Breslin responds to County Ledge

Friday afternoon, when family ACO was enroute to Albany, Mr. Breslin was responding to the County Legislature's budget amendments to the 2010 Executive Budget, calling the changes irresponsible and stating that the actions are putting County residents at risk. Is he reading this blog?

Mr. Breslin goes on to state that the budget will put citizens of the county at risk and leaves a huge budget gap.

An initial analysis shows the Legislature’s budget proposal creates a budget gap of more than $3 million, and creates a tax increase of nearly 11 percent. In addition, the Legislature’s proposed amendments eliminate positions that are critical to the essential services the County provides to children, families and the elderly.

Positions were eliminated from several departments that provide essential services including:

• The County Legislature’s proposal underfunded positions at the County Nursing Home by $788,000, forcing layoffs and putting the quality of care and health of Nursing Home residents at risk;

• Caseworker positions were eliminated from the Department for Children, Youth and Families, putting children at greater risk of abuse and neglect; and

• Several snow plow operator positions were eliminated from the Department of Public Works, reducing the County’s ability to plow roads, creating dangerous travel conditions in the winter.

“I am committed to maintaining adequate services for our constituents within our fiscal constraints,” said Breslin. “I ask for the County Legislature’s cooperation in implementing a balanced budget that keeps in tact the essential services we provide.”

Obviously, I'm with the quiet guy on this one.

County Ledge: Off With Their Heads

What happens when ya piss off the County Legislature in an economically challenging year? Well, if they don't like ya a whole lot anyway, and if you're caught in the middle of a political tug-a-war then, it seems, ya lose your job. (If the legislature has it's way...I'm not putting money on that but heck...gotta toss 'em a bone.) So, last week you may remember ACO being appalled at how the Commishes were treated by the County Legislators. Ms. Poulin, Commish of Children, Youth and Families, was publicly ridiculed for an employee issue and basic morale issues within her department, she did stand up for herself and for her department. Unfair guys.

Ms. Poulin's position is being eliminated by the County Ledge and her her entire department is being consolidated into the Department of Social Services, headed up by a Ledge fave, Vincent Colonno. Also eliminated, the Department of Aging and Mr. Scarano's position. Restored were the positions Ms. Poulin proposed to cut or revise in an effort to increase efficiency and meet economic challenges. Seems the legislators know how to run the departments better than the commissioners. Well, I guess they do have a few complainin' moles in them thar departments...gotsta keep those union stoolies happy.

So, here's how it worked. There were three meetings to discuss how the Commishes proposed to meet economic challenges at the direction of both the County Executive, the quiet man, Mr. Breslin, and the County Ledge, and Mr. Commisso's hatchet team...featuring the tag team of Jamie (I haven't figured out who this jerk is yet) and Mr. Domalowitz. Tonight was the last of three meetings and featured, Mr. Breslin himself. (Yeah, I almost fell over! the Man himself, defending his budget.) Also up were Management and Budget, the Hockey Facility (I didn't even know we had one) the Civic Center...gee, I don't know...it went fast.

So, no contemplation needed, seems the proposed cuts were printed up and ready for distribution prior to even hearing from these departments. Interesting. Kinda like distributing the legislation the evening of the meeting. Hey, we do have standards. Oddly, there weren't enough copies of the spreadsheet to go around. Barely had enough to provide the Director of Management and Budget with a copy. So, this Jamie creep goes down the list and, almost as if it's rehearsed, one guy moves, another seconds, all in favor...and they install their own budget.

After the second one, Mr. Mendick (Selkirk) puts on the brakes and says, in true gopper style, you're just reinstating the cuts, there's nothing here saying where the money is coming from. He insists on abstaining from the rest of the votes, the "dudes" keep on with the political silliness. Soon, Ms. Benedict raises some concerns. (I like this chick.) The drama continues as my head spins.....looks like they reinstated a ton of the cuts to the Board of Elections, the Comptroller (ya had money on that one!), the put back 8 laborers in DPW (yeah, remember the complaint letter sent to everyone on the ledge, the media and everyone other than the commissioner jogger?), they reinstated most of the Nursing Home folks. Can you say VETO?

Oh, by the way, have you noticed that there is a nursing home on the County's Tax Foreclosure list? Yup, out in Guilderland. Seems it's only a one star nursing home but hey, still. Yeah, the County NH's got one more star on that Guilderland NH...why? I'll tell ya, cause we're overstaffed so the staff to client ratio is way high earning another "self-reporting" star. Makes a person proud.

My head is spinning from all the political machinations. Think I'll have a beer and get to bed early. If ya see some Texans around town this weekend...say howdy...the fam is visiting.

Meeting of Misfits

I feel like I was tricked! I finally got home last night after attending Vacant Building Court and the PS meeting to the new house which needs to be unpacked and set up before the arrival of my Texas Mum on Friday...I kicked off my boots and found a text from the ACT guy. He was at a meeting with Mr. Calsolaro and CDTA. I pulled my boots back on and ran on down to the Albany Public Library and I was inside the door before I realized it was the monthly meeting of transportation misfits.

You see, there is a woman named Lucille who has been poking at the CDTA for a few years. Poor Lucille is a little off....well, no, a lot off. And, she's rather agressively mentally off. She seems to have a few regs who are all a little off. One guy last night had the floor for 10 minutes while he explained how he chose the baseball cap he was wearing last night.

Have you ever spent anytime inside the bus shelter at Washington and Lark? Well, picture those folks having a meeting about transportation in the Capital District. You got it. Sadly, there are some folks that really are interested in the issues and this group sends them running. The CDTA folks were there and listening but I'd love to be a fly on the wall on their drive home.

I sat there cursing the ACT guy who, it felt, had his camera focused on me so I couldn't rest my head. When I looked up in the middle of the hat guy's tirade about World War II to see the facilitator, Lucille, holding her hand in the air waiting for the hat guy to call on her. Oh, my lord, give me the CPRB.

Anyway, some good discussion was had in spite of the misfit group. I learned that the CDTA folks shut down a ton of stops out in the upper wards and some folks had to walk 1.3 miles to get to a bus stop. Now, that might get a little complicated in the snow with a seeing eye dog. (Which was the concern of the man speaking to the CDTA folks.)

Ms. Golby, Mr. Konev and Mr. Calsolaro were all in attendance but, unfortunately, I missed Mr. C's presentation. Hopefully, these Common Council reps gathered enough info to be informed about the city's transportation issues without having to ever step foot into one of these meetings again.

CPRB: Smile, You're On Candid Camera

Last night at 5:30, Mr. Scalzo called the Public Safety meeting to order on the second floor of City Hall while the Historic Resources folks were snoring in the council chambers. Not much going on there except some issue with windows....so what's new?

Tonight PS agenda included the a review of the Citizen's Police Review Board. At the table, the Prez, Jason Allen who I've become increasingly impressed with (yeah, I know I ended with a preposition.) Two other members of the board, Mr. Phelan and, I believe, Mr. Flagg. (Ya see, no one introduced themselves these old eyes can't see that well.) Also in tow, the lovely Sharmaine.

While the CPRB has a lot of issues, many of which I've pointed out, it seems that the situation is looking up, apparently, since Mr. Tuffey has left the department. While this timing issue hasn't been spoken in public, I'll be the first to say it. Ya see, while I was sacrificing my two hours to "monitor" the monitors at the CPRB, it seems that this organization designed to be a citizen watchdog group to ensure the rights and dignity of citizens when dealing with the APD.

Now, Since I've missed the last two meetings due to my recent infatuation with the County ledge, I'm going to have to trust that Mr. Allen's presentation last night was an honest review of the last year or so. First up, the CPRB has really begun it's outreach efforts. Ya see, what used to happen was that the folksies having complaints were "convinced" by the chief's folks to NOT to bring their issues to the CPRB. How do I know this is true? Cause I was sitting in the APL auditorium when Mr. Tuffey said that not alll complaints were relayed to the CPRB, sorta opposite of what the legislation dictates.

When last I attended, the CPRB's outreach consisted of Mr. Smart's going to Neighborhood Associations to let them know about the board. Uh, yeah, that wasn't really happenin. Not much going on there in Smartland. So, now the lovely Sharmaine calls every single complainent many times to try to get them to bring their case to the CPRB...results...of 119 complainents called, 28 have agreed to have their cases go before the board.

This is a marked improvement in the CPRB's worth. Ya see, everyone on this small board, "owns" several complainent's cases. They review all the interviews, they go to the location of the incident, they "work" to try to ensure that the citizen is served. I understand that in the last few months, they've had a few more sidings with the citizens than they have in the past. Unfortunately, I haven't been there to see this with my own eyes...county ledge...again.

And check this out, amazingly, the APD has all but six of their cars equiped with video cameras. The servers are up and running and the only thing missing is the APD's SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). That means we have the tools but the public (CPRB) doesn't yet know the rules the police will follow when using them. Like, are the cameras ever turned off? Could an officer decide to turn off their video camera should he find that he is following a fellow officer who has had one too many and still thinks he's king of the road? Well, hopefully, the APD will get the SOP on over to the kids at the CPRB. That only took two years.

Oh yeah, four folks interviewed to become a part of this gold star board (hey, I bet they heard that, thanks to Mr. Smart, ya get business cards when ya join this board! Yippee!) Since the fifth interview will take place next week, a decision on the selection will not occur until December 2nd at the earliest. So, hold your breath interviewees...I do have my favorite of the the pack of hopefuls but I'm going to reserve judgement.

And, just in time for the new member, the board is anticipating upping its workload with the outreach efforts and doubling it's meeting schedule. Now, if I can just get them to have the meetings at the APL rather than over at the Law School.

Budget, Residency and Demolition in Albany

Seems the Common Council may be getting a little competitive with the Albany County Legislature for my time. Last night's caucus and common council meeting went on for nearly four hours! Thanks Mr. Conti! (I'll explain later!)

I was a little under the weather but the proceeding were still a little confusing as the caucus was held in the CC chamber so the whole thing, with an audience in tow, seemed like a hushed coucil meeting. Now remember back with me to the budget meetings. Seems that Mr. Yevoli metioned that the Plannning Department NEEDS a receptionist. It seems that, in brilliant efficiency mode, rather than hiring to replace the receptionisht, the commish had decided to let the Master degreed planners answer the phone and greet visitors. Heck, he's even taken his turn. Pure planning brilliance.

Seems that the Planning Department has a little ole nonprofit, the Albany Local Development Corporation, which gives money out...I'm not sure anyone knows how money gets into or out of the ALDC and Mr. Yevoli, said that he would have to ask the "Board" of said "semi-municipal" nonprofit if he can share the finances with city. It appears the "board" has refused to provide their finances for this "semi-municipal" nonprofit with the municipal's legislative body. So, the CC has decided to let the ALDC fund the position if it's so needed. (Or at least that's how I understood the mumblins.)

The budget's got $150K in there for recycling education and materials. (bins and such) and, when more was requested, Mr. D'Antonio, became content with a wait and see...stretch Mr. D...tighten those pursestrings. As for the auditor's request for more staffing...denied as well. While we citizens know there's an awful lot of auditin' to be done, we're also waitin' and seein'. I call that, let's hope the economy turns around.

The council also looked at the 10 and 20 empty positions in the APD and AFD. There's a lot of concern there. Seems there's some bucks for the APD to fill their positions but the AFD, if I'm understanding, will be relying on grants. Seems chiefy is spending an awful lot on overtime just to keep the city from burning like Rome (remember Nero?) Yeah, I'm feeling old enough to remember Rome today! I'm watchin' and there best not be a fire station closing with that number of positions open. Aren't we vulnerable enough already? And, going into the winter months? Come on guys, let's find some money to fund these folks! Where's that city wide grantwriter when ya need 'em.

