Saturday roundup of some of some of the stories I’ve missed lately.

First congratulation go out to Patti Southworth , Town of Ballston Supervisor who was just named County chair of the Independence Party.

The Independence Party is a large and growing Party in the County; it serves as a place of refuge for those who are fed up with the two party system. Losing the Independence line can prove very costly in a close local election. Many people site the loss of the line by former Commissioner of Public Safety Rick Worth as the reason he lost to the Tooth Fairy in a very close race.

Congratulation go out to local Attorney David Harper. Harper has been named Saratoga Springs Republican Committee chair, replacing the inept John Herrick. Herrick is widely seen to be the reason Rick Worth lost the Independence Line in the last election and the reason Public Safety is being led by the Tooth Fairy{see above}

Next: The preliminary agenda is up for the Tuesday Council meeting and what it includes and doesn’t include is interesting.

First another appointment to the Housing Authority board or even maybe two appointments. That can only mean more members have been removed.

There is also no mention of the amateur operation of the Ambulance service by SSFD or billing in the Tooth fairies agenda.

And even more interesting item is the fact that Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco has nothing on his agenda for his much touted reservation coordinator position.

I’m told by sources that the Civil Service Commission just put the kibosh on his plans for the reservation coordinator position and wholesale promotion of employees that were seen to be cronies rather than deserving employees. In the list was the notorious Geraldine Loya who was slated to go from laborer to mechanic. Loya is widely seen as a corrupt, lazy, incompetent, toadie of Skippy. Undeserving of anything but a kick out of the city garage.

Anyway the Commission told Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco to post the jobs and open them up to competitive bidding. So much for Skippie's plans

But Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan has this on her Agenda

RESOLUTION

(For Expenditure of Ice Rink Improvement and Equipment Capital Reserve Funds)

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs established the Ice

Rink Improvement and Equipment Capital Reserve Fund on November 7, 2006 for the

purpose of “construction, reconstruction or acquisition of improvements and equipment

for the Weibel Avenue and Vernon ice rink facilities”, and

WHEREAS, $43,000.00 expenditure is required for ice rink boards, water heaters,

dehumidifiers and sprinkler system mains for continued operation of the Weibel and

Vernon Ice Rinks and is in accordance with the purposes of the Ice Rink Improvement

and Equipment Capital Reserve Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the above-described expenditure

is hereby approved as authorized as in accordance with the Ice Rink Improvement and

Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.

So she is taking money out of capital reserve fund for DPW project at the ice rink. Interestingly enough the new boilers are already there and ready for installation. DPW was given additional dollars by Ivins prior to completing the 2012 adopted budget.

Where was the bidding process for this item??

Where is the bidding for the Ambulance service?? No RFP for a muti million contract?

Does anything in this city go out to bid anymore?

A Guess not, they just call it a "Professional Service" Right