Minority leader to meet with DA on Oswego County Clerk Issue

Oswego County Legislator Mike Kunzwiler, who serves as the minority leader, said Tuesday he will meet with District Attorney-elect Gregory Oakes soon after the first of the year to discuss the controversy in the county clerk’s office.

“Our caucus wants the district attorney to look at everything,” Kunzwiler said, adding that Oakes has agreed to the meeting. Oakes said he would meet with any legislator who wanted to speak with him on any issue.

An Oct. 2010 decision rendered by the Oswego County Ethics Board against Deputy County Clerk Georgiana Mansfield was turned over to the district attorney’s office for an investigation.

Kunzwiler said he has heard nothing of the investigation and does not know if one was ever initiated.

It is one of the issues he said he will be discussing with Oakes. Mansfield was found guilty by the ethics board for also working for a vendor of the clerk’s office. She was reprimanded and fined prior to the referral to the district attorney.

Kunzwiler said he will also ask Oakes to review the transcripts of a recent unemployment hearing in which County Clerk George Williams and Mansfield both testified under oath that they “set up” an employee of the clerk’s office to determine if she was a spy.

The employee filed for unemployment benefits and the county made an unsuccessful attempt to deny the benefits. Williams did not respond to a request to comment on his testimony.

The testimony also includes the statement of another employee who described the working conditions in the clerk’s office as “psychological bullying.”

Kunzwiler said he his not pleased with the apathy of the Republican legislators as to the alleged treatment of the employees by management in the clerk’s office.

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The story of two men trapped in one body

Romney: Deceive America

Mitt Romney took his “by any means necessary” approach to running for president to an all-new low in his first ad of the 2012 campaign cycle, an intentionally false attack ad that takes words President Obama used in 2008 out of context. Romney’s dishonest and purposely deceptive ad was universally panned across cable and print news yesterday, but you’d never know that if you only listened to Romney’s press shop, which sent out a missive titled “What They’re Saying,” quoting only news stories that posted Monday night before the ad’s blatant dishonesty was picked up.

What they’re ACTUALLY saying is that Mitt Romney and his campaign sought to intentionally deceive the American people. Watch and share our new web video holding Mitt Romney accountable for his deceit and dishonesty—and take a close look at the campaign's new logo at the end of the video.

Dual Triggers

Creating an Economy Built to Last

Rep. William Owens, D-Plattsburgh, will conduct a telephone town hall meeting

Oswego and Madison Counties -- Rep. William Owens, D-Plattsburgh, will conduct a telephone town hall meeting from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Owens said a random sample of consitutents in the 23rd Congressional District -- which includes all of Oswego and Madison counties -- will participate. To request a phone call invitation, e-mail your name and phone number to this email address or call Owens's Washington office at (202) 225-4611.

Owens said he will answer questions on all topics and especially job-related questions. He will update callers about the effort to create jobs in New York state.

Those unable to participate in Thursday’s telephone town hall can contact Owens by calling any of his offices in New York or Washington, by visiting his website at this link , going to his Facebook page at Facebook.com/repbillowens or following him on Twitter by clicking on this link.

Williams Doesn't Have His Story Straight

The testimony continued with Williams stating that he has over 40 employees and he was confident that the claimant was the one who was speaking to other county employees in regard to the comings and goings of his office.

The testimony describes an incident involving Mansfield. According to the transcripts, Mansfield complained about a certain employee in the presence of the claimant and another employee, Loretta Ukelya. The employee complained to Deputy County Clerk of Operations Matthew Bacon about Mainsfield’s statements the following day.

The judge then asked how Williams could be sure it was the claimant who shared the information and Williams had no proof, according to the documents.

Williams was asked what he meant when, in another document provided as an exhibit, he used the words “set up.”

Williams responded, “It means we had our suspicions and this proves what we thought and we purposely set it up.”

When asked what Williams’ suspicions were, he said that the claimant was going to another employee with information as to who was coming and leaving his office.

“Your personal office or your publicly held office?” Williams was asked.

“My personal office,” he responded.

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Millionaires, district by district

The Center for Working Families, a labor-backed think tank affiliated with the Working Families Party, issued a report showing the number of New Yorkers affected by a true millionaires tax would be largely concentrated downstate.

Using data from the Department of Taxation and Finance, the CWF argued that millionaires are clustered there and, as such, lawmakers upstate should have little reason to oppose modifying a tax on New Yorkers reporting more than $200,000 in income, which expires this year. Senate Republicans want to let the tax expire, as does Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. They argue raising the marginal tax rate on the wealthy will result in their migration out of state, along with business. Assembly Democrats support continuing the tax,

See map and link here.

Kennedy Assassination: The 48th Anniversary Of John F. Kennedy's Tragic Death

Tuesday marks the 48th anniversary of one of the most tragic events to take place on American soil -- the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was gunned down while riding his presidential motorcade through downtown Dallas. He suffered a head wound at the hands of a shooter suspected to be Lee Harvey Oswald. But before any conclusion was reached, Oswald was shot and killed while he was being transferred from a city jail to a county jail.

Nearly five decades later, Americans are still learning about a president whose time was viciously cut short. Back in September, a new book was released detailing how Kennedy objected to the idea of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson taking over once his presidency was complete. The interviews were compiled in "Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy" -- a book that features conversations on topics ranging from JFK's reading habits to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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Romney Ad Exposes Media's Chronic Inability To Use The Word 'Lie'

GOP 2012 contender Mitt Romney's recent ad has gotten a ton of attention from the press because it contains a brief clip of President Barack Obama saying these words, consecutively, in order: "If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose." BOOM! What a clip, right? Why did Barack Obama say such a thing in public? Oh, that's right, he said those words consecutively and in order because back in 2008, an aide to John McCain said those words consecutively and in order, and Obama quoted that aide to use the words against McCain -- whose campaign, if you recall, did not exactly handle the 2008 economic collapse all that well.

As everyone points out, Romney's use of the words out of context is misleading. But it seems that what very few people are willing to say, as Too Much Joy once sang, is: "That's a lie. You're a liar."

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Weekly Address: Creating an Economy Built to Last

Millionaires On Capitol Hill: Tax Us More

Lobbyists for a day, a band of millionaires stormed Capitol Hill on Wednesday to urge Congress to tax them more.

They had a little trouble getting in. It turns out there are procedures, even for the really rich.

But once inside, their message was embraced by liberals and tolerated by some conservatives – including the ideological leader of anti-tax lawmakers, who had some advice for them, too.

"If you think the federal government can spend your money better than you can, then by all means" pay more in taxes than you owe, said Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform, a group that has gotten almost all congressional Republicans to pledge to vote against tax hikes. The IRS should have a little line on the form where people can donate money to the government, he suggested, "just like the tip line on a restaurant receipt."

One of the millionaires suggested that if Norquist wanted low taxes and less government, "Renounce your American citizenship and move to Somalia where they don't collect any tax."

In the silence left by the private efforts of the "supercommittee" to find $1.2 trillion or more in deficit cuts by Thanksgiving, free advice flowed in public.

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Bruno trials continue

The Justice Department will seek a new indictment of former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno after a federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected Bruno's request that he not face a second trial.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made last year, vacated Bruno's conviction on two counts of theft of honest services. But the panel of judges, pointing to the strength of the evidence, said the government may prosecute Bruno on allegations he received kickbacks from people who had an interest in his legislative influence.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Bruno-trials-continue-2271877.php#ixzz1dybO26zn

Good News for Senator Gillibrand

Buzz has been building over the possibility that former Republican comptroller candidate Harry Wilson will run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the U.S. Senate.

A new poll today out from Siena throws some cold-water on the possibility.

According to the survey Senator Gillibrand now has a two-to-one favorability rating (49-25 percent), and 53 percent of voters saying they are prepared to re-elect her. Plus, she now leads Mr. Wilson 63-21 percent.

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, who has been running against Sen. Gillibrand almost since the day he won his seat, fares even worse, getting trounced by Ms. Gillibrand 65-17. The poll points out that both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Maragos are unknown to more than three-quarters of voters and both are viewed unfavorably by more than twice as many as view them favorably.

Siena has been something of a cruel pollster for both Ms. Gillibrand and Mr. Wilson. In September, one their surveys showed her at below the 50 percent favorability threshold, leading Republicans to search for a more viable contender than Mr. Maragos. Enter Mr. Wilson. But when he ran for comptroller, one of their surveys gave his opponent, Tom DiNapoli, a huge lead, leading the Wilson campaign to file a formal complaint with the American Association of Public Opinion Researchers.

Mr. DiNapoli went on to win by four points.

Judge seeks more information in county clerk case

he judge hearing the case against the office of the Oswego County Clerk is seeking more information before a ruling is made, according to Scott Chatfield, the attorney for the plaintiff.

The office of Oswego County Clerk George Williams is facing an Article 78 proceeding from APS Informational Services.

The lawsuit alleges APS Informational Services has been inappropriately charged for criminal record searches. In court documents, the plaintiff claims that state law allows a county clerk, who holds the felony criminal files for the court, to charge $5 for each certified criminal search.

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Zuccotti Park Eviction: Court Order Against City Says Protesters Can Return With Tents In Tow

The National Lawyers Guild says it has obtained a court order that allows Occupy Wall St. protesters to return with tents to a New York City park.

The guild says the injunction prevents the city from enforcing park rules on Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city knew about the court order but has not seen it. He says the city plans to go court immediately.

Zuccotti Park was cleared overnight so that crews could clean it. Bloomberg says that was done "to reduce the risk of confrontation."

He says the city had planned to allow the protesters back in the park after it was cleaned. Under the city's plans, protesters would not be allowed to use tents, sleeping bags, or tarps and would have to follow all park rules.

The city says that the property removed from the park is being kept in storage, and that protesters can retrieve their belongings with a photo ID.

On Tuesday the National Lawyers' Guild New York Chapter released this statement on the judge's order:

The GOP's 'Uncertainty' Talking Point, Debunked

With the economy in a slump for nearly four years, corporate executives and conservative politicians have repeatedly invoked "uncertainty" as a major barrier to American job-creation. The "uncertainty" jab is a go-to talking point for any congressional Republican looking to tag President Barack Obama as a tax-raising, regulation-obsessed foe of American businesses.

But according to banking data compiled by economic research firm Moebs Services, the uncertainty plaguing the American economy has nothing to do with government regulations or taxes on millionaires. It's an uncertainty driven squarely by consumers and small-businesses who are worried about their short-term financial prospects. And it's been going on since well before Obama took up residence in the White House.

Since the end of 2007, bank customers have pulled over $900 billion out of certificates of deposits at major U.S. banks, parking their money in checking accounts and money market deposit accounts. Banks pay customers interest to park their money in CDs, but pay out next-to-nothing for money market accounts, and still less -- usually nothing -- for checking accounts.

"These are enormous shifts," Moebs Services founder and Chairman Mike Moebs told HuffPost. "We haven't seen stuff like this since the 1930s."

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Herman Cain Lawyer's Comment 'Shocked'

Rachel Maddow proclaimed herself to be "shocked" by a recent, threatening comment made by Herman Cain's lawyer to any potential victims of sexual harassment -- so shocked that she devoted the first part of her Thursday show to the remark.

In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Lin Wood, Cain's defense attorney, said that any new women who are thinking of coming forward with allegations against the candidate should "think twice" before they do.

Maddow said that, while little in politics actually makes her pause, Wood's comment did. Before she tackled the statement, though, she engaged in a rather chilling, darkly funny bit of Rachel Maddow Theater, employing a car wheel, a man playing a police officer, and a woman playing a woman who Maddow had just run over with her car in a brief skit.

