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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 6

Proctors CEO Philip Morris will retire in March after 25 years

Plus, Schenectady's council sets a 14% property tax cap override.

The Daily Albany team2 stories15 sources5 min read

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ArtsTop story

Proctors CEO Philip Morris will retire in March after 25 years

Morris's 25 years at Proctors ran from 2002 to March 2027

  1. 2002Morris becomes Proctors CEO.
  2. 2003–07Proctors completes a $40 million expansion.
  3. 2005Marquee Power, a district energy system, is completed.
  4. 2011Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre enter a management partnership.
  5. 2015Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs enters a strategic alliance with Proctors.
  6. 2020Universal Preservation Hall reopens as a year-round venue.
  7. 2024Leonard is named president.
  8. March 2027Morris will retire and Leonard will become president and CEO.

Sources: WRGB, WNYT.com, NEWS10 ABC

Proctors' longtime CEO is stepping aside. Philip Morris will retire Mar. 29, and President Jean Leonard will become president and CEO that day, Proctors Collaborative announced Thursday.

  • Retirement date: Mar. 29, 2027
  • Morris has been CEO since 2002
  • Leonard: 15 years there, president since 2024
  • Proctors is in its 100th anniversary season

Under Morris, Proctors finished a $40 million expansion that enlarged the MainStage and added the GE Theatre at Proctors. The Collaborative now has venues in Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga Springs and Troy, where work on The American Theatre broke ground in 2026.

$40 millionProctors expansion, 2003-07

It enlarged the MainStage, created the GE Theatre at Proctors and transformed the former Carl Company building.

Sources: WRGB, WNYT.com

Leonard was chief of staff and director of programming before she became president. She will step into the CEO role while keeping her current one.

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Schenectady

Schenectady's council votes 5-⁠1 for a 14% property tax cap override

If you own property in Schenectady, next year's tax increase just got smaller. The City Council voted 5-1 Thursday to override the state property tax cap at 14%, down from 42%. Finance chair John Mootooveren voted no, and one member was absent.

Schenectady's tax increase fell from 42% to 14%

Sources: WNYT.com, WRGB

View as table
Value
Earlier budget42%
Approved override14%
  • Next step: public hearing within 10 days of the Nov. 5 vote
  • Budget takes effect in January, after the mayor's hearing
  • State aid request: nearly $7 million, per Councilman Hayden Engert

Mayor Gary McCarthy blamed the budget squeeze on the depletion of federal funding and what he described as mismanagement by past councils. Engert warned that without the state aid, “We would have to cut expenses. And unfortunately, I don't know where we would start.”

$14 milliondeficit the city is dealing with

The city has requested state aid to help fill the gap.

Source: WNYT.com

News Notes

Motel costs

Albany County paid nearly $1.2 million to seven motel vendors from January through July 2026 to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness, records obtained by CBS6 show. The money covered 441 cases. WRGB

Albany County's motel placements cost more than rent

441
cases assisted, January through July 2026
$65.46
lowest reported average nightly motel rate
$119
highest reported average nightly motel rate
$1,584
approximate average Albany one-bedroom rent

Source: WRGB

Flu season

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the flu is hitting about six weeks earlier than normal. State data showed cases up 19% in one week and hospitalizations up 17%, and both are up more than 400% from the same period last year. A new state dashboard tracks flu, COVID and RSV by location. NEWS10 ABCWRGBwnyt.com

Troy sales tax

Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello is seeking a new sales tax deal with Rensselaer County. She said she has had “initial discussions” with County Executive Steven McLaughlin and hopes to meet with him next week. Times Union

Latham burgers

Herbie's Burger is opening its first franchise location in the former Pizza Hut space at 638 Loudon Road in Latham. NEWS10 ABC

Gravesites

, a new website, lets you search by first and last name to find a grave at Albany Rural Cemetery. More than 135,000 individuals are laid to rest across its 467 acres. New York Almanack

Home

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Asked

Have you gotten, or do you plan to get, a flu shot this season?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Writers live twice.

— Natalie Goldberg

Things to Do

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Friday, Nov. 6

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Around the Block

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Neighbors

Good morning to all my friends on nextdoor once again I want to thank the Colonie EMS and the emergency department and the staff on the 4th floor at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady for the wonderful care I received in time of need and bless you all on

“nextdoor may God be with you”

— A neighbor, West Colonie

87 likes · 12 comments

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The Wrap

Lark Street's newest cocktail bar, Aberration, opens to the public today, Friday, Nov. 6. It's dimly lit like a speakeasy, with light jazz playing and a menu of original and classic cocktails. Owner Joe Tersigni wants you to wonder whether you're in Manhattan or still in Albany. Cheers to the new neighbor.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Albany Med fires CEO Daniel Pickett; county votes for a medical examiner

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Every source in this edition15 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  3. WNYT.comwnyt.com
  4. Times Uniontimesunion.com
  5. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  6. WNYT.comwnyt.com
  7. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  8. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  9. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  10. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  11. wnyt.comwnyt.com
  12. Times Uniontimesunion.com
  13. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  14. New York Almanacknewyorkalmanack.com
  15. Albany events calendardailyalbanynews.com

Past issues

  1. Thurs., Nov. 5Albany Med fires CEO Daniel Pickett; county votes for a medical examiner
  2. Wed., Nov. 4DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin wildfire area
  3. Tues., Nov. 3New York's unemployment system is down for 9 to 12 days; wildfire closes Rensselaer trails
  4. Mon., Nov. 2Albany County early voting wraps with 37,396 ballots cast, 3,917 on Saturday
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Daily Albanyto me · Fri., Nov. 66:00 a.m.

Proctors CEO Philip Morris will retire in March after 25 years

Plus, Schenectady's council sets a 14% property tax cap override.

The TLDR

  1. Proctors CEO Philip Morris will retire Mar. 29, 2027
  2. Schenectady's council votes 5-1 for a 14% tax cap override
  3. Albany County paid nearly $1.2 million for homeless motel stays
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Albany’s other editions

All the news
Health CareAlbany Med's board fires CEO Daniel Pickett after an independent reviewAlbany Med's board voted unanimously Wednesday to fire CEO Daniel Pickett III, effective immediately, after an independent review of allegations made by a former girlfriend. He had been on leave since Oct. 3 and has denied the allegations.Thursday’s editionRead Albany CountyAlbany County voters approve replacing coroners with a medical examinerIf you've ever wondered who investigates a sudden death in the county, that's changing. More than 60% of voters approved swapping the county's coroners for an appointed medical examiner, according to unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.Thursday’s editionRead Rensselaer CountyDEC asks you to stay out of the Berlin wildfire area while crews finish upIf you hike in Rensselaer County, skip the Berlin forest area for now. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says crews are still working to finish addressing last week's wildfire. The Berlin State Forest and Taconic Ridge State Forest are closed until further notice.Wednesday’s editionRead

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