By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2023 at 10:48 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Janet Cheverie accepts a “Special Recognition Award” on Tuesday from the Orleans County Legislature in appreciation for her 35-year career with the county. Cheverie is retiring on May 31.
ALBION – Janet Cheverie was honored by Orleans County legislators with “Special Recognition Award” as she nears retirement from a 35-year career with the county.
She worked the first 11 years with the Department of Social Services as a social welfare examiner. She determined if people were eligible for Food Stamps, Medicaid and other public assistance.
The past 24 years she worked for DSS in the child support collection unit. She has been coordinator of that unit since 2008, overseeing eight other workers. The unit works with 2,000 to 2,500 cases.
Cheverie said the child support unit has been a fulfilling career. She has tried to be fair to all parents, and ensure that children are receiving resources.
“We’re helping to get children the support they need,” Cheverie said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to do this job. At the end of the day you feel like you made a small amount of difference for a family working their way through a difficult time.”
Cheverie said the non-custodial parents typically want to do their part to direct funds to their children, but sometimes there are court orders to collect child support and determine the levels.
County legislators, in their citation for Cheverie, thanked her for her commitment to the county.
“Your dedication and expertise have benefited our county tremendously,” they said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2023 at 11:51 am
Homeless placements up from 45 to 80; County declared state of emergency last week over possible migrant influx, saying not enough resources available
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jack Welch, Orleans County chief administrative officer, speaks during Tuesday evening’s Orleans County Association of Municipalities at the White Birch in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County has experienced a big increase in homeless residents, with spots in-county maxed out, requiring the county Department of Social Services to utilize motel and hotel rooms in Genesee and Niagara counties.
In July 2022, the county secured temporary housing for 38 homeless residents within the county and for seven who stayed out-of-county.
But in April last month, the in-county homeless residents were up to 51, with the county DSS finding housing out-of-county for 29 other residents, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
He said homelessness is a “silent issue” that has grown in the county, from 45 people needing housing assistance in July 2022 to 80 last month.
He spoke at Tuesday’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which includes village, town and county officials.
A week ago on May 17 the county declared a state of emergency due to a possible influx of migrants/asylum seekers.
Welch said none have arrived to Orleans, as far as he knows. There were rumors last week that busloads of 200 to 300 migrants were headed to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Welch said he fielded numerous media queries about the rumor that has proven to be false.
He does worry that migrants and people seeking asylum could show up unexpected in the county, and Orleans would need to provide services for them.
He said that would be a big challenge. The blizzard around Christmas showed how difficult it was to open shelters with cots.
Albion and Medina schools did open up as shelters with volunteers on hand to help staff the sites for about 100 people at the two locations.
“We couldn’t even get 50 cots from the Red Cross on Christmas weekend,” Welch told the local officials on Tuesday evening. “If (migrants) do arrive, where would we put them?”
He has spoken with the governor’s office and Gov. Hochul’s staff told him the state is not looking at Orleans as a location to house migrants and asylum seekers.
But he still is concerned asylum seekers and migrants could arrive in the county and need assistance.
“We’re not without compassion, we just truly don’t have the resources to help these people,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.
The local homeless population has increased party since the certificate of occupancy was removed at the Holley Hotel last Aug. 24. That displaced 28 residents, including 14 who were taken to hotel rooms in Batavia. Others were able to stay with family and friends, or secure other housing.
Johnson said people who are homeless often struggle with mental health issues, substance use disorder, and many are not motivated to make changes. They can be “onerous” cases for the local DSS staff to try to resolve or connect to resources, she said.
The increase in homeless cases has been exhausting for the DSS staff, especially when people are placed out of county and need access to services.
She noted that declaration from the county wasn’t made because of the incoming farmworkers for local fruit and vegetable farms. Those workers through the federal H2A program have housing provided by the farms.
“We need our H2A workers for our farms,” Johnson said.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Terry Kingdollar, rear, adviser to the Arc’s All Stars, watches volunteers landscape the area around the Cornell Cooperative Extension sign at the fairgrounds during the Day of Caring on Friday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 May 2023 at 4:48 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – An amazing 70 people showed up at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Friday morning to volunteer for United Way of Orleans County’s Day of Caring.
United Way of Orleans County has been bringing volunteers together to help their community for decades, said director Matt Holland. He was overjoyed with the number of people who volunteered and the organizations which asked for help with special projects.
The day began with breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Holland expressed his gratitude to Mark’s Pizzeria in Medina for opening so early to have breakfast pizzas ready to feed the crews.
Provided photos: Members of the Medina Sandstone Society worked on landscaping at the Medina City Hall, which includes space for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. In front, from left, include Gail Miller, Kathy Blackburn, Peggy Schreck and President Craig Tuohey. In back are Dave Miller and Jim Hancock.
Volunteers came from the Sandstone Society’s board of directors, Orleans County Mental Health, United Way’s board, Pathstone, Western New York Energy, Orleans Correctional Facility, Baxter Healthcare, Orleans Community Health, Arc GLOW, Velocitii and Takeform.
The volunteers performed various duties for Medina City Hall, Camp Rainbow, Cobblestone Museum, Hospice (Supportive Care of Orleans), Community Action, three Arc sites in Albion, the Orleans County YMCA, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Medina Railroad Museum and an Arc home in Medina.
Most of the duties included landscaping, moving chairs and painting.
Jennifer Mateo of PathStone and some of her co-workers worked on projects for Supportive Care of Orleans and the Martin-Linsin Residence.
Kelsey Smith, who works at Western New York Energy, said this was her first time volunteering for Day of Caring. She said she was one of those assigned to paint over graffiti at Community Action’s Main Street Thrift Store in Albion.
Mia Dennard works at Velocitii, and said she enjoys helping her community.
“Velocitii has a lot of volunteer opportunities for its employees, and I’m excited to get out and help,” she said. “I like volunteering. I’ve rung the Red Kettle bell at Christmas time at Tops.”
Katie Oakes, horticulture educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, said they were grateful for the crew that was coming to help them Friday.
One of their projects was landscaping around the giant pie tin.
“A lot of people are needed to get things done, and I don’t have a lot of staff,” Oakes said. “Today I hope to get some of the work done so our grounds look nice. I’m grateful for the volunteers helping today.”
Staff from the Orleans Correctional Facility and Orleans County Mental Health Department worked on projects at Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway.
These volunteers painted picnic tables at Camp Rainbow.
Ben Curfman, pastor of North Point Chapel in Albion, was part of a team from PathStone working on projects at the Martin-Linsin Residence for Supportive Care of Orleans in Albion.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Melissa Blanar, center, introduces Barbara Filipiak of Medina who was named by the New York State Office for the Aging as an Outstanding Older Adult. With them are, from left, Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, New York State Senator Rob Ortt and New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 May 2023 at 4:26 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Office for the Aging sponsored its first Spring Jubilee in three years at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds this afternoon.
Seniors packed the Trolley Building to be recognized, entertained and to enjoy lunch provided by the Arc GLOW Nutrition Program.
Office for the Aging director Melissa Blanar welcomed the guests and introduced her staff, advisory board and entertainer Kristina Jewell Suski.
“We are excited to be back after a three-year absence, due to Covid,” Blanar said.
County Legislator Skip Draper, State Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley each addressed the audience.
Draper presented Blanar with a proclamation paying tribute to the contributions older Americans make to society.
Hawley spoke of the trials this audience and the country endured in the past few years, but said we were all “strong Americans,” and we persevered.
Ortt told the seniors that everyone knows someone who was not there today because of Covid. He praised the Office for the Aging for making sure critical services were provided through all those difficult circumstances.
“Whatever is happening in America, be assured there are people out there working to make sure America remains the country you created,” he said.
Melissa Blanar, director of the Orleans County Office for the Aging, introduces her staff at the Spring Jubilee Friday at Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds celebrating Older Americans Month.
A highlight of day was recognizing three outstanding seniors, one as New York State’s “Outstanding Older Adult” and two as “Outstanding Volunteers.”
Blanar explained that every year the New York State Office for the Aging seeks nominations of seniors who stand out in their community.
That senior and two outstanding volunteers in the Orleans County OFA office were recognized.
New York State OFA’s Outstanding Older American is Barbara Filipiak of Medina.
The oldest of six children Filipiak grew up in the Eden area. She attended the Immaculate Academy in Hamburg, followed by D’Youville College in Buffalo, finishing her education at Brockport State College. She started her teaching career in Medina in 1972, retiring in June 2005. She taught third and fourth grades for 33 years.
She volunteers (or has volunteered) for the Health Department during Covid, Medina Food Pantry, Medina Area Association of Churches, MAAC’s Thrift Store and Emergency Food Pantry and performed numerous volunteer roles with Medina’s Holy Trinity Parish.
She has held offices with Catholic Daughters and Medina Historical Society’s board of directors. she is a member of Cobblestone Society, Sandstone Society, Friends of the Library at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library and the local Alpha Theta Chapter/Women’s Educator Society, of which she was president, treasurer and member of the rules committee over the years. She is also a member on the state level.
Her nominator (who is unnamed) said, “Barb gives countless hours of her time. I know personally she provides financial assistance anonymously to several of these groups. Barb is very efficient and organized and is always the first to volunteer. She is very generous with her time and money and truly deserves this great honor.”
Filipiak also received certificates from Draper, Hawley and Ortt.
“It was nice of someone to nominate me,” Filipiak said. “My parents always volunteered in their community when I was growing up, so I guess it runs in the family.”
(Left) Christine Sheuerman, right, accepts an award from Melissa Blanar for being an “Outstanding Volunteer” for the Orleans County OFA. (Right) Blanar presents an award to Robert Burtwell of Lyndonville as an “Outstanding Volunteer.”
The two local volunteers who received recognition were Robert Burtwell and Christine Sheuerman.
“We are lucky to have these two individuals who dedicate their time to our volunteer transportation programs,” Blanar said. “Between the two of them, they drove 2,554 miles in 2022, and so far in 2023, they have driven 489 miles. They not only volunteer their time at our office, but they are dedicated weekly drivers for Arc GLOW and deliver meals on wheels to our clients. I am betting they volunteer elsewhere as well.”
Blanar told the recipients they both truly make a difference and are allowing the OFA’s clients to remain independent and in their own homes.
“Thank you for being a tireless volunteer and setting an excellent example for us all,” Blanar added.
The event concluded with a drawing for more than 60 donated prizes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2023 at 9:33 pm
ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson declared a state of emergency at 1:30 p.m. today over a possible arrival of migrants and asylum seekers.
“This situation is a threat to public safety,” Johnson wrote in her state of emergency declaration.
Genesee County officials also declared a state of emergency, concerned that New York City Mayor Eric Adams will send undocumented immigrants to upstate counties.
In her declaration, Johnson said Orleans County has been experiencing a housing crisis “due to an increase of 178 percent placement of homeless persons since July 2022.” That exceeds the county’s limited number of temporary and permanent emergency housing facilities.
“Orleans County does not have the capability to receive or sustain any number of migrants and/or asylum seekers,” Johnson wrote in the declaration.
The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless it is rescinded. Johnson said additional local emergency orders may be issues for the county during the state of emergency “to protect life and property and to bring the emergency condition under control.”
UPDATE at 9:05 a.m. on May 18: The declaration does not include farmworkers coming to work in Orleans County legally through the federal H2A program.
This is the cover of this year’s travel guide promoting events, sites and businesses in Orleans County.
ALBION – This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. It spotlights the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.
“The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”
Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.
Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.
Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022—revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.
In Orleans County, the travel industry thrives on visitors coming to experience our world-class fishing, the Erie Canal and other historical assets such as the Medina Railroad Museum and Cobblestone Museum. In 2022, the bed tax that was collected exceeded $111,000. This reflects a 29% increase from 2021 which was a 26% increase from 2020. We were fortunate to sustain during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.
Orleans County Tourism is recognizing travel’s essential contributions by a number of promotional tools. This week, we are launching a new dynamic website to highlight all that Orleans County has to offer: OrleansCountyTourism.com.
This has a similar platform as the 4-county regional website, FreshAirAdventuresNY.com, that was launched in 2021. The information for each tourism related business will be expanded and featured on a dedicated page specific to that business. Viewers will be able to filter the listings and events by sub-category. And, we will have the ability to cross feed listings to both the county and regional websites simultaneously to expand our reach efficiently.
We are also expanding our partnerships so we can increase our social media campaigns and advertise in national magazines. Besides the 4-county Fresh Air Adventures campaign, we have partnered with Wyoming County to create “Lakes to Letchworth” and advertised in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Country Living Magazines, which has generated over 1,000 leads to date. The “100 Must See Miles on the Erie Canal” is in partnership with Wayne, Monroe and Orleans Counties featuring the highlights along the 100 mile stretch from Medina to Clyde. We are in the process of developing a similar campaign with Niagara Falls USA.
In 2023, the tourism department expanded by introducing a part-time sportfishing coordinator, Ron Bierstine, on a contract basis. Ron contributes a wealth of fishing and conservation experience to Orleans County and the region. He writes weekly fishing reports and works closely with NYS DEC and Canals NY to enhance fishing locally and regionally. We haven’t had a sportfishing coordinator since 2017 when Mike Waterhouse retired.
The summer events rack card will be available for distribution this week that features the concert series and community events. There are currently over 50 live concerts scheduled that are expected to draw thousands of visitors from outside the county that will be frequenting our shops, restaurants and plan for extended stays.
We’re expanding our video library to include the series, Small Town WNY that was produced for interstitial programming for the Buffalo/Toronto PBS market. In 2022, we collaborated with several businesses in Medina and were able to produce four 8-minute episodes profiling the history and hidden gems of Medina. We will continue reaching out to other communities to showcase their “hidden gems” in 2023.
“Travel is at the heart of Orleans County, powering a strong U.S. economy, creating jobs and strengthening our community’s culture and identity,” said Dawn Borchert, director of Tourism in Orleans County. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future.”
Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week and OrleansCountyTourism.com for the multiple reasons to visit Orleans County and invite your friends!
Photo by Tom Rivers: 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2023 at 9:10 am
ALBION – The task of changing the colors on the light fixtures for the Orleans County Courthouse dome will get easier and safer for the County Department of Public Works.
The County Legislature approved paying Suburban Electric of Albion $4,510 to provide and install replacement color changing fixtures for the dome.
The county frequently will illumine the dome in different colors to highlights causes in the community. It was lighted up in green to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting and green to show support for veterans shifting to civilian life, blue and red for the Buffalo Bills, red for Red Ribbon Week, six different colors in June 2020 in honor of the graduating classes from the five local school districts, pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, purple for Domestic Violence Awareness, and blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.
“The lighting on for the Court House is a project that is a one-time equipment purchase that allows our employees to safely change the color of the lighting,” said Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer. “The new system should be installed within the next 30 days or so.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 May 2023 at 8:55 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bob Harker, director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, addresses the crowd at Saturday night’s gala at Elba Fire Hall.
ELBA – More than 100 supporters attended the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s first gala since Covid on Saturday night at the Elba Firemen’s Recreation Hall.
The evening began with a prayer by board president Sister Dolores O’Dowd, who also paid tribute to Mary Grace DeMarse, a long-time board member who died in December. Many donations to the basket raffle for the evening were made in memory of DeMarse, who loved the annual fundraising event and would keep her eyes open for basket items all year round.
GOMOC’s director Bob Harker welcomed guests and thanked those attending for their support.
“Ministry of Concern doesn’t rely on tax dollars,” he said. “We rely on you. We are totally grant and donation supported. We have to do fundraising like this to pay the bills or we couldn’t do what we do for those in need. That’s why events like this are so important.”
He said they were thrilled to be able to have the first gala in three years and thanked Marie Gabalski for helping to organize the event.
