Assemblywoman Russell obtains funding for Sackets Battlefield monument

      Will be a speaker at this weekend's dedication

      Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell announced today that she will be a speaker at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site on Sunday August 3^rd to dedicate a new monument for which she obtained legislative funding. The monument commemorates the American Soldiers who died in the 2^nd Battle of Sackets Harbor occurring on May 29, 1813.  The monument dedication will be at Noon and will be part of the annual War of 1812 Living History Weekend.

      “I am so pleased that I could help with the funding of this important monument. The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is one of the top War of 1812 battlefields in the United States and it is very fitting that we honor our militia and regulars who fought to keep our country free,” said Assemblywoman Russell.

      Last year, a monument was erected to honor the British Crown Forces and Canadians that died at Sackets Harbor. “I attended the dedication last year and was honored to be part of that ceremony for our Canadian friends and British military. It is fitting that as the commemoration of the 200^th Anniversary of the War of 1812 concludes that we honor our military heroes as well.”

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Over $2 million in funding awarded to North Country projects

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that over $2 million in funding for local economic development projects has been approved by the Empire State Development (ESD) Board of Directors. The projects, which are geared towards two of the North Country’s largest industries, agriculture and tourism, will spur economic development and are estimated to help create or retain at least 100 jobs.[1]

            A grant of up to $1,000,000 establishing a new regional revolving loan fund to develop agribusiness facilities in the North Country Region—the Value Added Agricultural Loan Fund – has been awarded to help farmers and other food industry producers develop new products and increase production efficiency.

            “I’m very pleased to see that this proposal will be funded and will provide North Country farmers and entrepreneurs with new opportunities to expand their businesses and add to their bottom lines,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This funding will help our farmers and businesses develop value-added products that can bring more dollars to our communities.”

            Value added products are products that have undergone change in the physical state or form (such as milling wheat into flour or making strawberries into jam), or are produced in a manner that enhances their value, such as organic produce. The customer base for these value added products is larger and typically a greater portion of sales stays with the producer.

            Additionally, a grant of $1,806,750 has been awarded to the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority as part of their Market NY Joint Marketing Initiative. The project seeks to leverage and expand the region’s existing tourism industry by engaging in a multi-county effort to draw Canadian visitors across the border to enjoy the North Country’s year-round recreational opportunities.

            “The remarkable natural beauty and the abundance of recreational opportunities in the North Country are assets unique to our area and will help drive job creation,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Attracting more international visitors will inject new, outside revenues into our local businesses and municipal governments.”

            In December of 2013, the North Country Regional Economic Council, of which Assemblywoman Russell is a member, was named a top performer for the third year in a row securing $81.3 million in development grant money.

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[1] http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/themes/nyopenrc/rc-files/northcountry/nc-2013-PR.pdf

Russell bill creating St. Lawrence Wine Trail signed into law

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that legislation she sponsored to support local vineyards and wineries by establishing the St. Lawrence Wine Trail has been signed into law (Ch.108 of 2014). The trail connects three wineries from Hammond to Winthrop and provides new opportunities for marketing and increased tourism. The Assemblywoman will visit Bella Brook Winery this evening.

            “Word is starting to spread that the North Country is producing some of the best wines in the state, and world” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This new wine trail literally puts these businesses on the map and will benefit other small businesses as it attracts more visitors to our communities. I will be delivering the good news to Bella Brook Winery tonight and am looking forward to visiting the other wineries.”

            The St. Lawrence Wine Trail starts near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Hammond, extending to Lisbon’s River Myst Winery, and then to High Peaks Winery in Winthrop, enabling the companies to join together in marketing St. Lawrence County as a wine destination.

            “It is crucial that we support our local businesses by providing them with all the tools necessary for their success,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “With the 1000 Islands Wine trail already in place, this new trail will cement the North Country as a destination for wine enthusiasts and bring more customers to these businesses. I encourage everyone to get out and visit these fine wineries on the new St. Lawrence Wine Trail.”

            The creation of the St. Lawrence Wine Trail brings the total number of wine trails across New York State to seventeen. Located in every region of the state, these trails have played a significant role in promoting New York as one of the best wine producing states, contributing to a 40% rise in the number of wineries since 2011.

            As part of her commitment to supporting New York State’s wine industry, this year Assemblywoman Russell sponsored and helped pass legislation allowing on premises tastings at New York wineries and easing other burdensome regulations like food requirements for on premises tastings (A.10122).

            Further, in 2012, Assemblywoman Russell helped pass legislation would exclude those operating under a farm winery license or a farm distillery license issued by the State Liquor Authority from the obligation to file the otherwise-required annual information return with the Department of Taxation and Finance (A.9523).

 Eliminating these burdensome and antiquated regulations helps small wineries grow their businesses and create more jobs, Assemblywoman Russell noted. 

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Upcoming Jefferson County Fair highlights North Country’s rich agricultural heritage

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) today acknowledged hard work of the Jefferson County Fair Board as it readies for the kickoff of the 197^th Jefferson County Fair. The fair will be held July 8-13 in Watertown. Founded in 1817, the Jefferson County Fair is the oldest continuously operating fair in America and has attractions for the whole family. Activities include traditional carnival games and rides, agricultural photo contests and vegetable, poultry and livestock competitions.

            Russell noted that to help ensure this local tradition continues, the 2014-45 state budget increased funding for county fairs by $160,000 for a total of $500,000.

            “From its start, the Jefferson County Fair has been an opportunity for local farmers to showcase their work and the vital role it plays in our communities,” said Assemblyman Russell. “Agriculture is the backbone of the North Country economy and helping our farmers grow their businesses has been one of my top priorities this year.”

To help secure the future of family farms, Assemblywoman Russell fought for reforms to the estate tax, and helped restore nearly $9 million to critical programs like the New York Farm Viability Institute and Cornell University Farm Family Assistance (Farm Net). Additionally, the 2014-15 state budget established new protections for farmers who voluntarily provide information in participation with cattle health programs to help protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits.

            Assemblywoman Russell also sponsored a law that caps the increase of agricultural assessments at 2 percent per year to provide tax relief to farmers who have seen their property tax assessments rising at alarming rates (Ch. 385 of 2013). This legislative session, she authored and helped pass two bills to provide soil and water conservation districts with the authority needed to expand their work fighting invasive species and educating the public about environmental conservation (A.9131, A.9132). Soil and water conservation districts help ensure farmers’ land remains viable and profitable.

            “If you come to the fair, you will see that North Country agriculture is second to none and is an area of great potential growth,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “My priority has been to help lower the cost of doing business for our farmers so they can expand their businesses and create jobs.”

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Russell: Go fish for free this weekend

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) is encouraging everyone to take part in Free Fishing Weekend on June 28^th and 29^th and experience the North Country’s many world class fishing areas.

Free Fishing Days are part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees and improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.

“From the Grass River to Dexter Marsh or the St. Lawrence River, the North Country has some of the best fishing in North America,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “If you haven’t been out this year, now is the perfect time to dust off the tackle box, get to the water (don’t forget the bait!), and enjoy the natural riches that make the North Country so special.”

In support of New York’s sporting industry, this year’s budget included $6 million to support the creation of 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of state lands. The projects include construction of new boat launches, trails and parking areas and installation of new hunting blinds.

The budget also expands use of crossbows for hunting in New York State, reduces short-term fishing licenses fees and creates free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.

“Hunting and fishing are a way of life in the North Country and are crucial to supporting our tourism industry,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Investing in our outdoor resources and holding events like Free Fishing Days, ensures that current and future sportsmen and women can enjoy the bounty that the North Country has to offer.”

Assemblywoman Russell noted that last year she authored legislation extending the ability to fish with three lines simultaneously (Ch.121 of 2013). Having the option of fishing with three lines increases the odds of catching a fish and helps ensure anglers get the most out of their experience. Children and others who are new to the sport or who only have a limited number of opportunities to fish benefit from the increased likelihood of making a catch, Russell added.

For a listing of fishing programs at State Parks, including instructional programs and clinics, visit http://nysparks.com/events/

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