After a performance last year that actually makes the Syracuse Football Team look competitive, Robert Ament has returned to the grand stage of Irondequoit electoral politics. This time, he’s set his sights a little smaller and is running for a seat on the West Irondequoit School Board.
I won’t get into the many reasons why Bobby will almost certainly lose again. I will point out that the two incumbents have quite a record of service for the Town of Irondequoit, and should be commended to taking on this thankless, pro bono work on behalf of our schoolchildren.
I also didn’t know there were 30 not-for-profits in the Town of Irondequoit for Bobby to donate to. I’m guessing the Irondequoit Community Cupboard was not one the many benefactors of his generosity, since Ament believes it is a terrorist organization that hates the elderly, poor people…and dogs.
Here’s what drew my attention, and probably that of Town Supervisor Mary Joyce D’Aurzio, as well.
“…utilized my international development skills to plan and organize complete renovations of Pauline Evans and Helen McGraw branches of our public libraries to be completed in June and September of this year through donations from local businesses and materials supplied at cost - solved a problem that has plagued this town for twenty years.”
First of all, the likelihood that Bob Ament has somehow spearheaded any renovation effort of our libraries is about equal to the likelihood that Hannah Montana will headline the Summer Gazebo Concert Series at Town Hall.
But if Bob Ament actually feels this is a possibility, then there are many questions that arise:
1) Has Mary Joyce D’Aurizio authorized someone who doesn’t work for or represent the Town of Irondequoit to oversee a project of this scope. A “complete” renovation of the Town’s two libraries would likely include a new roof and HVAC systems. Are we allowing an International Man of Mystery to spearhead this? Shouldn’t the Town Board be doing this?
2) If Bob Ament really is driving this project, just as he allegedly was building two ice rinks at Camp Eastman, does that mean he has been empowered by the D’Aurizio administration to serve as a community development czar? Is Bob Ament an agent of Mary Joyce D’Aurizio, or, is he acting as a rogue agent?
3) Most importantly (removing Ament from the equation ), what does this mean about the future of the libraries? Supervisor D’Aurzio, who already has made a habit of waffling on major Town issues, such as whether or not Medley Center should house a Broadway-style theater, may be reneging on a campaign promise if she decides to simply maintain the two libraries, and not explore the possibility of a consolidated facility.
Let’s look back to 2009 and see where she stood on Medley, among other town issues.
Messenger Post (10/24/2009): “Consolidation of the libraries is an emotional and economic issue and should be considered if community discussion and consensus supports the project. One facility for the libraries and community center can offer benefits from economies of scale. The public would vote on options with associated costs after extensive community planning.”
Messenger Post (11/3/2009): “D’Aurizio, who called herself a coalition builder, ran on a platform of needing “fresh leadership” in Irondequoit and called for a multi-year budgeting plan, forums for residents to discuss problems and concerns without time restrictions, better marketing of the Medley Centre redevelopment project, and a public vote on a community center and consolidated library.”
As I’ve discussed in earlier posts, I think that Bob Ament is probably a royal pain in the arse for MJD, and she probably deeply regrets forming their campaign alliance in 2009. But Ament seems dead set on pushing forward his agenda, and Town residents are right to wonder: “who did I pull the level for on Election Day?’
Has “Bob the Conqueror” (as he is now calling himself) captured control of the Republican agenda at Town Hall?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Dancing with the Stars: Scott Congel and the Town of Irondequoit
As has been the case for the past few years, a story on the Medley Center has left me very, very confused, optimistic, skeptical & befuddled (just because I like that word) – all at the same time. The same wonderful assurances we’ve heard since early 2009, coming up once again. Yet, if you were to ask anyone living in Syracuse, I’m sure they’ll tell you: “Don’t hold your breath – it’s Scott Congel.”
But I think we should continue to hold out hope, because this really could be a monumental project for Irondequoit, and wipe away years of disappointment and embarrassment.
Until then… there is that little item about our $500,000.
We want that money, Scott!
Since Scott Congel’s whereabouts may range anywhere from the Mir Space Station to a Denver Nuggets playoff game (he lives in Colorado, I believe), it appears he has now made our own Supervisor his de-facto spokesperson. Unfortunately, she didn’t instill confidence that Congel would be forking over the cash.
Therefore, I will do my best to outline why she might have a legal, moral and political obligation to be a tad more insistent.
One good thing about our Town is that we certainly like putting scanned files up on our Town’s website, not excluding PILOT agreements for major economic development endeavors. (NOTE: I’d advise not clicking on the hyperlink above – because it’s a very big file. So as to not freeze your computer, I’ve transcribed the two relevant passages.)