Seems the CC is determined to reform the financial oversight and will be forming a committee to become involved with ongoing financial planning for the city's budget. Watch out Albany! Ah...so there was some talk involving the regular ole common council meeting..then, as the peanut gallery was growing in anticipation of the upcoming meeting, my friend, Mr. Sweeney from the Fort Orange Club, a rather large and imposing figure, entered in his Republican black. He walked in and stood rigid at the rail of the chamber, surveying the little ole common council. It was obvious, our folks were small peanuts to this guy.

We quickly moved to the public comment period with a parade of historical preservation types calmy saying the same things they say about every building that faces the wrecking ball in Albany....save it...I don't give a damn how much it costs or what the inconvenience. (Me thinks some Albany types have some control issues.) Finally, Mr. Sweeney (Bob to all who love him) walked to the speaker's table where he patiently explained to the Albany hicks how they were operating outside of the NYS law passing this legislation.

He tells us that this legislation is targetting the FOC (Ft. Orange Club), (hey, I'm with him on that) and that this legislation should live in Section 375 (planning) rather than in Section 133 (buildings). Makes sense. Yeah, I have some fun discussions with Mr. Conti...he's not all that bad once ya get to know him. Mr. Sweeney also pointed out that neither the legislation nor the amendment was made public prior to the meeting. Yup, he's right, hey, think of it this way...work with me.

The evil Theraldson Development is putting a hotel in the middle of the Pine Bush. The CC, together with the public attending the committee meetings. agree to move some legislation out of committee to a full vote at the next meeting. Everyone's happy and leaves the meeting. Now, when the agreed upon ammendment hits the floor for a recommended favorable vote it includes this statement which wasn't in there last Wednesday "all Karner Blue Butterflies will be killed as to not get in the way of progress." And those Pine Nuts will sillily say...."hey, that wasn't in there last Wednesday!" And, they would be right. Too bad, so sad. Hence, the need to make proposed legislation public and available prior to the vote.

Mr. Sweeney, goes on to remind folks that the HAF deemed these buildings to be historically insignicant last year (or so)...yup, I remember that. So, the historical yups claim that the buildings are beside an historic district. Jeesh, talk about your slippery slope...I can only think of Kevin Bacon on that one. Sweeney also stated that the moratorium placed on demolition was placed in the wrong section of the law. Hmmm, okay, I got ya. Bob, let me give ya some advice, I agree with ya, I'm all for the demo, but, dude (that's a word common in today's language...not for use within the FOC so don't go using it in your convos with da'boyz) don't talk down to the peeps. It's not polite to go into someone else's house and tell them they are doing things wrong. Ya don't get your way when you do that...well, you might but it's going to cost you time, money and energy.

My prediction, the buildings will be torn down come hell or high water. That may mean a lawsuit, that may mean a middle of the night "woops." But, I know that one day I will drive by and see a lovely ivy covered parking lot. Bob was followed by Herb Schultz (Pres of the FOC) and James Clarrity, some other old white guy with the FOC...as Mr. Curtis pointed out, this seems to be an indication of the diversity of the FOC. Hmmm, well, there is that.

So, the regs paraded to the mike and spoke of the historic tales, hey, they knew they had this one in the "win" column. Yeah, this is the regular song and dance for every historic building screamer. They should just video tape it and email it in...might save some time on everyone's part. So, the "illegal" anti-demolition passed by a vote of 11 in favor, with Rozy casting a  "NO"  vote (it's rather unsettling to have Rozman in my camp) and a "present" vote from the MOBster (O'Brien).

Next up, Mr. Ellis' residency requirements. Well, not much to say there. Doesn't do much but, hopefully, act as a springboard to have all city employees be residents of the city. Hey, they should want to live here...if they do good work. Here's a thought. My brother has worked for Southwest airlines for 20 years, he is a mechanical inspector...he won't fly any other airline and my family (with the exception of yours truly) all fly the Southwest cattle call...cause, why? little brother Patrick takes pride in his work.

