Library prepares for project bids Saturday, March 29, 2008 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — The long-planned project to expand and repair the main branch of the Schenectady County library will go out to bid in May, with expectations that construction could begin in June, officials said.
However, the county legislators who hold the purse strings on the $7.7 million project could still delay construction if bids come in too high.
“My position and that of the majority is that we absolutely have to see the cost. We have to see how much we need to borrow and what the repayment terms will be,” said county Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, chairman of the Legislature’s Library Committee.
Nonetheless, Hughes, who serves as the Legislature’s liaison to the library’s Board of Trustees, said his personal view is “we should move forward with the project. There is a commitment of private dollars.”
The county itself faces a budget shortfall of at least $5 million looking at 2009. Legislators are seeking ways to reduce costs and increase revenues without resorting to tax increases; some have discussed delaying the start of several major construction projects, such as the library expansion, as a way to reduce costs next year. There is also talk about closing library branches and reducing nonmandated services.
“There are legislators who feel we should delay, but we need to know how much the library project will cost,” Hughes said.
The county Legislature would provide $5.7 million toward the project, paid through bonds. The library board and Friends of the Library have raised about $2 million in private donations since the project was announced four years ago.
Library Director Andrew Kulmatiski said, “The goal is go out to bid in May and, if they get everything done, break ground in July.”
Kulmatiski said bid estimates may come in lower than expected based on current economic conditions. “Material costs are high, but builders are hungry for work,” he said.
Esther Swanker, president of the trustees, said county officials have neither firmly committed for or against the project. “They are saying let’s get the bids in,” she said.
Hughes said the library desperately needs repairs. “If we had a great building that was well maintained we could make the argument we not expand it, but status quo is not something we can deal with,” he said. “You have to upgrade and replace building systems that are 30 years old; the majority of the building is in bad shape.”
Engberg Anderson Design Partnerships of Milwaukee, Wis., prepared the final design. It calls for the addition of 9,000 square feet to the first floor of the 37-year-old building at Clinton and Liberty streets. While this is less than the originally proposed 15,000-square-foot expansion, the new design contains double the space for the children’s room, a small cafe, a performance center and a private reading room. It also retains the building’s architectural look through the use of brick and precast and poured concrete.
The design will remove the protruding semi-circular McChesney Room from the library’s Clinton Street side and make the entire wall flush. Library officials will rename another area the McChesney Room.
The Schenectady Heritage Foundation, a volunteer preservationist group, opposes the demolition of the McChesney Room. The group believes the library’s current configuration is historically significant architecture that should be preserved.
Foundation members said the American Institute of Architects named the county library as one of the 100 most architecturally important structures built in the state in the 20th century.
The library project, launched in 2004, has undergone several design revisions. The major change occurred in 2007 when county Legislature Chairman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, balked at the building’s exterior design and plans to add a second entrance from the rear parking lot.
Construction is expected to take 16 to 18 months. The work would be performed in phases, which would allow the library to remain open during most of the construction.
What a County! Magically, the $16-24 MILLION County deficit is now, according to the Gazette, a mere $5 Million. Is anyone checking anything at that paper? First they don't know a BILLION from a million. Now this.
The good news is that Gary Hughes is the spokesman for this insane "plan". He was the only one to speak for Mr. Kosiur's lucrative lob hire and will always defends government waste and inaction. Look at the State St Streetscape. The Downtown Library is just fine. The $2 Million in private donations should be used for routine repairs. The award winning architecture of the library must be preserved. This site is rallying the opposition to another Democratic white elephant.
This is not the time to start a multi-million dollar taxpayer bonded building project. If started the deficit will more than double. Stop hiding behind Mr. Hughes, who just won re-election, unopposed. The fact that it is even going to bid is an outrage. At a time when massive cuts must be a priority, we get this? Will someone at the County take the lead in shelving this?
Daily Gazette article Wednesday, April 30, 2008 http://www.dailygazette.com/ See HTML Version of article By Kathleen Moore Main branch of Schenectady library to close for 18 months
SCHENECTADY — The main branch of the Schenectady County library system will be closed for 18 months during an expansion project, a library trustee said.
John Karl said no one knew that the library would be closed until clerk of the works Anthony Ward took a look at the plans two weeks ago.
“He said this design would not be practical to achieve without closing the library for 18 months,” Karl said. “When he saw the plans, he said, ‘We can’t keep it open.’”
County Legislator Karen Johnson confirmed the library will have to be closed, although she declined to say how long the closure would last. That won’t be announced until the county has come up with a solution, she said.
“None of us saw this coming,” she added, “but we should have. We’re talking about HVAC, electricity. ... There will be times the building will be without electricity.”
Karl said the project simply cannot go forward with such a long closure.
“Closing the library for that period of time would be unacceptable,” he said.
But he and others seem to have reconciled themselves to the fact and are looking for ways to minimize the effects of the closure.
“The branches are not suitable to absorb much at all of our programs and services,” Karl said.
So the Friends of the Library and library staff met Tuesday night to discuss temporary library sites downtown.
“We were offered the top floor of the Carl Company building from Proctors,” Karl said.
He added that the county estimates it would cost $500,000 to make that space usable, particularly with Internet access, which is one of the library’s most popular services.
Karl said the group also discussed using the Annie Schaffer Senior Center, which has been closed for four years and might need substantial work.
“We’re trying to keep the services downtown,” he said. “A majority of the people who access our library are people who live in and around the area. Many of them come on foot. That’s a big concern — we have 1,400 people a day, what are you going to do with them?”
Schenectady; Come for the Crack, Stay for the Hoes.
