Check out August 26 entries # Campaign 2006 Staus Report
# Policing The City of Albany
Go to: http://gopalbanycity.blogspot.com/
See also: August 17 entry #Summer on the wane at Buckingham Pond Park
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FLAG BURNING
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FLAG BURNING
The flag is a symbol of our nation - what it is and who we are.
The Supreme Court erred in it's 1989 ruling that flag burning is a protected form of free speech. The Supreme Court has made serious errors before: Dred Scott and Roe v Wade come to mind. The Supreme Court is not infallible.
Americans have died, are dying , and will die, for what the flag symbolizes and represents - our Nation , our political system and our way of life.
Flag burning is a hateful, inflamatory, violent act that is an affront ,and an act of disrespect, to those who have died so that we may live in freedom. It is an affront , and a threat, to all who call themselves American.
Flag burning is only the beginning. It will lead to more violence. What will be next?Books? The Koran, Bible or Torah? The Cross? Buildings? Cities? Will we hear again the cries of " burn, baby, burn" in our city streets ?
Fire leads to explosions. Will the Statue of Liberty, Washington Monument and other national landmarks, monuments, bridges and public buildings be next ? Have we forgotten 9-11, the destruction of the World Trade Towers in New York City, the attempted destruction of the Pentagon and White House in Washington DC? The loss of thousands of American lives and the health impact on tens of thousands of police, firefighters, construction workers, National Guard members, EMT's and others who volunteered for rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site?
Symbols have great significance, particularly to foreign terrorists and their domestic allies: social malcontents, prisoners, criminals and gang bangers, who pose a real threat to our safety and the very survival of our nation.
Our enemies are the foreign terrorists and and those native born, who have citizenship by accident of birth, but who are not Americans in spirit, belief or practice.
America stands at a cross roads. What we do now, or do not do, will determine if we will survive.
The Supreme Court erred. Now it is up to Congress, the states , cities, and towns, to legislate, making flag burning the hate crime that it is. The House has made the effort, but the Senate has failed. Will the Albany Common Council be the first to step forward? How about the Albany County Legislature? Our local candidates for State Assembly and State Senate? Candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Congress?
When you dutifully go to vote (if you do), forget blind allegiance to the donkey or elephant. Look carefully at the voting records and positions of the candidates on vital issues of the day. Flag burning is but one, because it symbolizes so much more; and because to tolerate flag burning will only lead to greater violence and destruction by those who are set on destroying us as a nation and as a people.
As you celebrate July 4th..reflect on it's true meaning.
J P Sullivan
Albany, New York
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
TIME TO MAKE THE BRIGHTER CHOICES IN ALBANY
TIME FOR THE ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAKE THE BRIGHTER CHOICES: RETURN TO K-8 NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM AND LIMIT THE SCHOOL BUDGET INCREASE TO NO MORE THAN 3 PERCENT.
April 10 the Albany City School District/Board may vote to close the Livingston Middle School (300 students) on the premise that this move would save one million dollars.
Is it reasonable to conclude that closing all three middle schools would save three million dollars?
Time has come for the Albany City School District/Board to make the brighter choice - follow the lead of progressive cities like Boston, and return to a K-8 neighborhood school system.
Neighborhood schools are best for kids, parents and neighborhoods. Kids can walk to school, and their academic progress (and problems) tracked and dealt with from grades K-8 in the same setting. Walking to school will help combat the growing obesity problem among school age children. Parents can more readily participate in the education of their children, when all their children attend a neighborhood school, Neighborhood schools serve as neighborhood learning and social centers which contribute to strong neighborhood identities. In times of disasters and emergencies, neighborhood schools can be places of refuge. Neighborhood schools provide settings that allow for better discipline and avoidance of the disorder and violence plaguing the three city middle schools.
Another million, or more, dollars can be saved by returning to a K-8 neighborhood school system by eliminating all those yellow buses that clog city streets, twice daily, creating traffic congestion, inconvenience, noise and air pollution.
Millions more can be saved by eliminating most of the six figure administrative positions in the city school system. According to an Albany Times Union story, there are at least 34 such positions in the city school district. (Not to mention many more in the 75-100 thousand dollar pay range).
