Mayor Mike has routinely taken to using the NYC Board of Elections as a whipping post to reenforce his disdain for political parties. He does not like the make up of the Board peopled roughly 50/50 by Republicans and Democrats as required by the Election Law to ensure Elections are conducted fairly by virture of the two parties acting as a check and balance on one another. Kind of a Mexican standoff really.
That said most would agree that the New York City Board of Elections despite having some very fine professional and hardworking public servants working there year in and year out is in some ways anochronistic and imperfect. What public agency do you know that could not be improved after all? Most workers there would concede this much at least. So maybe Mayor Mike has a point or two - but who does Mayor Mike have escort him into a meeting with the 5 Republican Chairs the other day other than John Haggerty.
Click here to see John Haggerty walking into New York County GOP headquarters with Mayor Mike. He is the guy with scruffy beard and arm in a sling. No information on how he broke his arm.
This is the same chap who was described in a Daily News expose' (inserted in its entirety below) as a political fixer responsible for much of the dysfunction at the Board of Elections. This is the same chap who helped throw Tom Ognibene off the ballot for Mayor Mike so he would not have to answer for his liberal record in a Republican primary in 2005. Apparently this so-called Republican operative who has routinely sued the Queens GOP is working in league with or for Bronx Democratic fixer Stanley Schlein. Maybe when Mayor Mike talks about bi-partisanship this is what he means?
Mayor Mike has called political parties a swamp of dysfunction but apparently has no problem with associating with the likes of these two political fixers to get what he wants. Guys like these are what make political parties a swamp of dysfunction. If Morganthau's Office starts investigating these ambassadors without portfolio (I am sorry that's unregistered lobbyists ) will Mayor Mike cut his ties or stand by his man?
You have to give Errol Louis credit for taking on the powers that be in this town. Most journalists in the burb would seem to not want to take the Bloomberg juggernaut or any of his minions on so directly.
Money, influence and the fate of democracy in New York
Sunday, March 1st 2009, 4:00 AM
When newspaper editorial boards and good-government groups give dry-sounding lectures about the need for political reform, they are talking about situations like the scandal unfolding at the city Board of Elections over the long-overdue modernization of New York's ancient, breakdown-prone mechanical voting machines.
New York, one of the last states to comply with federal laws and court orders requiring an upgrade of voting machines, is holding public hearings - the next is Wednesday night - on the pros and cons of different computerized voting systems.
But the public hearings may be window-dressing for a rigged process. It appears that critical decisions about how we tabulate votes - the very core of our democracy - are being influenced, and perhaps controlled, by lobbyists and political fixers more concerned about their power, perks and paychecks than the public good.
As watchdogs have warned for years, the private corporations that manufacture and service voting machines are salivating over the prospect of supplying New York with voting machines.
One company, Nebraska-based Election Software & Systems, has paid $500,000 since 2005 to Davidoff, Malito and Hutcher to lobby the City Council, the mayor's office, the Board of Elections and other bodies.
Sid Davidoff, the founder and principal of Davidoff, Malito is a former aide to former Mayor John Lindsay and a member of New York's permanent government whose phone calls get returned.
The other leading firm, Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc., paid about $172,000 to lobbyists between 1999 and 2005.
New York State officials are on the verge of certifying new machines as adequate, after which local boards around the state - including the city Board of Elections - can select from the list.
It's widely expected that the final choice will be between ES&S and Sequoia.
But insiders at the Board of Elections, including several eyewitnesses, say the choice is being influenced by two political fixers, Queens Republican John Haggerty Jr. and Bronx Democrat Stanley Schlein.
Haggerty and Schlein wield vast - and improper - influence at the agency, say insiders, huddling with senior staff members and instructing board members on how to vote.
Both men, according to agency insiders, frequently come to the board's offices in lower Manhattan, enter without signing the public visitor log, and even conduct personal business from the agency for hours on end.
The allegations, if true, are devastating. Schlein, a longtime election lawyer, routinely represents politicians before the board, which has the all-important power to remove candidates from the ballot.
More importantly, Schlein has been hired by Sequoia to lobby the board as it nears a final decision on which machines to use.
