Saratoga politics

Ed Spychalski, the hits just keep on coming.

2012-02-02T20:28:00.006-05:00

Revelations in the Saratoga Seen blog at the TU website penned by Denis Yusko claim Ed Spychalski, in a budget cutting move axed the long term pest control company Staring’s Pest and Rodent Control’s in 2006. They provided monthly sanitary inspections for cockroaches, ants, bedbugs and insects.

Now get this company owner Thomas Staring is quoted as saying “He{ Spychalski} decided I was no longer needed, that the budget could be spent better,” He went on to say “he had never seen a bedbug in the 25 years he had worked in Stonequist, Vanderbilt Terrace and Jefferson Terrace.”

The online story is .. HERE I bet it’s in the broadsheet tomorrow

So the $152,000 director makes a command decision to save a few bucks by killing a very effective program. I guess Thomas Staring just wasn’t part of Spychalski’s family tree. I'm waiting for the NUN to chime in about what an effective leader Ed is again.

I tell you now, if one resident of Public Housing comes down with MRSA their blood will be on Spychalski’s and the Boards hand. If any of the residents of Saratoga Housing Authority properties is diagnosed with MRSA or VRE contact me and I’ll put you in touch with a Lawyer

Here is some background

Not only are there more bed bugs about in North America in Europe, but more of them appear to be carrying two types of superbugs - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) - bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and very hard to treat when there is an infection. Full Story HERE

In other news I received a response from Chris Mathiesen who is alleged to have called me a liar twice Tuesday Night

John,

I am not aware of any reference made by me about you at all. I certainly did not characterize you as a liar during a meeting or at any other time. Someone has misinformed you. I did get into a discussion after the meeting with Kyle York about a comment he made about the Housing Authority meeting. He stated that there were six police officers sent to that venue to intercept you in case you had decided to attend.

That was simply not true. Officers who were there attended for other reasons. There were fewer than six officers at any time. No, they were not there to intercept you. We have asked the city attorney to look into whether access can be denied in a case such as yours for an open meeting being held on Housing Authority grounds. So far, our research shows that access should not be denied during the time that the open meeting is being held. This seems appropriate to me since it is consistent with the definition of an open meeting. We will be letting you know when a final determination has been reached

Chris Mathiesen

And finally I don’t want to make this into a travel blog but while in NY I took a trip down to Wall Street. Now most of you are used to seeing this patriotic scene of the NYSE.

Well I guess Bud Light pays more as this picture shows that I took yesterday.

So I guess Patriotism and Democracy are dead and lets all toast with a Bud Light

ED SPYCHALSKI, CULT OF PERSONALITY

2012-02-01T21:25:00.009-05:00

Well first I must apologize to all my readers. I was in NYC for a couple of days. This was planned long before the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night. Since my home was broken into I never publicly say when I’m going to be out of town.

But it sounds like you got your message out loud and clear. Kudos go out to Commissioner of Accounts John Franck and Mayor Scott Johnson. But the real heroes of this are you, the residents of Public Housing. You proved that you will stand up to incompetence and corruption. You have not only gotten your dignity back but you’ve been an inspiration. The emperor has no clothes. The carefully crafted cult of personality that Ed Spychalski crafted for himself is gone. Never will residents live in fear of Ed. The only people who seem in denial of this are the Authority board.

The NUN, Charla Commins, comes across as out to lunch as she says in this video.

"The Housing Authority can't be all wrong if it has achieved some of the highest standings in the state. And it's based on a lot of things, not just the maintenance of a building. It's based on a lot of scores. And we've really achieved that. And I think a lot of that has had to do with the leadership of Ed Spychalski," said Sister Charla Commins, Housing Authority Board Member

HERE

Really Sister? The FIRST responsibility of the board of commissioners .

According to your own mission statement

“It follows from the mission of the SSHA, that while Public Housing is a Business and should be operated as such, its primary product is the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing to persons of low or modest income”

Well I saw this on the news in NYC

Scientists Discover Bedbugs Carrying MRSA Germ In Study.

