Oswego County TodayPoliticsFREE Independent News for Oswego County

Resources Available for Homeowners to Protect from Scams

July 31, 2017 Contributor

A home is one of the biggest investments a family can make and with homeownership, repair projects are inevitable. In some cases, homeowners can perform the work that needs to be done but in other cases, hiring a contractor is necessary. Unfortunately, unscrupulous contractors sometimes inflate costs or do not complete the work that was promised which can lead to delays and costly problems for the homeowner. Senior citizens are often targeted by what amounts to a home improvement scam.

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Senator Ritchie’s Community Spotlight: Having A Good Time At Harborfest

July 25, 2017 Contributor

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.

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Infrastructure Dollars Help Upstate with Road, Bridge Repairs

July 24, 2017 Contributor

With the warm weather here, local highway crews are out working on road repairs and construction projects. There are approximately 114,000 centerline miles of highway in the state and local governments are responsible for the maintenance of nearly 85% of them. Accordingly, they need assistance meeting the repair demands, especially considering the snowfalls in our area.

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Workshops Scheduled To Help Homeowners Fight The Flood

July 18, 2017 Contributor

For the past several months, I have heard from hundreds of property owners, small businesses and communities throughout our region who have been struggling to recover from this year’s crippling flooding. I am pleased to report that help is finally here. Legislation, which I was proud to cosponsor, that establishes the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Program was just signed into law and provides $45 million in funding for recovery efforts.

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Voters to Decide on Constitutional Convention in November

July 17, 2017 Contributor

Pursuant to our state’s constitution, every twenty years a referendum is required to be placed on the ballot asking New York State voters whether New York should convene a constitutional convention for the purposes of amending our State Constitution. The last time the question was on the ballot was 1997 and at that time it was rejected by 62% of the voters. This year, voters again will have the opportunity to vote for or against a convention.

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Eating Fresh From The Farm This Summer

July 11, 2017 Contributor

As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am always working to find new ways to support our state’s and especially our region’s hardworking farmers. One of the easiest ways you can join me in the effort to boost our local agriculture industry is by visiting the many farmers’ markets across Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties.

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Farmers’ Market Nutrition Connects Seniors to Local Produce

July 10, 2017 Contributor

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.

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Safeguarding Student Health

July 4, 2017 Contributor

As a mother and a grandmother, I know how important it is to safeguard our children from harm and to deter them from picking up habits that could negatively affect their health. That’s why I’m pleased to report that legislation that I sponsor that bans the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, on school property is now headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

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Mishmash of Policy Adopted and Rejected in 2017 Session

July 3, 2017 Contributor

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.

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Community Spotlight: A ‘Reel’ Good Time On The St. Lawrence River

June 27, 2017 Contributor

With the summer season in full swing, many people are seeking out new and exciting things to add to their warm weather to-do-list. For this month’s “Community Spotlight,” I am showcasing the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series Fishing Tournament, which will take place in Waddington from July 20 to 23.

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