The shaggy DA

Frank A. Sedita III must be growing into his job as Erie County district attorney. At least his mustache is.

You may recall that the first casualty of Sedita’s campaign for the top prosecutor’s job last year was his big, thick black mustache.

Sedita, who had worn the facial hair for more than 30 years, shaved it off before the Erie County Democratic endorsement meeting in May 2008.

It must have worked. He got the endorsement and won the election.

At Thursday’s news conference about the priest who stole more than $200,000 from his parish, Sedita appeared with a newly growing mustache.

Pigeon coup fallout

If Steve Pigeon has a legacy in Albany, it will be as one of the masterminds of the June 8 coup that halted government for a month, created a sea of mistrust between both sides and, in the end, did not change the power structure in any certain way.

Still, he has been the face of Tom Golisano, his billionaire pal and supporter of the coup whose money—donations past and future—helped provide Pigeon a seat at the table.

For the past month, Pigeon has been all over the Capitol, and getting his image on TV and in the papers standing behind his newest political ally, Sen. Pedro Espada, the Bronx Democrat who helped lead the coup but then flipped back to his part at the end.

As a reward, Pigeon was placed on the state payroll as counsel to Espada. Pigeon will be paid at least $130,000 a year when the paperwork comes through.

So there was Pigeon one day this week, trying to head through the sturdy wooden doors to get himself onto the Senate floor. Stop, a sergeant-at-arms told him.

“Who are you?” the guard asked.

Pigeon responded that he worked for Espada, and the guard responded that he could pass this time but would need Senate ID in the future.

Power might have its privileges, but so does a good photo ID.

A bridge too near

Amherst Council Member Dan Ward is fond of introducing board resolutions to have the town compete for various national distinctions. Some of these resolutions gain traction, but many don’t.

At the last regular Town Board meeting, Ward sought to nominate a town bridge for consideration as one of the “Top 10 Bridges for 2009” in “Roads& Bridges” magazine. Ward didn’t have any particular bridge in mind, but the supervisor suggested that Rambling Road Bridge might be nice.

It didn’t matter. The resolution failed in a tied 3-3 vote “so this guy dies,” Supervisor Satish Mohan said.

“He jumped off a bridge,” responded Council Member Mark Manna.

(Not so) Poor Ed

The late Edward C. Keller surprised many in East Aurora this week when it was revealed he left nearly $3.4 million to the East Aurora school children for future scholarships for graduating high school seniors in memory of his wife, a 41-year teacher for the district.

After all, he often described himself around town as “Poor Ed,” recalled Ed Vidler, himself an East Aurora institution.

Turned out the title was meant to be ironic.

Vidler, whose 5&10 remains a village destination, was thrilled this week to hear that his fellow merchant worked to provide for future generations of East Aurora students.

“Better than building a statue in the park that birds would poop on,” he added.