Positions include mayors in Albion and Medina

Three villages in Orleans County will have elections on March 20. The positions on the ballot include the mayoral posts in Albion and Medina.

Albion has three positions up for election. Mayor Dean London has said he doesn’t intend to seek re-election. Trustees Eileen Banker and Stan Farone also have their trustee spots on the ballot. The Republican and Democratic parties will hold caucuses to nominate candidates. The mayor and trustees are all four-year terms.

In Medina, Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustees Marguerite Sherman and Tim Elliott have their positions on the ballot. The terms are for two years. Residents need to have petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village to be on the ballot. The deadline for submitting petitions to the Village Office’s is Feb. 13.

Lyndonville only has one position up for election. It’s to fill a one-year term as trustee on the Village Board.

Holley is the other village in Orleans County. Holley holds its elections in June.

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187,000 pounds collected last year in Orleans

File photo by Tom Rivers: Paul Gray, a motor equipment operator for the Orleans County Highway Department, moves a pallet of computer units and other electronic waste at the County Highway Department on Sept. 18, 2015.

ALBION – Orleans County renewed a contract to continued three electronic waste drop-off sites.

The county started an e-waste program in September 2015. It has three drop-off sites for residents to dispose of cathode ray tube televisions and other e-waste – monitors, computers, peripheral devices and other household electronics.

The County Legislature last week voted to renew a contract with Sunnking Incorporated in Brockport. The company has been paid about $28,000 to $30,000 a year with the state covering half of the costs.

“We’re very pleased with this program,” said County Legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall.

Last year 187,000 pounds of e-waste was dropped off at the three sites, which include:

• The Orleans County Highway Garage, 225 West Academy St., Albion;

• Town of Murray Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd., Holley;

• Town of Shelby Highway Garage, 4062 Salt Works Rd., Medina.

The drop-off sites are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday (except on holidays).

County officials moved to create the program after the state on Jan. 1, 2015 no longer allowed e-waste to be picked up through curbside trash pickup.

When garbage companies couldn’t pick up TVs, many of them started showing up in roadside ditches.

For more on the program, click here.

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Money will be repaid when financing in place

ALBION – Orleans County is borrowing $500,000 from its general fund for work on a capitol project at the County Administration Building.

The county will repay the general fund when financing is in place for the 22,000-square-foot addition, county legislators said last week.

The Legislature last year authorized a bond at a maximum $10,063,881. It will be paid back over 25 years.

The county has delayed that financing until later in 2018 so the debt service payments don’t start until 2019. Borrowing from the general fund keeps the project moving forward this year, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The county also has already been approved for a $3,682,748 state grant towards the project and could receive more assistance. The county also has been approved for a $200,000 grant through State Sen. Robert Ortt’s office to help with the project.

The county is pursuing the addition so it will have county-owned space for the Public Health Department and Board of Elections. The Department of Social Services might also be relocated to the new space.

Public Health and the Board of Elections use facilities that are owned by Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. Comprehensive acquired the nursing home and the neighboring public health building as part of the $7.8 million acquisition on Jan.1, 2015.

The County Legislature last week approved paying some bills for the project, including $29,402 to Barre Stone Products for crusher run and binder for the parking area; $13,048 to Barre Stone Products for crusher run stone for the parking area; $2,844 to Lock City Supply for work on the parking area; and $494 to Kistner Concrete Products for a catch basin on the parking lot.

In other action during last week’s meeting, the Legislature:

• Reappointed David Schubel as county attorney;

• Reappointed Nadine Hanlon as clerk of the Legislature;

• Named The Daily News of Batavia as official newspaper for carrying legal notices;

• Republican legislators elected Bill Eick as majority leader;

• Fred Miller, the lone Democrat on the seven-member Legislature, was picked the minority leader;

• Appointed the following to the Orleans Economic Development Agency board of directors: Ken Rush of Carlton, Merle “Skip” Draper of Shelby, Paul Hendel of Holley, Carol D’Agostino of Kendall and John Misiti of Medina.

The Legislature also approved paying the EDA $180,000 in $45,000 quarterly payments in 2018 for its work to retain and promote business in the county.

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ALBION – Orleans County is keeping two tourism specialists while also employing a full-time tourism director for the first time in 2018.

The Legislature last week approved contracts with Lynne Menz and Mike Waterhouse.

Menz was the tourism director until seeking a full-time return to her private business, Lynne Menz Designs. The County Legislature last week approved paying Menz up to $12,840 for tourism coordinator services in 2018 and up to $28,000 to Lynne Menz Designs for design services – advertising design, publication design, social media, photography and video production.

The county has hired a full-time tourism director for the first time. Dawn Borchert has worked as executive director for the New York State Travel Industry Association since 2004. She has 27 years in the business including five years as the tourism marketing director for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. Borchert started the new job with the county last week.

The county also is keeping a contract with retired charter boat captain Mike Waterhouse for sportsfishing promotion services. Waterhouse will be paid $22 an hour, up to $7,500, for his work representing the county at trade shows from Jan. 1 to May 1, with matching I Love NY funds covering the cost.

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It was a year of tragedy, change and some triumph in Orleans County

Photos by Tom Rivers: Kim Lockwood, left, of Medina and Kathy Hodgins, director of treatment services for GCASA in Orleans County, address 100 people during a community forum on Nov. 30 about the opioid crisis. Several people in the county have lost their lives to fatal drug overdoses recently, including Courtney Kenward, 27, of Medina, who died on Nov. 12. She is pictured in the on the screen. The event was held at the Calvary Tabernacle Church, the former Medina High School.

• Orleans Hub ranks the top stories affecting the community from 2017, with efforts the fight the opioid epidemic the top story.

Orleans County lost several residents to drug overdoses in 2017. It was another year of tragic deaths endured by many families in the community. Agencies, residents and government organizations have stepped up efforts to fight what District Attorney Joe Cardone called an “epidemic” in Orleans County.

“We’re done burying our kids,” said Tami Ashton, whose daughter died of a drug overdose in 2016. “We need to come together as a community and do something and the time is now.”

Ashton spoke during a forum in Medina attended by about 100 people on Nov. 30. She is part of a new group, Orleans Hope, that includes many community organizations and agencies that provide services to people battling addictions and their families. Ashton has trained to be an addiction recovery coach for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

She encourages people to be honest about the drug crisis in their own lives, their families and communities – and to then seek help in fighting the addictions.

“It’s killing our children and destroying our families,” Ashton said during the forum on Nov. 30.

The new Orleans Hope is part of a multi-pronged effort by the community to fight the opioid crisis. Churches have stepped up their efforts, welcoming addicts instead of shunning them. Several churches have Celebrate Recovery programs.

Don Snyder, a retired chaplain in the state prison system, is now a volunteer chaplain with the Sheriff’s Office. He said the opioid addiction is claiming many lives in the county.

“This is not a problem we can continue to ignore,” Snyder told county legislators in September. “This is taking our people from us. It’s taking parents from children.”

Scott Caraboolad does a stunt on Oct. 5 in front of the student body at Lyndonville Central School.

A group of churches are part of the group PACT which brought Ride4Life motorcyclists to the community in early October for a series of stunt shows at three school districts as well as community events. The lead rider, Scott Caraboolad is a recovering addict. He shared how he overcame drug addictions.

“If something is boiling over in your life, don’t try to take it on by yourself,” Caraboolad told the students in Lyndonville. “Reach out to people in the community.”

The Ride4Life events where supported by a group of churches and pastors in Orleans County, as well as the Sheriff’s Office, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition, Suicide Prevention Coalition of Orleans County, the Genesee-Orleans Opioid Task Force and other agencies.

Sheriff Randy Bower embraced Caraboolad’s presentations, wanting to connect with people battling addictions and urge them to seek help. Bower also wanted students to hear a Caraboolad’s message, to not seek comfort from drugs and alcohol, and how drug use can escalate and take over – and end – lives.

Bower has welcomed addiction services for inmates in the county jail, connecting them to treatment programs, health insurance and Vivitrol, a shot that helps stave off drug urges. The county pushes to have a transition from the jail to GCASA or another treatment program.

Narcan has also proven a lifesaver in the county. The nasal spray can reverse an overdose. Sheriff Randy Bower said on Nov. 30 that 26 people were saved from a fatal overdose this year in Orleans County because of Narcan. Those are just the calls to the 9-1-1 center. Bower said more Narcan doses may have been administered without a 9-1-1 call.

GCASA has offered Narcan training throughout the county. Even county legislators took a training in April.

District Attorney Joe Cardone traces the opioid epidemic to widespread overprescribing of painkillers. When people’s painkiller prescriptions expired, many then turned to drugs.

“I’m angry about what’s happening in our society,” Cardone said during the Nov. 30 forum.

(Orleans County in September joined a growing number of municipalities in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for allegedly fueling an opioid crisis.)

Cardone has been the county’s top prosecutor for 26 years. The drug crimes when he started tended to be misdemeanors with marijuana and recreational drugs. Now, the county is facing an “epidemic” with heroin laced with fentanyl which is proving deadly, Cardone said.

“We are bleeding and we are dying,” the DA told the crowd. “We have to stop these drugs from coming into our community.”

He said the best way to fight the drug problem in the county is keep people from using it. He urged residents to let law enforcement know if people are selling drugs in the community. Cardone said he is frustrated with residents who blame others for “snitching” to law enforcement. Cardone said those tips to law enforcement can save lives and prevent misery in the community.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said law enforcement needs tips to help stop the flow of drugs into the community.

He praised the effort by GCASA and the Sheriff’s Office to have more treatment and services for residents battling drug addiction.

“Thank God for GCASA. Thank God for the sheriff and what he is doing,” Cardone said. “But it’s only a Band Aid.”

Judge James Punch retired from the bench after 27 years in 2017. During an interview with the Orleans Hub on July 27, Punch said the drug epidemic was the biggest change in his career.

“The opioid crisis is different because it seems to cross over all social, economic and other lines,” the judge said. “We’re seeing people from nice families … who are in serious trouble because of these drugs.”

Punch led judicial diversion programs as judge, where felony charges for some addicts would be reduced to misdemeanors if people completed treatment programs and stayed off drugs. Punch said the pull of drugs was often too strong for some people to resist.

“Quite honestly I don’t think we have as a court system a good way of dealing with it. I’m not sure there is one,” Punch said. “We have to keep things together at the seams with a certain amount of punishment for the sellers and at times possessors. I still believe in drug court but I think it’s much harder to get someone through drug court with a heroin or opioid habit than it was before when it was typically a cocaine or alcohol problem.

“They just seem to go back to it. It’s a much more powerful addiction. It has to be a combination of the courts and public health in order for it to work and I’m not sure how that can actually in practice be implemented. But I think they have to start looking at it differently and I think they are.”

Many tragic deaths left community reeling

This photo shows members of the Lyndonville at a vigil on Sept. 2 in honor of Megan Dix and William Carpenter. Dix was shot and killed in a random act of violence in Brockport on Aug. 25. Mr. Carpenter died in a motorcycle accident after hitting a deer on Aug. 27.

It was a very difficult year in 2017 with the tragic loss of many people, including several young adults in car accidents, a kayaker to a drowning and a young mother who was shot and killed. Two of the fatal accidents in the county took the lives of two married couples in separate car accidents.

• Rebekah Hoak, 20, died in a car accident in Kendall on Jan. 22  Hoak was making a food delivery to a friend on Sunday afternoon. She was a beloved member of the Hamlin New Testament Church.

“Her passion, her witness, Rebekah was the whole package,” said her pastor, John Ebel.

• A Medina man died from his injuries in a car accident March 23 in the Town of Alabama. Purcel E. Buzard, 81, was a passenger in a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of the Route 77 and 63.

•  A Waterport man died in a one-car rollover accident on April 11 on Eagle Harbor Road in Gaines. Brian Arnett, 39, was travelling southbound and struck a deer. His vehicle went off the west side of the road and into a ditch, and then struck a guy wire and overturned several times.

• Joseph Manley, 19, of Albion was killed in a one-vehicle accident on April 25 in the Town of Alabama.

• A Holley couple, Barbara and Elbin Lewis, were killed in an accident on Aug. 23 at the intersection of Route 31A and Eagle Harbor Road in Barre. Barbara Lewis, 72, and her husband Elbin Lewis, 79, were married for 51 years with four sons, 11 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

• Megan Dix, 33, of Lyndonville was taking her lunch break on Aug. 25 at a small South Avenue parking lot in Brockport, not far from where she worked at Lowe’s. She was fatally shot in a random act of violence.

“Mrs. Dix did absolutely nothing to put herself in a compromising situation. In fact, she did everything a good citizen, a good wife and a good mother should do,” said Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti. “Unfortunately because of being at the wrong place, and wrong time, and unfortunately because of the sole act of one person became the victim of the murder.”

Dix was married with an 8-year-old son.

• William M. Carpenter III of Lyndonville, 60, died on Aug. 27 after striking a deer while driving a motorcycle in Carlton on Gaines-Waterport Road (Route 279). He was on his way to work as a corrections officer in Albion.

• Jacob McCormick, 21, Duncansville, Pa., drowned in Lake Ontario on Sept. 5. McCormick was one of three kayakers who went missing the previous day. He was found by the Coast Guard about 2 miles east of Point Breeze. He had separated from his twin brother and a friend to get help.

• A Medina man died on Sept. 6 from injuries sustained in a car accident on Maple Ridge Road, between Sanderson and Culvert roads. Raymond Farewell, 58, was a passenger in a vehicle that was rear-ended.

• A husband and wife from Carlton died from a car accident on Sept. 17 on Route 31 by the fairgrounds. Rebecca A. Harrier, 38, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her husband, Randy L. Harrier Jr., 39, was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital and died the following day. Mr. Harrier was an active Carlton firefighter and his wife supported the Fire Company as well. The couple married in 2003 and has three children.

“Becky was as much a part of our fire company as Randy,” Ed Cooper, a Carlton firefighter and department chaplain, told about 300 people during a funeral service. “Together they contributed so much to this community.”

• A Medina man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Oct. 14 in Shelby. Brian J. McKee II, 28, lost control of the motorcycle, striking a concrete block off the roadway on Main Street, which caused him to be ejected.

• Benjamin Kirby, 21, of Albion died in a car accident on Nov. 6 on Route 531 in the Town of Gates. Kirby was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was active in sports and the music program while a student at Albion. He also was an Eagle Scout.

Lake Ontario floods and damages shoreline – for months

Warren Kruger, second from right, meets with lakeshore residents on May 7, including Mike Anschutz, in camouflage. Kruger led a sandbag operation to try to save some of the lakeshore property.

Lake Ontario pounded the shoreline for months in 2017. Many residents saw big chucks of their backyards get chewed away by the lake.

Orleans County and the three lakeshore towns – Yates, Carlton and Kendall – were in a state of emergency for more than 200 days, until FEMA approved disaster aid on Nov. 14.

Carlton, Kendall and Yates, as well as Orleans County could receive about $2.75 million in FEMA aid. The three towns and the county collectively spent about $250,000 for overtime, diesel fuel, and other expenses with filling and moving sandbags, said Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management director.

The flooding and erosion from the high lake waters also caused $2.5 million to 14 sites that are publicly owned in the county, Banker said. That includes infrastructure and municipal property.

There are about 2,000 parcels of land in Orleans County along the shoreline. About 500 were approved for state funding for new breakwalls and repairs.

The high waters also meant high tributaries. The Oak Orchard River was much higher than normal and flooded Captain’s Cove. The owner relocated the store up on a hill to be away from the flood waters. Many marinas struggled to raise docks and keep their businesses going.

Property owners from several southshore counties formed United Shoreline and held rallies and information meetings. The organization and many elected officials, including Congressman Chris Collins, faulted the International Joint Commission for the flooding. The IJC helps regulate the water level at Lake Ontario. The IJC implemented a new plan last year. The organization said record rainfall was the prime cause of the high waters that persisted throughout the year.

The National Guard and many community volunteers were a presence at the lake in May, filling and stacking sandbags to provide some temporary protection from the smashing waves. More than 220,000 sandbags were placed in the three towns.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the turnout from the community as a whole,” Warren Kruger, Kendall highway superintendent, said on May 7 when volunteers showed up to fill and stack sandbags.

Judge Punch retires, other changes among local elected officials

Judge James Punch retired on July 29 after nearly 27 years as Orleans County judge.

Orleans County has stability in local government. Many of the elected officials, especially at the county level, are in the positions for a decade or more.

But 2017 brought changes, especially at the county level. James Punch retired after nearly 27 years as county court judge. Sandy Church was elected to a 10-year term in November.

Susan Heard, the county treasurer the past 24 years, also announced her retirement. She has been succeeded by Kim DeFrank, the deputy treasurer.

David Callard, a county legislator for nearly 24 years, resigned on August 2. He had been the County Legislature chairman for nearly eight years.

There are 10 towns in Orleans County and five have new town supervisors to start 2018.

Carol Culhane was defeated in Gaines by Joe Grube.

Matt Passarell didn’t seek re-election in Albion as town supervisor. He instead was elected to a less demanding position as town councilman. Richard Remley is the new town supervisor.

Mark Chamberlain retired as town supervisor in Barre. Sean Pogue won a three-way race to succeed Chamberlain.

In Murray, John Morriss didn’t seek re-election and Bob Miller won a close race over Joe Sidonio to lead the Murray town government.

Skip Draper also didn’t seek re-election as Shelby town supervisor, instead running for the county legislator position vacated by Callard. Ed Houseknecht was elected Shelby’s new town supervisor.

Medina’s downtown revitalization takes more big steps

Amy Cifelli, co-owner of Fitzgibbons Public House, pours a drink on opening day for the business last Jan. 6.

Medina has been the envy of many small towns with a vibrant downtown business district. Medina’s downtown got even better in 2017 with the several façade restorations and the opening of the Fitzgibbons Public House in January, following eight years of renovations at the former Silver Dollar.

Zambistro, a popular Main Street restaurant, completed a renovation and façade improvement. Down the street, renovations also started on the former Bent’s Opera House.

Roger Hungerford, CEO and founder of Talis Equity, has launched “Impact Restoration,” an initiative to build on the downtown and community revitalization. One of Hungerford’s projects includes the restoration of the Bent’s Opera House. Work started in 2017 at Bent’s.

The third floor of Bent’s will be restored into one of the most unique wedding and event venues in New York State, with the first and second floors experiencing a dramatic redesign into a restaurant and modern boutique hotel space. The building next door, also included in the redesign, will be home to a market serving healthy options.

Hungerford also wants to turn the old high school in Medina into apartments and a loft community known as Mustang Pride.

Medina also for a $10 million grant from the state in its Downtown Revitalization Initiative in 2017. The state picked Batavia for that grant, but another $10 million is expected to be available in 2018. Mayor Mike Sidari said Medina expects to try again for the funding which would advance several community projects.

A new hotel also is expected to open in 2018 on Maple Ridge Road. Although it’s not in the downtown, the hotel is expected to keep visitors in the community longer, which should provide more activity for Main Street businesses.

Powerful windstorm left much of Orleans County without power for days

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion police officers were on the scene on March 8 after tree fell on West Bank Street, damaging a vehicle.

A powerful wind storm punished Orleans County on March 8, taking down big trees and power lines. The storm knocked out power for 11,250 National Grid customers in Orleans County, about 60 percent of the company’s customer base in Orleans. Half the county went without power for at least two days and electricity wasn’t fully restored for five days.

As the community tried to recover from the windstorm, about two feet of snow fell on March 14-15.

In April, the rain soaked Orleans County, on many occasions. There was record-setting rain in the spring, making it difficult for high schoolers and Little Leaguers to play their games. It also kept golfers off the local courses and delayed the spring plantings for farmers.

Contractors were busy at Albion, Holley and Medina school districts, tackling capital projects

Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Jalin Cooper leads the Mustangs onto the field on Sept. 15 in the first game played at the newly renovated Vets Park, which featured new turf and a large scoreboard.

Three local schools – Albion, Holley and Medina – all were busy with construction projects last year.

Holley wrapped up a $30 million capital project. Among the finishing projects last year was a new bus loop by the elementary school. The elementary school playground was redone and a new Pre-K playground added to the elementary school campus.

New tennis courts were installed at the Middle School/High School while the existing courts were repurposed as tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.

Structural changes were made to both schools, too. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) units were replaced in both buildings. The elementary school had windows and doors replaced. The new windows allow more light into classrooms. These upgrades allow the district to use their energy more efficiently and save money on utility costs.

Medina in December 2016 approved a $34 million capital project. The first part started last summer with new turf and upgrades to Vets Park. A slew of improvements at all three school buildings, the bus garage, and more work at Vets Park await. There will also be a new access road between Oak Orchard Elementary School and Clifford Wise Middle School.

In Albion, the district accepted $10 million in construction bids as part of a $14 million capital project. The $10 million included projects touching all three school buildings, the bus garage and athletic facilities.

Canal tree-clearing alarms many in community

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mohawk Valley Materials cuts down trees and removes them in Holley in this photo on Nov. 18, between the lift bridge and Bennetts Corners Road.

In September, the Canal Corp. announced a “vegetation management plan” from Medina to Fairport that would involve taking down many trees on canal-owned land.

In October, contractors started the work in Medina and canal neighbors and residents were alarmed to see the takedown of a buffer of trees along the towpath.

Canal Corp. leaders say the tree removal is long overdue. Cutting down the trees will make the banks easier to maintain and check for leaks. The Canal Corp. also said tree roots have burrowed into the canal walls, making the waterway vulnerable to leaks. The Canal Corp. said it wants to establish a grassy slope by the towpath.

As the contractor headed east, opposition grew for the project, especially in Brighton, Perinton and Fairport, where work was temporarily suspended.

Dollar General opens a store in Kendall while Albion loses long-time grocer

A new Dollar General opened in Kendall on Dec. 18. The store is shown under construction on Oct. 31.

The Kendall community watched a new store take shape in the fall, with the Dollar General opening on Dec. 18. The 9,100-square-foot structure is on Route 18, just west of the Kendall Road (Route 237) intersection. It’s big news in a town where residents have been doing most of the shopping outside the community.

This is the fifth Dollar General in Orleans County. Other stores are located on West Avenue in Albion, Route 31 in Holley, Maple Ridge Road in Medina and Ridge Road in Medina (just south of Lyndonville).

In Kendall, residents have to drive out of the community for many of their grocery and merchandise purchases. The Dollar General will allow them to shop closer to home.

Kendall also saw improvement at its marina along Lake Ontario. The Bald Eagle Marina is planning some dramatic improvements with a restaurant planned for the second story of the clubhouse. The marina’s new owner, John Tsyupa of Webster, is committed to making the site a destination, including dredging the harbor to bring in larger boats.

Albion lost two long-time businesses last year. The Pawlak family closed its store after 49 years in Albion. Ken Printup, owner of Uncle Sal’s Pizzeria in downtown Albion, also retired after about 20 years of owning the business.

“Competitive realities, a slow economy, and cost deflation in the food industry has forced us to make the decision to close Pawlak’s Food Center after 49 years of serving the Albion community,” The Pawlaks said in a statement on Oct. 12. “We have been unable to compete with these trends and continue to rent our current space. We recognize closing is the necessary course of action to take. The closing also includes The Video Station and Save-On Beverage Center.”

Some Orleans County residents and organizations were in the state and national spotlight in 2017.

Rod Farrow is on the cover of the August 2017 issue of American Fruit Grower.

Rod Farrow of Waterport was named the “Apple Grower of the Year” by American Fruit Grower, a national agricultural magazine run by Growing Produce. Farrow is the co-owner of Lamont Fruit Farm, which has changed its name to Fish Creek Orchards.

He has been an industry leader in growing high-value fruit through high-density orchards. Farrow, a native of England, was praised in the apple industry for management of the farm and its long-term future, and for his leadership in the industry with different co-ops including The Next Big Thing, which grows the SweeTango apple variety.

Matt Kludt of Kludt Brothers Farm won the corn yield contest for New York for the third straight year with a yield of 322.4 bushels per acre in the no-till/strip-till non-irrigated class. The contest is run by the National Corn Growers Association.

The Village of Lyndonville also won the state’s best-tasting tap water contest. Lyndonville was crowned the champion at the State Fair on Aug. 31.

Lyndonville won the Orleans County contest during the Strawberry Festival in June and on Aug. 12 won the western regional competition at the Rochester Public Market. Lyndonville then advanced to the state competition.

Albion Central School for the 10th consecutive year was recognized nationally for an outstanding music program. The North American Music Merchants named Albion and 526 other school districts in the country as a “Best Communities for Music Education.”

On Jan. 30, Medina sophomore Maddie Williams went in the state record book by hitting 16 three-pointers in a girls basketball game against Holley. Williams scored 54 points in the game for a new Medina record. Her 16 threes bettered the old state record of 15 set by Courtney Galuski of Cohoes in 2008.

