Elect Bill Meyer

50% of Americans do not eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of our diet; they help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. For many residents of the greater Syracuse region, Saturdays during the summer start with a trip to the market. If you want the freshest vegetables and fruits, the CNY Regional Market plays host to over 300 local farmers and growers. The Market spans across 50 acres with 18 buildings and open lots where you will find plants, flowers, produce, fish, organic soaps, fresh eggs, pastries and the list goes on and on. The Regional Market has an average of 10,000 visitors each Saturday. However, if you do not want to deal with the crowds the Market is open on Tuesday evenings, Thursday, and Sunday.

The Market opened on April 1, 1938 and is the oldest, largest farmer’s market in New York State. The Market is overseen by the CNY Regional Market Authority. This is a board of 12 members from 7 counties who are charged with providing facilities, programs, and services to promote opportunities for agricultural and commerce in Central New York. The Market Authority recently established a 5 and 10 year strategic plan for the future with assistance from the USDA. Many improvements and renovations have already been made to the Market over the past few years. In 2001, the Market Authority completed an $8.4 million upgrade to their entire site. Future plans call for a total revitalization of each of the eighteen buildings located at the Market. Improvements that have been made since 2004 include additional parking with a shuttle service, the Demonstration Kitchen trailer and the Farm Fresh Mobile Market. Customer service has continued to improve at the Market with the addition of an Information Booth and Market Coins. Market Coins can be purchased with an EBT, credit or debit card and can be used throughout the Market. This month will see the beginning of the Demonstration Kitchen’s use with Dieticians from the Onondaga County Health Department, Office of Aging, WIC, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market has been an outstanding way to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to residents of the City of Syracuse.

The Farm Fresh Mobile Market was inspired by a similar project launched in Oakland, California by The People’s Grocery. The philosophy behind this project is to bring fresh food and educational information about healthy living to communities lacking the resources to live healthy lives. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market is a collaboration of community residents, funders, educators, and farmers to help address this problem of food disparity with the initial focus being on the Southside of Syracuse where access to grocery stores is limited. These neighborhoods are typically filled with fast food chains or corner store options for people to walk to that provide poor food choices that are low in nutritional value. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market provides residents with produce straight from our local growers and will continue provided it can be done in a self-sustaining manner.

The Market looks to continue on a path of financial stability, while operating cost are consistently on the rise, the goal continues to be to maintain the facilities in as close to new condition as possible. In hopes of reducing operating costs, the Market has just begun the process of replacing 10-year old light fixtures with LED lighting which requires about 75% less energy and allows the Market to look at the stored energy and ultimately the renewable energy. The short term goal is for energy savings and the long term goal is for operating in a green community. JoAnn Delaney, President of the CNYRMA Board of Directors summed up the plans for the Market as, “the long and short term goals for the future will be to operate a safe and prosperous facility so that it can continue to be a very valued community asset to the seven counties to which we serve”.

LEGISLATOR MEYER WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF PLANNING

On April 1, 2008 the Onondaga County Legislature approved the appointment of Donald M. Jordan, Jr. as Director of Planning for the Syracuse and Onondaga Planning Agency. Mr. Jordan was previously employed by SOCPA as the GIS Systems Program Manager. Don Jordan is a resident of Bayridge Road in Cicero; he is a graduate of Cornell University and is pursuing graduate studies at SUNY ESF.

Three Onondaga County legislators supporting Operation IMPACT
Three Onondaga County legislators are putting their support behind Operation IMPACT. Dale Sweetland, Jim DiBlasi and William Meyer want the county to provide more funding for the crime fighting initiative.

Onondaga County dealing with Medicaid fraud
According to some statistics, New York State could be losing as much as $18 billion a year in Medicaid fraud. Now Onondaga County is working on a way to deter such fraud, while improving the system at the same time.

Software detects Medicaid fraud
New Software being tested in Onondaga County has the potential to nab Medicaid abusers. Now, county officials are saying at least six potential cases are up for investigation.

Bill Meyer pushes for sex-offender legislation
One Onondaga County legislator is pushing to create a system to notify people about sexual predators.

Proposal for better tracking sexual predators

Onondaga County is looking to take necessary measures to better protect the children in our communities.

Tracking Sex Offenders It's Fish's kidnapping that urged Onondaga County Legislator, Bill Meyer, to take action and think of new ways that the county can better protect children against sex offenders.

OnGov.net : Onondaga County selected as site for 2011 USBC Women's Championships

LEGISLATOR MEYER WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF PLANNING

Onondaga County legislators recommend cuts to budget plan