Richie Kessel:  NYPA’s Phantom CEO – Part III

In a recent Long Island Business News interview, Richie Kessel stated that on NYPA time “I spend a day every other week on Long Island.”  Readers will recall that Street Corner Conservative reported that Kessel’s NYPA phone records—for the period October 20, 2008-April 28, 2009—(27 weeks) revealed that out of 132 workdays, Kessel spent 45 of these days wandering around Long Island and New York City.

In the same interview, Kessel, who lives on Long Island, described his commute to NYPA headquarters:  “It’s a 45 minute trip over the Throgs Neck Bridge to my office in White Plains.”  Most Long Islanders would consider 45 minutes a short commute particularly if driven, as Kessel is, in a chauffeured state car.  Despite this short commute, Kessel, between October 20, 2008 and April 28, 2009, spent little time in his White Plains office.  And when he did, he generally arrived late in the day after wandering around Long Island and New York City.  Out of 132 work days, between October 20, 2008 and April 28, 2009, Kessel appeared at his office on only 53 days.  On most of those days he arrived at the office after 10:30 a.m.  Nice work if you can get it.

Days and approximate times Kessel appeared at his White Plains office:

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 – After 9:38 a.m.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 – After 1:16 p.m.

Thursday, October 30, 2008 – After 9:06 a.m.

Monday, November 3, 2008 – After 12:41 p.m.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 – After 12:54 p.m.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 – After 9:24 a.m.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 – After 10:29 a.m.

Friday, November 14, 2008 – After 11:18 a.m.

Thursday, November 20, 2008 – After 1:00 p.m.

Monday, November 24, 2008 – After 12:27 p.m.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 – After 10:58 a.m.

Monday, December 8, 2008 – After 1:20 p.m.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – After 11:07 a.m.

Thursday, December 11, 2008 – After 11:13 a.m.

Monday, December 15, 2008 – After 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 – After 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 – After 11:52 a.m.

Thursday, December 18, 2008 – After 10:50 a.m.

Monday, December 22, 2008 – After 9:28 a.m.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 – After 12:36 p.m.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 – After 11:51 a.m.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 – After 2:12 p.m.

Thursday, January 8, 2009 – After 2:56 p.m.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 – After 1:48 p.m.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 – After 10:42 a.m.

Thursday, January 15, 2009 – After 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – After 10:31 a.m.

Thursday, January 23, 2009 – After 2:48 p.m.

Thursday, February 5, 2009 – After 11:30 a.m.

Friday, February 6, 2009 – After 3:41 p.m.

Monday, February 9, 2009 – After 3:38 p.m.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 – After 10:48 a.m.

Thursday, February 12, 2009 – After 2:02 p.m.

Monday, February 23, 2009 – After 12:34 p.m.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – After 9:42 a.m.

Thursday, February 26, 2009 – After 12:12 p.m.

Thursday, March 5, 2009 – After 2:03 p.m.

Friday, March 6, 2009 – After 1:16 p.m.

Monday, March 9, 2009 – After 3:27 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 – After 11:56 a.m.

Thursday, March 12, 2009 – After 3:03 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 – After 12:35 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – After 2:35 p.m.

Thursday, March 26, 2009 – After 11:35 a.m.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – After 10:16 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 – After 9:35 a.m.

Thursday, April 2, 2009 – After 10:31 a.m.

Monday, April 6, 2009 – After 2:44 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 – After 12:38 p.m.

Thursday April 9, 2009 – After 10:21 a.m.

Friday, April 10, 2009 – After 3:09 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 – After 11:34 a.m.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – After 3:00 p.m.

News Flash

Richie Kessel is expected to be questioned under oath by the prosecution in the Joe Bruno corruption trial this week.  Stay tuned for details on his testimony.

THE KESSEL COUNTDOWN: 412 DAYS UNTIL RICHIE KESSEL IS FIRED BY THE NEW GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK.

KESSEL SIGHTING

Last Tuesday evening, Street Corner Conservative was watching the local election results with a group of friends and acquaintances when News 12, the local Long Island all news station, shifted to Nassau Democratic Headquarters with breaking news.  On the screen from Uniondale was Richie Kessel, identified on the screen as NYPA CEO, breathlessly delivering his views on what was a dismal night for local Democratic pols.  While the sight of Kessel, who is omnipresent on Long Island, was undoubtedly reassuring to veteran viewers who have twice seen Kessel himself deliver concession speeches, the serious observer might ask: why?  Why was Kessel at the election night party of a political party?  Why was he on screen?  Why identified as NYPA CEO?  Street Corner thought these big-shot State authority guys were supposed to be above politics.  Is it appropriate for NYPA’s CEO to be at an event like that?  Is it legal?  Does the State IG care about these things?

It has been reported to Street Corner that Kessel later that evening appeared at Nassau Republican Headquarters where County GOP Chairman, Joe Mondello, Richie’s good friend and best man, was announcing victory after victory and a dead heat in the County Executive race that brought to an end Tom Suozzi’s state-wide ambitions.  Suozzi, who now has another chapter to add to the book he has been writing about his life and times, is either a deposed County Executive with no discernible political future or a third-term County Executive, who barely eked out a victory over an underfunded but earnest County Legislator, Ed Mangano.

In the next installment of Kessel Sighting, Street Corner Conservative will report why Tuesday’s Nassau County election results close every door that Kessel dreamed of entering to become Suozzi’s successor.

THE KESSEL COUNTDOWN: 419 DAYS UNTIL RICHIE KESSEL IS FIRED BY THE NEW GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK.