COUNCILMAN FRITZ SCHERZ CALLS ON NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS

Based on the increased amount of animal cruelty, I am hopeful the New York State Legislature will change animal cruelty laws.  I've created an on-line petition regarding such: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/reclassify-animal-cruelty-laws.html and plan to submit it to the New York State Legislature by October 31, 2013.

“Sadly, animal cruelty has become increasingly prevalent in society,” said Scherz.  “Currently, in New York State animal cruelty is considered a violation of Ag and Markets Law. Because of this, any penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty are often minimal. I call on the New York State Legislature to change the laws on animal cruelty and have these violations covered by penal law. By doing so, it would be easier for law enforcement to prosecute these cases. Moreover, it would increase the penalties for repeat offenders and hopefully act as a deterrent. I know attempts have been made at strengthening animal cruelty laws. For example, Senator Griffo has sponsored a bipartisan bill calling for an animal abuse registry and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi has co-sponsored a bill that would remove animal cruelty violations from Ag and Markets Law and put them under the penal code, which is exactly what I’m hopeful of. I applaud both the Senator and Assemblyman for their common sense legislation and hope their colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support their efforts. I hope those that feel the way I do on this issue will consider signing my on-line petition. 

 For more information, go to:  www.fritzscherz.com or email me at: fritz@fritzscherz.com. 

#  #  #

COUNCILMAN FRITZ SCHERZ SCHEDULES MORE TOWN HALL-STYLE MEETINGS!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board in Verona, NY, has scheduled three more town hall-style meetings.  The first one will take place on Monday, September 23^rd at 7pm at the New London Fire Hall, located on Cornell Street in Rome.  The next two meetings will take place on Monday, September 30^th as follows: 7pm at the Verona Fire Hall, located at 5555 Volunteer Avenue in Verona and 8pm at the Durhamville Fire Hall, located at 5305 Church Street in Durhamville. 

“I’ve been holding these town hall-style meetings since I became councilman and have been pleased by the number of residents who attended and shared their concerns with me,” said Scherz.  “I wanted to offer another opportunity for residents of the Town of Verona to stop by and share with me informally any of their ideas, concerns, and/or questions. I realize it’s sometimes difficult for residents to attend the town board meetings, so this is just another way for me to reach out.  As with all the town hall-style meetings I've held, this is not a town board meeting, but rather an opportunity for residents to connect with me personally.  I’m honored to serve the residents of the Town and look forward to having some more informative conversations with them.”

 

For more information on Fritz and his town hall-style meetings, go to:  www.fritzscherz.com, his Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzscherz, his blog at: www.fritzscherz.blogspot.com, email him at:

fritz@fritzscherz.com and/or call: (315) 363-3509. 

#  #  #

Winners of 4th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service Named!

I'm proud to announce that I have selected Megan Centore of Durhamville as the grand prize winner and Jenna Dunne of Verona as the runner up for the 4^th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service! More information on the great volunteer efforts that these two young women have done is on my website at: www.fritzscherz.com

Councilman Fritz Scherz presenting Megan Centore with a certificate and check for $250 as grand prize winner of the 4^th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service. Looking on is Megan’s mom, Jennifer Centore.

Councilman Fritz Scherz presenting Jenna Dunne with a certificate and check for $50 as runner up of the 4^th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service.

 

Sequestration Impacting Tuition Assistance for Veterans

I found out today that tuition assistance for Veterans is being cut and/or eliminated in some instances. For what our Veterans do and have done, the government's support for them should never waver. I understand the budget issue. I get it. However, before a soldier's money is touched, those in Congress should take it from their own salaries, first. And, before doing the media circuit to blame the "other side" as it seems so many do, use that time to work on getting a budget done. Negotiate. Work it out. Show me and others that the effort has been made. Then, and only then if the numbers don't add up and cuts have to be made, then look into reducing benefits such as tuition. Just don't arbitrarily take funds away from our Veterans.

Random thoughts on Christmas Eve - 12/24/12

To me, Christmas should be a happy time of year. Although my parents both passed away near the Christmas season (and I still mourn their loss and shed tears...especially near Christmas), I strongly believe that the Christmas season should bring out the best in people. Thankfully, for many people, it does. I know my wife and I always try to think how we can make Christmas special for our daughters. We love them so much and can't believe how fast they've grown up!! We like to spend time with them, other members of our family, and friends as well. We try to think of special things to do. Sometimes, maybe nothing special at all, but just time with them, because we know that is special.

I hold my annual holiday party a few weeks before Christmas and have so much fun watching the kids get so excited because Santa Claus is coming....or because they got some neat gifts at the party....or because they relish the time they get with friends and family....or because of some new friends they make while there. It is during the Christmas season that my family likes to donate to others, such as clothing drop off locations. Many times, we don't only donate to the Salvation Army bellringers while walking in to a store, we give them something on the way out, too. It truly makes us feel good to help out, even if only a little bit.

