Op Eds

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.

Since April, property owners along Lake Ontario spanning from Western New York to the North Country have been battling record-breaking lake levels and have experienced widespread flooding and significant property damage.

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref--Pulaski) and Assemblyman Bob Oaks (R,C--Macedon) announced today that they have introduced legislation that if enacted, would provide tax relief for property owners along the Lake Ontario shoreline and tributaries who are dealing with record-high flooding.

During these last weeks of the 2017 Legislative session, I am pushing for increased penalties for synthetic drug dealers, legislative ethics and rules reform, oversight of economic development programs, and financial assistance for flood victims.

The state's mobile command vehicle with Department of Financial Services and Department of Environmental Conservation personnel will provide flood assistance information to residents at the state Department of Transportation's maintenance facility at 5846 Scenic Ave. (Route 3), Mexico Monday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

June is National Dairy Month—a time set aside to recognize dairy farmers and the impact dairy farming has on our economy. National Dairy Month started in 1937 to promote drinking milk and has evolved into a way to celebrate our dedicated dairy farmers who produce milk, award-winning cheeses, and value-added dairy products.

Albany’s corruption challenges are well-documented and unfortunately the problems have ensnared both the legislative and the executive branches.

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) today announced that the Assembly passed a bill he is a sponsor of that will assist property owners dealing with damage as a result of flooding on Lake Ontario and connected waterways.

Two hundred years ago, the first ceremonial shovelful of dirt was dug on the Erie Canal near Rome, NY. In July 1817, New York officially undertook construction of what would become the longest artificial waterway and greatest public works project in North America. This year marks the bicentennial of the Erie Canal—a milestone that provides a good reason to look back at our history and appreciate the engineering marvel that is the Erie Canal.