GOP rally cancelled for today, Dems counter-rally is on
Scott Presler, a political firebrand and star of the GOP who is also on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Hate Watch List” will not be speaking at a get-out-the-vote rally in Wilton today, the Times Union reported yesterday. The rally had been touted in a tweet by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik in which she called Presler a patriot, though her campaign said she would not be attending the event because of her pregnancy. The tweet has been deleted, the story says.
Saratoga County Chairman Carl Zeilman said that a case of COVID in RISE PAC—Presler is a member—forced the cancellation, the story says. He is still slated to speak Upstate Conservative Coalition in Wilton, Aug. 31 at 7p.m.
Saratoga Democrats are pushing ahead with what they are calling an anti-hate, pro-democracy rally in Saratoga Springs’ Congress Park at 5p.m. today. This according to numerous emails and press releases delivered to FoothillsBusinessDaily.com.
Hochul: Schools must mask-up; fight the delta variant
Universal mask-wearing is coming to state schools under a directive from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The new governor in her first address said a vaccination policy for school staff is coming, and it might include either vaccinations or weekly testing. The mask mandate has been a point of contention at school boards across the state, a story in the Times Union says. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children wear masks, especially to help prevent the distribution of the delta variant of COVID-19.
The Albany Business Journal reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s top priorities include fighting the Delta variant of COVID-19 and getting kids back to school. After that, Hochul will focus on the rent assistance program, paid for by federal dollars but stymied in Albany, the story says.
Wind tower complex in Albany
The 400-acre Port of Albany is seeking site plan approval for a bridge and five buildings in Bethlehem and Albany to make offshore wind towers in New York, the Albany Business Journal reports. The complex would handle welding, assembly, testing and storage areas for wind turbines on the Hudson River. It’s an aggressive timeline to try and get the various approvals for the site development, the story says. The complex will be operated by Marmen, a Quebec machining company and by Welcon of Denmark.
DEC to consider White Lake Granite Quarry
An independent consultant, the LA Group of Saratoga Springs, has determined the White Lake Granite Quarry project does not have sufficient study to develop and operate a pink granite quarry in White Lake, the Adirondack Explorer is reporting. The LA Group said that not enough environmental impact study had been completed, the story says. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a hearing on the matter at 10a.m. Thursday Aug. 26.