Photo by Tom Rivers: These spots offered some privacy for voters to fill out their ballots at Hoag Library on Tuesday.

It was a fairly light turnout for the local elections in Orleans County with 16.3 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the county.

There are 25,777 registered voters in Orleans County, and 4,189 voted either on Tuesday, through nine days of early voting or through absentee ballots.

There were only a few contested races in the county. This will likely be the last time the local elections will be held on an off year without the draw of a gubernatorial or presidential election. The state has pushed for most of the local elections to align on an even year when there is a bigger turnout for high-profile elections.

The presidential race in 2024 brought out 17,780 voters in Orleans County, more than four times the turnout in the latest election.

Many of the positions up for election on Tuesday will be back on the ballot in either 2026 or 2028. The terms were adjusted from two years to one year, or four years to three years so they will be up for election on even years in the future.

Among the 25,777 registered voters in the county, the enrollment by party includes 12,471 as Republicans, 5,070 as Democrats, 661 as Conservatives, 145 in the Working Families, and 947 in “other.” There are also 6,483 unaffiliated or “blanks.”

There were only a few contested races among the local elections today in Orleans County, and Republicans won all of them.

In Carlton, Ryan Woolston won a seat on the Town Board over Marlene Seielstad, a Democrat, by a 286-138 vote.

In Clarendon, three candidates were seeking two seats on the Town Board. Chris Caufield, 311 votes, and Fred Seeman III, 310, were elected. Cecelia (Pacheco) Stevens, a Democrat, received 125 votes.

In Shelby, an endorsed Republican was elected to the Town Board. John Pratt III received 405 votes to 143 for Mark Wambach, who was backed by the Conservative Party.

There were four other candidates who mounted write-in campaigns, but fell short of getting elected.

The results from the Board of Elections didn’t tally the write-in results by name. The BOE just notes the write-ins for each position.

John Fitzak, a Republican, was re-elected as county legislator for District 4, which includes the towns of Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray. Jeremy Ross was endorsed by Democratic Party as a write-in. There were 71 write-in votes opposing Fitzak.

Dirk Lammes Jr. was re-elected Murray town highway superintendent but there were 101 write-ins opposing him. William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr. ran a write-in campaign against Lammes.

In Barre, George and Iva McKenna both ran write-ins for the Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who were endorsed by the Republican Party and also ran under “Future for Barre.” Allen received 266 votes and Miller 265. The write-ins included 117 and 119.

The full local results include:

County

• Treasurer – Kimberly DeFrank – 3,052 votes
• County Legislator (at-large from west) – Merle “Skip” Draper of Medina – 2,817 votes
• County Legislator (at-large from central) – Don Allport of Gaines – 2,830 votes
• County Legislator (at-large from east) – Ed Morgan of Murray – 2,827 votes
• County Legislator (District 1) – Bill Eick of Shelby – 932 votes
• County Legislator (District 2) – Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville – 540 votes
• County Legislator (District 3) – Fred Miller of Albion – 389 votes
• County Legislator (District 4) – John Fitzak of Carlton – 913 votes; write-in 71

Town of Albion

• Town Supervisor – Richard Remley – 260 votes
• Town Council members – Arnold Allen, 240 votes; Sandra Bensley, 244 votes
• Town Clerk – Kim Hazel – 262 votes

Town of Barre

• Town Supervisor – Stephen Coville II, 285 votes; write-in, 93
• Town Council members – David Allen, 266; Wesley Miller, 265; and two write-ins, 117 and 115

Town of Carlton

• Town Council members – Charles Ricci, 323 votes; John Olles, 307 votes
• Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy, pick one) – Ryan Woolston, 286 votes; Marlene Seielstad, 138
• Town Clerk – Deborah Yokel – 336 votes
• Town Justice – Kevin Hurley – 336 votes
• Highway Superintendent – Kurt VanWycke – 327 votes

Town of Clarendon

• Town Supervisor – Marc Major – 320 votes
• Town Council members (pick two) – Christopher Caufield, 311 votes; Fred Seeman, 310 votes; and Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, 125 votes

Town of Gaines

• Town Supervisor – Tyler Allport – 187 votes
• Town Council members – James Kirby, 204 votes; Kenneth Rush, 192 votes
• Town Clerk – Janet Cheverie – 216 votes
• Town Justice – Charles Prentice Jr. – 200 votes

Town of Kendall

• Town Supervisor – Tony Cammarata – 306 votes
• Town Council members – David Gaudioso, 299 votes; Jeffrey Kinne, 297 votes
• Town Clerk – Tina Palumbo – 328 votes
• Town Justice – Debra Kluth – 332 votes
• Highway Superintendent – Eric Maxon – 347 votes
• Referendum – increase highway superintendent term from 2 to 4 years – 250 yes, 125 no.

Town of Murray

• Town Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer, 387; write-in, 53
• Town Council members – Neil Valentine, 415 votes; Elaine Berg, 371 votes
• Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy) – Scott Lang – 380 votes
• Town Clerk – Cynthia Oliver – 423 votes
• Town Justice – Michael Christopher – 413 votes
• Highway Superintendent – Dirk Lammes Jr., 321 votes; write-in, 101

Town of Ridgeway

• Town Council members – Cliff Barber, 328 votes; Jesse Cudzilo, 294 votes
• Town Clerk – Hannah Hill – 349 votes
• Highway Superintendent – John Olinger – 336 votes

Town of Shelby

• Town Supervisor – James Heminway – 491
• Town Council members – Edward Zelazny, 453 votes; Lawrence Waters Sr., 412 votes
• Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy, pick one) – John Pratt III, 405 votes; Mark Wambach, 143 votes

Town of Yates

• Town Supervisor – James Simon – 182 votes
• Town Council members – William Jurinich, 187 votes; Harold Suhr, 156 votes
• Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy) – Steven Vann – 193 votes
• Town Justice – Donald Grabowski – 220 votes

State

Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District (2 positions) – Shannon Heneghan,  3,397 votes; and Jorge deRosas, 3,109 votes

Referendum: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park – 1,875 yes votes, 1,867 no votes

Photos by Tom Rivers: Part of the Orleans County Courthouse dome is illumined in green on Monday evening as part of Operation Green Light.

ALBION – Orleans County is joining in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.

In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.

Orleans County legislators last week passed a resolution in support of Operation Green Light. Legislators said 44 to 72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life.

“Active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service,” legislators stated in the resolution.

The Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling. The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.

Orleans County residents go to the polls today with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There are positions up for election in each of the 10 towns as well as the seven Orleans County legislators and the county treasurer. There are 25,777 registered voters in the county.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company, and Carlton uses the Fire Company Rec Hall.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
• Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

ALBION – Orleans County had 425 registered voters cast ballots through nine days of early voting.

The general election is Tuesday and polls will be open in all 10 towns. But with early voting, there is one polling location at the Board of Elections office in Albion.

The totals included  54 on Oct. 25, 26 on Oct. 26, 58 on Oct. 27, 30 on Oct. 28, 48 on Oct. 29, 50 on Oct. 30, 66 on Oct. 31, 58 on Nov. 1 and 35 on Nov. 2.

The early voting total is down significantly from a year ago when 4,539 ballots were cast over the nine days. In 2024, the election featured the presidential race.

This time, the election is at the local levels and nearly all the positions are unopposed.

The only races among candidates on the ballot include:

Carlton Councilman – Marlene Seielstad, Democratic Party, and Ryan Woolston, Republican.

Clarendon Council members with three candidates for two positions – Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, Democratic Party, and Christopher Caufield and Fred Seeman, III, Republicans.

Shelby Councilman – John Pratt III, Republican, and Mark Wambach, Conservative.

There are some write-in campaigns as well. Jeremy Ross of Murray has been endorsed by Democratic Party as write-in candidate for County Legislator in District 4 against John Fitzak of Carlton, a Republican.

George and Iva McKenna are mounting a write-in campaign for Barre Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who have the Republican and “Future for Barre” lines.

In Murray, William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr., is seeking write-in votes to unseat Dirk Lammes Jr., a Republican, for highway superintendent.

The following proposal also is on the ballot: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.

A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve, while a no vote does not authorize this use.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Cyndi Stumer (center), deputy commissioner for the Orleans County Department of Social Services, accepts a proclamation from the County Legislature last week that declared November as “National Adoption Awareness Month.”

She is shown with Elizabeth Boring, foster care caseworker, and Legislator Fred Miller.

“Adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children,” the proclamation states. “National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families.”

Stumer said there are local children in foster care awaiting adoption.

“It is the desire of this Legislature and Orleans County Department of Social Services that all children awaiting adoption in Orleans County and beyond find permanent and loving homes,” the proclamation concludes.

For more information, click here to be directed to the Orleans County DSS.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a proclamation celebrating the first 200 years of the Erie Canal. Hawley attended Tuesday’s Orleans County legislature meeting and presented the proclamation to County Historian Catherine Cooper, second from right, Tourism Direct Dawn Borchert and County Legislator Ed Morgan.

The Erie Canal opened on Oct. 26, 1825 when Gov. DeWitt Clinton departed Buffalo leading a flotilla of boats across the canal to New York City. They reached that destination on Nov. 4, 1825.

The canal, brought new commerce, settlers and opportunity to New York tate, including Orleans County, Hawley said.

The waterway has played a critical role in connecting people and places across the state, and led to many thriving hamlets and villages.

Hawley noted the canal continues to have an economic, cultural and toruism role in the state. Orleans County also has seven of the 16 lift bridges on the canal, the most of any county.

County Historian Catherine Cooper also spoke during the presentation and noted Orleans County also is observing its bicentennial this year. She said there have been many events and efforts in the past year to highlight the county’s 200^th anniversary.

Most candidates for town and county positions are unopposed

Town and county positions are up for election on Nov. 4, and 266 people have already cast ballots in the first five days of early voting.

The Board of Elections at the County Office Building in Albion is the lone early voting polling location. Registered voters could cast ballots there since last Saturday. Early voting continues today until 5 p.m. and then again on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Most of the positions up for election do not have opposition, but there are some races around the county.

Here are the positions that are up for election:

State

Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District (2 positions) – Shannon Heneghan (Dem, Rep, Con and Wor) and Jorge deRosas (Dem, Rep and Con)

County

Treasurer – Kimberly DeFrank, Republican

County Legislator (at-large from west) – Merle “Skip” Draper of Medina, Republican

County Legislator (at-large from central) – Don Allport of Gaines, Republican

County Legislator (at-large from east) – Ed Morgan of Murray, Republican

County Legislator (District 1) – Bill Eick of Shelby, Republican

County Legislator (District 2) – Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville, Republican

County Legislator (District 3) – Fred Miller of Albion, Democrat

County Legislator (District 4) – John Fitzak of Carlton, Republican (Jeremy Ross has been endorsed by Democratic Party as write-in candidate.)

Town of Albion

Town Supervisor – Richard Remley, Republican

Town Council members – Arnold Allen and Sandra Bensley, Republican

Town Clerk – Kim Hazel, Republican

Town of Barre

Town Supervisor – Stephen Coville II, Republican and “Future for Barre”

Town Council members – Wesley Miller and David Allen, Republican and “Future for Barre”

Town of Carlton

Town Council members – John Olles and Charles Ricci, Republican

Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy, pick one) – Marlene Seielstad, Democratic Party, and Ryan Woolston, Republican

Town Clerk – Deborah Yokel, Republican

Town Justice – Kevin Hurley, Republican

Highway Superintendent – Kurt VanWycke, Republican

Town of Clarendon

Town Supervisor – Marc Major, Republican

Town Council members (pick two) – Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, Democratic Party, and Christopher Caufield and Fred Seeman, III, Republicans

Town of Gaines

Town Supervisor – Tyler Allport, Republican

Town Council members – James Kirby and Kenneth Rush, Republicans

Town Clerk – Janet Cheverie, Republican

Town Justice – Charles Prentice Jr., Republican

Town of Kendall

Town Supervisor – Tony Cammarata, Republican

Town Council members – David Gaudioso and Jeffrey Kinne, Republicans

Town Clerk – Tina Palumbo, Republican

Town Justice – Debra Kluth, Republican

Highway Superintendent – Eric Maxon, Republican

Town of Murray

Town Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer, Republican

Town Council members – Neil Valentine and Elaine Berg, Republicans

Town Council member (2 years to fill vacancy) – Scott Lang, Republican

Highway Superintendent – Dirk Lammes Jr., Republican (William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr. is mounting a write-in campaign.)

Town of Ridgeway

Town Council members – Cliff Barber and Jesse Cudzilo, Republicans

Town Clerk – Hannah Hill, Republican

Highway Superintendent – John Olinger, Republican

Town of Shelby

Town Supervisor – James Heminway, Republican, Conservative

Town Council members – Lawrence Waters Sr. and Edward Zelazny, Republican and Conservative

Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy, pick one) – John Pratt III, Republican, and Mark Wambach, Conservative

Town of Yates

Town Supervisor – James Simon

Town Council members – William Jurinich, Republican and Conservative, and Harold Suhr, Republican

Town Council member (to fill 2-year vacancy) – Steven Vann, Republican and Conservative

The following proposal will be on the ballot: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.

A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve, while a no vote does not authorize this use.

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

ALBION – In the interest of concern and transparency, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is making the community aware that due to ongoing funding uncertainty and the recent government shutdown, the agency is experiencing difficulty providing assistance at a level that matches the increased needs of our community.

Food insecurity in the region is skyrocketing, and the agency is exploring all avenues to ensure that food distributions and pantry services remain available to those who need it most.

However, upcoming challenges such as the loss of SNAP, HEAP heating assistance, rising healthcare costs, and unmanageable housing rental expenses are creating a crisis for families. Resources to assist with rent and utilities are running dry. Some funding streams have been suspended while others have been terminated altogether.

“Despite these setbacks, our team is doing everything possible to distribute the scarce resources we have,” said Renee Hungerford, Executive Director/CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on our neighbors as winter approaches.”

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is a Medicaid 1115 participant. Medicaid recipients are encouraged to contact the agency for an 1115 screening, which may open alternative avenues of assistance for critical needs such as rent, utility assistance, and other health-related social supports.

How You Can Help

Donations of any size and volunteers are needed. Support at any level can make a real difference during this critical time. The number of families assisted at food distributions is growing at an unprecedented rate, volunteers for these and special holiday distributions are sincerely appreciated.

In addition to donations and volunteering, you can make a powerful impact by reaching out to your elected officials. Urge them to take immediate action to support reopening our government as well as support funding for programs like the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Weatherization Assistance, and Head Start. These programs are lifelines for families in need, and your voice can help ensure they remain funded and accessible.

To donate online visit: caoginc.org/donations

To volunteer, email: info@caoginc.org

To donate to our food pantries, contact Kristina Ettinger at:

Phone: 585-589-5605 x101

Email: kettinger@caoginc.org

Website: caoginc.org

The Community Action Promise:

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

‘This is a game-changer for us’ – SWAT commander Torry Tooley

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County’s Special Response Team did a demonstration on Tuesday evening at the Tavern on the Ridge, showcasing some of its tools and equipment including this drone.

The team includes nine members from the Sheriff’s Office and seven from the Albion Police Department. The team has several drones, including this one that is used to fly inside a house or other structure. The drone can be used to locate people and provide officers with a layout of the building.

The drone takes off inside the Tavern on the Ridge, looking for a suspect as part of the demonstration for the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which includes officials from local village, town and the county governments.

Investigator Brian Marsceill of the Sheriff’s Office served as the pilot of the drone, guiding it through the hallway and around the restaurant to locate the suspect.

The Special Response Team moves in to locate the person. It was all part of a demonstration for local officials.

The Special Response Team is run through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The team operates on a $300,000 budget which goes to training, equipment and overtime costs.

Investigator Kevin Colonna, left, and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the screen that law enforcement see from one of the drones. Colonna is a certified pilot for the drones. Tooley is the commander of the Special Response Team.

They noted how the drones helped locate someone who stole items and fled from Walmart last week, first on a bike and then by foot.

That person was detected lying down north of Walmart along Gaines Basin Road. Officers were able to quickly find him with the drones.

The team has drones that can spot people at night through the heat detection and spotlights on the drone. Officers can give commands through the drones to people on the ground or in a house, telling them to surrender, stay put or give other commands.

One of the team’s drones can travel as far as 6 miles, and go up to 50 miles an hour.

Officers can get a live feed from the drones through their phones or the computers in their patrol cars.

The drones are very useful in locating suspects, but Tooley said they also can be used for missing people, including vulnerable elderly people or people with autism and disabilities.

Lt. Adam Hazel of the Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Torry Tooley show the local officials some of the tools for the Special Response Team including body armor, helmets with night lights, vision monoculars to see in the dark, a 40 mm gun that fires non-lethal bullets, door breaching tools (ram and Halogen tool), as well as several of the different drones.

Tooley said the new drones and night vision on the helmets are “a game-changer for us.”

The team is awaiting a Bearcat armored vehicle to be used on scene for some of the calls. That armored vehicle will be able to transport 10-12 people to high-risk situations requiring advanced tactics and coordination.

Chart on monthly SNAP benefits from NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

ALBION – Orleans County has 5,146 residents receiving SNAP benefits that are due to run out in a few days and won’t be refilled until the federal government shutdown is over.

That is a big concern for Holli Nenni, the county’s commissioner of the Department of Social Services.

“I’m scared people will go hungry,” she said. “We’re worried people literally won’t have food.”

In New York, there are 2.9 million SNAP recipients or 14 percent of the population. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program issues monthly electronic benefits through EBT cards that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.

The SNAP benefits are for children, elderly and disabled residents, with eligibility and benefit levels based on household size, income and other factors.

The program dates back to the Great Depression in the 1930s, and has never been disrupted due to a budget stalemate. In The past during a budget shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has used emergency funds to continue funding the program, but the USDA said it won’t do that this time.

That has promoted attorneys general and governors from 26 states, including New York, to sue the USDA for suspending SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown.

Attorney General Letitia James said USDA can tap into contingency funds to keep SNAP going during the shutdown.

“Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide,” James said in a news release today. “SNAP is one of our nation’s most effective tools to fight hunger, and the USDA has the money to keep it running. There is no excuse for this administration to abandon families who rely on SNAP, or food stamps, as a lifeline. The federal government must do its job to protect families.”

Press Release, Orleans and Niagara counties

Orleans County Department of Social Services Commissioner Holli Nenni and Niagara County DSS Commissioner Meghan Lutz today issued a joint statement to residents regarding the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for the 2025 -2026 season.

“Please be advised that due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the start of applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has been delayed indefinitely. We know how important HEAP is to helping many families keep their homes warm in the winter and our staff will be ready to move forward with applications as soon as the process starts.  We will be releasing more information about the HEAP process as we receive it.

“The shutdown is not yet affecting other programs overseen by our offices and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Applications for Public Assistance and SNAP are continuing to be accepted, benefits are being provided, and use of benefit cards continues at this time.  We have been told, however, that these programs could be impacted as well if the shutdown continues into November.”

 To learn more about HEAP and to keep up with any updates, visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/#heap. Information on the federal shutdown can be found at the top of that page.

Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency

ALBION – Orleans County-based businesses are reminded to register or renew their professional listings on OnlyInOrleans.com to ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date for future projects and local procurement opportunities.

Maintaining current listings helps ensure local businesses remain visible and competitive for upcoming initiatives that prioritize Orleans County companies.

Businesses with a brick-and-mortar presence in the county  are encouraged to log in and update their contact details, services, and other relevant information. Eligible participants should have an established operational site in Orleans County.

The database is administered through the Orleans Economic Development Agency to assist new enterprise and existing corporations seeking goods and services from within Orleans County.