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Submitted photo of Genesee ARC Executive Director Donna Saskowski and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, chairman and founder of the nonprofit Kelly for Kids Foundation.

Press release:

Genesee ARC was one of 34 Western New York charities to receive a grant from the Kelly for Kids Foundation. Executive Director Donna Saskowski attended the Jan. 19^th luncheon at Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell where she received a check for $1,800 to help fund a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with special needs.

The Kelly for Kids Foundation Community Grants are awarded to charitable not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations whose primary mission is to assist children in need in the Western New York area. In particular, it funds health and social service organizations that serve the disabled and/or economically disadvantaged youth. The Kelly for Kids Foundation was founded in 1987 by former Buffalo Bills quarterback. Genesee ARC was nominated for the grant by Terry Hill’s Golf Course, Restaurant and Banquet Facility, home of Kelly’s Annual Celebrity Golf Classic.

Saskowski said she is thrilled to have been recognized by the Kelly for Kids Foundation.

“The grant will help provide an eight week therapeutic horseback riding program for children,” Saskowski said. “In recent years, the number of children served by our agency has grown dramatically, including those diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder” the director added.

Benefits of therapeutic horseback riding are well documented. Unlike traditional forms of therapy, therapeutic horseback riding provides benefits physically, psychologically and emotionally for a child with a disability.

Press release:

Genesee Community College golfer Helen Busch (of Buffalo) recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Bryan College, becoming the first female golfer in the College's history to sign with a four-year college.

Busch, a qualifier for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament in 2015, earned medalist honors in three events last season for GCC. She fired a season-low 83 at the Tompkins-Cortland CC Invite on Apr. 26 and shot an average round of 93 for the year.

Bryan College, located in Dayton, Tenn., competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).

Busch will receive athletic and academic scholarship and will study Biology.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program.  http://www.geneseeathletics.com

Philip R. Ayala is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on July 9 in the City of Batavia that Ayala knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with intent to sell it. In count two, the defendant is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug and these preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances are of an aggregate weight of one-eighth ounce or more.

Robert B. Hansen III is indicted for the crime of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that between Feb. 15, 2013, and June 16, 2014, in the Town of Darien Hansen stole property with a value exceeding $3,000. He is accused of stealing $38,353.56 in U.S. currency. In count two, he is accused of committing the crime of second-degree forgery, also a Class D felony, on Feb. 6, 2014, in the City of Batavia, with the intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, by falsely making, completing or altering a written instrument which was to become public record or legally authorized.

Justin G. Parsons is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 19 in the Town of Alexander that Parsons drove a 2011 Chevrolet pickup on Route 20 and/or Brookville Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, the defendant is accused of the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time.

Jose Sanabria-Lozada is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 2 in the Village of Le Roy that Sanabria-Lozada drove a 2000 Ford pickup truck while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, the defendant is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 at the time.

Another motor-vehicle accident is reported on Route 490. This one is in the westbound lane, also at mile marker 1. A vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. Unknown injuries. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments and Le Roy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: Responders report finding no such vehicle anywhere in the area. The assignment is back in service.

A rollover accident with injuries is reported on the eastbound Route 490 at about mile marker 1. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are responding, along with an ambulance from Bergen and one from Caledonia, mutual aid.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: An engine and crew from Pavilion are called to fill in at Le Roy's fire station.

UPDATE 11:20 a.m.: Le Roy command requests the Pavilion crew to stage in their own quarters instead.

A person allegedly poured gasoline on a vehicle at 22 Brooklyn Ave. and allegedly caused other damage has a gun. City police are responding and Mercy medics are told to stage in the area.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m.: "Right now we're in the real early stages of investigating a call that came in (about) 10 o'clock this morning that someone poured gasoline on a vehicle and had a gun. We came down here and set up a perimeter," said Det. Richard Schauf. "No one we've talked to has seen a gun. ... We immediately called the school and told them not to let anyone leave. We cleared the house and separated the parties involved. We had the fire department and medics on standby." A K-9 officer happened to be in the area at the time of the call and responded, although he was not specifically requested. Schauf said there was evidence that gasoline was poured on a vehicle and the fire department cleaned it up. The detective said a total of four people are being interviewed about this incident. No one was injured. No one is currently under arrest, although he didn't rule out the possibility of someone being charged. He said they cleared the house and went in thinking there might be weapons; there were none. Dogs inside were contained by a resident. As to the purported gun, it seems to be a case of someone heard someone say someone had a gun but nothing more than that. The motivation for pouring gas on the vehicle has not yet been determined.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: City police just issued a press release about this morning's incident at 22 Brooklyn Ave. Two people have been charged in the case. Thomas A. Culver, 37, who lives at that address, is charged with two counts of second-degree menacing, and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment. Raquel D. Duval, 27, no address provided, of Rochester, is charged with one count of second-degree criminal trespass. The details: "The police dispatch was notified via 9-1-1 by a female occupant of 22 Brooklyn Ave. that there was a female at the residence who did not belong there and was refusing to leave. The female refusing to leave was later learned to be Raquel Duval. Information continued to be received as police were being dispatched that Thomas Culver, a resident of 22 Brooklyn Ave., was pouring gasoline on what was later learned to be Duval’s vehicle, which was parked in the road in front of the house. Reports were that Culver was threatening to light the car on fire. As Police units arrived more information was relayed from police dispatch that Culver may be in possession of a gun. The Batavia Police with the assistance of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and NYS Troopers coordinated a perimeter around 22 Brooklyn Ave.. The Business Agri Child Development Center located near the scene was placed into a lock down condition. City of Batavia Fire Dept. and Mercy Medics were placed on standby and staged in the area. Police contact was made with an occupant of 22 Brooklyn who followed police directions to have persons in the house leave one at a time and be secured to determine the facts of the incident. The house was then checked for any unknown persons or weapons. As a result of the investigation it was determined that, Duval and Culver had an outstanding financial situation which Duval was attempting to resolve when Culver did display what appeared to be a handgun, which later turned out to be a BB gun that replicated an actual gun, he then proceeded to pour what appeared to be a flammable liquid on her car and threatened to burn her and the car when she would not leave the house."

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in Le Roy at East Main and Church streets. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

Press release:

Today, YWCA of Genesee County, alongside YWCA USA and more than 220 other YWCAs around the country, launched a brand awareness campaign meant to reintroduce YWCA, share its life-changing work and invite people to join us on our mission to empower women and eliminate racism.

“Our agency has really worked hard to get out into the community, and this awareness campaign will only further our efforts to reach those in need of our services,” Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. “Since domestic violence is not going away, we are excited to be able to serve more victims and survivors, in addition to providing quality, licensed child care to families, in Genesee County.”

YWCA is on a mission
For more than 150 years, YWCA has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements — from voting rights and civil rights, to affordable housing and pay equity, to violence prevention and health care reform. But despite important work being done on the ground by more than 220 local associations across the country, not enough people understood the size, impact or relevance of YWCA.

This organization helps more than 2 million women and children each year in the United States; and worldwide, YWCA serves 25 million women and girls in 120 countries. In the past year the Batavia-based YWCA has:

• Assisted nearly 800 new people for domestic violence services;
• Taken 7,353 crisis calls at the Care & Crisis Helpline;
• Served as a bridge for hundreds of people in the throes of being suicidal to find needed support;
• Provided safe shelter for 81 women and children fleeing domestic abuse;
• Established four satellite offices to assist those with domestic violence issues in Byron, Bergen, Darien and Pavilion.

There are still unmet needs. With a population of about 60,000 in Genesee County, it is certain there are still many people to reach with our services. With this brand awareness campaign, we invite the public to join us on a mission, and help even more women, children and families.

YWCA of Genesee County is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community. For more information about how you can help with this vital effort, go to www.ywcagenesee.org or call (585) 343-5808.

City firefighters on are scene at Woodstock Gardens Apartments where they responded to a report of smoke in Apartment #24. They found a smoking pan of food on the stove and no one home. They removed it from the apartment. They are ventilating. The complex is located at 219 N. Spruce St.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: Command reports no damage to the apartment. The assignment is back in service.

