Saturday, April 23, 2011

Vincent Leibell: Guilty Is, As Guilty Wants

Whenever the discussions of criminals getting caught arises, someone always asks the obvious: “How much illegal activity did the perpetrator commit before they got caught?” We’d all like to know, but rarely get that insight.

In the Saturday edition of the Journal News ‘circular’, Mike Risinit’s article discusses the moves, which seem more like contortions, of the now guilty Vincent Leibell. He’s seeking to forego doing his two years of jail time by “offering” to  “serve” his time oversees helping to forge the future of countries now in turmoil, such as Libya and Iraq. Our question is a simple one: how about the turmoil Leibell create here in the Hudson Valley and New York? What can he do about that? Go to jail. Relinquish his state pension, repay the monies lost or stolen and then serve his time in jail such as other disgraced politicos as Eliot Spitzer and Alan Hevesi.

I quote from the Journal News: “Leibell's letter, along with those from his wife, Helen; his mother-in-law; his children; local officials; former Albany colleagues and others are among more than 100 letters submitted to the judge by his lawyer, David L. Lewis. The writers include former Sen. Nicholas Spano of Yonkers, Sen. Steve Saland of Poughkeepsie and Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant. They are attached to an 84-page document in which Lewis explains why Leibell should serve no jail time.” 

First, I expect his immediate family to plead on his behalf, but wonder about his mother in law’s motivation. Sorry, bad mother-in-law joke. His attorney, David L. Lewis, says that due to Leibell’s age, no prior criminal history, his public service and his need for alcohol treatment, Leibell should not be sentenced to jail.

Second, regardless of his age, he broke the law, which has no statue of limitation on age. Once we caught him, he pled guilty and he needs to pay the price for breaking the law. If average people are convicted of a crime, they should go to jail. We also know that politicians get preferential treatment. Don’t be surprised when his punishment is meted out by the courts, it’s all house arrest with time served, community service, and probation, ultimately avoiding jail time completely. He won’t need to scheme his way out of jail. But, as a self-admitted criminal, it’s all he is used to doing.

Third, his ‘no prior criminal history’ is a joke. Poorly executed crimes by incompetent criminals usually end with their getting caught the first time around. Leibell was a skilled criminal who did not get caught for quite some time. 

Fourth, there is a criminal history, he just didn't get caught for it. His public service and illegal activities during the same period is why he got caught and pled guilty to these crimes.

Fifth, irony intended, he is in need of alcohol treatment. I believe they offer that in prison and being incarcerated is a great way to not have to worry about a relapse. This reminds me of every entertainer who hasn’t gotten any press or publicity, so they announce they were abused as a child.

Sixth, and finally, he pled guilty! He admitted he did what he was charged with. This was a blatant admission once he got caught breaking the law. Rather than have them dig into other activities of his life, and find other illegal or at least questionable dealings, knowing what they’d find, he took everything off the table with his admission of guilt.

In the end, another shamed, guilty politician’s shenanigans were brought out into the open and the cause of his demise. Let his family and friends write all the letters they’d like. Just keep these requests at arms length and give the public justice. There are many politicians and future politicians who are upstanding citizens. These are the people we want to represent us. Good luck, Mr. Leibell.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Elmsford Little League Has Major League Grand Marshall

As signs of spring painstakingly take it's time arriving, one constant happens without fail, the Elmsford Little League's Annual Parade, kicking off the baseball season.  This year would be a bit different as the kids lined up on North Stone Avenue. 

The band leads the parade.
Grand Marshall NY Mets & NY Yankees star Darryl Strawberry,  leads the procession of baseball players.



Fire trucks make every parade official.


Yes, more players and parents than ever before would be participating in the parade. Yes, the fire department with it's personnel on board and the shiny fire trucks would be at the end of the parade. Yes, they would all proceed down the side streets of Elmsford, onto Route 9A and into the Elmsford Little League Field. And yes, the Grand Marshall, former NY Met and NY Yankee Darryl Strawberry would smile and continually wave and greet fans and players. Yes, today everybody was a Darryl Strawberry fan. Yes, today everybody was a baseball fan. And yes, spring had finally sprung - at least enough to have one of the most fun, purely baseball, and purely child-like days in Elmsford. This was simply a nice day where everything fell into place. The police department and the highway department made sure of it. Thanks to everyone, especially to Darryl Strawberry, an honorary Elmsford Little Leaguer. Who's next?

Friday, April 1, 2011

Russian Roulette On Our Streets!

Driving throughout the Town lately has turned into Russian Roulette with potholes. Outside of my driveway, I can't go anywhere by car without drifting, dodging, skirting or actually hitting a pothole somewhere in the Town. I'm sure our highway crew is out working, that's not my issue. Safety is. The pot hole crew, whomever they may be, should be out on overtime, especially when there is less traffic to impact, fixing and filling potholes. It would be nice, driving to work, to not have to worry about traffic, sun glare, coffee spilling, and the quick display of brake lights as several cars up ahead brake with their new-found surprises.


I've witnessed NYS pot hole crews on Rt 119, selectively filling voids, and wondered how it was determined that they would fill one but not the one right next to it? I understand the whole “stay within the lane” thing from a safety perspective. I also understand it's been a particularly harsh winter. While we go through this every year, it seems as though those in charge never really plan well for it. Add to this our Supervisor’s draining of our reserve funds which could be used in an emergency like this.


But beyond Rt 119, our minor roads and side streets are resembling roads that have been assaulted by IED's. The danger with all of this is obvious. As cars serve to avoid one pothole, they almost always go into another. And if they are lucky to not hit another vehicle, they are swerving into other lanes of traffic, whether oncoming or the same direction. Now thats scary. Wheel alignment machines throughout the Town are extremely busy.


Another safety issue is the bicyclists and walkers are roads that are trying to use already unsafe roads on a good day. We have seen an increase in cyclists due to several reasons, but the difficult street conditions for cars has exacerbated their tenuous space on the roads. In fact, Merrill Cassell, a resident of Hartsdale, was killed by a bus on Rt 119 and Aqueduct Place while he was cycling. And this was when the road conditions were okay.


Each weekend brings us added hours (albeit them overtime hours) that could have our crews repairing the roadways. Calling our state representatives about the state roads, such as Rt 119, should be on the top of the Supervisors to-do list each and every day until Greenburgh residents get some relief. Until then, I'll see you at the alignment shop.