Let me just take a moment to say what a great experience it’s been to report on and write about the people, politics and government of the Lower Hudson Valley. I take with me a treasure of memories that’s far too lengthy to list.

And as a member of the crew that helped get Politics on the Hudson started, it has been especially rewarding to see this blog grow and watch its audience expand. I have enjoyed reading the comments – even the negative ones!

To all the people I have covered and to all the readers to who took the time to look in on what I was doing – I offer my thanks!

Glenn Blain

Ryan, a White Plains Democrat, visited the board’s offices on the 8th floor of the Michaelian Office Building and even took his customary seat at the weekly meeting of the Board of Acquisition and Contract.

There’s no word, however, whether Ryan will oversee Tuesday’s night’s meeting of the full board – the first since he underwent bypass surgery on June 23.

In a statement, the association urges the board to pass the bill and offers kudos to its sponsor, Legislator James Maisano, R-New Rochelle.

“The social host law plugs a loophole in the penal and (Alchohol Beverage Control) laws by allowing law enforcement to cite those who knowingly provide a venue for underage drinking,” the statement said.

The Board of Legislators is expected to take up the bill again Tuesday night and hold an additional public hearing on the measure on Aug. 11th.

Kirton, who has remained virtually out of sight in recent months, worked for now-disgraced Gov. Eliot Spitzer during his tenure as attorney general and followed him to the executive branch. However, soon after Paterson took office in March, she was identified by sources as having had an affair with Paterson.

Bill and Hillary Clinton joined Rep. Nita Lowey for a meal at X2O Xaviars on the Hudson in Yonkers last night.

“It was a friendly, social dinner,” said Nina Blackwell, a spokeswoman Sen. Hillary Clinton. She declined to provide further details about the outing.

Lowey, a Harrison Democrat, was key supporter and fundrasier for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.  Her congressional district also includes the Clinton’s hometown of Chappaqua.

X2O, for those unaware, is chef Peter X. Kelley’s trendy new restaurant along the Yonkers waterfront. It’s opening was hailed by city Mayor Phil Amicone as evidence of Yonkers’ continuing turnaround.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, announced today that his Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions will join with two other Assembly committees for a public hearing Wednesday on how the New York City Industrial Development Authority handled the financing for the new Yankee Stadium.

The new Yankee Stadium project, according to Brodsky’s press release, was granted $942 million in tax exempt financing in 2006 but is now seeking as much as $366 million.

“The law requires a clear public benefit when tax free bonds are used,” said Brodsky, who chairs the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. “We will be examining what benefits exist, if any, who made these decisions and what the public cost will be, at a time of shortage of public dollars and escalating ticket prices.”

The hearing is set for 10 a.m. at 250 Broadway in Manhattan.

The 30-second spot, which focuses on tax relief, is airing on local cable channels.

“Westchester County has everything that anyone could ever ask for,” says Feld, the mayor of Larchmont. “But right now, Westchester is suffering from the highest tax burden in the country. Who’s sticking up for Westchester? Who’s up in Albany fighting for us? ”

The 37th State Senate district includes portions of Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Chappaqua, New Castle, North Castle, Port Chester, White Plains, Rye, Rye Brook, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Scarsdale, and New Rochelle.

“Legislator Bill Ryan, Chairman for the Westchester County Board of Legislators, was released from the hospital this weekend after undergoing heart bypass surgery last week. He has returned home and is said to be making a steady recovery.

“The Ryan family extends its thanks for the many expressions of comfort and well-wishing during this time. ”

Pilla, in a telephone interview a few moments ago, said he was undaunted by the district’s heavy Democratic registration numbers and planned to make property tax relief the focal point of his candidacy.

“If we don’t do something about it, we are just killing ourselves,” Pilla said.

The 88tht Assembly district includes the cities, towns and villages of White Plains, Eastchester, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Scarsdale, Pelham and Pelham Manor. Paulin is a Democrat from Scarsdale.

Schumer, a Democrat and New York’s senior senatoor, sent a letter to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, formally extending an invitation for her to attend any one of the several anniversary events now being planned.

“Henry Hudson’s voyage in 1609 shaped and defined New York State as we know it today,” Schumer said in a press release. ““While Henry Hudson might not have found that southwest passage to the East he was searching for, he achieved something much more valuable: creating a Dutch presence in the New World, centered in what is now New York State. In light of the legacy of New York’s Dutch history—captured in the Hudson River and places like Haarlem, the Kaatskills, Fort Orange, Jonkheers, and Governor’s Island—having Her Majesty’s presence in the Hudson Valley for our celebration would be a true honor.”

Festivities, which are set for September and October of 2009, are being planned by a special commission that was created by Gov. David Paterson. Events include a parade of ships, including a replica of Hudson’s Halve Maen; a Four Freedoms Award ceremony at the home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and a parade at the United States Military Academy at West Point,

The 5-4 ruling w — the justices’ first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history — went further than even the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms laws intact, according to an Associated Press account.

