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County Leg asks state to allow 25-year retirement plan for probation officers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is asking the governor and State Legislature to enact legislation, allowing county probation officers across the state to be able to retire after 25 years like most other law enforcement officers and first responders in the state.
County probation officers are currently in the standard tier plans through the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law, requiring them to work until age 62 or 63 to retire with full benefits, creating an inequity between probation officers and other law enforcement personnel, Orleans County legislators stated in a resolution last week.
“State support of the existing 25-year retirement plans for County Probation Officers would significantly enhance recruitment, improve retention of experienced personnel, support officer wellness, and ensure the long-term stability of County Probation Departments,” county legislators stated in their resolution approved last Tuesday.
Legislators said the probation officers are an integral part of the criminal justice system.
“The physically demanding and emotionally taxing nature of probation work exposes these officers to heightened safety risks and chronic occupational stress over the course of a long career,” the resolution states.
Probation officers are required to complete rigorous peace officer training, conduct field investigations, execute warrants, conduct home searches, monitor high-risk offenders, partner with police agencies in various state supported violence reduction measures, and respond to unpredictable, violent situations on a daily basis, legislators said.
“County probation officers perform critical, high-stress law enforcement duties that directly ensure public safety, rehabilitate justice-involved individuals, and support crime victims across New York State’s 62 counties,” legislators stated.
The County Legislature also said the state, if it includes probation officers in the 25-year retirement plan, should provide additional funding to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to alleviate financial pressure on counties.
Key town officials should stay elected in Shelby where political parties do candidate vetting
Editor:
Let’s review how people get on a ballot: Required signatures, deadline to be met, timely filings and requesting endorsement.
Candidates can obtain necessary signatures but if they want an endorsement they need to appear at a political party and be interviewed and vetted. The committee then votes on whether to support the candidate or not.
Every four years Darlene Rich sought the Democratic endorsement in the Town of Shelby for town clerk and appeared before us. We asked her questions regarding her work ethic and attending seminars to further her education and other pertinent issues.
The committee then voted to endorse her for another term. I would think the Republicans and other political parties follow a similar procedure.
The committee has a choice to approve or reject the candidate.
Darlene Rich has performed her duties beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thank you,
Jeanne Crane
Carlton
Crane is the former Democratic Party chairwoman in Orleans County.
Carlton hosting community bonfire on Saturday at highway department
Press Release, Carlton Heart & Soul
CARLTON – All who live, work, or play in the Town of Carlton are invited to a Bonfire Night on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the town highway department on Waterport Carlton Road.
The event is hosted by the Carlton Community Heart & Soul committee along with the Town of Carlton.
The town brush pile will be lit, and community members are invited to enjoy a relaxing, low-key evening of fire and friendship. This is a tailgate-style event. Bring a chair, snacks, cooler, or whatever else may provide a safe, fun atmosphere. The Carlton Fire Company will be on hand, including a fire truck that guests can take a closer look at.
Bring a non-perishable food item to receive a free reusable tote bag. Items gathered as part of the food drive will go directly to community members in need.
In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled with notification on the Community Heart and Soul Facebook event page.
Community Heart & Soul is a resident driven process that engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The town of Carlton was selected by the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to be the first community to implement the Community Heart & Soul model in Orleans County, fully funded with grant support from Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Nationwide, there are only 145 communities designated as a Heart & Soul Community.
For more information on Carlton Community Heart & Soul, go to CarltonHeartandSoul.org.
Rivals Holley and Kendall will meet Tuesday for a berth in the girls state soccer tourney
Contributed Photo – Holley players and coaches celebrate after capturing the Section V Class C1 soccer championship Friday. The squad includes senior Riley Constantino; juniors Aurora Arnold, Jayna Burris, Ava Mosier, Brynn Thomas, Kyla Burne, Hanna Ostrom, Ella Alcott, Lily Moore, Addison Bevins and Zoey Warner; sophomores Alyana Stevens, Carsyn Mogle, Elliana Ebbs and Brianna Tomasino; freshmen Philomena Arnold, Makenna Seaward, Emma Burne and Abigail Reed; 8th graders Sophia Satter and Alexa Mosier and 7th grader Madeleine Farrell. The coaches include Head Coach Renee Wolf and assistants Amy Ostrom, Stephany Winter and Hayley Skidmore.
It will be a rivalry clash on a big stage when Holley and Kendall meet for the overall Section V Class C girls soccer championship and a berth in the upcoming state tournament at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Caledonia-Mumford.
Holley, which brings a 14-5-1 record into the state qualifier, advanced by capturing the Section V Class C1 championship Friday with a narrow 1-0 win over top seeded Avon. The 1-0 win was the third straight in sectional competition for the Lady Hawks.
Kendall, which is 18-1, advanced by winning the Section V Class C2 title as the top seeded Lady Eagles romped past No. 6 Fillmore 9-0 on Friday.
Tuesday’s winner will advance to the state Class C regional on Friday against Section VI winner Wilson.
Holley’s offense has been led by Carsyn Mogle (12 goals, 7 assists), Jayna Burris (7 goals and 8 assists), Ava Mosier (5 goals and 2 assists), Emma Burne (4 goals and 6 assists) and Philomena Arnold (4 goals and 1 assist).
The Kendall attack has been sparked by Ryleigh Denning (28 goals, 6 assists), Sophia Picardo (14 goals and 13 assists), Jersie Drake (12 goals and 14 assists) and MacKenzie Cooper (8 goals and 8 assists).
The teams met once during the Genesee Region League season with Kendall earning a 2-0 win. Kendall ended up capturing the G-R Division 2 title while Holley claimed the G-R Division 1 crown.
Contributed Photo – Kendall players celebrate after winning the Section V Class C2 soccer championship Friday. The squad includes seniors Sophia Picardo, Hailey Ball and Addison Kludt; juniors Teagan Shaw, Brynn Hardenbrook, Payton Vogt, Isabella D’Agostino and Ryleigh Denning; sophomores Kate Scholes, Kearstin Loescher, Kaylie Bunn, Paetyn Williams and Ella Cole; freshmen Charlie Fox, Adriana D’Agostino and Jersie Drake and 7th grader Mackenzie Cooper. The Head Coach for the Lady Eagles is Nino Pilato.
Medina man facing felony drug charges for allegedly selling crack cocaine
Julio Doval
MEDINA – A Medina man has charged with two felonies after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in the Village of Medina.
Julio Doval, 21, of Glenwood Avenue on Oct. 28 was charged with one count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, which are Class B felonies, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.
Doval was issued appearance tickets for Ridgeway Town Court on Nov. 7.
Assisting in the investigation were Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Medina Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force said.
Barker church has run food pantry for community the past 35 years
Tom Gardner returns to a church of his childhood as pastor
Provided photos: Volunteers at the food pantry at Faith United Methodist Church in Barker are, at left, Joan Morgan, Peggy Lane, Richard McCanty and Kista Atwater. At right, in front, are Charlene McCanty, Vernetta Kenyon and Dexter McCanty. The church, pastored by the Rev. Tom Gardner of Knowlesville, recently celebrated 35 years of serving the community.
BARKER – Serving Faith United Methodist Church is a trip back to his childhood, for the Rev. Tom Gardner of Knowlesville.
“While I never lived in Barker, we visited our grandparents there so often growing up that it always felt like a second home,” the Rev. Gardner said. “When I first came to the church, I sat in the section of the church where I thought my grandparents sat. This was confirmed by a woman who sat behind me, who it turned out was a second cousin I had never met. I since have met her siblings and have been blessed by their presence in my life.”
Before his call to the Barker Church, the Rev. Gardner had retired from the Holley Presbyterian Church in the spring of 2021. He then agreed to serve the Barre Center Presbyterian Church as pulpit supply and moderator of the session. He had begun attending Faith United Methodist Church when,; in the summer of 2024, he was called to be pastor of the church.
“I have found everything about the church and community life to be the way you might hope for,” he said. “The congregation is generous and mindful of the needs of others, partnering with several groups, including the Barker School District. The church was conceived and built as a community center, and I believe we are living true to the original vision. The Food and Clothing pantry is an example.”
The Rev. Tom Gardner, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Barker, center, stands with Dexter and Charlene McCanty and Vernetta and Gordon Kenyon. The McCantys and Kenyons share duties overseeing the Barker Food Pantry, which recently celebrated 35 years.
The Food Pantry began in the early 1990s after a suggestion by Jean Stisser, when Faith United Methodist Church was looking for a mission to support.
The FUMC Food Pantry celebrated 35 years on Oct. 18. During worship the Rev. Gardner praised the food pantry and its volunteers and likened it to the Bible story in which 5,000 people had no food and Jesus gave them two loaves of bread and two fishes, and fed the entire crowd.
A fellowship hour followed in which volunteers enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship as they shared their experiences and importance of this mission.
At its start, Steve Haight chaired responsibilities of running the food pantry for at least half a dozen years. Gordon and Vernetta Kenyon had recently retired when Haight suggested they should take over the food pantry. They have run it ever since with the help of a handful of volunteers and a lot of community support.
The food pantry supplies food to families in the Barker School District who meet income guidelines. Food comes from FeedMore WNY, paid for by grants, food drives by the Boy Scouts, Barker Lions Club, Barker and Appleton post offices, various clubs at Barker Central School and churches throughout the community.
Vernetta said the Barker Central School’s food drive resulted in two giant pickup trucks full of food. She also praised the community, who she says are very generous with their donations of food and money.
Grants allow them to buy meat and poultry.
The pantry serves 120 families a month, Vernetta said. A family is allowed nine free meals a month. At Thanksgiving and Christmas time, they are able to pack holiday meals for the families, a turkey for Thanksgiving and a ham for Christmas.
Once a month the pantry is able to give out dog and cat food, donated by St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Burt.
“We couldn’t do it without community support and our volunteers,” Vernetta said. “They come in no matter what the weather conditions.”
Regular volunteers are Dexter and Charlene McCanty who share directing duties with Vernetta and Gordon, Andy and Krista Atwater, Cheryl Blacklock, Judy Brunishcheider, Roy Anderson and Deal Kempf.
The FUNC Food pantry is open from 8:30 to 11:15 on Mondays and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Faith United Methodist Church is located at 1449 Quaker Rd., and the Rev. Gardner invites everyone to join them in worship at 10 a.m. Sundays.
Church of the Abundant Harvest hosting concert on Nov. 15
Photos courtesy of Georgia Thomas: Kerry Panek plays the organ during worship at Church of the Abundant Harvest in Millville. Pastor Mike Stephenson is seated at right. Panek and pianist Diane Stephanson will perform a musical Night of Inspiration at 6 p.m. Nov. 15.
MILLVILLE – Music will be in the air at the Church of the Abundant Harvest on Nov. 15, when the church’s organist Kerry Panek and pianist Diane Stephenson perform an evening of music. The program will begin at 6 p.m.
Diane Stephenson , wife of Abundant Harvest’s pastor Mike Stephenson, plays the piano during worship at the Millville church.
“A Night of Inspiration” will feature the musicians, who regularly play during worship at the church, formerly the Millville United Methodist Church.
The two musicians have combined decades of playing organ and piano. Panek, who has played organ for 33 years, comes from a family of musicians. Three of her sisters also play organ for their churches – Darryl at Christ Church in Albion, Naomi Caldwell at the West Barre United Methodist Church and Pam Farwell at her church in Pennsylvania. Farwell also formerly played at the Yates Baptist Church.
Stephenson is a talented pianist, who plays for the choir, musicals and special programs at Medina Central School.
“Listening to them play is phenomenal,” said church member Georgia Thomas of Medina. “When they play together, the music rises up to the rafters and fills you with joy. I look forward to every Sunday.”
The idea for a combined concert was that of Peter Beach, who has attended the church since he was a child. The church wanted to do something to help a local organization and chose to give proceeds from the evening to CareNet Center of Greater Orleans.
Medina farmers’ market shifts to winter location on North Main Street starting Saturday
Provided photo: The Canal Village Farmers’ Market will be based at 339 North Main St. for the winter season, beginning this Saturday.
MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market will be moving to 339 North Main St. on Saturday, where it has found its home for the winter, according to Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. The new location is adjacent to the former NAPA store.
The space is owned by Mark Zambito and currently houses Phantom Cutz and Schon Haus hair salon, both in the front suites. Customers may access the market through the center doors on North Main Street. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
“We are incredibly grateful to Mark for allowing us to use this space for the winter,” Busch said. “Without it, there’d be no winter market.”
Busch shared exciting news about redevelopment at the current site of the summer market at West Center Street and West Avenue.
In 2024, a successful grant of $4.5 million was awarded by New York State to the village of Medina, of which $725,000 was allotted for this exciting and transformative redevelopment of the entire market site, Busch said.
