German Shepherd Gets Head Stuck In Wall

The only thing worse than having your owner dress you in a bun is to get your head stuck in a concrete wall.
German Shepherd Gets Head Stuck In Wall

Lighting a Candle for State Workers

The end of the week marks the end of jobs for nearly 900 state workers being laid off...Don't look for a reprieve from the new Governor, as I am sure the cuts have the tacit OK of Andrew Cuomo.
A candlelight vigil will be held at the Capitol on Friday night....I doubt too many state workers will sacrifice their New Year's Eve for such a show...
Too bad there were no candlelight vigils for all the private sector jobs lost in NY due to the policies that led to the budget crunch that led to these layoffs.
Like a candle in the wind New York Daily News

Quinn Calls For Hearings On City Storm Response

Mayor Bloomberg is a lame duck (unless he amends the Charter again), so potential candidates for Mayor of NYC are more than happy to take a snow storm and make a big deal out of it....We all know that in a city that big with that much snow, the principle strategy is to hope for warmer temperatures...No way do they deal with it like we do...You couldn't possibly....
Quinn Calls For Hearings On City Storm Response

City Hall on a Tuesday

-The City has sent out its first set of dog license renewals since the State got out of the business. Fortunately, City Clerk Donna Dutton had been maintaining a City set of records over the past several years, so when the State dropped out, the transition was seamless. Other towns in Jefferson County have also opted to keep the dog licenses local. My dog Zeppelin is registered.
-Look for debt to be a possible issue in this year's City elections with requests being made to look at several years of bond ordinances. While the City has a self imposed cap on borrowing, and has reduced the scale of borrowing from previous years, the level of debt compared to some other city's is still on the high side.
-I did some research on parking tickets following last week's complaints about chronic day parkers on the south side of Public Square. I am beginning to think people who just choose to ignore tickets is an issue. As for the spots in question, many were vacant today, but that could be due to the post holiday week. More on all that at Monday's meeting.
-Longtime City Council attendee Wayne Zimmer sent City Council a tin of fudge from his new home in Tennessee.
-Got a letter from Senator-elect Ritchie today thanking me for my congratulatory note sent after the election. We look forward to working with her.

Lewis County Pol Out of the Dog House

Must have struck a nerve....After Assembly hopeful Brian McGrath sent this blog a holiday photo of his drug dressed up in a hot dog bun...He today sent a more traditional pose of Roxy perched atop a pile of expensive pillows....
The sissified get-up had prompted the dog to turn away from the camera.

WDT: Should Not for Profits Pay ?

This editorial is against any movement towards taxing not for profit entities...Apparently many governments are considering going after tax exempt properties by assessing fees, or payments in lieu of taxes.
While this is an idea aimed at avoiding real cuts and reforms in government, there is a problem with our current system of taxing property.....its become too popular to hand out exemptions,leaving the remaining tax base feeling abused and debased.
Many not for profits are essentially businesses such as hospitals. Churches are off limits as politicians fear offending religion, yet church properties use services and many properties owned by religions go beyond faith.
The phrase "not for profit" is a misnomer, as the operations that occur on these properties results in cash flow to the principles and the administrators.
While changing the tax code should take a back seat to budget cuts, let's not be naive about the growing inequity caused by tax exemptions.
Watertown Daily Times Balancing budgets

Local Governments Not Lining Up for This Crazy Scheme

Few local governments are signing up for a dubious program of paying pension costs...a program that allows towns, cities, villages, counties and even the state itself to pay current year obligations over ten years at an interest rate of 5%.
This is such a wicked case of kicking the can down the road and at a pretty high rate of interest.
Pension obligations are rising sharply as the system had been predicated on ridiculous assumptions on the investment growth of the fund. The 2008 stock market dump is showing up now in the rates charged participants on behalf of employees.
The Paterson administration offered up a typical Albany answer.
Local governments are wise to avoid this scheme to prop up a system in need of serious reform.
Local government leery of pension borrowing plan theithacajournal.com The Ithaca Journal

WDT:| City Clerk Gets Copy of Cookbook Published by F.W. Woolworth Co.

The City Clerk's office is not just the place to go for dog and marriage licenses....Donna Dutton's office is also a repository of records and a portal to the City Historian office nestled in the basement of City Hall, right next to the Police Academy.
That is why the Clerk's job is not just to be a record keeper but also the resident expert on the City's past. I know, City Council regularly counts on Mrs. Dutton for information on events past....After all, there really is nothing new under the Sun.
The City of Watertown has a rich past and we appreciate the Clerk and her staff's diligence in preserving that past.
Watertown Daily Times City clerk gets copy of cookbook published by F.W. Woolworth Co.

Committee on Corporations, Commissions and Authorities wants to fine defunct and troubled entities - NYPOST.com

The retirement of Assemblyman Richard Brodsky should make lots of public authorities and IDAs happy. Mr.Brodsky has been a leading critic of the secret policies of these public entities...Brodksy's Committee on Corporations, Commissions and Authorities wants to crack down on local governments setting up not for profit corporations supposedly not subject to scrutiny....
Committee on Corporations, Commissions and Authorities wants to fine defunct and troubled entities - NYPOST.com

WWNY: Bumper Cars Hit The Ice In Alexandria Bay

This seems like a good idea if you can get enough people to do it at one time...Who didn't grow up loving the bumper cars at amusement parks and fairs ? Well, I did.
Fixing up the Alex Bay arena is an outgrowth of the Town government taking it over....Hopefully the cars give the sleepy River village something to do in the Winter and will make some dollars to boot.
Bumper Cars Hit The Ice In Alexandria Bay WWNY TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports for Watertown, NY Local News

Liz Trumps Price in Battle for Who Supplies TV on Pearl Street.

So some guy calls tonight, pitching me on changing from Time Warner to Direct TV.....Says he could save me money...He was nice enough so I played along...Free equipment...free installation...lower prices...sounds great...
I told him I wanted the local news...he said they carried the local stations....
So I had to tell him...I watch Time Warner for the Weather on the Tens and Liz Benjamin......
End of conversastion.

Jimmy McMillan Prepares For Presidential Run

In the debate at Hofstra that I attended, Rents too High guy Jimmy McMillian gushed over Barack Obama....Now the suddenly famous media icon sees value in taking on the President, so he says he plans to run against him....
McMillan is all about McMillan and clearly enjoyed his 15 minutes when he stole the show at the debate....Even though his rants made no sense, he became the media darling and garnered over 41 thousand votes despite spending no money and having no organization.
His run likely took enough white iconoclastic votes away from Libertarian Warren Redlich to cost him the 50,ooo votes he craved to get party status.
His purported Presidential run is so vacuous and media driven, I can't imagine it will go anywhere.....But this is a shallow nation, so who knows.
Jimmy McMillan Prepares For Presidential Run

'Sarah Palin's Alaska' explains 'refudiate' on TLC show as simple mis-typed Twitter message

The elite in academia can't stand it but Sarah Palin has created a work and is proud of it.....The former AK governor now embraces "refudiate".
'Sarah Palin's Alaska' explains 'refudiate' on TLC show as simple mis-typed Twitter message

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell blasts Eagles, NFL for postponing game because of snow

Kudos to PA Governor Ed Rendell for ripping the panzy NFL for postponing Sunday's Eagles-Vikings game because of overblown media hype over the storm that swept the East Coast....Only three inches of the "white stuff" fell on the City of Brotherly Love....Football's greatest moments are played in harsh weather and the wimpish PPD would indeed have shocked Vince Lombardi, whom Gov. Rendell said would turning in his grave over the decision.
We are tired of the wimpi-fying of America and the hysteria over a little snow.
Gov. Rendell is right...The NFL was wrong.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell blasts Eagles, NFL for postponing game because of snow

Bloomberg Defends His DPW

Mayor Bloomberg has defended his DPW response to the Boxing Day Blizzard and well he should...I am sure everyone did their best to cope and that crazy senator from Brooklyn should keep his mouth shut.

Blowhard Sen. Kruger Slams City’s Snow Reponse

Talk about grandstanding....a State Senator running to the MSM to slam NYC's snowplowing....Hey, it's a big city and a big storm...and to put out a press release only hours after the first flakes fell gives politicians a bad name.....Senator Kruger should call his City Council member with his complaints. In the meantime this Albany fixture should shut his pie hole and pick up a shovel.
Sen. Kruger Slams City’s Snow Reponse

A toast for Andy: Cuomos Low Key Return Sets the Right Tone for a Somber Job Ahead

