Government & Politics

Democrats Endorse Three for General Election

April 26, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) The Madison County Democratic Committee held a business meeting after the program April 3. Members of the committee and interested others heard afterward from Sen. David J. Valesky (D – Oneida), Assemblyman Bill Magee (D – Nelson) and Dan Lamb, all of whom were seeking endorsement of candidacies in the general election Nov. 6.

Valesky, 49th Senate District incumbent, is a candidate for the new 53rd Senate District in his sixth term; he spoke about the improvements in Albany as shown by the on-time budget. Valesky acknowledged that the legislature still has much work to do.

Magee, a candidate for his 12th term representing New York, now in the newly established 121 Assembly District, spoke about the networks of support he enjoys and his continuing representation of his constituents with regard to farm policy, as well as support for business development and local colleges.

Lamb, of Freeville, explained how he came to his present candidacy for Democratic nomination in the new 22nd U.S. Congressional District, which extends north from Binghamton, including the entirety of Broome, Cortland, Chenango, Madison and Oneida counties and portions of Tioga, Herkimer and Oswego counties.

Lamb has served for 14 years as manager of Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s Binghamton and Ithaca offices and decided to run after Hinchey announced that he would not run for another term in the redrawn district. Lamb spoke of the importance of electing a Democrat who understands the issues for the middle class that are posed at this time, especially with budget proposals before the house.

The Madison County Democratic Committee endorsed all three of these candidates. It also heard plans for the James and Dolly Madison Dinner in Oneida May 17, which will honor this year the Community Action Program and will be addressed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

In addition, vacancies on the committee were filled: Sara Chapman DuVal was nominated and confirmed to fill a vacancy in Hamilton Election District No. 3. In addition, Don Kelley from town of Eaton and Robert Mann from the city of Oneida were elected to fill vacancies in their respective areas.

Filed Under: Government & Politics, Hamilton, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Nelson, Oneida

Kicinski Files Petitions for Congress

April 25, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

(Earlville, NY – April 2012) Michael Kicinski of Earlville has filed petitions to run as a Republican candidate in the new New York 22nd Congressional District; petitions were filed April 16 with the state Board of Elections in Albany.

“I am humbled at the support and encouragement I have received so far,” said Kicinski. “There are many residents who know that the other candidates do not represent their values and principles. I want to be that voice for them. My vote in Congress will be their vote.”

Kicinski said that many grassroots supporters assisted in the gathering of petition signatures during the past three weeks. He plans to build a campaign team and put his fundraising plans into action as soon as possible.

“Our message will be one that addresses the pressing needs and concerns of families and citizens,” Kicinski said. “The future of our country is at stake, and the economic and moral climates need to improve if we are to survive. The burdens on individuals and businesses must be relaxed. Many feel that the current representative has not effectively addressed these issues. I will accept and take on this challenge.”

Congressional primary day is June 26.

Filed Under: Earlville, Government & Politics

Public Hearing on Wind dGEIS Draws Full House

April 25, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

Madison Town Supervisor and Town of Hamilton Opposed

By Chris Hoffman

(Town of Madison, NY – April 2012) The crowd at the Public Hearing before the Town of Madison Planning Board nearly filled the 350-seat auditorium at Madison Central School on April 18. The hearing opened at 7 p.m. and more than 40 local residents read comments until almost 10:30 p.m.

Comments were overwhelmingly opposed to the project, with only 7 in favor, most of whom were members of the Stone Family who live near the existing windmills on Stone Road and who stated they have experienced no adverse affects. Several speakers subsequently pointed out, however, that comparing the two projects is meaningless because of the difference in size, scope, and siting.

The proposed wind farm would site 36 turbines within and around a residential area that contains over 150 homes, with each turbine nearly 500 feet tall and within setbacks of 1,000 feet from existing homes. Additionally, the proposed turbines are a new model with no track record, as they have never been used anywhere in the country.

Speakers represented a broad demographic spectrum – people who have lived here since they were young children; people who relocated here to get away from industrialization and overcrowding; fourth generation farmers and new farmers; business owners with past experience in the energy and construction industries; homeowners who have lived here for decades and built or bought their homes because of the proximity to a serene natural environment.

Many speakers addressed specific sections of the draft Generic Environmental Statement (dGEIS) submitted to the Planning Board for review, pointing out numerous flaws and inadequacies. Jane Welsh stated that the Planning Board should never have accepted the dGEIS for review because it is incomplete as it stands, and should have been returned to the developer for corrections.

Laura Wilson of Hamilton Village Real Estate and Sue Martin of Martin Realty both spoke to the “blatant inadequacy” of the section in the dGEIS concerning real property values, which sites a 2009 report that states, “neither the view of the wind facilities nor the distance of the home to those facilities is found to have any consistent, measurable, and statistically significant effect on home sales prices.” Both Wilson and Martin, who have more than 50 years of combined experience in the local real estate market, cited studies and data that refuted this conclusion, and termed the report relied on by the dGEIS as fatally flawed and outdated.

Bob Albrecht spoke of childhood memories of growing up on Thayer Road, where he and his brother Carl used to play in the woods among the trees, trees that he has always referred to as the “Witness Trees,” because they have been there so long that they bear witness to the generations of families who live in this area, noting that “individuals have a reasonable expectation to the quiet enjoyment of their homes.”

Eve Ann Shwartz spoke on behalf of the Hamilton Town Council.

“The Hamilton Town Council believes that the proposed project would violate Town of Hamilton laws adopted to protect our citizens from the negative impact of improperly planned windpower projects,” Shwartz said. “With the currently proposed siting, Hamilton properties bordering on the Madison town line may be subject to quality of life impingements and health concerns such as flicker effect and noise pollution. The Town of Madison’s current regulations and buffers are not as protective as those provided under the Town of Hamilton’s zoning.”

“While we understand that the Town of Madison’s laws control the development of land in Madison, we believe that the siting of wind farms is a unique type of land use,” she added. “Because wind turbines can be seen for many miles and the noise they generate and the shadows they create can extend for thousands of feet, their impacts can extend beyond town boundaries. We respectfully request that you honor the intent of our laws and modify the siting of the proposed project.”

Shwartz also addressed the potential impact on property values.

“The proposed project is sited within one mile of 92 properties in the Town of Hamilton, covering 1,807 acres with an assessed value of $8,716,400,” Shwartz said. “According to numerous studies, wind turbine projects have a negative impact on nearby property values. A recent study of more than 11,000 property transactions in Franklin, Clinton, and Lewis Counties found an average reduction in value of 7-15 percent for properties located within one mile of wind turbine projects. Owners of these 92 properties will experience a collective loss of value ranging from $610,148 to $1,307,460. The Town of Hamilton will likewise see its tax base eroded by the same amounts, resulting in lower property tax and sales tax revenues.”

Shwartz requested that the Town of Madison demand larger setbacks from properties located within the Town of Hamilton.

Additionally, Shwartz requested that any PILOT payments going to the Town of Madison be shared proportionally with the Town of Hamilton, “to reflect that portion of our town residents with impacted viewscapes, and that the PILOTS be increased to $7,500/MW in order to compensate Town of Hamilton taxpayers for the loss of property values.”

Town of Madison Supervisor Ron Bono stepped up to the microphone about midway through the evening. The room went silent, waiting to hear what Bono would say. He said, “After taking the trip to Hardscrabble Wind Farm in Fairfield last Sunday, and seeing windmills in every direction, I now want to see the size and number of these proposed windmills reduced, as I do not want to change the landscape of Madison.” The crowd erupted in applause.

The Town of Madison Planning Board will continue to accept written comments on the dGEIS until 5 pm on Friday, May 18. Written comments will be given the same consideration as oral comments made at the public hearing, and may be submitted by mail (certified mail is recommended) to the Town of Madison Planning Board, P. O. Box 66, Madison, NY 13402. After the comment period ends on May 18, the Planning Board has 30 days to review all comments.

The dGEIS is available online at http://madisonmatters.org/dgeis/, where it has been divided into individual chapters and appendices for easier viewing.

Chris Hoffman is a freelance reporter for the Madison County Courier.

Filed Under: Environment and Nature, Government & Politics, Hamilton, Madison, Top Stories Tagged With: Bob Albracht, Chris Hoffman, Eve Ann Shwartz, hamilton town council, Hamilton Village Real Estate, Jane Welsh, Laura Wilson, madison central school, Madison Planning Board, Martin Realty, Ron Bono, Sue Martin, Town of Madison NY news

Natural Gas Referendum Passes

April 23, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) Village Administrator Sean Graham announced last week that the village of Hamilton municipal natural gas utility referendum passed. Passed 240 to 86, a total of 326 votes.

