For many New Yorkers agriculture is not just their livelihood, it is a way of life. From food to employment opportunities, because agriculture is our state’s leading industry, every person – one way or another – depends on our farmers and agribusiness owners. While this success is something every New Yorker should be proud of, we cannot take it for granted.
In an emergency where minutes are critical, medical professionals sometimes determine that patients need to be airlifted to a hospital rather than transported by traditional ambulance. This is particularly true in rural areas, where emergency rooms can be hundreds of miles away. During these occasions, decisions need to be made quickly and the last thing EMT personnel and the patient are thinking about is how much the air transportation is going to cost and how will the cost be paid. Unfortunately, situations have arisen where patients who have utilized an air ambulance get the unwelcome surprise of receiving a huge bill (often exceeding $50,000) for the service.
As winter approaches here in Central and Northern New York, many of us are preparing for the drop in temperatures, and an increase in our home heating bills. The cold can take a toll on many of our most vulnerable, including senior citizens and those on low or fixed incomes, who find themselves struggling with the decision of whether to keep the heat on, or have the money to pay for other necessities. For those who find it difficult to manage home heating costs during winter, there is help.
Americans have a long history of volunteering and hold community service as a hallmark of civic life. Militias that formed during the Revolutionary War and our country’s first fire departments, for example, were made possible by volunteers who saw a need and organized to serve a cause. People through the ages at their own accord have volunteered for the greater good. At no time is this honored tradition of volunteerism more evident in our country than during the holiday season.
The US military is made up of the bravest, proudest and most selfless people our great nation has to offer. They join the military, and put their lives on the line, in the name of protecting our freedom. Becoming a member of our military not only gives someone a chance to serve our great nation, it also provides a tremendous opportunity to build important life skills that can benefit them long after their service has finished.
There are a number of roads in rural areas in our state that do not see a lot of traffic. Despite the low volume of use, towns are required to maintain roads to state specifications even if the road does not lead to a house, camp, or business. This translates into large and often unnecessary expenses for taxpayers.
Every single day here in New York State, more than 96,000 of our family members, friends and neighbors put their lives on the line when they step up to keep our communities safe as members of volunteer fire departments. Because they sacrifice so much to protect us, we need to show support for their service and find ways that we can keep them safe.
On Nov. 17, the OnCenter will once again host a National Adoption Day celebration. The day is part of a collective effort to help raise awareness of the more than 110,000 children in foster care across the nation waiting to find permanent homes. It is also a celebration of families who have already opened their homes and hearts to adopted children and in most cases have helped to improve the trajectory of a child’s life forever.
Our military service members make tremendous sacrifices every day of the year protecting our freedoms. Not only are they putting their lives on the line, they have to do it thousands of miles away from family and friends. It is a sacrifice that is always hardest during the holiday season.
Many of our service members, including those serving on Fort Drum, will be spending the holidays on out-of-state installations, overseas or in a military or veterans’ hospital.
Because veterans have given so much to our country we, as US citizens, either through our government or otherwise, should be willing to give back to them. I am proud that New York state offers a number of programs to assist veterans, particularly after they have concluded their service and are transitioning back to civilian life. It is my understanding that the time of reintegration into civilian life is the most challenging for veterans. One of the most successful ways of helping veterans reintegrate i
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