Cuomo: I ain’t ‘fraida no Executive Mansion ghosts

Appearing Monday in Harlem to sign the budget legislation that include the Raise the Age initiative, Gov. Andrew Cuomo set up a standard line about taking on tough legislative tasks by stating that he reads a lot about the lives of past New York governors. And rather than say that he reads because it gives him pleasure or stimulates his intellect, Cuomo said he did it to distract from the strange and perhaps ectoplasmic sounds generated by the Executive Mansion.

Here’s what he said:

“I spend time in Albany, especially during the legislative session, and Albany has a big old house for the Governor, built in 1860, and it’s a big house. The legislature bought this great big house right next to the Capitol, and I’m up there alone when I’m there because my kids are downstate or they’re in school. And it’s a creepy house, I don’t mind telling you. There are stories that it’s haunted. You know, people who work there won’t go in the elevators because they say a ghost turns off the elevator mid-floor. It’s a creepy house. I’m a big, tough guy so I don’t get afraid of ghosts, but I’m not enamored with them anyway. So I don’t sleep much when I’m in that house because there are a lot of noises going on, and it gives me a chance to read up on past governors and what they’ve done in New York and some of the greats – Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Al Smith. Three of the greatest governors in the history of the state of New York, second only to my father. And they all say the same thing. They all had the same philosophy. They said it different ways, which they said while they’re there, they want to take on the tough challenges. They don’t want to do the easy ones. Leave the easy ones for someone else. They want to take on the tough ones, and I’ve governed that same way. Give me the tough ones.

blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/274010/cuomo-i-aint-fraida-no-executive-mansion-ghosts/

Cuomo announces Easter open house, egg hunt at Executive Mansion

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will once again greet New Yorkers at an Easter open house and egg hunt from 1-3 p.m. Saturday (corrected) at the Executive Mansion.

Adults over the age of 16 wishing to attend must have a ticket (register here before 5 p.m. Thursday, as quantities are limited). Ticket holders may bring one guest and any underage children from their household.

“Guests are reminded that weapons and controlled substances as well as bags, backpacks, luggage, parcels, briefcases and similar articles are strictly prohibited from the event,” the press office notes.

The spring gathering at the Executive Mansion was first held last year, replacing the earlier tradition of a New Year’s Day open house. That event stopped in January 2015, when New Year’s marked both Cuomo’s second inauguration and the death of his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo.

blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/273992/cuomo-announces-easter-open-house-egg-hunt-at-executive-mansion/