Cuomo pushes for independent redistricting, another post office closure in Albany, Harmony Mills developer looking in Troy, come on down!

Andrew Cuomo has introduced legislation that would create an independent commission to draw the lines for Congressional and state legislature districts, which advocates say would help end gerrymandering. Democrats have argued that Republican control the state Senate not because they got more votes from the public, but because of the way the districts are drawn. Dean Skelos said in a statement yesterday that redistricting reform is important -- but not currently a priority. [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]

Observers say Cuomo is trying to expand the powers of the state's executive branch. [WSJ via State of Politics]

Pedro Espada's state Senate office spent $1.2 million from April to September last year, the most of any senator (by about $300k). The now-indicted former senator had a staff of 50 people working for him. [TU] [NYDN]

The state Public Service Commission approved a plan to build a new high-voltage transmission line from from northern Saratoga County to Rotterdam. Many property owners along the path of the line opposed the project. The $66 million line will help power the GlobalFoundries fab in Malta. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]

Said a GloFo spokesman yesterday about the fab's economic impact on this area: "We think it's going to lead to very positive impacts, (but) we don't have a crystal ball into the future." Economic development officials say they're already seeing interest from companies looking to do business with the fab, but there's a lack of suitable office/warehouse space currently available. [Troy Record] [Post-Star]

The US Postal Service say it's closing the Patroon Station post office in north Albany (map). The USPS says it still hasn't made a decision about the Pine Hills Station on South Allen. [TU] [Fox23]

A Brighter Choice Foundation bid for financing through an economic development arm of the city of Albany was rejected, a decision some are placing in the larger context of the ongoing charter school debate. [TU]

Hank Morris, who was convicted of helping to organize the "pay to play" scheme at the state pension fund under former comptroller Alan Hevesi, was sentenced to 1.3-4 years in prison. [State of Politics]

Brian Scavo, the Albany County legislator accused of forging a tenant's signature on an eviction notice, has pleaded not guilty. [TU]
Rotterdam has become a hotspot for local municipal drama -- the latest turn is over the hiring of the a law firm for the town. [Daily Gazette]

The North Colonie school board voted to close the Maplewood School, which has been open in some form since 1897. The closure is expected to save $750k. [WTEN] [Troy Record] [YNN]

Hundreds of people showed up for a Bethlehem town meeting about whether the town should put in a bid for the bankrupt Normanside Country Club, a debate that balances concerns about the cost of the potential purchase (maybe more than $1 million) against the desire to preserve open space. [YNN] [TU]

The developer of the Harmony Mills apartments has interest in turning the Marshall Ray building on River Sreet in Troy into student housing (map). [Troy Record]

The head of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce says the Borders building in downtown Saratoga will probably be subdivided into space for four or five businesses after the bookstore closes. [TU]

Troy police say a man was mugged outside the Atrium during daylight on Wednesday. [Troy Record]

The Saratoga County sheriff's department says three men were arrested for allegedly stealing six Northface jackets from the EMS in Wilton. [CBS6]

A woman won a Travers Week trip to Saratoga yesterday on the Price is Right (and a trip to Scotland -- it was part of a showcase). "Tatiana" seemed rather excited. [WNYT]

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine