Legislative Interns

`Broome County Legislative Internship Program`
The Broome County Legislature has had an active Student Internship Program since the Spring/Summer of 2007. Internships can be completed in the spring, summer, fall or winter. This program continues to be a great experience for students who go to school either as an under-graduate or graduate at Binghamton University, at Broome Community College, or who come back home to the Southern Tier during summer or winter break from various other colleges. We strive to provide a constructive and vigorous program to help students gain knowledge and experience; both about how local government works, with a special focus on the Greater Binghamton area. Interns with the Broome County Legislature have the opportunity to: Conduct confidential research and administrative staff work for the County Legislature. Serve as a resource person and act as a communicator with the Executive branch, Law Department, Audit and Control Department, and other departments upon request. Transmit documents between the County Legislature, County and State Departments, agencies, State officials and community leaders. Research and present ideas used by other New York Sate Counties and other local governments. Schedule and organize meetings between legislators and agencies. Work closely with local government leaders on county and municipal concerns. Prepare and present data and reports clearly and concisely to the Legislative Assistant or Clerk or other staff for presentation to County Legislators. Compose constituent reply and other governmental correspondence. Assist with drafting of press releases and setting up press conferences regarding legislative issues. Assist with the drafting of Legislative Proclamations, and other honorary communications. Below are profiles of our prior interns and the projects they worked on. Some interns have also contributed pictures and quotes. If you are interested in pursuing and internship with the Broome County Legislature please send a Letter of Intention and a Resume to legclerk@co.broome.ny.us

Fall 2010

Jason Levy - Student from Binghamton University

Project: To design and implement a public information and awareness campaign aimed at homeowners in Broome County to get them to interact with the rivers and streams on or near their properties in a more sustainable manner. Quote: "I would highly recommend an internship at the Broome County Legislature to anyone who is interested in how municipal government works. I personally found the atmosphere to be friendly and conducive to learning. I also greatly enjoyed the opportunities to work alongside not only our elected officials, but alongside the administration that makes Broome County work. My semester project had several different components from running TV commercials to advising homeowners on how to clear debris from their streams, and what I noted throughout the entire thing was the abundance of information that everyone at the clerk's office had. They were always able to point me in the right direction when I needed help with my project. In short, I highly recommend this internship to any student who is interested in working with governments later in life. The internship program at the County Legislature was an eye-opening experience and I hope that the next administration continues to offer this valuable opportunity to the Binghamton student community."

Joshua Krantz - Student from Binghamton University

Project: Researched current methods of fostering local food markets and advised on how to best consolidate existing promotional infrastructure, compiled a database of logistical information pertaining to local producers that is of interest to institutional buyers. Performed a comparative analysis of county-level local food policies from around the country that have been successfully implemented and recommended a few that may work well in Broome County.
Quote: "The internship at the Broome County Legislature really puts you in the driver's seat in a way that other internships generally do not. The Legislative Staff is open-minded and receptive to new ideas, while pointing you in the right direction and providing a breadth of resources to help you craft and accomplish a goal. Rather than viewing interns as free labor to be exploited, as many programs do, the Legislative Staff enables and expects you to engage in real problem solving that has the potential to positively affect the lives of real people in the community. Throughout my time there I was able to collaborate with different agencies of government as well as non-profits, academia, and outside advocacy groups. It was exciting to work alongside county leaders who take what you have to say seriously and really makes for an invaluable internship experience."

Summer 2010

Tyler Lenga - Student from SUNY Brockport

Project: Researched the declining rates in young professionals choosing to reside in Broome County
Quote: "My internship with the Broome County Legislature has been an exciting experience that has really brought forth my enthusiasm for the political process. I was able to experience governance on the County level and see firsthand how the County legislative process works. Throughout a majority of my time at the legislature I was able to research the decline of young professionals choosing to reside in. I was able to look at how Broome is currently handling this issue and recommend other ways to help combat the loss of young people to Broome County. Also, throughout my experience I was able to sit in on many legislative sessions and various meetings taking place throughout the County, learning more and more about the issues that present themselves to Broome, most notably being the Marcellus Shale debate that forcefully presented itself to the County during the Summer of 2010. The work environment at the legislature was very comfortable and the entire legislative staff was willing to help me whenever an issue arose. I can truly say that I learned a great deal about local government through the legislative internship program, enough so that it has made me want to pursue this field further."

Jeffrey Quain - Student from SUNY Cortland

Project: Researched natural gas drilling, including the environmental and socio-economic effects, as well as Broome County's role in leasing county property.
Quote: "For my first internship, the Broome County Legislature was a great starting point. The legislature provided many opportunities to become involved in local politics, and meet elected officials. The staff was welcoming and always helpful, and provided enough guidance for my project while still allowing me to do it independently. I was fortunate enough to intern during a time in which my project subject, natural gas drilling was at the forefront of the legislative agenda and was able to attend many of the meetings and discussions that were held. Having a first hand look at how the legislature works was an irreplaceable experience and one that will help me throughout my career."

Nicole Kulik - Student from Albany Law School

Project: Researched State and County statutes and common law pertaining to optional tax exemptions, county redistricting procedures, and the recent statutory changes to the state village dissolution law.
Quote: "My experience as an intern with the Broome County Legislature provided me with the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the operation of the county government and demonstrate and refine my legal research and writing skills. The legislative staff tailored my projects in order for me to practically apply my law school education; and provided me with several occasions to network with local attorneys and government officials. I would recommend this internship to other law students seeking a remarkable and well-rounded summer internship."

Anthony Watts - Student from St. Bonaventure

Project: My project was on the economic benefits for Broome County if drilling is to occur on the Marcellus Shale. I also did research into what societal changes would occur with the arrival of new employees from different energy companies if the drilling were to happen.
Quote: "I feel that my internship with the Broome County Legislature was quite intriguing. I say this due in part to the happenings this past summer with the potential drilling of the Marcellus Shale. The passionate discussion on this matter from both the Legislators and the constituents proved to be quite interesting to watch from my position as an intern. Most importantly, this internship really opened my eyes to the legislative process and functions of our government."

Sylvia Gao - Student from Binghamton University

Project: Participated in the Downtown Binghamton Farmers Market operation and also worked on a “Farm to Cafeteria” initiative in Broome County
Quote: "This summer internship at the Broome County Legislature's office was definitely remarkable. I learned about the agricultural economy of upstate New York and as well as some of the mechanisms for getting one’s products directly to consumers. During the summer I also participated in the Binghamton Farmers’ Market internship. I was taught to keep good records for the daily inventories at the beginning of the day as well as calculating sales revenues at the end of the day. I was also assigned to organize the operation for the central point of purchase for all non-cash transactions, especially food stamps or EBT purchases. After working as an intern at the Farmers’ Market for a few weeks, I was assigned to work on the “Farm to Cafeteria” project through the Legislative Office. The aim is to connect institutional food procurement establishments with local producers. When doing research on this project, I also got a chance to learn about GIS technology, as well as collecting the information using Excel. The in-office research experience was very different from the outdoor retail experience, and I enjoyed both of them very much. I definitely recommend this internship in the Office of the Broome County Legislature. I am very thankful for Mr. Denk, the Clerk of the Broome County Legislature, for providing me the opportunity to work there and also the School of Management in Binghamton University."

Spring 2010

Ariel Schlesinger - Student from Binghamton University

Project: Researched proper methods of medication disposal including how medicine collection is handled in other communities, and implemented the Green Initiative Recognition Program
Quote: "My internship with the Broome County Legislature has been an incredible experience. Not only did I learn how government works on a county level, but it made me more interested in public policy. Throughout my internship I attended many legislative sessions and committee meetings which provided me with more knowledge about the role of the County Legislature. A large portion of my internship was spent on the Legislature's Green Initiative Recognition Program. For this program, I drafted media advisories, press releases, and communicated with other government agencies. This project gave me experience working with the media and gave me better communication skills. The Legislative Staff is very friendly and they truly treated me as an equal. Overall, my experience at the Broome County Legislature has been educational and enjoyable and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in politics and government."

