Paterson making the rounds in last days as governor, police warn of purse thefts in parking lots, rumors of Proctors/Cap Rep merger denied
David Paterson on his unplanned ascension to the governorship in 2008: "Next time I'm going to know when I become governor, and next time I want to be a governor with money rather than without it." He says becoming governor was the "Most exciting thing that happened to me in my life. Something that I never expected. And, a challenge, difficult, acrimonious at times, always a struggle." And on his record: "People may not agree with everything I've done, but I think we have governed carefully and expeditiously." [Troy Record] [YNN] [Daily Politics]
A state archivist says Paterson could have sent his papers to the state archive for free -- instead of spending $250k in state money to give them to Cornell. [TU]
The head of NYRA says NYC OTB's collapse could end up being good for horse racing in the state over the long term. At an Assembly hearing yesterday, there was discussion of consolidating the state's various OTBs in an effort to create efficiencies, though some say they're concerned about a loss of local control. [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian]
A former chef at Envy Lounge testified yesterday that owner Timothy Rankins had made threatening comments about Steve Barnes -- and said she called investigators a day after the attack. [TU]
After raising taxes on cigarettes this past summer, state revenue from cigarette sales was up more than 23 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. [Daily Gazette]
The Saratoga County board of supervisors approved a budget that includes no property tax increase. They also approved the appointment of candidates for five management positions, including county administrator. [Post-Star] [TU]
State police say a Waterford man working for private contractor with the state stole 15,000 social security numbers. [CBS6]
A married Schenectady couple was sentenced to prison after being convicted of embezzling $3.6 million via a Hindu temple. [Daily Gazette]
East Greenbush police say there's been a rash of purse thefts from big box store parking lots. And Saratoga Springs police say a man stole a purse from a woman in the parking lot of the Railroad Place Price Chopper this week. [Fox23] [CBS6]
Berlin's middle/high school was put on lock down yesterday because the school "experienced tension among students" after the death of a student who graduated last year. There reportedly was a fight after a student made a comment a t-shirt memorializing the former student. [BCSD] [TU] [Troy Record]
The plan to possibly merge the Cohoes and Watervliet fire departments has hit a bump -- in this case, the bump is apparently the consulting firm hired to help study the idea. [Troy Record]
Troy is formally asking for proposals to redevelop the former city hall site and the city's waterfront. [Troy Record]
New research suggests that White Nose Sydrome -- the fungus first identified in a Schoharie County cave that's been devastating bat populations -- kills bats by damaging their wings, causing them to dehydrate. [TU]
An fund for angel investors in Tech Valley is hoping to start making investments next spring. [Saratogian]
Despite rumors of a possible merger, leaders of Capital Rep and Proctors say there's no deal under discussion. [Troy Record]
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