CARLTON – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association has cancelled its summer concert series in Point Breeze due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

OONA has been organizing a summer concert series since 2010 at the Orleans County Marine Park. There are usually six bands that perform and those concerts draw about 400 people on average.

“After careful deliberation, the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association has determined that the 2020 Summer Concert Series at the Orleans County Marine Park at Point Breeze will not be conducted this summer,” OONA said in a statement. “OONA officers based this decision on the fact that coronavirus continues to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the community and may continue to do so well into the summer.”

The concerts are a big fundraiser for OONA. The organization used some of those proceeds to donate $5,000 back to community organizations last year. OONA isn’t sure if it will be able to donate funds to any local agencies this year.

Not only are the concerts cancelled, but OONA expects it will have to scale back or eliminate other social events that raised some money, said Tracy Wilmot Panczyszyn, OONA communications officer.

The OONA board will discuss if it can donate to other groups this year, even at a much reduced level.

The Clarendon Lions Club also raised money at the concerts by cooking food and serving refreshments. The 50/50 raffles and admission price also raised funds that were given back to the community.

“We regret taking the year off,” OONA said in a statement. “However, we encourage your support of our local sponsors who have made our fundraising efforts possible.”

OONA will display signs of past sponsors of the concert series on a fence at the park along Route 98. OONA urges support of those businesses during these challenging economic times.

“And, last, we would be remiss not to extend our gratitude to the bands, vendors, attendees and volunteers who have made this event a success over the years, and wish nothing but the best to you all at this difficult time,” OONA said in a statement. “We hope that this pause will be temporary and we can practice social distancing at a concert in the Marine Park in the very near future.”

The playground at the park is currently off limits to the public due to Covid-19 concerns.

Rodden pushed for historic preservation, removed parking meters in downtown and welcomed international students

This formal portrait by Bruce Landis of Albion’s late mayor Donna Rodden hangs in the village offices. Rodden served as Albion mayor from 1973 to 1984.

ALBION – Several months ago, the Orleans Hub began a series called “Notable Neighbors,” in which people in the community, living or deceased, were profiled. With not much in the news lately but updates on the coronavirus pandemic, I thought perhaps an uplifting story on one of Orleans County’s most accomplished women would be a welcome change.

I feel it is also appropriate to share this story about Donna Rodden, who was mayor of Albion at a time when there were only 13 women holding such a position in the United States, as now, Albion has its second woman serving as mayor, Eileen Banker, and I can’t help but think how proud that would make Donna.

I reached out to Eileen to see if she remembered Donna and realized what big shoes she had to fill.

“I did think of Mayor Rodden, as she had been the only woman mayor of the village,” Eileen said. “I didn’t run on the fact I was a woman. I ran because I felt I could see the positives the village had to offer and I wanted to capitalize on that concept. I believe I was elected, just like Mayor Rodden, not because we are women, but because the voters felt we could do the job.”

I have to credit the pandemic and our mandated stay-at-home orders for my finding this story I had written about Donna, probably 40 or more years ago. Boredom finally caused me to start cleaning out some corners and sorting through boxes and boxes of papers, when in a sewing kit which belonged to my cousin’s late wife, I found six pages I had typed on my Smith-Corona (no relation to the virus) electric typewriter. (Does anybody remember those? I reached out to Donna’s daughters to verify my facts and learned some more interesting things.)

First I learned Donna’s first love was a college sweetheart, who was killed in a horrific accident. They were returning home one night during a torrential rainstorm, each driving their own cars. Donna was following him when he drove onto railroad tracks and his car quit. He was hit by a train, and when she ran to the car, she saw his body smashed into pieces.

I also learned from Donna’s oldest daughter, Roberta Tundermann of Connecticut, that because of the accident Donna refused to drive a car and never did until after her mother died, and she could no longer rely on her mother to chauffeur her around.

Donna’s second love, which Roberta called “the love of her life,” was killed in Germany and she never dated again until years later.

I first met Donna when I was asked to write a story about Albion’s Courthouse Square being named to the National Register of Historic Places. (Courthouse Square is a large block of 38 buildings in the center of town). She was library media specialist at Albion High School at the time, in addition to being mayor of Albion. I do believe the request came from Walter Schutt, who was then police chief in Albion and a supporter of Donna’s, or from her best friend Marie Makowski.

Schutt once commented, “Few people realize what they have here in Albion. Donna has as interesting a past as any public figure, and has done more for the village of Albion than most people can remember.”

Donna served as mayor from 1973 to 1984.

I will never forget the first time I met Donna when I went to the school to interview her. She had long black hair, which hung from a center part. Her clothes were anything but stylish, as she was dressed in a floor-length black skirt, and in spite of it being in the winter, she had on flat slippers with no socks or stockings.

But that was Donna, and being in her presence, you realized you were facing a genius – and a genius doesn’t worry about her appearance. I would learn over the period of several years of knowing her that she was not only a television personality, but a teacher, producer and writer, as well as a mayor. At Syracuse University, she studied speech and communication, got her doctorate in library science and a degree in radio and journalism. She was in the process of studying for the ministry when she died of cancer in June 1985 at the age of 59. Her daughter Chris Capurso of Albion said Donna was so busy doing for others she didn’t take care of herself.

Donna was born in Albion, a daughter of Burroughs and Mildred MacDufy Strickland. She was first in her class all through school and graduated a year early. Burroughs was a judge who had attended Syracuse University, as did Mildred, and wanted Donna to follow in his footsteps, but although she took some law courses, she had other aspirations.

Roberta also attended Syracuse, as well as her son Matt, who is an aeronautical engineer.

Making a mark in the big city

Donna’s career began when she moved to New York City and landed a job packaging radio and television programs. Packaging is the term applied to shooting scenes and collecting shots from movies, and putting them together to form one special show, Roberta explained. The show would then be sold to an advertiser who, in turn, would sell it to a station or network.

Donna had the distinction of being the first woman to produce a television show in New York City, but because she met opposition in getting a job as a woman, much of her work was accomplished under the pen name of Robert Quigley, her first husband and father of Roberta.

Donna had landed a job with Caton Incorporation, and Mr. Caton was a boxing fan. Boxers are said to be superstitious and afraid of elevators. As Donna’s office was on an upper floor of the Empire State Building, the boxers would climb the stairs, rather than take the elevator. One of her most famous shows was Greatest Fights of the Century, which also became the first sports television show to be exported outside the United States. Her other credits include The Big Fight, and World’s Greatest Fighters, as well as animal shows which she put together using much material collected by Walt Disney. All this was before the time of coast-to-coast hookups, when most shows and commercials were live.

“Actors and actresses had to be more accurate then,” Donna told me. “And when radio stars made the transition to television, many had a hard time getting used to having to wear makeup and dress to be seen.”

She recalled one famous radio newscaster who refused to wear makeup or dress for the camera, and he soon faded out of television when he couldn’t accept the challenge.

Early in her years in New York City, Donna worked for a school in New Jersey which helped children with handicaps. There she met Charles Lindbergh, whose son attended there for speech therapy.

Her brother Terry Strickland at the time was stationed at Fort Dix, and was scheduled to go to Korea with the Green Mountain Boys. By the grace of God, Roberta said, Terry developed pneumonia and couldn’t go, so he was later sent to Germany instead. All the men in the Green Mountain Boys were later wiped out.

Donna was interested in all forms of art. She painted, and was an accomplished piano player. At about the same time as her producing career began, she also became interested in directing plays and acting. She appeared on Broadway in All This and Heaven Too, Harvey, Thornton Wilder’s Skin of our Teeth and with Priscilla Gillette in Brigadoon. She directed at the Davenport Theater, and when color television hit the market, two of the first seven shows came from Donna’s office.

I was also made privy to information by Donna (reluctantly) about the time she corroborated with mob bosses to prove the innocence of a man on Death Row and get him released from prison. Roberta said she remembers a time when mafia men came to their door. She said after her mother talked to them, they went away peacefully.

I have to interject at this point how honored I was to have called Donna Rodden a friend. She would occasionally drive out to my house in Millville and bring me a small gift, such as Christmas placemats she had crocheted. And I would be on cloud nine to think that a woman of such acclaim would give me the time of day.

Robert Quigley was the owner of the Lyndonville Enterprise and the Middleport Herald-Tribune, which Donna edited for two years before going back to New York City to resume her work in television. After she and Quigley divorced, Donna married James Rodden, who was a cab driver in New York City and used to pick her up every day. She and James’ daughter is Chris Capurso of Albion.

Donna wrote many songs, a hobby which she pursued, even after returning to Albion. Two of her songs, You are my Angel and St. Mary’s of the Snow, were recorded by Eddie Haywood. A story she wrote on the Erie Canal titled Erie Mouse earned her acclaim and Roberta is hoping to turn it into a book.

This picture of Donna Rodden and her youngest daughter Chris Capurso and family was shared by Capurso’s sister Roberta Tundermann of Connecticut. Rodden is at left rear with Chris’ husband Al Capurso. In front, Al’s parents flank Chris, who is holding infant son  Daniel, Donna’s first grandson.

GED teacher, gift shop owner and then a mayor who got things done

After coming back to Albion to live, Donna worked as a teacher at the  correctional facility for women and tutored adults for their GED or high school diploma. She also operated a gift shop, The Hole in the Wall, which she sold when she accepted the position at Albion High School. Her introduction to public office came as the result of the death of long-time Albion mayor Bill Monacelli.

“I believe you have to make every office count,” Donna had said at the time. “You have to give the people a choice in order for the democratic system to work. When I understood that no one was going to run for mayor except the  man who had been filling the post after Monacelli’s death, I decided to run.”

Donna said, despite the fact women had been given the right to vote 50 years earlier, no woman had ever run for high office in Orleans County. And in spite of the fact she had run for trustee a year earlier and lost by the narrow margin of 23 votes, she ran for mayor to finish Monacelli’s term and won. She was sworn into office on the same Bible her father used.

She said her second term in office came about quite by accident.

“I ran for my first full term to complete the things I started in my first year,” Donna said.

Her opponent this time was a very popular man in Albion and although Donna had won her first election by a large margin, she didn’t expect to win the second time. As a matter of fact, she had ignored the polls showing her popularity and chose to speak at a meeting at the Apple Grove Inn the night of the election. She was at the podium when her daughter Chris burst in and told her the news.

In 1978, her own party refused to endorse her, and both parties nominated the same man.

“As before, the people had no choice, so I ran on the Independent ticket, and won again,” Donna said.

No one could doubt that Donna’s interests were always for the best for Albion. While she admitted that a woman’s emphasis is often on different things than a man’s, she felt that many women would make good mayors or public officials.

In an interesting comparison, Donna paralleled the job of mayor to that of a good housewife.

“A good housewife keeps her house clean and does many things to ease all the members of her family and prepare them for their future,” she said. “So does a mayor try to run all her departments smoothly and cleanly and does many little things to please all her constituents and do what’s best for the future of the townspeople. Likewise, a housewife must balance the budget. You can’t run a home on money that isn’t there, and I feel strongly that deficit spending in government has got to go.”

This is an interesting statement in light of the recent government passing of a trillion-dollar stimulus bill. I can’t but wonder what Donna would have thought about that!

During Donna’s terms in office, she accomplished many of the things she set out to do. Of course, getting Courthouse Square placed on the National Register was a big credit to her. When Mount Albion Cemetery was placed on the National Register, it was only the second cemetery in the nation to be so honored, according to Bill Lattin, who was county historian at the time.

In addition, Donna had a cover placed on the village’s water tower, which had been open since 1932, a situation she felt was a health hazard due. She was responsible for bringing about the construction of a new industrial sewage plant. She got rid of parking meters, which she felt were a penalty to downtown merchants, when shoppers at the plaza could park free of charge. She changed the Albion Police Department to a Public Safety Office and was hopeful in the future that more departments would place more emphasis on public safety and less on police work.

Her motto and aim in life was to “Preserve and protect the past, take care of the people today and prepare for the future.”

‘Donna was all about Albion’

Donna took more than an average interest in the history of Albion and Orleans County. The “Save the Tower” project in Mount Albion Cemetery was completed under her watch, and during her leadership, a sesqui-centennial clock was erected downtown on Main Street for the community’s 150^thanniversary. She was founder of the Orleans County Council on the Arts and was responsible for the first donations to the county’s only art gallery.

She also was responsible for a new parking lot being constructed, new sidewalks being put in and trees planted downtown. She brought two new industries to town and worked to establish a youth center in the village. She spearheaded restoration of the lily pond at Mount Albion Cemetery, and after her death, the chapel in Mount Albion was dedicated to her. Bill Lattin attended the dedication, where in the chapel is a quote by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr which Donna lived by.

“Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime. Therefore, we are saved by hope.”

Donna instituted a new tax schedule in Albion for new businesses, whereby they didn’t pay any taxes for the first five years, then only paid 10 percent until the end of 10 years.

In discussing some of the problems facing the village, Donna said that Albion was under a handicap for funds to do many of the things she would like to do – primarily replacing the ancient storm sewers in the village after three floods hit the town during her administrations.

“Where 80 percent of the property in most villages is taxable, Albion only has 46 percent of its property on the tax rolls,” Donna said. “The reason for this is because of the large number of historical buildings, churches and school-owned property – all of which are tax-exempt.”

Donna was known beyond Albion for her accomplishments. She made many friends among dignitaries in foreign lands through a program she learned about called “Experiment in International Living,” where foreign students, young adults or public figures visited America and lived in private homes while working, going to school or learning the English language.

This brings to mind a young man I met at her house during her terms as mayor. Donna had mentioned she knew the Shah of Iran and introduced me to a young man from Iran who was living with her at the time. I was given a copy of an Iranian newspaper and speculated at the time that the young man was the son of the Shah, although no one would confirm it. A comment was made he was living with Donna because there was turmoil in his country and he had to go to a safe place.

Roberta shared a story about the time a young man from Egypt was living in the village when an American student was being detained in Egypt. The State Department in Washington contacted Donna and asked if she could intervene to try and get the American home. She did and his family later came from Michigan to thank her.

Under the Experiment in International Living, Donna was responsible for 168 people visiting Albion, representing many religious faiths, 40 countries and every continent.

Many honors came Donna’s way, including an award from Queen Elizabeth and one which previously had only been given to Mother Theresa and Jacquelyn Kennedy. She was named national chairman of “Magazines for Friendship,” a program where Americans, after reading their favorite magazines, re-addressed them and sent them to an English speaking person in a foreign country. At the time I interviewed Donna, more than three million magazines weekly were being sent abroad.

Donna was a firm believer that Americans, as individuals, not the government, were responsible for formulating programs which would determine how other countries felt about us.

Photo by Tom Rivers: In the mid-1970s, Rodden was involved in the “Save The Tower” campaign to make repairs to the Civil War memorial at Mount Albion Cemetery. This photo shows one of the buttons that was used as a fund-raiser.

In addition to being honored by meeting such presidents as Nixon, Eisenhower, Johnson, Ford and Kennedy, Donna also had dinner at the White House several times and rubbed elbows with many notable people. She once co-chaired a women’s symposium with Midge Constanza of Brockport before Midge went to work in Washington. Some of the people Donna met who impressed her the most were Senator Taft, Senator Bingham from New York, Martha Griffiths from Michigan, secretary of state Henry Kissinger and a person she called “a very good friend,” Nelson Rockefeller.

Donna was honored locally, nationally and internationally. She was recipient of a medal from Cambridge University in England; she was named to the International Who’s Who in Community Service for distinguished service to community; she was cited by presidents Nixon, Reagan and Kennedy for “Service as befitting a good American”; and in 1975, she received the National Organization of Women’s Award for “the woman who most changed the world.” She was also the recipient of the American Legion’s Good Citizen Award, the Coast Guard Medal, a commendation from the Girl Scouts of America, a listing in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, and in 1978, she received the Distinguished Achievement Plaque from the World’s Who’s Who of Women.

Governor Carey, in his first year in office, appointed Donna to his Friendship Committee, whose purpose was to “make New York a more attractive place for visitors.”

Donna was a very modest person, and I only learned of her achievements from other people. Then when I confronted her with the information, she would confirm it.

At one time, while in New York City, she dined with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who were visiting there shortly after he abdicated from the throne. They met through a poet Donna knew who was also a friend of Edward.

In addition to Donna’s duties as mayor and school librarian, she was adviser to the Senior Class, director of the Swan Library, director of the Cobblestone Society, director of the Orleans County Historical Monument Association and an executive of the Northwest Frontier Village Officers. She was past president and member of the Business and Professional Women, a matron of the Eastern Star and Rebecca lodges and past president of the Orleans County Art Association.

At the time I knew her, Donna still did some occasional directing, not only at Albion High School, but at places such as Newport, R.I., Pokeno Playhouse in Pennsylvania, Rye Beach in New York and, of course, for Orleans County’s own Theater of Performing Arts.

In spite of all her honors, Donna’s biggest concern was not for her own individual achievements, but for world understanding, which she believed was the basis for world peace.

“Not agreements, or sanctions or appeasement, but by understanding why people do the things they do – then we are on the road to world peace,” she said.

Lattin gave the eulogy at Donna’s funeral, referring to a play she did at Albion Middle School, titled “To Albion with Love.”

“That was the whole essence of what Donna was,” he said. “Donna was all about Albion.”

The world could definitely use more people like Donna Rodden.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, candidates don’t need petitions signed by other people

The five school districts in Orleans County are accepting nomination letters for candidates on the Board of Education.

Normally a candidate needs to submit petitions signed by residents in the district. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, residents only need to submit a letter.

The election will be June 9, instead of the usual third Tuesday in May. The board elections and the budget vote will be conducted with absentee ballots. All ballots must be returned to the district offices by 5 p.m. on June 9 in order to be counted. All eligible voters will receive a ballot and a prepaid postage envelope to return it in.

