Reminder: Ritchie to Host Free Tire Disposal Events in Oswego County Saturday

Events Come in the Wake of Discovery of EEE, West Nile Virus

State Senator Patty Ritchie is reminding people in Oswego County that she will be hosting free tire disposal events on Saturday August 24^th to help people get rid of waste tires, which often act as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

The events—which are being funded through a special state grant from Senator Ritchie—will allow Oswego County residents to drop off  a maximum of four tires at five locations throughout the county, with the usual $5 fee for tire-drop off being waived.  Farm tractor tires will also be accepted, but must be cut into four pieces.

“Most people don’t realize that a single waste tire left outside can act as a breeding ground for more than one million mosquitoes,” said Senator Ritchie.

“I’m pleased to be able to provide this funding and would like to thank the key individuals who were helpful in putting this event together including Jiancheng Huang, Public Health Director of the Oswego County Health Department, Frank Visser, Oswego County Solid Waste Director and John DeHollander, director of the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District.  Their efforts, combined with this special funding will certainly help people protect themselves—and their loved ones—from mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they carry.”

Earlier this week, county health officials announced that more samples taken from mosquito pools in Central Square and West Monroe tested positive for EEE and West Nile virus.

Tires may be dropped off from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Bristol Hill Landfill

3125 NYS Rte. 3

Fulton, NY 13069

(315) 591-9211

Hannibal Transfer Station

1167 Co. Rte. 7

Hannibal, NY 13074

(315) 564-5623

Hastings Transfer Station

1391 US Rte. 11

Hastings, NY 13076

(315) 668-8821

Pulaski Transfer Station

100 Co. Rte. 2A

Pulaski, NY 13142

(315) 298-6062

Oswego Transfer Station

700 East Seneca St.

Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 349-3439

Senator Ritchie will attend tire disposal events at the Pulaski Transfer Station and the Bristol Hill Landfill.    A maximum of four tires may be dropped off for free, with a $5 fee for each additional tire.  In addition to dropping off tires, electronic waste—such as TVs, computers and small appliances—will also be accepted at no charge.

This year—for the second year in a row—Senator Ritchie was able to secure special funding in the State Budget for an “Eastern Equine Encephalitis Program,” aimed at paying costs of aerial spraying to control mosquitoes, funding a low-cost horse vaccination program and supporting educational outreach to communities affected by the disease.

Last year, through similar funding, nearly 2,000 horses Upstate New York were protected through a program which provided low-cost vaccines for farmers and horse owners.  In addition, more than 3,000 free larvicide treatments were distributed to private landowners and countless numbers of people were provided with tips to help “fight the bite” through the Senator Ritchie’s educational outreach program.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis, commonly known as EEE, is a rate but serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes. There are typically 5-10 human cases in the United State annually; with people over the age of 50 and under the age of 15 at the greatest risk of serious infection.  EEE is much more common in horses and has resulted in deaths of dozens of horses in our region in recent years.