You are here: Home / 2010 / Archives for June 2010

Senate Approves Measure to Allow Casino Operation Expansion at Vernon Downs

June 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Albany, NY) – State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-IP-C, Rome) reported today that the Senate has passed legislation (S.8119-A) to begin the process of amending the state’s constitution to allow expanded gaming at several racinos statewide.

If approved, the constitutional amendment would provide for up to five privately owned and operated casinos:  two in Sullivan County, one each in Tioga, Saratoga counties and at Vernon Downs in Oneida County.

“Jeff Gural has done a terrific job with Vernon Downs, despite the competitive disadvantages that the State has placed on the horseracing industry in New York,” said Senator Griffo. “I strongly believe that this measure will enable Vernon Downs to remain viable and have the ability to expand and enhance its operations.”

Griffo indicated that any constitutional change must be passed by this legislature and the next legislature, then pass a statewide referendum. It also allows for counties to opt-in, if they agree with the measure.

“The intent of this legislation is to stimulate state and local economies,” said Griffo, a member of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.  “Here’s an opportunity that other states have pursued to ramp up efforts to increase job-creation revenue without taxing.”

Filed Under: Editorial/Opinions, Government and Politics, Vernon Tagged With: , , ,

Elthorp Named Accommodations Manager at Turning Stone

June 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Verona, NY) Cathy Elthorp of Ilion has joined the staff at Turning Stone Resort and Casino as accommodations manager.  In that capacity, she will oversee all aspects of the call center relating to the resort’s PBX, sales and accommodations.

Elthorp previously worked for the AAA New York in Utica as senior manager of their travel call center.  Before that promotion, she held positions at the AAA New York in Utica as branch manager and as a corporate travel agent.  She holds an associate’s degree in applied science, travel and tourism, and hotel and front desk management from Herkimer County Community College and has accreditations from Princess Commodore Program, College of Disney Knowledge and the Marriott Hotel Specialist Program.  She is currently enrolled in the CTC Program with the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

Filed Under: Announcements, Employment, Verona Tagged With: ,

Destito: Education budget provides property tax relief and restores school aid

June 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Rome, NY) “This legislative agreement will restore over $4.9 million to local school districts that will be used to provide property tax relief, avoid layoffs and restore important educational programs. This will allow us to maintain our standard of quality education without balancing the budget on the backs of Mohawk Valley property taxpayers.

“Governor Paterson’s education budget would have allowed SUNY university centers the unbridled power to raise their tuition two percent this year and eight percent each of the next four years. The remainder of the SUNY four-year campuses also would have been permitted to raise tuition two percent this year and five percent each of the next four years. This legislative agreement rejects this proposal. In addition, restorations to TAP will be made in the amount of $23.6 million so working families can afford to advance their education, especially during these tough economic times when people are seeking retraining in their current employment and exploring new opportunities.

“Mohawk Valley Community College, which has seen unprecedented enrollment, will be seeing base aid restorations amounting to $285 per full time equivalent student. This will help hold the line on local property taxes for Mohawk Valley families, and I am pleased we have taken this action. ”

Filed Under: Editorial/Opinions, Government and Politics, Rome

Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff for Thompson

June 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ALBANY, NY (06/29/2010)(readMedia)– Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, June 30, in honor of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson, a Rome resident who died in Konar Province, Afghanistan on June 25.

Specialist Thompson was killed when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) which is stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our condolences to the friends, family and fellow soldiers of Specialist Thompson,” Governor Paterson said. “We join them in grieving the death of this fine young soldier, but we will never forget his sacrifice for our nation and we will honor his memory and his service.”

Governor Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our State’s service members who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.

Filed Under: Announcements, Government and Politics, Rome, Veteran's Corner Tagged With: ,

AAA Offers Defensive Driving Class in Utica

June 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Utica, NY) AAA New York will be conducting a six-hour Driver Improvement course at Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501 on Saturday, July 17 from 9am to 4pm.

The fee is $39 for AAA members, $32 for AAA Plus members, AAA senior members (60 +), AAA young drivers (16-24) and $49 for non-members.

Everyone who takes the AAA Driver Improvement Program will receive the latest driving information from our AAA certified instructor, Donald Marino, plus a 10 percent discount on collision and liability insurance and a reduction of up to four points on their New York State licenses.

Class size is limited. Reservation and prepayment is required.  For more information, and additional dates call the Club at (315) 797-6121 or visit AAA.com/DefensiveDriving.

Filed Under: Automotive, Calendar of Events, Utica Tagged With: , , ,

MAMI Director Davis Fellow at Middlebury College

June 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Stronach Named Interim Director

(Utica, NY) Cornelia Brown, Ph. D., executive director of MAMI Interpreters, began a 10-week immersion fellowship in advanced Russian studies at Middlebury College Language Schools in Vermont on June 28.

She was selected for the 2010 Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace as a working professional promoting conflict resolution; specifically, leading an initiative to train court interpreters across Central New York through the not-for-profit MAMI. Fluent in Russian, Brown decided to take the New York State court interpreter exams herself to gain better insight into the preparation needed to prepare others to be court interpreters, and is using the Davis fellowship at Middlebury to improve her oral use of Russian grammar and idiom. She has passed the NY State written exam and plans to take the state oral exam.

MAMI Community Coordinator Mary Stronach has been named interim executive director for the duration of Brown’s sabbatical.

Russian, the language Brown is studying, is only one of about 40 languages needed in Central New York courts and other legal settings such as domestic violence and child protection. MAMI has been developing a two-part court interpreting course to prepare interpreters to take the state exams, said Stronach, who herself passed the state written exam in Spanish.

