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Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, marketing, technology, HR, career, and personal tips. SBA @SBAgovMost U.S. banks view loans for exporters as risky. That’s why the SBA created programs to provide lenders with up to a 90% guaranty on #export loans. Contact your local SBA International Trade […]

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Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, marketing, technology, HR, career, and personal tips.

SBA @SBAgov
Most U.S. banks view loans for exporters as risky. That’s why the SBA created programs to provide lenders with up to a 90% guaranty on #export loans. Contact your local SBA International Trade Finance Specialist to learn about our export loan programs → http://ow.ly/OvPO30kCGmT

Barbara Weltman @BarbaraWeltman
Survey reveals #1 concern of #smallbiz owners is the tight #job market – what can you do? – 5 Ideas for a Tight Labor Market http://ow.ly/Ju8M30kBOpR

Real Marsha Wright® Brand Influencer @marshawright
Learn to #lead and you can learn to succeed! #business #smallbiz #leadership

SBA @SBAgov
The SBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. Look for funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities — http://ow.ly/NUqr30kBBEQ . #SBAchat

SmBizAmerica @SmBizAmerica
How to Measure the Impact of Social Media on Your Business https://rebekahradice.com/measure-social-media-impact-on-your-business/ …

Wendy Weir @WWeirRelocation
5 Smart Social Marketing Strategies! @cktechsandi https://buff.ly/2FzKHI1

World Economic Forum @wef
5 technologies that will forever change global #trade https://wef.ch/2JffOOU #technology

Mitch Mitchell @Mitch_M
RT @surprisinglives How to Get Your Website Ready For WordPress 5.0 Update http://bit.ly/2JzAqNO via @SusanGilbert

Tony Horan @t0nyh0ran
Research shows that diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time: https://bloom.bg/2E7NYh1 #HR

Dave Ulrich @dave_ulrich
Help employees find a job that matches their passions. If they are doing something that they love, management doesn’t need to worry about their productivity. #HR

Dr. Justin Tarte @justintarte
A leading cause of employee turnover is lack of acknowledgment, appreciation, and supportive affirmation. If you’re interested in retaining your best employees, make sure they know how valued they are.

Hannah Morgan @careersherpa
50+ Best Job Search Websites https://buff.ly/2J8ovqH #jobsearch

Fitness Wits @FitnessWits
#Fitness needs to be perceived as fun and games or we subconsciously avoid it.

Kristie Leong M.D. @DrKristieLeong
Don’t just think of the endpoint or goal. Enjoy the PROCESS of becoming fitter & healthier. With #health comes greater energy & stamina to take advantage of all that life offers.

Greater Binghamton Airshow’s return draws crowd of 8,500

Regional News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON — The Greater Binghamton Airshow attracted about 8,500 visitors to the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine on June 23, despite damp, low clouds that forced some participants to change their acts, organizers say. While some performers had to cancel, others had pre-planned alternatives for when clouds are low, says David Hinkling,

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While some performers had to cancel, others had pre-planned alternatives for when clouds are low, says David Hinkling, commissioner of aviation for Broome County.

By 2 p.m., as the lowest clouds lifted, acts were able to take to the air, he explains.

“People who stayed had a good time,” Hinkling says of spectators.

While the Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team had to cancel, “most every other demonstration got off the ground,” he says. He adds that some air-show aficionados actually prefer low-altitude demonstrations like those required by the June 23 weather.

This was the first Greater Binghamton Airshow since 2014. That show drew about 4,000 more people, Hinkling says. “But we were pretty pleased, considering the weather.”

The show took place as the Greater Binghamton Airport is looking to grow the number of scheduled flights. Right now only Delta serves the airport with twice-daily service to and from Detroit.

Hinkling hopes to see other flights added, and says the airport has made it clear that it would like to add a flight to a Southern U.S. airport that could provide connections.

Right now, he says, many of those seeking to travel by air first travel by car to Syracuse or Albany, which are served by full-service and low-cost airlines.

While other airports across Upstate have been using state grants to renovate terminals, Hinkling says Greater Binghamton Airport already has a nice terminal. Instead of spending on improving that, he said the airport is working to develop businesses nearby to increase demand for the airport and create revenues that will allow it to reduce what it charges airlines for landing fees and space rental, “while not increasing the cost of the airport to taxpayers.”

“A lot of getting new service is timing,” he says, and thinks that keeping airlines aware his airport is ready, and there are potential passengers already in the market, could prove successful if an airline is looking to move flights. “I’m optimistic that we could do that,” Hinkling says.

Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare rebrands as Helio Health

Health Care, Small Business, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare (SBH) has changed its name to Helio Health as part of an organization-wide rebrand. “We’re really excited because this new name, this new identity … better reflects for everyone who we are and what we do,” Jeremy Klemanski, president and CEO of Helio Health, said in his remarks at the

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SYRACUSE — Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare (SBH) has changed its name to Helio Health as part of an organization-wide rebrand.

“We’re really excited because this new name, this new identity … better reflects for everyone who we are and what we do,” Jeremy Klemanski, president and CEO of Helio Health, said in his remarks at the June 26 announcement.

Klemanski announced the rebranding to Helio Health at its office located at 329 N. Salina St. in Syracuse.

In a news release issued that day, Klemanski noted that “the SBH name has become outdated.”

The organization has clinics, treatment services, and other community-support services in Rochester and in Binghamton. Helio Health also treated people in 60 different New York counties last year.

“We need a name that reflects that, so that the people in Rochester and Binghamton and all those other counties aren’t confused and think they’re all going to Syracuse for treatment,” Klemanski told CNYBJ after the formal announcement.

The name change to Helio Health won’t alter any of its current services, and its relationships with referral partners will remain the same, the organization contends. The rebrand also won’t result in any change to staffing, leadership, or current locations.

During his remarks, Klemanski played a short video of an advertisement campaign that will be seen “primarily” in the Syracuse, Binghamton, and Rochester markets so the organization can inform the public about itself and its services. The ads will show “that if they are experiencing a substance abuse or mental health or some other type of mental-health related disorder, that we’re that place that they can go,” he adds.

The process

The organization had been thinking about a rebrand “for a couple of years,” says Klemanski.

It resulted from feedback from “friends and colleagues” in Rochester and became a priority once it moved into the Binghamton market.

Helio Health worked with Mower, a Syracuse–based advertising and marketing agency, on its rebrand.

The new name, inspired by an ancient Greek term relating to the sun, reflects the organization’s “mission to be a patient-centric and innovative bright spot in the recovery landscape with a continuum of care patients need to reach their full potential,” according to its release.

The organization’s new tagline, “Where hope meets healing,” expresses its goal to improve patient outcomes “through a balance of compassionate care and clinical excellence.”

About Helio Health

Helio Health provides clinical programs for people of all ages with substance-use problems and/or mental-health disorders.

It has 509 beds and more than 360 employees located at treatment facilities in Syracuse, Binghamton, and Rochester that serve seven counties and treat people from more than 40 counties in New York.

Helio Health provides programs that seek to support individuals in detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient or residential treatment who “want their lives back.” The services include its 24/7 regional open access center for addiction, center of treatment innovation to meet the needs of opioid addiction in remote areas, certified community behavioral health clinic, and a training institute for continuing education and public training.

Founded in 1920 as the Syracuse Brick House, a residential-rehabilitation facility for men struggling with alcoholism, the organization says it grew to “meet the demand” for services to treat substance use and mental-health disorders in areas throughout Central New York.

Klemanski made the rebranding announcement in Helio Health’s children and adolescent clinic that it opened in 2017, which he said is now serving more than 400 area children.

“It’s just one example of all the really cool things that Helio Health is doing,” Klemanski told those gathered for the announcement.

Speach Family Candy Shoppe introduces new line of fruit and chocolate arrangements

Health Care, Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

SYRACUSE — The Speach Family Candy Shoppe — a 98-year-old candy company passed down through four generations — will launch a new line of fruit

Downtown Syracuse population swells to 3,600 residents

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — More than $360 million of investment activity is either underway or announced, and 3,600 people call downtown their home, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. reports. “And this [downtown population] number will continue to grow,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee. She noted that downtown’s residential population has increased 77

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SYRACUSE — More than $360 million of investment activity is either underway or announced, and 3,600 people call downtown their home, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. reports.

