Shannon O’Keefe 1st Ward Councilwoman

Shannon O’Keefe, an attorney in private practice, was appointed to the Greece Town Board in February 2009.

O’Keefe grew up in the Dewey Stone neighborhood and graduated from Greece Olympia High School.  She also graduated from Wittenberg University and the University of Buffalo Law School.

She served as an Assistant District Attorney for almost three years before she entered private practice.  She served as the Town of Greece’s prosecutor from April of 2008 until her appointment to the Town Board.

“I grew up in Greece, went to school here and my husband and I have decided to make it our home. I enjoy working with the other members of the town board on the issues that are important to Greece residents,” said Councilwman O’Keefe. 

Councilwoman O’Keefe is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association’s, Professional Performance Review Committee, The Greater Rochester Area Women’s Bar Association, the founder – leader of the Western New York Transverse Myelitis Support Group, and the President of the Wittenberg University Alumni Association of Western New York.

Bob Bilsky 2nd Ward Councilman

Bob Bilsky is currently serving the Greece Town Board as second ward councilman and will seek re-election to that position in November 2009.

“My wife Betty and I decided to live in Greece because it is a great community.  I enjoy serving as a member of the Greece Town Board and in today’s tough times, I realize the importance of keeping taxes under control for Greece taxpayers.  I will work hard to make sure that Greece remains a great community for its residents,” said Councilman Bilsky.

Councilman Bilsky graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and SUNY Buffalo.  He is currently the Risk Manager for the County of Monroe.  Bilsky has also served as former chair of the Town of Greece Citizen’s Advisory Committee , former member of the Greece Board of Zoning Appeals and a member of the Town of Greece Master Plan Review Committee.

Bilsky was the past president of the Greece Neighborhood Association, a member of the GPAS Choral Society and St. Charles Borromeo Music Ministries.

Bob and his wife Betty live on Kentucky Crossing.

Andrew Conlon 3^rd Ward Council Candidate

Andrew Conlon will seek election to the Greece Town Board third ward council seat in November 2009.

Conlon graduated from Greece Athena High School and he also graduated from St. John Fisher College.  Conlon is currently a Contract Administrator for Coordinated Care Services, Inc.  He is a former Budget Technician and a former Recreation Assistant, for the Town of Greece.

Conlon has served as a volunteer for the Pirate Toy Fund, the Northwest YMCA and Spruce Up Greece.

“I look forward to meeting more residents of the third ward during my campaign and share the ideas I have for the community.”

Andrew lives on Mountain Ash Drive.

4th Ward Councilman Kirk Morris

Kirk Morris was appointed to the Greece Town Board in July of 2009.  He currently serves as Chief of Staff for State Senator Joe Robach, and he was born and raised in Greece and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School. 

He also graduated from St. John Fisher College and is a graduate of the Greece Citizens Police Academy.  He was the Assistant Deputy County Clerk for Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo, Deputy Director of Public Information for the NYS Worker’s Compensation Board, and Special Assistant to the President for the Monroe County Legislature President’s Office.

Morris is the former chairman for the Greece Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Greece Rotary, the Board of Directors for the Greece Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe County Planning Board and former member of the Greece Youth Board.  He is a volunteer for Spruce Up Greece and a parent volunteer for Greece Little League Baseball.

“My wife Wendy and I were both born and raised in Greece.  We love the community and chose to raise our family here.  I will work hard to keep the community safe for our children and families.”

Kirk and his wife Wendy live on Thorn Apple Lane with their children Lauren (6) and Joel (5).

County Executive Maggie Brooks wishes Legislator Dobson well at his last legislature meeting while President Wayne Zyra looks on

Doug Dobson, Monroe County Legislator for the 7th District, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2009.  Dobson was first appointed to the Monroe County Legislature in 1998 and was then elected in 1999, and re-elected in 2001 and 2005.

Dobson is currently the chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee.  Dobson served as the former Deputy Majority Leader and as the former Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee.  He has served almost 25 years in various government positions.

In 1993, he was elected to the Greece Town Board as 1st Ward Councilman.  While serving as a Town Councilman he was Chairman of the Means and Ways Committee. Prior to serving the Greece Town Board he was a member of the Town of Greece Zoning Board of Appeals and the Town of Greece Planning Board.  His community involvement started as a volunteer for the Lakeshore Fire Department. 

Dobson is a 35-year resident of Greece who graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Doug and his wife Judy are members of Mother of Sorrows Church and reside on Edgemere Drive.

 Senator Robach said, “One result of these drug offender reforms is that a person convicted of multiple drug offenses could obtain sensitive positions teaching our children or caring for our vulnerable senior citizens.  While I have always supported increased funding to help those fighting drug addiction, I strongly believe that information on convictions should be made available to potential employers especially for these types of jobs.  The safety of our children and elderly must come first.”

 The bill calls for repealing only the new record-sealing provision enacted with the budget, that allows the courts to seal the current conviction and up to three prior misdemeanors in order to keep them from being disclosed during background checks for sensitive positions. If this law is left on the books, a criminal could have a total of four convictions hidden from potential employers.

 New York State has consistently enacted laws requiring criminal background checks to protect the safety of the public by ensuring that people hired to work in certain jobs have no record of criminal convictions and are worthy of people’s trust.  The new record sealing provision undermines these laws.

 Senator Robach added, “Unfortunately, this is yet another example of what happens when a measure is rushed through the legislature without appropriate, inclusive dialogue.”

“I am proud to have Fieldtex Products in Monroe County and am thankful for their commitment to our community,” said Brooks. “Their success is a testament to their dedication to offering the highest quality products and I want to thank them for continuing to grow their business and create jobs in our community.”

Fieldtex Products was purchased in 1973 by its current President and Owner, Sanford Abbey. The company was originally established in 1843 as the J.E. Field Company as a manufacturer of awnings and tents. The company now produces a diverse line of soft-sided industrial carrying cases for the military, health care, and electronics industries.
Medical Products include First Aid, Emergency Medical, Sports Medicine and Home Health Care.

“At Fieldtex, we are continually adding new products to our inventory and expanding our product base,” said Sanford Abbey, President and Owner of Fieldtex Products, Inc. “I am very proud of our growth and success and thank Monroe County for their support and providing us with the opportunity to expand our facility.”

Fieldtex Products employs over one hundred people in Monroe County. The company occupies almost 55,000 square feet of space at 3055 Brighton Henrietta Townline Road. In 2008, Fieldtex Products worked with the County of Monroe Industrial Agency to receive incentives for the expansion of an additional 15,000 square feet on their facility.

For more information on Fieldtex Products, Inc., please visit their website, www.e-firstaidsupplies.com.

“The New York Prescription Saver program is an excellent resource for individuals between 50 and 64 to receive discounts on their medication,” stated Reilich. “No one should ever have to forgo their prescription drugs because of escalating costs. This new program will ensure that eligible New Yorkers receive the medication they need at a more affordable cost.”

The NYPS program is supported by over 3,700 pharmacies statewide. Individuals are encouraged to call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-788-6917 for more information about the program and their eligibility.

Councilwoman Shannon O'Keefe and Supervisor John Auberger discuss the Town Code

The Greece Town Board voted unanimously to appoint Shannon O’Keefe to the first ward council caused by the resignation of Mike Barry. O’Keefe, an attorney in private practice, will serve through the end of 2009 and is expected to seek election to the seat in November.”I’m honored to be selected to serve the community that has given me so much,” said O’Keefe. “I know Greece and the entire country faces serious challenges, but I am extremely optimistic about our future.”

O’Keefe grew up in the Dewey Stone neighborhood and graduated from Greece Olympia High School. She also graduated from Wittenberg University and the University of Buffalo Law School.

She served as an Assistant District Attorney for almost three years before she entered private practice. She has served as the Town of Greece’s prosecutor since April of 2008.

“Shannon O’Keefe brings enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to Greece Town government,” said Supervisor John Auberger. “The town board was very impressed with her background and she will be a great addition to the Greece government.”

O’Keefe stated that her top priority will be assisting in the preparation of the 2010 town budget. She also stated that she looked forward to working with the various community groups in town.

“It is with great humility and excitement that I embark on this new path of public service,” added O’Keefe. “The residents of Greece have my pledge that I will work hard on their behalf and to always be accessible.”