Patty Ritchie, the County Clerk of St. Lawrence County, declared her candidacy for State Senate in the 48th District on Monday with stops in Fulton, Watertown and Canton. She intends to be the Republican party’s candidate to take on Democrat Aubertine, a former state Assemblyman who has won the Senate seat in two elections.
The occasion was a breakfast meeting between school district officials from around the county and some of the state lawmakers who represent them. The students were not invited, but showed up to seize the opportunity to lobby directly for help to keep their sports, music and arts.
It’s a safe bet that school superintendents did not hear what they wanted to hear when they met Thursday with State Senator Darrel Aubertine about state aid for next school year. Hannibal Superintendent of Schools Mike DiFabio summed up Aubertine’s message: “Chances of an on-time state budget are slim and the Governor’s numbers (on state aid to districts) are about the best we’re going to get.” Oswego’s superintendent, Bill Crist added the senator told everyone what they already know – “the state of the state is not good and we all will need to make some difficult decisions in the next year(s).”All Content Copyright Dot Publishing 2024. All Submissions Become Property of Dot Publishing All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.