Jennings Republican Support Returning to Haunt Him (and us)?


By DIA, Section News
Posted on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 06:01:54 AM EST

Remember when Jerry Jennings used to brag about this great working relationship with Governor Pataki? Jennings claimed he had to endorse Pataki over the Democrat McCall because he needed to work well with the Governor. To refresh your memory on why Jennings might have thought this was a good long term strategy and why he would betray his party, let's take a trip back in time. Back in those days Jerry's drinking buddy John Sweeney was known as "congressman kickass" by President Bush. Sweeney was taking trips to the Northern Mariana's on Jack Abramoff's dime. The Republicans favorite phrase was Permanent Republican Majority. I'm sure Sweeney had big plans that he shared with Jerry. Which is why Jerry held fund raisers for Sweeney. The future was bright. There was even talk of President Pataki. Remember those days? Jennings was just doing what people like him do. Selling out any sort of beliefs or values for short term financial gain. It usually doesn't work so well.

Or remember when Jerry Jennings threatened to blow up the state legislature if they didn't fund his convention center?

Even as recently as this year, with the writing on the wall as clear as freshly spray painted gang tags in West Hill, Jerry decided it would be a good idea to write a love letter to Joe Bruno and have it run in the Times Union. Joe Bruno, the Republican currently under investigation by the FBI. Joe Bruno, Governor Spitzers' least favorite person. Jerry's last stand? The icing on the Hubris Cake?
January's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Empire State Plaza is shaping up to be a markedly smaller event than the extravaganza that has drawn people from downstate and other parts of New York in years past. To Mayor Jerry Jennings, the apparent downsizing is just the latest sign of the capital's diminished role since Eliot Spitzer became governor.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a slap in the face," Jennings said, when asked by a reporter if he knew about plans being changed for January's event. He said he had also heard the state was moving the official observance to New York City, supplanting the one in Albany.
Well, you betray your party and you should expect a few slaps in the face. And that is just the beginning.
Jennings said he's been frustrated for several weeks, noting that he had asked Lt. Gov. David Paterson's office about the upcoming event but hasn't yet heard back.

That's not all that has upset the mayor. Jennings said he has been getting vague answers to his questions about a number of economic development projects in the city.

"It seems to me there is major focus on everything south of here," Jennings said. He said that he's had no direct talks with the governor's office about the convention center he's been pushing for. The convention center is in the hands of a special authority. He also decried what he views as slow progress in turning the Harriman State Office Campus into a research and technology park. Plans to develop that 330-acre park have been stalled for some months.

"Here we are in the capital, and it's very difficult to get things accomplished," Jennings said.
Perhaps Jerry will start to think about his actions. His buddy John Sweeney has started learning that actions have consequences. His pal Joe Bruno is starting to learn that as well. And all Jerry can do is lash out with Republican talking points about how the Governor only cares about "down south". Let's see if the Mayor of Syracuse agrees with Jerry and his Republican pals.
Mayor Matthew Driscoll said: “When Gov Spitzer took office he pledged that the revitalization of Upstate would begin with the revitalization of its long neglected urban centers. Today's strategic investments deliver on that vision and provide the city and our partners with vital funding for projects stretching from the lakefront through downtown and on up to University Hill”


So, Albany. Here we are in the capital city. Poised to experience fabulous investment and growth in the area due to the Sematech investment. And our mayor admits it is very difficult to get things accomplished. We all know for sure that balancing a budget is beyond Jennings' abilities. I recommend reading this post and the one below and asking yourself who sounds more like a Mayor looking out for the people of the city. Calsolaro or Jennings?

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Jennings Republican Support Returning to Haunt Him (and us)? | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
I caught the same thing (none / 0) (#1)
by kateb on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 06:04:15 AM EST

with Jennings COMPLAINING about the lack of response, being jerked around, waiting.

Then I realized his experience reminds me of mine with Albany County DA P. David Soares.

Sometimes its incompetence.

better stated... (none / 0) (#2)
by makome on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 06:38:54 AM EST
tried to post a similar diary but you've captured my thoughts perfectly!  Agree wholehartedly.  

Kate,
not sure how accusations of the Gov's office being inept have anything to do with the issues outlined.  It seems very clear that they are sending a message to Jennings that if he is not going to support Democratics and Democratic initiatives and continue with the cronyism that has been rampant in Albany for a century then we will all be seeing less of the Gov's "vision of the future."

Peace,
Mak

Mak (none / 0) (#3)
by kateb on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 06:49:53 AM EST

I wouldn't be so sure of that with a new administration.

New York City mentality (none / 0) (#4)
by alfrednewman on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 08:10:52 AM EST
So Spitzer is doing the same thing to Albany that Marrio Coumo, Hugh Carrey and the rest of the Democrats did in the past. Moving state jobs to their own power base and screwing us pick- up truck driving provintials.

I think it has less to do with Jennings/ Pataki love fest and more to do with the simple fact that Spitzer/ Patterson don't give a rats ass about anything north of Westchester.

And besides, take heart in knowing that Albany and all of the Hudson Valley are considered "downstate" by Spitzer.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Republican Mayor Jennings (none / 0) (#5)
by champlain on Wed Nov 28, 2007 at 05:04:43 AM EST
"South of here"

This is hillarious, Boss Bruno must of pushed the Tan One to say that.

During October the Spitzeristas were barnstorming Upstate with Dan Gunderson announcing economic development projects in Buffalo, Rochester, Binghampton, Rome/Utica, Plattsburgh, Syracuse, Potsdam, the Finger Lakes and more.

But I guess Republican Mayor Jennings believes none of this Spitz economic development is any good unless it's Boss Bruno handing out the State cash so Lil'Joey can desparately cling to his two seat majority. If Joey ain't running the Senate its a lot harder to get the Troopers to fly you down to Manhattan to get the boozy lap dances at your suite in the New York Hilton.

Maybe if Tan One hadn't done those fundraisers for Republican Congressmen and endorsed Republican Pataki against McCall in 2002, the new Lieutenant Governor might return Tan One's calls a bit faster. But why would anyone want to return calls to a wiseguy poop-for-brains who'll stab you in the back with a 15-inch knife the very moment the wind changes direction?

Kinda funny that Tan One has his shorts in a twist about MLK Jr. Day when he has almost no minorities in any high level positions in all those dozens of City posts he appoints. Once again, Tanster tries to talk it - but can't walk it.

Kinda reminds me of Tan One's last State of the City address where the Jer was pushing the State to reward Albany with more aid for its "good financial planning".

Jennings Republican Support Returning to Haunt Him (and us)? | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
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