ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature will once again be taking part in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.
In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.
“This campaign began with the New York State Association of Counties and now has been adopted by our national organization with the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs all joining together to honor veterans,” said Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know how much they are appreciated and we are here to support them.”
Johnson said the Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling. The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2024 at 9:14 am
County grew by 12.9 percent or by $700K to help make up for declines in first half of the year
The most recent sales tax collection update from the state comptroller shows Orleans County has the largest percentage increase among the 62 counties in the state.
Orleans grew 12.9 percent during the third quarter, or by $703,000 from $5.66 million to $6.39 million. Orleans is up while other nearby counties experienced a decrease in sales tax during the third quarter: Genesee, down 3.4%; Livingston, down 5.8%; Monroe, negative 3.0%; and Allegany, a drop of 10.2%.
Statewide, sales tax was up 1.4% during the third quarter, with New York City seeing 1.1% growth and the rest of the state up 2.5%.
The 12.9 percent growth in Orleans County is followed by the counties of Rockland (9.3 percent), Hamilton (7.4 percent) and Schenectady (6.9 percent).
The big increase in Orleans County helps make up for declines in the first two quarters of the year. Orleans in the second quarter was down 4.2 percent or about $250,000, from $5.93 million to $5.68 million. In the first quarter the county was down $300,000, from $5.69 million to $5.39 million.
The county now shows a modest growth of about $150,000 in sales tax collections for the first three quarters of the year.
The county has experienced big increases in sales in recent years, which has taken some pressure off property taxes. Orleans County’s sales tax collection went up more than $600,000 in 2023 from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million in 2022.
Sales tax is up more than $5 million in the county since 2019.
Here are the recent totals for sales tax in the county:
Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!)
KNOWLESVILLE – GO Art! is thrilled to announce an exciting new project set to transform the Genesee-Orleans region: GO BARN!
Located at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on Route 31, between Medina and Albion, GO BARN! will be a dynamic cultural community hub designed to bring arts, agricultural education, and entrepreneurial opportunities together under one roof.
GO BARN! will serve as a vibrant space for a wide range of arts and educational programs, with workshops spanning fine arts, culinary arts, horticulture, fiber arts, and more. Developed in partnership with Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension, the facility will offer specialized programs in sustainable agriculture and fiber arts, alongside dedicated areas for performances, gallery exhibitions, community gardens, and artisan workshops. GO BARN! will be a cornerstone for local artisans, performers, and small business owners, creating opportunities for connection, learning, and economic growth in the region.
Community Backing Needed to Secure Funding
GO Art! has identified significant funding sources for GO BARN!’s construction; however, major funders want to see strong community support before committing to full project funding. To demonstrate the region’s commitment, GO Art! is launching a community campaign to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31. This initial funding will advance key programming and design stages, laying the groundwork for grant applications that will unlock the larger financial resources needed to bring GO BARN! to life.
“GO BARN! is about more than just a building—it’s about creating a shared space where our community can thrive,” said Gregory Hallock, Executive Director of GO Art!. “Every donation, no matter the size, is a show of support for our vision of a place where people of all ages can connect, create, and grow together.”
How You Can Help
Community members across Genesee and Orleans counties are invited to join this transformative effort by:
Making a Donation: Every gift, large or small, will help reach the $150,000 goal and demonstrate community backing to our funders. Donations can be made at www.goart.org.
Spreading the Word: Share the news about GO BARN! with friends, family, and neighbors.
Volunteering and Getting Involved: GO Art! is also seeking representatives from Orleans County to join its board and committees.
About GO Art!
GO Art!’s mission is to inspire a creative, inclusive community through the power of arts, culture, and traditions. GO Art! is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, culturally rich community across Genesee and Orleans counties. Through diverse programming, support for local artists, and an ongoing commitment to community engagement, GO Art! brings the transformative power of the arts to all.
Press Release, Bob Golden of Community Coalition for Justice
ALBION – Candidates across the nation are highlighting inflation as a current problem. Patrick A. Golden, who was most recently principal analyst on Consumer Affairs and Protection for the NYS Assembly and Counsel, doesn’t agree.
Patrick Golden
“Inflation has decreased significantly over the last couple of years from over 9% to around 2.5%,” Golden said during a presentation last week at Hoag Library. “With inflation approaching the Federal Reserve Board’s target rate of 2% per year, the board recently lowered the federal funds rate to 4.75-5%, which is down from 5.25-5.5%, where it had been since early 2024 after a series of rate increases in 2022 and 2023, and is expected to lower it further within the next few months.”
“As a means of stabilizing dramatically changing prices the board historically increases the rate in times of high inflation and decreases the rate when it is low and risks of high inflation have diminished,” he said.
About 30 people gathered at the Hoag Tuesday night to hear Golden, a Kendall graduate. Among them were a local grower and two adult children of major Orleans farm families and a former chairman of Orleans Legislature and other office holders.
Golden and the crowd discussed food prices. It was generally conceded that these are affected more by the high cost of fuel and transport of food (the oil industry increased their profits by 50% while most of the economy during the Covid crisis struggled to survive), food processing monopolized by three major firms, and labor shortages.
Golden brought up immigration: most of the audience and Golden agreed with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and NYS Comptroller that more immigrant workers could help to fill many labor needs, especially farming and food processing, service jobs and even the health industries.
Someone also mentioned that those of working age on refugee status should be allowed to work as soon as possible, especially at most of those previously mentioned jobs, rather than being hung-up with red-tape for months or longer without such permission.
Tariffs: Golden pointed out that “in addition to Nobel winning Joseph A. Stiglitz, joined by 15 other Nobel winning economists warning against the Trump-proposed tariffs as likely inflationary and harmful to our reputation and influence in the world, Forbes Magazine published recently that two-thirds of economists expressed that the proposed tariffs would be harmful.”
Brian Kent pointed out that the proposed tariff on aluminum didn’t make sense since the U.S. doesn’t significantly mine aluminum. Further, raising the cost of aluminum would hurt our efforts toward “energy sustainability.” Golden agreed.
Golden specialized in sustainability and consumer protection issues and authored, co-authored, or contributed to several reports on materials reduction, recovery, and management.
Asked to talk about the environment and the economy, Golden indicated that violent weather not only causes much tragedy, but also is very costly to our economy and exacerbates our housing shortage. In casual conversation afterward, he pointed out that rising water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, oceans, and other water bodies are estimated to be contributing to increasing intensities of tropical and other storms.
Sister Dolores Ann O’Dowd announced that the next program put on by Green Orleans Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. will address the negative effect of plastics on the environment and economy. Sister Dolores is chair of Green Orleans and a member of the Community Coalition for Justice.
There were many handouts at the event. Contact Bob Golden at goldenjazz59@gmail.com for copies.
Patrick Golden is a graduate of St. Joseph’s School in Albion, Kendall High School, St. Bonaventure University and University at Albany in Economics. He worked for the NYS Business Council and then the NYS Assembly for 34 years. (Bob Golden is his father.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2024 at 8:58 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ben Curfman, pastor of the North Point Chapel in Albion, was out trick-or-treating on East Park Street in Albion with five of his children and their dog, Raney.
It was about 74 degrees when this photo was taken just before 6 p.m.
Today reached a high of 78 in Buffalo, which set a new record, breaking the previous high of 73 degrees set in 1971, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
ALBANY – The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA) is calling on Governor Hochul and the State Legislature to address the escalating violence in state prisons.
Recent data indicate that both inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults have already exceeded 2023 levels with two months still left in the calendar year, underscoring a crisis that shows no signs of improvement.
NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers stated, “Enough is enough—our members cannot and should not be used as punching bags. NYSCOPBA members, working in the most challenging of conditions, are being assaulted at record rates, yet their health and safety continue to be disregarded by those responsible for protecting the state workforce.”
According to state data, as of October 27, assaults on staff have reached 1,736, surpassing the 1,677 reported in 2023. At this pace, assaults are likely to exceed 2,000 for the first time. Inmate-on-inmate assaults currently stand at 2,423, also outpacing last year’s total of 2,121.
Further compounding the violence are the dwindling staffing levels and rising inmate population. Since January 3, 2023, there are 1,893 fewer correction officers in state facilities, while the inmate population has increased by 2,216.
Adding to the problem, is the state’s ongoing struggle to recruit and retain officers.
“The statistics speak volumes: 2024 is set to shatter last year’s assault records,” Summers said. “At the current rate, assaults on staff are projected to increase by 24 percent, marking a 47 percent rise since 2021. Inmate-on-inmate assaults are expected to surge by 37 percent from last year and a staggering 118 percent since 2021. We have made it clear to the Governor, State Legislature, and DOCCS that this system is unsustainable, and the safety inside the facilities are being neglected by state leaders.”
Summers faulted “progressive criminal justice policies and continued appeasement of inmate advocacy groups” for the unprecedented levels of violence within the prisons.
“The state needs to make the job more attractive to prospective candidates and improve conditions for current officers, who are leaving in droves,” Summers said. “Officers are retiring early, resigning, or transferring to other agencies due to the violence and prison closures that have created undue hardships for them and their families. We have repeatedly presented the reality of the unsafe work environment facing our members, exacerbated by a weakened disciplinary system, staffing shortages, and mandatory overtime that have pushed staff to the brink. State policies have directly contributed to this current state and need to be addressed immediately.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2024 at 11:07 am
4 libraries seek $1 per resident or about $40K; county currently provides $10K
Photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula, center, is director of the Yates Community Free Library in Lyndonville. She is joined by Amanda Anderson, left, the director of the Community Free Library in Holley, and Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library in Albion. They spoke at last week’s Orleans County Legislature meeting.
ALBION – The public library directors in Orleans County are asking the County Legislature to boost the funding for the libraries from the current level of about $10,000 to $1 per person or $40,343. (The county’s population was 40,343 in the 2020 Census.)
The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011. It hasn’t changed since then.
“We love our jobs,” Emily Cebula, director of the Yates Community Library in Lyndonville. “We are trusted, anchor institutions in our communities.”
She was among the presenters during last week’s Legislature meeting. Amanda Anderson, the new director at the Community Free Library in Holley, said libraries offer services to people of all ages. And they also “offer a sense of place.”
Anderson, a military spouse, said her family moved 15 times in 20 years. Libraries are a stable presence in the local communities, she said.
Betty Sue Miller, director of the Hoag Library, said the local libraries run on tight budgets, while continuing to look for ways to boost services to people throughout the community, and without seeking fees for books and other materials.
Tom Bindeman, director of the three-county Nioga Library System, also spoke and said the inter-loan program among the member libraries makes the total collection in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties available to all library users, allowing the libraries to offer more without spending to maintain a vast collection on their own.
There are 319,000 residents in the three counties, and Bindeman said the circulation in the Nioga system totals about 1.75 million items a year.
The Orleans County legislators are working to finalize the 2025 budget. Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer, will file the tentative budget by Nov. 15. Then there will be a public hearing before the Legislature adopts the budget in late November or early December.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2024 at 10:29 am
Provided photos
MEDINA – Employees at Ontario Shores federal Credit Union dressed for Halloween today, creating a jail scene.
Michelle Plummer, the branch manager, is portraying the correction officer.
The staff include Dilon Cowell, Joe Zeliff, Michelle Plummer, Bree Luckman, Traci Nugent, Sundina Johnston, Sue Schrader and Brandi Scharping.
Other businesses and organizations that dressed up today are welcome to send photos to the Orleans Hub at news@orleanshub.com.
Tops Markets in Albion staff dressed up as Darlene Bowman, Tops Customer Service Manager for 30 years. Darlene is known for her love for the Bills every Sunday dressed up head to toe in gear, her love for collecting sweatshirts from different places and dressing up. Darlene is pictured in the middle in green.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 October 2024 at 10:04 am
Provided photo: Chefs prepare and pour hot chocolate in preparation for a train ride on the Polar Express last Christmas season at the Medina Railroad Museum.
MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum is looking for male and female characters to portray chefs on the upcoming Polar Express train rides.
Duties include making and serving hot chocolate during the ride to the “North Pole” set up along the tracks between Middleport and Gasport. The positions can be paid or volunteer.
Anyone interested in participating should arrive at the Railroad Museum between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for auditions.
Polar Express rides are scheduled Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and 8, Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec. 21 and 22.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 October 2024 at 8:33 am
LYNDONVILLE – Efforts to save and preserve six historic buildings in Orleans County were celebrated Friday night at the third annual Historic Preservation Awards dinner at White Birch Golf Course.
Sponsored by the Cobblestone Society and Museum, awards were presented for restoration of the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse, the Butterfield cobblestone home of Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch, Gar and Virginia Trusselle’s William V.N. Barlow home in Albion, the Isaac Bennett home of Delbert Young, the Murray-Holley Historical Society/Railroad Depot and Holley Gardens, the former Holley High School.
Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley welcomed guests and introduced emcee Brenda Tremblay and Bill Lattin, former Cobblestone director and Orleans County historian, who talked about the reprint of his book, Architecture Destroyed. The book was originally published in 1984 and republished this year through a grant from Go Art!, with the addition of a dozen destroyed structures.
Every guest at the banquet received a free copy of the book, which is also for sale at the Cobblestone Museum Gift Shop.
(Left) Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian and director of the Cobblestone Museum, addressed guests and showed a copy of his latest book, a reprint of Architecture Destroyed. Every guest at the Historic Preservation Awards dinner Friday night received a copy of the book. (Right) Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New York, was the keynote speaker at the Cobblestone Society’s third annual Historic Preservation Awards ceremony Friday at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
Lattin also thanked Farley for his work in creating a power point of structures in the book, showing the original structure and what is at that site today.
Tremblay, an Albion native, is a classical morning host and producer on WXXI-FM in Rochester. She reminisced about being born in Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital and working at Fisher-Price in Medina, which have both closed in Orleans County.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New York.
Goodman came to Rochester in 2011 from the Indiana Landmark Society in Indianapolis. He explained a landmark society advocates for buildings that need a voice. The Landmark Society of Western New York was established in 1937 and is one of the oldest in the country. With 1,800 members, it is also one of the largest, serving a nine-county area, he said.
Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch, at right, accepted a Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley for their restoration of the Butterfield cobblestone home on Bennetts Corners Road, Holley. At left, proclamations were presented to winners from Jayleen Carney, a representative of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Skip Draper on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt and John Fitzak on behalf of Lynne Johnson, representing the Orleans County Legislature. At right on the podium is emcee Brenda Tremblay.
Goodman led the effort to create the Landmark Society’s Five to Revive, which has draws attention to sites in need of investment. Several locations have been on the list in Orleans County, and that designation helped secure funding and attention.
The Landmark Society sponsors local and regional tours, as well as national and international tours. They recently completed a window restoration project and sponsored a house and garden tour. The restoration of the former Holley High School into Holley Gardens is one of their success stories, and one of their “Five to Revive,” Goodman said.
Goodman explained historic restoration is about progress, innovation and authenticity. He said you can tell where you are by the historic buildings, such as the Old Faithful Inn in Wyoming; or the balconied buildings which line the street in New Orleans.
“When you see a cobblestone house, you know you’re in Western New York,” Goodman said. “When we know where we are and where we come from, we can better understand who we are.”
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, presents a Historic Preservation Award to Chris Capurso, trustee with the Orleans County Historical Association and Tina Inzana, Association treasurer, for the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road. Capurso’s husband Al was instrumental in restoration of the schoolhouse.
Six structures were recognized during the Historic Preservation ceremony, in which Farley presented plaques to Chris Capurso, trustee, and Tina Inzana, treasurer, both with the Orleans County Historical Association, for restoration of the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road; Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch for their Butterfield cobblestone home on Bennetts Corners Road, Holley; Gar and Virginia Trusselle for restoration of the William V.N Barlow house on South Clinton Street in Albion; Delbert Young, who owns the Isaac Bennet home on State Street, the oldest cobblestone house in Medina, built in the late 1820s; Danny Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society/Railroad Depot; and to Krystal Goodwin on behalf of Home Leasing’s restoration of Holley High School into an upscale Holley Gardens.
Standing at right front is Krystal Goodwin, who accepted the Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley on behalf of Home Leasing for their restoration of Holley Gardens, formerly the Holley High School. Representatives also presented her with proclamations on behalf of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Senator Robb Ortt and Orleans County Legislative chairman Lynne Johnson.
Matt Holland, president of the Cobblestone Society, said they do so much to preserve old structures, but they also are committed to educating the community. They are doing more school tours, and reached more than 3,000 visitors.
“It’s not just about history, it’s also science and art,” Holland said. “It’s something special for the community to partake in. When you restore a building, you have to do it again. It is ongoing.”
He praised the Cobblestone Society’s volunteers and staff for the “wonderful job they do.” He also thanked the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Landmark Society of Western New York for their support.
The program concluded with an appeal for donations to enable the Cobblestone Society to continue their work preserving local history.
Murray-Holley Historical Society president Danny Mawn holds his Historic Preservation Award presented by Cobblestone Director Doug Farley.
Delbert Young accepts his Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley for restoration of the oldest Medina Sandstone home in the village of Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2024 at 8:43 pm
2,715 have cast ballots so far, more than 10 percent of registered voters
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign notes early voting is open at the Orleans County office Building. The sign is next to the driveway leading to the County Office Building on Route 31. There is only one early voting polling location in the county. On Nov. 5, polling places will be open in all 10 towns.
ALBION – The early voting surge has continued through the first five days, with four more days to vote before the general election on Nov. 5.
So far, 2,715 ballots have been cast since Saturday, an average of 543 a day. That is more than 10 percent of the registered voters in the county, which totals about 25,000.
The daily average is up from the presidential election four years ago when an average of 417 voted each of the nine days of early voting – 3,753 then for the grand total.
The county is on pace to pass that mark, which was the record high for early voting. The daily totals so far include:
Oct. 26 (Saturday) – 647
Oct. 27 (Sunday ) – 410
Oct. 28 (Monday) – 563
Oct. 29 (Tuesday) – 608
Oct. 30 (Wednesday) – 487
The remaining early voting schedule includes:
Thursday, October 31 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, November 1 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, November 2 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 3 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The early voting polling location is at the Board of Elections Office at 14016 State Route 31 in Albion. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, polling places will be open at all 10 towns in the county.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2024 at 6:59 pm
MEDINA – A new pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek on Maple Ridge Road is expected to be complete by October 2025, Medina village officials said.
The project also includes a sidewalk from Crosby’s to the Medina Business Park.
The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent is to be paid locally from the village, Town of Shelby, Orleans County and Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The Village Board on Monday voted to pay $14,195 from village funds to the state Department of Transportation to go towards right-of-way acquisition. The sidewalks and shoulders near the bridge will cut into some residents’ property and they will be compensated for that land, board members said.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the project will make it much safer for residents and cyclists along that stretch of Maple Ridge. The spot by the creek, in particular, has a very narrow space for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge will keep them back away from a busy road.
MEDINA – The school district is hosting a Tri-County College and Career Day Conference on Saturday at the Junior-Senior High School located at 1 Mustang Drive. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This annual celebration of educational opportunity is a major event for talented, first-generation college-bound students, parents and community members in Orleans, Niagara and Genesee counties.
“We expect students, parents, community members from neighboring counties, and other educational opportunity programs to be in attendance,” said Daniel Doctor, Medina’s director of community partnerships. “The purpose of the College and Career Day conference is to expose anyone planning their future to a variety of careers in order to jumpstart their thinking about career paths. By preparing early, students will more likely be college and career ready after high school graduation. Students in middle, high school and adulthood may participate in the conference.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from multiple organizations, discuss potential job opportunities and establish professional relationships.
