Neither Reed nor town board members could give specific reasons for the drop — $1 million last year alone — but cited increasing costs and difficult financial times.This, of course, is all hogwash. The Town has been spending like drunken sailors on shore leave. . . . and it would have spent more had some Concerned Citizens not raised an uproar.
Reed, who took office in 2006. said he had known the fund balance had gone down, but hadn’t realized things were that bad.Excuses . . . And Mr. Reed will use his incompetence as an excuse to spend even more on a full time Chief Financial Officer . . . not that one will make any difference since the Town spent well into the six-figures for Mr. Basile's accounting expertise and well into the six figures for Mr. Green's legal expertise and still finds itself in this mess. And where was the Town Board in all this? Simply Rubber Stamping whatever they were told to do?
“In my years in the private sector, I always had a strong (chief financial officer),” he said. “My forte is not accounting.”
Having high-priced help at your fingertips does no good if you have no common sense, are lazy, and arrogant.
Unfortunately, the Town gets what it deserves. Until enough residents get off their butts, run for office, circulate petitions, show up at meetings and squawk, those who have something to gain by having connections with town government will place their minions into the open slots. And town government will continue to be run for the benefit of those who will profit rather than for the good of the people.
17 comments:
I have been an advocate for a Town Manager for many years. Budgets, finances, employment, HR issues, are to complex for the average part time good guy neighbor. Years ago when you just hand full of issue, a couple of police cars, no environmental issues,no parks,etc etc. it was a nice part time job. But no longer can the Towns this large expect someone to be an expert in all Town activities. To hire multitudes of specialists is not the answer and just to expensive. One person with a strong municipal government, and financial background would be the way to go.
Possibly a Town Manager would be the way to go.
Of course, for me, I think the Town should simply become another part of Utica. NH Town "fathers" have been trying to make NH a city for years. . . . only duplicating what is next door, and eliminating the "suburb" that people moved to NH for.
Utica provided enough government for 100,000 people -- and that is about what is left in Utica+NH+Whitestown now. One government for all three to me is a no-brainer.
Interesting idea Strikeslip.
You should maybe throw-in Oriskany, Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion and any other "burg" or "boro" within 15-20 miles to boot, rename-rebrand the whole package, and clean up this mess once and for all. How much longer can this nonsense go on???
Strikeslip surely jests. New Hartford people may be fat and lazy when it comes to government involvement but they are not stupid. The incompetency and corruption in NH pales to that of Utica. Why, Utica produces so called leaders who can't produce two coherent sentences together." One goverment for three" sounds good but is an undesirable, pipe dream given Utica and its political players.
On the other hand, reform will come to New Hartford since Erale Reed is unquestionably the worst Supervisor in the history of the Town. Even the rich,fat lazy New Hartfordians now recognize the need fopr serious change.
Hahahahaha! Don't make me laugh so hard, it hurts!
New Hartford residents won't do a damned thing! This November, earl and company will be re-elected in landslide numbers because they will force their peons to vote in record numbers. And any viable opponent will be slaughtered at the polls, giving the earl read supporters reason to further blast any opposition, e.g. wrg555
The citizens of the Town of New Hartford need to make their outrage be heard before it is too late. It is not too late to stop the unnecessary hemorrhaging of their reserve funds. It is of no surprise that, with the mismanagement of the Town of New Hartford, it now finds itself in financial turmoil. Blaming the spending down of its reserve funds on the present global economic recession is simply a copout. They are spending as if the total Town’s elected officials are all “Lame Ducks” trying to line as many pockets as they can before they find themselves out of office. But the people of New Hartford deserves better from their elected officials.
To hire a Town Manager could provide the professionalism this town needs only if this manager will be exempt from the corrupt, incompetent and a politically motivated Town council. I feel that outsourcing the management of the town may be in order now. Many years ago I interviewed for an Urban Management position with an International Management Corporation. This Corporation would manage any company, government or nonprofit that found itself in trouble. They explained that they have managed U.S. and foreign government subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, transportation facilities (railroad stations and airports) in addition to professional sports complex stratums. The corporation assembles professional management teams to temporarily takeover day to day operations as a result of a sudden departure of top management personnel. The cost of this outsourced management corporate team is NOT cheap, but their fees would seem rather reasonable compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars incompetently or corruptly squandered by the elected leaders managing the affairs of the Town of New Hartford.
Mr. Reed derives from a corporate background. He should have assembled his professional management entourage some time ago. Instead we find the leadership flamboyantly skirting legal regulations and mismanaging public funds. Regardless of the present recession’s economic climate, with respect to New Hartford’s considerable tax base, their bottom line should be the envy of every upstate community. But public apathy can be just as deadly as an ailing person who refuses professional medical treatment.
Aside from incorrectly spelling Earle Reed's name, the person commenting on a future election appears to be suspect of the democratic process. If New Hartford voters reelect Reed,the process will have spoken.Language that speaks of "peons" and "forced" votes exposes a disdain for the foundation of the democracy so unique to our country and area. How should we select our representatives? By awarding the job to the all knowing bloggers?
I am flattered that you agree with me, otherwise you would have posted a more intelligent response without the personal attacks. Maybe you should spend less time ASSuming and more time learning... :-)
I guess Mr.or Ms.Swimmy was a little off. Earle Reed is not standing for re-election.
I guess you are confused, until May 19, 2009, mr. reed WAS. So when my original comment was made, on May 14, 2009, I was correct.
I guess you should spend less time being a coward and attempting to be smart because you're only missing the point and demonstrating your own short comings.
Thank you for playing "What an Idiot anonymous is!" We appreciated the brief entertainment you have provided! :-)
I guess being right for a vey brief time instead of taking a deep breath and waiting for the matter to play out is prefered by some. Writers who use words as, "idiot" and "coward" in place of thought and accuracy should not be taken seriously. It is a mistake to even acknowlege them no matter how tempting.
Funny thing is that you didn't have any idea until AFTER it was announced. Nice try though. :-)
Cowards hiding behind anonymity should be given zero credibility. For if anything they had to say was worthwhile they wouldn't be afraid to put a recognizable signature to it. Sorry you don't like the truth, just call it as it is. :-)
Ms. or Mr. Swimmy must be reclusive. It was known by virtually all aware of what was going on in New Hartford that Reed was not going to run. He and the board knew of this mess and others long before the publicity. Plus, this whole anonymity issue is very funny. I guess Swimmy is a real name? Finally, since some are a bit unhinged and tend to be personal attack types, anonymity is actually necessary. But, I'll forsake mine. Signed, Drownny
Hahahahahahaha! There you go making me laugh again. If any of what you just said were true, you would been quick to post otherwise BEFORE it became public. But nice try.
As for anonymity, well, it's the anonymity that creates the personal attacks, hence "drownny" and the other poor attempts to attack me.
You still agree with me about what I said, seeing as how you chose to attack me rather than address what I said with any merit. :-)
Hey, Ms.or Mr. Swimmy, who cares whether or not someone agrees or disagrees with you? Perhaps you think just a little too much of yourself.
OK Folks ... Lets stop the personal mudslinging and stick to the issues ... or I will zap your comments.!
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