Capitol Confidential:Cuomo announces seven prisons will close

Cuomo Announces Prison Closures

The list is finally out and the Watertown HUB is not included in the closures. The following prisons will be closed and the communities have been promised 10 million dollars for economic development.

The prisons are:
–Buffalo Work Release (Erie County)
– Camp Georgetown (Madison County)
– Summit Shock (Schoharie County)
– Fulton Work Release (Bronx County)
– Arthur Kill (Richmond County)
– Mid-Orange (Orange County)
– Oneida (Oneida County)

 There was a lot of deal making and promises made to spare this HUB from losing one or possibly two prisons. It would of been an economic nightmare for Ogdensburg and a tragedy for the families displaced. Senator Ritchie is a member of the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee which is an asset with so many prisons in the district.

Capitol Confidential 

Daily News:Gov. Andrew Cuomo reaches tentative deal with CSEA

Will The Members Ratify?

The deal is on the table and the layoffs are on hold.  Danny and GOER (Governor's Office of Employee Relations) have extended the contract from a 4 year contract to a 5 year contract. This will move it to the year after the governor's election. Good for the governor! 

Contract:
Year 1 - zero percent raise, 5 day furlough, and increase in health insurance premiums.
Year 2 - zero percent raise, 4 day furlough
Year 3 - $1000.00 lump sum does not increase base pay
Year 4 - 2% raise
Year 5 - 2% raise

They brought each local union president to Albany so they could convince them, that this is the best deal to expect.  The local leaders were to bring the deal back to the members and encourage ratification.  This will be a difficult contract to vote for if the employee has time on the job and is close to retirement. I bet our local state employees wished they worked for the Ogdensburg School System, raises across the board and $25.00/pay check for health benefits. 

Daily News

Journal:Senate Approves Gay Marriage

Gay Marriages, Legal in NYS!

How important is the vote on gay marriages for the general population?  The vote on gay marriages appeared to have more coverage than the property tax cap, rent control, ethics, mandate relief, and a balanced budget.  Passing 33 to 29, New York becomes the largest state to pass gay marriage legislation. 

Living in one of the most liberal states gay marriages was inevitable.  I have never been a supporter of gay marriage but supported civil commitment that offered the same rights as a marriage couple.  Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...and if that what makes individuals happy, so be it.  

Governor Cumo Signed the bill into law just after the late night session, that was televised on YNN, making New York the 6^th State to legalize gay marriage.  Once signed there is a 30 day wait before individuals can actually get married.

Journal Article

Journal:Legislature Finishing Session

Gay Marriages-Tax Cap-Mandate Relief-Rent Control When will the ball drop and when will the posturing end?  Session ends tomorrow and then we will have to wait to see what legislation was passed during the last 24 hours.  This is when all the legislators earn their pay checks. The answer to all our questions should come next week.  What prisons will close, will there be a tax cap, and will there be Gay marriages in NYS? We could care less about rent control in NNY. 

Journal Article

Journal:Nelson Announces Another Run

Another Run for Mayor

Looks like Mayor Nelson is going to throw his hat into the political ring again.  He waited for sometime before announcing his run for Mayor. Is he up to the challenge and can he bring some new ideas to the table?  Those that condemn the current council members should either register to vote or get out and vote!

It appears Councilman Sholette has decided not to run for Mayor or re-election.  He was the top vote getter when he did run and that could be one of the contributing factors to Mayor Nelson's late announcement.  Councilman Sholette stood firm on many issues and will be missed on the City Council next year. 

Petition are on the street! I take my hat off to the grunt work these people do for the political process.  Remember DO NOT COMPLAIN IF YOU DO NOT VOTE!

Journal Article

Journal:Ashley To Run For City Council

                      Race for City Council
Retired OPD Sergeant Ashley, a republican plans to run for City Council.  Mr. Ashley has been a lifelong resident of Ogdensburg and has dealt with every level of society.  He was an employee of Ogdensburg and has dealt with various departments via his 38 years of tenure. 

Mr. Ashley has been a good employee while on the OPD and has done some volunteering...I want to know what his fiscal stance is and his ideas on providing affordable services to the community.    The City  is faced with NYS fiscal crisis, decreased tax base, and increasing costs. How he plans on handling these issues are my concerns.  I am sure or at least hope these issues will be brought up before the election.  Let's not forget A & A Fencing, a fencing business that Mr. Ashley has been running.

                           Mrs. Rupp for County Clerk
Mrs. Rupp has started putting up election signs for her run for County Clerk.  Her team has been busy with fundraisers, great and meets, and they will be a force to contend with come November. Galvin fired her as his first action as an appointed clerk...therefore it appeared little thought went into that decision.  That may have  been his first mistake because the voters appear to be rallying around Mrs. Rupp.  

Journal Article

Journal:Penalties Loom For Teachers

Annual Professional Performance Review of Teachers

A Step In The Right Direction.  Making teachers accountable is step one. Making the administration do their job should be step 2. One cannot happen without the other.   

Journal Article

Journal:Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall Arrives

Vietnam Memorial

It has been a lot of work but the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall makes it to downtown Ogdensburg.  I visited it tonight and it is very impressive.  They were giving free flags to all guests and had a great presentation on the bandstand. 

Remember no drinking, eating, smoking while along the wall.  They had golf carts to bring individuals to the Wall that could not walk. Individuals were handing out pamphlets that located the names of local veterans that gave their life for our Country.   There is a donation box at each end of the wall and I would encourage all to make a donation.

Journal Article

WWNY:Jude Seymour joins the Doheny Camp.

                JUDE IS MOVING ON AGAIN!
Time for Jude to see the other side of the campaign trail.  Long nights, many miles, many greet and meets, and many tough questions to answer.  Politics is about perception and the game is never fair...it is easy to catch a stray shot that ultimately destroys a campaign.  Like one mistaken quote about abortion or a slip of the tongue and you are in a quagmire, This should be an eye opener for Jude, always remember to keep your friends close. 

WWNY Article