Thank You, Commissioner Madigan

CHEER'S
Transparency, it sounds like a nice word when a politician uses it in a speech, but the word means more when it is put in use.  I would like to thank Commissioner Michele Madigan for not only talking the talk, but walking the walk.  She has been in office for 6 months and a few months ago she put a transparency tab on the homepage of the City's website titled 'transparency'.  If you click on that tab guess what, you can go to any year from 2008 thru 2012 (anticipated), revenues and expenses of each Department and it is even broken down by individual line items for the 5 Departments.  We want to thank Commissioner Madigan for this benefit to all who would want to view the information; you get the Golden Peach Award.

Now, the flip side of the coin.

JEER'S

Since Mayor Johnson has been in office, every department and the employees under his authority cannot speak to or give any public information to citizens of Saratoga Springs.  That's right, information we have a legal right to see can't be given to us unless of course we file a FOIL request and bring the City Attorney into the picture.  

Can you say APATHY?  I spoke with 2 people who worked at the polls for Tuesday's primary; one District had a total of 16 voters cast their ballot and the other, 16. It's the old Saratoga mentality "When I turn on my faucet and water comes out, and my leaves are picked up, everything is right with the City".  

The Mayor is running a socialist department and sadly, not many seem to care.  If enough people demanded to see information that is public I'm almost sure his attitude would change (?) and we wouldn't be FOILED again.  Sorry Mr. Mayor, you get the Raspberry Award for this one.

Ssaratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance

Michele Madigan