Photo courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES – The honorable John Ninfo, a retired bankruptcy judge from Rochester, spoke with students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina.

Press Release, Orleans-Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Judge John Ninfo, a retired bankruptcy judge from Rochester, was recently the guest speaker at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Judge Ninfo started the national organization CARE (Credit Abuse Resistance Education) to educate young adults and others about the benefits of personal financial management and the consequences of credit abuse.

He and the other volunteers, which are comprised of professionals in bankruptcy, financial services, and business, volunteer their time by sharing true stories about financial distress and the impact it can have on one’s life.

He shared with the career and technical education students how a little over half of all adults are financially literate and how it has a profound effect on a person’s ability to save for the future and increases the risk of higher debt and less savings. He says that beginning financial education at an early age is critical to a young person’s long-term financial well-being.

Work-Based Learning Coordinator Susan Zola, who invited Judge Ninfo, says it was an impactful presentation.

“He talked to the students about financial security and how important it is for your peace of mind going forward as adults,” Zola said. “He gave them handouts with the top ten lessons on budgeting and told them cash is king and to avoid credit card debt. It was a very valuable lesson for them.”

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt’s Office

ALBANY – Members of the Senate Republican Conference today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging the inclusion of two pieces of legislation in the enacted budget that would provide real utility relief at a time when New Yorkers desperately need it.

The first piece of legislation, S.8461A, introduced by Senator Tom O’Mara would provide nearly $3 billion in bill credits to ratepayers using unspent funds collected from ratepayers by NYSERDA and utilities with PSC approval for green energy projects. The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Financial Plan for NYSERDA detailed that NYSERDA had a total net position of $2,045,624,000 at the end of 2025. There was also $770 million being held in escrow by utilities for requisition by NYSERDA at the end of 2025 per the Department of Public Service.

The second, S.8463, introduced by Senator Rob Rolison would establish a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and a two-year green energy gas tax holiday, which would provide real and meaningful relief to ratepayers that are paying residential electric rates 50% higher than the national average.

The call for the inclusion of these pieces of legislation in the final enacted budget comes on the heels of a recent report from NYSERDA warning of increases in utility costs in order to keep up with the green energy mandates laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

“For years, the Senate GOP has consistently advocated for the repeal of the CLCPA because we see it for what it is – an unnecessary and extremely expensive burden on ratepayers,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “Given the chance to take action and provide real relief, Albany Democrats instead doubled down on their out-of-touch climate policies, favoring radical environmentalists instead of standing up for struggling New Yorkers. These initiatives to provide relief to ratepayers must be a priority in the final budget.”

Press Release, Medina Police Department

Taylor Valovic

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department reports the arrest of an individual following an investigation into a reported incident.

On March 25, members of the Medina Police Department arrested Taylor Valovic, 30, of Medina and charged him with:

• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (New York State Penal Law §130.65)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child (New York State Penal Law §260.10)

The charges stem from an investigation into an incident that was reported to law enforcement. Due to the nature of the case, no further details are being released at this time.

The defendant was processed and arraigned in Orleans County Centralized Arraignment Part and was released after posting bail.

The Medina Police Department reminds the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assemblyman says excessive borrowing burdens future generations

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) announced his opposition to the $10.6 billion debt service budget bill (A.10002-A), citing concerns over excessive borrowing and the long-term financial burden it places on New Yorkers, especially future generations.

“While this bill fulfills legally required debt payments, it is part of a much larger and troubling pattern of overspending and over-borrowing,” said Hawley. “New York is already one of the most indebted states in the nation. Continuing down this path only deepens the hole we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.”

The proposal provides funding to cover principal and interest payments on the state’s existing debt, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and other contractual obligations.

Hawley pointed to the state’s growing debt load, which is projected to reach $72.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2027 and nearly $99 billion within five years as a clear warning sign.

“Instead of tightening our belts and prioritizing responsible budgeting, Albany continues to rely on borrowing to fund its agenda,” Hawley said. “More than three-quarters of these debt service payments are going toward interest alone. That’s money not going to taxpayers’ needs, but to servicing a growing mountain of debt.”

Hawley also raised concerns about the state’s reliance on public authority debt, which accounts for approximately 96% of state-related debt and is often issued without direct voter approval.

“This lack of transparency and accountability is deeply concerning,” Hawley added. “New Yorkers deserve to have a say when the state takes on massive financial obligations that will impact them for decades.”

While acknowledging the necessity of meeting existing debt obligations, Hawley emphasized the need for a shift toward fiscal discipline and long-term sustainability.

“We must break this cycle of borrowing and start making responsible choices today,” Hawley concluded. “If we fail to act, it will be our children and grandchildren who are forced to pay the price.”

Thus statement is from the New York State Association of Counties, New York State Conference of Mayors, and New York Association of Towns on proposed amendments to Tier 6 of the New York State and Local Retirement System.

As we approach the April 1st start of the new state fiscal year, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), and the New York Association of Towns (NYAOT) are closely monitoring for proposals to amend Tier 6 of the New York State and Local Retirement System.

The legal and fiscal impact of these changes warrant additional consideration by every state lawmaker.

Nearly 60% of county, city, town, and village employees participate in Tier 6, meaning any modifications will have substantial fiscal implications for local governments across New York. The timing of these proposals, alone, warrants serious attention.

The New York State and Local Retirement System determines employer contribution rates annually based on a variety of factors, including fund valuation as of March 31, as well as regular updates in actuarial assumptions related to retiree longevity, pension benefit changes, wages, and more.

The current employer contribution rate for municipal employees stands at 17% of payroll. While the pension fund had been projected to achieve double-digit returns that would stabilize employer contributions for 2027, recent stock market volatility has significantly altered that outlook. Current projections now anticipate single-digit returns, which will create additional upward pressure on employer contribution rates—pressure that local governments cannot easily absorb.

Our position is unequivocal: if the State of New York chooses to amend Tier 6, the State must fully fund all costs associated with those changes. This is not only a matter of fiscal necessity—it is a matter of law. Section 25 of the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law requires that the State bear the financial responsibility for pension benefit enhancements.

This provision was specifically enacted in recognition of the enormous fiscal liability pension enhancements create for local governments, which they have no ability to control. It further ensures the fiscal stability of the pension fund going forward while maintaining affordability for local taxpayers—goals that are undermined if the State shifts new costs onto localities. To ignore Section 25 now would be to disregard the clear legislative intent behind its enactment and to signal to every local government in New York that state commitments to fiscal protection can be set aside whenever they become inconvenient.

Counties, cities, towns, and villages already operate under severe fiscal constraints—the property tax cap, rising costs for essential services, and the growing burden of unfunded state mandates. Any increase in employer pension contribution rates resulting from Tier 6 amendments would force local governments to make impossible choices: cutting essential services, eliminating positions, or seeking property tax increases that local taxpayers cannot afford.

NYSAC, NYCOM, and NYAOT urge the Governor and Legislature to ensure that any Tier 6 changes are accompanied by a full state commitment to cover the resulting costs—and to resist the impulse to pass those costs on to local property taxpayers.

File photo: These volunteers painted picnic tables at Camp Rainbow during the “Day of Caring” on May 19, 2023. About 70 people volunteered for the United Way Day of Caring three years ago in Orleans County.

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans Community Connects, the new name adopted by United Way of Orleans County, has announced it will continue the former Day of Caring, in which volunteers offer their services county-wide to do projects for local non-profits.

May 8 has been designated as Community Connects Day and will begin with a kickoff breakfast at 8 a.m. in the pavilion at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12590 State Route 31. Volunteer projects will be launched at 9 a.m. at designated locations throughout Orleans County.

Community Connects Day reflects the spirit of connection and purpose through its theme, “Rooted in Community. Driven by Connections.” The initiative invites volunteers of all skill levels and backgrounds to assist nonprofits with meaningful projects that help strengthen the organizations that serve the community every day.

“We are excited to bring our community together for a powerful day of service,” said Dawn Winkler, event coordinator of Orleans Community Connects. “This event highlights what is possible when neighbors, organizations and volunteers connect to support causes that matter. Every project completed helps strengthen the foundation of the nonprofits who work tirelessly for our community.”

The event is made possible through generous support from our sponsor North Shore Networks, whose contribution helped fund meals, supplies and visibility for the initiative, Winkler said.

Local nonprofits are invited to submit project needs – such as minor maintenance, indoor cleaning, landscaping, painting or other identified tasks in order to receive volunteer assistance. Agencies can request the number of volunteers needed and provide descriptions of the work to be done. A nonprofit project form may be requested by e-mailing Events@OrleansCommunityConnects.org.

Individuals may request a volunteer form by e-mail or on the website at www.OrleansCommunityConnects.org/events.

Volunteers who sign up by April 15 will receive an insulated lunch bag with goodies inside.

Completed forms must be received no later than April 15.

Photo courtesy of Marsha Rivers: The sun sets on Friday evening over Lake Ontario, creating some dramatic light.

A flood watch has been issued in Orleans County from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening.

Flooding could be caused by heavy rainfall. Flows in creeks and rivers may increase quickly and reach critical levels, the National Weather Service said.

The flood watch also includes Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

“Multiple rounds of showers and embedded thunderstorms are expected between tonight and Tuesday night which may result in several inches of rainfall over a 2 to 3 day period,” the Weather Service said about the affected areas. “Excess runoff from this rainfall may cause area waterways to reach or exceed bankfull stage.”

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop, the Weather Service said.