HERE

I think you might need a couple months helping out the Little Sisters of the Poor, you and the rest of the board seem to have forgotten your calling. I will help you remember it.

You serve the residents, they don’t serve you. They are your “clients” perhaps you should remember they don’t “owe” you a thing. You don’t give them housing “HUD” does. Without them ED and his family doesn’t have a job. You Sister Charla could be changing bandages in a Leper colony instead of jetting off to conferences

Anyway a round up of the stories

Times Union

HERE

Saratogian

HERE

WNYT 13

And finally I understand the good dentist called me a “liar” twice last night

This is a copy of the e-mail I sent him today

Dear Commissioner Mathiesen

I am sorry I couldn’t make the meeting last night. I understand there is some confusion over some events that happened to me. This confusion I’m told caused you to refer to me as a “liar” twice during a public meeting. Perhaps this will clear up any confusion.

On Dec 30 2011 I was served by Saratoga Police with a “no trespass” order for all Housing Authority property. This is an indisputable fact. I never alleged six police served me with the notice.

On January 19 2012 I engaged the police department in multiple conversations about my attendance at a Public meeting at Stonequist Apartments of the Housing Authority board. I was told if I set one foot on the property I would be arrested. Over six police were either on the grounds or in the immediate vicinity before and during the meeting. I’ve have no idea if they were solely there for me. But they were there and this has been confirmed by multiple sources including the media. But of course you are free to call citizens whatever you like regardless of the facts.

Second as a champion of open and transparent government I know you will be pleased to learn I will be publishing the complete salaries of all Public Safety personal from 2011 on Sunday night. I’m sure you will agree that this information is vital for the public to know so the true cost of adding more personal to your departments can be fully understood.

Sincerely

John Tighe

Mayor calls for audit of the Housing Authority by the Comptroller’s Office

2012-01-30T19:12:00.010-05:00

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.

SARATOGA HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENTS; TIME TO SPEAK OUT!!!

2012-01-29T18:42:00.014-05:00

Well the time has come for you, the residents of all the Saratoga Housing Authority properties {Jefferson Terrace, Vanderbilt Terrace and Stonequist Apartments} to stand up and tell the Mayor at his Tuesday 2pm conference and at the hearing at 7pm Tuesday in City Hall that is chaired by Commissioner of Accounts John Franck just what a lousy piece of shit Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle and his chief henchman Ed Spychalski really are{ I’m not trying to put words in your month but that is my opinion of them}.

I’ve heard your complaints from the bedbugs to the predatory sexual offenders living among you. I know about the good Pastor John Rice leader of the Saratoga Independent Church who was also declared persona no grata at all Saratoga Housing Authority properties and the women whose arm was broken by a sex offender.

HERE

I’ve heard about the illegal questioning of heath care personal and the violations of your HIPAA rights at the same time drunks and drug dealers roam your halls free from any interference. You’ve told me of being forced to pay “FINES” in cash and then being harassed if you asked for a receipt.

Now you’ve put up with this shit for too long.

STAND UP AND SHOUT; I’M MAD AS HELL AND NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

You know I might be an asshole and god knows I can’t spell or write but if I’ve learned anything in my life it’s this.

Being poor or disabled isn’t a crime. That in the eyes of GOD,any one of you is as loved and valued by GOD as much or perhaps even more than all the Brunelles and Spychalskis in this world.

The main stream media has done its job.I’ve tried hard as well, with my special brand of Gorilla Journalism, but now it’s up to you. I will stand with you, not just now but in the future. I will meet with any of you who feel that the Housing Authority thugs have retaliated against you for speaking out. Remember any threats made against you by staff may in themselves be a crime. Report them to the police.

This is your time. Be proud, be brave

Could the Housing Authority crisis turn criminal?

2012-01-27T11:55:00.006-05:00

BREAKING BREAKING NEWS.

Times Unions article blasts Saratoga Housing Authority travel expenses

" The director, board chairman and employees billed $31,875 in 2011 and $25,186 in 2010 for travel, lodging and training costs, according to the housing authority, which released its travel ledger this week under the state's Freedom of Information laws."

Read the whole story HERE

Well there have been a lot of developments in the Housing Authority crisis. First we have dueling news stories in the Saratogian HERE and the Times Union HERE.

The Times Union is reporting that Mayor Scott Johnson will be having a press conference on Monday and will be meeting with residents at the Stonequist Apartments on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Jan. 31, and of course I will be arrested, and handcuffed if I try to attend.

The Saratogian is reporting about the Tuesday meeting with Johnson and the Tenants.

Commissioner of Accounts also has a public workshop scheduled for Tue at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the City Council Chambers at City Hal. So we have dueling meetings.

While I have been banned from all Authority grounds by Ed Spychalski and Dennis Brunelle and with the blessing and muscle of the Saratoga Springs Police Department who have labeled me a suspicious person, I never less have been able to continue to document abuses by Spychalski.

In these remarkable photos, we see the return of Housing Authority Jeep BPD 3490 that hadn’t been seen in a long time. Rumors would suggest the jeep has been for the exclusive use of Ed Spychalski’s wife who is the only family member not on the Authority payroll. The jeep was said to have been kept in Spychalski’s three car garage at his palatial estate in Halfmoon 20 miles from the city.

But look closely at the windshield in the above photo and you will see a NYC EZ pass transponder on the windshield. This caused a foil request to be sent to the Authorities attorney who responded that

“The Housing Authority doesn’t have an EZ pass”

The next day as this photo shows the transponder is gone.

What that means my friend is that someone was using their personal transponder on an Official Government vehicle that was being used for personal outings. The fact that the EZ pass Transponder was removed only confirms the vehicle was being used for an illegal purpose.

This is theft from the government . I’m not a lawyer so I can’t tell you the statute.

But I know the DA needs to get a search warrant for those EZ pass records to see where that jeep has been. No excuses this time.

A CRIME IS A CRIME

Then maybe when we clean house of the management and staff of the Housing Authority,I'll never be posting videos like this again

Deal or no deal

2012-01-25T20:20:00.005-05:00

Well I take a momentary break from the Housing Authority crisis to stoplight another Saratoga Springs clusterfuck, the Casino reservation coordinator position.

I originally wrote a week ago that Heather Mabee, Mary Lou Whitney's daughter had been pegged for this new but unfunded position at the expense of longtime and much beloved jack of all trades Congress Park foreman Betty French. HERE.

The Saratogian has confirmed my story HERE.

This story goes back to Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco getting bitch slapped as his pet project, the creation of a Reservation Coordinator went unfunded in the 2012 budget. Public works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco then claimed if he wasn’t given an influx of funds his department would likely face layoffs.

This sentiment was echoed by then Finance candidate Michelle Madigan who according to the minutes of the November 1 2011 council meeting in the public comment meeting said.

Michelle Madigan of 30 Horseshoe Drive stated she had a question for Commissioner Ivins. She stated he didn’t budget enough in the DPW budget for labor. It leads her to believe he may possibly be considering layoffs in that department and hasn’t had a chance to come forward with that yet.

So after the election in the final budget for 2012 the Public Works Department received a $175,381 influx of capital into mostly labor lines, supposedly to avoid layoffs.

But there never was a threat of layoffs. Madigan was either incredibly naive or had cut a deal with Scirocco. The money was partially meant to circumvent the council’s vote to unfund the position of Reservation Coordinator . Heather Mabee had already been chosen for the position going back to September.

Scirocco seemingly repaid the political favor to Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan for her budgetary support and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen, when he broke with the Mayor and supported there half-baked ambulance plan for the city.

But now in spite of all his Machiavellian planning it seems the Little Prince{ Skippy} will need a council vote after all to fill the position.

So watch closely at the next Council meeting to see if Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan and or Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen vote with Skip Scirocco. One of them just might be the needed swing vote.

Then we will all know once and for all if they made a deal with Scirocco

Saratoga Housing Authority hires PR firm to clean up their pile of shit.

