NYCLU's Taser Testimony
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Saratoga Springs' refusal to disclose public records concerning its Police Department's use of Tasers, on October 15.
After receiving reports that local police officers were inappropriately using tasers on April 13, the NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the city for records concerning the Police Department's use of the weapons. The request included any documents relating to policies and procedures for using Tasers and reports containing information about any incidents when police have used Tasers.
The city denied the records request entirely, thus beginning the lawsuit. .Lawyers on the case are NYCLU Staff Attorney Adriana Piñón and NYCLU Senior Staff Attorney and Upstate Litigation Coordinator Corey Stoughton.
Attempted assault on Skidmore Student
Early Saturday morning, October 17, a female Skidmore student was assaulted by a taxi driver who was bringing her home.
She reportedly entered the cab at Broadway and Church Street at 1:00 a.m., and directed the driver to her destination on Skidmore Campus.
The driver allegedly stopped the car, exited the vehicle and reached into the rear passenger seat where and grabbed her shoulders.
The victim fought briefly with her assailant and was able to flee the scene on foot toward Skidmore College. She then reported the incident to Campus Security, who then notified the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
The vehicle was a white and yellow taxicab. The driver was described as an older white male with an average build and gray hair. Police are currently working with Skidmore Security and the 16 taxi companies registered to conduct business in Saratoga Springs to identify the driver. Anyone with information should contact the Saratoga Springs Police Dept.
Fire at BOCES Center
A fire broke out in the early morning on Saturday, October 17 at the BOCES F. Donald Myers Education Center, causing damage to an HVAC lab. The damage was minor, as the fire was confined to the one teaching area; however, some equipment was damaged. Classes were canceled through Thursday, October 15.
Paterson Approval Ratings Down
Siena College Research Institute released the results of a poll regarding Governor David Paterson's ratings with voters on Tuesday, October 20. The Governor's favorable/unfavorable and job performance ratings, as well as hypothetical electoral contests remain near record low levels, according to the Institute's poll of registered voters.
Paterson's favorable/unfavorable rating is 27-61 percent (29-59 percent last month). His job performance rating is 19 percent positive, 79 percent negative (18-80 percent last month). Only 15 percent are prepared to elect Paterson Governor for a second term, while 72 percent prefer "someone else" (14-71 percent last month). In a Democratic primary, Paterson loses to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo 70-20 percent (66-20 percent last month). In general election match-ups, he loses to Rudy Giuliani 56-33 percent (52-35 percent last month) and beats former Congressman Rick Lazio 39-37 percent (39-35 percent last month).
VLT Petition Sends Ivins to Albany
Saratoga Springs lost $3.8 million in VLT revenue this year, when State legislation denied the City it's check.
Changes to legislation granted VLT reimbursements based on poverty rates. Of all the municipalities in New York hosting VLT venues, Saratoga Springs is the only one denied a check.
In previous years the city relied on that revenue to fill a portion of the budget and, facing the current $6.2 million budget gap, Saratoga Springs needs that money now more than ever.
Consequently, Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins headed to Albany on Wednesday, October 21 with 2,500 Saratoga Springs resident and employee signatures.
Ivins presented the petition to State Officials, and is awaiting a response.
Even if the State were to return a smaller dollar figure, it would still be helpful in closing a portion of the City's big budget gap.
Saratoga County Eligible for Federal Aid After Designated a Contiguous Natural Disaster County
After excessive rain and hail caused sufficient damage to counties across New York State, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing a natural disaster designation for 11 counties in New York. The USDA also designated 28 neighboring counties as contiguous disaster counties making them eligible for federal aid as well.
Saratoga County is among the 28 contiguous disaster counties eligible for aid.
"This is great news for farmers across New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "Families and businesses here were hit hard by the summer storms. This federal assistance will make sure all of these areas get the aid they need to recover."
Starting on May 1 and continuing throughout the summer months, counties and farms across New York State suffered severe losses due to heavy rains and hail. These emergency loans are designed to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to freezes, drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine. Emergency loan funds may be used to restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming operation; and refinance certain debts.
Schumer and Gillibrand said, "USDA made the right decision here. This declaration will bring swift relief to communities and farmers struggling to repair damages caused by the rain and hail."