As things stand now, children, parents and property tax payers in the City of Albany are being shortchanged by a City School Administration that runs a disorderly, unsafe school system, which is not conducive to learning. With a more than 50 percent drop out rate, the Albany City School Admionistration is failing to produce graduates who have learned the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to become productive members of society and responsible citizens.
Another double digit Albany city School Budget increase, this year, is unacceptable, in light of the chaotic, disorganized condition of the city schools, and in light of the sigificant increases of state aid in the state budget this year and in recent years.
Recall that the recent, and coming, property revaluations amount to a substantial property tax windfall for both the city government and the city school district.
Add to this, the fact that the successive, annual property tax increases produces an ever increasing tax base, where even a 3 percent annual increase in school taxes is a significant increase.
Time for the Albany City School District/Board to make the brighter choices: (1) return to a K-8 neighborhood city school system and (2) establish safe, orderly school environments conducive to learning and (3) learn to live within a tight budget like the property tax payers who support the city schools must do.
If the school district presents a budget with a property tax increase greater than 3 percent, on May 16, Albany City voters should vote "NO".
Unwilling or unable to make a decision on returning to a K-8 neighborhood city school system? Put the question on the May 16 School Budget Vote Ballot and let the voters decide.
Also, open all the regular polling places, as in a primary of general election ,so as to allow for and encourage a maximun turnout of city voters
J P Sullivan
CONGRATULATIONS ALBANY VOTERS ON DEFEAT OF THE MAY 16 SCHOOL BUDGET PROPOSITION. DO IT AGAIN, IN JUNE!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
CLOSE CALL. ALBANY LUCKY-THIS TIME
CLOSE CALL, ALBANY LUCKY....THIS TIME
Last week's windstorm caused downed trees, power lines and power outages for our neighbors to the North and West. We were lucky this time. Next time???
Imagine having no power for months, no utilities, sewer and water systems destroyed, out of control fires with no water to put them out, police cars, garbage trucks and emergency vehicles without fuel, food scarce or not available because farmers can't plant, tend or harvest crops and livestock and our transportation network destroyed, hospitals and health care system not functioning, prescription drugs unavailable to those who depend on them.
Imagine chaos and civil disorder as people in every corner of our state and nation struggle to survive without the water, food, health care and medicines, and utilities and transportation we all take for granted. No telephones, no radio or tv, no weather reports becauses the towers and lines are down.
Imagine what would happen if seniors didn't get their social security and welfare people didn't get their welfare benefits because the systems were destroyed.
Simultaneous, coordinated terror attacks, large and small, could plunge every corner of our country into a desperate struggle for survival.
Imagine containerized WMD's being delivered to our major ports under management by foreign interests. Pick a date. July 4 maybe?
Could you ever imagine that with our nation in chaos at home, our ports destroyed , that our military and naval units deployed around the world would be on their own? They would soon run out of food, water, medical care and ammo because we could not supply them? Well...imagine it! It could be for real!
We are in WWIII but our politicians, media and most of our neighbors don't get it. It is a war unlike any other that we have faced.
Look at the political campaigns underway in New York and nationally this year. Look at City Government in Albany -what "issues" are being bandied about.
Look at the federal government's failure to secure out borders and ports. It isn't only the President. Both parties are at fault because they are letting happen! We have a leadership crisis at all levels of government in America.
We have no Patton or MacArthurto save us. We must save ourselves.
Ultimately, the people have let it come to this, by blind partyline voting, or by not paying attention or voting at all.
Where is the emergency/disaster preparedness in our city, out neighborhoods and our own homes? It isn't there!
For the past 4 or more years I have been prodding neighborhood churches, synagogues, schools, and businesses to make emergency/disaster plans to be able to provide water, food, blankets, emergency power and shelter. No response! Prayers will be too late!
The media is no better. Survival shows are carried on tv for entertainment.
How many of those reading this have emergency water, food, fuel, and plans for their households and their loved ones? How many have guns and ammo to protect against pillaging and plundering mobs where local law enforcement has broken down?
To paraphrase the U S Department of Homeland Security..."Are You Ready?"
The Answer.....NO! Too bad for you, yours, me and mine!
J P Sullivan
ANY PORT IN A STORM?
ANY PORT IN A STORM?
Another year of politics and business as usual, as our world crumbles around us.
Who would ever believe that America would come to this point. We have entrusted our fate to elected officials who are unwilling and unable to serve our best interests as a nation, and who are leading us down a path to oblivion.
Worse, still We the People are allowing it to happen.
Prayer? By all means. But, in the end, the old saw will hold true: "God helps those who help themselves".
Get ready , as best you can, for what is coming our way. J P Sullivan
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
SPITZER GUBERNATORIAL BID OFF TO A BAD START
SPITZER GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN OFF TO BAD START
Eliot Spitzer receiving much media coverage of late accepting endorsements of NOW, NAARL, PLANNED PARENTHOOD and other feminist proponents of the culture of death. Today we learn from the Times Union that Eliot Spitzer supports the "morning after pill" being available without a prescription.
Very disappointing and totally unnecessary. Those groups were in his corner anyway (unless they would endorse the likes of William Weld). The result of all this is to turn off conservative Democrats, Republicans and Independents who might otherwise have supported Spitzer in his bid for Governor. (Maybe his advisors believe Eliot doesn't need those votes)
Worse yet, the apparent focus on cultivating a pro-abortion image raises the question of what are the priorities of Eliot Spitzer as a potential Governor?
Where is he on the vital issues of the day? Protecting New Yorkers from the next terrorist attacks, emergency/disaster preapredness, fixing the failing public schools, combatting crime, disarming criminals and gangs, making sure New Yorkers are safe in their homes and anywhere in public, revitalizing the agricultural and manufacturing sectors of New York's economy, promoting wise land use and open space planning, abuses of eminent domain to confisgate private property, securing our borders, halting illegal immigration, the insane idea of allowing an Arab company to manage the Port of New York and other major U. S. ports?
As one who knows and admires Eliot Spitzer, and one who likely would have worked for him and voted for him, I am profoundly disappointed with the poor start to his campaign to be the next Governor of New York.
Looks like another low turnout election, because the majority of voters who stay home, are indicating their displeasure with both major political parties and their alienation from the political process. This does not bode well for those who win offices with smaller and smaller turnouts. Nor, do these trends bode well for the future survival of our form of government, particularly in times of crisis.
J P Sullivan
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
HOLLAND AVE SPOT ZONING BLUNDER:RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
Holland Ave Spot Zoning Blunder Retrospect and Prospect
In retrospect: the rezoning of 3.5 acres of land on Holland Ave at Hackett Blvd should never have happened. It would not have, had the sponsor of the zoning change measure, Shawn Morris, then Ward 7 Alderwoman and Common Council President, had withdrawn the resolution as advocated by Lonerangeralbany during last years city elections, and just prior to it's passage at the December 19, 2005 Council meeting. (See numerous posts this blog).
Shawn Morris and the Council Members elected with Working Family Party endorsement bear the burden of this blunder. It is politically damaging to the WFP-Liberal Democrat Coalition.
The Albany Common Council remains an ineffective, divided legislative body that represents, on the one hand, allies of the Mayor, and on the other, the WFP-Liberal Democrats who sought to unseat the Mayor last year, and to gain control of the Council. The Coalition has failed on both counts and has failed the citizens of this city.
The Prospect?
Albany needs a Comprehensive Land Use Master Plan. Unfortunately both factions of the Albany Common Council , by their eleventh hour passage of what is clearly Exhibit A as a worst case of Spot Zoning ( Highway Commercial on a major emergency vehicle routeway to Albany Medical Center - and one that will result in a big box retail drug outfit undercutting and driving existing neighborhood pharmacies out of business) have shown themselves to lack credibility to devise such a plan.
Who can trust them to develop and enact a Comprehensive City Land Use Plan and a revised City Zoning Code that will truly benefit remaining residential city neighborhoods, particularly those neighborhoods that pay the lion's share of the property taxes that support city government and the city schools?
Shawn Morris and the new Council Majority Leader, McLaughlin, have shown they lack the judgment and ability to lead the Common Council. (McLaughlin voted for the rezoning).
So, as Bill O'Reilly often asks: "who's looking out for us" (In Albany). The answer is NO ONE. Four more years of more of the same politics as usual.
Can the WFP-Liberal Democrat Coalition muster the 12 of 15 votes to rescind therezoning. Highly unlikely!
The end result? No confidence in the Coalition! No confidence in the Albany Common Council!
J P Sullivan
* See TU, today page B1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
