New York
updated
10:02 a.m.
Contains only posts that are ID'd as local content. An explanation. Want to help improve our local content filter? Add keywords here.
OK so the District’s tap water may need to be looked at more carefully. It’s not as good as New York per se but with a filter I’d still drink tap over bottled any day. I just read that the government in Venice, Italy had decided to brand their local tap water to get people [...]...
Jason Gooljar - 10:01 a.m.
The US Senate race seems to be taking shape on the Democratic side. Incumbent appointed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will face at least one major candidate in the primary campaign next summer in the form of Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Some recent news has come out of this race that is worth noting. The first is that [...] Related posts: A Tale of Two Carolyns Maloney to challenge...
Rochester Turning - Fri 9:42 a.m. - 3 clicks 
Another ironic twist in the Albany Senate circus: Remember the reforms Democrats promised to enact, changing the rules under which the Senate operates? They didn’t get enacted, and now the Democrats are laying claim to the validity of “empty seat voting” as their argument for the validity of the Tuesday session… That’s the day on [...] Related posts: State Senate ...
Rochester Turning - Fri 7:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
As we've been saying for months, and today's Buffalo News Outrages & Insights reinforces, Western New York's Democratic Senators Bill Stachowski and Antoine Thompson have been playing for the wrong team. From the Buffalo News piece: Here's how clueless Bill Stachowski and Antoine Thomspon are: The Democratic leadership trotted the out in Albany Thursday to plead for passage of an extensio...
Niagara Times - Fri 5:41 a.m. - 2 clicks
Read original... Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza outside her home located in Glen Head, Long Island. DelMundo for News Queens Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza pulled her Mercedes up to her brick mansion recently after...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 8:57 p.m. - 2 clicks
Read original... The Central Labor Council endorsed all but one of Queens’ nine City Council incumbents running for re-election, notably leaving off the only borough Republican member of the legislative body, Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach). The CLC said it would endorse candidates in the Ulrich’s race and the other six disputed Council races in Queens after its candidate screening process, w...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 8:57 p.m. - 2 clicks
The protest was called by city council member Charles Barron(shown here with Elaine Brower)(Photo: Elaine Brower / NLN) NEW YORK — July 2, 2009. On Wednesday afternoon, July 1st, 300 people gathered in outside the Israeli Consulate to protest an act of piracy by the Israeli Navy. The navy attacked the Spirit of Humanity, a small [...]...
Next Left Notes - Thu 7:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
Read original... Survey, Meeting Results Released by Parks Dept. Mark K. Morrison, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and Kevin Quinn - Parks Capital - Photo by Conor Greene The city Parks Department will release three conceptual plans for the future of Ridgewood Reservoir this fall, now that the results of public input generated through listening sessions and paper surv...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 7:46 p.m. - 7 clicks
Read original... For three decades, Anthony Seminerio held an iron grip on Queens ' 38th Assembly District. The Democrat had Republican friends in high places, leading GOP brass to back several of his reelection bids. But Seminerio's stunning downfall - capped by his resignation and guilty plea on influence peddling charges this week - has created a wide-open race for the once-unattain...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 7:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
Read original... Sen. Joseph Addabbo, Jr., D-Howard Beach, right, occupies the majority leader's chair in the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, June 24, 2009. New York Senate Democrats are filling the leadership chairs on the Senate floor in shifts, in an attempt to preserve control of the much-disputed chamber. Starting around 6 a.m., various Senate Democrats took t...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 7:46 p.m. - 9 clicks
Read original... The United Communities Alliance recognized and thanked several community, business and labor leaders at the Fairfield Pavilion in Richmond Hill last Friday evening. They were joined, here, by other dignitaries. (photo by Michael O’Kane) United Communities Alliance, in conjunction with local professional and business leaders, invited the community to its Empowerment an...
Lost in the Ozone... - Thu 7:46 p.m. - 10 clicks
More video from the 6-25 HCAN rally in Washington D.C. In this one, Senator Chuck Schumer, our senior Senator from New York State, is shouted down in Washington at a Health Care rally (note: I was jostled a few times, but but watch and listen). I’ll explain after the video where Senator Schumer misses the mark [...] Related posts: Specter agreeing with Schumer, but Schumer is wrong on...
Rochester Turning - Thu 4:09 p.m. - 20 clicks
Charlene Obernauer, Long Island Wins guest blogger, writes: When the majority of people in the United States think about so-called "illegal immigration", they picture a Mexican man crossing the border into the United States in the middle of the night. I don't have actual statistical numbers to back up this claim, but I do have the experience of growing up in Suffolk County, where the tensions ove...
DMIblog - Thu 3:12 p.m.
If and when Republican Congressman John McHugh is confirmed by the US Senate to be Obama’s Secretary of the Army, there will be a hotly contested race to replace him as the federal representative for the Adirondacks and Northern New York. One name that is consistently mentioned as a possible candidate is moderate Republican Assemblywoman [...] Related posts: Obama nominates upstate Repub...
Rochester Turning - Thu 10:40 a.m. - 4 clicks
Could someone please explain to me how Atlantic Yards, which was a dubious project to begin with, is good for Brooklyn or New York City? The project, according to the IBO, is now estimated to be a money loser for the city. Now that there are no immediate plans for any office towers, the tax revenue generated from the commercial space will not materialize. The world class design of Frank Gerhy...
DMIblog - Thu 10:40 a.m.
As the State Senate enter the second month of stalemate and gridlock, the work that is being left undone by our elected officials is now starting to have a direct impact on the functionality of New York — or lack thereof. More than a dozen bills which authorize crucial local government operations such as setting [...] Related posts: More Senate Drama Senate Dems will gain at the expen...
Rochester Turning - Thu 8:08 a.m. - 6 clicks
From WXXI’s report today, Mayor Tom Reed of Corning announced his candidacy for New York’s 29th Congressional District Representative: Reed, a Republican, made the announcement at a news conference in Pittsford Wednesday. Reed says his candidacy is not about party politics, but about what the people in the district are saying. He promises to focus on [...] Related posts: Massa Gets...
Rochester Turning - Thu 7:20 a.m. - 5 clicks
Read original... A CITY COUNCIL race in southeastern Queens is turning into an old-fashioned political street fight. A $500 campaign sign for candidate Lynn Nunes , who is running against incumbent Thomas White Jr. , was recently destroyed in front of a home on Baisley Blvd., Nunes said. What's more, this isn't the first time his campaign material has been targeted, he said. More ...
Lost in the Ozone... - Wed 8:19 p.m. - 3 clicks
Read original... The Parks Department should be ashamed. If you want to see the arthritic hand of your government at work in the city's parks, become a Little League dad like me. In the past two years, I have been on almost every sandlot in eastern Queens , as my kid has played for a Little League team and a CYO baseball team, in spring, summer, and fall seasons. We've played in Cunnin...
Lost in the Ozone... - Wed 8:19 p.m. - 2 clicks
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks has officially annulled the county’s public works contract with ROBUTRAD, whose owner, Robert Marone, is being investigated for wasting millions of taxpayer dollars. The deal is to expire on August 1st in exactly one month. She made the announcement with the Republican majority leader of the County Leg, Dan Quatro, [...] Related posts: The Buck stops...
Rochester Turning - Wed 7:03 p.m. - 5 clicks
The Utica OD is reporting that Gov. Paterson has announced a new round of transportation related projects that will be taking place in this area. Specifically these projects are "greenscapes" projects, through which a street or area is repaved, the sidewalks are rebuilt, period lighting is added, and it ends up looking a lot nicer (Think last summer's project on Albany Street in Herkimer). The...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Wed 10:31 a.m. - 6 clicks
Stumbling upon this apparently harmless and humorous story is something that, instead of providing a chuckle, provides a look at how childish every Senator, Democrat or Republican, is acting in this circus of a power grab we have in the NYS Senate. As he'd swear in an affidavit later in the day, Sen. Frank Padavan (R- Bellerose) merely walked through the Senate chamber Tuesday en route t...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Wed 8:48 a.m. - 7 clicks
PDA’s website tells us of a Rally, today, heading down to the federal building to deliver all those signatures from this past weekend’s efforts on HR676 to the Honorable Louise Slaughter. Washington Square Park 181 South Clinton Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 Health care activists will gather at Washington Square Park to demand that our federal representatives support Medicare For [...] ...
