Orleans County

County has expanded tourism guide, promoting more local attractions

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 April 2019 at 7:19 am

Courtesy of Orleans County Tourism Department: The new visitor’s guide for Orleans County arrived last week and promotes “Great Lake Adventure & Canal Town Culture.” The guide also touts the county’s presence on the Seaway Trail, Erie Canalway Trail and Niagara Wine Trail.

ALBION – The Orleans County Tourism Department last week received 40,000 visitor’s guides which will be heading to visitor centers on the Thruway and other welcome centers in New York and Pennsylvania. The guides will also be distributed at sport shows for fishing and outdoor adventure, and also AAA travel shows.

The county usually prints a new visitor guide every two years. But this time the county printed a new guide after one year. The county only has about 150 copies left from the 40,000 guides from a year ago.

The new guide is expanded by 4 pages to 40. The cover promotes “Great Lake Adventure & Canal Town Culture” and shows a fishing boat at sunrise as the dominant photo. The guide also highlights the county’s connections to the Seaway Trail, Erie Canalway Trail and Niagara Wine Trail.

The cover also features a thicker stock of paper to give the guide a higher quality and ensure it stands up throughout the year at the welcome center displays.

“Trust me, print is in,” said Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.

The Tourism Department has the guides at eight locations along the Thruway, the Buffalo and Rochester airports, and other welcome centers in the state and in Pennsylvania. The bigger push to get the guides out seems to be paying off with more tourists to the county. The Tourism Department noted that the bed tax revenues set a new record for Orleans County in 2018 at $51,002. That was up 12.4 percent or $5,628 from the $45,374 in 2017, which was the previous high.

Borchet has been putting the guides at visitor and welcome centers within a 5-hour drive of Orleans County. She has attended many of the travel and sports shows, from Ohio to Massachusetts. She encourages visitors from Pennsylvania to take Route 81 up through the Finger Lakes and head to Orleans. She also finds people who go to Niagara Falls are looking for places to go after seeing that natural wonder. Orleans County is only an hour away.

“Tranquility and serenity,” the Orleans County tourism guides says in its welcome message. “Leave the noise behind and take in the beauty of a waterfront retreat to recharge your batteries.”

The guide touts the county as a best-kept secret.

“We are known for our world-class fishing, our farm fresh produce, award-winning wineries and historic cobblestone and sandstone architecture—a direct benefit from our proximity to Lake Ontario and the historic Erie Canal.”

Lynne Menz, the county’s tourism coordinator, designed the tourism guide. She said the county recently adding more assets that appeal to visitors, including restaurants such as Lures in Kendall, 39 Problems in Albion, Holley Falls Bar & Grill, and Mile 303 in Medina.

“We’re not a big box franchise,” Menz said, and the uniqueness of the local restaurants and businesses is a draw.

When Borchet is at the trade shows, she urges people to go explore off the Thruway.

“We have beautiful towns and villages you can visit,” she said.

She has been at shows for the Campground Owners of New York States, and touts the county’s 1,151 camp sites in Orleans County.

The county’s bed tax is expected to increase with the addition of a new hotel in Medina on Maple Ridge Road, the renovation of the former Bent’s Opera House which includes a boutique hotel, and a hostel in Medina.

The county uses the bed tax to promote tourism in Orleans. If there is more money, Borchet said she would like to have more visitor’s guides and focus more on drawing Canadians to Orleans County.

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Hospice honors volunteers and supporters

Photos by Tom Rivers: Beverly Saskowski was one of many volunteers for Hospice of Orleans recognized during the organization’s annual meeting on Thursday at the QWL Building in Albion. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Saskowski makes many home visits for Hospice patients and often will bake with them, making some of their favorite recipes.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2019 at 5:23 pm

Gil Cain is congratulated by his niece Sonya Flynn of Ridgeway after he was named Hospice’s “Volunteer of the Year” for 2018.

ALBION – Hospice of Orleans recognized the many volunteers and supporters who are critical to the organization during Hospice’s annual meeting Thursday, which was at the QWL Building in Albion.

Hospice counted 165 volunteers who contributed 7,013 hours of service in 2018. They served as direct care volunteers (1,534 hours), in the office, garden and with maintenance (1,249 hours), at the Martin-Linsin residence (3,560 hours), at special events (434 hours) and on the board of directors (236 hours).

Volunteer of the Year

Gil Cain was named volunteer of the year. He set a new record for Hospice by volunteering 540 hours last year.

“Gil exemplifies selflessness, generosity and dedication in his hospice work,” said Christine Fancher, volunteer coordinator. “Gil can be seen in the residence serving meals several shifts each week. Gil gives freely of his own time and energy.”

Cain will frequently serve lunch at the Martin-Linsin residence, and come back and help serve dinner.

“Gil brings our patients their favorite lemon pies and donuts, and he takes time to learn each patient’s favorite food,” Fancher said. “Gil generously donates special holiday meals to the residence and serves meals on holidays.”

Business/Civic Award

Stacey Knights Pellicano, right, and Mary Zelazny accept the award on behalf of the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund.

Hospice presented its Business/Civic Award to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund. That fund, named in honor of the late Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli, gives out about $50,000 annually assisting Orleans County cancer patients and their families with medical bills, equipment and other expenses.

The two families merged the fund in 1994. An annual golf tournament, wine-tasting, 5K run/walk and other fund-raisers support Knights-Kaderli. The fund is able to respond quickly to help local families, often relieving cancer patients and their families of deep anxiety with utility bills and other expenses.

“The Knights-Kaderli Fund has supported Hospice patients on numerous times,” said Kellie Spychalski, Hospice executive director. “They are always gracious and immediately responsive. We are so blessed to have them here.”

Stacey Knights Pellicano, daughter of the late Richard Knights, and Mary Zelazny, daughter of the late Sue Kaderli, accepted the award on behalf of Knghts-Kaderli. Pellicano said the community steps up and supports the fund-raisers for the fund, which then assist people fighting cancer.

“We belong to an amazing community,” Pellicano said.

Mary Janet Sahukar Award

Kellie Spychalski congratulates Terry Cook for his award.

Hospice also recognized Terry Cook with the Mary Janet Sahukar Award, named for Hospice’s founding director.

Cook, of Albion is known in the community for his locksmith business. He laso has been an active volunteer for Hospice for more than 5 years.

“At Hospice, we know Terry by his relentless willingness to help, and likely one of the most unassuming and humble natures I have ever known,” said Brittany Dix, Hospice director of development.

Cook will often go to a family’s home that recently lost a loved one. He goes to pick up medical equipment used by a Hospice patient.

“If you’ve ever had a conversation with him, you know that he is a person that handles this scenario with the utmost care and respect,” Dix said. “Family members often comment that they know Terry from the community and report that they feel comforted and reassured when he comes to their homes. It is a good feeling to be confident that when Terry leaves, the families are left with yet another face of Hospice that brought a little bit of peace and tenderness in a most difficult time.”

The award winners also received citations from State Sen. Robert Ortt, Assembly members Steve Hawley and Michael Norris, and Congressman Chris Collins.

About 100 people attended the annual meeting at the QWL Building in Albion.

The organization last year served 115 patients. Spychalski, Hospice executive director, said the agency will be stepping up its marketing and outreach efforts this year because she said many people who are eligible for Hospice services may not be aware of the program.

Hospice provides care that is funded through Medicare if someone has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, with six months or less to live. Hospice patients receive care in their house, at a nursing home or at the Martin-Linsin Residence in Albion, behind the Hospice administrative offices on Route 31.

However, Hospice has expanded its mission to work to serve people with chronic illnesses that aren’t terminal. That includes people suffering from symptoms and stress from serious illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, dementia and other conditions.

John Kenney, the former Holley mayor, was recognized for 12 years of service on the board from Kellie Spychalski.

The organization operates on an annual budget of $1.4 million and has 40 employees. The volunteer hours represent a contribution of $122,895.

The board of directors will have a new leader with the retirement of Craig Lape. Maura Pierce of Medina is the new board chairwoman.

Other board officers include Doug Miller, vice chairman; Beverly Saskowski, treasurer; Annette Pearl, secretary; and Ada Grabowski, assistant secretary.

Congressman Chris Collins chats with Hope Stirk and others who attended the annual meeting.

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County’s bed tax topped $50K for first time last year

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2019 at 7:07 am

ALBION – The county’s bed tax reached a new high in 2018 when it topped $50,000 for the first time.

The 4 percent tax on lodging, which was implemented in 2003, last year totaled $51,002, according to the Orleans County Tourism Department.

That was up 12.4 percent or $5,628 from the $45,374 in 2017, which was the previous high.

The “bed tax” revenue is used by the county to leverage matching “I Love NY” funds. The money is used by the Tourism Department for advertising, design, printing, media buys, consumer shows, distribution and operations.

