Proposed Steuben 2020 budget increases levy, drops tax rate

BATH – The proposed Steuben County 2020 budget carries the burden of the state’s criminal justice system reforms, while sales tax revenues and cuts to local spending will keep the increase in next year’s tax levy to slightly more 1 percent. The county’s 2020 spending plan of $197 million, presented by county Manager Jack Wheeler Thursday during a special workshop meeting of the county Legislature, calls for local costs to be offset in large part through a $2 million increase in projected sales tax revenues, some county reserves and interest, and cuts to local services. The public hearing and adoption of next year’s spending plan is slated for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25 If adopted by legislators on Nov. 25, the tax levy will increase slightly to almost $50.5 million, while the average tax rate will drop $0.18, down to $8.07 per $1,000, a 2 percent decrease. The levy increase of almost $500,000 is driven by state-mandated, unfunded reforms to the criminal justice system while promised revenues from the state remain in flux, according to Wheeler. “This was an experience in figuring out changing numbers on an almost weekly basis,” Wheeler said. Mandated local costs due to the state’s Criminal Justice Reform Act and the new centralized arraignment system mean costs in county district attorney’s office will be up 23 percent next year, rising by $404,000. The reforms will boost costs at the jail by almost $1 million, a 13 percent hike. The new state mandates for criminal reform add to the 40-plus mandates the state already shifts onto county property owners, who bear the cost of the growth of state programs. In 2020, the county will lose $1 million in PaveNY funds — leaving the county Public Works Department $5 million for road construction, maintenance and repair. The Steuben’s road system is a leader in the state, and an important element in the county’s economic development efforts, legislators noted Thursday. New York continues to rely on county taxpayers to foot a significant portion of the state’s budget. According to a Pew report, the state draws almost 16 percent of its revenues from local sources, such as property taxes, compared to other states that use roughly 2.5 percent of revenue from local sources.

Town of Wellsville government considers temporary move to Wellsville Airport

The Wellsville village government offices are close to having a change of address…from the Wellsville Municipal Building located at 156 North Main Street to the newly renovated ’23 North’ at 23 North Main Street. When grants were secured to renovate the former Burrous Building, aka 23 North, the plan from the taxpaying new owners and developer’s was to co-locate village and town offices on the street level space. The village plans to move in, but the town opted out, saying there simply wasn’t enough room. According to The Spectator, the town is now considering exiting the Municipal Building and move its offices to the Wellsville Municipal Airport.

Investigation of Robert Freeman, Former Executive Director of the New York State Committee on Open Government

New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced that her office’s investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Robert Freeman, the former executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, shows that he engaged in a persistent pattern of sexual harassment against multiple victims, misused state resources and had inappropriate material on his state computer.

