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takes gold, breaks record/E1 D1 ? Financial
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gun program.
70° 58°
A little less sun for W O R L D Violence between Russia and R E A L E S T A T E Elderly get help D1 ? Nonagenarian,
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health care.

UR C E FO R THE
SO R E GION
TH E SINCE 1856
INF
OR MATION CA PITAL

$2.00 FINAL $2.50 IN OUTLYING AREAS ALBANY, NEW YORK SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008

atthe

An ongoing series Raking in the big bucks

$1B cost Elliot G.
Sander More state BY JAMES M. ODATO
CAPITOL BUREAU

stalling Executive director,

Metropolitan
Transportation workers join If you work for New York state
and make $100,000 or more, you
received a special retirement
payout — and another topped $1.2

idea of $100,000 club

Authority have lots of company. million — for a Downstate
$350,500 At least 20,000 state employees Medical Center physician, records
reached or exceeded six-digit provided by the Office of the State
compensation, according to a Comptroller show.

light rail
Times Union examination of pay Moreover, overtime pay for
records for 2007 for nearly prison guards, psychiatric center
Michael 375,000 state and public authorit y staffers and workers who care for
Klein employees. The review included disabled people helped make
Executive overtime paid to more than 18,908 state employees eligible for
Price, routes remain director of the 125,000 people. substantial
issues in new commuter Albany Parking
Authority
Some get high pay for special Inside pensions based on
skills such as technological or $100,000 a year in
link for cities, suburbs $124,000 medical know-how. Many are D1 ? LeBrun earnings.
political appointees with comments. Union officials
By CATHY WOODRUFF
qualifications and the right concede that
Staff writer
connections. For others, working overtime can be lucrative but say
Whenever the Capital Region mind-boggling overtime is the those who log it may not have
conversation turns to concern Michael path to wealth. much time to enjoy the extra
about traffic jams, clean air, high
gas prices or suburban sprawl,
Fleischer Thousands of public money.
Executive director, authorit y employees, Officials with the Civil Service
there’s one cure you can bet some- New York State particularly senior officers, Employees Association and the
one will propose: light rail. Thruway Authority see their paychecks grow Public Employees Federation say
Light rail or commuter rail that through stipends or many of the big overtime checks
incorporates $167,365 bonuses. go to people forced to stay on dut y
On the e x i s t i n g Pay for at least 151 to watch over violent youths in
Web heavy rail in-
frastruct ure
people, many of them
doctors and medical
detention centers.
At many prisons, workers start a
For previous has an endur- researchers, exceeded shift without knowing if they’ll be
stories in this ing ability to $300,000, the analysis of staying for a second shift, union
series, go to ignite enthu- 2007 data shows. And at officials say. ‘‘These officers can’t
http://times siasm here. least 17 people drew really plan a life when they’re
union.com. Advocates en- salaries of more than working,’’ said Donn Rowe,
vision a sys- $500,000, all but one president of the New York State
tem of clean, affordable, convenient supervising public Correctional Officers and Police
transportation that would smooth medical professors or Benevolent Association.
daily commutes, revitalize cities hospital The work force data, which
and foster responsible develop- administrators. include thousands of authorit y
ment. One payout employees, leave out thousands
Yet it’s never gained the momen- exceeded $1.5 more who work for authorities
tum needed to become a reality — million — to a that failed to disclose salary data
mainly because of the price. Esti- Roswell Park to the state comptroller as
mates vary wildly, but light rail Cancer required. For instance, the
probably would cost at least $1 Institute Metropolitan Transportation
billion for the Capital Region. doctor who Please see PAYROLL A9 ?
Even so, rail boosters say it’s a
leap the region needs to take.
‘‘I think it’s the way to go,’’ said
Albany County Public Works
Commissioner Michael Franchini,
who chairs the Capital District timesunion.com
Transportation Committee’s plan- Go to http://timesunion.com for a searchable
ning group. Franchini stresses that database of annual salary, overtime and bonus pay
for all the state’s public employees, including state
he’s expressing his own opinions,
agencies and independent authorities.
not speaking for the county.
Despite a worsening outlook for Coming Monday: For many state workers,
overtime pay exceeds base salary.
government funding, Franchini
said gas prices and heightened
Please see RAIL A11 ? PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JEFF BOYER/TIMES UNION

INSIDE
Scotland
Yard’s Lynley
Gillibrand a good bet, oddsmakers say MORE NEWS
BERNIE MAC
back on the ed allegations of similar territory:
Entertainer dies
case for PBS.
Likely Republican challenger
spousal abuse. The nonpartisan Cook Political Re-
On TV Treadwell will have tough time, port has labeled the race as leaning
But the national
forecasters now believe oddsmakers now say Democratic, meaning that though the race
is competitive, the Democratic candidate Chicago-born movie
INDEX By JENNIFER A. DLOUHY it will be tough for
has the advantage. actor, star of TV’s
Business C1 Movies H3 Times Union Washington bureau the likely Republican
Larry Sabato, a University of Virgin- ‘‘The Bernie Mac
Calendar D2 Obituaries D4 challenger, Sandy Show’’ was 50
WASHINGTON — As soon as U.S. Treadwell, to defeat ia professor of politics who rates races on
Classified F1 Opinion B4 Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport, GILLIBRAND his ‘‘Crystal Ball’’ Web site, says the race years old./A8
Gillibrand in the
Comics Inside Scoreboard E12 was elected to Congress nearly two years Nov. 4 general election. ‘‘leans Democratic.’’
Corrections A2 Sports E1 ago, Republican Party officials began ‘‘It’s a very steep hill that Treadwell has CQ Politics says the race ‘‘leans GERALD FORD
Crosswords J5 Stocks C6 working to win back the seat. to climb, particularly in an environment Democrat,’’ but cautions that ‘‘the contest
and On TV
Exhibits H4
Television Inside
Weather D2
Political forecasters at the time said she
looked vulnerable. After all, Gillibrand’s
that is not good for Republicans,’’ said
Stuart Rothenberg, a Washington, D.C.-
appears competitive and an upset is a live
possibility.’’ Ex-president was
Lottery A2 win had made her the first Democrat in 28
years to represent New York’s 20th Con-
gressional District, where enrolled Re-
based analyst who has been closely moni-
toring 63 tight House races.
Rothenberg just changed his rating for
Bill McGahay, Treadwell’s campaign
manager, dismissed the ratings as prog-
nostications from far-f lung Beltway insid-
FBI informant
publicans outnumber enrolled Democrats the 20th Congressional District race to ers who aren’t on the ground talking to While a congressman, Ford secretly
by a 3-2 ratio. And Gillibrand’s 2006 ‘‘Democrat favored’’ — a boost from the voters in the district. McGahay also said passed along Warren Commission
opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. ‘‘leans Democratic’’ he had scored it a the handicappers are overlooking what he members’ doubts about an agency
John Sweeney, wasn’t helped by some month ago. said are Treadwell’s deep connections with conclusion concerning how President
★ ★ ★ John F. Kennedy was shot./A5
pre-election embarrassments that includ- Other political analysts put the race in Please see 20TH A10 ?

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TIMES UNION
PAYROLL: More join state’s $100,000 club
/ CONTINUED FROM A1
Authority, whose top official, El-
liot G. Sander, is paid $350,000,
did not furnish a fiscal report on
its large work force.
Personnel services are a key in-
gredient in the state’s $121.6 bil-
lion budget. The cost, not in-
cluding workers for public
authorities, amounts to $11.3 bil-
lion and fringe benefits add $5.1
billion, according to the Division
of the Budget.
Within the legislative branch,
103 employees reached $100,000
last year. The top 10 were staffers
serving Senate Republicans, all of
whom made more than $153,000
and one, Steven M. Boggess, the
Senate secretary, had the highest
base pay, $190,000.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer made
$179,000 and more than 500
people in agencies he controlled
earned more.
Labor costs are trending up-
ward for public employers na-
tionwide, studies show.
A report by the nonpartisan
Employee Benefit Research In-
stitute in June showed worker
compensation costs are 51 per-
cent greater for state and local
governments compared with pri-
vate sector employers. The study
notes that it is difficult to com-
pare the two work forces because
of the differing natures of for-
profit and public service and dif-
fering skill sets, but it indicates
that the advantage of public sec-
tor work is the benefit package.
The institute said data from
last September showed public
employers in the U.S. paid 73
percent more for worker bene-
fits, particularly health insurance
and retirement programs.
New York’s payroll data show
public authorities and public
benefit corporations paid robust
salaries compared with those in
state agencies.
Thousands of employees of
the authorities had salaries of
$100,000 or more and many re-
ceived hundreds, if not thou-
sands, of dollars in bonuses as
well. Some pay was many times
greater than that of agency heads
or even Court of Appeals Chief
Judge Judith Kaye, who received
$156,000.
For instance, Roswell Park
Cancer Institute, which the state
funds with $116.1 million, paid
CEO Donald L. Trump
FBI cast wide net in anthrax case
New York Times
When Perry Mikesell, a micro-
biologist in Ohio, came under
suspicion as the anthrax attacker,
he began drinking heavily, family
members say, and soon died. After
a doctor in New York drew the
interest of the FBI, his marriage
fell apart and his practice suffered,
his lawyer says. And after two
Pakistani brothers in Pennsylvania
were brief ly under scrutiny, they
eventually had to leave the country
to find work.
The FBI’s path to Bruce E. Ivins,
the Army scientist who committed
suicide late last month as federal
officials moved closer to indicting
him for the 2001 anthrax letter
attacks, was long and tortuous.
Before the investigators settled on
Ivins — and his defenders still say
the FBI hounded an innocent man
to death — they had focused on
Steven J. Hatfill, another Army
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Albany, New York FROM THE COVER Sunday, August 10, 2008 **** A9
Top earners
Christopher O. Ward, executive
director of the Port Authority of New
Linda Brodsky,
professor,
$617,208 and gave his predeces- For instance, Edward Welz, chief earns for cardiac care. York and New Jersey, $277,000 University at
Kevin Law, CEO of the Long Island Buffalo,
sor, David Hohn, a record $1.52 engineer, received compensation And agencies dole out millions Power Authority, $295,000 $799,163,
million last year. Hohn’s payout of $233,800, $8,045 above his of dollars in overtime. That lets Roger Kelley, includes
included about $1.3 million in a base salary and controller Arnold dozens of workers put in well former CEO $60,297 salary
supplemental retirement pay- Bellis received $232,942, a above 1,000 hours of overtime a of the Power and settlement
ment. $6,876 enhancement. year — many above 2,000 hours Authority of the from a lawsuit
State of New BRODSKY against the state
State Health Commissioner At the Port Authority of New — with an immediate impact of
Richard Daines, by contrast, was York and New Jersey, $100,000 greater annual salaries and a York, $235,000 Raymond J. Melleady, executive
paid $136,000, a fraction of the barely pays for a journeyman me- long-term effect of bigger state Martin Kin- director of the Capital District
sella, executive Transportation Authority, $131,450
money he made in the private chanic. Officials with the agency retirement costs.
director of the Steven L.
sector as a doctor and hospital say expenses are higher in the ‘‘It’s the Wild West out New York State Strongwater,
administrator. KELLEY
New York City metropolitan re- there,’’ said Assemblyman Rich- Thoroughbred chief executive
‘‘I feel they are paying sums gion. ard Brodsky, D-White Plains, a Breeding Development Fund, of Stony Brook
that are appropriate for the agen- The authority has 1,048 peo- critic of authority governance. $133,603 Hospital,
cy,’’ said Paul Francis, who ple with straight salaries of more ‘‘It’s just another example of how Alain Kaloyeros, University at $650,800
served as director of operations than $100,000, led by the out of control the system is.’’ Albany nanotechnology leader, base pay.
for Gov. David Paterson and $277,000 paid to Executive Di- At the Thruway Authority, $675,800 in his 10-month universi- Robert C.
Spitzer until resigning last rector Christopher Ward. An- several employees got enhance- ty salary plus $355,552 as manag- Lowery, former
er of grants he’s brought in through
month. ‘‘In general the authority other 1,623 reached or exceeded ments because of an uncommon the SUNY Research Foundation STRONGWATER head of heart
surgery,
heads are at appropriate levels for the $100,000 pay level as a result agreement. Senior executives got David C. Hohn, former chief Downstate Medical Center,
the magnitude of responsibility.’’ of overtime, particularly cops. a few thousand dollars extra in executive of Roswell Park Cancer $1.24 million.
He said the state has been The Port Authority did not this way for not taking sick leave, Institute, $1.52 million, includes
lucky to find policy makers de- provide names of its employees vacation days or health insur- supplemental retirement payment Source: State Office of Comptroller
spite the lower pay they receive and several authorities did not ance. For instance, Executive Di-
TIMES UNION
compared with authority and pri- provide data to the comptroller rector Michael Fleischer’s pay
vate sector executives. ‘‘I know as required under a 2006 law that grew to $167,365, a $1,656 in-
the Spitzer administration and calls for annual fiscal reporting. crease from his base pay, and in-
the Paterson administration talk formation technology director Transportation Authority pro- service’’ — said Carm Basile, a
Yet, what was made available spokesman.
to the authorities to make sure shows even tiny entities, such as Joanne Riddett’s pay blossomed vided extra pay of up to $1,600 to
their appointees on public au- the New York State Thorough- to $159,224, $6,082 above her dozens of employees. The money
thorities are very mindful of the ?
bred Breeding Development base. was for satisfactory job perfor- James M. Odato can be reached
compensation policies that exist, Fund in Saratoga Springs, and Even the public bus system mance — ‘‘come to work, do at 454-5083 or by e-mail at
but these authorities are inde- the Albany Parking Authority, paid bonuses. Capital District your job on time, provide good jodato@timesunion.com.
pendent.’’ pay top officers bonuses and sub-
Authorities seem to have a lot stantial salaries. For instance, the
of latitude. For instance, the
Long Island Power Authority
Breeding Fund’s Martin Kinsel- Educational Information From St. Peter’s Cardiac & Vascular Center
la, a political appointee, was paid
handed out about $1.3 million in $133,000 and Parking Executive
PVD
bonuses to 100 employees the Director Michael Klein got
past few years, with some getting $124,000.
more than $62,000 in extra pay. ‘‘A merit system creates a more
‘‘I had a philosophical problem motivated, more effective em-
with state employees getting bo- ployee system than a spoil sys-
nuses, so I eliminated them,’’ said tem,’’ said Klein, who oversees
(Peripheral Vascular Disease)
Chairman Kevin Law, who took Albany’s parking lots and spaces.
over last fall. His bonus, he said, was a special
Law is paid $295,000, well initiative added after he was hired
above Richard Kessel, the former in 2004 at a salary of $90,000 af-
chairman whose salary and bonus ter careers managing parking ser-
amounted to $202,932 last year. vices at two major colleges. ‘‘I Stent positioned at
However, Law granted his don’t want to be impolite, but if site of obstruction
workers 3 percent raises this year, I’m doing an extraordinary job ...
saying it is the same increase all it would make sense to get some
other state employees received in kind of compensation for that.’’
2008. SUNY hospitals and Roswell
The New York Power Author- Park Cancer Institute pay many
ity gave 1,500 staffers raises for large salaries. For instance, Ste-
exceeding goals. They split $3.4 ven L. Strongwater, chief execu-
million in 2007 ($3.75 million Balloon removed, stent
tive of Stony Brook Medical permanently implanted to
this year). ‘‘We would argue Center, had a salary of $650,800 allow proper blood flow
these are not bonuses,’’ said last year, a sum that has increased
spokeswoman Christine Prit- to $723,010 this year. And Rob-
chard. ‘‘These are management ert C. Lowery, a professor and
tools to encourage high quality physician at Downstate Medical Balloon inflated,
performance.’’ Center in Brooklyn, topped expanding stent
The additional money added $1.24 million, including his
several thousand dollars to pay. $438,947 salary and money he
Leg Pain
If you suffer from leg pain, even if the pain affected peripheral areas are the arteries in the legs,
subsides with rest, your body could be trying to
tell you something. Leg pain can be the primary
warning sign of peripheral vascular disease.
arms, kidneys and neck.
Treatment Options
researcher, for several years. ‘‘poorly handled’’ and ‘‘resulted in a Other symptoms you may experience depend on The methods commonly used to treat peripheral
But along the way, scores of trail of embarrassment and person- what artery is affected and how severely the blood vascular disease include: medication, surgery, and
al tragedy.’’
others — terrorists, foreigners, flow is reduced. minimally invasive interventional procedures such
academic researchers, biowarfare The bureau’s defenders, though, as stent implantation and percutaneous
specialists and an elite group of say it did what was necessary to Reduced Blood Flow transluminal angioplasty. The experts at
Army scientists working behind track down a dangerous killer.
Peripheral vascular disease is a build-up of plaque St. Peter’s Cardiac & Vascular Center use the latest
high fences and barbed wire — ‘‘You do the best you can, and it’s
drew the interest of the investiga- in the arteries outside your heart that reduces the technology to diagnose and treat heart and blood
not always pretty,’’ said Robert M.
tors. For some of them the cost was flow of blood. Some of the more commonly vessel diseases, including peripheral vascular disease.
Blitzer, a former director of the
high: lost jobs, canceled visas, bro- FBI’s section on domestic terror-
ken marriages, frayed friendships. ism. ‘‘Here, you have a bunch of Call 1-800-HEART-76 to receive a FREE, self-scoring, cardiac risk assessment.
At the Army biodefense labora- people dead and several dimin- Answer the questions in the privacy of your own home.
tory in Frederick, Md., where Ivins ished, and you’re charged with
worked, the inquiry became a solving the crime. You try not to
murder mystery, the cast com- step on people’s toes, but some- H E A LT H G R A D E S ®
posed of top scientists eyeing one times it happens.’’ T H E H E A LT H C A R E Q UA L I T Y E X P E R T S ®
TM
another warily over vials of lethal Over seven years, the anthrax Cardiac Program
pathogens.
100
investigators conducted nearly 100
© 2003 Banahan Communications 02016 032502
Some critics fault the FBI’s searches and more than 9,000
WE ARE
TOP
investigation as ignorant, incom- interviews. They hunted an attack- FOR YOU
petent and worse. Rep. Rush D. er who, in September and October
Holt, D-N.J., who was a Princeton 2001, had mailed anthrax-laden
University physicist, said the dis- envelopes that killed five people,
closures linking Ivins to the crime sickened 17 others and threw the
The more you know about the causes and treatments of heart and
notwithstanding, the inquiry was nation into a panic. vascular disease, the better prepared you’ll be to prevent it.