2017 September In Review: The Fight Against Cancer – Remembering Mary Gosek

by Steve Yablonski | December 29, 2017 6:46 pm

OSWEGO, NY – Here’s a glimpse of the some of the news from the past 12 months.

Oswego Students Return To The Classroom
Thousands of students returned to the classroom in the Oswego City School District.

“Freshman First Day has been going very well,” said OCSD Executive Director of Secondary Education and Personnel Dr. Heidi Sweeney. She was the school’s principal last year for the first Freshman First Day. The next day would be the regular opening day for the other OHS students.

Things were going smoothly at Kingsford Park Elementary School, also.

Principal Mary Volkomer said she was visiting all the classrooms, welcoming the students back. “Today was a great day! The first day of school brings so much excitement,” she said. “This afternoon, I asked a student if he had a good day. He said, ‘No, I had a Great Day!’ He may not have realized it but he made my day feel that way too. It is so wonderful to see so many returning smiling faces and plenty of new faces dressed with nervous enthusiasm. You can’t help but love it every year.”

“Today was great at OMS! We’re having a wonderful first day,” Principal MaryBeth Fierro told Oswego County Today. “The students and staff are happy to be back. It was wonderful seeing all of our new seventh graders enter the building – and our eighth graders return. Lots of smiling faces and positive energy at OMS today.”

There were some parents who were a little teary eyed, said Dr. Linda Doty, Charles E. Riley Elementary, principal. “We keep an ‘opening day’ box of tissues just inside the door,” she added. Every year, on the first day, all the students come out and surround the peace pole in the front of the school. “It’s a tradition. We have a special pledge that we do,” the principal said.

“We had a great opening day. Many students entered the building and reached their arms out to the familiar faces of our staff,” said Kara Shore, Leighton Elementary principal. “All of the students reminded me of what grade they were in and many of the students shared their first snack of the year with their friends.”

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 Shut Down
Nine Mile Point Unit 1 automatically shut down at 11:58 a.m. on Sept. 6 when a component failed in the system that regulates water level during normal operation.

Operators responded and all safety systems functioned as designed. Technicians would repair and fully test the system before returning Unit 1 to service.

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 remained online.

The Unit 1 outage didn’t not impact electrical service to customers.

Operators returned Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1 to full power at 11:36 a.m. September 9 following repairs to an electrical component that regulates water level during normal operation.

University Police at SUNY Oswego earn StormReady designation
In preparation for the sometimes-volatile Upstate New York climate, SUNY Oswego’s University Police recently earned a StormReady designation from the National Weather Service.

Storm-ready agencies and communities go through training and other preparation to demonstrate they are better prepared for severe weather through proactive planning, education and awareness, according to the NWS StormReady site, www.weather.gov/stormready.

“To earn this designation, in addition to the application, we had to demonstrate to the National Weather Service that we met all of their criteria, including emergency communications, weather monitoring equipment, National Weather Service reception equipment, local warning dissemination, in addition to providing educational information through training programs, our website, Facebook and informational programming,” Kevin Velzy, assistant chief of University Police explained.

Campus Community Heals, Raises Awareness Through Ovarian Cancer Event
A smile lingered on Mary Gosek’s face. Her feet began to pick up speed and soon she was off jogging, finishing the last of the race, joy spreading across her face.
She danced with the band in 2016 at the Hope for Heather walk. She was full of life and to continue to spread awareness, that was Mary’s dream, Sarah Gosek said, recalling the memory of her late mom.

“Just that energy she could bring to everything and just the beauty she brought with it was fricking incredible with going through chemo,” Sarah said.
Sarah returned to the ever-growing crowd of faculty, students, friends and family, all sporting various teal outfits for this year’s Totally TEAL Tuesday on the campus of SUNY Oswego. A pin clipped over the heart of a dear friend here, another wearing a Team Mary quarter sleeve with the number 17 surrounded by angel wings on the back.

Ed Gosek, Mary’s husband, arrived shortly before the 9 a.m. photo, walking over to each person a smile forming as warm hugs were exchanged, the smell of coffee lingering the chilly air.

Wearing a teal ribbon on his hoodie, he talked with everyone, drifting from person to person, thanking them as he went along.

“There are a lot more events to go, but they’re all nice. I’m not sure it’s getting easier. They’re getting harder, but it’s a great tribute to her,” he said. He was pleased to see members of the hockey team racing to get into the group photo and hold the banner, kneeling as they did.

SUNY Oswego Earns Top Rankings From U.S. News and World Report
SUNY Oswego has once again earned a top 50 ranking in the 2018 “Top Regional Universities in the North” from U.S. News and World Report, as well as a top 100 placement in Washington Monthly, which rates schools on their contribution to the public good.

Oswego tied for 13th among public universities in the North Region, 48th overall, among institutions in the U.S. News and World Report ratings, based on rankings released Sept. 12. The college also kept its place on the A+ for B Students list.

U.S. News’ staff compiles data from hundreds of schools around the country, striving to offer prospective college students and their parents the best analysis available for comparing academic excellence. U.S. News and World Report defines regional universities as institutions that “provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs” but “few, if any, doctoral programs.”

U.S. News also includes Oswego in its Best Online Graduate Business Programs: MBA, top 5 nationally for Women Enrolled in MBA Programs, and Green Colleges guide.

Washington Monthly, looks at colleges through metrics on their contribution to the good of society, named SUNY Oswego #86 in the nation among master’s-level universities.

“SUNY Oswego provides a strong foundation for our students to build better lives, and these rankings show we are among the best options in our class, especially among public colleges,” said President Deborah F. Stanley. “But beyond the numbers, the day-to-day successes and positive stories of our students, faculty, staff and alumni working together to find solutions for the grand challenges of our time is most impressive.”

Three Unvaccinated Dogs Exposed to Rabies in Oswego County
Three unvaccinated dogs were exposed to rabies in Oswego County in separate incidents over the past week, the Oswego County Health Department reported Sept. 15.

In Richland, two unvaccinated dogs were exposed to rabies during an encounter with a raccoon. A third dog was exposed in the town of Albion through a rabid skunk.

Another rabid skunk was confirmed in city of Oswego but there were no known exposures to rabies from the skunk.

New York State law requires that all cats, dogs, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. The first rabies vaccine should be given at three months of age.

Transforming The Steel Palace To The Clay Palace
As soon as the “Steel Palace” closed its doors on Oswego Speedway’s 2017 season, it began to morph into the “Clay Palace.”

DIRTcar Racing crews began the arduous task of once again taking the historic speedway back to its dirt-racing roots.

For the second straight year, Oswego Speedway’s track was being covered with clay in preperation for racing’s biggest party, NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.

DIRT Week was scheduled for October 1- 8 and the track is nearly ready, according to Jeff Hachmann, director of events. The track was just about ready, a bit faster than last year, he told Oswego County Today. But there were a mryiad other pieces of the puzzle to contend with, he added.

This year, officials gained access to the speedway two weeks earlier than last year in order to prepare a better racing surface and ensure “the best NAPA Super DIRT Week ever,” he said.

Multiple truckloads of mulch were laid down over the asphalt track to preserve the racing surface, help with necessary drainage, and simplify the impending clean-up process.

Church Elected To NYS Association of Counties Board of Directors
Oswego County Administrator Philip Church was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Counties at the Association’s annual meeting in Onondaga County.

“County Administrator Church is an experienced and thoughtful county leader, and we are fortunate to have his expertise on the NYSAC Board of Directors,” said NYSAC President MaryEllen Odell, the Putnam County Executive.

NYSAC represents New York’s 57 counties and the city of New York in Albany and Washington on matters germane to county governments, and informs county officials and the public about issues that impact county governments across the state.

Councilors Move Ahead With Streamling Property Disposition Policy
At the Physical Services Committee, Third Ward Councilor Nathan Emmons requested consideration from the Common Council to approve a revision to Article V of Chapter 224 of the code of the city of Oswego.

Currently, it establishes the period of redemption of residential and farm property to expire four years after the lien date. Emmons’ proposed local law would reduce the time down to two years.

At its September meeting, the Oswego County Legislature enacted legislation to reduce its redemption period for residential properties to two years, the councilor said. The city and county have entered into an intermunicipal agreement whereby the county prosecutes all tax foreclosure actions on behalf of the city. Reducing the city’s redemption rate makes it consistent with the county’s and provides for consistent application of the law between the city and county, he pointed out.

Currently, there are a number of city-owned parcels that could be disposed of and the new policy would streamline the process thereby allowing more tax-exempt, city-owned properties to be purchased by private individuals and allowing the parcels to return to the taxable assessment rolls of the city, the city attorney said at a recent committee meeting.

Erik Cole Announces Retirement from Hockey
Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, Sept. 20 announced that the team has signed left wing Erik Cole to a ceremonial contract. Cole subsequently announced his retirement from his playing career in hockey. Following Cole’s announcement, Hurricanes President Don Waddell named him as team ambassador.

Selected by the Hurricanes in the third round, 71st overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Cole played 892 career regular-season NHL games with the Hurricanes, Oilers, Canadiens, Stars and Red Wings, totaling 265 goals and 267 assists (532 points).

The Oswego native appeared in 46 career Stanley Cup playoff games, totaling 14 points (6g, 8a), reaching the Stanley Cup Final twice and capturing a Stanley Cup championship with the Hurricanes in 2006.

He represented the United States in international tournaments including the 2005 and 2007 IIHF World Championships and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Cole appeared in 557 career games with Carolina, and ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in games played, points (363), hat tricks (5) and shorthanded goals (8).

He was one of four rookies in franchise history to record a hat trick in his rookie season, notching three goals against Atlanta on Dec. 21, 2001, and he matched a franchise record with nine game-winning goals during the 2010-11 season.

Liepke Gets Promoted In New York Army National Guard
Oswego resident Matthew Liepke, MD, has been promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard. Liepke, was promoted during a September 15 ceremony at the New York National Guard headquarters.

Liepke a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan War, is the New York Army National Guard State Surgeon, the highest ranking Army medical officer in the state. He served as an enlisted member in the Army Reserves from 1992 until 2005. He then joined the New York Army National Guard, where he was assigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade as the Battalion Surgeon.

Liepke deployed to Iraq in 2007 with the 27th Infantry Brigade and then in 2011 to Afghanistan with the 402nd Military Police Battalion.

He holds two Bachelor of Science Degrees from Clarkson University in Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene/ Environmental Toxicology and graduated from SUNY Upstate Medical University with a Doctor of Medicine in 2000. He is board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics.

New Youth Court Members Ready To Dispense Teen Justice
Seventeen students from around the county became the newest members of Oswego County’s Youth Court on Sept. 28.

Oswego County Family Court Judge Kim Seager administered the oath at the Oswego County Courthouse on Oneida Street as members of the graduates’ families looked on, many of them taking photographs. The new members were presented with graduation certificates.

Brian Chetney, director of the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau, explained that
Youth Court is “a recognized community diversion program aimed at keeping young offenders out of Family Court.”

It’s a national program that is more than 40 years old; it’s 34 years old this year in Oswego County, Sam Crisafulli, Youth Court co-coordinator, said.

Oswego’s is the second oldest program in New York State, he added.

Mayor Barlow Announces Partnership with WBUC
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow on Sept. 28 announced a new partnership with the Oswego City School District and the Oswego High School television station WBUC. The mayor partnered with WBUC to begin broadcasting the city of Oswego committee and Common Council meetings on television for Oswego residents to view from their homes.

“Transparency in government is an absolute necessity, and by airing city government meetings on television, we give our constituents the opportunity to closely monitor their local government and follow along as we make decisions that impact their daily life. It is important to encourage our residents to pay attention, be informed and interact with their local officials,” said Mayor Barlow.

“I am also proud to partner with the Oswego City School District and WBUC, as we work together to bring local government directly into the homes of our constituents. I would like to thank Director of Technology Jamie Sykut, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dean Goewey and the Oswego City School District Board of Education for being supportive of this partnership and allowing the city of Oswego to broadcast our meetings,” he continued.

Supreme Court Upholds Port City Code Enforcement
In another legal victory for Mayor Billy Barlow’s administration, the New York State Supreme Court recently denied a complaint filed by out-of-town landlords alleging that the city of Oswego’s code enforcement actions violated their constitutional rights.

Supreme Court Justice Norman W. Seiter Jr. issued a four-page Decision and Judgment dated September 26, 2017, denying in all aspects a complaint filed by Marcel and Patricia Morrisseau, of Sterling, and dismissing their claims with prejudice.

The landlords, who owns multiple rental properties in the city of Oswego, were denied rental permits by the city of Oswego because they fell behind in paying their property taxes.

The properties have also been the subject of multiple code violations and complaints from tenants and neighbors.

In his ruling, Judge Seiter determined that the Oswego City Code “substantially advances legitimate governmental interests. Timely tax collection and enforcement promotes effective and reliable governmental administration.”

Oswego County Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus This Year
Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang reported Sept. 25 that an Oswego city resident is recovering at home after being diagnosed with West Nile virus.

The adult resident was hospitalized and released and was doing well.

This was the first human case of West Nile virus in Oswego County this year.

West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is estimated that 20 percent of people who become infected with West Nile will develop less severe symptoms including fever, headache and body aches, nausea.

In some cases, the virus can cause severe infection including inflammation and swelling of the brain.

Symptoms include high fever, muscle pain, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, disorientation, and a headache.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

Student Entrepreneurs Win Launch It Competition At SUNY Oswego
SUNY Oswego seniors Samantha Boyle and Madison St. Gelais won the finals of the inaugural Launch It competition showcasing student entrepreneurs at the college, much as “Shark Tank” does with risk-taking business people on the ABC television network.

The winning app proposal, Bunk, would allow students looking for off-campus housing to safely connect with potential roommates and verified and rated landlords, as well as view video tours of the properties. Boyle and St. Gelais won $1,000 and the opportunity to represent the college and its School of Business in Oswego County’s upcoming business plan competition.

Launch It featured teams of students pitching their ideas for startup businesses, with advice from business executives. SUNY Oswego’s Enactus chapter, a student group embracing entrepreneurship through community service, led organization of the competition. Sponsors of Launch It included Enactus, the School of Business and the Office of Business and Community Relations.

For more information, visit oswego.edu/business, email [email protected] or call 315-312-3168.

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Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/2017-september-in-review-the-fight-against-cancer-remembering-mary-gosek/

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