City treasurer received ghost tickets, it's good to be a lobbyist, problems at the Muddy Cup, Chopper uses AdvantEdge cards to notify of recall, Fallon was quizzed for final credits
Albany city treasurer Betty Barnette has testified that she had no knowledge of the ghost ticket system until she read about it in the news -- but the TU has obtained copies of seven no-fine tickets given to... Barnette. She says she has no memory of receiving the tickets. [TU] [CBS6]
Firms that lobby the state billed their clients almost $174 million last year. NYSUT spent $4.4 million -- the most of any single group. [Biz Review]
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are apparently becoming BFF. He's even memorized her mobile number. [NYT]
The Saratoga County towns that had sued to hold up the Hudson dredging over concerns about their drinking water supply have dropped their suit. The dredging project is scheduled to start this month. [Daily Gazette]
The City of Troy is considering whether to accept a federal grant worth almost $900k that would help pay for eight new firefighters -- the catch is that hiring the firefighters could cost much more. The firefighters' union is urging the city to take the money and says the extra crew could be used to staff a firehouse near RPI. [Troy Record] [TU]
Robert T. Henry, the guy arrested in Troy this week after allegedly escaping from a Tennessee prison almost 30 years ago, is fighting his extradition back to the state. [Troy Record]
A railroad company is proposing to build an almost $15 million ethanol storage facility near Port of Albany. [TU]
Rail advocates hope that the increased state and federal focus on rail transportation will lead to better service between Albany and Montreal. [Post-Star]
One of the reasons local bakeries are upset about the upcoming Albany County ban on trans-fats: the ban doesn't apply to large chain stores. [Daily Gazette]
The Muddy Cup chain of coffee houses has been having some trouble -- some locations have closed and the Hudson location sold. The Albany and Schenectady locations remain open. [TU]
Price Chopper used data collected via its AdvantEdge cards to notify 900 customers that they had bought starfruit that had been recalled. [TU]
A chunk of Troy's Oakwood Cemetery has been sold to a developer who plans to build an apartment complex on it. [Troy Record]
A St. Rose professor went to NYC last month to quiz Jimmy Fallon on his knowledge of communications in order to see if the comedian qualified for the final credits necessary for his degree. [TU] [AOA]
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Comments
That reminds me - I should really update my address and contact info with Price Chopper. The info they have for me hasn't been applicable since August...of 2000.
... said Kevin Marshall on May 8, 2009 at 9:50 AM | link
Is anyone else totally creeped out by the cemetary selling land? The apartments should be rented with a legally required disclaimer "beware poltergeists" or "Craig T Nelson may run into your bedroom and yell into your closet."
... said Katherine on May 8, 2009 at 10:00 AM | link
"A chunk of Troy's Oakwood Cemetery has been sold to a developer who plans to build an apartment complex on it"
Noooooo!! Why don't we just rename the Capital District "Apartment Complex Capital of the World." Have you noticed all of these (and condo-complexes) popping up in the area over the past year or two??
I've spent a substantial amount of time in Oakwood. I guess I'll have to take my photo group back there before the desecration begins...
... said Kim D. on May 8, 2009 at 10:02 AM | link
In regards to the ghost tickets, I half expected to read:
When further questioned, Betty Barnette pointed behind me and shouted "Oh my god, what the hell is that?" When I turned back around after seeing nothing, Better Barnette was running away as fast as she could.
... said Pantaloons on May 8, 2009 at 10:10 AM | link
Has anyone ever looked into whether or not PC sells the info they collect (who buys what, etc) from their Advantage Cards? I doubt they'd spend money deploying and promoting a somewhat un-user-friendly system just for the occasional recall.
... said Ellsass on May 8, 2009 at 10:34 AM | link
The land Oakwood is selling isn't actually contiguous with the cemetery. They own land on the other side of Oakwood ave. I stumbled on it last week by accident. I remember mentioning to Godiva 'Hey, I never knew Oakwood Cemetery owned land over here.
So no need to worry about it ruining the classic beauty of Oakwood cemetery.
If you look at the link below, it's the part on the right side of Oakwood that wraps around the landscaping company and the near abandoned florist.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=oakwood+cemertery,+troy,+ny&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.682067,55.722656&ie=UTF8&ll=42.763587,-73.660412&spn=0.027726,0.054417&z=14
... said komradebob on May 8, 2009 at 11:04 AM | link