More details in alleged Saratoga assault that police say was racially motivated, Paterson fined for Yankees tickets, proposal submitted for ShopRite on Central Ave
More details in the alleged assault in Saratoga Springs over the weekend that police say was racially motivated. Saratoga Springs police say four Skidmore students assaulted two men in Compton's around 5:30 Saturday morning. Police say the students -- all African-American or Hispanic -- questioned "why a black man was sitting with a white man and began taunting them and making racially derogatory statements toward the two" (not clear is what prompted this alleged exchange). One of the students is facing two felony charges, both marked as hate crimes, for allegedly smashing a plate over the head of one of the men. Police say the student told them after he was arrested: "Yeah, so I hit him with the plate. It's not like if he had the chance he wouldn't have hit me with the plate." There are conflicting reports about whether Skidmore is suspending the students. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN] [CBS6]
David Paterson was fined a little more than $62k by the state Commission on Public Integrity for soliciting and accepting free Yankees World Series tickets. The commission says Paterson gave "false testimony" in the case, and that he "set a totally inappropriate tone by his dishonest and unethical conduct." An attorney for Paterson says the commission "wildly misrepresented the facts." [NYT] [TU] [NYS CPI] [Fox23]
An Albany Common Council override vote of the veto to funding for Public Bath No. 2 failed 8-6, during a sometimes heated meeting. Councilman Anton Konev -- a supported of the pool -- was not present because he was visiting family in Russia, and his request to vote via Skype was rejected. [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU]
The Saratoga County IDA has approved $111 million in sales tax exemptions for a possible future expansion of the GlobalFoundries chip fab. It seemed reluctant to offer tax exemptions to a "flex space" project in Malta that's apparently aiming to house GloFo suppliers. [Post-Star] [Post-Star]
The state Court of Appeals declined to order a hand recount in a close state Senate race, so it looks like the Republicans will end up as the majority in the chamber. [TU]
Kids from NYSTI's production of A Christmas Carol went to the Capitol yesterday in costume as part of a photo op to prompt support for the arts org, which is slated to close at the end of the year. Despite a half hour of caroling, they didn't get an audience with David Paterson. [Troy Record] [TU]
Chris Gibson says the planning and policy making involved with the repeal of DADT will take away from combat training. [Capitol Pressroom/TU CapCon]
Schenectady County's overall tax levy is going down in the next budget -- but taxes for homeowners in Schenectady and Niskayuna will be going up. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady's top attorney is back on the job after being out for six months of sick leave. His absence had prompted questions about whether he was entitled to receive his full salary while gone, but he says was using accumulated leave. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany's Zoning Board of Appeals has received a proposal for the ShopRite that's apparently in the works for the OTB Teletheater spot on Central Ave. [TU]
The owner of Subway franchise in Arbor Hill would like the state DOT to add her restaurant -- and other eateries on that side of I-90 -- to the sign that currently indicates food options are only to the north of Exit 6. [TU]
Susan Herbst -- former provost and acting president at UAlbany -- has been named the president at UConn. [AP/NYT]
People who fly jets and people who fly gliders are apparently not getting along at the Saratoga County Airport. [Saratogian]
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Comments
Whoa. In this day and age, a white man can't sit with a black man in a diner without being harassed? There was a time when such a simple pleasure was ILLEGAL, and the eradication of such terrible laws should be celebrated. These kids took a giant leap backward socially, and should be ashamed of themselves. I hope Skidmore makes a good example of them, and makes it loud and clear that such behavior will not be tolerated from their students.
... said Summer on Dec 21, 2010 at 2:04 PM | link
What's interesting is that three of them were black and one was Hispanic. I don't know where most of you grew up but most blacks and Hispanic people I know don't get along, especially those from NYC where these kids are all from. So obviously this wasn't really a racial thing, it was just four punk-asses starting things at 5am after a Friday night out smoking dutches. I wouldn't be surprised that the guy who got assaulted was running his mouth as well.
... said Save Pine Hills on Dec 21, 2010 at 3:21 PM | link