Arizona Listeners Stop By To Visit

     Talk about reach...Today a charming couple visiting from Chandler , AZ stopped in to meet me...They are regular listeners of the HOTLINE. I could tell as they knew the callers and particulars of the community. They also follow Channel 7.   

     Bob and Lisa were their names. Nice people, so save the catty remarks.

     Also I see likely gubernatorial loser Bruce Blakeman rallied with Anthony Constantino in Mayfield, NY on the shores of the Great Sacandaga Lake in Fulton County.....one attendee says it was a good size crowd.

       A good sign for Constantino last night as SLC GOP Nancy Martin appeared in a video with him. The Big County GOP had been quite hostile so maybe things have healed.

   Things going on...a 62 year old man is trapped under a car on Boyd Street....a man flashing gang signs on Route 12...and intoxicated men at a Mill Stree bus stop.  Busy town on a Sunday.

    

Praying for Tommy

        Journeyman pitcher, Yankee and namesake of the elbow surgery that bears his name, Tommy John is said to be under hospice care  at his home in Bradenton, FL. A commenter said he passed this morning, but we await confirmation, and it appears that didn’t happen.

         He spent much time in Watertown after his marriage to Cheryl Beecher Zeldin. Tommy was seen at many events and on local media.  He and A's great Vida Blue visited the HOTLINE some years back.

        His 288 wins didn't get him in the Hall.  Tommy released a farewell letter to the Yankees on the weekend of Old Timer's Game.

        He is a friendly person and always willing to talk baseball.

https://fieldlevelmedia.com/mlb/former-p-tommy-john-in-hospice-care-pens-farewell-letter/#google_vignette

Is Ejection “White Privilege”

      The WNBA is getting fun to watch…Sophie got clotheslined by a black player, a fight ensued and when booted DeJoanai Carrington claimed the flagrant 2 ejection was “white privilege”.  Such a metaphor for life today.    

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/wnba/dijonai-carrington-posts-white-privilege-sophie-cunningham-rcna591543

Rockin' Night in the 13601

      Moments before the poke on Academy Street, City PD was grappling with a brawl in the Arcade. An unconscious male is said to have been there....There was also a pedestrian MVA on Arsenal Street.

      Busy Saturday night

 https://www.facebook.com/newzjunky/posts/pfbid02n9N1eC1aZj8nrGvaPUbSYc19scCfvactzKPdtLXjFCMwKYACLwmuDWMnn3oqqy6tl

Constantino in Foe's Backyard

       Republican Anthony Constantino was in the parade in Waddington last night, just a Stone's throw from opponent Blake Gendebien's farm....Now nobody is saying you can be in every parade over 15 counties, but skipping thrones close to home means Dems feel the Big County is in the bag or perhaps he is taking it for granted.

     Mr. Constantino had been slow to adopt traditional campaigning but apparently now realizes that during the summer, parades and fairs are your best bet.   Mr Constantino got off the Jeep and did interact with the crowd.

     If the voters see you, they are less less likely to believe all the nonsense the MSM will peddle.

      Today the Mule is in Mayfield NY on the Sacandaga for a rally with Bruce Blakeman... Who ?

      

Again ? Another Stabbing in the City

     For the third time in a week, there has been a stabbing incident in the City, resulting in one death and three wounded. This time it was on lower Academy Street early this morning. All key City employees were safely located well away from the crime scene and the homeless have all been accounted for.

      The scanner call said the subject was stabbed three times and was bleeding from the ear.The call came in at 1:02 AM.

https://www.facebook.com/newzjunky/posts/pfbid024diYLB89jCiX9PZaMKUHD7KHdC3xoK6K5122EgTkQHUwzsXBTTABvXQAWbHgGyhWl

Another Promotion

       Capt Andrew Naklick has been appointed deputy fire chief replacing  Rep. Chief Michael Kellogg who retired after 32 years with the Department.

       That's a jump past the rank of battalion chief which is an hourly post while Deputy Chief is considered management.

      Congratulations to all.

       Surprised Council doesn't discuss vacating positions , but lawmakers really don't have much say.

https://www.nny360.com/news/jeffersoncounty/watertown-deputy-fire-chief-to-retire-city-names-replacement/article_a2a4954d-84dd-5668-bf1f-0a62febad8c5.html 

It's Funny , But Is It Right ?

      If the NY 21 race is going to feature AI slams,....I whipped up a couple easy ones using the swim in Lake George....or is it Lake Crystal ? 

     The other is a take on the folksy , down home farmer motif of Mr. Gendebien.