It will be a New Year's Eve and Day with few politicians for Andrew Cuomo and Robert Duffy. Only outgoing Governor Davis Paterson and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings will be on hand for the mansion dinner and low key swearing in at the Capitol on Saturday.
I definately like the understated return of the Cuomo family to power. The last thing New Yorkers want to see is business as usual pomp.
Mr. Cuomo comes a week after the Census Bureau delivered the bad news that NY is losing two more Congressional seats because despite NYC being the immigrant point of entry, too many others are fleeing the Empire State for greener, less taxed pastures.
I will be listening intently to Mr. Cuomo's remarks from the Capitol. We all should...There is a lot riding on his ability to change the direction this state has been on.
A toast for Andy: Cuomos set to return to governor's mansion on New Year's Eve after 16 years away

Christmas Storms....and a New Year Ahead

For all the media chatter about the Christmas storm...much of it is of course driven by the fact the storm passed right through the center of their world....we in NNY made it through the weekend with just a spate of cold and no snow...
In fact its sunny this morning with a balmy 10 degrees on Pearl Street.
It was a quiet Christmas and now we head in to the run up for New Year's.
That's a holiday that isn't what it used to be...I don't think people get as worked up over it as they used to....Mostly its a night out at dinner or house parties....And of course New Year's Day is watered down...
Remember the big football day..the bowl games..Rose, Cotton,Orange...
Now there's a zillion bowl games with the silliest names and teams with no business playing a post season game. The purported national champ is chosen by means always in dispute and the biggest bowl is often not on New Years, but the much heralded Totistos Bowl on January 4....A bowl named after a snack chip...that's a sign of something.
But this is the week of transition...diets started...resolutions made...and a look ahead at what the new year brings.
It looks like a good year ahead,with the economy improving and a less radical regimen likely coming out of Washington.
Everyone is waiting to hear what Governor-elect Cuomo has to say on Saturday when he takes over from the severely beaten and scarred David Paterson.
The City has some challenges to be sure, but there are many good things happening as well.
You can start taking down the Christmas decorations, and quit eating those ubiquitous Christmas cookies that should be fading away by now.
Happy New Year.

Big Storm Coming...But Not for Us

Last year we had a light winter, as the nation's East Coast got blasted time after time.but we had very little of, as they say on Arcade Street, the "White Stuff."
Today another coastal storm is roaring along the seaboard and my Mom told me where she lives in NC had six or seven inches...an almost unheard of amount that will paralyze them tomorrow for sure.
So be thankful, we have avoided it all and if you are worried about the ski areas, our cold temps of late should keep them making snow...Let them make it, as long as I don't have to shovel it.
East Coast braces for major blizzard - latimes.com

Retired public officials allowed 'double-dip'

Amidst the many ways the state pension system is gamed is elected officials "retiring" to get a pension and then staying in office, in essence collecting a pension plus current salary for the job they are still working in.
This was pointed out last week in the case of Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh who was just reelected, but is now retiring to get a pension and will resume his office with its $110,000 salary the first of the year. A couple North Country Members of Assembly are doing the same and countless others have done this over the years.
There may be Jefferson County officials doing this as we read this story in the Press Republican. It doesn't normally attract fanfare and is one of those things that is legal, even though like many examples of pension gaming, it points to major pension reform as a top priority in Albany.
There are reasons the law is as it is, and there are much larger abuses throughout the system, but this is the type of situation many in the private sector wonder about....
Retired public officials allowed 'double-dip'

WDT: Judge: DWI law unconstitutional

The state's mandatory retirement law for judges will force City Judge James Harberson into retirement in another year, and that's too bad because Hizzoner is a jurist who on several occasions has taken to task politicians and prosecutors for laws that go too far.
This decision on the so called "Leander's Law" is a good example. The latest anti-DWI statute, among other things, requires ignition interlocks on all vehicles owned by someone convicted of a DWI. It's the latest law named after a victim of a crime, passed in Albany with a flurry of press releases.
In a 15 page opinion, Judge Harberson said the law is unconsitutional as it imposes penalties without defining the cost and with delineating how to deal with indigent defendents. What the specifics, this law creates another DWI-releated cottage industry for those who manufacture and install interlocks and creates another imposition on persons not at all related to the crime who would be impacted by the devices.
Lower standards for what is intoxicated and stepped up publicity and crackdowns have dramatically reduced the actual incidence of driving while intoxicated. There are chronic drunks who continue to drive without licenses and seem immune to whatever Albany cooks up. This is another of the laws that passed because no one politically dares vote against it, and whether you like judicial review or not, left to their own devices, elected leaders will often vote for anything regardless of consequence in order to seize what they feel is the current moral high ground.
Interlock technology may have application in private vehicle fleets, but as court ordered mandate applied in the manner this law proscribes, it is wrong and Judge Harberson is right in writing so in his opinion.
Watertown Daily Times Judge: DWI law unconstitutional

Top Stories of the Year Gone By.....You Tell Us

One of the rituals of the final week of the year is musing about the top local stories of the year gone by.
Some come to mind quickly, like the elections and the related stories about toppled incumbents and outrageous spending.
There is the Cuomo juggernaut and the Paladino meltdown.
Dysfunction and deficits plagued the State Capital.
Mercy Healthcare finally careened out of control and has been forced on a path to closure.
The economy bucking the national trend with surging retail and unemployment at or below the national average...
I am sure there are some fires, crimes and trials of note.....
Take a turn at naming the top local stories. Submit your comments and we will post them.

You Dressed Your Dog in a Bun and Sent a Photo to Me ?

I have a dachsund, so I am by no means being critical of Democrat Brian McGrath for owning one too...I am sure his Roxy is a delightful pooch.
But...politics is politics and in the rural and redneck precincts of the 122nd Assembly District, they just don't dress up their dog in a hot dog roll...Or if they do, it's in the privacy of their own home.
If Mr. McGrath is going to run again for this seat, he needs to leave Roxy home and take a Lab or a Golden out for photo ops.
Roxy might play in big cities like Watertown or in the ultra liberal college towns of St. Lawrence County....but in southern Jefferson County or in the foothills of the Adirondacks, they just expect a little more bite from their candidate's canines.

Christmas, 1776 – Washington Soundly Defeats British at Trenton

Not all Christmas Days in America were quiet times of solitude with family...In the uncertain, early days of the American Revolution, when British suppression of the uprising seemed almost sure, it was a daring Christmas attack in 1776 by George Washington against a British backed garrison in Trenton, NJ that was later seen as a key turning point that galvanized sagging spirits in the colonies and showed to foreign powers the rebel army was a force to contend with.
It could be argued that America's greatest Christmas gift was Washington's against-all-odds crossing of the Delaware and victories that month in Trenton and later in Princeton.
All of this is worth remembering as well if you are in the mood to talk at the dinner table about the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas, 1776 – Washington soundly defeats British at Trenton Suffolk County Liberty Report

Bristol Palin, sun bird? Daughter Buys House in Arizona

Dance star and Sarah Palin daughter Bristol has bought a house in Arizona. The local newspaper reports she paid $172,ooo for the home in Maricopa County. It's hard to keep them in the tundra once they have seen the Lower 48.
Bristol Palin, sun bird? - AMIE PARNES POLITICO CLICK

Merry Christmas to All !

On this Christmas Eve, I would like to extend wishes for a Merry Christmas to all the people of Watertown. In particular I wish the best for all our City employees and their families and thank them for another year of dedicated service.
I also thank my employees, especially Diana who has become a dedicated and dependable overseer of Fort Pearl. In the busy year ahead, I will rely on her even more. Also, a blessed Holiday for Fort Pearl's customers who make it all possible.
Today and tomorrow on Christmas, I look forward to welcoming Holiday visitors to Fort Pearl. There is little I enjoy more than seeing friends and customers on these happy occasions.
We have a New Year's Eve wedding set for this year and expect a festive atmosphere for the Holiday week.
And finally, a big Holiday shout out to all of you who have been reading this humble blog. What started as a hobby is still very much that, but also a way to share my ideas and views as well as highlight the interesting things in our City you may not see or read elsewhere.
Merry Christmas to you all !

Paterson “Has Vacated” The Governor’s Mansion | Politics on the Hudson

It's not know how much he will live there, but Governor-elect Cuomo will have time to check out the Executive Mansion on Eagle Street in Albany as Governor David Paterson says he is out of there, choosing to spend his last holiday season in office at his NYC home.
Mr. Cuomo no doubt knows the mansion well from his dad's days as Governor, but it's likely he will continue to spend considerable time at his girlfriend's house in Mount Kisco in Westchester County.
The mansion was built in a era when ,once elected, the Governor wanted to be within walking distance of the Capitol. In more recent times the residence has been used less often as a place to lay your head.
Paterson “Has Vacated” The Governor’s Mansion Politics on the Hudson

A Note From Liz

Liz is on vacation, Jude is between jobs and there isn't much going on in Albany....But I am still in the loop and if I hear of anything important, I will pass it along.
There are still important things going on like getting an office up and running for the new State Senator, trying to figure out what the new governor will say at his swearing in, or speculating on redistricting,
Liz says she will travelabroad with spotty cell service......It will test her relaxation quotient, as Liz is always in the game.
A Note From Liz

McMillan warns Obama - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com

Imagine if a white person said this...Read on.
McMillan warns Obama - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com

Popular Christmas Gift For Women: Guns - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando

A left wing socialist regime in DC is at least good for the gun industry as sales are up in a nation where some fear the continued absorption of individual rights by the state.
In particular,women are buying firearms. Very Palinesque,wouldn't you say ?
Popular Christmas Gift For Women: Guns - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando

All They Want for Christmas is a Few Open Parking Spaces

I was down to Solitary Consignment, a delightful store on Public Square, where I met with merchants about their parking concerns. TV 7s John Moore was there so you can see his coverage at 6PM.
They had several suggestions which I will take back to City Hall, but on a personal level, I want to appeal to those downtown workers and business owners who park all day and play the cat and mouse game of moving cars after they have been chalked.
Please try to leave the on street spaces for shoppers and the disabled. The short walk from the JB Wise lot will help keep businesses viable.

Sarah Needs to Speak Out and End the Silliness in the Courts

A phenominal rising from the grave victory for Senator Lisa Murkowski running as a write in candidate is arguably the single most interesting political tale of 2010 and its overdue for her opponent and her opponent's most famous supporter to suck it up and congratulate the winner.
After losing a GOP primary, Sen. Murkowski went rogue and defied party dogma to run as a write in....Say what you want about the sanctity of a party primary, but she overcame tremendous odds and the continued court fights are unseemly. Every reasonable count has her the winner.
Senator Murkowski will represent AK for six more years, and former Governor Palin would serve the process well by saying its over and in effect ending her candidates efforts.
Lisa Murkowski goes rogue - Meredith Shiner - POLITICO.com

This is Scandalous But Not a Scandal in Rural Madison County

Wow, this story is a good metaphor for whats wrong with government....Little podunk counties hiring Al D'Amato's consulting firm to the tune of a million dollars to help the county gain access to important politicians.....
Al D’Amato, ‘Wizard Of Oz’?

Media Matters......Inside Baseball Stories Popular

People like their media stories...The Blogger site meter shows Jude Seymour stories are the most viewed on this site this month and the third most viewed since Blogger started keeping track last spring.

Is it the Weather or Something Else ?

Texas has no income tax and gains four Congressional seats....New York has a 7.9% personal income tax with a special higher rate for the rich and we lost two Congressional seats...
The Census data is revealing in many ways.

JETS Try to Deal With Latest Sidelines Flap

With the JETS poised to clinch a playoff spot in Chicago on Sunday, suddenly an enormous distraction...Coach Rex Ryan and his wife Michelle are linked to foot fetish and swinger websites while he was a coach with the Baltimore Ravens.
The NY media is going nuts over it, but really, what's the offense ? A happy 23 marriage and a successful (10-4) NFL coach.
I am a JETS fan and I'll be rooting for them. So don't let the MSM get you down. They are easily aroused.
Jets coach bashful about foot-fetish questions - NYPOST.com

WDT: Paterson KOs Power Panacea

These power deals seem great....Jobs,Jobs,Jobs....Publicly owned electricity targeted at businesses....good paying jobs for America's working families.
The reason is the electric climate...like the tax climate is so unappealing in NY State, that taking the electricity of the many and selling it cheap to a few businesses or municipal systems is a way to mitigate that.
What about the masses of people....families...small businesses that pay the long price for juice ? We have created small enclaves of low price power using a system of production paid for by all of us. Good for those who had the good fortune or foresight to get a piece of the electric dole......
We need to be careful when the public's resources, be it money or electricity, is set aside to be divied up by Big Business and Big Labor......
It's just another way of thinking about these redistribution schemes sold as economic development.
Watertown Daily Times Paterson nixes power deal

Aid to 9/11 Workers on the Way

Love was in the air as New York's two US Senators cooed over passage of the Zadroga Bill, providing aid to victims and famlies of the aftermath and cleanup of 9/11. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had been the most persistent in seeking passage of the bill that the GOP was holding up over concerns about how the aide would be paid for.
In the end the emotional appeals of the sick and dying probably did as much as anything to promote a caving in by Republicans increasingly chagrined by reaction to their position.
As for not know how it will be paid for....Why should that stop Washington ?
State of Politics Blog