Rochester Turning - Wed 7:12 a.m. - 6 clicks
When Coup Becomes All The Rage Last we looked, Pedro Espada hadn't been elected to lead the junta in Honduras, nor has Dean Skelos tried to seize power -- and hold onto it for dear life, forsaking all else -- in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. No, the darlings of the NYS Senate have stayed put in Albany, persistent of mind -- and mindlessness -- that they are in control . Control of wha...
The Community Alliance - Wed 6:49 a.m. - 2 clicks
This year’s LGBT Pride parade was a photographer’s dream(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN) NEW YORK — June 30, 2009. LGBT pride was on display Sunday: a vibrant celebration of life and diversity that included the NYPD’s Gay Officers Action League — and marchers demanding an end to the false arrests of gay men targeted by [...]...
Next Left Notes - Tue 9:24 p.m.
Charles Barron discussing the Israeli seizure of the Spirit of Humanity(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN) NEW YORK — June 30, 2009. Troops Out Now is calling an “EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION Against Israeli Piracy and Kidnapping” to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Israeli Mission: 800 Second Avenue (near 43rd Street). Earlier [...]...
Next Left Notes - Tue 9:24 p.m.
I'm getting back into blogging, but right now I'm pretty distracted by the lunacy of our so-called New York State Senate. It's more a state topic than a Dryden topic (and Jim Seward has only played a bit part in it), so I'm mostly posting at The Albany Project lately. If you want an easy place to keep up with my writings, Dryden and otherwise, my old simonstl.com domain shows the latest f...
Living in Dryden - Tue 6:02 p.m. - 3 clicks
Fred Michael Rikon of the law firm Goldstein, Goldstein, Rikon and Gottlieb, a nationally renowned expert in eminent domain law, to represent them during the upcoming eminent domain battle with the City of New York. Michael Rikon has been practicing law in New York since being admitted to the State Bar in 1969. Before forming the firm of Goldstein, Goldstein & Rikon in 1994, M...
Lost in the Ozone... - Tue 10:00 a.m. - 3 clicks
Oneida County Legislator Richard Flisnik (R-Marcy) has recently proposed cutting the number of times that the chamber meets from twice to once a month, The OD is reporting . The main reason he cites for the change is to cut costs by having department heads not have to attend as many meetings, as well as allowing for legislators to have more time to spend working on issues and to bolster attend...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Tue 8:57 a.m. - 2 clicks
The following is a letter that appeared in the "Everybody's Column" of the Buffalo News opinion section on June 26. It was written by a gentleman by the name of Vincent Blasio of Lake View: Last week the 58th Senate District received a mailing from Sen. Bill Stachowski. In this mailing, it lists why Stachowski so proudly voted yes for what he calls a “balanced, responsible budget.” Now we know ...
Niagara Times - Tue 6:03 a.m. - 2 clicks
Sweating The Small Stuff's Important, Too When folks think -- and leaders talk -- revitalization in Elmont, gateway to Nassau County, its often Belmont Racetrack that comes to mind. That, of course, is a major undertaking, in and of itself, its advent, most assuredly, changing Elmont, hopefully for the better. But what of those smaller projects, initiatives that truly impact upon Main S...
The Community Alliance - Tue 4:53 a.m.
In a case recently heard in the Bronx, an undocumented immigrant tried to collect damages for wages he might lose in the future -- a future that might find him in Kosovo, not the U.S. ...
Gotham Gazette - Mon 9:01 p.m.
Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #362 (holiday rerun): "Money Wise" Joe Cummins, Community Development Educator at the Alternatives Federal Credit Union, tells Petra Hepburn about letting children experience saving money and about teaching adults money management. It's liberating. Tuesday, June 30 7:00-7:30 pm on Channel 13 Wednesday, July 1 1:00-1:30 pm on Chan...
Ithaca Action Network - Mon 5:10 p.m. - 5 clicks
I think its safe to assume many of you have heard about the new position being created here in Ulster County. It's the recurring story in the local paper and it prompted me to post this today. Several months ago the Legislature voted to create this position to get a better handle on the 300+ fleet owned by the County. The details about what the departments use is in print, but I wanted to fol...
Kingston Progressive - Mon 8:44 a.m. - 2 clicks
We came across an interesting ipetition entitled " Referendum on the Separation of New York" recently . The petition sponsors state that the petition "has been initiated by a group of citizens who are very concerned with the current direction of the state. We represent all walks of life, and believe that extreme measures must be undertaken to ensure the survival of Upstate New York. We believe...
