Democrat Ed Kosiur, defeated by Republican George Amedore in last summer's special Assembly election, is in line for either a county or state job appointment.
Democratic insiders said a new "commissioner for youth" position may be created to replace youth bureau and job training agency director titles cut from the '08 budget.
Kosiur is mentioned for the job, but insiders said he is also being considered for an unspecified appointment to the state payroll
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Brad Littlefield
November 20, 2007, 8:08am
Guest User
Wasn't Kosiur was appointed to his seat on the Schenectady County Legislature? Now he is being considered for another appointment. Does his resume include any positions to which he won an election?
Democratic insiders said a new "commissioner for youth" position may be created to replace youth bureau and job training agency director titles cut from the '08 budget.
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Main Entry: com·mis·sion·er Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmi-sh(ə-)nər\ Function: noun Date: 15th century : a person with a commission: as a: a member of a commission b: the representative of the governmental authority in a district, province, or other unit often having both judicial and administrative powers c: the officer in charge of a department or bureau of the public service d: the administrative head of a professional sport — com·mis·sion·er·ship \-ˌship\ noun
That's funny....the police officers dont like a police commisioner but we accept a commissioner of youth??????
...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
SCHENECTADY COUNTY Youth job changes questioned Republicans skeptical about reorganization BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Controversy has followed a move by majority Democrats in the Schenectady County Legislature to create a new position of commissioner and director for the Youth Bureau as part of a reorganization of the agency. Democrats say the reorganization will improve services to children. Minority Republicans are viewing it skeptically, wondering whether the change is designed to provide a job to outgoing county Legislator Edward Kosiur. The Democratic legislator gambled his political career in a special election in August for the 105th District Assembly seat, losing to Republican George Amedore Jr. Kosiur dismissed the speculation, saying he has “no plans to pursue any other position than what I have right now.” He is director of teen employment with the Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady and remains a Schenectady County legislator, representing District 2 until Dec. 31. When he steps down, he will lose a $14,000 stipend as a county legislator. Meanwhile, Bette Ewing, president of the all-volunteer, 17-member Youth Bureau Advisory Board, said her members are concerned about the loss of current Youth Bureau Director Shane Bargy, whose Civil Service-protected position was eliminated under the reorganization. The staff views him as an effective leader who expanded the bureau’s services and reach during his five-year tenure, she said. The bureau oversees the distribution of about $300,000 in state grants to local agencies and governments serving thousands of youths. It also oversees six directservice programs, such as the Schenectady County Youth Mentoring Program. Democrats eliminated Bargy’s $55,941-salaried position and that of his $51,600-salaried assistant, Jennifer Goldie, under amendments to the county’s $281 million budget for 2008. Their jobs were among 15 positions, some filled and some vacant, removed in October as Democrats trimmed $2 million from the budget to reduce a projected property tax levy increase. Democrats also eliminated the two full-time, currently filled positions of director and of supervisor of employment and training in the Schenectady County Job Training Agency. They then combined the agency with the county Department of Social Services. At the same time, the Democrats created a new executive position, commissioner and director of Youth Bureau, with a salary range of between $59,000 and $85,000. Democrats fi rst had to eliminate Bargy’s job to remove the protection it offered through Civil Service. Removal of the protection allows County Manager Kathleen Rooney to appoint anyone to the position, based on merit. The commissioner’s position remains unfilled — the reorganization takes effect Jan. 1 — but Republicans said they have heard Kosiur is under consideration. Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, said ,“We heard rumors it might be Ed Kosiur. We think Shane has done a good job there, and we have to see what is being put on the table. We have not seen any legislation on it. If it can be demonstrated it will be a benefit to our taxpayers, it might have some merits.” County Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, said Democrats are creating a “fat-cat position for Kosiur.” He said he learned of Kosiur’s consideration from at least one Democrat and from “someone involved in youth programs.” Suhrada said Democrats pitched the reorganization as a move to save money. “They lied to us and cut positions of longterm county employees, pretending to save taxpayers money, and they came back with this new position,” he said. “People see through it.” STATE JOB POSSIBLE A high-level Schenectady County Democrat, who spoke on background, said Kosiur is in line for a job in Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s administration, to work on intergovernmental cooperation. Kosiur had no comment. Bargy refused comment on the reorganization. He is expected to take another position within county government. County Manager Rooney was out of town and unavailable for comment. She is working with the state Office of Children and Family Services on a proposal to bring the county into compliance with state law. Under Executive Law, each county must have a full-time director of the Youth Bureau, or an equivalent, to receive state funds for youth-oriented programming. Pat Cantiello of the state Office of Children and Family Services said, “We are working with Schenectady County to address the situation in a way that permits continued state funding. We are waiting to hear what the county is proposing.” The state has to approve any Youth Bureau changes under law. County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said Democrats created the Youth Bureau commissioner position to