Deadly Colonie fire possible murder-suicide, problems at polls in Albany High vote, two arrested in Best murder, Bharara on corruption
Fire kills three at home of Colonie officer
Police are investigating the cause of a house fire that claimed the life of Colonie police officer Israel Roman, his wife and one of his sons. Authorities say the incident may have been a murder-suicide. [TU][WNYT]
Albany High School vote
The referendum on the new $180 million Albany High School proposal passed by 228 votes on Tuesday. About 8,000 people turned out to for the re-vote, but problems--including polling places opening late and running out of ballots--were reported at some polling sites. Affidavit votes are being tallied today. [Business Review][TU][TWCN]
Hoosick Falls clean-up agreement pending
Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge says an agreement is expected to be reached Wednesday with Saint-Gobain over the costs for cleaning up PFOA from the village water supply. [TWCN]
Two arrests in Wayne Best murder
Schenectady police have arrested two men in connection with the December 2014 murder of Wayne Best Jr. Christopher E. Johnson and Todd A. Maconare accused of shooting Best to death while trying to rob him. [TU][Gazette]
Bank robbery suspect
A Buffalo man was charged in connection with the robbery of a Schenectady Key Bank on Tuesday. [TU]
Baby tested for Zika
A baby born in Albany whose mother recently traveled to a Zika hot-spot is being tested for the virus. [TU]
Heroin laws in Saratoga County
Saratoga County legislators are considering a law that would increase the penalty for heroin sales that lead to a death. [Gazette]
Troy considers hotel bed tax
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden says the city is considering instituting a new hotel bed tax that could bring in about $175,00 - or the cost of a 1percent tax increase. [TU]
Troy Deputy Mayor
Monica Kurzejeski will be Troy's first female deputy mayor. [TU]
Vacant properties sold
Schenectady has sold another 227K in blighted properties. [TU]
Albany County's new public defender
"The first job I ever wanted was to someday be the Albany County public defender. I was a poor kid. I always felt that poor people needed a break." -- Albany County's new public defender -- who once defended serial killer Lemuel Smith. [TU]
Bharara on corruption
Preet Bharara spoke to the Times Union Editorial Board about corruption in the legislature and on Wall Street. [TU]
No confidence vote at Saint Rose
The faculty of the college of saint rose has taken a symbolic vote of no confidence in president Carolyn Stefanik, over discontent with the way her administration has handled program cuts and layoffs at the school.[TU]
BID director charged with DWI
The Executive Director of the Lark Street BID was charged with DWI on Wednesday after she was found asleep in the drivers seat of a car that was running outside the Western Avenue Sunoco station. [TU]
Surgeon who founded African clinic has died
Dr, Joseph Marotta, a Capital Region orthopedic surgeon who founded a clinic in Africa, passed away suddenly this week. [TU]
Civic center upgrades
The 34-year-old Glens Falls Civic Center will get $2 million in upgrades. [WNYT]
Runaway horse
Police chased a runaway horse from the harness track in Saratoga Springs to route 50, where they captured him unharmed. [Gazette]
Happening today
Coloring book night
Wednesday: The Schenectady County Public Library is hosting another coloring night for adults. "We will have relaxing music, beautiful patterns, coloring markers & pencils, and hot drinks while we enjoy a peaceful hour of coloring." Wednesday 6:30 pm, central library - free
Naked Influence
Today-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of the new play Naked Influence, "about a charismatic exotic dancer who finds herself engulfed in a doomed relationship with a congressman." Tuesday-Sunday various times - $20 and up
Carnage
Carnage at Upstate Concert Hall
EDM. With: Valentino Kahn, Kayzo & More. 7 pm - $22
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Comments
I think that Albany high school vote should be invalidated. I voted 'yes' this time after going to one of the informational meetings so it's not like I'm trying to get a different outcome here. But the legitimacy of the electoral process in Albany is at stake and this vote should not be allowed to stand. The process was a mess where I voted (Mater Christi) with ballots running out and people having to leave before getting to vote. Apparently if you voted via an emergency ballot you had to sign the envelope so there goes the idea of a secret ballot. I now have profound doubts that this incompetent school board can oversee a multi million dollar renovation if they can't properly run a vote. In future school board elections, I'll vote against any of the incumbents. Certainly that school board president needs to be ousted. And I'll bet if the vote was "no" he'd be the one calling for a do over.
... said chrisck on Feb 10, 2016 at 12:51 PM | link
I agree with the overall assessment of the cluster---- that was yesterday's school vote, but I disagree it should be invalidated. Like it or not, democracy can be messy, and it's simply not worth the effort to re-do this.
That's not to say we should keep the pitchforks in the closet. They need to come out hard on this to keep it from happening again.
... said JayK on Feb 10, 2016 at 1:22 PM | link
JayK -- I hear what you are saying. A third vote (!!!) would be expensive. But I can't agree that this is a case of democracy being "messy." Disenfranchising people isn't democracy, even a messy version. Anyway, it looks like folks are already seriously looking into challenging the vote.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Albany-High-project-opponents-mull-legal-challenge-6820498.php
... said chrisck on Feb 10, 2016 at 1:48 PM | link
We'll agree to disagree, but I did find it funny that the opponents have all this money for legal representation but not $13-30 a year for kids.
... said JayK on Feb 10, 2016 at 2:30 PM | link
based on another informational meeting and a tour of the school I voted yes (I voted no last time). The execution of the vote was sloppy for sure, but please. The polls were open from 7 am to 9pm. That's plenty of time before or after work to vote. People will wait longer in a line for a cronut than they will to vote.
... said Rebecca on Feb 11, 2016 at 11:43 AM | link