Statewide consumer optimism robust amid stock declines

ColonieRecent stock market declines and sagging retirement funds have not dampened New Yorkers' sunny outlooks on the economy going into the new year, according to poll by the Siena Research Institute.Overall optimism remained strong in December among all categories of state residents, regardless of age, income or political affiliation, with many people telling pollsters they intend to buy cars, furniture and electronics, said Don Levy, director of the institute.He said the telephone poll of 500