To me, Christmas season should be more about fun times like that. Yet, today, for some families of first responders only a fews hours away from where I live, it will be anything but that. Volunteer (and I stress VOLUNTEER) firefighters responding to a call get shot and some of them get killed. Are you serious?!? These first responders were trying to help others (as they undoubtedly had done countless times), and this is what happens to them? No way. It's just not right! It can't be happening, right? Sadly, it did.

Just a little over last week, some jerk kills little kids in a school. Kids. Little kids. Kids who were minding their own business. Kids who no doubt had dreams of what they wanted to be when they grew up. Kids who I'm sure were looking forward to Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanza, or maybe just time with family when school was on vacation. Kids who were just being kids! That's what kids do, right? Instead, they were senselessly taken away in an instant. What the hell is wrong with people when they think it's ok to commit such heinous crimes as that?!?!?! It makes me sick!

Just imagine for a moment how great things would be if the jerks that thought it was ok to commit such heinous crimes tried to do something good? Just imagine that.....

In closing, I'm thankful to have a ton of friends who whether through their jobs, their families, or their own volunteer efforts, they do try to do something good. They do try to make a difference. They do like to help others. They do take that extra time to set an example for others to follow. They do strive to make this world a better place. To all of you, I say "Thank you."  No, make that "Thank You Very Much!"
  
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and/or Happy Holidays! May you all have a blessed holiday season!

With appreciation,

 Fritz Scherz

My Dad Passed Away 3 Years Ago Tonight

Three years ago tonight, my Dad passed away after a brave battle with cancer. Although I remember and miss him every single day, when the anniversary of his passing approaches, those memories seem to intensify...especially the memories of the hell he went through the last few weeks he was alive. It's as if I can hit rewind in my memory and it plays back...complete with the helpless and sad feelings.  For a guy that did so much good for others, from benefit gigs with his band to giving people years to pay back what they owed him (he did that with me...THANKS, DAD!!) to donating his construction/bulldozing services to those in need, he sure went through hell once he got sick. Not fair.....

I try not to dwell on the past, but since I feel the past is a big part of who someone is, it happens. I'm fortunate to have so many great memories of my Dad. While the pain of missing him is intense and doesn't seem to go away, the memories of all the great times certainly make me feel good.

There are so many emotional triggers. It might be during a family birthday celebration and knowing he's not there in person to make me laugh. It might be working in the garage at home and remembering when "Dad said this" or "Dad did that" or something like that. It might be a ride in the van to a band gig, and thinking back to some joke he told (that's not printable). It might be during a particular song on stage and remembering the beautiful harmonies he'd play and/or sing. It might be when my band is planning a big bus trip to Cleveland, Ohio and we're going to play out there, knowing full well how much Dad enjoyed going there and playing as well as listening to all the great entertainment from polka legends....like Walter Ostanek, Joey Miskulin, Joey Tomsick, Bob Kravos, Mark Habat, Steve Meisner, Ronnie Sluga, Eddie Rodick Sr & Jr., and so many more. It might just happen out of the blue, too. Can't explain it and don't want to even try. 

Some people know a lot about my Dad while other do not. He only had an eighth grade education, yet want on to be a successful farmer, business man, and musician. IN FACT, HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN NEW YORK STATE TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL CLEVELAND-STYLE POLKA HALL OF FAME!!!  How awesome is that?!?!?! 

Anyway, as I reflect back on three years ago tonight, I'll try not to ball my eyes out (although they're wet as I type this), will continue to cherish all the great memories I have of him. I have so much to thank him for.....from his work ethic to his fondness of helping others and beyond.

The photo below was taken November 29, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. It turned out to be the last time my Dad went out there for a Thanksgiving Polka Weekend. I'm so glad I drove him out there for that event. 

Tonight, I will tip a shot of Jager in your memory, Dad. I miss ya and love ya sooooo much!

TOWN HALL-STYLE MEETING COMING UP FOR TOWN OF VERONA RESIDENTS

I have scheduled a town hall-style meeting for Tuesday, October 30^th in the Town of Verona. The meeting will take place at 6pm at the Verona Fire Hall, located at 5555 Volunteer Ave. in Verona and will last about 30 to 45 minutes. Additional meetings are in the process of being scheduled and will be announced in the near future.

NOTE:  This is not a town board meeting, but rather an opportunity for Town of Verona residents to connect with me personally.

For more information, go to: www.fritzscherz.com, call me at: (315) 363-3509 and/or email me at:

fritz [at] fritzscherz.com. 

 

# # #