"The vast majority of the people in the street who I drove by have not been hit by my car," Maddow said to the officer by way of an excuse. She compared this to a recent statement by Cain that, "for every one person" accusing him of sexual harassment, there were thousands of people not accusing him of sexual harassment. It was, she noted, "not a great defense." Full Post

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Weekly Address: Honoring Our Veterans for Their Service and Sacrifice

President Obama speaks from the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego during Veterans Day, and calls on all Americans to rededication themselves to serving our brave men and women in uniform as well as they have served us.

Herman Cain’s Campaign Promises with Mike Tyson from Mike Tyson

Progressives Win Big In Ballot Measures Nationwide

Tuesday's elections saw big wins for progressives around the country, who blocked right-wing measures on issues of voting, labor, immigrant and women's rights.

"I think all around, heading into 2012, it's the strongest message we could possibly have that the other side has gone too far," said Justine Sarver, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, of Tuesday's results. She added that it was one of the best elections in recent years for progressive wins on ballot measures, which have traditionally been dominated by conservatives.

The most high-profile fight was in Ohio, where labor unions sought to repeal SB 5, a measure that restricted collective bargaining rights for more than 360,000 public employees, among other provisions.

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Oswego County clerk lawsuit to be heard

Unless a settlement agreement is reached, the Oneida County Courthouse will provide the backdrop tomorrow for attorneys to argue a case against the office of the Oswego County Clerk.

The office of Oswego County Clerk George Williams is facing an Article 78 proceeding from APS Informational Services.

The lawsuit alleges APS Informational Services has been inappropriately charged for criminal records searches.

The lawsuit claims that state law allows a county clerk, who holds the felony criminal files for the court, to charge $5 for each certified criminal search.

The plaintiffs allege that Williams has been charging for every criminal name search and does not certify those searches. As an example, a 10-year search for one name would cost $25 and the plaintiffs allege that Williams has been improperly charging a fee for the uncertified search fees.

Most counties have the records available for public inspection, including Onondaga and Jefferson counties.

Williams does not have the records available for public inspection, allegedly in violation of the state’s Open Government laws, according to the lawsuit.

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Malone Holds 20th Legislative Seat

Douglas E. Malone	(D-C)	343
Joseph Susino	(R)	265

Democrats WIN Supreme Court in Oswego County

Countywide

BACK TO TOP

State Supreme Court Justice (pick four)
Charles Merrell	(D-C)	68,667
Patrick Macrae	(D-C)	63,034
David Magnarelli	(D-WF)	59,649
Thomas Buckel	(D-WF)	51,108
Erin P. Gall	(R)	71,124
Prescott E. Klosner	(R)	49,873
James P. McClusky	(R-C)	78,012
Michael F. Young	(R)	60,375
John Stone	(C)	25,006

Democrats Sweep to Victory In Fulton City Council Races

Alderman Ward 1
Alan M. Emrich	(R-C)	280
Ryan M. Woodward	(I)	186

Alderman Ward 2
Daniel Knopp Jr.	(D)	171

Alderman Ward 3
Peter S. Franco	(D-CS)	420
Timothy Crandell	(R-I)	141

Alderman Ward 4
Carmella C. Cavallaro	(D-P)	233
Dana V. Smith	(R)	116

Alderman Ward 5
Audrey L. Avery	(D-BT-FH)	103
Norman J. Foster	(R-CV)	280

Alderman Ward 6
Lawrence E. Macner	(D-I)	144
Johnathan D. Weldin	(R)	109

Democrat Thomas Gillen won election as mayor of the city of Oswego

Democrat Thomas Gillen won election as mayor of the city of Oswego, beating Republican William “Dave” White by about 2 to 1.

Gillen, 62, of 60 Varick St., said he was extremely happy with the results.

“It’s very empowering to see that the residents of Oswego agree on this and we can move forward,” Gillen said. “I think the people decided between two different leadership styles and two different directions and I’m happy they agreed with me.”

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Democrats pick up seat on the Oswego County Legislature

Democrats picked up seat on the Oswego County Legislature in Tuesday's election.

The new seat is in District 24, which covers part of Fulton and Granby. Incumbent Republican legislator Mark Fruce lost his seat to Democratic challenger Daniel Farfaglia by a vote of 526 to 350.

Oswego County voting results

Here are the final unofficial results from voting in Oswego County, with 100 percent of districts reporting (except State Supreme Court Justice).

Oswego County Election Results

The whole list of all races in Oswego County...Click Here.

Stelmashuck won another two-year term,

In Parish, long-time Supervisor Stephen Stelmashuck (D) won another two-year term, with 266 votes to 157 for Bernard Horning and 107 for Mary Ann Phillips.

VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th

Oswego County Poll Sites are Open from
6am to 9 pm.

Where do I VOTE Click Here

Who is running in my town or city, CLICK HERE

New Woman Accusing Herman Cain Of Sexual Harassment Hires Gloria Allred

A new woman alleging sexual harassment by presidential hopeful Herman Cain will break her silence at a news conference with her powerhouse attorney Gloria Allred Monday afternoon in New York City, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

The embattled GOP nominee has admitted that several women who worked at the National Restaurant Association during his tenure as president of the organization received settlements. Politico has reported that the settlements were given because of sexual harassment allegations.

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State’s GOP in hell-rai$er

While unionized state workers are getting hit with three years of wage freezes, and Gov. Cuomo and his top aides are taking 5 percent wage cuts, state Senate Republicans are doling out pay hikes to most of their Capitol staffers, The Post has learned.

The pay increases, as the state struggles with budget cuts and falling revenues, average 6 percent and are worth nearly $1 million on an annual basis, payroll records reviewed by The Post show.

Kelli Cummings, chief spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-LI), defended the raises, some as small as 3 percent, saying they were the first in four years. She described them as “cost-of-living” increases.

The raises varied over a wide range. Of the 319 employees who got them, 70 mostly lower-paid workers, such as clerks, phone operators and administrative assistants, saw double-digit hikes.

Some of the bigger pay increases reflect promotions and “additional responsibilities,” Cummings said.

Senate payroll records show that 19 Republican staffers who make six-figure salaries received raises -- including the son of Sen. Hugh Farley (R-Schenectady).

Assistant counsel Robert Farley got a 3 percent raise to $113,300 annually, up from $110,000.

Senate Democratic and Assembly staffers have not received raises this year.

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Herman Cain allegation: Accuser breaks silence

The attorney for one of the women who accused Herman Cain of sexual harassment said Friday that the then-National Restaurant Association CEO engaged in “inappropriate behavior” and “unwanted advances” that led to a cash payout in 1999.

The woman declined to reveal her identity or detail the nature of the claim.

“These complaints were resolved in an agreement with her acceptance of a monetary settlement,” said Joel Bennett, the attorney, at a news conference outside his Washington, D.C. law office.

Reading a statement he said he wrote jointly with his client, Bennett declined to say how much money his client received. POLITICO has reported it was approximately $45,000.

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Tom Gillen, Our Choice

As students, most of us have but a temporary tryst with the city of Oswego, heading for greener pastures as soon as tassels move from left to right on graduation day. But the rules of public parks and loaned spaces should still apply here—we ought to leave this place in better condition than when we found it. That kind of stewardship has helped the city along for decades now, seeing it through the transition from shipping hub to industrial hotspot to energy Mecca. It’s a tradition that we as the current crop of students are obligated to continue, and with verve.

Those aware of this duty already take steps to meet its requirements. For instance, we could cite the plethora of volunteer hours worked by students, the number of internships to Oswego organizations and businesses, as well as a host of campus-community outreach projects.

Now, we’re asking you to do just one more thing: vote.

On Nov. 8, the city will hold its election for mayor of Oswego. The choice here is a simple and unambiguous one, Tom Gillen, the only candidate who can get our city working again.

The Oswegonian does not make this endorsement lightly, nor in the interest of particular ideology, as we are neither a Democratic, nor a Republican, rag. We are an independent publication, but we are not a blind one. The city of Oswego needs jobs, and a thriving economy in order to attract them. That is the only metric by which those drawn here to learn will stay here to work. Economic growth will be the genesis of each tool by which we solve every other problem in the city.