2012-01-23T19:09:00.007-05:00

Well just when you thought that the Housing Authority saga couldn’t get any worse it just did.
So what has Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle and his chief henchman Ed Spychalski done now? Hire an exterminator maybe? How about inviting me to meet with them to discuss the illegal trespass notice they served me with?

No they hired at great taxpayer expense the Crisis management firm of
Crisis Gramercy Communications.
This is from their website
Nothing is more important than your reputation and credibility. Gramercy Communications specializes in preparing clients for crisis situations and partnering with them in crisis situations to produce successful outcomes.
In charge of the Housing Authority case, they have brought in Eric Wohlleber a public relation spinmeister
He claims to bring more than a dozen years of experience crafting and delivering compelling messages to the right audience.

So just so everyone understands
First Brunelle pays Ed Spychalski $152,000 a year along with a couple top of the line 4x4’s to tool around in, an expense account for gas and gourmet meals. Then Brunelle gives any member of Spychalsk's family with a pulse a job
The residents of the Housing Authority are told HUD has cut the budget so their rent will be going up $50 a month and by the way we don’t have any money for exterminators.

But they do have a enough money to hire Gramercy Communications and Eric Wohlleber to explain to us just why Brunelle and Ed Spychalski are great guys. Remember you the taxpayer is picking up the tab for this

I’m going to fucking vomit

Questions that bother me so.

2012-01-21T20:47:00.006-05:00

BREAKING NEWS;blistering editorial in Sunday Saratogian

Editorial: What a mess: Saratoga Springs Housing Authority seems to be out of touch with reality HERE

One of the biggest questions I’ve had since this whole Bugate began was the question of bedbugs in Jefferson and Vanderbilt Terrace. Jefferson Terrace and Vanderbilt Terrace will always have a special place in my heart. I was raised in 48 Jefferson St directly across from Jefferson Terrace. The Terrace was my playground and I would guess that the recollections of my childhood would be a little different than the idyllic memories of Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen who grew up on 5^th Ave.He seems to think,drugs,alcohol and violence are something new in Saratoga. I would be happy to give him a history lesson sometime.

There was crime and drugs but also a neighborhood feel of the cities down trodden trying to build better lives. Many of my old friends are dead now, or in prison but many did quite well for themselves with our Mayor being the best example of Terrace kid makes good.

So it was with some concern when I took these photos of discarded mattresses in a dumpster at Vanderbilt terrace. Then I read this quote from the Saratogian

“They had bedbugs in the building next to mine over the summer,” said one woman who lives in Jefferson Terrace.”

So since Ed Spychalski has proven himself to be an evasive liar we don’t know the truth. Somehow though I’ve got a feeling that the bedbugs in Stonequist Apartments are only half the equation.

Black Friday hits Saratoga Springs Housing Authority

2012-01-20T14:20:00.013-05:00

Back to back stories on bedbugs, nepotism, outrageous salaries and worst of all, tenant abuse by the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority were published by area papers today.

The first from the Saratogian HERE

I think this story that contained a video with perhaps the funniest statement of the day, came from Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle who made the observation that “You get into trouble when you don’t follow procedure” referring to the 10 minute public comment rule. Hey Brunelle you might be the last resident of planet earth to realize it, but your already in trouble, dumb ass and it isn’t from violating the public comment 10 minute rule.

Now that blistering story would have been bad enough but the Times Union also ran a troubling story about tenant abuse HERE.

I have met with some Tenants and have found there treatment under the administration of Ed Spychalski and Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle to be of such an grievous nature that they border on criminal and may rise to the level of a felony human rights violations. Too bad our local law enforcement agencies are more worried about keeping me from setting foot on Housing authority property than protecting the rights of the cities downtrodden.

I am still waiting for a proper response to this outrage from the Mayor Scott Johnson and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen. Kind of hard to say the cops are shorthanded when you can send SIX, count them SIX to stop one person from going to a Public Meeting.