Additionally, the investigation found that Freeman’s status as a go-to source for the New York news media made it possible for him to continuously victimize reporters who believed they were left with no recourse in which to hold him accountable for his actions. The investigation uncovered multiple such stories and first-hand accounts from reporters and public sector employees.
“Mr. Freeman habitually engaged in sexual harassment of multiple women over many years,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “Given the stature Freeman attained during his tenure as executive director, his role as the sole authority on government transparency, and the power dynamic he repeatedly promoted, many of the women who spoke with my office said they believed it would be futile to report his misconduct. However, there are now multiple pathways for reporting such behavior and my office stands ready to assist anyone who believes they have been victimized by state employees.”
The investigation began June 13, 2019, when the Offices of the New York State Inspector General received a detailed written complaint from a newspaper reporter alleging that at a meeting on May 23, 2019, Freeman squeezed her shoulder; touched her waist, back, and buttocks with his hand; parted her braids from her face and placed them behind her shoulder; hugged her; and kissed her on her cheek while holding her head.  The complainant also described very personal and inappropriate statements made by Freeman to her at this meeting, which included gender- and racially-based derogatory comments.
A review of Freeman’s work emails revealed his repeated inappropriate use of State resources.  Specifically, this review found that Freeman used his work email account to improperly communicate with a woman he had met as part of his official duties.  This series of sexually suggestive emails from October 2018 through June 2019 included provocative photographic images sent by the woman to Freeman.
Additionally, a forensic computer analysis of Freeman’s work computer revealed several image files of naked women and hundreds of image files depicting scantily clad women, all likely obtained through the internet. The New York State Office of Information Technology Services, which is responsible for the Committee on Open Government’s computer systems, repeatedly removed and reinstalled all software on Freeman’s work computer because its operating system had become plagued with viruses and other malicious software. 
Further, the investigation found that the New York Department of State, in which the Committee on Open Government is housed, was aware of and had acted against Freeman for prior incidents of inappropriate conduct toward women. Specifically, the investigation found that the Department of State verbally admonished Freeman in 2003 after a coworker complained that Freeman had kissed her while the two were in a hotel lobby on a business trip.  And in 2013, Freeman was investigated by the Department of State for claims of inappropriate behavior in the workplace towards several female department employees.
On June 24, 2019, the Inspector General referred initial findings to the Department of State, which terminated Freeman’s employment that day.
In the aftermath of Freeman’s termination, numerous additional allegations surfaced regarding Freeman’s conduct toward members of the media as well as State and local government employees.  Several newspapers published reporters’ accounts of their uncomfortable encounters with Freeman that exhibited common themes.
The findings of this investigation illustrate Freeman’s continual abuse of his official position.  As such, this report was provided to the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics for its review of possible violations of the New York State Public

The full report is available on the Inspector General’s website: Investigation of Robert Freeman, Former Executive Director of the New York State Committee on Open Government.

Salvation Army: Red Kettle Gets New Tech

More shoppers are carrying less cash these days, and it poses a challenge to The Salvation Army, which funds much of its yearly budget through The Red Kettle Campaign.

Now, The Salvation Army is making it easier than ever to give with “Kettle Pay,” which accepts Apple Pay or Google Pay. The holiday season’s iconic Red Kettles now feature stickers that allow you to donate almost as easily as dropping cash in the Kettle.
The Salvation Army has placed smart chips and QR codes on Red Kettle signs across the state, allowing donors to simply “bump” or scan their phones to make a digital donation.
Donors will be directed to a custom donation page that accepts Apple or Google payment options. The funds will then be distributed to local Salvation Army units based on the donor’s billing ZIP code, and an email receipt will be sent directly to their phone.
Donors with an Apple iPhone Xs, Xr, and Xs Max or Android phones made since 2012 can just bump their phones on the sign. Donors with older phones can scan the QR codes.
“For nearly 155 years, The Salvation Army has employed creative, forward thinking to find solutions. More consumers are using their phones to pay for everyday items and Kettle Pay makes it even easier for donors to join The Salvation Army’s Fight for Good. Anyone can fight for our neighbors who are experiencing poverty by donating to Salvation Army programs, including food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and Christmas assistance for families in need,” said Major Ivan Rock, Commander of The Salvation Army’s Empire State Division.
Now in its 129th year, The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is one of the oldest and largest charitable campaigns in the world. Every year, the campaign raises millions of dollars to provide toys for kids at Christmas, clothes and shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, after-school programs for kids, and other services to America’s most vulnerable populations year-round.
Donations are accepted at any of the thousands of traditional Red Kettles found on street corners and in front of stores across the state, or online at www.empire.salvationarmy.org.  

Alfred University serves communities in Allegany County and beyond

Members of the Alfred University Cheer Team take a break from sealing the Mike Kenyon Children’s Park in Alfred to share a photo with President Mark Zupan, Vice President for University Advancement Jason Amore, Kara Amore, and Kathy Sherman

