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April 11, 2024
April is Fair Housing Month
The Otsego County Board of Representatives passed a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as Fair Housing Month at their meeting on April 3. The resolution, sponsored by Representatives Michelle Catan, Jennifer Mickle, Margaret Kennedy, Jill Basile, and Donald Scanlon, follows the lead of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal. It is in accord with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. The resolution was seconded by Representative Adrienne Martini and passed unanimously.
February 26, 2024
Martini Announces Run for New York State Assembly District 122
Adrienne Martini has announced that she is running in the Democratic primary for the newly configured 122nd Assembly District, which includes parts of Otsego, Oneida, Madison, and Herkimer counties. Martini has served on the Otsego County Board of Representatives since 2018 where she represents the 12th District, which comprises Oneonta’s Wards 3 & 4 and is Chair of the Human Services Committee. She is also the author of Somebody’s Gotta Do It: Why Cursing at the News Won't Save the Nation, But Your Name on a Local Ballot Can, a book about running for and serving in local office.
“As a four-term elected official, I know how important it is that we elect folks who are experienced, practical, and know how to get things done,” Martini said. “During my time on the Otsego County Board of Representatives, I have worked across the aisle to deliver for my constituents and for the people of the county. I have also prioritized making local government accessible and transparent to the people it serves. I know how crucial it is for the residents in our counties to have a state representative who understands the needs of rural New Yorkers and will work in partnership with our county governments, regardless of which party is in power.”
January 23, 2024
ONEboxes Unveiled in Otsego County to Combat Overdoses
The first line of the video is, “Take a deep breath,” which appealed to Otsego County representatives Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta Wards Three and Four and Jill Basile, D-Oneonta Wards Seven and Eight. They both said they believed the boxes will save lives. The county legislature approved purchasing the boxes using funds from opioid settlement money.
August 2, 2023
County Expands Emergency Housing in Oneonta Over Objection
Martini said that in addition to the 10 rooms at Motel 88, currently the county pays for 19 rooms at Crossroads, 17 at the Budget Inn in Oneonta, and seven at the Town House Inn in Oneonta.
“Last year, I think the high for one night was 84 people who approached the warming station,” she said.
She added that “nobody is enthusiastic about the situation … We’re taking the steps that we can see to solve this problem,” including working to bring case management services to Motel 88.
March 7, 2023
Otsego Reps Oppose Proposals In State Budget
Representatives also unanimously passed a resolution opposing Hochul’s plan to not share federal Medicaid funding with counties. During the overview of committee meetings, Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta city Wards Three and Four, said Department of Social Services Director Eve Bouboulis reported to the Human Services committee the county would lose $1.3 million if the current budget is passed.
April 13, 2022
League to Sponsor Forum on Running for Local Office
Adrienne Martini and Meg Kennedy, members of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, will speak about how they decided to run for office and how people can improve democracy at the local level at an April 21 event sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Oneonta Area and Cooperstown Area. The 7 p.m. forum, which will be held in the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center atrium in Oneonta, will explore ideas and strategies for “Making Local Democracy Work Better,” according to LWV media release.
December 15, 2021
Martini Defends Otsego County Health Department Employees
Threats against Otsego County Department of Health employees over state COVID-19 mask mandates had county representatives talking about safety during the county board's Dec. 15 meeting.
Rep. Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta Wards Three and Four, said she understood how heated the topic is, but said: "These people are doing their jobs."
May 20, 2021
Martini Concerned that Minimum Wage Has Not Kept Pace with Cost of Living
“We keep blaming people at the lowest rung of the ladder because they’re an easy target,” Martini said. “It’s pretty popular to say, ‘well these people are just inherently lazy, and they don’t want to work, and why would we give them incentives to not work?’”
Martini suggested the question should be flipped: “even if they do work, will it actually pay their bills and support their lives? And the answer, by and large, is no,” because minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living.