SULLIVAN FOR COMMON COUNCIL WARD 14
For Immediate Release: 2 Sept 09
Contact: JPS 438 5230
ALBANY SCHOOL TAX BILLS ARE IN THE MAIL
TIME FOR CHANGE SAYS COUNCIL CANDIDATE
Joseph P Sullivan, Democratic candidate for Common
Council, Ward 14 in the September 15 primary, said
today, Albany City School Property Tax bills are in the
mail, and it is time for change.
Sullivan proposes consolidating city schools with city
government, creating one property tax roll to fund both
returning to a K-8 neighborhood school system and making
the Mayor and Common Council responsible and
accountable for the performance of city schools.
These changes will result in property tax relief for
homeowners and businesses, and improve education in the
city schools, said Sullivan.
Sullivan has pledged that, if elected, he will sponsor and
push the required Home Rule Request to the State Legislature
to so amend relevant sections of state law.
Annual increases in school property taxes and disorder in
city schools are reasons fueling the flight of homeowners
in particular, those with children, to the suburbs. This flight
in turn, erodes the city property tax base.
The majority of school attendees come from households
that pay little or no school property taxes. Less than 1/3 of
housing units in the city are owner- occupied, with the majority
being senior citizens on fixed incomes. This results in a severe
property tax burden for those homeowners.
This situation must be addressed now because the state
budget crisis may force cuts in state educational aid to school
districts, in turn, creating an unsustainable property tax burden
on Albany homeowners, causing more to flee the city, said Sullivan.
###
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR
Change is in the air. Summer is on the wane.
Autumn and winter are fast approaching.
The dreaded school property tax bills should
arrive in the mail this week.
Taxpayers pay a lot and get little in return
for higher school taxes. The majority of school
attendees do not appreciate or value the
educational opportunities provided them.
Schools open in in Albany September 8th.
Yellow buses will clog city streets twice a
day. Students will be forced to leave their
own neighborhoods to attend schools in
other neighborhoods.
Suffice it to say, because of attitudes and
behaviors, of many attendees, Albany
schools to do present an optimal learning
environment for those who truly value
education and want to learn.
K-8 neighborhood schools are best for
kids, parents and maintaining viable
residential neighborhoods.
The condition of the city schools is a
major factor in the flight from Albany
to the suburbs, which, in turn, results
in a population drain and erosion of
the city property tax base. Those of us
who remain, face ever higher school
property taxes to support a school
system where the majority of attendees
come from households that pay little
or no property taxes to support the
school system.
About 1/3 of city households are owner-
occupied. The majority of homeowners
are aging and many are on fixed incomes.
Unless major changes are made in the
city school system, as well as necessary
attitudinal/behaviorial modifications
on the part of school attendees and
their parent(s), it will not be much longer
before the school system collapses.
-----------------------------
Around the Hood
1. The derelict buiding at the corner of
Whitehall and New Scotland is coming
down soon ...before the September 15
primary as we had advised.
I will continue to push for a first
class 3/4 acre pocket park named the
Daniel P O'Connell Memorial Pocket
Park. Present plans call for just seeding
the site with grass. This is not enough.
What is best is removal of the upper
level of contaminated soils, bringing
in clean fill and soil to construct a
rolling berm. Planting that berm with
a diversity of flowering trees, bushes
conifers and hardwoods. Installing
some benches, a flag pole and a small
stone and plaque honoring Dan, who
resided just down Whitehall Rd for
many years.
A quality pocket park will help sell
the 48 condos being built on the
adjacent 8- 10 acres of cleared land
by Amedore construction.
Amedore is a quality builder. I shall
be in contact with him shortly to
advocate the above action.
We did the same with the developer
of Buckingham Mews, in 1987, which
resulted in setting aside the acre green
space and planting a mature conifer
tree screen at New Scotland and Krum
Kill.
This resulted in a benefit to the entire
neighborhood and promoted sale of the
units.
----------------------
The creation of a 23 acre neighborhood
green belt bordered by Krum Kill Rd
Crescent Dr, Rte a85 & NYSTW is still on
our agenda.
