Author Archives: Express Weekly

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NYS SENATOR MARCHIONE, NYS ASSEMBLYMAN TEDISCO ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL PREDATORS BY STRENGTHENING “JESSICA’S LAW”

Tough new legislation would impose a 25-year to life prison sentence upon conviction of the crime of predatory sexual assault against a child; would give New York State a true “Jessica’s Law” to better combat sex predators who prey on kids

(Editor's Note: In light of the shocking assault of a Cambridge kindergartener that took place yesterday at the New York State Museum, Senator Marchione and Assemblyman Tedisco are continuing their call for passage of legislation that would strengthen "Jessica's Law" to better protect NY's children.)

New York State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) and New York State Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today announced their tough new legislation that would enact a true “Jessica’s Law” to better protect New York’s children from dangerous sexual predators – and give law enforcement more effective tools to punish and monitor these criminals.

Jessica’s Law was created in memory of Jessica Lunsford, a nine-year-old girl from Florida who was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by a registered sex offender living in her neighborhood. As a result of this tragedy, Florida enacted one of the nation’s toughest child molestation laws by mandating a 25-year minimum prison sentence for molesting a child less than 12 years of age. Jessica’s Law has been used to designate all legislation and potential bills in other states modeled after the Florida law. Numerous states have introduced similar legislation since Florida’s Jessica’s Law was enacted, with 18 states enacting such measures.

In New York, “Jessica’s Law Lite” was enacted in 2006, creating the class A-II felony crime of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child when a person over 18 years of age commits a class B violent felony sex offense (rape 1st, criminal sexual act 1st, aggravated sexual abuse 1st, course of sexual conduct against a child 1st) against a child less than 13 years of age.

However, because New York has a much weaker – and less effective – version of Jessica’s Law, the minimum prison sentence upon conviction of this crime is only 10 to 25 years, which lags behind many other states with a true Jessica’s Law on their books, as noted by Bill O’Reilly, host of the top-rated O’Reilly Factor on FOX News, and a long-time, outspoken advocate of Jessica’s Law and protecting children from sex predators. In fact, on his website – www.billoreilly.com – New York is actually listed as one of seven states “heading in the wrong direction” in terms of enacting a true Jessica’s Law.

Senator Marchione and Assemblyman Tedisco’s bills (Senate Bill S.5610/Assembly Bill A.6158) would enact a true “Jessica’s Law” for New York State by significantly increasing the mandatory minimum prison term of 25-years to life for individuals convicted of the crime of predatory sexual assault against a child. Their bill also would require lifetime parole supervision for such sex offenders, where a violation of parole could result in their return to prison.

“Any time we have an opportunity to strengthen our laws and better protect kids from becoming victimized by sexual predators, we should do everything and anything in our power to do so. What happened to Jessica Lunsford was a national tragedy. In her memory, New York needs to enact a true Jessica’s Law so we can better protect all of our children. Politics and political ideology should not be the reason why such legislation gets held up and denies New York State from having a true Jessica’s Law. Like millions of viewers, I have watched Bill O’Reilly speak passionately about this issue and I am in 100 percent agreement with his assessment that New York State must have a true Jessica’s Law on the books, no excuses,” Senator Marchione said.

“It is time that our Empire State joined other states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, Virginia and Florida that are headed in the right direction regarding this much-needed public safety measure. Let’s make 2013 the year New York State did everything it could to better protect our kids by finally getting a true Jessica’s Law on the books,” Senator Marchione stated.

“New York State must have zero tolerance for any sexual predator that victimizes a child. The emotional and psychological trauma committed on children by these deviants can last a lifetime. There’s no question that these violent criminals who prey on children deserve to be locked up for 25 years to life for the innocence they’ve stolen,” said Assemblyman Tedisco.

“For several years, I’ve sponsored Jessica’s Law in the Assembly, which has been championed by many advocates for children and crime victims including Bill O’Reilly. I’m pleased that Senator Marchione has introduced this companion legislation in the state Senate. It’s time the Assembly Majority stop talking the talk about protecting women and children and start walking the walk and allow Jessica’s Law to move forward,” said Tedisco.

Presently, both Senate Bill S.5610 and Assembly Bill A.6158 are pending before the Committee on Codes in their respective houses of the state Legislature for further consideration.

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Preparedness For Flooding – Heavy Rain Due In The Next Several Days

It appears we are in line to receive up to 3” of rain over the next 5 days, with most of that coming during Thursday and Friday.  We will have to be alert to flooding in low lying areas and carefully watch the rise on streams and rivers.  Rainfall of this magnitude would be enough to cause some hydrologic issues as recent rains have allowed for wet soil conditions and many streams/rivers remain high.