Another reason to end this foolishness. They should have known this from Day One. Now County "Leaders" want to waste another $500,00 for a temporary Downtown site. You can't make this up. Another idiotic idea to waste County taxpayer money but not one word on cuts to end the deficit. Here's a better solution spend $10 on a sign pointing to the Woodlawn or Nisky branches.
Not to mention that the whole point of the library project is expansion, and (unless Mr. Waite has deployed some incredibly advanced dimension-bending technologies), the entire Big House building probably doesn't contain the useable square footage of the present library building. . .
how many square feet does the library need? The basement is redone probably 8000-9000 sq ft, there is at least 9000 sq feet at the ground level and I would assume the top two floors have a combined sq footage of 15000-18000
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common. -John Locke, 1690
The new library is going to be 36,461. This includes a new performance and meeting space and cafe. Why does there need to be a performance space in a library, can't they collaborate with proctors or the 440 arts building?
Good question-but I've walked past the Big House building, and I've walked past the library, and I doubt that the current two library floors (OK, say 1 and 1/2, as the second floor is kindof balcony style) would fit within 4 floors of the Big House. You might be able to find that information in the existing thread on the new library project: http://www.schenectadyny.info/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1104399868/s-58/highlight-library/#num58
Oh, yeah, while we're on the subject: the Friends of the Library Book Sale is this Saturday, starting at 9:00. . .but the line starts forming at 8:00. All proceeds are spent on books, and it is a great opportunity to acquire some books of your own for not a lot of cash. Also a really AMAZING pheonomenon to observe. The clientele is fascinating, and the completely volunteer organized and operated sale is a great tribute to the spirit of Schenectadians.
This insane library expansion is another typical half baked Schenectady County production. The library trustees do not know the library is closing for 18 months? The County Legislature is in the dark. Bids have not been submitted but the People's Gazette says it will be "around" $7.7 MILLION. The County taxpayer will contribute at least $5 MILLION. This has not been included in the County Deficit which is "around" $15 million. Ms. Swanker should resign today. Does anyone have any business sense or leadership on the Library Trustees? This needless expansion will destroy the architectural integrity of the Central Library should be canned. This is not the time for a costly, over $10 MILLION expansion, for a coffeehouse and more private office space.
Meanwhile we look to Amsterdam and Gloversville which have libraries over 100 years old, built by the Carnegie Family and don't need an expensive expansion. This lack of routine maintenance excuse forwarded again by Vince is complete hogwash. There is a huge custodial staff at the County that has been doing the routine work. Also dispute the 1,400 visitors a day at the Downtown Branch. How many are staff or students on mandatory visits? The traffic is so great that the poor hot dog vendor is lucky to sell 2 hot dogs to the lunchtime "masses". We are being okey doked and hoodwinked again.
interesting, so no one knew it would close for 18 mos until this week?
/public sector coffee lounge? /how bout treadmills for the fleshies instead? /connect to an alternator and battery for energy generation. /where are the ebooks, p2p, and etc? why dead trees on shelves?
Unofficial Customer Service Help Desk For City of Schenectady At the Daily-Soviet-Gazette, It Reads You Welcome to Schenectady, GMT -200 yrs and -5 hrs. Who is this Todd? Joe 'the Vote Machine' Allen, 07/2008 Welcome to Schenectady, Socialism for the Connected (tm), and Capitalism for Everyone Else
The cafe really fries my onions. I debated that ad nausea and it is still there. It didn't work in Saratoga and it won't work here.
I was even privately told by those in the know that it will become filled with bookstacks eventually and closed. Nothing like wasting the taxpayers' money Sue Savage! Thanks!
Of course I voted against the expansion unless totally funded through private donations. Of course having our "wealthy" county government running it means it will be done the way the Chair wants it done and THE CONTRACTORS will be hired with the "Chair's" money, not the Friends of the Library's money. Of course the Friends of the Library doesn't have a political action committee for contractors, architects and engineers to kick back to! Too bad that the Friend's couldn't, with their common sense approach, be able to choose the final design and implementation...now it is in the hands of the Democrat bigwigs...
Thanks Joe. The cafe/coffeehouse is a slap in the face to both taxpayers and Downtown merchants that are just scrapping by. The Library is such a great help to business traffic Downtown? Let's open up a cafe and deprive merchants of coffee and sandwich trade? The Democrats probably have an unemployed caterer they have to put on the payroll.
The County Board is in the dark and the Library Trustees are in the dark. Who's running this "project"? Does anyone have cost or funding info? The funniest part is that all library employees must be placed in the branches. Lord forbid someone is temporarily laid off or worse, horror of horrors, must find private sector employment. During a recession, facing the worst County deficit in history, no one can stand up for the County Taxpayers? This isn't even half baked. Anyone who still supports this white elephant is finished in politics.
"the Friends of the Library Book Sale is this Saturday, starting at 9:00."
Thanks Kathryn, I didn't know that. I Have ... had ... wanted to go to one of these, but it's always a conflict with a short day before work and looks to be again. Then there is the difficulty getting another pile of books past my wife and into our tiny house, but looks like she'll be out of town Saturday, so maybe I'll give it a try --Hee Hee!
          "American consumers might benefit if lenders provided greater mortgage product alternatives to the traditional fixed-rate mortgage." --Greenspan, Feb. 2004
"It is the silence of the world that is real. Our noise, our business, our purposes, and all our fatuous statements about our purposes, our business, and our noise: these are the illusion." -Merton
Then there is the difficulty getting another pile of books past my wife and into our tiny house, but looks like she'll be out of town Saturday, so maybe I'll give it a try --Hee Hee!
Oh, the temptation when one knows where she walks the dogs......
I'll behave - I promise to behave - I really really will...
I Have ... had ... wanted to go to one of these, but it's always a conflict with a short day before work and looks to be again.
