Dominick enjoys serving the residents of the First Ward in the South End of Albany, New York and working on ways to make Albany a more desirable place in which to live.
List of all introduced and co-sponsored legislation by Dominick Calsolaro, download PDF format or download Word document.
Published on 01/20/2012 written by Dominick Calsolaro
January 20, 2012
Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor
State of New York
Executive Chamber
The Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
Dear Governor Cuomo:
I read that you have included the reappropriation of funds for the New York State Convention Center to be located in Albany in your proposed 2012/13 Executive Budget. But, as I listened to your budget presentation speech, I noted that you said that governments should NOT finance money-losing projects like convention centers. Here is how the Local Politics blog of the Times Union, under the heading, “Mixed signals on the future of the Albany convention center” reported your comments:
“If you asked me, ‘Am I in favor of government building a convention center’, I would say ‘no’. Convention centers are tricky economic propositions. Government building, a large public works, right away makes me anxious and nervous. It sounds like another good idea gone bad. That’s not - Read more
Community leaders ask for a pause in anger after man with gun shot
Published on 12/31/2011 by the Times Union
written by RICK KARLIN, Staff writer, Times Union
ALBANY — Two days after a 19-year-old parolee was shot and killed by police and a day after neighborhood residents vented their frustration over the tragedy, community leaders called for a pause in the anger.
"Just because we are patient doesn't mean we are going to let this die," said the Rev. Edward Smart, one of several African-American pastors who met to discuss their response to the death of Nahcream Moore.
"All we have is hearsay," said Smart. "We need to be patient."
Moore was shot Thursday night in Albany's South End during scuffle with police.
Officers said Moore raised a loaded .22-caliber handgun, which sparked the shooting.
Police were looking to question Moore since he had missed an appointment with his parole officer – he had been paroled from a prison sentence for attempted robbery and was a suspect in another recent robbery in the South End - Read more
Nahcream Moore, 19, dies after confrontation with police
Published on 12/30/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST AND BRENDAN J. LYONS, Staff writers
By ROBERT GAVIN. JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST and BRENDAN J. LYONS, Staff writers
ALBANY — As tensions exploded over a fatal police shooting in the South End, Chief Steven Krokoff said Friday an officer had "no choice but to use deadly physical force" when a parolee tried to lift a loaded handgun during a tussle with police.
Nahcream Moore, 19, was shot three times in the torso and died in front of 441 S. Pearl St., a death police did not explain for hours, fueling rumors and stoking public anger that exploded at a news conference
"These are difficult times. Please don't rush to judgment," a clearly emotional Krokoff said at the unorthodox forum that drew some 100 people, including Moore's family and friends, political leaders and the woman who was driving the SUV in which Moore was a passenger.
As they investigate the shooting, police may be without two potentially key - Read more
Published on 12/29/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
The relationship between Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings and Councilman Dominick Calsolaro has long been frosty.
And Calsolaro's alliance with the Occupy Albany protesters, who took to City Hall Wednesday to condemn the Jennings administration's move to dismantle the occupiers' camp last week, likely won't help thaw things out.
Calsolaro stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the protesters beneath a banner proclaiming "Shame on you Jennings" as he accused the mayor, a fellow Democrat, of ignoring the city's real problems, like a recent string of shootings, while fixating on the encampment that had, until Dec. 22, put down stakes in Academy Park for two months.
"We go after the peaceful people sitting in a park and take down a tent," Calsolaro said.
A bit later, when Jennings emerged from his office to address waiting reporters, he dismissed Calsolaro's allegations. Protesters began to shout "shame" until being chastised by a gaggle of news - Read more
Published on 12/23/2011 written by by TU Editorial Board
Our opinion: Albany raises its requirements for the owners of vacant property. But what about the people inclined to ignore those laws?
Score a victory, of sorts, for the exasperated government officials in Albany determined to get the epidemic of vacant and abandoned buildings under better control.
Tally up such progress, that is, and remember how much more there is to be done.
The Common Council voted Monday night — with no resistance at all; no dissenting votes and no lobbying from property owners — to require the people conscientious enough to register empty buildings with the code enforcement office to put up a bond of at least $10,000.
That’s common sense prevailing.
“If you can’t afford the bond, how can you afford the building?” says 1st Ward Council Member Dominick Calsolaro, who sponsored the ordinance.
The hope is that such a modest financial commitment will deter people who want to buy - Read more
Occupy Albany tents dismantled, pepper spray used; police plan news conference at 9 p.m.
Published on 12/22/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
ALBANY — The lengthy detente between the city and Occupy Albany ended Thursday evening when police in riot gear used pepper spray and struggled with demonstrators who refused to give up their last remaining tent.
The Occupy group had returned to Academy Park across from City Hall about 5:30 p.m. after parading the remains of their two-month encampment through the streets of Albany. The city had sent Department of General Services workers in to dismantle the site hours earlier after Occupy Albany's permit for 24-hour use of the park expired at 7 a.m.
Protesters chanted "Shame on you" and "We are peaceful, you are not!" at the police.
One officer was overheard saying, "We're supposed to get out of their faces" as police moved across the street.
"This is utterly ridiculous," said Occupy Albany member Colin Donnaruma.
In a news conference in the park, several members of the group - Read more
Rule will require $10G bond on vacant buildings
Published on 12/19/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
ALBANY — Aiding and abetting blight in the city just got more expensive.
The Common Council unanimously backed an ordinance Monday night requiring the owners of vacant buildings to post at least a $10,000 bond when they register the structures with code enforcement officials.
The move — inspired by efforts in other cities, like Springfield, Mass., to reign in mortgage companies that foreclose on homes and leave them vacant — is aimed in Albany at property speculators who gobble up buildings on the cheap at auctions and then allow them to deteriorate.
Property owners are already required to register vacant buildings with the city, paying an escalating series of fines for each year they remain unoccupied.
The new law will strengthen the registry, forcing building owners to file their social security number, phone number and a copy of their drivers license with code enforcement officials in addition to posting the bonds.
The minimum - Read more
Published on 12/15/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
ALBANY — An attorney for the Bronx woman who owned Trinity Church until it collapsed in July says she should not be on the hook for the city's $141,000 demolition bill because her father forged her name on documents sealing its purchase from the county.
Amanda Indarpaul's defense emerged Thursday as she pleaded not guilty in City Court to two code violations alleging she failed to maintain the 163-year-old landmark or register it as vacant with the city before it began to crumble July 11.
Public records indicate that Indarpaul, 27, bought the building at 31 Trinity Place for $500 from Albany County at auction in October 2010, at the time submitting paperwork saying she planned to spend $30,000 to renovate it into a space for weddings and cultural events.
But Indarpaul's attorney, Andrew Safranko, contends the sale was never valid.
"Our position is that she didn't own this - Read more
$10,000 bond would protect city after structures are demolished
Published on 12/07/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
ALBANY — The Common Council's law committee Wednesday night unanimously backed a proposal that would require owners of vacant buildings to post at least a $10,000 bond to protect the city against the costs of stabilizing or demolishing the vulnerable structures.
Councilman Dominick Calsolaro introduced the measure in August in the wake of the emergency razing of Trinity Church in the South End, a massive undertaking that left the city with an unpaid $141,000 demolition bill.
In addition to requiring the owners of vacant buildings to post a security with the city, Calsolaro said the measure would further strengthen Albany's registry of vacant buildings by requiring owners to put their phone and social security numbers as well as copy of their divers licenses on file with the city.
Under the registry, building owners already face an escalating scale of fees for each year they keep the building vacant.
But despite an - Read more
Lawmakers' motion to override mayor's objection one vote short
Published on 12/05/2011 by the Times Union
written by JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
ALBANY — A bid to override Mayor Jerry Jennings' veto of a citywide ban on gas drilling — a measure aimed squarely at the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing — fell one vote short Monday night.
The vote marked the third time in the last year that the Common Council has tried and failed to override a mayoral veto, prompting hydrofracking opponents to vow to target council members who blocked the ordinance in defiance of what they said was overwhelming public sentiment against gas drilling.
"This is going to be a major talking point of the Albany Votes project," said Daniel Morrissey, referring to a voter registration effort begun this spring after Jennings vetoed an effort to legalize the keeping of backyard hens in the city. "You're not going to see anyone run unopposed in this upcoming election."
Boosters of the legislation billed it as a way to preserve air and water quality - Read more
Council Member Calsolaro introduced the following:
Ordinance Number 1.11.09
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART 3 (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY) OF CHAPTER 42 (DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY TO REPEAL ARTICLE XI-A ENTITLED “GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE” AND TO ADD A NEW ARTICLE XI-A ENTITLED “GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION IMPLEMENTATION TEAM.”
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| Albany Common Council Members Barbara Smith and Dominick Calsolaro |
Terror Case Bias Alleged
Albany council members call for Justice Department review of FBI prosecutions of Muslims
Published on 4/30/2010 by the Times Union written by KATIE BRANDENBURG, Hearst Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- Two Albany Common Council members on Thursday urged the Department of Justice to review terrorism cases that they say unfairly targeted Muslims.
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| (L-R) Councilman Calsolaro is joined by President Faith Takes on their recent tour. |
CALSOLARO LEADS TOUR OF REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL CAREER COLLEGE FACILITY
In an effort to connect with the students of the Capital Region on a more personal level, Albany City Common Councilman Dominick Calsolaro, along with County Legislators Wanda Willingham and Norma Chapman met with Faith Takes, President of Mildred Elley/Austin School of Spa Technology. The campus, located on 855 Central Avenue in Albany is shared by the two colleges and is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms, clinics and student service areas for the Austin School of Spa Technology and newly renovated space designed specifically for Mildred Elley. It allows for the staff and faculty to fuse their expertise and experiences together to share them with the students in a more efficient and effective manner. Continue reading . . .