Justice Antonin Scalia, who wrote the majority decision, said that an individual right to bear arms is supported by “the historical narrative” both before and after the Second Amendment was adopted.

Committee members said it was premature to say whether Kriss used any of the books, software or electronics he purchased for governmental or personal use. But they also said its obvious that county purchasing and inventory procedures were not followed.

“What it seems like overall is that there is an impulsive nature to the purchases,” said Legislator Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers, the committee chairman. “In other words – we need to have this item and we need to have this item quickly.’”

Jenkins said the controversy, which has resulted in a probe by the District Attorney’s Office, also points out the need for the Board of Legislators to have a full-time chief of staff to better keep track of the staff’s purchasing activities.

“There are inherent difficulties in managing a staff where the department head, the highest level person or the responsible person, is not a full time person,” Jenkins.

UPDATE – Legislator Jenkins called this morning to stress that the chief of staff position is needed to oversee the overall management of the board and its staff, not just the purchasing operations.

Ryan, a White Plains Democrat, underwent coronary bypass surgery on Monday. He has been hospitalized since late last week.

DeSoye, in an e-mail, reported that Ryan is “is doing very well and making steady progress recovering from the surgery.” The surgery took place Monday.

The board has released only sparse information on Ryan’s medical condition since he was first hospitalized last week. There’s still no word on how long he will be in the hospital or how long he will be out of work.

Board Vice Chairman Michael Kaplowitz will chair board meetings until Ryan’s return.

“President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States,” Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said in a statement.

However, Clinton, according to an Associated Press account, has not spoken with Obama since Hillary Clinton suspended her campaign for the presidency.

“We’ve gotten word that Chairman Ryan’s surgery went well and that he is now beginning his recovery. No further details are available at this time.”

Bloomberg, according to Brodsky, made a series of last minute demands late last week that threatened to scuttle talks between the Assembly, Senate, and Governor over an authority reform bill.

“This is nothing short of an attempt to hijack authority reform and turn it into the kind of imperial control of government agencies that hasn’t worked in Washington and won’t work here,” Brodsky said  in a press release. “The Mayor knew of this effort for years.  The impact of his last-minute intervention has already slowed progress, and may have the effect of killing the bill. I’ve asked him to reconsider his views immediately. We have worked too long and too hard to reform these Soviet-style bureaucracies to quit now.  We need the Governor’s leadership to resolve this problem today.”

The proposal won approval from two key committees of the Board of Legislators, setting up a vote  before the full board early next month. In addition to new voting machines, which the county must sooon purchase under state and federal election reforms, the building will also house the administrative headquarters of the county’s Department of Public Safety.

“We’ve got a very good price here and we ought to jump at it,” said Legislator Judy Myers, a a Democrat from Mamaroneck.

Spano’s plan calls for the county to spend $13.6 million to purchase and renovate the building at 450 Saw Mill River Road, which is located just outside the village of Ardsley. The building is owned by Ardsley Partners III, whose principal, Jon Halpern, is a major Democratic donor and has hosted a fundraiser for Spano.

Administration officials have argued that the building represents the best-available deal for taxpayers and that Halpern’s contributions have played no role in the process.

After more than a year of debate, Spano’s arguments seem to be taking hold. Several legislators today expressed support for the proposal, describing it as a cost effective deal for taxpayers.

Legislator Thomas Abinanti, D-Greenbrugh, however, remained critical.

“In these economic times, we should not be buying a building,” Abinanti said. “We should be making do with what we have.”

“I believe very strongly that by the end of this year we are going to get some serious legislation,” said Suozzi, who chaired the state’s Commission on Property Tax Relief. “We have a very unique set of circumstances here. Voter anger is as high as ever.”

Suozzi, the Nassau county executive, said he would have preferred that the legislature acted before the end of its scheduled session, but he also noted that Gov. David Paterson has left open the possibility of calling lawmakers back into session later this year.

“For the first time ever, we’ve got the governor taking a leadership role saying this is a statewide, systemic problem,” Suozzi said.

As for their day-long meeting at the county’s Lasdon Park, Spano and Suozzi both described it as an opportunity for the two suburban leaders to share ideas on such topics as child care, tourism and information technology.

“It’s the beginning of a dialogue that will go back and forth now so we can exchange ideas,” Spano said.

According to an advisory from Spano’s office, the two executives “along with senior staff from each county, have been discussing common concerns and exchanging ideas on various regional issues. ”

It’s a safe bet, though, that the tax cap will be discussed.

“A cap is needed to ensure property taxpayers get genuine relief, rather than getting short-changed by local school districts that spend all their state aid,” Murtagh said in a press release this afternoon. “That inevitably forces tax hikes.”

Tax cap was proposed by Tom Suozzi’s Commission on Property Tax Reform and is backed by Gov. David Paterson. Although it seems to have support among the general public, the proposal faces slim odds of being adopted before the end of the state legislative session.

