COUNTY: Lewis heads Aging office while illness sidelines department head

Local News

November 27, 2009

By Mark Scheer<br><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Mark</a> The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Fri Nov 27, 2009, 08:23 PM EST

A department head’s illness has forced Niagara County Manager Gregory Lewis to temporarily assume oversight of the county’s Office for the Aging.

Lewis told lawmakers last week that he is now in charge of the department while Office for the Aging Director Christopher Richbart deals with a “serious medical condition.”

Lewis did not disclose the nature of the illness, but indicated that Richbart has been on medical leave for about two months.

“Chris is on medical leave at this juncture and, as a result of that, I’ve taken over the Office of Aging as supervisor,” Lewis said.

Richbart has been the department’s director since 2004. In his absence, Lewis said he is keeping an eye on operations, reviewing and signing all the necessary paperwork and making frequent visits to the Aging office.

Lewis said he is getting help with oversight of the office from county grant accountant Ruth Ohol. Lewis said he has also remains in frequent contact with officials from the state’s Office of the Aging and has met with the agency’s local director.

Lewis assured lawmakers that he is on top of the situation in Richbart’s absence. He added that Richbart is keeping the county apprised of his condition on a monthly basis.

“I think there’s a lot of spirit of cooperation being shown with the state,” Lewis said. “All of the programs are operating on cue and in accordance with their programs. There are good program people who are making sure those services are sustained and we are pulling together to take care of the management and the financial affairs.”

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.

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