put it on par with other high-priority departments. “The person who leads the youth bureau should be at same level because services we provide to children are as important as economic development, finances and social services. We will make this agency a lead agency in county government.” Come January, Savage said, the county will “roll out a proposal to enhance services to youths.” County Legislator Philip Fields, D-Schenectady, chairman of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, said the commissioner position will save the county money. “We had two positions, and now we have one,” he said. He said the Youth Bureau is returning to the same staffing structure it had a year ago when Bargy ran it himself for four years. The county provided him with an assistant last January. However, one county official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the county could have saved money by eliminating the assistant position for a saving of $50,000, and keeping Bargy in place at his $59,000 salary, rather than creating a position with a salary approaching $85,000. Ewing said county officials never informed her board about the proposed reorganization until after it occurred. “We are just an advisory group, but I would have certainly expected to have legislators advise us there would be major changes. We were totally blind-sided by this,” she said. Kosiur serves as the county Legislature’s liaison to the advisory committee. “I fi nd it difficult to believe the Legislature chose an agency that has been so effective and that serves our youths to make these kinds of changes. If you look at the history of the Youth Bureau, you will see how it has grown and how children in school districts have become more vested in it,” Ewing said.
Democrats say the reorganization will improve services to children.
...and add to the size of government...
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Democrats eliminated Democrats also eliminated
And let's not forget that the Republicans didn't bring to the floor any possible cuts, right?
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Democrats first had to eliminate Bargy’s job to remove the protection it offered through Civil Service. Removal of the protection allows County Manager Kathleen Rooney to appoint anyone to the position, based on merit.
The truth comes out. Position was eliminated to get rid of his protection before someone else could be appointed.
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County Manager Rooney was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Is this lady ever available for comment??
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County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said Democrats created the Youth Bureau commissioner position to put it on par with other high-priority departments.
Couldn't this be done by Ms. Savage just listening to the current head of this as much as they listen to the other committees? Why does everything take a study? You would think that we've figured this out in this county by now.
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Suhrada said Democrats pitched the reorganization as a move to save money. “They lied to us and cut positions of longterm county employees, pretending to save taxpayers money, and they came back with this new position,” he said. “People see through it.”
Go, Joe!
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County Legislator Philip Fields, D-Schenectady, chairman of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, said the commissioner position will save the county money. “We had two positions, and now we have one,” he said.
Until next year when Eddie can't handle it himself and he asks for a raise and an assistant. Hey, that's how it always was before, why shouldn't he have the same?
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However, one county official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the county could have saved money by eliminating the assistant position for a saving of $50,000, and keeping Bargy in place at his $59,000 salary, rather than creating a position with a salary approaching $85,000.
Gee, there's a novel idea. If the person doing the job already is doing a good job, then maybe his assistant isn't needed, or does Eddie need a little time still under his belt for benefits?
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Kosiur serves as the county Legislature’s liaison to the advisory committee
If he cares so much that he's currently a liason, why not keep that position and do it at some other rate, not undermining the entire committee as it already is?
Shane Bargy did a wonderful job and I hope since he atleast salvaged A job it will be a decent one for him. Jennifer was also a great person to work with. We developed a very good relationship working with the two of them during past summers. I will miss them a great deal. I'm also certain Ed Kosiur will do a fine job. How he gets the job is the sickening part. It's just too bad people don't realize the shady dealings of this legislature. Sad fact of the matter is they don't. Only some of us who are close to it know of the shenanigans. I have to imagine if people actually did know there would be outrage and an army marching on the County building. Yeah right.
A high-level Schenectady County Democrat, who spoke on background, said Kosiur is in line for a job in Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s administration, to work on intergovernmental cooperation. Kosiur had no comment.
He's going to have to get rid of the 2000' law just so they can can all be in the same room together to get something done.....
...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
I would be shamefully embarrassed if I were Eddy. I mean the guy has NEVER been elected to any position. And when he did try to run, Eddy failed miserably. A grown man dragging around on the skirt tails of Suzie Savage...for shame. The democratic dictatorship is trying to salvage his reputaion by creating a job for him AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE, of course. Ed Kosiur couldn't get a real job if his life depended on it. Ed Kosiur is trying to be a political lifer and suck the taxpayers dry. Just like the rest of them do!
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 COUNTY Kosiur undecided on working for state or county Republicans cite tailor-made job BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.
