A bill to expand the state’s DNA database passed the state Senate on Tuesday but Democrats, who control the Assembly, have expressed concern about whether the law will do enough to help the wrongfully convicted. Law enforcement groups as well as legislators from both parties agree with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to take DNA samples from people convicted of any crime. But Democrats in the Assembly want defense attorneys to have greater access to the DNA database, and they want the state to adopt other criminal justice reforms. Governor Andrew Cuomo appears to support the bill, S5560A, sponsored by Republican Sen. Steve Saland (R-Poughkeepsie), who represents much of Columbia County in Albany. Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta), who represents Greene County also supported the bill. It passed in the Senate by a 50 to 10 vote, and Cuomo released a statement Tuesday, calling it “an important step in protecting New Yorkers and modernizing the state’s criminal justice system.” Barry C. Scheck, a founder of the Innocence Project, said that if supporters of DNA expansion were serious about preventing wrongful convictions, they should promote measures like requiring videotaping of interrogations or changing the way lineups are done. Read about the DNA database bill in the Times Union.
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Ivan Lajara at The Daily Freeman thinks it is no joke that LAFTOR is the acronym for the New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Their “proposals are laughable” according to Lajara’s headline in the paper, over a story about the redistricting proposals released Thu., Jan. 26. Common Cause/NY Executive Director Susan Lerner said, “These maps appear to continue the long tradition of partisan gerrymandering we’ve come to expect. There are major demographic changes that are simply not reflected on these maps.” Governor Andrew Cuomo has vowed to veto any redistricting that is not created by an independent body. This plan was created by the the legislators themselves, so, as almost everyone is pointing out, they have drawn the lines to ensure their own re-election. Republican-leaning districts, now lean more. Democrat-heavy districts are heavier. They have created a new 63rd Senate seat, pairing Greene County with Albany and other points north in Senate District 46. Lajara quotes an AP news account and says, “The story continues, ‘The added Senate district would include part of Ulster County (including the city of Kingston), all of Greene County and parts of Albany, Schenectady and Montgomery counties.’ So imagine my surprise when a total of zero public meetings were scheduled in the area.”
Local effects
• Ulster County may be in the worst situation in the entire state. The proposal cuts the county into four Senate Districts, up from two. The people of Ulster County will have almost no representation in the Senate, as those four politicians will care little about its collective well-being, and not even cater much to the few voters they will have there, focusing on their majorities elsewhere.
• Greene County would see much change. Republican James Seward would, under the plan, not be Greene County’s senator anymore, but would retain a very safe seat to the west. The new seat includes all of Greene and Montgomery counties, and most of Albany and Schenectady counties, and several towns in Ulster County to the south. In the Assembly Greene is being split into two separate districts. Assemblyman Pete Lopez would continue to represent Ashland, Windham, Durham, Greenville, New Baltimore, Coxsackie, and Cairo in the proposed 102 District which now also includes Coeymans, Westerlo, and Rensselaerville in Albany County, all of Schoharie County, and towns in Otsego, Herkimer, and Oneida counties in what will continue to be a very safe district for him. The southern half of Greene County — Athens, Catskill, Hunter, Jewett, Lexington, Halcott, and Prattsville — would be in the proposed 101st Assembly District, which also includes much of eastern Delaware County, four Ulster County towns, and two Orange County towns, and Germantown and Clermont in Columbia County. 
• In Columbia County, the Senate District used to be dominated by Dutchess County, as Poughkeepsie Steve Saland currently represents the area in Albany. In this proposal, Columbia County moves to Senate District 43, paired with all of Rensselaer County and parts of Washington and Saratoga counties to the north. In the Assembly, most of Columbia County is represented by the 106th District including Stuyvesant, Stockport, Hudson, Greenport, Ghent, Claverack, Livingston, Taghkanic, Copake, Ancram, and Gallatin. Millbrook in Dutchess County, interestingly, is no longer in the district, and the candidates (Republican Richard Wager and Democrat Didi Barrett) trying to replace Marc Molinaro for the 103rd Assembly, which is similar to the proposed 106th, live in Millbrook. So while they may fight for the seat in March, they may be in 105th District election in the fall. As mentioned before, Germantown and Clermont join the proposed 101st District, stretching across southern Greene County to parts of Delaware, and Ulster and Orange counties. The rest of Columbia County — Kinderhook, Chatham, Hillsdale, Austerlitz, Canaan, and New Lebanon — join most of Rensselaer County and two Washington County towns in the proposed 107th district, which is similar to the area Republican Steve McLaughlin represents, though without any of the Greene County towns it used to include. 
Public hearings
No public hearings between Albany and New York City. The closest public hearing to our area is this Mon., Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building, Second Floor in the Hearing Room. (See the complete list of all public hearings after the link below.)
Tags: Didi Barrett, elections, James Seward, LAFTOR, Marc Molinaro, New York State legislators, Pete Lopez, redistricting, Richard Wager, Steve Saland
State Senator James Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) will be in Catskill, Thurs., Jan. 12, at the Greene County Office Building in Catskill. Senator Seward is touring his senatorial district to outline his legislative agenda, as the new session in Albany begins. Seward will highlight the need for additional economic development initiatives, mandate relief, education aid reform, and continued flood recovery at 2 p.m. at the Greene County Office Building, 4th floor, Room 430, in Catskill.
Tags: James Seward
Local governments have complained for years about unfunded mandates: laws from the Federal government or states that require local governments to do something in particular, without providing any money to pay for that action. State Senator James Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta), who represents Greene County in Albany, has a new reverse-unfunded mandate. Seward is circulating an on-line petition to shift Medicaid funding from local governments to the state. Seward says the property tax cap signed into law earlier this year is limiting local governments abilities to pay for Medicaid. So he wants the state to pay for it in Senate Bill 5889-B, which proposes an eight-year gradual state takeover of the local Medicaid costs. By 2019, the state would shoulder Medicaid costs, but Seward does not say how New York would pay for those new costs.
