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It was my pleasure to present the New York State flag to Mary Beth Cavalieri’s fifth grade class at Elden Elementary School in Baldwinsville. The students loved learning about New York’s state government and were both eager and curious to understand even more about how it works.
These students are from Long Branch Elementary in Liverpool. They were in Albany for Music in Our Schools Month and performed in the concourse.
The Long Branch Elementary Select Chorus performed in Albany in March as part of Music in Our Schools Month. They are seen here in the concourse, the underground connection between the Capitol and the State Museum.
These are the Junior Eagles, a great sounding band whose members are from Ramsdell Elementary School and the Jordan-Elbridge Middle School. I enjoyed their Albany performance, which was part of Music in Our Schools Month.
I joined agroup of art students in Deb Dahlin’s class at Elmcrest Elementary in Liverpool. I was happy to attend their community paint night as the kids painted a mural of a rain forest. Having watched them take pride in their wonderful artwork, I can only imagine what their future holds.
I was pleased to help Deb Dahlin’s daughter Christine paint a portion of the mural. (see above)
Mayor Driscoll joined me to congratule Debbie and Geoff Camire at their grand opening of Biscotti’s Cafe and Gelateria at 741 North Salina Street in Little Italy. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!
I’m seen here presenting a Senate Citation to Wilson C. Brown upon the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Custom Sheet Metal. He’s the owner of this business that has always been family-owned and is located on Teall Avenue in Syracuse.
Baldwinsville’s Fred Hale has been officially recognized to be the world’s oldest living man. Here I am seen delivering the Senate Resolution I introduced which recognizes this remarkable achievement of a remarkable individual.
Fred Hale, the world’s oldest man (see above) laughed when I asked him why there are eight women in the world who were older than him.
This chorus from St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse delivered a great vocal performance in Albany. They appeared as part of Music in Our Schools Month. I was pleased to hear them, as were Assemblymen Magnarelli and Brown who are also seen here.
I was joined by Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll at the groundbreaking for the Syracuse Technology Garden Business Incubator Center in the MONY Plaza. I secured $500,000 in State funds for this important project which will provide both the resources and the expertise to “grow” small technology companies in Central New York.
The Soule Road Elementary Concert Band traveled from Liverpool to Albany in March to participate in our annual “Music In Our Schools” month. This very talented student group is seen here in the Capitol concourse where they treated the public to an outstanding performance.
Jazz Drummer Gregory Evans and jazz trombonist Melissa Gardiner were among many talented students who traveled to Albany and performed during Music in our Schools month. They are both from Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Ceara Windhausen is a tremendously talented jazz vocalist who thrilled all who were fortunate enough to hear her perforn in Albany as part of Music in our Schools month. I am seen here with Ceara and her mother.
I was pleased to attend a fund raising event held in Baldwinsville recently to benefit the County West Family Resource Center, an agency of P.E.A.C.E., Inc. that provides emergency and non-emergency assistance to needy families in the western portions of Onondaga County. I’m pictured here with the Center’s coordinator, Elaine Sartwell, and Joe O’Hara, Executive Director of P.E.A.C.E., Inc .
I was talking tourism with the President of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad and his wife, Gene and Amy Falvo (r), and Baldwinsville resident Joel Plumley (l), who is the railroad’s First Vice President, during the P.E.A.C.E. fund raising event described above.
The Marcellus Lady Mustangs Soccer Team, the State’s 2003 Class D Champions, traveled to Albany recently and are seen here on the Capitol steps. They were in the Senate Chamber when they were honored with a Senate Resolution that I introduced and read, and which was passed unanimously.
I was pleased to spend time in Albany recently with these representatives from Onondaga Community Living. Among them were (back row, r – l) Tricia Evarts, Director of Connections, and Flouad Tadrus, Community Supporter
Here I’m with Smith Road Elementary Principal Bernard Campbell and Reading Teacher Deborah Wood during my recent visit to honor students who participated in my Summer Reading Railroad program. (see below)
Smith road Elementary School Principal Bernard Campbell presented me with a Certificate of Achievement and a special Smith Road Elementary I-D Card recently. I was there to recognize students for their participation in my Summer Reading Railroad program. Principal Campbell dressed as a train conductor for the occasion.
Here I took part in the “big dig” and broke ground for Casey’s Place, which soon will be a respite home for children with disabilities. I was pleased to have secured a State grant to help offset the costs of construction. Joining me were (l – r) Dennis Brogan from City Hall, Diane Nappa, Executive Director of Casey’s Place, and County Executive Pirro.
Sister Kathleen Osbelt asked me to join her and Tommy Coyne for the blessing and grand opening of the Tommy Coyne Residence at Francis House. I was pleased to have secured a grant to help with the construction. The mission of Francis House is to provide a home and an extended family to those who may be alone and who have a terminal illness so they can die with dignity
I was pleased to have been a part of the ribbon cutting at Community General Hospital when its Rehabilitation Unit was opened. I was joined by (l – r) Steve Infanti, Tom Quinn, Aileen Balitz and Dr. Robert Weber.
As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I led the hearing that reviewed the qualifications of Robert Smith, who was nominated by Governor Pataki to serve as a Judge on the State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. Following the committee hearing, we recommended him to the full Senate who then confirmed his appointment.
These students are members of the Fabius-Pompey Student Council. They took time out from their tour of the State Capitol to pose for this picture on the capitol’s staircase.
Town of Clay Supervisor Mark Rupprecht (right) and the Town’s Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Wayne Morris, thanked me recently for a $50,000 State grant I secured for new playground equipment. Each of the Town’s public parks benefitted.
I enjoyed helping to cut the ribbon for the newly-renovated Elbridge Senior Center. I was able to secure a $250,000 State grant to help pay for the improvements.
Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim and SU Chancellor Kenneth Shaw joined me when I announced that a bill I sponsored, known as the “Uniform Athletes Agent Act,” was signed into law. The new law establishes uniform guidelines to regulate the conduct of athlete agents and to help deter them from engaging in illegal practices such as enticing student athletes with inappropriate gifts as part of their recruiting efforts.
I joined Mary Ellen Clausen and her family at the opening of Ophelia’s Place in Liverpool. Mary Ellen is has dedicated herself to assisting people who suffer from eating disorders. Ophelia’s Place offers them a safe destination where they can receive information and support.
This picture was taken after I presented the Syracuse/Onondaga Babe Ruth All-Stars with a Senate Resolution honoring their outstanding achievement of winning the Babe Ruth World Series.
I am seen here during a press conference on North Salina Street to announce a grant of $290,000 that I secured which will help continue the transformation of the Syracuse North side into a cultural corridor. This grant will extend infrastructure improvements that are part of the Little Italy project into the 700 block and are in addition to another $400,000 grant I announced earlier this year for the 400, 500 and 600 blocks. (See photo beliow.)
This photo was taken looking south from where the above-mentioned press conference was held and where Biscotti’s Cafe and Pastry Shop will relocate. Infrastructure improvements are well underway and the area of Little Italy is looking better each and every day!
I was honored to have the opportunity to address veterans and others at the Veterans Monument at the New York State Fair. Each year, one day is set aside as Veterans Day at the Fair.