Hochul: Storm causes state of emergency
Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as a storm dumps rain from Long Island to the Capital Region. The declaration covers Schenectady and Schoharie counties in the Capital Region as well as counties south to New York City and the Southern Tier, a story in the Times-Union is reporting. "I am proactively declaring a state of emergency to ensure we can provide the necessary resources to respond to this storm and protect lives and property in regions where the forecast is calling for significant rainfall," Hochul said in an announcement Monday night.
Restaurants: recovery is still hard
The Albany Business Journal is reporting that the Delta variant of COVID-19 versus cooler temperatures are making people wonder whether they should eat inside, and supply chain issues mean the restaurant might not have the food, anyway. The story cites data from a National Restaurant Association survey. Restaurateurs do not see normal for at least another year, if ever, the survey says. After a spring and summer bump, and some hope, restaurants saw business fall in August.
Fireworks ban moving along
The public has weighed in online and so far has said, rescind the law that allows for personal fireworks—the noise-making, flashing types, not the sparkler and quiet types—in Warren County. The county’s Governmental Operations and Advocacy Committee is asking the full county board to take public comment on it during a special meeting in December, the Post-Star is reporting. Currently the devices can be used in June up to July 4, and in December and January, around the time of New Year’s Eve.
Saratoga County budget
Saratoga County has a post-pandemic budget that does not feel the strain of the past year, a story in the Daily Gazette says. The proposed operating budget, $381.5 million for 2022 up from $370.3 million last year, may decrease taxes on property owners, though the county is awaiting data on that. Some of the spending goes toward the sheriff department and the district attorney’s office, while other funding helps build a full-service Department of Health.
Lake Placid is high, but not that high
The Village of Lake Placid will likely opt out of cannabis sales and onsite consumption, says a story in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. The new marijuana law allows a locality to opt out of sales or onsite use with the idea that it can change and allow both or either in the future. Once the locality opts-in, the law must stay that way. Many smaller localities are opting out to see just how the retail sales (similar to liquor stores) and onsite consumption (similar to bars) will operate elsewhere.