Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Time to Go Trout Fishing

Trout season in New York opened on April 1st. Early that day, one skilled local angler, 17-year-old Anthony Panicola of Cairo, took a beautiful 21-inch “holdover” brown trout. If you’re not familiar with the term, a “holdover” is a trout caught in a stream that had been raised in a hatchery, stocked in a stream, and survived to be caught at least one year from the date it was put into that body of water.

DEC is smack in the middle of stocking hatchery raised trout across the state. Greene County is no exception. Holdover trout like the one caught by Anthony are not that common due to challenges to stocked trout surviving a full year in a stream environ. Predation, warm summer water temperatures, and other factors lead to less than desirable survival rates for stocked trout. Stocked trout also lack the instinctive wariness of wild trout and thus are more apt to be caught than their wild counterparts.

Being comparatively easy to catch, now that we’re in trout stocking “season,” it’s definitely time to get out onto a stream and go trout fishing. Especially as we enjoy increasingly warm spring days and good stream conditions. A light spinning rod and reel loaded with 4 to 6-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line is ideal. For terminal tackle, try spinners from brands like Blue Fox, Panther Martin, or Rooster Tails. Don’t forget spoons like the deadly, Phoebe, and the reliable Cleo, and Kastmaster. Cast with as least disturbance as possible and deploy a steady, constant retrieve just fast enough to keep the blades on spinners spinning, or the action of your spoon wabbling above hazards like cobbles and aquatic vegetation. Trout worms and night crawlers are always an option, when drifted along the bottom along hiding spots by logs or boulders. 

If you really want to have fun with stocked trout, think about trying fly fishing. Even small  “stockies” are a lot of fun to catch on a fly rod. The relative ease of catching stocked trout is the perfect way to introduce novices and first timers to fly fishing for the normally elusive stream trout.     

Locations currently stocked in Greene County include just one site on the Basic Creek at the north side of the bridge in Freehold, and multiple access points on the Catskill, Schoharie, and Batavia Creeks, in addition to Greens Lake.

If you are 16 years of age or older you need to purchase a NYS freshwater fishing license and abide by rules concerning daily possession and size limits. I suggest buying your license in -person at a local bait and tackle shop to get the lowdown on local hotspots and which lure is the local favorite. Walmart is the next best option, but make sure you get a free printed copy of DECs Fishing Regulations Guide so you can look up the rules on the body of water you intend to fish. You can also buy your license online and download the fishing regulations guide onto your smart phone if you are so inclined. Carry something to measure trout with and it’s always handy to have a nail clipper for snipping tag ends of fishing line. 

So, no matter how you do it, get licensed and get out on a trout stream. Catch a few for fun or for the table while the getting is good!    

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time.

News and Notes…

Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is April 20th and 21st 

The 2024 youth turkey hunting season begins one half hour before sunrise on Saturday, April 20th and ends Sunday, April 21st. You can only hunt till 12 noon during the youth and regular spring turkey seasons. 

The Norton Hill Wildlife Club is holding a “Youth Turkey Hunting Orientation Day” at their club on Saturday, April 13th beginning at 10:00 am. 

All youth hunters and their parents/guardians/mentors are welcome. The event will include a chance to “talk turkey” with local Conservation Officers and other turkey hunting experts, and includes an opportunity for the youth hunters and their mentors to pattern shotguns at the club’s range. Youths will receive instruction on turkey tactics to increase their chances to bag a gobbler safely. (Youths must be accompanied by an adult at the orientation on April 13th)

Norton Hill is also holding an “After the Hunt BBQ” for all youth hunters, parents, mentors etc. at the conclusion of the first day’s hunt on Saturday April 20th beginning at 12 noon.

Save-the-date for New York Bowhunters Banquet in Greenville – May 18th 

New York Bowhunters will hold their 33rd Annual Banquet and Rendezvous on Saturday, May 18th 2023 at the Sunny Hill Resort and golf course at 352 Sunny Hill Road in Greenville, NY. For early birds arriving the day before, there will be a BBQ on Friday night at 6:00 pm with a 50/50 raffle. Discounted rooms that include breakfast at Sunny Hill are available. Go to www.sunnyhill.com or call them at 518-634-7642 to make your discounted room reservation. Registration for the day’s activities start at 9:00 am with their General Meeting scheduled for 1:00 pm, cocktail hour at 5:00 pm, and dinner and silent auction at 6:00 pm. The keynote speaker this year is Colorado big game hunter and guide, John Gardner. The event includes 3D archery and novelty shoots, antler scoring, contests, prizes, and free golf for NY Bowhunter members. Genesis bows will be provided for participants. There will be vendor tables, raffles and plenty of fun things to do. Tickets are $55.00 for individuals with kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets and for more information, contact Annie Jacobs via email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com , or by regular mail: 5937 County Road 33 Canandaigua, NY 14424. You can also give Annie a call at 585-229-7468 for more information.  Local NY Bowhunters representative Ed Gorch reminds all attending to bring a gift box for their “Camo to Camo” program supporting our veterans.  

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

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Tannersville Witnesses Spectacular Solar Eclipse

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE — On Monday, April 8, residents of the Village of Tannersville were treated to a rare celestial spectacle as they gathered to witness a partial solar eclipse. Despite the warm mid-50s weather, the streets were eerily empty. Many had likely journeyed westward to catch the eclipse's totality.

The atmosphere was surreal as the moon slowly traversed across the sun, casting an otherworldly light over the Village. Among the few who remained, some were equipped with the necessary protective eyewear, while others improvised viewing apparatuses to observe the event safely.

Having closed for the season just the day before, Hunter Mountain reopened its lifts to transport employees to the summit for a barbecue and eclipse-viewing extravaganza. Sean Mahoney, who wears many helmets, including that of a ski patroller, captured the scene at the summit and sent it to me at my request. Thanks Seany! 

The spirit of community was alive and thriving as residents of all ages gathered at various spots across the Village to witness the celestial event. High school students Rupert Conybeare, Aluna Velez, Linsey Bellinger, and Melinda Bates enjoyed the spectacle at Rip Van Winkle Lake, graciously posing for a photo.

I ran into Maggie outside of the Krooked Cafe. Syd was also there, displaying his homemade viewing devices. 

The eclipse brought the families and friends together. Area schools closed for the event, allowing families and friends to share in the wonder of the cosmos. It was a reminder of the beauty and awe-inspiring nature of the universe, uniting people from all walks of life under one celestial spectacle.

As the eclipse waned and daylight returned to Tannersville, residents dispersed, their hearts and minds filled with the memory of a truly special event.

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Cairo-Durham Elementary School Teacher Sarah Hasbrook Receives Board Certification in Special Education from American Academy of Special Education Professionals

CAIRO – The Cairo-Durham Central School District is proud to announce Cairo-Durham Elementary School teacher Sarah Hasbrook recently received board certification in the field of special education from the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (AASEP), hosted by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). 

Following the completion of an extensive set of online training modules in her free time, Hasbrook’s board certification provides national recognition in her ability and dedication to serving all Cairo-Durham Elementary School students. 

“Sarah Hasbrook continues to prove herself as a determined staff member in the Cairo-Durham Central School District focused on improving and learning more about her specialized field to reach a wider range of students,” said Cairo-Durham Central School District Superintendent Michael Wetherbee. “The Cairo-Durham Central School District is extremely proud of Sarah Hasbrook’s accomplishment and looks forward to seeing her implementation of what she has learned in the process of becoming board certified.” 

Hasbrook, typically seen working on literary skills with Cairo-Durham Elementary School students and finding solutions to obstacles in learning faced by special education students, has been overwhelmed by the support from her students, colleagues and administration throughout the District. She intends to continue her approach in assisting all students in the best individual way possible for each student. 

“I truly believe all students can learn, that’s a basic right. I think the reason behind leading the charge is that the more education staff have, the more students we will be able to assist,” Hasbrook said. “Not every strategy will work for every student, so the broad reach we are able to apply in a changing field while always maintaining a forward movement, will best suit our District.”

Cairo-Durham Central School District Director of Pupil Personnel Services Douglas Morrissey said it has been a pleasure to see the instant impact Hasbrook has placed on the growth of students who work with her since her arrival to the District in 2015. 

“Sarah Hasbrook is an extraordinary teacher who has helped more children learn than I could ever say,” said Morrissey. “This recognition is well-deserved and verifies what we already know; we are all lucky to have Sarah on our team.” 

Speaking to the character of Hasbrook to continuously evolve her skillset to benefit her students, Cairo-Durham Elementary School Principal Christopher Stein has been amazed by Hasbrook’s leadership and willingness to be involved at the elementary school. 

“Cairo Durham Elementary School is proud to have Sarah Hasbrook on our team. She is an incredibly dedicated special education teacher and literacy instructor,” said Stein. “Ms. Hasbrook ensures that every student in her care is successful and realizes their full potential. Ms. Hasbrook is also committed to helping her fellow teachers, and frequently leads professional development so other teachers deliver effective instruction.” 

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A New Season Dawns

Our own Max Oppen got this photo of the Hunter-Tannersville baseball team practicing this week. More photos are in this week’s edition.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - The Marine and the Hummingbirds

By Michael Ryan

WEST KILL - It is the essence of emotional contrast, envisioning Larry Dwon serving with the United States Marines in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, and sitting in his flower garden in the hamlet of West Kill.

Dwon has been selected for the Greene County Memorial Veteran Award, to be presented Saturday, May 18, at Catskill Point, next to the historic Freightmasters Building, alongside the Hudson River.

“Larry was always a Marine, proud of his service to his country,” says his wife Chris. “He fulfilled his duty with courage, honor and dedication. His final battle was fought with valor - a true Marine.”

That portion of this story has him being drafted by the Army, opting instead to enlist in the Marine Corps, being deeply entwined in several operations within Quang Tin Province, the scene of much ferocious fighting.

Dwon, according to his combat records, was part of Operation Union II, a particularly deadly search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley, carried out by the 5th Marine Regiment.

Official reports say 110 Americans gave their lives and 241 were wounded while 701 were reportedly killed from the People’s Army of Vietnam,  between May 26 and June 5, 1967.

It is both unimaginable and real, juxtaposing that imagery with Dwon, in later years, silently waiting for the arrival of hummingbirds Matilda and Rupert to the flower beds at his smalltown home in the mountains.

This portion of that story has him armed with nothing more than a camera, capturing sweet photographs of the flitting swift-wingers, even as he was engaged in hostilities with cancer that felled him in the autumn of 2005.

Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Dwon, “never talked much about the war, even with our two sons,” says Chris, preferring to let his deeds for country, family and community do the speaking.

Highly decorated, he received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, a Republic Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) and Republic Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Action).

He was accorded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Rifle Marksman ranking and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.

Larry and Chris crossed paths after he’d gotten a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Utah State University and was teaching adult evening photography classes, having returned to his New Jersey roots.

“My dad and I went to the class,” Chris recalls “Larry told me he went home and told his mom, that night, that he’d met the girl he was going to marry.”

True to his word, they exchanged vows on May 17, 1975, ultimately settling in West Kill, in the town of Lexington, where Chris still lives and where they delightfully began crossing flight paths with Matilda and Rupert.

In some ways it was beautifully difficult to tell Larry apart from Matilda and Rupert, the three of them seemingly perpetually in motion.

While the hummingbirds were whirring around, Dwon was extremely active in the local community as fire chief for the Lexington Fire Department and volunteer driver for the Lexington Rescue Squad.

He was one of the initial members of the Greene County Fire Investigation Team, also serving as its president, and was code enforcement officer for the town of Lexington, knowing the book inside and out.

Larry tilled the soil and planted the seeds for the Junior Firefighter program in Lexington, encouraging young people to join, the same youths now carrying the torch for the volunteer fire company and rescue squad.

Since his passing, the Lexington Fire Company, at his family’s request, established the “Mountaintop Emergency Services Award” in Chief Lawrence A. Dwon's memory.

The $500 award recognizes a graduating Hunter-Tannersville school senior who measures up as an active volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services (EMT) personnel.

Larry and Chris’s sons, Paul and Matthew, have faithfully followed in their father’s community services footsteps. “He was so proud of our boys, the sons and the husbands they became,” Chris says.

He did not see them become fathers, passing away three years before his first grandchild was born. He was, however, intimately acquainted with Matilda and Rupert, who mystifyingly still keep him close by.

“I tell this story because I have a feeling sometimes that somebody needs to hear it,” Chris says, remembering the day Matilda introduced herself.

“One day I heard a noise and looked out the back door of our laundry room.    A hummingbird had hit the door. She was stunned but okay.

“I was holding her for awhile. When I put her down she flew away but I kept watching. She flew back. I went outside again. She looked at me as if to say thank you,” Chris says.

“When Larry was ill, he would often sit in the garden. Sometimes we would sit with our dog Lexi. Sitting there, you become one with the garden.

“Larry would sit very quietly but he had his camera. The hummingbirds would hover in front of him and the dog.

“After he’d passed - it was the next spring - I was filling the hummingbird feeder, holding it in my left hand. I hadn’t hung it up yet. I heard the hummingbird. It flew over to me and tapped my wedding ring.”

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Trouble in Ambulance Paradise

By Michael Ryan

PRATTSVILLE - They did it kicking and screaming, even as Prattsville town officials have agreed to pay what was overdue on their ambulance contract with the neighboring town of Ashland.

Ashland, in recent years, has provided primary ambulance response for Prattsville as well as the town of Lexington, charging a percentage of annual operation costs based on call volume for each municipality.

Prattsville is responsible for 40 percent of the bill with Lexington and Ashland responsible for 30 percent apiece.

Satisfaction with Ashland’s service has been expressed by both Lexington and Prattsville but mistrust is being voiced by Prattsville government leaders related to the most recent pact.

A series of letters and emails have been exchanged between Prattsville town supervisor Greg Cross and Ashland town supervisor Richard Tompkins over the past few months.

The tone of those correspondences became much less neighborly during that period as Cross attempted to renegotiate the deal, hoping to make things less burdensome for his taxpayers.

Prattsville was three months behind in its payments when Tompkins sent a letter to Cross, essentially saying the dough had to arrive or else.

Actually, there was nothing “essentially” about it and Cross, at a meeting this past Monday night, read the contents of that letter to the public.

Cross shared the missive as Cross and councilwoman Joyce Peckham essentially raked Tompkins over the coals for what they claimed was Tompkins dealing in bad faith.

Actually, there was nothing “essentially” about it and while the council agreed to pay the $72,596.95 owed, it was a close 3 to 2 vote.

Cross voted against it although there seem to be few if any alternatives for Prattsville, given the fact they do not have their own rescue service and that the expense of doing so would be financially ruinous.

So while Prattsville ended the financial standoff, stuff was said out loud about Tompkins that crossed a journalistic line, in terms of accusations made without substantiation.

They won’t be printed here but they had mostly to do with Ashland’s budget numbers that Cross claimed were inconsistent, and his suspicions about the transparency of Ashland’s bookkeeping.

Cross claimed this and that was askew, without substantiation, and claimed Prattsville wasn’t a partner in the agreement with Ashland anymore, but was, rather, “being held hostage” by Ashland.

The business relationship between Prattsville and Ashland will be what it is but some of what was exchanged between the two supervisors is print worthy and was publicized in Prattsville, this past Monday night.

I’d heard about it thru my usual grapevine and also from Greene County officials who were keeping a close eye on the situation, knowing a split between Prattsville and Ashland would not be good for anyone.

If Ashland had, as threatened, stopped responding to calls in Prattsville, it would have put a tremendous strain on an already fragile system.

Lines got drawn in the sand in mid-March. Prattsville sent a list of demands to Ashland, through their attorney in an email, wanting a change in the agreement before re-upping, even while getting service.

“Prattsville’s town board voted against signing the proposed agreement in its current form,” the email stated.

“To enter into an agreement without the ambulance district being formed, Prattsville requires the addition of the following terms,” the email stated, 

(The district referred to is in the formative stages, an effort being led by Tompkins to establish a partnership between Ashland, Lexington and Prattsville similar to existing volunteer firefighting districts.

(New York State is reportedly the wrench in the gears in getting that district formed, an issue that could finally be resolved when a new State budget becomes signed, sealed and delivered, supposedly this week).

The email continued, “Prattsville will be responsible for 1/3 of the total ambulance cost as Prattsville’ s total interest in the ambulance, once it belongs to the District, will be [one-third].

“Payment for this item should reflect this interest. Prattsville will only pay for 1/3 of the total unreimbursed, out of district calls as was discussed and agreed to at the meeting held on February 29, 2024.

“Prattsville should not have to pay for 40% of calls outside the proposed district. Prattsville requests clarity on the $30,000  “Interfund Transfer” that has been budgeted. Where does this money get transferred to?

“Prattsville’s share (40%) of all yearly excess money is to come back to Prattsville each year the Ambulance District is not formed. It would be inappropriate for Prattville’s tax money to be held in Ashland’s accounts for an unformed district.

“Prattsville requires a monthly reconciliation and breakdown of all ambulance money spent and calls made to ensure their tax money is being properly spent and allocated,” the email stated.

“If Ashland does not agree to these terms, Prattsville proposes the towns revert to the prior arrangement which had Prattsville pay per call with a one-time yearly fee until such time as the Ambulance District is formed.

“Please know, Prattsville’ s ultimate goal is to form the Ambulance District and we are hopeful that creating a fair and transparent relationship now will allow for a smooth transition into the District in the near future.”

The town of Ashland, through their attorney, responded with a letter stating, “please be advised that the town board…does not accept the terms offered in your previous letter with regard to a different split of the costs for the 2024 ambulance contract.  

“We have previously sent you a contract with the split for ALL costs to be set at 40% Prattsville, 30% Lexington and 30% Ashland. 

“Ashland expects that it will receive from Prattsville the executed contract and a check in the amount of $72,596.95, representing Prattville’s first installment due under that contract.

“Since this payment is now almost 2 months overdue, demand is hereby made for payment of same within five (5) days of this letter.

“Failure on the part of the Town of Prattsville to remit payment and the executed contract within that period, will result in the immediate suspension of ambulance service to the Town of Prattsville.  

“The Town of Ashland regrets that this process has gotten to this stage, however, Ashland will no longer provide free ambulance service to your Town,” the letter stated, setting a deadline of April 3.

Cross asked for a deadline extension so the Prattsville council could meet again, doing so on April 8, with payment now expected this week.

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - Rejecting a Recheck

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - No mention is made of the New York Citizens Audit group in a resolution rejected by the Greene County Legislature, earlier this week, calling for a line-by-line, statewide scrutiny of the 2022 election.

But the measure, offered by legislature chairman Patrick Linger, came closely on the heels of a visit to the legislative floor by the NYCA in February, urging lawmakers to join their push for a look-see.

NYCA executive director Marly Hornick, at that time, claimed that an open-source audit of the 2020 New York general election uprooted evidence of massive inaccuracies in violation of both State and federal law.

Hornick, claiming the inaccuracies have created a “dirty voter roll” said, “we are not saying these anomalies represent fraud. We are not saying that elections are per se invalid.

“We are saying that these inaccuracies are inexplicable, not acceptable, and need to be investigated and explained one by one.

“We are saying New York needs to open the books to find out how the system is broken. We need to close the gaps,” Hornick said.

Lawmakers took no action that night. Linger, after the session said, “I was asked by a majority of the board not to put this on the agenda yet,” noting Hornick had asked to be heard.

“We want to give everyone time to look into this more deeply. There is a lot here if anybody looks at this objectively,” Linger said.

Staunchly disagreeing with that conclusion was Greene County Board of Election commissioner Brent Bogardus who also serves as the county’s Republican Party chairman.

Bogardus shared the contents of a letter sent by the State Board of Elections to the NY State Association of Counties on the issue.

“There isn’t a lot that Democrats and Republicans agree upon at the State level but they agree on this,” Bogardus said, noting the letter had been signed by both co-executive directors at the State Board of Elections.

The letter states, “you have likely seen recent news coverage of a group of misinformed individuals purporting to have found major deficiencies in New York State's voter registration database.

“This group has alleged that countless fake voters have been inserted into the registration database in order to create invalid votes to sway elections. 

“They claim that no elections should be certified in New York State because of alleged counterfeit registrations and actions by those who run elections.

“Over the last year and a half, the group - New York Citizens Audit - has presented their fabricated claims throughout our State,” the letter states.

“More recently, they have brought their embellished and misleading reports before local Town Boards and County Legislatures requesting that these bodies take up resolutions to support their cause.

“The resolutions are framed around their ill-informed reports, misinterpreted passages of state and federal law and an allegation that the 2020 and 2022 elections were fraudulent.

“They represent, at best, an ignorance of the voter registration process in New York State, and, at worst, a willful disregard of basic fact.

“It is our hope that your organization can assist us in arming your members with information to help dispel these malicious claims,” the letter states.

Linger offered the resolution at a County Services committee session, on Monday night, noting he was responding to requests from officials and constituents in his home base (District 5, New Baltimore).

The measure asked the State Election Board to “take the following actions to assure domestic tranquility through provisions of fair and honest elections.

“There have been State and county wide concerns regarding fair and honest elections,” the measure stated, without citing the source of the purported concerns.

“The Legislature of Greene County joins in those concerns and wishes to ensure fair and honest elections,” proposing the following actions:

—“A complete end-to-end audit, from registration through certification, of the New York State 2022 General Election, for both paper and electronic records, including ballots, by a mutually agreed upon, external, third-party bonded auditing firm.”

That firm should be “possessed of adequate insurance and indemnification for the handling and protection of the personal identifying information of millions of New York citizens in order to determine the true error rate.

“This audit will provide a comprehensive report and analysis of all lapses and errors with explanation of cause where it can be determined.

—“The enactment of legislation that (A) defines a mutually agreed upon process by which an end-to-end audit would be triggered in any future elections. (B) de fines a mutually agreed upon accuracy rate for the voter roll data base:

(C) allows for anonymous vote verification and tracking by the voter (open- source, royalty-free patent pending) including automatic mechanisms to report and remedy errors during the canvass period following an election, regardless of ballot entry source.

—Criminalize election misconduct explicitly with regard to State Election Law and increase penalties to reflect the societal and generational harm inflicted by these crimes,” the proposed resolution states.

The resolution was soundly defeated with little discussion. “All I can do is get this to a vote,” Linger said in a phone interview.

“I am in support of it but it isn’t whether it passed or failed. What matters is that the people I am representing wanted this brought forward. Then you have to let the chips fall they may.”

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - Tip of the Hat to Volunteers

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - A few moments of respectful attention were given to a group of people who don’t do what they do for that reason, during a recent Greene County Legislature meeting.

Lawmakers were visited by representatives of the county Human Services Department (Aging & Youth), including Volunteer Coordinator Ruth Pforte.

They were there to honor  Global Volunteer Month along with lawmaker Edward Bloomer, chairperson of the County Services committee.

Bloomer read a proclamation into the record while Pforte unveiled RSVP Volunteer Program Contributions over the past year, noting the heartfelt efforts are “making Greene County a better place for seniors to live.”

“Every April, the week of April 21-27 is recognized throughout the United States as National Volunteer Week, powered by Points of Light,” the proclamation states.

The tribute is “an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.

“Each year we shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities, “Bloomer read.

“National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown each year as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values.

“The expression of civic life has evolved and doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.”

Bloomer continued, “the Greene County Department of Human Services relies upon volunteers as AmeriCorps Seniors to provide and assist with vital services for the elderly residents of Greene County.

“These volunteers are crucial to the department’s aging services, including home-delivered meals and transportation for medical appointments.

“Volunteerism empowers individuals to find their purpose, take their passion and turn it into meaningful change by solving our most persistent problems and create stronger communities with a more just society.

“It has long been a tradition for the county’s AmeriCorps volunteers to perform work of a high quality and to brighten the lives of others.”

Pforte provided boots-on-the-ground facts and figures, reporting that 181 volunteers contributed a total of 11,681 hours, last year.

While it is impossible to put a dollars-and-cents price on volunteerism, the Independent Sector sets a value of $35.71 per hour for a total of $417,128,51, Pforte reported.

There were 123 Homebound Meal Delivery volunteers, serving throughout the county, delivering 88,608 meals to 458 recipients.

Pforte reported that 24 Homebound Medical Transportation volunteers provided 1,339 rides to medical appointments for 101 clients.

And of the clients who received meals, 46 were veterans, while 11 veterans were transported to medical appointments and/or procedures, with 16 vets doing duty as RSVP Program volunteers.

“It is with great pleasure that we honor all our county volunteers and convey the sincere gratitude and appreciation of our citizens for the dedicated, selfless and compassionate efforts of these volunteers,” Bloomer concluded.

In other matters, lawmakers:

—Appointed Kathleen McQuaid Holdridge as a member of the Community Services Board for a 4-year term,, replacing Tracey Quinn.

—Authorized an agreement between Greene County Mental Health and 24th Street Psychiatry for professional medical psychiatric services at the rate of $170 per hour for up to 16 hours per week for 50 weeks.

—Authorized an agreement between Greene County Mental Health and Arthur McGinn, M.D., for professional medical psychiatric services at the rate of $185 per hour for up to 24 hours a week for 50 weeks.

—Authorized a contract between the Greene County Community Services Board and the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene counties.

The pact supports a Youth Clubhouse for $276,970, covering the period dating back to January 1, 2024, ending December 31, 2024.

—Approved an administrative fee increase within the county Public Health Department for providing and administering vaccinations.

The rise was based on a recent cost report by Venesky & Associates auditors, determining that the fee should leap from $35 to $37.25.

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