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GLOW

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

By James Burns

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Photos by Jim Burns. Information provided by Paula Savage, Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. On Friday morning, a total of 241 pinwheels were staked in the dirt of Batavia Peace Garden on Main Street, each representing a child helped last year in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties).

GLOW has an Advocacy Center focusing on providing assistance to child-victims of physical and sexual abuse by reducing trauma and enhancing prosecution. They are teaming up with the Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden simply because "Peace and Love is Child Abuse Prevention."

The Justice for Children Foundation, established in 2011, believes every child has the right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. The goal is to reduce the number of times a child-victim is interviewed and to take those interviews out of intimidating locations such as police stations, hospitals or the district attorney’s office. By reducing the number of interviews, the possibility of causing further trauma that many victims suffer in the system is also reduced.

This is how it works: members of the legal, medical, social services, mental health and victim advocacy professions are brought together in one child-friendly location. The use of the CAC with its multidisciplinary approach helps to enhance criminal prosecution and can strengthen Family Court dispositions that are in the best interest of the child. All services provided at the JFCAC are FREE

Colorful markers will be on display throughout April in the Batavia Peace Garden representing the numbers of victims identified in the GLOW region.

A coloring page has been created to promote this message and you are encouraged to get out your crayons and show your support. The pages can be obtained at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 210 E. Main St., Batavia, or by requesting via e-mail: peacegarden@ipgf.org.   

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The last of 241 pinwheels going in the Batavia Peace Garden on Friday.

Make an appointment ASAP for hazardous waste collection event on Saturday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Don’t miss out! Spots for the GLOW’s 2014 Household Hazardous/Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Event are going fast. Residents who want to dispose of materials at the Saturday Sept. 20 collection in Mt. Morris must have an appointment in order to attend.

GLOW accepts a wide range of household chemicals, oil-base paint, home computers, propane tanks and canisters, vehicle batteries and other materials. Microwave ovens and, for the fifth year, thanks to the assistance of the Livingston County Sheriff’s office, pharmaceuticals (unwanted, outdated, unusable and over-the-counter medicines) will be accepted.

These materials are accepted FREE OF CHARGE. There is a nominal fee for tires. Funding is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), GLOW’s county contributions and Covanta Energy.

This is a great opportunity for residents to dispose of household chemicals and medicines they no longer want or need. Past collections have resulted in the safe and legal disposal of thousands of tires, thousands of gallons of solvents, cleaning products and paint, not to mention vehicle batteries, propane tanks and computers. Whenever possible materials collected are recycled.

The collection is open to residents in Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties. To make an appointment residents are asked to call the GLOW office at 585/815-7906 or 800/836-1154. Or e-mail glow@co.genesee.ny.us

A new way for regional employers and job seekers to find the perfect employment matches

By Howard B. Owens

It's important, we think, that our regional economy grow. We work constantly to promote local businesses, but an important part of that picture is seeing people find good jobs and employers finding the right people to hire. As long as I've been running The Batavian, I've wanted to launch a regional employment Web site.

There's been a missing link, I think, in between Rochester and Buffalo, for finding and posting jobs in our rural counties.

I searched a long time for the right technology platform for such a site and I think I found it with a company called Real Match.

Today, with their help, we're launching GLOWJobs.Net.

Job Seekers: If you're both actively looking for a job or just want to keep your name out there waiting for the next great opportunity in your career, you'll love GLOWJobs. You can post your resume and have the site's technology match your qualifications with the right available jobs and then apply online. If you don't find the right match right away, the search engine will be working away in the background 24/7 watching for good job matches for you as they become available in the network.

Employers: Now you have a one stop, local shop to post your openings and have them distributed across thousands of job boards, including ones specializing in your industry, along with promotion on social media sites. You will also have access to our resume database and receive notifications of potential candidates with the right qualifications for your jobs. The job-matching engine will also notify you of potential candidates on LinkedIn.

Recycler of the year is dedicated, passionate and innovative

By Alecia Kaus

Peggy Grayson is recycling.

For 16 years she has been administrator of GLOW Solid Waste Management and was recognized by the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling last month in Cooperstown as Recycler of the Year. 

"They started to describe the Recycler of the Year, and it sounds like they are describing me," she says. "I talk a lot and I was speechless. I was honored. It's a pretty big award."

Grayson who is a Le Roy native and resident of Stafford says she has been to every annual conference.

"You pick up things and make contacts and find out new things you don't know." 

The State Association describes Grayson as "inspirational and always willing to go the extra mile on a shoestring budget."

Grayson is the only employee covering Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties. Orleans County dropped out nine years ago. 

Working out of County Building #2 on West Main Street, Grayson says GLOW is one of the largest surviving multiple county groups in New York State.

"It's a validation of the counties sticking together and working together. We have very low overhead."

The total county contibution is $72,000.

Her most successful venture has been the Household Hazardous Waste Collection each year. Using the County Highway Department, they have gone from 150 spots in 1996 to 600 spots last year.

"We get rid of a lot of stuff," Grayson says.    

She will continue to spread the recycling word to youngsters throughout the GLOW Region. She says she has fun going into the schools and presenting information about recycling and reuse. She says kids are always asking her what's new. She hopes they relay her message to their parents, too.

To contact Peggy Grayson for recycling, reduction and reuse questions you can e-mail her at glow@co.genesee.ny.us or call 585-344-2580, ext. 5463.

Bypassing The Electoral College in Favor of a National Popular Vote System Benefits Our Communities

By Daniel Jones

We in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) might be in the State of New York, but really, we’re in a vast stretch of territory that extends across the country known as ‘the heartland’.  Although what constitutes this part of the country is very loose, it usually extends from the Rocky Mountains to the uppermidwest and into Central New York and Pennsylvania.  While we share a state and upstate/downstate fairness and cooperation is important to the smooth operation of state government for all of it’s citizens, one could argue that the voters in places like Batavia, LeRoy,Oakfield and even Buffalo and Rochester and it's suburbs have much more in common with people in places like Butler, Pennsylvania (where I volunteered for then Senator Obama’s Presidential campaign in 2008) and the area around Cleveland, Ohio (where I have visited many times) than mid-town Manhattan.  I think that lumping us all together for the purpose of counting electoral votes is absurd given our vast differences with them and commonalities with other locations.

Yet, despite having similar populations, Presidential campaigns spend well into the millions of dollars to win over crucial enclaves in Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennslyvania while completely ignoring our region.  The reason for this?  The Electoral College, a ridiculous and antiquated system put into place hundreds of years ago that has now outgrown it’s purpose, the nation is now spread out in terms of regional balance, and the constant attention paid to swing states over non-swing states does a disservice to the voters in those non-swing states and the smaller swing states.  Here’s an excellent and jaw dropping example, in the State of New Hampshire, which has 4 electoral votes, the Obama and McCain campaign spent roughly 15 million dollars to contest the state while in New York, which had 33 electoral votes, they both spent less than 500 thousand dollars.  If a state with less than ten percent of the total electoral votes of another has campaign expenditures well exceeding 500% of the larger state isn’t ridiculous, I’m not sure what is.

This damages the critical notion that Presidential elections give the President a mandate to govern the entire country.  One could easily argue that the President really only has a mandate from the states of Ohio, Pennslyvania and Florida, since winning 2 out of those 3 states is seen as being absolutely essential to winning for a nominee of either party, while the votes of tens of millions of people from places like Batavia across the country aren’t really that relevant.

The best known example of the failure of our electoral college system in the modern era is Al Gore defeating George W. Bush in the popular vote but losing the electoral college, which makes this argument seem like it is a partisan one for the Democrats…..but several near misses and arguments should give Republicans pause about the current system.  George W. Bush almost lost his re-election, despite winning a majority (over 50%) of the popular vote because of around 250,000 votes in the state of Ohio that were left to be counted as the day after the election began.  Also, Republicans in a state like New York, really have no real reason to vote in the Presidential election despite to express their own individual feelings because in reality, their vote does not count for much.  The same holds true for Democrats in a state like Texas.  Why should they bother with the system as is?  Barring Nelson Rockefeller and Lyndon Johnson returning from the grave, the Democrats are going to win New York and the Republicans are going to win Texas, neither are swing states nor will they be for the foreseeable future.

The answer is bypassing the electoral college.  It may have been necessary hundreds of years ago but damages the basic principal of 'one-man, one-vote' that defines a democratic-republic (lower case) today.  The prevalence of swing states makes repeal almost impossible, so another solution is at hand.  The National Popular Vote bill has been introduced in state legislatures across the country.  Instead of a constitutional amendment, this bill assigns the electoral votes of each state to the winner of the national popular vote total, but only kicks in when states composing the majority of the electoral college (270 electoral votes) have enacted the bill as law.  It has been introduced in New York and has pervasively stalled in the State Legislature.

Tom Golisano, the Paychex CEO, former Buffalo Sabres owner and Western New York philanthropist has taken over the organization and is renewing it’s push in the State Legislature.  Having worked there myself for the only Democrat to vote against Sheldon Silver, former Assemblyman and now City of Buffalo Comptroller Mark Schroeder, I know that a reform package can only pass in Albany if it’s given a strong shove by the voters.  Calling your state legislators frequently and in a large volume with others makes does actually make a difference, I have seen it happen.  Had it not been for voter fury I personally think that State government probably would have had a shutdown last year and Governor Cuomo would not have been able to pass a state budget on time this year.

We need to unleash that passion again, this time on our state legislators to tell them that the National Popular Vote bill needs to be passed to guarantee the basic principal of ‘one man, one vote’ and make sure that all of our votes for President, regardless of party, are actually meaningful.

GLOW's 14th hazardous waste collection event was a corking success

By Billie Owens

The GLOW Region's 14th household hazardous waste collection event, which was held in May, was successful in getting tons of stuff disposed of properly -- that's healthy and good for the environment.

In addition to the array of household chemicals, cleaning products, vehicle batteries, tires and electronics that have been collected in the past, pharmaceuticals (outdated, unwanted and unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs), were accepted for the first time.

The event is overseen by the GLOW Region's Solid Waste Management Committee.

AAA of Western and Central NY was on hand to check residents' vehicles for mercury trunk and hood light switches and replaced them with mercury-free switches as necessary.

The system of appointments was continued. This system allows GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) to control costs and get residents through the unloading process in as little as 15 minutes.

Because disposal costs have been stable over the past few years, 505 appointments were scheduled -- a record number -- and 470 people attended.

The following are some statistics provided by Peggy Grayson, recycling administrator.

One hundred and ninety four people brought pharmaceuticals, including 168 lbs. of solids (pills, etc.), seven gallons of liquids and 104 lbs. of packaging.

Examples of other materials collected were:

  • 1,852 lbs. of resins and adhesives
  • 2,229 lbs. of pesticides
  • 10,604 lbs. of paint
  • 341 TVs
  • 258 monitors
  • 238 computers
  • 233 tires
  • and 92 vehicle batteries

GLOW uses licensed, permitted vendors and obtains permits from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Dept. of Health for these events.

The pharmaceutical portion of the collection required that police be on site to take possession of the drugs, secure them and deliver them to Covanta Niagara in Niagara Falls for incineration. This service was generously provided by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.

Many of the other items collected get recycled. Others are incinerated or go to a hazardous waste landfill.

These collections offer residents an environmentally sound way to dispose of materials that have the potential to pollute the environment and harm human health.

Regarding the collection of pharmaceuticals Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha stated: “This is a vital program that assists law enforcement in keeping prescription drugs off the street. Without such a program, these prescription drugs may have ended up in our schools, communities or environment.”

Total costs for the program are estimated to be slightly more than $27,000. Funding comes from GLOW’s county contributions and a NYS Household Hazardous Waste Assistance Grant.

Additional assistance was provided by the Genesee County Highway Department, Ed Arnold Recycling and a host of dedicated volunteers.

The next collection is tentatively scheduled for September of 2011.

Residents wishing to be notified by mail when appointments are being accepted for that collection, can contact the GLOW office at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5463, or at 1-800-836-1154 or via e-mail at: <pgrayson@co.genesee.ny.us> or <glow@co.genesee.ny.us.>.

Genesee County Democratic Women's Caucus

By Jennifer Keys

Last month (December…can you believe it’s January already?) a few of the female members of the Genesee County Democratic Committee discussed formation of a Women’s Caucus. We discussed fund raising, volunteerism, and expanding the group to the larger four county GLOW coalition (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming). One example of a fund raiser is to put on breakfasts or luncheons for female candidates or the wives of up ticket candidates (Schumer, Paterson, Cuomo, Gillibrand, …). We would also like to help form a Young Democrats Committee.

In a big election year, such as this one, we could share the work load and responsibilities for organizing and mobilizing for activities, such as the very successful event we had at Sweet Briar last summer.

We are looking to expand the group and hope that you will consider joining. We recognize that everyone is quite busy and believe that participation in the Women’s Caucus wouldn’t really require meetings as we can have discussions and make plans through e-mail, shared documents, or tools such as Face Book.

If you are interested please post a comment or send me an e-mail to jkeys2009@rochester.rr.com.

As always, thank you for your consideration.

 

Survey puts Genesee County in reasonably happy category

By Howard B. Owens

The Gallup organization has produced a map indexing a sense of well-being all across the nation.

The map is a result of surveys asking people in all 435 congressional districts 40 questions "to determine people's physical and mental well-being."

In our slice of WNY, we fall right in the middle of the index.  Now that doesn't tell us if we're mostly happy or mostly unhappy, just that relative to the rest of the United States, we're right in the middle 20 percent of well-being and life satisfaction.

The site that contains detailed reports on each district has a very web-unfriendly Javascript in place preventing me from linking directly to the survey results for the 26th Congressional District.  You can search here.  Our index number is: 65.9  For the top-10 states, Arizona trails the list at 66.8. Overall, New York is 64.7.

It might be fair to say that the 26th District is a island of reasonable happiness surrounded by a sea of misery.

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