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      I don’t know what Schodack’s Republican candidates are afraid of. Lead by Rich Crist, they have declined participation in the Meet the Candidates Night, sponsored by the Schodack Planning and Development Association, and moderated by the League of Women Voters.
     “Everyone’s busy”, was the excuse given, though several dates were offered weeks ago. Mike Kenney didn’t bother responding to either the invitation or any follow up inquiries as to his availability. Just rude, in my opinion.
     They hold all elected and appointed positions in town government, the Supervisor is running unopposed, and the Democrats are running one candidate for Council. The Republican incumbents had nothing to lose yet still snubbed this event, which in the past has drawn crowds in the hundreds.
     Does the Town Board not want to be questioned about the cronyism that has driven the last three appointments they’ve made?
     Mike Kenney, never once spotted at a Town meeting before last year, was appointed to fill Ken Stinner’s Board seat last summer, under cover of darkness (i.e. not on that night’s agenda). His qualifications for office: being nephew to Legislator Alex Shannon and helping Green Meadow build a playground.

     Connections over competence.

     James Church, recent appointee to the Planning Board, was appointed on his credentials as a former Bruno operative. The planning vacancy was never advertised to the public.
     Ex-Planning Board Chair Peter Goold was recently appointed Town Assessor, without serious competition or experience for the job.
     The obvious conclusion: Schodack residents aren’t fairly considered for appointed or salaried posts in town government.      
     Do incumbent candidates fear questions about our taxes continuing to rise or the ongoing spending spree with our money they’ve voted to approve?
     We’ll never know because they are too busy to talk to us or listen to concerns about issues we feel are important.
     The nepotism, cronyism, and lack of transparency and accountability, rampant in our town have gotten us here: highest taxes around, unchallenged spending decisions, questionable appointments.
     As an elected official, wouldn’t you want the opportunity to reach out to those you allegedly represent? Isn’t that what democracy is all about?

Elizabeth Gable

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At its July meeting, the Schodack Town Board appointed James Church, a crony of state senators Joe Bruno and Roy McDonald, to the Schodack Planning Board. It was done without even the slightest hint of an unbiased, nonpartisan approach to finding the best-qualified town resident to fill the seat.

The move is not without precedent. Last month Peter Goold was appointed acting town assessor, when town assessor Sharon Martin took a job with the county assessor's office, just like her predecessor Frank Curtis. Goold's appointment had been rumored since he lost his patronage job with the state. While Supervisor Dennis Dowds said the position was posted and several candidates were interviewed, it was a foregone conclusion that Goold would get the job so he could build up his government pension.This political game of musical chairs left an opening on the Planning Board. So behind closed doors, the Republican bosses decided who they wanted to fill the vacancy -- someone who would not make waves and who would rubber-stamp whatever the powers-that-be desired. Who could they reward with a paid position with retirement benefits? Politically-connected James Church.

It was the same with the newest Town Board member, Mike Kenney. He was appointed to the Town Board at a meeting that did not even include his appointment on the agenda. His name was not posted on the town website for more than a month. Kenney's qualifications for the job? He is Country Legislator Alex Shannon's nephew - actual nepotism at work.Can board members be independent of the town Republican bosses who got them their jobs? Hardly. Just look at the evidence: decisions are made behind closed doors and inevitably prove to be what is best for the party, the bosses and their friends and family members.There is little or no public discussion, but somehow as if by magic, all board members rubber-stamp each and every item on their agendas.Those who run the town are using our tax dollars like money from an ATM to line their own pockets while our taxes go ever-higher. It will only stop when more residents question what is going on and hold our elected officials accountable.

You can find more coverage of the questionable activities of Schodack's governing bodies here at our blog.

Linda Underwood
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In a move that has been rumored for months, the Schodack Town Board appointed Peter Goold as acting Town Assessor from July 2011 through July 2012 at an annual salary of $50,000. The measure passed after an executive session but no public discussion. Mike Kinney was absent and Frank Curtis abstained due to his position at the County Assessor's office.

The measure was not on the agenda, but another resolution (2011-185) amended resolution 2011-155 adopted on May 12, 2011 appointed Sharon Marti, Sole Assessor on a part-time basis to increase hours from 30 hours to not to exceed 70hours.

The resolution does not stipulate what time period Ms Martin may not exceed the 70 hours in. Nor does it explain why, if she is the "Sole" Assessor, Peter Goold is the "Acting" Assessor.

At the same meeting, and also not on the agenda, Nadine Fuda was appointed Building Inspector through the end of the year at her current rate of pay. Another 211 waiver was filed with the State Civil Service Commission to retain Bernard Peter as Police Chief even though he has not passed the required civil service law.

Clearly, town Republicans aren't even making an attempt at being transparent when it comes to hiring people or giving them raises.

Linda Underwood



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