[TOP]

"At Tammany ... Err ...City Hall"
"Mayor's Slush Fund"

Helping themsleves by helping "friends": Underhanded distribution of council earmarks/ slush fund ["Member Items"] hits the fan. Even Mayor got in on the act.

The Mystery of Michael Bloomberg

..for the little people.

Entitlements for the Elected
Perks: Tickets, Travel and Entertainment. The Yankee's deal.

The Golden, Rule.

Commissioner
Chancellor's driver and residence

ZONING MAP

Department of Buildings years of ineffectual reform attempts, the crane collapse, Firemen's deaths at DBank tower and the resignation of Pat. Lancaster.

Grading the City scroll + Links

Buffaloed by Albany
Silver and the 3 men in the room... No home rule. No recall. No voter initiatives.

Pataki, Spitzer Bruno Troopergate, that fun ol NYState crowd.

Bonds or Bust

Budget deficts
Tax Breaks,

Indian Games

Govt gambling schemes- Indian Casinos
'Authorities'

The FBI took records of Bruno's consulting business-MORE->] for accepting favor$ from and $teering State contract$ to business he was involved in or his buds had stakes in. Just one, common Albany thing, [NYSun 1-21-08]-State Republican campaign committee consider expense "meeting" and "travel" costs bills at approx $1,000 nite for $10,000 luxe duplex penthouse suite SEPT 2007 at [Starwood's] NYSheraton and did NOT report it JAN 15 filing as 'in-kind donation' for Bruno stay "only two month before [new since 2004-]Albany Convention Center Authority [senator appoints members] selected Starwood Hotels & Resorts as the front-runner over other competitors to operate a new luxury hotel in Albany." SHERATON said they do not discount. They surely loved BRUNO because he ran up $50,000 in stays in 6 months from mid July 2007.

FEB 2009-State Senate DEMS ordered audit of past Repub. imperial govt-> BRUNO/State Sen. Republicans used their own $100mil budget for lavish in-State travel [via helicopter], $50k van for BRUNO with leather captain chairs, $3mil year print shop [4 color print for Repubs, 1-color for the Dems], a $2mil "research service", TV studio for themseleves ONLY, and 712 parking spaces vs. 125 for the Dems! I thougt only the DEMS [esp. in Congress!] did s__ like this! -see Daily News 2-13-2009 "..fresh examples ..of how low and irresponsible the capital is."

As far as SILVER goes, on staff of WEITZ & LUXENBERG trial laywers which "makes part of its living suing city and state taxpayers. Do you get a price of that action?" [-Hammond "Fess Up Now," Daily News DEC 21 2006]. Silver [FEB 2008?] appointed the senior partner, yes, Mr. Luxenberg to be 1 of 13 on the unpaid volunteer NYState judicial - screening commission! [- ]

Preious stealthy raises of up to 46 percent to dozen+ of his staff [-NYPost/ Dicker 2-16-2009] awarded as recently as JAN 2009. Of course we are in an emergency necessitating huge tax and fee huge hikes plus state workers gotta give back 3%, so Paterson's "peeps" need more!

Chief aide and go-to guy for Gov. Paterson "Charles O'Byrne resigned. The powerful $178,500-a-year secretary to the governor, used his state card 11 times since early last year."[-Lovett, DailyNews 10-22-2008] $1,400 in questionable state state credit card charges in 2006-2008 to the day before new Gov. Paterson was sworn in. They say he "paid back" the state by taking it off the top of other state expense accounts! O'Byrne also owed 5 year back state/ fed taxes 2001-2005 paid back or NOT with $200k NO, that is $300k, borrowed from high friends [notably Kennedys], and maybe special treatment from NYS Tax! We shall see where a new "probe" leads. The "facts" have changed several times; responses by him and Gov. Paterson are weak! O'Byrne's credibility [and so then Gov. Paterson's] going down the toilet!

Saying the law MEANS NO! to licenses for illegals and those without Soc Security numbers, NY State Association of County Clerks OCT 4 2007 voted to oppose SPITZER on this and follow post 9-11 ID rules the GOVERNOR just said NO too.

The Mystery of "I'd f__ that in a second." * Michael Bloomberg.

Gabe Pressman, venerable 54-year career reporter is probably well know to all "real NYers" over a certain age, said in NYTimes "Why won't Mayor Bloomberg take my questions?".

They sang in "EVITA" the money kept rolling in from everywhere Yankees, Mets, and finally to top them all, the Mayor wheeled and dealed the taxpayers to commit us to pay for half or more of the $4bil cost [See MORE->] of Ratner's Brooklyn NETS arena and towers project alone yet he squealed about S. Silver and people of NYC being such big losers for not getting $354mil from the Feds because we do not have congestion pricing! A NYC Comptroller audit concluded the METS owed the city $4.5 mil, a total disputed by the team which hinged on interpretation of lease provisions.-see NYPost 7-8-03. In addition, the NYPost reported [7-10-03] YES [the Yankees and Nets etc sports group] gave tix valued at the $75 gift threshold, and meals at luxe Four Seasons to local politicians including State Sen. David Paterson that is being investigated by the State Lobbying Commission.

For accepting 12 Yankees tickets / $820 value in JULY 2006, a fine of $2,460 by the Public Integrity Commission NOV 4 2008 to R. Gerardi from a company the State "Energy Research and Development Authortity" had a contract with. -see DailyNews 11-5-2008. 2006-In the NYC-State $300Mil++ construction deal for the new Yankee Stadium includes thousands of Yankee tickets allocated to those connected to the politicians who greased the deal plus a new "Community Development Agreement" for youth group etc funding that channels thru the pols in charge [which really means solely the BRONX Democratic organization] $800,000 year for 40 years which though the team will spend $800Mil, is financed by NY State triple tax-free bonds. The Mayor in 2003 attempted to control other city officials from accepting free Yankee tix -which was not announced to be even be part of the allocation. The deal for NEW Yankee Stadium includes a 4-person "Landlord's Suite" for NYC at EVERY home game plus the right to purchase up to 180 tickets "for the best seats available" at face value [-Lisberg, DailyNews 7-29-2008]! It became a public embarassment to the city/Mayor who promised to sell it. As 2009 opening day approached it is not sold, and Yankees are supposed to pay NYC $100,000 a season [peak value was $850,000 season] in the meanwhile. There is similar deal at the METS "CitiField" for 145 tickets. SO who gets these tix? POLS, Union biggies and their "friends".

