The Joint Commission on Public Ethics reported that $105 million was spent on lobbying in the first 6 months of the year, the lowest amount in 5 years. Philip Morris tobacco spent the most at nearly $1.6 million, 2nd was the New York State United Teachers union, 3rd was The Greater New York Hospital Association which spent $1.1 million, and New York State United Teachers union, which wants to build a new stadium in Queens, spent $842,000. Lobbying amounts have decreased by 19% since Governor Cuomo’s first year in office.
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Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies Arrested 25 year old Eric Ball of Oneonta for DWI, operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC greater than .08, refusal to submit to a breath Test & speeding. Ball was arrested following a traffic stop for speeding on State Route 10 in the Town of Walton. He was released to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo announced $10 million in Brownfield Opportunity Areas grants for 26 communities throughout the state. The grants provide funding for municipalities to implement revitalization strategies to redevelop impacted sites. Locally, the City of Norwich will get $90,000 to complete a revitalization plan for a 591-acre area with 33 vacant and Brownfield sites located at former industrial sites on the City’s east side and for new commercial developments in downtown.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 29-year-old Bradley Lidell of Cincinnatus on an active Bench Warrant. Lidell was picked up on a warrant issued out of the Town of Pitcher Court for failure to appear on Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.
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The Health & Wellness Fair will be held at the Southside mall in Oneonta tomorrow. The event runs form 11:00 to 4:00 PM, a variety of health care professionals will be participating.
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Governor Cuomo signed the Farm Cideries bill that establishes a new license for farm cideries similar to the licenses already available to farm wineries, breweries and distilleries. This legislation follows through on promises made to farm cideries after the Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit held by the governor. The signing coincides with the beginning of CiderWeek NY through October 27th; more information is available at ciderweekny.com.
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The Otsego county sheriff’s department arrested 16-year-old John Gardner of Morris for unlawfully fleeing a police officer, reckless driving, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. Gardner is accused of attempting to flee deputies, who attempted to stop him from driving an ATV at a high rate of speed through Morris. Gardner was apprehended in a wooded area & fought with authorities, he was arraigned in Morris Town Court and sent to Otsego County jail on $1,000 bail, he posted bail & was released, he’ll reappear in court at a later date.
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16 organizations in the region are received grants from the Community Foundation for South Central New York’s Community Fund and Women’s Fund fall 2013 competitive grant cycles. Local Organizations that won awards were Broome County United Way, the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship of Delaware & Otsego counties, Delaware Opportunities, the Kopernik Observatory, the 4 County Library System, Girls on the Run & Opportunities for Otsego. More information about the Foundation can be found at donorswhocare.org.
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