A Rediscovering Your Backyard Event

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell and

the Indian River FFA Club invites you to the

3rd Annual 

North Country

Department Store

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Indian River Middle School

Off US Route 11, Philadelphia, NY

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A one day DEPARTMENT STORE

filled with local products and services

Including

 Artisans, Farmers, Food Producers, Antique Dealers,

Shop Owners, and Service Providers 

~ just in time for the holiday shopping season ~

                                

Admission is simply a donation at the door.

All proceeds to benefit Indian River FFA and Noah’s Ark Preschool

Assemblywoman Addie Russell announces the 3rd Annual North Country Department Store

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the 3^rd Annual North Country Department Store will be held on Saturday November 2^nd from 10am to 4pm at the Indian River Middle School.  The department store showcases locally made and available products by artisans, farmers, antique dealers, and craftspeople. 

“I am very pleased that in this third year, we have approximately 80 vendors with wonderful products for sale that are locally made and sold,” said Assemblywoman Russell.  “I hope everyone comes out to do their holiday shopping and support local businesses.”

There is no admission but donations will be accepted and proceeds from the event will go entirely to the Indian River FFA and to Noah’s Ark Preschool, Redwood. 

“Buying local grows our economy,” said Assemblywoman Russell.  “What a terrific way to do your holiday shopping and support businesses in your backyard.”  The Department Store is part of Assemblywoman Russell’s Rediscovering Your Backyard initiative.  She holds a Wedding Expo in Ogdensburg in the winter and a Business Expo in Cape Vincent in the spring.

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Assemblywoman Russell announces agricultural tax cap signed into law

             Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell announced that legislation she sponsored to cap the increase of agricultural assessments at 2% per year has been signed by Governor Cuomo and takes effect immediately. The bill, which passed unanimously in both houses, gives relief to farmers who have seen their property tax assessments rising at unsustainable rates.

            “Farming is the backbone of our community and an integral piece of the North Country economy,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Capping the rate of increase in agricultural assessment provides relief and predictability to North Country farmers who already have to contend with fluctuating feed and crop prices.”

The formula used by the state to determine annual property tax assessments is based on USDA crop sales data, the value of what is produced and the type of soil.  Erratic weather across the nation has driven up prices for corn and soybeans, and agricultural land values have risen with those prices.

            This rate can consume up to 15% of a farm’s net income. “The continual rise in agricultural property taxes has been a thorn in the side of farmers who are trying to grow their businesses and provide for their families,” said Assemblywoman Russell, who began advocating for this measure when the tax cap became law. “This assessment tax cap is a meaningful change,  not only for our current generation of farmers but for the next generation of North Country farmers as well.”

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Assemblywoman Addie Russell reacts to North Country Childrens Clinic closure

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) expressed her disappointment with the announcement that the North Country Children's Clinic would close.

" I am troubled that the clinic is having to close its doors.  I have worked with the clinic to address slow payments from the state and share their frustration," Russell stated.  "There is additional funding that has been earmarked for the Children's Clinic, but it has taken over six months for the NYS Department of Health to acknowledge the funding," Russell explained.  "Now that the health department has agreed there is money to help the clinic with its financial needs, the department has informed us that it must go through additional reviews in the department and then reviews by the executive," she continued.

The North Country Children's Clinic is an essential healthcare provider in the region, and also runs important programs, including WIC, which has been impacted by the federal government shut down.

"The clinic and its staff have worked extremely hard to become a sustainable organization, winning key certification to provide services to adults, and with that being approved for higher reimbursement rates for all of their services," Russell noted.  "I will be meeting with clinic staff to ensure they re-open as soon as possible," she concluded.

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Assemblywoman Russell named to Farm Bureau’s ‘Circle of Friends’

             As a result of her hard work and dedication to advancing our state’s agriculture industry, the New York State Farm Bureau has named Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) to its “Circle of Friends” for 2013. Russell has been recognized in the Circle of Friends since 2010.

            “As a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and someone who was born and raised here in the North Country, I know how local farms are integral to the success of our community,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “I’m grateful for this recognition and will continue fighting for the tax and regulatory relief that our farmers need to thrive.”

When selecting legislators to receive this honor, the Farm Bureau examines their voting record on agricultural issues and support of farming-related issues, including sponsorship of bills that the Farm Bureau has supported during the latest legislative session.

Among the measures that prompted the Farm Bureau to include Assemblywoman Russell in this year’s Circle of Friends was her work to lower taxes for farmers.  She has been working with the Farm Bureau since 2011 on this issue, providing information and advocating in support of legislation which caps increases in agricultural assessments at 2 percent per year (A.165). Assemblywoman Russell also worked to give local wineries the right to sell their products at farmers markets, which will increase their visibility and demand (A.1512).

“The North Country is the epicenter of New York State’s dairy, maple syrup, and wine production and a myriad of other wonderful goods,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Making sure our farmers have the resources they need to continue providing our families with the products we know and love will remain a top priority of mine.”

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