Sunday, November 17, 2024

Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and the Rule of Law

From the Government Law Center, Albany Law School:

Hear a distinguished panel of experts from the media, courts, and the legal profession discuss the legal, political, and ethical issues that arise after an AI-generated video of an altercation between public officials goes viral on social media. An interactive discussion between the panelists and audience will follow the panel discussion.

Panelists include:

• Hon. Elizabeth A. Garry, Presiding Justice, NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department
• Hon. Emmanuel C. Nneji, Ulster County District Attorney
• William T. Easton, Esq., Partner, Easton Thompson Kasperek Shiffrin
• Prof. J. Stephen Clark, Professor of Law, Albany Law School
• Ojasvinee Singh, Esq., Media Attorney, Penguin Random House

The event will be held November 20, 2024, 2 P.M. – 4 P.M. Dean Alexander Moot Court Room (Room 421) Albany Law School 80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208

This free event is open to the public, will be livestreamed, and includes a reception. Registration is required.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Schuyler County Real Property Tax Law Foreclosure. Notice of Petition and Petition, Index No. e2023-0180

FILED: SCHUYLER COUNTY CLERK 11/04/2024 09:00 AM, INDEX NO. e2023-0180, NYSCEF DOC. NO. 10, RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/04/2023:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE: Please take notice that on the date and time set forth above (See, “Filed: Schuyler County Clerk,” above), the Treasurer, County of Schuyler (the “Enforcing Officer”) of the County of Schuyler (the “Tax District”), pursuant to law filed with the Clerk of Schuyler County a petition of foreclosure against various parcels of real property for unpaid taxes. Such petition pertains to the following parcels: [see exhibits A-G, inclusive, annexed hereto and made a part hereof].

1. Effect of Filing: All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in such petition are hereby notified that the filing of such petition constitutes the commencement by the Tax District of a proceeding in the court specified in the caption above to foreclose each of the tax liens therein described by a foreclosure proceeding in rem.

2. Nature of Proceeding: Such proceeding is brought against the real property only and is to foreclose the tax liens described in such petition. No personal judgment will be entered herein for such taxes or other legal charges or any part thereof.

3. Persons Affected: This notice is directed to all persons owning or having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in such petition. Such persons are hereby notified further that a duplicate of such petition has been filed in the office of the Enforcing Officer of the Tax District and will remain open for public inspection up to and including the date specified below as the last day for redemption.

4. Right of Redemption: Any person having or claiming to have an interest in any such real property and the legal right thereto may on or before said date redeem the same by paying the amount of all such unpaid tax liens thereon, including all interest and penalties and other legal charges which are included in the lien against such real property, computed to and including the date of redemption. Such payments shall be made to: Holley Sokolowski, Treasurer, County of Schuyler, 105 Ninth St, Unit 17, Watkins Glen, NY 14891. In the event that such taxes are paid by a person other than the record owner of such real property, the person so paying shall be entitled to have the tax liens affected thereby satisfied of record.

5. Last Day for Redemption: The last day for redemption is hereby fixed as Friday, May 30, 2025.

6. Service of Answer: Every person having any right, title or interest in or lien upon any parcel of real property described in such petition may serve a duly verified answer upon the attorney for the Tax District setting forth in detail the nature and amount of his or her interest and any defense or objection to the foreclosure. Such answer must be filed in the office of the County Clerk and served upon the attorney for the Tax District on or before the date above mentioned as the last day for redemption.

7. Failure to Redeem or Answer: In the event of failure to redeem or answer by any person having the right to redeem or answer, such person shall be forever barred and foreclosed of all his or her right, title and interest and equity of redemption in and to the parcel described in such petition and a judgment in foreclosure may be taken by default.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, November 2024

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Monday, October 28, 2024

New York State Announces Election Protection Hotline Ahead of November General Election

Voters Experiencing Problems Can Consult Frequently Asked Questions, Call (866) 390-2992, or Request Assistance Online

The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including issues voting by absentee
ballot, early mail ballot, or in-person at their polling place. The telephone hotline will be open between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM during early voting (Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3), and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. The hotline will also be available the day before and after Election Day, Monday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 6, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Written requests for assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form.

A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also currently available to assist voters with, among other things, the absentee and early mail ballot process and voter registration issues.

