26th EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ANNUAL ... - Luzerne County

LUZERNE-WYOMING COUNTIES DRUG & ALCOHOL PROGRAM
26 TH EXECUTIVE COMMISSION
ANNUAL AWARDS BREAKFAST
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
AT MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
Welcoming Remarks.
Ms. Landon stated that she is delighted to have so many distinguished officials, providers, staff, and
community members here to enjoy the 26 th Annual Executive Commission Awards Meeting. Ms. Landon
introduced herself as a Wyoming County Community Representative for the Executive Commission, Teacher,
Communities that Care Member, and Families Helping Families Member just to name several things that are
very important to her. Ms. Landon recognized Misericordia University President, Michael McDowell and he
graciously said a few words.
Ms. Landon invited Mr. Straka to come forward to offer the invocation.
Invocation
Mr. Straka noted that we have with us this morning a distinguished gathering of colleagues, family, and
friends. We truly appreciate the support you give to us. Thank you all for coming to today’s Award Meeting.
Mr. Straka thanked Misericordia University and the University President and Staff for the beautiful
accommodations for our Awards Breakfast.
Mr. Straka began introductory remarks stating … as you know, we all wear many hats. I’m an Administrator
with the Luzerne County Assistance Office, I serve as the Chairperson for the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties
Executive Commission, and I am also Pastor of a church in Wilkes-Barre. As the Executive Commission
Chairperson, I will be hosting our presentations … but as a Pastor, I would like to invite you to join me in
thanking the Lord this morning in our health and well being and to bless the food we are about to share. Mr.
Straka noted that the program will begin shortly, where we will recognize those whom we will be honoring
today through awards and testimonies. However, I ask that everyone please enjoy breakfast first!
Chairperson’s Report
Mr. Straka presented the Chairperson’s Report and Friends and Colleagues Letter. Mr. Straka reviewed the
2011 successes of the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Joint Provider-Community Partnership.
Mr. Straka noted that this is his fifth year of being associated with the Executive Commission and third year as
Chairperson. He relayed that the 26 year relationship between the Executive Commission, Providers and the
Community have weathered many storms and have risen to the challenge of meeting the needs of those
overwhelmed by the flood waters of addiction. He noted that we have much to be thankful for within our
Thanksgiving month of November and commended Mr. Donahue and the SCA Staff for their dedication and
hard work to help individuals in their goal of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.
Mr. Straka recognized the Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission who oversee so much for so many. Mr.
Straka thanked the Executive Commission in assisting the County Commissioners and the Program Staff in
making our Drug and Alcohol Services the best possible. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. DeVizia and
Staff at Offices of Human Services and to the Providers and their Staff who work hand in hand with the SCA
to gain the most effective services and programs for each individuals needs. Mr. Straka thanked Children and
Youth, Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Area Agency on Aging, Transportation and other agencies
represented here today for their support and dedication to all Human Services Programs. Mr. Straka thanked
the Luzerne and Wyoming County Commissioners for their dedication, strong values and voice in support of
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs and Services in our Counties. We also want to both thank and
recognize the PA House of Representative and PA State Senate offices that have all worked very diligently at
the State level to fight the battle with us in maintaining funding and treatment options for Luzerne and
Wyoming Counties that can only be gained with the proper caring voices in Harrisburg.

Mr. Straka noted that these different sectors of professional “rescuers” within our drug and alcohol community
truly have risen to the emergency call to become a unified team that offers hope to the hurting in the
communities in which we are blessed to serve. These wonderful professionals approach their daily work
compassionately to help those who are caught in the undertow of drugs and alcohol. He said that it is with
great admiration, appreciation, and thankfulness that he applauds our collaborative efforts of helping the
honorable citizens in Luzerne & Wyoming Counties rise above addiction and rebuild their lives in the
aftermath of drug and alcohol abuse. May we all keep pulling the ropes together to rescue the overwhelmed!
Mr. Straka invited Mr. Donahue to come forward and stated that at this time, it is my distinct pleasure to
introduce to you the Program Administrator of the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Drug & Alcohol Program, Mr.
Michael Donahue.
Progam Administrator’s Report
Mr. Donahue thanked Mr. Straka for the kind introduction and acknowledged the Providers, Community
Leaders, and fellow attendees and stated that he is honored to be working with so many dedicated individuals
who provide services and assistance to those in need.
Mr. Donahue presented the Program Administrator’s Report and discussed several of the program’s activities
and highlights during fiscal year 2010-2011. Mr. Donahue reviewed the goal of the Executive Commission
that is to eradicate addiction within the counties and to this end, advise the Program Administrator in the
distribution of federal, state and county resources to provide a continuum of care to residents of Luzerne and
Wyoming Counties with respect to the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Mr. Donahue thanked the Award Winners for their positive influence, outstanding dedication and contribution
in prevention activities in our schools, and communities.
Staff Award Presentation
Mr. Straka presented Mr. Donahue with a Staff Certificate of Excellence for 10 years of Outstanding Service
in the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Program. Mr. Donahue stated that he is honored to work
with so many dedicated individuals and has the pleasure to work with Members of the Executive Commission
who give unselfishly of their time, enhancing our drug & alcohol service system.
Harry Mahally Support Service Award Presentation
Mr. Straka noted that too often the support service worker in the drug and alcohol service system is rewarded
only through his/her own sense of personal accomplishment. Since it is important that these committed support
service workers receive public recognition from others, the Support Service Award provides the public
opportunity to recognize a dedicated individual who assures that clients receive services in an efficient manner.
Harry Mahally was the first recipient of the Support Service Award, and so in recognition of his outstanding
supportive service as an employee, the Support Service Award was named after him to honor his original
outstanding achievements. In keeping with the spirit of Mr. Mahally’s efforts, today’s recipient of the Harry
Mahally Support Service Award demonstrates attributes such as a strong work ethic, a caring and supportive
attitude toward clients, an exemplary performance record, resourcefulness, creativity, and initiative.
Mr. Straka asked Ms. Parrish from CHOICES to come forward to accept the Harry Mahally Support Service
Award. He stated that Ms. Parrish exemplifies a wonderful work ethic and dedication to all aspects of service
to enrich the administrative team. Ms. Parrish is the first person of contact at CHOICES and is the one who
first receives the calls for help. Her compassionate treatment of people who have finally summoned the
courage to ask for help goes far in diffusing their natural fears. It is our pleasure to present the Harry Mahally
Support Service Award to her.

Ms. Parrish accepted the Award and thanked the Executive Commission for this honor. Ms. Parrish thanked
everyone at CHOICES for their compassion toward all clients and stated that clients are very important to her
and she is honored to assist them in every way.
Mr. Straka invited Ms. Brodmerkel, our Executive Commission Secretary to come forward to present the
Thomas Cesarini Youth Award and the Charles Cometa Superior Service Award.
Thomas Cesarini Youth Award Presentation
Ms. Brodmerkel made introductory comments and stated that it is now my pleasure to present the Thomas M.
Cesarini Youth Award. This award is presented in honor of Thomas Cesarini, Executive Director of the
Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Program for over 21 years for his dedication towards educating
the youth of our community. Too often a youth or youth organization service is rewarded only in one school
district or through a sense of personal accomplishment. For the reason of receiving public recognition, the
Thomas Cesarini Youth Award recognizes a youth or youth organization that has displayed exceptional
commitment to increasing awareness and knowledge of substance abuse to our community. Today’s recipient
of this award has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards raising youth awareness in the Greater
Nanticoke Area Jr./Sr. High School and surrounding community, which honors and perpetuates the past youth
work of Mr. Cesarini.
It is an honor for me to now ask Ms. Gorski to come forward to accept the Thomas M. Cesarini Youth Award.
Ms. Gorski is a student at Greater Nanticoke Area High School and has personally been committed to drug and
alcohol awareness within her school and surrounding community. The awareness programs and events
orchestrated to combat drugs, alcohol, and tobacco within this school district send a strong abstinence message
to the youth in our community. In the same spirit that honors the past work of Mr. Cesarini, it is our great
pleasure to present the Thomas M. Cesarini Youth Award to this Group.
Ms. Gorski thanked the Executive Commission for this recognition, her Family and the Greater Nanticoke
Jr./Sr. High School for their whole hearted support.
Charles Cometa Superior Service Award Presentation
Ms. Brodmerkel presented The Charles L. Cometa Superior Service Award. As with our other awards, too
often the direct service worker in the drug and alcohol service system is rewarded only through his/her own
sense of personal accomplishment. Since it is important that these committed direct service workers receive
public recognition from others, the Superior Service Award provides the opportunity to recognize a direct service
worker, who on a day by day basis, works in the field in an exemplary manner to help individuals with drug
and alcohol issues and make significant daily contributions to improving the quality of life for those struggling
with addictive disorders. Charles Cometa (an addiction counselor for 25 years) was the first recipient of the
Support Service Award, and so in recognition of his outstanding direct service as an employee, the Superior
Service Award was named after him to honor his many years of outstanding achievements. In keeping with
the spirit of Mr. Cometa’s efforts, today’s recipient of the Charles Cometa Superior Service Award demonstrates
attributes such as a strong work ethic, a caring and supportive attitude toward clients, an exemplary
performance record, resourcefulness, creativity, and initiative.
It is an honor for me to ask Ms. Olshefski from Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services (WVADS) to
come forward to accept the Charles L. Cometa Superior Service Award.
Ms. Olshefski is an outstanding individual who shows strength and dedication in every action toward
promoting supportive services for our drug & alcohol program. Within WVADS, she has served with the
Prevention/Education and has provided thousands of hours of classroom time, assembly programs, and
education services to the faculty and parents too. It is our great pleasure to present the Charles L. Cometa
Superior Service Award to her.

Ms. Olshefski thanked everyone at WVADS, and the Executive Commission for presenting this award to her.
Ms. Olshefski thanked Mr. Ambrosino and her supervisor Ms. Mizenko for their day to day support and
allowing her the opportunity to work at WVADS. She also thanked several special individuals in her life.
Ms. Brodmerkel stated that this concludes the distribution of awards by the Executive Commission. Ms.
Brodmerkel returned the program back to Mr. Straka.
Conclusion of the Program.
Mr. Straka asked that we all show our appreciation one more time for our honored award recipients, and for all
of the agencies and individuals represented here today that are making such a tremendous difference in the
lives of so many!
The Executive Commission would like to express our sincere appreciation to those who participated in
arranging this celebration.
Marie Baratta, our Administrative Assistant
And the rest of Mike Donahue’s staff
Immediately following our conclusion, a picture will be taken. I would ask that all Executive Commission
Members, and Award Recipients please assemble for the picture.
Thank you for coming this morning to help us celebrate the growth of our Drug and Alcohol Program, and the
many profound contributions that were made by everyone.
Benediction
Mr. Straka offered a closing prayer and asked that we please stand as we thank the Lord for all who came
today, for the award recipients, and all who help in the fight against drug and alcohol addiction.
Next Meeting
The next Executive Commission Meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 3:00 at
Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Program, Penn Place Conference Rm. 223A, Wilkes-Barre,
PA
Adjournment
With no further discussion of business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Mr. Stark, all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Marie Baratta, Administrative Assistant