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Saratoga Springs' refusal to disclose public records concerning its Police Department's use of Tasers, on October 15.
After receiving reports that local police officers were inappropriately using tasers on April 13, the NYCLU filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the city for records concerning the Police Department's use of the weapons. The request included any documents relating to policies and procedures for using Tasers and reports containing information about any incidents when police have used Tasers.
The city denied the records request entirely, thus beginning the lawsuit. .Lawyers on the case are NYCLU Staff Attorney Adriana Piñón and NYCLU Senior Staff Attorney and Upstate Litigation Coordinator Corey Stoughton.
Attempted assault on Skidmore Student
Early Saturday morning, October 17, a female Skidmore student was assaulted by a taxi driver who was bringing her home.
She reportedly entered the cab at Broadway and Church Street at 1:00 a.m., and directed the driver to her destination on Skidmore Campus.
The driver allegedly stopped the car, exited the vehicle and reached into the rear passenger seat where and grabbed her shoulders.
The victim fought briefly with her assailant and was able to flee the scene on foot toward Skidmore College. She then reported the incident to Campus Security, who then notified the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
The vehicle was a white and yellow taxicab. The driver was described as an older white male with an average build and gray hair. Police are currently working with Skidmore Security and the 16 taxi companies registered to conduct business in Saratoga Springs to identify the driver. Anyone with information should contact the Saratoga Springs Police Dept.
Fire at BOCES Center
A fire broke out in the early morning on Saturday, October 17 at the BOCES F. Donald Myers Education Center, causing damage to an HVAC lab. The damage was minor, as the fire was confined to the one teaching area; however, some equipment was damaged. Classes were canceled through Thursday, October 15.
Paterson Approval Ratings Down
Siena College Research Institute released the results of a poll regarding Governor David Paterson's ratings with voters on Tuesday, October 20. The Governor's favorable/unfavorable and job performance ratings, as well as hypothetical electoral contests remain near record low levels, according to the Institute's poll of registered voters.
Paterson's favorable/unfavorable rating is 27-61 percent (29-59 percent last month). His job performance rating is 19 percent positive, 79 percent negative (18-80 percent last month). Only 15 percent are prepared to elect Paterson Governor for a second term, while 72 percent prefer "someone else" (14-71 percent last month). In a Democratic primary, Paterson loses to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo 70-20 percent (66-20 percent last month). In general election match-ups, he loses to Rudy Giuliani 56-33 percent (52-35 percent last month) and beats former Congressman Rick Lazio 39-37 percent (39-35 percent last month).
VLT Petition Sends Ivins to Albany
Saratoga Springs lost $3.8 million in VLT revenue this year, when State legislation denied the City it's check.
Changes to legislation granted VLT reimbursements based on poverty rates. Of all the municipalities in New York hosting VLT venues, Saratoga Springs is the only one denied a check.
In previous years the city relied on that revenue to fill a portion of the budget and, facing the current $6.2 million budget gap, Saratoga Springs needs that money now more than ever.
Consequently, Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins headed to Albany on Wednesday, October 21 with 2,500 Saratoga Springs resident and employee signatures.
Ivins presented the petition to State Officials, and is awaiting a response.
Even if the State were to return a smaller dollar figure, it would still be helpful in closing a portion of the City's big budget gap.
Saratoga County Eligible for Federal Aid After Designated a Contiguous Natural Disaster County
After excessive rain and hail caused sufficient damage to counties across New York State, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing a natural disaster designation for 11 counties in New York. The USDA also designated 28 neighboring counties as contiguous disaster counties making them eligible for federal aid as well.
Saratoga County is among the 28 contiguous disaster counties eligible for aid.
"This is great news for farmers across New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "Families and businesses here were hit hard by the summer storms. This federal assistance will make sure all of these areas get the aid they need to recover."
Starting on May 1 and continuing throughout the summer months, counties and farms across New York State suffered severe losses due to heavy rains and hail. These emergency loans are designed to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to freezes, drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine. Emergency loan funds may be used to restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming operation; and refinance certain debts.
Schumer and Gillibrand said, "USDA made the right decision here. This declaration will bring swift relief to communities and farmers struggling to repair damages caused by the rain and hail."
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