Link here to continue reading-- Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent LDC seeks nonprofit status, public’s support
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — With added financial support from local municipalities — and, it hopes, the public — the Cape Vincent Local Development Corp. will ramp up its efforts this year to support new and existing businesses in the town.
Declan F. Callan, president of the development corporation, said the group is almost ready to submit its application for the federal 501-C3 tax-exempt status and hopes to become a nonprofit next month.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Cape Vincent teaming with Kingston, Wolfe Island to promote “ferry route”
Link here to continue reading-- Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent teaming with Kingston, Wolfe Island to promote “ferry route”
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — In an effort to woo more tourists this year, Cape Vincent is partnering with its Canadian neighbors across the St. Lawrence River to promote the “ferry route.”
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said Cape Vincent; Wolfe Island, Ontario; and the city of Kingston, Ontario, together will invest $3,500 to hire a professional marketing consultant to start exploring ways to get more tourists to use Horne’s Ferry and the Wolfe Island Ferry.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — In an effort to woo more tourists this year, Cape Vincent is partnering with its Canadian neighbors across the St. Lawrence River to promote the “ferry route.”
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said Cape Vincent; Wolfe Island, Ontario; and the city of Kingston, Ontario, together will invest $3,500 to hire a professional marketing consultant to start exploring ways to get more tourists to use Horne’s Ferry and the Wolfe Island Ferry.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Ousted Cape Vincent zoning officer upset with “unprofessional treatment”
Ousted Cape Vincent zoning officer upset with “unprofessional treatment”
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town’s longtime zoning officer, who argued that he lost his job because of local politics, says he is disappointed by his “very unprofessional” treatment by the Town Council but holds “no hard feelings.”
“After 13 years of service to the town, 700 permits issued, and I didn’t even get an acknowledgment,” said Alan N. Wood, former chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals who became Cape Vincent’s zoning offer in 2004. “But no hard feelings; life is too short to worry about that stuff.”
Link here to continue reading
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town’s longtime zoning officer, who argued that he lost his job because of local politics, says he is disappointed by his “very unprofessional” treatment by the Town Council but holds “no hard feelings.”
“After 13 years of service to the town, 700 permits issued, and I didn’t even get an acknowledgment,” said Alan N. Wood, former chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals who became Cape Vincent’s zoning offer in 2004. “But no hard feelings; life is too short to worry about that stuff.”
Link here to continue reading
Friday, January 20, 2012
AG. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES SENTENCING OF FORMER NORTH COUNTRY TOWN CLERK
AG. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES SENTENCING OF FORMER NORTH COUNTRY TOWN CLERK FOR STEALING PUBLIC MONEY
Attorney General’s Public Integrity Investigation Ends With Sentencing Of Public Official
Schneiderman: Public Officials Can't Get Away With Using Their Positions To Steal From Taxpayers
WATERTOWN - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Jeri Mason, a former Town Clerk for Cape Vincent, who was convicted of stealing nearly $30,000 from the town. In October 2011, Mason pleaded guilty to Defrauding the Government (a class E felony) and Official Misconduct.
Earlier today, in Jefferson County Court, the Honorable Judge Kim Martusewicz sentenced Mason to five years probation. Mason's probation and non-incarceration had been contingent upon her paying back the full amount of the theft. The judge informed Mason that he may be inclined to give her a sentence without jail time if Mason were to pay full restitution. Mason has paid the town of Cape Vincent $29,872.
"Ms. Mason abused the privilege of serving in public office and now must pay back the people she fleeced," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "As a result of our public integrity investigation, she is being held accountable for the crime of using her position to steal money from taxpayers. My office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute such cases to ensure there is one set of rules for everyone in this state."
From April 2009 to September 2010, Jeri Mason engaged in a fraudulent scheme that involved falsely representing the amount of revenue the Town was collecting Mason conducted this scheme while acting in her capacity as the Town Clerk, an elected position. Mason falsified monthly reports that reflected the amount of money she collected for the Town. The investigation began after it was revealed that Mason stole money that should have been remitted to the Town.