Niagara Times - Mon 8:43 a.m. - 2 clicks
Read original... An unidentified man died on June 11 when he either fell or jumped from the J and Z train platform at the Woodhaven Blvd. Station at Jamaica Avenue, police said. Police confirmed that witnesses said they saw the man jump to his death at around 6:05 p.m. The man was not carrying identification and police and medical examiners were still unsure of his name, age and place of re...
Lost in the Ozone... - Mon 2:44 a.m.
Has a politician asked for your signature lately? No wonder. Getting on the ballot, staying there and knocking opponents off has become a political blood sport....
Gotham Gazette - Mon 2:44 a.m. - 4 clicks
Cindy Sheehan speaking on Staten Island(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — June 26, 2009. Has the nation’s most prominent “Peace Mom” developed her own class analysis — the answer is Yes and although she avoids much of the jargon her message is essentially Marxian. Cindy Sheehan (born July 10, 1957) is a 51-year-old [...]...
Next Left Notes - Jun 26 - 17 clicks
I had just got notice that our Congressman Maurice Hinchey will be hosting a public forum this Monday at SUNY New Paltz. The focus of the forum is the funding that's available to small-business owners from the federal stimulus package. The event will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the university’s Lecture Center Room 102 at 1 Hawk Drive. Because of the summer class levels, parking should b...
Kingston Progressive - Jun 26 - 4 clicks
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $300,000 in federal resources for the development of a “Sponge Park” splanade along Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal. The project, spearheaded by the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, incorporates greenery to absorb and manage excess surface runoff and help improve the water quality of the Canal. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) ...
Lost in the Ozone... - Jun 26 - 3 clicks
Read original... Richmond Hill, Queens, New York Photo: Ivan Mrakovcic Richmond Hill is as peaceful and laid back as Manhattan is chaotic and fast paced. That's why it's hard to imagine these two places are less than a 45-minute subway ride from each other. Established in the mid-1800s as one of New York City's first planned communities, Richmond Hill was once home to thousands o...
Lost in the Ozone... - Jun 26 - 5 clicks
In the first tangible instance of the Senate fiasco directly affecting our area, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente has stated that if the Senate does not convene and vote on a sales tax extension for the County that it will be forced to lower its sales tax rate, leaving a gaping hole in this years budget. The bill needed to pass in order for Oneida County to extend its sales tax rate has n...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
Living on unemployment is never easy but its particularly difficult in New York -- where expenses are high and the payments are low. How do people make ends meet? ...
Gotham Gazette - Jun 26
Read original... The vacancy created by the resignation of Tony Seminerio from his seat in the 38th Assembly District has left obvious concerns about who will fill the seat and answer the concerns of constituents in the district largely comprised of Richmond Hill and Glendale. According to New York State law a vacancy in a state position filled through the election process which occurs before ...
Lost in the Ozone... - Jun 26
Read original... The final public hearing for plans to develop Ridgewood Reservoir has been scheduled for June 30 at Oak Ridge in Forest Park. The Parks Department will present three development plans: preserving the site as a natural habitat; filling in the reservoir basins and replacing them with baseball and soccer fields; and a hybrid plan in which only one of three basins, the largest ...
Lost in the Ozone... - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
Earlier this week the state Assembly in Albany voted to expand access to college education for people receiving welfare. This legislation could help many poor and vulnerable New Yorkers, but the gridlock in the state Senate is jeopardizing its future. The leaders of the political circus upstate should take a moment to consider the story of someone like Hirah, whose life is literally in their han...
DMIblog - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
Rudy Giuliani, Former NYC Mayor, Presidential Also-Ran, And Possible Contender For NYS Gov, Calls For Constitutional Convention Recommends Term Limits, Campaign Finance Reform, End To Gerrymandering "New York State government is not working." --Rudolph W. Giuliani Duh! As the charade along State Street meanders into week three, former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani lisps onto ...
The Community Alliance - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
Geez Tom, is it really that difficult to acknowledge the source of your story by name? Come on, type it with me...N-I-A-G-A-R-A-T-I-M-E-S. That wasn't so hard, was it? Seems our posting of Lewis' plan has put him on the defensive. Too damn bad. For those of us who live in the eastern end of the county, the relocating of the YMCA from downtown Lockport to the town has been a big issue for years....
