BREAKING BREAKING NEWS;Front page of the TU Today
Spa City wants audit HERE
Well the action is starting to pick up with the Mayor sending out this press release which I will republish in its entirety.
City of Saratoga Springs
MAYOR’S OFFICE CITY HALL
474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Telephone 518-587-3550Fax 518-587-1688
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 30, 2012CONTACT: Scott T. Johnson 518-587-3550 ext. 2520, 518-860-9984
The Housing Authority was established in 1951 and chartered under state law as a NewYork State non-profit government agency. As such, it is under the jurisdiction and review by the Comptroller’s Office in instances, such as this, wherein a financial accounting is desired. The audit is requested following recent issues surfacing in the media and under public scrutiny that alleged concerns over potential financial irregularities and spending practices such as salary, compensation, travel and business expenses, and claims of nepotism in hiring.
“Initially, the concerns that surfaced were dealing with claims of bed bug infestation, which alone carries significant and serious consequences to residents potentially at risk and our community reputation”,Mayor Johnson said. “Upon the issue of potential infestation being raised, I have been in contact with both the Executive Director and Chairman of the Housing Authority Board to ascertain the plan of action to be implemented to address that issue. Certainly, I wanted to provide the Housing Authority with sufficient time to design and implement an effective plan of action. The effectiveness of the treatment plan is one of ongoing analysis and, in fact, the subject of two public forums to be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.
I will with hold any definitive opinion on the effectiveness of the response until all information has been obtained, in fairness to all parties involved.”The latest allegations involve matters of fiscal accountability and require a different approach. “Once the allegations of fiscal impropriety were being raised, the issues have changed and broadened to require an independent, third party analysis and findings on spending practices”, Johnson added. “In order to ensure transparency in the Authority’s budgets and financial practices, an independent review will best serve the public interest and eliminate uncertainty. This scrutiny is needed in order to put some finality on the allegations being raised.
Any conclusion will be withheld until all facts are available”, Johnson concluded. In other action today, Mayor Johnson appointed Albert Callucci, of Saratoga Springs, to the sole remaining vacancy on the Housing Authority Board. “I am very pleased to appoint Al Callucci to this important position, particularly during these difficult times for the Housing Authority Board. He brings with him a wealthof experience in management and a dedication and commitment to the well being of our community”, Johnson said. The appointment is effective February 1, 2012 and will be a five year term.
First I would like to commend the Mayor for calling for a full audit. I also comment him on his choice of Albert Callucci for the authority board. I know Al Callucci, in fact I consider Al Callucci a good friend. I predict he will be a valuable member of the board and I doubt he can be bought off by a few free trips.
I am disappointed that the Mayor didn’t call for the firing of Ed Spychalski and the resignation of Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle and the rest of his high rolling cronies and yes that includes the “flying nun”. But I understand Scott is methodical in his approach.
That brings me to my third point. Johnson and the rest of the City Council need to hear your stories first hand. Everything I tell them that I didn’t witness is “Hearsay". Spychalski and Brunelle will no doubt pack these meeting with toadies to delude the truth, don’t let this happen.
In other news this story and me have gone national. This went out last week to 575,000 via email. Also on his web site; tweeted (6,000+); and on Facebook (6,000+). HERE
For those who are still afraid.
The truth is my shield, my words my sword.
27 comments:
MArk Mulholland did a bang up job covering the HA perks at 5:30 and again at 6 on Channel 13 news. Will it play again at 11? Stay tuned
I can't believe how this has snowballed...Tomorrow is going to be a HUGE NEWS DAY in Saratoga Springs! I am hoping that the people who are afraid will talk to the Mayor; I KNOW who they are, so if they are hesitant, I will nudge them to speak up. I hope they do. Put on your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!
Oh, Eddie boy, your time is drawing near. Pack up your personal belongings and get that big manse listed with Realty USA as soon as possible. You are about to get what you deserve and it ain't going to be pretty.
Mark Mulholland is a champion! But there are so many other champions here too; these people kept putting in people on meds, the mentally challenged, and people just SO grateful to have a warm place to sleep, they thought no one would question anything they did; well..true, had they JUST taken care of the bugs, this wouldn't be happening, but try to tell a bunch of the people in thsi building that logic and they will start bashing my name around once more! I, Teresa, will attend both meetings so long as my heart holds up...and I continue to hold my head up high! I don't plan to speak,unless addressed, I need the others to have their moment.
To little to late... what about the Bed Bugs?
Wow. Within a week or two of blogging about this problem, some real action has taken place.
I wish I could say the same for NXIVM, but I guess deep pockets know how to keep people from talking.
OMG- John you have created a much needed firestorm in a blizzard! We are so proud of you and in awe of what you again have brought to the public eye. God bless you for being fearless and speaking out against corruption.
I see a journalist/"watch dog" position in your future.
YOU ARE THE BEST PI!!!!
(Public Investigator)
When the dust settles, stupid Eddie and his dysfunctional family will all be working as greeters at the Halfmoon Walmart, as that's the only job they are qualified to hold. That is, IF they are able to avoid going to prison!
As for that nun.......example of why religion and government should never mix.
If you're impressed by JT's impact on all of the local newspapers and tv stations as a result of his exposes on the Housing Authority, just wait a little while to see what happens with NXIVM. The best is yet to come.
call me politically stupid, but I know NOT what the NXIVM is...I never really got involved in ANYTHING civic until this bedbug issue. I do, however, vote at all elections
Now that so many inquiries are being made, isn't it time to ask about the "no trespassing" orders being given out to help keep the lid on this mess? I think it's time that there was a FOIL request to figure out who these orders were given too and what the reasoning for them being given out for. If the SSPD was helping Ed as a favor to Tim Sicko's wife, that department needs to be cleaned up too.
Unlawful "no trespassing" orders at other PHA's have been successfully challenged in several states over the past few years. It's time for that to happen here too. The ACLU reached a settlement with a PHA in Maryland, removing many people from their "banned lists" and in Massachusetts the courts decided that public housing tenants have the same rights as any other tenants to associate with friends and relatives, and management cannot arbitrarily ban visitors. Tenants here need advocacy because the police just go along with whatever the housing authority wants.
They need to clean house at the Housing Authority, and I don't mean just getting rid of the Bed Bugs! The Mayor's action calling for one new appointment to the SSHA Board and a State Comptroller's audit is all well and good, but in this case woefully inadequate...to little to late! A more in-depth audit of all operations, hiring, purchasing, travel, use of vehicles and resident intimidation and threats by the administration at Stonequist could lead to criminal charges! Saratogia Springs residents should demand nothing less than resignations from all invalid with this mess at the Housing Authority.
They need to clean house at the Housing Authority, and I don't mean just getting rid of the Bed Bugs! The Mayor's action calling for one new appointment to the SSHA Board and a State Comptroller's audit is all well and good, but in this case woefully inadequate...to little to late! A more in-depth audit of all operations, hiring, purchasing, travel, use of vehicles and resident intimidation and threats by the administration at Stonequist could lead to criminal charges! Saratogia Springs residents should demand nothing less than resignations from all involved with this mess at the Housing Authority.
police cruiser is already here, the Great Room is filling up...guess I have to get down there or it'll be SRO; let the truth come out God help us all & I hope the others who come to ME, will tell the Mayor too!
Amazing job, John. All of the main stream media gets leads from you. Great investigative reporting.
