By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2024 at 8:34 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was 4.0 percent which continues a gradual decline from the start of the year, according to the state Department of Labor.
In Orleans County so far this year, the unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January, then 5.2 percent in February, 4.9 percent in March and 4.0 percent in April.
The labor force is smaller compared to April 2023 when it was 17,100 total – 16,600 employed and 600 unemployed, according to the DOL. In April 2024, the labor force was 16,900 with 16,300 working and 700 unemployed.
Unemployment rates in WNY counties for April include 3.9 percent in Erie, 4.3 percent in Niagara, 3.8 in Livingston, 3.7 in Monroe, 4.0 in Orleans, 3.5 in Genesee, 4.2 percent in Wyoming, 4.2 in Cattaraugus, 4.2 percent in Chautauqua, and 4.1 in Allegany.
In the United States, the unemployment rate from April 2023 to April 2024 went from 3.1 percent to 3.5 percent. The U.S. has 515,000 more people working in that year for a total of 161.59 million last month.
In New York State, the unemployment rate from April 2023 to April 2024 went from 3.6 percent to 3.9 percent. The state has 19,300 fewer people working for a total of 9.28 million last month.
In New York, the unemployment rate has been trending down since the start of the year, form 4.3 percent in January, to 4.5 percent in February, 4.2 percent in March to 3.9 percent in April.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller presents a proclamation declaring May as National Foster Care Month. He presents the proclamation to Teresa Elam-Zwifka, director of Family & Children Services for the county Department of Social Services.
Posted 24 May 2024 at 11:16 am
Press Release, Orleans County Legislature
ALBION – May is National Foster Care Month, a time to acknowledge the many children in foster care and honor the families that open their homes and hearts to a child in need.
The Orleans County Department of Social Services (DSS) honored the many foster families within our community at their annual Foster Care appreciation dinner that was held on Wednesday at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion.
Kristina McAfee was honored at the Foster Care Dinner as Foster Parent of the Year. Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of DSS said, “Kristina has provided a safe haven to Orleans County youth on a continuum basis. Her dedication and willingness to serve, without judgement, makes her a worthy recipient of this award”.
The event was coordinated by Alaina Fleming, Orleans County Foster Care Homefinder Caseworker.
“Alaina has been hard at work ensuring our foster parents are supported and welcomes the opportunity to assist new families interested in providing foster care assistance,” said Stumer. For those interested in becoming a foster parent please contact Alaina at 585-589-3126 or email fostercare@orleanscountyny.gov for more information.
Provided photo: County Legislator John Fitzak is pictured with, from left: Kristina McAfee, Foster Parent of the Year; Teresa Elam-Zwifka, director of Family & Children Services for DSS; and Lianna Sheffer, Foster Care & Preventive Supervisor, DSS.
ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson today announced the county will be hosting a paint recycling event on Saturday, June 15th.
Oil-based, acrylic and latex paint, urethanes, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, primers and clear coatings are all accepted at no cost in the event which is funded by the state’s PaintCare program. Anyone is welcome to attend.
“This is an opportunity to get rid of those old paint cans that are taking up space in your basement and garage, and do so in a way that is environmentally friendly, keeping these materials out of our landfills,” Johnson said. “I want to thank our Planning and Development Department for putting this event together.”
What won’t be accepted at the event include spray paint, paint thinner, solvents, cleansing agents, adhesives, roof patch, drywall mud, auto or marine paint.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the former GCC campus in Albion at 456 West Ave.
Registration for this event is not required, but is encouraged so participants can choose their time. For more information about registration, click here.
Staff will be on hand to unload vehicles so drivers can stay in their vehicles.
The event is being done in partnership with GreenSheen, a paint company founded in 2010 with operations in the Albany area. GreenSheen has developed their own innovative process to refine recycled paint to create a premium latex paint for reuse.
Those with any questions about the event should call the Orleans County Planning and Development Department at (585) 589-3198.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, recently presented a proclamation declaring May 19 through May 25 as “National Emergency Medical Services Week.” He is shown presenting the proclamation to Emergency Management Director Justin Niederhofer, left, and Deputy EMO Director Scott Buffin.
Posted 20 May 2024 at 10:24 am
Press Release, Orleans County Legislature
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has joined with others across the country in celebrating May 19 through May 25 as National Emergency Medical Services Week.
National EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s frontline. This marks the 50th anniversary of this recognition.
“We want to thank all of our EMS personnel for the great job they do on behalf of our residents,” said Justin Niederhofer, Director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office. “These folks are out there responding to all sorts of emergency situations and, thanks to their talent, experience and dedication, are saving lives every day.”
The Orleans County Legislature passed a proclamation into honor EMS personnel across the county – first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out-of-hospital medical care providers – to recognize their important work for our residents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2024 at 7:18 pm
Office for Aging honors Shirley Walter and Charlene Wisnewski for volunteer service
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Charlene Wisnewski, right, of Medina accepts a “Volunteer of the Year” award today from the Office for the Aging. Wisnewski is joined up front by Melissa Blanar, OFA director, and County Legislator Skip Draper who presented Wisnewski with a citation from State Sen. Rob Ortt.
The OFA held its annual Spring Jubilee luncheon today and about 160 senior citizens had lunch at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The 160 is the biggest crowd for the event since before Covid-19 hit in 2020.
Wisnewski is a retired civilian worker from the Albion Correctional Facility. The past two years she has volunteered as a driver for the OFA, taking seniors to appointments.
Wisnewski last year drove seniors to 55 appointments, logging 952 miles. She said she took about 15 different people, including three veterans. Two of those veterans are legally blind.
“You meet so many wonderful people,” Wisnewski said about volunteering as a driver.
Shirley Walter of Barre also was recognized as a “Volunteer of the Year.” She is shown being presented with an award by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Walter is retired after a career as an accountant and bookkeeper. She also served on the Barre Town Board.
She has volunteered with the OFA at a new Caregivers Connections Respite program, which started in July at the Albion Academy on East Academy Street in Albion where the Meals on Wheels program is based. The respite program offers a break for caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays each month.
Walter faithfully is there spending time with people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. She has lunch with them, does crafts together, and chats.
“It is rewarding just to listen to them,” Walter said. “They have a lot to say.”
Walter also joins other volunteers in helping the OFA prepare the agency’s monthly newsletter, The Friendly Carrier, that goes to about 3,200 addresses.
Office for the Aging and Arc GLOW staff hold a paper chain that was intended to show how the group of 160 were all connected, with no one alone.
The luncheon was part of the OFA’s annual celebration in May of “Older Americans Month.”
County Legislator John Fitzak read a proclamation about the month. This year’s theme for the month is “Powered by Connections.”
“May is Older Americans Month, a time for us to recognize and honor Orleans County older adults and their immense influence on every facet of American society,” Fitzak said in reading the proclamation. “Whereas, through their wealth of life experience and wisdom, older adults guide our younger generations and carry forward abundant cultural and historical knowledge.”
Vicki Havholm, nutrition program manager for Arc GLOW, emphasized the message that senior citizens aren’t alone and there are many services and opportunities to stay connected in the community.
Kristina Suski-Jewell sings “Sweet Caroline” while entertaining the crowd before the luncheon. She sang for about 45 minutes.
ALBION – Orleans County Social Services Commissioner Holli Nenni today said she has been alerted by the state that New York’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is expected to be unavailable on Sunday, May 19, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11 a.m. The actual outage may be shorter or last longer than expected.
Benefit recipients can check www.otda.ny.gov on May 19 to find out when the EBT system is back up and running.
Nenni said that New York’s EBT system will be changing over to a new EBT vendor during this timeframe. Cardholder access to EBT benefits will not be available during the changeover. This includes access for food and cash purchases or cash withdrawals, as well as access to the EBT toll-free customer service helpline, mobile app, and online client portal.
“While the system will be down for a short period of time, we want benefit recipients to be aware and plan any necessary food purchases or other transactions accordingly,” Nenni said.
For more information on the new system, click here.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Richard DeCarlo, a former Barre town justice, speaks during a public hearing about a proposed district court in Orleans County. In back are District Attorney Joe Cardone and Sgt. Adam Hazel of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2024 at 12:41 pm
ALBION – District Attorney Joe Cardone sees a full-time district court as a much more efficient court system for Orleans County rather than the part-time town courts with varying office hours and court times.
Cardone has been trying for several years to bring district court to a public referendum in the county. That vote could happen in November.
First there will be two public hearings and then the County Legislature may decide to put the issue to a public vote.
The first hearing was Tuesday, and the next is 7 p.m. on June 4 in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.
The proposal faced criticism during Tuesday’s hearing, with speakers saying the current system is serving the people well, and a district court brings “big government” and could result in more local expense.
“We have something here that works,” said Debbie Berry, a retired chief clerk for the Surrogate Court in Orleans County. “We’re not hearing any numbers. The people want to know what it costs.”
Paul Lauricella, chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, sees a district court as an expansion of government.
Cardone said the district court would ultimately operate at a much lower local cost because the state, by its own statue, pays the salaries of the staff and the security. The county would provide a building and its maintenance, Cardone said.
“There is no guarantee the state would pick up the costs of judges and clerks,” said Richard DeCarlo, a former Barre town justice. “We’re assuming they will do it.”
DeCarlo was a member of the 11-member district court committee, but he voted against the committee’s recommendations in its report. The county hasn’t said where the court would be located, DeCarlo said.
He sees a big expense in housing the court, whether it’s a major renovation to the Public Safety Building or the former GCC campus in Albion that has been acquired by the county.
“If we renovate the Public Safety Building, it’s seven figures,” DeCarlo said. “If we build new, it’s tens of millions of dollars.”
Virginia Nicholson, a former court staffer for retired Judge James Punch, commended Cardone and the committee for their work trying to bring the issue to the public. But Nicholson believes the community needs more information about potential staffing, court location and expense.
Tim McMurray, an Albion village trustee, said Cardone and other supporters of the district court have said the county should move to a district court partly because the state is likely to impose such a court in the near future.
Right now there are only district courts in Nassau and Suffolk counties. They were formed in the 1960s and no other counties have gone to that model.
McMurray said he has found nothing to suggest the state wants counties to move from town courts and replace them with district courts.
“It is not on the radar that another county is doing this,” McMurray said during the hearing.
Paul Lauricella of Yates, chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, said he prefers the current system where the town justices know their communities well.
“I’m concerned this in an expansion of government,” Lauricella said. “Once that ball gets moving there’s no stopping it.”
Kenneth “Ohi” Johnsen is president of the NYS Magistrates Association and the town justice in in the Town of Day in Saratoga County. The Magistrates Association, which includes 2,300 town and village justices in the state, opposes the district court. Johnsen said the local justices are well-trained and in touch with their communities.
Kenneth “Ohi” Johnsen, president of the NYS Magistrates Association, pushed back on statements from Cardone that judges who are attorneys have a better understanding of complex laws and dispense better justice.
Johnsen, a town justice in Saratoga County, said the village and town justices all do a minimum of 12 hours of judicial education each year and they have access to a hotline through the Office of Court Administration if they need any advice on complicated cases or issues.
One local resident, Ken Ortiz of Medina, spoke during the hearing and he said the local criminal justice system has made mistakes in cases brought against him that were eventually dismissed. He also said the justice system failed in the death of Theresa Karlak, who was hit by a car in Gaines while on a walk with her sister on Jan. 1, 2022.
Sherry R. Davenport, a past president of the NYS Magistrates Association, said the group opposes district courts because they aren’t as accessible as the local town and village courts. The local courts are close by with judges elected by their local residents, she said.
Davenport of Cortland said the local County legislature shouldn’t be pushing for a district court that would ultimately result in fewer local town justices. She said the Legislature shouldn’t be “running roughshod” over the local judicial branch.
She also noted of the 11 members on the district court committee, five did not vote in favor of it – 3 opposed the recommendations and 2 abstained.
Davenport said the committee’s report lacks solid facts on moving to a district court, and instead relies on anecdotes about shortcomings in local courts from the New York State Bar Association.
The Orleans County Magistrates Association has been steadfastly opposed to a district court. The town justices and court clerks at the town level have all signed a resolution last October saying they are against a district court in Orleans County.
Cardone served as co-chairman of the district court committee with Joanne Best, the county’s public defender.
Cardone noted the towns and villages have gone from 24 local justices about 20 years ago to the current 11. Albion and Medina both have abolished their village courts during that time and most towns are down to one justice. He said the local communities have shown they can make changes in their courts. That is partly why he believes Orleans can be a leader in reimagining how to run a local court system.
(Left) Former Gaines Town Justice Bruce Schmidt said he favors the district court as a better way to dispense justice. (Right) Ginny Nicholson said more information is needed on the proposal.
Cardone said the district court would be staffed full-time and offer more consistent justice throughout the county. He sees a district court as far more efficient than 10 town justice courts that typically operate part-time with staff available on a limited basis. They can make it difficult for people to get in contact with the court.
The committee is projecting the costs of the district court at $1.2 million with revenue at $175,000 in fines and forfeitures, and $110,000 through the traffic diversion cases for $285,000 total.
The expenses includes salaries for two judges at $320,000, clerk costs at $150,000, security at $150,000, a stenographer at $50,000, office supplies at $4,000, equipment at $2,500 and interpreter at $2,500.
Employee benefits – Social Security, Medicare, disability, retirement, workers’ comp, unemployment insurance and health insurance – would be an estimated $531,661. Facility costs would cost an estimated $50,000 a year.
The court would operate at a loss of $975,661, with the state picking up the expense, according to the report.
The 10 towns courts operate at an aggregate deficit of $462,160 (which doesn’t include the costs of employee benefits and facility expense), the report states.
The CAP court that does arraignments in mornings and evenings at the county jail, plus on weekends, is another $113,800. If there was a district court, the CAP court functions would shift to the district court.
Employee benefits and facility costs represent 57 percent of the costs of running a district court. If that same percentage is applied to the 10 town courts, that total “real cost” of those courts would be $1,001,935, plus the CAP court costs of $113,800, the report states.
“The citizens of Orleans County are paying approximately $1.1 million annually for a fragmented system of part-time courts consisting of lay judges,” the report states.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2024 at 11:19 am
ALBION – The first of two public hearings on a proposed district court will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in the legislative chambers at the Orleans County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 W, Albion.
A second hearing will be 7 p.m. on June 4 at the County Office Building.
Proponents of the court say it would offer better service at a lower local expense. But opponents say there will be less local control, and a reduced local expense isn’t guaranteed.
Orleans County voters will likely be asked this November in a public referendum whether the county should create a district court that would be staffed full-time and could include multiple towns in the county.
The issue almost went to a vote last year, but was withdrawn as a referendum to allow more time to complete a study on the financial implications, and other pros and cons of the court.
County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson was part of a committee that has been studying the district court. She believes the committee’s report “leaves no doubt this is the best path forward.”
She said the district court would represent collaboration and cooperation among local governments, while bringing down court costs and increasing services.
“Are significant cost savings, better use of resources, streamlined court management and making better use of law enforcement personnel’s time enough to overcome the inertia of ‘things are fine the way they are?’” Johnson said during her state of the county address in March. “We are certainly going to find out.”
The Orleans County Magistrates Association has been steadfastly opposed to a district court. The town justices and court clerks at the town level have all signed a resolution last October saying they are opposed to a district court in Orleans County.
“The Magistrate Association of Orleans County is opposed to any efforts to eliminate the local and convenient access to justice by our citizens and find that the Town Courts of Orleans County provide a meaningful and necessary presence within our community for judicial resolution of conflicts, continued public safety of our citizens, and the protection of constitutional guarantees for all of our citizens,” according to the resolution signed by the justices and court clerks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2024 at 8:19 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: A Monroe Ambulance is parked near the scene of a fatal Albion fire at Oak Orchard Estates in the early morning hours of April 15. Monroe became the primary ambulance responder in central Orleans County after COVA Ambulance ceased operations in December 2022.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is backing a package of state legislation that officials believe will help make emergency medical services more sustainable financially and with personnel.
The county said EMS providers are in crisis due to rising costs of care and high demand for increasingly complex services.
Locally, COVA Ambulance and the Kendall Fire Department both ceased their ambulance services after 2022.
The seven towns in eastern and central Orleans now are contracting with Monroe Ambulance to keep an ambulance in the county and be the primary responder. That contract is for $300,000 in 2024. The towns weren’t paying anything for the service in 2022. The Medina Fire Department handles most of the calls in western Orleans.
“EMS is a form of healthcare and is subject to the same escalating costs as the rest of the healthcare industry,” county legislators stated in a resolution on Tuesday. “Municipalities that operate EMS departments, or contract for services with those that do, feel the ongoing financial strain of these costs that are far outpacing inflation.”
Legislators said local governments are hindered by the current laws in collaborating on joint EMS services across municipal and county boundaries. The laws prohibit counties and local municipalities from creating joint taxing districts for EMS services.
“Orleans County urges the State Legislature to amend the General Municipal Law to allow flexibility within local governments to help solve the issues within the EMS crisis and to consider EMS an essential service,” legislators stated in the resolution.
The current law should be changed to allow for joint taxing districts, property tax exemptions, EMS medical reimbursements, income and property tax credits and increase of tax income credit, legislators said.
The County Legislature said it is in “full support” of the “Rescuing Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Package” proposed by the New York State Association of Counties.
The NYSAC package includes:
S.4020-B (Mayer) / A.3392-B (Otis): Special Taxing Districts & EMS Being Deemed an Essential Service. This comprehensive legislation package allows special taxing districts to be created to fund EMS services. In addition, this legislation would recognize EMS as an essential service and provide reform to the Emergency Medical Services Council.
S.5000 (May) / A.4077 (Lupardo): Property Tax Exemption for EMS Services. This Legislation would remove EMS services from the real property tax cap, which would allow local municipalities to expend and better support their local EMS services. This measure is needed in the short-term while other solutions are being discussed.
S.8486 (Hinchey) / A.9102 (Kelles): Authorization of the Reimbursement for Treatment in Place and Transportation to Alternative Destinations. This Legislature authorizes Medicaid reimbursement to emergency medical services (EMS) agencies for providing Treatment in Place (TIP) to a patient at the point of response; as well as Transportation to an Alternate Provider (TAP), getting a patient to the most appropriate health care setting other than a hospital, such as a mental health clinic rehabilitation facility or urgent care.
S.6630 (Mannion) / A.6274 (Barrett): Income tax and Property Tax Credits. This legislation allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers’ personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 for eligible individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for eligible married joint filers.
S.3223 (Sanders) / A.9237 (Hevesi): Targeted Medicaid Rate Increase for EMS Providers. This bill would create a methodology for ambulance reimbursement under Medicaid that more closely approximates the cost of providing services. Ambulances are required by law to pick everyone up, including Medicaid patients. It is unfair to require these ambulances companies to accept Medicaid patients and then not fairly reimburse them for the costs of providing services to these patients.
S.6645 (Comrie) / A.6136 (Eachus): Thruway Permits for EMS Vehicles. This legislation requires the thruway authority to issue emergency services permits to EMS vehicles as is already done for fire apparatus, which would exempt EMS from being required to pay tolls while transporting patients on the NYS Thruway.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2024 at 5:45 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has gone on the record in opposition to a state legislative proposal that would create 10 regional industrial development agencies, a proposal that would lump Orleans into part of a nine-county “Finger Lakes Region.”
The bill (click here) is sponsored in the State Senate by James Skoufis, a Democrat from Cornwall, Orange County. Assemblywomen Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, introduced the bill in the Assembly.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency is one of 109 IDAs in the state. The state legislation would group Orleans with the following other counties in the Finger lakes Region: Monroe, Wayne, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca and Yates.
Skoufis and Wallace say the regional IDAs would result is less “shopping around” from companies seeking the best tax incentive deal and other benefits.
The regional IDA would have a 15-person board with representatives from the counties.
“Many of these 15 appointed members of the regional agency could not be expected to be familiar with Orleans County and the communities served by our local IDA,” Orleans County legislators stated in resolution opposing the regional IDA.
County legislators said the local Orleans EDA already has a longstanding policy that it won’t accept an application for financial assistance from a company in a community served by another IDA “unless that IDA makes a written request that Orleans County IDA undertakes that project, thereby eliminating the concept of applicants ‘shopping around’ for a better deal,” Orleans legislators said.
The County legislature said it prefers to keep the economic development agency locally run, with members who have a deep understanding of Orleans County and who are accountable to local residents.
The County legislature forwarded its resolution of opposition to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Senate Majority Leader Rob Ortt, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Congressman Joseph Morelle and New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2024 at 5:18 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday approved $92,728 for youth programs.
The Youth Bureau Resource Allocation Plan was developed by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Department of Social. The joint plan will use state funding from the State Office of Children and Family Services.
The allocations are in four different programs: Municipal Youth Development Program, $45,611; Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding, $18,398; Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding (infrastructure), $10,344; and Municipal Youth Team Sports, $18,375.
Here is a breakdown of the funding:
Municipal Youth Development Program
ARC GLOW Camp Rainbow – $5,000
Cornell Cooperative Extension – $1,500
GLOW Works, Inc. (healthcare) – $1,000
GLOW Works, Inc. (manufacturing) – $1,000
Hoag Library Summer Reading – $1,500
Holley Joint Youth Recreation – $2,500
Medina Joint Recreation Committee – $2,000
Orleans County Juvenile Adjustment Services – $16,000
ROAR Support – $2,500
Village of Albion Recreation – $5,770
Orleans County Youth Bureau – $6,841
Municipal Sports & Education Opportunity
Medina Joint Recreation Committee – $1,500
Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy – $5,319
Miss Heather’s Competition Dance – $1,500
Village of Albion Recreation – $7,319
Orleans County Youth Bureau – $2,760
Municipal Sports & Education Opportunity (infrastructure)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2024 at 2:51 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak, right, reads a proclamation in honor of Eddie Moss, left, for his 17 years of service as a county employee.
Moss started as a computer specialist with the Department of Social Services, and was promoted to the county’s director of computer services in 2014. That job title changed to information technology director. He is retiring on Friday.
Moss, a Medina graduate, served nine years in the U.S. Air Force. He lived several places around the globe before returning to Medina.
He and staff of seven others work with the county employees and keep the technology working, from the 400 computers at work stations and offices, to all the printers, switches, servers, cameras and a digital phone system – “anything that has technology in it,” Moss said.
The IT department also manages the mobility technology for more than 30 patrol cars for the Sheriff’s Office, as well as vehicles for the Emergency Management Office.
“It’s a big job,” Moss said. “It’s very complex.”
The IT staff moved from Central Hall on East Park Street to the new addition on the County Office Building in June 2019.
Moss was praised for his work for the county on Tuesday by the County Legislature, which held a reception for him after the county meeting.
“As a true public servant, you have shown a dedication to the task of keeping the technology in Orleans County up to date, in an ever-changing environment,” legislators said in a proclamation.
Patrick McGurn, the deputy director of the IT department, said Moss has been a great leader for the IT staff.
“He is very understanding of our team,” McGurn said. “He has been great to work for.”
McGurn said the IT works behind the scenes and is critical to a county workforce of about 460 employees.
