TO: State Senator Martin Conner, New York
Date: Sept. 26, 2003
RE: Robert Ryan and your swift action against corrpution in the state of New York
Hello Senator---
I am one of your constituents (Laura Boutwell XXX Henry St. #5-c, NYC, NY 10002). I would like to know what you intend to do about Robert Ryan---the man who was fired from the Roosevelt Island Operation Corporation last Feb. 2003 for "undisclosed" reasons (which means he was probably caught in some sort of financial or moral compromised position.) Ryan was Pataki's campaign manager in 1994, and the state is, asyou well know, currently in a hiring freeze.
This is obvious cronyism, and your electorate* are in no mood to put up with this CRAP just because the governor is maneuvering for a position in the Bush administration. Pataki "appointed" Ryan to the completely fictional, hitherto unadvertised position of "Liaison between Department of State the City's Building Department." This em>coup de suck represents the farcical type of corruption for which the Department of State itself chastises the third world, and the people are sick of it.
You are in a unique position to squelch his appointment, and start and investigation in the State Senate. You can lead your colleagues to cleanliness in government. That would ensure your survival, in fact. Elsewise, your easy dismissal of the problem will become a campaign issue for you in the near future.
This is a big story, with tendrils of crime, graft and thuggery that reach into the MTA, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Port Authority, the Inspector General’s office.
I am not connected with any advocacy group; I am merely a shocked and informed citizen. I am quite capable of writing a story about this and having it published. I have my own little network. No, you never heard of me. As an architect with a background in real estate development who attended the same college as Colin Powell, I have ample qualification ahead of Ryan for his position. Oh, except that I’m honest.
Hope to see your action on this important matter soon!
All the best, and do give a buzz, I’d love to chat with you,
Laura Boutwell, President
Citizens for a Clean New York Government
212 267 XXXX
PS Oh, by the way, I'm cc-ing all the local press on this! (Although it was in today's NY Sun.) Ciao!
* That was some "special" election for you back in the day, eh?
posted by LauraB 5:31 PM
Running to the shiny lights
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? You dig, dig, dig, man. Also you should be aware not, under any circumstances whatsoever, to be late to Central Park this Monday evening. Here's why. And here's a photo of the Tate's London version of it.
posted by LauraB 9:54 AM
This cannily designed site may make you a bit queasy. But perhaps it may not make you feel quite as queasy as this quiz will. Speaking of things canny, may I refer you this worthy cause?
posted by LauraB 8:11 PM