mayor Archives - Ramblin' with Roger

Albany politics: June 24 primary

Corey Ellis, Sam Fein

Here’s something that you folk who live elsewhere may not know about Albany politics. The city along the Hudson River hasn’t had a mayor who wasn’t a Democrat since 1921. There is a Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 24, with early voting from June 14 to June 22.

Here are the candidates for the nomination:

Dorcey Applyrs, the current city auditor. She was born in Washington, D.C., but has lived in the city for several years, serving on the city council. She has been winning the endorsement race. The incumbent mayor, Kathy Sheehan, who is not running for reelection, recently donated $10,000 to the political action committee supporting Dorcey, Albany Forward. One of the points Applyrs has consistently made is that she is not Sheehan 2.0.

Dan Cerruti, who was born in Albany but moved away. According to the Applyers supporters, they are “extremely concerned” about Cerutti’s campaign, since he was reportedly “formerly registered as a Republican living in Texas and only in 2023 re-registered his party affiliation as a Democrat.” And accepted MAGA money. Yet one of my reliably progressive buddies, whom I’ve known since college, vouches for him. Dan has recently been endorsed by former mayor Jerry Jennings, which honestly is not a plus.

Corey Ellis, born in Albany, is the president of the Common Council (city council), who didn’t enter the race until January.

Carolyn McLaughlin, born in Albany, served on the common council for many years and was president for seven of them. She’s now a member of the Albany County legislature. She is a cousin of a church friend of mine.

After watching a couple of debates where they all say, more or less, the right things, I was no more enlightened.

It’s just a primary

Then Corey Ellis came to our door a couple of weeks ago. I asked him why he entered the race so late, and he explained the timing in terms of his position with the state nurses’ association. He discussed some of his less visible achievements in the city. Did he see himself as a spoiler? No.

I decided to vote for Corey. Years ago, he spoke at my daughter’s class, and she was impressed. He was a speaker at a Friends and Foundation book review a couple of years ago.

My philosophy, not one I originated, is that I vote with my heart in the primary and with my head in the general election. That’s how I have voted in Democratic Presidential primaries for decades.

The interesting twist in this contest is that Dorcey already has the Working Party’s line for the general election in November. If Corey or Carolyn were to win the primary, I suspect, although I don’t know, that she might step aside in favor of them or at least not actively campaign. If Dan wins the primary, she would have another bite at this political apple.

Count my money

In the city auditor race, there are three candidates:

David Galin is the Chief of Staff of the City of Albany. Previously, he served as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society and with the United Way.

Sam Fein serves as an Albany County Legislator and is an Analyst in Albany’s Office of Audit and Control. He has worked as Policy Director in the New York State Senate.

John Rosenzweig is a public school math and attendance teacher, and he has coached baseball and soccer. He was a member of the Albany Common Council for two terms.

I wrote about my noncommitment. Sam wrote to me asking for my support, so I’m giving it to him. I’m sure David would be fine, even though his dog “talks” in his print ads. Incidentally, Sam is nominated by the Working Families Party.

Election Days

Albany mayor

Many voters in New York State have election days in May and June. On May 20, there will be the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election in most geographies. The polling places may or may not be at the location of the general election.

In the city of Albany, there is also the Albany Public Library budget and selection of two library trustees. You’ll find a lot of information here. “The proposed 2025-2026 tax levy of $8,257,997 reflects a 5% increase over last year’s operating budget tax levy. The increase is under this year’s New York State tax cap for APL.” Yes, I’m supporting the budget. There were a few years in the past decade when no increase was requested, and I thought it was shortsighted at the time.

The five candidates, listed in ballot order, are:
(1) Aidan Hennessey of Grand St., 12202
(2) Christina Wiggins of State St., 12203
(3) Shaniqua Jackson of Patroon Creek Blvd., 12206
(4) Michele Greenblatt of South Main Ave., 12208
(5) Rachael Vonada of Mountainview Ave., 12208

The trustee forum can be watched using the above link. I attended the May 6 event and have my preferences.

I’ve seen the earlier printed material for Christina Wiggins when she was running for both the Common Council (the city council) and the library trustee. Even though she didn’t make it on the Common Council ballot, I thought the move showed incredible hubris. Moreover, her “No to the property tax increase” – does she mean the school district, the library, or both? – I disagree with.

Michele Greenblatt’s recent Facebook posts display a mixed bag on freedom of expression.

This leaves three. Rachael Vonada had the most support in the room. A library insider is a fan, so YES. Aiden Hennessey’s responses were fine, but Shaniqua Jackson’s seemed more thoughtful, so I’ll likely vote for her.

Albany mayor

Someone asked me in October 2024 about my assessment of candidates for Albany’s next mayor. At the time, Corey Ellis had not entered the race, but he has since.

I wrote that by March, I’d know who I supported in the Democratic primary, tantamount to an election. One person I know well is strong on the “outsider.” I have read that he is “in the pocket of out-of-state, right-wing capital.” But I’ve also heard that this characterization was a smear campaign by one of his opponents, the one I don’t particularly like, so I don’t know what to think.

To date, none of them have filled out a Ballotpedia survey.

Here’s a WRGB debate from April 30. One of my acquaintances rightly complained about the mayoral candidates’ answers about parking downtown. “One chided about getting parking tickets while they live within a mile, another said we can’t grow the city without more parking.” But studies find that, compared to other cities, real estate eaten up by parking vehicles in Albany is not out of the ordinary. I still haven’t decided.

I know even less about other races, such as the city auditor contest. So, I’m open to persuasion. That primary election is Tuesday, June 24.

The neighborhood and other questions

webslinger

Mary, who I know from two different churches, asks, in response to Ask Roger Anything:

What do you like about the neighborhood where you live? What do you not like? Ever think about living elsewhere?

One very snowy winter’s evening, probably in 1997, the power was out in parts of the city. I visited my then-ex-girlfriend, now my wife, on that stretch of row houses on Manning Blvd., about six blocks from where we live now. We found a nice restaurant to eat at—they had power!

When we bought this house in the Pine Hills section of the city, I recalled how much I liked the last block of Madison Avenue, filled with restaurants. Some have gone (Bruegger’s bagels), but others have replaced them (Kismet, the Mediterranean place).

I like that my bank, a branch of the Albany Public Library, and a Price Chopper grocery store are all within walking distance. At the junction of Madison, Allen, and Western, one can catch many buses going uptown and downtown. I can get to church, the uptown or downtown SUNY campus, the bus and train stations, two hospitals, the Capital Rep theater, and several other places with one bus, and many more with two buses.

When we moved into this house, we figured my daughter would go to the elementary school that was very close by, but they tore down the 99-year-old School 16 and built the Pine Hills Elementary School in its place. My daughter had a very, very short commute. She would get up 20 minutes before school started and still get to school on time.

However

But the bad thing about the neighborhood is that it’s changed, which neighborhoods do. The big two changes are the closures of the College of Saint Rose, where we attended concerts, and the Madison Avenue CVS. I hope the Madison Theatre really reopens.

When we first moved in, I knew my neighbors better. A few doors down were the Ellenbogans; I particularly liked Mrs. Ellenbogen, but they died tragically.

As you know, Harry and his family lived right next door, and I liked them. Then Harry died, and the family moved away. Now, that house is owned by an absentee landlord who is quite terrible. He picked some really bad tenants early on, some of whom I’ve written about. But he also pumped poop from his basement down our common walkway, which ended up on our sidewalk.

My wife is bugged by the fact that he hit her car while it was parked. He denies it, of course, even though there are a couple of witnesses. He’s not a pleasant person. I do not like him; the good thing is that I think he’s slightly afraid of me.

If we were to move somewhere else, it would almost have to be near the Delaware, Madison, or Central Avenue bus routes. My mother-in-law is living at the adult residence Beverwyck; I hate the idea of living there. The bus that goes near there runs extremely infrequently and stops a mile away. I lived off of Lark Street a lot when I first lived in Albany, at five different places, and I liked it. It’s not that far from church or downtown.

Fruit pie

Favorite desserts?

I like carrot cake and strawberry shortcake, though I haven’t had them in a while. My general go-to is fruit pie—apple, cherry, or blueberry—with vanilla ice cream.

Absolute top favorite superhero?

From fairly early in college, when I first started reading comic books again, it was Spider-Man. I related to Peter Parker or whatever iteration of Spider-Man was behind the mask. I managed to see all of the Spider-Man movies I had not seen before during the pandemic. I’ve seen the animated Spider-verse movies. Spider-Man is probably the only Marvel movie line I’ve managed to keep watching after The Avengers Endgame was over.

2025?

Your assessment of candidates for Albany’s next mayor?

I haven’t given great thought to the campaign, being more focused on the 2024 presidential elections, Congress, et al. There’s no info yet on Ballotopedia for the Albany mayoral contest.

In June 2025, there will be the Democratic primary for mayor. For those who don’t know, Albany has been a Democratic city for over a century. It hasn’t had a Republican mayor since 1921. I don’t think this is good, but there it is.

So, the primary will, in all likelihood, determine who will be the mayor in November 2025. The incumbent, Kathy Sheehan, is not running for a fourth four-year term.

Albany’s chief city Auditor, Dorcey Applyrs. was the first candidate to announce.

Dan Cerruti is a political newcomer who one of our mutual friends is very fond of.

Carolyn McLaughlin, a county legislator and former city council member, recently announced.

I’m vaguely surprised that I haven’t seen Corey Ellis, Albany City Common Council President, hasn’t announced. He’s raised a good amount of money already. Does he not want to challenge Applyrs and/or McLaughlin?

Andrew Joyce, who failed in his attempt to take the Assembly seat, or others might enter the race.

I have no strong political feelings yet about most of them. However, I didn’t warm up to one of them personally. So ask me again in March of 2025, and I’ll give you a better answer than this, especially after the lawn signs go up.

My dad did what? Said what?

labor relations and safety coordination

I’ve mentioned that I’ve been pouring over my 1972 diaries. Mostly, I’ve noted my foibles. But now and then, I say, “My dad did what?”

Tuesday, August 1: Premiere of Compendium on CV7 (I assume public access cable) at 10 pm. “Barbara and Dad were hosts.” Surely, Barbara was the very active Barbara Oldwine, who died in 2014. the topic was The Black Family. I have ZERO recollection of this.

Friday, August 4: In the presence of his friends John and April, who had come over for dinner, he announced he would run for mayor of Binghamton in 1973. Three young black men from Highland Falls, Orange County, came over. Nope, don’t remember that either. And since he had JUST moved to Johnson City, I don’t know HOW he could run. Ultimately, he did not.

Checking Newspapers.com

One of my sisters suggested I look up Newspapers.com to see if he ever made any overtures toward the political office. I searched for him on Newspapers.com for 1972 and 1973. He was elected to a couple of boards involving the Broome County’s Red Cross and a group involved with housing for children.

He became the labor relations and compliance officer and safety coordinator for Edward L. Nezelek, Inc. around 9 Jan 1973.

Several articles about difficulties between the State Division of Human Rights and its Binghamton-Broome advisory committee, chaired by Les Green, were reported. By 17 March 1973, things were getting better. Dad was one of those “trusted voices” asked to comment on whatever racial tension occurring in Binghamton.

The house fire in August 1973 at 29 Ackley Avenue in Johnson City was reported. My sister Marcia’s name is misspelled as Marsha. The fire marshall said a “cigarette from an ashtray emptied into a trash basket next to the stove may have caused the fire.” There was damage to the kitchen, bathroom, attic, and roof.

No mention of political ambition. But what’s this? Here’s a classified ad for 28 July through 1 August 1973: “GOOD SLIGHTLY USED folk guitar, price negotiable.” He was going to sell his beloved 1958 Gibson guitar? THIS shocked me. As it turned out, he didn’t sell it but took it to Charlotte, NC, when he, mom, and Marcia moved, and it stayed with him until his death. My sister Leslie now owns it.

The picture

This is a picture of my father, approximately at age five, in Binghamton, NY, circa 1932. I had never seen the photo until February 2022. It is the earliest pic I have seen of him by about a decade. But I don’t know where it is except for the word Calvary. A church? A daycare?

There is a Calvary Baptist on Chenango St, which had a kids program. But what’s with the outfits? Christian service brigade and/or pioneer club? Binghamton history folks: do you have any thoughts? He was probably living at 339 Court St at the time; he was there two years earlier. Or he could have been at 10 Tudor St, off of Susquehanna St.

BTW, tomorrow, my father would have been 96.