Thank you democrat machine for running the schools like that, thanks A LOT!
I think you mean ruining the schools. Linda Bellick, who didn't know the Mad Bomber, never heard of him, didn't see him-lol-finished dead last. Even with Sal's endorsement! The best news from the City in a long, long time. Bellick, Casino and Janisewski should all immediately resign and let the new members be seated. The will of the people demands immediate resignations.
Editorial: How it all blew up for Sch'dy school machine Thursday, May 21, 2009
If the Schenectady school district needed a lesson in open communication — and it did — voters in the district gave them one at the polls Tuesday. In fact they couldn’t have communicated more clearly, not only trouncing the only incumbent running, but voting down the budget, something they’ve always approved in the past. Take that! . . . and that! Has the board gotten the message? Maybe. Last night at least they went through the formalities of convening in public before retreating behind closed doors, though several members later used the public meeting to denounce media coverage of their doings or non-doings. But routine secret meetings that flout the state Open Meetings Law are only a symptom of a larger, long-standing problem that has been brought to light over the last few months. That problem is too much power in the hands of too few, and one in particular, President Jeff Janiszewski — which has contributed to an overall culture of secrecy and deviousness about matters large and small. The concentrated power and secrecy weren’t totally a secret with the public. Many people had some awareness that the district was being run like a political machine, but didn’t know exactly how. Perhaps they didn’t care as long as it ran. And it certainly wasn’t a secret among school employees, who were afraid of exposing it out of fear for their jobs — or, as everyone has learned in recent months, their physical safety. Which brings us to Steve Raucci, the accused bomb planter whose arrest back in February blew the lid off everything. The simple question, How could such a person be doing such things without school officials knowing it? was a thread that, once pulled, led others to unravel. Raucci, it appears, not only planted bombs but bullied and harassed employees. As CSEA unit president and buildings and grounds supervisor, he required his underlings to make calls and stuff envelopes for Janiszewski’s candidates at election time. District officials manipulated the Civil Service system to give Raucci his supervisory job without having to take a competitive test, and did the same for Janiszewski’s wife when they elevated her to a new job. Were these manipulations approved at one of those illegal secret meetings held at the beginning of each scheduled board meeting?............>>>>.........>>>>...........http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/may/21/0521_edit1/
SCHENECTADY Claim: Raucci’s actions harmed woman Sex harassment at school alleged BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
The apparent target of a sexually degrading memo allegedly written by Steve Raucci, the school district’s former facilities director, is claiming a pattern of sexual harassment from Raucci, a pattern that she says was repeatedly reported but ignored by district officials. Barbara Tidball filed a notice of claim last month with the city school district alleging 17 months of sexual harassment from Raucci, who now faces a slew of charges, including arson and terrorism. A notice of claim is typically the precursor to a lawsuit. The harassment included a “large and unending series of greeting cards, signed and unsigned memos, and communications of a sexual or quasi-sexual harassing nature,” the notice reads. The memos, the notice continues, “constituted controlling behavior over her appearance, manner of acting and duty to please him, as well as improper direct and indirect sexual advances, and threats to her employment status.” Tidball alleges she repeatedly reported the behavior and asked for help but that the district failed to put a stop to it. Tidball, who is listed on a school district directory as an “office assistant” in the facilities department, was supervised by Raucci for at least seven months before Raucci’s Feb. 20 arrest. She was appointed by resolution of the Board of Education to the position of “messenger” last summer, according to district records. Messenger is a non-competitive position, meaning there are no civil service test requirements, civil service officials said Wednesday. The messenger appointment was effective July 7, 2008. That date coincides with the sexist memo released in March by the Schenectady County District Attorney’s office in a bid to keep Raucci behind bars pending trial. The memo is also dated July 7, 2008. The memo, with the name of the recipient redacted by the district attorney, includes a notification that the recipient was the successful candidate for the position of messenger. Also blacked out were apparent names of people who allegedly received the memo. Raucci has been indicted on a host of charges accusing him of terrorism and arson after what authorities described as years of intimidation related to school district and union activities. The scope of the allegations has raised questions as to what others inside the school district might have known about his activities. Earlier papers filed by Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney have alleged that some school officials were “beholden” to Raucci. Raucci is accused of placing incendiary devices at four homes around the Capital Region, two of which exploded. He is also accused of damaging the cars and homes of people who disagreed with him, slashing tires, damaging paint or damaging windshields. One couple reported their car being vandalized five times. ..............>>>>.............>>>>................>>>>..............>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00100
Carl Strock THE VIEW FROM HERE Sch’dy vote: no confidence in school board Carl Strock can be reached at 395-3085 or by e-mail at carlstrock@dailygazette.com.
Well, that was quite the result of Schenectady’s school election: four candidates competing for two seats on the Board of Education and the only current member among them, Linda Bellick, coming in dead last, with little more than a third the votes of Diane Herrmann, an outsider who had criticized the existing board as an exclusive club. If that wasn’t a clear enough message from the voters, the other winner was another outsider, Joyce Wachala, who has lived in Schenectady barely more than a year and who was also critical of the board’s secrecy and promised to combat it. She got nearly double the votes of Bellick. In third place, the other loser was Denise Della Villa, a PTO president who acknowledged having paid little attention to possibly the biggest scandal in the school district’s history, the employment of a man who turned out to be running a reign of terror as both a manager and a union president, according to a criminal indictment, and who is in jail without bail awaiting trial. And if that still wasn’t enough, the voters turned down the board’s proposed budget for the coming year, maybe because of a detailed understanding of it, maybe just as a way of expressing no confidence. No surprise, then, that the president of the board and the man widely regarded as the power behind everything that happens in the school district, Jeff Janiszewski, absented himself from last night’s meeting. The election was a pretty clear kick in the pants for him and his way of doing business. He had of course supported Linda Bellick in the election, to judge by the lawn sign in front of his house. His friend Michael Campon, CSEA’s “labor relations specialist” for Schenectady, had displayed a sign for Della Villa. And another friend and former board colleague, Warren Snyder, had displayed signs for both Bellick and Della Villa. So it was not a good day for him and his group. Was there remorse or repentance on the part of Bellick or any other board members at last night’s meeting? Were they sorry they had provided the alleged terrorist, Steve Raucci, with a job title that allowed him to avoid a Civil Service exam? Did they regret having benefited from Raucci’s help in bullying school custodians into doing campaign work for them? ....................>>>>............>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01100
Carl Strock THE VIEW FROM HERE Messenger’s lawsuit raises new questions Carl Strock can be reached at 395-3085 or by e-mail at carlstrock@dailygazette.com.
So now we have a second lawsuit pending against the Schenectady City School District over the actions, or alleged actions, of its most celebrated employee ever, that being Steve Raucci, who stands accused not only of terrorist acts but also of sexual harassment. The first lawsuit was filed by Ronald Kriss, a former underling of Raucci’s who complained of persecution and who wound up losing his job as a result. That one is still hanging fire. The second one comes from Barbara Tidball, a longtime member of the janitorial staff for whom Raucci arranged the job title of “messenger,” answerable directly to him, without the inconvenience of Civil Service coverage. Raucci, you remember, was head of buildings and grounds for the school district while holding the misleading title of “head utility worker,” which also allowed him to avoid the inconveniences of Civil Service, such as a qualifying exam. You may recall the memo he sent to Mrs. Tidball in July of last year, congratulating her on her “messenger” appointment, since it has already been reported. It enumerated certain conditions of her new post, among which were: “Take time every day to keep your appearance pleasing for your supervisor.” “Always keep your hair at its present length or as closely as possible.” “Always remember that your supervisor is a man first and a supervisor second and he should be treated as such in that sequence.” “Being attractive, sensitive and classy with a touch of sexiness, are crucial to the position.” “If you are married or living with a significant other, it must be understood that during the hours of 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. you are there for your supervisor.” And more in that vein. In her notice of claim laying the groundwork for a lawsuit, she (and her husband, who joined her in the legal action) said that from September 2007 through February 2009, Raucci sent her “a large and unending series of greeting cards, signed and unsigned memos, and communications of a sexual or quasi-sexual harassing nature,” in which she had to acquiesce “or face the possibility of termination or demotion.” Naturally the school administration and members of the Board of Education disclaimed any knowledge of these goings on, but my question is, How did Raucci manage to get for Mrs. Tidball the title of “messenger” in the first place, as opposed to the more conventional title of “secretary,” let’s say, which would have put her under Civil Service protection while still seating her in his office? And the answer to that is easy enough to find. It’s in the minutes of the July 2, 2008, Board of Education meeting. It was done “in accordance with the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,” as the appointing resolution states, that is, Eric Ely, and it was approved unanimously by the seven members of the board as part of what they call their “consent agenda,” that being a collection of non-controversial bureaucratic items not meriting individual attention. The board votes on them all at once, as a package. How items get to be included in the “consent agenda,” I’m not sure, since school officials do not fall all over themselves to answer my questions these days, but in other school districts I have observed, it’s the superintendent who provides the agenda material. In all likelihood, rank-and-file board members would have known nothing of what was going on. It...............>>>>...................>>>>..........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....301&ViewMode=GIF
These are interesting times? For who? Finally Carl has moved from defending convicted terrorists to demanding resignations from the worst in the State Schenectady School District. Still no one has the sense to resign. Plenty of juice to keep us busy for months. Come out of the bunker Sallie.
A complete rout of all stooges and cheerleaders for corruption. Can you hear me now? The legend continues.
There are more folks behind the 'Raucci machine' than are in the front......the wake left behind may or may not stir up the rest......maybe they should tuck tail and run before that happens.......
They ALL rub elbows at the same places.......Raucci was a tool to do 'dirty' work and weilded a double edged sword....now who has the handle???
can you smell the fear....hear the cards falling?
...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
They are in shock. Schenectady never defeated a proposed budget. The incumbent candidates always won. I can't post most of the news here. It's worse than anyone could have imagined. Nothing was kosher. One swift kick and the entire corrupt house collasped.
"President" Jeff J didn't have the nerve to show up at the last School Bored meeting. He was AWOL. The big payback-Part 2.
Five to sue in Raucci matter Schenectady district receives notice from former and current staff
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published in print: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
SCHENECTADY — District officials ignored warnings that bombing suspect Steven Raucci ran the local CSEA unit like an "organized crime family," using vandalism against people who threatened his leadership, according to court documents filed by five people who plan to sue the district.
The claims, from former and current school employees, provide a detailed account of how they lived in constant fear as Raucci allegedly destroyed their property to deter others from opposing him as head of the district's CSEA Local 847, which covers members in Schenectady County.
The 60-year-old Niskayuna man and former facilities director remains jailed on 26 felony counts, including terrorism, arson, conspiracy and weapons possession. He is accused of planting explosive devices on cars and homes and vandalizing property in four counties as far back as 1993. Prosecutors say Raucci targeted people in Clifton Park, Glenville, Rotterdam, Colonie and Schodack. A Schenectady County grand jury is still weighing criminal charges, while the school district is looking into his workplace behavior.
In papers filed last week in state Supreme Court, Laura Balogh contends Raucci and ousted CSEA Local 847 President Joanne DeSarbo conspired to vandalize her Schodack home after Balogh tried to end a personal relationship with DeSarbo. The word "cheaters" the papers said, were spray painted on the sides of her residence, causing thousands of dollars in damage. It also states that her teenaged daughter found an explosive device on the front door. The device did not detonate. Balogh is director of Health Benefits for the Civil Service Employees Association.
The court papers also allege Raucci harassed Balogh's close personal friend Joseph Scotti who previously served as CSEA's deputy director of Health Benefits. The document contends that in April 2007 while attending his brother-in-law's funeral in Niskayuna, Scotti's tires were slashed and his car was vandalized with orange and red paint. Also petitioning the court for the right to sue are Deborah and Harold Gray and Ryan Rakoske. Besides Raucci, the city school district, Board President Jeffrey Janiszewski and Human Resources Director Michael Stricos are named as respondents.
School District Spokeswoman Karen Corona said Tuesday that none of the respondents would comment on the allegations.
The Grays said the attacks by Raucci began in January 2005 after he believed they had sent an anonymous letter to the union which described his leadership as being "analogous to an organized crime family." The couple allege that Raucci damaged their Saratoga County home and vehicles and then used school vehicles to show underlings the vandalism.
Deborah Gray, who had worked as a secretary for the CSEA Association Local 847, denies penning the anonymous letter. Harold Gray, who had worked as a maintenance man from 1996 to 2005 and also served as local unit president intermittently for eight years, says he was demoted and subjected to "bullying''. The continued threats and intimidation led him to resign, according to the documents. His step-son, Rakoske, had worked as a laborer under Raucci.............>>>>...................>>>>........http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=804073&category=SCHENECTADY
When are these idiots going to resign in disgrace? The good news is now they are personally being sued. Everything was wrong-nothing was done according to State law. The reform team is shocked by what they have uncovered. Sal is strangely silent-even he can't muster a defense for these morons.
Five people with Raucci grievances ask court to allow claims against Schenectady school district (with documents) Wednesday, May 27, 2009 By Steven Cook (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — City school district officials, including the school board president and then-superintendent, were aware of allegations of physical assaults, vandalism and verbal threats against employees from then-director of facilities Steven Raucci as early as May 2005, but did nothing, according to allegations in new court filings. The allegations come in applications from five separate people with ties to the school district or to the CSEA, asking a judge to allow them to sue the school district over the allegations. In one of the filings, former school district laborer Ryan Rakoske alleges he met with school officials May 17, 2005 — nearly four years before Raucci was arrested. Among the allegations were that Rakoske, son of Harold and Deborah Gray, saw Raucci in a caravan of three or four school district vehicles traveling from the housing development where Rakoske’s mother lived, in Saratoga County, 15 miles from the nearest city school district facility.
Rakoske was going to his mother’s home to clean up fresh vandalism when he said he spotted Raucci. Raucci is charged with repeatedly vandalizing the Gray home. At that May 2005 meeting were human resources director Michael Stricos, assistant superintendent Michael San Angelo, then-superintendent John Falco (given the last name of “DeFalco” in the filing) and school board president Jeffrey Janiszewski. Nothing happened as a result of the meeting, Rakoske said in papers..........>>>>............>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/may/27/52709_raucciclaims/
The papers also shed light on the January 2007 attempted bombing of the home of Laura Balogh. Balogh, a CSEA employee, is described in papers as formerly having a “personal relationship” with then-CSEA local president Joanne DeSarbo. DeSarbo is now charged with burglarizing the home the same day as the attempted bombing.
Does the words personal relationship mean they were lovers? Ya know, girlfriend/girlfriend? I only ask since the gazette may have been struggling for the right words, so decided to put the words "personal relationship" in quotes.
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
It doesn't get better than this! N'est pas Linda?
These are interesting times? For who? Finally Carl has moved from defending convicted terrorists to demanding resignations from the worst in the State Schenectady School District. Still no one has the sense to resign. Plenty of juice to keep us busy for months. Come out of the bunker Sallie.
