Lenape exhibit opens at Ellis Island

First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson announced yesterday the opening of Lenape: Ellis Island's First Inhabitants at Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, is designed to celebrate and examine the extensive history of the Lenape people from prehistory through the 21st century.

"Today's opening of [the exhibit] marks another exciting milestone in our commemoration of our state's people and past," Paterson said. "This exhibition provides New Yorkers with another exciting opportunity to rediscover their incredible history."

Six galleries explore Lenape ways of life, linguistics, cultural and religious traditions. It incorporates an array of materials such as artifacts, antique books, maps, photos, clothing and numerous illustrations.

The opening ceremony was attended by Commisioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation Pete Grannis, Dr. David M. Oestreicher, Lenape scholar and exhibition curator and John Haworth, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, among others.

"We celebrate and honor the native people who inhabited this region long before Henry Hudson sailed through the New York Harbor on the Half Moon," said Grannis. "This exhibition is a fitting tribute to the first inhabitantsof lower New York -- and it is my tremendous honor to be part of this long overdue homecoming for the Lenape people."

Oestreicher spent more than 30 years studying Lenape and working with the remaining traditionalists and speakers of the native language.

The exhibit was created with the help of the Lenape people and was made possible by the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission, other advocacy businesses and individuals.

First witnesses testify at Bruno trial

The first two witnesses testified this morning in the corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

James Featherstonhaugh, an attorney with the Albany-based firm Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne, LLP, was the lead witness. Featherstonhaugh, who introduced Bruno to the investment and brokerage firm McGinnSmith in 1992, admitted to knowledge of a financial relationship between Bruno and McGinnSmith. (Bruno would be elevated to the position of Senate majority leader in 1994.) Featherstonhaugh admitted to introducing Bruno to McGinn at the request of the firm's Chairman of the Board Tim McGinn.

The firm's chairman testified that Bruno was on the payroll. A letter sent to Bruno describing his role at the firm was admitted into evidence. According to the letter, Bruno would spearhead McGinnSmith's efforts at landing investment deals with labor union pension funds. McGinn called Bruno "a significant ally in that effort." A W-2 earnings summary, which was also admitted into evidence, showed that McGinn paid Bruno $24,500 in 1994.

McGinn said Bruno brought in investments by the hospitality workers union and the Teamsters. According to McGinn, Bruno didn't bring in funds from any entity other than labor unions.

James Featherstonhaugh told the jury that Sen. Bruno never asked him to conceal anything about his relationship with McGinnSmith.

UPDATE: 8:02 P.M.
Tim McGinn also said in his testimony that his firm offered Bruno an office, which he used about a dozen times. One interesting moment came when the chairman said his firm and Bruno intended to send our simultaneous press releases announcing the senator's job with McGinn. Bruno wasn't interested in making it public, according to McGinn.

Tim McGinn admitted having two conversations with Bruno about the ethics of working for the investment firm. According to McGinn, Bruno acknowledged the moral implications of his work, but told him it was okay. McGinn said he chose Bruno to work for the firm because he was a respected member of the community. He emphasized Bruno's life story and his success in the Legislature.

McGinn said Bruno requested payments be sent to his consulting company, Capital Business Consultants, Inc., rather than to him personally. He didn't give a reason, according to McGinn.

During questioning form Bruno's attorney Abbe David Lowell, McGinn said "it was well known" that Bruno worked for his firm and he made no effort to conceal it.

The prosecution pointed out that Bruno's compensation from the firm increased to $72,000 in 1995 from $24,500 the year before. Sen. Bruno became majority leader of the state Senate in November 1994.

The third witness of the day was Francis Collins, a New York state Court of Claims judge who served as Sen. Bruno's counsel.

Visit a real Destroyer Escort

For the next month, people touring Albany will have the chance to tour the USS Slater, a World War II destroyer escort and the only one to remain afloat in America presently.

A Destroyer escort is a small warship that was used in World War II to protect against aircraft and small boat attacks.

During World War II, 563 destroyer escorts fought Nazi U-boats in the North Atlantic and they protected against Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific.

The USS Slater, located on the Hudson River in downtown Albany, will remain open to the public Wednesday through Sunday till Nov. 29 with hour-long guided tours. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Jury selected, attorneys give opening statements on first day of Bruno trial

Earlier this hour, seven women and five men were chosen as members of the jury that will determine the fate of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Bruno is on trial facing charges that he abused his office and defrauded the government in failing to disclose his financial relationship with businesses and individuals. He has pleaded not guilty.

Five members of the potential jury pool were excused for various reasons. Prospective jurors can ask to be excused if they feel they wouldn't be able to judge the facts of the case objectively. Attorneys for either side can also request a juror be excused, sometimes without having to give a reason.

U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe said he will not sequester the jury, meaning they can return home after each day. He reminded the potential jury pool to not discuss the trial with anyone or follow news coverage.

The trial is being held U.S. District Court in Albany, and may last into December.

UPDATE: 5:28 P.M.
Attorneys for the prosecution and defense delivered their opening statements this afternoon. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Coombe spoke on behalf of the prosecution.

She said the government plans to prove that Sen. Bruno violated federal statute that entitled the public to the "honest services" of its elected officials. They plan to show that Bruno failed to disclose, and intended to keep secret, his financial relationships with investment firms and individuals. The government alleges Bruno was granted over $3 million over more than 10 years by various groups and individuals. He did this "for his own personal enrichment," Coombe said today. He "concealed and disguised" his actions.

Abbe David Lowell, a top white-collar lawyer from Washington, D.C., delivered the defense's opening statement. He does not deny many of the facts of the case, but denies what the prosecution says the facts amount to. He characterized Sen. Bruno as a "hard-working, honest public servant." He asserted Bruno never pressured anyone to take a certain action. He says witnesses will testify that the former Senate majority leader didn't violate financial disclosure forms nor hide any of his financial relationships. Lowell countered the prosecution's claim that Bruno's actions rise to the level of a "scheme" to defraud the public.

Biden stumps for Owens

Vice President Joe Biden joined Democratic candidate for the 23rd, Bill Owens, today at a rally in Watertown.

In his prepared opening statement, Owens thanked his supporters, including Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava, who dropped out of the race on Saturday.

"Your support is what got us to this point and will put us over the top tomorrow," said Owens to supporters. "I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you’ve put in – the hours you’ve spent making phone calls, knocking on doors, and talking to your friends about our campaign to bring jobs to Upstate New York and get our economy back on track."

He also addressed his opponent, Doug Hoffman's campaign, saying that Hoffman is only embracing the special interests groups financing his campaign.

"They want to go back to the George Bush days of tax cuts for the wealthy, tax cuts for companies that send our jobs overseas, and privatizing Social Security. They’re going to let their partisan agenda get in the way of keeping Fort Drum strong," said Owens.

"I know many of you are tired. This has been a grueling campaign. But I need you to press forward for just one more day. I need your help tomorrow so we can stand up for our priorities and our shared commitment to turn the page on partisan ideology."

On a seperate note, Owens was endorsed by Laborers Local 322 today. Laborors' International Union of North America is dedicated to helping construction workers recieve good pay, benefits and opportunity for advancement.

New York state granted funding for broadband activites

New York state will receive approximately $2.5 million in federal stimulus funding for broadband mapping and planning activities.

The funding, which is available through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, will enable the mapping of New York’s un-served and underserved areas to provide high speed Internet access across the state.

Of the $2.5 million, $2 million will be used for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two year period and $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five year period.

"We are very pleased with the $2.5 million federal award that will help advance New York's broadband data collection and mapping activities," said New York state CIO and director of the office for technology, Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart. "The mapping activities will help ensure broadband networks are widely deployed, affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers."

Street Finder's Bill Becomes Law Just in Time for Tuesday's Elections

A week before Election Day, Gov. David A. Paterson signed a bill into law that will help voters find their correct voting locations if they are mistaken on Tuesday and go to the wrong polling site.

On Oct. 28 Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s bill (A1002C), which requires election sites in New York state to supply information and maps regarding the location of voting sites, became a law.

“The essence is, you want to enable people to vote and this is a bill that will help accomplish that,” said Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, in an interview with the Legislative Gazette.

According to a prepared statement from the governor’s office, the new law will ensure that workers at polling sites supply voters with the information they need about their correct polling sites, “including countywide maps that delineate voting districts.”

“It is fairly common for voters to end up at the wrong polling place. Now, election workers will have the proper tools to assist these individuals and ensure their votes are counted,” Governor Paterson said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to be working with the legislature on passing laws that increase access and ease for New Yorkers to vote; just last month, I signed a bill requiring New York City to translate all voting materials into Russian.”

Often if a voter shows up to the incorrect polling site, he or she could be informed of their correct voting site, but that it does not always happen. Paulin’s bill is aimed to assist voters who are unsure of or have mistaken their correct polling location.

“It’s to make sure that when voters come into their polling site and their names aren’t found, the poll workers can check their address and send them to the right place or let them vote in the place they’re at if they’re truly in the district,” Paulin said. “We’re franchising people instead of disenfranchising people.”

According to a statement released by Allison Esposito, Paulin’s communications director, if an individual in New York goes to the wrong polling site, they may be provided a provisional ballot, “and it will not count if submitted in the voter’s incorrect polling place.”

Paulin spoke about the law’s effect on elections and voters, saying “It will have a great impact on individual people — people want to be able to exercise their right to vote.”

“Mistakes can be made, which can’t be helped unless we dramatically change the system,” Paulin said. “This is a bill that will help people who have moved and who have not voted in a while.” 

She added, “This will enable them to get the correct information so that they can exercise their right to vote.”

NOW-NYS Critiques Republican Party, Supports Scozzafava in Future

After Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava announced on Oct. 31 that she was suspending her campaign for New York’s 23rd District, a women’s rights group critiqued her move, calling it a “setback for women” this weekend.

The National Organization for Women-New York State issued a prepared statement which illustrated their disappointment with the Republican Party.

President of NOW-NYS, Marcia Pappas, called former Republican candidate Scozzafava’s withdrawal a “setback for women, especially Republican women and moderates in general” in the statement.

Pappas said the Republican Party is “clearly going so ultra-conservative that many highly qualified women are completely excluded.”

NOW commended Scozzafava for being pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and for being in favor of president Barack Obama’s stimulus package. Now also called her “more progressive than any of the other candidates.”

The group critiqued former Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for endorsing the Conservative Party’s candidate, Doug Hoffman, “rather than a qualified woman from her own party.”

The group expressed hopes for Scozzafava’s return.

“NOW-NYS salutes Scozzafava, and hopes that as some time in the future she will find the wherewith to rejoin the fray. She is indeed a breath of fresh air in the present-day anti-woman, anti-choice Republican Party,” according to the statement.

Hoffman continues to recieve endorsements

The race for the 23rd Congressional District has taken an interesting turn, as Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava announced that she was suspending her campaign on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Since that time endorsements have continued to stream in for Doug Hoffman, the Conservative candidate in the race, including Senate Republican leader Dean G. Skelos, former Congressman Rick Lazio and New York state Republican Chairman Ed Cox.

“Dede Scozzafava’s endorsement today represents a betrayal of the people of the North Country and the people of her party,” said Cox. “The citizens of that district deserve a fiscal conservative like Doug Hoffman who will help turn the North Country economy around.”

Meanwhile, a poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute today shows Hoffman with a five point lead over Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate. Hoffman received 41 percent of the vote, Owens, 36 percent and Scozzafava still recieved 6 percent of the vote.

Scozzafava drops out of 23rd race

The Associated Press reports today that Republican state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava has announced she is dropping out of the race to fill the seat in the 23rd Congressional district.

