After years without a town property tax the Town Of Watertown can no longer rely on a share of sales tax, especially with its level of spending….Thats OK….If you want to have a government you have to ask the peeps for money….The Town has been the locale for a lot of development but spending in some areas accumulated to what is now a bad situation. Time to pay up….
https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/09/04/assessing-need-town-tax-reassessment-town-watertown/
It’s a hung jury in the case of Lindsey Clancy as eleven jurors wanted acquittal on mental deficiency but one hung out for a guilty conviction. Her attorney said Ms Clancy is a tragic figure who was robbed by one man who refused to follow the law.
Democrat Blake Gendebien has signed a pledge opposing socialism.
He shouldn’t have to …His views should,be self evident.
://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/gendebien-signs-pledge-denouncing-socialism-22416179.php
State Police are urging motorists to watch out for School ,busses. That’s a good thing.
https://www.wbng.com/2026/09/03/state-police-remind-new-york-drivers-stop-school-buses/
Heading into a holiday weekend, retailers across the region are trying to get product following Eagle Beverage selling out to Sheehan….. Terrible transition…No thanks for years of business or welcoming package…
Oh well, welcome to New York.
Financial reporting pioneer Maria Bartiro o is leaving FOX News. She was a fixture there for nearly 13 years.
https://www.dailymail.com/media/article-16103231/maria-bartiromo-fox-news.html
City Council Member Ben Shoen has complete his free of charge replacement for restroom fixtures at a Northside recreation field rest room...It happened last winter and the City left the mess until they could get it done for free.
Not really for free as there were billable hours for Legal to say Shoen could do the work....,
The City should have fixed the problem immediatiely as anyone in business would have done...But we appreciate the sentiment from Mr. Shoen.
Tell me this isn't true...There is serious talk the abandoned events center in the Town will land at the declining Salmon Run Mall...
Please stop these people..They know not what they are doing.
Surely Supervisor Wright wouldn’t commit Town money to this boondoggle…
https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/09/03/events-center-group-now-eyes-salmon-run-mall/
People show a passing interest in government on occasion but generally its so large and blubbery, most people have tuned out...
This week a county legislator brought attention to his craft by declaring it is annoying to run for reelection...,I thought it was through the electoral process a connection is made between those who govern and the governed.
Is it a legislature or a club ?
It's not surprising there are all those fiscal woes in a place like the Town of Watertown...In the bid to have no town tax, there was a system where two old part time men, a supervisor and an assessor compiled all the information on multiple water and sewer districts and then submitted what was often flawed information to the County who prepared the bills... Then all this money comes in and how is it accounted for.? Poorly.....Money is spent and suits are calling the shots on how its spent....
Now is when someone says that's the case for professional unelected management..Well the City has a CM, a Comptroller and a recreation account clerk and still couldn't get checks from a desk drawer to the bank.
In the Town's case, how about ,having a business staff to keep track of all this and make the information available (transparency I believe its called) to elected officials and the public.
If you want to have all that development , and amenities to homeowners, you can't have a minimalist government....
Town residents got what they paid for and now they will really pay.
Now back across the imaginary line, there's a story around the golf course is doing well this year...Does anyone know...are there reports Council has read...They do have to make a final decision like now on closing next year.,,,What happened
And the Zoo, while it is a private corporation, it is dependent on City subsidy (in kind services, building repairs and free utilities are subsidy.). Still no transparency..,,
No, you don't have to tell people anything, but in the absence of transparency we suspicion, rumor and innuendo....Take your choice.,
Lake Ontario continues to longer in limbo as Mapquest refuses to call the body of water Lake America, Apple and Google Maps did indulge the President’s fancy.
Most of the country couldn’t name the Great Lakes but here it’s relevant as we live on the shores of the Lake.
I wouldn’t be reprinting maps and globes as the name change will be dropped under whoever is President in 2029.
https://www.newsweek.com/mapquest-tops-download-chart-defying-trump-lake-america-12393691
As the plowing season nears, City observers are likely asking “who is Karen Overton?”
She is assistant DPW Superintendent and this morning became acting superintendent. When Brian MacCue was dismissed.
Don’t know much about her other than she was the Mayors fill in last May at a NY Conference of Mayors award ceremony.
Whether she has the inside track to replace MacCue is not known…..
Anyone know her ?
Insiders say the change started to play out Tuesday afternoon when Mr MacCue was told he could resign or be fired, and he began packing his office and the CM met with senior staff to tell them What was up.
The mood at DPW was said to be upbeat this morning…..it is said there were several departures the past three years than the previous 30, so it was a bit of a toxic workplace, from what I am told.
As for Ms. Overton, she is said to be a former employee of a local engineering firm who came to the city about three years ago.
Besides speed bumps, there is a lot of question about what is seen as a concerted effort to deep six the refuse operation…..including suspicions a private hauler had a part in driving down city market share.
The former DPW head was with the city only seven only months before becoming superintendent, and Council has privately had their issues with Brian MacCue who lost his six figure post this morning. Rare occurence.
There will be little said about why. And no consultation with Council about a replacement …Not known how much separation pay there is…..
And do we need to look at a staff reduction…..Council needs to be engaged …Can we continue to offload key decisions to someone at least two Council Members are not fond of?
So there is a backpack ban in City schools,,,,,,Don’t know enough to comment but clearly a lot of people don’t like it.
Whatever they do , the sun will rise tomorrow
https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/09/02/1000-sign-petition-over-backpack-ban-watertown-high-school/
The Times reports the sudden firing of DPW czar Brian Mac Cue is linked to low morale and the speed bump matter was a factor. For over a year the Third Floor suppressed information on the death of a woman leading to a seven figure settlement.
With tensions building on Council over the running of the City, somebody had to walk the plank.