See archives of
http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/
for more details on this and other items
including major improvements to
Buckingham Pond Park.
----------------------------
The government has announced that
there will be no Social Security COLA's
for the next two years.
This decision must be rescinded at
a time when seniors on fixed incomes
are facing escalating food, home heating
fuel, health care and school property
taxes.
At the same time , the federal government
is allocating billions of dollars to help
Brazil to drill for oil and funding groups
like Acorn.
Why are the Albany Common Council
and Albany County Legislature, not
passing Resolutions calling for the
reinstatement of Social Security COLA's?
Yet, the Albany Common Council can
pass Resolution by a vote of 14-0 which
in effect, would make Albany a sanctuary
city for illegal aliens. Thankfully, Mayor
Jennings has not directed the Albany
Police and public serivice workers to
follow the Council's directive.
---------------------
Political changes are afoot in Albany
in the September 15, Democratic Primaries.
Hopefully, these changes will be for the
betterment of the neighborhoods, city
and all who call these places home.
The outcomes of the primaries all hinge
on primary voter turnouts which have
declined in recent local elections, along
with declines in Democratic Party
enrollments in the city.
That's all for now.
Joe Sullivan
Change is in the air. Summer is on the wane.
Autumn and winter are fast approaching.
The dreaded school property tax bills should
arrive in the mail this week.
Taxpayers pay a lot and get little in return
for higher school taxes. The majority of school
attendees do not appreciate or value the
educational opportunities provided them.
Schools open in in Albany September 8th.
Yellow buses will clog city streets twice a
day. Students will be forced to leave their
own neighborhoods to attend schools in
other neighborhoods.
Suffice it to say, because of attitudes and
behaviors, of many attendees, Albany
schools to do present an optimal learning
environment for those who truly value
education and want to learn.
K-8 neighborhood schools are best for
kids, parents and maintaining viable
residential neighborhoods.
The condition of the city schools is a
major factor in the flight from Albany
to the suburbs, which, in turn, results
in a population drain and erosion of
the city property tax base. Those of us
who remain, face ever higher school
property taxes to support a school
system where the majority of attendees
come from households that pay little
or no property taxes to support the
school system.
About 1/3 of city households are owner-
occupied. The majority of homeowners
are aging and many are on fixed incomes.
Unless major changes are made in the
city school system, as well as necessary
attitudinal/behaviorial modifications
on the part of school attendees and
their parent(s), it will not be much longer
before the school system collapses.
-----------------------------
Around the Hood
1. The derelict buiding at the corner of
Whitehall and New Scotland is coming
down soon ...before the September 15
primary as we had advised.
I will continue to push for a first
class 3/4 acre pocket park named the
Daniel P O'Connell Memorial Pocket
Park. Present plans call for just seeding
the site with grass. This is not enough.
What is best is removal of the upper
level of contaminated soils, bringing
in clean fill and soil to construct a
rolling berm. Planting that berm with
a diversity of flowering trees, bushes
conifers and hardwoods. Installing
some benches, a flag pole and a small
stone and plaque honoring Dan, who
resided just down Whitehall Rd for
many years.
A quality pocket park will help sell
the 48 condos being built on the
adjacent 8- 10 acres of cleared land
by Amedore construction.
Amedore is a quality builder. I shall
be in contact with him shortly to
advocate the above action.
We did the same with the developer
of Buckingham Mews, in 1987, which
resulted in setting aside the acre green
space and planting a mature conifer
tree screen at New Scotland and Krum
Kill.
This resulted in a benefit to the entire
neighborhood and promoted sale of the
units.
----------------------
The creation of a 23 acre neighborhood
green belt bordered by Krum Kill Rd
Crescent Dr, Rte a85 & NYSTW is still on
our agenda.
See archives of
http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/
for more details on this and other items
including major improvements to
Buckingham Pond Park.
----------------------------
The government has announced that
there will be no Social Security COLA's
for the next two years.
This decision must be rescinded at
a time when seniors on fixed incomes
are facing escalating food, home heating
fuel, health care and school property
taxes.
At the same time , the federal government
is allocating billions of dollars to help
Brazil to drill for oil and funding groups
like Acorn.
Why are the Albany Common Council
and Albany County Legislature, not
passing Resolutions calling for the
reinstatement of Social Security COLA's?
Yet, the Albany Common Council can
pass Resolution by a vote of 14-0 which
in effect, would make Albany a sanctuary
city for illegal aliens. Thankfully, Mayor
Jennings has not directed the Albany
Police and public serivice workers to
follow the Council's directive.
---------------------
Political changes are afoot in Albany
in the September 15, Democratic Primaries.
Hopefully, these changes will be for the
betterment of the neighborhoods, city
and all who call these places home.
The outcomes of the primaries all hinge
on primary voter turnouts which have
declined in recent local elections, along
with declines in Democratic Party
enrollments in the city.
That's all for now.
Joe Sullivan
Friday, August 28, 2009
REST IN PEACE TEDDY KENNEDY
The last of the four Kennedy brothers
you lived the longest, and were a force
in the U S Senate and American politics
for nearly half a century. You did your
best to uphold the family tradition and
to guide the Kennedy family through
the hard times when John and Robert
were taken from us. You weathered your
own tragedies and bravely faced a hard
death.
You have left us and we must do our
best to keep America strong and free.
Politicians and interest groups must not
exploit Ted Kennedy's death, in an effort
the ram through flawed , costly health care
legislation that is a cure worse than the
perceived illness.
Teddy fought for improved health care
for nearly half a century, and Congress
couldn't get it right all that time.
The current proposed legislation is not
the correct remedy to the perceived ills
and shortcomings of health care in
America.
Condolences to Kara, Maria, Kathleen
and all the Kennedy clan. We share your
grief, but celebrate the life of Teddy , in
particular his 1980 Presidential campaign
in Albany and the Capital District.
Teddy's visit here was brief. It was left to
us to campaign locally. And we did. The
strains of Art Flanagans music, can still
be heard on a quiet evening breeze.
No Place is no more. That is the fate of
all places, and our own as well.
I will lift a glass in your memory, tonight.
We will be at your wake, in spirit.
The winds, rains, tides and waves embrace
a lonely Hyannis shore now. But, the sun
will shine again.
Joe Sullivan
Albany Coordinator
Teddy Kennedy
1980 Presidential
Campaign
The last of the four Kennedy brothers
you lived the longest, and were a force
in the U S Senate and American politics
for nearly half a century. You did your
best to uphold the family tradition and
to guide the Kennedy family through
the hard times when John and Robert
were taken from us. You weathered your
own tragedies and bravely faced a hard
death.
You have left us and we must do our
best to keep America strong and free.
Politicians and interest groups must not
exploit Ted Kennedy's death, in an effort
the ram through flawed , costly health care
legislation that is a cure worse than the
perceived illness.
Teddy fought for improved health care
for nearly half a century, and Congress
couldn't get it right all that time.
The current proposed legislation is not
the correct remedy to the perceived ills
and shortcomings of health care in
America.
Condolences to Kara, Maria, Kathleen
and all the Kennedy clan. We share your
grief, but celebrate the life of Teddy , in
particular his 1980 Presidential campaign
in Albany and the Capital District.
Teddy's visit here was brief. It was left to
us to campaign locally. And we did. The
strains of Art Flanagans music, can still
be heard on a quiet evening breeze.
No Place is no more. That is the fate of
all places, and our own as well.
I will lift a glass in your memory, tonight.
We will be at your wake, in spirit.
The winds, rains, tides and waves embrace
a lonely Hyannis shore now. But, the sun
will shine again.
Joe Sullivan
Albany Coordinator
Teddy Kennedy
1980 Presidential
Campaign
COREY MUGS JENNINGS
ON BLIGHT AND CRIME
Corey Ellis has assaulted Mayor Jerry Jennings
on blight and crime, laying blame for these with
the mayor.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=835834&category=ALBANY
The Mayor appears to be in denial about the
extent of blight and associated crime in Albany.
Nevetheless, the fact is blight is caused by blighters
and crime by perps or criminals.
If Corey blames the mayor for these, he must lay
blame with all incumbent members of the Albany
Common Council, as well.
Look at the deterioration of the Delaware Ave
Southern Blvd and New Scotland Ave corridors
Pine Hills, S Allen and Winnie Streets, West Hills
and other city neighborhoods.
Look at the blight, and crime that is encroaching
into Wards 14, 8, and 9 with the shift of section 8
housing and slumlords from the Park South Urban
Renewal project.
Who are the Members of the Common Council
in each of the above neighborhoods.
Why are they not speaking out? Taking aggressive
action?
In Ward 14, Common Council Member, Joe Igoe
my opponent in the September 15th Democratic
Primary, is Chair of the Common Council Code
Enforcement Committee, as well as Member of
the Council Public Safety Committee. On his watch
blight and crime have increased in Ward 14, as well
as other City neighborhoods.
Local media has passed up a great photo op in
Ward 14, Incumbent Council Member, Joe Igoe
and Chair of the Common Council Code Enforce-
ment Committee, has one of his wilting lawn signs
next to a vehicle parked in a driveway. The tires
are nearly flat and the car has been sitting that
way for months. A code violation! That's real
effective code enforcement, Chairman Igoe?
Any interested media can easily find this violation.
There are only 3, maybe 4 ,Igoe lawn signs on
South Manning Blvd, between Western Ave and
New Scotland Ave.
Better get there before Igoe does!
How can the current Common Council Members
from Wards 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 run for
re-election, or for citywide office, having failed to
aggressively combat crime and blight in their own
wards?
Forget about it Corey and Carolyn, neither, based
on the conditions of their home wards, are
qualified to be Mayor or Common Council
President.
As for the other Common Council incumbents
voters in those wards should see if those
incumbents have challengers, and elect the
challengers - if they have sound positions on
blight and crime, and advocate specific actions
to combat both.
Joe Sullivan
ON BLIGHT AND CRIME
Corey Ellis has assaulted Mayor Jerry Jennings
on blight and crime, laying blame for these with
the mayor.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=835834&category=ALBANY
The Mayor appears to be in denial about the
extent of blight and associated crime in Albany.
Nevetheless, the fact is blight is caused by blighters
and crime by perps or criminals.
If Corey blames the mayor for these, he must lay
blame with all incumbent members of the Albany
Common Council, as well.
Look at the deterioration of the Delaware Ave
Southern Blvd and New Scotland Ave corridors
Pine Hills, S Allen and Winnie Streets, West Hills
and other city neighborhoods.
Look at the blight, and crime that is encroaching
into Wards 14, 8, and 9 with the shift of section 8
housing and slumlords from the Park South Urban
Renewal project.
Who are the Members of the Common Council
in each of the above neighborhoods.
Why are they not speaking out? Taking aggressive
action?
In Ward 14, Common Council Member, Joe Igoe
my opponent in the September 15th Democratic
Primary, is Chair of the Common Council Code
Enforcement Committee, as well as Member of
the Council Public Safety Committee. On his watch
blight and crime have increased in Ward 14, as well
as other City neighborhoods.
Local media has passed up a great photo op in
Ward 14, Incumbent Council Member, Joe Igoe
and Chair of the Common Council Code Enforce-
ment Committee, has one of his wilting lawn signs
next to a vehicle parked in a driveway. The tires
are nearly flat and the car has been sitting that
way for months. A code violation! That's real
effective code enforcement, Chairman Igoe?
Any interested media can easily find this violation.
There are only 3, maybe 4 ,Igoe lawn signs on
South Manning Blvd, between Western Ave and
New Scotland Ave.
Better get there before Igoe does!
How can the current Common Council Members
from Wards 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 run for
re-election, or for citywide office, having failed to
aggressively combat crime and blight in their own
wards?
Forget about it Corey and Carolyn, neither, based
on the conditions of their home wards, are
qualified to be Mayor or Common Council
President.
As for the other Common Council incumbents
voters in those wards should see if those
incumbents have challengers, and elect the
challengers - if they have sound positions on
blight and crime, and advocate specific actions
to combat both.
