Another complete taxpayer ripoff and disgrace. The DSIC bought a building so it is harder to get rid off them. The location of the DSIC on lower State is surrounded by empty storefronts and buildings. Renting would have been more economical and efficient. The fact that the Mayors hand picked Bored was split speaks volumes.

     Nearby is the infamous Ray Gillen Ditch, where Robinson's Square Square "retail" was to be built. At the same time that no one attends their meetings and when they do the majority of businesses wants to split off these Krat DSIC idiots decide to purchase a permanent building. Of course, the Gazetto supports this outrage. Abolish this horrible DSIC NOW! Downtown businesses are hurting enough with the record City Taxes.

Quoted Text

Downtown BID board represents all businesses

    Re Dec. 8 editorial, "Don't give up on Schenectady's downtown BID yet": Business improvement districts are, for the most part, formed and supported by property owners within a given boundary to improve, enhance and, ultimately, improve property values of those making the financial and personal contributions to the district. The DSIC [Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp.] is no different! It is directed by a volunteer board consisting of property owners, or their representatives. They are not politicians nor those with obligations to repay. They simply want to make downtown Schenectady a better place.
    Their responsibilities are to represent all the property owners within the district. That said, everyone knows that there will be a variety of points of view. The board is obligated to listen to all points of view and then make the decisions for what is best for all. The day-to-day management of the DSIC is capably handled by a dedicated staff that is second to none!
    As a point of clarification, your editorial and previous Gazette editorials incorrectly give the impression that board appointments do not represent the entire district, rather, they are centrally located to the core of downtown. A review of present and past appointments would reveal that board representatives have served from the farthest eastern and western properties — the Stockade, the southern portion of Erie Boulevard, Broadway and State Street between Erie Boulevard and Church Street, as well as several on Jay Street and the 400 block of State Street.
    I would encourage all DSIC members to appreciate each other’s point of view and let’s work together to find common ground
and support our organization!
BILL GLOCK
Schenectady
The writer is proprietor of Family Tire & Auto Service Center.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar04405

Mr. Glock's a great guy but he was forced off the DSIC Bored by Mayor Stratton. Where there is smoke there is fire. Of course the Gazetto prints this since it agrees with their minority view.

     Erie Businesses are all po'ed, the Stockade businesses are all po'ed. Every business person you talk to is sick of paying extra for things that the Chamber or City should be doing. The DSIC idiots refuse to listen and buy a permanent building. This DSIC must be abolished, it is hurt Downtown business growth and is another level of taxation without representation.

DSIC - apolitical??? Hhahahahaha - I needed a laugh this weekend.

"They are not politicians?" Why is Peggy King on the DSIC Bored? What business does she run Downtown? King is on the DSIC Bored BECAUSE she is a politician. And printed without comment nor correction by the horrible Gazetto. Another new low.

Quoted Text

The day-to-day management of the DSIC is capably handled by a dedicated staff that is second to none!

This made me wonder...this group has "dedicated staff that is second to none."  Now, think about this...if there's so many groups that say they are second to none, then...WHY ARE THERE SO MANY GROUPS???  Somebody's gotta be wrong on this and I think the DSIC might just be one place to start.

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
DSIC pulls purchase offer for building
Board exploring other headquarters options, including possible lease
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.

    The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. has backed off from buying a building along lower State Street for its headquarters.
    The DSIC executive committee voted on Dec. 23 to withdraw the purchase offer for 137-143 State St., according to meeting minutes. The vote came less than a week after the board voted to buy the building.
    The property, a 3,400-squarefoot, one-story brick structure, is listed for sale at $199,500 by CB Richard Ellis. DSIC Executive Director Jim Salengo said the board was negotiating a price of $155,000.
    Salengo said the board decided Dec. 23 to explore other options, including leasing space and a leaseto-own option with owner Tri-City Manpower. The vote was 7-1 with board Vice President Richard Antokol voting no.
    “We have more time to vacate this space and are discussing options with that owner,” Salengo said.
    The DSIC has until April 1 to vacate its office in Center City. Center City owner, the Galesi Group, is remodeling the complex as part of a $12 million project.
    Salengo said he hopes the DSIC board makes a decision on where to locate by Feb. 28. “That would give us all of March to pack up, move and reset,” he said.
    Antokol, who would not comment on the board’s latest decision, said after the Dec. 12 vote that the purchase was a way to support development of...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01001

What a slap in the face to Mr. Antokol who is yet another Krat supporter of tax increases and extra levels of government. Why don't they rent a room in City Hall?

     DISBAND. No one who runs a legitimate business Downtown{unlike Peggy King(D-SCCC) and other seat warmers} wants this. The DSIC is a parking authority that does not run any parking lots. There is no reason for this idiotic group to exist. Expect that the horrible Mayor wants to employ some lobs. Thank the Lord the majority finally stood up to the Krat stooges.

this move is very backwords when the mayor is the man in charge they BETTER JUST DO WHAT HE SAYS AND SHUT UP! Where do they get off going against like this if they know what is good for them over there they better wise up fast

   Downtown businesses did wake up. About time they listened to business people and not Krat stooges. That's why they dumped this stuna purchase, near Gillen's Gulch, where Robinson's retail mall was to be located.

     The "head" of the DSIC does not even work Downtown! Something you will never read in the horrible Gazetto. In a recession the last thing struggling Downtown businesses need are mandatory contributions to a needless parking authority. DISBAND IT and send Krat lobs fleeing back to Albany.

     This whole mess was cooked up by Stratton who always puts politics before business. The Gazetto's constant cheer leading for this failed group rates up there with their nonexistent coverage of the Big Hose scandal. Total  disgraces.

Listen to Giillen the man knows his business. he was the businesman of the year for christ sake WAKE UP

"He knows business"- lol! He knows taxes. He knows how to grab credit for things he had nothing to do with. Please name the business experience he has. None/Nada. Businessman of the year--from the Krat controlled Chamber. It's high time you stopped parroting the Krat line and actually talked to some business people Downtown.

I couldn't agree with you more BS. I think that we have listed the plex's failures over and over on this message board. All the plex can accomplish is 'relocating businesses'! The other thing is giving the old dilapidated businesses a face lift...I think they call it 'grants for new facades'.

First, the grants for these new 'facades' is actually OUR tax dollar.
Second, these so called grants for these facades are given to a select few contractors.

So other than the above...where are the new businesses and the high paying jobs that were promised to us a decade ago? Oh that's right...I forgot...there are the ticket people at a movie theater that can't fill their seats. Then there are the bell hops at the Hampton Inn. And lets not forget the bartenders/maids at the couple of gin mills. And we won't even start with Proctors!

And then they lie by saying how the sales tax revenue is up due to increased sales in the area. OMG..they must be joking! I'm sure the sales tax on the inflated gas prices over the last year had nothing to do with it right? Great job Gillen and crew!! And thank you gazette for checking this out for us...NOT! Thanks but I guess we'll do our own investigative reporting!  IMHO

It's both papers, in Paul Nelson's story in the TU, somehow the Price Chopper HQ was thrown into the mix. Like this generated any new sales tax revenue? Hasn't even opened yet. The Hess at Nott Street which generated hundreds of thousands of dollars had to move. The Hampton Inn is funny too. They are the same owners as Holiday Inn. No net gain-instead of Holiday some now go to the Hampton. It's all a shell game-with our tax dollars.

    Let's talk about Proctor's since there is a media blackout on the flops. Big layoff last summer that went unreported. Avenue Q, which included a porno-puppet show, tanked. This is what passes for fine art? Matinees under 300 many forced seniors on reduced prices. "Leadership" at the theatre doesn't know how to fill 1 theatre nor 3.

Yeah how gross and sick is that. The muppets are doing filth now and Procto's shows it!