SCHUMER AND KAWASAKI RAIL

I'm taking the train downtown!

Everyone in Kingston has heard the news that this City is one of three finalists to be chosen to demonstrate a new rail system. Not to be confused with the High Speed Rail that's included in the "stimulus" package.

Well, the news went out the other day that our Sr. Senator Chuck Schumer has written the head of Kawasaki to use Kingston as the site for a test of the company’s new battery-powered trolley. I say bravo!

According to the AP: Senator Schumer made a personal call to Akira Hattori, the CEO of Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. last week urging the company to choose the city of Kingston for their pilot program that will test a battery-powered light rail trolley.

Much of the needed track is already refurbished and the remaining link to E Chester St could be the focus in 2009. The new light rail will provide clean, reliable public transportation in Kingston and serve to boost tourism. (If we ever get back in the business of promoting tourism)

Chuck was quoted: “The City of Kingston is the perfect spot for Kawasaki to test a battery powered light rail system." Mayor Sottile alerted me to this development weeks ago, since he knows I'm a big train enthusiast.

There are 1.5 miles of tracks from the trolley museum to Kingston Point Park and an additional mile cutting through the Avenues and over the 9W Bypass. Folks from Foxhall to Mary's Avenue could walk to the rail station behind Rondout Savings and catch a ride to the Hoolie!

It would be just one more attribute for the Main St Manager to promote for the City of Kingston come next year.

Personally, I'd like to see the City reopen the Canfield Street Tunnel and link the light rail from the Rondout to the Plaza. Talk about a "stimulus" plan.

GOLDMAN SACHS AND BURGER KING

BURRIS IS AN EMBARRASMENT

I managed to get through most of the Blago scandal without wasting any space on the Blog. However...

This gross display of negligence on the part of our Senatorial Review team and the appointment of Roland Burris from Illinois, has me pissed. Why?

There are too many issues for our representative in DC to be focused on, rather than the back room dealings between the Governor and the open Senate seat. We are finding out more about Burris as the weeks go by and as the number of interviews increase, so do the number of flaws in his testimony before the panel.

The recently appointed senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, asked us to look beyond the Blagojevich scandal and judge him independently. Many people did. Turns out we probably shouldn't have.

The Democratic Majority pushed this process along in the hopes of putting this whole mess behind them, but it's not going away. It's no-ones fault but their own.

Like many of us in the Hudson Valley, we only get to see what's on TV or through a web search. I don't like anything I've discovered about the man. The amount of time they spend on this crap does nothing for the economy or my wallet.

Right now, Burris is a distraction and an embarrasment to the new leadership. Commits purgery during every speech! You've got to realize he has no business being in this position.

Get with it people. You've got control of all three branches of Government, a chance to do the people's business as you've been ordered, and you're going to piss it all away through scandals!

Will they ever learn?

MALCOLM SMITH RECEPTION: ALBANY

Larry Delarose and I had the privilege to join Malcolm Smith this past Saturday afternoon with 200 of his closest friends at the new Majority Leader's advancement Reception.

Both Larry and I got to speak to Malcolm Smith about plans for future runs for Senate and the significance of Gillibrand, a voice from "Upstate" serving as a US Senator.

He's a charming man and seems to have surrounded himself with cheerful, energetic people. In this room anyway. I know the workings of the Senate are quite different than the celebratory atmosphere we were exposed to.


Kirsten Gillibrand was in the building and made a quick appearance before the crowd. Thunderous applause caused minutes to pass before she could address the crowd. She did hit on the issues regarding the President's stimulous package and the possible funding for New York. High speed Rail being one of the projects.

After her moment in the light, I uttered a quick assurance that the rail project is what New York needs. And thanks for keeping her stand on the second ammendment and her views on illegal immigration. I definately caught her by surprise as she was wisked away very quickly.

Malcolm went on to introduce the new State Senator Eric Schneiderman from the 31st district in Manhattan. You can view the intro below:


Notice Something Different? from Elizabeth Benjamin on Vimeo.

What struck me was how Sen. Smith recognised Larry at the first greeting, remembering that Larry was the only upstate candidate to bother venturing to Manhattan for a statewide candidates forum he offered back in August. I was impressed.

MAIN STREET MANAGER FOR ONE KINGSTON

I am in favor of a Main Street Manager so long as the Federal Grant funds it for just these two years. I have been asked to repeat this since I posted it several weeks ago.

For too long, the City of Kingston has been divided into three geographical regions. I don't have to give great detail where and why. Concerned locals know what I mean.

A little background: Early into my tenure on the Council, we were faced with a parking dilemma. All three districts had different parking regulations which magnified this distinction further. I made it clear to my fellow Councilmen, that whatever parking regulations we approved had to be identical throughout the city.

Why? Because we are ONE city. Since the merger of the many towns that make Kingston, we have been in the same economic boat. Nothing is accomplished when three business districts are fighting over the same limited City, State and Federal funding.

Unfortunately, we suffered through the free [2 Hour - once per day] catastrophe and are currently regulated by the parking meters. Like em or hate em, they are identical throughout Kingston. Exemplifying the ONE city concept.

This is where the Main Street Manager comes in. If there were a single person, for all the business owners from the three commercial areas to work with, with the intent to increase the business friendly atmosphere of ALL of the City's commercial areas, then we will see more of an upswing in the general perception of our city.

Don't misunderstand me, the existing business groups do a phenomenal job with the tools they've been given. But I see the city wide initiative as a more lucrative expense for their efforts.

I should disclose that I do represent a portion of the midtown district and have issues with the lack of attention from the High School down past Stewart's.
You'll notice that this strip, with the original Locust Trees, has had side-walk issues as well as empty store-fronts. We had a neighborhood meeting on this just the other day.

I would also suggest the business community to hire someone of their own choosing. No influence from the city. My reason? The city has been in position to bolster the business community for 100 years...what good has it done?

Sure, the Mayors words regarding the tax shift have merit. We did say that the tax shift would come in small doses at a later time. It will. It will be painful. Until then, this proposal for a city wide merchant leader should prove useful and I am in favor of providing temporary seed money to make it happen.

FEENEY FAMILY BUYS PAPER STREET

The Common Council has sold off another piece of property in the Hamlet of Wilbur.

In accordance with Local Laws #5 of 1989 and 1995, the City of Kingston is urged to sell off any remaining paper streets that our departments deem unnecessary. The piece of property that came before the Council this month was the undeveloped portion of DuFlon Street.

The street, was named after John DuFlon who, like so many of the leaders in Kingston's earlier industrial history, had his own evident impact on the development in the Wilbur area. I'll dive into family history at another time.

Over the period of 15 plus years, the Feeney Land Company, with property on three sides of the paper Street, have acted as owners of the unwanted strip. Strangely enough, they have been paying taxes on the lot and in years past, acquired the small building you see here, which is 1/3 on the paper street in question.

DuFlon was already noted as the shortest street in the City. Well, now we have proof. With only one house on the street, occupied for decades by one of Feeney's employees, the little stretch of macadm was unknown to me. Once I became Alderman, I set out to find this DuFlon St in what was then Ward 5.

The Council opted to offer the Feeney Land Company sale of the paper street for the sum of $100. Their history of paying taxes on the strip for all these years while insuring the property, made the decision easy and equitable.

Their intent, through this purchase, is to disolve the multitude of lot lines running through the parcel. However, there is one last mystery lot between the Feeney building and the single DuFlon house. The owner, with no known lineage, has been deceased for decades and our Corp Counsel is trying to settle the process for that sale as well.

Don't get excited, there's no access to the lot other than through the two contiguous owners.

THE BRUNOMOBILE and more

New York State Senate Democrats have been in control for 50 days now. It's taken this long to follow the perk money to the Brunomobile and the TV studio in Long Island?

For the period equatable to the Dark Ages, Republicans had control of the State Senate and have accumulated quite a few perks during their reign of "Good Ol Boys" and insider wealth dispersal.

The New York Times reported: The Democrats are still trying to find out how the chamber's nearly $100 million budget was spent, how perks were distributed and even how many people were on the payroll under the GOP. You know, the "smaller government party".

On the list of surprises, was a quasi-political outfit, staffed with 75 or more, funded by the taxpayers engaged in Republican campaign propaganda, mailings and brochures. Located very close to the State Capital. A printing outfit only a few minutes away! How could the Democrats or even the press not have stumbled on this during the last 40 years? 75 employees for 40 years? Starting 40K to 90K/year with benefits? You do the math.

Getting back to this tricked out van for Joe Bruno. Tell me it's a joke. The arrogance is over the top and it has reached the point of unbelievable. Is there any way we, as New Yorkers, can garnish their future wages until death?

