News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
E-mail:

For Release: IMMEDIATELY, July 13, 2012
Contact: Doug Finch (315) 781-2030
How May I Help You?
Legislative column from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua)

One of the most rewarding and important parts of my job as your representative in the New York State Assembly is being able to help my fellow community members. I am proud to fight for the needs of the 129th District in the halls of our Capitol in Albany, and I am excited to work with my fellow public servants and community leaders right here in Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca Counties to make our area a better place to live, work and raise a family.

SERVICES AVAILABLE IN MY DISTRICT OFFICE

I am very honored that you have chosen me to represent you in Albany and to serve you here at home. In my office at 607 West Washington Street in Geneva, my staff and I pride ourselves on customer service. Folks come in all the time with a variety of questions and problems, and my staff and I do our best to provide a solution or point them in the right direction. If you have an issue but don't quite know who to call first, chances are my office can get you in contact with someone who can help.

Please contact my district office staff if you are having an issue or challenge with a state agency or state governmental office. My staff can also refer you to Federal, County or City representatives when appropriate for further assistance. My contact information is always at the end of my weekly column.

I may be a little biased, but as a proud native of the Finger Lakes Region, I consider our area to be one of the most picturesque, exciting destinations in the entire country. Whether you are 6 or 60 years old, there is so much to see and do! I believe we can all agree that the cities, towns and villages of the Finger Lakes are home to many attractive tourism destinations. If you would like some great ideas for daytrips and educational experiences right here in the Finger Lakes, stop by my office to get information on local wine trails and other notable and historic attractions and become a tourist in your own backyard.

MY 'TOWN HALL' MEETINGS BRING THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO YOU

I enjoy traveling throughout the district to see the families I represent right in their own hometowns! My recent Town Hall meetings in Seneca County were just the latest step in my long running commitment to be available and responsive to local families in the 129th Assembly district.

Hosting Town Hall meetings are a powerful way for me to have an important conversation about the issues affecting living and working in the Finger Lakes region and ensure that local constituents and community members have a chance to have their voices heard. I appreciate all the feedback and questions I receive from folks at each and every Town Hall. I am also looking forward to visiting several communities throughout the year to support local events like my Summer Reading challenge and my recent Red Cross blood drive.

A HELPING HAND FOR OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

I have been proud to serve the families of the 129th district for over a dozen years. In that time, I have been a strong voice for private sector job creators and leveling the playing field for Upstate New York's small, family-owned and operated businesses.

Finger Lakes families and businesses pay some of the highest property taxes in the United States of America. Small business owners feel like they are being 'punished' by the state government for providing good jobs to the community. This 'punishment' comes in the form of taxes, "one strike and you're out" regulations, fees, unfunded mandates, as well as a maze of paperwork, inaction and costly delays from government at all levels. As a small business owner:

  • Have you had difficulty dealing with a state agency?
  • Is the success of your business being blocked by costly regulations or unfunded mandates handed down from Albany?

Please do not hesitate to contact my office and share your concerns with me or a member of my staff. I am pleased to report that I have been able to help many local small business owners, and I am looking forward to helping you as well.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY

Staying in constant contact with my constituents and listening and responding to the needs of our community are certainly the most important parts of serving as your Assemblyman. As part of an effort to help reduce legislative mailing costs and save taxpayer dollars, I am excited to be connecting with local families via e-mail and established social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. I encourage you to join in the social media conversation.

I look forward to hearing from you!

As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic or any other state-related matter should contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.