Preparedness activities:

  • If you rely on a sump pump be sure that it is working, that it is connected to a ground fault protection.  Be prepared for a back up pump.
  • Make sure your sump pump discharges at least 10’ or more from the foundation or it will seep back in.
  • The fire department is unable to pump basements less than 3”, obtain a shop vacuum appropriate to remove water or install a sump & pump.
  • This rain event is not going to come from violent storms, it will be heavy tropical type rain so the risk from losing power will be from trees falling due to over saturated ground.
  • If you live in low lying areas expect water to collect and rise, structures cannot be pumped out until the water recedes and stops flowing in.
  • Sand bags need to be filled and in place before the rain comes, after is too late.
  • If your basement floods due to high water conditions and you do not have a sump pump, it is suggested that stored material either be removed or placed high off the floor.
  • If your basement floods regularly or has the potential to flood, a long term mitigation effort will be to move important utilities up out of the range of flooding waters and to remove appliances to another location.
Tom Rinaldi
Chairman
Stillwater Emergency Planning Comm
tom@rinaldi1.com
 

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Elaine Maneoleff – 87

Elaine Manoleff of Colburg Village Way passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Mary's Haven in Saratoga Springs. She was 87.

Born in Minneapolis, MN on June 6, 1925, daughter of the late George and Mary (Miller) Leakas. She is the wife of Manuel C. Manoleff.

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John J. McBride, Sr. – 84

MECHANICVILLE – John J. McBride, Sr., affectionately known as “J.J.” of South Third Ave., died Sunday, May 19, in the home where he was born 84 years ago.  He was the son of the late William and Clara Wojtowicz McBride, Sr., and husband of 43 years to the late Teresa J. Gavin McBride, who died May 10, 1995. 

John joined the US Marine Corps during WWII, serving from 1945-1948, stationed in occupied Japanand China during his active duty.

After military service, he went to work for New York State Electric and Gas Co. of Mechanicville, for 38 years, serving as chief gas fitter, retiring in 1988, or as J.J. used to say, “out the gate in ‘88”.

A charter member of the Hillcrest Fire Dept., he was a patriotic American, holding memberships in the American Legion Post 91, and the V.F.W. Post 6328 both of Mechanicville, where he was a past Commander of both organizations.  He was also a member of the China Marine Assoc. and the Marine Corps League.

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Roundabout Road To Vicksburg – By Sandy McBride


This Month in the Civil War – May, 1863

  General Ulysses S. Grant’s attempt to cross his Army of the Tennessee into Mississippi at Grand Gulf on April 29, 1863 met with fierce resistance from the Confederates whose hastily constructed defenses atop a 50 foot high promontory featured 16 artillery pieces.  As Admiral David Porter bombarded them from his ships in the river, the rebels fought back fiercely.  A duel went on for five hours, with Grant watching the action from a tug in the middle of the Mississippi.

Seeing that the Confederates were not about to give in, Grant opted to seek out a new crossing site where his soldiers would have a passable route overland to Grand Gulf.  He needed Grand Gulf for a supply base as he moved to capture the crucial Mississippi river port of Vicksburg.

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No Progress This Month on North Sewer Plant Plans – By Harold Wessell

HALFMOON, May 22 – Saratoga County Sewer commissioners will not be able to act further on prospects of a new, north treatment plant until at least the June 26 meeting, because of a one-month delay voted at the April meeting.

Accordingly Executive Director Chad Cooke could only confirm at the May 22 meeting that, based on last month's meeting he has issued the requested delay pushing back the due date for proposals to June 6, from the original due date of May 9.

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CITY OF MECHANICVILLE LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS

Residential Rehabilitation Program In Search of Contractors

The City of Mechanicville is looking for contractors to participate in a grant program funded by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal known as the HOME program. The program will make grants available to improve owner-occupied properties that serve low and moderate income residents.  As part of the program, the City must maintain a list of qualified contractors in the area.  Contractors on the list will receive bid requests for residential rehabilitation projects from property owners that are participating in the program.

All contractors who are interested in being considered for work related to the HOME grant program must first submit their qualifications. The qualification form can be obtained at City Hall in the Accounts office. Contractors must meet insurance requirements, provide contact information, and provide three references in order to be considered.

Minority and women owned businesses are encouraged to submit their qualifications.

For more information on the City’s new HOME Program, contact Gina Kenyon at City Hall at (518) 664-7303. A detailed summary of eligibility criteria and other requirements of the program is available upon request.

 

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Jean E. Wolff – 73

STILLWATER – Jean E. Wolff, 73, of Lake St., died Friday evening, May 17th, at Albany Medical Center, after being stricken with strokes several days ago.

Born in Stillwater, December 6, 1939, she was daughter of the late Albert D. and Bertha Smodell Wolff.

Jean operated the former Wolff’s Diner in Stillwater for a number of years.  She also assisted her son’s Family Fun Amusement business over the years.

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