Agreements of DECEMBER 2001 at the very end of the Giulini administration, NYC handed the Yankees and METS new stadium promises 1/2 funded by NYC and lease clauses giving them 5 one-year extension with rent deductions of $5mil year for "stadium planning" expenses with few restriction placed on them. YANKEEs deducted from lease from NYC Parks Dept owned to NYC, up to $5mil year/ $25mil total for 5 yrs to end of 2005 "stadium planning" expenses. Salary and lobbying costs were the stated legit purposes, but it took a FOIA request from "Good Jobs N Y" to pry figures on showing this was stretched to include lavish dinners, crystal baseball gifts and such to officials - plus lobbyist fees that went to $700/hour!. The Bloomberg admin EXTENDED terms after it expired! The city did not audit those expense claims until pressured to so by 2008; Comptroller found $11mil+ improper[ why not illegal?] deductions from he rent paid to NYC [US!] from 2003-2006. An agreement was reached to pay back in parts May 2008 to Mar 2009! expenses deducted from rent which included $359,617 [Tishman Speyer, builder] somehow got to pay to ITs top employees bonuses besides $$ taken by Yankee execs for their own travel and entertainment! The Yankees also "inflated their revenue-sharing expenses by more than $24 million improperly reducing the amount owned to the city in rent." of $2.4mil! [-see Gonzalez DailyNews 11-7-2008 also Village Voice Oct 3-9 3007, plus issues July26-Aug1, Aug30-Sept5 2006.] The METS also have this but still details are being sought by the authors under a FOIA request.

These clauses remained even with lease negotiations under your "brilliant businessman" Bloomberg but worse is that a means to recover this money to NYC thru new rent etc of new stadium was thrown out with elimination of these payments in new stadium financing schemes; there will be NO RENT, NO REAL ESTATE TAX and no sales tax on construction materials etc. Former Mayor Giuliani MAY 2007 denied violating regulations, he did not get a break on the price of his 5 Yankees championship rings he [one bought way later than he got it] has and that when he did not pay for box seats at games he was there officially as Mayor. -"[Giuliani] spearheaded the elimination of the city's unique commercial rent tax outside Manhattan. But instead of repealing the rest of the tax, he sought [unsuccessfuly] to use it as a dedicated revenue source to finance new stadiums for the Mets and Yankees." [-McMahon, Rudy's real tax record, Daily News 8-76-2007].

NY State[-law 1982] caved to the owner of Madison Square Garden [MSG] who threatened move teams to NJ so it gave them a permanent $1mil+ year electricity discount to Mad Sq Garden and a property tax exemption worth est $11.7 mil in 2004. Dec2004 an Assemblyman tried and failed to stop those taxpayer-funded breaks. Since the MSG owner loudly, publicly funded an anti-westside stadium campaign, the Mayor said he like to see the tax breaks pulled and Gov [Pataki] payed lip service to looking at the value of these to the taxpayer. But king SHELDON SILVER "said it would send a bad message if the state undid an economic package given to a business owner over a personal dispute between the firm and Bloomberg."[-NYPost 12-7-04]. Yeah well it should have been pulled after the first 10 years!

The Congestion's near free: The city rents public streets to its developers for construction purposed for as little as $50 for three moths [A. Karni, NYSun 5-14-2007], 200,000 permits a year issued to close traffic lanes, "A spokesman for the transportation department Edward Timbers, said the road-closing permits were 'not a source where we can seek to generate revenue.' No not even on billion-dollar skyscraper projects where a street can be narrowed for years. Oh, those fees can come from NYC f__ you and me over for everything.

Our newer NY 2008: Online sales tax, so far unique to NY. USENET [newsgroup] censorship/ cut off JUNE 23 2008. [See MORE->] DEMS are doing this in NY, NOT your demonised Republicans! Money from this online sales tax could cover half or more of the ALBANY porkfest going to back to YOUR COMMUNITY GROUPS and such s___. These items are now public, but who decides to spend the tax money on each item is STILL secret! And who needs $354Mil Fed bonus $ by adding a congestion tax, when contrary to 197_ provisons, 1% emergency sales tax surcharge mandated to expire after payback of MAC Bond aid to NYC and by JULY 1 2008, POST 4-15-2008 says the MAYOR umm persuaded ALBANY to renew, at a cost to taxpayer of $1.2Bil a year, for NYC support of it and the rest of just-passed State budget!

The Golden, Rule.

They lecture US on "going green"! >Mayor rides about daily in official Chevy Surburban from a fleet of 12, the Council Speaker and Commisioners are police chauffered in gas guzzler Escalades. UNmarked SUVs are favoured since Giuliani time, Commissioner get cars and drivers and Deputy Commissioners have cars [and drivers?] and so on down to senior staff access to cars. Abuse was rampant, perhaps tone down a bit after the 2006 Hevesi boou ha ha over dispatching a car and driver for his wife's errands and trips. "Mayor Bloomberg hasn't reimbursed the city for private use of taxpayer-funded cars in two years - making him the only citywide official not to do so.."" [-K. Lucadamo, DailyNews 12-11-2008] Car rules were "clarified" APR 2008, and finalised by the Board of Ethics MAR 13 2009 the top 15 eelected officials can use the city vehicles or all government and all personal use within the city without reimbursement. The Mayor, Controller, Council Speaker and Public Advocate further have unrestricted free personal out of town use police-driven vehicles in addition, though NYPost 3-14-2009 notes now the Council Speaker, Controller and Public Advoccate are reimbursing NYC for private use of the vehicles.

Four [4] council-persons from Bx/Bk/Qns got the Dept of Transportation to post reserved street parking spots 7am-7pm them [-DailyNews 8-13-2008] for them only even though the have placards to just park almost anywhere anyway. The Mayor is having those signs removed. [NOTE that city law requires COMMERCIAL vehicles to have 3 inch high name and address info on the vehicle - or else]. JULY 15 2002 -7 drivers-civil servant $300,000. cost- in for top Bd. of Education officials reassigned to Police Dept. The driver for the NYC [DEP] Dept of Environmental Protections Commissioner was reported to have been paid $90,000 which includes overtime for the second years in a row."[-NYPost 6-13-04]. 522 NYC Dept of Environmental Protection staff on supposed "first responder" status take city hybrid cars home. The story was 'broken' JULY 2008 on Fox5 local news..and it turns ACTUAL DEP first respnders are not geting those cars! The favored and connected employees get them and use them for local NYC 'field visits'. The Agency Commisssioner had let it slide! SEPT 30 2008 directly asked by a Fox5 reporter about this, MAYOR said [as usual] since he does not have the specifics, he will "look into it."

