County Conversations

Welcome Freshmen! NYSAC County Government Institute Orientation

This episode focuses on NYSAC’s County Government Institute, and the value of education and training for county leaders. The CGI program is a collaboration between NYSAC and Cornell University that provides training to county leaders on topics including building consensus, financial management, ethics, and the foundations of county government. Empowering county leaders to engage in civil and constructive dialogue on the challenges they face, the Institute serves as a platform throughout the State to meet and discuss the unique issues of county government.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce for the conversation are Livingston County Administrator Ian Coyle, Hamilton County Treasurer Beth Hunt, and NYSAC’s Director of Education and Training Jeanette Stanziano. You can learn more about the County Government Institute on our website at nysac.org/cgi

Remember Our Ladies: Highlighting the History of Wayne County Women

This episode features a conversation on the Museum of Wayne County History and their new “Remember Our Ladies” exhibit that highlights notable women from the county. We also talk about engaging your community in local history, the upcoming bicentennial celebrations being planned in Wayne County, and even a few ghost stories from the museum.

NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is joined by Rhea Hayes, Executive Director at the Museum of Wayne County History. To learn more about the museum, visit waynehistory.org

Counties Mobilize at the NYSAC Legislative Conference

This episode features county leaders from across the state at the annual NYSAC Legislative Conference in Albany. These leaders discuss top priorities for counties this legislative session, state budget advocacy, and the impact of diverting local sales taxes out of local communities.

We are grateful to the following leaders for joining us for this episode:

• NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario
• NYSAC President and Tioga County Chairwoman Martha Sauerbrey
• Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin
• Albany County Executive Dan McCoy
• Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
• Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro
• New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

County delegates at the conference advanced a series of policy resolutions aimed at tackling a variety of legislative and budget policy priorities impacting local governments. Presentations, resolutions, and photos from the conference can be found on our website at nysac.org/legislativeconference

Making Local and Global Strides for the Future of Air Purification

In this episode we discuss air purification and how counties can continue to provide safe work environments. Joining NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario for the conversation is Vinny Lobdell, HealthWay Family of Brand's® Global President. Vinny gives insight into the solutions his company has been providing to many since 2003, and he explains how his family's business successfully operated throughout the pandemic.

This Upstate NY company has been continuously learning how to best support each individual county with its top-of-the-line Air Purification Solutions. HealthWay® will be exhibiting at the upcoming NYSAC 2022 Legislative Conference on March 14-16th in Albany.

The Role of Disability Service Providers in the New York State Economy

This episode features a discussion on a recent Rockefeller Institute of Government report commissioned by the New York State Industries for the Disabled and the NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation.

The report includes a breakdown of the economic impact of 10 regions where NYSID Member Agencies provide employment to individuals with disabilities. The findings clearly show that disability service providers are major local employers and generate millions in annual revenues.

Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce for the conversation are Katie Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence from NYSID.

Fostering Diversity and Creating Inclusive Workplaces

This episode features a conversation on ways to foster diversity in the county workforce and the role of the Chief Equity and Diversity Officer in working with stakeholders from across the organization to create an inclusive workplace environment. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is Deanna Carrithers, Chief Equity and Diversity Officer with Tompkins County.

Keep Local Sales Tax Local

In this episode we discuss a top priority for counties this legislative session, eliminating the diversion of local sales taxes to fund state programs. Joining NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather is Ryan Gregoire, NYSAC’s Legislative Director, and Dave Lucas, Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs.

To learn more about the priorities ahead for NYSAC this legislative session, be sure to visit our website at nysac.org/stateadvocacy.

Counties, Cities and Towns Weigh in on State Budget Proposal

NYSAC recently provided testimony to state lawmakers during the Joint Legislative Hearing on Local Government. The local government hearing is one in a series of joint senate and assembly legislative hearings to gather feedback on the Governor's proposed state budget, and offers elected officials and representatives of local governments an opportunity to brief lawmakers on the challenges they face and their priorities in the budget. 

In this episode, we’ll be hearing the testimony delivered by the three municipal associations representing local governments in New York State: NYSAC, NYCOM and AOT.

More resources and analysis of the Executive Budget Proposal can be found on our website at nysac.org/nysbudget.

What Local Leaders Need to Know about Cybersecurity

This episode features a conversation on cybersecurity and how local government leaders can be prepared for a cyber incident within your organization. NYSAC, in collaboration with the Center for Technology in Government at the SUNY Albany, recently published a Cybersecurity Primer for Local Government Leaders. As discussed in this episode, the Primer is geared for all the non-technical leaders within a county that must play a role as part of their county’s protection team.

Joining NYSAC Deputy Director Mark LaVigne for the conversation are Meghan Cook, Program Director for the Center for Technology in Government at the State University at Albany, Robert Corpora, Cortland County Administrator, and Glenn Marchi, Commissioner of the Dutchess County Office of Central & Information Services.

Visit nysac.org/cyber to download the Primer as well as additional documents, workshop and webinar recordings related to cybersecurity.

NYSAC thanks our sponsor for this episode, the New York State Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR).

Supporting Older New Yorkers with the Association on Aging in NY

In this episode we discuss opportunities and priorities for the year ahead in supporting older residents and their families. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York. To learn more about the Association on Aging and the resources they provide, visit their website at agingny.org.