Tags: James Seward, Medicaid, property tax cap, unfunded mandates
New York State Senator James Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) will be in Greene County Sat., Nov. 5 in Lexington and Prattsville. In Lexington at 1 p.m., Seward will take part in the dedication of the updated Veterans Roll of Honor in the Town of Lexington near the Kenneth Becker Municipal Building. The monument is being updated to include veterans who served in World War I and World War II. At 3 p.m., Seward joins Congressman Chris Gibson ( R, Kinderhook) presenting new flags to the Prattsville Hose Company, at 14563 Main St. The volunteer department lost their flags during the recent flooding associated with Hurricane Irene. Gibson will also be in Catskill at 10 a.m. for the Greene County “Honor-a-Vet” event at 159 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. Monday at 10 a.m. Gibson will be in Prattsville at the Prattsville Fire Department for another storm recovery meeting.
Tags: Chris Gibson, Hurricane Irene, James Seward
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports that while New York State Senate staffing has dropped eight percent since July 2010, Greene County’s representative there, Republican James Seward, has hired an additional temporary staffer. Columbia County’s representative in Albany, Republican Steve Saland, also did not cut staff, as his remained the same from last year. Most departments of New York government have seen staff cuts in the past year. See the full Senate information through the link, and read the full story in Capitol Confidential. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: James Seward, Steve Saland
House to vote on delaying cement plant mercury rule
The Post-Star reports that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on legislation that would delay the implementation of a new federal Environmental Protection Agency regulation meant to reduce mercury emissions from cement plants. “We’re not striking them. But let’s delay them for 15 months and give the EPA time to repropose and finalize them. And also direct the EPA to make sure that these rules comply with the President’s executive order on regulations,” said Stephanie Valle, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook. The Holcim Cement plant in Catskill is in Gibson’s district. H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011, would, according to the Post-Star:
• Give the EPA at least 15 months to re-propose and finalize revised rules for cement manufacturing facilities;
• Extend compliance deadlines from three to at least five years to allow facilities time to comply with standards and install new equipment.
In February, Gibson voted for an amendment the House passed to suspend EPA funding for implementation and enforcement of the rule, but the Senate voted the amendment down. This time the House is voting on delaying implementation, but not suspending funding. Read the full story in the Post-Star.
Free Speech Radio News, which airs on WGXC at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, aired a report on this issue on its newscast Wed., Oct. 5. Click here to listen to Free Speech Radio News report from Matt Lazlo. PLAY CLIP
Medicaid spending $173 million less in August
Governor Andrew Cuomo is touting his “Medicaid Redesign Team,” as its measures enacted in the state budget in April resulted in savings in August of $173 million, or 2.5 percent lower. Monthly, New York State spends $6.8 billion on the program. “Governor Cuomo’s initiative to reform Medicaid represents an unprecedented effort to bring the public into the process of improving health care, controlling health care costs, and reforming health care in New York State,” said Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H in a press release. “With the hard work and dedication of the legislature, the industry, and the public, New York is becoming a model for the nation in improving health outcomes while controlling growth.”
GEIS and the ten-day waiting period
Carole Osterink reports in The Gossips of Rivertown that Common Council President Don Moore issued this statement to members of the Council and the press, though not WGXC, at 4:58 this afternoon:
“Regarding the ten day period called for by SEQRA, the City is required to wait ten days after the filing of a completed GEIS before agreeing on a Findings Statement, the summary of findings from the GEIS. The City filed its notice of completion of the GEIS with the involved agencies on October 4. The ten day period will end at the close of business Friday, October 14. During that ten day period, concerned parties may file comments with the City. The City does not have an obligation to reply to the comments as was the case during the official public comment period in early 2010.”
Monday, Sept. 26 Moore and the Common Council passed the GEIS without first allowing the public to speak at a special meeting at the Hudson Central Fire Station. Click here to listen to the entire meeting recorded by Dan Udell. PLAY CLIP
Seward in Catskill
New York State Senator James Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) will attend the Greene County Department for the Aging Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 6 at the First Baptist Church in Catskill. The ceremony is to honor folks in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. First Baptist Church is at 20 West Main St. in Catskill.
Mountain Top Arboretum photo contest winners
The Mountain Top Arboretum announced the winners of its photo contest Wed., Oct. 5. Dustin Draffen took first place, Nicholas Spychalsky took second, and Zachary Tripsas won third place.
From left to right in photo provided by Mountain Top Arboretum, Principal of the Hunter-Tannersville Middle/High School Simon Williams, winners Dustin Draffen and Zachary Tripsas, and Executive Director of the Mountain Top Arboretum Joan Kutcher.
THURSDAY AUDIO
Click on titles or PLAY CLIP to listen to mp3 audio clips.
• Wall Street Song
Performed by Chris Neumann. PLAY CLIP
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, cement, Don Moore, GEIS, Holcim, Hudson GEIS, Hudson LWRP, Hudson waterfront, James Seward, Joan Kutcher, local audio, LWRP, Medicaid, mercury, Mountain Top Arboretum, Simon Williams
Governor Andrew Cuomo over the weekend released the list of bills he has just approved or vetoed, and of our local representatives, only State Senator James Seward co-sponsored any bills that reached the governor’s desk. Seward was involved with three bills Cuomo signed into law. The names of State Senator Steve Saland, and Assemblyman Pete Lopez and Marc Molinaro do not appear on the complete list (which can be seen following the link below). The three bills that Cuomo signed of Seward’s were:
• S.5459 SEWARD — Authorizes the village of Herkimer to finance a litigation settlement by the issuance of serial bonds and/or anticipation notes
Same as A.8097 Butler
• S.5657 SEWARD — Authorizes the village of Ilion to finance a litigation settlement by the issuance of serial bonds and/or anticipation notes
Same as A.8264 Butler
• A.4729-A Reilly — Relates to membership on regional fish and wildlife boards
Same as S.2363-A SEWARD
Follow the link to the complete list of bills signed and vetoed. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: James Seward, Marc Molinaro, Pete Lopez, Steve Saland
National Weather Service predicted path for Hurricane Irene.
The latest National Weather Service computer model for Hurricane Irene’s path has the storm headed just east of our area this Sunday evening. The prediction has the storm still at hurricane strength when it gets parallel and probably east of our area Sunday evening.
Two stories about the Greene County IDA
Local news reporters have their own cozier sources and specialities, and that was evident Wed., Aug. 24, when The Daily Mail and The Daily Freeman wrote very different stories about the Greene County Industrial Development Agency. Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reported the IDA will pay former Executive Director Alexander “Sandy” Mathes, who resigned June 28, 2011, $2,525.48 minus withholding every week through Feb. 28, 2012. The Freeman even prints the “separation agreement” between the IDA and Mathes. Last year, there was media outcry over Mathes’ bonuses of $175,000 in 2009 on top of his annual salary of $130,285. Jeff Alexander in The Daily Mail writes about how new interim director Rene Van Schaack explained how the Coxsackie-based IDA is attempting to get a lease agreement with someone to run the Freehold Inn. The story is somewhat confusing, but says a potential leasee dropped out last week, and that the IDA is looking for others now. Four hours after the story was published, Van Schaack was commenting on the story online at 6:30 a.m. Read The Daily Freeman or The Daily Mail stories by clicking on the links.
Police warn public to check bank, credit statements
Audra Jornov in the Register-Star reports that Columbia County police officials are fielding many calls about unusual charges to bank and credit accounts. “If you see something suspicious in your debit or credit card statements, contact authorities immediately,” said Capt. David Bartlett of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Read the full story in the Register-Star.
Seward visits Catskill seniors
New York State Senator James Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) will be in Catskill at noon, Thur., Aug. 25 at the Washington Irving Senior Center in Catskill for a live theater production and to talk with local seniors about any issues they wish to discuss. The Washington Irving Senior Center is located at 15 Academy Street in Catskill.
Tags: Alexander "Sandy" Mathes, banks, Greene County IDA, Hurricane Irene, James Seward, Rene Van Schaack, weather
DOT looks at Cairo-Durham school entrance
State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) and other local officials have convinced the NYS Department of Transportation to review safety on Route 145 at the entrance of Cairo-Durham Middle and High School where 17-year-old Erika Cook died Aug. 1. That morning 18-year-old Samantha Pagan turned her car into the school’s entrance and was struck by an oncoming SUV. Seward, in a press release, said he and other officials want the DOT to conduct a safety review to determine whether a speed limit reduction on Route 145, a traffic signal, or other measures should be taken to avoid another accident. “With the start of the new school year just around the corner it is essential that the entrance to Cairo-Durham Middle & High School is safe, offering the best protection possible for students, faculty, staff and other school visitors,” Seward said in a press release. “I am hopeful that appropriate safety upgrades will now be made to prevent any future tragedies,” said outgoing Cairo-Durham Central School Superintendent Sally Sharkey.
Copake clock, from Copake Connection.
The first “Copake Spirit of Community Award” by the Copake Economic Advisory Board was announced Wednesday night and Hugh “Rus” Davis won, besting the other nominees: Alice Belt, Bob Sacks, Comprehensive Planning Committee, Copake United Methodist Women, Gary Reinard, Ingrid Cain, Jane Peck, Jon Urban, and Roberta Roll. Davis was instrumental in restoring the Memorial Clock in the past year, and for years has worked with the sport teams at Taconic Hills School, served on the Comprehensive Planning Committee, and has been active in the preservation of the history of Copake.
Catskill food pantry moves
The Matthew 25 Food Pantry reopens this Sunday, Aug. 21 at 298 Main St. in Catskill. One Facebook report says several local representatives from Albany and New York will be attending the “Grand Opening” but WGXC does not have any confirmation. The food pantry accepts monetary donations, food, and clothing.
Alternatives to NYSEG powerline plan proposed
Mike McCagg in ccSCOOP reports that an “unnamed citizen’s group” opposed to New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG)’s plan to put up new electric lines in northern Columbia County through Kinderhook, Ghent, Chatham and Stockport has proposed an alternative that the company is considering. “NYSEG spokesman Clayton Ellis said his company’s engineers are exploring the viability of the alternatives proposed by the citizen group’s electric engineer Rich Gross and lighting engineer Mike Guski, both of whom were hired by the citizen group,” McCagg writes. The group that will not reveal its identity trots out a lawyer, Dave Everett, to say, “Our engineers favor a low voltage alternative that just requires some equipment upgrades at existing NYSEG facilities and doesn’t require any new lines to be cut across Ghent or Kinderhook. It still allows NYSEG to accomplish everything they want to do,” said Everett. Read the full story in ccScoop.
Tags: Cairo-Durham High School, food, food pantry, Hugh "Rus" Davis, James Seward, power lines, Sally Sharkey
New York State Senator James Seward, who represents Greene County in Albany, released this official video through the New York State Senate’s YouTube channel, explains what he thinks the legislature accomplished this year. Below, Senator Steve Saland, who represents Columbia County, talks about his disappointment in the legislature’s failure to repeal the MTA Payroll Tax. Below that, Saland generally comments on the legislative session. Below that, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, who represents Greene County, talks about his work on the Regional Education and Property Tax Reform Committees.
Tags: James Seward, local video, Pete Lopez, Steve Saland
Columbia County’s State Senator Steve Saland became the 32nd senator to announce his support of the same-sex marriage bill, which passed in a vote Friday night in Albany. Buffalo’s Mark Grisanti, also a Republican, also voted for the bill, which passed 33-29. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill and it becomes state law in 30 days. Saland was the only locally elected representative who voted for the bill: Senator Jim Seward, who represents Greene County, voted against the bill, as did Assemblymen Pete Lopez (Greene County) and Marc Molinaro (Dutchess County).
• Click here to play an mp3 recording of the New York State Senate voting to legalize same-sex marriage. (2:10)
Tags: James Seward, local video, Marc Molinaro, Pete Lopez, same-sex marriage, Steve Saland
James Seward on the State Senate floor during recent budget talks. Photo from Seward website.
Tags: fracking, gas drilling, home rule, hydraulic fracturing, James Seward, Joe Martens
The Cairo Public Library was awarded $167,544, the Catskill Public Library $23,000, and the Haines Falls Free Library $100,000 in public library construction grants from New York State, State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) announced Wed. May 11. “Our libraries are vital to our communities, especially in these tough economic times,” Seward said. “Libraries are also some of the most historic landmarks we have and are in need of repairs and upgrades to ensure their future viability and accessibility.”
Tags: Cairo Library, James Seward
Cheddie: Not Rodgers’ neighborhood
John Mason in the Register-Star reports that Hudson First Ward Alderwoman Geeta Cheddie filed a complaint with the Hudson Police Department against Timothy Rodgers and Victor Mendolia for filing false information with the City Clerk’s Office. In applying to be a city commissioner of deeds, Rodgers stated that he lived at 15 Allen St., and Mendolia notarized that statement, Cheddie said. From the story:
Rodgers has been endorsed by the city Democratic Party to run for First Ward alderman; although he has been working in Hudson for two years, he lives in Greene County. Mendolia is the city Democratic Party chairman. Cheddie, who lives in Hudson, was not endorsed by the party. On April 19, Rodgers was nominated to be a commissioner of deeds at the regular meeting of the Common Council. Cheddie abstained from voting on the basis that Rodgers’ listed address of 15 Allen St. was not where he was currently residing. The council voted to amend the appointment resolution to remove Rodgers’ name. Subsequently, according to Cheddie, City Attorney John Connor Jr. was asked to investigate. He sent a letter to Rodgers at the listed address, and the Post Office returned the letter with the envelope marked “Vacant.”
“I believed the information filed with the city clerk was incorrect, and I’d like something to be done about it,” Cheddie said Tuesday to Mason. “I don’t think it’s OK for people to knowingly file false documents with the Common Council and pass law from it.” Mendolia is a host of @Issue at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on WGXC, and has told WGXC he has no comment yet on this story, and that he may be arraigned today. He did not get back to Mason in time for his story, so Cheddie gets the last word here: “The commissioner of deeds is a serious responsibility,” she said. “I am a commissioner of deeds. You witness signatures. You swear to tell the truth, that the person standing before you is who they say they are and that they live at that address.” Read the entire story in the Register-Star.
Safety panel approves 3 bridge jobs
Jim Planck in The Daily Mail reports the Public Safety Committee of the Greene County Legislature approved three bridge construction projects Monday May 9. Legislators agreed to replace the Caniff Road bridge over the Jan de Bakkers Kill, off County Route 41 in Cairo, for $130,444, with Wm. J. Keller & Sons Construction Corp., of Castleton. The same company gets $156,822. for the rehabilitation of the bridge on County Route 12 in Windham that crosses the Batavia Kill just before Route 23 and the repair of the bridge on Scribner Hollow Road over the East Kill, before the road joins County Route 23C in East Jewett. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Local State Senators busy
On Tuesday, May 10, S697, sponsored by Sen. Steve Saland (who represents Columbia County in Albany) passed 61-0. The bill would create, “a state trooper highway memorial task force to develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty; such recognition shall be by means of dedicating a portion of the state highway system, or the placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a state highway.”… State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta), who represents Greene County will meet with seniors in Mr. Dave Carlson’s “Participation in Government” class at Coxsackie-Athens High School today, Wed. May 11 at 12:50 p.m.
The Felice Brothers release new album
The Felice Brothers new album “Celebration, Florida” was released Tue. May 10, and the Hudson Valley band will be on-air on WDST 100.1-FM next Tuesday May 17. The band recorded the new album in the gymnasium and theater of Beacon, NY’s old high school. The “unofficial” video for the song “Fire at the Pageant” from the new album is on YouTube (below).
DAILY AUDIO
Ian Stewart, the chair of Claverack Historic Preservation Society.
Interview about Historic Hamlet Walk in Claverack Sat. May 14 that begins at 10 a.m. At A.B. Shaw Firehouse in Claverack. Interviewed by Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper.
Bryan Hunter, owner of new Catskill bike shop, interviewed on WGXC Afternoon Show.
Hunter just opened Catskill Cycles last weekend in Catskill, where he sells new bikes and repairs older rides. Interviewed by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth.
Kevin Dorn of Jazz 72 interviewed on WGXC Afternoon Show.
Drummer for the band Jazz 72 that is performing in Greenville May 13 through the All Arts Matters arts organization. Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth.
Agie Seife from Temple Israel in Catskill.
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth on WGXC Afternoon Show, about the temples latest public events and activities.
Tags: Catskill Cycles, Geeta Cheddie, James Seward, local video, Steve Saland, The Felice Brothers, Timothy Rodgers, Victor Mendolia
Nomad market finds home on Church St.
Doron Tyler Antrimreports in the Daily Mail that the Catskill Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday, April 11 to relocate the community’s seasonal farmers market to the county parking lot along Church Street, perpendicular to where it was last year. The move is a change of opinion since Saturday, when village officials met and agreed the market would remain on Main Street this year, although with a new look. It was decided it would be unsafe to have traffic and kids events simultaneously. The proposal now needs approval from the Greene County Legislature.
Word from the BOE Meeting
Carole Osterink of Gossips of Rivertown was the first to report on the June 11 Hudson City School District Board of Education meeting, noting how they voted to accept the proposed budget, “which at $41,249,180 involves the elimination of 26 positions and a 9.8 increase in the tax levy.” Four board members–Emil Meister, Jeffrey Otty, Mary Daly, and Peter Merante–voted to accept the budget; three–Peter Meyer, Elizabeth Fout, and Peter Rice–voted against accepting it. “When asked by an audience member what would happen if the voters rejected the budget, three options were explained: (1) the BOE could propose the same budget for a second vote; (2) the BOE could further reduce the budget and propose a new budget; (3) the BOE could go directly to contingency, which would mean that the budget now proposed would be the budget, since a 9.8 percent increase is within the parameters allowed bu the state for a contingency budget.” We will have more from this event, with audio, in the coming hours.
Lawsuit could slow Greenport Crossings project
John Mason of the Register-Star reports that despite receiving an unprecedented 20-year tax abatement agreement from the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency,the Greenport Crossing complex is facing a $1.5 million lawsuit. “Developer Harbalwant Singh, in the midst of a brownfield cleanup, said he has decided to forgive both the parties named in the suit and will be dropping it,” Mason writes. Singh sued the man he bought the property from for allegedly lying to him about environmental factors on the property. He now says he will forgive the lie and drop his lawsuit so development can proceed.
Drilling foes make point
Brian Nearing reports on the April 11 anti-fracking rally in Albany in the Times Union, noting that “several hundred people descended on the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to reject horizontal hydrofracking, which delivers a high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand to free natural gas trapped in shale formations deep underground.” He observed the presence of Josh Fox, director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Gasland,” among a crowd of about 450 people who had signed up to lobby lawmakers against horizontal hydrofracking. The drilling technique remains under study by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. A decision on rules to control the practice could be released sometime this summer after about three years of study… “Also Monday, the gas industry — which defends the process as safe — wrote to the governor to ask that he speed up the DEC review,” Nearing continues. “The state, the industry says, is missing revenue available in states that allow the process, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.” “New York cannot afford to allow protests rooted in misinformation to halt the tremendous economic development activity that awaits our state,” wrote Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, which represents about 400 energy companies. Also, several Democratic state lawmakers on Monday announced a package of proposals, from an outright ban on hydrofracking to strict controls on the chemicals, some toxic, used in the process as well the large amounts of tainted wastewater that hydrofracking creates.