A Clarendon native, Steven Klatt, also was on the winning team in the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Klatt, 31, and his teammates on Braised in the South took home the top prize, $50,000. Klatt grew up in Clarendon and graduated from Holley. He is the son of Ryan Klatt and Susan Colby, the Clarendon town clerk. Braised in the South is based in Charlotte, South Carolina. The competition features Southern-style food. The Great Food Truck Race started with seven teams, but each week one is eliminated, the team with lowest sales. The episode crowning the champion aired on Sept. 24.

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ALBION – Orleans County is closing county government operations on Friday, except for the Sheriff’s Office, Highway and Buildings and Grounds.

“Due to the bitter cold and wind-chill factors varying from -20 to -30 below zero, the Chair has authorized me to close the county operations and all non-essential personnel should not report Friday,” said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Legislature, made the authorization to close the county buildings with all non-clerical Sheriff’s, Highway, and Building and Grounds staff to report as usual.

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Photos by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson takes the chairman’s seat as the Orleans County Legislature after being elected leader of the seven-member group this afternoon.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators picked Lynne Johnson to serve as the group’s new chairwoman. Johnson has been serving as the Legislature’s vice chairwoman.

She replaces John DeFilipps as the group’s leader and the county’s top elected official. DeFilipps was picked as chairman on Aug. 14, filling a void when David Callard resigned after nearly eight years as chairman.

DeFilipps on Aug. 14 was picked with 4 votes to 2 for Johnson. Today, Johnson was a unanimous pick, including a vote from DeFilipps.

Skip Draper, a new county legislator, made the motion to nominate Johnson. No one nominated DeFilipps.

Draper has served on the board of directors of the Orleans Economic Development Agency with DeFilipps.

“He is a very talented man,” Draper said about DeFilipps. “He is full of good ideas.”

Draper said he has known Johnson much longer, and she has impressed him with her work ethic and leadership on many issues. Johnson has been the county’s representative on the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance, which has pushed for expanded broadband or high-speed Internet in the rural areas of the two counties.

Johnson has also been an outspoken critic of Plan 2014 from the International Joint Commission, a plan for regulating Lake Ontario water levels. She worried the plan would cause flooding and shoreline damage before it was enacted. The flooding and damage became a harsh reality in 2017.

Draper said Johnson has tackled tough issues for the county. For example, Johnson was the chairwoman of the county’s Public Safety Committee and helped the county with a major overhaul of its emergency communications system.

“She is a very hard worker,” Draper said.

The Legislature welcomed new member Skip Draper, center, and new County Treasurer Kim DeFrank, left. Legislator Ken DeRoller is at right.

Legislator Bill Eick said Johnson has proven herself. She has been on the Legislature for 10 years. She replaced Jack Beedon after he retired. Her district includes the towns of Yates, Ridgeway and a small part of Shelby.

Johnson is well versed in local government. She has worked as the bookkeeper for the towns of Kendall, Yates, Ridgeway and Alden. She also was president of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2004 and a member of the Lyndonville Board of Education from 2001 to 2004. She also serves on the board for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and is a past president of the Lyndonville Lions Club.

“She deserves an opportunity as chair,” Eick said. “She is very well known out there.”

She has represented the county at numerous local events, and also in Albany and Washington, D.C.

Johnson is the second woman to serve as the Legislature leader. The late Marcia Tuohey of Medina served 10 years as chairwoman, retiring at the end of 2005. Tuohey and Johnson are the only women to serve on the County Legislature since it started about 40 years ago, replacing the Board of Supervisors.

DeFilipps has been a legislator for four years. Eick said he expects DeFilipps will have another chance as chairman in the future. Typically the chairman has been one of the group’s longer-serving legislators, Eick said.

Johnson said she wants to keep pushing for high-speed Internet access throughout the county. “That’s not dead by any means,” she said about the issue.

She will keep advocating for a change in the lake level plan. “That’s not over,” she said. “We’re still 13 inches over normal.”

Johnson said the seven members of the Legislature are all assets and keys to the county government. Draper joined the group after 24 years as Shelby town supervisor.

“We all work hard,” she said. “It’s about seven of us working together.”

The Legislature also picked Don Allport of Gaines to serve as vice chairman, replacing Johnson. Allport received four votes – Allport, Johnson, Eick and Draper – while DeFilipps received three votes – DeFilipps, Ken DeRoller and Fred Miller.

The Legislature also set the compensation for the group for 2018, giving 2 percent raises. The chairwoman will be paid $17,777, while the vice chairman receives $13,442 and the other five legislators are each paid $11,850.

Don Allport, third from left, was picked to serve as the Legislature’s vice chairman. Others pictured include, from left: Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator John DeFilipps and County Attorney David Schubel.

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Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

ALBION – Effective January 1, 2018, the Sheriff’s Department Animal Control Division expanded to two full-time Animal Control Officers.

The county in cooperation with the townships, passed a countywide animal control law on October 25, 2017. This new approach will also provide expanded coverage including some evening and weekend hours.

All calls will continue to be handled through the non-emergency number at our 911 center 589-5527.

To view the Dog Control Law of Orleans County, click here.

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File photo: The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the Oak Orchard Harbor in this photo from August 2014.

ALBION – Orleans County has committed $5,000 towards the implementation of a regional harbor dredging plan that also includes Niagara, Cayuga and Wayne counties.

Orleans is taking the lead on the regional dredging plan with the four counties on the south shore of Lake Ontario.

The counties have developed a dredging plan for the harbors, which collectively generate $94 million in economic activity and support 1,350 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the counties.

The $5,000 from Orleans and contributions from the other counties will help with the first steps of the plan. The counties want to assure regular dredging of the harbors and need to work U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Right now there isn’t regular federal funding set aside for the harbor dredging.

The harbors haven’t been dredged on a timely basis the past decade, leaving a buildup of sediment and silt that can make some channels impassable for larger boats.

The Oak Orchard Harbor was last dredged in 2014 when federal funds from Superstorm Sandy were directed for the job. Oak Orchard went 10 years between dredgings. County officials said the harbor should be cleared of sentiment every three to five years.

Orleans is partnering with other southshore counties for a plan for cyclical dredging.

The Army Corps of Engineers has been determining the dredging schedule, and in recent years the Corps has given priority to busier harbors, rather than those that are primary for recreation, such as Oak Orchard’s.

A clogged Oak Orchard Harbor makes the county’s fishing and recreational boating industries vulnerable. The harbor generates about $7 million in economic activity for the county, resulting in 117 direct and indirect jobs. It also yields $283,484 in sales tax revenue for the county with the same sales tax for the state, according to a consultant, Frank Sciremammano of FES Environmental and Marine Consultants.

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Each year, I pick my favorite “people pictures” of the year, of residents at work and play – and sometimes in mourning. These photos give a glimpse of life in Orleans County.

The top photo shows Jerry Bentley at a fire in Clarendon on Nov. 28. Bentley, a long-time volunteer firefighter in Barre, started this year as a deputy fire coordinator for Orleans County.

The fire in Clarendon destroyed a house and garage owned by Jim and Marge Dale on Fancher Road.

Shawna Edwards has a big smile on Jan. 6 after flowers were dropped off congratulating her on the reopening of the Barre Deli. Her parents, Jerry and Mora Edwards, are in back working in the kitchen. Jerry and Mora ran the Barre Deli for 16 years until retiring in 2006.

Shawna Edwards grew up in the deli, which had been closed since 2011 and had been turned into apartments. She needed to put in a kitchen and make other renovations.

Another business opened on Jan. 6. Fitzgibbons Public House opened in Medina after eight years of renovations at 429 Main St., the former Silver Dollar. Tony McMurtie, left, and Amy Cifelli are  pictured in the mezzanine with a Erie Canal mural created by Stacey Kirby.

Amy and Kevin Cifelli worked for nearly a decade to create the place. When they bought the former Silver Dollar, the building was badly deteriorated. McMurtie, owner of The Pillars in Albion, also joined the Cifellis in running the new Celtic pub.

Kyle Webb is pictured with his daughter, Elaina, on Jan. 19 after Make-A-Wish had a new playground built for the family in their Albion backyard.

Elaina fought cancer for nine months before passing away on Feb. 7 at age 2 ½. Her parents, Kyle and Beth Webb, have started a foundation to support children fighting leukemia.

Aurora Fink, 2 ½ of Bergen, looks over a book on Feb. 4 at Hoag Library in Albion. Her grandmother, Barb Kyler, works as assistant to the library director. Hoag Library on Feb. 4 held a celebration and unveiled a plaque naming the children’s library in honor of Helen Rice Blissett. Her son, Dale Blissett, donated $75,000 to have the children’s library named in his mother’s honor and also to support children’s programs at Hoag.

John Heise of Holley, a past district governor for Rotary’s District 7090, is pictured with Marleee Diehl of Albion, who served as district governor in 2016-17. Heise visited the Albion Rotary Club on Feb. 23.

Cody Catlin, left, receives ashes on his forehead from Seminarian Justin Steeg during an Ash Wednesday service on March 1 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Holy Family Parish) in Albion.

Missy Schening is pictured at Rotary Park in downtown Medina in this photo posted March 5. Schening was featured in an Orleans Hub article for starting the “Memories of Medina” Facebook page which topped more than 6,000 “friends.” That is more than the population of Medina.

“I call myself Medina’s biggest cheerleader,” she said.

National Grid crews worked to remove a tree and restore power on West Avenue in Medina on March 9, a day after a powerful wind storm knocked out power to about half of the county. Some of the crew members in medina were from Pennsylvania.

Ellen Smith, manager of the nutri-fair site at Kendall, serves coffee and snacks before lunch at Kendall Town Hall on March 11. Kendall residents, including its senior citizens, had to wait several days before power was restored after the wind storm.

Fred Conradt (back left), 85, just shrugged his shoulders when asked about the matter. Conradt spent his first eight years without electricity. His house didn’t get it until 1939.

“It’s hard for the younger people who are always on the computer,” Conradt said. “But I never used one.”

A beef farmer’s neighbors and Shelby firefighters rescued a steer that had fallen through the ice on March 17. Shelby firefighter John Miller II holds a pet rescue mask on the steer so the animal could get oxygen.

The steer was owned by Jack Farrell of Dunlop Road. The steer showed signs of recovery initially after being pulled out of the water. But the cow was unable to get back on its feet and died a few hours later.

Emily Mergler plays the Tin Man in the Albion Middle School production of the Wizard of Oz. The Tin Man feels inadequate because he doesn’t have a heart. This photo was taken on March 17.

The show was challenged from several school cancellations due to the windstorm and snow storm in March. During one show the fire alarm went off halfway through the second act. The crowd and performers all had to leave the building after the fog machine triggered the fire alarm. The students put on an entertaining show and were given a standing ovation by the crowd on March 17.

Kenny Capurso, 18, gave his father Al Capurso CPR on March 23 after he suffered a heart attack at home in Gaines. Al Capurso gave his son “Lifesavers” candy for his life-saving actions. They were featured in an April 8 Orleans Hub article.

“I’m eternally grateful for what Kenny did – that he knew what to do and did it,” Capurso said at his home.

Paul Wengrzycki, a member of the First Baptist Church in Medina, carries the cross across Main Street in the annual “Cross Walk” by the Medina Area Association of Churches on April 14.

The churches have been doing the annual “Pilgrimage to Golgotha” for at least two decades. Wengrzycki has participated in carrying the cross for the past 15 Good Friday community walks.

“To a degree you feel like Jesus felt,” Wengrzycki said. “He suffered to take away our pain.”

This year’s walk included someone dressed as a centurion for the first time. Rev. Neil Samborski of the Glad Tiding Baptist Church in Medina dressed as the centurion.

At Captain’s Cove marina on April 20, Sheila Schlichter worried as water went above docks and reached the marina at The Bridges in Carlton. The lakeshore and some of the tributaries suffered from flooding this year.

Kids get help crossing Route 63 after being dropped off by a Lyndonville school bus on a rainy May 5.

Lisa Bower-Logsdon is part of the opening number, “That Girl,” at a May 5 recital in Holley. She celebrated 40 years of running Lisa’s Dance Boutique this year. The opening number included 17 dancers in tap.

Bower-Logsdon was 15 when she started her dance studio in the basement of the former St. Mary’s School, using a portable record player.

Bill Vess of Kendall is shown on May 7. He had lost lost five feet of his backyard and worried more will be gone. Warren Kruger, the town highway superintendent, is nervous as breakwalls have been breached, with soil vulnerable to the lake. Kruger led a big effort of filling sandbags and having them placed along the shoreline.

The National Guard spent more than a week in Kendall to find the flooding. They are shown on May 11 with sandbags being placed at the Bald Eagle Marina.

“Our hearts are breaking for them,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in Kendall that day. “This is their life savings. We cannot solve this problem overnight.”

