By JACKSON WANG
Executive Editor
For years, Albany has been trying to clean up its image of being a corrupt city. But before the Capitol of New York even has the chance of fixing damages done by a corrupt politician, it seems like another would already be in handcuffs.
Well, Saint Rose music professor Bruce Roter developed an idea this summer that would solve the problem. His answer to the conundrum embraces the corruption, instead of trying to avoid it by building the Albany Museum of Political Corruption.
Many cities around the world have been known for their museums, like Paris with The Louvre, New York City with The Metropolitan, and Rome with The Vatican.
“So, why can’t Albany be known for the corruption museum?” asked Roter.
Roter believes this museum would bring more tourism to Albany, which would help with the economy. He says the museum of corruption would sit nicely beside the proposed aquarium idea in downtown Albany.
“This would be an exciting project,” said Roter.
When visitors arrive at the museum, instead of paying an admissions fee, they would pay a bribe, said Roter. And once visitors enter the museum, they would have interactive experience with each display. The museum would also have portraits of corrupt politicians.
Roter said this would allow visitors to understand Albany’s long history of political corruption.
And what would a museum be without a gift shop. Roter would like to see the corruption museum sell bobble heads of corrupt politicians in suits.
But this is just a start to his idea. Roter said he wants to expand on the corruption idea by adding scandals and controversies. This would mean Anthony Weiner and Elliot Spitzer would be welcomed into the museum.
Roter says phase one of his corruption museum idea is complete, which was getting the word out and finding people’s interest. He has already started a website and Facebook page for the museum of corruption.
Also, many media outlets have picked up on the idea, locally and nationally. The New York Magazine recently had a piece about the museum.
For phase two of the project, Roter is trying to assemble a team. He said he’s looking to take anyone that wants to turn this dream into a reality.
Many people might remember Roter as the man who brought Trader Joe’s to the Capital Region last year. When Roter first began the campaign, many people did not believe it would work. After some time, more people joined in on the campaign, and before they knew it, the Capital Region had a Trader Joe’s.
Roter said he’s received a lot of positive responses from residents of Albany on the corruption museum. He said he hasn’t approached any politicians with the idea yet because it’s a sensitive topic. But at the same time, it was a local politician who help Roter develop the idea for the museum.
Neither Albany Mayoral candidates Kathy Sheehan nor Corey Ellis returned phone calls when asked for thoughts on the political corruption museum.
“I have not talked to someone who doesn’t think it’s a great idea,” said Roter.
But Roter said the ultimate goal of the museum is to help clean up the corruption in Albany. By opening a political corruption museum, Roter thinks “it would hold our elected officials accountable.”
If anyone is interested in helping Roter with the museum of corruption, you can reach him at roterb@strose.edu. To learn more about the Albany Museum of Political Corruption, visit www.AlbanyMuseumofPoliticalCorruption.org.