The county prints 40,000 visitor guides each year and other brochures that are placed at visitor centers along the Thruway and other gateways in the state, including the Thousand Islands bridge on Route 81. If the revenue continues to grow the county could print more visitor guides and place more in Canada and other locations, within a 5-hour drive, said Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.

The bed tax ranged from $31,141 in 2010 to $39,022 in 2015. It topped $40,000 for the first time in 2016 with $40,927.

Borchet said the uptick in the bed tax is an indication more visitors are staying in the county at hotels, motor courts, boarding houses, cabins, cottages, bed and breakfast establishments, and inns or tourist homes.

The bed tax is expected to be on an upward trend in the coming years with the opening of a hostel in Medina, a new hotel in Medina, and a boutique hotel in the former Bent’s Opera House in Medina.

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Orleans hunters see big jump in deer harvests

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2019 at 4:22 pm

File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured in March 2015 on Route 98 in Gaines, south of 104.

The number of deer harvested in Orleans County continues to rise since it became legal for hunters to use rifles for deer and other big game hunting in Orleans.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation released the deer harvest numbers for each county and state-wide.

In 2018, hunters harvested 4,560 deer in Orleans County, which was up from 3,949 in 2017, the first year rifles were allowed. In 2016, the number of deer harvested in the county was 3,586. (In 2015, it was 3,562.)

The Orleans County Legislature voted on Feb. 22, 2017 to allow rifles for deer and bear hunting. Members of sportsmen clubs presented a petition signed by about 500 people, supporting rifles.

The town by town breakdown in Orleans County for 2018 includes: Albion, 390; Barre, 698; Carlton, 375; Clarendon, 453; Gaines, 338; Kendall, 291; Murray, 422; Ridgeway, 659; Shelby, 578; and Yates, 356.

The deer taken other WNY counties in 2018 includes: Allegany, 8,449; Cattaraugus, 8,382; Chautauqua, 9,944; Erie, 6,447; Genesee, 5,720; Livingston, 7,782; Monroe, 4,585; Niagara, 2,604; and Wyoming, 6,488. (Steuben County had the most deer taken in the state with 11,829.)

State-wide, the DEC reports today that an estimated 227,787 deer were harvested by hunters during the 2018-19 hunting seasons, approximately 12 percent more than the previous season.

“Hunting benefits all New Yorkers by reducing negative impacts of deer on forests, agricultural crops, and communities, while contributing an estimated $690 million to the state’s economy through hunting-related expenses and license purchases, which helps support conservation and resource management efforts at DEC,” said Basil Seggos, DEC commissioner.

The estimated deer take included 114,402 antlerless deer and 113,385 antlered bucks. Statewide, this represents a 20-percent increase in antlerless harvest and a 5-percent increase in buck harvest from the last season.

In addition, hunters increased the rate at which they reported their harvest in 2018, for the second year in a row. Although harvest reporting is required by law, the portion of successful hunters who report their harvest has averaged around 45 percent for the past decade. Hunters have increased their reporting rates to 50 percent in 2017, and 51 percent in 2018.

The DEC also reports it tested 2,483 harvested deer across the state and found no evidence of Chronic Wasting Disease in the herd.

“Preventing the introduction of CWD into New York is a high priority for DEC to ensure the health of our deer herd and to protect the recreational and viewing opportunities deer provide,” Seggos said.

CWD has now been found in 26 states, with Mississippi and Tennessee joining the list in 2018. Environmental Conservation police officers stepped up enforcement efforts this past year, seizing and destroying hunter-killed deer brought in illegally from states where CWD has been found.

Chronic wasting disease is a highly contagious disease that affects deer, elk, moose and reindeer. CWD is always fatal and there are no vaccines or treatments available. CWD is believed to be caused by a prion, which is an infectious protein, that can infect animals through animal-to-animal contact or contaminated environments, the DEC said.

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Several towns have contested races, including for supervisor in Murray, Ridgeway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2019 at 9:44 pm

ALBION – Candidates for town elected positions turned in their petitions to run for elected office this week, with several races taking shape.

In Ridgeway, three candidates are running for town supervisor. Brian Napoli, the incumbent, is challenged by current town councilman David Stalker, owner of Medina Taxi, and Michael Maak, who retired as a captain with the Medina Fire Department.

Napoli and Stalker will square off in a June 25 Republican primary. Stalker also has the Conservative Party line. Maak is running under the Democrat Party line.

Murray also will have a rematch for town supervisor with incumbent Robert Miller facing Joe Sidonio. Miller won a close election over Sidonio in November 2017, in a race separated by 6 votes. Both have submitted petitions for the Republican and Independence parties. Sidonio also has the Conservative Party line.

Murray also has contested races for the two Town Council positions with Dirk Lammes trying to unseat either Lloyd Christ Jr. or Neil Valentine.

In Barre, Kerri Richardson, leader of Clear Skies Above Barre, submitted petitions to run for the Barre Town Board under the Conservative Party line. She is among four candidates seeking a spot on the board against Republican candidates Bradlee Driesel and Margaret Swan, and Democrat LuAnn Tierney. None of the four candidates is currently on the board.

In Gaines, Ron Mannella is retiring as highway superintendent after this year. However, he wants to serve on the Town Board. He is one of three candidates for two positions. Mannella submitted petitions for the Republican line. So did Corey Black. Mary Neilans has the Conservative line. Mark Radzinski is running to succeed Mannella as highway superintendent.

Here is a list of the candidates who submitted petitions in the 10 towns. The deadline to turn in petitions was Thursday at the Orleans County Board of Elections. There is a chance any of the petitions submitted this week could be challenged, and the election commissioners could decide the petitions aren’t valid. Some the petitions aren’t final.

(R = Republican, D = Democrat, C = Conservative, I = Independence, WF = Working Families)

Town of Albion

Town Supervisor: Richard Remley (R)

Town Council: Darlene Benton (D), Terry Wilbert (D)

Highway Superintendent: Michael Neidert (R, D)

Town Clerk: Sarah Basinait (R)

Town of Barre

Town Supervisor: Sean Pogue (R, I)

Town Board (elect 2): Bradlee Driesel (R, I), Margaret Swan (R, I), LuAnn Tierney (D) and Kerri Richardson (C)

Highway Superintendent: Dale Brooks (R)

Town Justice: Rick Root (D)

Town Clerk: Maureen Beach (D)

Town of Carlton

Town Supervisor: Gayle Ashbery (R)

Town Council members: Dana Woolston (R) and John Fitzak (R)

Town Justice: Patricia Russell (R)

Town of Clarendon

Town Supervisor: Richard Moy (R)

Town Council: Allen Robinson (R) and Bruce Hovey (R)

Highway Superintendent (elect 1): Tracy Bruce Chalker (R, C) and Robert J. Frieda (R)

Town Justice: Thomas DiFante (R)

Town Clerk: Susan Colby (R)

Town of Gaines

Town Supervisor: Joseph Grube (R)

Town Council members (elect 2): Corey Black (R), Ronald Mannella (R) and Mary Neilans (C)

Highway Superintendent: Mark Radzinski (R)

Town of Kendall

Town Supervisor: Anthony Cammarata (R)

Town Council: Barbara Flow (R), Margaret Lynn Szozda (R)

Highway superintendent: Warren Kruger (R)

Town of Murray

Town Supervisor (elect 1): Robert Miller (R, I), Joe Sidonio (R, C, I)

Town Council members (elect 2): Lloyd Christ, Jr. (R, I) Neil Valentine (R, I) and Dirk Lammes (R, C)

Town of Ridgeway

Town Supervisor (elect 1): David Stalker (R, C), Brian Napoli (R) and Michael Maak (D)

Town Council members (elect 2): Sarah Fisher (R), Mary Woodruff (R) and Duane Payne (R)

Highway superintendent: John Olinger (R)

Town Justice: Joseph Kujawa (R)

Town of Shelby

Town Supervisor: Edward Houseknecht (R),

Town Council members: Jeffrey Smith (R) and John Pratt III (R)

Highway superintendent (elect 1): Michael Fuller (R, D) and Dale Root (R, C)

Town Justice (elect 1): Dawn Keppler (R) and Mark Wambach (C, WF)

Town Clerk: Darlene Rich (D)

Town of Yates

Town Supervisor: James Simon (R)

Town Council members: John Riggi (R) and Susan Hrovat (R)

Highway superintendent: Roger Wolfe (R)

Town Clerk: Michelle Harling (R)

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Bourke, Sobieraski both file petitions for multiple parties on ballot for sheriff

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2019 at 5:40 pm

Candidates will square off in June 25 primary

ALBION – The two candidates for Orleans County sheriff both submitted petitions this week to run under multiple party lines for Orleans County sheriff.

Chris Bourke

Chris Bourke, the current undersheriff, and Brett Sobieraski, a Rochester Police Department sergeant, both submitted petitions to be the candidate for the Republican and Independence parties. In addition, Bourke submitted petitions to run under the Conservative Party.

They are both seeking to succeed Randy Bower as sheriff. Bower opted against running for re-election.

