CONTRITE?
When
Martha Ivery changed her plea to Guilty of, in effect, serial swindling of would-be book authors, she did so because that was the “prudent” course of action, since the proofs of guilt “would be overwhelming” and “she wishes to demonstrate…she has full contrition.”
Such are the words ascribed to her defense attorney, the redoubtable
Richard Mott, by
Alan Wechsler in the
Albany Times Union.
Martha could be sentenced to as many as 35 years in prison (when she’d be 92).
Actual length of her sentence (to be meted out April 28
th by U.S. District Court Judge
Frederick J. Scullin) will depend substantially on terms of a probation report that is currently being compiled.
Attention will be devoted substantially to the validity of the “contrition” thesis.
And for Martha, that could be a hard sell.
Stay tuned.
IMPENDING: Saturday (12/10). “Holiday Stroll” and more in Catskill. During 2-4 pm., at Beattie-Powers House, readings of holiday classics, plus Bill Trotman on classical guitar, plus cookies and hot cider, while at Thomas Cole’s Cedar Grove, “Voyage of Life” studio visits plus angel-making for children, plus light refreshments, from 4 pm. During 4-7 pm., caroling on Main Street, starting from First Reformed Church (310 Main St), with local choristers joined by State Street AME Zion Church of Hudson. During 5-7 pm. and later, many Main Street galleries, studios, stores and showrooms will be open, with fresh exhibits and gift items galore. Among new shows is “Social Distinctions: The Haves and the Have-Nots,” composed of original turn-of-century magazine illustrations, presented by Alyson and Patrick Milbourn at their M Gallery (350 Main). From 7 pm., moreover, there will be a “Living Nativity” procession from the Second Baptist Church (456 Main St) down to the First Reformed. Information: (518)943-0989. Most of the participating sites did not exist a year ago. Is Catskill reviving, or what?
BACK ON BLOCK: Our former County office building, at 288-92 Main Street, Catskill, is up for sale again, along with the nearby parking lot at the corner of Bronson & Main. It HAD been put up for sale, had received a sole bid above the minimum from Bank of Greene County ($390,000), had seemingly been cleared for closing. According to the legislative resolution authorizing the present sale, however, the bank’s bid was contingent on “remediation by the County of existing underground storage tanks containing petroleum” and the bid was withdrawn on the basis of that contingency. The County then performed the remedial work and the property was put back on the market—at no increase in appraised value ($385,000, with the parking lot appraised at $190,000). Thus, if the building gets sold this time for $390,000, the buyer will be spared a major expense. Meanwhile, the Specifications For Bidders sheet prescribes that the buyer must agree to “renovate the exterior…in accordance with first class commercial use, applicable building codes and with a façade compatible with Main Street,” must “provide an economic opportunity plan” covering “job creation and or retention,” and must “indicate the use it intends for the property….” Deadline for sealed bids is Jan. 5, 3 pm. Info from Acting Clerk (of Legislature) Tammy Barbato; (518) 719-3270. Our call to County attorney Carol Stevens, in quest of further information, was not returned.
ANNIVERSARY.“Hello anybody. Here's first, experimental, installment of intended notes about life in Greene County NY.” Those words opened, on December 13 last year, our first installment of Seeing Greene. And our first item—again showing aversion to articles (in grammar)--is worth remembering:
SOON TO BE FIVE. Art galleries. In Village of Catskill. On Main Street. Sole present gallery, in County Council On [sic.] the Arts building at number 398, soon will be flanked by showroom at southeast corner of Thompson & Main....
The item went on to describe other prospective galleries. But its projection was inaccurate.
SOON TO BE NINE is the word now. We already have six; two more will open when renovation problems are overcome, and local artist Lee Anne Morgan has leased the ground floor of the restored Colterman building at 393 Main for use, starting in April, as a gallery. To learn more about yet another special GreeneLander—dancer, actor, singer, costume designer, choreographer, graphic artist, management consultant—go to her web site, leeannemorgan.com, and click Biographic Note.
DAILY MAUL. “I think you have a real unhealthy obsession with Daily Mail,” says a nameless correspondent (12/3/05). “Maybe it's because you were never really good enough to be real reporter! How did that stint with the Freeman go. Maybe you should be honest with the five people that read your site, that you were a failed journalist who could not do the job.” Well, honestly, boofhead, you know nothing about my vocational history. And, honestly, I feel unqualified to identify own motives. Beating up on The D.M. may be a bit cruel. But the paper surely is worse than it needs to be; and sustained exposure, in addition to being cathartic and perhaps entertaining, could trigger improvement. A headline such as “Syracuse usee [sic.] long-range shooters to subdue compensate [sic.] against TCU” betokens egregious inattention. So does crediting a dental hygienist with performing “between 750 and 800 dental extractions within five days.” So does attributing to a source the statement that “We need to be conscience [sic.] of the need to take care of our youth.” Reporters do err in accounts of events, and they do make blunders in writing. Editors should catch some errors, or at least should point them out after publication, so as to forestall repetitions. They could fret, for example, over allusions to “grounds of Irish Cultural Grounds,” to “areas of possibility” and to a “scenario” that could be “available,” as well as to confounding who’s with whose, role with roll, their with there and it’s with its. Daily Mailers set a bad example when they persist with numerical-agreement-mangling phrases such as “The panel of judges are…,” “Scenes from Athens…is clearly visible,” “An infestation of...caterpillars are devouring,” and “72 bruins have been taken since Monday—67 of which was taken on the opener.”