ALBION – Albion has three board seats available this election. The individual with the most votes will serve from the election until June 30, 2025. The person with the second highest number of votes will serve from July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2025. The person with the third highest number of votes will serve the remaining term (approximately two years) of a seat vacated by a prior member’s resignation through June 30, 2022.

Individuals who wish to run for the Board of Education must submit a qualified nominating petition. This year, by Executive Order, signatures are not required on the nominating petitions which are due May 11.

Petitions and other information are available at the District Office (at the back of the elementary school) or by calling the District Clerk, Derek Vallese, at 589-2056. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays for cleaning.

HOLLEY – There are two seats open, currently filled by Robin Silvis and Andrea Newman. Anyone interested in running for the Board of Education must submit interest by 5 p.m. on May 11 to Connie Nenni, the district clerk, at cnenni@holleycsd.org. Information must include interest, current address, and an acknowledgement of being qualified to run. Qualifications include being at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in the Holley Central School District for at least 30 days.

For questions, contact Nenni at 638-6316, ext. 2003.

Budget hearing: The annual budget hearing will be May 26 at 6 p.m. via Zoom videoconferencing. A link to the meeting will be posted on the district website.

Ballots: Holley residents who are unsure if they will receive a ballot, are renting property within the Holley Central School District, have never registered with Orleans County Board of Elections, or recently turned 18 years old, please email HolleyVote@holleycsd.org to request an absentee ballot.

Please include each individual’s name and address in order to be mailed an absentee ballot. You do not have to be registered with Orleans County in order to receive a ballot, as long as you are considered qualified according to NYS Education Law. To be considered a qualified voter, you must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in the Holley Central School District for at least 30 days.

KENDALL – There are two openings on the BOE this year: one for a trustee position that is a five-year term and another for a three-year term.

Anyone who wishes to run for one of the two open seats must submit a letter of intent by May 11 to District Clerk Sherry Madison at smadison@kendallschools.org. Biographical information and a photo must be submitted to Ms. Madison by 5 p.m. May 7 to meet printing deadlines for the budget newsletter.

To run for a seat on the BOE, candidates must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, a resident within the boundaries of the Kendall Central School District for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least 30 days immediately prior to June 9 .

Ballots: One absentee ballot will be mailed to voters’ homes and must be returned by 5 p.m. on June 9 to be valid. If you have more than one qualified voter in your household, please submit a request for the number of absentee ballots needed by emailing Sherry Madison at smadison@kendallschools.org.

LYNDONVILLE – There is one seat up for election in Lyndonville. The spot is currently filled by Kelly Cousins.

Candidates need to submit a self-nomination petition by 5 p.m. on May 11. Please contact Lori Lamay in the District Office for more information at 765-3101.

MEDINA – Medina has three seats on the BOE available. They are currently filled by William Keppler, Arlene Pawlaczyk and David Sevenski.

There is a form for candidates to fill out on the district website (click here). It should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on May 11 to District Clerk, Julie Kuhn, at jkuhn@medinacsd.org by scan (or photo if necessary). This form may also be mailed or given to Julie Kuhn at One Mustang Drive, Medina, New York 14103 and so long as it is received by May 11, it will be considered.

The district’s budget presentation on May 28 at 6:30 p.m. via Youtube.com.  A link to access the meeting and an email address to ask questions will be provided on the district website.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Randy Bower, the retired Orleans County sheriff, speaks at an event in July 2016.

MURRAY – Randy Bower has returned as a local public official.

Bower retired on Dec. 31 as the Orleans County sheriff. On April 20 he was appointed to the Murray Town Board. Bower will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Neil Valentine.

Bower will serve in the role the rest of 2020. The position will be back on the ballot in November for the remaining three years of the term.

Bower will serve on a Town Board where his late brother Ed was a councilman for 20 years. Ed Bower passed away at age 57 on May 27, 2018.

Their father George Bower also was a Murray town justice for 21 years before he joined the Orleans County Legislature and was on that board for 24 years. George Bower retired as legislator on Dec. 31, 2013.

Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said Randy Bower’s appointment was unanimous by the board.

“He brings a whole new dimension to our board,” Sidonio said. “Genuine energy, passion and curiosity… just what our community needs to face the tough challenges ahead.”

15 residents have now died at nursing home in Albion from coronavirus

The local health department is reporting one more death from Covid-19 at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. That brings the total confirmed deaths due to coronavirus at the nursing home to 15.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual at this very sad time,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a news release this afternoon.

There is also one more confirmed case of Covid-19 at The Villages, bringing that total to 58.

The county has four new positive cases of Covid-19, with three others outside of the nursing home. That brings the county’s total positive cases to 109.

None of the three were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Two of the new positive cases reside in Ridgeway and one of the new positive cases is in Shelby.

Among the four cases, one individual is in the 40s, two are in their 50s and one individual is in the 80s or older, the Health Departments reported.

Genesee County 3 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 157 positive cases.

Two of the positive cases reside in Pembroke and one resides in Batavia. One individual is in the 20s and the other two are in their 30s.

Two of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Five of the total active positive cases in Genesee County are hospitalized.

“We have removed a ‘positive/recovered’ individual that was determined to be a false-positive result,” the Health Departments said. “Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in our data. No further information will be shared.”

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where there has been a positive swab for Covid-19.  Facilities will be added when and if there is a positive case of Covid-19.

If a regulated facility from either of our counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19.  The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities and hospitals.

• New York State is seeking contact tracers.  If you are interested in this position, click here to apply to be a part of the NYS Contact Tracing team. This is a moment of crisis and New York needs our help as soon as possible.

• The Nursing Home hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click here for the link to the online form.

• Prepping for Re-opening Our Region:  The Health Departments have developed a guide to use in developing business or organizations re-opening plans.

Click here for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet in response to Covid-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. For further information on the NYS Plans, click here.

ALBION – Orleans County doesn’t have a drive-through testing site for Covid-19 while its neighbors all have those testing sites.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being asked today to place a drive-through site in Orleans County “as soon as practical” so more people can be tested.

State Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), and State Assembly members Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Mike Norris (R-Lockport) sent a joint letter to the governor today. That letter also was signed by Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson and Paul Pettit, the county’s public health director.

“A drive-through testing facility would help track and treat Covid-19 in a county that has suffered from a lack of testing since the outbreak began,” according to the letter.

In Orleans County, 748 people have been tested so far for Covid-19, with 105 testing positive. The county has a population of 40,352, according to the 2019 Census estimate. With 748 tested, that is one out of every 54 residents in the county.

“Rural communities are often left behind in these decisions because the state wants to concentrate resources in densely populated areas,” according to the letter from the five officials. “However, low-density rural communities like Orleans County are precisely those who are in the greatest need of mobile testing facilities.”

Urban and suburban communities have “a litany of doctors and hospitals in their communities” where there is wide access for testing. However, in Orleans County and other rural communities there are fewer healthcare options, which results in less testing opportunities, according to the letter from Ortt, Hawley, Norris, Johnson and Pettit.

“Adequate testing is a critical step in treating and preventing the spread of the disease, and a mobile testing facility right in Orleans County would allow residents to get tested safely in their own community,” they wrote to the governor.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A tree is pictured by the sidewalk at the Albion school campus with freshly mowed grass on Monday. The middle school is in the back.

A frosty advisory is in effect tonight from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service in Buffalo said temperatures will in the lower to mid 30s and will result in frost formation.

The advisory includes Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario and Chautauqua counties.

The frost could damage or kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered. The Weather Service encourages people to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

ALBION – Orleans County has a new centralized arraignment program where people charged with crimes can be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day.

The new CAP uses the county jail for the arraignments. The program started about three weeks ago and has been doing about 6-10 arraignments a week. It was set up to use a larger room in the county jail for arraignments, with representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office (or private counsel) and a judge.

However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the off-hours arraignments are being done through Skype. The defendants are still appearing in the jail while the judge, DA and Public Defender may be offsite communicating through Skype.

The relevant documents are scanned and transmitted online to all parties.

The court system locally and state-wide is largely shut down until June 1, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CAP allows judges to do some arraignments and also issue orders of protection and suspend driver’s licenses.

“I’m glad on a limited basis we’re still doing these,” said District Attorney Joe Cardone. “We certainly don’t want things mounting up in the court system.”

The CAP means arraignments no longer need to be done at all hours at all 10 town courts. With the centralized program, town judges in the county will rotate serving as the judge for the arraignments. Kendall Town Justice Deborah Kluth and Clarendon Town Justice Tom DiFante are serving as the interim judges in the program until the end of May.

The Orleans County CAP needed approval from the state and that was granted by the New York State Unified Court System.

During regular court hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., County Court Judge Sanford Church will handle the arraignments.

One goal of the CAPs is to ensure defendants have counsel available during the arraignments. The CAPs also were intended to ease the burden on the town courts.

Sheriff Chris Bourke said the system is off to a good start.

“It’s a whole different world with the way we are dealing with everything,” he said on Saturday during a joint call with other elected officials. “It is going pretty smoothly now with the transfer of documents, and the judge, DA and public defenders all in different locations.”

Photo from Governor’s Office: Governor Andrew Cuomo and his daughter Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo announced the “Wear A Mask” video contest on Tuesday.