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We Have to Increase the Pace

Speaking from the University of Pittsburgh, Vice President Biden argues that this month's jobs numbers demonstrate that Congress should pass the American Jobs Act to strengthen our economy and create jobs right away.

Cain Leads in the Polls

David Paterson Doesn’t Think We Should Underestimate Occupy Wall Street

Former New York Governor David Paterson appeared on “Real Time With Bill Maher” last night and he explained why he doesn’t think Occupy Wall Street should be easily dismissed.

Mr. Paterson made his comments about Occupy Wall Street when the show’s panelists discussed issues with the movement including its lack of a spokesperson and an incident where Occupy LA prevented a local farmer’s market from doing business. Mr. Paterson acknowledged problems with Occupy protests in various cities, but explained why he thinks the movement may still be able to make a difference:

“There are a lot of criticisms of Occupy LA, Occupy Wall Street. They may not really have leaders, they may not really understand the relationship they have to have with the same community that they’re trying to represent, the reason that I think this is happening is that nobody has protested anything in this country for 30 years, so the problem is … that we forgot how to do it. Let’s just remember there was a ragtag protest that started at my alma mater, Columbia university, in the mid-60′s, within a year it forced the President of the united states not to run for re-election because of the opposition nationally to the Vietnam War. So, the style may not be perfected, but the substance is there, the complaints are real and I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t the beginning of a new movement.”

Mr. Paterson has clearly become more bullish about the movement since he visited the Occupy Wall Street protests in late September. At the time, he expressed some optimism about the fact “young people are organizing themselves ,” but also said, “they’re still at a point where they are conferencing and organizing exactly what their point of view is, so it’s hard for me to talk about that.”

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Second sexual harassment claim against Herman Cain cost $45,000

Can he get his story STRAIGHT?

Just to refresh your memory, this was Cain on Monday:

If the restaurant association did a settlement, I wasn’t even aware of it and I hope it wasn’t for much. If there was a settlement, it was handled by some of the other officers at the restaurant association.

Which turned into this:

Maybe three months' salary. I don't remember. It might have been two months. I do remember my general counsel saying we didn't pay all of the money they demanded.

Which on Tuesday became this:

The financial settlement with the accuser "was in the vicinity of 3 to 6 months' severance pay," he said, adding that the payment was "not outside our guidelines for what most people get ... when they leave the Restaurant Association involuntarily."

But on Tuesday night we learned that one of the payouts was actually $35,000—a full year's salary for one of the women who, uh, came up to his chin.

So that's two different women who were each paid a year's salary to go away quietly. In the span of four days, we've gone from "no settlement" to $80,000. And counting ...

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Congressman Owens Endorses Tom Gillen For Oswego Mayor

OSWEGO, NY – Tom Gillen today received the endorsement of Congressman Bill Owens in the race for Oswego Mayor.

“Tom Gillen has deep roots in his community and knows what it takes to move Oswego forward,” said Congressman Owens. “Through his business expertise he understands how best to create jobs and further develop the city’s economy. I believe Tom is the right person for the job and I am pleased to support him in his bid to become the next mayor of Oswego.”

Congressman Owens joins New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the chorus of support Gillen has amassed in the last two weeks. Consistently recognized for his business management acumen and forward-thinking policies, the Gillen for Mayor Campaign continues to gain momentum heading into Election Day.

“Congressman Owens has been a great representative for the people of Oswego and the entire 23rd Congressional District,” said Gillen. “I am honored to receive his endorsement and look forward to a long and productive relationship with his office to ensure that we keep Oswego moving in the right direction.”

Gillen has spent the final full week of the campaign continuing his on-going conversation with the citizens of Oswego, knocking on doors and meeting with community leaders.

“This campaign has been about listening to the people of Oswego,” said Gillen. “By working together, building consensus and tackling our challenges head-on, there is no problem we cannot fix.”

The Gillen for Mayor Campaign will hold Get Out The Vote activities throughout the weekend and Election Day.