George Borrello

State Senator George Borrello is disappointed with passage of “The Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

The Act is in response to a 2020 report from Cornell University finding that using neonics poses a threat to the state’s bees while providing few benefits to farmers.

The legislation allows a phase-in period of several years, giving seed suppliers, farmers and others the needed time to adapt.

The bill specifically targets the use of neonics for treated corn, wheat and soy seeds.

Borrello issued a statement saying he was deeply disappointed with the Senate’s passage of the bill, saying, “Use of this innovative technology has helped farmers optimize crop yield and quality and allowed them to greatly reduce the large-scale spraying of older, more toxic and environmentally harmful pesticides. Pesticide application rates will increase by an estimated 375 percent per acre if this bill is enacted into law.”

Borrello said other studies have confirmed that neonics are safe for bees and other pollinators and the product has been registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). He said the “attempt by legislators to override the DEC’s regulatory authority and expertise in this area is reckless and sets a dangerous precedent. ”

The New York Farm Bureau also issued a statement saying, “The vote to ban an entire class of pesticides and treated seeds is deeply concerning, especially because of the precedent it sets. The Department of Environmental Conservation and its expertise should maintain the authority to properly review and register risk management tools, something the legislature is stripping away.”

The Farm Bureau also requested that Governor Kathy Hochul veto the bill.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball (third from right) and Cornell AgriTech Interim Director Olga Padilla-Zakour (second from right) present Westfield Maid Cooperative with a first-place prize.

The Westfield Maid Cooperative was one of two grand prize winners at the New York Concord Grape Innovation Awards.

The awards ceremony was held Friday, December 9, at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva.

The Portland-based company won first prize in the Best New Concord Grape Beverage category. They were awarded a $20,000 cash prize, along with a package of expert support from Cornell University valued at $8,000.

Westfield Maid Cooperative’s winning product was the “Good n’ Grapey” Concord grape juice pouch, a four-ounce shelf-stable pouch containing 100% New York Concord grape juice designed for use in school cafeterias.

In addition to the prize packages, winning products will also be featured at the nearly 70 Taste NY markets and 10 welcome centers across the state.

Westfield Maid Cooperative Sales and Strategy Director Andy Putnam said the company will use the prize money and free consulting services toward a rapid launch of their new Concord grape beverage product for “NYS farm to school markets.”

The idea for the competition was born out of the 2018 Concord Grape Summit, held at the Grape Discovery Center in Westfield, and was funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.

The Lake Erie region of New York and Pennsylvania is home to over 32,000 acres of vineyard, of which nearly 98% is planted to Concord – making it the largest grape growing region in the U.S. outside of California, and the largest Concord growing region in the world.

George Borrello

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello is reporting that he’s submitted double the mandatory required petitions to the New York State Board of Elections to become the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party candidate in the upcoming election for the 57th State Senate District.

This seat recently became open with the resignation of former Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean), who opted to leave Albany at the start of a new term in order to take a position with Cornell University.

Borrello has been Chautauqua County Executive since January 2018. Before that he was a member of the Chautauqua County Legislature.

If Governor Cuomo had set a date for a special election to fill Young’s vacated seat, then Borrello would be the automatic Republican candidate, due to his being endorsed by a majority of the County Republican Committee chairs in the 57th district.

However, the governor never set a date, meaning the special Senate election will be held at the same time as the November General Election.  As a result, Borrello will likely have to run a primary for the Republican nomination – and perhaps other parties as well. That’s due to Allegany County Legislature Chairman Curtis Crandall has also seeking the Senate office. He told WRFA last week he was well on his way to collect the required number of signatures to force a party primary.

Borrello has been endorsed as a candidate by the Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Livingston County Republican Committees. Crandall has been endorsed by the Allegany County Republican Committee.

The winner of the likely primary in June will go on to face Democratic candidate Austin Morgan of Cattaraugus County in November.

Austin Morgan

FREEDOM, NY – The Democratic candidate running for Cathy Young’s (R-Olean) recently-vacated State Senate seat says that despite his age, he’s still just as capable and qualified to represent voters in the 57th district when compared to the other two individuals running for the seat.

Democratic candidate Austin Morgan, 22, is a lifelong resident of Freedom, NY in Cattaraugus County. The son of a teacher’s aide and a maintenance mechanic, Morgan was the valedictorian of Pioneer High School’s Class of 2015, and he is a first-generation college student about to graduate from Cornell University where he is studying child development and environmental influences on that development. He’s worked as a teacher aide with special needs students, substitute teacher, State Senate Legislative Analyst, and as the co-President of a student-run event production business on the Cornell Campus.

Morgan has already been endorsed by all four county Democratic Committees in the 57th district, including Chautauqua County.

Morgan was a guest on this week’s Community Matters program and talked about his candidacy and why he’s decided to run for State Senate.

“I think it’s time for some energy and I think it’s time for some excitement in our local politics. When was the last time we looked at government and didn’t have an exhaustive sigh?” Morgan asked. “So I put my name in because I really feel a sense of duty to the towns, the streets, and the people who raised me.”

• RELATED: Community Matters – Austin Morgan Discusses Run for State Senate

Morgan appears to be the lone Democratic candidate in a special election for a Senate district that historically has favored Republicans (the party has held the seat going back to the days of the late Jess Present, who was first elected to the State Senate in 1968).  On the Republican side both Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello (Irving) and Allegany County Legislature Chairman Curtis Crandall (Belfast) are vying for the party’s nomination, with Borrello already receiving the endorsement of all four county Republican Committees.

Even though both Borrello and Crandall have been elected to public office and currently serve in leadership positions at the local level, Morgan said that doesn’t necessarily translate to them having more knowledge about what it takes to operate within the State Legislature.

A map showing New York’s 57th Senate District, which is now vacant following the resignation and departure of former Sen. Catherine Young

“In 2018 I worked for the State Senate and I realized that a lot of the places, a lot of the folks around where we live, just aren’t at the table right now. Their voices just aren’t being heard,” Morgan explained, later adding, “Beyond the two Republican opponents that I have right now, I have more experience in how the Senate works, how the Democratic majority works, and how things are actually done in Albany.”

Besides their history in public office, both Borrello and Crandall also have extensive experience running a business, which can be appealing for some constituents who want a representative who understands the challenges that face small businesses and their owners.

But Morgan said he also has experience managing people and making a company profitable.

“When I came to Cornell University, I found out there was an on-campus business called Cornell Production. It does media events – we do sound and lighting for them. When I first found the company it was going under. It lacked leadership and it just was not functioning. So one of the things I did in my Freshman semester was I joined the organization. A friend and I got it organized, got the employees organized – over 40 students who worked for the company. And we turned it around. We reached profit the very next semester,” Morgan said.

And while it appears a Republican will once again be heavily favored to win the 57th District (Young ran unopposed in the most recent election), Morgan said that if residents want any chance at fair representation they will have to send a Democrat to the Senate.

“What we’re facing right now in our region are two realities. One is that the State Senate is solidly Democratic and it will not be changing back soon. The second is that in order for our region to continue to get the resources that it needs, we need a voice in the room when Democrats are plotting the course for our state’s future,” Morgan said. “The party is incredibly New York City-centric. There are not voices from rural regions like ours. So if our voters believe we need help from Albany to continue growing, which I believe we do, what needs to happen is we need to send someone to put our voice at the table.”

Morgan also said that despite his age, he is ready to represent the region in Albany.

“I may be young but I think in this case that’s an asset. I may be only 22, but I know [Chautauqua County Democratic Committee] Chairman Norman Green says ‘I’m 22 going on 40’ and I think a lot of people would feel that way if they get the chance to talk with me and I hope I have the chance to talk with them,” Morgan said.

Meanwhile a date has not been set for when a special election for the 57th district may occur. That decision rests with Governor Andrew Cuomo. If he chooses not to call for a special election, then Young’s replacement will be voted on during the November General election to fill out the remainder of the current term, which ends on December 31, 2020.

George Borrello

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello (R-Irving) has now been endorsed by all four county Republican committees in the 57th State Senate District.

Borrello is vying for the vacated seat previously held by Cathy Young (R-Olean), who left office earlier this month after announcing at the end of February she was taking a job with Cornell University.

If a special election is to take place to fill the seat, the party committees from each county have to choose their candidate.

On Wednesday the Post-Journal reported the Republican Committees in Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Livingston Counties have all come out in support of Borrello, in addition to his receiving the Chautauqua County Republican Committee’s endorsement earlier this month.

Meanwhile the Democratic Committees from each county have selected 22 year old Austin Morgan of Freedom NY.

If the governor does not schedule a special election to fill the remainder of the vacated senate seat, then it will automatically occur during the November 2019 general election. In that case the candidates for the senate race will have to circulate petitions in order to get their name on the ballot. If more than one candidate from the same party gets enough signatures of support then a primary will take place in June.

Austin Morgan

MAYVILLE – Regional Democrats are taping a young resident to serve as their candidate in a special election for state senate.

According to a media release sent out by the Democratic Committee of Chautauqua County, political newcomer Austin Morgan of Freedom in Cattaraugus County is the choice by party leadership to replace former Republican Senator Cathy Young as the 57th State Senate District representative in Albany.

The announcement comes after the County Democratic Chairs of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Livingston met and interviewed candidates this past week.

Morgan is 22-year old Cornell University Spring of 2019 candidate for graduation with degree in Human Development. He is currently the co-president and former client manager of Cornell Productions, a student run company that employs 40-student workers.

“Morgan is 22 going on 40,” said Chautauqua County Democratic Chair Norman Green.

“Morgan will immediately have power and access as a new majority caucus member in the New York State Senate. It makes great economic sense for our region in the new reality of New York politics to elect a young man who will gain seniority in the majority over the coming
decades,” added Livingston County Democratic Chair Judith Hunter.

Green said the next task for County Democratic Committee members to circulate a qualifying designating petition to get Morgan on the ballot.

The media release also stated that the special election to fill senator young’s seat will take place on November 5 during the local general elections. The Governor has the option of choosing an earlier date for a special election for the seat but so far he has not done so.

The seat was vacated by Young earlier this month after she announced she was leaving office to take a position with Cornell University.

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello is currently vying for the Republican Party’s endorsement and has already been tapped by the Chautauqua county Republican Committee.

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MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County County Executive George Borrello (R-Irving) confirms that he is hoping to be the area’s next representative in the New York State Senator.

George Borrello

On Thursday morning WRFA talked with Borrello during an appearance at Jamestown Community College. Borrello said that he was pleased to learn he has received the endorsement of the Chautauqua County Republican and Conservative Party Committees in being their candidate in a special election for the recently vacated 57th senate district.

“I’m certainly very proud to have the endorsement of our Chautauqua County Republican Committee,” Borrello said. “There are other steps to take and there are three other counties involved besides Chautauqua County, so we’ll move through that process.”

The three other counties involved include Cattaraugus, Allegany and Livinston Counties. In a special election  to fill the remainder of a term of a vacated legislature seat, the county committees for each party within the legislative district are required to agree to a candidate with a weighted vote taking place if more than one name is being considered. But with Chautauqua County containing nearly 50 percent of all registered Republicans in the district, it appears Borrello is a near certainty to secure a district-wide endorsement.

Borrello, who is a also former Chautauqua County Legislator, is only in his second year County Executive. He admits he was reluctant to consider the Senate opening, but eventually decided to pursue it for a number of reasons.

“I felt the sense of duty that we need good representation in Albany for Chautauqua County and the rest of the district,” Borrello said. “Although I was reluctant to jump in because of everything we have going on here as county executive, after talking to a lot of people including my wife, I really decided that for us to push forward with so many initiatives that are already in the works – things like the Ripley Gateway Center, or the hops and barley coop, or all the things going on around Chautauqua Lake to improve the water quality – those require strong, persistent diligent advocacy by our state representatives. Cathy Young did a fantastic job. She leaves a tremendous hole and big shoes to fill, so we need somebody there who is going to have the energy, drive, and commitment to advance those projects and everything else that is important to the people of the 57th District.”

A map showing New York’s 57th Senate District, which is now vacant following the resignation and departure of former Sen. Catherine Young

Making the path easier for Borrello on the Republican side is the fact that the region’s two Republican Assembly members – Andrew Goodell (R-Ellicott) of Chautauqua County and Joe Giglio of Cattaraugus County – have both reportedly announced they will not run for that seat.

Meanwhile on the Democratic side, Lakewood resident and past Senate candidate Nancy Bargar announced via email on Thursday afternoon she was withdrawing from the race. Chautauqua County Democratic Committee chair Norman Green tells WRFA they will likely announce their endorsement for the Senate seat next week.

The senate seat was vacated by Cathy Young (R-Olean) at the start of this week. She announced at the end of last month she was leaving the Senate to take a job at Cornell University. Prior to her departure she had served in the Senate for 15 years and prior to that in the State Assembly.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has the option of scheduling a date for when the special election will take place. If he opts to not schedule a date, it will automatically occur during the November General Election. The winner will serve the remainder of the current term, which ends December 31, 2020.

Meanwhile, as the district waits for a new Senator to be voted on to fill the district’s vacated senate seat, residents across the region are left without a representative in the State legislature’s upper chamber.

Despite the absence, 57th Senate District Administrative Assistant Lisa Vanstrom tells WRFA that the district offices are still staffed and anyone seeking help or assistance is still encouraged to call.

She also said that for questions involving legislation – local residents in Chautauqua County should contact via email Assemblyman Goodell.

George Borrello

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello (R-Irving) hasn’t announced his intention to seek a seat in the New York State Senate, but that hasn’t stopped at least one political party from endorsing him to fill the vacated seat.

The Chautauqua County Conservative Party in a media release said it is endorsing Borrello for the recently vacated 57th district New York Senate seat held by Senator Cathy Young. Last month Young announced she was leaving the Senate on March 10 in order to take a job with Cornell University.

The Conservative Party announcement was made Tuesday afternoon by chairwoman and member of the State Conservative Executive Committee, Anna Wilcox. She said the decision to endorse Borrello came after consulting with members of the Conservative Executive Committee and the State Conservative Party Chairman, Gerard Kassar.

Wilcox says the recent shift in power in Albany (due to Democrats taking control of the Senate) means its imperative that the strongest and best qualified candidate run for the seat in order to stand up to the progressive agenda and her party believes that person is Borrello.

“Soon we will have legalization of marijuana, in spite of numerous studies warning about the harmful effects on the brains of adolescents. We now have one of the most liberal abortion laws in the country, one that borders on infanticide, whose signing into law by the Governor was celebrated by cheering left-wing Democrat lawmakers,” Wilcox said in her statement. “While some people may be apprehensive about losing a promising young County Executive, it is imperative that the strongest and best qualified candidate run for this Senate seat.  We need someone who believes that Catholics, Protestants, and people of faith should be respected, not ridiculed; that it is our right to own a gun, if we so choose, to protect our homes and our families; that being on welfare should be a temporary situation — not a permanent lifestyle, and that illegal immigrants should not go to New York State Universities tuition free, while hard working lower and middle class families take out mortgages and work two jobs to send their kids to college. We need someone who will stand up and fight for the interests and beliefs of the people of the 57th district. We need George Borrello.”

Borrello, who became county executive at the start of 2018 hasn’t even announced his potential candidacy, though he did say during a recent Facebook live conference with constituents that it is something he’d consider, but hadn’t made any commitment.

“Whether or not I’m interested in it, I love what I do hear as the county executive in Chautauqua County,” Borrello said on March 1. “I feel like we’re making great progress, we’ve got a lot of initiatives and we planted some great seeds here. The only way I think I would really consider it is if I truly felt I could better represent the people of Chautauqua County in that position than as county executive. Right now, this is so fresh – the ink is barely dry on this – so I’m not going to make any commitments one way or the other, but I do love being the county executive and I think we have a lot of great things going on.”

WRFA reached out to Borrello via email on Tuesday night for a reaction to the Conservative Party’s endorsement but have yet to hear back from him as of Wednesday morning.

While the Conservative Party has endorsed Borrello as its candidate, and past Senate candidate Nancy Bargar (D-Lakewood) has also announced her interest in the vacated seat, there has been no news on when an election to fill the vacated seat will take place. The governor has the option of calling for a special election but if he fails to do that, an election will be held during the November general election to fill the remainder of the term in the Senate, which ends on Dec. 1, 2020.

Also according to the Jamestown Post-Journal, current assemblyman for Chautauqua County, Republican Andy Goodell (R-Gerry), has said he wont be seeking the senate seat.

A map showing New York’s 57th Senate District, which is now vacant following the resignation and departure of former Sen. Catherine Young

ALBANY – With Catherine Young (R-Olean) no longer in the State Senate, the state’s 57th senate district is without a representative.

Since May 2005, Young had represented the district, which includes all of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties, as well as the lower half of Livingston County.

But at the end of February she made a sudden and unexpected announcement that she would be resigning from office to take a job at Cornell University as director of the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture. She begin her new role on Monday, March 11, a day after officially leaving the Senate.

Without Young in the Senate, the region is without representation during the final two weeks of the annual state budget process. That’s a stark contrast to just one year ago, when Young – who was then in the majority party – served as chair of the state Senate finance committee, which oversees the state budget process in the Senate.

The news of Young’s departure caught many off guard and while there has been some discussion on who would step forward to fill her vacated seat, that can’t happen until Governor Andrew Cuomo calls a special election through a proclamation.  That could come prior to the November General Election, or the seat could remain vacant until that time.

WRFA has reached out the to governor’s office to see whether or not he’s selected a date for a special election but so far we’ve not received a response.

Catherine Young

(Updated March 1 at 10:25 a.m.)

ALBANY – Long time state senator and representative of Chautauqua County Catherine Young (R-Olean) is resigning from her office to take a job at Cornell University.

The unexpected announcement came Thursday, catching many off guard – including her colleagues as well as other elected officials in Chautauqua County.

Young announced she has accepted a position as director of the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech and begin her new role on March 11.

Since May 2005, Young has represented New York State’s 57th Senate district, which includes all of Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus County and Allegany County, as well as the lower half of Livingston County.

Young won a special election in 2005 following the death of former Sen. and Republican Patricia “Pat” McGee. Prior to serving in the Senate Young was a member of the State Assembly, representing the 149th Assembly district.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon (printed below in its entirety), Young said, “Leaving my job in the Senate – a job that I love – has not been an easy decision and it is bittersweet. I have put my energy, heart and soul into working hard for my district and getting results, and as I travel throughout the region from Ripley to Livonia and everywhere in between, the progress we have made is visible…. Now, there’s a new and exciting opportunity to carry on my public service, by not only continuing to work hard for Western New York, but to advance economic growth and prosperity statewide.”

Young’s announcement comes just two months after her Republican party lost power in the State Senate and just four months after she won reelection to a new term, running unopposed.

It also comes after she lost an internal Republican leadership battle with current leader John Flannigan. After the GOP lost control of the Senate in November, Young led an unsuccessful leadership challenge and following the vote, she was stripped of her leadership role on the chamber’s finance committee and lost control of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee.

According to other media reports, news of the resignation caught the Capitol by surprise on Thursday, with Flanagan being blindsided with news reports of Young’s decision during a live radio interview – when he said that he was not aware of anything and that the GOP certainly wanted Young to stay in Albany.

Young leaves public life with more than half a million dollars left in her campaign account, which is also owed $100,000 by the Senate Republican Campaign Committee.

It’s not known how soon it will be before a replacement is found to serve the remainder of the current term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2020. Governor Andrew Cuomo has the sole power to call a special election through a proclamation. That could come prior to the November General Election, or the seat could remain vacant until that time.

Thursday afternoon she provided the following statement.

Serving the people of our region for the past 23 years truly has been the deepest honor of my life, first as a Cattaraugus County legislator, then as a New York State Assemblywoman and Senator.  I often have reflected about that sunburned and freckled-faced kid with pigtails who spent so much time working and playing on our farm, always having big hopes and dreams but never realizing that I would someday have the opportunity to find my passion of helping others as a Senator.

Reaching out a hand to people and communities, growing the economy, nurturing agriculture and being a champion for upstate New York always have been at the top of my priorities.  That calling has inspired, driven and fulfilled me, and there have been countless successes over these many years.  

More than anything, people need good-paying jobs to support themselves and their families.  Upstate New York needs thriving businesses to provide those jobs and to revitalize our communities.  And our farmers need innovative ways to boost profitability.  

Now, there’s a new and exciting opportunity to carry on my public service, by not only continuing to work hard for Western New York, but to advance economic growth and prosperity statewide by leading the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech.  

Farming and food manufacturing always have been the bread and butter of our region.  To grow New York’s food, beverage and agriculture economy by linking them with the incredible innovation, expertise and resources at Cornell AgriTech so they can expand and flourish is a natural extension of my work that I have done as a Senator.  We have many outstanding food manufacturers in our region that I have helped grow over the years, and I will continue to work hard to expand all of New York State agriculture economy.

Cornell University holds special and personal significance to my family and to me.  My grandparents toiled and struggled during the great Depression, raising four children on the farm in the hardest of times.  In spite of tremendous adversity, they made sure that each of their children focused on getting a good education so that they would have better lives.  In 1949, my father went off to Cornell University, and he and his siblings were the first generation in our family to graduate from college.

My Dad not only showed through his example the vital importance of tenacity and hard work, but he also instilled in me a deep admiration for Cornell.  

Leaving my job in the Senate – a job that I love – has not been an easy decision and it is bittersweet.

I have put my energy, heart and soul into working hard for my district and getting results, and as I travel throughout the region from Ripley to Livonia and everywhere in between, the progress we have made is visible.

There is no greater privilege than to help others, whether it is comforting and finding aid for those whose homes and businesses were ravaged by flood waters, ensuring that a toddler with a brain tumor received the medical expertise and treatment that she needed, or pinning a long overdue medal on a veteran’s chest – these are the experiences that have given me so much and enriched my life.

I have met so many wonderful people along the way and have developed friendships that I treasure.  Our brave firefighters and first responders who save property and lives, veterans who have given their all to protect our freedom, outstanding law enforcement who put our safety ahead of theirs, senior citizens who have life experiences that provide lessons for us all, health care workers who provide excellent care, teachers who make sure our children have the best learning opportunities, captains of industry who invest in our economy, small business owners and farmers who are the backbone of our region, citizens who work hard every day, volunteers who are committed to helping others, elected officials who are making their communities the best they can be – the people in my district are phenomenal and they make me very proud.

It has been a tremendous honor that they have shared their joys and sorrows, tribulations and successes, and hopes and dreams with me, and I am eternally grateful to have had their faith and trust.

I also have been blessed with outstanding staff who have tremendous accomplishments in helping our constituents, and I am thankful for their service to the people in our region.

And finally, I need to give my heartfelt thanks and love to my family – my husband, Dick, and my children – Maureen and Jerry, Patrick and Sydney, and Rich and Kait and grandson Rowan – who have been very supportive and have made sacrifices along the way.  

Being a Senator has been a labor of love.  Thank you to everyone for allowing me to have the most rewarding experience of a lifetime.

• Senator Catherine Young
  Feb. 28, 2019