In a clear statement that Saratoga Springs is still doing OK in the midst of this global economic collapse, the construction at 38 High Rock is going ahead full steam. I was trundled out, along with other members of the media, to witness a crane haul the last steel beam into place on the 44-unit gargantuan building.

So far, 12 of 44 units are under contract, and one of the project officials said that they expect to be half-sold by the time the building's skin is complete in another couple months.

Clearly, someone still has the cash for a down payment on a $1.5 million condo. So, has the housing bubble not quite burst yet, or is Saratoga riding down the backside of an ever-steepening bell curve of economic activity that will see a collapse -- just a collapse delayed by a few months?

In other news, the New York Times is apparently invading our territory with a story today about reactions to Senator Gillibrand's accent to the Senate. It's is not surprising that Gillibrand has tempered her views, now that she's accended to a higher office, and it's interesting to see how her constituents are reacting.

On a related note, I've heard some people complain that in addition to flip-flopping on gun control, gay marriage and immigration, Gillibrand also changed her stance on federal bailout policies. In the fall, she voted against Bush's $700 billion bailout, but is now supporting the Obama bailout.

Here's my supposition: The previous vote was taken to garner favor in her district on the eve of the election, so she voted the way the majority of her electorate wanted her to. Now in Senate, Gillibrand has to toe the party line, in order to get committee appointments, so she votes with the party. Plus, she likely believes, as do most Democrats, that Obama's stimulus package is neccessary to keep this country going through this downturn.