Cuomo Has Seven Christmas Trees

Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo has not one but seven Christmas trees to look for gifts under....but he doesn't likely have to worry about decorating any of them...He can leave that to girlfriend Sandra Lee, the homemaker and Food Network star who owns the Westchester home she and Mr.Cuomo live in.
It appears the new Governor will be living a Martha Stewart lifestyle with Ms. Lee....although I doubt they will spend much time in the dowdy official residence on Eagle Street in Albany.
As you can see from the photo, Ms. Lee is a fan of all things white and is known for her meticulous place settings and home decorating. Don't just throw you clothes on the floor in this home !
Capitol Confidential » Andrew Cuomo has seven Christmas trees

Playboy's Miss Social

Winner of Playboy's Miss Social honors...Whatever that is.
Playboy's Miss Social (2)

Crazy Legs Bartender Wins Playboy Honors

Watertown woman wins Playboy honors...Details to folo.
Cassandra Marie Walker (2)

Massachusetts Lad Named Political Scribe for WDT

The Watertown Daily Times has vowed to fight back after the loss of its ace political scribe to the rival WWNY-TV.....The newspaper's managing editor Robert Gorman has named SU Grad and Bay State native Brian Amarel as replacement for Jude S.

Pre Holiday Musings

Kumbaya in DC....the 911 workers aid bill...the START Treaty, no more DADT, a tax deal.....Wow !
NNY assured of a white Christmas and beyond as below freezing but pleasant temperatures prevail through the weekend.
Imagine buying Akwasasne Indian cigarettes at $8 a carton, selling them for $20 and having a state Legislature so proud of itself. for its tax policy...Its going on everyday.
KUDOS to Gray's Wholesale in Clayton for their always jovial way when I am there to buy cigarettes for the tavern.
Found out today that liquor stores have to close on Christmas...but you can buy all the beer you want on the holiday.....betcha when supermarkets get wine, they'll be able to sell it that day. No Lotto allowed that day, so it's moved up to Friday out of respect for the Lord.
Looking forward to the holiday weekend....Its a great time to see so many friends and customers.

Sheriff Retires...Then Takes Office Again January First

Somehow all of the bloviating about pension reform rings shallow when you hear the story on YNN this morning that newly relected Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh has submitted retirement papers and will take the office anew on January 1st....Pension plus salary !
It's all probably legal and I know that's the system we play under.....I think people should be able to retire with some degree of security, but really....Is this right ? Can we afford to keep doing this?
The answer is no....Enjoy your retirement Sheriff....along with Pedro Espada who also filed his retirement papers this week.
Time for a defined contribution system for new hires.....
The Sheriff tells YNN's Bill Carey, "this is common practice in law enforcment."
Indeed it is....Our new lieutenant governor is drawing a large pension from being a Rochester city cop and has another retirement in the offing as mayor and LG.
No wonder so many retirees love New York.

Mail just arrived...Got a Christmas card from Matt Doheny

WDT: Harter tapped for seat on board

The administrator for the Town of LeRay will take over the County Legislature seat being vacated by Assemblyman-elect Ken Blankenbush. Steve Harter will take on the second job which pays I think around $13 or $14K.
Mr. Harter is well known in Town government and has relationships with others in government. As an existing government employee the extra income will result in a pension bump as well.
The seat will be subject to election in the 2011 cycle. I assume they will have redistricted by then, and the Town of LeRay may end up with three districts wholly contained within the Town due to increased population on Fort Drum.
Watertown Daily Times Harter tapped for seat on board

Hyundai, Kia, VW Top Insurance Industry Safe Cars List ...Good News for FX

Wow, my former co-workers at FX Caprara have to be happy about this...The franchises we worked to sell at the outer Washington Street store are listed as the top cars for safety.
Kia and VW top the list and my experience was that safety was always an issue consumers focus on...as much or more as gas mileage.
Since leaving the dealership, Kia has moved to a stand-alone store in the former Saturn Building and a new Volkswagen showroom is being built across from the main store which will soon house Chrysler/Jeep.
Congrats to Billy, Brad and the gang at FX. As for me, I buy at the Alex Bay store so I can visit with Crazy Ray.
Hyundai, Kia, VW Top Insurance Industry Safe Cars List « CBS New York – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of NY