Helene Mellon Memorial

S.P.I.R.I.T Awards

 

Spotlighting Progressive Implementation of Revered Innovative Technology

 

2011 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 

The Helene Mellon Memorial SPIRIT 2011 Award for Community Service

Senator Patricia Ritchie

 

Senator Ritchie provides a model for adoption of web based Informational Technology tools and uses them with creativity and innovation to engage citizens in development of public policy and current government operations. 

 

Examples date back to her work as St. Lawrence County Clerk when she launched a web based petition that resulted in State wide participation to protest changes underway in Albany to modify all licenses plates resulting in fee spikes for all drivers in NYS. Her office utilized a web based Google form to collect names from citizens across NYS who opposed the new license plates. The initiative was ultimately defeated, largely due to the public outcry communicated through this online tool.

 

She continues to embrace widely available tools, like Facebook, to engage the public with 5,000+ fans. She collected thousands of 'Fans' during her campaign for State senator. This gives her real-time access to her constituents to poll, remind, communicate and thank. She continues to use Facebook and other online survey tools to gather information and support for initiatives underway in Albany. She updates fans of her activities in Albany, and offers an opportunity for fans to comment on those activities.

 

The Helene Mellon Memorial SPIRIT Award 2011 for Education

St. Lawrence County Cooperative Extension

 

St. Lawrence County Cooperative Extension has been helping with people in all types of agriculture with classes and programs with the use of videoconferencing technology.  They are using videoconference connections throughout NYS to bring information to the agriculture community of St. Lawrence County.  Some of the people benefiting from these connections are the Livestock Group, Dairy Group and Poultry Group.  Some classes that have been offered are Beginning Farmers, New Enterprises, Building your Small Farm Dream and Marketing for Profit.

 

The Helene Mellon Memorial SPIRIT 2011 Award for Business and Industry

Development Authority of the North Country Internet Mapping Application

 

The Development Authority of the North Country’s Internet Mapping Application (IMA) is a web-based GIS that is hosted and maintained by the Authority. The IMA is available to Authority staff, municipal customers, and the general public. It allows users to print maps, measure, add sketches, and view/find spatial data. These data include regional and municipal water and wastewater systems (lines, valves, shutoffs, manholes, pump stations, etc.), the Authority’s regional Open Access Telecommunications Network (utility poles, aerial and buried fiber optic cable), and environmental and operational infrastructure at the Solid Waste Management Facility in Rodman, NY. The IMA supports the Authority’s objective of being a leader and regional resource to communities for the application of technology for infrastructure operations.

 

The Helene Mellon Memorial SPIRIT 2011 Award – Honorable Mention

St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services / NYS Office of Fire Protection / Dale Gardner NYS Fire Instructor

 

NYS Office of Fire Protection through the office of SLC Emergency Services and Dale Gardner have been offering firemen classes through the SLL BOCES Distance Learning network since 1996.  Over the last 3 years that has expanded with the use of videoconferencing technology.  Dale Gardner is a NYS Fire Instructor and lives in Daytona Beach Florida in the winter months.  The NYS Office of Protection furnished Dale with a videoconferencing unit, which he uses while in Florida to connect back to SLC to offer firemen classes throughout the winter.  The connections have also expanded to Lewis, Franklin and Steuben counties.  Some of the classes that are being taught -

Incident Safety Officer, Intro to Fire Officer, Fire Officer 1, Confined Space Awareness, Principle of Building Construction: Combustible, Principle of Building Construction: Non Combustible, Conducting Live Fire Training Evolutions, Fire Behavior and Arson Awareness, New Vehicle Technology.

 

About SPIRIT:

The St. Lawrence County Information Technology Advisory Board wishes to spotlight innovative technology implemented in today’s North Country organizations through SPIRIT Awards granted to deserving candidates. The possibilities for applying new information technologies are limited only by our imagination and creativity. The Board believes that the best way to expand our imagination is to look to others in the example they set. A SPIRIT Award just may spark a brainstorm for your organization when you consider what others have done in theirs. 

 

In Memory:

The SPIRIT awards are a tribute to committee member Helene Mellon who passed away suddenly in March 2010. Helene will be remembered for her valued service on the SLC IT Committee. Her work on several projects, including the North Country Technology Symposium and the SPIRIT Awards 2010 is remembered. She is missed by fellow committee members and by the St. Lawrence County community.

 

 

 

 

SPIRIT Awards will be presented at the upcoming North Country Technology Symposium on May 25, 2011 at Clarkson University.

 

For more info contact Laura Perry, Chair, SLC Information Technology Committee at laurap@slic.com or 315-265-4233.