State Tower Building

Suite 909

109 S. Warren Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

315-373-0181

Please contact me at the above number.

Todd

I read the article on Syracuse.com with respect to how new legislation in the City of Syracuse is impacting the ability of Sound Garden to remain operational.

Sound Garden is an eclectic and wonderful store. It started 16 years ago on Walton Street, above Empire Brewing Company and quickly became my go to place to buy music and dvds. It is a dying  breed: a true independent music store that sells pre-owned cd’s and dvds as well as new issues. They carry all types of music from big band to alternative rock and rap and everything in between. The store became so successful that several years ago, they moved into a stand alone building adjacent to Onondaga Creek and the new creek walk. If you ever want to get lost for a few hours browsing music old school style, go there and look through their collection; you will be amazed.

If Syracuse Common Councilor Jake Barrett has his way, you won’t have much longer to go, so hurry.

The Syracuse Common Council has enacted legislation regarding “second hand” stores, whereby sellers of previously owned merchandise must keep strict record keeping with the Syracuse Police Department.  The owners of Sound Garden have stated that by virtue of the large volume of pre-owned merchandise they take in per day they would be overly burdened by this restriction.  This is especially true since there are no allegations of selling stolen music or videos. As a result, the owners of Sound Garden appealed to Councilor Barrett to obtain a waiver.

Councilor Barrett has stated he has “no intention” of granting a waiver for this successful business. If his mind isn’t changed, Sound Garden intends to leave downtown, closing a successful well run business that adds a lot to our community. We as an electorate need to reach out to Councilor Barrett and the other Councilors on the Common Council.

As a local business owner and one who supports locally owned or independent businesses as much as possible, I encourage you to write  or call Councilor Barrett. I am discouraged that this Administration will not work with a successful business in finding a way to work things out.

Please take a minute to make your voice heard on this issue:

Jake Barrett: Room 314 City Hall
Syracuse, New York 13202
Phone: (315) 448-8466
Fax: (315) 448-8423
Email: jbarrett@ci.syracuse.ny.us

I have always been a tech geek. I think that technology has only increased the ability to practice law. I know it has made me more accessible to my clients, which is good. It has broadened my reach so that I am able to represent clients throughout New York State far easier than I could before.

Skype has been a blessing for this type of representation for it allows face to face conversations with clients no matter where they are.

In my view technology in my practice is definitely a blessing.

I was a proud sponsor of the New York State Blues Fest this summer. It was wonderful to see our community gather for such fantastic music. I am looking forward to returning next year as a sponsor.

Engel Law Offices is a proud member of Syracuse First. Syracuse First is a community organization started three years ago  to think about developing a locally first attitude regarding business decisions within the Syracuse area. In that time it has grown to over 300 members and is an exciting grass roots organization in our community.

We have also sponsored the  Jewish Music and Cultural Festival held in September at the Jewish Community Center in Syracuse. This festival highlights Jewish Culture and music of all kinds.

Giving back to the community is key to growing and developing a vital Syracuse.

Todd

The foundation was originally created in the 1990′s to provide a camp for children suffering from AIDS.

As AIDs/HIV became a more manageable disease, the need for a camp devoted solely for these patients diminished, so the foundation joined forces with Camp TLC, a group that provides a mobile camp experience to kids living in isolated circumstances such as shelters, group homes and hospitals.

“We are pleased to have recently elected Todd to the Board of Directors. Todd is primarily involved with one of the Foundation’s programs, Camp TLC (Together Living a Challenge) and has agreed to also serve as Site Coordinator for the Saratoga session of Camp, a special session that brings a week of summer camp to children of the backstretch as well as children from the local Domestic Violence Shelter. His energy and enthusiasm for Camp as well as the Foundation will be a great asset and we are all looking forward in him helping us grow the organization”

~ Caroline Baumis, Executive Director

I’m honored to be a part of this great organization and thrilled to be working on the Saratoga camp session. I’ll be posting updates on our events here.

My goal was to reach 1000 likes by midnight on my birthday March 28, and I would donate $1000 to 2 local charities – the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Camp TLC.

During the challenge, I realized that a lot of people liked the individual post rather than the fan page. So, while I only reached 702 likes (doubling my original number!), if I add on all the likes received for related posts, I exceeded my goal. I’m thrilled to be writing a check for $500 to the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and $500 to Camp TLC.

Thank you for helping me celebrate another trip around the sun – I appreciate everyone’s support, and I am grateful for the interest in Engel Law Offices. I’ll continue to update the page with various aspects of my practice and legal stories of note.

OMG!

It’s a long standing tradition in my family for the person celebrating a birthday to give something away. We receive gifts, but we always give something as well.

This year , I want to give back to both of the communities I practice in. Syracuse and Saratoga both mean a great deal to me. The people have supported me and my law practice.  For that I am very grateful and believe it is time to give back.

Two organizations near and dear to my heart are the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, which is a non-profit organization in Syracuse dedicated to ending child abuse through intervention and education and Camp TLC, an on the move camping program based downstate that delivers a week of camp to children living in hospitals, group homes, and shelters across the country at no charge.

One of Camp TLC’s programs is a week long camp during the Saratoga thoroughbred race meet for kids of the backstretch employees, grooms, hotwalkers and other stable help who otherwise would not have the ability to send kids to camp for the summer.

Here is my challenge to you:

As I write this, my Facebook page sits at 391 likes. If I can reach 1000 likes by midnight on my birthday – 30 days from now – I will donate $1000, $500 to each organization.

Will you help? Please share this post.

It is a  great time to enjoy the finality of the football season with friends and family. Share some drinks, eat some food and watch the game or the ads, whichever is your pleasure.

However, please make sure that if you are drinking, don’t drive. The Syracuse newspapers have already published an article saying that there will be roadblocks throughout Syracuse this weekend.  A DWI can have enormous personal implications.

Generally a DWI is charged as a misdemeanor which means it is  a criminal offense punishable by up to a year in jail. Additionally, fines and surcharges are added on to this charge and conviction. Further (at least in Onondaga County) an alcohol evaluation to determine if there is a problem requiring further treatment is required. Even if a favorable disposition is negotiated, insurance rate increases and suspension of your driving privileges will result.

If you own a bar, you too can be held liable if someone injures an individual through a DWI.

Through laws called the Dram Shop Act, restaurants and bars can be held liable for over serving a customer when that customer causes an accident and injures himself or others. It is extremely important that as a bar owner or bartender you monitor the consumption of your customers. While some owners feel it is not their place to “babysit” their customers, it is far better than losing the ability to sell and serve alcohol.

So, whether you are out with friends for the Superbowl or own the business they are in, just remember what Sarge said on Hill Street Blues:

Be careful out there.

The first session is February 28, 2011 at Wise Guys Comedy Club in Syracuse NY. The session begins with a networking session at 6:00 and presentation at 6:30. We will be discussing health care proxies, living wills and powers of attorney.

Hope to see you there.

Special Olympics is an important organization that allows athletes with special needs to participate in sporting events across the spectrum and compete against other individuals with disabilities. The Winter Games will be comprised of six events in five locations throughout Onondaga County. I’ll tell you more about them as we go on.

The Games will start with Opening Ceremonies Friday night at 7:00 at the Oncenter. Each athlete participating will march in just like the Olympic Games. They will be welcomed by local law enforcement officers and community dignitaries as they enter the arena. There will even be a Torch Run and the lighting of the Olympic Torch.

Following the Opening Ceremony the Games will start with the Floor Hockey Pairing games. Each team will play to determine their seeding for Saturday morning’s games which will take place at the Oncenter. These games will start at 8:30 at the Oncenter and will be single elimination games throughout the day.

Saturday is the day when the events really start kicking into high gear. The events will at 8:30 in the morning. Figure Skating will be at the Onondaga County War Memorial followed by speed skating. Floor Hockey and the Olympic Village will be at the Oncenter. Snowshoeing will be at Thorden Park. Alpine skiing will be at Toggenburg Ski Center. Nordic Skiing will be at Highland Forest.

Each of the events are free to attend. They will be finished by 2:30 so come out and enjoy the day watching these athletes compete. I hope to see you there!

Todd Engel
tengel@engelatty.com