ALFRED, NY – Students from Alfred University joined with those from Alfred State College and Houghton College this fall, volunteering for several projects over a four-week period as part of the 2019 Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany community service initiative.
Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany held it eighth community service event in September and October. In past years, a single day of service was held on the fourth Saturday of October, marked as national Make a Difference Day. This year, administrators from all three campuses decided to extend the celebration over four weeks to allow for more service opportunities for students and greater flexibility for community partners.
Nearly 400 students from the three institutions of higher education in Allegany County went out into local communities and engaged in service projects.
Alfred University kicked off Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany 2019 with a day of service on Saturday, Sept. 28, recognized as National Good Neighbor Day. Fifty-five Alfred University students, including members of the Cheer Team and the Caribbean Student Association, worked with community members on five service projects in three communities.
Good Neighbor Day projects included resealing the Mike Kenyon Children’s Park, painting the A.E. Crandall Hook & Ladder Company fire station, scraping and repainting the ramp and deck of the Baker’s Bridge Historical Association, doing yard work for the Almond Rural Cemetery Association, and landscaping and installing storm windows for the Alfred Box of Books Library.
Houghton College followed with its celebration on October 21 with a week of service and community-building projects, focused in the northern and western communities of Allegany County. Alfred State College students concluded the month-long service celebration on Saturday, October 26, in southern Allegany County and Hornell.
Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany’s expanded reach was a success, and Alfred University’s service celebration continued both regionally and internationally.
Alfred University’s Athletics Department is continually involved in community service, and this fall participated in projects serving several local communities. The Saxon men’s soccer team volunteers every other weekend at the Hornell Are Humane Society. Head Men’s Soccer Coach Tracy Blake explained that student athletes work in shifts so that the whole team contributes to the Humane Society each month. The men’s basketball team hosted a children’s basketball clinic in Arkport on Nov. 2; the women’s basketball team held a community leaf raking event on Nov. 3, and plans to volunteer their support for Elderwood residents, the Hornell YMCA, reading in local schools, and cancer awareness.
Alfred University student organizations and professor of geology Michele Hluchy’s Water Planet class have also been raising money for the Puerto Rico Water Project. Funds raised will be used to install a well in a community recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The Caribbean Student Association held a dinner on Sept. 28, to raise money for Water for Puerto Rico and to share delicious Caribbean food with the greater Alfred community.
The Water Planet class holds bake sales on campus every Thursday and recently hosted a NBA 2K20 video game tournament fundraiser. The class also held a rummage sale on Nov. 2 and raised $590, with all unsold items donated to local charities. Additional Water for Puerto Rico fundraisers include a Puerto Rico bowl on Thursday, Nov. 14, with food available for sale in handmade bowls made by art students; a raffle; a dodgeball tournament; and the AU Polar Plunge for Puerto Rico at Foster Lake on Nov. 24.
In the eight years that Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany has been observed, more than 2,700 students from Alfred University, Alfred State and Houghton College have contributed over 12,200 hours of service to organizations and community projects in Allegany County.

Seafood buffet dinner set for Nov. 21 at Alfred State – Wellsville campus

Alfred State College will host a seafood buffet dinner from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Culinary Arts Building on the Wellsville campus.
The cost of the meal is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. No reservations will be accepted.
The menu will include:

  • Carved slow-roasted prime rib
  • Snow crab
  • Shrimp scampi
  • Crab-stuffed mushrooms
  • Fried oysters
  • Fried calamari
  • Baked cod
  • Clams casino
  • Smoked salmon
  • Lobster bisque with puff pastry
  • Asiago mashed potatoes
  • Green bean almondine
  • Garden salad
  • Assorted desserts

Alfred State will also be accepting donations for Toys for Tots during the dinner. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Wood at 607-587-3170.

SUNY’s Got Your Back event at Alfred State fills 2,500 comfort bags

In support of victims and survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence, hundreds of volunteers at Alfred State College recently helped fill 2,500 comfort bags as part of the SUNY’s Got Your Back (SGYB) effort.
Launched in April 2016, SUNY’s Got Your Back “provides the opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and community members from across the state to create comfort kits for victims and survivors of violence, and to learn methods of better preventing and responding to violence, as together we work to build a New York where these bags are no longer needed,” according to the web page about the effort on the SUNY website.

ox mascot and male holding blue bags open in SLC
More than 320 volunteers – including Big Blue,
students, and employees – joined together in helping
to fill comfort bags during the SUNY’s Got Your Back
event at Alfred State College.


Taking place on Halloween, Alfred State’s SUNY’s Got Your Back event featured more than 320 volunteers, including student athletes from several sports teams, members of Greek Life, the Esports team, employees, and members of more than 35 student clubs and organizations. Volunteers ending up filling 2,500 comfort bags with towels, toiletries, pens, paper, combs, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to be delivered to area shelters, hospitals, and rape crisis centers.
Nikkie Herman, chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at Alfred State, said she was overwhelmed with the support that the campus displayed on a very rainy Halloween day.
“The SGYB staff said that they had yet to do 2,500 bags anywhere this semester,” Herman said. “It is remarkable for a school our size that we filled so many and so quickly, proving again that Alfred State College cares deeply about serving the community in which we live. It took all of the volunteers to make this event a success. Every single person played a huge role in making this event a success. Local providers ACCORD and CCA were able to take boxes back to their facilities that day!”
Kathlyn Ramey, prevention education and outreach coordinator for Cattaraugus Community Action, said, “It was an honor to be included in the amazing turnout of support at Alfred State’s SUNY’s Got Your Back event.  When communities come together to support individuals who have been the victim of violence, it not only raises awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence issues, but is also a powerful demonstration of compassion, and the Alfred State community showed that during this event.”
Samantha Bowers, a human services management major from Fulton, said, “Since I came to campus three years ago now, I have been involved in the Center for Equity and Inclusion and the Title IX Office. My involvement there mainly revolves around programming and hosting events and many of my events went to raising money for the SUNY’s Got Your Back mission. To me, this SUNY-wide event is something so huge and touches my heart and so many others. We are able to provide comfort to people who are in extreme need of a friendly reminder to ‘stay strong.’ These comfort bags mean so much to the people that receive them, and Alfred State is amazing for showing up and supporting this amazing cause!”

Public health officials urge residents to test homes for radon

BATH – Steuben County Public Health and neighboring county officials urge local residents to take free and easy steps to test their homes for the natural gas radon — the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the U.S. “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Steuben County,” said county Public Health Director Darlene Smith. “We’re hoping to use Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November as a way to boost radon testing and prevent unnecessary deaths.” As many as six in 10 homes in Steuben may have dangerous radon levels while almost four in 10 homes in Schuyler and Yates counties may have high levels of radon, officials said. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. Radon is the result of the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils which seeps into buildings through cracks and other holes in foundations. Any home could have a radon problem, including new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements, the EPA reports.

“Testing your home for radon is easy and free for Steuben, Schuyler, and Yates residents through a grant held by the local health departments,” Smith said. “Please encourage others to learn and test their homes for radon. Let us all work together to reduce the risks of lung cancer this November.” For more information, visit Steuben County Public Health online at www.steubencony.org/publichealth, www.facebook.com/scnypublichealth, or https://www.instagram.com/steubenpublichealth/.

Potter County extends outreach to social media

Ellen Russell

COUDERSPORT — With a new countywide comprehensive plan nearing the launching pad, one county department is gearing up to make that vision of the 2020-29 decade become a reality.

Ellen Russell, who joined the county as community development director in September, has harnessed the power of social media to begin spreading information and building support for the plan’s objectives.
It calls for partnerships to create jobs, improve cultural attractions, support agriculture and tourism, and achieve many other objectives.
An overriding mission is to reverse two troubling trends — outmigration by young people and a steady decrease in the county’s overall population.
Russell recently launched an online service through the Facebook social media platform as a common reference point for the campaign. She is working with the county commissioners on a long-term strategy — to be formalized in the comprehensive plan — with a goal of achieving some of the objectives by a target date of 2025.
While less than a week old, the Facebook page has been growing. One post reached more than 2,000 people in less than 24 hours.
“Social media has become a huge part of our lives,” Russell said. “The idea was to capitalize on that and try to reach different citizens for their opinions, input and suggestions.”
“We would like to see more public engagement and try to get residents more involved in their community,” she continued. “The ultimate goal is to meet mold our county’s future, and who best to help us lead and develop that path than those who will actually be affected?”
The Facebook page features information on community activities, best practices in rural community development, and other features. It will be complemented by additional content on the Community Development Department’s website at www.pottercountypa.net.
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