Photo by Tom Rivers: A truck heads east on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway on Jan. 2, 2017 in near whiteout conditions in some spots due to the blowing snow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2020 at 9:39 am
‘We don’t know what’s coming. One day we could have two cases, then the next day there could be 50 after an outbreak. You don’t know what we’re going to be up against.’ – John Papponetti, County DPW commissioner
The local municipal highway departments tend to be small crews, which makes them vulnerable to being shorthanded if Covid-19 strikes, keeping some of the workers home.
John Papponetti, the commissioner of the Orleans County DPW, is urging the 10 towns and four villages to develop contingency plans, where a neighboring municipality may be needed to help plow roads if one town loses staff to Covid.
It may not be seamless because towns have bigger plow trucks than in the villages. Papponetti urged the towns and villages to familiarize neighboring departments with equipment and routes.
“You might have a situation where two to three guys go down,” Papponetti said on Tuesday during a Zoom video conference for the monthly Orleans County Association of Municipalities meeting.
Highway departments may be forced to prioritize plowing and put some roads on the “back burner” due to manpower, Papponetti said.
In a worst-case scenario, if there aren’t enough workers to plow the roads, a travel ban may be issued.
Papponetti said the highway departments should partner with neighboring highway crews to have a plan in place to plow the roads.
“It will really wreak havoc on the traveling public if we can’t keep the roads clear,” he said.
A town may want to have multiple agreements with neighboring towns perhaps taking a section of one town where a highway crew is stricken with Covid.
“As you know we aren’t immune to this virus,” Papponetti said. “We have to plan for that. The better prepared we are, the better we’re able to respond.”
Papponetti said he is concerned with Covid cases spiking locally and in the region. The number of hospitalizations also is on the rise due to Covid, with 15 people from Orleans and Genesee currently in the hospital from Covid.
“We don’t know what’s coming,” Papponetti said. “One day we could have two cases, then the next day there could be 50 after an outbreak. You don’t know what we’re going to be up against.”
The highway employees tend to work closely together. Papponetti said they should wear masks when near other people, maintain social distancing and keep washing their hands.
He has urged his 24 employees to reduce their circle of close contacts as much as possible as Covid cases increase. The highway departments may try staggering arrival and departure times, as well as lunch breaks so the entire department isn’t together at the same time.
Mike Neidert, the Town of Albion highway superintendent, is one of three full-time workers in the department. He said he has more part-time workers lined up this winter if some of his employees are sidelined by Covid.
Neidert said there is a chance the towns could also be asked to fill in for the state Department of Transportation if the DOT loses workers to Covid.
“We’re prepared to do what we have to,” Neidert said. “We’ll cover state roads if we have to.”
A goal in a crisis might just be making the roads passable. The community may need to lower its expectations if the highway crews are depleted due to Covid.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller urged the municipal leaders to work together, across municipal lines, if a town or village is suddenly short-staffed.
“Everybody needs to step up responsibly,” DeRoller said. “Everyone thinks it can’t happen to them, well it can happen to you.”
The municipalities should also discuss ahead of time how a neighboring town or village would be compensated for using its equipment or road salt for another community. One town could use the neighbor’s equipment and supplies but that could mean using unfamiliar equipment.
The highway crews from neighboring towns should consider getting together to go over routes and equipment.
Papponetti said the highway departments enter the winter with uncertainty about Covid.
“We could get through this without a problem or we could see the worst of it,” he said. “We just don’t know.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2020 at 9:11 pm
Orleans could eliminate 8 full-time positions and 12 part-time jobs
ALBION – Jack Welch, in his first year as Orleans County’s chief administrative officer, submitted the county’s tentative budget today. For months Welch has expressed concern about the county finances with declining state revenues, and potential hits in sales tax.
The 121-page document submitted today shows a spending plan that increases spending by 2.16 percent, from $71,711,638 to $73,262,025.
Jack Welch
It would increase taxes by 1.66 percent, with the tax levy going up by $299,798 — from $18,009,699 to $18,309,497.
The tax rate would increase by 1.11 percent or 11 cents, from $9,87 to $9.98 per $1,000 of assessed property.
Welch said the budget faces uncertainty with the state, if the governor and Legislature will pull back funding in 2021.
“The financial challenges we are experiencing include our businesses being restricted in their operations due to the changing Covid-19 operating guidelines that must be followed,” Welch said in his budget message. “This has affected our residents purchasing from local businesses which has changed the historical patterns of sales tax revenue for 2020. Therefore forecasting 2021 sales tax revenues is challenging at best.”
Some budget stresses are certain. The county will be paying 20 percent more in retirement contributions. That’s because the stock market was at a low point on March 31, and that’s the date the state comptroller takes the valuation of the retirement fund to set retirement rates for 2021.
The county also faces a 19 percent increase in health insurance premiums for 2021 due to rising pharmaceutical costs in the county’s health plan.
The county also is in a two-year annual sales tax diversion of $190,274 for “Fiscally Distressed Health Facilities,” which was imposed by the state.
“Of course we have had to plan for continued use of PPE for our employees as well as for heightened cleaning and disinfecting of our facilities in 2021,” Welch said.
The budget meets a goal of county legislators in maintaining core services while staying within the state tax cap.
The budget also maintains funding to outside agencies. They didn’t face a funding cut, and they didn’t get an increase.
Those agencies and organizations in the budget include:
$240,000 to Cornell Cooperative Extension
$190,000 to Orleans Economic Development Agency
$92,500 to Soil & Water Conservation District
$10,000 to be shared among four public libraries
$5,000 to Mercy Flight
$4,000 to Sportsmen Federation, same since 2019
$3,000 to GO Art!
The tentative budget would eliminate 8 full-time jobs and 12 part-time positions from 2020. The county will down 8 full-time positions from 333 to 325. The county is adding eight full-time positions, but eliminating 16 for a net reduction of eight.
The new positions include two in Office for the Aging, two in highway administration, one in public health, one in computer services, one in emergency services, and one in real property tax services.
The full-time reductions include four in the Sheriff’s Department, three in the highway department, three in mental health, three in probation, two positions in social services, and one in the county jail. (The four deputy positions in the Sheriff’s Department that are being eliminated were assigned to courthouse security, which has since been taken over by the state. New York was paying the county for security, but is now staffing it with state court security officers.)
The number of part-time employees also will be down by 12 from 95 to 83. Those changes include two less part-timers in real property (from 2 to 0), one less in the public safety communication system (from 6 to 5), six less in the Sheriff’s Office (from 6 to 0), one less in the jail (from 12 to 11), one less in emergency management (from 10 to 9) and one more in social services (from 4 to 5).
The fee for solid waste and recycling service will be $216, which is a 2percent increase from 2020.
“The current fee will continue to support the e-waste collection efforts for county residents at three sites across Orleans County,” Welch said. “The program remains very popular, with high demand for the disposal of CRT monitors and televisions. The county is also planning to continue to offer the Household Hazardous Waste pick up annually.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards on Thursday at Maison Albion on West Countyhouse Road. Pictured, front row, from left: Gatlen Ernst, owner of Ernst Lake Breeze Marina (Hidden Gem Award); Karen Kinter, daughter of Fred Pilon who received a lifetime achievement award; Cassie Langdon, assistant director of The Treehouse in Albion and Michelle Waters, owner The Treehouse (new business of the year); Amy Schrader, a nurse at Orleans Community Health (business of the year) and Amanda Mrzywka, co-owner of Navarra’s Greenhouses (agricultural business of the year). Back row: Steve Mowers, president of CRFS, and Sean Casher, human resources director for CRFS (employer of the year); Spencer Pilon, son of Fred Pilon (lifetime achievement award); Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health (business of the year); and Markus Mrzywka, co-owner of Navarra’s greenhouses (agricultural business of the year).
Missing from photo: Sam’s Diner in Holley (small business of the year); Hospice of Orleans (community service award); Home Leasing in Rochester, owner of Holley Gardens - former Holley High School (phoenix award); and Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks (business persons of the year).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2020 at 9:23 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses, organizations and citizens on Thursday during the 22nd annual awards celebration for the Chamber.
This time there wasn’t a dinner or a big crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the award winners attended the smaller-scale celebration at Maison Albion on West Countyhouse Road.
Darlene Hartway, Chamber executive director, said all businesses are worthy of recognition this year, due to the challenges of the pandemic.
“You will hear the words — adapt, generous, hard working and tenacity — in many of the descriptions for tonight’s award winners,” Hartway said.
Many businesses have worked through restrictions to keep serving the public in a safe manner, Hartway said.
“Business owners and communities must learn to adapt to rapid changes if they wish to survive,” Hartway said. “Our awards winners not only survived but they thrived. I am in awe at the sacrifices, dedication and commitment many of them showed when faced with challenges. I was taught true character shows in a time of adversity. Our winners tonight have shown their true character.”
Business of the Year: Orleans Community Health
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, and Amy Schrader, a nurse at OCH, accept the business of the year award on behalf of Orleans Community health.
Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital have been providing healthcare in the community for more than a century. The hospital started in 1908 when a group of citizens, interested in establishing a publicly-owned hospital opened the 9-bed establishment in the Albert Sweet Home.
Today Orleans Community Health is comprised of Medina Memorial Hospital, a designated Critical Access Hospital, Renal Dialysis Centers located in Medina and Batavia, Primary and Walk-In Clinic in Albion, a 30-bed Skilled Nursing Home, Outpatient and Ambulatory Services, a Wound Care Center, and Community Partners Wellness Center.
“Orleans Community Health has an amazingly dedicated and committed staff that focuses on serving residents in Orleans, Eastern Niagara and northern Genesee counties,” Hartway said. “The healthcare industry is always rapidly changing and this year they had the addition of a pandemic. Throughout all of this, they have continued to be impressed with the level of compassion and dedication that our very own local healthcare workers display, each and every day.”
Marc Shurtz, OCH chief executive officer, thanked the community for their support, especially during the pandemic. Many people and businesses have bought meals for the staff and shown their appreciation, he said.
Community members made masks for employees early in the pandemic. They donated PPE.
“It was really the whole community that did it,” Shurtz said. “We’re not only here for you, but we’re here because of you.”
Lifetime Achievement Award: Fred Pilon, owner of Pilon Construction
Spencer Pilon accepts the award on behalf of his father, Fred Pilon.
Fred Pilon
Fred Pilon has worked in construction in Albion for the past 50 years. The family business originated from his father, Charles Pilon. As a second-generation owner, Fred took over in 1972, when he was 25 years old.
He and his wife Carol have six children with three of the sons – Kevin, Jason and Spencer – work with Pilon.
Pilon Construction has grown significantly over the years. In the ’70s, Fred worked with farmers to dig and install irrigation systems. The majority of the last 30 years he specialized in installing municipal waterlines across WNY. Kevin leads all the waterline projects.
The company mines Medina Sandstone in one of the last sandstone quarries in the county. Fred also has preserved many sandstone blocks and materials from torn down structures. Those pieces are valuable for sites that want some of the area’s famous stone. The Bank of Castile in Medina turned to Pilon for Medina Sandstone for its new building.
Spencer Pilon leads the division specializing in breakwall restorations, which has been busy due to the high Lake Ontario water levels in 2017 and 2019.
“He has given his whole life to his business and community,” Spencer said. “It shows hard work pays off.”
New Business of the Year: The Tree House in Albion
Michelle Waters (center), owner of The Tree House in Albion, accepts the award for new business of the year from Courtney Henderson, owner of Milk & Honey in Albion, who won the award in 2019.
Michelle Waters opened the The Tree House on March 12, right before Gov. Cuomo and the state would impose restrictions on businesses, forcing many to temporarily close to in-person services.
Waters was able to pivot the early childhood enrichment business that specializes in preschool and toddler programs.
She developed activity kits to help families who suddenly had children home – nearly all the time. She delivered them throughout Western New York. Those kits were fun and educational. There was a stuffed puppy kit, a project where children could assembly a bird feeder, a kit to do a dinosaur dig and others.
The site on the second floor at 116 North Main St. was able to reopen in July for parties, events and programs.
“While the path has been bumpy, the lessons that they have learned and the relationships that they have built far outweigh the background noise,” said Courtney Henderson, owner of Milk and Honey, which won new business of the year in 2019. “Their mission is still loud and clear: deliver a high caliber early childhood experience.”
Phoenix Award – Holley Gardens (former Holley High School)
The former Holley High School received $17 million in renovations in a project led by Home Leasing of Rochester. The building was last used as a school in 1975. After two years of construction, Home Leasing has the building fully occupied with 41 apartments and the Holley village offices.
One of the most stunning redevelopment projects in Orleans County history was completed this year with the former Holley High School finding a new use with 41 apartments for residents 55 and older, and also the Holley village offices.
The building, constructed in 1931, sat vacant and is increasing disrepair for more than two decades. It was last used by a manufacturing company in the late 1990s and that company went bankrupt, leaving the site in limbo.
Holley village officials and residents refused to give up hope for the structure that dominants the corner of routes 31 and 237. The village worked to get the site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which made a developer eligible for historic tax credits.
The Landmark Society of Western New York named it to annual “Five to Revive” of important sites in the region that needed preservation.
Home Leasing leaders saw the school on the Five to Revive and decided to give it a look. They were impressed by the response of the community, in pushing for the site to be redeveloped. The construction project took two years and cost about $17 million. Last week the community held a ribbon-cutting celebration for the project.
Businesspersons of the Year: Bryan and Larissa DeGraw
Photo courtesy of Thom Jennings: Bryan DeGraw is shown with winning meads produced by 810 Meadworks in Medina. 810 Meadworks, owner by DeGraw and his wife Larissa, recently won two awards in the Mazer Cup International, a gold medal for Scarlett A and a bronze medal for Sweet Devotion.
The Chamber is recognizing Bryan and Larissa DeGraw as businesspersons of the year for their “tenacity” in keeping 810 Meadworks open to the public during a time of many changing state regulations for businesses that serve alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The DeGraws don’t have an on-site kitchen so they partnered with another local businesses to have sandwiches available to meet one state regulation.
“They have encountered so many obstacles and changes,” said Hartway, the Chamber director.
The DeGraws opened 810 Meadworks in November 2014 on West Center Street in downtown Medina.
The DeGraws wanted to offer a place for “people to connect and enjoy one another.” They have added 810 Axes, an indoor axe throwing range in 2019, and also the Beegarten, outdoor performing venue.
“There are many things to be proud of this year but the most important thing is the relationship with the people we have met,” the DeGraws said in a letter to the Chamber. “Our customers are amazing. They have been an incredible support and encouragement throughout our six years in business but especially this year. We have received much inspiration from their unending dedication to the family environment our business embraces.”
The DeGraws said 810 Meadworks is eager for next year when they hope to make up for all the missed events in 2020.
“While 2020 has been a challenge we are hopeful for big things next year,” they said. “We look forward to continuing on creating a place that makes people feel good.”
Small Business of the Year: Sam’s Diner in Holley
Photo by the Chamber of Commerce: Sam’s Diner has been a popular place in Holley’s Public Square since 1978.
Sam’s Diner has been a mainstay in Holley since 1978. The diner is popular for its food, friendly and caring staff, and generous support of the community from the owner, George Gitsis.
His father, Sam Gitsis, started the diner which has remained an anchor in the Holley downtown.
Throughout the Covid pandemic, Chamber officials said George Gitsis went out of his way to make sure that his customers were taken care of efficiently and safety. He installed air purification systems and dividers, all at great expense to ensure his customers health and safety.
Gitsis also supports the Holley School’s baseball team’s fundraiser by giving a 10% discount to anyone that has a “Hawk Card”.
“It has become a Holley tradition for high school seniors to go to Sam’s Diner for the first day of school breakfast,” said David Gagne, Chamber board vice president and a frequent Sam’s customer. “This year they were unable to due to Covid restrictions. George generously paid for breakfast pizzas for the entire senior class from the neighboring Crosby’s store. He is the first to donate to many of the Holley community organizations.”
Gitsis has shown in many ways he cares deeply for the community and his employees.
“The caring, friendly atmosphere of the Diner is a direct reflection on George’s personality,” Gagne said. “His entire staff present and past, have great love and admiration for this amazing gentleman who makes them feel like family.”
Community Service Award: Hospice of Orleans
Provided photo: Hospice of Orleans has been providing services in Orleans County since 1994. Its office and the Martin-Linsin Residence are located on Route 31 in Albion.
An organization that started in 1994 was honored for its service to the community, Hospice of Orleans has been serving families for 26 years now, providing care for seriously ill loved ones.
The mission of Hospice of Orleans is to embrace those facing advanced illness with optimal levels of comfort, compassion and expertise.
This care can be home-based, in the Martin-Linsin Residence, or in nursing homes and hospitals. Patients and families who choose Hospice of Orleans are supported by an experienced and compassionate team of professionals who collaboratively with the patient, family, and their attending physician to create an individualized plan of care tailored to the patient’s and family’s needs, the Chamber said.
“Not only are the patient’s medical care needs addressed, their spiritual, emotional and psychosocial needs are also identified and supported,” said Jack Burris, last year’s community service winner.
“Many people do not realize that Hospice of Orleans offers a comprehensive continuum of care through the Transitions program, Supportive Care program, and hospice services,” Burris said, reading the citation for Hospice.
These programs offer support to a patient and family all along their journey starting from the time a person is diagnosed with a serious or life limiting illness, throughout treatment, and if needed, when a person is no longer seeking treatment but looking for comfort care, according to the citation.
Hospice services are made possible not only by the professionals that Hospice employs, but the 150 volunteers that contribute almost 6,000 hours per year, collectively adding to the flexibility, cost effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the services provided, Hospice officials told the Chamber.
Hartway asked the group at the awards presentation how many of them have had loved ones served by Hospice and nearly everyone rose their hand.
“Their reach is so impressive,” Hartway said.
Agribusiness of the Year – Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses
Amanda Mrzywka and her brother Markus Mrzywka have pushed through challenges to have Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses poised for the future.
A brother and sister have been recognized by the Chamber for their work in overcoming obstacles and expanding services at Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses.
Amanda and Markus Mrzywka, who are siblings, are partners at Navarra’s, which has been on Eagle Harbor Road since 1988. Jim and Rita Navarra started the greenhouses and farm market on the corner of Gaines Basin Road and Route 31.
The business has stayed in the family. Markus, Amanda and their sister Jenna grew up helping at the greenhouses, whether it was transplanting the plugs, watering, assisting customers or loading the trucks for market. They were always there to aid in the family business.
They miss their uncle Paul Navarra, who passed away in March 2017. In the middle of his passing, the family lost all 6 greenhouses to a windstorm.
“We had to quickly pull together on a united front to keep the season going,” Amanda Mrzywka said. “We were rebuilding the greenhouses and transplanting the entire season as well as making sure the plants were staying watered and being fertilized.”
Markus and Amanda became partners in the business. They switched their entire market setup for the public, put in a building with gifts, built a new greenhouse where they hold classes and handle orders.
The siblings expanded the farmers market with their own locally grown produce and put in a sign that connects to the new parking lot, established in 2018. They also have taken on seeding for many florists and businesses in our area, the Chamber said.
This year Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouse was featured on the cover of the Harris Seeds Ornamental Growers catalog, highlighting one of the few greenhouses left in Western NY to start almost all of the plants from seed. Navarra’s grows the flowers in Albion and Medina’s hanging baskets and pots.
This year with Covid-19, customers responded when Navarra’s opened on April 27 for the season, with Navarra’s helping people get ready for spring.
Hidden Gem Award – Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina
Gatlen Ernst and his wife Danielle accept the Hidden Gem Award for their marina at Point Breeze, a business which is important for charter boat captains and the fishing industry.
The Chamber last year started a new honor, the Hidden Gem Award, for a business that is important to the local tourism industry.
The Chamber is recognized Ernest’s Lake Breeze Marina with the award in 2020. Gatlen Ernest, the marina owner since 2014, has twice needed to respond to very high Lake Ontario water levels. He raised docks to help boaters get their vessels in the water.
This year there wasn’t flooding like in 2017 and 2019, but Ernst faced Covid-19 and managed to keep the marina open so charter boat captains and the fishing industry could continue to welcome visitors.
Ernst, since buying the marina in 2014, has combined it with a neighboring site, joining the staff and making them flow together, the Chamber said.
“The marina has a great deal to offer the Orleans County and surrounding communities,” said Amy Sidari, owner of the Cabaret at Studio B in Albion, which was last year’s winner. “Charter boats await anyone who would like to take on the fight of reeling in a salmon off the shores of Lake Ontario.”
There also is a quaint café with a deck overlooking Oak Orchard River for people to enjoy breakfast and lunch while taking in the scenery.
Six fully furnished cottages are nestled on the property to accommodate anyone who would like to get away for a night, weekend or even a week. Docks await those with boats for fishing or playing on the water. Mechanics are at the ready to repair and maintain boats and keep people on the water. There is a store full of parts and supplies so people can keep their boats maintained, according to the Chamber citation.
During the flooding in 2017 and 2019, Ernst faced the challenges and stayed positive.
“His customers and employees saw how driven he was and were quick to do whatever he needed in order to ensure the survival of the marina,” the Chamber said. “He kept everyone’s morale up even at a time when his own livelihood was at risk. Once he made sure the docks were taken care of Gatlen went on to start working on the improvements he had promised his customers.”
Ernst has also renovated a new cottage to increase lodging options.
This year the marina was closed temporarily by the state due to Covid restrictions. When Ernst was given the Ok to open for the season in April, he quickly went to work getting customers’ boats in the water. His employees nominated him for the Chamber award.
“He is always quick to jump in and help his employees whether on the job or off,” they wrote to the Chamber. “He buys lunch for us on our birthdays and is always quick to say thank you just because we did our job. His positive attitude influences the way we all do our jobs. He works hard and never asks any of us to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself.”
County Employer of the Year – CRFS
Steve Mowers (left), president of CRFS, and Sean Casher, human resources director for CRFS, accept the award during the recognition program on Thursday night. The Employer of the Year is an award presented by the Orleans County Job Development Agency.
Claims Recovery Financial Services (CRFS) in Albion has undergone a significant transformation as a result of the pandemic. The company works in post-foreclosure mortgage industry. Right there aren’t many foreclosures due to a moratorium in New York and many states.
CRFS has about 150 employees in Albion. In March, employees started to work 100 percent remotely at not at the East Avenue location. The company is planning to return to the main office location soon, if the Covid cases don’t continue to spike.
Steve Mowers, the CRFS president, praised the employees for their flexibility and their work ethic.
“If it wasn’t for our employees we probably wouldn’t be in business,” Mowers said at the Chamber event. “This shouldn’t be the employer of the year award, but the employees of the year award.”
The company was praised for its accomplishments in 2020, which have it better positioned for the future.
Some of those achievements include:
• CRFS underwent a 100% conversion to remote work place back in March of 2020, with deployment of workstations at the employee level, and establishment of IT infrastructure to support remote desktop environment. Before 2020 that would not have been possible, and minimized the potential impact to staffing.
• CRFS refined the process related to the sales side of the business, from closing new business, to training efforts in developing participative e-Learning for our remote workforce, to staffing individuals from both in the local area, and around the country, and ultimately having a plan to return the majority of our workforce back to work in anticipation of future business volumes.
• The company developed a new compensation plan, and daily productivity reporting, to measure and incentivize production performed in remote environment, while coming up with innovative ways to engage the remote staff.
• CRFS utilized federal PPP funds to extend active employment during the initial shut down phase until funds were extinguished, allowing those individuals to grow their skill level anticipated future business volumes.
• The company used the NYS Workshare plan where the workforce underwent a 20% reduction in hours. That allowed CRFS to prevent an additional 20% of individuals from being placed on full furlough.
• Renegotiated leased facilities to resize and repurpose to the new remote-based strategy to remain within Orleans County for the foreseeable future.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2020 at 12:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There was a long line of vehicles in Albion this morning for a food distribution at the Main Street Store parking lot. A group of Iroquois Job Corps employees made up the bulk of the volunteers as well as staff from the Orleans County Office for the Aging and Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Melissa Blanar, the OFA director, is at left.
This was the first food distribution in two weeks in Orleans County. The distributions include about 300 boxes of food, weighing 30 to 40 pounds. Each box has a mixture of produce, dairy and meat.
The vehicles were lined up down Chamberlain Street at about 8:30 a.m. The line also stretched down McKinistry Street, East Park Street and then down Main Street to Route 31.
Albion police officer Will Francis directs traffic during the morning bottleneck.
Anthony Washington of Kendall, a Job Corps employee, assisted with the effort this chilly morning. Besides the gallons of 2 percent milk, people also received eggnog for the first time this year at one of the distributions.
The upcoming schedule includes:
Friday, November 20th – Ridgeway Fire Department at 11392 Ridge Road, Medina – line up on Horan Road.
Friday, December 4th – Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Fairgrounds at 126900 NYS Route 31, Albion – enter off Route 31-new location for Friday morning distribution.
Friday, December 11th – Community Action Main Street Store at 131 S. Main Street, Albion.
All events start at approximately 8:30 a.m., if delivery trucks are there by 8 a.m.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funded the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program nation-wide through the end of December.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Clockwise from left front are Christine Fancher of Gaines, who plans to start a pet/care dog walking business; Debbie Kluth of Kendall, who wants to offer freelance paralegal services; and Tracy and Thom Jennings, who run Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 November 2020 at 11:44 am
Jeremiah James, left, plans to partner with former American Fast Track racing champion Brad Baker to start a cold brew coffee business. James and Baker have both broken their backs racing. Baker is paralyzed since his accident in July 2018.
GAINES – As of Tuesday night, the Microenterprise Assistance Program has graduated 545 potential new business owners.
Tuesday night’s graduation at the Village Inn saw seven more individuals move one step closer to fulfilling their ambitions.
Graduates in attendance at the closing celebration included Christine Fancher of Gaines who plans to open a pet care/dog walking business; Thom and Tracy Jennings of Albion who will open a bake-to-order bagel business called Papa Thom’s Rockin Bagels; Debbie Kluth of Kendall, a paralegal who wants to offer her services as a freelance paralegal; Megan Davenport of Medina, who hopes to open a retail pet supply business in Medina; and Jeremiah James, who plans to partner with Brad Baker of Michigan to operate Blue Groove Coffee Cart/Blue Groove Cold Brew coffee trucks.
James and Baker formerly raced motorcycles and both have suffered broken backs. Baker was the American Fast Track national grand champion until he broke his back in July 2018 and is paralyzed. He attended Tuesday’s graduation with James.
Baker said where he lives in Michigan, there are drive-thru cold brew coffee stands on every corner. James is working with a coffee plantation in Papua, New Guinea to provide the best produce available. His business will offer multiple flavors of cold cappuccino, all made in-house. He eventually expects to bring in $800 to $1,000 a day in his first year. By year three, he told fellow graduates he plans by year three to have coffee trucks in Rochester and Syracuse.
“The cold brew market is on the rise,” James told the class. “In 2020 sales are expected to hit a record. Thirty percent of the coffee drank in the United States is cold brewed.”
James formerly worked in a motorcycle shop and raced until three years ago, when he broke his back.
He said then he knew he had to change.
James and Baker met on Instagram and just met in person when Baker came to Albion on Monday.
James credits the Microenterprise program and his mentor Jon Costello for helping him get started.
Diane Blanchard gets ready to cut the cake celebrating the graduation of seven people Tuesday at the Village Inn.
Chris Fancher has been volunteer coordinator and social worker at Hospice of Orleans, where she also is administrator of their Pet Peace of Mind Program. She decided to pursue her own pet care/dog walking business, called Fancher’s Fur Babies, after reading about the Microenterprise Assistance Program on the Hub.
She loves animals and loves walking, and thought the Microenterprise Assistance Program offered a wonderful opportunity. She will care for pets in her clients’ homes or her own. She would like to be able to care for five pets a week and offer boarding. Her five-year goal is to grow the business to where it is her sole source of income.
Thom and Tracy Jennings came up with the idea of a bagel business during the pandemic shutdown. Tracy works in finance at the Iroquois Job Corps. She has a background in banking and baking. Thom was formerly a restaurant manager has always liked to make bread, so he suggested he try making bagels.
There is no shop that specializes in bagels in Orleans County, and currently bagels are only available at Tim Hortons, Dunkin Donuts and grocery stores. In May the Jennings started making bagels in their kitchen. In July they moved to the commercial kitchen at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Thom loves music and incorporates a musical component in every bagel.
“Each bagel we make will have the name of a song we play,” he said.
Seated at the head table at the Microenterprise Class graduation Tuesday at the Village Inn are, from left, program director Diane Blanchard, mentor Dorothy Daniels, county legislator and EDA board member Ken DeRoller and Jon Costello, mentor with SCORE.
The Jennings are upgrading a commercial mixer at the fairgrounds with a small loan from a family friend who wants to support them.
They will gradually add other complimentary items to their menu. They bake on Friday nights and deliver on Saturdays.
They credit their mentor Dorothy Daniels for helping them get established.
Debbie Kluth of Kendall took the Microenterprise Assistance Class to help further her ambition of becoming a freelance paralegal. She plans to provide notary public services, estate planning and real estate transactions.
“With 38 years of experience in various areas of law, and with knowledge gained from MAP, I feel very qualified in my field,” Kluth told the class.
Megan Davenport
Megan Davenport of Medina explained the reasons she wants to open a retail pet store in Medina.
“The pet industry was a $76 billion industry, even during the pandemic,” she said.
She hopes to open a brick and mortar store in Medina and be debt-free in three years. She said, according to the Humane Society, the majority of homes have at least one pet. While mass marketing stores and big box stores offer lower prices, they also offer lower quality. Other stores, she said, like tractor supply stores, offer less choice selection.
Davenport, who currently works at Takeform, has 25 years managerial experience and 15 years in sales. She boasts strong customer relations skills. She doesn’t plan to give up her full time job.
Two other Microenterprise graduates were unable to attend Tuesday’s ceremony. They are Jenna Chevier of Albion, whose business is Event Planner, dba Eventageous Media & Marketing; and Dawn Manchester of Middleport, who took over the family business, Travel Trailer Center.
Michelle Gallo
Tuesday’s graduation class also welcomed two guest speakers, both graduates of the Microenterprise Assistance Class.
Two successful individuals to take the class are Rich and Michelle Gallo, who graduated almost two years ago. The Gallos took the class for guidance and low-interest financing to purchase a tow truck business. Soon after going into business, they had the opportunity to purchase a junkyard in Brockport. Nearing two years in business, the couple just completed the year with $1 million in gross sales.
“Our next goal is to hit $5 million next year,” Michelle said.
They aren’t content to stop there, and have just purchased a bar and grill in Hamlin.
Her advice to the students is, “Be determined, be driven. You always have to have that entrepreneurial spirit. Push for that next level. And don’t hesitate to reach out to Diane if you need help.”
Natasha Wasuck
The other guest speaker, Natasha Wasuck of Spencerport, took the class last year.
“I had a vision,” she said.
Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez had already bought a building on North Main Street and were renovating it when they decided to take the Microenterprise class.
“The class was great and Jon worked with us,” Wasuck said about Costello. “His advice was make sure we do our due diligence. ‘Make sure there is a need for your business,’ he said.”
Tinsel, their ice cream shop, opened in June 2019. The other part of their business, a wedding/event venue, suffered from the pandemic, but Wasuck said the weddings which were canceled have all rescheduled for next year.
Her advice to graduates was to “Be sure it’s something you are passionate about. When you choose to be an entrepreneur, you are choosing to work for yourself. I believe if one business is successful, it will rub off on others in the area. Most important, don’t give up.”
The evening concluded with cake and awarding of certificates to the graduates.
The Microenterprise Assistance Program traditionally has two classes per year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2020 at 11:48 am
More dates have been set for food distributions in Orleans County. There will be about 300 boxes of food, weighing 30 to 40 pounds, given away at each event. Each box has a mixture of produce, dairy and meat.
Friday, November 13th – Community Action Main Street Store at 131 S. Main Street, Albion.
Friday, November 20th – Ridgeway Fire Department at 11392 Ridge Road, Medina – line up on Horan Road.
Friday, December 4th – Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Fairgrounds at 126900 NYS Route 31, Albion – enter off Route 31-new location for Friday morning distribution.
Friday, December 11th – Community Action Main Street Store at 131 S. Main Street, Albion.
All events start at approximately 8:30 a.m., if delivery trucks are there by 8 a.m.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funded the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program nation-wide through the end of December.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 9:55 pm
Trump, Jacobs had overwhelmingly support at ballot box with in-person voting
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Administration Building is pictured on election night, Nov. 3. The Board of Elections is located in the building, which also hosted a polling site for nine days of early voting.
Joe Biden and Nate McMurray both received a small fraction of in-person votes in Orleans County. But the two Democratic candidates fared much better with absentee ballots that were counted today.
Biden received 1,424 of the 2,391 ballots for president or 59.6 percent. Donald Trump, who received 71.4 percent of the in-person votes for president, saw the absentee percentage drop to 37.7 percent or 902 total.
Trump was still the overwhelming choice in Orleans County for president when all the ballots were counted. He received 12,075 votes to 5,506 for Biden.
Third party candidates also picked up votes with Jo Jorgensen (Libertarian) receiving 311 votes, Brock Pierce (Independence) 71 votes and Howie Hawkins (Green Party) at 49 votes.
• 27th Congressional District: On election night on Nov. 3, when the in-person votes were counted, Chris Jacobs received 10,687 votes to 3,843 for Nate McMurray and 234 for Duane Whitmer. Jacobs ran under the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines, with McMurray on the Democratic and Working Families parties. Whitmer ran as a Libertarian.
McMurray did much better with the absentees, receiving 56.0 percent or 1,275, to 961 for Jacobs (42.2 percent). Whitmer picked up 40 more.
3 state legislators
• Robert Ortt was re-elected to a fourth term as state senator in a district that includes Orleans, Niagara and a portion of Monroe counties. Ortt was unopposed. He received 12,630 in-person votes in Orleans County and added 1,525 more absentees out of 2,413 ballots. That means 888 of the absentee voters didn’t give Ortt a vote.
• Steve Hawley of Batavia was re-elected to another term in the State Assembly, where he was first elected in 2006. Hawley received 11,097 in-person votes in nine of the 10 towns in Orleans. The 139th District includes all of Genesee County and a portion of Monroe County. He received 1,309 absentee votes and Mark Glogowski, a Libertarian candidate, picked up 213 votes through absentees.
• Michael Norris was unopposed for a third term as assemblyman for the 144th District which includes portions of Niagara and Erie counties, and also Shelby in Orleans County. Norris received 1,342 in-person votes in Shelby and added 178 more with absentees, out of 300 ballots.
Contested county and town races
• County Clerk: Nadine Hanlon increased her lead over Diane Shampine. Hanlon received 1,131 of the absentees or 66.6 percent to 564 for Shampine. Hanlon, who won a close Republican primary over Shampine in June, had 8,900 in-person votes to 4,474 for Shampine, who stayed on the ballot with the Conservative Party.
• Murray highway superintendent: Dirk Lammes had a big lead over James DeFilipps after election night with 1,076 votes under the Republican and Conservative lines, while DeFilipps has 674 under the Independence line and the independent “Jimmy D for Highway” party. DeFilipps narrowed the gap slightly in absentees, 126 to 118. Lammes will be the winner, 1,194 to 800.
• Shelby Town Councilman: Ryan Wilkins received 1,102 in-person votes under the Republican line. Craig Stalker also mounted a write-in campaign and there were 229 write-in votes with in-person voting. Wilkins received 165 absentees while there were eight more write-in votes through absentees.
The other local positions were unopposed:
District Attorney: Joe Cardone received 11,794 in-person votes, plus 1,502 absentees.
Coroner (elect 3 who are all unopposed): Scott Schmidt – 10,980 in-person votes, plus 1,429 absentees; Charles Smith – 9,594 in-person votes, plus 1,270 absentees; and Rocco Sidari – 10,262 in-person votes, plus 1,322 absentees.
Murray Town Justice: Theodore R. Spada, Jr. – 1,441 in-person votes, plus 186 absentees.
Murray Town Councilman: Randy Bower – 1,433 in-person votes, plus 193 absentees.
Shelby Town Supervisor: Jeff Smith – 1,264 in-person votes, plus 176 absentees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 8:22 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Board of Elections will count 2,550 absentee and affidavit ballots today, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The BOE typically counts those ballots a week after an election.
There are no cliffhanger elections locally after the in-person vote on Nov. 3 and with early voting.
Donald Trump received 71.4 percent of the in-person vote in Orleans County or 11,173 or the 15,649 votes cast for president. Joe Biden received 26.1 percent or 4,082 votes in Orleans. Will Trump’s margin of support in Orleans drop below 70 percent after the absentees and affidavits are counted today?
The absentees were mailed in and needed to be postmarked by Nov. 3. The affidavits or provisional ballots are for people who believe they are eligible to vote but cannot submit a regular ballot because elections workers don’t have their information. Of the 2,550 ballots to be counted today, nearly all of them are absentees. There were 2,362 received by the BOE by Nov. 3 with more time for ballots to be mailed in as long as they were postmarked by Election Day.
The votes today will provide more numbers in for the 27th Congressional with Chris Jacobs, who is ahead of Nate McMurray and Duane Whitmer. Jacobs declared victory on Tuesday night after the in-person votes were announced in the eight-county district.
Other local races include Nadine Hanlon and Diane Shampine for county clerk. Hanlon has an insurmountable lead, 8,900 to 4,474.
The Murray highway superintendent also is an open position and Dirk Lammes has a big lead over James DeFilipps. Lammes has 1,076 votes under the Republican and Conservative lines, while DeFilipps has 674 under the Independence line and the independent “Jimmy D for Highway” party.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 November 2020 at 9:05 am
Photos contributed by Hospice: Julie Noreck, a Hospice special events volunteer, is also a seamstress who uses her talent to create gifts for veterans they serve. She sews and creates handmade blankets and quilts for Hospice’s We Honor Veterans program.
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans is very fortunate to have two dedicated volunteers with creative hobbies, who use their talents to make gifts for veterans served by Hospice’s We Honor Veterans Program.
Julie Noreck is a seamstress who sews beautiful blankets and quilts specifically for these veterans.
Beverly Saskowski, a direct care volunteer, board member and all-around supporter of Hospice, paints beautiful designs focused on veterans on rocks of various sizes and shapes. She also does them for the residents of the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence, as well as patients in their Homecare Program.
The “We Honor Veterans” Program empowers hospices and community organizations to meet the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, by offering guidance and resources focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement, so that veterans can be guided toward a more peaceful ending.
Beverly Saskowski shows a selection of decorative rocks she painted for veterans served by Hospice of Orleans. Saskowski is a direct care volunteer, board member and all-around support of Hospice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2020 at 8:28 am
Donations can be given through countertop kettles
File photo by Tom Rivers: Chuck Eberhardt, left, and Al Pulcino, both members of the American Legion in Holley, were outside the Eastern Orleans Community Center in the Public Square in this photo from Nov. 25, 2013, ringing the bells for the Red Kettle campaign.
There won’t be bell ringers this year for the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign. Residents can still give to the campaign through counter top kettles that will be placed in many local stores beginning on Tuesday.
Annette Finch, director of community services for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, said the change was made to protect bell ringers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finch also serves as the Salvation Army treasurer. The proceeds from the Red Kettle campaign go to serve people in crisis in Orleans County. The campaign usually raises about $25,000 which is administered by Community Action.
“Salvation Army is able to assist hundreds of struggling families and our community,” Finch said. “The need this year will be even greater than in the past. We anticipate this need will grow during these difficult times. Community Action is committed to being a source of help.”
All of the money given in the kettles stays in Orleans County, Finch said.
“We appreciate your continued support of our Red Kettles in the past and hope that we can again help our neighbors this year,” Finch said.
People can also donate by sending a check to Community Action, 409 East State St., Albion, NY 14411 and indicate on the check “Salvation Army.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2020 at 12:20 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Volunteers, including employees at the Iroquois Job Corps in Medina, are ready at a food distribution on Sept. 18 at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company on Ridge Road.
There wasn’t a food distribution today, but there will be at least the next two Fridays. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funded the program for another two months through Dec. 31.
The USDA has authorized $500 million for a fourth round of purchases for the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
Organizers in Orleans County has dates set for the next two weeks, with more expected through the end of the December.
The schedule so far includes:
Friday, November 13th – Community Action Main Street Store, 131 S. Main Street, Albion.
Friday, November 20th – Ridgeway Fire Department, 11392 Ridge Rd., Medina.
All events will begin with the approximate start time of 8:30 a.m., if trucks are there by 8 a.m., said Melissa Blanar, director of the office for the Aging in Orleans County.
There will be approximately 300 boxes of food available at each distribution. Each box weighs 30-40 pounds with a mixture of produce, dairy and meat.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2020 at 8:05 pm
April Flesch praised for de-escalating hostilities from residents with complaints
Provided photos: The following earned employee of the months from October 2019 to September 2020. They include front row, from left: Lori Grube (Emergency Management), April Flesch (Chief Administrative Officer), Tammy Graham (Office for the Aging), Kathleen Wright (Social Services) and Danielle Ludwick (Probation). Back row: Michelle Troup (Public Health), Scott Snook (Computer Services), Gerald Bentley (Sheriff-Dispatch), Donna Wilcox (Office for the Aging), Steven Fuller (Public Works) and Sarah Osborne (Probation).
ALBION – Orleans County held its 40th annual Employee Recognition Program this morning at Tillman’s Village Inn this morning.
The EAP Committee recognized employees of the month as well as the employee of the year.
“This is a very important and a very special occasion when fellow county employees are recognized for not only their service to the citizens of the county but to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond their duty,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
The EAP Committee receives nominations from fellow employees and department directors and then the nominations are reviewed and discussed by the committee and a selection is made.
The employees of the months for the past year were:
October 2019: Steven Fuller (Department of Public Works),
November 2019: Jeffrey Cole (Sheriff)
December 2019: Danielle Ludwick (Probation),
January 2020: Donna Wilcox (Office for the Aging)
February 2020: Gerald Bentley (Dispatch)
March 2020: Shelly Troup (Public Health)
April 2020: Tammy Graham (Office for the Aging)
May 2020: April Flesch (Chief Administrative Officer)
June 2020: Sarah Osborne (Probation)
July 2020: Kathleen Wright (Social Services),
August 2020: Lori Grube (Emergency Management Office)
September 2020: Scott Snook (Computer Services),
From this pool of candidates, a department head must make a recommendation to a separate committee to determine the Employee of the Year. The committee looked for additional service that an employee has performed since the individual was recognized as an employee of the month. Then the Employee of the Year is selected, Welch said.
Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, left, and Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch congratulate April Flesch for being the Orleans County Employee of the Year.
April Flesch was named the employee of the year. She started with the county in 2012. She works in the office for the County Legislature and the chief administrative officer.
Flesch handles many phone calls from the public, and often they are complaints, including many about garbage and recycling pickup. Residents will call to say their garbage wasn’t picked up or their recycling bin is missing. Sometimes Modern Disposal will call with complaints about residents putting syringes in the trash or used oil or an unknown powder, Welch said.
The callers may complain about not being able to process a DMV transaction in a timely manner, or they may be reporting a Covid-19 violation, he said.
Some residents, employees and other local elected officials will call and tell Flesch they aren’t happy with Welch and some of his decisions.
“Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list but you can see the variety and you can image the emotion the caller has during any given call,” Welch said during today’s recognition program. “The topics vary greatly from these unhappy residents.”
Welch praised Flesch for calmly handling the calls and not raising her voice or becoming flustered, even when the callers are rude.
“She has the ability to manage the callers’ expectation given the individual issue,” Welch said. “When the caller’s expectation is to have a call back from the CAO upon the returned call, she is never named as an ‘issue’ of which the caller needs to resolve. If fact, many times the caller is appreciative of how she related to the caller and their issue. She is a de-escalator of drama.”
Flesch handles the calls and her interactions with co-workers and the public “in a kind, courteous, professional, competent and compassionate manner,” Welch said.
He praised her for putting others at ease “especially in these challenging times which has an abundance of fear and anxiety at nearly every turn.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2020 at 10:21 am
Jim Whipple has facilitated numerous projects around the county
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Whipple, chief executive officer and chief financial officer for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, holds a sign that will be displayed in front of the 300-acre Medina Business Park on Maple Ridge Road. Whipple is retiring Jan. 15 after more than 15 years as leader of the Orleans EDA.
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency is seeking a new leader due to the impending retirement of Jim Whipple, who has been the chief executive officer and chief financial officer for more than 15 years.
Whipple is leaving with high praise from the EDA board of directors, who say he has the county well positioned for new businesses and expansions, especially with the 300-acre Medina Business Park. That site is one of the largest certified shovel-ready sites in the state. It has all the infrastructure in place.
“He has done a phenomenal job,” said Ken DeRoller, who has been on the EDA board for 19 years.
Whipple brought and engineering background to the job and used that to develop the Medina Business Park, working with local municipalities to put the infrastructure in place.
“He understands Orleans County and he is low-key,” DeRoller said. “He gets down and grinds it out and gets results.”
Whipple, 64, of Lyndonville will retire Jan. 15. He will be available part-time to assist the next CEO in the transition.
Whipple said he has enjoyed being part of a team that assists small businesses, larger manufacturers, agricultural businesses, and projects that boost the county’s tourism.
“It has been awesome working with so many great people,” Whipple said at his office at 121 North Main St. in Albion.
He praised his co-workers – Gabrielle Barone and Diane Blanchard – for their commitment to local businesses and helping them work through potential pitfalls.
Whipple said the board of directors and municipalities have been supportive of the EDA efforts to market sites and make them attractive for companies. Whipple said Orleans could use more buildings suited to modern manufacturing.
Many companies, including several from Canada, have picked Orleans during Whipple’s tenure and several companies have done multi-million-dollar expansions.
Some of the major projects include expansions at Brunner in Medina, Western New York Energy in Medina, Takeform in Medina, Precision Packaging Products (now Waddington North America) in Holley and CRFS in Albion.
The EDA has worked with numerous companies around the county in Whipple’s tenure. The projects aren’t all in the county’s three largest villages of Medina, Albion and Holley.
