Elsewhere, the mayor’s message mentioned only in passing the very serious issues of crime at City Hall. The felony conviction of a former police lieutenant and alleged corruption in the fire department hang heavy overKingston. Gallo, in what was taken as breaking news, completed the major department trifecta by announcing the DPW is also being investigated by the state comptroller.
Except for some Lincolnesque exceptions — “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how’d you like the play?” — the mayor’s message was comprehensive, displaying its author’s unique appreciation and understanding of the diverse but deeply challenged city he was elected to govern for the next four years. And well-delivered, the mayor’s resonant baritones reminiscent of the two “Thomases” who preceded him at City Hall.
County confidential
Has anyone noticed that the once muddy lower Esopus Creek has begun to run clear? And just in time for trout season, which opens April 1.
It would appear nature has accomplished what blowhard politicians failed to achieve.
As for muddying the Esopus waters, credit County Executive Mike Hein for (again) lambasting Gotham Mayor Michael Bloomberg for recently declaring New York’s right to safe water superior to everyone else’s. Bloomberg was commenting at the time about ruling out fracking in the Catskill watershed, which suppliesNew York City’s water. Elsewhere, he didn’t seem to give a hoot, and Hein, rightfully so, gave him both barrels.
Speaking of the (apparently) upwardly bound county exec, he told a Kingston-area chamber audience recently that he and wife Christine haven’t decided whether he’ll make a run for Congress. What Hein didn’t reveal is that Christine is not the only one he’s conferring with on this important career decision. Hein’s campaign spending reports from last year reveal almost $51,000 (about a third of his war chest) was spent on a Brooklynbased outfit called Red Horse Strategies. Red Horse — not to be confused with the red goats vandals etched on Kingston Pike Plan planters last year — does political consulting for some very big names, like Andrew Cuomo.
Some may wonder whether a politician can spend money donated for one office to run for another. The short answer is, oh, yeah. They can spend it on just about anything they like, and if donors don’t dig it they can just keep their donations next time.
