be located in the Republican-controlled town of Rotterdam. The dichotomy in the application of public authority governance as espoused by those at the Gazette is clear testament to both their hypocrisy and their oft-contented political bias.
From the Gazette Publisher, Editor, and Reporter (Lamendola), I expect nothing more in terms of integrity and unbiased reporting. I do hope, however, that Mr. Santabarbara and the Rotterdam IDA submit the required filings in a more timely fashion to avoid any further appearance of impropriety. Disclosure by and accountability of our government and of public authorities is a right of the public.
It's nothing short of retaliation for questioning the Democratic machine. They're looking for anything and everything against the minority party. Don't think for a minute the Suzie and RayRay didn't have something to do with bringing this to the forefront of the news.
It's nothing short of retaliation for questioning the Democratic machine. They're looking for anything and everything against the minority party. Don't think for a minute the Suzie and RayRay didn't have something to do with bringing this to the forefront of the news.
I have to agree..... This is an apparent shot across the bows by the democrats, after the dust up between the County Democrats and State Republicans over Metroplex accountability.
If my memory is correct the state was to audit Metroplex over 5 years ago and we're still waiting for the results of that overdue audit that I fear will show enormous waste of taxpayer money. As the saying goes the best defense is a good offense so let's transfer attention to some other organization so Metroplex can stay below the radar.
As the saying goes the best defense is a good offense so let's transfer attention to some other organization so Metroplex can stay below the radar.
Hey, what was that movie called that they accused Pres.Clinton of doing? It was 'wag the ____'. It's like the word is in my head, but it just ain't coming out my mouth. Anyone remember?
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
IDA’s mandatory reports two years late for filing BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
ROTTERDAM — The Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency is two years late in fi ling mandated annual and budget reports with the state to comply with the Public Authorities Law. The law is designed to increase accountability, openness and the effectiveness of state and public authorities, which are autonomous organizations designed to promote economic development. The Rotterdam IDA is the only authority or agency in the region to not file its 2007 annual report and its 2008 budget report, according to the state Authority Budget Offi ce Web site. Rotterdam IDA Chairman Angelo Santabarbara said he is working to finish the 2007 annual report and that he sent the 2008 budget report to the town, rather than to the state. He was appointed chairman by the Rotterdam Town Board in June 2007. “It is our intent to be transparent and open. We will do everything in our power to be in compliance,” Santabarbara said. Santabarbara said he is awaiting some information so he can complete the 2007 annual report. “We have requested detailed information from companies we have dealt with in the past and they haven’t returned the information,” Santabarbara said. He said he was unaware he had to file the Rotterdam IDA’s 2008 budget with the state. Santabarbara said he is going through public authorities officer training through the state and intends to revamp the way the Rotterdam IDA keeps records and reports information. “There is a lot more detailed reporting required,” he said. To help with these efforts, the agency recently hired a part-time coordinator, Santabarbara said. “These delays won’t happen anymore in the future. I want to make sure the IDA is run in a professional manner,” he said. Matt Anderson, spokesman for the state Division of Budget, which oversees the Authority Budget Office, said officers of authorities “can offer an excuse, but that does not exempt them from their compliance requirements. ” Elmer Bertsch, a local activist and host of a public access television show, raised the issue of the Rotterdam IDA’s non-compliance at a meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature. He compared Rotterdam’s lack of disclosure to that of the Schenectady County IDA, the City of Schenectady IDA and the Metroplex Development Authority, all of which filed their required reports. “I went to the state Web site and voila, it’s there. The city and county IDA reports are there and current. You go to Rotterdam and there is nothing,” Bertsch said.
Re June 18 article, “IDA’s mandatory reports two years late for filing”: I’m disappointed to see county Legislator and Rotterdam IDA Chairman Angelo Santabarbara failed to perform his statutory duties by not filing the annual reports and budget with the state in a timely fashion for 2006 and 2007. His excuse is that he’s unaware of the law. Santabarbara is the head of the only economic authority in Schenectady County that is in violation of state law in this regard. The county IDA, the city IDA and Metroplex are all fully compliant with the law and have filed all required reports. The Rotterdam IDA’s negligence is reminiscent of the failed policies of George Robertson and the old Republican regime. There is no excuse for not complying with the state law for two years. Santabarbara, [county Legislator Joseph] Suhrada and the rest of the Republicans, talking about reforming Metroplex, voted against its bond cap increase and say they are awaiting a routine audit by the comptroller because they want openness and accountability. Accountability should begin at home for the Rotterdam Republicans yet they have neglected to comply with the most basic filing requirement for the organization they lead. Santabarbara is clearly in over his head. MARK RUDDIMAN Schenectady The writer is a Democratic committeman.
Gee a Savage puppet who lives in a glass house throwing stones at the Rotterdam Republicans, there's no excuse for ignoring the demands of the residents but the Democrats have been doing it for years!!!!
Ang and Suhrada need to file those there reports. But filing a report late doesn't mean they can't speak out about the millions and millions of bucks the democrats are tossing down the drain too. Capice?
And who were the IDA chairs before Santabarbara? Were all state ordered reports ALWAYS filed on time? I believe that these reports should have been filed. But I'd like to know if they have always been filed on time in the past.
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
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