Monday, March 26, 2007
Audrey is getting bigger
We had our 4 month checkup today... and she's still in the 95th percentile for length, weight, and head circumference. Yup, she's growing like a weed! Of course, today also meant shots... which weren't particularly appreciated. So, it was also a long day for the little one. Here's some new pics to enjoy!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Nice When Your Projects Pan Out
Well, one of the many projects I've been working on for the past year or so for Infotonics finally panned out. While I'm getting absolutely no credit, I'll at least be kindof boastful on my own weblog.
This will ultimately result in the creation of a new business incubator in the Rochester region. We're already lining up companies to fill the space, and I'm hoping if we have a dozen companies located here, we can help them grow some significant news jobs. Now if some of the other things I've been working on also pan out, Infotonics itself will have a whole lot more sound financial future.
Here's the story that ran in today's D&C:
$3M grant to expand Infotonics Center
Matched by state, it's expected to result in as many as 200 jobs.
Daniel Wallace
Staff writer
(March 22, 2007) — A number of high-paying jobs could be on the way to the Rochester area, thanks to a $3 million federal grant awarded Wednesday to the Infotonics Center in Canandaigua.
The grant, which was provided by the Economic Development Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, will help the Canandaigua high-tech center expand its operations by 10 percent.
President and Chief Executive Officer David R. Smith said the expansion could generate as much as $130 million in private investments in the greater Rochester region.
"This expansion is important to our mission of creating high-tech jobs in western New York ... and is a significant investment for us," said the CEO.
According to Smith, the money will be matched by New York state, giving the technology company $6 million to enlarge its 120,000 square-foot facility.
"This grant is a huge boost to the Infotonics Center and Canandaigua," said Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, who helped secure the grant.
Kuhl said the research efforts in microsystems, photonics, optics and information technology "are things that we only dreamed about a few years ago, and now that research is spinning off into job and revenue-creating businesses right here in our area."
According to a news release from Kuhl's office, the $3 million investment would help renovate the incubator space for startup photonics, information systems and optics businesses. It would also help in the construction of the Infotonics Commercialization Center and in the process could create about 200 jobs for region.
Infotonics helps smaller companies and entrepreneurs explore emerging technologies and new applications.
The Infotonics Center specializes in semiconductor microsystems, which are used to support televisions, inkjet printers and airbag censors.
In addition to the new funding, the Infotonics Center was the recipient of $1 million in defense research funding in the 2007 Defense Appropriations bill and $2 million in the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill.
"This investment will help Canandaigua generate a commercial environment that will attract entrepreneurs, business and capital," U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said in a statement supporting the project.
DJWALLAC@DemocratandChronicle.com
This will ultimately result in the creation of a new business incubator in the Rochester region. We're already lining up companies to fill the space, and I'm hoping if we have a dozen companies located here, we can help them grow some significant news jobs. Now if some of the other things I've been working on also pan out, Infotonics itself will have a whole lot more sound financial future.
Here's the story that ran in today's D&C:
$3M grant to expand Infotonics Center
Matched by state, it's expected to result in as many as 200 jobs.
Daniel Wallace
Staff writer
(March 22, 2007) — A number of high-paying jobs could be on the way to the Rochester area, thanks to a $3 million federal grant awarded Wednesday to the Infotonics Center in Canandaigua.
The grant, which was provided by the Economic Development Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, will help the Canandaigua high-tech center expand its operations by 10 percent.
President and Chief Executive Officer David R. Smith said the expansion could generate as much as $130 million in private investments in the greater Rochester region.
"This expansion is important to our mission of creating high-tech jobs in western New York ... and is a significant investment for us," said the CEO.
According to Smith, the money will be matched by New York state, giving the technology company $6 million to enlarge its 120,000 square-foot facility.
"This grant is a huge boost to the Infotonics Center and Canandaigua," said Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, who helped secure the grant.
Kuhl said the research efforts in microsystems, photonics, optics and information technology "are things that we only dreamed about a few years ago, and now that research is spinning off into job and revenue-creating businesses right here in our area."
According to a news release from Kuhl's office, the $3 million investment would help renovate the incubator space for startup photonics, information systems and optics businesses. It would also help in the construction of the Infotonics Commercialization Center and in the process could create about 200 jobs for region.
Infotonics helps smaller companies and entrepreneurs explore emerging technologies and new applications.
The Infotonics Center specializes in semiconductor microsystems, which are used to support televisions, inkjet printers and airbag censors.
In addition to the new funding, the Infotonics Center was the recipient of $1 million in defense research funding in the 2007 Defense Appropriations bill and $2 million in the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill.
"This investment will help Canandaigua generate a commercial environment that will attract entrepreneurs, business and capital," U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said in a statement supporting the project.
DJWALLAC@DemocratandChronicle.com
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Yay! More Baby Pics!
Here's some new baby pics from earlier today. Does she look like she's up for a fight in that one pic?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Simon Cowell is Lost
I'm sitting here watching American Idol, and the first male contestant of the night just finished. I thought he was pretty darn good. He joined the military after September 11th, and seems like a really likable guy. Plus his voice was really good. It kindof had a Sting-like quality. Randy and Paula gave their typically banal reaction, though they were positive responses, and then Simon described him as a good karaoke singer. Hmmm... if this guy's karaoke, I'm going to start going to karaoke concerts, cause he was pretty damn good. But I think Simon has lost touch with what it's going to take to win. Apparently he hasn't been watching his own show, cause it has little to do with the best talent, and more to do with who connects with the audience, or who has something "freakish" about them that voters can exploit and force the general public to see week after week.
Simon is apparently under the impression that talent has something to do with winning. This can't be the case. Other than Kelly Clarkson (who is talented - but also a pretty hot chick who undoubtedly won on her looks too), the others are all kindof freakish. Rueben Studdard is the incredibly fat black guy (or incredibly black fat guy?), Fantasia is freakishly, uh freakish, and Taylor Hicks has GREY HAIR and is also really weird. Oh yeah, I forgot about Carrie Underwood, who won in a particularly un-exciting fashion, and is pretty darn forgetable. She also won on her looks. Who was she up against? Some ugly dude? I don't even remember!
So Simon, get a grip. This contest has nothing to do with who is most likely to be a pop star. Or a rock star. Or any kind of star, other than perhaps freak show. None of the current contestants is outwardly freakish - maybe something will show up over the next few weeks. Perhaps "Beatbox dude" will wow us week after week with his beatboxing... which might be weird enough to keep him around forever - getting rid of better singers. I think Simon believes he's still on Pop Idol - but American's like to support weirdos, and I almost guarantee that another weirdo will win this year.
Simon is apparently under the impression that talent has something to do with winning. This can't be the case. Other than Kelly Clarkson (who is talented - but also a pretty hot chick who undoubtedly won on her looks too), the others are all kindof freakish. Rueben Studdard is the incredibly fat black guy (or incredibly black fat guy?), Fantasia is freakishly, uh freakish, and Taylor Hicks has GREY HAIR and is also really weird. Oh yeah, I forgot about Carrie Underwood, who won in a particularly un-exciting fashion, and is pretty darn forgetable. She also won on her looks. Who was she up against? Some ugly dude? I don't even remember!
