If the mission of the Town Supervisor was to hijack the town's model Comprehensive Plan Committee and fill it with political loyaists and his favorite contractor whose overpayments are being investigated by the State Comptroller, then the Supervisor may be holding his very own news conference on the deck of the Good Ship Lollypop.
As it stands our town has about 10 legally appointed members on the CPC and about as many illegally appointed by the Supervisor. Most of the Supervisor’s appointments are political buddies who hold posts on the Democratic or Conservative Party Committees and unfortunately, they are overloaded with folks who happen to live in what is called Election District 3, the St. Jude’s Parish area. That’s just because the political gang Mr. Evers is counting on to endorse him this year happens to reside there in large numbers.
So it goes in North Greenbush where political agendas are always a step ahead of the public interest, even in a committee that had worked so well without such petty interference.
Take a look at how the City of Albany is handling its very first city wide Comprehensive Plan. The Albany Times Union provides the details at it's web site.
The City of Albany has a population of about 100,000 while the Town of North Greenbush has around 12 to 14 thousand. So when Albany put together its first city wide Comprehensive Planning Committee, they came up with a sensible formula, just as North Greenbush did before the Supervisor decided to try and hijack the committee and the process.
The Albany model has 30 people, 10 appointed by the Common Council and 10 nominated by the Mayor to be approved and confirmed by the Common Council. The Committee would also have 5 Common Council members from the Committee on planning and there would by 5 other key city officials. That’s 30 in all and curiously, not one is a unilateral appointment of the mayor or any Common Council member.
North Greenbush has only 8 election districts while Albany is somewhere around 60. So a town committee that was appointed by the Town Board with members chosen from each of the 8 election districts would be fair to everyone. All areas of the town would be represented and have a voice.
Let's hope the Town Board acts soon to take Mr. Evers off the the deck of the CPC and firmly remind him that he is but one vote on a town baord with five votes.
Our thanks to a reader who submitted this exclusive photo.
Anchors Aweigh!
A Footnote: We recieved several e-mails noting that today's photo was posted on the 4th anniversay of President Bush's photo op on the deck of an aircraft carrier in which he declared major combat operations in Iraq to be over. More tha 3,000 American deaths later, he was obviously wrong. The Pipeline was aware of the this anniversary which is why the photo was posted this day. We apologize for not noting the anniversary in the posting and we mourn those who have paid for the mistake in judgment as great patriots.
3 comments:
Does Evers really think no one is paying attention but a select group who attend town board meetings? I can assure him, he and his antics have come up in many North Greenbush social circles I've attended recently. Its time for him to stop his games and find some integrity. Or maybe his ally Kern will wake up and stop voting with him? That would be a step in the right direction if Ernie wants to be remembered for something other than following the village idiot.
I'm glad you mentioned the service people who have paid the price for this war of opportunity. Great Patriots is an understatement given the supreme sacrifice each has made.
Great picture. I see Crawford Texas and North Greenbush have one thing in common. Enough said.
Post a Comment