Cuomo expected to push for school superintendent salary cap, odd case involving stolen safe, advice: kick the butt of those who are not the best
Andrew Cuomo reportedly will push this week for legislation that would cap school district superintendents' salaries. The governor criticized superintendent salaries during his budget presentations earlier this month. He's also praised district administrations that have taken pay cuts or canceled scheduled pay increases. [WSJ] [NYT] [NYT]
Cuomo's fill-in-the-blanks approach to budget cuts appears to be working so far -- to the surprise of many, including him. In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- that, he's sounding a bit steamroller-ish on the budget process. [NYT] [TU]
As in last year's budget, the Cuomo budget does not include funding for "member items" -- and it turns out people are starting to miss the pork. [TU]
The Albany school board will reportedly ask the teachers union to accept a wage and benefit freeze. [TU]
Dhanashar Persaud, the Schenectady man accused of killing Ganesh Ramgoolam on Maple Ave last year, has pleaded guilty. Prosecutors say the killing was the result of a feud between two Guyanese groups. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's office says a safe with more than $35k stolen from Northern Lights two weeks ago was found in the Hudson near Pougkeepsie. They say two suspects from Rensselaer County were arrested in New Jersey with $33k of the money. And a club employee who was questioned about the theft -- and said he wasn't involved -- has committed suicide. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Fox23] [TU]
The State Police car involved in the crash with a cab on Washington Ave in Albany last week was reportedly responding to a call of an allegedly drunk driver -- who himself crashed a few blocks away. [WNYT]
Local police say they've seen an increase in unexplained drifting and swerving by drivers -- and suspect drivers are distracted by texting and talking on the phone. [Troy Record]
Roger Hull -- the former Union College president who's said he's running for mayor of Schenectady -- criticized city council president Gary McCarthy's plan to take on the duties of the mayor's office on a part-time basis (by law, the council can't appoint McCarthy mayor, nor can it pay him to do the job full time). [TU]
An attorney representing a man being sued by the Colonie-based org NXIVM alleges the group is a "multi-level marketing scheme." [TU]
The most commonly available pot in upstate New York is grown in Canadian greenhouses. [TU]
A handful of Saratoga restaurants says it appears someone has been trying to scam them via relay, the service that helps people with hearing disabilities use the telephone. [Saratogian]
Local dairies have had trouble breaking into the school lunch market because of the cost of putting milk in all those tiny cardboard containers. [Post-Star]
You might want to double check the directions your GPS system is giving you in the Adirondacks. [TU]
Guptill's Arena in Latham recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. [Troy Record]
Advice from a 104-year-old Schenectady woman: "Always see the best in people ... And if you find out they're not the best, give them a kick in the pants!" [Daily Gazette]
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Comments
Northern Light story is pretty wild. Ted Etoll (Step Up Presents, Northern Lights co-owner) must be at least happy that most of the money was recovered.
Rumor has it that the "disabling" of the camera was done by covering it with a shirt. Classic.
... said James at 44 on Feb 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM | link
My increased drifting and swerving has to do with an increase in potholes!
... said Jessica R on Feb 28, 2011 at 11:35 AM | link
I'm not at all against the concept of the legislation to cap superintendents' pay, but $15 million is such a tiny drop in the bucket it scarcely seems worth anyone's time.
... said James Cronen on Feb 28, 2011 at 11:43 AM | link
Only a DEA agent in charge of the northern boarder would come with the answer of 'Canadian greenhouses'.
... said Jeff S on Feb 28, 2011 at 12:37 PM | link
"Cuomo's fill-in-the-blanks approach to budget cuts appears to be working so far -- to the surprise of many, including him. In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- that, he's sounding a bit steamroller-ish on the budget process. [NYT] [TU]"
Maybe Cuomo would enjoy some fava beans and a nice Chianti with his budget cuts.
... said Bob on Feb 28, 2011 at 1:31 PM | link
Note to all restaurant owners/employees in the area: that scam isn't just in Saratoga. They call up and want to order one of your dishes for 220 people on a certain date. The problem is, you're listening to what sounds like a computer and/or operator and the person they are ordering for is deaf. Creative, these idiots are.
... said Save Pine Hills on Feb 28, 2011 at 2:13 PM | link
The TTY scam - the credit cards given are usually stolen.
This scam is also done with retail stores who ship. Scammers get the merchandise (quantities of new hot items). Not sure what they get out the restaurant scam.
... said Tess on Feb 28, 2011 at 5:08 PM | link
"increase in unexplained drifting and swerving by drivers"
Potholes, that is.
Last week I spent $700 for suspension repairs. That's a second time in two years...
Albany roads now remind me of Chechnya (a war region in Russia)
... said Lu on Feb 28, 2011 at 7:41 PM | link