FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Legislative Majority Leaders Jeopardize Community College

I am mystified about the legislatures action last night after meeting with Shawn Morse, Frank Commisso, Mike Mackey and Tom Cotrofeld a week before the vote to resolve any remaining issues on the Schenectady County Community College construction contract, said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. They advised me there were no outstanding issues. Since no one on my staff was contacted with any questions or concerns, I am troubled as this may be devastating to the plan and those Albany County residents who are looking to take classes in downtown Albany. I have never seen a legislative resolution move through two committees with universal support, only to be returned to committee upon reaching the full legislature. By sending the general contractor award for the project to the Law Committee for review, renovation cannot start to the second floor of the Albany County Office Building. Any delay threatens the ability to hold classes in a timely fashion. This is another failure of the majority leadership to appreciate how large scale issues like economic development flow from educational initiatives. Community College education is a vital engine to our regions economic prosperity and this new partnership with SCCC will bring students to downtown Albany, having positive long term impacts for the Capital Region. Albany County has underutilized space in our office buildings and it is incumbent on my administration to try to maximize these assets. Unfortunately, majority leadership fails to see the value in this effort. This shortsighted decision will send the wrong message to SCCC and could spur the college to consider investing in locations other than 112 State Street. ###

Mary Rozak Director of Communications Office of the Albany County Executive 112 State Street, Room 825 Albany, NY 12207 tel 518.447.7040 ext. 7218 cell 518.368.9528 fax 518.447.5589 mary.rozak@albanycounty.com www.albanycounty.com