Assemblywoman Russell announces funding for stage renovation for Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront Series

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) announced today that she secured $10,000 for the Sackets Harbor Historical Society to renovate and upgrade their stage that is used at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield for their Concerts on the Waterfront Series.

“I am so pleased to be able to help with the upgrade of the well-used stage that has literally supported hundreds of musical acts,” said Assemblywoman Russell.  “Completing its 30th year, the Concerts on the Waterfront series are an important element of tourism for Sackets Harbor and the surrounding communities.  Hopefully with these renovations, the concert series will continue for another 30 years and beyond.”

Historical Society President Christine Eggleston said that this was very welcome news. “Our stage is in need of much renovation including new storage, and a new canopy so this is wonderful news.”

The Assemblywoman surprised the audience with the announcement at the final concert of the year featuring the DeSantis Band and Orchestra.

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Assemblywoman Russell secures funding for Heuvelton Fire Department Improvements

      Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that she secured $7,500 for the Heuvelton Fire Department for critical improvements to their station.

     “It’s very important to me to be able to help our local fire departments as they provide critical services to our communities,” said Ms. Russell. “These funds will ensure that the Heuvelton Fire Department can operate efficiently and effectively, which is important to the community.”

      Heuvelton Fire Chief Nick Friot said, “On behalf of the Heuvelton Fire Department, I want to thank Assemblywoman Russell for this funding, which will help with long term savings and improved sustainability. We will be making lighting upgrades, making it energy efficient, providing an overall cost savings and enabling us to be more environmentally friendly.”

      Mr. Friot said that the cost of operations of the department are rising and so this funding will help to stabilize some of the costs.

     “The Heuvelton Fire Department must respond to a large geographic area and they do it very well,” said Ms. Russell. “They are true professionals who pride themselves on always being prepared to respond to all types of incidents. That was apparent recently as they played a pivotal role during a recent law enforcement investigation. I commend their commitment to our community.”

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Funding secured by Assemblywoman Russell helps to obtain schoolhouse for the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum

      Assemblywoman Addie Russell announced that she secured $5,000 to assist the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum in acquiring an historic schoolhouse from Jefferson County. The schoolhouse was located on Route 11 and had been owned by the Indian River School District. The Museum methodically dismantled the building and reassembled it on their property in Madrid.

     “I grew up seeing that building almost every day,” Said Assemblywoman Russell said. “It is an historic treasure – a piece of our north country heritage worth preserving. I was very pleased to be able to support the effort of the Power and Equipment Museum to acquire it and move it to the museum grounds where it can be toured by the public with proper historical interpretation.”

      Museum Secretary Roger Austin said, "My wife and I would drive by the little white schoolhouse on Route 11 as we headed to Georgia or returned to the North Country. We would say how wonderful it would be to have the schoolhouse for the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum. We talked to the Assemblywoman a few years back and she helped make it happen.”

      Assemblywoman Russell attended Saturday’s dedication of the schoolhouse in Madrid.

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Assemblywoman Addie Russell announces Labor Day weekend schedule

Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) will be attending the following events this Labor Day Weekend:

Saturday August 30^th

9:00am – Attending and making remarks at the dedication ceremony of the Robert R. Bjork Park in Ogdensburg.

1:00pm – Attending and making an announcement at the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum dedication of the School House.

Sunday August 31^st

11:00am – Making an announcement at the Heuvelton Fire Department.

1:00pm – Walking in the Heuvelton Parade

3:00pm – Attending and making an announcement at the Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield.

Monday September 1^st

10:00am – Walking in the Solidarity Parade in Massena.

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Governor signs bill supporting military families

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she sponsored enacting the Interstate Compact on Education Opportunities for Military Children in New York State was signed into law.

The legislation seeks to ease some of the challenges faced by military families when transferring to new schools. 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.

            “The families of the brave men and women who serve our country shouldn’t be penalized for the frequent relocations that come with military life,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “If this legislation can remove one point of stress or make life just a little bit easier for our service members and their families, then it has been well worth the effort.”

The compact will 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.

Further, the legislation will allow veterans attending a community college, college or university in the SUNY or CUNY systems under the GI bills to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. Assemblywoman Russell noted that this will make attending college and obtaining a degree more affordable for returning veterans.

            Additionally, the measure will 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 will help cover expensive funeral and burial costs.

            This legislation will also 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 will enable military household members to continue their practices as real estate brokers, cosmetologists or barbers should they relocate to New York State.

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Russell bill to combat invasive species, increase outreach and education signed by governor

August 12, 2014

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she authored to help fight the spread of invasive species and bolster soil and water conservation education has become law (Ch. 293 of 2014 and Ch. 292 of 2014). The bill makes needed updates to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law to reflect their evolving role in the battle against invasive species and as conservation educators.

“A host of industries in the North Country depend on the health of our rivers, lakes and soil,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Protecting these natural resources means protecting the jobs that depend upon them and preserving the natural beauty of our communities.”

Invasive species pose a significant threat to the North Country by degrading natural habitats, displacing or eradicating native species and contaminating waters, forests and farms. Chapter 293 provides statutory authority for Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to continue measures focused on identification, eradication, prevention and education.

In addition to their efforts to combat invasive species, SWCDs play a significant role in educating the public about soil and water conservation. Currently, 20% of the state's SWCDs have Environmental Educators on staff. Chapter 292 solidifies this role by authorizing them to undertake public information and education programs relating to water and soil conservation.

SWCDs educate both youth and adults regarding conservation issues. Many programs are disseminated through elementary and high school education programs, which inspire young people to be environmental stewards at an early age. Education programs include conservation tours, pasture walks, conservation award programs and dissemination of information on identifying and mitigating invasive species.

            “Soil and water conservation districts are key players in our fight against invasive species and in our efforts to educate both youth and adults about conservation” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This important legislation provides them with the authority and tools to help them continue to meet their mission.”

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Bill preventing sex offenders from joining volunteer fire companies signed into law

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she sponsored to provide volunteer fire departments with the legal tools they need to keep registered sex offenders from joining their ranks was signed into law (Ch. 198 of 2014). The legislation provides volunteer fire departments with the necessary mandate to prevent level 1, 2, and 3 sex offenders from joining.

“I’m very pleased that we were able to deliver this important legislation giving our volunteer fire chiefs the tools they need to keep our families safe,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The vast majority of our local volunteer firefighters serve our communities bravely and honorably and this legislation will keep it that way.”  

The new law enables volunteer fire chiefs to access existing public record information on registered sex offenders, similar to the current practice of conducting arson background for all prospective members, a process which has been highly effective in rooting out individuals convicted of arson crimes. Prior to this legislation, labor law provided for the use of background checks for arson related offenses only.

Volunteer firefighters often interact with children and other individuals who are in vulnerable situations, necessitating a clear cut way to identify convicted sex offenders and prevent them from joining up.

“Here in the North Country, most of our communities rely on volunteer first responders to fight fires, respond to car accidents and other emergencies,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “It is just common sense that we enable these organizations to weed out the bad apples so that they can maintain the integrity of their field and provide families with peace of mind.”

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