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Once again, a proposal to end Cuomo's emergency executive powers is defeated Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Jan. 21, 2021 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) Wednesday advanced a legislative amendment on the floor of the New York State Senate to bring an end to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s unlimited, unilateral COVID-19 emergency executive powers.
Once again Wednesday, the proposal was rejected along party lines. O’Mara, in calling for the end to the powers, said: “Emergency executive powers were necessary at the outset of the COVID-19 response, which required quick decisions on a rapidly changing public health crisis. Ten months down this hard road, however, it’s long past time to end state government by Cuomo executive order. Endless executive orders are a recipe for failure and, in fact, are failing in fundamental ways.” Many of the governor’s actions, O’Mara said, have now gone well beyond the necessary scope of the COVID-19 response. The legislative amendment, he noted, would have put New York’s disaster emergency control policy in line with other states that limit an Executive’s powers to 30 days and require legislative approval for extending them. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) O'Mara, Palmesano question direction of budget plan, see future voters holding bill ALBANY, Jan. 19, 2021 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), newly appointed Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Tuesday warned that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2021-2022 proposed state budget charts a course for New York that could leave a future generation of state and local taxpayers holding the bill for a questionable agenda of overspending.
The governor unveiled a roughly $193 billion proposed spending plan for the state’s new fiscal year beginning April 1. To fully close the current $15-billion gap in state finances, Cuomo is counting on New York receiving $15 billion in funding in the next federal COVID-19 stimulus package. If New York does receive what the administration calls a “best case” scenario from the feds, Cuomo said the state will move forward with a 2021-2022 budget plan that O’Mara said calls for significantly higher state spending for the foreseeable future. Cuomo also said that he would sue the federal government if the state doesn’t receive its “fair share” of $15 billion. O’Mara said: “Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget is not New York tough, it is New York weak. It lacks specifics. It leaves us fully dependent and waiting on the federal government when there are long-overdue steps that we could and should be taking to start turning this state around. I’m all for fighting for New York State’s fair share from Washington. But even if we fight as hard as we can and win, does that mean the next step is for New York State government to rush out and spend it all? "Does it make sense, when New York State was already overspending and overtaxing even before COVID-19, to call for even more spending and more borrowing that everyone knows will sooner or later require higher taxes? Wouldn’t it be wiser to take a well-earned step back this year, take care of the state’s fundamental responsibilities, fully assess what we’re facing, set strict priorities for where we need to go, restore rainy day funds, and exercise some long-overdue fiscal restraint and responsibility? Instead, Governor Cuomo’s ‘victory’ over the federal government would be celebrated with billions upon billions of dollars of short- and long-term new spending and borrowing and that’s before he sits down to negotiate with the leaders of a State Legislature who will not hesitate to spend more and raise taxes even higher to pay for it. "We are staring at another year of ignoring the fiscal warning signs and throwing caution to the wind at the worst possible time instead of re-setting the dangerous direction New York State keeps heading. Under Governor Cuomo’s plan, future state and local taxpayers could simply be left footing an outrageous bill for this governor’s and this Legislature’s overspending and overtaxing.” Full details on the governor’s budget proposal will be available on the state Division of the Budget (DOB) website. www.budget.ny.gov. The Legislature’s fiscal committees -- the Finance Committee in the Senate, and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee -- will soon begin a series of public hearings on the Cuomo plan. Statement from Assemblyman Phil Palmesano:
"Although we need, and I support, state and federal aid for state and local governments because of the devastating impact COVID-19 has created, we must be realistic about our expectations and plan and act accordingly. It’s also important to keep in mind that we faced a $6 billion budget deficit before COVID-19 arrived. "As I said before and will continue to say and advocate, it is critically important that the governor and Legislature work together to take bold, broad and aggressive action to open up our state’s economy and provide much-needed assistance and relief for the many small businesses, farmers, manufacturers, workers and families who have been crushed by the state-mandated COVID-19 closures, shutdowns and restrictions. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we work together to take significant action to encourage more economic development and private-sector investment in order to foster more job creation and tax revenues so we can address and fund our state’s important priorities. “Today, we saw finger-pointing and blame. With so much uncertainty and concern facing families, workers and small businesses across our state, they expect us to work together to make the difficult decisions needed to put forth a fiscally responsible budget so we can, together, move forward, to recover, rebuild and jump-start our economy and state.” Photos in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (top) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano.
Public Notice Rep. Reed among 38 in House, Senate urging President to denounce violence WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 13, 2021 -- Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) was one of the signers of a letter sent to President Trump Wednesday which, Reed's office noted, had to do with "the importance of denouncing violence and speaking out against anyone considering further attacks on our democratic institutions." The bicameral letter, signed first by Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Reed, was also signed on succeeding pages by three senators (Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Bill Cassidy) and 33 more House members. It appears below. Rep. Reed co-sponsors censure resolution Special to The Odessa File WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 12, 2021 -- Representatives Tom Reed (NY-23) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), along with several other colleagues, introduced a concurrent resolution Tuesday to censure President Donald J. Trump for attempting to unlawfully overturn the 2020 Presidential election and for violating his oath of office on January 6th. A press release from Reed's office said: "In the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol last week, lawmakers have the solemn duty to accomplish two missions: hold the President fully and unequivocally accountable for his actions, and simultaneously calm and heal the fever-pitch tensions in our country."
"Moreover," the press release continued, "both Democrat and Republican Members of the U.S. Senate are convinced that the House’s impeachment efforts will almost certainly result in a second acquittal of President Trump, which would even further divide and inflame tensions in our nation. There are two constitutional purposes of impeachment: 1) removal from office, and 2) barring the future holding of office. The current approach being advanced by House leadership is certain to accomplish neither one of these." The concurrent resolution calls on Congress to publicly state that President Trump has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. It would also "censure and condemn President Donald J. Trump for trying to unlawfully overturn the 2020 Presidential election and violating his oath of office; and to affirm that Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was duly elected as the 46th President of the United States on November 3rd, 2020, was certified as the winner of the 2020 Presidential election by a Joint Session of Congress, and will be lawfully sworn in to office on Jan. 20, 2021." Resolution co-sponsor Brian Fitzpatrick said: “President Trump’s attempts to undermine the outcome of the 2020 election have been unconscionable. The combination of a false information campaign coupled with inflammatory rhetoric led to the devastation that I was a personal witness to on the House Floor on January 6th. His actions threatened the integrity of our democracy, Congress, and his own Vice President. For months, President Trump has been lying to the American people with false information, and giving his supporters false expectations. The election is over. ... President Trump’s actions, behavior, and language are unacceptable and unbecoming of the office he holds for the next eight days.” Added Congressman Reed: “This is an important step to hold the President accountable. Congress must make clear that it rejects extremism and condemns the President’s actions. “We will continue to push for Congressional leaders to work with us on investigating the events surrounding this dark period in our history and make sure it never happens again with the public’s trust in our democratic institutions restored.” O'Mara rips Cuomo's tax-and-spend plan Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Jan. 11, 2021 -- Republican State Senator Tom O’Mara responded to the opening of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 11th State of the State message to the Legislature Monday by warning that state leaders are already eyeing long-term plans for higher state taxes to support even higher state spending -- even with New York facing projected multi-billion-dollar budget deficits over the next several years in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and response. The governor plans to deliver a series of separate “State of the State” messages over the next several days.
"It is going to require a restructuring of New York government, strengthening the state-local partnership, and getting to work rebuilding New York with the right priorities, long-overdue commonsense reforms, and fiscal responsibility. Right now all I’m hearing from Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders is that we need to desperately search for more revenue, including higher taxes and more borrowing, so that the state can afford an unprecedented spending spree in the years ahead. I look forward to joining my Senate Republican colleagues throughout the coming weeks and months to put forth strategies and work to ensure that our upstate regions don't get left behind in the unprecedented rebuilding and restructuring effort that we're facing.” O’Mara warned that the vision the governor and legislative leaders are laying out for the future of New York could spell even harder times ahead for state and local taxpayers, small businesses and manufacturers, and already hard-pressed upstate communities and workers. Said O'Mara: “The loudest alarm, after more than a decade of the Cuomo administration, is that New York started this new decade, even before COVID-19, facing multi-billion-dollar deficits and a reputation as one of America’s highest-taxed, most expensive, most debt ridden and overregulated states -- with one of the worst business-friendly environments in the nation to boot. "Even after the hard road we’ve all been on, it’s mind-boggling that the governor and top legislative Democrats can still keep talking about bigger and bigger state government spending.” O’Mara, whose 58th Senate District covers most of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, said that he and other state Senate Republicans are discussing and developing strategies for upstate’s post-coronavirus communities and economies focusing on several cornerstones -- including the steady reopening and rebuilding of increasing numbers of economic sectors, regulatory and tax reform, and mandate relief, among others. O’Mara added: “New York remains one of the highest-taxed states in America. We are one of the most overregulated states in the nation. Our local governments and local property taxpayers continue to foot the bill for one of the country’s heaviest burdens of unfunded state mandates. ... What about the high cost of living that is driving people, especially young people, out of Upstate New York?” O’Mara said that he would keep working with his legislative colleagues across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions to keep attention focused on unfunded state mandates, job-killing state regulations, and a state and local tax burden that hurts family budgets and keeps New York’s business climate one of the worst in the nation. The next key benchmark arrives later this month when Cuomo begins rolling out his 2021-2022 state budget proposal. O’Mara, who was recently appointed as Ranking Republican member of the Senate Finance Committee, cautioned that the governor and legislative leaders could turn to significant cost shifts to local governments, more state borrowing, and unprecedented increases in state taxes and fees to balance the state’s books and support new spending. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Palmesano: We have to see how Cuomo plans to pay for agenda, address deficit
"Unfortunately, there has been a lot of discussion by the governor and legislative leaders about raising taxes. Now is not the time to burden residents of New York state with more job-killing taxes that will cause a further exodus of businesses and families from New York. "As we move forward during the 2021 Legislative Session, it is critically important that the governor and Legislature work together to open up our state’s economy and provide much-needed assistance for the many small businesses, farmers, manufacturers, workers and families who have been crushed by his state-mandated closures, shutdowns and restrictions. We must jumpstart and revitalize our state’s economy and get people back to work. "It is important to remember that COVID is not just a public health crisis, it is an economic crisis which requires bold, broad and aggressive action to provide much-needed tax, regulatory and unfunded mandate relief to help those who have been devastated by the governor’s economic closures and restrictions.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Palmesano decries violence in Washington A Statement by Republican Assemblyman Phil Palmesano of Corning:
Citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully protest. No citizen has the right to violence and destruction. It was wrong when it happened in cities across the country this summer, and it was especially damaging yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021). We can, and must, do better. We all need to look in the mirror today and ask ourselves what we can do to heal these divisions and move forward." O'Mara receives some key committee posts Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, Jan. 7, 2021 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has received several key committee assignments at the start of the 2021 legislative session that will give him a prominent place at the table in this year’s deliberations over the future direction of state fiscal policies as well as in the areas of criminal justice and law enforcement, energy and broadband development, regulatory reform, and government investigations and oversight.
O’Mara was recently named by Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt as the top Republican member on the powerful Senate Finance Committee (see story below), the Senate committee most responsible for overseeing the adoption of the state’s annual budget and setting the course for New York’s short- and long-term fiscal practices and responsibilities. Said O’Mara: “We need to keep working against a New York State tax and regulatory climate that puts our businesses and manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, imposes red tape that strangles local economies, or prioritizes higher and higher spending, overtaxing, outrageous mandates, and burdensome overregulation.” O’Mara has also been reappointed as the Ranking Member on the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee. He said he will urge the Investigations Committee to continue to push for answers from the Cuomo administration on exactly how many nursing home residents have died from COVID-19, what role state policies played in the crisis, and what steps need to be taken to ensure better protection and safety. O'Mara is named the top GOP member Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, Dec. 22, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been appointed by Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt as the top Republican member on the Senate Finance Committee. Ortt also reappointed O’Mara as the Ranking Member on the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, a position O’Mara first received in late July. In July, when Ortt first named O’Mara as the top Republican member on the Investigations Committee, the Senate and Assembly were preparing to begin public hearings in August on the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. Significant questions have been raised by O’Mara and many others over the Cuomo administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State’s nursing homes, assisted living and long-term care facilities. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) GOP Senators call for delay in minimum wage hike to save small businesses, jobs Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Dec. 9, 2020 --State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) on Wednesday joined Senate Republican colleagues to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to temporarily pause a minimum wage increase scheduled to take effect on December 31. The wage is set to increase from $11.80 to $12.50 per hour across the Upstate New York region. Postponing the increases until small and mid-sized businesses are on a sturdy, post-pandemic financial footing will save jobs across the state, they added. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Area state legislators welcome Cuomo veto Warned that signing legislation on stream projects would stagnate protection measures Special to The Odessa File SOUTHERN TIER, Nov. 29, 2020 -- A group of state lawmakers representing the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Western New York are welcoming Governor Andrew Cuomo’s veto of legislation that they had recently warned would jeopardize the ability of local governments to accomplish critical stream and infrastructure protection projects if enacted. The governor vetoed the legislation (S.5612/A.8349) late Friday.
The legislation was also strongly opposed by the New York State Association of County Highway Superintendents (NYSCHA) and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH), as well as a broad coalition representing the agricultural and forestry industries, including the New York Farm Bureau and the Empire State Forestry Products Association. Local soil and water conservation districts also warned against taking the action. In its own memorandum of opposition, the Chemung County Soil and Water Conservation District stated, “Currently, Soil and Water Conservation Districts are leaders in their local communities assisting public entities and private citizens with thousands of stream habitat, stabilization, flood remediation, and flood mitigation projects on an annual basis. We oversee and install these projects and go through an arduous permitting process that we can assure you has not been dissolved ... This bill, while intended to preserve and protect water quality, would inadvertently set conservation efforts back 50 years.”
In his veto message (Veto Message No. 60), Cuomo recognized the merits of the opponents’ arguments, stating that the legislation would “have a tremendous fiscal impact on state and local government” by adding approximately 40,000 miles of streams to the permitting process and more than doubling the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) existing and planning oversight role. Such a move, the governor stated, “would lead to lengthy permitting delays, and jeopardize the thorough and necessary review of all projects.” Recognizing the existing oversight provided by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the veto message states that under the existing regulatory process streams “receive substantial benefits from oversight by the State's Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Districts have ably worked to address nutrient runoff from agricultural activities, implement flood recovery programs and provide technical expertise to municipalities to address infrastructure needs. The existing conservation efforts accomplished by the Districts will continue to ensure that adequate environmental controls are placed on these streams.” Photos in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (top) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. Area state legislators urge Cuomo veto Say approval of legislation regarding stream projects would stagnate protection measures Special to The Odessa File SOUTHERN TIER, Nov. 24, 2020 -- A group of state lawmakers representing the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Western New York are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto legislation that they say would, if enacted, significantly expand New York’s regulatory process governing stream-related projects. The legislation (S.5612/A.8349) was approved by both houses of the Legislature earlier this year. It was delivered to the governor for final action late last week. If enacted, opponents said the legislation would force the reclassification of thousands of New York State streams and result in a more time-consuming, costly, overregulated, and impractical state-level permitting process for stream-related projects involving flood repair and mitigation, bridge and culvert maintenance, farmland protection, and other public works priorities. The regional legislators calling on Cuomo to veto the legislation are State Senators Tom O’Mara, Fred Akshar, George Borrello, and Pam Helming, and State Assemblymembers Phil Palmesano, Marjorie Byrnes, Chris Friend, Joe Giglio, Andy Goodell, and Brian Kolb. In a November 23 letter to the governor, the area legislators wrote: “We strongly urge you to veto S.5612/A.8349 in the best interests of the local stakeholders we represent and work closely with, as well as to protect local governments, local environments, local economies, local communities, and local property taxpayers from this overregulation that would only serve to stagnate, not strengthen, the well-earned and well-monitored quality of our waterways.” The legislators and other opponents warn that the legislation’s enactment would result in significant barriers preventing local soil and water conservation districts, county and town highway departments, public works departments, builders, utilities and others from undertaking and completing stream-related projects. Opponents fear that the expanded permitting process would result in time delays and higher costs that would jeopardize stream stabilization, flood mitigation and prevention, bridge and culvert maintenance and rehabilitation, soil erosion prevention, farmland preservation, forestry management, infrastructure protection, and other projects vital to local communities, economies, environments, and property taxpayers. The sponsors of the legislation believe it’s necessary to offset possible federal deregulation that could impact stream protection. Opponents argue that no such federal deregulation is on the horizon and that, in any event, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is already authorized to revise and upgrade stream classifications to implement any protections that the department’s professionals deem necessary in specific instances. Cuomo has until November 30 to act on the legislation. O'Mara wins 56% to 43%, thanks voters Special to The Odessa File SOUTHERN TIER, Nov. 18, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) on Wednesday thanked Southern Tier and Finger Lakes voters for his reelection victory in the 58th Senate District.
The 58th Senate District covers all of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and a portion of Tompkins County. O’Mara scored a solid victory, 56% to 43%, defeating Danks Burke by more than 16,000 votes. He won by landslide percentages in Chemung (62%), Schuyler (62%), Steuben (68%) and Yates counties (65%). “I am proud," O'Mara said, "to have brought together an ever-growing, broad coalition of support for building stronger and safer communities throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, for protecting our way of life and the Upstate values we share, and for saying no to a future of one-party control of New York State government. "Voters responded to our positive message of sticking together, rebuilding our communities and local economies, and restoring a true, long-term voice for Upstate, rural New York. We have rallied together like never before this year in the face of COVID-19.” Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Gators cleared to use Community Center WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 18, 2020 -- The Watkins Glen Village Board Tuesday night unanimously approved a request by The Glen Gators swim club to use the Watkins Glen Community Center three evenings a week. The go-ahead came the night after a club proposal to use the Watkins Glen High School pool for training was turned down 5-2 by the local School Board.
Klemann, in his presentation to the board, outlined the 40-year history of The Gators, and said its members had recently been swimming outside, in a lined pond, and running on trails until the weather turned. Beyond that, the elite members of the group swam the length of Seneca Lake over several sessions late in the summer. Now, he said, "we're trying to find outlets" in the absence of high school sports, on hiatus due to the pandemic. The Gators, Mayor Luke Leszyk said afterward, "will do a lot of out-of-water exercises and activities" at the Community Center. "I'm sure the kids are looking forward to getting together and bonding. I'm confident they'd never compromise their safety" or anyone else's. In this age of the coronavirus, he said, kids have been so constrained in their activities that they need something to do, even if in this case it's somethng out of their preferred element: water. "I feel bad for the kids," he added, "with no activities, no sports. Any little bit we do, we will. This was really a no-brainer."
The Schuyler County Legislature has likewise gone to remote sessions after its last in-person session Nov. 9. The Odessa-Montour School Board has been meeting through Zoom technology for months, while the Watkins Glen School Board returned to in-person sessions after conducting Zoom sessions for a while. In other business Tuesday night, the Village Board heard a report regarding dirt extracted to make way for the foundation and footers of the new activities structure being built at Clute Park. The pile of dirt later was deemed by the Department of Environmental Conservation to contain contaminants which -- while Leszyk said they were minor in nature -- precluded it being moved off site unless to a landfill that handles such material. "That would be a heavy cost," the mayor said, explaining that the DEC rules permit the dirt to be used elsewhere on site, perhaps as a small hill for sledding or as berms in landscaping. That will be less expensive than a landfill, he said. The contamination, he said, "is not at a dangerous level. The dirt can be left in the park; it was already there and not considered a problem." Moving and re-using the dirt at Clute will bear a cost, but one Leszyk said is built into the park project -- a grant-fueled undertaking that includes the new building as well as a skating rink and new bathrooms. "There are always change orders," the mayor said. "Extra costs are expected." Photos in text: Mayor Luke Lezyk (top) and Gators Assistant Coach Steve Klemann during Tuesday night's Zoom session. O'Hearn: Yellow designation seems unlikely SCHUYLER COUNTY, Nov. 17, 2020 -- Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn said Tuesday that given the small size of Schuyler and the relatively low number of active Covid-19 cases here, it seems unlikely that the state would move the county into its Yellow Zone of pandemic restrictions. Published state metrics say that for a county of Schuyler's size to be placed in the Yellow Zone, it would have to show a 7-day rolling average positivity rate above 4% for 10 days, and 15 or more daily cases per 100,000 residents on a 7-day average. Schuyler's population as of 2018 was just below 18,000. Photo in text: Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn (File photo) Danks Burke's Schuyler lawsuit dismissed WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 16, 2020 -- A New York State Supreme Court Judge has thrown out the lawsuit filed by Democratic New York State Senate candidate Leslie Danks Burke against the Schuyler County Board of Elections.