So, the residency requirement, Mr. Ellis' legacy, dictates that all Commissioners (top dogs) must be a resident of the City of Albany. Now, hmmm, they all are. Interestingly, all Commissioners must be "approved" by the CC so seems like this weak legislation could be implemented through logic. Seems like. Hey, I'm dull sometimes. So, the muscle seems to be that the future chief of police must live in the city to work for it. Hmmm, I'm not sure I'd even consider (and neither should the panel selecting the new chief) someone outside the city. Hey, that doesn't mean we don't interview those outside the area. Jeesh!

The best statement on this topic was, oddly, from Mr. Sano. Talk about your story tellers....I love this guy. He tells us of going to his Mum's house and she, being a union boss, had a sticker on her back door saying "Spend it where ya earn it." Yup, I like. Now, if we can just get the unions to agree to their own saying and support a real resolution which would have all employees spending their cash where they earn it...in Albany!
So, this muscle legislation passed unanimously (well, Mr. Timmons and Mr. Casey had better things to do tonight) with every legislator co-sponsoring the bill. Hey, it's easy with noncontroversial stuff. Wish we coulda done it expediently.

The budget passed with the regs, Smith, Calsolaro and Ellis voting it down. Ya know, with the exception of Mr. Calsolaro, who registers an earnest argument for all his objections, I don't remember Smith or Ellis really raising many objections during the committee reviews of the departmental budgets. So, if ya don't have issues and ya don't have solutions, why'dya vote it down? Participate in the process. If ya don't, you aren't doing your job. As a legislator, not a candidate, you must work together with the other legislators and the administration to implement a budget that is good for the city.

Oh, and the oh, so polished Mr. Conti musta known I had already packed away my sominex (yes, I'm moving, no, not to "Tom's" apartment!) because he did me the favor of droning on a budget monologue at around 9:15 to, gee, I should check, he may still be going. My man, let's work on being more succinct...it's talent worth developing.

Hang Haddad High

Both sides of the Haddad trial rested today...thank god! Now, apparently judgie ponders the evidence and will render his decision. It's not like on television with a "fast forward" to the verdict. Damn! You can tell I don't do trials very often.

We hit the road today with Haddad on the stand and started right into the vicious cycle of "questionable question, objection, 'then stop that, Ms. Galvin'." Haddad rewarded silence with a monologue of  an answer covering everything from his benevolence as a landlord to Mr. Dilello's malevolence toward him and everything that is Haddad. Ms. Galvin oft times seemed mesmorized by Haddad's cadence...asking several times if she may interrupt for a question. I sat in awe of judgie's patience and wondered at the Enforcer's tolerance. Was she letting him wear himself out, timing to see how long he could talk without taking a breath?

This was academy award winning stuff! His timing was superb as he retired his spidy power and moved to a more subtle acting...more of a Brandoesque quality. I nearly applauded several times after he explained how he became aware of the first ROPs  (Resident Occupancy Permit) expiration. First, he qualified himself as an expert in the field of lawyerin and property management again...this time they were listening and put an end to that silliness. Then he explained that he was in court and noticed a lot of ROPless landlords trying to defend their ROPlessness. So he pulled one of his ROPs and discovered it was expired...he jumped into action going above and beyond city requirements. (The only thing he didn't do, as Ms. Galvin points out, was clean the bathtub after each of his tenants showers...hence the offending mold.)

Mr. Haddad apparently reacts only to written notices and lists...as he calls them, the "Gestapo" list of apartment fixes. Judgie quickly corrects his terminology. Galvin offers evidence of the house having a ROP in 1999...way before Mr. Haddad owned the house. Judgie asks, "are we just going to keep offering irrevelent evidence, Ms. Galvin?" I waited through her moment of silence...will she say yes? Wrong, she withdrew the evidence.

Ms. Galvin was schooled by judgie on how to frame a question, after stopping her on broad questions, my Job (patience of) finally says, "Ms. Galvin, what are you trying to ask Mr. Haddad?" She tells him in non-old school lawyer speak to which he lays out the verbal diagram and she picks it up...ya see, a location and timeframe help. She spent a good fifteen minutes trying to get a picture entered into evidence which the judge finally realized, along about the same time as the Enforcer, that the picture was already entered as evidence. Oh, I'm so confused.

Now, picture this, Mr. Haddad's sole defense seems to be the conspiracy theory...seems that he thinks Mr. DiLello targetted him after he sent a letter of complaint to Big Jerry. Well, he didn't really send it...he hand delivered the letter to Mr. Calderone dressed in a Santa Claus suit on Christmas Eve. I'm not having a hard time picturing the scene. In that letter, he pulled a CYA and stated that he fully expected that Mr. Dilello would really target him after that letter. He looks deep into Ms. Galvin's eyes and says...and, as predicted. (Old trick for an old dog, Mr. Haddad.) Right about this time, the Enforcer states, "while I appreciate all the testimony about the 'conspiracy theory' can we just admit the letter into evidence?" I like this chick...ACO patience. Then it gets better, when the Enforcer's turn comes to question Haddad, with a wave of her hand, she passes.

Now, our day wouldn't be complete without the predicted closing statement by Ms. Galvin in which she blames all Mr. Haddad's woes on the city. Seems that, according to Ms. Galvin, we spent five days in court because the city was painting Mr. Haddad as a slumlord. That is the only reason she questioned witnesses over and over on the same thing to get the same answer for five days (asked and ANSWERED!) Not once in this close was the actual issue of being ROPerless on January 7, 2009 addressed..not once. I sat there wondering if, after all this time, this looney toon still didn't grasp the reason for her being in that courtroom.

The Enforcer rises, she couldn't hold herself back..."how could Mr. Haddad NOT know when the ROPs were due when the expiration is at the bottom of each one? And, even if the city were responsible for sendign Mr. Haddad reminders ever 30 months (which they are NOT) one property NEVER had a ROP..how would the city be responsible for sending a reminder if there never was one?" Then she added, almost as if she knew I was waiting to hear it, "and even after Mr. Haddad knew his ROPs were expired and he needed to do work, all that work that was over and above the "call of duty" because he was such a good landlord, was done without a permit."

She goes on to remind the judge that they are in court because Mr. Haddad had four houses without ROPs on January 7, 2009. That is the only charge! "If we were here for all offenseses we'd be here for months."
I'm with ya, Enforcer...my bottom can't take that!

Now, we rest and wait. Judgie is reserving his decision and, since I'm a newbie, I'm open to suggestions on how to find out the verdict without resorting to bribery. (I didn't say that judgie!) All that time and I don't have a verdict or a penalty...I'm hoping for community service. Or, better yet, let him live in one of his ROPless rental units for a year....with college students in the same house.

I must admit, I was tempted to head on over to Joe Bruno trial but, I know that the real journalists will be covering that for you. I'll report the verdict when I hear it. Over and out...from All Haddad, All the Time Friday.

Nodding Off with the County Budgeteers

I will admit when I'm wrong...I was wrong last week. I stated last Thursday night that the county conference room was filled to the gills for the 13 department budget review, I thought at that time we couldn't have squeezed one more person into this room (where I'm STILL sitting) and I swore it couldn't have gotten any more boring. I was wrong. I knew I was in trouble when I left this building this morning and ran into a small mob of protestors about 11:30AM. Then, with just the audit and finance group entered the room to find a mob of union workers the room was packed, the good thing was that I ended up squooshed next to my favorite legislator, Mr. Gordon. (I've told you I have a love for the name Gordon, right?)


Anyway, I'll try to keep it a little shorter tonight because, I'm changing my strategy just this one night. Ya see, I believe that if I have to sit through it, you have to read through it. I usually do try to get most of the highlights and toss each and every department into the mix but I'm going to just give ya the highlights...ya know, kinda like the Times Union would do if they had bothered to show up for this exciting evening.

On the agenda, budget review for Consumer Affairs, Sewer District, Public Works, Planning, Aging, Cooperative Extension, Health, Children Services (Youth Bureau) Social Services, the Nursing Home, Mental Health, Human Resources and Civil Service. Now, you probably don't have a whole lot of interest in this but the Consumer Affairs department was folded into the Department of General Services (Just about the only request was from Mr. Domalowitz's for a list of the fee schedule and the delinquencies.

