"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
The Gazette has the story also (Saturday 7/4's print edition):
Quoted Text
Gillen also said that many of Metroplex’s projects are designed to generate sales and property taxes, not necessarily to create jobs. He cited the Proctors project and the project to build the Bow Tie Cinema as falling into this category, which is called “bricks and mortar” projects. The cinema project, for example, was designed to bring people downtown more than anything else.
I will be very interested in reading the official report from the Office of the State Comptroller's Office. To date, the report has not been posted to their web site
The newspaper articles report that the OSC auditor found many irregularities including awarding funding without contracts, lack of accountability re: job creation, lack of monitoring of project performance, unreported cost overruns, and decisions regarding funding decisions having no cited rationale.
The Gazette quotes Gillen as saying that "many of Metroplex’s projects are designed to generate sales and property taxes, not necessarily to create jobs". I thought that the primary objective of the public authority is job creation.
This report validates many of my suspicions. The taxpayers were assured that past audits, directed to be conducted by the public authority, revealed that all is fine. The State Comptroller's office reports otherwise.
In viewing the Metroplex web site, I found that some of the content pertaining to Board meeting minutes has been moved. What I was able to find is located at the URL below. Interestingly, I don't see any Governance Committee meeting minutes for 2009. The publishing of the monthly Board meeting minutes seems to have been discontinued. I can't locate the minutes that were available in the past.
Audit finds fault with Metroplex Saturday, July 4, 2009 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY COUNTY — A state audit of the Metroplex Development Authority is critical of the authority’s downtown parking operations and its record-keeping related to job creation. The audit covers a period between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2007. It was completed in August 2008 and was leaked to local media Friday prior to its official release. State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said the audit’s purpose is to help Metroplex officials manage operations efficiently and effectively and to provide accountability for tax dollars spent on projects. The audit report said a combination of operating losses on parking operations and an increase in operating expenses meant Metroplex had $1 million less to use for economic development for the period covered. Key findings were as follows: Metroplex is solvent. Sales tax revenues, bond proceeds, restricted cash and other sources of funds were sufficient to finance current operations, economic development projects and long-term debt redemption. Its ability to accomplish its mission was enhanced by an increase in bonding authority approved by the state Legislature. Parking lot operations exceeded revenues for every year reviewed. Metroplex is not effectively monitoring performance to ensure that projects are meeting employment projections. Metroplex could improve oversight of economic development projects, such as capping Metroplex expenses at a certain percentage. Metroplex awarded contracts for professional services without a competitive process. Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen disagreed with several of the findings, particularly with the one about parking. The comptroller is recommending that Metroplex eliminate free parking and increase parking fees to offset losses. The comptroller said that for 2007, Metroplex reported expenses of $1.2 million and revenues of $506,000 for its parking operations. In 2006, the loss was $648,000. Since 2004, when Metroplex acquired the parking facilities, Metroplex’s operating losses have totaled $3.2 million. Gillen said, “We reject the parking recommendations. They want us to turn a profit, and they don’t see it as an economic development project. We see it as an integral economic development project.” Metroplex, which owns nine surface parking lots and the parking garage on Broadway, offers two free hours of parking and a maximum charge of $5. Gillen said the free parking and low rates are meant to entice people downtown. “We can’t charge people coming downtown. That would really hurt our efforts,” he said. Gillen said the comptroller’s criticism of the job creation reports is valid, but only in that Metroplex needs to do a better job of collecting the information. “We had just finished updating all the job numbers with the county and city Industrial Development Agencies, and now we are updating that information for Metroplex. That is a valid criticism; we need to do a better job,” he said. Metroplex is using an intern this summer to collect the data. Gillen also said that many of Metroplex’s projects are designed to generate sales and property taxes, not necessarily to create jobs. He cited the Proctors project and the project to build the Bow Tie Cinema as falling into this category, which is called “bricks and mortar” projects. The cinema project, for example, was designed to bring people downtown more than anything else............>>>>...........>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jul/04/0704_plex/
Gillen also said that many of Metroplex’s projects are designed to generate sales and property taxes, not necessarily to create jobs. He cited the Proctors project and the project to build the Bow Tie Cinema as falling into this category, which is called “bricks and mortar” projects. The cinema project, for example, was designed to bring people downtown more than anything else.
If it isn't to create jobs, then why are these businesses eligible for the Empire Zone tax breaks? I understood it that the Empre Zone offered tax breaks to businesses that would increase job growth. I'm wondering how the Metroplex projects can generate sales/property taxes when the Empire Zone is reimbursing these businesses for taxes paid knowing there may not be any job growth.
Too bad more of them didn't listen to Surhada's blind fanaticism and fire Gillen. It was all partisan anyway him not backing Gillen and the increase in credit limit, as Cicero says. Better to just have one party rule in there and focus on beating up the few republicans left in office. So WHAT if we are talking tens of millions in corruption and waste?
