This week in Hometown News, Gordon shares where the Glens Falls region stands on reopening, a county by county COVID round-up, the latest on Sgt. Arthur Coon’s recovery, and - you probably don’t want to hear what else is canceled - but we’ve got that too (and much more).
Glens Falls Region Awaits the Green Light to Reopen
As the North Country, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier prepare to gradually emerge from the statewide “COVID-19 pause” on Friday, Warren County waits with the other seven counties of the Capital Region to meet the data-driven benchmarks necessary to start reopening the economy.
Warren County meets all seven benchmarks individually, but will be lumped in with Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washington, Columbia and Greene Counties in the Capital Region in determining when the reopening process can start.
On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo announced that the Capital Region had met six of seven benchmarks, but in his Wednesday morning press briefing, he said they now meet five of seven.
Administrator Ryan Moore, who is in charge of compiling and analyzing the data for Warren County, hadn’t heard that news when we spoke to him early Wednesday afternoon.
“Well that’s a punch in the gut,” he said. “But Warren County is still seven for seven.”
He said he’ll know more after his daily 2 p.m. conference call with the Governor’s office.
The Capital Region has not yet met the benchmarks for 14-day decline in net hospitalizations or less than 15 new hospitalizations (3-day average) or for a 14-day decline in hospital deaths or fewer than five deaths (3-day average).
The process of reopening will be done in four phases, Gov. Cuomo says. Phase I includes the resumption of construction and manufacturing. Curbside-only retail, wholesale trade and agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing and hunting may also restart.
Each phase must be separated by at least 14 days, and will be monitored closely by county officials like Mr. Moore. When new benchmarks are reached, the next phase can begin.
Phase 2 includes professional services, finance and insurance, retail, administrative support, real estate, renting and leasing. Phase 3 includes restaurants and food service. And Phase 4 includes arts, entertainment, recreation and education.
You can check out the NYS regional monitoring dashboard here.
COVID-19, County by County
The novel coronavirus continues to dominate local news.
Warren County now has seen 26 residents die of COVID-19. Twenty of those deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. Three people remain hospitalized, six are in critical condition in the hospital or another facility. There have been 213 cases overall in Warren County. 134 residents have recovered, and there are 53 active cases.
Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 190 total cases since the pandemic began. 122 residents have recovered, with 57 cases still active.
Saratoga County reports 14 deaths, 318 residents currently in isolation or quarantine, 404 confirmed cases overall, and nine people hospitalized as of Wednesday.
NY State reports through May 12 that 11 residents of Glens Falls Center in Queensbury have died, with another five deaths presumed to be COVID-19 related. Ten residents of Fort Hudson in Fort Edward have died. Four residents of The Pines in Glens Falls have died, with two additional presumed cases.
At Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, the state reports that as of Monday at 3 p.m., a total of 33 inmates had been infected. That’s one more than the state reported Saturday. There are no tests pending, and eight inmates tested negative. Eighteen inmates have recovered, and seven are currently being treated. At Washington Correctional Facility across the street, there are no inmates currently infected. Two inmates tested negative earlier this month.
Outpouring of Love and Support for Sgt. Arthur Coon
Retired National Guard recruiter Sgt. Arthur P. Coon is recovering in Albany Medical Center from a stroke he suffered Monday morning.
Hannah Coon, the daughter of Sgt. Coon and his wife Julie, told Glens Falls Living Tuesday that “we are a lot more hopeful now. We’re very, very happy.”
She said her father had FaceTimed with them earlier in the day, acknowledging their commands and reacting to prompts. He was still ventilated at that point after undergoing surgery Monday afternoon to remove one of three blood clots.
Tuesday evening, the family posted another update on Facebook, writing, “We have some…updates tonight that we’re very optimistic about. We talked to my dad’s nurse and she said he was laughing at her jokes and smiling. She called back a short time later and my dad wanted to call us when asked.
“He is shockingly now breathing without the ventilator. He was able to say ‘hi’ but of course his throat isn’t the best right now from the vent. We don’t even have words, we’re completely shocked.”
Hannah said her father, who started the annual Christmas Eve March in Glens Falls, is “the healthiest person I know. He exercises two to three hours a day, he eats healthy. His family has a history of heart problems and strokes, and that is what he was trying to avoid.”
He tested negative for COVID-19, she said, and doctors are hoping the blood clot at the base of his brain will dissolve without surgery.
Because of hospital restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 virus, no one has been able to visit Sgt. Coon.
“That’s been really tough on my mom,” Hannah said. “We understand, but it’s hard. He takes care of her. It’s hard just being home waiting for a call.”
But they are buoyed by the support of family and friends.
“We know the impact he’s had on the community,” she said. “It’s so overwhelming. It’s crazy all of the people who are praying so hard for him. People are offering hotel rooms and rides to Albany. Someone in Massachusetts called and said he was coming up to mow my mom’s lawn.
“My dad is such a great person. The support is so overwhelming in a good way. I truly believe all the the thoughts and prayers have gotten him to where he is now.”
~ Grab the latest regarding Sgt. Coon’s status on Facebook by clicking here.
Some Noteworthy Facts and Figures from Warren County’s Partnership for Recovery Report
The EDC of Warren County and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce coordinated a countywide effort called the Warren County Partnership for Recovery: Situation Report on COVID-19 and Recovery Needs. The report was released Tuesday.
Its executive summary says, “What is clear from this initial, baseline assessment is that significant recovery funding from the federal government is urgently needed. Without it, Warren County local governments and agencies, colleges and schools, public services, essential health care providers and private-sector businesses and community organizations will suffer steep and continuing economic losses. Some businesses and organizations will recover; others may cease to exist.”
In a 113-page report, several things jumped out at me. Among them:
“The Warren County Treasurer forecasts a decline in sales tax revenue approaching $10 million in the current calendar year. To mitigate these losses, the county is developing a plan to reduce current year expenses by $4 million to $5 million. This could require, among other things, a hiring freeze, staffing consolidations, mergers of county departments, postponement of collective bargaining negotiations, and salary and wage freezes for nonunion personnel.”
“Warren County also stands to lose millions of dollars in state aid if Congress and the President fail to include substantial state and local government assistance in a stimulus bill. The New York State Association of Counties is warning that the state may be forced to reduce aid to local governments by 50 percent, a potential $8.7 million loss to Warren County. The result would be a dramatic loss of vital local services, massive property tax increases or a combination of the two.”
Glens Falls Hospital
“Glens Falls Hospital, the essential health care services provider and largest employer in the county, is facing major financial challenges. The hospital sustained a 2019 operating loss of $14.9 million, the result of insufficient federal and state reimbursements and overall declines in patient volume. It sustained operating losses in the first quarter of 2020 totaling nearly $11 million.
“In March, New York State ordered all hospitals to develop plans for a surge of patients and to halt elective procedures to ensure there were sufficient beds for COVID-19 patients. As a result, Glens Falls Hospital sacrificed $27 million in revenue while investing $5 million in the required COVID-19 preparations. The financial pressures led to the furlough of more than 360 employees and reductions in salaries for administrators and physicians. Thus far, the assistance Glens Falls Hospital has received from the federal government totals $6 million.”
Hudson Headwaters
“The Hudson Headwaters Health Network, too, has experienced a significant drop in revenue as a result of the restrictions on non-emergent and elective medical procedures. During the week before the state of emergency was declared, Hudson Headwaters had 7,013 patient encounters at its 19 health centers, with only 29 percent of the appointment slots empty. In a recent week, HHHN had only 3,122 in-person patient encounters, and half of an already reduced number of appointment slots went unfilled.”
Tourism
“Tourism generates millions of dollars in sales and occupancy taxes that help fund Warren County government. The industry generates more than $600 million in direct spending annually and more than 9,000 jobs. Warren County lodging facilities sell 1 million room nights a year.
“In 2019, the county’s 4 percent occupancy tax produced $4.8 million which, in turn, was invested in tourism promotion, marketing and events. The closely related second home, real estate, construction, cultural and retail sectors generate significant additional economic activity.
“This year, tourism community leaders believe that visitor spending may be reduced by as much as 50 percent. Already, hotel occupancy appears to be down 75 percent from normal levels and the numbers of employees working in year-round operations have been reduced as much as 80 percent.”
Schools
“Warren County’s school districts also are planning for a possible return to traditional classroom instruction in the summer or fall, depending on direction from the state Education Department. Educators are addressing the special challenges of requiring face masks and enforcing social distancing and handwashing among children and acquiring sufficient PPE for teachers and staff.
“Having been physically out of a classroom for months, students’ academic progress and needs have to be assessed. Students with special needs may need specific additional support as they return to school.
“Deep cleaning and disinfecting schools and buses every day will cost more money. Schools are exploring options for continuing extracurricular and sports activities with social distancing. These activities are not only important to students’ development, but some students depend on sports, music and theater scholarships to attend college.”
Retail
“The impacts on the retail community have been significant. At Aviation Mall, only two businesses are open on a daily basis. April and May rent payments are down in excess of 80 percent and well short of the revenue required to pay operating costs, property taxes and debt service. Some bricks-and-mortar retailers are filing for bankruptcy. Some national estimates suggest 25 percent or more of small businesses will not be able to re-open following the pandemic.”
The Arts
“Local arts, theater and cultural organizations, whose annual events attract thousands of local people and visitors, are in danger of having to cancel their seasons and forgo the financial support necessary to support their continued operation. The organizations have lost grant, ticket and sponsorship revenues, and some report a decline in charitable donations. Yet most still bear rent and other contractual expenses. Staff have been furloughed at several organizations. Some groups are reluctant to engage in detailed planning for future events until there is clear guidance on a date for reopening and social-distancing regulations that will need to be followed. "
Human Services
“The Salvation Army blew through its entire fiscal year 2020 food budget in 40 days,” according to EDC’s Ed Bartholomew and the ARCC’s Mike Bittel.
“Human service agencies are also considering how to reduce services to the vulnerable populations they serve. CWI has been informed of a 20 percent cut to its funding at a time when many of its services already were operating at a deficit.”
You Probably Don’t Want to Hear What Else is Canceled, but…
The City of Glens Falls just released a slew of cancelations for the summer, which includes Kids Club Day Camp, the City Band Concert Series, the closure of Haviland’s Cove Beach, East Field Pool, basketball courts, playgrounds, and more. You can read the full list here.
GlobalFoundries Talking with Trump Administration about More Chip-Fab Plants
The Albany Times Union reports that GlobalFoundries is talking with federal officials about creating more high-tech computer chip fabrication plants around the country. The Wall Street Journal first reported the story Monday.
GlobalFoundries employs hundreds of workers from the Glens Falls region at its chip fab plant in Malta.
A company spokeswoman told the TU that GlobalFoundries was involved in discussions “on how to ensure technological leadership through U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing.”
Could another plant be in the Capital Region?
Dennis Brobston, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation president, told the TU, “I’m very hopeful we’re going to be looked at.”
Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth in Albany, said, “This region is ready. We have the sites. We have the workforce.”
And technology analyst Tim Dunn of Dunn Strategy Group in Malta was quoted, “We’re really well-positioned in New York.”
Ending on a High Note
Dr. Mike Shea of Queensbury is one of six Hudson Valley Community College recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for 2020.
Dr. Shea, a full-time tenured professor in the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, received the Excellence in Faculty Service Award. He primarily teaches microbiology, general and organic chemistry, and general biology.
A 1999 South Glens Falls High School graduate, Dr. Shea earned a bachelor of science degree from SUNY Geneseo, his master’s degree in cell/cellular and molecular biology from Hofstra University, and his Ph.D in microbial biochemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
A press release from Hudson Valley Community College says “Michael Shea has been a faculty member at the college since 2010 and has been praised for his innovative and creative teaching, his service to students in the Science Study Center, and his willingness to take on leadership roles on campus.
“He has led efforts to create ‘hands-on’ instructional materials for chemistry students and acts as his department’s coordinator for the first-level chemistry courses for non-majors.”
Dr. Shea and his wife, Erica Fitzgerald Shea, live in Queensbury with their daughter Jillian. He is in his seventh year on the Queensbury Union Free School District Board of Education.
Instituted in 1972 by the State University of New York, the Chancellor's Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the university by dedicated professionals. Recipients must show a markedly strong dedication to their work or scholarship. Since its inception, more than 180 faculty and staff members from Hudson Valley have received the Chancellor's Award.
Until next time -
Gordon
