it is very evident from this vid that j.p. is behind all of this
J.P. has ALWAYS given the cops what they want. Schenectady is proof of that. He knows that ya can't buck the cops. No big surprise there.
And altho I think Mohawk is a better choice for ROTTENdam.....the 'why' is laced with corruption and mis-use and mis-management of taxpayer's money.
REMS has always been an expense for the ROTTENdam taxpayers....ALWAYS! Mohawk won't be and will provide the same service if not better. THE POINT IS....they are dumping REMS and using the 'saved monies' to line the pockets of the few. It will NOT save the taxpayers ANYTHING!!
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
Diane BuehlerYou're probably from Rotterdam if you remember...
OK guys ... this is going to wordy, on my soap box I go
(I also plan on sending this, or something similar to the Editor of the Gazette)
The quote from town supervisor Buffardi in today's local section of the Gazette caught my attention "I couldn't guess who will be awarded this contract'. REALLY?!? A fifth grader could figure out who would be right for the town WITHOUT looking at the proposal and/or the numbers. Not-for-profit vs FOR PROFIT. Aw, I would say for profit means someone is making money, am I wrong? Personally I don't understand why the town is even involved. They're NOT paying for anything, are they? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I have never been politically vocal. I do not have an agenda, I do not owe anyone anything and I NEVER make promises I know I can't keep. I do not judge people based on race, political affiliation or financial status. I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, your neighbor and last but not least a taxpayer in the Town of Rotterdam. I don't like to speak without facts in front of me, right now my next comment is based on things said here in the group and published in the Gazette. This is my opinion for whatever it's worth. REMS has been established in the community for 70+ years,they are our neighbors. They have TWO facilities they work out of, to cover all areas of our town. What has changed since the last contract was awarded? If 2/3 of the residents were on medicare then, are there less now? Medicare recipients are on a tight budget! To receive a bill for $500 or even a $100 will throw their budget out the window. Will a for-profit organization allow a $5 a month repayment plan or will they turn their unpaid bill over to a collection agency who will call all hrs of the day or night THREATENING our elderly - our parents and/or grandparents for payment! The only thing I would ask of REMS, can you provide CPR training at no cost to our town workers and possibly interested resident? Oh, lastly - are we, the town residents paying for the purchase of Mohawk's new facility? Maybe not in papers submitted to the Town Board but in the cost of their services. Remember, they are a FOR PROFIT organization. Shoot, I lied - one last thing, I would like to know how Calder can be involved with the bidding process? It appears there is a conflict of interest? Again, if I am wrong please tell me why.
OK - off my soap box, I plan on being at the meeting tonight with SIGNS, "Save Rotterdam EMS". I'm sorry, I wasn't able to make posters out them, ran out of time.
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
Overflow crowd urges board to keep REMS as ambulance for town
By Paul Nelson
Updated 11:05 pm, Thursday, December 5, 2013
Rotterdam
Representatives from Mohawk Ambulance Service and Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services(REMS) fielded questions from Town Board members during another contentious gathering to determine who will provide ambulance and paramedic service to this community.
The wide ranging discussion focused on REMS troubled financial history and the $30,000 they may owe the town, response times and service costs plus the fact that Mohawk is a for profit while REMS is not.
Some in the partisan overflow crowd at Town Hall Thursday night held aloft signs that read "Save Rotterdam EMS" and "Public Safety not Personal Agendas."
Richard Brandt, Mohawk's vice president of operations, said since taking over the emergency calls in Rotterdam on Nov. 19 they have handled 116 calls, several times two or more calls simultaneously. In one case, they were on three calls at once.
"We would like to pay taxes and become a part of your community," he said of the family-owned business that has a fleet of 33 ambulances and more than 250 employees, 16 of whom live in Rotterdam. "Our reputation is our lifeline and it speaks for itself."
John Nuzback, a REMS Board Member acknowledged the company's old fiscal problems but stressed its resiliency and that REMS is now in the black and has learned from its mistakes.
He also noted REMS has four ambulances and two stations with 23 state-certified paramedics and 21 state-certified emergency medical technicians plus highlighted the many community events the hometown service is involved with.
