Local leaders call on Gov. Hochul to crack down on ‘sticker stores’

Finger Lakes Daily News

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C-Big Flats) on (January 12) joined regional law enforcement representatives and other local leaders to call on Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democrat leaders of the State Legislature to approve legislation and crack down on the proliferation of businesses, commonly known as “sticker stores,” illegally dispensing and selling marijuana throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide.

O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend currently sponsor legislation (S9365/A9815, Note: This legislation is being reintroduced and will receive new bill numbers for the 2023 legislative session) that, if enacted, would strengthen existing law, outlaw sticker stores, and establish criminal and civil penalties for violators. Any civil penalties collected by the state would be remitted to the county of the violating establishment.

They called on Hochul and the Democrat leaders of the Senate and Assembly to immediately enact the legislation.

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend said, “New York State needs to stop the proliferation of illegal marijuana ‘sticker stores’ throughout the region we represent and statewide. These illegal operations diminish the quality of life and risk the safety of the communities and neighborhoods where they operate. New York State is establishing a legal and appropriately regulated network of adult-use recreational marijuana dispensaries, with all the necessary safeguards. While we opposed the legalization of marijuana from the outset, if it’s going to go forward, it needs to take place under a legally established system with the appropriate oversight. We need to make it clear that these illegal sticker stores cannot operate and that there are criminal and civil consequences for any owners who continue to do so.”

Calling on Hochul to step up state efforts to shut down the illegal operations, including the enactment of the legislation they sponsor, the area state legislators were joined in Watkins Glen today by the following regional law enforcement representatives and local leaders: Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey; Schuyler County Administrator Fonda Chronis; Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary; Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman; Schuyler County Legislator Phil Barnes; Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom; Chemung County Executive Assistant District Attorney Wayne Witherwax; Chemung County Legislator Bill McCarthy; Steuben County Sheriff James Allard; Steuben County Legislator Hilda Lando; Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard; Tioga County District Attorney Kirk Martin; Penn Yan Police Chief Thomas Dunham; and Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella.

Steuben County Man Jailed on Schuyler County Family Court Warrant

Watkins Glen --An Addison man was jailed on $200.00 bail by the Schuyler County Family Court on Thursday (November 1, 2018) on allegations he violated a prior court order.

According to papers filed with the court, Todd G. Jones, age 38, was found to be in contempt of court in July of this year and failed to appear for sentencing on September 11.   The contempt stemmed from his willful failure to obey an existing family court order from 2012.

At Thursday’s court appearance, Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, asked that Jones be sentenced to thirty days in jail, due to his history of non-compliance with court orders. In the alternative, Getman said, the court should set an appropriate bail, to ensure Jones appear for sentencing at a later date.

Jones, through his attorney, asked to be released, pending further proceedings.

After oral argument, Family Court Judge Dennis Morris ordered Jones held on $200.00 bail and set the matter down for further proceedings on November 13.  Jones was then returned to the Schuyler County Jail.

Under New York State law, willful failure to obey a valid Family Court order may subject a party to up to six months’ incarceration for contempt of court.

The County Attorney is the legal advisor to county government and serves as the prosecuting agency for various family court matters, including cases filed by the county’s social services and probation departments.

The charges against family court respondents are allegations and respondents are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Finger Lakes election results to be available online

Typically, many of the local boards of election will post their unofficial results online.

The websites for some local boards of election can be found below:

• Cayuga County
• Chemung County
• Ontario County
• Seneca County
• Schuyler County
• Steuben County
• Tompkins County
• Wayne County
• Yates County

Results usually start coming in shortly after the polls close at 9:00 pm and they are updated as new totals are calculated.

These sites are often a good way to keep track of local election results (village, town, county) that otherwise might not be available in the media until the next day.

Calling all superheroes to the CASA fun run

The Third Annual CASA Superhero 5K and 1K Fun Run is coming to Watkins Glen High School on Sunday, September 20.

Register by September 5 to save $5 on your entry and guarantee a free T-SHIRT for 12 and over, or a CAPE for all kids under 12. Teams are welcome.

Race Day Schedule of Events:
8:00 am Registration / Number Pick-Up
9:00 am 5K Race Start
9:45 am 1K Fun Run

Awards will follow immediately after the 1K Fun Run

If you are looking for an opportunity to do even more, take the Superhero Challenge: All Superheroes raising $100 or more get free entry. And all Superheroes or Superhero Teams that raise over $500 will be inducted into the CASA of the Southern Tier Justice League Hall of Fame on Race Day. Set up you sponsor page here to get started!

All proceeds from the race stay local for the advocacy of abused and neglected children in Schuyler, Chemung, and Steuben Family Court.

For information, click here.

Woman gets jail over back child support

Elmira Star-Gazette:

A Steuben County woman was ordered to serve four weekends in the Schuyler County Jail, beginning this weekend, for failing to pay over $1,000 in back child support.

The children live outside her home and are on public assistance in Schuyler County, Assistant County Attorney Steven Getman said.

Authorities did not disclose her name for privacy reasons.

The punishment was imposed Tuesday by Family Court Judge Dennis Morris.

For more on the story, click the link above.