Archive: News

Patricia Buechel Confirmed as New Probation Director
County Administrator Steve Whicher has appointed Patricia Buechel as Tompkins County’s Director of Probation and Community Justice.  The Legislature tonight confirmed the appointment by unanimous vote (with Legislator Tyke Randall absent); the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives also has confirmed the appointment.  Ms. Buechel was sworn in as director July 24th.

Patricia Buechel enters the director’s position with 20 years of service to the Probation Department.  First hired as a probation officer in August 1988, she advanced to Senior Probation Officer in 1999, and was then promoted to Probation Supervisor in 2005.  Ms. Buechel holds a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland.

“During her twenty-year career Ms. Buechel has prepared herself well for this opportunity,” notes Administrator Whicher.  “The selection committee was very impressed with Ms. Buechel's supervisory and communication skills, as well as her extensive Probation experience.  Ms. Buechel also has exceptional support among Probation staff.   I am very confident that she will do an outstanding job leading Probation in the years to come.  It is truly a pleasure to recommend Ms. Buechel for confirmation by the Legislature.”

The new director’s background includes extensive experience in managing and providing service to the County’s Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programs.  During her career, she has overseen the Pre-Trial Release, Intensive Supervision, Day Reporting’ and Service Work Alternative Programs.  As Senior Probation Officer assigned to the Ithaca Community Treatment Court and Felony Drug Court programs, Director Buechel helped develop program guidelines and supervised a caseload of drug court participants, coordinating the services needed to ensure success.  Ms. Buechel also assisted in development of the county’s Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Victim Impact Panel and managed that program for four years.

“I am proud to have had my hand in every specific ATI program the County offers,” states Buechel.  “I will continue to be committed to those programs as Director.  I feel fortunate to be working in a county that supports the philosophy of ATI, which works to maintain the delicate balance of protecting public safety while achieving the rehabilitation of offenders and containing costs.”

The new director praises her predecessor, the retired Kathryn Leinthall, for whom she worked for two decades.  “Kathy Leinthall did a lot for this department,” states Buechel.  “I will work to continue Kathy’s open approach to department leadership and to maintain the positive relationships she established with other County departments.”

Funds Approved for Elections Lease
Following up on its approval last month to enter into a five-year lease for space in the former ICS Press building in Dryden to house the County’s new electronic voting machines, the Legislature, by unanimous vote appropriated more than $48,000 in contingent funding to support expenses for this year. (Legislator Tyke Randall was absent.)  The measure also directs that the appropriate budget line be increased for the next four years to cover the lease expense.

----
v4i30