Capital Region is last with $50 Million in NY economic development race, prosecutors say Anderson confessed to Thomas murder, child poverty in Schenectady up

President Obama appointed Joe Biden to head a gun violence prevention task force and reiterated his support for a ban on assault weapons. [YNN]

The Capital Region placed last in the competition for economic development funding from New York State.The region will gt $50.3 million in funding which will fund projects like a busines incubagter in the former Union Station in Albany, Troy's Riverfront Park, and upgrade at Watervliet Arsenal and the rebuilding of Prattsville from damage inflicted by Hurricane Irene.Over 50 projects in the 45th Senate District were funded including $50,00 for an expnsion at Davidson Brothers Brewery, $400,000 for a Warren County Warrensburg Health Center, and $137,00 Georgia O'Keefe program and exhibit at The Hyde Museum.On the list of projects that didn't get what they asked for were two big projects connected with the Capital Region committee Co Chairs Shirley Jackson and James Barba - a $16.5 million request for a supercomputer at RPI and $5 million request for a research consortium that includes RPI, Albany Med and UAlbany that got $500,000.
At the awards ceremony Cuomo told a crowd "you can't expect the entire economy to turn around two years, but you can feel there's a different energy about New York."[YNN] [Capitol Confidential] [WNYT] [TU][YNN]

29 year old Michael Anderson pleaded not guilty to the murder of Tonette Thomas and the attempted murder and assault on her aunt and sister, but prosecutors say Anderson wrote a note where he confessed and apologized to Thomas' family and made a recorded confession to police. [News 10] [TU]

Newly released census data shows the child poverty rate in Schenectady rose from 29% to 40%, making it the 10th most impoverished school district in New York.[TU]

The former COO of the Peter Young non profit foundation is expected to be arraigned todayfor allegedly stealing from the not-for-profit. The FBI and Attorney Generals office conducted a raid on the foundation's offices last week. [YNN]

Warren County Sheriff's deputies arrested five people and confiscated guns and a half pound of cocain valued at $75,000. More arrests are expected.[Fox 23]

The organizers of the upcomming gun show that is held four times a year in Saratoga Springs are being asked not to allow rapid-fire, military-style weapons at the sale.[Gazette]

Authorities investigated threats in the Bethlehem Central, Broadalbin-Perthy, Guilderland and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirc Schools on Wednesday and found no evidence of any credible threats. [Fox 23]

SNUG, Albany's Anti-gun violence groub is holding a community meeting tonight after a 23-year old man was shot to death on Ontario Street in broad daylight on Tuesday. [WNYT]

The Schenctady police chief, Mark Chaires will step down on December 31 to take over as Executive Director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center.

A Montgomery County Supreme Court Judge has certified the election results in the 46th Senate District race where Assmeblyman George Amedore beat Ceclia Tkaczyk by 37 votes, but Tkaczyk's campaign plans to appeal. [News 10]

Some local gun shops are reporting an incease in sales since last week's Newtown shooting. [Fox 23]

A 71-year old Troy shopkeeper was robbed at knife point in the Alley behind the Fifth Avenue Neighborhood Discount store on Tuesday morning. [Record]

Jurors move into a fourth day of deliberations today in the Troy ballot fraud trial of Edward McDonough

No explosion this time, but another manhole fire stopped traffic at North Pearl and Pine streets on Wednesday.[WNYT]

Habitat for Humanity dedicated 10 more homes in Albany's South End on Wednesday, and Mayor Jerry Jennings pointed to the rehabilitation of Alexander Street as something that can be recreated in other parts of the city.

Developers broke ground on phase three of the Harmony Mills lofts in Cohoes on Wednesday. [Record]

Troy's 9/11 Memorial Committee is holding a memorial service for the victims of last weeks Newtown shooting on Friday at the 9/11 monument in the city. [Record]

A Glens Falls couple will lead a Christmas Eve march to remember soldiers who won't be home for Christamas this year. [WNYT]

Siena's great "Saint" Gino Turchi, has passed away.[YNN]

Comments

last place. well done albany! you couldn't have done any worse.

$700 odd million dollars to economic development projects? What happened to "we're broke and can't adequately fund schools, take a paycut, teachers?"

I agree with ktvorwald. The notion that the State (or the Federal Government for that matter) is broke is just smokescreen for the privatization agenda (and not just of education).

Anyway, the money for "economic development"--and who really can believe in this concept anymore when it comes from the likes of Andrew Cuomo?--is "development" as decided upon by very few individuals at the apex of some of the largest--and most powerful--local hierarchies: the healthcare, education, industrial, and non-profit sectors (e.g. Barba--Albany Med; Jackson--RPI, 2nd highest compensated college president in the country, to name a few).

In short, the "development" will be top-down: economic development for those who are already powerful and entrenched and...wait for it..."trickle-down" development for everyone else (i.e. "crumbs").

I'd almost rather that we get nothing at all than be further subject to the collective (read: "elitist") vision of these wrecking-balls. Actually include the public in these deliberations and decisions, and bring it to them to decide. Then, regardless of outcome, we will all be on board. I mean, after all, this development, whatever it is, will effect all of us and, last I checked, it is the public's resources that will be utilized, so why not let the public decide how?

Say Something!

We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.

What's All Over Albany?

All Over Albany is for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. In other words, it's for you. It's kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who can help you find out what's up. Oh, and our friends call us AOA.

Search

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