As I am not a resident of the Town of Rotterdam, I don't know the history or the players. I'll let all of you debate as I cheer from the cheap seats. Please pass the popcorn
"If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy."
The retirement is a state issue. That cop was a tier one employee. Long story short, it had nothing to do with the police contract. His retirement was the exception to the rule. Shadow obviously is informed, becasue it's the NYS Legislature that made the retirement system the way it is. Oh', and Sal, your fu*king killing me. Type what you will, but prior to clicking on the "post reply" button, please, pretty please, contact a loved one, family member, or even your deaf, blind, three legged dog and have them proof read it. I was actually feeling pretty good today. Watched some football, read the paper and did a little shopping. So I sat down at the computer and went to this site and then my day just went to sh*t. The "over hear" or the "boys in blue" phrases actually bring me to tears, and now my dentist is pissed at me because I grind my teeth so hard when Im simply just trying to read peoples perspectives on this sight. Ah, well i feel a little better now.
This whole cop thing started at the end of 2006, when the Gazette pounded the Town Board for being asleep at the wheel when a certain officer retired at $95k, when his base salary was $60k. The question, was how could this happen. Shouldn't there be certain safeguards built into a contract to prevent this? Hence....enter a proposed/failed police commission.
Now...if the only sin Mertz committed, after being blasted by the Gazette, was to try to produce some oversight and savings for the taxpayers of Rotterdam, than crucify him! And all along I thought that was not only his job, but the job of the entire 'elected and paid for by the taxpayer's', job!
I could be wrong here..... ....but I don't think so.
Here we go again with the Police Commission talk again.
Bumble:
The Police Commission was formed at the urging of John Mertz to other Board members and the Republican Party Chairman a few years ago. After the public and the PBA questioned the formation of the Police Commission, Mertz began to proclaim that it was formed with the intent of reigning in costs and the cop that made a lot of money his last year took a lot of heat because he got a big pension. Mertz tried to get public opinion on his side by pointing out the big pension and making it appear that as Police Commissioner, he would somehow change all of that. He wanted to try to get the public to think that as Police Commissioner he would have more power and authority to change the PBA contract and to apparently change the NY state pension system. Truth is that he has just as much power and authority NOW to change those things as he did as Police Commissioner.
He pointed out at a public meeting that the police budget ws a certain % of the town budget and that it was out of line with other municipalities,etc------ KIND OF LIKE SOMEONE DID HERE ON THIS SITE RECENTLY...
He reluctantly had to admit that his figures were wrong.
I won't rehash all of the failings of the Police Commission, but I will point out that nothing positive came of it. Despite all of the reasons given for forming a Police Commission- none of them were really legitimate because the Town Board has the authority to do all of the things a Commission has...
As far as contractual benefits- I do not think the contract came into existence within the past few years or even the past few administrations. It sounds good to be able to try to blame someone for a certain benefit or benefits in a contract, and I wouldn't be suprised if a certain politician tried to once again garner political support by going after and attacking the police if he feels it would benefit him politically- but once again, nothing good will come of it....... and once again, he will lose
I read the posts to this thread. It seems that most everyone here but this Salvatore person is supportive of Mertz. Why wouldn't Mr. Parisi want the party to endorse him for reelection?
With all of the speculation, you may want to email Mr. Mertz or Mr. Parisi directly for their point of view on this matter:
johnmertzlaw@aol.com
or
The Law Firm of Parisi, Coan & Saccocio, PLLC 376 Broadway Schenectady, NY 12305 (51 377-9096
Maybe he's at Scarbourgh's? Stick a fork in Mertz he's done. We got bigger fish to fry.
Benny, do you have a mouse in your pocket?? Who's WE? And what fish need to be fried? Mertz is done in what sense? Within the Party, or in politics all together? Benny are you Bucannan or Parisi? Or just a loyal minion who kisses the failed ground they walk on.
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And even if he is not romantic personally he is apt to spread discontent among those who are. ~ H.L. Mencken
well maybe this here Salami is waking up like a smart Italian would thank you sir. Mertz is done and so is his puppet Surhada and maybe Stevie T if he doesnt wake up and stop wasting the money like these two stroons do
Maybe he's at Scarbourgh's? Stick a fork in Mertz he's done. We got bigger fish to fry.
Nice Benny! Let's not mix county with town leadership/politics. Perhaps you don't live in Rotterdam. If you did, and with your conservative expressed views, you would have clearly not made that statement about Mertz. Unless, however, you have some inside information concerning Mertz.
Mr. Mertz is by far the most conservative board member in Rotterdam. Suhrada and Santabarbara are facing the same fate as Mertz. They all have conservative views but their hands are tied by the beastly democratic machine. Coupled with the lack of leadership and manipulation with the local reps/conservs, the republican party is like a bus waiting to hit the wall. And unfortunately this will take the entire rep party down as we know it. And Mertz is being eaten and spit out by his own.
Suharda, as conservative as he has been in the past, is clearly not making a difference as a county legislature. And sadly Santabarbara will face the same fate. Where are all of the constituents who voted Suhrada and Santabarba into office? Where is their support at these county meetings? Where is the out cry from the people? And lastly and most importantly....where is the REPUBLICAN PARTY? I appears that they have abandoned their own!!
Logged
....but I don't think so.
377-9096