NYPost APR 18 2004 showed 1,547 city staff with personal use of city fleet cars, just 5 fewer than in 2002 and cut of 74 vehicles. BUT Feb 27 2005 they reported 1,718 civilians used official cars for commuting. Most of these assignments are based on rank, not need. "Mayor Bloomberg ordered a citywide review of lights and sirens assigned to civilians, a perquisite that had become a convenient way for some officials to speed through congested street." -after FEB 2004 Ch2 news [caught] reported Dep MAYOR Carol A. Robles Roman "routinely used her lights and sirens to cut around traffic on her commute to City Hall. " This resulted in their removal from cars of 255 city officials."[-NYTimes Metro 11-4-04 "With Siren Blaring, Fire Official Rushes to Scene of Photo-Op"] Lastest story of [minimal/ symbolic] savings from MTA canceling free liftime pases away from former the board and their family members in 2008. Other [NYPost 7-7-2008] MTA bridge & tunnel mgmt/technical [about 60] staff got MTA maintained cars, some bending the rules to use them for commuting to work, the excuse is being "on call" though budget cuts mid Sept 8 MTA announced.

"If they fail to act while enjoying apartment to rates not available to new comers, their own living arrangements will become part of the political debate." [-"Quinn's Rent", NYSun 8-11-2008]

... Many local politicians turn out to be bigger schmoozers than celebs who used to be the ones previously excoriated in the tabloids for their rent-stabilised apartment[s!] sweetheart rent deals sometimes directly thru contacts at top of the politically connected [what other kind is there?] landlord/develpers while also owning various luxe second homes and other properties, on their or partners dimes! An even more "special" perk for past NYC Schools Chancellors was use of a Brooklyn Heights rowhouse NYC bought (about a million$) in 1990 or a generous housing allowance if choosing to live elsewhere; that house was sold off 7-23-03 for $2.4mil. [9-26-00 and on the 5-floor Brooklyn Heights townhouse was rented to a tenant for thousands a month], was auctioned off in JULY 2003 but construction only started Summer 2005. Mayor Bloomberg proposed + sold the 1939 HQ for the Board of Education to DUMBO developer Wallentas for $45mil for a condo conversion, NYC paid to maintain the "mostly vacant" bldg because the closing and project started a year + behind schedule mired in ULURP land use review requirements.

The City University Chancellor salary rose from $250k [1999] to [approved Sept 22 2008->] $450,000 plus a $90,000 housing allowance while there were just $67.7mil in City U budget cuts! The Chancellor is the highest paid non-elected NYC official, Prior schools Chancellor, Harold Levy, appointed in 2000 had a salary of $245,000 and requested a $120,000 housing allowance to live elsewhere. Late 2005 Deputy Chancellors got 5% raises boosting their salaries to $170-$200K. There is a "small" group [56 in JUL 2004 with salary over $150k] Dept of Education superintendents making $170+k, more than officials such as the Police Commissioner.

NY State is not tight with the taxpayers money either. NY State Controller Carl McCall, claimed Albany residency, ran against Gov. Pataki for Gov., bills NY $125 a day travel expense money, while living at HOME [Daily News Feb. 26 2002] ..he has a condo on the west side, his wife Joyce Brown is President of F.I.T. [Design college of the State Univ. of NY] in Chelsea and they both stay in the refurbished luxe Penthouse apt. on the top of the residence tower on 27st campus. He was a past President [not Chancellor] of the Board of Education. A big liberal for the people all right. Gov Pataki "who spent more than $45 million for his re-election bid last year, repaid the state a "token" amount of $4,000 for use of the state air fleet during the campaign.." though not detailing the expenses..Gov not required to pay if the trip is last stop in a campaign or more than half campaign related. [-NYPost 7-29-03] I work for the city and we are prohibited from accepting tips, and anything other than inexpensive personal gifts. The State rule is $75 limit. The Gov and State Ethics Commission [5 members, Pataki picked 3 of them] had no comment on such gifties as these expensive trips on PRIVATE jets, all details remained secret though a spokesman for the GOV said he reimburses at a [lower!] rate of first-class air travel. Great, that mirrors the practice of CEOs using company jets for personal. Many other State and Federal officials also make imperious and some illegitimate use of helicopters and air transport trips and when they reimburse the company it is at lower tax-related rate, not luxe charter fees.

Fiscal crisis pressure cut former Mayor Giuliani's NYC-paid bodyguard staff in half [1-14-03 NY POST] from a approx. 20 man 24-hour contingent giving him 4 bodyguards at a time. Mayor Bloomberg personally prevented total phase-out of Police detective bodyguards. The paper also says Giuliani's former wife, Donna Hanover had city bodyguards until "last week". Former POLICE COMMISH., H. Safir, had up to 13 NYPD detective bodyguards for 16 months after leaving office, til 1-1-02 ended by new Mayor Bloomberg. Former Chairman of the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) and got a $200,000 severance check. He left only a $150,000 salary, with a $31,706 Housing Allowance and a car, with free public transit privileges for life. (This was back in 1995, and he may have had to pay back some of these special pension privileges). Besides the government elite with drivers, hundreds of other public officials get bridge passes from the MTA, as do some politicians for Port Authority crossings, and 7,600+ Port Auth current/ retired employees! MTA board members [and board member from some of the other NYState Authorities] illegally got subsidised health care if they cared to; this might be cut under Spitzer/Cuomo in 2007 - oops Paterson mid 2008. I'm tired of going on about the budget shortages that caused 'them' (MTA and NYCTA) to raise the fare over and over and cut services including ACCESS/ closing entrances[!] even as ridership increased at all hours.

BOVIS remains the lead contrastor of the Dbank demolition. It closley tied to Bloomberg LP -the Mayor, and his man Dan Doctoroff [Deputy Mayor for Development became President of Bloomberg LP Dec2007], who picked them for the DBank job. BOVIS built the tower home of Bloomberg LP. DEC 22 2008 Manhattan District Attorney officially backed out of from criminally negligent homicide charges against the Bloomberg admin. It is "..too difficult "tilting at windmills"/ they are immune from prosecution to criminally indict [any NYC Agency or official] for the deaths, 2 supervisors of teh shady sub-contractor "John Galt" and a Bovis safety official were charged with manslaughter plus 3 individual corruption charges in the DBank fire. THEIR trial will NOT start until after 2009 [Mayoral etc] election! DOB Supv. [over 4 inspectors assigned to the building] R. Iulo resigned faced disciplinary charges and resigned afterwared FEB 2009. Two DOB senior officials received reprimand letters in their personnel files July _ 2009 [-see NYTimes 7-11-2009].

