The Honorable RoAnn Destito Commissioner Office of General Services 41st Floor, Corning Tower Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY 12242 November 2, 2011 Dear Commissioner Destito, Recently, Governor Cuomo announced his 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 of the administration 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 at a time when the City is at a critical stage of its transformational change. 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. With this in mind, I respectfully request that OGS provide an accounting of how many state workers presently working in Troy are slated to move to Albany, and the time frame for that move. This information will allow Troy to better plan for the impact the Governors consolidation effort will inevitably have on Troy. Finally, while the absence of these state employees will be felt in every corner of Troy, the larger issue is the states abandonment of a successful public policy that holds that state investment and workers can help revitalize our inner cities. I have worked with small cities and towns up and down the Hudson River and across the canal system and have experienced first- hand how important it is to create a critical mass for merchants and small businesses. With this in mind, it is my sincere belief that OGS should reconsider any plans to move jobs out of Troy.

Sincerely,

Carmella Mantello Candidate for Mayor