NORWICH - U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri was humored Wednesday when told a New York Regional Interconnect, Inc. one-year anniversary cake would be featured on this newspaper’s cover page yesterday. His district director said he would be sure to pick up a copy.

The Utica district Democrat and outspoken opponent of <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a>’s proposed 190-mile long direct current transmission line project was in town Wednesday, spending part of Congress’ two-week recess period touring four venues. Arcuri said his political opponent last year also prominently opposed the privately-held Canadian company’s plan, and called the issue “a no-brainer” and “a draw” as to who campaigned more effectively.

Accompanied by a small group of Democratic Party members, Arcuri met local officials and toured the Oxford Veteran’s Home, the Oxford Fire Department, the Chenango County Public Safety Facility and the Norwich Fire Department. Chenango Democratic Committee Chair Catherine Ulfik said the recess was one of the few opportunities the congressman has to meet folks in the area.

“It’s an opportunity for him to hear from people and be able to better represent us,” she said.

While at the Fire Department, Arcuri met with a handful of farmers and agribusiness representatives to discuss ways to bolster the local agricultural community. “He is prepared to reauthorize funding for the Farm Bill and wanted the district to know his position,” Sam Marchio, press secretary, said. Renewable energy sources, as well as dairy and crop insurance programs, are key components of the Farm Bill.

Earlier this month, Arcuri voted to extend the Milk Income Loss Contract Program to ensure that small dairy farmers throughout the country are protected from severe price fluctuations. With approximately 6,800 dairy farmers, New York ranks third in milk production nationwide. Chenango County is second in the Southern Tier for dairy, just behind Otsego County.

While touring the Public Safety Facility with Chenango County Sheriff Thomas J. Loughren, Arcuri remarked that the technology incorporated within “was every bit as impressive as the facility itself.”