(Larry Halbert 12-9-14)

The event runs from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at the legion at 22 Union Street in Sidney Saturday.
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Consumers in New York are feeling better about their economic position than at any point since early 2007, as the state’s consumer index was 84 in November, up 5.2 points since June, according to a Siena College survey. The score is a statistical tabulation based on various questions about their shopping plans and feelings on the economy. The national index was higher at 88.8%.
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With a winter storm this week, it’s a good time to do routine checks on your vehicle and get it ready for cold weather. When you’re dealing with freezing temperatures, snow on your car or frosted windows, first thing you should do is start your car and let it warm up. Car batteries can be sensitive to cold weather, and tires, oil level; wipers and wiper fluid should be checked. Also, you should always have blankets, ice scrapers, extra de-icer, jumper cables & a flashlight.
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Restaurant and hotel workers plan to weigh in as a state board considers whether to mandate they pay tipped workers the standard minimum wage in New York. The Wage Board is reviewing whether to eliminate the so-called tip wage of $5 an hour for food servers and $5.65 for hotel housekeepers. New York law lets employers to pay them less than the state’s $8 minimum wage, set to rise to $8.75 in January, provided tips make up the difference. After a hearing today, the board will meet tomorrow and begin considering recommendations to Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera.

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New England Wood Pellet of Deposit was fined over $17,000 by the occupational safety & health administration, for allegedly exposing workers to hazardous conditions at their Delaware county facility.  Problems sited at the deposit plant include improper ventilation, lack of spark detection and extinguishing systems.

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Assembly minority Republicans voted against raising the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour this week.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that in recessionary times, it could prove to be costly:

(Cliff Crouch 3-15-13)

Assemblyman Pete Lopez also voted no:

(Pete Lopez 3-15-13)

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New York State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera announced that New York still has nearly $4 million available in federal funding to help businesses hire long-term unemployed workers through the On the Job Training Program. Past grants are responsible for 445 businesses hiring 844 workers since 2011.  The grant provides training subsidies of up to $23,000 per worker, they target long-term unemployed New Yorkers who have been unemployed for 20 weeks or more and go to employers to cover 50-90 percent of training-related expenses. More information is available at labor.ny.gov.

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The Chenango County Habitat for Humanity is preparing for their 2^nd annual “Souper Bowl” to be held at the Family YMCA on North Broad Street in Norwich tomorrow.  Officials are looking for donations of soup and bread from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, plus the public is invited to taste and evaluate more than 20 soup choices, and breads donated by the county’s restaurants. More information is available at 656-8155 or habitat.chenango.org.

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On Sunday, ecologist & Architect Bryan Quinn   will make a special presentation on “Planning for Flood Events in the Butternut Valley.”  The event, which will take place at the New Lisbon Town Hall on County Route 16, Garratsville & is sponsored by the Butternut Valley Alliance.