Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Bureau today announced that nominations are now open for its 43rd Annual Youth Recognition awards.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize those youth who have performed outstanding service for our community and/or have assumed an extraordinary role within their families by helping to support themselves.

“Many older adults often hold negative perceptions of today’s youth, when in fact, there are some young people doing some very extraordinary things in service of others,” said Jack Welch, chief administrative officer for Orleans County.  “Our youth awards want to shine the spotlight on these young men and women and let the community know of their great work.”

Anyone is welcome to nominate a candidate, but nominations from family members must be accompanied by a supporting recommendation from a non-family member. Nominees must reside in an Orleans County school district and be a minimum of 14 years of age and under the age of 21 before June 30.

In addition to the youth recognition awards, the Youth Bureau is also accepting nominations for the Helen Brinsmaid Award, given to an Orleans County youth-serving professional, in a paid position, whose work surpasses normal expectations, and the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award, presented to an adult who serves the youth of Orleans County in a volunteer setting.

“We also want to honor the wonderful adults who are really making a difference in working with our young people,” Welch said. “Let’s not forget, they are mentoring those who will one day assume leadership roles in our community.”

All nomination forms can be found by clicking here. Nominations must be submitted to the Youth Bureau by April 15.

For information about the awards, contact the Youth Bureau at 585-589-7053 or email OrleansCountyYouthBureau@OrleanscountyNY.gov.

ALBION – The Walmart Foundation has given the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office a $5,000 grant to continue the “Shop with a Cop” program.

Walmart has funded the effort since 2019 in Orleans County. The Sheriff’s Office typically assists about a dozen kids in picking out presents for their family members. The cost of the presents is paid for with the grant.

The County Legislature on Tuesday approved accepting the grant from the Walmart Foundation with the funds to be spent by Dec. 31, 2025.

Provided photo: Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, center, on Tuesday presents “life saver” awards to corrections officers Danny Woodward, second from left, and Brandi Brege, second from right. They are joined by Lt. Chris Caulfield of the Orleans County Jail, left, and Sheriff Chris Bourke, right.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature presented special recognition awards for life-saving action by two corrections officers for their efforts to prevent the death of an Orleans County Jail inmate who was found hanging in his cell.

Corrections officers Brandi Brege and Danny Woodward were alerted to the inmate in his cell on Feb. 10.

 “Following the notification by inmates in the block, Orleans County Sheriff’s correction officers immediately responded, entered the area and cut the person down,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke. “Officers began life-saving measures as EMS was called. The actions of our officers saved the life of a human being that day and we are very thankful for that.”

The corrections officers were presented awards on Tuesday from the Legislature and praised for their “quick thought and immediate action.” They were commended for helping someone in a time of need.

“I’m proud to be part of the same team as these guys,” Jail Lt. Chris Caulfield said. “We train for incidents life this, and we hope they don’t happen.”

Others who assisted include Talee Kehlenbeck, and corrections officers Divere Brown, Furious Robinson, Todd Riemer, Tammy Kendrick and Robert Cary III.

Provided photos

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services’ Safe Harbour Program recognized the top three entries in its poster contest to raise awareness about human trafficking.  The theme is “Spot the Signs – Stop the Traffick.”

Inez Stangler of Kendall holds her winning poster.

Pictured from left include Teresa Elam-Zwifka, director of Child & Family Services; Logan Hammons of Albion, 3rd place; Kelli Dingle of Albion, 2nd Place; Inez Stangler of Kendall, 1st Place; and Heather Jackson, caseworker and Safe Harbour/Human Trafficking liaison.

The contest was open for students in grades 7-12. They were asked to submit 8.5 by 11-inch posters that included red flags, vulnerabilities, warning signs and myths about human trafficking.

The first prize winner receives a VR Headset; second prize is a bin full of multiple items; and third prize is a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones.

The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for young people between 12-18 years of age. In addition to providing education and awareness, Safe Harbour provides lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.

For more information on the poster contest or the Safe Harbour program, contact Heather Jackson at 585-589-2837 or email heather.jackson@orleanscountyny.gov.

Courthouse Dome to be lit in blue from April 20 to May 3

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The staff of the Orleans County Department of Social Services will join with others across the country to wear blue on Friday, April 4, as the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Go Blue Day” is always celebrated on the first Friday in April. The Orleans County Courthouse dome will be lit blue in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month from April 20 to May 3.

“While our commitment to creating positive childhood experiences and preventing child abuse and neglect is year-round effort, Child Abuse Prevention month is an opportunity raise public awareness on the need to support, strengthen and celebrate families,” said Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of DSS.  “Simple actions can make a big difference in preventing child abuse.”

Stumer said as part of this year’s event, families are encouraged to do an activity together every day and spend time together to promote healthy family relationships. The county has provided a calendar filled with daily suggestions to encourage families to participate in a different activities that can be viewed by clicking here.

“Just a little time each day playing a board game or going to the library or taking a walk can have a really big impact,” Stumer said.

If you have suspicions of child abuse or neglect to report or you are concerned about the health or safety of a child, please immediately call the NYS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.  In 2024, Orleans County DSS received approximately 700 referrals for investigation through the NYS State Central Registry.

Press Release, Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon

ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon today reminded residents that the federal REAL ID requirements will go into effect on May 7, less than two months away.

That means you will need a REAL ID to board any domestic flight, enter a military base and access certain federal facilities. The REAL ID requirement was supposed to take effect on October 1, 2020 but was postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First, a person needs to decide if they need a REAL ID and then decide what choice best meets their needs, as there are a few options,” said Hanlon.  “But I want to stress that you will not be allowed to board any flight in the United States without a REAL ID beginning May 7, 2025.”

Hanlon said New York’s REAL ID license, Enhanced Driver’s license and a passport all meet the federal requirements. Residents still need a passport to fly to other countries.

“I often urge people to strongly consider getting a passport since it will cover domestic flights, trips to Canada and any other international travel along with entry to anyplace that requires a REAL ID,” said Hanlon.  “While it costs a little more than the New York State Real ID and Enhanced licenses, it is good for 10 years.”

Hanlon said residents can visit https://dmv.ny.gov/get-enhanced-or-real-id to learn more about the different license options.  Those interested in obtaining a passport can learn more about those requirements by clicking here.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A wall honoring the five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County is complete. The Orleans County Legislature expects to have a ceremony for the wall in May close to Memorial Day.

The wall was recently completed by Takeform in Medina and includes five plaques for the recipients and wallpaper of a bald eagle and an American flag.

The display is on the second from of the County Office Building. The Orleans County Veterans Service Agency and the legislative staff worked with Takeform on the project.

The county introduced the wall on March 23, 2022 when a portrait was unveiled of David Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, being presented the Medal of Honor from president Donald Trump on June 26, 2019 at the White House.

Bellavia is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal. He was honored for his acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit.

Four others in the county also have received the prestigious medal. The display includes an updated headshot of Bellavia and protraits of Forrest Vosler of Lyndonville and and John Butts of Medina.

Photos aren’t available of the other recipients Thomas Wilbur Kates and Charles D. Harris.

• Forrest Vosler of Lyndonville was assigned as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II with the 358th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group stationed out of England. On Dec. 20, 1943, Vosler’s fourth combat mission. The plane was under fire and had two engines knocked out with the aircraft windmilling out of control.

When a fellow aviator was knocked unconscious, Vosler maneuvered himself into the tailgun. Another 20-mm shell hit the aircraft, sending shrapnel into Vosler’s chest, face, and eyes. He continued to deliver defensive fire upon German aircraft until the attacks subsided. Nearly out of fuel and losing altitude quickly, the crew jettisoned every piece of equipment to lighten the plane.

Vosler, severely wounded and floating in and out of consciousness, begged the crew to throw him out of the plane to reduce weight. As the aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the North Sea, Vosler crawled out of the aircraft onto a wing. A passing Norwegian trawler quickly picked up the crew and transferred them to a British rescue vessel. One of Vosler’s eyes had one of his to be removed, and the other required extensive surgery.

• John E. Butts of Medina is the only one of the five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County who received the honor posthumously. He was recognized for his heroic actions near Cape La Hague, France in World War II.

John Butts was awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of valor in the Normandy invasion in June 1944.

Butts was in command of four squads in Easy Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division charged with driving towards St. Colombe, France. On June 12, 1944, 2nd Battalion progressed so quickly towards their objective that the remainder of 9th Division thought the 60th Infantry was lost. In fact, 2nd Battalion had pushed forward through heavy German resistance and established a bridgehead at the Douve River. Butts was wounded twice, first near Orglandes on June 14th and then at the Douve River just two days later; he refused medical treatment on both occasions in order to remain with his men.

On June 23, 1944, the 60th Infantry led the 9th Division’s advance from the Cotentin Peninsula as part of the breakout from St. Lo. While moving towards Flottemanville-Hague, Butts and his men encountered a German stronghold atop a hill, well defended with tanks, machine guns, and mortars. Butts was struck in the stomach by machine gun fire while progressing towards the objective. Pulling himself into the shelter of a nearby hedgerow, he planned a flanking maneuver with his Sergeants.

One squad was to progress up the left flank, another up the right flank, and the third was to remain in reserve. Holding one hand over his midsection and the other grasping his carbine, Butts charged the hill alone. The might of the entire German stronghold fell upon him directly, Butts falling approximately 10 yards from his objective. The distraction allowed the two flanking squads to outmaneuver the Germans while the third squad hit the hill head-on.

Awarded on July 19, 1945 by President Harry Truman, John Butts’ Medal of Honor citation references the two painful wounds he received in the days leading up to the deadly assault on June 23, 1944. His citation concluded by stating, “By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission,” President Harry Truman said in the citation for the medal, which was awarded on July 19, 1945.

• Thomas Wilbur Kates, born in Shelby on May 7, 1865, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion, a nearly two-year uprising led by the Yihetuan (or Boxers) against foreign imperialists in China.

Kates accepted enlistment with the U.S. Marine Corps at New York City on July 21, 1899. Pvt. Kates and other Marines were dispatched to China on June 18, 1900, where they remained through October 10, 1900. According to his citation, Kates was awarded the Medal of Honor “…for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), in action in the presence of the enemy during the advance on Tientsin, China, 21 June 1900. Private Kates distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.”

Maj. Waller wrote in a letter dated July 6, 1900, that “…of the men I wish to say, while all in the engagements we participated in, behaved in such a manner as to bring forth the highest praise from the foreign officers…Cpl. Thomas W. Kates.”

He continued, “…the specifically distinguished of these being Corporal Kates and Privates Campbell and Francis, with the Colt gun.” According to the Report of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps dated September 29, 1900, these three men remained with Lt. Powell, holding a position with an M1895 Colt-Browning Machine Gun until all but Campbell and Powell were gunned down. They destroyed the gun to prevent it from entering enemy hands before they commenced their retreat.

• Charles D. Harris, who fought in the Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Apache Wars in 1869. The specifics of the engagement and the actions that warranted the awarding of the medal remain shrouded in mystery. After the war, Harris returned to Albion and lived a quiet life until his passing on September 6, 1895. He is buried at Mount Albion Cemetery.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a one-year labor agreement with about 160 members of the CSEA union.

The deal gives the county workers 2 percent pay increases in their hourly rate. Workers also will see the minimum work week go from 35 hours to 37.5. That will result in another 7 percent pay increase.

Some county employees also will have the option to work 40 hours a week, which would represent a 14 percent pay increase over the 35 hour work weeks.

The longer hours will help fill the gap from vacant positions. County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch said about a dozen positions tend to be open. The extra hours for county staff will Orleans keep up with services for the community.

The county offices will open a half hour earlier beginning Monday, April 14, at 8:30 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. The summer office hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The extra hours among the existing workforce also will save the county on the costs of healthcare policies, which Welch said are now costing about $53,000 for family policies with $5,000 deductibles.

The county and CSEA typically reach three-year labor agreements. The one-year deal gives CSEA members and the county a chance to see if the cost for health insurance will come down.

This labor agreement is with the bargaining unit that doesn’t include management, Sheriff’s deputies or the staff at the jail.

Orleans says HALT Act has made prisons less safe and should be repealed

Lynne Johnson and John Fitzak

ALBION – Orleans County legislators passed two resolutions on Thursday urging the governor to rescind an executive order barring terminated corrections officers in the prison strike from other public service jobs.

County legislators also said the HALT Act has made prisons less safe and should be repealed. Corrections officers went on strike for about three weeks, beginning Feb. 17, primarily due to their concerns with the HALT Act and how it limited discipline in the prison for inmates who are violent and don’t follow the rules.

Hochul on March 10 fired about 2,000 corrections officers after they refused to meet a deadline for reporting to work. She also prohibited them from taking other jobs with state and local governments.

John Fitzak, a retired corrections officer from the Orleans Correctional Facility, spoke during Thursday’s County Legislature meeting.

“The governor’s executive order does a disservice to the public by taking away a pool of highly qualified applicants from jobs we need filled,” Fitzak said. “It is mean-spirited, revengeful, and immoral and, as such, should be immediately repealed.”

Fitzak said the HALT Act “has failed miserably” and created an unsafe working conditions for the corrections officers.

“Those who passed this outrageous legislation would not listen to the corrections officers when they raised concerns.” Fitzak said. “It forced the corrections officers to take matters into their own hands and walk off the job to draw attention to their plight.”