Posts
36 comments:
I noticed that the Silent Lawsuit artical was followed by numer blogs by anti Stanley Dushane folks. I couldn't help but notice that a majority was obviously members of Hose 1 who despise him.
They will haunt him till he dies of old age. Did you notice that as soon as we started reporting the truth they all suddenly shut up.
How dare them attack Stanley Dushane when the Hose 1 boys were found guilty of so much more. And the fact that they could not debate the Truth Detectives proves who are telling the truth because we will counter their lies in public!
Over 155 blogs have been published concerning the Hose 1 assault on people and we have not even begun to expose them.
The Truth Detectives
I think it is kinda funny that Dick may chooses to write about Martha Ivery and art gallaries on Main St when there are 155 comments on his "secret lawsuit" blog entry that deal with improprities, missing equipment, a non-fire fighting fire company with money, conflict of interests, missing equipment, dual membership in fire companies.
Firemen are blowing the whistle. I wonder if he is going to look into all the things that have been written and uncover more by talking to the firemen and report what is happening at the firehouse?
It is a compliment to you and your creation of a community blogsite that you can attract as many as 150+ comments on such a critical issue as fire safety. When someone alludes to you having only 5 readers, they are mistaken. You add a valuable voice to our community dialog. Yes, fire safety is very important. Many other aspects of our community's life also deserve attention .. as one reader, I encourage everyone to join in the dialog.
Harold M. Hanson, resident of Catskill.
As a further thought, a spokesperson for Home Depot was 'quoted' in the Daily Mail as saying that they might support Heart of Catskill Association if it could be demonstrated that village/town residents shopped at their mega-store. As it escaped that person's attention that almost all of the renovators on Main Street buy their supplies at Home Depot .. presumably transactions worth in the tens of thousands. Is a check for $500 or $1,000 to HOCA too much to ask?
The previous blog may be on to something here! I went back and reviewed Johns artical on Dushane and started to pick up on something.
The following paragraph was taken from his Silent Lawsuit article.
(Superintendant Geraldine Wolfe, proposed a package of changes. One of them was that of establishing a Director of Facilities. This Civil Service-tested officer would absorb the Head Custodian's duties and much more. The educational and technical requirements exceeded what Mr Dushane could meet at the time. Mr Dushane was offered, and accepted, a rank-and-file janitorial job.)
(educational and technical requirements exceeded what Mr Dushane could meet at the time.??????)
It offends me that someone like you John would give the appearance of taking sides instead of being fair and balanced. You make the implied assumption that an adequate education can only be obtained through attendance at one of our schools or colleges! This is certainly not the case, especially when you consider the minimum standards required to graduate from american schools.
Would you have made an assertive effort to make this point to the readers if you had known that Mr Dushane had obtained his GED and was having his years of experience transfered into a Liberal Arts Degree?
You or Dr. Wolfe can not be unaware of thousands of highly successfull individuals who were drop outs from school because of the negtive affect institutionalized forms of learning can have on the creative mind. Many collages offer credits for life experiences and the knowlege that this can bring to the table?
If I recall Bill Gates is a high school drop out and maybe he can not go, word for word with you, in the correct use of the English language. But does correct gramar always equate to the ability to use ones knowledge? Does book learning equate to common sense?
Cudos to you John, for attending our schools of higher education which has provided you the ability to express your views and make a living off of your writing.
Cudos to Bill Gates (one of thousands) for being a high school drop out and going on to lead successfull lives. (In fact he is considered one of the Richest men in the world.) This high school drop out can afford to buy any newspaper or TV chanell; which employees and pays the saleries of individuals like yourself.
I noticed that many of the initial Blogs under the Silent Law Suit attacked Stanleys education and integrity.
Many of these comments are from Hose 1 members who have had a long history themselves of actively participating in character assasinations and attempts to villify and destroy their opponents.
Its no secret that Hose one members have diligently attacked Dushane, Battaglino, Diperna, Dolan,Lackies and Garafalo and countless others who have opposed their endevors.
Its absolutly amazing what a garbage truck driver, a fired accountant, five theives, and a potato head can accomplish with just a few phone calls in the Great Land of Greeneland!
Give us the shock troops, the badges, the public forums, letter writing campaigns. Strip us of our morals, integrity, honesty and dedication to the tax payers ; and we to can accomplish their feats also.
They will do anything, say anything, and lie about anything ,to destroy someones reputation and livlyhood.
Who else but Hose 1 members provided the survielance and complaints to Wolf and you concerning the Garafalos place of buisness and the custodians office at the school.
Who made the various phone calls? you got it Hose 1.
How many Hose 1 members/ NY State corrections Officers were involved in the survielance and complaints that were given to Superintendant Wolde and then School Board President Morris Darling who also by the way is a NY State Corrections Officer. OH the plot continues to thicken.
I'm just curious how you yourself got pulled into this quagmire?
Were you the unsuspecting reporter with good intentions who thought he was reporting the truth and exposing Dushane?
Or; are you the reporter that is simply in bed with the Hose 1 attackersand have a vindetta against Dushane, Battiaglino and Garafalo?
Are you now diligently interviewing and trying to find out the Hose 1 connections in Greenelands political arena? Will you obtain a thourough picture to report to the tax payers, or do you have another agenda?