Niagara Times - Jun 26
The Utica OD ran a story yesterday announcing the grand opening of the Celtic Harp Pub on Varick Street . The pub is located near the corner of Court Street and features a full menu, two levels of seating, and an outdoor stage for live music (for the record it is one of the nicest new establishments to be built in the City in a long time). Now this may not seem very newsworthy, but it is t...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Jun 25 - 4 clicks
Removing The Demons From The State Senate, By Vote Or By Divine Intervention "Right now in the name of Jesus, we call the NYS Senate to order, right now in the name of Jesus." Okay. We've tried everything else. Negotiations. The courts. Extraordinary sessions. Threats. Nothing but nothing seems to work. In fact, it gets more and more bizzare by the minute. Here's an account from Capi...
The Community Alliance - Jun 25 - 4 clicks
Don't Look To Albany! With New York's unemployment rate at its highest in 16 years , and meager unemployment benefits stagnant for the past decade, pending legislation to raise payment rates could offer relief. Emphasis on "could," as the only thing keeping more money out of the pockets of the unemployed of the Empire State -- and, quite possibly, the difference between food on the table ...
The Community Alliance - Jun 25 - 4 clicks
Read original... Eric Ulrich (l.) is hoping to defend his young incumbency against Democrat Frank Gulluscio (r.). The widely anticipated contest between City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach) and Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio never came to fruition in the February special election to succeed state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), but the two will get another c...
Lost in the Ozone... - Jun 25 - 5 clicks
On the same day that New York City's Rent Guidelines Board approved rent increases on rent stabilized apartments of three percent for one-year leases and six percent for two-year leases, San Francisco was taking bold action to strengthen renter protections. New York's increases will seriously hurt low-income renters that are already suffering from the highest rate of unemployment in this economic...
DMIblog - Jun 25 - 4 clicks
With the Senate still deadlocked and unwilling to compromise, Gov. Patterson has taken the next step in incentivizing a resolution to this current situation: withholding paychecks. On a payday, no less! "You’re not going home. You’re not getting paid. And you’re not going to disrespect the people of the state of New York any longer," Patterson said Wednesday evening. Whether or not its Constit...
The Herkimer County Progressive - Jun 25 - 5 clicks
On April 7, the Niagara County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution "authorizing the county manager to begin the process of restructuring all Niagara County departments due to proposed funding cuts to New York State programs proposed by Governor David A. Paterson, and due to the proposed receipt of federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." initions / @...
Niagara Times - Jun 25 - 6 clicks
Unlike many of my fellow bloggers in Blogtopia (© Skippy, The Bush Kangaroo ) wide, my attitude towards this story is "I don't give a flying fuck." Here's why: 1) I believe that in order to fix the very real problems facing this nation, we have to beat the bastards on substance. 2) I don't believe that a person's humanity is within bounds. It wasn't for Clinton and while we had great sport with...
Simply Left Behind - Jun 25 - 2 clicks
Of Course, Its The Government Of San Marino From The Oldest Republic In The World, To America's Largest (And Most Blighted) Township Who knew? In the realm of international affairs, the Town of Hempstead, long a protectorate of its own political fiefdoms, rarely finds itself home to the consulates of nation-states. Or so you thought. In reality, Hempstead Town is home to the official con...
The Community Alliance - Jun 25
I don't know how many people get to drive past City Hall here in Kingston, but you should know that the front steps are finally being repaired. I was looking at the surface of the mounting foundation where the steps are placed and there is a poly-based membrane as an underlayment where the mortar is applied. Similar to the weather shield that us roofers use under modern shingles. I didn't ...
Kingston Progressive - Jun 25
I found the cartoon below on a welcome screen to a discussion board on Utica. I couldn't resist lifting it because it is so indicative of what the people of the 24th have got to be feeling these days. These people have had Ray Meier as their State Senator for a decade. In that time, the entire area has literally spiraled downward. Jobs gone. Taxes up. Utilities through the roof. It wasn't unusual ...
YouGOMike - Jun 24
What a joy it is to watch Oneida County Republicans unravel just like their counterparts all over the country and at all levels of government are doing. It's like somebody finally flicked their finger at the corrupt house made of playing cards. Flutter, flutter, flutter, cards falling everywhere. Those whom the gods will destroy must first be made drunk with power . Oneida County Republicans ar...
YouGOMike - Jun 24
