Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

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Buffalo developer Carl Paladino beat Rick Lazio in the Republican gubernatorial primary to set up a November showdown with Democrat Andrew Cuomo. Paladino received Tea Party support in defeating Lazio, who had backing from the Republican Party. However, Lazio's running mate Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards won the Republican primary for lieutenant governor. Lazio and Edwards were able to keep the Conservative Party nomination for governor, meaning Edwards could run for lieutenant governor with Lazio as a Conservative and for lieutenant governor on the Republican line with Paladino. Edwards hasn't made a decision yet. US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand easily won a Democratic primary challenge from Gail Goode, a lawyer for New York City. Goode said she realized she was not considered a threat to Gillibrand, who was appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of Hillary Rodham Clinton, but ran to give voters a choice. Joseph DioGuardi won the three-way Republican primary an...

A man arrested during an investigation into militia activity in the region has been sentenced on a weapons charge. 51-year-old Marvin Hall of Brookville, pleaded guilty in February to possessing weapons as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwap sentenced Hall to the 24 months he has already served, followed by three years of supervised release. Three other men were arrested in connection with the investigation into the Brookville Tigers Militia. 64-year-old Morgan Jones of Lucinda and 62-year-old Perry Landis of DuBois have also pleaded guilty. 61-year-old Bradley Kahle of Clearfield County was scheduled for trial in Johnstown. He allegedly told undercover agents that he hoped if Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama were elected president, they would be killed. You can see our previous stories here: http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=militia

A Brookville man, who federal prosecutors once described as a survivalist and potential militia member, has pleaded guilty to violating federal firearms laws. 51-year-old Marvin Hall was convicted of violating federal firearms law back in 1999, so he is not allowed to own guns. He was arrested by a terrorism task force in 2008 for having a shotgun and an assault rifle. Hall will be sentenced June 25. Three other men were arrested in connection with the investigation into the Brookville Tigers Militia. 64-year-old Morgan Jones of Lucinda and 62-year-old Perry Landis of DuBois have also pleaded guilty. 61-year-old Bradley Kahle of Clearfield County is scheduled for trial in Johnstown this spring. He allegedly told undercover agents that he hoped if Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama were elected president, they would be killed. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=militia

President Barack Obama has selected Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland. The 76-year-old Rooney endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton during Pennsylvania's contentious Democratic primary. Rooney later campaigned for Obama in in western Pennsylvania, and Obama went on to win Pennsylvania in November. Obama says he has confidence that Rooney and Secretary of State Clinton "will ensure America's continued close and unique partnership with Ireland in the years ahead."

Governor David Paterson's popularity continues to slide among New York voters. A poll released this morning by the Sienna College Research Institute shows that only 40 percent approve of the job Paterson is doing. That's down from 64 percent in November. Sienna spokesman Steve Greenberg attributed the slide to the way Paterson handled picking a replacement for Hillary Clinton in the Senate; his controversial state budget proposals; and a general lack of direction within his administration.

If New York's gubernatorial primary election were being held today – David Paterson would be packing his bags. The latest voter survey from Quinnipiac University's polling institute says Paterson trails Attorney General Andrew Cuomo by by two-to-one in a hypothetical 2010 Democratic primary match-up. Cuomo has not said he is interested in running for governor next year, though many Democrats believe he is positioning himself to make a run possible. Quinnipiac polling spokesman Maurice Carroll blamed part of Paterson's problem with voters on fallout from the recent debacle over the selection of a new senator to replace Hillary Clinton. Voters disapproved of the way Paterson handled the appointment process by a margin of 52 percent to 35 percent

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Gov. David Paterson on Friday chose second-term Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate after Caroline Kennedy abruptly withdrew from consideration. Gillibrand, a lawmaker from upstate New York, will fill the seat vacated when Clinton resigned to become secretary of state in the Obama administration. For more, go to MSNBC

Governor David Paterson wasn't going to pick Caroline Kennedy anyway. That's what a source close to the governor tells The Buffalo News a day after Kennedy removed herself from consideration for the US Senate seat vacated by now-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says Paterson wasn’t going to pick Kennedy because of herlack of experience, and because she has a tax problem and a potential nanny problem. For the full story, go to The Buffalo News .

Hillary Clinton confirmed as Secretary of State. The U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday by a vote of 94-2. The two senators who opposed Clinton's confirmation were Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, and David Vitter, R-Louisiana. For the full story, go to CNN.com .

ALBANY, N.Y. - Officials say the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy will be the governor's choice to fill the New York Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton. Two people close to Gov. David Paterson tell The Associated Press they believe Caroline Kennedy will be his choice, but the governor cautions he's still looking. For the full story, go to MSNBC.com

NEW YORK (AP) — With the wind of her family's legacy at her back, Caroline Kennedy says her quest for a Senate seat has been a long time in the making. In her first sit-down interview since she emerged as a Senate hopeful, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy told The Associated Press that she has always pondered jumping into politics, but waited for the right moment. "I am an unconventional choice. I understand that. I haven't pursued the traditional path. But I think that in our public life today, we're starting to see there are many ways into public life and public service," she said. For the full story, go to The Associated Press .

New York Governor David Paterson says he's in no hurry to pick a successor to Hillary Clinton in the US Senate, and he wishes people would stop talking about who he will choose when, and if, Clinton is confirmed as Secretary of State. More attention has been given to Paterson and his choice since Caroline Kennedy decided to seek the seat once held by her uncle, Robert Kennedy. Paterson says he doesn't feel that much anxiety over the choice because, under the state constitution, whomever he appoints much stand in the next general election in 2010.

(CNN) -- Caroline Kennedy, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has made it clear to high-level Democrats that she wants to be the next senator from New York, a source close to Kennedy has told CNN's John King. For the full story, go to CNN.com .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation. Kennedy reached out to the governor to discuss the Senate seat, according to the Democratic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private. The source would not disclose the details of the conversation. For the full story, go to The Associated Press .

“Since the founding of our nation, New York has often sent our best leaders to Washington where they confronted the great challenges of their day. We are proud that Senator Clinton will join that venerable tradition as Secretary of State. She is the leader we need to partner with President-Elect Obama to confront the international challenges we face today. I can think of no one more qualified for the position at this critical moment in our history. “New York will lose a powerful voice in the Senate. But the nation will gain a powerful voice in the world. Senator Clinton's wisdom and record of leadership will make her a strong advocate for the cause of liberty, human rights, and the rule of law. Her courage and experience will give our nation a tested warrior in the fight against terrorism and extremism. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank Senator Clinton for her service to this State. I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new capacity. “In order to appoint...

With Hillary Clinton's nomination to the post of Secretary of State, New York Governor David Paterson must decide who to replace her with in the Senate. Paterson says about a dozen people have contacted him to say they're interested in going to Washington. Although Paterson declined to name the people, speculators say state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown are among those being considered. Clinton must still be confirmed by the Senate.

Two Cattaraugus County fire departments are receiving federal Homeland Security Department grants through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The Kill Buck Fire District will receive $99,935 in Operations and Safety money, while the Salamanca Fire Department will receive $9,993. Senator Hillary Clinton announced the grants, saying that they will "help provide the training, equipment, and other resources vital to ensuring they will be fully prepared for the hazardous jobs they perform.''

~~ Adam, Alex and Aaryn – the three best nephews any aunt could hope for ~~ The rest of my family ~~ A job I love, love, love. (I'd say more but it's never good to let your boss know you're that happy. So don't tell him, ok? And don't tell Scott, Frank, Dan, Stefan, Peg and Clara either.) ~~Tom Riel, who I'm proud to call my friend (and whose wife created the best salad in the world. Thanks Janel!) ~~ City Council meetings or, as I think of them, my twice-a-month night of entertainment ~~ A state government with a plethora of entertaining figures ~~ Friends who appreciate the use of the word "plethora" ~~Drivers who use turn signals ~~People who tell me they appreciate the work I do (This means you, Bob Onuffer) ~~The United Way ~~The Kiwanis Club ~~Mike Walter ~~Mike Cejka ~~Diane, Becky and Maria ~~Everybody who appreciates community theater (I hope that includes everyone I may inadvertently leave off this list.) ~~Joe Scarnati for trusting me and sa...

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday. For the full story, go to The New York Times .