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VOLUME 135 — WHOLE 7118
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018
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Sidney CS to Host Reception For Retiring Staff Page 12
TNF State Qualifier Page 16
Del. Co. Suicide Prevention Network Continues to Educate Communities By Melissa Johns
Rosie Cunningham/The Reporter
Ten officers were recognized by the Shields for their longstanding service: Roxbury Constable Steve Williamson, Captain of the Delhi Police James Small, Officer Daniel St. Jacques, Lieutenant Karl Vagts of the Sheriff’s Office, Deposit Police Chief Don Cantwell, Delhi Police Officer Gary Marmaro, Bainbridge Police Department Officer Michael Hood, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshak and Delaware County Corrections Lieutenant Fred Stanton.
Police Memorial Day Observance Honors Fallen Officers By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - The annual Police Memorial Day Observance Ceremony was held May 31 at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office worked in conjunction with the Delaware County Shields to honor those killed in the line of duty and to celebrate those still at work. “Those men and women who have given it all in the name of justice deserve not only our respect but our heartfelt gratitude and affection,” Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond said. President of the Delaware County Shields Phil Seiden declared the names of those fallen in the county. Deputies Maria DeSilva and Shane Biggar shot rounds from their rifles in salute of the officers and “Taps” was sounded. Additionally, ten officers were recognized by the Shields
for their long-standing service: Roxbury Constable Steve Williamson for 48 years, Captain of the Delhi Police James Small, who has been on the police force for 43 years, Officer Daniel St. Jacques of the Delhi and Walton police departments has served for 36 years, Lieutenant Karl Vagts of the Sheriff ’s Office was recognized for 33 years, Deposit Police Chief Don Cantwell for 33 years, Delhi Police Officer Gary Marmaro for 32 years, Bainbridge Police Department Officer Michael Hood for 31 years, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshak for 29 years and Delaware Corrections Lieutenant Fred Stanton for 29 years. Retired officer of the Sidney Department and the county sheriff ’s office Grant Coates, opened and closed the ceremony with prayer. See Honors page 4
WALTON- Mental health awareness month came to an end last Thursday, but that didn’t stop the members of the Suicide Prevention Network of Delaware County (SPNDC) from promoting community awareness. The SPNDC paired with other local mental health resources Sunday, June 3, to host a free public viewing of “CRAZY,” produced by Witness Documentary Films, Inc. and several public service announcements (PSA) recently created by the SPNDC. The documentary is based around the life of Eric, a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his battle with the mental health system, courts, law enforcement and his family. It features real-life footage of Eric’s multiple arrests, institutionalizations and struggles caused by his illnesses. “CRAZY” co-producer and Emmy-award winning editor Tony Breuer of Treadwell, was
in Sunday’s audience. He was also part of a post-viewing panel arranged for answering questions submitted anonymously by the audience of approximately 45 people. “Mental health is definitely a huge problem in Delaware County,” said Breuer. “It’s linked to other issues like drug addiction and alcoholism. The facilities to treat these illnesses are basically non-existent and seeing people go untreated is a very sad thing.” The question portion was moderated by Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County’s Assistant Executive Director Justin Hamm. Seven other resources on the panel were Alyssa Bailey from Delaware County Mental Health; Derek Johnson, Pastor of Delhi Community Church; Terri Korva from Mobile Community Assertive Treatment; Don Capone from National Alliance on Mental Illness; Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Kim Smith and two people with current, diagnosed mental health illnesses, Colleen Johnson and
Kate Hewlett. SPNDC chair and Delaware County Public Health Services Program Coordinator Rene Stratton hopes the documentary and the PSAs encourage communities and families to talk more about mental illnesses. According to Stratton, more awareness and education is needed in the area because depression percentages are increasing and suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people 15 to 24 years old. She and the SPNDC plan to host more events focused around mental health awareness in the near future. “Suicide is everyone’s business,” said Stratton, “Everyone’s an advocate.” The SPNDC offers free suicide first-aid training to the public. To find out more regarding the classes or other mental health related-inquires, contact Rene Stratton at Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200 or visit www.delawarecountypublichealth.com.
Melissa Johns/The Reporter
A panel of survivors and professionals lined up to answer audience questions regarding mental health and illnesses. From left to right, Tony Breuer, Alyssa Bailey, Colleen Johnson, Kate Hewlett, Pastor Derek Johnson, Don Capone, Terri Korva and Corporal Kim Smith.
DPW Shop Deemed Unsafe for Continued Habitation Lead Paint and Asbestos Found
DELHI - Lead-based paint and asbestos has been found in the Delaware County Department of Public Works (DPW) shop and according to DPW Commissioner Wayne Reynolds, the county’s consultant has deemed the site unsafe for continued habitation. “It is not a hazardous situation, but a regulated one,” said Reynolds. “The remediation of lead based paint and asbestos has become a routine part of any construction or demolition related activities.” Reynolds said the problem
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does not lie in the offices of the building and all of the trucks are out of the shop. “After the lead paint and dust is abated, the county bridge crews will be making the required structural modifications to the building,” he said. “Once that is complete, we will be issuing a bid for controlled demolition of the portion of the building that is in the worst condition. That bid will include the proper management of the asbestos in the roof and what asbestos is remaining in the caulk and window glazing. It is anticipated that the controlled demolition will occur in the fall of 2018.” The commissioner said in orContributed Photo der to demolish the building but The Delaware County Department of Public Works building on Page Avenue June 4. keep the portion of the building that houses the Delaware Coun- Remediation Project DPW Ga- building that is to be torn down. the required specification. ty Board of Elections, Veterans rage Page Avenue, Delhi was That work started on May 14, “The second phase of the Affairs and Office of Employ- advertised in the county’s legal and is progressing well. The project is cleaning that portion ment and Training, structural papers the first week of April. A county building maintenance of the building that will remain steel modifications have to take mandatory pre-bid site showing crews had already removed all and serve as the temporary place in order to support the was conducted with three certi- the power from that portion of housing for the Delhi-based building. In order to make those fied lead abatement contractors the building so the contractor road patrols. All of our staff and modifications, the lead contain- on April 12, and the bid was let chose to use high pressure wash- their tools had to be removed ing paint must be removed from on April 17. There were three ers to wash down the building. from that portion of the building the existing steel before new con- bidders on the project and the All of the wash water was cap- while that work is ongoing. We nections can be welded or bolted lowest responsible bidder was tured and hauled to an autho- have made temporary provisions to that steel. NRC NY Environmental Ser- rized disposal site outside of for county staff to punch in and Reynolds said the removal of vices Inc. of Syracuse NY. The the county. After the washing, have restrooms while they are the lead paint and asbestos had award of the contract was made the contractor used commercial out of their building. Because to be taken care of by a lead at the April 25 board of supervi- floor sweepers to clean the floor. that portion of the building still abatement contractor. sors meeting. The award was for All the solids were also captured has all of its electrical services, Proposal Number 30-18 Lead $299,732. and removed to a certified dis- the interior has to be vacuumed “There are two phases to the posal location outside of the with HEPA vacuums first to recontract,” said Reynolds. “The county. We are currently waiting move the heavier dust and then first phase is the remediation on the final laboratory analysis wiped down with damp cloths. The of the lead in the portion of the to determine if the space meets See DPW page 2