Political corruption museum could become Albany tourism draw
Politics
Political corruption museum could become Albany tourism draw
A resident of New York’s capital city has an unusual economic development plan to harness what he says is one of Albany’s most abundant renewable resources: political corruption. For a $12.50 or so “bribe,” visitors to the planned Museum of Political Corruption will get a tour of the state’s long history of crooked politicians, shady deals and backroom power brokers, as well as a chance to learn about individuals who have fought corruption and suggested solutions to the state’s chronic problem.
Let’s use it as a resource. … The attention is already there. If we can get ahead of the late-night punchlines.
Bruce Roter
The museum is the idea of Bruce Roter, a professor at Albany’s College of Saint Rose, who is now raising money for the museum, which he envisions as both an educational institution and a tourist destination that focuses on the state Capitol’s reputation for corruption. Roter has been working on the project for two years after talking over coffee with Kathy Sheehan, who has since become mayor of Albany. The question came up: What Albany resource could yield tourism revenue? Corruption fit the bill and has a certain advantage: “It’s a renewable resource,” he said.
The frustrating thing for me is when Albany is used as a synonym for corruption or dysfunction. Because there are those of us who live here, who say, ‘wait a minute, this is a great city.’
Mayor Kathy Sheehan
