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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. December 25, 2005: In recognition of Christmas Day, WPCNR brings back a favorite of the past posted on this site many years ago, updated:

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the city,

Construction cranes were idle, developers’ sites silent with no activity.

Not a legislator or councilperson was stirring not even a high school student.;

The County and City budget stockings were hung by Michaelian & Main chimneys with devil-may care air,

In hopes Assembly Angels Amy and Adam and Legislator Bill Would Stuff Them fair.

The citizens, nestled snug in their beds with the Mayor’s City Center  finally fulfilled,

With visions of sweet sugar plums from Trump Tower, City Center, Fortunoffs and Pavilion mall soon to fill sales tax into the city till.

 Paul Wood in his trusty chair cellphone in ear and the divine Ms. Reasoner applying her budget cap,

Had just settled the city in for a short winter’s nap; No new approvals no zoning zen on tap.

When out on 221 Main site, there arose such a clatter, Paul Wood

Sprang from his desk in City Hall garret suspending Secret Developer Talks to see what was the matter,

Away to the window, he flew in a flash, stunned to see Cappelli and Trump  crew Begin on Christmas Eve anew.

He tore open the shutters and threw up the sash,

As cranes, girders and whistles sounded across Main Street with a crash.

The moon shown on the crest of the rising Trump Casino shown on Cappelli’s Christmas Eve Crew,

Commissioner Gismondi was summoned, issuing a stop work order to the intrepid Lou and the dapper Don.

“It’s Christmas,” he said to the peerless leader . “Santa can’t come with all this to-do.”

Turning from the developers in marathon secret talks, the nimble Wood and barrister Dunphy

Fashioned a Christmas gift for all the City.

“It’s a disgrace,” said gatekeeper Paul Wood, when hounded by clamorous press

Seeking an explanation for the cacaphonous distress.

“How can we do the people’s business, even on Christmas,” said right hand man Maloney

As Saint Theresa and reliable Manieri patiently awaited the holiday agenda thick and toney.

The construction lights gave the luster of midday, to trucks and dirt causing them

To glow like fresh fallen snow.

When what to the crew’s surprise should appear,

But a big red sleigh, pulled by six councilpersons..

With a jolly old driver, so lively and quick, looking very

Much like Mayor Joseph Delfino with a sleigh full of holiday cheer.

The city servants working late, knew in a moment it must be their leader.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came on the wintry scene

“Now, Boykin! Now Malmud! Now Delgado!

On Roach! On Greer! On Berstein!

To the Top of City Hall! To the Top of the Wall!

Into the Council Chamber they rushed to assemble a proclamation to all!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As empty lots before developers fill,

With towers to the sky,

To the City Hall roof his sturdy council did fly.

With the Mayor’s sleigh full of toys, and the jolly Mayor, too.

In a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The serious voices of each councilman giving proof

That the sleeping city was in sure hand.

As Mr. Wood drew in crewcut head, turning around,

Down the circular stair the Mayor and Council came with a bound.

The Mayor was dressed in his Mayor’s suit, from his head to his foot,

His brown trademark suit was draped with ribbons from openings at Wal-Mart and Vino 100 to boot.

A bundle of plans, for sewer and water Nicoletti brought forth for Mayor and council to consider.

The Mayor, his eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a smile…”No, Bud, no plans for awhile!”

The Mayor spoke not a word, but went straight to his desk, he bade Council be seated, and with not a voice of denial,

Presented the resolution, the council spread the communications with glee

He congratulated Straub, Jennings and Chong for law and order with style,

He Lay plans for condos and apartments for the homeless with care

With BID restaurants to cater the less fortunate with compassion’s splendid fare.

Gifts to the city from the hardest working Common Council without guile.

Thanking the council, commissioners, and city staff, and benefactors generosity

America’s favorite Mayor sprang to the circular stair, and sleigh,

To his team gave a whistle, and away the Mayor and council flew like the down of a thistle.

But the citizens heard them exclaim, as the team drove out of sight,

“We can never thank you enough”

The proclamation just passed to citizens all:

‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

 

 

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By State Assemblyman Adam T. Braldey. December 24, 2005: The 2005 legislative session began a process of substantial reform in Albany. Meeting in open conference committees, the Assembly and Senate delivered the first on-time budget in two decades and the Assembly passed several important new laws to improve the way Albany does business. While there is still more work to be done, this year’s accomplishments were a good beginning.

 

Improving the Assembly’s operation

 

In an effort to make Assembly proceedings more efficient and open, two rounds of rules changes were passed this year. These bipartisan reforms helped make the legislative process stronger by effectively ending empty seat voting; increasing debate; creating a streamline review of the budget; helping rank-and-file members advance legislation; and strengthening the standing committee process.  We need to build on these improvements by providing unedited gavel-to-gavel television coverage of legislative sessions on local cable channels across the state, much like C-SPAN does for Congress.

 

Cracking down on procurement lobbying

 

Billions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year on lobbying for state and local government contracts, but for years there was little or no oversight of the behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts. A new law passed this year increased accountability and scrutiny on how contracts are awarded (Ch. 1 of 2005). This bill closes lobbying loopholes and helps assure taxpayers that their money is being spent on legitimate and cost-effective projects.

 

Previous lobbyists were not required to disclose procurement lobbying activities. The reform law expands the definition of lobbying to include any effort to influence the action of public officials regarding procurement of commodities, services, construction and the sale or purchase of land. The definition also includes the adoption or content of an executive order, a municipal resolution and tribal-state compacts. 

 

Penalties for lobbyists who violate the restricted contact period include possible debarment from procurement lobbying, and up to a $50,000 civil penalty if the lobbyist lobbies on procurement contracts during a period of debarment. Vendors are in jeopardy of losing their contracts as well as possible debarment for violations of these new measures.

 

 

Reforming New York’s public authorities

 

Scandals and fiscal mismanagement have plagued New York’s public authorities. The Assembly passed legislation, which I sponsored, to improve oversight of the state’s nearly 900 public authorities- including the MTA- and public benefit corporations that operate largely without public scrutiny. Authorities need to be reined in and made accountable.  This legislation (A.9007) will do so by making sure watchdogs pay close attention to ethics and spending.

 

These reform measures will increase accountability, improve public authority operations and ultimately save tax dollars. The Assembly has taken the lead in making sure that these so-called shadow governments are brought out into the open, and now we need the governor to sign this measure into law and put these reforms into effect.

 

Reforming the state budget process

 

Although voters ultimately voted down a constitutional amendment to reform New York’s budget process, I will continue working toward a bipartisan compromise that the public will support.

 

I believe any budget reform legislation must include efforts to:

 

·        implement a contingency budget if one is not passed by the deadline;

·        require a two-year appropriation for education aid, helping schools stay a step ahead by finally giving them the information they need, when they need it; and

·        create an independent budget office to provide nonpartisan revenue numbers.

 

 

Reforming state government will continue

 

While we must continue working to reform the budget process, we must also ensure delivery of another on time budget.  I vow to work hard to continue making New York government more open and efficient.

 

Adam Bradley

Assemblyman 89th District (White Plains)