Her name will remain on the ballot on Nov. 3, according to her campaign spokesman Matt Burns.

The New York Times also reported on this.

Pataki endorses Hoffman

Former New York Gov. George Pataki endorsed Doug Hoffman last night, Conservative candidate for the 23rd Congressional District seat.

"As a businessman, and as a life-long resident of the North Country Doug Hoffman understands the need to lower taxes on working families, the need to stand tall against terror and he won’t back phony stimulus programs that fail to create the jobs we need and leaves a mountain of debt to our children," said Pataki.

The election will take place on Nov. 3, and the other candidates are Republican Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava and Democratic candidate Bill Owens.

Joe Bruno trial

Just to let you'll know, I'll be reporting next week on the trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, who's accused of establishing financial relationships with entities that had an interest in legislation. He's been charged on eight counts of mail and wire fraud. The trial starts Monday.

Here's a story from Capital News 9 about the upcoming trial.

NYC leaders meeting

Here is a story from Capital News 9 about yesterday's leaders meeting in New York City.

Police Get Training to Protect Abortion Providers

More than 80 law enforcement officials, reproductive health care providers and advocates from across New York came together yesterday to discuss how to better protect reproductive clinics and providers, and actions to take against anti-abortion terrorism.

Gov. David A. Paterson signed bill A.8924/S. 6112 into law yesterday that establishes the crime of aggravated interference with health care services in the first and second degrees. Sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker, D--Brooklyn, and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D--Grand Island, the law calls for new felony classifications to further penalize someone who causes physical injury to any reproductive health care provider. The law will protect doctors and staff workers in clinics.

Julie Murphy, investigator with the New York state Police Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit for Troop G, helped plan the training for yesterday's event and gave a presentation on Operation Safeguard, an outreach program developed by the state Office of Homeland Security that incorporates all law enforcement.

The safeguard plan provides information education and suspicious indicators to reproductive health care centers to help them understand what necessary steps to take if they witness conspicuous behavior in their work place. If wary behavior by any individual is apparent, clincs can call the toll-free tip line 1-800-SAFENYS.

Anti-abortion terrorism hit New York in 1998 when abortion provider Dr. Barnett Slepian was murdered in his home near Buffalo by anti-abortion activist James Kopp.

"The important part is that we recognize that despite anyone's beliefs or feelings about this emotionally charged issues is that it is a law enforcement issue," said Denise E. O'Donnell, deputy secretary for public safety. "We do have an obligation to protect individuals who are providing reproduction services."

The most recent incident occurred this year when Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed in a church in Wichita, Kan. Yesterday's event was developed in response to this murder and is used as a case example to show what law enforcement can do to better ensure our state is safe, according to Murphy.

Cuomo endorses Owens

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo endorsed Democratic candidate Bill Owens today in the race for the 23rd Congressional district seat.

“Bill Owens understands the needs of our working families and he’s worked hard to improve our local economy by creating jobs in upstate New York,” Cuomo said.

The special election will take place Nov. 3. The other candidates in the race are state Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava, who's the Republican Party's nominee, and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.

The seat was vacated by Republican Congressman John McHugh, who left to become President Obama's secretary of the Army.

Calhoun Stiffens Drunk Driving Legislation

Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, R-Blooming Grove, announced today she has introduced legislation (A.9179) in the Assembly that would increase penalties for driving under the influence with a passenger who is developmentally disabled.

"Nine times out of 10, the person who is driving is in an employment situation and the people who are driving with them may not have the opportunity to [speak out]," said Calhoun. "We think this is an appropriate way to discourage the person [driving] to know they are going to get in trouble."

The consequences under the amended law would punish first time offenders with a fine between $250 and $500 including a possible 48 hour jail sentence; second time offers with a fine between $500 and $1,000 and 10 days in jail, and for each following offense after that, a fine between $1,000 and $5,000 and the possibility of a 30 to 90 day jail sentence would be given.

Calhoun said a constituent brought this legislation to her attention. "We're hoping to work hard to try and get it passed this year."

