Press Release:

TROY, NY – Carmella Mantello, candidate for Mayor, has called for putting an end to any plans to move state workers out of Downtown Troy.

Her request pertains to a recently announced plan to consolidate state offices and employees over the next eighteen months in the Corning Tower and other existing space.

“I understand and laud the efforts to make government more efficient and provide the taxpayers with services at the lowest possible cost. However, taking jobs from downtown Troy and moving them to Albany would only serve to harm our local economy,” Mantello said.

“These public servants provide a much needed boost to our local merchants, occupy office space that helps attracts other business activity, and generally make a positive contribution to our tax base,” Mantello continued.

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PRESS RELEASE:

TROY—Carmella Mantello, candidate for Mayor, said today that as Mayor she would not permit any appointed City employees to receive more than one taxpayer funded paycheck, including government funded pensions. This practice is commonly known as “double dipping.”

“In my Administration, I will make it a condition of employment that no Mayoral appointees will be allowed to double dip,” Mantello said. “In these challenging economic times, with so many families struggling to make ends meet, it is only right that public servants draw only one taxpayer funded paycheck.”

Congressman Chris Gibson, recently retired from the United States Army, suspended his pension while he is serving in Congress.

“The Congressman’s proud example is one all public officials should follow,” Mantello said. “I call on my opponent to join with me and pledge to the people of Troy that double dipping will not be tolerated in City Hall.”

When asked in the past about his own opportunity to “double dip”, Rosamillia has refused to answer. See here: http://troy.wnyt.com/news/politics/troy-has-new-democratic-mayoral-candidate/68438

With only a week before the election, it's time Lou made his intentions clear to Troy taxpayers.

UPDATE:

At a press conference this afternoon, Lou Rosamilia released a letter from James J. LaGatta, Hudson Valley Community College's vice president for administration, which stated the following:

"At their October 25, 2011 meeting, the College's Board of Trustees were informed of your approved request for an unpaid leave of absence from your duties as Professor, Accounting, effective for the Spring 2012 Semester.

So that we may properly plan our staffing needs, please notify my office, in writing, by April 1, 2012 as to whether you intend to return to active employment status at the end of your leave."

PRESS RELEASE

TROY - “I drove 5 hours, one way, to stand here on behalf of dozens and dozens of elected officials and community leaders to support Carmella Mantello and her stellar record as Director of the New York State Canal Corporation,” Michael Tucker, Mayor of Lockport said today at a rally for the Troy Mayoral Candidate.

“It is sad that her opponent would resort to bold face lies about her record when everyone in the State of New York who has ever worked with her knows it is completely false,” he continued.

Tucker was joined by a group of leaders including: County Executive, Kathy Jimino; current Mayor of Troy, Harry Tutunjian; New York State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin; and Mayor Bert Mahoney of Waterford. Also submitted were dozens upon dozens of other statements of support from community leaders across New York State in support of Mantello and her record of experience and accomplishment.

A visibly moved Mantello said she was humbled by the outpouring of support and thanked her many colleagues from over the years for rallying to her defense.

“I am humbled by all of the statements that I have received over the last week. I am proud of my record as Director of the New York State Canal Corporation and Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway. My opponent’s feeble attempt to defame my record will not stand with the people who I have worked with and the people of Troy certainly will not stand for it as well,” Mantello said.

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PRESS RELEASE:

TROY, NY – Carmella Mantello, candidate for Mayor, today unveiled her plan to expand the ‘Troy Action Line’ to increase accessibility for more residents.

“As Mayor I will improve communication with our residents through our plan to better address quality of life issues and increase the methods use to communicate,” Mantello said.

The plan is to build on the foundation of the ‘Troy Action Line’ created by Mayor Harry Tutunjian. The current Action Line is an online service request system that allows residents to submit requests for service. Requests can range from garbage and recycling collection, pothole reporting, snow removal, street and traffic light problems and codes complaints to name a few.

Mantello has proposed the following changes to the current system:

• Creation of an Action Line Phone Number – this will allow residents the option of calling in requests for services. This will accommodate requests when online services are not available.

• Creation of a Smartphone Application – this will allow residents the ability to submit requests directly from their smartphone while they may be away from their home and see something in the city that needs to be addresses.

• Enhanced Promotion of the Troy Action Line – contact information for submitting request will be made more readily available to residents through promotional materials and a direct link on the city’s website.

Mantello also added that residents who submit any request will have a response within 24 hours.

Mantello also announced that she will institute an Emergency Alert System to better inform residents during emergencies and to inform residents of other non-emergency situations that may cause inconvenience or difficulty to residents.

Residents will have the ability to sign up to receive alerts via e-mail or text message. Alerts can range from public safety messages, traffic problems, construction or weather related events.

“While Director of the Canal Corporation, I worked with Emergency Management Coordinators to initiate an E-Alert System to inform people of situations occurring along the canal system,” Mantello said.

“As I continue to knock on doors and listen to the people, it is clear we need to find more ways to increase communication between our residents and the city. Our plan to enhance the Action Line and create and E-Alert System will improve the quality of life for the people of Troy,” she continued.

“This is one more example of how my real world experience will be put to work for the people of Troy,” Mantello concluded.

Carmella Mantello, Republican candidate for mayor, today wrote to Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman to urge that he work to schedule games in 2012 at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium for the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will play all 72 home games at alternate locations next year while its ballpark undergoes $40 million in upgrades. The majority of the games are to be played in other upstate New York minor league ballparks including Frontier Field in Rochester, Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo and Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse.

However, the team is also scheduled to play eight games in Allentown, Pennsylvania and four in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

"The Yankees are New York’s premier sports franchise, and their top level minor league team should be playing in front of New York crowds," Mantello wrote to Mr. Cashman. "The Joe is a first-class stadium, and the people of the Capital Region are first class fans. This is an opportunity to bring the Yankees back to the region that Bernie, Andy, Jorge and Derek proudly once called home."