Ogdensburg Bar Legend With The Name You Can't Say on the Air Passes at 94

      The Ogdensburg man know as "N i g" (wouldn't let me type as one word)  and original owner of Nig's Tavern  from 1977 to 1997 has passed at age 94. Stuart Richards was well known in Ogdenburg and the bar under new ownership bears his name. While the name has nothing to do with race, there was a kerfuffle a couple years back on social media about it.

https://northcountrynow.com/stories/stuart-jefferson-nig-richards-94-ogdensburg,384826?

Over the Line ? Or Just a Humorous Jab ?

         AI, when misused, can be very harmful....There is a video making the round of Blake Gendebien speaking but the text says he is encouraging the rape of women, pedofilia and a fondness for drag queens.

         It's fake for sure, but it's not something I'd want my fingerprints on.

          This AI piece was done in response to a previous AI post ridiculing Rep. Elise Stefanik., according to a post today on Mr. Constantino's FB page. At the time Mr. Gendebien argued his video was a "responsible " use of AI. His people brushed off criticism as it was light and humorous.

https://fb.watch/IT9F7sVOR5/?fs=e

Anti Business Climate in the Town

     The issue in the Town of Watertown with the facade on Dave's Hot Chicken is not unusual out there...One veteran developer says these volunteer boards need to be cleaned out and that they got some power  and like to throw it around like they are really protecting the public from signage with "vibes"

      Situations have arisen when businesses wanted a high rise sign on the Interstate and they are denied event though the stores across the street in another town , its OK.

       They just like giving people a hard time....

The Look

      The imagery for the NY 21 candidates differs greatly...Of course farmer Blake Gendebien dons his cows and Carharrts gear, while we see Anthony Constantino with a different look...A suit sometimes but I saw on Facebook this week a sweaty , shirtless candidate in a boxing ring and another picture of Constantino swimming in Lake George.

    People get paid big money to project these images.  Looks like two forty somethings trying to look buff for the ladies.

There are Candidates

       Haven't really hear much from either of the NY 24 candidates..Not that I should, I see Democrat Alissa Ellman talked to the Times this week. We are the rump end of the sprawling district, 

 https://www.nny360.com/top_stories/ellman-pitches-solutions-focused-campaign-in-bid-against-tenney/article_2e818889-1f04-528a-9c95-bf3d7e2c416e.html

"Street Vibe" ...Not In Our Town

    Dave's Chicken got what they wanted....A fight with the local yokel government over their distinctive facades on their new chicken joint on outer Arsenal...

     This has happened elsewhere where the planning class decides the sanctity of this piece of roadside has to be preserved 

     Of course, the goal in retail is to attract the attention of potential customers ...A flashy sign, a giant flag, girls in shorts holding signs....Town of Watertown's old coots say they don't like bright colors. From the photo in the Times, the company brought pictures of numerous options.

      Used to be the Town was a place for lower taxes, you could do your  own plumbing and business was welcome....

     The publicity is good publicity.....Like long ago when the sign board in town didn't like the signage on the Fung Hing restaurant...At the time they objected to the red and yellow colors like a much larger Burger King sign up the road used the same colors.

 https://www.nny360.com/news/jeffersoncounty/town-planners-squash-colorful-graffiti-on-proposed-dave-s-hot-chicken-facade/article_6e499d4c-6ea4-5653-be10-a65fc8ac97da.html

Out Back

       Got a message this morning about rock throwing and loud music last night in the woods out back...and a report at 520AM of someone sleeping at the front door of 520 Pearl...Other side of the street....

      Nothing worth calling 911 over but the hood is all over town. A world never seen by decision makers.

What Used To Be Evil

       How times have changed....With the new law signed allowing weed sales ar Farmer's Markets, we could see  cannabis sold right out front of City Hall. The Mayor can watch pot being sold out her third floor window....Lot of irony, considering that if I watched such activity I would be obliged to call downstairs to the PD.

Flock You

    Folks are going after Flock Cameras...Pulling them down, obscuring their view...whatever....

     Street justice for the assault on privacy the cameras do...

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oic7lKRUpEs

The Law is the Law and No One is Above It

       Syracuse is waiving tickets for people who got red light tickets while in a funeral procession....Why ? They went through a red light, case closed.

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/syracuse-stops-ticketing-drivers-in-funeral-processions-caught-by-school-zone-cameras/ar-AA29Arvd

New Duffers

          A national marketing group called Group Golf has brought players to Thompson Park, says course czar Jeff Fallon

           I'm glad there is more traffic...Surprised there is any given the bad press...But the City is also running advertising....

          Again, all for a course they say is closing end of season for good. Again, no one believes that.

          But these are the people who are glad to let someone else lease a house for a thousand dollars while a clubhouse is leased for six dollars.

https://www.nny360.com/news/jeffersoncounty/discount-marketing-program-bringing-in-golfers-to-thompson-park-golf-course/article_53d68c08-77b0-599c-b2bd-dcaeb0b9cc58.html

Two States to Pass and We’ll Be Number one

        Third highest electric rates in the nation..If Albany tries harder we can eclipse California and Hawaii. First step is to reelect all incumbents.  And we all are getting $100 to help pay.

 https://nypost.com/2026/08/06/us-news/new-yorkers-pay-3rd-highest-electricity-costs-in-us-trailing-only-hawaii-and-california/

Things That Don’t Happen

          A couple highly touted dairy projects have evaporated.   Such hoopla when these things are first talked about…..But the end comes out because someone asked whatever happened to that project.

https://www.nny360.com/news/jeffersoncounty/250-million-hounsfield-dairy-processing-plant-project-won-t-proceed/article_de8ac210-1f91-55a2-a5c7-1b9ce9a66436.html

Nothing

      I drove down Poplar Street yesterday after a caller claimed a large homeless encampment….Didnt see anything unless it was way back in the woods.

Fading to Black

          One less government in NNY is possible this year as Hammond residents vote on dissolution. Seems people don’t want to pay a village tax and no one wants to serve in office……

 https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/08/06/st-lawrence-county-village-may-soon-cease-exist/

Council Doings

         A Council Member has prepared a couple local laws to reign in slightly the administrative state, particularly in the area of suddenly tearing down a building purported to be an imminent danger.

         They are being slow walked and won’t make it before Council till September.   This is thought to be a trial balloon by a member losing enthusiasm for the doings of the Third Floor.

           On other matters.    Since no one believes Council really closes the golf course this fall, when will the City allow planning for next season.

           I am told Council is all giddy about the renting out of the house in the park…They think it will dissuade the Zoo from asking for more money. There is no concern over whether doing so violates zoning law and isn’t allowed in the current lease.

           Told also Council is blasé over the Milly trial which the Member , who has seen the tape, thinks will result  in the matter going away.

Citizen Suggestion

 Comment Posted Today....

I, for one, feel the City needs Mayor Compo to extend leadership and to call for a City-Wide Public Hearing, a Community Hearing with the Mayor, City Manager, Watertown Police Department, County Sherriff, and others to publicly (and openly) discuss the safety situation of our city regarding murder, stabbings, drugs, crime, vandalism, homeless encampments, people sleeping on benches, and other safety concerns. Watertown is getting to be a dangerous place, and people are talking. Step up, Mayor, be a leader.

Nice idea, but don't hold your breath.

Splash Pad Mishap

    Call late this afternoon, a young girl slip and fell at the splash pad in the Park. Hope she is alright.

Everyone should have the Crime Radar app on their phone.

More Places To Get Weed

    More cannabis in more places, but why can't those who have sold perdition for decades get a piece of the action.  Today a retired state worker was telling me about the five dollar a pack cigarettes up the street....Said if its cheaper, its for him and state law doesn't matter.

      Kathy, it's time for all of us to start selling on down low. Got to order a couple video slots.....buy some weed and cigarettes on the Res.

      Can't compete intros environment without playing all the angles....Since I am not from Yemen     

https://www.whec.com/top-news/governor-signs-bill-allowing-small-scale-cannabis-businesses-to-sell-at-approved-markets/ 

Poke in the Head

      Two people were stabbed last night and ended up on Mechanic Street, but word on the street is the initial poke in the head occurred guess where ???  661.    The injured are not life threatening and a third person is at large, but the City says there is no danger to the public

         No danger if you life in Chaumont, or Lewis County.

Keep Your Clothes On

        New trail at Southwicks….looks nice…Remember years ago when the urban legend there was a nude beach there ?

 https://www.nny360.com/top_stories/southwick-beach-completes-2-1-million-connector-trail-to-lake-ontario-beach/article_fb57d281-bc61-5d0f-a7d7-77279dcdbc1b.html

Available Now

    Limited edition AOC , "put a bartender in the White House" T shirts are now available at the Pearl Street Pub....Tis is triggering the haters and that's fine but this fine quality apparel will turn heads at your next meeting of the Coon-o-cracy....

Another Poke

    Another possible stabbing....This one on Mechanic Street at Midtown Tower.....Got to be scary for the residents....Just wait for the press release if you are concerned.

 https://www.facebook.com/newzjunky/posts/pfbid02p4Rkn8NsWuwCy8XQsC5KJhZtWTYRcvuf8mUP4gTSWRTCUw8MDY9yGNPHTbPL7GChl

Stay on Your Side of the Hudson Tish

        Rensselaer County (Troy) is defying, defying I tell you,

Kathy and Tish and continues to cooperate with ICE.   

