Nominations sought for ‘Dutchess Frontline’ awards

Dutchess County residents can nominate candidates for the new “Dutchess Frontline” awards that will honor locals who have assisted their community during the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive Marc Molinaro and Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver announced Monday.

Candidates can be nominated online at dutchessny. gov/dutchessfrontline. Honorees will receive a certificate recognizing their effort from the county executive.

“As we’ve seen over the past months, the face of a frontline responder has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Molinaro said in a prepared statement. “So many in our community have answered the call to keep their neighbors safe and healthy — be it the nurse who’s worked countless 12-hour shifts, the family who continually checks in on their elderly neighbor feeling isolated, or the supermarket employee who’s ensured shelves are stocked with essential products — and Dutchess County wants to recognize them for their unfailing devotion.”

Dutchess reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 12. Since then, a press release from Molinaro and Pulver said, countless residents and organizations have assisted the county in its efforts to inform and educate the community and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Pulver said there has been an outpouring of selflessness and community spirit since the pandemic began and that it’s important to acknowledge resident’s efforts.