Assemblywoman Jenne: We need training, more jobs in maritime industry in the North Country

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says she’s working to grow employment and training opportunities that tie in with the region's connection to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

"As the North Country region continues to battle bounce back from the recession and as well as the damaging floods along the river and lake this past year, I've been exploring steps we can take to rebuild the maritime economy with infrastructure funding and education and training programs," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne has worked with her colleagues in state government to get a financial support package for local governments, businesses and homeowners impacted by this past year's flooding on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

She has also been working to secure additional grants for waterfront projects, including pushing to secure $250,000 in state funding for waterfront improvements in Cape Vincent.

She has also spent the past several months talking to local school and college officials about steps that can be taken in the region to provide training for employment in the maritime industry.

"I think implementing practical and common-sense programs to train our workforce is key to taking the economy of our river and lake community to the next level," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We have everything we need right here, except the training many want and need to build their professional skills and reputation in maritime trades and related businesses," she said.

"By strengthening the workforce, we can bring business back to these communities that demand the quality and experience you can only get in the St. Lawrence River Valley and Great Lakes," Assemblywoman Jenne added.

She recently led a delegation of educational leaders from around the North Country on a visit to SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx.

Assemblywoman Jenne and representatives from SUNY Canton, Jefferson Community College and Jefferson-Lewis BOCES met with SUNY Maritime administrators and toured the campus.

"It was a great visit. SUNY Maritime Provost Joseph Hoffman previously served as the interim president of SUNY Canton and knows our region well. He is a great resource as we look at steps we can take to grow interest in training for jobs in the maritime industry," she said,. noting, for example, a high percentage of river pilots on the St. Lawrence are graduates of the SUNY Maritime College.

Dr. Hoffman, who also serves as vice president for Academic Affairs at SUNY Maritime College, said he saw potential for working with local officials to develop career paths in the maritime industry in the region.

"I am very interested in continuing to engage with SUNY Canton, Jefferson Community College, BOCES and local high schools," Dr. Hoffman said at the conclusion of the meeting on the SUNY Maritime campus.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted the region is filled with individuals with deep ties to the rivers and lakes in the North Country.

We've got the water. We have a history of boat building. That's part of our heritage and our culture," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"So many people currently don't feel connected to their education. But they are on the water all the time. This is their life. We have to have training. A lot of things would really fit. This would add great value to a lot of work people have been doing in the North Country for generations," she said.

"We have spectacular natural resources, fascinating boat building heritage and a love for being out in our natural environment. We can do a better job of capitalizing on all of it," she reiterated.

"That's why I'm exploring options from online seminars and short classes for adults and students alike as well as more formalized BOCES programs and partnerships so students could earn professional licenses and associates, bachelor's and master's degrees for maritime professions that are in demand and pay well," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said stepping up maritime training in the region could translate into a growth in maritime activity along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

"We shouldn't think of ourselves as a well-kept secret. We should proudly promote our heritage, skills and hospitable nature. We are a special place that is as much about showcasing our history as it is demonstrating how it has made us what we are today," she said.

"I see an opportunity to convert a skilled and well trained workforce into a resource that can attract new employment opportunities to our region. The maritime industry, like so many others, is in a period of significant changes, and we could position ourselves for the increased work that is necessary for compliance with new industry and environmental standards," according to the assemblywoman.

"These would be jobs that would allow our young people to stay in the North Country and live and work on the rivers and lakes they so love,"Assemblywoman Jenne added.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne experiences operating a tug boat from the bridge at SUNY Maritime's Bouchard Tug and Barge Simulation Center. The simulation center offers students and professional mariners an opportunity to get advanced training in current and future towing operations. Captain Eric Johansson, professor of professional maritime training at SUNY Maritime, provided Assemblywoman Jenne with an opportunity to experience piloting the tug in a snow storm.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne experiences operating a tug boat from the bridge at SUNY Maritime's Bouchard Tug and Barge Simulation Center under the watchful eye of SUNY Maritime Provost and Academic Affairs Vice President Joseph Hoffman. Tracy Gyoerkoe, director of Career, Technical, Adult and Continuing Education at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, and Dan Gyoerkoe, executive director of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, Clayton, (far right) keep an eye on Assemblywoman Jenne's training skills.

Captain Eric Johansson, professor of professional maritime training at SUNY Maritime, gives a tip to Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne as she simulates operating a tug boat in New York Harbor at at SUNY Maritime's Bouchard Tug and Barge Simulation Center.

Captain Ernie Fink, dean of Maritime Education and Training at SUNY Maritime, warns Assemblywoman Jenne of a hazard as she stands at the wheel of a tugboat pushing a barge at SUNY Maritime's Bouchard Tug and Barge Simulation Center.

Captain Eric Johansson, professor of professional maritime training at SUNY Maritime, shares information about some of the exhibits at the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler to Lenore VanderZee, executive director of University Relations at SUNY Canton (far right) and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (second from right).  SUNY Maritime College Maritime Education & Training Dean Ernie Fink, a captain (partially hidden), and SUNY Maritime Provost Joseph Hoffman (second from left) also joined the assemblywoman on the tour of the college's campus in the Bronx.

Captain Eric Johansson, professor of professional maritime training at SUNY Maritime (foreground), talks to Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne about the history of the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler located on the college campus grounds in the Bronx. SUNY Maritime Provost Joseph Hoffman (left) also takes part in the conversation.

Ayman Alakkawi, professor of professional mariner training at SUNY Maritime, talks to Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne about the engine room simulator classroom at SUNY Maritime in the Bronx.

Ayman Alakkawi, professor of professional mariner training at SUNY Maritime (left) and Captain Ernie Fink, dean of Maritime Education and Training at SUNY Maritime (right),  discuss the value on the engine room simulator for training with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks with Captain Ernie Fink, dean of Maritime Education and Training at SUNY Maritime (right), about training programs that are offered at the college. Lafargeville Central School Superintendent Travis Hoover and Jefferson Community College Continuing Education and Community Engagement Dean Terrance Anderson are shown in the background testing the engine room simulation exercises.

Ayman Alakkawi, professor of professional mariner training at SUNY Maritime, shows Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and education officials from St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties the bridge in the engine room simulator at SUNY Maritime. Pictured are (l-r): Mr. Alakkawi, SUNY Maritime Provost Joseph Hoffman, Antique & Classic Boat Society Executive Director Dan Gyoerkoe, Assemblywoman Jenne and Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Career, Technical, Adult and Continuing Education Director Tracy Gyoerkoe.

Ayman Alakkawi, professor of professional mariner training at SUNY Maritime, shows Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and education officials from St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties the bridge in the engine room simulator at SUNY Maritime. Pictured are (l-r): Mr. Alakkawi, SUNY Maritime Provost Joseph Hoffman, Antique & Classic Boat Society Executive Director Dan Gyoerkoe and Assemblywoman Jenne.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Paid family leave will help North Country families

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced that New Yorkers will be able to receive paid family leave, starting Jan.1.

She said the new law will provide needed financial stability and peace of mind for many families in New York State.

"This is a time of year when we are focused on the importance on family. Over the years, too many of us have had to deal over the years with the challenges of balancing our work and being there for family members when they need us most," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted those challenges can be even more difficult in rural areas like the North Country, where family members often receive care several hours from home.

"We have many people in the North Country living paycheck to paycheck so they can't afford to take unpaid leave when family members need them most. This new law will allow workers to take care of their personal responsibilities with a program that will help mitigate financial stress," she said.

New York’s paid family leave program will allow eligible workers to take paid time off to care for a new baby or sick relative or spend time with an active-duty military service member about to be deployed.

While the federal Family and Medical Leave Act makes it possible to take time off, it only covers about 60 percent of the workforce and is unpaid, putting it out of reach for many workers.

New Yorkers will now be able to take eight weeks of job-protected leave at 50 percent of their average weekly wage up to 50 percent of the statewide average. It will increase to 10 weeks of leave at 55 percent in 2019, then to 60 percent by 2020. By 2021, this will rise to 12 weeks at 67 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage up to 67 percent of the statewide average.

“It’s time our families didn’t have to choose between making ends meet and being there for those we love most. For too long, family caregivers – usually women – have had to give up their paychecks when it came time to care for a newborn or sick family member," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"This legislation is proof that we put families first in New York State and that message is only amplified when we have the opportunity to gather with our loved ones during the holiday season. New Yorkers now know they will have an opportunity to be there when their family members need them most. There could be no more important present shared this holiday season," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
















"This legislation will benefit hundreds and hundreds of North Country residents during at some of the most challenging times of their lives," she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Thousands of books collected in annual Addie's Books for Children annual holiday book drive

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says residents of St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties came through in a big way to make sure children have an opportunity to enjoy the gift of reading this holiday season.

"I was in Canton on Monday to help unload books collected in St. Lawrence County and in Watertown on Wednesday doing the same for books collected in Jefferson County. It's always exciting to see boxes and boxes filled with books that you know will bring smiles to faces around the region," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said the thousands of books collected in this year's Addie's Books for Children Drive was yet another reflection of the willingness of North Country residents to step up and help people in need.

"We had so many great partners helping us this year. Kinney Drugs has worked with us for the past several years. Our drive definitely benefitted from the hard work of Cub Scout Pack 38 Webelos Brody Baldwin and Connor Laforce and the staff and students at Madrid-Waddington who added over 1,000 books this year. Our St. Lawrence County effort was aided by a collection box at the Canton Free Library and a donation from the St. Lawrence NYSARC program. We are also grateful for the donation from the Carthage Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Jefferson County," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She noted the donations from Kinney Drugs customers were very strong again this year, and the 1,080 books from Brody will truly make Christmas morning that much more special for many families.

The assemblywoman noted she was pleased to have an opportunity to express her gratitude to Brody, who led the effort at Madrid-Waddington with the assistance of his fellow Webelos.

Brody said his effort to help collect books for the drive will help him earn a Recycling Badge, one of the Cub Scouts’ Building Better Communities activities.

The wide range of activities in this adventure is aimed at helping cub scouts become strong, active citizens in their communities, their nation, and the world at large.

One of those activities calls for a cub scout -– with the assistance of a parent or den leader -– to participate in an event that will help lead others in recycling and conserving resources.

"This is a recycling project at its core, and Brody has also helped so many other children in our communities. Brody and I talked about the need in our community, and he knew of a family that is going through some tough times right now," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I also had a chance to talk to Brody about how important efforts like he made are to our community. He has learned valuable skills about how to take on a big project and manage the details. He and Connor have done good work for the holidays, preparing themselves to be leaders in our community," she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said Brody and Connor also had an opportunity to meet Dan Maguire, store manager at Kinney Drugs in Canton and a former scout and scout leader, and their discussion centered on important life lessons learned from scouting activities.

Melinda Gault, executive director of the Community Action Planning Council, in Watertown, said the books collected in Jefferson County are split between Community Action, Salvation Army and Urban Mission.

"The books are split between our three agencies. We keep some of the books, a third goes to the Salvation Army and the other third goes to Urban Mission. We work very, very well together," she said.

She said the books had already been sent to the two other organizations by late Wednesday morning.

"It's a great program, and we enjoy working with Assemblywoman Jenne on this effort. It's a nice addition to the toys children will receive and gives parents an opportunity to read to their children," Ms. Gault said.

She noted the book drive resonates in the community.

"People are so generous. Donations appear to come in groups from different organizations. We saw a lot of the same new books were purchased this year. I think people feel good about donating to this cause," Ms. Gault added.

Norma Cary, executive director of the St. Lawrence Community Development Program (CDP), said the books collected Monday will be distributed through the Head Start and neighborhood center programs around the county.

"We certainly understand the importance of reading. This will provide an opportunity for kids to have books to read and parents to have books to read to their children," she said.

"There still remains a lot of need. We have a lot of families in tough situations, families where parents are under employed. Our working poor are struggling to pay their bills and often don't have the money for Christmas gifts or books," Ms. Cary pointed out.

Assemblywoman Jenne said CDP staff sort the books and push the books out so they are distributed in an age-appropriate manner.


"They know the children that will receive some of the books, and Neighborhood Center staff were selecting books the children they serve would like," she noted.

"Even though it seems like a mass of books and hard to manage, the staff and volunteers work to ensure children have a joyous Christmas. They know what the kids are looking for. It’s like shopping at the bookstore for kids they see fairly often.There are so many titles and the books are in great shape," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The donations from Kinney Drugs customers were very strong, and the books from Brody, Connor and the Cub Scout Pack 38 Webelos along with staff and students at Madrid-Waddington, the Canton Free Library, the St. Lawrence NYSARC and the Carthage VFW will truly make Christmas morning that much more special.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates Brody Baldwin, 10, a student at Madrid-Waddington Central School, for the leadership role he played in collecting over 1,000 books at his school for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive. He was assisted in his effort by fellow Cub Scout Pack 38 Webelos scout Connor Laforce.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Community Action Planning Council Executive Director Melinda Gault and Kinney Drugs store managers Wendy Rambone and Brian Wekar pose for a photograph with some of the books collected in Jefferson County for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne thanks Chris Baldwin of Waddington for her support as Webelos from Cub Scout 38 of Waddington led the effort to collect over 1,000 books at Madrid-Waddington Central School for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive. Brody Baldwin (l) and Connor Laforce (center) look on.

Connor Laforce (foreground) and Brody Baldwin carry books collected for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive into the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program headquarters in Canton. The books will be distributed to needy families around the region.

Connor Laforce (back to camera) and Brody Baldwin (foreground) unload their vehicle and carry books collected for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive into the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program headquarters in Canton. The books will be distributed to needy families around the region.

Brody Baldwin (far right) presented Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne a bag of caramel corn for allowing him to take part in this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive. The book drive effort will help Brody and fellow Cub Scout Pack 38 Webelos scout Connor Laforce earn their Recycling badge, one of the Cub Scout's Building Better Communities activities. Pictured are (l-r): Brody's mom, Chris; Connor; Assemblywoman Jenne and Brody.

Norma Cary (left), executive director of the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program, and Angela Ferrick, incoming director of the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center, unload and sort through books collected in St. Lawrence County during this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive. The books will be sorted by age and distributed through Head Start programs and neighborhood centers around the county.

Kinney Drugs again partnered with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne for this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive. Dan Maguire, manager of the Kinney Drugs store in Canton, is shown with Webelos Brody Baldwin (l) and Connor Laforce (r). Mr. Maguire told the boys he had been very active in scouting during his youth.

Hundreds and Hundreds of books were collected during this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive in St. Lawrence County. The books were delivered to the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program earlier this week and will be distributed to needy families around the region. After unloading the books for sorting at the CDP headquarters, there was time for a photograph. Pictured are (l-): Chris Baldwin, Cub Scout Pack 38, Waddington; Dan Maguire, Canton store manager, Kinney Drugs; Peggy Cronk, outgoing director of the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center; Angela Ferrick, incoming director of the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center; Norma Cary, executive director of the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program; Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne; and Webelos Brody Baldwin and Connor Laforce.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Farm-to-school program in North Country great example for rest of state

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says she was heartened to hear strong support for her pilot farm-to-school program from the state's Agriculture and Markets commissioner at a recent state Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing.

Commissioner Richard Ball's comments came after Assemblywoman Jenne reported on the success of the farm-to-school program in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

Assemblywoman Jenne has secured $600,000 in state funding over the past two years to expand farm-to-school programs in the North Country. She said the results of that effort have benefitted local farmers and growers and provided students in the region with fresh, locally grown healthy foods in their school cafeterias.

“We have been able with this pilot program to prime the pump to create relationships between schools and growers. We now have a successful models that we can built build on to move toward a much more systematic approach around the state,” she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne has visited several schools – from Madrid-Waddington to Watertown – to see first-hand the steps that school districts have taken to grow their farm-to-school programs. She has sampled greens raised in grow racks at Madrid-Waddington Central School, enjoyed lunch from the salad bar filled with locally grown products at Hermon-Dekalb and joined elementary students in Watertown to eat salads filled with greens grown in their classrooms.

Commissioner Richard Ball said farm-to-school programs are growing in popularity around the state. He said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has helped grow farm-to-school programs around the state with funding allocations in the state budget.

“We’re spending a record amount, $1 million, on our farm-to-school program. It's not just purchasing equipment. It's providing necessary training, working on developing best practices for purchasing from local producers,” Commissioner Ball said.

“I think we’re making great progress. We will be advocating to keep that funding for farm-to-school programs in the (2018-19) budget,” he added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she will also continue to advocate for Drive to 25 legislation she sponsored in the state Assembly, a measure supported by the New York School Nutrition Association.

The initiative would modify the state’s reimbursement formula for school lunches, increasing reimbursement rates by 5 to 25 cents a mean from the current 6 cents for schools that meet set goals for expanded usage of local food products.

The rate would be dependent on the percentage of locally grown and produced products that school districts purchase each year.

While some school districts across the state have been able to offer local food to their students, the reimbursement rate has not changed in 40 years, meaning cash-strapped districts may not be able to fully utilize products from regional farms.

Linda Ostrowski, a school food director from the Capital District area representing the state's School Nutrition Association at the assembly hearing, reiterated her call for an increase in the school meal reimbursement rate.

She said the reimbursement rate of 6 cents that has been in effect since the 1970s has limited the ability of many school districts to purchase fresh, locally grown foods.

Ms. Ostrowski said a $10 million allocation in the budget would provide schools around the state with the funds they need to make local product purchases.

“The 35,000 farmers in our state deserve better. It would benefit the health of our children and the New York State economy,” she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the pilot program in the North Country has demonstrated the progress that can be made when schools have the funding necessary to make local food purchases.

“I have seen it in the eyes of students now choosing healthy salads for lunch. I have also heard from local producers about the benefits they are seeing by being able to market their products to local schools,” she noted.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne joined students at Wiley Intermediate School in Watertown earlier this year and had an opportunity to taste some of the greens they had grown on a grow rack in their classroom.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne questions New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner during a recent state Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing in Albany.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Tax reform billed to benefit middle class actually giveaway to top 1 percent

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, praised Governor Andrew Cuomo for clearly outlining the potential impact the proposed federal tax reform plan will have on all New York residents.

Governor Cuomo, speaking at the annual awards ceremony for the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC), reiterated his concerns about a plan he said mostly benefits the top 1 percent and could devastate the state's upstate economy.

"The most problematic provision eliminates the deductibility of state and local taxes. This is an arrow designed at the heart of the state of New York. Property taxes and state income taxes are what we have been fighting for seven years," he said.

"Gov. Cuomo predicted that the elimination of deductions could result in a 20 to 25 percent increase in property taxes and could force people to move out of New York State,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted the House bill passed by the House in November allowed some taxpayers to still file for a deduction of property taxes, but it’s capped at $10,000 while deductions for state and local income taxes and sales taxes would completely disappear.

She had also been by provisions in the House bill calling for the elimination of the student loan interest deduction and a provision that would treat graduate student tuition benefits as taxable income could end up hurting North Country.

"It's unfortunate the House and Senate leadership is trying to rush this legislation through before it has been properly vetted through the traditional hearing process. It appears some of the most egregious provisions in the House bill will be removed from the final legislation because lawmakers are being pressured as some details emerge. A transparent process would have resulted in legislation that focused on benefitting middle class and working families rather than the interests of the lobbyists for the GOP's top campaign contributors," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.

She also pointed out that she shared Gov. Cuomo's view that short-term federal income tax savings would result in reduced services at the state and local level, especially in local schools and a local tax burden shift to working families and the struggling middle class.

"I agree with Gov. Cuomo's characterization of the federal tax plan as an economic civil war, and I share his concerns. I worry about the impact increased property taxes and income taxes could have on North Country families already struggling to pay their taxes, and it will have a dramatic impact on our small businesses, local school districts, SUNY schools and our ability to maintain our aging infrastructure," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"The passage of a federal tax plan that even a majority of the GOP representatives in the House of Representatives from New York State could not even support could drive our already struggling North Country economy into another recession," she said.

“It’s a plan that appears designed to drive families out of the North Country and out of the state because of a property tax burden that will be forced on their back by partisan federal elected officials. It is just plain wrong," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne: North Country awarded $64.9 million in REDC funding

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says communities from Sackets Harbor to Massena will benefit from $64.9 million in economic and community development funding included in the annual Regional Economic Development Council award.

“I was excited to be back in Albany today with many of my colleagues and community leaders from around St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties to hear the news that the North Country was awarded almost $65 million to help drive economic development and spur growth and innovation in today’s economy,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“As a member of the North Country REDC, I know how hard our representatives work to put forward a plan that will move our region’s economy forward. While it’s disheartening that we fell short of the “Top Performer” status, I look forward to seeing how this year’s awards will impact North Country communities,” she said.

The North Country has received $559.5 million over the past seven years for over 500 projects aimed at creating and maintaining jobs, training the workforce in new technologies, promoting the beautiful resources that the North Country has to offer and making critical infrastructure improvements.

"I'm very familiar with several of the projects that received funding this year. I was pleased to see funding included for the renovation of the downtown theater in Massena, for downtown revitalization in Potsdam and for work on a historic building in downtown Massena. We know the importance of vibrant downtowns in our communities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I was also pleased to see funding included for the Thousand Islands Regional Tourism Development Corporation’s Reputation Recovery effort, a multi-media marketing effort aimed at helping local tourism-based businesses recover from the impact of this past summer's high water levels," she added.

The North Country REDC award also includes funding for significant infrastructure improvements around the North Country.

The projects funded include $1.1 million for infrastructure at the Watertown International Airport that will prepare the site for a planned business complex, $5 million for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant in the city of Ogdensburg, $750,000 for the renovation of the East Hydro Dam in Potsdam and $225,000 for the construction of a new salt storage shed in the village of Massena.

She said a $500,000 grant will allow the Development Authority of the North Country and the seven-county Cornell Cooperative Extensions to partner in outreach efforts to inform producers about the New York State Grown and Ceritfied Producer's grant program.

This effort will bolster the farm-to-school program, aid farm-to-table projects and benefit our tourism efforts as we promote increased use of locally grown products, according to the assemblywoman.

She noted several other awards will also benefit tourism efforts, including funding for improvements at the arena in Clayton and for the purchase and renovation of the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Sackets Harbor.

The Sackets Harbor Historical Society has expressed an interest in purchasing the 200-year-old church and using the building to host performances, classes and other events.

The building could also be used to display exhibits linked to the church's history and used for weddings and other religious events.

“The REDC program has been successful at driving economic development in the North Country and the rest of the state, but we know much work continues to need to be done since the North Country is still struggling to boost our economy,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“I also look forward to continue working with our REDC representatives and other local leaders to craft additional measures that will help attract new businesses and create more jobs,” she added.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with R. Shawn Gray of the Massena Arts and Theatre Association during a visit to the theater in downtown Massena this past fall. The Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena was awarded a $300,000 grant for renovation work at the downtown Massena.

Madrid-Waddington student close to collecting 1,000 books for Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says early indications are this year's Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive could set a new record.

"We’re getting tremendous support from the community this year. I’ve been heartened by the number of people, including several students at our local schools, that have come forward this holiday season to help us collect books that will be given to children in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties this Christmas," she said.

Addie’s Books for Children has collected over 20,000 books since Assemblywoman Jenne launched the holiday book drive in 2009.

She said she was stunned to learn a fifth-grade student at Madrid-Waddington Central School and his classmates have joined together and have already collected close to 1,000 books.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Brody Baldwin, his family, Cub Scout Pack 38 and the students and staff at Madrid-Waddington for their hard work and support of this year's holiday book drive. Their effort will benefit hundreds of North Country kids that will enjoy the gift of reading this holiday season," Assemblywoman Jenne said, noting that books were one of her favorite Christmas presents when she was a child.

Brody, 10, a fifth grader in Timothy Dashnaw's class at Madrid-Waddington and the son of Chris and Kelly Baldwin, is a member of Cub Scout Pack 38, in Waddington.

He said his effort to help collect books for the drive will help him earn a Recycling Badge, one of the Cub Scout's Building Better Communities activities.

The wide range of activities in this adventure is aimed at helping cub scouts become strong, active citizens in their communities, their nation, and the world at large.

One of those activities calls for a cub scout -– with the assistance of a parent or den leader -– to participate in an event that will help lead others in recycling and conserving resources.

"We got a flyer announcing the book drive in the mail, and my mom said it would be good for one of my badges so we started collecting books," Brody recalled.

His effort has benefitted from strong support from Pack 38, his fellow students in Mr. Dashnaw's class and Madrid-Waddington Elementary School Principal Matt Daley.

Brody was able to promote the book drive on the school's Live from the Hive morning announcements, and the results have been phenomenal.

"I thought we probably wouldn't get that many, but I was hoping for maybe 500. We already have over 900 books in over 21 boxes," he said.

His mom, Chris, said she has been very impressed by the support for the book drive effort at the school.

"The kids in Mr. Dashnaw's class are being allowed to go to other classrooms to pick up books that are being donated. We had one member of Pack 38 that went to a holiday show and bought a package of books he brought to Brody as a donation for the book drive," she said.

Brody, a member of the Waddington Hepburn Library's Battle of the Books team, says he loves to read and is excited that children in need will be getting books this Christmas season.

"I know there are some families that might not be able to afford to buy books for their children so I think it is real good local kids in need will get a chance to read these books," he said.

Brody and his mom said they have been checking out the titles as they have been boxing up the books and storing them at his grandmother's house.

"We saw a lot of good books, all kinds of books for all ages," his mom said. "There are a lot of Harry Potter books, and we have had some donations of the Dear America book series."

Brody also received a donation of several bookmarks from the Waddington Hepburn Library librarian that will be included with the books being donated to the book drive.

Mr. Dashnaw said students and staff alike have donated books to the drive. He said Brody and his mom made flyers and passed them out at the school to promote the drive. He added Brody and another scout, Connon LaForce, set up collection boxes at central locations at the school and also collected books from different classrooms.

The fifth-grade teacher said the book drive will benefit children in need in the region and has also been beneficial for the school as well.

"There are plenty of families who can't afford things like this, and we are also in the age of electronics. We know when books are on hand kids are more apt to read rather than just grab an electronic device," he said.

Mr. Dashnaw also said the book drive has been good for school pride.

"We're a small school district with roots in farming. A project like this makes pride in both of our communities come alive as people get behind it," he said.

Assemblywoman Jenne is also partnering with Kinney Drugs for the holiday book drive, and the books will be distributed by the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program and the Community Action Planning Council in Watertown.

New and gently used books will be collected until Dec. 15 at Kinney Drugs locations in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties and will be redistributed to local families. The focus is on books for children up to 12 years of age.

Books can also be dropped off at the Canton Free Library as well as at Assemblywoman Jenne's office in Watertown at Dulles State Office Building, Suite 210, 317 Washington St.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Brody Baldwin, a fifth-grade student at Madrid-Waddington Central School, sorts and stacks books he has collected at his school for the Addie's Books for Children holiday book drive.

Assemblywoman Jenne: SUNY Potsdam visit shows strength of college's math and science programs

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, recently met with members of the mathematics and science faculty at SUNY Potsdam to gain a better understanding of the programs being offered on campus.

"This was another great opportunity to learn more about what’s happening on the SUNY Potsdam campus. The college president, Dr. Kristin Esterberg, had talked up the math and science departments at a meeting we had earlier this fall, and I’ve been eager to learn more about the STEM programs being offered on campus," she said.

"I’ve also been looking at steps the college is taking to address the looming teacher shortages, as we know there are already severe shortages in math and science teaching candidates," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She noted she had a few takeaways from the roundtable discussion, but the strongest message she heard was the commitment the faculty have to their students.

"The class sizes allow them to support students that are struggling and those that are somewhat apprehensive about math and science career options or not sure they can handle college coursework in those programs," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It became clear listening to the professors that while they are doing important research, their focus is on their teaching. It was a message shared by the students that were part of the roundtable as well. I also noticed the focus from the faculty members was their interest in improving the educational experiences of their students through investments in equipment and state-of-the-art technology," she added.

Linghong (Lily) Li, associate professor of physics, told Assemblywoman Jenne that was one of her major concerns.

"There’s a lack of resources for decent and up-to-date technology. In science, you need that equipment for learning," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said a recent donation to the college – announced a day after the roundtable discussion – will help address that concern.

Donald (Hon. ’54) and Kathryn Kofoed Lougheed ’54 have pledged $5.25 million, the largest gift commitment in the college’s 201-year history, to support applied learning initiatives at SUNY Potsdam.

In order to impact the greatest number of students and contribute to the transformation of the college’s curriculum, the gift will be used to support faculty and staff activities that improve their ability to facilitate student participation in high impact and applied learning activities.

This includes, but is not limited to, curricular transformation, laboratory materials and equipment, transportation costs, professional development, course releases, travel delegations and new program development.

Funds will also be used to directly support students’ involvement in activities that allow them to apply theoretical learning outside the classroom environment, such as internships, national and international study abroad opportunities, student research, field experiences, creative projects, service learning and entrepreneurship.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the Crane School of Music and teacher education training are the best known programs on the SUNY Potsdam campus, but she noted the math, science and computer science majors typically make up between 21 to 25 percent of the college's undergraduate students.

SUNY Potsdam ranked second among SUNY Comprehensives for the proportion of students enrolled in STEM fields in three of the last four years. This is especially impressive when compared with other arts-centric campuses, which average between 11 and 13 percent.

There was also a lengthy discussion about diversity in the math and science programs on campus.

Over the past five years, females with STEM majors account for between 15 and 19 percent of the student body, while males make up between 31 and 34 percent of the student body. Those ratios carry over to the workplace.

"For instance, in mathematics in this country we are looking at a pyramid," Victoria Klawitter, chair of the college's Mathematics Department, pointed out.

"As you go up in the pyramid, you see fewer and fewer women. We’re looking at how to increase the number of women and minorities in our programs," she added.

Dr. Klawitter also pointed out the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the largest professional organization for mathematicians, released rankings of institutions producing bachelor degrees in mathematics in the summer of 2016 that ranked SUNY Potsdam among the nation's first 50 institutions based on the combined total of math-related bachelors degrees awarded per 1,000 FTE undergraduate enrollments for Academic Year 2012–2013.

"Our math program is nationally recognized for what we are doing on this campus. We want math majors be able to do dance, art, pursue all their interests. This is an amazing institution," Dr. Klawitter stressed.

Martin Walker, a chemistry professor, said some programs have a higher percentage of women in their classes than other majors.

"We see about a 50-50 male-female ratio in our chemistry and biochemistry classes," he said.

But Tanya Hewitt, exercise science program coordinator, said there are definitely gender issues in the field of exercise science.

"There are a good number of women in PT (physical therapy) and OT (occupational therapy), but a very low percentage of women in strength and conditioning and athletic training," she said.

She said women can face struggles seeking to gain credibility, for example, advising men on strength and conditioning training.

"You can have all the experience and credentials, but you have to overcome being a female," she acknowledged, noting that was based in part on differences in body size.

Dr. Rygel said the issue of retaining women in the field of science needs to be a priority. "We need to make sure there are policies in place that don't penalize biology," he suggested.

Assemblywoman Jenne said state lawmakers have addressed the issue of challenges facing women and men in the workplace in recent years, recognizing the challenges of mixing work and caregiving needs.

"We are doing that in the state at the policy level. We passed paid family leave legislation earlier this year and that bill was signed by the governor," she said.

The roundtable discussion also included discussion about the needs for more funding to allow the college to do more outreach.

Assemblywoman Jenne asked faculty members about their efforts to market their programs.

Jan Trybula, biology department chair and associate professor, said they host college high school laboratory days and science olympiads. He said SUNY Potsdam picked up a regional science fair last year.

SUNY Potsdam hosted the inaugural Terra Northeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair (TNRSEF) last March for students in grades 6 through 12 for students from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties.

Faculty members also suggested science needs to play a more prominent role in the elementary school curriculum.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she was aware from her own children's experiences that teachers simply have a limited time - –due to other priorities in the curriculum and state testing - – to work science into their already packed school day.

Sara Bier, an assistant professor in the Geology Department, suggested there needs to be more of an effort to introduce science to younger students.

"Kids are scientists when they are young. They are constantly making observations, but we kind of squelch that interest when they get into school," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she was also heartened to hear the comments about the college's math and science programs from students taking part in the roundtable discussion.

Sydney LaPan, a biology major from Ballston Spa, acknowledged she struggles in the classroom, but she said she has developed relationships with her professors and has found her niche working on research projects, including work at the WISER greenhouse. Fellow student Toni Wahl also shared that enthusiasm about working in the greenhouse.

Dr. Walker said students graduating from SUNY Potsdam are enjoying success once they leave campus.

"I'm very proud of our students. We had a very large graduating class in chemistry last year. We have two graduates pursuing their doctorate degrees at Cornell, and a student studying toxicology at the University of Rochester. We have everything from North Country farm kids to students from all sorts of backgrounds," he said.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

SUNY Potsdam students Sydney LaPan (center) and Toni Wahl (right) visit with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne about their experiences working at the WISER (Wagner Institute for Sustainability & Ecological Research) greenhouse.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (right) talks with Sydney LaPan (foreground left) and Toni Wahl (background left) about their experiences in math and science programs at SUNY Potsdam.