Today's action highlights one of the public integrity initiatives Attorney General Schneiderman launched last year. The effort includes a crackdown on public officials who use taxpayer funds for their own benefit, and is part of the Attorney General’s sweeping efforts to root out waste, fraud and corruption at all levels of government. As part of that effort the Attorney General placed public integrity officers in all thirteen of his regional offices around the state. Public integrity officers serve as local "watch dogs," and give citizens a place to go to report corruption without fear that local politics will influence the outcome.
The Attorney General thanked the New York State Police for its cooperation in this investigation.
The case is being handled by Colleen M. Glavin, Assistant Attorney General and Public Integrity Officer, under the supervision of Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Nancy Hoppock, Public Integrity Bureau Chief William E. Schaeffer and Deputy Chief Stacy Aronowitz. Investigator Scott Petucci under Supervising Investigator Antoine Karam assisted with the investigation of the case.
Anyone with information on public corruption is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s office at (315) 785-2444.
Link Here to read Attorney Generals official website
Attorney General’s Public Integrity Investigation Ends With Sentencing Of Public Official
Schneiderman: Public Officials Can't Get Away With Using Their Positions To Steal From Taxpayers
WATERTOWN - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Jeri Mason, a former Town Clerk for Cape Vincent, who was convicted of stealing nearly $30,000 from the town. In October 2011, Mason pleaded guilty to Defrauding the Government (a class E felony) and Official Misconduct.
Earlier today, in Jefferson County Court, the Honorable Judge Kim Martusewicz sentenced Mason to five years probation. Mason's probation and non-incarceration had been contingent upon her paying back the full amount of the theft. The judge informed Mason that he may be inclined to give her a sentence without jail time if Mason were to pay full restitution. Mason has paid the town of Cape Vincent $29,872.
"Ms. Mason abused the privilege of serving in public office and now must pay back the people she fleeced," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "As a result of our public integrity investigation, she is being held accountable for the crime of using her position to steal money from taxpayers. My office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute such cases to ensure there is one set of rules for everyone in this state."
From April 2009 to September 2010, Jeri Mason engaged in a fraudulent scheme that involved falsely representing the amount of revenue the Town was collecting Mason conducted this scheme while acting in her capacity as the Town Clerk, an elected position. Mason falsified monthly reports that reflected the amount of money she collected for the Town. The investigation began after it was revealed that Mason stole money that should have been remitted to the Town.
Today's action highlights one of the public integrity initiatives Attorney General Schneiderman launched last year. The effort includes a crackdown on public officials who use taxpayer funds for their own benefit, and is part of the Attorney General’s sweeping efforts to root out waste, fraud and corruption at all levels of government. As part of that effort the Attorney General placed public integrity officers in all thirteen of his regional offices around the state. Public integrity officers serve as local "watch dogs," and give citizens a place to go to report corruption without fear that local politics will influence the outcome.
The Attorney General thanked the New York State Police for its cooperation in this investigation.
The case is being handled by Colleen M. Glavin, Assistant Attorney General and Public Integrity Officer, under the supervision of Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Nancy Hoppock, Public Integrity Bureau Chief William E. Schaeffer and Deputy Chief Stacy Aronowitz. Investigator Scott Petucci under Supervising Investigator Antoine Karam assisted with the investigation of the case.
Anyone with information on public corruption is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s office at (315) 785-2444.
Link Here to read Attorney Generals official website
Cape Vincent to pass wind moratorium Feb. 7
Link here to original- Cape Vincent to pass wind moratorium Feb. 7
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The Town Council is speeding up the process of putting a halt to all wind energy development in Cape Vincent.
