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Greene County Person of the Year - Dede Terns-Thorpe

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 2/28/25 | 2/28/25

By Matthew Avitabile

HUNTER — Since right after I purchased the Mountain Eagle, I’ve been blessed to know the Town of Hunter Historian Dede Terns-Thorpe, who has been a wealth of character and knowledge. She has provided countless columns for this newspaper and has assisted or led numerous local history programs.

She writes about the history of Hunter and its various locations, including the Village of Tannersville. She’s lived in the area for more than 65 years and her parents were born here in Greene County. After being appointed Town Historian by Daryl Legg, she’s served in the role for 13 years. She also serves as an Emeritus member of the Mountain Top Historical Society Board. Her role preserving the history of our local sites, families, cemeteries, and more is second to none, which is why Dede Terns-Thorpe is this newspaper’s Greene County Person of the Year for 2024.



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Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Annual Kids Ice Fishing Derby a Success

The 37th Annual Children’s Ice Fishing Derby was held at Tannersville Lake on February 23rd was a resounding success by all accounts. The Catskill Mountain Fish & Game Club in conjunction with the Stony Clove Rod and Gun Club, hosted the annual event at Rip Van Winkle/Tannersville Lake this past Sunday. 

 Kids up to 16 years of age competed in either the junior or senior divisions. The clubs provide live bait and refreshments throughout the day and local ECO Jason Smith joined the cadre of volunteers there to assist. Longtime president of the Catskill Mountain Fish and Game Club, Bob Monteleone, said, “We had by far, the highest number of kids participating in the derby since we started the event 37 years ago. 122 kids registered and fished while volunteers from the Stony Clove Rod & Gund Club were busy at the grill serving the nearly 300 people in attendance.”  Drilling holes through the 12-inch-thick ice on the lake for 122 kids presented an unprecedented challenge, but volunteers from the Catskill Mountain Fish and Game Club and Stony Clove Rod and Gun Club rose to the occasion. Bob went on to thank all the volunteers who pulled together to make the derby a success. He also thanked those who donated to the kid’s ice fishing derby. Donors included, the Town of Hunter, the Hunter Civic Association, the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the New York Conservation Officers Association, the Church Communities of Platte Cove, Kevin Thompson Excavation, and Mr. George Kelly.

The Winners

 66 fish were caught that day including the lunker, a 25-inch pickerel hauled in by 5-year-old, Miles Wamsley who won for largest fish in the Junior Division. That division saw 9-year-old, Lucas Nordhal and 8-year-old Megan Velonis tie for catching the most fish, while 10-year-old, Vladimer Yevtushenko won for catching the smallest fish. In the Senior Division, 13-year-old, Danielle Mellott won for largest fish with a 23-inch pickerel, while Izzy Hall, also 13, won for landing the smallest fish. 11-year-old, Zack Nordhal took the prize for catching the most fish in the Senior Division. While these members of the two divisions brought home trophies, all kids present were winners and each given a prize whether they caught fish or not.  

 It's great to see a high level of interest and participation in such a traditional outdoor activity. I’ll bet all the kids and most of the adults didn’t have much time to look at their phones as they were busy enjoying a day out on the ice, fishing.

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping, until next time!

News and Notes

Get Your Tickets for the Ducks Unlimited -Greene County Chapter Banquet on March 8th  

The Greene County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is holding its annual banquet, dinner and auction on Saturday, March 8th at Anthony’s Banquet Hall located at 746 County Route 23B in Leeds. Doors open at 3:30 pm with buffet dinner starting at 5:00 pm, followed by a live auction. Tickets are available online at www.ducks.org/newyork/events. For more information you can call Dana Hanusik at 518-821-1773 or Jeff Holiday at 965-6105. 

Remember to report poaching violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at: 

1-844-DEC-ECOS.



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Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

I am so glad to be home, although I am equally glad that I missed the  ice storm and the cold weather of last week.  While I was gone, my hot water froze, but it didn't take long for me to get up and running again.  I am now getting home delivered meals, so please don't leave food donations on my porch.  My driveway has been so icy, and with the salt shortage, I am not going out.  Feel free to call though.  I can use some cheering up.

Hopefully I will be able to go to this month's Dinner Church on February 28 at the Ashland UMC starting at 6PM.  All are invited: just bring a dish to share.

Don't forget the WAJ Drama club production on the weekend of March13 thru 16.  The dress rehearsal/ Senior Citizen Dinner theater will be on Thursday the 13th.  Doors open at 5, call Opal to reserve at 518-750-8380.  Please remember to reserve so the restaurants know how much food to donate.  

The Windham UMC will be holding their annual St Patrick's day corned beef sandwich luncheon on Friday March 14th starting at 10:30 until 1:30 . The menu is Corned beef sandwich, cole slaw, bag of chips, dessert, and soda or water for $18.  Pre order at 518-734-4122.

Happy 100th birthday to Bud Duncan on March 4th.  Phone calls and cards appreciated:  518-622-9301.  2697 Route 23B South Cairo, NY 12482

AS I REMEMBER IT

Since being at Albany Med for a week, I noted the changes since I was there with David many years ago.  I was lucky that my niece, Lisa, took charge immediately, so when the initial exam was over, there was a room waiting for me, after the results of the COVID test came back, which took a couple of hours.  How many people have told me they were in the ER waiting for a bed for days.  Remember when the nurse came in every day and you got a sponge bath, and the bed linens changed?  I was there for four days and didn't even get my hair brushed, much less a wash down.   No basin of water to wash up before meals—not even a wet wipe.  I didn't have a restricted diet, so I had too many carbs as far as I was concerned.  The nursing staff was wonderful, but terribly overwhelmed.  Everyone who came in asked the same questions.  What is today's date?  What day is it?  I never know the answers at home, one day is the same as the next, but I'm supposed to know the correct answers.  Do you know where you are?  I know, where I am, are you lost?  Ha Ha.  If I'm impaired, how do I know my SS# and all of my, and my contacts phone numbers?  How many of you can remember your friend's number without looking at your phone contact list?  

Don't go to the hospital and expect to get any sleep.  They wake you out of a sound sleep and ask if you can stand and walk, then wonder why you are unsteady on your feet.  I had a Purewick so I didn't have to get out of bed to use the facilities.  That's a wonderful invention, only it still needs to be emptied regularly....I rang the buzzer and said I was wet, they said I couldn't be because I was hooked up.  I can feel I'm wet, No you're not.  Feel the sheets.  Oh, there's a leak in the hose.  You are wet.  (Who lost their sensation?)..

Anyhow, I survived the hospital, and am now home sweet home.  I miss having room service.  I have to get my own breakfast, but at least it's tasty.  I miss the company and the hubbub of the hospital. But I have my television, my telephone, and my kitchen.  Being away from home makes you appreciate your life so much more. 



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Out Lexington Way

By Christine Dwon

Potluck Dinner Church will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Ashland UMC, 12216 Route 23, Ashland.  Come and enjoy a meal, fellowship and bring a friend. All welcome.

The Lexington/West Kill UMC Sunday, Feb. 23 “Breakfast Church” worship service at 9 a.m., was held in the dining hall.  Very nice attendance with Pastor Mark leading the service and, of course, all kinds of delicious treats, coffee and tea. 

Bowling Night for Veterans and family event on Saturday, March 1, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hoebowl Bowling Center, Catskill.  Come and enjoy two games -- shoes and pizza included.  RSVP required.  Call 581-719-0020.

There will be a Female Military Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, March 2 at 3 p.m. in the Frederick A. Van Loan Hall, Athens American Legion, Second Street, Athens.  Female veterans are free, all other guests $5.  For more info or to RSVP, call Gordon at 518-567-5529.

The Hunter Public Library, 7965 Main Street, has monthly “Every Tuesday Get-Together.”  The first Tuesday of the month (March 4) is a Classic Movie starting at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 5, Ash Wednesday worship will be held at 6 p.m. in the Ashland UMC, 12216 Route 23, Ashland.

