Genesee Sun

Livingston County Senior Companions Slated To Be Cut From Federal Budget, Volunteers Speak Out

GENESEO — A program that helps area seniors stay independent and in their homes free of charge is in danger of being cut from the federal budget.

The goal of the Livingston County Senior Companions program is to keep seniors in Livingston County independent, out of nursing homes, and to improve their quality of living. If the program is eliminated in the upcoming 2013 budget, many seniors in the program will lose that independence.

“If we’re lucky, we all get to grow old,” said Katy Allen, Aging Services Department Director. “One of the things most of us want to do is stay in our homes as long as we can. For many people, they’re not able to live at home just because they’re lacking some really basic things, like getting to their doctor appointments or getting to the grocery store.”

The program, which is part of the Senior Corps and is sponsored by The Community Place of Greater Rochester and funded by The Corporation for National & Community Services, is staffed by volunteers who are over 55 and who live on a limited income. The volunteers earn $212 a month tax free, which helps them pay for medicine, car insurance and gas. They also get reimbursed for mileage spent driving clients to and from doctor appointments, grocery and drug stores.

In addition to providing transportation, the volunteers fix meals, do laundry and stop by for friendly visits. Allen said the volunteers also help alleviate some of the stress caregivers experience by coming in and giving the caregiver a needed break. Since the volunteers are all over 55, they can relate to the clients and provide companionship.

The program also helps Livingston County residents save money.

“On average, the cost of going to a nursing home in the United States is $78,000 a year,” said Allen. “With the Senior Companion program, one senior companion usually helps keep two to three people safely living at home for $4800 a year. That includes everything—running the program, transportation, the small stipend they receive, the administration of the program. It’s a huge cost savings for tax payers. And the cost to the individual—there is no dollar value you can put on that, to be living at home where you feel comfortable, where you feel familiar with your surroundings, where you have built your life.”

The volunteers also feel strongly about the program’s benefits for the community, and themselves.

“If I weren’t there, they would have to rely on a friend, if they could, or get a taxi,” said volunteer David Spencer, who currently helps two clients. “It’s easier for them to rely on me and know I’ll be there at a certain time every week, and they can make appointments based on that schedule.”

Spencer, who has been a Senior Companion since the program came to Livingston County a year ago, says his clients have also told him how much they appreciate his company.

“I enjoy helping people,” said Spencer, a minister of 24 years to University of Rochester and RIT students. “It’s what I’ve done for decades. I enjoy having the opportunity to help those who need help, and it gives me satisfaction, of course.”

Barb Horgan, another one-year volunteer, said her five clients appreciate her service and company and that the program is greatly needed in the community.

“It shouldn’t be cut,” she said. “No, no, it shouldn’t be cut. They look forward to my coming very much. I have this lady who is 101and when I get to her home, she’s kind of down. By the time I leave, she’s upbeat, cheerful and looking forward to the next time I come.”

Word about the program’s benefits has spread. It has 105 referrals and has currently placed 55 seniors with 27 volunteers across 13 towns. The program has slots for a maximum of 40 volunteers, said Livingston County Senior Companions program coordinator Tina Brooks.

All volunteers are given criminal background checks, are run through the National Sex Offender Registry and go through a reference check. Volunteers also go through a two-day orientation and training period, as well as monthly ongoing training sessions to prepare.

But if the program is eliminated, those volunteers may no longer be able to help local seniors in need.

“We encourage individuals to contact their legislators, federal senators and local congressional representative to encourage all of them to continue to support the Senior Companions program and tell them how important it is,” Allen said.

To find out how you can help save the program, become a Senior Companions volunteer, request service for yourself or a loved one or to sponsor the program or donate, call Tina Brooks at 243-3818.

Conservancy Stewardship Director Runs for Geneseo Village Trustee

GENESEO — As a SUNY Geneseo student, Ben Gajewski didn’t think he’d end up living in Geneseo after graduation. Now Gajewski owns a home in Geneseo, works in Geneseo as Stewardship Director of the Genesee Valley Conservancy, and is running for Geneseo Village Trustee in the upcoming March 20 election. He thinks of Geneseo as his home—a place he’d like to stay in and make the best it can be.

Though this is his first time running for any office, Gajewski is confident he can bring new ideas to the Board and give back to the community.

“I really appreciate living here,” he said. “I’ve had a great experience thus far and I think that this is a way I can get involved that I haven’t yet, and improve things, make things a little bit better, bring in some new ideas that maybe haven’t been looked at before. That’s really my motivation, and I think it would be a great experience.”

During his eight years in Geneseo, the 2007 SUNY graduate and Canandaigua native has gotten to know the community through his experiences. He served as Interim Executive Director of the conservancy for five months, has been a Board Trustee for the Association for the Preservation of Geneseo (APOG) for three years, has owned the photography business North Street Studios for five years, has served on the Livingston County Façade and Sign Grant Guidelines Committee, has assisted with the Tourism Committee and is part of the Geneseo Farmers’ Market Committee.

“I think I have a good range of experiences. Being a former student, I understand the college and what it’s like to be a student in Geneseo,” said Gajewski, one of the two Democratic candidates running for Trustee. “I have lived here several years now, so I know what it’s like to live in the town. I’m a homeowner—I purchased a home and, actually, I rent a couple rooms out to students, so I understand some of the student-village rental issues that are there, and I appreciate both sides of that, the benefits and the challenges that being in a college town presents. I think I’d be able to look at things holistically. I think you need to look at all sides of an issue, because there are lots of different perspectives there.”

As a member of APOG, Gajewski recognizes the importance and uniqueness of living in a historical town—something he said he will work to protect and promote if he becomes Trustee. Gajewski said he’s also excited about the opportunity to help equally and efficiently disperse the Main Street improvement grant funds Geneseo recently received.

“The funds are for buildings’ structural and façade improvements, but the way we disperse them can encourage lots of private investments and betters the streetscape for everyone,” he said.

Some other causes Gajewski is committed to are collaborating and sharing costs with the town, county and college on mutual issues, as well as the continued improvement for pedestrian and motorist safety through improved traffic control.

More about Gajewski and his campaign can be found on his Facebook page, “Gajewski for Trustee.”

Also running for Village Trustee are Bob Wilcox (Democrat), John Fox (Republican) and Thomas LaGrou (Republican). Bill Brennan (Democrat) and Bradley A. Janson (Republican) are running for Justice.

Since there are only two seats open for Trustee, Gajewski hopes people will take an active role in politics and vote for the people they think will help better Geneseo.

“I think I’m a great example of why this community is such a special place,” Gajewski said. “I came here not intending to stay, but very quickly changed and decided to make it my home.”

Geneseo Building Owners Can Now Apply for Main Street Grant Funds

GENESEO — The Village of Geneseo recently received a New York Main Street Grant in the amount of $400,000. This competitive grant was awarded to only 22 communities in New York State. According to a press release from the Livingston County Development Corporation, it could be a significant opportunity for Geneseo downtown building and business owners to improve business awareness and sales.

The New York Main Street Grant program is designed to stimulate economic recovery through façade enhancements, commercial renovations on the first floor, and creation or enhancement of residential units on second and third floors. Building owners and/or business owners in the central business district can apply for grant funding, which will be reimbursed upon completion of the project.

Applications and guidelines specific to Geneseo have been developed and will be available at an informational meeting scheduled for March 7th at 7 p.m. at the Geneseo Village Building.

Approved commercial projects will be eligible for up to $50,000 for façade improvements and interior first-floor renovations, with a maximum reimbursement of 75% from grant funds. Residential projects will be eligible for up to $25,000 per residential unit with a maximum reimbursement of 75% from grant funds, and a maximum of $100,000 per building. The total maximum amount available from grant funds per building is $150,000.

Applications and program materials will be available at the meeting. A committee of residents, stakeholders, and officials will review the applications and determine the awards according to a set criterion.

To RSVP to the meeting, please contact the Village of Geneseo at 243-1177.

Geneseo Town and Village Boards Discuss Village Building Structural Needs

GENESEO — Tonight’s Town Board meeting was anything but typical. In addition to a packed public hearing on the Board’s moratorium on hydrofracking, the meeting also featured an appearance by the Geneseo Village Board of Trustees, who asked the Town Board to help repair the Village Building.

John Norris, from Clark Patterson Lee Design Professionals, explained to the Boards which parts of the building at 119 Main Street needed to be redone or fixed. His findings were based on architects studying the building’s outside and inside, as well as on a mortar analysis.

Norris said fixing nine windows—at around $35,000 total--would be the biggest cost during the renovation. Other costs would include masonry and brick work at $18,000, trim and painting at $19,000, fixing the columns and porch at $24,000, window wells at $5,000 and sills at $13,000. He said he tried to keep the repairs cost-effective to stay at a low price. For instance, instead of reinstalling bricks, they will just repair any cracks.

Norris also said respecting historic guidelines is important during the renovations, as the building is just over 100 years old. To make sure the guidelines are followed, he plans to send the renovation plans to the Historical Preservation Society.

Town Supervisor Will Wadsworth said the Town Board would discuss the matter and get back to the Village Board in about a month. Village Trustee Sandra Brennan suggested the Town Board visit the Village Building and take a tour with them some time to see some of the things that need fixing.