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The mess in Albany still exists as of tonight. The takeover of the New York State Senate fueled by a desire for patronage and power is still a story almost a week after it occurred.
Even with the mess on the minds of many, the two men at the center of the controversy decided that they would make a public venture to the Subway Series game featuring both New York City teams - the Mets and Yankees.
And they did so in style.
Senators Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate sat in the Legends Suite section of Yankee Stadium, which are the high-priced seats right on the field. If you try purchasing those tickets online, they run between $525 to $2,625 (it probably depends on the day of the week or the opponent the Yankees are playing) each. Espada claimed in the New York Daily News piece that he paid $150 each for them, a nice bargain.
So what does a Legends Suite come equipped with? This from the Daily News:
The dissident Dems enjoyed the ballgame in the Legends Suite section, complete with cushioned seats, in-seat wait service and a concierge. It also allows exclusive access to a swanky restaurant with an all-inclusive buffet, top-shelf liquor and private rest rooms.
Not bad for two state senators. And not bad for two state senators who many people at the game thought had more important things to do than take in a baseball game.
From the Daily News:
Fans were hardly glad to see the duo taking a night off while the state is embroiled in a crisis they created.
"They should be staying in Albany," said Barry Abramson, 71, of the upper West Side. "They should give some input into fixing the problem.
"I just wonder who paid for their tickets and how did they get here," he added. "Did they get here at the expense of New York state taxpayers?"
Espada said he paid $150 each for the "special occasion" seats.
"I paid for myself and treated my colleague," Espada said, but did not divulge how he got a 75 percent discount on the high-priced seats.
"Isn't that typical of New York politicians, doing everything they shouldn't," said John McCue, 70, of Chatham.
"At least he was in the Bronx," joked Stephen McCabe, 40, of Brooklyn, about Espada's tendency to sleep in Westchester.
"They should be trying to resolve things because there's nothing but gridlock in Albany," he said.
His brother, Anthony McCabe, couldn't fathom why the pair would pull such a stunt.
"What are they going to accomplish here except for promoting themselves?" he asked.
Espada said they went to the game to get away from the intense pressures of the past week.
"We're going to relax," he said on the way to the game.
Normally, there is nothing wrong with two men going to a baseball game. But there is a lot wrong when two state senators are sitting in the Legends Suite section of the ballpark and are taking in this game while Albany is in chaos.
This is just another example that this was about power and selfishness. What better way to reward one's self than by treating yourself to a game in what many consider the best seats in the new Yankees' house? The state has property tax issues, economic problems and many other critical issues to address and these guys are living it up in the Bronx.
If only we were all so lucky.
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