Observer Corps Committee

League of Women Voters^®
of Schenectady County

Observer Corps Report September 2010. County Board Report.

Observer Corps Report September 2010

Submitted by Mary Maitino, Committee Chair
We had a wonderful group who observed many Schenectady County public meetings last year. The Schenectady County Legislature, Metroplex, Schenectady City Council, Schenectady City School Board, and the Glenville Town meetings were among those attended. We are still in need of observers for the Niskayuna Town and School District, Scotia Village and Scotia-Glenville School District, Rotterdam Town, and Mohonasen and Schalmont School District meetings. It is not necessary to attend every meeting. It would be great if more LWV members would became involved in this committee. You would personally learn much about what's going on in the community and you would also be in a position to give important pertinent feedback concerning our many studies. Please look for sign-up sheets at the September Luncheon. At our last Board Meeting, it was decided that Observer Corps members should re-institute putting three or four sentences in the LWV monthly newsletter, summarizing meetings observed that month. Those reports should be emailed to me, marimay67@gmail.com and Joanne, jtobiessen@hotmail.com, and I'll forward them to Helen MacDonald. If you have more lengthy reports of those meetings, they should also be emailed to me and Joanne, and I will have them placed on our LWV website. Thank you.
Observer Corps Report: Schenectady City Board of Education, August 11, 2010 Submitted by Mary Maitino, Committee Chair
· The staff at the Katherine Burr Blodgett Success Academy gave a presentation of the new program that will begin there in the Fall for 7th and 8th Graders.
· Dr. Roberts gave a presentation of the new "Safe Schools Helpline" that will be implemented this Fall. Brochures and a packet will be mailed to all SCSD parents. The district hopes this program will be a tool to promote school safety.
· The Chapter 105 Part A Retirement Incentive was discussed.
· Superintendent John Yagielski discussed one of the Primary Goals for himself and the Board, how to build the 2011-2012 budget from "scratch." When it is completed, it will be made available to all interested parties.
· There will be a Public Hearing during the September 1 BOE meeting, concerning the review and updating of the District's Code of Conduct. It can be viewed on the district website in a PDF file.

County Board Report

Submitted by Maxine Borom
On Tuesday, Jan. 12, Helga Schroeter and Maxine Borom attended the 7:00 p.m. County Legislature meeting, which they have been doing for several years as part of the LWV Observer Corps
Note: The County Legislature meets on the second Tues. of each month, with committee meeings held on the first Monday. It is made up of 13 Democrats and 2 Republicans at this time.

First item on the agenda of the legislative conference was reading resolutions honoring various Burnt Hills athletic teams, which did very well in their respective sports fields this year.
At the "Privilege of the Floor" Helga announced the Martin Luther King ceremony to be held on Sunday, Jan. 17. Three or four other attendees spoke to different issues.
Note: Normally LWV observers do not comment on the proceedings, but occasionally they do, either for the League or for some other group or individual--with a disclaimer, of course identifying the group or cause being mentioned. This operating procedure is necessary because any other approach carries a risk of having people speak for the League on inappropriate or irrelevant subjects.

Resolutions passed in addition to the honorary ones included one to cooperate with Albany and Rensseler Counties regarding an animal sheltering equipment grant program and two others regarding parking spaces and office space for the judiciary, as well as distribution of dog license fees to the towns, chargeback of uncollectible taxes to Scotia and Schalmont School Districts. The final resolution of the evening called for a public hearing on a law to increase the income base for grant of partial exemption from property taxes for those 65 years or older.
Note: Since the LWV's goal is to be vigilant regarding both process and substance, it is important to be present as frequently as possible and to become familiar with both the "characters" and the procedure. Helga and Maxine have become somewhat addicted, as might be the case with an ongoing soap opera--so they continue to attend year after year!!!

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