There is some chatter happening on a blog called Rotterdam NY about a comment likely everyone heard at Monday night’s Schenectady City Council meeting in which President Gary McCarthy made a comment about a speaker’s mental health issues after they were done.

During public comment period, the man talked about how he has been brutalized by police, and held up a file folder and said he has evidence of all the dirty cops in Schenectady. Afterward, McCarthy said within hear shot of his microphone, something to the effect of “mental health issues often drive the agenda here.”

Let’s be honest: many of the commenters at city meetings likely do have mental health issues. We have no idea if that’s the case with this speaker, who isn’t a regular to the podium. But for a government official to acknowledge it in public (and an official who might be Schenectady next mayor?) Umm, we’ll let the discussion begin on that one.

McCarthy responded Tuesday afternoon, saying he knows this particular individual well from his job at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, and felt the need to alert the audience to what he believes is the truth. “I’m not looking to make fun,” he said Tuesday, “but sometimes mental health issues do drive the agenda.”
“I have dealt with him extensively in the DAs office,” McCarthy said. “His ramblings are baseless.”

http://blog.timesunion.com/localpolitics/

WOW!!!

http://blog.timesunion.com/localpolitics/

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Updated: Blog picks up on McCarthy’s “mental health” comment
February 15, 2011 at 2:24 pm by Lauren Stanforth, Staff writer

There is some chatter happening on a blog called Rotterdam NY about a comment likely everyone heard at Monday night’s Schenectady City Council meeting in which President Gary McCarthy made a comment about a speaker’s mental health issues after they were done.

During public comment period, the man talked about how he has been brutalized by police, and held up a file folder and said he has evidence of all the dirty cops in Schenectady. Afterward, McCarthy said within hear shot of his microphone, something to the effect of “mental health issues often drive the agenda here.”

Let’s be honest: many of the commenters at city meetings likely do have mental health issues. We have no idea if that’s the case with this speaker, who isn’t a regular to the podium. But for a government official to acknowledge it in public (and an official who might be Schenectady next mayor?) Umm, we’ll let the discussion begin on that one.

McCarthy responded Tuesday afternoon, saying he knows this particular individual well from his job at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, and felt the need to alert the audience to what he believes is the truth. “I’m not looking to make fun,” he said Tuesday, “but sometimes mental health issues do drive the agenda.”
“I have dealt with him extensively in the DAs office,” McCarthy said. “His ramblings are baseless.”

bumble
Can you believe this .
First of all what goes on in the DAs office should be left there, as in investigator there McCarthy had NO right making this public.

Secondly he had to warn the public, warn them about what ? This nervous young man who was scared and asking for help.

And how does anyone know if what this young man said is baseless unless a full investigation is done.

What McCarthy and the council need to warn us about is themselves. They have no backbone to stand up for the taxpaying citizens, they smirk and make fun of speakers and now this.

They all must be voted out

And then for the reporter to make this comment

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Let’s be honest: many of the commenters at city meetings likely do have mental health issues.

I wish she elaborated on what she meant.

She must have a doctorate in psychology. Maybe she is eu mott for being in the newspaper business to begin with. How dare her attack the people for speaking out against their government and asking for redress of grievances.

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http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1297873940/s-new/#num1
Local Politics      
Local Politics
A place to talk about government closer to your home
Politics section | @TULocalPolitics on Twitter
    
Updated: Blog picks up on McCarthy’s “mental health” comment
February 15, 2011 at 2:24 pm by Lauren Stanforth, Staff writer

Quoted Text

McCarthy responded Tuesday afternoon, saying he knows this particular individual well from his job at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, and felt the need to alert the audience to what he believes is the truth. “I’m not looking to make fun,” he said Tuesday, “but sometimes mental health issues do drive the agenda.”
“I have dealt with him extensively in the DAs office,” McCarthy said. “His ramblings are baseless.”

If these quotes are true.  I am confused if the writer is the one that "heard" the statements first hand or this was something someone reported on a blog and has not been verified.  Oh boy is McCarthy in big TROUBLE.  There are laws against divulging medical information without the permission of the person.

This should be seriously investigated by mental health authorities protecting the rights of individuals with a mental illness and also other legal agencies in regards to the divulging of private information obtained while working in the DA's office.

Divulging of mental health status is so serious that if one where to meet their therapist out shopping at Walmarts the therapist is legally bound by law to not even say hi or acknowledge they know the individual they saw.

While doing some work on the Ellis Mental Health unit at the hospital I had to sign papers indicating I would not divulge who I saw there or interacted with to do so had serious legal ramifications.

