Let's look at the recent activities of just one segment of that largely unnecessary governmental body, the one that has dubbed itself "The Team for Troy."
The "team" consists of Neil J. Kelleher, who as chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature gets the ludicrously large salary of $30,000 a year for his part-time job; Majority Leader Bob Mirch, who makes $25,000 a year for his part-time efforts; and part-time legislators -- at $20,000 each -- Jim Brearton, Laura Bauer and Nancy McHugh.
They all, you may recall, rose to their current bloated salary levels by passing a sneak raise for themselves just before last Christmas.
According to a press release "The Team for Troy" handed out to anyone gullible enough to publish it verbatim, here's what they and the rest of their legislative colleagues did at their Oct. 10 meeting in addition to discussing County Exec Kathy Jimino's proposed $278 million budget for 2007 that, unless trimmed, will raise taxpayers' bill 25.9%. (I've bold-faced the key words for emphasis.)
"Approved a resolution recognizing the Troy Senior Center upon reaching its 50th anniversary."
"Adopted a resolution recognizing Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week."
"Recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month."
"Recognized Oct. 28 as Special Olympics Day."
"Recognized the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month."
And, my favorite: "Recognized our county executive ... upon being recognized at the YWCA of Troy and Cohoes 2006 Resourceful Women dinner."
That's a whole lot of recognizing going on. Perhaps one of these days voters will recognize the boondoggle that is the County Legislature.
Perhaps.
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