As we reflect on an extraordinarily challenging year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge both the hardships we have faced and the strength that has carried us through them. The year 2020 tested us in ways few could have imagined, as the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, strained our institutions, and brought loss to many families. Yet throughout it all, my pride in the Livingston County community has only grown stronger. Day after day, our residents demonstrated service, responsiveness, and perseverance when it mattered most.
As we look ahead to 2021 and hope for a return to the familiar rhythms of a pre-pandemic world, I encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the lessons of the past year. We should also take time to remember those we lost. This pandemic has reminded us how precious life is and how important it is to cherish time with family, friends, and loved ones.
In a year dominated by difficult news, it is natural to ask where we can find hope. Each new day brings us closer to recovery, to wider vaccination, and to relief from the economic disruption that has touched communities around the world, including our own. We see encouragement in the stories of perseverance that surround us, in the tireless dedication of medical professionals, first responders, and essential workers, and in the remarkable volunteerism that emerged across Livingston County. Neighbors helping neighbors became a defining theme of this difficult time.
Having been part of this community for more than a decade, I remain deeply optimistic about Livingston County’s future. I believe we are uniquely positioned not only to rebound from this crisis, but to emerge stronger than before. Rural communities like ours are increasingly attractive to employers and job seekers alike, particularly because of our proximity to major metropolitan areas and our access to a strong highway network. Our housing stock is diverse and affordable, and world-class destinations such as the Finger Lakes and Letchworth State Park are right in our backyard.
High-speed internet access is another critical factor in this evolving landscape. Many residents now have the flexibility to work remotely, and where broadband access is still limited, the County is actively pursuing solutions through public-private partnerships. I am especially proud to be part of the County team leading the Light Up Livingston initiative, a multi-year effort to bring gig-level internet speeds to every address in the County. We are hopeful that this effort will be strengthened in 2021 through a positive award decision on our recent application to the USDA ReConnect Grant Program.
Livingston County continues to stand out as a special place to live, work, and enjoy life. Our villages feature vibrant, walkable main streets supported by small businesses. Our schools are well regarded and have adapted admirably to the evolving demands of education, thanks to the dedication of teachers and staff. We are home to one of the nation’s finest public liberal arts colleges, which anchors our county seat and enriches the broader community.
Our County government remains financially stable and responsible. Despite the fiscal pressures of the pandemic, we produced a balanced budget without service reductions. Our departments are fully staffed and prepared to respond to emergencies of all kinds. We offer an exceptional quality of life, with extensive trail systems, the Genesee River, two Finger Lakes, and the top-ranked state park in the nation. We are also supported by essential health care resources, including a hospital, cancer center, urgent care facilities, community clinics, and comprehensive mental and behavioral health services.
As the pandemic continues, I am confident that we will endure and recover by continuing to work together. From a County government perspective, our focus remains clear. We are committed to ongoing public health efforts, including testing, quarantine coordination, reporting, and vaccination. We remain dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of those in our care at the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. And above all, we are here to serve you.
For residents seeking work, for restaurants and small businesses facing uncertainty, and for anyone struggling during this time, please know that the County is here as a resource. If we cannot provide direct assistance, we will help connect you with someone who can. You are the lifeblood of Livingston County, and your success is inseparable from the strength of our community.
I extend my best wishes to everyone for a healthy and hopeful year ahead. May 2021 bring healing, opportunity, and renewal to us all.
On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the dedicated Livingston County workforce.