Much of this has been well documented by other “news outlets” in Town (Nice work in 2009, FOILS! )
Section 8.1.4 of the PILOT Agreement states that the $500,000 is due on the "Entitlement Date".
8.1.4 Construction Impact PILOT Payment. On the Entitlement Date the Company shall also make a non-refundable payment to the Town in the amount of $500,000 (the "Construction Impact PILOT Payment") which amount shall be available as deemed needed or appropriate by the Town to address impacts resulting from the construction and development of the Project.
Section 8.3 defines "Entitlement Date" to mean the Effective Date (which was April 8, 2009).
However, that same section also states that if litigation was commenced that prevented work on the Project for starting, or would have invalidated any zoning or other governmental determination for this Project – the “entitlement date” would have been twelve (12) months from the Effective Date. What did that mean? It meant that the PILOT, as most legal agreements do, left some wiggle room for interpretation between respective parties’ attorneys. Or, at least that what I assume, because Scott Congel seems to be good at finding loopholes in lieu of stalled development.
Section 8.3 Definitions
As used herein, the "Entitlement Date" means the Effective Date or, if litigation is commenced challenging any of the processes or determinations under the New York State Quality Review Act (including all regulations thereunder, "SEQRA"), zoning and/or any other governmental determination or process for or with respect to this Project, including, without limitation, this Agreement, and such litigation prohibits the commencement of the work on the Project or if such litigation, if successful in whole or in part, would invalidate any zoning or other governmental determination for this Project, twelve (12) months from the Effective Date. As used herein, the term "Additional Improvements" means any (a) newly constructed building improvements whether created by new free-standing construction or by expansions (horizontally or vertically) to existing improvements, (b) parking structures and/or (c) reconstruction of the existing Bon-Ton and J.C. Penney buildings. As used herein. "Full-Time Job" shall mean jobs regularly requiring at least 30 hours per week.
However, it is now April 23nd.
Scott Congel can hire all of the lawyers he wants to dispute whether he was required to make this payment at some point over the past 12 months, or not. Yet, I’m sure it wouldn’t even require a $150 email from Planning Board Attorney Dan Aureli to clarify that there is absolutely no disputing that under the 2009 PILOT Agreement, the 12-month period from April 8, 2009 expired a two weeks ago and the money is now due.
I think any candidate had the right in 2009 to make the timeliness of this payment a campaign issue. Obviously, the previous administration had their interpretation; while others thought that Mr. Congel should have been $500,000 less wealthy come Labor Day weekend of 2009. Indeed, the Republican candidates did express concerns over both the viability of the project, as well as the need for Congel to own up to his financial obligations to the Town. One, in particular, was most vocal.
“The Medley Centre situation is very alarming to our taxpayers. With millions of dollars of lost revenue, the deal was made with a lack of due diligence, refusal to disclose financing and disregard for public input. Now with a missed payment of $500,000 to the town, I say it’s time for more than a “gentle reminder” to developer Congel. Pay up or get back on the tax roll.” -Future Council woman Debbie Essley, Irondequoit Post, 10/23/09
At least Councilwoman Essley has 3 ½ more years to make a “gentle reminder.” You would have thought back in October she was ready to send in some Wise Guys to “talk” to Mr. Congel…if you could find the guy, that is.
To her credit, Mr. D’Aurizio has always been a tad more understanding, possibly because her husband was such a strong proponent of the original PILOT while he served as President of the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce. For the most part, she’s maintained optimism in the future of Medley, as we all should. At one point this year, she said she had a “gut feeling” that something was going to happen by May 1st.
Well, it’s good to have hope. But I think the people of Irondequoit deserve to know what their new Majority intends to do to get the money we, without any cloud of legal ambiguity, were supposed to have received by now. Ray Levato states in yesterday’s piece: “She (Supervisor D’Aurizio) says it's important to the town to see some money as a good faith gesture.” That’s not exactly drawing a line in the sand, is it? I’d be interested to hear whether or not Councilwoman Essley feels this constitutes more than a “gentle reminder.”
All that being said, $500,000 represents 1/520th of the overall cost of this project. If Mr. Congel receives more than a “gentle reminder”, perhaps a subtle “wet willy,” I think our elected officials can coerce him to pay up.
But I think we should continue to hold out hope, because this really could be a monumental project for Irondequoit, and wipe away years of disappointment and embarrassment.
Until then… there is that little item about our $500,000.
We want that money, Scott!
Since Scott Congel’s whereabouts may range anywhere from the Mir Space Station to a Denver Nuggets playoff game (he lives in Colorado, I believe), it appears he has now made our own Supervisor his de-facto spokesperson. Unfortunately, she didn’t instill confidence that Congel would be forking over the cash.
Therefore, I will do my best to outline why she might have a legal, moral and political obligation to be a tad more insistent.
One good thing about our Town is that we certainly like putting scanned files up on our Town’s website, not excluding PILOT agreements for major economic development endeavors. (NOTE: I’d advise not clicking on the hyperlink above – because it’s a very big file. So as to not freeze your computer, I’ve transcribed the two relevant passages.)
Much of this has been well documented by other “news outlets” in Town (Nice work in 2009, FOILS! )
Section 8.1.4 of the PILOT Agreement states that the $500,000 is due on the "Entitlement Date".
8.1.4 Construction Impact PILOT Payment. On the Entitlement Date the Company shall also make a non-refundable payment to the Town in the amount of $500,000 (the "Construction Impact PILOT Payment") which amount shall be available as deemed needed or appropriate by the Town to address impacts resulting from the construction and development of the Project.
Section 8.3 defines "Entitlement Date" to mean the Effective Date (which was April 8, 2009).
However, that same section also states that if litigation was commenced that prevented work on the Project for starting, or would have invalidated any zoning or other governmental determination for this Project – the “entitlement date” would have been twelve (12) months from the Effective Date. What did that mean? It meant that the PILOT, as most legal agreements do, left some wiggle room for interpretation between respective parties’ attorneys. Or, at least that what I assume, because Scott Congel seems to be good at finding loopholes in lieu of stalled development.
Section 8.3 Definitions
As used herein, the "Entitlement Date" means the Effective Date or, if litigation is commenced challenging any of the processes or determinations under the New York State Quality Review Act (including all regulations thereunder, "SEQRA"), zoning and/or any other governmental determination or process for or with respect to this Project, including, without limitation, this Agreement, and such litigation prohibits the commencement of the work on the Project or if such litigation, if successful in whole or in part, would invalidate any zoning or other governmental determination for this Project, twelve (12) months from the Effective Date. As used herein, the term "Additional Improvements" means any (a) newly constructed building improvements whether created by new free-standing construction or by expansions (horizontally or vertically) to existing improvements, (b) parking structures and/or (c) reconstruction of the existing Bon-Ton and J.C. Penney buildings. As used herein. "Full-Time Job" shall mean jobs regularly requiring at least 30 hours per week.
However, it is now April 23nd.
Scott Congel can hire all of the lawyers he wants to dispute whether he was required to make this payment at some point over the past 12 months, or not. Yet, I’m sure it wouldn’t even require a $150 email from Planning Board Attorney Dan Aureli to clarify that there is absolutely no disputing that under the 2009 PILOT Agreement, the 12-month period from April 8, 2009 expired a two weeks ago and the money is now due.
I think any candidate had the right in 2009 to make the timeliness of this payment a campaign issue. Obviously, the previous administration had their interpretation; while others thought that Mr. Congel should have been $500,000 less wealthy come Labor Day weekend of 2009. Indeed, the Republican candidates did express concerns over both the viability of the project, as well as the need for Congel to own up to his financial obligations to the Town. One, in particular, was most vocal.
“The Medley Centre situation is very alarming to our taxpayers. With millions of dollars of lost revenue, the deal was made with a lack of due diligence, refusal to disclose financing and disregard for public input. Now with a missed payment of $500,000 to the town, I say it’s time for more than a “gentle reminder” to developer Congel. Pay up or get back on the tax roll.” -Future Council woman Debbie Essley, Irondequoit Post, 10/23/09
At least Councilwoman Essley has 3 ½ more years to make a “gentle reminder.” You would have thought back in October she was ready to send in some Wise Guys to “talk” to Mr. Congel…if you could find the guy, that is.
To her credit, Mr. D’Aurizio has always been a tad more understanding, possibly because her husband was such a strong proponent of the original PILOT while he served as President of the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce. For the most part, she’s maintained optimism in the future of Medley, as we all should. At one point this year, she said she had a “gut feeling” that something was going to happen by May 1st.
Well, it’s good to have hope. But I think the people of Irondequoit deserve to know what their new Majority intends to do to get the money we, without any cloud of legal ambiguity, were supposed to have received by now. Ray Levato states in yesterday’s piece: “She (Supervisor D’Aurizio) says it's important to the town to see some money as a good faith gesture.” That’s not exactly drawing a line in the sand, is it? I’d be interested to hear whether or not Councilwoman Essley feels this constitutes more than a “gentle reminder.”