Didn't Surhada want to increase the spending cap on Metroplex? Just not as much as Gillen did. But none the less, he was quoted in the paper saying that he was willing to raise the spending cap of this failure. Probably because his fellow republican Farley's daddy is responsible for creating this huge failure. Or should I say HUGH failure.
Didn't the County Republican Party poll the people to find out if Metorplex was worth making an election issue, and determined it wasn't? True leaders like Brad Littlefield don't follow polls, or sacrifice his principles for party dogma. We know that some or the Republican Party leadership benefited from Metroplex money. Brad initiated this audit, while Tedisco was in back rooms making deals with Savage, making sure the increase got through before the end of a session.
Surhada and the rest of the republicans were compliant in getting the cap increase through. Tedisco carried the legislation that increased the spending cap before the an audit was completed. That's republican fiscal responsibility.
Sorry Graham, Surhada's going to have to wear that failure around his neck with the rest of the Republicans. That's how party politics works.
Metroplex is a good example of a government agency formed to create jobs and lower the tax burden on the residents but instead it has evolved into a behemoth that causes our taxes to go up because the agency has lost site of it's original goal. Metroplex needs to be overhauled and to be run like a business, people in charge need to be held accountable and when they fail they should be fired. Regulations must be put in place to insure that when Metroplex runs low on money they can't just raise our taxes to make up for their short comings or Metroplex should be dismantled for not doing it's job. Follow the money trail and find out who the consultants were that received large amounts of money and for what. More questions need to be answered.
Reading through the 51-page report. There are findings presented that dispute what we have been told by our government representatives. The following is found on page 9:
Quoted Text
Debt expenses are projected to continue to rise based on debt amounts currently outstanding. These expenses will increase even more when more bonds are issued to fi nance future projects. Sales tax and project revenues have remained fl at. Sales tax revenues are heavily dependent on the local economy.
I recall that it was recently reported that sales tax revenues in Schenectady County increased as a result of the business development efforts by the Metroplex. I will search the archives to see if I can determine who made this statement.
Tedisco unsure on Metroplex cap Assemblyman said to favor $60 million limit BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter
Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, is raising concerns about a proposed bill to increase the bonding authority of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority from $50 million to $75 million, and has not agreed to co-sponsor it. The bill, S-7721, is sponsored in the Senate by Tedisco’s fellow Republican, Sen. Hugh Farley of Niskayuna. The Schenectady County Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, requested the legislation, and Farley spokesman David Smingler said it is the senator’s policy to support homerule messages from local governments. Tedisco chief of staff Bill Sherman said Tedisco would likely support a smaller increase in the bonding cap, perhaps to $60 million, but also wants to see other changes in the bill, including a qualifications requirement for members of the Metroplex board relating to their experience with public finance and economic development. Tedisco also wants the county Legislature required to vote up or down within a certain time period on recommendations for board positions made by local officials, according to Sherman. He said this was prompted by a recent “abuse of power” by Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of the county Legislature, when she postponed a vote on the nomination of Rotterdam’s Patrick Saccocio from August 2007 until February of this year. Saccocio was then confirmed, with Savage voting against. In response, Savage released a statement saying: “Neither Mr. Tedisco nor his staff should play politics with the future of economic development in Schenectady County. There is no time for silly games.” Savage said: “If Mr. Saccocio [a lawyer] would have recused himself from working for entities with business before Metroplex, then I would have supported his appointment. I am under no obligation to vote for the appointment of Mr. Tedisco and Mr. Sherman’s political buddies. ... I am confi dent that the Assembly minority leader will not want to try to stop all of the economic progress that has occurred in this community during the past four years. There is much more to be accomplished and that should be our shared goal.” Sherman said Tedisco also wants to see the results of the state comptroller’s first-ever audit of Metroplex. That won’t be done for at least several months, according to comptroller’s office spokesman Bill Reynolds. But Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen, who with two senior staff members met Wednesday with Sherman and Michael Cuevas, the Assembly minority counsel, said the comptroller’s audit should be “a nonissue.” He said he hopes the bill can be passed this legislative session, which is scheduled to end June 23. Gillen characterized the meeting as productive. Sherman, who declined to let a reporter attend it, said Tedisco has not made any final decisions on the legislation. He said he was going to contact Savage and Farley about the bill and possible amendments. Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, said he shares Tedisco’s concerns about the bill, which he is not opposing but has not co-sponsored. Even though Republicans are in the minority in the Assembly, local legislation such as this is normally introduced by local legislators. There are no Democratic Assembly members from Schenectady County. Farley’s bill memo says Metroplex needs the bonding increase “in order to maintain its positive momentum.” Without it, Gillen said, Metroplex would run up against limits in continuing its expansion of the tax base. Sherman said Metroplex would not have enough sales tax revenue to pay back the higher amount of bonding, but Gillen disputed that. Metroplex has a good credit rating, Gillen said, and “We have the ability to support additional debt.” Farley’s memo said the bill “does not increase any taxes. New projects financed through these bonds bring increased employment and other economic benefits, resulting in a positive fiscal impact on the community.” Farley was the driving force behind the creation of Metroplex 10 years ago. His bill memo cites Metroplex as having spurred an economic revival extending from downtown Schenectady to the surrounding towns. Tedisco voted for the bill in 1998, while also supporting amendments to it that did not pass the Senate. County Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, who voted against raising the bond cap, said he could support increasing it to a lower amount such as $60 million. He said he believes Savage and the Democrats held up the Saccocio appointment because they were waiting to see if Democrats would be successful in last year’s Rotterdam Town Board elections. They were not.
