Though we still have much to do, we no longer think that a separate Advisory Council is necessary. I wanted to share several signs of progress toward our goal of connecting with the Chemung community. One is the fact that this year the agency's Board of Directors is divided evenly between members from Tompkins County and members from Chemung and Schuyler Counties. Steve Jacobsen, CDRC 's Deputy Director since last summer, is an Elmira resident and has been a volunteer mediator with our Elmira office since 1998. Paula Smetanka, who helped us open our Chemung County office, continues to be a valued staff member and is now supervisor of our Chemung and Schuyler of'fices.
Staff are now a part of several important networks of service providers.
We consider you a friend of the agency and hope you are willing to be contacted when your particular expertise or connections may be of value to us. Similarly, if you have ideas or suggestions that may be helpful to us as we consider how best to meet the needs of Chemung County, please call me, Steve or Paula. We welcome your input. We look forward to continuing to build relationships with community members like you who are willing to assist us. Thank you again for your time and support.