Jim Whipple speaks during a public hearing in Kendall on Jan. 15, 2014 about a 10-year tax payment plan for The Cottages at Troutburg. The 10-year agreement has developers paying $186,363 in taxes on the land, with the new cottages boosting the tax base. Many new homes have been built at Troutburg in Kendall near Lake Ontario as part of the project.
The EDA worked with the Cottages at Troutburg in Kendall, where new smaller homes are being built at a 126-acre site by Lake Ontario.
The EDA helped a Canadian-based company to acquire the former Atwater Foods building on Route 18 in Yates. Niagara Food Specialties is a meat processor for gourmet markets, including restaurants and hotels. It specializes in prosciutto ham.
Whipple also cited major renovations at distressed sites on gateways into the community. He praised Roger Andrews for an extensive renovation of the former Jubilee in medina, turning that into Evans Ace Hardware. That is prominent building on Route 31 across from State Street Park.
Home Leasing in Rochester did a dramatic transformation of the former Holley High School, turning that into 41 apartments for senior citizens and offices for the Village of Holley. That building, at the corner of routes 31 and 237, was badly deteriorating and had been vacant for more than two decades.
Whipple sees a chain reaction of investment around the county, with successful projects encouraging more people and companies to upgrade buildings and grow in the county.
Paul Hendel, the EDA chairman, said the local economic development agency is well regarded by companies. They tell other businesses that the EDA is a good partner, Hendel said.
The EDA competes against other counties that have much larger staffs for economic development. Yet Whipple, Barone and Blanchard have the confidence of many companies who give Orleans close consideration for projects, Hendel said.
“He has established a culture there,” Hendel said. “It is built on honesty and integrity. Jim has an ability to form positive relationships with his co-workers, elected officials and the businesses.”
Hendel also praised Whipple for leading the agency that looks out for businesses of all sizes. For more than 20 years, the EDA has a small business class that has graduated more than 500 people. The Microenterprise Assistance Program provides expertise and a chance for lower-interest loans for graduates.
The EDA has pushed to keep that program going, while also assisting companies in major projects.
“Diane has done an awesome job leading that program,” Whipple said about Blanchard, coordinator of the Microenterprise Assistance Program. That has been a great project.”
The EDA welcomes applications for the CEO/CFO position for the agency. Click here for more information on the job.
Hendel and DeRoller said the board of directors want someone who is dedicated to the county.
“Our goal is to not only find an individual who understands the importance of a seamless transition, but also someone who can move the organization and our county to the next level in securing resources and establishing business relationships that will continue to attract, secure, and maintain business to our county,” Hendel said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2020 at 9:13 am
About 65% of registered voters cast ballots in person; Potentially 3,000 absentees to be counted
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patty Urquhart of Kendall, left, fills out her ballot on Tuesday at the Kendall Town Hall.
Turnout at the local polls was steady without long waits in Orleans County. Local election inspectors said the longest lines were right when the polls opened at 6 a.m., but those voters didn’t have to wait too long.
The in-person turnout was similar to the 2016, the last presidential race. The number of in-person votes in the 2020 election was 15,757, or 64.9 percent of the 24,265 total active registered voters. That includes 3,753 through nine days of early voting.
The early voting seemed to reduce the lines on Tuesday. Election inspectors said it was “very steady” on Tuesday and they credited early voting for making the lines more manageable on Tuesday.
A Carlton voter makes his choices on Election Day.
The 15,757 in-person votes in 2020 compares to 15,424 cast for the president in 2016 when the race pitted Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton. This time it was Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden and Trump received 71.4 percent of the vote in Orleans. Against Clinton, he received 66.8 percent of the vote in the county.
There are also 2,914 applications for absentee ballots in Orleans. That is up from 952 in 2016. The absentees will be counted on Tuesday, Nov. 10. If all 2,914 ballots come in, that would put total turnout at 18,671 or 76.9 percent.
So far, 2,362 of the absentees have been received. If no more come in to the Orleans County Board of Elections, that would make turnout at 18,119 or 74.7 percent.
Gayle Ashbery, left, and Sharon Stewart worked as election inspectors on Tuesday for Carlton. Voting was moved from the Town Hall to the Carlton Rec Hall due to a renovation project at the town building.
They arrived at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday to get ready for a long day. The polls opened at 6 in the morning and closed at 9 p.m.
“People are doing their civic duty,” Stewart said.
Cathy Schwenk, an election inspector in Carlton, greets voters and directs them to their polling station at the Carlton Rec Hall. Schwenk has worked at local elections for about five years after retiring from her full-time job. She and her husband Paul continue to operate a winery, Schwenk Wine Cellars.
“I just wanted to give back to the town,” Schwenk said about working at the election. “You see a lot of people you don’t normally see, especially during a pandemic where we haven’t been able to see people.”
Schwenk said the voters were friendly and there were no displays of hostility.
“People have been calm,” she said on Tuesday afternoon. “They’re here to do what they have to do.”
The turnout was brisk but there weren’t long lines.
“It’s been nice and steady which makes the day go by,” Schwenk said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 November 2020 at 9:01 pm
The presidential race gets the most attention, but there are several other offices on the ballot Tuesday, including the 27th Congressional District, state Legislature positions, county offices and positions in the towns of Shelby and Murray.
The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Here is a list of the candidates on the ballot:
President/Vice President
Joe Biden/Kamala Harris, Democratic and Working Families
Donald J. Trump/Michael Pence, Republican and Conservative
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker, Green
Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy Cohen, Libertarian
Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard, Independence
27th Congressional District
Nathan McMurray, Democratic and Working Families
Chris Jacobs, Republican, Conservative and Independence
Duane Whitmer, Libertarian
State Supreme Court Justice
Amy Martoche, Democratic and Working Families
Gerald Greenan, III, Republican, Conservative and Independence
State Senator, 62nd District
Robert Ortt, Republican, Conservative and Independence
State Assembly, 139th District
Stephen Hawley, Republican, Conservative and Independence
Mark Glogowski, Libertarian
State Assembly, 144 District
Michael Norris, Republican, Conservative, Libertarian and Independence
Orleans County Clerk
Nadine Hanlon, Republican
Diane Shampine, Conservative
District Attorney
Joseph Cardone, Republican
Coroner (3 positions)
Scott Schmidt, Republican
Charles Smith, Republican
Rocco Sidari, Republican, Conservative
Town of Murray Town Justice
Theodore Spada, Jr., Republican
Town of Murray Councilperson
Randall Bower, Republican
Town of Murray Highway Superintendent
Dirk Lammes, Jr., Republican and Conservative
James DeFilipps, Independence and Jimmy D for Highway Party
Town of Shelby Supervisor
Jeffrey Smith, Republican
Town of Shelby Councilperson
Ryan Wilkins, Republican
(Craig Stalker is also running as write-in campaign.)
