Steven Getman: 2024

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.

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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

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

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.

Monday, September 16, 2024

Schuyler County rabies clinic to be held September 19

Schuyler County Public Health will be holding a Rabies Clinic on Thursday, September 19th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.

6:00 pm-6:45 pm: Cat and ferrets only
6:45 pm-7:30 pm: Dogs, cats, and ferrets

The clinic will be held at the Shared Services Building (910 S Decatur Street in Watkins Glen).

More information can be found here.

Monday, September 9, 2024

New Yorkers warned: Beware of Investment Scams Using AI-Manipulated Videos

New York State officials have issued an investor alert warning New Yorkers about scams that are luring potential investors with fake videos created with artificial intelligence (AI) to show celebrities and business leaders touting fraudulent investment schemes.

Deepfake investment scams target victims online with AI-manipulated videos that show wealthy individuals like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffet apparently touting the scammers’ investment schemes, which often involve cryptocurrency. Scammers use AI tools to manipulate existing videos to change the voice and mouth movements of the individuals to create seemingly genuine endorsements for their frauds. These videos are then served to social media users as advertisements or broadcast as fake livestreams on platforms like YouTube. Scammers may also pose as government officials or other people in order to gain victims’ trust. The
accessibility of AI tools allows scammers to produce ads for their frauds at scale with a variety of impersonations to target a wide range of potential victims. It can be difficult to tell from the video alone if it is a deepfake.
Once their victims show interest in the supposed investment, scammers may try to move the conversation off of public social media into encrypted private messaging services such as Whatsapp or Signal. After the victims have made an initial investment on the fraudulent platforms described in the ads, scammers will often create fake websites showing the investment increasing in value and encourage victims to send more money. After making more investments, sometimes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, victims will be unable to withdraw their funds or will be asked to pay more in withdrawal fees or “taxes.” Eventually, the scammers will cut off contact, having pocketed the victim’s money from the first investment. Even worse, victims may be later contacted by services that suggest they can retrieve their funds, only to end up draining more of the victims’ net worth.

According to officials, these AI-manipulated videos, known as deepfakes, often appear in social media feeds, digital ads, and messaging apps and are expected to fuel billions of dollars in fraud every year.

Anyone who may have been a victim of this type of scam is urged report it to local law enforcement or to the New York State Attorney General by filing a complaint online or calling 1-800-771-7755.

Monday, September 2, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update: September 2024

Monday, August 26, 2024

Schuyler County Appoints New Director of Veterans Services

Schuyler County has a new Director of Veterans Services. Crystal Kawski’s appointment was announced at the County Legislature’s August meeting.
As Director, Kawski will be responsible for overseeing the Veterans Service Agency, focusing on expanding outreach, advocating for the needs of veterans in the county and overall management of the department.
Kawski is a veteran of the United States Army and has worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and as a veterans service representative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in non-profit/public/organizational management from Ashford University and a master’s degree from Kaplan University.
Reflecting on her new role, Kawski expressed, “I’m honored to join Schuyler County’s Veterans Service Agency. As an Army Veteran myself, wife of an Army Veteran, and mom of an Army Veteran, I’m eager to work with the team to ensure our veterans receive the support and resources they deserve, and I look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of our veterans and their families.”

Monday, August 19, 2024

New Yorkers warned of cryptocurrency scammers

Brooklyn DA warns New Yorkers of cryptocurrency scammers:

Scammers use different techniques, including dating apps. During the press conference, the DA's office showed recorded testimony of several victims, including an anonymous woman who said she fell prey to a crypto scam through the dating app Bumble, and ultimately lost about $118,000.
Scammers also use group chat apps such as we chat, WhatsApp or Telegram to add victims to what appear to be legitimate chats about crypto investments. One man said this happened to him on Facebook.
Law enforcement officials said it is also hard to recover stolen funds.
Last year, the NYPD reported 50 cases, but officials believe that's an undercount, as shame usually deters most victims of crypto scams from reporting the crimes to law enforcement officials.
The FBI estimates that last year over $3 billion have been stolen from U.S. residents due to crypto scams.

Monday, August 12, 2024

Schuyler County Collaborates on Survey to Identify Gaps in Healthcare Access

Eight Public Health departments in the Finger Lakes have collaborated to create a survey hoping to understand what it’s like to find medical, dental, vision, hearing, mental health, and addiction care in rural communities. The survey was released on Monday.
The development of the survey this spring and summer was a collaborative effort led by the Pivotal Public Health Partnership. It is a precursor to the region’s Community Health Assessment (CHA) process which will begin in earnest later this year and continue through 2025.
Participating Health Departments include Yates, Schuyler, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Livingston, and Chemung counties.

The survey can be found here.

Monday, August 5, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, August 2024

Monday, July 29, 2024

Schuyler County announces Citizen Preparedness Training Program

From the Schuyler County Emergency Services Office:

With severe weather events becoming more frequent and more extreme, it is more important than ever that New Yorkers are prepared for disasters. The NY Citizen Preparedness Training Program teaches residents to have the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. This training course will provide an introduction to responding to a natural or man-made disaster. Participants will be advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies. Each family that attends will receive one Preparedness kit.

The event will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the County’s Human Services Complex 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865. All participants must register in advance. To register and for additional information click here.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Beware of Price Gouging Following Severe Weather

New York State officials have issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging of essential items as severe weather impacted communities throughout New York:

New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging statute covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.

Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.

When reporting price gouging, consumers should:

• Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and,
• Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Consumer Alert: Cyberattack on Change Healthcare’s systems affected millions of patients and providers nationwide

New York State officials have issued a consumer alert to raise awareness about free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services available for millions of consumers impacted by the Change Healthcare data breach:

In February, Change Healthcare, which operates the nation’s largest electronic health care payment system, experienced a cyberattack that exposed the personal information of millions of patients, including millions of New Yorkers. After the cyberattack…. Change Healthcare is offering all New York residents free credit monitoring and identity theft protections for two years to safeguard their personal information.

According to officials consumers should be aware of potential warning signs that someone is using their medical information. These signs include:

• Bills for medical services they did not receive.
• Errors in their Explanation of Benefits statement, such as charges for services never received or prescriptions not taken.
• Calls from debt collectors about medical debts they do not owe.
• Medical debt collection notices on their credit report that they do not recognize.
• Notices from their health insurance company about reaching benefit limits.
• Denials of insurance coverage due to inaccurate pre-existing conditions.

The New York State Attorney General’s office is encouraging everyone to use the free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to safeguard their information. These resources will be available for free for two years. Consumers can enroll in free credit monitoring and identity protection services online or by calling 1-866-262-5342.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, July 2024

Monday, July 1, 2024

State Launches Broadband Assistance Program

New York State has began accepting applications for the Regional and Local Broadband Assistance Program.

The program is intended to support government entities with grants or technical assistance to prepare for broadband deployment or other local digital equity initiatives and provide grant funding for hiring specialized personnel, training, and acquiring tools and resources needed to enhance broadband planning and execution capabilities.

The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024.

For more information, click here.

Monday, June 24, 2024

New York State Legislature End-of-Session Update

On June 8, the New York State Legislature completed its regular session, having given final two-house passage to a total of 805 bills.

The New York State Conference of Mayors has put together a comprehensive municipal law summary, which includes bills that passed both houses and have an impact on local governments, as well as an update on the final status of several other bills of interest to municipalities that did not receive final passage.

For a complete copy of the summary, click here.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Office for Justice Initiatives’ 2024 Law Day Report Announced.

Press release:

As we close out our Law Day 2024 celebrations, Judge Richardson is pleased today to announce the release of OJI’s 2024 Law Day Report, centered
around this year’s theme, “Voices of Democracy,” which encourages civic participation in ensuring that our government remains responsive to the wishes of the people.
The Office for Justice Initiatives is made up of seven divisions: Access to Justice; Equal Justice; Youth and Emerging Adult Justice; Policy and Planning; Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Diversity and Inclusion; and Child Welfare and Family Justice. The report highlights the important work of each division within the context of the “Voices of Democracy” theme.
“In keeping with this year’s Law Day theme, the May 2024 Law Day Report showcases the efforts of the Office for Justice Initiatives over the past year through the voices of those who work in our courts, those who work with our courts, and those who are served by our courts,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Richardson, announcing the report’s release. “And for those who access the report digitally, not only will you be able to read their words but also hear their actual voices.”

Law Day is held annually on May 1. 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.

Monday, June 10, 2024

New York Court System Launches Guardianship Resource Webpage

Press Release:

This useful information for anyone interested in learning more about the guardianship process, including informational videos (with subtitles in several languages), a glossary online resource contains
of commonly used guardianship terms, and links to critical information and resources for appointed guardians.
The Guardianship Resource Webpage was built as part of a nearly $1,000,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, to modernize and reimagine guardianship proceedings in New York State. The Unified Court System’s partners in this endeavor are Project Guardianship and JASA. Other components of the grant include creating a guardianship-specific module in the court system’s case management system, the creation of standard motion and order templates commonly used in guardianship cases, and significant outreach to guardianship stakeholders.

What Is Guardianship?

Guardianship gives a person or organization the legal right to make certain decisions for another person. Guardianship requires going to court and only a judge can appoint a guardian.
A person may need a guardian if they are unable to make decisions, manage their affairs, and are at risk of harm because of serious illness, disability, dementia, or other conditions that impacts their ability to think and act clearly.

Monday, June 3, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update: June, 2024

Monday, May 27, 2024

Schuyler County officials warn: Beware scams when challenging property taxes.

Schuyler County officials are warning property owners to beware of scams in which companies or individuals charge fees to dispute your property assessment or offer to appear in court for you without being licensed lawyers. In many cases, you can challenge your property assessment on your own, free of charge.

According to Real Property Tax Office Director Kelly Anderson, some property owners in Schuyler County are receiving a flier regarding a fee-based service to have their property’s taxable value reduced. The flier tells homeowners they must appeal “immediately” and offers to appear before the board of assessment review and in state court on the owners’ behalf. The flier does not fully explain the services, or the fees involved, yet it contains a signature line for property owners to indicate they have hired this company or individual.

“I am concerned about the potential for scamming the public and creating additional confusion. I have had a few very confused people come to my office who signed the solicitation letter believing that they are filing the proper paperwork to grieve their assessment,” Anderson said. “This is not the correct legal document for that purpose, nor does it protect their right to challenge their property assessment.”

According to Anderson, while a property owner may authorize another person or company to grieve their assessment, this process is something you can do for yourself for free by completing the New York State “Complaint on Real Property Assessment Form” (RP-524) and filing it on or before your town’s grievance day. Property owners are encouraged to contact her office or look online at the office’s official website for additional information.

According to Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, homeowners who believe they need legal assistance appealing their tax assessments should contact a local attorney or the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: 1 (800) 342-3661.

“New York State law prohibits non-lawyers from practicing law, and unauthorized practice may be a crime,” Getman said. “This may include impersonating an attorney or offering legal services under a title other than attorney or lawyer.”

According to Schuyler County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan, anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud is encouraged to report complaints to their local law enforcement agencies or to the Schuyler County District Attorney’s office.

“Stressful and uncertain situations create opportunities for scammers to take advantage of vulnerable populations,” Hourihan said. “If you believe that you have been taken advantage of, or are a victim of fraud, please contact law enforcement immediately. Prompt reporting might save yourself or another taxpayer from a scam.”

