By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins was recognized for his numerous contributions at Wednesday’s Cattaraugus County Legislature meeting.
State Sen. George Borrello presented Watkins with a framed resolution from the State Senate thanking the public health professional for his exemplary service to his community and the state.
Watkins, who was recently reappointed to a six-year term as public health director, was first appointed in 2009.
He is a member of several influential organizations, including the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council, the New York State Association of Counties, where he is currently president; the New York State Association of County Health Officials, the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, and the New York State Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advisory Council.
Watkins received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois and his Doctor of Medicine from Chicago Medical School, Borrello noted. It is this strong background in primary care medicine informs his approach to community health and preventive care.
Watkins also serves on the boards of the Public Health Foundation, the Western New York Public Health Alliance, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, the St. Bonaventure Board of Trustees, the Healthy Community Alliance, Southern Tier Health Care System, Universal Primary Care, Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc., and the Cattaraugus County Aging Advisory Council.
County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr said he rarely agrees on anything Albany does, “but today we agree that you have done an amazing job for the people of this county. Thank you so much, Doc.”
Also making a presentation to the county legislature were officers from Empire Rescue Animal Society (EARS), a volunteer group from Salamanca that fosters dogs and cats across the county. The group also aids animals from outside the county.
Courtney Valent, the president, said the group sponsored 634 pet surgeries last year. About 64% of the surgeries were cats from the county and 70% of the dogs. So far this year, they have had 386 surgeries, with 81% of the cats and 82% of the dogs coming from this county.
“We’ve never seen it this bad in animal rescue,” Valent said. We get calls from all over. We don’t discriminate on location because the need is great everywhere. The economic conditions here have left people struggling with basic necessities for themselves, let alone their animals.”
EARS treasurer Tawnee Bocharski said the group works with law enforcement and a number of local organizations including the Social Services, Child Protective Services and the Seneca nation — “pretty much everyone that needs help with the animals.”
The volunteer group provides food to families with animals “to keep the animals in the home, because that’s the best for the families and the animals,” Valent said. “It;’s just a tough time for animals,” she said. “But costs have gone up.”
The group has asked the county for an increase in the $80,000 in funding it provided in the 2026 county budget.
With no low-cost spay and neuter program in the area to regularly access, the group takes animals to a Penn State clinic run by the Animal Welfare Council, three hours away.
Valent noted the group is working with Sheriff Eric Butler to set up a dog program with inmates from the county jail. Inmates will get training in caring for and grooming dogs.
Butler, who was a dog control officer for 27 years before becoming sheriff, spoke up for the group. “They’ve bailed me out more times than I could tell you. I’m a big fan of EARS. I’m a big animal fan, and I’m really looking forward to getting this program off the ground in the jail.” The goal is to “help get some service dogs out there and give these dogs a good opportunity.”
“We appreciate your efforts,” Burr told the women.
Allegany Legislator Donald Benson suggested a program for local veterinary hospitals to get help from the state’s veterinary schools.
IN LEGISLATIVE ACTION, county lawmakers authorized a contract with Genesis House of Olean to provide Code Blue services for homeless individuals from Oct. 1 to June 30, 2027. The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has allocated funding to the county’s Social Services Department to cover the costs of providing services when temperatures dip below freezing.
Genesis House provides temporary shelter for three families, and up to nine individuals at its South Barry Street location during Code Blue events. Other individuals are housed in area hotels by Social Services.
Also, a supplemental agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a work plan for the dam at Ischua Creek Watershed Flood Control Site 2.
Legislators adjourned in memory of two former county lawmakers, Hobart “Hobie” Hall of Great Valley and Robert W. Matson of Randolph.
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