NYSSPE President Dr. James Yarmus, PE's recent opinion piece in The Buffalo News draws attention the growing problem of municipalities removing the PE requirement from positions that by their very nature ask those who fill them to undertake technical decisions that effect the public's safety and welfare. Dr. Yarmus made the danger of such shortcuts clear, writing: "The public is being told that these moves are made to achieve economies. However, when the safety shortcuts invariably endanger the public — through infrastructure failures, the need for new capital projects or harm to our citizens — don’t be surprised when the blame for resulting tragedies falls not on the appointees but on the licensed professional engineers unfairly removed from their jobs."

To read the full article please visit: http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/937905.html

Dr. James Yarmus, PE issued a letter to Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner and the Syracuse Common Council urging them to withdraw their proposal to amend the City Charter by removing the PE requirement from the job description of the Commissioner of Water and another to the Town of Colonie, protesting their removal of the PE requirement from the Commissioner of Public Works position. Yarmus stated, “We realize that due to the economy, there may be a desire to reorganize operations, however those changes should not interfere with sound professional judgment. Removing the professional engineers requirement from a position that is so immersed in technical decision making is not a wise way to streamline operations.”
As an organization our mission is to promote the professional engineer. It is a priority to maintain the PE requirement in top leadership positions where technical decision making is a integral part of the position's responsibilities. Such technical decision making must be done by a qualified licensed individual so that he or she has the final authority to protect the public's health and safety.
The Syracuse letter can be read HERE and the Colonie letter can be read HERE

J. Andrew Lange, PE, 87, formerly of DeWitt, died January 21 at Francis House. Andy was born in Brooklyn, NY June 17, 1922 to Harry and Florence Magnus Lange. His mother died shortly after the birth of his brother James, and was raised by his beloved stepmother Rhoda Doyle Lange. He grew up in Lynbrook, NY with brother, James and stepsisters, Evelyn and Hilda. Andy attended Alfred University for two years before enlisting in the Army Air Force for the duration of WWII, serving in the European Theatre on a B-24 Liberator as a gunner, receiving a bronze star and an air medal with three oak leafs, good conduct medal and European Agrian Middle Eastern Medal with three bronze stars, achieving the rank of technical sergeant. At war's end, Andy attended and graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, in 1948. He opened the Syracuse branch of Schultz Forster Associates immediately following graduation. In 1968, Andy founded his own business, J. Andrew Lange, Inc. and Statewide Aquastore in 1980. He received his Professional Engineering Certification in 1953, and won the CNY PE of the year in 1994, an award he and his family were proud of. Marrying Margaret Bonadio of Watertown in 1952, he had two daughters, Margery Lange (Ali) Keskin and Rhoda Lange (David) Breithaupt. Andy is survived by his two daughters and four grandchildren, Melisa Keskin of Seattle, WA, Caroline Breithaupt of Scottsdale, AZ, James Breithaupt currently of Rochester, NY, and Justin Keskin currently of Burlington, VT; several nieces and nephews including Nancy Lange of Lockport, NY. Andy was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, in 1995 and his brother, James, in 2009. Andy had a love of aviation, obtaining his pilot's license in Alfred, NY prior to WWII. He co-owned and later solely owned several aircrafts. He, with the help of his brother Jim and others, built an airplane in the '90s, which was completed and is still flown. He was an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Andy played cornet and trumpet throughout high school, college and many years into adulthood. Andy was also an avid golfer, playing golf several times a week with his regular foursome at Nottingham Knolls Country Club, including the Long Shadows League on Wednesday nights. Since 1984 golfing took a backseat to the family summer home on Henderson Bay, which remained his primary focus throughout his later years. The family is most grateful to Francis House and Hospice for making Andy's final days comfortable. Contributions can be made to: Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208, Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088, Young Life, PO Box 473, Manlius, NY 13104 or DeWitt Community Church, 3600 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt, NY 13214.

John S. MacNeill Jr, PE passed away on January 19, 2010, at Cortland Regional Medical Center just five days short of his 83rd birthday. During his last years, he persevered through increasing complications of diabetes.
He was born on January 24, 1927, in Weehawken, New Jersey, the son of John S. MacNeill Sr. and Margaret Stalee MacNeill. After attending a number of different schools growing up, he graduated from Homer Academy in 1944.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served his tour of duty during the remaining months of World War II in the Pacific theater.
Following the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Cornell University in 1950 and married “the girl next door,” Elizabeth “Betty” Hazzard.
After living and working in several locations throughout New York State, John and his growing family settled in Homer. He then started his own engineering and surveying firm and subsequently joined a number of professional organizations. He served as NYSSPE's State President
Participation in Cortland Rotary Club led to many rewarding years working with international exchange students, who knew him affectionately as “Papa John.” He and his wife, Betty, traveled all around the world visiting former exchange students and their families.
John was proud of his Scottish heritage and took pleasure in being a member of the Mohawk Valley Frasers Bagpipe Band for many years, along with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Elizabeth Hazzard MacNeill, their son, Allen (Leah) MacNeill of Ithaca; their daughters, Billie MacNeill of Homer and Claudia (Jerome) Caretti of Morrisville; a brother, Robert (Sue) MacNeill of Walton; a sister-in-law, Joyce MacNeill of Homer; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur MacNeill, of Homer.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 6, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home in Cortland, New York.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John MacNeill’s memory may be made to the Cortland Rotary Club, P.O. Box 5248, Cortland, NY 13045, or the charity of one’s choice.