Filed Under: Announcements, Government & Politics, Hamilton

PAC 99 Schedule April 22-28

April 22, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

Monday, April 23, 2012

9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida Rotary Club Meeting of April 17: Hospitalists

9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Oneidas Club Meeting of April 19 with Mayor Don Hudson

9:50 a.m., 2:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Meeting of April 17

Tuesday, April 24

9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of April 18

9:50 a.m., 2:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.: City of Oneida Committee on the City Charter Meeting of April 18

Wednesday, April 25

9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Canastota Schools Board of Education Meeting of April 17

9:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.: Oswego County Legislature Meeting of April 12

10:52 a.m., 3:52 p.m. and 8:52 p.m.: Assembly Update with Bill Magee

11:07 a.m., 4:07 p.m. and 9:07 p.m.: Capitol Notebook with Brian Kolb

11:22 a.m., 4:22 p.m. and 9:22 p.m.: Assembly Calendar with Claudia Tenney

Thursday, April 26

9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Tomorrow’s World

9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Friendship Baptist Church Service of February 19

10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tomorrow’s World

Filed Under: Canastota, Government & Politics, Oneida, Religion, Sullivan

County Community Services Board to Meet

April 21, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

(Wampsville, NY – April 2012) The next meeting of the Madison County Community Services Board will be April 25 a5:30 p.m. in the Public Health Conference Room in Wampsville.

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Government & Politics, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Wampsville

Against Drilling

April 21, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

To the Editor:

Madison County Supervisors recently urged people to seek legal advice before selling energy rights; a warning too late for many. Land agencies have been using deceptive tactics on unsuspecting landowners for years; signing people up for as little as $2 an acre in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Land agents who show up at people’s homes with mineral rights contracts in hand have attempted to get people to sign leases giving up all their mineral rights vs. gas drilling rights, they have not honored their verbal promises, and in some cases “…companies try to record improper documents all the time, including adding five-year extensions to leases that explicitly rule them out” (Cortland County Clerk).

In 2011, a gas industry memo was made publicly known in which land agents were instructed on how to talk to homeowners: “don’t mention groundwater contamination or lost property values; downplay natural gas drilling is believed to be a greater threat then oil drilling; and describe hydraulic fracturing drilling process as ‘radioactive free,’” even though the memo concedes that is not accurate.

Two recent state Supreme Court rulings affirm communities have the right to ban drilling in its jurisdiction. Our townships should now have the courage to pass appropriate zoning ordinances; however, town boards in Madison County have failed to even enact moratoriums to protect us from these unethical and borderline illegal activities by land agents.

Call and ask your town supervisor why.

Gas exploration is risky; your property, your rights and your future property values are at risk. Neighboring communities will be affected, as well.

Selling or leasing of mineral rights is a critical decision; landowners could inadvertently lose control of their property. As drilling permits can be issued at any time upon the lifting of the state moratorium, wouldn’t it be wise for our townships to put a hold on hydrofracking and protect us?

Linda Steffen, Canastota

Editor’s note: Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker has issued numerous public warnings to seek legal counsel specializing in mineral rights issues before signing anything regarding property rights; the recent advisory relates to sale of mineral rights, as opposed to lease of mineral rights, which has been typical until recently. Land agents frequently are independent operators who sell the leases they collect to the highest ‘bidder,’ and are not affiliated with any particular gas exploration company. Hydraulic fracturing is one type of drilling method to extract natural gas and does not cover all facets of natural gas exploration or production.

Filed Under: Canastota, Environment and Nature, Government & Politics, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Opinion-Editorial

Town Could Better Utilize Website

April 20, 2012 By margo 1 Comment

To the Editor:

(Madison, NY) The purpose of a website for a town is to tell its citizens about town issues and town business and to make it easy for citizens to contact their elected and appointed officials.

The town of Madison has finally put up a website ($107 a year). You can find it through the county site or at townofmadisonny.org/. When you get to the site, you’ll not find the email address of the town or of any official except the historian.

It’s been four weeks since the March 8 town board meeting, and the draft minutes have not been posted. Nor have the minutes of planning board meetings been posted. Nor have any meeting agendas been posted.

We pay for a secretary to record the minutes of town board and planning board meetings. There is no reason why those minutes can’t be posted to the town website the next business day labeled ‘draft’ until approved at the next meeting.

There is no reason why the agenda of town and planning board meetings can’t be posted some days in advance so that interested people might attend or contact the supervisor or a member of a board to ask questions or offer opinions.

Those things should be our common practice. Now, with the wind turbines a hot issue in town, our town supervisor should make use of the website to keep democracy alive in Madison.

Stanley H. Roe, Hamilton

Editor note: New York State Freedom of Information/Open Meetings laws require minutes of public meetings be made available to the public two weeks after the meeting. Minutes are not required to be taken of executive session discussions unless action is taken in executive session. If action is taken in executive session, those minutes must be made available to the public within five days. Municipal boards may not take action to allocate public funds in executive session. The law does not have provisions regarding creating agendum, nor does it require the approval of minutes. Robert Freeman, executive director of the Committee on Open Government, strongly urges online posting of documents explicitly accessible under FOIL. For more information on New York State’s Freedom of Information or Open Meetings Law, visit dos.ny.gov/coog/index.html or Google “COOG.”

Filed Under: Government & Politics, Hamilton, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Opinion-Editorial

Hamilton: It Takes a Village

April 18, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

Think Local

By Chris Hoffman

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) Awhile back, for a little over three years, I served as the official recording secretary for the Village of Hamilton, and as such I attended monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Municipal Utilities Commission (MUC), the Airport Commission, the Planning Board, and occasionally the Zoning Board of Appeals. At the outset, I had no idea what to expect, for I had no experience at that point in my life with rural government. But I soon observed that everyone who serves on these boards and commissions takes their responsibilities very seriously, and during those three years I learned a lot about local government.

Recently I attended a presentation given by Hamilton Mayor Margaret Miller and Village Administrator Sean Graham. The purpose of the presentation was to provide the public with information about the Village’s plans to form a natural gas utility in order to make natural gas available to Village residents to use for cooking and heating.

Much has already been written about the project itself, so I won’t repeat that information here. What I want to focus on is the process that Hamilton’s officers employ, because how something is done is often every bit as important, if not more important, as what is done.

One primary word comes to mind when I think back on sitting in the audience and listening to Margaret and Sean: trust. Everything about the presentation, which began with a 1962 survey of Village residents and culminated in an explanation of the current proposed timeline should the project win approval by referendum vote on April 17, indicated that Sean and Margaret – along with John Basher, President of the MUC; Bob McVaugh, Chair of the Planning Board; Deputy Mayor Russ Lura; and Trustees Dominick Pangallo, Deborah Kliman, and Sam Cooper – are public servants who have made every effort to educate themselves, bring in outside expertise, study the potential savings for residents and the three largest consumers (Colgate University, Community Memorial Hospital, and Hamilton Central School), and then draft a sensible and feasible plan to make it work for everyone. Key word: everyone. Not just the biggest, or the most vocal, or the wealthiest, or the most influential. Everyone.

This is how local government should function, and it is precisely how local representatives should work for their constituents – thorough homework, a visionary approach, no BS, no equivocation, no non-answers, no squirming. Just straight up communication, dependable information, direct eye contact with people asking questions, and body language that communicates honesty, involvement, and confidence in their work so that they’re comfortable with the decisions made and how they were made. Their demeanor in a public forum conveyed their obvious belief that everyone has a right to share in the process and understand the rationale behind the project.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve attended similar meetings in other places and listened to non-answers and watched board members sink into their chairs and avoid eye contact because fundamentally they haven’t done a good enough job, and deep down inside they know it. Questions make them nervous, especially questions about things no one has thought of, or questions that have the potential to threaten a particular project because there’s a hidden agenda.

Not so in Hamilton. On the few occasions when someone asked a question that did not have a concrete answer, Sean explained why and promised to get an answer.

The advantages of the Village forming its own natural gas utility are many, from saving as much as 40 percent on heating bills to setting the stage for economic development with local control and local oversight to creating new jobs for local people whose salaries would then circulate in the local economy.

It’s never easy to get everyone to agree on something as significant as this project, which will entail widespread construction and disruption throughout the Village for a period of time. Change is never easy, but I truly believe that if you live in the Village of Hamilton, you can trust that your elected and appointed officials are working for you, with your best interests at heart for the long haul. You can be proud of the work they do on behalf of Hamilton residents, its businesses, and most importantly, the future of the Village itself.

Chris Hoffman lives in the village of Sherburne in her 150+ year-old house where she caters to the demands of her four cats, attempts to grow heirloom tomatoes and herbs and reads voraciously. She passionately pursues various avenues with like-minded friends to preserve and protect a sustainable rural lifestyle for everyone in Central New York.

Filed Under: Government & Politics, Hamilton, Opinion-Editorial, Think Local

Water Rates Lag Behind Inflation

April 18, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

Superintendent Gives Annual Report

(Oneida, NY- April 2012) The Oneida City Water Board met Tuesday April 10 for its regular meeting.

The first item on the agenda was a turn off for non-compliance of the Backflow Policy at 108 Madison St.

The Backflow Policy requires testing of the device annually. Invoices were sent to the owner, Jerden Genge Jr. on Jan. 17, Feb. 21 and March 19, 2012. The invoices remain unpaid. There will be an additional charge for the turn off. Water Superintendent Arthur Smolinski reminded the Water Board that the owner of the property has a personal responsibility to have the device annually tested and submit the results to the Water Department.

The board agreed Smolinski would notify Genge that if the backflow device at this location is not tested, and the results returned to the Water Department within ten (10) days, water service to this location will be turned off.

The last item on the agenda was the 2011 Oneida Water Department Annual Report. Snolinski gave a thorough over view that included employee numbers, water quality, operating expenses, water rates, usage and sales, the department’s budget, equipment and maintenance, service line replacement, fund balance and projected revenue.

He explained that there were two new employees hired and one resignation at the Water Treatment Plant. All other staffing levels remained the same. Total staffing last year was 16- and-a-half, current staffing is 17-and-a-half. There are two anticipated retirements in 2012. That will bring the total staff to 15-and-a-half.

There was a slight increase in fund balance of $18,211.00. Water rates increased 2 percent for retail customers and sales (consumption) decreased 3.2 percent overall. Water rates have lagged behind inflation.

The number of customers has remained steady. The unaccounted for water loss has increased to 28 percent of the clearwell flow. That is 227 million gallons lost between the Treatment Plant and the individual users.

Smolinski told the Board that due to the mild winter employees were able to devote more time to leak detection. Four leaks were found this spring. The cuts to the 2012 budget resulted in the elimination of the $8,000 to $10,000 the leak detection planned for 2012.

Capital improvements in 2011 included converting Baker from gas to liquid chlorine. Tepid showers and a chlorine tank shut off were installed at the Treatment Plant. The work was completed using Water Department employees. There was 2,728 feet of pipe installed in 2011. Linden, Mott and Cedar Streets were the streets that received the new 8-inch pipe. In the last 22 years, 24.3 percent of the systems pipes have been installed.

There were 162 meters replaced in 2011. That is down from 2010 when the City replaced 330 meters. Currently, there are 114 meters still over the target age of 19 years.

There were no turns offs for non-payment last year. Smolinski is waiting to hear from the City Attorney on the constitutionality of the revised City turn off policy.

There were twelve water main breaks in 2011. This is an increase of six over 2010. Smolinski is unsure what caused the number to increase. It could have been ground water, ground shift or someone creating a water hammer.

All required testing was performed in 2011. Water Quality remains good. Currently, the City is in compliance with THM and HAA5 levels set by the State Health Department. Smolinski anticipates that in the future when Stage 2 testing is implemented, the City will not be in compliance. At this time he feels that aerating the tanks at Baker may solve the problem.

Vehicle maintenance costs were a little lower in 2011. Property taxes increased by $19,310.00. The cost of pipe and hydrants has increased significantly. The current budget has $45,000 for pipe. That will only allow for 1,000 feet of pipe to be replaced. At that rate the life span of the pipe would reach unrealistic levels. It is important to maintain the infrastructure owned by the Water Department.

The board notes were compiled and submitted by Donna Osier, Clerk of the Board.

Filed Under: Government & Politics, Oneida

Madison Board to Discuss Wind Farm Moratorium

April 18, 2012 By margo Leave a Comment

By Chris Hoffman

(Madison, NY – April 2012) At the regular meeting of the Madison Town Board on Thursday April 12 citizens concerned about the proposed wind farm once again packed the house. Many questions focused on the relationship between the Town Board and the Planning Board and the functions and responsibilities of each in reviewing the application to site a 36-turbine wind farm off Bonney Hill Road.

Jane Welsh submitted to Town Supervisor Ron Bono a four-page draft of a new Local Law that would impose a 12-month moratorium on applications and proceedings as well as the issuance of approvals or permits for the construction of Wind Power Facilities (other than Residential Wind Power Facilities) within the Town of Madison. Welsh requested that the Board review the proposed law along with the Town attorney and consider adopting it. Many citizens expressed approval of enacting a moratorium in order to allow time to revise the special use permit regulations for wind energy that the Town adopted in April 2011. At the Planning Board meeting on April 4, Chair Roger Williams agreed that the regulations as currently written are inadequate “and need to be revised.”

