Mitch Ford Don't Like Dem Niggers?

Yes, it's a dirty, hateful word. Which is what part of why this post at the Weekly Democrat is such a bombshell.

During the period of time that the screening committee for the City Democrats was meeting, Mr. Ford and I spent a lot of time together. Several times he initiated conversations with me regarding Kelley and her pursuit of the First Ward Common Council seat. Ford disliked her immensely. He was mad about some slight he felt was directed at him from Kelley.

He used swear words and racial slurs regarding her in conversations to me that he started. He called her the “N” word and "B" word, and other hateful, hurtful words. I cautioned him several times regarding his inappropriate language and use of racial slurs.

If this is true Mitch Ford needs to resign immediately. As much as I disagree with Bob's politics I just can't imagine he'd lie about something this serious.

Ten Million Questions

A poster in the OD's Storychat brought up a great question in response to the Common Council putting the kibosh on the new parking area for the County Office Building. What happened to the $10 million the city received over a year ago for a new multi-level parking garage in the same area?

MAYOR TIM JULIAN TODAY ANNOUNCED RECEIPT OF OVER 10 MILLION DOLLARS FROM BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO BE APPLIED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN UTICA.

THE PARKING GARAGE IS NEEDED TO ALLEVIATE EXISTING PARKING CONCERNS IN DOWNTOWN UTICA. THE PROPOSED PARKING GARAGE WILL SERVICE OWNERS AND TENANTS FOR SUCH BUILDINGS AS ADIRONDACK BANK, CITY CENTER BUILDING, THE ONEIDA COUNTY COURTHOUSE, THE ONEIDA COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING AS WELL AS THE STATE OFFICE BLDG.

MAYOR JULIAN STATE, "ONCE THIS PARKING GARAGE IS COMPLETED IT WILL GREATLY INCREASE THE VALUE OF MANY OF OUR BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN UTICA. WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PARKING, IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO ATTRACT TENANTS AND/OR PURCHASERS FOR BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN UTICA."

I hope the money isn't just sitting in an account somewhere, since I was under the impression that grant monies had to be used for their specified purpose within a limited amount of time.

Not to worry. I'm sure the money didn't just...vanish.

When Can We Expect The Pylman Report?

On February 23, 2007 the Utica Common Council heard testimony from it's final witness for it's investigation of Utica Police Chief C. Allen Pylman.

It's now been over three months since that inquiry effectively concluded and the Council still refuses to issue a final report, citing seemingly insurmountable problems with "transcribing" witness testimony.

The Council has yet to make a clear statement about what exactly it was investigating. More intriguingly, the embarrassing delay in issuing a final report raises the question of what they're now trying to hide.

Ten Weeks And Counting

The Utica Common Council's investigation into city Police Chief C. Allen Pylman effectively ended February 23, 2007. That's the day Council attorney Anthony Garramone resigned from his position for "health reasons".

It has now been over ten weeks since the last witness testified, but the Council continues to stall a resolution of the investigation by claiming there hasn't been enough time to "transcribe" testimony.

Clearly, the Council's administrative staff is incompetent and should be fired immediately. It's hard to believe that tax dollars are being spent on an employee or employees that obviously lied about their stenographic and transcription skills, but the Council needs to accept that they were indeed bamboozled and respond with a clear message that even civil service employees are expected to meet basic standards of competence.

Unless, of course, it's not Council's secretarial staff that is incompetent.

Mayor Stickyfingers?

Utica Councilman Frank "Stickyfingers" Meola has become the endorsed Democratic candidate for this year's mayoral race.

The Utica Democratic Committee has endorsed Common Councilman Frank Meola as candidate for mayor, committee Chairman Mitchell Ford said Wednesday night.

Meola, who represents the fourth ward and was elected to the council in 2003, is a hardworking, energetic candidate who has improved Utica during his time on the Common Council, Ford said.

"I'm hoping he'll bring more economic growth to the city," Ford said. "The city has been stagnant a long time."

The Democratic Party chose to endorse Meola during a closed meeting at the Sons of Italy lodge on Bleecker Street Wednesday night.

If elected Mr. Meola would have the dubious distinction of being the first convicted felon to attain the office of Mayor in New York state this decade. On the bright side, he already has a relationship with Governor Spitzer. You may remember that it was then Attorney General Spitzer that brought the hammer down on Mr. Meola for his involvement in an organized crime ring.

"The individuals involved in this ring set out to plunder upstate stores on a daily basis," said Spitzer. "The extent of this crime and the frequency with which it occurred is shocking. Thanks to a cooperative effort by my office, the State Police and local retailers, this ring of criminals, which plagued area businesses for so long and at such enormous cost, is now out of business -- permanently."

"This type of organized crime is among the many challenges facing legitimate New York business enterprises today," Superintendent McMahon said. "Unfortunately, large scale thefts such as these add to the overhead expenses that must be borne by retailers. Ultimately, these costs are passed along to the consumer. I am pleased that the teamwork between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the New York State Police has put this organization out of business.’

That incident brought Mr. Meola to the attention of the State Insurance Department, which fined him for his "untrustworthiness".

Frankly, with a track record like that I can't imagine a more perfect candidate for Mayor of Utica. It's been far too long since someone associated with organized crime was at the helm of the city.

Still Life, With Meltdown

The dancers have left the floor, the wait staff are clearing the plates from the tables, but the band plays on.

Common Council President Patrick Donovan on Friday called for the council to end its investigation of police Chief C. Allen Pylman, but an O-D poll of council members showed division over whether to shut down the inquiry.

Donovan, a Republican who's also chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said Pylman was an effective leader and the council needed to move on.

But three council members — two Democrats and one Republican — said it's inappropriate and poor timing for Donovan to be discussing the issue eight days after a Utica police officer was shot and killed.

Here's the reaction from council members reached Friday afternoon:

•Majority Leader Bill Phillips, D-5, Councilman Rocco Giruzzi, R-at-large, and Councilman James Zecca, D-2, said it's not the time to argue about the council investigation. City leaders need to focus on one goal: apprehending police Officer Thomas Lindsey's killer, they said.

Unless Mr. Phillips, Mr. Giruzzi, and Mr. Zecca are personally gathering evidence and working the phones it's hard to imagine what, exactly, they're doing to find Officer Lindsey's killer. Over a hundred officers from multiple law enforcement agencies have been doing the actual work of trying to capture a murderer. The Utica Common Council hasn't, and can't, do much more than offer their well-wishes to the investigation.

•But Councilman David Roefaro, D-at-large, and Councilman Frank Meola, D-4, want to complete what the council started. Transcripts of witness testimony need to be filed and forwarded to Mayor Tim Julian and possibly the Attorney General's Office, they said.

It's been two months since the last witness offered testimony before the council. Are they seriously suggesting there hasn't been enough time for the simple transcription of oral testimony? If that's the case, the Common Council needs to look into getting some new office staff.

"I think it is a political move and in light of what has happened to our community this week, I think his timing is deplorable," Roefaro said. "It is his opinion that the chief exhibits good leadership because there are many things in this investigation that will come to light. This will go to the Attorney General's Office."

Well, there you have it. Mr. Roefaro believes he's uncovered criminal actions that warrant action by the Attorney General. Charges so serious, so devastating, that the chief law enforcement officer of the state needs to be brought on board...but Mr. Roefaro can't really say what those charges are. Considering the dire nature of the situation isn't it vital that the transcripts be completed as soon as possible? From the inexplicable foot dragging of the council it would appear the real answer is somewhat in doubt.

Update: A kind bystander pointed out that criminal charges should have been filed for Officer Franco's assault on a suspect. While I'm not totally sure that's true, it's undeniable that the entire incident was covered up by Chief Pylman and then District Attorney Michael Arcuri. Oddly enough, while Mr. Roefaro has been questioning witnesses and gathering evidence during the investigation into the Franco incident he's also been serving as a member of now Congressman Arcuri's staff.

The Case Of The Imploding Investigation

It's looking more and more like the Utica Common Council's investigation of C. Allen Pylman won't end with a bang, but with a whimper.

The Common Council could end its investigation of police Chief C. Allen Pylman by putting Public Safety Commissioner Philip Taurisano in charge of the Utica Police Department, Majority Leader Bill Phillips said.

Phillips Wednesday presented legislation that outlined what Taurisano's responsibilities would be, but it was moved to committee. The Public Safety Committee will meet Monday, April 16 to discuss that and other issues.

If the legislation passes, Taurisano would be in command of the police department, investigate complaints and oversee disciplinary matters.

How..anticlimactic. After all the drama and posturing by both the Council and the Mayor it looks like nothing much will change after all. What a shock! All we need now is Snidely Whiplash scurrying offstage while twirling his mustache and crying "Curses! Foiled again."

The full council, made up of both Republicans and Democrats, voted Jan. 31 to form the committee. It is looking into allegations that Pylman violated the Utica Police Department's General Order, a set of guidelines and rules by which officers must abide.

But the Investigatory Committee has made little progress since its last hearing on Feb. 22. That night, Anthony Garramone, who was the council's attorney, resigned. The council has unsuccessfully looked for a new attorney since then, Phillips said.

At least $8,000 has been spent on the investigation and the council is reluctant to spend any more to hire an attorney, which could cost about $100,000, Phillips said.

Without a legal adviser, the council can't move forward with the investigation, he said. It is unclear whether a report will be issued, Phillips said.

No report? Surely you jest! After three months of theatrics I expect the citizens of Utica will demand a report, if only to answer the slew of questions the Council's cryptic comments have spawned. What, exactly, were they investigating? What specific rules of the General Order were alleged to have been violated? When did the Council become aware of these violations? Who came up with the idea to offer witnesses immunity from prosecution in return for their testimony? How and why was that decision made? All of those questions, and many more, deserve to be answered.

Above and beyond those answers the Council needs to release the full transcripts of every witness, particularly those that testified about Anthony Franco's assault on a suspect and the resulting decision not to prosecute him. There was clearly a cover-up of the incident and all the details of how it happened, and who was involved, need to be brought out into the open.