Upstate Regular

This week, Shane interviews Kingston NY, Mayor Steve Noble. Noble has served as Mayor since January 2016. Kingston is a city 90 miles north of New York City and the seat of Ulster County, with a population of roughly 22,950. 

Before serving as Mayor, Noble had a ten-year career at the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department. Noble is the co-founder of the Kingston Land Trust and has held leadership positions with the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, Environmental Management Council, and Hudson River Estuary Management Committee.
Noble holds a degree in Environmental Science from SUNY New Paltz and an MPA from Marist College. 

This interview touches on the COVID impact on the City budget, updating the zoning code, police reform, housing, and environmental protection.

The Mayor's website can be found here: https://kingston-ny.gov/content/8399/10762/10764/default.aspx

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This week, Shane interviews the City of Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson. Johnson won his election in November 2019 as the first African American mayor of the upstate city. Hudson, NY is the seat of Columbia County, with a population of roughly 6,700.

Before serving as Mayor, Johnson served on the Hudson Common Council as a first ward Alderman. He is the co-director of the "Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood", a non-profit supporting children growing up in the Hudson City School District He is also a coordinator of "POPS", a community fatherhood initiative.
Johnson is a graduate of Columbia-Greene Community College and SUNY New Paltz and grew up in Hudson.

This interview focuses on Hudson's impact from the COVID virus, Hudson's new Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot program, police reform initiatives in the city, and the recent capitol takeover.

The Mayor's website can be found here: http://www.cityofhudson.org/departments/mayor_s_office/index.php

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(We are aware of the sound quality issues and are actively working towards a resolution. Thank you for your understanding.)

This week, Shane and Ben discuss the new New York State Senate veto-proof supermajority, the 2020 Census, NY22 Congressional election results, and the New York COVID vaccination plan. 

You can find information on the NYS vaccination plan here: https://forward.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-distribution

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! This helps us a ton and you will be made aware of new episodes. 

This week, Shane interviews the City of Plattsburgh Mayor-elect Chris Rosenquest. Rosenquest has recently won the election as a Democrat, beating Republican Scott Beebie. Plattsburgh, NY is in New York's North Country, is the seat of Clinton County, and has a population of almost 20,000.

Rosenquest is a graduate of the University of Washington, SUNY Plattsburgh, and Clinton Community College. He is currently a Clinton County Legislator representing District 9 where he has served as Chair of the Finance Committee (2018-2019),  Chair of the Economic Development and County Operations Committee (2016-2018, 2020), and as Legislative liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development board, and Clinton Community College. Rosenquest owns a coffee shop with his wife in downtown Plattsburgh.

This interview is wide-ranging and touches on housing, transportation, economic development, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), COVID19, and planning generally.

You can learn more about Rosenquest and get in touch at his website: https://www.rosenquestforplattsburgh.com/ as well as on social media platforms.

If you liked the show, please subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter! It helps a ton and you will be aware of new episodes!

This week, Shane interviews Democratic State Senator James Skoufis. Skoufis has recently won reelection to his second term as Senator for New York's 39th district which includes much of Orange County and smaller parts of Rockland and Ulster Counties, including the City of Newburgh. Skoufis bested Republican challenger Steve Brescia, Chairman of the Orange County Legislature.

Skoufis is a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School as well as George Washington University and Columbia University. Skoufis previously served in the State Assembly for 6 years prior to running for State Senate. He is the chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations and currently resides in Cornwall.

This interview focuses on the recent 2020 election results, a new supermajority for Democrats in the State Senate, marijuana legalization in New York, redistricting following the recent Census, the COVID outbreak and resulting state budget deficit, and progress on the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

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This week, Shane and Ben discuss the election! Ben and Shane discuss voting trends in upstate New York, local congressional and state-level results, Ben's own election, and the Presidential election. This election has already had several surprises and may have more to come.

