Anger over accident that killed child, Albany County budget gap grows, DA says alleged kidnapper had forged passport, Guilderland horse wins race
Troy police say they're investigating the accident that killed a five-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon -- but they're already saying the detective driving the unmarked police vehicle was not speeding. The boy's family isn't so sure -- and says it's waiting for an apology. The president of the Troy police union questioned why the child was crossing the street alone. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU]
Severe thunderstorms dropped as much as 4.5 inches of rain on parts of Columbia and Green counties yesterday, causing flooding which led to road closures. States of emergency were declared in Kinderhook, Stuvesant and New Lebanon. Rail service to-and-from NYC has been suspended until at least noon. [TU] [CBS6] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Attendance -- and the amount bet -- at The Track were both up yesterday compared to last year's opening day. The totals fell short of 2007 numbers, though. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany County is facing a budget gap of $19 million, according to a letter sent out by county exec Mike Breslin. [TU]
The Saratoga County DA says the illegal immigrant accused of kidnapping a woman in Saratoga Springs last week had used a forged passport and social security card to get a job at a Malta restaurant. [Saratogian]
Chuck Schumer is pushing for federal legislation that would ban texting while driving. [AP/Saratogian]
There's a lot of buzz at state agencies about who will be eligible for the $20k buyout -- the list of qualifying positions is still being formulated. [TU]
Tennessee authorities finally showed up to claim Robert Henry, the Troy man who allegedly escaped from a Tennessee prison almost 30 years ago. The Volunteer State's delay has some Rensselaer County officials annoyed. [TU] [Troy Record]
CDTA ridership is down by 300,000 boardings since the April fare increase -- but the transit org says the dip isn't the result of the more expensive fare. [Daily Gazette]
With the annual Whitney Gala canceled because of the recession, Marylou and her husband have been focusing on a bunch of programs and benefits for backstretch workers at The Track. [Daily Gazette]
A horse from Guilderland won a race yesterday. [CapNews9]
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That poor, poor boy. His parents are in prison, and he was living with his aunt in a homeless shelter?!
I also feel terrible for the cop who hit him. I know that cops do have a tendency to bend traffic rules, but how can the family point the finger at the officer when nobody was helping this FIVE YEAR OLD BOY cross the busy street? It's just another case of inattentive guardians blaming everyone but themselves. I'm so sick of it.
... said Summer on Jul 30, 2009 at 10:49 AM | link
Why is it when something tragic happens, the first instinct is to start the finger-pointing? That child's life was taken in a tragic accident, one that could have happened to anyone. The family must be in agony, yet the first response in the newspaper is to tear them apart. Instead of getting on your high horse and trying to assign blame, how about simply mourning a life that was taken too soon? You don't hear this type of outrage about negligence when some rich suburbanite kid falls into his pool.
One time I was in my kitchen and my doorbell rang. My 2-year-old had figured out how to unlock my front door and get outside, and one of the kids in the neighborhood alerted me. I am an attentive parent and he was out of my sight for one minute, but he could have darted out to the street. I know I'm not the only one who has a "close-call" story like that. It's unfair to jump to conclusions about strangers based on assumptions about their background. Just because someone is poor doesn't mean he/she doesn't love his child.
... said Lucy on Jul 30, 2009 at 3:57 PM | link
What Lucy Said.
... said Mrs. M on Jul 30, 2009 at 4:38 PM | link
I don't ride a high horse, and I never said anything about anyone being poor. Sorry if I offended anyone.
... said Summer on Jul 30, 2009 at 5:02 PM | link
Summer, I don't think Lucy was necessarily talking about you when she said that. It's just that, your perspective changes a lot when you have a kid and you hear about accidents. Lucy's right about close calls. My son never even had so much as a diaper rash because I was so attentive to him. But the day he learned to walk, he burned his hands on the oven door because I didn't know he had walked up behind me while I was taking something out. It happened in a fraction of a second. Thank god his burns didn't scar (they did require an ER visit). But it shook me to my core, because I realized I wasn't as in control as I thought I was. Plus, I was really afraid someone would accuse me of negligence. No matter how much attention you give your kid, sometimes accidents just happen, so I think it's important for everyone to reserve judgment. And I'm not singling you out, I swear. In fact, I know you're one of the least judgmental folks on here.
... said Mrs. M on Jul 30, 2009 at 6:39 PM | link
I understand, and all good points, of course. I am not a parent, so I think it's easy to assume that if something terrible happens it can be a result of negligence on the part of the guardian. The sad thing is, that these things often DO occur as a result of negligence. Heck, I see it all the time on the street. However, you're right, it is wrong to jump to conclusions. I understand that accidents do happen.
One thing I don't do, however, is reserve judgment for a certain demographic. The kid seemed to have a raw deal, what with his parents being in jail and living in a homeless shelter, but maybe he was happy? Who knows. I would like to think that if nothing else, I'm at least wise enough to know that crappy parents come in all shapes and sizes. All I do know in this particular situation though, is that he was only five and crossing a busy thoroughfare unattended, and everyone is blaming the cop who was probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The rest is all guesswork.
... said Summer on Jul 30, 2009 at 7:45 PM | link
Summer, I totally agree with you. It's just really sad any way you slice it. I think in this type of situation, everybody emotions are understandably high.
... said Mrs. M on Jul 30, 2009 at 10:27 PM | link
And now for something completely different...
Isn't there already a law to ban texting while driving? It's called driving recklessly. And if you're not paying attention to the road, driving erratically and causing potentially dangerous situations on the road, you can get ticketed for it.
No more Nanny State, thank you.
... said Ellie on Jul 31, 2009 at 9:41 AM | link
I was referring to the capitalized misspelled comments in the actual article when I commented. I didn't even see Summer's comment before I posted. And the kid clearly does have a raw deal because he will never make it to adulthood. The thing is, none of us know the circumstances of this kids life. To me, the only appropriate response to the untimely death of an innocent child who I've never met is regret and sadness.
... said Lucy on Aug 2, 2009 at 3:25 PM | link