On Feb. 7, instead of at the next regular council meeting Feb. 16, the board plans to pass a seven-month moratorium on the construction of all “wind power-generating facilities” following a public hearing that starts at 7 p.m. that day at Recreation Park on James Street.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The Town Council is speeding up the process of putting a halt to all wind energy development in Cape Vincent.
On Feb. 7, instead of at the next regular council meeting Feb. 16, the board plans to pass a seven-month moratorium on the construction of all “wind power-generating facilities” following a public hearing that starts at 7 p.m. that day at Recreation Park on James Street.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wind power can support school funding ~ letter
Wind power can support school funding
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012
This is in response to the commentary co-authored by Assemblywoman Addie Russell that appeared in the Albany Times-Union on Dec. 17 entitled “Keep Equality in Education.”
Assemblywoman Russell correctly points out that the massive state school aid cuts are especially harming the state’s economically disadvantaged communities, such as ours, more so than wealthier communities throughout the state. The result is undeniably impacting the already strained budgets of our schools with no relief in sight from the government. It is up to each community to come up with ways to fill the permanent school funding gap created by Albany and Washington by promoting economic development in a sustainable and responsible manner. We can’t continue to rely on already strained households in our region to provide this funding.
Our community needs Assemblywoman Russell along with Sen. Patty Ritchie to actively support this kind of development and, as luck would have it, an opportunity to do so exists in Cape Vincent. The proposed wind power developments would bring millions of much-needed dollars to our local economy each year for 20 years, and a good portion of those millions will go to our schools’ budgets. This is an excellent opportunity for renewing economic activity in the region. These elected officials have done an excellent job identifying education funding as a critical issue to our communities, and they now need to listen to solutions to this issue.
Wind farms are peacefully operating in many communities, just like ours, throughout New York and have proven to be saviors for those communities. In fact, the students living in districts with operating wind farms are the biggest beneficiaries. I request Assemblywoman Russell to take the time to research the benefits of wind power in New York in a truly objective way and help us get the benefits of wind power for our community. She has identified a problem. Now let’s find ways to solve it together.
I am prepared to support actions that help her address the problem of education funding, and I would like Assemblywoman Russell to support an actual and real solution to that problem. Wind power continues to be a good thing in New York and can be a good thing for the people residing in Cape Vincent. Assemblywoman Russell, please take the time to learn the whole story.
Beth White
Cape Vincent
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012
This is in response to the commentary co-authored by Assemblywoman Addie Russell that appeared in the Albany Times-Union on Dec. 17 entitled “Keep Equality in Education.”
Assemblywoman Russell correctly points out that the massive state school aid cuts are especially harming the state’s economically disadvantaged communities, such as ours, more so than wealthier communities throughout the state. The result is undeniably impacting the already strained budgets of our schools with no relief in sight from the government. It is up to each community to come up with ways to fill the permanent school funding gap created by Albany and Washington by promoting economic development in a sustainable and responsible manner. We can’t continue to rely on already strained households in our region to provide this funding.
Our community needs Assemblywoman Russell along with Sen. Patty Ritchie to actively support this kind of development and, as luck would have it, an opportunity to do so exists in Cape Vincent. The proposed wind power developments would bring millions of much-needed dollars to our local economy each year for 20 years, and a good portion of those millions will go to our schools’ budgets. This is an excellent opportunity for renewing economic activity in the region. These elected officials have done an excellent job identifying education funding as a critical issue to our communities, and they now need to listen to solutions to this issue.
Wind farms are peacefully operating in many communities, just like ours, throughout New York and have proven to be saviors for those communities. In fact, the students living in districts with operating wind farms are the biggest beneficiaries. I request Assemblywoman Russell to take the time to research the benefits of wind power in New York in a truly objective way and help us get the benefits of wind power for our community. She has identified a problem. Now let’s find ways to solve it together.
I am prepared to support actions that help her address the problem of education funding, and I would like Assemblywoman Russell to support an actual and real solution to that problem. Wind power continues to be a good thing in New York and can be a good thing for the people residing in Cape Vincent. Assemblywoman Russell, please take the time to learn the whole story.
Beth White
Cape Vincent
Friday, January 13, 2012
Cape Vincent Planning Board wants to switch law firms over suspicion of pro-wind bias
Link here to original- Cape Vincent Planning Board wants to switch law firms over suspicion of pro-wind bias
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town Planning Board plans to switch law firms in a symbolic gesture to show it has cut all ties with its previous attorney who, board members said, had been representing the interest of his pro-wind clients on the board.
Planning Board Chairman Richard H. Macsherry said the board hopes to sever its relationship with Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, Albany, because its former attorney with the law firm, Todd M. Mathes, tried to “manipulate” the town engineer, who raised questions about a study on ambient sound levels conducted by Hessler Associates Inc., at the direction of former Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town Planning Board plans to switch law firms in a symbolic gesture to show it has cut all ties with its previous attorney who, board members said, had been representing the interest of his pro-wind clients on the board.
Planning Board Chairman Richard H. Macsherry said the board hopes to sever its relationship with Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, Albany, because its former attorney with the law firm, Todd M. Mathes, tried to “manipulate” the town engineer, who raised questions about a study on ambient sound levels conducted by Hessler Associates Inc., at the direction of former Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
IDA scuttles plan to change tax break policy
Link here to original- IDA scuttles plan to change tax break policy
By BRIAN AMARAL
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
Elected officials on local government boards will still be able to decide whether to give tax breaks to housing developers.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency was on the way to giving itself the power to require towns, counties and school boards to give certain tax breaks to businesses, even if the elected body did not agree to the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements. That plan has been dropped after an outcry from municipalities in the county.
By BRIAN AMARAL
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
Elected officials on local government boards will still be able to decide whether to give tax breaks to housing developers.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency was on the way to giving itself the power to require towns, counties and school boards to give certain tax breaks to businesses, even if the elected body did not agree to the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements. That plan has been dropped after an outcry from municipalities in the county.
Cape Vincent zoning officer says his job’s in jeopardy because of town politics, not
Link here to original- Cape Vincent zoning officer says his job’s in jeopardy because of town politics, not work history
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — Alan N. Wood, the town’s longtime zoning enforcement officer, might have run for town supervisor last year if he had known his job was in jeopardy.
Mr. Wood said that he decided not to run against Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey after he was told by three council members currently serving on the board — including Mr. Hirschey — that they were happy with him as Cape Vincent’s zoning officer.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — Alan N. Wood, the town’s longtime zoning enforcement officer, might have run for town supervisor last year if he had known his job was in jeopardy.
Mr. Wood said that he decided not to run against Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey after he was told by three council members currently serving on the board — including Mr. Hirschey — that they were happy with him as Cape Vincent’s zoning officer.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Local elections influence two towns' wind futures
Link here to original- Local elections influence two towns' wind futures
Joanna Richards reports for North Country Radio
The election was very pivotal, and in our opinion, very definitive.(01/11/12) The prospect of wind energy development has divided north country communities from Cape Vincent to Clinton County.
New York's new Article X law gives developers the option to seek state review of where to put their wind farms.
But prior to Article X, accepting and siting the big turbines was up to each town. And companies can still choose local rather than state review. More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics.
For North Country Public Radio, I'm Joanna Richards in Watertown
Link here for audio
Joanna Richards reports for North Country Radio
The election was very pivotal, and in our opinion, very definitive.(01/11/12) The prospect of wind energy development has divided north country communities from Cape Vincent to Clinton County.
New York's new Article X law gives developers the option to seek state review of where to put their wind farms.
But prior to Article X, accepting and siting the big turbines was up to each town. And companies can still choose local rather than state review. More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics.
For North Country Public Radio, I'm Joanna Richards in Watertown
Link here for audio
IDA scuttles plan to change tax break policy
Link here to original- IDA scuttles plan to change tax break policy
By BRIAN AMARAL
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
Elected officials on local government boards will still be able to decide whether to give tax breaks to housing developers.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency was on the way to giving itself the power to require towns, counties and school boards to give certain tax breaks to businesses, even if the elected body did not agree to the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements. That plan has been dropped after an outcry from municipalities in the county.
By BRIAN AMARAL
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
Elected officials on local government boards will still be able to decide whether to give tax breaks to housing developers.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency was on the way to giving itself the power to require towns, counties and school boards to give certain tax breaks to businesses, even if the elected body did not agree to the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements. That plan has been dropped after an outcry from municipalities in the county.
Cape Vincent / Hammond~Local elections influence two Town's wind futures
(01/11/12)
North country Public radio
Joanna Richards reporting
The prospect of wind energy development has divided north country communities from Cape Vincent to Clinton County.
New York's new Article X law gives developers the option to seek state review of where to put their wind farms.
But prior to Article X, accepting and siting the big turbines was up to each town. And companies can still choose local rather than state review. More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics.
That has been the case in both Cape Vincent, on Lake Ontario, and Hammond, on a windy ridge overlooking the St. Lawrence River. In both towns, last fall's elections pitted incumbent supervisors who favor regulation of wind power against challengers who had already signed leases with energy companies to place wind turbines on their land.
North country Public radio
Joanna Richards reporting
The prospect of wind energy development has divided north country communities from Cape Vincent to Clinton County.
New York's new Article X law gives developers the option to seek state review of where to put their wind farms.
But prior to Article X, accepting and siting the big turbines was up to each town. And companies can still choose local rather than state review. More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics.
That has been the case in both Cape Vincent, on Lake Ontario, and Hammond, on a windy ridge overlooking the St. Lawrence River. In both towns, last fall's elections pitted incumbent supervisors who favor regulation of wind power against challengers who had already signed leases with energy companies to place wind turbines on their land.
Lawsuit Against Hammond Town Cost Taxpayers $17,000
Link here to original- Lawsuit Against Hammond Town Cost Taxpayers $17,000
By JIMMY LAWTON
Odgensburg Journal
HAMMOND - A lawsuit brought against the town by local landowners in November has already cost taxpayers $17,000, according to Town Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram.
The Article 78 action was filed by Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall LLP, Watertown, on behalf of Michele and Daniel McQueer, Steven Demick, William Hadlock and Crayton Buck.
The suit claims the recently passed wind energy facilities law is arbitrary, capricious, unconstitutional, discriminatory, unreasonable and violates Article IX of the state constitution.
By JIMMY LAWTON
Odgensburg Journal
HAMMOND - A lawsuit brought against the town by local landowners in November has already cost taxpayers $17,000, according to Town Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram.
The Article 78 action was filed by Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall LLP, Watertown, on behalf of Michele and Daniel McQueer, Steven Demick, William Hadlock and Crayton Buck.
The suit claims the recently passed wind energy facilities law is arbitrary, capricious, unconstitutional, discriminatory, unreasonable and violates Article IX of the state constitution.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Cape Vincent might get rid of longtime zoning officer over complaints
Link here to original- Cape Vincent might get rid of longtime zoning officer over complaints
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The Town Council might replace longtime Zoning Enforcement Officer Alan N. Wood at its next regular meeting after receiving complaints from residents.
Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said no written complaints were submitted, but the council has received a few calls from upset residents and decided to reconsider simply reappointing Mr. Wood as zoning enforcement officer.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The Town Council might replace longtime Zoning Enforcement Officer Alan N. Wood at its next regular meeting after receiving complaints from residents.
Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said no written complaints were submitted, but the council has received a few calls from upset residents and decided to reconsider simply reappointing Mr. Wood as zoning enforcement officer.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
JCIDA narrowly authorizes distribution of new tax-exempt policy that would allow overrides
Link here to original- JCIDA narrowly authorizes distribution of new tax-exempt policy that would allow overrides
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
One month after clamoring for wider powers in giving property tax breaks, the sentiment of the board of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency changed, almost ending the effort.
