Carol Bellamy under consideration to fill New York State Comptroller position



The former director of UNICEF, she has a long history in politics and high finance. She was president of the New York City council and ran for comptroller in 1990 and 1993 (in a scenario similar to this, in which the Legislature had to fill vacancy in the office). Some say her age (65) and long absence from the political scene may be drawbacks. Additionally, she was once the political adversary of two members of the screening panel: Republican Edward Regan and Democrat H. Carl McCall. Carol Bellamy was the first returned Volunteer (Guatemala 1963–65) to be confirmed by the Senate as director of the Peace Corps.

Carol Bellamy under consideration to fill New York State Comptroller position

Sizing up comptroller candidates
By YANCEY ROY
Gannett News Service.

ALBANY -- The New York Legislature will soon vote on a new state comptroller to replace Alan Hevesi, who last month resigned and pleaded guilty to a felony of defrauding the government by using a state employee to act as his wife's chauffeur and personal assistant. Here's a brief look at what the comptroller does:

-- Audits state and local governments and school districts, as well as state authorities such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Canal Corp.

-- Approves and monitors all state contracts, as well as the state budget.

-- Manages the public-employee pension fund, which, at just over $140 billion, is the nation's second biggest.

-- Oversees an office of roughly 2,400 employees.

[Excerpt]

One is called hardworking but gruff. Another is well respected but could be hurt by his recent status as a political boss. Another is a successful businessman but may have a conflict of interest.

And that's just about half of the candidates who want to be New York's next comptroller.

The hopefuls are rapidly ratcheting up their efforts to persuade state legislators to elect them, in the wake of the resignation of disgraced Comptroller Alan Hevesi. The Legislature -- not the voters -- get to fill the vacancy; it's expected to take action by the end of January.

A three-member panel convened by Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders will begin screening candidates Jan. 23. It will forward up to five names to be considered by the Legislature.

That gives the mini-campaigns a very compressed timetable and leaves the hopefuls with few opportunities to woo legislators and distinguish themselves. They're not wasting time.

"The campaign is already well under way, with some being more aggressive than others,'' said Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, Albany County. "It's the buzz of the Capitol.''

In the hallways of state offices, every name that has come up has been greeted with a "yes, but'' reaction by insiders, signaling each has some obstacle to overcome.

[Excerpt]

Carol Bellamy. The former director of UNICEF, she has a long history in politics and high finance. She was president of the New York City council and ran for comptroller in 1990 and 1993 (in a scenario similar to this, in which the Legislature had to fill vacancy in the office). Some say her age (65) and long absence from the political scene may be drawbacks. Additionally, she was once the political adversary of two members of the screening panel: Republican Edward Regan and Democrat H. Carl McCall.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: January, 2007; Carol Bellamy; Carol Bellamy (Director 1993 - 1995); Unicef; United Nations; Vermont

When this story was posted in January 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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January 14, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Dodd declares candidacy in 2008 Presidential race 11 Jan Malawi RPCVs found "Orphan Support" 11 Jan John Garamendi takes oath as California Lt. Governor 8 Jan Amy Smith prepares her students for field trips to remote villages 8 Jan CES provides loans to rural constituents in Guatemala 6 Jan RPCV Tom Bissell writes: Rolling Estonia 5 Jan Lance Holter writes: 1st Lt. Ehren Watada risks it all 2 Jan Paul Theroux writes: Remember the Cicadas 2 Jan Louise M. Pascale republishes Afghan children's songs 31 Dec Husband remembers Niger RPCV Mary Ann Hobson 30 Dec Bob Leventry faces problems importing organic quinoa 29 Dec Congressmen urge increase in diplomatic and development programs 27 Dec Family says treatment after PCV death left bitter feeling 27 Dec Family finishes project after PCV dies in shark attack 26 Dec Mark Ridoff writes: Productivity doesn't aid middle class 24 Dec Dodd says begin process of getting troops out of Iraq 24 Dec PCVs caught in street protest in Bolivia 22 Dec Honda named to powerful Appropriations Committee 22 Dec PCOL and NPCA collaborate on story "Snowshoe Bob" 21 Dec Alejandro Toledo charged in Forgery Scheme 21 Dec Michael O'Hanlon writes: The State of Iraq 20 Dec Carl Pope writes: Renewable energy offers new jobs 20 Dec

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December 20, 2006: This Month's Top Stories Tunisia RPCV Jeannie Ritter is new first lady of Colorado 13 Dec John Nichols writes: Petri ought to consider change to Democrat 19 Dec Craig Simons writes: Wolong is home to wild pandas 17 Dec George Neavoll holding essay contest for stamp collection 17 Dec Taft plans to revisit Tanzania where he served as PCV 17 Dec Tschetter gives address at Florida Gulf Coast University 16 Dec President of Macedonia addresses PCVs taking oath 15 Dec President Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin visits PC HQ 14 Dec Submissions sought "Letters Home from the Peace Corps" 14 Dec Hill leads negotations with North Korea after 13-month hiatus 14 Dec Reed Hastings endows new charter school organization 14 Dec John Bridgeland launches 'Malaria No More' 14 Dec Ann Easterly creates libraries in Africa 13 Dec Damian Jones started Annapolis-based "Aid Through Trade" 13 Dec Alberto Ibarguen to be Chairman of the Newseum 13 Dec Jonathan Lash writes: World undergoing rapid change 13 Dec Ben Moyer named Chief Executive Officer of Pro Mujer 12 Dec James Rupert drafts letter of protest to 'Newsday' 11 Dec Tom Weisner potential contender to replace Dennis Hastert 11 Dec PC deploys SPSS Predictive Analytics for PCV Surveys 11 Dec Congress passes Walsh's Resolution supporting democracy in Nepal 10 Dec

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Ron Tschetter in Morocco and Jordan On his first official trip since being confirmed as Peace Corps Director, Ron Tschetter (shown at left with PCV Tia Tucker) is on a ten day trip to Morocco and Jordan. Traveling with his wife (Both are RPCVs.), Tschetter met with volunteers in Morocco working in environment, youth development, health, and small business development. He began his trip to Jordan by meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and discussed expanding the program there in the near future.

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Election 2006: Results of RPCV Races Chris Shays claims victory in closely watched race Jim Walsh wins re-election to Congress in close race Tom Petri unopposed for re-election to Congress Sam Farr wins re-election to Congress Mike Honda wins re-election to Congress Jim Doyle wins re-election to Wisconsin Governorship Kinky Friedman loses in long shot bid for Texas Governor John Garamendi elected Lt. Governor of California

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Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments.

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He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

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Meet Ron Tschetter - Our Next Director Read our story about Ron Tschetter's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was carried on C-Span. It was very different from the Vasquez hearings in 2001, very cut and dried with low attendance by the public. Among the highlights, Tschetter intends to make recruitment of baby boomers a priority, there are 20 countries under consideration for future programs, Senator Dodd intends to re-introduce his third goal Peace Corps legislation this session, Tschetter is a great admirer of Senator Coleman's quest for accountability, Dodd thinks management at PC may not put volunteers first, Dodd wants Tschetter to look into problems in medical selection, and Tschetter is not a blogger and knows little about the internet or guidelines for volunteer blogs. Read our recap of the hearings as well as Senator Coleman's statement and Tschetter's statement.

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Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process.

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The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace.

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PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

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History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

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