With the end of the school year in sight, many students are anxiously awaiting the summer months. While spending time by the pool, fishing, and playing outdoors may be at the top of their to-do list, there’s one thing students should do to keep their skills honed and their minds sharp – read.
Many people think of Memorial Day as the “unofficial” start to summer. But, for me, there’s something else that signals the start of the season: the opening of farmers’ markets across Central and Northern New York.
The New York City sponsors of this legislation have billed it as the DREAM Act. However, because it will place an increased burden on our State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), this could become a financial nightmare for the state and for those lower-and middle-class families who are already struggling to afford the ever increasing cost of higher education.
To get a job done, you need the right tools. The same goes for getting a job. When you’re looking for work, it’s critical to use all your resources to your advantage. On June 6, I’ll be offering a great opportunity for job seekers to make those connections at my third annual Oswego County Job Fair.
As the cliche goes, when it rains it pours. This certainly holds true as a description of the numerous scandals that have arisen as of late in both Albany and Washington. This week in Albany, most attention was rightfully focused on the release of a report by the Joint Committee on Public Ethics that summarized its investigation of sexual harassment claims against Vito Lopez – the now former Assemblyman.
This week, I had the honor of hosting Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, Major General Stephen Townsend, as well as several Fort Drum soldiers and commanders at the Capitol for “10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day.” This second annual event celebrated the 10th Mountain Division and its troops for their ongoing role in our nation’s defense, as well as the post itself for the key role it plays in our region’s economy.
On the same day farmers were bracing for a cold streak, the Assembly passed a bill that imposes factory-like mandates on family farms, and failed to recognize the unique industry heavily dependent on weather and harvest schedules. The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act passed the Assembly 83-53. I voted against it. The bill imposes new labor mandates, regulations and financial burdens for farmers, without considering the environment or circumstances it takes to run a successful farm.
Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with more than a dozen local heroes, all nominees for the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame program. The Hall of Fame pays tribute to New Yorkers who have served their country in the US Armed Forces and made significant contributions to their communities. 29 brave men and women from Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties were nominated for this special program.
There have been quite a few newsworthy items coming out of Albany in recent weeks. I want to share a few of them with you in this column pertaining to health services funding, insurance fraud, and tourism.
“What in the world would we do without our libraries?” This question, posed by Hollywood legend and library lover Katherine Hepburn, is one I often ask myself. From books and videos to community events and computer access, today’s libraries offer so much in the way of entertainment and education. Here in Central and Northern New York, we’re fortunate to have one of the largest concentrations of public libraries in the state.
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