Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell pledged to go back to Albany and continue fighting for the North Country if she is re-elected to her post during remarks to a full house at the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner held at the Knowles Conference Center on the SUNY Potsdam campus.
"You know what my record is. You know I pay attention to the details. You know I know what this community (the River District) is all about. I'm not selling you out. I'm not selling your children out," Assemblywoman Russell said.
She stressed her focus is on making the North Country flourish.
"I know the biggest thing we need here is jobs. It's I'm fighting for you, fighting for your kids, fighting for where we live," she said, bringing the crowd to its feet.
Assemblywoman Russell said her record shows she has been successful in her fight to aid the North Country.
She noted she understands the importance of a strong education.
"I go and I fight and I get things done. I first took office at the beginning of the recession. Those were dark days for our schools, but I worked hard to drive additional aid to our high needs schools. I meet with superintendents, school board members and teachers to get a better understanding of each school's needs and then go back and get them additional aid," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The assemblywoman, who chairs the state Assembly's Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, was successful in getting a $300,000 farm-to-school program included in the 2016-17 state budget. That program has allowed over a dozen North Country schools to purchase products from local farmers and producers.
She pointed out she also played a leadership role in the effort to keep the doors to the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg open after plans were announced to close the facility.
"I fought that back. I don't know what we do if it wasn't there. The service they provide to those in need is invaluable, and the jobs at the psych center are also important for our region," she said.
"The psych center, prisons, schools, Alcoa... Every job in the North Country is important. I work with our small businesses and large businesses to keep jobs here and create new jobs," Assemblywoman Russell said.
Tony Arquiett, who served as the master of ceremonies at the annual dinner, said Assemblywoman Russell's work for the region merited another term in the New York State Assembly.
"She has led the fight to get fair funding for our high needs school districts ... She has also brought over a million dollars in supplemental aid to schools in the River District in each of the last two years alone. School districts in the North Country win because she stands up and fights for us," he said.
"She has also been a champion at bringing money into our communities to aid programs aimed at improving them - ranging from funding for infrastructure improvements to critical dollars needed to assist our food pantries, libraries and first responders," he added.
"I want you to know we are fighting for you like you fight for us - walking side by side with us to fight to keep good jobs here and bring new jobs to the region, fighting for equitable funding for our schools and fighting for the hard working men and women of St. Lawrence County," Mr. Arquiett told Assemblywoman Russell.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
"You know what my record is. You know I pay attention to the details. You know I know what this community (the River District) is all about. I'm not selling you out. I'm not selling your children out," Assemblywoman Russell said.
She stressed her focus is on making the North Country flourish.
"I know the biggest thing we need here is jobs. It's I'm fighting for you, fighting for your kids, fighting for where we live," she said, bringing the crowd to its feet.
Assemblywoman Russell said her record shows she has been successful in her fight to aid the North Country.
She noted she understands the importance of a strong education.
"I go and I fight and I get things done. I first took office at the beginning of the recession. Those were dark days for our schools, but I worked hard to drive additional aid to our high needs schools. I meet with superintendents, school board members and teachers to get a better understanding of each school's needs and then go back and get them additional aid," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The assemblywoman, who chairs the state Assembly's Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, was successful in getting a $300,000 farm-to-school program included in the 2016-17 state budget. That program has allowed over a dozen North Country schools to purchase products from local farmers and producers.
She pointed out she also played a leadership role in the effort to keep the doors to the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg open after plans were announced to close the facility.
"I fought that back. I don't know what we do if it wasn't there. The service they provide to those in need is invaluable, and the jobs at the psych center are also important for our region," she said.
"The psych center, prisons, schools, Alcoa... Every job in the North Country is important. I work with our small businesses and large businesses to keep jobs here and create new jobs," Assemblywoman Russell said.
Tony Arquiett, who served as the master of ceremonies at the annual dinner, said Assemblywoman Russell's work for the region merited another term in the New York State Assembly.
"She has led the fight to get fair funding for our high needs school districts ... She has also brought over a million dollars in supplemental aid to schools in the River District in each of the last two years alone. School districts in the North Country win because she stands up and fights for us," he said.
"She has also been a champion at bringing money into our communities to aid programs aimed at improving them - ranging from funding for infrastructure improvements to critical dollars needed to assist our food pantries, libraries and first responders," he added.
"I want you to know we are fighting for you like you fight for us - walking side by side with us to fight to keep good jobs here and bring new jobs to the region, fighting for equitable funding for our schools and fighting for the hard working men and women of St. Lawrence County," Mr. Arquiett told Assemblywoman Russell.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with New York State Democratic Party Executive Director Basile Smikle prior to the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell addresses a full house at the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner. Pictured at the head table are (l-r) master of ceremonies and County Legislator Tony Arquiett, St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Chair and Silas Wright Award winner Mark Bellardini and Basil Smikle, executive director of the New York State Democratic Party. Also seated at the head tabled were Congressional candidate Mike Derrick, 115th Assembly District candidate and Franklin County Legislature Chair Billy Jones, St. Lawrence County Treasurer candidate Renee Cole and Fourth Judicial District Supreme Court judge candidate Mark Powers.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell and New York State Democratic Party Executive Director Basil Smikle pose for a photo with the choir from Madrid-Waddington Central School. The choir sang the National Anthem at the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, second from left, and New York State Democratic Party Executive Director Basil Smikle, third from left, pose for a photograph with Brasher Town Supervisor Mark Peets (far left) and Keitha Arquiett (far right).
Laborers Local 1822 Business Manager Rich D'Addario chats with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell prior to the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell shares a laugh with Ernie LaBaff, president emeritus of the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers International Union prior to the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
Amanda Drake (left) poses for a photograph with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell following the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
Massena Town Councilman Sam Carbone poses for a photograph with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell following the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell, 116th Assembly District, and 115th Assembly District candidate Billy Jones discuss the campaign at the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee's Annual Dinner.