All that being said, $500,000 represents 1/520th of the overall cost of this project. If Mr. Congel receives more than a “gentle reminder”, perhaps a subtle “wet willy,” I think our elected officials can coerce him to pay up.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Not So Fast, FOILS
If the FOILS blog is so worried about misogynist comments, perhaps they should have called out Bob Ament last year when he, for a period of 8 months, proceeded to bully and intimidate just about every woman involved in Irondequoit civic life last year (well – minus two female candidates).
From Mary Ellen Jones to Debbie Evans to Linda Quinlan to any woman who declined one of his lawn signs, Mr. Ament’s behavior was abusive and borderline criminal. It showed an utter lack of respect for women throughout Irondequoit.
Therefore, FOILS, you can understand if you haven’t put me on a guilt trip, because during all this you did nothing but make this guy feel as though what he was doing was justifiable.
In fact, it looks like you DID do something. You provided us with links on your blog to some entertainment that isn’t sexist at all. How about this gem, where you make fun of Debbie Evans for her clothes. Or this one, where it would appear a “part time secretary” is not qualified to be Supervisor and – oh yeah, she dresses bad too! And apparently, according to FOILS, women can’t read either. They can just shuffle their papers and look at pictures in magazines. How sad for you FOILS.
And if you ever want to put the values of Bob Ament or the local Republican Party – which, let’s face it, you’re all about - up against my own Party, please: bring it on!! I’ll see your Sarah Palin and raise you a Hillary Clinton.
By the way, I don’t belong to IDC. I prefer to be on winning teams, and last year they got pummeled in a town that seems to be hemorrhaging Republicans by the minute.
From Mary Ellen Jones to Debbie Evans to Linda Quinlan to any woman who declined one of his lawn signs, Mr. Ament’s behavior was abusive and borderline criminal. It showed an utter lack of respect for women throughout Irondequoit.
Therefore, FOILS, you can understand if you haven’t put me on a guilt trip, because during all this you did nothing but make this guy feel as though what he was doing was justifiable.
In fact, it looks like you DID do something. You provided us with links on your blog to some entertainment that isn’t sexist at all. How about this gem, where you make fun of Debbie Evans for her clothes. Or this one, where it would appear a “part time secretary” is not qualified to be Supervisor and – oh yeah, she dresses bad too! And apparently, according to FOILS, women can’t read either. They can just shuffle their papers and look at pictures in magazines. How sad for you FOILS.
And if you ever want to put the values of Bob Ament or the local Republican Party – which, let’s face it, you’re all about - up against my own Party, please: bring it on!! I’ll see your Sarah Palin and raise you a Hillary Clinton.
By the way, I don’t belong to IDC. I prefer to be on winning teams, and last year they got pummeled in a town that seems to be hemorrhaging Republicans by the minute.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
'Foils For Irondequoit' Jealous Obsession Of Morelle Continues
The desperate housewives running the FOILS site need to do their homework. It’s amazing how people so miserable with their own lives are so threatened by people who are successful; and thus, gravitate towards complete losers like Bob Ament.
Okay, so I checked up on the AIG thing –which is suggestion #5 for birthday gifts for Joe. Turns out Joe did the right thing, and refunded the donation to AIG, not too long after he received it.
I’m sure the FOILS site knew that and elected not to share it with you (after all, these are people who spend their entire day harassing sweet Barb Genier for FOILS and scouring the internet for information.)
What the gals from FOILS also don’t want you to know is that the insurance industry probably isn’t too happy with Joe these days. Why would they be? He’s all but told them that their days of unchecked health insurance premium increases are at and end.
I only hope that Joe doesn’t pay attention to these blogs. I’m defending him here, but I would be happy if he didn’t even know this website, or FOILSFORIRONDEQUOIT for that matter, even existed. As someone who worked in politics in the past, I know that one of the first things an elected official needs to learn is to filter out the mean-spirited rabble that intends to distract them from working for the constituents they represent.
Okay, so I checked up on the AIG thing –which is suggestion #5 for birthday gifts for Joe. Turns out Joe did the right thing, and refunded the donation to AIG, not too long after he received it.
I’m sure the FOILS site knew that and elected not to share it with you (after all, these are people who spend their entire day harassing sweet Barb Genier for FOILS and scouring the internet for information.)
What the gals from FOILS also don’t want you to know is that the insurance industry probably isn’t too happy with Joe these days. Why would they be? He’s all but told them that their days of unchecked health insurance premium increases are at and end.
I only hope that Joe doesn’t pay attention to these blogs. I’m defending him here, but I would be happy if he didn’t even know this website, or FOILSFORIRONDEQUOIT for that matter, even existed. As someone who worked in politics in the past, I know that one of the first things an elected official needs to learn is to filter out the mean-spirited rabble that intends to distract them from working for the constituents they represent.
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