Assemblywoman Russell joins county, city officials for Roth Industries expansion groundbreaking

Roth Industries, Inc., held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $6 million expansion project at its Watertown facility at 268 Bellew Ave.

"We are perfectly positioned to be able to have a great facility here that not only has the opportunity to expand right now but to continue to grow," Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said.

She has noted Roth's investment in its Watertown operation is a positive reflection on the quality workforce in the North Country and the quality of the company's product line.

“The hard work of the leadership and employees here was the right formula to 

convince corporate leaders that Watertown was the best location for more investment, 

and that is good news for the North Country,” Assemblywoman Russell added.

Roth Industries is a German-owned company specializing in environmentally-friendly products that produce, distribute, and store energy for domestic and commercial applications. Roth’s Watertown facility produces its famous Double-Wall Oil Storage Tanks, blow-molded construction/traffic barriers, manifolds and tubing for in-floor radiant heating systems. 

The Watertown location currently encompasses 42,000 square feet and employs 24.

The project will include a 27,000 sq. ft. expansion, the installation of a new blow molding machine, and the creation of at least 12 new jobs—six upon completion of the project, with the balance added as business grows over the next several years. 

The new machine will add the capacity to produce additional product lines at the Watertown plant that are in prototype.

“We have been very pleased with our Watertown facility,” Roth Industries President and Chief Executive Officer Manfred Roth said. “We have an excellent workforce here, our proximity to the Canada is advantageous, and we have received fantastic support from the community and its economic development agencies. In this global economy, however, a company must carefully consider return on investment and impact on cash flow before undertaking such a project.” 

 Joseph A. Brown. president and CEO of Roth’s North American Operations, added the tax incentives offered by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency and New York State’s Empire State Development gave the owners in Germany the confidence to “pull the trigger on this project.”

The JCIDA will provide a property tax abatement, and Empire State Development will provide up to $425,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for Roth’s commitment to create 12 new full-time jobs and retain 42 jobs statewide, including 25 in Jefferson County. 

The release noted $750,000 in project financing has also been offered to Roth in the form of loans from the Watertown Local Development Corporation, the North Country Alliance, and the New York Power Authority’s North Country Economic Development Fund administered by the Development Authority of the North Country.

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, fifth from left, joined Roth Industries President and Chief Executive Officer Manfred Roth, Roth North America President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Brown and county and city officials for a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Roth plant in Watertown.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell visits with employees following a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion project at Roth Industries facility in Watertown.

Assemblywoman Russell joined by her children at Jefferson County Fair parade

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, third from left in the front row, was joined on the reviewing stand by her children, Cora and Aaron, for the annual Jefferson County Fair parade. Assemblywoman Russell's hometown fire department, Theresa, took top honors in the fair parade for the third consecutive year. She was joined on the reviewing stand by Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen O'Neil, county officials and fair board representatives. They are shown during the National Anthem during the fair's opening ceremonies.

Assemblywoman Russell takes part in opening ceremonies at Jefferson County Fair

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell joins Jefferson County Fair Board President Bob Simpson during the fair's opening ceremonies this week.

Assemblywoman Russell applauds expansion of learn-to-swim programs at state parks

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced that New York State will provide free Learn-to-Swim programs to approximately 3,000 children this summer at State Parks across New York. 

The program, now in its fourth year, is offered through a partnership among State Parks; the American Red Cross; the National Swimming Pool Foundation; the Northeast Spa and Pool Association Foundation and the New York State Department of Health.

"We are thrilled that this year, with the continued support of our partners, we are able to offer more free swim lessons than ever before, in every corner of New York," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey, who welcomed children and families at a learn-to-swim event at Keewaydin State Park in Alexandria Bay. "We are proud to offer nearly 30 free Learn-to-Swim programs, where we expect to teach 3,000 more children to swim this summer."

Since the program's inception in 2013, State Parks has expanded the number of participating locations offering free learn-to swim programs each of the last three years. The State Department of Health provided $80,000 last year to help ensure the addition of even more locations through 2017. 

The National Swimming Pool Foundation and the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) Foundation donated $15,000 to offset staff and program costs to enable State Parks to offer the free swim classes. The American Red Cross provides free training to State Park lifeguards to obtain Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification. This support has allowed for the certification of approximately 48 additional Water Safety Instructors. Lifeguard staff who currently possess WSI certification will also help provide more opportunities for swim lessons.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, took part in the event Wednesday morning at Keewaydin State Park.

She noted state parks launched the program after lifeguards assisted approximately 4,000 people in trouble in the water over a relatively short period of time.

Assemblywoman Russell stressed it is very important to know how to swim in the North Country, a region dotted with ponds, rivers and lakes in addition to backyard pools.

"Kids in coastal communities - and that is how I describe this assembly district to my colleagues in Albany - need to know how to swim. The learn to swim programs at state parks around the state ensure children have the opportunity to learn how to swim and create a culture of safety and fitness. The partnership between state parks and its partner agencies and groups on this effort is literally saving lives," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The 2016 season will see programs varying from swim lessons to water safety presentations at 26 locations, and build on the instruction offered at state park facilities as part of programs arranged by summer camps, municipalities and other partner organizations. This year, over 570 individual classes will be taught for all ages and levels.

"Swimming is a fun and healthy activity, especially on a hot summer day," said New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker. "New York's Learn-to Swim program not only teaches children valuable skills and techniques that could be life-saving, it also teaches them a lifelong, health-promoting physical activity. Moreover, the learn-to-swim programs, which are held across the state, introduce children and their families to New York's most beautiful natural resources and tourist destinations -- our wonderful state parks."

"The American Red Cross commends our partner New York State Parks for their successful efforts in making water safety a priority," said Connie Harvey, director of the Red Cross Aquatics Centennial Campaign. "We are thrilled that now even more children and adults will have the opportunity to learn how to swim and about water safety at parks in every region of the state. It is amazing to see the impact when we all work together toward this mission to help prevent drowning."

"Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning death by 88 percent,"said Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO with the NSPF, founder of the Step Into Swim Campaign. He adds, "What's more, being in and around the water makes people happier. As parents, teaching our children to swim protects them and brings them joy."

"We are proud to continue our longtime partnership with the New York Park system as it grows its Learn to Swim program to reach more kids across the State. The value of this program is tremendous because when we teach a child to swim we not only introduce them to a fun outlet for exercise but also give them a critical, life-saving skill," said Clive Ensher, president of the NESPA Foundation.

Enrollment for the Learn-to-Swim program for children is open at all participating New York State parks. Participants' parents are asked to sign up ahead of time as space is limited and expected to fill up quickly. Each swim program is 40 to 45 minutes in duration and participants who enroll in these lessons will receive a Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Achievement Booklet and a State Parks Learn-to-Swim kit that includes a knapsack, tee-shirt and water bottle at the conclusion of the program.

Programs are free and pre-registration is required. For more information on locations, schedules and how to sign up, visit the Learn-to-Swim page at www.nysparks.com. 

Lessons will be offered at:

Allegany State Park, Cattaraugus County;

Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca County;

Chenango Valley State Park, Broome County;

Delta Lake State Park, Oneida County;

Fort Niagara State Park, Niagara County;

Gilbert Lake State Park, Otsego County;

Glimmerglass State Park, Otsego County;

Hamlin Beach State Park; Monroe County;

Heckscher State Park; Suffolk County;

Keewaydin State Park, Jefferson County

Grafton Lakes State Park, Rensselaer County;

Jones Beach State Park, Nassau County;

Lake Taghkanic State Park, Columbia County;

Lake Tiorati Beach-Harriman State Park, Orange County;

Long Point State Park, Allegany County;

Mine Kill State Park, Schoharie County;

Moreau Lake State Park, Saratoga County;

Riverbank State Park, Manhattan;

Roberto Clemente State Park, Bronx;

Taconic State Park-Copake Falls, Columbia/Dutchess Counties;

Sampson State Park, Seneca County;

Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga County;

Taughannock Falls State Park, Tompkins County;

Thompson's Lake Campground-Thacher State Park; Albany County; (water safety program, TBA)

Verona Beach State Park, Oneida County

Wildwood State Park, Suffolk County

The Learn-to-Swim program expands the governor's commitment to serving more youth at State Parks. Earlier this year, the Governor announced the Connect Kids to Parks program, which provides free day-use park entry to fourth-grade students and their families, and creates a new $500,000 transportation grant program to help students from underserved schools visit state parks and historic sites.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 65 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Assemblywoman Russell congratulates Alexandria historical society on Cornwall Brothers building anniversary

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, (l) presents a citation to Judy Keeler, president of the Alexandria Township Historical Society, recognizing the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the construction of the Cornwall Brothers store building at 36 Market St. The society's museum is located in the historic 1866 stone general store building, with changing exhibits about river life, boating and local communities. A new exhibit, "Re-Discovering FitzGerald and Lee," is now on display. The store closed in 1929 when a fire destroyed $40,000 worth of inventory during the economic struggles of the Great Depression. The building housed the U.S. Post from the 1930s to 1960, and U.S. Immigration and the U.S. Coast Guard were tenants in the building in the 1960s. After the mayor signed an order of condemnation for the building in 1973, a local group formed the historical society and began work to restore the building, which is now listed on the New York State and National Registry of Historic Places. "This building has been an exceedingly attractive and highly regarded destination for the community and visitors to the Thousand Islands alike," Assemblywoman Russell read from the citation. "... it continues to be a gathering place and destination that enhances the community and celebrates our river heritage." Assemblywoman Russell offered her congratulations to society members and those who support its cause, thanking them for their contributions and placing the focus on highlighting the important milestone in the history of the St. Lawrence River community.