If this statement that he allegedly made quoted above and also making a statement referring to this man's mental health status at the meeting is serious stuff.  Mr. McCarthy had NO right to divulge. He is getting too big for his britches.

All this man at the meeting was doing was sharing information he felt was valid in his observations.

The proper response would have been for McCarthy to indicate that the matter will be investigated and I think usually Bennett is at these meetings and direct the presenter to speak with him outside in the hall.  Even if Bennett had reason to believe there was considerable doubt about the issue it still should have been done.

If I was this man I would be looking for a good lawyer.  If I was the Mayor I would be looking at the budget to see where the money awarded to him from a lawsuit will be found.  And the taxpayers will have to see their taxes go up again because of this issue.  All because of the actions of McCarthy and he wants to run for Mayor?

In fact I think there are free lawyers whose focus is protecting the civil rights of individuals with mental illness and if this man has a documented history of receiving mental health services I am sure they would jump on this big time.

It is time that Mr. McCarthy be held accountable for his actions just like any other citizen.  If he made these statements he broke the law and should be charged accordingly.

Cel
McCarthy made these statements to the TU reporter who talked to him yesterday.


Also Al roney is going to talk about this blog today listening now.

"About a comment EVERYONE heard Monday night"-except Denise Brucker? Gary McCarthy's getting taken to the wood shed. Anyone else that still pretends this isn't a major issue must also be held accountable.

      The City DEMS have refused to address this repeated taxpayer abuse. It's all a joke with a wink and a text message. Where is the DEM City Chair on this disgrace? Denise Brucker's comments are reprehensible. She's another one that has been given a free ride for too long.

Quoted from rpforpres

Cel
McCarthy made these statements to the TU reporter who talked to him yesterday.


Also Al roney is going to talk about this blog today listening now.

Oh I was a little confused.  Thanks for the clarification

Cel
roney just mentioned it briefly and said the same as you that if McCarthy knew this guy from working at the DA's office, then he violated law disclosing mental health issue.

Quoted from rpforpres

Cel
roney just mentioned it briefly and said the same as you that if McCarthy knew this guy from working at the DA's office, then he violated law disclosing mental health issue.

Now, aren't lawyers held to a higher standard when they disclose information regarding a persons mental state if it was known during the course of an investigation or prior case? It may not be privileged information, but isn't their some ethical standard that lawyers can't disclose this information at a public forum? Just wondering.  

You can be sure that some speakers are not the only one's in that room with alleged mental health issues. I don't know what the statitics are, but chances are good that some council members suffer as well.

RP- Who was the council member who said that you sounded articulate? What an idiot! How did you respond to that if you don't mind me asking. Articulate? Do they not know that Einstien, Mozart, and many other notable people suffered from mental illness? Geez. Wow.

Denise Brucker and I didn't reply, sometimes I am shocked into speechlessness.

As time has gone by I have been reflecting a lot about this issue.

I was and am still very upset by the statement made at the City Council meeting.  I still find it difficult to accept having Mr. McCarthy insinuate or suggest the presenter had mental health issues and due to the environment this was said the impacts are far reaching.

Then I read how Mr.McCarthy obtained the information he has about the individual. He was quoted by the Times Union as saying..  At this point I have to place trust in the reporting from the media.  I find this explanation from Mr. McCarthy even more disturbing that as a DA investigator who has access to personal private records he may have broken laws concerning confidentiality in regards to mental health..  I don't know if the man who spoke at the meeting had in the past or is currently utilizing mental health services but the label on this man has now been publicly written..

Going back to the city council statement.. I thought the council was not allowed to respond during a meeting.  This needs to be addressed at two levels one a review of the rules of the conduct of a meeting expected from the legislators and two from the public.

Mr. McCarthy should be held accountable for the statement made at the meeting.  I am not sure in what manner.  Maybe a public apology to this man in putting a label on him.  Maybe having him step down from the position as president and return to the council and have someone else chair the meetings.  Maybe sensitivity classes?  I don't know.

In regards to how he gathered his information about this man's mental health status that he was quoted as saying to by a Times Union reporter.  This needs to be investigated and addressed by the proper authorities.  In particular agencies or by individuals who are responsible for protecting the rights of individuals with a mental illness.

Then as I thought more about this issue which I still feel very strongly about especially in regards to the leaking of information gathered while working in the DA's office I recognize there are other sides too.  Bear with me keep on reading this thru.

