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Swine Flu cases rise but none known in Genesee County

By Billie Owens

UPDATE: After this was posted, we did receive an e-mail from the County indicating a possible and a suspected case of 'Swine Flu' had been found in Genesee County. More here.

People need to be on high alert for Swine Flu, but not panicky, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

No cases are known to exist in Genesee County. There's one suspected case in Monroe County and another Chautauqua.

We called the Genesee County Health Department for an update on any local information and were told that the department has been inundated with media inquires. A staff member said an e-mail would be sent to media outlets this afternoon with an update, but as of 5 p.m. none was received.

The status of the illness is Phase 5, meaning it spreads easily from person to person but a health crisis is not imminent. Phase 6 is the highest alert.

According to a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health today there are 89 cases of suspected H1N1 virus statewide not including New York City.

Suspected cases have flu-like symptoms but have not been tested. Probable cases are lab tested with results pending and actual cases have been confirmed by the lab.

Of these 89 suspected cases, eight specimens tested probable for the virus, but none thus far have been confirmed. Yesterday, there were only three probable cases in New York outside New York City -- those in Suffolk and Cortland counties. Today there are five new probable cases, consisting of one case in five different counties -- Monroe, Chautauqua, Orange, Suffolk and Nausau. Again, none confirmed as yet.

Commonsense precautions are being advised. Avoid confined spaces with lots of people. Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your face. Dispose of used tissues in a covered container. If you're sick, stay home. Follow doctors' orders.

Rural learning network conference

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Rural Learning Network conference

The conference promotes regional assets for community and economic development and will take place Wednesday, May 13 at the Radisson Hotel in Corning.

Goals include: Highlighting the regional assets of western/central New York; articulate the comparative advantages of the region; encourage communities to build unique niches in a regional context; and explore symbiotic relationships among assets and their multiplier effects.

Regional assets are key building blocks in sustainable regional revitalization efforts. These include the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places. 

To register go to http://www.regonline.com/regionalassets or contact Beverly L. Mancuso, Executive Director Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at
http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu <http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/> or phone 585-343-3040, Ext. 110. 

Tourism Industry meeting deadline

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Second Annual Tourism Industry meeting

Today, May 11, is the dealine to RSVP for the Second Annual Tourism meeting at O'Lacy's Irish Pub.

The topic "Social Media --What it is and how it can grow your business" will be the focus of the meeting.

It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at O'Lacy's Irish Pub on Thursday, May 14. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Social media expert Jessica Wander of Manzella Marketing Group will guide you through this often confusing topic. Learn who's using it and how to make it work for you.

Event Date and Time

Tourism Industry update

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Second Annual Tourism Industry meeting

The topic "Social Media --What it is and how it can grow your business" will be the focus of the second annual tourism industry meeting.

It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at O'Lacy's Irish Pub on Thursday, May 14. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Social media expert Jessica Wander of Manzella Marketing Group will guide you through this often confusing topic. Learn who's using it and how to make it work for you.

A tourism update will immediately following the guest speaker.

Please R.S.V.P to Dawn at 585-343-7440 ext. 32 by May 11th. Space is limited.

Some of the May programs offered by Cornell extension

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

The following events are planned for May at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County.

May 1 - Deadline for 4-H Giant Pumpkin Contest
The contest is open to any 4-H'er/4-H Family in Genesee County.  If you want to have fun, learn about horticulture, and challenge yourself, join 4-H'ers who will grow a giant or tiny pumpkin in spring/summer (125 days to grow) in home gardens or in container gardens all over the county. 

We will be using giant and small seeds. The Giant variety is "Dill's Atlantic Giant" or tiny pumpkin varieties includes "Baby Boo" or " Jack-Be-Little".  You can buy your own seeds or we can provide you with them. Educational materials will also be provided to each participant. Weigh-in will be in September (location to be determined).

Register by May 1st.  If you are interested in more information or to register, please contact Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.


May 2 or May 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chainsaw Safety and Tree-Cutting Productivity Training – Level 1

Held at Cornell University's Arnot Forest, 611 County Road 13, Van Etten in Schuyler County. These are small-group (maximum 10) hands-on classes with a certified instructor that cover safe chainsaw use, chain and engine maintenance, and tree-felling (participants personally fell a tree under the instructor's guidance). 

No experience is required for Level I participants.  Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Cost is $152 per day (there's a discount for NYFOA members) and spaces are filled first-come, first served. 

Details, including on-line registration or mail-in registration, can be found at: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/GOL.html  Please direct questions to the Cornell Department of Natural Resources at 607-255-2115 or cce-nat-res@cornell.edu.


May 4 and May 11

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Class
CCE-Monroe County is offering the Level 1 nationally recognized ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course at the CCE-Monroe County Office at 249 Highland Ave. in Rochester on May 4 and 11. The 2 day course is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each of these days and the cost is $150 per person.

The registration form may be found on our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe <http://www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe> . Questions may be directed to Jane Botelho at 585-461-1000 ext. 232.

May 13

Promoting Regional Assets for Community and Economic Development 
Regional assets help build sustainable regional revitalization efforts. They include: the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places.

The conference will explore how different assets in the region assist and support one another. Also to be explored is the relationship between capacity building and the promotion and development of assets. This one-day conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Agenda and registration information can be found on the CaRDI website at www.cardi.cornell.edu <http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/> .
May 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Coffee & Dessert Series - Invasive Species
This program will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension -- Genesee County. Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required. Judy Spring, environmental educator from Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, will talk about invasive species.

New York faces an onslaught of invasive species from other regions and countries.  These non-native plants, animals, and pathogens displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and recreational activities such as fishing, boating and hiking. They also damage commercial agricultural and aqua-cultural resources. For a brochure or more information, please contact Gail at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or via e-mail at gac11@cornell.edu.

May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Garden Gala
The Gala will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. No early birds. There will be an indoor and outdoor plant sale, chance auction, gardening activities for youth, door prizes, free handouts and soil testing, gardening advice, and free refreshments. If interested or need more information, please contact Gail Culver at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106.

Scholarships offered to students with epilepsy

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Applications due for Epilepsy Foundation College Scholarship Program

High school students in Genesee and surrounding counties who have epilepsy
are invited to apply for the Stephen A. Segar Scholarship. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30.

Stephen A. Segar, an attorney and founding partner of the Rochester law firm
of Segar and Sciortino, did not let epilepsy stop him from achievement in
college, law school and beyond, and now he wants to help others in pursuit
of learning.

Three $1,500 scholarships are available for high school seniors in the areas served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton.

High school seniors with epilepsy who plan to college or a technical or vocational school may apply.

"Young people with epilepsy are capable of achievement and excellence in
virtually any field," says Segar. "Having epilepsy should never be looked
upon as a limitation. It is my hope that this scholarship program, in some
measure, will encourage students with epilepsy to pursue their dreams."

Contrary to myth or stigma, people with epilepsy are intelligent, capable,
and high-achieving, and Steve Segar is a primary example, says Epilepsy
Foundation executive director David W. Milliman.

"His commitment and leadership will no doubt inspire and motivate young people with epilepsy," Milliman said.

Criteria for selection are academic performance, obstacles and successes
described in an essay, writing skills, and overall merit. Winners will be
decided by the Epilepsy Foundation¹s Scholarship Committee.

To download an application form, go to the Epilepsy Foundation website at
www.epilepsy-uny.org or request a form by calling (800) 724-7930.



 

Poetry contest winners named

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Genesee's Library Poetry Contest Awards Seven Student Poets

BATAVIA -- The Alfred C. O'Connell Library at Genesee Community College has awarded seven student poets in its eighth annual student poetry contest.

The seven winners include a diverse set of students, from many campus centers and age groups. They are Terra Bartlebaugh, Daniel Branciforte, Michael Hoerbelt, Ricky Howard, Andrea Louis, Nathan Palmer and Sadie Waala.

Taking top honors in the contest was Nathan Palmer of Dansville whose poem "Blackberry (Not Just an Electronic Promotion of Capitalism) reads":

White bud in June
Bright red in July
Purple bloom in August
Sharp thorns in your side
Maroon branches don't cost us
Because you're outside and wild
Not planted by me years ago
But by great grandma as a child
Alongside the barn they grow and wait
Seeds fall to the ground
Wind blows up their fate
Bugs fly all around, too quick
Bees land to pollinate
Each summer they're picked
Those thorns I hate cause me to bleed
With buckets in my hand
To the woods I leave
On top of hills I stand to look for Blackberries

When asked what he wanted to convey when writing the poem Nathan noted, "I'm worried that the world won't know what a real blackberry is. I asked my sister what a blackberry was and she replied 'a phone!' I ultimately wanted to comment on the state of our world."

Second-place poet and ACE Student, Sadie Waala of Batavia entered the contest with her poem entitled "Self-Portrait." A student at Batavia High, Sadie will be attending St. Rose College in Albany this fall.

Tied for third place were Terra Bartlebaugh of Alden with her weather-inspired poem "Spring" and Daniel Branciforte of Batavia with "Bubbled," a journey poem that originally started as a class assignment.

Honorable Mention for Body of Work was awarded to Lancaster, NY native Mike Hoerbelt.

This year's contest also included two math-themed winners. Winning the Math X category was Ricky Howard of Arcade and the Math Y category winner was Andrea Louis of Waterport.

All the winners were awarded a variety of gifts and prizes donated by Darien Lake Theme Resort, the Genesee Country Village & Museum, the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, and the Campus community. They also were given their own journals and a certificate of recognition.

For copies of each poem, please contact Anita Whitehead at 585-343-0055 x 6231 or at awhitehead@genesee.edu.

Deadline extended for Earth Day art contest

By Billie Owens

The deadline for entries has been extended for the ECO-Fest Earth Day Art Contest.

Submissions will now be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, April 20.

The contest aims to promote environmental awareness. It's co-sponsored by Genesee Community College and Present Tense Bookstore.

Original artwork in the following five categories will be considered:

Literary Arts (story, poem, or essay)
Visual Arts (painting, photography, sculpture, crafts)
Multimedia Arts (artwork that combines literary and visual components)
Children's Arts (artwork submitted by children under age 12)
Recycled Materials (artwork that incorporates recycled items)

Entries may be dropped off at Genesee Community College, MarCom Office D110 by 5 p.m. April 20. All entries will be displayed in the Lobby Art Gallery of the Stuart Steiner Theatre April 29 through May 1.

Winners will be announced at the 4th Annual CoolKids ECO-Fest on Thursday, April 30. The winning entries will also be displayed at Present Tense with an artists' reception on Saturday, May 2.

Entry forms are available at http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Art Contest form.pdf.
st Entry Form:  http://readme.readmedia.com/news/attachment/8996/GCC_Art_Contest_Entry_Form.pdf

County legislators look on four-year terms favorably, but issue needs more study

By Howard B. Owens

Steve Ferry, a Darien Town Council member, made his case tonight that Genesee County Legislator should serve staggered four-year terms rather two-year terms with all nine seats up for election in the same year.

Legislators seemed inclined to favor the idea, but bristled at the idea that the Legislator could enact a change without proper study and community committee meetings.

At the end of the meeting, Ferry told the legislators that they are leaders and should lead.

"You are elected officials, public servants, and if serving the public means putting it on the ballot, then do it," Ferry said.

Ferry's position is that the current two-year system is a disincentive for people to get involved in the local policy decisions and that too many legislative seats draw only a single candidate each election cycle.

"It seem ridiculous to have a legislative board having all nine people up for election at the same time," Ferry said.

Legislators, by and large, rejected the notion that there isn't enough public involvement in the county government.

"One reason we don’t have a lot of people involved is this is a well run county and we don’t have a lot of controversy in the county," said Legislator John J. Hodgins.

Power outages this morning?

By Howard B. Owens

A few people have hit the site this morning searching for information on power outages.  I don't have any information on any outages at this time.  If you do, please leave a comment.

Any other storm damage?  If you have pictures, please share them.

Gensee County sees opportunity in rural broadband stimulus package

By Howard B. Owens

The Obama stimulus package includes $7.2 billion to help rural America access the Internet more easily, and officials in Genesee County would like to ensure some of that money benefits the region.

Known as "Title VI--Broadband Technology Opportunities Program," the allocation is a mere 1 percent of the entire stimulus program.

County Manager Jay Gsell clued me in a couple of weeks ago about the County's efforts to attract some of that money to help areas of the county that do not yet have broadband access. He said the broadband effort is one of many tasks on the County's to-do list related to bringing as much stimulus money to the county as possible.

Stephen Zimmer, Genesee County Director of Information Technology, said the county is participating in a state program to map current broadband availability and identify areas of need.

New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton applauds the effort to help rural residents access the Internet more easily.

"Farmers in rural, agricultural areas need broadband," Norton said. "Support for broadband has been in our policy book for years. Technology is necessary to keep agriculture viable. Your business (The Batavian) thrives off of technology and agriculture is needing technology more and more."

Much is unknown even at this point about how the broadband program will be administered, and it may not be until 2010 before we see any results. This PCWorld article explains some of the unresolved questions about the program.

The broadband stimulus program is also not without controversy.

Former FCC economist Michael Katz has been acerbic in his dismissal of rural American and the need for spending $7.2 billion on improving Internet access.

Katz listed ways that the $7.2 billion could be put to better use, including an effort to combat infant deaths. But he also spoke of rural places as environmentally hostile, energy inefficient and even weak in innovation, simply because rural people are spread out across the landscape.

"The notion that we should be helping people who live in rural areas avoid the costs that they impose on society … is misguided," Katz went on, "from an efficiency point of view and an equity one."

According to the same NPR piece, a New York Times article has referred to the rural broadband initiative as a "cyber bridge to nowhere."

But others say the package could help another 20 million Americans get broadband access, and high-speed access does help create and retain jobs.

A study of 3,000 people in Michigan, Texas and Kentucky found those in areas that received broadband Internet grants from the federal Rural Utilities Service quickly signed up for service, matching the penetration rates in cities. That happened where network investment was coupled with community programs aimed at convincing people about the benefits of Internet access.

Home broadband users were more likely to start businesses or take classes online, and less likely to move away, the researchers at Michigan State University found.

Norton said a lot of farmers in Genesee County are still stuck with dial-up, which hurts their productivity. It also keeps them from accessing more advanced online-software that help them run their businesses.

"(Broadband) will help the more progressive and larger enterprises the most," Norton said, "but with the smaller ones, there lies another opportunity to educate people and help them."

Genesee County has modest job gains while rest of region struggles

By Howard B. Owens

Amidst a negative employment report, Genesee County is a bright spot, according to a story in the Buffalo News.

While the region saw unemployment reach a 25-year high, Genesee County actually added .09 percent in new jobs, the biggest increase of any rural or metro county in the state.

The rest of WNY continues to struggle.

“Across the board, we have a lot of weakness,” said John Slenker, the labor department’s regional economist in Buffalo.

The job losses were widespread throughout all portions of the local economy, with particularly steep declines at local factories, where more than 5 percent of the region’s manufacturing jobs have disappeared over the last year. But service-providing jobs also took a hit, with the loss of 8,400 of those jobs, from banking to retail and hospitality.

UPDATE: The Daily News, like WBTA, is reporting different numbers than the Buffalo News. The Daily reports that unemployment in Genesee County rose from 9 per cent to 9.5 percent.

News Round Up: County sells some health department services; roads to be repaved

By Howard B. Owens

Dan Fischer at WBTA is working on these and other stories this morning:

  • The Genesee County legislature sold some health department services to a Rochester company for $1.4 million. Six nurses will lose their jobs and another will retire.
  • More than $800,000 in Federal stimulus package money will be spent on repaving Batavia-Stafford Townline Road and R. Stephen Hawley Drive. County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens told WBTA why these roads were selected.

Tune in to WBTA 1490-AM for news updates throughout the morning.

Jell-O tops HLOM list of 25 Things that Made Genesee County Famous

By Howard B. Owens

Jell-O, the jiggly treat that has delighted billions of happy childhood days, is the number one thing that helped put Genesee County on the map, according to historian and Holland Land Office Museum direct Pat Weissand.

Americans love Jell-O. In fact, Americans eat more than 300 million boxes of Jell-O every year and about 160 products are sold under the Jell-O name.   Jell-O is as much a part of Americana as baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet. By proclamation of the state governor, it is the official state snack of Utah. Residents of Utah eat more Jell-O per capita than anyone else.

Jell-O is an American icon. Since the early days of the company, Jell-O has mastered the technique of successful advertising campaigns. They used well-known artists such as Rose O'Neil, Maxfield Parrish, Cole Philips and Norman Rockwell in their print advertising; Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and Kate Smith in radio advertising and Bill Cosby in their television marketing campaigns.

Wikipedia says powered gelatin was patented 40 years before it was dubbed Jell-O in LeRoy, N.Y.

Gelatin has been well known and used for many years. It was popularized in the Victorian era with spectacular and complex "jelly moulds". Gelatin was sold in sheets and had to be purified, which was very time-consuming. It also made gelatin desserts the province of the relatively well-to-do. In 1845, industrialist Peter Cooper (who built the first American steam-powered locomotive, the Tom Thumb), obtained a patent (US Patent 4084) for powdered gelatin.

Forty years later the patent was sold to a LeRoy, New York-based carpenter and cough syrup manufacturer, Pearle B. Wait. He and his wife May added strawberry, raspberry, orange and lemon flavoring to the powder and gave the product its present name in 1897.

Whether invented in LeRoy or LeRoy was merely the launching pad for one of America's most commercially successful food products, Jell-O has contributed much to life and fame for Genesee County.

Tim Rivers disagrees.

Maybe Jell-O is famous, cute and conjures warm fuzzies about childhood (especially when dolloped with whipped cream). But Jell-O hasn't had the same long-lasting local impact as the muckland in Elba and Byron.

The muck is listed No. 21 in things that made Genesee County famous. The 7,000 acres of muck stretches into Orleans County in Barre and Clarendon. The dark, highly organic soil brought hundreds of hard-working immigrants to the community in the 1920s and 1930s.

...

Unlike Jell-O, the muck is still here, still producing crops, still creating jobs, still unleashing human potential. There are 10 farms today working the muck and those farms continue as community cornerstons. Torrey, Bezon, Yunker, Halat, Starowitz, Vigneri, Mortellaro, Panek, Smith and Shuknecht remain, tilling the soil, planting seeds and harvesting crops.

Well, nothing like a little controversy to close out a months-long instructive and entertain journey through Genesee County history. 

Though, Tom left out another key point: The local ball club ain't called the Jell-O Dogs!

If you've never visited the Jell-O Museum, it's worth the time. Here's the museum's Web site.

A few months ago, Philip produced this video:

Daughter of county manager found dead in Rochester apartment

By Howard B. Owens

Claire Gsell, the 27-year-old daughter of County Manager Jay Gsell, was found dead in her Rochester apartment by her parents on Sunday.

WBTA reported this afternoon that Gsell and his wife became concerned when Claire failed to answer her phone on Sunday.

The cause of death is unknown at this time, but foul play is not suspected, according to Dan Fischer.

Our condolences to the Gsell family.

UPDATE: Mary Pat Hancock, chair of the County Legislature, issued a brief statement to WBTA.

Officials arrest 23 people for possibly illegally selling native reptiles

By Howard B. Owens

State officials announced in Albany yesterday the arrest of 23 people -- including an unidentified Genesee County man -- for allegedly dealing illegally in New York native species.

The group of people were allegedly capturing and selling native rattlesnakes, salamanders and turtles.

"We were addressing what was becoming a mammoth industry in New York, and that was the illegal trade in New York reptiles," said Thomas, a law enforcement lieutenant at DEC's regional headquarters in Avon, Livingston County.

Thomas said that reptiles and amphibians should be valued and protected as bedrock species in their ecosystems that consume insects and small mammals perceived as pests, and in turn being consumed by larger animals.

UPDATE: The D&C's version of the story includes this information:

Among those charged with misdemeanor counts were Kenneth R. Howard Jr., 53, of Oakfield, Genesee County, and Michael J. Loveless, 58, of Machias, Cattaraugus County. Both men are accused of illegally trapping snapping turtles and selling them in Maryland for meat.

Schumer announces millions in relief for WNY - nothing yet for Genesee Co.

By Philip Anselmo

Sen. Charles Schumer, in tandem with newly appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, issued nearly twenty press releases this morning on funding earmarked for upstate New York communities in the upcoming federal omnibus bill. None of that money has yet been tagged for projects in Genesee County, at least not according to the announcements out of Schumer's office. Buffalo and Niagara Falls were both listed as recipients of significant funding.

Buffalo was awarded $950,000 for its Main Street revitilization project. Niagara Falls will receivie $950,000 to ramp up its "international railway station." Tack on funding for university and medical projects, railway infrastructure and tourism, and the funding level for the greater Buffalo region tops $3 million.

From an article in the Buffalo News this morning:

The money for Buffalo and Niagara Falls will be included in an omnibus federal spending bill funding government operations through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill today, with Senate consideration set for next week.

Rochester also looks to benefit. The George Eastman House is on the bill for $381,000 "to preserve and allow access to museum library collections through new Web applications."

From the press release:

"This is terrific news for the entire Rochester community," said Schumer.  "The George Eastman House is one of the oldest and most revered photography and film museums worldwide. In these technology-driven times, it’s important for the federal government to do everything in its power to ensure that such historic, cultural gems as this one are able to adapt in ways that allow them to both preserve their heritage and expand their resources.”

“These federal dollars will go a long way to preserve the collections at the George Eastman House while making them accessible through the internet,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These snapshots are an important part of our history. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal funding.”

A significant portion has been eyed for higher education in the state. St. John Fisher College is on tap for $475,000. Albany's College of Nanoscience and Engineering is marked for $1 million. Binghamton University is in line to receive $2 million.

Batavia City Council members Charlie Mallow and Marianne Clattenburg were in Albany recently meeting with "key officials," according to Mallow, in the hopes of securing fundig for the city. We hope to soon hear what progress they made.

County eyes three potential providers to replace city of Batavia ambulance

By Philip Anselmo

BATAVIA, N.Y. — Three potential ambulance providers are being talked about to replace the city of Batavia ambulance service, which will cease to operate as of September 1, according to the Daily News.

Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell told a group of municipal representatives from across the county last night that Rural Metro Corp., Twin City Ambulance and Monroe Ambulance would "likely" submit proposals to the county to take over service.

Explains Joanne Beck in that article:

Volunteer fire companies would still have a role ... and would be able to respond to emergencies and do some transports unless the provider specifically asks for every transport. UMMC has offered space to house ambulances of the future provider and that provider would set itself up as a business, Gsell said. It would make its money by charging customers for each service call. There isn't to be any type of fee charged to the municipality, he said.

Rural Metro is a nationwide corporation whose stock currently trades at $1.25 per share with a six-month high of $2.50 coming at the end of September. The company operates out of 22 states in the continental U.S.

From the company's Web site:

What began with one man's vision has grown today into a company with approximately $500 million in annual revenues and more than 8,000 employees who provide health and safety services throughout the United States. Annually, Rural/Metro's employees respond to more than 1 million calls for assistance.

Monroe Ambulance is a 34-year-old service that operates out of Rochester. From the mission statement:

Monroe Ambulance provides Advanced Life Support with area volunteer ambulance and fire departments, ensuring that patients who live in outlying areas have access to all of our life saving paramedic services. This includes back-up Advanced Life Support to area volunteer agencies, fire departments, and ambulance corps.

We provide medically supervised transports for patients needing transport with minimal assistance (i.e., patients able to move, sit, and walk on their own with slight assistance, such as those traveling home from same day surgery).

We are seeking information on staffing levels for Monroe.

Twin City Ambulance is based in Erie County and serves the suburban Buffalo area. More than 200 technicians make up its core staff.

Twin City was in the news a few years back over a controversial call not to send an ambulance to assist two policemen who had been shot in Buffalo. Critics claimed the call was a callous rejection. Company representatives said that the call was outside the ambulance crew's service area. That report:

We're seeking further information from Gsell on the logistics of having an outside company take over the ambulance service for the county. We will provide those details as they become available.

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