Carl Strock THE VIEW FROM HERE Carl Strock can be reached at 395-3085 or by e-mail at carlstrock@dailygazette.com.
RIGGI FOR GADFLY On the local front, in case you’re wondering how I feel about Vince Riggi withdrawing as a candidate for the Schenectady County Legislature, rest assured that I feel fine. I don’t like to see gadflies make the transition to public officeholders, since I believe they serve a much more valuable function where they are, keeping an outsider’s eye on the doings of government. When Vince ran for the Schenectady City Council last year, I was frankly disappointed, and I shed no tears when he lost. Anybody can be a councilman or a legislator, I figure, and compromise and wheel and deal, but it takes a special kind of person to go to all those tiresome meetings voluntarily, monitor their doings and speak up honestly, without needing to mollify or placate any particular constituency. I’m glad he’s staying on the outside.
Can I say, that I agree with Mr. Strock. I guess I think all politicians are dishonest and power driven. I would hate to see someone like Vince Riggi fall into that catagory. Although he truly is 'for the people'. How refreshing. He, along with Pat Zollinger have more influence out of the system than they might 'in' it! And they probably put more time into their process than the actual elected officials do. And they probably know more as well.
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
I agree with you Bumble, from my personal experience dealing with the town we residents investigate the problems far more than the board members ever do.
True, but wouldn't it also be interesting to get someone on the board that you know would do their own legwork, not waiting for a dang study of this or a determination of that? Someone who won't give an immediate "yes" to a change of zoning because it falls within the law, but would actually review it and see if it fell within the idea of the town or the area of the town? I think that these people would actually be good in a position like that. Imagine, someone that actually is trying to do something good for the town/city/county finally getting rewarded for it.
I say, stay out of the political arena. Just make sure these elected officials keep their feet to the fire. My thought....if more concerned residents got involved...and I mean really involved...government would change. If the elected officials are not representing the voice of it's residents...than let the residents BE HEARD!!!
The obsticle here? Finding residents who are 'really' concerned enough to put the effort forth.
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
I think that the residents of Rotterdam better stand up and be heard on Election Day this year or we're going to get more of the same song and dance that we've been seeing for many years.
Shadow - I share your sentiments and fear the same as you!
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
The city of Schenectady seems to be so corrupt under it's present administration. This a a good time for the republicans to try to get as many seats as possible. But the republicans aren't doing too much, it seems, to move on this. That is why I think that the people of Schenectady are the only ones that may be able to make a difference without being into politics.
Ya know the old saying, 'It's easier to fight a fire out of it, than in it'.......well that's how I feel about Vince Riggi. Vince Riggi, along with Pat Zollinger, and others I'm sure, have brought issues to the front that 'have' been addressed by the city. The city basically had no choice. If you read in the newspaper, and I think that was an article the admin could save, the city didn't even know the city codes were outdated until Ms. Zollinger posted an editorial in the paper about it. So NOW the city is going to start to TRY to straighted out the city code issues.
So if everyone did some investigative research on issues of concern, brought it to the public view, perhaps there would be action taken. And that my friends is something Mr. Riggi could do 'out of the firestorm'!
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
Schenectady GOP sold out to PBA-controlled Conservative Party
Recently I have become aware of the increased influence that minor party politics have over major political parties. Over the past couple of weeks it appears the Schenectady County Conservative Party has pressured the Schenectady County Republican Party to endorse a former member of the Schenectady Police Department to run for Schenectady City Council instead of Schenectady County Legislature, as the Republicans previously planned. I sincerely believe that this is an obvious power play by the Police Benevolent Association to circumvent the actions of our newly appointed public safety commissioner, Wayne Bennett. Commissioner Bennett has recently announced that he will take the PBA to task over disciplinary procedures — certainly a breath of fresh air for most of us who have heard over and over that our hands are tied by the union contract. The county Conservatives brokered a deal with the county Republicans to run a candidate with a friendly posture toward the police department — which in my humble opinion would be a disservice to the voters of this city. And please, no matter what has been said by the Conservative County chairman, the backbone of that party is the PBA. To explain further, major parties knuckle under to these special-interest groups to garner the minor party endorsements of their own candidates and, for a lack of better words, are selling us out. It was for this reason only that I asked to have my name withdrawn as the independent, Republican-endorsed candidate for county Legislature, District 1. As an independent, I can easily do what party zealots cannot, and that is to hold my head high and tell these power brokers, “thanks but no thanks”. My principled, idealistic views envision all major parties refusing minor-party endorsements and serving only one special-interest group — the innocent people that will ultimately pay the price for these back-room deals. After all, I can wish, can’t I? VINCE RIGGI Schenectady
http://www.dailygazette.com Over the past couple of weeks it appears the Schenectady County Conservative Party has pressured the Schenectady County Republican Party to endorse a former member of the Schenectady Police Department to run for Schenectady City Council instead of Schenectady County Legislature, as the Republicans previously planned.
The reps should have learned their lesson when the conserv's 'suggested' Mr. Joey Guidarelli to fill the vacant seat on the Rotterdam Town board. That was an absolute disaster! So Joey abstained or voted soley on his own personal/business gain, clearly not for the residents. Joey had an agenda! And the same will happen with a conservative member from the SPD.
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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