Politics

Even though the summer season may be starting to wind down, there is still plenty of fun to be had. In this month’s “Community Spotlight,” I am highlighting a summer tradition, the Great New York State Fair, which kicks off, Wednesday, August 23, and runs through Monday, September 4, at the fairgrounds in Syracuse. Drawing visitors of all ages – including a record 1,117,630 people last year – the Great New York State Fair features something for everyone.

As summer continues, it’s great to be able to enjoy the outdoors and all this beautiful region we call home has to offer. However, wild animals stay increasingly active this time of the year and it’s important that we all take steps to protect ourselves and our pets against hazards, like rabies. Over the last few days, crews began conducting rabies “bait drops” in parts of the North Country.

New York’s farmers work hard to bring the best quality products to their neighbors, tables and kitchens around the state and world. As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I know it’s important to get feedback from hardworking farmers to identify ways the state can assist in helping to provide them with new opportunities to expand their businesses. In an effort to help support farmers and their operations, I recently launched a “Farm Family Survey” that seeks input on a number of issues,

Bees, both wild and managed, play a key role in our state’s agriculture industry, helping crops of all kinds thrive. However, these powerful pollinators are under attack by parasitic mites. The varroa mite, a tiny parasite that attacks honey bees, has infected 90 percent of the bee colonies surveyed this year.

For this month’s “Community Spotlight” I am showcasing an event that countless people across our region and beyond look forward to each and every year – the city of Oswego’s Harborfest, which runs from July 27 to 30. Every year, more than 100,000 attend this free festival, which has featured hundreds of national, regional and local performing artists since it began in 1988. In addition to live music, Harborfest also boasts activities for children, including a children’s parade, a midway, vendors, local food and so much more.