Brooks Launches New Energy Initiatives

County Executive Maggie Brooks is joined by Assemblyman Joe Errigo, Student Daniyal Zafar and Chet the Cheetah

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced the first in a series of new County initiatives designed to reduce the County’s energy-related expenses, while both preserving the environment and utilizing new sources of homegrown renewable energy. The announcement, held at Winslow Elementary School in Henrietta, highlighted the theme of education in the promotion of renewable energy resources within Monroe County.

“This announcement is just another step in our commitment to preserving and protecting our natural environment, while also creating jobs and saving taxpayer dollars,” said Brooks. “Education is the foundation of our children’s future, and educating our young people on the importance of energy conservation and the development of renewable energy resources such as hybrid vehicles is an important first step on our County’s road to greater energy independence.”

As part of today’s announcement, County Executive Brooks unveiled a new portal on the Monroe County website. The new page, which can be accessed by clicking on a new energy button, located on the left side of the main webpage, will serve as a valuable tool for County residents seeking new information on energy solutions and conservation. 

“To help build on this new initiative, the County has added a new energy awareness section to our County Website,” said Brooks. “This will help us deliver valuable energy related information to the community

The County Executive also unveiled the new 2006-2007 “Chet the Cheetah” Calendar. This fact-filled calendar, which will be distributed to 423 fourth grade elementary classrooms within Monroe County, features a new focus on renewable energy. The calendar also highlights the use of environmentally-friendly resources such as hybrid-electric vehicles, and alternative fuels, such as ethanol.

In making the announcement, County Executive Brooks presented Ms. Lora Handley and her fourth grade class with the first copies of the 2006-2007 “Chet the Cheetah” Calendar. Ms. Handley’s students submitted the winning entry for last year’s “Paw-fect Recycling Class” contest. As winners of the contest, Ms. Handley’s class is featured in this year’s calendar in a group class photo.

This is the 10th year that Monroe County has distributed the “Chet the Cheetah” calendar. Historically, the calendars were distributed to every third grade class in the county and are part of our environmental education program about the importance of the Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

“The way to ensuring a brighter future for Monroe County is to teach our children about the benefits of renewable energy resources. It all starts with education,” concluded Brooks.