The National Weather Service says the snowfall could be up to 15 inches in Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties from today through 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The Weather Service had issued a lake effect advisory, predicting up to 4 to 7 inches by 4 p.m. Thursday. But that has been upgraded this morning to a snow warning with 4 to 8 inches today, 2 to 4 inches overnight, and 1 to 3 inches on Thursday for 7 to 15 inches total.
Provided photo – Nyla Gaylord is the new director of development for the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, known by many in the community as “The Agency of Last Resort,” has appointed Nyla Gaylord as director of development.
In this newly created position for GOMOC, Gaylord will focus on securing new sources of funding, recruiting volunteers, and program development.
“The Ministry of Concern, like so many small not-for-profits, is struggling to manage the impact of reductions in funding,” said Laverne Bates, executive director. “(The new position) will enable us to focus on securing funding for current operations and expand services.”
Gaylord, a resident of Clarendon, most recently worked as the director of development and community relations for Hospice of Orleans, Inc. She has worked as a grant writer and with other not-for-profit agencies.
“It is such a pleasure to work locally and see all of the great things being done in Orleans and Genesee County – yet there is so much more that can be done,” Gaylord said. “I believe that the Ministry of Concern has an important role to play in improving the lives of the poor and working poor in our communities.”
The Ministry of Concern grew out of a grass roots effort of local churches which organized in 1968 to respond to the needs of farmworkers and the poor.
Today, nearly a half century later, the agency serves residents who face crises, from shut-off notices for utilities to not having basic furniture.
GOMOC runs a program where donations of used furniture are delivered to families in need. The Just Friends, E-3 Team Youth Mentoring program provides mentors (coaches) to youths in need of positive adult connections. Emergency services are provided to help when other resources are not available. To donate or volunteer, call 589-9210 and speak with the new director of development.
GOMOC’s office is in downtown Albion at 121 North Main St. – the third floor of the Albion Visitors’ Center. Assisting people with utilities is the biggest category of need for GOMOC in Orleans County. GOMOC served 1,281 clients with utility bills in 2014.
The breakdown of other cases in Orleans includes 664 with furniture and appliances; 247 for holiday assistance; 223 for personal care items, food and baby supplies; 92 for prescriptions; 79 for school supplies; 50 for gas and transportation; 25 for emergency shelter and housing; and 136 for other.
For more on the Ministry of Concern, click here.
Press Release, United Way of Orleans County
ALBION – The United Way of Orleans County is pleased to announce three new members to its Board of Directors.
Cathy Balys of Holley and Rebecca Mannella of Medina were voted in last month. Carol D’Agostino of Kendall joined last summer.
Cathy Balys
Balys is manager of financial reporting and analysis for the Catholic Family Center in Rochester. Mannella oversees the ICU/Respiratory Therapy Department and Out-Patient Lab for Orleans Community Health. D’Agostino is principal of Kendall Junior/Senior High School.
“These women not only represent different geographic areas of our county, but they also bring a range of expertise and new ideas to our Board,” said Jessica Downey of Albion, Board President. “It’s fantastic to have them join us!”
Rebecca Mannella
Orleans United Way, which merged Eastern UW and Western UW four years ago, focuses on community improvement in three impact areas: education, health and income (jobs). A funding application process each fall helps the board select partner agencies that most effectively fulfill community needs.
Funds collected from individuals and employees at workplaces county-wide are distributed according to evidence-based results. The 2016 campaign goal is $279,104.31, coinciding with three major routes criss-crossing Orleans County.
Latest reports showed the campaign about 60 percent complete with five months remaining. This year’s campaign officially ends June 30.
Carol D’Agostino
“The local emphasis of our United Way is so important and, I think, misunderstood by some people,” said Executive Director Marsha Rivers of Albion, who serves as the organization’s lone full-time employee. A part-time financial coordinator, Tiffani Ford of Waterport, keeps the books. Volunteers – including the 14-member Board – do all the rest. “Our Board is a group of local leaders using local dollars to help local causes – we’re neighbors helping neighbors.
“Our affiliation dues to United Way Worldwide, because of our small size, are very modest – we get a ‘big bang for our buck.’ With UWW, we can identify with a widely known, well-respected brand while also taking advantage of community-building resources from all over the world, applying best practices right here at home.”
Photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Regular unleaded gas was selling for $1.99 a gallon today at the Crosby’s in Holley. I didn’t think I would ever see gas fall below $2 again.
In December 2014, just over a year ago, gas was selling for about $3 a gallon. In the spring 2014, the prices were closer to $4 a gallon. Prices nationally on average went over $3 per gallon in 2010 and did go below $3 until December 2014.
AAA reported on Monday that the average price for regular unleaded gas in the U.S. was $1.783, while the average price in New York was $2.054. AAA says gas prices are their lowest since January 2009.
John DeFilipps
John DeFilipps was recognized in Albany on Tuesday during the annual legislative conference for the New York State Association of Counties.
DeFilipps, a Clarendon resident, was elected to the Orleans County Legislature in November 2013, and was re-elected to another two-year term this past November.
He graduated from NYSAC’s County Government Institute, an educational program established by NYSAC in conjunction with Cornell University. The Institute provides an educational program for county elected and appointed officials, to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of county officials. The Institute allows the public officials to engage in informed, constructive and civil discussions on the current challenges they face as public servants.
“The County Government Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the intense demands of local government leadership today,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
DeFilipps joined the County Legislature following 12 years on the Clarendon Town Board. He owned a convenience store and gas station in Clarendon for 10 years before joining the Town Board. He worked 28 years at General Motors in Rochester before retiring about nine years ago. He also helped develop the Red Rock Ponds RV Resort in Murray.
DeFilipps is on the Orleans Economic Development Agency board and he said the agency has the county well positioned for new businesses and expansions with shovel-ready sites. DeFilipps is an at-large legislator from the east side of the county.
He said the NYSAC program improved his knowledge of government and he met people with innovative thinking.
“It has made me a more effective representative,” he said.
The Institute’s curriculum includes extensive course work on government ethics, building consensus in a political environment, principles of county budget and finance, and public sector labor/management relations. The courses are supplemented with electives, training sessions, and continuing education courses designed to support county leaders in serving their constituents to the absolute best of their ability.
For more on NYSAC, click here.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Firefighters work to put out a fire at the corner of Bennetts Corners Road and Fourth Section Road (Route 31A) in Clarendon on Jan. 6.
January was the second-biggest month in terms of traffic for Orleans Hub since the on-line news site started in April 2013.
Last month, Orleans Hub had 715,769 pageviews, a daily average of 23,089. Only in September, during an intense primary election season, has the Hub had more pageviews. We had 765,677 that month, a daily average of 25,523.
We also topped 7,000 as a daily average for unique visitors. That’s only the second time we’ve been over 7,000. We had a 7,054-average in January. September remains the record for highest daily average for unique visitors with 7,671.
Here are the top 5 most-viewed stories in January.
1. 2 arrested in Albion for kidnapping, robbery in separate incidents
2. Former public defender from Medina gets 5 years in prison
3. Fire Destroys Garage in Albion
Firefighters work to put out a fire on Jan. 2 at a garage at 140 South Clinton St. in the Village of Albion
ALBION – Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s push to raise the minimum wage from $9 to $15 would cost New York hundreds of thousands of jobs and add to the onerous tax structure in the state, Orleans County legislators said on Wednesday.
New York just raised the minimum wage in three steps over three years from $7.25 to $9. That increase resulted in job losses in the county, the County Legislature said in a formal resolution opposing the proposed minimum wage hike.
“This proposed increase in minimum wage will also create pressure on local governments, as employers, to increase wages in order to attract workers,” legislators said.
Cuomo wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 in New York City on Dec. 31, 2018 and on July 1, 2021 for the rest of the state.
County legislators said the state’s tax cap only allows a 0.12 percent increase in taxes next year due to inflation. That is less than the 2 percent cap that was advertised by Cuomo and the State Legislature.
The wage pressure from Cuomo makes puts local government under strain to meet the tax cap. Legislators said local governments would likely be forced cut non-mandated programs for youth employment and senior citizens.
County Legislator Lynne Johnson serves on the board of directors for Orleans Community Health, parent organization for Medina Memorial Hospital. A $15 minimum wage would be a jolt to the hospital’s bottom line, she said.
“It is one more thing that could cripple our only county hospital,” she said.
Legislator Don Allport said the big jump in the minimum wage would force a lot of local businesses to close or not hire workers.
The County Legislature is sending its resolution to Cuomo and state legislators, asking the state officials to reconsider the proposal.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick presents a special recognition award to Dennis Piedimonte who is retiring after 18 years as an elections commissioner.
Piedimonte was appointed as the Republican elections commissioner 18 years ago, succeeding Bob Batt.
Piedimonte and Helen Zelazny, the former Democratic elections commissioner, saw the county through implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. HAVA resulted in the end of the old lever voting machines and transition to new electronic machines that scanned ballots.
Piedimonte said he enjoyed working in the elections office with Zelazny, who was later succeeded by Janice Grabowski. Clara Martin and Eileen Aina have been deputy election commissioners, with Martin switching about a month ago to become confidential secretary for Sheriff Randy Bower. Dorothy Morgan is the new deputy elections commissioner.
“It’s been a wonderful 18 years,” Piedimonte said at Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. “We never once had an argument in the office. There were never any loud voices. I don’t know how many places can say that.”
The Legislature appointed Sylvia Shoemaker of Carlton to serve as elections commissioner. Shoemaker worked for the county for 17 years as a welfare fraud investigator. She is currently vice chairwoman of the Orleans County Republican Party. Her husband, Jim Shoemaker, is on the Carlton Town Board.
Sylvia has worked part-time the past four years as clerk in the BOE.
“I think she is an excellent selection,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “She served the county for many years already and did a wonderful job.”
Shoemaker will be paid $18,860 for the part-time position.
Orleans County legislators Fred Miller, left, and Bill Eick, right, are pictured with the county’s elections commissioners, Janice Grabowski, second from left, and Sylvia Shoemaker, who starts her new job on Feb. 1.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Nicole Spohr is congratulated by Chief Deputy Michael Mele, left, and Undersheriff Chris Bourke this afternoon after she was named the Orleans County Employee of the Year. Spohr works as a senior civil clerk at the Sheriff’s Office.
ALBION – A senior civil clerk, who handles payroll for 90 Sheriff’s Office employees and serves in many capacities with the employee union, has been named the Orleans County employee of the year for 2015.
Nicole Spohr prepares the payroll with knowledge of two union contracts as well as the management compensation plan. It’s a complicated job, said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director.
He presented the award today to Spohr in the legislative chambers of the County Clerks Building during the County Legislature meeting.
Spohr has been a representative for her union since 2006, and serves on the union’s negotiating committee. She also has been on the Employee Assistance Program Committee since 2004, and has been the EAP treasurer since 2006.
She also helps plan the employee summer picnic and holiday luncheon, events that needed to be done in 2015 for the first time without the nursing home’s staff as a base.
“This employee is able to perform her duties and is willing to take on additional service to the county and to the county employees, always cheerfully with a can-do attitude,” Welch said.
Spohr was named employee of the month in February. Other employees honored with monthly awards in 2015 include Katherine Marks from Probation; Diana Kephart from Social Services; Claire Haulk from Social Services; Michael Mele from the Sheriff’s Office; James DeFilipps from the Sheriff’s Office; and Julie Vendetti from the Sheriff’s Office.
Welch said the employee of the year was picked from the pool of monthly winners. A committee looked at additional service by the employees since they were recognized with the monthly award.
The unemployment rate for December 2015 in Orleans County was much better than December in the previous year, the state Department of Labor is reporting.
The county’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent last month, compared to 7.2 percent in December 2014. The DOL data shows 17,100 people were working in Orleans last month, compared to 16,500 in December 2014. There were 2,400 unemployed in the county last month, compared to 2,700 a year earlier.
