From swimming and hiking to gardening and camping, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors during the summer months. However, what many people don’t consider is that in warmer weather, bugs like ticks and mosquitoes thrive and can make a snack out of you if you’re not careful. The effects of these insects can be as pesky as a small bite and in other, more serious cases can be deadly.
Very often legislative bodies pass ill-advised laws in response to tragedies in hopes that the new laws will work to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. I used to work for a judge who would say bad facts make bad law. This is true in the legislative process and no truer is the case with the New York Safe Act which passed in January of 2014 shortly following the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy. Since its passage, the law has been panned by law enforcement officials, second amendment advocates, outdoor enthusiast and others.
From waterways where you can land your next big catch and trails for hiking to places perfect for camping and beautiful beaches, the State Parks across New York offer a little something for everyone. This month, across the country we celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, a time when we make a special point to get outdoors and enjoy all the beautiful nature New York has to offer.
There are a number of local residents who display the signs on their property that read “Look Twice, Save a Life.” It’s a campaign that started many years ago designed to help protect motorcyclists. It was created by the parents of a 25-year-old man who lost his life while driving a motorcycle in a head-on collision with another vehicle. The driver in the other vehicle failed to see him.
It’s summertime, and that means getting outdoors. And, for more than 100,000 people statewide, getting outdoors means hitting the trail on your ATV. Recently, I proposed plan that would encourage more people to take advantage of all our region, and our state, has to offer.
The 2015 Legislative Session has ended. There were many accomplishments but the list of what did not get done for Upstate is longer. Instead, the end of session was dominated by New York City issues like rent control, property tax exemptions for NYC (421a) and discussions on the control of New York City schools.
When you’re looking for a job or trying to make a career change, connections matter. In fact, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. Helping people make connections with businesses and organizations looking to hire is main goal of my job fairs, held annually in St. Lawrence and Oswego counties.
Now that the school year has ended, a great way for children to retain the vocabulary and knowledge they’ve acquired this school year is to encourage them to read each day over the summer. Studies show that reading just 15 minutes a day helps prevent learning loss. Summer reading is an opportunity for kids to learn more independently. According to recent studies, children’s early understanding of literacy is developed within their family and their community.
While eating nutritious food is important for everyone, it’s especially important for senior citizens. That’s why I’m pleased to report that included in the most recent state budget was funding I helped secure that will help New York’s aging population get the fresh foods they need to stay healthy.
The Legislature recently passed a bill that, if signed by the Governor, would reform the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and expedite the process for those in search of public records. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Senate and the Assembly. I am urging the Governor to sign the bill into law and make this change effective immediately.
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