Sen. Krueger's Call for Monserrate's Resignation Catalyzes a Movement

Following the recent outcome of Sen. Hiram Monserrate’s trial, senators and women’s rights groups are again speaking out — this time for his resignation.

Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, was one of the first to speak out for the resignation of Monserrate — the Queens senator who was recently found guilty of misdemeanor assault against his partner and was acquitted of felony charges, ones that would have torn him out of the state Senate — hours after the outcome of his trial.

“I believe that if he was indeed found guilty of a violent crime he should not remain in the state senate,” Krueger said.

“Literally within 12 hours of his being found guilty I put out a statement calling out for Mr. Monserrate to resign on the grounds that a person convicted of a violent crime should not be a sitting legislature in New York state,” Krueger said. “I urged colleagues, organizations, citizens to call for him to resign on the belief that, that was the best and the simple and quick solution to the problem.”

“And many elected, many civic organizations, many women’s organizations have in fact taken up that call and put out a statement calling for him to resign — both U.S. senators [for New York] Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have called for him to resign.”

The New Agenda is one of the women’s rights groups that has taken up Krueger’s call for Monserrate’s resignation. “The fact of the matter is that he was still found guilty of a charge and at this point, and even prior to this trial really, he does not have the moral authority to be governing in our state,” Amy Siskind, president of the New Agenda, said.

“We are working now with NOW-NYS [National Organization of Women-New York State] and the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee,” Siskind said. “To collectively speak out about what’s happened here and to urge the members of the committee that’s been formed to call for his immediate resignation.”

NOW-NYS, a women’s rights group, and ERLC, an organization that is “dedicated to building a new generation of pro-choice Democratic women leaders in New York State,” are working with New Agenda to publicly call for Monserrate’s resignation, according to Siskind.

“We’re currently working on an open letter,” Siskind said, adding that the groups plan to get signatures for their open letter “from a number of the women’s organizations and then we plan to send those to the folks that are going to be serving on the panel just to let them know how important this is — what kind of signal we’re sending if we continue to let this man serve in our state government.”

The groups plan to send their open letter to the special committee of inquiry on Monserrate that was created by Senate Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson, D-Manhattan, on Oct. 20 and is made up of eight other individuals: Andrew J. Lanza, R-Staten Island, a former chair of the Senate Ethics Committee; John J. Flanagan, R-East Northport, a former chair of the Senate Ethics Committee; James S. Alesi, R-Perinton, a former chair of the Senate Ethics Committee; Sen. Cathy Young, R-Olean; Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Mount Vernon; Diane J. Savino, D-Staten Island; Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers; and Toby A. Stavisky, D-Queens, as reported by the Legislative Gazette last week.

Siskind said that the trial outcome wasn’t what she or her group expected. “We were very surprised that he got away with it,” Siskind said. “He deserves to be in jail plain and simple — this is a text book, gender-based, violence-type case where the girlfriend is abused and initially speaks out and then is intimidated into silence.”

Although disappointed with the outcome of Monserrate’s trial, Siskind said she and the New Agenda won’t stop working until the senator resigns. “We are going to continue to work and to galvanize as a coalition of organizations,” Siskind said. “That’s our next step and we’ll just continue to keep the heat on until he resigns,” Siskind said. “However long that takes we’ll keep going.”

Krueger spoke of her future hope. “I hope Mr. Monserrate wakes up tomorrow morning and says, ‘I don’t have any future in the senate, my colleagues have started a committee to figure out how to sanction me. I can’t win reelection next year in my district and the people who are calling me to resign are right,’ and that he will resign, that’s what I’m hoping for.”

Siskind passionately agreed. “The fact of the matter is that he was found guilty of a charge related to domestic violence and he needs to resign. Period. End of sentence.”

Senate Committe Seeks Answers on Cigarette Tax Sales

The Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations is holding a hearing today at 10:30 a.m. at Borough of Manhattan Community College to discuss New York state's failure in collecting taxes on cigarettes sold to Non-Native Americans on Indian reservations, announced Committee Chairman Senator Craig M. Johnson.

