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NYS on PAUSE, Ferry closes, Social media facilitates action, Hikers urged caution and more. Published By Denton Publications Inc.
Valley News
March 28, 2020
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
HELPERS, LARGE AND SMALL
Individuals, agencies step up to help those in need By Tim Rowland
WFC pastor sends messages of hope through Facebook between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. during the week, Smith said he wants those who follow the posts to use this time of social distancing and staying at home to reset. “We can use this as a time to reset and see the positives and see the goodness that is out there, even in this challenging time,” said Smith. “We need to be as caring as we can and as compassionate as we can to those around us.”
Tom Smith leads weekly worship, adds daily messages online By Keith Lobdell
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
WILMINGTON | As the federal government was working out the details of a mighty stimulus package in Washington, D.C., a bottom-up, grass roots effort across the Adirondacks began to play out this week as small-town governments, foundations and individuals looked for ways to help stem the pain of the coronavirus health crisis. Lisa Pace and her husband Herb posted a message on a community newsletter in Essex County offering to run errands for elderly residents who needed help. “I think what made me finally put the ad in was seeing a story about an elderly couple who needed to get groceries but were scared they’d become infected,” Pace said. “So they flagged down a young woman in the parking lot, gave her a $100 bill and a shopping list and asked her to do it for them, which she did. It made me sad they were so scared.” On the other end of the scale, the Adirondack Foundation, in partnership with the United
Wilmington Supervisor Roy Holzer started an email chain to provide local businesses with information about where they can get help. Photo provided
FOOD PANTRY SERVICE
WESTPORT | The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of life, including the way people worship. Placed of worship have all been asked to close down on a state, national and global scale, leaving parishioners wondering where they can turn for comfort and fellowship. In the case of one Westport congregation, the answer is found on Facebook, as pastor Tom Smith has been holding weekly worship services as well uploading daily encouragement messages to the social media platform.
Way of the Adirondack Region other foundations and businesses, announced a $300,000 response fund to rapidly send money to urgently needed community programs. The Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) fund was seeded by the Adirondack Foundation, Cloudsplitter Foundation, Charles R. Wood Foundation, United Way of the Adirondack Region and Adirondack Energy’s Adirondack for Kids, among others. “This collective commitment of funders is a testament to our dedication to the Adirondack region and a recognition that we can amplify our impact by working together,” said Cali Brooks, President and CEO, Adirondack Foundation. “We will work to rapidly deploy resources where they are most needed and adapt to evolving needs.” The fund is accepting donations from those who want to help, and accepting applications from organizations in need. Grant funding will focus on four critical areas of need: access to food, child care services, support for low-wage workers and the eldery, and support for nonprofits and small businesses.
Westport Federated Church pastor Tom Smith speaks during his daily message on Facebook Live. Photo by Keith Lobdell “The main message has been stay clam, trust in the Lord — and wash your hands,” said Smith. Using Facebook Live to stream services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and messages
For additional information about making a donation to the SUN Fund, contact Matt Donahue, matt@adkfoundation.org. For information about applying for a grant, contact Andrea Grout, andrea@adkfoundation.org. Meanwhile, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced a $100,000 Local Food Security Grant opportunity for farms in its 14-county service area. Funded by the same anonymous donors who funded a similar program in 2019, the grants, from $2,500 to $25,000 will help local food producers to, for example, expand supply chains, build crop storage facilities, provide farmer subsidies so products can be offered to the public at reduced cost, and expand direct marketing options. Details can be found at https://adirondack. org/FoodSystemSecurityGrant. Other communities were taking steps to make sure their people were connected, even in a time of isolation. In Wilmington, Supervisor Roy Holzer created an email group for small business owners so they could stay in touch and share stories, problems and information about resources, such
The church is also reaching out to help the Westport community by assisting the food bank in transporting needed goods both to and from the pantry. “We have volunteers who will receive orders, pick up the donations and help to distribute them,” said Smith. “We know that many demands are being put on people and we want to help in any way we can.” The drive is also being posted on Facebook, with those in need asked to email the church (Westfedchurch@westelcom.com) with their household number and list of needed supplies. ■
as loans from the Small Business Association. Local businesses can be added to the email group in Wilmington by contacting the town offices at 518 946-7179 town offices or emailing townsupervisor@townofwilmington.org “It is essential we get our business community back up and running as soon as this is over,” Holzer said. “I know all too well the weight of responsibility that we all share. In most cases, our employees are like family. Getting our local economy back up and running will be paramount to our recovery.” Those sentiments were echoed by Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, who said businesses must hunker down for now, but be ready to meet pent up demand once the crisis abates. A comprehensive list of services is available on the chamber’s website at northcountrychamber.com, which includes the advice to “act on facts, not fear or falsehood. It is indisputable that the number of cases will grow but it is also important to respond to this health situation with ‘best practice’ measures and not with panic.” ■
Village elections delayed until April 28 State order moves date to coincide with presidential primary By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
SARANAC LAKE | Elections here are officially postponed for a month, a precautionary measure to allow social distancing during this COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the move, shift ing village election day to coincide with the presidential primary on April 28. “Our top priority has been keeping New Yorkers safe and
WARD LUMBER
SINCE 1890
697 Glen Road, Jay, NY 12941
Supervisor Mike Kilroy issued an emergency declaration and closed down the town hall, access to the Town of Harrietstown Town Clerk’s office and town council meetings. Saranac Lake offices have a separate entrance, and Mayor Clyde Rabideau has not issued an emergency at this point. Village offices remain open but with limited human contact, a concerted effort to foster social distancing. “There is a drop box at the top of the stairs for any payments or forms that need to be left at the front desk,” village officers said in a news release. “For water and sewer payments please include a copy of the bill with your check to ensure payments are applied properly. All forms can be located on our website www.saranaclakeny.gov. They can be located under About Us in the
Documents and Forms tab.” The Village Board meeting on Monday was moved to virtual participation using Zoom video conference format and Facebook Live. Information and links to this and other virtual meetings are kept up-to-date on the Village of Saranac Lake Facebook page and website. Relevant emails for all village and Town of Harrietstown personnel are on municipal websites. ■ Village elections in Saranac Lake are moved to April 28 in keeping with state directive. The date coincides with the presidential primary election. While Saranac Lake has limited face-to-face contact at their village office. the Town of Harrietstown has closed the town hall. Saranac Lake offices have a separate entrance but are in the same building. Photo by Kim Dedam
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WARD LUMBER CONTINUES TO BE OPEN with extreme safety precautions in place to protect the safety of our team and community
Ward Lumber is open for business Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am-2:00pm. Temporarily closed on Sundays.
The safety of our team is my first priority. I ask that If you are not feeling well for any reason that you refrain from visiting our stores. We are offering a curbside pickup option. We have Benjamin Moore Paint for all of your stuck at home painting projects as well as grilling supplies for eating at home. Shop local, support local jobs! Be safe and stay healthy, Jay Ward www.facebook.com/wardlumber1890/
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stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus,” Cuomo said in his announcement last week. “Public health officials have been clear that reducing density is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread, and delaying village elections will help ensure poll workers and voters are not potentially exposed to the virus and at the same time maintain integrity in our election system.” In Saranac Lake, three candidates are running for two open seats with four-year terms on the Village Board of Trustees. Tom Catillaz is running as a Democrat; Rich Shapiro is also running as a Democrat and Fred Balzac is running on the Green Party line. Elections are held in the Town of Harrietstown Town Hall. Last Tuesday, Harrietstown