david paterson

Bridgeville casino probably DOA

By Julia Reischel
2/11/11 - 10:30 am

The Times Herald-Record and the New York Times broke the news this week that the federal government almost certainly won't approve ex-governor David Paterson's plan to build a massive casino in Sullivan County.

Both papers obtained a leaked letter from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans -- the tribe that wants to build the casino in Bridgeville -- acknowledging that federal officials aren't keen on the plan. From the NYT:

[I]n January, according to the tribe, federal officials suddenly expressed misgivings about the viability of the tribe’s land claim and the ability of the Interior Department to approve it without Congressional action, as the tribe wanted. In a Jan. 31 letter to the department, a lawyer for the tribe acknowledged that department officials had told him it was “highly unlikely” the officials would change their views.

The THR had a story about ominous rumblings from the feds earlier this week, but this letter puts the cold hard facts in writing. Yesterday, news outlets across the country were reporting the plan was stillborn -- here's a report from the AP, and another from the Casino Journal.

Only die-hard supporters, like town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini, have any hope left for the Stockbridge-Munsee's Bridgeville plan. And according to a story in the Daily Freeman yesterday, even Cellini can't muster anything better than a morbid metaphor for the its prospects now:

Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini, who favors the casino, still has hope for the project. “I’m sure the coffin is closed, but the nail’s not in it yet,” he said.

Earlier: More of our Bridgeville casino coverage.

Lawsuit attempts to block casino deal

By Julia Reischel
2/4/11 - 2:40 pm

The Capitol Confidential blog is reporting this afternoon that a lobbyist for a Saratoga Springs racino is suing Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration. The suit charges that the Sullivan County casino deal negotiated under former governor David Paterson is illegal.

Casino plan gets a beating in Albany

By Julia Reischel
2/2/11 - 6:15 pm

Opponents of former governor David Paterson's plan to allow the Stockbridge-Munsee Indian tribe to build a resort casino in Sullivan County testified at a hearing in Albany today. Critics of the plan are hoping to persuade Governor Andrew Cuomo that the whole scheme is a bad idea.

The Politics on the Hudson blog reports that the chairman of the Assembly Standing Committee on Racing and Wagering, Gary Pretlow, made it clear that he disliked how the deal was made in secrecy:

“None of us had any idea this was going on behind closed doors,” Pretlow said during the meeting. Read more

Greene County buries the hatchet with governor's office

By Lissa Harris
1/6/11 - 8:25 am

A bitter dispute between former Governor David Paterson and Greene County over whether or not the county had the authority to appoint an interim treasurer -- which had resulted in the withholding of millions of dollars in state funds to the county -- is now over. With democratically-elected Peter Markou now serving in the county treasurer's office, and Andrew Cuomo now holding the reins in Albany, it appears no one has the stomach for the battle any longer.

Which is a good thing, because it means the county can pay for things like food stamps, Medicaid, and heating assistance. The Daily Mail reports:

Just hours before his first State of the State Address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed the release of $2.5 million in social services funds being withheld since last fall...

...Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said he was “relieved” and “encouraged” by the decision. Read more

Potshots: Happy New Year

By Julia Reischel
1/2/11 - 10:18 am

"Potshots," by Bovina artist Gary Mayer, runs every Sunday. You can see Gary's collected Sunday cartoons by clicking here.

Mayer is an artist who's lived in Bovina for the past seven years. Originally hailing from Detroit, he lived for many years in New York City. These cartoons are created with collage elements. In addition to illustration Mayer makes large scale paintings that have been exhibited widely. Locally, you can see a literary mural he created at the Bibliobarn on Roses Brook in South Kortright with a cast of hundred or so authors. See more of Mayer's work on his website. You can contact Mayer at mayer_gary@yahoo.com

Potshots: Santa Paterson

By Julia Reischel
12/19/10 - 8:38 am

"Potshots," by Bovina artist Gary Mayer, runs every Sunday. You can see Gary's collected Sunday cartoons by clicking here. For some context on this week's cartoon, click here.
Read more

Paterson's answer on gas drilling moratorium: None of the above

By Lissa Harris
12/12/10 - 10:07 am

New York State's environmental advocates aren't getting everything they wanted for Christmas, but they did just get a nice present from Governor David Paterson yesterday: an executive order banning all horizontal drilling with hydrofracking in the state until July 1, 2011.

Paterson issued the order after vetoing a moratorium bill passed by the state legislature, which would have ceased all new permits for hydrofracking wells, both horizontal and vertical, until May 15. From the Albany Times-Union:

During a radio interview first aired Friday on WAMC, the governor said he was concerned the ban would cover not only horizontal drilling, but vertical drilling, which is already in use across New York. According to Paterson, it is "not nearly the intrusive threat to the environment" as the horizontal variety of hydrofracking. Read more

Day of reckoning looms for gas moratorium bill

By Lissa Harris
12/11/10 - 9:41 am

Gov. David Paterson has until Monday to either sign or veto the gas drilling moratorium bill passed by the Legislature. (We wrote earlier, based on information in a story by the Elmira Star-Gazette, that the deadline was today. But the Times-Union reports today that he has until Monday. We're not sure if something has changed, or if the Star-Gazette goofed.)

The Times Herald-Record says the governor is still waffling:

His office was blasted Friday with requests to sign or veto the bill that would prevent the state from issuing permits for the horizontal drilling method of hydraulic fracturing, called fracking, until May. Read more

Baby don't drill: NY Assembly passes moratorium

By Lissa Harris
11/30/10 - 9:59 am

During a special session last night, the New York State Assembly passed a moratorium on issuing new permits for natural gas drilling by hydraulic fracturing (A11443B). Since the Senate has already passed its companion bill, S8129B, the measure now heads to the governor's desk. From the Ithaca Journal:

If the moratorium bill is approved by Paterson, drilling in the area would be halted until May 15 in order for the state to have a more complete picture of the extraction method's environmental impacts...

...The governor's office would not comment as to whether Paterson would sign the moratorium passed by the Assembly. But in an interview last week on public radio, Paterson indicated the state is not willing to move forward with drilling in the shale formation. Read more

Potshots: Will he or won't he?

By Julia Reischel
11/28/10 - 9:54 am