Upstate New York News Thread Aug 21.

[hrmjustin]

St. Lawrence County struggles to quite borrowing, will take out $10 million more to pay bills

MARTHA ELLEN

CANTON — St. Lawrence County will pay back next week the $10 million it borrowed to make sure it could pay its bills this year — only to turn around and borrow another
$10 million to cover what it believes will be continuing cash flow shortages.

“I’m going to be repeating this for years to come,” county Treasurer Kevin M. Felt said.

The county started borrowing in 2011 after a series of events left it with a fund balance of about $3 million.

“It was frittered away,” said Legislator Joseph R. Lightfoot, R-Ogdensburg.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140821/NEWS05/140829785


Will post stories from upstate here that tend to be ver local. Feel free to add stories here or stsrt a new op.

[hrmjustin]

1. Controversial Utica Stewart's Shops Gets Preliminary Approval

Alana LaFlore

UTICA, N.Y. -- Many residents don't want a Culver Ave Stewart's because they think it will increase in traffic on neighboring residential streets. The city agrees.

That's why the planning board would only give preliminary approval for the project, contingent upon a traffic study.

"I am really glad that one member did have common sense enough to address traffic," said Barbara Cannarelli who lives on Allen Street.

- See more at: http://centralny.twcnews.com/content/news/762603/controversial-stewart-s-shops-gets-preliminary-approval/#sthash.jPfTCnmy.dpuf

[hrmjustin]

2. Rochester & Other Cities Won't Be Asked To House Border Children

RANDY GORMAN

Rochester and other cities that had considered housing some of the immigrant children from Central America won’t have to consider that possibility any longer.

http://wxxinews.org/post/rochester-other-cities-wont-be-asked-house-border-children

[hrmjustin]

3. 36 Central New York projects recommended for $27 million in state funding

Rick Moriarty

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council has recommended 36 development projects for state funding assistance totaling nearly $27 million this year.

The council, one of 10 created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo around the state, said the 36 "priority" projects it is recommending for $26.6 million in state funding would leverage $203.1 million in private and other funding. The total cost of the 36 projects would be nearly $230 million, it said.

It said the projects would have a five-year total payroll of more than $98.9 million and would support the creation of 894 new jobs and the retention of 90 existing jobs.

"These priority projects are selected because they accomplish multiple goals and strategies, advance the region's transformational Initiatives, and leverage the greatest return on investment — in terms of dollars, jobs, human capital and community impact — to stimulate economic growth across five counties," the council said in its report to the state.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/36_central_new_york_projects_recommended_for_27_million_in_state_funding_1.html#incart_river

[hrmjustin]

4. Cuomo to visit New York State Fair Thursday

Ken Sturtz | [e-mail]

GEDDES, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo will open the New York State Fair Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting.

Cuomo is scheduled to open the state fair with the ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Thursday is Governor's Day at the state fair.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/cuomo_to_visit_the_new_york_state_fair.html#incart_river

[hrmjustin]

5. Trial date set for deputy mayor

D&C

A City Court judge on Wednesday scheduled the driving while intoxicated trial of Deputy Mayor Leonard Redon for Oct. 6.

Redon was due in court Wednesday for an appearance, either for a disposition in the case or to set a trial date.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/08/20/trial-date-set-deputy-mayor/14351865/

[hrmjustin]

6. Walkway's entrance to get facelift when state buys parcel

John Davis, Poughkeepsie Journal

Efforts continue to make the City of Poughkeepsie entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson more attractive to visitors.

The acquisition by the Open Space Institute of a half-acre parcel adjacent to the Walkway entrance is expected to do just that. The Institute recently purchased the parcel for $550,000 and plans to sell it to the New York state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which owns and operates the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, said Eileen Larabee, associate director of the Open Space Institute's Alliance for New York State Parks program.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2014/08/20/state-walkway-entrance-poughkeepsie/14364225/

[hrmjustin]

7. Senators: Norwich farm to get $50K grant

Jessica Reynolds Staff Writer

A small, family-owned dairy farm in Chenango County will be better able to advertise their products thanks to a government grant announced Wednesday.