Arella Ives and the Albion marching band performed their James Bond – 007 show for the crowd during the Memorial Day Parade on May 29.

Traci Phillips Culver, Class of 1987, enjoys being part of the reunion parade for the Medina Mustang Band on May 29. The alumni members of Medina’s Marching Band were nearly 200 strong for their 50th anniversary reunion celebration.

Chanyce Powell, a track star for Albion, hustles to join her classmates for the group photo on June 4 during the Baccalaureate ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church.

This Boy Scout, Holley third grader Dawson Arnold, leads the student body in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on June 14. Sally Martin, the elementary chorus teacher, holds the microphone.

There were about 500 students from Holley Elementary School waving flags and wearing red, while and blue for the school’s annual Flag Day celebration, which includes a march from the elementary school to the depot museum near the Public Square.

The annual tradition started 60 years ago in 1957 and is one the highlights of the year for the school and community.

Shaun Kelly of Kent lights a Chinese lantern and prepares to let it fly just before the fireworks in Lyndonville on July 4. Kelly and other family members released Chinese lanterns in memory of Shaun’s nephew, Trenton Nelson, who died at age 16 on June 2, 2015 after being fatally stabbed in Rochester.

Stanley Thurber, clutching a POW/MIA flag, rode in a 1960 Impala owned by Cecil Livingston of Medina during the Lyndonville parade on July 4.

Dan Bartlett, coach for the Sandstone Park team in the Albion Midget League, visits the mound to talk with pitcher Chris Sacco on July 22 during the championship game versus the Barre Cubs. Sandstone lost a close game, 9-8, to Barre, which went undefeated on the season.

Homer Mathes, 9, of Barre leads a beef animal in the show arena during the beef show on July 25 at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville. Ribbons are set on a table for the top animals and leading showmen.

Joe Clark holds on tight as the second guy up for “The Barn Animals,” one of the teams that competed in the grease pole on July 29 at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Most of the team members are parents of kids who show animals at the fair, or are long-time 4-H members. The Barn Animals couldn’t quite get to the top of the pole.

John DeFilipps takes the oath of office from Orleans County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard on Aug. 14. DeFilipps of Clarendon was backed for the position after David Callard resigned from the Legislature on Aug. 2.

“He’s a team player,” Legislator Ken DeRoller said in nominating DeFilipps for chairman. “He’s a good listener and he does his homework.”

Members of the Albion varsity football team gather for a prayer before taking the field on Sept. 1 in the home-opener. Caleb Pettit, a senior lineman on the team, led the group in the prayer.

Albion and Springville played a back-and-forth game later that day with Albion coming from behind to win, 40-34.

Megan Dix’s brother Don Duncanson, left, and brother-in-law Charlie Dix thank the community for their outpouring of support during a vigil at Lyndonville on Sept. 2. Megan was killed on Aug. 25 in a random act of violence. “The support is more than any of us could have imagined,” Charlie Dix told the group.

About 250 people attended a candlelight vigil in Lyndonville on Saturday night in honor of Megan Dix and Bill Carpenter, who died in a motorcycle accident.

Both Megan and Bill were called sharing examples for the community, people devoted to their families and neighbors.

Justin Niederhofer, assistant chief for the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company, carries the firefighter coat for Randy Harrier, a volunteer firefighter with Carlton since 2002, during a funeral service for Harrier on Sept. 24. Harrier died on Sept. 19, a day after injuries sustained in a car accident. Harrier and his wife Becky both were killed from injuries in the accident.

“Becky was as much a part of our fire company as Randy,” Ed Cooper, a Carlton firefighter and department chaplain, told about 300 people during a funeral service at the Carlton Rec Hall. “Together they contributed so much to this community.”

Erica Wanecski of Medina plays a suffragette who pushed for women’s right to vote during a Ghost Walk on Oct. 8 at the Cobblestone Museum. This past year was the 100th anniversary of New York granting the right to vote for women.

It was a busy Oct. 6 for Scott Caraboolad, center, and his motorbike stunt team. They performed at Holley and Kendall schools, and later in the evening at Albion at a closed off section of East State Street in front of the Orleans County Courthouse.

This photo shows them at Albion. Besides the stunts on the motorbikes, Caraboolad and Ride4Life shared a message of overcoming drug addiction and despair.

Julie Berry, a Medina native, returned to her hometown on Nov. 2 to discuss her latest children’s book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich.”

She met with Medina middle school and high school students to discuss her books and share tips on writing earlier n the day before doing a book reading and discussion at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, where she is shown.

“I was so fortunate to grow up here and have a childhood where I had the peacefulness of the countryside,” she said at Lee-Whedon.

Heide Cornell of Sanborn is all smiles when she crosses the finish line on Nov. 25 during the 5th annual Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina. Cornell is dressed as “The Baker” from a Christmas story.

About 130 people participated in the race with proceeds going to Medina’s LOYAL youth baseball program and a reading program at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Firefighters battle a blaze at a house owned by Dan and Rose Mawn on Dec. 10. The house is on Route 18 in Carlton near the Kendall town line.

Karli Henchen of the Albion FFA passes cans of sweet corn on Dec. 16 when the FFA and community members unloaded 35,000 pounds of food donated by local farmers.

The Albion FFA has been organizing the food drive for about a decade and the 35,000 pounds set a new record.

Judge James Punch, right, returned to Orleans County Courthouse on Dec. 28 to swear in Sanford Church, left, as the new county judge. Punch enjoyed reconnecting with some of the courthouse staff and other community members. Punch retired on July 29 after nearly 27 years as county judge. Church was elected to a 10-year term in November.

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Skip Draper, Kim DeFrank among new elected officials at county level

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – New Orleans County Court Judge Sanford A. Church administered the oath of office to several newly elected county officials today during a ceremony at the Orleans County Courthouse.

The top photo shows Kim DeFrank, the county’s new treasurer, taking the oath of office. She is joined by her husband Glenn and their daughters, Erin and Kasey. DeFrank succeeds Susan Heard as county treasurer. DeFrank has worked in the office for 24 years. Heard retired from the position but is starting a new job as Gaines town clerk.

Skip Draper of Medina takes the oath with some help from his great-nieces, Emma Moeller (center) and Cora Williams. Draper is the only new legislator on the seven-member County Legislature. He was the Shelby town supervisor. Draper succeeds David Callard, who didn’t seek re-election and retired on Aug. 2. Draper has a countywide position on the Legislature.

Bill Eick of Shelby takes the oath while his wife Pat holds The Bible. Eick’s district includes most of Shelby, Barre and Clarendon.

Don Allport of Gaines signs the oath of office with County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard. Allport has a county-wide position.

John DeFilipps shakes hands with Sanford Church after taking the oath of office. DeFilipps of Clarendon is joined by his wife, Donna. DeFilipps has a countywide position and is the current chairman of the Legislature.

Karen Lake-Maynard of Medina takes the oath of office for county clerk while her friend Terry Ingerson holds The Bible.

Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville is joined by her daughter Clancy in taking the oath. Johnson’s district includes Yates, Ridgeway and a small section of Shelby.

Fred Miller takes the oath and his wife Betty Sue hands the judge The Bible. Miller is the lone Democrat on the County Legislature. Miller, an Albion resident, represents a district that includes the towns of Albion and Gaines.

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ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted last week to approve fees for the weights and measures director for inspecting and testing devices and systems.

The Legislature also hired Ronald P. Mannella to serve as the new weights and measures director on a provisional appointment. Mannella is the son of Ron Mannella, the Gaines highway superintendent.

The younger Mannella will be paid $39,143 annually. He starts on Jan. 3.

The position used to be run out of the Highway Department but has been moved to the Health Department.

The Legislature established the following fees for weights and measures (effective Jan. 1):

SCALES (Up to and including 15 kg (33 lb.) capacity)

Each of the 1st five scales/establishment – $20

Each after 1st five – $10

Over 15 kg and including 300 kg (661 lb.) – $40

Over 300 kg and including 1500 kg (3,307 lb.) – $100

Over 1500 kg and including 7000 kg (15,432 lb.) – $140

Over 7000 kg and including 23000 kg (50,706 lb.) – $160

Over 23000 kg (50,706 lb.) – $200

Tank batch and crane scales – $200

WEIGHTS – FIELD STANDARD (Class F)

Up to and including 3 kg (7 lb.) – $8

Over 3 kg and including 30 kg (66 lb.) – $16

Over 30 kg and including 300 kg (661 lb.) – $32

Over 300 kg and including 1200 kg (2646 lb.) – $60

LINEAR FIELD MEASURES

Up to 1 m (39 in.) – $4

Over 1 m and including 16 m (52 ft.) – $8

Over 16 m and including 31 m (102 ft.) – $12

Over 31 m – $20

Fabric measuring devices – $20

Wire and cordage measuring devices – $40

LIQUID MEASURES AND DEVICES

Liquid measures 20L (5 gal.) or less – $8

Liquid pump (hand operated) 20L (5 gal.) or less – $20

PETROLEUM DISPENSING AND MEASURING DEVICES

Single dispensing pump – $20

Dual dispensing pump – $40

Blend dispensing pump – $40

Grease and oil pump – $8

VEHICLES

Metering systems 300L/min (79 gpm) or less – $100

Metering systems over 300L/min – $120

Compartment calibration:

Up to and including 3000L (793 gal.) capacity – $40

Over 3,000L and including 6,000L (1,585 gal.) capacity – $80

Over 6,000L and including 12,000L (3,170 gal) capacity – $120

Over 12,000L capacity – $240

STATIONARY PETROLEUM METERING SYSTEMS

Up to 400L/min (106 rpm) – $100

Over 400L/min including 2,000L/min (528 rpm) – $120

Over 2,000L/min including 4,000L/min (1,057 gym) – $140

Over 4,000L/min – $160

BULK MILK TANKS

Up to 3,000L (793 gal.) capacity – $40

Over 3,000L and including 6,000L (1,585 gal.) capacity – $80

Over 6,000L and including 12,000L (3,170 gal.) capacity – $120

Over 12,000L capacity – $240

TIMING DEVICES

All commercially used devices where time is a basis for charge – $4

Devices owned or operated by government agencies – No charge

TAXI METERS – $40

WITNESSING FEE

(Fee administred when costs are incurred by the Director of Weights & Measures when inspecting and certifying equipment where Privately owned calibrated equipment is being used)

0-2 hrs – $100; 2-4 hrs – $200; 4-6 hrs – $300; 6 hrs and above – $400

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Dawn Borchert

ALBION – Orleans County has hired a full-time tourism director, who expects to see the county’s tourism industry grow.

Dawn Borchert comes to the county with an extensive background in tourism. The Akron resident has worked as executive director for the New York State Travel Industry Association since 2004. She has 27 years in the business including five years as the tourism marketing director for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Borchert will succeed Lynne Menz, who has been working part-time on a contractual basis. She will continue working for county tourism 8 hours a week in designing brochures, working on the website and helping with marketing. Menz wanted to step back from the manager position so she can devote more time to her business, Lynne Menz Designs.

She said Borchert has deep connections in the tourism industry and has the passion to propel the county’s tourism efforts.

“She is a gift to the county,” Menz said. “She has experience at the state level. She knows everybody in the tourism industry. She is eager and she is a hard worker.”

Menz was hired in 2015 following the retirement of Wayne Hale, who served as tourism director in addition to director of the Planning and Development Department.

When she was at the Genesee Chamber, Borchert worked with Hale to establish a “Country Byways” tourism package in the rural GLOW counties.

Borchert gives the county its first full-time tourism director. She starts Jan. 2 at an annual salary of $48,897.

Menz said the county’s heritage tourism sites, such as the historic districts and Cobblestone Museum, could be bigger draws. The county’s top tourism attraction is the fishing industry. It accounts for about $12 million in visitor spending.

Orleans, however, ranks dead last among the 62 counties in New York for tourism revenue, according to a study last year by Tourism Economics and Empire State Development.

Many counties, including some small ones, bring in well over $100 million in tourism revenue. But no county brings in less than Orleans, which totaled $24.421 million in visitor spending in 2015. That was about $4 million less than the 61st-ranked county, Chenango, at $28.455 million.

The lack of a chain hotel in Orleans has hurt the county’s tourism numbers, according to the Orleans Economic Development Agency which pushed to recruit BriMark Builders to construct a new Cobblestone Inn and Suites hotel in Medina. That 3-story hotel would be 10,557 square feet on Maple Ridge Road next to Pride Pak. The project has received the local approvals. It could open in 2018.

That hotel will allow the county to change its pitch to visitors, urging them to stay overnight. Many of visitors right now are day-trippers who come for an event and then drive out of the county.

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