A coalition of business groups that spent about $15 million pushing Gov. Cuomo’s legislative agenda is disbanding. The Committee to Save New York blanketed the tv airwaves in 2011 and 2012, promoting Cuomo’s budget plans and financial austerity measures like the state’s now-implemented property-tax cap. The group went silent in 2013 as new state rules took effect that would have required it to disclose its major donors. The decision to disband comes as the Moreland Act Commission, which was created by Cuomo earlier this year, conducts an investigation into corruption and the state’s campaign finance system.
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The New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced several stream improvement projects. Work includes Fly Creek at Fleischmanns – Middletown in Delaware County, receiving $1.3 million to stabilize eroded streambanks and damaged retaining walls. Another project will be started at Dry Brook at the Arkville Trailer Park – $400,000 to stabilize areas of erosion, and the stream bank and flood plain will be reconstructed to their approximate pre-flood locations.
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Gov Cuomo raised the possibility of creating a “death penalty” for underperforming public schools in New York, suggesting he may push legislation next year allowing the state to take action. Cuomo said he will craft a plan for dealing with “failing schools” when lawmakers return to the state Capitol in January. The governor laid out a number of possibilities for dealing with underperforming schools, including potentially allowing the state, a local mayor or a charter school to take over. Any of those moves would require approval by state lawmakers.
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Proposed tax incentives to encourage revitalization of house in Oneonta will be reviewed tonight at 6 in common council chambers at city hall in Oneonta. The city community imporovement committee will present motions on home rule pertaining to the program at the council’s regulary scheduled meeting which will start at 7pm. The public is welcome.
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The New York State Fair has ended with a slight increase in attendance over last year, with more than 850,000 people visiting the fairgrounds in Syracuse. Fair officials say yesterday’s closing-day attendance was nearly 61,000, pushing overall attendance for 2013 to just over 851,000. That compares to about 845,000 last year. The all-time record for attendance was set in 2001, when more than 1 million people passed through the gates.
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The New York State Police is reminding potential applicants that the application period for the upcoming Trooper examination ends on September 8.  Applicants who file by the September 8th deadline can choose an exam date and location. Exam dates are scheduled for October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2013.  The online application can be found by at the New York State Police Recruitment website at http://www.nytrooper.com
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Plans are underway for the 4th Annual Autumn Fest on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Unadilla Community Field beginning at 10 a.m. Activities will include craft vendors, food, a chili competition sponsored by the Unadilla Rotary Club and a scarecrow contest sponsored by the Unadilla Women’s Club.For vendor information and application call 434-5361.