State-wide the unemployment rate was 4.8 percent last month, the lowest level since November 2007.
In Orleans County, the rate actually went up last month compared to November 2015 when the rate was 5.5 percent.
Tompkins County has the lowest December unemployment rate in the state at 3.4 percent while Hamilton County, at 8.9 percent, is the highest.
Here are the unemployment rates for other nearby counties: Niagara, 5.8; Wyoming, 5.5; Monroe, 4.5; Livingston, 4.8; Genesee, 4.8; and Erie, 4.7.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Main Street is pictured in downtown Albion in October 2015.
One measure of the local economy – sales tax revenue – showed Orleans County and much of Upstate New York lagged in 2015 compared to 2014.
The sales tax collections in Orleans dipped 1.5 percent or down $233,412, from $15,703,362 in 2014 to $15,469,950 last year, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
Not only does that show a decline in the local economy, but it means less money for the county government for services and to ease pressure on property taxes. (The county has budgeted a $250,000 increase in 2016 from the 2015 budgeted amount.)
Other smaller nearby counties also saw a decline. Genesee County was down 0.12 percent or by $47,206. Its sales tax receipts dropped from $37,994,929 to $37,947,723.
Wyoming County, which has nearly the same population as Orleans, declined 1.56 percent, from $16,853,447 to $16,591,138, a decrease of $262,309.
There are 62 counties in the state and 30 experienced negative growth in sales tax receipts in 2015, according to the New York State Association of Counties.
“According to NYSAC’s analysis, it is not clear whether these lower receipts are related to a lackluster economic growth, lower motor fuel and energy prices, minimal wage growth, household deleveraging (debt reduction vs. spending) or some combination of factors,” NYSAC said in a news release.
Overall, the counties combined saw sales tax increase 0.7 percent from $7.369 billion to $7.418 billion.
While upstate sales tax numbers were sluggish, New York City saw big growth, 7.3 percent, from $6.653 billion to $7.140 billion. State-wide, total sales tax was up 3.0 percent from $27.536 billion to $28.366 billion.
YATES – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley today issued a statement that he is opposed to the proposed Lighthouse Wind, a project that could include up to 71 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins also have opposed the project, and the Yates Town Board, Somerset Town Board, and Legislatures at Niagara, Orleans and Erie counties have all passed formal resolutions against the project.
The Yates Town Board went on the record Jan. 14, opposing the project by Apex Clean Energy.
“I will stand with the Town of Yates’ decision in opposition to the Apex Clean Energy Lighthouse, LLC project,” Hawley said in a statement this morning. “The town’s recently passed resolution is a perfect example of local government having complete autonomy over local issues. Local residents, leaders and elected officials know what’s best for their particular municipality, and I believe that is a cornerstone of good government. I have always been a strong advocate for local control and will support the Town of Yates in its decision.”
A siting board that will include five state officials and two representatives from the project area will review the proposal and have the final say. Many of the local officials have opposed the Article 10 process for siting the project, with a local board and zoning not being the ultimate factor in siting the project.
File photos by Tom Rivers – Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with his wife Marie and their infant son Jake at the Orleans County Public Safety Building on May 19 during a recognition program.
ALBANY – An Orleans County deputy sheriff was named “Deputy of the Year” by the New York State Sheriff’s Association in Albany today.
Jim DeFilipps, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, was recognized for performing an act of valor and heroism, above the normal call of duty, the Sheriff’s Association said.
It was 3 a.m. on March 21 when DeFilipps was shot twice following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County.
DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A. Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun.
After the crash in Clarendon, Ellis fled to a nearby wooded area and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene. DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending his threat.
Police feared Ellis could have shot more officers on the scene if DeFilipps hadn’t been there. Ellis could have fled to a neighbor’s house.
DeFilipps as wearing a bullet-proof vest which likely saved his life. After recovering from his wound to his stomach, he returned to the night shift for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, where he has worked nearly 13 years.
Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with deputies Brian Larkin, left, and Kevin Colonna, who also responded to the March 21 incident with James Ellis. The deputies and other first responders were recognized during an April 22 County Legislature meeting.
DeFilipps, a Holley resident, did not attend the ceremony in Albany today because he and his wife just had a newborn baby.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower said DeFilipps will receive the award in the spring during a ceremony at the Orleans County Courthouse.
“It is absolutely a proud day for the Sheriff’s Department,” Bower said after the announcement this afternoon.
DeFilipps described the incident on March 21 in a previous extended interview with the Orleans Hub. Click here to read it.
The Sheriff’s Association named two deputies for the top award. Joe Tortorella, a Niagara County deputy, was the other winner.
Tortorella responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence in Wheatfield on April 17. While investigating the 911 call, Tortorella was confronted by an armed man who had just shot both his parents. During a lengthy shootout with the suspect, Tortorella was struck by a bullet in the chest.
The residence in Wheatfield was located next to an elementary school that was in session at the time of the incident. During the gun fight, Tortorella called dispatch over his radio to alert the school to lock-down. The suspect was shot three times, and ran back behind the house. Tortorella ran towards the school to place himself between the school and the suspect.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson speaks during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn.
GAINES – Orleans County government leaders are tackling infrastructure projects, streamlining departments, and partnering with neighboring counties for some services in a push to reduce costs to taxpayers.
“The county is witnessing a complete transformation of county government over the last decade,” Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature vice chairwoman, told about 100 people Friday during the Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Luncheon.
The county has reduced the number of employees on the government payroll by 124 full-time and 69 part-time since 2011, with the sale of The Villages of Orleans, the county nursing home, accounting for many of those.
The sale of the nursing home, shared services among local governments and other staff reductions are part of $10.5 million identified in taxpayer savings the past three years, Johnson told the Chamber crowd.
Johnson said the workforce is leaner, and is working faster and smarter, utilizing more technology.
“The business of county government has gotten increasingly complicated over the last decade and we strive to hire good, smart, creative leaders to face those challenges,” she said.
Orleans has become a leader in the state with its “unprecedented” collaborations with other counties, she said, citing shared public health services, tax mapping, Stop DWI and the youth bureau with Genesee County. Orleans also is partnering with Niagara County in a push for high-speed Internet in rural underserved areas.
Johnson highlighted investments in new emergency communications for first responders, $8 million in capital projects with new roofs, bridges and culverts. The county also staved off pressure from the state for a new jail by spending $1 million in the current building, making it meet state standards.
County officials are pressing state leaders to better maintain state-owned bridges and roads in the county, she said, and the federal government also hears from Orleans on the importance of dredging the Oak Orchard Harbor for boaters to support the county’s tourism industry.
Johnson praised the efforts of the Orleans Economic Development Agency for recruiting Pride Pak, a Canadian company, to spend $12.5 million for a new vegetable processing plant in Medina. Pride Pak is expected to have 40 employees in its first year, another 40 the second year and would reach about 200 at full capacity.
The EDA also has worked for “shovel ready” sites in Medina and Shelby that have access to infrastructure. Johnson said a new hotel could commit soon to the county, and the EDA secured a $600,000 state grant for a “spec” building that will make it faster for a developer to be in business in Orleans County.
She also cited efforts by the county’s Mental Health Department to develop satellite offices at school districts and expand same-day, walk-in services at the county clinic.
Unfunded mandates, crime and community development remain challenges, but Johnson said the county is “better positioned than ever to make a difference.”
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has a new Facebook page as part of effort to better reach out to the public, said Sheriff Randy Bower.
The new page went live on Friday. It has more than 500 “friends.”
Bower said the page will have regular updates from the Sheriff’s Office, including safety classes and other information. There is a contact form on the page for businesses to provide current contact information.
Bower has visited and called many businesses since taking office on Jan. 1. The Sheriff’s Office wants up-to-date information from businesses in case a door is left unlocked after hours or if there is an emergency and the business owner needs to be contacted, Bower said.
For see the Facebook page, click here.
