By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 4:15 pm
Nadine Hanlon
ALBION – Nadine Hanlon has won the Republican primary for Orleans County clerk.
She started the day behind Diane Shampine, 1,083 to 1,029. But the Orleans County Board of Elections counted the absentee ballots today. Hanlon had 673 to 514 for Shampine.
The combined votes put Hanlon ahead, 1,702 to 1,597.
Hanlon is the current clerk of the County Legislature. She also just ended a 10-year stint on the Kendall Board of Education, where she was president for seven years.
Shampine is the current acting county clerk. She was the deputy for 14 years to Karen Lake-Maynard, who retired on Jan. 30. Shampine has the Conservative Party endorsement in the November general election.
The Board of Elections will certify the primary results next week.
In Orleans, the hotspots are going at most town and village hall locations
An innovative collaboration with several partners will increase internet access by means of public Wi-Fi hotspots for dozens of rural towns in Niagara and Orleans counties in New York, according to David Godfrey, the Niagara County Legislator and Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman. They are co-chairs of the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance (NORA).
Deployment is already underway. In Orleans County, the hot spots will be at three village hall locations – Albion, Holley and Medina – and nine out of the 10 town halls. Those town sites include Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Shelby and Yates.
(Ridgeway opted out because there parking lot is too small and the location on West Avenue is somewhat hidden for a hotspot. The Ridgeway Town Hall also is about two blocks from the Medina Village Office which will have a hot spot. The Lyndonville village office also is right next to the Yates Town Hall. They share a parking lot so they only needed one hotspot.)
“Working with RTO Wireless, our goal is to have high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband available to every home and business across our two counties, and we won’t stop until we achieve that goal,” says Lynne Johnson. “But today with record numbers of people working from home, and our children trying to advance their education, RTO and Microsoft have ‘stepped to the plate’ to immediately help provide the internet service that is so desperately needed in times of crisis. A simple ‘Thank You’ can hardly express our gratitude for the commitment they have made.”
In Niagara County, the hot spots will be in Middleport, Porter and two each in Wheatfield and Wilson.
“The technology being installed, is undeniably top shelf, which reflects on RTO as one of the top technology companies in this part of the country,” Godfrey said. “From the time they first presented their proposal, to working together to develop a deployment plan, RTO’s CEO Steve Hubbard and his staff have been absolutely wonderful to work with. With Microsoft’s support, these public Wi-Fi hotspots will provide secure, robust internet connections, at no cost to the municipalities, not only during the current crisis, but also into the future.”
Launched in 2017, the Microsoft Airband Initiative seeks to close the rural broadband gap in America and around the world, with the goal of bringing broadband access to 3 million unserved people living in rural America by 2022.
“Microsoft approached RTO Wireless about teaming up on deploying free public Wi-Fi at venues located in rural communities that lack sufficient broadband coverage,” says RTO’s CEO Steve Hubbard.
Microsoft offered to support the purchase and installation of the hotspot devices. Hubbard says he was already in discussions with NORA about deploying fixed wireless broadband to the rural communities that currently lack service. The conversation evolved to an immediate measure to address the lack of broadband by identifying town buildings and schools that can support public Wi-Fi services.
Public host institutions need to have existing broadband service and agree to host the equipment. RTO Wireless procured the equipment and coordinated with two local firms to install the Cisco Meraki equipment.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Beth Schmidt, an elections inspector at left, assists with the election and primary last Tuesday at Hoag Library in Albion. Last week about 3,600 did in-person voting in the county. That was less than the number of people who voted with absentee ballots.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2020 at 10:22 am
ALBION – The Board of Elections has begun counting about 5,000 absentee ballots. Those ballots are more than the 3,607 ballots cast in person through early voting and then during the primary and special election on June 23.
The governor pushed early voting to keep people safer during the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a big response in the county with absentees, with more than 20 percent of the county’s 23,111 active voters using an absentee ballot.
It may take a few days for the Board of Elections to count them all.
• The absentees will give clarity in the special election for the 27th Congressional District. Chris Jacobs has a big lead over Nate McMurray in a district that includes eight counties.