HTC Middle/High School Theater Department presents “Disney Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” on Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 8 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the HTC Middle/High School, Main Street, Tannersville.  Admission is $10 adults, $8 students and seniors.  No reserved seating or pre-sale.  Door opens 30 minutes prior to show time -- htctheater@htcschools.org, 518-589-5400 X6206.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Town of Lexington Fire/Rescue Company does not meet in the month of March.  Meetings will resume in April.

Happy birthday to Moira Taylor on Monday, March 3.

March 3 is also Lori Dippold’s birthday.

Ellen Levin’s birthday is Tuesday, March 4.

Also celebrating a birthday on March 4 is Andrew Yachnes.

Best wishes to all.

Lexington/West Kill Administrative Council will meet Wednesday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. in the church hall.

The Ashland Fire Department is hosting an All You Can Eat Breakfast at 12094 Route 23, Ashland on Saturday, March 15 starting at 7:30 a.m.  This breakfast is to benefit the Ashland Fire Department’s 100th Celebration in 2026.  Lots of great food, eat in or take out for a free will offering.

Because of the fire in the building that houses the West Kill Post Office, mail for West Kill Post Office is currently being sorted in the Shandaken Post Office and being held for P. O. box holders to pick up.  Amy, the rural mail carrier, is able to continue delivering mail to her West Kill customers on her normal mail routes.  Shandaken Post Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  

Nominations are being sought for 2025 Youth of the Year Award.  The Greene County Children, Youth and Community Advisory Board is again sponsoring the annual Greene County Youth Awards – Youth of the Year, Chairman’s Choice and Director’s Choice.  The purpose of the awards are to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of Greene County youth who have made outstanding contributions in serving his/her community through leadership, knowledge, skill and/or service.  The dedication of these young people help make Greene County a better place for us all.  If you know a young person, in grades 9-12 who deserves this recognition, you can find a nomination form available on the web site:  http://www.greene-government.com/departments/human-services-greene-gov/news-events or contact the Greene County Department of Human Services at 518-719-3555.  From the nominations received, the youth will be evaluated by the selection committee to determine this year’s winner.  Any inquiries for further information may also be directed to the department.  Deadline for entries is March 31, 2025.

There is an Essay Contest sponsored by Greene County American Legion open to all Greene County students grades 7 – 12.  The theme is “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”  Essay should be 300 words or less and include a cover sheet with name, school attends and grade.  School will be notified of the winner.  Mail postmarked by May 2, 2025 to G.C.A.L. Essay Contest, P.O. Box 21, Athens, NY 12015.  Winning prize keeps going up thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies involved.

The Kaaterskill UMC Food Pantry is open to all on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  The pantry is located by the Tannersville Firehouse, at the Tannersville Village Hall, One Park Lane, Tannersville.  The third Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., contingent on volunteer availability, is for delivery to folks who do not have transportation.  The Food Pantry is now also providing food for pets.  If you are in need of pet food, spay and neuter assistance, contact Partners in Animal Welfare to www.upstatenypaw.org or info.upstatenypaw@gmail.com or call 518-567-3487. If you would like to help Kaaterskill UMC Food Pantry, you can also drop food off at Brave the Flames Restaurant, when open, and Tannersville Village Hall during the week.

A reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 9.  So turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, healthcare providers, volunteers, veterans and actively serving military, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be respectful, be safe and please be kind to one another.  Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.


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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - WMC Master Plan Gaining Momentum

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - It was much more quiet on the Windham Mountain Club front at a recent planning board public hearing on the ski center’s multi-million dollar development Master Plan.

A good-sized crowd of residents and interested parties gathered inside the Centre Church on February 20, continuing what has already become a years-long envisioning, presentation and approval process.

Completion of the Master Plan will likely consume several more years in what will easily be the most impactful development in the history of the town of Windham other than the creation of the ski slope itself.

Several questions were asked about various issues during this hearing that were mostly typical of any planning board procedure following a very different gathering this past summer.

On the table at that time was whether or not the WMC would need to go through an exhaustive and expensive, full scale environmental review.

Those talks were unquiet, honing in on the controversial issue of how the Master Plan would effect public access to the slopes.

Concerns were expressed about that access and how potential limitations, not yet clarified by the WMC, might deeply impact the economy of the whole community as the ski center moves toward privatization.

A separate agreement has been established between the town and the WMC, providing certain assurances about public availability that simultaneously give financial openings to local businesses.

The larger-scale environmental review has been deemed unnecessary by the planning board, barring any unforeseen arisings, leaving relatively routine site plan and subdivision matters to be put forth and resolved.

While local planners have agreed the project will not hurt the environment or community sustainability, numerous regulatory hoops must still be leaped by the ski center.

They are obliged to pass muster with the State Department of Health, the New York City Department  of Environmental Protection and the State Department of Environmental Conservation, among others.

WMC president Chip Seamans was on hand for the public hearing, as he was in the summer, fielding various inquiries and offering a power point overview of where the Master Plan is at now.

Development will unfold in multiple phases beginning with additions to the existing tubing park, along South Street, known as the Adventure Center.

Details include snow tubing to remain open to the public, tennis courts, pickleball, padel courts, golf simulators, pool area with pool, hot tubs, plunge pool and splash pad.

A kids camp will offer arts and crafts, a lounge area, playground, and basketball court.  Plans for skeet shooting have been dropped.

Seamans, in a followup phone interview, said work at the Adventure Park is expected to commence this spring.

The more expansive and visible changes to the landscape, and to the future of Windham, will revolve around real estate and potential membership in the exclusive club.

As many as 46 townhouses and 20 single-family house lots are planned, including “reconfiguring previously approved subdivisions (28 previously

approved lots),” the power point information shows.

There will also be, “redevelopment of existing disturbed areas with landscaping, green space and walking areas,” the power point shows.

The architectural theme will be, “mountain contemporary design, utilizing glass and wood,” the power point shows.

Seamans said the hope is to begin, “putting utilities in the ground this summer,” also giving attention to new parking areas.

Much if not all of the current parking on the east side of the main entryway to the WMC will become the residential zone.

More public input sessions will be taking place even as the planning board continues its fine-tooth-combing of the Master Plan’s particulars.

“We are proceeding with putting all agreements together,” planning board chairman Thomas Poelker said in a phone interview.

“The Windham Mountain Club, like anybody else, wants to get going quickly but this takes time and we will take that time,” Poelker says.

Windham planners are being advised by Adam Yagelski, a senior planner with Delaware Engineering, helping oversee the review process.

“The enormity of this project calls for a very real balance between working with the main economic engine in town and making sure the town is protected,” Yagelski says.

“I think the planning board has done a really good job with that so far. It bears mentioning that the applicant is probably not going to build all the residential units at once,” Yagelski says.

More movement aimed at pivoting toward the final stages of site plan and subdivision approval is expected to occur at the planning board’s scheduled March 20 meeting.


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Honoring MacGregor

WINDHAM - If ever there was an infinitesimal fact that would somehow end up being integral,  Billy MacGregor was your guy to have figured that out, already have found it and be busy putting it to right use.

MacGregor passed away on February 20, his birthday, something he might have found worthy of a smile, since he was fond of joking, and him sort of arriving and leaving in the same sunrise.

There were 96 years in-between, of course, although that didn’t seem the case, a few months ago, when he made his still spry presence felt at a Windham town board public hearing that swirled with controversy.

A former town councilman himself, Billy sat in the front row of the crowded meeting room, patiently awaiting his turn to speak. 

It is irrelevant what the issue was, but Billy had his hands folded gently atop  a book in his lap, looking for all the world as if seated in a church pew.

He was that reverent even if what he held was no heavenly Bible. It was a a much more mundane copy of Municipal Law and Practice.

When it came time to share his thoughts, he flipped to a book-marked page and began reading in his high-pitched, slightly scratchy voice that was never hesitant and proudly loud enough to be heard in every corner.

People who didn’t know him rolled their eyes at first, seeing this frailish, white-haired man painstakingly and word-for-word, recite some legal mumbo-jumbo or government particularity.

Billy could have been a schoolboy giving an oral report, he was that precise and properly intent on being certain he quoted it correctly.

People got sincerely respectful when it dawned on them the nonagenarian was making darn good points, switching to some hand-written scrawl on wrinkled paper to finish adding his two cents. 

That wasn’t the only occasion Billy MacGregor said his piece. There were many such nights in 15 years as a councilman and as a private citizen.

MacGregor made his living in the printing trade, a lithographer, earning his credentials attending night school at Hofstra University. 

He was born in Queens, loved American history and served in the Army in the early 1950’s, stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

Billy also loved skiing which took him from the Big Apple to the mountains where his Letters to the Editor in the local newspaper were clever and unwaveringly erudite.

He was -  and probably still is - nothing if not fastidious and if truth be told it could be exasperating, him honing in on the tiniest smidgeon of a detail as the clock ticked…and ticked.

Small towns like Windham are lucky to have folks like him, though, because the unequivocal actuality is Billy did it from the heart.

“Before he would make a statement on whatever it was, he would do all the research to back up what he was talking about,” Windham town supervisor Thomas Hoyt says.

And hitting a more meaningful nail on the head, Hoyt says, “Billy didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was who we mean when we say someone is a true gentleman.”


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County Funds Upstreaming to Mountaintop Historical Society

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - Reconfiguring gravity, money will be flowing up from the Greene County Legislature to the Mountaintop Historical Society.

Lawmakers, led by Daryl Legg (District 7, Hunter, Lexington, Halcott), have approved a pair of resolutions directing funding to the archives center for current operations and future possibilities.

The first measure provides $15,000 annually for the MTHS, “in their efforts to provide tourists from around the State, the nation and the world, as well as local residents, opportunities to learn more about what is happening in the Catskill Mountaintop Region of Greene County.”

Lawmakers also authorized the county’s Economic Development, Tourism

and Planning Department to, “prepare and solicit proposals for an evaluation for the expansion of the MTHS parking facilities.”

That expansion would be done, “in an effort to accommodate the high number of tourists who frequently visit the Clove, Kaaterskill Falls, the mountaintop resorts and the numerous hiking trails” in the high hills.

And with an eye toward the horizon and beyond, the county will look closely  at increasing its presence in ski country, potentially creating a tourism-based center on the MTHS grounds.

It would function as a branch of the existing county Tourism Center located adjacent to the New York State Thruway entrance outside Catskill.

If that occurs, county officials will seek to partner with the State Department of Environmental Conservation on the project, noting DEC has been similarly enmeshed in developing the popular Kaaterskill Rail Trail.

All the puzzle pieces are aimed at “enhancing and accommodating” more tourism, the resolution states, while recognizing the vital and significant economic contributions of the mountaintop region.

The multi-phased actions come in the aftermath of massive parking issues the past few summers along Route 23A, leading to the mountaintop from the valley, and a series of talks involving the MTHS and county leaders.

Lawmakers have set a precedent for the support, financially helping the Bronck House, in the town of Coxsackie, with preservation and modernization, along with backing of other historic sites.

“This is the same concept, and this may morph into more of a discussion about the county taking over a building as a tourism center,” legislature chairman Patrick Linger says. 

“It would let the Historical Society concentrate on what it does best, and the hope is the county could do the parking and perhaps put up kiosk for economic development,” Linger says.

The county’s yearly funding will “benefit everyday operations,” Linger says. “We see this as a way to develop the campus further. Parking is just the first step,” a plan expected to quickly gain momentum.

Legg, the former Hunter town supervisor, was in the thick of the problem, at the height of the pandemic, when parking along twisting and climbing Route 23A became a law enforcement and safety nightmare.

Efforts were made to get the mayhem under control, including the MTHS opening its lands for paid parking, teaming with local organizations.

While the end of the pandemic eased the vehicular congestion, the Clove and Kaaterskill Falls remain internationally-renowned destination spots.

“People come here from all over the world,” says Legg, who serves as chairman of the legislative Economic Development committee.

“The Historical Society depends on donations and fundraisers. It is getting more expensive to operate, like everything else,” Legg says.

“But this doesn’t just help them. It will help the county as a whole. It’s not the first time the county has done this. It’s the first time here,” Legg says.

Harry Lennon, the legislative Minority Leader, praised Legg and his fellow colleagues for bipartisan movement forward on the project.

“This is a win-win for the county and the mountaintop,” Lennon said. “The county receives a lot of revenue from tourism on the mountaintop.

“We, as a board, recognize that and if we can improve the parking and the [MTHS] grounds, and have a tourism center on that end of the county, it would be even better,” Lennon said.

“Daryl was in the middle of this from the start, before he became chairman of Economic Development, and I commend him for seeing this through,” Lennon said.

The county’s planners will be tasked with beginning the pre-design phase related to building and user requirements, space programming and conceptual design, as well as giving input on probable costs.

County administrator Shaun Groden said DEC will likely be asked to lend physical and fiscal support with parking lot excavation and asphalt costs.


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LEGISLATURE STUFF An Unusual Awarding

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - An unusual situation called for an offbeat solution when the Greene County Legislature announced its “Employee of the Year.”

County lawmakers, at their 39th Annual Employee Recognition Night, last Wednesday, announced that one of their own, legislature clerk Tammy Sciavillo, was the awardee for 2024.

While her selection was not surprising, given Sciavillo’s lengthy and loyal career, the trick was keeping it a surprise.

Sciavillo, as part of her job, is the person through whom virtually every document and piece of paper must pass prior to becoming official.

It is Sciavillo’s task, therefore, to type up the annual Employee Recognition information which in this particular case involved hers truly.

Slipping into stealth mode, lawmakers “sent her a fake story,” legislature chairman Patrick Linger revealed, following the presentation.

The pseudo story reported the recipient was Warren Hart, director of the county’s Economic Development, Tourism & Planning department.

Hart, who also serves as the deputy county administrator, is in the midst of gradually retiring so the choice was perfectly logical and deserved.

Linger says Sciavillo diligently “typed it up,” with another administrative staffer stashing the imposter in Hart’s conference room drawer.

If the legislature clerk was aware beforehand or not, the jig was up as soon as the award ceremony began, according to Linger.

“Tammy knew something was going on the minute she saw her father walk in the door” to the meeting room, Linger said, good-naturedly laughing.

“She started shaking like a leaf. We felt horrible doing that to her because we count on her for everything but we had to think outside the box.”

Accepting the professional kudos with her customary quiet, the legislature clerk soon thereafter returned to her post, resuming her duties.

Sciavillo began her career in 1994, initially with Economic Development before moving to Human Resources and finally the legislature.

Since the spring of 1999, “every resolution, every minute of every meeting taking place at Greene County government bears testimony to her tireless work ethic, focus and dedication,” Linger stated, reading the award.

“Every agenda, every notice, every advertisement, every local law, every legislative memorandum and countless other documents and emails emanating from the legislature have her fingerprints on them.”

Having been the acting clerk of the legislature for a quarter century, Linger said Sciavillo, “applies a wealth of institutional knowledge every day and willingly shares that knowledge with all other departments.

“You can walk into the legislative office anytime and find her either wearing a headset and carefully typing minutes or searching records from the distant past looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

“She is always amenable to interruption, always with a welcoming smile  and always asking what it is she can do to help you,” Linger said.

“Simply put, Tammy Sciavillo is essential in steering this ship that we all call Greene County and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

Recognition was also accorded to the Greene County “Team of the Year” and the “Chairman’s Award.”

A trio of Department of Social Services workers were named “Team of the Year;” Laura Becker (director of eligibility), joined by Stacey Smith and Maureen Grupe (principal examiners).

The team implemented AI technology during the COVID-19 pandemic to help overcome staffing shortages, earning praise from State officials who dubbed them one of the “Fab Five” counties to go “above and beyond.”

Picked for the “Chairman’s Award” were three county Early Intervention Program staffers; Kelly Kircher (director) with Sandra Dauski and Jillian Fitzgerald (service coordinators).

Linger noted the team has, “remained unwavering in their commitment to serving the community” in the midst of a complete turnover in staff and in-house electronic system failures, severely complicating daily workload.


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