Open government is hard to get used to
-
- January
- 9
   It was eerie at first, being on the second floor of the state Capitol today. I gave a little wave to the state trooper at the door, and walked through an open glass door.
 This is something of a big deal because the portion of the Capitol where the governor’s office is located was for the most part off-limits to the press and public during the 12 years George Pataki was governor.
   It was 1994 all over again (when Mario Cuomo was governor) today, as I walked by the portraits of governors on the walls and strolled, unannounced, through an open door into the suite of offices occupied by the governor’s press staff.
  Paul Larrabee, a press officer, was talking on the phone. He gave me a silent greeting, and I stood by is desk for a few minutes until he hung up and asked what he could do to help me.
 I explained what I needed and he promised to arange for me to talk to an expert on the governor’s staff about it. Then his boss, Gov. Spitzer’s communications director, Darren Dopp, stuck his head in, and asked me if I had a few minutes. I went into his office and we chatted about several matters.
   Then I left and waved to the guard on my way out.
  You’d almost swear this governor wants the public to know what he is up to.ÂÂÂ










unlike pataki who was advised by kieran mahoney
not to ever let the press in….that is kierans
mantra….he doesnt trust the cognisenti
he is better than they are…and the governor
suffered for it