More than likely than not, included in tonight’s meeting on the Elmira City budget is the salary for new but yet to be announced City Attorney, John J.Ryan, Jr.

John J.Ryan, a good friend of City Manager John Burin, was Elmira’s City Attorney during at least some of the ill advised Iraci/Hughes era that landed Elmira in its current financial mess. Some of the legal problems Elmira is now paying for were John Ryan decisions on labor as well as costly handshake deals that were never put to paper.

Appointed to be City Attorney on Friday, January 4, former Elmira School District Attorney Ryan had just resigned without fanfare from his position with the school system on Wednesday, Jan 2 following a very stormy relationship which has created a number of problems for the local school district.

The school district is currently being sued over property that they just took title to…

Clinton will win N.H., Emmer says

CLAREMONT, N.H. — Forget Iowa, Cindy Emmer says. New Hampshire is where U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will assert herself as the Democratic front-runner for president.

And I am wiling to bet real, cash money that Ms. Clinton does not win New Hampshire.  I wonder if Cindy is willing to risk some of her own money for a change (As opposed to spending the publics money like a drunken sailor).   Let me know Cindy.  I could use the cash.

The year has started out with several shootings , a stabbing , more reports of ’shots fired ‘ last night ( accredited to fire works ) but there were numerous calls in the 5th Street area from different addresses. And now the ultimate dirty deed has been done to an Elmira icon and landmark ; The Carousel building and newly opened Dancehall in the old Whip building have been tagged by someone. For years now I have been sending photos to the Mayor and City Council members complaining about the Graffitti in the Skateboard Park area directly behing the Carousel. I have noted that something should be done to put those who use that area…

CSEA members ratify contract

CSEA members overwhelmingly ratified a new contract for more than 70,000 state executive branch employees, the union announced yesterday. The vote was 29,755 to 1,839. The contract has to be approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

The agreement includes salary increases of 3 percent retroactive to April 2001 (when the previous contract ended,) 3 percent in April 2008, 3 percent in April 2009 and 4 percent in April 2010. Other parts of the contract include increases in longevity payments, improvement in downstate and mid-Hudson salary adjustments to reflect the higher cost of living there, and some increases in health insurance co-payments, balanced by a number of benefit enhancements.

The agreement is fair to employees and good for the people of New York, CSEA President Danny Donohue said in a statement. “The strength of the ratification demonstrates that our rank and file fully support the agreement,”…