ZALEWSKI

OBRIEN

There is a bunch of drama shaping up in Troy Council District 5 this year with Patti O’Brien looking for a Wilson Pakula from the Democrats to take on incumbent Ken Zalewski in a primary.

There is also some talk about Zalewski taking the cross endorsement from the GOP just to stick it in the eye of Rensselaer County Tom Wade, who is pushing O’Brien. But, Zalewski was playing  footsie two years ago too and didn’t take the cross and he and the GOP tell me it won’t happen this year either.

That said, there is a good chance O’Brien does get the Wilson Pakula and ends up running a primary against a three-term, popular, Democrat incumbent.

O’Brien needs the Wilson Pakula because she is not enrolled in any party and in her letter to the Democratic Party Committee looking for its endorsement said she does not have a “particular allegiance with any party.” That much is certainly true since two years ago she was squarely in Republican mayoral candidate Carmella Mantello’s corner and even worked as her treasurer.

Check out the video.

As an aside, her letter was well-written and her resume is impressive but Zalewski has a six-year track record on the Council and two years ago won a write in to get the Independence Party line and came within a vote of winning a write in for the Conservative Party line too. He also had the WFP endorsement and will likely get that line again this year.

What is shocking given the Democratic turmoil – is that there is no GOP candidate even mentioned as a possible candidate.

KOPKA


As reassessment plugs along, more than 1,400 people got their new assessments adjusted during the “informal review process” earlier this month. While the Assessor’s Office said it was a mixed back of changes with some going up and some down, I have to believe the majority of them were reduced since I don’t know many people who complain about not paying enough taxes.

Anyway, in March, I listed the assessment changes of 26 officials and former officials and of those 26, four have had their new assessment adjusted:.

- Council President Lynn Kopka saw her assessment jump from $250,000 to $408,000 and then saw it reduced to $346,000.

- County Legislature Kathleen Ryan Cassidy’s initial reassessment went from $167,143 to $240,000 and then it was reduced to $191,000.

- Corporation Counsel Ian Silverman saw his assessment jump from $72,714 to $144,000 and then saw it reduced to $133,000.

- And former Mayor Mark Pattison saw his assessment jump from $200,714 to $233,000 and then it was reduced to $210,000.

While the “informal review process” is compete, property owners can still file a grievance with the Board of Assessment Review until Grievance Day on May 28.

A REWARD

Much has been said about Barker Park or, more accurately, the people who hang out at Barker Park and the negative message they send to the community by drinking in public and engaging in the results of drinking — urination — in public. But, as it turns out they helped out the very same police officers who have either repeatedly chased them out of the park or who have put them in cuffs.

As was reported earlier this month, police responded to an altercation on Fourth Street that included one guy beating up another guy. One guy, Donald Lewis, took off. Of course, police chased because chasing bad guys is what police officers do.

As Lewis was running down the alley that leads onto State Street near the Roarke Center and Barker Park, those that hang out there provided enough interference to slow Lewis down enough so police could secure the loaded gun he had on him and get him in cuffs. Without the help, the entire episode could have turned out really ugly since Lewis was, by all accounts, an angry, scared man running through the streets of Troy with a loaded hand gun.

I was not told who issued the directive, but as a reward police lifted the open container law in the alley for 72 hours. A small token of appreciation, but maybe the Baker Park people should have held out and gotten their benches back.

IT'S THE PERCEPTION

In a case that would generally fly under the radar the Rensselaer County District Attorney Rich McNally decided his office would prosecute the family member of Democratic Party Chairman Tom Wade rather than recuse himself.

MCNALLY

First, let me say, I’ve talked to a number of attorneys about the case and the deal reached is not out of the norm for a first time offender. But, the fact Wade backed McNally for DA in 2007, again in 2011 and it’s highly unlikely McNally can get the party nomination for Supreme Court judge without Wade’s support just opens the door to at least a perception of a conflict of interest.

And let’s not forget the DA’s office had a Grand Jury investigating allegations of Wade shaking down political appointees for campaign contributions when McNally first took office. The time limit on that investigation was allowed to expire without the grand jury completing its work or taking any action.

The family member was arrested in October of 2012 for aggravated DWI and a host of other Vehicle and Traffic infractions like leaving the scene of an accident, refusing to take a breath test and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The family member pleaded to a misdemeanor DWAI and if certain stipulations are met, like completing a treatment program, that’s it. Again, I’m told by a number of defense attorneys it’s a fair disposition.

But, whether or not it’s fair or not is not the point.

When I asked McNally about it he was more than a little defensive and said he didn’t even know Wade’s family member was arrested until the media began inquiring. He sees no conflict of interest, real or perceived, and adamantly said he is against the use of special prosecutors.

When I asked McNally about his bid for Supreme Court, he denied needing Wade’s support which certainly isn’t the case. Supreme Court judges don’t run primaries when there is more than one of a party wanting the job. Instead, party bosses pick delegates, who are formally selected during the petition process, and who then go to the Judicial Nominating Convention and elect the party’s (chairman’s) nominee.

I suppose McNally — or one of the other two Democrats who want the job, Rensselaer County Judge Andrew Ceresia and Albany County Family Court Judge Dennis Duggan — could get his own slate of delegates, circulate his own petitions, have them run a primary and then broker deals with party chairs in the six other counties that make up the Third Judicial District but somehow I just don’t see that happening.

McNally then said it was unfair of me to drag Wade’s family member through the mud but that certainly isn’t the point of this piece. The point is there is at least a perception of a conflict of interest.

James V. Franco can be reached at 478-5343

I’m kind of at a loss on how a $13 million project off of Morrison Avenue can move forward while the parameters keep changing without any formal approval by any city entity, namely the Planning Commission.

The project was given preliminary approval in 2011 by the then Planning Board as “senior housing” but nobody in City Hall can find any of the paper work including the site plans, the environmental impact statement or anything else. Actually, nobody can seem to find any record of the project getting a final stamp of approval at all.



RYAN

Developer J.R. Casale filed the initial application.

Now the apartments are being billed as “luxury apartments.” There are fewer units and there appears, according to a billboard rendering, to be an additional floor added to the initial two-story design. Casale said he has nothing more to do with the project and it’s now Roddy Valente’s baby.

Deputy Mayor Pete Ryan said the changes were allowable and that it “had already been approved.” City Engineer Russ Reeves was supposed to get site plans for the modified project on Friday, but that still begs the question of where the initial site plans are and were they ever approved.

True, there are always some minor changes made as construction commences but to me changing the number of units and the targeted tenants are a pretty big deal. Yes, there are less apartments, which on the surface means less cars and less traffic, but, as the neighbors say, seniors tend to either not drive at all or drive less than those living in luxury apartments.

The traffic study is being looked at again, as it should, but meanwhile the construction that started this spring continues.

KOPKA

As Ryan points out too, there is not a lot of difference between “senior housing,” and “luxury apartments” in privately funded projects. However, having a bunch of seniors living in the neighborhood certainly sounds better to those already living there than having “luxury apartments” which, given the proximity to Hudson Valley Community College and other student housing in the area, means student housing.

Council President Lynn Kopka said there are other concerns in addition to traffic like soil stability and unit configuration, but all that should have been addressed by the Planning Commission. As far as anyone knows, however, the unilateral changes to the initial project — that nobody can find any paperwork on — never came to its attention.

“I do find the whole thing unusual,” Kopka said. And she’s not the only one.



A great quote

As the Council was debating whether or not to pay a guy who flipped a golf cart at Frear Park $15,000 because the area where he flipped it wasn’t marked off as a potentially dangerous place to drive a cart Mark McGrath, R-District 2 came out with one for the annals.

MCGRATH

“He was either drunk and stupid or just stupid and I’m not going to give a man $15,000 for that,” McGrath said while casting one of two dissenting votes along with Councilman Gary Galuski, D-District 6.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with Frear Park Golf Course, there are some treacherous hills that take an element of common sense to navigate in a Hummer let along a golf cart.

The man who sued, Ronald Nicholas, claims the city didn’t properly mark the spot on the fifth hole where he flipped the cart as being “potentially dangerous” and didn’t rope it off to cart traffic.

While McGrath’s analysis of the situation may or may not be true, there is also a section of the charter that could have worked in the city’s defense too. Basically it says, for someone to sue, the city would have had to been given prior written notice that it was a potentially dangerous area.

In the Council’s memorandum of support package from the administration no written notice was presented by Nicholas or anyone else but it did cite five previous accidents in the same spot under similar conditions and one where someone sued and settled.

All that probably accounts for “prior written notice” in the legal sense but it doesn’t account for the extraneous variables that fall squarely under the jurisdiction of common sense. I guess on both the city’s part for not roping it off and the drivers’ part for dumping the carts.

No sense

I really don’t get the logic behind the recent “tagging” spree that happened downtown near six Uncle Sam statues last week.

For starters there is no discernible meaning behind the common thread in all six tags, the word or acronym “MOT.” And the “art” that came with it, which, on a couple of them, looked like a cross between a hipster and a zombie and on
another looked like an anorexic Casper the Ghost smoking a joint, was, to put it kindly, less than impressive.

Some graffiti is pretty sharp, and some even has a place in the urban environment, but this fell well short of those qualities. The fact the tagger left the Uncle Sams alone does mean something though so there has to be more behind it than just some nut job with a can of spray paint.

Let’s just hope the police catch the creep or creeps before he or she elevates to the next level and tags the Sams.

James V. Franco can be reached at 478-5343

 

Names of potential candidates are starting to get bounced around with more regularity but leaders in both parties are not confirming much as they maneuver and try to convince good people to run for local office.

NICHOLS

KOPKA

One name is Chris Cramer, a guy who I don’t know but I’m told moved to Troy from the western part of the state and has an MBA. I’m told he might be a candidate for the Council At Large seat and will join Carmella Mantello. The GOP still need one more to run against the three Democratic Party incumbents — Council President Lynn Kopka, Councilwoman Nina Nichols and Councilman Rodney Wiltshire.

In city Council District 1, I am hearing the Democrats have a candidate to primary incumbent Kevin McGrath but they won’t tell me any names so that means the person is still on the fence. And on the GOP side of the aisle city Chair Jim Gordon is eyeing another run.

WILTSHIRE

Kim Mazor is still looking at a possible run on the GOP line in District 2 for the open seat being vacated by the term-limited Mark McGrath. I’ve heard a few names on the Democratic side of the aisle including Jack Cox Jr. throwing his hat into the ring. Rev. Willie Bacote was toying with the idea but he has since said he’s moving back to South Carolina within a year.

MANTELLO

Michelle DeLair, the former deputy city clerk, is getting tossed into the possible pot of taking on incumbent Republican Dean Bodnar in District 3.

And in District 4, downtown business owner Debra Lockrow is eyeballing a run against incumbent Bob Doherty.

And my guess is Incumbent Ken Zalewski will get a pass as he looks to run for his fourth and final term in District 5.

In District 6, incumbent Gary Galuski is looking at a primary by fellow Democrat Emily Rossier. So far I haven’t heard any GOP names.

As far as the Legislature goes:

JIMINO

A GOP candidate toying with the idea of running in the City of Troy is Stephanie Scully, who has worked at the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2000. And so is Jay Vandenburgh, chair of the city Zoning Board of Appeals and former chair of the Troy Housing Authority Board of Trustees.

Sue Mangold, a member of the East Greenbush Town Board, is also said to want to run for the Democrats in District 2.

The only Democratic candidate I’m hearing interested in taking on County Executive Kathy Jimino is Legislator Ed Manny, a retired Troy firefighter. I’m not hearing anyone to run against County Clerk Frank Merola, who I expect to get another free pass in November.

Anyone else want to float their name out there drop me a note at

jfranco@troyrecord.com or call my cell 478-5343.

It looks like Councilman Gary Galuski will have a primary challenge in District 6.

Emily Rossier, a self-described "community and sustainability advocate who is ready to be a part of government that is truly of, by and for the people," announced she is running for the spot. She is an enrolled Democrat, too, so that means a primary against Galuski for the line. She is also actively seeking the Working Families Party endorsement.

It’s a gutsy move by Rossier in that she doesn’t have the support of County Chair Tom Wade or city Chair Jack MaCann. Well, I can’t say that for sure, but she said she didn’t reach out to the powers that be before her Facebook announcement.

Galuski, who was elected in 2007, hasn’t been the most active councilman in history but he is in with the established Democrats — he works for Commissioner Ed McDonough at the Board of Elections — and he has had his own problems too. He was indicted along with seven other Democrats in the voter fraud scandal but saw the charges against him dropped.

That said, the Galuski name is tough in South Troy. Not tough in a bad way. It’s just a popular name and he, despite rumors he won’t run again, will be a formidable candidate for anyone, be it Democrat or Republican.

This one could be a beaut, though, because Rossier is a true left wing Democrat and will probably get the WFP endorsement. That means Galuski will need the Wilson Pakula to get on that line and that might not happen this year so Rossier could be on the November ballot as a third party candidate regardless of what happens in the September primary against Galuski.

I guess we’ll have to see what the WFP does: back someone who has beliefs of their own or bow down to the Democrats and give the Wilson Pakula, permission to run on their line, to Galuski.

And it will be interesting to see if Rossier can follow through and get the necessary signatures to officially get on the ballot. Putting up a Facebook announcement is one thing, doing the grunt work is another.

The whole scenario could open the door for a viable Republican candidate but so far I’ve heard no names.

The GOP needs eight candidates to run for the Council and so far the only names I’ve heard are Kim Mazor in District 2 to run for the seat being vacated by the term limited Councilman Mark McGrath, incumbent Councilman Dean Bodnar, in District 3, Debra Lockrow in District 4, nobody in Districts 5 or six and the potential candidate for the three At Large seats is Carmella Mantello. 

I’m guessing former Mayor Harry Tutunjian runs for something but it’s not clear if he goes for the Council or the Legislature, where the Republicans need also need six candidates just in the City of Troy.

Surrogate Court

Despite rumors of a primary, it appears the GOP will back Paul Morgan for Surrogate Court judge this November and incumbent Phil Danaher will again run for the Legislature in District 2, according to sources.

The position, which largely flies under the radar and handles the less than dramatic things like wills, estates and adoptions, opened up after Christian Hummel took a job as a federal judge. Morgan was Hummel’s clerk for years and knows the intricacies of the position.

On the Democratic side of the ticket, the only name I’ve heard so far is Josh Sabo, who gave up his position as a part time corporation counsel in the City of Troy to prepare for the run.

I said the job may fly under the radar, but, it’s not a bad one either in that it pays $141,300 per year.

Meanwhile, Albany Family Court Judge Dennis Duggan is the only announced Democratic candidate for what will be an open spot on the Supreme Court in the Third District. Rensselaer County Court Judge Andrew Ceresia is said to want the job his father George is retiring from at the end of the year, and Rensselaer County District Attorney Rich McNally has said he is interested in swapping his prosecutor’s job for the robes.

I still haven’t heard any Republican lawyers interested in running for in the sprawling district that encompasses seven counties — Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster.

Uncle Sam(s)

I took a stroll through downtown Friday to check out some of the 30 Uncle Sam statues and I have to say they are pretty cool.  
 

Kudos to Elizabeth Young, the executive director of the Business Improvement District, for putting the whole thing together, the artists who did the actual work, the business sponsors, the administration of Mayor Lou Rosamilia and the city’s support and everyone else who played a role in the project.

OK, enough gushing, I just hope they don’t get trashed because they are kind of vulnerable and while downtown is turning into a pretty hopping spot - I dare say the most hopping spot in the Capital District with the exception of Saratoga when the horses are running - it’s still downtown and, well, 5-foot, colorful statutes are an easy target for people who may have indulged in the hopping spots a bit too much.

James V. Franco can be reached at 478-5343.

GALUSKI

ROSSIER

It looks like Gary Galuski will have a primary challenge in District 6.

Emily Rossier, a self-described “community and sustainability advocate who is ready to be a part of government that is truly of, by, and for the people,” announced she will run for Troy Council in District 6. She is an enrolled Democrat so that means a primary against Galuski for the line. She is also actively seeking the Working Families Party endorsement.

It’s a gutsy move by Rossier in that she doesn’t have the support of County Chair Tom Wade or city Chair Jack MaCann. Well, I can’t say that for sure, but she said she didn’t reach out to the powers that be before her Facebook announcement.

Galuski, who was elected in 2007, hasn’t been the most active councilman in history but he is in with the established Democrats – he works for Commissioner Ed McDonough at the Board of Elections – and he has had his own problems too. He was indicted along with seven other Democrats in the voter fraud scandal but saw the charges against him dropped.

That said, the Galuski name is tough in South Troy. Not tough in a bad way. It’s just a popular name and he, despite rumors he won’t run again, will be a formidable candidate.

This one could be a beaut, though, because Rossier is a true left wing Democrat and will probably get the WFP endorsement. That means Galuski will need the Wilson Pakula to get on that line and that might not happen this year so Rossier could be on the November ballot as a third party candidate regardless of what happens in the September primary against Galuski.

I guess we’ll have to see what the WFP does: back someone who has beliefs of their own or bow down to the Democrats and give the Wilson Pakula, permission to run on their line, to Galuski.

The whole scenario could open the door for a viable Republican candidate but so far I’ve heard no names.

 

Despite rumors of a primary, it appears the GOP will back Paul Morgan for Surrogate Court judge this November and incumbent Phil Danaher will again run for the Legislature in District 2, according to sources.

The position, which largely flies under the radar and handles the less than dramatic things like wills, estates and adoptions, opened after Christian Hummel took a job as a federal judge. Morgan was Hummel’s clerk for years and is knows the intricacies of the position.

On the Democratic side of the ticket, the only name I’ve heard so far is Josh Sabo, who gave up his position as a part time corporation counsel in the City of Troy to prepare for the run.

I said the job may fly under the radar, but, it’s not a bad one either in that it pays $141,300 per year.

Meanwhile, Albany Family Court Judge Dennis Duggan is the only announced Democratic candidate for what will be an open spot on the Supreme Court in the Third District. Rensselaer County Court Judge Andrew Ceresia is said to want the job his father George is retiring from at the end of the year, and Rensselaer County District Attorney Rich McNally has said he is interested in giving up his job and putting on the robes.

I still haven’t heard any Republican lawyers interested in running for in the sprawling district that encompasses seven counties - Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster.