Photos by Tom Rivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos by Tom Rivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most candidates for town and county positions are unopposed

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

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

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

Here are the positions that are up for election:

State

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

County

Treasurer – Kimberly DeFrank, Republican

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Town of Albion

Town Supervisor – Richard Remley, Republican

Town Council members – Arnold Allen and Sandra Bensley, Republican

Town Clerk – Kim Hazel, Republican

Town of Barre

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

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

Town of Carlton

Town Council members – John Olles and Charles Ricci, Republican

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

Town Clerk – Deborah Yokel, Republican

Town Justice – Kevin Hurley, Republican

Highway Superintendent – Kurt VanWycke, Republican

Town of Clarendon

Town Supervisor – Marc Major, Republican

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

Town of Gaines

Town Supervisor – Tyler Allport, Republican

Town Council members – James Kirby and Kenneth Rush, Republicans

Town Clerk – Janet Cheverie, Republican

Town Justice – Charles Prentice Jr., Republican

Town of Kendall

Town Supervisor – Tony Cammarata, Republican

Town Council members – David Gaudioso and Jeffrey Kinne, Republicans

Town Clerk – Tina Palumbo, Republican

Town Justice – Debra Kluth, Republican

Highway Superintendent – Eric Maxon, Republican

Town of Murray

Town Supervisor – Gerald Rightmyer, Republican

Town Council members – Neil Valentine and Elaine Berg, Republicans

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

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

Town of Ridgeway

Town Council members – Cliff Barber and Jesse Cudzilo, Republicans

Town Clerk – Hannah Hill, Republican

Highway Superintendent – John Olinger, Republican

Town of Shelby

Town Supervisor – James Heminway, Republican, Conservative

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

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

Town of Yates

Town Supervisor – James Simon

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

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

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

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

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

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

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

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

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

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

How You Can Help

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

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

To donate online visit: caoginc.org/donations

To volunteer, email: info@caoginc.org

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

Phone: 585-589-5605 x101

Email: kettinger@caoginc.org

Website: caoginc.org

The Community Action Promise:

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

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

Photos by Tom Rivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Press Release, Orleans and Niagara counties

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

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

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

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

Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency

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

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

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

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

Photo from Sheriff’s Office

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, right, announced two dispatchers have been promoted to senior public safety dispacthers.

Mike Schultz and Jerry Bentley will serve in the roles. Both are long-time local volunteer firefighters, with Schultz a past chief at Kendall and Bently a past chief for Barre.

In their new roles, Schultz and Bentley will assist in overseeing the Sheriff’s Office Communications Division, with responsibilities including supervision, training, quality control, and managing materials related to FOIL requests and NYS Discovery requirements, Bourke said.

“Both Schultz and Bentley are highly experienced, dedicated, and well-respected professionals whose leadership and expertise will greatly benefit the Communications Division,” the sheriff said.

Provided photo: Employees at the Orleans County Department of Social Services dressed in purple and posed outside the County Administration Building in Albion as they participated in “Purple Thursday” to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – Employees at the Orleans County Department of Social Services participated in “Purple Thursday” last week in recognition of survivors of Domestic Violence. October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, bringing awareness to domestic violence within our community.

Part of that awareness is reminding the community that domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse but can other forms like emotional or financial. Domestic violence is also not gender specific and can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation.

If you or someone you care about is a survivor of domestic violence in need of support, know that there are services available locally and at the state level. Please contact Orleans County Domestic Violence at 585-589-3159 during normal business hours, call the 24/7 NYS Hotline at 800-942-6906, text 844-997-2121 or go to www.opdv.ny.gov.

Community faces challenges with housing, healthcare, lack of childcare, food insecurity

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado gets a tour of Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store during his visit on Tuesday. Here, he talks with Cassie Healy, manager of the store; Renee Hungerford, Community Action’s chief executive officer; and Jackie Dunham, chief operating officer.

ALBION – Staff of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee welcomed Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado to the main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store on Tuesday, where they shared their agency’s many services and struggles with budget cuts.

Delgado toured the store and visited with Renee Hungerford, CEO; Jackie Gardner, COO; Melinda Daniels, executive assistant; Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming; Barbara Shine, board member; and Cassie Healy, Community Development and ROMA manager.

Hungerford explained the programs Community Action offers, saying the agency has come a long way in the last five years.

“We’ve rebuilt our programs to focus on the differences we can make with people and achieve meaningful outcomes, rather than focus on only services,” Hungerford said. “Our mission is to help people become self-sufficient. That means we partner with people and provide support as they help themselves. Resources are scarce, so outcomes are monitored to ensure services are meeting the objectives for which they are intended.”

Some of the programs discussed included High School Credit Recovery, the Prom Program, the new Fresh Start Center, Veterans’ Telehealth program, Case Management/Emergency Services, Head Start and Early Head Start, Project Salus, Child Care Resource Center, Weatherization, Cooling and Door-Through-Door Transportation services. Hungerford also shared information on the Holley Community Center, where a prepared meal is served five days a week. They are also working with Orleans County Mental Health to bring mental health services to the Holley Center.

Lasal spoke of the lack of childcare, which is an epidemic in Orleans County, he said. He said the demand is not even close to being met, and the county has run out of money from the Child Care Assistance Program to fund childcare programs. Community Action is doing its best to subsidize what they can to keep children in Head Start programs, but this is not sustainable, Hungerford said. Parents, including key staff members, are facing the decision of leaving a job due to the inability to afford daycare. This is then exacerbated as staff shortages impact what service that can be offered.

Staff of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee welcomed Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado to the Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store on Tuesday. From left are Amanda DeSantis, chief of staff for Delgado; Melinda Daniels, executive assistant at Community Action; Delgado; Renee Hungerford, chief executive officer of Community Action; Jackie Dunham, chief operating officer at Community Action; Ryan Lasal, director of Community Programming; and Barb Shine, a member of Community Action’s board.

Hungerford also discussed the local shortage of healthcare services, saying the ratio of individuals to primary care doctors has been more than 13,000 to 1, and just recently dropped to a little under 10,000 to 1.

“Our agency has a strong focus on addressing the ‘social determinants’ of health, such as food insecurity and shelter, to help people stay healthy and try to minimize the burden on the healthcare system,” Hungerford said. “We are a Medicaid 1115 waiver participant, which expands services we are able to provide eligible customers.”

Dunham discussed the Weatherization Program, saying there is a waiting list of one year for people needing help with home improvements. They have a crew of four very dedicated and capable workers, she said, who are determined to make a home comfortable and affordable for a family to live in.

“The feedback we get from their work is ‘Wow!’” Dunham said.

Hungerford added there are concerns with many of their funding sources, including LIHEAP, which could impact the future of the Weatherization Program.

Delgado asked what their biggest concern was, and Hungerford said, “Food and housing.”

“Housing is a big problem,” she said. “When people come to us for emergency shelter, we have nowhere to put them, except in a motel. Housing has a complex layer of needs, in that we need emergency housing, transitional housing, first-time homebuyer support and support for people who own, but need to renovate and repair our aging housing stock. At the other end of the spectrum, if we could attract more businesses, we would need housing that is suitable for potential employees who could move into the area.

She also said we need to attract more businesses, because there aren’t enough jobs, especially well-paying jobs.

“Our population is declining and that is not good for the economy,” she added.

Delgado said his visit is part of his goal to visit Community Action agencies across the state.

“It’s important to touch as many agencies as I can to see what’s going on and to understand the growing need,” he said. “The numbers are growing and the lines are getting longer. I hear that everywhere I go.”

The lieutenant governor’s visit comes as Community Action of Orleans and Genesee celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Press Release, Orleans County government

MEDINA – The Orleans County Career Center will be holding a job fair this Thursday, October 16, at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina.  More than a dozen companies with open positions have signed up to take part.

 “There are companies all across Orleans County looking to fill vacant positions and they are willing to provide training for those who lack experience if the candidate is reliable and dependable,” said Kelly Kiebala, director of the Orleans County Career Center.  “So job seekers should come with their resumes and be prepared to be interviewed on the spot.”

The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orleans County YMCA located at 306 Pearl St. in Medina. Participating companies come from several different industries including factory work, healthcare, food service, customer service and more.  There is no registration or appointment necessary to attend.

 “This event is for people of all skill levels, so whether you are not currently employed or looking to take your career in a new direction, our job fair is a chance to see what opportunities are out there that could be the right fit for you,” Kiebala said.

For any questions or inquiries about the job fair, please contact Allison Gursslin at 585-589-2820 or at Allison.Gursslin@orleanscountyny.gov.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION –  Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson today announced the county has launched E-Notify, a way for county residents to be notified when new information in certain areas of county government is uploaded to the county website.

Residents need to sign up for the free service and can opt to receive the notification via email, text or both.

“We are continually looking for ways to make county government more accessible to our residents and we believe using E-Notify to proactively release information to those who wish to be alerted will greatly enhance our outreach efforts,” said Johnson.  “So if you are interested in new county job postings or when DPW lists a new bid opportunity or want our latest press releases, you can choose those options.”

Right now, E-Notify offers seven different areas of county government where a person can receive notifications and Johnson said the county is looking to add others based on the areas of the website that seem to garner the most interest.  These areas include emergency alerts, elections information, DPW bids and results and job postings among others.

To sign up for E-Notify alerts visit www.orleanscountyny.gov/enotify.