OPINION: Why I’m Optimistic about the Future

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One of the great privileges of reaching and working on a university campus is the chance to be in regular touch with young people. Even better, I sometimes get asked to give talks elsewhere and to meet with young people of all kinds and descriptions. That’s sometimes one on one, other times in small groups, and sometimes […]

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Over the past few years, this has given me a chance to observe the upcoming generation of citizens and leaders, and what I have seen heartens me. Not least because the young people I’ve met are, for the most part, deeply concerned about the future of the country. They can be sharply critical, but it’s clear that most of them take a fundamental pride in what this nation stands for and how far it’s traveled over the centuries.

This shows up in a fundamental respect for the country’s diversity, and an overall respect for many of the institutions of representative democracy: the military, the courts, law enforcement, the health-care system — though Congress often comes in for some sharp words. To be sure, they can also be critical of these institutions’ flaws, but I haven’t encountered anyone who wants to tear them up and start over again. Instead, they want to fix what’s in front of them. They’re curious about how the nation’s institutions work, even skeptical, but they don’t reject them outright as irredeemably flawed.

There are several key issues that dominate our conversations: climate change, COVID-19, student loans, and college debt. If you ask what problems they’re most concerned about, racial issues also loom large: they see racial inequity and repairing historic wrongs as a huge and important challenge to our representative democracy. Interestingly, more than the older people I encounter, they will often speak up in favor of U.S. engagement with the world and want the US to exert a helpful leadership role.

When it comes to domestic politics, I’ve been struck by the extent to which the students I meet seem interested in making voting easier. Not infrequently, they’ll bring up the idea of making election day a national holiday. And they seem to like the idea of automatic voter registration for citizens, to encourage participation.

As for their own participation, I often ask if anyone wants to run for public office. I’m always pleasantly surprised at the number of hands that go up. More than a few want to pursue jobs in government at all levels, arguing that they can make a greater contribution there than they might otherwise — they recognize that working for government is not a path to great wealth, yet they’re still committed to that idea. Perhaps most heartening, even those who have no desire to serve in government confess an interest in serving their communities and improving their corner of the world. I always come away stirred by the number of these young people who speak with knowledge and commitment about their desire to be of service.

To be sure, it’s bracing to sit in on their discussions about where the country is headed. They’re often robust, with plenty of differences of opinion. But underlying these conversations is a general optimism about the future — and, quite notably in this political climate, a wide tolerance for the viewpoints of others and a willingness to listen to one another. I wish it were more common among adults.

The one other thing I’ll note is that regularly, I come across students — of all races, ethnicity, and description — who are clearly talented, engaged, and impressive. They are, I believe, marked for leadership. And if I’m right, we’re going to be in good hands.

Lee Hamilton, 90, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south central Indiana.

Fust Charles Chambers LLP

People on the Move, Subscriber Only

BARBIE DIANGELO has joined Fust Charles Chambers LLP as a payroll administrator/HR generalist. DiAngelo has more than 15 years of experience working in various HR positions, both locally and in Florida. She is certified as a professional in human resources and is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management. ALEXYS JACOBS has joined the

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BARBIE DIANGELO has joined Fust Charles Chambers LLP as a payroll administrator/HR generalist. DiAngelo has more than 15 years of experience working in various HR positions, both locally and in Florida. She is certified as a professional in human resources and is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management.

ALEXYS JACOBS has joined the firm as a tax associate. Jacobs received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Le Moyne College and master’s in taxation from SUNY Oswego this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her certified public accountant (CPA) license. Jacobs also previously interned with Fust Charles.

JESSICA KOCH joins the firm as an audit associate. Koch received her bachelor’s in accounting and MBA from SUNY Oswego this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her CPA license.

MACKENZIE MAXAM has joined Fust Charles Chambers as an audit associate. Maxam received her bachelor’s in accounting and MBA from SUNY Oswego this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her CPA license. Maxam also interned with the firm and participated in the firm’s preview tour.

MACKENZIE MCCARTHY joins Fust Charles Chambers as an audit associate. McCarthy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from SUNY Brockport this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her CPA license.

ALMEDINA MUMINOVIC joins the firm as a tax associate. Muminovic received her bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Le Moyne College this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her CPA license. Muminovic also interned with the firm.

JESSICA PACCONE has joined Fust Charles Chambers as an audit associate. Paccone received her bachelor’s in accounting from SUNY Geneseo this past May. She is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn her CPA license. Paccone also interned with the firm.

ADAM SCHARF joins the firm as an audit associate. Scharf received his MBA in accounting this past May from SUNY Oswego and associate degree in business from Cayuga Community College in 2018. He is currently working to complete the examination requirements to earn his CPA license.

BRIANNA TUBBS

People on the Move, Subscriber Only

BRIANNA TUBBS has joined the marketing-communications firm Pinckney Hugo Group as an accounting assistant. Prior to Pinckney Hugo Group, Tubbs was an accounting associate at Liberty Resources. She also gained experience in accounting at other organizations in Central New York. Tubbs has a bachelor’s degree in business and management, with a concentration in marketing, from

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Erie Materials

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Erie Materials, a regional distributor of building materials in New York and Pennsylvania, has recently made several promotions and new hires. ANDY BRILL returned to Erie Materials as the warehouse manager in Elmira. Brill previously left Erie Materials to help run a family business. MELISSA YOUNGS joined Erie’s accounting team at corporate headquarters in Syracuse

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JENNIFER WHITMORE

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JENNIFER WHITMORE, an adult nurse practitioner, has joined Seneca Family Health Center in Waterloo, which is part of Finger Lakes Health. Whitmore received her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Rochester and her bachelor’s in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester.

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Drive Research

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ZACH ADAMS has joined Drive Research as VP of strategy. In his role, Adams will be responsible for overseeing business-development strategies as well as providing clients with expert recommendations based on market-research findings. With more than 12 years of experience, his background stretches across insight and integrated-marketing communications at research suppliers and advertising agencies. Adams

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Central New York Community Foundation

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GERIANNE CORRADINO was promoted to senior manager of business operations at the Central New York Community Foundation. She has worked for the Community Foundation since 2015, where she previously served as finance associate and finance manager. Corradino is now responsible for overseeing the Central New York Philanthropy Center building and assisting the senior VP and

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Dannible to hold manufacturing conference virtually on Oct. 21

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Syracuse–based accounting firm Dannible & McKee, LLP is set to host its annual manufacturing conference as a virtual event on Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Described as an “industry-focused” conference, it will include presentations on the latest industry trends and economic outlook, concepts and techniques for effective budgeting and planning,

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SYRACUSE — Syracuse–based accounting firm Dannible & McKee, LLP is set to host its annual manufacturing conference as a virtual event on Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Described as an “industry-focused” conference, it will include presentations on the latest industry trends and economic outlook, concepts and techniques for effective budgeting and planning, best practices for attracting and retaining employees, and tax issues impacting the manufacturing industry, per a Dannible & McKee announcement about the event.

The firm says the conference is free to attend virtually. Those interested can register for the event at https://www.dmcpas.com/events/manufacturing-conference/.

Presentations

Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association, will speak on the topic, “New York State Manufacturing: Outlook and Opportunities for the Future.” In this presentation, Wolken will review the current outlook of manufacturing in New York state and highlight the opportunities for growth, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.

Mickel Pompeii and Alex Nitka, both certified public accountants (CPAs) and tax partners at Dannible & McKee, will speak about “State Tax Issues Impacting Manufacturers.”

In describing the presentation, Dannible & McKee says even though the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone over the last 18 months, it has affected state budgets “especially hard.” As a result, states are becoming “increasingly aggressive” in going after manufacturing companies for income and franchise tax, as well as sales and use tax. In this session, Pompeii and Nitka will examine state nexus rules, filing requirements, and how those rules have been changed by COVID-19. They’ll also look at strategies to make sure your company isn’t running “afoul of these rules.” They’ll also look at the recently passed New York State Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) election and what it means for your pass-through entity.

Another presentation, Victor Vaccaro, Jr. and Benjamin Sumner, both CPAs and audit partners at Dannible & McKee, will speak on the topic, “Effective Planning During Uncertain Times.”

Proper budgeting and planning are “critical tools” in helping manufacturers to remain competitive, and the importance of planning is magnified during uncertain times such as the ongoing pandemic, the accounting firm says. However, many manufacturers do not have a formal budgeting or strategic-planning process. In this session, Vaccaro and Sumner will discuss concepts and techniques that will make the budgeting process “more efficient” and analyze how effective budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning can help manufacturers respond to market changes and “continue to achieve their long-term goals.”

The presentations also include Jason Banuski, president of HR One Consulting, discussing the topic, “Keys to Attracting and Retaining Talented Employees.”

In this presentation, Banuski will discuss the labor-market challenges that employers are experiencing and provide insight on what manufacturers can do to ensure they attract and retain top talent.

Oneida County budget doesn’t raise property taxes for ninth year

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Regional News, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida County Board of Legislators is considering a 2022 budget and capital plan that has no increase in the property-tax levy for the ninth consecutive year. “One zero is hard enough, but nine straight, including two during a pandemic, is an accomplishment I am very proud of,” Oneida County Executive Anthony

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UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida County Board of Legislators is considering a 2022 budget and capital plan that has no increase in the property-tax levy for the ninth consecutive year.

“One zero is hard enough, but nine straight, including two during a pandemic, is an accomplishment I am very proud of,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said. “We have been able to do this by controlling discretionary spending, creating efficiencies and through unique revenue sources like the Oneida Nation agreement.”

Picente delivered his budget message on Oct. 5.

The $457 million proposal is a balanced budget that appropriates $114 million in sales-tax revenue, $20.85 million in Oneida Nation revenue, and retires $19 million in debt, per Picente’s office. The six-year capital plan totals $29 million.

“The impacts of COVID-19 are still being felt, but we have successfully managed through economic trials and societal tribulations,” Picente contended “We know this county is on the right path forward. The proof is all around. This budget continues us down that path. It does it by being smart, efficient and fiscally conservative.”

Picente said the increase in sales-tax was a surprise this year and that budgeting for it was a “challenge” for 2022, as the county is considering new trends and a loss of revenue in 2020. He said the county benefited from the inclusion of revenue from internet sales and adjusted an increase from the 2019 budget through the 2022 budget, his office noted.

The budget proposal also restores funding for libraries, humane societies, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Mohawk Valley EDGE.

Oneida County plans to use the $22 million allotted to the county in federal funding from the American Rescue Act for revenue replacement from the past 18 months, continued COVID-19 expenses, and to reduce the need for increased bonding on capital projects.

Picente also said officials will conduct a countywide mental-health assessment to better understand the consequences of the pandemic, assess the system in place, identify gaps, and “bolster services in the community.”

The Oneida County Board of Legislators will vote on the county executive’s 2022 budget proposal at its meeting on Nov. 10, Picente’s office said.

ABA report sheds light on student- debt loads of young lawyers

Health Care, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

Ninety percent of young attorneys responding to an American Bar Association (ABA) survey borrowed education loans for their juris doctorate (J.D.) or prior degrees. They owed an average of about $108,000 in J.D. loans and $130,000 in all loans combined at graduation. Of those who borrowed, 80-90 percent indicated their student debt has “in some way disrupted

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