BOVIS, main contrator also got off [law->$10,000 max fine!]. The DA could not buck the industry and pol connections - too big to charge, they are just made to accept more regulation and oversight - as if there was none already! See further in Wayne Barrett/Tom Feeney Jr. "Pants on Fire..Bloomberg's biggest scandal - the Deutsche fire - should be his downfall. Why isn't it?" Village Voice July 22 -22 2009. The FEDs got around to issuing violations and $464k in fines FEB 20 2008. "As Fire Inquiry At Ground Zero Grows, So Do Legal Bills" NYC and LMDC incurred $2.2mil+ and growing bill for private legal services for them to face off against the Manhattan District Attorney! Rashbaum/ Bagli, NYTimes 2-21-2008. Bill for Gary Naftalis, the criminal attorney hired by the Mayor/Admin is going to rise to over $10mil. He is STILL on the case, contract being extended, though the DA will not indict NYC, Naftalis can take on civil lawusits especially one by family members of 2 killed firemen.

Scopetta himself went to roof of the bldg after a 15-foot pipe fell onto the firehouse across the street MAY 17 2007. No follow up inspection down below that could have prevented the deaths 3 month later! ["LMDC blasted on Deutsche" -DailyNews 1-10-2009].. "Days before the fatal blaze, one of LMDC's consultants, URS Associates, warned the agency that Bovis "should no longer be trusted to ensure building safety" and called the tower "an accident waiting to happen." Immediately post fire- NYC REacted, stepped up inspections double -over- the mandated every 15 days at construction sites. Past negligence of Scopetta, and his top chiefs of its own inspection rules that was severly criticised in a Dept. of Investigation report of JUNE 2009 was of no consequence to the FDNY leadership. Three of the top Chiefs were relieved of command early Sept. 2007 [umm I am not sure for how long..] They, and 4 others got weak reprimand letters in their files [for a 1-yr. period], written to ignore fact that the did not enforce the inspections rules. This leave the Fire Commissioner "clean" and more importantly, the Mayor "clean".

Back in OCT 9 2007 -Firemen's org said Commissioner should resign for a cover-up because Dept order no e mail sent on the case and that an important hard drive with info on the case was confiscated. Scoppetta made himself unavailable to the press after the fire and accidents and Bloomberg only took questions from soft reporters. [-J. Gonzalez, "Where have you gone, Scoppetta & Bloomy" Daily News 8-24-2007]; this Fire Commissioner and past Children's Services Commissioner was praised! Scopetta testified JULY 31 2008 at Grand Jury about potential for criminal charges. DBank late NOV 2007 NY City/State LMDC fiddled about for a demolition contractor and still figuring if decontamination should be at the same time as or finished BEFORE demolition.; Dept of Buldings was cricitised by the Dept, of Investigation for allowing that, and for only issuing an alteration permit, never was a regular demolition permit!

If construction workers and publics deaths and injuries in crane falls [See MORE->] March 15 2008 and MAY 30 does not spur fixing NYC construction permit and inspections system by FDNY and Bldg Dept, *NOTHING* can. The DailyNews [Kates, 12-28-2008] reported former chief crane insepctor, Michael Carbone worked for James Lomma, owner of the two doomed cranes, for five years before joining the Buildings Department in 1999." and resigneing July 2008. He kept those cranes in service despite the 311 complaints about the poor securing of the 51st crane and its permit problems. Despite repairs and Testwell Labs faked test results on the welds of the 91st crane [DA: 50 count indictment on Testwell..]. Another consequence: "On September 2 [2009], the Department announced a new concrete re-testing protocol for 82 buildings and construction sites under the City’s jurisdiction that were named in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office indictment of Testwell Laboratories and are a part of the Testwell investigation." -from NYC Dept of Bldgs.

MARCH 15 2008 tower crane flew south across over 51 st, and in back of buildings of the block from 51 to 50st paralleling 2nd Ave. 305e50st crushed. 7 dead, 2 missing as of 3-17. 24 injured, hundreds temp homeless as 18 bldgs partially or completely evacuated. The crane was hardly secured to the bldg, only at 2 points of 300+ ft. and they were severed by as tying 'cord' broke, releasing one collar that that fell on them at time of as they were finishing "jumping" the height of the crane by putting the cab back on and about 150 ft of the top were loose! Ed Marquette DOB inspector was assigned to inspect MAR 4 after "311" hotline complaints of support of the crane at 51st off 2av..he did NOT go, falsified the report, and was ARRESTED MAR 20. NO violations were issued! Assistant Chief Inspector Delayo was arrested JUNE 6 2008, Dept of Investigation found he accepted about $10,000 in bribes, including falsifying crane inspection reports; this case is unrelated to MAY crane break [see further below]. In THAT case, the crane co reused-repaired the lighning struck- cab turtable. ..they say DUBAI and CHINA got much of the biggest/best cranes, bidded prices way up and about 1/4 of all the bigggest cranes in the world were in Dubai. Other safety problems found during a series of inspections, many initiated at public complaints. Sometimes violation were issued, sometimes not. NYC Dept of Buildings "March 25, Buildings Commissioner Lancaster announced changes to the Department's protocol regarding the erection and dismantling (including jumping) of tower cranes. Mayor aid all procedures for this were followed and adequate!.

APR 2008 the Buildings 'Chair'woman and the Commisisoner confirmed before a City Council hearing the 43-fl under-construction tower on e51st is actually NOT permitted by the zoning though the complex rules in this 'contextual' zoned parcel favor those who play with the rules to build higher... A Buildings inspector was then required to be present on a construction site whenever a tower crane is being raised or lowered, until further notice." OOPS just as this 'futher notice' was being undone, This is a 20-year old crane. OCT 2008: Mobile cranes operators background, physical check and testing / certified by National Commission for Certification of Crane operators. It takes a LOT [like deaths..] for NYC to go along with national groups/standards like this instead of its own unique ways of doing - EVERYTHING!

MAY 30 2008 91street crane broke, 2 dead- 1 apartment building evacuated. The Mayor said not to worry, that crane was inspected 2 days before it broke, so it was not for the same REASON as the one in MARCH! Despite crane safety rules tightenings [by OCT 2008 -further down] and NYC assurances there are as more holes in the lead up to the 91st east side collapse than in the Warren Commisson report: Cover up exposed that there was a warning over risk of "catastrophic failure" in email 9 months before the MAY 30 2008 collapse by Ms. Klein Bldg Dept head of Cranes and Derricks unit in 2007, aware of welded repairs because city inspectors found cracks that required repairs earlier in 2007! THAT crane's turntable and another damaged tower crane on the maybe on the verge were from the same company, NY Cranes. Bethany Klein already resigned before the collapse [-see Kates/Moore, Daily News 11-17-2008] after she got nowhere in follow up warnings. The Chief inspector gave his blessing to further repairs just 2 - 1/2 months before the collapse. He was only suspended for "neglect of duty". At that time. The DailyNews reported NO COMMENT from the Manhattan DA, the Building Dept has an "ongoing internal investigation". A wrongful deaths lawsuit continues.

