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Skip Scirocco is a Republican
No, Department of Public Works Commissioner Skip Scirocco is not switching party affiliations.
But, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise this morning when Joe Dalton, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce told me that rumor had it, Scirocco was about to jump the GOP ship.
So, when I attended this afternoon's launch of Scott Murphy's congressional camapaign, I asked around a bit. All the Democrats there had heard the rumor, but none could confirm that there was any truth behind it. City Democratic Chairman Allen Turkheimer did have a hinting glint in his eye when he told me that Skid hadn't talked to him *yet.*
Scirocco has sided with Democrat Ron Kim on a number of issues -- but not all issues. Given his stance against GOP Mayor Scott Johnson on some issues, Scirocco switching parties wouldn't come as the biggest surprise, but it also doesn't seem neccessary, Scirocco has several accomplishments that he can point to in his reelection campaign, including new steps on City Hall, fixing the drainage on Nelson Avenue, South Broadway's new look, the newly-demolished Getty gas station (also on South Broadway) and yes, even with Thomas McTygue out of office, the streets have been cleared every time it snowed.
To put the rumor to the ultimate test, I asked Skip himself. His answer was a resounding "no." He pointed out that he's been a republican in all of his elected positions, and saw no reason to change.
So then we get to the question of why Dalton was spreading rumors, that apparently have legs enough to make it to most of the city's Democrats.
Are the higher-GOP powers getting sick of a commissioner who doesn't vote with his party-mates?
But, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise this morning when Joe Dalton, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce told me that rumor had it, Scirocco was about to jump the GOP ship.
So, when I attended this afternoon's launch of Scott Murphy's congressional camapaign, I asked around a bit. All the Democrats there had heard the rumor, but none could confirm that there was any truth behind it. City Democratic Chairman Allen Turkheimer did have a hinting glint in his eye when he told me that Skid hadn't talked to him *yet.*
Scirocco has sided with Democrat Ron Kim on a number of issues -- but not all issues. Given his stance against GOP Mayor Scott Johnson on some issues, Scirocco switching parties wouldn't come as the biggest surprise, but it also doesn't seem neccessary, Scirocco has several accomplishments that he can point to in his reelection campaign, including new steps on City Hall, fixing the drainage on Nelson Avenue, South Broadway's new look, the newly-demolished Getty gas station (also on South Broadway) and yes, even with Thomas McTygue out of office, the streets have been cleared every time it snowed.
To put the rumor to the ultimate test, I asked Skip himself. His answer was a resounding "no." He pointed out that he's been a republican in all of his elected positions, and saw no reason to change.
So then we get to the question of why Dalton was spreading rumors, that apparently have legs enough to make it to most of the city's Democrats.
Are the higher-GOP powers getting sick of a commissioner who doesn't vote with his party-mates?
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
6:13 PM
10 Comments:
Skip Scirocco's a Republican.
So's John Franck.
Joe Dalton's full of hot air, and Jasper Nolan has lost his grip.
Joe Bruno's a felon.
Scott Johnson's a fugitive (at least when it comes to sticking around Saratoga Springs in February).
Jim Tedisco's a loser.
None of this is news, but sometimes it's useful to point out the obvious.
it's because scott johnson, and ken ivins are so arrogant, that the only way a member of their party would disagree with them is, of course they must be changing parties.... it's not because they're spending money the city doesn't have which will amount to double digit tax increases next year. keep dipping into the surplus funds gentleman....
What people don't understand here in Saratoga is it doesn't matter if you are democrat or republican. It's not about the party, it's about people. Are the elected working for the people? Do they represent us the taxpayers best interests? In the case of Commissioner Scirocco that is certainly the case. He looks to see what's best for saratogians and works to the best of his ability to improve our everyday lives as citizens. He took over a tough job and has handled it well. He deserves another term to continue his progress. He'll get my vote whether he's a republican or a democrat.
Can't we all just get along? Here's an idea. Take all the money for the REC Center and The Public Safety building and put it in one pot. Take half and give it back to the taxpayer. This will get all of the council re-elected. Make a city job position like a city manager. All council members appoint this person and answer to this person. Get rid of the deputies and use that money to pay this CEO of the city. This way we have someone who makes the final call on things. The council will still be elected to oversee operation. No elction for charter change that confuses the public. Just a Boaed of Director type set up to over see the boss. If the boss screws up they can him.
Scirocco is doing a good job. I don't care what party he belongs to.
Ivins is over his head big time. His budget will prove to be a disaster. Meanwhile all he's worried about is his July 4th re-election rally in the Park.
And guess what! This year it is being financed by the taxpayers for the first time ever. Ivins can't even get off he duff and raise the money so he taved us for it.
The mayor and his deputy are out of touch. He can't read the Public Officers Law. The economy is in the tank and the deputy wants a tour boat on Saratoga Lake,
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Franck has come up with the great idea of taking away the Veterans exemption to pay for the mayor's indoor rec.
Franck, Ivins and Johnson are the poster boys for a new form of government.
anon 5:47:
July Fourth is not a budget item, it will be paid for by donations, as it was last year. The reason there is a July 4 line item on the budget is to allow the city receive donated funds.
This is the first I've heard about a tour boat on Saratoga Lake, but please email me directly if you have more information about it: abernstein@saratogian.com
As for the veteran's exemption, Franck did not take it away, the change on this year's tax bills was due to the state's equalization rate, which is out of his hands. Please see my story on the topic for the complete picture:
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/02/13/news/doc4994ee28dcd02451378346.txt
Andrew is wrong, there is taxpayer money in this year's budget for the Park event. Check Ivins' budget.
Also, the Equalization Rate is based on local assessment practices. As Franck has frozen assessments, the ER has come down and the Veterans Exemption has diminished and as Franck himself said, over 400 vets will pay more in City taxes even though there was no increase in the tax rate.
Franck can put all the spin on this he wants. He screwed up.
Thank you Andrew for the clarifications, please remember the truth means nothing to these people they only want to get the people elected. Lying and or distortions means nothing to them. The end justifies the means.
anon 9:52:
Excuse me, after reviewing the 2009 budget, I realized that I was wrong, and there are $4,000 in the budget for the July 4th celebration.
I spoke to Ivins today, who said that his hope is to fundraise that money, and to therefore avoid expending the tax payer dollars.
Please excuse me for the mistake.
well, if the event went anything like last year, there will be no volunteers and the city will have to foot the bill
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