The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
January 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the January 8 legislative meeting.

One major issue was a $5,000 raise being for an assistant district attorney in the county District Attorney’s office. Based on the fact that the employee has not even started the job, and based on the size of the raise, we voted in opposition. Our colleague, Ms. Fasoldt, voted in favor of the raise.

We also supported a drug and gang task force for the District Attorney’s office. Two-thirds of the funding comes from the state and one-third comes from the county. Because of the fact the state grant runs out in September, we urged the District Attorney to begin the process of applying for new grant funding and we pledged our assistance for such efforts.

The Legislature also continued our efforts to secure meaningful reform of costly state mandates. In the 2008 budget, mandates will cost 89 cents out of every county tax dollar, an unprecedented level. The Legislature came together to unanimously support three reform resolutions, including one calling for reform of mandates, one seeking additional state funding for the state-ordered expansion of the County Jail and one seeking additional state and federal funding for needed water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

It is our hope our reform resolutions are included in the State of the State address by the governor and the governor’s upcoming state budget presentation. We plan to continue advocating for meaningful reform on the state level to aid county taxpayers.

Legislators also unanimously supported a resolution commending the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board for their outstanding work in protecting farms and open space across the county. On December 20, Rensselaer County was chosen for four farmland protection projects, more than any other county in the state. To date, the county has received state support for eight farm protection projects, meaning a total of 2,600 acres have been protected.

We both spoke of our interest in seeing more farm protection projects in our legislative district and southern Rensselaer County. There is still considerable farm acreage in the southern area of the county and District 4, and there are considerable development pressures.

We also joined to defeat a resolution sponsored by Democrats seeking changes to the Wicks Law. While we support changes to the Wicks Law, the legislation supported by Democrats would have unfairly penalized upstate New York and favored New York City. We believe any Wicks Law reform should include equality for all areas of the state. Our Democrat colleague, Ms. Fasoldt, voted to support the legislation that in our view favored New York City.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, February 12. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
February 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the February 12 legislative meeting.

Legislators considered an order from the state to continue a $50 million expansion of the county jail, resolutions opposing the massive shifts of expenses and state aid cuts in the new state budget by Governor Eliot Spitzer, and appointments to various boards and commissions in county government. An illness prevented Legislator Shannon from attending.

New York State has issued strict orders for the county to undertake an expansion of our jail. I have joined with Republican legislators in seeking additional state aid to help pay for this state-mandated project and was disappointed that Governor Spitzer’s budget does not provide aid for the jail expansion. We were even more disappointed the state is closing two medium-security facilities in Hudson and Mt. McGregor when the state is forcing counties to expand jails.

Unfortunately, the state has the power to do the expansion work and bill the county for the work, usually at a higher cost. Sheriff Mahar informed legislators that if the county did not proceed with the jail project the state would revoke the county’s ability for double-bunking of inmates, with the revocation costing more than $4 million in new expenses. The sheriff said the failure to move the project jeopardizes the safety of corrections officers and inmates, along with jeopardizing county finances.

With that in mind, all eleven Republican legislators supported the bonding measure, recognizing the potential costs and disruptions could outweigh the bonded costs. Unfortunately, the resolution did not pass, with all six Democrats voting against the measure. The opposition, including opposition by Legislator Fasoldt, puts the county at a real risk for much higher costs, loss of double-bunking privileges and safety problems. The vote by Democrats was characterized as irresponsible and counter-productive.

Also disappointing were attempts by Democrats to put up roadblocks to resolutions critical of Governor Spitzer’s state budget, the 46 separate fee increases included in the budget and reductions in state aid and reimbursements. County budget officials total the impact of the budget at $4 million, which translates into an 8 percent property tax increase. Legislator Fasoldt supported efforts to weaken these resolutions, and abstained from voting to oppose the 46 fee increases. It is sad some Democrats are more concerned with protecting their party’s governor than sticking up for taxpayers.

Legislator Fasoldt also supported a local law that could result in the state imposing costly new restrictions on storm water management on residential properties. I opposed this local law because I am concerned the law will amount to a new tax on property owners.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, March 11. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
March 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the March 11 legislative meeting.

The Legislature considered a resolutions we sponsored requesting the federal government to return and complete the clean-up of the Fort Orange Paper Company and to undertake a promised dam improvement project to protect Nassau Lake from further toxic contamination. We are particularly interested in seeing the federal Environmental Protection Agency complete the Fort Orange clean-up in 2008 to allow for the site to be returned to active use.

Legislators voiced opposition to various initiatives included in the proposed state budget we believe will cost state taxpayers, and also opposed reductions in federal aid and reimbursements in the proposed 2008-2009 federal budget. The Legislature met one day after shocking revelations regarding Democrat Governor Eliot Spitzer’s conduct, and legislators unanimously voted to request the resignation of the governor, which was announced one day later.

Unfortunately, Legislator Shannon was not able to attend the meeting due to planned surgery involving a family member, and we are happy to report all is now well following the operation.

The Legislature also considered and approved two resolutions seeking raises for two employees in the District Attorney’s office. Based on concerns regarding a mix of county and state funds to help provide the raise, Legislator Reid voted in opposition. District 4 colleague Ms. Fasoldt voted in favor of the raise. The raises sought at the March meeting follow a $5,000 raise for an employee of the District Attorney’s office. Legislators Reid and Shannon also opposed the January raise, which was also supported by Ms. Fasoldt.

