I'm delighted that Mr. Szerlag, who has conducted himself with professionalism throughout the diatribe that Ms. Daniels has conducted for the last 4 years, has finally had an opportunity to set the record straight. Thank you, Mr. Szerlag. I believe, that without your guidance and experience, Troy would have been destroyed already. You recognized the path Troy was on as soon as you arrived in July of 2009, informed everyone of the hazards, made recommendations to avoid disaster. You have behaved with honor and integrity, in spite of the vitriol spewed by a segment of our community. You deserve public apologies from many, many people, starting with Ms. Daniels.

As expected, City Manager Szerlag takes the "high road" in providing a professionally written response letter that rebuts Mayor Daniels' false statements and wrongful accusations she delivered in her March 9 position paper. How foolish Janice Daniels should feel after Mr. Szerlag exposed Daniels for what she really is - a fraud!

Perhaps her strategy is to attack City Council members first, to cover up her own leadership inadequacies. Just attend a City Council Meeting and it's so incredibly obvious that Mayor Daniels has yet to learn proper protocol. What's even more incredible is she really believes her position as "Mayor" affords her the right to DEMAND specific action by the City Manager and City Attorney. So sad......

Several City Council members and staff (including City Manager-Szerlag) already have Ms. Daniels figured out. Thanks to them, they WILL continue to keep a close eye on her to ensure she follows proper City Council procedures going forward.

But the question is.....will she ever learn?

John has actually been the city manager for many years. At one point he left for another postion. After one or two city managers left he was brought back in. Having servied in a political role during his intial adminstration I felt he was excellent at his position. Frankly why would anyone want a position with our city the way things are being handled. This is very distressing.

Szerlag's letter is fantastic! Only half way through it, but here is the best I've read so far:
The above statement goes beyond ludicrous. Because of a drop in taxable value in the DDA, we
need to find a solution to have the DDA meet its debt service obligations. But to indicate that the DDA is heading for insolvency “simply because” Management canceled meetings since November, 2011 goes beyond the periphery of my imagination to comprehend how you can believe that.

Dear Ms. Daniels, nothing personal, but you are in over your head. You have no clue how to run a meeting. Please step down for Troys' sake. Mr.Szerlag you showed that you are a true professional. Keep up the great work you do for Troy.

What they said....!

The city manager works for the City Council. They don't work for him. Cannot the city manager find better things to do with his time than write an 8 page diatribe? So Mayor Daniels takes issue with his performance. Doesn't she have every right to? She is elected; the city manager is not. Memo to John Szerlag: you need to get along with all members of Council, and not just the ones you like.

Opening someone else's mail is a federal offense --- i.e., it is illegal! When it is done in the business world, it is ALWAYS with the full knowlege and permission of the addressee. Mr. Szerlag has ALWAYS taken sides. Mr. Szerlag steers and pushes, but if confronted, he points to council to take the blame saying he is only following their resolutions. Pretty good gig!

Please, Mary Ann. When mail is addressed to a public official at a public address it belongs to the public. If it were mailed to Ms. Janice Daniels at her home, it would not be public record, nor would it be opened. You are also incorrect about the business world. Unless it says Personal and Confidential you never have an expectation of privacy! Mr. Szerlag does not make decisions- he takes direction from council, as a unit!!! not as individuals.

Wrong on all counts. Sorry. In the business world, the CEO's mail can usually be opened by his secretary because she/he has the CEO's permission and knowlege. However, another employee in the business who does not have same, would not have a right to open the CEO's mail. Moreover, Mayor Daniels indicated that she did not even receive a very important correspondence that had been addressed to her until the very night that the item was being discussed at the council table!

Sharon, I warned you once before. Call me names and you are asking for trouble.
You have a different opinion. Fine! Express it, but leave your potty mouth at the door!

I loved it last night when Queen janice repeatedly demanded that the attorney do her bidding. The attorney patiently explained 1) it won't work and 2) if the "majority of council" asks me to do it I will. Then when everyone had spoken, Queenie again asked the attorney to do her bidding. She didn't understand a word they were all so kindly trying to explain to her. Even her friends on council must be laughing at her incompetence. Holy crap!
http://keeptroystrong.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-time-for-janice-daniels-to-step.html

Some people just seem intent upon proving that they are incapable of discussing anything in an intelligent and respecful manner. Pitiful!

Mary Ann - what I am saying is true and RELEVANT! You are among a very few who are not humiliated by this mayor.

I am sure that there are many, many people who are embarrassed by you, Sharon. You bring shame upon yourself and upon our city in almost every comment you make. I am sorry for you, that you seem incapable of functioning on a higher plane. Yes, it's pitful. You are not only ridiculous, but there are many, many more adjectives that could be used, but I will not go to your subterranean level.

But I like you.

Sharon, then don't call me names --- or adjectives. And, "couln't we all just get along?" You could do so much to help us heal and to restore Troy to it's rightful place as a wonderful city filled with absolutely great people. That is how I have always thought about Troy, but you have helped to destroy this for me and for many others. Janice Daniels is not the devil you make her out to be. This continual hate is not doing any of us any good; it is doing a tremendous amount of damage. I want to like you, Sharon, I really do. Please give me a reason.

