Tragic and weird day in Washington County, Campana out of Troy mayoral race, Guilderland clerk says faith prevents her from performing same-sex marriages, few details on UAlbany football stadium
A tragic and weird day in Washington County yesterday: State Police say an explosion at a house in Salem killed four people and injured seven others (map). Police say the cause of the explosion is under investigation, but it appears to have been a gas leak. The explosion completely leveled the house (the photos are remarkable -- it's like tornado hit the site). [CBS6] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Meanwhile, police were searching for a man wanted for question in a White Creek house fire that killed three people (map). The man -- and his girlfriend and child, who may have been held against their will -- later turned up in New Hampshire. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
Clement Camapana announced last night that he's dropping out of the race for mayor of Troy. The Democratic candidate, and Troy city council president, had been facing controversies over his father's placement in a publicly subsidized apartment and a possible connection to a ballot fraud case. Said Campana in a statement: ""When I decided to run for Mayor I expected attacks against me, I expected a lively debate about the issues facing this city. What I did not expect was such ruthless, politically motivated attacks against my family." [Troy Record] [TU]
Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan says a proposal to privatize the town landfill could bring the town as much as $100 million, wiping away the town's deficit. Denise Sheehan, a Republican running for supervisor, says she's skeptical of the proposed deal. [TU] [YNN]
Guilderland's town clerk says she's resigning her status at the town's marriage officer because her Catholic faith prevents her from performing same-sex marriages. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says his top priority for the next legislative session is limiting retirement benefits for new public employees. [NYT]
Documents released by the Saratoga Springs Police Department indicate that most of the 12 taser firings between January 2008 and October 2009 were at intoxicated people and, in at least one case, a man with mental illness. [TU]
The head of the Center for Law and Justice in Albany wants to the FBI to investigate the fatal shooting of an illegal immigrant by a sheriff's deputy near ALB in 2010. [TU]
An federal bust of an alleged international Albanian organized crime group included three people in the Capital Region. [TU]
Two para-sailors were left dangling in a tree near Lake George after the boat towing them flipped over. [Post-Star]
There aren't a lot of details on UAlbany's plan to build a football stadium. [TU]
The ownership group for the proposed brew pub on Broadway in Saratoga includes Albany Pump Station brewmaster George DePiro. [Saratogian]
PSY 335H at Sage College: Developmental Trajectories in Harry Potter. [Troy Record]
Let's hope the gumball was worth it. [TU]
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Comments
I find Rosemary Centi offensive on every conceivable level.
Centi said her resignation as marriage officiant is in no way a commentary on her feelings about gay rights, noting she has friends who are gay. She said her faith teaches her that marriage is a sacrament -- a sacred rite -- between a man and a woman.
what an absolute load of bollocks.
... said miles on Jul 14, 2011 at 10:39 AM | link
So the town clerk resigns her marriage office post because she feels marriage is a 'sacrament', and she can't marry same sex couples, yet she has long defied her church and marries dissimilar sex couples, something the church feels can only be done by a priest. Does this strike anyone else as being slightly hypocritical?
I support her right to do as she feels compelled to do, but the reasoning smells bad.
... said komradebob on Jul 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM | link
Three Albanian Albanians might be arrested? Does that mean half of our pizza shops will now close down? Where will I get my drunken 4am pizza?
Or are they the Lebanese? I can't remember.
... said Save Pine Hills on Jul 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM | link
This is an excellent point from the Town Supervisior:
"Runion, however, said as a government official Centi should feel obligated to execute the law, no matter what her personal belief about marriage are.
'We all take oaths to follow the laws of the state and the town and the federal government,' said Runion. 'Same-sex marriages are permitted under the law and it's our duty to perform them.'"
The acticle says she is running unopposed this Fall. Someone should get their name on the ballot. Someone willing to actually do the job they were elected to do.
... said Jessica R on Jul 14, 2011 at 12:53 PM | link
Centi has every right to refuse to enforce a law that violates her religion. Believe it or not "Separation of Church and State" works two ways. Just because 2 NY politicians broke promises and buckled under political pressure doesn't mean that marriage (as it has always existed) has changed at all. You'll see more ethical men and women like Centi taking a stand in the coming days.
... said Defend Marriage on Jul 14, 2011 at 3:07 PM | link
Oh, she's a victim. Got it.
With 14% unemployment I'm sure it won't be too hard to find someone to step up and do what's right.
... said miles on Jul 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM | link
Got a legal citation for that?
I find it hard to imagine that you can get out of an aspect of your job and expect to still be paid on religious grounds. If that is the case, I'm telling the boss the 1st church of Bob prohibits working except on alternate odd Thursdays with a full moon because my overlord prohibits it.
... said komradebob on Jul 14, 2011 at 4:43 PM | link
Pharmacists have long been able to avoid dispensing drugs that they find objectionable under "conscience clauses." Emergency contraception is the obvious one, but it extends to regular hormonal birth control.
I would not be surprised to see a push from the Catholic Conference to allow all officials to "opt out" based on "deeply held beliefs."
Why I can understand the need to respect religious beliefs, I think there is a moral imperative to serve your client or constituency.
... said abby on Jul 15, 2011 at 8:30 AM | link