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City of Oswego, Port Authority officials take construction feud to court
OSWEGO N.Y. — Construction of a storage facility at the port, meant for the transport of pot-ash or salt, is now at a standstill after city officials took the Port Authority to court.
“Their whole attitude should have been one of picking up the phone and talking to us,” the Executive Director of the Port Authority, William Scriber said.
Now, Port Authority officials are trying to prove that the structure will help the city if completed.
“With this project, we’re putting a lot of money into this local economy,” Scriber said.
Scriber explained that the port runs as its own business, creating jobs, and opening opportunities for the local economy without the help of tax money. But Mayor Barlow said they are going about the project in the wrong way – upset that the structure will block the view of the iconic Oswego lighthouse coming into the city.
“What would really be the win is for the port to build what they originally proposed, that being the 55 foot dome..What you can do is completely skirt the entire review process,” Mayor Billy Barlow said.
What stands now is a roughly 68-70 foot tall square structure, something city officials said they never agreed on. But Scriber said the height difference won’t change that view of the lighthouse from the Marina.
Photo of the structure as it stands now from First West St. in Oswego, NY. Photo by reporter Melanie Higgins. “If you’re not changing the holding capacity, or position…It’s not a major change…It’s still going to block that view, which by the way, isn’t a historical registered view,” Scriber said.
But Fort Ontario on the other hand is a historical view of the lighthouse, and Scriber said that was the view that they worked through with the SHPO review – where the State Historic Preservation Office reviewed and eventually approved the initial proposal of the 55 foot dome.
“The view of the Fort is not in the least obstructed by the building,” Scriber added.
City residents are split, some feeling as though the structure isn’t a big deal, and others agreeing with the Mayor. Lee Chetney is a city resident who said the view of the lighthouse is going to be, ”forever changed.”“You used to be able to come into the city…and ‘wow, I made it to Oswego, and look at how beautiful it is’ now they put that thing up and I hope they take it down because it’s just terrible,” city resident Lee Chetney said.
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SUNY Oswego holds school safety gun violence presentation
By Fan Shi
OSWEGO, N.Y.– SUNY Oswego Public Justice Professor Jaclyn Schildkraut, recognized expert on the topic of mass shootings, gave the presentation “We Need To Talk About School Safety” on Nov 7.
“There is not a full law that we can necessary to use to stop it, but what we can do is to guard ourselves and protect our community safer,” Schildkraut said.
Some people have different views on how to guard themselves during this situation.
“I know a couple of my friends back home were shot and killed because of gun violence. Even when I go out, I still carry a pocket knife with me,” Rebecca Velez said.
Student Gianna Perri believes guns can protect her safety. There is still someone like Meghan Harrington who has a mixed opinion on guns.
“I understand why people would like to have guns. I understand people feel safer. But I don’t feel super comfortable around guns,” Schildkraut said, “There are numbers of things that has to be considered when determining whether to allow for concealed carrying in certain places. For instance, if the law enforcement comes in and citizens are engaged with the shooter, law enforcement will not goanna know who the shooter really is.”
Not all license types allow unrestricted concealed carrying. The license must specify whether it is issued to carry on the person or possess on the premises. Not all of these laws apply to the New York city. In New York City, all firearms need to be registered and there is stricter limitation to carry firearms.
For more information on gun laws, visit https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/.
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Al Roker’s Return To Campus
The Marano Campus Center was packed with hundreds of students to see one of SUNY Oswego’s most famous alumni on Oct. 16.
Al Roker not only came for the Media Summit, but hosted his show ‘Wake Up with Al’ and ‘Today’ in the Marano Campus Center at 6 a.m.
There were students there who had lined up at the Marano Campus Center since 12 a.m.
Al Roker was willing to take photos with the students and took a few selfies with them as well.
He was able to show off his old college campus and shine a light on it as well.
Al Roker participated in the 10th annual Media Summit along with Charlie Rose, Dennis Thatcher, Connie Shultz, and hosted by Ken Auletta.
Photo By Al Roker (Facebook)