Well, if you can drag yourself out of bed in order to observe the opening at 9:00, it is worth the trip. Quite a people-watching opportunity. However, I would not want to encourage you to create disharmony in your household. . . maybe just one or two really little books? Oh, yeah (sometimes I am very slow). Have in this case, unless that desire is vanished entirely. Present perfect, I believe.
Quoted from benny salami: ... Here's a better solution spend $10 on a sign pointing to the Woodlawn or Nisky branches.
The library patrons will likely find closed signs on the door since the hours were cut at several of the branch locations.
I have been unable to ascertain who the contractor is who will be awarded this considerable and lucrative contract. Has anyone heard?
If the plans do include the construction of a performance arts studio and a cafe, they need to be revised. As adaptly stated, the need does not exist for either with the space at Proctor's Theater and Bow Tie Cinemas located only a few short blocks away. Once the Borders Book Store (or some other national chain) comes to downtown State Street, as so many have predicted, there will no doubt be a internet cafe with wireless broadband availability.
Finally, if we consider the lengthy project delays associated with the Big House (er, 411 State Street), Bombers, etc, the 18 month schedule will become years and the preject overruns will mount. Recall that familiar phrase "gut rehab" offered by those who are "familiar with construction" as reasons for delays and cost increases.
The county is awash with debt and a unprecedented budget deficit predicted for 2009. We cannot afford projects such as this at this time and in this economic climate.
The fleecing of Schenectady County taxpayers continues ...
The closed signs will not be out at any of the branches. That's the problem. The first order of business is to extend hours and add Sunday hours to many branches. Taxpayers be damned, common sense out the window. The only branch facing any cut is Duanesburg, where the needed addition has been nixed. This is the only branch that should have been expanded.
The 1,400 a day Downtown is a completely bogus made up number. How many are staff or students on school tours? A contractor has not been named, look to Democratic contributor lists to see who will be named. This addition is not even half baked, the fact that even the People's Gazette is now against it speaks volumes. Call your County legislator Monday and demand that he or she publicly state their opposition to any taxpayer funded expansion. We cannot afford this.
In regards to the library project. One thought that is nagging me is how the current gas prices are uncertain. How doe that effect things? Transport of materials to this project will be skyrocketing the provider has to add that to maintain their profit margin. There is no way there won't be cost overruns of significant impact.
With our current county debt this project should be scrapped.
Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank Some people don't get it, will never get it, and don't care to..... "Individually we are one drop.  Together we are an ocean." -Ryunosuke Satoro
But the moderates all voted Democrat because of the war in Iraq, so you only have one party left to make decisions and they run that party through a dictatorship, so you will take what they give you. Won't you?
The costs estimates put out by the People Gazette are completely bogus. They are guessing that bids will fall in the $8 million dollar range. No bids have been opened yet. Not only gas but all raw buildings materials and the cost to transport them have gone way up. Hopefully, some elected Democrat legislators will follow Democrat Magid lead in expressing no confidence in this needless expansion. The 18 month closure is one issue. The record County deficit with no spending controls is another. Whatever the reason the rush to build is avoidable.
Stick a fork in the Library addition it's done. The letters really crack me up. There not worried about the record County deficit or the exploding costs for this unnecessary addition, the only concern is for the closure. Where is the concern for the taxpayer? Where is the concern for the economic future of this County? What are they willing to cut to finance this? Crickets chirping...dead silence.
Talked to one cheerleader who stated that we must maintain our edge in libraries. Like we should care if someone takes a book out in Albany County? Phony patrons, phony ginned up usage, phony cost estimates. 1,400 people a day and the place is empty. Bring back the bookmobile! Performance space...another one? Coffeehouse...to complete with private businesses barely scrapping by? This "plan" needs to be trashed not put off until after County elections. Any County Legislator still for this insane addition need to stop hiding and make their views public.
No one has heard anything about the sale of the Mohawk Valley Library branch in Rotterdam? There is certainly activity occurring around the area. Is this yet another case of non-disclosure in which our county government and/or the Metroplex is complicit?
Rotterdam is the only GOP town. It should not surprise anyone if land around the Rotterdam branch is sold to help fund the unnecessary Downtown library addition. Duanesburg, that most needs an addition, is also subject to political monkey business.
Despite an avalanche of bad publicity the powers that be still want to close the Downtown library for 18 months and go ahead with the most costly plan. With the coffeehouse, with the performance space, with the new doors that nobody wants. The Friends of the Library have been okey doked and hoodwinked. They are good people that put all their eggs in one broken basket.
I am a regular library user and I can tell you that the Schenectady Public Library is not that cutting edge. I don't know much about research but just from a general reading perspective other county libraries have a better, larger selection of current books. So losing our cutting edge should not be an issue.
Quoted from benny salami: Rotterdam is the only GOP town. It should not surprise anyone if land around the Rotterdam branch is sold to help fund the unnecessary Downtown library addition. Duanesburg, that most needs an addition, is also subject to political monkey business. ...
Allow me to clarify. I am not referring to the Rotterdam branch of the Schenectady County Library system. That is located on North Westcott Street. I am referring to the Mohawk Valley Library System location at 858 Duanesburg Road.
"The Mohawk Valley Library System is a cooperative public library system serving the fourteen independent public libraries of Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, and Schoharie counties. "
The MVLS provides services in support of the public libraries.
Why is it that lately anything good the county tries to do has such bad repercussions.
Closing the main branch of the library for 18 months at the least is ludicrous. That no one either knew or would reveal this situation until recently is doubly ludicrous.
And not to mix threads, but the Brandywine School fire gave the county the perfect opportunity to locate DSS in the center of the city near other essential services and major bus lines.
But then again, I guess on one hand, not many of the county legislators must read books, and on the other hardly any can read a map of the city.
