Reprinted by permission from THE DAILY GAZETTE Editorial dated May 13, 2003: It's tough to build a nice building without an architect, and it's touch to get a good labor contract without an experienced negotiator. That's why Schenectady County, with three union contracts up for renewal, was right to hire James Roemer, an Albany attorney, last year. Those legislators now complaining about it seem misguided, if not disingenuous. The legislators, who all happen to be Democrats, say the county should be using its own staff to save money. Roemer's services will cost the county $66,000, an amount they say the county can't afford in its current fiscal crisis. The trouble is, the county attorney's office is short-staffed after the retirement of County Attorney Douglas McManus earlier this year and the departure of a part-time attorney. And the office has been without an experienced labor negotiator since the retirement of Robert DePaula four years ago, so it has been relying on outside counsel the last few years. A skilled negotiator is all-important because there is so much at stake with these contracts, not just salaries but multimillion-dollar costs such as health insurance and pensions. Without such a negotiator, bargaining units like Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union (that's Dennis Rivera's union) could take the county to the cleaners. And badly written contracts could lead to unfair labor practices charges down the road. At $66,000 for three contracts, Roemer is a bargain. A few years back the Democrats in the city of Schenectady, who are close to the unions, tried to get rid of Roemer, who has also negotiated union contracts for the city. One wonders whether the same forces aren't at work here.