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!

 

 

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

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

 

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                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE OF THE CITY:ALBANY 2006

STATE OF THE CITY: ALBANY  2006

Congratulations to Mayor Jerry Jennings on his re-election as Mayor of the City of Albany. Best wishes for a successful four year term.

The Mayor's fourth term appears to be off to a great start:

1. The Mayor appointed Jim Tuffey, Chief of Police. Tuffey is the right man for the job, having credentials and experience in both law enforcement and emergency management and planning.

2. Mayor Jennings has declared that the issue of public safety is his priority concern.

That is the concern of every resident of Albany, as well.  The Mayor, in conjunction with the Police Chief, have to come forward with concrete policies and actions that will address this public safety concern: like clearing the streets of hostile, belligerents and those that harass and prey upon law abiding citizens, and disarming the criminals and gangs, who are, in fact, domestic terrorists who are the eventual allies of the foreign terrorists, who seek to destroy us. Given Osama bin Laden's recent message to his operatives, who dwell amongst us, it is imperative that Mayor Jennings and the APD disarm the criminals and gangs without delay. This will require an assist from the State Police, and other law enforcement. Governor Pataki can make this happen, now. Take the 100 or so NYS Police that were deployed to New Orleans and put them to work in Albany as a part of a really aggressive Operation Impact to accomplish these objectives ASAP. Time is not on our side!

When Bin Laden warned that we will soon being seeing terror attacks in our homes - what did he infer?  We have seen an increase in home invasions already. It is not too much of a stretch of imagination to picture armed criminals, gangs, and other assorted hostiles running amok pillaging and plundering our homes in a time of disaster or major, simultaneous, terror attacks.

The City Schools must be brought under control immediately. They are the breeding grounds for ther next generation of criminals and anti-social belligerents. The battle for public safety must be fought, not only on the streets, but in the city schools. Governor Pataki and the State Legislature can be of major help here. The Albany School Board and School District are educational failures. Disband them and vest authority and accountability for city schools with the Mayor and Common Council. Return to a K-8 neighborhood school system. Adopt strict student conduct codes, in school, on city streets and buses. Replace gang colors and insignia with school uniforms. Remove disruptive and violent students from classes and transfer them to a boot camp campus staffed by former military.

Albany does not have a Comprehensive City Emergency/Disaster Plan that anticipates and prepares to address the types of natural and man-made disasters, and terrorist attacks that will come our way in the "days and nights ahead" as Bin Laden warns. This is a parallel priority that must be immediately addressed by Mayor Jennings. It will take more than weekly meetings of the Police and Fire Departments and building a new public safety center at the Port of Albany. It will take the education and involvement of all the citizens and institutions of this city. Again, time is not on our side!

All the rest of the Mayor's State of The City is meaningless, if the above public safety concerns are not immediately and effectively addressed.

A convention  center, the land fill, the city water supply, the Palace Theatre, new office buildings, Tech Valley Dreams, Park South , Mid-Town and Arbor Hill redevelopment plans, summer employment and recreation programs are all important concerns, but they must be viewed in perspective of the public safety threat posed by lunatics like Bin Laden and those drawn to him, by hate and discontent.

It is admirable that Albany's archeology and heritage is protected by legislation, as the Mayor informed us in his State of The City address.

I, for one, would be comforted, by prompt attention to the above public safety priorities, lest the artifacts, and ruins,  of our contemporary city be, one day, found among the archeolgical stratas of the past.

A word of advice to the Common Council and City School District - set aside your misguided leftwing political and social agendas, work with the Mayor and APD, and others, to achieve public safety and to develop an effective City Emergency/Disaster Plan before it is too late for all of us.

                                                                                                J P Sullivan

See related sites:

www.bpcnanews.blogspot.com          www.gopalbanycity.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

ALBANY MAYOR JENNINGS, JIM TUFFEY AND APD START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT

ALBANY MAYOR JERRY JENNINGS. POLICE CHIEF JIM TUFFEY AND APD START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT.

Public Safety, in our homes, neighborhoods, on city streets, in schools, work places and shopping areas is the Number One Priority for Albany.

Disarming criminals and gangs, clearing he streets and schools of anti-social belligerents, now ,is the imperative.

Preparation of an effective City Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Plan that anticipates, and prepares for, natural and man made disasters and terrorist attacks that may befall Albany in the days ahead is also needed now, as a major element of the Public Safety Priority.

Continue to send the message that Albany is a law and order town, where people will be safe anywhere, anytime...that city schools will offer safe environments conducive to learning, for those that want to learn. Those who do not ,will be placed in alternative "boot camp" settings staffed by ex -military.

While the immediate need is to clear the streets and disarm the criminals and gangs, the long run battle against crime, anarchy and civil disorder will be won in the city schools.

Congratulations Jerry, Jim and APD in sending this message at Livingston Middle School yesterday.

                                                                                    J P Sullivan