Baran Kucuk - Student from Binghamton University and Bogazici University

Project: Researched the 'Farm to Cafeteria' program, Agricultural Development, point of sale signage for tobacco sales and Sustainable Forestry. Prepared a project to connect schools and other institutions with local farms and producers, which could strengthen the local agricultural economy, improve student health, and promote regional food systems awareness.
Quote: "My internship at the Broome County Legislature was an amazing chance for me to see how governing and legislating work in local government. I worked with helpful and friendly people who helped me feel comfortable during my internship. Finding a middle way between your own interests and what Broome County needed increased my motivation to come up with a good project. Improving your own personal skills and the feeling of responding to the needs of the county, made this an enjoyable internship. Mr. Denk, Ms. Hall and Ms. Royer were great people to work with. I would reccommend this internship to anybody who wants to work independently and create a project within the framework of the county. It is wonderful to see how much the staff respects your ideas. "

Fall 2009

George Hadjiconstantinou - student from Binghamton University

Project: Researched student housing in Binghamton and made recommendations to improve student housing that would be beneficial to students, as well as local residents and landlords.
Quote: "My experience at the Broome County Legislature has made me well-versed in local governance and legislative activity in general. It was fascinating to learn about Broome County and its quirks. The committee meetings and legislative sessions that I was able to attend were enlightening and gave me a better sense of what goes into the passing and/or rejection of legislation and legislative procedures. I highly recommend this internship to anybody who is interested in making a career in politics so they may be able to understand politics in the local arena."

Jonathan Rudge - student from Binghamton University

Project: Researched the effects of Natural Gas Drilling on Health and Environment.
Quote: "Interning here has been a wonderful and exciting experience! While working on my own chosen project, I was able to gain an understanding of how things work within the Legislature while at the same time making my own contribution to an issue that was important to me. My time spent here was both challenging and fun, a rare combination found in the professional world. The people you work with are professional, friendly, fun and extremely helpful. Mr. Denk is a great agency supervisor to work under and easily approachable, Chris is an awesome project guide and if they aren't around then the secretaries are more than willing to help and they are always there. They will work with you to help you get exactly what you want from this experience. As a senior looking to prepare for a career in law, this internship gave me everything I was looking for and more. It's a great opportunity for any undergraduate or graduate student looking to pursue a career in politics, legal practice or anything related. If you're thinking about anything along those lines, or even if you're just looking to try something new and exciting, I would highly recommend interning here. Thank you to everyone for a great semester and a great first experience in the world of politics. After this, I'm sure it will not be my last!"

Nicholas Vevante - student from Binghamton University

Project: Helped the Energy Advisory Board research different possible state and federal grant opportunities for the Mainstreaming Energy Efficiency Project.
Quote: "During my time interning for the Broome County Legislature, not only did I learn a lot about how county government works, but I was also able to work independently on a project that I cared about. Being able to work on something meaningful and not just doing "busy work" was important to me and made my internship experience much more beneficial. Also, even though I did work independently the staff there was very supportive and whenever I needed help with something, I was able to get it from them. I would recommend this internship to anyone who wanted to do important work and learn about local government."

Summer 2009

Jason Birriel - student from Binghamton University

Project: Created a Citizens' Guide to the Broome County Legislature and the Broome County Budget, helped Legislator Garnar with research for a Cell Phones for Seniors program
Quote: "My internship with the Broome County Legislature provided me with in depth experience into the legislative process of Broome County. It allowed me to learn how local government operates on a daily basis. I was allowed to observe committee meetings and several meetings with external organizations. I was also able to conduct my own research while coordinating with the excellent staff at the Legislature throughout the duration of the program. The interns at the Legislature are viewed as a valuable asset and unlike many other internship programs, they are given meaningful work that allows anyone who works here to gain invaluable real world experience. The staff at the Legislature genuinely enjoyed mentoring my development and I recommend this internship to anyone who desires valuable experience on the inner workings of county government."

Spring 2009

Jeremy Algire - student from Broome Community College

Projects: researched potential ideas for a legislative essay contest for local students about "There Ought to Be a Law"

Greg Regensburg - student from Binghamton University

Projects: Assisted with the implementation of the 2nd Annual Green Recognition Awards, researched information about youth courts

Norka Vera- student from Binghamton University

Projects: Research Green Homes and other energy smart initiatives

January 2009

Justin Salkin - student from Binghamton University

Project: Research on gas leases and current gas lease law
Quote: "My internship experience was a comfortable one. The entire staff at the Legislature made me feel very comfortable. I got to see committee meetings, and legislative sessions, both of which helped me learn about how county legislature goes about handling county issues on a daily basis."
Fall 2008
Cristal Regalado - student from Binghamton University
Projects: work on the Empire State Games Proclamation Database, Environment and Recycling Initiatives research
Brian Derry - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Rural Transportation research, GASB 45 research
Quote: "My internship at the Broome County Legislature provided me with real experience in the legislative process and allowed me to see how county government operates on a day to day basis. I was allowed to conduct my own research and formulate my own reports on topics I thought were both interesting and important for the community. All work was done under the helpful guidance of the staff in a wonderful work environment. I really appreciate the fact that interns at the legislature are viewed as a valuable resource and not just people to do busy work. I would recommend this internship to everyone as it is a valuable experience that will teach you the ins and outs of county government in a great work environment."

Summer 2008
Steven Blackwell - post-graduate from LeMoyne College
Projects: Local taxicab project in conjunction with the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Public Transportation survey
Quote: "The internship with the Legislature was one that has proved to be more valuable than I would have ever imagined. Through the hands on guidance and mentoring throughout the entire program, I was able to get a grasp on what government work was like, and in the end has turned me into not only a more critical thinker and problem solver, but a more well rounded member of the community."
Eric Ewing - student from the University of Albany
Projects: Comparison of NYS IDA web pages, creation of a rating system for the pages, research on ways to increase usage of libraries by 12-16 year olds
Quote: "During my summer internship with the legislature I had the opportunity to work on some exciting projects. From my time there I learned new ways to look at and explore local issues. I also gained valuable experience working in a government setting."
Kimberly Heinle - student from Ithaca College
Projects: Microgrid and Windmills research, Regional Community Food Project and Farmer's Market work and research, work with the community group in Northern Broome Centered on Gas Drilling education and research, work on organizing the Legislature's Article Database
Quote: “My time spent as a summer intern in the Legislative Clerk's Office far exceeded my expectations. I saw first hand the operations of the legislative office and had many unique opportunities that I would not have had anywhere else. I was immediately involved in projects tailored to my interests and career path, which allowed me to gain useful contacts and experiences that I am sure to use again in the future.”
Priyal Karecha - student from Daemen College
Projects: Town budget review for a FOIL request, compiled a paper on Renter's protection laws and understanding of foreclosures, created a database for proclamations to go to local winner's of the Empire State Games
Quote: “The internship program through the Broome County Legislature has been an extremely rewarding--both in experience and knowledge gained. Everyone involved in the program was more than helpful, and work expected of the interns was fascinating for each person because of the large selection presented in the beginning. I would absolutely recommend the internship to anyone interested in government who wants the freedom to learn at their own pace, as well as the tools they need to do so.”
Nancy Shaw-Herzog - Graduate student from Binghamton University
Projects: County Prescription Card research
Quote: "This was the best internship I’ve had. My undergraduate internships were very good, but my experience at the Broome County Legislature allowed me the opportunity to apply many of the skills acquired from my education. My project required me to work independently and at the same time I received strong support from the legislators, my supervisors, and county department heads. I found the county working atmosphere very professional, but also comfortable and friendly.
I would highly recommend this Internship to anyone in the MPA program who is interested in local government."
Christine Zulko - student from LeMoyne College
Project: Work with the Downtown Farmer's Market as manager

Spring 2008
Joe Johnson - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Broome County Financial Comparison with other counties
Quote: "I learned a lot about the process and the intergovernmental cooperation that occurs between different levels of government. I had the privilege of attending a conference during my time with the Legislature which was very educational. The freedom I was given to research the concerns of Broome County residents regarding the ailing economy New Yorker's are now facing has given me a new perspective on the resources that state and local governments have at their disposal. I left my internship believing that with the proper resources, New York will be able to pull itself out of the financial storm we are now facing."
Jason Kaplowitz - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Green Business and Organization research, press conference information and proclamations, potential future essay contest development
Quote: "The Broome County Legislative Internship program has given me the opportunity to be an integral part of legislative initiatives, develop my interpersonal and research skills, and work in a productive environment."

Fall 2007
Rosemary Guzman - student from Binghamton University
Projects: REAP research, Transportation Department research, grant research.
Michael Hanbury - Graduate student from Binghamton University
Projects: GASB 45 research and prep work for the GASB 45 Citizens Task Force. Conducted an audit on Broome County's Energy Costs
Quote: “I was able to put the skills that I had been learning in Graduate School to use at a very high professional level. The projects and assignments are challenging and are very rewarding. The Broome County legislature offered me more than just an internship; it offered me a chance to explore new career opportunities.”
Hanna Reyes - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Attended and reported on the 'I Live NY' Summit at SUNY Cortland on Sept. 18, 2008, grant research and databases for the Windsor Community Pool Association
Graham Ruff - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Trans-fat legislation research, initial work on a county guide
Fannie Santana - student from Binghamton University
Projects: FOIL database, young adult job seeking opportunities in Broome County research
Chris Waters - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Various AED research and letters to those affected by AED legislation

Spring/Summer 2007
Teresa Bouton - student from Broome Community College
Projects: Broome County History and Form of Government summaries for the internship packet, research on Medicaid Intercept, research on Forbes' county rating system
Kara Briggs - post-graduate from Binghamton University
Projects: Biofuels Research, Switchgrass Research, Watershed research conference and paper, Eastern Broome Internet Access Survey development and database of results
Quote: "My internship experience with the Broome County Legislature was incredible. The research I completed was very interesting, especially the watershed symposiums. It really opened my eyes to the community around me. I learned about the great features of Broome County, but also the problematic issues. I learned how I can contribute to resolve these issues, and how and when to utilize my county officials in time of need. The internship was professional, yet casual and a very comfortable environment. I truly learned the meaning and function of local government, and also made some great friends. Eric Denk and Jenni Royer, as well as the legislators, particulary Mark Whalen and Steve Herz were so helpful and informative and wonderful to work with."
Laura Chaath - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Community Art Database
Betsy Fitzpatrick
Projects: Watershed conference, meeting and research
Richard Jones - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Brownfield research, Energy (windmills, oil beds and natural gas) research
Mathias Kamin - student from SUNY Plattsburgh
Projects: Sheriff Department research
Lauren Kutch - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Watershed research conference and paper, Morrill Land Grant research, Eastern Broome Internet Access Survey development and database of results
Quote: “I had a wonderful experience being an intern with the Broome County Legislature. Not only did I learn more about local government I was also exposed to all the great events this town has to offer and the people that make it such a nice community.”
Amy Labzentis- student from Houghton College
Projects: Created a 'Guide to Rural Development Aid', 'Highway signs – How to', and 'Lobbying How-to', REAP program research
Simona Neacsu - student from Binghamton University
Projects: Renewable energy products research, economic development grants research, rural community development grants research
Stephen Ramsey - student from Villanova University
Projects: Passenger Rail interviews and research, Microgrid research

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