Second Amendment Legal Update: March, 2021

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 PDF copy of this month's update, click here.

OSHA Issues Stronger Workplace COVID-19 Safety Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released updated guidance to assist most employers and workers with implementing a coronavirus prevention program and mitigating the risk of the spread of coronavirus.

The guidance titled, “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace” (Guidance) was prepared to comply with an Executive Order issued on January 21, directing the federal government to take “swift action to reduce the risk that workers may contract COVID-19 in the workplace.”

The complete document can be found here.

Ovid Town Board Offers Tax Relief to Seniors, Disabled.

The Ovid Town Board has unanimously adopted two local laws to provide partial property tax exemptions to senior citizens and resident property owners of the town with disabilities who have limited incomes.

Meeting via “Zoom” meeting, the town board determined at its regular meeting (Wed 2/10/21) that qualified property owners should be partially exempt from town real estate taxes on a sliding scale, based on income. Under the scale, persons with maximum income of $18,000.00 can be eligible for a fifty percent (50%) exemption, while those with higher incomes, up to $25,999.00 can receive exemptions ranging from forty-five (45%) to ten (10%) percent.

One law covered the senior exemption. The other set forth the exemption for disabled persons. Under the local laws, the sliding scale can be adjusted by resolution in the future, if the town board determines it appropriate to do so. Application for exemptions must be made annually to the Town Assessor's Office.

The local laws were drafted by Town Attorney Steven Getman at the request of Town Supervisor Joe Borst. All members of the town board voted to support the exemptions.

In addition to Borst, the members of the town board are Mark Couch, Erik Holmberg, John Hubbard and Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty. The town’s assessor is Anne Morgan.

Each local law is effective upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.

A copy of the draft minutes of the town board’s February 10 meeting, containing the text of both local laws, can be found at the town's website.

Second Amendment Legal Update: February, 2021

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 PDF copy of this month's update, click here.

New York: Large Weddings Allowed to Resume with Local Health Approval

New York State officials have announced that larger capacity weddings will be allowed to resume on March 15, subject to approval by local health departments (LHD).

Events can be held at 50% capacity with a limit of 150 attendees. All patrons attending the event are required to be tested for COVID-19. Local officials are awaiting additional guidance about the role that they are expected to play in approving these ceremonies, as well as the state’s testing parameters.

More coverage is available here.

Schuyler County “Bridging Community Connections” Event

Schuyler County officials, in conjunction with other state and local agencies, will be hosting a virtual panel discussion on “Bridging Community Connections,” and community resources available to youth and families living in Schuyler County.

The online event is Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 10:00 am. The keynote presentation will be by Jutta Dotterweich, and will focus on COVID-19’s impact on the emotional well-being of adolescents. The event will also be recorded for later viewing.

The registration deadline is February 19. The first 100 registrants will receive a “Bridging Communities” gift bag.

Interested community members can register for event by clicking here.

The event is sponsored by partnerships with the Schuyler County Youth Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Workforce New York, Council on Alcoholism and Addiction in the Finger Lakes, Glove House, Inc. and Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties.

Blowers Re-Elected Chair of Schuyler County Legislature

Republican Carl H. Blowers, of Montour Falls, was re-elected Chair of the Schuyler County Legislature at its annual reorganizational meeting held Wednesday.  The vote was unanimous.

In other action, the legislature unanimously acknowledged the reappointment of the deputy election commissioners (Kathryn Elkins, Democrat and Kristina Vondracek, Republican),  and reappointed Gary M. Emerson as County Historian.

Tim O’Hearn of Watkins Glen, remains as County Administrator, while Stacy Husted, of Montour Falls, continues as clerk of the legislature and Steven Getman,  of Watkins Glen, continues as Schuyler County Attorney.

The County of Schuyler is governed by an eight-person legislature, headed by its Chair.  Members serve staggered four-year terms.    The legislature, in turn, appoints various department heads to oversee the county’s day to day operations, including the county administrator, county attorney and clerk to the legislature.

The current members of the legislature are James W.D. Howell, Jr., Gary Gray, David M. Reed, Michael L. Lausell, Mark F. Rondinaro, Van A. Harp, Philip C. Barnes and Carl H. Blowers, Chairman.

The next regular meeting of the legislature will be Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:30 pm.

Second Amendment Legal Update: January, 2021

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 PDF copy of this month's update, click here.

Schuyler County Court employee tests positive for Coronavirus

A contact investigation is underway and is being conducted by the Schuyler County Health Department to identify close contacts and potential exposures. The Health Department will notify anyone who may have been exposed and will advise them as to what steps they need to take. The individual has been at home in isolation since samples were collected.

Schuyler County proclaims January 2021 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month.

The Schuyler County Legislature has passed a resolution to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The resolution, submitted to the legislature by the office of County Attorney Steven Getman, designates January 2021 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month, “to acknowledge the vital role that the people of the United States have in ending human trafficking and modern slavery, culminating in the observance on February 1, 2021, of National Freedom Day.”  It was passed  by the county legislature at its regular monthly meeting on Monday (December 14).

Human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services or commercial sex, Getman explained. It affects all populations and all economic classes, including both adults and children.

According to the resolution, human trafficking and modern slavery have been reported and investigated in each of the fifty states.   It calls for “continued partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as social service providers and nonprofit organizations to address human trafficking with a collaborative, victim-centered approach; and all other efforts to prevent, eradicate, and raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.”

According to Getman, the recognition period for National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month is because January 1 is the anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation and February 1, “National Freedom Day,” is the anniversary of the date on which President Lincoln sent the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which outlawed slavery, to the states for ratification.  The month was first federally recognized in 2010.

Getman noted that citizens who suspect an act of human trafficking in their area, can report a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. This national, toll free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country.

A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution is available below.

Resolution Supporting the r... by Steven Getman