That's the mood behind a couple of news items this evening. Irene Posio is out as the Chief Financial Officer of NYRA. When we last saw Ms. Posio, Governor Paterson's budget director Laura Anglin was telling her that she was a "little concerned" about the revenue and expenditure assumptions in NYRA's budget. And she was promising to get back to Ms. Anglin with more information, particularly with respect to personnel costs. Approval of the budget was deferred until that time.
NYRA's communications director John Lee, in a, yes, terse statement, said:
"Irene is no longer with the company....Yesterday was her final day. Other than that we won't have any further comment on personnel matters." [DRF]So who knows what happened, I'm not even going to speculate. Except that Lee's comment is extremely similar to what he said when Gavin Landry left the company in September. “We’re not commenting on personnel matters, but this was Gavin’s last day here today." I think he needs a new repertoire for these situations. There was at least one report that performance issues were behind Landry's departure. OK, so maybe I'm speculating anyway.
The big news of the night is that Caroline Kennedy is out. [Or is she??] So, happily, I won't have to write that "I was wrong, I admit it" post. [Or will I?] Again in this case, no details have yet been offered. The reasons offered range from "personal reasons," to "concerns about the health of her uncle," to, my personal favorite, "Gov. David Paterson wasn't going to choose her." [NY Post]
The last explanation comes despite a growing tide of expectation that the governor was indeed going to pick her. Some of that was generated by a Fred Dicker column which really only said that some other aspirants to the seat were thinking that the fix was already in for Ms. Kennedy. "It's been a done deal from the start," said an anonymous contender. How writers such as the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza turned that bit of pre-emptive sour grapes into a report that Paterson had settled on Ms. Kennedy, I can't say. Still, some felt that the political pressure for Paterson to pick her, given her connections to the new president, would ultimately prevail.
If she really is out, Andrew Cuomo will be at the center of speculation, even though he's given mixed signals, and has privately expressed mixed feelings about seeking the Senate seat. I'd still be surprised - he seems to relish his present job, which provides him the kind of power, prestige, and pedestal which a junior Senate seat may not. And I don't know how it would fit in with his ambitions, which I think includes being Governor of New York in 2014 (if not sooner).
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand has been getting increasing attention of late. The Times reports that "television news crews were staking out Ms. Gillibrand’s home in Washington on Wednesday night." Not all of the attention has been good however, as she's drawn fire from gun control groups over her 'A' rating from the NRA.
“We appreciate hunting rights in our family,” Gillibrand said, declaring herself “very pro Second Amendment.” [Capitol Confidential]But that's part of the reason I've thought all along that she has a big shot. She would give the 2010 Democratic ballot the kind of geographical, gender, and ideological balance that I believe Paterson wants.
14 Comments:
John Lee also has a habit of wearing a stupid looking hat.
There, on Belmont day 2008, huddled along the finish line, Lee was wearing that goofy hat in 90+ degree heat and stifling humidity.
Lee, by all accounts, is a company man through and through.
What exactly has he done for racing fans via his cushy NYRA job?
Let's see, Churchill Downs uses its marketing muscle to promote the race that doesn't need any promoting by having the Derby draw shown live on ESPN and with thousands of people present.
Wouldn't any Communications Director, who probably has to be involved in some facet of marketing, want to have an equal type of promotion for both the Belmont card and Travers day? Where are the "draw parties" for these two days? You put the Belmont draw down at the ESPN restaurant in Times Square and the Travers' draw party should be on Broadway, shutting down traffic, which would get them to build a bigger parking garage which has been needed for over a decade.
For Saratoga, any giveaway would not commence until after Race 4. All these giveaways do is create a hassle for a lot of people who are actually interested in the racing product, not those who scoop up over a hundred of them, lugging them to their vehicles.
NYRA should also a reserved parking section for seniors. Too many seniors have to park too far. The barns on the Oklahoma side need a few coats of paint. One passing fan once said, "Man, this place looks like it belongs in the Seabiscuit era" because of the lack of color and apparent upkeep.
NYRA should also allow people in the infield. They should also promote the yearlings housed on Lake Ave. They should also open up the Oklahoma side for people to watch workouts. Let people walk the infield of the historic Race Course during mornings, too. Cut the price of the morning brunch by at least $5 a head. Modernize the facility a bit more -- it's amazing they actually put in escalators. For all the history, pomp and circumstance of Saratoga, NYRA could do a whole lot more. What do they believe was a big deal? Restaurant Row. $9 for three pieces of fried chicken, which are actually just a bit bigger than the size of chicken wings at a bar. They should also create a "stadium effect" for the standing room only crowd along the rail to the base of the building. People are just not able to see much of the race by having to stand on level ground. There should also be a ban on panhandling in the form of people scooping up tickets. At least two guys have knocked people over because of this in our presence. Regular shuttle service to and from downtown wouldn't be bad, either. It would allow people to keep their vehicles in or near the downtown hotels/restaurants.
