Espada lashes out at Cuomo, allegations of nepotism at NYSTI called "bogus," smoking ban extended in Schenectady, upset over Chipotle
State Senate majority leader Pedro Espada called the civil suit filed against him for allegedly "looting" his health care non-profit by Andrew Cuomo's office "simple political payback for what the establishment likes to call the Senate coup" and "the steamroller approach." He also asserted that Cuomo had supported the Senate coup as a means of weakening David Paterson and presented a flow chart to accompany his argument. Cuomo said yesterday that "criminal charges are a very real possibility" in the case. The offices of Soundview, Espada's org, were raided this morning by the feds and investigators from the state AG's office. [AOA] [Daily Politics] [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23] [NYT] [NYT City Room]
The attorney for NYSTI director Patricia Snyder said the nepotism allegations in yesterday's state Inspector General's report are "bogus" and called the investigation a "hatchet job" and said the report is "mean-spirited and short-sighted and ignores policies, practices and traditions well established in this industry." NYSTI's chairman says the board is "deeply concerned" about the allegations. [AOA] [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
Jim Coyne has been hired to manage Sandy Horowitz's troubled properties in Troy (Horowitz owns a large chunk of downtown Troy, including the Cannon Building). Coyne, a former Albany County exec, helped develop the Knickerbocker Arena (now TU Center) and redevelop the Washington Ave Armoy. He also was convicted of a taking a bribe from the architect of the Knick. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette archive]
Charlie Muller says a loaded assault rifle was turned in to the Albany gun buyback. [WNYT]
The Coeymans town board has asked supervisor Henry Traver to resign. Traver was arrested last week for allegedly torching his own home in 2008. [WTEN] [Fox23]
Schenectady is expected to expand its ban on the use of tobacco products to include city playgrounds and ballfields. [Daily Gazette $]
The Rensselaer County jail has been testing a body scanning device that reads differences in heat to pick up objects such as weapons. [TU] [WNYT]
St. Brigid's Catholic elementary school in Watervliet is closing at the end of this school year because of low enrollment. The school is 156 years old. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Lansingburgh school district budget would increase taxes 2.9 percent. [Troy Record]
State police say a Washington County man forged his mother's signature on a will in order to cut his siblings out of their inheritance. [CBS6]
Former Siena star basketball player Kenny Hasbrouck was arrested for DWI in February on 787. [WTEN]
Some of the tenants at Stuyvesant Plaza are apparently not happy that Chipotle is opening a location there. [TU]
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Comments
Wow, I'm surprised by the backlash Chipotle is causing with businesses in Stuyvesant Plaza.
I can understand Peaches' frustration if it's going in right next to their business, but parking is a problem there? Every time I've gone to Stuy Plaza, the parking on that end has been arguably the emptiest, even with Creo there.
I also agree Chipotle's got a wider pull than many of them may think - a lot of parents like bringing their kids there for a cheap & quick but satisfying meal. If we were talking about a Hardee's or Jack In The Box, they'd be on to something.
... said Albany Jane on Apr 21, 2010 at 12:27 PM | link
I agree with Albany Jane. I was surprised at the choice of location but Stuyvesant has a distinct clientele and I think many businesses would benefit from a more diverse group of people.
... said KatherineSass on Apr 22, 2010 at 2:03 PM | link