Human Resources, Employees and Management
Workers in Washington and Saratoga counties have had their identities stolen, and the perpetrators of the fraud have used the information to collect unemployment benefits in the workers’ names, a story in the Post-Star is reporting this morning. Washington County Attorney Roger Wickes is among those with stolen identities, and the counties are encouraging workers to lock down their credit, the story says.
Ward Lumber in Jay made history when the employees bought the company from the owner, a first for the North Country, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise is reporting. Jay Ward, the former owner, will stay on as CEO. Ward was the fourth-generation owner of the lumber and hardware business. The company has been a mainstay of the Ausable Valley since 1890, the story says.
Government, Law and Legal Services
The Times-Union is reporting that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s volunteer aide Larry Schwartz has resigned after the legislature repealed “the Larry Schwartz rule.” A member of the governor’s coronavirus task force, Schwartz resigned after the legislature repealed the law exempting volunteers like him from certain ethics rules. The legislature repealed a series of COVID-related laws this week, and the one that pushed Schwartz away would not allow him to lobby for two years. Earlier this year, Schwartz caught flack for calling county leaders to test their loyalty to the governor. The rule’s nickname invokes Schwartz himself, the story says.
Manufacturing, Agriculture and Forestry
Fabbro Industries is building a street bicycle with rear suspension, the Albany Business Journal is reporting. The company is looking for test riders of their new frame. The suspension is integrated into the frame instead of being built as an addition to the frame, the story says. If it works, the company will try this on motorcycles, the story says.