With New York losing two congressional seats this year as a result of slow population growth, drama is beginning to simmer over which districts will end up on the chopping block. A panel of state lawmakers and their aides are drawing up the new district maps behind closed doors.
To try to get input into the process, Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barnevald, said he has retained the services of a consultant, veteran Republican lobbyist Michael Avella.
State lobbying records show Avella is being paid $7,500 a month by the Richard Hanna for Congress Committee
"It's safe to say that if you are not at the table, you are on the menu," remarked Hanna, who noted he'd love to keep the current 24th Congressional District as intact as possible.
Hanna, 61, pointed out he was among the first elected officials in New York to sign former New York City Mayor Ed Koch's pledge for independent and fair redistricting.
"It's a shame to see the degree of gerrymandering that goes on," he said. Regardless of how the new lines are drawn, he said he will run for re-election because he enjoys his job.
"We have done a pretty balanced job of representing the district," Hanna said. "I have been one of the most independent voices in Washington. We have opened three new offices and have answered over 58,000 emails and letters. We have worked hard to treat it as a real job." So far, no Democrat has stepped forward to challenge Hanna.
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Another local elected official without an announced opponent, Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, said he expects a GOP challenger will emerge eventually. His district covers most of Otsego County, all of Madison county and part of Oneida County.
Otsego County GOP Chairwoman Sheila Ross said she also believes Magee, 72, will end up in a contested race. Pressed for names of potential candidates, she declined to spill the beans, but hinted there is one GOP potential challenger for the seat. It's unlikely that fellow will make any announcements until new legislative district lines are finalized, she said.
Magee, despite coming from a county dominated by the Republican Party, has held his seat for 22 years.
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Dominating local headlines a year ago this coming week was the tragic killing of 15-year-old runaway Naomi Miklic and the arrests of two Cherry Valley men who were with her at the time of her death in Tioga County. The case fell off the media radar. But officials confirmed this week that the two men are now in state prison.
Justin Dibble, 19, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and possession of a loaded weapon. He has been sentenced to one year and four months to four years in prison on the first charge and three years in prison on the latter charge, officials said.
Isaiah Bowen, 29, a gunsmith, was handed a sentence of 22 months to 5 ½ years in prison. Authorities said Bowen was driving in Owego when Dibble fired a handgun, fatally injuring Miklic, four days after her mother reported her missing from her Montgomery County home.
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Middlefield Neighbors spokeswoman Kim Jastremski said she will try to encourage First Lady Michelle Obama to come out against hydrofracking for natural gas. As a mother who has seen fit to have an organic garden planted on White House grounds, the First Lady would appear to be friendly to environmental causes, she said.
"If she became aware of the dangers of gas drilling, she would want to share this with her husband," Jastremski said. Along with many local drilling foes, she said she was disappointed to hear President Barack Obama include expanded shale drilling as part of his domestic energy plan.
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Here's where I'd be this summer if I were a high school student with writing talent: From July 1 to 7, the New York Young Writers Institute will host its weeklong creative writing workshop at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.
On top of getting coaching throughout the day by professional wordsmiths, the students will attend evening readings by such acclaimed writers as Joyce Carol Oates, Russell Banks, Mary Gordon and Robert Pinsky.
Admission is limited to 36 students. Applications must be in by April 1.The cost is $759 but partial and full scholarships are available for eligible candidates. More information can be found at this Skidmore link: http://cms.skidmore.edu/odsp/youngwriters/index.cfm
Joe Mahoney can be reached at jmahoney@thedailystar.com or 432-1000.
