Excitement Builds Around Post Contest

Westfield, NY -- Hundreds of people from around the region will be visiting Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center in Mayville to be a part of the 2010 Chautauqua County Energy Conference & Expo. Now in its 3rd year, the event has grown even larger, and will be held October 22nd and 23rd.

Along with a new Chautauqua County Energy Conference Scholarship program, the "Energy Awareness Contest" will make its second appearance this year. The poster contest is open to all fifth grade classes in public and private schools, and home schooled students at the fifth grade level living in Chautauqua County. The theme of the poster contest is "Energy Awareness."

Westfield Academy and Central School was the winner of last year's contest, and Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards recently returned to the district.

Cheryl Olsen's 2009 fifth-grade class was the recipient of a $250.00 cash award from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) after winning the "Energy Awareness Contest". The Westfield Academy & Central School's 5th grade class planted red maple trees (shown in the picture) by class room windows as their 'energy incentive project'.

"The poster that won last year's contest was impressive, and just like in 2009, I am sure another 5th grade class will do all they can to win this year's award," said Edwards.

The winning poster for 2010 will receive a $250.00 cash award for their school to use toward any green initiative project, and will be determined by public vote on the new NYS electronic voting machines. These machines will be set up at the Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center October 22nd and 23rd.

Entries are due on or before October 18, 2010. Please deliver to: CCIDA, 200 Harrison Street (3rd floor), Jamestown, NY, or phone Carol Rasmussen at (716) 661-8900 for additional information.

Visit the CCIDA's website at www.ccida.com for the latest information on the 3rd Annual Chautauqua County Energy Conference & Expo.

Pictured, from left, Greg Edwards, Chautauqua County Executive, Doug Champ,Chair/Coordinator Chautauqua County Energy Conference & Expo Carol Rasmussen, Project Manager County of Chautauqua IDA, Cheryl Olsen, Fifth- grade Science Teacher, Westfield Academy & Central School, Paula Troutman, Elementary Principal, Westfield Academy & Central School, Mark Sissel, Superintendent Westfield Academy & Central School
Photo courtesy of Edwards' office