WCDO Radio News

State
Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch are not happy with a mailing
sent out by Republican Assembly Candidate Nick Libous, Assemblyman Crouch
comments:

(Cliff
Crouch 3-23-20)

Assemblyman
Crouch announced that he would not seek re-election after 25 years in the State
Assembly, leading to a number of candidates coming forward to replace him,
& he promptly endorsed former Norwich police chief, Fireman & Military
combat veteran Joe Angelino for his Assembly Seat.

President
Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for New York due to the
coronavirus outbreak.  The FEMA announced
federal disaster assistance is available to New York to supplement coronavirus
recovery efforts.  The move makes federal
crisis counseling funds available to affected individuals in all areas of the
state.

The
Bainbridge Guilford Central School district announced that 1 member of their
staff has tested positive for the Coronavirus, they do not believe that there
was any contact at the school & there should be no risk to staff or
students at this time.  The investigation
is ongoing.

2 proposals have been forwarded in the State Senate
regarding changes to the Daylight Savings Time system.   State Senator Jim Seward introduced a bill
that would create a task force to study the impact and effects of eliminating
Daylight Saving Time in New York, while State Senator James Skoufis of the 39th
Senate District introduced a bill that would move the state to Atlantic
Standard Time, eliminating the need to turn clocks ahead or back.  Both bills would have to still be passed by
the State Assembly and State Senate before being delivered to Governor Andrew
Cuomo for him to either veto or approve.

Lawmakers continue to work on a variety of issues in Albany,
including the controversial Bail reform Law, Local Assemblyman Cliff crouch
comments:

(Crouch 2-10-20)

So far, there have been numerous
instances of people leaving court after being freed on only an appearance
ticket, and immediately committing a crime, something that would not have
happened last year.  In Delaware County,
a suspected MS-13 Gang member was released from the County Jail, Stole a County
employee's vehicle in the parking lot & was arrested in Stamford about 30
minutes later.

Fire destroyed a mobile home at 2571 Colesville Road in
Harpursville Friday night.  Firefighters
responded to the 6:30 PM call & the structure was full involved, no one was
home when the fire broke out, the cause of the blaze remains under
investigation.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced today that he will not be seeking re-election in 2020, ending a 25-year career in the state Assembly and 34-year career dedicated to the communities

(Crouch 1-27-20)

Crouch represents the 122nd Assembly District parts of Chenango, Broome, Otsego, Delaware Counties, was first elected to the Assembly in November 1995, he has given his endorsement to former Norwich Police Chief & Veteran Joe Angelino:

(Crouch endorsement)

Also today, Nick Libous, the son of the late State Senator Tom Libous announced his candidacy for the state Assembly’s 122nd district seat, seeking to replace Cliff Crouch, he commented about his candidacy to WCDO News:

(Nick Libous 1-27-20)

Libous is currently the Vice President of Wireless Construction Solutions, He also serves as a board member of the Southern Tier Lyme Support Group. The 122nd Assembly district includes residents in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego County’s

State Senator Fred Akshar joined members of law enforcement, crime victims’ advocates, district attorneys, and local leaders from throughout the region, to call for action from state government leaders in Albany to fix bail reform changes that recently went into effect. Akshar commented at the beginning of the Press conference moments ago at the Broome County Sheriff's Department:

(Akshar 1-27-20)

Akshar supports a full repeal of the bail reform laws, if that does not happen, he has proposed legislation to amend certain parts of the bill to give Judges the power to make bail decision on the most violent charges included in the legislation that went into effect January 1st.

The Mayors of Sidney, Bainbridge & Unadilla have teamed up to send out emails to their constituents regarding village notices, activities & events, Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Andy Matviak 1-27-20)

Matviak said that residents in each village should call their Village Clerk's office to get their individual village's email requirement, the email information that residents will submit will not be used for other purposes, a test run will go out this Thursday and the email blasts will go out every Thursday starting February 6th.

Chenango County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 46 year old Matthew Rolley of Norwich following an investigation into a 911 hang-up call of a man with a gun at a residence in the Town of Norwich. Rolley is accused of displaying a firearm in front of 3 people; one of victims was under the age of 17. Rolley was arrested, arraigned and released on his own recognizance. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the child involved; Rolley is scheduled to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

The New York Association of Counties announced that County Officials will convene in Albany for the next 3 days for Legislative Conferences at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center. Workshops at the conference will cover a range of issues including drinking water safety, criminal justice reform, the opioid epidemic, early intervention, health insurance, the growing hemp economy, and more than a dozen more.

7 Individuals Have Been Identified for Testing for the Corona Virus, the CDC Determined 3 Cases were Negative, 4 Results are Still Pending, & so far, there are no Confirmed Cases in New York State. More Information about the coronavirus is available at health.ny.gov/diseases.

Governor Cuomo announced funding for a 10th round of the Regional Economic Development Councils and a 5th round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative is included in the Executive Budget. So far, the State has invested more than $6.9 billion through the REDCs, funding more than 8,300 projects.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 51 year old William Macy of Bainbridge on 1 count of DWI, following a traffic stop on Sunset Avenue in the Village of Sidney. Macy was also charged with improper right turn at intersection, and moving from a lane unsafely. Macy was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to re-appear in the Village of Sidney Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 22 year old Joseph Bifaro of Walton on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Town of Walton Court for Criminal Contempt and Harassment. Bifaro is accused of disorderly behavior during a court session at the Hamden Town Court, he was arraigned in the Village of Walton Court and released on his own recognizance, and he will appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date.

New York Farm Bureau has released its annual “Circle of Friends,” naming 172 New York State Legislators to this year’s list. The “Circle of Friends” honor is based upon each legislator’s voting record on issues of agricultural importance as well as other evidence of legislative support, including sponsorship of bills that New York Farm Bureau has either supported this year. Local “Circle of Friends” recipients for 2017 are State senator’s Fred Akshar, John Bonacic, Jim Seward & Assembly Members Cliff Crouch, Gary Finch, Pete Lopez, Donna Lupardo & Bill Magee.

State Senator Fred Akshar, & Assembly Members Donna Lupardo and Cliff Crouch will hold a public Town Hall Meeting today, to discuss the ongoing repurposing of the Broome Developmental Center to provide substance abuse treatment to individuals struggling with addiction. Officials from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Syracuse Behavioral Health, Broome County Department of Social Services and the Broome County Health Department will answer questions and address concerns related to the repurposing project. The event will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Chenango Valley High School.

Assembly Republicans are calling for a package of ethics reforms to be passed prior to the end of this year's session. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 6-8-17)

The package of bills calls for oversight of economic development plans, Implementing 8-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs; Replacing the Joint Commission on Public Ethics with a new, independent five-member Commission on Official Conduct; Prohibiting the spending of campaign funds for criminal defense fees; and Creating a new crime of failure to report corruption.

Governor Cuomo today commended the State Senate & Assembly for passing the bill calling for the minimum age of marriage to be raised from 14 to 17. Previously, a child could get married at 14 in the state if approved by the parents & a judge, that has now been raised to 17. Governor Cuomo will sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk.

New York lawmakers held a hearing Wednesday on the effectiveness of state services for victims of human trafficking. Government officials and representatives of advocacy groups and community service providers testified Wednesday, earlier this year the Assembly passed a package of bills addressing human trafficking, those bills have not yet been addressed by the full Senate.

The Arc Otsego will hold its Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet on June 15, 2017, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. The event is open to the public and will include dinner from Brook’s BBQ, music, dancing, raffle prizes, and the following awards: Community Employment Employee of the Year, The Arc Otsego Employee of the Year, Community Employment Employer of the Year and the 2017 Achievement Award. Seating is limited, and reservations should be made today by calling 433-8424.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced the indictment of 12 members of a criminal theft and fencing ring in New York and 27 other states. A 41-count indictment, unsealed in New York Supreme Court today, charged the 12 alleged co-conspirators with enterprise corruption, money laundering, criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy. During "Operation Sticky Fingers," State Police & other law enforcement agencies seized more than 5,300 stolen electronics and ink cartridges from the enterprise's alleged kingpin, Richard Rimbaugh; and from various members of his crew. millions of dollars in merchandise was stolen from Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, and other retailers, investigators also seized more than $7.7 million dollars from the defendants' homes, financial institutions, and their Amazon and Pay Pal accounts.

Lawmakers will be participating in conference committees to negotiate differences in the Assembly & State Senate Budget proposals. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 3-15-17)

The state's fiscal year starts on April 1st, and lawmakers expect to get the budget passed on time again this year.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that Securities industry profitability rose by 21%, while the average bonus paid to employees in New York City’s securities industry increased by 1% to $138,210. Pretax profits for the broker/dealer operations of New York Stock Exchange member firms, totaled $17.3 billion in 2016, the highest level in four years. The industry added 2,800 jobs in 2014 and 4,500 jobs in 2015.

A new bill is proposing a requirement for gender-neutral bathrooms in New York State. The Legislation was introduced in the Assembly to make all single-occupancy restrooms in public places gender neutral. Traditional signs for men's and women's rooms would be replaced to indicate accessibility to any gender.