The problem with "criminal charges" is you need an authority willing to file them. If the SSPD has been helping out Ed because the wife of an officer works there, it's not only disgusting & immoral, but it also means they're not going to want to expose there wrong doings. We need some one from outside to come in and examine this and if SSPD was acting as Ed's stormtroopers those officers need to go, as well as the superiors who were supposed to be supervising the actions of those officers
This meeting went SO well that I am totally on a high! MORE residents of Stonequist attended than attended the Christmas party! His Honor the Mayor actually listened to people, pro and con & we finally got it down to JUST a bedbug problem, though the people that brought the Mayor in really wanted to throw accolades at Ed...at which point someone started to get raucous and I HAD to stand & tell everybody I'm' in the same boat as them in regards to being ostracized by family members, embarrassed in public, etc, that this is not an "Ed-bashing party"; that we need to stop with all the bad talking behind my back, (citing the incidents and the people who have done that) and they need to get over me & unite to deal with the problem at hand; we will NOT be able to move forward with a plan for treatment until and unless we are all unified. I've gotten a LOT of hugs, hand-shakes, fist bumps and thumbs up! YNN is doing the story tonight on TV. I AM SO PROUD of the MANY tenants who spoke without fear; PEOPLE OF STONEQUIST...you are AWESOME And we can ALL hold our heads up high!~Teresa ~ PS...Mr. Al Calucci is fantastic! I believe we FINALLY have someone credible and capable on our Board of Directors YAY
"...just wait a little while to see what happens with NXIVM. The best is yet to come."
As someone who has been indirectly affected by them, please hurry!
So encouraged by the meeting. Scott Johnson was the perfect person to listen calmly. Terrific article in Scientific American this month on bed bugs. They must be treated early, aggressively and by a professional. They describe how one housing project ended up spending half a million dollars trying to get rid of bed bugs. They describe how they spread disease including MRSA. The total mismanagement of this problem has made a small, manageable problem a catastrophy on many levels. I am so impressed that the residents finally fought back. With this blot and other media support we may make things better.
Tonight's meeting went VERY WELL. Not only is an audit being requested, it will be a forensic audit looking specifically for fraud.
John Franc, also read case law that could indicate the Housing Authority is finished. That will be another issue once any wrong doing has been found.
Among many other issues addressed at the meeting, was a GREAT comment made by Kyle York. He took issue with our tax dollars being wasted on SIX police officers at the earlier SSHA meeting to keep JT at bay and the intimidation by Ed related to this issue.
Also, the entire board for the SSHA was raked over the coals - BIG TIME. Three of the female board members were taken to task about stating that none of the residents had complained to them about the bed bugs AND that a big part of the problem was that Ed was just 'rough around the edges' since one of his three jobs (hence his repugnant salary) was to be the enforcer.
Dumb ass, Brunelle said that $53,000 for travel by he and Ed was actually critical since they learned about how to manage the facility and generate a profit stream. Like charging residents $100 to unlock their doors and other 'revenue' generating fees. I guess the forensic audit will have to determine of all of the fees extracted from the residents even began to cover their FIFTY THREE THOUSAND dollars in travel expenses.
I think you can safely say the gig is up for Ed and his cronies.
Great job by JT, Theresa and John France!!!!!!!!
Another TU article - front page.
Let NXIVM wait.
At the end of Tuesday night's Hearing I heard The Good Dentist state unequivocally that John is a "liar" about six cops at the Stonequist meeting. An observer/witness said "six," John has said "six," Commissioner Tooth said "liar." He then said "LIAR" louder.
Any informed voices out there? Have we a head count For The Record? Was the SSPD/JT confrontation..."BUGGED?"
I really don't understand any of this. It is way too complicated. Too many names and words and things. But I pretended that I have sources that were calling me with tips on this. Oh, I have a blog you know? I am a blogger. I am too! I am even using the copyright symbol on it today. That way the New York Times won't steal my stories on cat poo and interviews with school janitors and the best place to buy mustard. Just call me a blogger because I am.
John T you are such a blessing! Thank you for all you do! By having the guts to uncover the truth of things. Bravo kudos and god bless you
I believe John when he says there were 6 cops, and I've that from other sources. If Comissioner Smiles doesn't want to believe it, then how about looking into the trespass notices given? How many have been handed out? What is the procedure for handing them out? Who have they been given too, and for what reason?
Citizen Clancy are you drunk????
What the??? Do you even know what your talking about?,Also you would be surprised at the amount of credible information you can get from "the help" for any of these over inflated,gutless, lieing windbags of Saratoga Springs ,Yes our city's finest people are the worst offenders of "diarrhea of the mouth" when it comes to trying to keep their's or their fake freinds secerts ..Your'e a Blagger
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