Monday, May 20, 2024

Schuyler County High School Graduate Essay Contest Announced

The Schuyler County Republican Committee is inviting local high school graduates to enter its 2024 Constitutional Essay Contest.

According to GOP Chair Maryann Friebis, one graduate will be selected to win a $1500 award. The winner will be selected based upon an essay on one of the following topics:

1. The interaction between the 14th Amendment and the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
2. Does a constitutional right to privacy exist?
3. Do Second Amendment rights apply to persons residing in the United States in contravention to U.S. immigration law?

Judges for the contest will be Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary, County Attorney Steven Getman and Public Defender Josette Colon.

The contest is open to any 2024 high school graduate (including home-schooled students) legally residing in Schuyler County who will be continuing their education or entering military service after graduation.

Entries must be submitted prior to 12:00 AM on May 27, 2024. Winners will be announced by the Schuyler County Republican Committee at a date to be determined. The winner will be notified after the judging has been completed prior to graduation.

For more information, and a complete copy of the contest rules and entry forms, contact the Schuyler County Republican Committee.

Monday, May 13, 2024

Schuyler County may ask state to reject legislation that could close shooting ranges statewide

A proposed bill in the New York Senate is a gun control law being presented under the guise of an environmental law, warns the Schuyler County Clerk.

According to County Clerk Theresa Philbin, "the Sporting Range Good Neighbor Act," currently pending in the New York State Senate, would place heavy restrictions on shooting ranges, due to proximity to wetlands and open water sources, potentially forcing existing ranges to close.

That, in turn, would prevent people from getting pistol permits. It would also mean local school shooting leagues would have no place to practice.

At Philbin’s request, on Monday (May 13) the Schuyler County Legislature will consider a resolution asking state officials to reject the bill.

The proposed resolution, drafted with the assistance of Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, cleared the county’s Management and Finance Committee in April. It points out that the proposed act “will cause severe hardship on the clubs, members and schools who depend upon the fish and game clubs for this very popular recreational sport in Schuyler County and the Finger Lakes with no empirical evidence that the mandates and restrictions are necessary.”

“This Bill is based upon misinformation as to the trajectory of skeet shots, and the reason why most trap and skeet fields have been operating for decades without the need for this additional legislation,” the resolution notes.

“This mis-named Act would require skeet field tracts at shooting ranges to be a minimum of 600 yards by 300 yards….Participants are shooting shotguns with small lead pellet loads which are only capable of traveling a maximum distance of 150-200 yards; in addition, most clubs reclaim the expended pellets for reuse.” The bill says these restrictions will prevent lead from bullets getting into the environment.

Critics of the bill, including Philbin, have noted that shooting ranges already have to meet restrictive guidelines to operate safely, costing them up to $100,000, and that restrictions will cost thousands of dollars more, possibly forcing them to close.

“This Bill essentially will force most ranges and clubs to build a covered backstop and be required to follow the State rules regarding lead reclamation,” Philbin said. “Most if not all clubs will not be able to afford to comply with these regulations.”

Getman noted that closing ranges could impact citizens’ ability to obtain a pistol permit under New York State’s gun control laws.

“If you wish to apply for a concealed carry license, you need to complete the Concealed Carry Firearm Safety Training Course,” Getman said. “Often, those classes are held at the local ranges.”

“Forcing those ranges to close would effectively prevent many New Yorkers from exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

According to Philbin, it is not just club members who participate at these ranges, but also school trap teams. “When you look at those kids that are on school-sponsored sports teams, they get better grades in school, they have a lower dropout rate, they stay away from alcohol and drugs and tobacco,” she said.

"This legislation could negatively affect students’ futures. That’s why we want to protect our clubs."

The county’s resolution, if passed, will be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul and the county’s representatives in the New York State legislature, Senator Thomas O’Mara and Assemblyman Philip Palmesano, asking each to oppose the bill.

