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It’s hard to believe that the final days of my first year as this region’s State Senator are on the doorstep, but here they are. I can’t think of a better way to ring out year one than by recalling some of the thoughts I started with back in January, especially this one: the economic and fiscal challenges may be as daunting as they’ve ever been in New York State, but there has never been a more important time to serve.
When I took the Oath of Office in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 5 and was sworn in to represent our 53rd Senate District, it offered a real opportunity to get to work on the ground floor of turning this state around. Nearly one year ago, the common thinking was that the ability of a new governor and this year’s class of state legislators to take dramatic steps to truly chart a new course for New York would ultimately be the barometer of our success. Would we, finally, begin to right the ship? Would we, finally, take advantage of the opportunity for a fresh start in New York State?
Looking back over the past year, the answer’s yes on both counts. We’ve started to right the ship, especially in economic and fiscal terms, and we’re underway with a fresh start. So when I reflect on my first term in the Senate, I keep recalling that time-honored idea that “out of adversity comes opportunity.”
This same thought’s going to hold true for New York State in 2012, and so I’m hopeful that the work ahead of this new Legislature will continue to reform many state government practices and revitalize key state commitments. The 2011 session was a good, solid beginning, but it wasn’t perfect. There’s important work left to do.
So I’ll wrap up this first year in the same way I began it, by saying that I’m enormously honored to represent all of you and I’m looking forward to the opportunities we’ll have to keep working together to improve the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. The emphasis there remains on together. Our communities are most effective when we join forces. Which means I’ll keep reaching out in the weeks and months ahead to share ideas at a community meeting, through work on a local project, or in pursuit of common goals. A new round of community meetings has already been scheduled for January and February. I’ll be doing my best to provide as many of these opportunities as possible, because I believe above all else that a return to the fundamentals of good government is needed more than ever and it’s a list that always begins with open, straightforward give-and-take between elected officials and those they represent.
It’s hard to believe that the final days of my first year as this region’s State Senator are on the doorstep, but here they are. I can’t think of a better way to ring out year one than by recalling some of the thoughts I started with back in January, especially this one: the economic and fiscal challenges may be as daunting as they’ve ever been in New York State, but there has never been a more important time to serve.
When I took the Oath of Office in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 5 and was sworn in to represent our 53rd Senate District, it offered a real opportunity to get to work on the ground floor of turning this state around. Nearly one year ago, the common thinking was that the ability of a new governor and this year’s class of state legislators to take dramatic steps to truly chart a new course for New York would ultimately be the barometer of our success. Would we, finally, begin to right the ship? Would we, finally, take advantage of the opportunity for a fresh start in New York State?
Looking back over the past year, the answer’s yes on both counts. We’ve started to right the ship, especially in economic and fiscal terms, and we’re underway with a fresh start. So when I reflect on my first term in the Senate, I keep recalling that time-honored idea that “out of adversity comes opportunity.”
This same thought’s going to hold true for New York State in 2012, and so I’m hopeful that the work ahead of this new Legislature will continue to reform many state government practices and revitalize key state commitments. The 2011 session was a good, solid beginning, but it wasn’t perfect. There’s important work left to do.
So I’ll wrap up this first year in the same way I began it, by saying that I’m enormously honored to represent all of you and I’m looking forward to the opportunities we’ll have to keep working together to improve the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. The emphasis there remains on together. Our communities are most effective when we join forces. Which means I’ll keep reaching out in the weeks and months ahead to share ideas at a community meeting, through work on a local project, or in pursuit of common goals. A new round of community meetings has already been scheduled for January and February. I’ll be doing my best to provide as many of these opportunities as possible, because I believe above all else that a return to the fundamentals of good government is needed more than ever and it’s a list that always begins with open, straightforward give-and-take between elected officials and those they represent.
Priority No. 1 remains to carry on a tradition of accessibility and teamwork in representing the communities of this region. It’s been a valuable and effective tradition for our constituents and I’ll be working closely with all of our local Assembly representatives, as well as with the local leaders whose efforts are central to the quality of our counties, towns and villages.
My Senate service will stay focused on fundamental principles: Accessibility to those you represent. Responsibility to the taxpayers. Economic and fiscal soundness.
I’ll keep doing everything possible to build on this bedrock of government, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Throughout the coming New Year, keep in mind my website, omara.nysenate.gov, and my email address, omara@nysenate.gov. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, my very best wishes to all of you and your families for an enjoyable, a meaningful and a safe holiday season.
