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Saratoga Citizen campaign finance report posted to New York Board of Elections website
The wait is over.
Charter change group Saratoga Citizen's January 2011 periodic report to the New York State Board of Elections is online. For those of you keeping score, the group was late to file by the Jan. 18 deadline.
Here is the summary:
Report pages posted below:
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule A, Individuals/Partnerships
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule B, Corporate
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule F, Expenditures/Payments
A few notes; Pat Kane estimated in an article after Judge Nolan's decision that the group had accrued $100,000 in legal expenses. The report shows only $6,000 in expenditures on legal fees.
Also, a sole corporate expenditure from Northeast Association Management, Inc., of which Brent Wilkes is president. The explanation is "Brent Wilkes", so I'm going to guess at this that this is a personal account opened through the business.
Charter change group Saratoga Citizen's January 2011 periodic report to the New York State Board of Elections is online. For those of you keeping score, the group was late to file by the Jan. 18 deadline.
Here is the summary:
Opening Balance $2,008.94
Contributions $10,460.00
Miscellaneous Receipts $.00
Total Receipts $10,460.00
Total Expenses $6,598.59
Closing Balance $5,870.35
Report pages posted below:
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule A, Individuals/Partnerships
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule B, Corporate
Saratoga Citizen Jan. 2011 periodic report - Schedule F, Expenditures/Payments
A few notes; Pat Kane estimated in an article after Judge Nolan's decision that the group had accrued $100,000 in legal expenses. The report shows only $6,000 in expenditures on legal fees.
Also, a sole corporate expenditure from Northeast Association Management, Inc., of which Brent Wilkes is president. The explanation is "Brent Wilkes", so I'm going to guess at this that this is a personal account opened through the business.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
10:38 AM
16 Comments:
Patrick
Thanks for the update on the Saratoga Citizen expenses.
www.saratogacitizen.com is set up with a Pay Pal account to accept any donations to help defray the legal expenses incurred.
As you will see we list all contributors and supporters.
Your commitment and generosity is appreciated.
We certainly had not planned on have the legal expenses that we have, but we felt compelled to follow up after the city clerk's dismissal of our petitions.
The most recent NYS Supreme Court Ruling affirmed our position.
We continue to move forward in efforts to get this referendum on a ballot very soon.
2300 voters have requested this opportunity and we will continue on.
The upcoming fundraising events will be announced soon. We are planning to have numerous events to raise funds for the legal efforts and additional materials used in education the public regarding the Charter Change Referendum.
www.saratogacitizen.com
info@saratogacitizen.com
or 580-1754
Thank you
Patrick Kane
The Judges ruling should have include damages and made the city pay the additional fees incurred by Saratoga Citizen.
The council should also get a special election going, being that they were wrong in holding it up.
The voters need it.
A five member city council limits representation in a city of over 26 sq miles made up several active neighborhood associations.
Patrick
What was the big deal here. It seems pretty straight forward to me.
I am going to send them some money.
They need our support.
The City has everything in thheir hands. They now can act like representatives of the people and stop playing these silly games and follow NY State law regarding this process. Anything less shows that these 5 will supress legal voting rights for citizens at any cost. We must remember who these people are at election time. Even if you are against this change as is your right, I would still be disgusted by this Council's dismissal of our right to vote. It would seem to me that any further delay will result in more money being spent by the City through the stubbornness of the Mayor and especially the Council as a whole.
Voters should have had this to vote on last year.
Now in an election year, the council feels like they should do something.
TOO LATE
Bring on the vote
First of all it wasn't the City Clerk who denied the request it was the Commissioner of Accounts. Saratoga Citizen initiated the lawsuit so why should the court rule they be reimbursed.If the City only spent $23,000 and Saratoga Citizen, a group of professional spent $100,000 which has not yet been confirmed does this reflect a quality organization. Now comes voter suppression. Too bad they can't play the race card as well. Desparate people do desparate things. It's about time for the Mayor to announce a Mayoral Commission and put this issue to bed ASAP. I do however respect their passion and belief in their cause No one can say the committment wasn't there.
Patrick
Thank you to the many citizens who have called today and have pledged money and support.
We have raised 300 dollars today and more pledged.
We also can be reached at
Saratoga Citizen Inc.
PO Box 728
Saratoga Springs NY 12866
www.saratogacitizen.com
It seems that the Mayor and Council are letting their power hungry egos replace their brains. They are not seeking to remedy this situation. Judge Nolan's ruling stated that Saratoga Citizen met its LAWFUL requirements under State law to put this matter before the people. However, Mayor Johnson, Mr. Franck, Mr. Ivins, Mr. Scirroco and Mr. Wirth seem to think they are above the law and a County Supreme Court Judge. This shows the respect these 5 have for the law. Why do you ask? Is there something that lies behind City Chamber doors? Is this where deals are made and are hidden from the citizens? Why would 5 men spend so much of our money to delay this? Why do they keep on delaying now? The Mayor has to approve or deny the second batch of signatures but he won’t do so, because a second denial means it will automatically get on the ballot. You have to wonder what these 5 people are thinking. It certainly isn’t following the law. They should be fined for every day they sit and delay hoping this procedure will just go away. Well it isn’t Mr. Mayor et al.
Why the city manager style,that is so corrupt,I have friends who live in NEWBURGH NEW YORK they have that form and are going threw hell,they can't get rid of the current city manager without paying him off the city has no money,deficit spending,scandals, overtaxing,don't ruin this quiet little city in the country with BIG GOVERNMENT keep it out do yourselfs a favor don't go down that road.
People seem to forget that this lawsuit was initially brought against the city by Saratoga Citizen. What is so much of our cities money. $23,000 which may be covered by insurance. After three years you would think that the financial projection presetned by Saratoga Citizen coiuld have been more realistic and not just numbers picked out of the air. We need to get on with city priorities and not be distacted by an ill-conceived plan.
The judge has spoken
We should have had an opportunity to VOTE on this last November.
A special election should be required.
I like what one blogger is putting on his posts. Anyone who thinks the same should put the phrase on every one of their postts.
"Scott Johnson and the current Council are suppressing the vote of the Saratoga Citizens that petitioned lawfully to exercise the right to vote. "
Mr Wilkes has always been in front of the room with his involvement. He is a remarkable contributor to the citizens of Saratoga Springs.
He has nothing to hide. He is contributing in something he believes in.
Lets vote folks!!
nomatoMr. Wilkes also guanteed at a Council Meeting that Saratoga Springs would save $1million a year with his new plan. That's a far cry from $30,000. Of course that's before his management company proposes that the city be self-insured through his firm.
Great point
Here is a quick snaphot of figures
We currently spend 58 Million dollars on all budgets
General is 37 Million
Water, Sewer, and City Center make up the rest.
With 82% of the 37 million dollar budget tied to labor contracts, that leaves just 6,660,000 in the general budget to affect.
The remaining budgets make up a total of 21 Million.
The grand total is 27,660,000 from which to sqeeze out 3-4% savings from cost reductions.
Improved payroll procedures?
Duplicated duties
Improved collection procedures
etc etc
Also with proper management might we also increase revenues in certain areas.
Improved collection on parking tickets alone would be a huge bonus for the city.
The number of tickets dismissed in city court by Judge Wait is enormous.
Many of these and others help improve the efficiencies of the city and change how the city is managed.
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