So Simon, get a grip. This contest has nothing to do with who is most likely to be a pop star. Or a rock star. Or any kind of star, other than perhaps freak show. None of the current contestants is outwardly freakish - maybe something will show up over the next few weeks. Perhaps "Beatbox dude" will wow us week after week with his beatboxing... which might be weird enough to keep him around forever - getting rid of better singers. I think Simon believes he's still on Pop Idol - but American's like to support weirdos, and I almost guarantee that another weirdo will win this year.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Downtown Housing Developments
There've been a few stories in the local media recently about the boom in downtown housing developments. This is in the wake of such projects as the $15 million Sagamore on East project, the new condos built between Scio Street and The Little Theatre, and a ton of loft apartment projects going on within the inner loop. All really good stuff. And the new projects being planned are also fantastic - the new apartments to be added behind the project around The Little on Charlotte Street, two residential projects in High Falls - one a redo of the last old building down there, and the other a partnership with the Urban League and Kodak. Plus, my personal favorite, re-doing the old bath house building component into housing. In fact, I looked at that property a couple years ago too as a possible office building for a mix of small companies. Capron Place still needs a new buyer, as the original developer apparently went broke, but that will also be a great project across the street from the bath house.
So, I get a little disoriented when I start reading my New York Times Sunday Magazine and I see ads for new apartment buildings down there, with condos STARTING at anywhere from $1,500,000 or $1,950,000 up to $7,000,000. Wow. It makes you realize the nature of the real estate business! Here the debate has been over spending $7,000,000 on buying the Midtown complex from a NYC firm and managing redevelopment locally, which in NYC, $7 million gets you a nice place to live! For examples, check out here and here.
Not to mention, these new apartment buildings are AMAZING. They're basically giant glass towers with amazing views all around. Waterfront locations too. Now, the City of Rochester did this charette thing a few months ago - with one of the more interesting components being a 15 story residential building located on the site of the old parking garage helix. I think it's a fantastic idea - though the design sketch was kindof lame. It was very traditional and old fashioned. I wish we could be a little more forward thinking when it comes to architectural designs in the City - like the Strong Museum - but apparently design risks are one of the risks the community isn't willing to take.
So, I get a little disoriented when I start reading my New York Times Sunday Magazine and I see ads for new apartment buildings down there, with condos STARTING at anywhere from $1,500,000 or $1,950,000 up to $7,000,000. Wow. It makes you realize the nature of the real estate business! Here the debate has been over spending $7,000,000 on buying the Midtown complex from a NYC firm and managing redevelopment locally, which in NYC, $7 million gets you a nice place to live! For examples, check out here and here.
Not to mention, these new apartment buildings are AMAZING. They're basically giant glass towers with amazing views all around. Waterfront locations too. Now, the City of Rochester did this charette thing a few months ago - with one of the more interesting components being a 15 story residential building located on the site of the old parking garage helix. I think it's a fantastic idea - though the design sketch was kindof lame. It was very traditional and old fashioned. I wish we could be a little more forward thinking when it comes to architectural designs in the City - like the Strong Museum - but apparently design risks are one of the risks the community isn't willing to take.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Trader Joe's Too Good for Rochester?
The Rochester D&C did an article recently on the difficulty of locating a grocery store in downtown Rochester. One company they interviewed was Trader Joe's. Apparently, Rochester is not on their radar. Really? I wonder if the success of Wegman's could possibly be our own worst enemy? I'm sure Trader Joe's is aware of Wegman's. And I'm also betting that like almost every other grocery store chain in the nation, they fear Wegman's tremendously. The basic reaction of the crappy grocery store chains is, "Oh shit... Wegman's... we're in trouble." From what I can see, this is because Wegman's is really, really, really good. They don't look at it like they're doing us a favor by providing groceries. They recognize the importance of the customer and treat them extremely well.
But this doesn't address the Trader Joe's (or any other niche grocery chain) not coming to Rochester. Clearly, there is a need for a downtown grocery store. And The Sagamore on East *might* be a good place for it, but god only knows. It would seem, however, that the East End would be a great location for a Grocery in the City. It's strategically located in one of the fastest growing areas of the City - and it's continuing to grow. There's going to be another great development on Charlotte street which will further boost residential numbers in the City. Given all the other new residential in the area, that screams "market opportunity" to me. Especially for a small format, Trader Joe's style grocery chain. Sure, Green Grocer just opened up on South Avenue, but they're not open really long hours, and they're closed entirely on Sundays. If the trend continues, I'm sure something will pop up. I'd love it to be Trader Joe's, but I won't hold my breath.
