News from New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal

For more information contact: Jim Plastiras, 518-473-2526

***Media Advisory*** Photo OP

Mr. G Returns Home

ALBANY, NY (08/22/2007; 1109)(readMedia)-- Floods Destroyed his Home; New Friends Helped Him Rebuild

WHAT: Housewarming/Homecoming for Mr. G

WHEN: Thursday, August 23 at 1 pm

WHERE: 2 Witter Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339

Emery Giovannone, left homeless by the 2006 Mohawk Valley Floods, will soon move into his brand new Fort Plain home, thanks to the hard work and generosity of friends, community members and Government Agencies.

The disabled Army veteran, affectionately known to many as Mr. G, moved into the Palatine Nursing Home for a year while his flood-ravaged home was demolished and rebuilt. This Thursday at 1 pm, he will be joined by many of the men and women who helped him in his quest to return home.

Please join us for a housewarming and homecoming party for Mr. G. Attendees will include representatives from the businesses, community groups and government agencies that helped rebuild Mr. G’s home, including:

• Governor Spitzer’s Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Deborah VanAmerongen;

• Fort Plain Mayor Guy Barton;

• Executive Director of the Valley Rural Preservation Company, Gino Santabarbara;

• Crystal Lynch, a representative from American Homes of Syracuse, which provided a new manufactured home at-cost;

• New York State Association for Affordable Housing director Bernie Carr;

• Representatives of the State Emergency Management Organization (SEMO)and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)