SCHENECTADY City pays police academy tax bill Training facility rescued from foreclosure BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
The city saved the local police training center from foreclosure Monday, staving off the “imminent” auction of a non-profi t group that fell victim to a loophole in the state’s tax exemption law. The Zone 5 Law Enforcement Center has been in danger of foreclosure since nearly the moment its operators purchased the building at the end of Erie Boulevard. The buyers presumed that since they ran a non-profit agency, they would not have to pay taxes on the building. But tax law requires owners to file tax exemption paperwork nine months prior to the start of their exemption. Until then, they must pay the taxes, which the academy never did. “It’s a hole in the law,” Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said. By the time academy operators filed for their exemption, they owed two years of school taxes — about $40,000 — plus $4,000 in city taxes. Then interest and fees began to add up. “It doubled. Tripled,” Van Norden said. “They paid a portion of it. They didn’t have the money to redeem the rest.” He negotiated with American Tax Funding, which buys the city’s delinquent tax liens, and got the company to eliminate its fees and interest, charging the academy only $37,000. But the academy didn’t have that much cash. ........................>>>>.....................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00901&AppName=1
Working together works! Working together works! The City homeowners can make up the difference-as usual. Good luck with your tax grievances. Homes nationwide have decreased in value for 55 straight months-except in the City of Schenectady! They miraculously have stayed above pre-depression values-lol. It's always hilarious to see longtime DEMS at the head of the line.
You're not supposed to remember things like that, just be a good comrade and do what you're told.
It's the former IUE Hall. Another huge parcel that should be for a private taxpaying business that the DEMS have taken off the tax rolls-in the name of renaissance. It was half baked from the beginning like the Trustco HQ "opportunity". How's the armory auction bidding? ROTFLMAO!
I thought I'd spit my coffee out reading this at the donut shop this morning!!
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
actually .. Hugh Farley could use some of the tens of thousands of dollars he takes for his taxpayer funded vacations to Hawaii and Disneyworld .. or for his office expenses ... or from his multiple pensions .. or from the multiple state senate jobs that he gave his son ----- or from the hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions that he accepted from "fat cat" Banks and Financial firms ... and used that to pay the taxes.
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
Downtown property, more theft from the taxpayers by the city for a bail out
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
It's the former IUE Hall. Another huge parcel that should be for a private taxpaying business that the DEMS have taken off the tax rolls-in the name of renaissance. It was half baked from the beginning like the Trustco HQ "opportunity". How's the armory auction bidding? ROTFLMAO!
actually .. it was a REPUBLICAN ..Hugh Farley who got the grant to buy and fix the place up .. and take it off the tax rolls
so the half-baked idea was Hugh "useless" Farley's
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
actually .. it was a REPUBLICAN ..Hugh Farley who got the grant to buy and fix the place up .. and take it off the tax rolls
so the half-baked idea was Hugh "useless" Farley's
Quoted Text
SCHENECTADY, NY (March 31, 2004) - The Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Center today announced the selection of the IUE Hall on Erie Boulevard in Downtown Schenectady as the location for its new training academy. Schenectady was selected over sites in Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties to host the police training facility. Zone Five provides training to over 2,000 new and existing police officers and law enforcement professionals from nine counties.
“This outstanding victory continues our success in revitalizing downtown Schenectady,” said State Senator Hugh T. Farley. Senator Farley obtained a $400,000 State Senate grant to purchase the IUE Hall for use as a training center for police forces throughout the Capital Region. “This project is a win for economic development, it’s a win for improving our quality of life and it’s a win for preserving Schenectady’s labor heritage. I’m pleased to have been able to provide the needed funding.”
Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “Schenectady is winning again. The County, City and Metroplex are all working in sync and the results are clear. We promised an aggressive economic development effort and we are delivering on that promise. Zone Five is another indication that when Schenectady residents stand together, nothing can stand in our way.”
Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “Today’s announcement shows that real change is happening in Schenectady. Gone are the days when Schenectady sat idly on the sidelines and watched other communities attract facilities like Zone Five. With the help of Senator Farley, the IUE Hall will be transformed into a state of the art police training center and Schenectady welcomes Zone Five’s presence downtown. This success will also launch my efforts to revitalize Erie Boulevard and make it what it should be — a grand entrance into a great City.”
Zone Five reached an agreement with Metroplex to locate at the IUE Hall after considering numerous locations within its nine county service territory. The Police Academy is now located at Hudson Valley Community College but has outgrown its current facility. Schenectady was selected over sites in Saratoga and Rennselaer Counties to host the new Zone Five facility.
Pat Smith, Executive Director for Zone Five said, “We appreciate the efforts made by other counties and our Board weighed many factors before selecting Schenectady. The reception we received from Schenectady officials and the professionalism of the economic development team made our decision an easy one. Zone Five is now pleased to call Schenectady home.”
Metroplex will use a $400,000 grant from Senator Farley to purchase the IUE hall. A $250,000 loan from Metroplex will allow Zone Five to make improvements to the facility so that it can serve the needs of police trainees. The IUE is working closely with Metroplex to relocate to office space in downtown Schenectady.
The IUE Hall will continue to host the annual Concerned for the Hungry Food Drive at the Erie Boulevard site each November preserving an important community event. Zone Five will co-sponsor this event with the IUE and other community groups.
Assemblyman Paul Tonko said, “The IUE Hall is a Schenectady landmark. The relocation of the Regional Law Enforcement Training Center to downtown Schenectady gives a wonderful boost to the revitalization efforts underway. This is a testament to the hard work of the economic development team and the cooperative efforts of the state, county, city and Metroplex working together to build a better Schenectady.”
Assemblyman James Tedisco said, “Economic Development and public safety go hand and hand, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that The City of Schenectady has been selected to house the new Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Center. I look forward to welcoming and seeing law enforcement professionals from all over this region in Downtown Schenectady.”
Robert T. Farley, Minority Leader of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “This is wonderful news for Schenectady from both an economic development and public safety point of view. I am proud to have played a role in this successful project.”
Ray Gillen, Chairman of Metroplex said, “Zone Five is a key win for Schenectady. It generates additional customers for downtown businesses and the presence of police recruits and trainees will enhance the feeling of safety and security which is essential to our efforts to make downtown a regional arts, entertainment and business center. Schenectady is winning again because we now have a proactive, unified economic development effort.”
Gabriel J. Basil, President of Schenectady Community College said, “Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) is proud to have helped facilitate the Zone 5 Police Academy relocation to the City of Schenectady. SCCC saw the potential in a strategic partnership between the College and Zone 5 that would deepen each organization's ability to provide high quality, cost effective public security training. Both SCCC and Zone 5 have well-established first responder programs. The College welcomes the opportunity to join Zone 5 in a joint effort that broadens our capacity to enhance public security programming for our local and regional communities.”
Charles P. Steiner, President of the Chamber of Schenectady County said, “On behalf of the Chamber, we welcome Zone Five to Schenectady. This adds to the momentum downtown and proves that a united front on economic development produces winning results.”
Zone Five provides training for over seventy state, county, city, town and village police agencies from Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Saratoga, Fulton, Montgomery, Warren and Washington Counties. Training includes the basic course for police officers, police supervision, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation and many others. Both new and existing law enforcement personnel receive training at the Zone Five Academy.
Renovations to the main IUE hall are expected to start within two months. Zone Five plans to relocate to Schenectady once renovations are completed later this year.
so the half-baked idea was Hugh "useless" Farley's
In fact, Dr. Hennessy (SCCC) facilitated a meeting of the Zone 5 Executive Board with Metroplex head Ray Gillen, Schenectady Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Steiner, and local businessman Gordon Furlaini to discuss the development.
Spin it however you want - Savage / Metroplex AND Farley all had their hands in this. Farley didn't take it off the tax roles, that was done by the vote of the MAJORITY of the County Legislature (D) and City (D). Farley secured PART of the funding to bring them into Schenectady. I wonder if the "Loan" was ever repaid.
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
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Working together works! Working together works! The City homeowners can make up the difference-as usual. Good luck with your tax grievances. Homes nationwide have decreased in value for 55 straight months-except in the City of Schenectady! They miraculously have stayed above pre-depression values-lol. It's always hilarious to see longtime DEMS at the head of the line. 