“By taking the state exams and actually interpreting in legal settings, MAMI’s leaders can best develop curriculum, teach court interpreting, and help legal professionals use and appreciate interpreter services,” Brown said.

With offices in Utica and Syracuse, MAMI provides interpreting and translating for health, legal and community agencies. MAMI also offers ESL (English as second language) classes in specialty areas and culturally mediated seminars for limited-English populations.

Filed Under: Announcements, Education, Utica

Peacemaker Program welcomes new advocates

June 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Caption: (Front row, from left to right) Elizabeth Watts, Clare Burns, and Rachelle Cobell. (Back from left to right) Executive Director Brenda Episcopo, CASA Coordinator Ashley Ritter, Christine Walker, Linda Gifford, Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal B. Caldwell, Sandra Freeman, Geri Loiacono, Patti Robinson, Director of Advocacy Katie Montague, CCAP Coordinator, and Sherri Morris.

(Utica, NY) The Peacemaker Program, Inc. proudly welcomes ten newly trained volunteers to its Court Appointed Special Advocate® program.

The volunteers were sworn in by Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal Caldwell Thursday, June 17 in his courtroom, after completing 40 hours of training and 4 hours of Family Court observation.

The new volunteers are; Christine Walker of Remsen, Clare Burns of Marcy, Linda Gifford of Herkimer, Sandra Freeman of New Hartford, Geri Loiacono of Frankfort, Patti Robinson of New Hartford, Judy Dustin of Brantingham, Rachelle Cobell of Utica, Sherri Morris of Ilion, Elizabeth Watts of Rome, and Jessica Finster of Rome.

These individuals have made a commitment to assisting children that have been abused and neglected.

Whether the advocates work full time or are retired, they dedicate their time to help the Oneida and Herkimer county family court judges make better informed decisions in the best interest of the children.

The Peacemaker Program would like to thank these advocates for all of their hard work and devotion to such an important mission.

The Peacemaker Program, Inc. is a local non-profit agency whose mission is to offer inclusive, innovative approaches to resolve conflict and achieve positive outcomes for children, families and the community.

For information on how you can become a part of The Peacemaker Program, call 724-1718 or visit www.thepeacemakerprogram.org.

Filed Under: Announcements, Cops/Crime/Courts, Frankfort, Marcy, New Hartford, Remsen, Rome, Utica Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Peacemaker Program welcomes new advocates

June 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Caption: (Front row, from left to right) Elizabeth Watts, Clare Burns, and Rachelle Cobell. (Back from left to right) Executive Director Brenda Episcopo, CASA Coordinator Ashley Ritter, Christine Walker, Linda Gifford, Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal B. Caldwell, Sandra Freeman, Geri Loiacono, Patti Robinson, Director of Advocacy Katie Montague, CCAP Coordinator, and Sherri Morris.

(Utica, NY) The Peacemaker Program, Inc. proudly welcomes ten newly trained volunteers to its Court Appointed Special Advocate® program.

The volunteers were sworn in by Oneida County Family Court Judge Randal Caldwell Thursday, June 17 in his courtroom, after completing 40 hours of training and 4 hours of Family Court observation.

The new volunteers are; Christine Walker of Remsen, Clare Burns of Marcy, Linda Gifford of Herkimer, Sandra Freeman of New Hartford, Geri Loiacono of Frankfort, Patti Robinson of New Hartford, Judy Dustin of Brantingham, Rachelle Cobell of Utica, Sherri Morris of Ilion, Elizabeth Watts of Rome, and Jessica Finster of Rome.

These individuals have made a commitment to assisting children that have been abused and neglected.

Whether the advocates work full time or are retired, they dedicate their time to help the Oneida and Herkimer county family court judges make better informed decisions in the best interest of the children.

The Peacemaker Program would like to thank these advocates for all of their hard work and devotion to such an important mission.

The Peacemaker Program, Inc. is a local non-profit agency whose mission is to offer inclusive, innovative approaches to resolve conflict and achieve positive outcomes for children, families and the community.

For information on how you can become a part of The Peacemaker Program, call 724-1718 or visit www.thepeacemakerprogram.org.

Filed Under: Announcements, Cops/Crime/Courts, Frankfort, Marcy, New Hartford, Remsen, Rome, Utica Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Officer Moore Honored at State Capitol

June 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pictured are Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, Officer Donald Moore, Rome Public Safety Commissioner James Masucci, Chief of Police Kevin Beach and Deputy Chief Kevin Simons at a ceremony held June 21.

(Albany, NY) At the New York State Capitol on Monday June 21 both Houses of the State Legislature paused in their deliberations to honor Rome Police Officer Donald J. Moore in recognition of his heroic actions in preventing a deadly shooting rampage at a New York Mills wireless communications store.

A Legislative Resolution was adopted in the Assembly as well as the Senate, and it was presented to Officer Moore who was joined by members of his family, his friends and representatives of the City of Rome, AT&T and the Communications Workers of America.

Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito provided Officer Moore with the Resolution and formally introduced him and his guests in the Assembly Chamber.

Filed Under: Announcements, Cops/Crime/Courts, Government and Politics, New York Mills, Rome Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mid-York Mycological Society to Meet

June 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Utica, NY) The Mid-York Mycological Society (MYMS) will meet on July 12 at 7:00 p.m. in DePerno Hall on the Utica College campus. Members will bring in specimens to identify and note where it/they were growing including what kind of trees were nearby.

Attendees from the public are encouraged to do the same although this is not required to participate.  Spore prints with ID books and a 10x lens or jeweler’s loupe will be helpful. Future foray schedules will be available.

The meeting is free and the public is invited.

For additional information or directions call 339-3515.

Filed Under: Agriculture, Calendar of Events, Environment and Nature, Utica Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts