By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2018 at 8:10 am
The unemployment rate for Orleans County in September was 3.7 percent, the lowest rate in nearly 20 years. It was also 3.7 percent in October 2000. The 3.7 percent rate is the lowest level for Orleans since at least 1990, according to statistics from the state Department of Labor.
The county’s unemployment rate in September 2017 was 5.2 percent. The number of people working in the county increased from 16,700 to 17,200 from September 2017 to September 2018, while the number of unemployed dropped from 900 to 700.
The unemployment rate for the county has been steadily decreasing in recent years. In Orleans, the annual average unemployment rate has declined from 9.7 percent in 2012, 9.1 in 2013, 7.7 in 2014, 6.4 in 2015, 5.7 in 2016, 5.9 in 2017 and 5.5 percent the first nine months this year.
The county’s unemployment rate was over 10 percent not that long ago. It was 11.2 percent in January 2013 and 10.6 percent in February 2013.
Statewide, the rate fell to 3.8 percent in September, down from 4.6 percent in September 2017.
Bronx had the highest unemployment in the state at 5.4 percent in September. In upstate, St. Lawrence and Allegany had the highest at 4.5 percent. Columbia County had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent.
Other nearby counties and their unemployment rates include: Genesee, 3.3; Livingston, 3.5; Wyoming, 3.2; Niagara, 4.1; Monroe, 3.8; and Erie, 3.7.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2018 at 4:03 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: District Attorney Joe Cardone is shown speaking at a community forum on Nov. 30, 2017. He is leading the effort for the new program to compel motorists to get insurance.
ALBION – Orleans County is expanding a traffic diversion program to include people caught driving without insurance.
The county since 2010 has had a traffic diversion program for many first-time traffic offenders for infractions such as speeding, failure to yield, and failure to obey a stop sign.
They pay a $200 fee and enroll in a defensive driving class. In exchange, the ticket is dismissed. In fact, it will never show up on the driver’s record. In more than eight years, the fees paid just passed $1 million, said Susan Howard, the coordinator of the program and also the assistant district attorney.
That money has all stayed with local municipalities, and has been shared by the county, towns and villages.
About 5,000 people have participated in the program since its inception. The county beginning on Nov. 1 expanded the program to include people without automobile insurance.
If there are no other infractions, the drivers will likely be accepted in the program. The fee is $400, and they must get car insurance and complete a test about safe driving.
District Attorney Joe Cardone has been leading the effort to expand the program. The county is partnering with the New York Public Safety Company, which will provide mobile license plate readers to patrol cars for law enforcement agencies in the county.
New York Public Safety Company will receive $140 of the $400 fee. The company will also help manage the insurance diversion program and is looking to open an office in Albion.
“There is a great cost to community of people driving without insurance,” Cardone said.
With the diversion program, people who are caught without insurance won’t face criminal charges. And they will be spared up to $2,500 in fines and other costs. They also won’t lose their license.
If they complete the program, pay the $400 fee and show proof of insurance, the ticket will be dismissed.
“Our diversion program has been extremely successful,” Cardone said today. “Orleans County is now first in state to do it with insurance. We expect some of the other counties will do it.”
Lou Piccone, a former Buffalo Bills wide receiver, is the New York director of New York Public Safety Company. He said the goal of the program is compliance, to have all motorists get insurance.
That should reduce the premiums for the people who have been paying for insurance, because right now they pick up the costs for those in accidents without coverage, he said.
“No one should be on the road uninsured,” Piccone said today by phone.
The company is partnering first with Orleans, and then expects to expand the program in the state.
“It’s a manageable county,” Piccone said about Orleans. “There is a diversion program already in place and that allows the county to put this in play very easily.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2018 at 4:46 pm
Photo courtesy of Lisa Stenshorn: June Seager, left, was recognized today as the Orleans County Employee of the Year. She is congratulated by Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.
ALBION – June Seager was honored today as the Orleans County Employee of the Year during a recognition program at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Seager has worked the past 15 years as a caseworker for the county, including the past three as an adult protective caseworker with residents 18 and older.
Most of the cases involve elderly residents at risk. They may be financially exploited, or suffer from a physical disability or mental health issue.
“I love my job,” Seager said today. “It’s rewarding knowing that you’re helping someone else who would otherwise be alone.”
The Employee Assistance Program through the county government workforce recognizes an Employee of the Month. An Employee of the Year is then picked from those 12 exceptional workers.
“This employee provides assistance with those that are neglected by others, self-neglected, financially exploited and homeless,” said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director. “This employee has been able to connect with the adults, assisting them with whatever they need, advocating for their needs and truly improve the lives of some of the hardest to serve in Orleans County.”
He praised Seager for exuding kindness and compassion.
“She has the ability to handle tough conversations with the clientele when needed,” Welch said.
Seager spent her first five years working for the county in the Child Protective Unit of Child and Family Services. She was then a school-based caseworker in Holley.
Seager then transferred to the county’s Foster Care unit and continued to work with children and families. In that role she provided needed services, including transportation, casework counseling, networking with county agencies, court representation, supervising and modeling proper supervision during visitation.
The employees of the months for the past year were:
October 2017 – June Seager (Social Services),
November 2017 – Brian Marsceill (Sheriff)
December 2017 – Cathy Williams (Social Services),
January 2018 – Samantha Koons (Office for the Aging)
February 2018 – Pamela Chatt (Job Development)
March 2018 – Cynthia Troy (Public Defender)
April 2018 – Michael Schultz (Sheriff)
May 2018 – Marc Petrin (Buildings & Grounds)
June 2018 – Katrina Rodriguez-Paeth (Public Health)
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Orleans Economic Development Agency’s Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated its latest class Tuesday night at Tillman’s Village Inn in Childs. Seated from left are class leaders Dick Petitte, business adviser with the Small Business Development Center in Brockport; Diane Blanchard, manager of MAP; John Costello, consultant with SCORE; and Sam Campanella, a consultant with the SBDC. Standing are Will King of Medina, Julie Sanford of Albion, Gabrielle Gugino of Brockport, Laura Kemler of Albion, Heather Colella of Clarendon, Katrina Chaffee of Lyndonville, Jose and Ashley Casanova of Lyndonville, Tiffany Smith of Albion and Courtney Allchin of Albion.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 November 2018 at 7:13 am
Skip Draper of Medina, left, an Orleans County legislator and member of Orleans Economic Development’s board, and Paul Hendel of Murray, chairman of the EDA board, watch as Diane Blanchard cuts the cake during the MAP graduation.
CHILDS – The Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated its latest class Tuesday night at Tillman’s Village Inn.
The 10 who received their diplomas brings the total of budding entrepreneurs to 495 who have gone through the program since its inception in 1999, said MAP manager Diane Blanchard.
“Taking the Microenterprise Class enables new start-ups to access expert consultants from the start of their business to when they open and thereafter to keep their business going,” Blanchard said. “The course covers all aspects of operating a small business, including going into business, taxes/financial statements, legal/business law, budgeting/record keeping and marketing.”
The program is run through the Orleans Economic Development Agency. Consultants help MAP students develop a business plan. Those consultants include John Costello with SCORE, Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Center in Brockport, and Dick Petitte, an adviser with the SBDC and teacher of small business management and entrepreneurship at Brockport State College.
MAP sponsors two 10-week classes per year, and the ideas for new businesses never ceases to amaze Blanchard, she said.
Tuesday’s graduates included Courtney Allchin of Albion, who got the idea for a clothing boutique as a stay-at-home mom; Ashley Casanova of Lyndonville, who has purchased Fastan in Medina; Katrina Chaffee of Lyndonville, who plans to open an Early Head Start child care program; Heather Colella of Clarendon, who with her family operates a hauling and excavating business; Gabrielle Gugino of Brockport, who plans to open a drop-in child day care facility; Laura Kemler of Albion, whose business is Vintage Inspired Gifts; Will King of Medina, a personal trainer who hopes to attract teens, young professionals and families with children to his business; Julie Sanford of Albion, who sells custom vintage lamps; Tiffany Smith of Albion, who operates the only local gym which offers 24-hour fitness; and William Young of Albion, who runs a machine shop.
Ashley Casanova and her husband Jose of Lyndonville sit at the Microenterprise Program graduation, where Ashley shared her plan for success after purchasing Fastan Tanning Salon in Medina.
The graduates shared their business plan and why they chose that particular business.
Heather Colella, who has owned DC Hauling and Excavating with her husband for eight years, said they were both unemployed and running out of options when they decided to invest their last $3,500 to go into business for themselves. They started out doing snow plowing, and within seven months, made a profit.
Heather Colella of Clarendon shared her success story during the MAP graduation.
Four years ago, she got her woman-owned business certification, and this year they are on track to do $1.5 million in revenue.
This month they will hire their first year-round, full-time employee. They plan to use a $25,000 loan from Economic Development to buy a 10-wheel dump truck to be able to operate more efficiently.
Rick and Michelle Gallo, who graduated from MAP in the June class, returned to tell their success story to the class. She had been working for Dunkin’ Donuts and helped open their stores in Medina and Albion when they decided to go into business for themselves. Their idea was to develop a business their kids would some day take over.
They began by towing cars and collecting scrap metal. As their business progressed, they had to rent two storage locations, one in Orleans County and one out of the county. They are working to obtain contracts with AAA and Onstar.
“Your mentor in this class is everything,” Michelle said. “I call him two or three times a week.”
She also said the connections made through the class are priceless.
“You meet new people and bounce ideas off each other all the time,” she said. “Having a mentor and relationship with EDA is invaluable.”
“This EDA is the big brother you always wished you had,” Rick said.
Graduates from MAP are eligible to apply for grants when they are available, Blanchard said.
“I love that the program makes dreams come true for these entrepreneurs,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 10:12 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Skip Helfrich, program director for the new Leadership Orleans program, leads the opening retreat for the class on Jan. 18 at Tillman’s Village Inn. The retreat was for two days. The class of 25 has met monthly throughout the year.
