February 1, 2018 – Urban CNY

Far Westside (west) Lakefront (northwest) Meadowbrook (east) Neighborhoods News Skunk City (southwest) Syracuse - North Syracuse - South

City of Syracuse – State of the City, Mayor Ben Walsh’s Remarks

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

On January 31st newly elected Mayor Ben Walsh delivered his first State of the City address. The State of the City Address was a combination of nostalgia, cheerleading, and laying out for all to see, the challenges and opportunities ahead. A clear proponent of the Community Grid option for Interstate 81, the mayor extended conciliatory words to those suburban communities concerned about what a Community Grid mean to businesses, towns and villages expect to be adversely effected by the removal of the arterial that runs through Syracuse. The Syracuse City School District and how far they’ve come increasing their graduation rates and adding new programs that are now being viewed by other communities. And of course our structural deficit, Mayor Ben Walsh warns of what lies ahead, but expresses the enthusiasm that we can surmount any obstacle before us. The text of his entire State of the City Address is below. City of Syracuse – State of the City Mayor Ben Walsh’s Remarks Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School Jan. 31, 2018 7 p.m. Councilor Allen, thanks for those kind words. Commissioners of Education, Superintendent Alicea, State Senator Valesky, County Executive Mahoney, Chairman McMahon, members of the County Legislature, City Auditor Masterpole, City Clerk Copanas, Deputy Mayor Owens, and many representatives of our federal and state representatives, thank you for being with us tonight, demonstrating your support for the city of Syracuse. Madam President and members of the Common Council, in accordance with the Charter of the city of Syracuse, it is my honor to deliver to you tonight my first message on the state of the city. Being here at PSLA at Fowler is special to me. This neighborhood was home turf for my grandfather, who prepared his first State of the City about 57 years ago. Bill Walsh, the 48th mayor of Syracuse, was born and raised just down the road on Rowland Street in the heart of “Skunk City.” He then moved up the hill on Schuyler Street where he raised seven kids, including my father, Jim. Even closer to home, my mother, Dede, who is here with us this evening along with my wife, Lindsay, spent two decades working here at Fowler as a tutor for the Liberty Partnership Program. I’ve encountered many former students whose lives are far better today because they had my mother’s caring guidance. I know how they feel. Thank you, mom, for your years of dedication to our city’s children and for your constant support of me. It really wasn’t until today, however, that I appreciated what kept you coming back here year after year. I spent time with nearly 60 Syracuse high school students, the members of the Superintendent’s Student Cabinet, and they are an impressive and inspiring group of young people. I delivered a short preview of my remarks tonight and spent time talking with the students. Honestly, they asked some of the hardest questions I’ve faced as both a candidate and as mayor. They also broke in to groups and went to work on ideas to address some of the big challenges and opportunities we will talk about tonight, the I-81 viaduct project; community-police relationships; and neighborhoods. These young people are smart and passionate and, most important, I found them to be truly vested in the future of Syracuse. They want our city to succeed, so the challenge to all of us is to deliver a city that is attractive to them for the future. Will all of the Syracuse City School District Students, please stand? To all of you I say, challenge accepted, and to the Superintendent’s Cabinet, thank you for a great afternoon. I have promised to be a cheerleader about the many great things happening in the Syracuse City School District. So let me share some with you tonight: Graduation rates: in 2013, the graduation rate over a four year period was 51.9%. The seniors who graduated this past summer were just starting high school then – and it was about 50/50 odds they would graduate. Fast forward to today: with the support of their teachers, administrators and parents, they not only beat those odds, they blew them away. The graduation rate rose to 64% — a 12.1% increase in just four years. We have a lot of work to do, but that is a great start. How about career readiness: The Syracuse City School District has CTE – or career and technical education programs that are so robust and so rigorous that they are the envy of suburban school districts throughout the state of New York. In 2014, when last year’s graduating class were sophomores we had six CTE programs. Today, we have 26 offered in some of the fastest growing industries in Central New York – from computer forensics and electrical trades, to culinary arts and cybersecurity. With active partnerships with Onondaga Community College, our students earn college credits and even associate degrees while in high school. Teenagers in our schools can choose to attend the school with the CTE program that is right for them. We also have a task force working right now to explore how we can make these same opportunities available for middle school students. How about pre-kindergarten: did you know our Pre-K enrollment is higher than it has ever been? Today, we have 2,100 three-and-four-year-olds in programs preparing them to be grade-level-ready by the second grade. Soon, you will see a snowball effect of improved academic achievement as they move through elementary middle and high school. Here with us tonight, Elana Stroman knows what it’s like to help elementary school students reach their full potential. She’s a 5th grade Social Studies teacher at Huntington, where I am told she “lives” for her students and for Huntington. Elana doesn’t stop there – she helps her fellow teachers as the STA representatives in the building. Elana is loved and respected by students, parents and teachers, alike. When Elana saw that our Transition Team needed a city

Business News News

A.G. Schneiderman Announces $6.4 Million Settlement with Brooklyn Home Health Care Provider over False Medicaid Billing and Cover Up

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

Home Family Care, Inc. Billed Medicaid for Services of Unqualified Care Providers and Aides on Vacation When They Were Supposed to be Caring for Elderly Medicaid Recipients – Then Falsified Records to Cover Up the Neglect Supervisor Responsible for Neglect to Pay $100,000 in Separate Settlement BROOKLYN – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Home Family Care, Inc. (“Home Family”) of Brooklyn, NY and its President, Alexander Kiselev, will pay $6.415 million to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and New York False Claims Acts by falsely billing the New York State Medicaid program for home health care services that were not provided or that were provided by unqualified staff. The settlement resolves allegations in a complaint filed by the State of New York and the United States that Home Family routinely permitted its aides to circumvent verification procedures purportedly put in place by Home Family to ensure that its aides were providing scheduled services to Medicaid recipients who depended upon them. As alleged in the complaint, even after Home Family put in place an electronic attendance verification system which purportedly required aides to call a central number to “clock in” and “clock out” of their shifts before their services could be billed, Home Family aides routinely ignored this requirement and failed to clock in or out of their shifts – yet were still paid for them. “New Yorkers place the highest level of trust in home care providers to care for their vulnerable family members,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue to make clear that there are serious consequences for neglecting vulnerable home care patients – and even further consequences for trying to cover it up before sending New Yorkers the bill.” Medicaid is a jointly funded federal-state program that provides health care to vulnerable individuals. Home Family operates a Licensed Home Care Services Agency (“LHCSA”), which provides home health aide and personal care aide services to frail and elderly individuals, including Medicaid recipients, who need assistance with activities such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing. Home Family bills these services to Managed Long Term Care (“MLTC”) Plans and Certified Home Health Agencies (“CHHA”), which in turn bill the New York State Medicaid Program for these services. As a LHCSA, Home Family was obligated to ensure that the home health care services – which its clients depended upon to remain in their homes – were provided by qualified staff, and to maintain records documenting the services that were rendered. The Attorney General’s complaint alleges that the aides’ supervisors, known as Coordinators, in turn, modified or created call entries in the attendance verification system to make the records appear as if the aides had clocked in or out of their shifts. The complaint also alleges that Home Family then billed for these services, without even attempting to contact the aides or otherwise verify that the aides had visited their clients. As further alleged in the complaint, Michael Gurevich, a former Vice President of Home Family who had responsibility for supervising the Coordinators, was aware of the efforts of Home Family aides and Coordinators to circumvent Home Family’s attendance verification systems and took no measures to stop it. In a separate agreement, Mr. Gurevich has agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve the allegations against him. The complaint further alleges that, as a result of Home Family’s circumvention of its own attendance verification systems and procedures, Home Family on multiple occasions billed for services of aides who were traveling outside of the country during times when they were supposed to be caring for their clients. In one instance, Home Family billed for the services of an aide who was vacationing on the island of St. Maarten on the dates when Home Family claimed he was providing these services. In addition, as alleged in the complaint, Home Family employed numerous individuals who were not qualified to provide home health care services, and who utilized false identifies stolen from qualified individuals in order to obtain employment. Furthermore, even after Alexander Kiselev became aware that unqualified individuals were obtaining employment at Home Family using false identities, the complaint alleges that neither Mr. Kiselev nor anyone else at Home Family took any meaningful steps to ensure that Home Family’s clients were being properly cared for by qualified aides. The investigation was triggered by a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the federal and New York False Claims Acts, which allow private persons, known as “relators,” to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York under number 10-CV-2490. The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and HHS-OIG. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Schachner. The state case was handled by Special Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Gropper and Jill D. Brenner, and Senior Auditor Investigator Olga Sunitsky, with the assistance of Carolyn T. Ellis, Chief of the Civil Enforcement Division of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Additional investigative support was provided by Senior Investigator Albert Maiorano and Investigator Alexander Kats, with the assistance of Deputy Chief Investigator-Downstate Kenneth Morgan. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Margaret Garnett.

City Scuffle Neighborhoods News Syracuse - East Westcott (east)

City’s Innovation Team begins second phase of process to determine their area of focus in 2018

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

Syracuse residents can now vote for which challenge the i-team should take on this year SYRACUSE, NY – The City of Syracuse’s Office of Innovation, or “i-team,” is taking the next step to determine their focus area for 2018. After an initial round of online voting, six issues emerged as the most popular choices, from which the City is now asking residents to vote on their top picks using a new online platform that builds community engagement. “We’re constantly looking at how we can more easily and more effectively engage the community in our work,” said Adria Finch, Director of the Office of Innovation. “My team is excited to test out a new platform, which fosters public participation and improves the decision-making process.” The i-team was formed in 2015 with a $1.35 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The team works closely with residents and city staff to design solutions with clear goals and rigorously measure progress. In the past, the team has focused on infrastructure, opportunity and housing. Kicking off his new term, Mayor Walsh and the i-team are asking for public input to select the priority area. Voting began last night at Mayor Walsh’s State of the City address and will continue until Feb. 14. Individuals can cast two votes in favor of potential priority areas and one vote against a potential priority area at http://www.innovatesyracuse.com/vote. Paper ballots will also be available at libraries and community centers throughout the City, including Syracuse Northeast Community Center, Westcott Community Center, the Central Library, White Branch Library, Mundy Branch Library, Beauchamp Branch Library, Hazard Branch Library, Paine Branch Library and Petit Branch Library. This list is still growing. The top topics that receive the most votes will go to the Mayor for final review. The community can expect a decision by the end of February. The 6 idea categories that voters can choose from are: Neighborhood Beautification Sidewalk Maintenance and Snow Removal Alternative Transportation Neighborhood Business Districts Housing Stability Sustainability & Renewable Energy Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Teams Program Now working in more than 20 cities across four countries, the Innovation Teams Program helps cities solve problems in new ways to deliver better results for residents. Bloomberg Philanthropies awards cities multi-year grants to create in-house innovation teams, or “i-teams,” which offer cities a different set of tools and techniques to innovate more effectively and tackle critical challenges—from reducing violent crime to revitalizing neighborhoods to strengthening the growth of small businesses. City of Syracuse Office of Innovation Since its launch in 2015, the Syracuse i-team helped make substantial progress on previous focus areas like improving the city’s water and road infrastructure—filling over 15,000 potholes, more than doubling its speed in resolving requests for repairs from residents, saving over $1.2 million on infrastructure costs, and winning over $750,000 more in state infrastructure grants. Additionally, the team’s most recent work with the Division of Code Enforcement has yielded an 18.2 percentage point increase in code compliance. Nearly 60% of violations, including health and safety violations such as heat and water shutoffs, infestations, and chipping lead paint, were successfully resolved by property owners on time.

Neighborhoods News

Having A Ball: Walsh Supporters and Friends Had a Funky Good Time at The Inaugural Ball

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

Those attending the Walsh Inaugural Ball were treated to some of the best food and entertainment Syracuse has to offer. Within the walls of a now vacant Post-Standard Building on the second floor, there’s a party going on. The live band played James Brown among other crowd favorites, and the DJ had the dance floor full all evening. Surveying the room and listening to comments by some in attendance it was clear, this was not your average Syracuse Mayoral Inaugural Ball. Just as with Mayor Walsh’s swearing- in ceremony at the Landmark Theater, which starting with the familiar sounds of a precision drill team followed by Bagpipes. The Inaugural Ball was an eclectic gathering of people who were in some way connected with the campaign. In addition, the event attracted those who just wanted to be there to congratulate the new Mayor, and partake in the festivities. People donned their finest attire which meant plenty of gowns, tuxedos, and well quaffed hair. As one longtime participant in the Syracuse political scene noted, “These are all new faces, this is the new Syracuse.” Organizers had the requisite photo station, where attendees posed for pictures with the evening’s motif prominently displayed on all backgrounds. The hallmark of this event was the inclusion of a plethora of Syracuse area food vendors. Vendors included but not limited to; Funk ‘n Waffles, Otro Cinco, Pastabilities, The Stoop, Soup R Salads, Hofmann Hot Dogs, With Love restaurant, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Kevi’s Treats, Crave, Freedom of Espresso and Glazed & Confused Donuts. From Brisket to Collard Greens, companies serving at various food stations are all recognizable, adding a Taste of Syracuse touch to the well-attended event. Saying a good time was had by all, is an understatement. As the Mayor took to the dancefloor to a popular rap/hip hop song he was surrounded by partying supporters shouting, “Go Ben…. Go Ben… Go Ben”.

Business News News

Governor Cuomo Announces Round III of Nation-Leading New NY Broadband Program to Bring High-Speed Internet Access to All New Yorkers

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

$341 Million Round III Investment Provides Last Mile Funding to Ensure High-Speed Internet Access for Every New Yorker Building on Progress Achieved in Rounds I and II, Round III Will Provide Over 122,000 Homes and Locations Across New York with High-Speed Internet Access Regional Round III Awards and Investments Are Available Here On January 31st , Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Round III of the nation-leading New NY Broadband program – providing the last mile funding to ensure high-speed internet access for all New Yorkers. The $209.7 million Round III awards will provide 122,285 homes, businesses and community institutions across the state with access to high-speed Internet, driving in aggregate more than $341.8 million of public/private broadband investment. This represents the third and final round of the program and the completion of the Governor’s promise to connect all New Yorkers to high-speed Internet for the first time in state history. Since the program’s launch in 2015, Governor Cuomo has secured high-speed Internet upgrades for approximately 2.42 million locations statewide. These latest awards through Round III of the New NY Broadband Program will close the final gap and bring high-speed broadband to all New Yorkers in every corner of the state. Video of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here. Audio of the event is available here. A transcript of Governor Cuomo’s remarks is available below. Thank you. Thank you very much. It’s my pleasure to be here today. First, Mr. Garry Douglas, he joined the Regional Economic Development Council right from the beginning and he said, “You know I’m a busy guy, how much time do you need?” I said, “Garry, no more than one year.” That was seven years ago. So let’s give him a big round of applause for all his good work. My colleague, my friend, a woman who inspires me and so many people who work in Albany, Senator Betty Little. It’s a pleasure to be with her. Billy Jones, who is doing just a great, great job down in the legislature, you should be proud of him. Let’s give him a round of applause. Dan Stec, assemblyman, is here, give him a round of applause. Ray DiPasquale, you’re doing a great job, you make me proud to be an Italian. Ray just showed me a little note he had from my father, 1984, almost made me cry, but you’re doing beautiful work here. Congratulations on that Advanced Manufacturing center, that is about the future. Ray DiPasquale. Thank you for what you do. And to the Mayor and the DA and the Supervisor and my team who is here, we have the housing commissioner, the environmental commissioner, we have every commissioner you could name, who are here today. Let’s give them a round of applause, thank them for coming up. Garry is right. I love the North Country. I just hope you don’t take it for granted because you’re here all the time. But it is a special place, not just in the state, it is a special place on the globe. It really is. I’ve been coming up since I was a relatively young fellow. My father was Governor, he was always working, working, working, my father, you couldn’t get him away from the desk. But I used to take my brother Chris and we would come up all the time. Chris took a different path in life, a little bit of a downturn. He became a reporter. All due respect, all due respect. He’s a character, he’s on CNN. He tells everybody it stands for Cuomo News Network. Just started a new show at night called Cuomo Primetime, which I believe is a trademark infringement because I am Cuomo. And when it just says Cuomo Primetime, that is misleading. And also he’s costing me a lot of votes because he offends everybody – Democrats, Republicans, Independents – it doesn’t matter. No, it’s a problem. And to sue my brother for trademark infringement is a problem because my mother gets mad. So it’s a conundrum. He’s a very competitive guy, my brother. I was thinking about it on the way up. We come up one time for a fishing trip on Saranac and there has to be a competition because otherwise you’re not a Cuomo. So we had a competition, who can catch the most fish in an hour? He’s at the front of the boat, I’m at the back of the boat, it’s a small boat. Very, very close on who catches the most fish. We’re basically tied. He’s in the front, he goes to cast, and he goes to cast – my brother is from the school of the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish, so he has a big lure, metal, silver spoon, and he goes to cast and he brings the rod back. And the lure flies, hits me right in the head. Hit me so hard, knocks me to the bottom of the boat. I open my eyes in a haze about five minutes later. He says, I caught two more fish, I won, competition is over. I said, “Those fish do not count! You cannot knock out the opponent in a fishing tournament and then claim victory!” But he did. He did. So I’ve been coming up for a long time and it’s been beautiful with my girls. I sneak out whenever I can, sometimes when it just gets too overbearing in Albany, which Billy and Dan and Betty will tell you, can get very intense when you’re trying to get the budget done, you’re trying to get a negotiation. So I’ll say, I’m going to take a little break. I take a break and whenever I can I come up just because it’s so beautiful and the energy and the light and it’s the magic of the North Country. It’s really special. So God bless you. Whenever I can, I’m up and anything I can ever do to help, I will help. The North Country,

Opportunities

Finishing Trades Recruit Apprentices

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

The Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York (Syracuse) will conduct a recruitment from January 24, 2018 through March 12, 2018 for five Drywall Taper (Finisher) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today. Please note that the openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for three recruitment regions, the Finger Lakes, Central, and Mohawk Valley regions. This program’s jurisdiction includes the counties of Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tomkins. Applications can also be obtained in person from the locations noted below. Completed applications can be returned to the locations noted below or mailed to: FTI of W & CNY, 585 Aero Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. 585 Aero Drive, Cheektowaga, NY – Applicants who live in the counties of Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, and Wyoming: Applications can be obtained from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. 244 Paul Rd., Rochester, NY – Applicants who live in the counties of Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Yates: Applications can be obtained from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. 615 West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY – Applicants who live in the counties of Cayuga, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca: Applications can be obtained from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. The Committee requires that applicants: Must be at least 17 years old. Must attest in writing that they are physically capable of performing the work of the trade, which may include: o Climbing and working from ladders, scaffolds, poles, and towers. o Crawling and working in confined spaces. o Lifting and carrying 50 to 100 pounds. o Walking fast on level surfaces. Must pass a drug screening, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to indenture. Must be legally able to work in the United States. Must possess a valid NYS driver’s license. Apprentices may be required to operate company vehicles. Must have access to reliable transportation to and from various job sites and related instruction. Job sites are throughout western New York. Related instruction will be in Buffalo, NY, at one-week intervals, four times each year. Must provide DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if applicable, after selection and prior to indenture. For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office or the Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York at (716) 565-0112. Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

News

Knit the 24th Endorses Dana Balter for Congress

by Urban CNY News
February 1, 2018

Knit the 24th, a coalition of Indivisible groups in Cayuga, Oswego, Wayne, and Onondaga Counties, is excited to announce its endorsement of Dana Balter for Congress. Knit the 24th is the only non-partisan activist group working to resist the Trump agenda across all four counties in New York’s 24th Congressional District. The Indivisible movement is a national network of local organizations which actively oppose the agenda of President Trump and his Republican Congressional allies. All the organizations in Knit the 24th are united in their goal to defeat incumbent Rep. John Katko in the 2018 election. Rep. Katko, who purports to be a political moderate, has voted 90% of the time with the Trump agenda. His recent vote for the President’s billionaire tax relief bill, for example, will raise the taxes of thousands of middle class families across the 24th Congressional District. According to Jim Brady of Indivisible Cayuga, “Dana Balter has the communication skills and deep policy knowledge to serve us well in Congress and we are excited to send her to Washington to work on our behalf.” Fred Ringwald of We the People of Oswego Indivisible states, “We the People of Oswego fully support Knit the 24th’s endorsement of Dana Balter as the best candidate to address issues important to citizens of Oswego County.” Nancy Keefe Rhodes of Indivisible Salt City says,” Balter has done the hard work of building relationships throughout the 24th District. She is thoughtful, she listens, and she has generated widespread confidence that she will stand up for the people of the 24th.” As our next Representative, Dana Balter will fight for a fair tax program for all citizens and affordable healthcare for all. She supports high-quality education for every child, racial and economic justice, and an environmental policy that balances the need for good jobs with the health of our planet. Most importantly, Dana Balter will fight to restore respect for our democratic institutions and American values. Knit the 24th Knit the 24th, is a district-wide coalition including Citizens Response Network of Wayne County, We the People Indivisible Oswego, Indivisible Salt City, Indivisible Syracuse, Indivisible NY24, Indivisible Cayuga, and Our Revolution Cayuga.

Cover Stories

What We Must Not Forget About Black History Month

by Ken Jackson
February 1, 2018

There’s a muttering sound about the continued usefulness of Black History Month. As we’ve moved further away from segregation, Jim Crow and state sponsored terror some are forgetting the history of Black History Month. And why the ongoing celebration remains an important part of our struggle for the recognition of African Americans achievement. Inventions whose creators’ identity has been erased and their contributions to America have been buried, lost or stolen. Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves. He recognized that of all the hundreds of Black men and women who produced substantial inventions, only four Black inventors have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. In 1916, Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, in 1976 the organization was renamed the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. The purpose of the organization was to publish and fund research and writing projects about black history. And to train Black historians and to collect, preserve, and publish documents on Black life and Black people. In 1926, Negro History Week was established; the week was a time in which contributions by blacks were emphasized. The month of February was selected to honor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, “The response to Negro History Week was overwhelming: Black history clubs sprang up; teachers demanded materials to instruct their pupils; and progressive whites, not simply white scholars and philanthropists, stepped forward to endorse the effort.” Dr. Woodson’s concept of recognizing this omission and his method of addressing the issue has given a profound sense of dignity to all Black Americans. Black Inventors’ contributions were instrumental in the growth of America from an agricultural society to an industrial powerhouse. African-Americans are responsible for product innovation we now take for granted; from the development of crop rotation, the traffic light, the mail box, gas mask, fountain pen, typewriter, telegraph, golf tee, automatic gear shift, commode toilet— to the method of dry cleaning clothes, the electric lamp, and the automatic car coupler and air brake for the railroad. Just to name a few. What began as Negro History Week was only expanded to include the entire month by Presidential Proclamation, extending the time Americans would focus on the achievements of African-Americans. In 1976 during the nations Bicentennial, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Woodson did not view “Negro History Week” as something that would continue indefinitely. In fact, according to historical accounts compiled by Dorothy E. Lyles, “Dr. Woodson often said that he hoped the time would come when Negro History Week would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country.” That time “when all Americans would willingly recognize” is yet to come.

Arrest of David Arnold for Multiple Charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Child

CNY Community Foundation to Premiere Lead Poisoning Documentary

15-Year-Old, Alexcia Lynch – Syracuse Police Release Homicide Investigation Timeline

Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC-06) Endorses John Mannion for Congress in NY-22

Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers Weekly Schedule September 2 -6, 2024

Congressional Candidate Dana Balter Ends Quarter with Momentum