"As a 27-year law enforcement career, I recognize that the Chief of Police is someone who must have the respect and confidence of every resident from every community. No longer will this important role be filled without the assurance of checks and balances for the public. However, a simple up or down vote on any nomination is only a half-victory; the Common Council must demonstrate a new willingness to bring more people into this process and hold public hearings around the city in advance of any vote. This is the most effective and most accountable model to ensure that supporters as well as those with concerns can speak out regarding any nomination, and also give the candidate a renewed sense of understanding for the needs of specific communities and the people's vision for this City."

City of Albany - Workers United Local 471 joined nine other labor unions in endorsing Lenny Ricchiuti for President of the Albany Common Council.

"I am honored to receive the support of Workers United in my race for Common Council. I know first hand how crucial labor protections and progressive wage laws are, especially in these challenging times," said Ricchiuti. "I will fight to bring more jobs to Albany that pays a living wage so that working families can make ends meet. I look forward to working with all my labor supporters, including Local 471, when elected to office."

Retired Albany Police Sergeant turned political candidate Lenny Ricchiuti received an important endorsement Thursday.

Ricchiuti,who is Executive Director of the Albany Police Athletic League,stood in front of Albany City Hall to receive the support of nearly a dozen local unions in Ricchiuti's bid to become Common Council President.

(Albany) – Gaining critical momentum in the closing weeks before voters head to the polls, the campaign of Lenny Ricchiuti for Common Council President will be formally endorsed by nearly a dozen of the areas leading unions, representing thousands of local workers and families on Thursday.

Based on his vision for the future of Albany and ideas for sensible economic growth and job creation, Ricchiuti will follow the endorsement rally with a brief availability unveiling his Blueprint for a Sustainable Albany.

Candidate for Albany Common Council president Lenny Ricchiuti wants to be the bridge missing at City Hall

Councilwoman Carolyn Mc Laughlin (Ward 2), sat in the shady park in front of City Hall and said that she got into politics to be an advocate for the people of the South End. “And I have lived up to that. I have reached out to the people who don’t have the resources to do something about their situation, and for those people, I have spoken up.”

From advocating for affordable housing to securing money for her ward, she said, “I have been there so that when we talked about doing projects in the city, we did not leave the South End out. They were part of the conversation.” She pointed to affordable housing on Clinton Street and also to Eagle Court on Morton Avenue. “That was a project that was long overdue. But that changed that corner. Those are apartments that anyone would be proud to live in, that you or I would be proud to live in. Is there a lot more we can do? Oh absolutely,” she said, but there is always a question of resources.

Tim Carney dropped out of the race for Common Council president Friday and endorsed Lenny Ricchiuti, leaving just two Democrats in what was a four-person field.

“Lenny is a friend and we have spoken on many occasions about this race and the issues facing the people of Albany,” Carney said in a statement. “What I’ve decided to do is to withdraw so that we may team our efforts together to help secure a much needed victory and to take steps on making Albany a better place for all.”

Today, Lenny Ricchiuti, Democratic candidate for president of the Albany Common Council will join his Democratic opponent, Timothy Carney, for a joint press conference relating to the upcoming campaign and issues pertaining to the Albany County Board of Elections.

President of the Common Council is elected citywide by registered voters residing within the city of Albany.

Who: Lenny Ricchiuti and Timothy Carney

Where: Board of Elections, 32 North Russell Road, Albany, NY

When: July 24, 2009 @ 1:00 pm

Lenny Ricchiuti, a Democratic candidate for Common Council president, submitted 3,200 petition signatures at the Board of Elections Thursday, according to his campaign.

As a city-wide candidate, he only needed 1,000.

“As we continue with the Lenny4Albany campaign, we expect there to be a significant focus on the many differences between the candidates I am opposing with reason,” Ricchiuti said in a statement. ” After all, elections should be about informed choices.”

Lenny Ricchiuti this afternoon pledged to bridge gulfs within the Common Council and between lawmakers and the mayor’s office and vowed to use his experience working with the city’s youth to best represent all residents as council president.

“I’m running because I know what it’s like to be a homeowner in Albany, and I want other homeowners to remain here with me,” said Ricchiuti, 48, a South End native and retired city police sergeant.

Ricchiutti, who is also executive director of the Albany Police Athletic League and an elected member of the Albany Public Library’s Board of Trustees, launched his campaign at the Albany Community Charter School on Krank Street.

(Albany, NY)-Citing excitement for government and advocacy, one based on energetic leadership and results-oriented experience, Lenny Ricchiuti will officially launch his campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for the position of Albany Common Council President.

Ricchiuti, a retired member of the Albany Police Department, is best known for being a tireless advocate for the sustainability of youth programs, community enrichment, safer neighborhoods, and for spearheading efforts to bring working families together. Ricchiuti is also the Executive Director of Albany’s Police Athletic League – the largest hands-on youth program citywide, and he serves as President of Albany American Little League located in the South End of Albany. He is married to wife Mary and has two children, Sara and Amy.