I received a call back from the attorney for the MVLA. Her name is Kathryn McCary. She was very nice but she also could not tell me much. I did ask her that if we needed an attorney if she would represent us too. She said that she couldn't because it would be a conflict of interest since she is representing the library.
I really don't know if this particular branch is actually owned by Schenectady County or is just an intergovernmental branch other than the county.
So I don't know anymore now than I did before.
The plot thickens ... Might this be our very own Kathryn McCary who is, if recollection serves me, an attorney??
I don't have the option of correcting. The modify button is gone. The forum administrator has my permission to remove the colon if he/she wishes to do so.
Brad: Yes, that is me. As a matter of professional responsibility I try to avoid posting about matters which are even tangentially related to clients, and of course do not post about client matters. I will say that, as you noted, MVLS is a separate entity from the Schenectady County Public Library System (don't think that would qualify as the confidence or secret of a client. . .). What they do can be learned at their website, which I see can now be accessed from your post (thanks to you and the Administrator!)
Quoted Text Auoted frm Mike Powell: Brad - not being a smartass here - just that the colon at the end of your link breaks the link - remove it and it works fine.
Mike,
I had smart response re: your observation of my colon, but I thought better than to post it.
Quoted Text
I don't have the option of correcting. The modify button is gone. The forum administrator has my permission to remove the colon if he/she wishes to do so.
Thanks Mike. I'll try to do better.
Quoted Text
I don't have the option of correcting. The modify button is gone. The forum administrator has my permission to remove the colon if he/she wishes to do so.
Thanks Mike. I'll try to do better.
STOP, STOP already >giggle<
Mike, stop looking at brads co;on, I am sure it is working just fine.
Brad, I don't think removing you own colon is a good idea and I HIGHLY doubt you would want the admin to remove it for you, its just not one of the services provided.
Now if you will excuse me I am watching Star Trek. They are circling Uranus looking for Klingons.
I was going to mark part of my response with(TIC) [tounge in Cheek] but that seemed highly inappropriate.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
Three things appear to be true: the library needs more space, Center City is a white elephant, the city police department is in transition. Why not re-hab Center City as a new police department and use the current police department as an addition to the library? This leaves out the YMCA---but there are plenty of sites in downtown Schenectady.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
Three things appear to be true: the library needs more space, Center City is a white elephant, the city police department is in transition. Why not re-hab Center City as a new police department and use the current police department as an addition to the library? This leaves out the YMCA---but there are plenty of sites in downtown Schenectady.
NZone I see your point about putting the police in Center City but the cost of rehabing CC to accommodate the complexity of a police department I think would be cost prohibitive.
Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank Some people don't get it, will never get it, and don't care to..... "Individually we are one drop.  Together we are an ocean." -Ryunosuke Satoro
Re-hab is always expensive---and I don't know whether the total outlay for the library addition and rehabing Center City for the YMCA would be greater or less than re-habing the police building for the library and Center City for the police---and finding and fixing another place for the Y in the downtown area. It would certainly put a police presence downtown and it would not require the library to close for 18 months---and it might save the Y in its current location.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
These are all interesting ideas that could be discussed, but because you "moderates" and "independents" were all mad at Bush you voted in an entire slate of people at the county level that don't listen to anyone but their political bosses.
The Beat goes on. In my neighborhood a lifelong Democrat who would not even think of voting Conservative is carrying a petition against the insane library addition. Better to make a call to our 3 Democrats that are hiding but support building at any cost? Letters to the editor do nothing. Call your County legislator at home this week and demand that the current library addition plan be dumped. If course, according to one, only a small minority oppose building at any cost. A minority that will take over the County next year.
This is another pedophile relocation bill, the people must lead because the politicians cannot be reasoned with. Esther Swanker needs to resign if she cannot speak for the people.
N-Zone's idea is interesting but more expensive than unnecessary addition. The Y is finished Downtown. The SPD does not need a huge white elephant, Center City, that would cost more than $7 million to refit. Here's the best solution-- nothing. Trash the current plan that no one wants. If and when times improve go back to the smaller, Friends of Library, addition near the SPD.
Well let's see about unopposed: There was Carolina Lazzari, Bill Sherman, three other credible candidates in District 3, Gene Drago, Dave DiToro and Mike Iacobucci that I recall, that were all beaten back, and these were decent people. The voters just didn't like the Republicans running the county and having so many years of balanced budgets and such. They were mad at Bush so they felt it best to throw all the babies out with the bath water. I know, I ran for reelection in 2005 and that was the prevalent attitude. I might have been the only Republican to win if I am not mistaken. I heard the endless refrain: "I can't vote for you even though I like you, I have to register a protest against Bush." So I guess in the non-discriminate rush to dump all that is GOP they hired themselves some crooks, puppets and dictators!
It's always good when the party members blame the leader and head of the party. The beast rots from the head down. Bob Farley was a credible candidate--he won as the only republican in a Town where every race was contested.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
Short-term inconvenience almost always precedes the long-term benefits of major construction projects. Few construction projects come in on time (see Big House). 18 months is a long "short-term". A private customer service or retail business would find it very risky to close down for 18 months to build an addition to an existing building.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
Despite the public outcry by library patrons regarding the 18 month (and likely longer) closing of the main library and concerns and objections by county taxpayers about the extent and the cost of renovations, the decision has been made by the elitists in the majority party on the Schenectady County Legislature. The opinions of the public, who the Legislators were elected to represent, will not change the library floorplans, the cost to the taxpayers, the schedule, or the accessibility to the library during the construction.
I have received information that the request for proposals/bids are out. So, which general contracting firm will be awarded the county contract?