The candidates need at least 3.75 percent of the signatures of the registered voters in each party to qualify for the party line. Normally a candidate would need at least 5 percent of the signatures of registered voters in a party but the state reduced the number to qualify this year because the election calendar has moved up.

Normally the primaries are in September. This year the primary will be June 25.

Sobieraski and Bourke both have been attending numerous events in the county, seeking support for their candidacies.

Brett Sobieraski

Bourke, a Carlton resident, has been the undersheriff for the past three-plus years. He has worked with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for 35 years, starting his career as a correction officer and then was a deputy sheriff before working 18 years as a lieutenant. He was supervisor of the Marine Patrol, and also was a K9 officer for 20 years.

Sobieraski, a Kent resident, started his career in Lockport and worked there for four years. He grew up in Lockport, where his late father John was a detective. His uncle also worked for the Lockport PD and Sobieraski’s cousin is a police officer for Lockport.

Sobieraski went to the Rochester Police Department about 26 years ago. He supervises the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and is a team leader on the SWAT Team. Brett is also an instructor at the Monroe County Law Enforcement Academy.

In addition to the petitions to run for sheriff, other candidates for county offices include the seven current county legislators. They include:

• Legislators at-large (countywide): Merle “Skip” Draper (R) of Medina, E. John DeFilipps (R) of n Clarendon and Don Allport (R) of Gaines.

• Legislator District 1 (towns of Clarendon, Barre and most of Shelby): Bill Eick (R) of Shelby

• Legislator District 2 (towns of Yates, Ridgeway and small portion of Shelby): Lynne Johnson (R) of Lyndonville

• Legislator District 3 (towns of Albion and Gaines): Fred Miller (D)

• District 4 (towns of Carlton, Kendall and Murray): Ken DeRoller (R) of Kendall

Miller is the lone Democrat on the Legislature. He isn’t facing opposition from a Republican.

The petitions aren’t final, yet. People can file an objection to a candidate’s petitions. Those objections will then be reviewed by the election commissioners.

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Community Action doing ‘sweet cheeks’ diaper drive

Posted 5 April 2019 at 11:25 am

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee’s Head Start Program

Provided photo: Community Action Board members organizing and supporting Sweet Cheeks Diaper Drive include from left: Esther Leadley, Barb Shine and Debbie Miller.

April is nationally recognized as the “Month of the Young Child” to emphasize the unique needs and rights of young children and their families.

In response to the Month of the Young Child, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee’s Volunteer Advocacy Committee is sponsoring a “Sweet Cheeks” Diaper Drive to assist in meeting the ongoing needs of Community Action’s Head Start program for young children.

The Head Start Program promotes school readiness through education, health/nutrition, social/emotional, and family support services for local children age birth to 5 years who are income eligible. Community Action Head Start Program enrolls over 300 children in Orleans and Genesee counties annually.

“We provide developmentally appropriate comprehensive services at licensed agency centers, licensed day care partners and in the homes of children and families,” said Bonnie Malakie, director of Children and Youth Services for Community Action.

The “Sweet Cheeks” Diaper Drive is being supported by over 40 local business entities in the two counties over the next two months. Customers, employees and the public are asked to donate disposable diapers (any size) and/or baby wipes in hampers at these locations. These donations will help off-set the cost of supplies utilized in the Head Start program and will count as part of the local match required by the funders.

Business or nonprofit entities interested in helping local young children may sponsor a Sweet Cheeks Diaper Drive donation hamper by contacting Barb Shine, Community Action Board member at 716-474-4459.

Look for the hampers at your local businesses and organizations. Individuals interested in dropping off a package of disposable diapers/wipes may take donations in Orleans County to 401 East State St., Albion or in Genesee County at 5073 Clinton Street Rd., Batavia. Look for the containers as you enter the lobby.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A hamper to collect diapers is set up at Hoag Library in Albion.

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County honored by state for transitioning people from welfare to work

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2019 at 2:40 pm

Provided photo

ALBION – The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has recognized Orleans County’s Job Development Agency and the Department of Social Services for the county’s success in transitioning people from public assistance to securing employment. The county was honored for its success from 2015 to 2018.

Pictured form left at last week’s Orleans County Legislature meeting include, from left: Fred Miller, county legislator and chairman of the Economic Assistance & Opportunity Committee; Tom Kuryla, DSS commissioner; Darcell McDonald, Temporary Assistance Specialist 1 in Employment & Income Support Programs, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; Kelly Kiebala, director of the Job Development Agency in Orleans County; and Lauren Kirby, Workforce Coordinator in the OC Job Development Agency.

