The Greenville Pioneer - 2022-01-14

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16 The Greenville Pioneer • Friday, January 14, 2022 State seeks public input on contamination sites ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced proposed changes to the state’s regulations for the clean-up of contaminated sites that will advance efforts to revitalize communities and protect public health and the environment statewide. The proposals are available for public comment until April 21, and would create new cleanup standards for the oversight of the emerging contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS), strengthen the implementation of the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, and enhance State Superfund and other cleanup programs. “New York is a national leader in our commitment to address the threat of emerging contaminants and our sustained efforts to clean up legacy contaminants in communities statewide,” Seggos said. “The proposed changes to New York’s regulations are instrumental in advancing DEC’s efforts with the latest science and data about public health and the environment while supporting the revitalization of former industrial sites to create economic opportunities and stronger communities.” The proposed changes to the 6 NYCRR Part 375 regulations that pertain to the state’s Environmental Remediation Programs would increase consistency across programs administered by DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation and provide DEC with the tools to effectively implement these changes, including: • Enhanced requirements for the Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Remedial Program (also known as State Superfund Program); • Updates to the State’s Soil Cleanup Objectives (SCOs) to reflect the latest scientific input of experts at DEC and the New York State Department of Health. Revisions include the creation of SCOs for PFOA, PFOS, aniline, and nitrobenzene to reflect the designation of these chemicals as hazardous substances and codify existing guidance in regulation to provide the State with a greater ability to conduct enforcement against polluters; and • Proposed changes, clarifications, and modifications to the regulations based on DEC’s experience during the first decade of implementing the Brownfield Cleanup Program. DEC encourages the public to participate in and submit comments during two virtual hearings on the revised rulemaking. The hearings will be held at 2 p.m. on April 5, 2022, and 5:30 p.m. on April 7, 2022. To participate in the hearings, visit DEC’s website. Persons who wish to receive the instructions by mail or telephone should call DEC at 518-402-9764 and leave a message for Jenn Dawson. Participants should provide their first and last name, address, and telephone number and reference the Part 375 public comment hearing. The public is invited to submit written comments on the revised proposed regulations through April 21, 2022, at 8 p.m. Written comments can be submitted by email to derweb@dec. ny.gov, noting “Comments on Proposed Part 375” in the subject line of the email, or by mail to the NYS DEC - Division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233- 7012, attention: Jenn Dawson. All documents and related information pertaining to the revised proposed rulemaking are available on DEC’s website. Members of the public without internet access are advised to contact the state at the address above or call 518-402-9764. ALBANY – In their first joint venture since announcing plans for a historic merger, SEFCU and CAP COM have united to fight hunger and brighten the holidays for people in need across New York state. SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana, CAP COM President and CEO Chris McKenna, and employees from both organizations distributed more than $350,000 to nearly 50 food pantries and rescue missions in the Capital Region, and the Binghamton, Buffalo and Syracuse areas. SEFCU has been making these donations to pantries and shelters since 2010 as part of its year-round commitment to fighting hunger through financial support for local nonprofit organizations and the funding of solutions that offer greater access to fresh, healthy food for people in need. With CAP COM joining the effort, this year even more nonprofits are benefitting, the companies said in a joint statement. “We are both products of the credit union movement which is, ‘people helping people,’ and that’s exactly what we are doing. We know that’s our purpose. We’ve been doing it individually. When we do it as a combined entity, there will be no stopping us,” said SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana, who added that the need to support neighbors has never been greater. “When you see a food pantry where there is literally nothing on the shelf, you can’t help but be moved by it. To be able to lead an organization where that is a supported purpose, where that gets people out of bed in the morning – that’s why I do what I do.” Along with helping food pantries stock shelves, these donations will help local nonprofits provide the services necessary to feed families and individuals. “Food insecurity is such a crisis and sometimes we forget about the choices that people have to make. People have to choose between eating and paying bills, and that’s a choice that nobody should have to make. Nobody should have to go hungry at night. No student should have to go to school in the morning without being fed,” said CAP COM President and CEO Chris McKenna who also noted that helping those in need has an equally positive impact on those giving their support. “When I got involved in the CAP COM Cares Foundation or partnering with SEFCU and their foundation, it was a game changer. It’s a game changer for the people that you help, but just as importantly, it’s a game changer for people that are engaged.” For the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, support from the credit unions will have a tangible impact on its ability to feed thousands of people. “I just want to thank SEFCU and CAP COM for that gift of $10,000. For every dollar donated, we can provide four meals. So that’s 40,000 meals. The number of food insecure folks in our region is 140,000, so this will have a serious difference on their lives,” said Regional Food Bank CEO Molly Nicol. “The Regional Food Bank can’t do this alone. We can’t do this without our partners, like SEFCU and CAP COM.” Along with the funds this initiative provides, City Mission of Schenectady Executive Director Michael Saccocio said Talking with a health care provider can help smokers quit the habit, new data shows. Data show health care providers help patients quit smoking ALBANY — New New York State Department of Health data show an increase in health care providers working with patients to quit smoking. More than three-quarters of smokers who saw their provider in 2019 reported that their doctor advised them to quit smoking — a 12.5% increase from 2014. More than half reported that their doctor offered assistance to quit — a 23.3% increase from 2014. Smokers who receive assistance from their physicians double their odds of successfully quitting. Dr. Ronald Pope, Columbia Memorial Health Vice President of Medical Services, Care Centers, said, “Helping patients to stop smoking is an important goal for our care team. CMH providers can offer several options to help smokers kick the habit and improve their health and quality of life.” Despite the increased communication around the health effects of smoking, there is still more work to be done. The Twin Counties’ adult smoking rate was a third higher than COURTESY OF PEXELS the statewide average in 2018. Smoking rates are particularly high among New Yorkers of low socio-economic status, lower education and those with behavioral health issues. Columbia County Mental Health Center integrated questions about clients’ smoking status into their intake process in 2019. “Forty percent of all cigarettes in the United States are consumed by individuals who live with mental illness or substance abuse disorders,” Tobacco Cessation Specialist Rose Aulino said. “Because of that, nicotine dependence has been a real focus of treatment for us. The results have been encouraging.” Smokers that are interested in quitting are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about nicotine replacement therapy and/or counseling options that are available. You can also call the New York state Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 to receive free nicotine patches and be connected with a quit coach. Tobacco-Free Action of Columbia & Greene Counties is a nonprofit organization funded by the state Department of Health that advocates for policy change to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, make tobacco products less visible and accessible, and make tobacco use more expensive, less convenient, and less socially acceptable. Columbia Memorial Health is an advanced multi-specialty healthcare system serving more than 100,000 residents in Columbia, Greene and Dutchess counties at more than 40 primary care and specialty care centers. In addition, CMH’s inpatient hospital, located in Hudson, has served our region since 1893 and is one of the most innovative and technically advanced facilities in the Hudson Valley. Columbia Memorial Health, Albany Med, Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital are part of the Albany Med Health System, the largest locally governed health system in the region. Learn more at www. columbiamemorialhealth.org. To learn more about the Columbia County Mental Health Center and the services offered, please visit www.columbiacountymhc.com. SEFCU and CAP COM make $350,000 in food pantry donations CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SEFCU and CAP COM joined forces in 2021 to make $350,000 in donations to food pantries and rescue missions in the Capital Region and other areas of the state. support from SEFCU and CAP COM also gives people hope. “It’s critical to have food for people who are hungry, shelter for people who are homeless, clothing for people who are cold. That’s good, but there’s a greater human need. That’s the need to believe people care. Real people cared about me, real people stopped what they were doing and came to where I am to help me,” Saccocio said. “When people grasp that, they accept a sense of responsibility for it so as it’s been done for me, I need to do it for other people. That, in many ways, is the greater gift.” Below is a complete list of all missions and food pantries being supported through the donations from SEFCU and CAP COM: CAPITAL REGION: • Capital City Rescue Mission • Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region • The Food Pantries for the Capital District • Sr. Maureen Joyce Center • St. John’s – St. Anne’s Food Pantry • Cathedral Food Pantry • St. Catherine’s Marillac Family Shelter • South End Children’s Café • VA Food Pantry • Saratoga EOC • Christ Episcopal Church Food Pantry • Catholic Charities – Schoharie, Columbia-Greene, Herkimer, Hilltowns, Fulton-Montgomery, CoNSERNS-U, Roarke Center • Greater Galway Community Services Association • St. Paul’s Center • City Mission of Schenectady • Bethesda House • Schenectady Inner City Ministry • YWCA Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen • IPH • Captain • Veterans and Community Housing Coalition • Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York • Hope 7 Food Pantry • Commission on Economic Opportunity • Unity House • UAlbany Purple Pantry CENTRAL NEW YORK: • Rescue Mission Soup Kitchen • Catholic Charities Men’s Shelter • Meals on Wheels of Syracuse • Food Bank of Central New York • Clear Path for Veterans • Syracuse Northeast Community Center • Feed Our Vets • Samaritan Center SOUTHERN TIER: • Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) • Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry • Whitney Place Rescue Mission WESTERN NEW YORK: • Buffalo City Mission • Response to Love • St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy • Compass House • Feed More Western New York
The Greenville Pioneer • Friday, January 14, 2022 St-Cath_Kinship Care_6-21_Layout 1 6/30/2021 2:37 PM Page 1 17 Living on Purpose By Dr. Billy Holland For Capital Region Independent Media I watch my little grandson, who is almost 3 years old, and it’s amazing how fast he is learning about life. He’s happy when he has his way, but when he’s told no or stop, he bows his head and sticks out his lower lip. How many of us are like this? Ha! All of us! I often think about the many situations and experiences this little fellow will face in his journey and how he will eventually learn there is more to life than watching cartoons and playing with toys. There will be times when he will need an anchor for his soul, like all of us, and I pray his hope will be in Christ. The Bible declares Jesus is the way the truth and the life but He never promised this would be a perfect world. First Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became an adult, I put away childish things.” The context reveals that in this temporary life it’s difficult to understand the spiritual realm but one day we will see God face to face and know as we are known. God’s plan is for all of us is to not only grow up physically but to mature emotionally and spiritually in Him. I’ve been through some hard times, but have also enjoyed many blessings and I’ve learned that we can either be bitter or better. What I mean is that within our Forever an optimist in an imperfect world ups and downs we always have the choice to be negative and give up, or we can be positive and filled with faith even when our sky is dark and dreary. Optimism is contagious and is a personal decision to embrace hope and to reject all that teaches otherwise. No one ever damaged their eyesight looking on the bright side. When we discover that God can be the center of all we are and everything we do, we can live in the joy and peace that passes all understanding. Choosing to see our glass half full instead of half empty helps us to stand boldly with an unwavering expectation that our loving God is working behind the scenes in every situation for our good. Positive thinking is choosing to live above negativity and despair. This confidence includes knowing the Lord loves us and is always watching over us. Like most of you, I desire to be informed about what is going on in the world. I listen to many sources of news and then I’m faced with trying to sort out what is true from opinions and speculation. When it comes to theology and spiritual prophecy, there is much disagreement there as well. Some say the future is going to get better and evil will be exposed, while others believe the world will continue growing worse until Christ returns. Whatever your convictions and views, I just want to encourage you today and remind you that no matter what happens from here forward, God is never surprised or worried. The Almighty’s desires will be fulfilled exactly as He planned and nothing can change them. Yes, there is an enemy that can attack us with anxiety and fear, but Deuteronomy 20:3-4 gives us this promise: “Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified for the Lord your God is He that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Exodus 14:14 also declares that He will fight for us and protect us. When we know that it’s impossible for God to fail, we are filled with trust and security. Followers of Christ are not optimistic because they trust in man’s abilities to solve the world’s problems, or hope that somehow everything is going to turn out alright. We are optimistic simply because we believe that God is who He says He is. When we observe circumstances without including God, we base our thoughts on fear, which is pessimistic. However, true faith is seeing circumstances through the eyes of God. My contribution is to help edify the body of Christ and I invite you to visit my website where you will find Christian articles, songs, and videos to encourage, inspire and motivate your mind and spirit. I am blessed by all of you who read this column and stirred by your commitment to God, your willingness to serve, and your excitement to follow Him. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com. Because you care! Sometimes, things don’t always work out at home for a child. New York’s Office of Children and Family Services estimates that 130,000 children around the state live with a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or other family member. Some even live with close family friends. When a family member or close family friend assumes the responsibility of caring for a child, that’s called Kinship Care. Perhaps you are a kinship care provider, or know someone who is. If you are, you do it for all the right reasons. Because you care. But there’s good news. St. Catherine’s Center for Children has launched a new program to support kinship caregivers in Albany, Schenectady, Greene and Ulster Counties. The program connects caregivers like you to a variety of community and public support services, providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Want to learn more? Call us at the number below, or email kinshipcare@st-cath.org St. Catherine’s Center for Children 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203 www.st-cath.org • 518-453-6700
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