Senate Resolution No. 1233

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING JoAnn Ballard upon the occasion of
her retirement after more than nine years of
distinguished service as Executive Director of the
Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate JoAnn Ballard upon the occasion of her retirement after
more than nine years of distinguished service as Executive Director of
the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center; and

WHEREAS, For the past nine and one-half years, JoAnn Ballard has
dedicated her life to making the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community
Center an integral and valuable part of its Boonville, New York,
community; and

WHEREAS, As Executive Director, JoAnn Ballard has diligently worked
to provide residents with programs and events for all ages; she
developed wonderful children's programs such as the popular after school
enrichment, STEAM and Tweens & Teens Mentors Program, along with a
Competitive (FLL) First Lego League Robotics Program where her teams
have won regional recognition for their projects; she also created the
Monthly Featured Artists Series, hosting the work of many talented
artists throughout Central New York; and

WHEREAS, JoAnn Ballard was instrumental in securing funds to help
Erwin Library, the Center's sister organization purchase the old Dollar
General Quonset Hut, allowing for a parking lot and a small park and
restoring the remarkable Historical Triangle in the Village of
Boonville; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her role at the Center, JoAnn Ballard served as
Vice President for Programs and the Assistant Treasurer of Black River
Environment Improvement Association (BREIA) and the Vice President of
Program Development and Assistant Treasurer of Potato Hill Farm Outdoor
Education Center (OEC); and

WHEREAS, In 2005, JoAnn Ballard began working at BREIA as an office
administrator and bookkeeper; shortly thereafter, she was assigned the
position of overseeing the Association's Outreach Program; under her
leadership, it grew rapidly, with almost daily visits from local schools
to BREIA and Black River Farm which required managing the schedule
through communication with school administrators and teachers; she also
had a significant role in land acquisitions and provided essential paper
work for land easements for state, federal and private lands; and

WHEREAS, In the winter of 2008, the Potato Hill Farm Outdoor
Education Center (OEC) was founded, and JoAnn Ballard was named
Director; throughout her tenure, she oversaw the hiring and training of

all staff, scheduling of school visits, community relations,
transportation issues as well as a myriad of other administrative
duties; and

WHEREAS, Through her steadfast and unremitting commitment, JoAnn
Ballard managed all of the public relations for both BREIA and the OEC
and hosted many elected officials on the county, state and federal level
as well as visiting journalists from all of the major Central New York
newspapers; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her work with these organizations, JoAnn
Ballard served as the office manager at the dental office with Drs.
Slavin and Slavin, a family practice; after 30 years in the dental
profession, she retired in May of 2008; and

WHEREAS, In her much-deserved retirement, JoAnn Ballard hopes to
spend more time outdoors, whether it is hiking, biking, snowshoeing,
camping, bird watching or visiting the Black River with her beloved
husband and family; she also enjoys genealogy and local history, and her
cherished cats and alpaca; and

WHEREAS, For more than nine years, JoAnn Ballard rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and
Community Center; and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as Executive Director, JoAnn Ballard served
with loyalty, honor and distinction; and

WHEREAS, In her official acts, JoAnn Ballard was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure with the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and
Community Center, JoAnn Ballard earned the admiration, esteem and
affection of her colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate JoAnn Ballard upon the occasion of her retirement, and to
wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to JoAnn Ballard.