While Murtagh’s release blasts Stewart-Cousins and her “fellow Democrats” for doing “nothing to address the crushing tx burden” faced by New Yorkers, it does not mention the fact that Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, a Republican, has not signaled any support for Suozzi’s proposed cap.

Westchester Conservatives had state party chief Michael Long address its annual fundraising reception, while the county’s Republican Committee has former White House Press Secretary — and Westchester native — Ari Fleischer give the keynote address at their gala.

Tomorrow, the Westchester Democratic Commitee takes its turn with state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli offering the keynote address at its annual gala. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the VIP Club in New Rochelle

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith is also listed as a “special guest presenter,” according to a press release from the Democratic Party.

“We are looking at the expenses and we are going to see what processes have been followed,” Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, said.

Jenkins said the five-member committee will begin by looking at the board’s 2008 expenses, including those of Kriss, whose taxpayer-funded spending is the subject of an investigation by the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.

Serving on the committee with Jenkins are board Minority Leader George Oros, R-Cortlandt; Bill Burton, D-Ossining; Peter Harckham, D-Katonah; and Gordon Burrows, R-Yonkers.

The jury’s verdict, reached after less than a full day of deliberations, gives District Attorney Janet DiFiore one of the most high profile defeats of her tenure.

But Lowey said the outcome does point out the need for Democrats to take a serious look at how they choose their nominees for president and the continued use of caucuses.

“I’m not an expert on the caucus system but I do believe that the primary system, where everyone has the opportunity to vote, better reflects the views of the people,” Lowey, a Harrison Democrat, said. “There are other people who think caucuses are great. I think that the working class people who can’t get to a caucus – you have to think whether you are reaching the majority of people in a state.”

And it was the caucuses, Lowey suggested, that, more than anything else, doomed Clinton’s campaign.

“Certainly, in the end, she kept winning one primary after another,” Lowey said. “And that brings to mind, frankly, the whole caucus system. I do believe that most of the people in the campaign thought she would win by Feb. 5 and they weren’t or they may not have been as focused on the caucuses.

“I think the Democrats are going to have to look at the whole process when its all over and whether they’ll turn to winner takes all like the Republicans, or have a regional primaries or refine the caucus system so that it doesn’t go on forever – state, local caucuses -there’s going to be a thnking through of the whole process.”

Lowey was in White Plains to hold a press conference with state Labor Commissioner M. Patrica Smith to call for extended unemployment benefits.

In a press release sent last night, Ball announced that he was named the 2008 New York State Legislator of the Year by the New York State Rifle and  Pistol Association.  A year ago, Ball was named NYSRPA’s Assemblyman of the Year.

“This is the first time in NYSRPA’s history that I can recall any legislator getting first the Aseemblyman of the Year and then receiving the Legislator of the Year Ward,” said NYSRPA President Tom King said in the release.

“This afternoon, as Governor Paterson was traveling to New York City to attend his son’s graduation, he experienced pain in his left eye.  He went to his physician’s office at Mount Sinai Medical Center for an evaluation where he learned the pressure in his left eye had increased, causing the pain. The doctor found that the prior iriditomy that had been performed to relieve the pressure on his eye (glaucoma) had partially closed – a common occurrence in patients who have a cataract. The Governor had a short laser procedure to relieve pressure on that eye and fully reopen the channel. He left the doctor’s office to serve as the commencement speaker at his son’s graduation. After the ceremony he will return to the doctor’s office for a follow-up visit to ensure that the procedure had the desired result. ”

Solis Doyle, who was ousted as Clinton’s campaign manager in February, will serve as the chief of staff to Obama’s yet-to-be-chosen running mate, the campaign announced.

“Today we’re adding to our leadership team so that we reach even more Americans who share the belief that people who love their country can change it,” campaign manager David Plouffe said. “These staff members bring a wealth of organizing experience to their new role, and they’ll provide key insight and direction as we continue to build our coalition.”

So the campaign sent out a new e-mail today, this one attached to an online photo album of snapshots taken during the campaign. Interestingly, the album includes several shots of Hillary with her daughter, Chelsea, but none with Bill Clinton.

“Together, you and I changed America forever,” Clinton says in the e-mail. “We touched so many lives over the course of this campaign, and I can’t thank you enough for the support you showed me. I met so many wonderful people out on the trail, and I wanted to share some of those memories with you. ”

Below each picture in the albom is a red “contribute” icon.

Storch had become a familiar presence in Westchester County budget proceedings over the years. He was praised by lawmakers from both parties for his work in helping the board review the spending plans proposed by the county executive.

“The county has lost a great friend,” said Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan, a White Plains Democrat.

Storch was honored was a moment of silence by lawmakers.

“I can’t think of a finer person to deal with,” said Legislator Vito Pinto, D-Tuckahoe,