Sara Bier, an assistant professor of geology at SUNY Potsdam, discuss the need to increase science offerings for elementary-school age students.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently took part in a wide-ranging roundtable discussion with faculty members from the science and mathematics programs at SUNY Potsdam. Pictured are (l-r): Page Quinton, assistant professor, Geology; Michael Rygel, department chair and associate professor, Geology; Assemblywoman Jenne; Jan Trybula, department chair, associate professor, Biology; and Rachel Wallace, professional staff, Biology.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently took part in a wide-ranging roundtable discussion with faculty members from the science and mathematics programs at SUNY Potsdam. Pictured are (l-r): Page Quinton, assistant professor, Geology; Michael Rygel, department chair and associate professor, Geology; Assemblywoman Jenne; Jan Trybula, department chair, associate professor, Biology; and Rachel Wallace, professional staff, Biology.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, far left, and Michael Rygel, department chair and associate professor, Geology, far right, discuss the role of females in leadership roles in STEM programs at SUNY Potsdam.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently had a roundtable discussion with faculty members from the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, exercise science and mathematics departments at SUNY Potsdam. Pictured are, front row (l-r): SUNY Potsdam students Sydney LaPan, Toni Wahl, Sara Janus and Miranda Yates. Second row: Martin Walker, professor, Chemistry; Sara Bier, assistant professor, Geology; Assemblywoman Jenne; Linghong (Lily) Li, associate professor, Physics; and Lawrence Brehm, associate professor, Physics. Third row: Michael Rygel, department chair/associate professor, Geology; Page Quinton, assistant professor, Geology; Tanya Hewitt, Exercise Science Program coordinator; Victoria Klawitter, department chair/professor, Math; and Jan Trybula, department chair/associate professor, Biology. Missing from photo: Fathima Nazeer, assistant professor, Chemistry, and Rachel Wallace, professional staff, Biology.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Federal tax reform bill benefits wealthy, not North Country families

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says federal tax legislation passed in the chill of the early morning hours Saturday by U.S. Senate Republicans has long-term impacts that could be very detrimental to the North Country.

"The federal recession bailout that focused on saving big business left the North Country working class out, and we are still suffering from a decade of focus on the wealthy. Giving even more hand outs to the rich will only have the same result. The only tax reform that can truly lift rural economies is tax breaks for the middle class," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said it will likely be weeks before all the details of the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are fully understood, but she said analysis after analysis of the plan by economists has shown losers will include most members of the middle class and working poor in the North Country.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted the supposed tax cuts for the middle class have an expiration date, but significant tax savings for multi-national corporations and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are not scheduled to be reduced down the road.

"The details contained in this plan make it clear this is a proposal that benefits the wealthiest Americans at the long-term expense of most people in the North Country. Projections show most people making under $75,000 a year will be worse off than they are now and that means the vast majority of people living and working in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties," she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said countless North Country families will be harmed by a plan that eliminates taxpayers from deducting interest they pay on mortgages and student loans.

She said there are numerous other harmful provisions in the bill, including changes likely to result in millions of people losing health care and the exclusion of teacher tax deductions for buying school supplies for their students.

She noted the current deduction is already widely acknowledged as falling far short of the amount teachers routinely spend on their students.

The assemblywoman said the cost of the plan will drive up the deficit and pose a major threat to senior Americans with significant detrimental changes to Social Security and Medicare on the horizon.

"We have a tough enough time getting ahead in the North Country, still limping along from the recession and recent years of tough weather and flooding. Any gains families have made will be sucked away by this alleged tax reform plan dreamed up by lobbyists for the wealthiest Americans," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We all want to see higher numbers in our paychecks, but it is clear the benefits from this tax plan will ultimately be outweighed by its costs," she added.

"I will continue to work to provide new opportunities for us here in the North Country, supporting families and our next generation. I will do what I can to fight back these horrible federal policies that hand money to big corporations already sitting on piles of cash and undermining the fabric of our communities and our families," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne recognizes SUNY Potsdam senior for campus advocacy work

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, recently presented a SUNY Potsdam senior with an award recognizing her work on advancing a tobacco-free initiative on her college campus.

Torie Keeton was selected for the Community Champion Award by the Seaway Valley Prevention Council's Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties program.

Chelsea Bartlett, community engagement coordinator for Advancing Tobacco Free Communities, said each year the program highlights a community member who has been a champion in their local community.

She noted Ms. Keeton has worked with her agency for the past two years on a tobacco-free campus initiative for SUNY Potsdam.

"Community leaders who have earned the title of champion have gone above and beyond their role to foster change. These champions have effectively educated and mobilized their neighbors which had led to a successful policy. One champion at a time, advocates will be able to create effective and long-lasting change in tobacco control that protects the health of all local community members," Ms. Bartlett said.

"Torie is the epitome of a young leader, a force to be reckoned with. Over the past two years, Torie has dedicated more than her fair share of time, effort and voice to our movement toward a tobacco-free college campus policy," she added.

"We truly would not be where we are today without Torie’s remarkable knowledge base, commitment, and charisma. When Torie talks, people listen," according to Ms. Bartlett.

She noted Ms. Keeton had helped lead an effort that resulted in a drive that gained approximately 1,000 signatures supporting a tobacco-free campus. They also collected 65 large Mason jars full of cigarette butts.

Ms. Bartlett said Ms. Keeton is continuing to work on the tobacco-free initiative in her final semester on campus.

"We are continuing our efforts throughout the school year. We’re working to garner student support through movie nights, cigarette butt cleanups, tabling events and any opportunities we have to partner with other clubs or organizations across campus," Ms. Bartlett said.

Ms. Keeton said she was fortunate to be the president of the community health honor society the year the group decided to work with Advancing Tobacco Free Communities on the effort on campus.

"I was very passionate about doing this because we, as community health students, had learned that policy changes like this are integral to bettering a population's health. For me, I felt we had a responsibility as up-and-coming public health advocates to start at our own home, to start locally in our work to create healthier communities," Ms. Keeton said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said it is clear Ms. Keeton has made the most of her time on campus.

"She is going to be a standout in her field. It was wonderful she took advantage of SUNY Potsdam's focus on experiental learning through several exciting internships," the assemblywoman said.

"She's a go-getter who wants to support positive change and understands the health challenges our families and communities face. I'm interested in watching as her career takes off and as she gets to tackle problems as a public health professional," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg had high praise for the role Ms. Keeton has played during her time on campus and told the Albany-area native she will be missed when she graduates at the end of the fall semester.

In addition to serving as the past president of Eta Sigma Gamma, Ms. Keeton has served as head student of the Student Giving Committee and Student Health Advisory Committee.

She also works as a student ambassador and as a teaching assistant. Ms. Keeton also served terms as a student senator for SUNY Potsdam's Student Government Association and as a treasurer the for campus Active Minds chapter.

Ms. Keeton said SUNY Potsdam has provided her with great opportunities as she prepares to begin her professional career.

"As I’ve been reflecting back on my time at Potsdam, I regard the tobacco-free initiative as one of the most valuable experiences I had here because it was experiential education at its finest, " she said.

She noted the community health students recognized they needed to garner community support for the effort to make the campus tobacco free rather than seek a top-down policy change.

"We could have done this more behind the scenes by presenting to the administration the health and fiscal benefits the school can gain from making this policy change, but even if they agreed, they could only get the signs changed outside and declaration posted on a website," Ms. Keeton pointed out.

"Unfortunately, that means next to nothing if the community itself doesn’t choose to then respect the new rule," she said, noting the goal is to create a culture change so the future population’s established cultural norm is a tobacco-free environment.

"So from the very beginning, we relied upon what we know as community health students regarding the importance of community support, by purposefully making our initiative public and transparent. That was done to encourage open discussion on this undeniably charged topic," she said.

She said the report presented to President Esterberg and the SUNY Potsdam administration at the end of the spring 2017 semester reflected that collaborative effort.

"We’re partnered with the entirety of the Greek life community, environmental awareness groups like Middle Ground, and students and faculty in the biology department," she noted.

"We were and continue to be very encouraged by the enthusiasm President Esterberg has responded with. We’ve all agreed to the constitution of a committee that will continue to look into possibly making this policy change. And we stand together in agreement the committee must include voices to represent every subpopulation that makes up our SUNY Potsdam community," according to Ms. Keeton.

She said the award she was accepting was actually a reflection of a team effort involving the Eta Sigma Gamma members, the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities staff and SUNY Potsdam Community Health Department faculty.

She singled out SUNY Potsdam Community Health Professor Dr. Brent Crow and Community Health Assistant Professor Dr. Janelle Jacobson for special praise.

"They are two of the brightest highlights of my college career," according to the SUNY Potsdam senior.

"I can’t count the number of times I’ve benefitted from their eagerness to go above and beyond - tirelessly creating opportunities and experiences in which their students won’t just learn the course material, they’ll appreciate it and be able to use it. Their prowess in public health and enthusiasm for teaching guarantees it. They are teachers and mentors at their core. They are an absolute gift to SUNY Potsdam," Ms. Keeton said.

She noted she is optimistic the tobacco-free campus initiative will continue to move forward over the next few months.

"I know we, as a community, are supportive and ready to see it happen. Here’s to change and to hoping one of the next ones we see on this campus is a tobacco-free policy," Ms. Keeton said at the ceremony held on the date of this year's Great American Smoke Out.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) presents SUNY Potsdam senior Tori Keeton with the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties with its Community Champion Award.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) presents SUNY Potsdam senior Tori Keeton with the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties with its Community Champion Award. Seaway Valley Prevention Council staff members Joseph Boswell, Reality Check coordinator, and Jennifer Brown, assistant program coordinator, watch the ceremony.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne joins SUNY Potsdam and Advancing Tobacco Free Communities staff for a group photograph after SUNY Potsdam senior Torie Keeton was awarded a Community Champion Award. Pictured are (l-r): Asemblywoman Addie Jenne; SUNY Potsdam Community Health Professor Brent Crow; Dr. Crow's daughter Addison; Ms. Keeton; SUNY Potsdam Community Health Assistant Professor Janelle Jacobson; Reality Check Coordinator Joseph Boswell, Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Assistant Program Coordinator Jennifer Brown, Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Community Engagement Coordinator Chelsea Bartlett and SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg.

SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg (l) and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (r) listen as SUNY Potsdam senior Torie Keeton talks about the opportunities she has had as a Community Health major at the college.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne meets SUNY Potsdam senior Tori Keeton's dog, Tater Tot. Ms. Keeton was awarded the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties Community Champion Award.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) chats with SUNY Potsdam senior Torie Keeton about her future plans.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) chats with SUNY Potsdam senior Torie Keeton about her future plans.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulates Dr. Laurence and Anita Keeton on their daughter's accomplishments during her academic career at SUNY Potsdam. College President Kristin Esterberg said Ms. Keeton will be missed on campus when she graduates in December.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with SUNY Potsdam Community Health Program faculty members Dr. Brent Crow and Assistant Professor Dr. Janelle Jacobson.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) presents SUNY Potsdam senior Tori Keeton with the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties with its Community Champion Award.