A new leadership program that started in January with 25 people is nearing the conclusion for its first year, with a new class of about 25 to start in two months.
Leadership Orleans was years in the making. Orleans had been one of the few counties without a leadership program.
The debut class has 25 members and is led by director Skip Helfrich, a graduate of the program in Niagara County.
The class members come from a cross section of the community, including law enforcement, government department heads, farm owners, agency directors and other business leaders.
“In building a class we wanted to have a nice mix,” Helfrich told the County Legislature recently. “We are hoping the participants will volunteer, and step up and serve on boards or run for office – whatever it takes to make Orleans County better.”
The new Leadership Orleans became a reality in 2018 after the County Legislature set aside $33,000 in 2017 to get the program off the ground. The county contribution was reduced to $22,000 in 2018 and is slated for $16,000 in 2019.
Three county employees are also in the class: James DeFilipps, deputy for Orleans County Sheriff’s Office; Nadine Hanlon, clerk of Orleans County Legislature; and Eddie Moss, director of computer services for Orleans County.
Hanlon, a lifelong resident, said the program has proven to be an eye-opener about the resources and opportunities in the county.
“I think it’s been a wonderful thing,” she told county legislators on Oct. 24. “I grew up in this community and I’ve been involved, but I’m still learning the wonderful things this community has to offer.”
Charlie Nesbitt, a retired state assemblyman, has been instrumental in securing sponsors and support for the program.
He pushed for Leadership Orleans so key people in the community could better understand how local government, businesses and other sectors work. The class draws on a cross section of the community. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.
‘We are hoping the participants will volunteer, and step up and serve on boards or run for office – whatever it takes to make Orleans County better.’ – Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans
The participants also pay $1,950 for tuition. The program requires enrolled individuals to commit to a two-day opening retreat, one full day per month of program participation over a ten-month period, and a two-day closing retreat/graduation ceremony.
Each month the group learned about a different sector of the community, including government, arts and culture, volunteerism and non-profit organizations, community health, tourism and recreation, agribusiness, economic & workforce development, and education.
Helfrich said 130 people have been impacted so far from the program and that includes 79 community presenters, 25 class participants, 11 people on the steering committee, 12 different design teams and 17 other community friends. The group has visited 56 sites in the county.
The participants already have forged a strong bond and network, he said. The graduates of the program will become a Leadership Orleans Alumni Association, who can continue to support each other and be a resource to the future program participants.
The new class will start in January. There was more interest than available spots so there is now a waiting list. Helfrich said that’s a good indication the community is finding value in the program.
Helfrich works part-time as the director out of an office at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee in Albion. Helfrich is the president/owner of Human Energies, a human resources and organizational development consulting firm. He leads many retreats for other leadership programs.
“My focus was to get this first year going and create something that will last,” he told the Legislature.
For more information on Leadership Orleans, click here.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2018 at 12:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Justin Niederhofer shows two of the mass casualty kits that are going to ambulances, fire departments, Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles and other first responders.
ALBION – New kits with tourniquets, gauze and other supplies will be available for each fire department, Sheriff’s Office road patrol vehicle and ambulance provider in the county, helping first responders to “stop the bleed.”
The Orleans County Emergency Management Office has received state funding to purchase the mass casualty kits. Right now there are 33 kits in the field with about 30 more coming. Those 63 kits have 400 tourniquets.
The smaller kits have four tourniquets and the larger ones have eight. The kits also have bandages, gauze and an instruction sheet.
The EMO pushed to have the kits after a mass casualty training exercise in September 2017. First responders realized the fire departments and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office road patrol vehicles weren’t equipped with tourniquets and other supplies to stop multiple people from bleeding out.
A person can bleed out with 3 to 10 minutes if the wound isn’t stopped, said Justin Niederhofer, assistant Carlton fire chief.
He also is an EMT for COVA ambulance, the lead medic for the county’s SWAT team and Carlton’s representative on the county’s EMS Council. He has been coordinating the effort to get the kits in the county
State funding for about $40,000 is paying for the kits and training.
“It was brought up at the County EMS Council that we weren’t that well prepared supply wise,” said Dale Banker, the county’s EMO coordinator. “Hopefully all those medical supplies never have to be used.”
If there was a mass shooting or an accident with multiple victims, the kits could be critical to stopping the bleed.
Each fire department is getting two of the kits. Medina Fire Department will get four of the bigger for each of its ambulances, and COVA will have three.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will have one in all 12 road vehicles, and the three investigators which each have one. The fire coordinators and lead medics also will carry the kits.
First responders are being trained on how to use the kits. Banker and Niederhofer want to expand the number of kits to local schools as well.
There will be training for using the kits for first responders in eastern, central and western Orleans, Banker said.
He urged everyone to familiarize themselves with how to use a tourniquet to help someone having a massive bleed.
“Just some basic training in using a tourniquet and you could save someone’s life,” he said.
The kits include gauze, tourniquets and other supplies to try to prevent a person from bleeding out.
Press Release, Niagara County Public Information Office
New York State Office of the Attorney General, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have made funding available across New York State for newly formed Land Banks.
Enterprise is now dedicating additional funding to support Land Banks, with funds coming from a bank settlement negotiated by the New York State Office of the Attorney General. Enterprise selected the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC) as a recipient for a $500,000 grant.
Many of the neighborhoods targeted through the Land Bank are transitioning neighborhoods, that through proper selection of properties and investments, can be strengthened to reverse trends. Revitalization may include acquisition, rehabilitation and demolition of derelict properties.
Orleans County Legislature Chairperson Lynne M. Johnson said, “with this vital funding the Land Bank can begin the important work of breathing new life into struggling areas of our region.”
“The Land Bank has already had the sale of its first property in North Tonawanda in the short time it has been formed,” said Niagara County Chairman W. Keith McNall. “This money will assist in our intervention with abandoned properties by developing and implementing a long term plan for the revitalization of our stressed neighborhoods.”
“The Land Bank is a forward thinking tool that combats blight in our cities and seeks to preserve and enhance the value of its land assets,” said Niagara County Legislator Richard Andres.
North Tonawanda Legislator, Randy Bradt applauded the efforts of the NORLIC staff and Board of Directors to obtain this grant.
“It’s a way we can support our community in reviving our residential and commercial spaces,” Bradt said. “The renaissance along our canal corridor and Webster Street needs to continue into the Oliver Street areas; this funding allows us to take a huge step in that direction. We’re dedicated to making sure Oliver Street becomes the prosperous community it once was.”
Provided photo courtesy of Modern Disposal: Modern Disposal will be transitioning to 96-gallon garbage totes in 2019, with a goal to have them in place by July 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2018 at 5:31 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The smaller recycling bins will be replaced by much larger totes in 2019.
ALBION – Orleans County will be transitioning to new 96-gallon recycling totes in 2019.
The change will make it easier for Modern Disposal to pick up recycling, and should hold off increases in the costs for picking up garbage and recycling for the next few years, county officials said.
Residents currently use recycling bins that are emptied weekly by Modern. The company has two employees per truck, with a driver and another employee grabbing and emptying the bins. It takes about a minute for each stop in the county.
Modern will be switching to 96-gallon totes that have covers. Those totes can be grabbed by a mechanical arm, lifted into the arm and emptied into the recycling truck.
The change will allow Modern to staff each recycling truck with one employee. The company can also speed up the collection effort, spending an every of 12 seconds per stop.
“It’s a way to keep the costs in line,” said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.
Residents in 2018 paid $212 for annual garbage and recycling collection. The cost will stay about that price for the next few years with the recycling change, Nesbitt said.
“Otherwise, we are looking at a 10 to 15 percent increase,” he said.
Modern also will pick up the recycling every two weeks, instead of weekly once the totes are in place.
The county needs to purchase about 15,000 of them at a cost of about $55 or about $800,000 total. Nesbitt said a state grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to cover half the costs.
There will be public information meetings next year to help prepare residents for the changes. Nesbitt said the new recycling program has a July 1 target date for kick off.
The County Legislature last week approved a new five-year contract with Modern for garbage and recycling collection. The annual cost is $3,001,495 with the current system, but drops to $2,707,160 when the new system is fully phased in.
Peggy Barringer of Albion won the grand prize in the 2017 contest for this image of a fisherman and sailboat during a sunset at Point Breeze. She also won in 2016 with an image of blossoms at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Once again, Orleans County Tourism wants your best “Tourism Worthy” photos for the 2019 Calendar and Travel Guide.
The 3rd annual Orleans County Tourism Photo Contest is an opportunity to showcase the unique character, events and natural beauty of our region. And, it offers a chance to win a pair of concert tickets. Contest rules are as follows:
• Eligibility: the contest is open to any amateur or professional photographer with the exception of employees of the Orleans County Tourism Department. Images with the photographer’s signature or watermark across the image are not eligible.
• Locale & Subject: all photographs must be taken within Orleans County with a “tourism- draw” subject matter such as recreation, heritage, nature, annual event or tourist attractions.
• Deadline: All entries must be submitted by midnight, Nov. 2, via email or postmarked no later than Nov. 1. Winners will be notified by Nov. 14.
Orleans County Tourism Photo Contest 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411
Alternatively, you can fax entry & release forms to 585-589-3283. Contact Lynne Menz at 585-589-3103 with questions.
A panel of judges will rate the photos on the basis of “Tourism Attraction” relevance, subject matter, creativity and quality as well as those which capture the unique quality and beauty of our region. Judges are looking for the “wow factor” or “magazine cover worthy” image.
