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PoliticsNY.Net: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

 

Lead - Follow - or Get the Hell Out of the WAY!!!

 

With the back drop of the usual partisan disagreements in County governance, politics period, Erie County is in dire need of "adult supervision."

 

The people of Erie County are being ill served by government at every level.

 

The ECFSA, Control Board, as constituted is not able to get past these petty squabbles. The fact is Erie County's finances are NOT in a crisis mode. There is no need for a Hard Control Board. I believe the members are honorable people; who at least at one point in time had the publics interest at heart. The Governor needs to step in & ask the Legislature to rescind the Board's authority as a hard board.

 

The Executive must understand he as an elected official he will always have someone looking over his shoulder. Collins must realize at some point the art of governance, unlike the private sector, is the art of compromise. This is not a winner take all venue. Collins must realize proposals are on the table, in the real world of political gamesmanship an elected official gets the best deal he or she can & moves on to the next issue. Otherwise fail almost every time!

 

Certain members of the Legislature need to "get over it."

 

I was away from the action for about three months. However, just back into it with respect to attending sessions, etc. I had to smile. The Legislature Chair is doing her best to be all things to all people in an attempt to address some of her counterparts concerns from last year. However, that can become superfluous & just a waste of time. For Whyte, Reynolds, & esp. Iannello it is personal. So Madame Chairman deal with it! Anyone who thinks other than Grant that this vote had anything to do with protocol & or public policy needs their collective heads examined. I watched Reynolds & Iannello; this wasn't about a bond issue, this was about the Chair & they are going to show her.

 

Meanwhile the business of the people suffers.

 

Lets move on for goodness sakes! ###

 

ATTORNEY HARRY G. MEYER HONORED

 

 

 

"Honoring Harry G. Meyer Upon the Occasion of His Election to the College of Real Estate Lawyers."

 

Buffalo attorney Harry Meyer, Hodgson Russ, was honored by the Legislature Thursday for his election to the College of Real Estate Lawyers.

 

I am acquainted with Harry. Actually, I was with him Wednesday night for a short time. But Lord help me do you think I can get his name right! Oh! I hate when I do that & it happens quite often.

 

Anyway, attorney Meyer is also an expert on WNY architecture. I can tell you he wasn't comfortable while Ed Rath read the award. He knew he could use the opportunity to promote local architecture & he did just that!

 

We'll be interviewing Harry soon, with photos of the Guaranty building; that renovation just completed. "

 

 

The Guaranty Building, which is now called the Prudential Building, was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, and built in Buffalo, New York.

Sullivan's design for the building was based on his belief that "form follows function". ###

 

COUNTY BOND ISSUE FAILS

Reminiscent of the gridlock that resulted as a result of the Green - Red budget debacle of 05 the County Legislature once again failed to do the work of the people.

 

Now we didn't sit there until past midnight days on end this time out, 5:00 PM the vote was recorded.

 

The fact remains other than Betty Jean Grant who is concerned about ECC expansion, etc., the vote was a retribution/political vote directed at the Chairman. All of those voting in the negative voted against this Chairman. Whyte & Reynolds running against her for the Chair in January.

 

The final vote was 9-5. 10 votes needed to pass.

 

Williams was fulfilling her military obligations.

 

Whyte led the charge, with Iannello, Loughran & Reynolds voting in the negative along with Betty Jean Grant. Reynolds passed on the first round & his was the deciding vote.

 

He delayed just like his colleague Wroblewski hesitated for a couple of seconds when voting for Chairman (against Reynolds). Reynolds then voted in opposition to the Chairman & majority.

 

Pure rotten retribution politics.

 

So for two years running the roads will not be repaired, bridges fixed, etc. Many of these roads & bridges in Reynolds district. Far more than his colleagues who voted against the $51 Million bond issue. Far more than most if not all of his colleagues. A real slap in the face to his constituents.

 

Public safety infrastructure projects that have been lost to the depraved retribution mentality of Whyte, Iannello, Loughran & especially Bob Reynolds. ###

 

OFFICER CARIOL HORNE FIRED

"Buffalo Police Officer Cariol J. Horne was fired by Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson based on the recommendation of a hearing officer who heard testimony about her November 2006 altercation with other police officers.

Gipson, who reportedly made his ruling after a penalty hearing he conducted this morning at Police Headquarters, was unavailable for comment. Department spokesman Michael DeGeorge said he would have to check on the situation.

Horne attorney Anthony J. Pendergrass and Brockport College professor Kenneth Nixon, who has been assisting in the effort to save the 20-year police veteran's job, said they will appeal the firing in State Supreme Court and press further legal action." ###

 

 

SUPER JAMES WILLIAMS: I'M GOING TO MEMPHIS

 

"Bring a drink of water Leroy, bring a drink of water no
If I could get to the mercy man, he'd give me some I know
I got a gal in Vickburg, Bertha is her name
Lord I Wish I was tied to Bertha, instead of this ball and chain
I'm goin' to Memphis, mhm
I'm goin' to Memphis" Johnny Cash

 

Update: Dr Williams will interview for the Memphis job.

 

I sat for a couple of hours with Dr Williams, et al., at Elmwood Commons, the culinary school. I left conflicted between the emotions of love & hate for this guy!

 

I love his passion for the children & his desire to address their needs in the 2nd poorest city in the nation with an on time graduation rate of less than 50%.

 

Anyone who can't see the nexus between the two needs to take a good freshman logic course. Modus Ponens: If X is true then Y is true. X is true. Therefore Y is true.

At the end of the interview (see below) James looks at me after insulting me, you look like BTF Phil Rumore, are you his brother, the hate part.

 

Truth is this district needed & needs Dr James Williams.

 

The problem is James might have used up his economy to get things done for the children in the Buffalo School district. There existed "economies of scale" by that I mean while Williams was collecting enemies - he was implementing positive, very positive, change.

 

However, as as result of the Memphis revelation he might have lost the ability to be effective. ###

"Buffalo School Superintendent Dr. James Williams is one of five finalists to be the next superintendent of the Memphis City School District.

The district put out a list of five people at their Tuesday night meeting. A district spokesperson says the district hired a firm to conduct the search. According to the spokesperson, Joanne Tuggers, interviews are tentatively being set up for next week.

Williams has been the Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools since 2005. This year the school district has been involved in different investigations at several of its schools." ###

 

JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com

 

 

TRUE GRIT
 

  By ROGER J. STONE JR.

 

I come to praise Hillary, not to bury her. I am a vocal critic of Senator Clinton but I must admit she has demonstrated true grit and Nixonian-like tenacity in the face of adversity. She has soldiered on cheerfully in the face of growing odds against her. She has improved as a speaker and campaigner. She has faced down ridicule in the wake of her own atrocious lies about Bosnian sniper fire. She has put close to $10 million of her own money into her campaign. She did it all with good-natured grace.

 

Saddled with a Chief Strategist Mark Penn, who looks like a wax-pear that sat on a radiator too long and hasn't a clue about how to get a President elected, Hillary has soldiered on as her campaign made mistake after mistake. Penn's failure to compete in Caucus States with proportional Delegates splits will cost her the nomination.

 

But, absent Barack Obama stepping on a land-mine, she cannot be nominated. She has, by her performance as a candidate and her close wins in key States, earned another shot at the nomination. She should embrace defeat at the Convention and return to the Senate. She should avoid running for a leadership position. She should campaign sparingly for Obama while claiming otherwise (the Gore treatment).

 

If Obama is defeated in 2008, she should let New York Democrats draft her for Governor in 2010 when David Paterson ends his term and chooses not to run in the face of bad poll numbers and lack of cash. She can appoint David Paterson to the Senate seat which she will vacate after being sworn in as Governor. The Governorship provides both executive experience and a fulcrum for raising the money for a 2012 run.

 

 

 

Publisher's Note: Judy Einach & yours truly spent two hours over breakfast one morning at one of the Buffalo School District's great success stories, Emerson Commons. Emerson is a culinary school located in downtown Buffalo. The food is great I might add!  Present, in our private dining room, were Buffalo School Superintendent Dr James Williams & District PR guru Stefan Mychajliw. Dr Williams was very direct at the same time engaging during the interview.  We would like for the record to write how appreciative we are Dr. Williams took the time out of his busy schedule to do what he says he likes to do the most, talk about educating children. ###

  

 

A Conversation with Dr. James Williams

 

Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools

 

By Judy Einach

 

Part 1: Talking Proud

 

 

 

Dr. Williams is not satisfied with the Buffalo Public School System. He’s critical of it and the larger structure within which it functions, but he’s also proud of the city’s school system. He began by pointing out strengths that he is certain are not well known but certainly ought to be.

 

Within the Buffalo Public School system one-fourth of the high schools are listed among the top 1000 high schools, ranked nationally among 18,000 high schools. Usually we only hear about City Honors and maybe Hutchinson Central Technical.

 

The Superintendent eagerly promoted other fine high schools. He talked about two strong college preparatory programs; Leonardo DaVinci at D’Youville College and the other, Middle College, linked to Erie Community College. Seneca High School closed two years ago and reopened in partnership with the Gates Foundation. The curriculum at Seneca emphasizes math and science.

 

A magnet within Bennett High School benefits from a partnership with the University at Buffalo enabling high school students to engage in research in the field of bioinformatics. There is also a mock court room right in the school for those interested in the legal profession.

 

McKinley High School students build a house every year and the program is set to expand to include renovating boarded up houses. This program at McKinley is a partnership between the school and the Buffalo Building and Construction Trades Council. Also at Bennett and at South Park is another Gates supported project, the Institute for Student Achievement.

 

 

 

The key, the Superintendent says, to improving achievement among high school students is to start working intensively with 9^th graders and build on that achievement as they progress through high school. Of course no one ignores the older students who have not had the benefit of restructured 9^th grade programs. Why start with 9^th graders? Dr. Williams answered, "In Buffalo most 9^th graders can’t read." Dr. Williams said, "I look at trend data.

 

Five years ago the system wasn’t moving. No one looked a data. There were 17 reading programs and kids couldn’t read. Only 30 % of 4^th-graders were on grade level. But 1300 8^th-graders were promoted to 9^th grade who couldn’t read – even though they had A’s and B’s on their report cards."

 

That raises the question of what’s going on before high school. The Superintendent has done away with social promotion. No more progressing to the next grade without mastering skills. But like an algebra equation, if you do something to one side of the equation you have to do something to other side.

 

Therefore, students in pre-K through grade 6 who are identified as in need of intervention receive a double dose of reading and math. Students whose standardized test scores show they’re two standard deviations below grade level are moved into "smaller classes with explicit instruction and a focused curriculum. Teachers align student assessments to the curriculum then teach to the standards, not to the test."

 

The school year has been extended by 20 days and students whose skills remain below grade level are encouraged to attend summer school where the curriculum is "front loaded." During summer school students are expected to improve their skills and are introduced to the new skills they’ll need to master in the grade into which they’re going. This way, in September they’re slightly ahead, giving them "a step up." This was a controversial program when it began in the summer of 2006.

 

 

While it is not mandatory to attend summer school, students whose mastery falls below grade will not progress into the next grade if they don’t choose to attend. This past summer there was a 50% increase in the number of students who signed up for summer school. This came as a surprise. Dr. Williams called it a "welcome problem."