“We put out the fires,” McGurn said.
Eddie Moss accepts a proclamation from County Legislator John Fitzak.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, accepted a proclamation from County Legislator Don Allport on Tuesday evening. The Legislature proclaimed May as “Community Action Month” and also commended the agency for its 60th anniversary. Other agency officials in photo include Bonnie Malakie, Director of Children & Youth Services; Barb Shine, chairwoman of the board of directors; Tina Schleede, chief financial officer; Katrina Chaffee, Director of Community Services and Reporting; and Bruce Schmidt, vice chairman of the board.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 April 2024 at 1:55 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday presented a proclamation in honor of Community Action’s 60th anniversary and also May as Community Action month.
“We are grateful to Orleans County for this proclamation, and we are proud of the work we do for our community,” said Community Action’s director Renee Hungerford.
Hungerford explained Community Action agencies connect millions of individuals and families for greater opportunity, transforming their lives and making communities – and the nation – stronger. In 2020, the year impacted by Covid-19, Community Action nationwide served more than 9.5 million people (or 26 % of the 37.2 million Americans living in poverty).
Last year, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee assisted over 4,000 individuals to help them overcome the impacts of poverty and to work toward achieving self-sufficiency.
Highlights from 2023 include: 4,021 individuals assisted; 1,541 benefited from food pantries; 5,405 meals served at the Holley center; 288 children and families supported by Head Start programs; 96 homes weatherized; 311 individuals assisted to avoid eviction; 421 adolescents received education on making good life choices through ACT; and 2,739 received transportation trips.
Helping people in need has been the focus of Community Action agencies throughout the country since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964.
His speech in January of that year paved the way for fighting the “war on poverty,” and led to his signing the Economic Opportunity Act, which became the initial funding source for what are now Community Action agencies.
“We are proud of the work we do to continue to fight President Johnson’s War on Poverty,” Hungerford said. “I am grateful to Orleans County legislature for their support of our agency and the important work we do to raise up the communities that we assist. Also, many thanks to the donors and volunteers who help make our positive outcomes possible.”
This year is the 60th anniversary of Community Action agencies nationwide. It is the 59th anniversary of the establishment of Community Action in Orleans County.
It was 1965 when chairman of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors, Raymond Pahura, appointed a committee to study ways in which Orleans County might benefit from the Economic Opportunity Act (War on Poverty).
Arden McAllister, a Medina history teacher who represented the Migrant Ministry, was named temporary chairperson of that committee. An action committee was also formed which included Clayton Scharping, sanitary inspector; Arthur Nenni, Welfare Commissioner; and Zelma Duckett of the Migrant Ministry. This committee was formed to study local needs for housing, migrant labor and youth training, as well as problems facing older Americans.
In June of that year, the Rev. Jack Smith of Christ Episcopal Church in Albion was appointed the first chairman of the newly formed Orleans Community Action Committee, with programs funded with 90 percent Federal funds and Orleans County contributing 10 percent. Vice chair was the Rev. Johnnie Johnson from Shiloh Baptist Church, secretary was Zelma Duckett and treasurer was Paul Bower, a bank official in Albion.
In July, 1965, Jerim Klapper was selected as the first executive director, and under the anti-poverty programs the following were begun: Head Start, Family Planning, Legal Aid, Neighborhood Youth Corps and People’s Opportunity. The agency was incorporated on Sept. 13, 1965.
Head Start and later Children’s Health Assurance Program were formed to teach children and help with good health practices. Next came the Eastern Orleans Community Center – Community Action’s satellite office in Holley, to assist with senior citizens and pre-schoolers.
This was followed by Community Action Transportation System (CATS) to transport senior citizens, and Community Action Resource and Educational Service (CARES), which was a mobile van traveling the county to inform residents of the programs available under the newly formed Orleans Community Action Committee.
Since 1965, many programs have spun off and many new programs were developed. After Klapper resigned in in 1968, David Bower became executive director until 1970, followed by Emma Ford until 1972, at which time Charles Pulley took over the helm until 1992.
Upon his retirement, deputy director James Scharping became executive director. He retired in Sept. 30, 2005 and Edward Fancher, who was then operations director, became executive director. Sadly, in May 2020, Fancher died after a courageous battle with cancer. Renee Hungerford joined the agency as executive director in October 2020.
“Now, more than 50 years later, we have grown to be an agency with an operating budget of more than $7 million and employ more than 130 people,” Hungerford said.
The agency serves both Orleans and Genesee counties with sites in Albion, Holley, Medina, Kendall and Batavia. The agency began providing services in Genesee County in the 1970s, and was officially designated as the Community Action agency in Genesee County in 1988. In 2008, the legal name was changed to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee to better reflect the service area.
Programs they operate are CATS, Emergency Services, food pantry, weatherization, child care resource and referral, ACT, job skills and budgeting workshops, tax assistance, a thrift store and employment skills training site, and have expanded Head Start to include Early Head Start. They collaborate with other local agencies, such as United Way, Ministry of Concern, Department of Social Services in Genesee and Orleans counties, Office for the Aging, Red Cross and many more.
“As we continue to grow, we are increasing our efforts on becoming a data driven, results oriented organization,” Hungerford said. “This enables us to measure our impact and ensure resources are directed toward the greatest needs of our communities and the mission of helping people become self-sufficient.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2024 at 8:40 am
Team at county named tops in Finger Lakes Region for connecting youth and families to services
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Danielle Figura (speaking at right), director of Mental Health and Community Services for Orleans County, accepts a recognition award on Tuesday from the Orleans County Legislature after the County Mental Health Department received the “Best Overall Quality Performance” of the Finger Lake Region for Children’s Health Homes of Upstate New York.
At left are Karen Krug and Alan Girangaya, both care managers for the County Mental Health Department. Melinda Rhim (not pictured) also is coordinator of Care Management Services for the department. (In back from left are County Legislature Vice Chairman Bill Eick; Lisa Stenshorn, clerk of the legislature; Kim DeFrank, county treasurer; and Legislator Skip Draper.)
The Mental Health Department serves youth and their families in Orleans County as part of the Children’s Health Homes of Upstate New York. Health Home Care Management programs under the state Department of Mental Health. The county serves youth and their families by connecting them to additional supports and resources in the community to improve their overall physical and emotional health, Figura said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2024 at 8:15 am
Organization marking 50th anniversary in New York
Photos by Tom Rivers: Motorcyclists get ready on May 7, 2023 for a 50-mile ride around Orleans County. The event started with a rally outside the Orleans County Courthouse.
ALBION – Motorcyclists want the public to know they are back on the roadways. The motorcyclists urge drivers to “look twice” and use extra caution when making a left turn or pulling out onto the roadway.
“Many collisions are caused by drivers not seeing an oncoming motorcycle, or by misjudging the speed of the motorcycle,” said Chuck Persons, president the past 17 years of the Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE).
The organization will have a motorcycle safety and awareness rally at 2 p.m. on May 5 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. The motorcyclists will then go on a 50-mile in the county that ends at the V.F.W. Post 1463 on East Center Street in Medina. Participants can begin to assemble outside the courthouse on East State Street at 1 p.m. on May 5.
Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, reads a proclamation on Tuesday declaring May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.” He presented the proclamation to Chuck Persons (left), president of ABATE in Orleans County; and Don Sloper, the group’s vice president.
The rally and ride is held every spring to alert the public that motorcycles are back on the highway and to promote safety and rider education among motorcyclists.
“With the warm weather, motorcycles are back on the roads,” Persons said.
This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of ABATE of New York. Founded in 1974, the organization actively promotes educating riders and motorists to safely share the road and to drive aware, Persons said.
ABATE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights, safety, and freedoms of all motorcyclists. ABATE’s position is to support all efforts and initiatives that will lead to accident prevention and rider safety.
The local chapter meets on the second Sunday of every month at noon at the V.F.W. in Medina.