Last year a law was passed that required these taxes to be collected, but the state Department of Taxation and Finance has been obstructed in their collection efforts.

Witnesses confirmed to appear include the Governor's Counsel Peter Kiernan, Deputy Commissioner of the State Department of Taxation and Finance William Comiskey, representatives from the Seneca, St. Regis Mohawk, Onondaga and Poospatuck nations, as well as representatives from New York City, local governments and the tobacco and convenience store industries, and others.

UPDATE 11:35 A.M.
“The failure to secure this badly needed revenue continues as other states – most recently Florida – have been able to reach tax collection agreements with their local Native American nations,” said Sen. Johnson in a prepared statement. “This committee wants to be helpful in crafting a solution to this problem, but first we – and the public – need to be apprised of where the state and the nations stand.”

Electric car manufacturing company will move to Syracuse

Gov. David A. Paterson announced Oct. 23 that an electric car manufacturing company will be opening a facility in Onondaga County, where Syracuse is located.

Bannon Automotive LLC will be investing $26.6 million for this move.

Paul Wimer, the company’s CEO said that Syracuse’s proximity to the rest of New York and other states; Central New York’s persistent initiative to promote green technology, as well as the support of economic development agencies and local leaders, made the company decide to set up this manufacturing base.

This move will create about 250 new full-time jobs for New Yorkers.

“By locating in Central New York, Bannon Automotive is helping to establish our state as the global leader in the clean energy economy and is building on my initiative to accelerate innovation in electric vehicle technology through the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium,” Paterson said. “The market for both electric cars and new battery technologies is expected to grow significantly in the coming years and that means jobs for New Yorkers.”

Paterson announced the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium or NY-BEST on Oct. 5 to develop energy storage technology and create jobs for New Yorkers. It includes manufacturing of batteries to be used in hybrid cars.

Support grows for Cuomo's pension fund reform

Support is rolling in from around the state for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's proposal to create a new 13-member board to oversee the state pension fund.

On Saturday, Cuomo attended a fundraiser in Binghamton for Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala. In a statement from the AG's office, Fiala said, "It is a pleasure to join Attorney General Cuomo and my colleagues from the state Legislature to announce this proposal, which I believe can help restore trust in our government. The state pension system and all New Yorkers will certainly benefit from Attorney General Cuomo's measure, and I thank him for coming to our region today."

This push for reform comes after former state Liberal Party Chair Ray Harding and co-founder of Aldus Equity Saul Mayer pled guilty to fraud in a scheme involving kickbacks for political favors and attempts to secure the fund's investments.

"Ending corruption in the pension system transcends political parties," Cuomo said in Saturday's statement. "Abuse of our pension system has run wild for far too long as politically connected individuals have lined their pockets with taxpayer money.

Cuomo recently received bipartisan support from 22 members of the Legislature's Long Island delegation.

Sen. Brian X. Foley, a Blue Point Democrat and chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is the legislation's chief sponsor. On Oct. 8, Foley joined with Cuomo, Senate Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson and Republican Sen. John Flanagan in introducing the bill.

Currently, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is the pension fund's sole trustee. Cuomo's proposal would break up the comptroller's monopoly, establishing a 13-member board to oversee investments.

The governor, attorney general, temp. Senate president, Assembly speaker, and Senate and Assembly Minority Leader would each select a member of the board. The state comptroller would serve as the board's chair. Pension fund beneficiaries would have say in choosing the six remaining members.

1) an active member of the retirement system will be chosen from among active members
2) a retired member of the retirement system will be chosen from among retired members
3) a county employee will be chosen from among county employees
4) a local government employee will be chosen from among local gov't employees
5) a police or fire member will be chosen by the state police and fire retirement system
6) a police or fire member will be chosen by the local police and fire retirement system

According the Cuomo's office, "all members of the board must have investment expertise and shall not have been employees of the retirement system for three years."