Haggerty, a former aide to Gov. George Pataki, worked on Mayor Bloomberg's 2005 campaign as the election expert who got Bloomberg's GOP opponent, Tom Ognibene, knocked off the ballot - a highly partisan role he may repeat this year. While Haggerty isn't registered as a lobbyist for any voting-machine companies, insiders at the board say he has been pushing for Sequoia to win the contract.
Marcus Cederqvist, executive director of the board, did not directly deny that Haggerty and Schlein hang around the board's offices.
"I haven't seen [Schlein] here at the board in quite a while," Cederqvist told me via e-mail, and wrote "I don't think [Haggerty] has been here for quite a while."
That's a far cry from flatly stating that politically wired nonemployees with vested interests do not get special treatment or access to the agency.
Schlein, through a spokesman, denied having improper access to the board's offices and personnel.
Actually, the whistleblowers are people who are disgusted by the prospect of our democracy being hijacked and distorted by paid mercenaries and political cronyism - disgusted and ready to fight back.
As we all should be.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Paladin , March 02, 2009
Thank you RRR for posting this. I was going to but you beat me to it.
Well, John Haggerty has finally been outed. For all the people who complained when we broke this story on UE, here is your corroborating story in the mainstream press.
The Manhattan DA really needs to look into this and put a stop to the improper activities going on at the BOE.
In the meantime it is a real wonder that Bloomberg continues to keep this guy on his staff when he is so shady. But of course, Haggerty controls the BOE it would seem for mayor Mike, and he's going to need that this year when he's running on line F.
written by Daniel Peterson , March 02, 2009
Why doesn't someone from the BOE report him? Can they, if what he does seems improper?
written by RRR , March 03, 2009
Reread Louis' article "Wield vast and improper influence". If political fixers can throwi candidates off the ballot and appear to be rigging bids by improperly influencing Commissioner's votes it is no surprise that BOE employees would be fearful for their livelihoods. Commissioners also vote on promotions, disciplinary matters and firings. This is apparently why Louis' calls his sources "whistleblowers" and clearly sees them as couragous. It all does sound very third world or maybe 1930's Chicago. I guess Bloomberg was willing to buy into this morass in 2005 so he would not have to contend with a primary and will do so again this year.
written by Daniel Peterson , March 03, 2009
Bloomberg has always portrayed himself as a non-partisan independent not beholden to special interests and this clearly smacks reform right in it face. A true reform candidate (hopefully on the GOP side this year) should make this a big issue saying eight years and the mayor is now entrenched in special interest operatives.
written by Jay Golub , March 03, 2009
"This is the same chap who helped throw Tom Ognibene off the ballot for Mayor Mike so he would not have to answer for his liberal record in a Republican primary in 2005. Apparently this so-called Republican operative who has routinely sued the Queens GOP is working in league with or for Bronx Democratic fixer Stanley Schlein."
If this is all true, then why would Bloomberg bring Haggerty to a meeting with the Five GOP Chairs? Doesn't it seem to be an antagonistic move - especially with Ragusa?
"Both men, according to agency insiders, frequently come to the board's offices in lower Manhattan, enter without signing the public visitor log, and even conduct personal business from the agency for hours on end."
If this is true, when will Bloomberg ask to investigate these matters as Haggerty is clearly on his staff? The DA's office doesn't need to get involved for there to be a public investigation into these matters. All Mr. Bloomberg has to do is announce that he's asking his hired help what they are up to at the Board of Elections.
Yet Bloomberg is still silent on these matters - this after UE has presented these concerns on a number of occasions regarding the Haggerty's.
What's the holdup, Mr. Mayor? Do you condone such potential bid rigging by someone on your staff? Do the rules only apply to others and not yourself and your staff?
"Actually, the whistleblowers are people who are disgusted by the prospect of our democracy being hijacked and distorted by paid mercenaries and political cronyism - disgusted and ready to fight back."
I guess Bloomberg doesn't agree.
Great piece by Errol. I agree that few in NYC's Main Stream Media would be courageous enough to write that piece. More than likely, Errol's already received a call from his boss, Mort Zuckerman, regarding this column - as I'm sure Bloomberg has called Zuckerman directly to complain that it ended up in print.
I guess Mike Bloomberg like to decry corruption and dirty politics by the political parties, but it's okay for his people participate in the same.
