Financial commitments for the local shuttle service were solidified this week, and a resolution was passed unanimously at the Herkimer County Legislature meeting on Wednesday, May 20.
The project, made possible through a Federal Rural Transit grant program accessed by the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study (HOCTS), has been the subject of rigorous negotiations since February. Continue reading
Controversial bed tax proposals have been forwarded twice in the Herkimer County Legislature, yet fell short of implementation when put to votes, according to Legislator Patrick Russell of Old Forge. Yet, bed tax murmurings are again being heard among pockets of legislators.
The first inkling of renewed bed-tax activity occurred on February 21, following Legislative Chairman Vincent Bono’s state-of-the-county address at Herkimer County Community College, according to Russell. Continue reading
Herkimer County Legislator Patrick Russell visited Mr. Tim Leach’s AP Government Class for a question and answer session regarding the county legislative process, at the Town of Webb school on Wednesday, May 28.
Clockwise from left: Samantha Notley, Tecwyn Williams, Herkimer County Legislator Patrick Russell, Will Johnson, Kelsey Simpson and Sara Dempsey. Courtesy photo
The students had all been participating in a government internship experience sponsored by the 4-H Club of Herkimer.
“The students go down to Herkimer on five different schools days to learn about and participate in different aspects of government that the county provides,” said Mr. Leach. Continue reading
Discussion is still going on as to what constitutes a fair price for the county to hook up to the village sewer lines at the former P&C property in Herkimer.
Herkimer County legislators, wanting to build a new jail facility at the location on Route 28 had originally offered the village $800,000 ($400,000 up front, $20,000 per year for twenty years).
This money was intended to help with the $1.6 million infrastructure cost the municipality would incur in upgrading their sewer services.
It was also intended to help offset any loss in property taxes.
Although I didn’t support the measure, the proffer back in July 2010 was certainly fair-especially since it also included the hook-ups needed to bring the sewer lines to the site.
However the village of Herkimer refused the offer. Continue reading
Jon Hansen of Thendara, a former Town of Webb councilman, has issued the following statement in introducing himself as a candidate for Herkimer County legislator representing District 15, a seat currently held by Legislator Patrick Russell of Old Forge.
Russell has served in the position for six terms, a total of 12 years, and said he plans to make a formal announcement about his reelection intentions later in the campaign season:
My name is Jon Hansen of Thendara/Old Forge and I am announcing my candidacy for Herkimer County Legislator in District 15 – Ohio, Russia and Webb and I am asking for your vote in the Republican Primary in September. Continue reading