But this doesn't address the Trader Joe's (or any other niche grocery chain) not coming to Rochester. Clearly, there is a need for a downtown grocery store. And The Sagamore on East *might* be a good place for it, but god only knows. It would seem, however, that the East End would be a great location for a Grocery in the City. It's strategically located in one of the fastest growing areas of the City - and it's continuing to grow. There's going to be another great development on Charlotte street which will further boost residential numbers in the City. Given all the other new residential in the area, that screams "market opportunity" to me. Especially for a small format, Trader Joe's style grocery chain. Sure, Green Grocer just opened up on South Avenue, but they're not open really long hours, and they're closed entirely on Sundays. If the trend continues, I'm sure something will pop up. I'd love it to be Trader Joe's, but I won't hold my breath.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
BUMBO!
Let me repeat.... BUMBO! This is a big pink plastic chair that kind of molds to Audrey's shape to keep her sitting upright. This kiddo LOVES to be upright. In fact, when she goes from being held over mommy or daddy's shoulder to being held in our arms, her face slowly transforms from happy baby, to concerned baby, to angry baby and eventually to magenta rageful baby.
Anyway, here are some pics of her in her new Bumbo. She'll probably enjoy it more later, cause it was just before bedtime when we tried this out. Enjoy!
Anyway, here are some pics of her in her new Bumbo. She'll probably enjoy it more later, cause it was just before bedtime when we tried this out. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Audrey pics!
Wanted to post some new Audrey pictures.... from Christmas and some recent ones done on some black velvet. Who can go wrong with naked baby pics?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
James Brown? Nope. Hardest Working Man in Showbiz is....
Ron Jeremy. OK, maybe not in 2007. His only film credit 9 days into 2007 is "Homo Erectus," what I'm sure is pure gold! Gold Jeremey! Gold! And come on, NINE days into 2007, that should be nine porno movies, but he's been so busy over his career he can afford to take a break. This is a man who's been in 975 movies from his beginnings in "Coed Teasers" as Dr. Burns (Mr. Burns' brother?) in 1978 until this year's movie where he plays someone named "Oog". And that doesn't include 134 instances of him being a director, 8 writing credits, and about 137 television credits, including this year's fantastic "The Surreal Life: Fame Games". I just watched the first episode, and with these kinds of numbers, Ron is definately A-List. He's worked harder, er, more frequently, than anyone else in showbusiness, except for maybe Mickey Rooney, who was in a much less impressive 305 movies or shorts between 1926 and 2007.
Friday, December 29, 2006
City School District Fraud story...
I thought this was particularly interesting: State sues over defrauding of city schools.
A quick snippet from the story:
The district's former chief financial officer, Henry Marini, is named in the lawsuit, along with the Perrys, Spier, Filtered Internet Solutions Inc., Compression Technologies Inc., Partner Relationship Management Inc., Performance Brands Online Inc. and Perimeter Security Consulting Inc.
Spitzer's office said Andrew and Karen Perry and Peter Spier, with Marini's help, got 13 consulting contracts with the city using seven different company names. Twelve were for amounts between $24,000 and $24,900, which the state alleges was designed to evade review. The district requires school board approval of contracts for $25,000 or more.
What is interesting to me is, about 3 years ago, a former business associate mentioned that we should try and get a contract with the city school district. That, essentially, Henry Marini did these "deals" and that there was tons of money even though they (the Rochester City School District) were always claiming to be broke. Needless to say, it was not something we pursued - particularly given the amount of bad press that could occur given the school district's public perception. Not to mention, this kind of thing didn't pass the "smell test," and now apparently was obviously worse than fishy.
It's sad to see that there are so many people out there who claim to care about the community, but in reality don't care at ALL about stealing from the community because "everybody's doin' it!"
A quick snippet from the story:
The district's former chief financial officer, Henry Marini, is named in the lawsuit, along with the Perrys, Spier, Filtered Internet Solutions Inc., Compression Technologies Inc., Partner Relationship Management Inc., Performance Brands Online Inc. and Perimeter Security Consulting Inc.
Spitzer's office said Andrew and Karen Perry and Peter Spier, with Marini's help, got 13 consulting contracts with the city using seven different company names. Twelve were for amounts between $24,000 and $24,900, which the state alleges was designed to evade review. The district requires school board approval of contracts for $25,000 or more.
What is interesting to me is, about 3 years ago, a former business associate mentioned that we should try and get a contract with the city school district. That, essentially, Henry Marini did these "deals" and that there was tons of money even though they (the Rochester City School District) were always claiming to be broke. Needless to say, it was not something we pursued - particularly given the amount of bad press that could occur given the school district's public perception. Not to mention, this kind of thing didn't pass the "smell test," and now apparently was obviously worse than fishy.
It's sad to see that there are so many people out there who claim to care about the community, but in reality don't care at ALL about stealing from the community because "everybody's doin' it!"
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Audrey with Aunt Alison and Uncle Russ
What's really remarkable about these pictures is that Russ is actually HOLDING Audrey. He was clearly afraid of breaking the baby.... but after a little reassurance, he caved. Audrey was screaming bloody murder for a little while, but she eventually calmed down for some nice quite pics! Enjoy!
For a bit of compairson... here's Russ's expression on Friday... can you say worried?
For a bit of compairson... here's Russ's expression on Friday... can you say worried?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Audrey Lyn Gottfried
Everyone, please welcome Ms. Audrey Lyn Gottfried! Audrey was born on Friday, December 1st at 10:36pm. She was 8 pounds 9.2 ounces. Here are some of the first pictures of our little daughter - still less than 1 day old!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Cheesecake Factory coming to Rochestser!
Woo-hoo! According to WHAM-TV 13 last night, The Cheesecake Factory is coming to Rochester! Here's the story: WHAM TV 13. Well, we had heard rumors a few months ago that they might be coming here - albeit I heard it would be at another, crappy location. This is the PERFECT location (other than downtown). I don't quite get the "this will be one of their smaller markets," piece... considering the metro is 49th largest in the USA.
Maybe now some smart folks at the other big chains will recognize the Rochester Metro as an important place to be *cough* IKEA *cough* Ruth's Chris Steak House *cough* Nordstroms. (And others, I'm sure... like easy ones! Like SONIC. I mean, how many Sonic commercials do I need to see on TV and not be able to give them my money?)
Thoughts on other national chains to come in here would be appreciated!
Maybe now some smart folks at the other big chains will recognize the Rochester Metro as an important place to be *cough* IKEA *cough* Ruth's Chris Steak House *cough* Nordstroms. (And others, I'm sure... like easy ones! Like SONIC. I mean, how many Sonic commercials do I need to see on TV and not be able to give them my money?)
Thoughts on other national chains to come in here would be appreciated!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The Weather's Fine!
For all those people out there who think Rochester weather is doom and gloom most of the year, here's the forecast for the next five days, following yesterday's beautiful, sunny, 63-degree day:
Toady: 62, sunny
Tomorrow: 59, mix of sun and clouds
Tuesday: 56, partly sunny
Wednesday: 58, sunny, chance of showers
Thursday: 57, rain likely
OK - so, rain's due for Thursday, and the weather will get colder on December 1st, but that's DECEMBER! It's SUPPOSED to be cold. It's been so nice, we even had our front door replaced. In fact, here is a picture of the new front door:
The old door was leaky, didn't shut right, and didn't have a deadbolt. The new door is fibreglass and airtight. And the new screendoor Julie's dad put in for us is a Pella and absolutely AMAZING (as screen doors go). It's got a pull down screen that rolls up into the door when not in use, thus creating no visual barriers. The next couple weeks will be busy with new electrical outlets being added to several rooms and in the front and backyard (as we currently have NO exterior outlets), followed by the entire house getting insulation blown in. They'll have to take off a few rows of siding to gain access to the walls, but everything will looks good as new once it's down. And hopefully the house will retain heat in the winter much better, and stay cooler in the summer. While Julie's dad does all this fantastic stuff, I still REALLY want to replace the basement windows with glass block. It's safer, lets in more light, and is far better insulated.