Writing Letters to the Editors will have little if any impact. Voting those who disregard the will of the people out of office is the only form of protest that will yield results.
This is a truly classic public works project. Almost everyone supports the idea of a public library. The library planners have proposed a construction plan that should carry the library for the next 40 or so years. The cost in money and lack of access to the library---both are high. The taxpayers don't want to pay the money and the library users do not want to be inconvenienced by a long shutdown. If knowledge and the access to that knowledge explodes over the next 40 years as it has in the last 40, library buildings with paper hard-cover books may be historic sites. Major university and research libraries will continue to function because they can adapt in ways a small public library cannot. Large libraries like the New York Public Library, which recently announced a $100 million unrestricted gift from a private donor, will probably survive. I have not seen the plans for the new library construction. I hope that the planners gave some thought to the possible re-use of the building.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
By TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. Last updated: 5:37 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2008
SCHENECTADY - To reduce the length of time the Schenectady Public Library's main office has to be closed, county officials are altering the plans for a renovation project.
The Schenectady school district has also agreed to open its libraries for extended hours when the main branch is shut down. Hours at other library branches will also be extended when the main library is closed.
Susan E. Savage, Schenectady County Legislature chair, said in a prepared statement contractors are being asked to respond to both the original bid specifications and two alternate bids meant to lower costs and shorten the period when the main branch will be closed.
One alternate plan focuses on replacing major systems in the building including removing asbestos, installing a new heating and air-conditioning system and general improvements to the first floor.
The second alternative focuses on using the upstairs of the facility to house library programs, eliminating the need to change the basic footprint of the building. The second-floor space is now used for administrative space and book storage.
By consolidating administrative space, additional room is freed up on the second floor for library services. Under this plan, the McChesney Room and other parts of the main floor will be upgraded rather than adding time and expense of expanding the first floor.
The public cannot ease up on its criticisms. Those who oppose the closing of the library for 18 months (and likely longer) and the staggering cost of the unnecessary renovations need to attend the Tuesday night meeting (7 pm) of the County Legislature and let their voices be heard.
This is what happens when County leaders refuse to inform the public, refuse to listen to Friends of the Library and rush to build. After 10 years of planning no one knew the Main Library would be closed for 18 months?
This plan and the impetus for this plan must be throughly vetted. The McChesney room has been spared. Now they are playing the asbestos card. There was an asbestos issue in the Main Library for forty years and the public was not informed? Thought that only "routine maintenance" has been ignored? Concerned taxpayers should pack the County chambers on Tuesday night and demand answers.
Another Silver Pen award. Gloria's letter reinforces the point of costs without relying on phony ginned up numbers of Downtown usage. As with the pedophile relocation plan the wave of criticism is finally being heard. Trash the current plan. Pack County Chamber tonight at 7pm. It's almost fork sticking time.
I wonder where the original (and probably legitimate) request from the library for more space went. That original request was more modest and realistic.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, bourne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
That was tossed away four years ago when the "moderates" decided they didn't want Republicans running the county government anymore because they were mad at Bush. I was the only one who kept voting against the plans. 14-1, 14-1 14-1. And you NZone make fun of me for being so irrelevant!
I will take being the only right guy in the room any day, rather than being WRONG and safely ensconced in numbers. Upsetting to all true "moderates" and "non partisans" that I dare to stay off the fence or run with the herd of sheep. What a trouble maker I am. Don't you wish you could get rid of my ilk forever???
I am encouraged to see that Legislator Santabarbara is voting with you on many of the important issues facing Schenectady County, including the vote to extend the charter and increase the bond cap for the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.
The vote on sending the request to the state was 13-2 with only you and Santabarbara expressing opposition to moving forward before the results of the audit by the State Comptroller's office are received and the results are known. It appears that there are two fiscally conservative Republicans on the government body.
I was very disappointed that Republican Legislator Buhrmaster, who is running on a platform of representing the taxpayers and reducing wasteful spending, voted with the majority to increase the Metroplex bond cap.
"I won't be going to Congress to represent a political party, but to represent the taxpayers of this region--to represent all of you here today," he said
We need more fiscally conservative representatives in local, state and federal government to reduce the size, cost, and power of government, to eliminate wasteful spending, and to reduce the oppressive and increasing burden placed on the hardworking taxpayers.
Joe has been right from the beginning on this. Only he stood up for the taxpayers. No County funding should be involved. If Friends of the Library has raised $2 million than use that amount to upgrade the heating and A/C. No more. Trash the current plan.
Equally sickening is the City School Board idea to open City Schools for the summer during construction. This is another budget busting idea only Liberals could approve. Nobody cares about security and cost to the City taxpayers who are already looking at another large school tax increase. Thankfully this is now off the table.
No one other than Joe is stating the obvious that the current structure Downtown is more than sufficient and that a bigger library to heat and cool is not needed. Stop planning more misguided public works projects and get back to the task of tackling the exploding County deficit, created by years of mismanagement.
I stand corrected. I do recall that you abstained due to your position with the Comptroller's Office. Additionally, both Legislators Farley and Dagastino were absent/excused.
Library backers urge return to 2003 plan Supporters want to rehabilitate, expand central branch Wednesday, May 14, 2008 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY COUNTY — Supporters of the public library system want the Schenectady County Legislature to start over with plans to rehabilitate and expand the central branch.
Almost a dozen Friends of the Schenectady Public Library and library trustees spoke Tuesday night at the Legislature’s regular meeting, urging legislators to go back to a plan library trustees drew up in 2003.
That plan would construct a $4 million addition between the central branch and the police station on Liberty Street and repair mechanical systems within the central branch.
County Manager Kathleen Rooney said she wants to work with community groups to reach a consensus on a new design that works for them and is cost-effective.
