Here are a few things that are going to hit the cutting room floor on my story about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's visit to Fort Drum today:

Milley and Cuomo met

Mr. Cuomo acknowledged that he met with Gen. Mark Milley earlier this year. The two discussed what the state could do to help Fort Drum, Mr. Cuomo said. The meeting wasn't publicized, and though a few people within the WDT walls knew about it, I don't think it was ever reported anywhere. He was in Albany for Fort Drum Day, which was sponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie, her office points out.

Cuomo and Alexander

Mr. Cuomo took a load off Don Alexander's shoulders last week when he signed legislation that restored pension benefits for 12 of Mr. Alexander's employees. The employees were caught up in a battle over the status of development employees in the north country, a question surrounding whether or not they were government employees.

As Mr. Cuomo left the event, he and Mr. Alexander exchanged some friendly, familiar back-patting.

Cuomo and Ritchie

State Sen. Patty Ritchie is a Republican, but that, of course, isn't stopping her from (pick A or B, depending on your amount of cynicism and/or your political persuasion) A. working closely with the Democratic governor to get results or B. hitching her political wagon to his star.

She has praised the governor frequently and effusively; today's event was no exception.

Before 2 p.m., her office sent a news release including a picture of Mrs. Ritchie with Mr. Cuomo.

“I'd like to thank the Governor for making the trip to the North Country to see firsthand the exciting steps being taken to create jobs and revitalize the economy in our region,” Mrs. Ritchie said in the news release.

Mr. Cuomo hasn't ruled out the possibility of endorsing Republicans who are running against Democrats. Mrs. Ritchie is running Nov. 6 against Democrat Amy Tresidder of Oswego County.

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