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Aug 21, 2007 10:49 am US/Eastern
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Spitzer On Vacation, To Miss N.Y. State Fair
Governor Spitzer To Be First In Almost Two Decades To Miss Ceremonial Opening Of State Fair
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) ―
Eliot Spitzer will be the first governor in almost two decades to miss the opening of the New York State Fair.
According to a spokesman, Spitzer will be vacationing with his family at an undisclosed location Thursday when the 2007 fair opens a 12-day run through Labor Day.
The governor will instead attend the fair on Aug. 29, said spokesman Paul Larrabee.
Former Gov. George Pataki attended opening day every year from 1995 to 2006.
His predecessor, Mario Cuomo, opened the fair from 1989 to 1994. Cuomo missed opening day in 1988 after a community forum in Auburn ran late and was roundly criticized for his absence.
"When you're so used to seeing something happen every year, it's tradition, it's custom," said Assemblywoman Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse.
"It's the New York State Fair, for crying out loud. It gives recognition to the entire state and its residents. You gotta be
there. The governor is always there opening the great state fair," she said.
Fair Director Dan O'Hara said 4-H Club members from around the state will cut the ceremonial ribbon.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)