VIEW POINT: Should We Be Lobbying Andrew Cuomo?

submitted on behalf of Reginald Atkinson, NY State Prisoner 89B1198

Should We Be Lobbying Andrew Cuomo?

Where does Attorney General and (N.Y.) governor hopeful, Andrew Cuomo stand on the issues that matter to us most as specific and impacted communities?
As many of us are aware Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced his candidacy to succeed Gov.David Patterson as New York State's next governor and has chosen an upstate pol to be his running mate. Unlike when then Attorney General Eliot Spitzer was running for governor, there appears to be a very real disconnect in our efforts to insure our voice at the table of decision-making. The 'open door' policy of the Spitzer/Patterson administration, while bespeaking volumes in relation to their commitment to reform, the policy as it existed was not begotten by chance nor was it in a vacuum.
Interestingly enough, many of the problems, concerns and issues germane to "specific communities" and "supporters" (e.g. advocates (both criminal and social), community leaders and grassroots organizations and other related "stake holders"),actually warrant dispositive legislative action in the form of rescinding or reforming existing harmful. failed and costly statutes of laws and policy, procedures, practices and/or customs of the "controlling agencies". As we have learned, getting a bill to actually become law is lengthy process, however, any reform bills that we propose, once successfully passed by the Assembly and Senate must ultimately be signed into law by the sitting governor.
Hence, it would behoove all "stake holders" to collectively lobby Mr. Cuomo during his campaign followed by sustained comprehensive action to insure that the ills which impact "specific communities" and their "supporters" are provided appropriate and adequate attention.
No one knows or understands better than the "specific communities" and their "supporters" , the problems, concerns and issues that afflict and affect "specific communities", Fairly stated, no one knows or understands better than these "specific communities" and their "supporters" and other "stake-holders", those proven and successful methods and systems that cut to the core of the many problems, concerns and issues that afflict and affect these "specific communities" and the people who live there.
To lobby Mr. Cuomo isn't limited to insuring our voice is included in the formulation of equitable, sensible, and cost effective criminal justice matters but also includes those matters that we know to be "crime generative factors" and relevant socio-economic matters (e.g. lack of affordable housing, disproportionate levels of poverty, lack of a comprehensive educational system, lack of job creation, lack of equitable environmental justice, inadequate employment opportunities, exorbitant rates of incarceration of the people of these afflicted and affected "specific communities", intolerable recidivism rates, and a lack of appropriate attention to true reintegration and re-entry services and yes, reform of parole statutes and practices).
If not the "stakeholders", who then will give voice to the voiceless and the problems, concerns and issues they face as "specific communities"? Our collective and active participation at the table of decision-making represents the difference between going forward without a meaningful voice at that table and actualization of accomplishing the many goals and mission many have graciously and dutifully chosen to undertake as
"stake-holders" and which encompass various and meaningful matters which include peace, justice, equality, growth, development, and the future of those generations who come behind us. As we recognize it is greater than any single person, group, agency, coalition or administration.
Our collective efforts and contribution to insuring a voice at the table of decision making has historical roots and significance. As with then-governor hopeful Spitzer, we worked tirelessly to insure a voice at the table of decision-making by effectively lobbying him before the general election and after the election we continued to be active and maintained an "open-door" policy with that administration. Just as any other "special interest" group or agency, those who could leverage our power (i.e. votes).
We should not take for granted that Mr. Cuomo and his administration are not and will not be in need of being educated on the issues, problems and concerns that afflict and affect us as "specific communities".
Again, no one knows better than the "stake holders" the issues, problems and concerns and indeed proven methods and systems that are successful at combating those "crime generative factors" and related social, economic, and environmental matters of "specific communities". Methods and systems that foster a safer and more prosperous community and living conditions and standards for us all.
I believe that we can either collectively work to insure an "open door policy" with a Cuomo administration before he becomes governor, or we run the risk of navigating an otherwise dense and formidable rain forest of renowned Albany red tape and malfunction. I believe that all "stakeholders" should collectively hash out a strategic mode of action so as to insure a voice at the table of decision making for our "specific communities".
Going forward, I would respectfully and strongly urge all "stakeholders" to email, call and contact one another on this crucial matter in order to facilitate collective comprehensive action to insuring our voice at the table of decision-making in a Cuomo-led administration.

For questions, comments, or suggestions:
Reginald Atkinson DIN:89-B1198
Elmira Corr. Fac.
P.O. Box 500
Elmira, N.Y. 14902

SUBMITTED TO TheBlackList eNewsletter by:
KENYABAN@aol.com

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