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County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr.
798-5800

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr., today announced that he is working in partnership with federal legislators to avert a proposed federal budget cut that could eliminate federal Essential Air Service funding to Oneida County.

Eannace said he is writing to President George W. Bush to seek a reversal of the president’s reduction in the numbers of communities eligible for Essential Air Service aid from the federal government.

"Without this federal assistance, Oneida County could not support regularly scheduled air service," Eannace said. "To continue our economic recovery, it is essential that air service to Oneida County be expanded, not reduced. I will be working with our federal legislators to oppose this reduction."

U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton are also opposing the reduction, which would take effect in the 2002 federal budget, Eannace said.

"We have excellent help on our side," Eannace said. "Congressman Sherwood Boehlert is a senior member of the House Transportation Committee, a committed supporter of strong air service from our area and an extremely effective representative for our area. Sen. Schumer has been an outspoken advocate of air service for upstate New York ever since his election to the Senate. Sen. Clinton has also expressed a great willingness to support upstate. Most importantly of all, we have a very strong case that after all the local and federal work that went into bringing subsidized air service to Oneida County just to support our economic recovery, it would be a serious mistake to take it away."