Saturday, October 31, 2009
SO SORRY. Skidmore staff writer admits mistakes in story in Skidmore News. Recants previous endorsement of Kim and throws support behind Johnson.
He concludes his article by writing “While I scoffed at the recreation center last week, after speaking with Johnson I changed my mind. If you look outside the campus there isn't anything like our Sports and
Thank you all.
Here at Ben lives on we are a very happy crew.Our page views have doubled in a few days.
Saratogian endorses corruption and incompetence.
The Saratogian today gave a double wet kiss to Skip Scirocco. First Scirocco apologist and lapdog Andrew Bernstein wrote a puff piece explaining away the blatant illegal extension of a water line on Route 9p. Explaining “haaa shucks Skippy just gets a little confused.”
Barbara Lombardo, Managing Editor of the Saratogian when reached at home was quoted “we understand incompetence and frankly if it’s good enough for the Saratogian its good enough for DPW.”
Andrew Bernstein was unavailable for comment as he is going door to door with as he calls him “Commissioner Scirocco”
Scirocco is calling a press conference were latter today he will announce his Victory party will be held in the Saratogian pressroom and I agree with that choice since it’s not like anyone is using it or anything.
Disclaimer for the mentally challenged and for Bernstein groupies and tools. The above conversation did not take place. They are parodies of the buffoonish behavior of the news staff of the Saratogian.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Questions that bother me so.
First let me state that at no time did I ever consider this an unbiased journalistic blog. This was created by an independent group of volunteers to be a counterpoint to the lying bullshit propaganda and character assassination that is the modus operandi of the Kim/Keehn DFC political machine.
Now the problem with Andrew Bernstein, is that he prides himself on his journalistic neutrality even though he just gave his buddy who he refuses to call anything other than Commissioner Scirocco a boost by stating he was a shoe in to win reelection and I quote
“my "calling" of the DPW race is based on my knowledge of some polling that has been conducted” So I asked him at his blog this simple question.
So Andrew you are telling us that Scirocco shares his polling data with you? Who conducted the poll? Did you see the empirical data or did you just take Scirocco's at his word? Calling a race before the election helps build momentum for the politician and if you simply took them at their word without proper proof you have given Scirocco a boost while hiding behind your so called cloak of journalistic impartiality.
You may not like the person asking these questions and that’s fine but these are fair questions. So before you criticize the format or the grammar please take a moment to answer them, after all it is your integrity as a journalist that is at stake.
He being the thin skinned coward that he is refused to publish my question but hides behind his peanut gallery of parrot like supporters who sing his dubious praises while condemning his critics.
And you sir are a journalistic hypocrite.
Signed contributing blog writer to Ben lives on
John Tighe
tighotwo@hotmail.com
THAT’S THE SARATOGIAN WE KNOW AND LOATH
Just when I was reconsidering my contempt for the Saratogian they go and do what they do best fuck up.
Endorsement: Change needed at Finance
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/30/opinion/doc4aeafa4ca15f7965941485.txt
Of course they endorsed Peter Martin. They want to be Peter Martin. The soft spoken bland as milk toast Martin is a Wall Street shyster extraordinaire. Martin was instrumental in engineering the sale of Ayco to The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Although the sale is widely believed to have been a huge mistake for the Goldman Sachs Group {see http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20040913/SUB/409130716} it did make Martins friend and buddy John Breyo chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ayco Company LP rich . Breyo latter went on to built the largest house in Saratoga Springs and has dragged the city threw costly litigation ever since[see http://writer.zoho.com/public/tdchi/breyos-house]
But Martin’s real coup de grace came with the fiscal meltdown of Goldman Sachs and their $12B federal bailout at taxpayers expense. They latter went on to give the executives and officers both of which Martin describes himself as $14B in Bonuses{ see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1081624/Goldman-Sachs-ready-hand-7BILLION-salary-bonus-package--6bn-bail-out.html#fuck_mccain_obama}
So what’s the plan Martin? Drive the city with the help of Ron Kim to municipal bankruptcy, then ask Obama for a bailout and give the council members a big bonus? Hey why not, the scam worked for you before on a much grander scale why not use it again?
GOODBYE SARATOGIAN, YOU WON’T BE MISSED.
Last word on the Bernstein affair.
As the numbers came in on the declining circulation of our hometown newspaper one can only ponder how long the struggling institution can stagger on. Operating with a Jurassic business plan with sales and classified ads reduced to little more than “MAKE MONEY FROM HOME” do to the popularity of free online ads such as Craig’s list and with stock prices at record lows {JOURNAL REGISTER CO
Other OTC: JRCO.PK Last Trade: 0.0150} how much longer do they have? Continually in and out of bankruptcy the company stumbles in the dark unable to hire anything other than thin skinned little lads with no experience, who seem unable or unwilling to contain their personal biases in the pursuit of objective and fair journalism.
When confronted with these criticisms there overworked and underpaid reporters lash out at the mediums and bloggers that are making their careers redundant. I’m afraid Mr. Bernstein your employer is not long for the business world, but all is not lost. With your fine education, your youth and liberal enthusiasm, you’re close ties with Kevin Connelly and his PEF union contacts I have no doubt your find employment as a union shill.
My response to Mr. Bernstein and my comment he would not place on his blog.
Nice try Sherlock guess again. Sure Tighe summits stories sometime I run them sometimes I don’t. By the way your complaints are full of holes. You blew the call on Michelle Riggi and you’re blow the call on the Adelphi. If you ever worked in DPW you might know how anti Semitic some in that crew are. Scirocco may not be a anti Semite but some of his men are. As far as Ron Kim and Val Keehn I have watched that video and in no part did he rule out Keehn as deputy. He only says that she is not interested. FOR NOW. As far as anybody asking you for advice on who to vote for they might as well ask Eileen Finneran
As far as Tighe, he's been threatened before and will be threatened again but his comments will always be welcomed here.
PS. Thanks for the plug my hits are up 50% today.
As the numbers came in on the declining circulation of our hometown newspaper one can only ponder how long the struggling institution can stagger on. Operating with a Jurassic business plan with sales and classified ads reduced to little more than “MAKE MONEY FROM HOME” do to the popularity of free online ads such as Craig’s list and with stock prices at record lows {JOURNAL REGISTER CO
Other OTC: JRCO.PK Last Trade: 0.0150} how much longer do they have? Continually in and out of bankruptcy the company stumbles in the dark unable to hire anything other than thin skinned little lads with no experience, who seem unable or unwilling to contain their personal biases in the pursuit of objective and fair journalism.
When confronted with these criticisms there overworked and underpaid reporters lash out at the mediums and bloggers that are making their careers redundant. I’m afraid Mr. Bernstein your employer is not long for the business world, but all is not lost. With your fine education, your youth and liberal enthusiasm, you’re close ties with Kevin Connelly and his PEF union contacts I have no doubt your find employment as a union shill.
My response to Mr. Bernstein and my comment he would not place on his blog.
Nice try Sherlock guess again. Sure Tighe summits stories sometime I run them sometimes I don’t. By the way your complaints are full of holes. You blew the call on Michelle Riggi and you’re blow the call on the Adelphi. If you ever worked in DPW you might know how anti Semitic some in that crew are. Scirocco may not be a anti Semite but some of his men are. As far as Ron Kim and Val Keehn I have watched that video and in no part did he rule out Keehn as deputy. He only says that she is not interested. FOR NOW. As far as anybody asking you for advice on who to vote for they might as well ask Eileen Finneran
As far as Tighe, he's been threatened before and will be threatened again but his comments will always be welcomed here.
PS. Thanks for the plug my hits are up 50% today.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A real newspaper. TIMES UNION endorses Scott Johnson
Mayor: Johnson
First published in print: Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Saratoga Springs mayor's race does not offer an easy choice. Voters must choose between two able, passionate candidates and their long-running disagreements.
Looking at their positions, however, however, we believe that incumbent Republican Mayor Scott Johnson can better lead the city.
One test of a leader is the ability to take the long view and make decisions that are right if not necessarily popular. Since he took office in 2008, Mr. Johnson, an attorney, has shown he is willing to do that.
Case in point: a new recreation center for the city. This project was already bonded for when Mr. Johnson was elected. Critics, including his current Democratic opponent, Ronald Kim, suggested scrapping the center for a new public safety building. Mr. Kim, an attorney and public safety commissioner, says Mr. Johnson has his priorities wrong.
But Mr. Johnson notes that the city would still have had to pay for the bonds for years, potentially losing at least $1 million. Where's the sense? He also appropriately favored relocating the center to South Side Park, much more accessible for children than the original choice far from the heart of the city. While he has taken heat from some neighbors who brought a lawsuit, it was the right move.
Mr. Johnson has shown a willingness to consider opposing views on critical issues like paid parking, seeking a balance between new revenue and merchants' concerns.
We endorse Mr. Johnson while noting that Mr. Kim is right to push for the new public safety building. We also urge the mayor, should he be re-elected, to bone up on the state's Open Meetings Law, which the city violated at least once during his tenure with a vote in closed session.
If Mr. Johnson has the courage to make tough decisions, he should have the courage to always make them in public.
More on Scirocco's water-gate
from I-Saratoga
John Kaufmann said...
Horatio:
I guess the first issue is that we have no documentation that the development at Regatta is the source of the homeowner's water problems. I do not dismiss this allegation but we have no idea to what extent the lack of science has contributed to the reticense of the homeowners to sue. It would be helpful to know what the basis of the claim is.
As you note, the homeowner indicated that he was not going to pursue litigation. There is no reason based upon the available information that we should not take him at his word.
In fact, if there was a potential liability, then there is no reason that Scirocco could not have used this as his argument when he approached the council. Since he was not responsible for the original decision he would have nothing to lose. More important, the council could consult with attornies to determine to what extent the city had a real liability.
As regards the timing, the construction work on this project started only about a week and a half ago which explains the timing.
This kind of indifference to public malfeance is disheartening. Allowing Scirocco to provide favors at great expense to the city and to ineptly attempt to cover this up is a very bad precedent. It sets a very low bar for people who are elected in terms of lying, abuse of office, and favortism.
John Kaufmann said...
Horatio:
I guess the first issue is that we have no documentation that the development at Regatta is the source of the homeowner's water problems. I do not dismiss this allegation but we have no idea to what extent the lack of science has contributed to the reticense of the homeowners to sue. It would be helpful to know what the basis of the claim is.
As you note, the homeowner indicated that he was not going to pursue litigation. There is no reason based upon the available information that we should not take him at his word.
In fact, if there was a potential liability, then there is no reason that Scirocco could not have used this as his argument when he approached the council. Since he was not responsible for the original decision he would have nothing to lose. More important, the council could consult with attornies to determine to what extent the city had a real liability.
As regards the timing, the construction work on this project started only about a week and a half ago which explains the timing.
This kind of indifference to public malfeance is disheartening. Allowing Scirocco to provide favors at great expense to the city and to ineptly attempt to cover this up is a very bad precedent. It sets a very low bar for people who are elected in terms of lying, abuse of office, and favortism.
NEWS FLASH SARATOGIAN USES COMMON SENSE
Saratogian does not endorse Connolly
Even a broken clock is right twice a day and even the saratogian gets it right now and then
"But that’s not the main reason Connolly is not receiving the newspaper’s endorsement. The fatal flaw is his longtime volunteer leadership role representing union workers. City Council members must represent the citizens at large, and voters should be wary of electing someone whose predisposition would be as an advocate for the employees he oversees."
See for yourself
Even a broken clock is right twice a day and even the saratogian gets it right now and then
"But that’s not the main reason Connolly is not receiving the newspaper’s endorsement. The fatal flaw is his longtime volunteer leadership role representing union workers. City Council members must represent the citizens at large, and voters should be wary of electing someone whose predisposition would be as an advocate for the employees he oversees."
See for yourself
Saratogian circulation continues to drop like a rock.
Saratoga Springs-based Saratogian had a Sunday circulation of 8,430 in September, down from last year’s 9,619. Monday through Saturday circulation was 7,923, down from 8,879.
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 29 2009
Though not a letter today’s winner is Andrew Bernstein, whose online tribute to this blog was just published in the dark of night.
http://www.saratogacitydesk.blogspot.com/
Seems Mr. Bernstein takes issue not only with the substance of this blog he also seems convinced he has uncovered the “true” authorship of this blog. What a shame Bernstein couldn’t use his limited journalistic skills to uncover some real news.
Who is buying the Adelphi Hotel and for what purpose?
Did Sirocco break the Law in the 9p water line deal?
Did the City Democratic Committee give money to the Sirocco campaign and was it covered up? Why hasn’t Sirocco submitted his FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT?
Has Bernstein showed a bias in covering the Kim/Keehn campaign for mayor?
Why wouldn’t Kim simply rule out Keehn as his deputy?
No Bernstein that would take some real journalistic reporting; something your limited skills seem impossible to provide.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Journalist and ethics, seems Andrew Bernstein never took that class.
The case to have Mr. Bernstein fired
Lets see how many things did he forget
Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— — Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
Seems Mr. Bernstein has his panties in a bunch
Well Andy I do you a favor when someone asks me to take down a silly comment you didn’t like and you lose your mind.
First if you did your job bloggers wouldn’t be necessary. Second unless you are psychic you have no idea who or what is behind these blogs. The question of Valarie Keehn was and still is a fair question. Must I remind you that Ron Kim fired his last deputy after he won reelection? You are telling me the man has no idea who is next deputy is? If you believe that then you Andy should march to Skidmore and demand your tuition money back because you never learned a dam thing. Also unless you have some polling data by calling the election for Skip Sirrocco you should be fired.
First if you did your job bloggers wouldn’t be necessary. Second unless you are psychic you have no idea who or what is behind these blogs. The question of Valarie Keehn was and still is a fair question. Must I remind you that Ron Kim fired his last deputy after he won reelection? You are telling me the man has no idea who is next deputy is? If you believe that then you Andy should march to Skidmore and demand your tuition money back because you never learned a dam thing. Also unless you have some polling data by calling the election for Skip Sirrocco you should be fired.
More fun with numbers
CITIZENS FOR RON KIM and those who gave him money.
10/01/09 ELIZABETH K. DEVITO 62 W 84TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10024 2444 $100.00
10/01/09 RICHARD L. STANGER 37 SARAZEN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 5603 $100.00
10/01/09 MICHAEL ODUNNE 805 AL CONSTANTINO SCHENECTADY NY 12306 1441 $100.00
10/01/09 GEORGIANA LUCIANI 1976 CURRY ROAD, APT SCHENECTADY NY 12303 8147 $50.00
10/01/09 L. JOHN GOLDBERG 66 SARAZEN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 1654 $200.00
10/01/09 MICHAEL J. LADD 113 REGENT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 2675 $200.00
10/01/09 LINDA L. ENGLERT 52 FRANKLIN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 849 $66.00
10/01/09 STEVEN J. JUNG 40 S MAIN STREET CASTLETON NY 12033 575 $200.00O
10/01/09 NANCY E. FRITCH 38 ADAMS STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 1093 $100.00
10/01/09 VALERIE K. KEEHN 41 BENEDICT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 2271 $50.00
10/01/09 BRENT A. WILKES 5 THAMES WAY SARATOGA NY 12866 2923 $50.00
10/01/09 CHARLES C. MORRIZON 88 COURT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 3183 $100.00
10/01/09 ROBERT MCTAGUE 296 NELSON AVE SARATOGA NY 12866 1682 $75.00
10/01/09 MARY I. MINER 4 VANDERBILT AVE SARATOGA NY 12866 6411 $33.00
10/01/09 MARY ZLOTNICK 6 LAURA LANE SARATOGA NY 12866 $32.00
10/01/09 JOHN P. FRANCK PO BOX 1186 SARATOGA NY 12866 1565 $100.00
10/01/09 SUZANNE KWASNIEWSKI PO BOX 1151 SARATOGA NY 12866 3124 $100.00
10/01/09 ROBERT MAINS 33 LAKEWOOD DRIVE SARATOGA NY 12866 1016 $250.
10/01/09 MARGARET PROUGH 22 FERNDELL SPRING SARATOGA NY 12866 2528 $33.00
10/06/09 DONALD H. HIETT, JR 3375 VALLEY HILL ROAD KENNESAW GA 30152 $100.00
10/07/09 RICHARD E. SCHUMAKER 18 SADDLE BROOK DR SARATOGA NY 12866 3122 $1,000.00
10/08/09 JUDY STAUBO 12 VALLERA ROAD SARATOGA NY 12866 $100.00
10/01/09 ELIZABETH K. DEVITO 62 W 84TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10024 2444 $100.00
10/01/09 RICHARD L. STANGER 37 SARAZEN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 5603 $100.00
10/01/09 MICHAEL ODUNNE 805 AL CONSTANTINO SCHENECTADY NY 12306 1441 $100.00
10/01/09 GEORGIANA LUCIANI 1976 CURRY ROAD, APT SCHENECTADY NY 12303 8147 $50.00
10/01/09 L. JOHN GOLDBERG 66 SARAZEN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 1654 $200.00
10/01/09 MICHAEL J. LADD 113 REGENT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 2675 $200.00
10/01/09 LINDA L. ENGLERT 52 FRANKLIN STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 849 $66.00
10/01/09 STEVEN J. JUNG 40 S MAIN STREET CASTLETON NY 12033 575 $200.00O
10/01/09 NANCY E. FRITCH 38 ADAMS STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 1093 $100.00
10/01/09 VALERIE K. KEEHN 41 BENEDICT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 2271 $50.00
10/01/09 BRENT A. WILKES 5 THAMES WAY SARATOGA NY 12866 2923 $50.00
10/01/09 CHARLES C. MORRIZON 88 COURT STREET SARATOGA NY 12866 3183 $100.00
10/01/09 ROBERT MCTAGUE 296 NELSON AVE SARATOGA NY 12866 1682 $75.00
10/01/09 MARY I. MINER 4 VANDERBILT AVE SARATOGA NY 12866 6411 $33.00
10/01/09 MARY ZLOTNICK 6 LAURA LANE SARATOGA NY 12866 $32.00
10/01/09 JOHN P. FRANCK PO BOX 1186 SARATOGA NY 12866 1565 $100.00
10/01/09 SUZANNE KWASNIEWSKI PO BOX 1151 SARATOGA NY 12866 3124 $100.00
10/01/09 ROBERT MAINS 33 LAKEWOOD DRIVE SARATOGA NY 12866 1016 $250.
10/01/09 MARGARET PROUGH 22 FERNDELL SPRING SARATOGA NY 12866 2528 $33.00
10/06/09 DONALD H. HIETT, JR 3375 VALLEY HILL ROAD KENNESAW GA 30152 $100.00
10/07/09 RICHARD E. SCHUMAKER 18 SADDLE BROOK DR SARATOGA NY 12866 3122 $1,000.00
10/08/09 JUDY STAUBO 12 VALLERA ROAD SARATOGA NY 12866 $100.00
Know your friends and neighbors
CITIZENS FOR RON KIM and those who gave him money.
09/02/09 MARCEL ZUCCHINO 13 LOUGHBERRY ROAD
09/03/09 WILLIAM W. O'CONNOR 17 ROLLING BROOK DR
09/03/09 GEORGIANNA LUCIANI 1976 CURRY ROAD
09/04/09 SUK Y. LEE 5 SICADA STREET
09/09/09 LAURA B. CHODOS 768 N. BROADWAY
09/15/09 ANNE C. LEAHY 92 WITHINGTON ROAD NEWTONVILLE MA 02460 2439 $100.00
09/15/09
09/21/09 PEARL C. BAKER
09/21/09 PAUL KIM 514 SPARKLEBERRY TERR LEESBURG VA 20176 27500490 $100.00
09/22/09 CHRISTOPHE WATT
09/28/09 JANET E. ST CLAIR
09/29/09 NEDRA R. STIMPFLE
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 28 2009
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/28/opinion/doc4ae85545d6c99129883691.txt
This gem comes from Linda Englert a transplant from Dutchess County her husband was City Attorney during the administration of Valerie Keehn, or as we call him shyster in chief who by the by never set foot in City Hall after Keehn got her assed kicked, but still drew his salary till the end of the year.
Englert is also a card carrying member of the DFC, I can only say after you read her crap try washing your screen with this
RON KIM SHYSTER POLITICIAN SHYSTER LAWYER
I am always curious to see how politicians make a living so I made some investigative phone calls about Ron Kim.
Seems he is a bankruptcy attorney which on its face is a respectable way to make a living, helping hapless souls many of who are buried in medical bills out of legitimate debt.
But then I dug a little deeper, seems Ron charges 2000 dollars for a simple chapter 7 bankruptcy. After calling a few local attorneys all seem to charge between $900 to $1500 for the same services.
Leave it to Ron Kim to gouge the most vulnerable of our citizens just when they need to hold on to what ever funds they have left and then leave them hungry and homeless all to fund his personal fortune and to pay for advanced NXIVM training.
Shame on you Mr. Kim.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NXIVM is coming to town
As if Saratoga didn’t have enough to worry about word on the street is NXIVM has completed the takeover and purchase of the Adelphi Hotel. With plans in the works to open there world headquarters and training facilities in downtown Saratoga. As customary with NXIVM owned property they will be seeking a property tax waiver that will take another 100,000 dollars a year out of the city budget.
