By MICHAEL SCHENKLER
KILLER PIGEONS: There isnt an owl dead or alive that can
stop these pigeons.
A gang of particularly boisterous birds is on the prowl in Long Island
City.
Employees at a local car dealership told Not4Publication that they
employed several stuffed owls to stop pigeons from entering the dealership, where they
were found nesting in drop ceilings.
The mere sight of owls usually sends pigeons scampering but not
these birds.
The pigeons assaulted the owls ("beat them up"), and knocked
them down. Then they went right back into the dealership, where they plan to rule the
roost.
They dont give a hoot about the owls!
TO YOUR HEALTH: As the NYS Legislative session comes to a close,
an item is being considered which will give easy access to the background history
including malpractice claims of doctors. The Bill (A1401 and S6782 A for
Assembly; S for Senate) would provide vital info to help patients make informed medical
decisions.
Negotiations are underway between the Albany leadership and the state
medical society, which claims the bill is unfair. This powerful lobby has contributed more
than $1 million to state Republicans and at least half that to Dems in the last five
years. With a staff of Albany lobbyists costing more than $350,000, it has the ability to
influence and defeat legislation.
If you want to see the Physician Profile Bill (A1401 and S6782) pass,
call your State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno at (518) 455-2800, as well
as your Assemblymember and Speaker Sheldon Silver at (518) 455-4100. Finally, call
Governor Pataki at (518) 474-8390.
SENATORS SMITH: The States newest Senator dropped by the
office to introduce himself: bright and engaging, this protégé of Southeast Queens
political guru Reverend Floyd Flake is going places. Hes knowledgeable and confident
and seems to have his priorities straight. Hopefully, hell stay on course and not
let the system corrupt or divert him.
We briefly discussed our column of two weeks ago where we disclosed
that he and Senator Ada Smith (of Queens and Brooklyn) had sent out identical press
releases on the state budget, containing identical quotes.
Malcolm had Janet Kennedy, director of minority services for the State
Senate, called us and explained it was actually his release, which due to a clerical error
on the part of minority (Democratic) staff, was sent out on behalf of both Senators Smith.
The release, according to Kennedy, was actually Malcolms; a different one belonged
to Ada.
So we had a reporter call Ada, who was unpleasant and rude on the
telephone and questioned why we would ask about a release when it was a
"clerical" error. Our reporter requested Adas correct release on the
budget and was informed there was none.
We called back Kennedy, who had originally informed us that her staff
was handling different releases for Malcolm and Ada, and asked for Adas correct
release. Kennedy claimed that it was never approved and therefore there is none.
So what have we here?
Senator Ada Smith had a two page 700-plus word release sent out in
error which was the property of Senator Malcolm Smith. He has made clear that the release
was his; so has minority staff. There has been no retraction, correction or replacement
release sent out by or on behalf of Ada.
Therefore, all the media who have not read my column still think
Adas release was her own. She continues to take credit for Malcolms words.
Should she put in writing that due to a clerical error (on the part of
others) she mistakenly issued a release and used quotes belonging to another?
In private industry, such transgressions between companies
would be dealt with by litigation and financial settlements. If within a company,
someones head would likely roll and apologies would be issued, policies would be
changed and all announced immediately.
For our kids in school, suspensions, expulsions and punishments are
meted out for using the words of another and not accepting responsibility and acting
appropriately when discovered.
In the State Senate, they dismiss it as an error and Senator Ada Smith
is annoyed when we ask.
Hey Ada, it could have been as simple as: "Yesterday, the State
Senate minority staff sent out under my name a press release belonging to my colleague
Malcolm Smith. Although I agree with the content and statements of Senator Malcolm Smith,
the release and statements belong to him. My statement on the state budget
follows..."
Thats how it would have been handled in the real world.
I guess school children and private industry have higher standards than
government.
Adas been around awhile.
We sure hope the same values dont rub off on Malcolm.
THAT CERTAIN SOMETHING: Reacting to Not4Publications
exclusive revelation last week that John Taylor, the Wendys Executioner, was a 1990
Census Taker in Queens, a co-census taker of the confessed murderer contacted us.
Well call him Chaz, for the purpose of anonymity. He lives and
works in Queens, where 10 years ago he met a "sort of odd fellow. . ." just
another number counter working on the 1990 Census.
That odd fellow was John Taylor.
"What makes you remember somebody 10 years later?" Chaz asked
out loud. "What was in his personality that made me remember him in
particular?"
Chaz said he "cant put his finger on it," but that
there was just "something about him" that made Taylor stand out. "Something
odd, quirky, villainous," Chaz said.
Just something about him.
Liz Goff contributed to this column
Michael Schenkler can be reached at: MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com
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