Editor:

I am writing to raise awareness about the significant impact our community will face if the proposed elimination of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is enacted. CSBG serves as the foundational funding source for Community Action Agencies across the nation.

At Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, our mission is to partner with individuals and families to help them achieve self-sufficiency.  While we hope you never need our services, we are committed to being here if and when you do.

Our agency offers a wide range of programs designed to support individuals facing economic hardship, personal loss, or unforeseen challenges. These include Head Start, child care assistance, case management, high school graduation support, youth development programs, weatherization services, air conditioning assistance, a low-cost thrift store, nutrition programs, and social care services. We are not about handouts—we are about helping people build a path to success.

In Orleans County, the poverty rate stands at 13%, and in Genesee County, it is 10.6%. Both counties are experiencing population decline and a shortage of medical providers, making it even more critical to address health-related social needs. Our agency meets these challenges with compassion, care, and a deep understanding of our local needs and struggles.

Poverty exists in every corner of the United States, but the needs of our rural counties differ greatly from those of urban centers like New York City. Local control is essential. Through a comprehensive community needs assessment conducted every three years, we tailor our programs to meet the specific needs of our residents.

This is why CSBG is so vital. It is a locally driven initiative that leverages a modest federal investment to help more than 10 million Americans work toward economic independence. In the past year alone, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee supported nearly 5,000 individuals in their pursuit of financial stability. Every federal dollar we receive is matched by an additional 15.5% from state, local, and private sources—an exceptional return on investment.

In 2022, Congress reauthorized CSBG with strong bipartisan support. Our agency is held to rigorous standards, with funders requiring detailed reporting to ensure measurable outcomes. CSBG embodies core American values: local decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and economic opportunity.

Eliminating CSBG will not necessarily result in significant federal savings. On the contrary, it threatens to dismantle a proven, cost-effective support system that uplifts our most vulnerable neighbors. The loss of our agency—and the dedicated volunteers who make our work possible—would be devastating to our community.

I urge our community members and policymakers to recognize what is at stake and to advocate for the preservation of CSBG before it is too late.

Renee Hungerford, CEO

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

Editor:

To the residents of Shelby who participated in voting this primary election, thank you for exercising your rights. To the candidates who participated in the election, it takes real courage to commit to a cause that affects an entire Town, you deserve to be commended for your participation.

I cannot begin to say how proud I felt as the results came in, it was life-changing. On Tuesday, a new wind came kicking around and it gives our neighbors hope that a new Shelby is on the horizon.

It has been abundantly clear that frustration loomed large in our Town for several years and now there’s a breath of fresh air, a light at the end of the tunnel. The people not only spoke on Tuesday but they made it a referendum on what direction they want our Town to move in. The time has come, the old style of leadership is behind us and a fresh perspective majority has emerged.

While the results weren’t favorable to everyone, it doesn’t mean we can’t use the next chapter before new leaders take office as a collaboration to exert the people’s voice. Our current Board has the opportunity to jumpstart a renaissance and it starts at our special meeting.

Showing a united front will strengthen our Town, not only for the immediate but for generations going forward. Shifting our focus to restoring financial security, solving problems like our water district, and governing for all of Shelby, can be the first pillar of making Shelby great again!

It is my hope that the current Board Majority can come together with Councilwoman Limina and myself to usher in a new growth for Shelby. Instead of waiting until January 1, we can have five productive months of cutting red tape, eliminating fiscal waste, and getting our house in order.

Then on January 1, 2026 when the new Board takes office, we are already hitting the ground running! Shelby can’t afford to continue down the same path or be subject to a lame duck session. All hands are on deck, that’s what the people want and that’s what they deserve. If we cannot govern for the people then step aside and let a new group of leaders grab the bull by the horns.

Thank you again neighbors for your current support! To those who won on Tuesday, congratulations and for those who continue to serve, let’s work together serving this great Town!

Respectfully,

Eddie Zelazny

Councilman

Shelby