NNY-Kingston Initiative Press Availability

MEDIA ALERT

June 9, 2011

On Friday June 10, 2011, Assemblywoman Addie Russell, together with Kingston Mayor Mark Gerretsen host the second NNY-Kingston Initiative Meeting.  The meeting will be held at Fort Drum at the Hillside Lodge for invitees only.  

There will be a PRESS AVAILABILITY from approximately NOON-1PM.  Members of the media should report to the media office at Fort Drum no later than 11:45am.  

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Russell legislation would eliminate requirement on small campgrounds

Today, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the passage of a bill that would
eliminate a burdensome requirement on small campgrounds by no longer requiring them to have a
dumping station (A.7667-A), a victory for small businesses and area tourism.
The bill would allow campgrounds with 15 or fewer campsites to provide campers with a list of
nearby dumping stations to dispose of their sewage as opposed to requiring the campgrounds to install
dumping stations. For many small, independently owned campgrounds, installing a dumping station is a
very expensive task. The high costs associated with it would either be passed onto campers in the form
of higher rates or could even force small campgrounds to close altogether.
“Removing the dumping station requirement will help small campgrounds keep costs under control,
allowing them to offer their grounds to campers at a reasonable rate,” Russell said. “This commonsense
measure is a win-win scenario that’s good for businesses and good for working families looking for
affordable recreation options.”
Tourism is one of the biggest industries in the North Country, especially in the Thousand Islands
region, which generates $433 million annually, and supported more than 8,300 jobs in 2008, according
to a 2009 study1. Seven and a half percent of all employment in the Thousand Islands region is tourismrelated.
“Tourism generates a lot of business and creates a lot of jobs in our area,” Russell said. “This bill
aims to protect a vital sector of our local economy by making state requirements more sensible. There is
no need to overbuild sewage dumping stations. There are often many facilities that allow the public to
dispose of their sewage at a nominal cost.”
The bill would allow campgrounds to provide campers with a list of at least three dumping stations
within a 30-mile radius of the campground. The list may include private dumping stations if the private
facility gives the campground authorization. To alleviate any environmental concerns, the campgrounds
that do not have dumping stations are required to inspect each campsite upon the arrival and exit of a
camper and at least once per week while the campsite is occupied.

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1 The Economic Impact of Tourism in New York State: Thousand Islands Focus. Prepared by Tourism Economics. April 2009.

News from Assemblywoman Addie Russell

ASSEMBLYWOMAN ADDIE RUSSELL SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MILITARY FUNERAL SERVICES FROM PROTESTORS

Two measures sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) would protect funeral services from disruptive demonstrations.  The legislation would establish a 300 foot buffer zone around services beyond which demonstrators couldn’t disturb mourners (A7698) and empower local governments to require permits for any demonstrations taking place within 1,000 feet of the services (A7697).

“Recently, several radical groups have grabbed national attention and risen to infamy for heartlessly protesting military funerals,” Addie Russell said.  “While these protestors have the right to free speech, they most certainly do not have the right to intimidate and threaten the well-being of funeral attendees, including the family members of the deceased.  These bills would build on current law and give grieving families and friends a necessary buffer from those who would harass them.”

“There is a time and place to express ideological differences and funeral services are not it.”  Assemblywoman Russell said.  “New York will not tolerate individuals or groups who use the most somber of moments to further their agendas—political, religious or otherwise.”

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Assembly to Honor Women Veterans at Capitol

Women Veterans from across New York State

are invited to attend ceremony

North Country Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa), the newly appointed Chair of the Subcommittee on Women Veterans, is inviting women veterans from across New York State to join her and her colleagues for a recognition ceremony for women veterans at the State Capitol in Albany on Monday, June 13^th.  “This annual event commemorates the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. The act enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the Armed Forces and was a major triumph for military women, the Armed Forces and the country as a whole,” said Russell, whose Assembly district includes a portion of Fort Drum, home of the US Army’s 10^th Mountain Division.

Women veterans are invited to attend a special ceremony at the onset of the Assembly Session scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Assembly Chamber at the Capitol. Assemblywoman Russell and her Assembly colleagues will honor women veterans by taking up a resolution to declare June 12, 2011 as Women Veterans’ Recognition Day in New York State, commemorating the 63^rd Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.  The Assembly will also take up a resolution to memorialize the state’s Congressional delegation to pass the Defense Sexual Trauma Response Oversight and Good Governance Act. Prior to the ceremony there will be a luncheon for those veterans attending the ceremony in room 104-A of the Legislative Office Building.  It will begin at 11:00 a.m.  

“It is important for each and every one of us to honor the brave women that have selflessly answered our nation’s call to service, including those women veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Russell. “New Yorkers will never forget our military heroes, and as Chair of the Subcommittee on Women Veterans I will work to ensure that we honor their sacrifices and provide them with the care and opportunities they deserve when they come home.”

While in Albany, Assemblywoman Russell encourages women veterans to visit the New York State Women Veterans Memorial located on Madison Avenue near the New York State Museum.

Those interested in attending the ceremony and luncheon should contact Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell by June 10^th by phone at (315) 786-0284 or by email at russella@assembly.state.ny.us.

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ASSEMBLYWOMAN RUSSELL’S BILL TO EXPAND THE OGDENSBURG FOREIGN TRADE ZONE PASSES THE ASSEMBLY

June 1, 2011

     

     Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that her bill to expand the Ogdensburg Foreign Trade Zone (A.3724) has passed the Assembly.  Russell said, “This measure expands the existing foreign trade zone to include all of St. Lawrence County.  This will be another reason for companies to locate their U.S. plants here and more opportunities for existing businesses to grow.  By being located in an Foreign Trade Zone businesses will be better able to compete with off shore producers.  Businesses located in an Foreign Trade Zone could avoid tariffs and duties on raw materials, enabling them to price their products more competitively and thus to export more locally manufactured goods.”  The legislation must now pass in the Senate before it is forwarded to the Governor for his consideration.