Week in Review

Aqueduct Entertainment Group to run VLT
On Friday, January 29, Governor David A. Paterson announced that he and legislative leaders have selected Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) to operate the video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Racetrack.

AEG was awarded a 30-year contract to operate the 4,500 video lottery terminals in downstate New York.  The Governor's announcement put an end to a lengthy debate over which gaming operator should take control over the Aqueduct Race Track, an argument surrounded by much anxieties as the facility is expected to produce millions of dollars in tax revenue.

Paterson  issued the following statement: "After an extensive review of the five remaining bids to operate the video lottery terminals at Aqueduct racetrack, I have chosen and the Leaders have agreed the organization that best fulfills our selection criteria. AEG has both the financial viability and ability to pay the required upfront licensing fee. AEG complied with every request made during the review process and addressed satisfactorily all matters related to licensing ability. All of the groups have valid proposals, but AEG presented a comprehensive bid that enjoys community support and also offers strong marketing appeal. I thank my colleagues in government for joining me in selecting AEG, so that the State may begin to benefit from the critical revenue stream that this important economic development project will generate."

Congressman Murphy Highlights New Consumer Protections
(New Rules Will Protect Against Credit Card Companies' Unfair Practices Today)
 Congressman Scott Murphy visited the Saratoga Springs Senior Center on Monday, February 1,  to discuss important new rules to protect consumers from credit card companies' abusive actions. The new rules will implement tough regulations on the credit card industry by protecting against unfair practices such as interest rate hikes on existing balances, double-cycle billing, and due-date gimmicks.  Seniors and young people are the most frequent victims of these predatory practices. 

"The new rules that are taking effect have important provisions to protect seniors and young people from credit card companies' abusive actions," said Rep. Murphy. "These common-sense reforms will bring transparency and fairness to the credit card industry and will provide people with the information they need to make smart financial decisions."

President Obama signed the Credit Card Holder's Bill of Rights into law in May.  When some credit card companies attempted to change consumer policies prior to the effective date, the House passed a bill to speed up critical reforms.  While the Senate never voted on the expedited bill, the Federal Reserve has taken up many of these provisions and will be enforcing new credit card regulations with the start date of February 22, 2010.

"When these credit card reforms take full effect, it will mark the beginning of a new era for consumers," said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the NYS Consumer Protection Board.  "No longer will consumers be subjected to certain unfair and punitive practices of the industry such as two-cycle billing, universal default and retroactive interest rate hikes.  We applaud Congressman Murphy for helping to make these reforms a reality.  The Consumer Protection Board will continue its efforts, under the direction of Governor Paterson, to monitor the industry, and do everything possible to ensure that consumers get a fair shake when they use their credit cards."   
For more information on the new Federal Reserve rules, visit www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo

Waterford Police Department Recognized for Sex Offender Management Program Certification
The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy applauded the Waterford Police Department for becoming certified in a new sex offender management program.

The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police deemed the department certified in its new sex offender management program, according to a press release from the association. That certification came after the department's policies -- including monitoring, community notification and enforcement -- were found to be in compliance with recently established association standards.

The department is the first in Saratoga County to receive the certification, said Public Safety Commissioner John Tanchak, who gave credit to Sgt. Patrick O'Connell for developing the town's sex offender registry program several years ago.

Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III called it a "well-deserved honor."
"Waterford has been doing the right thing for a long time and now it is nice to see them recognized publicly for their work and for the protocols established for handling sex crimes," he said.

The association noted in its release that police departments everywhere have increasingly become involved in monitoring sex offenders over the years. Certain offenders are required to keep authorities informed of their current address -- which is available to the public along with some details of their offense -- and face arrest for failing to do so.

"For more than a decade, managing sex offenders has become an important function of law enforcement," Executive Director John P. Grebert said. "Police are on the front lines of ensuring that offenders comply with the law and that citizens are informed about certain offenders living in their communities."

The association's standards for sex offender management practices were unveiled in April 2009, and  is working with departments statewide that do not meet the standards in order to bring them up to par, according to the release.

Saratoga County Man to lead N.Y. National Guard
Brigadier General Patrick Murphy, 52 , of Clifton Park, was appointed as the 52nd Adjutant General of New York State on Wednesday, February 3. Governor David Paterson selected Murphy to replace Major General Joseph Taluto upon his retirement on February 14.

After Taluto leaves his post, Brigadier General Murphy will be responsible for ensuring that the more than 16,000 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are prepared to deploy in combat zones on federal missions and prepared to respond to State emergencies  in New York. He will also oversee the 2,500 members of the New York Naval Militia and the 700-member New York Guard, a State-only force.

Murphy, a 32-year veteran of the Army National Guard, is currently serving as the New York National Guard's Director of Joint Staff and Assistant Adjutant General, responsible for the National Guard's State emergency and homeland security operations. Brigadier General Murphy was promoted to his one-star rank in February 2008, making him qualified for his new appointment.

Brigadier General Murphy's individual awards include the Bronze Star, three awards of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Army Aviation Badge.
He and his wife Cherie live in Clifton Park.

Landlord pleads guilty to manslaughter, claims self-defense
Mark Stutzenstein, 47, of Greenfield pleaded guilty on Wednesday, February 3, to a charge of manslaughter in the stabbing of his tenant, Arthur Jackson, in May 2009. He was sentenced to one to three years prison. Stutzenstein was indicted in July on charges of first and second-degree manslaughter  following the death of Jackson via stab wound to the abdomen. Stutzenstein claimed self-defense, stating that Jackson, a convict, had assaulted him and "been inappropriate with his wife, Carol Ann."