Top New York Racing Association (NYRA) executives were placed on leave on Monday amid a report that the racing organization had withheld funds from exotic bets placed at Saratoga, Aqueduct, and Belmont Park race courses – in which is in violation of New York’s racing and wagering law.

NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward and Senior Vice President Patrick Kehoe were placed on administrative leave after a report made public by the state’s Racing and Wagering Board claims that Hayward and other executives knowingly collected $8.6 million in overcharges, even as the violation continued to take place after NYRA officials were made aware of what Hayward described as “unintentional oversight.”

Hayward took over as head of the state’s only horse racing organization in 2004, amid a bleak era for NYRA when the state went out to bid for the contracts to run the three tracks. Under Hayward, NYRA made strides in terms of accountability and cost control that hadn’t been seen in previous NYRA administrations.

The report also alleges that Hayward and Steve Crist, the publisher of the Daily Racing Room, had made an arrangement to not disclose that NYRA had been over-collecting based upon rate changes. Hayward previously was in charge of the Daily Racing Form before becoming president of NYRA.

The speculation is just about over – Albany County Legislature Chairman Shawn M. Morse (D-Cohoes) will indeed challenge Sen. Neil D. Breslin, as Morse’s camp sent a release early Monday morning stating that the Cohoes Democrat will be making a “major announcement” this Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. at the Ogden Mills apartment complex in Cohoes.

Morse, 45, became the legislature’s chairman in January, succeeding now Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. Like McCoy, Morse has a firefighter background and has served the Cohoes Fire Department since 1989.

Morse’s potential candidacy has been speculated ever since he became chairman of the 39-member legislature. It’s been rumored that Morse has a prospective war chest in the six figures (exact numbers have yet to be determined, since it’s prospective – not confirmed contributions).

The primary battle would pit Morse, who’s blue-collar background would identify more with the newer lines of the redrawn 44th Senate district, against Breslin, an eight-term incumbent whose older brother Michael had been Albany County Executive and younger brother Thomas an Albany County Judge.

Breslin kicked off his re-election campaign in front of scores of elected officials, including Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald whose running for the 108th Assembly District.

Albany County Legislator Christopher T. Higgins officially announced his bid for the New York State Assembly’s newly-drawn 109th district via a video sent Wednesday morning.

“As a county legislator, I have fought hard for my constituents and for our progressive values. I’ve voted no on overwhelming tax increases because I know seniors and working families are stretched too thin. And I’ve written and passed legislation to keep our roads and neighborhoods safe, protect our environment, and improve the health of our communities,” says Higgins in the two-minute long video (seen below)

“As your full-time Assemblyman, I’ll be focused on finding creative ways help our state and ensure that the Capital Region gets its fair share of state resources for our schools, hospitals and law enforcement.”

Higgins, 32, is counsel for the New York State Senate Democratic Conference and has been in the Albany County Legislature since 2007.

In addition to Higgins, fellow County Legislator Bryan Clenahan (D-Guilderland) has entered the race, along with former Albany school board president Patricia Fahy, legislative aide Margarita Perez, and Port of Albany business manager Frank Commisso (Commisso is also the majority leader of the county legislature).

Commisso received the unanimous endorsement from the Albany County Democratic Committee’s executive committee to succeed retiring Assemblyman Jack McEneny.

Here’s the video:

Former Albany Board of Education President Patricia Fahy formally announced her bid for the Democratic nomination for the New York State Assembly’s newly drawn 109th district Thursday afternoon, placing an emphasis on her experience as a government manager and work with public education.

“I’m invested in this community. I’ve advocated for working and middle-class families throughout my professional life, and I’m ready to do the same for the people of this district. I promise to continue to deliver the passion, hard work, and integrity I’m known for,” said Fahy in a statement.

Fahy was president of the Board of Education and most recently, associate commissioner for the state’s Department of Labor. Fahy joins a Democratic field that includes county legislators Christopher T. Higgins and Bryan M. Clenahan to succeed retiring Assemblyman John J. McEneny.

“As a working mother, I am keenly aware of the issues facing many families today. I know what it’s like to worry about the rising costs of healthcare, housing, and transportation. And with two children in public schools, I know we need to build a prosperous future for the next generation by attracting and retaining high-quality, sustainable, twenty-first century jobs,” Fahy continued.

Standing at the bottom of the New York State Capitol’s east steps, State Sen. Neil D. Breslin (D-Bethlehem) announced his intentions to seek a ninth term Thursday afternoon.

“I will run harder than I’ve ever run before to bring back a Democratic Senate,” said Breslin, joined by several Democratic elected officials including former U.S. Representative Michael R. McNulty, Assemblymen John J. McEneny, Ronald Canestrari, and Robert Reilly, Albany City Auditor Leif Engstrom, City Treasurer Katherine M. Sheehan, in addition to several county legislators.

“Were running out of Breslins,” said McNulty in reference Breslin’s brother Michael retiring last year after sixteen years as Albany County Executive and younger brother Thomas running for the New York State Supreme Court.

“Remembering that my job as a senator that’s equal treatment for all and I will lead the charge against corruption,” Breslin continued.

Breslin was first elected in 1996, beating Republican Michael Hoblock. This year, Breslin may see a challenger in Albany County Legislature Chairman Shawn Morse (D-Cohoes), who reportedly may have significant financial backing from outside the district according to Democratic insiders.

The new district (new number: 44) lines run from Bethlehem into Rensselaer County, ending in Cohoes at the north end of the district.

Neil Fallon is hands down the illest ventriloquist this side of the Mississippi River. And he reminded everyone of that in the first 30 seconds of being on stage at Northern Lights last Thursday night. Like always, Fallon and the boys from Clutch came equipped to show the NY Capital Region what rock and roll looks and sounds like. And they did it in style, following their signature intro song, We Need Some Money by Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers.

Playing a diverse set including tracks from Blast Tyrant, Pure Rock Fury, Clutch, Robot Hive/Exodus, From Beale Street to Oblivion, their last album studio album, Strange Cousins from the West, and two unreleased songs, the Germantown, Maryland-based heavy blues rock band plowed through 18 songs before their encore. A truly devastating powerhouse of live rock, their set opened with the track Pure Rock Fury straight into Animal Farm, a personal favorite of mine, and into three more heavy hitters, Power Player, the last song written for the Beale Street album, The Mob Goes Wild, made famous on Viva La Bam, and Prophets of Doom before even pausing. Prophets stands as an impressive song for a multitude of reasons, but what is probably most fascinating is that it contains the names of the first four books of the Old Testament in a verse while maintaining a hooky pop element.

Two new songs, which were not named but could be identified as Rocket 88 and Under Pressure, managed to be both fresh and old hat at the same time. If they are any indication of the new album Clutch is rumored to be releasing later this year, then Clutch fanboys, myself included, have a lot to look forward to.

Drummer J.P. Gaster was able to shine with a tantalizing drum solo that forced the whole crowd into silence. Gaster purposely softened his playing to level so low it would have difficult to hear him when standing next to the kit. The entire crowd, mosh pit included, ceased moving and paid close attention.

Clutch’s complete set list:

Pure Rock Fury
Animal Farm
Power Player
The Mob Goes Wild
Prophets of Doom
Immortal
The Soapmakers
Drum solo
Burning Beard
Rocket 88
50,000 Unstoppable Watts
I Have the Body of John Wilkes Booth
The House That Peterbilt
Under Pressure
Spacegrass
Electric Worry
One Eye Dollar

Encore
Cyprus Grove
Gravel Road

Before Clutch’s set, L.A.-based hard rock power trio Kyng plowed through their impressive set. Having never listened to Kyng before, I was pleasantly surprised. In the words of my friend and local drummer Eric, ”They’re like Clutch from Seattle!” And they were. A hook-based, riff-oriented band with good vocals and decent melodies, Kyng sounds a lot bigger than a three-piece. I was most impressed by their vocal harmonies, which were reminiscent of Alice in Chains in their heyday. Drummer Pepe Clark played with such energy, his backswing was moving the cymbals on J.P. Gaster’s set behind him – a testament to the band’s on-stage energy.

As for show opener Monstro, from Georgia, all I can say is that they looked cool. At first glance, if one didn’t know better, it would be possible to think Monstro was a supergroup made up of Rob Zombie on bass, Criss Angel on drums, Kim Thayil of Soundgarden on guitar, and mid-life crisis Dave Grohl on vocals. Unfortunately, the music would have instantly given them away. The jams were sluggish, boring, and lacked any kind of soulful element. At times it was hard to tell if they were trying to be more like Wolfmother or more like Rush. One can only hope that touring with Clutch will push them in the right direction, whatever that might be.

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Writer’s note: Northern Lights has graciously allowed the Knickerbocker Ledger to cover shows for over two years. Dave and his crew are always good to work with and consistently bring some of the best rock and hard rock acts to the area. If not for them, bands like Clutch, Flogging Molly, TRAPT, Rancid, and more wouldn’t come to the area. Check out www.northernlightslive.com for show and ticketing information. And, as always, remember to support the arts!

