Building named for Paterson 15 years after he was sworn in
Albany War Room Tavern owner honors former governor
ALBANY — Fifteen years after he was sworn in as New York’s first Black governor, David A. Paterson on Friday had a private building on Eagle Street named in his honor at an event attended by local officials and community members.
The event was organized by Todd S. Shapiro, a public relations executive and owner of the Albany War Room Tavern, a politically themed restaurant located in the building at 42 Eagle St.
“He’s been such an inspiration and he’s always pushing me to do more,” Paterson said of Shapiro, adding that he only was made aware of the plan last week.
Paterson, an affable political figure known for weaving self-deprecating humor into his public addresses, was sworn in as New York’s 55th governor March 17, 2008, following the abrupt resignation of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who left office after being snared in a prostitution scandal. Paterson led the state during the Great Recession, which was considered the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. “We move forward. Today is Monday.
There is work to be done,” Paterson said on the day he unexpectedly became governor. “There was an oath to be taken. There’s trust that needs to be restored. There are issues that need to be addressed.”
Paterson served out Spitzer’s term and initially launched a campaign to run for governor in the 2010 election but bowed out of the race early that year as his final months in office also became mired in scandal, including allegations his administration had tried to dissuade a woman from pursuing a domestic violence complaint against a close aide to Paterson.
Spitzer had selected Paterson — a former state Senate minority leader — as his running mate in 2006. They won the election in a landslide.
But Spitzer’s 14 months as governor were marked by political sniping and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had cheered Paterson when he took over the executive office.