Op Eds

April is Donate Life Month—a time to draw attention to the importance of organ donation. Over the last year, New York substantially increased the amount of registered organ donors thanks to changes made at the state level. Medical professionals, public health educators, and others dedicated to raising awareness have advocated and supported these changes, however, more donors are needed in New York.

In a letter addressed to Governor Cuomo today, Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) is urging the governor to provide continued assistance to communities facing flooding as a result of rising lake levels in his district and other districts along the southern and eastern shores of Lake Ontario.

This year’s budget contains an incentive for localities to share services through a newly created Countywide Shared Services Tax Savings initiative. While many localities and counties in our region already share services, under this new plan localities will be eligible for state reimbursement if they find new ways to share services.

Property owners along the southern and eastern shores on Lake Ontario are being hit hard with flooding this spring. The higher than normal rainfall and rapid snow melt have caused lake levels to surge and property owners are now facing levels that are two feet above the norm. To put this into perspective, Lake Ontario has only seen this much water three other times in the past century and unfortunately, levels are expected to continue to rise.

Oswego County is included in a state of emergency that was issued by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this week due to flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

A Lake Ontario flood warning remains in effect for Oswego County until 11 p.m. Monday due to wind conditions. West-northwest winds are expected to continue pushing Lake Ontario's waters onto the shoreline causing significant flooding as well as beach and coastline erosion.

New York State is a leader in the arts but one of the things that our region has traditionally struggled with is obtaining funding to help support the arts. Since New York City is so big and provides much by way of culture and entertainment, much of the state funding for the arts has been driven downstate.

Governor Cuomo today announced additional Department of Financial Services Mobile Command Centers will be deployed to the Lake Ontario region to provide insurance help to residents affected by the flooding.

Since Civil War times, our country has set aside a time in the late spring to honor brave men and women who have fought and died to protect our American freedoms and rights. People hold tributes at cemeteries, organize and march in parades, and plan quiet ways to honor those who have passed, especially those who died while serving our country.