Duct tape binds duo, United Way
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

DONNA CHIARAMONTE/UNITED WAY OF THE SOUTHERN TIER Steuben County workers raised money for the United Way by selling rolls of duct tape and strapping Department of Social Services Commissioner Kathryn Blehl and county Adminstrator Mark Alger to a board in the county office building.

BATH - A couple of Steuben County officials found themselves in a sticky situation Wednesday, August 8.

County Administrator Mark Alger and Department of Social Services Commissioner Kathryn Biehl were duct taped to a board in a normally quiet corner of the County Office Building as a way to raise money for the United Way.

And after the uproar and sometimes rowdy laughter died down, Alger and Biehl had raised roughly $350 for the charity.

The fundraising effort didn't come easily.

Biehl was the first to stand on a small stool, lean back against a hard board and watch as roll after roll after roll of duct tape wrapped her tightly to the board.

With individual strips costing $3 and a roll costing $10, it might surprise some the idea of the fund draiser came from Biehl's department.

DSS employees Lori Longwell and Mary Ellen Johnson said they got the idea at a recent United Way workshop in Corning.

"The first to do it was the (Equal Opportunity Program) in Chemung County," Johnson said. "They even loaned us the board."

The duct tape was donated by local hardware and retail stores, Johnson said.

After Biehl was released from the tacky gray cocoon, it was Alger's turn.

"I need a pillow," Alger said.

No pillow appeared, but the amount raised in two hours made a comfortable dent in the county employees' United Way goal of $30,000.

"If this brings the awareness it was intended to, we should reach that goal," said campaign coordinator and county Information Technology Director Kenneth Peaslee.