The unemployment rate in Orleans County is at 4.3 percent, based on the latest data from the State Department of Labor.

That is the first time the county’s rate has dropped below 5 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic which started in March 2020. It peaked at 16.8 percent in April 2020. This year it’s been as high as 7.6 percent in February.

The rate is down from 5.7 percent in July and 5.6 percent in August to 4.3 percent in September.

The 4.3 percent compares to 5.6 percent a year earlier in September 2020. Orleans has about 500 more people working, from 16,000 to 16,500, with the number on unemployment down from 1,000 to 700 from September 2020 to the same month in 2021, according to the state DOL.

Nationally the unemployment rate is down from 7.7 percent in September 2020 to 4.6 percent this September with 6.23 million more people working, from 147.8 million to 154.0 million.

In New York, the unemployment rate is down from 9.9 percent in September 2020 to 6.3 percent in September 2021, with 282,100 more people working in the state (from 8.38 million to 8.67 million).

Bronx has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 12.4 percent and Yates County is the lowest at 3.2 percent.

Nearby unemployment rates for September include:

• Niagara, 4.8
• Genesee, 3.7
• Livingston, 3.6
• Wyoming, 3.6
• Monroe, 4.7
• Erie, 4.7

The turnout for the recent local election, which included candidates for towns and county offices, was 26.7 percent or 6,519 voters out of 24,415 registered countywide. That included nine days of early voting and the general election on Nov. 2.

Many of the races were uncontested. Towns without opposition for the candidates had the lowest turnout – 18.3 percent in Albion where three candidates were unopposed.

That compared to the 45.6 percent in Barre, where the town supervisor was contested and two councilmen faced write-in opposition.

Here is a breakdown of the turnout at each of the 10 towns.

• Albion: 18.3% – 631 voted out of 3,446 registered
• Barre: 45.6% – 599 voted out of 1,314 registered
• Carlton: 32.3% – 644 voted out of 1,996 registered
• Clarendon: 26.7% – 653 voted out of 2,449 registered
• Gaines: 23.1% – 449 voted out of 1,941 registered
• Kendall: 34.2% – 613 voted out of 1,793 registered
• Murray: 25.8% – 749 voted out of 2,908 registered
• Ridgeway: 25.1% – 998 voted out of 3,977 registered
• Shelby: 22.3% – 670 voted out of 3,001 registered
• Yates: 32.3% – 513 voted out of 1,590 registered
• Orleans County: 26.7% – 6,519 voted out of 24,415 registered

Orleans County voters opposed all five state-wide propositions on the ballot, proposals about the redistricting process, voting, the environment and civil courts in New York City.

Here are the results in Orleans County:

• Proposition one (redistricting) – 5,259 no votes and 928 in favor

• Proposition two (environment) – 3,380 no votes, 2,630 voted yes

• Proposition three (voting) – 5,443 no votes, 799 voted yes

• Proposition four (voting) – 5,284 no votes, 943 yes votes

• Proposition five (courts) – 3,781 no votes, 2,000 yes votes

State-wide, propositions 1, 3 and 4 were rejected and propositions 2 and 5 are likely to have passed, according to media reports.

The Republicans and Conservative parties were among the most vocal opponents to propositions 1, 3 and 4. Proposition 1 would have amended the state’s redistricting process. Proposition 3 would have eliminated a deadline of 10 days before an election for someone to register to vote. Proposition 4 would have authorized no-excuse absentee voting.

Proposition 2 called for established the right to clean air and clean water. And Proposition 5 was focused on civil courts in New York City.

A coalition supporting the changes in redistricting and voting called the results “a black eye for democracy.”

“These results are a cautionary tale showing that even in deep blue New York, we can’t take pro-democracy outcomes for granted,” Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY, said in a statement. “Anti-democracy forces are drowning out common-sense reforms with fear mongering scare tactics, and voters are listening.”

Gerard Kassar, NYS Conservative Party Chairman, tweeted this reaction to the three propositions failing: “Propositions 1,3 & 4 were handily defeated. Shows NY Legislature out of touch with the people. Even in NYC 40 % of those voting sided with the Conservative and Republican Parties in voting no.”

Orleans County voters have elected two new members to the County Legislature.

Ed Morgan, a retired Murray highway superintendent, was elected to fill the spot currently held by John DeFillipps, who didn’t seek re-election.

John Fitzak, a Carlton town councilman, also was elected for a district that includes the towns of Carlton, Kendall and Murray. He will succeed Ken DeRoller who didn’t seek re-election.

Here are the results for county positions:

Orleans County (all unopposed)

• Kim DeFrank, country treasurer – 4,659
• Merle (Skip) Draper of Medina for county legislator, at-large west – 4,427
• Don Allport of Gaines for county legislator, at-large central – 4,338
• Ed Morgan of Murray for county legislator, at-large east – 4,283
• Bill Eick of Shelby for District 1 – 1,250
• Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville for District 2 – 1,625
• Fred Miller of Albion for District 3 – 439
• John Fitzak of Carlton for District 4 – 1,308

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature doesn’t want to see the northern part of the county again used in an “earmuff” district that connects Rochester to the Niagara frontier.

County legislators last week passed a resolution stating their preference for the county to be included in a district with “communities of interest” – other rural counties rather than a metro area 80 miles away.

