By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2025 at 4:07 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Carol Culhane has created a painting for the Orleans County bicentennial that she says honors the pioneers who tamed the land and lived modestly in log cabins.
In her painting, she shows Main Street in Albion in the 1800s, and has images of a log cabin with livestock, and paintings of the County Courthouse and the Clerks’ Building.
The painting will be featured in a program on April 15 for the county’s 200th anniversary. Orleans was officially recognized on April 15, 1825 by the State Legislature after separating from Genesee County.
Decades before the courthouse (built in 1858) and Clerks’ Building (constructed in 1882) were erected on the Courthouse Square, there was a log cabin there. A historical marker at the courthouse lawn notes the first settlers in Albion in 1811 built a log cabin where the Clerks’ Building stands. The late Al Capurso had that marker installed in 2013 to honor those pioneers – William McAllister and his wife.
Capurso, the former president of Orleans County Historical Association, in 2017 shared his idea with Culhane to have the courthouse and Clerks’ Building in the same painting with a log cabin to honor the pioneers.
Culhane, a member of the Bicentennial Committee, has been thinking about Capurso’s idea and wanted to make it a reality.
She presented the finished painting to the Bicentennial Committee today. She will have it made into prints. Culhane will have 500 of the prints made at 18 inches by 24 inches. They will be available for $10 each with proceeds to go towards celebrating the county’s bicentennial this year.
“I love Orleans County,” said Culhane, a former Gaines town supervisor. “It’s a privilege and an honor to do this.”
She wanted to include the Courthouse Square, a pioneer tribute and include Albion’s historic Main Street.
“One of the things I’ve always admired about Albion is the beauty of the streetscape,” Culhane said.
The bicentennial posters will be numbered from 1 to 500 and Culhane will sign them. She expects the posters to be available in about 10 days. For more information about acquiring one, contact her at (585) 738-3016 or by email, cecjcculhane@gmail.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2025 at 10:44 am
Photos by Marsha Rivers
Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot, tries a maneuver on a sculpture by the Erie Canal in Medina.
These 23 precast concrete modules were dedicated on Nov. 17, 2023 at the Lions Park just east of the lift bridge on Route 63.
UB architecture students created the memorial to honor Sydney Gross, who is remembered for a vibrant personality. Gross was a student in the program who left a strong impression on her professors and the other students. She was a very social person who was friends with everyone. She was killed in a car accident in July 2009.
Orly the Ox is highlighting people, places and things in Orleans County in 2025 as part of the county’s bicentennial celebration. Orly encourages others to explore the sculpture. It can be a place to reflect, meet with friends and also try some daring climbing maneuvers.
(Left) Orly took a bite out of an apple while standing by The Big Apple in Medina. This 11-foot-high sculpture was created by artist Richard Bannister of Barre in 2000. It stands next to the Glenwood Avenue bridge. Bannister created the giant apple as a tribute to Western New York fruit growers. Orleans County is one of the top apple-growing counties in the state.
(Right – Photo by Isabella Zasa) Orly visited the Shoe Tree on Foss Road in Lyndonville, an attraction covered in hundreds of shoes. Local legend says that tying your shoelaces together, making a wish, and successfully tossing them onto a branch will make your wish come true.
Over the years, the Shoe Tree has gained widespread recognition, appearing on multiple websites and in the 2008 book “New York Curiosities.”
Orly has some ambitious fitness goals for 2025. He stopped by the YMCA in Medina and cooled down in the Silver Sneakers class with some stretches and movements. He also worked out on several exercise machines, including the stair climber and a rowing machine. He then lifted some dumbbells and a kettlebell.
Orly tried billiards and some of the other games at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion, even making a behind-the-back shot playing pool.
Orly is on TikTok, and his adventures can be followed on the Orleans County Tourism’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2025 at 10:22 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has declared March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” County Legislator Fred Miller on Thursday presented a proclamation to Arc GLOW members.
From left include board members Marlene Hill and Joe Barchet, Legislator Miller, and Lisa Bors, vice president of public relations and development for Arc GLOW.
The former Arc of Genesee Orleans and Arc of Livingston-Wyoming merged in 2021 to form the new Arc GLOW. This is the first four-county chapter of The Arc New York. This follows the merger in 2016 of the former Arc of Orleans and Genesee Arc.
In Orleans County, Arc GLOW has three homes for individuals with disabilities, operates Orleans Enterprises Work Center in Albion, day habilitation programs, Meals on Wheels/Nutrifare in Albion and Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway. Several programs and departments also share space with the finance department on Caroline Street in Albion, Arc GLOW officials said.
The original ARC of Orleans County formed about 60 years ago.
“March is designated as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to highlight the abilities and achievements of people with developmental disabilities, while raising awareness of the challenges they face,” according to the proclamation form the County Legislature. “People with developmental disabilities are an essential part of our community, bringing unique talents, perspectives, and strength to Orleans County.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2025 at 8:40 am
Wendel to be paid up to $427K; new roof and supports could top $1 million
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Public Safety Building, which opened in 1998 at a former furniture store building, needs roof repairs and other upgrades.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is pushing to fix the roof and make other upgrades to the Public Safety Building on Route 31.
The building has a sizable flat roof. The roof on the western side of the building needs to be replaced and that part of the building needs more structural support for HVAC.
The county last summer moved the Probation Department out of the building to the former GCC campus in Albion due to concerns with part of the Public Safety Building.
The Legislature on Thursday voted to pay Wendel Companies in Williamsville up to $427,000 for design, bidding services and construction management for replacing and strengthening the roof. The construction project could top $1 million, county officials said.
The county bought the building, a former furniture store, in 1998. It is used by the Sheriff’s Office, 911 Dispatch Center, the Major Felony Crime Task Force and District Attorney’s Office. Probation is expected to stay at the former GCC site with the Sheriff’s Office getting the Probation Department’s space once the project is complete.
The Legislature on Oct. 24, 2023 approved spending $975,000 to buy the former GCC building at 456 West Ave. The county paid Herring Enterprises of Holley for the building, which hadn’t been used for classes for several years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2025 at 9:44 pm
Engineering services approved on other bridge projects
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved several resolutions today for bridge projects in the county.
The Legislature accepted the low bid of $1,188,874 from CATCO in Alden to replace the bridge on Route 279 in Carlton over Beardsley Creek. The project is 95 percent reimbursable by the state through the Bridge NY program with the local share at 5 percent.
The Legislature also approved an agreement with Bergmann Architectural Associates in Buffalo to be paid $189,692 for construction inspection and support for the Beardsley Creek bridge project. That is also 95 percent funded by Bridge NY.
Other resolutions by the Legislature for bridge projects include:
• The County hired Ravi Engineering in Rochester to design, handle the bidding and administer all phases of replacing a culvert on Eagle Harbor-Knowlesville Road over old Oak Orchard Creek. The county has been awarded $1,035,000 towards the culvert replacement by the Bridge NY program.
• Approved a $278,700 contract with C&S Engineers Inc. for preliminary engineering, design and Right-of-Way incidentals work for replacing the Groth Road bridge over the east branch of Sandy Creek in Murray. The project is 95 percent covered by Bridge NY.
• Approved paying LaBella Associates $161,000 for engineering services for a bridge on Lakeshore Road over an unnamed creek. The county is paying the $161,000 for a project that could receive federal and/or state reimbursement.
• Amended a resolution for a contract with Labella Associates to be paid $221,700 for construction inspection and support for the bridge on Angling Road in Yates. The project is 80 percent paid for by federal government, with 15 percent from state and 5 percent from county.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2025 at 8:09 am
Artists urged to be part of the show that opens July 18
File photo by Tom Rivers: Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of the Marti’s on Main art gallery in Albion, poses in April 2022 with two of her paintings, of an acorn woodpecker and red-headed woodpecker, both acrylics on Masonite.
ALBION – Kim Martillotta Muscarella is working on the schedule of art shows for 2025 at the Marti’s on Main art gallery.
She wants one of the shows to highlight Orleans County and the Erie Canal, which are both celebrating their 200th anniversaries this year.
Muscarella welcomes artists to display paintings, photographs, sculptures, quilts and other art forms for the bicentennial show. The opening reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 18.
Artists can submit photos of complete art or their ideas for new art for the show by April 4. For more information, contact Muscarella at (585) 590-9211.
Muscarella will display up to two works from artists in the juried show which is not limited to people who live in Orleans County. She is excited to see the art and the different ways artists express themselves in highlighting Orleans County and the Erie Canal.
Muscarella also is planning an environmental show after the bicentennial display. The environmental show will open on Aug. 15. Artists can submit photos of their work or ideas for the show by May 1 by texting Muscarella.
Marti’s is located at 2o South Main St., a prominent historic building that used to be the offices for the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2025 at 7:41 am
ALBION – Applications are now being accepted for a new class offering 10 weeks of instruction for small business owners or people looking to start a new business in Orleans County.
The Orleans Microenterprise Assistance Program can accommodate 15 students each class. A new class will run on Thursday evenings from April 3 to June 5 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31 in Knowlesville.
The most recent class from the fall 2024 included 14 graduates, which brings the total to 558 people who have completed MAP since it started in 2002. More than 200 have started a variety of businesses in the county.
The 10-week program covers topics such as legal requirements for starting a business, forms of ownership, business plan development, taxation for sole proprietors, marketing and advertising strategies, bookkeeping and record keeping, banking essentials, pricing goods and services, and cost analysis.
To see the application to be in the program, click here. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on March 14.
Prospective entrepreneurs aged 18 and older, who maintain a permanent residence or business physically located in Orleans County, are encouraged to apply.
The course fee is $300. However, financial aid is available for qualifying applicants based on financial need. Interested individuals can complete the application online in under 10 minutes or contact OEDA with further program questions at (585) 589-7060 ext. 1 or MHolland@orleansdevelopment.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2025 at 7:38 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County offices will be closed on Tuesday due to the anticipated hazardous travel conditions.
“While we strive not to reduce the availability of county services, we felt it was imperative in this situation for the safety of the public and employees,” said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director. “Essential employees still need to report to work at their scheduled times.”
The lake effect snow warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke also has issued a travel advisory until 1 p.m. Wednesday. He recommends against non-essential travel.
“Motorists are urged to use extreme caution, as reduced visibility or zero visibility at times and snow-covered roads pose significant travel risks,” Niederhofer said. “Road and weather conditions will be monitored, and the travel advisory will be updated accordingly.”
The County Legislature meeting for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. has been pushed back two days to Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Modern Disposal is planning to do trash pickup on Tuesday. If there is a change, it will be announced, Niederhofer said.
“Emergency services and essential personnel will remain operational during this time,” he said. “Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official county social media pages, county website and local media updates.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2025 at 5:26 pm
Sheriff recommends no unnecessary travel until 1 p.m. Wednesday
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has issued a travel advisory, recommending no unnecessary travel until 1 p.m. on Wednesday when a lake-effect snow warning expires.
Bourke said he consulted with local highway superintendents, the county Department of Public Works, county officials and the Emergency Management Office to issue the travel advisory.
“Currently, we have snow and blowing snow producing low visibility, white-outs and extremely dangerous conditions in some areas,” Bourke said. “We are also expecting very high winds with dangerously low wind chill factors during this storm.”
As conditions change, the advisory will be reassessed, Bourke said.
The county could get another 10 to 18 inches of snow in a lake-effect storm. The low tonight is 10, followed by a high of 17 on Tuesday and an overnight low of 10. On Wednesday, the high is forecast for 18 degrees with an overnight low of 12.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2025 at 3:28 pm
EDA changes from PILOT to lease-leaseback arrangement with Falls Road Railroad
File photos by Tom Rivers: A Genesee Valley Transportation train travels through Albion in this photo from March. Some Albion students were doing a cleanup day near the railroad tracks.
ALBION – The Falls Road Railroad, which runs from Lockport through Orleans County to Brockport, has been approved for a $1,652,330 state grant from Department of Transportation.
The funding will go towards new turnout lines and replacing some rail lines along the 41-mile railroad, Orleans Economic Development Agency officials said during the board meeting on Friday.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Sept. 9, 2015 shows the Falls Road Railroad in Albion. The railroad runs through Orleans County near Route 31, and stretches from Lockport to Brockport.
The Orleans EDA board approved ending PILOT agreements and instead having a lease-leaseback arrangement for the railroad in the county. The EDA is conveying the deed of the property to Falls Road, which is owned by the Genesee Valley Transportation company in Batavia.
The EDA helped Falls Road secure a previous grant of $480,000 from the Northern Border Regional Commission in 2019. NBRC has informed GVT and the Orleans EDA that the EDA doesn’t need title ownership for the railroad to receive grant funding. A leasehold agreement is sufficient, the Orleans EDA stated in a resolution adopted by the board on Friday.
The new grant from the DOT for $1,652,330 is an Industrial Access Improvements Grant and can include an agreement directly between the railroad owner and the DOT, the Orleans EDA said.
The EDA will instead have a lease-leaseback transaction to facilitate construction and operation of the railroad improvement project, the EDA board stated in the resolution.
The improvements to the railroad are expected to go through a bidding process.
The railroad is a key resource in the county for economic development, EDA officials said.
They praised GVT for recent upgrades along the railroad, which is seeing increased use. The EDA said additional siding could be added to serve Stockham Lumber in Holley and the former Bernzomatic plant in Medina.
“This is an important artery for our county,” said Craig Tuohey, an EDA board member.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2025 at 11:22 am
Provided photos
Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot, has been out and about in Orleans in the past few weeks.
He was in Kendall last Wednesday for the finale of a euchre tournament between residents of Kendall and Hamlin. Orly is shown next to Bill Hardenbrook of Kendall.
The Kendall team triumphed over Hamlin in a friendly rivalry going back 71 years.
Orly also stopped by Dustin’s Pizzeria in Holley last week to highlight the Super Bowl as one of the busiest food holidays of the year. (Orly was happy to see the Kansas City Chiefs get walloped by the Philadelphia Eagles in the game.)
Photo by Tom Rivers
Our beloved ox also needed to satisfy a hunger craving and made a beeline to the Village House Restaurant where he scarfed down a Greek salad and some pie.
You can follow Orly’s adventures on the Orleans County Tourism social media accounts on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here).
Photo by Tom Rivers: State Sen. Rob Ortt held a news conference at the Ridgeway fire hall on Friday, highlighting the need to recruit more volunteer firefighters. County Legislators Ed organ, left, and Skip Draper joined Ortt at the conference. Firefighters pictured in back from left include Scott Buffin, deputy director of Orleans County Emergency Management Office; Justin Niederhofer, director of Orleans County EMO; Marc Major and Robert Margie of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company; Jerry Bentley of the Barre Volunteer Fire Company; and Gary Lamar of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2025 at 11:48 am
RIDGEWAY – A fire consumed a grocery store in Wilson on Jan. 28. When the call went out at 7 p.m., Wilson firefighters found they needed more help in containing the blaze at the Wilson Lakeside Market.
State Sen. Rob Ortt highlighted the Wilson fire during news conferences on Friday at the Ridgeway Fire Hall and the Wilson Volunteer Fire Company. Ortt said many volunteer fire departments find themselves often with too few firefighters at emergency scenes. He worries the situation will become more dire with communities unable to protect themselves due to a shortage of trained volunteers.
“It is not a given that these departments have the manpower to handle what will be thrown at them,” Ortt said at a news conference at the Ridgeway fire hall on Friday. “I want to raise the challenge and concern for our rural communities.”
Ortt highlighted five proposals in the Legislature that could help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
The legislation includes:
S2314 – Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers.
S2720 – Creates a wage tax credit for employers who employ New York national guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel
S3527 – Relates to enacting the volunteer emergency services mileage reimbursement tax credit
S3529 – Relates to volunteer members of village fire companies. (This law would allow the percentage of non-resident volunteer members in village fire companies to exceed 45 percent of the actual membership of the fire company.)
S2008 – Authorizes municipalities to fund training of firefighters; allows a municipality to recoup the cost of sending a firefighter to training school from another municipality that hires that firefighter within three years of their training. (The legislation would allow a municipality to recoup the cost of sending a firefighter to training school from another municipality that hires that firefighter within three years of their training. Current law allows for this recoupment when the individual is a firefighter.)
Ortt attends many fire department banquets at this time of year from January through April in Orleans, Niagara and western Monroe. He said a small group of volunteers are responding to the majority of the calls, and those volunteers seem to be getting older.
“The red line that protects us is getting thinner and thinner,” Ortt said.
He noted fire departments are trying to draw more members, including on April 26-27 for RecruitNY. Ortt said the volunteer fire service tends to have families of firefighters, with younger generations drawn to it because of the examples of their parents and other family members.
Justin Niederhofer, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, said the county will be doing a study of the local fire service, looking at different options including the possibility of more paid firefighters.
The RecruitNY open houses welcome everyone in the community, and give them a chance to see roles they could serve in their fire department.
“We got to find a way to bring in people who have maybe never thought about being a firefighter,” Ortt said.
He believes it has a universal appeal of offering people a strong sense of purpose and giving back to their community, as well as camaraderie.
Justin Niederhofer, the director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, said local fire departments are using mutual aid to respond to many calls.
“We are facing a recruitment problem,” he said. “We need more people. We can’t face the job we are tasked to do without more people.”
He said the county will be sending out an RFP to seek proposals from firms to help the county with a study of the local fire service, and perhaps reimagine how that service could best be provided in the short-term and long-term. That could include a hybrid of volunteers with more paid firefighters. Right now Medina has the only career firefighters, and they also run an ambulance service for western Orleans. Niederhofer said
Many departments with paid personnel also face staffing challenges, Ortt said, and that includes paid EMS and police. Municipalities are often competing with each other for the staff, Ortt said.
Justin McAdoo, age 20, loves being a volunteer firefighter with Ridgeway. He joined on his 16th birthday, the first day he could. He said he has been able to invite 10 to 15 people who have joined local fire companies.
Justin McAdoo, 20, has been a part of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company for nearly five years, joining the day he turned 16. He was the department’s firefighter of the year in 2024 and already has been promoted to lieutenant in the department.
McAdoo’s mother Kristin is the deputy chief and his grandfather Don Marchner has been an active firefighter for more than 50 years.
McAdoo shares his love of being a firefighter with many of his friends, and he estimates 10 to 15 have joined a local fire company.
“They see that I enjoy it so much,” he said.
That may be part of the recruitment effort, having current firefighters be ambassadors in welcoming more people to join.
Niederhofer said many of the local departments also are allowing 16- and 17-year-olds as restricted members to get them involved as younger members. As restricted members they can take training and help at emergency scenes with changing air packs and cleanup but they can’t do active firefighting.
He is reaching out to local schools to see if the restricted membership could be promoted.
“If we can tap into local schools, it may spread,” he said.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
Provided photo: K-9 Odin will have a protective vest while it serves with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
ALBION – K9 Odin will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Odin, a Belgian Malinois, recently joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Jeff Cole is the dog’s handler.
K9 Odin’s vest was sponsored by Karla Kimmey of Charlotte, FL and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Zayla.” Delivery is expected within ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s has provided over 5,882 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.
For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2025 at 9:21 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, stands outside the Head Start school on East State Street in Albion. After two weeks of worry, Hungerford was relieved when the agency’s federal funds came through on Wednesday.
ALBION – Renee Hungerford felt a deep relief on Wednesday morning when she checked to see if federal funding came through for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. The money, thankfully, was in the account.
Hungerford leads the agency that has 110 employees and serves 5,000 people in the two counties. She received notice last week that federal funds would be frozen to Community Action, only to see that directive rescinded.
But she still worried because some of her colleagues who run Head Start programs had closed programs when the money didn’t come through.
“What we don’t know is if it will happen again,” Hungerford said at her Albion office on East State Street. “I have not slept now for two weeks. It’s the fear of the unknown.”
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee receives its federal funds every two weeks and they are a reimbursement for services. The agency does not have a deep well of reserves to weather a financial impasse from the federal government.
“We have a contingency plan,” she said. “We have a little money to float. Other (Community Action organizations and head Start programs) are opening lines of credit.”
Hungerford said most of Community Action’s funds come from the federal government – about $5 million of the agency’s $8 million annual budget.
Community Action serves about 200 children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the two counties. It provides many other services – food, child care, housing and transportation – to lower-income people trying to become self sufficient.
Hungerford said many local residents are in very vulnerable situations, trying to maintain their households. It is a constant struggle.
“People experiencing poverty and kids should be last on the list” she said about a push to cut back federal spending and programs.
Leaders of the federal government are announcing changes that feel abrupt and are catching agencies off guard.
“I don’t think they’re doing an in-depth analysis,” Hungerford said. “They’re cutting and seeing what happens.”
Community Action began about 60 years ago, and has continued to grow and add programs and services to help needy families, while focusing on helping them become independent and self-sufficient.
The local programs include ACT (helping youth ACT responsibly), Stone Soup Success/Food Rx (educating to prepare healthy meals), Child Care Resource and Referral, Early Head Start and Head Start, Weatherization and Energy Services, Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store, a credit recovery program for Albion seniors, emergency services, holiday meals and gifts, and the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, which provides daily meals, a clothing depot and food giveaway.
Hungerford said Community Action often helps steer people in crisis in the right direction, connecting them to services in the two counties.
She fears if there are cutbacks at the agency, local residents will lose a critical resource during a challenging period of their lives.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2025 at 5:21 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature recently approved the following voting members to the Emergency Medical Services Council, effective Jan. 1, with all terms expiring Dec. 31, 2025.
• Albion Fire Department: Fred Piano (primary) and Emma Klaver (alternate)
• Barre Fire Company: Kara Smith (primary) and Terry Bentley (alternate)
• Carlton Fire Company: David Bertsch (primary) and Brandi Fisher (alternate)
• Clarendon Fire Company: Don Mosier (primary) and Karl Beidlingmaier (alternate)
• East Shelby Fire Company: Mike Fuller (primary) and Sue Behrend (alternate)
• Kendall Fire Company: Sue Maslyn (primary) and Stephen Balka (alternate)
• Lyndonville Fire Company: Anna Schuner (primary)
• Medina Fire Department: Jacob Crooks (primary) and Steve Cooley (alternate)
• Murray Joint Fire District: Mark Porter (primary)
• Ridgeway Fire Company: Kristin McAdoo (primary) and Austin Mosher (alternate)
• Shelby Fire Company: Jenna Simmons (primary) and Donnell Bennett (alternate)
• Orleans County EMO EMS Coordinator: Scott Buffin (primary) and Justin Niederhofer (alternate)
• Orleans County Public Health: David Bell (primary) and Cora Young (alternate)
• Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: Christopher Bourke (primary) and Don Draper (alternate)
• Orleans County Sheriff Dispatch: Allen Turner (primary)
• Orleans Community Health/ Medina Memorial Hospital: Dr. Richard Elman (primary) and Kerry Miller (alternate)
The following were approved as non-voting members of the Council:
• County Legislature: Lynne Johnson and William Eick
• Public Safety Chairmen: Merle Draper and John Fitzak
• Mercy EMS: Adam Wengrzycki and Michael Gugliuzza
• University of Buffalo Medical Doctors: Rob McCartin and Mike Shaw
