County Legislator DeFilipps graduates from government institute

Staff Reports Posted 3 February 2016 at 12:00 am

John DeFilipps

John DeFilipps was recognized in Albany on Tuesday during the annual legislative conference for the New York State Association of Counties.

DeFilipps, a Clarendon resident, was elected to the Orleans County Legislature in November 2013, and was re-elected to another two-year term this past November.

He graduated from NYSAC’s County Government Institute, an educational program established by NYSAC in conjunction with Cornell University. The Institute provides an educational program for county elected and appointed officials, to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of county officials. The Institute allows the public officials to engage in informed, constructive and civil discussions on the current challenges they face as public servants.

“The County Government Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the intense demands of local government leadership today,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

DeFilipps joined the County Legislature following 12 years on the Clarendon Town Board. He owned a convenience store and gas station in Clarendon for 10 years before joining the Town Board. He worked 28 years at General Motors in Rochester before retiring about nine years ago. He also helped develop the Red Rock Ponds RV Resort in Murray.

DeFilipps is on the Orleans Economic Development Agency board and he said the agency has the county well positioned for new businesses and expansions with shovel-ready sites. DeFilipps is an at-large legislator from the east side of the county.

He said the NYSAC program improved his knowledge of government and he met people with innovative thinking.

“It has made me a more effective representative,” he said.

The Institute’s curriculum includes extensive course work on government ethics, building consensus in a political environment, principles of county budget and finance, and public sector labor/management relations. The courses are supplemented with electives, training sessions, and continuing education courses designed to support county leaders in serving their constituents to the absolute best of their ability.

For more on NYSAC, click here.