Russell urges local schools to apply for Farm-to-School grant funding

With $350,000 in state grant funding available for schools to help access local food sources, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said it’s important for North Country districts to apply as part of a statewide effort to bring more New York food into the cafeterias.

The grant funding unveiled by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday is designed to help schools lay the groundwork for future farm-to-school opportunities.

Russell, who chairs the state Assembly Task Force on Food, Farms, and Nutrition, said, “We are building the statewide infrastructure to bring local food into the schools. This funding will go a long way towards creating a sustainable, local supply chain that is nutritious and affordable.”

Russell bill supporting Clayton tourism signed into law

Today Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, that will allow the village of Clayton to finalize part the Clayton Riverwalk project.

"The Riverwalk project is an important step forward for the community's efforts to bolster its tourism industry and take advantage of the beauty of the St. Lawrewence River," Russell said. "I'm proud to have supported this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with the village in the future."

The law allows the village to transfer a small plot of land it owns to Dean Hyde in exchange for a crucial stretch of land along the St. Lawrence River that enables phase two of the Clayton Riverwalk project to move forward. The property is located along the shore of the St. Lawrence River across from the intersection of Merrick Street and Riverside Drive.

Norwood-Norfolk school to receive additional funding for pre-K

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, announced that the Norwood-Norfolk Central School District has received additional funding for their pre-K program for the 2015-16 school year. In the 2015-16 state budget, Norwood-Norfolk schools received $127,863 in pre-K funding, and the district has now received an additional $183,680 for their program.

“This additional funding is great news for Norwood-Norfolk families,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The pre-K program received a tremendous boost financially and has the ability to acquire greater resources and better prepare our kids for the future.”

Russell has always shown a strong commitment to schools in her district and has consistently fought to ensure our students receive the best education possible. In addition to the pre-K funding the school received this year, Norwood-Norfolk schools received $123,829 last year, for a total of over $435,000 in the past two years.

Russell also noted that the 2015-16 state budget included a 3.89 percent increase in funding for the Norwood-Norfolk Central School District as well as a 98 percent restoration of funding cut due to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA).

“Education is the key to success,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Strengthening our schools and ensuring they have the resources needed to provide a high-quality education will put our kids on the path to a bright future.”

-30-

Assemblywoman Russell introduces legislation to support local DMV offices

As more and more business is done online the state has also made it easier for people to do basic tasks, like renewing their vehicle registration, over the internet. However, the state is not reimbursing local Department of Motor Vehicle offices for internet services - a recent development that is problematic for county budgets and not in keeping with the spirit of the longstanding revenue sharing agreements between the state and counties.

In an effort to help county governments retain funding Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has introduced legislation that will fairly compensate counties for online transactions with the state DMV.

“Convenience is a worthwhile goal; I don’t think anyone wants to make it more difficult to renew your registration,” Russell said. “But we need to make sure we’re not hurting our local DMV offices, which provide many important services, in the process.”

Liquor Authority rescinds decision on Dancing Dog application

Photo from Google.

Alexandria Bay’s Dancing Dog Cafe and Nightclub, a popular destination in the riverfront community, may be back in business thanks to efforts by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa.

Earlier this summer the business, which has been under the management of Anthony M. Menkel III since March, had its liquor license application rejected by the state Liquor Authority due to its proximity to a local church.

Now the Liquor Authority is reconsidering the application.

“This bar has been a staple in the community for decades,” Russell said. “I spoke with the Liquor Authority to explain the situation to them, and they’ve since rescinded their decision. I want to thank, in particular, the Reformed Church of 1000 Isles for their cooperation in this effort.”

Menkel said the community can’t afford to lose another business and praised the support he’s received from area residents.

“We’re small town America and a resort town,” he said. “Every business helps each other out by drawing people in.”

A final decision is expected within two weeks.

Addie Russell joins Commissioner Roberts at Jefferson County Department of Social Services

Assemblywoman Addie Russell joined State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance Samuel Roberts and Jefferson County Department of Social Services Commissioner Teresa Gaffney for a tour of the DSS building in Watertown. 

"The Department of Social Services is responsible for helping so many of our neighbors in need get back on their feet," Russell said. "It's important that Commissioner Roberts came to hear directly from people on the ground about how the state can be most helpful in supporting the local mission."

Depauville Free Library to celebrate newly opened addition on Saturday

On Saturday at 11am, the Depauville Free Library will celebrate the completion of a four month construction project that added space for a new Children’s Room and the recently established North Country Archaeology Center. The library will also dedicate the Marc A.F. Baker Reading Room.

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, will join Clayton Town Supervisor Justin Taylor, Dani F. Baker, and others for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new areas of the library. 

“Libraries are important to the health of any community,” Russell said. “I look forward to the vibrant programs Depauville will be able to offer and will continue to support the important work that local libraries do every day.”