  

Why would Dr. Williams open a conversation by talking about the high school programs? Graduation and drop out rates matter. So do New York State standards. When this writer attended Riverside High School passing was 65. The State, faced with decreasing student performance, instead of improving teaching and learning, lowered passing to 55. It has since been returned to 65, but that Dr. Williams believes, "is very low."

 

Commenting on drop out rates, Dr. Williams said, "This country never defined the drop out group. That group is defined inconsistently across the states. In NY it takes some kids five years to finish high school – good kids. Some kids go to another community and if the timing of that is right that counts as a drop out. We have a transitory population here."

 

In other words, computations don’t tell the real story. The graduation rate, linked to both drop outs and passing, has been 60%. Dr. Williams says, "All indications are the graduation rate is going up." He expects to see a higher graduation rate this year. Given that good schools attract private investment, good news about top ranked high schools and higher graduation rates is welcome indeed.

 

Next: Dr. Williams on Union Contracts

 

 

 

 

A Conversation with Dr. James Williams

 

Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools

 

By Judy Einach

 

Part 2: Dr. Williams on Union Contracts

 

 

 

Regardless of how you see it, Dr. Williams is intense. He is "convinced this country doesn’t want to educate all children." He says he was brought to Buffalo because the public school system "was broken. People were stepping on each other toes. There was no student improvement." He says he doesn’t need the money and he didn’t come here to be a star. He works because he cares about preparing young people for the future. He appears willing to do to battle with every foe he sees in the way of equality of opportunity for all young people. A fiscally unstable school system threatens their education.

 

Dr. Williams was quick to dispel the myth that the more we spend per student the better student achievement will be. "There’s no correlation between amount per student and performance." He’s right. In the 1970s researcher Christopher Jencks set out to prove that the more money we allocate to education the better the results will be. Much to his shock he discovered that what makes a good school isn’t per pupil expenditure but rather it’s the composition of the student body. Class, more than race, influences outcomes. We will never do away with cognitive inequalities or with social and economic inequality, but in the face of this we can still have good schools.

 

Dr. Williams wants to hire and keep good teachers. He knows that to hire good teachers he has to be able to offer attractive compensation. The current teacher salary scale is what Dr. Williams calls "a fixable piece" of the current "industrial" contract. A new teacher earns $32,000; more with a Bachelor’s plus 10 hours, more with 20 hours, and still more with 30 hours. Dr. Williams would like to "knock off the first three steps and raise the starting salary." During these three years teachers would be earning their Masters. Then in the fourth year, with a Masters their salary would jump, substantially. Dr. Williams believes that providing more up front money will help him recruit better candidates. "In Buffalo we have to retain young teachers. Therefore we need to stabilize the fiscal side if we’re going to keep our teachers." The Superintendent continued, "Since I’ve been here teachers have really adjusted to what we’re trying to do. This is the 21^st Century but we’re operating in an industrial, or an agrarian model."

 

Dr. Williams knows other ways to fix the current contract but he didn’t characterize these as "fixable." He referred to discovering a culture within the school system that contributes to a poor work ethic. He discovered that "when the whistle blows people make a beeline to the elevator and are out the door. Buffalo is sleeping at the switch and people think that’s the way it’s supposed to be." He described top administrators, principals, making six-figure salaries who still receive overtime and who get the same vacation breaks as the students, plus sick days, and additional vacations days, totaling 65 days off should they opt to use them. His first year here the system expended $240,000 in overtime to top administrators, salaried personnel.

 

 

In all, the Superintendent deals with nine unions. His focus during this conversation was the teachers’ union whose "contracts are too rich." The system, he says, "can’t continue to spend more than it takes in." In 2009 the number of retirees supported by the school system will exceed the number of active employees. The system covers 100% of the cost of health insurance for both retirees and employees.

 

The teachers’ contract contains a bonus of $25,000 for each person who retires between the ages of 55-58. Plus those who retire are entitled to be compensated for 1 of every 3 days of accumulated leave. The system is looking at $13.7 million in accumulated leave. "This was a benefit given in lieu of raises years ago," the Superintendent acknowledges. "But now benefits have caught up."

 

Teachers don’t have to provide notice that they’re going to retire. "Not knowing that a teacher is going to retire combined with 400-500 teachers moving within the system each year contributes to instability. Unstable environments mean people aren’t making progress," Dr. Williams states.

 

Health insurance remains a bitter bone of contention. The Superintendent criticizes the fact that cosmetic surgery is included in coverage. Yes, "a single carrier cuts down costs so I verified that Blue Cross Blue Shield could provide the exact benefits [as Independent Health]" Dr. Williams said. But he appears disgusted that the school system pays 100% of the coverage. He wants an 80-20 split. "Health insurance is better than anywhere else in the city," Dr. Williams said. Therefore, the school system ends up covering "everyone in the family."

 

According to Dr. Williams, "the Taylor Law gives no incentive for unions to negotiate. The teachers’ contract has 27 steps meaning teachers get a raise every year." That led to the a question about the recent Court ruling that teachers must be paid for the salary step increases they lost as a consequence of the wage freeze. Dr. Williams said this, "Why’d you put a Control Board in place if you were going to lift the wage freeze and give them everything back? I need a wage freeze."

Next: More about the man and his point of view.

 

 

 

A Conversation with Dr. James Williams

 

Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools

 

By Judy Einach

 

Part 3: The Man and His Point of View

 

 

Dr. Williams is a self-confident man. He believes he "can run any organization in this country because I operate on principles."

 

Dr. Williams has a history with Buffalo. In 1984 Dr. Williams, then a Danforth Fellow, studied the fiscal structure of the Buffalo Public School System.

