Ritchie

Here in Central and Northern New York, there are certain things that signal the start of spring. Warmer temperatures, the first sight of flowers sprouting from the ground and of course, trees being tapped for sap that will be turned into maple syrup and other maple products.

When it comes to our region, there’s a long list of what makes it special. For me though, one of the best things about Central and Northern New York is the people who go the extra mile to make our communities better. As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we remember the women of the past, and the women of the present, who are making a difference.

During the month of March, we shine a spotlight on all that women have contributed to society throughout the years, and look toward the future as we continue to pave the way for new accomplishments.

Making our state a better place can only be accomplished when citizens take an active role by making their voices heard and their priorities known. That’s why I’m asking Central and Northern New Yorkers to weigh in on what matters to them through my 2016 Legislative Survey.

When you think of dangerous jobs, farming probably doesn’t immediately come to mind. However, with the fatality rate 700 percent higher than all American workers, many of our hardworking farmers face significant threats to their safety. The leading cause of death on a farm? Tractor rollover incidents.

Open the paper or turn on the news, and you’ll see evidence that heroin abuse is a growing problem in communities across Central and Northern New York and beyond. As we continue to fight back against this deadly drug, one common theme has emerged from possible solutions to stopping its spread, and that’s getting those who use the substance the real help they need to break free from its grip.

Remember the last time you bit into a strawberry, or enjoyed the sweet taste of fresh raspberries? Odds are, when you did, you weren’t worrying about whether they were free from insects or plant diseases. That’s something that we have researchers at Cornell University to thank for.

As your representative, I’ll be fighting to make sure the new state budget meets the needs of individuals and families in our region. One of the areas I will be most focused on is creating jobs and boosting our economy.

From fresh berries and corn to apples and zucchini, while it’s easier to get your hands on healthy, locally grown foods during spring, summer and fall, it can be somewhat of a challenge when winter hits.