Tag: exec

Carol Hanscom and Tom Kremer Honored with Joint Star at Forum Theatre

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – The Friends of the Forum proudly inducted Carol Hanscom and Tom Kremer into the Forum Theatre’s Wall of Stars on Saturday. A joint star honoring their decades of contributions to the arts in Greater Binghamton and beyond was unveiled in the Forum Theatre lobby.

Hanscom and Kremer are best known locally for their leadership at the Cider Mill Playhouse, where together they shaped more than four decades of professional theater in Broome County.

Hanscom’s impact spans acting, directing, playwriting, and arts education. She performed in more than 60 productions at the Cider Mill Playhouse between 1976 and 2019 and directed 13 plays, including 30 seasons of A Cider Mill Christmas Carol, which she also co-authored.

Beyond Broome County, she appeared on national stages including Trinity Repertory Theatre (RI), Madison Repertory Theatre (WI), and the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), and even internationally at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing. Hanscom also founded the Appleseed Players, a touring children’s theater company that brought original productions to thousands of young audiences across New York State and Pennsylvania.

Kremer served as Artistic Direct of the Cider Mill Playhouse from 1984 – 1991 and later as Founding Artistic Director of Cider Mill Playhouse, Inc., from 1991 – 2016, guiding the organization through a critical restructuring to ensure its survival. He acted in 68 plays and musicals and directed 45 productions locally, while also bringing his talents to the national and international stage with performances and direction in California, Texas, China, England, Scotland, Wales, and Chile. Like Hanscom, Kremer co-authored A Cider Mill Christmas Carol, along with several other original works that became beloved parts of the Playhouse repertoire.

You can see all the stars on display in the lobby of the Forum Theatre.

Press Conference at the Broome County Public Library

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – Broome County Suicide Awareness For Everyone (BCSAFE) invites media and community members to a press conference on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Broome County Public Library to kick off its 6^th Annual “Chalk the Walk, Have the Talk” awareness campaign.

Press Conference Details

• Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• Location: Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St, Binghamton, NY 13901

Campaign Theme & Focus

This year, BCSAFE emphasizes the “Have the Talk” component of the campaign with the theme:
 

“One Conversation Can Make a Difference.”
Participants are encouraged to create chalk art that not only speaks messages of hope, resilience, and positivity but also inspires meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

Why It Matters

• Suicide matters—it remains a pressing public health concern and touches more than half of all Americans in some way.
• But there’s hope—91% of adults believe suicide is preventable, and open conversations can play a pivotal role in saving lives.
• Campaign origins: Started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Chalk the Walk provided a safe, creative outlet for connection and mental health advocacy. Entering its sixth year, the campaign continues to expand its reach across Broome County.

What to Expect at the Press Conference

• Opening remarks from BCSAFE leadership.
• Overview of the campaign’s goals and this year’s theme.
• Chalk art in front of the library and in the library’s outdoor garden.
• Photo and interview opportunities with organizers, participants, and advocates.

Get Involved

• Community members—join in chalking sidewalks with messages that inspire conversation and connection.
• Schools, families, faith groups, businesses, organizations—use chalk art as a springboard for meaningful dialogue on mental health.
• Media—your coverage amplifies awareness, reduces stigma, and helps share resources with those who need them most.

About BCSAFE

Broome County Suicide Awareness For Everyone (BCSAFE) began in 2012 to enhance suicide prevention through education, training, and awareness. By breaking down stigma and fostering open discussion, BCSAFE strives to reduce suicides and suicide attempts countywide.

Join us on September 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. as we Chalk the Walk and Have the Talk—because one conversation can truly make a difference.

For more information about the event or the campaign, or to schedule interviews, contact BCSAFE at BCSAFE@broomecountyny.gov or via the Broome County Mental Health Department at 607-778-2351.

More Than 2,000 Residents and Pets Served

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – Operation Healthy Broome has officially concluded, marking the end of a successful 10-day Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission in Broome County. In total, 2,062 individuals and pets benefited from no-cost medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and veterinary services.

The mission was carried out through the partnership of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), SUNY Broome Community College, Southern Tier 8, United Way of Broome County, the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, along with more local agencies and volunteers who supported the effort.

As part of the mission, hundreds of residents received free vision screenings and eyeglasses. For those who have not yet picked up their new fabricated glasses, they are available at the Broome County health Department (225 Front Street, Binghamton) during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

To make access easier, free Broome County Transit rides have been extended through Friday, August 29 for those traveling to the Health Department to pick up glasses.

Operation Healthy Broome was conducted as part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, which deploys military medical professionals across the country to provide no-cost serviced while also giving service members valuable training experience.

Broome County extends its sincere thanks to the DOD, community partners, volunteers, and residents who made this mission a success.

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – Operation Healthy Broome, the no-cost community health mission taking place at SUNY Broome Community College, has already provided care to more than 1,500 people, and there’s still time for residents to take advantage of these free services.

Healthy Broome offers medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care, at no cost to the public. No ID, no insurance, no payment, and no residency requirements. Residents from surrounding communities are encouraged to come and get the care they need.

The mission runs through Wednesday, August 20, with doors opening daily at 8 a.m. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free transportation through Broome County Transit is being offered to anyone attending Healthy Broome through August 20. Find routes at www.broomecountyny.gov/transit/routes.

More details on Healthy Broome at www.broomecountyny.gov/irt. 

No-Cost Medical, Dental, and Vision Services Mission

(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) – Broome County is proud to officially launch Operation Healthy Broome, a collaborative mission in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. From August 11 through August 20, Healthy Broome is providing no-cost medical, dental, and vision care services at SUNY Broome Community College’s Ice Center for residents and anyone in need from across the region.

Services offered:

• Medical: Preventive care, acute disease management, appropriate referrals (Ages 16+), school physicals (Ages 6-18), behavioral health screenings (Ages 18+)
• Dental: Exams, oral cancer screenings hygiene education, pain management, X-rays, fillings, simple toe moderate extractions (Ages 16+)
• Vision: Refractions, screenings for glaucoma and macular degeneration, dilated diabetic eye exams, fabrication of glasses (ages 5+)

Registration opens daily at 8 a.m. Services begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 5 p.m., or when daily capacity is reached for each service. All services are offered first-come, first-served. Attendees should plan to arrive early, expect wait times, and bring any relevant medical records or a list of current prescriptions (recommended but not required).

Broome County Transit is providing rides at no cost to anyone attending Healthy Broome. Simply inform the bus driver you are headed to Healthy Broome and your fare will be waived.

Attendees should enter SUNY Broome’s campus via Lt. Vanwinkle Drive, park in Lot 1 near South College Drive, and exit via North College Drive. The campus traffic will be one-way only during the mission. Accessible parking is available directly at the Ice Center. Directional signage is posted through the campus.

Service closure updates are being provided on Facebook @HealthyBroomeIRT.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – Broome County announced today that applications are now being accepted for the new tiny homes for veterans located on Binghamton’s North side at 530 State Street. The project features ten fully furnished units – six one-bedroom and four two-bedroom homes – designed to offer safe, accessible, and stable housing to eligible veterans. The units are ADA-compliant and feature on-site laundry with secure access.

The homes are located on the site of the Timothy M. Grippen Veterans Resource Center and will be managed by Soldier On, an organization committed to ending veteran homelessness.

The homes will be available to eligible veterans in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, which include a requirement that applicants have an income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Applications are online at https://broomecountyny.gov/ or can be found at the Broome County Public Library and Broome County Veterans Services office in the downtown County Office Building.

To submit applications:

Email:  phwaitlist@wesoldieron.org

or

Mail:    Soldier On

            290 Merrill Road

            Pittsfield, MA 01201

If you have questions, contact Soldier On at info@wesoldieron.org.

Cooling Centers & Beaches Open Across the County

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – With extreme heat expected in the coming days, Broome County is reminding residents of local cooling stations and offering free rides on Broome County Transit buses to help people stay safe and cool. Per the National Weather Service, “there is increasing confidence for oppressive heat and humidity starting Sunday through at least Tuesday. Heat index values in the upper 90s to low 100s are forecast with little relief at night due to elevated humidity. Monitor the forecast for details in coming days on this potential for a significant heat wave.”

Broome County Transit will offer free rides from Sunday (6/22) through Wednesday (6/25) to give residents a safe, air-conditioned option to cool off. Below is a list of additional locations to cool down:

• Broome County Public Library
• Broome West Senior Center
• Chenango Bridge Senior Center
• Deposit Senior Center
• Eastern Broome Senior Center
• Fenton Free Library
• First Ward Senior Recreation Center
• George F Johnson Memorial Library
• Jewish Community Center
• Johnson City Senior Center
• Mary L. Wilcox Library
• Northern Broome Senior Center
• Oakdale Commons
• Vestal Public Library
• Vestal Senior Center
• Your Home Public Library

Residents are encouraged to check the hours of operation for each facility before visiting, as hours may vary. A full list of cooling centers across New York State, including Broome County, can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/.

As a reminder, all Broome County parks and beaches are open and free to the public. Parks are open from 8 a.m. to dusk daily, and beach hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

Broome County urges all residents to take precautions during the heat. Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak hours, and check on neighbors who may need assistance.

Mixed-Use Development to Transform Former College Campus

(JOHNSON CITY, NY) – Local and state officials joined Square Deal Partners today to break ground on Riverside Gardens, a transformative $15.5 million redevelopment of the former Davis College campus at 400 Riverside Drive in the Village of Johnson City. Once complete, the project will breathe new life into the long-vacant site with 67 modern market-rate apartments and approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space.

Led by Square Deal Partners, the development will blend residential living with business space to create a vibrant, community-focused environment. The apartments will feature high-quality amenities such as fitness and recreation areas, gaming lounges, and private storage. The project will also include public-facing features like a new restaurant, a gymnasium, outdoor grilling areas, and EV charging stations.

This project is supported by a $500,000 award from New York State’s Restore New York Communities Initiative, a $500,000 investment from Broome County’s new Economic Development Fund, and additional assistance from the Broome County Industrial Development Agency through sales and mortgage tax exemptions and a PILOT agreement.

By transforming a dormant campus into a vibrant residential and commercial hub, Riverside Gardens directly addresses the growing need for housing in Broome County and will further support the ongoing revitalization of Johnson City and its surrounding communities.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “Riverside Gardens brings new life to a key area in Johnson City and addresses our growing need for more housing. It’s exactly the type of forward-thinking development our community needs, and Broome County is proud to support it through our new Economic Development Fund – the first of many projects we’ll help bring to life.”

“We are excited to see the redevelopment of the former Davis College into Riverside Gardens,” said Village of Johnson City Mayor Martin Meaney. “This property is in the middle of a residential neighborhood and has sat dormant for quite some time.  This redevelopment will provide much needed housing along with bringing vibrancy back into this beautiful parklike setting.”

“The groundbreaking for the new Riverside Gardens at the former Davis College site marks a significant step forward in the continued redevelopment of underutilized properties in Broome County. As construction begins, it symbolizes the transformation of the site into a vibrant residential community,” said Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance.

“Today’s groundbreaking is more than the start of construction— it is a transformation of this historic property to something meaningful for this community,” said Richard Gangemi, CEO of Fahs Construction Group.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “After years of vacancy, I’m happy to see work on Riverside Gardens finally getting underway. Once complete, this new community will be home to 67 units, a restaurant, recreational areas, and EV charging stations, along with its own iconic post office. I’m also pleased that the project received support from our RESTORE NY program which provides financial assistance to revitalize commercial and residential properties. I commend Square Deal Partners for their vision, and thank Empire State Development, Broome County, the IDA and others for their partnership.”

“Today’s groundbreaking at Riverside Gardens marks another exciting step forward in Johnson City’s transformation,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “This $15.5 million redevelopment will turn a long-vacant campus into a vibrant place to live, work, and gather. It’s exactly the kind of investment that helps communities thrive. I’m proud to support projects like this that bring high-quality housing, business space, and new opportunities to Broome County. Thank you to Square Deal Partners, our state and local partners, and everyone who’s helping turn this vision into reality.”

County Executive Garnar Highlights Staffing Improvements and Ongoing Commitment to Resident Care

(TOWN OF VESTAL , NY) – Thursday afternoon, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar introduced Sonya Moshier as the new Administrator at Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and highlighted the significant workforce gains that have occurred since the county implemented wage increases earlier this year.

Since February 1, 2025, Willow Point has welcomed 71 new hires across a variety of critical positions. These positions include certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, unit aides, and other essential roles that support daily care and operations.

Sonya brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, having served in both public and private settings across New York State. She has a strong background in senior care operations and strategic planning, making her well-qualified to lead Willow Point into its next chapter.

Following the press conference, a pinning ceremony was held to recognize employees for their years of dedicated service to Willow Point.

No-Cost Medical, Dental, Optometry, and Veterinary Services Available to the Public through Innovative Readiness Training

(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) – Broome County, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Military’s Reserve Forces, is proud to announce Healthy Broome, a community health initiative through the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. Healthy Broome will offer medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary services at no cost to residents from August 11 to August 20, 2025, at SUNY Broome Community College’s Ice Center.

Services will be available to any individual or pet (dogs and cats only) in need at no cost, with no insurance required. All services are offered on a walk-in basis and are first-come, first-served each day.

More details and service descriptions can be found at www.broomecountyny.gov/irt. Further updates will be available in the time leading up to the event on Facebook @HealthyBroomeIRT and Instagram @healthybroome.

United Way of Broome County is coordinating volunteers to support Healthy Broome. Community members interested in helping this mission are encouraged to visit https://www.uwbroomevolunteers.org/ for more information.

“Healthy Broome is an incredible opportunity to bring quality health services directly to the people of our community, at no cost,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “This partnership with the Department of Defense allows us to meet critical needs for residents while helping our military personnel gain vital real-world training.”

SUNY Broome President Dr. Tony Hawkins said, “we are honored to host the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) at SUNY Broome this summer, providing vital support to our community while offering our Student Village as a home base for the dedicated service members participating in Healthy Broome.”

“I look forward to the 2025 Heathy Broome County Innovative Readiness Training event. This program not only produces mission-ready forces through military training opportunities, but it also provides key services for communities such as Broome County.  Service members will provide medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and basic veterinarian services. These Service members will benefit from real-world medical training, while Broome County as the community partner will benefit from no-cost medical care,” said Joseph Mihalko, Broome County Clerk and Southern Tier 8 Board Member.

I am absolutely thrilled that the Innovative Readiness Training Program is coming to Broome County and especially pleased to learn it will be held in the Town of Dickinson and in the campus of SUNY Broome,” said Town of Dickinson Supervisor, Michael Marinaccio. “This is a much-needed program that will serve our great veterans and others. Our veterans have served our country and have made it a safer place to live and now it is time that we serve our veterans. I am also grateful for the approximately 130 military staff that will provide the many services such as dentistry, optical services, psychological services, and even veterinary services for pets. Thank you all who have organized this wonderful event. God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans.”