The motion papers also stated that further proceedings, if any, would have shown the election count was done in accordance with New York State law and was decided on unanimous agreement of both election commissioners: Republican Joseph Fazzary and Democrat Carolyn Elkins. Both commissioners had submitted an affidavit to the court asking that the case be thrown out. Danks Burke, of Ithaca, was the Democratic Party candidate for State Senate in the 58th district. Unofficial results on Election Night, Nov. 3 -- before the counting of absentee ballots -- showed her trailing the Republican incumbent, Tom O’ Mara, by a subtantial margin. Danks Burke, in statements to the press, has maintained an optimism that the absentee ballots might propel her to victory -- although she trailed unofficially by 23,000 votes with some 33,000 to be counted. In her lawsuit, she had singled out Fazzary, claiming that he had been "flip-flopping ... in preventing (her) campaign from inspecting affidavit ballots that the Board of Elections decided were invalid and so would not be counted." In response to the ruling, Danks Burke issued the following statement: “This is exactly the type of partisan political protection that makes ordinary voters see that the system is rigged against them, and rigged against anyone trying to change things in Albany or Washington. My attorney went to serve our legal papers; the Board of Elections commissioner hid behind a locked door to avoid being served; the County Attorney then told my attorney that he could accept service, then turned around and told the courts that serving him was inadequate. It's dishonest, it's disgraceful, and it's further evidence of why we need real systemic change in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.” Danks Burke has approximately 30 days to attempt to appeal the dismissal to the New York State Appellate Division of Supreme Court in Albany. A complete copy of Schuyler County’s motion to dismiss can be found here: https://www.scribd.com/document/484194280/Motion-to-Dismiss-Leslie-Danks-Burke-v-Schuyler-County Photo in text: State Senate candidate Leslie Danks Burke (File photo) Elections Board files motion to dismiss lawsuit brought by candidate Danks Burke WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 13, 2020 -- The Schuyler County Board of Elections has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Leslie Danks Burke, the Democratic Party candidate for New York State Senate in the 58th District. The motion papers also state that the election count was done in accordance with New York law and was decided on unanimous agreement of both election commissioners: Republican Joseph Fazzary and Democrat Carolyn Elkins. Danks Burke, in statements to the press, had singled out Fazzary for her complaint. She claimed that there had been "flip-flopping by (Fazzary) in preventing the campaign from inspecting affidavit ballots that the Board of Elections decided were invalid and so would not be counted." The case is currently scheduled to be heard in Schuyler County Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 16, with Justice Christopher Baker presiding. “Schuyler County is committed to full, fair and open elections,” Getman said. “Both our election commissioners, Republican and Democrat, work tirelessly to ensure that all proceedings are open and transparent.” Unofficial results showed Danks Burke trailing the Republican incumbent, Tom O’ Mara, by a substantial margin in the Election Day vote count. A complete copy of Schuyler County’s motion to dismiss can be found here: https://www.scribd.com/document/484194280/Motion-to-Dismiss-Leslie-Danks-Burke-v-Schuyler-County Photo in text: Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman. Montour Falls man sentenced in porn case ROCHESTER, Nov. 9, 2020 -- Michael J. Truesdail, 39, of Montour Falls, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, has been sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., it was announced Monday by U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, said that on March 27, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at the defendant’s Henry Street residence. A number of electronic items were seized including two computers, a hard drive, an SD card, and two thumb drives. McGuire said a forensic analysis recovered more than 8,000 images and 10 video files, some of which depict children engaged in sexual activity with other children and with adults. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. Schuyler Legislature set to act on budget Tentative spending plan lowers tax rate; staff creditedSpecial to The Odessa File
According to County Administrator Tim O’Hearn, the proposed budget carries both a reduction in the tax rate and the tax levy (chart below). O’Hearn said this is largely attributed to the fact that all staff have agreed to a wage freeze for the coming year. “As the level of government on the front lines of responding to the Covid 19 pandemic, county staff have been asked to go far beyond the call of duty," he said. "In Schuyler, staff have worked tirelessly to provide services and protect the health of our constituents. To additionally agree to forgo a negotiated salary increase to preserve these programs and services speaks volumes about their character and commitment. Absent this sacrifice, our residents and businesses would be facing the prospect of both a reduction in services and a property tax increase. Words cannot sufficiently convey my appreciation of their sacrifice and commitment!” Photo in text: County Administrator Tim O'Hearn Montour Falls man draws prison sentence Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 24, 2020 -- Logan J. Teemley, 19, of Montour Falls, pleaded guilty in Schuyler County Court Friday to Coercion in the First Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, both Class D Felonies. Teemley was sentenced by Judge Gerald Keene to 1-to-3 years in state prison with an order for the Shock program. Sheriff's Office will partner with SCCUDD to Take Back unwanted prescription drugs Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, Oct. 20, 2020 -- The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) are encouraging community members to participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24. Community members can drop off their expired, unused, or unwanted medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Odessa and Tyrone Fire Departments. The Odessa Fire Department is located at 300 East Main Street. The Tyrone Fire Department can be found at 3600 State Route 226.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. Additionally, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- both pose potential safety and health hazards. Community members can also dispose of unwanted, expired, and unused prescription drugs year-round by using the 24/7 confidential drop boxes available at the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office in Watkins Glen or in the foyer at the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls. SCCUDD is a group of dedicated community members, businesses, and agencies that work to prevent, reduce, and delay the onset of substance use among Schuyler County youth. For more information, or to become involved with SCCUDD, visit it online at www.schuylercounty.us/sccudd, or follow it on Facebook and Twitter. Area public libraries receive state grants Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, Oct. 20, 2020 -- Public libraries throughout the 58th Senate District -- including the Watkins Glen Public Library -- have been awarded state library construction grants, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) announced Tuesday. O'Mara's 58th Senate District covers Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates counties, and a part of Tompkins County. O’Mara said the grants are awarded through the state’s Library Construction Grant Program, which received $34 million in the 2019-20 state budget to allocate this year’s awards.
According to the New York State Library, which administers the grants, surveys have estimated that the cost of public library construction and renovation needs statewide totals more than $1.7 billion. More than 51% of the over 1,000 public library buildings across New York are over 60 years old. Another 33% are more than three decades old. Many of the state’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, and cannot provide Internet, computer, and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring. The construction grants help libraries and library systems make renovations and upgrades, update electrical wiring to accommodate computer technology, renovate facilities to provide wheelchair accessible entrances and become fully accessible to persons with disabilities, and provide community meeting rooms. O’Mara announced the following grants to area libraries: --Southern Tier Library System, $176,746 to upgrade ten furnaces and A/C units, renovate a meeting room, construct new offices and install a phone system in new and existing office space; --Southeast Steuben County Library (Steuben County), $75,152 to install new safety and security equipment that will eliminate hazards and improve building access and security; --Chemung County Library District-Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County), $163,093 to purchase and install two new boilers for increased energy efficiency and backup capability; --Cohocton Public Library (Steuben), $45,000 to renovate its Community Room for improved space accessibility and bathroom ADA compliance; --Pulteney Free Library (Steuben County), $21,487 to purchase and install a generator; --Dundee Library (Yates County), $201,727 for interior construction of the newly built, 1150 square foot library space, which includes renovations to the Children’s section of the library; --Penn Yan Public Library (Yates County), $69,000 to obtain an efficient Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning system and added electric capacity for future electrical needs; --Watkins Glen Public Library (Schuyler County), $18,450 to improve safety and accessibility with new sidewalk entrances that are ADA compliant; and --Finger Lakes Library System (Tompkins County), $60,437 to renovate the roof on the two-story and single-story parts of the building, and rehabilitate the parking lot. Photo in text: Watkins Glen Public Library (Photo provided) Legislature tables call for end to state's emergency declaration enacted in March
“The timing is not appropriate,” he said, noting “an uptick” in coronavirus cases in Schuyler County and elsewhere in the state. Accordingly, he said, the resolution could be revisited “in a couple of months.” The legislators also heard an update from Montour Falls Village Trustee Jeff Confer on the road construction project underway on Route 14 in the village. He said the road pavement and striping should be completed by Friday, Oct. 16, ending Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 next year will include sidewalks and work on Route 224 from Route 14 to the bridge over Catharine Creek. Photos in text: Top: Legislature Chair Carl Blowers at Tuesday's meeting. No indictment in Matthews case; Watkins mayor says village is 'in a holding pattern'
In New York, a grand jury of 16 to 23 citizens considers testimony presented by the prosecution in a closed forum; it is not open to the public. There is no defense attorney. In order to indict and move a case to trial, at least 12 of the jurors must find the evidence -- presented by the prosecution in support of whatever crime is being alleged -- to be sufficient. If there are not 12 such votes -- and there were not in the Matthews case -- then there is no indictment. While details of the grand jury proceeding are closed, a request for an update on the Matthews case was sent by The Odessa File to defense attorney Raymond Schlather of Ithaca, who responded by e-mailing: "By Notice of Dismissal dated October 6. 2020, the Schuyler County Grand Jury found that both Sgt. Matthews and Danielle Matthews, husband and wife, had done nothing wrong. The investigation was closed without charges. Under the circumstances, the Notice of Dismissal is under seal and cannot be released. "This case illustrates how a false accusation and the subsequent lack of proper investigation and due diligence by the police lead to very real damage to reputations, especially in a small community. Sgt. Matthews and Danielle are hardworking, honest and decent members of the community. They deserve an apology." When Schlather was asked if he could say what accusations had been brought against Sgt. Matthews and his wife, he responded "No," but then added: "I can say that they had nothing to do with anything financial, sexual, parental, abusive or violent." Two months ago: Rumors were not in short supply in Watkins Glen before and after the news broke of Matthews' administrative leave, announced on Aug. 10. Among the rumors was one involving a large police raid on the Matthews property outside of the village. Mayor Leszyk confirmed at the time that State Troopers had executed a search warrant there. The matter was initially referred to the Schuyler County District Attorney's office, where DA Joe Fazzary recused himself and said a special prosecutor, Tompkins County DA Matthew Van Houten, had been "assigned to investigate and prosecute." Neither Van Houten's office nor State Police would comment at the time beyond a State Police spokesman saying there was "an ongoing investigation" and "accusations," but "no charges." Leszyk said at the time that he intended "to err on the side of caution" -- that the investigation involving Matthews "might turn out to be nothing." He also said "some details will come out, probably sooner than later." Present day: Two months later, after the grand jury declined to indict, there are still no official details, and no known reaction from the State Police or Special Prosecutor. In a phone call by The Odessa File to Mayor Leszyk, he said the village can take no action -- whether reinstatement or some other move -- without more facts. In addition to contact with Attorney Girvin, he said the village will be in touch with the local police union, the Police Benevolent Association. Even without criminal charges, Leszyk said the entirety of the situation involving Matthews must be studied to determine if there were possibly any violations of employment rules. "We're trying to delve into" that, he said, adding: "But it's premature to say anything about anything. We gotta wait and see." In Matthews' absence, the Sergeant in Charge post has been filled on an interim basis by Ethan Mosher, who had been serving as a village patrolman. Photo in text: Brandon Matthews (File photo) Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul cuts the ribbon, with dignitaries on either side of her. Lt. Governor Hochul cuts ribbon to mark opening of new wastewater treatment plant Speeches by area dignitaries highlight celebration of $32 million facility
The $32 million project received $10.3 million in grant money as well as a $21.7 million low interest loan from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The grants included $5.0 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, $4.3 million from Empire State Development, and $1.0 million in Community Development Block Grant funds.
On hand in addition to Hochul -- and also speaking -- were State Senator Tom O'Mara; Alison Hunt, district director for Congressman Tom Reed; former Montour Falls Mayor John King; former Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton; current Montour Falls Mayor Jim Ryan; current Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk; Tom Tranter, former president of Corning Enterprises; and Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. The emcee was Judy McKinney Cherry, executive director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED). All of the speeches made clear that this was a project achieved through a coordinated effort by many people -- not only from the two villages, but from Project Seneca (a private-public redevelopment effort driving regional economic growth); Corning Enterprises, the Schuyler County Legislature and Department of Planning; various state agencies; and SCOPED. Said former Montour Falls Mayor King: "I want to thank the village boards who stuck with it, the county, all the politicians that supported us and helped find funding, all the Project Seneca participants, and all the contractors who were involved in multiple ways that helped create this state-of-the-art facility. It has capacity for 30 years of growth in our communities and has eliminated over 40,000 pounds of harmful contaminants going into the canal and lake each year. I am very proud to have been part of it. I also want to pay tribute to the bald eagle that stayed with us throughout the construction and flew each day to the closest tree to supervise the work."
Photos in text: From top: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and State Senator Tom O'Mara greet each other with a pandemic-era elbow bump; Schuyler CountyAdministrator Tim O'Hearn; Alison Hunt, district director for Congressman Tom Reed; and former Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton. Left: State Senator Tom O'Mara; Right: A roll of Green Heritage Pro toilet paper was the "party favor" for each of the invited participants and spectators. From left: Former Montour Falls Mayor John King; emcee Judy McKinney Cherry; and Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk. From left: Montour Falls Mayor Jim Ryan; former Corning Enterprises President Tom Tranter; and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul as she answered media questions after the ceremony. Terry Wilcox, water reclamation plant supervisor, shows a visitor the concrete tanks used in the water treatment. One of the plant's buildings contains a pair of 4,500-gallon sludge tanks The plant's administration building, with offices, a laboratory, garage bays and work area. Glen man sentenced for attempted burglary Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 29, 2020 -- Brandon L. Bailey, 34, of Watkins Glen, was sentenced Monday in Schuyler County Court following an Aug. 13 guilty plea to Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony, and Aggravated Harassment of an Employee by an Inmate, a Class E Felony. Bailey was sentenced by Judge Christopher Baker to three years in state prison plus three years post-release supervision on the Attempted Burglary charge, and to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison on the Aggravated Harassment charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Extension's Cherry retiring at end of year SCHUYLER COUNTY, Sept. 10, 2020 -- Phil Cherry, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County for the past four years, has decided to retire at the end of the year.
Cherry, 65 this year, said the Covid-19 pandemic "has brought home the message that life can be too short." Stepping away from his demanding job will permit him time to pursue "personal projects" and volunteer work, and possibly participate in local politics, although he declined to announce any intention to run for office. He stressed that his wife, Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, "has no plans to retire. She is very happy with what she does." Mr. Cherry, who moved here after a 32-year career with the State of Delaware -- his last role was as that state's Director of the Division of Energy and Climate -- said he and Judy love it here, adding: "We're not going anywhere. This is a wonderful area." Rather than announce his retirement two weeks before departing, Cherry said, he decided to give Cooperative Extension an opportunity to advertise and find someone he might help mentor "before I walk out the door." Photo in text: Phil Cherry (File photo) Covid-19 cluster linked to Lighthouse Baptist Church; testing recommended SCHUYLER COUNTY, Sept. 8, 2020 -- Schuyler County Public Health and the Chemung County Health Department, in coordination with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and with what officials said was the cooperation of the church, have identified a cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to the Lighthouse Baptist Church, with cases identified in each county. The church is located at 209 Gardner Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845. --Get tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 testing for church visitors will be offered Wednesday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chemung County Fairgrounds, located at 170 Fairview Rd, Horseheads. Testing will be free of charge. Please bring identification. Anyone who cannot make it to this test site is encouraged to visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you to find another testing location. --Those tested are required to quarantine for 14 days from the test date. Stay home and limit contact with others. If you must be in the same room as someone else, wear a mask and keep your distance. School age children and school staff who attended during this time period should not attend school in person. --Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms at any point during the 14-day period, get tested – even if you already tested negative earlier in your quarantine. “This testing event is vital to identify those who may be ill with Covid and attended any church related functions, in order to stop any further community transmission,” said Chemung County Health Department Director Peter Buzzetti. “If you feel sick, even if you only feel a little sick, get tested and then stay home,” Schuyler County Public Health Director Deborah Minor advised. “Taking these steps as soon as you start to feel sick limits how many people get exposed to the virus and helps keep it from spreading widely in the community.” 2 Landon's workers test positive; exposure risk ID'd; business closed for disinfection WATKINS GLEN, Sept 2, 2020 -- Schuyler County Public Health has received notification that two employees at Landon's Pub and Pizza have tested positive for COVID-19. During contact tracing, a public exposure risk was identified, and the business has been closed for disinfection under a New York State Department of Health directive. The affected individuals worked multiple shifts during the time they were potentially contagious. Landon’s Pub & Pizza is located at 110 West 4th St., in Watkins Gle.. Public Health said that "if you visited Landon’s Pub & Pizza between August 19 and August 29, please" do the following: 1. Get tested for COVID-19. Schuyler County residents can get tested for COVID-19 by: a. Registering for the Cayuga Health System Sampling site in Ithaca at cayugahealth.org or by calling 607-319-5708. b. Calling Schuyler Hospital at 607-535-8602. c. Contacting your healthcare provider. d. Visiting https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you to find a testing location. 2. Self-quarantine in your home for 14 days from the last day you visited Landon’s Pub & Pizza. Remain in quarantine for the full 14 days even if you test negative. To self-quarantine: a. Stay home, except to visit a doctor or to get tested for COVID-19. If you must see a doctor, call ahead and avoid using public transportation. b. Separate yourself in a room that is not shared with others. c. Stay at least 6 feet from others in your home at all times. Wear a face mask if you must be around others. d. Don’t have visitors over. e. Use a separate bathroom, if possible, and disinfect after each use. f. Arrange for food, medicine, and other supplies to be left at your door. g. Arrange for others to care for your children or pets if possible. h. Wash your hands often. 3. Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms at any point during the 14-day period, get tested -- even if you already tested negative earlier in your self-quarantine. “Even if you don’t have any symptoms, please get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine.” Schuyler County Public Health Director Deb Minor advised. “By taking these steps, you can help protect the health of your friends, family, and our community. We’ve been fortunate so far in Schuyler County, but we need to keep it up. Please continue to wear a mask, try to stay at least six feet from people you don’t live with, and wash your hands frequently.” “This incident," said Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn, " is a testament to the fact that no community is outside of the reach of this deadly virus. My hope is that this serves to reinforce the need for strict adherence to all elements of the NYS PAUSE orders, especially as we approach a major holiday weekend.” Schuyler County Public Health said it and the New York State Department of Health are working with Landon’s Pub & Pizza to implement further processes to protect the health of employees and visitors to the business. Mitrano rips Reed on 'extremism' charge PENN YAN, Aug. 28, 2020 -- Saying that it was “inappropriate” for Republican Congressman Tom Reed to speculate about who vandalized his Corning headquarters without any information from Corning City Police regarding an investigation or evidence, Democratic candidate Tracy Mitrano has called on Mayor Bill Boland and the Corning police to do a thorough investigation of the August 25 incident and bring the perpetrator to justice.
“This is McCarthy-like stuff,” Mitrano declared. “We would expect that a congressman would not stoop to such tactics. It was beneath the dignity of his office to make such statements, without any evidence or facts behind them.” But then, she added, it’s of a piece with what today’s GOP is all about, starting at the top. “We all know this president has an extreme propensity to speak mistruths and utter blatant lies in the face of obvious evidence and facts. It’s not a surprise, but it does continue to dismay.” Mitrano said the Democratic and Republican national conventions brought that propensity to lie into sharp focus. “I understand that part of politics is to create a narrative about who you are and what you represent, and it sometimes leads to exaggeration or misleading information,” she said. “I recognize both parties do this.” The striking thing, when comparing the two conventions, “is how much more plain lying went on at the Republican National Convention.” As examples, Mitrano cited the oft-repeated lie that Democrats are socialists, and that they want to invalidate the Second Amendment and defund law enforcement. “In every instance, the truth lies in the opposite,” she said. “Democrats want a vibrant economy based on fair taxes, to protect all Constitutional Amendments, and to fund law enforcement so they have the support they need and want to protect and serve their communities. “This congressman has used the same tactic against me, telling bold and blatant lies about me and my positions,” Mitrano said. “As a politician, I may not be perfect, but I will dedicate myself to facts. I will never make a claim about Tom Reed without substantiation. I challenge him to do the same.” Photo in text: Congressional candidate Tracy Mitrano (File photo) Reed assails 'extremism' after brick smashes window at campaign office CORNING, Aug. 26, 2020 -- Congressman Tom Reed’s Corning campaign office was the target of violence Tuesday night. A brick was thrown through the window, leaving glass strewn throughout the office. “This extreme behavior is unacceptable,” Reed said in reaction to the attack. “Volunteers are usually sitting right by that window. I am thankful no one was here when this happened, and no one was hurt.” "This is another sad example of the radicalism we see every day from our opponents and the far left,” observed Matt Coker, spokesman for the campaign. "It has to stop.” “I will continue fighting this extremism,” Reed said. “They bring violence, but we will keep standing against their hatred. We will stand proudly for what we believe in, be willing to listen to those who disagree, and in the end seek to unite our nation. That is when we are at our best.” Reed also thanked Republican Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and Democrat Bill Boland, Mayor of the City of Corning, for standing with him Wednesday morning at the site of the damage. “We are here not as Republicans or Democrats, but united to say that violence like this doesn’t solve problems.” Reed also lauded the Corning Police Department, which is investigating the attack. “We have always had the back of our police," he said, " and I know they have our back as well. We look forward to the results of their investigation and justice being done.” Photo in text: The broken window at Congressman Reed's office. (Photo provided) Palmesano rips Cuomo on election orders ALBANY, Aug. 25, 2020 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo’s latest Executive Order mandating that county boards of elections send a mailing to all voters outlining all of the deadlines associated with absentee, early and in-person voting on Election Day. The governor’s order says the letter must be sent by September 8.
“The governor," Palmesano added, "loves to complain about how Executive Orders from Washington are too costly for states or are unworkable. He should be the last person complaining about Executive Orders because this is another executive dictate. The governor is a hypocrite. If the governor thinks this is such a good idea and is necessary, then he should have the state pay for it. This is another costly, unfunded mandate burdening counties and local property taxpayers that he knows cannot afford it. He doesn’t care. He is obsessed with getting good headlines.” Additionally, the Executive Order creates more bureaucratic red tape for boards by requiring them to submit new staffing plans for state approval, adopt brand new policies that will allegedly “speed up” vote counting and purchase costly new envelopes for absentee ballots, Palmesano said. “Our hardworking, local BOE officials know how to do their job," he added. " During this unprecedented time, they deserve more help and more resources from the state. Instead, the governor is assigning them work they couldn’t possibly do within time frames they couldn’t possibly meet with money and resources they don’t have.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. (File photo) Police step up campaign to curb DWI's ALBANY, Aug. 19, 2020 -- New York State Police and law enforcement agencies statewide have ramped up enforcement of impaired driving laws and will keep the enhanced pressure on through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The STOP-DWI “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is designed to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. “There is no excuse for driving impaired and recklessly putting yourself and others in danger,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “Be smart and have a plan to get to your destination safely. One bad decision can have lifelong consequences. It’s just not worth it.” New York’s efforts to reduce impaired driving through targeted education and enforcement initiatives, like this crackdown, are working, say state officials. Fatal crashes involving an impaired driver have decreased over 19 percent from 2010 to 2019, according to preliminary data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College. Throughout this enforcement blitz, law enforcement will be stepping up patrols, and the NYS Thruway Authority and State Department of Transportation will have Variable Message Signs alerting motorists to the consequences of impaired driving to help deter such behavior. During the 2019 enforcement campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 4,995 tickets for impaired driving and 170,378 tickets for other vehicle and traffic law violations. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation also remind motorists that their "Have a Plan" mobile app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver. Several sentencings set in Schuyler Court WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 14, 2020 -- The Schuyler County District Attorney's office Friday reported the following sentencings and other action in Schuyler County Court. CHRISTOPHER G. BILLIRAKIS, 33, of Dundee, pleaded guilty in Schuyler County Court on February 13, 2020 to Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, and was sentenced on August 13 by Hon. Christopher Baker to 1 to 3 years in state prison, a 3-year conditional discharge, installation of an ignition interlock device, attendance at a Victim’s Impact Panel and fined $1,000. In August 2019, Billirakis drove his vehicle while in an intoxicated condition, swerving into oncoming traffic and striking another car with three occupants. One of the occupants sustained physical injuries as a result of the accident. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul addresses regional tourism leaders during meeting at WGI. Lt. Gov. Hochul visits Watkins, discusses pandemic's effects with tourism officials WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 12, 2020 -- New York Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul visited Watkins Glen Wednesday morning, meeting with regional tourism leaders at Watkins Glen International and then visiting the site of a Downtown Revitalization Initiative project on the village waterfront. Each spoke, explaining to Hochul the status of the efforts of their organizations in the midst of a pandemic, and their (largely optimistic) expectations for the future. Hochul followed up the meeting with a trip down the hill to visit the new Captain Bill's shop and office on the Seneca Lake waterfront, where owner Mark Simiele has replaced a longstanding structure with an archtecturally appealing new one, with some of it funded by the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. From there, she headed to Penn Yan to visit another state DRI site. Photos in text: From top: Hochul bumps elbows with Captain Bill's owner Mark Simele in farewell as she prepares to leave Watkins Glen; Hochul confers with Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk; and Seneca Lake Wine Trail Executive Director Brittany Gibson at the meeting, held at Watkins Glen International. Also at the meeting:Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn (left) and Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Hardy. From left: SCOPED Executive Director Judy McKinney Cherry; WGI President Michael Printup; and Fred Bonn, Director of the Finger Lakes State Park Region. Beth Duane, Corning Museum of Glass Chief Marketing and Communications Director; and Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk. Watkins Sergeant in Charge on paid leave pending result of State Police investigation WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 10, 2020 -- Watkins Glen Police Department Sergeant in Charge Brandon Matthews has been put on paid administrative leave by the village pending completion of an investigation by the New York State Police. Village Mayor Luke Leszyk said that Patrolman Ethan Mosher has been installed as the interim Sergeant in Charge until the matter is resolved. "I want the people to know that the police department is fully functioning," said Leszyk.
The matter was referred to the District Attorney's office, where DA Joe Fazzary recused himself. Fazzary, in a text, said: "A special prosecutor has been assigned. DA (Matthew) Van Houten from Tompkins County. Assigned to investigate and prosecute. That's all I can tell you." An inquiry to Van Houten's office elicited a brief response from his Confidential Secretary. "We have received your request for information concerning Brandon Matthews," she emailed. "We cannot provide any information regarding this matter at this time." Another inquiry, to State Police, resulted in a spokesman saying "There is an ongoing investigation. There are allegations," but thus far "no charges." He declined to comment on any specifics. Regarding rumors circulating about the investigation, Leszyk said he was "not confirming or denying" them, saying "there's nothing punitive or anything at this point," and that the village was awaiting the State Police report and input from the Tompkins County DA and from the village's labor attorney, Jay Girvin, before moving forward. When State Police do report on the matter, he said, "we'll piggyback off what they do." In the meantime, he said, he planned "to err on the side of caution. ... It might turn out to be nothing." But he didn't expect to wait for long. "Some details will come out," he said, "probably sooner than later." Photo in text: Brandon Matthews (File photo) State Police are probing theft at Glenora Special to The Odessa File DUNDEE, Aug. 7, 2020 -- New York State Police are requesting the public’s assistance identifying a "person of interest" involving a recent theft at The Glenora Winery. The manager of the winery told State Police that a black male with a gray beard entered the winery on Wednesday, August 5 at 11:30 a.m. The man was described as approximately six feet tall, slightly balding, heavy set and wearing a green shirt with tan khaki shorts. The man, police said, walked around the store and ordered some wine at the front desk before grabbing a shirt and concealing an SPCA donation jar containing over $50 in donations. The man was unable to complete the wine transaction, as his credit card was declined multiple times. He then left the store with the shirt and donation jar still in his possession, ostensibly to use the ATM machine just outside the store. He proceeded to get in his car and leave. Police were unable to get a video or a photo of the man, but while canvassing several other wineries nearby, investigators were told by the Miles Winery that they had a similar incident take place and saw the man leave in a gray Honda sedan. State Police are asking that anyone with information regarding this individual call the New State Police station in Dundee at 607-243-5133. Schuyler eyes generic drug price lawsuit Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 6, 2020 -- Schuyler County legislators are considering a resolution to join federal, state and municipal governments in suing the makers of generic drugs over alleged price-fixing. The County Legislature will vote Monday, August 10 on a resolution authorizing County Attorney Steven Getman to join forces with Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, a New York City law firm “in the investigation and/or prosecution of any legal claim against manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals and/or their executives based upon their actions in fixing prices, allocating markets, and engaging in other antitrust violations or other wrongdoing with respect to generic pharmaceuticals.”
Various government agencies have already commenced suit, Getman said, alleging violations of state and federal antitrust laws and consumer protection statutes. “In 2014, the Department of Justice began an investigation into the pricing of various generic pharmaceuticals,” Getman explained. “In the wake of the federal investigation, in 2017, the state attorneys general of 48 states brought a civil action alleging price fixing, market division, and other antitrust violations by 16 defendant pharmaceutical companies related to 15 generic prescription drugs. “As alleged, the defendants' anticompetitive conduct falls principally into two categories. First, the defendants allegedly communicated with each other to determine and agree on how much market share each would control and which customers each competitor was entitled to. Second, competitors allegedly communicated -- either in person, by telephone, or by text message -- and agreed to collectively raise and/or maintain prices for a particular generic drug.” The lawsuits, Getman said, now involve over 100 generic drugs and 21 pharmaceutical manufacturer defendants, including Teva, Sandoz, Mylan, Pfizer, Actavis, Amneal, Apotex, Aurobindo, Breckenridge, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark, Greenstone, Lannett, Lupin, Par, Rising, Taro Israel, Taro USA, Upsher-Smith, Wockhardt USA and Zydus. “The key question in formulating a lawsuit is determining for which generic drug(s) each county has overpaid, and whether each was a direct or indirect purchaser of same,” Getman explained. “As noted, hundreds of generic drugs have been implicated. Each affected county or municipality can bring an action asserting overpayments for each applicable generic drug.” According to County Administrator Tim O’Hearn, any lawsuit will be filed at no risk to the county, as Napoli Shkolnik will work on a contingency basis that will cover all costs associated with the lawsuit. “By voting to go forward with possible litigation, the County Legislature hopes to lessen the burden to taxpayers and seeks to hold manufacturers responsible for any unlawful role in the high cost of generic drugs,” O’Hearn said. Separately, three other New York counties (Greene, Schenectady and Essex) are already working with Napoli Shkolnik on a lawsuit likely to be heard in federal court in eastern Pennsylvania, and the state Association of Counties last month circulated a memo suggesting other counties consider joining the effort. In addition to the generics case, Schuyler County has been working with Napoli Shkolnik to prosecute a pending action against the manufacturers and distributers of prescription opiates for damages to the county arising out of the fraudulent and negligent marketing and distribution of opiates in and to the county. The next regular meeting of the Schuyler County Legislature will be held in the Schuyler County Human Services Building, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls, New York on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 6:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public and all required COVID-19-related safety protocols will be in place. A copy of the county’s proposed resolution is available here: https://www.scribd.com/document/471631010/Generics-Lawsuit-Resolution-Schuyler-County-Draft Photo in text: Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman O'Mara now ranking Republican member on the Senate Investigations Committee Will help preside over upcoming legislative hearings on COVID-19 nursing home crisis Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, July 26, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been appointed the top Republican member on the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations as the committee prepares to lead upcoming joint Senate-Assembly hearings on the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Push to limit Cuomo's powers rejected Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, July 21, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and his Senate Republican colleagues Tuesday proposed a legislative amendment to put an end to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s current emergency powers to unilaterally enact state laws and regulations.
Since early March, O’Mara said, Cuomo has issued 54 Executive Orders that have allowed the governor to unilaterally change nearly 300 laws. “The governor," said O'Mara, "needed the ability to respond quickly to a rapidly changing crisis at the outset of the COVID-19 response. However, four months later it’s time to put an end to this government by executive order. The dangers and shortcomings of government by executive order have become clear. A legislative process without checks and balances goes too far and fails to be effective. Senate Republicans keep putting forth proposals to restore more balanced government, but the all-downstate, extreme-liberal Senate Majority is not serious about governing or checking the power of the governor. They are content letting Governor Cuomo do the dirty work.” The Senate GOP amendment would have immediately stopped the governor’s unilateral emergency control. The proposal would have put New York’s disaster emergency control policy in line with other states that limit an Executive’s powers to 30 days and require the Legislature’s approval for continuing the powers. The amendment would have also mandated that the Governor provide weekly reports to the Legislature during an emergency declaration to ensure accountability and transparency. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Palmesano rips Cuomo on new regulations Responds to governor's rules regarding bars, restaurants, wineries and breweries Special to The Odessa File CORNING, July 17, 2020 -- Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced new regulations banning bars, restaurants, wineries and breweries from serving alcohol to patrons who do not order food and are not being served food.
“This arbitrary and destructive action will further hurt small businesses that have already been crushed during the COVID-19 shutdown," said Palmesano. "If it was safe to have a glass of wine or a beer six feet away from other customers yesterday, what changed overnight? This is just the whim of the governor, who is obsessed with controlling nearly every aspect of everyday life in the state of New York. "Under Phase IV for our region, the governor increased and set capacity limits at 50% for restaurants, bars, wineries, and breweries serving food or beverages, and he is once again moving the goalposts in the middle of the game, even with our lower infection rates. This action is the latest example of the governor exceeding and abusing his emergency powers. "This is why so many of my colleagues and I have been urging members on the other side of the aisle to join us in taking action to finally end the governor’s emergency powers that he’s consistently abused for months. Enough is enough,” said Palmesano. Palmesano said this latest executive action could be particularly harmful for the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region, the center of the state’s multi-billion dollar wine, craft beverage and agritourism industry. “Ironically, this is an industry the governor has boasted about and supported in the past," said Palmesano. "This new mandate will prolong the financial hardship and crisis. The small, family-owned operations that power the area’s tourism have worked hard to adapt to the changing regulations by the governor and can’t continue to absorb additional, costly mandates after losing months of business.” Palmesano added that this action is being driven by reported violations of overcrowded bars in New York City and downstate New York. “Once again," he said, "Governor Cuomo is instituting another ‘one-size fits all’ approach. The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region is not New York City. We do not have the density or the infections that downstate has, and the small businesses and employees here, who have been following the rules, should not be hurt and penalized because of actions taking place in New York City.” Palmesano also questioned the timing of the order. "We’ve made progress here," he said. "Infection rates across the state are extremely low, especially here in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region. We need to continue to work together to protect public health, but this order is an extreme and unnecessary reaction. This is not the time to blindside these businesses and workers. This is the time we should be helping them, not hurting them even more than they have been. They made sacrifices. They followed the governor’s rules and shut-down orders, and they are just trying to survive and avoid an economic catastrophe. "This is the worst possible time for the governor to mandate devastating new regulations. It’s arbitrary and it's just wrong." Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Results of Primary Elections unveiled SCHUYLER COUNTY, June 24, 2020 -- Primary elections were held Tuesday, including on a limited basis in Schuyler County. Results included: President, Democratic Party: Joe Biden 241, Bernie Sanders 79, Elizabeth Warren 20. O'Mara to Cuomo: Open up graduations Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, June 15, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) continues to join a chorus of voices from across the Southern Tier region calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to revise the state-mandated size limit for in-person high school graduation ceremonies. In early June, the governor issued an executive order limiting in-person graduation ceremonies to no more than a total of 150 attendees.
O’Mara said, “I think that’s wrong. I believe we can and should trust school district administrators and regional officials to conduct safe graduation ceremonies. In my view, given all of the recent civil protest and unrest, these traditional high school graduation ceremonies for our young people to celebrate community, family, unity, achievement, and hope for the future are extremely meaningful and necessary this year. I continue to urge Governor Cuomo to recognize their overriding value at this time and place in New York State.” The Watkins Glen School District, with that limiter in place, has opted to go with four graduation ceremonies on June 27 -- the only way it can permit the students' families to attend and celebrate the milestone. In a letter Monday to the Horseheads Central School District community, Superintendent Tom Douglas wrote, “Our senior class is over 300 students. In order to meet that requirement and include parents and personnel to help us adhere to safety guidelines and run graduation, we would need several ceremonies. To date (Governor Cuomo) has not changed this arbitrary number -- (which is) not based on fact or data. He has allowed gatherings for other events and activities such as beaches and big box stores at 25% of the location’s capacity. We believe we can hold graduation safely using this guideline, but unless and until the governor changes his 150 limit, we are unable to hold one in-person graduation ceremony for this very special Class of 2020.
Last Friday, county executives and county mangers from across the Southern Tier region -- including Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler, and Schuyler County Administrator Timothy O’Hearn -- also wrote to Cuomo calling on the governor to revise the guidelines. In their letter, the county leaders wrote, “We are NY Tough and we are also Southern Tier Strong. We appreciate your leadership and flexibility through this unprecedented crisis. Given the Southern Tier’s positive healthcare data, we feel that we can accommodate larger graduations with the appropriate standards and precautions. Let’s work together to give the thousands of high school graduates and their families in the Southern Tier the graduations that they deserve.” O’Mara and other Southern Tier leaders urge area residents who support their effort to call the governor’s office at 518-474-8390, or send an online message through the following web page: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (top) and Governor Andrew Cuomo (File photos) Beaver Dams man accused in stabbing attack GENESEO, June 11, 2020 -- A Schuyler County man has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault after an incident Tuesday at the Geneseo Walmart. Gregory Cunningham, 24, of Beaver Dams is accused of stabbng a woman multiple times inside the store -- a scene described by witnesses and Geneseo police as "chaotic."
One witness in a checkout line said she heard a woman screaming "at the top of her lungs" and that the victim, approached by a clerk, said "I'm going to die! I'm going to die! Somebody stabbed me!" Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian said that when police arrived soon after, the suspect was quickly identified and was taken into custody without difficulty. Another witness told an area TV station that the attacker struck with a four-inch pocket knife in the store's dairy section and that the victim ran through the store, "bleeding profusely" and saying "Please don't let me die. I have two small kids and a husband." The police chief said drugs and alcohol don't seem to be involved, and that police are investigating Cunningham's background. None of the suspect's social media posts contained any suspicious behavior, Osganian added. Police said it does not appear that Cunningham and the victim know one another. Cunningham was arraigned Wednesday afternoon, at which time he pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond, and a mental competency exam was ordered. Photo in text: Gregory Cunningham (Photo provided) Local road, bridge work gets green light Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, June 11, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) Thursday welcomed the announcement that the Cuomo administration is giving counties across the region the go-ahead to start this summer’s local road and bridge projects. In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend said, “We are pleased that the Cuomo administration has responded to our calls, together with the calls of industry and local government leaders across New York State, to move forward on this summer’s local road and bridge work. These critical projects had been on hold and the state’s delay was raising serious concerns that any prolonged slowdown would have severe economic consequences for local economies and lead to even more job losses. This infrastructure work will be a badly needed jumpstart for regional economies hard-hit by the COVID-19 response.” Prior to the go-ahead, O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend were joined by transportation, construction, and local government leaders from across the state to urge the Cuomo administration to release the funding. In a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo on May 27, the lawmakers highlighted the importance of the work to local economies across upstate, rural New York. They urged the governor to immediately direct the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to release approximately $743 million in local transportation aid enacted earlier this year as part of the 2020-2021 state budget, including funding through several key programs including the Consolidated Local Streets and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), PAVE-NY, and Extreme Winter Recovery. Palmesano named to legislative task force Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, June 11, 2020 -- Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay Thursday announced that Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) has been named as the Minority Conference’s representative on the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research & Reapportionment (LATFOR).