When will she play nice?

Sharon, couldn't we just give her a chance? Doesn't any human being deserve that? Couldn't we try to come together?

So you didn't hear what she said to the city manager last meeting?

She doesn't treat staff like they are human. Last year she said we should fire everyone and hire "real people" for those jobs. Our current staff is not made up of "real people?" Why do you hold me to such a high standard and ignore her behavior.
Just curious.

She has created her own scandals.

Yes, of course I did. If I were carrying a responsibility as great as being the mayor of Troy, and my mail was not only opened by someone else without my knowlege, and I did not even receive the correspondence until the night that it was being discussed at the council table, I think I would be remiss if I were not upset about it. There are many roads to Rome. My take on Janice is that she does say and do things a little differently than we are used to because she is so new to this whole thing. That is why I supported Robin. It was a matter of experience. Since it was Janice whom the residents chose, I think that we should all give her a chance to gain experience and to grow. Why should that be so hard? Our country needs to come together on all levels of governement before we destroy ourselves. There is too much that is good about Troy and about our country not to.

But the mail doesn't belong to her. It belongs to you and me. Didn't you listen to her speeches last year. Public servant. She is a public servant. When will she serve us? And considering most people supported the transit center, she isn't listening to her mail anyway.

Like it or not, she won the majority and I feel pretty confident that those who voted for her knew where she stood on the Transit Center. I thought that when I supported Robin I would just have to accept the Transit Center. When Janice won, I thought that I would get what I wanted --- and that was NO Transit Center. Well, it didn't turn out that way, and I am disappointed because I am very worried about how this will affect Troy's economy down the line. I know you disagree, but can't you and I and others continue to discuss these types of things without trying to destroy each other?

Well, good night. I never got my check book balanced.....but this was more important. Thank you for a thoughtful discussion. I hope we have many more.

Mary Ann, regardless of political views, Ms. Mayor is in over her head. She needs to admit it and step down. She will be recalled, without a doubt. Not because of her views, but because she does not have the skills to serve as mayor. Thats it, she does not have the skills to serve as mayor.

Mary Ann, She won a majority of the votes that were cast. That does not mean that a majority of the citizens of Troy agree with her. Per the FOIA, her e-mails have shown that she was not truthful with the citizens of Troy. She indicated that the majority of her e-mails said she was doing a fine job and also a majority of the e-mails were against the Transit Center. That was a complete fabrication as the e-mails proved. Like Mark said, she is in over her head. She is not capable of serving the residents of Troy. She is only making things worse every time she speaks. Don't attack me as a "hate" monger. I am stating facts and the fact is that all the negativity brought upon our fine city was because of her behavior and nothing else. End of story! Like I said before, YOU SAY IT, YOU OWN IN!

While we are on the subject, has anyone verified that she actually graduated from Oakland in Business Administration. Since I also have a degree in Business, I am astounded at her lack of understanding about Marketing, Management, Accounting, IT, Finance. It's like she didn't go to school at all. Can we get verification?

Linda, first, this is America. When someone wins a majority of the votes, they take the position and are expected to do everything they can to fulfill the promises of their campaign. Second, I will call out hate wherever I find it. Third, I will end the story when I decide to --- I do not take commands from you. Fouth, I certainly do own my words --- unlike you, I never say dictatorial things that I would regret later (neither do I spew hate). Fifth, there are ways of expressing your view without dictating to others about what they MUST say, think and feel. Look at Mark's comment, above. He shares your point of view. The difference is that he expressed it without all of the problems that your comments usher in.

Mary Ann, do you agree that she needs to step down? Do you agree that she is in over her head? Do you agree that she does not have the skills to do the job?

Cathy, I do not call names as you should well know and I don't appreciate you screaming at me in this thread. You should "wake up" and learn how to speak with others who do not agree with you respectfully.

What "question" would you like answered. I am getting quite sick of commenting and would like to end it. Please present your question and then I hope you can find something else to do.

Yes, I see above you want to know if I think she should step down. Of course not. She has six months, by Charter, and you would not even give her that? The Charter requirement to meant to prevent the mob mentality that we are seeing in Troy.

Maybe you should smell the coffee! It amazes me how so many of you comment like this and then say that you are not haters. Please!

Are we done yet, Cathy, because I have other things to do.

Again, Mary Ann, only part of the info applied. The six month limit is for recall. Doesn't affect resignation. Which if she had integrity, she would do.

All of the information applied. Read it again.

Bottom line: Janice Daniels was a fraud from the beginning.

In her campaign, she never once acknowledged she was a member of the "Tea Party." Why not? Even during the "Meet and Greet" session held at the Troy Community Center a week before the election, never once did she admit to supporting the "Tea Party." AGAIN, Why Not?

If she believes in transparency in politics, then why does she pick and choose which information she wants public?

Janice Daniels is nothing more than a "puppet" representing her "Tea Party" friends. What's so pitiful, is she doesn't even know she is being manipulated by them.

How one individual can ruin the image of a great city in such a short time is beyond belief. Every minute she remains as Mayor is a liability to Troy. So sad.....

Mary Ann. You need to take a deep breathe and exhale slowly. I was not dictating, just stating facts. Perhaps you should read my above comment again later, after taking a few more cleansing breaths. No need to get so riled. It interferes with the logical conversations you so desperately seek.

6:06 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Mary Ann, dear, do you not see how contradictory you are in your communications? You no sooner beg for amicability than do you do the very same thing. I really think you need to step away for clarity.

First of all, Abbey, don't ever "dear" me again. Second, I never called anyone an idiot, and never would. I consider your statement slander. Stop addressing me or referring to me on this blog. I do not make false statements about others and I don't expect you to make them about me. You don't like my opinion. Fine. That does not give you the right to slander me.

Excuse me, Abbey! How dare you make statements about me, or anyone else, like that.

Abbey, I see that you deleted your first libelous statement about me.

Abbey, I am referring to your comment on Jan. 25th at 9:30 p.m. in which you imbedded a libelous statement about me. I have contacted the editor. If the comment is removed, I will not have to contact my lawyer. Your other comments toward me have been rude and disrespectful, but there is nothing I can do about that other than to confront the behavior. I made one simple comment on Tuesday, January 24 at 9:30 p.m. saying that opening someone else's mail is a Federal offense. What immediately followed was a comment by Sharon MacDonell saying that I am ridiculous! Sharon and I did end up having a substantive discussion. Once it was completed, however, a firestorm of comments followed addressed to me and referring to me personally in a derogatory manner. In that firestorm, you made two libelous comments, one of which you have removed. Now, you turn around and accuse me of being rude! It would be laughable if it were not so disgusting. When rude and disrespectful comments are directed at me, I will confront them. I had only wanted to make ONE simple comment here, but have had to confront rude, disrespectful and LIBELOUS statements for over 48 hours! If this is a credible news source, it must have a policy regarding this kind of thing. I hope you solve this quickly and easily by removing your libelous statement. Further, I hope that I will not have to confront any more rude and disrespectful comments and can get off this thread for good.

According to the legal definition of libel, I believe you to be free from harm. I have deleted my comments to ease your irritability. I hope you'll choose your every word as carefully as you demand others do. But you are free to leave anytime regardless of what goes on here.

You can leave this thread at anytime. You are choosing to participate in an online discussion, so that means you have to be willing to put up with opinions from others that do not agree with you. Everyone that you have labeled (or their comments) as derogatory or libelous is a little over the top. No one has been initial mean or hurtful, just as passionate as you are with a different opinion/take about the Mayor. You have the right to comment "or confront" anyone or any comments that you wish, but to expect a public exchange of opinions not to get a litte sarcastic and passionate is a little silly. And at this point the only way to stop the comments on your postings is to walk away from your computer and stop reading them and responsing. Wait for the next thread. You have a strong opinion which is great, but so do others. Reading this thread filled with comments from concerns citizens about the reputation of their city is refreshing and a pleasure to read. Continue the discourse, but if you want to participate you take everything so personally.

More rudeness and disrespect. I will leave this thread when you stop addressing me. I will stop taking things personally when you stop making PERSONAL,derogatory, rude and disrespectful comments directed at me.

What was personal about that besides addressing to you in response? What was derogatory? Rude? Disrespectful? If you cannot take someone explaining forum dynamics to you, maybe it's just that you are over-sensitive? are you going to tell me that's rude, too? Boy. It's hard to talk with some people sometimes, isn't it?

You can't see what was disrespecful and rude and downright false and libelous? Issues and opinions are one thing; describing others in derogatory terms and making false statements about them is another. You cannot seem to stay on the issues. All you seem to want to do is to go after those who disagree with you. How is it that it is all about me now? Do you even remember what the issues were? Also, I thought that you were all up in arms because someone was not careful and sensitive about their words! Now, all of a sudden, one cannot be too insensitive for your tastes. I think the public sees all of this for what it is. I appear to be the only one who comes here with a differing opinion, and it is abundantly clear why that is so.

I think someone has certainly made it clear to the public what one issue is.

I remember what the original issue was. Two days ago, Mary Ann implied that it was a federal crime for city employees to open mail addressed to Mayor Daniels that was sent to city hall. Of course she was wrong and several people pointed that out to her, but that has never stopped Mary Ann from repeating things she knows to be false. So please, everybody please stop being mean to Mary Ann by pointing out facts. I know it doesn't look like she has anything better to do than respond continuously to the same article for two straight days, but she really does. Meetings with lawyers to sue people for libel take a lot of time.

No one has been talking about the issues at all. All you do is make personal and false comments about anyone who disagrees with you. Have fun talking to yourselves becasue I am sure no one else would ever come here to have a real discussion with you.

Elvis has left the building.

Well that is 10 minutes I will never get back

Remember if Mary Ann Bernardi said it, it must be true.