Malcolm A. Smith's top aid, Angelo Aponte, said; "Every time we nail something down, we uncover another rock and there's another 30 people there -- it's all over the state."

Considering the way Governor Blago of Illinois handled his stellar exit, we all know the corruption grows within the party in power, unless the press and the good people of that party stick to the ethical duties of the office they hold. Which is never.

The new report shines a light on the much-maligned political culture in Albany, where the division of taxpayer-funded resources has traditionally been lopsided in favor of the majority party.

Aponte continued: Republicans are not cooperating as he investigates payroll records and the money trail. He said an audit would be conducted, either by the state comptroller or an outside accounting firm.

Smith has been modifying the dispersal of monies to individual Senators, but has cut spending in the two main committee staff budgets. Both the majority and minority staff will see less than half of what they're used to.

Imagine you become the CEO of a massive company and noone knows how many employees are on the payroll? No wonder Albany has the reputation it does.

Smith, the new leadership and all those who fought so hard to see this change happen, have plenty of work to do. Just as was done when Ulster County did it's big shift, the deep cleaning will continue. Those specialty expenditures that make everyone grab their chin and say "Hmmm" will be weeded out and made public.

Honestly, It should be fun if it werent so sad.

MILITARY SUICIDE RATES SURPASS GENERAL PUBLIC

Last week, I got an email from the Kingston Times through the Ward Nine Group service which asked all subscribers: "What do you think should be in the surplus package?"

The last of my 10 point response, was a plea to upgrade of the way we serve our returning troops. It's a disgrace!

Yes, the US economy is a factor, but the system these young men & women are left to navigate once home, is heartbreakingly disfunctional. Mainly through the lack of funding.

This week, the shocking news of the increased rate of military suicides and the grim reality that these numbers surpassed the number of losses through combat, shook the public. I think we all took a few deep breaths once we stopped to think about it.

Alarmingly, at least 128 soldiers killed themselves in 2008, up 20 from last year, and the Army suicide rate surpassed that for civilians for the first time since the Vietnam War.

Army officials said: "The suicide count, which includes soldiers in the Army Reserve and the National Guard, is expected to grow."

An AP source in the NY Times stated: The Army did not identify a specific reason for the increase, but officials said 15-month deployments to war zones played a role. These deployments, which have allowed for little time away from the battlefield, have contributed to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, alcohol abuse and family problems. Seven suicides took place in Afghanistan and 31 in Iraq.

In my response to the local paper, I noted that we do not have a specific program to help our returning hero's to the workforce, partly because of the downturn in the economy, but also because we have left them out of the equation when the administration decided to invest our bravest souls into combat for a war of choice.

According to several articles that came up when I searched the web: Thirty percent of the suicides in the last four years took place during a deployment. Thirty-five percent took place after a deployment. The remaining 35 percent of those who killed themselves had never deployed.

In recent months, the Army has increased their hiring of mental health care providers. Hundreds of them! Obama has pledged to hire plenty more, but Veterans’ and mental health advocates have been critical of the Army, saying it has been too slow to recognise and treat the tide of soldiers struggling with mental health problems after returning from Iraq or Afghanistan.

The executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff, said: “The suicide numbers released today come as no surprise to veterans who have experienced firsthand the psychological toll of war, since the Iraq war began, suicide rates and other signs of psychological injury, like marital strain and substance abuse, have been increasing every year.”

I posted an interview of Paul Rieckhoff moments ago, right below this article.

You can learn more about the efforts of this Veteran's advocacy group, by going to www.IAVA.org

If you would like to help the families of the youngsters who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, you can go to www.operationhomefront.net

FOLLOW-UP ON IRAQI CONTRACTORS

HISTORIC BIRTHDAYS

Of course, with all the significance of today, we celebrate both Abraham Lincoln's and Charles Darwin's birthday. Both men changed the way we think about our fellow humans to the point we then asked ourselves, "How could we have believed what we did?"

The Science Channel, and some journals revealed the latest discovery in Africa, the birthplace of Humanity. To add to the many different ways people are celebrating this dual birthday, I thought to pass this portion of an article I found, along to you.

Australopithecus Africanus, a human relative that lived in Africa more than two million years ago, had a skull that was well designed to withstand premolar biting.

AFRICANUS likely used their large premolars (bicuspids) and structurally reinforced face to crack open and ingest large, hard nuts and seeds.

Image: George Washington University

(PhysOrg.com) -- New research conducted in part by researchers at The George Washington University has led to novel insights into how feeding and dietary adaptations may have shaped the evolution of the earliest humans.

CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE: A GOOD THING!

As of April 1st, all the fools out there who still buy cigarettes, will have to donate another 60 cents for that pack of death!

President Obama signed legislation that expands the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover more than 4 million additional low- and middle-income children across the country. The money will come from those sad pups who continue to engage in this suicidal act that has so much financial and physical impact on themselves and those around them.

The coverage here in New York wont get much of an upgrade because we already have the most generous benefits, but it will have a serious affect on the federal level where the Healthcare shortfalls need the most attention nationally.

Upstate, the average cost of the more famous brands of cigarette will be around $7.50 while the folks down in NYC will see prices around $9. Makes you wonder just how much is enough.

The American Cancer Society supports the tax hike, predicting it could get over 40,000 New Yorkers to quit smoking. The tax hike just last June did show a worthy decrease in sales, which, lets face it, if the money stopped coming in because of a successful cessation program, the need to replenish the tremendous drain on the healthcare system would fade as well.

There is another factor that most of us never think about: the tax collection on Native American reservations. From what I've read; Paterson also signed a bill that would prohibit manufacturers from shipping cigarettes to any wholesale dealer unless the dealer certifies they won’t be sold tax-free. In addition, "non-native" persons who purchase the cigarettes at a reservation, will have to spring for the additional tax stipulated by the State.

You will of course be surprised to hear that there are groups fighting this legislation. yep...The whole thing is in court just as we expected. The people who are most invested in continued dispersal of this addictive poison, want to continue the very practice that filled their pockets for so long. That's understandable.

Since I live in the neighborhood around the Kingston High School, I'll venture that I have seen fewer students smoking like chimneys as they had in years past. But it's still present as a noticeable crutch for the kids striving to be "cool". I bet it takes a big chunk out of their allowance.

SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES GRANT

Last week, the Common Council voted unanimously to join the County as a co-applicant in requesting grant funding for a program.

The program is the not-so-well-known Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant (SMSI). The name has since changed to the Local Government Efficiency Program (LGE).

Ulster County, like many others, hosts an Information Services Department that facilitates management and information dispersal to enhance better communication between the Towns and the City of Kingston. The outcome this year, if funding continues, is the purchase of an Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVL) for all municipal and emergency vehicles within the county.

The legislation, was created by Donaldson and Company and delivered from the office of Sue Ronga. It states that if enacted, the result would be a reduction in the number of purchased vehicles, fewer salt stations, and a significant reduction in Overtime and outsourcing. Sounds good to me.

Theoretically, this should help in the budget process for 2010. There have been no indications of financial relief as we head into this already frightening year, and we expect to fight through that process just as we did this year. Working with the County on this Shared Services Program should help a little.

I will ask Sue if our Mayor's Jeep could have the device installed. Oops, did I really type that here?

ANOTHER BOTTLE BILL DELAY?

Could the Bigger Bottle Bill be destined for failure in the State Senate once again? What's with Albany? I thought the change in leadership this January signalled the advancement of a common sense bottle bill for New York.

Well, there was a veiled attempt to dismantle the advanced deposit measure in the sudden push to fully fund the Environmental Protection Fund. Yes, this is how they tried to do it. By slipping in a clause to do just that, while presenting a much sought after pledge to provide the perpetually anaemic department with the necessary funding.

It seems Republican Senator Carl Marcellino, of Long Island, [right] submitted what was initially a well received proposal to provide funding, until other Senators looked a bit more closely. Several Democratic state senators on the Environmental Conservation Committee have refused to sign on. Unless there is some surgical magic and the Trojan Bill Killer is removed, the whole thing could languish in committee.

We are all familiar with the diminished funds to cover the budget in Albany, so it comes as no shock that some of our "Green Economy" leaders robbed $50 million from the EPF and placed it in the general budget. And we thought ethics was going to come with the changing tide.

The bottle bill is once again fighting an uphill battle. Even after the chamber was won by Democrats. This is what happens when working with such a slim margin of majority; the legislation gets slippery.

Even though the estimated revenue from unredeemed deposits hovers around $100 Million annually, some environmental advocates are willing to accept the funding shift from the EPF, but support the proposed bottle bill expansion as a source of money for the general fund.

Although Marcellino says this proposal was not set in stone, the committee chair Antoine Thompson of Buffalo [left] and several other members will hold the Bill back until there is enhancement support.

If it ever gets to the Senate floor, we will have to push our Senators Bonacic and Larkin to change their minds and vote in favor.

DARWIN DAY BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

With only a week to go, you better get your reservations made at any of the better restaurants in the area, because they are going to fill up quickly!

Why would I say that? Well, because Darwin Day is right around the corner, and you haven't even bought a new hat!

Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity held on February 12, the day that Charles Darwin was born on in 1809. This year marks the 200th year since his birth and 150 years since he published his book "The Origin of Species". Very significant to those who practice Free Thought.

It celebrates the discoveries and life of Charles Darwin — the man who first described biological evolution via natural selection with scientific rigour. There were great minds like Aristotle and Lucretius who suspected the same theories of human evolution, but Darwin made the case understandable to the masses.

More generally, Darwin Day expresses gratitude for the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to the advancement of humanity.

For those wishing to take part in any gatherings to mark this historic birthday, you can join us this Sunday, Feb 8th, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sawkill Rd at 11am, as our leader of the Hudson Valley Humanists offers...[get this] a sermon.

Ed Poll will be conducting a talk titled "Living in a Natural Universe" and will have three parts...

1) A positive look at religions of the past and inquiry into why people made religions
2) A history of the humanism and secularism
3) How we can construct a new framework for living without religion.

What am I going to do for Darwin Day, February 12th, you ask? I was thinking about renting "Planet of the Apes".

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY

The Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to accept and enact the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy that was presented by Cheif Salzmann and Cheif Keller.

The City of Kingston had a less defined policy on this procedure, but with tension in some of our departments continuing to simmer, we all felt clearer directives were overdue. It is also more in-line with the requirements of NYS Labor Law 27b and forces all employees to participate in the Annual Training Programs.

There are no more grey areas of improper conduct in the workplace. The verbal or physical threats that may have been ignored by co-workers and superiors in the past will have no free pass, as the process and boundaries are clearly defined for all employees.

Written words, gestures or symbols that depict any degradation of character of anyone will not be tolerated and the workforce is encouraged to notify their immediate supervisors of any such incidents.

Why it took so long to bring this better defined document to light, we can only speculate. Business as usual? Boys will be boys? The employees throughout the city deserve an environment free of threats. Our experiences in recent months have given plenty of opportunity for the Administration to clean up the long ignored and/or lacking workplace safeguards.

During the last decade, homicide was the third leading cause of death for all municipal workers and the leading cause of occupational death for female workers. The risk evaluations under-way will help determine the possible dangers that employees face from workplace violence risks.

Look for the Mayor to appoint personnel to the new Workplace Violence Advisory Team which is sure to include the police and fire chiefs, as well as key safety officers and civilians that provide needed expertise.

May the City of Kingston serve as a shining example of what is expected from every workplace in New York State.

HIGH SPEED RAIL IN THE STIMULUS?

As many of us are well aware, Senator Chuck Schumer has been a strong supporter of mass transit, especially high speed rail. Well, one of the influential voices in the other house has made some similar views known recently.

Rep. John Mica, who is on the House Transportation Committee says 80 groups have expressed interest in advancing high-speed rail around the nation.

According to the AP: John Mica, who is Republican, says the Federal Railroad Administration began soliciting proposals in December for projects to help build, finance and operate high-speed rail service between Washington and New York and 10 other areas across the U.S.

For the US to even think about competing with Asian and European countries in manufacturing and development, we need to upgrade our transportation system nationally.

Most of the groups that have expressed interest include architectural, engineering and construction firms as well as train manufacturers and state transportation departments. Sound like more jobs? Economic stimulus?

Schumer's goal from the start was to push economic growth in the upstate New York region by providing rail service on the west side of the Hudson River.
This recent push for federal investment in national infrastructure programs, has brought High Speed Rail back to the conversation and members of Congress now visualise service from Miami to Montreal, as well as coast to coast.

Bravo to Senator Schumer for the continued support, and bravo to Forida's John Mica for getting on board. Not only would the project fit perfectly into the stimulus proposal, but the end result would affect the East Coast in a permanent, economically sound way, leaving little excuse for any community for lacking growth.

CARNEGIE RESTORATION GETS PUBLIC SUPPORT

The dilapidated Carnegie library building in front of the Kingston High School gas been given a second chance. Voters approved a $3.58 million proposal to convert the historic landmark into an art and tech center.