The $18 million dollar project to reroute Washington Avenue Extension from inside the Albany Nanotech Complex to the outer perimeter is set to begin this month, according to state Department of Transportation officials.

A press conference is scheduled for today at 2 p.m. with Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald and College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering senior vice president and CEO Alain E. Kaloyeros.

Currently, Washington Avenue Extension runs beneath the new bridge connecting the current Nanotech complex to the new expansion, which will now include Intel as part of a larger $4.4 billion nanotechnology package Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced last fall.

The re-route will move Washington Avenue Extension to the outer rim of the Nanotech complex, which will also coincide with a full rehab of Fuller Road adjacent to Washington Avenue Extension. In the place of the current Washington Avenue Extension will be new parking for CNSE employees.

Funding will be provided jointly by Albany County and the University at Albany, according to a report by the Business Review.

Albany Common Council member Dominick Calsolaro is exploring a potential run to replace outgoing Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari, according to sources.

The newly drawn district for Canestrari’s seat encroaches on nearly a third of the City of Albany, including the South End, Mansion Hill, the Pastures, and Downtown.

Calsolaro, 57, was first elected to the Albany Common Council in November of 2001 for the first ward. Since entering the council, Calsolaro has been a notable council adversary to Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. Leading up to the 2009 mayoral election, Calsolaro was considered a favorite of the progressive community to challenge the then-four term mayor.

Calsolaro opted not to run, endorsing fellow council member Corey Ellis, who would lose to Jennings in both the September Democratic primary and the general election that year.

According to the New York State Board of Elections, Calsolaro has $489.25 cash-on-hand. Potential challengers include Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin (who has $4,511 on hand) and Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald, who trumps both McLaughlin and Calsolaro in money with $23,797.16 on hand.

Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings, along with representatives from Price Chopper, Catseye’s Pest Control, and WEQX, announced the line up for this year’s annual Tulip Festival, taking place the weekend of May 11 through May 13 in Washington Park.

According to the city, the Tulip Festival is “Albany’s signature spring event featuring annual traditions rooted in Albany’s rich heritage.”

Tulip Festival weekend kicks off on Friday, May 11 with the Carillon Concert at 11:30 a.m. at Albany City Hall, followed by the street scrubbing of State Street at noon.

On the main stage on Saturday, indie electro rock outfit Today The Moon, Tomorrow the Sun, dance rock quartet Walk the Moon, and high-energy rock and roll band Fountains of Wayne will be on deck. On Sunday, Higher Ground: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder and Mr. Dynamite: The Explosive James Brown Show will be headlining.

Saturday evening will include the Royal Tulip Ball at the Wolfert”s Roost Country Club. Tickets are available by calling (518) 388-9240 and proceeds will benefit the Albany Police and Fire Foundation.

This year’s primary sponsors include Price Chopper, Catseye Pest Control, Coors Light, and Blue Moon.

Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Cohoes) announced he will not seek re-election in the fall, becoming the third Capital Region Democrat to announce their retirement this season.

“I do think it is time for me to turn the page,” said Canestrari, 68, in his office Tuesday morning. Canestrari likened being majority leader – which he has served in that role since 2007 – to ”herding a group of cattle.”

Canestrari first entered the Assembly in 1989 after 12 years as the mayor of Cohoes, his hometown. Canestrari, a graduate of Fordham University for both undergraduate and law, has not yet revealed his future plans.

Canestrari follows Assemblymen Jack McEneny and Robert Reilly out of the legislature, leaving every Capital Region Assembly seat up for a primary (Assemblyman George Amedore, whose new district now includes Albany County, is seeking the Republican nomination for the new 46th Senate district).

Canestrari’s district runs along the Hudson River and encompasses a majority of Downtown Albany, Arbor Hill, and the South End. Rumored to be considering a run include Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald, Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin, 2009 Albany mayoral candidate Corey Ellis, and Watervliet Mayor Michael Manning.

With the retirement of Canestrari, this marks Sen. Neil D. Breslin as the “dean” of the Capital Region state legislature delegation. Breslin could face a challenge from Albany County Legislature Shawn Morse (D-Cohoes), who is said to be considering a run. Canestrari’s departure also leaves an opening for majority leader, which has typically been an Upstate-held post.

Assemblyman Joe Morelle (D-Rochester) has been cited by a number of Democratic insiders as most likely to assume the No. 2 spot in the Assembly (after Speaker Sheldon D. Silver).