Photo by Tom Rivers: Some of the young people in this summer’s youth employment program include, front row, from left: Raquel Russell, Sh’kwe Riley, Makyell Walker and Raekwon Riley. Back row: Peter Anderson, senior employment specialist with the Orleans County Job Development Agency; Jayla Brady, Zoey Weese, Lavell Johnson, Shawn McAllister, Ianah Drisdom, Avion Johnson and Kwame Riley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2022 at 11:33 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Job Development Agency on Friday celebrated the completion of a summer youth program where 41 people, ages 14 to 20, worked in the community for 25 hours a week over five weeks. They were paid $14 an hour, 80 cents above the minimum.
The program was up from 32 youths in the program last summer and 21 in 2020. The youths earn money, gain work experience and learn financial literacy.
The Summer Youth Employment Program is funded through the state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The youths work retail with customer service, as well as clerical and office jobs, and outside work, including landscaping. They helped run summer recreational camps and programs.
The youths worked at the following job sites: Albion Parks, Community Action, Community Free Library in Holley, Creekside Floral in Medina, Daniel’s Men’s Apparel in Medina, Fringe in Medina, Hoag Library in Albion, Holley Community Center in Holley, Hust’l Athletics in Medina, Medina Central School District in the IT Department, Orleans County Fairgrounds/Cooperative Extension, Orleans County Job Development/Dept of Social Services, Orleans County YMCA in Medina, PAWS in Albion, P.Raising Kids in Medina, and Stanley G. Falk School in Buffalo.
Jabari Johnson, 18, of Albion has been in the program the past three summers. He said it has taught him the value of earning his own money, and the importance of being on time and keeping a good attitude. He has worked in the Village of Albion’s summer parks program.
He recently took a job at Orchard Manor in Medina in the kitchen. He wants to learn to become an auto mechanic.
“This program has taught me all about savings, about discipline and about being on time,” he said.
Johnson also said the participants learn you can’t just sit back and wait for something to happen. You need to put yourself in a position to succeed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2022 at 8:39 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matt Herman, center, tosses a tire in a big pile on Saturday. He was one of five employees from the Orleans County Department of Public Works collecting tires as part of the annual household hazardous waste collection event.
The pile was up to about 1,000 tires after about two hours. Other DPW employees assisting with the tires included Andy Beach, Paul Gray, Nick Deuil and Mike Pritchard.
Andy Beach, left, and Mike Pritchard pull tires from the back of a pickup on Saturday. The county extended the tire drop off by an hour to help accommodate the demand for disposing the tires.
The county had 300 slots for the household hazardous waste collection event outside the DPW facility on West Academy Street. The 300 slots were all taken and county officials estimated 80 others called to try to get an appointment.
Employees with Environmental Enterprises in Cincinnati collect household hazardous waste from Orleans County. Many of the fluids were emptied into large drums to be hauled away.
The household hazardous collection event is a chance for residents to dispose tires, propane tanks, auto/marine batteries and other hazardous household waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Some of the items include oil-based paints, solvents, adhesives & resins, aerosols, motor oil & filters, pesticides, acids, fluorescent bulbs, corrosives, household batteries and antifreeze.
The event typically costs about $18,000 to collect and haul away the waste, with state paying half of the cost.
This group takes a short break during the collection by a box full of 1-pound propane tanks. There were 600 of those smaller propane tanks collected in the first two hours. Pictured from left include Mike Dunn of Environmental Enterprises; Jim Bensley, director of the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development, which manages the event; Paul Gray with the Orleans County DPW; and Corey Winters of Planning and Development.
Dunn worked 36 years with Environmental Enterprises before coming out of retirement to help with a staff shortage. Gray is retiring on Friday after 25 years with the DPW and Highway Department.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2022 at 7:35 am
Funding will help economic development agency work through cash-flow challenges
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans Economic Development Agency board of directors and staff for the agency met for their monthly board meeting on Friday morning in Albion at the Albion Visitor’s Center at 121 North Main St. At right are board vice chairman Skip Draper and (second from right) Michael Dobell, the EDA executive director.
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency will use a $500,000 loan from the county government to get through a cash-flow challenge.
The EDA will need to pay back the loan at a 2 percent interest rate over the next 3.5 years.
The economic development agency has seen some of its funding slowed during the pandemic because businesses have put projects on hold. Businesses pay the EDA a small percentage of an overall project that receives EDA assistance.
