The Hayseeds blog, No. 257 for the week starting May 18, 2008.
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Hayseeds No. 257
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“After 16 years, the Clinton era may be coming to an end, presenting Democrats with a historic but potentially wrenching transition and a challenge to Senator Barack Obama as he seeks to reconcile a deeply divided party.”
“The state Ethics Commission has advised Basil A. Paterson, a labor lawyer and the father of the governor, to avoid conflicts of interest by not arranging meetings between his clients and his son or accepting business with the state.”
“Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Sunday that he thinks Barack Obama will be the party's presidential nominee and that Hillary Rodham Clinton must be careful not to damage the party's prospects in November as she continues her campaign.”
Our state's highest paid employee and nanotechnology guro decided to flip the media the bird the other day.
SUNY Prof. Alain Kaloyeros, 52, whom The Post has fingered as the highest-paid - at nearly $1 million a year - employee on the state payroll, is doing some fingering himself here.
This shot was taken at a party last year at SUNY's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, which Kaloyeros heads.
It was sent to The Post by a tipster who said it showed Kaloyeros' "legendary arrogance."
Kaloyeros told The Post he was "probably joking."
Read MEET THE STATE’S 'NO. 1’ EMPLOYEE in the New York Post.
“Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco hopes to collect the names of thousands of irate customers to pressure Assembly Democrats to lower gas taxes this summer.”
“Republican lawmakers want the former secretary to the state GOP chairman to get a bigger public pension than the one she's on course to receive.”
“Oversees the department's 450-member Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources; 200-member Division of Lands and Forests; and the new four-person Office of Invasive Species. Those units are responsible for such things as the state's forever-wild Forest Preserve, threatened or endangered species, the health of fishing waters including both freshwater and the Atlantic Ocean up to three miles from shore, and the state's $1 million effort this year to foster sustainable local development in the Adirondack Park. ”
" He already had a $109,407-a-year part-time job as a lawyer for the Senate Republican majority. Now he's picked up another gig -- as a lawyer for the Senate. For that, he'll be getting $300 an hour to represent the Senate in a lawsuit over judicial pay. The Senate says the arrangement is legal and proper. Mark Hansen, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, said working as both an employee and contractor is "is clearly permissible under the public officers law.""
They say it would greatly increase taxes and not help out anyone except public employees who don't want their benefits cut.:
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario said Friday that the bill would prohibit governments from making cuts in local and state public spending, which has led to some of the highest taxes in the nation.
The bill (A-9393-A) could be acted on as early as next week and has strong majority sponsors in the Senate and Assembly. It was revised in the Assembly's government employees committee where any action to reduce the health benefit for retirees would be suspended until a task force reports its recommendations. The 12-member task force includes state government officials including at least three recommended by the AFL-CIO, but none from local governments, according to the bill.
"It's a classic legislative Trojan horse concealing a financial time bomb for taxpayers," said E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center for New York State Policy, part of the fiscally conservative Manhattan Institute. "How about protecting taxpayers? We need a detailed and objective study of options—not a stacked task force that will deliver a foregone conclusion."
Governors George Pataki and Eliot Spitzer vetoed similar measures five times saying it would limit efforts to reduce costs. There was no immediate comment from Paterson Friday.
Read State study called sham in the Times Union.
From the article:
Minor violations are shutting down construction sites and costing contractors millions of dollars as the Buildings Department cracks down on inspections in the wake of the deadly East Side crane collapse, a new report has found.
A top industry group says the city is paralyzed by fear after eight people were killed when a massive crane fell in Turtle Bay on March 15, according to Crain's New York Business.
"These inspectors are all afraid of losing their jobs," Louis Coletti of the Building Trades Employers' Association told Crain's.
In April, there were 1,403 stop-work orders on construction sites in the city - nearly double the 785 issued in January. Construction workers and site managers told the mag they were shut down for minor paperwork technicalities.
I am not at all surprised. People are rightfully scared about serious construction malfunctions after that tragic crane failure. But the builders probably are right that the city is being too aggressive at trying to prevent another failure.
Read Builders rip crackdown in the New York Daily News.
From the Daily Gazette:
GLOVERSVILLE — What was clear on April 23 was that two men apparently broke into the former Catholic War Veterans building on South Main Street and stole thousands of dollars in equipment and tools owned by the crew converting the building into a store and apartments.
A lot more would soon be clear, at least in part because the images captured on the city’s year-old surveillance camera system.
