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Former North Country housing authority director and her mother plead guilty to theft
WEST CARTHAGE, N.Y. — A former West Carthage Housing Authority (WCHA) executive director recently pled guilty to stealing more than $48,000 from the organization, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced. Jan Hoffman, who served as executive director of the government-funded apartment complex for low-income senior citizens and individuals with disabilities from 2016-2021, […]
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WEST CARTHAGE, N.Y. — A former West Carthage Housing Authority (WCHA) executive director recently pled guilty to stealing more than $48,000 from the organization, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced.
Jan Hoffman, who served as executive director of the government-funded apartment complex for low-income senior citizens and individuals with disabilities from 2016-2021, pled guilty to third-degree grand larceny in Jefferson County Court.
Hoffman’s mother, Katherine Pais, who was also charged in connection with the theft, pled guilty to fourth degree corrupting the government. Pais served as the WCHA accounts-payable bookkeeper from 2016-2020.
“Hoffman and Pais brazenly diverted funds meant to support seniors and individuals with disabilities to line their own pockets,” DiNapoli said in the announcement. “Thanks to the partnership between my office, Jefferson County Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, the HUD inspector general, and the state police, they have been held accountable for their actions.”
DiNapoli’s office — along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General — began an investigation into all monies controlled by Hoffman after an anonymous tip. The investigation found she had been making personal purchases with WCHA funds since 2016. In total, Hoffman made more than $48,000 in personal purchases including retail purchases, personal cell-phone bills, and groceries. Additionally, she submitted more than $1,000 in false reimbursements, DiNapoli’s investigation revealed.
Through her role as the accounts-payable bookkeeper, Pais facilitated and concealed the theft. In this role, she was responsible for reviewing claims and preparing checks for payment. According to DiNapoli, Pais not only knew about Hoffman’s continuous theft and failed to report it to the WCHA board, but she also made the illicit payments and falsified business records to cover for her daughter.
Both defendants are due back in court on Aug. 6 for sentencing.
“The individuals charged in this case stole funds from unsuspecting citizens, using the money for their own personal benefit,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said in the announcement. “We will not tolerate the conduct of those who take advantage of their position to steal money that was meant to benefit people in need. I commend everyone who worked on this case, our members and all our partners, who have now ensured that the two people responsible for this crime are held fully accountable.”
Herkimer College announces sixth class of police training graduates
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer College graduated its sixth class from its Phase I Pre-Employment Basic Training course at a ceremony held May 30. The course is offered in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department. Seven of the eight graduates have already secured employment with a law-enforcement agency, where they will complete the remainder of
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HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer College graduated its sixth class from its Phase I Pre-Employment Basic Training course at a ceremony held May 30. The course is offered in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department.
Seven of the eight graduates have already secured employment with a law-enforcement agency, where they will complete the remainder of their police training, the college noted.
“I congratulate and commend you for your sacrifices for this very honorable and noble profession,” Police Academy Director Mike Masi said at the ceremony. “Every one of you have achieved my standards. Going forward, don’t forget what you overcame to get here, what you and your families have sacrificed to get here.”
This year’s graduates are Collin Paul, Bruce F. Clouthier, Nicholas G. Scarafile, Theordore L. Schoff, Logan F. Cirillo, Brayden M. Zahniser, Grant L. Rasha, and Bryanna N. Houckand.
The police training program launched in the fall of 2018 with coursework covering topics including criminal investigations, community relations, emergency preparedness, and defensive tactics. More information about the program is available online at Herkimer.edu/police.
Herkimer College also offers associate degrees and certificate programs in art, business, communication arts, criminal justice, education, health care, and more.
Schumer pitches Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse to Commerce Secretary ahead of funding awards
The first major funding awards for the federal tech hub program are expected as early as this month. His office says U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) on May 30 personally met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to make his final push to deliver funding for upstate New York through the Tech Hubs
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The first major funding awards for the federal tech hub program are expected as early as this month.
His office says U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) on May 30 personally met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to make his final push to deliver funding for upstate New York through the Tech Hubs Phase II Implementation grant competition.
It was early March when Schumer announced the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse tech hub had submitted its application for up to $54 million in phase-two implementation funding.
The tech hub is officially known as the NY SMART I-Corridor, which is short for New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor Consortium.
The senator launched his push in March to make NY SMART I-Corridor one of the program’s first implementation award winners for up to $54 million in federal funding to advance their semiconductor cluster in upstate New York.
The project also includes Ithaca and supports the broader Upstate NY semiconductor ecosystem, Schumer’s office noted.
“The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region is driving Upstate NY forward to be a global hub for the semiconductor industry and the Tech Hub funding is a key to help unlock the region’s full potential to bring this industry back to our shores. That’s why I personally met with Secretary Raimondo, with awards expected soon, to make the case for why this funding is critical to bolstering our state’s booming semiconductor ecosystem,” Schumer said in the May 30 announcement.
In the meeting, Schumer made the case that following his announcement with President Biden last month of the major $6.1 billion CHIPS investment to move forward Micron’s historic mega fab project in the town of Clay, “this was the time to double-down on federal support to make that and other microchip projects across Upstate NY a success and that is exactly what the Phase II implementation award would do,” Schumer’s office said.
Because of “significant investment” from Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), GlobalFoundries, and Wolfspeed, supply-chain companies from around the world are looking to invest in the Upstate region to support these major new fab projects, per Schumer’s office.
Those include Japanese supplier companies that Schumer recently met with to pitch New York, his office added.
SUNY Poly opens transportation AI lab on campus
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute has established a Transportation Research AI Lab — dubbed TRAIL — in Donovan Hall to serve as a hub for innovation in smart transportation, sustainability, and equity, as well as traffic operation and safety, the university announced. Founded by Abolfazl Karimpour, assistant professor of transportation engineering, TRAIL is financed
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MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute has established a Transportation Research AI Lab — dubbed TRAIL — in Donovan Hall to serve as a hub for innovation in smart transportation, sustainability, and equity, as well as traffic operation and safety, the university announced.
Founded by Abolfazl Karimpour, assistant professor of transportation engineering, TRAIL is financed through a combination of external and internal grants.
“Our research team is at the forefront of pioneering advancements, utilizing data-driven AI and machine-learning solutions to address transportation challenges in four key areas: operation, safety, sustainability, and resiliency,” Karimpour said in a news release. “TRAIL focuses on research, education, and workforce-development initiatives. Students using TRAIL are supported by these funded projects, gaining hands-on experience in transportation analysis, data analysis, and how to apply this knowledge to benefit the public.”
Students working with Karimpour as part of the college’s summer undergraduate research program and his undergraduate research assistants are currently utilizing the lab. It’s equipped with strong computing systems and transportation software. The lab also has access to statewide traffic data.
TRAIL serves both educational and research purposes, supporting endeavors such as classes, independent studies, and capstone projects while also utilizing its resources for conducting research. SUNY Poly plans to further enhance its capabilities in the future by adding emerging data-collection technologies like UAVs and virtual-reality sets over the summer. The additions will enable immersive experiences for transportation simulations, visualization, and comprehensive data gathering for research projects.
“I commend Dr. Karimpour for his work in establishing TRAIL at SUNY Poly, which is a tremendous resource for our students and faculty,” Michael Carpenter, interim dean of the College of Engineering/associate provost for research, said. “Furthermore, TRAIL will enhance transportation systems’ efficiency, safety, and resilience, and position SUNY Poly as leaders in the field, driving forward innovative solutions for the future of transportation.”
SUNY Poly offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fields including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, business, communication, nursing, and game design via its colleges of arts and sciences, business, engineering, and health sciences.
UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health names chief nursing officer
GENEVA, N.Y. — UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health announced it has recently appointed Gregory Hoffman-Fragale as its new chief nursing officer. He joined Finger Lakes Health in June 2023 as associate chief nursing officer. In February of this year, Hoffman-Fragale began serving as interim chief nursing officer. With more than 30 years of nursing-leadership experience,
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GENEVA, N.Y. — UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health announced it has recently appointed Gregory Hoffman-Fragale as its new chief nursing officer.
He joined Finger Lakes Health in June 2023 as associate chief nursing officer. In February of this year, Hoffman-Fragale began serving as interim chief nursing officer.
With more than 30 years of nursing-leadership experience, he previously served as the director of nursing operations for imaging sciences at University of Rochester Medical Center, where he made significant improvements in leadership development, patient satisfaction, and nurse-sensitive clinical outcomes, according to a news release from UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health.
As a registered nurse, Hoffman-Fragale worked at Community General Hospital in Syracuse and held his first directorship at Auburn Memorial Hospital. He then headed downstate to the New York City metropolitan area where for 12 years he held various administrative nursing roles in acute care, critical care, and post-acute nursing.
Hoffman-Fragale earned his doctor of nursing practice degree from Old Dominion University and his master’s degree in health-care administration from St. Joseph’s College of Maine. Hoffman-Fragale completed both his bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in nursing from Excelsior University in Albany.
2024 Mohawk Valley GEAR Award Event Photos
Photos from the 2024 Mohawk Valley GEAR Awards, held on May 22, 2024 at Beeches Manor in Rome. Photography courtesy of Michael Marrone Photography.
AmeriCU Credit Union partners with Rome Health amid hospital expansion project
ROME, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union has announced a partnership with Rome Health to support the enhancement of surgical services and critical-care facilities. The alliance will strengthen the availability of state-of-the-art surgical procedures and critical-care services, focusing on initiatives to acquire advanced medical equipment, enhance facilities, improve technology, and support specialized training for medical staff
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ROME, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union has announced a partnership with Rome Health to support the enhancement of surgical services and critical-care facilities.
The alliance will strengthen the availability of state-of-the-art surgical procedures and critical-care services, focusing on initiatives to acquire advanced medical equipment, enhance facilities, improve technology, and support specialized training for medical staff at Rome Health. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
“We are excited to partner with Rome Health in their mission to deliver exceptional health-care services for our community and assist those facing challenges by bringing their needs to the forefront of our focus,” AmeriCU President/CEO Ron Belle said in a press release. “By coming together, we can work to build a stronger, more resilient community.”
Rome Health is in the midst of a $45.7 million capital project to build a new Center for Intensive Care and Kaplan Center for Surgical Services. The 30,000-square-foot, three-story addition will allow the hospital to replace aging operating rooms and intensive-care units. Rome Health expects to complete the project in mid-2026.
Rome-based AmeriCU Credit Union serves more than 160,000 members with 20locations throughout Central and Northern New York.
Clinton Farmers’ Market set to start June 6
CLINTON, N.Y. — The Clinton Village Green will welcome more than 45 vendors on Thursday, June 6 when the Clinton Farmers’ Market kicks off its
ESPN announces kickoff times for selected Syracuse football games this season
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The first game for Syracuse University football under new head coach Fran Brown is set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff in the
VIEWPOINT: Shovel-ready “field of dreams” prep begins in Broome County
In President Joe Biden’s late April visit to Syracuse to announce federal funding for Micron Technology’s planned semiconductor manufacturing facility in Clay, north of Syracuse, the focus was on the amount of that investment. That’s understandable, since it’s a very big number — up to $6.14 billion (which includes a Micron project in Idaho as
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In President Joe Biden’s late April visit to Syracuse to announce federal funding for Micron Technology’s planned semiconductor manufacturing facility in Clay, north of Syracuse, the focus was on the amount of that investment.
That’s understandable, since it’s a very big number — up to $6.14 billion (which includes a Micron project in Idaho as well) — that will undoubtedly transform the Onondaga County economy for generations to come.
But as someone charged with attracting businesses to Broome County, something else stood out to me — the repetition by multiple speakers of two words that are critical to the ability of other upstate communities to replicate Central New York’s success: Shovel ready.
Both Gov. Kathy Hochul and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer gave high marks to Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon for the compilation of parcels that created the White Pine Commerce Park in Clay, and the subsequent marketing of the site as a development destination.
Sen. Schumer said when he was trying to woo companies to locate Upstate, they asked about a shovel-ready site. “A lot of places didn’t (have that),” he recalled. “Syracuse did.”
It’s our job as economic-development professionals to anticipate the needs of companies in a variety of industries, including the space and amenities they require. Our competition in luring job-creating projects to our county (Broome) is not only other states, but other nations. And make no mistake about it, that competition is stiff.
While some companies can retrofit to meet their needs the many existing vacant industrial and office sites that dot the upstate landscape, prized undeveloped land with easy access to transportation, sewer and water systems, and the power grid, continue to drive some of the most consequential significant developments.
That certainly was the case not only with Micron, but also Edwards Vacuum in Western New York, and Wolfspeed in the Mohawk Valley.
As we’ve watched our neighbors land one generation-defining deal after another, we’ve been left with a simple question: Why not us?
The answer is that we need to get into the game and give companies what they want. But we currently lack the next shovel-ready site that leaders in growth industries like high-tech manufacturing, life sciences, agricultural processing, and related supply chains are all seeking.
We are working to change that.
The Broome County Industrial Development Agency was recently granted authority by the state to lead an environmental review of a proposed 526-acre Broome Technology Park greenfield development (the project is located along Airport Road in the towns of Maine and Union). This has incredible potential to maximize our ability to score good-paying, long-term jobs for area residents and help restore the Southern Tier as a leader in technological advancement and business growth.
We know that a thorough review and a collaborative process are essential to ensuring that we attract the kind of companies that are a good fit for our community and have the potential to make an impact far beyond our borders. Being truly shovel ready means reducing as many barriers as possible to development — whether it’s site zoning, availability of utilities, environmental mitigations, or community buy-in. And getting there takes time.
This effort can’t succeed without local engagement. We’re about to embark on a collaborative process with the end goal of developing a shared outline for both the site and the right businesses to attract. It is our job to help people understand the benefits that come from greenfield development, and how a site can strike a balance between business needs and residents’ vision for their community.
To be clear: no economic-development plan is cast in stone at this stage. We intend to listen to residents — both their development ideas and their concerns — to plan a site that best drives the region forward.
After all, Micron certainly did not arrive in Onondaga County in a vacuum. People from across Central New York continue to raise concerns about aspects of that project and present their ideas for how the development should occur. That kind of engagement should be welcome, not discouraged. We need to put all cards on the table and develop understanding from all sides of how the project can make the greatest positive impact on the region, the state, and the nation.
That’s what we plan to do as we embark on a robust review process for the Broome Technology Park site.
As Sen. Schumer said, it was the detailed local-level work that ensured “a plot of land in Clay, New York, could grow into a field of dreams for new investment.”
We’re excited to take the next steps toward preparing the Southern Tier’s own field of dreams.
Stacey Duncan is the executive director of The Agency, and president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, which form the Leadership Alliance.
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