Assemblywoman Jenne congratulates SCOPE chapter essay contest winners

I was asked to present the awards to the Jefferson Lewis Counties Chapter of SCOPE essay contest winners Friday night. Thanks to the SCOPE chapter for focusing this effort on our youth and shining the spotlight on students at our local schools participating in the the New York State High School Clay Target League.

It's important to expose North Country youth to firearms in a safe and supervised way, to teach them proper handling and safety. The SCOPE chapter members are clearly focused on that society.

Students on clay target teams in the region were asked to write essays about what the Second Amendment means to them. It's important for our students - for all of us - to learn about our Constitution and be able to determine what it means. this was a great venue for these students to express their views on the Second Amendment.

The simple process of doing their research for this essay contest was valuable and will likely result in them having respect for others that go through the same process, even if they come up with a different perspective.

One of our biggest obstacles in our country is not being able to have people with differing views disagree in a respectful manner. Thanks to the local SCOPE chapter for doing their part to help the next generation be prepared for thoughtful and respectful public discourse.

The students and SCOPE members also had to an opportunity to hear Chuck Ruggerio, a criminal justice professor at Jefferson Community College, talk about the history of the development of the Bill of Rights and ended in a similar note that we must all find common ground through differing views.

It's clear Bruce Kingsley, chair of the local SCOPE chapter, thinks investing in providing our young people with a proper and organized exposure to firearms is important to our society.

It is obvious I have some differences of opinion with SCOPE on some policy issues, but I know we find common ground when we talk about encouraging our young people with an interest in hunting and shooting sports to learn about firearms and gun safety. I hope we can also agree that it is important to have a respectful discourse as we discuss school and community safety issues in our state and nation.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks Friday night at the awards ceremony for an essay contest sponsored by the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE. Members of the the high school clay target teams from the two counties were invited to write essays on the topic, "What the Second Amendment Means to Me." Monetary awards were given to the writers of the essays that were selected for first, second and third places. Those writers' teams also received a donation from the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates Carthage High School student Monica Reed for taking top honors in the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE essay writing contest. She took home a $100 prize and earned a $1,000 donation for her school's trap shooting team.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (foreground) and Watertown City Council member Lisa Ruggerio visit with C. Bruce Kingsley, chair of the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE, Friday night at the awards ceremony for an essay contest opened up to members of high school clay target teams in the region.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks with Joseph Lamendola Friday night at a Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE events at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates South Jefferson Central School students Nicolas Luciani, and Austin Papazian for winning the second prize of $75 in the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE essay writing contest. Their essay also earned their school's clay target team a $750 donation.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates South Jefferson Central School students Nicolas Luciani, and Austin Papazian for winning the second prize of $75 in the Jefferson-Lewis Counties chapter of SCOPE essay writing contest. Their essay also earned their school's clay target team a $750 donation.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with Brian Clark, coach of Carthage's clay target team. Mr. Clark, who describes himself as an avid shooting sports participant, led the effort to get approval for the team to participate in the the New York State High School Clay Target League.

 

Assemblywoman Jenne: North Country Department Store postponed due to weather advisory

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne announced the North Country Department Store event scheduled for Saturday at SUNY Canton is being cancelled in light of weather forecasts calling for snow, sleet and freezing rain.

"It's a tough call. We have seen a number of differing forecasts, but we have been in contact with a lot of our vendors, and they have shared their concerns about the forecast with us," she said.

"We don't want to have our vendors set up tonight and then wake up to weather conditions that would impact the success of the show and put our vendors and show visitors on roadways in less than ideal conditions," she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said a decision on whether to reschedule will be made in the near future.

Assemblywoman Jenne hosting North Country Department Store Saturday at SUNY Canton

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says approximately 50 vendors have signed up to display their wares at the North Country Department Store she is hosting Saturday at SUNY Canton.

This year's event, which is taking on a different look from her past Rediscovering Your Backyard spring events, features vendors from Massena to Watertown with representation from communities around St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

"The North Country has a wealth of local artisans, gift shops, foods, antiques and crafts people of all types. The North Country Department Store concept, which we also host late each fall in Jefferson County, provides an opportunity to put all of these small and home business people under one roof," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It's good to be reminded of the diversity of local businesses right here in our backyard. Our history, culture and shared values have instilled a passion for quality, entrepreneurship and authenticity in North Country residents. That creativity and quality workmanship will be on display Saturday. This event is designed to empower residents and visitors to support that tradition," she noted.

This year's department store will feature several vendors that have been part of the Rediscovering Your Backyard event each spring for several years, but Assemblywoman Jenne said she is excited to check out a number of vendors that will be making their first appearance at the spring show.

This year's event features a little bit of everything - from vendors that offer horse carriage rides and health and wellness products to equestrian lessons and boarding, from a traveling cigar bar and lounge to photobooth services and from golfball suncatchers and pottery to hope chests, handmade crafts and raised feeding stations.

The show, as it has in the past, will also feature a number of vendors selling clothing, home decor, jewelry and artwork.

There will also be several vendors selling local food products - ranging from cookies, fudge and gluten free baked goods to herbs, local and specialty foods, jams and jellies and maple syrup products.

This year's show will be held from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday at the SUNY Canton Roos House. Proceeds from the event benefit the SUNY Canton athletic teams, who will be assisting vendors at the show.

IN THE PHOTO:

Artist Steven C. Cobb of Massena is one of several vendors making their first appearance at the North Country Department Store Saturday at SUNY Canton's Roos House. Mr. Cobb will have artwotk, sculptures and home decor items available at his booth. The shows runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Assemblywoman Jenne: $40 million for flood relief in budget

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says this week's strong winds that led to high waves was further proof of the need for the additional $40 million for flood relief for communities on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River included in the 2018-19 state budget she helped pass last week.

The allocation in the budget brings the total state assistance to $95 million for the flood relief act.

“I’ve witnessed the impacts of flooding firsthand and know that our economy and tourism industry were struggling, but I also saw the true spirit of the North Country when I was filling sandbags last summer with volunteers and members of the National Guard,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“We may have been knocked down, but the North Country is resilient, and I’ll always be a strong, loud voice to ensure our families and businesses get what they need and deserve,” she added.

The St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario experienced flooding starting last spring and summer, severely impacting homes and businesses along the lake and river.

In addition to physical damage, Assemblywoman Jenne said she is concerned drops in tourism in the region last summer could be felt for years to come as these communities rebuild.

"It's important to get the message out to those tourists that have an affinity for the Thousand Islands and North Country that our waterfront businesses are ready to welcome them back to the region this summer," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She co-sponsored legislation in the state Assembly - a bill sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle - to create the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Grant Program to provide grants to small businesses, farms, homeowners and municipalities for storm-related repairs and rebuilding efforts.

For impacted homeowners, legislation enacted last summer increased the maximum award from $40,000 to $50,000 and expanded eligibility to include all primary homeowners, as well as non-primary homeowners with income up to $275,000.

Program assistance reimburses homeowners for eligible losses, including repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage. The program is being administered through not-for profit housing organizations seeking to help homeowners affected by the flooding.

Small businesses, farms, homeowner associations, and not-for-profit organizations that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are eligible to receive up to $50,000 under this program, while owners of multiple dwellings are eligible to receive up to $20,000. 

Program assistance are calculated at 50 percent of eligible loss, compensating eligible entities for repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage and declines in revenue in excess of 15 percent as a result of closures or reduced business. The program is being administered by Empire State Development.

Counties, cities, towns, villages and special districts that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are also eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 for repairs to and restoration of municipal infrastructure and systems and up to $500,000 for flood mitigation, construction of resiliency measures, or flood control projects. This program is being administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Assemblywoman Jenne said negotiations with the executive branch had led to an initial $45 million allocation in July. But she said the governor has repeatedly pledged all eligible applicants will receive relief for direct physical damages related to the historic Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River flooding and his support for the additional funding over the past several months if proof that he is living up to that commitment.

She said she stopped in Alexandria Bay on Thursday to check on the water levels. "The docks were about 2 feet above the water. That's a far cry from last spring when those same docks were underwater. I'm hoping this is a positive sign for the weeks and months to come," the assemblywoman pointed out.

Assemblywoman Jenne plans community forum focused on growing maritime opportunities in the region

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, is hosting a community forum on April 11 in Alexandria Bay to discuss steps that can be taken to enhance the maritime, hospitality and tourism industries in the North Country.

She noted the rivers and lakes in the North Country are already major economic drivers in the region, but she’s looking for ideas from local businesses and residents for efforts to help strengthen the maritime, hospitality and tourism sectors.

Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out she has had discussions with a number of officials and business people in the River District and traveled to the SUNY Maritime campus in the Bronx to gain a better understanding of the opportunities waterways like the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario offer to create new jobs in the region.

"We have tremendous natural assets that can drive our regional economy. I think there are opportunities for growth, and I want to make sure that our businesses and residents have the support they need to grow and succeed," she said.

"The flooding last year and the challenging economic conditions over the past several years have made growth challenging. I'm interested in hearing ideas and finding common-senseolutions to expand our economy," according to the assemblywoman.

Assemblywoman Jenne said one of the leading issues raised by North Country businesses has been the need for greater workforce development.

"I’m particularly interested in hearing thoughts about workforce development training programs best suited to meet the needs of employers in the region as well as skills that could attract new maritime-related businesses to the North Country," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said she is hopeful the forum will includelocal government officials, chambers of commerce representatives, business leaders and community residents. She said she is also hopeful students from area schools will offer their input.

The assemblywoman said the discussion could also include issues related to climate, the environment and health and wellness, which are also connected to the river economy.

"I'm hopeful we will also be able to discuss investments we need to make in our communities to support existing businesses and attract new business activity," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said flooding on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River last spring and summer underscored the need for infrastructure improvements in the region.

"As we adapt to the new water management plan, it’s the right time to rebuild in a manner that envisions growth and new opportunities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I'm eager to gain additional insight on steps we can take to reinvigorate our economy through capital investment with a focus on extending economic activity throughout more of the year," she added.

The forum will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 11 at the Bonnie Castle Resort in Alexandria Bay.