Darlene Medley West Branch Leader

Oceanna Fair

Hello, I am a retired nurse, and Southside homeowner. I am a mother, grandmother, and a person whose family has been affected directly by childhood lead poisoning. I am also the Southside Branch leader of Families for Lead Freedom Now!

As a civic leader, I seek to be a fierce advocate in the fight to end childhood lead poisoning. Recently, I provided testimony about my perspective to lawmakers in Albany during a New York State Senate Public Hearing on Childhood Lead Poisoning (November 30, 2021), the first of its kind since 1994.

I no longer felt alone…

   My name is Ellen Morrissey. I am the grandmother of a loving but lead-infected one and a half year-old grandson, Ronan. The news came in June 2018, after Ronan's vein puncture at the pediatrician's office. I got a call that his lead was at a 12.6.

I couldn't believe it! Panic set in. And isolation. What do we do? Where do we go? Was it my fault? No, it wasn't my fault, but our landlord's, Tom Harig. When the Department of Health inspector came to the house we rented and tested it, they found the place was full of lead hazards. I then watched our landlord attempt to make required repairs without proper certification: you need both an EPA certification, and an RRP (Repair, Renovate, Paint) certification.

Every day dealing with the landlord was terror. At one point, his work forced myself (56), the baby, and two dogs on the neighbor's lawn, even overnight, so he could complete the required work.

New lead-hazard test results showed that only one of thirty-seven violations was fixed. Frustration and sadness overcame me as I sought help from others. But from where? The newspapers couldn't help. Then I found Families for Lead Freedom Now. I no longer felt alone. I called and met with politicians all over Syracuse to express my concern that this never happen to another family.

My daughter and I stopped paying rent to force our landlord to make repairs in a safe and approved manner. But on September 27, 2019, Tom Harig evicted us. And we scrambled for money and lifeforce to make the sudden move.

That experience was traumatizing, and not the end. We faced off with our landlord in court. And I will stand with the next person who has to endure intimidation and fear to do the right thing. We are in a new place, and safe. Ronan’s lead levels continue to drop.

The most important thing I want others to know is that: 1) lead poisoning is not your fault; 2) you are not alone - we are here to help; 3) breathe . . . life has a way of working out when you have the love and support you need.

I encourage you to join us as we gain momentum to protect your children, our most priceless resource!