I also believe that the trespass order served to me by the Saratoga Springs Police that was lacking any kind of Judicial signature was illegal. The fact that literally hundreds of these have been handed out by the City Police on behalf of Ed Spychalski and Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle to be deplorable. I am now examining all of my legal options to challenge the validity of this “ORDER” that appears more suited to a Police State than a democracy.

Tell next time sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite. I saw an army of them crossing Broadway and headed to the East Side

Six cops called to stop me from attending Housing Authority meeting.

2012-01-19T17:41:00.012-05:00

Well it was a busy day as I entered careful negotiations with the Saratoga Springs Police Department this morning to avoid a confrontation. I explained my situations, the calls to Ed Spychalsk along with the e-mails that Spychalsk ignored. The police contacted Spychalsk who was adamant about having me arrested if I set one foot on sacred Housing Authority grounds.

Six, count them six of Saratoga’s finest were on the grounds of Stonequist Apartment all to stop me from attending an open governmental meeting. I heard the decision to use such heavy handed Gestapo tactics {no, I’m not using that term lightly} came from Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle himself. Hear he’s a little testy and doesn’t like having his image as a humanitarian and champion of the poor questioned. Let me tell you Dennis, Spychalsk is nothing but a bullying goon. A goon mind you that you created. A man that was fired from the Waterviet Public Housing Authority with no education who picks on the poor and vulnerable, all on your watch. You along with the rest of your well educated hypocrites are beyond salvation and need to resign in mass, if you have received illegal compensation from Spychalsk you need to be indicted and imprisoned and that goes double for you Sister Charla. You should hold your head down in shame, not just from personal disgrace but you have put a stain on the Sisters of St Joseph and the Catholic Church as a whole.

So I told the police that do to there overwhelming show of force that I would stand across the street on the sidewalk of Gaslight apartments. Then I held an impromptu press conference with the media. Later I met with another reporter and some tenants at Wendy’s .

As far as the actual meeting, some friends of mine did get in and the whole affair was a sham. The closed circuit television channel that normally broadcasts these kinds of events to residents was blacked out. I guess in Spychalsk's Orwellian world no criticism will be broadcast. The comments were limited to ten minutes, but a few people got in some shots at Spychalsk, Sister Charla and Dennis Brunelle. Then after a half hour of praise for the job Spychalsk does the from the board the meeting was adjourned .

I would publicly like to thank everyone who helped me today, especially John Franck who has taken a leading role in all this. I also want to know where Mayor Johnson is on this. The time has come for the Mayor to demand the resignation of this entire board. More and more I’m realizing this is a human rights issue more suited for the third world than Saratoga Springs. So for now I’ll wait for the morning newspapers.

There is a News Story on news 13 HERE

For now enjoy these videos as Commissioner John Franck rips Ed Spychalsk a new asshole

Well today is the big day.

2012-01-19T08:10:00.003-05:00

Well today Thursday Jan 19 at 11am I will attempt to attend a public meeting of the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority Board of Directors at the main office Board Room located at 1 South Federal Street Stonequist Apartments.

Since Dec 30 2011 I have been a persona non grata on Saratoga Springs Housing Authority grounds since Ed Spychalsk found me talking to residents and photographing discarded mattresses in the parking lot of Stonequist Apartments. Ed asked for and received a no-trespass notice against me. I will have a full report if I can make bail later today

In the meantime let’s see what others are saying about Ed Spychalsk

From the TU HERE

And the Saratogian HERE

BREAKING BREAKING NEWS.

2012-01-18T20:25:00.004-05:00

BREAKING BREAKING NEWS

I swear to god that was going to be my last post of the night but we have just received confirmation that Mary Lou Whitney's{yes that Mary Lou} daughter Heather Mabee will be the Reservation Coordinator for Saratoga springs DPW..!!!!! Starting date 2/6/12 which means the "fix is in". Kelly Clark whose name appears on all new Casino contracts was no selected.

