Liberty News, Liberty, 43 Liberty Drive, Amsterdam, NY 12010 Serving persons with developmental disabilities in Montgomery County, New York State

This popular new program began in April of this year. Liberty Through the Arts offers several classes in painting, ceramics, yoga, sewing, creative writing, and computer skills. Jerry Gallup and John Glode began the search for talented staff to help teach and create with consumers in the day treatment program and at other Liberty sites. Staff Amy Defendorf reports, “Having been an artist all my life, I am truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity to teach these enthusiastic individuals. The painting classes have grown to a regular group of 24! Colorful paintings are featured prominently in the day treatment building where we have renamed the hall—Liberty Art Gallery. The photographs exemplify, “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” Their enthusiasm is obvious!

At the April 29 annual meeting of Liberty, board members with 25, 30, 45, and 50 years of service were honored. Topping the list of long-term board members is Bill Albertin who has been a member of the Montgomery County ARC Board of Directors longer than anyone at 50 years. He served two terms as board president and served at the state level on NYSARC’s Board of Governors for many years. Albertin moved to Director Emeritus status in 2001. In his comments, he paid homage to his wife, Joan, for her role in assisting Liberty in the early days and for making it possible for him to devote time and energy to the organization.

At 45 years, Pat Sherman is the second longest serving board member, achieving emerita status in 2002. She is the only person elected president of the board for three terms, helped open the first Liberty home at 92 Market Street. Sherman was a long time member of the residential committee.

Joel Kaplan has served on the board of directors for 30 years and has been treasurer of the board and foundation as well as serving as past board president. A tireless volunteer, Kaplan serves on many local boards.

At 25 years, Bob Fetterly has served on as many as five committees at once, is a two-term past president, and also serves at the state level on the Board of Governors for NYSARC.

At the May, 2010 meeting, Ken Adamowski was elected to serve as President of the Foundation for the 2010-11 term. Ken, an active member of the Liberty Board and Family Support Services Committee, joined the Foundation in 2007. A tireless volunteer, Ken spearheaded a well-attended brunch fundraiser this past May 23 which netted nearly $3,000 for family support services. He is a passionate advocate for his son Alex and is committed to raising awareness of the value of Liberty services to families of people with disabilities.

Our special thanks to Pamela Hotaling for her five years of service as President of Liberty Foundation. Pam’s commitment to our mission and her broad knowledge of the community were invaluable in charting our course over the last five years. We truly appreciate her leadership and guidance.

Wanda Burling assumed the office of vice-president and Joel Kaplan will serve his 17th term as Secretary/Treasurer of the Foundation. Pamela Hotaling and Joel Kaplan were appointed to serve another two year term as directors and John P. Woods was appointed to serve a one year term. We thank all of these outstanding individuals for their continued service to the Foundation and the individuals and families we support.

The Foundation welcomed five Board members in 2009. Our organization is honored to be the recipient of the expertise and guidance of these talented individuals.

Patricia “Pat” Beck is a well-known and respected member of the local community. As Publisher of The Leader Herald in Gloversville and a long time resident of Amsterdam, Pat is an active and much sought after volunteer in Fulton and Montgomery counties. She currently is on, or has served on, the Chambers of Commerce and United Way boards in both counties, and is presently involved as a board member with The Eccentric Club and Montgomery County Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. Pat and her husband of 40 years, Charles “Skip,” have two children and two granddaughters.

Wanda Burling, a longtime supporter of Liberty, joined the Board in 2009. She became interested in Liberty’s mission because of her acquaintance with a parent member of the board and wished to lend her support and expertise. Wanda, a native of Long Island, brings an extensive background in the banking industry to the Foundation Board and Investment Committee. Wanda and her husband Chuck divide their time between their homes in Saratoga Springs and Clearwater, Florida.

Amsterdam native, John A. Tesiero III is Vice-President of Cranesville Block Company. The Tesiero family are long time members and supporters of Liberty and Liberty Foundation. John’s mother Elizabeth served on the Foundation Board from 1995–2001. A Siena graduate with a BS in Marketing and Management, John has served on the boards of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), St. Mary’s Church and School, and Eastern Contractors. He and his wife Gloria reside in Amsterdam and have two children.

James Caruso, Vice President and Regional Manager of NBT Bank, Capital West Region, also joined the Board in 2009. An overview of his community affiliations and background will be included in our next issue. We were honored to welcome Ron Limoncelli as a member of our Foundation in 2009. Unfortunately, Ron resigned in early 2010 due to other community responsibilities. We thank him for his input during his short tenure and his continued support of Liberty Foundation’s mission. Posted 072910

Congratulations, Liberty Advocates and all your partners in advocacy throughout New York State. Thanks for your hard work! It is official! The Assembly and Senate have both passed the name change bill. Governor Paterson signed the legislation on July 13 when OMRDD became the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)! This historic legislation also removes the words “Mental Retardation” from State statute and regulations.

BILL NELSON AND GARY BOTTOMLEY HONORED AT ANNUAL DINNER

Amsterdam High School teacher Bill Nelson received the 2010 Community Partner award and Gary Bottomley, Sr., of Amsterdam the 2010 Good Neighbor award at the organization’s annual dinner, conducted at Crystal Ristorante, April 29.

Liberty Director of Leadership Development, Irene Bollen, introduced presenters Alison Wallace of Liberty’s Medicaid Service Coordination Department and Rachel Kasierski of Liberty’s Day Supports Program. Wallace stated in her nomination of Nelson as 2010 Community Partner that Nelson put in “countless hours” in his continued support for the Liberty Follies Show. Nelson provided lighting and sound for the program while volunteering his time to make the show a success for the individuals involved. “Without his efforts the show would not be as successful as it is,” Wallace said in her nomination. “I cannot express the gratitude I have for his efforts.”

Rachel Kasierski said in her nomination of Bottomley as the Liberty 2010 Good Neighbor that he, “puts a smile on everyone’s face, consumers and staff alike!” Bottomley has been an advocate for several individuals at Liberty, with eighteen years as advocate for one person. He helps out daily in the day habilitation program and goes on outings on weekends. When an individual showed an interest in music, Bottomley found a way to get a guitar donated even though he wasn’t that person’s official advocate. It was just one example of the many continued efforts he makes on behalf of Liberty participants. Habilitation staffer Kelly Gilston said Bottomley schedules his work at Amsterdam Printing and Litho so that he can volunteer with Liberty individuals. Bottomley said he tries to show unconditional love in looking out for individuals’ needs. “They’ve had a lot of difficulties in their lives,” he said. “I try to help make up for that.”

Other nominees for the 2010 Good Neighbor award included Dave Anderson, for bringing his dog Dakota to Liberty sites for pet therapy; Robin Kinard, for making participants feel so welcome at Brownie’s Restaurant; and the Amsterdam Fire Department; for its cooperation and helpfulness with fire prevention and answering many non-emergency alarms.

Also nominated for the 2010 Community Partner award were the Fort Johnson Volunteer Fire Company, for its hospitality in accepting Liberty participants; Palmer’s Pharmacy, for being so helpful in difficult circumstances; and Captains Juan and Carol Ramos of the Salvation Army, for being so welcoming and respectful. The Good Neighbor awards program was begun in 1998 to recognize local individuals who support of people in Liberty programs. The Community Partner award began a decade later in 2008. Each recipient receives a plaque commemorating their efforts and their names go on a permanent listing in the lobby of Liberty Enterprises. Posted 051110

Bill Nelson (left) Liberty’s 2010 Community Partner award winner with Alison Wallace, Medicaid Service Coordinator. Nelson was nominated by Wallace in recognition of his support with Liberty’s annual COOL Follies held at Amsterdam High School. Nelson is an English teacher at the high school and also oversees the school’s drama program.

The 2010 COOL Follies will was presented on May 22.

Gary Bottomley (left) Liberty’s 2010 Good Neighbor award winner with Rachel Kasierski, of Liberty’s Day Habilitation program. Bottomley was nominated by Kasierski because of his unfailing and long-term advocacy on behalf of individuals in the day program.

FIRE SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE AT LIBERTY

By Heather Vecchio, Safety Manager

Liberty, the Montgomery County Chapter of NYSARC, provides services for people with disabilities at locations throughout Montgomery County, including supportive apartments, residential homes, day habilitation centers and a vocational program center. One of the most critical elements for the assurance of empowerment and security for the people we support is their safety. Although this topic encompasses many important things, nothing rises to the priority level of fire safety.

Liberty’s residences are equipped with all of the fire protection devices required under the National Fire Protection Life Safety Code, where appropriate for the people living in these homes. These devises include fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, heat detectors, fire safe doors, vertical opening protection and fire protection in basements. Some homes are fully sprinklered. While these safeguards substantially improve the odds for life safety, they represent only a single aspect of a comprehensive fire plan. Our Facility Management department has the responsibility for inspection, maintenance and testing of all Liberty fire equipment. These employees provide 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service to all our sites whenever there is a concern, alarm, or need for trouble-shooting.

All Liberty staff complete extensive training on fire hazards, fire suppression equipment, actions to take in the event of alarms, evacuation plans, and the assistance needs of our people receiving services. Each staff person within a location has specific responsibilities under the evacuation plan, which depends on effective teamwork to be successful. Fire drills are conducted, observed and reported upon to ensure that evacuation plans are followed and effective for each location.

As equal partners in collaborating on fire safety, Liberty staff work with local volunteer and professional fire departments. Our locations throughout Montgomery County are supported by volunteer fire departments in the towns of Florida, Mohawk, Canajoharie, Fort Plain, Hagaman, and Fort Johnson. These volunteer departments participate in pre-fire planning walk-throughs of our homes, meet our folks and provide on-going support to our staff when responding to an alarm. Their professionalism and expertise is extremely appreciated by Liberty and we commend their commitment to volunteer for this important and brave responsibility.

The Amsterdam Fire Department provides emergency services and fire response to Liberty sites within the city limits. This year, we were able to assist the AFD in the pre-fire planning of our sites by providing them with electronic copies of all our Amsterdam sites’ floor plans, which they have begun to load into a new fire planning software tool. This new tool will allow firefighters to review the house floor plans before arriving at a fire call as well as reference it while on site in an emergency.

AFD firefighters also demonstrated to our consumers the equipment that they utilize during a fire call, in the hopes that if they ever were required to perform an evacuation, they might be more familiar with what a firefighter would look and sound like during a fire. The Amsterdam Fire Department, along with the 6 other volunteer fire departments in Montgomery County are depended on every day to provide emergency response and assistance to our staff and consumers when the need arises. We are deeply appreciative for their support and cooperation in ensuring safety every day. Posted 041310

In October, 2009, Liberty asked for assistance from Amsterdam firefighters during Fire Prevention Week. They visited staff and individuals in program at the LE building and conducted training on fire safety, preparedness and evacuation planning.

L to R – Firefighter Mark Perfetti, Stacey Antos (Family Support Services), Gorden Lansing (Safety Committee) and Battalion Chief Pete McNamara. Posted 040710