NXIVM also plans to air a new 24 hour radio station which will be broadcasting from their new headquarters.
http://saratogabroadcasting.com/
NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is bankrolled by big-name devotees like Seagram heiresses Clare and Sara Bronfman and is a closely allied to Val Keehn,Ron Kim,Peter Martin and Kevin Connolly. Raniere is paying particular attention to the race for mayor where a Kim win would smooth the way for the necessary zoning variances to make their headquarters a reality.
For people who aren’t familiar with NXIVM I will outline a brief history.
In the 1990s, the Brooklyn-born Raniere, son of New York adman and fund-raiser James Raniere, shuttered a multimillion-dollar marketing firm after authorities in several states alleged that it was an illegal pyramid scheme.
Today, devotees shell out as much as $7,500 to attend NXIVM’s 16-day motivational seminars, called “intensives,” where they are coached using Raniere’s patented behavior-modification “technology.
Members, or “ESPians,” also bow to Vanguard, called “Prefect,” and refer to nonbelievers to as “parasites” or “suppressives.”
Some who have left have turned against NXIVM and divulged its “secret” policies – only to find themselves mired in years of litigation with Raniere.
In published accounts, ex-members and mental-health professionals call NXIVM a “cult-like” group that uses sensory deprivation, “brainwashing” and other mind-bending tactics – sometimes to the point of psychological breakdowns.
Well there you have it folks the future looks pretty bleak and is one of the reasons my blog is
Saratoga in decline
NXIVM also plans to air a new 24 hour radio station which will be broadcasting from their new headquarters.
http://saratogabroadcasting.com/
NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is bankrolled by big-name devotees like Seagram heiresses Clare and Sara Bronfman and is a closely allied to Val Keehn,Ron Kim,Peter Martin and Kevin Connolly. Raniere is paying particular attention to the race for mayor where a Kim win would smooth the way for the necessary zoning variances to make their headquarters a reality.
For people who aren’t familiar with NXIVM I will outline a brief history.
In the 1990s, the Brooklyn-born Raniere, son of New York adman and fund-raiser James Raniere, shuttered a multimillion-dollar marketing firm after authorities in several states alleged that it was an illegal pyramid scheme.
Today, devotees shell out as much as $7,500 to attend NXIVM’s 16-day motivational seminars, called “intensives,” where they are coached using Raniere’s patented behavior-modification “technology.
Members, or “ESPians,” also bow to Vanguard, called “Prefect,” and refer to nonbelievers to as “parasites” or “suppressives.”
Some who have left have turned against NXIVM and divulged its “secret” policies – only to find themselves mired in years of litigation with Raniere.
In published accounts, ex-members and mental-health professionals call NXIVM a “cult-like” group that uses sensory deprivation, “brainwashing” and other mind-bending tactics – sometimes to the point of psychological breakdowns.
Well there you have it folks the future looks pretty bleak and is one of the reasons my blog is
Saratoga in decline
THANK YOU ALL
In a little more than a week I have broken the 3000 mark in individual hits to the blog and 500 to my profile. So thank you enemies and friends alike.
FALL PLANTING IN THE WORLD OF DPW.
I stopped along Nelson Ave and stood by my car and I watched a couple of DPW men working along the road by the Racino.
I saw one DPW worker dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. Then other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was 25 feet behind filling in the old.
The men worked right past me
“I can’t stand this,” I thought
“Hold it, hold it,” I said. “Can you tell me what’s going on here with this digging?”
“Well, we work for Scirocco” one of the men said.
“But one of you is digging a hole and the other fills it up. You’re not accomplishing anything. Aren’t you wasting the taxpayers’ money?”
“You don’t understand, mister,” one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. “Normally there are three of us: me, Rodney, and Mike. I dig the hole, Rodney sticks in the tree, and Mike here puts the dirt back.
Now just because Rodney’s out sick that doesn’t mean that Mike and I can’t work.”
I saw one DPW worker dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. Then other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was 25 feet behind filling in the old.
The men worked right past me
“I can’t stand this,” I thought
“Hold it, hold it,” I said. “Can you tell me what’s going on here with this digging?”
“Well, we work for Scirocco” one of the men said.
“But one of you is digging a hole and the other fills it up. You’re not accomplishing anything. Aren’t you wasting the taxpayers’ money?”
“You don’t understand, mister,” one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. “Normally there are three of us: me, Rodney, and Mike. I dig the hole, Rodney sticks in the tree, and Mike here puts the dirt back.
Now just because Rodney’s out sick that doesn’t mean that Mike and I can’t work.”
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 27 2009
Letter: Choose candidates who respect Spa City Daniel Delarm, Saratoga Springs
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/27/opinion/doc4ae668d76f42b320016359.txt
This lengthy piece of mindless self indulgence comes to us from Daniel Delarm, best pal and co-conspirator of Saratoga’s favorite agent provocateur Mary Beth Delarm. The totally disgraced mouth piece Of Ron Kim and Scirocco. I particularly find Delarm’s use of the word respect nauseating. You sir can not even fathom the meaning of the word.
You confuse your groveling and displaced self-loathing that has caused you to sign on with Executive Success Programs (ESP) and NXIVM to be some kind of respect, I think not. Please Delarm for your own sake, find a good cult deprogrammer before NXIVM and Ron Kim suck you dry.
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/27/opinion/doc4ae668d76f42b320016359.txt
This lengthy piece of mindless self indulgence comes to us from Daniel Delarm, best pal and co-conspirator of Saratoga’s favorite agent provocateur Mary Beth Delarm. The totally disgraced mouth piece Of Ron Kim and Scirocco. I particularly find Delarm’s use of the word respect nauseating. You sir can not even fathom the meaning of the word.
You confuse your groveling and displaced self-loathing that has caused you to sign on with Executive Success Programs (ESP) and NXIVM to be some kind of respect, I think not. Please Delarm for your own sake, find a good cult deprogrammer before NXIVM and Ron Kim suck you dry.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Well thank you for the threats and hate mail your IP address’s have been saved.
Well let me clear up a few things. First I believe when a person runs for public office a few things should be on the table
1.His job, source of income and ties to special interest groups.
2. His relationship status. Married, divorced in a committed gay relationship single? Children? Does he owe child support or have paternity claims against him.
3.Sexual orientation. Gay or straight.
4.Religion? Jewish Hindu catholic, born again Christian or no preference.
5.Criminal history? orders of protection, DWI whatever?
Now their has been a whisper campaign that Mr. Connelly is gay. I have no problem with a gay commissioner of Public Safety. In fact considering the dept has a documented history of anti gay bias. I think it would be a good thing. I think we are overdue to have a gay advocate in this city and to have openly gay serving politicians or city workers.
What I find disturbing is Mr. Connellys lack of candor on this issue like he is ashamed or embarrassed .
Come on Mr. Connelly give the people of Saratoga some credit. If you are not Gay or you are gay just say so and we can put this matter to bed.
And remember I don’t support you because your a shill for the unions and Ron Kim but I hope in this campaign you can be a role model and ground-breaker for others in the future.
Now step up to the plate be proud and tell the truth.
1.His job, source of income and ties to special interest groups.
2. His relationship status. Married, divorced in a committed gay relationship single? Children? Does he owe child support or have paternity claims against him.
3.Sexual orientation. Gay or straight.
4.Religion? Jewish Hindu catholic, born again Christian or no preference.
5.Criminal history? orders of protection, DWI whatever?
Now their has been a whisper campaign that Mr. Connelly is gay. I have no problem with a gay commissioner of Public Safety. In fact considering the dept has a documented history of anti gay bias. I think it would be a good thing. I think we are overdue to have a gay advocate in this city and to have openly gay serving politicians or city workers.
What I find disturbing is Mr. Connellys lack of candor on this issue like he is ashamed or embarrassed .
Come on Mr. Connelly give the people of Saratoga some credit. If you are not Gay or you are gay just say so and we can put this matter to bed.
And remember I don’t support you because your a shill for the unions and Ron Kim but I hope in this campaign you can be a role model and ground-breaker for others in the future.
Now step up to the plate be proud and tell the truth.
CONNOLLY’S NEW TRAINING VIDEO
Part of Connelly’s campaign has been for the training of The Saratoga Police in Spanish to better interact with the growing Hispanic population and he hopes to implement a new physical training program as shown in his new training video.
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 26 2009
Today’s piece of Propaganda speaks of our need to strengthen the police state and comes from the the gay caballero himself KEVIN CONNOLLY.
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/26/opinion/doc4ae51166d22f0911131626.txt
CONNOLLY who has never worn a uniform out side of his impersonation of the Village People in Albany’s Waterworks Pub still believes we can balance the budget by screwing tourist, fining locals and finally by breaking the backs of homeowners and remember this man as he himself says is a union shill and shop steward.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
John Kaufmann said...From- I-Saratoga
How about starting a thread on the Scirocco issue.
In the Gazette this morning he is now claiming that he was mis-understood when he said the home owners were paying for the work and had provided him with a check. He says now that he originally considered asking for them to pay $7,500.00 to just pay for the materials. Why he was not asking them to pay for the six days of heavy machinery and DPW workers is never explained nor why he was waving the $6000.00 for the hookup fees the two homeowners would have had to pay.
The article concedes that in order to accept money from the home owners the city would have to set up a water district. Tony Izzo explained that all of this would have required a map, a list of properties that would benefit, and of course, what the actual cost would be. There is no real explanation in the article from Scirocco or Izzo why this was dismissed. The inforance was that it was not necessary due to the public good of the new fire hydrant but if that was the true case, why were they even thinking of having these people pay?
The public need for this hydrant is at best dubious. When it was pointed out that it made no sense putting a fire hydrant next to a body of water the size of Fish Creek Scirocco claimed that in winter ice would not make access viable. When it was pointed out that Fish Creek does not freeze there due to the fact that it is a moving piece of water, he actually conceded this in the Gazette article but claimed that the use of a "dry hydrant" would not be viable because it would freeze. A dry well is a hydrant that has a pipe running to a public source of water.
I did a quick search on this using Google and here are the first three hits:
http://www.dryhydrants.com/
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/dry-hydrants.shtml
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/wildfire/dry_hydrant_concept.htm
They all show that when properly installed, freezing is not a problem.
Friends, if Tommy McTygue was trying to pull something like this people would be screaming. This was an egregious abuse by an elected official who has come up with one dubious excuse after another to hide what he has done.
In the Gazette this morning he is now claiming that he was mis-understood when he said the home owners were paying for the work and had provided him with a check. He says now that he originally considered asking for them to pay $7,500.00 to just pay for the materials. Why he was not asking them to pay for the six days of heavy machinery and DPW workers is never explained nor why he was waving the $6000.00 for the hookup fees the two homeowners would have had to pay.
The article concedes that in order to accept money from the home owners the city would have to set up a water district. Tony Izzo explained that all of this would have required a map, a list of properties that would benefit, and of course, what the actual cost would be. There is no real explanation in the article from Scirocco or Izzo why this was dismissed. The inforance was that it was not necessary due to the public good of the new fire hydrant but if that was the true case, why were they even thinking of having these people pay?
The public need for this hydrant is at best dubious. When it was pointed out that it made no sense putting a fire hydrant next to a body of water the size of Fish Creek Scirocco claimed that in winter ice would not make access viable. When it was pointed out that Fish Creek does not freeze there due to the fact that it is a moving piece of water, he actually conceded this in the Gazette article but claimed that the use of a "dry hydrant" would not be viable because it would freeze. A dry well is a hydrant that has a pipe running to a public source of water.
I did a quick search on this using Google and here are the first three hits:
http://www.dryhydrants.com/
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/dry-hydrants.shtml
http://www.co.larimer.co.us/wildfire/dry_hydrant_concept.htm
They all show that when properly installed, freezing is not a problem.
Friends, if Tommy McTygue was trying to pull something like this people would be screaming. This was an egregious abuse by an elected official who has come up with one dubious excuse after another to hide what he has done.
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 25 2009
Letter: Vote for candidates who prioritize public’s safety. Dick Nelson, Saratoga Springs
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/25/opinion/doc4ae3ae97319a6253395602.txt
Well dick lets just say it and get it out of the way. You are a Dick. What do we have in this city two structure fires a year? That’s why we have the city fireman playing the local game of ambulance chaser, to try to justify their continued existence. The police aren’t much better. The other day I went to Ghetto Chopper to find two cop cars and a sheriff outside. Robbery you say? Hell no shoplifter. This kind of overstaffing and mismanagement is unsustainable. Time to look at a permanent reduction in police and an all-volunteer Fire Dept. The funny thing is while the cops and fireman will scream bloody murder at this suggestion most live in Greenfield and Wilton
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The going price of one's soul
And so Mary Beth Delarm how did your conversation with Sirocco go something like this
And said, What will ye give me, and I will lie for you? And they covenanted with her for thirty pieces of silver and a job or two for her mentally challenged family members.
Chances are they threw in the racist antisemitic remarks for free because they really are antisemitic.
And said, What will ye give me, and I will lie for you? And they covenanted with her for thirty pieces of silver and a job or two for her mentally challenged family members.
Chances are they threw in the racist antisemitic remarks for free because they really are antisemitic.
Anti Semitism rears its ugly head in the Scirocco Camp
This racist Anti Semitic remark was left Saturday on the Saratogian website .
Camp Scirocco has reached rock bottom and shows signs of starting to dig even more.
You know i;ve lived here all my life so i shouldn't be shocked by anything but then I read something like this and realize how morally bankrupt many city workers are.
relayer2 wrote on Oct 24, 2009 9:17 AM:
" Hey-- EDDY THE HOT DOG GUY! Shalom aleykham! Is it really you? I was wondering where yuz went. We missed you. Me & da kids used to go down to the park to get our NY Knish (heavy on the mustard) from our favorite Hot Dog Maven and then you vanish? But YOU'RE BACK! When you become DPW guy, don't forget to load the park with dem buds of yours. The kids miss knish. Ah, to taste New Yawk! Not to worry about these putz and their pointy sticks. They donts know bubkas about your schtick. Machen a laben Eddy. Biz hundert un tsvantsik! "
Camp Scirocco has reached rock bottom and shows signs of starting to dig even more.
