WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

All six of the city of Plattsburgh’s common council seats, and the mayor’s position, are open this year. City Democrats have quickly selected a slate of candidates, and this past weekend, they introduced themselves to the voters.

The casino project proposed in Springfield Massachusetts by MGM Resorts International will be put to the city’s voters in mid-July.

The Springfield City Council has voted unanimously to set July 16th as the date for the citywide casino referendum. The council also authorized $95,000 for a voter education campaign.  Springfield Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola said her office will use direct mail, print, television and internet advertising to promote the casino vote.

One day after New York’s powerful Assembly Speaker admitted “glaring failures” in his handling of a sexual abuse case, the Albany establishment seemed to be moving on, with the usual round of press conferences, bill passage, and leaders meetings.

A new report says unless steps are taken immediately, New York is not is going to be able to fill the jobs of the future .  A report released in Albany Tuesday finds a “skills gap” exists in New York State – especially in the Capital Region, where high-tech jobs are growing as the area embraces its “tech valley” moniker with the expansion of chip fabrication and nanotechnology.  But at the same time, the report warns of growing numbers of "unprepared students and unprepared workers."

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening forecast for Thursday, May 21, 2013.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a cabinet meeting this afternoon at the state capitol.   Issues discussed included jobs, education reform, drunk driving laws, pistol permits, and perhaps inevitably on the same day Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned his seat, ethics. Cuomo says corruption is rampant throughout government and society, and telegraphed the idea people are accustomed to it.

All of the top elected positions in northern New York’s largest city are up for grabs in the November election. The Republican Mayor of Plattsburgh announced in April that he would not run for reelection. And none of the incumbent members of the city’s Common Council will run to return to their seats on that governing body.

A community forum focused on biking in the Northern Berkshires was recently held, where panelists discussed the challenges and future for expanding the potential for biking in the region.

Jonathan Butler, Adams Town Administrator, said that that the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail – an 11.2 mile railroad corridor turned bike path that runs from Lanesborough up through Adams – has had an impact on the town’s economy that he calls “nothing short of significant”.