We are fortunate in this area to have access to so much homegrown produce, from maple syrup to onions, to fresh peaches and sweet corn. This time of year there are many opportunities to take advantage of the local harvests at farmers’ markets. Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, and cheese can all be found nearby and in usually in abundance.
New York State is a difficult state to govern in light of the upstate downstate divide. This divide generally, but not always, translates into differing policy priorities between the more populated areas of the state versus the less populated areas. The suburbs often represent the swing vote swaying between a more conservative or a more liberal ideology on various issues. On top of that challenge, there is the increasing struggle between the legislative and executive branch of state government.
Two hundred years ago, the first ceremonial shovelful of dirt was dug on the Erie Canal near Rome, NY. In July 1817, New York officially undertook construction of what would become the longest artificial waterway and greatest public works project in North America. This year marks the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, a milestone that provides a good reason to look back at our history and appreciate the engineering marvel that is the Erie Canal.
Albany’s corruption challenges are well-documented and unfortunately the problems have ensnared both the legislative and the executive branches. In November of last year, eight people were indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges related to the state’s economic development programs.
National Dairy Month started in 1937 to promote drinking milk and has evolved into a way to celebrate our dedicated dairy farmers who produce milk, award-winning cheeses, and value-added dairy products. Dairy farming represents the largest component of the state’s agricultural sector and accounts for nearly half of all agricultural receipts in New York.
During these last weeks of the 2017 Legislative session, I am pushing for increased penalties for synthetic drug dealers, legislative ethics and rules reform, oversight of economic development programs, and financial assistance for flood victims.
Since April, property owners along Lake Ontario spanning from Western New York to the North Country have been battling record-breaking lake levels and have experienced widespread flooding and significant property damage. Entire communities have been working non-stop to protect homes, businesses and public infrastructure. In communities where residents rely on private wells and septic systems there is equal concern that flooding will comprise systems creating a public health danger.
Since Civil War times, our country has set aside a time in the late spring to honor brave men and women who have fought and died to protect our American freedoms and rights. Americans have kept the tradition for nearly 150 years.
New York State is a leader in the arts but one of the things that our region has traditionally struggled with is obtaining funding to help support the arts. Since New York City is so big and provides much by way of culture and entertainment, much of the state funding for the arts has been driven downstate. However, in recent years there has been a shift in how funding has been made available.
The higher than normal rainfall and rapid snow melt have caused lake levels to surge and property owners are now facing levels that are two feet above the norm. To put this into perspective, Lake Ontario has only seen this much water three other times in the past century and unfortunately, levels are expected to continue to rise. Last week the governor declared a state of emergency and as part of that, sandbags are being made available.
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