Jacobs also has a lead in a Republican primary with Beth Parlato and Stefan Mychajliw.
• There are also absentees for the Democratic presidential primary. Joe Biden has a lock on the nomination after his main competitor, Bernie Sanders, conceded in April.
Only 484 voted in person for the primary out of 5,167 registered Democrats in the county. The Board of Elections received 1,276 requests for absentee ballots from Democrats.
Biden so far has 338 votes to 67 for Sanders. There are nine other names on the ballot and with Elizabeth Warren having the most votes, 18, of those nine.
• In Orleans County races, there is a close contest for Orleans County clerk, with Diane Shampine holding a slight lead over Nadine Hanlon in the Republican primary. Shampine has 1,083 votes to Hanlon’s 1,029 with in-person voting. There are at least 1,270 absentee ballots to be counted for that race.
Locally, there are contested races for Republican committees in Ridgeway and Murray.
• In Ridgeway, there are three candidates for two positions with District 2 on the Ridgeway Republican Committee. The candidates include Virginia Nicholson, David Stalker and Ayesha Kreutz.
Nicholson leads with 24 votes, followed by 22 for Stalker, and 16 for Kreutz.
• In Murray, there are primaries for three of the districts, with three candidates seeking two positions in District 3, District 5 and District 6.
In District 3, the candidates include Kathleen Case, Anthony Peone and Kerri Neale. Neale leads with 28 votes, followed by 18 for Peone and 17 for Case.
In District 5, the candidates include Lynn Wood, Cynthia Oliver and Ronald Vendetti. Oliver has 42, followed by 41 for Wood and 12 for Vendetti.
In District 6, the candidates include Kellie Gregoire, Robert Miller and Adam R. Moore. Moore leads with 47, followed by 35 for Gregoire and 25 for Miller.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2020 at 10:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Marty Zwifka (left), fair manager, and Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, are pictured by one of the food stands that will be set up at the fairgrounds from Friday through Sunday.
KNOWLESVILLE – There will be a taste of the fair this weekend at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The fair, scheduled for late a week in late July, has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, some of the food vendors will be at the fairgrounds from Friday through Sunday during the Fourth of July weekend.
The take-out only event will include some fair favorites: taffy, fudge, corn dogs, a gourmet grilled cheeseburger, pizza, and barbecued and smoked pork. There could also be a vendor with funnel cakes and fried Oreos.
“We wanted to give everybody a taste of the fair,” said Marty Zwifka, the fair manager.
The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Nearly all of the fairs and festivals have been cancelled for the food vendors. Some of those businesses have been in families for generations.
“They are hurting a lot,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, which owns the fairgrounds. “They’ve lost the whole summer.”
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Lauren, Jack and Scott Kolassa of Churchville work in the family’s taffy, fudge and candy apple booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in this photo from July 2018. The family will be serving fair food this weekend at the fairgrounds. In this photo, Scott holds a chunk of taffy, which he is ready to pull.
Scott Kolassa of Churchville runs a taffy, candy apple and fudge booth, as well as a lemonade stand. He reached out to Batt about allowing some of the vendors to set up for the weekend at the fairgrounds.
He did a similar event in Clarence, and there was a big response from the community. Scott’s dad started the business about 65 years ago.
Batt said many of the vendors aren’t available because they have shut down for the season. Many of those vendors can’t secure employees or insurance for a one-time event.
Batt said there will be six or seven booths at the fairgrounds and they will be spaced apart about 10 feet. Customers need to wear masks and practice social distancing. They also need to eat the food in their vehicles and dispose of their own garbage.
Although the fair is cancelled in July, the Cooperative Extension will be doing a drive-through chicken barbecue on July 23. Batt said the Extension will be preparing 1,200 dinners for that event.
Some of the food vendors are shown during the fair last year while fireworks go off. The booths will be spaced apart about 10 feet during this weekend’s event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2020 at 9:14 am
If county continues to face shortfall, funding to towns and villages may be cut
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is delaying sales tax sharing payments with local towns and villages, and warned the municipalities may not receive the full $1,366,671 share they have been getting each year since 2001.
The county’s sales tax revenue was down about $1 million in April and May compared to those months in 2019.
The county receives about $17 million in sales tax. Since 2001, it frozen the amount to towns and villages at $1,366,671.
The county in December approved the following sales tax apportionment for the villages and towns:
Villages – $375,620 total in 2020
Albion, $165,688; Holley, $45,051; Lyndonville, $15,243; and Medina, $149,638.
The county makes quarterly payments to the towns and villages. On April 1, the county treasurer cut a check for $405,053.13 to be shared among the 10 towns and four villages.
The July 1 payment is due soon, but the Legislature on Wednesday said the money will be delayed. The Legislature also advised the towns and villages they could see a reduction for the year. The county will see if the sales tax revenues rebound, and if other state and federal reimbursements are cut.
Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said the county would see a $5 million revenue hit if the current shortfalls stay at their pace for the rest of the year.
Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, said the impact of Covid-19 on the economy has the county far off its revenue projections for the year. The county has furloughed 34 employees, not filled 10 other positions and postponed some capital projects.
“This will make it most difficult budget process,” she said in a conference call with local officials. “Without state and federal support, I see a big budget gap.”
Johnson said the state and federal governments need to step up for the local municipalities with their unprecedented fiscal challenges.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also has been pressing President Trump and Congressional leaders to approve a stimulus package for state and local governments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2020 at 3:36 pm
Rate in May is about triple the unemployed from May 2019
The local and state unemployment rates, while far higher than they were a year ago, have come down from the highs in April.
The state Department of Labor reports the unemployment rate in Orleans was 11.6 percent in May and 14.2 percent state-wide.
In April it was 15.8 percent in Orleans and 15.0 percent state-wide.
In Orleans, the number of people working was 15,000 in May, compared to 16,400 in May 2019. The number of unemployed went from 700 in May 2019 to 2,000 last month.
In Orleans, some businesses were able to reopen in Phase 1 on May 15, with Phase 2 starting on May 29. Phase 3 began on June 12. Orleans County and the rest of the Finger Lakes Region can start in Phase 4 on Friday (June 26).
The 11.6 percent unemployment rate in Orleans County compares to a 4.0 percent rate in May 2019, long before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The unemployment rates in May for other nearby counties include:
Niagara at 16.0 percent, Erie at 13.9 percent; Livingston at 11.0 percent; Monroe at 9.6 percent, Ontario is at 10.1 percent; Genesee at 10.1 percent; and Wyoming at 10.1 percent.
When Orleans County hit 15.8 percent unemployed in April, it was the first time Orleans was above 10 percent in unemployment since February 2013 (10.6 percent) and January 2013 (11.2 percent).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2020 at 9:23 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County and Town of Albion highway workers on Aug. 19, 2019 work on a new culvert on Clarendon Road. The county is seeking federal funding to help pay for more culvert, bridge and road work.
Orleans County officials have identified about $40 million worth of infrastructure work in a list of projects that could move forward in future federal stimulus bills.
The New York State Association of Counties on Monday sent a letter to President Trump and Congressional leaders calling for immediate action on infrastructure investment as part of any future economic stimulus packages.
The letter included a list of infrastructure projects from 40 counties totaling more than $7.35 billion.
The Orleans County, the list includes four main initiatives that total $40,362,555.
In Orleans County, the projects on the list include:
• Orleans/Niagara Regional Alliance Broadband Initiative: Total cost at $10,131,655.
That project would expand high-speed wireless internet to which would expand educational and economic opportunities for consumer sin remote locations. It would allow residents to take advantage of telemedicine opportunities, and allow students to do distance learning at colleges, universities and other platforms.
“We have experienced major issues during the coronavirus pandemic for educational and telemedicine’s access in rural communities,” according to a June 2 letter by County Legislator Ken DeRoller, listing the infrastructure needs in the county.
• Emergency Management Organization Operational Center/Training Facility on West Countyhouse Road in Albion at a cost of $350,000.
This project which correct deficiencies in the current buildings which have caused operational issues, according to a fact sheet from the county.
The project would provide a sufficient meeting room, training room and office space, and would be ADA complaint.
• Orleans County infrastructure improvement initiative with roads, bridges and culverts at a cost of $17,425,500.
John Papponetti, county DPW superintendent, said the county will have bridges and culverts is pushing to have some of the preliminary engineering done on the projects, with cost estimates, so they would be eligible for federal stimulus funding.
• Orleans County Shared Water Service Infrastructure Project at a cost of $12,455,400.
This project would add transmission lines and water storage tanks, increasing fire flows, storage and reducing the water rate. It would eliminate some dead ends, replace some aging infrastructure and add another major transmission line. It would also increase the capacity of water in the county for future economic and residential development needs.
NYSAC projects that counties across New York State (outside of New York City) currently have more $10.8 billion in infrastructure funding needs and that fully funding these projects could create or save up to 200,000 jobs, helping to revitalize local economies as they begin the process of recovering from the economic devastation wrought by the pandemic.
“Now is the time to innovate, to invest in our future, and to rebuild a stronger, smarter infrastructure for the good of all,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “It is in this spirit of renewal that we presented these project recommendations to our federal partners. These projects represent a significant opportunity to jumpstart our economy, add construction and trade jobs to our workforce, and strengthen our infrastructure for the next generation of Americans.”
The renewed call for federal funding comes as counties grapple with dramatic drops in revenues. Sales tax revenues for the month of May were down 32 percent statewide, in line with NYSAC’s most recent Coronavirus Economic Impact Report which projects that counties outside New York City will face revenue losses of up to $2 billion and the potential of another $1.5 billion in state budget cuts.
Despite these historic revenue losses, counties are required under state law to fully fund and administer all state and federal programs, which are in high demand during the pandemic and recession.
“Every community in New York has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 and the corresponding economic shutdown in response to the virus,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “The infrastructure projects that we are presenting to Congress and the President today are a once in a generation opportunity to provide an economic shot in the arm and reshape these communities better and stronger than ever before.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 10:24 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse in Albion is illumined in several colors at night this week in honor of the Class of 2020 at Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The dome has six lights. The county Department of Public Works is using filters made by Takeform in Medina to display six colors: red, blue, white, orange, purple and yellow.
All six colors will be shown beginning this evening through Sunday night. Albion has purple and yellow for its school colors, Holley is red and white, Kendall is blue and white, Lyndonville is orange and black, and Medina is blue and red.
“We understand that during this challenging time,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. “We all need to recognize the accomplishments our 2020 graduates have achieved. We are proud of each and every one of you and wish you much success as you begin the next chapter in your lives.”
In the past the dome has been pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and green to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 5:57 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse in Albion will be illumined in six different colors this week in honor of the senior classes at Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The dome has six lights. The county Department of Public Works is using filters made by Takeform in Medina to display six colors: red, blue, white, orange, purple and yellow.
All six colors will be shown beginning this evening through Sunday night.
“We understand that during this challenging time,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. “We all need to recognize the accomplishments our 2020 graduates have achieved. We are proud of each and every one of you and wish you much success as you begin the next chapter in your lives.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2020 at 10:23 am
Polls also will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Orleans County Board of Elections has already received 4,288 absentee ballots for Tuesday’s special election and primary.
The office received requests for 7,197 absentees. The county currently has 23,111 registered voters.
In addition to the absentee option, the Board of Elections offered early voting over nine days from June 13 until June 21. There were 151 early voters.
The polls will also be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To see a list of the polling places, click here.
There are primaries at the local level (Orleans County Clerk, Republican Committees in Murray and Ridgeway), and federal positions (special election for NY-27th and Republican Primary for NY-27th) and the Democratic Presidential primary.
The County Board of Elections encourages voters to wear a mask if they go to the polls on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2020 at 9:35 pm
‘We can not sit idle as the haphazard application of phase transitions continues to negatively affect our business owners and constituents.’
ALBION — The chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature sent a letter today to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, asking him to authorize all businesses in the county to fully reopen.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson is chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.
“The businesses of Orleans County have done an incredible job of persevering during this pandemic,” Lynne Johnson wrote to Cuomo. “They have been adaptive to the new normal, supportive of fellow business owners, and understanding of an ever-changing logistical landscape as it relates to health protocols and reopening guidance.”
