Legislature approves loan to save Saratoga season -- parks money blocked, Schenectady rosary student suspended again, bank robbery in Saratoga
It looks like the racing season at Saratoga will go on this summer after the state legislature approved a budget extender bill that includes a $25 million loan for NYRA. Some legislators criticized how the deal came together. Said Ron Canestrari after the vote: "All of the scare tactics going on, well, they may have worked." Roy McDonald said the money is "only the first step" to stabilizing the state's racing industry. [Saratogian] [TU] [CBS6] [WTEN]
The state legislature did not approve a measure that would have allocated money to open the state's closed parks, including Thacher Park. The measure would have pulled $110 million from the Environmental Protection Fund -- even though only $6 million was needed to open to the parks. Sheldon Silver called the Paterson administration's attempted re-allocation "inappropriate" and said "the governor never should have closed the parks." [TU] [State of Politics] [CBS6] [YNN]
Spa State Park says it's already raised half of the $250k in private money it needs to renovate its Geyser Park area. [Saratogian] [TU]
Raymond Hosier showed up at Schenectady's Oneida Middle School yesterday again wearing his rosary -- and he was suspended again. His mother said they planned to send him to school again today. The American Center for Law and Justice says it will sue the district if it doesn't allow the boy to openly wear the rosary. [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo will be in Troy today to accept the nomination of the Independence Party's executive committee. [Daily Politics]
There's another Republican in the pool for governor: M. Myers Mermel. He's called for Andrew Cuomo to resign from his job as AG. [State of Politics] [YNN]
Michael Carey, the father of Jonathan Carey, says he running to be the Republican candidate in the 46th state Senate district (currently Neil Breslin's seat). [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say the Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co on West Ave was robbed yesterday. They say the suspect got away in a red volvo station wagon, which they say they've found and searched. [Saratogian] [Fox23] [YNN]
It appears that the Troy school board will vote to adopt a contingency budget for the district, rather than put a new budget up for a public vote. [Troy Record]
A potential $40k bill for HVAC work at the temporary Troy city hall has brought back criticism of the city's lease on the building. [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs plans to re-open part of the parking lot between Lillian's and Catina on Broadway. [Post-Star]
Albany police say they arrested a Mohonasen middle school teacher for allegedly possessing crack and powder cocaine. [Fox23]
NYSERDA is giving a $2 million grant to the flywheel project planned for Rensselaer County. [TU]
The Town of Malta says it's investigating complaints that the Albany-Saratoga Speedway is violating zoning rules. [Daily Gazette $]
Victory's planning board has approved the site plans for proposed $18 million renovation of the Victory Mill. [Post-Star]
Students from Blue Creek Elementary in Colonie will perform a special piece tonight composed in honor of classmate Ben Stowell, who died from cancer. [TU] [NCSD]
Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of Sister Maureen Joyce, who directed the Catholic Charities in the Albany Diocese for two decades. She was remembered for her work helping the poor, elderly, pregnant teens and people with HIV. [YNN] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
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re: Raymond Hosier
Let's propose a 'What if?'... Raymond was never confronted or disciplined and he continues to wear the rosary outside of his shirt. In a random act of violence, he is mistaken as a gang member due to the color of his rosary and Raymond is seriously injured or hurt. The school is partially/fully blamed due to the school dress code not being enforced. It clearly outlines that any article of clothing that can be misconstrued as representing gang colors (e.g., bandanas, beads, bracelets) is not to be worn in school. Who loses in this situation?
A few facts--Raymond was asked several times, over the course of several days, to place his rosary under his shirt. He was never asked to take it off. This was for HIS safety. He can still mourn the loss of close family members. Raymond was suspended for insubordination--disregarding school rules and policies; he was not suspended for wearing rosary beads. What type of message are Raymond's mother and the American Center for Law and Justice sending by allowing, and even encouraging, Raymond to blatantly ignore and disregard school rules, policies, and administrators who have nothing but safety on their minds?
... said Jason on May 25, 2010 at 10:36 AM | link
I second that, Jason. Whatever happened to "do what you're told"? Plus not even Catholics wear rosary beads anymore...
... said Save Pine Hills on May 25, 2010 at 11:07 AM | link