The Bulletin -- Aug 25, 2010 (#1053)

Sheriff David Favro speaks with club members Doug Kashorek and Ellie Murray following the program. Favro highlighted the county’s recenent successes and challenges.

Program: Dave Favro; Clinton County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Dave Favro was a mere 20 years old when he got into law. He is proud to be Clinton County Sheriff and enjoys opportunities such as today’s program. It gives him the chance to make sure people understand the challenges faced by the police department.

Favro began by discussing the recent expansion of the Clinton County ail. It is a 300 bed facility, but it is important to him that people realize it does not necessarily house 300 inmates at a time. There are many restrictions and classifications set forth by the state from which Favro cannot deviate. For instance, they house a certain number of adult females, adult males, delinquent offenders etc. Beds are designated accordingly. While there may be room in the adult female ward, they cannot fill the beds with adult males.

Favro made an interesting distinction between the Clinton County jail and correctional facilities. He explained that inmates in correctional facilities have often been there (are sentenced to be there) for years. It gives the CO’s plenty of opportunity to know each individual, their crimes, their patterns and personalities. The jail’s inmates are more transient, and many of the officers never come to know what they did to get there. Favro explained, “We don’t know all the details of their crimes or their demeanors. We basically have no idea who we’re dealing with at any given moment.”

Another challenge officers face at the county jail is the often unfortunate lack of practicality when it comes to state regulations. The Commission on Corrections sets the guidelines, but are sometimes out of touch with how they are implemented. For instance, a pregnant inmate is not allowed to be restrained in anyway whatsoever. This presents obvious threats to officers and personnel, especially in light of two recent pregnant inmates incarcerated for murder.

Along the same lines, Favro explained that the budget is roughly a half million dollars for inmate medical care. Favro said, “I have a member of my staff who could not receive local treatment for an illness. Yet two days prior, an inmate was transported to the hospital and received the same exact treatment the officer needed. Our insurance didn’t cover the officer’s treatment.” Favro recognizes the obvious injustice and does his best to advocate for his employees whenever possible.

Maria Alexander, Executive Director of the Senior Citizen’s Council, accepts a $300 donation to support the 14th Annual Senior Celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

From a business standpoint, when you look at the cost of operating the jail, Favro said they are not paying much more now to operate the facility than before. They bring in revenue for boarding federal inmates, and their projected revenue is about $200,000 over what it was this time last year. This is a good thing from a business perspective, but from a community perspective it’s not great news. It means more inmates which generally means there is more crime.

In terms of patrol, Favro has received almost $2 million in grant funding over the last seven years. He is proud to say that taxpayers have not had to fund a single vehicle, firearm or computer. These items have been procured through grant funding and asset forfeiture.

Sheriff Favro made a point to thank the men and women behind the scenes who work tirelessly through double shifts and holidays. There are people on duty 24/7. He asked that if we see anyone affiliated with the Sheriff’s Department, please thank them for the great work they do to make us safer.

Visiting Rotarians: Dave Malone (Watertown), Robert Kornmeyer (Sunrise)

Guests: Jody Gibbons (Jack Helfgott), Steve Bailey (Steve Frederick), Richard Reome (Vicki Marking)

Announcements:

• The Paul Harris Dinner at the Burgundy Room. Nominations are due today (Aug 25).
• Ellen Bouchard reminded the club that duck sales will be held tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 28 at Sam’s Club. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up.
• The Battle of Plattsburgh events are scheduled for Sept. 11. Please set aside some time to volunteer.
• Don’t forget the District Conference coming up on Oct. 29-30. Feel free to attend one or both days, as they should be exciting.
• Wallace Westfeldt took a fall recently. Please sign the card that is circulating.
• Steve Frederick recently returned from Australia and brought back a flag from a tiny club south of Sydney.
• Maria Alexander accepted a $300 gift on behalf of the Senior Citizens Council for Senior Enrichment Day. It is the 14th annual celebration and will be held at Clinton Community College this year on Oct. 12.
• Stan Ransom accepted a $300 check on behalf of the Plattsburgh Library for the Summer Reading Program.
  Twelve members still have yet to pay dues! Please pay!
• Happy Birthday Jon Cooper.

Colin’s Cash:

• Dave Kimmel announced the upcoming essay contest being conducted by the Youth Committee. He asked the club for volunteers willing to judge the essays. Please see Dave or if you would like to help.
• Keith Tyo has two dollars for the students returning to campus. Be careful as you drive through the campus. Keith also ran into Bob Golden recently who is the president Elect in Granville Rotary Club
• Steve Frederick had a dollar for Bill Rowe who helped out with the Clinton Regatta this weekend. Bill served as a play-by-play announcer at the college. Sailors on the water actually heard Bill’s booming voice hollering instructions.
• Rick Leibowitz encouraged members to take a look at the club’s new facebook page.
• Maria Alexander had a dollar to tack onto Steve’s Clinton Regatta announcement. Her dollar was for Amy Kretser who, with her husband and several other crew members, have won the Clinton Regatta for five years in a row.

Auction Item: Kevin Killeen auctioned several Battle of Plattsburgh buttons for $8 each.

Another Candle Burning For: Jon Cooper (8/25), Colin Read (8/26) and Joshua Kretser (8/28).

50/50: The pot is worth $791 and we are looking for the Queen of Hearts. Marty Mannix drew the Ace of Spades.