Monday, November 29, 2010

Burto among many who switched parties

  link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times | Burto among many who switched parties


ALLEGIANCES SHIFT: 647 changed affiliation in Jefferson County over the last year; some theories offered
By JUDE SEYMOUR
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2010


Scott M. Burto, who actively campaigned for Republicans for a decade, raised eyebrows earlier this year when he sought Democratic support while considering a state Assembly bid. Now the West Carthage mayor has made his new allegiance official.

Mr. Burto and his wife, Nicole R., switched their party affiliations from Republican to Democrat after the Nov. 2 general election. The couple was among 647 registered voters who changed their minds in the last year about where their political allegiances lie, according to the Jefferson County Board of Elections.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Where should wind money be spent?

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SPECIFIC PROJECTS: Lewis County officials opt to earmark revenue instead of lumping it into its general fund
By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010

LOWVILLE — Moving forward, Lewis County leaders are looking to take the money the county brings in from wind farms and put it toward specific projects — not just toss it into its general fund to pay for everyday expenses.

Most of the county share of Maple Ridge Wind Farm's annual payment-in-lieu-of-taxes— now about $2.4 million — should be used "outside of the everyday spending and give the taxpayers something to see for these revenues," said Legislature Chairman Jack T. Bush, R-Brantingham.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Cape Vincent residents demand Edsall's ouster

   link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times Cape Vincent residents demand Edsall's ouster

CONFLICT ALLEGED: Planning Board head has deals with BP
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2010


CAPE VINCENT — Several town residents frustrated with Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall demanded his resignation at a well-attended Town Council meeting Thursday night.

Hester M. Chase, founder of the St. Lawrence River Public Power Association and one of the nearly 200 people who attended the meeting at the Cape Vincent Recreation Park, said Mr. Edsall was not fit to represent the Planning Board because, among other reasons, he has financial contracts with BP Alternative Energy.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Citizens Call for Planning Board Chairman Edsalls Removal

Cape Vincent Town Board meetings
Nov 18, 2010 6:00 PM Recreation Park Building

There was a public outcry at tonight’s Town Board meeting requesting that the Town board take action and remove Richard Edsall as Cape Vincent Planning Board Chairman.

Town Supervisor Urban Hirschey considered very carefully what the citizens had to say.

Mr. Hirschey stated that it was not within the scope of the board’s authority to remove Edsall as Planning Board chairman, However Supervisor Hirschey did make a motion for Edsall to follow the Planning Board by-laws and he mentioned that Edsall should not make things up as he goes along additionally he stated that Planning Board Chairman Edsall should recuse himself from all wind issues.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Brooks Bragdon, then Councilman Donny Mason began defending Chairman Edsalls behavior.
Blaming Edsalls actions on websites cameras and half-truths.
The motion was voted down three to two~



Cape Vincent citizen Donna Essegian addresses the Cape Vincent Town Board ~



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Investigation of ex-Cape clerk now in hands of state officials

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By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010

CAPE VINCENT — The state attorney general's office has taken over the investigation of former Town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason.

Ms. Mason, who was elected to office last November, resigned abruptly Sept. 14 after discrepancies were found in the town's finances.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tempers flare at meeting in Cape

  link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times | Tempers flare at meeting in Cape
Tempers flare at meeting in Cape
PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION: Opponent of wind claims board has acted illegally
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2010

CAPE VINCENT — A Planning Board meeting devolved into physical confrontation between an opponent of industrial wind power projects in the town and Chairman Richard J. Edsall.

At the beginning of the meeting Wednesday night, Mr. Edsall asked for approval of the board's minutes from a previous meeting.

Cape Vincent supervisor adds pay raise to budget

   link here to continue reading Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent supervisor adds pay raise to budget

Cape Vincent supervisor adds pay raise to budget
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2010


CAPE VINCENT — Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey is giving himself a 14.1 percent raise next year, under the town's preliminary 2011 budget, to bring his salary up to what his predecessor was making before being voted out of office in 2009.

However, there is an apparent discrepancy between what Mr. Hirschey believes former Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck made that year and Mr. Rienbeck's budgeted 2009 salary.

Friday, November 5, 2010

JCIDA postpones adopting policy


5,November 2010


Copyright, 2010, Johnson Newspaper Corporation


JCIDA postpones adopting policy PILOT PROCEDURE: Board wants more time to consider extensive public input

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010

The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency held off approving a uniform tax-exempt policy at its meeting Thursday morning.
The policy, which outlines when and what payments in lieu of taxes may be used by the agency, generated some comments from the public at a hearing Wednesday night and letters from municipalities.

         
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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Wind power dominates JCIDA tax policy hearing

  Link here to continue reading  Wind power dominates JCIDA tax policy hearing
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010


Wind power development became the focus of a public hearing on the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency's proposed uniform tax exempt policy.

About 40 members of the public attended the hearing. Tenpeople spoke during the hour-long hearing at Jefferson Community College, eight of whom spoke on wind power — generally opposing it.