A rollover accident with injuries and entrapment is reported at the intersection of Park Road and Oak Street. City firefighters are responding along with Mercy medic #1.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: The city's third platoon is requested to stand by in fire headquarters.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: A female is being transported to UMMC. Another patient was just extricated from the vehicle.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Two vehicles were involved, a sedan and a minivan with Kentucky plates. Both have heavy front-end damage. The female driver of the sedan was transported to UMMC. The female driver of the minivan was extricated and is now is an ambulance awaiting transport to a hospital; she is conscious and alert but said to be in a lot of pain. The minivan she was trapped in, landed on its side. Firefighters had to cut off the vehicle's roof to get to her.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Batavia Police Sgt. Dan Coffey said preliminary findings indicate a Chevy Cruze, which is a compact sedan, had a green light as it traveled northbound on Oak Street (Route 98). A Nissan Rogue, which is a compact SUV, was southbound on Oak Street with a green light when the driver attempted to make a left turn onto the Thruway entrance. Coffey said it appears the driver of the Nissan failed to yield the right of way. A driver may be cited, pending completion of the investigation. Impairment from drugs and/or alcohol is not a factor in the accident. The driver of the Nissan was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, primarily for precautionary reasons, Coffey said. Although the Nissan had Kentucky plates, the driver is a local resident and the Nissan is believed to be a rental, Coffey noted.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that the New York State Police will hold a FREE snowmobile safety course for New Yorkers aged 10 to 18 on Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hamlin Beach State Park Conference Room in Hamlin. State law requires that all youth, ages 10 to 18, must possess a snowmobile safety certificate to operate a snowmobile anywhere except family-owned or leased land.

Space is limited so sign up early. Preregistration is required by calling the state Park Police at (585) 658-4692. Attendees are advised to bring their own lunch.

“While Western New York winters can be particularly harsh, they can also be great fun for snowmobile enthusiasts,” Hawley said. “As easy as it seems to operate a snowmobile, I remind constituents that these can be dangerous machines that have taken lives.

"It is imperative that residents under the age of 18 receive their snowmobile safety certificate for their own and others’ safety. I encourage all interested young residents to attend this course on February 6. Have fun and enjoy the snow.”

WHAT:          Snowmobile Safety certification course

WHEN:          February 6, 2016, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE:       Hamlin Beach State Park Conference Room, Hamlin

WHO:             New Yorkers aged 10 to 18

**Remember to bring a lunch**

Press release:

GCC students and faculty accomplish great things throughout the year. In an effort to recognize the great work and bright minds that the College has to offer, the Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee invites the entire college community to the first Scholars' Symposium – a celebration of inquiry and scholarship – on Tuesday, March 29.

Students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, some from afar, will be sharing and demonstrating scholarly achievements in all disciplines through presentations, poster exhibits and performances.

"The Scholars Symposium is the opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage the collective brain power of Genesee Community College for all to enjoy and to appreciate," said JoNelle Toriseva, director of GCC's English, Communications and Media Arts, who is organizing the first-ever event.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit proposals to present their original work at the Scholars Symposium to the CURCA committee. The Scholar' Symposium Web site provides complete details along with an online submission opportunity. Go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/.

Areas of presentation include the following 12 different options:

• Research - 15 minute oral presentation; 30 minute oral presentation

• Research Poster - Presenters prepare a 2-3 minute talk about their topic to share with interested parties. Presenters must stand/sit near poster for 60 minute session.

• Panel Discussion - 30 or 60 minutes

• Presentation of Experiential Education, Internships, Field Work, Travel - 15 minute descriptive oral presentation includes Q&A; or a poster/portfolio presentation

• Reading of Creative Work - 15 minute reading of poetry, prose, fiction or hybrid work

• Work in Progress Reading of Creative Work - 5 minute reading

• Studio/Visual Art - 15 minute oral presentation or poster

• Theatrical Performance

• Music Composition - 20 minute performance

• Dance Choreography - 20 minute performance

• Film Production/Theatrical Script - 20 minute performance

• PechaKucha - 7 minute oral presentation (20 PowerPoint slides for 20 seconds each)

All students must have a faculty or staff mentor, but sponsors are not required to co-present. All abstracts describing students' scholarly and/or creative projects must be submitted by Feb. 1. The Committee will review submissions Feb. 1 – March 7 and the schedule of presentations will be released on March 8.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Columbia University professor, and historian Eric Foner, Ph.D, will deliver the event's keynote address. Regarded as the leading contemporary historian of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, Foner is the recipient of many awards for history writing, and has written more than 20 books on the topic, including his newest "Gateway to Freedom, The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad."

This premiere Scholarship Symposium at GCC, which is to be held annually, is sponsored, in part, by a President's Innovation Award (PIA) which provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of the College, stimulate student and community pride, or help establish pilot programs and initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact.

"We are excited that this initiative touches on all parts of the PIA program, and we believe the Scholar's Symposium will become a dynamic, sought-after and vibrant component to the College's annual academic activities," Toriseva said.

For specific information about the Scholars' Symposium contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. Her e-mail address is: jrtoriseva@genesee.edu, and her telephone: 585-343-0055, ext. 6627.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) celebrates planks of the Women’s Equality Agenda that became law on Tuesday.

“I am honored to announce that historic measures to protect New York’s women from things like domestic violence and workplace discrimination have become law today,” Hawley said in a statement released yesterday. “My colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference worked tirelessly to ensure that these individual bills came to the floor for a vote. While members of the Assembly Majority used this issue as campaign rhetoric, we continued our unwavering support and never lost sight of the importance to our state’s women. I am proud to be part of this memorable day and will continue to lead the fight on women’s rights.”

Press release:

With the deadline to file federal taxes quickly approaching, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has announced a series of workshops coming to his district that will help constituents learn how to electronically file their taxes. The workshops will take place in Batavia and Corfu at the public library. 

“Filing taxes electronically saves residents time and money and also yields a considerably quicker refund,” Hawley said. “Furthermore, the error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than for paper returns and your refund can be directly deposited right into your bank account. I am excited to announce these upcoming workshops that run from January 25 to April 12 and encourage all of my constituents to attend to learn how to prepare and file your taxes for free.”

Ninety-two percent of New Yorkers file their taxes electronically and if your combined income for 2015 did not exceed $62,000, you can e-file for no charge. To learn more about e-filing, please visit www.tax.ny.gov.

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia (19 Ross St.):

2 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays

Jan. 25

Feb. 1

Feb. 8

Feb. 22

Feb. 29

March 7

March 14

March 21

March 28

April 4

April 11

12 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays

Jan. 27

Feb. 3

Feb. 10

Feb. 17

Feb. 24

March 2

March 9

March 16

March 23

March 30

April 6

April 13

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays

Jan. 30

Feb. 6

Feb. 13

Feb. 20

Feb. 27

March 5

March 12

March 19

April 2

April 9

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Corfu Free Library (7 Maple Ave., Corfu):

2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays

Jan. 26

Feb. 2

Feb. 9

Feb. 16

Feb. 23

March 1

March 8

March 15

March 22

March 29

April 5

April 12

A possible commerical building fire is reported at 12 Center St. The smell of smoke is said to be in the building and smoke is reportedly visible in the office. City fire is responding. The location is an accounting office next to Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: A responder on scene says its possibly a wood-burning stove; no fire found. Continuing to investigate. 

Press release:

"Construction documents are almost complete and everything is on schedule," Kristin G. Schmitt, AIA, principal of JMZ Architects and Planners told Genesee Community College Board of Trustees at last week's monthly meeting. "It has been a smooth process, which is a testament to the College."

The construction bid packages with all the necessary documents for contractors to submit their cost estimates for the project are anticipated to be ready for review on Monday, Feb. 8. The proposed deadline for the College to receive the publicly opened bids is Tuesday, March 8. JMZ anticipates five different bid packages for Site Work, General Contracting, Electrical, Plumbing/Fire Protection, and Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC).

As stipulated by the Board of Trustees during the early planning process, JMZ is carefully crafting the bid packages to attract as many local contractors as possible. The two separate facilities, the 18,500-square-foot Student Success Center and the 56,000-square-foot College and Community Events Center, are being built on parallel construction schedules allowing contractors to bid on both projects or individual projects. 

"We anticipate good participation from the local construction community and will be reaching out to them," Schmitt said.

The project will also be announced in area media outlets and the Dodge Report. Once the bidding and project award process is complete, construction will begin in April with a formal ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

The College and Community Event Center located at the far west side of the Batavia campus near the turf field will begin first so as to not interrupt College's activities and spring semester traffic flow. The Student Success Center will begin after the Commencement ceremony on May 22. Project completion for both buildings is expected the following Summer in 2017. 

In addition to reviewing the construction schedule, Schmitt presented six different schematic presentation boards that illustrated both buildings employing state-of-the-art graphics that combine photographs of the existing facilities blended with the new architectural renderings. A dramatic Student Success Center is shown at night with the lights from the large glass foray reflecting out onto the Clock Tower Plaza. Viewers can also appreciate how the Student Success Center will connect with the Conable Technology Building through the second level bridge. Interior illustrations reveal an open lobby and lounge with two-story glass windows, an open staircase and a fireplace. 

"This will be the new front door to the whole campus," GCC President James Sunser, Ed.D. said. "The new facility is exciting, but more exciting is how it will allow us to reinvent how we support our students in being successful. Like a case manager, our new student success coaches will know what students need and proactively help them through the process." 

Interior and exterior renderings of the College and Community Events Center were also reviewed illustrating the dual facility. The sizable arena, which will be the largest open floor space in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties), is accented by a long, glassed-in arcade leading to the central entrance and lobby that connects the two buildings. The smaller building provides classrooms, locker rooms, coaches' offices, the fitness center, meeting rooms and a press box overlooking the existing turf field.

The large arena will not only accommodate an array of athletic competitions, but the open space will allow all kinds of civic, community, trade, industry as well as college events-from farm, boat and tractor shows to commencement ceremonies where a whole family can sit together. The new facility is expected to draw as many as 500,000 visitors to the campus each year. 

Both presentation boards included samples of different flooring, brickwork, ceiling and wall tiles, window mullions, paint, stair treads and countertops. Combined, the two projects will provide an additional 74,000 square feet of new indoor space at GCC, allowing the College to repurpose some of the existing space for labs and classrooms accommodating new academic programs such as Nanotechnology AAS. The overall building project follows GCC's Facilities Master Plan, which was approved by the Board and SUNY (State University of New York) more than two years ago.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) would like to announce the merger of the Downtown Batavia Public Market and the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market. The joint venture would consolidate the markets and their vendors into one large farmer’s market located Downtown at the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place.

The market would retain the name Downtown Batavia Public Market and would be run by the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market Board, in which Executive Director of the BID, Laurie Oltramari, was named as a board member.

With the City’s approval, the market would increase its operations to be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. After visiting surrounding businesses to get their feedback, the increase of operations was well-received by area businesses who enjoy using the market to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

The markets' merger addresses the City of Batavia’s “highly distressed” census tracts to have access to essential goods for healthy living. The public market is located with the City of Batavia’s BOA plan and with the City in its process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, which is focused on smart growth and sustainable practices, the merger was a well-timed collaboration.

The Downtown area has had a walkability audit to record the needs of both walkers and drivers. Within the immediate vicinity of the downtown public market is senior housing, healthcare facilities, the historic downtown core, and the bordering neighborhoods. With this mix, it lends itself to the greater success of the Downtown Batavia Public Market.

The BID envisions the market growing and it is excited to have the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market ready and able to take on the new venture. The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market enjoyed being at the Batavia Downs parking lot and thanks them for their support through the years, but the new move will reinforce the sustainable model for the farmers and tap into the trending desire to be located in downtowns.

If you would like more information regarding the merger of the markets or the BID in general, please contact Laurie Oltramari at (585) 344-0900 or e-mailLOltramari@DowntownBataviaNY.com. If you are interested in volunteering or being a vendor at the Downtown Batavia Public Market, please contact Bob Austen atRobertAusten@frontiernet.net.

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited the U.S. Gypsum Plant in Oakfield last week as part of his ongoing local business tours. Hawley, a small-business owner for over four decades, commended U.S. Gypsum on its unwavering commitment to safety and dedication to its employees, 30 percent of whom have worked at the plant for more than 25 years.

U.S. Gypsum has won numerous MSHA Sentinels of Safety Mining Awards and was named one of the safest companies in 2015 by EHS Today Magazine.

“I was impressed by the safety procedures and precautions in place at the Oakfield plant, and the large number of employees who have been there for over 25 years and are multi-generational employees of the company,” Hawley said. “This speaks to their presence in the local community and U.S. Gypsum’s devotion to its employees.

"It is important that young people remember that trade or factory work can open many doors for a fulfilling career, and companies such as U.S. Gypsum are always seeking employees who are looking to build a career in the skilled trades.

“As impressive as its safety measures is U.S. Gypsum’s ongoing effort to stay environmentally friendly. I was amazed to learn that the Oakfield plant is completely energy efficient, burning natural gas and selling off the excess. Furthermore, its products are made with 100-percent recycled paper. U.S. Gypsum is a shining example of a well-functioning company that cares about more than just its bottom line, and that is commendable.”