By RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau First published in print: Saturday, March 14, 2009
ALBANY -- Spring is fast approaching, which means its time to dust off the patio furniture. Thats true for the governors mansion as well, where workers last summer carted in $9,095 worth of new chairs, dining tables, umbrella pedestals and chaise lounges.
Scrutiny of furnishings in the mansion has grown since last November, when the Times Union reported that, as Gov. David Paterson was warning of a budget crisis, his office had purchased for the mansion a set of rugs with a price tag of $21,000.
After that, officials at the state Office of General Services say they were deluged with requests by reporters asking about the cost of various items for the approximately 150-year-old building, which serves as an occasional residence for the states First Family as well as a spot for government functions.
The patio gear was one of the biggest furniture expenses during the last year, according to state records.The purchases, from the Alpin Haus ski and outdoor furniture store in Amsterdam, appear to be far more pedestrian. Among the items ordered last May were 14 Primera-brand chairs and four Tex Green ottomans, according to an invoice obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
The invoice also noted that the state received a $5,093 Preferred Customer Discount from Alpin Haus.Public employee unions, who have been battling with Paterson over his request that they forego a 3 percent raise in light of the states $14 billion deficit, offered slightly different thoughts when told of the furniture purchase.
Its not a good time to hear about these things when everybody else is tightening their belts, said Darcy Wells, spokeswoman for the Public Employees Federation.
Why didn't he go to Walmart and buy a nice patio set?
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Why didn't he go to Walmart and buy a nice patio set?
Sure...Martha Stewart's patio furniture is nice. And heck she knows a bit about stocks and wall street, so why not give her the business!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Martha was a 'lamb'.....for the wolves.....they knew then what was going on......make no mistake about it.....her 'friends' hung her out to dry....... and she is a woman........
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
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