Posted on 07/05/2007 9:35:08 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
HERKIMER — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer visited with political and business leaders Monday during a community meeting on local issues.
The visit to the Herkimer municipal office gave Schumer, D-NY, the opportunity to hear what was on the minds of the people he represents.
It also afforded him the opportunity to honor Little Falls Mayor Ted Wind, who was presented a citation for his 45 years of public service.
“I’m here to receive my homework,” Schumer said to the crowd after sharing a few antidotes. “This is my opportunity to get some ideas on how I can help the people of Herkimer County. I’m here to listen so I can roll up my sleeves and get to work when I head back to Washington.”
Not only did the senator listen to concerns, but he also had some good news for residents. He pledged to do everything in his power to make sure Remington Arms stays in Ilion, and said the anticipated $529,000 loss in Medicare payments to Little Falls Hospital would be reversed.
“You can tell the guys at Remington I’ll keep them here,” Schumer said to Ilion Mayor Mark Cushman. “I recognize that Remington Arms is one of the county’s major employers, and I promise to do everything in my power to make sure the plant remains here in Herkimer County.”
Schumer added that he is familiar with Cerberus Capital Management, which purchased Remington Arms in April.
“When I meet with the hedge funds, I’ll lobby for our local companies,” the senator said. “I am familiar with the Cerberus management team, and when I meet with them I’ll tell them not only how important it is to keep the Ilion plant open, but to think about expanding their operations here in Herkimer County. The people at Remington have a friend in me, and I promise to work on their behalf. Just let me know what they need.”
Cushman said Schumer’s pledge was welcome news and that he would share it with his constituents, as well as the Remington Arms employees.
As for Little Falls Hospital, Schumer said a bill is likely to be passed to reverse President Bush’s proposed cuts to the nation’s health care system. “We’re working on it, but we do have legislation that will reverse the $529,000 loss in Medicare payments to Little Falls Hospital,” he said. “The good news is that the bill will fully restore the $529,000 to the hospital. You can tell the hospital administrators relief is coming.”
District 12 Herkimer County Legislator Keith Davy, a former member of the hospital board, said he would take the news to the trustees.
“That certainly was welcome news, as Little Falls Hospital is the only hospital in the county,” Davy said.
Schumer also discussed the area’s flood response results, and the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“The response from FEMA and all of the other departments involved has been great,” Herkimer County Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Vandawalker said. “We did not experience any of the previous problems that other locales experienced. We have had a good relationship.”
As for the proposed New York Regional Interconnect power line that would extend from Oneida and Madison counties to Orange County, with a proposed alternate route that would impact Herkimer County, the senator said while he recognized the need for more power downstate, he could not condone a private company having the right to enforce eminent domain. After his visit to Herkimer, Schumer traveled to Wampsville where he introduced a bill amending the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which he said has allowed NYRI to circumvent strict state scrutiny in its proposal.
The bill, which could be discussed by federal lawmakers as early as September, gives states more authority to review and deny such proposals, limits a federal energy regulator’s authority to grant eminent domain on private property for new power lines and, if a state denies an application, stipulates that a company’s appeal to the federal government would only be considered if the state’s decision “lacked merit.”
“Our legislation would force NYRI to consider its options,” Schumer said. “The bottom line is, I have never seen a company show such contempt for local issues and local concerns. NYRI, for just about every turn in the road, has done it the wrong way. Basically, they have said it’s my way or no way.” The senator said he thinks most members of Congress would support the bill because it gives power back to their respective states.
The senator also pledged to renew the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, which helps dairy farmers survive artificially low milk prices.
Along the lines of economic development, Schumer said he would work with the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency and its executive director, Mark Feane, to increase the number of “shovel ready” development sites, industrial park or otherwise, in the county.
Wind said he was honored to receive the citation, and thanked Schumer for being a friend to Herkimer County. “I thank the senator for everything that he has done for the city of Little Falls, and for all of Herkimer County,” Wind said. “He’s been a true friend to Herkimer County.”
“This visit was a fine example of how much Senator Schumer cares about upstate New York,” Herkimer Village Trustee Gary Hartman said.
Monday’s visit was Schumer’s ninth to Herkimer County, and he did not leave empty handed as Herkimer Mayor Mark Ainsworth presented Schumer with a painting in celebration of the village’s bicentennial. The senator said the painting would find a home in his Washington office.
“Schumer said to the crowd after sharing a few antidotes”?
He should offer them anti-windbag pills, and a tonic that dissolves embedded high taxes.
Political promises mean nothing. Hillary was to bring 200k+ jobs to upstate NY. ????? Where???? If anything, upstate NY probably lost more than they gained.
“Cerberus Capital Management”
When are we going to get Chryslers with bolt-action rifles (or optional shotguns) mounted on them?
How about a Remmy 700 with every new car?
What a weasel,supports every gun control law in the world,but tell the boys art Remington I'm with 'em>
Crap, I was gonna order a XCR later this year but I better do it now before they go belly up...
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