Orleans County is currently in phase 3 of a four-phase reopening. Phase 4 could start on Friday, June 26, if the Covid-19 numbers in the Finger Lakes Region don’t spike with hospitalizations, infections and ICU beds.
Johnson said Cuomo and the state have given “mixed messages” in the first three phases, and often given too short of notice to businesses.
The state also initially favored big box businesses over “mom and pop” stores on Main Street, Johnson wrote in her letter.
“Some sectors were in Phase 2, then pushed to Phase 3, and then allowed ultimately to open in Phase 2,” Johnson writes in her letter. “The list goes on and on of the communication challenges. We do realize, as you previously articulated, you are ‘building the plane as you fly it.’”
Johnson also said there is “an issue lately of credibility” with large-scale peaceful gatherings “which we support,” she writes.
However, freedom to assembly for other purposes, even with social distancing or at reduced density, is only allowed with strict guidelines.
‘We will not continue to play middleman for the State’s messaging confusion.’
Johnson tells the governor she understands he has authority with his executive orders.
“We respect your position, your powers and your authority,” she writes. “That being said, we have lost respect for this process, the methodology, and the approach. We can not sit idle as the haphazard application of phase transitions continues to negatively affect our business owners and constituents.”
Johnson said the state should put out the guidelines for Phase 4 soon so those industries and businesses can ramp up for their reopening.
“The less than 24 hours notice provided in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 transitions was simply unfair and impractical,” Johnson writes.
“We have urged the business community to use discretion and caution and have stressed adherence to strict health, safety and sanitation protocols,” she said. “We are here, as we have been through this pandemic, to assist these business owners with PPE needs and questions on best practices, social distancing and mask-wearing.”
Johnson said the county officials aren’t playing politics with public health.
“Nothing about this statement is reckless or cavalier,” she said. “Our decision-making is measured, modest and rational.”
While the governor can open and close elements of the economy through executive orders, “full adherence, cooperation and unequivocal allegiance are not requirements in our job descriptions for Legislators. We will not continue to play middleman for the State’s messaging confusion.”
Johnson said the positive health data in the county and region warrant moving to Phase 4.
“We trust and respect our business community partners and know that they will be considerate and careful in their reopening process,” she concluded.
Press Release, Orleans County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch
ALBION – We are pleased to announce that the County Office Building now has three lock boxes near the entrance to assist our residents to conduct business is a safe and healthy manner when the public needs to drop off forms or renewals.
There is one lockbox for the Department of Motor Vehicles, a general lockbox for the County Office Building and one lockbox for the Department of Social Services. Each box is labeled, DMV, COB, DSS.
Our Department of Motor Vehicles is now accepting appointments for in person transactions at DMV. Please call (585) 589-3214 to schedule your appointment.
We have modified our procedures for entering the County Office Building. The procedures include COVID-19 symptoms screening which includes a non-evasive temperature reading, a sign-in log, and passing through a metal detector. Of course, social distancing is important in all of our buildings as you go to the location required to conduct your business.
When entering all of our buildings, we ask that you wear a face mask or cloth face-covering while inside the building. If however, you are unable to wear a face mask or cloth face-covering due to a medical or health reason, we ask that our complete an acknowledgement that you or a member of your party declines to wear a face mask or cloth face-covering due to a medical or health reason. This also would need to be completed if a minor child is not wearing a face mask or cloth face-covering.
The Treasurer’s Office also has a lockbox located outside of Central Hall for your convenience in dropping documents for the Treasurer’s Office.
We are also maintaining the forms resource area for the Department of Social Services. Forms or applications are there near the entrance of the County Office Building for your convenience.
These measures have been put into place to provide services to our residents in a safe and healthy environment as we continue to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently we are still open for business, to make an appointment to conduct your business please call:
• Clerk’s Building
County Clerk: (585) 589-5334
Real Property: (585) 589-5400
• County Office Building
DMV: (585) 589-3214
Elections: (585) 589-3274
Job Development: (585) 589-2772
Legislature: (585) 589-7053
Office for the Aging: (585) 589-3191
Personnel and Self Insurance: (585) 589-3186
Planning and Development: (585) 589-3198
Social Services: (585) 589-7000
Tourism: (585) 589-3102
• Emergency Management Office: (585) 589-4414
• Department of Public Works: (585) 589-6145
• Mental Health: (585) 589-7066
• Central Hall
Historian: (585) 589-4174
Treasurer’s Office: (585) 589-5353
• Veteran’s Services: (585) 589-3219
(Editor’s Note: No appointment is needed for early voting at the Board of Elections.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2020 at 8:39 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Hoag Library in Albion has been using its sign to encourage people to fill out the Census.
Orleans County residents continue to have a low response rate to filling out the federal Census. The county, as of Thursday, had a 50.5 percent response rate. That is below the state response rate of 56.8 percent and the national rate of 61.5 percent.
The county’s response rate is among the worst in Western New York. The rates for other WNY counties include:
Erie, 66.4
Monroe, 63.8
Genesee, 61.0
Livingston, 59.9
Chautauqua, 55.0
Wyoming, 54.6
Orleans, 50.5
Cattaraugus, 49.7
Allegany, 45.7
Among Orleans County towns, Yates has the lowest response rate at 37.0 percent while Clarendon has the highest at 63.7 percent.
Clarendon, 63.7
Barre, 61.5
Shelby, 59.3
Ridgeway, 52.6
Gaines, 51.9
Murray, 51.9
Albion, 47.3
Kendall, 45.1
Carlton, 39.7
Yates, 37.0
The Orleans County response rate has increased about 2 percent in the past month. It was 48.8 percent on May 17.
In 2010, Orleans had a 66.8 percent response to the Census, which is required to be filled out by law every 10 years.
Click here to see a map on the Census Bureau showing the response rates of towns, counties and states.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 June 2020 at 11:18 am
Park Strategies gives Orleans ‘a louder voice’ with state and federal governments
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has renewed a contract with a lobbyist at $90,000 a year.
Park Strategies will be paid $5,000 a month ($60,000 a year) for its assistance with state government affairs and $2,500 a month ($30,000 a year) for its lobbying efforts with the federal government on behalf of the county.
The County Legislature renewed the contract during its May 27 meeting.
Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said Park Strategies has been effective in helping the county secure state and federal aid, and also sets up important meetings with county officials and representatives from the state and federal governments.
“We may be a little county but they have given us a louder voice,” Johnson said Park Strategies.
She said the firm will be advocating on behalf of the county for the state and federal governments to maintain reimbursements and other funding during an economic downtown when the county budget will be stressed.
A top priority for Park will be assisting the county with obtaining state or federal assistance to expand broadband internet in the county, especially in rural areas. The lack of high-speed internet puts businesses, students and residents at a disadvantage.
Businesses often can’t file reports or download information without high-speed internet. Students also often can’t do research or their homework with broadband.
“We are going to see this through,” Johnson said about broadband.
This will be the sixth year the county has contracted with Park Strategies. County officials believe the relationship has benefitted residents. Park helped make the county’s case for canal bridges to be repaired. The state is spending about $10.7 million on seven bridges.
The state also has repaved portions of the Lake Ontario State Parkway, committed to dredging harbors on Lake Ontario and also allocated funds to protect lakeshore properties from flooding.
The state has also approved more than $15 million in REDI projects in Orleans County, to protect and strengthen infrastructure and public assets.
Johnson said Park Strategies sends a weekly report, reviewing state and federal legislation that could have an impact on the county.
“We don’t view this as an extra,” Johnson said about retaining Park. “We view this as necessary for state aid and grants. They are worth their weight in gold.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2020 at 10:05 am
ALBION – There were 30 Orleans County residents who cast ballots in early voting over the weekend, with 20 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday, according to the County Board of Elections.
Orleans County is having nine days of early voting at the County Administration Building on Route 31 in Albion.
There are primaries at the local level (Orleans County Clerk, Republican Committees in Murray and Ridgeway), and federal positions (special election for NY-27th and Republican Primary for NY-27th) and the Democratic Presidential primary.
The County Board of Elections encourages voters to wear a mask for early voting.
The early voting schedule today through Sunday includes:
