John W Rodat

RFP for Sale (or Something) of Albany County Nursing Home

April 20, 2012 Budget

Though you’ll have to register, the request for proposals is available here. The process is being handled through the County’s Purchasing Department. Summary: As Albany County government explores options for the future of its county-operated nursing home, the County is seeking proposals from interested parties that would reduce or eliminate the nursing home’s dependence upon […]

Read the full article →

A Nation in Decline? Commentary by Ed Luce

April 20, 2012 Economics

I’m excerpting liberally below, but you should still consider reading the original. This is a conversation that goes beyond the conventional and superficial. It’s not fun and it’s not optimistic, but if you believe that the first step required in dealing with challenges is to learn and think realistically about them, then this is worth […]

Read the full article →

Integrated Accessible Design

April 19, 2012 Uncategorized

Good design sometimes … often … usually … always … means turning one concept or another upside down. Here’s Ben’s take and photo of a ramp for accessibility. I really admire the design of these stairs and how they incorporate a wheelchair access ramp. in a world were barrier free design is essential to living […]

Read the full article →

Arithmetically Correct Lie

April 19, 2012 Data

Last week, Mitt Romney repeatedly said that women have lost 92.3% (note the precision of the “.3”) of the jobs since Obama became President. The arithmetic is correct. But there’s no need to be polite and call it “misleading.” It’s a lie, a deliberate attempt to mislead. How ironic for a guy who made so […]

Read the full article →

Boston Marathon is “Not a Race …”

April 16, 2012 Uncategorized

“… It is an experience.” New York Times on today’s Boston Marathon being run in unseasonably high temperatures. Organizers are actively discouraging many runners not to participate, but wait until next year. For the overwhelming majority of those who have entered to participate in the 2012 Boston Marathon, you should adopt the attitude that this […]

Read the full article →

Recovering, but Not Recovered, Local in New York

April 13, 2012 Uncategorized

Sales tax receipts for each county in New York and New York City in the first quarter of 2012, ranked by percentage change from the first quarter in 2011. Eight counties showed a decline. Sales Tax Collections, Q1, 2012 First Quarter, 2012 First Quarter, 2011 Difference $ Q1, 2012 to Q1, 2011 Percent Difference Q1, […]

Read the full article →

The Patient is Recovering, but not Recovered

April 13, 2012 Economics

The Census data regarding state tax collections are now in for 2011. Here’s the report from Governing Magazine and here’s a summary quote: Total tax collections jumped in all 50 states last fiscal year, with oil-rich areas pocketing significant additional revenues. State financial data released today by the Census Bureau shows governments collected $763.7 billion […]

Read the full article →

Reality Intrudes

April 13, 2012 County Government

A colleague asked me this morning whether I’d planted this story in the Albany Times-Union describing the movements of Saratoga and Ulster Counties to unload their nursing homes. My response? “Didn’t need to. Reality intrudes.” At least in Saratoga and Ulster and many other counties in New York. Albany County? Not so much.

Read the full article →

Scrupulously Accurate and Rarely Honest

April 11, 2012 Uncategorized

Today’s Quote of the Day is from Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) I’ve known Mitch for 40 years,” said Yarmuth. “We were political allies at one point. I was a Republican ‘til 1985. In recent years, as I’ve said publicly before, he has a considerable knack for being scrupulously […]

Read the full article →

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

April 10, 2012 County Government

Hat tip to the usually sober Richard Mendick, Albany County Legislator (C, R – Selkirk) for today’s quote of the day. One of the provisions in the resolution establishing Charter Review Commission for Albany County prohibits elected officials to serve. Judging by last night’s chaotic debate over the resolution, the resolution was evidently not well […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →