ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Board today announced it is extending the deadline for youth service program and project funding applications to March 1.
The reason for this extension is to give youth organizations more time to review different funding opportunities since the New York State Office of Children and Family Services made three new funding sources available in 2024.
According to Orleans County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch, the Youth Development Program has historically been the main source of funding. This year there are three additional funding sources available for Orleans County – Youth Sports and Educational Opportunity Funding, Youth Sports Education Funding Infrastructure and Youth Team Sports Allocation.
“The Youth Board wanted to ensure that there was no confusion as to which funding allocation each agency was applying for so the deadline was extended,” Welch said. “Hopefully this will provide potential applicants more time to review all the funding opportunities, understand the different requirements for each, and ultimately maximize their funding requests for the benefit of the youth they serve.”
Applications and the required documents for each funding allocation may be found on our Youth Bureau website by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2024 at 8:20 am
ALBION – A State Supreme Court judge has set 10 a.m. on March 7 for a hearing in a court case between Orleans and Genesee counties, where Orleans is trying to block a sewer main from being built on Route 63 in Shelby.
Hearings have been cancelled or delayed the past few months. The hearing on March 7 will be at the Orleans County Courthouse before Judge Frank Caruso.
Orleans is represented by Lippes Mathias LLP in Buffalo and contends Genesee didn’t have the county’s permission to install the sewer main in Orleans County. The sewer, at full buildout of the STAMP manufacturing site in the Town of Alabama, would direct 6 million gallons of treated water to the Oak Orchard Creek.
Orleans states the sewer discharge would have a negative impact on the county’s fishing industry, which is a nearly $30 million economic boost to Orleans County. The additional water from STAMP could also hurt the economic development efforts in Medina by overtaxing the creek, Orleans attorneys say in the lawsuit. (The Town of Shelby has since joined the lawsuit as an intervenor.)
Genesee County in its court filings contend Orleans gave consent to the project, which was years in the making, by never objecting to it – until the very last moment. Its years of silence should be viewed as support of the project, say attorneys from Phillips Lytle LLP, which are representing the Genesee County Economic Development Center and others named in the lawsuit – G. DeVincentis & Son Construction Co., Inc., Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation, and STAMP Sewer Works, Inc.
The attorneys called the lawsuit from Orleans “a baseless attempt … to obstruct or delay construction of a long-planned, duly-approved infrastructure project.”
The Genesee attorneys claim Orleans is making “obstructionist proceeding” in a last-ditch attempt to stop the project as part of an “extortionate” demand from Genesee for money to get the Orleans blessing.
At full build-out STAMP can accommodate up to 6.1 million square feet of advanced technology manufacturing, office and retail space. GCEDC projects direct employment of up to 9,330 full-time jobs with a regional economic impact for support companies serving the site.
The first two tenants at STAMP – Plug Power and Edwards Vacuum – would have a daily discharge of 50,000 gallons of treated wastewater, GCEDC said.
ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Bureau today announced that nominations are now open for its 42nd 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.
“These awards are a great opportunity to highlight the many young people who are doing some extraordinary things in service of others,” said Jack Welch, chief administrative officer for Orleans County. “Every year, I am amazed at the nominations we receive and it makes me very happy to realize these are the folks who will one day assume leadership roles in our community.”
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 Orleans County and be a minimum of 14 years of age and under the age of 21 before June 30 of the current award year.
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.
All nomination forms can be found by clicking here. Nominations must be submitted to the Youth Bureau by March 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2024 at 10:51 am
Sales tax up more than $5 million in the county since 2019
Orleans County continues to see growth in its sales tax revenue. The state comptroller reported the county’s sales tax collection went up more than $600,000 from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million last year.
That continues a streak of sizable increases in the local sales tax, which has now grown by more than $5 million since 2019.
$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
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that 50 of the 57 counties outside New York City experienced growth in the local sales tax in 2023.
Here are the changes among the four rural GLOW counties:
Genesee up 2.4 percent from $54.87 million in 2022 to $56.20 million in 2023
Livingston up 6.9 percent from $44.79 million in 2022 to $47.89 million in 2023
Orleans up 2.8 percent from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million in 2023
Wyoming up 5.1 percent from $24.77 million in 2022 to $26.03 million in 2023
Sullivan County had the largest increase among counties in the state at 11.6%, followed by the counties of Schoharie (10.9%), Chenango (7.9%) and Schuyler (7.8%), DiNapoli reported.
Yates County saw the steepest decline in collections (-5.6%), followed by the counties of Cayuga (-2.5%), Steuben (-1.5%) and Rockland (-1.4%).
Local government sales tax collections in the state totaled $23 billion in calendar year 2023, up 4.2%, or $919 million, from 2022, largely influenced by growth in New York City sales taxes, DiNapoli said.
NYC’s sales tax growth of 5.9% in 2023 exceeded the amount for the counties and cities in the rest of the state (2.4%). NYC accounts for about 40mpercent of the state-wide total. NYC’s growth was boosted by increases in domestic and international tourism, which approached pre-pandemic levels this past holiday season, the state comptroller stated.
“Growth in local sales tax collections statewide moderated in 2023, following two years of double-digit increases,” DiNapoli said. “The fluctuations in sales tax collections that characterized the pandemic period have subsided. Local officials should plan for sales tax revenue with more stable and modest growth rates.”
In 2020, during the peak of the Covid pandemic, sales tax collections were down 10 percent statewide, and then increased by 19.1 percent in 2021, 12.7 percent in 2022 and then 4.2 percent in 2023.
Provided photo: Susan Howard is interviewed by the Orleans County Conservative Party on Jan. 20 at the Hoag Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2024 at 5:43 pm
Susan Howard
ALBION – The Orleans County Conservative Party is announcing its endorsement of Susan Howard for Orleans County district attorney.
Howard has been the first assistant DA for 12 years. Joe Cardone, the current district attorney, is retiring on Dec. 31 after 32 years in the position.
The Orleans County Republican Party earlier today endorsed John Sansone to the next district attorney.
Paul Lauricella, the county Conservative Party chairman, said the Conservative Party leaders met with both Howard and Sansone.
“Both candidates impressed the committee with their knowledge of the office and ability to do the job,” Lauricella said. “Susan and John Sansone are very capable candidates. The majority of the committee chose Susan. Good luck in the June 25th Primary.”
The Conservative didn’t endorse any of the local state legislators or Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
“We have a 12-year term limit in our bylaws on any candidate that has been in any one position for that time or longer,” Lauricella said. “Assemblyman Steve Hawley reached out but was term limited out years ago.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt and Tenney didn’t not seek the local party’s endorsement.
“We are not going to chase after politicians that in many cases disappoint with their votes or spending sprees,” Lauricella said. “If they want an endorsement they can come in front of the full committee and answer questions. We would rather not endorse than have to be embarrassed by one of their liberal votes. This goes for local candidates also.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2024 at 2:58 pm
Endorsements include 2 who seek to be new coroners: Dr. Julie Woodworth and Kevin Dann
MEDINA – The Orleans County Republican Committee has endorsed John Sansone to be the district attorney, succeeding Joe Cardone, who is retiring on Dec. 31.
John Sansone
Sansone and Susan Howard both work in the DA’s office, and both have been meeting with town Republican committees. Today they met with the full county committee. There were 79 votes this morning at the Knights of Columbus in Medina, and Sansone secured a majority of the votes.
“I think both the candidates are very talented attorneys,” said Skip Draper, the county Republican chairman. “It’s the committee’s job to vote for their first choice.”
Howard has been the first assistant DA for 12 years. Sansone also is an assistant district attorney.
Draper said he expects there will be a primary in June for district attorney, and may be as well for coroner.
Six people sought three positions for coroner. The committee endorsed incumbent Rocco Sidari of Albion, and backed Kevin Dann of Holley and Dr. Julie Woodworth of Lyndonville.
Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner, did not get enough backing for the endorsement. Cassandra Boring, one of the owners of Mystic Dragon’s Lair in Medina, also sought the endorsement and so did former coroner, Dr. Eric Johnson. Charlie Smith of Ridgeway isn’t seeking re-election.
Dann, a former Holley fire chief, is an EMT for the Ridge Road Fire District and a 911 dispatcher at Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Woodworth is a member of the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at Niagara County Community College, where she has been recognized with SUNY’s distinguished teaching award. She has a PhD in nursing education.
Other endorsements today include Claudia Tenney for Congress, Rob Ortt for State Senate, Steve Hawley for State Assembly, and Nadine Hanlon for county clerk.
(Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include Dr. Eric Johnson as one of the six people seeking the endorsement for coroner.)
ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon today reminded pistol permit holders that with the start of the New Year they should check to see if they are due to recertify their permit with the New York State Police.
Nadine Hanlon
Concealed carry permit holders must now recertify every three years, while those with premises restricted permits will continue to recertify every five years. Those who either received a concealed carry permit or recertified in 2021 must recertify this year by the date of issuance on their permit.
“I want to make sure our pistol permit holders remain in good standing with the state and are not putting their permits at risk, even knowing the frustration many of us feel about this law,” Hanlon said. “And if you are overdue to recertify from a previous year, I urge you to get it done immediately.”
Hanlon said those who need to re-certify should go to the State Police recertification website at https://firearms.troopers.ny.gov/pprecert/welcome.faces. Those recertifying should have their pistol permit and their New York State driver license or non-driver identification available before they begin the process, as providing specific information from these documents will be necessary.
“Although the Orleans County Pistol Permit Office does not have any role in the certification process nor access to the state system, we will do our best to assist Orleans County permit holders with any questions or concerns,” Hanlon said. “The state website can also answer many questions or folks can call 1-855-LAW-GUNS (1-855-529-4867) with questions on New York’s gun laws.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2024 at 8:16 am
Johnson says county is close to completing broadband internet project
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the county wants to share more services with local governments to increase efficiencies and drive down costs.
Johnson said a group from the Legislature, the town supervisors and village mayors have been meeting to look for ways to work together more to bring down expenses.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, speaks Friday at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Luncheon a the White Birch Golf Course.
Johnson spoke during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. She cited the shared services as a big initiative this year.
She favors continued exploration of a district court that would serve multiple towns. District Attorney Joe Cardone and Public Defender Joanne Best have pushed for the court, saying it would be more efficient, and also allow for more consistency in local justice.
Cardone and Best also anticipate the state will eventually require district courts, including in smaller counties. Many of the town justices have pushed back on the court, saying it will ultimately be more expensive and a judge serving multiple towns will be less connected to the community.
“Some are afraid of giving up their power or losing a position,” Johnson said about shared services.
The town judges said there is limited information about the financial implications of a district court. They said it will be more costly.
Johnson said that data should be available this year and presented in public hearings. She expects the issue with be on the ballot in a public referendum in November.
She said there has been great progress in a push to get high-speed internet throughout the county. A final tower will be going up in Carlton as part of the project, which has been a decade in the works.
“We’ve had a lot of help with a lot of grants,” she said during the luncheon. “Next year at this time we can say Orleans County has internet. I thank you all for your patience. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The United Way is currently using a grant to help hook up low-to-moderate income families to the internet at no cost to the resident. That grant expires Feb. 15 and includes the villages of Albion, Holley, and Medina and the towns of Albion, Gaines and Shelby. The grant pays for free installation of wireless broadband service and free equipment, a $650 benefit.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks at the luncheon. Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman, is at left.
Johnson was asked if the Legislature will share more of the local sales tax with towns and villages. The county has kept the total sales tax share to the four villages and 10 towns at the same level since 2001 – $1,366,671.
The local sales tax was at $22.5 million in 2022 and the amount has more than doubled since 2001.
“The more we give to towns, the more we have to raise taxes at the county level,” Johnson responded. “It ends up at the end of the day coming out of yours and mine’s pockets.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley spoke about the Governor’s proposed executive budget at $233 billion. He said the Republican conference in the Legislature will speak out about $2.4 billion in proposed aid to help with the migrant crisis. He doesn’t want to see money going to migrants when there are proposed cuts to some school districts, and when the CHIPS highway aid is down $60 million to $530 million.
Hawley said the state needs to rein in its Medicaid program, and pull back on some of the options and benefits.
“We have the Cadillac of Medicaid programs in the United States of America,” he said. “We opt into pretty much everything and the county has to pay a percentage of that.”
Darlene Hartway, Chamber executive director, welcomes the presenters and a crowd of about 75 people. Speakers included County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Ag Commissioner Richard Ball, and representatives from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and State Sen. Robert Ortt.
The speakers were also asked about a lawsuit between Orleans and Genesee counties, where Orleans seeks to halt construction of a sewer line from the STAMP manufacturing site in the Town of Alabama to the Oak Orchard Creek in Shelby. Orleans contends the sewer discharge would hurt the county’s recreational and economic development efforts, especially in Medina.
Chris Zeltman, a representative for U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, declined to speak in detail about the lawsuit, citing the ongoing litigation. But Zeltman said STAMP offers the chance to be a significant job creator for the region.
Plug Power is building a $290 million green hydrogen fuel plant at STAMP as the site’s first tenant. The company expects to have 65-70 workers at STAMP when it opens.
Edwards Vacuum has committed to building a $319 million manufacturing facility at STAMP. That new “factory of the future” will serve the semiconductor industry and advanced manufacturing sectors and create approximately 343 new high-paying jobs.
“We fight every day to get jobs in New York State,” Zeltman said. “We continue to monitor (the lawsuit between Orleans and Genesee) but ultimately it’s the courts that will resolve this.”
Andrew Dugan from State Sen. Rob Ortt’s office said Ortt supports the STAMP site and wants to see companies locate there, but believes Genesee should have worked with Orleans on the project.
“We understand the job creation aspect,” Dugan said in response to the question. “We fight every day too to bring jobs to our area. No one disagrees about the importance of the jobs. The challenge is making sure this process is done with cooperation and togetherness. I think that’s where some of the concerns are.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2024 at 2:43 pm
Orleans County Republican Committee meets Feb. 3 to pick candidate
ALBION – A union representing about 50 employees in the Sheriff’s Department has endorsed John Sansone to be Orleans County’s next district attorney.
John Sansone
Joe Cardone, the current DA since 1992, isn’t seeking re-election. Both Sansone, an assistant district attorney, and Susan Howard, the first assistant DA, are seeking to be Cardone’s successor.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Employees Association today announced it has endorsed Sansone. The union represents corrections officers, public safety dispatchers, sheriff’s office clerks, and jail cooks.
Chris Caufield, a lieutenant in the county jail, is the union president of Council 82 – Local #2966. He said the union heard both candidates outline their experience, qualifications and plans for the office if elected.
“We are confident that Mr. Sansone will continue to be fair, firm, and consistent when it comes to holding offenders accountable for their actions and will always act with the interest of public safety in mind,” Caufield said in a statement from the union. “Furthermore, our members believe that Mr. Sansone possesses the requisite leadership qualities, integrity, and experience to lead the District Attorney’s office moving forward, as it faces the challenges of new and proposed laws aimed at reforming the justice system.
“We anticipate a great working relationship with the District Attorney’s office led by Mr. Sansone, and we ask the community to join us in supporting Mr. John Sansone for Orleans County District Attorney in the upcoming election cycle.”
The Orleans County Republican Committee meets Feb. 3 to discuss its endorsement for district attorney as well as other offices.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2024 at 8:15 am
Group would be trained for rope rescues, grain entrapment and water rescues
File photo by Tom Rivers: Ray Keffer of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company is on shore while three firefighters head out into the icy water of a quarry by the Erie Canal in Murray to go after a dog on Jan. 4, 2020. Firefighters were able to safely bring the dog to the shore. They also assisted the owner of the dog in getting up the embankment. The Orleans County Emergency Management Office wants to create a technical rescue team for rope rescues, grain entrapment and water rescues.
ALBION – The Orleans County Emergency Management Office is looking to create a technical rescue team for firefighters from multiple departments to train and work together and share equipment.
The team would be trained for highly technical rescues, such as rope rescues, grain entrapment and water rescues. There will be a public hearing at 4:25 p.m. on Feb. 20 for the creation of the Technical Rescue Team. The hearing will be at the legislative chambers of the Orleans County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 in Albion.
“We will have joint training where will we all work together,” said Justin Niederhofer, the EMO director.
Carlton, Clarendon, Medina, Murray and Shelby fire departments each have equipment for technical rescues. Firefighters from those departments, as well as other departments without that equipment, will have an opportunity to be trained to be on the technical rescue team.
Not all departments with rescue equipment have the same gear. The team will train on each department’s equipment to be familiar with the ropes, harnesses and other tools. Some departments also have grain rescue equipment which includes steel plates and an augur. The team members will also have wet suits for going into the water.
Niederhofer said firefighters deploy rope rescues when people are stuck down ravines and embankments.
The formation of the team will also increase the chances for grant funding for equipment and training, Niederhofer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2024 at 4:02 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Hannah Brundage, a Kendall High School senior, shared her winning speech from the Orleans County American Legion Oratorical Competition on Tuesday with the County Legislature.
Brundage won the county event, and also the 8th District Level. She will next compete at Mt. Morris on Feb. 2 for the zone level competition. Zackary Baron of Albion, who was second at the district level contest, also advances to the zone level competition on Feb. 2.
Brundage entitled her speech, “Understanding the Government.” She began by asking how many in the audience ever leave home, wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again, not knowing if they would make it back alive?
Her father, Daniel Brundage, experienced that as an Army veteran with the 10th Mountain Division. He served a tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. As a firefinder radar technician, his job was to locate incoming artillery and their trajectories and determine the enemy’s position.
“Putting his life on the line, he was able to save countless other soldiers from a gruesome death,” Hannah Brundage said. “Just like him, thousands of men and women in the military are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect us. Many do not return.”
In her speech she talks about the power of Congress to declare war, and how the president sometimes oversteps the executive role and commits the country to conflicts and warfare, without Congress’s support.
She also highlights other powers of Congress that affect Americans, from the economy to civil rights. Congress also plays a big role in judging whether the president should be impeached for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Brundage urges citizens to educate themselves on the Constitution and the role of government.
“As James Madison said, ‘Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives,’” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2024 at 8:36 am
ALBION – Orleans County is looking to extend a pilot program lowering the age from 14 to 12 for people to hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun or muzzle-loading firearm.
The county approved the program in 2021, and there have been “absolutely no accidents reported,” said Lynne Johnson, the County legislature chairwoman.
The Legislature on Tuesday voted to set a public hearing at 4:20 p.m. on Feb. 20 to extend the pilot program.
The state has allowed counties to opt in in the pilot program with the lower age. The youth hunters need to be under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter.
Youths ages 12 and 13 could already hunt deer and bear with archery equipment and small game with firearms. Until the pilot program, New York was the only state that didn’t allow 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt big game with a firearm.
The public hearing will be at the legislative chambers at the County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 in Albion.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Genesee Community College is shown at the main campus in Batavia in this photo from Feb. 13, 2018.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 January 2024 at 8:51 am
Orleans County’s costs for community college chargebacks were steadily rising so much that county officials decided to cap the amount at $2,050,000. Anything over that and the bill would be sent to towns in the county.
The county in 2020 paid $2,240,251 for community colleges. After the county imposed the cap at $2,050,000 in 2021, the costs dropped in 2021 and haven’t exceeded the $2,050,000 since then – but is getting close.
In 2021, the community college chargebacks to the county was $1,839,535. It dropped to $1,657,803 in 2022, but was up $244,790 in 2023 to $1,908,783.
If the cost tops $2,050,000 in 2024, the extra expense will be divvied up among the 10 towns in the county based on credit hours of residents in those towns.
County Treasurer Kim DeFrank said there is a chance some additional bills could come in this month for community colleges but she expects it won’t exceed $141,217, the amount the county is under the cap.
Community colleges were supposed to be funded with the state paying a third, the student paying a third, and the local town/county paying the other third.
But county officials say the state has pulled back on its contribution, putting more pressure on students and local municipalities.
The County Legislature said it needed to draw a line as the costs rose, putting pressure on the county budget.
Most community college students from Orleans go to Genesee Community College. But Orleans County has paid towards local students who attend other community colleges in the state, and some are far more costly than GCC, including the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Leadership Orleans Class of 2024 incudes first row, from left – Stacy Silker, Gregory Hallock, Liz Mastromatteo, Reita Fletcher, Melinda Daniels, Becky Robinson, Debbie Schiavone, Melinda Rhim, Mike Winter and Lisa Stenshorn. Back row: Walt Breese, Marsha Rivers, J.T. Thomas, Lisa Bors, Tina Bell, Trisha Borrero, Scott Robinson, Pam Rounds, Justin Robinson, June Robinson, Barbara Koert, Darren Brodie, Tiffany Smith, Betty Sue Miller, Brad Pritchard, Jeffery Pasnik and Courtney Henderson. Missing from photo: Linda Weller.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2024 at 12:43 pm
Group will meet monthly throughout year to learn many facets of county
Skip Helfrich has been the Leadership Orleans executive director since the program started in 2018. He leads the class in a discussion on Friday at the White Birch in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – A new class of Leadership Orleans has started with a two-day retreat on Thursday and Friday. This is the seventh year of the program that graduated 149 in the first six years.
This year’s class is the largest yet with 28 members, and includes representatives from 10 organizations that haven’t been in the program before.
The 28 class members cover many sectors of the community, from agriculture to manufacturing, education and government, small business owners to nonprofit service providers, and a church leader and a director of the local arts council.
The program aims to build the “citizen capital” of the community, helping develop leaders who are educated on the many facets of the community. The class in the opening retreat did many ice-breaker activities to get to know each other. They also learned about their individual strengths and weaknesses, their personality types and how that shapes their decision-making and tendencies.
The class will meet monthly in the coming year, building leadership skills and gaining knowledge, experiences and meeting people from many different sectors in the community.
The program receives a stipend from the county, and there are many sponsors of programs throughout the years. The class members also pay tuition to be in Leadership Orleans.
This year’s class members include:
Tina Bell, office manager for Art Hill Excavating in Medina
Trisha Borrero, operations manager for Claims Recovery Financial Services in Albion
Lisa Bors, public relations director for Arc GLOW
Walt Breese, president of Subway in Albion
Darren Brodie, environmental health director for Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
Melinda Daniels, executive assistant for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Reita Fletcher, branch manager of M&T Bank in Lyndonville
Gregory Hallock, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!)
Courtney Henderson, owner of Babe Cave Inc. in Albion
Barbara Koert, assistant director of UConnectCare (formerly GCASA) in Albion
Liz Mastromatteo, coordinator/assistant principal of Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina
Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library in Albion
Jeffrey Pasnik, council rep for North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters in Cheektowaga
Brad Pritchard, principal of Albion Middle School
Melinda Rhim, coordinator of care management for Orleans County Mental Health Department
Marsha Rivers, pastor of First Baptist Church in Albion
Becky Robinson, partner with The Vintage Cigar in Medina
June Robinson, associate director of quality at Baxter Healthcare in Medina
Justin Robinson, dairy farmer with Poverty Hill Farms in Albion
Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Orleans Community Health
Pam Rounds, supervisor at Baxter Healthcare in Medina
Debbie Schiavone, payroll administrator for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Stacy Silker, court clerk for Town of Ridgeway and Town of Yates
Tiffany Smith, assistant chief of nursing for Rochester Regional Health
Lisa Stenshorn, clerk of the Orleans County Legislature
J.T. Thomas, operations director at Iroquois Job Corps in Medina
Linda Weller of Albion, president of Info Advantage Inc. in Rochester
Mike Winter, controller for Western New York Energy in Medina
Skip Helfrich said there are significant changes in how different generations approach daily living, from older people tending to pay with cash and trying to avoid debt, to younger people more geared to paying with debit cards and not carrying cash. Helfrich said the younger generation seeks a better “work-life balance” and doesn’t necessarily want the most overtime hours. The older generation tended to get as many OT hours as they could, seeking that higher pay rate, he said.
Provided photo: Current members of the Orleans County Youth Court include, front row, from left: Cerenity “D” Johnson of Albion, Makenzie Cook of Albion, Aliyah Neidert of Albion and Aidyn Jackson of Medina. Back row: Elizabeth Conner of Albion, Julia Graham of Albion, Maria Vasquez of Medina, Samantha Dobo of Albion and Ezra Bloom of Albion. Not pictured includes Alivia Goigova of Lyndonville. The students were joined in the photo by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford A. Church.
Posted 8 January 2024 at 11:49 am
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services
ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services is looking to recruit more young people to take part in the county’s Youth Court program. DSS has sent letters to the county’s five school districts looking for interested students.
Youth Court is an alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement. It provides young people with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without facing the juvenile justice system.
“We recently celebrated the induction of 10 members into the Orleans County Youth Court from Albion, Lyndonville and Medina,” said DSS Deputy Commissioner Cynthia Stumer. “Those students participated in a 6-week program over the summer where they learned about Restorative Justice and the legal system from arrest through disposition of the case. Now, we are looking for additional young people to join the program.”
Those interested in joining the Youth Court would be required to take part in a spring training session planned for April/May. To inquire about signing up for the training or session or learn more the program, contact Youth Court Coordinator Jeannine Larkin at (585)297-0137 or Jeannine.larkin@orleanscountyny.gov.
“We are so excited to be able to offer this option to our youth in Orleans County both as members and as a child that might need our guidance to make better decisions,” Stumer said.
Orleans County continues to see growth in its sales tax revenue. The state comptroller reported the county’s sales tax collection went up more than $600,000 from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million last year.
Brundage entitled her speech, “Understanding the Government.” She began by asking how many in the audience ever leave home, wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again, not knowing if they would make it back alive?
