Ken Runion refuses e-mails

Here's video of Ken Runion stating that he will not accept e-mails from two of the Town Board members.

December 16, 2008 meeting

Police Promotion
The Town Board approved the appointment of Guilderland Police Officer Roger Ginder to the position of Sergeant (4-0, Councilman Redlich recused himself). Congratulations to Sgt. Ginder and his family.

To make the selection process more open and inclusive, Councilman Grimm asked that the minority party have a representative on the police review board. The Board interviews candidates and makes recommendations for appointments. Supervisor Runion refused to allow any minority representation on the police review board.

State of Emergency Notification
Due to the ice storm, Supervisor Runion declared a town "state of emergency" on Friday, December 12th. Since many Guilderland residents were not aware of the state of emergency declaration, Councilman Grimm made the following suggestions to improve public communication the next time a state of emergency occurs:

- Notify the Town Board when a State of Emergency is declared
- Place the Declaration notification on the town's cable TV channel and explain what it means to residents
- Send notice by e-mail to all those residents who have signed up for town e-mails for various departments
- Place the addresses of the town shelters on the town's website throughout the emergency.

Though those without power couldn't receive electronic communication, many who had power could get the message out to friends and relatives.

August 19th Meeting

The Board approved town membership into the Albany County Storm Water Coalition in order to meet government requirements and improve storm water issues with inter-governmental cooperation. The annual membership fee for Guilderland is $14,582.

Dr. Tom Kriger was unanimously appointed to the Chairmanship of the Economic Development Advisory Council. Mr. Kriger said he hoped to follow the path laid out by the town's comprehensive plan. He hopes to increase development taking a balance approach to the competing interests involved. He also said utilizing the state's small business resource centers, preserving farms, and making Guilderland more pedestrian-friendly were some of his other priorities. The Chairmanship stipend is $3,600.

Jackie Siudy and Gerry Lugg were appointed building inspectors. Both scored high on civil service tests. Congratulations to them.

An informational meeting on the 2009 proposed town budget was scheduled for September 23 at 7:30 pm.

In Executive Session, the Board voted 3-2 to uphold a ruling by the Town Clerk regarding a Freedom of Information Request (FOIL). A citizen appealed the Clerk's ruling to the Town Board.

January 15th Town Board Meeting

A Warren Redlich proposal to require Town department heads to come to a Town Board meeting and explain what their departments do was defeated by the Democrats in a 3-2 vote. Councilmen Grimm and Redlich voted in favor of the proposal to shed more light on how the Town government operates.