“And this [downtown population] number will continue to grow,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee.

She noted that downtown’s residential population has increased 77 percent in the last 10 years.

The figures were part of the “State of Downtown” report that Treier delivered during the organization’s annual meeting on June 21. Her report also noted that 159 apartments have come online since last July and 160 apartments “are under construction right now.”

Treier’s report also outlined ongoing projects, activities, and events that impact downtown Syracuse.

The Downtown Committee held the event in the grand ballroom of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the former Hotel Syracuse. The organization estimates about 400 people attended the annual meeting, which included remarks from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

Awards

Before Treier’s remarks, the Downtown Committee honored the Redhouse Arts Center with the Urban Innovation Award, which is now operating in the downtown building at 400 S. Salina St. now known as City Center. Sibley’s department store previously occupied the space until closing its doors in 1988.

The Redhouse is a primary tenant in the building that’s been redeveloped for use as a mixed-use facility. It offers professional theater and partners with school districts and other institutions in our community to provide innovative arts-based education.

Bill Hider, who chairs the Redhouse board of directors, and Samara Hannah, the organization’s executive director, accepted the award.

The Downtown Committee also recognized the Syracuse–based Pioneer Companies with the Heart of Downtown Award for its $40 million renovation of the building now known as State Tower.

When the building was established in 1927, it was marketed primarily as office space, the Downtown Committee said. Now, reborn as State Tower, the building is “truly a mixed-use neighborhood,” featuring high-end residential units, office space, and later this summer, new retail and restaurant opportunities, the Downtown Committee said.

Melissa Zell, Sue Smith, Donna St. Cyr, and Mark Roney of Pioneer Companies accepted the award.

The Downtown Committee also recognized the Central New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with the Perfect Partner Award for its work on the “Immersive Cloud,” an interactive, public art piece, to “activate downtown’s Eastern gateway.” Through partnerships with the City of Syracuse, Public Art Commission, Connective Corridor, and the Downtown Committee, “this previously underdeveloped parcel has become a conversation starter and a landmark.”

Anthony Rojas, president-elect of the AIA, accepted the award along with representatives from the City of Syracuse, Syracuse University, Adapt CNY and the Downtown Committee.

The Downtown Committee also honored Southern Downtown Advocates with the Downtown Newsmakers Award. The advocates include nearly 50 business owners, organizations, and agencies that provided input and insight on supporting the ongoing development in downtown’s southern district.

With more than $125 million of investments completed since 2012, and another $45 million of investment underway, the neighborhood is “poised for incredible transformation,” the Downtown Committee contends.

Representatives from the City of Syracuse, Syracuse Police Department and key projects in the area accepted the award.

New York ranks 4th nationwide in credit-card debt, DiNapoli reports

Subscriber Only

New York state ranked fourth nationwide in total credit-card debt at $58.2 billion in 2017, according to a report issued by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli in late May. New York had the seventh highest per-capita credit-card balance of all states in 2017, at $3,710, almost 20 percent higher than the national average of about $3,100

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Two Auburn McDonald’s switch from corporate ownership to area franchisee

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

AUBURN — The two McDonald’s locations in Auburn are now operated by a franchisee that also runs six other restaurants in the Southern Tier. Chicago, Illinois–based McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) on June 7 finalized a franchise agreement with Cayuga Restaurant Group, which has its main office in Elmira Heights in Chemung County. Courtney and Mike

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AUBURN — The two McDonald’s locations in Auburn are now operated by a franchisee that also runs six other restaurants in the Southern Tier.

Chicago, Illinois–based McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) on June 7 finalized a franchise agreement with Cayuga Restaurant Group, which has its main office in Elmira Heights in Chemung County.

Courtney and Mike Feehan, Lansing residents and co-owners of the Cayuga Restaurant Group, have added the McDonald’s at 198 Grant Ave. and the one at 357 Genesee St. in Auburn to their restaurant portfolio.

The Feehans have owned and operated McDonald’s restaurants since 2012.

Both locations are part of the Cayuga Restaurant Group as wholly owned subsidiaries, says Mike Feehan. Cayuga Restaurant Group is a McDonald’s franchisee.

The two restaurants in Auburn join locations in Ithaca, Lansing, Elmira (2), Horseheads, and Big Flats, says Courtney Feehan. Both Feehans spoke with CNYBJ in a phone interview on June 25.

They contend that they’ll be able to “substantially increase” the sales at both Auburn McDonald’s eateries.

“Just by going in and taking a hands-on approach and treating the customers’ right and treating the employees right,” says Mike Feehan.

Refranchising

McDonald’s first contacted the Feehans about the Auburn locations in early spring, they say.

McDonald’s was operating both Auburn restaurants, according to Mike Feehan. The company refers to those locations as McOpCos, or restaurants that don’t have a franchisee. He notes that the company has “traditionally” operated about 10 percent of its U.S. eateries as McOpCos, but says McDonald’s wants to reduce that percentage figure by refranchising.

“These restaurants were chosen to be sold to franchisees and become franchised locations,” says Feehan

McDonald’s has owned the land for both locations for several years at both sites, so the land ownership “did not change hands,” he says. “And I can’t comment on the rest of the real estate portion of that.”

The company issued the franchise agreement and the restaurant’s equipment as well.

When purchasing a McDonald’s restaurant, Feehan explains, the price is based on the location’s “profitability potential.” Both Auburn restaurants “historically have done a little bit better than average.”

When asked if they could reveal the cost figure, he replies, “Unfortunately, we can’t.”

Plans for locations

Each Auburn restaurant has about 80 employees in full- and part-time roles, according to Feehan.

The couple plans to rebuild the McDonald’s at 357 Genesee St. and remodel the restaurant at 198 Grant Ave. sometime in 2019.

“We won’t know the timing of that until it’s much closer because we will have to agree with McDonald’s on when that will happen,” says Mike Feehan.

It was too early to share details on a contractor or architect, and the company will help the Feehans select local vendors.

McDonald’s doesn’t provide any financing for rebuilds or remodels, but Mike Feehan says the company has a “network of lenders” in the U.S. that provides financing to McDonald’s franchisees.

“Our banking relationships are mixed between local banks that handle our deposit accounts and national McDonald’s lenders,” he adds.

The Feehans work with Tompkins Trust Company and Chemung Canal Trust Co.

Hood expands Oneida plant; $36 million project adds 25 jobs

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Subscriber Only

ONEIDA — HP Hood has completed a $36 million expansion of its Oneida facility, in Madison County. The expansion includes the addition of 25 new jobs at the plant. According to the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the expansion is the result of an allocation of low-cost power from the state’s ReCharge NY program. “The power

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ONEIDA — HP Hood has completed a $36 million expansion of its Oneida facility, in Madison County.

The expansion includes the addition of 25 new jobs at the plant.

According to the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the expansion is the result of an allocation of low-cost power from the state’s ReCharge NY program.

“The power allocation is directly tied to the firm’s completed expansion project and its commitment to retain approximately 200 existing jobs and hire more than 25 new employees,” according to a news release from NYPA. The Hood Oneida facility is receiving 280 kilowatts of expansion power from the ReCharge program.

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO, said, “ReCharge NY has been a great benefit to Central New York, creating nearly 1,200 jobs in the region since power was first provided under the governor’s program in 2012. This expansion project by HP Hood is great news for the local community as it signals the company’s strong commitment to the area.”

The expansion included the installation of an additional milk production line, cold storage, food security, and expanded capacity. The Oneida facility produces about 113 milk and fluid products, according to the release. It supplies major warehouse operations that provide foodservice, retail and wholesale firms with dairy products manufactured in Oneida and from other Hood facilities.

“We are pleased with the results of the program and would like to extend our gratitude to Governor Cuomo and the New York Power Authority for providing significant support to this expansion project. Having been customers of the governor’s ReCharge NY program for several years, we’re aware of how impactful the program’s lower cost power has been in sustaining our daily operations and providing us with the ability to reinvest in our facility,” said Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for Hood.

