Legislators reelected
In addition to the Presidential race, several local legislative elections were also held last night and the incumbent candidates swept.
New York State had one U.S. Senate seat up for re-election. Incumbent Democratic candidate Charles Schumer easily defeated his top challenger, Republican Howard Mills, in a 71% to 24% victory, according to CNN.
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Michael McNulty, whose district includes RPI, was also re-elected. CNN’s website had data from 76% of the precincts and showed a 71% to 29% win over Republican opponent Warren Redlich.
Both the State Senate and Assembly seats were uncontested. One of the re-elected legilators, State Republican Senator Joseph Bruno, also serves as the State Senate’s Majority Leader.
Snow emergency parking
Should a snow emergency be declared in Troy, student cars parked on city streets are subject to towing, according to Parking and Transportation. To avoid this situation, students can obtain a free snow emergency permit that will allow parking in North Lot for the duration of the snow emergency.
The permits will allow parking in the last four rows of North Lot. Those that already have a parking permit do not need a snow emergency permit. The permits can be obtained at the Parking Office in the VIC from Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Store closings mandated
The mayor of Troy, Harry Tutunjian, recently approved city regulations that will require convenience stores with less than 1,500 ft. of square footage to close from midnight to 5 am on Sunday through Thursday and from 1 am until 5 am Friday and Saturday.
The move is ostensibly aimed at reducing crime, though it was not clear to many store owners why other “crime generating” establishments were not considered in the regulation. However, the rule has yet to be enforced or truly go into effect. But when it does, offending stores will be fined $500-$1000 for a misdemeanor charge and possibly closed down for a year.
The New York Association of Convenience Stores has promised a challenge to the regulation, as they perceive it as unfairly favoring large chain stores at the expense of local small business.
Faculty grants awarded
Governor Pataki announced last Thursday that RPI will receive two financial awards totaling $1.5 million. The NYSTAR awards were given to RPI, Columbia, and NYU, among others, in order to promote the hiring to top scientists in research disciplines.
The two grants RPI has received will go to seeking out scientists to work with semiconductors and biosensors, as well as a scientist to lead the functional tissue engineering and regenerative medical research program.
Governor Pataki expressed his hope that these awards would better enable recipient institutions to help New York’s technology investments benefit its high-technology economy. “We are moving to the forefront of research that can spur economic growth, and we aim to have a profound impact in areas including health care, communications, and energy,” said President Jackson.