 

Talking about himself today he says, "I can talk with a Bob Wilmers. I can talk with the Mayor. My job is to help the community to understand. People have to understand that the jobs that will be here will be in finance, health care and education." Buffalo Public Schools need to prepare our young people for these jobs. But are we? Immigrants are out-performing altogether too many of the young people who were born here. Traditionally immigrant families are highly motivated to succeed in their new country. But what are we saying about ourselves if we allow so many of the young people born into this community to grow into adulthood unprepared to meet the future?

 

Dr. Williams spent 20 years in the union movement learning "to intimidate management." To succeed, he says, "you focus on the person, not the issue." He appears to have learned that lesson well. Focusing on the Buffalo Teachers Federation’s Phil Rumore he said, "Phil isn’t focused on the issue but on James Williams." He continued, "The issue is only one – two individuals in the same city – and here comes James Williams questioning your [Rumore’s] leadership. I don’t back down when he’s screaming and hollering and that’s the difference."

 

 

Once a union man Dr. Williams switched to management’s side. "I went to Harvard one summer and I was the only educator in the room with CEOs." He learned that "decision-makers don’t go to the table but give their team the bat." Dr. Williams is a proponent of interest-based bargaining as opposed to positioning bargaining which he equates with "old unionism." Interest-based bargaining requires each side to explain their interests until they get to "one text", or an agreement. Dr. Williams says Phil Rumore is not interested in being trained in this form of negotiation. Nevertheless, Dr. Williams wants to keep the line of communication open between himself and the School Board and Phil Rumore. Speaking on behalf of them he says, "We believe in sharing information."

 

"In New York State, politicians, not the business community like in other states, control public education," according to Dr. Williams. He points out that the Buffalo Public School System is more dependent on the State, receiving 80% of its budget from Albany and only 12% from the local share. He calls this a "structural problem."

 

However, the Superintendent said we get "great support out of Albany. I meet with the WNY delegation two times a year to keep them informed. I’m in Albany a lot. They know who I am. We received the greatest honor when the Governor came here for the Contract for Excellence. He used Buffalo’s Contract as a model for the entire state." Dr. Williams meets with the Mayor "two or three times a week." The Mayor, he says, is "concerned about safety."

 

Another structural problem is with the Buffalo’s School Board. In May of this year six members of the

Board were up for reelection. With a majority of members up for reelection it was possible to "overturn the Board" which "creates more problems" in Dr. Williams’ view.

 

As critical as Dr. Williams is, he attributes the successes he’s had to the people he works with. "I have a very good staff. I have the best CFO in the country, Gary Crosby." He also mentioned Dr. Oladele Folasade, who bears responsibility for academic programs.

 

 

"I found people way down in the system who were great people." Some Dr. Williams elevated into his "circle of 20". "A lot of people in the union are terrific." He mentioned a gap analysis study one teacher just performed that provides important information to guide teachers working with students who are not up to grade.

 

On the Joint Schools Construction Project Dr. Williams says we’re into Phase 3. Funding is in place for City Honors and Riverside High School. Riverside will benefit from a $35 million project and become a high school focused on teaching entrepreneurship. Phase 4 still needs to be evaluated. There are 15 schools that still need to be reconstructed. "We don’t need any new schools," the Superintendent said.

 

On Charter Schools Dr. Williams said, "I’m not anti-Charter. I’m anti the funding structure. I welcome Charters. I’m predicting there’s no Charter that will be able to compete with my high schools." Currently the budget must set aside $60 million to support existing Charter Schools in Buffalo. His remedy to change the funding structure is called State Transition Aid.

 

Dr. Williams seems to love high schools. He got in one last talking proud plug. "Advanced Placement classes have tripled since I came here. We now have 1200 students in AP classes." 

 

 

 

May 9, 2008

 

 

PoliticsNY.Net: TWO GREAT CROSS BORDER FUND RAISERS

 

NYS Senator Antoine Thompson (D) kicked off his reelection campaign Wednesday night at Rich Atrium. Mayor Brown, NYS Supreme Court Judge Frank Caruso, Legislator Betty Jean Grant & Councilman Demone Smith all were there to cheer Thompson on. Newly appointed Thruway Authority Director Donna Luh was in the audience, et al.. It goes without saying Antoine has the support of this publication for another term.

 

Across the City line in Lackawanna Democratic Chairman Fran Warthling held a get together at Curley's on Ridge Rd to honor County Clerk Kathy Hochul. Kathy's husband Bill & her daughter were there. Chairman Lenihan, NYS Supreme Court Judge John Michalek, DA Frank Clark, Legislators Dan Kozub & Bob Reynolds as well as Cheektowaga Chairman Frank Max, Water Authority Chairman Frank Swiatek, father of my friend Jeff, et al.!

 

Frank Max attended both functions. More later ###

 

 

SUPREME COURT

 

GOP Chairman Jim Domagalski told a Sunday talk show audience that he possibly would run candidates in two judicial races. As reported here that would be Supreme Cout & Family Court. The Democratic candidate for reelection might make a mental note that he still is seeking a cross endorsement; running around saying that the GOP Chair's report is incorrect could be a fatal error in arriving at that goal, with respect. ###

 

SARAH UPDATE

 

My daughter called between functions to tell me she came in 2nd in the 200 meter race!!! She also did the long jump! Now of course the BIG deal is to see who will get thrown off Idol tonight; I say David Castro. Update: I was right! ###

 

JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com

 

 

 

RONALD REAGAN: SPIRIT OF '76
 

  By ROGER J. STONE JR.

At least this year's Presidential contest features a real contest for the Democratic nomination that will go to the Convention. The last time in recent history that the country had such a contest was in 1976 when former Governor Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford.

