December 18, 2015 ___ __
HAWLEY WISHES CONSTITUENTS HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ENCOURAGES HELP FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today wished his constituents and all New Yorkers happy holidays as we approach the Christmas and New Year’s season. Hawley also encouraged residents to take advantage of the many programs and charitable organizations in their local communities.
“I would like to wish all my constituents a Merry Christmas and enjoyable holiday season,” Hawley said. “Please take this time of year to relax, enjoy the company of family and friends, and give gifts to those most important in your life. Also, take time to reflect on those servicemen and women defending our country overseas who will not be home with their families this holiday season. Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can safely enjoy this special time of year.
“Despite the joy and comfort that comes with the holidays, it remains a struggle for many families in our communities, and many children are not fortunate enough to receive presents for Christmas. But, with your help, we can change that. I encourage my constituents and all New Yorkers to consider donating to the tremendous organizations we have here locally.”
- The Salvation Army provides clothing and other necessities to those in need during the holiday season. Donate today by visiting http://empire.salvationarmy.org/.
- Consider donating a holiday basket to a needy family through the Community Action of Orleans and Genesee by visiting http://www.caoginc.org/.
- Make a child’s Christmas wish come true by donating to Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org.
- Catholic Charities offers a wide array of volunteer opportunities geared toward the holidays at http://www.catholiccharitiesnyvolunteer.org/Holiday.
Episcopal Charities offer food panties, community kitchens and a wide variety of services during the holidays. Learn how to help at http://episcopalcharities-newyork.org/.
December 17, 2015 ___ __
UPSTATE INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS TOO: HAWLEY RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT LAKE ONTARIO PARKWAY AND CANAL BRIDGES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) was joined by members of the Assembly Republican Conference, local highway workers and other local leaders at a press conference in Canandaigua Thursday
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) spoke at a press conference Thursday in Canandaigua calling on Gov. Cuomo to more equitably fund the Western New York infrastructure, specifically the Lake Ontario Parkway and the plethora of Erie Canal lift bridges in his district. The governor has recently pledged more than $8.3 billion in taxpayer money to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) and $4 billion to fund the Tappan Zee Bridge rebuild.
“The Lake Ontario Parkway should be a heavily trafficked route in my district and is paramount to the tourism industry and local economy,” Hawley said. “Local Senators and I have written Gov. Cuomo multiple times and met with a multitude of local groups concerned about this roadway to no avail. Furthermore, my Assembly District contains over half of the lift bridges on the entire Erie Canal system and they are in dire need of repair. We need to protect the safety of the families and businesses that use these routes every day. It is about time for Western New York to be treated fairly. We are part of New York too.”
December 11, 2015 ___ __
MÜLLER QUAKER DAIRY CLOSING BUT UPSTATE REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE MEANS BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today commented on the apparent closing of the Müller Quaker Dairy Plant in Batavia as well as economic development opportunities ahead as a result of the Finger Lakes Region winning the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.
“I am disheartened to learn of the closing of the Müller Quaker Dairy Plant as a result of the company’s sale to Dairy Farmers of America (DFOA). The news comes as a shock but my hope is that DFOA will open a new facility in Western New York very soon and re-hire many of the same employees that will be laid-off due to Mueller Quaker’s closing. I look forward to working with DFOA in the future and wish the company the best of luck.”
$120.1 million was awarded for 134 projects in the Finger Lakes Region. They include: $750,000 was awarded to Genesee Biogas to purchase new equipment in the Genesee Industrial Agricultural Park, LLC, $420,000 to the Genesee County Economic Development Center, $500,000 to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation to expand infrastructure, $1.5 million to install new water lines at the STAMP Park in Alabama, $600,000 for the Orleans County Economic Development Center and $70,000 to fund the Orleans Renaissance Group.
“Although I am discouraged by the closing of the Müller Quaker plant in Batavia, I am inspired by the opportunities that await us in execution of the dozens of projects in my district funded through the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and Upstate Revitalization Initiative. These six project only scratch the surface of what we have in store for Western New York and I look forward to assisting with the dozens of projects throughout my district in any way possible.”