Sue Metzo of Medina attended with a table of MAAC volunteers. She said they all enjoyed comedian Moody McCarthy.
“He was very interesting and did down-to-earth stuff,” Metzo said.
She said MAAC supports the Ministry of Concern, and they all work together. For example, when Ministry of Concern has a family who needs pots and pans, their volunteer will contact the MAAC Thrift Depot and ask if they have any.
“We do great things to help each other in Orleans County,” Metzo said.
Harker added he was very grateful to the people who supported the gala and GOMOC this year.
“It frees us to help people in a real way,” he said.
The evening also included a basket raffle, live auction, 50/50 drawing and dinner catered by Chap’s Elba Diner.
The Ministry of Concern is known as “The agency of last resort,” for having the ability to help people in need in various ways.
In addition to Sister O’Dowd, the agency’s board includes honorary director, John J. LaFalce; vice president, Bruce Schmidt; secretary, Teresa Gaylard; treasurer, Karen Kinter; and Jane Balbick, Jack Burris, Jennifer Metz, Phil Pies, Karen Tennity and the Rev. Colleen O’Connor.
Besides Harker, staff are office manager, Carol Whalin; advocate/furniture program coordinator, Lisa Taylor-Rowland; furniture program driver, Fran Gaylord; and furniture program assistant, Charlie Downey.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2023 at 9:14 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature presented four proclamations during its meeting on Tuesday. In the top photo, Legislator Bill Eick reads a proclamation declaring May 7-13 as “National Travel & Tourism Week.”
Standing to accept the proclamation include, from left: Lora Partyka of Partyka Farms in Kendall and the Country Barn Quilt Trail, Doug Farley of the Cobblestone Museum, Ginny Kropf of the Medina Railroad Museum, Faye Conley of the Bent’s Opera House and Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.
Eick and legislators said travelers spend $30.9 million annually in Orleans County on lodging, recreation, restaurants, retail shops, agriculture, attractions and second homes, supporting over 510 jobs in Orleans County.
Sportsfishing is the county’s top tourism attraction at a $28 million annual impact.
The county’s occupancy tax continues to increase each year, with a record $111,013 collected in 2022.
Borchet, the tourism’s director, thanked the many local businesses and organizations that invest in their sites to bring in visitors to the county.
County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation declaring May as National Foster Care Month. He is joined by Holli Nenni, the county’s Department of Social Services Commissioner and DSS employees Lianna Scipioni and Judianne Gearing.
“For the nearly 400,000 youth in foster care across our country, the best path to success we can give them is the chance to experience a loving home where they can feel secure and thrive,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “Whereas, strong support structures provide children with the environment needed to learn, grow and reach their greatest potential.”
The Legislature recognizes the efforts of foster families, social workers, faith-based and community organizations, and others that are improving the lives of our young people in foster care across our county.
County Legislator Skip Draper presents a proclamation to Matt Tracey of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Towards Education). The proclamation declared May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.”
There will be a motorcycle safety rally at 2 p.m. on May 7 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. Bikers will then go on an awareness ride throughout the county.
Legislator Fred Miller presents a proclamation to Melissa Blanar, director of the Office of the Aging, that declared May as “Older Americans Month.”
“Orleans County includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community,” legislators said. “Whereas, communities’ benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live independently.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2023 at 11:08 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A group of clergy members took the oath of office and were sworn in as chaplains for the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Pictured form left include Dan Thurber, Don Snyder, Randy LeBaron, Brandon Carmichael, Tim Lindsay, Rebecca Allis, Eddie English, Bilal Huzair and Sheriff Chris Bourke.
County Clerk Nadine Hanlon administers the oath during the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Office has chaplains on call every day, with the clergy taking turns. The chaplains are volunteers and are not paid. They do ride-alongs and offer spiritual support to employees of the Sheriff’s Office if requested.
They also are available to go to a scene where there has been a tragedy or crime and offer support for families or victims of crimes.
The chaplains also attend public events throughout the year with the Sheriff’s Office.