Gibson calls economy a bipartisan problem
Michael Ryan reports in the Daily Mail that U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson of Kinderhook, R-20th, called the economy “a bipartisan problem” during his town hall meeting in Windham on April 11, where he was joined by State Senator James Seward, R-Milford. Asked to respond to the nuclear power plant emergency in earthquake ravaged Japan and the role of nuclear power in America, the congressman reiterated that he remains a proponent of nuclear power… “when it is done right.” “I strongly support all renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geo-thermal but at the end of the day, when you realistically look at what we consume as a nation, I say let the science go forward,” he said. “If a community doesn’t want nuclear, it shouldn’t be forced on them. There are communities that will want it.”
Gasoline prices continue upward surge
The Daily Freeman notes what we all have noticed: average retail gasoline prices in New York have risen 8.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.92 per gallon on April 10. This compares with the national average, which increased 7.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.74, according to gasoline price websiteNewYorkStateGasPrices.com. Including the change in gas prices in New York during the past week, prices April 10 were 95.4 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 18.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 21 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 87.2 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.
Close the creek?
Following up on his own story, Colin DeVries of the Daily Mail writes that area sportsmen have called for a 45-day stay on fishing the Catskill Creek in order to save the fish’s sensitive spawning habitat. Six men were charged with illegally catching walleye there earlier this month and Walter Bennett, president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Greene County, addressed county lawmakers on April 11, urging support to close a section of Catskill Creek from March 16 to April 30. Walleye season is from the first Saturday in May through March 15 of the following year.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, anti-fracking, Brad Gill, Catskill Creek closing, Catskill Farmers' Market, Chris Gibson, Columbia County Industrial Development Agency, Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Greene County, gas prices, Greenport Commons, Harbalwant Singh, Hudson City School District, Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, James Seward, Josh Fox, nuclear power, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, protests, walleye
Observers see Molinaro as possible successor to Steinhaus
The Daily Freeman has a new angle on the announcement by longstanding Dutchess County County Executive William Steinhaus, who announced that he would not be seeking a sixth term this week. According to reporter Patricia Doxsey, State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, who also represents much of Columbia County, is seen by some Dutchess County politicos as the heir apparent even though the Red Hook Republican hasn’t announced his candidacy and has only said he’ll make a decision next week about whether to run. Molinaro, 36, has been involved in politics since 1994, when he was elected to the Tivoli Village Board at age 18. A year later, he was elected village mayor. He then served on the Dutchess County Legislature before being elected to the state Assembly in the 103rd District.
Correctional experts: prison programs need revamping
It’s no secret that there is lots of substance abuse in prisons, notes a piece by the Times Union’s Rick Karlin, who then presents a new study by the state Correctional Association which finds that the efforts to control and treat addictions in prisons is in need of an overhaul. Along with other protocols.
Privatizing public health nursing a hard sell in Sullivan County
Mid Hudson News Network reports that at a meeting in Monticello on March 3, “There was virtually no support for fixing something several Sullivan County seniors say is not broken.” They were talking about public health nursing, or more specifically, the Certified Home Health Agency operated by Sullivan County Public Health Services, which several Republicans have talked about privatizing.
Prison ruling is made binding
The Watertown Daily Times reports that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s 30-day budget amendments, released March 3, include a stipulation taht any ruling of the prison-closure task force would be binding on the commissioner of the state’s prison system. Which means that the prison system HAS TO make $72 million in cuts for the 2011-12 budget year and $112 million after that. With no directives as to how… possibly affecting state facilities in Hudson and Coxsackie. Plus, the law’s been amended so the task force doesn’tconvene until 10 days after the budget is approved, making it impossible for legislators to prevent specific facilities from closure.
Bill to require bicycle registration dies in Albany
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has a story about how proposed legislation that would require registration fees, and license plates, for bicycles died in Albany on March 3 after being criticized by politicians around the state. Other legislation that would exempt bikes and bike helmets from sales tax and provide a $50 tax credit for adult bike purchases and a $25 credit for kids’ bikes, however, is still under consideration. Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, a Queens Democrat, withdrew the bill after one of his fellow assemblyman called the move “utterly insane.”
New Baltimore gears up for bicentennial opening celebration
Melanie Lekocevic of the Greene County News reports on plans to kick off the Town of New Baltimore’s year-long bicentennial birthday celebration on March 13 with opening ceremonies including a parade and remarks by Congressman Chris Gibson, State Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin.
Tags: bicentennial, bicycle registration bill, Chris Gibson, James Seward, Mark Molinaro, prison closures, privatization, Steve McLaughlin, William Steinhaus
State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) has commented on the property tax cap and mandate relief measures adopted by the state senate on Monday, January 31, saying the legislation, which he co-sponsored, will help families “afford to stay in their homes, assist business owners including farmers struggling to make ends meet, and free local governments and schools from costly state mandates.” Under the property tax cap, tax levy growth would be limited to 2 percent or 120 percent of the annual increase in the consumer price index, whichever is less. The mandate relief provision would require that the state fund any new requirements imposed on local governments or school districts. The measure’s future in the state Assembly, which passed a similar but less severe-on=local-schools-and-municipalities “circuit breaker” form of tax relief last year, is unsure at this point. To hear Seward’s statement, click here.
Tags: James Seward, local audio, property tax cap
School district, teachers agree to 4-year pact
Jim Planck’s story in The Daily Mail contains no other details except the Catskill contract covers the years 2008 through 2012.
Senate pass property tax cap
The New York State Senate voted 45-17 to pass the proposal, with both local senators, Steve Saland and James Seward, voting in favor, according to a story in Capitol Confidential.
Mixed bag in 2010 home sales
Sales of existing single-family homes in Columbia County rose last year, while declining in Greene County, according to the Mid-Hudson News. Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester also improved, while in Dutchess, Orange, and Sullivan counties sales also fell.
Plan to end homelessness completed by CARES Inc.
A study of Columbia County homelessness, reported in the Register-Star, recommends the Department of Social Services purchase or obtain a long-term lease on one or more of the motels it’s currently paying thousands monthly to house area homeless. The CARES study suggests contracting with a nonprofit to “manage the property and provide case management to the clients,” according to Francesca Olsen’s report.
Tags: Catskill schools, homeless, housing, housing sales, James Seward, property tax cap, Steve Saland, teachers
Rep. Chris Gibson's swearing-in, from his Facebook page.
NY State Senator James Seward, from his website.
Watch video of Rep. Chris Gibson speaking on House floor during vote to repeal health care bill. Click here to watch wmv video of C-Span clip of.
Listen to audio of State Senator James Seward press release about Job Creation and Taxpayer Protection Act. Click here to listen to audio.
Tags: Chris Gibson, health care, James Seward, Job Creation and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2011, local audio, local video, Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act
NY State Senator James Seward (left) congratulates Surprise resident George R. Federoff as the Senate's new sergeant-at-arms.
Tags: George R. Federoff, James Seward, New York State Senate
State Senator James Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) was named to the senate finance committee, and Steve McLaughlin (R,C-Melrose) was named ranking member of the Real Property Taxation Committee. “There is no greater time for legislators in Albany to get to work on implementing a property tax cap,” McLaughlin said in a press release. “As a citizen legislator, my role is to ensure the voices of my constituents are heard loud and clear and to ease the heavy tax burden facing the people of this region and state.” Seward put out an audio press release, which you can hear here: NYStateSen.JamesSeward_FinanceComm_011111
Assemblyman McLaughlin represents the 108th district, which is comprised by parts of Rensselaer, Albany, Greene, and Columbia counties. Senator Seward represents Greene County and nine other counties in the State Senate. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: James Seward, Steve McLaughlin
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his first “State of the State” speech in Albany, and live on WGXC Online Radio. WGXC made this recording of the Governor’s webstream:
http://www.wgxc.org/media/uploaded_files/2011/01/The_State_of_the_State_speech_Jan._5_2010_in_Albany_20110105_1405.mp3
Republican New York State Senator James Seward was quick with praise for the Democrat’s speech. “The governor’s state of the state message was a slam dunk,” he said in a press release. “Styled more like an upbeat high school pep rally than a monotonous political speech, he hit on all the right themes and seemed to energize legislators and all New Yorkers on hand.” Seward also sent this audio statement:
Click on this sentence to hear State of State Response from James Seward.
Newly elected State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin was not as enthusiastic:
“The residents of the 108th district have been subjected to a circus in Albany for the last four years,” said McLaughlin in a prepared statement. “While I support the governor in instituting a 2 percent property tax cap on all New York property owners, his plan needs additional concrete proposals for how the legislative bodies of the state will cut state spending and reenergize the private sector.”
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, James Seward, local audio, Steve McLaughlin
New York State Senator James Seward, left, takes the oath of office at the Otsego County Courthouse in Cooperstown with his wife Cindy, and Otsego County Judge John Lambert. Seward represents Greene and other counties in the Senate. Photo from Seward office.
Tags: James Seward
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)’s Environmental Board today approved new stricter performance standards for new outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) sold in the state. The regulation will go into effect 30 days after it is filed with the Secretary of State. Many, including Greene County’s representative in the New York State Senate James Seward, complained that the DEC rushed this process without proper public input. Environmentalists can cheer the stricter guidelines, with new OWBs burning 90 percent cleaner than older models, according to the DEC. “This is about ensuring that new outdoor wood boilers burn cleaner — not only for people who buy OWBs and their families, but also for their neighbors. It’s not unlike the switch to cleaner cars,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz in a prepared statement. “It’s also to ensure that OWB stacks are high enough to disperse emissions rather than having them blow directly into houses and other dwellings. That’s important for public health. Also, we have listened to the agricultural community and made appropriate exceptions for farming operations.” The regulation approved today includes stack height requirements for new OWBs that will reduce the impact of emission plumes on neighboring property owners. In addition, new OWBs will be required to be set back a minimum of 100 feet from neighboring properties — except for OWBs used in agricultural operations, which must be at least 100 feet from neighboring homes. Both new and existing OWBs will be subject to fuel restrictions limiting boilers to only clean wood. The text of the final rule before the Environmental Board is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/69348.html on the DEC website.
Tags: DEC, environment, James Seward, outdoor wood boilers, OWB, Peter Iwanowicz
New York State Senator James Seward.
Tags: James Seward, outdoor wood boilers, OWB
State Assembly passes Wage Theft Protection Act
The New York State Assembly passed the Wage Theft Prevention Act (S8380/Savino – A11726/Heastie) Monday (the state’s website does not yet list the vote, but this press release claims it passed by a two-to-one margin). The bill, which protects workers by mandating minimum wages, and ensuring employers cannot use various schemes that result in underpayment of wages, according to the press release from the New York State Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats who passed the bill. The bill now heads to Governor Paterson’s desk for a signature. Local Assembly representatives Peter Lopez, Marc Molinaro, and Tim Gordon all voted against the measure.
From ColumbiaPage.com
ColumbiaPage.com, the site for Columbia County volunteer firefighters, has an update, and photos, from Ghent: “Construction continues on the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company #1 on State Route 66. The work is being done by Hills Construction. Don Hills Jr. operates the lift as he and his crew place roof trusses.”
Flood watch and wind advisory
A Wind Advisory (through 1 p.m. Wed.) has been added to a Flood Watch (through 10 a.m. Thur.) for both Greene and Columbia counties. Up to four inches of rain is possible. Information here.
Democrat concedes in Buffalo state Senate contest
Michael Gormley of the Associated Press reports for Fox23 and other outlets that New York State Senate Democrat Antoine Thompson conceded defeat Tuesday to Republican Mark J. Grisanti in the 60th state Senate District in Buffalo. Two other elections are still undecided: “Recounts continue for the seats held by Democratic Sen. Craig Johnson of Nassau County, who trails Republican Jack Martins by over 400 votes, and Westchester Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer, who’s up about 300 votes over Republican Bob Cohen,” Gormley reports. If both go Republican, then the GOP controls the Senate 32-30, like the Democrats currently rule there. If the two races split as the count currently indicate, the body will be tied 31-31, with new Democrat Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy breaking the deadlock. Gormley says Republicans plan a legal challenge to that tie-breaking procedure in court. Locally, since Republicans Steve Saland and James Seward represent the area, GOP control of the Senate would mean more access to pork for local projects.
Seward in Greene County Thursday
State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) will be in Greene County, Thursday, December 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Kaaterskill Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 161 Jefferson Heights, Catskill, for their annual tree lighting ceremony. Seward will also visit the Greene County Chamber of Commerce annual holiday happy hour at 5 p.m. at Rip Van Winkle Country Club, 3200 Route 23A, Palenville.
Birthdays
December 1 birthdays include Richard Pryor, Billy Paul, and Lou Rawls.
Tags: ColumbiaPage, David Paterson, James Seward, Steve Saland, Wage Theft Prevention Act
Several sources are reporting that the over the Roeliff Jansen Kill bridge on Route 9G from Hudson to Germantown reopens today.
(Cairo) Zoning law unveiled
The Daily Mail, Doron Tyler Antrim
Information hearings:
Nov. 13, 10 a.m. at Acra Community Center.
Nov. 15 , 7 p.m. Cairo Town Hall.
Nov. 30, the commission will set a public hearing on the law.
New York State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta), who was re-elected Tuesday in an unopposed election, will be in Greene County, Monday, November 8, joining Coxsackie-Athens Central School District students at Edward J. Arthur Elementary School for the annual Veterans Day ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Edward J. Arthur Elementary School is located at 51 Third St., in Athens.
“Democracy Now!” host Amy Goodman came to Catskill for WGXC and spoke to a full house, with introductions from Kaya Weidman, Christina Malisoff, Brian Kehoe, and Carline Murphy. Listen to mp3 recording here.
Farmshed is a new iPhone app about Central New York farms and agriculture and food.http://www.filesonic.com/file/28660569/0606jjcl.avi
Tags: Amy Goodman, James Seward
Greene County election results (must refresh page).
WGXC’s Tom Roe will be at the Columbia County Board of Elections office and posting results as they become official.
WGXC has campaign schedules for election day from Didi Barrett (running for State Senate seat in Columbia County), Chris Gibson (running for NY 20th Congressional seat), Scott Murphy (running for NY 20th Congressional seat), and James Seward (running unopposed for State Senate seat in Greene County).
Didi Barrett
9:00-9:30 a.m.: Vote at Millbrook firehouse with family.
11:30 a.m.-noon: Visit Hudson campaign office, 731 Warren St., Hudson, NY 12534.
noon-2 p.m.: Canvas in Hudson.
3-3:30 p.m.: Lunch stop at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 103rd Election Day Dinner, Rte. 9 and Church St. Hyde Park, NY 12538. All proceeds will support local missions. No reservations are needed and takeout is available. Take out prices are $12 adults or seniors and $6 children.
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Phone banking at Didi for Senate Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
6-7 p.m.: New Hamburg train station.
9-?: Election Night Party at Didi for Senate Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
Chris Gibson
9 a.m.: Casting vote at McNary Center, Sylvester St., Kinderhook, NY 12106
10 p.m.: Election Night Event at Holiday Inn of Saratoga, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Scott Murphy
9:30 a.m.: Vote at Glens Falls High School tennis court entrance, 10 Quade Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
2 p.m.: Visit Greene County Democrat Headquarters, 377 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414
4 p.m.: Visit Dutchess County Democrat Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
6 p.m.: Visit Columbia County Democrat Headquarters, 731 Warren St., Hudson, NY 12534
9 p.m.: Gideon Putnam Ballroom, Gideon Putnam, 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
James Seward
8:30 a.m.: Election Day Pancake Breakfast at Veterans Club; 60 Main Street; Cooperstown, NY.
8 p.m.: Election Returns/Victory Celebration at Campaign Headquarters; 14 Dietz Street; Oneonta NY.
Voting in Cairo at 10 a.m. Nov. 2, 2010. Photo by Tom Roe.
Tags: Chris Gibson, Didi Barrett, elections, James Seward, Scott Murphy
State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) will join volunteer fire departments from throughout Greene County, ladies auxiliaries and local elected officials for the 122nd Annual Greene County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention parade through the streets of Coxsackie. The parade is the culmination of a week-long convention hosted by Coxsackie Hose Company #3. Seward will be at Coxsackie Hose Company #3 grounds at 2 p.m. Sept. 11. Seward will be back in Greene County at noon Tue. Sept. 14 with Town of Hunter Supervisor Dennis Lucas, Greene County Department of Emergency Services Director John Farrell, and other local officials and emergency service workers to discuss safety concerns and tour the Devil’s Kitchen hiking area. After two recent fatalities, Seward has called on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to review safety measures at the popular hiking area. Seward will tour the hiking area, meeting first at the Haines Falls Fire Department, 5425 Route 23A, Haines Falls.
Tags: James Seward
Rick Karlin in Capitol Confidential reports:
“[T]he New York Public Interest Research Group has scanned into their website and updated the latest versions of financial disclosure forms for incumbents and challengers for the legislature. These are filed individually with the state Legislative Ethics Commission and frankly they don’t provide a lot of detail, especially regarding the monetary value of the stocks, outside employment or other sources of wealth and income that some lawmakers have.” Read the entire story in Capitol Confidential.
Locally:
Tim Gordon
Peter Lopez
Marcus Molinaro
Stephen M. Saland
James L. Seward
Tags: James Seward, Marc Molinaro, Pete Lopez, Steve Saland, Tim Gordon
New York State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) will be in Coxsackie at 2:30 p.m. Saturday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the rebuilt Riverside Park playground at the Riverside Park Festival.
Tags: festivals, James Seward
Late last night the New York State Senate passed an array of legislation, but the one bill that might impact our area the most
was a measure requiring prisoners be counted as residents not of the (mostly upstate) prisons where they reside, but where they lived before they were incarcerated (most often, New York City). “Most of the state’s prisoners (66 percent) are New York City residents, but the vast majority of them (91 percent) are counted as residents of upstate prisons,” according to Prisoners of the Census. Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat running for attorney general told The New York Times, “If other states follow us, it would represent a major shift of political power back to these poor urban communities.” Indeed, this bill would mean that Greene County would lose a sizable portion of its population, and all sorts of funding could be lowered to reflect that change. The inmates inside Coxsackie Correctional Facility (approximately 1,000) at 11260 Route 9W; Greene Correctional Facility, 165 Plank Road, Coxsackie; and the Hudson Correctional Facility (about 600) at 50 East Court St. in Hudson; would no longer be counted as local residents. The Greene County Planning and Economic Development site counts 3,280 “institionalized” people, or 6.8 percent, many of which would, presumably, be counted elsewhere if this measure were to become law. Carole Osterink, in her blog The Gossips of Rivertown, analyzes what might happen in Hudson:
Since the Hudson Correctional Facility is located in the Third Ward, it would reduce the weighted votes of the Third Ward aldermen. The votes of Aldermen Ellen Thurston and Chris Wagoner now each represent 266 toward the 1,011 needed for a simple majority. The only votes on the Common Council more powerful than theirs are those cast by Aldermen Robert Donahue and Richard Goetz, whose votes weigh in at 278 each. Read the entire story in The Gossips of Rivertown.
Coxsackie would obviously face similar “re-districting” if this measure is passed, and possible local funding tied to population could be lost, and perhaps fewer regular visits from State Assemblyman Pete Lopez, State Senator James Seward, and Congressman Scott Murphy as their districts might be enlarged geographically to make up for the loss of prison population. Clearly, Seward is worried about the proposal, as he told The Daily Mail: “I clearly see this as a move to dilute the upstate population numbers to benefit downstate,” he said. Susan Campriello in The Daily Mail reports:
“According to a 2002 report Prison Policy Initiative report by Peter Wagner, roughly 3,000 constituents could be removed from Seward’s district. Such losses could decrease the area’s population to nearly 6 percent below the required average district size of 306,072.”… Three facilities are located in [Seward's] district, which includes all or portions of seven counties. Two facilities are in Coxsackie, one is in Summit, in Schoharie County. Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.
Tracy Huling, a WGXC Founding Member in Greenville, and author of “Building a Prison Economy in Rural America,” writes in in the comments:
My understanding is that the language of the legislation eliminating prison-based gerrymandering leaves intact federal and state aid to prison towns and counties. See North Country Public Radio’s story:
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16081/inmates-to-be-excluded-from-north-country-districts
Also, Greene County (like 12 other counties in New York) already removes prisoners for the purpose of redistricting. See the Senate bill language at: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6725
Tags: Chris Wagoner, Ellen Thurston, James Seward, Pete Lopez, prisons, Richard Goetz, Robert Donahue, Scott Murphy
The New York State Senate voted 48-9 to impose a moratorium on shale gas drilling early this morning, just after midnight, passing the Thompson (S.8129B) / Sweeney (A.11443-B) measure. The bill would place a halt on granting new drilling permits until May, 2011. Locally, Steve Saland and James Seward voted for the moratorium. Assemblyman Tim Gordon, who represents parts of Greene, Columbia, and Albany counties, supports the measure and told WGXC, “If we want to proceed on this, I think we need to do it right, and there are still some unanswered questions.” Assemblyman Pete Lopez recently came out against the moratorium, saying, “In this case, (a moratorium) just gives the (Department of Environmental Conservation) cover so they don’t have to come out with the regulations.”
Tags: environment, James Seward, Steve Saland, Tim Gordon
Capitol Confidential and the New York Civil Liberties Union just tweeted that the Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act was defeated tonight 31-28 in the New York State Senate. Capitol Confidential quotes, in a tweet, New York State Senator Steve Saland, who represents Columbia County, on farm workers bill: “Why would you want to dance on the grave of upstate New York?” Both local senators, Saland and James Seward voted against the bill. and local Assemblymen Tim Gordon, Pete Lopez, and Marc Molinaro all oppose the bill. The NYCLU was quick with this statement: “Today’s Senate vote is painfully disappointing given our state’s proud tradition of supporting justice and equal rights,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “The Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act is basic civil rights legislation. Farm workers are New York’s least protected laborers. Our farm workers deserve the same labor rights that workers across New York have enjoyed for 100 years.” The bill would have mandated minimum salaries and maximum hours, and benefits for farm workers.
Tags: agriculture, James Seward, jobs, Steve Saland, Tim Gordon
The Daily Mail has a story without a byline (although contact info for reporter Susan Campriello is listed at the end of the article) about how the Greene County Legislature voted last week to oppose the Farm Worker Fair Labor Act. The bill before the New York Senate would mandate farmers allow laborers at least 24 consecutive hours off, a 10-hour work day, overtime pay at 1.5 times the normal rate and provisions of unemployment insurance. The article never says what the legislatures vote was, or who voted for or against the for-show resolution. The article does say, “Greene County’s state representatives Sen. James L. Seward, R,C,I-Oneonta, Assemblyman Tim Gordon, I-Bethlehem, and Assemblyman Pete Lopez, R,C,I-Schoharie, have all voted against earlier versions of the legislation.” The article quotes a spokesman for farmers, but does not quote a similar representative for farm workers. Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.
Tags: agriculture, James Seward, jobs, Pete Lopez, Tim Gordon
Former NYC mayor Ed Koch’s New York Uprising reform initiative released its list of “heroes” and “enemies” of reform, and locally State Senators (R) Steve Saland and (R) James Seward, Assemblyman (R) Marc Molinaro, and Senate candidate (challenging Saland) (D) Didi Barrett all made the heroes list. Assemblymen (I) Tim Gordon and (R) Pete Lopez, however, made Koch’s enemies list. New York legislators and candidates were asked to pledge to support nonpartisan redistricting, ethics reform, and responsible budgeting. Those that did not sign the pledge made the enemies list. Read more about this in Capitol Confidential.
Tags: Didi Barrett, James Seward, Marc Molinaro, Pete Lopez, Steve Saland, Tim Gordon
State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) march in the 15th Annual Independence Day Parade in East Durham on Saturday, July 3. The East Durham parade begins at 11 a.m. on Route 145 in East Durham.
Tags: James Seward
On The Air
WGXC is on 90.7-FM now, at full-power, 3300 watts. We cover all parts of Greene County except parts of the mountaintop, and all of Columbia County except for a bit of Western Columbia County south of Germantown. WGXC also covers a large part of southern Albany County. We have heard reports that the signal is getting from Delaware County to Great Barrington, from Selkirk to Saugerties, from Pine Plains to the I-90 extension.
Local weather/webcams
National Weather Service, Albany
Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page
When the computer is turned on, the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page reports weather information in Harlemville. Check dates and times to see whether reports are live or from when the computer was turned off.
Greene County webcams:
Catskill webcam: Thomas Cole House Claude Mirror
Nearby webcams:
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