The company has been a NYPA ReCharge NY customer since 2012 when the Oneida location received 800 kilowatts of retention power under the program. In addition to serving Hood in Oneida, NYPA also provides ReCharge NY power to Hood locations in Arkport, LaFargeville, and Vernon. Hood is also building a plant in Batavia that will open next year with 230 employees, according to the release.

ReCharge NY offers up to seven-year power contracts. Half of the power is 455 megawatts from NYPA’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 megawatts is purchased by NYPA on the wholesale market, the release stated. It added that the program includes nearly 100 businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Central New York, directly supporting the creation or retention of more than 20,000 jobs and nearly $1.2 billion in capital investments.

There remains more than 140 megawatts of low-cost power still available to be allocated to businesses and not-for-profit organizations throughout the state, according to the release.

Sen. Joe Griffo (R–Rome) said, “I congratulate HP Hood in Madison County for the successful completion of its facility expansion and for the creation of more than 25 new jobs. This is exactly the kind of project and subsequent job creation and retention that the ReCharge NY program, formerly the Power for Jobs program, was established to effectuate. I would also add that the Hood line of products, which incorporate healthy and abundant New York milk supplies, are some of the most delicious milk and cheese products imaginable and I am very pleased to see this company doing so well.”

“The addition of more than 25 jobs at HP Hood, its economic investment in its facility, and its commitment to remaining in Madison County is welcome news. Programs such as ReCharge NY that help HP Hood and other major employers retain and increase their workforce are directly benefitting our local communities all over Central New York,” Sen. David J. Valesky (D–Oneida) said.

Four Employee-Benefits Trends to Help Attract and Retain Talent

Business Mentors, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Subscriber Only

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Attracting and retaining top Talent is more challenging than Ever. Employment is up, U.S. unemployment is at a 10-year low (falling to about 4 percent this year), and aging Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age and exiting the workforce. In fact, the percentage of working-age Americans in the labor force has dropped to about 63 percent, near a 40-year low. One way that businesses can attract employees is to understand their needs and provide a portfolio of benefits that are customized to the employee’s stage of life. Additionally, businesses that empower employees to understand and effectively use their health-care and retirement benefits can create a competitive advantage. Here are four tips for using employee benefits to help build and sustain a strong workforce.

1. Appeal to millennials

First review your strategies for targeting different age groups. According to a recent survey by Glassdoor, employees aged 18 to 44 prefer benefits or perks to pay raises, compared to those aged 45 to 64. Employers want to hire millennials, who are poised to climb the career ladder and fill the ranks of exiting baby boomers. Contrary to popular myth, millennials crave job security as much as any generation prior to them. Qualtrics’ Millennial Study reported that 77 percent would be willing to take a salary cut in exchange for long-term job security. In addition, 64 percent of millennials say benefits are extremely or very important to employer loyalty.

2. Help employees understand and adjust to new health-care options

Some companies are adopting consumer-driven or high-deductible health-care plans, with many pairing these with health savings accounts (HSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to keep employee costs low. As employees adopt these solutions, they’ll need the right tools to understand and use their health plans. Interest in Health Savings Accounts has picked up among millennials, but only 50 percent are confident they have a strong understanding of their employee benefits. Consider new ways to increase their knowledge by offering education year-round, not only during the enrollment cycle.

3. Track changing legislation

In addition to updating internal benefit policies, it’s important to track changing health-care and retirement-plan legislation, as it may have far-reaching implications for how employee benefits are administered. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 96 percent of firms with 50 or more full-time employees offered at least one plan that would meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum value and affordability requirements. This year, Congress passed a two-year delay of the 40 percent excise tax (or “Cadillac Tax”) imposed by the Affordable Care Act on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans. This change underscores the need to be aware of legislative activity.