The Legislature also approved a resolution opposing a proposal by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to ban the burning of leaves, brush and paper. We believe the decision on banning open burning should remain with the towns and have heard from a number of residents regarding this issue.

The county recently joined with other counties to file a lawsuit against several pharmaceutical companies to recover overpayments for Medicaid prescription drug purchases, and voted at the March 11 meeting to accept a $45,000 settlement from one company, Bristol-Meyers Squibb. A law to provide veterans of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991 with a property tax exemption was introduced at the March meeting, with approval expected at the April 8 legislative meeting.

We were proud to sponsor a resolution commending the Castleton Public Library for winning first runner-up for the Best Small Library in America Award. We also sponsored a resolution commending Holly Schultz for receiving the 2007 Chief’s Award from the Schodack Valley Fire Department.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, April 8. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
April 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the April 8th legislative meeting.

The Legislature unanimously approved a new county law to provide veterans of the Cold War with a limited county property tax exemption. Veterans who served from September 1945 to December 1991 or their surviving spouses are eligible for the tax reduction, which would go into effect in 2010. Eligibility requirements are as set forth by New York State.

This exemption is a great way for our county and state to show appreciation to those veterans who answered the call to duty and served during a crucial time in our nation’s history. The Cold War helped end the threat of communism and helped protect the freedom and quality of life we enjoy today.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno was on hand to accept our condolences on the passing of his wife Bobbie. He spoke eloquently about the more than five decades they spent together as man and wife.

We also supported a resolution requesting the State Attorney General to investigate possible gouging of crude oil gas prices. Average gas prices recently climbed to an all-time high and the exorbitant prices for crude oil are believed to be a prime cause. We believe an investigation by the State Attorney General can help send the message that such pricing practices are under close scrutiny and past investigations have helped stabilize prices.

In February 2009, television signals will be no longer be analog and instead carried digitally. We supported a resolution seeking a temporary reduction of the state sales tax for the purchase of digitally-compatible televisions and equipment.

We opposed another round of salary increases for employees of the District Attorney’s office. Our colleague, Ms. Fasoldt, again supported raises for the DA’s office, having supporting raises for employees of the DA’s office on two other occasions this year.

The Legislature also adopted resolutions to commend the Maple Hill Varsity Girls Basketball team for winning the 2008 Section II Class C Championship and to commend the Averill Park High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball team for winning the Section II Class A Championship. We were proud to sponsor these resolutions and look to welcoming both teams to a future legislative meeting to congratulate the players, coaches and parents in person.

We also sponsored a resolution commending Craig Wilkinson for his contributions to the Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern New York. Craig has been selected to appear on posters that will be placed in local Hannaford supermarkets to raise awareness. Craig has been very active in youth sports and the Castleton Volunteer Ambulance.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, May 13th. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
May 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the May 13th legislative meeting.

Gas prices have hit an all-time high and motorists need relief, especially as we enter the busy summer driving period. We joined to sponsor a resolution supporting legislation introduced by Senate Republicans and Assembly Republicans that would erase the 32.75 cents per gallon state tax on gasoline during the summer.

We believe the temporary reduction would provide some relief to motorists who have been hit hard in recent months with huge increases at the pump. Unfortunately, Democrat state lawmakers have opposed the temporary reduction in the state gas tax. Along with supporting the state gas tax reduction, we also asked federal leaders to increase production of crude oil to help bring down prices.

The Legislature voted to distribute revenues from the filing of mortgages, with Schodack receiving $172,236, Sand Lake receiving $144,585, Nassau $42,177, Village of Nassau $5,066, Village of Castleton $9,273 and Village of East Nassau $2,900.

The Legislature was happy to welcome Craig Wilkinson of Schodack to the Legislature. Craig was presented with a resolution we adopted honoring him for his work with the Arthritis Foundation. Craig was a driving force in Hannaford Supermarkets displaying informational posters regarding arthritis in stores throughout the region, along with helping raise a significant amount of funds to help find a cure for arthritis. Craig was diagnosed with a form of arthritis when he was a young adult, but the illness has not prevented him from being an active member of the community, including the Castleton Ambulance and local youth organizations.

The Legislature also adopted a resolution commending the 2007-2008 Pop Warner Scholar Athlete Second Team Winners in Rensselaer County, including football players Logan Fahrenkopf and John Sweet, and Averill Park cheerleaders Sierra Archer and Elisabeth Mosher.

Legislators adopted a resolution mourning the passing of Danielle McCagg, the daughter of Nassau Highway Superintendent Fred McCagg.

We have also requested the County Engineer to improve the bridge carrying County Route 51, also known as Burden Lake Road, over Burden Lake. We have received a positive response from the County Engineer that work will be underway in 2008 and we will keep residents informed of the progress of the project.

The 2008 version of the Rensselaer County Officials and Services Directory is now available from the County Legislature. The Directory includes contact information for elected officials, local governments, school districts, community organizations and other groups that make our county such a great place. Residents are invited to call 270-2880 to obtain a copy of the Directory.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, June 10th. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.