Cerutti Cautions Albany Voters: “Beware of Campaign Distortions”

“The independent Common Sense Albany group has accused Dorcey Applyrs of ‘Absence and Poor Performance.’ The Applyrs campaign has fired back that she is not ‘No-Show Dorcey’ because she was on maternity leave. I have the utmost respect for parental leave, but that does not explain ‘Absence and Poor Performance’ over a 10-year period.

Her supporters have questioned my position on family leave. I spent my career in an industry that pioneered progressive employee and family rights. In every one of my companies, the family leave and vacation policy has been ‘take as much time as you need.’ I also worked at IBM, which is widely respected as an employee rights leader. I have personally approved parental leaves for hundreds of employees.

The Applyrs campaign is once again attempting to distract voters from the facts. Family leave is not a shelter for lackluster performance. Common Sense Albany points out that Applyrs’ predecessor conducted 9 audits in 2 years – while Applyrs has conducted only 2 audits in 5 years. And, while I believe that number is actually 3, it is still sub-standard.

Moreover, corruption in the Water Department was discovered by the Sheriff, not an audit. Disturbing allegations by City employees of discrimination, sexual harassment, mishandled complaints, bribery, retaliation, and other offenses in DGS were brought to light by the Common Council Ethics Committee, not an audit.

Her most recently released audit uncovered a handful of relatively minor financial irregularities, but failed to address any issues surrounding the closing of the Rapp Road landfill. In parallel, the five-year fiasco at 1211 Western Avenue was not only ignored and unaudited, Applyrs has now been endorsed by Albert De Salvo, the chairman of the Planning Board that strong-armed approval of the many variances for the project.

I remain fully supportive of parental leave. But I will never condone poor performance and lack of accountability. Albany voters, stay focused on the facts and beware of campaign distortions.”

Contact: News@DanForAlbany.com