By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2026 at 5:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Tiny “PowerHouse” visited Albion on Thursday. It was stationed in the parking lot of Hoag Library. The PowerHouse is on an 11-day tour of the Rochester region.
The 250-square-foot house was built in 2020 by the Cornell Cooperative extension in Tompkins County.
The house has many exhibits and demonstrations that show the best ways to conserve energy within a house.
Emily Hung, a residential energy advisor for Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, answered questions from the public about the PowerHouse and led demonstrations.
Hung said a properly insulated house is one of the best ways to conserve energy. Changing to LED bulbs is another easy way to reduce electric usage.
She said there are many programs to help residents implement energy-savings projects through NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority).
“You can save money and be more comfortable in your home,” she said.
In this demonstration, people used a hand pedal to see how much energy it takes to turn on a light bulb and keep it lighted up. The LED took far less energy while the incandescent took the most electricity.
Another display showed the wattage to power a hair dryer at abut 240 watts. That compared to a string of lights that used 41 watts of electricity.
Grace Kent of Albion checks out the Tiny PowerHouse. Emily Hung is at left and in back is Brady Fergusson, director of public engagement for Climate Solutions Accelerator.
Green Orleans, a local group focused on preserving the environment and sustainable living, invited Climate Solutions Accelerator to bring the Tiny PowerHouse to Albion.
Climate Solutions Accelerator is bringing the home to communities in the region, offering a free, hands-on opportunity to learn how energy works inside the home and explore practical ways to save energy, improve comfort, reduce waste, and prepare for cleaner energy choices.
Exhibit topics include air leaks, insulation, renewable heating and cooling, solar energy, lighting, windows, appliances, Do-It-Yourself projects, and indoor air quality.
This display asks what takes the most electricity at a house.
Home heating makes up 51 percent of home energy use, with water heating at 19 percent, air conditioning at 5 percent, refrigeration at 3 percent, and other demands at 22 percent.
To see the schedule of the Tiny PowerHouse tour in Rochester, click here.
Contributed Photo – The Medina LOYAL Baseball and Softball has honored Chris Goyette for his 20 years of dedicated service to the organization. He is shown here with his family including son Bradley, wife Nicole, daughter Sophia and son Chris.
Press release Medina LOYAL
Medina LOYAL Baseball and Softball proudly recognizes a man whose impact on our organization cannot be measured in wins, losses, or championships alone.
For 20 years, Chris Goyette dedicated countless hours to Medina LOYAL Baseball. As the driving force behind the league, Chris handled everything from scheduling games, recruiting coaches and umpires, ordering and maintaining equipment, caring for our fields, organizing registrations, and tackling countless behind-the-scenes tasks that often went unnoticed. Through it all, he also coached teams himself, and later guided the Medina varsity baseball program, helping shape generations of athletes.
His commitment to the league has always ensured that local children continued to have the opportunity to learn, play, and grow through baseball.
Because of Chris’ dedication, Medina LOYAL Baseball (and now LOYAL Softball as well) is what it is today.
Our mission has always been to help local children grow through teamwork, sportsmanship, and a love of the game while keeping baseball and softball accessible to as many families as possible. For two decades, Chris embodied that mission in everything he did.
To honor his years of service, a commemorative plaque has been installed on Field 3 at Butts Memorial Park. We hope it serves as a lasting reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire community.
Thank you, Chris, for 20 years of leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the players, families, coaches, and volunteers of Medina LOYAL Baseball and Softball. Your legacy will continue to inspire future generations for years to come.
Dear Clarendon Republicans, I am writing to encourage you to vote for Marc Major for Town Supervisor in the upcoming Republican Primary on June 23rd.
Marc has been endorsed by our Republican Committee and has a long history of dedicated service to the residents of Clarendon. His contributions include 20 years of service with the Clarendon Fire Company, where he rose to the rank of Fire Chief, and 12 years as a Town Councilman.
Since being elected last year to his current post as Town Supervisor, he has continued to demonstrate the experience, knowledge, and leadership necessary to serve our town effectively.
Please join me in supporting Marc Major for re-election as Town Supervisor on Tuesday.
Very Respectfully,
Chris Caufield
Clarendon Republican Committee Chairman
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 June 2026 at 3:18 pm
Agency will step up advocacy while providing many critical local services
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford introduces Jenn Redding, RN, who spoke on Sharps Safety at Community Action’s In-Service Day last week.
ALBION – Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has provided food, clothing and necessary services to a countless number of families.
Community Action last week observed its annual In-Service Day at the Albion Elks Lodge. Theme for the day was “Doing the Work When the Work is Hard.”
“Seeing people struggle can be very discouraging,” said executive director Renee Hungerford. “We have dealt with the pandemic and the constant threat of funding cuts.”
She also shared the successes their agency had last year, in addition to the hurdles they are facing with state and federal cuts to its programs. A highlight of her speech was the need for advocacy.
“If Community Action went away, the Department of Social Services could not pick up all those in need,” she said.
Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, recognizes Peter Bartula at the annual In-Service Day for being an advocate for the agency.
The program last Friday began with breakfast and a presentation to Peter Bartula, an advocate for Community Action and keynote speaker, whose presentation was “We’re All Salespeople.” Bartula recently ran a cornhole tournament fundraiser for Community Action, something Hungerford would like to see recurring.
In Friday’s speech, highlighting the State of the Agency, Hungerford explained the seriousness of their situation and some positive wins.
“Our organization actively advocates for federal and state funding, facing proposed cuts to program like Low Income HEAP and Community Services Block Grant, but securing some wins, such as a $40 million line item for the Weatherization Assistance Program in the New York state budget.
“Federal budget proposals include a $4 billion cut to LIHEAP and $775 million to CSBG.”
LIHEAP is targeted for elimination, citing state policies that prevent utility disconnections. CSBG is proposed for elimination due to perceived duplication and accountability concerns.
Hungerford stresses the government is proposing these cuts because they don’t realize all the good Community Action does, and says it is imperative to advocate. Advocacy activities by Hungerford and local politicians include trips to DC and Albany, testimony, meetings and letters to officials.
“The president doesn’t know what we do here,” she said.
The president’s 2027 budget does maintain Head Start funding, but Hungerford warns of inflation and rising costs.
The Community Block Grant Improvement Act reauthorizes CSBG through 2032, increasing eligibility to 200% of the poverty line and expanding permitted uses.
Hungerford said advocacy emphasizes the importance of community support and building a strong agency reputation.
Although faced with cuts, the agency reported significant achievements across health, education, housing and youth programs, demonstrating positive community outcomes, she said.
In 2025, the agency addressed social determinants of health with services to 752 households, 4,404 families and 228 individuals receiving meals, rental and utility assistance.
Head Start and Early Head Start enrolled 194 children with high access to healthcare and developmental improvements. Early Head Start served 94 children having 100% accessible healthcare and a 12% increase in dental care.
Youth development programs supported 417 students with evidence-based curricula. Transportation services provided 3,509 trips for seniors and disabled, and the Child Care Resource Center facilitated 55 referrals, 438 technical assistance sessions and expanded staff with new mental health and business specialists.
Housing initiatives installed air conditioning in 70 homes and completed 76 weatherization jobs.
Topping off the year’s successes was the launching of the Fresh Start Care Center, a room at the Main Street Corner Thrift, Gifts and More store which houses a laundry, shower and personal care items for homeless or other students who have no access to them at home.
The prom giveaway program was expanded to eight counties and 92 prom dresses were distributed.
Historically, 10% of HEAP funding was allocated to WAP, but this year the Hochel administration plans to redirect these funds, resulting in a 69% reduction for WAP. Advocacy efforts led to a $40 million line-item for WAP in the state budget, partially offsetting the loss.
Hungerford said sustained advocacy has become a significant part of agency work, diverting resources from direct service delivery, although yielding some positive outcomes.
In addition to the above accomplishments, Community Action’s Emergency Services and Case Management distributed 752 holiday meal kits, provided 379 individuals with clothing, distributed food to 4,404 families, 5,991 prepared meals to 338 people at the Eastern Orleans Community Center. In addition, 34 individuals received help to avoid eviction and 27 individuals received support to prevent utility shutoff.
Youth and adolescent support was offered through Project Salus, in which students received evidence-based curriculum on healthy decision making and advocacy skills.
The Child Care Resource Center received 55 referrals for child care and added a business specialist and infant early childhood mental health consultant to enhance provider support.
In addition to providing thousands of individuals with needed services, Community Action contracted for Medicaid 1115 Waiver Services and celebrated the agency’s 60th anniversary.
All this is in addition to major improvements and growth at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.
“It has been completely redone,” Hungerford said. “It is fabulous.”
The center is open from 9:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and serves lunch daily. A clothing closet, emergency food pantry, emergency clothing pantry, public access computers with internet, food distribution site and senior activities are some of features offered there.
Other highlights of the in-service were a ROMA refresher by Cassie Healy, head of the Main Street store; a talk on Sharps Safety by registered nurse Jenn Radigan; introduction of directors and board members; lunch and an afternoon of fun activities.
In regard to Hungerford’s urgency for advocacy, she said, “Before I worked here, I had no idea what Community Action did. We think food distribution and emergency services. But we do so much more. We have so many amazing programs that help our community. We cannot lobby. But we can advocate. Our message needs to go to the top.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 June 2026 at 2:47 pm
Students saved nearly $180 throughout school year for pantry
Photos by Ginny Kropf: First graders in Allison Woodburn’s class at Oak Orchard Primary School pose on the steps of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where they visited the food pantry. At rear is Robin Dubai, left, food pantry coordinator, and class teacher Allison Woodburn.
MEDINA – Teaching her class about kindness and giving has become an annual message for Allison Woodburn and her first-grade students at Oak Orchard Primary School.
She calls the class “Camp Woodburn,” because they are a camp-themed classroom, and teaches all about kindness through several projects and activities, she said. One of those projects is saving their small change every day to support the Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Then, just before school ends for the year, they walk to St. Peter’s with their backpacks full of groceries they have bought to donate to the food pantry.
Every day, they say the class quote together – “In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind.” At Christmas, the class read the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein and learned about how the tree always had a full heart when it gave to others. So the students decided to have their very own giving tree and donate their favorite cereals to put under their Christmas tree instead of exchanging gifts with each other.
Allison Woodburn and her first-grade students pose around the cart filled with groceries they purchased and brought to St. Peter’s Food Pantry.
In the spring during math the students learn all about coins and money, which they and their families have donated during the year. They sort the coins, roll them up and this spring counted $179.55. The students wrote a shopping list of needs and wants for the food pantry. Woodburn shopped for all the food on their list, and was still able to donate a $40 gift card to give the pantry, in addition to all the food purchased with the monetary donations.
Woodburn has been doing this with her class for six years and always feels like she is teaching them the most important lesson in life, which is to always show kindness to others without expecting anything in return.
The Food Pantry has been managed by Robin Dubai for 32 years, who first started in 1994 when her son went to nursery school.
“People have been very generous to the food pantry,” Dubai said. “I think it’s wonderful how Mrs. Woodburn is teaching kindness. I love working with her and her class.”
The food pantry has seen a slight increase in demand this year, now providing food monthly to 72 families, Dubai said.
Although the students are taught to be kind, while not expecting anything in return, Dubai wanted to show her appreciation and bought doughnuts for the class.
Robin Dubai, left, explains to Allison Woodburn’s first-grade class how a food pantry operates.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2026 at 1:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club celebrated another successful year on Thursday evening during its meeting at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Richard Remley, left, served as president the past 12 months. He hands off the gavel to incoming president, Mike Bonnewell.
Bonnewell is retired as Albion Central School superintendent. He previously served as Rotary Club president in 2017-18. He is active on the Albion Strawberry Festival Committee, and also is chairman of the Strawberry Festival parade.
Rotary Club member Don Bishop, left, presents a Paul Harris Fellow award to Remley in appreciation for his leadership the past year.
The Club has been a part of the Albion community for more than a century and spearheads several events and fundraisers.
Its next big event will be a golf tournament July 16 at Shelridge Country Club in Medina with proceeds going to the Office for the Aging’s volunteer transportation program and other Rotary community projects.
The Rotary Club meets at the Tavern on the Ridge the first Thursday each month at noon and the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
The right to vote stands as one of the most fundamental pillars of American democracy, enshrined in the Constitution and protected through generations of struggle. It empowers citizens to select their leaders and shape their government.
Yet today, in the Town of Shelby, this right faces quiet erosion. The Shelby Town Board is quietly seeking to strip residents of their ability to elect certain officials, proposing instead to appoint them directly. Such a move threatens the very principle of self-governance.
Citizens have both the right and the duty to choose their elected representatives. Voting is not merely a privilege—it is the mechanism by which ordinary people hold power accountable. When boards bypass elections in favor of appointments, they reduce transparency and limit public input.
Appointed officials may owe loyalty to the board rather than the community they serve. This shift diminishes civic participation and risks concentrating authority in fewer hands, away from the will of the people. History shows that when voting rights are curtailed, whether through poll taxes, literacy tests, or procedural maneuvers, democracy weakens.
Citizens must exercise their duty to vote, stay informed, and voice opposition to policies that undermine electoral choice. Apathy only invites further encroachment.
From a military perspective, the defense of voting rights carries profound weight. Service members swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Many have fought overseas precisely so that people—including Americans at home—can live under representative government.
Veterans understand that the Constitution’s promise of republic government rests on free and fair elections. Eroding the right to vote for local offices disrespects the sacrifices made to preserve democratic institutions. I for one didn’t risk everything so that politicians could appoint their successors and sideline the voters.
Local actions like the Town of Shelby board’s proposal set dangerous precedents. They test whether communities will tolerate reduced accountability. Citizens should attend public meetings, contact representatives, and, if necessary, pursue legal or ballot remedies to restore and protect electoral rights.
In the end, the right to vote is more than a procedural formality. It is the heartbeat of liberty. Protecting it requires vigilance from all citizens—especially those who have worn the uniform. Our republic endures only when the people retain the power to choose.
Scott Wengewicz
Former Shelby Town Supervisor and a disabled veteran
Provided photo: Martin Miskell, Chief Executive Officer for Arc GLOW, congratulates Lynn Fleming, Arc’s CFO/COO, for completing The Arc New York Leadership Institute.
Arc GLOW Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer Lynn Fleming recently graduated from The Arc New York Leadership Institute.
She is one of the 26 participants who completed the 10-month executive development program. Throughout the program, participants engaged in group learning, one-on-one mentorship, and meaningful discussions designed to strengthen their leadership skills and prepare them to guide the Arc into continued success.
The Arc New York created the Leadership Institute to cultivate leadership potential across our statewide network and invest in the next generation of leaders.
Fleming, who joined the agency in 2019, has been a driving force for financial stability and programmatic growth across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Through The Arc New York Leadership Institute, she collaborated with peers statewide, analyzing innovative social enterprises and honing best practices to directly benefit the mission-driven impact at Arc GLOW.
Arc GLOW is a public non-profit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Photos and information courtesy of Albion Elks Lodge #1006
ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge #1006 last Sunday held a Flag Day ceremony in the lodge on West State Street. Sharon Pollock, The Exalted Ruler of the lodge, is shown speaking during the ceremony.
Officers for the Elks in attendance were included Exalted Ruler Sharon Pollock, Leading Knight Chris Webb, Lecturing Knight Deloris Mosher, Secretary Lynda Standish, Esquire Allyn Phillips and Chaplain Edee Hoffmeister.
The Elks held the service with the assistance of the VFW Post.
Every flag the United States has had was presented and described.
Charlie Nesbitt, a Vietnam War veteran and former state assemblyman, served as guest speaker. Nesbitt and Pollock are shown with Ron Ayrault, a Navy veteran from Holley who served in the Korean War.
First Responders from the Albion Fire Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Mercy Flight attended the ceremony.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 June 2026 at 10:07 am
Contributed Photo – N-O Player of the Year Barker’s Daniel Goodwin
Player of the Year honoree Barker senior Daniel Goodwin heads the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League tennis squad.
Goodwin posted a 12-0 record at first singles to help lead Barker to a share of the N-O championship with Wilson at 11-1.
Wilson is represented on the first team by the duo of junior Shelby Robinson and 8th grader Brayden Le.
Runner-up Roy-Hart also has a pair of first team honorees in seniors Max Hickman and Collin Cousins.
Rounding out the first team are Albion senior Landon Graybill, Medina junior River Jones, Akron senior Whitley Koopman and Newfane 8th grader Matthew Alberter.
Goodwin, Graybill, Jones, Hickman, Cousins and Koopman are all repeat first team honorees.
Wilson heads the second team with a trio of honorees including junior Tessa Guenther and sophomores Lily Gurski and Zoey Beck.
Barker has placed the sophomore duo of Matthew Jordan and Oscar Dergel.
Rounding out the second team are junior Jillian LeBaron, Medina freshman Talia Rupp, Akron senior Bruce Karmazyn and Newfane junior Dylan Lamont.
Players receiving Honorable Mention, listed by school, were as follows:
Akron – Muira Kreher (Sr.), Shelby Ceratt (Sr.) and Eliza Koopman (Fr.)
Barker – Luke Fay (Sr.), Aurora Wass (Sr.), Nick Heideman (Sr.) and Lucas Nestoros (Soph.)
Medina – Levon Fuller (Soph.) and Eli Biesinger (Soph.).
Newfane – Julia Leibring (Jr.) and Sara Klinger (Jr.)
Roy-Hart – Kaylie Churchill (Sr.) and Reagan Kern (Sr.)
Wilson – Grace Smith (Jr.), Avery Nedelko (Sr.) and Ruby Narehood (Sr.)
Final N-O Standings: Barker 11-1, Wilson 11-1, Roy-Hart 7-5, Akron 6-6, Newfane 4-8, Albion 2-10, Medina 1-11
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2026 at 9:05 am
Photo courtesy of Jenna Amering
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley recognizes John Sansone for his 25 years of service as the village attorney. He was honored at last week’s Village Board meeting.
Pictured from left include former mayors Bill Quaranto and Dan Schiavone, attorney John Sansone, former Mayor Brian Sorochty, current Mayor Mark Bower, and former Mayor John Kenney.
Sansone started as Holley attorney in 2001 and has served with eight mayors during his tenure. The other mayors not in photo include Skip Carpenter, Kevin Lynch and Lewis Passarell.
Current Mayor Bower thanked Sansone for his “exceptional service and dedication” to the village. The board took a break at last week’s meeting to recognize Sansone, who was joined at the meeting by his wife, Maria.
Sansone was presented a plaque “with sincere appreciation for your guidance, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the Village of Holley and its residents.”
To be clear, the opinions and observations are my own and not necessarily of the other Town of Shelby Board members.
In the roughly 10 month’s that I have occupied the Town of Shelby Supervisor seat I have learned a lot. Not only about how our local government is supposed to work, but also how it has not. In fact, the system has failed the taxpayers of Shelby for years.
I, and other board members, ran a successful primary and general election campaign on a platform of change and fiscal responsibility. Even though I had attended Town Board meetings for several years I was unprepared for the level of dysfunction that existed.
How did it get this way?
The Supervisor is not only the Chief Financial Officer, but sets the agenda for the board and the town. Planning and oversight, so that the path forward is clear to the other officials and employees. Unfortunately, the last 3 Supervisors quit, leaving no continuity in direction, financial controls, policies, or procedures.
Under the watch of these Supervisors the Clerk’s Office was stripped of some it is primary duties, such as document control and over time the accounting became the focus of a New York State Comptroller’s Office audit, finding it deficient. In addition, this lack of fiscal oversight allowed the Highway Department budget to become bloated.
With the help and support of the board and some employees at the town we have gradually brought the spending under control, completed an independent audit, and provided the public with a transparent local government.
But without change the past failures will return.
After extensive legal research the board passed a revised Local Law for Code of Ethics, which restricts elected officials and town employees from serving on political committees.
Why?
Unless you get the endorsement of a political committee, especially the republican committee, it is extremely difficult to get elected. Unfortunately, many people line vote, meaning they vote all republican or all democrat regardless the qualifications of those on the ballot. With an overwhelming republican registration, the republican committee endorsement almost always results in a win.
In Shelby, the Republican Committee is made up of 8 members. The Chairperson is the Shelby Town Highway Superintendent. Other members include a highway employee, the Deputy Superintendent, a former highway employee and friend who follows the Chair. This is 5 of the 8 votes.
In practice the Highway Department, through the committee, controls who gets the nod and most likely gets elected. While the committee seats are elected positions, I would challenge most people to explain to me the process involved.
On primary day you have the choice to make a change in one of the 4 districts. You can vote for the Superintendent who would continue as the chairperson, or a former board member, who was one of those who quit last July, depriving the town of a quorum and costing thousands in legal fees and other costs. Or there is a third choice, someone who attends almost every board meeting, speaks his mind (not always agreeing with me) but is passionate about his community.
More recently the board has proposed two new local laws. One to abolish the elected position of Town Clerk and the other to abolish the elected position of Highway Superintendent, replacing them with appointed positions. There would be no impact to the current Clerk or Superintendent for the duration of their term.
In the future the Town Board would post these jobs, review their resumes, interview applicants, and appoint the most qualified candidate, just as any business would do. Because these applications would not be limited to anyone based on their political affiliation, a broader source of qualified people would be available.
So why now?
These jobs are complex, not easily learned in a few months or even years. Having served 18 years, the current Town Clerk has made it clear that she intends to retire next year at the end of her term. The Deputy Clerk has made it clear that she has no desire to assume the Clerk position and most likely be leaving soon.
It is the desire of the current Town Clerk to bring someone else in, getting some experience before she leaves. However, with the current system there is no guarantee that this trainee would get a political endorsement and without it, would they run a primary campaign. I can tell you from experience, it is not for the faint of heart. After digging out from the years of dysfunction, the Town of Shelby cannot afford to have either of these positions filled by unqualified individuals.
I will share a little about what I have learned about elected positions, mine included. While mine, as Supervisor, is designed as a part time oversight position (the last Supervisor rarely showed up at the town hall), the Clerk and Superintendent positions should be full time. But, for all elected positions, there is no requirement that you do your job. Unlimited vacation, good retirement, no boss, and according the New York State Town Laws an elected official does not even have to show up and there is nothing anyone can do about it until the next election. In fact, I know of a case where a highway superintendent has another full-time job, but gets full time benefits of the elected position.
The board has scheduled public hearings for these two proposed laws on June 30th at 6 p.m. and at 6:05 p.m. I am sure we will hear from many who have strong opinions on this subject. We will hear from the political parties who wish to maintain control, from associations that represent these positions and collect dues.
We will hear from concerned citizens who feel that it takes the public’s right to choose, to which I will say, three of the 5 board positions come up for vote every 2 years, so you have more control over the affairs of your town. Shelby is not the first, nor the last municipality to follow this path.
We are facing challenging times. Increasing costs, stagnant revenue, and increased taxes. Many who voted for me said they wanted change, but change is not easy or always popular. I have no agenda other than to make the local Town of Shelby government a more efficient, fair and in a better place than when I walked in the door. I welcome the chance in the public hearings to hear your concerns and hopefully explain the reasoning behind these actions.
