Upcoming Jefferson County Fair highlights North Country’s rich agricultural heritage

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) today acknowledged hard work of the Jefferson County Fair Board as it readies for the kickoff of the 197^th Jefferson County Fair. The fair will be held July 8-13 in Watertown. Founded in 1817, the Jefferson County Fair is the oldest continuously operating fair in America and has attractions for the whole family. Activities include traditional carnival games and rides, agricultural photo contests and vegetable, poultry and livestock competitions.

            Russell noted that to help ensure this local tradition continues, the 2014-45 state budget increased funding for county fairs by $160,000 for a total of $500,000.

            “From its start, the Jefferson County Fair has been an opportunity for local farmers to showcase their work and the vital role it plays in our communities,” said Assemblyman Russell. “Agriculture is the backbone of the North Country economy and helping our farmers grow their businesses has been one of my top priorities this year.”

To help secure the future of family farms, Assemblywoman Russell fought for reforms to the estate tax, and helped restore nearly $9 million to critical programs like the New York Farm Viability Institute and Cornell University Farm Family Assistance (Farm Net). Additionally, the 2014-15 state budget established new protections for farmers who voluntarily provide information in participation with cattle health programs to help protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits.

            Assemblywoman Russell also sponsored a law that caps the increase of agricultural assessments at 2 percent per year to provide tax relief to farmers who have seen their property tax assessments rising at alarming rates (Ch. 385 of 2013). This legislative session, she authored and helped pass two bills to provide soil and water conservation districts with the authority needed to expand their work fighting invasive species and educating the public about environmental conservation (A.9131, A.9132). Soil and water conservation districts help ensure farmers’ land remains viable and profitable.

            “If you come to the fair, you will see that North Country agriculture is second to none and is an area of great potential growth,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “My priority has been to help lower the cost of doing business for our farmers so they can expand their businesses and create jobs.”

-30-

Russell: Go fish for free this weekend

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) is encouraging everyone to take part in Free Fishing Weekend on June 28^th and 29^th and experience the North Country’s many world class fishing areas.

Free Fishing Days are part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees and improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.

“From the Grass River to Dexter Marsh or the St. Lawrence River, the North Country has some of the best fishing in North America,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “If you haven’t been out this year, now is the perfect time to dust off the tackle box, get to the water (don’t forget the bait!), and enjoy the natural riches that make the North Country so special.”

In support of New York’s sporting industry, this year’s budget included $6 million to support the creation of 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of state lands. The projects include construction of new boat launches, trails and parking areas and installation of new hunting blinds.

The budget also expands use of crossbows for hunting in New York State, reduces short-term fishing licenses fees and creates free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.

“Hunting and fishing are a way of life in the North Country and are crucial to supporting our tourism industry,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Investing in our outdoor resources and holding events like Free Fishing Days, ensures that current and future sportsmen and women can enjoy the bounty that the North Country has to offer.”

Assemblywoman Russell noted that last year she authored legislation extending the ability to fish with three lines simultaneously (Ch.121 of 2013). Having the option of fishing with three lines increases the odds of catching a fish and helps ensure anglers get the most out of their experience. Children and others who are new to the sport or who only have a limited number of opportunities to fish benefit from the increased likelihood of making a catch, Russell added.

For a listing of fishing programs at State Parks, including instructional programs and clinics, visit http://nysparks.com/events/

-30-

Land bank legislation and Assembly Veteran Village proposal provides opportunity for Psych Center site

           Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation recently passed by the Assembly increasing the number of state land banks from 10 to 20 (A.8819) could provide an opportunity for  redevelopment of unutilized property on the grounds of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

Land banks are not-for-profit corporations created to return vacant and abandoned property to productive use, in a manner consistent with the public interest. Sometimes the process entails short-term redevelopment; other times it means long-term assemblage and holding of real estate (land banking).

“A land bank would provide Ogdensburg with an effective means to finance acquisition of this land and put it to use generating new economic activity,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Any proceeds could be reinvested in the community to redevelop other blighted properties that burden the city.”

Additionally, Assemblywoman Russell noted that the Assembly has recently introduced new legislation creating a veteran's assistance program to coordinate mental health and substance abuse counseling, employment and job training, and housing assistance to veterans (A10145). The bill also creates the New York state veteran's village pilot program to identify veterans that are homeless or may soon be homeless and provide housing in a dormitory type housing until permanent housing can be provided.

The legislation, which has not been introduced in the Senate, stipulates that the services for veterans should be centralized in one facility. With its new status as a Regional Center of Excellence, an OASAS treatment services on the grounds, and the regional presence of VA clinics in Massena and Watertown, Assemblywoman Russell noted that the a facility on the grounds of St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center would be an ideal location for the program. 

“There is tremendous support for veterans in the North Country, including strong veterans advocates in Ogdensburg. The facilities are already in place that provide the services that will help them recover to a productive life,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Bringing this program to Ogdensburg would serve the high concentration of veterans in the area and create new jobs.”

-30-

New legislation supports military families

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she sponsored to ease some of the challenges facing military families has passed both houses of the legislature and awaits the governor’s signature (A.9216-A). The measure addresses school transfers that children with military parents face all to often. It also holds down college costs for veterans, provides burial assistance for families of veterans who die as a result of combat-related injuries and simplifies transfers of professional licenses for military family members, including those required for realtors.

            “Supporting our troops means supporting their families too,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation recognizes the extraordinary sacrifices made by military families and works to ease some of the hardships associated with the frequent relocations that are a part of military life.”

The legislation would enact the Interstate Compact on Education Opportunities for Military Children. The compact would help ensure uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states by:

·         requiring a student’s transcripts and immunization records be made readily available to the new school;

·         helping to make it possible for students to graduate on time by providing alternative means of completing required coursework;

·         ensuring no local tuition would be charged to a transferring student whose parent serves in the military; and

·         ensuring that a child may continue attending school in a district after their military parent has transferred out of the district.

“Many of the areas addressed in the Interstate Compact are areas that the local Districts who are experienced in servicing military children from Fort Drum deal with on a day-to-day basis. Those Districts have been taking on the problems associated with recurrent deployments; the frequent movement of military families; the variances of State graduation requirements and much more, for years.  This legislation helps codify all of those efforts and more, so military children have the best possible opportunity for a successful education experience” said Carl McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization. “This will also provide New York State schools a forum to share problems and needs that can be addressed with schools in many other military communities now that we are part of the Compact, it’s a win-win for all.”

BOCES Superintendent Jay Boak said, “The eighteen (18) school districts that comprise the Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services are gratified that Assemblywoman Russell along with the other members of the New York State Assembly and Senate voted to approve legislation enabling New York State to become a member of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This legislation removes some of the impediments that military families encounter when they transfer from state to state. It is not uncommon for military children to transfer to five or six different states or countries during the course of their K-12 education. The Compact Legislation will make this a more seamless and less stressful process for military families.”  

            Further, the legislation would enable veterans attending a community college, college or university of the SUNY or CUNY systems under the GI bills to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. This would enable more veterans to attend college and obtain a degree when they return home, Assemblywoman Russell noted.

The measure would also allow families of service members from New York, who were wounded in combat but died as a result of their wounds outside of the combat zone, to qualify for the supplemental burial allowance. This provision would help cover expensive funeral and burial costs.

            Additionally, this legislation would make it possible for military family members who hold out-of-state licenses to qualify for a New York State license in certain occupations or professions that are licensed by the Department of State. This would enable military household members to continue their practices as real estate brokers, cosmetologists or barbers should they relocate to New York State.

-30-

Enjoy and be safe this graduation weekend

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) congratulates all of the high school seniors who graduated last weekend or will be graduating this weekend. Graduating from high school is truly a milestone in a student’s life and graduation ceremonies and celebrations are part of the experience.

The Assemblywoman is also reminding everyone to be safe during this weekend of high school graduation parties. Graduation weekend can be an especially hazardous time to be on the road with increased traffic and the potential for alcohol related accidents.

“The upcoming weekend is a busy one for graduation parties with lots of out of town visitors and younger drivers out on the road,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Let’s all do our part to encourage safe driving – whether on the way to ceremonies or leaving parties.”

With numerous graduation parties occurring around the North Country this weekend, Assemblywoman Russell urged everyone to avoid driving if they have been drinking.  

“Though it is a time to celebrate, celebrations can turn into tragedies if you get behind the wheel after drinking,” Assemblywoman Russell said.  “If you plan to drink or are tired, please find a designated driver and if you don’t have one, call a friend or family member to pick you up.”

Graduation season is an exceptionally dangerous time for teen drivers, occurring during days between Memorial Day and Labor Day known as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. Over these days in 2012, nearly 1,000 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers, and more than 550 of those killed were teens, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data analyzed by the nonprofit National Safety Council.[1]

             Parents looking for more information on keeping your child safe on the road this summer can visit http://www.driveithome.org/

-30-

---

[1] http://www.nsc.org/Pages/Summer-Driving-Deadliest-for-Teens.aspx