The reservation coordinator position was defunded under the Republican controlled council last year but we all know the new Democratic controlled council never met a government job they didn’t like and with Skippy stabbing the Mayor in the back last night it will be hard for Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen, to say no to their new sand box buddy Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco. Funding for the new position will need to be approved at the next council meeting but with all that ambulance revenue rolling in, the city can afford it.

Why Heather Mabee, chairwoman of the Saratoga Capital Regional Parks Commission would want the position is anyone’s guess

As for the beloved Betty French, the longtime foreman in the Casino? Well political expediency has a price

And finally, if you ever wanted to see me arrested tomorrows your chance.

2012-01-18T19:16:00.003-05:00

Well folks sometimes a person just has to take a stand. As faithful readers of my blog know I have been banned by Housing Authority Executive Director Ed Spychalsk from ever setting foot on Housing Authority property. My crime? Taking pictures of discarded mattress's and talking to residents in the Stonequist Apartment parking lot at 12noon in the open.

Ed said I was suspicious and had me served with a trespass notice. Although I believe this notice is illegal I have stayed off Housing Authority property simply because there was no future need to photograph Housing Authority property up close . Tomorrow is a different story. See the Housing Authority Board Of Commissioners is having there monthly meeting at Stonequist Apartments at 11am Jan19 2012

This is from Ed Spychalsk’s own website

The Board of commissioners meets every third Thursday of every month at 11:00 AM in the main office Board Room located at 1 South Federal Street.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND ALL OPEN BOARD MEETINGS

Input, comments, and concerns from all citizens are accepted the first ten minutes of the meeting.

So I will be attending. I have e-mailed Spychalsk to ask his permission with no response as this video shows I have also called him.

He never returned my call.

So tomorrow I will take the dramatic act of challenging the little tin-pot dictator of the Housing Authority.

All in the name of Human Rights

The Saratogian's building is sold

2012-01-18T17:57:00.005-05:00

BREAKING NEWS

ThePost Star is reporting the landmark and beautiful Saratogian building as been sold for $2 million.

The buyer, 20 Lake Avenue LLC, HERE

Just when we really need a home time paper none is found. New Years Eve a man collapsed here next to the Saratogian building, feet from the police station after being stabbed in the METRO. The crime is part of a long list of unsolved crimes in this city

I guess the reporters can share office space with me at Uncommon Grounds

How the Saratoga City Council bamboozled the public.

2012-01-18T12:37:00.002-05:00

Well listen how Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan, Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen, Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco and even Accounts Commissioner John Franck put political expedience and payback in front of taxpayer interest in this exclusive video of the discussion and vote of the largest expansion of city government in decades.

Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan putting her campaign supporters namely the fireman first instead of the taxpayers as she rams this half assed legislature through.

Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen doing just what he said he would in his campaign.Too bad no one paid attention.

Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco stabbed the Mayor in the back as he makes deals with the Democrats. Expect no Democrats to oppose him in two years. Next Betty French will be thrown under the bus by Madigan and Mathiesen to pay back Skippy

Accounts Commissioner John Franck was against the Fireman before he supported them. I guess he wasn’t the friend of the taxpayer after all

Next Bars to close at midnight?

And so it begins.

2012-01-17T23:09:00.005-05:00

The most reckless Council since Val Keehn wielded her gavel, has given the go ahead for the City Fire Department to get into the meat wagon business. The vote was 4 to 1 with the Mayor voting no. Mayor Johnson and John Franck had some serious questions about the famous IAFF prepared 2007 study commissioned by Ron Kim that stated that 10 to 20 Fireman would be needed to take on the role of SEMS.

Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen were giddy with glee at the thought of increasing union card carrying Fireman that were so instrumental in their election campaigns. One of the funniest parts of the half-assed proposal listed 100K in revenue for the “rental” of the Westside ems station yearly. I talked to the reps from Empire and Mohawk that laughed at that.

The Fire Chief is ready to go this week in this exchange with Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco shows.

They passed this document, HERE

Motion to Establish Ambulance Service

WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs Fire Department currently provides first response
Basic Life Support and Advance Life Support services to the residents of the City of Saratoga
Springs, which services has become an integral part of the delivery of emrgency medical care;
and

WHEREAS, there is a sufficient number of Advanced Life Support providers within the City of
Saratoga Springs Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, the recent decision by the Board of Directors of the current ambulance provider
SEMS has placed the City of Saratoga Springs without an ambulance provider within the City;
and

WHEREAS, after due consideration by the Commissioner of Public Safety under the Charter of
the City of Saratoga Springs, in consoltation with the members of the City Council, it is agreed
that providing ambulance service could greatly benefit the residents of our City; and

WHEREAS, the area to be served will be the physical boundries of the City of Saratoga
Springs; and

WHEREAS, this resolution will take effect upon the approval of the City Council; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs is authorized by the City Council to
draft a letter requesting Public Health Law Operating Authority as a certified ambualnce service;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the certified and
quailified members of the City of Saratoga Springs Fire Department to provide ambulance
service at the paramedic level to the residents and visitors of the City of Saratoga Springs.

The beginning of the end. Good thing the Fireman don't live in the city and have to paid these taxes.

This is a short post as it went past midnight

Saratoga Springs Fire Department replacing SEMS? A bad, bad idea.

2012-01-15T11:57:00.015-05:00

Attention; we continue to have technical problems that now appear to be of a nefarious nature. I have called in my eastern european comrades to help with the problem.Your patience is appreciated during this time.

Well here we go again, the same horrible idea rearing its ugly head. Having the Saratoga Springs Fire Department take over the transportation of patients to Saratoga Hospital. And get this Robert Williams, Chief of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department has a magic wand that he’s going to wave and accomplish this feat while only hiring one additional firefighter

Yes this is the same Department that has been whining for years about being shorthanded. The same department that in 2007 under Ron Kim claimed they needed 9 more Firemen to do the job.

So why does the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, who are perhaps best known for their culinary skills and shopping forays to Price Chopper on the cities dime, driving a couple hundred grand of equipment than putting out actual fires want to get into the meatwagon business? One word survival.

The Saratoga Springs Fire Department is a product of another age, of old wooden buildings heated by coal. When vast areas of Saratoga Springs were consumed by flames, men like my Father Fire Chief Joseph Tighe and my Uncle Fire Captain John “Grassy” Callahan battled monster fires with bad equipment for little pay, both men died prematurely and neither collected much of a pension.

Today some senior fireman make six figure salaries and even rank and file members make well over 60k. “I will be putting the full salaries of all public safety workers for 2011 up as soon as they become available}

All the while they wait for calls for structure fires that never come. To compensate for the lack of calls the fireman came up with a job saving scheme. Beginning in the early nineties fireman have been playing a game of “I’m not a doctor in real life but I play one on a Fire Truck” chasing SEMS and in some cases delaying transport of patients to a fully equipped hospital minutes away.

So today we stand at a crossroads, both for-profit ambulance companies Empire and Mohawk said they could take over the service completely and compensate the city handsomely to boot. This would spare the city immensely in terms of outrageous salaries, benefits, claims for disabilities not to mention pension costs for the fireman doing the calls.

But if the Fireman no longer have a need to go ambulance chasing, we no longer have a need for them at all.

One word “Volunteer” Now if this council was honest and was looking out for the cities and not the Unions they would award the contract to Empire and Mohawk and then commission a study to disband the Fire Department and replace it with Volunteers or a combination of paid and volunteer.

HELL it works for the larger communities of Colonie and Clifton Park. Hell look at Malta with Global Foundries and the HUGH apartment and hotel complex’s going up. Yep all Volunteers. Let’s not leave out Milton were I am temporarily located. We have three Nuclear reactors and an Airport serving jets but no need for paid fireman here. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department is a product of another age. Once they were an affordable luxury for the city but their greedy union demands for outrageous pay and benefits have made them a luxury we can longer afford.

So let’s look at the players.

Mayor Scott Johnson: A sensible man who I would guess can see through Chief Robert Williams claims that he will only need “one new fireman”

Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco; who knows he comes from a public safety background but I guess he will vote against the fireman.

Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan; Took one thousand dollars from the PBA the other Public Safety Union and Fireman went door to door on her behalf, her yes vote is brought and paid for.

Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen; well at least he's consistent, he ran on a campaign of a bigger public safety department and he’s keeping his word. Too bad the taxpayers weren’t paying attention.

Accounts Commissioner John Franck; could be the swing vote either way. Franck had been a fiscal watch dog but during the workshop Thursday Franck made perhaps the most disingenuous statement of all the commissioners when he said

"The problem with for-profit is if there are two calls, they are going where the money is"

That John just isn’t true, the idea any ambulance company would risk their operating certificate for a better paying transport is absurd.

Whatever happens I will film each commissioner’s vote and use it in the next election.

Till Tuesday night Good bye

Saratoga Housing Authority. Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive

2012-01-12T17:12:00.006-05:00

Well Saratoga Housing Authority Executive Director Ed Spychalski and Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle have been doing some major damage control as all references to Ed’s son, Johnathan Spychalski being a Security guard are systematically being destroyed as these exclusive photos show

The Housing Authority puts out a little newsletter each month called the housing authority inquirer. Ed always the proud father made his son a regular feature in the newsletter that was until his status is being questioned in front of the Civil Service board. See the idea that Johnathan was Director of Security was just an illusion or at least that’s what Spychalski would have you believe

Behold the before and after shots

April 2011

August 2011

January 2012

This would be almost funny if it wasn’t so sad.

Saratoga Housing Authority says Hi from Fort Lauderdale

2012-01-11T19:33:00.009-05:00

Well as you saw earlier, today wasn’t a good day for the Saratoga Housing Authority. First there was that blistering editorial in today’s Time Union HERE and a story in the Daily Gazette by Lee Coleman that quoted Authority Board Chairman Dennis Brunelle as having "no problem" with Spychalski's salary; he went on to say “in fact, he said they feel he should be paid more.”

I’m waiting for Brunelle to start singing “Stand by your man”

What Coleman failed to mention was the fact that Brunelle was in Fort Lauderdale at the time he made his comment. See Dennis and his good buddy Spychalski were attending PHADA's 2012 Commissioners' Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meeting was held January 8-11 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel located right on the Atlantic Ocean.HERE.

Spychalski and Brunelle got a head start on the conference flying out Friday the sixth, all of this paid for by the taxpayer. I wonder if Brunelle and Spychalsk were sharing mai tai’s in the hot tub when he told Coleman “in fact, he said they feel he should be paid more.”

In case you were wondering what the weather has been like in Lauderdale, high upper seventies low in the sixties HERE. Not too bad.

Lee Coleman also wrote in the story

“She (Patsy Berrigan, the secretary for the Civil Service Commission) said Spychalski’s daughter, Nina Krupski , a housing assistant with the authority, was hired after taking a test and scoring among the top three. She said the two people who scored higher did not take the job, so it went to Krupski.”

Available to the public is a civil service list for the test that lists the individuals that passed the test and what happened when the Civil Service Commission attempted to contact them about the job. In this case three people who scored above Ms. Krupski either did not respond to the CSC or declined the job. However, one person who did score higher than Krupski indicated that she wanted the position. In addition, Krupski’s score of 80 tied with two other people who wanted the job. Ed Spycharski then had four people from which to select and he chose his daughter.

In addressing the accusation that Ed Spychalski ignored the civil service law and hired his son to handle security at the Housing Authority, Lee Coleman reports only that the civil service commission has no knowledge of this and will be meeting with Spychalski. In addition, he quotes Dennis Brunelle that Spychalski did not hire his son. This would lead the readers of the paper to be unsure about what happened. In fact, both the December and January editions of the Housing Authority Newsletter have columns written by Spychalski’s son that identify him as being responsible for security not as the “Laborer” as he is listed with civil service.

And just to make a bad day worse Paul Vandenburgh ripped into them both on Talk 1300 today.

But remember Saratogians if you see Ed or Dennis this week don’t forget to complement their tans, after all you paid for it.