Conference attended
PLATTSBURGH —Mary Kay Penfield, president of the Clinton County Board of Realtors, joined 20,000 Realtors last week during the 2009 Realtors Conference and Expo in San Diego. Attendees assembled at the National Association of Realtors' annual conference to address industry issues affecting Realtors nationwide.
Days before the conference, Congress voted to extend the home-buyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, and expand it to include current homeowners. Realtors welcomed the news and are hopeful about the impact of the expanded tax credit to help stabilize home prices. According to a NAR survey, first-time home buyers made up 47 percent of all transactions in the past year, the highest on record dating back to 1981.
At the conference, NAR launched a new Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Program designed to strengthen Realtor expertise in handling distressed properties by giving them stronger knowledge and greater resources to help families on both sides of the transactions. Through this certification and other programs, local Realtor associations are working to help streamline short sales and help more families avoid foreclosures.
The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real-estate industries. The Clinton County Board of Realtors is a local member board with more than 160 real-estate professionals working to help community members achieve the American dream of home ownership every day.
Cable rates
ROUSES POINT — Time Warner Cable Inc. has announced that it has launched a multi-faceted campaign on behalf of its customers targeting unfair price demands by programmers.
Increasingly, when contracts come up for renewal, programmers — those who operate broadcast and cable networks and create television content — are asking for incredible price hikes for their content, at times as much as 300 percent increases. Programmers make these demands of cable companies and other video distributors secure in the knowledge that video distributors are the ones who have to pass those costs along to customers and take the blame.
"We have some tough choices to make, and we want to make sure we're doing what's best for our customers, so we're asking them to help us decide what to do," said Time Warner Cable Chairman, President and CEO Glenn Britt. "We want them to know why we fight so hard on these issues. "If we roll over, they pay the price. If we get tough, they may lose their favorite shows until we reach a reasonable agreement."
Britt said the company is not trying to attack programmers, but needs to find a better way to resolve these issues. "Together, with our customers, we just might be able to make a difference in what America pays for its favorite entertainment," he said.
Time Warner Cable launched the Web site www.rolloverorgettough.com so customers could directly give their feedback. To ensure that customers know about this initiative, Time Warner Cable will also work to reach all of its customers via newspaper, online and TV advertising.
Business mixer
LAKE PLACID — The Essex County Business Council invites area business people to Business After Hours on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 5:30-7 p.m. The mixer will be held at The Northwoods Inn located on Main St., Lake Placid.
Attendees will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar as they network and make new business contacts.
The event is open to members of the Essex County Business Council, Lake Placid VCB, Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce, Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce and other partner chambers.
Not-yet members are encouraged to contact the Essex County Business Council for a special-guest pass.
Admission is $2. For more information, or to make reservations, call Arlene at 523-2445, Ext. 133, or e-mail Arlene@lakeplacid.com.
Bank recognized
PLATTSBURGH — The Syracuse District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that Adirondack Bank outperformed all other small community lenders with an asset size of less than $1 billion in the region. It approved 18 loans worth $1.45 million, a 27 percent increase in total dollar amount over last year.
"Adirondack Bank has been a long-time supporter of small businesses in and around Central and Upstate New York," said Adirondack Bank President and CEO Gary W. Kavney. "They are the life blood of many of the communities we serve. This loan program is offered to provide needed support to our customers and neighbors."
Adirondack Bank is a full-service community bank with 17 locations throughout upstate New York and executive headquarters in Utica. The bank was founded more than 100 years ago and currently employs more than 150 people.
Grant awarded
NEW YORK — The Verizon Foundation has awarded a $39,000 grant to the New York State Coalition against Domestic Violence in support of its Technology Safety Train-the-Trainer program.
The program trains domestic-violence advocates to instruct domestic violence survivors on ways to protect themselves in a technological world and how to use technology to support domestic violence prevention programs and shelters.
The program also will support instructional sessions that teach domestic violence advocates how to best use technology to protect domestic violence victims' identities and locations. The advocates will be trained in the safe use of a range of technologies including Internet safety generally, cell phones, social-networking sites and global positioning systems. Upcoming sessions will be held in Buffalo on Dec. 3 and in Syracuse on Dec. 4. The sessions provide participants with training and materials to share with their agencies and to train additional staff.
"The Technology Safety Project focuses on recognizing how those who commit domestic violence abuse technology, and on imbuing survivors and advocates with knowledge on how to best protect a survivor's privacy," said Patti Jo Newell, acting chief executive officer. "We are proud to partner with Verizon, with its proven record of supporting efforts to prevent and eliminate domestic violence."
Verizon Vice President of Government and External Affairs Susanna Zwerling said Verizon has a long-standing commitment to supporting and protecting victims of domestic violence. "The Technology Safety Program will help keep these victims safe in the burgeoning technological world," she said.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.
Stewart's fundraiser
PLATTSBURGH — Since 1986, Stewart's customers, along with matching contributions from Stewart's, have raised $12 million benefiting thousands of local children's organizations.
This year's annual Holiday Match began on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Day. During that time, Stewart's Shops will match individual donations made in the 327 Stewart's Shops. All the money raised will go to charity; there are no administrative costs deducted. In 2008, the Holiday Match total was $1.1 million.
"Every year I am awed by the generosity of our customers," said Stewart's Foundation President Susan Law Dake. "We are expecting another year with well over 1,000 applications for grants because of the tight economy. The good news is I believe our customers will rise to the challenge."
The purpose of Holiday Match is to encourage individual giving and broaden the base of support for local charities. Stewart's Holiday Match is a 501c3 foundation; all donations are tax-deductible. Stewart's gladly accepts funds from groups or businesses, but only matches individual donations.
"Our goal is to get applications out to children's groups in need of funds, as well as encourage individual donations which will be matched," Dake said. Local organizations benefiting children can pick up an application throughout the holidays at any Stewart's Shop. The deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2010. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A brochure will be available throughout the holidays at Stewart's Shops, which lists all 1,154 children's organizations in their 30-county area that received funds last season.
Local News
Business briefs: Nov. 29, 2009
- Breaking News
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Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire, but cats likely perished.
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Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
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- New Today
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Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
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Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
- Local News
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Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
Plattsburgh meeting to address concerns of area child care providers being hit with a fee for union representation even though they never joined the union.
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Essex County craves sales-tax hike
The extra ¼ percent would bring total sales tax to 8 percent, like neighboring counties.
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Ernie's Market closes without warning
A sign on the door of the popular Westport store expresses appreciation "to all of our loyal customers."
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Boy released from hospital following serious injury
Firefighters had to extricate 10-year-old Dawson Dessureault from a car involved in a crash Friday, Feb. 3.
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Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
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Council: state budget cuts threaten Adirondacks
Adirondack Council calls for an immediate increase in the state's Environmental Protection Fund and in EnCon staffing.
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Elizabethtown wastewater plans updated
It is expected that it will take about six months to have the necessary paperwork filed, get permits, receive responses from the property owners to determine hookup locations and get easements.
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Fort Ti brings in more money
Donations at the national historic landmark increased by 12 percent last year.
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Saranac Lake sparkles
The Winter Carnival continues through Sunday.
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Of Interest: Feb. 8, 2012
Clinton Co. Sheriff's Office investigating lost restaurant money; Peruvian arrested at Champlain border.
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Seniors click toward computer literacy
The Clinton County Senior Computer Club is a great way for seniors to learn computer basics at the Senior Center.
- February 7, 2012
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Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
The 2 percent deduction from Social Services stipends helps pay for advocacy efforts by the Voice of Organized Independent Child Care Educators. A meeting in Plattsburgh on Thursday will address that issue and others.
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Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
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New Essex County courtroom has security issues
There's no line of sight between the judge's bench and the witness stand, so renovations must be made.
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Meeting of the minds on fake pot
Students were among those who spoke up at a session in Essex County, helping to make a plan to combat the dangers of synthetic marijuana.
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State considers bobcat management plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public comments on a plan that will help officials adjust hunting and trapping seasons for the species statewide.
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Two displaced in Westville fire
A woodstove is likely the cause of a blaze that left a farmhouse a total loss, just months after being purchased by an engaged couple.
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Report: Power project to create many jobs
Champlain Hudson Power Express project is also expected to increase New York state's gross domestic product.
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Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
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