State Senator Jim Seward joined community, labor and business leaders to announce the launch of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, which supports increasing access to natural gas for manufacturing facilities, power production, transportation, and other purposes to support New York’s economy and quality of life:

(Seward 5-2-17)

Seward said that the Coalition partners includes the Otsego County IDA, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, The Business Council of New York State, more information can be found at www.affordableenergyny.com.
—————————–
Governor Cuomo announced the “Taste New York Inaugural Craft Beer Challenge” today. New Yorkers are invited to vote for their favorite New York craft brewery, The 5 with the most votes will be invited to attend the final Taste New York Inaugural Craft Beer Challenge Tasting Event in New York City, where a panel of all-star judges will decide the winner. Voting is taking place at taste.ny.gov/craft-beer-challenge
—————————————-
The Next Meeting of the General Clinton canoe Regatta committees will be held tonight at the Highway 7 Bar and Grill in Bainbridge. At 6:30, the Race Committee Meeting will begin, followed at 7:30 PM with the Regular meeting. Information about the regatta is available at canoeregatta.org
——————————————-
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that she is ruling out a run for president in 2020, as she is focused on running for re-election for her US Senate seat in 2018. Gillibrand had to speak on the subject again yesterday in the North Country; she gave the same answer as she has since the beginning of the year, when reporters suggested that she could be a viable Democratic Party candidate for the Presidential race in 2020.
———————————–
The annual Big Wheels Golf Tournament, held at the Delhi College Golf Course, will take place on Friday, May 12th. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for programs and services which provide assistance to Delaware County senior citizens. More information or to request an entry form please contact the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750.

NYSEG reports power outages throughout the region from last night’s powerful storm, with crews working to restore power as quickly as possible. A state of emergency was declared in Broome County by County Executive Jason Garnar; Broome County had over 13,000 customers without power this afternoon, Chenango County had over 5100 without power, Delaware County had over 1600 & Otsego County had over 2300 without power.
———————————–
The Town Of Oneonta will hold 2 public meetings this week to provide residents with information about an energy delivery program that may save residents money on their energy bill. The program, Community Choice Aggregation is a new State program, which has authorized communities to join to together to aggregate the purchase of electricity in hopes of getting better prices for the residents. The first informational meeting is today at the Oneonta Town Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, the second meeting is on Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Foxcare Center.
——————————————
The New York State Senate passed a bill that would strengthen Kendra’s Law and make it permanent. The bill enhances improves the quality and effectiveness of care provided to the mentally ill, and prevents Kendra’s Law from expiring on June 30th. Kendra’s Law was first enacted in 1999 after Kendra Webdale was pushed in front of a subway train by a man with untreated schizophrenia in New York City. The bill has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.
————————————
A free entrepreneur workshop, “Startup Tactics,” will be held today from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Oxford Academy Primary School multipurpose room. Brad Treat of the Southern Tier Startup Alliance will lead the presentation. This event will also be live streamed free through ensemble.dcmoboces.com, more information, is available at 843-2025, ext. 3301.
—————————————–
An Open House will be held at “The Place” in downtown Norwich later today. Spokesperson Sharon Velsey told WCDO News about their program:

(Sharon Velsey 5-2-17)

The Place open house will run from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, at their East Main Street Norwich location, behind the Norwich Post Office.