Displaying items by tag: Elise Stefanik
U.S. Rep Stefanik Visits Wilton: Says President Delegating Reopening To States “Right Decision”
WILTON — Earlier this month U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik visited with President Donald Trump at Camp David, where she said the president talked extensively about the research and development that’s going into a COVID-19 vaccination, as well as the “reopening” of the country.
“The president is very supportive of the safe reopening of the economy, which he’s delegated it to the states, and that was the right decision,” said the Congresswoman during a visit to a Belmonte Builders construction site in Wilton on May 26. “I want to see it at the state level – the delegation to the County Public Health Offices. I think that’s the right call moving forward because they’re the most connected.”
Stefanik represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes parts of Saratoga.
As the community prepares for its potential Phase 2 reopening next week, Stefanik said she believes preparations are also underway should a rise in COVID-19 infections hit the region.
“In my communications with the county public health offices and the hospitals, we are watching the data very, very closely. Our (increased) testing capacity gives us a better understanding of the real data in upstate, because initially we were undertested in this region,” she said. “But certainly, there are plans and discussions going on if there is a second surge in the virus transmission. It’s part of the conversation about reopening schools - we have to reopen schools safely and there are ways to do that - but many of our students who are underserved either in the disabilities community, or who are unable to access online education, they have atrophied so much during this crisis. I feel very confident that those conversations are being professionally handled by the county public health offices.”
Stefanik’s visit coincided with a joint announcement that she and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko made. Tonko represents the 20th Congressional District, which like the 21st District also includes parts of Saratoga. The announcement heralded a $61,515 award from the Federal Communications Commission to improve telehealth for Saratoga Hospital Consortium in Saratoga Springs. The funding is intended for remote diagnosis and monitoring equipment and other telehealth equipment to treat patients with COVID-19 infection and to expand telehealth to other patients with symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
“Out of necessary efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19, telemedicine has quickly become the primary method of connection between a patient and their doctor,” Saratoga Hospital CEO and President Angelo Calbone said in a statement. “Unfortunately, anyone who doesn’t have access to internet services and equipment can’t participate. Sometimes, a video visit can’t provide enough clinical information about a patient’s current status for those with chronic or serious conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. This grant enables us to pilot a Facilitated Telemedicine program that will provide essential medical care to these underserved populations without having to leave their homes.”
See You in a Century: Wilton’s Bicentennial Continues with Time Capsule Burial
Photos by SuperSource Media LLC.
WILTON — On Sept. 20 the Town of Wilton held the bicentennial ribbon cutting and time capsule burial at Wilton Town Hall located at 22 Traver Rd. In attendance were town board members, Todd Shimkus of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Sen. Kathy Marchione and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
Some items buried in the time capsule included memorabilia celebrating the event, maps of both the old and new Gavin Park, this year’s Historic Homes Tour brochure, a Saratoga TODAY commemorative magazine, a Parkfest brochure and a documentary titled “Wilton 200” produced by Tim Welch, among many others. Also placed in the time capsule was the obituary of Larry Gordon. Larry Gordon died on Sept. 11, 2018 and was part of the bicentennial committee. Gordon developed the bicentennial postage envelope, which was also placed in the time capsule.
“2018 has been a very special year for the town; it’s been a year of remembrance and celebration as we take pride in its 200th birthday. The bicentennial committee has hosted a series of special events designed to encourage our residents to reflect and remember our history,” Supervisor Art Johnson said in a speech before the ribbon cutting.
He later said “typically the Chamber is doing the ribbon cuttings for the opening of a business but today is a little bit different. The ribbon cutting will be putting a closure to a chapter of our town’s history.”
