February 17 2008 I awoke to find that a City snowplow operated by Saratoga Springs DPW had hit my legally parked car in front of my home on Warren St. Little did I know at the time this would lead me on an almost two year odyssey for simple justice that would find me in front of three Judges in two courts all to simply make Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco make lawful restitution for the actions of his driver who was found in court on three separate hearing to have operated a motor vehicle with “reckless disregard of the safety of others” these are the Judges words not mine.
Through the course of two years Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco repeatedly tired to shift the blame of this accident to me. Falsely claiming I was illegally parked, that the truck hit a non existent manhole cover all to no avail. Never seeking any more than the $1200 dollars worth of damage the Dept of Public Works never less hired a team of Lawyers to delay, stall and appeal the court decisions that had been in my favor. Finally on Christmas Eve I received a check for $1403 dollars payment in full for all damages and interest. In closing I would publicly like to thank my Attorney William C. Firth Esq. for his hard and dedicated work on this case. I would also like to thank the staffs of the Saratoga Springs Small Claims Court who were always helpful and patient with me and to the Judges who adjudicated my case. I would also like to encourage anyone who feels they have been a victim of the reckless actions of the driver of any City owned Vehicle who has had their claim denied to access the court systems for in the end the Cities Risk and Safety manager is not the final word on legal responsibility for that role is reserved for the courts and while tne wheels of justice turn slowly the results can be worth it. Are you listening Ron?
John Tighe
28 comments:
Dear sir
I am seeking sponsorship donations for the January 1 "Freedom from Ron Kim's Tyranny" day of celebration in the city.
The cost of this Sponsorship is $1,400, which entitles you to having your name placed at the TOP of the DFC ENEMIES LIST. And all the liquor you can drink.
For the executive board of the Freedom Day organizers, I hope we can count on your help.
Thank you----and a MOST Happy January 1 to you and all Saratogians.
So you didn't like our little love tap.Maybe this time you're get our message.
John,
You have clearly changed from your days in High School. You were a model student who only cared for others. Now you have a vindictive and volatile personality. I think that bitch Sister Jean Keating corrupted your morals.
You should have gone the Ex-Police Chief Moore route? Claim DPW hurt your feeling then sue for 100grand settle for 60grand then hold a press conference and tell us it wasn’t about the money.
Careful I hear their making car bombs in the City Garage and you just took the number1 enemies spot from McTygue.
Now if you could just stick it to Kim.
Now let me get this straight,they gave Chief Moore 60 thousand dollars because Erin Dwyer said he was a bad cop or something,but they struck your car with a city plow and spend untold amounts of money to fight a legitimate 1200 dollar claim?
Ex-Chief Moore was famous for standing in front of the City Council and pontificating how any member of his Department would take a bullet for this community. Well it now appears that they were willing to take a bullet but refused to give up a raise.
Until Skippy takes responsibility for his Dept and his employees nothing will change.An apology should have been given and the driver suspended. I would add if services deteriorate to an unacceptable degree the calls to privatize the Dept will only grow louder.
Question: Whats big and orange, warm and sleeps three?
Privatize the DPW with a crew of professionals overseen by competent management. It is way overdue. Then when an employee screws up (bounces his truck off of to many cars) or looses his license for DWI they are shown the door instead of being promoted or protected.
During the next snow storm, I suggest we document issues with video or photographs. That way when there is a hearing next year there will be proof to back up the claims that it is time for a new process.
I will be taking pictures of the drivers creating 4 and 5 foot high piles of packed snow and ice on the street corners.
Residents then have to repeatedly tunnel through these to keep the sidewalks clear. Of course this also leads to blind spots so that you can't see the cars careening down the road as you try to pull out. It got so bad in previous winters that I had to call the DPW.
On a Sunday they sent a crew out to dig out the corners. Four guys for an hour - what did that cost? Nothing like creating overtime for your buddys because you don't know how to drive a snow plow. Of course the impact to the taxpayers supporting this kind of crappy service never crosses the mind to the guy sitting in his warm cab.
BTW, isn't the patina on the Katrina Trask statue in Congress Park getting a bit tarnished? McTygue had one of his cronies sand blast the statue many years back. Unfortunately the DEC had to stop them and then the statue was restored (guess which taxpayers paid for that). I think Skippy should start the bidding process for another sand blasting - just to keep things looking nice and shiny this Spring, the way Tommy did.
Answer: A DPW truck. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Oh Happy Days
Oh Happy Days
When Ron Kim Walks
Oh Happy Days
When he Walks Away
Oh Happy Days
We Shall Be Free
Oh Happy Days
Just a few more days until the Emperor Ron Kim Reign of Terror ends, my fellow citizens!
Happy Days for sure.
To all of the brave protestors in Iran: stay firm, brothers and sisters. If we can rid ourselves of our tyrant here in Saratoga, so can you.
Skippy turned his department over to the city attorney, aka human resourses when passed off the layoff slips.
That's right, privatize the DPW. Why don't you ask the citizens of Albany and Troy how that's working out for them after a snow storm.I think it takes a week and a half for them to get the streets clear down there. And here's a quick quote about their services.
"In response to chronic problems it faces each winter, the city of Albany plans to develop a temporary snow- removal plan for this year that will include rate hikes for private plow contractors but may require them to show up in a storm."
And you think it is better to disband the DPW?
If your blog and that "other (new) blog" are going to be emrboiled in a constant pissing contest, then it's my (humble) opinion that our (reader's)interest will wane.
Skippy just sent out a new memo to announce the next driver to hit Tighe will be made a Foreman and if they kill him they get the Deputies spot.
Yes it does seem that little Demroc has his panties in a bunch today.First I'm vindicated and now he loses his little DPW cheerleader Andrew Bernstein who has been exiled to cover little league.
Personalities and Bloggers aside, the Journalist in me sees this story as genuine and certifiable Spa City news. It IS my taxes at work (even if it IS "insurance") and I'd like a no-spin story. Heck, I'll take it even spun as "TIGHE the TERRIBLE" or STEPHEN KING'S "BLADE- SNOWPLOW from HELL!" Let's see final closure of Local Late Breaking legitimate news not worthy of CNN.
A cautionary note to all- We're lookin' at 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow. Park with care.
-Kyle York
Snow, Man!
I still cannot get on this new blog everyone talks about. I guess I'm braindead. Does that mean I'm qualified for a foreman position in DPW?
Don't worry all that blog does is pose the question.
Tighe Scum of the Earth or Spawn of Satan?
It gets pretty old fast.
I am interested in the blog site. Tighe is appearing to be the anti-christ! Jesus Christ Tighe can't you spell? How many times are you going to misspell words in your posts? Chinny Bird must of hit you in the head too many times with that Board of Education!
I suppose there will be a big push for a change of government this coming year. Who will spearhead that effort? Rick Thompson again? Pat Kane? Will the Success group try to stop them again? Afterall Tom McTygue is a non-factor. Unless of course Bill McTygue tries for Skippy's seat next time.
Hey, Ben gay brother of BEN HIM who is brother of Ben Hur, don't you realize that the Schenectady Cops arrested the local CSEA hit man?
Maxstein sez: Organ grinder should stop playing with his organ,how about Mctygue and Mr.Turkhemier having a cup of coffee together,things looked pretty civil to me,could we be witnessing a dump Ron and Val movement here?After all they are two big liabilities to the DFC'ers,Tommy seems to have his fingers in everything,boy there's alot to be said about..when you're the boss you're the boss,32 years without one full time employee being laid off....NOT ONE.
Ya stick it to the Tourists and don’t forget the non-profits. Hell why not a soup kitchen tax why should the bums eat for free. I see a lot of taxpayers misguidedly giving their money to priests and rabbis let’s tax that too. I also recall Kim was going to sell the cities soul and even the air rights over the City to Bonaccio for a nice corner office in the new police palace. The city workers hold their fate in their own hand, pay cut or lay off. They choose lay off. First thing we do is get a ballot initiative to replace the fire dept. Then privatize DPW. Finally consolidate the police dept with the county. A nice two year plan.
Privatize, Consolidate and Eliminate!!!!!
Attention all drivers who received a pink slip.
Tighe was just seen driving down Broadway if you want to save your job you know what to do.
And no more love taps!!!
Go up stairs to the principal's office Mr. Tighe! Go right up stairs!
I used to be a DPW slut. Long ago we did our fair share of work but now these guys are nothing but slugs!
Get this: the Keehniacs are in motion with planning to nominate Val as NYS Assembly candidate.
Let the fun begin! It just keeps getting better and better.
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