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| City Municipal Dock/Photo Credit: City of Ogdensburg
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has announced she has secured a $10,000 legislative initiative aimed at enhancing the city of Ogdensburg's tourism effort.
The funding is aimed at assisting in the establishment of a secure docking facility at the city's municipal dock. The secure facility will allow cruise ships to make stops in Ogdensburg.
"I am pleased to be able to secure this funding for the city of Ogdensburg. It can only benefit the local economy if cruise ships have an option to stop in Ogdensburg, so their passengers can visit the internationally renowned Remington Museum, interact with local residents and businesses, spend money at local stores and restaurants and have the opportunity to purchase items from our local artisans," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"It's a win every time one of the cruise ships stops in our river communities rather than simply passing by on the river. This can make Ogdensburg the first stop for ships out of Montreal headed into the Great Lakes. I think that initial exposure to our communities could draw some of those tourists back for longer stays to explore our region," she added.
Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy said city officials are grateful to Assemblywoman Russell for securing the funding.
"We are really looking forward to being able to accommodate these passenger vessels. This is big for us, being able to bring ships of that size to our dock with folks looking for something to do while they are docked here," City Manager Purdy said.
The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority is also assisting in the effort by providing $5,000 to amend the United States Coast Guard's facilities security plan to include the city's municipal dock.
Assemblywoman Russell said the funding she secured is aimed at provided monies needed to purchase fencing and signage required by the Coast Guard to secure the dock area when passengers are being let off ships.
She said the issue arose last year when a cruise ship wanted to stop in Ogdensburg, but the lack of a secure docking area prohibited that from happening.
"I am pleased to be able to work with city officials and provide the funding necessary to overcome that hurdle. The cruise ships have likely set their schedules for the 2016 season, but this will give Ogdensburg city officials, chamber representatives and other stakeholders from the community an opportunity to work together to get on the 2017 itinerary as well as to develop a plan to showcase the best the North Country has to offer for passengers stepping off those cruise ships in the city. I know that work is already well under way," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The Ogdensburg City Council will be asked at its meeting on Monday to approve a grant agreement with the Department of State for the $10,000 in funding.
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Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Assemblywoman Russell secures funding to help Ogdensburg land cruise ship passengers
Monday, April 4, 2016
Canton woman takes top honor in historical writing contest co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Russell
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| Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, (right), congratulates Amanda E. Stopa of Canton during a brunch held at SUNY Potsdam for the winners of the North Country Historical Writing Contest. Amanda's entry earned top honors in the adult division of the contest. The contest was sponsored by Assemblywoman Russell and NorthCountryNow.com with assistance from SUNY Potsdam, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the North Country Library System. |
Assemblywoman Russell honors winner of 12U Division in North Country Historical Writing Contest
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Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, congratulates Alayna Bush of Adams, a sixth-grader at South Jefferson Central School, during a brunch held at SUNY Potsdam for the winners of the North Country Historical Writing Contest. Alayna's entry earned top honors in the youth up to age 12 division of the contest. The contest was sponsored by Assemblywoman Russell and NorthCountryNow.com with assistance from SUNY Potsdam, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the North Country Library System.
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Friday, April 1, 2016
Assemblywoman Russell: Budget includes common sense minimum wage increase for North Country, paid family leave, tax cuts
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has announced the 2016-17 state budget includes a common sense minimum wage increase, middle class tax cuts, and paid family leave.
“The final budget includes significant initiatives that will support New York families,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The minimum wage increase included in this year's state budget will greatly assist low-income earners by providing wages that better enables them to meet their bsic needs. It also takes into account the unique challenges facing businesses in the North Country.”
In upstate New York, the minimum wage will incrementally increase by 70 cents until it reaches
$12.50 per hour by the end of 2020, at which point it will increase over several years based on economic factors with a $15 per hour cap.
“This plan will not leave North Country workers behind down the road because it includes increases after the initial phase in,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The wage increase plan provides balance and moves every part of the state forward in a way that will help workers afford to live here and help our economy to grow.”
Additional funding was allocated to tackle the unique wage challenges in the agriculture and non-profit health care industries.
“I have long recognized the need to support our working poor and the needs of businesses, including our non-profit and agricultural sectors, that operate with slim margins, often on challenging revenue cycles,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
“This minimum wage deal will ensure those sectors are supported by a combination of state funding and tax cuts that will guarantee job security alongside higher, more equitable wages.”
In addition, the budget provides $4.2 billion for permanent tax cuts affecting 6 million middle-class New Yorkers. This tax cut will impact joint filers earning from $40,000 to $300,000.
“This much-needed tax cut will help the vast majority of North Country families,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “By reinvesting this money back to middle-class taxpayers, we will help bring financial relief to those who need it, while stimulating the local economy.”
Paid family leave was also included in the final budget to better support workers who need to care for their children or a sick loved one.
Businesses will be required to offer this benefit to all workers, who would initially contribute up to 70 cents each week with a four year phase-in. This small expense would ensure employees are guaranteed job security and a reasonable benefits for as many as 12 weeks of leave while taking care of their loved ones.
This measure is the most expansive paid family leave program in the country, Assemblywoman Russell said.
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