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Friends of Kilmer Mansion honored for restoration efforts
BINGHAMTON — Friends of Kilmer Mansion (FKM) was recognized by the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST) for its Kilmer Mansion restoration efforts with the Historic Preservation Award, presented Nov. 14 at PAST’s annual meeting. “It is a joy to work towards the restoration of such a magnificent, historic mansion,” FKM President Lisa Blackwell […]
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BINGHAMTON — Friends of Kilmer Mansion (FKM) was recognized by the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST) for its Kilmer Mansion restoration efforts with the Historic Preservation Award, presented Nov. 14 at PAST’s annual meeting.
“It is a joy to work towards the restoration of such a magnificent, historic mansion,” FKM President Lisa Blackwell said in a news release announcing the award. “I’m thrilled that PAST has chosen to recognize all of the hard work and progress made toward caring for Kilmer Mansion.”
Restoration project work currently includes the north terrace and east porch. Both are part of a larger project underway for several years. The entire project encompasses the south terrace and east chimney, which are already completed; the east porch, which is near completion; the west porch; and two central chimneys, which will be restored when funding is secured.
The cost to fully restore the north terrace is $135,068, and FKM needs to raise $56,533 to complete the project.
FKM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in October 2021 to restore and preserve the Jonas M. Kilmer Mansion and share it with the community. Located at 9 Riverside Drive in Binghamton, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The organization offers public events and private bookings to raise the needed funds to restore and preserve the mansion.
On Nov. 1, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Finger Lakes chapter, honored Blackwell as its volunteer fundraiser of the year.
OPINION: Supporting Small Businesses During the Holidays
Small businesses are the heart of our communities, dotting Main Streets with character, and fostering personal connections among neighbors. These businesses serve as job creators and drive innovation. Their value is further highlighted by the 2024 Empire State Development Annual Report on the State of Small Businesses, which notes that small businesses comprise 98 percent
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Small businesses are the heart of our communities, dotting Main Streets with character, and fostering personal connections among neighbors. These businesses serve as job creators and drive innovation. Their value is further highlighted by the 2024 Empire State Development Annual Report on the State of Small Businesses, which notes that small businesses comprise 98 percent of the state’s businesses.
Participating in Small Business Saturday, celebrated annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, was a recent opportunity for New Yorkers to show support for independently owned local shops and services.
First observed in 2010, Small Business Saturday has quickly helped promote the significance of shopping locally. Consumers are enthusiastically supportive. According to a recent survey, 93 percent of consumers plan to shop small this holiday season. The same survey noted, “two in three of these consumers say they’re driven to spend more at small shops by a strong desire to support small and local businesses.”
Moreover, Small Business Saturday emphasizes the impact of small businesses on the local economy. Studies show that an estimated $68 out of every $100 spent at local stores stays right in the community, creating a ripple effect that benefits everyone. In return, many small businesses give back to the people of the community by hosting or sponsoring events, supporting youth sports, donating to local charities, and forming partnerships with other local businesses. When small businesses succeed, it empowers local entrepreneurs, preserves the unique character of our communities and fosters economic strength.
In addition to its economic benefits, Small Business Saturday brought attention to difficulties the business community face like burdensome red-tape bureaucracy. Members of the Assembly Republican Conference support efforts to reduce the excessive rules and regulations stifling growth, lower energy costs, and cut taxes. We remain focused on practical solutions that will help small businesses grow and succeed.
By highlighting the value of our friends and neighbors, Small Business Saturday encourages everyone to make more thoughtful choices beyond just one day, reinforcing the importance of supporting local shops and services throughout the year. For this reason, I encourage New Yorkers to search for that unique, one-of-a-kind item at your neighborhood shop and support your local community this holiday season.
William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.
OPINION: Americans More Hopeful on U.S. Direction After the Election
But much work is left to do [A few] weeks after the election of President Donald J. Trump, which constituted the largest swell of popular support for a Republican candidate in 20 years — Americans are more hopeful about the future, but there is still work to be done to restore access to the American
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[A few] weeks after the election of President Donald J. Trump, which constituted the largest swell of popular support for a Republican candidate in 20 years — Americans are more hopeful about the future, but there is still work to be done to restore access to the American Dream.
According to YouGov survey data [from about three weeks after the election], compared to a survey taken the week before the election, the share of Americans saying the country is off on the wrong track has declined 7 percentage points — from 64 percent of Americans to 57 percent. Well over half the nation believing the United States is on the wrong track is not exactly a win, but it does say something that that number is the lowest it has been in many months.
Notable declines in the share of Americans saying the country is headed in the wrong direction include Hispanics, young people, and independents. The share of Hispanics saying the U.S. is off on the wrong track has declined 12 points over that period —from 62 percent to 50 percent. The share of independents saying the country is on the wrong track has declined 7 points — from 72 percent to 65 percent.
