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Shifting blame
Francis Vecellio
Kinderhoook
I read with amusement Mayor Gary Strevell’s attempt to shift blame for the Valatie Senior Center fiasco to Kinderhook Supervisor Doug McGivney. Let’s see what would have had to occur for McGivney to have been responsible:
First, Doug would have had to force the Village Board to threaten to use an imminent domain proceeding to acquire the old post office from private developers. Then, he would have had to force village officials to sign a grant application swearing that the grant money would be used for an exclusive senior center and to not use the funds for municipal purposes – when an established senior center already exists on State Farm Road. When the rehabilitation of the post office was complete, Doug would have to have ordered the firing of the volunteer senior center coordinator and carted off the furniture donated for the center for storage in order to make room for village court equipment and furnishings. In order to flaunt the misappropriation of public funds, Doug would have had to have ordered the erection of street signs around the village directing drivers to village court at the senior center.
Does the mayor really believe anyone would buy his nonsense?
Either the mayor and Village Board were poorly advised by the village attorney, who now seeks a promotion to control town affairs, or they chose to ignore his advice and risk being caught defrauding the state and senior citizens in some other community who could have benefited from a full-time senior center.
I know for a fact that Supervisor McGivney interceded in behalf of the taxpayers of the village and encouraged state officials to find a solution which would not require the repayment of the $400,000 grant. If the mayor were a more responsible person, he would be thanking Supervisor McGivney and apologizing to village taxpayers for putting them at risk. Then again, if he were such a person, the entire episode would never have occurred.
Kinderhoook
I read with amusement Mayor Gary Strevell’s attempt to shift blame for the Valatie Senior Center fiasco to Kinderhook Supervisor Doug McGivney. Let’s see what would have had to occur for McGivney to have been responsible:
First, Doug would have had to force the Village Board to threaten to use an imminent domain proceeding to acquire the old post office from private developers. Then, he would have had to force village officials to sign a grant application swearing that the grant money would be used for an exclusive senior center and to not use the funds for municipal purposes – when an established senior center already exists on State Farm Road. When the rehabilitation of the post office was complete, Doug would have to have ordered the firing of the volunteer senior center coordinator and carted off the furniture donated for the center for storage in order to make room for village court equipment and furnishings. In order to flaunt the misappropriation of public funds, Doug would have had to have ordered the erection of street signs around the village directing drivers to village court at the senior center.
Does the mayor really believe anyone would buy his nonsense?
Either the mayor and Village Board were poorly advised by the village attorney, who now seeks a promotion to control town affairs, or they chose to ignore his advice and risk being caught defrauding the state and senior citizens in some other community who could have benefited from a full-time senior center.
I know for a fact that Supervisor McGivney interceded in behalf of the taxpayers of the village and encouraged state officials to find a solution which would not require the repayment of the $400,000 grant. If the mayor were a more responsible person, he would be thanking Supervisor McGivney and apologizing to village taxpayers for putting them at risk. Then again, if he were such a person, the entire episode would never have occurred.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
francis2 wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:48 PM:
" Just a former town board member trying to cover for his friend the supervisor who can't decide if he is for or against the Valatie Senior Center.
Strevell may amuse Francis, but he amuses all of us. Too bad he only writes letters to this paper without reading the stories McGivney is quoted in. If he did he'd undestand how ridiculous his accusations are! "
Strevell may amuse Francis, but he amuses all of us. Too bad he only writes letters to this paper without reading the stories McGivney is quoted in. If he did he'd undestand how ridiculous his accusations are! "
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slammer wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:41 AM:
The initial senior center was not fired but tendered her resignation. The furniture and equipment, purchased by the initial director, was moved out of the senior center was in such poor condition that it could not be useful, and in some cases maybe even dangerous for use by the seniors. It should also be noted once and for all, there have never been any court or Village municipal equipment or furniture placed in the Senior Center.
It is true that the Village used the building for court and Village meetings on three occasions, much like any other community that has developed senior centers funded by the OCR and use the facility for regular non- senior, municipal purposes. However, once Village officials were informed they could not conduct Village or or Court sessions in the building, the practice was stopped.
Perhaps some light should be shed on the condition of the supposed Town "Senior Center" . A review of a building report shows the existence of lead paint and asbestos. Neither of these conditions have ever been abated. Nor is the building handicapped accessible. In addition, to be a true Senior Center, meals should be a regular part of programming. That is not the case at the Town Center. It is a regular function of the Valatie Senior Center.
The Village has signed the MOU, meaning OCR accepts the facility as a Senior Center. Hopefully it will bring an end to this matter, but I doubt Mr. Vecellio or the Town will let it die. "