"MOB INFILTRATION IS SEEN AGENCY City Buildings Dept. Hit By New Indictments.

- Hauser, NY Times 10-2-2009. Seen in latest indictments of 29 persons, 27 are arrrested and 2 to go, plus real estate and others businessmen, legit or not. It includes 6 inspectors for taking bribes to move permits alongs, overlook violations and expedite inspections. Three of the inspectors are "said to be Luchese associates also accused of "bribery, gambling, drug trafficking, extortion and loan sharking."

NY City officials largest legal contributors are from the Real estate industry Contractors and vendors also "Pay to Play." Reform put off for years, but the Mayor did sign a bill JULY 2007 and first phase of new limitations will take effect Spring 2008. Developers are giving their bigge$t contributions ever well in advance of upcoming 2009 races for major City offices. "..the Buildings Department is collapsing under the weight of its own reform."-Louis Coletti, president of Building Trades Employers Association said to a council hearing considering MORE DOB reforms 5-6-2008 'make a new NYC Construction and Standards Authority to inspect and approve to replace the DOB', meanwhile AIA, ACE and NY Building Congress are fuming over a bill initiated for the Mayor to change law that the Buildings Commissioner has to be a registered engineer or architect, to give him more flexibility to hire the "best" who would very corporate-ly have technical ["licensed professionals"] underlings report to him/ her. Sure just like Fire Commisioner /past Children's Services Commissioner Scopetta despite the deaths on his watch, is still publicly in the good graces of the Mayor.

2007 spending:
$191.2mil "preventative" programs, $603.5mil homeless shelters, + $___ mil in services. + [?]

The best deals of the gig? KEEPING thousands to million$ in unspent campaign funds AFTER leaving office is allowed by NY State and they can use the money for personal luxuries. Despite prohibitions, politicians abuse the public trust [and the rules] with perks of entertainment, transportation, private engagements with generous speaking fees and appointment of relatives to State jobs or hooking em up with others who get State contracts. Plus tens of thousands each can unaccountably dole out "member items" tending to reward family and friends.* *Gov. Pataki set up 2 PAC |political action committees| in 1999 in VA[- musta had in mind ] with liberal rules on what is a politically-related expense such PAC funds can be used for. [Hernandez, NYTimes 3-12-2008]. Pataki sweetened VA PAC kitty with transfer of $$ from NYState campaign and gave big "consulting fees" to buds and literally partying [travel and entertainment] for him and associates on $1million+ in PAC money after he aborted preparation for a presidential run. One of their EXCUSES/ JUSTIFICATIONS- it cost sooo much to shut down operations! * Elected officals can accept free admissions to museum functions, fund raisers and such, of organisations that lobby the city, Conflicts of Interest Board advisory 12-13.. [-Rauh, NYSun 12-14-2007 "Lobbying Group Freebies Okayed"]*

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Commission of Investigations probe into ongoing Public Integrity Commission and Albany DA "Tropergate" investigations, plus NY Attorney Gen Cuomo to check on State Police which apparently served as Governor's own little KGB. New GOV Paterson said that he came out with his extra-marital affairs just after being sworn in because he was afraid of being trashed by info the state police had on him. Gov Pataki's own head of security, NYTimes called 'a central figure in the suspected conspiracy' State Police Colonel Dan Wiese [now inspector Gen of NY Power Authority] whose computer files were wiped clean APR 1 2008 - the day NY Attorney Gen Cuomo probe was announced. "Computers in Gov. Spitzer's office were intentionally 'purged and scrubbed' of potentially crucial records involving the Dirty Tricks Scandal - while others have dispappeared, investigators have been told."

What are the implications to PATAKI and SPITZER in WIESE and Power Authority "Hush Money" connection? Who believes there will be any justice or "clean-up of "Albany" resulting from any internal NY investigation? What about from US Dept of Justice, the FBI? The breaking news of unprecendented HUSH MONEY in non-disclosure settlements $$ up to $260,000 in severance packages of 19+ departed NY POWER AUTHORITY employees is NOT the last straw! Power Auth employess on bad side of it's Inspector Gen WIESE, who did use dirty tricks and harassment against THEM if there was any differences. Wiese, was a former STATE POLICE COLONEL *very* close to PATAKI -and- SPITZER, and continued to advise the State Police afterwards - OVER WHAT? How many other public agencies cover-up and use 'hush money' non-disclosure agreements? "NYTimes reported 6-22-2008 of the pay-offs. ->Hush Money in Albany-NY OBSERVER 6-30-2008.

It is clear and confirmed late MAR 2008 SOARES the Albany DA Soares stonewalled and was likely intimidated in investigation by Sptizer staff. FOIA requests from were resisited, but finally forced released AUG 5 2008 8,562 pages of docs from the Albany DA Soares 2 "troopergate" investigatin that DailyNews 8-7-2008 said showed "a sorry history of prosecutorial misfeasance" and NY Post called Troopergate swill." Beside no grand jury, witnesses under oath or subpeonaing of documents, SOARES left questioning of SPITZER to deferring staffers, and Spitzer was cleared. Soares said way back in 9-20-2007 that Spitzer and aides did not violate the law in use of State resources to investigate J Bruno [BRUNO frequently used State aircraft and helicopters for personal/fund raising use since 2004, when even PATAKI used State Police to track it.] so Spitzer would NOT have to testify under oath. He never did.

"In Exchange for testimony from key Spitzer aides on how they plotted to discredit Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Soares acknowledged he granted them "limited waivers in which he vowed the information they provided would only be for his use and not made public." [-E. Benjamin. Daily News, JUNE 9 2008]. She says we do not know if Spitzer is covered by a waiver, besides executive privelege.. State Attorny General A. Cuomo said it was not illegal but "improper." SPITZER and his aides were able to confine investigations to ETHICS Committee, refused to allow an independent special prosecutor and blocked efforts by state Public Integrity Commission and the Albany DA to obtain info. Governor's office also stonewalled requests from Senate Investigations Committee for ISP info for Spitzer's and staff's e-mail enabled devices such as their Blackberrys, so that subpeonas could not be issued. SPITZER assumed direct control of the Ethics and Lobbying commissions. After Setting $10,000 Limit, Spitzer Helps Donors Skirt It...Directing more than $1 million in gifts to the Democratic Party since a vow of reform. " [-D. Hakim NYTimes 3-4-2008] Then it was CONFIRMED that SPITZER directly demanded his staff 'GET BRUNO!', used State Police to fabricate travel docs and planted stories in local press implicating Bruno in using State resources for political trips. *Dicker, NY POST DEC 24 2007.

The Hevesi implosion and Bruno brou ha ha were some of the scandales of 2006 election campaign forward. We should have knwon the whole thing would nearly melt down by summer 2009! But there is no excuse for REVOLUTIONARY tactics of DEMs locking out Repubs., locking records and taking over the rostrum etc. to freeze out the Republicans "just" because 2 DEMs switched sides to make REPUBs the new majority. 1 went back, forcing a 31-31 tie between DEMs and Repubs. It turned into a chaotic shouting match and turf war in the Chamber itself. DEMs must accept the numbers as they are.

SPITZER gone. HEVESI is long gone. Final sentencing FEB9 2007 Hevesi got no jail time, only a tongue-lashing and a fine. He used an aide and another state employee to drive his wife around at least five days a week from taking office 2003 it look like he had not intended to report services as taxes or remburse the state until he was called out on it. OCT 25 records show two Hevesi trips to Vegas and two to Israel, all first class air, that are not clearly official business. State Senm. H. Monserrate [Queens NYC] 9-14 went on trial -by judge, NO jury for him will keep an ugly video private- for allegedly slashing his girlfriend with a jagged piece of glass. [-"Monserrate the weasel" DailyNews ED 9-15-2009] A. Seminiero (D-Queens) NY Assembly resigned 6-23-2009 wiill plead quilty, after charges SEPT 2008 of pocketing $1mil in payoff "through a sham consulting company that offered favors to entities with business before the state." 1999-2008 and further FED charges MAR 2009 of a job for him for a vote shakedown [-NYTimes, DailyNews 6-24-2009].

State Sen Guy Velella pleaded guilty in a bribery probe and was convicted of a felony May 2004 for taking $137k in bribes from his clients who got state contracts after the Senator got the state to throw out other bids and change the approval process to favor them. Since it is not prohibited by law, he kept his Pension and also got a $10k BONUS[!] from Senate leader BRUNO *AFTER* he went to prison [and got a favor of very early release too]. Dem R. Green resigned from the Assembly, pleaded guilty Feb 2004 to taking free rides to-from Albany from a state contractor and then billing NY State for travel expenses and from the same investigation, Assemblywoman Gloria Davis from the BX pleaded guilty to bribery in accepting similar rides from a contractor to the prison system.

Lowest of the low? "Air Silver" Sheldon Silver should be roasted slowly and probed in all his financial affairs! But he was relected primary and election NOV 2008 in a landslide. Too bad he, Hevesi, Bruno and Spitzer could not be sent to some dessert island! Silver accumulated hundreds of thousands of bonus air miles on taxpayer's dime flying NYC to Albany via air shuttle to DC [-Gershman, NYSun Sept 29 2008] at costs of $400 to $800. And there ARE a few DIRECT NYC<->Albany flights, but most officials are go by road or AMTRAK. On leaving State govt he is can keep the miles for personal use! NYC to Albany via DC by air takes a hour or so longer than the drive he can have his state provided car and diver could take! Silver brushed off any taint from [NYPost 10-10-2003] a detailed a Comptroller audit finding questionable $288,405 [of $1.78Mil already generous expenses] spending on first-class entertainment, apparel, personal services and Chevy TAHOE SUVs on themselves by the NYC Economic Development Corporation during a two year period into 2002, that is some Giuliani and some Bloomberg time. Sheldon Silver stonewalled, Caesars would not cooperate at all at first, and State Atty General Spitzer "a Democrat who has Silver's backing to run for governor" is reluctant to pursue leads to other State officials, especially Republican, who accepted freebies at Caesers Las Vegas - NYPost disclosed that Silver paid $150 night for $1500 night suite and access to a VIP concierge and casino area in late 2001, but he is denying any benefits from Caesars and said he will only send a written statement - not appear under subpoena before the NYS Lobbying Commission [-NYPost 7-19-04 "New Twist in Silver's gold plated Las Vegas junket"].

Brooklyn Boro Borough Pres. Markowitz is certainly a fat rat [fat cat wanna-be]. [Calder, NYPost 10-14-08-]"Sure pays for Marty to be Mike's buddy" since City Hall funneled min $3.3 mil, maybe $5.6 million total [City and State and his 'own' budget from NYC] for projects in BK to favored non-profits thru Markowiz's Borough Pres. office since 2003, plus his non profits got up to over $1mil from developer of NETS arena etc. Bruce Ratner's various entities. This Borough President's office benefits more than any or all the other combined in the amount of tax dollars kicked in, and Markowtiz is proud of the money he umm gets to Brooklyn for um culture [Best of Brooklyn Inc., Seaside Summer Concert Series, Martin Luther King Concert Series]; additionally Post revealed SEPT 2008 that Markowitz awarded $700k in no-bid City contracts to Best of Brooklyn!

Markowitz received a free 6-day cruise back from aboard the Queen Mary II though he paid for his own flight to London, for his efforts to promote and aid Cunard in making Brooklyn its new NYC home and giving 3 short Brooklyn promo talks on board]..the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board gave its OK before the trip on the posh liner! What a "job"! Markowitz also denied he kicked nine Community Board members out of CB 6 by not re-appointing them in MAY 2007 because they voted against the Atlantic Yards project.* *per audits, KIPP Academy CHARTER schools used $68,000 to take Carribbean "staff development retreats" Bahamas and Dominican Jun2005 and Jun 2006. ["School's Carib staff trips ripped" Daily News 12-7-2007] Oh they say they keep private and public money seperate but the AUDIT could not prove funds used were donated. We regular city employees do not get to play with private money!* *NOV 2007 -Dem operatives /Hillary people [well!] trashed Giuliani over expenses of official NYC security put up at hotels while he was in Hampton scr- umm seeing Judi Nathan, provided some security for HER as soon as their affair began in 1999 [and full time JAN 2001] and chauffered her in unmarked city way before Giuliani seperation asked for as "outed" the affair in a news conference MAY 10 2000.*

Bonds or Bust

The state and city each spend $billions yearly in debt service. We are obligated to pay bondholders over nearly every govt expenditure - and not very quickly either. *"New York's debt service costs are 44 per cent higher, as a percentage of personal income, than the national average." Debt service on Y2000 MTA bond issue added to huge debt and $436 to max $1-$2Bil deficit they need to cover as much as possible with a big fare increase in 2005. MAY 16 2003 Standard & Poors NY State rating dropped to "negative" outlook joining 12 others. NY has the second worst credit rating of any state. As of JUNE 2005, NYCity long-term debt was nearly $48.2Billion [Bloomberg, the brilliant prudent financial manager, whos zooming who?] It was projected to be $62.4Bil in 2015 by the NYC Independent Budget office] and a near-record 17 percent of the budget would go to debt service by 2010. Godd times and endless umm real estate and finance sector profits, in 2007 the Bloomberg admin increased NYC per-capital budget debt by 40 percent, from $5,083 to $7,096. The majority of taxpayers in this highest State and local taxed part of the country, cannot afford to shelter income by investing in various tax-free muni-bonds usually start at min $10,000 a pop. *NYC bond rating upped 5-22-2006 to AA- by S&P, could save NYC "tens of millions" in payments - umm 2009 I have not heard what it is now.*

These bonds even then had very extended maturies because those two Bx towns did it on the eve of the New York City [was MANHATTAN only-] annexing the West Bx. Most new muni- bonds mature in 30 years.