"Do as I say, not as I do," huh?....
written by outside the shadow , March 04, 2009
Its sad to see that Ragusa's goons are at it again hurling attacks at the one person in Queens that understand politics... My advice to Mr. Haggerty is this, dont worry since your foes are really just a bunch of wannabe hacks who are luck enough to spell politics.
By the way- those holding grudges about 2005 STILL get over it. You were outsmarted...
written by RRR , March 04, 2009
"Ragusa's goons" is an absurdity. Ragusa has recruited young urban professionals, College graduates, master's degree recipients, lawyers, dentists and bankers and entrepenuers Haggerty is a college drop out who is apparently committing illegal acts for personal gain at the Board of Elections working for a crooked Democrat who has been fined for ethics violations. Haggerty is again shilling for a liberal Mayor who abandoned the GOP literally after governing to the left of Green and Ferrar. Haggerty is the only guy worthy of being described as a goon so either you are involved with his payola schemes or you are not too bright. Stay in the shadows or you might get caught in the eventual Morganthau dragnet that finally brings down goons like Haggerty and Schlein.
written by Jay Golub , March 04, 2009
"Its sad to see that Ragusa's goons are at it again hurling attacks at the one person in Queens that understand politics."
What does that mean, outside the shadow? "...the ONE person who UNDERSTANDS politics?" What is it about Mr. Haggerty's actions that demonstrates he "understands politics" better than these so-called "goons?"
I'm pleased that someone has finally stepped up to defend Mr. Haggerty. I believe it's good to have both sides of an issue brought to light. But when you say...
"...since your foes are really just a bunch of wannabe hacks who are lucky enough to spell politics."
...you lose me.
Are you saying that the accusations against Mr. Haggerty are not true or are you saying they are basically true but that is the way politics works?
Outside the shadow, please explain further...
written by outside the shadow , March 11, 2009
Jay- let me take the time to answer the questions posed.
What was meant in the first statement about Mr. haggertys understanding of politics... He has done a great job for 20 years defending the Republican Party and making sure that our Republican candidates win. He has a proven reputation of being able to get the job done.
What have Rausa's goons done.. the answer is nothing. The goon squad spends more time on this blog trying to smear Mr. Haggerty then it does actually doing anything worthwile.
To the second part of your statement....
I will take the liberty of saying the current allegations are false. Once again I ask who are these sources at BOE? Without names all it really is, is a blogger hurling irresponsible attacks against someone. I must say this hit piece is very cute but until some people come forward its pointless to write this piece. Its not true and its just another sad attempt by Ragusa and his goon squad on this blog to hit Haggerty and the Mayor.
written by Jay Golub , March 11, 2009
"He has done a great job for 20 years defending the Republican Party and making sure that our Republican candidates win."
Really? What has he, specifically, been defending? And which "winning" Republican candidates, specifically, are you talking about?
"The goon squad spends more time on this blog trying to smear Mr. Haggerty then it does actually doing anything worthwile."
Outside, the so-called "goon squad" is just getting started. It seems that they are starting to do the hard work of rebuilding and reformatting what people like the Haggerty's have been dismantling piece by piece for their own personal gain for the last decade.
I agree, BTW, that the above piece would have much more significant meaning with real names next to it. But although I respect your right to do so, your comments would be much more impactful as well if you were not using a screen-name...
written by Gandalf , March 18, 2009
I notice that Cederqvist said that he didnt think Haggerty had been at the BOE in quite awhile. Didn't Bart string along with John Ciampoli as some sort of legal assistant during Padavan's defense that just ended a week or so before this was published? How could Marcus have missed him when he was standing directly in front of him?
Out of the shadows, I would also love to know exactly which REPUBLICAN candidates the Haggerties have played a major role in winning. Certainly, they have substantial skills in the petitioning process, as was demonstrated by knocking Tom Ognebene (a Republican) off the line for Bloomberg (who promptly renounced his GOP card as soon as he could).
Moreover, with all this supposed skill and genious, how is it that they cannot beat a 90 year old woman in their own backyard? The fact is that as many times as they have tried and promised everyone they had it in the bag, they have NEVER won even a single election for District Leader!?!?!? And by that i mean neither they or their put in allies. They have influenced other district leaders, by telling them of their sure victory, to vote with them but never have they won in the 28th. How can they be so great, except in the stories THEY tell to others who obviously believe them. But then, a lot of people believed Obama too.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
