Waterport woman to be recognized by state and county

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jeanne Crane shows her patriotic spirit during the Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville in 2015.

WATERPORT – A very active community volunteer will be recognized on Older American’s Day in Albany during a virtual ceremony on Nov. 5.

Jeanne Crane also will be commended for her service by the Orleans County Legislature next week.

Crane, a retired nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, has been nominated and selected to be the county’s representative for Older American’s Day.

She has been a long-time volunteer for Medina Memorial Hospital, the Orleans County Democratic Party and numerous other organizations and causes in the county.

She was nominated for the award by Cindy Perry and Dorothy Follman for her volunteer work with the hospital. She helps raise funds for the hospital through events such as Treasure Island, Mega Drawing and golf tournaments. These events support renovations to the hospital, purchase updated medical equipment and improve services to patients.

Crane spent hours planning for the events, preparing for them, promoting the events, as well as volunteering at the events. She was instrumental in a recent campaign to improve the Long Term Care Residential Unit (North Wing) at the hospital. When the call came out for nurses to assist with Covid-19 vaccines, she stepped up and helped several days a week, all day to assist and eventually she was hired to help with the continued effort.

The Office for the Aging in Orleans County said Crane volunteers at many organizations:

• Orleans Community Health – TWIGS (current president), many hospital projects (Treasure Island, golf tournaments, Mega Drawings, Orleans Community Health Foundation Board member (past president), and vaccinations clinics
• AFS – hosted 3 students from Columbia, Costa Rica and Mexico
• HANYS Statewide Committee for Healthcare Auxiliaries
• Genesee Valley State Parks Commission Board
• Current Vice President of Beta Sigma Phi – women’s group with a goal of culture, social and education development
• Catholic Daughters – current Regent
• 25 years of leading Orleans County Democratic Party
• Volunteers with Holy Trinity Church
• Volunteer at vaccination clinics
• first woman in Orleans County to serve on Lewiston Trail-Council of Boys Scouts of America Board Member

Crane has always felt a “calling” to help others, said Melissa Blanar, the Officie for the Aging director in Orleans County.

“This is evident by the career she chose as a nurse and by the multitude of volunteering she has done in the past and continues to do,” Blanar said. “She has touched the lives of hundreds of individuals. She feels a commitment to improve the health and well-being of her community.  Volunteering enables her to support her beliefs and to help others by giving back to her community. The reward you get from volunteering is unmeasurable. Volunteering cannot be measured by any pay!”

‘The best kind of parent is a loving parent. It’s always better to err on the side of love.’ – Curt Follman, peer counselor

Photos by Tom Rivers: Curt Follman, a father of seven, has volunteered as a peer counselor at Care Net for five years. He has worked with about 30 young men.

ALBION – An organization that provides ultrasounds and many services to women and children also runs a peer counseling for men.

Care Net of Greater Orleans has peer counselors who meet regularly with men, going through a parenting workbook and offering encouragement and strategies for coping with stress and expressing love.

Care Net is celebrating its 30^thyear in Orleans County. Wende Swick, the director, wanted the community to know about the peer counseling program.

“We’re not just a center for women,” she said.

Curt Follman, a father of 7 and a retired school teacher, has met with about 30 men over the past five years. He meets with three guys a week. He typically meets with the men for 8 to 10 weeks. They go over a “Homes with Honor” workbook.

“It’s all about respect, showing love and valuing each other as a family,” Follman said. “It’s about honoring those in the home.”

Follman will help the men in other ways, if needed. He taught one to drive so he could get his license. He stays in touch with many, long after the program ends. Some sign up for additional classes.

Follman said he wished he went through the program when he was a young dad.

“Parenting doesn’t come with a manual,” he said. “It’s difficult.”

He stresses to the men that becoming a father brings new responsibilities.

“Your life is no longer your own,” he said. “It’s not just about you anymore. Now it’s also about this mom and child, and you need to step up to the plate.”

Follman discusses parenting styles and encourages responding to others with grace and understanding.

“The dominant style is the worst,” he said. “The best kind of parent is a loving parent. It’s always better to err on the side of love.”

