By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 March 2026 at 8:54 am
‘Connected we are stronger. This is not a slogan. It is a strategy for rural success’
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Kathy Blackburn, left, and Gabrielle Barone share a light moment during the gathering Wednesday night sponsored by Orleans Community Connects. (Right) Dean Bellack, board president of Orleans Community Connects (formerly United Way) and director Nyla Gaylord addressed invited guests to an informal gathering Wednesday night at Zambistro’s. Its purpose was to explain the name change from United Way.
MEDINA – Invited members of the community shared conversation and camaraderie at a gathering Wednesday night at Zambistro’s, during which leadership of the former United Way explained the new mission and reason for the name change to Orleans Community Connects.
The evening began with introduction of officers from Jodi Gaines, who was a longtime member of United Way of Eastern Orleans (when there were two United Ways in the county). Gaines now continues her membership, having served as president several terms and is now treasurer of Orleans Community Connects.
Virginia Kropf started as a member of United Way of Western Orleans around 2000-01 and later also became a member of Eastern United Way until the two merged in 2011. She continues to serve as secretary, a position she has held for more than a decade.
Jerome Pawlak is vice president, having started as a member of Eastern United Way in 1985. He remembers his dad’s grocery store in Albion supporting United Way when he was a youngster helping in the store.
Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connects, speaks to a gathering of local residents who attended an informative meeting Wednesday at Zambistro’s.
President Dean Bellack attended his first meeting in 2019, at which the current director announced she was leaving. Bellack stated he had just retired from his company and sold it and he would be willing to step in as director until a new director could be hired. He served in that position until Nyla Gaylord was hired, who serves as director today.
Other board members are Barry Flansburg, Richard Hellert, Amit Misra and David Gagne.
Wednesday’s program continued with a brief history of United Way by Kropf. She shared how the agency was founded in the 1960s by Van Hungerford and several friends as the Community Chest. It was Hungerford’s belief there ought to be one agency in the county to which people could donate, thereby eliminating all the individual requests an organization would get.
United Way of Western Orleans shared an office with the American Red Cross, first above where Avanti’s is now, then in an office on the west side of Main, until moving across the street when Kennedy Brothers closed in 2000.
At some point they shared an office with the Medina Chamber of Commerce, until merging with Eastern to become United Way of Orleans County. They met at various locations, including the Crooked Door, Swan Library and the former Washington Mutual complex, until being offered permanent space (and their current office) at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Kropf said she couldn’t count the times she has told someone that money donated to United Way in Orleans County, stays in Orleans County. And that will remain true under the new name.
Nyla Gaylord, executive director, spoke next and said the evening celebrated an important milestone in the agency’s evolution into Orleans Community Connects.
“This isn’t just a new name,” Gaylord said. “It reflects our growing role as a connector of people, ideas and resources, all focused on strengthening Orleans County.”
Dean Bellack greets MarcAnthony Bucci from the Buffalo Community Foundation and Katie Brisson from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. They attended Orleans Community Connect’s get-together, along with Maura Dewan of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Gaylord said the agency’s new journey began when Bellack stepped into the role of executive director.
“After retiring from a long career as a manufacturer’s representative, he brought those same strengths that defined his career – relationship building, community connections and a talent for bringing people together,” Gaylord said. “Almost immediately, Dean started contacting foundations in Buffalo and Rochester to ask for money.
“Almost immediately, foundations in Rochester and Buffalo reached out to us, asking for help to distribute emergency funds for rent, utilities and basic need,” Gaylord said. “We immediately convened nonprofit leaders from across the county to coordinate how those funds would reach families in need. It was a defining moment – one which showed how powerful our local network could be when we worked together.”
When foundations asked what rural counties needed, Orleans’ answer was “digital literacy.” Then grants were written and received to address digital literacy in Orleans County, resulting in the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative.
Gaylord explained how she spent her own time while working as director of Ministry of Concern to write a grant, which resulted in funding of a grant writer at United Way for five years. Shortly after she joined United Way. She stepped into the role as executive director in July 2023.
“As someone who spent more than 30 years working in nonprofit administration and has lived in Orleans County my entire life, I felt called to help guide this next chapter,” Gaylord said.”
This would be addressing a previously neglected homeless population, supporting countywide outreach during the rollout of a new broadband system, convening a community conversation on housing and addressing a housing shortage. United Way also was involved in establishment of a warming center in Albion, a model which is now being replicated in Brockport and Warsaw.
Photo courtesy of Dawn Winkler: Clockwise from left, Kathy Blackburn, Sally Mathes, Carol Bellack and Ginny Kropf enjoy hors d’oeuvres and conversation during Orleans Community Connects gathering at Zambistro’s. Kropf has been a member of United Way (now Orleans Community Connects) for an estimated 25 years and secretary for at least a dozen years.
Partnering with consultant Nick Coulter and former county legislator Ken DeRoller resulted in forming the first Affordable Housing Summit last fall. Coulter is now working with a local developer to help move affordable housing projects forward.
All this work was made possible by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. Today Orleans Community Connects’ programs include Caregivers Revitalize, Connect Orleans broadband research, Highmark CHEFS nutrition education and Housing Development consulting services.
“Board member David Gagne said Orleans County needs to help itself, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Gaylord said. “We are bringing partners together, identifying solutions and building the systems that will strengthen this community for years to come. That spirit of collaboration, responsiveness and local problem solving is what inspired our new name, Orleans Community Connects. Because the truth is simple – when we connect, great things happen.”
Dean Bellack concluded the evening by explaining where the organization is going and why that direction matters to every donor, every elected official and every business leader here.
“At the center of Orleans Community Connects is a simple truth – connected we are stronger,” Bellack said. “This is not a slogan. It is a strategy for rural success.”
Bellack said we all know the challenges – a shrinking population, rising costs, limited staff and a competitive grant environment.
“These pressures affect our towns, our villages, our nonprofits and our businesses,” Bellack said. “And they affect the long-term stability of our county. But when we connect our efforts – when we stop duplicating work and start aligning resources, we can accomplish far more than any one entity can do alone.”
The first major initiative Orleans Community Connects is launching is a series of collaborative meetings with every town and village in Orleans County. These will be structured, working conversations, not ceremonial gatherings, Bellack said.
“When we understand the full landscape, we can begin to coordinate instead of compete,” Bellack said. “We can align projects, strengthen applications and bring more funding into Orleans County.”
At the same time, Orleans Community Connects is preparing to take a major step forward by establishing their own internal capacity very soon. This will include professional grant writing support for towns, villages and nonprofits; coordination of multi-partner projects; administrative support for complex state and federal applications; and the ability to move ideas into action with consistency and follow-through.
“As we grow, it is important to be clear about our commitments,” Bellack said. “OCC will continue charitable giving to the most deserving nonprofits in Orleans County, funded through special events, just as we have always done. We will not send one penny outside the county. Every dollar stays here.”
Above all, Bellack said to accomplish their growth in Orleans County they need leaders at the table.
“To accomplish our goals, we need two to four additional board members who share our mission and who understand the value of coordinated, countywide impact,” Bellack said. “We especially need one or two individuals with town or village government experience, and a treasurer with strong financial expertise and experience with grants. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of Orleans County in a meaningful, lasting way.”
‘We are not asking for charity. We are asking you to join us, because the return on this investment will be felt in every corner of Orleans County.’ – Dean Bellack
Bellack closed by explaining, like United Way, Orleans Community Connects needs community investment in order to grow.
He said he was not asking for gifts.
“A gift is charity,” Bellack said. “An investment is belief. An investment says, ‘I expect this to grow. I expect this to produce results. I expect this to benefit the people who live and work here.’ We are not asking for charity. We are asking you to join us, because the return on this investment will be felt in every corner of Orleans County.
“That is the future we are building. A future rooted in connection and driven by collaboration, where every community has the tools, the support and the resources to succeed. We thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for being part of what comes next.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2026 at 8:24 am
ALBION – The non-emergency administrative phone lines for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office are currently down. The phone lines, such as (585) 589-5527, aren’t working and the Verizon doesn’t has an estimate for restoration at this time, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Callers can instead use 911 for non-emergency needs until the other phone lines are back in service.
Verizon and Orleans County technicians have been working on this issue since 1:30 a.m.
“We will advise when the lines have been restored,” Bourke said. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as Americans across the country protest the Trump administration’s corruption and chaos as part of the third No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that she will be introducing new legislation to bar the use of a sitting U.S. president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or designate federal property, assets, or currency.
“In America, we do not bow to kings,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our president should be focused on bringing down grocery prices, making health care affordable, and ensuring every family can get ahead, not using their position to boost their own personal brand. It is time that we institute this ban and make sure that our government serves the people, not one person’s ego.”
This bill, which Senator Gillibrand plans to introduce in the next Senate working period, would include prohibitions on actions such as hanging banners with a sitting president’s face on the side of federal buildings; naming a class of warships after a sitting president; tacking the sitting president’s name onto the name of an existing federal building; depicting a sitting president on a federally issued commemorative coin; or placing a sitting president’s signature on U.S. paper currency.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2026 at 1:49 pm
Participants braved cold, received many friendly horn honks and some middle fingers
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County today for the first time joined the “No Kings” protests around the country. Just over 100 attended the protest in Albion at the main intersection of routes 98 and 31.
They stood to send a message that oppose a president accumulating executive power while dismissing the roles of the legislative and judicial branches.
Over 3,000 protests were planned around the country today. The first “No Kings” protests were last year on the June 14, the birthday of President Donald Trump.
Protesters say Donald Trump has used his power to bring the United States to war with Iran, to arrest and detain people around the country without due process, to impose tariffs and issue numerous executive orders – all without following the democratic process that is a cornerstone of the country.
The war with Iran has sent gas prices soaring, with the price hitting $4.00 a gallon at the Crosby’s in Albion at route 31 and 98.
Protesters today said Trump campaigned on getting the U.S. out of wars but instead seems to relish military interventions and conflicts. And his actions are causing economic pain around the country and world.
Beth Wood helped organize today’s “No Kings” protest. She is secretary for the Orleans County Democratic Party. She wanted local residents to have a chance to gather to send a message about Trump and his move towards an authoritative government.
Wood said she is impressed by the turnout of more than 100 people, standing for two hours in 30-degree temperatures. And she appreciated the many positive horn honks which outnumbered the revving engines and middle fingers.
“A lot of people feel very alone and worried about the executive branch having so much control over so many things,” Wood said. “We want to support full democracy.”
Wood said the “No Kings” protest is non-partisan and she was pleased to see some Republicans and independents joining Democrats at the rally in Albion.
“This is an opportunity to take advantage of our Constitutional freedoms before they are disintegrated,” she said.
There were numerous home-made signs at the protest today in Albion.
Jim Renfrew, vice president of the Orleans County Democratic Party, said Trump is governing like a king, plastering his name and likeness of buildings. There will be a commemorative coin for the 250th anniversary of the country with Trump’s portrait, and the Treasury Department announced this week that paper currency will be bearing Trump’s signature.
The Kennedy Center, which was named as memorial for slain president John F. Kennedy, in December added Trump’s name and is now “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Renfrew said “it’s very disturbing” to see Trump getting the king treatment with money and the naming of buildings in his honor, which ius out of the norm for a sitting and living U.S. president.
Renfrew was expecting about 30 people at the protest in Albion. The event went from noon to 2 p.m. By 12:05, there were 75 people at the intersection, holding signs. By 1 o’clock, there were about 120 at the rally.
Renfrew also went to a “No Kings” protest in the morning in Gates that he said was attended by more than 500 people.
“There is definitely something going on here,” Renfrew said about the movement.
Some protesters say Trump hasn’t been upfront about the rationale for bombing Iran, and still hasn’t made the goals clear.
Jeff Lewis, the Democratic Party chairman in Orleans County, said he saw people from all political parties at the protest.
“We want people here to know that they matter,” he said. “Democracy and the Constitution isn’t for just one person. It’s for all people.”
He said the local Democrats are seeing strong interest which he hopes can translate into more people running for local political offices. Too many elections have unopposed candidates.
“People need to know their vote counts,” he said.
Protesters say they see an attack on democracy from Trump and his enablers, and the people need to speak out.
Michael Plitt, Democratic Party chairman in Genesee County, attended the ‘No Kings” rally in Albion. He was in town to help gather signatures for political candidates.
He said Democrats are much more eager to sign petitions and help collect signatures than he has seen before.
They want a stronger say in their local government, which is dominated by Republicans.
“We just want to give people a choice,” he said. “So many of the elections are unopposed. People don’t realize you can run for office. There is no secret club or handshake. They should reach out to their local Democratic committee.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2026 at 11:33 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Cub Scouts from pack 3025 in Lyndonville were in the Albion Tops grocery today from 9 a.m. to noon for “Scouting for Food.” They welcomed donations from shoppers. Many dropped off canned food on their way out of the store. The top photo shows Logan Gaelens-Puma taking the food out of a bag that was donated from a shopper. He is assisted by Noah Stevens.
The two Cub Scouts were joined by their mothers, Rayne Stevens (back left) and Jessica Gaelens.
The food collected today will be given to the food pantry at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. That church also sponsors pack 3025.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2026 at 8:55 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Neveya Barnes plays the role of Annie, here singing “It’s the Hard Knock Life” with orphans Sophie Kozody (Maggie), left, and Olivia Andrews (July).
Albion High School performed Annie on Friday night and there are two more shows today at noon at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the middle school auditorium.
The orphans sing about the hard life in the orphanage where they are forced to clean and live in deprivation. The musical is set amidst the Great Depression in New York City.
The orphans are played by, form left: Olivia Andrews, Chloe Mosele, Makenzie Cook, Sophie Kozody, Nicole Loney, Lily Brigham, D Johnson, Amelia Symons, Rianne Hand and Neveya Barnes.
Adelaide Pettit plays the role of Miss Aggie Hannigan, an orphanage matron who hates children but is very fond of alcoholic beverages. She sings about “Little Girls” and the frustration of being surrounded by children.
Annie (Neveya Barnes) gets a fashion makeover and joins Oliver Warbucks (Gideon Pask), a billionaire businessman, on a walk through the glamorous New York City. Then are headed to the movies. Warbucks is a stern businessman who opens his home and heart to Annie.
Phoebe Allen plays the role of Grace Farrell, Oliver Warbucks’ faithful secretary. Grace loves Annie right from the beginning. Drake, the head butler at Warbucks’ mansion, is played by Aniela Wilson. Grace and the staff of servants are singing “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”
The Boylan Sisters sing “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” on Bert Healy’s radio show. The sisters include, from left: Lily Brigham, Reagan Flor and Julia Graham. Annie and Oliver Warbucks went on the radio show to announce a $50,000 reward to a couple who could prove they are Annie’s parents.
When the $50,000 reward is announced, Rooster Hannigan gets an idea to pretend he and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis, are the parents. Rooster is Miss Hannigan’s brother.
Here they are singing “Easy Street.” From left include Adelaide Pettit as Miss Hannigan, Bradyn Whittier as Rooster Hannigan, and Julia Button as Lily St. Regis. Rooster and Lily will pretend to be Ralph and Shirley Mudge, claiming to be Annie’s parents.
