By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2023 at 4:31 pm
ALBION – Orleans County legislators passed a resolution on Tuesday in support of the “Essential Caregivers Act” which would allow people considered essential caregivers to provide care and support for residents in nursing homes and long-term facilities during a pandemic.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has introduced the “Essential Caregivers Act” in the House of Representatives. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities didn’t allow visitation for long stretches of the Covid pandemic, and because of that separation “far too many lost their will to survive, and many others have suffered untold and irreversible emotional, psychological and physical pain as a result of this separation,” according to the legislators’ resolution.
In Orleans County, the state reports there were 51 confirmed deaths from Covid at nursing homes, and another 16 who died from Covid away from the nursing home in a hospital or another facility. The state Department of Health said there are two additional presumed deaths from Covid among nursing home residents, according to state Department of Health data.
Tenney’s legislation defines an essential caregiver as an individual who provides direct care consisting of activities of daily living, emotional support, or companionship to a resident, and is chosen by the resident or the resident’s legal representative.
The “Essential Caregivers Act” allows that in a future public health emergency, designated essential caregivers will have their access to their loved ones protected in a manner consistent with all applicable health and safety protocols.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2023 at 9:20 am
Mike Mele
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday appointed Mike Mele to succeed Kathy Case as an elections commissioner, representing the Republican Party.
Case is retiring on July 8. Mele in August 2021 retired as undersheriff in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. He worked 22 years in law enforcement.
He also is a member of the Murray Town Board, and vice chairman of the Orleans County Republican Party.
The salary for the part-time position is $21,664 in 2023 and $22,097 in 2024.
Case served in the position for about seven years. That included the advent of early voting for primaries and the general election, and the challenges of the 2021 election season, when the board of elections had to mail out 24,000 ballots to registered voters in the county.
“She has been a great employee who has given the county many years of service,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2023 at 8:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: During the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday, Sarah Osborne was introduced as the county’s new probation director.
ALBION – Sarah Osborne, a supervisor in the Orleans County Probation Department, has been named the department’s new director. She will succeed Luci Taylor-Welch who is retiring on July 10 after 33 years with the department.
Osborne has worked with probation the past decade. She started as a probation officer and for nine years supervised sex offenders. The past year she has been a supervisor for probation.
Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, on Tuesday welcomed Osborne to the county’s team of department heads. Osborne’s appointment was approved by the Legislature on Tuesday.
Johnson commended Taylor-Welch for her career in probation.
“She has been an incredible asset to Orleans County,” Johnson said.
Osborne said Taylor-Welch has been a strong leader for probation, which currently includes the director, a supervisor and six probation officers.
“She has a passion for community supervision,” Osborne said. “Probation is an alternative to incarceration. It’s necessary in a community for growth and as an opportunity for rehabilitation of offenders.”
The Orleans County Legislature also issued a proclamation on Tuesday recognizing July 16-22 as “National Pre-trial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.”
Legislators said community corrections is an essential part of the justice system.
“Community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders in the community,” the proclamation states. “Community corrections professionals are trained professionals who provide services and referrals for offenders.”
Those working in probation often connect those on probation to other services in the community. Those workers also provide services, support and protection for victims of crimes, and advocate for restorative justice, legislators said.
Pictured at the Legislature meeting on Tuesday includes, from left: Officer Matthew Quider, Officer Katie Vick, Senior Officer Casey Gearing, Officer Karen Krug, Probation Assistant Michelle Coots, Officer Christian Burns and Supervisor Sarah Osborne.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 1:59 pm
ALBION – Turnout has been low in the first six days of early voting for the Republican primary in four towns – Barre, Kendall, Murray and Shelby.
So far, only 90 people voted in the first six days of early voting. There are three more days of early voting including today, Saturday and Sunday.
The polling location is at the Board of Elections office at the County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Suite 140.
The 90 voters represents 2.0 percent of the 4,446 registered Republicans in the four towns. Barre has 711, Kendall 902, Murray 1,464 and Shelby has 1,369 registered Republicans, according to the Board of Elections in Orleans County.
The polls will be open at the four towns on Tuesday, June 27.
In Barre, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Sean Pogue and Scott Burnside, and two candidates for highway superintendent, incumbent Dale Brooks and Bert Mathes.
In Kendall, Warren Kruger, the incumbent highway superintendent, is challenged by Eric Maxon.
In Murray, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Joe Sidonio and Town Board member Gerald Rightmyer. There are three candidates for two positions as town councilmen, with Eric Collyer on the ballot with incumbents Lloyd Christ Jr. and Randall Bower.
In Shelby, three candidates are running for the Town Board, including Justin Gray, Linda Limina and incumbent Jeff Schiffer. Two candidates are running for highway superintendent, William Wolter and incumbent Dale Root.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 10:56 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Holland starts on Monday as manager of small business development of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He is shown is downtown Albion on Thursday evening.
ALBION – The director of the United Way is leaving the organization to manage small business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
Matt Holland starts the new job on Monday. He will be succeeding Diane Blanchard, who is retiring but not until September. Holland will do some of the administrative tasks for the EDA and will eventually head up the Microenterprise Assistance Program which has been managed by Blanchard. She will help train Holland to take over the program.
“I see the opportunity that the position presents to work with many of the businesses and organizations,” Holland said.
He has been director of the United Way the past five months, and previously was the grantwriter for the United Way.
In that role, he worked with many local organizations in applying for grants, and offered guidance on pursuing funding through the state and federal governments, as well as foundations.
Holland worked as the grant writer for about two years, and teamed with United Way co-worker Nyla Gaylord to help local organizations secure about $1 million in funding for initiatives with healthcare, nutrition, respite care for caregivers of senior citizens, and recreation.
The grantwriting position was a chance to meet with local officials “and get to the heart of issues,” Holland said.
He is pleased the United Way was able to help agencies secure funding. He said a key to those efforts was the collaborations among the agencies, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and the Orleans County YMCA.
“With the addition of Matt Holland, as manager of small business development, the Orleans EDA is looking forward to introducing more programs and services to help local entrepreneurs achieve their business goals,” said Michael Dobell, CEO of the EDA. “I’m confident that Matt’s programming and development expertise will be a valuable resource to business owners across Orleans County.”
Holland, 41, is a native of Oregon. He was a graduate student at the University of Buffalo when he met with wife, Catherine, who was also an anthropology student. “Cat” Holland got a job with Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Buffalo, selling Steampunk Cider at the Barrel Factory. Matt Holland worked as the program and volunteer coordinator at the Buffalo History Museum for two years.
When Leonard Oakes closed its Buffalo operation due to the Covid pandemic, they offered Cat a job at the winery in Medina as the wine-tasting and retail manager.
The Hollands bought a house in Medina, and Matt took the grant writing job with the United Way.
The couple is happy in Orleans County. Matt is a member of the board of directors with the Cobblestone Museum and Medina Sandstone Society. He also is a member of the Albion Rotary Club and Medina Lions Club.
Cat has recently taken a new job with Orleans County in the Personnel Department.
Matt said he is looking forward to meeting local entrepreneurs and being a resource for them.
“I believe a lot of my success comes from the fact that I listen,” Holland.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Holley graduates toss their caps by the flag pole in front of the junior-senior high school after commencement on June 25, 2022. The district will host its graduation ceremony on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2023 at 8:34 am
About 350 high school seniors will graduate from the five public school districts in Orleans County on Friday and Saturday.
Albion will have about 110 students receiving their diplomas on Friday. The district was planning on an outdoor ceremony, but has moved it inside at the high school gym.
The speakers for the ceremony include Class President Nicholas Andrews,
Salutatorian Natalie Baron and valedictorian Audrey Pask. Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, and Wayne Wadhams, the Board of Education president, also will address the class.
Holley has 60 people graduating on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the junior-senior high school auditorium.
Ava Quincey will give the salutatory address and her twin sister Elise Quincey will deliver the valedictory message.
Zachary Busch, the middle/high school band director, was picked by the seniors to give the keynote address.
Kendall has 48 students graduating on Friday with a 7 p.m. ceremony in the junior-senior high school auditorium.
Tori Conner will give the salutatory address and Mary Jones will give the valedictory speech.
The keynote message will be delivered by Jim Oschmann, a 1977 Kendall graduate who is now the co-founder and advisor of Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. Oschmann is a retired executive from Ball Aerospace. He is a past president, fellow and lifetime member of the International Society of Optics and Photonics. Oschmann earned a bachelor’s degree in Optics from the University of Rochester, and a master’s in Optical Sciences and an MBA from the University of Arizona.
Lyndonville has 42 students graduating at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Stroyan Auditorium. Addresses will be given by salutatorian Meagan Hardner and valedictorian Lorelei Dillenbeck.
Medina has 98 students graduating on Friday in a 7 p.m. ceremony planned to be outdoors at Vets Park.
The salutatory message will be delivered by Lillian Wilson, and Dana Faith De Vera will give the valedictory address.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2023 at 10:49 am
Republicans have primaries in Barre, Kendall, Murray and Shelby
ALBION – Early voting starts today in Albion at the Board of Elections office. There are Republican primaries in four towns: Barre, Kendall, Murray and Shelby.
In Barre, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Sean Pogue and Scott Burnside, and two candidates for highway superintendent, incumbent Dale Brooks and Bert Mathes.
In Kendall, Warren Kruger, the incumbent highway superintendent, is challenged by Eric Maxon.
In Murray, there are two candidates for town supervisor: incumbent Joe Sidonio and Town Board member Gerald Rightmyer. There are three candidates for two positions as town councilmen, with Eric Collyer on the ballot with incumbents Lloyd Christ Jr. and Randall Bower.
In Shelby, three candidates are running for the Town Board, including Justin Gray, Linda Limina and incumbent Jeff Schiffer. Two candidates are running for highway superintendent, William Wolter and incumbent Dale Root.
The primary will be on June 27 with polling places at each town with a primary. Before then there are nine days of early voting with the polling location at the Board of Elections office at the County Administration Building at 14016 State Route 31 in Albion.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Graduates of the spring 2023 Microenterprise Assistance Program pose for a picture with instructors and mentors. Seated, from left, are Linda Aguirre, Nicole Brown, Kelly Fischer, Terri Page Loessl, mentor Jon Costello and program manager Diane Blanchard. Standing, from left, are mentor Sam Campanella, Doris Vidal, Xhezide Bela, Don Greenough and County Legislator John Fitzak. Not pictured is former county legislator Ken DeRoller and graduates Leann Sample and David Robinson.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 June 2023 at 9:06 am
ALBION – The spring 2023 Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated nine entrepreneurs Tuesday night at the Lockstone, bringing the total number of graduates to 576 since the program started about 25 years ago.
MAP manager Diane Blanchard said she has given out nearly $1 million in grants to 50 start-up businesses since 2010.
Blanchard also announced she will be retiring in September, and no class will be held in the fall while she trains her successor. The new program manager will be announced in the near future.
“I’ve met so many people and made so many friends in the last 20 years,” Blanchard said. “But it was time to retire.”
She said she will miss seeing the new entrepreneurs get their dreams off the ground, but she is going to stay in touch.
Former county legislator Ken DeRoller was on the board when MAP was started in 1999 by the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He praised Blanchard for the work she has done with the program.
“She’s aggressive and she cares about people,” he said.
(Left) Former county legislator Ken DeRoller congratulates MAP leader Diane Blanchard on announcement of her retirement in September. She has led the program for nearly 20 years. (Right) Diego Russell, who graduated from MAP last year, shared his story of starting his own business at the age of 21 and having employees working for him.
DeRoller said how difficult it is to start a new business. He said out of the 576 who went through the Microenterprise Assistance Program, only 168 are still in business.
“Covid knocked the living daylights out of a lot businesses,” he said.
He said what a big impact small businesses make in the county with their unique ideas, such as dog walking, lawn services or crafting. Fifty percent of businesses fail without a business plan, and making a business plan is one of the important things taught in the MAP, along with marketing, he said. He added his encouragement to the graduates who chose to go into business in Orleans County, in light of school enrollment dropping and the population shrinking to about 38,000.
Spring graduates and their businesses are Linda Aguirre, crafter; Xhezide Bela, AN Homes; Nicole Brown, cat café/healing center; Kelly Fischer, Necka’s treasurers; Donald Greenough, business consultant/graphic designer; Terri Loessl, Doggie Day Care; David Robinson, land maintenance; Leann Sample, cleaning services; and Doris Vidal, Serenity Spa and Holistic Center.
Each graduate in attendance shared their business plan and goals for their new endeavor.
One was Donald Greenough who will provide business consulting and graphic design to new businesses at an affordable price. He also does branding, marketing, logo development, web development and social media.
Nicole Brown shared her struggles with two cancer scares and depression. She always liked helping others and after a life coach helped her get her life back, she decided to combine her love of cats and people into a Cat Cafe and Healing Center.
Terri Loessl will offer Doggie Day Care at her facility on Gaines Basin Road. She will dog sit, train dogs to play with other dogs and offer boarding. There is no other service like that in the county, she said.
Doris Vidal has 15 years experience in a spa and holistic healing. She and her husband Lionel Heydel have purchased the building at 438 West Ave. in Albion, where she opened Serenity Spa and Holistic Center on June 1. She provides holistic healing for males and female, along with rejuvenation and massages in a relaxing and serene setting, she said. She also offers yoga and Tai Chi.
Kelly Fischer has a store at 18 East Bank St., where her business Necka’s Treasurers buys and sells overstock merchandise.
“You never know what you’ll find here,” she said. “We sell everything at 50 percent of what the big box stores charge.”
Right now she has an abundance of blankets, sheets, pillows and small furnishings. She is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Fischer got into the business because her daughter runs a similar one in Kentucky and has done very well at it.
Spring graduates of the 2023 Microenterprise Assistance Program received their diplomas Tuesday night in a ceremony at Lockstone. From left are Terri Page Loessl, Don Greenough, Xhezide Bela, Nicole Brown, Kelly Fischer, Linda Aguirre and Doris Vidal.
Xhezide Bela and her husband Arden Fazliu demonstrated their new product, a microfiber towel that removes all smudges from glass surfaces. They are washable, she said, but the one she has been using for nine months has not been washed and is still doing a good job. Their business is AN Homes and towels can be purchased online.
Linda Aguirre hopes to start a creative arts business, selling art prints, postcards, greeting cards, bookmarkers and tee shirts. She will be selling her merchandise online.
Several alumni of MAP have kept in touch with classes since they graduated, coming back to share their successes with new classes. One graduate, Dorothy Daniels, has joined the program as a teacher.
Lynn Palmer has returned several times to share how MAP helped her start her Upscale Overstock business in Albion and a grant enabled her to buy added merchandise.
Margie Steffen opened a beauty parlor, Studio 11, at 21 East Bank St., after graduating from the spring 2021 MAP class. A grant allowed her to buy a barber chair and expand into men’s haircutting.
Dan Conrad has shared his business success with several MAP classes. He opened his Toyz n Kandy store on the corner of Platt and Bank streets in Albion and is in the process of moving to a bigger store next to 39 Problems on Main Street. He has also leased space in the newly renovated Webber Hotel in Lyndonville and will open a second store there.
“I graduated in the Fall 2021 class and received a $20,000 grant,” Conrad said. “I’ve been expanding ever since. Dorothy and Diane are the best people a business person could know. I still call them every week.”
Diego Russell, who graduated from the program last year, shared his success story Tuesday night.
“I am honored and pleased to be here,” he said. “I went through MAP and got a grant, which gave me all I needed to start my lawn care business. I’m 21 and now have employees working for me. I used to work at jobs like Walmart and Door Dash, and now I’m running my own business and hope to have another and another.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Gathered around the fountain in Hospice’s Memorial Garden are from left, front, Christine Fancher, development director Julia Alt, Stacey Lampo and Brenda Knapp. In rear, from left, are Heather Rowley, Cheryl Krajewski, administrator Marilyn Almeter-Milbrand, board president John Lomeo, Jennifer Metz, pastor Randy LeBaron, Shanin Moyle, board treasurer Carlo Figliomeni, and Jenelle Andrews.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 June 2023 at 12:50 pm
ALBION – A luncheon at Hospice of Orleans on Thursday was an opportunity to thank the dedicated staff and to announce the return to the organization’s original name of Hospice of Orleans County.
Leaders at Hospice acknowledged the name change to Supportive Care of Orleans was never well accepted in the community.
“Staff wanted to go back to our roots,” said Julia Alt, director of development. “Hospice of Orleans is who we are. It’s what we do, and we want to make sure the community knows that.”
At the luncheon, Alt revealed the new logo, which represents the agency’s original name. The return to Hospice of Orleans was effective Thursday.
From left, John Lomeo, chairman of Hospice’s board of directors, treasurer Carlo Figliomeni and new administrator Marilyn Almeter-Milbrand enjoy the sunshine before a staff appreciation luncheon and announcement of the return to the name of Hospice of Orleans on Thursday morning.
As Supportive Care of Orleans, the agency has had some turbulent times in recent months, with a lot of turnover in staff.
“It’s great to see everyone has their passion back,” Alt said. “A lot of us – myself included – have had personal experience with Hospice, and we believe in its nurse-driven leadership. We are on a much more solid ground. We really function as a team and everybody is very happy with the change.”
Hired at the first of the year as administrator was Marilyn Almeter-Milbrand of Attica. She started her nursing career at Medina Memorial Hospital, and was there for 15 years. Then she was chief of nursing at United Memorial Hospital in Batavia, before retiring and then coming back to work at Hospice.
After posing for pictures in the Memorial Garden, Alt unveiled the new logo, followed by a chicken barbecue lunch in the home next door.
Almeter-Milibrand praised the staff for their dedication and support.
“We totally appreciate every single person here,” she said. “We’re a great team, and there are great things to come.”
Provided photos: (Left) A sign notes this Ambient Broadband customer is saving money by dropping cable and getting the service through wireless internet. Nyla Gaylord, coordinator for United Way’s Connect Orleans collaborative, points to a map showing the new towers.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 June 2023 at 10:56 am
Team from United Way available to help access free installation, discounted rate for low to moderate income households
ALBION – “The internet has changed our world,” said Nyla Gaylord, grant writer for United Way of Orleans County and coordinator for United Way’s Connect Orleans collaborative.
Gaylord is part of the initiative to bring affordable wireless broadband to every resident of Orleans County. Online shopping, social media, phone and video calling, e-mail, banking, live sports events, music, television shows, news, movies, and more, are all now just a click away, – “If it is available, If you can afford it and If you know how to use it,” she said.
County officials have been pushing for about a decade to have high-speed internet service available throughout the county.
Sharon Quill
Gaylord and the United Way team of two Connect Orleans outreach workers, Sharon Quill and Karen Sanders, are helping low-to-moderate income households in the villages of Albion, Holley, and Medina and the towns of Albion, Gaines and Shelby prequalify for a grant that pays for free installation of wireless broadband service and free equipment, a $650 benefit.
These communities are targeted because at least 51 percent of households meet the criteria for having low to moderate income. They are also screening people to see if they qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which can save them $30 a month.
In partnership with the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative, funded by the United Way, the team connects people with digital literacy mentors who offer one-on-one coaching in how to use internet-based technology like smart TV’s, phones, tablets and more.
“What we are finding is that most people can significantly lower the cost of their internet service by unbundling from cable and switching to wireless broadband. Some people are saving over $100 a month,” Gaylord said.
The difference between cable and wireless technology is that cable comes through a wire, such as phone lines, while broadband comes through the air. The new Ambient wireless broadband service, sponsored by Orleans County using federal funding, will significantly expand the availability of internet access, consumer choice in service providers and the opportunity to “unbundle” from cable packages and save money.
“Many people, especially older people and people with disabilities don’t know they now have options in how they get internet-based services – options that will save them money,” Gaylord said. “Change is hard. It is a bit scary to think about switching from cable to wireless. The cable companies want you to ‘bundle,’ but with this service, you get access to the internet and can subscribe to only the options you want. It is like ordering off a menu instead of buying a meal deal. That is why our Connect Orleans team is available to help every step of the way.”
Gaylord is enthusiastic about the work the United Way team is doing.
“The whole team is enjoying meeting people and talking to them about this new service,” she said. “When we help people save money, or get internet access for the first time, we know we are really making a positive difference in their lives.”
This week, households in the villages of Albion, Holley and Medina and the towns of Albion, Gaines and Shelby will receive post cards in the mail with information on how to contact the Connect Orleans team for information on the new wireless broadband service and cost saving benefits, such free installation and a free wireless receiver.
This equipment will allow access to wireless internet services through Ambient Broadband and is funded by the Community Development Block Grant administered by Orleans County. If residents are also eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) they can save $30 a month which would make the basic service free. The basic service enables users to email, browse the web, stream music and use social media. Three levels of data plans are available, depending on usage needs.
During the month of June, the Connect Orleans outreach workers will be available at the following locations:
Karen Sanders will be in Medina at the MAAC Thrift Depot at the corner of Starr and Orient streets in Medina on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Sharon Quill will be at Save-a-Lot in Albion on Thursdays and Fridays from 1 pm to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, will be a busy day for the team. Sanders will be at the Medina Community Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Quill is at the Holley June Fest.
The following weekend the Connect Orleans team will be at the Strawberry Festival near the Bounce for Bullard activities near the canal bridge.
As weather permits, Sanders and Quill will be doing “pop-ups” outdoors in the Holley, Medina and Albion area. Orleans County residents will be able to stop by and learn more about service availability and their options for using lower cost wireless broadband service.
The team will be distributing free recyclable grocery bags from 211 of Western New York and will have information on how to unbundle from cable service and use common streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix, as well as free entertainment options such as Amazon Freevee and Roku channels.
To schedule a time to talk to a Connect Orleans team member, call (585) 493-6014 and leave a message. The Connect Orleans website www.connectorleans.net has information and a contact form, or email: connect@orleansunitedway.org.
211 of Western New York can take calls 24/7 and will route the contact information to Connect Orleans. Every effort will be made to return all calls and contacts within 24 hours on business days.
Households not eligible for the free installation and free equipment can purchase the Ambient Broadband service directly through the company at www.Ambientbroadband.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2023 at 9:08 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Miguel Velazquez, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, speaks to the Orleans County legislature last week. Velazquez said the organization is making big investments in the RTS Orleans bus service in Orleans County.
ALBION – Ridership remains down significantly for public transportation in Orleans County from the levels just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
In the fiscal year from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, RTS Orleans had 43,532 riders. Three years later, in the 2022-23 fiscal year, ridership was 24,815, which is 57 percent of where it was just before Covid hit.
Miguel Velazquez is CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the parent organization of RTS Orleans. The RGRTA oversees the Regional Transit Service for eight counties. Velazquez shared the data with Orleans County legislators last week, and told the group that RGRTA remains committed to Orleans and is making investments in new buses, signs and other technology.
Public transportation providers across the nation are about 65 to 70 percent back to their pre-Covid levels for ridership, Velazquez said.
The RGRTA has 12 employees for RTS Orleans, operating six buses in Orleans County. The daily ridership is about 120. Denise Klos serves as operations manager for RTS Orleans.
There are regular routes Monday to Friday serving Albion and Medina with connections to Genesee and Monroe counites, and some service on Saturday. Dial-A-Ride is available throughout the county. The bus fares are $1, with rides for free for veterans. Since the free rides were made available for veterans in 2020, about 1,000 of those rides have been provided. The ride passes are coordinated through the local Veterans Service Agency.
RTS Orleans buses take people to stores, medical appointments, to work at businesses and for classes at Genesee Community College in Medina. The Dial-A-Ride service takes buses off a set course with advance notice.
“On behalf of the Legislature we can’t tell you how thankful we are to have transportation services for our residents,” said Lynne Johnson, the County legislature chairwoman.
RTS Orleans expenses were at $897,850 in the last fiscal year, with only $434,314 in revenue: with $263,817 from the county’s mortgage recording tax, $85,000 from federal aid, $30,244 from state, $30,103 from county, and $25,140 in fares and contracts. The service operated at $463,536 loss in the past fiscal year.
RTS Orleans officials highlighted recent investments in the Orleans operation. It completed a new transportation facility in 2018 with vehicle storage, office and maintenance space. It is seeking $250,000 from the federal government for an automated washing bay at the facility on West Academy Street next to the Orleans County DPW.
There is an electric vehicle charging station at the transportation facility. That charging station has been used about 600 times, saving more than 1,500 gallons of gas, Velazquez said.
RTS Orleans will be getting four new vehicles in 2023 – 26-foot-long vehicles with 18 seats that are ADA accessible. The remaining two buses will be replaced in 2024-25.
The service started in Orleans County 20 years ago as OTS – the Orleans Transit Service. RTS Orleans will be replacing 66 OTS bus stop signs with RTS Orleans markers. So far 20 have been replaced in Albion with the rest in Medina and Orleans County to be completed in 2023. They are being installed by the Orleans County Department of Public Works as a contracted service.
RTS Orleans buses also will be getting on-board technology. The procurement of a new computer-aided dispatch system is underway. It will allow for real-time information to customers and ability to expand into different service types, Velazquez said.
Jim Bensley, the county’s commissioner on the RGRTA board, praised Velazquez and the organization for their commitment to Orleans County. He said RTS Orleans strives for on-time performance, which can be challenging when bridges are under construction delaying traffic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2023 at 2:29 pm
State Legislature changed voting power of 17 members, who all need to be reappointed
Ed Morgan
ALBION – Ed Morgan has been reappointed as Orleans County’s representative on the 17-member board of directors for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. after the State Legislature stripped all 17 members from the board as part of the state budget approved May 2.
The state budget also implemented a new system of weighted voting based on the population size of 15 counties, and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
Morgan, a county legislator and retired Murray highway superintendent, has been the Orleans rep on the board for nine years. He also was serving as the vice chairman of the body until the members were all knocked off the board.
Morgan said many have already been reappointed by their home counties. But he is waiting for when the board will be reconvened.
The 17 members used to all have equal clout, but that will change in the new system of weighted voting.
The new system gives the 17 members a weighted tally of 96 votes. Orleans, one of the smallest counties in the region, gets only 1 vote or about 1 percent of the total. Previously each of the 17 members had a vote worth about 6 percent of the total.
The weighted vote breakdown includes: Erie County, 24 votes; Monroe, 20 votes; City of Buffalo, 10 votes; City of Rochester, 8 votes; Niagara, 8 votes; Chautauqua, 5 votes; Oswego, 4 votes; Steuben, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, 3 votes each; Livingston and Genesee, 2 votes each; Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, 1 vote each.
Morgan said he prefers the old system, especially because the smaller counties had an equal seat at the table for the decision-making in running WROTB, which owns Batavia Downs, 12 OTB parlors and manages several EZ Bets at businesses around Western New York.
Batavia Downs turned in record profits last year, which boosted the amount returned to Orleans County to about $120,000, up from $35,000 a decade ago, Morgan said.
“Batavia Downs is doing fine,” Morgan said. “There is no emergency there.”
WROTB was faulted in an audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, where he said the organization’s leadership took $120,000 worth of sports and event tickets that were purchased by the company and diverted them for private use.
Morgan said there are stricter controls at WROTB. He said members no longer can get health insurance and their pay is capped at $4,000. Morgan doesn’t get a stipend from WROTB because he is appointed by the County Legislature and county legislators aren’t entitled to pay from WROTB for serving on the board.
Morgan said he enjoys being on the WROTB where he said there is great camaraderie among the members, despite different political affiliations.
“I don’t feel there is politics involved,” Morgan said about the board of directors. “We try to do what’s best for WROTB and our member counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.”
Morgan is chairman of the committees for Batavia Downs and Buildings and Grounds.
His biggest concern with the shift to a weighted voting system is a small minority of members could meet and make decisions about WROTB without the majority consent of the board. For example, just three members from Erie, Monroe and Buffalo have 54 of the 96 votes and could meet and have a quorum and make decisions affecting the operations and leadership of the organization.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2023 at 8:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County legislators issued proclamations for EMS Week and Mental Health Month.
County Legislator Skip Draper, right, presents a proclamation on Tuesday for EMS Week to Kristin McAdoo, chairwoman of the EMS Council in Orleans County. She is joined by Justin Niederhofer, left, the county’s emergency management director and Scott Buffin, the deputy emergency management coordinator.
“The members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the proclamation states. “The members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.”
County Legislator Don Allport presents a proclamation about Mental Health Awareness Month in May to Melinda Rhim and other mental health workers in the county.
The proclamation states mental illness will impact one in four adults and one in five youth at some point during their life, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status.
“Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of mental health disorders among children, adolescents and adults provide them with better opportunities to lead full and productive lives,” legislators stated. “Mental Health Awareness Month was developed to bring public awareness to the mental health challenges facing children, adolescents and adults, and to diminish the stigma associated with it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2023 at 10:48 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Janet Cheverie accepts a “Special Recognition Award” on Tuesday from the Orleans County Legislature in appreciation for her 35-year career with the county. Cheverie is retiring on May 31.
ALBION – Janet Cheverie was honored by Orleans County legislators with “Special Recognition Award” as she nears retirement from a 35-year career with the county.
She worked the first 11 years with the Department of Social Services as a social welfare examiner. She determined if people were eligible for Food Stamps, Medicaid and other public assistance.
The past 24 years she worked for DSS in the child support collection unit. She has been coordinator of that unit since 2008, overseeing eight other workers. The unit works with 2,000 to 2,500 cases.
Cheverie said the child support unit has been a fulfilling career. She has tried to be fair to all parents, and ensure that children are receiving resources.
“We’re helping to get children the support they need,” Cheverie said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to do this job. At the end of the day you feel like you made a small amount of difference for a family working their way through a difficult time.”
Cheverie said the non-custodial parents typically want to do their part to direct funds to their children, but sometimes there are court orders to collect child support and determine the levels.
County legislators, in their citation for Cheverie, thanked her for her commitment to the county.
“Your dedication and expertise have benefited our county tremendously,” they said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2023 at 11:51 am
Homeless placements up from 45 to 80; County declared state of emergency last week over possible migrant influx, saying not enough resources available
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jack Welch, Orleans County chief administrative officer, speaks during Tuesday evening’s Orleans County Association of Municipalities at the White Birch in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County has experienced a big increase in homeless residents, with spots in-county maxed out, requiring the county Department of Social Services to utilize motel and hotel rooms in Genesee and Niagara counties.
In July 2022, the county secured temporary housing for 38 homeless residents within the county and for seven who stayed out-of-county.
But in April last month, the in-county homeless residents were up to 51, with the county DSS finding housing out-of-county for 29 other residents, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
He said homelessness is a “silent issue” that has grown in the county, from 45 people needing housing assistance in July 2022 to 80 last month.
He spoke at Tuesday’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which includes village, town and county officials.
A week ago on May 17 the county declared a state of emergency due to a possible influx of migrants/asylum seekers.
Welch said none have arrived to Orleans, as far as he knows. There were rumors last week that busloads of 200 to 300 migrants were headed to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Welch said he fielded numerous media queries about the rumor that has proven to be false.
He does worry that migrants and people seeking asylum could show up unexpected in the county, and Orleans would need to provide services for them.
He said that would be a big challenge. The blizzard around Christmas showed how difficult it was to open shelters with cots.
Albion and Medina schools did open up as shelters with volunteers on hand to help staff the sites for about 100 people at the two locations.
“We couldn’t even get 50 cots from the Red Cross on Christmas weekend,” Welch told the local officials on Tuesday evening. “If (migrants) do arrive, where would we put them?”
He has spoken with the governor’s office and Gov. Hochul’s staff told him the state is not looking at Orleans as a location to house migrants and asylum seekers.
But he still is concerned asylum seekers and migrants could arrive in the county and need assistance.
“We’re not without compassion, we just truly don’t have the resources to help these people,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.
The local homeless population has increased party since the certificate of occupancy was removed at the Holley Hotel last Aug. 24. That displaced 28 residents, including 14 who were taken to hotel rooms in Batavia. Others were able to stay with family and friends, or secure other housing.
Johnson said people who are homeless often struggle with mental health issues, substance use disorder, and many are not motivated to make changes. They can be “onerous” cases for the local DSS staff to try to resolve or connect to resources, she said.
The increase in homeless cases has been exhausting for the DSS staff, especially when people are placed out of county and need access to services.
She noted that declaration from the county wasn’t made because of the incoming farmworkers for local fruit and vegetable farms. Those workers through the federal H2A program have housing provided by the farms.
“We need our H2A workers for our farms,” Johnson said.