          I see the Border Patrol helped with catching the murder suspect up the street this week...If the neighborhood is threatened and this dude was a threat, I full expect anyone with a badge and a gun to help out.

        Albany needs to take a hike.

 https://wnyt.com/top-stories/rensselaer-county-defying-ny-law-on-ice-partnership-program/

Let Him Eat

     Yes a crime is a crime no matter how small....but I would have to think a bit before calling the Law because someone at Wendy's took a bag of food intended for someone else from the clerks hands and left.

       Maybe he needed a meal and was poor....But is it worth societies time and money to bother with this when nothing will be done.

 https://www.nny360.com/news/crime/blotter-recent-watertown-police-activity/article_e190aeed-885e-5eb1-8213-7089e63db8ff.html

More Brass

        Hope a couple of them live here...Four administrative positions have been filled in the Ciry School District....including a house principal.. 

 https://imo.watertown-ny.gov/report.aspx?file=&swiscode=221800&printkey=00600000051021100000&sitetype=com&siteNum=1

Candidate Tossed

   An Auburn attorney hoping to run an independent campaign for NY24 has been tossed by a judge claiming  he was 23 signatures shy of 3500 needed. Must be a Democratic judge .

 https://www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/local/report-auburn-attorney-off-ballot-in-ny-24/

Done

       Abdul El-Sayad has been declared the winner by AP and other networks in the Dem primary in Michigan. He will run against Republican Michael Rogers in a race that could determine which party controls the Senate.

        Looks like that odd looking Congressman named Shri lost too....

Dump Stats

     661 Factory is owned by an LLC in Brantingham Lake....It's assessed for $208K and zoned urban/mixed use......Inn/lodge is the zoning code.

       $2317 in city taxes this year...$1588 in county taxes. Last listed improvement in 2000....Built in 1950 and they say 31 units....Common bathrooms and an electrician one told me of basement apartments with no windows.

        Normal condition of average quality the City says. Overall desirability is three, whatever that means.

         Imagine living on Loomus Drive and paying twice that tax and imposing no burden on city services..  

 https://imo.watertown-ny.gov/report.aspx?file=&swiscode=221800&printkey=00600000051021100000&sitetype=com&siteNum=1

232 is Back !

     A great opportunity for those who know how to work the system is up for auction....The 43 unit block at 232 W. Main was a popular blotter entry for years...Opening bid is $150K.  While likely a shithole inside, 232 is a solid building with parking.   

        Great cash flow even you get the Social Service vouchered tenants.

Experts Say.....

     Experts  we are told rate the NY 21 race competitive...as a result of 20 months of GOP turmoil....That turmoil happened, but in the end do people vote party or person.

      Blake Gendebien seems a nice guy and I suspect he is...But if elected his first vote is for Hakeem as Speaker and he will have to vote for all those Trump impeachment resolutions.

      Yet the tattered cloth coat Republicans who run county committees are ambivalent about their brash young candidate and the winds this year don't favor the GOP..

     Anybody can write a political analysis and since we have so few "experts", no way of knowing who is right.

https://nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-politics/new-york/politics/2026/08/04/gop-drama-ny-22

I Know I Am Not Authorized to Report News

          Had to play a little man on the scene yesterday as Glenn ask me on Live at Five about the  murder up the street, and while I am not a licensed member of the main stream media, I did my best with caveats about things still not being entirely clear. However it was clear by 5PM and arrest was made and a person was dead.

 https://www.facebook.com/reel/1084815850894335

Who Else is Warehoused at 661 ?

          So the alleged murderer raped a young teen in 2013 before heading south in a stolen car for some crime…and he was on a sex offender registry living at 661 according to a Times article today.  It’s a welfare hotel generating strong cash flow in vouchered rent. Nice of them to place this dude in such fertile turf.

        Be anxious to hear more at today’s presser about how much was known about this guy and what interactions have police had with him.

Life on the Street

         It’s amazing with the welfare state as it is,  there is no means of intervention for young people whose lives are pretty much shot.

        Today I noticed a teen girl dancing on the sidewalk out front…..Kept,an eye on her and it was obvious she was whacked on meth or whatever….i tried to speak to her as did a,female customer….She claimed not to know her name , age or where she lived.   I called 911 and an officer came over and she is a frequent flyer at age 17 or less  with parents who show no interest.  Nothing that can be done. No Social Services or mental health services…Given her mental state and dress bad could,come easily…

       The officer was familiar and helpful, but there is no apparent solution to such dilemmas.

         So it is with street life in Watertown.