Days after the Gloversville Police Department arrested one suspect on burglary and theft charges, Detective Marc Porter offered a view of the video evidence.
I'm all for the cameras. I think they help keep people honest on urban streets where there is no expectation of privacy. The only exception is the danger of police voyeurism—the use of cameras for investigating non-criminal activities such as the sexual pleasure of cops or harassing political protestors.
Read Surveillance cameras become valuable law enforcement tool in the Daily Gazette.
“The Schenectady County Public Library’s central branch will not close for expansion July 1 as originally planned. It also may not build all of what was considered much-needed space.”
At least if your boating up by Waterford:
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has installed free wireless Internet access at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center.
The service will be available during the canal season, May through November, said Beth Sciumeca, acting executive director at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
“The Erie Canal was the Internet of its day, connecting products, people, and ideas from around the world,” she said. “WiFi at the Eastern gateway to the state canal system will help today’s travelers stay connected.”
The heritage corridor organization welcomes residents, visitors and boaters to utilize the resource along the waterfront at Lock 2.
Read Waterford Canal Site to Get WiFi in the Troy Record.
“Beacon Power, a technology-based company near Boston, has proposed building a commercial flywheel frequency regulation plant adjacent to the electrical substation on Grange Hall Road.”
“The Rensselaer County Legislature will discuss a resolution that authorizes an $18,000 settlement with Price Chopper concerning $39,000 worth of fines levied under the county’s item pricing law during their regular meeting next week.”
“The State Police never had a "renegade unit" within the agency that engaged in political espionage against elected leaders or public office candidates, according to interviews with several current and former State Police officials.”
“Gay psychiatrist David Scasta organized a panel on religion, homosexuality and therapy that claims to "cure" people of being gay. It was to include openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson and conservative Christians who call homosexuality a sin. Scasta had high hopes for the panel, but after infuriated gay activists complained, he called it off.”
““You can no longer make a compelling case for the math,” Mr. Edwards said, referring to delegate totals that increasingly favor Mr. Obama. “The math is very, very hard for her.””
From the article:
The $1 million-a-year SUNY professor who flipped the bird for a photo at an office party was insulting the very taxpayers who foot his salary, an angry lawmaker charged yesterday.
"He's giving the taxpayers the finger, and to me, it is outrageous and uncalled for and I think he owes all of us an apology," said Brooklyn state Sen. Martin Golden of Alain Kaloyeros, head of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany.
"You wouldn't expect to see this kind of behavior in a college fraternity, much less a group of elite leaders in the SUNY system, and that's very sad," added Golden, a Republican eyeing a run for mayor next year.
Read POL FLIPS OVER PROF - New York Post.
From the article:
Overtime among the state's nearly 400 agencies jumped by more than $66 million between 2005 and 2007, a 16 percent increase. Some employees have more than doubled their salaries because of generous overtime.
The top beneficiary in 2007 was Mei Kuei Lin, a nurse at the Rochester Psychiatric Center, according to records provided by the state Comptroller's Office. She brought in $113,282 in overtime, more than double her $61,757 salary.
Also at the top of the list was Robert Henry, whom state records identified as a security officer. He earned $103,434 in overtime on top of his $50,312 salary at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in Orange County.
A spokeswoman for the state Office of Mental Health said patients at the centers need supervision 24 hours a day
Read State workers rack up millions in overtime in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
“Jeff Deck, a stickler for proper language on signs, brings his national crusade to Lark Street ”
“City demolition order pre-empts plans for court hearing Monday; family possessions lost to rubble ”
“Unfortunately, the savings is minimal compared with the cost of allowing part-time elected officials to claim full-time retirement credits.”
“An Albany County judge accrued nearly two decades' worth of taxpayer-funded pension credits while working as the legal adviser for the Albany City School District.”
“I read with interest the May 4 editorial "Parochialism's price." Many of the counties in eastern New York were established along old family landholding lines. In the western section, they were established by a state commission sometime in the mid-1800s. Take Allegany County, for example. This jurisdiction has 29 towns governing 59,000 people. The yardstick used to establish those towns was the distance a man could ride on horseback in a day. I believe they are about 36 square miles, certainly a pragmatic size for that era. But now? Maybe justified only on pork and patronage alone.”
“The CDPHP cafeteria buzzes with lunchtime activity. Employees surround the soup and salad station, where a sign about the health benefits of whole grains rests not far from a large bowl of organic quinoa Waldorf salad.”
“Serving the right amount of food helps control weight ”
“Should taxpayers vote on municipal and state budgets as they do with school budgets? Why or why not? Advertisement E-mail your responses in 500 words or less to viewpoints@pressconnects.com. Please include name, hometown and phone number.”
“The famous financier George Soros has made billions betting where the economy — and the markets — are heading. He's been less prescient in his books, where twice before he predicted financial disasters that didn't fully materialize.”
That's what some Senate Republicans are proposing. They want to not just make the beating a crime, but also the act of photographing it.
The bill is S.8207 Maltese / A.11051 Lentol LRS describes the bill as doing the following:
Establishes the class E violent felony offense of unlawful violent recordingfor the knowing recording the commission of or attempt to commit an assault inthe third degree or a violent felony offense; includes within the class Efelony offense of conspiracy in the fourth degree, the commission of a crimeinvolving physical injury to another person, knowing that the commission ofsuch crime is being viewed, recorded or broadcast by means of an imagingdevice; designates such conspiracy offense as a violent felony offense.
More details can be found out by clicking those links above and reading the sponsor's memo.
Recently there have been media reports of individuals committing aviolent crime and making a video recording of their commission of thecrime. There have also been reports of attacks against the homelessbeing posted on video sharing sites. The apparent motive of the perpe-trators of these acts is to gain fame from the Internet posting. The current penalty for the commission of the crimes in these circum-stances is not a sufficient deterrent to the acts of these criminals whoseek to gain notoriety through the suffering of innocent victims. Thisbill will provide an enhanced penalty by making such acts a class Eviolent felony and giving the sentencing judge the discretion to makethe sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed upon the defend-ant.
From the Daily News:
Irate Senate Republicans vowed Tuesday to go after filmmakers who deliberately film beatings and then post them on Web sites like YouTube... The lawmakers proposed creating a new crime, "unlawful violent recording," that would add an additional felony when a person commits an assault knowing it will be recorded and distributed.
The bill would also crack down on people who persuade others to participate, like those who produce the controversial "Bum Fights" videos, in which homeless men are paid small amounts of cash, cigarettes or alcohol to subject themselves to beatings.
Each crime would carry a penalty of up to four years in prison for adults. Juveniles would face Family Court charges.
The problem is it begs serious first amendment concerns without doing much to reduce serious beatings and criminal acts it depicts. Indeed, it seems the problem is not the fact that it's being reproduced, but the fact that another person is getting hurt not by choice.
Critics said the bill could violate the First Amendment and raises questions about news organizations that tape violent acts and show them.
"Assault is already a crime. Conspiracy is already a crime," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, who said the issue requires careful deliberation, not political "grandstanding."
Conspiring and assaulting somebody is already illegal. We all agree that kids shouldn't be exposed to excessive violence—especially violence that isn't real. But that's a parental prerogative and not one for the state to be deciding what is appropriate for children.
I'd much rather see kids have an accurate assessment of violence and a real discussion of the issues facing our country. Some violence is necessary and we shouldn't hide it. But at the same time, we shouldn't be condoning excessive violence.
For example, I have no problem with a video like this one below of a pig being shot prior to a pig roast on some farm that I found I YouTube (you may be asked for age verification).
This is a reasonable form of violence, that people should learn to understand as being a healthy part of society. The pig obviously was killed, but it wasn't in a violent way like some of those video games.
But why should we be denying real violence when it exists and is just a part of a society? I honestly have a hard time seeing why a video like this on YouTube would be flagged violent, when things like this are just a healthy part of human society.
Read Beating videos on YouTube 'make me sick'; state pols vow crackdown in the Daily News.
“ Albany County DA David Soares now has about $70,000 following a fundraiser Tuesday at the home of Helen Desfosses, a University at Albany associate professor and longtime Democratic activist in the city.”
“At today's signing ceremony of a bill to prevent sex offenders from contacting kids on social networking sites, Gov. David Paterson, acting as master of ceremonies, "accidentally" passed over AG Andrew Cuomo - widely viewed as a potential gubernatorial contender in 2010 - to introduce Assemblyman Sheldon Silver. ”
“Today's Red Room press conference - Gov. David Paterson's first official gaggle with reporters in Albany in almost two weeks - provided a number of moments of levity, including one in which governor communed with newly-ensconced DN Capitol Bureau Chief Ken Lovett over the difficulty of big life changes. It all started when Lovett, who began his new gig May 5 after over eight years at The Post, hesitated a moment during his pre-question identification (a new gubernatorial press conference rule instituted as the result of Paterson's visual impairment). ”
“"Look, what we want more than anything is to win, and to win you're going to need all the votes she gets and you don't," Cuomo said. "And all the votes that she gets that - that all the votes she gets, all the votes you get, they're different votes. You've got Hispanics here. You have African-Americans there. You have all people. You need them both. The best way to do that..." "...The best way to do it is to invite her on the ticket. If, in fact, at the end of process you win, which it looks like you might very well, then why not add her to the ticket?"”
It looks like SPAC will becoming more green and beautiful.
Officials from SPAC, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Saratoga Associates unveiled at a news conference this morning a new look that officials said will compliment the timeless elegance of the center while at the same time being environmentally friendly. The facelift will be the third phase of a comprehensive makeover of the facility.
The $2.5 million third phase will include tearing down the current wooden panels that have deteriorated through decades of exposure to the elements, to be replaced with new panels of recycled resin that are virtually indestructible. Saratoga Associates also designed a more modern and energy-efficient lighting system for the exterior of the amphitheatre.
Read Taxpayers to foot bill for proposed SPAC facelift in the Daily Gazette.
This YouTube video featuring the former Governor Mario Cuomo is truly great, and reminds us what our state lost when he was booted out of office.
From the article:
JOHNSTOWN — Department of Public Works crews razed the old H&J Leather building at 312 N. Perry St. Tuesday, one in a series of projects to rid the city of old tanneries.
The plan is to market the lots after the buildings are gone.
City Engineer Chad Kortz said the project went well, although there’s a lot of cleanup work to come.
“There was a garage that was pretty close on the one side but we went right by it. … We’ll probably be there into next week cleaning it up.”
H&J is the last of five buildings targeted in the current round of demolition projects.
Other buildings already demolished include 19 Grove St., the former Apex Leather building; 314 N. Perry St., the former Gloria’s Pizzeria; a one-family home at 13 Hoosac St.; and 422-28 N. Perry St., the former Alliance Leather.
Alliance is actually about half gone. All of the asbestos has been removed and salvage workers have removed metal for recycling.
Read City razes another tannery.
From the article:
ALBANY — For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, the city is reopening the Basic Creek Reservoir for fishing and hiking along the shores.
Opening day is set for June 20.
“Since we were forced to close the area in 2001, I’ve received calls and requests to open the facility on an almost weekly basis,” Mayor Jerry Jennings said.
On Monday, a steady stream of people filed in to the city’s Department of Water and Water Supply, and 60 access permits were issued in six hours. A permit and photo identification will be required of anyone visiting the area.
Albany wasn’t alone when it closed the reservoir. Cities around the country tried to protect water systems from possible attacks after 9/11, and it wasn’t unusual to close municipal reservoirs or even ask residents who lived near reservoirs to be on the lookout for suspicious activity.
And like other cities, Albany beefed up security at its reservoirs. Initially, Albany police were hired on an overtime basis to patrol the reservoirs, which cost $120,000 a month, according to Albany Water Commissioner Robert F. Cross.
Read Reservoir closed since 9/11 to reopen for fishing, hiking.
“Forty years ago, millions of French workers joined protesting students in a general strike that paralyzed the country and nearly brought down the government. A few weeks later, the May 1968 protests fizzled out, but French society was radically changed.”
“Politicians are known for delivering a scripted message. Those who stray far from their prepared remarks often find themselves in trouble. But a select few who dare can make a point with quick wit.”
“For six decades, Bertie Bowman has worked on Capitol Hill. He began as a 13-year-old sweeping the steps, and now he is the hearing scheduler for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In between, he forged friendships with some of the most prominent members of the Senate. ”
From the article:
Hennesseys have been pulling bluestone out of a ridge near Gee Brook since 1934. Mostly they used hand tools — sledges and wedges and rock hooks and butterfly plugs — to get at the smooth, flat slabs of stone that are shipped off to New York City and other places for old-fashioned sidewalks and new rustic patios. When they were done with one section, they would push the scrap rock over the ridge, and let their old trucks rust wherever they died.