Corrections officers also said prisons were severely understaffed and COs were forced to do mandatory overtime and many officers were routinely working 60 to 80 hours a week. That kept them away from their families too often, many of the COs said.

The governor fired 2,000 people for expressing their concerns, Fitzak said.

“But that punitive measure was not enough for the governor,” Fitzak said during Thursday’s Legislature meeting. “She then issued an executive order essentially banning these brave women and men from making a living elsewhere in government.”

County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the Legislature’s resolutions are a message to the correction officers to “say loudly and clearly that Orleans County supports you.”

Johnson said many county officials around the state believe Hochul’s order is illegal in banning corrections officers from working for the state and local governments.

Johnson said that executive order from the governor contrasts with the “Clean Slate Act” legislation signed by the governor that wipes the record clean for some criminals so they have a better chance of getting a job.

“The governor felt those folks had paid their debt to society and deserved a second chance,” Johnson said.

Hochul, however, is showing no compassion for the terminated corrections officers, who Hochul has brandished with “a scarlet letter,” Johnson said.

Orleans County and other local governments around the state have job openings and could use the correction officers “at a time when finding people is very challenging.” Several have applied for positions in Orleans County government, Johnson said.

Orleans County is working with New York State Association of Counties, county attorney Kathy Bogan and other counties to understand “this unprecedented, unnecessary and probably unlawful action by the governor and how we can move forward,” Johnson said. “To the corrections officer community, let me reiterate, we are with you.”

Copies of the county resolutions will be forwarded to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Sen. Rob Ortt, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and the New York State Association of Counties.

12 Canadian companies have sites in Orleans County

Photo by Tom Rivers: Michael Dobell, Orleans EDA chief executive officer, chats with John Misiti, the EDA board chairman, after Friday’s board meeting.

ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency said it has heard from several of its manufacturers that they are concerned about tariffs, especially between the United States and Canada.

For some companies, the tariffs will significantly increase their operating costs because they use materials, including steel, from Canada. The Trump administration has imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from Canada.

Canada responded with a  retaliatory 25 percent tariffs on $30 billion worth of imported U.S. goods, including orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics and certain pulp and paper products. Canadians are also boycotting many American products and canceling travel plans to the US.

The EDA facilitated one phone call between a local manufacturer and a representative from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s Office, to share the negative impacts of the tariffs on the American business.

“We want to be responsive to our businesses,” said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of development for the EDA. “This is one way we can do it.”

Barone told the EDA board during its meeting on Friday that Canadian manufacturers have 12 sites in Orleans County. The EDA will continue to market Orleans County to Canada as a great location to operate on the other side of the border.

One company from Canada, BOMET Recovery, has an electronics recycling operation in Albion and has plans to build a new facility in Medina.

But Barone said the businesses are likely to hold off any big investments during a trade war.

“I think they are being extremely cautious,” she said.

John Misiti, the EDA board chairman, acknowledged many of the manufacturers in Orleans County are concerned about the tariffs. He is hopeful there won’t be more escalation of tariffs. More could be coming on April 2.

“Hopefully the bark is worse than the bite,” Misiti said about the impact. “It’s is creating uncertainty.”

Michael Dobell, the EDA chief executive officer, said he hears from local manufacturers and economic development officials in the state that there is worry over the tariffs, leading to higher operating costs.

“The ongoing theme among local manufacturers and across New York State is concern,” Dobell said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Tara Thom, owner of the Town & Country Quilt Shop at 10 East Bank St. in Albion, works on the Orleans County bicentennial quilt at her shop today.

Thom and a group of quilters have been working on the quilt that will be presented to county officials during an April 15 celebration of the county’s 200^th anniversary. That bicentennial ceremony is at noon at the County Courthouse.

Thom is shown putting a feathering pattern of stitches in the top of the quilt.

Each of the 10 towns in Orleans County are featured on the quilt.

There is still binding to put on the outer perimeter of the quilt, which include blocks of all 10 towns in the county and the year they were established, as well as three other blocks that are dedicated to “Farming,” “Faith” and “Family.”

The bottom of the quilt also says “1825” and “2025.”

Thom opened the Town & Country Quilt Shop in 2017. She and a group of volunteers have been working on the quilt for several months. They did it in a classic pattern. The quilt will be nearly 6 feet by 6 feet when it is finished.

The quilt is done with a design that was common in the 1800s.

Legislators also want HALT Act repealed in prisons

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse dome was illumined in blue on Feb. 25 in a show of support for corrections officers.

ALBION – The County Legislature is planning to go on the record opposing an executive order from the governor that prohibits counties from hiring terminated corrections officers.

The County legislature is calling a special meeting for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and will vote on a resolution calling for the governor to rescind its prohibition for counties to hire terminated corrections officers.

The state fired 2,000 COs on March 10 who refused to report for work after beign on strike for about three weeks.

A draft of the resolution from the County Legislature states the county “has experienced significant staffing shortages for county employees,” and has received several applications from corrections officers who were fired from the prisons.

The corrections officers were on strike due to unsafe working conditions, the resolution states. Due to the Taylor Law, COs aren’t legally allowed to go on strike.

The resolution from the Legislature states Gov. Kathy Hochul imposed the executive order, prohibiting counties from hiring the COs “to punish striking New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision employees—and to chill such labor strikes—by imposing strict, punitive, and arbitrary barriers on their ability to obtain future employment, without affording such employees due process of law and in violation of the New York State Constitution and statutes.

Legislators, the resolution, said the governor’s executive order “is an abuse of authority and discretion, and unlawfully intrudes upon the County’s powers of Home Rule secured by Article IX of the New York State Constitution, and illegally impacts the hiring efforts on all levels of government.”

Legislators said counties should have their own discretion in who they hire.

“This overreaching executive order unjustly punishes Corrections Officers by wrongfully preventing them from gaining future employment,” the resolution states. “These former Corrections Officers are members of our community and counties should be able to decide who they hire and the reasons for said hire.”

Legislators also plan to vote on a resolution calling for the repeal of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act (HALT Act), which was signed into law on March 31, 2022, and took effect the following day.

The HALT Act was one of the main reasons for the strike, saying it has made prisons less safe for staff and inmates.

The HALT Act limits segregated or disciplinary confinement of inmates to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) or in a separate keeplock housing unit to a maximum of 15 consecutive days, or 20 total days within any 60-day period, according to the draft resolution from the County Legislature.

“Under the HALT Act, these time limits may not be meaningfully extended even where an inmate has committed such serious acts as attempted escape, physical or sexual assault on staff and other inmates, or even homicide,” the resolution states. “The HALT Act essentially eliminates any meaningful disciplinary sanctions for inmates who commit violent acts.”

Legislators say assaults in state prisons have increased 124% over the last 10 years, reaching a record number of 1,173 assaults on staff in 2021.

“Since the HALT Act went into effect on April 1, 2022, the number of daily assaults in NYS correctional facilities has gone up from 6.8 to 8.1 a day, an increase of 25%,” according to the resolution.

Prior the HALT Act, inmates in solitary confinement and confined to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) still had access to outdoor recreation, personal visits, and commissary, the resolution states.

The HALT Act prohibits segregated confinement for “special populations,” inmates who are 21 or younger, who are typically the most unpredictable and violent population, the resolution states.

“The HALT act is causing meaningful programs for general population inmates to be canceled due to lack of staff,” according to the resolution. “The staff that should be instructing these programs are being redeployed to cover the HALT law mandated programs, thus punishing the general population inmates that are complying with facility rules, which causes more idle time and friction inside the facility.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse, the county’s iconic landmark in Albion, is shown on Jan. 10.

The latest population estimates from the Census Bureau show a gain for Orleans County of nearly 300 residents from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024.

That gain of 296 residents, from 39,390 to 39,686, represents a 0.75 percent increase, the fourth highest among the 62 counties in the state, according to the Census Bureau.

It helps counter some of the population losses from 2020 to 2023, when Orleans County’s population went 1,233 people from the April 2020 census to the July 1, 2023 estimate. That decline of 3.06 percent was among the steepest losses of 62 counties.

Going back to the  2010 census, when Orleans had 42,883 people, the county is down by 3,197 residents or 7.5 percent.

Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, is pleased to see the gain of nearly 300 people in the latest census estimate.

“While the growth is modest, many counties, especially across Upstate, actually lost population so any growth is good news,” she said. “It’s important we continue to tout all our county has to offer, from affordable housing to great schools to tremendous recreation and much more. People who move here quickly recognize what a great place this is to live and raise a family.”

The county’s with the largest percentage increases from the 2023 to 2024 population estimates include Franklin at a 1.75 percent increase, Schenectady at 1.17 percent, Orange at 0.82 percent, Orleans at 0.75 percent and Seneca at 0.72 percent.

The five counties with the biggest percentage declines include St. Lawrence at -0.50 percent, Chautauqua at -0.51 percent, Columbia at -0.52 percent, Delaware at -0.73 percent and Schuyler at -1.86 percent.

New York state’s population went up, according to the estimates, from 19,737,367 in 2023 to 19,867,248 in 2024.