You know i;ve lived here all my life so i shouldn't be shocked by anything but then I read something like this and realize how morally bankrupt many city workers are.
relayer2 wrote on Oct 24, 2009 9:17 AM:
" Hey-- EDDY THE HOT DOG GUY! Shalom aleykham! Is it really you? I was wondering where yuz went. We missed you. Me & da kids used to go down to the park to get our NY Knish (heavy on the mustard) from our favorite Hot Dog Maven and then you vanish? But YOU'RE BACK! When you become DPW guy, don't forget to load the park with dem buds of yours. The kids miss knish. Ah, to taste New Yawk! Not to worry about these putz and their pointy sticks. They donts know bubkas about your schtick. Machen a laben Eddy. Biz hundert un tsvantsik! "
Dirty politics from Camp Scirocco:
Hopefully Delarm who has been exposed as a liar and a person of low character will be able to get on with her life. Perhaps she will be rewarded for her loyal service as a bell hop or maid at the new NIXVM PLAZA HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER in the former Adelphi hotel.
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD FROM WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
TODAY WE HAVE A DOULE WINNER NOT ONLY IS EILEEN FINNERAN THE WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD BUT SHE’S THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
EILEEN I know you are desperate to find continued employment in the city to finance you NIXVM tuition bills but must the innocent citizens of the our fair city have to put up with this bile from your magic crystal inspired keyboard.
Really EILEEN keep this crap for your NIXVM board meeting and your mating sessions with Vanguard. Perhaps you could “take it to a room” in the new NIXVM owned Adelphi hotel and spare us the nauseating pain of reading this love letter to Kim.
Ron Kim is the best choice for mayor in this year’s election. Unlike Scott Johnson, he knows how to make tough choices, how to set priorities, when to change course, and how to follow the proper procedures.
For the last four years, he has served as commissioner of Public Safety, leading the effort to overcome decades of neglect by previous City Councils of the facilities used by our police and fire departments.
When Ron became commissioner, he put together a committee that worked for over a year-and-a-half and completed a comprehensive effort to catalogue all the requirements for a new police facility to replace the one that was built in 1887. Thanks to Ron, that work has been completed, and the city has in hand, right now, an innovative proposal to build a modern public safety facility at no cost to taxpayers. In fact, it will bring an immediate payment of $4.5 million to the city, which will certainly help close the current budget gap created under Scott Johnson’s administration.
In 2007, there was universal agreement that a new public safety building was the city’s top priority. Even Scott Johnson, as a mayoral candidate, said he was “wholeheartedly in favor” of finally starting construction. Unfortunately, he abandoned that commitment soon after taking office. First, he identified a new indoor recreation center as a higher priority. Then, he decided to change the site for the recreation center, wasting all the time, effort, and money already spent on the
When the economy turned sour in 2008 Ron Kim and the City Council asked for proposals from companies interested in a public-private partnership to build and operate the public safety building at no cost to the city. A private developer responded with an offer to build a combined parking garage, commercial space, movie theater and public safety facility to be financed by fees charged for parking in the garages. The mixed-use project would be built on city owned land adjacent to City Hall and provide much needed downtown parking spaces that could be used by visitors to the expanded City Center. Best of all, the private developer offers the city $4.5 million for the acquisition of the land, which would certainly go a long way to help solve our current budget crisis. Mayor Johnson refused to take up the offer, rejecting a golden opportunity to solve our infrastructure and financial problems at the same time.
Even now, Mayor Johnson stubbornly goes ahead with his plan to build and operate a recreation center, adding millions of dollars that we can’t afford to the city budget.
If Ron Kim is elected mayor, he’ll realign the city’s priorities, take advantage of public-private partnership options for both the recreation center and the public safety facility, follow proper legal procedures, recognize that protecting the public is always the city government’s most important job, and finally get us back on the right track. It’s time for a mayor who works with the community and can adjust to changing realities and who chooses responsible priorities.
Eileen Finneran is deputy commissioner of Public Safety for
Friday, October 23, 2009
Time for civilian oversight board at Public Safety
Since Kim has taken it upon himself to politicize the Public Safety Department firing a competent deputy and replacing him with a political hack I believe it is time to appoint a
a civilian oversight board at Public Safety
By the way Mr. open government where’s those tasers records your being sued for? Afraid we might be surprised by the number of tourists that had an electrifying experience in the spa city this summer.
Every time an officer tasers a human being he should have to justify his possible use of deadly force in front of a civilian oversight board not headed by Lou Benton.
The use of overtime as payback for favored politically reliable officers the abuse of victims by putting them on display on a bench in a public hall{whats wrong with your beautiful office} to prove a point in Kim’s twisted political agenda his use of secret meetings to conspire to take over the cities volunteer ambulance corp. cries out for a sea change in the business as usual atmosphere in the Public Safety dept. Open up the windows and let some light on their practices.
THE TIME HAS COME
a civilian oversight board at Public Safety
By the way Mr. open government where’s those tasers records your being sued for? Afraid we might be surprised by the number of tourists that had an electrifying experience in the spa city this summer.
Every time an officer tasers a human being he should have to justify his possible use of deadly force in front of a civilian oversight board not headed by Lou Benton.
The use of overtime as payback for favored politically reliable officers the abuse of victims by putting them on display on a bench in a public hall{whats wrong with your beautiful office} to prove a point in Kim’s twisted political agenda his use of secret meetings to conspire to take over the cities volunteer ambulance corp. cries out for a sea change in the business as usual atmosphere in the Public Safety dept. Open up the windows and let some light on their practices.
THE TIME HAS COME
Could love be in the air
I have often been accused of being a hopeless romantic and today I witnessed a sight that brought a warm feeling to my heart.
There was Corporal"wide stance" Bronner and Mr. "party in my pants"Kevin Connolly going door to door. Could this be the real thing, will the Corporal find happiness? Will there be a sleepover at the firehouse, is gay marriage coming to city hall, will Ron Kim officiate and will EILEEN FINNERAN be best man?
The possibilities are endless.
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 23 2009
Well Sue you are today's chosen brainwashed pawn of Kim Keehn and NIXIVM.Of choose you'll be voting for these imbeciles you were told to.Tell me Sue have you ever had a thought that was your own or did they just put the completed letter in front of you and say
SUE YOU MUST SIGN THE PAPER
As a worker and taxpayer in Saratoga Springs, I do not feel well represented in decisions such as the spending of our city’s taxes or the bonding that the current council undertook in 2008 and 2009.
I’ll be voting for Ron Kim, Kevin Connolly and Peter Martin, because their priority is to serve Saratoga’s citizens. They will seek to regain financial stability in this city, but not by sacrificing public safety, senior citizens’ services or working people’s wallets. Yes, the decisions may be tough, but they will be made after public debate and discussion, not in back rooms. Unlike their opponents, Kim, Connolly and Martin have demonstrated a genuine commitment to open, transparent government.
I encourage every Saratogian to vote for them on Nov. 3.
SUE YOU MUST SIGN THE PAPER
As a worker and taxpayer in Saratoga Springs, I do not feel well represented in decisions such as the spending of our city’s taxes or the bonding that the current council undertook in 2008 and 2009.
I’ll be voting for Ron Kim, Kevin Connolly and Peter Martin, because their priority is to serve Saratoga’s citizens. They will seek to regain financial stability in this city, but not by sacrificing public safety, senior citizens’ services or working people’s wallets. Yes, the decisions may be tough, but they will be made after public debate and discussion, not in back rooms. Unlike their opponents, Kim, Connolly and Martin have demonstrated a genuine commitment to open, transparent government.
I encourage every Saratogian to vote for them on Nov. 3.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Skip Scirocco neighborhood bully
Scirocco: Entitled to power?
As voters decide which candidates to vote for in the coming municipal elections we thought voters should be provided with as much information about their candidates as possible. Thus, we write this story not for personal vindication but public knowledge. We feel that both Republicans and Democrats would be concerned if their Public Works Commissioner used his public office for personal gain.
We moved to
Our second application, however, was approved with the condition that we submit an engineer-certified storm water management plan before constructing our one car garage. There were no guidelines provided by the Board as to what the plan should entail. The only condition was that the plan had to be approved by the city engineer, who reports directly to the Commissioner of Public Works – Skip Scirocco. According to our engineer, these plans are never required for small residential building applications because the impact is negligible. As such, our designer had never made such a plan before and when they sought advice from the city engineer, he could only provide examples of commercial plans. Furthermore, after our designer completed the plans, the city engineer did not return phone calls and did not provide any information about when the plans would be reviewed. All this time and effort for our designer (made no easier by no precedents) cost us more money and delayed our construction. When the evaluation and ultimate approval by the city engineer finally came, it clearly suggested that such a plan was not necessary in the first place.
These unnecessary demands had resulted in undue stress between the Sciroccos and us. In an effort to deflate the tension between us one of us spoke to Skip Scirocco. When our conversation turned to our garage application, Mr Scirocco stated “I could have stopped your garage if I wanted to, you know.” It was his sense of entitlement that we found most shocking. Rather than demonstrating his restraint, this confession struck us as a demonstration that Mr Scirocco felt he was entitled to the power to stop our garage for his personal reasons. In the same conversation he also mentioned that he had gotten his son a job in Public Works. Again, we suppose this is considered by Mr Scirocco to be an acceptable practice. For us his comments affirm the fact that he had used his political office for personal gain – in making our plans more difficult and costly and getting a family member a job – and he felt entitled to that power. We need people in public office that will not use their political position for their personal gain. Supporting records can be found at City Hall in the Department of Engineering.
Forgive the sick color folks but it reminds me of Skips creepy campaign signs
Congratulations Barbara you are today’s winner of WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD OCTOBER 22 2009
Well dam it Barbara aren’t you just a hopeless romantic but no matter how
“impressed” you were or wet you got Connolly idea of a wide night out is a sleep over in the Lake Ave Firehouse. You dream on and don’t let the fact that Connelly’s sole experience with the police was a 5 minute “date” in Albany’s Waterworks disco get in the way of your blind faith in the man.
SO CONGRATULATIONS BARBARA YOU WIN TODAY’S
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD
Out of the four candidates that spoke last week at the League of Women Voters’ event, Kevin Connolly, the candidate for commissioner of Public Safety, impressed me the most. His answers to questions from the audience regarding the possibility of layoffs and what he’d propose to do instead made a lot of sense.
While Connolly said that early retirements, a salary freeze and furloughs were better alternatives to layoffs, Richard Wirth, the Republican candidate, had no solutions of his own to offer. Oh, he did later say that the bench near the police station door be moved to a private spot.
Even though tough decisions need to be made regarding budget cuts, Wirth remains a staunch supporter of the mayor’s recreation center and the $180,000 expenditure for its two employees. He acted as if the mayor’s stalled recreation center was a sacred cow that everyone should worship. As for the problematic situation with the unsafe and grossly inadequate police station, the bench idea, again, seemed to be a satisfactory|solution.
Wirth also proved that he knew nothing about the current debate over the city’s form of government, saying that he would work with what he had.
Connolly, on the other hand, discussed the fiscal mess the city faces and how it was connected to the inherent weakness of the commission-style form of government, which results in individual heads of departments being ineffective legislators. He also pointed out the extent to which taxpayer’s dollars are being wasted under Mayor Johnson, i.e. the $250 an hour being paid an outside attorney to negotiate the public safetly employees’ contract. To that, Wirth responded: “We need an expert.” Anyone truly concerned about holding down costs would use the two in-house attorneys employed by the city already .
Connolly’s high energy and experience as a manager, auditor and other Public Safety-related job experiences make him a solid candidate for commissioner of Public Safety. His opponent, on the other hand, was not very clear about his job history. All that he said was he had 30 years experience in the leisuretime industry, whatever that means.
Given the fact that Mr.Wirth has almost no name recognition in Saratoga, he should have been more up-front about his background. Connolly, on the other hand, was very open about his professional experience and looks ready to take on the job of commissioner of Public Safety.
Barbara Trypaluk, Saratoga Springs
“impressed” you were or wet you got Connolly idea of a wide night out is a sleep over in the Lake Ave Firehouse. You dream on and don’t let the fact that Connelly’s sole experience with the police was a 5 minute “date” in Albany’s Waterworks disco get in the way of your blind faith in the man.
SO CONGRATULATIONS BARBARA YOU WIN TODAY’S
WORST LETTER IN THE WORLD
Out of the four candidates that spoke last week at the League of Women Voters’ event, Kevin Connolly, the candidate for commissioner of Public Safety, impressed me the most. His answers to questions from the audience regarding the possibility of layoffs and what he’d propose to do instead made a lot of sense.
While Connolly said that early retirements, a salary freeze and furloughs were better alternatives to layoffs, Richard Wirth, the Republican candidate, had no solutions of his own to offer. Oh, he did later say that the bench near the police station door be moved to a private spot.
Even though tough decisions need to be made regarding budget cuts, Wirth remains a staunch supporter of the mayor’s recreation center and the $180,000 expenditure for its two employees. He acted as if the mayor’s stalled recreation center was a sacred cow that everyone should worship. As for the problematic situation with the unsafe and grossly inadequate police station, the bench idea, again, seemed to be a satisfactory|solution.
Wirth also proved that he knew nothing about the current debate over the city’s form of government, saying that he would work with what he had.
Connolly, on the other hand, discussed the fiscal mess the city faces and how it was connected to the inherent weakness of the commission-style form of government, which results in individual heads of departments being ineffective legislators. He also pointed out the extent to which taxpayer’s dollars are being wasted under Mayor Johnson, i.e. the $250 an hour being paid an outside attorney to negotiate the public safetly employees’ contract. To that, Wirth responded: “We need an expert.” Anyone truly concerned about holding down costs would use the two in-house attorneys employed by the city already .
Connolly’s high energy and experience as a manager, auditor and other Public Safety-related job experiences make him a solid candidate for commissioner of Public Safety. His opponent, on the other hand, was not very clear about his job history. All that he said was he had 30 years experience in the leisuretime industry, whatever that means.
Given the fact that Mr.Wirth has almost no name recognition in Saratoga, he should have been more up-front about his background. Connolly, on the other hand, was very open about his professional experience and looks ready to take on the job of commissioner of Public Safety.
Barbara Trypaluk, Saratoga Springs
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Today’s worst letter in the world October 21 2009
Today we have this piece of DUCK BUTTER.
Let Democratic line provide a better future.
We live in dangerous and difficult times. The recession and its consequences are not over. Saratoga Springs will not be exempt from the effects of the country’s economic situation and will have to find the best solutions to the uncertainties of the future.
