Utica Woman sentenced for Arson mocks Utica NY PD and Arson Task Force

20-year-old Ambur Fortney pleaded guilty to starting a West Utica residence on fire last Fourth of July. On Friday she blamed law enforcement for putting her in that position in the first place.

Before Ambur Fortney was sentenced in Oneida County Court to three to nine years in prison, she mocked the police and fire investigators who arrested her on arson charges.

Since her arrest, Fortney has continued to deny starting the fire at her boyfriend’s residence, 1122 Court St., up until the day she tearfully pleaded guilty to third-degree arson in January.

On Friday, Fortney’s previously weeping emotion appeared to be replaced by anger.

During her plea, Fortney admitted to intentionally starting the Court Street fire on July 4, 2008. But due to the nature of an Alford plea, Fortney was not required to elaborate on any circumstances surrounding the incident.

Utica Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella stood by the work of the city’s police department and Arson Task Force, which was reinstated in the summer to counter a rash of intentionally set fires.

“A thorough investigation was conducted, which resulted in her guilty plea,” LaBella said. “It’s unfortunate that these comments were made, but the Utica Police Department and Arson Task Force will continue to protect the citizens from this type of crime.”

At sentencing, Dwyer strongly encouraged Fortney to get counseling while she in prison for any mental problems. Fortney said she would “pursue it,” which LaBella saw as a positive response.

“I hope she accepts the recommendation of counseling, and I wish her the best,” LaBella said.

Fortney entered an Alford plea based on the strong likelihood that she would be convicted after trial. If she had been found guilty, her punishment would have been much greater than what she was offered by Assistant District Attorney Robert Bauer, Fortney acknowledged at the time.

Before sentencing Fortney made this statement about the Utica Arson Task Force:

“All I want to say is I feel that the Utica Police Department and the Arson Task Force are a joke,” Fortney told Judge Michael L. Dwyer. “I think it’s unfair what happened to me, and being backed into a corner like this is ridiculous.”

Do you feel the Utica PD and Utica Arson Task Force rushed to conclusion on this case?

Utica residents face rising taxes, water bills

At a time when things should be held at a minimum they go double digit. In Utica that is, taxes at both the City and School district are rising again as is the water authority raising their prices almost 8%. How can the residents of Utica, NY continue to take the abuse of power by the elected official who control the rights to raise the budget to levels that are not within reason.
Look at Mayor Roefaro's budget it contains raises for employess who only have 6 months of service like Employee # 7353 Sabis, Ashley, B Community Development Hired 6/2/08 non union Receptionist 6/2/08 pay rate= $24,500 2009-10 = $ 31,016 How in the world in 6 months can a non union employee get a $7,000 pay raise? an this is only 1 employee with a hefty raise. I am telling you folks we need to revolt and recall this mayor go to uticafriends.com and click on the mayor and we can start the recall process or take his crap forever it is up to us to make the changes now. Change can only be made by people willing to stand up for what they believe in.

Phone Calls about Cars Warrantys

Is your cars warranty about to expire, that is the message on the other end and they want you to extend your cars warranty on the phone and they continue to call day and night on the cell phone and on the home phone. First of all I bought two used vehicles and I did not want to buy an extended warranty and get scammed from the start. When I bought a new car it was hard enough to get coverage so you want me to extend my warranty and pay you over $700.00 for nothing.
90% of these folks are scam artist and give you nothing for your money so do your homework and research the company before you get into any kind of contract. Do a google search of the phone number that calls your cell before you answer if you are unsure of the number and you will see alot of people got the same deal or scam. Did they call you about your warranty?

Digital TV is Killing me

This digital TV conversion is a mess, all the banners on all the shows we watch telling us about all the things we need to do to be ready. Then the Government FCC runs out of funding so the consumers who needed to get vouchers to buy converters were left on a waiting list.
I think the Government teamed up with the TV manufactures to get us to upgrade to new TV sets.
Yes I do love my HDTV no complaints except when watching digital TV when the weather gets rough the TV sets go wacko. I hope this conversion passes soon so I can get on to some what normal TV viewing without all the banners on my recorded or live shows. What do you think about this mess?

Utica School Superintendent Willis to make changes

Superintendent James Willis said he plans to reorganize the administration in the school district to encourage better communication. It is about time someone from the outside saw the excess baggage at the School District Headquarters. Try to make a call and most of the time you get answering machines. I had over 7 years of nothing but hell dealing with the Special Education Department. They want a bunch of yes men. Do it their way or else. I had to seek outside assistance just to get my son his education. These folks are fast at collecting their hefty pay checks though. Good going Mr. Willis, new blood is also needed to make this district fair and away from its corrupt past.
http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1367475208/Willis-plans-to-reorganize-administration

Alec Baldwin compares Buffalo, Utica

Now we have Alec Baldwin comparing Buffalo and Utica to each other. Difference though is a population in Buffalo of over 400,000 and Utica less than 60,000.

Saturday Night Live must be running out of material to use Upstate NY in its skits.
Did anyone watch the show? and did he trash talk our area?

The Utica OD has an article on-line about the show on this evenings post.

http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x898853540/Alec-Baldwin-compares-Buffalo-Utica

6 % increase in property taxes

The Mayor of Utica NY has proposed in his 2009-2010 Budget an almost 6% increase in Property Taxes in these troubling times. How do you feel about this increase and do you feel the Mayor has our best interest in mind when he planned this budget and do you feel we should recall this Mayor at the present time? I think it is time the Mayor is Recalled and we the people have a Mayor who is in touch with reality.

http://www.uticaod.com/news/x1658750309/Utica-budget-includes-5-97-percent-tax-hike