“Redistricting is always a critical undertaking for New Yorkers and for the state’s electoral process,” Barclay said. “I have every confidence that Phil Palmesano will be a strong voice on this task force. His diligence, experience and knowledge will serve our Conference well as the panel conducts its work.” “I am honored to represent our Conference as part of the Legislature’s redistricting efforts, and I thank Leader Barclay for the trust and confidence he has placed in me,” Palmesano said. “The redistricting task force plays an essential role in how voters choose their elected leaders and the makeup of congressional and legislative seats. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the panel and getting started on the job ahead of us.” Palmesano was elected to the Assembly in 2010 and represents the 132nd Assembly District, which includes the majority of Steuben County, all of Schuyler and Yates counties and portions of Chemung and Seneca counties. He was appointed Assistant Minority Leader in 2020 and is the Minority’s ranking member on the Assembly Energy Committee. In addition, he also serves on the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Corrections, Insurance, and Ways and Means committees. Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Anchor union leader admits embezzlement Special to The Odessa File ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Tuesday that Brian Arnold, 49, of Pine City, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to embezzlement of union funds. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, said the defendant served as Financial Secretary with Steelworkers Local Union 104M, which represents approximately 75 workers at Anchor Glass Container Corporation, from September 2015 to August 2018. As financial secretary, Arnold was responsible for collecting dues checks, recording all receipts, maintaining receipts and disbursement records, writing and signing checks, and preparing an accurate account of all money received and paid out to report monthly to the union membership. Between April 2016 and August 2018, Arnold embezzled $33,224.15 in union funds. The defendant made unauthorized purchases with the union’s debit card; made unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the union’s checking account; and wrote unauthorized checks to himself from the union’s checking account. The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2020, before Judge Geraci. Montour Falls man pleads guilty in porn case Special to The Odessa File ROCHESTER, June 10, 2020 -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Tuesday that Michael J. Truesdail, 39, of Montour Falls, NY has pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, said that on March 27, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at the defendant’s Henry Street residence. A number of electronic items were seized including two computers, a hard drive, an SD card, and two thumb drives. Officials said a forensic analysis recovered more than 8,000 images and 10 video files, some of which depict children engaged in sexual activity with other children and with adults. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Guyton. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2020, before Judge Geraci. Palmesano to Cuomo: Drive-through graduation ceremonies are not enough Note: Governor Andrew Cuomo, days after this article appeared, decided to permit stadium graduations, but with a limitation of 150 participants. CORNING, June 4, 2020 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I -Corning) Thursday sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo petitioning him to allow high school seniors across the state to experience the culmination of their high school careers: in-person graduations. Palmesano also signed on to a letter sent by his colleagues in the Assembly Republican Conference to the governor petitioning for the same thing.
“As I said and you know well," Palmesano wrote, "these kids have sacrificed and lost so many of the final opportunities and experiences of their senior year in high school. Experiences like class trips, sports, club events, athletic signings for college, yearbook signings, their proms and end of year fun and get- togethers. Governor Cuomo, they’ve missed out on enough. Don’t take their high school graduation ceremonies away from them too." Earlier Thursday, the governor announced that he would allow drive-through graduations. Palmesano said the proposal was inadequate. “Our kids deserve a better send-off than that,” said Palmesano. Palmesano’s letter concluded by saying: “Governor, through your actions, you have the opportunity to deliver a strong message of perseverance to our high school seniors. Allow our seniors to have graduation ceremonies, celebrate their accomplishments and bring much-needed closure to their high school careers. They deserve this. We owe it to them and we should make it happen for them.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano Mayors in Watkins Glen, Odessa fly in face
They were not alone. Government leaders from a number of locales in the affected Upstate regions -- the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley, Central New York and the North Country -- were pushing back with sharp criticism of Governor Andrew Cuomo's waffling, with some urging businesses to open anyway. Half a day later, Cuomo had reversed himself and given the green light for businesses to open under Phase 2 guidance and safety restrictions. Both Watkins Mayor Luke Leszyk -- saying he was speaking from a personal viewpoint, and not an official one -- and Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer took to Facebook to voice their objections to the state's Thursday night move -- before Cuomo gave the green light. In a posting on his personal Facebook page, Leszyk wrote: "Despite the indecision of our governor and their lack of guidance I would say that we are officially in Phase 2 of reopening. I would like to include outdoor seating for our restaurants, though that wasn't included, but I feel makes sense. If any businesses get pushback or complaints I will take full responsibility. Watkins Glen is on its way to being back ..." Leszyk said Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn called him early Friday morning to complain about the Facebook message, and asked him to retract it. Leszyk declined to do so. O'Hearn was particularly upset about the restaurant seating reference, the mayor said, and expressed the fear that if businesses did not comply with the state, the county might suffer consequences. (Leszyk added that he was not advocating outdoor seating at this time, but rather expressing a personal opinion.)
But if any businesses chose to reopen despite the state edict not to, "I'd back anybody who does it," he said. He wouldn't be doing so in an official capacity, he added, but "I won't be encouraging enforcement -- unless somebody was putting people at risk." Odessa Mayor Messmer, meanwhile, wrote on the village's Facebook page that "Odessa is now in Phase 2 and all businesses in this category can open as planned. Use common sense, social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer, perhaps outdoor seating for our minimal venues, and all other businesses feel free to open up as well. "I will assume responsibility and defend you. It's time to get things moving! "The Governor's office is dragging their feet, and quite frankly, have no authority over Odessa or private businesses, so we will open using current CDC guidance and items as mentioned above, and any precautions you deem necessary as a business owner." In a subsequent phone call, Messmer said the state "is backpedaling. People were counting on opening. The Governor can't keep jerking people around. He's acting like King Cuomo. I think it's bogus. He's showing a complete lack of leadership." He also cautioned that any businesses that felt compelled to open in the face of the latest state order should consult legal and insurance representatives before doing so. "All I can say is we're not in Phase 2, according to the Governor," O'Hearn said at midmorning Friday -- about four hours before the Governor gave the go-ahead. "That's the best I can tell people at this point." Despite what mayors were saying, he noted, rules regarding the pandemic are "driven by the state. We're being governed by Executive Orders, like it or not. This is not a home rule issue." He said mayoral objections were, accordingly, "great sound bites." Then, at his 1 p.m. press conference, the Governor said that experts had studied appropriate data and that businesses were free to open that afternoon. By then, most businesses in Watkins Glen had opted to remain closed. Leszyk said he hoped they would be opening Saturday. Photos in text: From top: Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk, Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer and Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. (File photos) O'Mara, Palmesano, Friend seek release Warn that prolonged slowdown on projects will have severe economic consequences ELMIRA, May 27, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) are calling on the Cuomo administration to give counties across the region the go-ahead to start this summer’s local road and bridge projects.
“Furthermore, we have appreciated working together with you and your administration to strengthen New York State’s support for local roads, bridges, and culverts through the CHIPS, PAVE-NY, and BRIDGE-NY programs, as well as other capital programs and initiatives like the Extreme Winter Recovery allocations that have made an enormous difference for the quality and strength of local communities and local economies, and to help ease the burden on local property taxpayers.
“To put it simply and straightforwardly, we do not believe New York State can afford to risk the consequences of a further prolonged slowdown in local road and bridge work.” Since 2013, O’Mara, Palmesano, Friend and many of their legislative colleagues have joined county and town highway superintendents and other local transportation leaders from throughout New York to promote a stronger state commitment to local transportation infrastructure through the “Local Roads Matter” advocacy campaign. Over the past seven years, largely through a series of “extreme winter recovery” allocations distributed through the CHIPS funding formula, and together with the PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY programs established in 2016, important increased state support has been provided for New York’s counties, cities, towns, and villages. In their letter to the governor, O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend wrote, “We listened with great interest to your May 26th daily briefing during which you urged the federal government to fully recognize the importance, effectiveness, and common sense of infrastructure development as a surefire way to create jobs and stimulate the economy. We could not agree more -- and we could not agree more that it would be an equally important way for New York State to truly begin jumpstarting local economies upstate and downstate. While your May 26th briefing largely focused on downstate initiatives and projects, we are confident that you fully recognize that local transportation infrastructure projects remain the lifeblood of so many upstate, rural economies.” Photos in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (top) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano Downtown Montour Falls shortly before the start of the Memorial Day service, with a flag raised by the village's Fire Department standing sentinel above Shequagah Falls. Memorial Day service pays homage, but minus a keynote, bagpipes, band & crowd MONTOUR FALLS, May 25, 2020 -- Memorial Day in the age of the pandemic brought significant changes to the observance Monday. While gatherings that traditionally attracted crowds in Watkins Glen and outside Odessa were not mounted this year, one staged annually in Montour Falls was held -- but trimmed down.
But in order to maintain social distancing, the event was not announced publicly, so only a relative handful of spectators showed up. Mayor John King was present to emcee the brief ceremony, while Village Trustee Jim Ryan read a list of the 34 veterans in the area who died in the past year. There was the placing of a wreath by Mayor King at a memorial marker near the park's sidewalk, and a 21-shot salute by an Honor Guard from American Legion Post 676. Taps were played by Noah Brewster, an alumnus of Odessa-Montour High School. There was no bagpiper on hand as in most years, nor a keynote speaker, nor a vocalist to perform the National Anthem, nor the O-M school band. And there were, by design, very few spectators. The event, Ryan pointed out, was only mentioned publicly in the Village Board meeting minutes, which apparently few people read. Mayor King, who like Ryan was sporting a face mask, said safety concerns were paramount in the event's planning, but that the board felt the day merited a ceremony. In his remarks, the mayor -- who lowered his mask to be heard above the noise of the falls --said Memorial Day was "a time to come together as one body to say Thank you, we are grateful" to those who have given their lives in service to their country. Photo in text: The American Legion Post 676 Honor Guard was part of the service. Left: Montour Falls Mayor John King presided at the ceremony. Right: American Legion Honor Guard member Jim Tobey after the service. Left: A wreath was placed in front of a memorial marker during the ceremony. Right: Village Board member Jim Ryan reads the list of 34 area veterans who have died in the past year. O'Mara to Cuomo: Deliver the resources needed to protect nursing home residents Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, May 20, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and members of the Senate Republican Conference Wednesday stepped up their ongoing calls for the Cuomo administration to take full responsibility for the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. O’Mara said, “Governor Cuomo can’t just issue another directive or another unfunded state mandate out of Albany and leave this nursing home crisis to be addressed at the local level. Not now, when we have already lost thousands of seniors. Not now, when this virus remains an extreme danger to the elderly in nursing homes. Not now, when our localities, local care facilities, and local caregivers on the front lines are already overburdened, overwhelmed, and under pressure.
The governor has come under increased scrutiny for the COVID-19 crisis in nursing homes where, according to recent state reporting, deaths total more than 5,000. GOP senators said that state-regulated nursing homes and other congregate care facilities throughout New York have for years continually faced budget cuts that resulted in staffing shortages, and that the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated an already tenuous situation. “The front lines of this nursing home crisis in Steuben County and other hot spots throughout New York have led to important shifts in state policies," said O'Mara, "but it has also highlighted the frustration at the local level with the response of the Cuomo administration and overall state policies. We repeatedly called for aggressive and decisive actions by the state Health Department to test, isolate, and prevent spread, but kept running into the roadblocks of existing state policies and directives -- and now that includes new, costly state-mandated testing that our rural facilities simply cannot afford or administer." Some nursing home operators say they can’t comply with the latest state directive to test employees for COVID-19 twice a week. Facilities would have to pay between $75 to $150 per test, they say. According to some estimates, the cost for a nursing home in a rural upstate area to comply with the state’s testing mandate could total as much as $90,000 per week. And if the employees were to quarantine awaiting results, as is usually required, they would only be able to work three or four days a week. Nursing homes also reported that state labs currently lack the capacity to process twice weekly tests, and many expressed health concerns for staffers over the repeated testing. The state provided 320,000 testing kits this week to nursing homes, but that does not cover the two tests per week requirement for the entire workforce across the state. It remains unclear if the state will continue distribution at this scale. --Provide all necessary test kits directly to the facilities that have been scrambling to access them. O’Mara has also joined legislative colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to call for an independent investigation into the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara O'Mara: Stay focused on public health Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, May 15, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) Friday welcomed the start of the Phase I reopenings across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions and urged area residents to continue adhering to public health requirements so that local economies can keep moving forward.
"We can’t risk any setbacks. That means, number one, we all have to keep listening to our local public health departments and their critical messages for keeping COVID-19 under control. We’ve achieved the beginning of this reopening because of personal responsibility and enormous sacrifices. Keep holding the line. We also need the Cuomo administration to help our regional reopenings move forward with greater clarity, common sense, and fairness, and I will continue working with area colleagues to keep pushing the state to recognize specific regional needs, concerns, and suggestions. This reopening is a badly needed first step but there’s a lot of work facing us to fix what’s broken and keep meeting the needs for assistance. Since the beginning of the state shutdown in mid-March, O’Mara has maintained a “One-Stop” webpage on his Senate website, omara.nysenate.gov., that has gathered, in one place, links to a range of information and resources being issued by numerous federal, state, and local agencies and organizations. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara Danks Burke: Let's focus on more problems![]() Special to The Odessa File
"I'm glad Mr. O'Mara is paying attention to the rapidly increasing death toll in nursing homes and the thousands of Southern Tier and Finger Lakes residents who are newly unemployed on his watch," Danks Burke said. "These tragedies demand real attention. "My heart also lies with the children who aren't eating because schools are closed, with veterans who are struggling without easy access to suicide prevention programs at the VA, with innkeepers who've poured their life into businesses that they now see evaporating before their eyes, with parents facing their children each evening, knowing they can't help their own kids succeed in school because school's happening on the internet and there's no internet service or money to pay for it, with farmers who are selling their animals because they're facing bankruptcy. ... We have a lot more than two things that need attention." Photo in text: Leslie Danks Burke Feds launch op as Covid-19 fraud cases surge Special to The Odessa File lBUFFALO, NY, May 13, 2020 -- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently announced the launch of Operation Stolen Promise, a national operation aimed at combatting COVID-19 fraud and other related criminal activity. The operation enhances collaboration with multiple federal agencies, along with business and industry representatives. Surging criminal activity surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials say, requires an equally robust investigative response to protect the American public. “The unfortunate reality is there are criminal enterprises actively exploiting Americans while they are at their most vulnerable,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly. “But these heartless criminal groups should be forewarned that while some aspects of regular life have been temporarily paused, HSI and CBP are still actively and aggressively pursuing those who operate these illicit schemes.” “CBP and HSI are partners in combating cross-border illegal activity,” said Buffalo Field Office Director Rose Brophy. “We will continue to work together to protect the public from those who are attempting to profit from this pandemic.” Locally, HSI Buffalo special agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Office of Field Operations have seized approximately 6,000 fraudulent COVID-19 test kits, 3,400 N95 masks, and thousands of purported treatment pills to include Hydroxycloroquin Sulfate, Lainhua Qingwen Jianonang, Levofloxacin, Avelox, Chloroquin Phosphate, Azithromycin, and Chloroquine. More than $110,000 in illicit funds tied to COVID-19 fraud has been seized. Criminal organizations that have historically engaged in financial scams, officials said, are pivoting to exploit the coronavirus pandemic and the associated stimulus package for illegal financial gains. These networks are smuggling and selling counterfeit safety equipment and prohibited testing kits, medicines, and hygiene products, as well as running illicit websites to sell their merchandise. In the coming weeks, HSI Buffalo anticipates that financial fraud scams involving financial relief, COVID-19 stimulus checks, and traditional boiler room criminal operations will increase. All these fraud scams impact and burden government public benefit agencies that are in the process of distributing aid and providing assistance. As of May 4, HSI special agents nationally opened over 315 investigations nationwide; seized over $3.2 million in illicit proceeds; made 11 arrests; executed 21 search warrants; analyzed over 19,000 COVID-19 domain names; and worked alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection to seize 494 shipments of mislabeled, fraudulent, unauthorized or prohibited COVID-19 test kits, treatment kits, homeopathic remedies, purported anti-viral products and personal protective equipment (PPE). About that asymptomatic COVID-19 case SCHUYLER COUNTY, May 12, 2020 -- Public health officials announced Tuesday that after several weeks without a new case of COVID-19 in Schuyler County, notification had been received of one new case in an asymptomatic individual. The message from health officials Tuesday about the case -- the 10th in Schuyler County -- was as follows: "We received notification of one new positive confirmed case of COVID-19 today in an asymptomatic individual. It is important to remember that as testing is expanded it is likely we will find more positive cases, especially asymptomatic cases (people who test positive for the virus, but don’t have any symptoms). While this may seem bad, it is good that these cases are being identified. It allows us to place individuals who test positive into isolation and put their contacts in quarantine to stop the spread of the virus. "Contact tracing for this individual is currently in progress and we are in the process of identifying individuals who may have been exposed and putting them in quarantine. Based on our investigation so far, we do not believe the individual produced any public exposure risks (by) limiting unnecessary trips into public places and ... wearing a face covering when outside the home. We will provide additional details with tomorrow’s update after the contact investigation is complete. "Please remember to wear face coverings in public, wash your hands frequently, and limit contact with people outside your home. The cloth face cover isn’t to protect you -- it protects other people in case you are infected and don’t know it yet. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you don’t feel sick. It is very important that we all continue these protective actions." O'Mara to Cuomo: Fix New York State's broken unemployment insurance system ELMIRA, May 9, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara Satuday joined his colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to fix New York’s broken unemployment system. O’Mara and his colleagues proposed a series of recommendations to remedy failures at the Department of Labor (DOL).
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment has skyrocketed to 1.76 million New Yorkers, and constituents, growing increasingly hopeless, have frantically called Republican state Senate offices reporting that they cannot get proper or timely assistance from DOL, or that they filed nearly two months ago and have not received a single check. Tearful callers say they cannot afford to put food on the table. While the State has reportedly spent nearly $88 million on high-end firm Deloitte to overhaul the DOL call system and for 200 firm employees, desperate unemployed New Yorkers still cannot get through or have legitimate filings stuck in the system. Since DOL has been unable to fix or properly address these issues on their own, the Senate GOP is calling for the following immediate steps to be taken: -- The Governor must streamline application certifications and allow applicants to “certify” upon application, while still providing appropriate safeguards to help ensure that benefits only go to eligible New Yorkers; -- In addition to the 3,000 employees currently working phones, the DOL must collaborate with other state agencies to train thousands more of the state’s workforce, who are staying at home, to rapidly field calls and help New Yorkers file to receive benefits immediately; -- The State Comptroller, who oversees payments, contracts, and finances in the state, should be empowered to provide Emergency Oversight and Assistance to DOL; -- The Comptroller should conduct an immediate, fast-track audit of the DOL’s procedures and administration of the program; and -- A State Legislative Joint Committee should conduct an immediate review and investigation into DOL’s failed handling of unemployment benefits throughout the pandemi. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) O'Mara to Cuomo: Focus on short-term Warns ‘government by executive order’ has gone too farSpecial to The Odessa File ELMIRA, May 7, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) Thursday urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to keep his administration’s response to the COVID-19 emergency “laser focused on the short-term public health demands of this crisis and the need to get upstate back to work. We can’t afford to draw attention and resources away from the immediate crisis by engaging now in grand and radical ideas to remake education and health care.”