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NEW - - We now have a Patreon account! Patreon is a platform that will allow you to support us financially. We are a small operation trying to grow our presence and provide necessary policy discussions and informative interviews to the people of upstate NY and the Otsego County area. Check us out on Patreon, and consider supporting us! We appreciate it! - Shane & Ben

This week, Shane interviews Otsego County, NY Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Barbara Ann Heegan.  Heegan has served in this role since 2012 and formerly worked as the Marketing Director for The Plains at Parish Homestead in Oneonta. Heegan has an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. from SUNY Oneonta.

This interview focused on the economic hardships being faced by businesses due to the COVID 19 pandemic, what they are doing to respond, and how the chamber is working to help businesses during this difficult time. We also discuss the "Survive then Thrive" initiative and Heegan shares a positive outlook for business in the region.

You can find out more about the Otsego Chamber of Commerce here: http://otsegocc.com/

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

NEW - - We now have a Patreon account! Patreon is a platform that will allow you to support us financially. We are a small operation trying to grow our presence and provide necessary policy discussions and informative interviews to the people of upstate NY and the Otsego County area. Check us out on Patreon, and consider supporting us! We appreciate it! - Shane & Ben

https://www.patreon.com/upstateregular

This week, Shane interviews Democratic Congressional Candidate Tracy Mitrano. Mitrano is running in New York's 23rd Congressional district, which includes eleven counties spanning New York's Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. The district is currently represented by Republican Tom Reed, who is seeking reelection.

Mitrano was born and raised in Rochester, NY and earned a PhD from Binghamton University and a Law degree from Cornell University. Mitrano has served as assigned counsel attorney for many years in New York and has taught American History, Family and Social Policy, and Internet Law. Mitrano has also worked as Director of Information Technology Policy at Cornell and has consulted in information management, security, and privacy.

Mitrano has previously run for Congress in the same district in 2018.

This interview focuses on Mitrano's fundraising and polling in comparison to Tom Reed, her positions on further COVID stimulus funding, internet regulation, and campaign finance, and why she thinks she is the better choice for Congress.

You can find out more about Tracy Mitrano at https://www.mitrano2020.com/

NEW - - We now have a Patreon account! Patreon is a platform that will allow you to support us financially. We are a small operation trying to grow our presence and provide necessary policy discussions and informative interviews to the people of upstate NY and the Otsego County area. Check us out on Patreon, and consider supporting us! We appreciate it! - Shane & Ben

https://www.patreon.com/upstateregular

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

This week, Shane interviews City of Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig.  Herzig has been serving as Mayor since 2015. Prior, Herzig worked as the Chief Operations Officer for Opportunities for Otsego and as Director of the Oneonta Job Corps Center. Herzig has also served on the Oneonta Planning Commission, the Oneonta Board of Assessment and Review, Oneonta's Comprehensive Planning Committee, Zoning Task Force, and Housing Task Force. 

This interview covers the current discussion surrounding whether or not to hire a new City Manager or Administrator. What is the need? How has the City been functioning without one for many months? How does the Mayor see his role? What is the difference between Administrator and Manager? 

You can find out more about the Mayor and the City at the City website: https://www.oneonta.ny.us/
Public meetings are being streamed on the City's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/CityOfOneonta

NEW - - We now have a Patreon account! Patreon is a platform that will allow you to support us financially. We are a small operation trying to grow our presence and provide necessary policy discussions and informative interviews to the people of upstate NY and the Otsego County area. Check us out on Patreon, and consider supporting us! We appreciate it! - Shane & Ben

https://www.patreon.com/upstateregular

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

This week, Shane interviews Otsego County Treasurer Allen Ruffles. Ruffles has been serving as Treasurer since 2018.

This interview covers how the COVID pandemic has affected the Otsego County budget, Ruffles' plan for 2021 including budget cuts and borrowing, types and differences in County revenue sources, and other budget topics.

Information about the Treasurer's Office can be found here: https://www.otsegocounty.com/departments/treasurer/index.php

NEW - - We now have a Patreon account! Patreon is a platform that will allow you to support us financially. We are a small operation trying to grow our presence and provide necessary policy discussions and informative interviews to the people of upstate NY and the Otsego County area. Check us out on Patreon, and consider supporting us! We appreciate it! - Shane & Ben

https://www.patreon.com/upstateregular
Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!