David Paterson wasn’t elected governor. In fact, he’s admitted he never really wanted the job in the first place. But his fate was sealed when he agreed to run alongside Eliot Spitzer… And we all know how that turned out.

The fall of one governor inevitably leads to the rise of another and amid what most would agree was one of the darkest periods for New York in modern history, Paterson swore an oath to uphold the constitution and delivered a rousing and inspiring speech many hoped would usher in a new, more optimistic era.

Now, nearly three years later, Governor Paterson is reflecting on his time at the helm of state government. His tenure was, in many ways, groundbreaking. He was New York’s first black and legally blind governor. He led the charge for Rockefeller drug reform and spearheaded the use of budget extenders to push his agenda through a recalcitrant legislature.

But, there were dark spots, too. A lot of them. One day into his governorship, Paterson went public about infidelity in his marriage. Then there was the Caroline Kennedy fiasco and, more recently, the David Johnson domestic violence debacle and the still ongoing Yankees tickets trouble – just to name a few.

Our Bill Carey sat down with the outgoing governor for a lengthy interview to discuss all the highs and lows of his term as chief executive.

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University at Buffalo president John Simpson announced his plans to retire back in August, prompting many to wonder would come of his pet project – UB-2020. Simpson says his decision to leave was primarily motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family – but admitted the legislature’s failure to approve the ambitious economic development plan also played a part.

Simpson sat down with our John Doherty Tuesday for an extended interview prior to his January 15th departure… and he said he’s confident the incoming administration has U-B best interests at heart.