Cozmo the Magician

 saratogamoosetracks.blogspot.com

This Cozmo the Magician guy is something else.  According to a Saratogian article in Saturday's paper Coz gets issued a ticket for performing in Congress Park without a license.  The basis for getting a performer's license dates back to the early 1900's in which an Ordinance contains a section for showing “moving pictures.”  This is probably one of the little gems that was put in the Charter when this form of government started back then.  Now back to Cozmo, he goes to City hall to obtain a license and is told no such license exists, he then spoke to Asst. City Attorney Tony Izzo, who handles all the important cases like this and he told Cozmo the Magnificent that panhandling has not been illegal in Saratoga Springs since 2010.

So Cozmo, not Tony, goes back to the park to resume his magic tricks and lo and behold as he starts doing a rope trick (probably getting ready to hang himself at what was coming), yes you guessed right, it was another Police Officer who this time gives old Cozmo a ticket for vending without a license, this charge was dropped but he Cozmo not the police Officer, is due back in court Tuesday.  Let’s hope he can make himself appear in court.  Cozmo said it all by exclaiming "I’m in violation of not having a license the city doesn’t even give out.”  One thing I don't like that Cozmo did however was pass a hat to kids for donations.  He should have had a monkey with a tambourine there so people could throw change in it, you don't ask kids for money.
When asked about the incident Mayor Johnson said, he did not know much about the issue.  By the way, when Cozmo was in City Hall he made Shauna Sutton disappear, has anyone seen her?

When is a story Factual or the writer's Fantasy

 Hi Folks, today I am writing this post from my Wilton Bureau.  Reading a blogger and expecting facts or fantasy are two things that most of the time you have to check out for yourself, if you want to know the truth.

Well a local blogger (who we will refer to as "The Unknown Blogger" is up to it again.  Here is a post of his that might make you think of the title of our post today.

I'll use some quote's from his post and then add what news I gathered.

" Neathway herself has been in the news lately. She is currently jailed on stalking and extortion charges filed by Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Now Neathway has some accusations of her own. According to the New York Daily News, Neathway, claims she was pregnant with Cashman’s baby. She goes on to claim Cashman was so unnerved by the pregnancy he acquired a phony ID for her identification to use so she could abort his child"

"What the Daily news isn’t reporting and what is this bloggers exclusive there is a steroid connection in all this."  To this I say ?????
"Some people believe that Neathway was targeted because they are trying to protect the Yankees. Some people believe Cashman knew that the Yankee players were using steroids and that he, basically, lied to the Feds during the investigation of Roger Clemens. One source has told me Neathway had first hand knowledge of his perjured testimony...."

Well, that's a lot of words that mean nothing.  There is no where in the Clemens trial or news, or even gossip, other that from the Red Sox Nation that Cashman perjured himself in that trial.

The blogger went on to give his opinion (not from the Daily News) that "What is known is Cashman, did have an affair with Neathway. That also explains how she afforded her $5,000 a month rent in Tribeca. Cashman’s wife also filed for divorce after her husband’s affair became public. And Neathway is still rotting in a Rikers Island jail held on a ridiculously high bond of $300,000."

Well what is true is that Cashman did have a brief affair with Neathway and yes his wife did leave him over this affair but this is how the Daily News reported the bloggers insinuation of the payment of $5,000.00 a month for rent in Tribeca, when she only extorted $6,000.00.  She must live in a shoe box.

From the Daily news,"Neathway extorted $6,000 in hush money from Cashman over their romance, and tried later to shake him down for another $15,000, authorities charge." "By the end of last year — and after the abortion — the relationship “had no future,” Neathway said." "While Neathway presented herself as the victim, prosecutors asserted that she tried to manipulate Cashman by claiming that she attempted suicide after the two had a one-night stand" "Thirteen people have filed for restraining orders against Neathway since 1998. The suspect has been held at Rikers Island on $200,000 bond since her Feb. 1 arrest."
    So blogger, when you say “Like I said folks you just can’t make the shit up."

  I would say you just did.

Unknown Blooger

Normally I would not use any posts but mine.  However, a guy sent in a story that I found interesting and funny so I'll put it up when I get a chance.  He doesn't want me to give him credit but did send this picture of himself and would like to be called the Unknown Blogger.  By the way, I usually wouldn't put a picture like this up as we are pure as the new fallen snow but I couldn't help myself.

Thank You, Commissioner Madigan

CHEER'S
Transparency, it sounds like a nice word when a politician uses it in a speech, but the word means more when it is put in use.  I would like to thank Commissioner Michele Madigan for not only talking the talk, but walking the walk.  She has been in office for 6 months and a few months ago she put a transparency tab on the homepage of the City's website titled 'transparency'.  If you click on that tab guess what, you can go to any year from 2008 thru 2012 (anticipated), revenues and expenses of each Department and it is even broken down by individual line items for the 5 Departments.  We want to thank Commissioner Madigan for this benefit to all who would want to view the information; you get the Golden Peach Award.

Now, the flip side of the coin.

JEER'S

Since Mayor Johnson has been in office, every department and the employees under his authority cannot speak to or give any public information to citizens of Saratoga Springs.  That's right, information we have a legal right to see can't be given to us unless of course we file a FOIL request and bring the City Attorney into the picture.  

Can you say APATHY?  I spoke with 2 people who worked at the polls for Tuesday's primary; one District had a total of 16 voters cast their ballot and the other, 16. It's the old Saratoga mentality "When I turn on my faucet and water comes out, and my leaves are picked up, everything is right with the City".  

The Mayor is running a socialist department and sadly, not many seem to care.  If enough people demanded to see information that is public I'm almost sure his attitude would change (?) and we wouldn't be FOILED again.  Sorry Mr. Mayor, you get the Raspberry Award for this one.

Ssaratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance

Michele Madigan

Let's relax and have a laugh

Well, let’s take a little break from trying to make sense of the chaos in City Hall.  Come up with a one liner that will make us chuckle and we'll have some fun.  I'll try one:
‘I stopped in to see the Mayor today and asked him how he was.  He replied, before I can answer that you will have to file a FOIL request'  bada bing

Now add yours, the gang at City Hall in the picture below are waiting for a good laugh.  Have a good Thursday.



There is a growing rumor that Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton will run for Mayor of Saratoga Springs.  This will give her more time to work her regular job at Greenridge cemetery rather than working there while on the clock at City Hall and cheating citizens who pay her as Deputy Mayor (she makes a base salary of $79,000.00 + as Deputy).  The City would be better served to let her stay in the cemetery.

    Shauna rising for work

No one can make news up like this.  It could only have been leaked from Shauna herself.

Dan De Fredirics writes a fun blog.  That may be why the address is http://www.funsaratoga.com/.  He keeps us up to date on the local dining establishments but also historical landmarks and recommendations to out of towners on the best value in Saratoga Springs hotels, at least outside of track season.  His favorite is  Carriage House Inn.  You can read Dan's blog at the web address above,  have fun and get some information at the same time. 

 

Why do citizens have to FOIL every bit of information they are entitled to see because it is public information?  It seems that Mayor Johnson has taken us back to the 'Dark Ages'.  The path to find out anything has become near impossible.  I am putting up two quotes from 2 of his State of the City addresses.

A statement made by Mayor Johnson at the 2008 State of the City Address

“I will operate a transparent government, not one where decisions are made in the shadows.

I believe that every citizen, whether Democrat or Republican that is civically minded and wants to be involved on a committee or commission to file an application and come in for a talk with me and you will be put on a list to be called on when needed.

It’s time for both Party’s to start working together for the benefit of the City.  Saratoga Springs is at a crossroads and petty politics will not benefit the City nor its citizens.”

From his State of the City address in 2011

Pg. 10 of 12

“So as we enter this New Year, we must ask ourselves how to be better

prepared against future fiscal impacts from dysfunctional and inefficient State and

Federal governments? We must continue to conduct performance reviews of each

governmental function, impose transparency in the process, improve productivity, and promote fiscal efficiency. We have taken steps in that direction over the past few years, in the face of the great economic recession, and must continue the process because we cannot possibly be fiscally stable without first getting our spending under control.”

This man is smiling because he is pulling the wool over your eyes.

This is a most happy time of the year for High School and College Seniors.  It can also be the most tragic time of the year for friends and family.  Please celebrate your graduation parties safely.  You are our next generation and we look forward to watch grow, prosper and be the next leaders of society.

Happy Graduation to all!



Flopping Around in the Victorian Pool

Well, I am in my Wilton Bureau and the sicko blogger has started to pay the price for denigrating every one living in Saratoga Springs.  He spares no insults even his priest of the "Church" he attends.  If he goes to Church, it has to be the biggest con job in the last 25 years (since he belly flopped in the Victorian Pool and emptied half the water).
At least now the State and Feds are watching him post his garbage.
A quote from a post of his.

"We received a request from a local law enforcement agency to remove a blog because of a post that allegedly defamed a law enforcement official in a personal capacity. We did not comply with this request, which we have categorized in this Report as a defamation request.

We received a request from a local law enforcement agency to remove 1,400 YouTube videos for alleged harassment. We did not comply with this request. Separately, we received a request from a different local law enforcement agency to remove five user accounts that allegedly contained threatening and/or harassing content. We terminated four of the accounts, which resulted in the removal of approximately 300 videos, but did not remove the remaining account with 54 videos.

We received a court order to remove 218 search results that linked to allegedly defamatory websites. We removed 25% of the results cited in the request.

The number of content removal requests we received increased by 103% compared to the previous reporting period.

June 18, 2012 12:00 PM"

John's post to himself in reference to Deputy Commissioner Eileen Finneran "Changes in menstrual period; decreased sexual ability; swelling or pain in breasts; unusual secretion of milk; weight gain. (Google, word for word)"

 

JOHNSON GATE - The Scott Johnson administration has been around too long.  He should have quit after 4 years, then all the dirt that was swept under the rug would not be affecting City Hall.  The lack of obtaining a building permit and then saying 'when he realized the mistake he corrected the situation'.  If blogger Citizen Nancy didn't investigate a tip she received and carried through with the investigation the situation would never have come to light.  It seems a certain 'know it all blogger' sat with his thumb in his nose and couldn't find out any information and as we all know he wouldn't say anything about the Mayor because of his sister, who by the way Scott Johnson hired to work in his law firm.
I hear now that there is an investigation into the reason why when all the requests from the Mayor to sign off on dangerous parts of construction i.e. the Recreation Center, the Woodlawn parking garage, and a few other jobs, the building inspectors leave their positions.  A tip from City Hall even told that the Deputy Mayor knowing 2 of the inspectors didn't have the proper credentials for the positions withheld the information and when they wouldn't sign off a project brought out the news that they lacked the required credentials.  way to go Mayor Johnson and Shauna.
JOHNSON GATE has only surfaced slightly.  I'm sure there is more to come and no, this has nothing to do with Charter Change, but shows a glaring issue of how 1 man can become a tyrant and forget the people who elected him.

Toga Tattlers

Toga Tattlers a group of 4 Saratogians that will cover the social scene for The Saratogian, sounds like a novel idea.  I think it will be a great twist and different viewpoints than the retired Jeannette Jordan.  There was nothing wrong with Jeannette, but her shtick was getting stale.  Robin Dalton, Sage Cerone, Tamara Valentine and Jenny Witte should do a great job and take our social news to a higher level.  I will personally invite Tamara to all of my parties.  Good luck girls.

Deputy Mayor Sutton Repays Favor?

 Much was made of the fact that at Tuesday's Council meeting Commissioner of Finance Michelle Madigan reappointed Rob Mains to the Civil Service Commission.  Rob is the husband of Amy Durland who is a member of the Planning Board and now the sole Democrat holding a seat on that Board.  With no conflict of interest, the Mayor said Tuesday night the Mayor questioned Madigan about her motivations or if she “had been put up to it”.  The story here is that the Mayor had promised a contract to paint a sign at the City's Recreation Center.  The painter that got the $10,000.00 contract is the husband of Shauna Sutton’s best friend who also happens to work with Shauna, who happens to be the Deputy Mayor.  Oh, by the way, the City employees a head painter who could have done the job.  This is a glaring conflict of interest which the Mayor had not one comment about when the contract came up for a vote.  Maybe the gentleman who was awarded the $10,000.00 painted the houses of Scott Johnson and Shauna Sutton.  The more you dig the more rot you uncover.

Tighe Misses Another Big Story

Hi all, from Captain America:

Well once again our super sleuth detective blogger John Tighe has missed out on another big story in his beloved Saratoga Springs (he lives in Milton).  Telling the world how someone 'donated' seats to Yanni's performance at SPAC and someone 'donated' a one year patron's pass that allows him free food and open bar, he has the nerve to slam some of the patrons that actually bought and paid for their own patron pass.  John was seen stuffing his wife's pocketbook with 'pigs in a blanket' and mustard sauce to go along with them.

Now here is the story that none of his sources gave him any information about but gave every other local blogger.  The City has not received a building permit for the Woodlawn garage project.  It is a law that a permit be in plain site to be seen by all.  When Saratoga's blogger 'Citizen Nancy's, Nancy Muldoon asked the crew chief at the site if the City had to get a permit (again, a law that the City must follow for any remodeling or new building of any City owned property, he "Yes, we work for the city and the city is supposed to have a permit." I then asked him where I could get the permit and he quipped, "Ask the Mayor for one."  So she travels to City Hall and goes into the Building Dept. and asks to see a copy of the permit and is told that she would have to FOIL to look at it (there isn't one), then the office worker said she is not supposed to answer any questions from anyone.



John Tighe, Milton's Super Sleuth Being Programmed By Scott Johnson



It seems like our King, I mean Mayor who is a puppet of Remiga Foy and friends thinks he is beyond the law in performing his job duties.  This has been his method of operation for 5 years.  He is following Remiga's Law 'if it ain't done my way, hit the highway'.

Blind Blogger Blogs Again

One of our own local 'bloggers' sad to say has been ripping into politicians’ and City leaders for years.  He recently wrote a post about Commissioner of Finance being a liar and cheat for reappointing a person to the Civil Service Board which she did have the right to do.  This wife of this gentleman who was reappointed sits on the planning board and she will most likely NOT be reappointed when her term is up this year, there is no conflict of interest as the 2 Boards do not make decisions on the same issues.  Every time a Democrat's seat is up Mayor Johnson appoints a Republican (as is his right).  His boards are now 99% Republican, unheard of before Mayor Johnson took over the padded seat.  Every Mayor prior to the Johnson administration has had at least a small mix of the minority represented on the City Boards.

 John Tighe has called Ms. Madigan among other things, a snake, a liar as well as saying that Saratogian reporter Lucian McCarty knows she is a liar.  Folks, you can't make up these stories.  John has to be on medical marijuana. 

What John forgot to report (lol) is at that same Council meeting, the Mayor awarded a bid to a sign painter for the sum of $10,000.00.  This would be bad enough because the City employees a head painter, but the Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton's best friend who also works in City Hall is the wife of the contractor who was awarded the contract for painting a sign.

So, on one hand you have a husband and wife on two non conflicting boards appointed by Commissioner Madigan and a $10,000.00 contract awarded by Mayor Johnson to the husband of the Deputy Mayor's best friend who also happens to work with her in City Hall.  As I said before, you cannot make these stories up, either at City hall or on JT's blog.
 

John Tighe in disguise blindly following a lead.