Assemblywoman Russell was one of a number of state, county and city elected officials that visited the nutrition site in Ogdensburg with Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul.
The assemblywoman spent approximately an hour visiting with seniors following the meal, and the conversations ranged from issues with senior housing to the importance of funding the nutrition site program.
"After housing, food is the most important thing we have to make sure our seniors have access to, and it has to be a priority," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"These seniors truly rely on these meals for nutrition and for a safe place to socialize. Many have concerns about their safety and also need to rely on others for assistance," she said.
"This program helps with both, and I am happy to support these programs and other programs aimed at allowing our neighbors to live as independently as possible," Assemblywoman Russell.
She also had high praise for the chicken, rice and fresh, locally grown garden salad prepared by the Office for the Agency meal program director, Alaina Nelson. "The new meal program director can cook. Lunch was delicious," she noted.
St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Director Andrea Montgomery said her program had moved its Monday meal sites in Ogdensburg and Morristown to the Dobisky Center this week to allow more seniors to have access to their elected officials.
"It's always important for our seniors to have an opportunity to discuss aging concerns and their needs with their elected officials. It was really nice to have them get that chance this week, and a number of our folks had a vested interest in letting their officials know about issues in their communities," Ms. Montgomery noted.
She said as Lt. Governor Hochul and Assemblywoman Russell worked their way through the room she heard concerns raised about senior housing issues, the need for more senior housing closer to grocery and convenience stores and Medicare issues. She pointed out Assemblywoman Russell had also taken time to meet one-on-one with seniors to discuss individual concerns.
The lieutenant governor, in brief remarks while the meal was being served, told the seniors they have political clout, and their voices are heard by elected officials.
"There are over 3 million senior citizens in New York State, and they are voters," she pointed out.
Lt. Gov. Hochul talked about her tour of the Port of Ogdensburg and also discussed the recently enacted family leave act.
She also pointed out she had long-term relationships with Assemblywoman Russell and State Senator Patricia Ritchie.
Lt. Gov. Hochul said she and Senator Ritchie had both been county clerks at the same time, and their relationship dated back to those days. "Addie is a dear friend of mine and a good partner of our governor," she added.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell discusses paid family leave with Marge Demo over lunch this week during a visit at a St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging nutrition site. The meal site participants from Ogdensburg and Morristown gathered at the Dobisky Center on Monday and had an opportunity to discuss issues with Assemblywoman Russell and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. Pictured clockwise from the left are Ms. Demo, Marilyn Luzinski, Wilma Nelson, Ogdensburg City Councillor Jennifer Stevenson and Assemblywoman Russell.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (r) discusses an issue with St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Director Andrea Montgomery (l) and Reney Palmateer.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (r) discusses housing issues with Sandra Sanders. Ms. Sanders is a tenant representative on the Ogdensburg Housing Authority Board of Directors.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell praises St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Meals Program Manager Alaina Nelson for the quality of the meal served to senior nutrition site participants and state, county and local officials Monday at the Dobisky Center in Ogdensburg. Pictured clockwise (l-r) are Ms. Nelson and her daughter, Evelyn, Jenna Decker, Carol Nelson and Assemblywoman Russell.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell visits with St. Lawrence County legislators Joseph Lightfoot (l) and Donald Hooper (r) after their visit to a St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging nutrition site in Massena.
She also pointed out she had long-term relationships with Assemblywoman Russell and State Senator Patricia Ritchie.
Lt. Gov. Hochul said she and Senator Ritchie had both been county clerks at the same time, and their relationship dated back to those days. "Addie is a dear friend of mine and a good partner of our governor," she added.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell discusses paid family leave with Marge Demo over lunch this week during a visit at a St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging nutrition site. The meal site participants from Ogdensburg and Morristown gathered at the Dobisky Center on Monday and had an opportunity to discuss issues with Assemblywoman Russell and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. Pictured clockwise from the left are Ms. Demo, Marilyn Luzinski, Wilma Nelson, Ogdensburg City Councillor Jennifer Stevenson and Assemblywoman Russell.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (r) discusses an issue with St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Director Andrea Montgomery (l) and Reney Palmateer.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (r) discusses housing issues with Sandra Sanders. Ms. Sanders is a tenant representative on the Ogdensburg Housing Authority Board of Directors.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell praises St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Meals Program Manager Alaina Nelson for the quality of the meal served to senior nutrition site participants and state, county and local officials Monday at the Dobisky Center in Ogdensburg. Pictured clockwise (l-r) are Ms. Nelson and her daughter, Evelyn, Jenna Decker, Carol Nelson and Assemblywoman Russell.
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell visits with St. Lawrence County legislators Joseph Lightfoot (l) and Donald Hooper (r) after their visit to a St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging nutrition site in Massena.
