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Honoring Our Veterans

November 5, 2008 Contributor
</p>Congressman John McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor)

Every year, on November 11, we have the privilege of honoring our nation’s veterans – those men and women who know the true meaning behind the words “courage” and “sacrifice,” and what it means to choose country over self.

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Voting Remains an Essential Freedom

October 27, 2008 Contributor
For the past several months now, those who watch the news or read the paper have been inundated with messages and platforms from both major political parties.  No matter whom you’ve decided to support—on a federal or state level—I want to encourage you to get out and vote on Election Day, Nov. 4.  Voting is a privilege our forefathers and mothers fought for.  Unfortunately, many do not take advantage of this right.

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New Regulations Will Stabilize Solid Waste Fees and Benefit Our Environment

October 23, 2008 Contributor
Over the past 25 years, Oswego County government has invested $60 million to develop a dependable solid waste system that meets the needs of residents and businesses and protects our natural resources. The County Legislature’s recent adoption of the new Recycling and Solid Waste Law protects that investment and strengthens our county’s solid waste management system.

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Shared Services Program Reports Savings

October 23, 2008 Contributor
The Department of State recently issued its first three-year report on the Shared Municipal Services Incentive Program.  This program was created by the State Legislature in 2005 to “encourage municipalities to reduce costs through municipal cooperation and consolidation.”  Counties, cities, towns, villages and school districts can apply for grant money to share services.  Those services can range from something as simple as sharing a code enforcement officer to dissolving town police forces, as was seen in Clay, N.Y., earlier this year.

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Medicaid Fraud Efforts Start to Pay Off

September 17, 2008 Contributor
Medicaid fraud detection efforts are starting to pay off.  It was recently reported that Onondaga County has recouped $1.8 million just in the last seven months after launching Medicaid fraud detection efforts.  In some cases, county workers detected provider fraud; investigators paired billing statements with care ordered by doctors.  When the records didn’t match, the district attorney was called in to prosecute.  In other instances, Medicaid recipients claimed they have no income but this was found to be untrue.

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