“Covid has killed economic development for the past two years,” said Skip Draper, vice chairman of the EDA board and a county legislator.
One example, BOMET Recovery planned a new 37,000-square foot facility at the Medina Business Park. Plans for the new building were announced nearly two years ago at 100 Marcia Tuohey Way, the northside of the road facing Bates Road.
But construction hasn’t started. Construction costs have skyrocketed, and there are supply chain delays.
BOMET also is based in Canada. The U.S. closed its border to Canadians in March 2020 due to Covid restrictions, and didn’t reopen it until November 2021.
The EDA has many projects in the economic development pipeline, but businesses remain cautious about forging ahead with expansions or setting up new operations.
“People are taking their time and making sure they are set up for success,” said Michael Dobell, the EDA executive director.
The EDA will use some of the loan from the county to advance on infrastructure projects at the Medina Business Park. The EDA wants to expand the roadway at both sides of the business park to make it more attractive for new business investments.
The EDA also is stepping up its marketing efforts in Canada with regional economic development councils. The agency on Friday renewed a $5,000 commitment with Invest Buffalo Niagara (click here) to market Orleans County sites to Canadian companies.
The county allocates $190,000 annually to support the Orleans EDA’s efforts in the county. The agency has three full-time staff. Draper said the board on the EDA is discussing asking the county for an increase in that allocation for 2023. Draper said the EDA runs a lean operation at a much lower cost than most similar-size counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2022 at 2:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Traffic passes over a culvert on Taylor Hill Road in Ridgeway by the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators were urged by the county’s Department of Public Works commissioner to set aside local funds for bridge and culvert projects.
John Papponetti, the DPW commissioner, said there isn’t enough funding from the state and federal governments for the county to keep up with aging and deteriorating infrastructure.
He cited a culvert on Taylor Hill Road in Ridgeway as an example. The country twice tried for state funding through the Bridge NY program but didn’t get it.
The culvert’s condition has only worsened in that time, Papponetti said. He urged legislators to plan on doing one culvert a year with local dollars and not wait for state or federal aid.
He would like the Taylor Hill Road culvert to be replaced next year, so it either opens right before the fair in late July or with construction starting after the fair.
“We can’t always get federal and state revenue,” he said.
The culvert by the fairgrounds is deteriorating and is scheduled to be replaced next year.
The county owns 68 bridges, about 80 large-diameter culverts and about 200 lane miles of roads, Papponetti said.
The county DPW can do smaller pipe culverts in house, he said. But larger culverts, about 12 to 20 feet, should be bid out for a contractor and those projects can be about $750,000.
He advocated for legislators to set aside local funds for the culverts and bridges, money that can be accessed without all the red tape needed for state and federal funds.
The local funds would help the county DPW keep up with the needed maintenance and repairs of the infrastructure. Papponetti said he doesn’t want to see culverts or bridges closed due to deficiencies and unsafe conditions.
“We need to continue to invest and move forward,” he told county legislators during a meeting on July 27. “I know you have a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers to make sure we’re spending our money wisely.”
Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the Legislature wants to make funding available for the infrastructure work. That is the main reason why the county opted not to suspend the local share of sales tax on gas. Some counties decided to do that after the price hit $2 or $3. The state has suspended its 4 percent sales tax share on gas for the remainder of 2022.
“That is why we talked at length about capping sales tax on gas,” Johnson said. “We thought it much better to use for infrastructure.”
The Legislature on July 27 approved the engineering and design for the Taylor Hill Road culvert, with $76,000 from the infrastructure reserve to be paid to Ravi Engineering & Land Surveying P.C. in Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2022 at 11:52 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller, right, presents a proclamation during the July 27 County Legislature meeting to Janet Cheverie, left, the county’s child support coordinator and Holli Nenni, the Department of Social Services commissioner, declaring August as “Child Support Awareness Month.”
“Parents have an obligation to support their children, financially and emotionally,” county legislators stated. “Studies have shown that when both parents provide financial and emotional support, children are less likely to engage in unhealthy ad unproductive behaviors and are more likely to do well in school and succeed later in life.”
Legislators said the county Department of Social Services has a child support enforcement program and other child support professionals who work with parents to provide economic security for their children.
County Legislator Skip Draper also presented a proclamation to Probation Supervisor Sarah Osbourne which recognized July 17-23 as “National Pre-Trial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.” Legislators urged residents to recognize the work of those in community corrections who “uphold the law with dignity, while recognizing the right of the public to be safe-guarded from criminal activity.”
Community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders in the community, often working in partnership with community agencies and groups. They promote prevention, intervention and advocacy, legislators stated in the proclamation.
“Community corrections professionals provide services, support and protection for victims,” legislators said. “Community corrections professionals advocate community and restorative justice.”
Legislators also agreed to allow the courthouse to be illuminated in purple from Aug. 21 to Sept. 3 to recognize opioid overdose awareness.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2022 at 2:00 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted on Wednesday to add 278.95 acres to the county-wide agricultural district.
The county has an annual opportunity for landowners to request to be in the ag district. Once every 8 years there is a chance to be removed from the district. (In 2024, the county will send letters to all parcel owners in the district, giving them the chance to either stay or be taken out of the district.)
With the new acreage, the countywide district will go to 117,658.95 acres, about 47 percent of the county’s total land area.
The new additions include 48.20 acres on the north side on Route 31A in Barre, owned by Jesse and Andrea Farwell; 6.90 acres on the northside of West Countyhouse Road in Albion, owned by Jesse and Andrea Farwell; 87.23 acres on the south side of Lime Kiln Road in Barre, owned by Anna Shuknecht (Smith); 100.83 acres near Stillwater and Harris Road intersection in Carlton, on land owned by Tyler Baker; 0.78 acre on Thorpe Road in Barre, on land owned by Rodger Newbauld; 33.70 acres on north side on Route 31, west of Power Line Road in Albion, on land owned by Charles and Joseph Mathes; 0.76 acres and 0.55 acres on Kenyonville Road near Howlett Road in Albion/Gaines.
Last year the enrollment opportunity resulted in 137 acres added to the ag district. In 2019, there were 384 acres included and 116 more in 2018.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2022 at 8:37 am
ALBION – Orleans County legislators on Wednesday went on the record opposing new gun legislation adopted by the State Legislature and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 1.
Hochul and the Legislature banned guns from many public places. The state identified “sensitive places” where guns shouldn’t be allowed. Those crowded public places include bars, theaters, stadiums, museums, casinos, polling places, parks, churches, educational facilities and mass transit.
County legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, said criminals will ignore any gun control laws. He said there are 40,000 gun control laws on the books, and those laws don’t stop robberies and murders.
“These laws only hurt law-abiding citizens,” he said during Wednesday’s Legislature meeting.
Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, R-Lyndonville, said Orleans is the second county to formally oppose the state legislation from last month.
“I’m really proud we are able to do that,” she said about the vote.
She said some businesses can post signs whether or not they allow concealed carry for guns. The ones that proclaim no guns allowed in signage baffle Johnson.
“Now the bad guys know where the guns are,” she said about the postings at businesses. “Does that make any sense?”
Legislators in the resolution said banning concealed carry in public is an “unconstitutional attack upon the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
The state legislation makes obtaining and retaining a concealed carry gun permit “an overly involved lengthy burdensome process, requiring citizens to divulge their social media accounts,” county legislators state din the resolution.
The local Legislature said the state legislation “is the result of a knee-jerk, unvetted and political reaction to the recent Supreme Court decision, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc., v. Bruen, and was surreptitiously rushed through legislature without public discussion, input or knowledge.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Spring graduates of the Microenterprise Assistance Program celebrated with dinner June 14 at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin. Michelle Gallo is a former graduate of MAP and has returned several times to share how the class helped her and her husband Rick in their new endeavors. Seated, from left, are Chacora Abrams, Jessica Skehan, Dorothy Daniels (instructor), Amanda Vasquez and MAP coordinator Diane Blanchard. Second row, are Amber Moss (with Cassandra Brady, who took the class), Rebecca Alexander, Debbie Prest, Michelle Gallo (instructor), Tiffany Allen, John Fitzak (county legislator) and Sam Campanella (adviser). Third row, Erin Hills and Chris Glogowski. Absent are Delores Hansel, Andrew LaFave and Kristen Ostrander.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 June 2022 at 7:55 am
HAMLIN – The spring class of the Microenterprise Assistance Program brought the number to 557 entrepreneurs who have completed the 10-week class that offers many pointers for building a successful business.
MAP is a program of Orleans Economic Development Agency. Diane Blanchard is administrator of MAP.
The graduates bring a variety of unique interests and the potential to create a thriving business in their community.
Graduates shared their goals and proposed businesses at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin on June 14. Gallo’s is owned by Michelle and Rick Gallo, who offered to host the evening. Michelle is a graduate of the Microenterprise class and has become an instructor in the program.
Graduates and their proposed business are Delores Hansel of Albion, who owns Brush Strokes Studio in the Arnold Gregory Complex; Tiffany Allen, who wants to own a restaurant and bar; Rebecca Alexander of Albion, who is adding tailgate games and a restaurant to their existing business – Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza; Cassandra Brady, bakery; Chris Glogowski, the Coffee Joint; Erin Hills, a make-up artist; Deborah Prest, home décor; Amanda Vasquez, bakery; Jessica Skehan, an artist; Andrew LaFave, plastic recycling; and Kristen Ostrander, Bloom’s Flower Shop.
Each of the graduates shared their business plan and reasons for taking the Microenterprise Assistance Program.
Tiffany Allen shared her plans for a restaurant/bar.
Hansel purchased Brush Strokes from Tim Elliott of Medina. She enjoys ceramics and hopes to grow the business. She would like to do a summer camp for children and fused glass and eventually, pottery. She said wanted to gain a little more business acumen from the class.
“My goal is to become a full service art business for Orleans County,” she said.
Alexander and her husband already own Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza and wanted learn more about the business end of running a bar and tailgate games.
“We will be a one-stop shop for food and fun,” Alexander said.
They are ready to open a restaurant in Albion and will be open Wednesday through Sunday and offer a full menu. All baked goods can be customized and made to order. They will cater to food allergies. She also wants to have cake decorating classes for adults and children. She took the class to get help with a business plan for their new venture.
Cassandra Brady took the class to help her and her friends Chacora Abrams and Amber Moss, who are running a bakery in their home, but would like a real store in Orleans County. Their specialty is custom cakes and desserts. When they started, Abrams said they knew they needed help on how to run a business.
Amanda Vasquez also wants to open a bakery and needs a certified kitchen. She hopes to work with customers in local towns. She would like to have a store front in Medina by 2024.
Tiffany Allen has been living in Hawaii for 18 years, but recently came home and is looking for a business that fits her lifestyle, she said. Her business will be called Mommy’s Kitchen and Daddy’s Bar and will feature home cooking, a rotating menu and a local delivery option.
Deborah Prest sells home décor and crafts.
Allen is confident she can run such a business with one person in the kitchen and one in the bar. Her goal is to provide an enlightening and unique dining experience. Her staff will be encouraged to learn something from every customer, she said.
Chris Glogowski opened The Coffee Joint at 59 North Main St. in Albion, with a partner, David Mogle. They will offer a variety of high-quality coffee and tea drinks. Manager of the business is Heidi Peterson. Glogowski is an Albion police officer and Mogle is the police chief.
Glogowski wanted to keep a coffee shop in downtown. In the future they plan to add smoothies, breakfast wraps, waffles and energy drinks. They also intend to have delivery and a drive-up service. Their hours will be expanded for the summer, he said.
Debbie Prest has been doing crafts and home décor for 20 years, but needed to know more about the business end, she said.
“I’m good at crafting, but not so good at the business stuff,” she said. “I knew creating a business plan was crucial to my goal.”
She has been doing a lot of sales on Facebook and at craft shows, but now will have her own brick and mortar store in back of Five Star Bank in Albion.
Erin Hills is a make-up artist who hopes to open a salon.
Jessica Skehan of Holley studied art and printing in college, but didn’t learn the business end, she said. She hopes to establish a business doing custom painting and selling prints of her original artwork online. She would like to have a store front within the next five years.
Erin Hills thought as a make-up artist she would have to live in a big city to be successful. She has discovered, however, she is in high demand in Orleans County for weddings, and has 69 booked. She also does lash extensions. She is confident she can make a six-figure income doing hair and make-up. Her goal is to have a salon by 2023 and a mobile unit after that.
Two other graduates were not able to attend the graduation. They are Kristen Ostrander, who owns Bloom’s Flower Shop in Albion, and Andrew LaFave, who plans a plastic recycling business.
Beth Miller, a former MAP graduate, returned to share her success with the class. She had lost her job with Covid hit about two years ago and took the class to prepare for opening her own business. Dorothy Daniels encouraged her to open her store Wild Flour Deli & Bakery in Albion last fall.
A $21,000 grant through MAP enabled her to build a dining room at 438 West Ave. She has since expanded and added equipment.
“In one month I made as much money as I had anticipated making in five months,” Miller said.
She said the MAP class was overwhelming at first, but turned out to be very beneficial. She was recently voted one of the top five deli-bakeries in Western New York.
Anyone interested in taking the next MAP course can contact Blanchard at dblanchard@orleansdevelopment.org or by calling (585) 589-7060.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2022 at 1:55 pm
ALBION – Orleans County officials are asking local residents to consider being foster parents. They don’t need to be perfect or have immaculate homes, said Holli Nenni, DSS commissioner.
Holli Nenni
The county currently has 30 children in foster care, but only 18 homes available.
“There is a very limited number of foster care families in Orleans County,” she told county legislators last week. “We need more.”
Children are in foster care due to abuse, neglect, parent incarceration, abandonment or death of a parent. They may be in a foster home for as a little as a week or for many months. The goal is to reunite those children with their biological families.
When there aren’t enough foster homes available locally, children are often sent to residential facilities such as Hillside Children’s Center in Rochester or New Directions Youth and Family Services in Buffalo, Nenni said.
The county DSS strives to keep siblings together, and wants to keep kids in the same school district they have been attending.
Foster parents receive a daily stipend. The county also assigns a caseworker to assist the foster parent and there is a foster care home support group.
The county would also welcome people to consider being a respite home in case of emergencies.
To be a foster parent, the county is looking for adults who are at least 21 years old, single or married; able to provide a safe and healthy home; ant to make a difference in the life of a child; and can work as part of a team with caseworkers, other community agencies, and the child’s family.
People need to pass a background check, complete trainings to be a foster parent, complete a home study with the foster home coordinator, and have a medical form completed by a doctor.
For more information, contact the DSS in Orleans County at (585) 589-3161.
To see a video about being a foster parent in Orleans County, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2022 at 10:54 am
After nine days of early voting at one location in Albion, the polls open at all 10 towns in the county on Tuesday for a Republican and Democratic primary.
There were 156 people who cast ballots for early voting. On Tuesday, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 11 locations in Orleans County.
Here is a list of the polling sites:
Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Murray Town Hall, 3840 Fancher Rd. (Route 31)
Ridgeway – Districts 2, 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.
There are primaries for the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor. Locally there are primaries for Republican committee representatives in Murray and Yates.
There are three candidates in the Democratic Party for governor – Thomas Suozzi, Kathy Hochul and Jumaane Williams.
There are four Republican candidates for governor – Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson and Lee Zeldin.
The Democratic lieutenant governor candidates include Ana Maria Archila, Diana Reyna and Antonio Delgado.
In Murray District 2, four people are seeking two Republican Committee positions – Michael Christopher, Daniel Seller, Gerald Rightmyer and Anthony Peone.
In Murray District 3, three people are running for two positions Republican Committee positions – Louise Passarell, Kathleen Case and Kerri Neale.
In Murray District 6, three people are vying for two spots on the Republican Committee – David Knapp, Adam Moore and Kellie Gregoire.
In Yates District 1, three are running for two positions on the Republican Committee – Steven Colon, Roger Wolfe and Russell Martino.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2022 at 7:08 pm
Graduation ceremonies set for Friday and Saturday
Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Medina’s Class of 2021 and the Daisy Chain members assemble at their seats during last year’s ceremony. Medina is keeping graduation outdoors at Vets Park for the third straight year.
The five school districts in Orleans County will have 414 students graduate during commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.
Some of the districts tried outdoor ceremonies during the Covid pandemic when crowd sizes were restricted.
Holley and Kendall are bringing their ceremonies back indoors to their auditoriums. Albion and Medina are staying outside instead of going indoors. Before 2020, Medina used to have graduation in the high school auditorium. Albion held its ceremony in the gym before going outdoors last year for the first time at the football field.
Lyndonville is staying in its auditorium. That district didn’t go outside the last two commencements. It did a virtual or videotaped graduation in 2020 with a parade of grads in vehicles. In 2021 the ceremony was back in the auditorium. Last year it was on the fourth Thursday in June. This time it’s back to the fourth Friday.
Here are some highlights of the ceremonies:
ALBION – The 7 p.m. ceremony on Friday includes 136 graduates at the Spierdowis Football Field. The students will be sitting on the field this time, instead of the bleachers like last year. This way the speakers can face the graduates when giving their remarks.
Last year there was a guest limit but this time there isn’t a limit.
Speeches will be given by Carson Bader as the class president and then as the class salutatorian, Leah Kania as valedictorian, Linda Weller as president of the Board of Education and Mickey Edwards, as the school district superintendent.
“We are incredibly proud of our 2022 graduates and look forward to spending a special evening celebrating their accomplishment,” said Jennifer Ashbery, the high school principal.
HOLLEY – The ceremony will be 10 a.m. on Saturday in the High School Auditorium. There are 60 graduates in the Class of 2022.
Speeches will be given by There will be speeches by Valedictorian Cora Bennage and Salutatorian Adriana Botello. Daniel Burke, a retired teacher, coach and musical director, was picked by the class to give the commencement address.
Following the ceremony, the graduates will process outside to the flagpole for the tossing of the caps. The scoreboard at the Hawk Stadium will be lit with the 2022 numbers all day and into the evening for pictures.
KENDALL – There will be a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Kendall Junior/Senior High School Auditorium. There are 67 members of the class.
Valedictorian Riley Borkholder and Salutatorian Emma Allen will address their classmates. The keynote speech will be given by Christopher F. King, a command maintenance chief with the US Navy and a graduate from the Class of 2002.
Kendall school officials decided to return indoors after being outside in 2020 and 2021 for graduation.
“It’s such a gamble to be outside,” said Carol D’Agostino, the high school principal. “Last year it drizzled on us. The auditorium is air-conditioned. It’s predictable. People can be comfortable.”
LYNDONVILLE – Commencement will be 7 p.m. on Friday in the Stroyan Auditorium. There are 52 graduates.
The speakers include Salutatorian Maddox Stirk, Valedictorian Jack Whipple, Principal Dr. Aaron Slack and Superintendent Sharon Smith.
MEDINA – The ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at Vets Park. There are 99 graduates in the class. Each will receive tickets for up to seven guests.
The seniors voted on where to have the ceremony and they chose to be outside at Vets.
Speakers include Valedictorian Kaylee Lacey, Salutatorian Hayden Woodroe, and Megan Zakes, who graduating 4th in the class and also has completed her associate’s degree through Genesee Community College.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2022 at 7:40 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign outside the County Office Building on Route 31 lets people know it is an early voting site. Early voting continues through June 26 with polls then open at all 10 towns in Orleans County on June 28.
ALBION – The turnout so far in the first five days of early voting is 84. There are four more days of early voting at the one location in Orleans County – the county office building on Route 31.
Polls are then open at all 10 towns on June 28 for a Republican and Democratic primary.
The early voting totals include 11 on June 18, then 22 on June 19, 15 on June 20, 19 on June 21 and 17 on June 22.
The remaining days include today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are primaries for the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor. Locally there are primaries for Republican committee representatives in Murray and Yates.
There are three candidates in the Democratic Party for governor – Thomas Suozzi, Kathy Hochul and Jumaane Williams.
There are four Republican candidates for governor – Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson and Lee Zeldin.
The Democratic lieutenant governor candidates include Ana Maria Archila, Diana Reyna and Antonio Delgado.
In Murray District 2, four people are seeking two Republican Committee positions – Michael Christopher, Daniel Seller, Gerald Rightmyer and Anthony Peone.
In Murray District 3, three people are running for two positions Republican Committee positions – Louise Passarell, Kathleen Case and Kerri Neale.
In Murray District 6, three people are vying for two spots on the Republican Committee – David Knapp, Adam Moore and Kellie Gregoire.
In Yates District 1, three are running for two positions on the Republican Committee – Steven Colon, Roger Wolfe and Russell Martino.
The early voting turnout so far is ahead of the pace from last June when there were Republican primaries in six towns. There were 108 voters over nine days of early voting for an average of 12 a day.
With 84 voters in the first five days of this primary, the turnout in Orleans is about 17 a day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2022 at 3:19 pm
Provided photo: Bob Harker of Clarendon is the new executive director of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern.
ALBION – The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern has a new executive director. Bob Harker of Clarendon leads the non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals who are struggling and often don’t have other resources available to them.
The agency offers emergency services to many of the working poor in the two counties.
“I could not be more excited about the opportunity to help guide and grow Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern in its role as the ‘agency of last resort,’” Harker said. “We strive to provide services to individuals and families that for one reason or another are not being served by more conventional community assets.”
The Ministry of Concern has in-house advocates who work on behalf of clients with utility companies, landlords and other entities as necessary. Eligible individuals and families can receive help with personal care items, short term emergency housing and financial assistance with prescriptions and utilities.
The Furniture Program also accepts donations of gently used furniture and non-gas appliances which are subsequently delivered without cost to people in need.
Harker grew up in Rochester and served four years with the Navy as an aircraft electrician. He earned a human services degree from Monroe Community College and worked in that field and as well in retail management.
“I hope to combine business experience with my strong desire to give back to the community to help guide the ‘agency of last resort’ to an expansion of services in both counties,” Harker said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2022 at 9:26 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Wayne Krull, center, recently received a commendation from the Orleans County Legislature for receiving the Douglas C. Zefting Award from the American Public Works Association Genesee Valley Chapter.
County Legislator Bill Eick is at left and John Papponetti, DPW commissioner for the county, is at right.
This award recognizes outstanding public service and achievement of an operational/maintenance level employee of a public works agency. Krull has worked for the county for 21 years.
He started his career with the Orleans County DPW in May 2001 as a motor equipment operator. In July 2015 he was promoted to Lead Motor Equipment Operator, and in January 2021 he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of the Public Works’ Highway Division.
“He has overseen several large culvert replacement projects,” said John Papponetti, the county’s DPW commissioner. “The most recent being the emergency replacement of the Yates Carlton Townline Road Culvert that collapsed as a result of a recent high water event. His drive and passion for his job sets the tone for our crews each day. Wayne’s positive attitude and willingness to learn on a daily basis is what earned him this award.”
Krull is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities and projects for DPW’s Highway Division. This includes project planning, project staffing, coordination with the towns and villages, coordination with vendors and contractors, and assisting the commissioner with planning highway capital improvement projects.
Wayne Krull is shown in an excavator in this photo from January 2020 when the DPW cleared trees, limbs, brush and debris from the original canal loop in Holley. The 2,000-foot long section is a rare remaining piece of the original Erie Canal west of Rochester. It is just west of Bennetts Corners Road and east of the lift bridge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2022 at 3:21 pm
Lynne Johnson
ALBION – Orleans County officials don’t plan to suspend any of the sales tax on gas, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said.
“We need to use these funds to improve bridges, emergency response and communication services, otherwise we become further burdened with fixable and unfixable problems,” Johnson said today.
There are 62 counties in the state and 25 have suspended the gas tax when the price hits either $2 or $3 a gallon.
Among the rural GLOW counties, only Livingston is waiving the sales tax – and that’s after $3 a gallon. Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming haven’t suspended the local share of the tax.
New York State today is suspending the full 4-percent state sales tax on gas until Dec. 31, saving consumers an estimated $609 million over the next seven months, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office said.
“Should we not say that we must have a balance between a tax cut that would not improve old equipment and deteriorating roads and would benefit outside persons at the detriment of our own citizens?” Johnson wrote in an email.
“Do we not continue to improve our county’s emergency response equipment and communications and services? Do we just let equipment that needs repair deteriorate so it needs to be replaced at greater cost?”
Sales tax revenues for Orleans and counties are up so far this year, but counties have rising costs with inflationary increases, said State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in an April 29 report. The counties face economic volatility due to the business recovery from the pandemic, he added.
“The increased revenues come as residents, municipalities and businesses everywhere try to cope with high inflation levels affecting food, fuel, home heating, and other parts of everyday life and commerce, and using funds for infrastructure, emergency response and communications, is in my opinion a better field to spread our tax monies,” Johnson said.
She is concerned losing the tax revenue on gas would have a detrimental impact on the county budget, necessitating a property tax increase or cut in services.
“Today all of us know of gas prices reaching towards $5 a gallon and its effect on struggling families, seniors, and all of us but we have many safety issues and maintenance issues that we could not address because of the Albany imposed 2% tax cap,” she said.
