Mike Wacholder of the RPI Tech Park would be pulling his hair out had he heard Councilman Al Spain use his alleged dissatisfaction with the finished Comprehensive Plan as Spain's reason for not supporting it and the need to spend up to $38,000 more on a new consultant to "finish" it.
Mr. Wacholder was one of the most gracious and knowledgeable proponents of the town's two year effort to complete a Comprehensive Plan. He allowed the committee use of his offices, offered his great insights to the committee on the planning process and role of the Tech Park in the town's growth and future. He also spoke at a town board meeting commending the work and affirming its value. He spoke at a stakeholder meeting held by the CPC.
Apparently, Councilman Al Spain, the CPC's new Chair did not know any of this for he must not have bothered to read the minutes of the two years worth of meetings held by the prior committee. Mr. Spain used Mr. Wacholder as his excuse for not supporting the completed Comprehensive Plan and justification for this new added expenditure of public funds. Mr. Spain stated Planning Board member William Madsen told him that Mr. Wacholder expressed his disappointment and dissatisfaction with the document directly to him.
What a travesty and one we believe is without any truth. To use such heresay assigned to Mr. Wacholder as an excuse to affirm Spain's position that the document is a failure is reprehensible. Mr. Wacholder is a man with a sterling reputation and credibility. He deserves an opportunity to tell Mr. Spain whether he ever made such a statement assailing the Comprehensive Plan. Soon Mr. Wacholder will become aware of Al Spain's assertions. Should be an interesting time ahead.
The board passed by a 4-1 vote a no bid contract with Laberge Engineering not to exceed some $38,000 to finish what is already finished. It was hard for board members to explain that chance encounter Councilman Michaels had with a Laberge official back in February in which the official said hello and said Laberge would be the new consultant to the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Five months later, the statement would by a 4-1 vote become true as a no bid contract was awarded. Just a coincidence we suppose, just like the even earlier coincidence of a $380.00 campaign contribution in October 2007, before the chance encounter with Councilman Michaels, to the town Democratic Committee chaired by Councilman Spain's brother.
3 comments:
Will anyone EVER address the fact that Al Spain is doubling dipping? How does one become the director of Personnel for the City of Troy(Living in North Greenbush) and also be a councilperson for the Town? If that doesn't scream CONFLICT of interest nothing does. Perhaps, he took his plan from the Book of Mirch.
Troy Republicans are running North Greenbush through Mr. Spain and his GOP endorsed allies on the town board. Good thing we have a "Democratic" Chairman here to keep those Spain Republicans in check!
Re;first comment. Troy and North Greenbush are two distinctly political entities. They only join together at "The Joe";there the line is blurred.
King Harry reigns over the infield, but it's entirely in NG.
What Al is doing is completely kosher. You may not like it, but
he's doing a fine job at both jobs and you envy that.
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