After significant discussion, the Town Board agreed to convene a Special Joint Meeting of the Town and Planning Boards for the purpose of considering the proposed moratorium. Citizens at the meeting, joined together as “Madison Matters,” expressed their desire and willingness to work with both boards and offered their expertise and significant research undertaken to date.

The Special Joint Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 25. Details of the location and time of the meeting will be posted at madisonmatters.org as soon as they are finalized.

Residents Contribute to Legal Fund

As of Friday, April 13, Madison Matters announced that, thanks to the generous contributions of numerous citizens, the Legal Fund created less than three weeks ago has reached the minimum goal necessary to retain a lawyer with expertise in representing citizen groups to protect their communities from corporate takeover should it become necessary to take the matter to court.

Upcoming Meetings

The public hearing on the proposed wind farm will be held on Wednesday April 18 at 7 pm at Madison Central School. This public hearing is the forum in which citizens can submit oral and written comments on the draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement. All comments then become part of the official record and must be taken into consideration during the Planning Board’s review process by which a decision will be made to grant or deny a special permit.

On Tuesday April 24 at 7 pm at the Masonic Lodge in Hamilton, Jonathan P. Knauth, a professional engineer, will give a presentation on “Wind Energy: What’s It All About?” Knauth will provide an overview of the economic and technical effectiveness of industrial wind power, as well as its impacts on the natural and human environments. His presentation is designed to assist communities in making informed judgments regarding the scope and siting of wind energy projects. This is an opportunity to hear an expert explain complicated scientific and engineering concepts in language that laypersons can understand.

Chris Hoffman is a freelance writer/reporter for the Madison County Courier.

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Government & Politics, Hamilton, Hubbardsville, Madison

Madison County Youth Bureau Celebrates National County Government Month

April 17, 2012 By margo 1 Comment

By Tina Louis

(Madison County, NY – April 2012) April is National County Government Month. The Madison County Youth Bureau is celebrating this month by organizing job shadowing opportunities for youth. Job shadowing provides exposure to the variety of occupations available in county government and helps youth understand how county departments function.

On April 3 students participating in the Local Government Intern program, coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension, had the opportunity to participate in Job Shadow Day. Job Shadow Day has been organized by the Youth Bureau since 2008. To date, a total of 115 students have participated in at least a full day of career exploration.

Students have commented positively over the years on the job shadow experience.

“People can’t learn this in a classroom. It’s a more visual, hands on experience,” said Cassandra O’Brien, Class of 2011, Morrisville Eaton Central School. “It is important for students to venture into the adult world before they are forced by age,” Kathryn Costello, Class of 2011, Cazenovia High School.

“There are so many different jobs with varying degrees of education and skill level that students can explore a wide variety of occupations to shadow,” said Tina Louis, Youth Development Specialist for the Madison County Youth Bureau. “Students are surprised to find out that they can learn about engineering through the Highway Department or the responsibilities of restaurant management through Environmental Health. There are numerous skill sets that our county workforce possesses and they enjoy sharing their day with eager and inquisitive high school students.”

Ten students from Chittenango High School will also be offered a day to shadow occupations at the county complex on April 19. The group has participated in leadership sessions facilitated by Louis since the spring of 2011. “I think the opportunity to see a job in action will be beneficial to their daily work as students and help them to plan for their futures.”

Brookfield students will visit Wampsville on April 30. These students encompass two programs offered by the Madison County Youth Bureau. BEST, Brookfield Events Supported by Teens, is a group formed to address needs in the community. Group members graduate to BEST from Government Group, a group that learns about the functions of local government. On April 30th, BEST members will participate in a Job Shadow Day while Government Group students participate in a tour of county departments in order to bring life to what they have learned in group sessions back in Brookfield.

“Brookfield is a small community in the southern most end of Madison County. It is important for these students to see and understand what happens in Wampsville with respect to decision making as well as career opportunities,” said Louis.

County departments who will host students in the month of April include; County Clerk, Courts, District Attorney, Employment and Training, Historian, Information Technology, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Social Services, Solid Waste and Sanitation, and the Youth Bureau. A total of 23 students will be on the county campus in April to explore a variety of career paths.

For more information on job shadowing or other youth programs in Madison County call the Youth Bureau office at 366-2574.