Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse dome is lighted up in purple this month in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

There were 348 cases were reported to the Orleans County Domestic Violence Unit in 2022, and 222 cases were reported to the Orleans County Domestic Violence Unit from Jan. 1 to Sept. 15, 2023.

Provided photo: County Legislator Fred Miller on Tuesday presented a proclamation to Judianne Gearing, Domestic Violence Supervisor (left), and Kelley Ortiz, Domestic Violence Services Coordinator.

“Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that may include physical, emotional, psychological, economic, or sexual abuse, perpetrated by an intimate partner over another, to establish and maintain power and control,” according to the proclamation from the county. “Domestic violence is the major cause of injury to women, resulting in more injuries to women then auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jack Welch was officially appointed as the county’s chief administrative officer on March 25, 2020. He agreed to a five-year extension last week.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has extended the contract with its chief administrative officer for another five years.

Jack Welch has served in the role as head of the county government since March 25, 2020. He was previously the county’s director of personnel and self-insurance since 2004.

Welch also serves as the county’s budget officer. The county budget for 2023 totals $93 million. There are about 440 county employees in more than 20 departments.

Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, praised Welch for seeing the county government through the Covid-19 crisis and helping push through capital projects, in addition to the day-to-day demands of the position.

“The Legislature is thrilled with the job Jack has done,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day county government is about providing services to people while minimizing the burden on taxpayers. On that measurement, I think Orleans County would be at the top of the list of any best-run counties in New York. That’s how strongly we feel about Jack and his leadership.”

The current salary for the CAO is $127,040. The position is within the Management Compensation Plan that calls for 2 percent increases for 2024 and then in 2025.

The county faces many challenges “and things never get easier,” Johnson said. “But we have the right guy in Jack Welch to work with a Legislature to meet these challenges.”

Welch, a Holley resident, was praised by County Legislator Fred Miller for being “super organized and very timely.” Miller is the lone Democrat on the County Legislature.

Welch presents options for legislators to help the group make decisions.

“You can count on him,” Miller said. “He is very punctual with everything that has to be done at a certain time. He has strong organizational skills.”

Welch succeeded Chuck Nesbitt who was in the role for 14 ½ years. Miller said it is challenging to fill many positions in the workforce today, especially a top administrator. The contract extension with Welch maintains stability in a key position, county legislators said.

Welch, county legislators and department heads are in midst of the budget preparation for the 2024 county budget. The annual spending plan is typically adopted in late November or early December.

“I strive to make a positive influence in the municipal operations of Orleans County that balances the needs of our residents and the needs of our taxpayers and the needs of our employees,” Welch said. “All three stakeholders’ interests must be taken into consideration as we make adjustments to our operations. I hope and believe I am making a positive difference as we serve our residents on a day-to-day basis.”

Jack Welch speaks with Carlton residents on Tuesday during a meeting about garbage collection on narrow private lanes. About 125 people attended that meeting at the Rec Hall.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans County Youth Bureau

ALBION – October 12th is the 9th annual Family Game Night in Orleans County.  This event is sponsored by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Legislative Office.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate located at 165 South Platt St. in Albion. This event will feature dinner, games to play, displays to visit and a new board game for every family.

The booths will provide information on a wide array of services for youth and families that are available in Orleans County. The event this year is free for all families.

We will also have a couple drawings throughout the night. Additional contributors to the evening are Dubby’s Tailgate, Subway, Medina Railroad Museum, Medina Lions Club, Mark’s Pizzeria, Evan’s Ace Hardware & Building Supplies, Albion Ace Hardware, Tops, Save-A-Lot and Wal-Mart.

To register or for more information, contact the Orleans County Legislative Office at 589-7053.

One of first actions: creating Facebook page for county government

ALBION – Orleans County has a part-time public information officer in a new arrangement with Niagara County.

Kevin Schuler, Niagara’s PIO since 2020, will work five hours a week for Orleans County. He has been in the communications field for 29 years.

Orleans will pay Niagara $19,600 for the first year and then a cost of living increase the second year. The agreement goes from Sept. 27, 2023 through Sept. 26, 2025.

Schuler in his first week set up a Facebook page for the county government (click here) and has put out three press releases. The first press release was on the Legislature voting to protect local tributaries from STAMP wastewater, with the second on Sheriff’s Week.

There also was a joint press release for the two counties with their county clerks reminding people to submit eye exams or go to the DMV offices if they had their driver’s license renewed between March 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021. Otherwise they could have their license suspended.

Schuler said he will send press releases to local media outlets, and post to the county website and Facebook page.

“I look to consistently put out content (and share other’s content) that covers the broad scope of services, programs and issues that are in the purview of county government,” he said.

Legislators in the resolution approving the agreement said Orleans has a long history of collaboration with Niagara, including through the Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance and the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Karl Driesel, owner of Orleans Millworks in Kendall, checks a door that he made to replace one on the County Clerks’ Building.

Driesel teamed with the Orleans County Department of Public Works to put in two new doors on one of the entrances of the historic building from 1888. Driesel is doing the two doors today that used to lead up to the Orleans County Legislature. The Legislature has since moved to a new addition at the County Office Building on Route 31. That space on the top floor is now used for the public defender’s office.

Tomorrow, Dreisel expects he will work with the DPW to swap out the doors for the county clerk’s office on the other end of the building facing Main Street.

Karl Driesel and DPW senior building maintenance employees Dan Cooke, left, and Bert Mathes carry one of the new doors to set it in place. The door weighs about 200 pounds.

The door in 112 inches high (just over nine feet) and 29 inches wide. It is 2 1/8 inches thick, which Driesel said is “extremely thick” for a door.

Driesel and the DPW were able to use the old hardware to attach the new doors.

With the old the doors the bottom parts were falling apart and were no longer weather tight, Mathes said.

Driesel makes moldings, panels and components for doors that he usually sends off to other companies to put the final product together.

He welcomed the chance to do the full project for the doors at the Clerks’ Building.

“This is an opportunity that is close to home and it looked like a fun project,” he said.

Driesel made the doors out of quartersawn mahogany. They replace wooden doors that appear to be Douglas fir in the center with oak veneer for the rest. Driesel said they likely weren’t the original doors. He said the new doors should hold up for many decades to come.

The county DPW stained the interior side and painted the exterior white.

Karl Driesel and the DPW employees, Dan Cooke and Bert Mathes, attach the new doors. The doors had to be taken off for some slight trimming so they would close perfectly.

Provided photo

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature last week presented a proclamation recognizing Sheriff’s Week, which was Sept. 17-23.

Pictured from left include Deputy Savannah Tackley, Deputy Dana Goetze, Deputy Cory Martindale, County Legislator Skip Draper, Deputy Adam Hazel and Undersheriff Don Draper.

Sheriff’s Week recognizes the work done by county sheriff offices across New York State.

“The Office of Sheriff has evolved into a modern, professional, full-service law enforcement agency, manned by fully trained police officers, using state-of-the-art technology and applying the latest and most advanced theories and practices in the criminal justice field,” the proclamation states.

Some drivers could have license suspended if they didn’t submit results of vision exams

Press Release, Orleans and Niagara county clerks

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski and Orleans County Clerk Nadine P. Hanlon today announced that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has begun sending out driver’s license suspension notices to the 95,000 motorists who renewed their license between 3/1/2020 and 8/31/2021 by self-certifying their vision but have failed to submit the results.

“During the pandemic, New York allowed drivers with expiring licenses to renew them online without the eye exam as DMV offices were shut down,” said Jastrzemski.  “However, there was still a requirement that these drivers would have to submit a vision test to DMV at a later date.  We are now at the point that those who have failed to do so are facing imminent license suspension.”

The two county clerks said the fastest and easiest way to comply is to visit a local DMV office where a person can have their vision checked free of charge and DMV employees will handle submitting the results to the state.

Alternatively, a person may be tested by an approved provider and the provider will submit the results to the DMV. If you pass a test from a provider not approved by the DMV, the provider must complete a vision test report and you must submit it.

Submissions to DMV can be made electronically or by mail. All the information, instructions, list of approved providers and submission link/mailing address can be found by clicking here.

“The state DMV will begin suspending driver’s licenses on December 1, so time is quickly running out on those who have not yet complied,” said Hanlon.  “Whether you visit a DMV office or choose a different path to get your vision checked, the important thing is not to delay and get it done.”

John Sansone joins Susan Howard in bid to replace Joe Cardone, who is retiring after 2024

Photo by Tom Rivers: John Sansone is shown on Sept. 11 at the Courthouse Square when he attended the 9/11 memorial service.

ALBION – A long-time attorney who has worked in Orleans County announced today he will be running to succeed Joe Cardone as Orleans County district attorney. Cardone is retiring after 2024 following more than three decades in the role.

John Sansone announced his candidacy today. Sansone lives in Lockport. He is married to Maria Sansone, formerly Maria Obes of Holley. They have been renovating her Holley childhood home and are excited to move to the home on East Avenue.

John Sansone

Sansone has worked as an attorney for 28 years, including as Holley’s municipal lawyer since 2001. He also is Clarendon’s town attorney, and previously served as town attorney for Kendall and Murray.

He worked for the Orleans County Public Defender’s Office from 1998 to 2001 and has been with the District Attorney’s Office since 2007. In that role he has been prosecutor for felony jury trials and misdemeanor jury and bench trials. He has presented cases to the grand jury, participated in criminal investigations, charging decisions and case reviews.

Sansone, 56, also said he works closely with law enforcement and victims of crimes, performs discovery compliance.

“It would be an immense honor to serve as your District Attorney because the residents and communities of Orleans County deserve a seamless transition at the top of law enforcement,” Sansone said in a statement to the Orleans Hub. “Keeping our communities safe, especially in the current climate, is priority number one. The only way to effectively accomplish that goal is to fairly hold people accountable for their actions. To do that requires tireless preparation, extensive effort, a tenacious attitude, outstanding legal skill and tested trial experience. That is the only proven recipe for success in difficult cases.”

Susan Howard, who also works in the DA’s office with Cardone, also is running for DA next year. She and Sansone are both Republicans. Howard is an Orleans County resident.

Sansone touted his experience and commitment to justice. He has been lead prosecutor in the Niagara County Attorney’s Office for 22 years and won an award in 2019 as the Best AFC (Attorney for Children) in Niagara County.

He is currently special prosecutor for Kendall and Ridgeway in Orleans County and town prosecutor for Newfane and Pendleton in Niagara County.

Before becoming an attorney, Sansone worked as a reporter for The Union-Sun & Journal in Lockport, covering courts and the “crime beat” in Niagara County, as well as reporting on the Niagara County Legislature.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The former Bank of America site at 156 S. Main St. is now owned by Orleans County and will become the treasurer’s office in 2024.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday approved spending $250,000 to buy the former Bank of America building at 156 South Main St.

The site has been vacant since the bank closed on Aug. 15, 2017. County officials are planning to make the building the home for the treasurer’s office.

“With the drive-through, it will be very helpful for the elderly,” said Kim DeFrank, the county treasurer.

The current treasurer’s office is in Central Hall at 34 East Park St. DeFrank said the building can be difficult for the public to use. Parking is in back of the building, and the handicapped accessibility ramp is on the back side of the building.

Central Hall was built in 1882 and was a school until 1934. It was the home to the Sheret Post #35 American Legion from 1935 until the county acquired it in 1980. The site has been used for the treasurer’s office, probation, computer services and historian. Currently, only the treasurer’s officer and historian’s office are using the building.

The red-brick building needs repointing and estimates have topped $100,000, DeFrank said.

The treasurer’s office is seeing more demand from the public. This September and October it is collecting the school taxes for the Albion school district for the first time. It also collects for Lyndonville and Medina.

The Bank of America’s south side is shown today (facing the plaza that includes Subway and several other businesses and organizations).

DeFrank is hopeful the treasurer’s office can be moved to the bank site by this time next year.

She said the site needs some paint, new carpets and a build out of offices. The driveway should also be redone.

The treasurer’s office received new furniture late last year, and DeFrank said the furnishings and equipment can be moved to the former bank site.

The county bought the bank building from 156 South Albion LLC, which is based at 56 Exchange St. in Rochester.

DeFrank said she expects the treasurer’s office will be put up for sale after the office shifts to the former bank.

Legislature leader says Genesee trying to ‘steamroll’ Orleans in accepting STAMP sewer

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – Last night, the Orleans County Legislature voted unanimously for a resolution to preserve the Oak Orchard River and local tributaries in Orleans County.  The Legislature continues to push back against Genesee County’s Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park’s (STAMP) plan to discharge to six million gallons of wastewater a day from STAMP into Oak Orchard River by way of the Town of Shelby.

“Tonight’s resolution and the lawsuit we filed last week to prevent this wastewater discharge are not actions we take lightly, as we have a long record of partnering with our friends in Genesee County,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature.  “But partnerships are built upon being able to have conversations on difficult topics like wastewater and then cooperating on a solution that works for everyone.

“Yet, throughout this process, Genesee County and their economic development agency have not engaged with Orleans County leadership, developed a plan in the backroom to dump wastewater in Orleans County without our input and then, when questioned, just decided to attempt to steamroll us, rather than work together.  I cannot express enough the level of disappointment we feel in their actions.”

Johnson said the resolution clearly states the concerns Orleans County has regarding the wastewater discharge including impacts on tourism, sport fishing, flooding, property damage, declining real estate values and more.  Johnson believes there are other avenues Genesee should be exploring for managing wastewater.

“I have said all along and want to repeat it again, that our legislators are in support of STAMP and the economic development projects that will lead to investment and jobs for our entire region,” said Johnson.  “But that economic growth cannot come at the expense of Orleans County’s natural resources.

Johnson also acknowledged the efforts of New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who represents both counties in the State Legislature and has been attempting to mediate a solution.

“We appreciate that Assemblyman Hawley is taking an active role in bringing all parties together,” said Johnson.  “We must work together on an alternative.”

Here is the resolution approved by the Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday:

RESOLUTION NO. 456-923 – SUPPORT TO PRESERVE THE OAK ORCHARD RIVER AND LOCAL TRIBUTARIES IN ORLEANS COUNTY

WHEREAS, this Legislature finds that while the potential economic output generated by the STAMP Project in Genesee County could be beneficial, discharges into waters of Orleans County will have various adverse and substantial economic impact on Orleans County, its residents, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that impact to the local infrastructure available for residents and businesses would be limited if STAMP Sewer Works, Inc. were to discharge 6 million gallons a day (6MGD) of wastewater from the STAMP site in Genesee County into Oak Orchard River by way of the Town of Shelby in Orleans County; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that communities with interests in Oak Orchard River and Lake Ontario are concerned with the economic impacts on local real estate values, economic development, and $27 million in annual tourism and recreation revenue unique to Oak Orchard River, tributaries in Orleans County and Lake Ontario, with respect to discharging 6MGD of waste into Oak Orchard River, a tributary of Lake Ontario; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that Lake Ontario is subject to water level fluctuations from the International Joint Commission (IJC) which slows the draining of Oak Orchard River and other local tributaries of Lake Ontario; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that areas of flooding have been mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) includes much of the land within the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (INWR) in the Town of Shelby is within a flood hazard zone; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that increased coastal erosion in recent years has increased flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline and construction standards in flood areas should be restricted in order to prevent property and other damage due to flooding, and to maintain open pathways for flood waters; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that flood zones in Orleans County have been identified along the following water bodies and their tributaries: Oak Orchard River-Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby; Johnson Creek-Lyndonville, Yates; Fish Creek-Ridgeway, Shelby; Marsh Creek-Yates; Jeddo Creek- Ridgeway, Yates; Erie Canal-Medina, Ridgway, Shelby; Lake Ontario-Yates; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature further finds that other methods of managing wastewater are available in Genesee County that would not result in the same impacts to Orleans County; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that both the design and plan to discharge 6MGD of wastewater from STAMP would stir up sediment and increase pollution in Oak Orchard River and tributaries in Orleans County; and

WHEREAS, this Legislature further finds that the volume and velocity of STAMP wastewater would increase turbidity and hasten erosion along the banks of the waterways in Orleans County; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature further finds that the choice to develop project data based on unlikely events does not fully address or satisfy concerns about sediment, erosion, flooding, and economic impacts; now be it

RESOLVED, that this Legislature find and declares that it is the duty of Orleans County to act to preserve the Oak Orchard River and local tributaries in Orleans County for the economic vitality of affected communities.