November 22, 2021 – Urban CNY

SYR Gears Up for Busy Holiday Travel Season

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

Syracuse, New York –The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) announced today that preparations are underway for a very busy holiday travel season at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). Nationwide, passenger levels have rebounded to between 7%-18% below 2019 numbers, and that upward trend is expected to continue through the holiday season. Central New Yorkers may recall that 2019 was a record-breaking year for SYR, featuring the most traffic the airport has seen in three decades. “With the launch of Southwest Airlines at SYR and existing carriers adding more routes and larger aircraft, more seats will be available on flights out of SYR by mid-December of this year than were available in December 2019,” said SYR Executive Director Jason Terreri. “We’re excited to welcome our travelers back and have been working tirelessly to ensure a safe, seamless, and enjoyable travel experience this holiday season.” “We strongly recommend that travelers arrive at the terminal two hours prior to their scheduled flight,” says Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. “We also ask travelers to come prepared to the airport for security screening. That means knowing what should and should not be packed in a carry-on bag or checked bag. The TSA web site has a lot of helpful information on preparing for a flight.” “Our TSA officers are professionals, they are very good at their jobs, and they want to keep you safe, so when you get to the checkpoint, listen to the guidance that they are offering. That guidance is intended to make sure you have an efficient and smooth checkpoint experience,” Johnson said. A new feature is available to travelers who will be parking and leaving their vehicle at the airport this year. The airport’s pre-book parking option will allow travelers to conveniently reserve their parking zone weeks – even months – in advance of their trip. Holiday travelers will be treated to the sounds of the SYR Holiday Concert Series, featuring live performances by local musicians from schools and community organizations. Additionally, the Piano & Organ Center’s Yamaha grand piano and organ will be played by volunteers throughout the holiday season. Travelers can expect an increased volunteer presence from the airport’s hugely popular PET (Pets Easing Travelers) program, which provides therapy dogs to comfort passengers during their travel day. The airport’s Fly Guide Ambassadors will also be on hand to provide directions and general assistance to travelers in need. For those drivers picking up arriving passengers, Airport Security Officers (ASOs) are now requesting that those passenger pick-ups occur along the outer curb lines located outside of each terminal. For more information about 27 destinations served by nonstop flights from Syracuse, please visit the airport’s Destination Page. For more information about pre-booking parking at SYR, please visit the Airport’s Parking Guide.

News

RISE Welcomes Afghan Refugees to The Central New York Community

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

Syracuse, NY — Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE) is pleased to announce that it has been approved to resettle Afghan refugees as a local community partner of the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC), a national refugee resettlement agency. ECDC receives funding directly from the Department of State to implement the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) program, which provides initial resettlement services such as housing, employment assistance, school enrollment, legal services, and cultural adjustment to Afghans admitted into the United States on humanitarian parole. “Even before the crisis in Afghanistan, ECDC had been preparing to expand its resettlement network. We had already built relationships with local organizations and communities that we believe have the potential to implement successful refugee resettlement programs,” said Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, ECDC’s President and CEO. “We appreciate the action the government is taking to innovate and quickly approve new sites and approaches for serving Afghans through the APA program and are pleased to officially begin working with RISE.” “RISE is honored to have been chosen to support these New Americans. As a former refugee myself, arriving to a new country has many challenges and without support services, individuals and families struggle to navigate in a new land. Rise will provide the guidance and programs needed to integrate them into the Central New York Community.” Said Haji Adan, RISE Executive Director. RISE expects to receive up to 50 individuals that ECDC will assign for resettlement in Syracuse in the coming months. RISE staff, with support from community stakeholders, will be responsible for ensuring that these essential services are provided within 90 days of arriving in the local community. Please help us make sure that they have the resources they need to be self-sufficient and thriving community members. To donate to RISE please visit https://www.refugeeandimmigrant.org/ or contact RISE at 315-214-4480. RISE: Since 2004, RISE has empowered refugees and immigrants to become economically independent and productive members of society who enrich their new community while maintaining their cultural identity.

Cover Stories News

Senator John W. Mannion Announces $80,000 Grant To Support State-Of-The-Art Upgrades To The Omnitheater At The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum Of Science & Technology (MOST)

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

MOST’s renovated theatre and planetarium will include high-resolution digital projectors providing cost-saving access to content and installation of new seating, carpets, and energy efficient lighting Senator John W. Mannion with MOST President Lauren Kochian Syracuse, NY – Senator John W. Mannion (D-Geddes) today announced an $80,000 grant to support state-of-the-art upgrades to the Omnitheater and planetarium at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST.) MOST’s ongoing renovations include new high-resolution digital projectors providing cost-saving access to content and serving larger and more diverse audiences. Installation of new seating, carpets, and energy efficient lighting will enhance the visitor experience. Senator John W. Mannion said, “I’m supporting upgrades to MOST’s theater and planetarium because the museum is a critical resource for students and families, an integral part of the region’s STEM ecosystem, and one of Central New York’s educational and cultural treasures. I want to thank MOST President Lauren Kochian for her leadership – particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – and for creating a Downtown anchor that is an invaluable part of our community.” “We are thankful for the commitment of Senator Mannion for supporting the MOST’s theatre renovations. Much like exhibits, the technology of theatres is always changing to fit not only the new and adaptive digital needs but the community’s needs and expectations,” said Lauren Kochian, President of the MOST. “It was time for us to update our theatre and planetarium to better suit our students, members, and visitors, and contributions such as this help us reach that goal.” MOST welcomes over 120,000 visitors every year, including 6,000 Syracuse City School District students. The Omnitheater is over twenty years old and is the museum’s most dated facility. The upgrades are part of a strategic vision to educate the next generation of science leaders while upholding its mission as Central New York’s preeminent science and technology center.

News Urban CNY Money

Community Foundation Receives Funding to Connect Residents to Expanded Tax Credits

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

11/22/2021 – The Central New York Community Foundation will receive funding to help ensure that as many Syracuse families as possible sign up for the expanded federal tax credit benefits they are eligible for. The EITC Funders Network is awarding the foundation $50,000 from its Community Outreach and Opportunity Fund to conduct hyper-local, strategic outreach to residents. The Community Foundation is also putting $50,000 of its own funding toward this effort. The American Rescue Plan Act expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), giving access to families who have traditionally been excluded from these programs, among them some of the most marginalized and living in the deepest poverty. According to the Tax Policy Center, there are 1,362 Syracuse children at risk of missing out on the CTC because their families don’t know that they qualify or how to access them. “The CTC and EITC expansions can only achieve their goals if families know about the credits, are able to enroll and can get their taxes done in free and non-predatory settings,” said Ami Nagle, director of the EITC Funders Network. “A key implementation challenge is that families who earn the least do not typically have to file income tax returns, leaving the IRS with no record of them to receive payment. This grant will help the Community Foundation with critical outreach to those non-filers.” The Community Foundation plans to use its Life Needs Assessment (LNA) tool to identify residents who lack full-time jobs or have identified that they do not have enough money to meet their needs and pay their bills on time. The Central New York CA$H Coalition, an initiative of the United Way of Central New York, and community partners such as Peace, Inc. will then reach out to those community members using trusted messengers. LNA is a data sharing tool that facilitates matchmaking between nonprofit organizations and resident needs. The survey asks community members to self-identify the needs they are experiencing in childcare, healthcare, housing, safety, education and employment. Each survey response is then geocoded to census tracts. “The strategic, targeted outreach that’s possible with the Life Needs Assessment is why we are well-suited for this fast-moving effort,” said Frank Ridzi, vice president of community investment at the Community Foundation. “The tool allows participating nonprofits to respond in real-time to the needs of the community and geocoding the responses allows for hyper-local, directed communications.” In 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 30% of Syracuse residents, and 44% of Syracuse children, live in poverty. In Census Tract 42 on the Southside of Syracuse, the poverty rate is as high as 65%. The Center for Working Families found that more than 80% of tax-filers who qualified for the EITC reported that it helped them with necessary expenses like household bills and food, while almost 50% reported that it was critical for making future investments like buying a car or getting an apartment. Additionally, according to the EITC Funders Network, children whose families receive these tax credits have been found to be more likely to graduate high school or obtain a GED and more likely to enroll in college by age 20. “The expansion of the EITC and CTC will help many children and families in Central New York, especially those living in poverty,” said Ridzi. “We are happy to be doing our part to spread the word about this critical opportunity for the benefit of local families.” The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity established in 1927 that receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive. It is the largest charitable foundation in Central New York with assets of more than $366 million and has invested more than $230 million in community improvement projects since its inception. As a grantmaker, civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen local nonprofits, encourage better understanding of the region and address the most critical issues of our time.

Health News

Governor Hochul Announces Over $1.5 Billion In Funding for Workers Who Directly Support Those With Developmental Disabilities

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

Long-Term Recruitment Strategies to Help Tackle Workforce Shortage Retention Incentives to be Provided to Direct Support Workers, with Additional Bonus for Staff Who Get the COVID-19 Vaccine On November 18th Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities will provide over $1.5 billion in one-time American Rescue Plan Act Funding to support recruitment efforts, retention incentives and vaccination bonuses for direct support professionals who provide support for people with developmental disabilities in an effort to address workforce shortages in this field. “Direct Support Professionals provided essential support to people with developmental disabilities throughout the pandemic when we needed them most, in spite of the risk to themselves and their own families,” Governor Hochul said. “We owe these workers a debt of gratitude and the American Rescue Plan funding paves the way for bonuses, incentives and one time pay raises to help keep these hardworking, loyal and devoted workers doing what they love most, supporting people with developmental disabilities.” New York State submitted its initial draft spending plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the enhanced federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on July 8, 2021. The CMS has provided partial approval of the plan as it relates to the workforce. As approved, OPWDD’s plan targeted most of the funding to workforce initiatives, including payments to provide bonuses to DSPs and family care providers. OPWDD plans to invest the one-time ARPA funding in workforce improvements and incentives including: A “Heroes Fund” which will provide incentive payments to those DSPs who worked during the unprecedented pandemic with additional payments for those who received the COVID vaccine. Retention and longevity bonuses will make additional investments in the workforce by rewarding longevity and providing additional bonuses to staff who remain in the DSP workforce. Long-term recruitment and retention strategies which will be developed and tested with funding for projects that address the long-term stability of the workforce. Funding will be made available to incentivize credentialing and other strategies that build skills and competency of DSP workforce and front-line supervisors. Acting Commissioner of the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Kerri E. Neifeld said, “Direct support professionals provide essential services to people with developmental disabilities so they can lead rich and rewarding lives of their choosing. They are the backbone of our system and they bravely showed up to work throughout the pandemic to care for and support some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Although the work is emotionally and physically taxing, direct support is a labor of love for the people who choose this career. As commissioner, I am pleased to be able to make crucial investments in the direct support workforce through the American Rescue Plan Act funds and look forward to continuing to support this vital workforce.” Followed by Senator John W. Mannion who said, “Securing this vital federal funding and directing it towards the well-being of an overworked and depleted workforce is a strong signal from Governor Kathy Hochul that New York State is committed to overcoming the staffing crisis. The entire care delivery system in the developmental disabilities field is built on the work performed by Direct Support Professionals. We can show our thanks and appreciation for their vital, caring, and compassionate work by providing a living wage and recruiting more people into the field. This investment will help to begin to address the extreme workforce shortages and ultimately lead to better services for tens of thousands of New Yorkers with an intellectual or developmental disability and their families.” At this time, these disbursements are only available to family care providers and direct support workers who are employed by voluntary service providers, including staff who deliver services under the self-direction program. Discussions are ongoing regarding state employed direct support workers.

News

Rep. Katko Honors Wayne Mahar’s Remarkable Career In Weather Forecasting on Floor of The U.S. House of Representatives

by Urban CNY News
November 22, 2021

Washington— With Wayne Mahar set to retire in December after 36 years of weather forecasting with CNY Central, on November 17th U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor his remarkable career. Rep. Katko’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below and viewed here. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the celebrated career of Wayne Mahar as he prepares to retire after 36 years of weather forecasting in Central New York. Wayne Mahar is one of the most recognizable and trusted weather forecasters in Central New York. When planning a hike, barbeque, tailgate, or family outing, Central New Yorkers have relied on Wayne to share the weather for nearly four decades. Originally from Brunswick, Maine, Wayne Mahar began his career working for the National Weather Service. From there, he founded Precision Weather Service, a private weather consulting firm that builds forecasts for major events like the MLB All-Star Game, the Super Bowl, and red-carpet events. In 1985, Wayne joined the CNY Central broadcast team in Syracuse, becoming the first full-time meteorologist in Central New York. Here, he brought a new level of seriousness to the profession by utilizing computer models and hard science to make his forecasts. Through this approach, Wayne became known for accuracy, reliability, and his outdoor broadcasts from the CNY Central Weather Deck. An expert on severe weather events, Wayne was also there to deliver critical, life-saving information to families during some of the most historic weather events in Central New York, including the Blizzard of 1993 and 1998 Labor Day Storm. Outside of forecasting, Wayne has been a prominent fixture in our community. He’s an avid hockey player, hosts regular workshops for young aspiring meteorologists, and in 2008, founded the Priscilla Mahar Animal Welfare Foundation. The non-profit organization was named after his late mother and champions animal welfare causes, raising over a quarter of a million dollars for local animal rescues. For nearly four decades, families like mine have turned to Wayne Mahar when we want to know if there will be sun, rain, sleet – or just another day of lake-effect snow. While he will be dearly missed on our televisions, Central New Yorkers can rest assured they will continue to see him. When he’s not spending time with his children and grandchildren, Wayne has promised he will remain an active part of the community. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Wayne Mahar for an incredible career in weather forecasting and wishing him the best in his well-deserved retirement. Thank you.

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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

SYR Gears Up for Busy Holiday Travel Season

Firefighter Injured, Nine Residents Displaced After House Fire on Westmoreland Avenue

RISE Welcomes Afghan Refugees to The Central New York Community

Senator John W. Mannion Announces $80,000 Grant To Support State-Of-The-Art Upgrades To The Omnitheater At The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum Of Science & Technology (MOST)

Vehicle Strikes Syracuse Fire Station

Two House Fires in Syracuse: Three Residents & One Firefighter Injured

Community Foundation Receives Funding to Connect Residents to Expanded Tax Credits

Governor Hochul Announces Over $1.5 Billion In Funding for Workers Who Directly Support Those With Developmental Disabilities

House Fire on Fellows Avenue

Rep. Katko Honors Wayne Mahar’s Remarkable Career In Weather Forecasting on Floor of The U.S. House of Representatives

Black Voices