The Silent Lawsuit artical has resulted in over 155 blogs being generated. Yet I keep asking firemen around the county if they are aware of it and they always respond no. Give us a few more weeks and the responses are going to grow tremendously. Their are countless fire department members through out greeneland who have yet to chime in on Hose 1's bullshit! I estimate the blogs will double.
As the President stated concerning the war on terrorism,
"Your either with us or against us"
Viva the Truth!
Viva the Catskill Fire Company!
Viva all Volunteer Fire Departments!
The intial comments on the silent lawsuit blog were obviously Hose 1 members who used the comment section to attack Mr. Dushane, Battaligno and others who a few years ago questioned the actions of Hose 1. These Hose 1 people opened up a can of worms and now the focus is on what they are doing now with the fire company.
Now that we are members of the fire company, we know most of the improper things that are happening all of which rip off the tax payers.
What things did these people do when they were operating as Hose 1 in secret and didn't have members in the company, like us now, who are willing to expose the fact that the members voted to put $135,000 in the bank account of a corporation that they control, missing radios, turn out gear, etc, etc.
A few taxpayers have read the comments under "silent lawsuit" and seem to realize that they are getting soaked by the CFC leadership (all who are still members of Hose 1)
You can only imagine the things they did when there were not outside members (members of 5 and 2) in the company who might report whats going on.
One comment even says that before they sided with Hose 1 and thought Mr. Dushane was wrong but now they can see that exactly what he was talking about and understand how the tax payers are getting ripped off by these Hose 1rs.
This is the first time I am reading this BLOG. It has some good current events, but it seems like everyone in "Greeneland" wants to keep looking at the past and not into the future.
As far as the Catskill Fire Company/Department issues go, if you don't know what the hell your talkig about, don't talk at all. I was up late reading the 155 entries and all I got out of it was a "good laugh".
I got a big laugh at the comment that Hose 1 has "$135,000.00". If anyone really believes this you are dumber then that pile of rocks out on the street.
As far as belonging to two fire companies, NO member of the Catskill Fire Company belongs as "Active Members" of two fire companies. You can belong to as many fire companies as you wish (Associate, Exempt, Etc.), but can only be an "Active Member" of only one. Everyone keeps saying that the Catskill Fire Company bought all of just Hose 1's chairs and belongings and that is not the case. Hose 5 also made some money off the Catskill Fire Company when they sold some items to the new company. People want to bash just one side, lets really look at ALL sides.
As far as the Dushane lawsuit goes, the School District made a huge mistake by not FIRING Dushane when they had the chance. Now WE the Taxpayers have to pay $35,000.00 to him only because his friends are on the School Board (Garafalo, DiPerna, and Battaligno). Believe me there antics will end up hurting the school system just like it did the Village of Catskill and the Fire Department.
As far as you "Truth Detectives", you might want to ask some officers of the Catskill Fire Company what is going on and not just some members who want to cause disharmony within the rank and file. You are only getting one side and if you really want to be the "Truth Detectives" its time that you start "investigating" before you open your mouths.
If you want the truth maybe you should go to the firehouse and ask ALL Members and Officer and not just the ones who want to keep the pot turning. You might just be suprised at what you might find out.
CALL IN THE ATTORNY GENERALS OFFICE!
CALL IN THE STATE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE!
CALL IN THE IRS!
CALL IN THE TRUTH DETECTIVES!
GID-HUR-DUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Hose 1 files the asset statement in January as required by law then we'll know exactly how much money is in their bank account. Neither hose 1 or 5 should have made money on consoladation.
Why is there money and assets being held in a fire corporation that only consists of associate non-fire fighting members when that money came from donations or the town or village taxpayers with the intent that the money be used to further fire fighting.
Please answer this.
What is the purpose of keeping Hose 1 in exsistence with associate members? If the membership is all associate members than it isn't a fire company but more like a fraternal organization such as the Elks.
The difference is that Hose 1 was incorporated as a fire company ... the elks or other groups were incorporated as fraternal organizations. You can't change your corporate purpose without going through legal steps and you can't sell or transfer your assets as a not-for-profit without court permission.
The other difference is that the Elks and other fraternal groups are funded entirely by donations. Hose 1 was funded by donations and tax money. The taxpayer intended their donations and tax dollars to be used for fire company purposes not fraternal purposes.
To be a fire company, you have to have active members AND the munincipality must charge you with fire fighting responsibilities. When we voted to consoladate, the village put all fire fighting responsibility in the CFC.
Why try to hold on to Hose 1 when it is causing waves, is contrary to consoladation and in creating a division in the ranks which is impacting on public safety?
Do the right thing for the community and stop holding on to the illusion that Hose 1 still exsists. It an illusion because you are only a fire corporation in name and its' exsistence hurts morale and doesn't help make Catskill safe.
What is more important to you?
About time you came out of the hole? But just like Mr. Groundhog, you'll go right back in.
Oh I beg your pardon about $135,000.00 This was an honest mistake misread from a report that we received. It was a compilation of truck repairs, maintenance, double spending, which was reported as the total cost of the purchase of used Hose 1 items. You are correct in stating that the new company purchased some $2,000.00 worth of Hose 5 items. Our reports indicate that this was approved after the outlandish scheme pulled off by the garbage man to buy all of Hose 1's assets at an inflated price tag. I' seem to recall an amount of some $16,000.00. Its not the actual amount, its the principal and I agree there was hanky panky going on.