Come Jan. 1, Schenectady County Legislator Edward Kosiur expects to start a new job, but he won’t say whether it will be with the county or the state. “I haven’t made the final decision. That should be coming any day now on my behalf. I’m working on both sides,” Kosiur said Wednesday. Minority Republicans are almost certain Kosiur, a Democrat, will land a county job, being newly created for him at tonight’s special meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature. The position is titled assistant to the commissioner of social services for youth development and carries a salary range of between $59,000 and $85,000. Democrats remain mum on who will get the job, but praise Kosiur as perfect for the position. Kosiur said Wednesday he’s given two weeks’ notice to his current employer, the Schenectady Boys & Girls Club, as director of its afterschool program at Schenectady High School, and is saying goodbye today to the 70 students in the program. Also, his four-year term on the county Legislature ends Dec. 31, concluding a political career that began in 2002 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council when now-Mayor Brian Stratton became a county legislator. Kosiur said he would consider the county job if “offered to me.” He would not discuss the state job he is seeking, other than to say it deals with intergovernmental cooperation. County Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, said the county is creating the special assistant’s position to develop a “more robust youth program.” The new youth program, expected to be announced with fanfare after Jan. 1, would “involve more kids, be more countywide and more focused on actual hands-on activities for kids,” Hughes said. “Our intent is to bring in someone who can work effectively with other county departments and in the community with other organizations, and to take the youth program up several notches,” Hughes said. County Manager Kathleen Rooney has authority to appoint someone to the job on merit, subject to approval by the Democratcontrolled Legislature. Democrats paved the way for the new position by eliminating the position of director of the Youth Bureau when adopting the 2008 budget, which takes effect Jan. 1. The director’s position currently has Civil Service protection, which requires candidates to take a test and place within the top three for consideration. Youth Bureau Director Shane Bargy, who has been in the position for more than five years, is expected to receive appointment to another newly created position, that of director of temporary assistance and employment services. The position carries a $6,000 increase over his current salary of $55,941. “Shane was doing an excellent job. We had another opportunity in county government and this opportunity is to put Shane in another vital area where we need help,” Hughes said. Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, criticized Democrats over Bargy’s removal. “I think Shane Bargy did a fine job and should have been left where he was. They are shuffling the chairs and are creating a position for someone as a political reward,” he said. The reward is for running for state Assembly at the request of the Democrat Party, Farley said. “He lost and they rewarded him,” he said. Rather than seek re-election to the county Legislature, an almost certainty, Kosiur gambled his political career in a special election in August for the 105th District Assembly seat, losing to Republican George Amedore Jr. County Legislator Joe Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, was more blunt about the Democrats’ intentions: “Putting Kosiur on the payroll, coupled with pay raises for managers, are Christmas presents only the Grinch could bring to the taxpayers.” Kosiur is nonplused by the criticisms. “I want to do what is best for the county or the state. I feel I could do a good job in either position. I have worked with youth for well over 10 years, and I led the charge in intergovernmental cooperation,” he said.
County Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, said the county is creating the special assistant’s position to develop a “more robust youth program.” The new youth program, expected to be announced with fanfare after Jan. 1, would “involve more kids, be more countywide and more focused on actual hands-on activities for kids,” Hughes said. “Our intent is to bring in someone who can work effectively with other county departments and in the community with other organizations, and to take the youth program up several notches,” Hughes said.
Hughes has no credibility. His statement re: the qualifications for the position that was newly created for Kosiur point to experience in inter-governmental cooperation and youth programs. The job description and responsibilities were, no doubt, custom tailored to Kosiur's experience (with the absence of plumbing knowledge). At a $85,000 per year salary, don't expect Kosiur to be snaking toilets.
The taxpaying residents of Schenectady County should be infuriated. As our county property tax rates increase by 6% to 20% (depending on your town of residence), the public will sit idly by and allow the Democratic controlled County Legislature to create more patronage positions and award their friends with government positions and government contracts. In return for the "favors", many of the recipients make large campaign contributions to the Schenectady County Democratic Committee and to the individual campaigns of Democratic candidates.
When the Republicans assume control of the County Legislature in two years, they should pledge to eliminate, on day one, Kosiur's new position in addition to many other patronage jobs on the county payroll. The Fleecing of the Schenectady County Taxpayers has just intensified.
County Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, said the county is creating the special assistant’s position to develop a “more robust youth program.”
It amazes me that with taxes as high as they are, they are actually CREATING a position at the cost of the taxpayers. Although I am all for youth programs, this is not an initiative that should be prioritized at this time.
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