Politics

Sen. Ball: 'I'd be first in line' to torture bombing suspect

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 12:43pm

ALBANY - Would it be okay to torture Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to get information? One New York State senator has immersed himself in controversy by saying he'd be "the first in line" to conduct the torture.

Sen. Greg Ball, R-Lower Hudson Valley, not only continues to defend his position on torture, he also continues to suggest those people who disagree with him need to check their own conscience.

After the marathon bombing suspect was captured Friday, Ball tweeted:

So, scum bag #2 in custody. Who wouldn't use torture on this punk to save more lives?

— Greg Ball (@ball4ny) April 20, 2013

He then proceeded to double down his comments speaking with Fox News.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Albany County legislator calls for ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013, 5:55pm

ALBANY - It sounds like a good idea to the Tobacco-Free Coalition.

They tell us cigarettes and other tobacco products are already banned in some localities across the nation. Fifty-three places in Massachusetts including Pittsfield, Lenox and Lee, but no place yet in New York State.

"Put restrictions on a product equal to the damage that it causes," said Judy Rightmyer of the Tobacco-Free Coalition.

Legislator Tim Nichols is advancing the pharmacy tobacco ban for Albany County.

If it gets passed at a future meeting, then places like CVS, as well as Price Chopper, Hannaford and ShopRite, would have to pull their cigarettes or close their pharmacies in Albany County.

"Tobacco products shouldn't be sold in places where people go to get well," said Nichols. "Where people go to get their medicine."

View Comments | Post a Comment

Albany County Legislature appoints new member

Submitted by Anna Didio on Tuesday, February 12th, 5:15 pm

ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany County Legislature announced Monday night that the vacancy for the 14th Legislative District has been filled and appointed to Alison McLean-Lane. Hon.

Alison McLean-Lane was sworn in prior to the Legislative Meeting.

The 14th Legislative District includes parts of the Town of Colonie, and the City of Watervliet.

View Comments | Post a Comment

NRA: NY’s quick gun law passage nixed opposition

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 5:37pm

The National Rifle Association said the secretive negotiations and lightning-fast passage of New York’s tough new gun control laws squelched the powerful gun lobby’s ability to mount opposition.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had to engineer quick enactment to prevent a counterproductive buying spree of now-outlawed guns.

The legislation was negotiated over the weekend, introduced on the first day of the 2013 legislative session and signed into law the next day.

The NRA, which has thwarted such restrictions nationwide, had members working the phones but didn’t have enough time to coordinate a public rally. The gun-rights group and some New York lawmakers say the rushed legislation also undermined public input and meaningful debate.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Colonie Chamber to hold ‘Colonie in 2013’ event

Submitted by Anna Didio on Tuesday, January 8th, 4:01 pm

COLONIE – The Colonie Chamber will present Colonie In 2013: A Comprehensive Look at Our Town. The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 11 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Colonie In 2013 is an opportunity for the businesses and residents of Colonie to discuss how the town will be affected within the upcoming year.

Topics of discussion include government, economic development, and our educational system, caring for our seniors, safety, retail business, and transportation.

This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

A light breakfast will be provided.

View Comments | Post a Comment