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Patrick Swanson - Chautauqua County District Attorney

Chautauqua County District Attorney, Patrick Swanson since 2017. Previously served as Acting DA in 2016-2017, and Assistant DA from 2012-2016. Graduate of Wake Forest University in 2001 and U Memphis Law in 2008. Native of Sherman NY, currently lives in Fredonia with his wife and two children.

Swanson is committed to seeking justice for the citizens of Chautauqua County. CHQ County is the 23rd most populous county (130,000). The DAs office has 12.5 attorneys (12 full time and one part time) and 25 total employees. The office handles approximately four or five homicides per year for the last 4-5 years.

Swanson’s goal for the office is to increase the number of full time attorneys, when he took office in 2017, there were eight full time attorneys, now there are 12 (including the DA).

District Attorney’s office focuses on the following areas:

Narcotics
Sex Crimes
School Assistance
Police Training
Founding partner in the County Opioid Court
Participates in Erie County Crime Analysis Center

Q&A

Q - What is the ideal number of attorneys on staff?
A - In the long term, Swanson would like to have 18 attorneys on staff, in line with counties with similar work loads (Ulster County and Schenectady County - each have 25 attorneys on staff).

Q - What is your job?
A - Represent the People, per the NYS Penal Law. The office receives case files after arraignment.

Q - Have you had to “farm out” work?
A - DA office does not “farm out” traffic violations.

Q - How many attorneys are in the Public Defenders office?
A - Currently there are 16 attorneys in the CHQ County PD office. They struggle to find local, qualified candidates (as does the DA office).

Q - According to the National Safety Traffic Management Report in 2019, 80% of DWI’s in CHQ county were dismissed or reduced to lesser charges.
A - There has been a steady decrease in DWI’s in CHQ county, in 2019 there were 58 felony DWI convictions.

Q - What happened in the Leland Bresee trial?
A - Leland Bresee plead guilty in 2019 to second-degree rape and was sentenced to six months time served in jail, in addition to 10 years probation. He is currently in State Prison.

Joni Blackman thanked Patrick Swanson for his time and indicated that a donation in his name would be made to Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

Tracy Mitrano - 23rd Congressional District Candidate

Tracy Mitrano, 23rd District Congressional seat candidate was introduced by Chris Anderson.

Tracy spoke on her decision to run strongly due to her concern with the deteriorating values of citizenship. She wants to see our country back on the right path. She chose Congress because her professional life experience has been based around federal level issues.

Her key issues are:

Health Care Reform - Need more efficient, cost effective and available health care.
Infrastructure - Internet connection everywhere – a key to being globally competitive.
Environmental - Aligns with the Joe Biden's plan using Renewable Energy Schedule to plan the transition. Could be an economic driver for our area.
Economical - Not just the stock market- working class citizens incomes have not kept up with the cost of living. Must get above issues fixed to make our area marketable to business development.

A Q&A session was then had and can be reviewed in the recording link pasted below.

Tracy also suggested a book called True or False by Cindy Otis - you can find this book here - https://cindyotis.com/book/true-or-false/

To see a full recording of Tracy's presentation, please visit ==> https://jamestownnyrotary.org/page/zoom-meetings.

To learn more about Tracy and her stance on particular issues, please visit ==> https://mitrano2020.com/

District Governor - Frank Adamson

Posted by Chris Anderson on Aug 17, 2020

Frank & Judy Adamson

Frank is from the Rotary Club of Fonthill in Ontario.

Frank has been active in community life starting as a cub, a scout, an army cadet and a junior forest ranger.

Frank has served in the caring professions all his life as he has been a psychiatric attendant, an ambulance attendant and paramedic. He rose through the ranks to be a supervisor, training officer, assistant manager, and ultimately Chief of Niagara’s Emergency Medical Services. As an educator he has been a college professor and Program Coordinator at Niagara College, and a lecturer at the Ontario College of Health and Technology in the Paramedic Program.

Frank was awarded the Governor General’s EMS Exemplary Service Medal in recognition of promoting the profession and community service.

He has been a health planner and Chair of the Niagara District Health Council where he led a Task Force which recommended a 45 million dollar hospital redevelopment plan in Niagara. As a Hospital Administrator he served as V.P. of Planning and Professional Services at the Welland Hospital site.

As a fundraiser Frank has served as a Board Member, Campaign Chair and Board Chair with the United Way of South Niagara, and as Executive Director of the United Way of Cambridge, Ontario.

He is a certified personal trainer and owner/operator of Kwik Fit Niagara and co-owner of Kwik Fit Kingston.

At the Rotary District 7090 level Frank has been a member of the Million Dollar Dinner Committee, the Assistant Governor of Area 7 for two years, Chair of the
Endowment Fund Committee and is a member of the RLI Faculty.

He and his wife Judy, a retired psychiatric nurse, are major donors to Rotary, Bequest Society members, and Frank is a Paul Harris Society Member.

He has been active in leadership roles on numerous community, provincial and national boards and is presently a board member of Wellspring Niagara Cancer Support Foundation and a member of their Capital Campaign Cabinet. He Chairs the Tour du Lac Committee, which established a cycling ride around Lake Ontario to raise $250,000 for Wellspring’s Capital Campaign. This enjoys the support of many Rotary Clubs in the Niagara Region, the Rotary Club of Kingston, and New York Clubs in Webster, Lockport, and Albion.

Part of Frank’s training to become a District Governor is at the zone level where he was able to meet and speak with Rotary International president Holger Knaack.

Frank also mentioned that Jennifer Jones will be the Rotary International president in 2021/2022. Jennifer is from from the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland in Canada. She will become the first female RI president. About time!

Frank explained that COVID is a black cloud hanging over us. But there is also a rainbow we can see as well! He detailed his plans for our District for 2020/2021.

District 7090 Overall Plan

Educate and guide clubs on ways to recruit
Train club members to provide strong leadership at the club level
Assist clubs to enhance public image and awareness of Rotary
Motivate and guide clubs to increase their understanding and support of the Rotary Foundation
Inspire clubs to get more involved with youth

District 7090 Communications Plan

10-12 min phone conversation with every club president every month
Encourage R Pres to reach out to him
Encourage President to be in regular contact with ADG’s
Participate in monthly AG zoom meetings
In lieu of traditional club visits, invite DG to PHF’s, special events, inductions, anniversary dinners and fundraisers
Traditional club visits to be virtual via Zoom
Encourage every Canadian club to partner with American club and encourage cross border join meeting fundraiser or special event for each club
In era of COVID, encourage all clubs to stay connected via weekly or bi-weekly zoom meetings

Supporting Healthy Communities: A new/expanded long term mission for clubs of District 7090

Behaviors – exercise, nutrition, mental health, unhealthy behaviors
Environment- safe communities, air quality, biking trials, etc.
Economic Health – anti-poverty
Social Capital – diversity and inclusion

District Wide Promotional/Service Projects

Multi-district waterside cleanup Lake Ontario and Erie on Earth Day – Frank has a plan!
Buddy benches for lonely or bullied persons – talked about people who are marginalized or need friendship. For lonely and isolated children to put them at a school and an invitation for another child to sit down and talk to the lonely person.
Little lending library – Literacy is very important. Some already doing this!
Blood donor days – a great need for this! Blood Donor Clinic
Multi-club service projects

DG Frank also spoke about Global Polio Eradication and even showed a pic of an iron lung. This led him into a fundraiser that will be happening in the Fall.

Pedal for Polio Day Fundraiser – will be held on October 24, 2020 – Goal is to raise $200,000 – a 66 Rotary Club bike ride to Niagara on the Lake Community Center from Queenston/Lewiston area.

Support for Rotary Foundation Plan

Increase the profile of the district foundation team and programs
Approach clubs who traditionally not supported RF and encourage modes support
Identify foundation ambassadors in each club and provide them with resources
Challenge every member to add RF as their charity of choice
Continue to support global polio initiative.

Growing Rotary Plan

Create 3-4 new clubs as Passport or Satellite clubs in municipalities where there are no active Rotary Clubs.
Focus in NYS will be Attica, Cheektowaga and Buffalo
Increase club membership by 250 by June 30, 2021
Increase Rotaract and interact clubs by 3-4 clubs.

Special thanks for District Governor Frank for his great presentation and setting the bar high for this Rotary year!

Traci Langworthy - 100 Years of Women's Suffrage

Becky Robbins introduced today’s speaker, Traci Langworthy. Traci has a long track record with recording local history and the Women’s Suffrage movement locally. Traci thanked Rotary for giving her an opportunity to teach!

Coincidentally, today is the first day of classes at JCC and Traci is on sabbatical so it feels good to be able to teach again!

Instead of trying to capture all of Traci’s wonderful presentation on paper, I suggest watching the recorded Zoom to get the full effect of her presentation which included a wonderful PowerPoint with a number of graphic slides.

You can view the Zoom presentation here: https://jamestownnyrotary.org/page/zoom-meetings

You can also learn more about Traci here: https://www.sunyjcc.edu/facultystaff/traci-langworthy

Assemblyman Andy Goodell speaks on the Critical Issues facing Chautauqua County and New York State

Assemblyman Andy Goodell (left) with Vince Horrigan

Vince Horrigan introduced today's speaker, Assemblyman Andy Goodell. Vince noted that Andy is well known to Jamestown Rotarians, since he is a member. Andy graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Cornell Law School after receiving a degree in Political Economics and Mathematics from Williams College. He is a respected attorney and a founding member of the Chautauqua Leadership Network. He has served in many organizations, assisting in many ways.

At Cockaigne, he was a ski instructor and he has been influential in the reopening of that resort. Vince noted that he was the “2nd best county executive” from January 1990 to December 1997.

Vince continued that, in 2010 Andy was elected as NYS assemblyman, where he currently serves as Minority Floor Leader. Speaking from personal experience, Vince noted that Andy has been extremely helpful with Chautauqua Lake. Last year he helped secure $245,000 for the Lake with Frank Borello. Finally, Vince noted, “He represents us and is involved with us.” He is a husband, father and grandfather.

Andy gave a nod to Vince, noting that some people cannot retire, but continue to serve their community. He has led the Red Cross, served as County Executive, and is currently leading the Watershed Alliance.

Mr. Goodell appreciates being able to represent us. Right now he is minority leader pro tem which means he is floor leader. He and his staff review every bill before it is put on the calendar for consideration. Non-controversial bills go directly to the floor. However if a bill has language or policy issues, Andy will recommend language changes or revisions to the bills that might make them more acceptable or reduce unintended consequences. He schedules bills for debate, and may block or “lay aside” bills. Sometimes even the authors of the bills do not want them to be considered. These bills are said to “die on the calendar”. There are around 500 bills that never are considered each year. In general, Andy says he experiences “Tremendous bi-partisan communication and cooperation” in the Assembly.

New York State right now is in crisis. Legislators are trying to deal with this crisis. However, they aren’t always thinking about the ramifications of their actions. Bills currently under consideration will have long term consequences. Andy is running again for the Assembly, so he can use his economic and business background and his leadership position to move the State forward, supporting long term solutions, and minimizing unintended consequences.

The first issue facing the state is the drastic reduction of governmental revenues. In the 1^st quarter. revenues were down 42.2%. That’s a $10 BILLION reduction. Income tax revenue was down 49%, sales tax down 25%, business tax down 32%.

In response, state has frozen all the discretionary spending it can. It has held back $5.7 billion. These are not formal cuts, but the impact of the freeze is about 20% cut in state aid. The State is hoping there will be some assistance from the federal level, and Andy expects there will be some assistance this year.

The impact for Chautauqua County to date has seen a 20% cut in state aid and 25-30% cut in sales tax revenue. Sales tax represents 2/3 of the local tax budget.

Some ways to counter the governmental losses:

look at our welfare spending to bring it in line with the national average.
Medicaid cuts so that it more closely mirrors private coverage while maintaining bad-debt and charity pool funding.
Freeze funding for medical education. This is $2 billion that could be transitioned into a forgivable loan program.
Make the tax structure more competitive with other states rather than depending so heavily on the personal income tax.

The second critical issue is the condition of the business sector. Last year tourism was a driving force for the economy. Now, we are requiring that visitors quarantine if they come into the state. The impact of COVID is astounding, and in Chautauqua County its impact to tourism, the hospitality industry, gyms, banking and the rental market far exceed the actual risk in the area.

To counter the impact, the Assemblyman recommends:

Governor Cuomo should terminate his emergency power. This can be done while retaining the authority to reimpose it if necessary.
Allow local authorities such as the Board of Health to decide what is best for its citizens.
Lift restriction on travel, which Andy says is unconstitutional.
Generally, allow a more flexible approach.

Third, there have been some very reactionary policies and emergency actions that will have consequences in the long term that will drag the State and the society down. Examples include:

Moratorium on rent and utility payments. Since property owners will not have income, they will not be able to pay their taxes or do maintenance. Rental properties, especially those for low income, will be adversely impacted. The unintended consequence is to increase homelessness. Solution: sliding rent payment for those who have lost income.
Immigration reform. The issuing of licenses regardless of legal status has the unintended consequence of handcuffing law enforcement when they need to provide DMV information to federal law enforcement.
Increasing the minimum wage rate. This actually increases unemployment, which is at a record high rate due to COVID 19.
Court reform. Bail and discovery system reform has gone too far.
Voting integrity. Andy supports automatic voter registration, but with checks to make sure the person is in fact eligible to vote. Automatic registration should be extended to additional transactions, including those paying taxes as well as those requesting assistance.

There were several other examples. Today’s Rotarily author recommends that Rotarians listen to the Zoom recording of the meeting when it becomes available on the website.

Recommendations.

Expand COVID rental assistance program to offset income losses without hurting landlords.
Expand loan assistance based on COVID income loss and borrower’s ability to pay, rather than across-the-board payment moratorium.
Make DMV data readily available to the FBI and other law enforcement personnel.
Apply standard workers compensation no-fault provisions to scaffold accidents.
Restore judicial discretion in setting bail, including consideration of prior arrests, seriousness of crime, and danger to the public.
Prohibit public disclosure of false and unfounded police complaints.
Allow Board of Elections to request citizenship verification upon registration in the same manner as DMV previously requested such documentation- birth certificate/naturalization, utility bills, driver’s license from another state, etc.

Question: To expand on what you mentioned with rents, locally landlords are selling property. Out of town, out of country landlords are increasing. Your comments? I am worried about taxes going arrears and maintenance falling off. Tax and mortgage foreclosure will increase causing a decline in quality and quantity of units.

Question: Polarization is the issue. The good news here is that Andy has found an incredible amount of bi-partisan discussion. On controversial bills there is negotiation before they go to the floor. Debate generally remains on topic, discussing what is the issue and not getting into personal attacks. The exception might be newcomers, who want to get their position recognized. What should we do? Andy reports that voters should speak to their representatives and tell them what they expect and what they see are the germane issues on bills where they have an interest.

Question: Why are there so many bills? Because the State has so many regulations, every exception must be legislated. Most pass without any discussion. One example—the legislature has to give Jamestown permission to hire a plumbing inspector if he doesn’t live in the City. One might wonder why the original legislation is not struck down.

Question: If health decisions are decided at the local level, how do you protect health administrators who take an unpopular stand? The State Health Department should give general guidance for the county boards of health to follow. PJ Wendel has a health background-30 years’ experience. Most people should be treated with respect. Businesses have been doing their part. The State should recognize the knowledge and expertise of the local health department.

Question: There is a concern whether the State will pay nonprofits for executed contracts. Also, what is the impact of unpaid utilities on BPU? The law right now effects those who lost their income. It doesn’t give relief for fixed income individuals. There could be some relief similar to hospitals. Right now there is no guidance from the State. Andy believes there should be transparency-say how much is being held back and pay the rest in a timely manner.

Question: If you were a parent of a high school or junior high school student-would you send them to school today? Yes. If the school board finds it appropriate, they have the expertise that is needed more than I do. Let the Boards of Education and Regents decide pursuant to the guidance of the state board. Right now, about ½ the school districts have no active cases in their district. It is the students who have a challenging time in school who are losing out.

Question: Is there intelligent discussion about voting for the fall elections? Not yet. Right now the automatic registration is only for those seeking State assistance. Those who are signing up for vehicle registration or having other interactions with the State are not included.

Christina Cardinale - Democratic Candidate for 150th NYS Assembly Seat

Today’s speaker was Cristina Cardinale https://www.christinacardinale.com/about introduced by Sharon Hamilton.

Christina is a life-long Chautauqua County resident and currently lives in downtown Jamestown. She currently operates as an independent sales and marketing consultant, helping local businesses with budgeting, spending, and advertising.

She previously worked at DoubleTree by Hilton (as the Sales and Marketing Manager) and Olive Garden in Lakewood NY (as the Sales and Marketing Trainer). Christina has extended her sales and marketing experience to local politics, providing marketing, advertising, and campaign management for local candidates, including Mayor Eddie Sundquist. Christina has a passion for helping those around her through charitable work. During her college years, she organized a group known as the “Social Activism Club”. She was responsible for charity fundraisers and local food bank donations. She also works as a volunteer with local animal shelters. Christina is a champion for the working class and an advocate for diverse communities. This is her first run for NY State Assembly District 150.

Christina is a life-long Chautauqua County resident and from a working-class family. Early on, she learned to reject complacency by creating her own opportunities. She worked in the restaurant industry for 13 years and in 2015 started her own business. Christina attributes her extraordinary work ethic to working in the local hospitality industry. “I started washing dishes when I was 17 and I worked my way up,” she says. “Restaurant work is hard and gritty. The physical and mental labor changes you for the best.”

After graduating from Jamestown High School, Christina earned an AAS degree in Social Sciences from Jamestown Community College, with a concentration in Psychology and Political Science. Christina worked multiple restaurant jobs to support her way through college.

Christina developed a passion for helping those around her through charitable work. During her time at JCC, she organized a group known as the “Social Activism Club”. She was responsible for charity fundraisers and local food bank donations. She also worked as a volunteer with local animal shelters.

Following graduation, she took a new position at a brand-new restaurant in Lakewood, NY. Using her background in psychology, Christina led the restaurant to the highest sales on the East Coast. “There were certain techniques I started using,” she says. “I started incorporating psychological tricks into my sales.”

Noticed by corporate at the highest level, Christina was tasked to develop new training courses and teach fellow workers her innovative methods. “I was just a server. I developed a job for myself that didn’t exist,” she says. “That opportunity launched me into the sales and marketing world. Suddenly, I was responsible for the creation and implementation of an intensive sales-training program. I remember how I felt when it all started. I had never felt more alive."

Ambitious to work in her hometown, Christina began developing her own freelance business. She developed close relationships with many local business owners. “My business is simple,” she says. “Let us say you own a business, and you're failing to bring in revenue. You hire me. I look at your books, your records, your ordering information -- everything. Maybe you have great record keeping, but you have no advertising. Maybe you are ordering too much product. That is where I come in. I figure out the best course-of-action, set-up a sales and marketing plan, and I fix what’s wrong.”

In 2018, Christina began working at a hotel in downtown Jamestown as the Sales and Marketing Manager, while continuing to operate her freelance business. During her free time, she continued to bartend. She says, “Serving will always be a part of me. Once you are in that world, it never truly leaves you.”

Throughout her professional experience, she has found the only way to make a difference is to be a powerful catalyst for change. “I come from a very humble background. I didn’t go to a fancy ivy-league school, I wasn’t born into extraordinary wealth or privilege." she says. "I have two wonderful parents who love me unconditionally and I worked hard — that’s it. I worked so hard, by the end of the day, I could not stand. I used the knowledge I had, and I strived for more. I strived to create something from nothing.”

Christina Cardinale is a champion for the underdog and a fierce ally for diverse communities. She wants to make a difference for the working class and understands what it is like to not have health insurance or benefits and have many hurdles to overcome. She is also interested in fostering economic development in our county by “thinking outside the box” such as bringing in manufacturers of solar panels.

While listed as a democrat, Christine has some ideas that she feels are republican or independent – she feels she has a blend of ideologies to offer the residents in her voting district.

Please check out Christina’s website www.christinacardinale.com and see all the thoughts and ideas she wishes to share with us.

Jon Schmitz, Archivist, Chautauqua Institution

In the interest of accuracy and limitation of time, we are providing the presentation by Mr. Schmitz on video. Thank you!

Clean Toilets-Clean Hands Project in Moshi Tanzania presented by David and Marissa Troxell

David and Marissa Troxell (left) with the students of Kolinieri School and Kerry Ann Frost from the Camberwell, Melbourne Australia Rotary Club

Jim Smith introduced our speakers, David and Marissa Troxell. David has been a Jamestown Rotarian since 2011. David and Marissa were recognized in 2016 as Rotarian of the Year for their work traveling the world making sure our Rotary Club stays involved in international projects. They have a long history of philanthropy and project planning. They live in Cha Am, Thailand in the winter.

David and Marissa are reporting back on the 2019/20 Project in Tanzania. The Club does international projects representing about 40% of the Club’s philanthropic activities.

Here is a history of projects David and Marissa have brought to the Club, and have personally overseen:

2014

Cambodia Academy school yard grass and classroom white boards.

Women’s Weaving Project as a 3 year project in cooperation with the Jawalakehl Rotary Club in Katmandu, Nepal.

2015

School wide eye screening at Cambodia Academy. 18 children needed glasses and got them.

Book drive for the Cambodia Academy

2016

Clean water filtration system for Cambodia Academy

2017

New toilet and freshwater cistern in partnership with the Rotary Club of Yangon, Myanmar

2018

Upgraded toilets and washing areas for Cambodia Academy

2019

Cooperative project with the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Saint Michael’s diocese, Addis Ababa to build a school cafeteria for their hot lunch program.

Repair and replace classroom desks and benches at Cambodia Academy.

2019/2020

Combined project in Moshi, Tanzania for clean toilets and clean hands at the Kaloleini Primary School. Rotary Clubs of Jamestown, Camberwell, Australia and Moshi, Tanzania.

The Troxells flew to Tanzania through Nairobi Kilimanjaro airport, where they said a prayer for Dr. Tim Grace who passed away last summer while on a climb there.

They were hosted by Kerry Ann Frost from Camberwell, Australia and Ally Ramadhani who lives in Moshi. These two run an organization, Team Vista, which works with the Kaloleini Primary School.There is a Rotary Club in Moshi which oversees the funding. The Troxells noted that Rotary has a significant presence in Tanzania, with many projects and the Rotary emblem is often seen.

The Troxells had excellent pictures documenting their trip. Moshi is a town with a couple of blocks of city buildings surrounded by a network of markets and primitive housing. There is a creek that runs through the town and is the source of water for many. Two dominant religions are Muslim and Roman Catholic. The area around the school is very primitive. There is a garbage dump nearby where people pick through the trash and children help.

The school is pretty basic. There is no electricity. The rooms are filled with desks or benches. The Troxells noted that students develop a real allegiance to the school because it is so much better than their home life. All kids have uniforms, and the school is clean and provides regular meals. In the school cafeteria, food is prepared over a fire made of sticks. The kids really practice English. The administration really pushes it, because it means advancement.

When David and Marissa arrived there were 24 toilets with steel doors. These were simply dry drop latrine pits in the floor with no water. The Troxells provided insets-flanges to put over latrines. Water was plumbed into each one.

The Troxells took a three day camping sightseeing trip to the Mgorogoro Crater game park, Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery and the Serengeti National Park and had quite a marvelous adventure documented by more wonderful pictures.

Returning from their trip, their focus turned from toilet improvements, which was now complete, to the washing house area, which was a totally new structure. The concept is to have the children go straight out of toilets, through two doors (for boys and girls) to washing areas where there is a line of a dozen or so water taps and soap bags. This is to reduce cases of diarrhea and diseases caused by parasites which kill later in life. Marissa and David helped with construction.

Students washing in the new hand washing area in Moshi

While there, Marissa and David sponsored a girl, Maria, so she could continue to go to school. They also sponsored a boy, Mustafa. Anyone can sponsor a child for $175 a year, just contact Marissa.

Questions and Answers

What do you eat and drink on your trips? We drink bottled water and eat local food. You do get sick once in a while. It is wonderful to be a part of Rotary projects, because local Rotarians invite you over for meals. On this trip, we ate a lot of goat.

What kind of injections did you get? Just the regular, but also Malaria pills including a month and a half after. Marissa says she thinks in the future she will be getting rabies vaccines as a precaution.

What’s next for you? The Troxells have been invited to the Millennial Sunrise Rotary of Karachi, Pakistan has an interesting project, but who knows what the travel hurdles will be.