The Schuyler County Clerk is the point of contact for pistol permit processing in Schuyler County. Amendments to the permit, name and/or address changes, transfers to/from other counties, as well as suspensions are made through the office. Pistol permit records are kept in the office, the original of each record is sent to the state.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government and its various officials. The County Attorney prepares legislation and prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county and county employees acting pursuant to their official duties.

A complete copy of the proposed resolution is available here.

Monday, May 6, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update: May, 2024

Monday, April 29, 2024

Schuyler County Commemorates May 1 as “Law Day”

Law Day is Wednesday (May 1) and the Schuyler County Legislature has recognized as the Law Day 2024 theme, “Voices of Democracy.”

The legislature passed a resolution at its April 8, 2024 meeting, recognizing “Law Day” as an occasion of public acknowledgement of our Nation’s heritage of justice, liberty, and equality under the law.

The resolution was submitted to the legislature by Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman.

“In 2024, the United States will hold its 60th presidential election, together with many federal, state and local elections,” Getman wrote. “The ‘Voices of Democracy’ Law Day theme encourages Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections.”

In passing the resolution, the legislature called upon all Schuyler County residents “to observe this day by lifting their voices to maintain our system of laws and to ensure that our republic endures through free and fair elections.”

The measure was introduced by Legislator Gary Gray (R- District VIII) and seconded by Legislator Michael Lausell (D-District III). It was supported unanimously by the members present.

May 1, 2024 is the 66th 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 May 1, 2024 as ‘Law Day’ in Schuyler County” is available here.

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Monday, April 22, 2024

New York Courts Launch Online Case Activity Dashboard

NEWS RELEASE:

The New York State Unified Court System has launched a new online feature: an interactive dashboard tool that allows the public ready access to caseload trends data for statepaid trial courts. The new Trial Court Caseload Trends Dashboard includes counts of filings, dispositions, pending cases, and trials commenced for all state-paid trial courts, including:

• Local Criminal Court
• Supreme Court-Criminal Term
• County Court-Criminal Term
• Local Civil Court
• Supreme Court-Civil Term
• County Court-Civil Term
• Family Court
• Surrogate's Court

This new online resource enables the user to search/filter by type of case and disposition, as well as by specific court location(s). Data from Year 2019 is included for most metrics, so that the user can examine caseload trends over time. The dashboard, which will be updated monthly, displays year-to-year as well as year-to-date comparisons of each metric by both court type and case type

To accesss the dashboard, click here.

Monday, April 15, 2024

New York State Court system’s annual report released

The New York State Unified Court system has issued its annual report for the previous year.

Among the issues addressed in the report for 2023 are:

• operational improvements;
• advances in courtroom technology;
• reforms to help close the justice gap;
• profiles of the New York State Courts’ new leadership team.

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.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update: April 2024

Monday, April 1, 2024

Snoopy, the Legal Beagle

https://youtu.be/b1jqMsP1hXk

Monday, March 25, 2024

New York Courts Launch Law Day Art Contest

NEWS ADVISORY:

Law Day is commemorated annually on May 1st to highlight the rule of law and the freedoms that Americans hold dear. In celebration of Law Day 2024, the Unified Court System’s Office for Justice Initiatives–Division of Access to Justice has partnered with the Historical Society of the New York Courts to invite high school students statewide to participate in an art contest inspired by the American Bar Association’s 2024 Law Day theme, “Voices of Democracy.” This year’s Law Day theme underscores the importance of participating in elections by deepening our understanding of the elections process, discussing the issues with family, friends and others in a civil manner, and helping move the country forward after the election process.
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Submissions should be original pieces of art that depict what the Law Day 2024 theme means to the artist. All submissions must be received by April 11, 2024. The winners will be announced on May 1, 2024. First, second, and third prize winners will receive monetary prizes––courtesy of the Historical Society of the New York Courts––and have their artwork featured on the court system’s website

For more information, including links to the contest rules and the entry registration form, click here.

Monday, March 18, 2024

2024 Voting: key dates, resources, and hotline information

Each year, for both the June primary and November general elections (and the April primary for presidential election years), New York State runs an Election Protection Hotline during the early voting period and on Election Day.

Volunteers will troubleshoot issues and work with local boards of elections when necessary.

Persons who experience problems voting can call 1-866-390-2992 or submit a voter complaint here.

Important dates and deadlines are available here.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

How to make sure your solar glasses are real and safe for the eclipse

From WENY:

On Monday April 8th, 2024... a total solar eclipse will cross over North America. Many people will want to see it but, in order to do so, viewers will need to use protective eye wear.
Solar glasses are the most ideal method for checking out the solar spectacle but there are certain glasses you can use and others that you can’t. When purchasing glasses, you have to pay extra attention to which you’re buying and check if they meet certain requirements. The right glasses contain specific filters and a certain mark that you have to be on the lookout for.
To find out where you can purchase solar glasses of your own, NASA recommends the American Astronomical Society’s website. NASA also provides more on their website for when and where you can view the solar eclipse.

Monday, March 4, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update: March 2024

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Schuyler County officials unveil consumer pamphlets and information as part of National Consumer Protection Week

Watkins Glen, NY—Schuyler County officials are joining government agencies nationwide to commemorate National Consumer Protection Week.

The Schuyler County legislature has proclaimed the week of March 3 through March 9 as National Consumer Protection Week to provide information of interest to county consumers. In addition, the Schuyler County Office for the Aging and Schuyler County Attorney will be providing tips and resources relating to consumer protection information to protect Schuyler County residents from falling prey to scams, fraud, and identity theft.

This annual event marks a time when government agencies work together to promote consumer rights and educate the public on how to spot, report, and avoid becoming a victim of consumer fraud.

“Scams and frauds, including identity theft and phishing are a massive problem in society today,” Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman said. “If consumers learn about the best practices to keep their finances secure, they have a less likelihood of becoming a statistic. Every year Americans lose billions of dollars in losses and hardship.”

According to Office for the Aging Director Tammy Waite, seniors are an especially vulnerable target for scammers.

“Almost anyone under the right circumstances can fall for a phony offer or promotion, however, older Americans are usually more susceptible than others,” Waite said. “Scammers use promises of large financial gains or sometimes even romantic relationships to lure victims in, only to manipulate them into giving their life savings away. They prey on our older citizens who are trusting, vulnerable and can sometimes unknowingly fall for a scam.”

The Federal Trade Commission received 5.2 million victim reports describing more than $8.8 billion in losses to fraud in 2022 compared to $6.1 billion in losses the year prior. In that same time frame, investment scam losses more than doubled from $1.8 billion in 2021 to $3.8 billion last year.

To help combat scams, during Consumer Protection Week the County will distribute free pamphlets with website links and consumer protection information. The materials will be available at the County Office for the Aging, in Montour Falls, and the County Attorney’s Office in Watkins Glen. Information is also online at the county attorney website.

The Schuyler County Office for the Aging’s mission statement is to advocate for, educate and assist the senior and disabled populations of Schuyler County to live in the most independent and integrated setting through community collaboration providing for well-being/health, security, dignity, autonomy and choice through innovative home and community-based services. As director, Waite Supervises and conducts social, educational, recreational, and health programs for senior citizens under the direction of the New York State Office for the Aging and the federal Administration for Community Living.

As County Attorney, Getman is the chief legal advisor for county government and responsible for the prosecution and defense of civil actions brought by and against the county, including civil adult protective cases.

A copy of the legislature’s resolution is available here:

RECOGNIZE NATIONAL CONSUMER... by Steven Getman

Monday, February 19, 2024

Schuyler County hosts rabies clinic

The next Schuyler County Rabies clinic will be: Saturday, February 24, 2024 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, at the Shared Services Building 910 S. Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY.

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.

Other clinics are scheduled for later in 2024.

For more information, click here.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Happy Lincoln’s Birthday

Monday, February 5, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, February 2024

Monday, January 29, 2024

“Careers in the Courts” Videos Relased

NEWS RELEASE:

To better acquaint New Yorkers and others with the wide range of court
career opportunities available across the State–with the aim to further expand and diversify the pool of potential job candidates–Chief Administrative Judge Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George (have) announced the release of an engaging “Careers in the Courts” video series, narrated in part by Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson.

Following are synopses of the six videos comprising the Careers in the Courts series.

Careers in the Courts: Overview –– This film, narrated by Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson, features interviews with a diverse, eclectic group of employees in various court locations who explain what they do, why it matters, and the benefits of working for the court system.
Careers in the Courts: Court Officer — In this segment, Court Officer Jennifer Pacheco explains her role and why serving in this capacity is so professionally rewarding. “Court officers maintain security and courtroom decorum, providing safety for the customers who come in, as well as the staff.”
Careers in the Courts: Resource Coordinator — Here, Craig Stratton, at the time the resource coordinator with Albany’s Supreme Court and County Court, discusses his work helping those with substance abuse issues who find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. “Individuals have come into our court that really were in dire straits, in total desperation with no hope … I've seen them reunite with their families, I've seen them obtain employment, I've seen them even go back to college and obtain degrees.”
Careers in the Courts: Interpreting — Court interpreter Lourdes Cardona explains how important it is for people who come to court to find someone who speaks their language. “At the moment you speak the language, they know that they are going to be heard and they are going to be able to tell their story, to ask for the remedies that they're expecting the court to provide for them.”
Careers in the Courts: Administrative — Pearl Yu-Rodriguez, senior court clerk, and George Sanchez, clerical assistant, explain their respective jobs in three words, “to help people.”
Careers in the Courts: Court Reporter –– Court reporter Cyndi West discusses the importance and variety of her work. “It's always something different. You can come in one day and you're doing a murder trial. You can come in the next day, you're doing a trial in Surrogate’s Court or an adoption. The next day you could be doing a contested matrimonial. It's fascinating. It's never dull and I absolutely love it.”

Monday, January 22, 2024

New help for victims of economic abuse announced

Effective this month, the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will begin distributing informational materials on economic abuse.

Informational materials for victims and survivors of domestic- and gender-based violence will include connections to housing resources, local social service offices, and more to help individuals attain safety and stability.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 90 percent of survivors of domestic violence have suffered economic abuse, but many people do not see themselves as being in an abusive relationship if they are not being physically harmed.

For more information, click here.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Ronald Reagan:

"Each year on Martin Luther King Day, let us not only recall Dr. King, but rededicate ourselves to the Commandments he believed in and sought to live every day: Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart, and thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. And I just have to believe that all of us -- if all of us, young and old, Republicans and Democrats, do all we can to live up to those Commandments, then we will see the day when Dr. King's dream comes true, and in his words, "All of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning. . . land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

(President Reagan, Coretta Scott King, Bob Dole and others at the signing ceremony for HR 3706 making the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. a national holiday. 11/2/1983)

Monday, January 8, 2024

Second Amendment Legal Update, January 2024

Monday, January 1, 2024

New York State laws taking effect in 2024

Nexstar Media Inc. reports on some of the new laws taking effect in New York State in 2024, including:

• Increasing the minimum wage.

• Raising the Age for Operation of ATVs by minors.
• Requiring religious dietary food options in prisons.
• Mandating free menstrual products in non-public schools.
• Declaring Lunar New Year as school holiday.
• Expanding victims and survivors of crime eligibility for compensation funds.
• Requiring skimming notices for EBT cards in stores.
• Prohibiting employers from accessing employees’ social media accounts.
• Encouraging student voter registration and pre-registration.

For more on these new laws, including the text of each, click here.