Gov. Cuomo's Anti-Corruption Commission Blasts Albany's 'Pay-To-Play' Culture (UPDATED) | New York Daily News

   A panel of seasoned politicians well marinated in New York politics has discovered a "pay to play" culture in Albany. Where have they been all these years ?
    The preliminary report from the Moreland Commission calls to more finance laws and an investigative unit with the Board of Elections.
Gov. Cuomo's Anti-Corruption Commission Blasts Albany's 'Pay-To-Play' Culture (UPDATED) | New York Daily News

WDT: Watertown man vows to keep his fence after City Council refuses to change rule

   Fence scofflaw Jake Johnson says he won't take down the fence at his Mullin Street home but will wait to see if the City does it. That would take an expensive trip to Supreme Court and a continuation of the issue for some time to come.
     City Council declined to change the fence ordinance after the fact for Mr. Johnson who knowingly erected the chain link structure, figuring he could ask for forgiveness later.

Photo: Newzjunky

 

      Council members stood their ground, not wanting to yield under these circumstances. Mr. Johnson says the city should be deciding what is aesthetically pleasing.
    


Watertown Daily Times | Watertown man vows to keep his fence after City Council refuses to change rule

City Awarded $70 K Over Burned Out House

     After tonight's Council meeting a local property owner approached me to tell me the City had won a $70,000 judgment against him for the public cost of demolishing a burned out apartment building on High Street.  I suggested he pay it, or at least get a lawyer to suggest why he shouldn't.
   Council also heard from the  fence meister who wanted relief from a pending legal Blitzkrieg. City Council seemed unsympathetic to the notion of changing a law openly disobeyed, although everyone thought the fence was not offensive.
     Council approved a storage facility at the Northland Plaza and didn't do a heckuva lot else tonight/

Spreading the Gospel of Government Infallibility

      Thanksgiving dinner might best be a time to discuss football or family...but the federal government wants you talking health care and spying.
      The Obama Administration was urging people to discuss Obamacare over dinner, particularly supporters of the ACA using the captive audience at dinner to advance support for the plan.
      Seems the NSA wants its employees to defend spying on America by issuing talking points should feisty family members bring it up.
      We did the same locally. We encouraged city employees to discuss the sign ordinance over turkey and dressing..
      Seriously, isn't it silly the government tries to shape holiday meal conversation ?
The NSA wrote turkey-day talking points, because of course it did

Chief judge to unveil step to close justice gap - Times Union

   More money for legal aid and a requirement lawyers do 50 hours of pro bono as a condition of license. A couple of the New York's top judge, Jonathan Lippman plans to close what he sees as a "justice gap" for the poor.
    Another way might be to stop criminalizing life and arresting so many people.
Chief judge to unveil step to close justice gap - Times Union

WDT:State IG: Justin Taylor and other jail superintendents drove state vehicles for personal use

   If he had been in a neighboring town, he could have filled the vehicle with town gas. It's all government and some people serve at various levels, and it all becomes a blur. Voters can decide if this is significant....Likely, they won't.
Watertown Daily Times | State IG: Justin Taylor and other jail superintendents drove state vehicles for personal use

Cyber Monday the Latest Holiday

    Black Friday, Small Business Saturday...the next stimulus you consumers are expected to respond to is today's Cyber Monday, where Americans are expected to goof off at work shopping on-line.
     Cyber Monday deals