WCDO Radio News

26 school districts have been designated as fiscally stressed under State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System, which is a decrease from 59 districts that were listed in stress last year. None of the local schools were listed in significant stress, however 3 of the 7 are in “moderate fiscal stress” are local, they included the Norwich City School District, Harpursville central School & Schenevus central school. 17 schools were listed as “susceptible to fiscal stress”, which included Unatego & Oxford Academy. The highest percentages of stressed school districts were in Central New York with 8.3% and the Southern Tier 8.1%.

State Senator Fred Akshar released his latest Community Voice Survey online and by mail to poll the community on various issues facing constituents. Over 100,000 households across the 52nd District will be receiving the survey in the mail, which can be returned by mail after completion. The survey can be completed online at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

SUNY Delhi & CDO Workforce will hold a seminar tomorrow in Sidney regarding College degrees & Career Opportunities. Misty Fields of SUNY Delhi will hold the seminar at 1:00 PM at the CDO Workforce offices at the Sidney Civic Center Friday, reservations are encouraged at 832-5776, but walk-ins will be welcomed.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today issued a reminder to New Yorkers that not only are contributions to New York’s 529 College Savings Program accounts tax deductible* but now lower fees, higher maximum balances and the elimination of the $25 minimum contribution fees make it easier to save for continuing higher education. Contributions made by December 31st can provide up to $10,000 in state tax deductions on 2017 income tax filings. More information is available at nysaves.org.

State Senator Fred Akshar visited 3 local schools today & & will visit a 4th on Thursday as part of his new district-wide "Akshar All-Star" student recognition program. Each month, Akshar will recognize 3 or 4 local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar visited students today at Norwich High School, the DCMO BOCES, Deposit High School and Thursday he will be at the Newark Valley Senior High School.

The deadlines for signing up teams for the upcoming Gus Macker Basketball tournament is approaching quickly, organizer Tom Revoir explains:

(Tom Revoir 6-16-17)

The Gus Macker Tournament will be held the weekend of July 8th & 9th in Norwich.

Senator Fred Akshar, Binghamton Mayor Rich David and the Southern Tier AIDS Program will host a "Shed the Meds" prescription turn-in event at the Binghamton Fire Department Training Center at 1 Belden Street in Binghamton tomorrow from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Residents can dispose of their old prescription pills to prevent those meds from falling into the wrong hands. Those attending are asked to avoid to bringing bottles of liquids for disposal. A free Narcan training session will also be held at 1:00 PM, pre-registration is required at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

The Friends of Rogers announced a Family Fishing day for tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Rogers Environmental Education Center on State Route 80 in Sherburne. More information is available at 607 674-4733.

Immigrants in New York State comprise 22%, or 4.4 million, of the state’s population, which is 2nd only to California, & well above the national average of 13%, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. More than 92 percent of all New York’s immigrants reside in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, according to the report. For those immigrating to New York State from 2010 to 2015, nearly 75 percent of the 631,000 immigrants settled in New York City.

22 Congressional District independent candidates Martin Babinec is facing criticism from 3 Republican State Senators, for using their likeness on campaign flyers, without previous knowledge. In a joint statement Senators Fred Akshar, Joseph Griffo and Jim Seward claim the Upstate Jobs party candidate links Babinec to the senators through the Reform party, not the Republican or Upstate Jobs line, they claim that they disavow the misleading mailer, and none of the Senators are campaigning with or endorsing Babinec, or the other candidates in that race & they was focused on their own re-election campaigns for the State Senate.

Incumbent Republican State Senator Fred Akshar and Democratic challenger Sharon Ball debated Tuesday at SUNY Broome Community College. Ball is running against Republican incumbent Akshar for the 52nd district State Senate Seat that Akshar was elected to last year, to finish out the term of Tom Libous, who was convicted of using his political power to get his son a job, and how died of cancer shortly after the conviction. The district includes Broome and Tioga counties, and portions of Chenango and Delaware counties.

State Senator Fred Akshar announced public protection state grants to aid local municipalities, police and fire departments in order to purchase equipment, expand services and strengthen community outreach. 24 grants totaling over $300,000 will be spread across local agencies in Broome, Tioga Chenango and Delaware counties. Police Grants went to the City of Norwich Police Department for Body Cameras, the Broome County Sheriff's Office for Substance Abuse Counseling, Narcan Nasal Spray and Community Outreach, and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office for Prescription Drug Drop Boxes and a Child ID System. Fire Department Grants totaling $5,000 each went to the fire departments in Afton, Coventry, Genegantslet, Guilford & Deposit for equipment.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation that prevents telecommunications companies and utility providers from charging a contract termination or early cancellation fee in the event of a customer's death. Many companies use early termination fees to ensure that a customer continues to use a service through the full contract period. Under the new law, landline, cell phone, television, Internet, energy and water service providers are prohibited from charging contract termination or early cancellation fees if a customer dies before the end of an agreement. A civil penalty of up to $1,000 will be placed on providers that violate this law, which takes effect immediately.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System has designated 40 municipalities across the state as fiscally stressed, including 10 counties, 10 cities and 20 towns. 8 entities have received the highest designation of “significant fiscal stress.” Which included Broome County. 14 communities have been listed in the 2nd highest category of “moderate fiscal stress.” Which included the Otsego County towns of Cherry Valley & Middlefield, 18 municipalities were listed in the 3rd category as “susceptible to fiscal stress.” Which included the City of Norwich.

Upstate New York lags behind downstate New York and the nation in job growth since the Great Recession, according to a report issued by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Since June 2009, total employment in upstate New York rose by 0.3 percent compared to 2.2 percent in the downstate region and 1.9 percent nationwide during the same time frame. The overall average annual wage gain in upstate of 3.3 percent outpaced both the downstate and national averages in 2015. Currently, total employment across upstate stands at slightly over 3 million, representing 32 percent of all jobs statewide.

In a letter sent this week, State Senator Fred Akshar joined Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon in calling Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate the sharp increase in the cost of EpiPens. Between 2007 and 2016, the cost of an EpiPen has increased from $57 to approximately $500. The letter stated that some have resorted to using expired EpiPens, buying Epinephrine abroad, or using needles from local pharmacies to administer their medication, Emergency First Responders are affected as well.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services awarded $1 million in funding to support 25 new treatment beds to provide care for New Yorkers with substance use disorders. The funding was awarded to Tompkins County addiction treatment services provider Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services for the creation of a new 25-bed adult residential treatment facility. The residential treatment facility in Trumansburg will offer a full spectrum of addiction treatment services to residents including counseling, life-skills training and after-discharge support.

State Senator Fred Akshar of Colesville announced his official candidacy for reelection at his First Annual "Spiedies with the Senator" event at Chenango Valley State Park. Akshar was elected in a special election last year to finish up the term, following the conviction of the late Senator Tom Libous.

Tax collections totaling $19.8 billion fell short of projections for New York state in the first quarter of the state’s fiscal year, a decline of $797.6 million, or 3.9 percent, from the same period last year and $454.1 million below projections, according to the June state cash report issued today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The General Fund ended June with a balance of $7.2 billion, which was $975.8 million lower than the latest projection and $3.9 billion lower than a year earlier. The report can be accessed at osc.state.ny.us.

State Senator Fred Akshar will be hosting the First Annual "Spiedies with the Senator" today at Chenango Valley State Park from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. The event will take place in the Pine Plains Pavilion of park. There will be plenty of free parking and after 5:00 PM there is no admission charge for park entry. Tickets for the general public are $25 and kids under 12 get in free.

Franklin Central School District officials saved more than $800,000 in health insurance costs by switching carriers and offering employees a buyout incentive, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. In January 2013, Franklin school officials assessed the benefits and costs associated with the district’s health insurance coverage and pursued a lower cost alternative, they found a new insurance carrier that was less expensive and which offered employees 2 additional health plans that provided equivalent or better coverage than the previous plan. the district saved an additional $283,000 by offering 25 employees an annual health insurance buyout incentive.

State Senator Fred Akshar announced that another meeting would be held regarding the continuing heroin & opioid addiction crisis. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 13th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Chenango Valley High School Auditorium.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department announced that there will be a fundraiser this Sunday in Walton, to support their K9 Unit, which has been an integral part of the County's crackdown on Drug dealers in the County. The fundraise will be held on Sunday at Danny's Restaurant at 14 Gardiner Place in Walton from 12:00 noon until 7:00 PM, donations can be made by check to Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills, with "K9 Drug Fund" in the memo box. More information about the fundraiser can be directed to Danny's restaurant at 865-8496.

The "YES LEADS" program will hold a joint Heroin Awareness Night between Afton and Bainbridge-Guilford High Schools at the BG District today. The program will feature State Senator Fred Akshar, State Police, Chenango County Sheriff, Chenango County District Attorney, Chenango County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Southern Tier AIDS Program & Recovering Addicts, The event is today starting with a free pizza dinner at 5:30, & the program begins at 6:00 PM.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is accepting the nominations for Citizen of the Years & Business of the Years through tomorrow. Sidney Chamber President Stephanie Taylor comments:

(Steph Taylor 3-10-16)

More information is available at the newly revamped website, Sidney chamber.org or by calling 561-2642

Tomorrow is Election day, with quite a few interesting races in an "Off Year” In the State Senate race in the 52nd district; Republican Fred Akshar & Democrat Barbara Fiala are running to fill the seat left vacated by the conviction of long time Senator Tom Libous.
Delaware County will have a Family Court Judge for the first time; the candidates are Democrat Gary Rosa & Republican Porter Kirkwood. In Chenango County, for District Attorney, incumbent Joseph McBride faces Zachary Wentworth. Several Town Races will be decided by voters Tuesday, in the Town of Sidney; Eric Wilson, Jeannette Hinckley, Loddie Marsh & incumbent Bill Heath are running for 2 seats on town board
In the Town of Franklin, for town Supervisor, incumbent Jeffery Taggart faces Epifanio Bevilacqua & 3 people are running for 2 seats on the town board: Dwight Bruno, Donald Hebbard and Donald Smith. In the Town of Harpersfield for Town Supervisor, incumbent Jim Eisel faces a challenge from Edward Pick Jr. Eisel is chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors; a Pick Victory would mean a change at the top of Delaware County Government. In the race for Town of Guilford Supervisor, George Seneck faces Jeffrey MacCormack & for Town of Oxford Supervisor Frederick Lanfear faces Lawrence Wilcox.

For every dollar New York sends to Washington it receives about 91 cents back in federal spending, compared to a national average of nearly $1.22, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. New York ranked 46th in the nation in its balance of payments between the amount it generated in federal taxes and the amount of federal government spending it received. , New York contributed $10,896 per capita in tax revenue to the federal budget, nearly a third more than the national average, and received an estimated $9,885 in per capita federal spending, slightly below the nationwide average.

Commerce Chenango will hold a “Meet the Candidates” session on October 27th, As part of the SFCU Business After Hours event. The session will be held at the SFCU Norwich branch, at County Road 32 & State Highway 23, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, among those confirmed to attend are State Senate candidates Fred Akshar & Barbara Fiala, along with several local Norwich and Chenango County candidates.

State Senate Republican candidate Fred Akshar campaigned in Norwich today, he told WCDO News what prospective constituents concerns are:

(Fred Akshar 10-16-15)

Akshar faces Democrat Barbara Fiala in the special election to fill the 52nd state senate district, following the conviction of long time senator Tom Libous of Binghamton this summer.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills reminds residents to be aware of a number of IRS scams that have been reported recently. The scams try to trick taxpayers into providing personal and financial information & may involve intimidation tactics to coerce victims into making false tax payments that are collected by the scammer. Sheriff Mills said that you should not share any personal or financial information with these callers, & that the IRS will never make such calls to private citizens. Those with questions can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040, you can report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484, or the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov.

State Senate candidate Fred Akshar hosted more than a dozen local farmers, agriculture students and professionals at a roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities for Southern Tier agriculture in Whitney point Tuesday:

(Akshar 9-30-15)

Akshar faces former Broome County Executive & State DMV Commissioner Barbara Fiala in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the conviction of long time Republican State Senator Tom Libous.

Democrats picked Barbara Fiala & Republicans have picked Fred Akshar as their choice to run in the special election for the vacant seat in the state senates 52nd district. Denver Jones is seeking to get his name on the ballot, he ran as a Republican in 2014 against then incumbent Tom Libous, but lost, Jones is looking to get on the ballot under the "Taxpayers Party" Line. Rich Purtell was selected by the Libertarian Party to run for the seat.

The Republican committees in the 52 State Senate District have announced that Broome County Under sheriff Fred Akshar will be their candidate for the special election to fill that seat. A special election was necessary following the conviction on federal charges & subsequent expulsion of long time Republican Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton, Democrats have already announced that former Broome County Executive & Former State DMV Commissioner Barbara Fiala will be their candidate.