County lowers ethical bar with contract deal
In case you missed it, Schenectady County legislators just lowered the ethical bar to the point that it went clean through the floor and is now obviously out of sight and out of mind.
An article in the Dec. 23 Daily Gazette headlined, “County lawmakers’ pay raises now linked to CSEA bumps,” lays out details of what, despite some stiff competition, may be the most egregious example of “conflict of interest.”
It just might replace the serving of school teachers and the spouses thereof on school boards in holding top honors in that category.
The CSEA now has these legislators right where it wants them – financially incentivized to cave in to its demands, with the promise that going forward, their pay scales will match or outpace inflation.
The two lone Republican legislators offered the only opposition to this sellout.
Living in rural, next door Montgomery County, I like to think our more conservative, countrified ways provide some protection against this type of nonsense, but our history shows how quickly bad ideas can take root and spread.
This blight on responsible contract negotiations could capture the attention of some Albany Democrat under the influence of downstate, become a state mandate and spread quicker than Northern Corn Leaf Blight in one of our cornfields.
Gordon F. Schaufelberg
Amsterdam
Lowering bridges is not answer to strikes
As someone that lives in very close proximity to the Maple Avenue bridge, I would like to share a differing opinion of the possible solutions.
I was at home during the explosion and do not ever want a repeat of that night. I left my home not knowing if it would still be there when I was able to return.
Fortunately, and a huge thanks to the first responders, my house was unharmed. We are so very lucky there wasn’t more damage or injuries.
Many people, including the town supervisor, think the solution is to raise both bridges. If that is even possible, it would likely take years to accomplish.
These large trucks have no business being on these roads to start with. We are residential -- families live here, and the speed limit is 35.
We have lived in this house for 39 years, and this was never a problem until the GPS system was introduced. Trucks got by for years using the proper roads.
There needs to be a mandate that trucks must have a commercial GPS or they do not get on the road.
There should also be a bar installed well before the bridge for them to hit and know it is the end of the road for them.
I am aware that would require working with the county and /or state, but it must be easier than trying to sue two railroads.
The only other solution is to finally close the roads to large trucks.
Donna Palmer
Glenville
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