WCDO Radio News

One debate has been scheduled in the 121st Assembly District between incumbent Democrat Bill Magee & Republican Challenger John Salka. The debate has been
scheduled for October 18th in Cazenovia, an Oneonta debate was recently postponed by Magee due to personal issues.

The next meeting of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta committees will be tonight at 7:00 PM at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge. This will be a combined meeting of both General and race committees.

A plan to ban plastic grocery bags in New York State is not expected to pass the state legislature before the end of the 2018 session this month. Governor Cuomo proposed the idea earlier this year, a bill was introduced in the State Senate, but there was no companion legislation filed in the Assembly.

The Annual American Cancer Society’s Tri Town Relay For Life will be held today & tonight at General Clinton Park. Organizer Heather Brewster said that the teams have already raised quite a bit of money prior to the event:

(Heather Brewster 6-8-18)

The event raises money for cancer research, educational programs and services for cancer patients. WCDO will be broadcasting live this evening.

The 38th annual Algonquin Antique Auto Show will be held this Sunday at General Clinton Park. The event begins at 9:00 AM Sunday; trophies will be awarded in 22 categories.

Members of the 4 largest fire service organizations in New York State descended on the Capitol today for their annual “Government Affairs Day,” meeting with their elected representatives to discuss the Issues of Concern. The main priority for New York’s fire service in 2018 is a bill that would allow fire departments to recover the costs of providing ambulance services.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta Music festival moves into its 9th year with a new sponsor, Michelob Ultra and the United Way of Delaware Otsego Counties. It is being held in the Michelob Ultra Tent at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in Bainbridge, NY on Sunday, May 27, 2018 from 1 PM -11 PM.

(John Harmon 5-15-18)

More Information about directions, hours, event info, race entries, is available at canoeregatta.org.

State Senator Jim Seward announced senate passage of legislation he sponsors to combat auto insurance fraud, by targeting criminals who stage auto accidents in attempts to profit from insurance claims. "Alice's Law" was prompted by the 2003 death of Alice Ross, who was killed as a result of a staged auto accident. This bill would establish tough penalties by creating a new crime of staging a motor vehicle accident. The bills have been sent to the assembly for consideration.

State Senator Jim Seward announced senate passage of legislation to preserve voter choice in Otsego County. Seward's bill was developed following a minor administrative oversight where Otsego County Board District 10 Representative Dan Wilber inadvertently overlooked the requirement to sign his oath of office within 30 days of his swearing-in triggering an automatic vacancy. While he has been legally reappointed to the position by the county board, his office will be open for election again this November to fill the final year of the term. The new bill, if signed in to law, would allow Wilber to complete the two-year term he was elected to serve. The bill has been forwarded to the state assembly.

Friday Night Activities have greatly increased at the General Clinton Canoe regatta over the last few years; Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains this year’s Friday lineup:

(John Harmon 5-9-18)

There will be free parking & free admission to General Clinton Park in Bainbridge on Friday Night May 25th.

Governor Cuomo proposed an additional $125 billion investment in infrastructure over the next 5 years, for the next phase of an infrastructure program to build a new New York and create middle class jobs. The new investment will include state and federal funding and leverage additional private sector capital, to rebuild the state's infrastructure, with investments in roads and bridges, mass transit, affordable housing, state colleges and universities, clean water infrastructure, health care infrastructure, State Parks and various other projects.

The State Senate passed a package of bills to have tougher penalties for drug dealers selling heroin, as well as for fraudulent medication prescriptions that fuel opioid addictions; measures to protect dealers from preying on children; and legislation that expands the types of dangerous controlled substances regulated by the state. The bills were sent to the Assembly for consideration.

State Senator Jim Seward announced senate introduction of legislation he co-sponsors which would eliminate the use of high-stake standardized tests to evaluate teachers and principals. The bill would eliminate the tests entirely and require the State Education Department to establish an alternative teacher assessment system. The senate bill and companion legislation (A.10475) introduced in the assembly are each sponsored by the respective chamber's education committee chair.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta Committee meetings will be held this evening. The Race committee will meet at 6:30 Pm, followed by the General Meeting at 7:30 PM at General Clinton Park.

Otsego County Democrat Dan Butterman has announced that he will seek the Democratic Party nomination in the 121st district, now occupied by long time Democratic Incumbent Bill Magee. Republican John Salka has already announced that he will run for the seat for the 3rd time this year, the 78 year old Magee has not announced if he will seek a 1`5th term in the Assembly.

The next meeting for the General Clinton Canoe regatta committees will be this evening at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge. The Race committee will meet at 5:30 & 6:15 will be the start of the general meeting

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have launched a coalition to sue the federal government to challenge the Trump tax bill that eliminates full state and local tax deductibility. Governor Cuomo also is looking into 2 other options to combat the Trump Tax plan, the second prong of the effort is to launch a repeal-and-replace strategy, and the third prong is to explore the feasibility of a major shift in the structure of State tax policy.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its abrupt cutoff of more than $1 billion in federal funding for New York's Essential Plan, which provides critical health care to over 700,000 low-income New Yorkers. The lawsuit details how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services without adequate justification and in disregard of law; withheld legally-required funding owed to New York and Minnesota to operate their program New York and Minnesota are the only states that operate simialr low income insurance plans for residents.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will once again hold the Annual Bruce Haak Memorial Sleigh Rally in General Clinton Park later this month. Event organizer Phil Canonaco comments:

(Phil Canonaco 1-26-18)

The Sleigh rally will be held weather there is snow or not tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, donations will be accepted on behalf of the Delaware Valley Humane Society.