Common Council hopefuls get in line
Current president Shawn Morris is expected to run for the mayor's seat
By TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writer First published in print: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
ALBANY — As Common Council President Shawn Morris prepares to launch a bid for mayor, others are starting to line up for her job.
Council Majority Leader Carolyn McLaughlin said she will run, Council member Glen Casey is said to be pondering the race, and regular attendee Timothy Carney has said he wants to win the job so he can eliminate it. Lenny Ricchiuti, who leads Albany's Police Athletic League, said he has been approached but he likes what he's doing now.
Morris hasn't formally announced her bid to run for mayor in a Democratic primary against Mayor Jerry Jennings. But asked Monday if she's a potential contender for her current seat this fall, she replied bluntly: "No."
"I am going to run for that," she said of the mayor's job. "It's a matter of timing the announcement."
The council leader's post, which pays $30,938 a year, is largely ceremonial. The council leader runs meetings but only votes to break a tie, a rarity on a 15-member body.
McLaughlin, 55, said she sees the role as a natural fit after 12 years representing the Second Ward. She also works as an assistant manager for human resources for the New York State Teachers Retirement System.
"I think I am the prime candidate to not only move the city agenda forward, and the council agenda forward, but I can foster collaboration," she said. "You do need someone in that position who has experience with the council, who has some experience with the departments in the city. One of the things I hope to do is to bridge the gap between the council and the mayor."
Jennings and the council operate almost in separate spheres, with little interaction. Council members often complain they don't get answers from the administration.
"We have to ask for it and to let him know that this is for the benefit of the city," she said. "It's not for the benefit of the council president."
Casey, first elected in the 11th Ward in 2001, and Carney could not be reached for comment Monday. Carney once ran for the county Legislature in 1995 and managed Lester Freeman's primary campaign for the 21st Congressional District.
He has said at one council meeting he wants to run to work toward eliminating the council leader's job and to cut the size of the council in half.
Ricchiuti said he was asked to consider a run, but it's not on his agenda right now.
"I am enjoying what I am doing with the Police Athletic League," he said. "I guess it's kind of flattering that people think I have something to contribute."
Staff writer Tim O'Brien can be reached at 454-5092 or by e-mail at tobrien@timesunion.com.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Carney Supports Spectrum's Expansion Plan
Section: CAPITAL REGION Page: B8 Date: Saturday, June 10, 1995
SPECTRUM'S NEIGHBORS SUPPORT EXPANSION PLANS
SARAH METZGAR Staff writer
ALBANY The Spectrum Theatre has unveiled major expansion plans to neighbors, getting thumbs-up on a proposal for three more screens, additional parking and a cafe.
``They had excellent plans. We're going to put together a letter endorsing the idea,'' said Tim Carney, president of the Delaware Area Neighborhood Association. ``It's an asset, not only bringing people into the neighborhood but employing people. It's a beautiful place, and they're going to make it even better.''
Keith Pickard, one of the owners of the four-screen theater at 290 Delaware Avenue, which often includes foreign and art films among its offerings, said they want to add 348 new theater seats and additional parking, acquiring the building next door and vacant land behind it. They haven't filed any application yet with the city, he said.
``This is just in the discussion stages,'' Pickard said. ``Whether these plans are going to happen or not, we're not sure.''
Carney, who is stepping down from the presidency of the neighborhood group to run for the Albany County Legislature, said motorists would enter the parking lot at the existing driveway but would exit at a new driveway on the other side of the theater. About 120 new parking spaces would be built, he said.
An addition would be built at 296 Delaware, Carney said, to house three additional screens and a cafe.
SPECTRUM'S NEIGHBORS SUPPORT EXPANSION PLANS
SARAH METZGAR Staff writer
ALBANY The Spectrum Theatre has unveiled major expansion plans to neighbors, getting thumbs-up on a proposal for three more screens, additional parking and a cafe.
``They had excellent plans. We're going to put together a letter endorsing the idea,'' said Tim Carney, president of the Delaware Area Neighborhood Association. ``It's an asset, not only bringing people into the neighborhood but employing people. It's a beautiful place, and they're going to make it even better.''
Keith Pickard, one of the owners of the four-screen theater at 290 Delaware Avenue, which often includes foreign and art films among its offerings, said they want to add 348 new theater seats and additional parking, acquiring the building next door and vacant land behind it. They haven't filed any application yet with the city, he said.
``This is just in the discussion stages,'' Pickard said. ``Whether these plans are going to happen or not, we're not sure.''
Carney, who is stepping down from the presidency of the neighborhood group to run for the Albany County Legislature, said motorists would enter the parking lot at the existing driveway but would exit at a new driveway on the other side of the theater. About 120 new parking spaces would be built, he said.
An addition would be built at 296 Delaware, Carney said, to house three additional screens and a cafe.
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