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Orleans DA, County Legislature have concerns about proposed bail reform in NY

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2019 at 2:46 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone speaks during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting.

ALBION – Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone said a proposed bail reform by Gov. Andrew Cuomo would turn people loose who have been charged with drug crimes and other offenses, putting the community at risk.

Cuomo is pushing to eliminate cash bail and require the immediate release of people charged with misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, except those involving domestic violence or sexual offenses.

“This will take away discretion from judges for setting bail,” Cardone said during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. “Frankly, this is an overreach.”

The State Legislature also is considering proposals to eliminate cash bail. Legislation could be part of the state budget that is due to be adopted by April 1.

Cardone said the governor and Legislature are pushing in the wrong direction, away from protecting victims and strengthening the criminal justice system.

Cardone said the bail reform proposed would put many people who have been charged with crimes right back into the community, at a risk to their victims or others, especially informants who have aided in drug arrests.

“It’s really not a thought-out position to do away with bail,” he said.

Proponents of bail reform say cash bail is particularly difficult on poorer people, who are kept in jail for non-violent crimes when they pose little risk to the community.

The state has been pushing other reforms, including having counsel at all arraignments. That will ensure the defendants always have an attorney to advocate on their behalf, including with setting bail, Cardone said.

He said the governor and some state legislators are pushing for bail reform after some people lingered at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City.

But that isn’t the case in Orleans County, where Cardone said the bail is reasonable.

“Bail is not used to be punitive to the defendants,” he told county legislators. “This whole situation has been an overreaction to a knee-jerk reaction.”

The County Legislature also passed a formal resolution on Wednesday, opposing the bail reform. Legislators cited the concerns raised by Cardone and also said there would be a “significant financial impact” on counties, which would be mandated to establish and fund positions for “pre-trial agencies” that currently do not exist.

Cardone and the county legislators also said Orleans could face big increases in extradition costs if judges can’t set bail and defendants flee the area and don’t return to court.

Cardone said the county currently does about two or three extraditions a year, with officers going to other states to bring defendants back to face charges in Orleans County.

“There is extreme concern over the cost of extraditions,” Cardone said.

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County Legislature says ‘Bottle Bill’ could hurt municipal recycling efforts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2019 at 12:44 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has opposed the state’s push to expand the “Bottle Bill” which would add a deposit to sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit and vegetable beverages, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas.

County legislators on Wednesday said that expansion would likely hurt the recycling program which is picked up weekly through the garbage collection program.

Legislators said the county’s recycling program has already been hurt “by global recycling volatility and policy changes implemented principally by China, resulting over the last two years in a 90% reduction in the value of paper and a 63% loss in value of the traditional recycling stream.”

The expanded Bottle Bill could remove as much as 50 percent of valuable plastic and aluminum containers from the recycling stream, legislators said.

Instead of the expanded Bottle Bill, the County Legislature urged Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature to add a deposit for additional glass beverage containers, including wine and liquor bottles, hard cider bottles, and non-alcoholic class beverage containers.

Those items cause problems in the recycling stream due to breakage and contamination of other recyclables, county legislators said.

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United Way has a new leader in Orleans County

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 March 2019 at 11:20 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Key players in the leadership of United Way of Orleans County discuss ways to move the organization forward in the coming months. From left are board president Ellen Eaton, new executive director Dean Bellack and former director and new board member Kaitlyn Delamarter.

The new leadership at United Way of Orleans County are really not new at all – just rotating responsibilities.

New leadership changes were precipitated by the transition of executive director Kaitlyn Delamarter from full time director to a position as board member.

This came about after Delamarter announced in January she had accepted another position as marketing director for a local company. She also indicated she wanted to continue to be involved with United Way in some capacity.

Delamarter, who has been director since December 2017, offered to be available to assist a new director, but also stated her interest in becoming a member of the board.

At that same time, Dean Bellack of Medina had agreed to join the board at the suggestion of Dave Cook of Lyndonville, a longtime member of the board. After attending a meeting and learning the board would be searching for a new director, he drafted a letter in which he stated his credentials and what would be his goals for advancing United Way of Orleans County.

Bellack is a native of the Cleveland area who moved to Medina for a job in 1984. He met and married the former Carol Lindsay, daughter of Jim and Sally Lindsay of Medina. They have fraternal twins, and welcomed their first grandchild, a boy, three months ago.

