Below are the Top 5 items from October 2019.
1. BU’S DR. STAN WHITTINGHAM WINS NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY:
The lithium-ion battery helps power much of our modern technology, but few in the community knew that one of its inventors teaches at Binghamton University. Distinguished Professor Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham helped develop the technology in the 1980s before moving to Binghamton in 1988. On October 9th, some 40 years after his groundbreaking work, he and his two co-developers were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. I have known Dr. Whittingham for many years and was excited to joined hundreds of others for a well-deserved celebration in his honor on October 18th. During his 30 years of research at BU, Dr. Whittingham has continued to develop new ways to store energy; work that is helping to pave the way to a fossil-free energy future. To read more about Dr. Whittingham’s work and his award, click here.
2. LOCAL STUDENTS GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AT CONSTRUCTION CAREER DAY:
The construction industry has numerous job opportunities in a variety of career paths. On October 2nd, students from school districts throughout the region attended the annual Construction & Technology Career Day. Participants were able to get hands-on experience operating heavy equipment, using tools, and speaking to professionals working in the field. I’d like to thank everyone who helped organize this event as well as the trade representatives and volunteers who work hard to make this such a valuable experience. We are very lucky to have so many dedicated professionals in our community.
Vestal student Aidan Phillips, who says he is interested in a career in welding, with Assemblywoman Lupardo during Construction Career & Technology Day.
3. DICK’S SPORTING GOODS EXPANDS CONKLIN DISTRIBUTION CENTER:
Two years after Dick’s Sporting Goods opened its distribution center in Conklin, the company has once again expanded its footprint in Broome County. On October 1st, I attended the grand opening of Dick’s’ Online Fulfillment Center. Around 100 new jobs were created as part of this expansion, which fulfills and ships online orders directly to customers. The original distribution center helps stock Dick’s Sporting Goods stores throughout the Northeast. Using robotics and other technology, the retailers has helped cut down delivery times to customers by more than a day. I appreciate this company’s continued commitment to the community where it first began.
Assemblywoman Lupardo with County Executive Jason Garnar, and County Legislators Kim Myers and Suzy Ryan at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Distribution Center.
4. CHILD & ADOLESCENT CENTER OPENS AT GBHC:
The need for better access to mental health services continues to be priority in our community. On October 9th, Greater Binghamton Health Center officially opened its new Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Center. These services have been offered since 2001, but were previously located in different locations across the GBHC campus. The new location will help improve efficiency for the 550 people served by the center as well as enable it to host additional clinics and community meetings. Services include telepsychiatry, individual and family therapy, and psychological testing, among others. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team of mental health professionals at this center to help families in our community. For more information on the services available at the Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Center, click here.
Inside the new Child & Adolescent Center at GBHC.
5. MAPLE EXPERIENCE & NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK BRING AG TO THE CLASSROOM:
As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, I’ve been working to promote NY agricultural products like maple syrup and to help farmers get their food into schools across the state. I was able to secure funding in this year’s state budget to help purchase a mobile exhibit for the NYS Maple Producers’ Association. On October 15th & 16th, the Maple Experience visited students at Johnson City Elementary & Middle Schools and Binghamton City School District’s Wilson & Mann Elementary Schools. The kids got to see how real maple syrup is made and taste it for themselves.
On October 17th, I visited George F. Johnson Elementary and Home Brink Elementary as part of National School Lunch Week. Once a month, schools celebrate NY Thursdays by including local foods in their school lunches. Students enjoyed burrito bowls with NYS-sourced meat and vegetables, as well as fresh NYS milk. At Homer Brink, students also taste tested an apple, beet, and carrot salad that will appear on a future NY Thursday menu.
Assemblywoman Lupardo talks to students at George F. Johnson Elementary during a visit for National School Lunch Week.