Both moves are raising concerns among O’Mara and legislative colleagues, as well as state education and health care leaders, that Cuomo could try to implement far-reaching changes without input from the Legislature, stakeholders, and the public at large. Since the state shutdown began in mid-March, Cuomo has issued hundreds of executive orders that effectively allow the governor to make state law unilaterally. A recent Buffalo News report, for example, estimated that Cuomo has already authorized nearly $3 billion in spending on the COVID-19 response and some question whether the spending is being done with the appropriate, independent oversight. According to O’Mara, expanding unilateral action by the governor is troubling. “We have been witnessing state government by executive order," he said. "While I agree that the immediate COVID-19 response has demanded an ability to respond swiftly, Governor Cuomo is going too far too fast unilaterally and it raises serious and significant legislative concerns. "The Cuomo administration needs to keep state resources and manpower laser focused on the immediate COVID-19 response. We need to weather this storm with fiscal responsibility and strict priorities. We do need to look ahead, but now is not the time to take state resources away from this public and economic emergency to pursue grand ideas and radical reforms for education, health care, or any other cornerstone of New York State’s long-term future. There will be a time for all of that. "Now is not that time and it can’t be Governor Cuomo alone making those long-term reforms. It requires the involvement of the Legislature, education and health care stakeholders, and the public at large.” Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) O'Mara backs 'Reopen & Reset' strategy Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, May 5, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and his Senate Republican colleagues announced this week that they will be putting forth a “Reopen and Reset” strategy for the upstate regions they represent. While Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to focus on plans for the calibrated, short-term reopening of local economies along regional boundaries, O’Mara and his colleagues want to also begin setting rebuilding priorities for post-coronavirus government in New York State throughout the coming year and into the foreseeable future.
Said O'Mara: “Right now we are witnessing state government by executive order and that will need to change as soon as possible. I have stressed throughout the ongoing COVID-19 response that we also need to be ready, once we weather this storm, to start an open and full discussion on the best ways to move forward for this entire state, upstate and downstate. It is going to require a restructuring of New York government, strengthening the state-local partnership, and getting back to work rebuilding New York with the right priorities, long-overdue commonsense reform, and fiscal responsibility. "I look forward to continuing to join my Senate Republican colleagues throughout the weeks and months ahead to put forth strategies and work to ensure that our upstate regions don't get left behind in the unprecedented rebuilding and restructuring effort that we're facing.” One action O’Mara and his colleagues would like New York State to take immediately is to align the businesses on the Empire State Development Corporation’s (ESD) “essential business” designation with that of the federal government’s essential businesses list. They argue that this move to more directly align New York’s reopening with the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “Opening Up America Again” guidelines would allow more small businesses, industries, and manufacturers to reopen safely. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Palmesano, colleagues: Local governments should get federal assistance for PPE buys Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, May 5, 2020 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and his Assembly Republican colleagues are calling for federal assistance to reimburse local governments for needed PPE's (personal protective equipment) purchased for volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) workers and volunteer firefighters.
The lawmakers are also sponsoring a bill which would create the New York State Volunteer Fire Protection Emergency Reimbursement Account, a state fund that would reimburse volunteer fire companies, districts, departments and EMS for coronavirus expenses. “Volunteer emergency service workers are the backbone of our rural communities," said Palmesano. "They have our backs no matter how dangerous the circumstances. Protecting them must be a bipartisan priority in Albany and Washington. We can’t ask them to continue their selfless service without providing them with the resources they need to protect themselves and their families.” Palmesano joined his colleagues in sending a letter last week to President Trump, Senator Charles Schumer and the New York State congressional delegation urging federal action. “Many volunteer emergency districts and volunteer fire companies host fundraisers to help balance their budgets," said Palmesano. "Obviously, they have been unable to host such gatherings. Even though our state revenues are strained, providing help for our volunteer emergency service workers must remain a priority. We also need the federal government to step in and provide additional assistance.” Additionally, Palmesano is encouraging the federal government to ensure volunteer fire departments are eligible for disaster relief programs, including loans and grants. Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Town of Catharine Dumpster Day is May 16 Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, April 30, 2020 -- The Town of Catharine will host a Dumpster Day on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon for town residents only at the town barns. For more information, call 594-2273 or check out www.townofcatharine.com O'Mara to Cuomo: Don't forget Upstate Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, April 20, 2020 -- At his daily COVID-19 press briefing at the Capitol Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of a “Reimagine New York Task Force” to begin working on restructuring New York State government in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In doing so, however, the governor explicitly stated that the task force will focus “primarily on downstate New York.” State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) urged the governor to include the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and all of Upstate New York, in the planned restructuring of New York government. O’Mara said, “I encourage the governor to keep looking ahead and recognizing that a restructuring of New York State government is at hand, because I’ve recently called for that very same post COVID-19 future for New York government. But it baffles me why Governor Cuomo would only include downstate New York. "Upstate New York also deserves better public transportation, better housing, better public safety, better health care, better technology and all of the other areas the governor highlighted for the future of downstate New York. Believe me, from high taxes to unfunded state mandates, Upstate New York deserves and needs to be fully included in this ‘reimagining’ of state government. This restructuring is long overdue. "Clearly, we will need to keep reminding the Governor and the downstate-controlled State Legislature that Upstate’s still here and there’s a few things we can imagine too I look forward to helping make sure we will not be forgotten moving forward.” Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara. Palmesano, colleagues seek farm assistance Special to The Odessa File Farmers across the state, Palmesano says, are finding it immensely challenging to keep their farms operating as the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has cut demand for their products and slashed their revenues.
Highlights from the Assembly Minority’s proposal include: --Suspending DMV registration requirements for agricultural vehicles. --Eliminating tolls, hauling permits and highway use fees for vehicles transporting agricultural products. --Suspending the 60-hour overtime threshold and the 24-hour rest requirement for farm laborers for one year. --Extending the Milk Producers Security Fund. --Allocating new federal stimulus funds to Cornell Cooperative Extensions, which can assist in emergency service delivery. --Allocating new federal stimulus funds to expand rural broadband. --Providing state-funded vouchers for food banks to purchase agricultural products from local producers. Efforts to promote state assistance come on the heels of Palmesano and his colleagues writing President Trump and top administration officials earlier this week seeking emergency federal aid for the state’s farm families. “With 98 percent of farms in New York state being family owned, we should be working together to pursue every avenue we can to help farm families get through this crisis,” said Palmesano. Area airports get $4.6 million in funding Special to The Odessa File WASHINGTON, D.C., April 15, 2020 -- Rep. Tom Reed has announced $4,638,156 in funding is being released to airports throughout his district. The funds are being released by the Federal Aviation Administration. The allocations are as follows: This allocation is part of the Airport Improvement Program. For more information, visit https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/. Palmesano, GOP colleagues petition Trump, Schumer for ag aid for NY's 'hurting' farms Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, April 13, 2020 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and his Assembly Republican colleagues have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, Senator Charles Schumer and top administration officials urging them to push Congress to authorize a new relief package to help New York State’s agricultural industry. They’re also pushing the officials to ensure that farmers are eligible for benefits previously appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Palmesano and his colleagues want the federal government to ensure that farmers are eligible for disaster loan funding and are seeking federal reimbursement for any actions the state must take to support farm families. They are also seeking a larger state share of the aggregate CARES Act Funding. Most importantly, the lawmakers are urging both houses of Congress to pass a new stimulus package that also provides critical assistance for New York's agricultural industry, an investment that will produce ripple effects across the economy. “New York state is the global epicenter of this crisis, we’re one of the nation’s leading agricultural producers and our country isn’t going to have any sort of economic resurgence without thriving, fully-operational family farms," said Palmesano. "Agriculture is our state’s number one industry. That’s why we’re asking the administration and Sen. Schumer to make this a priority in Washington on both sides of the aisle.” “Bad policies in this state made our farm families vulnerable to any crisis," he added. "Increasing their labor costs, crushing them with mandates and stifling them with regulations created a bad situation. Now, they’re in crisis. We need to do the right thing and provide them with the help they deserve before it’s too late. “Remember, no farms, no food.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) O'Mara, colleagues urge Cuomo to exempt essential state workers from wage-hike freeze Special to The Odessa File Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) O'Mara: Final State Budget adds to burdens Upstate is facing from COVID-19 pandemic' Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, April 3, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) says the final 2020-2021 New York State budget negotiated and approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat majorities of the state Senate and Assembly unnecessarily and unfairly adds too many additional burdens for Upstate New York communities, economies, governments, schools, taxpayers, and workers. With the state facing rapid and unprecedented fiscal upheaval, O’Mara said the final budget enacts too many actions that have nothing to do with the coronavirus response and threatens Upstate communities with fiscal and economic burdens and uncertainties even after the COVID-19 response is completed.
The new state budget cuts and freezes a range of state aid, including freezing Foundation Aid to local school districts at current levels despite the state receiving $1.2 billion in federal stimulus school aid. It authorizes billions of dollars in new state borrowing that O'Mara said will burden future generations of taxpayers. The budget does accept nearly $6 billion of federal stimulus Medicaid funding that fortunately, O’Mara said, was conditioned on the state not shifting additional Medicaid costs to counties. However, as one way around this cost-shifting restriction, the governor and the Democrat legislative majorities created a $50 million charge to counties for so-called “distressed hospital” aid. The budget also gives Cuomo unprecedented powers to unilaterally revise the state’s fiscal plan throughout the coming fiscal year, including the authority to make additional cuts as he sees fit upon revenue deviations of as little as one percent. O’Mara said that too many of the actions will hit Upstate especially hard. He added that the budget includes policies and other actions that should not have been acted on during the current coronavirus crisis or as part of the state budget at any time. These actions include new mandates on economic development projects receiving state incentives that will impose cost increases on many already-hard-pressed Upstate employers; taking away local decision-making, including bypassing local zoning, in the siting of future renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms; a permanent ban on the exploration and development of natural gas in New York State; and a ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) single-use containers that O'Mara said will jeopardize thousands of Upstate manufacturing jobs while out-of-state businesses will still be able to send and sell products in New York State with polystyrene packaging. O’Mara added that the budget eliminates a proposed small business tax cut while it continues a tax cut for the Hollywood film industry worth $420 million annually. O’Mara further noted that while the final budget is full of non-budget policy moves, the governor and downstate Democrats largely ignored the need to reform the state’s controversial No-Bail law by failing to give judges the full discretion necessary to keep dangerous criminals off the streets. O’Mara released the following statement in reaction to the 2020-2021 state budget: “This is not the time for hard-edged politics and out of respect for the men and women on the front lines working around the clock to combat and control the coronavirus pandemic, I’ll be restrained in my response. All of New York has one priority right now. We must get this public health emergency under control. We will have plenty to say and do about this budget at the appropriate time moving forward. For now, the coronavirus response is paramount to having any hope of getting our feet back under us and finding some solid ground. Right now we all need to keep responding to COVID-19 with the seriousness and personal responsibility it demands. “But Upstate does not get a fair shake in this budget. It is the product of one-party, downstate Democrat control of state government, period. It will add fiscal and economic burdens on top of a pandemic already falling hard on Upstate New York communities, schools, economies, governments, taxpayers, and workers. “We could and should have enacted a budget that simply kept this state running and meeting its obligations throughout this emergency. Then, once we weathered this storm, we could get to work assessing the damage, determining who and what needs repair, better calculate the federal response, and have an open and full discussion on the best way to move forward for this entire state, Upstate and downstate. That would have been common sense. That would have been responsible. That would have been fair. That’s not what happened here. “For Upstate, in addition to doing our part to beat the pandemic, we are going to have to confront picking up the pieces of this budget and that’s what we will do in the months ahead. One thing is absolutely clear: Upstate needs to reclaim a voice in this state government.” Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Schuyler urges potential visitors: 'Stay home'' Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, March 30, 2020 -- As part of the effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Schuyler County officials are asking potential visitors to the county to follow state and federal instructions and stay home until our nation defeats the pandemic. "Together we will get through this and protect those at highest risk for serious illness," said Blowers. "Thank you for your understanding in these unusual times.” O'Mara, Palmesano urge Cuomo: Take aid, don't pass Medicaid costs to the counties Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, March 30, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I) Monday urged Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat leaders of the State Legislature to accept more than $5 billion in federal COVID-19 response assistance and not enact a 2020-2021 state budget this week that requires county governments and local property taxpayers to pick up more of the cost of New York’s Medicaid system. The lawmakers stressed that now is not the time for the state to begin requiring counties to cover a larger share of the Medicaid system that already costs taxpayers more than $70 billion a year.
Before the coronavirus crisis, New York was already preparing to deal with a state budget deficit of more than $6 billion, largely resulting from overspending in the Medicaid program. In response, the governor reconvened a Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) late last year. The MRT recently issued recommendations for cost savings in the state’s Medicaid program, including the removal of the cap on the growth in local Medicaid costs first enacted by the state in 2012. The cap has produced more than $7 billion in savings for local governments O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend said the COVID-19 pandemic is already putting an enormous strain on county budgets and with the inevitable loss of sales tax and other revenue that will result from shuttered economies regionally and statewide, many local governments could already find themselves on the brink of bankruptcy The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) updated a report Monday estimating that the pandemic’s economic impact on local governments could be $2 billion. The recently enacted (Phase III) federal response package is set to deliver approximately $5.2 billion in assistance to the state and local governments. The governor, however, remains critical of the federal response, contending that accepting the federal aid prevents the state from taking any of the short- and long-term Medicaid cost-saving measures recommended by the state MRT
O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend acknowledged there will need to be even greater federal COVID-19 assistance for New York, the hardest hit state in the nation. They also agree that the previously approved (Phase II) federal assistance package prevents the state from shifting Medicaid costs to localities, which they believe is a positive move Nevertheless, they argue that the governor and the Legislature can still accept the $5.2 billion in federal assistance and start moving forward with some of the MRT’s savings recommendations -- but not anything that shifts additional costs to county governments and local property taxpayers. Additionally, NYSAC estimates that by rejecting the federal assistance, local governments statewide stand to lose nearly $1.5 billion in federal aid, including $400 million for counties outside of New York City. O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend said: “It is important for our local governments that the federal stimulus package affords that protection and prevents states from shifting costs to localities during this unprecedented crisis. That doesn’t mean New York State has to walk away from this urgently needed federal support. The federal government will need to step up more for New York State in the months ahead; however, we can and should put this initial federal aid to good use, begin moving forward with reasonable and necessary Medicaid cost savings for the long term, which we believe the state can absolutely do, and not pass more of the Medicaid buck back to counties. "We need to enact a fair and responsible bare bones budget that addresses the coronavirus response, meets existing obligations, and doesn’t contain any pet projects or politically motivated policy moves unrelated to the deficit or the crisis. Once we have weathered this storm, we can get to work assessing the damage, determining who and what needs repair, and have an open and full discussion on the best way to move forward for the entire state, upstate and downstate. The lawmakers pointed to 2009 and the federal response to the Great Recession, when then-Governor David Patterson accepted federal stimulus aid that contained similar restrictions and still moved forward with numerous state-level deficit reduction actions and cost savings. Photos in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (top) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. Odessa fire truck crashes; sole occupant OK' Special to The Odessa File ODESSA, March 25, 2020 -- An Odessa Fire Department pumper was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Middle Road in the Town of Veteran in Chemung County shortly after noon on Wednesday. The fire department reported that the truck was being operated by a 23-year veteran firefighter when a portion of the roadway collapsed, causing the truck to go off the roadway. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was not injured. The pumper sustained substantial damage in the accident but was driven from the scene to a repair shop. The Millport Fire Department, Erway Ambulance, Chemung County Emergency Management, Chemung County Highway Department and the New York State Police responded to the accident. "We are thankful," the Odessa department said in a press release, "that the safety features built into this truck helped prevent our firefighter from being injured during this incident. "The pumper truck will be out of service for repairs for an unknown amount of time. During this time fire protection in the Odessa fire district will not be affected as the Odessa Fire Department will be utilizing a pumper loaned to us by a neighboring fire department." U.S. Attorney Kennedy: COVID-19 online scammers possess 'rotted hearts and souls'' Special to The Odessa File For example, in a press release out of Buffalo, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. on Monday urged the public "to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or contacting the NCDF e-mail address: disaster@leo.gov."
"In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of coronavirus fraud schemes. “'My message to those who seek to exploit the pandemic for their own personal gain by stealing others’ money, or identity, or both, is simple,' said Kennedy. 'We have a treatment for you and that treatment includes prosecution and federal prison. While others may get sick from the virus, most will recover. Sadly, I am not so sure these predators will ever recover from their affliction -- as it seems to have rotted their hearts and souls.' "Some examples of these schemes include: --Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. --Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. --Malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. --Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. --Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures. "In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19," the press release added, "Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the coronavirus, direct the prosecution of coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. U.S. Attorney Kennedy appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney David Rudroff to serve as Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator for the Western District of New York. "To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus." Beyond that, an area financial institution sent out this note.: "Cyber criminals are opportunistic and historically have looked to exploit a variety of emergency situations. Sadly, the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is no exception. Cyber criminals are attempting to lure victims via phishing, fake mobile apps and online news stories, with the goals of stealing your credentials, installing malware like ransomware, committing financial fraud, and much more. Cybersecurity experts warn that as the outbreak continues to intensify, the volume of hacking attacks will likely rise. "A common attack uses phishing emails containing links or attachments that claim to contain important information about the virus. Once opened, these can infect the PC with malware. Also, be wary of social media posts and pseudo-news articles about COVID-19 as well. For information, it is best to go right to an authoritative source. If searching through Google, make sure you are going to a reputable organization’s website for information. One major attack happening right now is the "Map of people who have tested positive," which appears to come from John Hopkins University, but it does not. The actual address for the John Hopkins site is: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html. "Sites or catch phrases actually in use now and to be wary of include those that start with the following or something similar: --Someone in your immediate area has tested positive. "These will change quickly when people do not fall for them, so please stay alert!" O-Mara maintaining 'one-stop' webpage to help us access COVID-19 info and updates Special to The Odessa File Schuyler County Sheriff's Office adopts procedural changes due to coronavirus Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, March 17, 2020 -- The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office issued the following explanaton Tuesday of changes in its procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic: Photo in text: Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman speaks at a press conference Tuesday at which public health officials provided updates on actions being taken to inform the public and protect it and staff in the county from COVID-19. State representatives, local highway officials rally in Albany for road-bridge-culvert funds Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, NY, March 4, 2020 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and a group of state Senators and members of the Assembly Wednesday joined a statewide coalition of county and town highway superintendents and other local leaders to call for increased state support for local roads, bridges, and culverts.
-- Achieve the past practice of mutual five-year Capital Plans between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) with parity as a priority that benefits both upstate and downstate; Senate OKs organ donation legislation Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Feb. 28, 2020 -- The State Senate has given final legislative approval to legislation co-sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) to try to increase organ and tissue donations in New York State by giving New Yorkers the opportunity to register as organ and tissue donors when they apply for or renew a hunting, fishing or trapping license. "It’s one of the most important life-saving actions that any of us can take. One donor can save up to eight lives and positively impact the lives of 75 others through eye and tissue donations,” said O’Mara, who has long supported legislative efforts to bolster organ and tissue donations. “We’re hopeful that this latest effort to make it easy for New York’s sportsmen and sportswomen to register as organ donors can make a real difference in bringing attention to and encouraging donations.” The state Assembly two weeks ago unanimously approved the legislation (S7318/A7915), where co-sponsors include area Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning). The measure now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final action. More than 400 New Yorkers die annually waiting for an organ transplant. Nearly 10,000 people are on the waiting list for transplants and more than 1,500 of them have been on the list for more than five years. However, according to the New York State Organ Donor Network, New York currently has the second-lowest donor registry enrollment rate in the nation. In total, only 11% of eligible donors are currently enrolled in the New York State Organ and Tissue Registry. Schuyler County supports centralized arraignment plan for local criminal courts Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 12, 2020 -- The Schuyler County Legislature has endorsed a process for implementing a centralized arraignment program for after-hours arrests. Palmesano rises in Assembly leadership ranks Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay taps Palmesano as Assistant Minority Leader ALBANY, Feb. 2, 2020 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) will be serving his colleagues and his constituents in a new leadership capacity. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) has tapped Palmesano to serve as the Assistant Minority Leader of the Assembly Republican Conference. Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Shoreline redevelopment eyed Village, county seek interest level through REOI as time nears for the old treatment plant to be decommissionedWATKINS GLEN, Jan. 22, 2020 -- The Watkins Glen Village Board gave the go-ahead Tuesday night for the release of an REOI (Request for Expression of Interest) regarding a "Waterfront Redevelopment Opportunity" -- a redevelopment on the site of what will soon be the former Wastewater Treatment Plant on the southern shore of Seneca Lake. The village, in partnership with Schuyler County and the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED), is -- according to the REOI -- "seeking expression of interest proposals from qualified developers to partner with us for a rare development" at the "opportunity" site -- two village-owned parcels upon which the treatment plant sits, and county land upon which the Village Marina restaurant sits on the edge of the county-owned Seneca Harbor Park.
The REOI will be released -- published -- today (Jan. 22) with responses due by March 17. It is in essence an effort to find out what interested developers might be out there -- a process that County Planning Director Kristin VanHorn, who was present at the Village Board session, called "exciting." The move is the culmination of committee and public meetings, work by the Larson Design Group, and debate over what kind of development the public wants and might accept. The responses to the REOI will not bind the village and county to any one developer, but could lead to some definitive plan and result. According to the REOI, the project site "is composed of three extraordinary parcels on the Seneca Lake waterfront at the terminus of Porter Street in the Village of Watkins Glen. The parcels consist of a 0.438-acre parcel owned by Schuyler County currently occupied by the Village Marina restaurant and large charter boat launch. The other two parcels, with a total area of 1.274 acres, are owned by the Village of Watkins Glen and are currently occupied by the Village wastewater treatment plant." Among the project objectives: The REOI document goes on to explain that "upon decommissioning of the Village wastewater treatment plant, the developer shall be responsible for demolition of the facility and preparing the site as necessary to accommodate the proposed development." Among "desired design parameters": 1. A multi-use multi-story commercial facility of 30,000-60,000 square feet "providing space for commercial enterprises including but not limited to specialty retail stores and/or restaurants and dining spaces." Among "required design parameters":
The document says the village and county "recognize that public assistance may be needed to induce redevelopment of the site. The Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency is prepared to provide reasonable assistance to the selected developer based on demonstrated need." The tentative project schedule: Selection of a Developer: April 2020. The REOI, the document adds, "is intended to allow the Village an opportunity to gauge the financial viability and level of commitment of interested developers. The Village reserves the right to use this REOI process in place of a follow-up Request for Proposals when making a developer selection. "The Village and project stakeholders," it added, "reserve the right to forgo any formalities and reject all Expressions of Interest." Photos in text: From top: Deputy Mayor Lou Perazzini ran the meeting in the absence of Mayor Luke Leszyk; trustee Tony Fraboni; and trustee Nan Woodworth. Trustee Laurie DeNardo was absent. Two charged in drug bust upon traffic stop The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office said that deputies stopped a vehicle on Railroad Street in the village at about 1:24 p.m. "after a Vehicle and Traffic Violation was observed." According to a press release: "A Sheriff’s Office K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of methamphetamine, a set of brass knuckles and drug paraphernalia. Amber L Cosgrove, 38, of Pine Valley, is being charged with one count of Criminal Possession Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, as well as other traffic violations. "Michael J. Depue, 45, of Elmira Heights, was also arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, and one count Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. "Both parties were issued appearance tickets to appear in the Village of Odessa Court at a later date." Annual photoMembers of the Schuyler County Legislature posed along with other county officials for the group's annual photo on Thursday, Jan. 2, following the Legislature's annual organizational meeting in the County Office Building. Front from left: County Attorney Steven Getman, Deputy Clerk of the Legislature Jamee Mack, Clerk of the Legislature Stacy Husted, and County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. Rear from left: Legislators Jim Howell, Gary Gray, David Reed, Michael Lausell, Carl Blowers, Mark Rondinaro, Van Harp and Phil Barnes. Matt Hayden is sworn in as Schuyler County Judge by his father, Carl, while Matt's wife Denise and children Jack and Beatrice observe. Matt Hayden sworn in Starts his 10-year term as the new Schuyler County Judge
Photos in text: Top: Matt Hayden visits with Maggie and Calvin Coffey after the swearing-in ceremony. Judge Hayden visits with former Schuyler County Judge J.C. Argetsinger, left center, and Chemung County Judge Richard W. Rich, right, after the ceremony. Schuyler projects share in REDC awards Statewide, more than $761 million is being distributed in this, the ninth annual round of the initiative. Since its 2011 introduction, more than $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects. The Schuyler County projects: --The Village of Montour Falls will receive $750,000 for improvement to its wastewater collection system. Schuyler will, in conjunction with Chemung and Steuben counties, also share $52,500 "to provide tools for communities to elevate and flood-proof historic stuctures," and $50,000 "to identify prime brownfield sites in need of revitalization and result in a guide for stakeholders to promote sites to developers, stimulating the local economy." The Legislature chamber sported a festive bow on each desk. From left: legislators Jim Howell, Carl Blowers, David Reed and Michael Lausell. Sales tax, vetting process, and internet service dominate Legislature's meeting
Photo in text: From top: Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan, Legislator Phil Barnes, and County Attorney Steven Getman at the meeting. Counties awarded communications grants ELMIRA, NY, Dec. 8, 2019 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) have announced that regional counties are among those statewide that will share $45 million in state funding to help enhance and support local emergency communications systems. In a joint statement, O’Mara, Friend and Palmesano said, “These timely and important public safety and emergency response grants should make a great difference to local emergency response teams. Emergency preparedness, response and recovery are fundamental government responsibilities.”
-- Schuyler County, $422,876; -- Seneca County, $410,827; -- Steuben County, $796,257; -- Tioga County, $385,432; -- Tompkins County, $656,292; and -- Yates County, $328,425. Local counties prevail in tower-site appeal ALBANY, NY, Dec. 8, 2019 -- Schuyler and Chemung Counties have again prevailed in their five-years-long court battle against an adjoining landowner regarding the counties’ use of the Terry Hill Emergency Tower site (and right of way), owned by Schuyler County, near Beardsley Hollow Road in Chemung County. On December 5, the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division upheld the prior judgment affirming Schuyler and Chemung County’s continued right to use the site and related easement for emergency radio and voice communications. The County of Schuyler was represented on appeal by Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman. Chemung County was represented by Syracuse attorney Gabrielle Figueroa. Elmira attorney Scott Moore represented appellant William Hetrick, the adjoining landowner. According to court records, both counties had used the site for radio and voice communication for over 50 years. In 2012, the two counties began to update and replace the emergency communications tower at the site. Hetrick objected to the upgrade, arguing that it violated a restrictive covenant related to his land. In October 2014, the counties sought a declaratory judgment from Chemung County Supreme Court. The counties maintained that the use of the property was proper and necessary for public safety. Hetrick then filed a counterclaim. In March 2018, Supreme Court Justice Judith O’Shea ruled in the counties’ favor O’Shea held that the new tower and equipment were consistent with the deed language, as was continued cooperation between Schuyler and Chemung counties. O’Shea’s judgment was unanimously affirmed in the Dec. 5 ruling. “We are pleased with the appellate court’s decision,” Getman said. “A ruling against the counties could have eliminated a critical public service from Schuyler County.” The site is the single transmission site for the entire Schuyler Public Safety Communication system, Getman explained. The county uses this system to dispatch nine volunteer fire departments, three ambulance services, multiple police agencies and local highway departments, he noted. Various Schuyler County agencies assisted in gathering information and providing evidence to support the counties’ case during the litigation, including: Emergency Management Director William Kennedy, the County Administrator, the Clerk to the Legislature, the County Clerk, the County Treasurer, the Highway Department and County Buildings and Grounds. Hetrick has approximately 30 days to attempt to seek leave to appeal to the New York State Court of Appeals. High-speed chase ends in man's arrest O'Mara: Dem 'reforms' raising red flags, weakening state's criminal justice system ALBANY, Nov. 22 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has joined legislative colleagues, law enforcement agencies, county district attorneys, and others in calling on New York State to delay the implementation of several criminal justice reform laws set to take effect on January 1, 2020.
-- Aggravated vehicular homicide -- Criminally negligent homicide -- Assault in the third degree -- Aggravated vehicular assault -- Making a terroristic threat -- Criminal possession of a gun on school grounds/criminal possession of a firearm -- Criminal sale of a firearm to a minor -- Arson in the third and fourth degree -- Money laundering in support of terrorism in the third and fourth degree -- Promoting or possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child -- Aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, animal fighting -- Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree -- Coercion in the first degree -- Grand larceny in the first degree -- Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first and second degree -- Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and second degree, or near/on school grounds -- Specified felony drug offenses involving the use of children, including the use of a child to commit a controlled substance offense and criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child -- Criminal solicitation in the first degree and criminal facilitation in the first degree -- Patronizing a person for prostitution in a school zone -- Failure to register as a sex offender -- Obstructing governmental administration in the first and second degree, or by means of a self-defense spray device -- Bribery and bribe receiving in the first degree, bribe giving for public office -- Promoting prison contraband in the first and second degree -- Resisting arrest -- Hindering prosecution -- Tampering with a juror and tampering with physical evidence -- Aggravated harassment in the first degree -- Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree -- Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree -- Enterprise corruption and money laundering in the first degree.
Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Map showing water lines and tanks around Watkins Glen. The intake is on the western shore of Seneca Lake, with water heading first to the Steuben Tank. Watkins Glen aging water system upgrades carry a large price tag, but not all at once
Photos in text: From the top: Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk at Tuesday's meeting; MRB's Shawn Bray and Bill Davis. Info meeting set on Falls, Glen strategic plan Special to The Odessa File The plan, says Amanda Arnold Rodriguez of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED), "combines community member feedback and ideas with past project reviews, professional data analysis, and future economic projections. The Plan uses the information to set realistic, attainable, and community-vetted goals and projects." The plan's goals, she added, "will assist in maintaining successfully completed projects, supporting ongoing community and economic initiatives, and developing new projects and goals to enhance and sustain the growing and transitioning local economy in both communities and the combined region. The Mill Street Bridge above Shequagah Falls as reconstruction neared completion. (Photo by Phil Barnes) Ribbon-cutting marks bridge reopening Special to The Odessa File MONTOUR FALLS, Oct. 26, 2019 -- A ribbon-cutting was held on Friday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the historic Mill Street Bridge -- spanning the gap above scenic Shequagah Falls near downtown Montour Falls -- as residents and dignitaries celebrated the reopening of the newly refurbished crossing.
The ribbon-cutting included remarks by County Legislators Phil Barnes and Dennis Fagan, Montour Falls Mayor John King, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, State Senator Tom O’Mara, and representatives from the NYSDOT Hornell office, and also featured a ceremonial first car over the bridge as part of the ceremony. The bridge is owned by Schuyler County, but located in the village of Montour Falls. The Schuyler County Historical Society provided the following details about the original ribbon-cutting celebrating the bridge’s initial construction:
Photos in text: Two stages of the project on the Mill Street Bridge. (Both photos by Phil Barnes) Trappler's appeal application is denied Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, Oct. 22, 2019 -- The New York State Court of Appeals has denied Alice Trappler’s application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals. This decision, says the Schuyler County District Attorney's office, effectively exhausts Trappler’s state court appeal remedies. Bennett was the father of Trappler’s child and was supposed to be in Steuben County Family Court on a paternity matter the morning after he was murdered. GPS coordinates, the DA's office showed, proved that Borden was in the vicinity of Bennett’s home when this exchange occurred. In the early morning hours after Bennett was murdered and shortly before Bennett was to be in Family Court, Trappler texted Borden, “Wonder if he will show up this time lol.” During the investigation, Borden was located by police just outside of Philadelphia. He escaped from the clutches of the police and jumped in front of a commuter train, resulting in his death. Trappler proceeded to trial, where a Schuyler County jury found her guilty after deliberating a little over four hours. Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary argued that there were no questions of law existing that would trigger the Court of Appeals’ authority to review the case. Photo in text: Alice Trappler (File photo) New law enhances voting opportunities To the Editor on October 16: All democracies gain strength when voter involvement increases. For this reason, the League of Women Voters of Schuyler County applauds our New York State government for the passage of the new Early Voting Law. The law greatly enhances voting opportunities by establishing a 10-day period during which we all may vote before the regular Nov. 5 Election Day. Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 26, and through Sunday, Nov. 3, Schuyler County voters may vote in the Legislative Chambers in the Schuyler County Office Building at 105 Ninth St. in Watkins Glen. This is the only early-voting polling site in the county. The New York State League of Women Voters is offering online information about the new law as well as dates and times for early voting in every county in the state. The site is www.nyearlyvoting.org. The Schuyler County Board of Elections has posted information about early voting at schuylercounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/7636/2019-Vote-Early. You also may call the Board Elections at (607) 535-8195 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Board of Elections website is at www.schuylercounty.us/128/Board-of-elections. We encourage all eligible citizens to register to vote and exercise this precious civil right in the 2019 election cycle. League of Women Voters Lewis running for Town Supervisor post TOWN OF CATHARINE, Oct. 1, 2019 -- Richard J. (Rick) Lewis has announced he is running for the position of Supervisor of the Town of Catharine. Born and raised on Oak Hill Road in Alpine, Lewis has been a resident of the town for more than 45 years. He is a Life Member and Commander of the Odessa American Legion. He says he "believes that the purpose of town government is to provide services to the residents that ensure safety, security, a sense of well-being and decent roads," adding that as a taxpayer, he knows "the importance of keeping taxes low and spending tax money wisely." Photo in text: Rick Lewis (Photo provided) Eslinger seeking Town of Dix Justice post WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 12, 2019 -- Democrat Brian T. Eslinger has announced he is running for the position of Town of Dix Justice on the November 5 ballot. He will also be running on an independent party line, “Fair & Balanced.” According to a press release, "Brian is known for his campaign last November against the eight-year incumbent Philip Barnes as he ran for the District 6 Schuyler County Legislative seat." Of a total of 985 votes, "Brian lost by only 4 votes. Both Brian and Phil received accolades for their civil and professional campaigns. They were based on the issues, and each candidate portrayed dignity and respect to each other." Eslinger and his partner David own The Blackberry Inn Bed & Breakfast and Guest House in Watkins Glen. "Brian’s core beliefs," the press release said, "are centered in family, faith, community and service. Brian served a two-year term as the Chairperson of the Schuyler County Lodging and Tourism Association; he is a member of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the New York Farm Bureau, the Finger Lakes Tourism Association, and the Schuyler County Democratic Committee, and served a four-year term on the Village of Watkins Glen Planning Board appointed by (D) Mayor Sam Schimizzi. In April of 2019 Brian was reappointed to a consecutive four-year term on the Village of Watkins Glen Planning Board by (R) Mayor Luke Leszyk. "The role of a Town Justice is to serve the Law and the Community. Brian is committed to treating all people with respect and dignity. He will work closely with the resources of the State of New York Unified Court Systems and will do his due diligence to understand the facts and the law and be fair and balanced to all people." Photo in text: Brian Eslinger (Photo provided) Water-quality article on blog prompts The need for such a remarkable assurance from Mayor Luke Leszyk came at a Village Board session in response to a blog by environmental writer Peter Mantius, a Watkins Glen resident, that reported on a University of Michigan study that included Watkins Glen and Montour Falls among communities whose water it said contains a questionable amount of toxins.
Talking at the meeting's outset, Leszyk intoned that it was "a privilege, not a right" to speak there. "The Board isn't on trial here," he said, urging any speakers to "be brief," and adding: "Don't be rude, judgmental or disrespectful." Those words were in apparent anticipation of questions and possibly demands regarding the article by Mantius, which can be read here. It dealt with a complex set of test measurements that concluded, in its lead paragraph: "Public drinking water in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Seneca County contains elevated levels of the cancer-linked PFAS class of chemicals found in dozens of stain-repellent household products like Teflon and Scotchguard, recent tests show." Mantius was present at Tuesday's meeting, and expressed surprise at the level of concarn voiced by some residents to his article. "I'm surprised this story created as much alarm as it did," he said. That concession came after Leszyk -- responding when resident Barb Cook asked what the Board was "planning to do" regarding the reported toxin levels -- said he was "not going to go into great detail here." The board, he said, would be taking "a proactive" approach and conduct its "own tests." He said the Board is "trying to get as much information as possible," and termed the blog information "concerning," although he added that the village has -- with the exception of results following the large August 2018 storm --been meeting Department of Health requirements. He said the water tested by the University of Michigan laboratory "did not come from our plant," and that he had no idea at this point what water source was utilized.
When resident Brian Eslinger -- a member of the village Planning Board -- suggested an assuring message should be published for the village residents, Leszyk said a press release would be issued "once we have more information." He said he wishes the blog -- headlined "Tap Water in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Seneca County Tests Positive for PFAS Chemicals" -- had "been more conservatively released," but said he can "understand the motivation" of writers who present facts in a fashion designed "to get people to move" on a given subject -- sometimes by utilizing "fear." He said the village is working with the state Department of Health regarding "our own testing" and asked of the public: "Let us do our work here." Mantius felt the Board was moving in the right direction, but urged that it not take Department of Health pronouncements on blind faith, saying the department has dragged its feet regarding water quality in the past (detailed in his article). "We need the DOH to take this seriously," he said, urging the Board to "hold (DOH's) feet to the fire." Photos in text: Mayor Luke Leszyk (top) and writer Peter Mantius at Tuesday's meeting. League session to focus on early voting law Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 1, 2019) -- The League of Women Voters of Schuyler County is inviting the public to a reception on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Atwater Vineyards, Route 414, Hector. Kathy Smith and Elaine Schmidt from the League of Women Voters of the Rochester Metropolitan Area will speak about New York State’s new early voting law during the reception. The social event also is an opportunity to learn more about the goals of the Schuyler League, organizers said. The reception will be from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Wine tastings, a cash bar and refreshments will be offered. Reservations are requested by calling (607) 535-6680 or by emailing judyphillips@stny.rr.com by Monday, Sept. 9. A view of the construction site from a point on the Watkins Glen High School side of the canal. The wastewater treatment plant will serve both Watkins Glen and Montour Falls. Work progresses on water treatment plant The facility, which will serve the villages of Watkins Glen and Montour Falls -- replacing Watkins' aged treatment facility on the Seneca Lake shoreline and Montour Falls' old and aging plant along Marina Drive -- is nearing completion after being developed for years. The cost is $32 million, achieved through grants and loans.
Once the new plant is on line, officials of both villages will oversee demolition of the old treatment facilities, clean up the sites, and decide how to redevelop the properties with an eye toward economic development. "Both sites," Montour Falls Mayor John King has said, "are prime waterfront locations that can be redeveloped for retail, hotel, restaurant and recreational uses, consistent with the long-term master development plans for our respective communities." Photos in text: The new wastewater treatment plant construction site, in a view snapped from across the canal. Scene from a video presented to the Town of Montour Board snapped at a festival similar to the one proposed for Havana Glen Park. Montour Town Board mulls proposal for Chinese silk lantern fest at Havana Glen MONTOUR FALLS, Aug. 14, 2019 -- The Town of Montour Board Tuesday night took under consideration a proposal for a Chinese-style silk lantern festival on the grounds of Havana Glen Park in the summer of 2020 and possibly in the late summer, autumn and early winter of succeeding years.
As agreed with SCOPED in their preliminary talks, APS would -- unlike in big cities, where it shares the risk and cost with the municipality in which it is setting up a festival -- shoulder the entire production cost. To do that, APS and DDM would pocket all recipts rather than split with the municipality, in this case the Town of Montour. But the town would benefit in other ways: assuming a good turnout at the festival, which initially would go from July to October, and in succeeding years from late summer to winter, there would be increased sales tax, and increased attendance at local eateries, motels and other businesses. Call it the ripple effect. Both Ferraro and Montgomery said they would work with such people, perhaps getting them other camping sites at comparable prices. Photos in text: From top: Speaker Robert Montgomery; board members T.J. Riley (left) and Supervisor David Scott (right); scene from video presentation; SCOPED's Judy McKinney Cherry. Saks accepts nominations from 2 parties Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 1, 2019 -- Watkins Glen attorney Jessica Saks has accepted the nominations of the Independence and About Justice parties in her bid to become Schuyler County Court Judge.
