Do you remember the old Henny Youngman joke where a patient goes to the doctor and is told he has 30 days to live? When he doesn’t have enough money to pay the bill the Doctor gives him another 30 days.
Well Henny would have been proud of Governor Patterson.
On June 12 the Governor demanded that Christopher Ward get back to him with a report detailing the status of the rebuilding effort at Ground Zero.
So 18 days pass the new Executive Director comes up with nothing and the Governor gives him another 90 days.
If any of us did that with our bosses we would be shown the door.
But not at Ground Zero where incompetence has been rewarded for the last seven years and it does not look like it is going to change any time soon.
Now they are even talking about putting together a governing board of representatives.
Just what we need another level of bureaucracy.
And what will we get from this collection of bureaucrats.
More memos like the one we got today because as Charles Peters said “Bureaucrats write memoranda both because they appear to be busy when they are writing and because the memos, once written, immediately become proof that they were busy”.
And Silverstein laughs all the way to the bank.
More of the same at Ground Zero.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Message From Port Authority
Good Morning,
I hope this note finds you all well. Once again I am asking for your help in distributing information to the families of those lost on September 11 and February 26. Attached is a statement from the Port Authority to family members. Your networks are the most effective way to reach the most family members and we always appreciate your willingness to do so. Please pass this along as soon as you can.
Many thanks, as always.
Norma Manigan Manager, Public Relations Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 212.435.6547
Three weeks ago, New York Governor David Paterson called on the Port Authority to assess the overall rebuilding effort at the World Trade Center site and to look at whether existing public timelines and budgets are realistic and achievable. We've conducted an initial assessment that found that while there has been substantial progress in construction, the current schedule and cost of the rebuilding effort are not realistic because 15 issues that fundamentally drive the schedule and cost still must be resolved. The assessment will continue through September, when we will have a better handle on what the schedules and costs will be for all of the site's projects, including the Memorial. Let me assure you that the Memorial is being built and will be completed and its signature design will not change.
Let me assure you also that the entire site is being built with the highest safety and security standards in place. I know that as family members of those lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, you have a special and important interest in what is happening at this unique site. However, we owe it to you and the rest of the public to finally produce deadlines that can and will be met – ones that are backed up by the reality on the ground. We will be sure to keep you informed as we move forward.
I hope this note finds you all well. Once again I am asking for your help in distributing information to the families of those lost on September 11 and February 26. Attached is a statement from the Port Authority to family members. Your networks are the most effective way to reach the most family members and we always appreciate your willingness to do so. Please pass this along as soon as you can.
Many thanks, as always.
Norma Manigan Manager, Public Relations Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 212.435.6547
Three weeks ago, New York Governor David Paterson called on the Port Authority to assess the overall rebuilding effort at the World Trade Center site and to look at whether existing public timelines and budgets are realistic and achievable. We've conducted an initial assessment that found that while there has been substantial progress in construction, the current schedule and cost of the rebuilding effort are not realistic because 15 issues that fundamentally drive the schedule and cost still must be resolved. The assessment will continue through September, when we will have a better handle on what the schedules and costs will be for all of the site's projects, including the Memorial. Let me assure you that the Memorial is being built and will be completed and its signature design will not change.
Let me assure you also that the entire site is being built with the highest safety and security standards in place. I know that as family members of those lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, you have a special and important interest in what is happening at this unique site. However, we owe it to you and the rest of the public to finally produce deadlines that can and will be met – ones that are backed up by the reality on the ground. We will be sure to keep you informed as we move forward.
Research Request 6/29
Dear 9/11 Family Member:
I'm looking for 9-11 family members or survivors who would be interested in sharing their thoughts on, and experiences of, the ways that the events of 9-11 have come to be talked about in public forums.
This is as part of my dissertation research for my PhD in Anthropology at the University of Toronto, which looks at the experiences of people directly impacted by the war on terror as well as public discourses of the war on terror.
As per my university approved ethics protocol, all conversations would be totally anonymous and would be audio recorded if participants consent. They may be as short as 30 minutes or as long as a few hours, depending on how much each participant wants to say.
I'm looking to schedule the interviews in New York between the 17th and the 24th of July and the 24th-29th of August, though I can also arrange them anytime before the end of August and I am able to meet people anywhere in the New York or DC areas.
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating I can be reached by email at zoe.wool@utoronto.ca or by phone at: 917-621-6224.
Sincerely,
Zoë Zoë H Wool
Doctoral Candidate Department of Anthropology
University of Toronto
http://individual.utoronto.ca/zhw
e-mail: zoe.wool@utoronto.ca
I'm looking for 9-11 family members or survivors who would be interested in sharing their thoughts on, and experiences of, the ways that the events of 9-11 have come to be talked about in public forums.
This is as part of my dissertation research for my PhD in Anthropology at the University of Toronto, which looks at the experiences of people directly impacted by the war on terror as well as public discourses of the war on terror.
As per my university approved ethics protocol, all conversations would be totally anonymous and would be audio recorded if participants consent. They may be as short as 30 minutes or as long as a few hours, depending on how much each participant wants to say.
I'm looking to schedule the interviews in New York between the 17th and the 24th of July and the 24th-29th of August, though I can also arrange them anytime before the end of August and I am able to meet people anywhere in the New York or DC areas.
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating I can be reached by email at zoe.wool@utoronto.ca or by phone at: 917-621-6224.
Sincerely,
Zoë Zoë H Wool
Doctoral Candidate Department of Anthropology
University of Toronto
http://individual.utoronto.ca/zhw
e-mail: zoe.wool@utoronto.ca
Sunday, June 29, 2008
LET THE FINGER POINTING BEGIN
On June 30 a “Non Progress” report will be released and to no ones surprise it will show that the entire redevelopment project at Ground Zero is drastically behind schedule and over budget.
What is interesting is that even though everyone involved was aware of how poorly this project has been handled from day one they will have yet another report that will probably cost a few hundred thousand to put together that will be ignored as all others that have gone before it.
Christopher Ward, the new Executive of the Port Authority is already expected to ask for an extension as in his words he needs additional time “to sort out stakeholder accountability and gain insight on more than 20 unanswered policy, engineering, and design questions facing the reconstruction”
He will probably say that he needs a few months to put this together.
We can save him the time. There has never been any stakeholder accountability and that is why these well publicized problems exist today.
The finger pointing has already started.
The LMDC will blame it on the Port Authority.
The Port Authority will blame it on the Spitzer administration and they will blame it on unrealistic timelines set up by the Pataki Administration.
There is a lot of blame to go around but the bottom line is the two responsible parties are the LMDC and the Port Authority.
The LMDC has lined its pockets for the last seven years and has little to show for it.
One only has to look at the Deutsche Building to see how the LMDC handles things.
They put millions into taking it down and nothing happened so they bought the building for over $80 million and the Building still stands.
So now nearly seven years after the attack and after an accident that took the lives of two firefighters they say they need an additional $40 Million to complete the project.
Well if you believe that we have a bridge to sell you but that wouldn’t work either because then we would have to get the Port Authority involved.
This is the same “authority” that was given full control of the project because they had the skill and expertise to handle a project of this size.
That worked out well.
Anyone involved in project management knows that any time you should be able to report where the project is in regards to time and cost estimates.
But Chris Ward needs a couple of months to find out exactly where they are. Maybe he should give up his part time job and we might get the answer sooner.
What happened to the skill and expertise?
So we will get another report the findings of which will get media coverage for a few weeks and then get placed in the all important circular file.
And the LMDC will blame the PA who will blame previous administrations and good money will be thrown after bad and five years from now after billions of overruns the site will still not be completed.
Back in 2006 the Sciame Report was released to keep the cost of the Memorial under half a billion and the Memorial Foundation stated that it would “continue its efforts to refine the project’s base estimates, resolve all of the outstanding infrastructure cost issues with Port Authority and two, in cooperation with other key stakeholders, outline an array of ways to reduce project costs while maintaining the Arad/Walker vision for the Memorial. The Foundation believes that in order to move forward with construction, the City, the State, LMDC, Port Authority and the Foundation must all be on the same page”.
Has anyone checked lately?
Probably not But as long as all the stakeholders are on the same page we should all feel better.
For that appears to be the most important thing.
So we have the PA (Poor Accountability) and the LMDC (Let Me Double Check) on the job.
Let the finger pointing begin.
Related posts
Port Authority Offers to Build WTC Memorial and Museum 11/22/05
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11812
THE DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26576
ONE BY ONE THEY ALL WALK AWAY
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26670
World Trade Center Memorial Design - Sciame Report Released
http://www.putitaboveground.org/2006/06/20/world-trade-center-memorial-design-sciame-report-released/
A TALE OF TWO CITY PROJECTS
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27884
What is interesting is that even though everyone involved was aware of how poorly this project has been handled from day one they will have yet another report that will probably cost a few hundred thousand to put together that will be ignored as all others that have gone before it.
Christopher Ward, the new Executive of the Port Authority is already expected to ask for an extension as in his words he needs additional time “to sort out stakeholder accountability and gain insight on more than 20 unanswered policy, engineering, and design questions facing the reconstruction”
He will probably say that he needs a few months to put this together.
We can save him the time. There has never been any stakeholder accountability and that is why these well publicized problems exist today.
The finger pointing has already started.
The LMDC will blame it on the Port Authority.
The Port Authority will blame it on the Spitzer administration and they will blame it on unrealistic timelines set up by the Pataki Administration.
There is a lot of blame to go around but the bottom line is the two responsible parties are the LMDC and the Port Authority.
The LMDC has lined its pockets for the last seven years and has little to show for it.
One only has to look at the Deutsche Building to see how the LMDC handles things.
They put millions into taking it down and nothing happened so they bought the building for over $80 million and the Building still stands.
So now nearly seven years after the attack and after an accident that took the lives of two firefighters they say they need an additional $40 Million to complete the project.
Well if you believe that we have a bridge to sell you but that wouldn’t work either because then we would have to get the Port Authority involved.
This is the same “authority” that was given full control of the project because they had the skill and expertise to handle a project of this size.
That worked out well.
Anyone involved in project management knows that any time you should be able to report where the project is in regards to time and cost estimates.
But Chris Ward needs a couple of months to find out exactly where they are. Maybe he should give up his part time job and we might get the answer sooner.
What happened to the skill and expertise?
So we will get another report the findings of which will get media coverage for a few weeks and then get placed in the all important circular file.
And the LMDC will blame the PA who will blame previous administrations and good money will be thrown after bad and five years from now after billions of overruns the site will still not be completed.
Back in 2006 the Sciame Report was released to keep the cost of the Memorial under half a billion and the Memorial Foundation stated that it would “continue its efforts to refine the project’s base estimates, resolve all of the outstanding infrastructure cost issues with Port Authority and two, in cooperation with other key stakeholders, outline an array of ways to reduce project costs while maintaining the Arad/Walker vision for the Memorial. The Foundation believes that in order to move forward with construction, the City, the State, LMDC, Port Authority and the Foundation must all be on the same page”.
Has anyone checked lately?
Probably not But as long as all the stakeholders are on the same page we should all feel better.
For that appears to be the most important thing.
So we have the PA (Poor Accountability) and the LMDC (Let Me Double Check) on the job.
Let the finger pointing begin.
Related posts
Port Authority Offers to Build WTC Memorial and Museum 11/22/05
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11812
THE DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26576
ONE BY ONE THEY ALL WALK AWAY
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26670
World Trade Center Memorial Design - Sciame Report Released
http://www.putitaboveground.org/2006/06/20/world-trade-center-memorial-design-sciame-report-released/
A TALE OF TWO CITY PROJECTS
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27884
Friday, June 27, 2008
TYPICAL DOUBLE STANDARD WHEN DEALING WITH THE CITY
Two events took place this week that reflect the double standard that exists when one is dealing with the City.
Earlier in the week it was reported that the city was claiming that a majority of the 9/11 health claims submitted were unwarranted.
They were basing their statistics on data from many short form claims that were submitted to meet the city mandated deadline to for health benefits.
The city was once again trying to justify the millions they have spent in legal fees fighting health claims by 9/11 victims.
Everyone knows how easy it is to make statistics support any argument especially if you control the data. But according to the city their lawyers will continue to try to fight these claims as it is the proper thing to do and the only way they can weed out those who are trying to cheat the system.
Later in the week when Norman Siegel petitioned a judge for an inquiry into the City Council’s admitted allocation of public funds to nonexistent organizations city lawyer claimed that it was a publicity stunt and stated that the council’s money policies are beyond the court’s authority.
So let’s see how this works. It is OK for the city to spend millions in legal fees to fight 9/11 health claims but it is not alright to have a legal inquiry into the City Council possible misappropriation of over $17 Million.
Seems like a double standard to us.
But one only has to look over the city handling of all 9/11 issues over the last seven years to see that this type of double standard has been common practice.
The spin doctors will soon follow just wait and see portraying the victims as villains.
Business as usual for this administration.
Earlier in the week it was reported that the city was claiming that a majority of the 9/11 health claims submitted were unwarranted.
They were basing their statistics on data from many short form claims that were submitted to meet the city mandated deadline to for health benefits.
The city was once again trying to justify the millions they have spent in legal fees fighting health claims by 9/11 victims.
Everyone knows how easy it is to make statistics support any argument especially if you control the data. But according to the city their lawyers will continue to try to fight these claims as it is the proper thing to do and the only way they can weed out those who are trying to cheat the system.
Later in the week when Norman Siegel petitioned a judge for an inquiry into the City Council’s admitted allocation of public funds to nonexistent organizations city lawyer claimed that it was a publicity stunt and stated that the council’s money policies are beyond the court’s authority.
So let’s see how this works. It is OK for the city to spend millions in legal fees to fight 9/11 health claims but it is not alright to have a legal inquiry into the City Council possible misappropriation of over $17 Million.
Seems like a double standard to us.
But one only has to look over the city handling of all 9/11 issues over the last seven years to see that this type of double standard has been common practice.
The spin doctors will soon follow just wait and see portraying the victims as villains.
Business as usual for this administration.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Clinical Guidelines for Adults Exposed to the WTC Disaster
Clinical Guidelines for Adults Exposed to the WTC Disaster
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=43700
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=43700
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Department of Education's Summer Meals Program
The Department of Education will be providing free breakfast and lunch for children under 18 at locations around the city.
No registration or paperwork is required, and children may eat at any of more than 1,000 locations. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9:15 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., seven days a week.
Call 311 to find location nearest you
No registration or paperwork is required, and children may eat at any of more than 1,000 locations. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9:15 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., seven days a week.
Call 311 to find location nearest you
TIME TO BE PROACTIVE ON STATEN ISLAND
We were glad to see that the Staten Island Advance was following up with the issue of the Bayonne Bridge in today’s addition.
When 150 feet just isn't enough
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1214394342262970.xml&coll=1
We have been trying to get our local officials attention to this matter for over a month. Below is from our blog of 5/21
“We have a Homeport that has been idle for years. In 2014 improvements to the Panama Canal will allow for cargo ships that will not be able to pass under the Bayonne Bridge. These ships will need someplace to go. But we continue to ignore the Homeport”.
For full blog click link below
While the Advance story addresses the issue of the bridge we think that our local officials should be looking proactively to accommodate these new super tankers.
If they can’t fit under the bridge we should be considering providing ports on this side of the bridge.
We have the Homeport which has been doing nothing but gathering dust since the Navy pulled out and miles of shoreline on the North shore with a rail system that could very easily connect it to Howland Hook.
Just like New Jersey did to pull shipping away from the Brooklyn Navy yards years ago.
Planning to dismantle or rebuild the Bayonne Bridge while a good idea will take decades especially at the speed that the Port Authority works.
One only has to look at Ground Zero. Seven years and we are not even above street level.
Our elected officials should be all over this as it would provide jobs for decades to come.
While they are at it maybe they should also talk to the people at Hunts Point.
It seems that they are not happy with their facility and are threatening to move to Jersey.
We could think of quite a few spots on Staten Island ideal for that facility and the jobs it would bring.
Again would there be problems of course but at least these options should be considered.
The additional economic benefits and tax revenue might even get us some additional funding to improve the rest of the infrastructure on Staten Island.
This is all probably pie in the eye thinking as we have said before, the problem with Staten Island is that we spend most of our time being inactive or reactive (we do like to complain) but we are almost never proactive.
Well here is an opportunity. Let’s see if we even get into the discussion.
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=42959
When 150 feet just isn't enough
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1214394342262970.xml&coll=1
We have been trying to get our local officials attention to this matter for over a month. Below is from our blog of 5/21
“We have a Homeport that has been idle for years. In 2014 improvements to the Panama Canal will allow for cargo ships that will not be able to pass under the Bayonne Bridge. These ships will need someplace to go. But we continue to ignore the Homeport”.
For full blog click link below
While the Advance story addresses the issue of the bridge we think that our local officials should be looking proactively to accommodate these new super tankers.
If they can’t fit under the bridge we should be considering providing ports on this side of the bridge.
We have the Homeport which has been doing nothing but gathering dust since the Navy pulled out and miles of shoreline on the North shore with a rail system that could very easily connect it to Howland Hook.
Just like New Jersey did to pull shipping away from the Brooklyn Navy yards years ago.
Planning to dismantle or rebuild the Bayonne Bridge while a good idea will take decades especially at the speed that the Port Authority works.
One only has to look at Ground Zero. Seven years and we are not even above street level.
Our elected officials should be all over this as it would provide jobs for decades to come.
While they are at it maybe they should also talk to the people at Hunts Point.
It seems that they are not happy with their facility and are threatening to move to Jersey.
We could think of quite a few spots on Staten Island ideal for that facility and the jobs it would bring.
Again would there be problems of course but at least these options should be considered.
The additional economic benefits and tax revenue might even get us some additional funding to improve the rest of the infrastructure on Staten Island.
This is all probably pie in the eye thinking as we have said before, the problem with Staten Island is that we spend most of our time being inactive or reactive (we do like to complain) but we are almost never proactive.
Well here is an opportunity. Let’s see if we even get into the discussion.
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=42959
Monday, June 23, 2008
Cutting Corners.....Our Children Deserve Better
Recent reports indicate that strength tests might have been compromised on the foundations at both the Freedom Tower and the new Yankee Stadium as well as other major construction projects in the city
Cranes working on other locations are in jeopardy as inspectors have been paid off to falsify inspections.
Positions on Boards are filled not based on qualifications but associations.
Senators and Congressmen get favorable loans.
Former White House executives are awarded million dollar contracts.
Supreme Court Justices make decisions involving corporations in which they have financial interests.
Unfortunately it has become the American Way
Cut some corners or bend a few rules whenever you can to save that extra buck no matter the consequences.
Unfortunately it has filtered right down to the youth of America.
Just this weekend one of the juvenile offenders assigned to our graffiti cleanup offered me $50 to get out of community service.
And it gets worse. As the economy continues to suffer more and more people are looking for short cuts and ways to cut corners.
And what does the government do other than setting such a fine example?
It promotes these short cuts..
More and more states legalize gambling or expand their current gambling projects.
New York is by far the worse offender.
Just look at all that went into saving NYC OTB, the most mismanaged bookie operation in history.
Or look at all the money spent to promote state sponsored gambling in New York alone.
With not so subtle ads targeting people in financial need with promises of a work free future with no worries.
At the same time educating a whole new generation by replacing hard work with a “dollar and a dream”
Unless we start making changes from the top on down the recent sub prime fiasco (another short cut) will pale by comparison.
We need elected officials and judges who realize that it should once again be “government by the people” not “government bought by some people”
Our children deserve better.
Cranes working on other locations are in jeopardy as inspectors have been paid off to falsify inspections.
Positions on Boards are filled not based on qualifications but associations.
Senators and Congressmen get favorable loans.
Former White House executives are awarded million dollar contracts.
Supreme Court Justices make decisions involving corporations in which they have financial interests.
Unfortunately it has become the American Way
Cut some corners or bend a few rules whenever you can to save that extra buck no matter the consequences.
Unfortunately it has filtered right down to the youth of America.
Just this weekend one of the juvenile offenders assigned to our graffiti cleanup offered me $50 to get out of community service.
And it gets worse. As the economy continues to suffer more and more people are looking for short cuts and ways to cut corners.
And what does the government do other than setting such a fine example?
It promotes these short cuts..
More and more states legalize gambling or expand their current gambling projects.
New York is by far the worse offender.
Just look at all that went into saving NYC OTB, the most mismanaged bookie operation in history.
Or look at all the money spent to promote state sponsored gambling in New York alone.
With not so subtle ads targeting people in financial need with promises of a work free future with no worries.
At the same time educating a whole new generation by replacing hard work with a “dollar and a dream”
Unless we start making changes from the top on down the recent sub prime fiasco (another short cut) will pale by comparison.
We need elected officials and judges who realize that it should once again be “government by the people” not “government bought by some people”
Our children deserve better.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Don't Stop There
It appears that the pressure put on the MTA by the Governor and the Attorney General will result in former board members losing their free EZ passes.
While this is a step in the right direction it is certainly not enough.
Is there any reason why any of the current board members needs more than one EZ pass?
The last time tied I could only drive one car at a time and if these passes are meant only for the board member why would he or she need more than one.
We should not stop at the MTA but this policy should apply to all Authorities and agencies.
While we are on this topic we also need to take a closer look at current state employees and the plum part time jobs they get as board members of not for profits and the like.
Is anyone following up on the way NYISO is paying its former board members and key personnel millions of dollars in compensation and deferred payments?
Is the Attorney General and the Governor even going to follow up on this after the director of the PA fiasco?
It appears every time you pick up the paper you read that some current or former official is being appointed to some board or another.
A Penny Stock company just added former Governor Pataki to its board.
While we are not accusing anyone at this time it appears that the fact that most of these positions are paid in compensation or deferred benefits should raise a flag.
Why not straight salaries?
Also it is all about perception.
Former high level officials getting plum jobs with six figure compensations make you wonder what they did while in office to warrant this treatment.
Or is that just business as usual?
The Governor and the Attorney General need to prove to us that it is not.
While this is a step in the right direction it is certainly not enough.
Is there any reason why any of the current board members needs more than one EZ pass?
The last time tied I could only drive one car at a time and if these passes are meant only for the board member why would he or she need more than one.
We should not stop at the MTA but this policy should apply to all Authorities and agencies.
While we are on this topic we also need to take a closer look at current state employees and the plum part time jobs they get as board members of not for profits and the like.
Is anyone following up on the way NYISO is paying its former board members and key personnel millions of dollars in compensation and deferred payments?
Is the Attorney General and the Governor even going to follow up on this after the director of the PA fiasco?
It appears every time you pick up the paper you read that some current or former official is being appointed to some board or another.
A Penny Stock company just added former Governor Pataki to its board.
While we are not accusing anyone at this time it appears that the fact that most of these positions are paid in compensation or deferred benefits should raise a flag.
Why not straight salaries?
Also it is all about perception.
Former high level officials getting plum jobs with six figure compensations make you wonder what they did while in office to warrant this treatment.
Or is that just business as usual?
The Governor and the Attorney General need to prove to us that it is not.
TO MTA: PUT UP SHUT UP OR GIVE UP
6/19
The arrogance of the MTA is unbelievable.
Now David Mack, one of its board members,states that he and his other board members should be allowed to keep their free transportation privileges because they should not have to endure the inconvenience of riding public transportation.
Now while the rest of the city is concerned about congestion pricing and everyone from the mayor on down has been calling on all NYC residents to use Mass Transit we have MTA board basically stating that public transportation is beneath them.
So now the supposedly cash strapped MTA will spend even more of its money on lawyers to fight Attorney General's Cuomo attempt to restrict these perks.
It's bad enough that the MTA, which is funded by the fares of residents using mass transit, is promoting the non use of its services by its Board members but what is even worse is the extent of this arrogance.
One might consider that one free EZ Pass per Board member might be OK but the fact that they are granted multiple passes is absurd.
Mr. Mack alone has 6 free passes and has stated "Why should I ride the train and inconvenience myself when I can ride in a car"
The Attorney General should immediately obtain the records of all charges associated with these free EZ Passes. Not only for the MTA but for anyone granted a free pass.
Let's see where and by whom these passes are being used.
To begin with lets just find out how many members are on the MTA Board and how many passes they have received.
Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Why would they need more than one pass each?
With the system in place it should be easy to track the passes.
The reports will show the use and abuse of this privilege.
For a start all board members should be required to reimburse the city for any previous charges other than those on the primary pass.
All current passes should be eliminated...Board members are not supposed to be compensated for serving on the Board...."no compensation means no compensation" and perks are compensation.
Maybe the Attorney General should get the IRS involved.
Or maybe the MTA should PUT UP SHUT AND GIVE UP
The arrogance of the MTA is unbelievable.
Now David Mack, one of its board members,states that he and his other board members should be allowed to keep their free transportation privileges because they should not have to endure the inconvenience of riding public transportation.
Now while the rest of the city is concerned about congestion pricing and everyone from the mayor on down has been calling on all NYC residents to use Mass Transit we have MTA board basically stating that public transportation is beneath them.
So now the supposedly cash strapped MTA will spend even more of its money on lawyers to fight Attorney General's Cuomo attempt to restrict these perks.
It's bad enough that the MTA, which is funded by the fares of residents using mass transit, is promoting the non use of its services by its Board members but what is even worse is the extent of this arrogance.
One might consider that one free EZ Pass per Board member might be OK but the fact that they are granted multiple passes is absurd.
Mr. Mack alone has 6 free passes and has stated "Why should I ride the train and inconvenience myself when I can ride in a car"
The Attorney General should immediately obtain the records of all charges associated with these free EZ Passes. Not only for the MTA but for anyone granted a free pass.
Let's see where and by whom these passes are being used.
To begin with lets just find out how many members are on the MTA Board and how many passes they have received.
Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Why would they need more than one pass each?
With the system in place it should be easy to track the passes.
The reports will show the use and abuse of this privilege.
For a start all board members should be required to reimburse the city for any previous charges other than those on the primary pass.
All current passes should be eliminated...Board members are not supposed to be compensated for serving on the Board...."no compensation means no compensation" and perks are compensation.
Maybe the Attorney General should get the IRS involved.
Or maybe the MTA should PUT UP SHUT AND GIVE UP
990 FORM MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING
6/19
As reported yesterday the new chief of the Port Authority is set to receive an additional $100,000 in salary and benefits for being a board member of New York Independent System Operator (a not for profit corp). Having heard that the salary portion of this benefits package was only $30,000 we did a little research and found that although board members salaries appear to be small the total compensation packages are quite large.
In the 2005 tax filing nearly $5.5 Million was paid as compensation of Officers and Directors while another nearly $9 Million was paid in other Management and non program related salaries.
What is more interesting is the distribution of funds to former Officers, Directors, Trustees and Key Employees.
The four listed in 2005 received over $200,000 in compensation.
They also received contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation plans to the tune of over $2.25 Million.
These are the figures directly from the 2005 IRS 990 form.
Check it out as it makes for very interesting reading.
As reported yesterday the new chief of the Port Authority is set to receive an additional $100,000 in salary and benefits for being a board member of New York Independent System Operator (a not for profit corp). Having heard that the salary portion of this benefits package was only $30,000 we did a little research and found that although board members salaries appear to be small the total compensation packages are quite large.
In the 2005 tax filing nearly $5.5 Million was paid as compensation of Officers and Directors while another nearly $9 Million was paid in other Management and non program related salaries.
What is more interesting is the distribution of funds to former Officers, Directors, Trustees and Key Employees.
The four listed in 2005 received over $200,000 in compensation.
They also received contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation plans to the tune of over $2.25 Million.
These are the figures directly from the 2005 IRS 990 form.
Check it out as it makes for very interesting reading.
THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT
6/18
What do the Port Authority, OTB and the MTA have in common?
They all continue to find ways to legally (and I use that term loosely) rip off taxpayers and line their pockets with money that could be put to much better use.
Strike One
It was reported today that the nearly $300,000 a year salary that the executive director of the Port Authority is being paid is not enough for him.
The NY Daily News reports that Christopher Ward is being paid an additional $100,000 a year for serving on the board of a not for profit organization.
One would think that being the executive director of the Port Authority would be a full time job, but it appears that Mr. Ward has time on his hands for this part time gig.
I know that there are rules and regulations about not for profits having paid members who are employees of the city, state or federal government on their boards but again this is the Port Authority and it appears they do not have to play by the same rules.
Strike Two
Many know that the state and the city reached an agreement this week to save OTB.
Details of the agreement were not widely publicized but in the final agreement the state managed to grab an additional 1% from winning tickets.
This now raises their total take to 21%
21% of all winning bets and NYC will see very little of it
Approximately
$3 Million to the now state controlled NYC OTB Corp
$3 Million to other OTB's and tracks in New York (not NYC)
$3 Million to NYRA
Once again money from NYC residents going right to the state.
And they consider this a sweet deal.
A sweet deal for our buddies upstate, taxation without representation, as always is the case in these types of deals.
Strike 3
The MTA stakes again.
The MTA has announced that many of its proposed improvements that were part of the fare increase package it imposed last year would not be implemented.
We were told that the fare increase was to support more frequent bus, subway and commuter train schedules.
We are now told they do not have do not have the money to support these improvements.
It didn't stop the MTA from giving it's Chairman a 3% raise bringing his total salary and benefits package to over $350,000
Now let's see how this works.
Charge the people more.
Don't deliver promised improvements.