Next on deck, the DPW. Well, seems that they are members of the Capital District Regional Planning Board and Mr. Domalowitz sees that as a place to cut...hey, I've never been very impressed by the group..trim away. Then, feeling another win, he goes for the thoat and wants to know why we need to pay to be a part of the Capital District Transportation Authority...well, dude, this one might give ya a little push back but, what the heck...push away. Mr. Fanchini, my favorite neighborhood jogger, defended, and I believe well, the cut of his laborers. Hey, it's not the 1800s, we don't need 30 guys to dig a ditch anymore, that's what backhoes are for. Nice job....and the union is good with it.

When asked why they don't use the "laid off" employees to do the work they are outsourcing, Mr. Franchini gives the ACO answer..."they don't have the expertise." Then, just as I thought we were closing this inquisition, Mr. Infante sets up for a slam dunk...well, I guess he would call it that. Seems a 23 year employee wrote a letter complaining that the department was using stimulus for new hires but laying off. Hmmm...wrong, Mr. Frank Westerfell. I wouldn't normally name this employee but he wrote a rather accusatory letter about Mr. Franchini and sent it to everyone (press, Exec, all legislators and, I'm sure, the union)....everyone except, Mr. Franchini. This guy deserves what he gets.

Next up, Department for the Aging, now, not much here but two layoffs, unfortunately, one of them was for a part time dietician near and dear to the legislators....23 year employee she is, with, apparently, a direct line to her boss's bosses. While our elder statesmen, Mr. Infante is ranting, Mr. Gordon calmly points out that to save positions we need to look at redundancy across departments...he feels some love for that one.

Fast forward to the nastiness…welcome to the Department of Children and Family services where, apparently, Commissioner Poulin, is the ruination of the department. Seems the morale is down, there are cuts, one woman in particular is feeling targeted and has gone around her boss to her boss’s bosses to take a stab at micromanagement. Ya know, I don’t know how these commissioners do it. Hard enough they have to make some hard cuts, but they get shit from both sides for it. So much from support…talk about some bad morale. I have a real issue with employees going to the legislature to make their case, I mean, how underhanded is that? How can this employee ever be fully utilized when they can’t be trusted to be a team player by their superiors? I’m blamin’ on the union mentality…cut and dried.

After the public humiliation of this commissioner I didn’t think it could get any better when I read the next up to the plate was the nursing home. So, seems that this guy believed Mr. Breslin and the budget folks and cut 14 employees for the January 1st deadline and anticipated a drop of 74 next year…kinda like his boss told him to do. So, the was chastised up one side and down the other for not preparing his budget the way the legislature planned to do it in anticipation of an unbuilt nursing home. Hmmm...ya gotta wonder. Seems this poor guy has 40 bosses and then some if you count the union. So, Mr. Larrabbee seemed like a good guy…I woulda had a beat down about 15 minutes into it.

So, just when I thought that we were done and all the union-lookin’ folks filling the room would follow the commish out, I hear that the Office of Mental Health is up next….oh, my lord, I’ve never been so bloody bored in all my life. This woman droned on and on….one legislator, and I’m going to make you guess which one, says…right out loud (cause, she was the only one in the room that didn’t realize no one was listening) “She’d be great to have around the house when ya can’t sleep.” Hey, this insomniac giggled.

So, there ya have it. A budget process in which all parties felt a little pain. One thing, I disagree with the disrespect shown the commissioners of each department. Sure, some droned, some the legs didn’t have a whole lot of respect for but this was a public meeting and there should be respect shown for these commissioners. You can still get down to the nitty gritty without criticizing them in front of staff.

Yup, I’m wrapping it up, that last one put me to sleep! But I must share one more thing. Remember when I mentioned that the county folks could teach the Albany Common Council a thing or two about trimming the fat? Well, it’s a little late but I hear that tonight Mr. Calsolaro (while I was fighting the nods over at 112 State) proposed a 5% across the board cut to all departments. Let them slice and dice them. Too little too late, I’m afraid….but come on over and hang out at the next county budget process if you really want to tighten the belt on the city.