Upset and accusations of manipulation over state forums about Common Core, crash and dash on Lark Street, local woman wants to be the Biggest Loser
State education commissioner John King said in a statement that the planned public forums about the new Common Core standards, including one in Clifton Park, were cancelled because the first such forum -- last week in Poughkeepsie -- had been "co-opted by special interests" attempting to "manipulate the forum." The Poughkeepsie meeting included, in the Poughkeepsie Journal's description, an "often critical and loud crowd." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Politics on the Hudson] [Poughkeepsie Journal]
A public forum in Saratoga Springs about the possibility of a full casino in the city included many people skeptical of expanding gambling. Statewide opposition to the ballot question that would approve full casino gambling in the state is, in Capital New York's description, "poorly financed [and] loosely organized." [Saratoga Wire] [Daily Gazette] [Capital New York]
Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson on the partial federal shutdown: it never should have happened. Gibson: ""When you take a look at where we're at, this is just wrong. I mean we can do so much better than this." A few more instances of how the shutdown is said to be affecting people in the Capital Region. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Democrat Sean Eldridge -- looking to challenge Chris Gibson for the House -- continues to pile up campaign money, much of it his own. [State of Politics] [Capital New York]
It appears Donald Trump is not so hot on a run for governor of New York. Alas. [TU]
The Green Party candidate for Albany mayor -- Theresa Portelli -- is proposing the city's property tax be replaced by a land value tax. [TU]
Concerns about fights and the environment at Schenectady's Mont Pleasant Middle School have parents looking at other options. [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say three men were in a car that crashed into a building at Lark and Chestnut Monday afternoon (map). APD says the men then ran from the scene. Witnesses say one of the men ran through the Noho pizza shop and the Daily Grind with what looked like a gun. There was a search for a gun, but no word on whether one was found. APD detained three men. [@Sorti_ca] [WNYT] [TU] [News10]
State Police say a man working as private contractor for the state Office of Information Technology Services in Albany has been arrested after he allegedly used an administrator account to change passwords for other accounts. The Saratogian reports the man arrested is also the CEO of a biotech company. [NYSP] [Saratogian]
The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district has sent a letter of apology to the Amsterdam school district for slurs chanted during a football game this past weekend. [Daily Gazette]
State Police say a Halfmoon man was arrested after a search allegedly found more than 40 marijuana plants in his home. [NYSP]
A bunch of items -- including 16 mobile phones, as well as cash -- were stolen out of the locker room used by the Hartwick College men's lacrosse team as they played at Union on Sunday. [Daily Gazette]
Three college students were ticketed for trespassing after being rescued from a ledge in the Poestenkill gorge. [TU]
An upcoming economic development event for the region will use "appreciative inquiry" to solicit ideas from people. [TU]
Little League is growing roots in Troy's North Central neighborhood. [TU]
The Galway school district has purchased a bus with composite exterior panels that's being touted as being rust-resistant (and thus could have a longer life). [Saratogian]
There may be a buyer for the enormous -- and currently vacant -- former Beech-Nut site in Canajoharie. [Daily Gazette]
A woman from Clifton Park is on this season of the TV show The Biggest Loser. [TU]
A ceremony in Ballston Spa Tuesday will honor the memory of a man from Saratoga County who fought in the Civil War. [TU]
Farther afield: "Gumby statue stolen from Saugerties lawn" [News10]
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Comments
Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko, along with every other member of this current Congress needs to be replaced. Voted out this election and the next and the next until every single one of them is gone. They are NOT doing their jobs and they are NOT representing the interests of the people of this country. Congress causing a crash to the world wide economy in the name of preventing people from getting health care (a LAW passed by Congress!!!!) is the most despicable thing our government has done. Every single one of them has to go. The best thing that could happen to our government is a complete overhaul - including making these jobs basic civil servant jobs that pay $40K a year. These millionaires and their tea party and their hate filled agenda against everyone who isn't wealthy, white, and male NEED TO GO.
... said xina on Oct 15, 2013 at 10:48 AM | link
from John King's dictionary --
special interests: people voicing opinions I don't like or don't want to hear.
Seriously, he cancels public hearings because the public had the effrontery to express their outrage over his "all testing, all the time" educational agenda. But take heart, there are now demands from parents and teachers for his resignation. Hopefully the Board of Regents is paying attention.
... said chrisck on Oct 15, 2013 at 11:15 AM | link
Bravo Xina, I couldn't agree more.
And as a parent of a 6 and 8 year old, the Common Core has caused me to reevaluate the legitimacy of my own graduate degree, because I don't have any idea what this is supposed to be.
... said Harold on Oct 15, 2013 at 12:10 PM | link
Well said chrisck. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for the current batch of "Great Ideas by Big Thinkers" for improving NYS education (ie, Common Core, SLOs, etc) to run its doomed course before Mr. King is unceremoniously shown the door. Seriously - put these ninnies in an inner city urban high school classroom for ONE DAY, and maybe then they'll actually be able to come up with ideas that might just be useful. Until then, pontification by the omnipotent, omniscient NYS Department of Education shall continue unabated. Sad and disgusting.
... said -R. on Oct 15, 2013 at 12:31 PM | link
Xina, for what it's worth, Paul Tonko is a Democrat, and most assuredly did NOT vote to pull this shutdown stunt. The night before the shutdown, the house Republicans changed the rules so that the only person who can allow something to come for a vote is Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Not even Boehner, who is the Speaker, can call for a vote.
Even when the house has the total of votes needed to overturn this nonsense - Cantor can keep it from ever coming to the floor. Cantor is a hardcore teabagger. They're the ones that have locked this down, abetted by the likes of Gibson and other Republican enablers. If you want to discuss it with Cantor, here's his contact info: http://majorityleader.gov/Contact/
... said Gina M on Oct 15, 2013 at 1:03 PM | link
I know full well that Paul Tonko is a Democrat. He's my representative and I voted for him. I still believe that EVERY SINGLE CURRENT MEMBER OF CONGRESS NEEDS TO GO.
... said xina on Oct 15, 2013 at 1:43 PM | link
@xina -- I think that's a truly pointless idea. Same for the $40,000 salary. I can just imagine the quality of leader that would attract. I'm not defending current members of Congress, but voters should judge each one when they come up for re-election.
... said chrisck on Oct 15, 2013 at 2:04 PM | link
here's the video from the public forum. thank you, vocal parents & teachers of poughkeepsie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Eiz406VAs
... said Kim D. on Oct 15, 2013 at 9:24 PM | link