Money from Golisano paid for building, renovations at 438 West Ave.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Officials and supporters for Arc GLOW this morning cut the ribbon for the agency’s new office for Community Services and Self-Direction at 438 West Ave. Jill Pegelow, vice president of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, holds the scissors for the ribbon-cutting. The Arc has moved some services over from its Caroline Street offices while keeping finance and compliance at Caroline Street.

ALBION – Arc GLOW celebrated new offices for its community services and self-direction programs today. Those services used to be based out of 122 Caroline St. in Albion.

But since last month they have been relocated to 438 West Ave., a site recently used for Serenity Spa & Holistic Center, and the Serenity Vitality Café. The previous owner, Doris Heydel closed the business after she moved back to Florida.

Arc officials said it was perfect timing when the building became available. The agency was cramped on Caroline Street. It wanted more room for its community services and self-direction programs, as well as a larger recreation area with a kitchen for individuals with disabilities. The Arc is keeping finance and compliance at Caroline Street.

The agency was able to purchase 438 West Ave. for $298,500 and make some renovations, tapping into a $5 million gift in 2024 from Thomas Golisano, the Paychex founder. On Sept. 17, 2024, he announced he was giving $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse regions.

Arc GLOW also has used some of his gift to acquire a building in Le Roy and turn it into a home for five people with disabilities. Arc GLOW dedicated the Golisano IRA home in Le Roy on May 15.

Martin Miskall, Arc CEO, said the Golisano funds have allowed the agency to expand services. He praised the Arc team for their commitment to expanding the agency’s presence and services in Orleans County.

“This new space allows us to strengthen local partnerships, increase accessibility for the individuals and families we support, and further our mission of helping people live fulfilling lives within their own communities,” Miskall said.

County Legislator Don Allport presents a commendation on behalf of the County Legislature for the new offices in Albion. Allport, a former board member and board president for the Arc of Orleans, said he appreciates the agency keeping a strong presence in Orleans County.

The Arc of Orleans County was founded in 1970. It merged with the Genesee County chapter in 2016. In 2021, Orleans and Genesee merged with the Livingston-Wyoming chapter to form Arc GLOW.

The agency now serves 2,000 people with disabilities in the four counties and employs 1,200 people.

Jill Pegelow, VP of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, said she has been privileged to work for the Arc for 36 years. The new offices provide a welcoming environment for individuals and their families to access support, receive guidance, and collaborate with dedicated professionals who are helping people reach their fullest potential, Pegelow said.

“Every day our Community Services and Self-Direction teams help individuals pursue their goals, build independence, and create lives that reflect their unique interests, strengths and dreams,” she said. “Whether someone is looking for community connections, support navigating resources, or the flexibility to direct their own services, ur staff is here to help them succeed.”

This photo is looking out from the former kitchen space at the Serenity Vitality Café. The Arc said they will use the kitchen to teach people cooking skills, while the bigger lounge space will give people more space to relax and socialize.

Martin Miskall urged people to become members of the agency, even at $1.

“The more advocates, the better,” he said. “There is strength in numbers.”

‘Let our remembering lead us somewhere. Let is lead us toward compassion rather than division, toward understanding rather than fear, toward service rather than selfishness, and toward peace rather than hatred.’ – Rev. David Fish

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mike Donahue and the Honor Guard provided a dignified presence during the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony on Friday on the 25^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 victims in New York City, Washington, DC and rural Shanksville, Pa.

About 9,000 more have died since from illnesses from being exposed to the toxic dust and hazardous air after the World Trade Center towers collapsed in NYC.

Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, said the community will never forget the horrific event on Sept. 11, 2001. She said people history, even major events, are often quickly forgotten.

“To many of us gathered today, the events of 25 years ago seem like the happened yesterday,” Johnson told the crowd. Yet, we must remember that a whole generation has been born since those attacks – these are our emerging leaders and it is up to us to ensure the lessons we learned from 9/11 do not fade away to the dustbin of history, but rather are passed on to them.”

Johnson said the terrorists attacks were less than a year after a very contentious presidential election, with George W. Bush defeating Al Gore.

“Many were saying the country was hopelessly divided, a sentiment we hear quite often today,” she said. “Yet, in the aftermath of 9/11, the country came together as never before. When things are at their worst, America is at its best. This is a stark reminder that political identity should always take a back seat to one simple fact: We are all Americans.”

About 20 local firefighters stand together during the remembrance service outside the courthouse.

There were about 200 people in attendance for the half-hour service. That was more than double the number at the service a year ago.

During the Sept. 11 attack, 343 New York City firefighters were killed that day.

David Fish, pastor of the Barre Center Presbyterian Church, shared an opening and closing prayer. Fish was a sergeant in the Army National Guard and spent about two years in New York City after Sept. 11 providing security and assisting in the aftermath of the attacks.

“Lord, help us to never forget,” Fish said. “But let our remembering lead us somewhere. Let is lead us toward compassion rather than division, toward understanding rather than fear, toward service rather than selfishness, and toward peace rather than hatred.

“Give comfort to those who still grieve. Strengthen those who continue to serve others. Watch over our first responders, members of our military, and all who place themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others.”

A giant American flag was held up by ladder trucks from Albion and Murray. Traffic was closed on Main Street in between State Street and Park Street for the remembrance service.

These firefighters are pictured by the flag just before the service, which started at 6 p.m.

About 16 law enforcement officers from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Albion Police Department stand at attention during the service.

There were 72 law enforcement officers killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Justin Niederhofer, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, shared a timeline from 25 years earlier.

On Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., the North Tower was struck in New York City. At 9:03, a plane hit the South Tower. At 9:37, the Pentagon was struck. At 9:59 p.m., the South Tower fell. At 10:07 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in rural Shanksville, Pa. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.

“We were attacked and wounded beyond belief but not beyond repair,” Niederhofer said.

Sheriff Chris Bourke, back left, led the group in the pledge of allegiance and Scott Schmidt, right, gave the keynote address.

These firefighters are seen between members of the Honor Guard on the courthouse lawn. Orleans County has held a Sept.11 remembrance service every year since 2001.

Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner and a funeral director for Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, speaks during the service. He spent nearly three weeks with the federal DMORT team after 9/11 and assisted in collecting and identifying remains, and interviewing family members searching for loved ones.

He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was there for 20 days, including a week at Ground Zero. He noted the death toll continues to grow as more people die each year from their exposure to particulates while working at or near Ground Zero or from when then were fleeing the site where two skyscrapers collapsed.

“A 25-year remembrance is also known as a Silver Jubilee,” Schmidt said. “Silver is a precious metal, one worth saving and protecting. Much like the freedoms that our fore-fathers dictated to the world 250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was created to save us from ruling powers of the kingdom of Great Britain. It was penned to provide freedoms and rights to the people of the United States. Among those rights were life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those rights and freedoms which we all enjoy today, much like silver metal, are worth protecting.”

Schmidt said the group gathers to remember the 2,997 civilians and first responders killed on Sept. 11 after terrorists turned four commercial airplanes into “flying bombs of death and destruction.”

“Today we mourn for their families who will forever have an empty seat at the table and a vacant and void space when they reach out to hug their loved one,” he said. “We hope and pray this day and all days, that all the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 or in the days and year following due to related illnesses, we hope and pray that they have received the greatest reward from whatever or whomever their God happens to be.”

Brad Nudd plays Taps near the end of the service. He is on the steps of the County Clerks’ Building.

Doug Egling played “America the Beautiful” with the crowd then singing, “God Bless America.”

County has seen sales tax revenue jump by $8 million since 2019

Photo by Tom Rivers: Downtown Medina is shown in a recent photo. Medina’s Main Street is a vibrant business district.

ALBION – Orleans County continues to see growth in the local sales tax revenue, but not at the pace of the other rural GLOW counties.

The state comptroller has highlighted the sales tax revenue for the first half of the year among counties in the state, as well as the overall state growth.

Orleans County, in the first six months of 2026, is up by 2.8 percent or $340,000 from $12.41 million to $12.75 million.

Orleans is coming off a big sales tax year in 2025 when revenues jumped 9.3 percent or nearly $2.2 million from $23.42 million in 2024 to $25.59 million in 2025.

The revenue helps the county offset increases and helps hold down property taxes at the county level. The County Legislature also shares $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages, a level that has been unchanged since 2001. The towns and villages collectively receive about 5 percent of the total.

The county has seen steady growth in sales tax in recent years. It has now gone up nearly $8 million from the $17.7 in 2019 to the $25.6 million last year.

Orleans County sales tax revenues

• $25.6 million in 2025
• $23.4 million in 2024
• $23.1 million in 2023
• $22.5 million in 2022
• $21.8 million in 2021
• $19.4 million in 2020
• $17.7 million in 2019

The comptroller’s office said overall inflation, including much-higher gas and fuel prices in 2026, are a factor in higher sales tax revenue so far in 2026, compared to 2025.

Aggregate sales tax collections for counties grew by 5.7 percent in the first half of 2026, year over year, with 52 of 57 counties outside of New York City experienced increases in first-half collections. More than half of those counties saw growth exceed 5 percent.

Among the GLOW counties, the growth in Orleans County is lagging behind.

• Genesee County is up 12.5 percent from $27.78 million to $31.26 million, an increase of $3.48 million
• Livingston up by 5.2 percent from $22.48 million to $23.64 million, an increase of $1.16 million
• Orleans up by 2.8 percent from $12.41 million to $12.75 million, up by $340,000
• Wyoming increased by 9.2 percent from $12.80 million to $13.97 million, an increase of $1.17 million

Neighboring Monroe County only saw 0.5 percent growth from $321.0 to $322.7 million, while another neighbor to Orleans, Niagara, is up 8.9 percent from $85.23 million to $92.78 million, according to the state comptroller.

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

The Orleans Aware App provides alerts on emergencies, and also other health and safety information.

ALBION – The storms that ripped through Orleans County this week, including the tornado in the Town of Shelby, point out the need for residents to be able to receive real time emergency alerts, according to Scott Buffin, Deputy Director of Orleans County Emergency Management.

Orleans County Emergency Management joined the National Weather Service (NWS) yesterday to complete a damage survey from the tornado. NWS reported the tornado had a rating of EF1 with an estimated peak wind of 105 mph, a path length of 1.20 miles and a width of 200 yards.  Orleans County volunteer fire departments answered nearly 200 storm-related calls during the weather events.

“First, we are very thankful that such serious storms, including the tornado, did not lead to any serious injuries or deaths,” said Buffin.  “We also want to recognize the great work of the county’s first responders and emergency personnel, including those in the Orleans County 9-1-1- Communications Center who fielded a tremendous number of calls and did a great job directing resources. This was a team effort that continues as we deal with the aftermath of the storms.”

Buffin said the county’s Emergency Management Director Justin Niederhofer has made direct communication with residents a priority of his office, recognizing the importance of sharing information quickly in emergency situations. That is what led to the development of the Orleans Aware app to their smartphones.

The app provides alerts and other real-time information during emergency situations while also serving as a resource for other health and safety information. The app is available by clicking here.

Buffin also encouraged residents to follow Emergency Management on Facebook (click here).

“These are free communication vehicles that allow us and other agencies to quickly push out notifications as situations develop and change,” said Buffin.  “Do yourself and your family a favor and download the app and follow us on Facebook so you are prepared for the next emergency situation.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: A giant American flag is displayed high over Main Street from the Murray and Albion ladder trucks on Sept. 11, 2025.

ALBION – Orleans County will again be holding a Sept. 11 remembrance service on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

There has been a remembrance service every year on Sept. 11 since the attacks, but the crowds have been getting smaller. Last year about 75 people attended the service outside the courthouse.

Scott Schmidt is hoping for a much bigger turnout this year. Schmidt is the keynote speaker for the service that starts at 6 p.m.

Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner and a funeral director for Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, spent three weeks with the federal DMORT team after 9/11 and assisted in collecting and identifying remains, and interviewing family members searching for loved ones.

He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was there for 20 days, including a week at Ground Zero. He noted the death toll continues to grow as more people die each year from their exposure to particulates while working at or near Ground Zero or from when then were fleeing the site where two skyscrapers collapsed.

He would like to see more students and younger people at the remembrance service.

“The new kids in school don’t know what Sept. 11 is or what happened that day,” Schmidt said today. “I want bigger turnout, especially among students. I would love to see the courthouse lawn full like it used to be. It’s something we shouldn’t forget.”

The terrorists attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others. Terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the other into a field in rural Shanksville, Pa.

During the service, Schmidt and the speakers will remember the nearly 3,000 victims from the attacks, and highlight the bravery of the first responders who fled towards the danger to help others.

The service will include a welcome message from Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature; and opening and closing prayer from David Fish, pastor of the Barre Center Presbyterian Church; a timeline of Sept. 11 by Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County emergency management director; and a gun salute from the Honor Guard of the American Legion and VFW.

Doug Egling will play “America the Beautiful” and the crowd will join in singing, “God Bless America.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ken DeRoller speaks on April 15, 2025 during the Orleans County Bicentennial celebration in the County Courthouse. DeRoller was a member of the county’s Bicentennial Committee.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature this week recognized for County Legislator Ken DeRoller with a “Special Recognition Award” for his 12 ½ years of service on the GLOW Workforce Development Board.

DeRoller was on the board during his eight years as county legislator. He retired from that position on Dec. 31, 2021. He then continued to represent the county on the GLOW board for another 4 ½ years.

“You were instrumental in keeping Orleans County present and involved in all aspects of the GLOW region activities,” county legislators stated in the award presented on Tuesday. “You were vocal and passionate about the regional Work Force Development efforts, along with foresight into the future needs of our County. Even as a retired legislator, you understand the need to present ‘in the room.’”

DeRoller, a Kendall resident, helped the GLOW Workforce Development Board to establish a non-profit organization to seek out grants. That gives the organization another funding opportunity at a time when federal funds are dwindling for traditional workforce development programs.

Kelly Kiebala, the county’s job development director since 2015, saw DeRoller’s advocacy up close on the GLOW board. DeRoller pushed the board to stay as a collaborative four-county effort, Kiebala said.

She recalled his mantra: “There would not be a GLOW without Orleans as the ‘O’ in GLOW.”

“Right for the start it was clear to me how committed he was – and is – to Orleans and the folks who live and work in our communities,” Kiebala said.

License plate readers also help solve crimes, Bourke tells local officials

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, back left, and Chief Deputy Torry Tooley gave a presentation on Tuesday evening to local officials in the monthly Orleans County Association of Municipalities meeting at the Tavern on the Ridge.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is a believer in the Flock automated license plate reader technology.

The Sheriff’s Office in November started using Flock and the cameras have helped locate missing teens and elderly drivers with dementia, while also steering deputies and investigators in the right direction to solve crimes.

“It is one more tool in our tool box,” Bourke told about 30 local officials on Tuesday during the monthly meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. “We’ve had very good results so far.”

The County Legislature in 2024 approved a $203,450 contract with Flock over five years to install 13 Flock cameras in the county. The county has made one payment so far at $47,450 and it was covered through a state technology grant, Bourke said.

Twelve of the Flock cameras have gone up since November. One more will be set up soon in Shelby. The cameras are mounted on poles. They read license plates on the back end of vehicles.

They store a snapshot of the vehicle for 30 days. Bourke and Chief Deputy Torry Tooley said the cameras don’t take videos, and don’t identify people by their faces. Flock doesn’t continuously track people or vehicles, and it doesn’t replace investigators or human judgement, Bourke and Tooley said.

Chief Deputy Torry Tooley said the Flock cameras have been helpful pursuing leads in cases.

Flock has been in the news a lot lately with concerns over mass surveillance and an abuse by a few law enforcement officers who used the cameras to try to track ex-girlfriends and other people of interest outside of investigations. The Flock system also can send alerts to administrators if there are irregular searches.

Bourke and Tooley said the Sheriff’s Office has controls in place to make sure there is limited access to only the sheriff, undersheriff, two chief deputies and two supervising deputies. All of the searches are logged.

In the first eight months of the system – from November through July 10 –  there were 542 searches by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office with 200 searches (36.9 percent) for larceny theft investigations, 45 (8.3 percent) for traffic infraction and 38 searches (7.0) for missing person or runaway.

