Several city leaders are in Albany today, where Council President Charlie Mallow hopes to swing a couple deals for future grants. In an e-mail to local media outlets, Mallow said that he and Councilwoman Marianne Clattenburg "were able to secure private meetings with some very influential people and there are several issues the city is looking to move forward on." As a result, Mallow requested City Manager Jason Molino and Assistant City Manager Sally Kuzon, to join them in the capital for help with "this very important lobbying effort." mallow and Clattenburg have been there since last week.
Tonight's council meeting has subsequently been cancelled.
We sent an e-mail to Mallow this morning to see if he could supply us with any more details about these "private meetings." We also asked why he felt the presence of Molino and Kuzon was required.
His response:
Being successful and keeping the tax rate down requires us to obtain grants.This year city taxpayers were subsidized $580,000 by state grants. in prior years we were only able to secure a small fraction of that money. That is a number that was unthinkable in past years and it comes from a lot of hard work and a professional staff. We have made a conscious effort to go out and get what our city needs instead of relying on that money to come from local taxpayers pockets.
I was able to setup several meetings with key individuals in the governor’s office. I asked Jason how we could use this time and these contacts to our best advantage. Sally and Jason's knowledge on the specifics of our requests are needed on an informational basis to those we are meeting with. The more successful we are in making our case for funding the higher the probability we will be successful with future grant opportunities, that is our ultimate goal and the reason we are here in Albany.
We are very lucky to have
We are very lucky to have Charlie looking out for us.
I feel comfortable knowing
I feel comfortable knowing they will go down there and represent "us". I gotta believe that we deserve a healthy slice of goverment stimulus pie ! If you are last in line you normally get the smallest piece.
I know these trips are very
I know these trips are very important, but one has to wonder what will happen to all this Stimulus Money and further more how it will be distributed, and who will be distributing it. Did anyone see the front page of the Daily?? As I stated before, all the salarys and raises and right-offs and car allowences,of those who are suppose to represent and help our community are being investigated!!! Thank You!!! Bob B.,Bill C. and Rosemary C. Sick-um!! The middle class has had to cut back with less hours, pay-cuts, and lay-off.... Whats good for the goose is good for the gander. Maybe then can we afford an AMBULANCE in Batavia.... Food For Thought
who paid 4 these people to
who paid 4 these people to go? did they all have to go?
Those car allowances were
Those car allowances were implemented 10+ years ago so we wouldn’t have to buy cars for people to use for city business. It was done because it saved money and still does.
The small town politics is really bad. It hurts the people who work for the city. I wish people would stop looking at them like they are the enemy.
I think Mr Aquino that the
I think Mr Aquino that the benefits of four people going to Albany far outweighs the cost it might have incurred. How many times have you heard that two heads are better then one. With four representatives of the City there is alot that can be discussed on a variety of different subjects. Mr Molino clearly is the budget guy. Ms. Kuzon wears many hats clearly however if she is in charge of the grant writing then she needs to be aware of what is out there to apply for. The council was represented by Mr. Mallow and Ms. Clattenburg (2 of the 9 members). That is no an outrageous representation of the council. The City Council is looking at many options lately including consolidation of the City and Town. Once again, I would think that this is a time consuming topic. Why re-invent the wheel if there is another City, Town or Village that has done what the City needs to have done. The other public representives are there all in one area. As much as we keep hearing the need to slash the budget, we must acknowledge that it needs to be done after careful consideration. There are many brains to be picked and only so many civil hour in the day to do it.
I agree Lori and we're
I agree Lori and we're talking Albany. It's not like they went to the Bahamas.
Ohhhhh. We would have all
Ohhhhh. We would have all volunteered our time if it had been in the Carribean.
thanks lori 4 setting it
thanks lori 4 setting it straight. i apreciate it.i didnt lok at that way i guess.
You couldnt pay me enuff to
You couldnt pay me enuff to do what our city council does for OUR city. How about we dissolve every form of government, have a big party and live by the mob rules effect. You pay someone minimum wage and you will get minimum service. You pay someone a decent wage and you get at least decent service.
No problem. I have learned so
No problem. I have learned so much from you guys. I am greatful for the intelligent adult interaction. With three very little kids I don't get out at all except to run errands and go to work.
Ms. Santini, you’re a class
Ms. Santini, you’re a class act. It feels like we know each other already. You can call me Charlie when ever you’re comfortable. :-)
Mr Mallow, I appreciate your
Mr Mallow,
I appreciate your compliment. As one of your "employees" I will politely continue to call you Mr. Mallow. No disrespect.
I don't know if we will ever understand each other and I have to accept that. I am sure you will understand what I am referring to. That is not meant to be an insult either.
None the less I do understand what people want and need from their elected officials. With our economy in its present state any help from fellow officials who have already been through the process already is a benefit. We as taxpayers want to know that we are getting the most power for our punch.