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.

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.”

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.

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.

ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson declared a state of emergency at 1:30 p.m. today over a possible arrival of migrants and asylum seekers.

“This situation is a threat to public safety,” Johnson wrote in her state of emergency declaration.

Genesee County officials also declared a state of emergency, concerned that New York City Mayor Eric Adams will send undocumented immigrants to upstate counties.

In her declaration, Johnson said Orleans County has been experiencing a housing crisis “due to an increase of 178 percent placement of homeless persons since July 2022.” That exceeds the county’s limited number of temporary and permanent emergency housing facilities.

“Orleans County does not have the capability to receive or sustain any number of migrants and/or asylum seekers,” Johnson wrote in the declaration.

The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless it is rescinded. Johnson said additional local emergency orders may be issues for the county during the state of emergency “to protect life and property and to bring the emergency condition under control.”

UPDATE at 9:05 a.m. on May 18: The declaration does not include farmworkers coming to work in Orleans County legally through the federal H2A program.

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department

This is the cover of this year’s travel guide promoting events, sites and businesses in Orleans County.

ALBION – This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. It spotlights the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.

“The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.

Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.

Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022—revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.

In Orleans County, the travel industry thrives on visitors coming to experience our world-class fishing, the Erie Canal and other historical assets such as the Medina Railroad Museum and Cobblestone Museum. In 2022, the bed tax that was collected exceeded $111,000. This reflects a 29% increase from 2021 which was a 26% increase from 2020.  We were fortunate to sustain during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.

Orleans County Tourism is recognizing travel’s essential contributions by a number of promotional tools. This week, we are launching a new dynamic website to highlight all that Orleans County has to offer: OrleansCountyTourism.com.

This has a similar platform as the 4-county regional website, FreshAirAdventuresNY.com, that was launched in 2021. The information for each tourism related business will be expanded and featured on a dedicated page specific to that business. Viewers will be able to filter the listings and events by sub-category. And, we will have the ability to cross feed listings to both the county and regional websites simultaneously to expand our reach efficiently.

We are also expanding our partnerships so we can increase our social media campaigns and advertise in national magazines. Besides the 4-county Fresh Air Adventures campaign, we have partnered with Wyoming County to create “Lakes to Letchworth” and advertised in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Country Living Magazines, which has generated over 1,000 leads to date. The “100 Must See Miles on the Erie Canal” is in partnership with Wayne, Monroe and Orleans Counties featuring the highlights along the 100 mile stretch from Medina to Clyde. We are in the process of developing a similar campaign with Niagara Falls USA.

In 2023, the tourism department expanded by introducing a part-time sportfishing coordinator, Ron Bierstine, on a contract basis. Ron contributes a wealth of fishing and conservation experience to Orleans County and the region. He writes weekly fishing reports and works closely with NYS DEC and Canals NY to enhance fishing locally and regionally. We haven’t had a sportfishing coordinator since 2017 when Mike Waterhouse retired.

The summer events rack card will be available for distribution this week that features the concert series and community events. There are currently over 50 live concerts scheduled that are expected to draw thousands of visitors from outside the county that will be frequenting our shops, restaurants and plan for extended stays.

We’re expanding our video library to include the series, Small Town WNY that was produced for interstitial programming for the Buffalo/Toronto PBS market. In 2022, we collaborated with several businesses in Medina and were able to produce four 8-minute episodes profiling the history and hidden gems of Medina. We will continue reaching out to other communities to showcase their “hidden gems”  in 2023.

“Travel is at the heart of Orleans County, powering a strong U.S. economy, creating jobs and strengthening our community’s culture and identity,” said Dawn Borchert, director of Tourism in Orleans County. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future.”

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week and OrleansCountyTourism.com for the multiple reasons to visit Orleans County and invite your friends!

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bob Harker, director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, addresses the crowd at Saturday night’s gala at Elba Fire Hall.

ELBA – More than 100 supporters attended the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s first gala since Covid on Saturday night at the Elba Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

The evening began with a prayer by board president Sister Dolores O’Dowd, who also paid tribute to Mary Grace DeMarse, a long-time board member who died in December. Many donations to the basket raffle for the evening were made in memory of DeMarse, who loved the annual fundraising event and would keep her eyes open for basket items all year round.

GOMOC’s director Bob Harker welcomed guests and thanked those attending for their support.

“Ministry of Concern doesn’t rely on tax dollars,” he said. “We rely on you. We are totally grant and donation supported. We have to do fundraising like this to pay the bills or we couldn’t do what we do for those in need. That’s why events like this are so important.”

He said they were thrilled to be able to have the first gala in three years and thanked Marie Gabalski for helping to organize the event.

Sue Metzo of Medina attended with a table of MAAC volunteers. She said they all enjoyed comedian Moody McCarthy.

“He was very interesting and did down-to-earth stuff,” Metzo said.

She said MAAC supports the Ministry of Concern, and they all work together. For example, when Ministry of Concern has a family who needs pots and pans, their volunteer will contact the MAAC Thrift Depot and ask if they have any.

“We do great things to help each other in Orleans County,” Metzo said.

Harker added he was very grateful to the people who supported the gala and GOMOC this year.

“It frees us to help people in a real way,” he said.

The evening also included a basket raffle, live auction, 50/50 drawing and dinner catered by Chap’s Elba Diner.

The Ministry of Concern is known as “The agency of last resort,” for having the ability to help people in need in various ways.

In addition to Sister O’Dowd, the agency’s board includes honorary director, John J. LaFalce; vice president, Bruce Schmidt; secretary, Teresa Gaylard; treasurer, Karen Kinter; and Jane Balbick, Jack Burris, Jennifer Metz, Phil Pies, Karen Tennity and the Rev. Colleen O’Connor.

Besides Harker, staff are office manager, Carol Whalin; advocate/furniture program coordinator, Lisa Taylor-Rowland; furniture program driver, Fran Gaylord; and furniture program assistant, Charlie Downey.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature presented four proclamations during its meeting on Tuesday. In the top photo, Legislator Bill Eick reads a proclamation declaring May 7-13 as “National Travel & Tourism Week.”

Standing to accept the proclamation include, from left: Lora Partyka of Partyka Farms in Kendall and the Country Barn Quilt Trail, Doug Farley of the Cobblestone Museum, Ginny Kropf of the Medina Railroad Museum, Faye Conley of the Bent’s Opera House and Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.

Eick and legislators said travelers spend $30.9 million annually in Orleans County on lodging, recreation, restaurants, retail shops, agriculture, attractions and second homes, supporting over 510 jobs in Orleans County.

Sportsfishing is the county’s top tourism attraction at a $28 million annual impact.

The county’s occupancy tax continues to increase each year, with a record $111,013 collected in 2022.

Borchet, the tourism’s director, thanked the many local businesses and organizations that invest in their sites to bring in visitors to the county.

County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation declaring May as National Foster Care Month. He is joined by Holli Nenni, the county’s Department of Social Services Commissioner and DSS employees Lianna Scipioni and Judianne Gearing.

“For the nearly 400,000 youth in foster care across our country, the best path to success we can give them is the chance to experience a loving home where they can feel secure and thrive,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “Whereas, strong support structures provide children with the environment needed to learn, grow and reach their greatest potential.”

The Legislature recognizes the efforts of foster families, social workers, faith-based and community organizations, and others that are improving the lives of our young people in foster care across our county.

County Legislator Skip Draper presents a proclamation to Matt Tracey of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Towards Education). The proclamation declared May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.”

There will be a motorcycle safety rally at 2 p.m. on May 7 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. Bikers will then go on an awareness ride throughout the county.

Legislator Fred Miller presents a proclamation to Melissa Blanar, director of the Office of the Aging, that declared May as “Older Americans Month.”

“Orleans County includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community,” legislators said. “Whereas, communities’ benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live independently.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of clergy members took the oath of office and were sworn in as chaplains for the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Pictured form left include Dan Thurber, Don Snyder, Randy LeBaron, Brandon Carmichael, Tim Lindsay, Rebecca Allis, Eddie English, Bilal Huzair and Sheriff Chris Bourke.

County Clerk Nadine Hanlon administers the oath during the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The Sheriff’s Office has chaplains on call every day, with the clergy taking turns. The chaplains are volunteers and are not paid. They do ride-alongs and offer spiritual support to employees of the Sheriff’s Office if requested.

They also are available to go to a scene where there has been a tragedy or crime and offer support for families or victims of crimes.

The chaplains also attend public events throughout the year with the Sheriff’s Office.

Provided photo: Unused prescription medication is packed up after being dropped off on Saturday at the Orleans County Public Safety Building. Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson is at left and Sheriff Chris Bourke is at right. Correction Officer Tyler Ajitsingh is at center.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday once again participated in the National Prescription Take-Back Event that was sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The collection event was staffed by deputy sheriffs and yielded 697.6 pounds of unused medication and sharps.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the National Prescription Take-Back Program since 2012 and has collected a combined weight of over 12,000 pounds of unused medications and sharps.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to support future collection events with the purpose of safely disposing unused medications and to reduce the potential for criminal diversion. Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson organized this year’s event.

Local funding from state regrant program doubles from last year

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gregory Hallock (right), executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council greets about 75 people during an announcement on Saturday for $210,000 in grants to local arts programs. He is joined at Hoag Library in Albion by Mary Jo Whitman (left), the education and Statewide Community Regrant Program coordinator; and Jodi Fisher (center), the GO ART! administrative assistant.

ALBION – Local artists and organizations will see a big increase in funding for cultural programming this year. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council on Saturday presented grants totaling $210,000 to about 50 different organizations, municipalities and artists for events and projects.

That is about double the $107,800 from a year ago and triple the $70,000 in decentralization grants from the state in 2019.

There was more money available from the state through the Statewide Community Regrant Program. GO ART! has shown it can administer the funding, and the two local counties have shown there is demand for the programs, said Gregory Hallock, GO ART! executive director.

He addressed about 75 people on Saturday at Hoag Library, when the checks were distributed for the programs.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal to get this kind of money to give out,” he said.

GO ART! officials on Saturday presented checks for $210,000 to about 50 different artists, community organizations and municipalities to support cultural programs in 2023. The funding was presented to about 75 people at the Hoag Library in Albion. Last year there was $107,800 available.

The result is bigger grants – up to $5,000 – for many of the projects, and some first-time recipients.

The Statewide Community Regrant Program is funded through the New York State Council on the Arts. Money is available in all 62 counties with funding regranted by local arts agencies through a peer panel funding process. The Statewide Community Regrant Programs consists of 3 different grants – Reach, Ripple and Spark.

REACH: The GO ART! Community Arts Grants (Reach Grants) provide seed grants to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media, and visual arts. Each year the program supports arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.

Veronica Morgan accepts a grant for $5,000 to go towards the “I was a ‘Hoggee’ on the Erie Canal” program planned for Oct. 6-7 which will include a canal boat in Orleans County, artists and other entertainers.

ORLEANS COUNTY REACH GRANTEES

• Albion Merchants Association – Concerts on the Canal, $5,000
• Cobblestone Society & Museum – Cobblestone Museum Arts Series, $5,000
• Friends of Boxwood Cemetery – Boxwood at Night, $4,160
• Hoag Library – Hoag Music Series, $5000
• Howard Barry (Community Free Library) – Myron Holley Erie Canal Mural, $5,000
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library – Finally Fridays! Concert series, $3,200
• Lyndonville Lions Club – I Hear the Music, $5,000
• Orleans County Historical Association – Multidisciplinary Live History Event, $5,000
• Veronica Morgan – I was a “Hoggee” on the Erie Canal, $5,000
• Vette (Albion Merchant Association) – Albion Summer Concert, $4,768
• Village of Albion – Bridging the Village Music Series, $5,000
• Village of Holley – Concerts at the Canal, $3,000
• Yates Community Library – More than Just Books, $5,000

Tony Barry, an artist from Holley, receives a grant to paint a mural on the back of the Community Free Library building. The mural will be in an Erie Canal theme, and will include a portrait of Myron Holley, the village’s namesake and an early champion of the canal.

GENESEE COUNTY REACH GRANTEES:

• Batavia Business Improvement District – Jackson Square Concert Series, $5,000
• Batavia Concert Band – Batavia Concert Band Summer Concert Series, $3,231
• Batavia Development Corp – Murals in the Batavia City Centre, $2,800
• Batavia Players, Inc. – 2023 Theater Season, $5,000
• Bergen Historical Society – Holiday Mural Panels, $4,286
• Bill & Kay McDonald – Homegrown Concert Series, $5,000
• Brian Kemp (Batavia Business Improvement District) – TableTop ArtShow, $5,000
• Byron-Bergen Public Library – Enriching lives through the Arts, $4,954
• David Burke (Warrior House of WNY) – The Goose Community Center Indoor Mural, $2,500
• Elba Betterment Committee – EBC Presents Art Around Town (Again), $5,000
• Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden – Artistic Interpretive Panels, $5,000
• Gillam-Grant Community Center – Community Art Adventure, $4,849
• Genesee Chorale, Inc. – Genesee Chorale 2023 Season, $5,000
• Genesee Symphony Orchestra – Concert Series, $5,000
• GLOW OUT! – Pride Festival, $4,500

Sara Vacin, executive director of GLOW Out, said a grant will help fund the GLOW Pride Fest on June 9 in Batavia.

• Haxton Memorial Library – Talented Thursdays, $5,000
• Heather Davis (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church) – Opera on the Oatka, $1,500
• Holland Land Office Museum – Guest Speaker & Concert Series, $3,500
• Hollwedel Memorial Public Library in Pavilion – Shake on the Lake Presents William Shakespeare, $5,000
• Michelle Cryer (Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden) – Batavia Water Storage Tank Mural, $2,800
• Oakfield Betterment Committee – Oakfield Labor Daze, $5,000
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Music at St. Mark’s, $2,970
• Thera Sanchez (Habitat for Humanity) – Batavia’s Gold Mural, $3,000
• Warrior House of WNY – Learning Through Art, $5,000
• William Peterson (Batavia Players) – Everyone Has a Story, $5,000
• Woodward Memorial Library – Art All Year, $5,000

RIPPLE: The GO ART! Individual Artist Commission (Ripple Grant) supports local, artist-initiated activity, and highlights the role of artists as important members of the community. The Commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting.

ORLEANS COUNTY RIPPLE GRANTEES:

• Eric Weatherbee – The Humble Bard Presents, $2,500

GENESEE COUNTY RIPPLE GRANTEES:

• Eric Zwieg – Passenger: A Billion Little Pieces – Postmodern Reflections, $2,500
• David Burke – Harvester Center Hallway Mural, $2,500
• William Schutt – Connecting Hands Connecting Communities, $2,500
• Joshua Lang – On Dreams, $2,500

Alex Fitzak, a member of the band Vette, accepted a grant on behalf of an Albion concert series organized by the Albion Merchants Association.

SPARK: The Arts Education Program (Spark Grant) supports arts education projects for youth and/or senior learners. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts. Projects must focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process.

ORLEANS COUNTY SPARK GRANTEES:

• Patricia Greene (Orleans County Chamber of Commerce) – Art Experiences for Seniors, $5,000
• Judd Sunshine (Lyndonville Central School District) – Erie Canal Songwriting Project, $3,300

GENESEE COUNTY SPARK GRANTEES:

• Genesee County Youth Bureau – Re:Creation (Drawings of Nature), $3,200
• Strength in Numbers Organization Inc. – Strength In Numbers Organization Youth Music Program, $5,000
• Linda Miranda Fix (Batavia Central School District) – #kindness,empathy&you mural, $5,000
• Laura Jackett (Byron-Bergen Public Library) – Art Workshops at the Libraries, $5,000

Todd Bensley, one of the leaders of Friends of Boxwood, accepts a grant to support the Boxwood at Night event this summer at Boxwood Cemetery in medina. Boxwood is a first-time recipient of a GO ART! grant. The Boxwood at Night includes a cemetery tour, ghost walk and music.