I sure hope our little baby daughter appreciated all these goodies! She'll be snug as a bug in a rug in her lovely nursery which is all insulated from the cold outdoors. Next BIG project to make it even better - new windows throughout the house. There are 24 of them (not including the basement, and two decorative windows in the dining room and entryway, or two windows that go between the living room and mudroom) which will be a BIG job, probably done in steps. Other projects include getting the chimney paint scraped off, and a crack sealed before it gets worse; re-seal the driveway next spring; finish the backyard landscaping; replaced the main water shut-off valve in the basement; and that's about it. We may also replace the fixtures in the powderroom downstairs, as the current ones are really, uh, BLUE, and don't fit with the style of the house. Damn This Old House Magazine!!! Why do you tempt me with so many home improvement projects?!
Toady: 62, sunny
Tomorrow: 59, mix of sun and clouds
Tuesday: 56, partly sunny
Wednesday: 58, sunny, chance of showers
Thursday: 57, rain likely
OK - so, rain's due for Thursday, and the weather will get colder on December 1st, but that's DECEMBER! It's SUPPOSED to be cold. It's been so nice, we even had our front door replaced. In fact, here is a picture of the new front door:
The old door was leaky, didn't shut right, and didn't have a deadbolt. The new door is fibreglass and airtight. And the new screendoor Julie's dad put in for us is a Pella and absolutely AMAZING (as screen doors go). It's got a pull down screen that rolls up into the door when not in use, thus creating no visual barriers. The next couple weeks will be busy with new electrical outlets being added to several rooms and in the front and backyard (as we currently have NO exterior outlets), followed by the entire house getting insulation blown in. They'll have to take off a few rows of siding to gain access to the walls, but everything will looks good as new once it's down. And hopefully the house will retain heat in the winter much better, and stay cooler in the summer. While Julie's dad does all this fantastic stuff, I still REALLY want to replace the basement windows with glass block. It's safer, lets in more light, and is far better insulated.
I sure hope our little baby daughter appreciated all these goodies! She'll be snug as a bug in a rug in her lovely nursery which is all insulated from the cold outdoors. Next BIG project to make it even better - new windows throughout the house. There are 24 of them (not including the basement, and two decorative windows in the dining room and entryway, or two windows that go between the living room and mudroom) which will be a BIG job, probably done in steps. Other projects include getting the chimney paint scraped off, and a crack sealed before it gets worse; re-seal the driveway next spring; finish the backyard landscaping; replaced the main water shut-off valve in the basement; and that's about it. We may also replace the fixtures in the powderroom downstairs, as the current ones are really, uh, BLUE, and don't fit with the style of the house. Damn This Old House Magazine!!! Why do you tempt me with so many home improvement projects?!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Nursery pictures
Well, haven't had much time to post stuff in a while... so here's a ton of pictures. Most everything is built... except for that big pile of stuff that still needs to be built.
Friday, October 27, 2006
What the hell is WRONG with you people?!
Read this please (from the D&C)....
State Comptroller Alan Hevesi's woes are starting to weigh heavily on voters.
The Democratic comptroller's lead over Republican foe J. Christopher Callaghan has plummeted 28 percentage points since last week --- after he was accused by the state Ethics Commission of violating state law by failing to reimburse the state for using a staffer to drive his ill wife, according to a poll released this morning. The Marist College poll showed Hevesi, leading Callaghan 50 percent to 38 percent among likely voters. That's down from a 62 percent to 22 percent lead a week earlier.
And the problems may be worse for Hevesi: When respondents were told that state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the leading candidate for governor, on Thursday withdrew his endorsement of Hevesi, Hevesi's lead dropped to 44 percent to 43 percent among registered voters, with 13 percent undecided.
However, 58 percent said Hevesi should not resign while 33 percent said he should. Sixty-one percent said Gov. George Pataki should not ask the state Senate to remove Hevesi while 30 percent said he should. Pataki is expected to do so later today.
"It shows a major erosion over the course of the last week," said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff. "They don't think he should resign and they don't support the beginning of any impeachment process." But with less than two weeks before Election Day, Nov. 7, the issue is "at this pace, the question is whether he can bottom out or not," Miringoff said.
The poll conducted Thursday night questioned 509 likely voters with a sampling margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. The poll included 731 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
OK.... what the heck is WRONG with you people? How much FRAUD must take place before it's OK to ask for someone's resignation? I was watching Top Chef the other night, and this one guy actually TOOK HIMSELF OUT OF THE COMPETITION for not paying for a box of lycee. What could that have cost? $200?! We're talking about fraud on NYS taxpayers of at LEAST $80,000, and likely much more. But how apathetic are NYS voters if they don't think Hevesi should resign? Or that the NYS Senate should proceed with impeachment hearings? If it turns out he defrauded the people of New York hundreds of thousands of dollars while at the same time pronouncing his fiscal responsibility isn't there something WRONG going on here? Doesn't that warrant his resignation? Or at least an investigation? Apparently the people of New York are so accustomed to fraud going on here, and have lowered their mores so much that this doesn't matter to them. Foreshame!
State Comptroller Alan Hevesi's woes are starting to weigh heavily on voters.
The Democratic comptroller's lead over Republican foe J. Christopher Callaghan has plummeted 28 percentage points since last week --- after he was accused by the state Ethics Commission of violating state law by failing to reimburse the state for using a staffer to drive his ill wife, according to a poll released this morning. The Marist College poll showed Hevesi, leading Callaghan 50 percent to 38 percent among likely voters. That's down from a 62 percent to 22 percent lead a week earlier.
And the problems may be worse for Hevesi: When respondents were told that state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the leading candidate for governor, on Thursday withdrew his endorsement of Hevesi, Hevesi's lead dropped to 44 percent to 43 percent among registered voters, with 13 percent undecided.
However, 58 percent said Hevesi should not resign while 33 percent said he should. Sixty-one percent said Gov. George Pataki should not ask the state Senate to remove Hevesi while 30 percent said he should. Pataki is expected to do so later today.
"It shows a major erosion over the course of the last week," said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff. "They don't think he should resign and they don't support the beginning of any impeachment process." But with less than two weeks before Election Day, Nov. 7, the issue is "at this pace, the question is whether he can bottom out or not," Miringoff said.
The poll conducted Thursday night questioned 509 likely voters with a sampling margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. The poll included 731 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
OK.... what the heck is WRONG with you people? How much FRAUD must take place before it's OK to ask for someone's resignation? I was watching Top Chef the other night, and this one guy actually TOOK HIMSELF OUT OF THE COMPETITION for not paying for a box of lycee. What could that have cost? $200?! We're talking about fraud on NYS taxpayers of at LEAST $80,000, and likely much more. But how apathetic are NYS voters if they don't think Hevesi should resign? Or that the NYS Senate should proceed with impeachment hearings? If it turns out he defrauded the people of New York hundreds of thousands of dollars while at the same time pronouncing his fiscal responsibility isn't there something WRONG going on here? Doesn't that warrant his resignation? Or at least an investigation? Apparently the people of New York are so accustomed to fraud going on here, and have lowered their mores so much that this doesn't matter to them. Foreshame!
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