County recognizes years of service

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Legislature met on Monday, Jan. 9. During the meeting, legislators approved approximately two dozen resolutions, heard an update regarding the ongoing Cupola project, and recognized the service of county employees.
"As we enter the 200th anniversary of our county, we would not be where we are today without the hard work and devotion of our employees," said Chairwoman Leslie Church. "The employees that we are celebrating today have a combined 425 years of service from nine different departments. We appreciate the work and the years that these employees have dedicated to making Yates County a wonderful place to work and a beautiful place to live. The legislature will continue to support you in your years of service to continue keeping our county on our path of greatness. Each of you has been such a significant part of our team. We couldn't imagine our workplace without you."
5 years of service:
Jordan Covert- correction officer
Courtney Eddinger- correction officer, part-time
Meghan Kincaid- director of real property
John Murphy- fleet maintenance supervisor-highway
Chad Pierce- computer technical specialist - IT
10 years:
Eric Burden- correction officer/court security
Nonie Flynn- county administrator
Scott Falvey- county attorney
Robert Schwarting- board of elections commissioner
15 years:
Suzanne Backer- principal social services program examiner - DSS
Robert Brechko- board of elections commissioner
Albert Brush- correction officer
Charlie Emerson- deputy sheriff
Glen Hasting- correction officer, part-time
Debra Orr- account clerk typist - DSS
Jack Stover- correction officer/court security, part-time
20 Years:
Louis Aaron- correction sergeant
Jared Bailey- chief correction officer
Patricia Fox- correction officer
Karen Fudge- cleaner - buildings and grounds
Nicole Riek- receptionist/typist - DSS
25 years:
Andrew Boudinot- heavy equipment operator - highway
Joy Jensen- confidential assistant to the sheriff
Michael Weichenthal- senior auto mechanic - highway
Pamela Whitford- correction officer
Lisa Wood- correction officer, part-time
30 years:
Chad Gridley- correction lieutenant.
Legislators also heard an update from the cupola restoration project. The cupola is a structure from the 1800s that can be a focal point for the Yates County community for historic and educational purposes.
"We'd like to restore this building so that it's a place for people to have a visual exhibit of the history of the times," said Marsha Devine. "A prime location has been selected to position the cupola that is hoped to be a gateway to the downtown Penn Yan area and to the Outlet Trail from Penn Yan to Dresden. We're hoping that this will be something worthwhile for tourists as a destination, but also we really want to reach our children in schools. This would be a great tie-in to history classes, and it would be a wonderful way to learn how Penn Yan was industrialized."
The committee requested a letter of support from the legislators. Devine indicated the goal is to have the cupola restored and in place by the end of 2023.