What a scathing indictment of Death Ray and this Metrograft failure. NONE of the projects have reached their job goals. 50% overbudget! The parking garages are costing the County taxpayers {sheeple} MILLIONS and you can beat paying by picking up your car after 5pm! Not a word about the Silver Diner, Big Hose and Gillen's Gulch where Robinson's used to be.
Joe Suhrada was right in calling for the firing of Death Ray. Death Ray has no planning education and his only experience is former Nisky Democratic Chairman? That's what is necessary to oversee $100 MILLION in sales tax generated revenue? The only other ones who looks good here is Brad Littlefield who has been right about this Metrograft disaster {like bloggers BT, MT, Mr. March, Superfly & moi} from Day One.
This is called burying the lead. It is all over the MSM. This is not fixable-this is not correctable-it is killing small business and County taxpayers. Where is Judy DAG and Holly on this? In Mexico?
Deal paves way for Metroplex to borrow more money Friday, May 23, 2008
SCHENECTADY — Local Republican state legislators have reached a deal to throw their support behind a proposal to increase the bonding authority of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.
Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, and state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, announced the deal in a statement this afternoon. In that statement, the trio said their support was contingent on "several substantive and long-overdue reforms that address what we, and many others, have called for to ensure that Metroplex is not merely handed a blank check and remains 100 percent accountable to the taxpayers of Schenectady County."
Specifically, the Republicans said in their statement, they included reforms they claim "will help take the politics out of Metroplex." Among those reforms are a prohibition on elected officials serving on the Metroplex board.
"Metroplex is an important public authority that has aided in Schenectady County's continued economic renewal, revitalization and rebirth," read the statements. "We believe that politics should be taken out of Metroplex so it can continue its mission of attracting and retaining the kind of smart, long-term investment that grows our local economy and pays real dividends for Schenectady's future."
The Schenectady County Legislature approved home rule legislation in April to ask the state Legislature to expand the Metroplex bond cap by 50 percent, to $75 million from $50 million, and to extend its life by five years. Metroplex is currently scheduled to cease operations in 2028.
Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen said the $25 million increase is exactly what Metroplex can repay over time, based on its current debt, its projected sales tax revenues and the performance of its loan portfolio. The five-year extension would allow it to issue long-term bonds of 20 and 30 years, the usual terms of repayment.
Gillen said Metroplex should be able to leverage $100 million in investment through the extra $25 million in bonding. Metroplex has a current bond rating of A, about average.
Metroplex receives about $7 million annually through a portion of the county sales tax. Since its creation in 1999, it has tapped $42 million of its $50 million bonding authority. In the process, it has helped generate $300 million in investment and created 3,000 jobs, according to Metroplex officials.
"Proctors and Bow Tie draw almost 700,000 visitors Downtown!" Stated Death Ray! ROTFLMAO!!
Over what Period of time? Ten Years? A hundred years? That translates into 250 sold out shows at Proctor's. Which hasn't sold out one show this year! The lies are unbelievable-no wonder he has zero credibility with what's left of the Schenectady business community.
Where is the Chamber of Commerce stooges on this audit result? Where is BS-6? Can't want to read the Gazetto editorial on this complete facial to Death Ray and his media running dogs.
The Gazette has the story also (Saturday 7/4's print edition):
Um... WTF?
Create property taxes? Not to create jobs?
Thats right- or maybe Bow tie cinima could hire a few more people and then charge 20 bucks to watch a movie. Im pretty sure the pupose of a business is to get the job done or make a product and make some profit--
A new idea for the " pick up your check on friday " crowd- which is most of you-
Logged
What a scathing indictment of Death Ray and this Metrograft failure. NONE of the projects have reached their job goals. 50% overbudget! The parking garages are costing the County taxpayers {sheeple} MILLIONS and you can beat paying by picking up your car after 5pm! Not a word about the Silver Diner, Big Hose and Gillen's Gulch where Robinson's used to be.