John Karl, a library trustee and former president of the Friends of the Schenectady Public Library, asked legislators to re-establish a building committee of library trustees, Friends and others. The committee would develop a plan to repair library systems and provide additional space without disrupting services to the public.
“The philosophy has been this is a county project, not a library project. That is crazy,” Karl said.
Karl served on a committee that produced the 2003 design. Library trustees went to the Legislature for funding in 2004, the Legislature dismissed the committee in 2004, rejected the plan and hired a new architect. The architect came up with a proposal to expand the central branch by 9,000 square feet and replace 40-year-old mechanical systems. That plan includes demolition of the McChesney Room and the construction of a new entrance facing the intersection of Clinton and Liberty streets. The proposal was presented to the public, but attendance was sparse.
County Legislator Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, said the project got out of hand when the Legislature got involved. “We stuck our noses and tried to take control. It was a great case of meddling,” he said. “We made a huge mistake and should admit it.”
Officials said the work would be done in phases to prevent minimal disruption to services. So many people were shocked two weeks ago to learn that the central branch would have to close for a year, perhaps more, to complete the work.
The Friends and others immediately launched an effort to keep the library open. They collected nearly 1,000 signatures and some county legislators said they were inundated with phone calls from people protesting the closure.
NEW CHOICES
On Saturday, county legislators announced they would seek two alternative bids to reduce costs of the $7.7 million project and reduce the amount of time the central branch would be closed. Democrats said they were reacting to the public outcry.
“It is not to cast blame but to have a project that everyone can be happy with. We are re-evaluating it and working through it,” said County Attorney Chris Gardner.
Alternative “A” calls for replacing major systems in the building — heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems — removing asbestos and general upgrades to the first floor. The library would be closed only a short time during this phase.
Alternative “B” would reconfigure the 22,600-square-foot second floor, which is currently used for library administration and storage. Library materials stored on the second floor can be consolidated to make way for use of this space for library services and programs
Karl said the latest proposals would leave in place the existing facade along Clinton and Liberty streets, meaning the McChesney Room would not be demolished for a cafe and new entrance. “The other thing I keep hearing is they will do the minimum in maintenance and use the money elsewhere, for other projects the county has,” he said.
Fred Thompson, a member of the Friends, said the county Legislature never discussed the alternative-bid proposals with the Friends or trustees before Saturday’s announcement, calling more of the same process that brought the project to its latest crisis.
“They are pulling a plan from someplace and have not talked to anyone with this plan. It is the same problem, a lack of transparency in how this process works,” Thompson said.
Gardner said County Manager Kathleen Rooney was in constant contact with trustee President Esther Swanker. Swanker concurred.
CONTRIBUTORS UPSET
Karl said the constant change of plans has upset some contributors to the library’s fundraising effort. The library board and Friends of the Library have raised about $2 million in private donations. The county was expected to provide $5.7 million toward the project, paid through bonds, but may reconsider its investment due to financial worries.
“I have heard the people use the word fraud. We did do our fundraising on a design to push the library to the east, toward the police station,” Karl said. When the Legislature changed the design, “we went out and started supporting the new plan but ran into resistance.”
He said the library raised money for a proposed art gallery and sold seats for $250 in a proposed auditorium. Some of the money was matched by GE. The alternatives do not include any of these features.
Thompson said the 2003 design called for a 12,000-square-foot addition to the east side of the building. It would be connected to the central branch through a door and have its own mechanical systems. The plan also called for repairing the central branch’s mechanical systems. The work would have had minimal impact on operations.
Trustees and the Friends lost control of the project once it went to the county Legislature in 2004, Karl said. “They hired a new architect and came up with a new plan to change the facade to make it more in line with the Center City concept, where the entrance would face City Hall. It would get rid of the McChesney hump, which county Legislature leaders thought was ugly.”
Karl, a Republican, blamed the Democrat-controlled Schenectady County Legislature for the latest setback in a long-running project. “I want to make it clear to the public this plan that has been set aside was not the trustees’, not the Friends’, not the public’s, not the staffs’. It was strictly an initiative by the county Legislature,” he said.
Another smashing victory. When I started posting against this build at any cost addition, I was attacked on all sides. A minority position? Right-some counted chickens a tad too early...
Every thinking resident is shocked at the ham handed posturing, the secret meetings, the refusal to listen to the wonderful Friends of the Library. Another peek behind the curtains and it ain't pretty. Thousands of taxpayer dollars have been wasted on architectural plans that will be tossed in the garbage. The overblown plans and 18 month closure are history. Thanks to everyone that listened and rang legislators phones off the hook. Legislators that supported this white elephant addition are finished. The look on their faces last night was worth the price of admission. But now another victory lap.....
Now for some edification. I did say that last night, but I was being gracious using the term "we." I voted and spoke against this political scheme every time I could. Although the body voted 14-1, and I voted nay, I believe someone should take some leadership in admitting fault for the entire body. Although you will hear the same tired, excuses, spun in the typical liberal manner-via county attorney/political boss Gardner:
“It is not to cast blame but to have a project that everyone can be happy with..."
In other words "WE WILL NEVER ADMIT FAULT SINCE IT IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And we wonder why even the kids today have no sense of personal responsibility, since our leaders are incapable of it.
Would have been nice if the Gazette had mentioned there was that one trouble-making voice of reason all along!
Don't worry- the Democrats won't listen. People are really mad at the GOP over Bush, the war and the cost of gas. They don't blame the Democrats for anything, so they will vote Democrat and these crooks will continue to get away with everything. They will keep giving us all the middle finger all day and night. You "moderates" want to send a "message" to Bush and all of that so you will put yourself under a dictatorship to do it. You know I am right! Admit it!!!
Not at all surprised that the Krat majority would go along for a ride on this library addition debacle. Can't hide in the tall grass fast enough. Real profiles in courage.
What is shocking, is that Joe Suhrada was the only opponent to this insane, overblown, library addition. More profiles in courage? One person with truth and business expertise on their side can defeat 14 sheeple. Even in Schenectady County....
Don't worry- the Democrats won't listen. People are really mad at the GOP over Bush, the war and the cost of gas. They don't blame the Democrats for anything, so they will vote Democrat and these crooks will continue to get away with everything. They will keep giving us all the middle finger all day and night. You "moderates" want to send a "message" to Bush and all of that so you will put yourself under a dictatorship to do it. You know I am right! Admit it!!!
Ok Ok I admit you have a really good point. I hate BUSH he is a face for just about everything I fear today. It cant be bin ladins face because your chief says he is not important. It cant be Iraq because your chief is putting money together to rebuild every building we blew up. I used to have faith in the office because the people who held it in the past could speak with confidence. George looks like a little kid caught in a lie and trying to squirm his way out of it. Past presidents could at least lie better.
I wont to go to bed with a feeling that the next excuse to go to war is not a place where someone I love lives. That's the message! I am not mad at the GOP for bush, everyone forgets to flush once in a while no big deal, but the GOP is leaving it up to everyone else to push the handle down so they don't have any part in it.
This big mess is going to be decided by who we fear the least. how old someone is, the colour of their skin or their genitalia. I love to laugh until I look up and see that everyone is laughing at me. The office and this country is becoming a dirty joke and it makes me sick
Let me ask you. Are you proud of Bush? I know you take pride in the GOP and thats great, bit are you prould of bush? Does he do right by your polotics?
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
I am certainly no Bush fan, but Joe's point is valid.
Local politics shouldn't be about national politicians. If all someone has to do these days is say "Bush sucks! Vote for me!", then a whole lot of lame asses are going to end up in office.
No, he doesn't do right by me or my politics. In some ways I think he acted as favorably as he possibly could regarding terror and the war, in the beginning. I am a Reagan Man. I think Reagan would have handled the thing very differently. I think that he is right about drilling for our own oil, and some things like that and I am generally for less taxation and spending, but he doesn't seem to have a handle on the "less pending" part, does he?
Regardless, how do I or the other county legislators have any influence of Bush, his policies, or what happens in Washington, DC, and why would you continue to give carte-blanc to a bunch of corrupt bunglers here, because you oppose corrupt bunglers there? This I find most ironic, in that we have proportionally far more power over local leadership and choice in how things are done in local government- but our local citizens abdicate that power over an emotional disconnect they feel with our national government thereby creating the same sort of "crisis of leadership" locally that we feel nationally!
And this I tell you comes from my interaction with local voters each and every day. I actually get letters and emails from constituents angry at me (and probably all of the legislators) for Kosiur's job, the library fiasco, the SCCC music scheme and the Big House. Now, can anyone here tell me where I stand on ALL THREE things?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Some of these letters are very visceral, as if I was the one who dreamed up all of these ideas, and not Sue Savage and Chris Gardner!!! And maybe they just send them to all of us, or the ones they can get emails and addresses for. I know some of the legislators don't have emails published and aren't exactly accessible.
I would bet that these same folks have all of their ducks in a row when it comes to who is to blame for the war, gas prices, and inflation in food prices, however! I have to patiently write them and show them copies of actual newspaper clippings and my voting record on issues such as Kosiur and the rest, in a polite way, without making them feel like they are totally misinformed on my positions...even though they are, woefully. But not everyone reads this forum!
So, how does that make you feel about voting for a person simply because they have an R behind their name, and they are running for village clerk or some such thing??? I tell you it makes one shake one's head in wonderment at times!
I know what you mean, I voted for peter G. I like a mixed government because I think checks and balances are good thing. As for local stuff I like a lot of the same thing. I think its great that you are in there fighting for what you feel is right. What gets me is how ya seem to be so angry with people. I can understand your frustration but when you post like that it pushes me away from the topic. Its like the Mary mc clain after when she steps ups up to the podium and you can hear the eyes roll in the room
I liked reagan too. I joined the the army just before he got in and when he did I got a nice raise.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
I believe that, regrettably, people vote for the candidate(s) who will support their cause and provide to them a personal benefit. The idea of self-sufficiency has been lost over the years. People look to the government for what they consider an "entitlement". Whether it be public assistance in the form of welfare, food stamps, etc. or financial support for senior services, youth programs, etc., people expect the government to provide for their every need. It disheartens me that people believe that the government can better provide for them than they can do for themselves.
The government spends our money irresponsibly. The bureacracy required to implement these programs comes at a significant cost. The administration is generally inefficient, wasteful, and often rife with corruption. This can be easily seen in the Social Security Administration where the "lockbox" that was to protect peoples' retirement funds contains nothing but promissory notes and broken promises.
Americans need to reconsider the rightful role of government. With fewer government programs and lower taxes required to support them, individuals could decide for themselves what is important and not expect the government to provide for them. As John F. Kennedy stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country". I contend that we can each serve our country better by adopting a new can-do attitude and helping ourselves and others who are in need. As Ronald Reagan stated, "Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem".
No, I am not angry, just the opposite. One can never tell from email text or what not what a person is feeling! Mostly I am laughing out loud at how ridiculous things get and how funny or absurd things have become. Absurdity cracks me up.
Keep fighting the good fight Joe. Support is on the way. Between Lumpy Kosiur, the library disaster, the record County deficit, the pedophile relocation madness and the Big Hose, your opponents go from the frying pan into the fire. People here better wake up to the fact that Bush is not on the ballot and we have local problems that need immediately attention. Rubber stamps are never problem solvers.