Give your Chairman a raise.
Right out of the "Authority Playbook"
Easy to do when you don't answer to anyone.
What do the Port Authority, OTB and the MTA have in common?
They all continue to find ways to legally (and I use that term loosely) rip off taxpayers and line their pockets with money that could be put to much better use.
Strike One
It was reported today that the nearly $300,000 a year salary that the executive director of the Port Authority is being paid is not enough for him.
The NY Daily News reports that Christopher Ward is being paid an additional $100,000 a year for serving on the board of a not for profit organization.
One would think that being the executive director of the Port Authority would be a full time job, but it appears that Mr. Ward has time on his hands for this part time gig.
I know that there are rules and regulations about not for profits having paid members who are employees of the city, state or federal government on their boards but again this is the Port Authority and it appears they do not have to play by the same rules.
Strike Two
Many know that the state and the city reached an agreement this week to save OTB.
Details of the agreement were not widely publicized but in the final agreement the state managed to grab an additional 1% from winning tickets.
This now raises their total take to 21%
21% of all winning bets and NYC will see very little of it
Approximately
$3 Million to the now state controlled NYC OTB Corp
$3 Million to other OTB's and tracks in New York (not NYC)
$3 Million to NYRA
Once again money from NYC residents going right to the state.
And they consider this a sweet deal.
A sweet deal for our buddies upstate, taxation without representation, as always is the case in these types of deals.
Strike 3
The MTA stakes again.
The MTA has announced that many of its proposed improvements that were part of the fare increase package it imposed last year would not be implemented.
We were told that the fare increase was to support more frequent bus, subway and commuter train schedules.
We are now told they do not have do not have the money to support these improvements.
It didn't stop the MTA from giving it's Chairman a 3% raise bringing his total salary and benefits package to over $350,000
Now let's see how this works.
Charge the people more.
Don't deliver promised improvements.
Give your Chairman a raise.
Right out of the "Authority Playbook"
Easy to do when you don't answer to anyone.
WHY ISN'T THE INQUIRY LIGHT FLASHING?
6/16
As reported today in a photo finish the state and city worked out their issues and saved OTB.
Anyone following this could have predicted this outcome as the state was not going to give up on this cash cow no matter how poorly it has been run.
Not that we would wish unemployment on anyone but do you really think that it is fair that the starting salaries of the tellers at NYC OTB are higher then the staring salaries of teachers, cops and firefighters.
NYC OTB clerks make 50% more than clerks at other OTB's and at one point it's labor costs were 75% of its total costs.
Managers of OTB parlors make more then principals in the public school system, it just doesn't seem fair.
Since its inception OTB has been mismanaged and its contribution to NYC has been minimal.
So many fingers in the pie from the state to the NYRA its no wonder that they can't make any money.
It's not surprising that NYC could manage to screw up a bookie operation.
What is surprising is that this comes as a surprise to anyone.
Over ten years ago a study by Morgan Stanley found that for each dollar collected from bettors, New York's OTB spent more on salaries and benefits than other OTBs in the state or private companies that run offtrack betting operations elsewhere.
Back in 1995 Dr. Savas, director of the Privatization Research Organization at Baruch College, stated OTB was "overstaffed, overpaid, and overburdened with expensive leases on its parlors," "A lot of these long-term leases were given out to politically influential people, and the corporation is stuck with them. The overpayment comes from relatively high base salaries for workers, from sweetheart deals with unions for overtime pay, and with a bloated management structure that was rife with political patronage."
Below are some quotes from Mayor Bloomberg about OTB;
"I have always had my reservations about city government being involved in gambling. But it is entirely wrong for the the city to lose taxpayer money funding such a questionable endeavor"
"Years of state legislative schemes that favored racing interests over NYC OTB, at the expense of essential city services, have forced the city into a financially untenable situation in which city taxpayers are, in effect, asked to subsidized the state racing industry.
What we find amusing is that these quotes are seven months old having been made in November of 2007.
Seven months later and we just roll over for the state.
But the mayor had to know the problem with OTB existed well before last November
One only has to compare these two press releases from the mayor's office to see that there has been a problem for quite sometime
OTB TO EXCEED $1 BILLION IN WAGERING IN FISCAL YEAR 2000 (6/28/2000)
http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2000a/pr248-00.html
MAYOR BLOOMBERG ADDRESSES OFF TRACK BETTING BOARD BEFORE VOTE TO IMPLEMENT CLOSURE PLAN (2/19/2008)
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2008a%2Fpr056-08.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1
If a jockey gave a horse such a bad ride the inquiry light would certainly be flashing.
But when it comes to government oversight of OTB or with all its agencies for that matter it is business as usual.
No oversight, no accountability, political patronage (past presidents have included Allie Sherman of NY Giant fame and one of Guliani's cousins) and the list goes on and on.
And they wonder why they can't turn a profit.
At the end of the race the only ones who lose are the NYC residents who were supposed to benefit.
But I guess I am just beating a dead horse.
As reported today in a photo finish the state and city worked out their issues and saved OTB.
Anyone following this could have predicted this outcome as the state was not going to give up on this cash cow no matter how poorly it has been run.
Not that we would wish unemployment on anyone but do you really think that it is fair that the starting salaries of the tellers at NYC OTB are higher then the staring salaries of teachers, cops and firefighters.
NYC OTB clerks make 50% more than clerks at other OTB's and at one point it's labor costs were 75% of its total costs.
Managers of OTB parlors make more then principals in the public school system, it just doesn't seem fair.
Since its inception OTB has been mismanaged and its contribution to NYC has been minimal.
So many fingers in the pie from the state to the NYRA its no wonder that they can't make any money.
It's not surprising that NYC could manage to screw up a bookie operation.
What is surprising is that this comes as a surprise to anyone.
Over ten years ago a study by Morgan Stanley found that for each dollar collected from bettors, New York's OTB spent more on salaries and benefits than other OTBs in the state or private companies that run offtrack betting operations elsewhere.
Back in 1995 Dr. Savas, director of the Privatization Research Organization at Baruch College, stated OTB was "overstaffed, overpaid, and overburdened with expensive leases on its parlors," "A lot of these long-term leases were given out to politically influential people, and the corporation is stuck with them. The overpayment comes from relatively high base salaries for workers, from sweetheart deals with unions for overtime pay, and with a bloated management structure that was rife with political patronage."
Below are some quotes from Mayor Bloomberg about OTB;
"I have always had my reservations about city government being involved in gambling. But it is entirely wrong for the the city to lose taxpayer money funding such a questionable endeavor"
"Years of state legislative schemes that favored racing interests over NYC OTB, at the expense of essential city services, have forced the city into a financially untenable situation in which city taxpayers are, in effect, asked to subsidized the state racing industry.
What we find amusing is that these quotes are seven months old having been made in November of 2007.
Seven months later and we just roll over for the state.
But the mayor had to know the problem with OTB existed well before last November
One only has to compare these two press releases from the mayor's office to see that there has been a problem for quite sometime
OTB TO EXCEED $1 BILLION IN WAGERING IN FISCAL YEAR 2000 (6/28/2000)
http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2000a/pr248-00.html
MAYOR BLOOMBERG ADDRESSES OFF TRACK BETTING BOARD BEFORE VOTE TO IMPLEMENT CLOSURE PLAN (2/19/2008)
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2008a%2Fpr056-08.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1
If a jockey gave a horse such a bad ride the inquiry light would certainly be flashing.
But when it comes to government oversight of OTB or with all its agencies for that matter it is business as usual.
No oversight, no accountability, political patronage (past presidents have included Allie Sherman of NY Giant fame and one of Guliani's cousins) and the list goes on and on.
And they wonder why they can't turn a profit.
At the end of the race the only ones who lose are the NYC residents who were supposed to benefit.
But I guess I am just beating a dead horse.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED DESPITE WHAT THE HEADLINES SAY
6/15
It has been reported that Mayor Bloomberg has been in Washington attempting to convince Congress to reopen the Victims Compensation Fund.
Although this may appear to be good news for those still suffering we would not hold out too much hope that Congress will agree.
Back in December of 2006 Special Master Kenneth Feinberg recommended the very same thing and Mayor Bloomberg ignored his recommendation.
Now a year and a half later the mayor is promoting this very idea.
Unfortunately as we move further and further away from 9/11 it is becoming more and more difficult to convince out of state senators and Congressmen to give anything at all to New York.
One only has to look at recent statements by Congressman Issa and Senator Gregg to see how much of the country feels.
On January 21, 2007 shortly after Feinberg offered his solution we posted the item below supporting Feinberg’s position.
MAYOR'S PRIORITIES ONCE AGAIN MISPLACED
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34605
We also wrote a letter to then Governor Spitzer and Mayor Bloomberg providing them with ways to help finance the fund.
We never received a response to our letter and our recommendations were ignored.
Since that time nothing has been done to recoup any of the funds that were disbursed for questionable grants, loans and contracts.
And now we have judges rewarding people for stealing from the original fund.
Not likely that any of these actions will help convince Congress to reopen the fund.
Victims will continue to suffer and lawyers will make millions in payments from the city fighting legitimate claims.
Nothing has changed despite what the headlines say.
It has been reported that Mayor Bloomberg has been in Washington attempting to convince Congress to reopen the Victims Compensation Fund.
Although this may appear to be good news for those still suffering we would not hold out too much hope that Congress will agree.
Back in December of 2006 Special Master Kenneth Feinberg recommended the very same thing and Mayor Bloomberg ignored his recommendation.
Now a year and a half later the mayor is promoting this very idea.
Unfortunately as we move further and further away from 9/11 it is becoming more and more difficult to convince out of state senators and Congressmen to give anything at all to New York.
One only has to look at recent statements by Congressman Issa and Senator Gregg to see how much of the country feels.
On January 21, 2007 shortly after Feinberg offered his solution we posted the item below supporting Feinberg’s position.
MAYOR'S PRIORITIES ONCE AGAIN MISPLACED
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34605
We also wrote a letter to then Governor Spitzer and Mayor Bloomberg providing them with ways to help finance the fund.
We never received a response to our letter and our recommendations were ignored.
Since that time nothing has been done to recoup any of the funds that were disbursed for questionable grants, loans and contracts.
And now we have judges rewarding people for stealing from the original fund.
Not likely that any of these actions will help convince Congress to reopen the fund.
Victims will continue to suffer and lawyers will make millions in payments from the city fighting legitimate claims.
Nothing has changed despite what the headlines say.
KEEPING THE STREAK ALIVE
6/14
So it appears that you can steal $1 Million that could have gone to victims who are still suffering and not receiving treatment and walk away with $900,000 of it.
Typical of the way things have been handled all along since 9/11.
No rhyme or reason.
Some may say that it is justified as the defendant was convicted and is going to prison for two and a half years.
To that we say how many could have gotten treatment over the next two and a half years with $1 Million.
What does this say to those who legitimately applied and were rejected?
Decisions like this will just open the flood gates for future acts of fraud in the event of future tragedies.
How can a judge who described the defendant as someone who capitalized on these tragic events and saw the tragedy as a treasure trove allow him to keep 90% of what he stole.
It just doesn’t make sense.
It appears that when it comes to 9/11 or Ground Zero when there is a decision to be made the wrong one is almost always chosen.
No consideration for those who lost loved ones.
No compassion for those who continue to suffer.
No common sense.
No one held responsible from government officials to common thieves.
And Judge Victor Marrero keeps the streak alive.
So it appears that you can steal $1 Million that could have gone to victims who are still suffering and not receiving treatment and walk away with $900,000 of it.
Typical of the way things have been handled all along since 9/11.
No rhyme or reason.
Some may say that it is justified as the defendant was convicted and is going to prison for two and a half years.
To that we say how many could have gotten treatment over the next two and a half years with $1 Million.
What does this say to those who legitimately applied and were rejected?
Decisions like this will just open the flood gates for future acts of fraud in the event of future tragedies.
How can a judge who described the defendant as someone who capitalized on these tragic events and saw the tragedy as a treasure trove allow him to keep 90% of what he stole.
It just doesn’t make sense.
It appears that when it comes to 9/11 or Ground Zero when there is a decision to be made the wrong one is almost always chosen.
No consideration for those who lost loved ones.
No compassion for those who continue to suffer.
No common sense.
No one held responsible from government officials to common thieves.
And Judge Victor Marrero keeps the streak alive.
HERE HE COMES TO SAVE THE DAY!
6/12
It was reported today the Governor Patterson is demanding an audit of the Port Authority and the rebuilding process at Ground Zero.
Well excuse me if I don’t get too excited as we have been through this again and again.
Audits have been demanded and conducted and their results either not published or ignored.
Governor Pataki and the mayor created the problem by giving the Port Authority and the LMDC total control and not holding them responsible for anything including the proper recovery of remains.
Someone should do an audit of the hiring practices of the Port Authority and the LMDC (and the numerous other alphabetical agencies created after 9/11) to see how many members of Pataki’s staff now have executive positions with the PA or businesses doing business with them.
Things did not get any better under Spitzer as our concerns and recommendations fell on deaf ears with him as well.
Now Patterson steps in and is going to make everything right! WRONG
Here is a little history lesson just over the past few years.
In August 2006 City Controller William Thompson demanded that the Port Authority to give a detailed account of $600 Million in lease payments.
Haven’t heard much about that have we?
It was reported in January 2008 that hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars earmarked for the demolition of the Deutsche Bank Building had been ripped off with questionable corporate and bank transfers to shell companies with mob connections.
Over a million pages of subpoenaed documents.
Good bang for our bucks with that one.
And now almost three months after “technical and financial challenges” were once again raised threatening an already delayed and well over budget project the Governor is going to step in like Mighty Mouse and save the day.
I can almost hear the music in the background.
Well the joke is once again on us.
Nothing is going to come out of this as nothing has come out of any of the hundreds of audits and investigations and reports.
What is the point of investigating if?
A) No one trusts the investigation as it is being performed in house or by people associated with those being investigated.
B) Nothing is ever done to implement the findings
C) No one is ever held accountable.
You have to love the way things are done.
We create agencies and authorities that are not responsible to anyone and they just do as they please.
It’s not only at Ground Zero as we are constantly being ripped off by the MTA (looking for another raise) the TBA the LMDC and the list goes on an on.
Agencies created to bypass the checks and balances of local government.
If the Governor really wanted to do something maybe he should meet with the people that have been questioning what has been going on since more then half the trucks carrying the steal beams from Ground Zero never made it to their designated destination.
And while he’s at it he can also find
Why we still can’t get answers about the identification of remains from the city?
Why was the sifted material; from the latest recovery effort shipped to Fresh Kills and are they going to be buried under tons of garbage as were the previously sifted material?
What is the latest cost estimate for the Memorial?
How much money has been spent on administrative salaries for the LMDC and other agencies created since 9/11?