Young people appear particularly optimistic post-election, with the share of young people who say the U.S. is on the wrong track — declining 16 percentage points in less than a month, from 49 percent to 33 percent.
With Trump’s victory, his favorability has risen 4 points since before the election, and he now stands at a favorable rating of 48 percent and an unfavorable rating of 47 percent. Prior to the election, Trump’s favorable rating stood at 44 percent and his unfavorable rating stood at 54 percent.
Trump’s unfavorable rating among voters under 30 has dropped almost 20 percentage points in under a month, going from 59 percent to 40 percent. He now sits at a net favorable rating among young people of 12 points — 52 percent [favorable] to 40 percent [unfavorable].
Two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) still believe in the American Dream, according to another YouGov survey released [recently], but there are wide barriers to achieving it according to most voters.
When asked about barriers to attaining the American Dream, most Americans cited issues that have largely been brought about by government missteps, including a high cost of living (74 percent), corruption (55 percent), taxation (45 percent), and government itself (38 percent). Far fewer Americans said that capitalism was a barrier to achieving the American dream (21 percent).
Americans, especially young people, are increasingly optimistic about the direction of the nation since we appear to have shifted off a catastrophic track that included a Kamala Harris presidency. That said, voters are incredibly clear about the issues that have put the American Dream in jeopardy, and they are calling out the issues big government has created.
The U.S. was at the tail-end of a long, grueling decline, and the people’s choice on Nov. 5 has restored hope in many voters that the country can be restored before it is too late. That said, it will take dismantling corrupt government systems that limit potential, lowering taxes for the working-class, and focusing on America First economic policies like energy independence to lower the cost of basic necessities.
Manzanita Miller is the senior political analyst at Americans for Limited Government Foundation, the research arm of Americans for Limited Government, a libertarian political advocacy group. The organization conducts policy research and publishes reports with the goal of reducing the size of the government.
Ask Rusty: Confusion about IRMAA’s Impact on Taxes
Dear Rusty: In a recent article about Medicare’s “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (IRMAA) and how IRMAA affects Social Security (SS) taxes, you described which income
Syracuse Community Health, OCC open Quick Care Clinic on OCC campus
ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Syracuse Community Health and Onondaga Community College (OCC) on Thursday formally opened the new Syracuse Community Health Quick Care Clinic on the
Greek Peak works with National Grid on snowmaking upgrades
VIRGIL, N.Y. — Greek Peak Mountain Resort should enjoy a longer winter-sports season thanks to a new energy-efficient snowmaking process from National Grid, implemented in
Town of DeWitt to accept contractor bids for Superfield of Dreams
DeWITT, N.Y. — The Town of DeWitt is getting ready to accept contractor bids for construction of the Superfield of Dreams for Syracuse Challenger Baseball. The Superfield of Dreams is described as a “state-of-the-art, fully accessible sports facility that will be the largest of its kind on the East Coast,” per the organization’s announcement. It
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DeWITT, N.Y. — The Town of DeWitt is getting ready to accept contractor bids for construction of the Superfield of Dreams for Syracuse Challenger Baseball.
The Superfield of Dreams is described as a “state-of-the-art, fully accessible sports facility that will be the largest of its kind on the East Coast,” per the organization’s announcement.
It held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project back in September at Carrier Park in DeWitt.
The project has the support of major benefactors that include Robert and Mary Helen Morris, the Lobdell family, and the Lally family, per the announcement. Other sponsors include the Central New York Community Foundation; the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation; the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation; and the Carrier Corporation, the organization’s website says.
With additional funding secured through DeWitt town board-approved municipal financing and private contributions, the town will accept construction requests for proposals (RFPs) through the public-bid portal beginning Dec. 16.
All submissions will be reviewed on Feb. 4, 2025. The Syracuse Challenger Baseball League encourages both local and regional companies to bid, with charitable discounts welcomed to support this project.
Syracuse Challenger Baseball went on to say that it’s still seeking donations to ensure the project’s success. Interested donors can visit the league’s website at https://syracusechallengers.com/
Syracuse Challenger Baseball says it is the nation’s largest and longest-running baseball league for individuals with special needs. The nonprofit notes, “We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where children and adults of all ages and abilities can form friendships while enjoying the team sport of baseball in a relaxed, supportive setting.”
State announces $100 million for road-construction projects in areas affected by extreme weather
GEDDES, N.Y. — Selected roads in Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and North Country are among those set for work to enhance the
Guthrie Clinic formally opens new Cortlandville health-care campus
CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. — Guthrie Clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 3 formally opened its Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus at 4057 West Road in the town of
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