HUNG by OUR B___S by the "AUTHORITIES". Most State debt DOES legally requires voter approval but 93%[!] was NOT put up for vote. No public approval of approx. the "Authorities" debt is required so there is NO effective limit on state-issued debt..somewhow only the very largest bond issues every few years are ever voted on. That amount increased to $140+ billion in mid 2009! They influence our lives as much on a daily basis as our elected officials. They are a priviliged army of 107,613 working for the 255 statewide or regional authorities [plus a few hundred local ones], and operate with budget totaled $31.3billion [200_] with HIGHLY compen$ated board members who lord over them [-> US]. In SPRING 2006-TOTAL NY State debt of all sources was approx $227Billion [-Citizens Budget Commission report, see NYTImes 4-6-06]. $45BIL to be repaid thru State revenue, $86BIL by local governments [incl $52Bil by NYC], $56Bil by "specific projects" and $40Bil debt issued by such as universities and hospitals! NYState debt to revenue then was third worst behind MASS and Hawaii!

Transportation Bond Acts such as NOV 2005 $2.9Bil one was that was approved voted -yes-. The MTA is the AUTHORITY from HELL. With Pataki looked to spend his way to futher his and NYState Republican power in a growing budget lacking enough fund$, some of the $$ needed came from what would have been MTA funding; Giuliani also cut back on city funds to MTA pushing up MTA to borrow in the clutches of BEAR STEARNS existing $12billion debt was restructured in a package worth hundreds of millions to [now defunct] Bear Stearns as $10bil bonds/ more debt added so it went up to $22bil in 1995/1996 that has escalated since. [Lesser and Smith, "MTA Brass On Runaway Cash Train" DailyNews 12-18-2007] MTA "Chief" + 7 MTA agency Presidents [salaries approx $163,000 to $265k + deferred comp + housing allowances -well not for MTA and LI Bus Presidents- to $60,000 irregardless of any NYC residences!], "only" six CFOs, and seperate auditors, HR, payroll and legal staff for EACH. MTA acquired but not integrate municipal transit authories and private lines over the years. ->[JAN 27 2008->MTA announced it will consolidate 7 finance, HR, IT into a "central business service center" though costing $170 to $235mil will pay for itself in 5 years than saving $40mil a year with elimination of 242 administrative positions plus one-time $50mil saving from new centralised software for payroll instead of seperate updates.

PATAKI found another way to futher debt without voter approval by creating PIT Bonds that seems to be in contrary to Article 7 of the State Constitution. Interest on PIT them are required to be serviced with 25% of the payroll witholding and other payments on that debt are from the general fund- boy are we getting f__ - In 2007 -interest payments- on PIT debt will be $800mil part of record debt service on all the State debt of over $7 BILLION estimated in 2007. -see [Marlin, NYPost 1-11-2007, "Gov Must Tackle NY's PIT of Doom"] The Dormitory Authority, Empire State Dev Corp[-started 1968 as NY Urban Dev. Corp to build low-income housing!], Thruway Auth, Housing Finance Auth, Environmental Facilities Auth ran up $81.Bil in debt not subject to any approval by voters for projects pushed through by Governor, S Silver, J Bruno [who also are the "Public Authorities Control Board"] for their buds since 2001. [See MORE->] on ESDC outright grants/giveaways, and other business sweetheart deals.

In 2004 Sheldon Silver-Joe Bruno committed to borrow $4.2 billion to cover $11.5 billion shortfall had been projected by issuing bonds that are backed by funds from the dubious national tobacco settlement of 1998 revenue coming from future cigarette purchases. If it *doesn't, it will cost the taxpayers up to $400 mil a year for 20 years; the bondholders will be paid by and of course are guaranteed by our income taxes. [JULY 2003 - NYC declined do similar with "promised" $715mil of the settlement]. Prob to cost NY taxpayer MORE BILLIONS -another action and settlement by activist group-judge re: NYC share of State funding for NYC public schools may obligate NYState to send NYC $23Bil more over 5 years- that money doesn't exist. It has to be gotten from the public one way or another in new taxes, fees, -shams and scams-govt sanctioned gambling!-[NYPost 3-27-06- Pataki -the Gambling Governor - LOTTERY sales in increased from $2.4Bil 1993-94 last year of CUOMO in office to $6.2Bil 2004-05. 2008- there are 12,000 video lottery /slot terminals at racetracks and Gov want to add more, at Aqueduct, first likely developement scheme was unveiled OCT 2008.

There is no NYC Olympics 2012 or Jets-Westside Stadium. Were WE being totally bamboozled? Congratulations, London. Congrats, NJ! Juan Gonzalez Daily News 5-24-05 said "To make the Jets football field suitable for track and field, the city would have to extend it over the West Side Highway. This would cost several hundred million dollars and require a federal environmental impact review."-because of the size of the site! In any case, NO parking spaces were to be built- no tailgating in any enclosed garage and NO drinking [Ord. 10-25] OUTSIDE in NYC! A STUPID plan for majority of JETS fans who tailgate - eat cook and drink pregame in the parking lot! Did the JETs really believe fans would take the train in? Jets - W Side Stadium *without* Olympics NY 2012 would cost the city and state [taxpayers] a huge amount-NY City and State were committing $600 million in direct spending for the stadium and "tens of millions" more in NY State sales and mortgage tax exemptions. Of the 3 bid packages, only the Jets bid included the stadium. The teams and the NFL pressed NY for final approval before lawsuits were heard, before supposed NFL deadline for voting on site for 2010 Super Bowl[!], but it did not happen as S Silver and J Bruno delayed vote approval of Public Auth Control Board.

Why didn't hey consider a new MSG there as part of Javits reconstruction plans whhich would make it a true convention center? This would free WHOLE MSG site as VORNADO is planning to do anyway. If NYC got OLYMPICS 2012, the new stadium and an Olympic village should have been in Flushing. The newly created westside special development district in the adjacent area will require billions in bonds backed by taxes on a to be issued to cover associated infrastructure costs for all of it. -In mid 2006 NYC aquired the MTA 11Av railyards to control this part of the Westside plan.- Post 9-11 we also have fed-aided Liberty Bonds subsidizing downtown landlords and developers [I'd say it is squandered fed aid to those who don't really need it], a new LMDC [Lower Manh Dev Corp- an "authority"] to rebuild the WTC site. Otherwise, one Development Agency - (City) Industrial Development Agency itself issued, since 1974, $5 Billion in bonds. 'Officials' say that helped retain 140,000 jobs. (note that there are 5 more similar Agencies). Maybe this is all so, with even the Housing Projects put up 50+ years ago with Bond money. New York's approx. 733 public authorities issued about $70billion in bonds. The NY State FY starts APR 1 [NYC starts July 1]. The State budget in 2004 was the latest ever in *any* State's history- first parts passed AUG 10 2004. One-off fund raising measures, debt and tax increases covered that deficit.

A brave, but token Fed/ NYS-NYC effort finally being made in 2009 to stop some drug smugggling thorugh the The St. Regis - Mohawk tribe / AKWESASNE reservation. [-see B. Hamilton, "Narcs Are Tribal Thumpers ..NYPD takes on Indians to halt billion-$$ flow", NYPost Nov 8 2009]. They stopped sale of some Canadian-hydrponic pot that was street $600 oz.! The reservation is said to be home to estimated 100 millionaires amongst the 21,000 just regular ol poorer 'Indians'! The St. Larence River lands/islands Canadian-border straddling reservation is hijacked by its own heavily armed "mafia" that smuggles weapons, drugs especially ecstasy and $1bil in pot over 10 yrs [big part of NYC supply] , counterfeit goods, 3,600 illegal CHINESE [huh?] amongst other illegals and shooting of NY troopers, border agents, Canadian Army and RCMP. Violent protests outside the upstate reservation have stopped enforcement efforts to block or collect taxes on tribes their illegal tax-free cigarette sales at [and by internet from ] the reservations. "New York's refusal to collect taxes on the resale of untaxed cigarettes by Native American reservation - a policy called "forbearance" - has created an incredible opportunity for criminal enterprises." His Congressional investigation showed million$ from the profits DOES go overseas terrorist such as HAMAS and HEZBOLLAH. [-Rep. Peter King, "Smuggled Butts: The Terror Ties" NYPost 4-30-2008] not to mention $800+mil cig tax loss to NYState in 2008!

Under Gov Pataki early 2007 scheme and Spitzer following up on privatising the lottery to favored investment company buds was hatched and overtures quitely made to them - the Gov sought $4bil for university funds by leasing lottery did not get far without those firms demanding more control- imagine the price the public will have to pay somehow for them to get their money's worth![-from item in Crain's Insider 1-16-2008] Gov Pataki announced agreements Nov 2004 with Cayuga tribe and the Seneca-Cayuga tribe [way back pushed out to OKLAHOMA] for casinos on NY State Catskill land. March 2005 US Supreme Court ruling forced a scale back of his Vegas-in-Catskills plan - that tribes could not aquire former reservation lands and declare tham as solely under under their jurisdiction equal to current reservations [affects gambling]. JAN 2008- the US Interior Secretary disallowed what Gov Pataki started APRIL 2005 towards a new agreement for one casino in the Catkills to open at MONTICELLO RACEWAY intended to be operated by St. Regis Mohawks. Gov Spitzer 2007 tried to implement the delayed agreement with tribe[s] to build a Catskill casino especially since Trump [of a couple of Atlantic City Casinos] said he will no longer block it thru the applicable Federal Agencies concerned which must "recognize" the tribes. A NY CT of Appeals found video gambling and Indian casinos LEGAL 5-3-2005. The Cayuga is a heavy contributor to both parties, DEM members who are tight with new Gov Sptizer, to State Senator Bruno, and to the National Republican party. Tax revenues and local property values aside, the deal was primarily initiated due to pressure on NY to settle tribes 200-year old land claims of $250+mil and 64,000 acres in finger lakes area of NY and resolve other fees and and [taxes from] sale of cigs and alcohol by the tribe[s] to non-"Indians."

ANOTHER mess with Indian land claims in NY are Onondaga claim to 108 square mile of central [including land where city of Syracuse is] NY, and disputes over 4 lands sales and a 1788 treaty. A suit was filed March 2005, the tribe says goaded by new and indaquate NY cleanup plans for nearby lake Onondaga, which used to be at the heart of their lands. The tribe says it is not seeking to build casinos, but want a tax-exempt territory for tribal economic development. Other deals were under way with 5 other tribes for more Casinos over land-claims. Shinnecock [L.I.] Indians eyeing prime Hampton area land for a casino, which may stated to be built after fed. approval / recognition expected in 2009. Just to have options, they intended to to build even a BIGGER one [announced OCT 2007] at AQUEDUCT Raceway in QUEENS-if they had to / are allowed to trade the HAMPTONS land claim for the raceway site. Other tribes - the ones from CT that already have Casinos there are making bids- so far this is a non-violent Indian war! But in any case, the State accepted bids for operating 4,500 gambling terminals at Aqueduct. What is never under public scrutiny are the tribes non-Indian partners who really have the know how to operate gambling. Pataki and pals counted on $325Mil from video gambling towards $848Mil increased funding due NYC because of court fair-share ruling FEH!!- [former] Yonkers Raceway became a Slots casino OCT 2006. There was also talk about NY sports betting, maybe NYC video gambling parlors! [see Nicole Gelinas, NYPost 12-14-2004 "Running N.Y. on...Vice"]-"Bid for casino royale" NYPost 1-1-2007 "Untalachtigo Band of the Lenni-Lenape Nation filed a lawsuit [in Camden NJ] to try to take 1,500 prime north NJ acres at ALPINE above the Palisades for casios, and 1,500 acres in south NJ for a family oriented casino resort and the 150 remaining tribe members are offering a cut to the State..all because of 3,000 acres of other reservation land sold out from under them in 1801 without necessary FED approval.

With 'dead dot coms' followed by post 9-11 economic losses, NYC put off many expenditures. According to NY Times-Metro Section article 9-15-96 "[v]oter approved debt represents about one-sixth of total State debt. And total State debt is projected to increase by over $1 billion a year through 2001, even if the bond act fails." I voted NO - but the [Environmental Bonds- I barely remember!] it passed. Well, (Louisiana is the bottom) the Bond issue was supposed to fund the over $100 million needed to convert 280 remaining coal burning boilers in Public Schools..yes, coal..in Public Schools that are 70, 80 years old. A $2.4 billion bond issue was on the ballot for the schools in Nov. 97..they said $15 billion was really needed...to make up for a record of failure. Nov 2005 ballot Transportation Bond Act [$2.9Bil] passed..in 2000 a similar Act was voted down.