4. Encourage informed decisions by promoting financial-wellness programs and tools

A strong financial-wellness program can empower employees and build loyalty to the firm. Take time to educate employees about the potential impact of major life events and how to prepare for and estimate the financial impact of future events to minimize the impact on other aspects of their lives.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2017 Workplace Benefits Report found that the number one issue for employees is saving for retirement. Only one-third of employees are engaged with 401(k) plans — contributing 11 percent or more of their salary to their plan. To encourage better financial habits, 85 percent of employers plan to utilize a financial-wellness program. Companies are expanding their educational resources to help inform employee retirement and health-care decisions. These efforts include online financial/investment advice, group/classroom education and one-on-one support. Consider implementing additional support services and programs, or fully optimize your existing ones to engage employees and encourage positive actions.

Companies invest an enormous amount of resources in employee benefits, but without proper education and understanding may not receive the full value of these benefits. Offering robust plans and ensuring employees have the tools they need to make informed decisions can help you build a strong, sustainable workforce. Through education and financial-wellness programs, companies can not only help employees to fully utilize benefits, but also can build greater employee appreciation and loyalty as employees increasingly understand and exercise their benefits.

Michael W. Brunner is Central New York market president and senior relationship manager of global commercial banking at Bank of America.

The Legislative Session of Missed Opportunities

Opinion, Subscriber Only

The 2018 legislative session has officially ended in Albany. Unfortunately, much of the dialogue in Albany was spent focused on President Trump instead of seizing the opportunities to improve New York state. Even before the session began, Gov. Andrew Cuomo claimed New York was under assault from the federal government. Due to anticipated cuts in health-care

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Even before the session began, Gov. Andrew Cuomo claimed New York was under assault from the federal government. Due to anticipated cuts in health-care funding, he said that New York would face a $4 billion deficit. Further, he claimed that the recent federal tax-reform law would only widen this gap and harm our state. Following this doom and gloom rhetoric, about $1 billion in taxes was proposed with this year’s budget rather than focusing on policies to boost the economy and make New York more competitive.

Thankfully, we were successful in pushing back on some of these taxes but still, a new optional payroll tax was created, taxes on drug manufacturers passed, and surcharges on taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft were also signed into law. It is important to note that the purported cuts to health care never materialized and despite the rhetoric, the state is not bankrupt because of actions taken by the federal government. In fact, many signs show that because of the tax changes made at the federal level that more private businesses — small and large — are choosing to make investments, and in even some cases, provide their workers a raise.

After the budget was completed, it was a great opportunity to take up ethics reform. Even amid recent corruption cases involving Joe Percoco, a former trusted staff member of Gov. Cuomo, and Alain Kaloyeros, who was at the helm of many of the governor’s economic-development projects, including the failed CNY Film Hub, one would think reforming the state’s economic development programs and procurement procedures to prevent the pay-to-play politics would be a priority. Unfortunately, despite measures passing in the State Senate and efforts of many Assembly members, including myself, no action was taken by the governor or the Assembly Democrat majority.

Another matter that went by the wayside was school safety. For all the criticism, once again, that came out of Albany against the federal government on school safety, nothing passed that would impact school safety on the state level. I advocated for the NYS Sherriff’s Association proposal which was to provide all schools with the financial resources to employ school resource officers. Providing students the same sort of protection that the state provides to judges seemed like a reasonable way to protect students.

It is important to note that the school resource officers wouldn’t be just anyone. Under this proposal, they would be trained law-enforcement officers. In addition to their primary duty in keeping the students safe, they would have a positive presence in the school — a person who would build relationships with kids in school and, in doing so, can gain critical information needed in order to intervene and head off a tragedy. These are also the same trained law-enforcement officers who respond to emergencies in our communities when called. Many schools in Upstate are asking for this but they do not have access to funding that would pay for a school resource officer. This is where the state could have helped. Once again, the Assembly Democrat majority stonewalled this issue and decided to focus more effort on trying to implement more state policies on gun control.

We needed a session to focus on what can be changed to improve New York and pass policies that will move our state forward. In addition to ethics reform, school safety, and lower taxes, we need to increase penalties for drug dealers, protect victims of domestic violence, and lower property taxes. These are the issues that our constituencies are asking Albany to tackle, not Washington, DC. I will continue to be a voice in Albany that pushes for these and other measures that upstate residents seek.

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.

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