State of the State today, hundreds show up for save-the-Y meeting, Some Girls "in jeopardy," Murphy says he was "clotheslined" in the House
David Paterson is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address this afternoon at 1 pm (webcast). He's expected to propose a set of reforms aimed at fighting political corruption. Among the proposals: terms limits for legislators and a requirement that legislators disclose their outside income. [NYT] [TU]
The executive director of the Capital District YMCA said last night at a community meeting that the Washington Ave location -- which is on the verge of closing -- lost almost $400k last year. He said the location currently has 1800 memberships -- and, to stay open, needs 2500 by April and 3500 by the end of the year. About 400 people showed up for the meeting. [TU] [@sebastienbarre] [ACO]
The Duanesburg Central School District announced yesterday that almost $3 million had been stolen from its accounts electronically last month. The district says about $2.5 million has been recovered. The theft came to light after the district's bank flagged a transaction to an overseas bank account. A district official says they thought they had "the proper safeguards in place" to prevent such a crime. The FBI and state police are investigating. The district says it does not believe the theft was an inside job. The district has a budget of $15 million. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
After years of planning, the Albany Police Department recently installed cameras in its patrol cars. Here's press release explaining how the system works. [TU] [APD]
There was a "People's State of the State" rally outside the Capitol yesterday, at which NYPIRG's Blair Horner said there's a "political crime wave" in the Capitol. Advocates for the poor also called for increasing the minimum wage to $10/hour. [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
City policy in Saratoga Springs requires that two drivers occupy vehicles involved in snow removal -- a provision that public works commissioner says has become unworkable because of job cuts. [Saratogian]
The president of the Troy City Council says the body will hold up the proposed sale of the city's Uncle Sam parking garage. The garage was to be sold for $2.15 million. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany School District is looking at making changes to better compete with the city's charter schools. [TU]
Jack Cunnigham, who was just voted out as Bethlehem supervisor, is becoming the the public works commissioner in Colonie. [TU]
Schenectady police say a crossing guard may have been asleep on the job Monday morning. [Daily Gazette $]
Troy police say a robbery Monday afternoon set off a car chase between the victim and the alleged mugger. [Troy Record]
A man in Rensselaer County is accused of trying run down another man with a snow plow. [TU]
Preservationists says state funding cuts are endangering the state's collection of Civil War battle flags. [Saratogian]
The owners of Some Girls Boutique in Troy say the recent code problems with the Cannon Building have put their business "in jeopardy." [Troy Record]
Scott Murphy says he was "clotheslined" by a police officer while walking into the House chamber at the US Capitol because the officer didn't recognize him. [Saratogian]
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@anyone at the Y meeting Metroland wrote a scathing article about how CD Y had pretty much already made up their mind to close the facility and didn't really seem interested in saving it. I love Metroland, but I don't exactly look to them for objective reporting. What was the sense from people who were there?
... said Jackers on Jan 6, 2010 at 10:50 AM | link
RE: State of the State
Why, oh why did I not read this when I woke up this morning late from a headache to drive into work and not be able to park ANYWHERE near the Plaza (where I work) b/c EVERYTHING was reserved. I had no idea why! DOH!! If I read AOA in the AM, when I'm at home (by chance) maybe I'd know these things. I deserved that!
... said Kari on Jan 6, 2010 at 1:04 PM | link
Can anybody provide me with some background on the current Uncle Sam Parking Garage lease? Sounds like an insanely sweet deal for the tenant. Also sounds like the ten-years worth of unilateral options prevents the City from simply borrowing against the garage's future earnings.
I live across the corner from that garage, so this matters to me. What's the lowdown on that lease?
LQ
... said Lou Quillio on Jan 6, 2010 at 2:17 PM | link
@jackers: I think I saw some people from Metroland there last night (Ali H taking some notes), stay tuned. Brown tried to send a message of "urgency" by announcing the Y could close. Not that he wanted to close it, or that it was already decided. A lot of community leaders spoke that night, expressing how much they rely on the Y, and that they want to help. Brown said he would cooperate with them. I was a little surprised how much he put on the community's shoulders to save the Y; besides lowering the price, I didn't see much of a plan on his side, so everybody will have to get creative. The YMCA organization itself has been around for a while, there is no way this kind of situation has not happened to a urban Y before, somewhere else in the country: if there is a record of such an event, maybe we could learn about what they tried to do, what worked, and what didn't.
... said -S on Jan 6, 2010 at 2:51 PM | link