One of the biggest misconceptions of the work of a New York state assemblyman is that it is a “part-time job.” In continuing to perpetuate this falsehood, one only needs to acknowledge the part of the year, January through June, in which we spend each week in Albany focusing on passing a yearly budget totaling $156 billion and passing hundreds of legislative bills that concern state and local municipal services, school, health and human service issues, corporate and small business regulations, public safety matters and numerous other topics of importance that affect people’s everyday lives.
However, little attention is given to the rest of the year — July through December. This leaves a gaping hole in the public’s perception of the actual function and duties of each assemblyperson’s district office. In my case, this is the time of the year that I spend every week going into the neighborhoods and communities of the 129th District, meeting with individuals, businesses, school organizations and the various agencies that enrich and support our families, as well as attending the parades, festivals and field days and as many special celebrations as I can. This is the most enjoyable part of my job.
A major function of my district office is to coordinate a variety of outreach events that I sponsor each year. They include my four Town Hall Meetings, a Community Resource Day on the Road, a Red Cross Blood Drive, the Volunteer Fair, the CNY Veterans Parade and Expo and, new this year, our Free Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Event. We are scheduling another free recycling event in November in Syracuse.
The July through December portion of the year is as important, vital and integral to the job of representing people’s needs, as the January through June portion. I suggest that maybe, just maybe, it is the most important part of my job. It is the time when I get to listen to and observe the quality of life issues that most affect us. I get to interact with our neighbors, talk with the children, walk the neighborhoods and meet the many workers and businesses who strive every day to provide for their families. I also get to reconnect with the amazing landscape and natural resources we call home.
We live in a truly amazing area of the state, and during July through December, I get to see, listen and experience Central New York and its people. By doing so, it reinforces for me what is important and makes me a better legislator during my “part-time job” when I am back in Albany during January through June.