Therefore the books need to be reviewed by an outside agency.
To go to the Fire House and speak to line officers is like the fox going to the chicken coop.
I'm glad that you corrected the amount because there is enough crap going on that we don't need to have errors.
I also notice that that was the only real error in 155 blogs.
I'm not surprised that you would over look the misuse of tax payer dollar, the abuse of power, the safety of fire fighters as you try to convince people its a waste of time to read the 155 blogs.
The pendulmn of truth is leaning towards the reports coming forth and only serves to get the state and federal government in to review the facts! If everything is the way you say it everything will be fine. If its the way we see it somebody may go to jail.
BRING IN THE PROFESSIONALS AND FIND OUT WHAT SIDES TELLING THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's an idea.........
Bring in the "Master of Disaster", "The one" and "The only".... Alexander "Sandyyyyyyyyyyyy' Mathes to clean up Catskills' mess with the fire companies.
He will find good use for all the funds, use the "Cool" firehouse buildings for "Tech" companies dieing to get into the hot Nano region. Catskill?
He will be able to see our beloved unobtainable Beattie Powers house from the window. Hell, he might even be able to smell the Hudson River from the penthouse atop of the firehouse. If he can sell it!
All this and more, With a Bonus! Were did that rascal Mr. Wayne Speenburg go? Wasn't he supposed to protect us from Mr. Mathes. Oh wait, I am just being informed that Dr. Kosich is first but he's getting to Mathes( although they have been rumored to be tossing a few back up there is Kasackie. Pals?).......Hmmm Speenburgh gets a Catskillian! Karen Deyo, what say you? Any raise to the pot?
As a taxpayer association member, who is not connected to any fire company, I have a challenge to see who honestly wants to do what is best for the fire company and the taxpayers.
From reading all the 165 or so comments, it seems that BOTH hose #1 and #5 sold stuff to the Catskill Fire Company. Both hose 1 and 5 them must have bank accounts and maybe other assets. If you really want to do the right thing, each company should turn their money and property over to the Catskill Fire Company. That money was donated for fire company purposes and neither Hose 1 or 5 are fire companies any longer whether you like to hear that or not. Hose 1's certificate of incorporation states its purpose is to suppress fire IN THE VILLAGE OF CATSKILL and they can't unilaterally pick up and move to the Town and be a district fire dep't. Hose 5 can't do the same if they wanted to either just like Hose 2.
BOTH fire companies should give up the Charade that having associate members in a fire company some how allows that corporation to exsist as a fire company. It doesn't. Maintaining this charade desroys morale and is making the village AND the Town less safe.
I want to hear from the Hose 2 and 5 people and from the Hose 1 people that have been writing here if they are willing to do this for the taxpayers.
IF not, then I know you aren't sincere and then STOP writing because that tells me that it is just BS.
As a taxpayer association member, who is not connected to any fire company, I have a challenge to see who honestly wants to do what is best for the fire company and the taxpayers.
From reading all the 165 or so comments, it seems that BOTH hose #1 and #5 sold stuff to the Catskill Fire Company. Both hose 1 and 5 them must have bank accounts and maybe other assets. If you really want to do the right thing, each company should turn their money and property over to the Catskill Fire Company. That money was donated for fire company purposes and neither Hose 1 or 5 are fire companies any longer whether you like to hear that or not. Hose 1's certificate of incorporation states its purpose is to suppress fire IN THE VILLAGE OF CATSKILL and they can't unilaterally pick up and move to the Town and be a district fire dep't. Hose 5 can't do the same if they wanted to either just like Hose 2.
BOTH fire companies should give up the Charade that having associate members in a fire company some how allows that corporation to exsist as a fire company. It doesn't. Maintaining this charade desroys morale and is making the village AND the Town less safe.
I want to hear from the Hose 2 and 5 people and from the Hose 1 people that have been writing here if they are willing to do this for the taxpayers.
IF not, then I know you aren't sincere and then STOP writing because that tells me that it is just BS.
This blog ought to be called "Dickie Says", because it's nothing but a rumor mill with inaccuracies and innuendos about issues and people that you apparently knows little about except for what you read in local newspapers. Leave the news to real writers and reports who investigate and get the facts straight. Leave the firemen to do their jobs, they risk their lives each day for local citizens and deserve some credit, not insults. Get a real job, make a difference in this town and the people in it that you seem to enjoy knocking at every opportunity.
I've got one better idea. As long as we turn our backs on the situation we can pretend that it doesn't exist!
This is what the Village Board did when they chose to remove all previous emplaced standards for Fire Cheif. What did it get us but a major liability issue. we wont address the problem until the village finds itself in a law suit.
this is what the Village Board did when it ilegally took monies from the fire company to pay excessive overtime in other departments! Stealing from Peter to pay Paul was ilegal)
This is what happen when the village board told all three compoanies do what you wantted with tax payer monies because the Village Trustees refused to check their books. Despite the fact that firemen were telling them to checkbecause of questionable actions that were being taken.
This is what happened each and everytime an alcohol related incident has occurred and the fire commissioner has cover up the event.
this is what happened when each trustee was informed about the continous transgressions by certain members of Hose 1 and they ignored the complaints and chose to do nothing.
