What's Inside:

• County Coroners Legislation
• Excelsior College Program Update
• Defensive Driving Class at St. Mary's Hospital
• Library Construction Grants program
• Rebuilding Together Saratoga County
• Rensselaer Library Events
• DMV Email Ticket Scam

Legislative Update:

County Coroners Legislation

Should County Coroners be required to take training? Does this question make you pause for a moment? I sure did when I was first approached by the NYS Coroners Association last year to consider carrying this bill to require that Coroners (and their deputies) have some kind of medical legal education once they are on the job. The bill (A5780/S875) requires that County Coroners once elected must take courses to help achieve minimal training and competencies in what is an important field of investigating an individual's death.

Some of you may know that I have been around county coroner's my whole life. Within my family, my Uncle John Marra was one of four county coroners in Albany County for as long as I remember, until he retired about 20 years ago. My cousin Paul Marra then ran for the position and has been successfully re-elected several times. Both were or are licensed undertakers and funeral directors, which is a natural fit for the job and one that lends itself ideally for the role. Historically, in Albany County most individuals have had similar backgrounds or a background in law enforcement.

That being said, there are no requirements for an individual as it relates to educational background to be elected county corner.

Check out the rest of my blog post on this legislation here.

Excelsior College Program Update

The Higher Education Service Corporation (HESC) released regulations regarding the Excelsior College Program last week. Applications will be accepted starting on June 7. Since each individual situation varies and there are many questions surrounding the program, please see below for the Excelsior Program hotline phone number, the HESC website, and a link to the HESC regulations.

Excelsior Program Hotline - 1-888-697-4372

Applications will be available at - https://www.hesc.ny.gov/

Excelsior Scholarship Regulations - https://www.hesc.ny.gov/board-of-trustees/hesc-board-of-trustees-meeting/hesc-board-of-trustees-meeting-resolutions.html

In the District:

Defensive Driving Class at St. Mary's Hospital

On Saturday, June 17th St. Peter's Health Partners along with the Strategic Outreach Services (SOS) and The National Traffic Safety Institute (NTSI) will be hosting a defensive driving course at St. Mary's Hospital.

The course will run for 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and will cost $25 per person.

Pre-Registration for the class is required and can be done by contacting 518-977-3157 or ddriversos@gmail.com

Library Construction Grants program

Congratulations to the below libraries for receiving grant funds under the Library Construction Grants program this year.

Troy Public Library located at 541 Fourth Ave. Troy NY 12182 will be receiving $157,875 to restore/replace wood frame windows

The Albany Upper Hudson Library System will be receiving $48,426 for new boilers and back-up pump/tankless water heater. They will also use the funds to install a presentation system in meeting room.

The Waterford Public Library will receive $36,975 to renovate existing rest rooms to make them handicapped accessible.

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County has been awarded grant funding to help low-income homeowners make repairs and modifications to their homes.

Rebuilding Together will be working across Saratoga County to make these repairs, at no cost to the homeowners.

Those interested or referral agencies can request an application by phone at 518-587-3315 or by email Tricia@RTSaratoga.org

Rensselaer Library Events

The Rensselaer Library is kicking off summer with some great events for the whole family to enjoy.

• Summer Reading Kick-off- Saturday, July 1 from 11-2 PM. Ice cream social, music, balloon twisting and other activities.
• Teen Events - Finals Study Party: Thursday, June 8 from 4-6 PM. Study together and review with other students. Pizza and soda served at 5. For ages 12 and up. Adult Events - Book Crafts- Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 PM. Librarian Jane will demonstrate how to make a book purse, letter holder and book page origami. (Please sign up so we have enough supplies) For adults, but teens welcome.
• Father's Day Crafts - Saturday, June 17 at 1 PM. Make something nice for Dad or Grandpa at our crafts table. For kids ages 4-10.

For more information on these events contact the library at (518) 462-1193.

In the News:

DMV Email Ticket Scam

The Department of Motor Vehicles has put out a statement to warn citizens of a scam email being sent claiming that traffic tickets must be paid within 48 hours.

The email gives the user the option to accept the charges and pay online or refute the ticket. These fake links may expose your computer to a virus.

Check out this Times Union article by Matt Hamilton for more information on this scam.