Erie Cattaraugus Chautauqua County Community Source | 04/23/21

APRIL

23 2021

43% Of Seneca Nation threatens Erie County to sue village over residents have sewage discharges received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

BY JIM ECKSTROM

The Seneca Nation is pu ing communities both up and downstream of its territories on notice that it intends to fi ght to protect the waters that run through its land.

The Nation has notified the Village of Portville of its intent to take legal action, citing the Clean Water Act, over what the Nation says is failure to abate persistent discharges of sewage into the Allegheny River — the Ohi:yo’ to the Seneca people.

In a press release Thursday, the Nation said it sent a notice of intent to sue the village “for discharging solids and fecal coliform, among other things,” in excess of legal limits from January 2015 through the present.

“As Keepers of the Western Door and historic stewards of the environment, the Nation has been both greatly dismayed and significantly harmed by Portville’s flagrant disregard for both the le er of the law and the health and wellbeing of its downstream neighbors,” the press release stated.

Seneca President Matthew Pagels said clean, safe

wastewater treatment plant into Dodge Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny, have violated the terms of its state discharge permit for more than five years. The Nation intends to sue for all Clean Water Act violations and is seeking civil penalties for any additional violations discovered in the future — including during the course of litigation.

In addition, the Nation will seek an injunction in an effort to halt the continued illegal discharges, as well as costs, a orney and expert witness fees and “any other additional relief” that a judicial proceeding might determine to be appropriate.

“Due to the persistent nature of these violations, it is likely ongoing violations will occur if no legal action is taken,” Pagels said. “To date, neither the state nor federal governments has taken action to right this egregious wrong.”

Pagels said the Nation has taken ma ers into its own hands and is “doubling down” on its efforts to protect and restore its waterways.

water is a basic human right.

“The Seneca people have a longstanding tradition of fi shing, hunting, gathering, swimming or simply relaxing in and around the Ohi:yo’,” he said. “Polluting the waters that pass through our land is nothing short of an insult to our Nation and something for which we will not stand.”

He said “Ohi:yo’” in Seneca means “beautiful” or “good” — “and we intend to make sure that description is accurate.”

Portville Mayor Anthony Evans told the Times Herald Thursday that the Senecas’ notice “has really caught us off guard” and that the village was unaware of any serious issues.

“As a ma er of fact I notified the engineers we’re working with about it ... they’ve never heard of this,” Evans said. “People would be hard-pressed to think that Portville can affect anything economically or environmentally downstream.

We’re not that big. We don’t have that much impact.”

Citing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Senecas say excessive discharges from the village’s

Seneca Nation continued on ... page 4

cates that COVID-19 vaccination is working to prevent positive COVID-19 cases and illness. There is still a large part of Erie County’s population, including children under age 16, who are susceptible to COVID-19 infection.

Vaccination is a powerful tool to prevent the spread of this disease and it is heartening to see our coverage rates increase each week.”

COVID-19 Variants of Concern– Genetic sequencing by the Genomics and Bioinformatics Core in the University at Buffalo Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences detected several variants of concern in samples from Erie County residents this week. These included B.1.1.7 “United Kingdom,” B.1.427 “California,” and B.1.351 “South Africa.” Two of the B.1.1.7 sam-

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing an update with COVID-19 case investigation fi ndings, information about variants of concern, and COVID-19 vaccinations administered to date.

COVID-19 Case Investigations– From COVID-19 contact tracing interviews completed for the week ending April 10, 17% of newly diagnosed COVID-19 positive people who were contacted reported having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and only 2% of people contacted reported that they were fully immunized.

“Despite the increase in new daily COVID-19 cases, this fi nding from case investigations is part of a positive trend,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein.

“This set of interviews indi-

Erie County continued on ........ page 6

Borrello: NY Dept. of Labor must report scale of jobless claim fraud ALBANY — With the state’s unemployment fund depleted, more than $10 billion in debt and plagued by reports of rampant unemployment fraud, state Sen. George Borrello called on the Department of Labor to release fi gures on the amount of confi rmed and suspected fraudulent claims paid out over the past year.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, it is crucial that we have full transparency in all aspects of state operations that have been integral to our crisis response,” Borrello, R-Chautauqua County, said in a press release Tuesday. “Our unemployment in-

Borrello continued on .............. page 2

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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

2

APRIL 16, 2021

Cattaraugus County schools share in nearly $212M in NY budget; $60M from U.S.

BY RICK MILLER Ca araugus County school districts will receive $211.9 million in state aid under the 2021-22 state budget approved April 7. That is an increase from $196.9 million received by the county’s 12 school districts in the 2020-21 year just ended. Total school aid was up $15 million.

The state budget, passed earlier in April, includes $29.5 billion for schools, an increase of $3 billion, or 11.3%. It includes a 7% increase in foundation aid, which is more flexible for school districts.

There’s also $13 billion in federal COVID-19 related funding for schools.

In addition, county schools will receive an additional $45.3 million from the American Rescue Plan and $14.5 million in earlier federal COVID-19 relief aid from the Economic Relief Plan.

County school districts received $140 million in foundation aid in the state budget, an increase of $5.9 million over last year.

New York State, which had pre-empted schools’ COVID-19 aid from the federal government last year, were barred from doing that this time.

Last year’s “pandemic adjustment” amounted to $4.5 million the school districts did not receive.

The Salamanca City Central School District will

receive a 4.4% increase in total state aid to $23.5 million.

That includes a 4% increase in foundation aid to $16 million.

The district will also receive more than $7.2 million in federal funds — $1.6 million from the Economic Relief Plan and $5.6 million from the American Rescue Plan.

Other county school districts’ state aid totals and federal COVID-19 funding follow: • Ca araugus-Li le Valley — Total state aid $20 million, up 7.7%; foundation aid $11.3 million, up 3%. Federal COVID-19 funding (combined) $4.4 million.

• Ellico ville — Total state aid $4.2 million, up 9.3%; foundation aid $2.9 million,

13 report by the Times Union newspaper of Albany revealed the state Department of Labor suspended certain verification protocols in order to expedite claims and clear backlogs.

So far, DOL has acknowledged that 166,000 New Yorkers received overpayments totaling approximately $145 million. However, the amount of funds lost to fraudulent claims is unknown, as the agency has refused to answer media requests for the information, despite widespread acknowledgement that it is at epidemic levels.

Numerous states have reported on the amount of funds they’ve lost to fraud and scams, including California, which confi rmed it has lost over $11 billion in fraud and is investigating an-

other $20 billion.

“In addition to policies that helped fuel a flood of claims, there has also been a well-documented surge in New York and states across the country in unemployment fraud, on a massive scale,” Borrello said.

“There are countless reports of New Yorkers employed by school districts, state and local governments and companies having their identities stolen by thieves who used them to apply for benefits.”

The senator cited a case of one man from the Bronx charged with submi ing more than 250 fraudulent unemployment benefit applications that resulted in the loss of more than $1.4 million.

“I was even a victim of UI

up 4.4%. Federal COVID-19 funding $933,000.

• Franklinville — Total state aid $15.6 million, up 9.3%; foundation aid of $9.7 million is up 3%. Federal COVID-19 funding $3.5 million.

surance system clearly falls in that category.”

He said the crucial safety net is “facing its own crisis” right now, with its reserves depleted by a “perfect storm” of overwhelming demand and insufficient security protocols as well as fraud and abuse.

Greatly relaxed eligibility, combined with generous federal supplemental benefits, encouraged many people to “collect unemployment rather than work,” he added, while suggesting the extra stress these claims placed on the system resulted in benefit delays for truly needy New Yorkers.

Borrello noted that a Sept.

foundation aid $9.5 million, up 3%. Federal COVID-19 funding $5.4 million.

• West Valley — Total state aid $5 million, up 9.1%; foundation aid of $3.4 million up 3%. Federal COVID-19 funding $1.5 million.

Gowanda Youth Soccer Begins on April 26 The Gowanda Recreation youth co-ed soccer program for students in grades 1-8 that reside in the Gowanda Central School District will begin on Monday, April 26 at Gateway Park on Palmer Street. The program will run for five consecutive

Borrello continued from 1

• Gowanda — Total state aid $20 million, up 7.4%; foundation aid of $18.6 million is up 3.4%. Federal COVID-19 funding $6.3 million.

• Randolph — Total state aid $13.6 million, up 4.4%;

fraud recently,” Borrello said, although he didn’t elaborate.

Borrello noted that in light of all these external factors which have drained the state’s UI resources, it is unfair that employers are being le© to shoulder the burden of replenishing the fund, through exorbitant rate increases.

He said he is hearing from small businesses that did not lay off any employees in the past year, who have been shocked to receive unemployment insurance tax bills that have increased 200% or more.

“It is incomprehensible that employers are being asked to fi x this problem, which was caused by a oncein-a-century pandemic and made truly disastrous by bad policy decisions,” Borrello said.

Monday nights through May 24. Students should bring their own water and wear rubber spikes if they have them. There is no cost to a end this program. Call Recreation Director Mark Benton at 532-4053 for more information.

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CATTARAUGUS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE 4/20/21 4:57 PM TOTAL CASES

NEW CASES

5,199

21

ACTIVE CASES

TOTAL RECOVERED

CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED

DEATHS

QUARANTINED CONTACTS

QUARANTINED TRAVELERS

7-DAY NYS AVERAGE % POSITIVE

217

4,886

18

96

448

3

4.3

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR POSITIVE CASES AGE

NUMBER

PERCENT

COUNTY LOCATION

NUMBER

PERCENT

19 AND UNDER

836

16.1

NORTHWEST

628

12.1

20-29

881

16.9

NORTHEAST

947

18.2

30-39

745

14.3

SOUTHWEST

798

15.3

40-49

673

12.9

SOUTHEAST

2,826

54.4

50-59

770

14.8

SEX

NUMBER

PERCENT

60-69

625

12.0

MALE

2,427

46.7

70-79

372

7.2

FEMALE

2,772

53.3

80-89

216

4.2

OTHERS

NA

NA

90 AND OVER

81

1.6

EXPOSURE

NUMBER

PERCENT

SYMPTOMS

NUMBER

PERCENT

KNOWN

2,341

45.0

YES

4,060

78.1

UNKNOWN

2,858

55.0

NO

1,139

21.9

HEALTHCARE WORKER

NUMBER

PERCENT

YES

220

4.2

NO

4,959

95.4

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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

APRIL 16, 2021

3

AROUND TOWN Chapter #459, Vietnam Veterans of America Meeting Chapter 459 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hodl their next monthly meet on May 9, 2021 at 11:00a.m at the John T. Murray VFW Poster #1017 locat-

AndersonLee Library to Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day SILVER CREEK– Anderson-Lee Library, located at 43 Main Street in Silver Creek will celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29. Celebrated since 2002, Poem in Your Pocket Day is a way to share the joy of poetry with those you meet during the day. Stop by the library to pick up a pocket sized poem to carry and share. Poems for all ages will be available.

In addition, be sure to check out the library’s Facebook page throughout the day to see videos of staff reciting poetry. You never know, you might hear a favorite!

Anderson-Lee Library is open to the public Monday and Tuesday from 12-8 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8

Coldspring Republican caucus will be held on Thursed at 113 Deer St. Dunkirk, day, April 29th, at 7pm, at NY. Social distancing rules the Coldspring town hall. and masks will apply. Con- Positions up for election are: tact Danny McGill at 3662287 with questions, comments, or concerns.

Supervisor, Clerk, Justice, two Councilmen, and Highway Superintendent. All positions are four year terms.

Free Karate Program Meet the candidate Talk with like-minded people about how we can Return to Progress! Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 5:30 PM meet Democratic candidate

p.m., Friday 12-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The library is closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, computer use is limited and appointments must be made to reserve a time.

There is a limit of one hour per day per patron. Please call the library at 934-3468 to reserve a time.

Fax and copy service is available anytime the library is open.

For more information, call 716-934-3468, visit our website at www.andersonleelibrary.org, or visit us on Facebook at h ps://www. facebook .com /A nder sonLeeLibrary

and instructions on how to cancel or reschedule if needed.

Individuals may also call the Erie County COVID-19 Information Line at (716) 858-2929 to schedule a vaccine appointment at ECDOH sites.

Appointments at the KeyBank Center site are currently available through this new online system.

Other sites can be scheduled through the Information Line. By next week, all ECDOH sites may be scheduled through the online system or the Information Line.

Natalie Luczkowiak at First Ward Falcon Club. Take-out is available, or careful eatin dining. Tickets are available, 716-680-4664.

SEEKING PHOTOS, STORIES FOR MEMORIAL DAY The Source, looking ahead to Memorial Day, is asking readers for photos and stories of anyone from the area who died in ba le or while serving our nation.

We also encourage area veterans to submit tributes of friends or comrades they served and sacrificed with.

The Source also is seeking information on Memorial Day activities that are planned in the area and which we can list in our edition before the solemn holiday.

Please send digital material to SourceBPC@gmail. com. Include your phone number in case we need to get back to you.

Schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments at Erie County Department Of Health sites ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) has launched an online system for scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments at sites run by Erie County.

This online system can be accessed at www.erie.gov/ covid19/vaccine. Individuals ages 16 and older can register their information in this system, which includes a series of screening questions, and select a location and date for their appointment. The system will send a confi rmation email that will include appointment information

Coldspring Republican caucus

ECDOH is also sharing scheduled Pop-up PODs (points of distribution), and strongly encouraging individuals who live and work near those sites to schedule an appointment.

Pop-up POD Schedule: Thursday, April 22: Durham Memorial Outreach Center, 200 E. Eagle St., Buffalo, NY 14204 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Moderna, 18 and older) Saturday, April 24: Rich Products, 1 Robert Rich Way, Buffalo, NY 14213 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Moderna, 18 and older)

FREDONIA– Karate Educational partners, The Family Martial Arts Center and The Karate Kidz Zone of Chautauqua County will sponsor a FREE “safety and awareness” program for all county residence ages 2 thru 18 years of age. The seminars will be hosted at 355 Central Ave. Fredonia next to Family Video. All Participants should wear relaxed clothing i.e.: sweats, tee shirt and mask.

The program will offer students an opportunity grow their decision making skills while they learn: how to be responsible and accept consequences for their actions, to make good health and diet choices, and to make good substance choices by saying no to drugs and alcohol.

Students will also grow their interpersonal skills while building and maintaining interspersonal relationships including family, friends, and social situations. They will also

learn how to be a leader and a positive role model for their peers.

Lastly, they will promote physical fitness while learning self-defense, stranger danger, and how to extract themselves from stick situations with the least amount of harm and how to take care of their bodies in a positive manner The program is offered at no cost and is a one week program running May 3 through 8. You can register by calling 672-6683 or visit them in studio. For more information log onto www. thefamilymartialartscenter.com.

The Family Martial Arts Center for ages 7 & up Monday: 5:30 - 6:30pm Wednesday: 6:00 - 6:50pm Saturday: 9:30am – 10:45am The Karate Kidz Zone for ages 2 thru 6 Wednesday: 4:30pm – 5:00pm 2-6-year-old Saturday: 11:00am-11:30am 2-6-year-old

Gowanda man faces multiple charges following alleged car theft GOWANDA — A Gowanda man faces several charges following a reported pursuit and alleged vehicle the , the Ca araugus County Sheriff ’s Office announced April 14.

Donald J. Pfaffenbach, 39, was charged at 1:20 p.m.

April 10 with second-degree burglary, a class C felony; fi rst-degree reckless endan-

germent, a class D felony; fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal mischief, class E felonies; third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and reckless driving, unclassified misdemeanors; resisting arrest, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and second-degree obstruc-

tion of governmental administration, class A misdemeanors.

The charges stem from an incident during which Pfaffenbach allegedly stole a motor vehicle and led deputies in a pursuit.

Pfaffenbach was processed and released with tickets to appear in Dayton Town Court at a later date.

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4

Seneca Nation continued from 1 “Other communities both up and downstream of our territories should take heed,” he said. “The Nation plans to use every tool at its disposal to safeguard this precious resource; our very lives depend on it.”

The Senecas have been more active in recent years regarding protecting the Allegheny watershed.

In early 2018, Nation members were at the forefront of opposition against a proposed treatment plant for hydrofracking wastewater in Po er County, Pa. Plans for the plant, which was to be sited on the headwaters of the Allegheny, were abandoned in the face of opposition.

The Senecas also have opposed National Fuel’s Northern Access natural gas pipeline, which would pass under several streams that feed both the Allegheny River and Ca araugus Creek, which flows through the Senecas’ Ca araugus Territory.

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Villenova Cemetry Spring Cleanup Day!

The Villenova Burial Association announces that the Villenova Cemetery Spring Clean-up Day will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 10:00 am (Rain date: Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:00 am) at the Villenova Cemetery, Cemetery Rd., South Dayton. Members and volunteers are needed to help clear tree branches, rake and clear trash and debris to ready the Cemetery for mowing season. Water and donuts will be provided! Please join us, and bring a friend!!

Attorney General and DEC Commissioner Secure $4 Million to Resolve Hazardous Waste Contamination in Tonawanda NEW YORK – New York A orney General Letitia James and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos April 20 announced a $4 million agreement that resolves years of hazardous waste disposal and oil spill contamination at the former Tonawanda Forge site in Tonawanda, New York. The agreement stipulates that American Axle & Manufacturing will compensate the state of New York for costs associated with the state’s cleanup of contamination at the site.

“Too many of New York’s communities still struggle with pollution resulting from a legacy of environmental abuse, neglect, and injustice,” said A orney General James.

“Through our action here, we are recouping $4 million, which will be essential to eliminating a long-standing site of contamination in the greater Buffalo community. My office is commi ed to holding polluters accountable and protecting the health and safety of all New Yorkers, including our environment.”

“This agreement ensures the company responsible for contaminating the Tonawanda Forge site will pay their share of the cleanup costs,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos. “I thank Governor Cuomo for his sustained commitment to ensuring the clean-up of former industrial sites like this one, and the A orney General, her team, and my staff who worked to recoup New York state’s costs to remediate the former Tonawanda Forge site. Working together, we are sending a strong message to polluters that they will be held to account for the damage they cause to the environment and our communities.”

Over the years, a number of soil, sediment, groundwater, and surface water sampling investigations of the Tonawanda Forge site have

found the presence of asbestos, petroleum, and other hazardous substances — including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, heavy metals (such as lead and arsenic), volatile organic compounds, and semi-volatile organic compounds.

Some of this contamination was found at levels exceeding state cleanup standards designed to protect public health and the environment.

General Motors (GM) began manufacturing axles, tierods, and other automobile parts at the approximately 33-acre Tonawanda Forge site in the 1950s. In 1994, GM sold the site to American Axle, which operated the site until 2008. American Axle used the same production processes as GM, producing similar parts and generating similar by-products. Logs show that — at least since the early 1990s and into the mid-2000s — the processes GM and American Axle utilized involved use of the hazardous substances found through sampling investigations at the site. An investigation conducted by the Office of the A orney General (OAG) uncovered evidence that both GM and American Axle had mishandled hazardous wastes and allowed spilled chemicals to leak into the ground through cracks in concrete floors.

In 2008, American Axle sold the Tonawanda Forge site to Lewis Brothers, a scrapper that partially dismantled the site. American Axle also removed some of its equipment a§er 2008, as part of an agreement with Lewis Brothers. During the removal of the equipment at the site, Lewis Brothers caused petroleum contamination and a PCB oil spill.

Earlier this month, OAG fi led an action in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York against American Axle under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,

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Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The action sought recovery of past and future costs associated with hazardous waste cleanup of the former Tonawanda Forge site. In 2017, OAG fi led a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, Albany County against American Axle and Lewis Brothers seeking recovery of costs incurred by the state in cleaning up and removing the petroleum contamination at the site.

Today’s agreement, and the federal district court consent decree with American Axle address the company’s liability under CERCLA for the hazardous waste cleanup and damages to natural resources at the former Tonawanda Forge site. The company has agreed to pay the state $3.6 million to resolve this matter, which will be directed to DEC’s Hazardous Waste Remedial fund to support the cleanup of this and other hazardous waste sites in the state. The agreement also references the se lement of the oil spill cost recovery action taken against American Axle for $425,000 — funds that will be deposited in the state’s Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation (Oil Spill) Fund. The OAG and American Axle expect to dis-

continue the lawsuit over the oil spill upon OAG’s receipt of this payment. Additionally, American Axle has agreed to pay $25,000 for damages to natural resources, which will be deposited in DEC’s Natural Resources Damages fund.

“Today’s announcement reaffi rms the fact that polluters will be held accountable for their actions and corporations must always take responsibility for any environmental damage that they cause in our communities,” said State Senator Sean Ryan. “I thank A orney General Letitia James and the Department of Environmental Conservation for securing this compensation to remedy the long-standing hazardous waste contamination at the former Tonawanda Forge site. The funding from this agreement will be used to clean up the Tonawanda Forge site and other contaminated sites, to protect the health and safety of the people of Western New York, and our entire state. This funding will be instrumental in combating the long-term impact of pollution and rehabilitating the site so that it will no longer be a blight on the Town of Tonawanda.”

“Western New York has

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long been the victim of legacy pollution, and all too often, cleanup largely becomes the fi nancial burden of the taxpayers — the same residents who suffer the effects of said pollution. Remediation of sites like the former Tonawanda Forge is costly but necessary work, not only for the health and well-being of the public but for the future economic development of our region,” said State Assemblymember Bill Conrad.

“I applaud A orney General James and Commissioner Seggos for their successful effort to recoup $4 million from American Axle for the cleanup of a sprawling property in the Town of Tonawanda’s main industrial zone.

Thanks to this consent decree, liability for its contamination has been assigned appropriately, as the responsibility of a primary polluter.”

The ma er was handled

by Assistant A orneys General Nicholas C. Bu ino and Jamie Woods, supervised

by Section Chief Morgan Costello and Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic — all of the Environmental Protection Bureau; and Deputy Bureau Chief Jennifer M. Dentinger in the Oil Spill Unit, supervised by Bureau Chief Drew A. Lochte — both of the Civil Recoveries Bureau; as well as Deputy A orney General John V. Cremo. The Environmental Protection Bureau is a part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy A orney General Meghan Faux. The Civil Recoveries Bureau is part of the Division for State Counsel, which is led by Chief Deputy A orney General Orelia E. Merchant. Both the Division for Social Justice and the Division for State Counsel are overseen by First Deputy A orney General Jennifer Levy. For DEC, the ma er was handled by Assistant Regional A orney Terri Mucha, supervised by Andrew Guglielmi, Remediation Bureau Chief, with DEC’s Office of General Counsel.

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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

APRIL 16, 2021

5

SILVER CREEK

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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE

6

Erie County continued from 1 ples were taken from a fully vaccinated individual.

“While no vaccine is 100% protective, Erie County hospitals report that none of their current COVID-19 admissions have been fully vaccinated. We have to keep in mind that the clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance show that the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing moderate and serious illness,” continued Dr. Burstein. “With vaccination and continued public health preventive measures, we can reduce the burden of this disease in our community, both in terms of transmission and severity of illness, hospitalizations and deaths.”

COVID-19 Vaccinations– Based on information provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). As of April 15, 43% of Erie County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 30% percent have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series.

52% of eligible Erie County residents ages 16 and older+ have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 36% of eligible Erie County residents age 16 and older have completed the COVID-19 dose series.

Through April 15, ECDOH administered 57,676 fi rst doses and 40,251 second doses at county-run PODs (points of distribution).

This includes fi rst-doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered at Erie County’s fi rst-ever drive-thru pop-up POD at the Eden Corn Festival grounds and the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Volunteer Fire Department with the Seneca Nation.

534 Maple Ave. Cherry Creek, NY 14723

APRIL 16, 2021

The Village of Silver Creek Would Like to Remind All Residents of the Brush Pick Up Policy.

Commercial & Residential CLEANING, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION

BRUSH: FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH

Services: OIL, PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS 716-296-1022 www.dmheatingcooling.com

(excluding November through March)

FURNACES, BOILERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, HOT WATER TANKS, DUCT WORK, SPLIT SYSTEM, AND GAS LINES

The Pet Pantry is...

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For More information Call Julie 716-785-5186 Deadline for Vendor Participants is May 15, 2021

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Place at curb no more than 24 hours before pickup day.

Cut brush, shrubs, and limbs four (4) feet or less in length and pile neatly at curb side with ends facing in the same direction.

Place leaves, grass clippings and small sticks in containers (NO bags or boxes). *NOTE: brush that has metal, paper, and garbage, building material or pet waste will NOT be picked up.

TREE REMOVAL: Contractor is responsible for all clean-up and disposal.

POEM

Western New York is a very special place!

With its magnificent rolling hills, expansive beautiful valleys, and majestic lake plains.... our area stands out as a spectacular wonderland of nature. With our four seasons of the year, there is something very special about our region… be it summer, fall, winter and spring. Coming soon, we will be entering that bountifully flourishing and colorful season following winter. The following poem-which I have wri­en-sets the downbeat, tone, score, pitch, and cadence...fi guratively speaking of course... for the emergence of the wonderfully dynamic season we call “Spring”.

THE SPRING PARADE The skies are getting brighter And spring is nearly here It is the awakening of a season Mother nature springs with cheer.

The sun is ge­ ing higher Longer days have made the grade, The season’s warmth is a’comin’ Adjoining the colorful spring parade.

The trees have taken notice And soon will be arrayed, To mark this special season All dressed up for the spring parade.

The spring birds have all been a’flocking And are ready for the day, To begin the nesting season For summer months in which to stay.

The spring flowers received the message And they freshly will appear.

With yellow daffodils and purple crocus Parading their bountiful colorful cheer.

The grass and fresh spring meadows Have also taken note, That they too, in spring-like fashion Are pu­ ing on their spring green coat.

The farmers’ fields have awakened With plowshares turning the ground, And are readying for the growing season For spring planting to abound.

All of nature is truly excited For the spring parade will soon begin, With nature’s prideful glowing splendor A blue ribbon… sure to win!

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