Justice for Trey: Gouverneur community holds candlelight prayer vigil for murder victim

by Rachel Hunter

A heartbroken Gouverneur community on Monday, June 22 cried out “Justice for Trey” at the candlelight prayer vigil as hundreds gathered in the Gouverneur Village Park to mourn the loss of 18-year-old Treyanna Summerville.

As of press time on Tuesday, the Gouverneur Tribune Press confirmed that a 13-year-old unidentified suspect was charged with second-degree murder in the ongoing homicide investigation into Treyanna’s death. The arrest of the 13-year-old took place at New York State Troop B- Gouverneur Station, 1005 US Highway 11, Gouverneur at 3:20 p.m. on Monday. District Attorney Gary Pasqua said the suspect was arraigned in the youth part of St. Lawrence County Court on Monday afternoon. Pasqua wouldn’t comment whether Summerville’s death was the result of a domestic incident because it is the subject of an ongoing homicide investigation.

Anyone with information or tips for law enforcement is encouragement to contact their local police agency or the State Police to report relevant information, anonymously or otherwise, so that appropriate action may be taken. State police spent all day Monday investigating the Gouverneur High School student’s death at 135 Rowley Street. The first 911 call came in at 3 a.m.

Treyanna Summerville’s identity was released to news outlets Tuesday morning after authorities could notify family members of her death. Her identity was, however, widely known and spread on social media, throughout the Gouverneur community, and at the candlelight prayer vigil as the community gathered to mourn her loss.

The candlelight prayer vigil was scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. Traffic and pedestrian control was handled by the Gouverneur Police Department and St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Work was also in the Gouverneur Village Park. New York State Police were still investigating the scene on Rowley Street at the time, which is why it was moved from its original location at 135 Rowley Street, Gouverneur.

Gouverneurians arrived with candles and signs to place at the base of the tree adjacent to the Gouverneur Village Park. The candles were lit in Treyanna’s memory. Tears flowed as Gouverneur community members prayed and remembered a life taken too soon. In addition, for those who did not bring candles, tapered candles, were passed out by Jessica Miller of Route 11 Diner as Gouverneurians entered the park. The candlelight prayer vigil lasted about an hour, and culminated with the singing of “Amazing Grace.”

Treyanna Summerville, 18, was a member of the GHS Class of 2020 and was only a few short days away from walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma. The GHS Class of 2020 came out in strong numbers as the grieved over the loss of one of their own. Papers filled with messaged were put in an Angel Jar and will be placed on Treyanna Summerville’s seat at the GHS Class of 2020’s Commencement.

On Tuesday morning, Gouverneur Central School District issued this statement: “We are heartbroken over the tragic death of Treyanna Summerville and join the Gouverneur Central community in mourning her loss. We understand our students and staff will have many questions and strong emotions as they grieve. We have assembled our Crisis Intervention Team, made up of a professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this. Counselors are available to meet virtually with students as needed. Please call 315-287-1900 and your request will be directed to a counselor. In looking for comfort I found this Korean Proverb – When a child dies, You bury the child in your Heart. Treyanna, you are safely in my heart. We are working with a committee of students to create a fitting recognition for Treyanna at graduation. These details will be shared when finalized.”

Southwest Career and Education Center also released the following statement: “We join together with the Gouverneur community, our students and faculty in mourning the tragic, heart wrenching loss of Treyanna Summerville. Our staff is here and available to all. We will be joining the supports GHS is putting into place for everyone and by your side always.”

Further details will be reported when they are made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

Grace Food Pantry set to re-open on June 25

by Rachel Hunter

Grace Food Pantry Founder and Christian Life Fellowship Pastor Robert LaVeck has announced the physical re-opening for the Grace Food Pantry will be on Thursday, June 25.

The Grace Food Pantry has been in operation since 1999 in the basement of the Christian Life Fellowship Church, 52 Church St., Gouverneur, under the direction of Pastor Robert LaVeck. For the past 21 years, the mission of the Grace Food Pantry has always been about more than just food – providing for the physical needs and spiritual concerns of the North Country community as well. It closed for a couple weeks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and then began serving the North Country community on an appointment-only basis. Now, the Grace Food Pantry is look forward to re-opening its doors to the North Country community.

In order to guarantee personal distancing space in the Grace Food Pantry, a volunteer will sit outside the food pantry doors to regulate foot-traffic flow. Pastor LaVeck told the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week: “In Grace Food Pantry, masks will be worn and personal distances will be regulated,” Pastor LaVeck said. “There are hand sanitation stations every six feet.” He said there are about 15 volunteers that are eager to serve North Country residents, and that social distancing between the volunteers will not be an issue due to the tables inside the Grace Food Pantry.

Pastor LaVeck also told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that there is plenty of food and baby products available. Due to weekly supply trips to receive donations from the United Way in Watertown, Pastor LaVeck said there is plenty of baby food, diapers, wet wipes, and more for local families in need.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Grace Food Pantry was meeting the needs of anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 people each month. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic crisis Pastor LaVeck said that the Grace Food Pantry has received several generous contributions from local businesses, nonprofit agencies, and community members to assist in their mission. But help is still needed. For more information on how to donate, call Pastor LaVeck at (315) 287-7656.

Sunday Morning Worship services at 10:30 a.m. have physically re-opened at Christian Life Fellowship Church. In accordance with the 25 percent capacity ruling from NYS Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last on Saturday, Pastor LaVeck said that up to 30 people could attend. He also told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the church’s services on Facebook were receiving 40-60 views per week, and that he would continue posting them on a weekly basis. He added that the re-opening of the church was done in a careful manner, and that everyone in attendance will continue to wear face masks and will be seated six feet apart. Hand sanitizer in spray bottles will be made available to everyone in attendance.

For more information, call (315) 287-7656.

About 180 pounds of marijuana seized after traffic stop in DeKalb

by Rachel Hunter

SLC Deputy Greg Anderson pictured with about 180 pounds of marihuana seized at a traffic stop along US Highway 11 in the Town of DeKalb on May 13. (photo provided by the SLC Sheriff’s Office)

SLC Deputy Greg Anderson pictured with about 180 pounds of marihuana seized at a traffic stop along US Highway 11 in the Town of DeKalb on May 13. (photo provided by the SLC Sheriff’s Office)

About 180 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $360,000 was seized by St. Lawrence County Sheriff Deputies on Wednesday, May 11. It was found to be in the possession of Brandy J. Fisher, 26, of Moira, and Damon L. Etienne, 22, of Hogansburg. Deputies charged Fisher and Etienne with Criminal Possession of Marihuana 1st Degree, a class C Felony, following a traffic stop on US Highway 11 in the Town of DeKalb.

Fisher was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th, an A Misdemeanor, as she was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine.

Fisher and Etienne were arraigned by Honorable James Phillips of Morristown Town Court and released on their own recognizance. Fisher and Etienne are to appear in Town of DeKalb Court at a later date. Deputies were assisted by US Border Patrol.

The investigating officer was SLC Deputy Greg Anderson. The SLC Sheriff’s Office reported that Deputy Anderson was named Deputy of the Year in 2019 and “continues to strive to work hard for the people of St. Lawrence County. We are proud of Deputy Anderson and look forward to what his future brings. Great work!”

Gouverneur Neighborhood Center food pantry sees uptick in clients since COVID-19 outbreak

by Rachel Hunter

Giving residents in the Gouverneur area a hand-up in life, the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center, at 15 Rock Island St., Gouverneur, stands ready to serve all those in need, including those hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

The Gouverneur Neighborhood Center is one of six sites operated by St. Lawrence County Community Development Program. The centers are each staffed by a director and provide services to low-income families with the assistance of community volunteers; the services may be directly offered at the centers, or families may be referred to other agencies and resources as needed. Centers have food pantries and provide emergency aid if required with food, fuel, utilities or shelter. Thrift stores with donated clothing and household items are available at the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center and the Canton Neighborhood Center.

The mission of Neighborhood Centers is to help people in their communities move toward self-sufficiency. Obtaining available aid is often a difficult task for individuals and families, yet within the communities lie resources and assistance for those who need them. Centers operate with funds from the county, United Way, Northern New York Community Foundation, and generous contributions from individuals, businesses and faith-based groups. Donations of food, personal items and money are most welcome.

Gouverneur Neighborhood Director Angela Ferrick said the local food pantry has seen an increase in clients since the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Anyone that needs food can get food, right now,” she said. “We also have toilet paper and other hygiene options… Even if people just need some help during this time, we definitely encourage people to come if they need food.”

The St. Lawrence County Community Program shared this message on Facebook to try to share the message: “We understand that many members of our community are being hit hard with recent layoffs, hours cutting back, and difficulty reaching the unemployment office. We want those community members to know that they are eligible to utilize the Neighborhood Center Food Pantries. Yes, there are income guidelines-but current circumstances mean a lot more people are eligible. If you are having trouble feeding your family right now, we want to help you. That's what we're here for...”

According to The Emergency Food Assistance Program guidelines (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020), income eligibility is set at the following household size and annual income (1, $23,106; 2, $31,283; 3, $39,460; 4, $47,637; 5, $55,814; 6, $63,991; Each Additional Person Add $8,177).

Gouverneur Neighborhood Center Director Ferrick also said there is a third Emergency HEAP available to people who need it.

The Gouverneur Neighborhood Center is open on an appointment-only basis. If clients need the food pantry, Director Ferrick said they only need to call the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center at (315) 287-3370. Staff will put the package on the front porch to avoid person-to-person contact. Director Ferrick said this is the way the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center will most likely operate until June. The Gouverneur Neighborhood Center is open Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed the first Friday of each month. For more information, call (315) 287-3370.

St. Lawrence Health System Implements temporary furlough of at least 400

Citing severe patient volume disruptions caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, St. Lawrence Health System plans to temporarily furlough at least 400 workers.

Chief Executive Officer of St. Lawrence Health System David Acker stated,“Our hospitals are facing an unprecedented pandemic; managing crushing costs in treating COVID-19 patients in circumstances that require extensive and expensive protocols and investing in the infrastructure preparedness for the COVID-19 surge, all while seeing the traditional sources of revenue from every day, medically necessary care bottom out.”

Health care facilities are under financial pressure after a steep drop-off in their normal monthly utilization and revenue, meant to free up hospital space and preserve protective equipment for the coronavirus outbreak.

St. Lawrence Health System said the cost-cutting measures are necessary given the revenue decrease from the cessation of elective procedures system-wide, and the temporary closure of Gouverneur Hospital’s operating rooms and many of the health system’s medical office sites. While at the same time, they are investing in efforts to fight the virus like buying personal protective equipment supplies, transforming units to COVID-19 wings for treatment, and setting up drive-thru testing sites.

Although St. Lawrence Health System said it remains fiscally solid, it also stated that the pandemic-related volume decline is too significant to ignore.

"While I am confident we will get through this challenging period together and emerge even stronger, we must take necessary steps to manage the short- and long-term financial impact on our health system," Mr. Acker said.

St. Lawrence Health System is projecting a cash flow drop of $10 million in the next 30 days.

The furloughs, which include position reductions at all levels, including senior leadership, department directors, clinical staff positions, and touch virtually all departments across each of the health system’s three hospitals, began April 17, and affect 20 percent of St. Lawrence Health System’s staff of just over 2,000. In addition to the temporary furloughs, St. Lawrence Health System is cutting pay for its senior executives.

Affected employees will continue to receive health and pharmacy benefits from St. Lawrence Health System. The health system anticipates that a majority of affected employees will also be able to sustain their pay through federal and state unemployment benefits. 


St. Lawrence Health System Hotline and Testing Centers established

St. Lawrence Health System Hotline and Testing Centers Established pic copy.jpg

St. Lawrence Health System has established four COVID-19 Testing Centers that are available to county residents by appointment.

Testing sites in Canton, Gouverneur, Massena, and Potsdam are for individuals who have been in known contact with a person known to be COVID-positive, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, shortness of breath, unexplained severe fatigue, and/or loss of taste or smell), and patients with referrals from the Department of Health.

St. Lawrence Health System has established a Hotline for people to call to make an appointment. The Hotline is (315) 261-6240, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Area residents may also call the St. Lawrence County Department of Health at (315) 229-3448 to inquire about an appointment.

“All of our staff at the test centers have been thoroughly trained in the safe collection of swabs and are following tight protocols to ensure every safety measure is in place. It’s equally important for those arriving at a testing center to follow the identified rules and next steps to ensure everyone’s safety,” Dr. Grimshaw stated. “We are prepared and available to care for our community and we strongly encourage anyone who feels they have symptoms related to COVID-19 to please call the SLHS Hotline or the Department of Health. It’s important that we identify and provide appropriate next steps to those individuals who are COVID positive.”

When an appointment for testing has been established, you will be instructed to abide by the following:

· You must arrive in a personal vehicle. Due to the increased risk of contamination, as well as current shortages of personal protective equipment, walk-ups are not permitted at this time.

· Each person to be tested must be seated next to a working window.

· Limit vehicle passengers to those needing a test.

· Have a photo ID for all persons registered for testing that includes name and date of birth (can be New York driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport).

· Please bring tissues and a washcloth/towel.

You will be required to provide your full name, current address, and the best phone number to reach you with your test results.

What to expect at the Testing Center:

· When you arrive at the testing site, remain in your vehicle.

· Upon arrival, call the number you were provided with when you made the appointment.

· A health care provider in personal protective gear will come to your vehicle and provide you with instructions.

· You will be asked to blow your nose using the tissue you brought with you. You will need to dispose of the tissue on your own.

· A soft swab will be inserted deep into your nose to get the necessary sample. This may be slightly uncomfortable, but the test is quick and should take less than a minute.

·Test results are not immediate; it may take a few days. After the test, you will be given information/instructions to take with you while you await the results.

· You will receive test results via the telephone number you gave at the time of pre-screening.

Directional signage has been installed at the four locations to help individuals navigate to and through each testing center site.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should dial 9-1-1 immediately.

St. Lawrence Health System Testing Center information, and links to other COVID-19 initiatives, may be found at https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/covid-19/testing-centers.

County Administrator Ruth Doyle Announces First Confirmed COVID-19 Case within St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle and St. Lawrence County Public Health Director Dana McGuire announced on March 24 that county officials have learned of a positive test result for Coronavirus (COVID-19) within St. Lawrence County. The test results were confirmed today (March 25, 2020). The confirmed case is a patient from St. Lawrence County. The local health department is getting in touch with anyone who may have been in contact with this individual.

No additional information is being released at this time due to patient privacy laws.

In response to this case and continuing recommendations from the state and federal governments, on March 16, 2020 the Chair of the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators, Joseph Lightfoot, has issued a State of Emergency to help prevent the spread of this disease.

The Public Health Department is strongly recommending residents stay home. The recommendation continues to be no unnecessary travel, avoid group gatherings, and avoid contact with other people. If essential travel is required (i.e. work, groceries, and/or medical needs), social distancing should be practiced, which means keeping a minimum of six feet apart from others.

Additionally, following Governor Cuomo’s directive, St. Lawrence County reduced county employees working in county facilities by 50% by implementing work from home protocols for many employees which began, Wednesday, March 18.

A number of County facilities are now closed to the public:  St. Lawrence County Court House  St. Lawrence County Public Safety Complex  St. Lawrence County Human Services Center  St. Lawrence County DMV Offices  St. Lawrence County Surrogate Building  All Nutrition Sites Additionally, St. Lawrence Health Systems and Claxton Hepburn Medical Center are working together to implement testing criteria and plan for increased hospital capacity.

Village of Gouverneur declares State of Emergency amid COVID-19 Pandemic

by Rachel Hunter

On Saturday, March 21, the Village of Gouverneur submitted the following public service announcement from Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall for inclusion in this week’s Gouverneur Tribune Press:

“The Village of Gouverneur Mayor and Board of Trustees have declared a State of Emergency that will continue until further notice because of the global COVID-19 Pandemic. All Village Offices and other buildings of the Village were closed to the Public at noon Monday, March 16th and various employees who were not already off were excused for the rest of the day until further notice.

“On Thursday, March 19th all other non-essential employees were excused until further notice. However, essential services such as the Gouverneur Police Department, Water Filtration Plant (ie. potable water) and Wastewater Treatment employees remain on the job. Our Highway and Electric DPW employees are currently on leave. However, two members of this department are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week. Additionally, certain clerical staff along with the Mayor are working in the offices on mandatory and regulatory essential items such as payroll and the 2020-2021 Village Budget. Department Heads are in daily contact with the Mayor. Governmental agencies are sharing information as part of our shared services agreements on a regular basis either in person, phones or electronically.

“The Village Police will remain on duty and taking calls at 315-287-2121 or 911. However, the Police will be prioritizing the importance of complaints as needed and face to face contact with the general public at the Police Station will be minimal. Additionally, the Administrative Staff and Mayor will be available by phone and/or electronically by calling 315-287-1720 and press 0 and to date have been at the Village complex daily and plan to continue this schedule.

“The Mayor and Board of Trustees are cautiously optimistic that these challenging times that we currently live in will be over in the next few weeks. However, we are keenly aware that it could be much longer and are making provisional plans in this regard. We will keep the community advised as much as possible in a timely fashion.

“In the meantime, please take President Trump’s and Governor Cuomo’s advice. Follow the executive orders and other recommendations that they have publicized such as hygiene, social distancing and various employee/employer work rules that they have ordered and/or recommended. It is for our general well-being of our community and humanity. Take Care, God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America.”

Village of Gouverneur talks COVID-19

by Rachel Hunter

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on March 17 in the municipal courtroom. The meeting was an abbreviated format, with all those in attendance, observing the “social distancing” six feet separation rule. Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall set a limit at half the municipal courtroom’s capacity, at 41.5 persons.

“It’s no secret, of course, that in St. Lawrence County, we’re under a state of emergency per the St. Lawrence County Public Health Office and Public Health Officer Dana McQuire, who is also the Village of Gouverneur’s Public Health Officer,” Mayor McDougall said. “A lot of people don’t realize that we’re under the umbrella on that with that. Public meeting and open meetings law has been amended because of (COVID-19).”

Mayor McDougall then directed the Village Trustee’s attention to the following memo to all local government leaders from the secretary to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Melissa DeRosa, dated March 16: “The rapid increase in suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health emergency facing all New Yorkers. As leaders in state and local government, our first and foremost responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of the public. This essential duty requires our decisive action now to slow the spread of this virus. On behalf of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and all New Yorkers, I call upon you – as executives, managers, administrators, mayors, supervisors, and leaders – to join the State of New York and limit your local government workforce to only its essential employees for the next two weeks. Specifically, all non-essential employees of local government agencies and authorities should not report to work, reducing your workforce by, at least, fifty percent (50%), until March 31, 2020. You and your local agency officials should consider essential employees as any person whose job function is essential to the effective operation of their agency or authority, or who must be physically present to perform their job, or who is involved in the emergency response to COVID-19. Non-essential employees should be considered any person who does not need to be physically present to perform their job functions, or they are not currently required to meet the core functions of their agency or authority during this emergency response. Throughout state government, non-essential employees will not be charged accruals during this time. Non-essential state employees are being directed to work from home, to the extent practicable. While they are home, these employees may be assigned work outside of their normal duties. State agencies may change an employee’s designation as either essential or nonessential at any time. Finally, state agencies will continue to recruit volunteers or mandate staff to support the critical COVID-19 response efforts across the state. The people we serve demand action. Let leadership be our legacy. Thank you.”

Mayor McDougall then made the following comments: “I did talk to Donald Dabiew, the Franklin County Legislative Chair, and he didn’t have any in his county as we don’t yet. We have some people waiting for some tests to come back, but that changed today unfortunately. There was one today in Saranac Lake, which is in Franklin County and also there is one in Plattsburgh, currently at the CVPH Hospital. I talked to the Jefferson County Chairman Scott Gray this afternoon and they didn’t have any in Jefferson County either. However, now, I guess one has been classified now in Albany but that person is a Fort Drum part-time employee and works in the Education Center. He was in Fort Drum from the 11th to the 13th, that’s Wednesday through Friday, and he’s got a positive test in Albany. Consequently the Education Center is currently shut down on Fort Drum.”

Mayor McDougall then gave the floor to St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Henry Leader (R-Gouverneur) who gave the following county update, detailing the special board meeting held March 16: “The declaration of emergency is, in part, to assist the school districts, to allow them to continue federal and state funding. Last night, the thing of significance was the legislature voted to empower the County Administrator Ruth Doyle with the advice and through the Office of Emergency Services and the St. Lawrence County Department of Health to take whatever measures were necessary to protect the county, and to help handle safety and health of the county… The county has also indicated a desire to go virtual, so we will probably be Skyping in electronically meeting three or four meetings. Other than that, if you walk through the county halls, there’s people with sanitizer, paper towels, and washing hands – as the board is doing here – as well as keeping distance. The recommendation is six feet, but at least three feet, and trying to avoid exposure for over 30 minutes. I will keep you apprised of anything that happens…”

Village Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie then gave the following report: “We have closed off the (municipal) building to the public. I just heard today that the town court is also closed for good. They are not even opening up, until further notice. We are accepting phone calls. All three of us are here. Payments are still accepted. We are asking them to be put in the dropbox. We will make sure a receipt is mailed back to them. Births and deaths is all by phone. Put it in our box, and we’ll mail their birth and death certificates to them. So, we’re just trying to keep clean. But we’re here for all calls. Just press zero on the main line and one of us will answer it. A lot of people don’t know what extension they want to call, just press zero.”

Village of Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey Canell reported that the Gouverneur Recreation Center would remain closed until further notice. “We’re following Gouverneur Central School District,” Director Canell said, confirming that the closure would last until at least April 20. “Our cleaning and sanitizing plan of action is being investigated and researched, trying to figure out what options are available.” Director Canell confirmed with the village board that he was available by phone. Mayor McDougall then said, “As soon as the school closure was announced, Casey and I were on the phone with each other and Dave Spilman.”

Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill then reported the following: “Our department probably, out everybody, has the biggest challenge to this Cornavirus for obvious reasons… It certainly poses some unique challenges. Of course, one of the first things to go was the closing of the courts by the order of the Office of Court Administration. In order to have any arraignment during business hours, we have to do an essential arraignment. We can’t arraign at our local court. I just got an email just before this meeting to clarify that we are to take them to the Ogdensburg City Court, and after hours we can call our local justice… With bail reform and everything, we’re kind of limited on what kind of arraignments we can do. I have instructed our guys to limit their exposure to the public. We don’t need to go out making random vehicle stops for no reason, unless it is necessary. We’re trying to do as much as we can over the phone… We put a sign on the door that, pretty much, if you are there only for a police matter… if you are making an inquiry, call us and we’ll try to answer your questions. Other than that, you’re going to use the intercom or we’re going to interview you through the intercom to try to limit people coming into the office. Obviously, there’s lots of times when we need to interview people, take depositions, but, if it is not a real emergency kind of case… we’re going to put that kind of stuff on the back burner for right now. We’ve encouraged them to wear disposable gloves at every interaction with the public. There’s only limited (supplies) we have on hand for this kind of stuff, but today through Public Health we got delivered some n95 masks. They kind of require some fit testing to work their best, so tomorrow we have an appointment at the fire station to do some fit testing. We also got a supply of some disposable coveralls and suits, and some more hand sanitizer. We put some disinfecting wipes in the cars. Well, the stores were all out, and we don’t have wipes, so we compromised right now and made some with paper towels, disinfectant and Ziploc bags and put them in the patrol cars. We’re going to respond in person, obviously, to personal injury accidents, certain kinds of emergencies… We’ve asked the dispatchers to the ask people when they call that if we absolutely have to respond to a residence, to ask if there is anyone in the residence with flu-like symptoms so we can assess accordingly. I know there is some communication with Public Health and the 911 Center, maybe helping us keep track of who is really under quarantine… We’ve got some teleconference meetings set up with Public Health. We put on our Facebook page too for the public to consider about not dragging themselves to the ER, communicating with the hospitals. If they have questions or anything related to Coronavirus or need assistance, they can call us and we’ll try to deal with each situation as they arise. This is a very fluid situation… it is changing all the time. I am get bombarded with emails, and I am trying to keep up with the information that is coming, and so I find myself in situations I have not had to deal with before as Chief of Police with these executive orders coming from the governor, especially the stuff with the establishments. I’ve had to weed my way through these orders and come to terms with them, but at the same time keep in the back of my mind try to balance people’s constitutional rights.”

Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Works Superintendent TJ Simmons reported the following: “The DPW is basically following protocol. We’ve got the building on lockdown. No entry to any personnel or civilians. As far as the guys out in the field, I tell them to keep their distance of at least six feet because we do have house calls and stuff like that for sewers and water lines… I want to make sure they are safe about it. I have contacted my salesman that comes once a month that lives in Albany. I’ve told him not to come. If I need anything, I’ll call him, and they can just ship what I need as far as water supplies and stuff like that. I do encourage the public not to flush paper towels, baby wipes, or napkins or rags down the toilet. Please dispose them in the garbage. That is some of the main things that we happen to pull out of people’s sewers that plugs them. So, we encourage, if it isn’t toilet paper… please do not flush it.”

When Mayor McDougall asked for Trustee comments, the sole response came from Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine who urged to all present: “Wash your hands.”

In conclusion, Mayor McDougall said the following: “We’re in difficult times, changing times. Life is change. I’d just like to stress, like they did at the county legislature meeting last night, keep calm. I’ve heard various rumors. I don’t know what the toilet paper thing is, but… It was observed recently that an elderly couple was walking home with more toilet paper than they could use in a normal lifetime… and it is all over the country, a run on toilet paper! Another example, there was a rumor that the Price Chopper store was going to close… Ours is just going to close for five hours to restock and clean. That’s just some of the rumors going around in this difficult, challenging times. We will survive. Better days are coming. I just don’t think they are going to be this week, but long-term… have faith and God bless. We will survive this.”

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees is scheduled to be held of Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom.

4-H Educator Amy Sands Feted After 24-Year Career

4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands recognized for her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at her retirement party on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Pictured from left: CCE Executive Direc…

4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands recognized for her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at her retirement party on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Pictured from left: CCE Executive Director Patrick Ames, Amy Sands, 4-H Youth and Family Leader/Health and Nutrition Issue Leader/SNAP-Ed Program Manager Cassondra Caswell. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

St. Lawrence County 4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands was feted on Sunday, March 1 at the Gouverneur Community Center for encouraging countless youth “to make the best better” throughout her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Former and current 4-H members and leaders were invited to a retirement party held in Amy Sands’ honor from 1 to 3 p.m., and the dozens flocked to the Gouverneur Community Center to join the celebration.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames welcomed all in attendance, and brought the guest of honor centerstage, as the throng gave applause.

“Twenty-four years is a remarkable commitment to Extension, and Amy’s retirement is pretty significant to the organization but I think it is pretty significant to the staff that you see here in this room, the 4-H volunteers that have joined us here, and the 4-H’ers,” he said. “Her impact is very significant. But it is more than that. It is personal too. As a director, I try to refrain from using the word family when I describe staff but the reality is you can’t work alongside someone like Amy Sands for 20-plus years and not be like family. She’s been there to celebrate the birth of my kids and has had an impact on my kids. We’ve watched her grandkids grow up through 4-H. We’ve shared hard times together. She’s always been there. It’s been remarkable. So, this is much more than losing a really good 4-H educator. But it is losing a family to us.

“As a team leader… Those of you who don’t know my history, I worked in 4-H alongside Amy for years and then had the privilege of being a team leader and we worked together and I’ve got to tell you… being a 4-H educator is not an easy job. It’s a lot of long hours, long days. They can be stressful. They are always rewarding. But they are fatiguing, nonetheless. When I think back to our days at the county fair, I could always count on the fact that at the end of the week… Amy would have lost her voice. And often immediately, somehow miraculously, after the fair ended she would come down with the cold or be sick. She would always blame it on the fair dust. It was always the show ring dust that was causing it. But the reality was she put in countless, tireless hours leading up to the fair, getting ready for it, getting kids ready for it, and at the fair I don’t think there was a single program or contest that she wasn’t a part of, or didn’t have her hands on. She simply just left everything on the court, and I think her body knew at the end it had to give in… and then somehow within a week or two she was getting kids ready for the state fair and taking them down, and visiting our 4-H’ers at the state fair with livestock...

“When I think about Extension, that’s how she handled her job not only at the fair but when I think about our Maple Program at the Farm or the Spring Ag Awareness or the Farm Day Camp. She was involved in absolutely every program we had to offer, day in and day out and it was really remarkable to be part of that.

“As the director, I have to tell you that Amy is a team player and I would say that she is always put the needs of Extension over her own needs and that is a rare trait today. I’m going to think back to a specific year. It was 2016. It was a pretty tough year for us. We had created all these programs at the Extension Farm, and they were taking off like mad, and then suddenly it was one of those years where we had a whole bunch of turnover, vacancies, and I really didn’t know how we were going to get everything done. I remember commiserating with Art Hurlbut, who was on the Board of Directors at the time. I said, “I don’t really know how we are going to pull this off.” And he used a phrase I never heard before, he said, “Patrick, if you want something done, give it to someone who is already busy.” That really described Amy and her work ethic and her drive with Extension. That year, she stepped in as our After-School Director for North Wind After-School and then she stepped in as our Farm Day Camp Director and still held down everything else that was still on her plate. She did two other people’s jobs. So that year it was my privilege to give her the Director’s Award for the employee who most exemplified the spirit and ideals of Extension. It was a privilege. So, that was Amy, but that wasn’t just Amy in 2016, that was Amy every year that she worked for us.

“A lot of you don’t know this, but she was instrumental in BOCES Even Start program for years and then when we started the Advantage After School Program in Ogdensburg we assigned that to her and then for years she worked in four different school districts keeping that program afloat. She was a great liaison between Extension and that after-school program. She brought 4-H to after-school over there. She created the Farm Day Camp with me. She was there at the ground level, building that program, and now that reaches over 350 kids every summer and growing.

“But there is something about Amy that nobody knows but me… We worked together a long time and whenever we had a new educator struggling in a after-school program, I would talk to Amy and quietly assign Amy to that educator as a mentor and she would shadow them for sometimes 8-12 weeks, whatever it took and go with them to their program. She saved a couple partnerships by going into these schools and modeling positive youth development and modeling relationship building. We saw educators turn around with her guidance. It has been a wonderful resource to have and it is going to be tough to replace that too.

But lastly, I want to mention Amy’s dedication to children and to our 4-H’ers. Studies have shown that the number one factor in a child having a positive, successful youth development outcome, if you will, is that one mentor that they know will do anything for them at any cost. Amy has been that mentor for many, many 4-H’ers over the years. I wish there was some way to give you a statistic and pull a number together and say, “These are the number of lives that Amy Sands has touched.” It would be a remarkable number. It would be staggering… Working alongside of you, Amy, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I really appreciate everything you have done for Extension.”

Youth and Family Lead Cassondra Caswell then said the following: “4-H does have the power to change lives, as I am sure many of you as 4-H families or 4-H employees can attest to… Patrick nailed it on the head. We all have mentors. We all have people that we look up to, whether it be our club leader, our project leaders, maybe staff at Cooperative Extension and for me Amy Sands was my mentor… I know for certain my career path would not be the same if it wasn’t for (Amy). I was a quiet 17-year-old in the 4-H program and all I wanted to be was a fly on the wall. I was pretty sure I was invisible, but it was at a clothing revue event that Amy came up to me and my mom and said, “What would you think of working at our Summer Day Camp program?” I didn’t really know who this lady was at that point in my life other than she was there at 4-H events and for me, I wasn’t invisible. This lady saw me. I hope it was the potential she saw in me. From that first summer experience, I knew that 4-H was really something that I wanted to have a career in. I grew up in 4-H. I knew I loved the program, but to really see the impact that a 4-H educator has on the lives of so many people was just empowering to me. And Amy, you helped me and mentored me to learn what it meant to work with and empower youth, especially those that maybe need a little bit extra help and a little bit more love. Through my 4-H career and working at Cooperative Extension, I am very fortunate to have gotten to share 12 of your 24 years at Cooperative Extension – and I will personally never forget the impact that Amy has had on my life.”

Youth and Family Lead Caswell then told stories of Amy Sands’ trips down to the New York State Fair, teaching youth to sew, putting on the annual Dairy Camp, instructing outdoor survival skills at the Extension Learning Farm, and much more.

“Truly I want to say thank you for all your years of enrichment for not only myself, but for all these people here today that you have made an impact on and, as you are well aware, the hundreds more that are not in this room and the 4-H and Cooperative Extension staff,” Miss Caswell said. “We thank you so much for everything you have dedicated in your 24 years.”

Then it was time for the presentation of gifts. “You have left your mark on our lives and now we are leaving ours with you,” Miss Caswell said, sharing the theme of the retirement party.

Amy Sands was presented with a chicken-shaped wooden cutting board and a memory lap quilt with blocks from former extension educators, families, clubs as well as neighboring 4-H counties to extend gratitude for her 24 years of service. Miss Caswell also said the following: “We are actually trying to do something with the Maple Program. We have cut a cookie out of a tree and we are planning on making a table out of that as well. The tree did not dry in time for us to make something with it. But you will have a bit of Cooperative Extension somewhere in your home.” A memory book was also available for all those present to share treasured moments and thoughts with Amy Sands during the occasion.

Executive Director Ames also gave the floor to anyone who wanted speak to impact Amy Sands made on their lives and the crowd gathered heard from Extension staff, 4-H volunteers, 4-H leaders, 4-H parents and more for several moments. At the conclusion, all those who were impacted by her dedication through her 24-year career at Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County were invited to stand to show visibly her impact.

Amy Sands then was given the floor to address the crowd before her: “I want to thank everyone for coming, and I want to thank all the adults for sharing their children’s lives with me,” she said. ‘There is nothing more precious than a child. It’s true. I tell my own kids that. The most precious thing you ever have is your children. To be able to share somebody else’s child is great.”

The crowd enjoyed refreshments during the two-hour fete, and a decorated cake that also recognized Amy Sands’ 24 years to Extension and youth in St. Lawrence County.

A Gouverneur native, Amy (Kapfer) Sands, is a 1968 graduate of Gouverneur High School and Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh. She married John Sands, a 1967 Indian River Central School graduate, in 1972. At the retirement party, Amy was proud to introduce to the crowd her family, son Christopher and Kristie Sands, son Andrew and Jennifer Sands (children Owen, Jorja), son Rob and Jen Sands (children Tracker, Ledger, Lana, Colter). She also introduced her sister Ann (Kapfer) LaRock and Tony and Jennie Kapfer (child Jordan) and brother-in-law Jeff Sands.