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Saturday,Ê January 21, 2017
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In SPORTS | pg. 16-18
Indians take down Chiefs State-ranked teams meet
www.SunCommunityNews.com
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In ELECTIONS | pg. 9
Two trustees running again
Seeking someone new for village justice
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In NEWS | pg. 4
New property tax proposal leaving local counties in crosshairs
North Country protesters rally against ACA repeal As Congress begins to repeal healthcare legislation, protest draws 150 to Stefanik’s Plattsburgh office By Elizabeth Izzo
elizabeth@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — Protesters took to the streets on Sunday to decry the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is now underway by Congress. Carrying signs brandishing slogans like “Patients Over Politics,” protesters gathered outside Rep. Elise Stefanik’s Plattsburgh office to ask that the lawmaker reconsider her vote last week to roll back the legislation.
City officials
“We are here to communicate that healthcare is a right that must be preserved,” said Theresa Cheetham-Palen, a former Keene Valley teacher. “A knee-jerk repeal would be irresponsible.” Stefanik, a Republican, voted last week, largely along party lines, for a procedural vote that marked the first step of repealing President Obama’s signature healthcare legislation. The lawmaker said stories of skyrocketing premiums and reduced coverage have been familiar refrains from voters and businesses across the district, the state’s largest. “I do not support pulling the rug out from anyone who has coverage under Obamacare and support a multi-year time horizon until repeal is implemented,” Stefanik wrote on Facebook. Average premiums rose by over 16 percent in New York last >> See ACA Rally | pg. 15
Photo by Elizabeth Izzo
Pistol license recertification process underway
adoptÊ budget Plattsburgh residents to see 5.9 percent tax hike, lawmakers make cuts to police, fire departments PLATTSBURGH — Following months of deliberation, city councillors adopted an official budget plan for 2017 last Friday — with a 5.9 percent tax increase attached. Mayor Colin Read said the total tax levy Elizabeth increase is 6.67 percent, but that comes in Izzo two parts: a 5.9 percent increase in each Writer household’s taxes, and a .77 percent increase in the tax base, primarily due to property reassessments and new home construction. Read, who took office earlier this month, said that the original executive budget proposed by former Mayor James Calnon left the council with a 28 percent tax hike to whittle down. The adopted tax rate is still an increase to taxpayers, Read said, but a much more affordable $67 per person. With the help of department heads, the council managed to slash the $1.6 million budget deficit by around 65 percent. Last Tuesday, lawmakers said that they hoped to see a $250,000 reduction in the Plattsburgh City Police Department budget — however, the department only offered up a
Protesters converged in Plattsburgh on Jan. 15 to protest the rollback of the Affordable Care Act.
Upstate residents who purchased handguns before 2013 must re-register as part of SAFE Act regulations, which continue to be rolled out net $54,574 in reductions, including a $73,919 pay decrease and $5,655 reduction to Social Security benefits. Lawmakers also said they hoped to see close to $165,000 in cuts from the Plattsburgh City Fire Department. Fire Chief Scott Lawliss proposed a $65,000 reduction, with a $40,000 decrease in separation pay. In the last days before the state-mandated deadline, public works proposed $102,955 in cuts and the IT Department offered up $12,000 spending that could be deferred. “A sincere thank you to department heads for their efforts,” said Councilor Peter Ensel (Ward 4). “While we should be happy with our whittling down, we should not be happy with the tax increase.” Ensel attempted to abstain from voting on the resolution to adopt the 2017 budget, but was forced to change his vote in the affirmative after being told that the budget required a unanimous decision. >> See City Budget | pg. 9
By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
ELIZABETHTOWN — The recertification process for the state’s 2 million pistol permit holders is now underway. A new website launched by the state police last week allows gun owners who had pistol permits before 2013 to complete the process online or print out a form and send it in. All pistol or revolver license holders have to re-certify every five years at the risk of having their license revoked. The registration is free. The new regulations are part of the SAFE Act, the gun control legislation approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers in 2013 about one month after a gunman used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. >> See Pistol License | pg. 19