I thought about it.  How it would feel if I as a council person after countless meetings were to be confronted with issues and my hands are tied, I can't respond to the information presented either to agree or disagree or to make corrections on misinformation or misunderstanding?  I would be very frustrated too but this does not excuse the innuendos, snide comments or the demeanor of some of the council members as they sit and listen. They chose to take office as legislators and they all know and knew what city council meetings are like. I would have discomfort in that environment too but I certainly would not behave in the manner some have.

Keep in mind it is not uncommon during the POF that a presenter actually points out a certain individual on the council in their presentation which I am under the impression this is not supposed to occur.  All comments are to be addressed to the president and not have personalization in them.  At this point doesn't the president have a responsibility to remind the speaker of the rules and do it in a respectful manner?  I have heard such presentations and they were not addressed by the president.  Certainly a failure on his part in running the meeting.

One thing that I could do as a council person would be take time after the meeting to get contact information from the individual to schedule time for a telephone call to discuss the issues brought forward.  This request I think but am not sure could be done during the miscellaneous portion of the meeting asking the individual to meet with them after the adjournment of the meeting to gather this information. This is only how I would fulfill one aspect of my duties as a representative for the people.  

The presenter during POF also has a responsibility...they have access to the council member's phone numbers, addresses and with the exception of Joe Allen their email addresses and access to the Safety Commissioner's email address on the city website.  I have the Mayor's email address but last time I looked I couldn't find it on the city website I might have just missed it.  The man left immediately after his presentation so the avenue of a council person getting contact information was cut off.

Now that being said... the man presenting at the city council meeting indicated he had tried to bring his issues forward to the designated individuals in the city who work with issues such as the ones he indicated happened to him.  From his perspective there was no resolution to the issues.  Now I don't know if he indeed did try to communicate with them and if so what that outcome was.  It could be it was investigated and found to be without merit.  Then again he claimed he had proof via FOIL information and other resources.  It appears that due to frustration his agenda was to expose the issues he had with the hopes someone would look into this farther then just city officials.

Mr. McCarty from my point of view was out of line in his comment at the city council meeting.  

In regards to how he gather the mental health status of the man this need to be investigated and appropriate actions taken also

Since the topic revolves around Mental Illness... the stigma attached to this identification is very far reaching and damaging in many aspects of a person's life.   From the person experiencing the illness and has to live with it, who thinks it is a character defect and not an organic brain disorder and loses all hope and aspirations, their self esteem shattered.  To an impact trying to find employment.  To being shunned by others based on myths and lack of education on the subject I could go on and on.

I see this whole issue between the public and the legislators somewhat like the Hatfields and McCoys the only difference being the players know the reason why and what is motivating their behavior. The Hatfields and McCoys if I am not mistaken no longer remember what the feud was over.

This feud will never be fully resolved, it is tradition in all aspects of government, at all levels.  Can it be  minimized...?

Now me ducks

Cel
Exceptianal post. : )  I've emailed a government office in NYS to get info have to follow up on it.

As for the young man, think I might be able to contact him. Talked to a person yesterday who wants to speak to him.

As I don't know this young man, just something about him makes me believe that something did happen, maybe call it a mother's instinct?

As for council meetings funny thing is MOST cities have on their websites rules regarding how council meetings are run. Not surprising cannot find anything on the City of Sch'dy site.

From what I have read for other cities the council president's job is to run the meeting, and NOT to interact in any way with the public other then to instruct them on council rules, ex. three minute time limit etc. If someone becomes abusive, shouting or swearing etc they can be asked to leave.

And citizens are not allowed to make personal comments to any member of council or 'attack" them in anyway while speaking.

Cel I hope you can make it to the next meeting, you will be such an asset to all.

I will be at the next meeting and hope others here will also, please.

When I first started my post that McCarthy should be fired, it was immediately after he made the comment. I think a public apology to the young man is only the beginning.

And I agree totally with you that he must be held accountable for disclosing personal info on someone he had "dealings" with at the DA's office.

I have attended to bringing this issue up to someone who knows of advocates for individuals with a mental illness.  I am not sure where it will go from there.

I am not saying this man has an illness but the suggestion he did was made and there is a possibility laws were broken by Mr. McCarthy especially when he spoke to the TU reporter.  Others more familiar with this issue will have to attend to it.

It is a given that any public official will be quoted and their actions scrutinized.  All politicians know this.  Look at what has happened to many state officials.

The issue is not one of the meetings being played back on OSM or the meetings held live either.  The issue is that the rules of how a meeting is supposed to be run appear to have been violated..