Second Amendment Legal Update, December 2022

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.

Happy Thanksgiving

Schuyler County: Tourism Assistance Promotion Funding Application Deadline Extended

The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce is designated by the Schuyler County legislature as its Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) to represent Schuyler County and provide tourism promotion under the New York State Tourism Promotion Act.

The Chamber is responsible for allocating funding and supporting marketing activities that add to the welfare of Schuyler County; including supporting organizations that promote tourism and working with regional partners to bring growth to Schuyler County.

The Chamber will accept tourism assistance program (TAP) applications that support and demonstrate increased tourism promotion in Schuyler County, New York. The source of funding is a portion of the County’s Lodging receipts, and taxes collected on overnight stays within the County.

Applications will now be accepted until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 22nd.

Submit the completed digital application and supporting materials to TAPApplication@watkinsglenchamber.com no later than 5:00 PM on November 22, 2022. Applications may be mailed or delivered to the Chamber office at 214 N Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY.

Second Amendment Legal Update, November 2022

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.

Schuyler County Tax Foreclosure. Notice of Petition and Petition. Index No. 21-21

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE:

Please take notice that on 1 November 2022, 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, B, C and D, 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 February 28, 2023

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.

Notice and Petition Ind No. 21-21, In Rem Tax Foreclosure, Schuyler County, New York by Steven Getman on Scribd

New York Announces Increased Reimbursement for Crime Victims

© WNY Media Company:

With the previous cap set at $500, that means the new cap is now set at $2,500.

The money is designed to be used by victims to replace stolen, damaged or destroyed property during a crime.

The increased cap applies to any claim filed with the Office of Victim Services on or after October 6, 2022.

Schuyler County: National Drug Take Back Day dates, times and locations

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) are encouraging community members to participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Community members can drop off their expired, unused, or unwanted medications between 10 am and 2 pm at the Odessa and Tyrone Fire Departments.

Free/Reduced Fee Sporting Licenses for Senior Citizens Offered

A 2014 survey carried out by the Oulu Deaconess Institute found that hunters and fishers feel that their physical, social and mental well-being is enhanced by spending time outdoors. These activities benefit our economy, provide funding for conservation and wildlife management and directly connect us with life on our planet.

With this in mind, New York State offers free or reduced fee sporting license/privileges for a number of groups, including the following:

• Active-duty military members
• Military veterans with 40% or more service-related disability
• Juniors (15 and under)
• Persons with Disability
• Native American members of select tribes
• Full-time nonresident students attending a New York College/University
• Seniors (ages 70+)

The requirements vary by category. For senior citizens, 70 years and older who are New York State residents, they are eligible for the following:

• $5 each fishing, hunting and trapping licenses
• Free bowhunting and muzzeloading privileges ($5 base hunting license is required)

In order to qualify, the required documents/proof are:

• For hunting licenses/privileges or trapping license: an appropriate hunter education program certificate or previous license/privilege;
• Proof of NYS residency.

Eligible Schuyler County seniors can get their reduced-fee licenses at the Schuyler County Clerk’s Office, 105 Ninth Street, Watkins Glen, New York, as well as at several town offices and businesses throughout the county. A complete list of approved locations can be found at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.

Hunting and fishing in Schuyler County and New York State offer a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities. Purchasing a free or reduced fee license for these activities is an excellent way for seniors to support New York's wildlife management efforts and remain active in our great outdoors.

Schuyler County to take up call to repeal “unconstitutional” new state gun laws

Schuyler County is expected to join a host of other counties across New York opposing the state’s new gun laws imposing stringent new requirements for concealed-carry permits and firearm bans on most public and private properties.

On Wednesday (October 5), a committee of the Schuyler County Legislature approved a draft resolution asking the state to repeal the “New York State Conceal Carry Improvement Act” as “an unconstitutional infringement upon the Second Amendment right for law abiding citizens …to bear arms” that is “riddled with cumbersome, confusing, and redundant barriers of compliance” and which “does nothing to deal with the problems of crime and illegal firearms, especially in light of New York State’s ill-considered ‘bail reform’ laws.”

The resolution states that the new rules create “unfunded mandates,” and “potential threats to due process rights.” It also singles out the new rules requiring citizens to divulge their social media accounts as a potential violation of the First Amendment.

The resolution, prepared by Sheriff Kevin Rumsey and County Attorney Steven Getman, is expected to go the full legislature at its monthly meeting on Tuesday (October 11).

Various counties have issued similar resolutions, including by Allegany, Greene, Madison, Niagara, Seneca, Wayne and St. Lawrence counties.

The “New York State Conceal Carry Improvement Act,” which went into effect September 1, has led to court challenges from gun owners who say it improperly limits their constitutional rights. The new gun laws have also been subject to criticism by law enforcement groups and legal experts, including the New York State Sheriff’s Association and the President of the New York State Bar Association.

The measure was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 1, mere days after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated key parts of the state’s prior concealed-carry provisions as a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. The law was passed in the Senate on a party-line vote, with all 43 Democrats in favor and all 20 Republicans opposed.

Under the new law, applicants for a concealed-carry permit will have to complete 16 hours of classroom training and two hours of live-fire exercises and provide their social media accounts for review by law enforcement officials.

Additionally, even with a permit, ordinary citizens are prohibited from bringing guns to schools, churches, subways, theaters and parks, among other places deemed “sensitive” by the state. The list of prohibited spaces for carrying guns has drawn criticism from gun owners who say it is so extensive it will make it almost impossible for people to carry firearms outside the home without committing a felony.

Asked in June if there were any public places where carrying a firearm will still be allowed, Hochul said, “Probably some streets.”

Lawsuits challenging the new law have already appeared, including a complaint filed in the Northern District of New York alleging that “exorbitant fees, [a] slew of non-sensitive ‘sensitive locations’ and ‘restricted locations’ which include very public places (like parks and sidewalks), and incredulous demands for carry license applicants, all are entirely without historical example, and thus violate the Second Amendment.” The complaint also makes a First Amendment challenge to the social media submissions, arguing that New York is attempting to “use protected First Amendment activity to deny the exercise of another right.”

A complete copy of Schuyler County’s resolution can be found here.

Second Amendment Legal Update, October 2022

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.