No, I am not angry, just the opposite. One can never tell from email text or what not what a person is feeling! Mostly I am laughing out loud at how ridiculous things get and how funny or absurd things have become. Absurdity cracks me up.
OH Dang, Thanks for letting me know. I had been going under the wrong assumption. I apologize.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
Another partisan heard from? Right partisan Democrat.
The library addition debacle was handled so ineptly, so ham handedly, that people will remember next November. We do not need another level of government nor more controlled bureaucrats. What we need is a new County Majority that will prevent this kind of overspending and complete disregard for the County taxpayer. Joe Suhrada for new County Majority Leader. Bush had nothing to do with the insane manner this addition ballooned out of control. Those responsible for this mess need to be held accountable.
Democrats are pledging support for local County candidates to me each day for the races next year. Will those less informed want to vote GOP considering their feelings about Bush? Bush will be out of office then, so maybe...we will see! I don't know the above letter writer. Of course I do know Thomson and Rowland and never thought they were "Republicans" by any means. But the "leadership" has riled a lot of reliable Democrat constituencies these past few years through sheer arrogance, and an inability to listen. Furthermore the "Big House" debacle is showing only the tip of the ice berg. The people may be out over a million dollars on that crazy scheme for a friend of Sue Savage. When it all comes down, there should be indictments. But I wouldn't advise anyone to hold their breath!
I don't hate the republicans or the democrats...I hate politicians who can't think for themselves and do what is best for the people...period...I think the party system is way out of whack and should be abolished...very few pols know how to think naymore and few speak up for what is right and just...the ones who do are either ignored by the press or chastised for speaking up...give me a hundred pols willing to speak up for, vote for and do the right thing over a million towing the party line and giving a vote for the sorruption that has been going on in all levels of our government...as for bush...I hate the guy and wish his term would get over with fast...but the problem with that is we have no candidates running that are not beholding to lobbists and have no idea what the right thing is for our country...I don;t trust anyone who would spend the money they do to run for a fraction of that in salery...shows me right off they don;t have common sense...I realize it's not this cut and dry but.....
Too bad there is no lever to pull that says "NONE OF THE ABOVE"
I don't hate the republicans or the democrats...I hate politicians who can't think for themselves and do what is best for the people...period...I think the party system is way out of whack and should be abolished...very few pols know how to think naymore and few speak up for what is right and just...the ones who do are either ignored by the press or chastised for speaking up...give me a hundred pols willing to speak up for, vote for and do the right thing over a million towing the party line and giving a vote for the sorruption that has been going on in all levels of our government...as for bush...I hate the guy and wish his term would get over with fast...but the problem with that is we have no candidates running that are not beholding to lobbists and have no idea what the right thing is for our country...I don;t trust anyone who would spend the money they do to run for a fraction of that in salery...shows me right off they don;t have common sense...I realize it's not this cut and dry but.....
Too bad there is no lever to pull that says "NONE OF THE ABOVE"
What if they held an election and no voters showed up?
We've already had an election where no Republicans showed up, at least in the City!
I had a refreshing experience tonight in my district where after the parade I had a noticeable number of citizens approach me with a renewed sense of what is happening with Metroplex, and the county in general. And they gave me an invigorating shot of encouragement to press on and look harder at this stuff. I have never experienced such a wake-up call happening around the town, in regards to these matters. A change is in the air from what I can tell!
Trustee favors old Schenectady library plans Committee will work through summer before presenting ideas to legislators By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. http://timesunion.com/TUNews/author/AuthorPage.aspx?AuthorNum=205 First published: Monday, May 26, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- The chairman of a building committee charged with tweaking plans to rehabilitate the main branch of the county library system says he favors reverting to original plans from years ago.
Library trustee Steve Fitz, who chairs that panel, said he wants to "go back to our (board of trustees') first selection and try to stay as close to that as possible
That project called for preserving the McChesney Room, which was to be demolished under an $8 million renovation project that also would have shut the central branch on Clinton Street for a year or more.
Fitz also favors building a small auditorium to host events such as children's plays, and moving the children's room from the first to the second floor.
He also spoke out against the construction of a cafe and new entrance off Clinton Street to the building, which attracts 1,400 people daily.
The expanded nine-member committee -- which will now include a library employee, a member of the Friends of the Schenectady County Public Library and a county lawmaker -- will hold its first meeting next month and work throughout the summer before making its recommendations to county legislators by September, Fitz said.
Last week, Fitz and the other trustees took another significant step when they approved plans first to retool the heating, cooling and electrical systems instead of doing the renovations all at once and shutting down the downtown library. That prospect angered county lawmakers and library patrons.
Bernard Allanson, president of Friends of the Schenectady County Public Library, said the $2 million raised to defray costs of the overhaul work will not be used to cover the costs of replacing the heating and cooling systems.
The county will pick up the $1 million tab since it owns the structure. "We are expecting that money will sit there for the expansion," Allanson said.
The revised trustee-approved plan is to now replace the old boilers and other machinery associated with the heating system before it starts to get chilly and then install a new cooling system during the winter months.
Democratic Legislator Gary Hughes said that work may cause some limited closures, if it becomes necessary to shut off the electrical system or remove the boilers from the basement of the library.
Hughes pegged the design costs to date at about $500,000. Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
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What a County! Magically, the $16-24 MILLION County deficit is now, according to the Gazette, a mere $5 Million. Is anyone checking anything at that paper? First they don't know a BILLION from a million. Now this.
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wanted to go to one of these, but it's always a conflict with a short day before work and looks to be again. Then there is the difficulty getting another pile of books past my wife and into our tiny house, but looks like she'll be out of town Saturday, so maybe I'll give it a try --Hee Hee!
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