Facing down the "doomsday budget," sometimes-cop says no one wants his job, Morris says she's running for Albany mayor, police say woman went on rampage
At a meeting yesterday between state legislators and economists, the coming fiscal year's budget gap was projected to be as high as $14 billion. One senator said the state was facing a "doomsday budget." [TU]
The reconstruction of Delaware and Madison Ave in Albany will be one of the first projects in the state to proceed with federal stimulus money. A pedestrian described the pavement and sidewalks at that intersection as "awful." [TU Cap Con] [Fox23]
Stephen Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee accused of arson and intimidation, has been suspended with pay. Superintendent Eric Ely says he never witnessed out-of-bounds behavior from Raucci, but a former subordinate alleges in a lawsuit that Raucci created a hostile work environment. Raucci's father pleaded guilty to attempted murder and manslaughter after the death of his wife and 6-year-old son in 1986. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Schenectady police lieutenant who worked all of 12 days last year for the department -- at 2 1/2 times pay -- because of his union duties says his job is "terrible" and no one wants it. Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says the lieutenant's assertion that he's been spending all that time on union business is "crazy." [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police chief Mark Chaires said yesterday that some officers will be fired because of the absent-officer scandal. [Daily Gazette]
The special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's former House seat is now officially set for March 31. Here's a quick scan of the race so far. [Saratogian]
Albany Common Council president Shawn Morris says she will be running mayor this year -- she just hasn't officially announced it. And people are now lining up to replace her as common council president. [TU]
Michael LoPorto, the owner of LoPorto's Restaurant, says he's going to run for Troy City Council as an at-large candidate. He says an earlier run for the council was sabotaged by the city's political machine. [Troy Record]
Troy police say a woman upset over an ex-boyfriend went on a rampage this past weekend, ramming her car into other vehicles before stabbing the guy. [Troy Record]
Chuck Schumer was at UAlbany yesterday touting a tax break for college tuition that was part of the federal stimulus bill. [Troy Record]
The feds have proposed fining a Schenectady company $56,000 for workplace safety violations after an employee died from fumes in tanker truck last year. [Daily Gazette]
There are indications the economic downturn is prompting some people in the Capital Region to give up their pets. [TU]
Agents who list summer homes for rental in Saratoga say the 2009 market looks pretty good, though people do seem to be trying to negotiate more. [Post-Star]
The owner of the Springwater Bistro says the Saratoga restaurant will be closing at the end of May. David Britton, the chef/owner, says he'll be taking time to travel and appear on episodes of the Food Network's "Dinner Impossible." [TU]
A New York Collegiate Baseball League team will be playing games at Bleecker Stadium in Albany this summer. The league features high-level college players hitting with wooden bats. Ticket prices are expected to top out at $4.50. [TU]
The guy who hit the $25k half-court shot this past weekend at the Siena game is a former Cohoes High School basketball player. Brendan Bradt says he'll use the money to pay his student loans. He says he knew the shot was going in as soon as he let it go. [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
The founder of the Langan group of car dealerships died this past weekend. Upon first seeing the Volkswagen Bug in 1953, the longtime VW dealer reportedly said, "That's the ugliest thing I ever saw." [TU]
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I'm glad that TU is bringing attention to the growing number of animals at shelters, but I do wish they'd listed other ways of helping. Obviously money's tight right now, and not all apartments allow pets. But as we get closer to Spring Cleaning season, giving in-kind gifts could be a realistic possibility. Many shelters will accept old towels, recently-opened containers of dog food and treats, laundry detergent, batteries, old toys, pet training books, used collars, leashes, carriers, supplies, etcetera. It's absolutely worth checking out your local shelter to see what items they need or accept.
... said 23-Hour Alice Person on Feb 24, 2009 at 11:20 AM | link
Reconstruction at Delaware + Madison: Awesome!
But, is there any money in the stimulus funds for continuing the reconstruction of Central Ave further downtown? The updates to Central are excellent down around Colonie Center, but the condition of the road gets worse and worse as you get closer to downtown.
... said Paul on Feb 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM | link
Oh, I should have Googled my own question.. Here's a map of potential stimulus-funded projects in the area:
http://www.cdtcmpo.org/stimulus/stimulus.htm
One listed is 'Highway Resurfacing - Central Ave Ontario Street to Quail Street'
That's.... one block. But it may just contain the mammoth pothole that I attribute my flat tire to last week. I'll have to check on the way home from work.
... said Paul on Feb 24, 2009 at 4:13 PM | link