County recognizes 2 long-time custodial workers on their retirement

Legislature also proclaims April as ‘Donate Life Month’ and April 1-7 as ‘Public Health Week’

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Ed Morgan, second from right, presents certificates of appreciation to Jan Standish, second from left, and Becky Bush when the two were recognized on Tuesday for their long careers with the county.

Both are retiring as custodians. John Papponetti, the DPW commissioner, is at right.

Bush worked 35 years with the county while Standish gave 33 years of service. Both started as food service helpers in the county nursing home and later became custodial workers for the Buildings and Grounds Department.

Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon accepts a proclamation from County Legislator John Fitzak that proclaimed April as “Donate Life Month.” The Legislature urged residents to join the state’s Donate Life Registry.

The proclamation states there are approximately 8,000 people waiting for an organ transplant which represents the third highest need in the nation. An estimated 400 New Yorkers that die every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

“A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others,” legislators said.

The Orleans County Clerk’s Office, through its Department of Motor Vehicles, will be promoting April as “Donate Life Month” in Orleans County.

Hanlon said 58 percent of adults 18 and older are enrolled in Donate Life, which is up from the 48 percent statewide.

The county will be raising the Donate Life flag outside the County Office Building at 10:08 a.m. on April 10.

Paul Pettit, public health director in both Orleans and Genesee counties, accepts a proclamation from Legislator Don Allport declaring April 1-7 as “Public Health Week.”

Allport said county residents benefit from the work of the public health staff when they are eating at restaurants, drinking tap water, learning about the prevention of deadly diseases, receiving vaccinations and planning for emergencies.

“National Public Health Week provides an opportunity for our county to learn about public health concerns and success stories that are vital to healthy communities, such as immunizing against infectious disease, maintaining good nutritional standards, providing good prenatal care, working toward safe housing through our Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, decreasing the spread of rabies by providing rabies immunization clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and building resiliency by being prepared for various emergencies,” the proclamation states.