Click here to see the contest rules and application.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce presented nine awards on Thursday during the Chamber’s 20th annual awards dinner. The following were recognized, front row, from left: Gail Miller, Business Person of the Year; Katie Misiti (Sourced Market & Eatery), New Business of the Year; Wayne Litchfield, Community Service Award; Darlene Hartway, Sourced Market & Eatery; Jaye Sullivan, Lifetime Achievement; and Iva McKenna (Country Lane Veterinary Services), Business of the Year. Back row: Wendy Wilson (LynOaken Farms), Agricultural Business of the Year; Chris Oakes (LynOaken Farms); Jeff Oakes (LynOaken Farms); Jessica Tobin (Penasack Contract Manufacturer), Employer of the Year; Adam Johnson (39 Problems), Phoenix Award; Aaron and Jim Preston (Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping), Small Business of the Year; and George McKenna (Country Lane Veterinary Services).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 October 2018 at 11:47 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses and community leaders on Thursday during its 20th annual awards dinner at the White Birch Golf Club.
The business owners were praised for providing jobs, maintaining buildings and injecting optimism into the community.
The award winners also received citations from State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assebmlyman Steve Hawley.
The following were recognized by the Chamber:
• Business the Year – Country Lane Veterinary Services in Barre
George McKenna, owner of Country Lane Veterinary Services, was recognized as Business of the Year. He is congratulated by, from left: State Sen. Robert Ortt, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Becky Charland, director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
George and Ivan McKenna started the business 28 years ago on East Barre Road in Barre. They have nine employees. They have hosted many interns over the years and George McKenna said five or six have gone on to become veterinarians and many others are veterinary technicians.
“They teach compassion and a work ethic,” said Leonel Rosario, co-owner of last year’s Business of the Year, Mariachi De Oro.
George and Iva are parents to four grown daughters. Kerri Richardson, one of their children, is the business manager at Country Lane.
George said the business may add an associate veterinarian and expand.
He praised his excellent employees through the years and the dedication and understanding of his family.
“It’s a lot like farming,” he told a crowd of 135 at the Chamber dinner. “Emergencies happen.”
• Agricultural Business of the Year – LynOaken Farms in Lyndonville
Wendy Wilson, president of LynOaken Farms and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, accepts the Agricultural Business of the Year award with Chris Oakes (left), production manager; and Jeff Oakes, storage manager, for LynOaken.
The Oakes family has been farming in Lyndonville since Leonard Oakes started the farm in 1919. His successors have stayed dedicated to growing apples, but they have also expanded into grapes, wine, a retail market and their own delivery business, taking apples and peaches to 90 locations in Western and Central NY.
LynOaken has 34 full-time employees at the farm and with its winery and wine-tasting site on Ridge Road in Medina.
The family was praised for diversifying the business and becoming a destination site in Orleans County. LynOaken has a U-pick orchard that includes heirloom varieties.
The winery is named for the farm’s founder, Leonard Oakes. It hosts a Steampunk Festival in late August each year that draws about 1,000 people.
The farm is expanding and adding a new packing line and eco-friendly refrigeration.
Next year LynOaken will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina
Jaye Sullivan, honored for lifetime achievement, gets a hug from Bruce Landis, who was last year’s winner.
Jaye Sullivan grew up working at Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina. She is the third generation owner of the business, which was started in 1941 by Sullivan’s grandparents, Chester and Beatrice Blissett, who opened their first store in Albion. They opened a second store in Medina, Blissett’s Children’s Shop, in about 1950. After experiencing a serious accident, the Blissetts closed the Albion store.
Jaye Sullivan has adapted the business from a children’s store to include bridal wear and specialty items, such as christening and prom dresses.
Sullivan has served her community, as a member of the Medina Board of Education, and an officer in the Medina Business Association. She also is a member of the Decorate Medina Committee.
She said she is grateful to have grown up in her family and is determined to keep the store going.
• Small Business of the Year – Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping in Albion
Molly Preston is joined by her husband Jim, left, and brother-in-law Aaron Preston. Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping was named Small Business of the Year.
Jim Preston started the business in 2015 and his brother Aaron joined him as a partner in 2016. They have five employees.
The Preston brothers had a business as teen-agers, mowing lawns in the Kendall area. They worked other jobs after high school, but came back to working together with lawns and landscaping.
Their business has grown to five seasonal workers, along with the two brothers and other family. They do lawncare and landscaping from cutting grass to the increasingly popular hardscape – patio pavers, fireplaces, walkways and retaining walls. They also trim bushes, put in mulch and tackle over lawncare and landscaping issues.
The business is based at Zig Zag Road where the brothers have greenhouses and grow nursery stock.
They praised their father, the late James Preston Sr., for getting them involved in the business. The elder Preston was 56 when he died on Sept. 23, 2015, following a career at Kodak.
The Prestons’ mother, Marie, also opened her own business, Preston’s Country Market, this year on Ridge Road in Gaines. She sells some of the apples grown by her son, Jim.
The Prestons said they are grateful for the support of their customers, who are almost all Orleans County residents.
• New Business of the Year – Sourced Market & Eatery in Medina
Katie Misiti, co-owner of Sourced Market & Eatery in Medina, accepts the award for New Business of the Year.
The Hartway family was honored for opening a business with a focus on local and natural foods. Sourced Market and Eatery already has expanded its interior and outdoor seating to accommodate the public to the site on Maple Ridge Road in Millville.
The family is looking to add greenhouses so it can grow year-round organic produce and herbs.
Darlene Hartway runs the business with her children. Katie Misiti manages the kitchen and plans the menu every week, while handling the majority of work in the kitchen and coordinating catering events.
“I’m excited for the next year,” Misiti said. “We have some big plans.”
Her brother Travis Hartway is a baker for Sourced and is often at the counter serving customers.
Three of their sons run Hartway Brothers Farm near Millville, land once owned by their grandfather. The boys, Nathaniel, Justin and Franklin, grow squash and pumpkins for the market.
Phoenix Award – 39 Problems Bar & Grill in Albion
Adam and Tina Johnson were recognized with the Phoenix Award for their effort in opening the 39 Problems restaurant and bar in a historic downtown Albion location.
Adam and Tina Johnson transformed a vacant building on Albion’s Main Street into a bar and restaurant. The dining area and bar for 39 Problems opened on March 1, following more than two years of hard work.
The site has added energy and foot traffic to downtown Albion.
The Johnsons were praised for perseverance and vision in opening the bar and restaurant in a building from 1866 that has been the home to many businesses, starting with a coffin and furniture company and more recently to a hair salon.
The couple purchased the building, which includes three storefronts, in 2015. They have been working diligently to renovate the site, while preserving its historic charm. In June 2016 they opened 39 Problems, selling pizza, grilled foods and “chill desserts.” The site didn’t have a dine-in option.
Now 39 Problems has a dine-in restaurant. The Johnsons have two of three storefronts done, and they would eventually like to expand the dining area to the remaining storefront.
The Johnsons have done a major upgrade at the site, adding a new kitchen, two new bathrooms, wiring, gas lines, structural and roof repairs, masonry work and lots of other attention.
The storefront has been changed. The windows are now aluminum framed with insulated glass. Johnson kept the cast iron columns and removed paint on the Medina sandstone at the storefronts. Some of the wood from the storefront was repurposed above the bar.
Mr. Johnson named the business 39 Problems because of the challenges in renovating the site at 39 North Main St. That is the unfinished storefront and the largest of the three.
• Business Person of the Year – Gail Miller of Medina
Gail Miller accepts congratulations for Business Person of the Year.
Gail Miller has been the volunteer coordinator for Medina ’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market since it opened in 2015. The market has grown from 8 to 20 vendors and now has a year-round presence.
The site on West Center Street across from the Post Office brings together farms, wineries, artists, musicians and families on Saturdays. The site has proven popular for bringing the community together, the Chamber said.
Miller retired in 2013 as a business analyst for IBM. She has been heavily committed to growing the market, securing vendors and promoting local agriculture.
She thanked the vendors for being so reliable and for providing quality produce and products at the market.
The vendors offer a variety of products, such as sausage, pork, chemical free and heirloom produce, dehydrated mixes, vegan food, baked goods, poultry, flour and maple syrup.
There are also vendors with children’s books, and wineries that rotate every Saturday. A Canal Kids’ Tent provides games, puzzles, chalk art and free books to children.
• Employer of the Year (presented by Orleans County Job Development Agency) – Penasack Machine Co. in Albion
Jessica Tobin is vice president for Penasack Contract Manufacturer in Albion, which was honored as Employer of the Year.
The Chamber presented a new award for the first time as part of a collaboration with the Orleans County Job Development Agency.
The Chamber and Job Development want to recognize a local business that demonstrates a commitment to its workforce, and in turn a workforce that is committed to the business, said Kelly Kiebala, the Job Development Agency leader.
Penasack Contract Manufacturer on Sanford Street is a sheet metal fabricator. It has 43 employees, with many referred by Job Development.
The company was recognized as Employer of the Year “for consistently providing quality, well-paying jobs in Orleans County,” Kiebala said. “Individuals working for Penasack are provided training and opportunities for advancement.”
Employees referred to Penasack provide feedback that the business has “a welcoming company culture and encouragement to increase skills. Penasack has been quietly and dependably providing these job opportunities in Orleans County for decades, and we are honored to be able to recognize them as Employer of the Year for 2018,” Kiebala said.
Jessica Tobin, Penasack vice president, said the business if fortunate to many so many dedicated employees.
• Community Service Award – Wayne Litchfield of Medina
Wayne Litchfield of Medina was honored with a Community Service Award for his volunteer efforts with many local organizations.
Since he retired as an Orleans County dispatcher in 2013, following a 28-year career, Wayne Litchfield has been an active community volunteer, helping many organizations.
“He is anything that is needed in this community,” said Jacki Mowers-Sciarabba, last year’s winner. “He will offer any help he can give.”
He is a direct care volunteer at Hospice of Orleans, a leader in the Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here organization, which offers assistance to people fighting addictions. He is a member of the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force, and a member of the Orleans United Drug-Free Coalition.
Litchfield, 67, is a member of the VALOR Medical Reserve Corps for the Orleans County Health Department. He is the director of media and technology at the Albion Free Methodist Church. He also is a mentor in the Just Friends program through the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.
He is on the planning committee for the Metro 10 race, and helps with the organization, set up and manning of water stations, and will spring into action when needed.
He also is a consistent volunteer at the Community Kitchen in Albion and the Hands 4 Hope Ministry on Saturdays.
He also helps at Care Net of Greater Orleans, Gotta Dance at Miss Amy and the Ride 4 Life.
He grew up in Holley and was an active volunteer firefighter and member of the rescue squad before becoming a dispatcher.
He was hospitalized in July with congestive heart failure. He has rebounded and said he welcomes the chance to serve the community.
“I always say just give me one more volunteer,” he said. “Just give me one more.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2018 at 8:40 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula, director of the Yates Community Library, joined other library directors in asking for a funding increase from the Orleans County Legislature.
ALBION – Directors from the four public libraries in Orleans County made their annual pitch for more funding from the County Legislature recently.
The county currently provides $10,087 to the four libraries – Albion (Hoag Library), Holley (Community Free Library), Lyndonville (Yates Community Library) and Medina (Lee-Whedon Memorial Library).
The libraries would like to receive $1 per resident or $42,883.
The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011. It hasn’t changed since then.
During a budget presentation on Sept. 26, the library leaders’ presentation focused on the services the four sites provide for seniors, from large print books, to concerts and entertainment, to expertise in using computers and technology. In previous years, library directors touted their children’s programming.
Emily Cebula, director of the Yates Community Library, said the libraries are committed to serving everyone in the community, regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances.
“We love our jobs,” Cebula said. “We want you to know we are doing our best for new people in our county and people who have been here forever.”
A funding boost from the county would allow the libraries to maintain a current collection, acquire new books and other materials, and lessen pressure to raise their taxes.
The local libraries will be part of an upcoming community engagement initiative through the Nioga Library System, looking for more ways to engage the community.
The Nioga study will also look at changes in the local communities, including a rising percentage of senior citizens.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul meets with Orleans County Democrats on Saturday evening during their fall rally at the Elks Club. About 60 people attended the event. She is shown visiting Jim Renfrew and his wife, Robin Dunnington, who hosted one of the first candidate parties in their Clarendon home for Hochul in 2011. Those grass roots events helped her to get elected, despite a strong Republican advantage in the district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2018 at 10:03 pm
ALBION – Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Nov. 6 will be a big day for Democrats in the state, and locally a candidate for Congress may do what many thought was impossible only a few months ago.
Nate McMurray may topple Chris Collins in the 27th Congressional District, which is the most Republican-leaning district in the state.
“Lightning will strike twice and we’ll send another Democrat to Washington,” Hochul said Saturday during the Orleans County Fall Democrat Rally.
Hochul pulled off an upset when she was elected to Congress for the District in 2011. But redistricting added more Republicans and she lost a close re-election to Chris Collins in 2012.
Orleans County Democratic Party Chairwoman Jeanne Crane touts the candidacies of Joyce Riley, left, for Gaines Town Board and Kathy Hochul for lieutenant governor. Crane called Hochul, “a Western New York gal.”
Now McMurray, the Grand Island town supervisor, is in a neck-and-neck battle with Collins, according to polling data.
Hochul said more Democrats are energized this election, and more Republicans are reluctant to support Collins, who is under federal indictment for insider trading.
Kathy Hochul said support from Upstate New York was critical in her winning a Democratic Primary last month.
There was a bigger turnout statewide in the primary last month, compared to four years ago when many of the statewide offices were on the ballot. In Orleans County, for example, Hochul received 605 votes for lieutenant governor on Sept. 13 versus the 197 for Jumane Williams.
Four years earlier, when she first ran for lieutenant governor, the turnout was much smaller. She received 297 votes to Timothy Wu’s 103.
This election Democrats are more engaged, and more determined to vote, Hochul said.
“I expect a Democratic surge,” she said. “You can see it and feel it, and I’m embracing it.”
She praised the Democrats state-wide candidates, which include Andrew Cuomo for governor, Tom DiNapoli for comptroller, Letitia James for attorney general and Kirsten Gellibrand for U.S. senator.
The Democrats’ top priorities are investments in jobs, healthcare and education, Hochul said.
She praised the 60 people at the Democrats Fally Rally. She said it isn’t easy to be a Democrat and in Republican-dominated county.
“These are the Democrats I admire the most,” she said. “These are the ones who are most passionate about Democratic values. I admire you for having the courage to step up and say, ‘I’m a Democrat.’”
Joe DiPasquale of Lockport also addressed the crowd on Saturday. DiPasquale is challenging Michael Norris in the 144th Assembly District, which includes Shelby in Orleans County and parts of Erie and Niagara counties.
Joe DiPasquale wants the state to invest more in public education and protecting the environment.
DiPasquale said he will make the environment and more resources in public education his priorities. He worries about high cancer rates locally, and wants Niagara County to stop accepting toxic trash from outside the area.
He sees tourism as an economic driver, especially with the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, which opened in 1825.
“The Erie Canal turns 200 in seven years,” he said. “Are we ready?”
Jeannette Riley also asked for support in her campaign for the Gaines Town Board against Corey Black.
Riley said she looks forward to being part of a team to bring down taxes and make homes more affordable.
“Nothing is going to get done by one person alone,” she said. “We need each other. This is my community, and I want to make it a safer place. I want to make it a more welcoming place.”
Riley acknowledged it’s difficult for local Democrats to feel part of the local political process.
“Right now many of us feel unheard and unattended,” she said. “They only way to change that is to get out and vote.”
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2018 at 2:59 pm
Provided photos
RIDGEWAY – The Orleans County Highway Department installed big pieces of concrete this week for a new culvert on Culvert Road in Ridgeway, just south of Ridge Road.
The Highway Department made the concrete decking and other concrete pieces for the culvert, and then installed the components.
By not hiring the job out to a contractor, the county saved significant money, county officials said.
Labella Associates did the engineering work, the only outside firm hired for the job.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $45 million in state grant funding has been awarded to 57 counties and New York City for emergency communications. The grants include $403,172 for Orleans County.
This funding enables local governments to expand their emergency response capabilities to enhance public safety operations. The 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program supports nine Regional Communications Consortiums that focus on improving critical emergency communications across the state, as well as coordination between counties, state and federal agencies.
“In an emergency, every second counts and it’s critically important that first responders have the tools and resources they need to receive information fast to help New Yorkers in their time of need,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help us create a stronger, safer New York for all.”
The State Interoperable Communications Grant, administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has awarded more than $450 million in seven rounds to 57 counties and New York City since 2010.
The Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant is formula based and funded by cellular surcharge revenue. The program has allowed counties to make vital improvements in the way first responders can communicate between each other and different regions of the state using land mobile radio systems.
Each county and New York City can submit applications to fund projects involving infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades. Eligible counties can use this funding for a variety of functions, including expanding radio coverage by installing new equipment at towers and antenna sites, implementing Next Generation 911 technologies and standards, setting up communication channels among public safety radio systems, consolidating emergency services dispatch centers, supporting the operations of public safety dispatch centers, and deploying new technology that help counties link their systems together.
Additionally, this funding will support training and exercises to promote efficient inter-regional communications, cooperation, and overall first responder readiness.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Two commanders of veterans’ agencies attended the Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Event and Picnic Saturday at Orleans County Fairgrounds. Here, Glenn Whitmore, left, commander of American Legion Post 204 in Medina, and Dan Anderson, right, commander of VFW Post 1483 in Medina, pose with Veterans’ Services director Earl Schmidt and his wife Cathy.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 October 2018 at 7:42 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Kick-off Event and Picnic was a resounding success and one which organizers hope will be the first of many such events.
Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, dozens of veterans and their families showed up for the event, organized by Earl and Cathy Schmidt with grant money Mr. Schmidt applied for through State Sen. Rob Ortt.
Guests enjoyed lunch, popcorn, music by DJs Kenny and Bonnie Draper, and children’s activities.
The Niagara Falls Air Force Base provided a bounce house and children’s games.
Cathy Schmidt announced she is forming a group for veterans’ spouses and caregivers, which she calls “Clovers.” It stands for “caregivers, loved ones and spouses.”
Her goal is to organize a variety of activities for veterans’ spouses and caregivers, such as bowling, chocolate bingo, kayaking and excursions. She has already planned a bus excursion to a Sabres’ game.
The YMCA in Medina is also going to cooperate by giving 10 percent off the cost of membership to veterans.
Earl Schmidt, director of Orleans County Veterans’ Services, and his wife Cathy pose with Arianna Smith and her dad Brad Smith of Albion and Greg Stanton of Medina at the first Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Event and Picnic Saturday at the Orleans County Fairgrounds. Both Brad Smith and Stanton were Seabees. Smith was a Navy combat veteran in Iraq.
Greg Stanton of Medina said he heard about the picnic when talking to Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County, several months ago.
“So I came to see what’s going on,” Stanton said. “The whole idea is to gets vets in Orleans County connected with each other, and that’s pretty cool.”
He said it’s nice veterans are finally getting the accolades and appreciation they deserve.
Stanton is a Seabee who signed up for the military right out of high school. He served two and one-half years in active duty and two and one-half years in the Reserves and went to college on a VA loan.
“Just a few years ago, I found out I was eligible for health care,” he said. “I have nothing but praise for the VA in Batavia and Buffalo .”
Rachael Spearante of Albion, a volunteer with the American Legion Auxiliary, hands out informational pamphlets at the Peer-to-Peer Veterans’ picnic Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Earl Schmidt said he started the peer-to-peer program to provide a non-clinical approach for veterans and their families in Orleans County. The grant through Ortt’s office is for $52,500
Schmidt’s hope is to prevent any tragedy here such as the story of Pcf. Joseph P. Dwyer, for whom the Peer-to-Peer program is named. Dwyer was a North Carolina veteran who, after a year and a half of trying to navigate the system after his discharge, committed suicide.
“The system failed him,” Schmidt said. “We are brothers and sisters working together and I’ll be here as your liaison.”
