(Photo Source: Cortland County website).
The Cortland County Legislature appointed Nicole Anjeski as the new public health director (effective Nov. 19) at its monthly meeting on Thursday.
“I look forward to many more years in the health department,” Anjeski said. According to Thursday’s county legislature agenda, Anjeski will have an annual salary of $87,233.
Anjeski, who was previously the county’s deputy health director, replaces interim health director Lisa Perfetti.
Perfetti noted she is “thrilled to welcome Nicole as the new leader” of the county’s health department.
“She’s been with us all along and will continue to do her best work going forward,” Perfetti added.
Legislator Ann Homer (D-LD 7) mentioned she has known Anjeski since she was an intern with the county health department. Homer added that she has seen Anjeski “grow exponentially.”
“She’s an excellent choice and she will lead the health department extremely well,” Homer said.
Perfetti gave a brief speech in regards to her being the health director for the past year-and-a-half.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Perfetti said. “Our staff has worked really hard through this entire (COVID-19) pandemic, and continues to work hard every day.”
County Legislature Chairman Paul Heider (R-LD 16) praised Perfetti in the short time she led the county health department.
“On behalf of myself and the Cortland County Legislature I would like to give our sincere thanks to you for your commitment, dedication and stewardship in the public health department as our director,” Heider said. “Your commitment to our community was above and beyond what could be expected from anyone.”
Heider added, “I was amazed how much your health department listened to you and how organized it was. You were the leader. It was clear.”
Heider noted one moment in Perfetti’s leadership where she pushed for the county to get its “fair share” of the COVID-19 vaccines from the New York State government.
“You fought like heck for us,” Heider said. “You clearly saved lives for us in Cortland County.”
