Former judge sentenced to prison, Paterson criticizes Shen superintendent, NYRA president says racing at Saratoga threatened, the 25-pound chocolate Santa

Former state Supreme Court judge Thomas Spargo, whose chambers were in Albany, was sentenced to more than two years in prison yesterday for trying to shake down attorneys. Spargo's attorney had argued for no jail time, but Judge Gary Sharpe said, "We can't ignore what happened here." (And, yep, Sharpe is also the judge in the Joe Bruno case.) [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [TU]

New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said yesterday that the state's school districts will face a $2 billion funding gap when federal stimulus money runs out in 2011. He says that could mean a property tax increase of 8 percent. [NYS OSC] [TU]

David Paterson criticized Shen schools superintendent Oliver Robinson yesterday for Robinson's "complaining" (Paterson's word) about delayed state aid to schools. Paterson said he didn't know why Robinson was complaining about $180,000 when Shen has $3.8 million in reserve. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]

Rudy Giuliani is expected to announce today that he won't run for office in 2010 -- not even US Senate. He's expected to endorse Rick Lazio for governor. [NYDN] [NYT] [AP/TU]

The first person in Albany County charged under a new state law that makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car is an obstetrician from Vorheesville. Guilderland police say she was pulled over on Route 155 Saturday night. The child in the car belongs to a colleague, who was also riding in the car. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [WTEN]

NYRA's president says racing at Saratoga could be in jeopardy if the state doesn't pick a winning bidder for the racino contract at Aqueduct soon. [TU] [Saratogian]

The City of Albany has agreed to turn over thousands of voided parking tickets to the Times Union. The paper had sued the city for the tickets after the its FOIL request was turned down. [TU]

The Albany Common Council approved a measure that makes it illegal to keep a commercial vehicle idling for more than five minutes. The council also approved a resolution condemning the MTV show Jersey Shore. [TU] [Fox23]

An Albany common councilman says he'll introduce a measure next year that would require most new city employees to live in the city. [CBS6]

Cohoes police say they arrested an elderly man after he allegedly tried to steal a car with a toddler in the back. [Troy Record]

Momentive Performance Materials is rolling back a pay cut for its salaried employees -- but not for its hourly workers. [Troy Record]

Waterford police say a man stopped for DWI this past weekend registered a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit. [CBS6]

Colonie High School is letting out 20 minutes earlier this week so buses can avoid the traffic around Colonie Center. [TU]

In an attempt to save money the state Division of Budget will not be providing printed copies of the 2010 state budget. [NYO]

If you're in search of a 25-pound chocolate Santa, try Wilton. [Saratogian]

Comments

I guess the obstetrician will lose her license to practice medicine if she is convicted of a felony. Maybe that will stop some other docs from drinking and driving with children in the car, one can hope...

Shouldn't the Governor of New York, be referred to as such on first reference, not as simply "David Paterson".
I know you're not a newspaper, but still...

Say Something!

We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.

What's All Over Albany?

All Over Albany is for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. In other words, it's for you. It's kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who can help you find out what's up. Oh, and our friends call us AOA.

Search

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine