Week of 1/2 - 1/8

Gov. David Paterson delivered his first state of the state address on Wednesday.
Paterson opened his address by telling New Yorkers that "the state of our state is perilous."
He added that state officials still do not know the extent of the economic chaos that waits in the future.
"We do know that this may be the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression," Paterson said. "New York entered recession in August. Wall Street was hit the hardest. At least 60,000 jobs will be lost in the financial services sector, which is devastating to our state budget. Financial services provide 20 percent of state government revenues, so this year's budget will be exceptionally difficult."
Still Paterson said that it was not a time for "fear" but "action, "courage" and "hope."
"We cannot solve our problems overnight or without sacrifice - they run too deep for that.  These problems may last for many more months or even years.  But we can solve them and, with courage, we can craft a brighter, smarter future for New York," Paterson said.
Five weeks ago, Paterson presented his $121.1 billion comprehensive budget to the state. It called for major cuts to health care and education.
"We must recognize that the world has changed.  And we should change with it," Paterson said.
Paterson's observation for the state to change could be seen in a number of initiatives presented, including his battle to fight childhood obesity by banning trans-fats in restaurants, require calorie posting in chain restaurants, ban junk food sales in schools and place a surcharge on sugar beverages like soda. The state spends $6.1 billion each year to treat obesity-related health problems.
The governor also announced some new initiatives that include a clean energy plan that will allow New York to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy by 2015.
"This effort will help rebuild our economy, meet our energy needs, and protect our environment," Paterson said.

Wait sworn in as Saratoga Springs city court judge
After winning a tightly contested election, Democrat Jeffrey Wait was sworn in as Saratoga Springs City Court Judge on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Wait, 49, defeated Republican Matthew Dorsey by a little more than 300 votes a week after the polls closed on Nov. 4. He will now serve a 10-year term as city court judge with an annual salary of $110,000.
Saratoga Springs City Judge James Doern delivered the oath of office.

Jordan sworn in to 112th Assembly District
Tony Jordan was sworn in to the 112 Assembly District on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Jordan, 44, operates a law firm in Greenwich and lives with his family in Jackson, Washington County.
He is replacing now Senator Roy McDonald in the 112th Assembly District.
Jordan easily defeated Democrat Ian McGaughey for the seat in November.
He has chosen Dan Lewza of Milton as his chief of staff.

AMD's Foundary Co. recieves federal approval
The effort to build an Advanced Micro Devices computer chip plant at the Luther Forest campus  in Malta got closer to becoming a reality when the U.S. Treasury Department approved AMD's partnership with a foreign based company on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The approval was needed because AMD has partnered with Advanced Technology Investment Company, based in Abu Dhabi, to create a new manufacturing branch called the Foundary Co.
The formation of the two companies now must recieve shareholder approval to be finalized. AMD has until March 7 for shareholders to approve the deal, but a decision could come soon.
The company has not announced a date to start construction on the facility that could bring more than 1,400 jobs to the area because the Foundary Co. had not yet been approved. In total, officials believe the facility could develop 5,000 area jobs due to growth.

Two arrested in connection with drug bust
Two people now face felony-drug charges after a month-long investigation by the Saratoga Springs Police Department led to their arrest.
Kevin R. Thomas, 38, of 27 Walworth St., and Kristy L. Smith, 30, of Brookside Ave., Amsterdam were arrested on New Years Eve after police used a search warrant to raid the Thomas's Walworth St. apartment.
Inside, police allegedly found Thomas in possession of four grams of cocaine and four ecstasy pills. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class-C felony; and seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance, a class-A misdemeanor. Smith was allegedly found with more than four-grams if cocaine in her possession. She was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class-C felony.
Both were arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court by Judge James Doern and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
The arrests came after the police department's patrol division received anonymous tips and information from concerned citizens.

Spa City Council moves foward with rec center suit
Saratoga Springs City Council will spend up to $20,000 to defend itself against a lawsuit stemming from the city's proposed 33,000 square-foot indoor rec center.
City Council members voted 3-2 on Tuesday Dec. 30 to retain Glens Falls lawyer Mark Schachner to handle the case.
The lawsuit was filed in  Saratoga County Supreme Court in December by a group known as the Friends of South Side Park. It states that the city council and planning board violated the state Quality Review Act, City Charter and city zoning code when they approved the facility.
The South Side Park group will be represented by Joseph Berger of Clifton Park.