This is what happened when the fire company complaioned about the lack of proper maintenmance of vehicles.
This is what happened when the Village Board allowed the fire commissioner and the fire chief to remove all decals stating Village of Catskill on the aparatus.
This is what happened when the Village Trustees allowed the Hose 1, Hose 2, and Hose 5 to sell and profit at tax payers expense items that were paid for and belonged to the village tax payers.
This is what happened when the Village Trustees folded under the pressure and made an ilegal agreement with hose 1 instead of allowing the court to rule once and for all on the ownership of the vehicles.
This is what happened when the village trustees turn their backs and hides the use of tax payer dollars to settle transgressions of village trustees.
this is what happened when equipment and supplies are not accounted for.
I've got one better idea. As long as we turn our backs on the situation we can pretend that it doesn't exist!
This is what the Village Board did when they chose to remove all previous emplaced standards for Fire Cheif. What did it get us but a major liability issue. we wont address the problem until the village finds itself in a law suit.
this is what the Village Board did when it ilegally took monies from the fire company to pay excessive overtime in other departments! Stealing from Peter to pay Paul was ilegal)
This is what happen when the village board told all three compoanies do what you wantted with tax payer monies because the Village Trustees refused to check their books. Despite the fact that firemen were telling them to checkbecause of questionable actions that were being taken.
This is what happened each and everytime an alcohol related incident has occurred and the fire commissioner has cover up the event.
this is what happened when each trustee was informed about the continous transgressions by certain members of Hose 1 and they ignored the complaints and chose to do nothing.
This is what happened when the fire company complaioned about the lack of proper maintenmance of vehicles.
This is what happened when the Village Board allowed the fire commissioner and the fire chief to remove all decals stating Village of Catskill on the aparatus.
This is what happened when the Village Trustees allowed the Hose 1, Hose 2, and Hose 5 to sell and profit at tax payers expense items that were paid for and belonged to the village tax payers.
This is what happened when the Village Trustees folded under the pressure and made an ilegal agreement with hose 1 instead of allowing the court to rule once and for all on the ownership of the vehicles.
This is what happened when the village trustees turn their backs and hides the use of tax payer dollars to settle transgressions of village trustees.
this is what happened when equipment and supplies are not accounted for.
Why is no one agreeing to the suggestion made at 1:17? It looks like none of you really want to do what is best for the taxpayers or fire company.
The silence says it all.
That is all that the active members ever wanted from the onset of consolidation. They still want it and deserve it. The bottom line is;
Hose 1 sold tax payer assets that no one knows about and profitted from it, the remainder of their crap was craftily sold to the new Fire Company for $16,000.00. This scheme was led by the Garbage Man who call all non active Hose 1'rs to storm the monthly meeting with the Wheel Chair Brigade and they won the vote.
Hose 2 sold off their tax payer assets and profitted from the sale but nothing was ever purchase by the new company.
Hose 5 sold off their tax payer assets and profitted from it. The the new fire company purchased about $2,000.00 of items from Hose 5 after the fact. It was purchased after and because of what had happened at an earlier meeting with Hose 1's junk.
It should be memtioned that the assts committee met bewteen the three companies and Hose 1 (Led by the Garbage Man) stated that they were selling off all their equipment everyone had to start doing it to meet a deadline put forth by the Village Boards. Was Potato Head a Village Board Member yet?
Hose 2 and Hose 5 took the bait and started selling off their assets IAW the Village Board directive. As soon as their items were sold off Hose 1 came out of the closet and sold their tax payer assets back to the Fire Company. This scheme is what the Garbage Man, and Potato Head had planned all along.
The items were purchased by and with tax payer monies and private donations. It should have always remained with the firemen for their use. It was repeatedly requested to be done this way but certain groups refused to consider this simply because they were being forced to consolidate.
We need to stop trying to keep the old fire companies alive by having a couple 90 year olds act as "active" members and then have a majority of us continue to participate as "associate" members.
It is crazy!!!!!
When 2 families come together to create one, you can't have separate banks accounts etc or you never truly become a family.
We have to liquidate these corporation bank accounts and transfer any assets held by hose 1 2 or 5 to the CFC and stop meeting and voting etc at these social clubs pretending to be fire comapnies and start new loyalty and pride with the CFC.
For some of us it won't be too long before we are the old guys and the young guys in time, will run the company and they wont give two shits about Hose 1 2 and 5.
Let the companies die with dignity.
AMEN TO THE PREVIOUS BLOG! The problem is those who have nothing to fight for but their social clubs! Its long over due , but the Village Trustees need to put this to rest once and for all. Will they, I doubt it! They just like to pretend that every thing in the land of OZ is perfect!
SILENT LAWSUIT?
Dick your really missing out on an entire segment of blogs that could be generated on under this one section.
You should start a new column called the Hidden Lawsuits or Silent LawsuitS. Under this heading you could list all the hidden settlements, lawsuits etc that the Village and Town Boards have initiated without the tax payers knowledge.
You would quickly be able to expand and include other law suits for various entitys that fall under the municipalitys control and of which tax pay monies are freely used to defend, or settle transgressions by incompetent employees.
Two Hundred and twelve blogs on the never ending Fire House Saga!
Wait till the boys in blue show up to try and bribe you to divulge names. If that doesn't work they try intimidation and strong arm techniques and finally they'l threaten you with law suits!
AH the never ending tribulations of being a reporter in Greneland USA.
just to change things a little!
I had a dream last night;
Where this group sat celebrating the success of their Full Court Press which was topped off with a magnificent Full Nelson. As they celebrated long into the night little did they understand the hornets nest that their childish pranks had stirred.
How little did they understand what they themselves had created!
ITS DONE! Was the powerful rumblings reverberating through the mountains of Greenland. Little did anyone realize that finally the forces of truth were about to clash with the forces of evil, as riotousness would finally prevail over ignorance and Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed! The cleansing of the once tranquil land of Greenland would take several weeks but finally Greenland would finally return to its once pristine and immaculate state; free of arrogance, jealousy and corruption.
for; IT WAS DONE!
Then I awoke to Larry the Cable Guy on TV saying GID HER DUN!
and I knew what I had to do.
GID-HUR-DUN! VIVA VILLAGE OF CATSKILL FIRE COMPANY!
THE OCCUPANTS OF GREENELAND SLEPT BLISSFULLY SNUGGLED IN THEIR BEDS, AS THE SUPER NATURAL FORCES CONTINUED TO MASS FOR THE ULTIMATE CLASH OF GOOD OVER EVIL.
THE FORCES OF EVIL WERE RAPIDLY STRENGTHENING THEIR DEFENSES AS THE WHITE WARRIORS OF GOOD CLOSED IN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. LITTLE DID ANYONE UNDERSTAND THE ULTIMATE CLASH WOULD OCCUR RIGHT HERE IN GREENELAND.
YOU WILL KNOW THE TIME IS NEAR WHEN THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BE SO THICK THAT YOU CAN CUT IT WITH A STICK. AND SUDDENLY ALL IN GREENELAND WILL FEEL THE GROUND SHUTTER, THE SKY DARKEN AND THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH WILL FINALLY OPEN UP.
THE OCCUPANTS THROUGHOUT GREENLAND WILL SHUTTER AT THE POWERS AMASSING AROUND THEM. FOR THE PETRIFIED EVIL DOERS WILL NOT YET HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FINAL OUTBREAK YET TO COME.
THE TRUTHFUL WILL KNOW IT WHEN THE SWINE SQUEAL FOR MERCY AND THE THUNDEROUS NOISE WILL EVEN STARTLE THE GNOMES PLAYING CANDLE PINS.
FOR THE ONCE BOISTEROUS AND PROUD WILL COWER DOWN AS THEIR EXPLOITS ARE EXPOSED TO THE WORLD. ONE BY ONE THEIR DASTARDLY DEEDS WILL REVEALED AND THEY WILL BE FORCED TO FACE THEIR ACCUSERS.
AND FINALY THEY WILL HAVE REALIZED WHAT THEY HAD DONE!
FOR; IT WILL BE DONE.
GID-HUR-DUN! VIVA THE VILLAGE OF CATKILL FIRE COMPANY!
It is really upsetting that a certain group are ruining what used to be a great department. I am from a neighboring department and everyone here hopes you have an extensive change in your leadership at the next election.
We do like getting called in for mutual aid on a regular basis for calls you should be able to handle, but it is depressing looking back at what a good department Catskill once had.
MEDIA NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TONIGHT ON CBS
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
A dead fire company, Hose #1 of Catskill,inc., digs itself out of a grave and walks in a zombie like state feeding on Taxpayers money and equipment as it journeys to the Town of Catskill where it hopes to find life as a fire company.
Can the Catskill Fire company and the taxpayers of Catskill stop this feeding frenzy before Hose 1 and ETA-311 make it to the town where with life, the Hose 1 diet for money will suck the Town of Catskill dry?
With a cast of about 5,000 this epic thriller is sure to please. Can good destroy evil?
Response to blog at 222.
ITS TOO BAD THAT POTATO HEAD AND OH-MY-GOD ARE TO XCTXX STUPID TO KNOW IT!
I was just rereading your original 25 Oct piece The Private Law Suit on the Dushane Story. Its really obvious that Hose 1 had a long history of involvement in these attacks as even admitted by some Hose 1 members. Spying, takiing pictures making complaints and stirring up problems.
I did just realize that the former Catskill School Board President Morris Darling is a NY State Corrections Officer. You read through the 280 something blogs and you realize there is a awful lot of NY State Correction/Hose 1/family ties associated in this entire cess pool.
Do GreeneLanders live in typical small town USA;
or,
a land full of vindictive, cut throat, small minded hipocrites and assinine imbeciles?
4:20 AM
I dont get the blog with Karen Deyo in it?
Tonihgt is the holiday party at the firehouse.Don't be alarmed greene landers the truth detectives will not allow booze to be consumed or we will call the police.We all know (o my god) will turn a blind eye because he might have to do his job and discipline somebody. Maybe like his brothers Jacks future brother in law.
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With few exceptions, such as appropriate law enforcement needs, an individual's health information may only be used for health purposes.
Ensuring that health information is not used for non-health purposes- Health information covered by the rule generally may not be used for purposes not related to health care- such as disclosures to employers to make personnel decisions, or to financial institutions- without explicit authorization from the individual.
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GET RID OF THE TROUBLR MAKERS AND WE WOULD HAVE A HEALTHY CFC
a healthy cfc or one full of don't rock the boats and butt kissers? I guess we should call it the company formerly known as hose 1.
Hate to disappoint all of you truth detectives, but it wasn't me.
Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I'm not the big bad evil blogger your looking for. You should all know by now that any time I have a problem
I speak my mind and do not need to hide behind a blog. I also don't need to ask permission before I speak or decide to run for office. Some people say that I run my mouth too much but I've been taught to speak my mind, especially when standing up for what I believe is right. I certainly am not going to cower down or kiss some ones ass. Especially if they have't earned it. At least everyone always knows my opinion on a subject. And yes I do change my mind if someone can show me a better way. Traits I learned from my father and which we both are criticized for.
No one can accuse me of being afraid to go against what's popular. Its more important to fight for what you believe in than simply going with the flow.
That's what you get with me, I speak for what ever I think is right. I don't have to suck any ones ass!
I'm me and I don't plan on changing. I stand behind what I say and am not afraid to speak my mind. I have yet to write a blog
but now is as good as any time to start. Considering all the trash talk that goes on around here I'm surprised its taken so long to throw us in. You all mock my father and Mr. Seeley but you sure kept your lids shut at the company meeting. Was that to convince Mr Seeley that everything is great at the CFC, or were you trying to keep something from him? Well, considering I've had my gear doused in diesel fuel, have officers who refuse to speak to me, have had hose lines shut down on me while inside of burning structures, had the feign hearted refuse to follow me into a burning building, or one of those who can only write a blog. I guess after all this that I can take a little jab here or there without crying. I recognize the absolute need for some to utilize a blog as it may be the only way they have the courage to speak out. Considering the demonstrated willingness of our current leaders to address anything unless forced to, its kind of comical in a sick way, but oh so sad.
So I might as well tell you how I feel about all of this. Lets see
where
should I begin. Sad to say it, but a lot of what is on this blog site is actually true, it doesn't mean I agree with it or like it being publicized. Its obvious that the blog site has generated more action than the CFC board has accomplished since its start up. It would have never reached this point but enough people had simply stood up and said enough is enough. In fact many of you have never said anything openly,. You simply bitch up a storm behind close doors. But lets face it, you haven't ever stood up so the crap continued to escalate. As I stated at the January meeting what harm has been done if we are simply being forced to do what we should have done in the first place. The CFC will only get better. Its the crap behind the scenes being orchestrated by a few who still think that Hose 1 is the only fire company in the world. Why shouldn't we have to follow the same rules as any one else?. This simpleton mentality has created all these problems. You claim that my family and I are nothing but die hard Hose 5 members to try and discredit us, but we fight on for the CFC. Even when our own officers and some of our Chiefs despise us. Volunteering for the community in a professional manner is more important than bowing down to your childish attacks.
Yes I I ran for a
lieutenants position this year against 1st LT. John Darling. I lost 23 to 14
in a fair election. I had previously spoken to 2ND Lt John Dees numerous times about running and wanted him to move up and run for the 1st Lt. position. We were both tired of the 1st Lt and Capt never showing up to calls and John was always complaining about doing all the work. I'm for anything that betters the CFC. John told me that all the line officers made a pack together that no one would run against anyone else and he was afraid of breaking it. John said he wouldn't run against Darling so I said fine and I put my name on the ballot for first LT. I didn't conspire or lead a campaign to simply oust him and I did not jump John Dees accept out of respect to the fact that he didn't want to run for a higher position. Its no different than 1st Asst Chief Prince not wanting to run for Chief. He had 25 years of service and experience as a Chief, Capt and Lt. yet he allowed an individual with with less than half the years experience to take over as Chief. Randy also jumped from a bogus district position to 2ND Asst Chief to Chief with out following the lines of progression. I don't remember anyone crying foul back then but Hose 1 members are always given an easier standard than everyone else.. Where was the childish mentality of the officers saying to him You should have asked permission to run? Give me a break, that's the kind of crap I was subjected to.! What else can I say. I ran against JD because I do not believe that he makes enough alarms. Primarily because of the fact that he lives in Palenville
which
is 2 fire districts away from Catskill. I feel that line officers should be leading the way from the fire house directing man power for the
first arriving trucks to be affective. How ever, I never said
that he
was a bad firefighter or line officer or anything bad about him
outside of
him not being able to make enough alarms to hold an office. If john
doesn't
like me because of that then it's his loss not mine, I've never did
anything to him. In fact he hasn't spoken three words to my entire family in some six to eight months.
To be honest I also feel that Neal Russell should
resign as captain because he doesn't have enough time to
properly
do his duties as captain. Not saying he's a bad officer but I don't
feel he
has enough time to dedicate to being captain at this time. I am also
upset
with the intimidation captain Russell tried to put on me when he got in
my
face for no reason at a recent board meeting. It took 3 to 4 people to
pull
him back when he attempted to assault me. This is not the way an
officer
should act when dealing with someone. Especially when I came forward to the Fire Company Board with a serious safety violation involving two probes who had run a stop sign and a red light with out any regard to fellow FFs or the public. I'm not referring to a controlled look all ways and proceed with caution drive through, but a I'm invincible and I can run straight through with out stopping carefree drive through. Four FF's saw this occur and three of us wrote supporting letters as requested by the board president. We reported it to the Chiefs etc. and followed every ones recommendations. Only to be attacked within the first minute by the Fire Chief followed by others.