The northern lakeshore towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall were included in the now obsolete 28^th Congressional District that was represented by Louise Slaughter until it was done away with redistricting in 2013.

That district “clearly violated the generally accepted criteria for good-government redistricting, particularly in terms of compactness and preservation of communities of interest,” according to a resolution from the Legislature.

The county the past 8 years has been in the 27^th Congressional District, which includes all or parts of eight counties, including the rural GLOW counties.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said she wants to see Orleans remain in a district with similar nearby rural counties. She doesn’t want to see the county to be a tag-on to a district dominated by either Erie or Monroe County.

“We just don’t feel we’re like Erie and Monroe County with the way we do business as a small-county government,” Johnson said during a Legislature meeting last Wednesday.

If the county is added to a district that includes Monroe or Erie, Johnson said that district should include other rural counties, such as Genesee and Wyoming, in addition to Orleans.

“Folding any Orleans County towns into a district with a core in the city of Rochester is inconsistent with the principles of a sound redistricting plan,” the Legislature said in its resolution.

The Legislature’s declaration was sent to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, members of the State Assembly and State Senate, as well as the offices of the representatives of the 25^th, 26^th and 27^th congressional districts.

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for today’s election at 11 locations in Orleans County.

There is one change in a polling location. Carlton voters usually vote at the Town Hall, but on Tuesday they will cast their ballots at the Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall on Route 98.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library and part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company and Carlton uses the Fire Co. Rec Hall.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Murray Town Hall, 3840 Fancher Rd. (Route 31)
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 2, 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
• Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Residents encouraged to display green lights through Nov. 11

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse was lighted up in red last week in honor of Red Ribbon Week. The dome will be green through Nov. 11 as part of “Operation Green Light.”

ALBION – Orleans County residents are encouraged to display green lights in their windows at their homes and businesses as part of “Operation Green Light” through Nov. 11. The effort is intended to recognize the service of military personnel.

The county is planning to light the courthouse dome in green from today through Nov. 11 as part of the “Operation Green Light.”

Nancy Traxler, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County, urged the community to be part of the effort. She noted the veterans’ population has decreased by 44% over the last 20 years in the state.

Veterans continue to serve their community in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, church groups and civil service, county legislators said in resolution supporting the green light initiative.

Many of the military personnel experience significant stress in transitioning to civilian life, and many commit suicide in that first year out of the military, legislators said.

“With designation as a Green Light for Military Service County, Orleans County hereby declares from November 1st through Veterans Day, November 11th 2021 a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from Active Service,” legislators said in a resolution last week.

The New York State Association of Counties is launching the new Operation Green Light initiative to encourage homeowners, businesses, and governments to light up their homes, buildings, courthouses, and bridges green in support of America’s veterans the week of November 7th.

By shining a green light, participants let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported, NYSAC said.

“We wanted to do something special this year to honor the service and immense sacrifice of all our veterans, especially those who served over the last two decades in our nation’s fight against terrorism,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “Operation Green Light gives individuals, businesses and government leaders a way to reach out and let members of the veteran community know what we’re with them and that we appreciate all that they have done to protect our country and our way of life.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs people to the early voting location at the County Office Building on Route 31 in Albion.

ALBION – Nearly 250 people have cast their ballots through early voting in the first seven days it was available in Orleans County.

Early voting continues today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Board of Elections at the County Office Building on Route 31 in Albion.

There have been 247 early voters in the first week and the daily numbers so far include: 23 on Oct. 23, 21 on Oct. 24, 41 on Oct. 25, 32 on Oct. 26, 40 on Oct. 27, 37 on Oct. 28 and 53 on Oct. 29.

Early voting was popular last year when nearly 4,000 people cast ballots during the nine days. The 3,753 people who voted early was about 10 times the number of early voters in 2019 when early voting debuted and 374 people went to the polls early. There are about 24,000 registered voters in the county.

The polls for the upcoming election will also be open Nov. 2 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at sites in all 10 towns in the county.

ALBION – Orleans County has reached agreements with RTS Orleans and Medina Transport Taxi for transportation services for seniors in the county.

The Office for the Aging and County Legislature worked out the agreements after Community Action Transportation System (CATS) discontinued the service.

RTS Orleans in Albion will transport seniors, people 60 and older, from September 20, 2021 to September 19, 2024 at a cost of up to $75,000 for the first year. The county cost is up to $12,352.

Medina Transport Taxi LLC in Medina will provide medical transportation services for Orleans County residents 60 and older from Nov. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2022 at up to $30,000 for the first year, with the county cost up to $5,250.

Melissa Blanar, the Office for the Aging director, said the agreements “give options for older adults to get to their medical appointments.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County DPW workers continue to work on new sidewalks and steps in front of the Orleans County Courthouse, facing East State Street.

The top photo shows Dan Cook of the DPW using a bull float to smooth out the new concrete for the sidewalk.

Neil Bartel of the DPW smooths out the concrete in the new steps by the entrance near the street leading to a walkway to the courthouse.

Joe Gregor works on the stairs before the concrete was poured. They were in a frame with rebar.

A new main walkway has already gone in, which is slimmer than the previous one. Next week the DPW expects to put in new light pole bases.

These are part of several improvements at the site, where the building was constructed in 1858 and is the focal point of Courthouse Square, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.