SCHENECTADY City eyes golf course revenue Renegotiation of head pro’s $300K pay package is likely BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
In the city’s quest for money to pay for firefighters and parks, the municipal golf course may be the next source of funds. Golf Pro Brian Damon makes roughly $316,000 a year, according to a revenue-sharing contract the City Council approved four years ago. But the deal expires on Dec. 31, and city offi cials no longer want to lose out on more than half of the revenue raised at the course. Several City Council members, when informed of Damon’s pay by The Daily Gazette, said they want to renegotiate his contract and use the savings to bolster the city’s sagging budget. The course brings in about $500,000 more than it needs to spend every year, mostly through fees golfers pay to play and to rent carts rather than walking from hole to hole. That revenue could restore half of the 19 fi refighters that are slated to be laid off on Jan. 1. But currently, $300,000 of that revenue goes to Damon. The rest is saved in the golf fund to be used on the course in the future. Traditionally, the city has offered its golf pro a revenue-sharing deal in addition to a $16,000 fl at salary. The pro gets most of the cart rental fees, which last year amounted to $330,000. By contract, the first $30,000 goes to course upkeep. The rest goes to Damon. He does have to spend some of his pay on the job — he maintains the carts under a lease agreement, but declined to say how much money he puts into the carts each year. If the city took over the cart rental business, Finance Commissioner Ismat Alam estimated that the city could earn up to $250,000 in one year. That doesn’t include the amount of money that could be raised through greens fees and other items at the course. She wants to start with the carts. “The city is looking to do it itself,” she said. The city’s revenue-sharing deal isn’t common locally, but Schenectady has offered it for decades. Amsterdam also allows its pro to keep all cart rental fees, as well as a fl at salary of $20,000, according to Golf Commission member David Putnam. But many cities keep all course revenue — which can add up to a lot. Albany’s course, which is not rated as highly as Schenectady’s course, brings in $1 million for the city each year, Budget Director Christopher Hearley said. The Albany golf pro makes $90,000, without benefits. The city keeps all course revenue, including $400,000 in cart rental fees, Hearley said. Like Damon, the Albany and Amsterdam pros also get to keep any money they make by offering lessons, and all profit from the retail shops they run at the course. If Damon wants any help in his shop, he must pay his assistants out of his salary, and he has hired at least one. But Schenectady pays for a superintendent of grounds and nine seasonal workers on the course, including cashiers, starters, rangers and a cleaner. Damon’s job is to manage the golf course operation, from collecting greens fees to running tournaments. He said his pay is reasonable, noting that the council approved the revenue-sharing contract. “It’s just one way the city does business,” he said, before adding that he’s willing to negotiate. Some council members said Damon’s take is much too high. “I’m stunned,” Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard said. “He’s really good, but that’s a whole lot of money.” Most of her colleagues agreed with her. But they differed on how they would spend the cart revenue if they stop giving it to Damon. Blanchard wants to spend the golf course revenue on parks and firefighters. “Golf is a wonderful thing, and our golf course is beautiful, but it’s not a public safety issue,” she said. Councilman Thomas Della Sala agreed. ......................>>>>...............>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00101&AppName=1
The golf "pro" at the Muni course makes $314,000 a year! What is wrong with these DEM idiots in City Hall? FIRE HIM! This is an outrage that demands a criminal investigation. Who is he related to? No wonder these morons can't afford basic police and fire services. The golf course makes $500,000 and they give $314,000 to some "pro" that does absolutely nothing. If he's so great let him join the tour.
Now McCarthy and Allen want to fix up the clubhouse. Maybe Morris can be brought in to cater? Another complete waste of money. Take the profits from the course, fire the "pro", keep the fire fighters and cut the grass in the parks. Everywhere you look in the City another fiscal outrage because of decades of DEM patronage hiring and looking the other way to obvious ripoffs. The newbie is worried about a $5,000 grant. Beyond clueless-dereliction of civic duty.
"This is one way the City does business" stated the $314,000 golf "pro". No it's the only way this all DEM City does business. Back arsed-screw the taxpayers- help selected political pigs fed at the trough.
The lack of outrage is also telling. They all knew. They all supported this. They all must be chased out of office. How many others are in City Hall feasting off the public trough?
The PUBIC SECTOR needs to take over ALL THE GOLF COURSES. JUST ASK ANY IDIOT DEMOCRAP.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
The DEMS always take care of each other. Everyone else can go pound salt. $314,000 for a golf "pro" who can't play golf? Only in Schenectady, the DEM cesspool.
Idea to save the City: Have the golf "pro" and Mayor switch jobs. The Mayor is always crying for more pay and the golf pro is used to little work. This is a win-win. The golf pro can't do any worse. Maybe he has some actual private sector/budgeting experience.
Benny is that true? The golf pro really makes all that money. I don't believe it.
His salary was in the Daily Gazette this morning.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
This is exactly the type of nonsense the City is involved with, yet then turn to the Churches for curb fees?! Why are all the councilmen (and women) shocked about where the money is going. Aren't they the people who allot these funds? If the council doesn't know who is getting paid, then who does?!
Cutting firehouses and vital services I thought was a last resort, but then we find out about the fleet of City vehicles and now the overpaid golf-pro. Why doesn't anyone know where our City money is going.
The taxpayers are shocked, the Council should be ashamed.
Benny is that true? The golf pro really makes all that money. I don't believe it.
Quoted Text
Golf Pro Brian Damon makes roughly $316,000 a year, according to a revenue-sharing contract the City Council approved four years ago. But the deal expires on Dec. 31, and city offi cials no longer want to lose out on more than half of the revenue raised at the course. Several City Council members, when informed of Damon’s pay by The Daily Gazette, said they want to renegotiate his contract and use the savings to bolster the city’s sagging budget. The course brings in about $500,000 more than it needs to spend every year, mostly through fees golfers pay to play and to rent carts rather than walking from hole to hole. That revenue could restore half of the 19 fi refighters that are slated to be laid off on Jan. 1. But currently, $300,000 of that revenue goes to Damon. The rest is saved in the golf fund to be used on the course in the future.
This is exactly the type of nonsense the City is involved with, yet then turn to the Churches for curb fees?! Why are all the councilmen (and women) shocked about where the money is going. Aren't they the people who allot these funds? If the council doesn't know who is getting paid, then who does?!
Cutting firehouses and vital services I thought was a last resort, but then we find out about the fleet of City vehicles and now the overpaid golf-pro. Why doesn't anyone know where our City money is going.
The taxpayers are shocked, the Council should be ashamed.
Oh they know very well where they are spending the already overburdened taxpayer's money!! You are correct....they sign the checks! Savage, Stratton and Gillen want to tax the churches, cut safety, add fees to the homeowners, give golf pros $300+K, give welfare benefits that EXCEED the state mandates............and yet don't charge a dime in taxes to multi-million dollar companies!
The truth is finally getting out to the sheople. And we can thank Savage for that. Since she made the 'mistake' to run against Farley....all the little lies and scams are surfacing to the top!!! Nobody outside of schenectady county wants her!!! Even the people in county are beginning to see right through her! IMHO of course
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 nobody inside the County wants SS Savage. Aside for some morons in Rozendale. Front page of the Gazetto- some DEM donor feasting on $314,000 while City sheeple eat cheese sandwiches.
"Working together!"- Meanwhile these DEM idiots will close the Bellevue Firehouse, lay off 19 firefighters and close the Hamilton Hill pool. The newbie on the Council is worried about some piddly $5,000 park grant. While the golf "pro" is backing up to the mint. Disgusting. How do you sleep? Who will be the first stooge to support this rape of the taxpayers?
Logged
The golf "pro" at the Muni course makes $314,000 a year! What is wrong with these DEM idiots in City Hall? FIRE HIM! This is an outrage that demands a criminal investigation. Who is he related to? No wonder these morons can't afford basic police and fire services. The golf course makes $500,000 and they give $314,000 to some "pro" that does absolutely nothing. If he's so great let him join the tour. 
"This is one way the City does business" stated the $314,000 golf "pro". No it's the only way this all DEM City does business. Back arsed-screw the taxpayers- help selected political pigs fed at the trough. 
