Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
City’s top lawyer gone
Mayor will name new counsel soon
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter

    The city’s corporation counsel is on vacation for the rest of the year and will not be returning, Mayorelect Gary McCarthy said.
    McCarthy plans to replace Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden and may announce the next corporation counsel on Thursday. Until then, the three assistant corporation counsels in the city’s law department will handle the city’s affairs.
    Van Norden has made no secret of his plans to leave at the end of the year and he has been searching for jobs elsewhere for months.
    He appeared to have a fallingout with former Mayor Brian U.Stratton while he was on extensive sick leave, which Van Norden said was because of serious heart problems.
    He insisted that Stratton honor his contract and allow him to serve out the rest of his term, ending Dec. 31. But he said it was clear he would need to find another job for 2012.
    When Stratton left offi ce early, Van Norden said he wouldn’t stay on to work for McCarthy. He predicted that McCarthy, like most mayors, would want to choose his own attorney.
    McCarthy agreed with that assessment, but would not say whom he has chosen.
    “Possibly on Thursday,” Mc-Carthy said, adding that there’s no rush.
    “We didn’t have him at the council meeting last night, but we had four attorneys there. Somehow we got through,” he said. “There’s always somebody there.” ...........................>>>>...........................>>>>....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00901&AppName=1

Working together works!

WHO;S NEXT ?????????????????

I wish Mr. Van Norden nothing but the best on his retirement from Service to our fine City..  He is a gentleman's gentleman and as was usual for any and all of Mayor Stratton's hires -- was exceptionally skilled and competent.

If McCarthy doesn't want to work with this guy, maybe he is going to do a better job as mayor than we thought.

Quoted from Madam X

If McCarthy doesn't want to work with this guy, maybe he is going to do a better job as Mayor than we thought.

This is the first move that inspires confidence. Hopefully more housecleaning will follow. Not surprised that DVR/SG/SB wanted to retain someone that was never in.

The Nayboobs are clearly jealous that such a talented and hard working gentleman is on the Democratic Team....

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Showing up for the job is the most important thing.  I don't care how competent of a man he was.  He wasnt around to show it.  He also showed his competence when he wouldnt assist Barbara Blanchard and Karl Erikson when they ere trying to craft legislation limiting the use of company vehicles.  He just played ignorant.  

Sure he was pretending. Another great job prosecuting the Brandywine School arsonists-NOT. Let the City taxpayers play for it. No one will say nuthin. McCarthy is right and should continue the overdue house cleaning.

Guy was getting his and getting out. Should've prosecuted himself for slandering Pizza King and the man who sold his asphalt business for Bethesda house. Slacker.

Alot of the laws they are putting in the city codes are weak or underdeveloped.  

For example the City Code says that a Code Enforcement Officer can enter your house without a warrant at anytime.

§ 167-12. Right of entry.
The Building Inspector or his representative or any duly authorized City representative, upon the showing of proper credentials and in the discharge of his duties, may enter upon any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour or, in any emergency, at any hour whatsoever, and no person shall interfere with or prevent such entry.

Also many of the fines are excessive per the Eigth Amendment that prohibits the government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments.

§ 167-15. Penalties for offenses. [Amended 4-12-1993 by Ord. No. 93-17; 2-26-1996 by Ord. No. 96-10; 6-3-1996 by Ord. No. 96-33]
A. E ach violation of this chapter shall be a violation and shall be punishable as follows:
(1) For a first offense, by a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $500.
(2) For a second offense within 18 months of a prior violation of this chapter regarding the same premises by the same person(s), firm(s) and/or corporation(s), a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $750.
(3) For a third offense and any subsequent offenses thereafter within 18 months of a prior violation of this chapter regarding the same premises by the same person(s), firm(s) and/or corporation(s), a fine of not less than $750 nor more than $1,500 or by a term of imprisonment of not less than five days nor more than 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(4) In the alternative, each violation of this chapter may be punishable by a penalty of not less than $350 nor more than $1,500, to be recovered by the City in a civil action. B. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues unabated after the time limit set for the abatement of the violation.

So you can basically get a $350 fine guaranteed plus surcharges for letters on your house that are too small.  

Quoted from benny salami

Sure he was pretending. Another great job prosecuting the Brandywine School arsonists-NOT. Let the City taxpayers play for it. No one will say nuthin. McCarthy is right and should continue the overdue house cleaning.

What does the city attorney have to do with prosecuting any crime ?      Answer -- NOTHING

Quoted from 1954

The Nayboobs are clearly jealous that such a talented and hard working gentleman is on the Democratic Team....

  And I supposed you are on that list....what position will you hold....or did you hold....

anyone that thought they were in  ....are now out.....Vince Riggi....do your think...

I am cautiously optimistic! Under Stratton's watch, Van Norden was 'supposedly' out on sick leave when in fact he was working on his camp. He was AWOL for months while receiving a full pay check. Kinda like rotterdam's last town clerk. Stratton came to his defense.

Perhaps McCarthy won't be a stratton clone after all. Time will tell for sure!