New York State is beginning to emerge from the economic downturn, and with this comes new opportunities to start fresh and build ourselves a stronger and more resilient economy. Building this new economy and making the Empire State once again a worldwide...

Gov. Andrew Cuomo claims that 90 percent of his agenda is complete and that the remainder of the legislative session will be ‘relatively quiet.’ Hold on a minute. Yes, Gov. Cuomo has accomplished a lot with the help of the legislature, and...

New York is home to a $4 billion agriculture industry, and we’re located at the heart of one of the most productive regions in the state. While agriculture remains an important way of life here in the North Country, the number of family farms is on...

The North Country is home to one of the most vibrant agricultural communities in New York State. Our lives are intimately connected to our lands, farms and open fields. We’re fortunate to have immediate access to fresh and delicious farm goods. Our...

It’s been said that “the road to ‘you know where’ is paved with good intentions,” and is this ever true with New York State’s many unfunded and costly mandates placed on local governments and school districts. New Yorkers have been saddled...

I am proud of the students and educators of our region. Together, they work diligently to bring learning to life in a way that is distinctly relevant to our heritage here in the North Country. I am concerned, however, that a continued unfair practice...

As I write this column, I’ve just come back from listening to Governor Cuomo’s annual State of the State speech. Last year, the governor promised to change the dysfunction in Albany and get our state government working again. With the cooperation...

Coming on the heels of an announcement in November that the New York State Board of Regents was considering requiring four-hour reading tests for 3rd graders, I wrote a letter to Merryl Tisch, Chancellor of the Board of Regents, to express my concerns...

As the Christmas and New Year holidays approach, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind my constituents to make sure you have a designated driver if you will be out and about celebrating the holidays with alcohol. Any amount of alcohol affects...

Although 2011 is coming to a close, it seems like just yesterday we were passing the state budget in Albany. And, before we know it, budget time will be upon us again. To prepare for budget negotiations, I recently held a meeting with several school...

It’s hard to believe that November is already more than half over and Thanksgiving is upon us. Before we know it, it will be 2012! During this Thanksgiving and holiday season, I’d like to take a moment to encourage my constituents to volunteer their...

In the last two weeks, there have been two hunting tragedies here in Jefferson County. The first involved a teenager who shot at what he thought was a deer. Instead he shot and killed his hunting partner. The second tragedy involved another teenager who...

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. The disease robs people of their memories and leads to progressive physical and mental impairments. This eventual fatal disease represents a serious and...

Ask any local elected official the following question: “What is the single biggest unfunded mandate that Albany imposes on municipal budgets?” Ten times out of ten you will receive a one-word answer: Medicaid. New York’s Medicaid program has ballooned...