Joe Sullivan
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
TONKO SHILLS FOR SINGLE-PAYER
HEALTH PLAN. TONKO SINGLE TERM
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Paul Tonko is shilling for the single-payer
government health care plan.
Read:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=835039
This plan would be financed, in part by
taking billions away from Medicare
rationing care to seniors, and no social
security colas for the next two years
and, eventually, thinning the ranks of
seniors receiving social security through
the Jack Kervorkian element of the
proposed Obamacare plan - end of life
counseling - assisted suicide.
This is still the United States of America
and Americans do not support this plan.
certainly not assisted suicide for seniors
and veterans.
In addition, most Americans do not
support the massive tax increases, they
will face, to support the proposed
single payer government health care
plan.
Bad plan. Bad move for Tonko , who has
marked himself for a single term.
Tonko is NOT our Representative in
Congress!
Albany County is the population center
of the 21st Congressional District. The
emergence of a single Democratic
challenger to Tonko in 2010 will sink
Tonko, particularly if that candidate
is a senior, and a veteran,who opposes
what Tonko and the Obama
Administration are doing, and will do
to senior citizens, and our veterans.
Don't forget the "Death Book" being
thrust on our veterans by the Obama
Administration.
Seniors and veterans don't get no
respect from this administration to
paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield.
Let's see how much support Tonko
and Obama get
from seniors and veterans in 2010
and 2012!
Ironical how Members of Congress
and a President , and his health
care czars, who are promoting
assisted suicide as an option for
seniors and veterans - are
unwittingly engaging in political
assisted suicide for themselves.
When there is no respect for
life at conception, there is no
respect for life in old age.
Abortion and euthanasia are
one in the same.
Joe Sullivan
HEALTH PLAN. TONKO SINGLE TERM
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Paul Tonko is shilling for the single-payer
government health care plan.
Read:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=835039
This plan would be financed, in part by
taking billions away from Medicare
rationing care to seniors, and no social
security colas for the next two years
and, eventually, thinning the ranks of
seniors receiving social security through
the Jack Kervorkian element of the
proposed Obamacare plan - end of life
counseling - assisted suicide.
This is still the United States of America
and Americans do not support this plan.
certainly not assisted suicide for seniors
and veterans.
In addition, most Americans do not
support the massive tax increases, they
will face, to support the proposed
single payer government health care
plan.
Bad plan. Bad move for Tonko , who has
marked himself for a single term.
Tonko is NOT our Representative in
Congress!
Albany County is the population center
of the 21st Congressional District. The
emergence of a single Democratic
challenger to Tonko in 2010 will sink
Tonko, particularly if that candidate
is a senior, and a veteran,who opposes
what Tonko and the Obama
Administration are doing, and will do
to senior citizens, and our veterans.
Don't forget the "Death Book" being
thrust on our veterans by the Obama
Administration.
Seniors and veterans don't get no
respect from this administration to
paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield.
Let's see how much support Tonko
and Obama get
from seniors and veterans in 2010
and 2012!
Ironical how Members of Congress
and a President , and his health
care czars, who are promoting
assisted suicide as an option for
seniors and veterans - are
unwittingly engaging in political
assisted suicide for themselves.
When there is no respect for
life at conception, there is no
respect for life in old age.
Abortion and euthanasia are
one in the same.
Joe Sullivan
Monday, August 24, 2009
"DEATH BOOK" FOR VETERANS?
END OF LIFE COUNSELING FOR
SENIORS? ASSISTED SUICIDE ?
Read:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,541820,00.html
This is government health care?
Voters are in desperate need of
End of Country Counseling.
Failure to cast informed ballots
in the September 15 Democratic
Primaries and November General
Election may be fatal.
Joe Sullivan
END OF LIFE COUNSELING FOR
SENIORS? ASSISTED SUICIDE ?
Read:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,541820,00.html
This is government health care?
Voters are in desperate need of
End of Country Counseling.
Failure to cast informed ballots
in the September 15 Democratic
Primaries and November General
Election may be fatal.
Joe Sullivan
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