The first task is to pursue realistic priorities: fiscal responsibility, without demagoguery, and effective solutions to real needs. Municipal government is about service to the community, providing for safety in the streets and protecting the weakest in our midst.
One team, on the Democratic line, offers the best guarantee for the future: Ron Kim, for mayor, has sustained for a long time a clear vision of the what the city needs first. He is energetic and experienced and has defended the interests of Saratoga’s citizens with steadfastness.
Peter Martin, for Finance, brings the best attributes of a very successful and experienced financial manager to the city. At last, Saratoga Springs will get the seasoned economic expertise required in these critical times.
John Franck, for Accounts, has a proven track record of intelligent and thorough management.
Kevin Connolly, for Public Safety, brings his long service to the working people to a difficult and demanding position.
Joanne Yepsen has proved to be a stellar supervisor, standing up for Saratoga Springs in the county government. She deserves your vote again.
Another Republican majority in city government has only helped its friends with secretive contracts, while frittering away resources on untimely projects, and imposing its priorities under cover of a pretense of civility.
It is imperative that this Nov. 3rd we take back our government, bringing back common sense, professional management and a vision for a greater, better Saratoga Springs. Let us vote for the better team.
Thilo Ullmann, Saratoga Springs
Thilo Thilo Thilo really if I were you I would stick to pedaling your Spanish olive oil its what you do best. Did you write this dribble or was it just handed to you to sign off on?
So Thilo you win today’s Democratic puppet of the day award.
Congratulations you haven’t been this lucky since you scored your green card.
Let Democratic line provide a better future.
We live in dangerous and difficult times. The recession and its consequences are not over. Saratoga Springs will not be exempt from the effects of the country’s economic situation and will have to find the best solutions to the uncertainties of the future.
The first task is to pursue realistic priorities: fiscal responsibility, without demagoguery, and effective solutions to real needs. Municipal government is about service to the community, providing for safety in the streets and protecting the weakest in our midst.
One team, on the Democratic line, offers the best guarantee for the future: Ron Kim, for mayor, has sustained for a long time a clear vision of the what the city needs first. He is energetic and experienced and has defended the interests of Saratoga’s citizens with steadfastness.
Peter Martin, for Finance, brings the best attributes of a very successful and experienced financial manager to the city. At last, Saratoga Springs will get the seasoned economic expertise required in these critical times.
John Franck, for Accounts, has a proven track record of intelligent and thorough management.
Kevin Connolly, for Public Safety, brings his long service to the working people to a difficult and demanding position.
Joanne Yepsen has proved to be a stellar supervisor, standing up for Saratoga Springs in the county government. She deserves your vote again.
Another Republican majority in city government has only helped its friends with secretive contracts, while frittering away resources on untimely projects, and imposing its priorities under cover of a pretense of civility.
It is imperative that this Nov. 3rd we take back our government, bringing back common sense, professional management and a vision for a greater, better Saratoga Springs. Let us vote for the better team.
Thilo Ullmann, Saratoga Springs
Thilo Thilo Thilo really if I were you I would stick to pedaling your Spanish olive oil its what you do best. Did you write this dribble or was it just handed to you to sign off on?
So Thilo you win today’s Democratic puppet of the day award.
Congratulations you haven’t been this lucky since you scored your green card.
Kudos to I-Saratoga
Today is a day to raise a glass to toast I-Saratoga.
http://isaratoga.blogspot.com/
Not only was Saratoga’s premier blog DAMED not once but twice at the last Saratoga Democratic Committee meeting, but at last nights City Council meeting, comments found on the blog were read into the official minutes of the City Council in the public comment period by none other than Saratoga’s favorite rabble-rouser Kyle York as if they were verses in the KORAN.
So here’s to you HO and keep sticking it in the shady politicians eye.
http://isaratoga.blogspot.com/
Not only was Saratoga’s premier blog DAMED not once but twice at the last Saratoga Democratic Committee meeting, but at last nights City Council meeting, comments found on the blog were read into the official minutes of the City Council in the public comment period by none other than Saratoga’s favorite rabble-rouser Kyle York as if they were verses in the KORAN.
So here’s to you HO and keep sticking it in the shady politicians eye.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Meet Peter Martin
Remember Peter Martin is a lawyer for The Ayco Company, The Ayco Company, L.P. is a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs. Martin is very proud of his work, why wouldn’t he it’s made him rich.
A very good story about Goldman Sachs
Marching Toward Zombieland
When sober-minded individuals begin to regard an enterprise within a nation as "an enemy of the people" you can bet that some serious blood is going to flow. This is now essentially the situation for the Goldman Sachs company, which last week announced third-quarter earnings of over $3 billion largely derived from converting zero percent loans from taxpayers into zero risk profits off of anything paying more than zero percent in interest, revenue, or dividends.
The "people" across this big country may not have a clue how any of this is done, and there may be much to fault them on from the care-and-feeding of their own bodies to the content of their dreams, but you can't argue with the fact that they are heavily armed to an extreme. And although it may be hard to measure with precision, one might venture to state that they are increasingly pissed off. How else explain popular entertainments like "Zombieland?"
The political part of what has to date appeared to be an economic problem is resolving into a crisis of authority and legitimacy. When those in charge of a nation's livelihood prove to be comprehensively false and dishonest, the economic automatically turns political. Nobody believes the bankers anymore, of course, and nobody believes the interlocutors of the bankers - the Federal Reserve chairman, the Secretary of the Treasury, the heads of the SEC and a dozen other regulatory bodies - and increasingly the charming figure in the White House cannot be believed on these issues of the nation's livelihood.
The questions lately revolve around whether the nation is destroying itself by inflation or deflation - by the willful destruction of the value of our currency to evade the repayment of debt, or by the hapless destruction of households, companies, and governments by default and bankruptcy. It's a fire-or-ice debate. Either way the nation is going down as a viable enterprise. The fiction that we can return to a Crate-and-Barrel credit card orgy has sustained the false of heart and mind for some months now, but even that pleasant reverie will come to an end as the foreclosures mount. Only remember, men living in their cars who have lost nearly everything else will still have guns.
All these tensions beat a path into the holiday season when emotions run high, when blessings are counted and sorrows taste most bitter. So the big question now floating above the sheer data of Goldman Sachs profit announcement is: what kind of year-end bonuses will they dare to pay their executives and minions, and how will the "people" react? It seems to me that conditions are ripening for a bloodbath. The kind of heinous acts that we have feared emanating from foreign "evildoers" since the awful stunt of 9/11/01 are now most likely to come from among our own "people" - a few pounds of Semtex in the lobby of Goldman Sachs's New York headquarters... a few men with market-grade small arms converted to full-automatic outside on the Wall Street sidewalk one evening at holiday time when the suits are leaving work for the day.... It won't take much.
President Obama had better strike first. He's about the only figure left in the whole termite mound who has a shred of even potential credibility left because he still has the power to act. He can instruct the people who work for the executive branch to "claw back" any and all ill-gotten bank bonuses; he can direct the Justice Department to investigate everything from the uses of federal bailouts to grand-scale accounting fraud; he can fire people in high places who have failed to act and lost legitimacy. If he doesn't do these things soon then he's finished, too. In the wake of such a failure things will get fractal fast.
The sense that Wall Street has pulled off a coup d'etat and taken over the machinery of the
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