Oswego Daily News

As Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winning projects for Oswego’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, she paused and apologized for taking so long. But, “there’s a lot of progress going on here!” she quickly added. State, local agencies will collaborate with Regional Economic Development Council to revitalize downtown, modernize infrastructure and boost the local economy. Speaking at the Children’s Museum of Oswego today (July 6), Hochul officially proclaimed the winning projects selected for the Port City as part of the state’s $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

A year after they were sworn in as new Oswego school board members, Aimee Callen and James Bell took the oath of office again – this time as the new leaders of the board. In a brief reorganizational meeting July 5, the Oswego school board appointed its slate of officers for the 2017-2018 school year and swore in new members Brian Chetney and Brandon Lagoe and returning veteran Sam Tripp.

A request regarding the Festival of Ships event floated to the full council for consideration. At Monday’s Physical Services Committee meeting, Justin Rudgick, Community Development Director, introduced the request from Mercedes Niess of the Maritime Museum regarding the tall ship event to be held on July 21-23, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the West First Street Pier. “It’s a fantastic event,” Rudgick told the committee.

SUNY Oswego alumnus Jesse Corfield plans to continue his dedication to education and international service through teaching English in Brazil via the prestigious U.S. Fulbright Student Program. The 2014 graduate with a Spanish major and linguistics minor is a Fulbright finalist, a candidate who has been offered a Fulbright U.S. Student grant, contingent upon host country approvals, medical clearance and submission of all required grant documents.

Assistant City Attorney Tom Reynolds, on behalf of Councilor John Gosek, requested discussion regarding a proposed local law regarding the restriction of the use of herbicides that contain glyphosate on city owned property. The purpose of the law is to protect the public health, Reynolds explained. However, the committee tabled the plan in order to further discuss it.

The Oswego County Legislature continues to advocate for the region’s nuclear power industry and at its June meeting urged defeat of measures in the state Assembly and Senate that would repeal the Clean Energy Standard. The state Legislature has adjourned for the season without acting on the bills. However, members of the Oswego County Legislature are concerned the issue could re-surface when the state Legislature re-convenes.

The tall ships Niña and Pinta, replicas of Columbus’ ships, will visit Oswego for the H. Lee White Maritime Museum’s Festival of Ships July 21 through July 23. The ships will be docked at the West First Street Pier adjacent to the Maritime Museum and will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 21, 22 and 23.