Month: October 2017

October 17, 2017

CORNING, NY – Assemblyman Phil Palmesano says he’s so pleased that the governor signed his bipartisan bill to make Lauren’s Law permanent. Lauren’s Law makes it so you have to check that you either do or don’t want to be an organ donor, on your driver’s license application here in New York State. “I am excited that the governor is prioritizing increasing the state’s donation rate by modernizing the registry and building a more user-friendly web interface. One of my top priorities in Albany over the last few years has been working with my colleagues in both houses of the Legislature, committed activists and donor recipients and families to come up with new ways to make it easier and more convenient to sign up as an organ donor,” said Palmesano. “This is a personal issue for me. My sister was a two-time transplant recipient, so I have seen firsthand how organ donation can impact the quality of life for an individual and their family. We still have nearly 10,000 New Yorkers waiting for a transplant, and we’ll continue the fight for each and every one of them this session.”

State Senator Tom O’Mara:
“Encouraging organ and tissue donation is one of the most important life-saving actions that we can take in New York State. I’m extremely pleased that Lauren’s Law will now permanently be an important part of this ongoing effort,” said O’Mara.

October 15, 2017

HORNELL, NY – Statement From Alderman Jim Bassage of Hornell:

I would like to announce my endorsement of John Buckley for Mayor for the City of Hornell.

Over the past six years, I have served side by side with John on the Common Council, I am familiar with John and see the qualities that he possesses that I believe will make him well suited to be our next Mayor. John has also served as the Deputy Mayor, which has allowed him to develop the experience, community mindfulness and awareness of how city government works. Theses qualities that make him the best choice for our next mayor John has interacted with residents from across the city and has worked to resolve their issues. As Deputy mayor, he has also developed a good working knowledge of the city departments and has developed a good working relationships with them as well. John has passion for public service and understands the responsibility that comes with stepping into the public service arena. I have heard him say many times that he wants to improve the quality of life for residents of Hornell and make Hornell a great place to live and raise a family. I see this played out in his efforts to meet and listen to people throughout the City of Hornell. An example is his holding Town Hall events on topics that are of interest to the residents of Hornell but also important to our region. Another example is his most recent Front Porch visits in each of the wards in the city. Through these informal visits, John has offered residents the opportunity to talk with him where they live and provided them the chance to share their concerns and issues.

John is a tireless worker who recognizes the value of hard work. He has a full-time job, serves as Deputy Mayor, is the Chairman of the Hornell Republican Committee, and assists local candidates with their campaigns. John has also developed connections to state and federal representatives such as; State Assemblyman Joe Errigo, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, State Senator Tom O’Mara, and Congressman Tom Reed.

Over the past 32 years Hornell has enjoyed growth and many new and exciting opportunities thanks to the leadership of Mayor Shawn Hogan. We are seeing many new developments in the city of Hornell and these are the outcomes of Shawn’s hard work and stewardship. I also believe there are many more promising opportunities awaiting Hornell in our future. As we look to the future of Hornell it is critical that our next mayor has the experience, working knowledge of the city, a strong work ethic, and political connections continue Hornell on this path of growth. I believe John Buckley is the best choice and I am proud to endorse him for Mayor for the City of Hornell.

October 15, 2017

ALFRED, NY – Alfred State College has a new major, and a new building to go along with it. They recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Motorcycle and Power Sports Technology Building, which houses a new program of the same name, a program that they say is the first of its kind in the entire Northeast.

From the Alfred State Press Office:

The brand-new building includes hands-on laboratories, where students work on all kinds of full-size functioning vehicles, from motorcycles to jet skis. The new facility is located in Alfred between the college farm and motorsports technology labs along Route 244.

Speaking first at the ceremony was Jeffrey Stevens, interim dean of the School of Applied Technology, who said he could think of no better location in which to teach this skilled trade.

“If you think about it, when you look at the commercials and you look at the fliers, you really don’t see a motorcycle riding down New York City with the skyscrapers, and you don’t see the snowmobiles coming across downtown Buffalo in the park. This is the ideal environment.”

Dr. Craig Clark, vice president for Economic Development, thanked Southern Tier West and the Appalachian Regional Commission for their support of the new program and facility. He also noted that the new program follows the same “Wellsville model” as the others that are within the Automotive Trades Department, in which students spend numerous hours each day performing hands-on work with vehicles.

“We have not only a great facility, but we’ve taken that Wellsville model and transplanted it up here (in Alfred) and we’re going to turn out some of the best technicians you’ll ever see,” he said.

The final speaker was Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan, who thanked everyone who was involved in the project, including Alfred State Controller Joe Greenthal, project manager Hady ElSayed, LaBella Associates, and faculty and staff.

“We’re excited that this building is here and that it represents a new program that has a great future,” he said.

Just prior to cutting the ribbon, Sullivan rode up to it on an Alta Redshift MX electric motorcycle that was provided by Motovate Performance.

The Associate in Occupational Studies degree in motorcycle and power sports technology trains graduates for careers such as a motorcycle technician, marine vehicle technician, small engine/lawn and garden equipment technician, service manager, and repair shop supervisor. Some graduates may also choose to be their own boss and own a maintenance and repair shop.

Training includes all aspects of motorcycle and small vehicle repair, working with gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, electrical/electronic systems, brake systems, steering systems, and suspension systems.

Caption: Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan, center, cuts a ribbon to celebrate the college’s new Motorcycle and Power Sports Technology Building along Route 244 in Alfred.

October 14, 2017

State Senator Tom O’Mara, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and Assemblyman Joe Errigo issued the following statement, about having meetings in Canisteo and Wheeler next Thursday:

“We hope local residents will continue to take advantage of these community meetings to learn more about and contribute to the challenges facing our region and state, including the heroin and opioid crisis, job creation, high taxes and overregulation, mandate relief, health care, education, transportation, and so many others. Community meetings offer an opportunity for the direct give and take that’s fundamental to effective government.”

The October 19 meetings will be at the:

Ø Canisteo Town Hall (6 South Main Street) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
O’Mara will be joined by Palmesano, Errigo and Giglio; and

Ø Wheeler Town Hall (6429 Gardner Road, Bath) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m., where Palmesano and Errigo will join O’Mara.

The lawmakers said the meetings are informal and open to the public to give local residents an opportunity to share their concerns, opinions, and suggestions for better government. They stressed that any local residents unable to attend a meeting can contact them directly to share specific concerns and suggestions.

October 13, 2017

Assemblyman Joe Errigo (R, Conesus) is describing a Syracuse project of Governor Cuomo’s as “the latest failed economic development project from Gov. Cuomo at the $15 million state-sponsored film studio hub in the Syracuse suburb of DeWitt.” Errigo says that according to the NY Times, there is a company called COR Development, which is seeking to evict the state-run film hub’s nonprofit operator, Fort Schuyler Management Corporation, and obtain more than $800,000 in back rent and fees, as well as $143,000 in unpaid property taxes. Fort Schuyler Management Corporation was created by SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “Since the taxpayers are out a few million dollars on the failed movie hub idea, I think a truly productive way to raise some cash could be a documentary on the corruption scandals and failed economic development projects that’ve come out of the Cuomo administration,” said Errigo. “There’s plenty of material to work with and I’m sure the governor and his administration would be as ‘cooperative’ with that as they have been with federal investigators. From the Moreland Commission to Joe Percoco to this issue, it’s getting difficult to keep track of all of the corruption and shady behavior, but I think a documentary and a totally vacant studio would be a good place to start.”

The assemblyman also says that COR Development, a real estate development company, is the same firm whose executives are under federal criminal indictment for rigged bids and solicited bribes to officials within the Cuomo administration in exchange for state government projects.

October 12, 2017

HORNELL, NY – Hornell Partners For Growth Leader Shelly Stevens, has submitted a letter to the HPG Board of Directors, letting them know that she wants to stay for one more year in that position. Stevens says that originally, she only wanted to be in that job for 4 to 5 years.

“We’re grateful for the confidence that Stevens gained for HPG,” said Steve Peck from the Ryan Agency, a member of the board of directors.

Hornell Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Griffin told us that he’s pleased that Shelly has given HPG so much time, to find someone to take her place.

October 12, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Tom Reed made a Facebook posting about being on the Congressional Football Team. So, our news department sent an email off to Reed’s press office, asking if they could send us any video or photos from the game. Below is what Congressman Reed’s office sent to us this morning, looks like he was enjoying himself last night.

Reed was on the Alfred University Swim team, back in the early 1990’s.

Reed is number 99 in the video, by the way.