 

While I am immensely proud of my role in helping elect Ronald Reagan President in 1980, it is experience in the lonely 1976 Reagan campaign that marks one as a true "Reaganite." Many forget how close Reagan came to toppling Ford and how unified the Republican Party establishment was against Reagan, with conservative icons like Barry Goldwater, John Tower and Strom Thurmond supporting Ford.

 

Reagan's '76 campaign was a 'smoke and mirrors' political miracle backed by an army of true believers who came of political age with Goldwater and thought that political parties should stand for something.

 

Craig Shirley has written a splendid account of Reagan's 1976 venture pitting the ex-governor's enormous talents and fervent beliefs against the White House and the party machinery; Shirley is well qualified to write this story as he is himself a life long conservative activist and the official (and unofficial) PR man for many conservative causes and battles.

 

Shirley's key understanding of the American Presidential nominating system and his understanding of the byzantine workings of the fledging conservative movement make this the definitive account of Ronald Reagan's warm-up run that helped propel him to the Presidency.

 

Now comes word that Shirley, with unique access to Reagan insiders who remain, and hours of interviews with Reagan advisors like Michael Deaver and Lyn Nofziger, will soon unveil what I expect to be the definitive book on Reagan's historic 1980 victory that ultimately sparked the greatest peace-time expansion of the economy up to that time in history.

Reporters, political junkies, historians and Reaganites are waiting with bated-breath for what is really volume two of Craig Shirley's savvy narrative. I for one, cannot wait.

TRIXSTER RATES OBAMA DIRTY TRICK

As dirty tricks go, the Mickey Kantor scam perpetrated on the Clinton camp by someone who is obviously for Barack Obama, has it all; racial hatred, audio, arguable unintelligible voices and no traceability. It's a masterpiece, a classic. By sending everyone running to review the audio of the war-room it made fools of hundreds of journalists. It also served to remind how dated the act of my friend, James Carville has gotten. (Disclaimer - Carville is a friend and I like him)

A GOOD CIGAR IS A SMOKE

For some reason cigars and cigar smokers are inexorably linked with politics and politicians in the publics mind. The image of the cigar-chomping political boss is an American stereo type is as old as Boss Tweed, George Washington Plunkitt, Richard Daley, Frank Hague and Carmine DeSapio.

 

JFK was a cigar smoker and with inside knowledge of the coming blockade of Cuba, had his press Secretary, Pierre Salinger, stock up on the finest large-ring Cuban cigars. Vice President Walter Mondale enjoyed a cigar after a long day campaigning as did Senator Ed Muskie. The Reverend Al Sharpton is known to savor a good cigar - usually paid for by someone else. After Pennsylvania Hillary may take up cigars if she thinks it will help her squeeze out a few more white male votes.

 

For those visiting South Florida, there is no finer cigar emporium than Ultimate Cigar which is located at 195-C North Federal Hwy in Ft. Lauderdale. The proprietor denies that he ever worked for the secret police in Pakistan.

 

 

May 8, 2006

 

 

THE DRIVE FOR REFORM: ALBANY'S NEWEST ORPHAN

 

by Staff

 

 The ambitious reform agenda that new Governor David A. Paterson inherited from his sanctimonious predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, is in shambles at the New York State Capitol, and the new administration is praying that the people of the state will not notice.

In his first six weeks in office, Mr. Paterson has ripped up Mr. Spitzer¡¯s own caps on the acceptance of campaign contributions while acceding to legislators¡¯ approval of tens of millions of dollars in questionable pork barrel projects. Meanwhile, the raging river of Medicaid spending that is driving up property taxes across the state remains untamed and the spending of taxpayer dollars by the state government continues to far exceed the rate of inflation.

'It looks like Paterson is so anxious to make peace with the lawmakers that he doesn't want to stir up anything that will make them uneasy," an official involved in campaign finance reform efforts commented at the Capitol this morning. "At this point, it looks like many of the reform proposals have become orphans."

 

To his credit, we have learned from other government officials he will soon be undertaking an effort to downsize the more than 600 public authorities that for too long have operated in the shadows with many of them adding to the state debt load.

Mr. Paterson, who is hoping voters will allow him to keep the job her inherited by electing him in 2010, was relegated to the sidelines when Mr. Spitzer lost his footing on the path to reform by directing the dirty tricks campaign against Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and enraging state legislators with insults and bully-boy tactics.

It was not Mr. Paterson, but Mr. Spitzer, who received the mandate for reform that voters thought they were choosing when they went to the polls in 2006. Thus, few expect the state¡¯s current chief executive to make campaign finance reform a frontburner issue  or even push for changes in the lopsided way member item allocations are divided up between the majority and minority conferences in the two houses of the Legislature.

Some are concerned that the dysfunction in Albany will worsen before it gets better.
¡°With a policy agenda to the left of Spitzer¡¯s, Paterson may turn out to be an agent for even higher spending and higher taxes in New York,¡± commented Steven Malanga, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Mr. Malanga points out that the new governor benefited greatly in his rise in state politics as a result of being closely aligned with the Working Families Party, whose operatives helped him obtain the post of Minority Leader of the State Senate before Mr. Spitzerfront burner selected him as his running mate over Buffalo¡¯s Lisa Eve.

As a reader of public opinion polls, Mr. Paterson should be wise enough to know that voters are demanding greater accountability and efficiency from Albany. A poll taken in 2006 found 58 percent were dissatisfied with state government and nearly half said either they or a family member were mulling the idea of moving out of the state.

 

NEW YORK'S WAR AGAINST SMOKING

 

The state tax on a package of cigarettes will go up by $1.25 commencing June 3, and state Health Commissioner Dr. RIchard Daines  is moving to assist smokers who want to quit the habit by asking the federal Food and Drug Administration to expand the availability of nicotine-replacement therapy.

 

The therapy includes bum, patches and special lozenges. The therapy is currently available in pharmacies, supermarkets and department stores, but Doctor Daines wants it to be offered wherever cigarettes are sold in New York.

 

 "Once they get that little nudge from the price, then we'll help them in every way to stop and keep from smoking again," commented Doctor Daines.

 

The health agency will also be heavily promoting its Smokers' Quitline, which received more than 200,000 calls in 2007.

 

Anti-smoking activists say they are optimistic that the higher tax kicking in next month will spur more young smokers to quit the habit. Those endorsing the petition for greater availability of smoking cessation therapy include the American Medical Association and the New York State Public Health Association.

 

 

 

HILLARY: DETERMINED TO "KEEP FORGING FORWARD"

 

  Will New York Senator Hillary Clinton pull out of the Democratic primary for President, as many suggest?

 

No way!

 

Senator Clinton just issued this statement to her supporters:

 

"Today, in every way that I know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging forward in this campaign.

"After our come-from-behind victory in Indiana, there are just 28 days of voting left. But we've never campaigned with the stakes as high or the time as short as they will be over the next four weeks.

"And with you by my side, I'm going to keep fighting for what I believe in until every voter has had his or her say.

"From the very beginning, you and I have counted on one another, working through every challenge and seizing every opportunity. That's not just the way our campaign works. That's the way America works.

"As we enter the final four weeks of this contest, let's keep working our hearts out.

"In six days, we have the chance to show our strength in West Virginia. If you'll stand with me, it's an opportunity I intend to make the most of.

There's no question about it -- we've got to make every one of these next 28 days count -- starting with today.

"As we've told each other time and time again. There will be good days and not so good days in the course of this campaign. But there will never be a day that we can't count on one another."

 

 

 

 

COUNTY TASK FORCE CHAIRED BY LEGISLATOR REYNOLDS

 

TAKES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON DISTRESSED PROPERTIES

 Following the first meeting of a legislative task force chaired by Erie County Legislator Robert Reynolds (D-Hamburg, Evans) on May 7, task force members are taking decisive action to stem the blight of distressed properties throughout Erie County.

¡°My goal in calling for the creation of the Distressed Properties Task Force under the Finance and Management Committee of the Legislature was to bring together everyone who was working to combat this problem at the federal, state, county and municipal levels,¡± Legislator Reynolds said.  ¡°This will facilitate a brainstorming session and come up with immediate and long-term action steps to reduce the negative impact of distressed properties on our economic development efforts.¡±

Legislator Reynolds was joined by the Distressed Properties Task Force Co-chair, Village of Angola Mayor Hub Frawley; legislative colleagues; representatives of Governor David Paterson, Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins, Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz,; other public and private sector stakeholders; as well as community organizations who pledged to work together to develop and employ more effective prevention and intervention strategies to move distressed properties from the category of community liability to community asset.

¡°I am pleased to announce that following the information sharing and commitment of task force members to roll up their sleeves and get to the heart of the problem, the working group¡¯s first recommendation was to reduce the Erie County foreclosure process, due to non-payment of taxes, from three years to one, consistent with the length of the foreclosure process in the City of Buffalo, which happens to represent about 40 percent of the county¡¯s tax liens,¡± Legislator Reynolds said.

Legislator Reynolds has directed the Erie County Attorney¡¯s Office, the Comptroller¡¯s Office and the Department of Finance and Real Property Taxes to collaborate on the research and development of a local law that will reduce the county foreclosure process from three years to one, thereby getting these properties rehabilitated, resold and back on the tax rolls on a fast track.

¡°This is a community and economic development issue whose time has come.  Distressed properties bring down property values wherever they exist and they hinder our efforts to encourage businesses to invest in our community,¡± Legislator Reynolds concluded. ¡°We¡¯re done talking about this problem, hoping it will resolve itself, and we¡¯re taking action starting today.¡±

 

 

 

LEGISLATORS IANNELLO AND KONST

 

RELEASE 2008 DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE

 "Erie County Legislators Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore) and Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster photo) announced their 2008 Development Package at a press conference in Erie County Hall. In an effort to continue their Reform Agenda, they have authored and presented three resolutions. They are re-introducing Term Limits for Legislators as a measure of Accountability. The resolution subsequently proposes a Local Law that would limit legislators to twelve years in office while changing the term of holding office to four (4) years. The Local Law was originally presented to the Legislature in 2006. If approved by the Legislature it would then have to go to the voters in November.

Their second reform resolution calls for Renewable Energy by way of adopting a U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration. The resolution calls for a reduction of global warming emissions as greenhouse gases are among the most significant problems facing the world today. Corporations and all levels of government will need to work together to adopt emission reduction targets and programs. Energy efficiency and climate stabilization will have a positive economic impact as well.

The third resolution calls for Fiscal Relief through legislation that caps the county portion of tax on Gas and Diesel Motor Fuel at $3 per gallon.

"Each resolution signifies an effort to make County government more accountable, more transparent and responsive to the tax payers we represent," stated Legislator Konst. "Our due diligence will be done in analyzing the pros and cons of each measure."

Legislator Iannello stated, "We are proposing real change to help defend the middle class. We cannot afford business as usual anymore. I call on my fellow Legislators to support these proposals."

Immediately following this press conference will be an informational meeting to discuss the resolution regarding the cap on gas and diesel motor fuel taxes. Future informational meetings will be held to discuss the two other reform resolutions at a date to be determined.

Wednesday¡¯s meeting will be attended by Erie County Comptroller Mark Polancarz and Albany County Comptroller Mike Connors to present additional information regarding the gas cap proposal."