Four Albion teachers and Principal Jennifer Ashbery played the roles of Cabinet members for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They are trying to think of how to improve the economy. Annie inspires them with her optimism.
Albion teacher Mr. Rich Gannon, lower left, really poured himself into the role of Harold Ickes. Bradyn Whitter, a senior, portrayed Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Other Cabinet members include, going left from Annie and Warbucks, Mr. Josh Green as Henry Morganthau, Mr. Bill Dambra as Cordell Hull, Mr. Chad Owen as Louis Howe, and Mrs. Jennifer Ashbery as Frances Perkins.
The teachers and principal soak up the applause at the end of the musical.
LYNDONVILLE – Time is running out to sign-up for the 2026 season of Camp Rainbow.
Applications and scholarships are due Wednesday, May 1, which can be found online (click here). Scholarships, which are part of the application, cover one week of camp and transportation.
Taking place between July 6 through Aug. 7 this year, Camp Rainbow is a summer day camp available to all children between 5 to 21. The camp is located at 2272 Yates Carlton Townline Road in Lyndonville.
While Camp Rainbow was originally designed to meet the needs of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities, it was opened up to all children in 1992. Since that time, Camp Rainbow has encouraged friendships and understanding among children with and without disabilities as well as promoting integration and inclusion.
Arc GLOW is also looking to hire lifeguards, a camp cook and counselors for Camp Rainbow. To apply, visit ArcGLOW.org/Work-For-Us.
For more information on Camp Rainbow, contact Director of Community Services Jenifer Batt at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1150 or JBatt@ArcGLOW.org. To learn more about Arc GLOW, visit ArcGLOW.org.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Devon Albone, left, and Rob Luff get the Albone Spray Foam booth ready on April 5, 2025 at the Home, Garden & Outdoor Show at Dubby’s Tailgate. Albone was one of 40 vendors at last year’s show.
Press Release, Orleans County Chamber of Commerce
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome the community to the annual Home, Garden & Outdoor Show, taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, 165 S. Platt Street in Albion.
This two-day event brings together local businesses, industry experts, and families for a weekend filled with inspiration, education, and fun. Attendees can explore a wide variety of home improvement and landscaping vendors, discover new ideas for spring projects, and connect directly with local professionals.
In addition to vendor exhibits, the event will feature two educational workshops led by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners:
Dahlia Tuber Demonstration on Saturday at 1 p.m. Master Gardener Sue Starkweather Miller will demonstrate how to divide and pot dahlia tubers to extend the growing season and maximize blooms.
Partnerships in Nature – Commensalism Presentation on Sunday at 1 p.m. Master Gardener Erica Joan Wanecski will explore how plants, insects, and animals work together to create thriving ecosystems.
The Home, Garden & Outdoor Show is also designed with families in mind. Children can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the weekend, including a kids’ activity table, scavenger hunt, and special visits with the Easter Bunny (Saturday from 1:30-4, Sunday 1-4), making it a fun and engaging experience for all ages.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2026 at 10:06 am
Medina fire chief highlights report – ‘The funding model is broken’
Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley shows a slide detailing a 21 percent in ambulance calls for the Medina Fire Department from 2008 to 2025. He also provided an overview of a 90-page report from the New York State Rural Ambulance Services Task Force. Cooley spoke during Tuesday’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities at the Fair Haven Inn. About 25 attended the meeting.
ALBION – It’s a recipe for a crisis: more calls for service and a declining numbers of responders. And it’s a situation that could get more dire without changes in the funding model for emergency medical services.
A 90-page report from the New York State Rural Ambulance Services Task Force paints a grim picture for EMS services in rural areas. Many agencies have been run by volunteers, but many of those ambulance squads have gone out of service or are not able to respond to a growing number of calls.
In Orleans County, Kendall Fire Department was the last volunteer-run ambulance. It ceased operations after on Dec. 31, 2022. COVA also went out of business in late 2022 after 44 years of service in central Orleans County.
Now the Medina Fire Department and Mercy Flight EMS are handling most of the calls in the county. Those organizations face high operational costs, with low reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare.
The Rural Ambulance Services Task Force released a report earlier this month calling for immediate state action to increase reimbursement rates and provide grants for rural ambulance services.
The Task Force said a state-level public health emergency should be declared to direct resources to areas struggling to provide timely service to residents in crisis.
Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley highlighted the report as well as data for the Medina Fire Department during a presentation on Tuesday evening. Rural areas have seen many of their hospitals close or shot down services such as maternity. Locally, hospitals have closed in Albion and Brockport, and Medina no longer delivers babies.
Those changes have ambulances driving farther out of county. That ties up ambulances often for several hours, and can result in overlapping calls where there are delays because ambulances are all in service.
A Medina Fire Department ambulance is shown on East Center Street on Thursday at the Main Street intersection. The ambulance headed to Route 63 and out of Orleans County. The Medina FD responds to over 2,000 calls a year.
Cooley started as a volunteer in 1990 at age 16 with Tri-Town Ambulance in Gasport. He has worked with Medina Fire Department as a career firefighter/paramedic since 2010, and has been the fire chief since last year.
“Volunteers were once the backbone,” Cooley said about the local ambulance service. “But there are no volunteer transporting agencies left.”
He said the Task Force report was a five-year effort and it makes 38 recommendations to strengthen rural EMS care.
“This is not a future problem,” he said. “It is already impacting response times, coverage and patient outcomes in communities like ours.”
Orleans County had 5,521 ambulance calls in 2025, which was up from 4,965 in 2024, according to the Orleans County Emergency Management Office. Medina responded to 2,416 of those calls, with most in western Orleans – Village of Medina and towns of Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates.
Orleans County is working on its own EMS and fire services report, which is expected to be complete next month.
County Legislator John Fitzak said he expects there will be conversations among officials throughout the county once the report is out about EMS and the fire service in the county.
“Everybody is thinking about this and we’re looking for answers,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting of the local officials.
Cooley said “the funding model is broken” for EMS, with the reimbursement rates too low with Medicaid and Medicare. The ambulance providers also can’t bill unless there is a transport, and many people receive care at the scene but decline to be transported.
“We should be paid for care and not just transportation,” he said.
Cooley said EMS should be classified by the state as an essential service, on par with police and fire service.
Cole Hardenbrook, a member of the Kendall Fire Department, takes the radio out of the Kendall ambulance in this photo from Dec. 31, 2022. The fire department ceased providing service at 11:59 p.m. that day after 54 years. Kendall was the last volunteer-run ambulance squad in the county that did transports. Kendall responded to 9,700 calls over those 54 years.
It recent years it was getting harder and harder for volunteers from to meet the training requirements and give up the time to respond to a call and then make the transport to a Rochester hospital. Often the ambulance would have to wait at the hospitals to drop off patients. It could take five hours to go on some of the calls.
“In New York State, the reliability of the EMS system has significantly declined in recent years due to various challenges,” the EMS report states in the executive summary. “These challenges include a decrease in volunteerism, insufficient and lack of public funding to cover readiness costs, staffing shortages, escalating operational expenses, inadequate insurance reimbursement, increased call volumes, absence of performance standards, limited awareness of the EMS system among elected officials and the public, the influence of NYS home rule, and a lack of transparency and accountability for EMS agencies.
“In some instances, these systems receive public funding, but in many communities, they are not financially supported. This results in a patchwork system with local municipalities or fire districts throughout the state opting for different approaches to provide EMS coverage.
“EMS response is often at the mercy of time of day, day of week, proximity of an ambulance within a geopolitical boundary, and the availability of staff. Response times vary from minutes to more than an hour in many locations.”
Click here to see the full report from the Rural Ambulance Services Task Force.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) calling for an investigation into reports that certain nonprofit organizations may have violated federal law by engaging in prohibited partisan political activity.
Recent reporting revealed that hundreds of 501(c)(3) organizations in New York may have made political contributions or engaged in electioneering despite longstanding federal prohibitions on such activity.
According to the report, more than 1,000 contributions from at least 650 nonprofits totaled over $400,000, with many organizations certifying to the IRS under penalty of perjury that they were not involved in political campaigns.
These actions, if confirmed, would represent a clear violation of federal tax law, which bars tax-exempt charities from supporting or opposing political candidates. In her letter, Rep. Tenney urged the IRS to investigate these allegations and take appropriate enforcement action, including revoking tax-exempt status where warranted.
“As founder and chairwoman of the Election Integrity Caucus, I am deeply troubled by the findings of this report. Federal law is clear that 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities,” Tenney said. “Organizations that violate this prohibition are not only subject to revocation of their tax-exempt status but are also liable for excise taxes on every dollar of those illegal political expenditures. The IRS has both the authority and the obligation to act to protect the integrity of our electoral process and hold 501(c)(3)s to the standards set out under the law. I have referred this matter to the IRS for further investigation and urge the agency to fulfill its enforcement obligations if it finds wrongdoing on the part of any of the 501(c)(3)s implicated.
“The integrity of our elections depends on a level playing field. When tax-exempt organizations, which are subsidized in part by the American taxpayer, pour money into campaigns and endorse candidates, they are corrupting the democratic process.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2026 at 10:07 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday issued three proclamations to bring awareness to causes and initiatives in the community.
County Legislator John Fitzak, right, presents a proclamation about “Donate Life Month” in April to Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon. The DMV is one way people can get on the registry to be registered for organ, eye and tissue donations.
Hanlon said Orleans County has one of highest percentage in the state of people on the Donate Life registry for organ and tissue donations.
“A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “A donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others.”
County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation about “Child Abuse Prevention Awareness and Family Strengthening and Support Month.” He presented the proclamation to DSS Child Protective Services Supervisor Judianne Gearing, Senior Caseworker Sharon Nenni, and caseworkers Shelley Sherman, Isabella Gibbs and Maria Strathearn.
“All children need love and care to support their healthy growth and development, and they deserve to be raised in an environment that keeps them safe from potential forms of harm including verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, exploitation, malnourishment, and neglect of other basic needs,” the proclamation states.
People can report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, the state’s child abuse hotline, which is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week by calling 1-800-342-3720.
Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties, accepts a proclamation from Legislator Don Allport. That proclamation was for “National Public Health Week” from April 6–12. The theme of the week is “Ready. Set. Action!”
The proclamation highlighted these services from the local Health Department:
Community Health Services team protects public health by monitoring disease trends, supporting mothers and children, administering immunization clinics and conducting 1,862 communicable disease investigations in 2025.
The Children with Special Needs Program ensures children with or suspected of having developmental, physical, or special health care needs have access to essential services and resources that support healthy growth and development, serving approximately 330 children in 2025.
The Department of Weights and Measures is responsible for testing and inspecting all commercial devices used to weigh or measure various commodities and tested 364 devices and evaluated 49 fuel quality samples in 2025.
Health education initiatives engage residents through presentations, training sessions, community events, and public communications, equipping community members with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, prevent disease, and foster a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Orleans County.
The Emergency Preparedness program strengthens community resilience by equipping residents and partners for emergencies through training, education, drills, and coordinated response efforts, providing 68 individuals with training and contributing 72 hours of service and training through the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) in 2025.
The Environmental Health protects Orleans County residents by conducting 253 food service inspections, collecting and analyzing public and private water samples, responding to 149 rabies investigations last year and upholding the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act.
The listed items touch on a portion of what is offered by the Public Health Department, Pettit said.
“Public health plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health, safety, and quality of life of all residents of Orleans County,” the proclamation states.
