Record

A Record of Results for the 15th District

  • No County Property Tax Increase during first two terms.
  • Increased the Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption in 2019 for first time in over 20 years
  • Voted to keep the Chemung County Nursing Facility open with improved services while increasing revenue to support the facility.
  • Working with former Legislator Andy Patros for a full and comprehensive toxic waste cleanup of Elmira High School and all surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Supports LIVE STREAMING of all county meetings including committee meetings and regular monthly meetings of the County Legislature.
  • Instituted a Veterans Property Tax Exemption for Cold War Era veterans.
  • Created the establishment of School Resource Officers to be in all Elmira City School District schools.
  • Supported legislation urging New York State to repeal the new Bail Laws allowing criminals out of jail on appearance tickets.
  • Supported a local law to restrict protest at military funerals and all other  bereavement ceremonies.
  • Voted to establish a legislative Audit Committee to review county audits.
  • Complete Streets Initiative to make Chemung County roads safe, accessible and adaptive to all forms of transportation and mobilities.
  • Supports the enactment of term limits for County Executive and County Legislators for three four year terms.
  • Approval of Bentley Creek Watershed Plan for Wellsburg 50 years after it was proposed.  This will eliminate future flooding of the village.
  • Working to end Unfunded State Mandates and seeking a state takeover of out-of-control Medicaid cost.  New York is the ONLY state to pass a portion of Medicaid cost to local counties.
  • Supported making Chemung County an Age-Friendly community.
  • Pushed for a resolution calling on the Governor to expedite the cleanup `and designate Elmira High School and all the surrounding neighborhoods around the old Remington Rand site to be designated Class 1 Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site designation.
  • Strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment rights  and voted to oppose the NY SAFE-Act and sought its REPEAL!  Supported other resolutions that would infringe the on our gun owners.
  • Voted to reject the repurchase offer of First Arena by Dr. Mustafa Afr and strongly supported the sale of First Arena to Tom Freeman and Nathan Cook.
  • Advocated for and voted to support the Southport Residential Sheriff’s Deputy Program.
  • Worked in support of the Southern Tier Network that has brought high speed fiber optic cable to Southport, Ashland, Lowman and Wellsburg.
  • Joined the fight to keep the Elmira Psychiatric Center and Monterey Shock open.
  • Fighting the heroin/opioid epidemic with an agreement with the IMatter Foundation.
  • Voted to oppose Gov. Cuomo’s proposal for taxpayer funded college educations for prison inmates.
  • Received funding for public works projects on county roads and bridges in the 15th district to improve our infrastructure and rebuils our roads.
  • Supported facility and runway improvements along with additional airlines and destinations at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport.
  • Worked with City Chamberlain David Vandermark to facilitate the transfer of the out-of-service rescue truck from the city fire department to the East Hill Fire Department in an effort to bolster the department’s rescue services.
  • ProAct Discount Prescription Drug program for county residents.
  • Supported the Town of Southport’s revocation of the Brookside Trailer Park license, the clean up and revitalization of the neighborhood.
  • Secured county funding to help build the new Wellsburg Fire Department.
  • Voted to make Chemung County a Purple Heart County to honor those Purple Heart Veterans wounded in combat and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.
  • Working in support of the completion of the section of the Lackawanna Rail Trail that runs along I86 and through the eastern section of the 15th district.  This will provide outdoor activities for our residents to enjoy and participate in.
  • Supported additional funding for our Welfare Fraud Division that saves and recuperates millions of dollars annually for county taxpayers.
  • Voted to urge the State of New York to select Tioga Downs as the Eastern Southern Tier Region casino game license awardee.  This would have a tremendous financial impact for us in Chemung County.
  • Support our family farmers and agriculture industry with the “Right To Farm” local law.
  • Urged FEMA through a vote in the legislature to certify 29 miles of levees in the Chemung Watershed built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Without this certification, property owners would be forced to buy costly and unnecessary flood insurance that would be financially devastating to our homeowners.
  • Voted to hire a full-time Assistant District Attorney for handle “Crimes Against Revenue Program” that is dedicated to prosecuting welfare and unemployment fraud.
  • Supported the sale of county property to Wellsburg Community Church for use as parking lot.
  • Worked with residents in the Town of Elmira for a new bridge on Jenkins Road after original bridge was removed.
  • Voted to establish a County-wide Composting Facility for grass, leaves, trees and other lawn waste free to use by Chemung County residents.
  • Voted to fund a new 100% ADA accessible playground at Harris Hill.
  •  Sought a full safety review of the intersection of State Routes 328 & 14 after several motor vehicle accidents that resulted in physical casualties and fatalities.
  •  Supported a study of Chemung County residents to find out the need in the county for broadband internet service for those who have none and those that need improved service.
  • Voted for funding to build an Integrated Workforce Development Strategy to develop as adequately trained and ready workforce for the I-86 Innovation Corridor.
  • Outspoken supporter of Youth Program Coordinator and program through Elmira School District to support youths and families promoting diversity, respect and anti-bullying – at no cost to County.
  • Supported local students access to educational opportunities at the Arnot Art Museum.
  • Supported shared service agreements with City of Elmira to help reduce their fiscal stress.
  • Voted in favor of Nursing Facility residents receiving a long needed increase in their personal needs allowance.
  • Supported pursuing and accepting grant from NY Attorney General to equip County Sheriff’s Deputies with naloxone kits to rescue overdose victims.
  • Supported the formation of a local Land Bank as a tool to reduce the blighted properties in Chemung County
  • Supported the capital improvements to our aging Sewer Plant
  • Voted to extend assistance contracts with NY DEC to insure proper cleanup of former Brewer Oil brownfield site on Elmira’s east side
  • Supported application for and acceptance of grant from Rural Health Network to continue Chemung Valley Health program
  • Supportive of “piggybacking” on other counties bids to ensure Chemung County purchasing at best possible cost, also supported membership in Cooperative Purchasing Network for same
  • Supports access of local vendors to participate in County bids
  • Supportive of upgrades to 911/Emergency Management including new radio tower to improve critical communications between first responders.
  • Supported introducing ride sharing services to Chemung County.
  • Supported a fleet leasing program vs. vehicle purchasing for County DPW.
  • Supported tax saving agreements between the Town of Elmira and the County Treasurer to perform Town’s accounting, payroll and bookkeeping duties.
  • Supported funding for Assisted Living for Seniors on behalf of DSS and County Office of Aging and Long Term Care.
  • Supported local law to fund 911 emergency access to those using wireless phones same as landlines.
  • Voted to give the Village of Wellsburg county owned property to expand a village park for it’s residents.