This was an intentional vendetta led by the Chiefs and officers against the complainants. I was shocked that we were attacked for doing what was right, but this has been a consistent pattern around the fire house.
I also feel we have a
couple of members on the board of director's who are in it for the wrong reasons. I believe that
Harold is
doing a good job as president, and the same for John Dees. I am a
certainly
upset that john voted against me when he was the one always complaining that
he was
the only line officer who did anything around the firehouse. John sorry
if
you get mad at me for saying this, but you can't deny it. You said it to
me
and several others numerous different times.
Randy's not the worst chief but then again he's not the best either. I
don't even
dislike Randy as a person but I don't care for the way he treats many of us
who I feel do a lot around the firehouse. I definitely don't like the fact that
Randy sat at the bar in the firehouse and told a group of people that
he
wishes my fathers house burned down when he had a small electrical fire
in
the wall. That's a hell of a thing for the Chief of the Village of Catskill Fire Department to say. It can't
be
denied either, I was told by three different people who sat their and
heard
it. That's OK I won't hold it against you, you've hated my family for
years. I also don't respect the fact that you went to a fireman's funeral in Cairo and was bragging about when you become a paid Fire Chief your going to kick my family out of the department. Once again reliable sources from different departments informed about these conversations. Unbelievable but true, and yet we keep serving the tax payers because we understand the importance of doing our civic duty to volunteer and have no hidden agendas to form a paid fire department.
Chewens, he's not my favorite person but I don't hate him. Feel sorry that he is so infatuated with his Hose 1 and the fact that by all standards they lost the real competition. I do think
potato
head is funny, it makes me laugh. Kind of humorous in its own way.
The bar being closed down isn't that big of a deal I'm here to fight
fire's
not drink beer. Maybe the bar should only be open for special
occasions,
lets not deny the fact that we have had a lot of drinking related problems. The
3-11
issue, I think it's stupid, the truck belongs to the village and it
should
say Village of Catskill Fire Company on the side. The village has been ignoring
this
for years and enough is enough. The new rescue is a cool truck but I
feel
the company should decide the color, not the truck committee which I
agree
is made up of too many people that are related. E3-1 being posted for sale on the Web Site is being done simply because the Chief and Fire Commissioner want to punish Hose 5. You might have convinced the board that moving E3-1 was entirely to insure all apparatus gets off of the floor. But in all honesty it was to fulfill statements made by the fire commissioner and the chiefs that they would teach us a lesson by moving the truck up the hill. Go ahead and sell it, because I don't worship it. Just don't expect us to quit the fire house because of the childish games that are played. Selling it makes more sense than leaving the truck rotting away in the corner due to simple childish ignorance. You could never stop the East Side response so you attacked us the only way you could. Yes I also do support having
a
truck on the "east side". The whole reason 3-1 was moved was so we
could use
it more with more manpower on it. Funny because the truck never gets
used any more.
As far as more man power excuse, trucks a always rolling with two to three guys
even in a
ten man cab. How come the Chief never asks for the manpower status of anything from the West side? What's even funnier is that there are usually people
pulling up in the parking lot when the trucks pull out and leave them. So if your not
going to use 3-1 put it back on the east side and allow it to
respond
with 2 and three guys.
That brings out another item of interest. Its pretty sad when The Fire Chiefs, The Fire Commissioner and the Captain state at a Fire Company meeting that they are moving E 3-1 back to the East Side temporarily during the 9w construction because they are afraid that not doing so they will not get their rescue truck. BUT emphasizing that it could only be used for a confirmed structure and anyone responding to anything else would be suspended from the company. The Chief stated that it was strictly a move to pacify the tax payers until they get their rescue truck purchased.
.
Health problems, that's a touchy subject. I feel people should be
careful at
pointing fingers. There are several people with health problems and I
believe that they probably don't have medical clearance to be doing the things they
are. As far as a medical officer making the kinds of comments that he did were inappropriate and out of line. If someone has a possible condition that needs too be appropriately addressed then do your job and address it. Don't come out in a Blog and make accusations or threats and then state your the Medical officer. The high street fire was the first one I remember seeing you at in months if not longer. If you had a an issue with someone you should have addressed it then. Not a year later and in a blog as a veiled threat. You certainly never heard me tell anyone that you froze or hesitated in the door and was using the hose issue as a reason for not entering the structure fire. Hesitation can cost lives and yes I grab a nozzle when ever someone demonstrates timidness or slowness at attacking a fire.
I did speak up at the last monthly meeting with Mr
Seeley about issues that bothered me so there's nothing to hide.
Just
because I had balls to speak out in front of a lot of the people who
sat
there like scared little kids doesn't mean I turned you in to the state
agencies as some have accused. You should be more afraid of the people
who
act like your friend until you leave the room then talk shit about you. They are the ones that hate you not me. I also
feel
that people should make a certain number of alarms a year in order to
vote
or hold office or have any firematic say. Well now that I have sunk to
the
level of writing blogs you can feel free to attack, harass, intimidate,
and
slander me. These are my words like them or not. But remember one
thing,
just like when I wrote letters to the editor I will sign my name to it.
So
go ahead and do what ever you want to my truck or house, I have
insurance.
And if you think your going to run me off I have news for you, I'm here
for
life. By the way if you have any problems with me be a man and feel
free to
call me at home 943-0502.
Dissaponited with my brother firefighters behavior,
Joel Shanks
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