These are just a few questions that we would like him to get answered, as our requests to the mayor and the PA have been ignored.
If he really wanted to do something he need only pick up the phone and give us a call.
Now that would be something
It was reported today the Governor Patterson is demanding an audit of the Port Authority and the rebuilding process at Ground Zero.
Well excuse me if I don’t get too excited as we have been through this again and again.
Audits have been demanded and conducted and their results either not published or ignored.
Governor Pataki and the mayor created the problem by giving the Port Authority and the LMDC total control and not holding them responsible for anything including the proper recovery of remains.
Someone should do an audit of the hiring practices of the Port Authority and the LMDC (and the numerous other alphabetical agencies created after 9/11) to see how many members of Pataki’s staff now have executive positions with the PA or businesses doing business with them.
Things did not get any better under Spitzer as our concerns and recommendations fell on deaf ears with him as well.
Now Patterson steps in and is going to make everything right! WRONG
Here is a little history lesson just over the past few years.
In August 2006 City Controller William Thompson demanded that the Port Authority to give a detailed account of $600 Million in lease payments.
Haven’t heard much about that have we?
It was reported in January 2008 that hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars earmarked for the demolition of the Deutsche Bank Building had been ripped off with questionable corporate and bank transfers to shell companies with mob connections.
Over a million pages of subpoenaed documents.
Good bang for our bucks with that one.
And now almost three months after “technical and financial challenges” were once again raised threatening an already delayed and well over budget project the Governor is going to step in like Mighty Mouse and save the day.
I can almost hear the music in the background.
Well the joke is once again on us.
Nothing is going to come out of this as nothing has come out of any of the hundreds of audits and investigations and reports.
What is the point of investigating if?
A) No one trusts the investigation as it is being performed in house or by people associated with those being investigated.
B) Nothing is ever done to implement the findings
C) No one is ever held accountable.
You have to love the way things are done.
We create agencies and authorities that are not responsible to anyone and they just do as they please.
It’s not only at Ground Zero as we are constantly being ripped off by the MTA (looking for another raise) the TBA the LMDC and the list goes on an on.
Agencies created to bypass the checks and balances of local government.
If the Governor really wanted to do something maybe he should meet with the people that have been questioning what has been going on since more then half the trucks carrying the steal beams from Ground Zero never made it to their designated destination.
And while he’s at it he can also find
Why we still can’t get answers about the identification of remains from the city?
Why was the sifted material; from the latest recovery effort shipped to Fresh Kills and are they going to be buried under tons of garbage as were the previously sifted material?
What is the latest cost estimate for the Memorial?
How much money has been spent on administrative salaries for the LMDC and other agencies created since 9/11?
These are just a few questions that we would like him to get answered, as our requests to the mayor and the PA have been ignored.
If he really wanted to do something he need only pick up the phone and give us a call.
Now that would be something
Too Many Post Turtles
6/9
This was sent to me by a friend.
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to current candidates and their bids to be our President.
The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, they're both 'post turtles.''
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was. The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.'
The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there, and you just wonder what kind of a dumb ass put him up there to begin with.'
Seems to me we have way too many post turtles at all levels this coming year.
This was sent to me by a friend.
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to current candidates and their bids to be our President.
The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, they're both 'post turtles.''
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was. The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.'
The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there, and you just wonder what kind of a dumb ass put him up there to begin with.'
Seems to me we have way too many post turtles at all levels this coming year.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW.........
6/4
So let’s see how this works.
It appears that being an ex chief under President Bush might also get you the inside track on an $11 million one year contract to track 9/11 health related issues of people living outside New York.
Now let’s follow the chain of events. This contract was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which happens to be a part of the Health and Human Services Department which just so happened to be run by Tommy Thompson during Bush’s first term who also happens to be president of Logistics Health Inc which just by chance is the firm that was awarded the contract.
What a coincidence!
Unfortunately this is more the norm than the exception.
First we have the EPA Chief making a public statement assuring everyone that the air quality was fine in New York City shortly after 9/11.
Even after investigations have shown that the government knew that this statement was false Ms. Whitman was let off the hook with a judge stating that “legal remedies are not always available for every instance of arguably deficient governmental performance”
And don’t think that this only happens at the Federal level.
In New York we set up a fund that is intended to pay medical claims of 9/11 victims but to date it has only funded the exorbitant expenses of the lawyers hired to fight these claims.
And the list goes on and on.
There has yet to be an investigation into the alleged disappearance of almost $1 million in cash and thousands of pieces of 9/11 property from the NYPD Property Department.
And what ever happened to the laptop that was stolen with personal 9/11 information.
Hell did anyone ever check the past records of the company that we are paying millions to for the identification of remains at Ground Zero. Guess not and even after limited results they were awarded a contract extension.
What ever happened to competitive bidding and an open and honest process?
One just has to look at the whole Memorial process to see it was never part of the plan.
As usual it’s not what you know it’s who you know.
And unless we keep on asking questions and demanding answers that’s the way it will continue to be.
So let’s see how this works.
It appears that being an ex chief under President Bush might also get you the inside track on an $11 million one year contract to track 9/11 health related issues of people living outside New York.
Now let’s follow the chain of events. This contract was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which happens to be a part of the Health and Human Services Department which just so happened to be run by Tommy Thompson during Bush’s first term who also happens to be president of Logistics Health Inc which just by chance is the firm that was awarded the contract.
What a coincidence!
Unfortunately this is more the norm than the exception.
First we have the EPA Chief making a public statement assuring everyone that the air quality was fine in New York City shortly after 9/11.
Even after investigations have shown that the government knew that this statement was false Ms. Whitman was let off the hook with a judge stating that “legal remedies are not always available for every instance of arguably deficient governmental performance”
And don’t think that this only happens at the Federal level.
In New York we set up a fund that is intended to pay medical claims of 9/11 victims but to date it has only funded the exorbitant expenses of the lawyers hired to fight these claims.
And the list goes on and on.
There has yet to be an investigation into the alleged disappearance of almost $1 million in cash and thousands of pieces of 9/11 property from the NYPD Property Department.
And what ever happened to the laptop that was stolen with personal 9/11 information.
Hell did anyone ever check the past records of the company that we are paying millions to for the identification of remains at Ground Zero. Guess not and even after limited results they were awarded a contract extension.
What ever happened to competitive bidding and an open and honest process?
One just has to look at the whole Memorial process to see it was never part of the plan.
As usual it’s not what you know it’s who you know.
And unless we keep on asking questions and demanding answers that’s the way it will continue to be.
GREAT WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
5/14
It must be great being the Port Authority.
Depending on the situation you can decide what side of the fence you are on.
The current situation with Goldman Sachs is a perfect example.
New York and New Jersey taxpayers will be on the hook for over $320 million because the Port Authority will not be delivering on schedule.
Now let me get this right the Port Authority which has advertised that it is "financially self supporting and receives no tax revenue from either state" in official WTC Foundation Press Releases (see one from 8/17/06 below) is now going to get $320 Million from New York because it has missed its deadlines.
If you think that the bulk of that money is not coming straight out of our tax paying pockets you are sadly mistaken.
Now in the real world there are usually penalties placed on a contractors if they do not deliver.
But here we are being left holding the bag because the Port Authority, which was given this job which such great fanfare, about how they were the most qualified and dependable alternative, is not going to be penalized but actually bailed out to the tune of $320 Million.
Great work if you can get it.
Unfortunately this does not only hold true with financials but in almost every aspect of dealing with the Port Authority.
We cannot require them to build according to NYC Building and Fire Codes but the FDNY, the NYPD and EMT of NYC will be the first responders if anything happens.
When are we ever going to learn.
It is the same with all of the Authorities.
The MTA states that it needs to raise fares for improvements to service and infrastructure and as soon as they get the fare increase they cancel the planned improvements.
And who do these Authorities answer to.......it appears no one.
The brainchild of Robert Moses in the 1920's as a way to circumvent local government they have been successfully doing that for the last 80 years.
As the politically connected and appointed executives line their pockets with six figure salaries and more the taxpayer is always the one bailing them out.
But we will continue to throw good money after bad and live with the delays and excuses because that's the way it is.
Just ask the LMDC.
Great work if you can get it.
WTC MEMORIAL FOUNDATION & PA BEGIN CONSTRUCTION
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27916
It must be great being the Port Authority.
Depending on the situation you can decide what side of the fence you are on.
The current situation with Goldman Sachs is a perfect example.
New York and New Jersey taxpayers will be on the hook for over $320 million because the Port Authority will not be delivering on schedule.
Now let me get this right the Port Authority which has advertised that it is "financially self supporting and receives no tax revenue from either state" in official WTC Foundation Press Releases (see one from 8/17/06 below) is now going to get $320 Million from New York because it has missed its deadlines.
If you think that the bulk of that money is not coming straight out of our tax paying pockets you are sadly mistaken.
Now in the real world there are usually penalties placed on a contractors if they do not deliver.
But here we are being left holding the bag because the Port Authority, which was given this job which such great fanfare, about how they were the most qualified and dependable alternative, is not going to be penalized but actually bailed out to the tune of $320 Million.
Great work if you can get it.
Unfortunately this does not only hold true with financials but in almost every aspect of dealing with the Port Authority.
We cannot require them to build according to NYC Building and Fire Codes but the FDNY, the NYPD and EMT of NYC will be the first responders if anything happens.
When are we ever going to learn.
It is the same with all of the Authorities.
The MTA states that it needs to raise fares for improvements to service and infrastructure and as soon as they get the fare increase they cancel the planned improvements.
And who do these Authorities answer to.......it appears no one.
The brainchild of Robert Moses in the 1920's as a way to circumvent local government they have been successfully doing that for the last 80 years.
As the politically connected and appointed executives line their pockets with six figure salaries and more the taxpayer is always the one bailing them out.
But we will continue to throw good money after bad and live with the delays and excuses because that's the way it is.
Just ask the LMDC.
Great work if you can get it.
WTC MEMORIAL FOUNDATION & PA BEGIN CONSTRUCTION
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27916
WE NEED A REPRESENTATIVE NOT A POLITICIAN
5/21
The ink hardly had time to dry on Congressman Fossella's announcement that he will not run for re-election and the hats began to be tossed into the ring of candidates seeking his seat.
Some qualified. Some not.
Some I am sure being pushed by those in power in the Republican party.
Others looking for the opportunity to wrest the seat from Republican control.
We have lifers who seem to pop up every time a position becomes available and newcomers trying to make an inroad into the political game.
Some many candidates so little time.
One question is where have these people been for the last 10 years and why are they only becoming involved now?
But the most important question is what are they going to do for Staten Island.
Forget political party affiliation as on the National level there appears to be very little difference in policy.
For years Staten Islanders have given and gotten very little back.
We have an infrastructure built for 100,000 with a population of 450,000.
We spend billions rebuilding other countries and can't get a dime for Staten Island.
We spend hundreds of billions on a war in which thousands of our sons and daughters have died and ignore or mistreat our veterans when they come home.
We are the only borough without a city hospital.
We have a senior citizen population that is growing exponentially who have to worry every day about how they are going to survive.
Gas will soon be $5.00 a gallon, oil companies make record profits and we continue to be held hostage by our "allies" in the Middle East.
We have a Homeport that has been idle for years. In 2014 improvements to the Panama Canal will allow for cargo ships that will not be able to pass under the Bayonne Bridge. These ships will need someplace to go. But we continue to ignore the Homeport.
Lobbyists continue to get rich and we have no money for education.
Pharmaceutical companies continue to prosper and we continue to poison our children with preservatives in our vaccines.
We defend other countries but can't even secure our borders.
Of course one person will not change all of these things but at least we need someone who is going to try.
The person running for a seat in the House of Representatives should at least represent the constituents of the district.
They should all be required to leave their rubber stamps at home as they should represent the people first and not their parties.
If a Republican should win we need someone who will work with our Democratic Senators for the benefit of Staten Island.
We also need someone who will work with our local elected officials and address our local problems.
We don't need campaign promises as candidates always seem to develop selective memories when elected.
We need someone who will use the internet to ask their constituents what they need and want and not just as a tool to raise money.
We need someone who will work for our seniors and students throughout their term and not just during the campaign.
We need someone who will be reactive to the problems of Staten Island that have been ignored for years.
We need someone who will be proactive to the problems we will face in the future.
We don't need someone who will be inactive as has been the case with many of our representatives in the past.
We don't need a politician we need a "REPRESENTATIVE"
Hopefully we will find one over the next few weeks.
The ink hardly had time to dry on Congressman Fossella's announcement that he will not run for re-election and the hats began to be tossed into the ring of candidates seeking his seat.
Some qualified. Some not.
Some I am sure being pushed by those in power in the Republican party.
Others looking for the opportunity to wrest the seat from Republican control.
We have lifers who seem to pop up every time a position becomes available and newcomers trying to make an inroad into the political game.
Some many candidates so little time.
One question is where have these people been for the last 10 years and why are they only becoming involved now?
But the most important question is what are they going to do for Staten Island.
Forget political party affiliation as on the National level there appears to be very little difference in policy.
For years Staten Islanders have given and gotten very little back.
We have an infrastructure built for 100,000 with a population of 450,000.
We spend billions rebuilding other countries and can't get a dime for Staten Island.
We spend hundreds of billions on a war in which thousands of our sons and daughters have died and ignore or mistreat our veterans when they come home.
We are the only borough without a city hospital.
We have a senior citizen population that is growing exponentially who have to worry every day about how they are going to survive.
Gas will soon be $5.00 a gallon, oil companies make record profits and we continue to be held hostage by our "allies" in the Middle East.
We have a Homeport that has been idle for years. In 2014 improvements to the Panama Canal will allow for cargo ships that will not be able to pass under the Bayonne Bridge. These ships will need someplace to go. But we continue to ignore the Homeport.
Lobbyists continue to get rich and we have no money for education.
Pharmaceutical companies continue to prosper and we continue to poison our children with preservatives in our vaccines.
We defend other countries but can't even secure our borders.
Of course one person will not change all of these things but at least we need someone who is going to try.
The person running for a seat in the House of Representatives should at least represent the constituents of the district.
They should all be required to leave their rubber stamps at home as they should represent the people first and not their parties.
If a Republican should win we need someone who will work with our Democratic Senators for the benefit of Staten Island.
We also need someone who will work with our local elected officials and address our local problems.
We don't need campaign promises as candidates always seem to develop selective memories when elected.
We need someone who will use the internet to ask their constituents what they need and want and not just as a tool to raise money.
We need someone who will work for our seniors and students throughout their term and not just during the campaign.
We need someone who will be reactive to the problems of Staten Island that have been ignored for years.
We need someone who will be proactive to the problems we will face in the future.
We don't need someone who will be inactive as has been the case with many of our representatives in the past.
We don't need a politician we need a "REPRESENTATIVE"
Hopefully we will find one over the next few weeks.
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