Yates is now a 'Storm Ready' County

Apr 14, 2009 at 02:51 pm by Observer-Review


PENN YAN   ADVERTISEMENT

Yates is now a 'Storm Ready' County

PENN YAN—Yates County legislators heard presentations of general interest to county residents during their April 13 meeting. Dave Nicosia, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Binghamton, attended the meeting to formally present Yates County Emergency Management director Glen Miller with signs that will identify Yates County as a 'Storm Ready' County.
Nicosia said, “Being prepared for storms will also mean the county will be ready for non storm situations, such as hazardous incidents.” He said there are four separate pathways to receive hazardous information and Yates County has 10 ways, adding, “Yates County was the first to purchase weather radios. These have been distributed to areas of public assembly such as churches, day care centers and the like.”
Miller said he would like to have signs indicating Yates County is a 'Storm Ready' County on all state roads. Using a recent illustration of the significance of weather information, Miller spoke about an  accident last week when a propane truck tipped over. While the problem was being resolved, Miller called back to dispatch and they called to get information about wind direction and speed every 30 minutes, helping emergency responders remain safe from fumes.
Miller commended county employees Melanie Bush, Chris Warriner, Diane Caves and Sandi Smith for their assistance in developing the local program. Miller added, “This is an important part of our hazard mitigation plan; getting notice out and knowing what to expect.”
Deborah Martin, Assistant NYS Attorney General In Charge of the Rochester Office, also spoke to legislators during the meeting.
In other business:
Legislators authorized the chairman to amend the agreement with LaBella Associates to increase the cost of completion of the remedial investigation at the former Penn Yan Marine Manufacturing Corp. site in Penn Yan from $62,500 to $67,500. The increase was made necessary due to additional testing needs.
• Passed a resolution in support of a New York Main Street program application by the Fiinger Lakes Economic Development Center. The program is to stimulate the economic revitalization of mixed-use business centers in urban, small town and rural areas by providing financial incentives for the rehabilitation of traditional commercial building stock. If granted, funding will be used to renovate and revitalize two or three buildings on Main Street in Penn Yan including facade, signage and streetscape enhancements. The proposed area is within the Empire Zone.
• Legislators voted to appropriate a New York State Department of Health 2009 Rural Health Network Grant in the amount of $233,961. County legislature finance committee chairman Taylor Fitch said, “This is the largest of any rural health grants in New York State.”
• Deborah Minor was appointed provisionally to the position of Public Health Director/Director of Patient Services for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2011. Legislator Tim Dennis said, “She is very professional and a great addition to staff in this position.” Minor has most recently been Supervisor/Preventative Programs for the Yates County agency where she has been employed for several years.
• Several observances were proclaimed: Child Abuse Prevention Month is in April as is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. April 12 to 8 was recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and April 26 to May 2, National Crime Victims Rights Week. May 17 to 23 will be Emergency Medical Services Week. This resolution read, in part, “Members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week and access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. The members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.” The theme “Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Service” will be used this year.
 Several appointments were made during the meeting. They are:
• Alan Snyder and Ronald Rubin as At-Large representatives to the Yates County Planning Board for terms ending April 13, 2012.
• Appointment of Dale Gifford to the Yates County Community Services board, Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities subcommittee through Dec. 31, 2012.
• A resolution to appoint members to the Yates County Fire Advisory Board was withdrawn by Public Safety committee chairperson Donna Alexander.
The next meeting of the Yates County Legislature will be at 1 p.m. May 11 in legislative chambers in the Yates County office building on Liberty Street in Penn Yan.
  $element(adman,groupads,YatesRight1)$

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight6)$

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight8)$
Sections: Additional News