Bellack, a partner in C&C Marketing, had also just made the decision to retire, effective April 1, but knew he still wanted to be involved in the community.

“Serving my community has been a large part of my life for the last 15 to 20 years,” Bellack said. “I want that to continue and I hope my passion for the organization will result in significant benefits for our partner agencies.”

Bellack was chairman of the YMCA board for 10 years and was instrumental in helping them complete a more than $600,000 renovation through donations from all of Orleans County. He is active in Medina Lions, serving three terms as president and helping to grow their membership.

“I, along with the board, welcome Dean with his vast background of successfully supporting non-profit agencies in our community,” said United Way board president Ellen Eaton. “We are also delighted to have Kaitlyn commit as a board member. It shows her dedication and belief in United Way. United Way has been progressive under Kaitlyn’s leadership.”

Eaton said the board needs to push awareness of United Way in Orleans County and the aspect of giving.

“A lot of positive things are happening all at once,” she said.

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County opposes push to legalize recreational marijuana

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2019 at 9:32 am

‘We don’t need more intoxicants in society.’ – Dr. Tom Madejski, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dr. Tom Madejski of Albion (left), who is president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, joins Paul Pettit, the Public Health director for the Health Departments in Genesee and Orleans counties, and sharing their concerns about legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. Pettit is also president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials. The two are speaking at Wednesday’s meeting of the Orleans County Legislature.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature went on the record Wednesday in asking the state to hold off on legalizing recreational marijuana, saying there are many negative impacts to society, as well as financial hits to local governments if marijuana gets the state’s blessing.

Two local health officials, who lead state-wide organizations, also said there are too many unknowns for New York to allow legalized recreational marijuana.

There will be impacts with more impaired drivers, likely leading to more serious motor vehicle accidents, Orleans County legislators were told on Wednesday by Dr. Tom Madejski and Paul Pettit. Madejski of Albion is president of the Medical Society of the State of New York. Pettit is the Public Health director for the Health Departments in Genesee and Orleans counties. He also leads the NYS Association of County Health Officials.

They said legalizing marijuana will likely lead to more use among teen-agers and young adults, and that use at a young age makes them far more likely to develop drug addictions, the two said.

“If this goes badly we’ll damage another segment of society,” Madejski told county legislators.

He has helped lead the Medical Society of the State of New York’s response to the opioid epidemic, which Madejski said started about 20 years ago when opioids were pushed for pain relief, only to become highly addictive for many people.

He said legalizing recreational marijuana is “bad social policy.”

“We don’t need more intoxicants in society,” he said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature have been debating legalizing recreational marijuana.

County Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, said the push for legalization is a money grab by the state, which wants to tax marijuana sales.

Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana say it will take marijuana out of the black market. However, Madejski and Pettit said the black maret will continue to thrive because marijuana will be available without a big tax likely to be imposed by the state, making it more expensive.

Pettit said the state needs to fund a public education plan about the dangers of marijuana use, if it is legalized for recreational use. He worries that children will be exposed through second-hand smoke or through edible marijuana that may be left around a house and appear to be candy or cookies.

Pettit said today’s marijuana is highly potent. “These aren’t your grandma’s brownies,” he said.

Several organizations are opposing recreational marijuana in New York include the Medical Society of New York, NYS Parent Teachers Association, NYS Sheriffs’ Association, NYS Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers, Association of School Business Officials, and Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Pettit presented a slide show to county legislators on Wednesday. He shared the following:

• Some of the ways of using marijuana include combusted products (joints, pipes, bongs, bowls, blunts and splits); vaporizers (electronic vaping devices); edibles (brownies, cookies and candies); drinks (elixirs, syrups and hot chocolates); and dabbing (using concentrates and waxes).

• The use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults increased 900 percent from 2011 to 2015 among high school students, Pettit said, citing the surgeon general. E-cigarettes grew 78 percent from 2017 to 2018 among high schoolers. There are currently 3.6 million youth in the US using e-cigarettes.

• Pettit said evidence shows long-term use of marijuana can lead to addiction. There is recognition of cannabis withdrawal syndrome, which makes cessation difficult and contributes to relapse.

Adolescents are particularly susceptible, compared to people who start using cannabis as adults. Those who begin using marijuana in adolescence are 2 to 4 times as likely to have cannabis dependence within two years after first use.

• The use of cannabis in adolescence could influence multiple addictive behavior in adulthood, he said.

District Attorney Joe Cardone was at Wednesday’s meeting and he shared concerns about marijuana becoming more accepted, even legal.