The changes included adding rental housing units to the list of acceptable industries to give payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. But the bigger change would allow the board to force a PILOT with a standard pro rata distribution, even if not all of the taxing jurisdictions agreed. The action would require five votes of the seven members, by statute. PILOTs that deviate from the normal distribution, which reflects the proportion of property taxes distributed among a property’s taxing jurisdictions, still would require agreement from all involved jurisdictions.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
One month after clamoring for wider powers in giving property tax breaks, the sentiment of the board of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency changed, almost ending the effort.
The changes included adding rental housing units to the list of acceptable industries to give payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. But the bigger change would allow the board to force a PILOT with a standard pro rata distribution, even if not all of the taxing jurisdictions agreed. The action would require five votes of the seven members, by statute. PILOTs that deviate from the normal distribution, which reflects the proportion of property taxes distributed among a property’s taxing jurisdictions, still would require agreement from all involved jurisdictions.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Apply insider trading laws to Congress
Apply insider trading laws to Congress
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
This is in response to Bruce Bennett’s Dec. 9 letter, “Insider trading.”
I, too, am angered that members of Congress and their staff are able to use their information and connections to game the system and legally profit from what we would consider insider trading. Their actions jeopardize the confidence in our markets and create an unfair advantage for a relatively small group of people.
I am dead set against insider trading. I pledge to you, Bruce, and the people of the district that I will work tirelessly to make sure the federal securities laws regarding insider trading are applied not only to ordinary citizens, but also to Congress and its staff.
Insider trading is also a breach of the Code of Ethics for Government Service. No member of staff has ever been charged with violating federal law or this part of the code
There are some thorny legal questions, including: Does the Constitution’s speech and debate clause protect members who share material, nonpublic information that could be used in stock purchasing?
The newly introduced Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act explicitly forbids insider trading by members and staffers. I applaud the intent, but have concerns the legislation will create gaps that don’t exist under the Securities Exchange Act.
One example: The STOCK Act’s insider trading statute would only apply to situations where the material, nonpublic information being used or tipped, pertained to “pending or prospective legislation action.” But members and staffers often learn valuable information at briefings that are unrelated to any legislation.
Instead of narrowing our focus merely to Congress, it’s time we attacked this problem holistically. There is no statutory definition for what constitutes insider trading. Congress should change that. If members felt it is necessary to add a specific provision to the new statute regarding their actions, I would support that too. Again, it’s time to stop members of Congress from insider trading.
To your second point: I am proud to call the north country home. I promise residents that, when elected, I will be available to all people through town halls and office hours as much as humanly possible when Congress is in recess.
Mr. Bennett,can we count on your vote this November?
Matt Doheny
Watertown
The writer is a Republican candidate for Congress.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
This is in response to Bruce Bennett’s Dec. 9 letter, “Insider trading.”
I, too, am angered that members of Congress and their staff are able to use their information and connections to game the system and legally profit from what we would consider insider trading. Their actions jeopardize the confidence in our markets and create an unfair advantage for a relatively small group of people.
I am dead set against insider trading. I pledge to you, Bruce, and the people of the district that I will work tirelessly to make sure the federal securities laws regarding insider trading are applied not only to ordinary citizens, but also to Congress and its staff.
Insider trading is also a breach of the Code of Ethics for Government Service. No member of staff has ever been charged with violating federal law or this part of the code
There are some thorny legal questions, including: Does the Constitution’s speech and debate clause protect members who share material, nonpublic information that could be used in stock purchasing?
The newly introduced Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act explicitly forbids insider trading by members and staffers. I applaud the intent, but have concerns the legislation will create gaps that don’t exist under the Securities Exchange Act.