In Local Assembly Races: in the121 Assembly district: Republican John Salka will again try to unseat incumbent Democrat Bill Magee.

122nd Assembly District, Republican Cliff Crouch is unopposed.

102nd District, Republican incumbent Pete Lopez is unopposed.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that secures New York's place on the list of states that have joined National Popular Vote compact. The bill modifies legislation signed by Governor Cuomo in 2014 that added New York to an interstate agreement in which member states commit to award their electoral votes for president to the candidate that receives a majority of the national popular vote. The original legislation required that New York be removed from the compact at the end of 2018 if the agreement had not been adopted nationally, the new measure removed the expiration date and keeps New York on the list of states supporting the National Popular Vote indefinitely.

The State Assembly passed legislation to name a Town of Chenango bridge after fallen State Trooper Christopher Skinner. The Assembly unanimously passed the bill, sponsored by area Assembly members Cliff Crouch & Donna Lupardo, it passed in the Senate a few days earlier. The legislation has now been sent to the governor to be signed into law. Trooper Skinner was intentionally run down while conducting a traffic stop on I-81 between Exits 6 and 7 in Chenango in May of 2014, Almond Upton of Florida is facing multiple charges for Trooper Skinners death.

State Budget Conference Committees ideally need to get their worked wrapped up this week, if lawmakers & the governor want the annual spending plan enacted on time. Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch Comments:

(Crouch 3-25-15)

Governor Cuomo has tied ethics reforms for lawmakers to the budget this year, the assembly leadership is going along with the Governors reforms, the State Senate leadership might also agree in the coming days. The governor made the reforms his top priority following the arrest in February of then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on federal corruption charges.

The State Assembly passed legislation to firm up laws regarding a women’s right to access health care regarding reproduction issues, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie comments:

(Heastie 3-25-15)

The bill moves onto the State Senate for consideration, similar bills have failed to gather support in the State Senate in previous sessions.

A.M. NEWS:

The Sidney Chamber Of Commerce is holding their annual "New Member Coffee Hour" this morning from 7:30 to 8:30 AM.  The meeting is held at Trackside Dining at 88 Main Street, all Chamber members & directors are urged to attend.

Republicans in both houses of the legislature are urging the Assembly leadership to pass Brittany’s Law, to create a registry of violent felony offenders, similar to the sex offender registry created under Megan’s Law. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch supports the bill:

(Crouch 5-21-14)

Brittany’s Law has advanced in the Senate in each of the last 4 years, it is named after 12 year old Brittany Passalacqua who was murdered in 2009 in Geneva, by John Edward Brown, who was on parole after serving time for violently assaulting his infant daughter, Brittany’s family was unaware of his violent history.

Long time general Clinton canoe regatta participant Dave Price is being elected to the Regatta Hall of Fame on Saturday, for his contributions to the Clinton since the late 60’s. Price was asked if there was a moment along the way containing special memories:

(Dave Price 5-21-14)

Price has been a Regatta committee member and 2 time chairman, he helped initiate the famous “700-Mile Club” & he will be the Race starter in Cooperstown for the 37th time on Memorial Day.

State lawmakers & advocates for the disabled are pushing legislation to change the “Handicapped” sign picture and also remove the word “Handicapped” from those signs. Advocates claim the word is outdated & offensive; the new sign would portray a person in a wheelchair in motion. Bills have been introduced in the Assembly & the Senate, however its unclear if the proposal will be voted on before the end of the session in mid-June.

State Senator Tom Libous & Assembly Members Donna Lupardo & Cliff Crouch met with state officials Tuesday in Albany to discuss the proposed closures of the Broome Developmental Center and the Greater Binghamton Health Center. Libous said that they are concerned about the loss of jobs, and the ability for the community as a whole to handle the patients:

(Libous 11-27-13)

Libous said that he talked with the Governor recently about his concerns, he said that he is hopeful that there could be money in next years state budget to keep the facilities open, if not he has proposed legislation to freeze the closure of mental health facilities until 2015, in order to come up with better plans for those affected. Libous expects to meet with officials again after the Thanksgiving break.

Governor Cuomo holds a wide lead over his potential Republican challengers in the 2014 gubernatorial race, according the latest Polls. A Wall Street Journal-NBC-Marist poll found that Cuomo leads Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino 65 to 23%, with similar leads against Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and former Republican gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino. A Quinnipiac University Poll shows Cuomo over Astorino by 56 to 25% margin.

State Education Commissioner John King will visit Binghamton Monday to discuss the Common Core with community members.  The forum is scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 PM at West Middle School. The forum will be hosted by state Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and moderated by the League of Women Voters, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will also be serving on the panel.