The Rev. Randy LeBaron also volunteers as a peer counselor at Care Net.

Randy LeBaron, a local minister and father of four, also volunteers as a peer counselor.

“Most people have a father wound,” LeBaron said.

He has volunteered at Care Net for 17 years, including the past two years as a peer counselor helping with parenting classes for men.

“I can honestly say that it has been one of the most fulfilling things that I get to do week to week,” LeBaron said. “The guys that I get to work with are often in crisis mode, sometimes coming as a mandate from the court, but I have found each one to be open and wanting to learn how to be a better parent and a better man.”

LeBaron sees transformed men in the process.

“One of my favorite things is getting to see change happen when they let down their guard and open their lives up to God,” he said. “At the end of each session I offer to pray with them and even those most reluctant at first anticipate this and often share needs well beyond the scope of our meeting together.”

Some of the men are assigned to the program through court or Child Protective Service through DSS. Others sign up on their own.

LeBaron said he tries to refrain from judging people who are court-appointed and have a CPS referral. He finds fathers in these situations are often very caring.

“One of the reasons that I got involved working with men at Care Net is because I have a testimony that includes being healed from a father wound and I find that many of the men I meet have experienced something similar and are also looking for healing so that they do not perpetuate the hurt by causing pain as a parent,” LeBaron said. “I also see, within the context of Care Net, the need to not only show love and support to a mother and her child but to recognize the significance of the father’s potential role in that child’s life whether or not the two are still a couple or are separate but choosing to co-parent.”

Follman also said he doesn’t judge. He said people make mistakes.

“God is the God of second chances and some of these people need second chances,” he said.

Follman has a spinal injury and he shares how he was injured diving in a pool about 40 years ago. He was paralyzed from the chest down initially but was able to walk out of a VA Medical Center in Cleveland after six months. He has some limited mobility and needs to give people a nub, instead of a firm handshake.

“They see I don’t have everything in control,” Follman said about his injury.

Follman said he isn’t an all-knowing peer counselor. He strives to listen as much as offering insight.

Swick, the Care Net director, praised the peer counselors and also the men in the program for being vulnerable and wanting to be better parents.

“Here, we’re gentle and not in your face,” Swick said. “We show God’s love to everybody.”

For more on Care Net of Greater Orleans, click here.

Photos courtesy of Orleans County Youth Bureau

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County had its seventh annual Family Game Night last Thursday at the at the Trolley Building at Cornell Cooperative Extension.

About 100 people attended the event. There were also 14 departments in the county government that participated, educating the families about the services offered.

The event was sponsored by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Legislative Office. The Game Night included dinner, games to play, displays to visit and a new board game for every family.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

ALBION – Sheriff Chris Bourke is pleased to announce that the Sheriff’s Office will again participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

This is a great opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted and/or expired medications and sharps for safe and proper disposal. Events such as these have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion, abuse, as well as increasing awareness of this critical public health issue.

Due to the Current Covid-19 restrictions, the Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a drive-up event. All medications and sharps will be collected from participants at their vehicle. We are kindly requesting face coverings while participating in this event.

The only authorized collection site for this event will be located at the Orleans County Public Safety Building, 13925 State Route 31. We apologize for any inconvenience of not having multiple collection locations for this event and thank the community for your understanding.

Most of the candidates on the ballot for the Nov. 2 election in Orleans County will be unopposed.

None of the candidates for county positions have opposition and only a few positions at the town level are contested.

Voters go to the polls on Nov. 2, and there will also be early voting from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31 at the Board of Elections at the County Office Building on Route 31 in Albion.

Nearly all the candidates are Republicans. Only two Democrats are on the ballot. Others made the ballot filing independent petitions or running under the Conservative Party.

Here is the slate of candidates:

• Orleans County (all unopposed) – Kim DeFrank for country treasurer; Merle (Skip) Draper of Medina for county legislator, at-large west; Don Allport of Gaines for county legislator, at-large central; Ed Morgan of Murray for county legislator, at-large east; Bill Eick of Shelby for District 1; Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville for District 2; Fred Miller of Albion for District 3; John Fitzak of Carlton for District 4.

All the county candidates are Republicans, except Fred Miller, who is a Democrat. Morgan and Fitzak are running for the Legislature for the first time. Morgan is seeking the spot held by John DeFilipps who is retiring on Dec. 31. Fitzak is running for the position held by Ken DeRoller, who isn’t seeking re-election.

• Albion — All of the candidates are unopposed, including Richard Remley for town supervisor; and Sandra Bensley and Arnold Allen Jr. for the Town Board.

• Barre – Sean Pogue, a Republican, is being challenged for town supervisor by Gerald Solazzo, who is running under the independent “Voice of the Citizens.” George McKenna and David Waters are on the ballot for positions on the Town Board. They have the Republican line and also the independent “Voice of the Citizens.” However, Steve Harling and Tom Decker are mounting a write-in campaign against McKenna and Waters.

• Carlton – Two are vying for town clerk with incumbent Karen Narburgh having the Republican and Conservative lines while Dori Goetze runs under the independent “Be the Change.” Other Carlton candidates are unopposed: Kevin Hurley for town justice, Jeff Gifaldi and Debbie Yokel for Town Board, and Kurt Van Wyke for highway superintendent.

• Clarendon – Richard Moy is unopposed for another term as town supervisor, while three candidates seek two spots on the Town Board. Chris Caufield and Marc Major are backed by the Republican Party and William Fox is running as a Democrat.

• Gaines – The Republicans are all unopposed including Tyler Allport for town supervisor, Susan Heard for town clerk, Charles Prentice for town justice, and James Kirby and Kenneth Rush for Town Board.

• Kendall – The candidates, all running under the Republican Party line, are unopposed including Anthony Cammarata for town supervisor, Amy Richardson for town clerk, Debra Kluth and Robert Fagan for town justice, Wayne Martin and Paul Jennings for Town Board, and Warren Kruger for highway superintendent.

• Murray – The candidates are all unopposed on the ballot, including Joe Sidonio for town supervisor, Cindy Oliver for town clerk, Gary Passarell for town justice, Michael Mele and Paul Hendel for Town Board, and Dirk Lammes Jr. for highway superintendent.

• Ridgeway – There are races for town clerk and the Town Board. For town clerk, Hannah Hill is running under the Republican line and independent “Hannah Hill for a Better Ridgeway” against Laurie Kilburn, who is endorsed by the Conservative Party and also is running under the independent “Laurie Kilburn for the People of Ridgeway.”

Three are seeking two spots on the Town Board including Jeff Toussaint and Cliff Barber, who are running as Republicans against David Stalker, who is backed by the Conservative Party. John Olinger is unopposed for highway superintendent.

• Shelby – Jeff Smith is uncontested for town supervisor and Stephen Seitz Sr. and Edward Zelazny are unopposed for the Town Board.

• Yates – There are seeking two spots as town councilmen with Harold Suhr and Terry Chaffee Jr. running as Republicans against Paul Lauricella Jr., who is backed by the Conservative Party and also is running under the independent “Lyndonville Taxpayers First Party.” Jim Simon is unopposed for town supervisor and Donald Grabowski is uncontested for town justice.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller spoke at last month’s Orleans County Planning Board, sharing his concerns about current zoning that pushes for larger lot sizes, making it more costly to build new houses.

ALBION – An Orleans County legislator who will be retiring on Dec. 31 is making a strong push before he leaves office to have local municipalities start working to make changes to reverse a population decline.

Ken DeRoller of Kendall said the municipalities need to review their zoning and ordinances and allow smaller lot sizes for smaller new houses, which would make the projects more affordable. He also said many younger adults and senior citizens would prefer high-density housing such as townhouses and condominiums.

“I’m concerned about what I see here in Orleans County in regards to housing,” DeRoller told the Orleans County Planning Board on Sept. 23. “I charge this planning group to have conversations to make sure we have the right zoning and policies for the right housing mix.”

He sees plummeting student enrollments in school districts in the past generation despite school districts with very high graduation rates. The enrollment for the five districts is down 20.7 percent in a decade from 2008-09 to 2018-19. The districts went from 7,155 students in 2008-09 to 5,673 in 2018-19.

Housing is part of the equation for attracting and keeping people in the county, DeRoller said. The county also needs more higher-paying jobs, he said.

There are currently 15,200 people working in the county, and half of those positions are filled by people who don’t live in Orleans, DeRoller said.

He suspects many of the workers driving into the county would stay in Orleans with the right housing options.

The county legislator suggested the municipalities work with the ag community to identify some farmland that could be used for smaller building lots. Right now about half or 128,802 acres of the county’s total acreage receives an ag exemption. There are 117,380 acres in the county’s ag district.

The County Planning Board discussed a housing study during its meeting on Sept. 23.

Orleans has an aging population with the average age up from 36 in 2000 to 43 in 2019. As people become senior citizens they typically like to stay near friends and family, but DeRoller said many Orleans County seniors move to senior housing in Brockport, Batavia or Rochester because of limited sites in Orleans County.

“We need pressure on our municipal leadership to work on these issues,” DeRoller told the Planning Board.

He also has been a driving force on a committee working on a waterfront development plan for the Erie Canal. That document will soon go before municipal boards for their approval. DeRoller said the canal is underutilized. He is talking with developers about creating more housing options along the historic waterway.

He also is working on a waterfront development plan for Lake Ontario and Johnson Creek, with housing a part of that initiative.

“The Lake Ontario shoreline is an economic engine with tax value,” DeRoller said.

He is pleased to see a more fortified shoreline with stronger breakwalls, and said a $9 million sewer project in Kendall should result in more residents.

The four local villages also have spots for new housing and high-density projects. Albion, Medina and Holley, however, have some of the highest combined taxes – village, town, school and county – in the country, as a percentage of overall household income. Those villages need to be more affordable to be more appealing for retaining and attracting residents and businesses, DeRoller said.

Paul Hendel, a member of the Planning Board, also heads the Orleans County Economic Development Agency. He said housing is a critical piece to attracting businesses to the county.

“It’s a domino effect,” Hendel said. “Businesses if they relocate here want to know where will they live.”

Ken DeRoller also spoke with the Albion Rotary Club, going over the housing study with showed a population drop of 9 percent in the county over 20 years from 2000 to 2020. DeRoller would like to see more housing options – smaller lots for new builds, and townhouses and condominiums.

Gary Daum, a Planning Board member from Yates, said he sees many properties in distress that aren’t well maintained. He sees many abandoned houses throughout the county. He wondered if service groups could take up mowing lawns and trimming bushes.

“Show that you care – clean up and repair,” Daum said.

He also highlighted Yates town officials who are working on a $2.5 million upgrade of the Town Park along Lake Ontario. That project will be a significant boost to the local quality of life.

Some of the key findings in a housing study by LaBella for Orleans include:

• The county has an aging housing stock and about half of the houses need repairs.
• The median household income in the county also makes it difficult for landlords to charge enough rent, making for a low return on investment.
• Building permits for housing are about a third of what they were 15 years ago. The redevelopment of the former Holley High School, which added 42 apartment units last year, is an exception. Those units were quickly rented out and show there is demand for high-density living in the county.
• Single-family, owner-occupied units dominate the market: About 50 percent of housing stock throughout the county is comprised of single-family homes on large lots. Future projections show a need for smaller homes on smaller lot sizes, which would also drive down the costs for a new house.
• Almost 50 percent of renter households have housing problems and cannot afford market rents: The report states that 49 percent of renters are living in units that are not affordable. Housing Choice vouchers available in the county address some of the affordability issues, but only a small fraction of the need. The report also says 51 percent of renters have housing problems such as incomplete kitchens or bathrooms and more than one person per bedroom.
• More than 50 percent of housing stock is 60 years or older: Housing maintenance is therefore a major priority in the county, Labella stated in the report.
• Renters and homeowners both have housing problems: The number of homeowners with housing problems (3,010, according to the report) exceeds the number of renters (2,010) with housing problems.
• Return on investment is low for owners and rental developers: Rental rates in inflation adjusted dollars have decreased over the last 20 years, and home values, in inflation adjusted dollars, are also down in the 20 years. (This doesn’t include the recent spike in the past year with many homes selling for 20 to 25 percent above assessed value.) The lack of growth in rental rates and home values discourages upgrades and maintenance of homes, as well as new developments.
• Population decreasing: Orleans County’s population is down 5.9 percent from 2010 to 2020 or by 2,540 people, from 42,883 to 40,343. From 2000, the decline is 8.7 percent when the population was 44,171. “Finding ways to attract new residents would increase the demand for housing,” the report states.
• Shrinking household sizes: The size of the average household shrunk from 2.65 in 2000 to 2.28 in 2019.
• The report also finds a need for more housing units for extremely low-income households, and there is also demand for higher-priced apartments.

Orleans County should receive anywhere from $347,049.64 to $606,299.83 as part of $1.5 billion to be distributed throughout the state as part of an opioid settlement with drug manufacturers and distributors.

Attorney General Letitia James announced the settlement funds today.

Orleans County will need to formulate a committee regarding the funds, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

“The vast majority of this money is for rehab-type services and intervention,” Welch said. “These funds are not intended to have any effect on the County’s budget. By that I mean any reimbursement for existing expenses of the County’s services.”

The state has defined uses for the funds to include treating opioid use disorder, supporting people in treatment and recovery, connecting people who need help to assistance, preventing misuse of opioids, and preventing overdose deaths and other harms, Welch said.

“Needless to say, it will take some time to ensure that this money will be utilized as authorized,” he said.

Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

KNOWLESVILLE – October 7th is the 7th annual Family Game Night in Orleans County.  This event is sponsored by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Legislative Office.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Trolley Building at Cornell Cooperative Extension. This event will feature dinner, games to play, displays to visit and a new board game for every family.

The booths will provide information on a wide array of services for youth and families that are available in Orleans County. Cost, including dinner, is $5 for a family of four or $3 for individuals.

To register or for more information you can contact the Legislative Office at 589-7053.

There will also be a couple drawings throughout the night. Additional contributors to the evening are Cornell Cooperative Extension, Avanti Pizza, Medina Lions Club, Village House Restaurant, LynOaken Farms, Evan’s ACE Hardware & Building Supplies, Albion ACE Hardware, TOPS, Wal-Mart, Cusimano’s Pizzeria, Rudy’s Soda Bar & Café, and Tillman’s Historic Village Inn.

County will highlight Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 23-31

File photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This photo from late June 2020 shows the Courthouse dome illumined partially in red. That was one of six colors shining on the dome for a week in honor of the Class of 2020 at Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina. The dome that week had filters made by Takeform in Medina to display six colors: red, blue, white, orange, purple and yellow.

The County Legislature on Wednesday approved a request from GCASA to light the dome in red from Oct. 23-31 for Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is a national drug prevention education campaign, with a focus on spreading awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and urging people to live drug-free lives.

Bourke said department has ‘top-notch employees from top to bottom’

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION — Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, left, reads a proclamation on behalf of the Legislature proclaiming Sept. 19-25 as “Sheriff’s Week” in Orleans County. Several members of the Sheriff’s Office attended the Legislature meeting on Wednesday afternoon to receive the proclamation.

“It is fitting to celebrate the historical contributions of the Office of Sheriff and the significant role it plays in our modern criminal justice system, and commend Sheriff Christopher Bourke and ALL the men and women of this Department for an outstanding job of “Keeping the Peace,” Allport said in reading the proclamation.

Bourke said the Sheriff’s Office has “top-notch employees from top to bottom.” He praised the employees in the criminal division, those who work in the jail, the Marine Patrol and as dispatchers for their service.

He also thanked the county legislators and Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch for their support, including with the funding provided for the Sheriff’s Office.

Bourke said it is a challenging time to be wearing the uniform.

“It’s a disgrace to see law enforcement demonized the last 20 months,” Bourke said.

County legislators on Wednesday also commended Deputy Ashleigh Stornelli who on Tuesday was recognized as the “Women of Distinction” in the 62^nd State Senate District by Sen. Rob Ortt. Stornelli has worked as a deputy the past six years, including three years as a school resource officer in Kendall. She recently rejoined the road patrol and is looking to join the county’s SWAT team.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, Terry Novak, her parents Don and Rose Ruck and tutor Barb Dunham chat before OCALS annual meeting Tuesday night. Novak and her husband Kevin and her sister and husband Donna and Shane Seyler have been annual financial supporters of OCALS. They were presented with Key Contributor awards.

MILLVILLE – Orleans County Adult Learning Services met at the Millville United Methodist Church Tuesday night to conduct their annual meeting and recognize those who supported them during the past year.

“It was a tough year,” said Don Colquhoun, vice president and treasurer of OCALS.  “When the pandemic hit in March 2020, we had 41 tutors serving 130 to 140 students in schools and adults one-on-one. When everything shut down, we were instructed by the Health Department to close shop. We provided no services after March 1. We shut down and waited for things to change. They did in October. Schools were still closed, but libraries and restaurants opened with restrictions. However, the vast majority of our tutors wouldn’t risk infecting themselves and others. We got a few to come back, and now we’re back to 16 active tutors.”

Colquhoun said they are still not allowed in schools, but they have an agreement with all Orleans County schools they can be back in October.

“We are capable and ready to serve individuals now,” Colquhoun said.

Appreciation went to tutors, supporters and those who funded OCALS during the past year. This included the Lyndonville Area Foundation, which granted OCALS $4,000, and United Way, which has funded OCALS for 10 years.

“We struggle with funding,” Colquhoun said. “Very few grantors will fund operations. They only fund programs which are usually time limited.”

Colquhoun pointed out that OCALS provided more than 1,200 units of service to more than 135 people in 2019.

In the coming year, OCALS is poised to participate in the Digital Divide Initiative, for which United Way recently secured a $346,000 grant. As part of this program, OCALS has three tutors who will be trained as mentors to teach Orleans County residents how to purchase electronics, set them up and use them.

Colquhoun also explained the program will provide Internet at a 50% reduction in cost, and internet hot spots throughout the county for those who cannot afford the reduced cost.

President Nicole Goodrich acknowledged Don and Rose Ruck of Byron, who were instrumental in founding OCALS in 2006.

“This year has been like no other,” Goodrich said. “It makes our ability to reach our students very difficult.”

She also thanked the volunteers, tutors and board of directors for their support as the organization continues to grow. She said they plan to continue their partnerships with Medina, Newfane and Holley schools. She thanked United Way of Orleans County for the $5,000 in funding they provided and said she hoped another $5,000 would be forthcoming when they are fully up and running again.

From left, charter member of OCALS Mary Lee Knights, secretary and program coordinator Pam Schuner and president Nicole Goodrich talk before the start of OCALS annual meeting.

Colquhoun said OCALS was one of the first agencies to approach United Way and request help from the new grant writer, who was recently hired through a grant United Way secured. He added referrals were beginning to pick up again as Covid restrictions are lifted.

A vote was held to elect the 2021-22 slate of officers as follows: president, Nicole Goodrich; vice president and treasurer, Don Colquhoun; secretary, Pam Schuner; and three-year board members, Nicole Goodrich, Georgia Thomas and Carolyn Wagner.

The program which followed consisted of a presentation by Barb Dunham on Family Literacy: Community-based; Family Literacy: School-based; remarks by literacy specialist, Mary Lee Knights; Workplace Literacy by Don Colquhoun; and Personnel by Carolyn Wagner.

Schuner unveiled the agency’s new website, which she developed.

Tutors who have participated in the OCALS program from Sept. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31 are Neveen Boulous, Ann Czajkowski, Adrienne Daniels, Mary Lee Knights, Ann McElwee, Barbara LaBell, Barbara Hancock, Carl Husung, Barbara Dunham, Ellen Goheen, Mark Goheen, Michele Raines, Paul Raines Jr., Healther Rowley, Dick Hellert, Penny Nice, Vicki Streiff and Amber Kipler.

Those who were recognized for their dedicated participation during the pandemic are Adrienne Daniels, Carl Husung, Barbara LaBelle and Ann McElwee.

Other certificates of appreciation were presented to United Way of Orleans County, the Lyndonville Foundation and Millville United Methodist Church.

Kevin and Terry Novak and Shane and Donna Seyler were presented Key Contributor awards.

Ashleigh Stornelli called great role model in community

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – State Sen. Rob Ortt presents Ashleigh Stornelli with the “Woman of Distinction” award for the 62^nd Senate District during a presentation today at the Orleans County Public Safety Building. Sheriff Chris Bourke is in back left.

Ortt and the other state senators can each pick one person in their district for the honor. Ortt said he wanted to highlight a woman working in law enforcement for the award. He wanted the award to go to a woman with high character and who is recognized as a role model.

Sheriff Bourke suggested Stornelli, who has worked in the Sheriff’s Office for six years after starting with the Holley Police Department.

“She is an excellent person and she does a great job for us,” Bourke said during an awards presentation today in the Sheriff’s Office.

Stornelli spent the past three years as the school resource officer Kendall Central School.

She switched back to road patrol to have more flexibility in her schedule so she has the option of being on the county’s SWAT team.

Ortt praised Stornelli for building positive relationships at the Kendall school district and for her training in de-escalating situations with people in a mental health crisis.

Deputy Ashleigh Stornelli accepts the “Woman of Distinction” award today. She was joined by family members, including her husband Trey, son Iziah, daughter Elliana, mother Cheri Poler, and grandmother Theresa Poler.

The award is usually presented in the State Capitol but that ceremony with all 63 award winners throughout the state isn’t happening in Albany due to Covid-19 concerns. Ortt wanted to present the recognition for Stornelli in front of her family and some of her colleagues at the Sheriff’s Office.

Stornell said she gives “110 percent” to the career.

“I take my job extremely seriously and I take it to heart,” she said.

She thanked the sheriff for giving her a chance six years ago when she was hired as a deputy.

Bourke praised her for developing a safety program at Kendall school district and for connecting with many of the students, including having them try a DWI simulator to show the impact of getting behind the wheel while impaired.

Ashleigh Stornelli laughs at a  comment from State Sen. Rob Ortt. He praised her for wanting to advance her career in the Sheriff’s Office.

“In a field that is dominated by men to have a kick-ass woman I think is pretty good,” he said.

Stornelli also was congratulated by County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson and County legislator Ken DeRoller. They praised the Kendall school district for its support of having a deputy work in the district as a school resource officer.

Stornelli grew up in Lyndonville and graduated in Lyndonville’s Class of 2010. She played soccer, basketball, and track at Lyndonville, and then earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at Genesee Community College.

In 2014 she joined the Army National Guard as a 32B — Military Police Officer. She graduated from the 42nd Military Police Company in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in February 2015, and was stationed at the 222nd Military Police Company in Rochester for six years.

In 2015, she was accepted into the Erie County Community College Police Academy and graduated with the 126th Basic Academy Class.

Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke

File photo by Tom Rivers: Jeff Gifaldi takes the oath of office on Jan. 6, 2020 as chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Gifaldi has been promoted to undersheriff. He is shown in this photo with his wife Kelly and daughter Anna. Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent, is at back left.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke announces the appointment of Jeffrey Gifaldi to the position of Undersheriff and Robin Riemer to the position of Chief Deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, effective September 20.

Undersheriff Gifaldi has over 21 years of experience including serving the Holley and Albion Police Departments as well as many years at the O.C. Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff, Criminal Investigator, Accident Reconstruction Specialist, Major Felony Crime Task Force member, Fire Investigator and most recently, serving as the Chief Deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Riemer has 34 years experience in law enforcement including serving as a Correction Officer in the Orleans County Jail, Medina Police Department, Brighton Police Department, MCC Public Safety, O.C. Sheriff’s Marine Division, and most recently as a Sergeant in the Criminal Division. Chief Riemer is a N.Y.S. Certified Police instructor in many disciplines.

Undersheriff Michael Mele retired in August of 2021 following a career of over 22 years of service to the citizens of Orleans County. We wish him well in his future endeavors.