New York’s next governor, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, visited the State Fair on Sept. 1, but he declined the traditional tour with the fair’s director, Dan O’Hara. Cuomo’s reticence to hang with fellow Democrat O’Hara stems from the ongoing state investigation into all manner of wheeling and dealing at the annual expo, dating back to the tenure of Peter Cappuccilli Jr., a Republican.
On Aug. 31, Cuomo’s office announced it’s launching a criminal probe into Cappuccilli’s administration of the fair from 1995 to 2005. A recent state inspector general’s report alleged that Cappuccilli misused $860,000, including $78,000 to pay for parties, holiday cards and his daughter’s weddings.
The inspector general’s report also found that under O’Hara’s leadership the State Fair and Department of Agriculture and Markets officials violated state laws by signing no-bid contracts with concert promoter Live Nation in 2008 and Fight Night promoter Classic Entertainment and Sports Inc. last year.
Let’s hope the Democrat attorney general looks into those shenanigans as well, rather than focusing only on the Republican. Cuomo’s reluctance to tour the fair with O’Hara may mean exactly that.
Instead of appearing with O’Hara here Sept. 1, Mario Cuomo’s kid munched on sausage sandwiches with Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.
Teachers balk at Cuomo coronation
The New York State United Teachers refuse to endorse Andrew Cuomo for governor.
That should tell voters something. Teachers and retired teachers claim a huge share of the budgets of school districts across the state. As a result, school districts levy one of the heaviest taxes on property state-wide. If New York voters really want tax relief, they’d be wise to oppose anything that the teachers’ union supports.
NYSUT’s snit with Democrat Cuomo should be a major boost to his campaign among voters, those who don’t work as teachers, that is …
First Street apartments rented fast
All nine apartments in the historic Manly Building at 401-403 First St. have already been rented by owner JGB Properties.
The new windows facing First Street look fine, so everything’s just about ready for Freedom of Espresso, which will open a coffee shop on the 1,520-square-foot first floor. The Syracuse-based caf chain owned by John and Anna Dobbs already does business at four Central New York locations.
The apartment tenants, who are paying between $900 and $1,200 monthly to live in the one-bedroom, one-bathroom spaces, should begin moving in any day now.
The landmark brick structure which dates back to the Civil War when businessman William Manly started building it, recently underwent $1.8 million in renovations.
Vindication for Gardenview
In his Sept. 1 Quick Bites column, Post-Standard Food & Drink Editor Don Cazentre listed results from the daily’s online poll of our favorite diners, and – low and behold! – The Gardenview Diner, 650 Old Liverpool Road, finished a strong second to Mother’s Cupboard in Eastwood.
Three Old Liverpool Road diners – The Gardenview, Reggie’s and The American Diner – had been rudely overlooked in the Aug. 18 Post-Standard presentation of a Syracuse University Newhouse School of Communications multi-media project headlined “The Dish on Diners.”
But now, the people have spoken!
“I don’t mind not being Number One whenever they have those Best of Syracuse contests,” said Gardenview co-owner Nick Ionnides said, “but at least I like to be thought of.”