“I make only one pledge: that I will be fair, open-minded and impartial for the people I seek to serve,” she added. If elected, Saks will become the first woman elected to a countywide judicial office in Schuyler County. She is facing Matt Hayden, Steven Getman and Dan Fitzsimmons. Raised in Schuyler County, Saks is a graduate of the New England School of Law. From her law office in Watkins Glen, she specializes in family law, criminal defense and civil litigation. She is the president of the Schuyler County Bar Association, a board director of My Place: A Play and Learning Center, a past member of the Nominating Committee for the Arc of Schuyler, and serves as the Attorney for Child Liaison for Schuyler County. Further information can be found Saks's website at SaksforJudge.net and on the Facebook page “Saks for Judge.” Saks seeks to succeed Judge Dennis J. Morris, who retired in May. Photo in text: Jessica Saks (Photo provided) U.S. District Court rules in favor of Watkins School District in suit brought by Hansen
The 21-page decision effectively short circuits, at least for now, hopes that Hansen had held to make the district pay, through its insurance, damages for an alleged violation of her civil rights, personified by her arrest by handcuff at the school on two occasions in 2016. An appeal is likely, though, says her attorney, Jacob McNamara of the Ithaca law firm of Schlather, Stumbar, Parks & Salk. "We are looking closely at the court's decision and Ms. Hansen is likely to appeal it," McNamara wrote in an emailed statement. "The court never recognized the issue of whether Ms. Hansen's First Amendment rights were violated. The focus of this case was not only the original restriction that Superintendent Phillips issued to Ms. Hansen -- it was that the Superintendent issued a second, broader, more threatening restriction to Ms. Hansen when she complained about his actions to the Board of Education. "This second restriction constitutes retaliation and reflected an issue that needed a jury's assessment. But rather than sending this case to a jury, the court took a material dispute between Ms. Hansen and Superintendent Phillips and, as a matter of law, sided with the superintendent's version of the facts.
That could take another 18 months to conclude, he indicated. The convoluted case stems from three actions by Hansen in 2016 and the district's response to them: --Her attempt to gain access to a State of the District meeting run by Phillips with staff, and attended by a majority of the School Board members (with a resulting argument that the majority constituted a quorum and the meeting thus should have been open to the public); --Her attempt to attend a public School Board meeting not long after, in the face of an edict issued by Phillips banning her from the school without his permission. She was arrested outside the school by Village Police when she arrived for the meeting and refused to leave school grounds; and --Her attempt to watch a school tennis match without Phillips' permission (at which time she was arrested again by Village Police after refusing to leave). She ultimately received a favorable ruling from then-Village Court Justice Connie Fern Miller, and brought suit against the village and school district. Phillips was named in the suit, although he was protected from potential financial harm through a resolution approved by the School Board -- standard, it was explained at the time, in such matters.
The court's arguments included this: --"Qualified immunity protects public officials when they make reasonable, even if mistaken, decisions." --"There is no indication that (Phillips) was acting with anything other than his discretion." --"There is no indication in the record that Phillips would have denied Hansen permission (to attend school functions) when she requested it. Indeed. the one time that she sought to attend a parent/teacher conference, Phillips gave her permission." Phillips is quoted in an email as responding thusly: "Thank you to the school attorneys, the insurance company and their attorney and the School Board for ensuring the integrity of the district and the financial interests of our community." Photos in text: Top two: Hansen is confronted by Phillips and then arrested by Village Police upon her arrival to attend a public School Board meeting on March 21, 2016. Bottom: Hansen is arrested by Village Police alongside the school tennis courts while attempting to watch matches there on May 4, 2016. (File photos) Legislature, town officials agree to work on animal control pact with Humane Society WATKINS GLEN, July 5, 2019 -- Members of the Schuyler County Legislature and Supervisors of a half-dozen towns in the county have "agreed to work together toward an agreement with the Humane Society of Schuyler County for dog sheltering services when stray dogs are recovered in any of the towns in Schuyler County." The news, in a press release from Legislator Michael Lausell, follows a week in which such services in five towns were announced as being terminated while those towns turned toward a private entity for such service. A sixth town, Dix, was included in early reports with the other five, but said it was trying instead to reach agreement with the Humane Society. "It is our shared goal that this agreement will be completed in the near future," said the press release. "In the interim, services will continue as they have, under the agreement between the towns, Schuyler County and the Humane Society. The County is continuing to fund and staff the animal control officer position through the Sheriff's department to capture and transport stray dogs to the local shelter." The following elected officials attended the meeting Wednesday of the Legislature: --David Scott -- Town Supervisor, Town of Montour --Schuyler County Legislators Dennis Fagan, Phil Barnes, Mark Rondinaro, Jim Howell and Michael Lausell --Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman Also present: Public Health cautions: potential exposure to Hepatitis A virus at Schuyler restaurant Risk of infection low, but clinics planned in Montour FallsSpecial to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, June 25, 2019 -- People who ate at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant (3 N. Franklin St, Watkins Glen) between June 11 and June 21 were potentially exposed to hepatitis A, the Schuyler County Public Health Department announced Tuesday. Most people do not get sick when an employee at a restaurant has hepatitis A, but there is still a risk, Public Health said in a press release, adding: "People who may have been exposed should receive treatment to prevent infection." “While the risk of infection is low, anyone who may have eaten at the restaurant during this timeframe should check their immunization status and come to one of our clinics or visit their healthcare provider if necessary,” said Schuyler County Public Health Director Deborah Minor, RN, MPH. As a result of this potential hepatitis A exposure, Schuyler County Public Health is advising anyone who ate food at the restaurant between June 12 and June 21 to receive a free hepatitis A vaccine during one of the upcoming vaccine clinics. The clinics will be held at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex, 323 Owego St., Montour Falls, on the following days and times:
The hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus, the department said, adding: "People who ate at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant between June 12 and June 21 (and have not been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A) should receive the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin as soon as possible. Pre-registration for the clinic is encouraged. Visit www.health.ny.gov/go2clinic to pre-register. If you cannot pre-register, please bring your driver’s license or another form of identification. "Those who ate at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant on June 11, may have been exposed but will not benefit from hepatitis A vaccine to prevent infection from this exposure ... are encouraged to monitor themselves and their families for symptoms for 50 days after consuming the food. Symptoms may include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, or jaundice. If you have any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and be sure to tell them that you may have been exposed to hepatitis A." The owner and staff at the restaurant are complying with all recommendations from the state and local health department, the press release added. The restaurant is currently open and there is no risk to eating there at this time. For more information:
From left: Watkins Glen Village Clerk Lonnie Childs, Treasurer Rhonda Slater, and Trustee Laurie DeNardo at Tuesday night's Watkins Glen Village Board meeting. Village Board handles a variety of issues: stop signs, noise, brush and the WWTP
The stop sign issue was raised by resident Barb Cook, who said a stop sign near her house was ill-placed, with cars often braking hard if stopping at all, and then screeching out again. Trustee Lou Perazzini noted that there are a number of such signs placed in previous years to control speed on streets, which he said "isn't the purpose of stop signs." He wants a study to determine the need for a number of them, particularly at four-way stops. A suggestion that the speed limit on side streets be reduced was rejected since it recently was raised back to 30 mph from 20 when the state rejected reduced limits except in a school zone.
The pools issue stemmed from a request from the fire department that its tanker might be used to fill the pools of department members, who would pay any cost for metered water used. That prompted a debate, with two village officials saying such permission would "send a bad message." Mayor Leszyk pointed out that "these guys are volunteers" and that such a service might be seen as "a reward for volunteering," although he added that he was "neutral about it." The board voted 3-0 against it, with Perazzini abstaining.
Work on the new Wastewater Treatment Plant along the canal opposite the high school property is making headway, with concrete pouring of floors planned on three different days in the near future. More bills for the $32 million project -- a facility shared by Watkins Glen and Montour Falls -- were approved by the board, as they had been by the Joint Project Committee at an earlier meeting. Those bills totaled $840,131.43, said Trusteee Tony Fraboni, bringing the total paid to date to $11,810,503 -- leaving a little over $20 million yet to be covered. Magee Street, meanwhile, is undergoing disruption for surveying, engineering and renovation work. It was announced that the first block of the street will be closed soon for a two-week period as work intensifies. Photos in text: From top: Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk and Trustees Lou Perazzini and Tony Fraboni at Tuesday night's Village Board meeting. Local meth 'Queenpin' draws probation WATKINS GLEN, June 1, 2019 -- Julie I. Miller, 33, of Montour Falls -- after pleading guilty to the unlawful manufacture and possession of methamphetamine -- received a sentence from outgoing Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris Thursday of five years probation and forfeiture of $370 in cash found in her possession at the time of her arrest. The District Attorney's office called Miller the local "Queenpin" of the meth trade for being "the major meth cook and distributor in Schuyler County at the time of her arrest" on June 14, 2018. Her arrest, officials said, came after a search of her home found "methamphetamine manufacturing materials, a significant amount of methamphetamine, and scales and other drug packaging materials." She was charged with a B Felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, and a D Felony: Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the 3rd Degree. She pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2019, with no plea bargain offered. "At sentencing," the DA's office said in a press release, "Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hayden argued that the defendant should be sentenced to state prison." It added that Hayden "described how her manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine was known to be poisoning our community." The defendant, the release noted, "acknowledged in a statement to law enforcement that she would cook methamphetamine almost every day and that she would sell methamphetamine from her apartment." The Schuyler County probation department recommended incarceration, and Hayden agreed. The sentencing potential for the B felony offense, the DA's office said, "was up to 9 years in prison, with additional post-release supervision." It added that "during the sentencing, even the defense attorney acknowledged that his client was 'a prolific meth cook' " who "had previously failed while on probation. But (the attorney) also argued that because the defendant has sought drug treatment, and had been doing well while in treatment, that the court should sentence her to probation." Judge Morris (whose term as County Judge ended, as long planned, with his retirement at midnight the same day) agreed with the defense attorney, sentencing Miller to 5 years probation, with the defendant forfeiting "the $370 in cash that she was found to possess when arrested." Fitzsimmons seeking County Judge post SCHUYLER COUNTY, May 20, 2019 -- Daniel Fitzsimmons became the fourth candidate to announce entry into the race for Schuyler County Judge Monday. A press release announced that Fitzsimmons, a longtme Schuyler attorney, "has named a committee to advise and oversee his campaign": John P. Callanan Jr., David and Kate Lamoreaux, Paula Fitzsimmons, Marie Fitzsimmons, Paul E. Clifford, and Damir and Theresa Lazaric. It will be co-chaired by former Schuyler County Legislator Bob Fitzsimmons and local veterinarian Dr. Kirk Peters.
Fitzsimmons, his press release said, "previously served eight years as a Judge in the Town of Hector and ran two successful campaigns with both the Democratic and Conservative Party nominations in 2010 and 2014. Fitzsimmons, a registered Republican, says he will request the nomination of each of the political parties. His Campaign Committee spans the political spectrum, including locally respected Republican, Democratic and Green Party members as well as independent and unaffiliated citizens from the fields of education, health care, industry and public safety." Fitzsimmons, who was born and raised in Schuyler County, opened his law practice in Watkins Glen in 1996. In 2000 he started the Schuyler County Law Guardian Office, "which is responsible for representing the best interests of children in Schuyler County Courts," the release said, adding: "The Law Guardian Program is administered by the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court. The retired Director of the program, Jack Carter, said: 'Attorney Fitzsimmons was appointed the Schuyler County Law Guardian in 2000 and he remained in that position with the advice and consent of every Schuyler County Court Judge until his appointment as Principal Court Attorney in 2018. He also served as a Continuing Legal Education instructor where he wrote curriculum and trained hundreds of other attorneys.'" In 2018 Fitzsimmons was recommended by the current County Court Judge to the position of Principal Court Attorney. That appointment was confirmed by the Sixth Judicial District. Fitzsimmons currently serves as the legal adviser to the Judge and Staff of the Schuyler County Courts. Four generations of the Fitzsimmons family reside in Schuyler County, including Fitzsimmons' three adult children and one grandchild. In addition to his legal career, he is a Captain licensed by the United States Coast Guard. He currently serves on the Schuyler County Youth Board and is the Vice President of the Schuyler County Bar Association. Photo in text: Dan Fitzsimmons (Photo provided) Village updates set at May 20 League event Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, May 1, 2019 -- Burdett Mayor Dale Walter, Montour Falls Mayor John King, Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer and Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk will describe exciting changes and events in their villages on Monday, May 20, at a luncheon hosted by the League of Women Voters of Schuyler County. The public is invited. Reservations are due by Wednesday, May 15. The luncheon will be at noon at the Montour Moose Lodge, Route 14, south of Montour Falls. The cost is $15. Reservations are required by calling (607) 535-6680 or by emailing rebekah@watkinsglenchamber.com . The luncheon will include a brief annual business meeting of the League of Women Voters. Information on the League’s activities and how to join will be available. Community meeting seeks 2-village ideas Special to The Odessa File "We encourage respondents to be creative and dream big," SCOPED said in a press release. "The community’s input will build on the planning efforts completed to date and will contribute to creation of a Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan. Appeals Court entertains Trappler appeal; Fazzary argues against drive for new trial ALBANY, April 25, 2019 -- Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary stood before a five-judge Appeals Court panel Thursday in Albany and argued against a move by convicted murderess Alice Trappler for a new trial. Trappler was represented at the hearing by Attorney Thomas J. Eoannou, who was given 10 minutes to argue on behalf of his client. "I believe a new trial should be ordered," he told the judges.
Trappler was not present at the murder scene, but Fazzary -- through circumstantial evidence that included extensive text messages -- wove a prosecution that convinced the jury to convict. Eoannou said the verdict should be vacated primarily because the prosecution "improperly admitted hearsay statements" -- a charge that Fazzary disputes. Eoannou also criticized Fazzary for failing to use a text -- "I wonder if he'll show up to court. LOL" -- in its full context in reference to a Family Court hearing involving Trappler and Bennett regarding the custody of their infant daughter. He said there was reference in that text exchange to the possibility of the hearing occurring: "We'll be ready for whatever he brings to court." Bennett was murdered before the hearing could be held -- a fact that itself, because of the timing -- is one of the many circumstantial pieces that Fazzary insisted in his rebuttal paints an undeniable tapestry of conspiracy. Eoannou also referred to testimony by Nathan Hand, present with the shooter, Trappler's ex-husband Thomas Wesley Borden, that showed the plan had supposedly been to beat up Bennett. But, said Eoannou, Borden "flipped the script" after drinking shortly before the murder and announced to Hand that he planned instead to kill Bennett. This showed, the attorney said, that Trappler didn't know the murder would take place.
When one of the judges seemingly pressed him on the matter of conspiracy, indicating she was having difficulty connecting the dots, Fazzary said the evidence "was overwhelming," and proceeded to tick off several aspects of the case that he said supported it. As the custody hearing had neared, he said, Trappler was "panic stricken" -- triggering the murder. And he said she showed "consciousness of guilt" when she urged her parents by phone to get to the boyfriend who had given her the gun, saying if he talked "it's my demise." Trappler was the only person with a motive for murder, Fazzary insisted. Arriving at conspiracy was "not a leap of faith." In the end, he said, the jury -- having heard her testimony -- "didn't believe her and took just four hours to convict." The Appeals Court -- the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, whose hearings are aired online -- will now take the Trappler issues under advisement, issuing a decision at an undesignated future date. Photos in text: Top: Handheld device shows District Attorney Joe Fazzary addressing the Appeals Court. Bartow plans run for Schuyler Legislature
Bartow is president of the Schuyler County Historical Society and a former educator at SUNY Oswego, Monroe Community College and James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA). Additionally, he operates Paul Bartow Carpentry, an individually owned business established in 1995 which focuses on design-build projects. Bartow is a resident of Tyrone, having returned in 1992 after attending graduate school. He also attended the Watkins Glen Central School District before pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Fine and Applied Arts. Election Day is November 5th. Early voting begins on October 28th. Photo in text: Paul Bartow (Photo provided) Convicted burglar gets 12-year prison term WATKINS GLEN, April 12, 2019 -- A 31-year-old Trumansburg man was sentenced Thursday in Schuyler County Court to 12 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to charges involving two daytime home invasion burglaries. Justin L. Georgia had been indicted on two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, Class C Violent Felonies. His guilty pleas were entered on Jan. 7. The cases were prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew C. Hayden. No plea bargain offer was made. Georgia was sentenced by Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris, who could have imposed consecutive sentences of up to 30 years in prison, since each count carried a 7-to-15-year sentence, Georgia being a Second Violent Felony offender. He had previously served time in state prison on two other burglaries, from 2010 to 2017. This time, the first burglary occurred in a home on Steam Mill Road in the Town of Hector on Feb. 20, 2018, "where the defendant kicked in a door and proceeded to ransack the house, stealing jewelry and currency," the DA's office said in a press release. Georgia was arrested on March 13, 2018, but freed on bail. On July 2, 2018, "he committed another daytime burglary of a home on Mount Road in the Town of Hector. At that home, the defendant stole jewelry and currency as well as various other items of value." Hayden argued for a longer prison term -- with consecutive sentences -- but Judge Morris opted for concurrent sentences and the 12-year term. In addition to five years of post-release supervision, Georgia was ordered to pay $7,781.80 in restitution. Leszyk takes oath of office as new mayor; Perazzini, Woodworth, Decker start terms
The three won four-year terms last month, Leszyk outpolling trustee Laurie DeNardo and Perazzini and Woodworth outpolling Planning Board member Brian Eslinger. Woodworth was already a trustee, appointed last year to finish the term of Kevin Thornton following his resignation. They were administered the oath of office by Village Clerk Lonnie Childs, who then relinquished the duty to outgoing Village Justice Connie Fern Miller for the swearing-in of the new justice, Steven Decker. Decker, a retired village Police Sergeant, ran unopposed in last month's election.
Following the oaths, County Planning Director Kristin VanHorn updated the board -- in particular its newest members -- on the Clute Park development plans, where the Stantec architectural firm has been selected to design the project. The project tentatively involves a new pavilion, new bathrooms and an ice rink, among various improvements, with funding from various grants totaling $4.8 million. VanHorn explained how the county is the lead agency, but that all matters will be channeled through the Village Board in what she called "a partnership."
The board also heard from resident Tony Compese, who urged the board to express its "concern" regarding the Woodstock 50 festival being planned for Aug. 16-18 at Watkins Glen International in the Town of Dix. He cited a "disruption of the normal tourist business" along with "stress on our infrastructure" as reasons for that concern, and said such an expression to the county "would help establish legal standing if we need it later" should something go awry with the festival. Leszyk said "it goes without saying we don't have anything to do with" the festival, but "we can express our concern" while also examining a possible insurance agreement with the Town of Dix. "They're probably still going to move ahead with it," Leszyk said of the festival. But such mass gatherings, he added, are "not as beneficial to us as people sometimes think." Photos in text: Mayor Luke Leszyk (top) and trustees Lou Perazzini and Nan Woodworth are sworn into office. Left: New village justice Steven Decker and outgoing justice Connie Fern Miller shake hands after Decker was sworn in by Miller. Right: County Planning Director Kristin VanHorn addresses the village board. O'Mara: Budget is bad news for taxpayers
Adds Palmesano: It's the 'worst budget I've seen in my years in Legislature'Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, April 1, 2019 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) Monday said that the 2019-2020 state budget approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature’s Democratic majorities welcomes back “a tax-and-spend approach to government that’s bad news for taxpayers, job creators, and workers.” Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, meanwhile, called it "the worst budget I have ever seen in my years of serving in the state Legislature." Added Palmesano: “This budget is, quite, frankly, the worst budget I have ever seen in my years of serving in the state Legislature. There are new, taxpayer-funded handouts for undocumented citizens and criminals. There is no property tax relief; in fact, the new freeze on STAR exemption benefits will actually increase school property taxes. There are new, costly mandates imposed on family businesses and local municipalities. At a time when assaults on correction officers are skyrocketing in our overcrowded prisons, the governor and Senate and Assembly Democrat majorities doubled down on compromising public safety and agreed to close three more correctional facilities. And to add insult to injury, at a time when we’re pouring billions into the mismanaged MTA, we’re cutting funding for local roads and bridges upstate, while creating a $100 million per year taxpayer-funded campaign system. It’s disgraceful and unacceptable.” Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) O'Mara, Palmesano rip budget road funds Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, April 1, 2019 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) Monday said that the new state budget enacted by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature’s Democratic majorities “pulls the foundation out from under local roads and bridges throughout this state.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (File photo) Burdett 18-year-old faces several charges Special to The Odessa File WATKINS GLEN, March 22, 2019 -- Logan J. Teemley, 18, of Burdett, NY, was charged Thursday by the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office with a Class D felony, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, following a report of a house being shot on Lisk Road in the Town of Hector -- with other charges added later. "Although the investigation has not involved any threats to the Odessa-Montour Central School, the Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with school officials to ensure the safety of the students. If any students or parents hear of any threats being circulated, they are urged to call the Sheriff’s Office as 607-535-8222. Tips can be left at 607-535-8224 or emailed to tips@co.schuyler.ny.us." Photo in text: Logan J. Teemley (Photo provided by Sheriff's Office) Short-term rental operators cautioned WATKINS GLEN, March 19, 2019 -- Watkins Glen Code Enforcement Officer Greg Larnard told the Village Board Monday night that only a little over half of short-term rental operators in the village have filed required applications under a recently enacted Local Law. That law requires registration and accompanying payment of $400 for two years. Larnard said there are 60 short-term operators, and that 35 have submitted applications under the law, which went into effect in early February. Fourteen of the 35 have undergone inspections, and three have been granted permits by the Planning Board. "Next," said Larnard, "will be a letter to operators" informing them of "the need to abide by the law, and if that doesn't get their attention," then the village will begin legal proceedings that could lead to "a fine up to $1,000 a day from when the law was put on the books. Those not complying are looking at quite a fine." First warning letters will be going out this week, he said, with each operator being given "a chance to comply" before any legal proceeding is instituted. "If they're planning on operating a short-term rental at all, they need to reply," he concluded. Woodstock 50 and the memory of 1973 dominate talk at Legislature's meeting While nothing on the agenda dealt with Woodstock 50, the matter took center stage at the outset during the public participation portion of the meeting. Tony Compese of Watkins Glen kicked off the discussion by questioning why promoter Michael Lang, as reported in an area newspaper, would be announcing a performance lineup and selling tickets for the festival if he didn't have the blessing of the Legislature -- which is among the government bodies that have yet to sanction a Mass Gathering permit for the event. "It's still being looked into," said Legislator Phil Barnes, running the meeting in the absence of Chairman Dennis Fagan, who is recovering from hip surgery. "We're gathering facts, listening to people. There are a lot of pros and cons. There are so many details left undone at this time. It's truly a work in progress."
Compese responded by saying the county "may be inviting the wrong people and giving Watkins Glen the wrong image. It won't be beneficial to the other kinds of tourism we have here." Legislators Mark Rondinaro and David Reed then reacted. Rondinaro said that "plans and contingencies" are being studied with the intent that Summer Jam "doesn't happen all over again." Other festivals elsewhere, he said, have demonstrated "it's not the same era. I think there's a difference between now and '73." Reed said the Legislature has not voted to accept or reject the festival proposal. He said WGI has handled as many as 200,000 visitors in the past, "back in the days of open-wheel racing," so it can handle a crowd officials anticipate at 100,000. "My concern is the effect it may have on the residents and towns around it. We're not going to say yes or no until all our concerns are met." John Cecci, a resident near the track, said that with 80 bands being planned for the three-day festival -- Lang's announced number -- "it will be mostly rap and hip hop. It's the wrong crowd. There will be no quiet time."
Legislator Barnes responded by saying he "can't stress enough: it's a work in progress. It's tying up our own people," some of whom "want a decision tomorrow on whether it's a go or not. But there's not enough information yet to make a conscientious decision." The county has until 45 days before an event to issue a permit. Grover White of Route 16 near the track then asked: "What are you gonna do when this blows up in your face? What are you going to do to protect us?" "Duly noted," answered Barnes. "It's not our liability; it's yours," White went on. "What are you gonna do with the other 200,000 or 300,000 who show up?"
Westervelt said that if the liability coverage were $10 million, "it's not much nowadays." It could dissipate "real quick if things go wrong" -- such as with that suggested propane explosion. There was discussion of the police presence on festival weekend. It would be "both on site and off site," said O'Hearn, who added that part of the alarm being voiced by residents is "a fear of the unknown." A lot of that will be alleviated, he said, at a meeting at 6 p.m. on March 27 in the Performing Arts Center at the old Watkins Glen Middle School on Decatur Street, when various festival stakeholders answer questions from the public that thus far haven't been answered. The county "needs that information by then," he said. Until then, "we can what-if this to death." Compese responded to O'Hearn's "fear of the unknown" comment by saying "I actually know the fears" involved in the festival proposal. "I've gone through it," he added. "I know exactly what I'm expecting. It isn't pretty." Photos in text: From top: County Administrator Tim O'Hearn; Watkins Glen resident Tony Compese; county residents Gary and Regina Westervelt; and Legislator David Reed. O'Mara, Palmesano hail winter road aid
-- $650,000 to resurface Route 417 from the Interstate 99 Gang Mills exit to the Interstate 99 Erwin exit in Steuben County; -- $540,000 to resurface Route 417 from the Addison Village limit to just east of County Route 85 (Freeman Road) in Steuben County; -- $1.3 million to resurface Route 417 from the Tuscarora town line to east of County Route 102 in Steuben County; -- $850,000 to resurface Route 223 from Route 13 in the Village of Horseheads to east of Langdon Hill road in the Town of Erin, Chemung County; -- $1.5 million to resurface Route 79 from Route 414 to Route 227 (excluding the village of Burdett) in Schuyler County; and -- $1.3 million to resurface Route 14A from Lake Street to the Windmill Farm in Yates County. Palmesano, who also represents a part of Seneca County, said that $1.0 million to resurface Route 96A from Route 96 (Village of Interlaken) to Route 414 in Seneca County is also included. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, in the center with the banner, and the Local Roads Matter coalition at the State Capitol rally on Wednesday, March 6. (Photo provided) Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi and Trustee Gary Schmidt share a laugh. Village Board OKs Local Law on tax levy
The issue will be on the ballot in conjunction with the March 19 village election -- at which the mayor’s seat is being contested, as well as two trustee seats. The only incumbent running is Nan Woodworth, recently appointed to the board to fill a vacancy. Churchill went on to criticize the committee that is presenting two sessions Wednesday -- at 4 and 6 p.m. -- at the Village Hall board room on the Clute Park plans. The timing, Ash Wednesday, will prevent a number of religious residents from attending either session, said Churchill, while the locale could prove to be too small. The former Middle School’s auditorium would have been a better site, she suggested. ****** ****** Photos in text: From top: Edward Holohan of the Penflex administrative firm; Trustee Nan Woodworth; and trustee candidate Brian Eslinger. Charities to receive grant funds for homeless Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, Feb. 27, 2019 -- Rep. Tom Reed on Wednesday announced $854,406 in grants to provide the Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler with funding to assist homeless people. “We care about helping people in our communities struggling with homelessness,” Reed said. “This grant enables the Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler to continue their important work assisting homeless people in our area.” Charles Nocera, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, said “On behalf of all the community-based organizations serving people who are homeless in the Southern Tier, I can say that we are collectively ‘relieved’ to learn that we will be able to continue providing much needed affordable and safe permanent housing.” Tyrone man sentenced to weekends in jail after being found guilty of sexual abuse Special to The Odessa File
According to the Schuyler County District Attorney's office, Shawn M. Wheeler's sentence handed down by County Judge Dennis Morris was significantly different from that recommended by Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hayden, who argued that Wheeler -- who is required to register as a sex offender -- should be sentenced to the maximum of 7 years in state prison with 10 years of post-release supervision.
The DA's office did not specify how many weekends in jail were included in the sentencing. The County Court office could not be reached for clarification. The press release also said: "In arguing for the maximum sentence, Hayden declared that the defendant had targeted the victim due to her suffering from significant intellectual disabilities. He further argued that the defendant betrayed his position of trust, because the victim was (the defendant's) 13-year-old stepdaughter.
Morris found Wheeler guilty on November 29 of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree -- a Class D Violent Felony -- and three separate counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. The verdict stemmed from a four-day bench trial conducted earlier in November, prosecuted by Hayden. Photos in text: Top: Shawn M. Wheeler (Photo provided) O'Mara rips legislation aimed at banning gun raffles; says it's government intrusion Special to The Odessa File ELMIRA, Feb. 21, 2019 -- Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) says he is strongly opposed to legislation introduced in the New York State Legislature that would prohibit volunteer fire departments, police clubs, sportsmen’s clubs, Elk, Moose and similar lodges, and other groups and organizations from holding gun raffles as fundraisers. O'Mara also noted that a recent gun raffle sponsored by the Canisteo Police Club in Steuben County drew hundreds of participants and raised funding to support several worthwhile community endeavors, including programs to provide bike helmets for area children and to send local youth to conservation camps. This year, part of the proceeds from the raffle are also going to support the Nicholas F. Clark Scholarship Fund honoring slain New York State Trooper Nicholas F. Clark, a Canisteo native who was killed in the line of duty last July. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) New Assistant County Attorney appointed Special to The Odessa File
The appointment was unanimously approved by the Schuyler County Legislature at its February 11 meeting. As an Assistant County Attorney, Stevens will join Getman in representing Schuyler County in civil litigation, family court prosecutions and related matters. Stevens has been an attorney since 1999. Prior to joining the County Attorney’s office, he practiced law in New York City, Chemung and Tompkins Counties. Getman said, “I am honored to have an attorney with Vinton’s education and experience join our office. I am confident that he will represent Schuyler County government effectively and ethically.” Added Stevens: “I am proud to be joining County Attorney Getman’s office. Having known Mr. Getman and his staff for a number of years, I have been impressed with their integrity and commitment to the taxpayers, children and families of Schuyler County.
Stevens is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Elmira, and attended college at the University of Rochester. He is a 1998 graduate of Temple University School of Law. In addition to his attorney duties, Stevens serves as Vice Flotilla Commander of the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla, and as a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ithaca. The County Attorney is the legal advisor to all county officials, and prosecutes and defends civil actions by and against the county. In addition, the County Attorney prosecutes family court cases involving child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and child support violations. Photos in text: Top: Assistant County Attorney Vinton Bovier Stevens. Part of the group of residents on hand for Monday night's Schuyler Legislature meeting. Summer Jam casts a shadow Dix residents recount 1973 experience, caution Legislature; O'Hearn assures them concerns are being 'taken seriously'
Photos in text: Topo Schuyler County Legislator Phil Barnes makes a point. O'Mara: 'Restore critical upstate funding' Special to The Odessa File Among those local officials present in Albany was Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer, attending the New York Conference of Mayors' Winter Legislative Meeting. Messmer said before departing for Albany that he, along with 175 other mayors and municipal officials from across the state, would be advocating for their budget priorities, including a restoration of the AIM funding. "Every dollar the governor takes away from small villages like Odessa is just another kick in the teeth from Albany," said Messmer. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara (File photo) Red Cross honors O'Mara's 'dedication' Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Feb. 6, 2019 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been named a “2019 New York State Legislator of the Year” by the American Red Cross of New York State. Photo in text: American Red Cross/Finger Lakes Chapter Executive Director Brian McConnell, right, congratulates Senator Tom O’Mara following this year’s “Legislator of the Year” awards ceremony in Albany. The Finger Lakes Chapter covers Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties. (Photo provided) Tipped-wage credit draws rally support Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Jan. 22, 2019 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) rallied with industry workers, family restaurant owners and fellow lawmakers Tuesday in an effort to protect the tipped-wage credit.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has threatened to revoke the credit and "compromise the livelihoods of service industry professionals and restaurant owners alike," said the press release. Tip credits allow restaurants to pay tipped employees less than the minimum wage as long as the tips make up the difference. “Our message is simple," Palmesano is quoted as saying. "If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The tipped-wage credit helps hardworking service industry professionals earn a good living. Additionally, eliminating the credit for family restaurant owners would increase their business costs and jeopardize jobs for tipped workers at a time they’re already dealing with a very difficult economic climate. "The last thing we should be doing is taking action that will hurt workers and job creators. If the tipped wage credit is eliminated, it will hurt the very workers they claim to want to help.” Palmesano noted that if restaurant owners face increasing labor costs, they will have no choice but to lay off workers and pass costs on to consumers. “In the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region," he said, " the hospitality and tourism industries are important sectors of our economy. We should be looking for new ways to reform regulations, provide tax relief and spark investment. Revoking the tipped wage credit would do exactly the opposite by hurting small business owners and employees alike.” Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (underneath the "tip" on sign top right) rallies with lawmakers and restaurant industry representatives in Albany. (Photo provided) O'Mara votes against 'extreme action' expanding abortion in New York State Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Jan. 22, 2019 -- State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has voted against legislation known as the “Reproductive Health Act” (RHA) approved Tuesday by the Senate and Assembly, and expected to be swiftly signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara Palmesano blasts Cuomo's cuts to localities Special to The Odessa File ALBANY, Jan. 22, 2019 -- Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) expressed deep disappointment Tuesday with a provision in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget proposal which would slash millions of dollars in state aid for towns and villages called AIM (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities) funding. Over 1,300 municipalities would see their AIM funding slashed to zero.
“AIM funding is extremely important," said Palmesano. "Local government officials rely on AIM to help complete infrastructure projects, hire municipal workers and balance budgets. To threaten to revoke aid that they’ve come to rely on is irresponsible.” Palmesano said the funding is particularly important for municipal officials attempting to provide needed services while shouldering unfunded mandates from the governor. “We have a governor who consistently tells municipalities that they need to pay for new things without helping them foot the bill," the Assemblyman said. "It makes it very difficult for them to remain compliant with the tax cap. The last thing they need is a funding cut, particularly when the money is such a small allocation in the context of a $176 billion budget.” Palmesano said he will work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of the Legislature to reverse the cuts. “Budgeting is about priorities. The governor is sending a toxic message to public servants and property taxpayers,” said Palmesano. Photo in text: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano Schuyler suit proceeds after guilty plea Special to The Odessa File SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 12, 2019 -- The former chief executive of Insys Therapeutics Inc., one of the pharmaceutical companies being sued by Schuyler County and other area municipalities over prescription painkillers, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, January 9 to participating in a nationwide scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe an addictive opioid medication. Also, in February 2018, New York State officials filed a lawsuit against Insys alleging that it deceptively promoted Subsys for unsafe uses and violated state law by downplaying the drug’s addictive risks. Photo in text: Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman (File photo) “If not, you need to clear that up," he said. "You need to put out somehow that you’re still working on it.” In other business:
--The board approved a state-required Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy for the village. --Trustee Nan Woodworth was present by Skype. She is visiting in Texas, but her disembodied head was present at the meeting on a laptop screen turned to face the audience and other board members. Village Clerk Lonnie Childs said Municipal Law requires visual contact if a member is to participate and vote at a meeting. --The board received an update from 4 Guys Fire Trucks regarding the pumper damaged in a rollover near Burdett several weeks ago as it was en route to a barn fire. The 4 Guys letter explained that the pumper, now at the company's plant in Pennsylvania, has yet to be assessed -- and that because of a complicated work schedule, "it may be a year or more before the truck is completed." The board also heard from Watkins Glen Fire Chief Charlie Smith III that a temporary replacement -- a used (2001) pumper truck obtained from the Gang Mills Fire Department for $78,000 -- is being readied and "will hopefully be running calls by the end of the week." Photos in text: From top: The Italian American Festival's Louis Perazzini; Schuyler County Planner Kristin VanHorn; Mayor Sam Schimizzi; Trustee Nan Woodworth, present by Skype; and Code Enforcement Officer Greg Larnard. Area legislators urge tastings-proposal veto ALBANY, Dec. 20, 2018 -- A group of Finger Lakes-area state legislators Thursday urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto legislation that was delivered to the governor for final action this week calling for the establishment of uniform standards for tastings of New York manufactured beer, wine, cider, and liquor. "We hope Governor Cuomo will agree that we cannot risk the positive impact state policies and programs over the past several years have had on our wineries and craft beverage producers. Working together on state-level tax and regulatory relief has helped spark remarkable growth for these industries throughout the Finger Lakes region and statewide. These regulatory and tax reforms, and other actions, have strengthened their economic outlook and position for the future. New York State cannot afford to take any steps to jeopardize this progress. Approving this legislation would be a serious step in the wrong direction.” Photo in text: Governor Andrew Cuomo (File photo) From left: Village Trustees Gary Schmidt and Nan Woodworth; Police Sgt. Steven Decker. Watkins Village Board OKs Local Law designed to regulate short-term rentals
Photos in text: From top: Former Mayor Bob Lee; Mayor Sam Schimizzi; Atty. William La Forte (right) and Streets Superintendent Don Perry; Fire Chief Charlie Smith III; Trustee Tony Fraboni; and Trustee Laurie DeNardo. Morris will retire from bench on June 1 WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 13, 2018 -- Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris has notified the Bar Association of his intent to retire on June 1, 2019, well ahead of the end of the 10-year term he won in a November 2011 election. Morris, who lives outside of Burdett with his wife Julie, is a graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelors degree in History, and has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron. His most significant case likely came when he presided at the trial of Alice Trappler of Addison following the shooting death in 2012 of Daniel Bennett. Trappler was found guilty of orchestrating the murder, enlisting her ex-husband to kill Bennett in his Town of Dix home. Trappler had had a relationship and a child with Bennett. She was sentenced by Morris to 25 years to life in prison. Photo in text: Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris. (File photo)
Top row (from left): Carl Blowers, Jim Howell, Michael Lausell, Van HarpBottom row: Gary Gray, David Reed, Phil Barnes, Mark Rondinaro
Legislature Chairman Carl Blowers, 535-6174 or 237-5469 Legislature Members: Gary Gray, 292-9922 Van Harp, 329-2160 Jim Howell, 535-7266 or 227-1141 David M. Reed, 796-9558 Michael Lausell, 227- 9226 Phil Barnes, Watkins Glen, 481-0482 Mark Rondinaro, 398-0648 County Clerk: Theresa Philbin, 535-8133 Sheriff: William Yessman, 535-8222 Undersheriff: Breck Spaulding, 535-8222 County Treasurer: Holley Sokolowski, 535-8181 District Attorney: Joseph Fazzary, 535-8383 Odessa
Officials, Offices Village Board MembersPictured below, from left: Mayor Gerry Messmer and Village Board Trustees Anne Centurelli, Thomas Letteer Jr. and Sally Hill.
Mayor: Gerry Messmer Trustees: Anne Centurelli (594-2304), Thomas Letteer (594-2296), Sally Hill (594-2539), and Aubrey Tomassi (215-2764). Village Clerk: Pam Kelly, 300 E. Main St., Odessa, 594-2100 Department of Public Works: Steven Siptrott -- 607-857-6426 Village Justice: Ronald Goossen (594-2273) Municipal Building: 300 E. Main St., Odessa, 594-2100, e-mail villageofodessa@stny.rr.com Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library: 106 First St., Odessa, 594-2791 Montour Falls Village Offices
Mayor: John King Trustees: Philip J. Smith, James P. Ryan, Steven Lawton, Vincent Chicone Village Clerk-Treasurer: Alyssa Hammond, P.O. Box 812, 408 W. Main St., 535-7367 Village Garage: 535-9580 Village Justice: Donald Spaccio, 408 W. Main St., 535-7362 Town of Catharine Offices
Supervisor: Rick Lewis Town Board: Ronald Hoffman, Jamee Mack, Glenn Bleiler, C. Michael Learn Town Clerk: Diane Sidle, 594-2273; office at 106 Grant Road, Odessa Town Justice: Ronald Goossen, 594-2273 Historian: Carol Fagnan, 594-2062 Website: http://www.townofcatharine.com.
Village of Watkins Glen Offices Mayor: Luke Leszyk Trustees: Tony Fraboni, Laurie DeNardo, Nan Woodworth, Lou Perazzini Village Clerk: Lonnie Childs Village Justice: Steven Decker Code Enforcement Officer: Darrin Stocum State, Federal Officials for Schuyler
County
Sen. Charles E. Schumer United States Senate United States Senate State Senator Tom O'Mara. -- Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates, western Tompkins, Enfield, Ithaca (Town and City), Newfield, Ulysses(Trumansburg) Room 812, Legislative Office Building Assemblyman Phil Palmesano
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