New York State is accepting video submissions that promote wearing masks or facial coverings in public when social distancing isn’t possible.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo announced the competition on Tuesday. The governor wants the videos to send the message that wearing a mask is important in public. The videos should be less than 30 seconds long and show a mask properly worn over the mouth and nose.

The top five videos will be posted and New Yorkers can vote for their favorite. The winning video will be used as a Public Service Announcement. Videos must be submitted by May 15. Click here to be directed to WearAMask.ny.gov for more information.

Cuomo said 99 percent of the public is doing a great job wearing the masks in stores and other public places. But he wants to convince the other 1 percent that the masks are important to protect public health.

“Maybe there’s a better way to communicate it than I have been communicating it,” Cuomo said during a news conference on Tuesday. “Again, 99 percent of the people are doing it, and that’s great. We’re talking about that 1 percent.”

His daughter suggested the contest. Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo will serve as an unofficial adviser with the State Department of Health for the competition.

Press Release, Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health

MEDINA – We are also pleased to announce that radiology, imaging and cardiac services have resumed at Medina Memorial Hospital by appointment only.

Services include: CT, ultrasound, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine and cardiology. A script from your physician and insurance authorization are required. Accommodations will be made for high risk individuals at designated times. Please call 585-798-8054 to make an appointment.

Radiology continues to be offered at the Albion Healthcare Center – 14789 Route 31, Albion (585-589-2273) by appointment only.

All patients who enter the hospital or the Albion Health Center will be required to have their temperature taken and will be given a mask.

If you have any questions, please call Erica Chutko, director of Radiology, Imaging and Cardiac Services, at 585-798-8039.

Community encouraged to do neighborhood tours on their own

Press Release, Village of Medina Historian Todd Bensley

Provided photo by Jada Burgess: T.J. Burgess with his dog enjoy Tour 1 that starts at Gwinn Street Park.

MEDINA – As we continue our efforts to socially distance, yet feel the need to get outside and exercise, Village of Medina Historian Todd Bensley created a series of walking tours highlighting various neighborhoods in the village. Each tour is under one mile.

The idea was spurred by the rediscovery in his archives of a driving tour that was printed in The Journal-Register in 1972.

“Over the years Frank Berger would copy articles of historical interest and distribute it to members of the Medina Historical Society,” Bensley said, “and this one caught my attention recently as I was looking for projects to occupy my time in the evenings, since we are limited in what we can do.”

At this point three tours, and the original driving tour, are posted on the Village of Medina website. You can find them by scrolling down to the Community Events icon. There are clickable links to pdf files that you can download or print. According to Bensley, there are more tours in the works. When they are completed, they will be posted to the village website.

Jada Burgess and her son T.J. completed Tour 1 and she stated, “I think our favorite part of the tour was the statue at the YMCA. We spent a lot of time reading the names of those that served…. It really is something remarkable to have on display and I am glad T.J. was able to see it.”

Bensley added, “For those who are unable to get out and do the walks, there are a couple of options. You can drive the route or even use Google Street View to take a virtual tour.”

For those unfamiliar with Google Street View, Bensley included a link at the top of each tour that explains how to use it.

ALBION – Foodlink will be back soon in Orleans County for two emergency food distributions.

There will be a Foodlink food distribution in Medina on Monday, May 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Calvary Cupboard-Calvary Tabernacle Church, 324 Catherine St. People should use the parking lot entrance on Ann Street.

Foodlink and Calvary recently had a food distribution on April 27 in Medina.

Foodlink will return to Albion on May 14 for a distribution in partnership with Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and Orleans County Office for the Aging.

Foodlink has done food distributions in Albion since the Covid-19 pandemic. Those distributions were on Fridays – April 17 and May 1.

The May 14 distribution will be on a Thursday. It will be at the same time, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., as the first two events and at the same location, the Main Street Store at 131 S. Main St. (across from the Hoag Library).

Foodlink has delivered 300 boxes of food during the distributions. This is a drive-through only event with no walk-ins. People must stay in their vehicles, have their ID visible and must not roll down their windows.

The trunk should be cleaned out so the box of emergency food can be put into it. People should have their trunk open and ready. Once the trunk is closed and tapped, people may drive away.

There will be no pre-registration for the event, it is a first-come, first-served.

Press Release, U.S. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation to address disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic and directly connect farms to food banks.

As restaurants, hotels, schools, and other food service entities cease operations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have emerged that millions of pounds of produce have been left to rot. Meanwhile, food banks across the country are facing unprecedented demand, as millions of newly unemployed Americans now face food insecurity. The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would provide needed support to food banks as they continue to serve the surge of jobless Americans, while also supporting struggling farmers who lack buyers for their produce.

“Like many Americans dealing with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak, farmers in New York and across the country are struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act will not only provide them with a new chain of potential buyers, but it will put money directly in their pockets by cutting out middlemen and will deliver fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to millions of Americans facing food insecurity. This important bill will stimulate the farm economy and strengthen the health of Americans. I’m proud to introduce this legislation and will fight for its inclusion in the next relief package.”

More than 30 million Americans are currently jobless due to the coronavirus pandemic and many are struggling to put food on the table. According to Feeding America, a leading hunger relief organization, demand at food banks has surged by 70 percent. Today, with food banks facing mile-long lines, the need for resources to feed hungry Americans is greater than ever. The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would meet this demand by giving food banks the power to purchase excess specialty crops — including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and dried fruits, which are easily stored and processed by food banks — directly from farmers.

Gillibrand’s proposed Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would provide $8 billion in block grants to food banks in the top vegetable and fruit producing states. Food banks will be able to use the funds to purchase fresh produce directly from farmers in New York, which is the 15th largest vegetable and fruit producing state, and other states. They will also be able to use the funding to pay for distribution, processing, and additional staff needed to meet increased demand.

“We’re grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her tireless advocacy to ensure that our friends and neighbors in need have food on the table,” said Karen Belcher, interim executive director of Food Bank of Central New York.

Teachers union: ‘Remote learning, in any form, will never replace the important personal connection between teachers and their students that is built in the classroom.’

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is collaborating with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a blueprint to reimagine education in the new normal.

As New York begins to develop plans to reopen K-12 schools and colleges, the state and the Gates Foundation will consider what education should look like in the future, including:

• How can we use technology to provide more opportunities to students no matter where they are;
• How can we provide shared education among schools and colleges using technology;
• How can technology reduce educational inequality, including English as a new language students;
• How can we use technology to meet educational needs of students with disabilities;
• How can we provide educators more tools to use technology;
• How can technology break down barriers to K-12 and Colleges and Universities to provide greater access to high quality education no matter where the student lives; and
• Given ongoing socially distancing rules, how can we deploy classroom technology, like immersive cloud virtual classrooms learning, to recreate larger class or lecture hall environments in different locations?

The state will bring together a group of leaders to answer these questions in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, who will support New York State by helping bring together national and international experts, as well as provide expert advice as needed.

“The last few months have been an incredibly stressful time full of change, but we have to learn and grow from this situation and make sure we build our systems back better than they were before,” Governor Cuomo said. “One of the areas we can really learn from is education because the old model of our education system where everyone sits in a classroom is not going to work in the new normal. When we do reopen our schools let’s reimagine them for the future, and to do that we are collaborating with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and exploring smart, innovative education alternatives using all the new technology we have at our disposal.”

• Editor’s Note: The New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta released the following statement today regarding the governor’s comments about reimagining education in New York:

“NYSUT believes in the education of the whole child. Remote learning, in any form, will never replace the important personal connection between teachers and their students that is built in the classroom and is a critical part of the teaching and learning process — which is why we’ve seen educators work so hard during this pandemic to maintain those connections through video chats, phone calls and socially distant in-person meetings.

“If we want to reimagine education, let’s start with addressing the need for social workers, mental health counselors, school nurses, enriching arts courses, advanced courses and smaller class sizes in school districts across the state. Let’s secure the federal funding and new state revenues through taxes on the ultrawealthy that can go toward addressing these needs. And let’s recognize educators as the experts they are by including them in these discussions about improving our public education system for every student.”

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

Nursing home in Albion now has had 57 residents test positive

ALBION – The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion has three more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total 57 residents at the nursing home who have tested positive.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported the three latest confirmed cases this afternoon. The people who tested positive include one person in the 70s, one in the 80s and one in the 90s.

Orleans County, as a whole, has now had 105 people test positive for Covid-19, with more than half at The Villages.

The Orleans County Legislature and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley are asking the State Department of Health for an investigation into the outbreak at The Villages, where 14 people have died from Covid-19. The Legislature also is asking the Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the nursing home’s handling of the virus.

The Health Department reports today that six people from Orleans County who currently have Covid-19 are hospitalized. Of the 105 who have tested positive, 38 have recovered.

In Genesee County there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19. That person is from Darien and is in the 80s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Genesee County has had 155 people test positive for Covid-19. Three more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 86.

Five of the active cases include people who are hospitalized.

Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments have received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.

If a regulated facility from either of the counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities and hospitals.