One example: The STOCK Act’s insider trading statute would only apply to situations where the material, nonpublic information being used or tipped, pertained to “pending or prospective legislation action.” But members and staffers often learn valuable information at briefings that are unrelated to any legislation.
Instead of narrowing our focus merely to Congress, it’s time we attacked this problem holistically. There is no statutory definition for what constitutes insider trading. Congress should change that. If members felt it is necessary to add a specific provision to the new statute regarding their actions, I would support that too. Again, it’s time to stop members of Congress from insider trading.
To your second point: I am proud to call the north country home. I promise residents that, when elected, I will be available to all people through town halls and office hours as much as humanly possible when Congress is in recess.
Mr. Bennett,can we count on your vote this November?
Matt Doheny
Watertown
The writer is a Republican candidate for Congress.
Cape Vincent names Planning Board members and alternates
Link here to original- Cape Vincent names Planning Board members and alternates
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — After an extensive, four-month search, the town finally has a full Planning Board with two alternate members.
Newly appointed to the board are Robert S. Brown, a former chairman of a zoning hearing board in Pennsylvania; Paul L. Docteur, a former operations manager at Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, and past Planning Board member Rockne E. Burns.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — After an extensive, four-month search, the town finally has a full Planning Board with two alternate members.
Newly appointed to the board are Robert S. Brown, a former chairman of a zoning hearing board in Pennsylvania; Paul L. Docteur, a former operations manager at Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, and past Planning Board member Rockne E. Burns.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Cape Vincent council to soon present wind moratorium
Link here to original- Cape Vincent council to soon present wind moratorium
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town board will soon propose a six-month moratorium on wind-energy development, halting all activities pertaining to the installation of wind turbines in Cape Vincent while it formulates a new wind zoning law.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said the moratorium will be presented to the public via the town website — townofcapevincent.org — within a week and then submitted to Jefferson County’s Planning Board for its review.
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
CAPE VINCENT — The town board will soon propose a six-month moratorium on wind-energy development, halting all activities pertaining to the installation of wind turbines in Cape Vincent while it formulates a new wind zoning law.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said the moratorium will be presented to the public via the town website — townofcapevincent.org — within a week and then submitted to Jefferson County’s Planning Board for its review.
A wind moratorium in Cape Vincent?
Link here to original- A wind moratorium in Cape Vincent?
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
Parts of the state are consumed in debate about whether hydrofracking, a process of extracting natural gas from the ground, is an environmental disaster or an economic Santa Claus, bringing jobs down the Southern Tier's chimney.
Up in the north country, we have our own version of that debate, and it's been going on for years. Is wind power development a good thing for communities up here?
Here is Jae Lee's story from today.
CAPE VINCENT — The town board will soon propose a six-month moratorium on wind-energy development, halting all activities pertaining to the installation of wind turbines in Cape Vincent while it formulates a new wind zoning law.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said the moratorium will be presented to the public via the town website — townofcapevincent.org — within a week and then submitted to Jefferson County's Planning Board for its review.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012
Parts of the state are consumed in debate about whether hydrofracking, a process of extracting natural gas from the ground, is an environmental disaster or an economic Santa Claus, bringing jobs down the Southern Tier's chimney.
Up in the north country, we have our own version of that debate, and it's been going on for years. Is wind power development a good thing for communities up here?
Here is Jae Lee's story from today.
CAPE VINCENT — The town board will soon propose a six-month moratorium on wind-energy development, halting all activities pertaining to the installation of wind turbines in Cape Vincent while it formulates a new wind zoning law.
Town Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey said the moratorium will be presented to the public via the town website — townofcapevincent.org — within a week and then submitted to Jefferson County's Planning Board for its review.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Marty Mason Personal Turbine Application/ permit
Tax map ID & Property tax data for land that Marty Mason received a personal turbine permit for
Marty Mason personal turbine permit application below
Marty Mason personal turbine permit application below
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