Gillibrand talks business with Yates owners

Aug 30, 2011 at 02:56 pm by Observer-Review


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Gillibrand talks business with Yates owners

    BRANCHPORT—United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Yates County on Thursday, Aug. 25. Her visit was originally scheduled on July 6, but urgent issues related to the economy forced her to cancel the visit.
    Gillibrand told the overflow audience at Hunt Country Vineyards she is a strong advocate for rural New York. Gillibrand currently serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
    The morning visit was termed a rural business roundtable. Gillibrand said she would talk about any issue that affects the audience’s businesses. The issues that followed ranged from industry to countywide economic concerns to individual business problems.
    Gillibrand said she has seen a reduction in lending by commercial banks. Gillibrand said she is trying to make sure there is more capital available. She also wants to enhance Small Business Agency programs.
Near the conclusion of the event, winery owner Art Hunt presented ideas he called, “Three Bipartisan, Cost Saving Job Creating, Tax Generating Ideas."
    The first was related to immigration. Hunt’s idea is a low cost guest worker program. Hunt maintained this would virtually eliminate illegal crossing and human trafficking at the border. In addition, workers would be able to return home legally and safely. Hunt said this program would eliminate nearly all the attitudes from those who complain about illegal immigrants living in this country.
    Hunt’s second idea was connected to hydrofracking. The method of drilling for natural gas is a controversial topic. Hunt said hydrofracking would quickly destroy thousands of tourism related jobs, turn farms into industrial zones and ruin the land for future generations.
    Hunt concluded with a solution he called far better. Hunt’s idea is to boost the “Buy Locally” movement. Hunt said this would create thousands of new jobs, increase state and federal tax revenues and preserve natural resources and land for growing healthy food in the future. Hunt said he feels out leaders need to make this a patriotic duty.
    Hunt outlined the local impact stating, “Small rural towns are being rejuvenated, adding, This can happen in every town and in cities. It just takes leadership. We all need to tell our leaders to lead.”
    Hunt asked Gillibrand to pass on his idea to Governor Cuomo and to our administration. Hunt said, “It’s a Win-Win for everyone.”
    Gillibrand had a full day of meetings with constituents ahead of her. At the conclusion of her visit, Gillibrand said, “I can’t do my job well without your input.”

 

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