Evans Farmhouse Creamery in Norwich will receive almost $50,000 in federal funding, according to an announcement from U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

http://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/article_a28a533a-5d27-56dc-8869-cb3d9f61991f.html?mode=jqm

[hrmjustin]

8. St. Lawrence County considers options on recycling contract

MARTHA ELLEN

CANTON — St. Lawrence County legislators agreed Monday to extend a recycling contract with Casella Waste Services until the end of the year while it considers long-term options.

The county is considering whether to sign a new contract with Casella for recycling services at an increased cost or go with Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority. Initial estimates were that costs appeared to be close even if the county had to purchase a truck and have a driver take the material to Utica, but a number of questions have since come up.

“I believe we need to do our true due diligence,” Finance Committee Chairman Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction, said. “There’s an awful lot of information we do not have.”

http://www.mpcourier.com/article/20140821/DCO/140829836

[hrmjustin]

9. Catskill president says village has corrected accounting system

William J. Kemble

CATSKILL >> Village President Vincent Seeley contends that problems found in a state audit have been corrected and books have been balanced after an almost $7 million error was tracked down through new accounting software.

The comments were made during a telephone conversation, with Seeley saying that problems listed in a state Comptroller’s Office audit have been addressed.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140818/catskill-president-says-village-has-corrected-accounting-system

[hrmjustin]

10. Rhinebeck considering habitat boxes to protect fish from predators

William J. Kemble

RHINEBECK >> Town Board members are considering whether to allow the state Department of Environmental Conservation to place four habitat boxes with access holes on the Rhinecliff bulkhead to allow fish protection from predators.

The program was discussed during a meeting last week, when state habitant restoration coordinator Dan Miller said the boxes are an attempt through the Stable Shorelines Project to offset the loss of cover used by fish in the Hudson River.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140820/rhinebeck-considering-habitat-boxes-to-protect-fish-from-predators

[hrmjustin]

11. Tompkins jail alternatives report spurs discussion

ITHACA JOURNAL

ITHACA – Meetings packed with picket signs and hearings occupied by hours of public comment led Tompkins County to explore more alternatives to incarceration, and lawmakers Tuesday night heard recommendations from the six-month-long review.

The county legislature formed its Jail Alternatives Task Force in response to pressure from the public.

http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2014/08/20/tompkins-county-jail-alternatives/14360467/

[hrmjustin]

12. Hartford could get a tower for Internet service

BILL TOSCANO

HARTFORD -- A broadband Internet company will present its plan for a 120-foot tower on Shine Hill Road to the town’s Planning Board at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Town Hall.

Hudson Valley Wireless is already working with Washington County’s emergency tower system to improve local Internet accessibility,

“We’re trying to blend into the landscape the best we can. We are going with a monopole, rather than a tower with guide wires,” said Jason Guzzo, general manager of Hudson Valley Wireless. “In terms of feedback, everybody seems to be positive. We know a lot of people want Internet, and that’s what we’re here to do,”

http://poststar.com/news/local/hartford-could-get-a-tower-for-internet-service/article_04f9131e-289f-11e4-8ee3-0019bb2963f4.html

[hrmjustin]

13. SENECA COUNTY: Citizens group needs funds to file suit

DAVID L. SHAW [e-mail]

WATERLOO — Still reeling from the Town Board’s 3-2 vote in favor of the Seneca Meadows’ plan to mine clay just north of the village, Concerned Citizens of Seneca County may turn to litigation.