“Certainly not everyone who uses marijuana goes on to use more serious drugs,” Cardone said. But everyone who uses serious drugs has used marijuana.”

• Weekly or more frequent cannabis use by adolescents and young adults is associated with impaired learning, memory, math and reading achievement, even 28 days after last use, Pettit said.

Marijuana use is strongly associated with failure to graduate from both high school and/or college, he said.

• County legislators, in stating their opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana, said more research is needed on the long- term health outcomes of marijuana use.

• There will also be an impact on law enforcement agencies, which will need approximately 650 more drug recognition experts to determine if drivers are impaired by marijuana.

• Legalizing regulated marijuana also will necessitate retiring a large majority of police K-9 dogs that are trained to detect marijuana, as their detection capabilities would no longer be admissible in court and the replacement of these K-9 officers could easily take 5-7 years at great cost to taxpayers, legislators said.

Legislator John DeFilipps, R-Clarendon, said the push by the state is contrary to decades of messages about the dangers of using drugs.

Legislator Allport said the state shouldn’t legalize marijuana.

“It’s ludicrous, it’s hypocritical,” he said. “They’re putting money above the health and welfare of residents.”

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Sheriff’s Employees Association workers get 2% annual raises in 3-year contract

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2019 at 7:56 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a new three-year contract on Wednesday with 60 workers in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Employees Association.

They will be getting 2 percent annual raises from the years 2019 to 2021. The union represents correction officers, jail cooks, civil clerks and dispatchers.

The contract includes a new high deductible health plan and new employees need to contribute 20 percent of their health insurance costs. Veteran employees tend to pay 10 to 15 percent of the health insurance costs, depending on their length of service.

The contract also calls for shifts at dispatch to be re-bid.

The previous contract with the union from 2016 to 2018 also provided for 2 percent annual raises.

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County legislators oppose new ‘Red Flag’ gun law

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2019 at 9:44 pm

ALBION – Orleans County legislators today formally opposed the Red Flag Bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Feb. 25.

The legislation prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm. Cuomo touted the bill last month as the first in the United States to empower teachers and school administrators to prevent school shootings by pursuing court intervention.

No law previously existed in the state that enabled a court to issue an order to temporarily seize firearms from a person who is showing red flags, like violent behavior, or is believed to pose a severe threat of harm to himself, herself, or others unless that person has also been accused of a crime or family offense, Cuomo said.

County legislators today cited the Second Amendment – “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

County legislators said the Red Flag Bill “is in clear violation of our constitutionally afforded Second Amendment rights, as well as the right to due process of law.”

County legislators said there are 5,800 registered gun owners in Orleans County “who could therefore be subject to the seizure of their legally obtained firearms if a person deems them to be a threat to themselves or the public.”

County legislators said a better way for the governor and State Legislature to respond to gun violence is to increase penalties for criminals who use firearms to harm or threaten law-abiding citizens, and also to address the issues of mental illness related to violence.

The County Legislature’s resolution will be forwarded to state legislators and the governor.

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Skip Draper is new leader of Orleans County Republican Party

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2019 at 8:33 am

Michael Mele picked as vice chairman

File photo by Tom Rivers: Skip Draper takes the oath of office on Dec. 28, 2017 when he was sworn in as an Orleans County legislator.

ALBION – The Orleans County Republican Party officially has a new leader. Skip Draper was picked unanimously to serve as the party chairman on Saturday.

He succeeds Ed Morgan, who served in the role for 12 ½ years. Morgan resigned on Jan. 24. Draper stepped in as acting chairman. The party’s bylaws give the GOP Committee up to 60 days to choose a successor.

The committee, which has 80 members, met on Saturday morning and picked Draper for the job. Draper had been serving as vice chairman. That spot will now be filled by Michael Mele of Murray, who is the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. He is also chairman of the Murray Town Republican Committee.

Draper is in his first two-year term as an Orleans County legislator after getting elected in November 2017. Prior to that he served 24 years as the Shelby town supervisor.

His goals are “to keep the party unified and together.” He said his role is to keep party finances sound, and to have quality candidates seek positions at the village, town and county level, as well as for state and federal positions.

This year the election calendar has moved up with local and state primaries now aligned with the federal schedule. That means candidates are circulating petitions for a June 25 primary, instead of one in September. Those petitions are due next week at the Board of Elections.

A primary is expected for county sheriff with current Undersheriff Chris Bourke and Rochester Police Sgt. Brett Sobieraski seeking the position. Randy Bower, the current sheriff, isn’t seeking re-election.

Other primaries also are expected at the town level.

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