Police covering badges
Albany Police say it is OK to cover nametags but not badge numbers, a story in the Times Union reported over the weekend. This stems from a report the police made of their own activity during protests in Albany last year. The report, this story and others said, was not released though it had been written months ago. Police during an April protest removed or covered nametags and badge numbers. Confusing directives from a now-retired commander allowed it to happen.
Montagnino calls for changes in Civil Service rules
With only one black police officer in the city’s ranks and none in the fire department, Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino is calling on Saratoga Springs to change its rules regarding hiring practices, especially for promotion to the highest ranks, the Times Union reported on Friday. The story also summarizes the story of the only black police officer, hired in the early 1990s, who says he was treated unfairly until forced to quit.
Saratoga Dems endorse Castelli, others, don’t endorse state senate
The Saratoga County Democratic Party endorsed candidates, party chair Todd Kerner wrote in an email. They endorsed the incumbents for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. In other races:
- 21st Congressional District: Matt Castelli. [He is facing a challenge from a handful of other Dems for the nomination. –Editor.]
- 108th Assembly District: Assemblyman John McDonald.
- 112th Assembly District: Andrew McAdoo.
- 113th Assembly District: Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
In the 46th Senate District, Kerner writes that three candidates sought the endorsement, but the committee felt they were equally worthy.
- Andrea Smyth
- Michelle Ostrelich
- Thearse McCalmon
Fourth Judicial District (2 openings)
- Judge Robert Muller
- Judge Vincent Versaci
- Saratoga County District Attorney Michael Phillips.
Bridie out of running
Over the weekend, the Times Union reported that Bridie Farrell, the Olympic skater-turned-Democratic-challenger is out of the race to oust U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik. According to the story, with the new Congressional maps in New York, she could not see a clear path to victory. She was one of a handful of Democrats vying for the party’s nomination.
Weidner’s regret
“As I head off for retirement, I think back over 23 years at the Chapman Museum. I have thoroughly enjoyed that time -- so many fun projects, and the opportunity to get to know so many people in our community. Thank you so much for your interest and support,” Timothy Weidner writes in his farewell from the Chapman Historical Museum in Glens Falls. He was the museum’s executive director. He writes that he had one regret: he lost contact with photographer Fred Chase who had prints by 19th Century photographer W.W. Kennedy. Although Weidner never saw Chase’s prints again, he did find five of Kennedy prints that show “everyday scenes of life in the area,” that he posted with his farewell. It’s here.
School masks go away on Wednesday
Everyone has the story that Gov. Kathy Hochul lifted the statewide in-school mask mandate, effective Thursday March 2. Here’s the story in the Daily Gazette. The governor left room for schools and parents to make their own choices about masks, also.