Lynne Johnson picked as Legislature leader for fifth term

Johnson has led the seven-member Legislature the past 8 years

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lynne Johnson presides over today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting after she was elected by the seven-member Legislature to serve another term as chairman. Lisa Stenshorn, clerk to the Legislature, is at right.

Johnson has led the body the past eight years, serving four two-year terms.

The current term will only be for one year, after the state changed the legislators’ terms from two to one year so the legislators will be up for election on even years instead of odd years. That one-year term will only be for 2026, and then legislators will be back to two-year election cycles.

Orleans County legislators take the oath of office this afternoon in the Legislature’s chambers at the County Office Building. County Court Judge Sanford Church administered the oath to from left: Legislature Clerk Lisa Stenshorn, Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator Don Allport, Legislator Ed Morgan, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson (with daughter Clancy next to her), Legislator Fred Miller (with wife Betty Sue Miller in back), Legislator John Fitzak and Legislator Skip Draper.

Lynne Johnson of the town of Yates had unanimous support among the legislators to continue as chairman. She has been on the Legislature for 18 years.

Legislator Ed Morgan praised her for keeping all the legislators informed and welcoming their input.

“She keeps us all involved,” said Morgan, a Murray resident. “She listens. She doesn’t make decisions on her own.”

Legislator Don Allport commended both Johnson and Bill Eick, the Legislature vice chairman, for their time and effort in leading the county government.

Bill Eick signs the oath of office book. Legislator Don Allport is at left and County Clerk Nadine Hanlon is at right.

Eick of Shelby was re-elected to serve as vice chairman of the Legislature. Eick just completed 20 years on the Legislature, and previously was a Shelby town councilman.

He is a retired dairy farmer who also worked at Western New York Energy. Johnson praised his experience, and the contributions from all seven legislators.

“We argue and share our opinions, and then we all walk out the door as friends,” Johnson said. “Everyone has their own voice.”

Johnson said she spends three to five days a week in the office, but there are also many other phone calls and emails. She said it is an honor to represent the county at ceremonies, events and funerals for veterans.

This year the county expects to break ground on a new facility for the Emergency Management Office and Johnson said a countywide study of fire/EMS services should help guide how those services are provided in the future.

During today’s organizational meeting, the Legislature also:

• Reappointed Lisa Stenshorn as clerk to the Legislature.
• Reappointed Kathy Bogan as county attorney.
• Set the salaries for legislators at $13,886 for the year, with the vice chairman at $15,750 and the chairman at $20,829.
• Designated The Daily News of Batavia as the official newspaper for legal notices.
• Designated Don Allport the majority leader of the Republicans and Fred Miller the minority leader for Democrats. Miller is the lone Democrat on the Legislature.

Kim DeFrank takes the oath for a new term as county treasurer. She has been in the role the last eight years. Her husband, Glenn, holds the Bible.

Judge Church also administered the oath of office to Jesse Cudzilo, a new councilman for the Town of Ridgeway.

Bill Jurinich, a new Yates councilman, takes the oath while his fiancé, Patti Bower, holds the Bible.