Dear eNews Reader,

With the return of the Vestal Front Street Days and the Greek Festival, May is behind us and more festivals are coming up. I will be in Albany a while longer finishing up our legislative session. In addition to promoting bills that will benefit our community, I spend a fair amount of time working on compromises or expressing concerns with legislation that constituents have written about. Also, as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture & Food, there are numerous end of session issues that need to be addressed. “No Farms No Food” is a common refrain in my committee.

Donna

UHS Cuts Ribbon on New Wilson Tower

Earlier this month, United Health Services held a ribbon cutting for the new Wilson Main Tower in Johnson City, now serving as the “front door” to all UHS Wilson Medical Center clinical services. For the last two years, we’ve watched this new hospital being built from the ground up, complementing the many new developments in Johnson City. The Tower includes a new Trauma Center and Emergency Department, an in-house MRI suite, and a roof-top helipad. From BU’s Nursing and Pharmacy Schools, to the revamped Victory Building, to new small businesses opening on Main Street, downtown Johnson City is definitely on an upswing. The facility is expected to be fully open soon.

“Rescue EMS” Remains a Priority

In honor of National EMS week earlier this month, I organized a press conference in Albany to advocate for legislation designed to provide support to our struggling EMS providers across the state. They are facing funding shortages, staff and volunteer recruitment challenges, and low reimbursement rates. We are trying to tackle two of their biggest concerns; one is that EMS is not considered an “essential” service under law, like police and fire. The other is that they are not paid for when they treat someone in place, or transport a patient somewhere other than a hospital. I am co-sponsoring legislation that would address these and other issues.

Gearing Up for Security Mutual Week

In honor of Security Mutual Week on June 3-7th, I helped raise the Security Mutual flag at City Hall in recognition of all they do for the community. My colleagues and I also presented a Legislative Resolution in honor of the 8th annual Sock Out Cancer Day, in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day on June 2nd. Through their Sock Out Cancer nonprofit, Security Mutual has a wonderful slate of activities planned this year to raise money to support cancer patients. In honor of the occasion, we all wore our Sock Out Cancer socks!

Memorial Day Celebrations Around the District

Memorial Day is about remembering those brave members of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I started the day with the annual Endicott Memorial Day Parade which concluded with a moving ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park. I then marched in the Binghamton Memorial Day Parade; the first to be held since the pandemic. It was nice to see so many people participating in these very important observances.

Albany Happenings

I have been busy up in Albany tying up loose ends and attending advocacy events as the Legislature prepares to adjourn mid-June. Here’s a recap of some of my recent activities:

Constituents John Clark, Robert Hoover, and Donna Wright were recognized at the NYS Office for the Aging’s Annual Older New Yorker’s Day in honor of their extraordinary volunteer service to our community.

Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Capitol Build Day was held. They built a house on the Capitol grounds to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing. The house was sent to a family in Columbia County.

Senator Hinchey and I hosted Dairy Day to raise awareness of the importance of the dairy industry in NYS and celebrate the many excellent dairy products our state is known for.

I received an award from the New York State Humane Association in recognition of my role as the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and my work in passing animal protective legislation.

Community Announcements

Local Farmers Markets

As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture & Food, I am very happy about the many active farmers markets we have in the area. The Broome County Regional Market is open 9am-1pm on Saturdays year-round, and is definitely worth visiting if you haven’t already been there. It’s always buzzing with activity with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods and other locally produced products.

Other seasonal markets in the area include:

Vestal Farmers Market at the Vestal Public Library Upper Parking Lot, 320 Vestal Parkway E., Vestal – Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am-1pm
Little Italy Endicott’s Farmers Market at 128 Odell Avenue, Endicott – Thursdays from 4-7pm, June 13th through August 22nd, 2024
New this year: Binghamton Farmers Market at Recreation Park, Binghamton – Sundays from 11am-2pm, June through October

More information

Technology Assistance & Training is Available

Technology Education and Trade Skills (TETS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals through technology information, education, and training. They offer resources for online courses, information, skills, and job opportunities, focusing on helping clients understand, utilize, and explore computer technology and education.

Those interested in learning more can check out their website at tets.org or contact Neil at nevaughan@yahoo.com.