Monday, October 21, 2024

New Yorkers warned: be cautious in charitable giving for hurricane relief

New York State officials are reminding New Yorkers seeking to provide support to victims of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton to look Out for Sham Charities and make sure to give to trustworthy organizations. New Yorkers seeking to donate to disaster relief efforts should consider the following tips and guidelines:

• Solicited by Email? Find Out Who Is Soliciting.
• Be Careful When Giving Through Social Media or Other Fundraising Sites. Before giving through social media or fundraising sites, research the identity of the organizer of the fundraising efforts and ask the same questions you would of a charity.
• Check Before Giving. Donate to charities you are familiar with and carefully review information about the charity before you give.
• Ask How Your Donation Will Be Used. Find out how the charity plans to use your donation, including the services and individuals your donation will support.
• Look Into Newly Formed Organizations Carefully. While most of these organizations are well-intentioned, and some may provide innovative forms of assistance, some may not have the experience or infrastructure to follow through on their promises, and some may turn out to be scams.
• Exercise Caution Before You Text A Contribution. Check the charity’s website or call the charity to confirm it has authorized contributions to be made via text message.
• Don't Give Cash. Give directly to the charity either by check made payable to the organization or through the charity's website.
• Be Careful About Personal Information. Be cautious before giving credit card or personal information over the phone, by text message, or via the internet.

Residents who suspect an organization is misrepresenting its work, or that a fundraising or charitable scam is taking place, can file a complaint with the Charities Bureau, or call 212-416-8401.

For more information on avoiding charity scams and how to better determine if a charity is legitimate, click here.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Law Day 2025 theme announced

The American Bar Association has announced that the 2025 Law Day theme will be The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One:
The Constitution enshrines our collective responsibility to one another, and the 2025 Law Day theme urges us to take pride in a Constitution that bridges our differences to bring us together as a united nation. Our civic lives tie us together as one “We,” whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through military service, or by working together, every day, to fulfill the promise of E pluribus unum, or “Out of many, one.”

Law Day is an annual commemoration held on May 1st to celebrate the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system.

For more information on Law Day, click here.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, October 2024

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Monday, September 30, 2024

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to Start the Conversation about this important issue in all aspects of your life and show those impacted by domestic violence
that they are not alone. Whether you share the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline number, join one of our Domestic Violence 101 trainings, or wear purple on October 19 for #PurpleThursday, this page is designed to share ways you can be an ally this October and all year long!

Here are some highlights of this month’s activities:

• Every Tuesday in October: Domestic Violence 101.
• October 1: New York State Assets lit up in purple
• October 17-19: The New York State Clothesline Project in the Empire State Plaza Concourse. The exhibit will focus on providing a platform for survivors to help them break the silence surrounding their abuse.
• October 19: Wear purple in honor of #PurpleThursday
• October 19: New York State Assets lit up in purple
• October 25: Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys panel at Syracuse University
• All October: A social media campaign to help people #StartTheConversation in all aspects of their life

And locally, on Oct. 10 in Schuyler County, members of the community will gather in LaFayette Park in Watkins Glen from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, September 23, 2024

New York State Courts Launch Constitution Day Essay Contest to Promote Civic Engagement

News Advisory:
In celebration of the signing of the United States Constitution on (September 17) in 1787, the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) is launching an essay contest to highlight the importance of this vital document and inspire civic pride and engagement among young New Yorkers. The aim of the competition is to energize high schoolers statewide to critically examine the principles set forth in our nation’s Constitution. Essay contest participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and a pocket size U.S. Constitution, with the essays of the first, second and third place winners to be featured on the New York State Unified Court System’s public website.

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Essay submissions must underscore the Constitution’s significance in fostering civic >participation. Submissions must not exceed 500 words and only one submission per student is allowed. Each entry must be original and composed by the student submitting it; must not have won a prize before; and must not violate any copyright laws. Participants must email their essay as a PDF to civic-engagement@nycourts.gov with the subject line “Constitution Day Essay Contest.” The submission deadline is October 27, 2024

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For more information on the contest, click here.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Schuyler County Honors Sept. 17 as Constitution and Citizenship Day

 

The Schuyler County Legislature is recognizing Tuesday (September 17) as Constitution and Citizenship Day.

 


The legislature’s resolution, drafted by County Attorney Steven Getman, urges civil and educational authorities of states, counties, cities and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States, and of the state and locality in which they reside.”

 

The resolution was approved at the legislature’s September 9 meeting.

 

September 17 is the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, which, the county resolution notes, "is the supreme law of the land and the document by which the people of this country self-govern."

 

In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution on Feb. 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

 

A complete copy of the county’s resolution is available here.