“With luck, we may not need to move for winter next year,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “While we have a few things left to do, we’re hoping to see construction start next year.”
The site was once a drive-in bank. Once completed, the new facility will provide the market with year-round conditioned space and the ability for expanded hours and offerings.
“We’re very lucky to have Canal Village Farmers’ Market year-round,” Busch said. “To make that happen, it takes generous volunteers and benefactors who believe in its importance to the community.”
In addition to a dedicated core of volunteers, Busch said the market also benefits from generous community sponsorship from Takeform, WSM Elder Law, Gardner’s Citgo and Berkshire Hathaway-Zambito Realtors, who lend financial support to the operation.
The market has operated at its summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue since 2015, under the auspices of the Orleans Renaissance Group.
“When the new facility is complete, it will usher in a new chapter on that corner, not only for the market, but for the site, downtown and the community,” Busch said. “A bigger, better expanded market with a site than supports community activities, will be a new hub for downtown.”
The winter market will continue to have its usual core vendors, offering local meat, vegetables, honey, baked goods, micro greens and a variety of crats and art merchandise. Weekly market updates can be found on Facebook at “Canal Village Farmers’ Market.”
Additional information about the market or any of its features is available by e-mailing Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.
2,665 voted early in Orleans County, double total in last gubernatorial election
Photo by Tom Rivers: Signs at the driveway to the County Office Building on Route 31 let people know there was early voting today. There was one polling location open in the county for early voting at the Orleans County Board of Elections Office, 14016 Route 31 in Albion.
ALBION – It was busy the past nine days for early voting in Orleans County. There were 2,665 people who cast ballots through early voting from Oct. 24 to today.
That is double the total of 1,333 early voters from four years ago during the last gubernatorial election, when Kathy Hohcul faced Lee Zeldin. This time, it’s Hochul against Bruce Blakeman.
There are other contested races for state-wide offices, Congress, the State Legislature. The ballots also include many positions at the county and town levels.
The early voting totals by day include:
- 381 on Saturday, Oct. 24
- 282 on Sunday, Oct. 25
- 333 on Monday, Oct. 26
- 326 on Tuesday, Oct. 27
- 301 on Wednesday, Oct. 28
- 237 on Thursday, Oct. 29
- 289 on Friday, Oct. 30
- 291 on Saturday, Oct. 31
- 225 on Sunday, Nov. 1
The 2,665 voters represent 10.3 percent of the total registered voters in Orleans County – 25,899.
The early voting record for Orleans County was two years ago during the presidential election with 4,539 votes. The 2020 presidential election had 3,753 early voters.
The polls will be open on Tuesday throughout the county with polling locations at each of the 10 towns, with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Day of the Dead draws crowd to Fairgrounds in celebration of Mexican culture
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Natalie Barnard, 18, of Albion gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman during today’s Day of the Dead celebration at the Orleans County 4-H fairgrounds.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council organized the event which celebrated Mexican culture and traditions for a Día de los Muertos.
About 700 people attended the event with another 300 going on field trips last week for the Day of the Dead, GO Art! officials said.
Jodi Fisher of GO Art! was busy in the kitchen as soon as the doors opened for the festival at 11 a.m. She is serving chicken tinga tostadas with crisp corn tortillas layered with spicy shredded chicken.
There was an ofrenda, which is an altar. People were encouraged to leave notes or mementoes for departed loved ones.
People left messages for family members and other loved ones who have passed away.
This note was left in honor of Dolores Huerta, who died on Oct. 28 in Bakersfield, Calif. at age 96. She was an iconic leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union. She was also known for her enduring rallying cry “Sí, se puede!” — which translates to “Yes, it can be done!”
Diana Bueno wore calavera makeup. The Day of the Dead isn’t a sad representation of death. Instead calaveras and other displays are brightly colored and decorated to show that life and memory continue past death.
The festival was free to attend. Participants were welcome to create colorful works inspired by Mexican art and Día de los Muertos traditions, including tissue-paper marigolds, La Catrina dolls, Mexican-inspired tile art, monarch butterfly art, calavera (sugar skull) masks and alebrije-inspired creatures.
A La Catrina doll is on display next to a screen that showed previously produced videos highlighting the holiday’s traditions and cultural significance. The Day of Dead last year was held at the Medina Triennial and previously was at the YMCA in Medina.
Giant puppets were part of the celebration for Día de los Muertos.