This started out as a post about Lee in his capacity as Communications Director. It morphed into more about NYRA's need to do much, much more than it is currently doing.
One thing NYRA should be doing is having its own version of the Breeders' Cup -- The NYRA Cup. You run in big races at NYRA's BElmont in May, June, then Saratoga in July and August, you get automatic invites to all the marquee races on Jockey Club Gold Cup day. You get points for each of the prior races which help to determine your post position draw. The Win & You're In should not necessarily be for races run at Saratoga in July, like it was in 2008. 4 races were Win & You're In status that day. The Breeders' Cup was more than 3 months away! Currently, the NYRA has the Breeders' Cup preps setup as qualifying for the "Pro Bowl," not the "Super Bowl."
"Communications Director" SHOULD be a "company man", it is the essence of the position, sort of like White House Spokesperson.
As for Breeders Cup win and in thing, this is a stupid Breeders Cup concept, they select the races, nothing to do with NYRA.
Many of the other points anon 3am makes are valid ideas, perhaps you should apply for the marketing position.
In fact, all NYRA needs to do regarding marketing is read the various blogs, there are plenty of free worthy suggestions.
Problem is they have no money for marketing until/if VLT's get up and running.
Ms. Posio signed all the finacial statements and accounting reports provided by the NYRA in its bankruptcy case. Wonder if they were all correct?
Alan, well done...you prognosticated the Kennedy no-pick, though not the gate scratch. This morning, a couple of news pundits had Gillibrand at 8-5, Maloney at 3-1 and Cuomo at 5-1. Apparently, Paterson is leaning toward a female appointee because he was appointed himself, and was quoted as saying (I'm paraphrasing) he "didn't want another male appointee...and that he likes Gillibrand a lot."
Supposedly, the Guv is still on track to make the announcement by week's end.
Bobby Kennedy on MSNBC this morning said his sister "Expected to take a beating".
lot's of good ideas about putting a new face on racing in NY. I would think that the NYRA could use some of the extra $30 million for operations it received from the State as a part of the bankruptcy bailout to undertake some sort of marketing plan? If they are waiting for VLT revenue, none of us may still be around!
Caroline reminds me of her cousin Max's run for congress in Ma.
What a laugher that was.Dumb as a Stone.
Grampa Joe was a smart guy.
Each generation has gotten dumber.
randi weingarten is closing down the center of the track
Watchful Horseman
Feel similar to Mr Ed, 'a horse of course' - as scribed a few days ago on your Wishful Thinking, blog 14/1/09 -
'I understand NYRA did ? sign over the racecourse deeds, subject to
NY state, playing ball, but this heavy mist, descending slowly over the back-straight, seems likely to encumber All before it '
Alan, u also, were pro-NYRA, as I, in, 'The devil u know, is…... '
but Ed….he's, "only made out of, flesh, blood & bone, you wanta start a rumble…leave me alone…"
Encumber & be familar with "ALL"….
Watchful Horseman
Feel similar to Mr Ed, 'a horse of course' - as scribed a few days ago on your Wishful Thinking, blog 14/1/09 -
'I understand NYRA did ? sign over the racecourse deeds, subject to
NY state, playing ball, but this heavy mist, descending slowly over the back-straight, seems likely to encumber All before it '
Alan, u also, were pro-NYRA, as I, in, 'The devil u know, is…... '
but Ed….he's, "only made out of, flesh, blood & bone, you wanta start a rumble…leave me alone…"
Encumber & be familar with "ALL"….
Perhaps I am not worthy, or capable, of understanding the Watchful Horseman's dispatch. "All" being the clue, "encumber" the representation, so someone please explain?
Watchful Horseman
as Alan may say, Stay Tuned.
Read relevant, recent & not so recent blogs on, ie; Left At The Gate, in relationship to NYRA & Deleware North, being awarded,
political appointments.
I think the first anon poster is on the right "track", if you will excuse the pun. I agree wholeheartedly with anon that John Lee, or whoever is NYRA Commo/Sales/Marketing must aggressively promote the NY racing "brand" starting with the Belmont and Travers Stakes.
Those two races should be on at least an even keel with the Derby. Use the rich history and prestige of these classic fixtures to create a new aura about NY racing. The NYRA Cup is sort of a revival of the old NY Handicap Triple Crown- which should also be revived as a way to keep the best runners in training after age 3.
NY racing should be second to no race or track including the Derby and Breeders Cup, period. The Derby is one race on one day but NY racing has the "nuts" for 3 meetings over the course of six (6) months. Start acting like the market leader! /S/greenmtnpunter
I see. Unravel the filthy NY politics involved with keeping the NYRA racing and awarding Delaware North the gaming and everyone in Albany will be trying to avoid touching this "tar baby." Paul Francis served his purpose and ran, and we get stuck with a deal whose political glue could give way at any moment? Shelly's the only one that has seen it all throughout the process, so I wonder what he's thinking? After all, he does have the most to gain in "chits" if he capitulates to a VLT centered development at Belmont Park.
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