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Get out there and vote. Let’s get rid of some of the corruption — maybe all of it — in Albany City Hall.

Posted — not written — by Observer

First published: Albany Times Union: Sunday, September 13, 2009

Your decision to endorse Jerry Jennings over Corey Ellis in the Albany Democratic mayoral primary seems to have been made on the basis of the mayor’s experience alone. That certainly factors in, but that does not necessarily mean that he is the right person to be mayor.

The editorial states that Mr. Jennings “should also consider some of the key issues Mr. Ellis raises.” Mr. Ellis has made his stance on those issues very clear, even before running for mayor. Why has the mayor not considered them before? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that Mr. Ellis would be the best candidate to deal with his key issues?

I question some of the points made in favor of Mr. Jennings, including the implication that he was behind the funding for the Park South restoration, as well as the city’s movement toward improving its abandoned building problem.

The Park South restoration was made possible by the hard work of community organizations and legislators. And it was Mr. Ellis who first proposed to assess all the abandoned buildings in the city. He has a solid plan of restoration and homeowner incentives to improve those abandoned buildings and lots that have created a blight in certain parts of the city. The mayor’s answer is to paint them over until a better solution is found.

The editorial states that Mr. Jennings has alienated the school district, yet expects him “to continue cultivating” his relationship with it. You expect him to improve that relationship because he has made efforts to mend the bridges during the election year? Why didn’t he make this a priority throughout his years as mayor?

The editorial also states that crime and violent crime are down overall, while failing to mention that murder and forcible rape are up. The fact that there have been six police chiefs since Mr. Jennings has been mayor would point to an inability to appoint competent officials.

The editorial concludes, “So, yes, Mr. Jennings, another four years. Four years that we hope will see a greater sense of urgency. Consider it — as all politicians should — a last chance for a legacy.” That the Times Union editorial board does not believe Mayor Jennings has cemented his legacy is bordering on ignorance. He has proven that he does not work with a “sense of urgency,” that he does not take enforcing the codes and regulations of this city seriously. There is no changing his legacy now, not after 16 years.

Dominick Calsolaro Jr.

Albany

The writer is a college student in Rochester. His father is an Albany Common Council member.

Reposted from Albany Citizen One:

Sure, we all know about the legendary poll watching horror stories in Albany. I got tired of all the whining about it. With new technology out there at everyone’s fingertips….let’s do something about it. I’ve done a little bit of research and I don’t think this has been done any place in the country….a twitter poll watching conference. Now all you folks sitting on polling places won’t be alone, you’ll have “real time” red flags waving at your fellow poll watchers and all the boards of elections. (Yup, I’m formally notifying them of my experiment.)

Here’s how it works. Anyone that is a poll watcher and a twit (I prefer that term to twitterer!) can text messages that will be picked up by interested Albanians, the County Board of Elections, the NYS Board of Elections and, yes, even the people causing the troubles.

If you have a Twitter account, first thing’s first…click here to become a follower of ACO. If you haven’t got an account, click here and sign up for an account (it’s free!!). Then, go to “find people” (or follow your nose if you’re a techie). In the empty field, type “albanycitizen1” and then, select “follow.”

Of course, even though I’m sure you want to follow ACO…you may just be in it for the primary…so, if that’s all you want to follow, log in…go to the search option and type in #albanyprimary. When I start posting from Parks and Rec over on Hoffman…you’ll start picking up tweets.

Now, if you want to tweet from your phone or if you want to pick up the tweets from your phone, you must enable your mobile device. Click here for instructions. You may elect to follow me from your phone by typing in “follow albanycitizen1″.

If you want to be a Twitquo pro by Tuesday, read up on it and then you can help me. I’ll give the Chief private lessons if he would like.
If you just want to tweet…here are the instructions.

Now let’s say, you just want to hang out on your computer (BJ!) and watch my frustrations online…well, you can go straight to Twitter, go to the search bar, type in #albanyprimary and there ya have it. I can’t promise anything, but I hope I’m someplace where I can be tweeting the results of the primary as well as my frustrations. We shall see…and, if I’m not able, I’m sure someone out there will pick up the slack.

Watch out my election bullies…I carry a big stick!

First EVER Twitter Poll Watching

While ringing doorbells in one Albany neighborhood in recent weeks, one of Jennings’ recruits, Scott Mannarino, who is running in the First Ward, decided to play up the endorsement he received from the Albany Fire Department (Jennings’ guy in Democratic Headquarters, Chair Dan McCoy, is a member of the department). Anyway, Mannarino informed at least one voter — how many more heard this is not clear at this point — that if they did not support him and show it by taking a sign, they might very well experience a slow response time should they call 911 in a fire or medical emergency.

Jordon Carleo-Evangelist: We’re happy to give you the names and particulars.

Updated 2009-09-12 19:26:15:

As we reported yesterday, Scott Mannarino, who has been endorsed by the Albany Fire Department, has told some Albany voters that if they do not support him and/or take his lawn sign (he has a thing about lawn signs), that they may find that in the event of an emergency, the Albany Fire Department (which, in a moment of insanity endorsed him) may decide to respond just a little slower to their 911 call.

Seriously.

I don’t know about you, but I take people’s lives and safety seriously.

Interestingly the Albany Observer has been told that the Albany Fire Department is now planning to spend Primary Day at the Parks’ Building on Hoffman Avenue, where a large number of First Ward Election Districts vote. They’ll be there in shifts, five at a time. They’ll probably have a truck there, too.

So, when you see the Albany Fire Department on Tuesday, those of you who live in the First Ward, shake your head in disgust and go in there and pull the lever against corruption.