June 1, 2021
June Newsletter
It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. Many farmers are completing their first cutting of hay and looking forward to a productive growing season. June brings an end to the school year, the beginning of vacation season for many and a time for family cookouts, picnics and travel. June is also a time for traffic safety reminders. We begin again sharing our roadways with motorcyclists, bicyclists, scooters, horse and buggy, slow moving farm machinery and increased pedestrian use. Please be aware of the additional non-traditional traffic on our roadways and slow down and give them room when encountering them.
As we reflect on Memorial Day, we remember and honor all who gave their lives so that we may remain free. Whether at the Bath National Cemetery or a local churchyard, we see all around us the reminders of patriotism, duty and sacrifice. We remember not only the sacrifice of the fallen, but the loss felt by their families and community. I am struck by the number of veterans that continue to serve in Steuben County law enforcement, having survived combat only to return and continue public service. I continue to be honored by the dedication and self-sacrifice of these members of the law enforcement profession and to their commitment to their fellow women and men. I thank everyone who took the time to attend the Steuben County Law Enforcement Memorial Service which honored the officers, deputies and troopers who have made the ultimate line of duty sacrifice in our county and the six contiguous counties. Thank you to Assemblywoman Byrnes, Assemblyman Palmesano, Mr. Joseph Sempolinski, Legislator Gray and our law enforcement partners and families who attended. A special thank you to Pastor and Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Mike Kelly who officiated.
We continue to celebrate the 225 years of service of the women and men of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office to the citizens of Steuben County. We welcomed two new deputies last month, Deputy Emily Waite, formerly of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Brian Kidder formerly of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office. Both Deputy Waite and Deputy Kidder came well recommended and are excited to continue their career in Steuben County. They will be in field training until the end of June and will then begin serving our county as solo deputy sheriffs. Also in June we will recognize four more heroes who saved lives in Steuben County, both in the Jail and while on patrol, Sergeant Lorrie Gardner, Officer Robert Labar, Corporal Andrew Hawk and Deputy Robert Shepherd.
In June, the Dairy Festival Parade will once again fill the streets of Bath, led by the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. The Devin Snyder Memorial Run will pay tribute to one of our local heroes, Sergeant Devin Snyder of Wayland. The Hammondsport Fire Department will host a speedboat race event on the south end of Keuka Lake. Life is starting to resume normalcy again.
Have a safe and happy June everyone,
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard