Do As I Say - Not As I Do !

August 14, 2008

 It may sound cliche but — history does tend to repeat itself.  Just look through the old archives of the Press Republican and you will see many instances of history replaying itself today.  What do the lay-offs of the early 1990’s in th City of Plattsburgh and the lay-offs of March 2007 have in common?  The answer:  Donald Kasprzak and Cynthia Lasher-Graham. 

In the early 1990’s Kasprzak was a city Councilor known for his hot-headed outbursts at Common Council meetings and his personal desire to single-handedly break-up city unions and dismantle the Fire Department.  Cynthia Lasher-Graham on the other hand –was the city’s Chief Fiscal officer who had a disdain for men in positions of power.  Some describe her as maniacal and manipulative.

In looking back at the layoffs that occurred in the City of Plattsburgh in 1990 and comparing them to the lay-offs of 2007 one striking similarity sticks out like a sore thumb — Kasprzak was a City Councilor during the 1990 layoffs and then Mayor during the 2007 layoffs — Lasher-Graham was the city’s Chief Fiscal Officer in 1990 and was again serving in the capacity as Chief Fiscal Officer on an interim basis during the 2007 lay-offs.  Some say the combination of the two  together was double double toil and trouble — for city taxpayers that is.

During both lay-offs 1990 and 2007 the Common Council held illegal executive sessions to discuss who would have their positions abolished.  The NYS Open Meetings Law prohibits governing bodies from entering executive sessions to discuss layoffs — as the law states the issue of lay-offs is a matter of public concern as it deals directly with how taxpayer money will be spent.

Not sure what the point of this is Liberty, but, in these tough economic times tough decisions have to be made. As bad as it sounds, cuts have to be made. Did you read any of the articles about MLD? What a joke, they have been screwing the City for years and when the Mayor finally called them on it they cry like babies! I know I am not alone in thinking like this either. MLD and the Fire Dept. should be ashamed of themselves. 

I think the Lake Forest issue was discussed throughly in another thread on here.. 

And I would love to know the "sources" for that article! It looks like it was posted from another site.

Kibbles both of these articles were posted from the moderator of another local website. After only about 30 min of research into these claims I discovered that this is all true. I also am inclined to agree with you about the MLD they not only have been taking advantage of all of us but its next to impossible to get any service when you go in. It is not for these people that I posted this information. There is a gentlemen down at the police department with the title of parking enforcement officer, I don’t personally know him but have met him. Last year as you may recall the city of Plattsburgh installed several traffic cameras. They are choosing to fund these worthless cameras instead of a part time human being. Now I don’t like parking tickets but why should this guy loose his job to locally unproven technology? Or the fact that our broke city is still looking to “invest” several thousand dollars into a local community based website. We already have one its called Plattsburgh pipeline. Why, especially in these times, should the city be tiring to compete in an area in which they have haven’t even entered before. This is just my opinion but I would rather they support who ever runs this site locally and save themselves some capital they don’t have. I also wanted to stir up a debate because we haven’t had a good one on here in a while. The information is interesting and pertinent in these times especially. I found all of this very interesting and wasn’t aware that bring things back to the light was taboo. Kibbles I look forward to hearing from you again. I also recommend that you do a little research and find this information on your own, it feels good. Kibbles have a Merry Christmas.

Liberty, I just want to correct you on a few things so you know the truth. Now, whether you believe me or not that is not my decision. First, the traffic cams in our City are not funded by our taxes, they were part of a grant. Second, in regards to the parking enforcement person: Do you remember when Police Officers used to go out and give parking tickets? I sure do, and they STILL do in this City. The fact is, the parking enforcement persons job does not bring in revenue CLOSE to their salary. It is a matter of numbers Liberty! In these tough economic times, as bad as it sounds, jobs have to be cut. I would rather have it start now and try to stop the bleeding then see lots of people lose them in the future. You are probably saying it is easy for me to say since it is not my job being lost but during this time of the year it is very tough even to read about jobs being cut. It is a nationwide and statewide problem (I read your other posts and I agree 100%) Third, about the articles. I just want you to know (and I am NOT going to identify myself) but the first article you posted is completely false. I am not going to say anymore than that but just trust me. You may not choose to believe me but that is the honest truth. I would ask that you post where you researched these article because it interests me. All I have to say to you is that both of those articles are slanted in a certain direction... I will let you figure out the rest since you are a smart person! 

As I have said before this site is awesome and I like talking with you on here! It seems like it is just you and I always posting back and forth :) I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

-Kibbles I just want you to know I will always listen to your opinion.  I always enjoy our little discussions.  Grants come from taxes by the way...You know rob from Peter to give to Paul.  You know if some of these people were not so greedy and decided to take a pay cut and handle this like responcible adults some of these people would not loose their jobs.  In this I am talking about both elected officals and city employees.  By the way I don't know if you have noticed but all news is slanted in some way, not just what I have posted.  All of this money from grants comes from somewhere ie my taxes.  Maybe some day we will get a debate going well enough that some other people will choose to have their voices heard as well.  I'm not old enough to remember when police issued tickets and just as well because serving the public and fining the public are two very different things.  It really is time we started to severly limit government on all levels to what was originally intended. 

Liberty, I couldn't agree more on a lot of what you just posted! I am sure lots of people read what we post and also your posts from Dr. Paul. I hope everyone has a great holiday and I hope to see more people posting in the New Year!

Kibble, The position of Parking Enforcement Officer is a valid position in the city. It provides much revenue for the city. And it is cost effective contrary to what people say. Find out how much revenue the tickets he wrote were compared to his salary. And then find out what the city ACTUALLY collected in fines.  And do you really expect a Patrol Officer to be able to enforce parking violations on top of the rest of his/her normal daily activities. I am sorry but parking tickets would probably be the last thing on his/her mind. There are always ways to cut expenses, but the city should not cut the hand that actually works at getting the city money consistently. You take the PEO off the streets that means a Patrol Officer is stuck doing it when he/she could be actually assisting with an emergency that they are needed at. You don’t cut Public Safety/Fire Control budgets. That just never made sense to me. Unless John Q public likes knowing fewer officers are on the road to protect them. 

Oldrtg, nice to see a new poster on the pipeline! This site is great and there is a lot of useful information on here. While you bring up some great points, you may want to think about somethings. The parking enforcement position does not bring in much revenue to the City. You may think it does (since this person is very, let me think of a nice word, strict) about giving tickets downtown; but it is a matter of numbers. Why do you think the position is being cut? If it brought in so much money, why cut it? Better yet, ask that councilor Carpenter to add more enforcement officers instead of suggesting another $100,000 city position. 

Trust me, our officers are the best of the best and they can multitask. They will work it out so that they are all not on parking duty.. It is just like how any other City balances their Police force. In fact, they will work how they did BEFORE the PEO (as you call it) was added, probably with some modifications. It is sad to say oldrtg, but, think of it this way. Why is there so much discussion about say the Fire budget. Are you telling me they should get EVERYTHING they want? Come on! There has to be discretion economically on all levels: Nationwide, statewide, and locally.