Friday, September 27, 2013

Assemblywoman Russell applauds Governor for restoring funding to OPWDD



“The cuts to OPWDD in the budget were a tragedy, and today we have righted that wrong. By restoring funding to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) we have ensured that our most vulnerable citizens and their families have the support they need. I fought to restore this funding because we have a moral obligation ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities do not get left behind.”
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Assemblywoman Russell accelerates $9 million NY Works funding for infrastructure

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) announced today that she has secured accelerated funding totaling $9,240,000 from the NY Works program for two North Country bridge projects.  The two projects, both in St. Lawrence County, are the Route 971U (Maple Street) Bridges over the Raquette River in the Village of Potsdam and the Eel Weir Bridge over the Oswegatchie River in the Town of Oswegatchie.  These two projects were not slated to begin until 2017 but now they will commence in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

“Once again, I am pleased to be able to accelerate funding toward much need infrastructure projects in the North Country,” said Assemblywoman Russell.  These bridges, in addition to the Route 180 Bridge project in Dexter I announced a few weeks ago, are important projects in the realm of repairing aging infrastructure and creating jobs in our area.”

Steven W. Yurgartis, Mayor of Potsdam said, “The village is very pleased that Assemblywoman Russell is working to help us maintain our critical infrastructure.  The Maple Street bridge project is a perfect fit with our economic development plans to build a River Walk to showcase our downtown and the Raquette River.  It also fits perfectly with our goal of improving pedestrian and bicycle travel in a village with 7,000 students."  Potsdam is home to Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam. 

“It is better to be proactive in replacing our aging bridge infrastructure so that we can avoid sudden closures and the burdens they place on residents and businesses,” Russell argued.  “I have been a champion for funding infrastructure so that assets like our many bridges are economic drivers and compliment community development plans,” she stated.

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Businesses sought for 3rd Annual North Country Department Store

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) has announced that the 3rd Annual North Country Department Store, slated for Saturday November 2nd at the Indian River Middle School gymnasium, is inviting local businesses to be vendors at the event.  Artisans, farmers, food producers, antique dealers, shop owners, service providers, or organizations in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties are welcome to participate as vendors.  Registration is due by October 22nd.  Contact her district office by email: russella@assembly.state.ny.us or phone 315-386-2037 or 315-786-0284 to receive a registration packet.