Odell: “Dedication, hard work”
CARMEL – Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell has declared
2018 as the Year of the Volunteer in the county.
During her State of the County Address on Thursday evening delivered before
an audience of more than 200 at the Putnam County Golf Course, Odell described
volunteerism as “part of Putnam’s culture. “Volunteers
make up the fabric of our county.”
During her 90 minute address, Odell commended the many venues of volunteers
who serve county residents from fire and EMS providers to library volunteers,
those who serve the senior citizen population and volunteer daily in area
schools in addition to the many who work tirelessly providing for service
organizations.
The recent storms that virtually paralyzed the county when heavy snows,
strong winds and massive power interruptions brought Putnam to its knees
were highlighted by Odell when commending the county’s volunteer
fire departments, ambulance corps, EMS providers and highway crews: “We
often take our first responders for granted but in Putnam, volunteers
stand for dedication.”
Odell spent several days at the county’s Emergency Operations Center
during the State of Emergency. She described the Putnam 9-1-1 Center as
being “on fire” when dispatchers answered some 1,300 calls
within a 24 hour period.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For your dedication and hard work,”
she said.
In the wake of the recent horror in Florida, Odell told the audience that
children must always be kept safe: “Our Sheriff’s Department
School Resource Officer Program does more than keeping our children safe.
The highly trained nine full time deputies serving our schools that cost
$1.35 million in a shared partnership not only educate our kids but they
mentor them, providing EMS, train staff, provide security and offer crime
prevention suggestions.”
Odell went onto say that Putnam’s economy was strong. “Putnam
has the lowest county tax rate in all of New York State. For every dollar
spent, Putnam’s share is only nine cents. She also commended her
administration for its Aa2 bond rating.
The executive talked about senior citizens and keeping the over 65 set
“healthy and active.” She thanked State Senators Terrence
Murphy and Sue Serino and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef for bringing grants
to Putnam that will benefit the senior centers in Carmel and Cold Spring.
Odell thanked the business community for its faith in the county reporting
that many new businesses opened from Carmel to Cold Spring in 2017.
The executive praised the Tilly Foster Farm and Putnam Golf Course by
expressing great excitement about the new Farm to Table concept opening
at Tilly’s Table and a variety of activities that occur weekly at
the golf course. She also commended Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES
for entering into a partnership with the county allowing for classes to
be conducted at the farm.
Odell discussed the war on addiction and the safety and security of the
county’s 99,000 residents. “Protecting our border is not about
immigration. It is about drug trafficking. We must all work together to
win the battle since Putnam is a high intensity drug trafficking area.
The war is here and the war is on.”
Odell reminded the public that Medication Drop-off boxes are available
around the clock countywide where unwanted medications can be safely disposed
of. She also talked about Putnam’s next Medication Take Back Day
at Putnam Hospital Center planned for mid-April.
Communication for the county’s EMS providers needs an overhaul.
Facing the three dozen firefighters attending the address, Odell told
them, “You run in while everyone else is running out. You need modern
technology and communication ability.”
The county executive called on the state to approve legislation resulting
in all funds provided by Putnam residents for its 9-1-1 center to remain
locally and not returned to state coffers. “First responders must
have the best communication available,” she said.
