Newsmakers Interview, Road Construction, Fire Dept. Open House

If you didn't get a chance to watch my interview with Dan Cummings on Newsmakers this weekend, you can see it online. We talked about the Independent Democratic Conference, the state budget process, and more.

Avoid Road Construction

We know spring has arrived in Central New York when road construction begins. The state Department of Transportation’s 511NY website has updated travel and traffic information, including an interactive map of road construction sites. Or, download the mobile app and set up customized preferences for traffic conditions.

Fire Departments Host Open Houses

Fire departments across New York will open their doors and truck bays April 26 and 27 for the fourth annual RecruitNY campaign in an effort to recruit more volunteer firefighters. Departments will host tours of their firehouses and fire equipment, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and offer activities. Members will discuss the requirements of being a volunteer and the rewards that come from being a firefighter. Participating fire departments include:

Madison County

• Canastota, E. Center St., Canastota, April 26
• Cazenovia Fire Dept., 121 Albany St., Cazenovia, April 26-27
• Chittenango Fire Dept., 417 E. Genesee St., Chittenango, April 27
• Georgetown Fire & EMS, Route 26 S., Georgetown, April 26
• Morrisville Fire District, Union St., Morrisville, April 26-27

Onondaga County

• Cicero Fire Dept., 8377 Brewerton Rd., Cicero, April 26
• Fabius Fire Dept., 7825 Main St., Fabius, April 27
• Hinsdale, 113 Malden Rd., Mattydale, April 26-27
• Lyncourt Fire Dept., 2909 Court St., Syracuse, April 26-27
• Mattydale Fire Dept., 173 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale, April 26
• North Syracuse Fire Dept., 109 Chestnut St., North Syracuse, April 26
• South Bay Fire Dept., 8817 Cicero Center Rd., Cicero, April 26

More information is available on the RecruitNY website. 

Brush Burning Prohibited Until May 14

Just a reminder, because of increased fire risk typical during the spring months, residential brush burning in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents is prohibited in New York State from March 16 through May 14, 2014.

New York adopted tougher restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce pollution emissions. Fire department data for 2010-2013 showed a 56 percent reduction in wildfires during the burn ban period for these years as compared to the previous five years.  In addition, 80 percent of all communities across New York had a reduction in the number of fires as compared to the previous 10 years.

NYFVI is Seeking Advice from NY Dairy and Field Crop Producers

The New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI)  is a farmer-led nonprofit that awards grant funds for projects that help farms across New York become more profitable and sustainable. One of the ways that NYFVI ensures that funds are directed towards projects that truly help farmers is to ask farmers themselves to prioritize research and education ideas. NYFVI is asking producers to take a few minutes to let them know which research ideas will have the most benefit. Clck here to complete the survey. 

Youth Works Program Expands

The New York Youth Works Program helps young people find job-readiness training, get into the workplace, and succeed in their jobs. Businesses will be offered a wage subsidy of up to $3,000 in the form of tax credits to immediately put to work young people from at-risk communities. The business must retain the worker for at least six months and is eligible for an additional tax credit of up to $1,000 for the following six months if the young worker is retained. Businesses interested in participating in the NY Youth Works program should visit jobs.ny.gov/youthworks. Youth interested in participating in the program can visit their local New York State Career Center, or call the New York State Department of Labor at (877) 226-5724.