Clinics are free, but donations are accepted.
It is New York State law that all dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets be vaccinated against rabies after they reach the age of 4 months. Animals must remain up to date on rabies vaccination at all times.
Rabies is a serious virus of all mammals with no known cure. It causes neurological degeneration that ultimately leads to the death of the infected person or animal. Luckily, Rabies can be prevented with vaccination.
For more information, click here.
The legislature passed a resolution at its April 14, 2025 meeting, recognizing “Law Day” as an occasion of public acknowledgement of our Nation’s heritage of justice, liberty, and equality under the law.
“The Preamble to the Constitution asserts that the Founders established the Constitution as representatives of ‘We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union,’” Getman wrote. “And the Constitution establishes a framework for government that unites us as one citizenry, through means such as our representative government and an engaged populace.”
In passing the resolution, the legislature called upon all Schuyler County residents “to observe this day together as one … whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through service to our county, state and nation, or by working together, every day, to fulfill the promise of ‘E pluribus unum,’ or ‘Out of many, one.’”
The measure was introduced by Legislator Phil Barnes (R- District VI) and seconded by Legislator Mark Rondinaro (R-District VII). It was supported unanimously by the members present.
May 1, 2025 is the 67th Law Day. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Law Day Proclamation to mark our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Each year the American Bar Association selects an annual theme for Law Day.
A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution “Recognizing and Commemorating ‘Law Day’ in Schuyler County” is available here.
RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING MAY 1, 2025 AS “LAW DAY” IN SCHUYLER COUNTY – COUNTY ATTORNEY by Steven Getman on Scribd
Among the issues addressed in the report for 2024 are:
• Access to Justice and Equal Justice
• Community Outreach & Civic Education
• Justice for Children
• Court Modernization
• Diversity and Inclusion
• E-Filing
• Grants and Contracts
• Indian Nation Courts
• Justice Court Support
• Technology and Court Research
The New York State Unified Court System is administered by the Office of Court Administration (OCA) under the authority of the Chief Judge and Chief Administrative Judge. OCA provides financial management, automation, public safety, personnel management and other essential services to support day-to-day court operations throughout the state, including Schuyler County.
A complete copy of the report is available here.
Watkins Glen, NY --The Schuyler County Legislature has tabled its resolution suing the state over Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order that banned fired striking Corrections Officers from seeking other public employment, after getting news that the order will expire April 9.
According to
Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, on Monday (March 24) the legislature
adjourned the action to its April 14 meeting, after the county received word
from state officials that the relevant provisions of Hochul’s Executive Order
47.3 will expire and will not be renewed.
“After the
county’s proposed lawsuit was announced, the New York State Division of
Homeland Security issued a letter March 22 to all counties,” Getman said. “That letter states the governor’s order
prohibiting the hiring of correction officers whom she fired in connection with
the strike is temporary,” Getman said. “The
letter says these provisions of the order will expire on April 9 and the governor
does not intend to renew these provisions.”
“That means any
local government, including Schuyler County will be able to hire any terminated
correction officer any time on or after April 10.”
If the order
does expire, Getman explained, the county has received the bulk of the relief
it wanted in the lawsuit and the case would be moot.
Sheriff Kevin
Rumsey agreed with the decision to table, noting that if the order is extended,
the county legislature can authorize the lawsuit on April 14.
Rumsey also
expressed concerns with the governor’s plan to decertify the fired officers.
“If she decides
to push the issue of having them all decertified, counties will have to spend
the time and money to ‘re-train’ these DOCCS CO's, which many of them have some
considerable time on the job. It would be a cost benefit to have them
lateral rather than to have to send them through another academy.”
Rumsey, along
with County Legislature Chair Carl Blowers, blasted Hochul’s “no hire” order
affecting the corrections officers fired after a three-week strike, in a letter
sent to her March 18.
“We write to
express our strong opposition to your recent Executive Order, which unjustly
prohibits Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees
from being hired by other state, county, or local government workers…Leadership
means standing up for workers, not abandoning them to serve political
expediency.”
Blowers and
Rumsey noted that the county is experiencing staffing shortages and sees this
order as something that only worsens things for the county.
“It is
unthinkable and outrageous that, in the same breath that you push for second
chances through the Clean Slate Act, you are denying those who have devoted
their careers to public service the chance to continue their work and support
their families,” their letter states.
“We urge you to
reconsider this ill-conceived, arbitrary, and capricious order and immediately
reverse your decision.”
Schuyler County’s April 14 meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the Schuyler County Courthouse, 105 Ninth Street, Watkins Glen, New York. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
What happens if decades of legal precedent protecting a free press is suddenly turned on its head? Hear from a distinguished panel of experts from the media, courts, and bar as they explorethe legal, political, and ethical issues that arise in a hypothetical scenario.****
The conference combines a discussion of a hypothetical scenario with an overview of media law and constitutional law. An interactive discussion between the panelists and audience will follow the panel discussion.
This free event is open to the public and includes a reception before the program. Registration is required.
Interested persons can attend in person at the following location:
NYS Judicial Institute
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
78 N Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
For more information, including how to register, click here.
• 363 full-fledged investigations were undertaken.
• 11 judges were publicly disciplined: three judges were removed from office, three were censured and five were admonished.
• 13 judges resigned and publicly agreed never to return to judicial office.
• Seven other judges resigned while complaints were pending, where it had not been determined permanent departure from office was warranted or appropriate.
• 23 judges were issued confidential cautionary letters.
• 212 matters were pending at year’s end.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the independent state agency that reviews complaints of ethical misconduct against the 3,500 judges and justices of the State Unified Court System and, where appropriate, renders public disciplinary Determinations.
The annual report is available here.
According to Schuyler County Veterans Services Director Crystal Kawski, the event will be held Wednesday, March 19, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Schuyler County Human Services Building, Montour Falls, New York.
The event is intended to offer legal advice to veterans and service members on a variety of issues, including veterans benefits, discharge upgrades, eviction prevention, family law, estate planning, as well as benefits claims with the VA or Social Security Administration, Kawski explained. The clinic is not able to provide advice on any criminal matters, she noted. Law students and a supervising attorney will provide the legal assistance, she said.
Said Kawski: “The impact of having an attorney present onsite is incredible, especially when veterans apply for benefits or an upgrade in their military discharge. Studies show veterans are much more successful in claims for VA benefits when they have an attorney helping them.”
According to Getman, the county strongly encourages veterans to sign up in advance so they can secure a spot, though walk-in appointments will also be available. Information that will be helpful to receive during registration includes a short description of the issue, location and date of any pending hearings or deadlines, and names of any opposing parties.
Said Getman: “As the son and nephew of Navy veterans, I am proud to be able to assist our local veterans service agency in providing needed civil legal services. As a Cornell Alum (CALS ’86), I am happy that my alma mater can and will be giving something back to our local veterans community.”
Hardwick said that the clinic can offer 12 slots during the event. The clinic will be staffed with at least three law students plus a supervising attorney. Most advice will not be given on the date of the clinic but will come in a follow up advice letter after the students do any necessary research into the issue, he explained.
Said Hardwick: “We are happy to review any civil matters or claims veterans might have with state and federal agencies. We are grateful for the opportunity for our students to work with local veterans. The students will witness first-hand our obligation as lawyers to leverage our legal training in the service of others, especially for those who served our country.”
Veterans and service members seeking assistance at the event may contact the county veterans’ services agency at (607) 535-2091 or complete an intake form at the agency’s office, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls NY 14865. Interested veterans and service members may also email: ckawski@schuylercountyny.gov.
If the event is successful, Schuyler County and the law school hope to host more legal assistance events for veterans and service members in the future, County Administrator Shawn Rosno said.
Said Rosno: “Schuyler County remains committed to our veterans. I want to applaud our veterans director and our county attorney for their initiative in setting up this event and I want to thank Cornell Law School for their assistance to our community.”
The Schuyler County Veterans Service Agency provides assistance to our Schuyler County veterans and members of the armed forces as well as their dependents and survivors through the pursuance of veterans benefits at the County, State and Federal levels and referrals to other agencies for possible assistance. This is done to promote better physical and mental health, improve quality of life and to ensure every veteran or dependent receives the benefits to which they are entitled.
The Schuyler County Attorney is the civil legal advisor to the county legislature and other county agencies, including the local veterans service agency. The county attorney prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county, in Family Court, Surrogates Court and New York State Supreme Court.
In Cornell Law School’s Veterans Law Practicum, students provide information, legal advice, and representation to veterans seeking legal assistance. Students work on cases, including to secure service-connected disability compensation, discharge upgrades, overpayment issues, and other related claims. In 2023, Cornell was one of three law schools nationwide to receive a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide legal services for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