 

 

May 7, 2008

 

 

PoliticsNY.Net: NORTH CAROLINA & INDIANA

 

Sen. Barack Obama won the North Carolina Democratic 56- 42%. 

 

Clinton Wins Indiana 51-49%  ###

 

 

LISA BLOCH RODWIN CONFIRMED

 

ADA Lisa Bloch Rodwin was confirmed Tuesday by the NYS Senate for the Family Court Bench. Rodwin was appointed by Governor Paterson; his first judicial appointment. Rodwin replaces NYS Supreme Court Judge & a great guy Jim Dillon!

 

"Senators Stachowski, Rath, Maziarz, and Volker and Ranking Minority member Ruth Hassell-Thompson all spoke in the full Senate in favor Rodwin's  confirmation. Senator De Francisco, chairman of the Judiciary Committee also made remarks about her qualifications. 

 

Out of the six judges who were confirmed Rodwin was the only one to have more than one Senator speak in favor of her confirmation  She was then introduced before the full Assembly which offered its congratulations; then the entire Western New York delegation."

 

Rodwin (D) will be on the ballot in September in a primary against Mike Feeley, possibly City Court Judge Jeanette Ogden, Attorney Dennis Scinta (R) another possibility. ###

 

 

HUNTLEY PROJECT STILL ON BACK BURNER

 

There are a number of union & politicos, as a result of Spitzer's resignation, who had high hopes that the $1.5 Billion project in Tonawanda would be taken off of life support. "We see no indication under Paterson that is the case." The reasons remain the same $1.5 Billion for a 100 jobs. The green's in the administration have real environmental concerns. Now add the State's budget deficits into the mix!

"In a landmark decision, NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) received a conditional award of a contract from the New York Power Authority to build an innovative, 680 net megawatt (MW), Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant at its Huntley facility in Tonawanda, New York. The project, which represents a total project cost of approximately $1.5 billion, is scheduled to go into commercial operation in 2013. Unlike other technologies some refer to as "clean coal," this plant can be designed to capture and sequester carbon from the first day of operation.

"New York should be commended for exercising great courage and leadership in tackling head on the country's single biggest issue, global warming, while embracing coal--our most affordable, abundant domestic fuel source," said David Crane, NRG President and Chief Executive Officer. "While we realize this is only the beginning of a long road to implementation, we are gratified to be part of such an important milestone and we look forward to working with New York to begin construction of this important technology by 2008." ###

CUOMO ANNOUNCES BUFFALO MAN SENTENCED

 

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that a Buffalo area man was sentenced to jail for defying a court order banning him from operating as a home improvement contractor.

 

Ronald Timmerman, 30, of Sowles Road in Hamburg, was sentenced May 5 to 90 days in jail after admitting contempt of court for three violations of a prior order banning him from operating in the home improvement business. 

¡°This man repeatedly took consumers¡¯ money, did not perform the job and then deliberately violated court orders after he was told to shut down,¡± said Attorney General Cuomo. ¡°My office is determined to dowhatever it takes - including seeking jail time - to enforce courtorders to stop dishonest home improvement contractors from taking advantage of consumers.¡±

 

 

DAILY NEWSPAPERS LOSING AUDIENCE

 

"The continuing decline of daily newspapers in the United States kept up in the latest reporting period conducted by the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

The subscriber losses have been widely felt in both growing metropolitan areas and in those regions, such as Western New York, impacted by population losses.

ABC, based in Schaumburg, Ill., said The Buffalo News suffered losses of 2.2 percent and 1.8 percent in Sunday and weekday circulation, respectively. The News, through the March 31 reporting period, had 260,445 subscribers on Sunday, down from 266,125 a year earlier. For Monday through Friday, the paper had sales of 178,365 this year, down from 181,538 in March 2007." Published Report  ###

  

 

KONST COUNTY FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

UPDATE: Apparently, there will be a single vote on the full $51 Million package. President Quinn in his appearance before the Leg does not seem at this point to be to concerned about the downtown expansion program for ECC. ###

 

I talked to legislator Betty Jean Grant. Grant could vote for one of the options that will be before the Legislature Thursday. "Option 1" fulfilling County contractual obligations like the Bills Stadium, etc. The reason Grant has a problem with the Capital Program is none of the projects are in the City. Grant believes her colleagues with districts in the city are pretty much in agreement with her. So it is unlikely "Option 2" will pass. Let me write that Grant & I are in complete agreement on ECC expansion downtown. It is a travesty that this project is not going forward. It is my hope that new President Jack Quinn will be able to get the administration behind the expansion for a number of excellent reasons. ###

 

The County Legislature Finance Committee met Monday to discuss the amendments & priorities of the 08 Capital program. The amount will be in the $51 million range. The program needs 10 votes to pass as of now that out come is in doubt. However, Legislature Chair Marinelli does plan to proceed with the vote on Thursday.

 

The 07 Capital program has yet to be funded. As a result of the ongoing argument:  Who will do the bond executions the ECFSA or the County Comptroller. That same argument has now taken over the discussion with the new administration, the 08 program. 

 

So if passed who ever does the borrowing will borrow circa $84 Million. Keeping in mind the County retired $35 Million in 07 - $44 Million in 08.

 

After a second look the numbers for 07 & 08 are reasonable & responsible!

 

However, I am not knit picking here BUT the amount of debt & service will not be mitigated if the current trend continues.

 

The way it looks now the County for a number of reasons will not have another Capital Program in 08. The roads will not be paved, the bridges repaired, etc. So on & so forth! ###

 

 

TOM REYNOLDS ENDORSES LEE

 

Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds said, I will  "enthusiastically and tirelessly" work for Republican Christopher J. Lee to succeed him in Washington.