After more than 70 years of gnawing at this rock ledge, the Hennesseys have roughed up their mountaintop some. As big a man as he is, Mr. Hennessey is dwarfed by the rusted metal, old wood and mounds of bluestone scrap of his past.
But since he took out a state mining permit for the first time two years ago, this 53-year-old quarryman in jeans, T-shirt and blue bandanna headband, has been piling up scrap rock where he can easily put it back when the bluestone runs out. He’s also been cleaning up. “The state told me I really should get rid of the old metal, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” he said. Last month he sliced up a 1936 International Harvester dump truck and hauled it to a scrap yard.
That, in essence, is the kind of reaction the State Department of Environmental Conservation has hoped for since it started experimenting with mining permits in 2002. The new permitting process combined with an increased demand for bluestone has led to a boom in one of the state’s oldest and most traditional industries.
Read Bluestone Boom Opens Quarries to New Allies, and to Change in the New York Times.
“State University of New York officials said Tuesday they were proposing spending cuts that were $40 million less than what the governor ordered, largely because they wouldn't turn back revenues they collect through tuition and fees.”
“The Jewish Community Center will host a program on “Becoming ‘Green’: How to Create Zero Waste (or Pretty Darn Close)” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 5 at the center, located on Clubhouse Road in Vestal.”
From the article:
The agencies have until tomorrow to turn in their proposed budget cuts to Division of Budget tomorrow.
The state budget that passed in April required 3.35% reduction in all state agencies. Gov. Paterson quickly wrote a letter to agency heads, giving them until May 16 (tomorrow) to come up with a plan for cuts that were “serious, achievable, and reccuring.”
If they don’t come up with a realistic plan, Paterson warned in April that he’d simply withhold the funds, or put a hard hiring freeze on their agency.
But Division of Budget spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said, “we fully expect that we’ll compliance.”
Once they get the proposals, they’ll review them in consultation with the governor’s office. If necessary, they’ll be sent back to the agencies to be amended.
Read Budget cuts due tomorrow in Times Union CapCon.
“Gov. David Paterson signed legislation that outlaws the display of a noose as a means of intimidation. The bill would make the display of a noose to harass or threaten a bias victim a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.”
From the article:
It appears some of Lester Freeman’s supporters aren’t too fond of fellow 21st Congressional Democratic candidate Phil Steck. Or at least, not fond of his signs.
Someone has been stapling Freeman signs over a Steck sign that’s been stuck in the ground in a median where Henry Johnson Boulevard in Albany turns into the highway. Matt Hobart, who lives in Albany and doesn’t work for Steck, took photos of the sign and alerted Freeman’s campaign to the matter.
Read Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs on TU's CapCon.
“Henry Nelson Gillibrand weighed in at 7 pounds 14 ounces and made his mother the sixth woman to give birth while serving in Congress, according to Gillibrand's spokeswoman, Rachel McEneny.”
So that was the big political story of yesterday. I'm not all that surprised, as it seems likely that Barack Obama will be the likely democratic nominee for president in 2008.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I previously was a Clinton supporter for the primary, but all things play out and you have to learn to accept the wisdom of the voters. Hopefully, Obama will prove to be a solid candidate, and that Democrats will at least win Massachusetts and a few more states, and not be like George McGovern.
I don't know. I don't really have much control over what the party does or what it selects of candidates. I always liked John Edwards, and had a lot of fun going out to New Hampshire to knock doors for him. I didn't get involved in the Hillary campaign, although I admit I did pull her lever.
I'm not sure if I will vote for John McCain, Barack Obama, or a third party candidate. I'm not thrilled by Obama, as you might have guessed, but what can I do about it. I would have much preferred Edwards, but the good news is we can move on to the next step of the primary.
I was very impressed with many of the candidates that came and debated at the DFHMR meeting last night. All eight candidates where there, from Tonko, Steck, Brooks, Lester Freeman, Arthur Welser, Darius Shahinfar, and Craig Burrige.
Tonko was may favorite going into the night, but his dodging of some of the questions and his (admitly tepid) support for nuclear power made me think twice. Steck was great on the issue and shown against Tonko. I'm thinking of supporting Steck again.
Lester Freeman was the candidate I knew nothing about but was impressive. A bit too socially conservative for my tastes, but he really could speak and was very impressive.
Arthur Wesler was such a crazy. You don't see such a lunatic running for office that often. Especially not in such a serious race. I guess anyone can run.
Thanks to all that came to the debate and made it an enjoyable experience.
Good to see you there! And glad to hear you are thinking of supporting Phil Steck, who certainly showed himself to have the strongest stances on the issues and the best heart for the job.
I've summarized the entire debate over at The Albany Project for those who want a run down of answers (and dodges) to the questions, including Mr. Welser's strange outbursts and mumblings.
http://thealbanyproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3107
— Comment By Soundpolitic
“ Retired state police Inspector Gary Berwick, who protected former Gov. George Pataki and his family, was found dead at his home Thursday, according to a current state official and a former Pataki official. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case and because the death hadn't officially been announced.”
“Three of upstate New York's largest zoos want to let their patrons pet the elephants and are asking state officials to rethink a newly enforced no-contact rule.”
“Albany County District Attorney David Soares has quietly adopted a stricter policy to govern the handling of misdemeanor drunken-driving cases, an internal document revealed.”
“If a tree falls in a forest and there's nobody around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if one of the best-kept secrets in recent Capital Region media history is revealed on an abandoned blog, does anybody care?”
“There's another victory, modest, perhaps, but significant nonetheless, to celebrate in the war on urban blight. It comes along the eastern front of a battle that knows no particular boundaries.”
“Would 12 jurors send one angry man with a smashed mailbox -- and perhaps the moral support of an untold number of homeowners -- to prison?”
“A recent “gag order” implemented by Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino has several county legislators protesting the measure, claiming that the order restricts their ability to serve their constituents and provides a barrier to open and transparent government. The ongoing gag order raised questions when it was first introduced and legislators continue to be told by county departments that their requests for information cannot be answered until approval is given by the county executive. ”
“California's Supreme Court has thrown out state laws banning gay marriage. The move means gay couples could legally get married there as soon as next month. Opponents of the ruling are hoping to ban gay marriage through a constitutional amendment. ”
“A developer wants to build what would be the country's largest Bible-based theme park in Tennessee, depicting scenes such as the parting of the Red Sea. But the plan has created a deep divide among locals. ”
“General Electric may be getting out of the household appliance business. The company could sell the unit that makes refrigerators and washers, ending more than a century in an industry that helped make GE a household name. Nancy Marshall Genzer tells Madeleine Brand the move comes because appliance sales don't meet GE's goal of 10 percent annual profit growth.”
“Senator John McCain declared on Thursday that most American troops would be home from Iraq by 2013 and that the nation would be a functioning democracy with only “spasmodic” episodes of violence. The comments were a striking departure from his usual refusal to set a date for American withdrawal.”
“The town Planning Board gave unanimous approval to the site plan and subdivision for the Beech-Nut baby food factory Thursday, but attached more than a dozen stipulations the company must adhere to while waiting for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”
“A large pile of asbestos-contaminated fire debris on Main Street will be removed within the next two weeks, Mayor Bradley Winslow said Thursday.”
“It’s almost time to vote for school budgets. As usual, most budgets have increases that are much higher than the Consumer Price Index. The Greater Amsterdam School District’s proposed budget has a 6.52% spending increase, even though the Consumer Price Index is currently 2.8%.”
“Political pundits are predicting Barack Obama will soon wrap up the Democratic nomination. As this campaign has continued, superdelegates have watched closely and some have begun to move to Obama's side. Hudson Valley bureau chief Susan Barnett spoke with two New York superdelegates, both of whome say they're sticking with Hillary Clinton until she says it's over. ”
Soundpolitic has put up a great transcript of what happened in last Wednesday's debate by the Congressional candidates. I'll try to high light some more points from it later on today.
Last night, eight candidates to replace retiring Representative Mike McNulty (D-Green Island) met at the SEIU 1199 headquarters in downtown Albany, hosted by Democracy fro the Hudson Mowhawk Region and the RFK Democrats. According to the Times Union about 150 people were in attendance, packing the house to hear John Aretakis, Tracey Brooks, Craig Burridge, Lester Freeman, Darius Shahinfar, Phil Steck, Paul Tonko, and Arthur Welser make their way through introductions, general questions, a "lightning round", and closing arguments.
I was lucky to be one of those 150 people in the audience, and was taking notes. Below the fold is the summary of all the questions from all the candidates that you won't find anywhere else...
Read the albany project:: NY-21: Eight Democrats Debate.
From the New York Times:
CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. — On Wednesday, Charlie Price was smoking a cigarette and sitting outside his restaurant, Charlie’s Place, on a two-lane stretch of highway on the outskirts of town.
Peace marchers in Mexico, N.Y., on their way to Fort Drum, where they plan to rally on Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day.
Joseph C. Godfrey encouraged peace marchers. One of his sons suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour in Iraq.
He watched as a small group protesting the war in Iraq marched toward him, carrying peace signs and waving at the cars and tractor-trailers whizzing by. “I don’t think it’s going to do any good,” Mr. Price said of their efforts. “I want to get out of there, too, but I don’t think this is the way.”
Yet once the protesters, headed for Fort Drum, more than 50 miles away, reached him, Mr. Price eagerly offered them water and a place to rest — a more pleasant welcome than they had received from many others along the way.
It's good at least that they are increasing awareness of their cause and getting people discussing the war in Iraq. Certainly that part of the state rarely gets involved in peace concerns, but this puts things on the forefront of what is going on in their community.
Read An Antiwar March Through Towns Unused to One in the New York Times.
“Police believe a fire near Mayor Richard M. Daley's summer home in Michigan may be related to the shooting of a cougar in the Roscoe Village neighborhood. ”
“EVEN before she exercised her civil liberties and resigned this week as president of the American Civil Liberties Union after an 18-year incumbency — somewhat spoiled by internal sniping in the past two years — an “On Golden Pond”-ish serenity was inescapable in Nadine Strossen’s weekend house at the Sedgewood Club, a bucolic 92-home enclave tucked into a Putnam County hillside. ”
From Albany Layman on DIA:
Aretakis introduced himself as not a professional politician. His priority is protecting children. He would like to see comprehensive legal rights for abused children, saying that they have no voice in DC, that punishments for abuse are not severe enough, and that there should be national standards for protecting children.
Brooks referenced the Gingrich and Bush era, and how they motivated her to be involved in politics. In her introduction, she said that we needed to end the war, and re-invest that money here at home. In response to the question about her priority for legislation, she talked about gas prices, about rolling back subsidies to oil companies, and working on energy technologies, including technologies for improving gas mileage in cars.
Burridge discussed his work history, which you can see here, and said that his legislative priority was universal healthcare. He talked about beginning by covering all children, and by doing so, introducing adults into the process of universal coverage.
Freeman made a point of his upbringing in the city of Albany, and how he was the only candidate born and raised in Albany. He talked about increasing funding for the inner city areas. He also discussed as his legislative priority a proposal for an "age of maturity," in which a person is considered an adult in various ways at the age of 20. This is part of his desire to protect children.
Shahinfar stated his campaign theme of "renewing America's promise." He discussed being the son of an Iranian immigrant, whose take on America was that of freedom, hope, and opportunity. He stated as his priority "HR 676," which is a House bill to establish universal healthcare.
Steck stated that while others talk about change, he has led on change in his position as Albany County legislator. He pointed to his role in overturning control of the Colonie government from Republican to Democratic. He stated that his legislative priority was the immediate withdrawal from Iraq, and that other initiatives were meaningless and subordinate to the cost of the war in Iraq.
Tonko stated his belief in a system that responds to the people, and that he speaks forcefully on behalf of working families. His priority is to end our involvement in Iraq, and said that we cannot afford to dis-invest in healthcare and energy initiatives by investing money in the war.
Welser introduced himself as a non-politician and a realtor. He pointed to a lack of proposals by the other candidates, and to a number of his own proposals. His priority is an education bill, which would include mandatory high school education and either a military draft for drop-outs, or a military type school for them, in addition to a proposal for "remedial Saturdays" at schools.
Additional post(s) to follow, to present more of the candidates' thoughts and policies.
Read Dem debate, post 1: 21st CD on Democracy for Albany.
“Grand vision for system fades away after state faces money problems”
“Among the last states to hold a primary, Kentucky is showing in polls that it will favor Sen. Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's voting, according to Donald Gross, a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.”
“Hillary Clinton’s landslide victory in the West Virginia Democratic primary has provided yet another opportunity to reduce economic and political issues in Appalachia to time-honored tropes about cultural differentness. Within the past week, an embarrassment of journalists, bloggers, and late-night television hosts have turned Senator Clinton’s support among blue collar voters in West Virginia into a confirmation of the white “otherness” of Appalachian culture rather than an expression of fundamental (and more complex) issues of class, gender, and race or even political organization in the Mountain State.”
