Who are the #TroyCrazy County Legislators?

From: Mark McGrath <mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com>
Date: April 8, 2016 at 9:47:27 PM EDT
To: Carmella Mantello <cmantell@nycap.rr.com>
Cc: Dean Bodnar <bodnard@hotmail.com>, "Sweeney, Rebecca" <rsweeney@rensco.com>, Peter Grimm <grimtroyp@aol.com>, Laurel <lwelcome@nycap.rr.com>, Mark Fleming <markf@nycap.rr.com>, "papaed50@yahoo.com" <papaed50@yahoo.com>, Gary Pavlic <garypavlic47@gmail.com>, cindy doran <dorancindy@hotmail.com>, Jim Gulli <jgulli13@yahoo.com>, Kim Ashe McPherson <reesee261@hotmail.com>, Lynn Kopka <lkopka@earthlink.net>, "erinsullivanteta@gmail.com" <erinsullivanteta@gmail.com>, Bob Doherty <doherty4troy@gmail.com>, Ken Crowe <kcrowe@timesunion.com>, "mrobarge@troyrecord.com" <mrobarge@troyrecord.com>, John Donohue <jdono48503@aol.com>
Subject: Re: On Behalf of District 1 Legislators - Rensselaer County Legislature

Dean, as was stated in the response "As you know, the county has a tremendous responsibility in providing services for all of the residents of Rensselaer County". There are nineteen legislators that represent their own cities, towns and villages. Unfortunately ours have failed in their obligation to represent the residents of Troy. So very very sad. On a plus side the employee who responded listed them so we at least know their names now. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 8, 2016, at 4:52 PM, Carmella Mantello <cmantell@nycap.rr.com> wrote:

Thank you for forwarding this to us, Dean. This is disappointing, and to clarify a point, my original letter was addressed to County Executive Jimino AND the six City of Troy representatives on the County Legislature.

Keep up the good work, Dean! See you soon!

Carmella R. Mantello
Council President

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 8, 2016, at 4:44 PM, Dean Bodnar <bodnard@hotmail.com> wrote:

Rebecca,

Thanks for responding on behalf of these legislators. Given the fact that I know most of these legislators personally, I'm disappointed--to use a mild word--by the fact that they didn't care to respond personally to my request.

I'm also disappointed by their refusal to consider the urgent and immediate needs of their constituents--the residents and taxpayers of the city of Troy. This was a rare opportunity for them to show leadership, and their response is to simply issue an impersonal, unresponsive letter from an employee. The people of Troy deserve better than that.

I had hoped that by reaching out to these Troy legislators on a personal level, rather than on a political one, I'd be encouraging further dialogue and cooperation in order.  Clearly, I've misjudged these people. Sadly, their electorate now has to suffer.

Dean Bodnar

From: RSweeney@rensco.com
To: bodnard@hotmail.com
CC: grimtroyp@aol.com; lwelcome@nycap.rr.com; markf@nycap.rr.com; papaed50@yahoo.com; garypavlic47@gmail.com; dorancindy@hotmail.com
Subject: On Behalf of District 1 Legislators - Rensselaer County Legislature
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 15:54:13 +0000

Dear Councilman Bodnar, (Dean)

Thank you for your recent email regarding the anticipated share of the licensing fee paid by Rush Street Gaming to New York State which will be distributed to counties. As Rensselaer County Legislators, representing the City of Troy, we are always happy to hear from our constituents on matters of the county that may have potential impact on the residents of Troy.  We are grateful, that you, as an elected official representing our city, have taken the time out of your own busy schedule to write to us.

We have seen the request addressed to the County Executive by Troy City Council President Mantello.  Our office was copied on the email and also copied on the County Executive’s response to President Mantello.  We will attach a copy for your review in the case that you had not seen it.

We are astutely aware of the dire budgetary situation the City of Troy faces and we have and will continue to work on all initiatives that will lessen the burden of our taxpayers.  As you know, the county has a tremendous responsibility in providing services for all of the residents of Rensselaer County and particularly those who reside in Troy.  In maintaining the fiscal structure to support these programs and much of the infrastructure throughout the county, we work to be proficiently responsive to all opportunities that arise.  We have discussed, with the County Executive her plan which was outlined in her response to President Mantello. We agree that providing property tax relief and addressing the potential of added investment to our infrastructure, especially highways and bridges will enhance our economic development efforts.  This is a wise and prudent plan that will help to reduce the county tax burden to the residents of Troy.

In addition, we are pleased to see that the County Executive and the Mayor are working together to provide long-term solid savings for all involved and focused on increasing revenues that will, in turn, benefit all of us.

We are committed to working with the City of Troy on this and future matters.  Thank you for reaching out to us.

Sincerely,

City of Troy, District 1 Legislators:
Peter Grimm
Ed Manny
Mark Fleming
Cindy Doran
Gary Pavlic
Leonard Welcome




Attached:  Email from K Jimino to C. Mantello – 4/1/16
From: Jimino, Kathy
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2016 4:21 PM
To: 'Carmella Mantello'
Cc: Doran, Cynthia; Fleming, Mark; Grimm, Peter; Manny, Edward; Pavlic, Gary; Welcome, Leonard; Patrick. Madden; Charette, Jessica; Mark McGrath
Subject: RE: Rush Street Gaming licensing fee

Dear Carmella,

Thanks for your inquiry about the county's share of the licensing fee for the casino being built in Schenectady.

Currently 90 cents of every tax dollar the county collects goes to pay for the mandated services we are required by the state to provide and fund either partially or entirely. In order not to cause further burden to our property taxpayers we have had to reduce spending on local programs and services. It is my intention that any funding we receive this year and in future years as a result of the casino being built in Schenectady be used to:

1. Provide property tax relief;
2. Address our need for additional investment in our infrastructure, especially highways and bridges, thereby enhancing our economic development efforts; and
3. Provide services for problem gamblers as was anticipated when the state approved casino gambling and established this revenue sharing for counties.

My administration is committed to, and has a long history of success at, working with our municipalities to reduce the cost of services to our mutual taxpayers as that is the most effective way to provide long term tangible savings. Discussions with the Mayor of the City of Troy toward that end have been ongoing.

Kathy




Rebecca Sweeney | Legislative Assistant | Rensselaer County Legislature – Minority Office
1600 Seventh Avenue | Troy, NY 12180
( 518-270-2890 |7 518-270-2975 |8 www .rsweeney@rensco. com
From: Dean Bodnar [mailto:bodnard@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 1:48 PM
To: Doran, Cynthia; Fleming, Mark; Grimm, Peter; Manny, Edward; Pavlic, Gary; Welcome, Leonard
Subject: Rush Street Gaming Income

Dear County Legislature Colleagues,

I am writing to request that you, in your position as county legislature representative for the city of Troy, advocate for the interests of Troy residents in regard to the distribution of a fair share of Rensselaer County's proceeds of the casino licensing fee paid to New York State by Rush Street Gaming. Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello has formally requested that the city of Troy receive a portion of this licensing fee in order to alleviate the dire budgetary situation faced by the city. Certainly the County Executive and County Legislature can determine an equitable formula for the sharing of these unbudgeted funds among the cities and towns of Rensselaer County.

I urge you, as a city of Troy representative in the County Legislature, to consider Troy's serious economic predicament and take immediate and positive action to work toward an equitable distribution of the gaming license funds. I am committed to work with you in this endeavor.

Sincerely,

Dean Bodnar
Troy City Council, District 3