"He, Lee, knows just exactly what Western New Yorkers are thinking,"

Reynolds took a shot at fellow Republican CE Chris Collins, who had backed businessman Rick Lewis for the 26th; Collins continuing to discuss the race with other Republicans.

"I'm an old school politician," Reynolds said. "So I believe that county executives from our area ought run the government and county chairmen need to do the politics." ###

JosephIlluzzi704@aol.com

  

 

Free New York calls for total elimination of state gas tax

 

"On Tuesday at 11am, at a press conference at 1264 Main St. at Northampton, in Buffalo, Free New York will call for the elimination of the state tax on gasoline to relieve economic hardship throughout the state.

The state gas tax adds about 32 cents to the price of a gallon of gas and generates two billion dollars in revenue annually.

James Ostrowski, President of Free New York, said, ¡°For too long, New Yorkers have paid among the highest gas taxes in the nation. There is no need for that. In fact there¡¯s no need for any state gas tax.¡±

Ostrowski said the tax cut can be ¡°paid for¡± by abolishing corporate welfare¨C$1.6 billion and reducing the $1.75 billion increase for government schools by a mere $400 million. ¡°It¡¯s insane that we subsidize millionaires and billionaires while taxing working class people on their way to work. The madness must end.¡±

Ostrowski noted that in low-tax states such as Vermont and New Hampshire, consumers benefit from lower gas prices.

Lowering the gas tax will also boost the economy by lowering transportation costs and helping the state¡¯s vital tourism industry.

Another important benefit of this tax and spending cut will be the loss of two billion dollars to special interest groups throughout the state, who would otherwise kick back a percentage to politicians at election time. Thus, this measure will help to even the playing field and make elections more competitive.

Free New York is a not-for-profit nonpartisan public policy research corporation based in Buffalo and serving the long-suffering taxpayers of New York State."

 

 

Undefeated in the Ring, a Boxer Shifts to Politics

By TRYMAINE LEE

NY Times Published: May 6, 2008

 The punch came late in the ninth round, crashing into the back of the boxer¡¯s head like a snap of thunder. Dazed, he crumbled to a knee. Twice more he would hit the canvas.

 

The boxer, Joe Mesi, hung on to win the fight. But the beating he took, and the injuries he suffered, signaled the beginning of the end of his boxing career.

Fast forward four years.

Once in contention for the heavyweight crown, Mr. Mesi, known as Baby Joe, is today a contender for a different title: state senator. A Democrat, his pretty-boy swagger, popularity and fame have helped turn what was expected to be a sleepy race in the suburbs of Buffalo into a competitive and important contest in the battle for control of the Senate, analysts say.

Just a few months ago, the 61st Senate District, encompassing the northern part of Erie County and all of Genesee County in western New York, was solidly in Republican hands. But in January, the popular 15-year incumbent, Mary Lou Rath, announced that she would retire at the end of the year.

Suddenly, Democrats, who need to capture two seats to take control of the Senate for the first time in 40 years, think they have a real chance at winning a seat that had been thought secure by Republicans. And an upset victory in this district, where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by several thousand, would get them one big step closer to controlling the Senate.

"There is a real opportunity for a pickup here," said Doug Forand, the Senate Democrats¡¯ top strategist. "This is an exciting race for us because it wasn¡¯t part of our original plan," he said. "This one was not on our radar, not until Senator Rath announced her retirement."

Soon after Ms. Rath made the announcement, Joseph L. Bruno, the Senate majority leader and the state¡¯s top Republican, commented: "That¡¯s a Republican seat; we¡¯ll be O.K. We have a depth of people behind her."

But when Mr. Mesi tossed his hat into the ring last month, he immediately changed the dynamic of the race, analysts say. His record as a professional boxer is 36-0 (with 29 by knockout) and he is sometimes referred to as this city¡¯s third franchise, after the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Mr. Mesi, 34, announced his candidacy in a fashion that one might expect: before hundreds of cheering fans. He stood at the center of a roller skating rink just minutes before the start of a women¡¯s roller derby event. As skaters swooshed by, members of the audience rose to their feet and screamed, "Baby Joe!"

"I am running to bring an independent voice, strong leadership and the average person¡¯s point of view and values back to Albany," he told reporters and patrons gathered at an Italian restaurant later that night.

Analysts believe that his celebrity will lend itself to the kind of big-money fund-raising needed to win Senate seats. And Mr. Mesi, a native of Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo, admits that he still has to prove that he is serious about politics and is not just some "dumb boxer."

His days are filled politicking and his nights studying politics and policy because "I don¡¯t know everything," he said.

"The big challenge for him is to prove that he knows something about state government," said Kevin R. Hardwick, a professor of political science at Canisius College in Buffalo. "It¡¯ll be very interesting to see how he behaves in debates. Obviously, his handlers will have him out there with prepared lines, but to see him think on his feet is the big test, whether he is a boxer or a candidate for State Senate."

The lone Republican candidate so far is Mike Ranzenhofer, an Erie County legislator who has the support of Ms. Rath.

But first Mr. Mesi must face off against two Democrats, Michelle Iannello, an Erie County legislator, and Dan Ward, an Amherst town councilman, in a primary in early September. (Ms. Iannello is Mr. Ward¡¯s sister-in-law.)

Mr. Ward, an attorney, said that although he is a fan of Mr. Mesi¡¯s, he has never backed down from a good political bout.

"It¡¯s just another fight," Mr. Ward said. "Politically, I¡¯ve been able to take a punch and I¡¯ve always gotten back up. I haven¡¯t stayed on the mat in any of these races."

Ms. Iannello said that perhaps Mr. Mesi should have paid more political dues before making a run for "one of the most important seats in New York State."

Senator Bruno said: "I think he¡¯s better served continuing his career in boxing. He¡¯s undefeated, and I don¡¯t think he wants to get