The group, formed six years ago to oppose the landfill’s Meadow View Mine proposal, faces an Aug. 26 deadline to file a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Town Board’s July 28 decision. Concerned Citizens is mounting a fundraising campaign to generate the money needed to pay an attorney to prepare, file and argue the lawsuit.

http://www.fltimes.com/news/article_a2f1d94c-287d-11e4-9953-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm

[hrmjustin]

14. GENEVA: IDA agrees to give $10K for city plan

DAVID L. SHAW [e-mail]

GENEVA — Count the Industrial Development Agency in on helping pay for a new city comprehensive plan.

http://www.fltimes.com/news/article_011ba9a6-287b-11e4-b74b-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm

[hrmjustin]

15. North Shore project plans adapted

Megan Brandow,

CANANDAIGUA — Developers of the $120 million North Shore project on Canandaigua Lake have made changes to the final site plan that was approved in April. They will be presenting revised plans to the city today.

Additional parking, balconies for residents and the creation of a sewage main in preparation for future phases are among the changes.
- See more at: http://m.mpnnow.com/article/20140820/NEWS/140829918#sthash.6ip73267.dpuf

[hrmjustin]

16. Uneasy streets in Troy

Bryan Fitzgerald

Troy

Take Back Troy's anti-violence rally had been organized before news of Wednesday morning's double homicide began to ripple through this already fearful and fed-up Lansingburgh neighborhood.

For the couple of hundred parents and children gathered Wednesday night on the fresh-cut grass of Powers Park, the grisly beating deaths of a husband and wife on 1st Avenue punctuated what has been a year of relentless crime.

"This is just sick," said Joan Decker, who lives across the street from the park. "I already lock my doors 24-7. Now, there's no way I'm ever going to leave my 14-year-old son at home by himself again."

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Uneasy-streets-in-Troy-5702214.php

[hrmjustin]

17. Drafts on Scafford sought

Casey Seiler

Albany

The Center for Popular Democracy, a labor-backed advocacy group that supports New York's controversial Scaffold Law, wants to see all the drafts of a controversial report authored by SUNY's Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government and paid for by the Lawsuit Reform Alliance, a business-backed organization that opposes Scaffold Law.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Drafts-on-Scafford-sought-5702054.php

[hrmjustin]

18. Long Island man buys DOCCS shock facility

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/219095/long-island-man-buys-doccs-shock-facility/


Very short article.

[hrmjustin]

19. More than 1,200 Albany properties lose STAR exemption

Rick Karlin, Capitol bureau

This has been in the works for a while since homeowners last year were supposed to re-register for their STAR school tax relief property break. At the same time the state is cracking down on homeowners who knowingly or otherwise get two STAR exemptions, since it’s only supposed to apply to one’s primary residence and there is a means test.
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/219146/more-than-1200-albany-properties-lose-star-exemption/

[hrmjustin]

20. AMTRAK TO RUN FIVE TRAINS DAILY TO THE NEW YORK STATE FAIRGROUNDS IN SYRACUSE

http://www.nysfair.org/2014/08/governor-cuomo-announces-train-service-to-the-state-fair/

Press release I think so I will just leave a link.

[hrmjustin]

21. All NY-21 Candidates Agree To TV Debates

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/08/all-ny-21-candidates-agree-to-tv-debates/


Short aarticle.

[hrmjustin]

22. Maffei's second TV ad in race for Congress: Lemonade stand illustrates pay gap

Mark Weiner
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei today started airing his second TV ad of his 2014 re-election campaign, using local children to illustrate a message about the wage gap for women.

The 30-second ad, titled "Lemonade Stand," shows three children at a lemonade stand set up in Syracuse's Westcott neighborhood, where Maffei was born and raised. As the children split up their proceeds, a boy is paid $10 but a girl who did the same work is paid $8.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/maffeis_second_tv_ad_in_race_for_congress_lemonade_stand_illustrates_pay_gap_vid.html#incart_river

[hrmjustin]

23. State bundles solar programs into $1 billion initiative

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/08/8551187/state-bundles-solar-programs-1-billion-initiative


Short article.

[hrmjustin]

24. Ex-guard pleads guilty to running family off road

AP

CANTON, N.Y. -
A former jail guard is facing more than 10 years behind bars for running his family off a northern New York during a domestic dispute last fall.

http://m.wptz.com/news/exguard-pleads-guilty-to-running-family-off-road/27665832

Short article.

[hrmjustin]

25. kicking.