With plenty of publicity regarding the significance of Tuesdays vote, we can only assume the general public was in favor or wasn't concerned either way. Only about 3,200 votes were cast out of a district with an enormous electorate.

Superintendent Gerard Gretzingertold the Freeman: "I’m excited for the opportunity for our students and community.” I think a vast majority of the district is looking forward to the renovation of what was once a jewel of a library right on Broadway, when the cry for help in the three business districts is at it's loudest.

So, a year from now, after all the plans are reviewed, they'll start the year long process of refurbishing what's left of a shamefully abandoned building. I can recall numerous times that the Mayor and I discussed the need to do something with it and our Assemblyman Kevin Cahill has offered suggestions on a yearly basis since Ive been on the council.

The Center for Creative Education, headed by Evry Mann, will lease the space from the school district for 15 years. and, combined with the City of Kingston's CDBG allotment of $200K, the State Education Department's share of the cost will be roughly 60%.

With the High School campus located squarely in Ward Nine, I am always interested in any upgrades that can be harnessed for improvement in this neighborhood. The sudden interest in the Broadway corridor by civilian and business groups this year gives me the sense, that the Council will finally have some backing on long sought after Renaissance in our business community.

I welcome the faith that the voting public has shown the school administration in pledging support for the renovation of the Carnegie.

FANTASTIC INAUGURAL PANORAMIC PICTURE

The link at the bottom of this post leads to a photo that was taken using a panoramic image capturing device called

Gigapan created by the Carnegie-Mellon University, using a Canon g10 camera.

I took this text and the link right from an Email I got from my friend Amee. Where she got it, I don't know.

According to the Email: The photographer had to click 220 snaps from the camera to get this complete view of the Obama inaugural address. It took a Macbook Pro computer around seven hours to process the complete image whose final size is over 2GB.

I looked at it. It's astonishing.

Click on the link below to see the image. Zoom in, and you can clearly see each individual face in the scene in detail up to the lake half way through the National Mall.

You will first notice Justice Clarence Thomas sleeping behind President Obama, but then jump around the crowd a bit. You're gonna love this.

http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR KIRSTEN'S SEAT

So, the Democrats have picked Scott Murphy to be the Democratic candidate for the congressional seat vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand.

According to sources in Albany,his selection came after a day-long mini-convention at an Albany diner There were four contenders.
Murphy beat out Assemblyman Tim Gordon, attorney Carol Schrager and Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim.

Murphy is not well known, I don't know him either. But his opponent, is.

Murphy will run against Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, who was designated as the candidate earlier this week by the Republicans. Considering the demographic and the uniqueness of the Gillibrand campaign, I haven't a clue how this one will go down.

For most of us, this will be a learning experience because the district is from Columbia County to north of Albany. But it's sure to make headlines on the cable news channels.

Murphy said that he would focus his candidacy on economic development. I would expect that from any candidate regardless of party affiliation. What strikes me is his background in the financial sector and the list of business successes he has for a resume'.

Regarding job creation, he told PolitickerNY: "That's what I do. I create jobs, I can talk the talk on Wall Street and I've put 1,000 jobs on Main Street,"

He went on: "In Congress, I can instantly plunge into the most sophisticated financial conversation regarding our economic crisis. I won't have to get up to speed; I'm ready to move forward. The 20th Congressional District is a perfect place to grow a thriving economy. We've got a trained and willing work force and shovel-ready sites for corporate development. I am ready to take my experience in government and business to Washington and fight for economic and educational opportunities for the people of the 20th CD."

Jim Tedisco will tout his long history of accomplishments after being in the Minority party for his whole tenure. Lets see what he lists as upstate success stories having friends like Bruno and Skelos in the majority of the Senate, steering the upstate economy for so long. Yes, he has the Assembly leadership to throw sticks at, but there are two houses and one was theirs forever.

Both candidates will have a limited amount of time to get their message out since Paterson is pressed for a special election date that doesn't interfere with November's General election. Pay attention! Learn who they are and what they can offer the upstate middle class.

Its going to be an interesting race, and you'll see visits from RNC's new leader, Mike Steele as well as Pataki, Guilianni and McCain before this one is over. Im sure Scott Murphy will have his own list of heavy hitters to get his message out.

The last question is, how much do you think the two parties will spend on this one? Will it break any records? Are you comfortable with so much national attention on NY politics?