Nuzback, who also works for Schenectady County, was joined by another REMS Board member, Dean Romano in answering questions.
Despite the fact that the gathering was an agenda meeting with no provisions for public comments, Councilman Robert Godlewski made a motion to allow residents to comment, that ultimately passed 3-2.
Residents who then took the microphone overwhelmingly expressed support and urged the board to retain REMS.
The governing body will vote on Wednesday on a resolution to award the 5-year contract to either REMS or Mohawk.
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
Anyone see the news story on channel 10, reporter had proof of als and narcotic licenses for rems in his hand.
I didn't see the news story.....but I did attend.....and stayed through the whole four hour circus.....
But while there, I had a long conversation with someone from REMS....I was told Dean Romano was able to get their certifications rushed through...but his job will be on the line if REMS doesn't get that contract....I forget now what he said it was, but he is somehow affiliated with the associated agencies.
Still.......it doesn't change the history of REMS....they are still singing the same misleading tunes.....the whole thing was a fiasco. It was previously and publicly announced that the only speakers would be the presenters....that the public would not be allowed to speak..... then, while most in attendance were of course from REMS, Godlewski conveniently motions for public comment.
And that's when the same parade of irrelevant, desperate and strictly emotional rambling began....one after another.....the recurring nightmare continues......
it wasn't a circus ...dear lady....it was the residents speaking up .....if you think freedom of speech is a circus.....then you are dead wrong.
people are tired of being bullied and discriminated against just because of government power.....evidently your statements lead to believe that you
conform with whatever is ruled by this government....if you were a true Town resident you woulnd't be so critical of the residents...but more of the
power play this REGIME has completed and 2 more years of it....AIN'T going to solve anything.....
speaking at the podium was the best day for everyone who is frustrated and been in the shadows of this REGIME...
2 more years of what is a CIRCUS and mockery of the way government is being run.....from top to bottom.....and just who is at the top???
You either weren't there or you are just as misguided as the REMS disciples....this was not the "residents" at large.....just the same interested parties.....the only side that shows up for these theatrics.....the same side that, if left up to them, the only ones who would have even known enough to show up to vote for their tax scam.
I cannot overstate the inconvenient facts omitted in their comments. Vanderwerker, for example, former head of their clan, claiming that former Supervisor Tommasone told him that "ALS revenue would be dealt with separately", with regard to reimbursing the Town.....what a crock. I was there, unlike Patches and most others outside of the REMS circle....when the attorney REMS had to retain in light of the ALS revelations told the last administration that Tommasone indeed told REMS to not only continue billing for ALS, but to keep the collected payments....something Tommasone had absolutely no authority to do.
The whole parade was full of equally false and/or misleading statements...a naïve and uninformed public.....much like Patches....something REMS has always had to rely upon for survival....because the relevant facts have never been in their favor....and to this day, this continues to be the case.
Gadfly is correct about rems, als blah blah blah. However there are TWO separate issues going on here.
first.....is rems financially and able to provide the same service as mohawk. The answer to that is an obvious NO! They were so desperate for funding a few short months ago that they sent out letters begging ROTTENdam residents for $$$. A few years ago, they made another pathetic attempt to promise to hard bill, run as a 'for profit' agency, reimburse als money. And yet they still begged the taxpayers for donations!!!
second......the ONLY issue and question in all ROTTENdamians minds should be the mis-management of their money. What are the powers that be going to do with the 'money saved' from eliminating rems?
THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE ON THE MINDS OF ALL ROTTENDAMIANS!!
Remember....this ain't personal!
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
and you along with the others toot your horn to no avail....we all know what is going tohappen....and the residents that were there????
stop putting them down like they don't matter......you belong with the rest....talk talk and more talk....
I saw many new faces.....and yours too...
so blow your horn when it matters and stop the nonsense that whoever goes to the meetings doesn't matter.....
they have a right to speak just as you do...BTW.....what would have been your speech.??????
I never said they didn't matter....just that they were pretty much the only ones there......peddling the same story...conveniently revised as necessary....never mind the relevant facts.
If you really want to know what I would say then by all means join us next Wednesday night and hear my comments live....you can stop to say hello and introduce yourself .
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