December 9, 2015 ___ __
HAWLEY AGREES WITH SEVERAL COUNTY SHERIFFS: PROTECT YOURSELF DAILY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today issued a statement in response to several county sheriffs across New York State who are urging legal pistol permit holders to carry their weapons for protection on a daily basis.
“As an unwavering supporter of the Second Amendment, I agree with and support the stances of over a dozen county sheriffs who have urged pistol permit holders who are allowed to carry a concealed weapon to do so. The tragic events in San Bernardino have demonstrated that acts of terrorism can happen anywhere across the country and civilians should consider arming themselves for protection.”
To date, at least a dozen county sheriffs state-wide have supported Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum’s plea to encourage constituents to arm themselves if they are legally allowed. They include: Sheriff Michael Schiff of Sullivan County, Sheriff Mike Carpinelli of Lewis County, Sheriff David Cole of Steuben County, Sheriff Barry Virts of Wayne County, Sheriff William Yessman of Schuyler County, Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. of Chenango County, Sheriff Carl DuBois of Orange County, Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy of Washington County and Sheriff Thomas J. Lorey of Fulton County.
“I recently visited New York City for the annual Times Square tree lighting ceremony and I can attest that deterrent tactics are effective. In large metropolitan areas, it is easy to establish a very apparent and saturated police presence. But, what downstate gun control advocates do not understand is that Upstate New York can be very rural and police may be twenty minutes away from a home or business in the event of an emergency. This can literally mean the difference between life and death. It is our constitutional right to protect ourselves from violence and terrorism and I encourage my constituents to be vigilant.”
December 4, 2015 ___ __
BROCKPORT CEMETERY NOMINATED FOR STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that the Brockport Cemetery, also known as the High Street Cemetery, has been nominated for the New York State Register of Historic Places. The burial ground was established in 1829 and was the final resting place for over 1,800 citizens until 1891. The cemetery also includes a memorial for Brockport veterans who are buried at the site, many of whom fought in the Civil War. When the cemetery is officially approved for the registry, it will become eligible for historical preservation state grants and services, and rehabilitation tax credits will become available for local groups and individuals.
“I am proud and honored to have a place of such historical significance within my Assembly District,” Hawley said. “Brockport is an extraordinary community with historical overtones dating back to its founding around the turn of the 19th Century. Due to Brockport’s age, most of the details surrounding the cemetery have been lost to history. But, after the Brockport Cemetery is officially approved for the State Register of Historic Places, it will become eligible for a variety of state grants and tax credits to help local historical preservation groups rehabilitate the site and build more detailed documentation of its development and history. I encourage local constituents to take a trip back in time and visit the Brockport Cemetery. It is truly a remarkable piece of history.”
December 1, 2015 ___ __
CONVICTION OF SILVER TURNING POINT IN ALBANY, GOP ETHICS REFORMS WAITING ON DECK
A Statement by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia)
“The conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on all seven counts yesterday signals a shift in the way business is done in Albany. Corruption and quid pro quos have been an unfortunate reality of New York’s culture for decades, and Silver’s conviction may be the beginning of the end of tolerating these types of abuses. For years, members of the Assembly Majority blindly re-elected Silver as Speaker and voted yes on his hand-picked legislation in exchange for campaign donations, district pet projects and political protection. My hope is that the powerful, entrenched autocrats who once controlled the state’s political process are a thing of the past and the Assembly finally embraces real ethics reform.
“The Assembly Minority Conference has led the charge on meaningful ethics reform for years. While others, including the governor, have touted watered-down reforms and passed useless one-house bills, we are the only conference to champion the strongest anti-corruption package in state history. The Public Officers Accountability Act would restrict campaign spending, make it a crime for failing to report corruption, and institute term limits for legislative leaders. Furthermore, we have introduced a bill that would strip corrupt public officials of their pension and retirement benefits. Unfortunately, both of these bills were defeated in committee by the Assembly Majority. Unless true ethics reforms are passed in Albany, we run the risk of further corruption as we have seen far too often over the past several years.”
