(Dan Fitzsimmons 1-9-15)

Fitzsimmons said that New York also enacted the ban, as new stricter federal laws are about to be passed that would address the activists concerns about the process of hydrofracking.
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Additional laws may be needed this year in New York’s state to combat the growing heroin epidemic. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that police & emergency crews are delivering heroin antidotes to some of the same people two of three times, and more needs to be done to help those kick the habit:

(Cliff Crouch 1-9-15)

A variety of bills addressing the heroin epidemic are expected to be forwarded in the state legislature this year.

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The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York announced today that the Mountain States Legal Foundation has agreed to assist with their lawsuit against the New York State.  The coalition lawsuit demands that the DEC identify a date when the Environmental Impact Statement on hydrofracking will be completed and permit applications will be processed. Coalition president Dan Fitzsimmons told WCDO News that activists have slowed down this process with unsubstantiated claims:

(Dan Fitzsimmons 1-31-14)

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 38 year old William Caputo of Walton for Promoting Prison Contraband. Caputo is accused of attempting to introduce suboxone into the Delaware County Jail, he will answer to the charge in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date.

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Sidney residents in the flood prone areas are urged to meet with village economic development director John Redente in the next 2 weeks, to figure out which of several options that they can chose regarding their property.  Redente told WCDO that their options are much better than before:

(John Redente 1-31-14)

State officials met with about 200 village residents Wednesday night, those interested in setting up an appointment can call 561-2320.

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The state Legislature is wrapping up its first week of budget hearings. The Senate and Assembly fiscal committees held their fourth hearing yesterday on Governor Cuomo’s proposed $137.2 billion budget for the fiscal year starting in April. The hearing yesterday addressed transportation issues. Previous hearings this week looked at local government, the environment and education. The budget is due April 1st.

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(Dan Fitzsimmons 11-12-13)

The complaint alleges that the State has imposed an illegal moratorium, has failed to comply with the provisions of Environmental Quality review, has deprived landowners of due process & it also seeks to compel the State to complete their final Study in an Article 78 proceeding.   More information is available at JLCNY.org.

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Governor Cuomo announced the beginning of a promotional effort by the State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to highlight a $74 million tax credit encouraging employers to hire New York’s post-9/11 veterans who are currently not employed. Nationwide, post-9/11 veterans have an unemployment rate of 10%.  The state Division of Veterans’ Affairs will send informational mailings about the tax credit to organizations committed to hiring veterans. The tax credit will take effect on January 1st.

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(Tina Niles 11-12-13)

State Police at Sidney arrested 36-year-old Brian Johns of Franklin, for Criminal Possession of a Control Substance, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs.  The arrest resulted from a traffic accident investigation on State Route 357 in Franklin where Johns was found possessing 11 packets of heroin in his vehicle.  Johns was also accused of operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs and without the permission of the owner.  Johns was arraigned in Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

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The Chenango county Department of public works will be holding their annual household hazardous waste collection day on September 14^th, but residents with items to dispose of, need to register quickly, according to spokesperson Pat Pittsley:

(Pat Pittsley 7-24-13)

Pittsley said that the DPW offices would be open starting at 7:00 AM each day for those looking to register.  More information is available at 337-1792.

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The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York held a rally at the Holiday Inn Arena in downtown Binghamton Tuesday, they called on Governor Cuomo & State lawmakers to allow natural gas drilling to proceed again after the 5 year wait:  Coalition spokesman Dan Fitzsimmons comments:

(Dan Fitzsimmons)

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch & Broome County Executive Debbie Preston attended yesterdays’ rally, Governor Cuomo stated that he would make a decision on Hydraulic Fracturing by next year’s elections.

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Governor Cuomo today announced more than $1.8 million to provide low-income senior New Yorkers with access to farmers’ markets across the state.  The funding will provide over 100,000 seniors with access to healthy food at 470 farmers’ markets.   Eligible recipients must be age 60 or older and meet the income eligibility requirement. More information is available at 1-800-554-4501.

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The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 27-year-old Amy Dwyer of German on charges of 2^nd degree Harassment, 3^rd degree Assault, as well as 4^th degree Criminal Mischief & Resisting Arrest.  Dwyer is arrested following an investigation of a Domestic Dispute, where she is accused of striking & biting the victim & smashing a cell phone that was being used to call police.  Dwyer was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash bail; she will reappear in the Town of German Court at a later date.

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New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrell Aubertine will deliver the Executive Budget presentation on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo today in Norwich.  The presentation will be given at the Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street at 11:00 AM.

(Dan Fitzsimmons)

The coalition issued a statement claiming that they are cautiously optimistic that an end is in sight to the over four and a half year long regulatory process & they are encouraged that the Governor and DEC have a plan to avoid expiration of
the regulatory review process.

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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 27-year-old Shawn Wheeler of Earlville on an active Bench Warrant for failure to pay fines. Wheeler was arraigned in the Village for Sherburne Court and was released on his own recognizance after he paid his fines.

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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a court victory in defense of the State’s gun safety laws. In a unanimous decision, a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a constitutional challenge to New York’s handgun licensing statute, ruling that the law requiring individuals to demonstrate “proper cause” to obtain a license to carry concealed handguns in public does not violate the Constitution’s Second Amendment.

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The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 46-year-old Michael Stevens of New Berlin for Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Motor Vehicle. Stevens was charged after deputies uncovered a loaded rifle following a traffic stop in the Town of New Berlin. Stevens was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of New Berlin Court at a later date.

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Newly re-elected congressman Chris Gibson, stated that he has joined a growing number of Republicans in congress to abandon the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” forwarded by party leader Grover Norquist last year. Gibson represents Otsego & Delaware Counties in his new district, he had signed the pledge last year, but he said that he recognizes the need for more flexibility in his position. Richard Hanna represents Chenango & Broome Counties in Congress and recently won re-election as well, he did not sign Norquist’s pledge last year, and will not sign it this year.

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State Police conducted graduation exercises Tuesday for its 2012 Basic Canine Handler School, at the State Police Academy in Albany. The 12 graduates include members from the New York State Police, Albany County Sheriff’s Department, Otsego County Sheriff’s Department and the Schenectady Police Department. The graduation is the culmination of 20 weeks of training at the Division Canine Training Facility located in Cooperstown, the state now has 74 Canine Units counting these weeks’ graduates. Among those graduating teams, Otsego county sheriffs department Deputy Keith Sheldon and his canine partner “Ricky”

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The Oneonta city planning commission will hold their next meeting this evening. The commission is scheduled to hear 3 cases; the meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor common council chambers at Oneonta city hall.

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The Joint Landowner s Coalition of New York has sent a letter to Governor Cuomo’s expressing their disappointment that the DEC regulations for Hydraulic Fracturing have been pushed back again beyond the November 29th deadline. Coalition President Dan Fitzsimmons comments:

(Dan Fitzsimmons)

The coalition represents 77,000 New York landowners, Fitzsimmons said that the coalition has been part of the dialogue for careful development & have advanced recommendations for better handling of produced water at the well sites, & to include reduced air emission “green” completions.

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19-year-old Darren VanDeusen of Mount Vision was convicted in Otsego county court on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual act for sodomizing a 10-year-old girl in Milford. State police arrested VanDeusen last December following an investigation when the victim complained to her parents about the attack; VanDeusen has been remanded to Otsego County Correctional Facility without bail.

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State troopers conducted an Underage Drinking Enforcement detail at 19 establishments. 16 of the 19 stores were in compliance, 3 people were charged with the Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage, 45 year old Lori Croft in Kirkwood, 57 year old, Saini Sing in Conklin, and 19 year old Adam Simmons in Johnson city. All 3 were issued appearance tickets for court action at a later date.
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Oneonta city officials announced today that the public hearing for the 2013 city budget scheduled for 7:00 PM on November 27th at city hall would be conducted as part of a special meeting of the council, with a single agenda item on the budget. Following the public hearing, the budget may be approved as presented or amended and approved, or action may be deferred until the December 4th common council meeting. More information is available at 432-6450.

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THE Absentee ballots in Delaware County have been tabulated, and incumbent County Judge Carl Becker won over Gary Rosa for the 10-year position. Voters returned Becker to office by 190 votes with a final vote count of 9,139 for Becker & 8,949 for Rosa.

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