Area leaders demand VLT firm pick
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Albany on December 9, 2009 | No Comments
Frustration is mounting by the day over Gov. David Paterson’s indecision on picking a firm to construct and operate video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Race Track.
“I’m very upset at the governor. I’m very angry at the governor,” state Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) told Community Board 10 last week at a meeting. “Gov. Paterson, more or less, stopped the wheel. The governor hasn’t said, ‘Let’s … Read More »
Bruno conviction parallels Seminerio’s scheme
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Albany on December 9, 2009 | No Comments
Former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Saratoga Springs) was found guilty Monday of two federal corruption charges stemming from his relationship with an Albany businessman.
After deliberating for eight days in federal court in Albany, the jury convicted Bruno on two out of eight counts involving influence peddling in the state’s capital.
Bruno was charged with and found guilty of failing to disclose payments made to … Read More »
No deadline set to pick an Aqueduct VLT firm
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Albany on December 2, 2009 | No Comments
With the state in a budget crunch and losing $1 million in education money for every day the video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Race Track are not up and running, a spokesman for Gov. David Paterson said there is no deadline for selecting a firm to run the machines at the Ozone Park track.
“There’s no timeline. We never had a timeline on it,” said spokesman … Read More »
David Weprin eyes brother’s seat
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Albany, City Council, District 23 on November 25, 2009 | No Comments
Outgoing City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) has decided to run for his brother’s soon-to-be-vacant state Assembly seat as one possible contender, Glen Oaks Village President Bob Friedrich, is mulling his options.
Assemblyman Mark Weprin’s (D-Little Neck) seat will open once he is installed in the City Council Jan. 1, taking his brother’s seat.
Gov. David Paterson has to set a date for a special election to fill … Read More »
Taconic crash prompts state to pass DWI laws
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Albany on November 25, 2009 | No Comments
Inspired in part by the wrong-way crash on the Taconic Parkway that killed three young Floral Park, L.I., sisters, the state Legislature passed what it called the strictest DWI laws in the country that would stiffen penalties for drunk drivers when there is a child in the vehicle.
Anyone charged with driving while intoxicated who has a child as a passenger in their car would face … Read More »
Sanders lands money for Carleton Manor security cams
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in City Council, District 31 on October 1, 2009 | No Comments
City Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) is living up to his campaign promise of securing funds for installing security cameras in public housing in his district after he earmarked $214,000 for Carleton Manor.
Sanders said the money was not steered toward the Far Rockaway housing project because of high levels of crime, although he acknowledged there have been serious incidents there.
“Although there have been violent episodes at … Read More »
Green, DeBlasio in dead heat in runoff election
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Public Advocate on September 25, 2009 | No Comments
Former Public Advocate Mark Green and City Councilman Bill DeBlasio (D-Brooklyn) are tied at 46 percent in the runoff race for public advocate, a Quinnipiac University poll showed.
Qunnipiac University Polling Institute Director Maurice Carroll said the Sept. 29 runoff is expected to have less than 10 percent turnout and suggested get-out-the-vote efforts would be crucial to both campaigns.
“That cliche that they gave an election and … Read More »
Poll shows Liu ahead of Yassky in runoff
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Comptroller on September 25, 2009 | 1 Comment
City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) is leading City Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) by 6 percentage points in the runoff race for city Comptroller, according to a Qunnipiac University poll released Wednesday.
The poll showed Liu leading Yassky, 49 percent to 43 percent. Nine percent were undecided.
Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, cautioned that only 10 percent of Democrats voted in the citwide primary … Read More »
Weprin pledges to form Co-op and Condo Caucus if elected
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in City Council, District 23 on September 4, 2009 | 9 Comments
State Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck), a candidate for City Council in the 23rd District, said he would create a caucus representing co-ops and condos in the Council should he win the race.
“This caucus will provide a forum for Council members to analyze and discuss issues of particular concern to co-op and condo owners,” Weprin said in a news release from his campaign. “It is … Read More »
Gioia gets backing of 35 ministers
Posted by Howard Koplowitz in Public Advocate on September 4, 2009 | No Comments
City Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Woodside) picked up the endorsements of 35 clergy members from across the city in his bid for public advocate.
Among the ministers endorsing Gioia are Rev. Charles Norris of the Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Lester Williams of the Community Church of Christ. Both churches are based in Jamaica.
“Eric Gioia will be a public advocate for all New Yorkers – standing … Read More »