Sheriff’s officials also used Flock to search in cases for stolen property (5.4 percent), motor vehicle theft (5.2 percent), drugs/narcotics (5.2 percent), a wanted person (3.3 percent) and damage/vandalism (3.3 percent).

The searches for missing persons has gone up since July 10 and the Flock cameras were very helpful in locating a missing teen from Albion who was in Niagara Falls, Tooley said.

“This is a great investigative tool for the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “It’s helped us solve crimes and finding missing people.”

Sheriff Chris Bourke said Flock cameras are “another tool in our tool box.”

The Sheriff’s Office for about 20 years had one license plate reader on a patrol car. The Flock cameras operate the same way except are mounted on a pole instead of a car, Bourke said.

Some of the local officials at Tuesday’s meetings asked if the leaders from each municipality were asked to have a Flock camera mounted in their municipality. Bourke said no municipal permission was asked because the cameras are either on the public right-of-way or private property.

Albion Town Councilman Terry Wilbert said the local officials should be notified at least as a courtesy “because we get the questions from the public.”

Darlene Benton, an Albion councilwoman, asked if the Flock data is shared with ICE. Tooley said the data isn’t shared with federal agencies, but can be with police non-federal agencies.

One of the Flock cameras in Kendall, at Sand Road and Route 18, has been defaced. Bourke said many of the cameras have been targeted by vandals around the country. Those vandals should know they will be prosecuted for damaging government property.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, on Tuesday presents a Stork Award to county dispatchers Jodi Marion and Mike Schultz for their efforts to help deliver a healthy baby on Aug. 15.

The father of the baby called 911 around 11:45 a.m. The baby was born four minutes later at the Clarendon Crosby’s.

Marion stayed on the phone with the father while Schultz dispatched an ambulance that took the mother and newborn to Strong Memorial Hospital.

“Ot was a sign of relief to hear the baby crying,” Marion recalled.

Marion is a former EMT who became a dispatcher three years ago after working in the Albion village clerk’s office.

She enjoys the job as a dispatcher, where she said “you are the first person to call when people need help.”

Schultz is a former Kendall fire chief who has worked as a dispatcher for 12 ½ years.

Pictured from left include Deputy Matt Prawel, 911 communications director Julie Vendetti, dispatchers Mike Schultz and Jodi Marion, Legislator Skip Draper, and Sheriff Chris Bourke.

Vendetti has worked in dispatch for 15 years and said this is the third time in her career a dispatcher has helped deliver a baby over the phone. Jerry Bentley did it twice, she said.

The Stork Award from the County Legislature commends Marion and Schultz.

“Your quick thinking, swift actions, and dedication in the moment will forever be widespread and extremely appreciated,” the award states.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Today was the annual Orleans County household hazardous waste collection event and about 525 to 550 residents signed up for the chance to get rid of old tires and leftover chemicals, batteries, oil and solvents.

The top photo shows Henry Haiens of Albion getting rid of a trailer load of old tires with help from Kevin Herring (center), an Orleans County Building and Grounds employee, and Devin Bruno, a motor equipment operator with the county Highway Department.

Andy Beach, a MEO in the Highway Department, uses a loader to move bigger farm tractor tires. Today’s collection for the first time allowed the larger tractor tires and also took tires that were on the rim.

The county contracts with Modern Disposal Services to take away the tires. The local towns dropped off tires earlier in the week. Corey Winters, director of the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development, said he expects the pile had about 7,000 tires. The Planning Department manages the annual household hazardous waste and tire collection.

The event also for the first time was held at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office on County House Road, which was spread out with more space compared to the Orleans County Highway Department in the village of Albion.

Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati work at the household hazardous waste collection event at the EMO site.

More than 500 Orleans County residents were able to get rid of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents during the household hazardous waste collection day.

Residents were able to safely get rid of pesticides, motor oil & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents,  batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, old-based paints, and empty propane tanks.

The county typically pays the company about $18,000 to collect and remove the household hazardous waste, with the state then reimbursing the county about half of the costs. The tire removal is a separate contract with Modern Disposal Services.

At left showcases January from the 2026 Orleans County Calendar featuring “Winter Wonderland at Medina Falls” by Robyn Ottaviano, while the photo at right shows February, featuring “Year Round Travelers” of a horse and buggy passing by the Lyndonville Shoe Tree. Photo by Isabella Zasa.

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism

ALBION – Orleans County Tourism has opened its annual call for photo submissions, encouraging the community and visitors to share their favorite images of the county.

Selected photographs may be featured in the organization’s 2027 marketing materials, including the travel guide, calendar, fishing calendar, social media and other promotional campaigns.

Submitted photographs must be taken within Orleans County and highlight a tourism-focused subject, such as the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, museums and historic sites, outdoor recreation, natural scenery, annual events or other attractions. Images should capture the destinations, experiences and landscapes that showcase what makes Orleans County a fun and memorable place to visit.

Images selected for use will receive appropriate credit. Those chosen to represent a month in the 2027 calendar or featured on the travel guide cover will also receive an Orleans County Tourism swag bag. Individuals whose images appear in the calendar will receive five complimentary copies.

Entries must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2026, via email or mail. The official rules and entry forms can be downloaded by clicking here.

For questions, contact Orleans County Tourism at 585-589-3100 or email info@orleanscountytourism.com.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation last week where the County Legislature proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month in Orleans County.

From left from the Department of Social Services include Commissioner Shirley Mazourek, Child Support Specialist Corina DeFilipps, and Senior Child Support Specialist Danielle Kickbush.

In the proclamation, legislators state that the county is committed to ensuring the safety, health and well-being of children.

“Parents have the most critical role in the development of their children, and an obligation to provide safe, loving and secure environments in which their children can grow and flourish,” the proclamation states.

Parents have an obligation to support their children, financially and emotionally, legislators said.

The county’s Child Support Enforcement Program and child support professionals play a vital role in assisting parents in achieving and maintaining economic security for their children, the proclamation states.

Assemblyman says Orleans ‘has played a vital role in shaping the economic, agricultural, and civic life of New York State and the nation’

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley last week presented a formal proclamation to the Orleans County legislature in honor of the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America. Pictured form left include Assemblyman Hawley, County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch, County Historian Catherine Cooper and Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.

Orleans County was established in 1825 and is situated along the historic corridor of the Erie Canal and the shores of Lake Ontario, the proclamation notes.

The county “has played a vital role in agricultural and civic life in New York State and the nation,” Hawley states in the proclamation. “Generations of residents of Orleans County have answered the call of service, contributing to the defense of our freedoms in every major conflict in American history and continuing to uphold the values of patriotism, sacrifice, and duty that define our nation.”

He also praises the Orleans County’s “rich agricultural heritage that has helped feed New York State and beyond, strengthening local economies while preserving the traditions of hard work, stewardship of the land, and community resilience that remain central to the American identity.”

Orleans County’s towns and villages also have long embodied the spirit of American self-government through strong local leadership, civic engagement, volunteerism, and a commitment to preserving history while preparing future generations for success, Hawley said.

“As the nation reflects on 250 years of progress, challenges, and shared achievement, Orleans County stands as a testament to the strength of small communities in shaping the broader story of New York State and the United States of America,” Hawley states in the proclamation.

He also presented a 250^th anniversary proclamation to the Genesee County Legislature and will be presenting one to Monroe County officials on Aug. 14 at the Town of Clarkson’s Good Neighbor Day.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, presents a proclamation last week to Eddie Eagle, a gun safety mascot, that designates August 2026 as “Firearm Safety Awareness Month.” They are joined by Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director.

The Eddie Eagle mascot was developed by the National Rifle Association to teach children about gun safety.

The proclamation from the County legislature states that firearm safety is a “shared responsibility” among firearm owners, families, educators, healthcare providers, law enforcement, sportsmen, firearm instructors, retailers and community organizations.

 Responsible firearm ownership includes safe handling, secure firearm storage and child access prevention, the proclamation states.

“Orleans County supports educational efforts that encourage lawful firearm ownership, promote responsible firearm ownership and handling, responsible hunting traditions, recreational shooting safety, suicide prevention awareness, secure firearm storage, and the protection of children and vulnerable individuals,” the proclamation states.

County legislators said Firearm Safety Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness, promote voluntary safe storage practices, encourage community education, and strengthen partnerships dedicated to preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths through education and responsible ownership.