AG's MegaTrial....What About the ROI?

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Published on Friday, 17 May 2013 11:57

Today, I’m sitting in the Courtroom of Judge Herrick as the jury in the Attorney General’s Operation OGK, (cocaine/heroin ring) trial continues. This trial began March 1^st of this year with 14 jurors, six defendants, six defense attorneys, two prosecutors, a bevy of staff (AG), courtroom (Clerk/Steno) and law enforcement staff (Deputies) and one Judge. That’s two and a half months of long hours on the citizen’s dime…prosecuting six men. Here’s my blog from Day One.

On May 1^st, the Judge dismissed two of the cases for insufficient evidence on the side of the prosecution…and darn good jobs of proving it on the side of the defense. Here’s my article on the dismissal. Mid-last week, the trial wound down and it is in the eighth day of deliberations. A few minutes ago, the judge re-instructed them on the conspiracy definition and charge…which indicates that we may be reaching a conclusion to this multi-month trial.

Fortunately for me, unfortunately for you…I have a lunch date so I may not be here to get the verdict to you…but I do have some phone numbers to follow- up with the results. I wish this were my only job! 

Strategy in the Mayor's Wake

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Published on Friday, 17 May 2013 10:22

I just love strategy…and I really love the political “squeeze play.” Here’s what was going on behind the scenes at the Albany Democratic Committee meetings. To properly understand this, you would need to be a long time reader of this blog….so I’m going to start from the beginning.

Several years ago, Ms. McLaughlin, upon being elected as President of the Common Council, sat at Elda’s sipping her drink and telling me her intention was to seek the Mayor’s seat next. She had just bloodied up the path to her Presidential seat as she vowed to seek higher office. At that point, I knew that was Ms. Sheehan’s intention and Mr. Conti had also mumbled his intention to seek the Mayor’s seat as well.

When all three, so-called progressives, got together, the agreement was reached that Sheehan would run for the Mayor’s office, McLaughlin for the Treasurer’s office and Conti to the Presidential Office. Somewhere along the way, Ms. McLaughlin learned of other seeking that office and muscled out her former partner in crime, Richard Conti, my councilman, and decided to take the easy route and keep her current position.

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Drawing Up Central

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Published on Friday, 17 May 2013 11:17

Right before the Tulip Festival’s rain began to fall last Saturday, I took my cup of coffee for a walk along the Avenue. That is, I strolled down Central Avenue to visit the Central Avenue BID and Equinox’s joint project…Drawing Up Central. While the Avenue usually has a quietly “hungover” feel on weekend mornings, this lonely strip of a byway struggling to come back to life, was abuzz with excitement.

When I arrived, last minute arrivals were signing up to square off their little block of sidewalk but the more serious of the artists had staked their claim at the busiest intersection and studied their artwork as they selected their colors. Officer Holly, or Hawley, cruised the Avenue bringing needed supplies to the artists and the organizers. Ironically, the young woman who had staked out the top spot on the block, had previously been arrested for “drawing on a sidewalk!”

I was deep in the Tulip Festival when the heaviest rain began to fall and, I’m betting, that even the trash bags they hoped to protect the artwork from the weather didn’t live up to the hopes of the organizers. There was announced to be a $500 prize for the favorite chunk of artwork but I can’t find the results of Drawing Up Central anywhere. I know my favorite…and I voted for it. Can you guess which is my pic from the below pics?

Congratulations to Central Avenue BID, Equinox and everyone supporting the event…now, if the weather would just cooperate.

[Update: The BID sent me a tweet with a link to the winners! Click here!)

Read more: Drawing Up Central

With the Wisdom of Solomon

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Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 06:56

I got word last night, that the County Executive has begun the process to move the money required to sustain the Nursing Home through the end of the year. As predicted on this blog, McCoy is doing everything he can to protect the residents of the Nursing Home…with no agenda other than doing the best for all the citizens.

McCoy has confirmed that he has moved $2.2 for one month….and this should prove exactly what monthly loss is at the Nursing Home.

While McCoy continues to attempt to show the wisdom of the privatization plan by setting up a private meeting with the Department of Health who would explain the real future of a County Nursing Home…but they refuse to meet with DOH.