SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Midstate Veterinary Services evolves with needs of clients

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CORTLAND — For a while, the pandemic changed the way people did just about everything, including accessing health care. It also accelerated a change among pet owners in when and how they seek care for their furry friends. Midstate Veterinary Services, located at 806 State Route 13 in Cortland, has been right on the forefront […]

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Midstate Veterinary Services, located at 806 State Route 13 in Cortland, has been right on the forefront of that change.

“We have seen this shift from, ‘It’s just a cat,’ and ‘It’s just a dog,’” says Jennifer Sun, one of Midstate’s co-owners.

It wasn’t that long ago, she notes, that the veterinary practice usually only saw an animal when the owner first got it, and they would bring it in to be spayed or neutered and get necessary shots. Then Midstate might not see the animal again until the end of its life, she adds.

In recent years, however, pet parents have realized that preventive care, the same as it does for humans, helps doctors catch issues earlier and helps the animals live longer, healthier, and happier lives, Sun says.

This has resulted in an increase in demand for veterinary services, and “it’s definitely created an opportunity for us,” she says. A big part of that opportunity is the ability to get to know their animal patients and pet parents much better and develop relationships with them.

Fellow Midstate co-owner Laura Brown credits Sun with building up the small-animal practice at Midstate to meet the growing demand. The practice is now a modern one with all the diagnostic equipment needed to care for the animals it sees, she says.

The large-animal side of the veterinary practice has also seen change in recent years, Brown says. While the number of small farms in the area has decreased, the number of cows has actually increased and keeps the Midstate staff plenty busy.

“The role we play on farms has changed over the last 15 years,” Brown notes. Where Midstate’s veterinarians once visited farms to treat sick animals, their role has become much more of a consultant that is proactive towards preventing illness.

Of course, the Midstate staff still visit farms to treat sick animals, but the veterinarians are more actively involved with their farm clients to help them manage the health and wellness of their animals, she says.

Midstate does a lot of nontraditional veterinary work, teaching farm workers and owners about illness prevention, developing standard operating procedures that foster health, and more. “We do a lot of training sessions with employees,” Brown says.

Whatever the size of their animal patients, “we have four core values that we take very seriously,” Brown says. They are respect, teamwork, customer service, and accountability.

While animal medicine at its core hasn’t changed, Midstate Veterinary Services continues to evolve to provide the best care for its patients and also the best working environment it can for its employees.

“In the past, there was not a lot of focus on employee well-being,” Brown says, but that’s not the case anymore. Sun and Brown work hard to foster a positive work-life balance for employees and provide the opportunity for employees to learn more about niche veterinary issues of interest to them.

“I think happy veterinarians are going to stay longer,” Brown says.

“It’s not an easy profession,” Sun adds.

The veterinary practice has 11 veterinarians and 27 total employees. With the growing demand for veterinary services, there are also opportunities for those numbers to grow.

“I think that at most vet clinics there’s a lot of opportunity right now,” Sun says.

Midstate Veterinary Services was formed in 1998 with the merger of two veterinary practices, Animal Barn and Large Animal Clinic. The practice got started with four owners and just four support staff.

VIEWPOINT: Snow Removal & Insurance Issues for N.Y. Business Owners

Business Mentors, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Small Business, Subscriber Only

Winter in New York state brings picturesque snowscapes and the joy of seasonal festivities. However, for business owners, it also ushers in unique challenges that demand careful attention. Snow accumulation is not just an inconvenience; it can have far-reaching implications on safety and financial stability. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential aspects

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In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential aspects of snow removal and insurance considerations for New York business owners, shedding light on navigating the winter season safely and protecting your business effectively.

The impact of snow accumulation

New York’s diverse geography means that the state experiences a wide range of winter weather conditions, from heavy snowfall in upstate regions to icy conditions in downstate urban areas. The consequences of snow accumulation can be significant for businesses:

• Financial implications: The cost of snow removal, potential property damage, and business disruptions can strain a company’s finances. Efficient snow-removal services can be a substantial operational expense.

• Safety concerns: Accumulated snow and ice pose a risk to both employees and customers. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in costly liability claims, impacting a business’s reputation and bottom line.

• Operational disruptions: Snow accumulation can disrupt daily operations, leading to decreased productivity, delayed deliveries, and potential customer dissatisfaction.

Legal obligations

Business owners in New York state have legal obligations regarding snow removal and sidewalk maintenance:

• Local regulations: Many municipalities have ordinances that require property owners to clear sidewalks and parking lots within a specific timeframe after snowfall. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines.

• Liability: Business owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises. Negligence in snow removal can lead to liability claims if someone is injured on their property due to hazardous conditions.

• Contractual obligations: Lease agreements or contracts with tenants may outline specific responsibilities for snow removal. Business owners must adhere to these agreements to avoid legal disputes.

Insurance coverage

To safeguard your business from the financial repercussions of snow-related incidents, it’s crucial to understand your insurance-coverage options:

• Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance: CGL insurance typically covers bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from slip-and-fall accidents on your premises. However, it’s essential to review your policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage.

• Commercial-property insurance: This coverage can help repair or replace your building and its contents if they are damaged due to snow-related incidents like roof collapses or burst pipes.

• Business-interruption insurance: Business-interruption insurance can provide financial support if your business is temporarily unable to operate due to snow-related damage or closures.

• Workers’-compensation insurance: If employees are injured while performing snow-removal duties, workers’-compensation insurance can cover their medical expenses and lost wages.

Risk-mitigation strategies

To minimize the impact of snow accumulation on your business, consider the following risk-mitigation strategies:

• Proactive snow removal: Develop a snow-removal plan that outlines responsibilities, timelines, and procedures for snow removal and de-icing. Engage professional snow-removal services to ensure thorough and timely clearing of your property.

• Regular maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on your property, such as roof inspections to prevent snow accumulation and maintain heating systems to prevent frozen pipes.

• Documentation: Maintain records of your snow-removal efforts, including dates, times, and services performed. This documentation can be valuable in case of liability claims.

• Employee training: Educate your employees on snow-safety procedures and provide them with the necessary equipment to navigate icy surfaces safely.

Conclusion

Snow accumulation is an inevitable part of the winter season in New York state, but with careful planning and proactive measures, business owners can mitigate the associated risks and protect their assets. Understanding your legal obligations and insurance coverage is crucial, and a well-executed snow-removal plan can help ensure the safety of your employees and customers while maintaining the continuity of your operations.

Steve Crobar is director of marketing at Security Mutual Insurance Co.

OPINION: As Migrant Crisis Worsens, N.Y. Doubles-Down on a Disaster

Opinion, Subscriber Only

The country is facing an unprecedented illegal-immigration problem, and the impacts are being felt here in New York state. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approach to solving it has been inconsistent and ineffective from the start. Making matters worse, she is proposing to spend billions of dollars to house and support the migrants while also advocating they

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There are several major problems with the governor’s approach. For one, New York State does not have $2.4 billion to spend on housing illegal migrants, as she proposed, while we are facing a $20 billion deficit in the coming three years. Additionally, the migrants have nowhere to live, and they have already forced school closures and displacements around the state. We cannot take on any more overflow. Taxpayers, who are on the hook for an enormous sum in support of the migrants, have reached their limit.

I joined New York Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to write a letter calling for New York to join other states around the U.S. in support of efforts to secure both the northern and southern border. Sen. Ortt, who was once deployed for that very reason, rightfully noted there is precedent for such action, and I believe it is incumbent upon the state to act when the federal government refuses to do so.

The risks stemming from the overflow of illegal immigration in New York state are no longer theoretical. Because the nature of the migrants who are here is a mystery to policymakers and law-enforcement agents, they face unprecedented risks if and when they interact with them. Case in point, two police officers [in New York City’s Times Square] were recently assaulted while trying to quell a disorderly mob of migrants. The suspects were immediately released without bail. Police now suspect that four of the illegal migrants involved in the altercation have fled to California. From the southern border to the streets of New York City, this incident is another glaring example of the complete failures by Democratic [Party] officials.

I am disheartened to see the state leaning into this disaster rather than stopping it in its tracks. The governor’s office has lacked direction on this matter for a long time — first declaring New York a “sanctuary” state, then telling migrants to “go somewhere else,” to now suggesting we create a public jobs program is wildly inconsistent. It’s going to take clarity and dramatic action to mitigate the crisis, and both have been sorely lacking.

William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

OPINION: Foreign policy rises in public attention

Opinion, Subscriber Only

Americans now seem to be more interested in foreign policy than usual. Four in 10 U.S. adults named it as an important issue to address in 2024, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. That is twice as many as a year earlier. That sounds right to me. From

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That sounds right to me. From what I can tell, Americans are paying closer attention to foreign policy than they have for some time. Part of it, no doubt, is driven by media coverage of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. When the media pays attention to a topic, the public pays attention; and when the public pays attention, the media pays attention. It works both ways.

Of course, what really captures the public eye is the prospect of U.S. casualties, as we saw in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which killed thousands of Americans. There’s been nothing like that yet in the current conflicts, although about 30 U.S. citizens were killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and an estimated 300 Americans were stranded in Gaza by the fighting. [Editor’s note: Three U.S. soldiers were also killed in a drone attack on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan on Jan. 28.]

In the AP-NORC poll, 20 percent of respondents said they were concerned about U.S. involvement overseas, up from 5 percent a year earlier. That’s a significant increase, and it’s reflected by debates in Congress over helping fund the wars. But whether foreign policy has much of an impact on the 2024 elections is an open question.

Even if Americans follow foreign policy, I don’t have the sense that they vote on those issues. Problems at home are more meaningful to most voters, by far. They’re worried about inflation, affordable health care, gas prices, and the cost of housing and food. Voters are concerned about crime and public safety. They pay attention to interest rates, jobs, and other economic indicators.

Many Americans are deeply concerned about immigration, especially at the southern border. Immigration is a domestic matter, but it’s entwined with foreign policy. Immigrants and refugees often are fleeing dire conditions in their home countries. We need to work with those regions to address the issue.

I learned early in my time in Congress that foreign policy wasn’t something most constituents were eager to discuss. I rarely spoke about foreign policy on visits to the district, where people were more likely to want to know about a local dam project or government actions that directly affected them. Interestingly, I was most likely to receive questions about foreign policy when I spoke at high schools. The high-school students were well-prepared for my visits, and they would zero in on foreign-policy issues.

With current issues, most Americans were outraged by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and inspired by Ukraine’s brave resistance. But, as the war dragged on, it receded from the headlines, and interest in the U.S. has flagged. Recently, center stage has gone to [the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza.] The Middle East is almost in a category by itself for public attention.

Many Americans feel strongly about Israel’s importance in U.S. foreign policy. Conflicts in the Middle East, and relations between Israel and its neighbors, get more coverage in U.S. news media than news from Asia, Africa, or even from Europe.

Wars and conflicts draw news coverage, but other foreign-policy issues also matter a lot. Our relationship with China is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and problems there can have a global impact. Climate change is an existential issue that transcends national borders. Trade, terrorism, cybersecurity, and global migration require multinational cooperation.

Foreign-policy issues may not rise to the top of the public’s concerns, but voters — and politicians — should pay attention to them in this election year.

Lee Hamilton, 92, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.

Tioga County IDA makes executive committee appointments

Regional News, Subscriber Only

OWEGO — The Tioga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) board of directors made appointments to its executive committee at its annual meeting held in January. Jon Ward serves as chair. He is a VP and commercial services officer at Tioga State Bank. Ward, who studied business administration at Niagara University and business economics at SUNY

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American Racing & Entertainment sells Tioga Downs real-estate assets

Construction, Design & Real Estate, News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

NICHOLS, N.Y. — Tioga Downs Casino Resort owner American Racing & Entertainment LLC (ARE) has sold the real-estate assets of the racing and gaming venue to Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., (NASDAQ: GLPI) for $175 million, ARE announced. GLPI is a real estate-investment trust focused on passively owning real-estate property leased to gaming operators. Following

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GLPI is a real estate-investment trust focused on passively owning real–estate property leased to gaming operators. Following the closing of the transaction, ARE will lease the real-estate assets of Tioga Downs from GLPI.

ARE maintains full control of the operations of Tioga Downs and states there will be no changes to employment or the customer experience.

“It’s business as usual at Tioga Downs,” ARE CEO Jeff Gural said in a news release. “My team and I remain committed to our customers, employees, and community. This transaction represents a form of financing to support the needs of the company. I will still be leading the management team, and we will continue to provide the same level of customer service that Tioga Downs is known for.”

Innovation Capital LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and Duane Morris LLP served as legal counsel to ARE. Citizens JMP Securities acted as financial advisor and Goodwin Proctor LLP and Ballard Spahr LLP were legal counsel to GLPI.

“We’ve always operated Tioga Downs as a family business and believe our customers like that,” Gural said. “My family and I are committed to being active in this business for a long time with my son, Eric, playing a role beside me. My mother was from Binghamton, and I have fond memories of visiting her family during the holidays. I thank the community for its continued support, and as Tioga Downs grows in success, I plan to continue sharing such success with the community. As an example, we’ve recently increased our support to the local nonprofits to $2 million a year.”

Founded in 2005, American Racing & Entertainment operates both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in Oneida County. Tioga Downs offers an array of slot and table games, a 160-room hotel, seven food and beverage venues, live harness racing, a sports book, a golf course, and 13,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space. ARE purchased Vernon Downs in 2006 where it operates video-gaming machines, a 150-room hotel, five food and beverage venues, live harness racing, and an 8,600-square-foot event center.

Community Memorial expands primary-care team with hiring of Hammonds

Health Care, News, Regional News, Subscriber Only

HAMILTON, N.Y. — The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network recently added Dr. Isaiah (Jake) Hammonds to its primary care team to help address the growing demand for local primary care. “We are thrilled to welcome him, expanding the breadth of patient care within our network of primary-care offices,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Walsh said

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Hamilton College names new president

Health Care, News, Subscriber Only

CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College announced it has appointed Steven Tepper as the 21st president of the college, effective July 1. Tepper currently serves as dean and director of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU). Hamilton College’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected Tepper in January following a nationwide

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Steven Tepper (Photo credit: Arizona State University)

CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College announced it has appointed Steven Tepper as the 21st president of the college, effective July 1.

Tepper currently serves as dean and director of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU).

Hamilton College’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected Tepper in January following a nationwide search including input from faculty, students, and alumni. He succeeds David Wippman, who retires at the end of June following eight years as Hamilton College president.

Tepper is a national leader in cultural policy and is widely recognized for leading the largest comprehensive design and arts college in America, a Hamilton College news release stated. He was a key architect of two national policy centers focused on creativity and cultural policy at Princeton University and Vanderbilt University and launched the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at ASU.

“I am honored and excited to join the Hamilton College community,” Tepper said. “Hamilton’s rich history, emphasis on communication, open curriculum, and dedication to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and creative campus are values that resonate with me deeply. I look forward to working with the talented students, faculty, alumni, trustees, and staff on the next phase of Hamilton’s evolution, one that elevates Hamilton as the most creative and connected liberal arts campus in the world.”

His appointment to the role of president at Hamilton follows an extensive nationwide search by a committee co-chaired by Hamilton trustees Linda Johnson and Bob Delaney.

“Steve Tepper emerged as the unanimous top finalist from a strong and diverse pool of well-qualified candidates,” Johnson said in the release.

Delaney praised his commitment to the idea and promise of a liberal-arts education and his vision to graduate students who are connected to and prepared to thrive in an ever-transforming world. “His vast scholarly record and the breadth of his leadership experience made him the perfect match for Hamilton,” he said.

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU is the nation’s largest design and arts college with 8,400 students, more than 300 full-time faculty members, and over 120 degrees and programs.

Tepper holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a doctorate degree in sociology from Princeton University.

With a 1,350-acre campus overlooking Clinton, Hamilton College educates more than 2,000 students from 47 states and 54 countries.

CenterState CEO to use $500K KeyBank donation to help BIPOC, women and veteran-owned firms

Banks & Credit Unions, Health Care, News, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — CenterState CEO will use a $500,000 donation from KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) to expand business coaching and technical assistance programs for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC), women- and veteran-owned firms in Central New York. The grant is part of KeyBank’s commitment to invest $40 billion in the communities it serves

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The grant is part of KeyBank’s commitment to invest $40 billion in the communities it serves and support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, CenterState CEO said in its announcement this week.

KeyBank made its donation to the CenterState CEO Foundation, which works to “attract philanthropic support for CenterState CEO programs that remove barriers to economic prosperity for people and places,” per the announcement.

“This unique approach to equitable growth by CenterState CEO will help entrepreneurs from all backgrounds have access to assistance and financing they need that will help our region grow,” Stephen Fournier, KeyBank’s Central New York market president, said in a news release. “We are proud to invest in their efforts that will make it possible for marginalized entrepreneurs to build successful futures and generational wealth.”

This funding will also play a key role in helping CenterState CEO scale efforts to expand access to business financing for “under-capitalized founders,” for whom traditional business loans and investments are “often challenging,” the organization contends.

It will support the launch and growth of underrepresented and BIPOC firms through training, coaching, and technical assistance under CenterState CEO’s Up Start program and other small–business development programming. That programming includes a real–estate developer-in-residence pilot.

The funding will also provide direct lending to — and investment in — undercapitalized firms via CenterState CEO’s Growth + Equity Fund.

“Systemic barriers have often left the talent of many entrepreneurs in our community untapped and their potential under supported,” Dominic Robinson, senior VP of inclusive growth at CenterState CEO, said in the release. “This investment from KeyBank will support important tools like the Growth + Equity Fund and Up Start that address these equity gaps and scale their economic impact on entrepreneurs from historically disinvested populations and neighborhoods.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has followed through on community commitments totaling more than $599 million in Central New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities; and transformative philanthropy, per the CenterState CEO announcement.

Madison County Sheriff makes arrest in diner burglary

Law, Accounting & Taxes, News

LENOX, N.Y. — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with a Jan. 11 burglary at Flo’s Diner in the town

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Conclusion

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