ALBION — About 100 people went to the polls the first three days early voting has been offered in Orleans County.

The Board of Elections reports there were 32 voters on Saturday, 26 on Sunday and 41 on Monday.

The county has an early voting polling place at the Board of Elections office in the County Administration Building in Albion. This is the first time early voting has been an option at a polling location in the county.

The county will continue to accept ballots at the Board of Elections until Sunday, Nov. 3. The county will have election inspectors on site and residents can vote as in any other election.

The option is part of a state mandate to allow greater access to the polls. The state is providing Orleans County with $27,251 towards the cost of implementing the reform.

The Board of Elections moved in July from a suite in the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility to the new addition on the County Administration Building, located behind the nursing home at 14016 Route 31.

The hours the polls for early voting include:

• Oct. 29-30 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oct. 31-Nov. 1 (Thursday and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Nov. 2-3 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The general election is Nov. 5 with polls in the 10 towns in Orleans County open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Amy Sidari (left), owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, is happy one of her instructors, Adrianna Grieco, will be working as a professional dancer in Tokyo with Disney.

ALBION – Amy Sidari encourages her students and staff to follow their dreams. One of her instructors, Adrianna Grieco, took Sidari’s advice and landed a role as a professional dancer in Tokyo with Disney.

Grieco, 22, worked two full years as a dance instructor at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy in Albion. She was hired while a student at Brockport State College. Grieco in May graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dance and health sciences.

“Our small town has had the opportunity to reap her gifts and now they will see dreams come true, too,” Sidari said about Grieco.

Sidari connected with Grieco after reaching out to dancing department at Brockport State College. Grieco was the first Brockport student to work as an instructor for Gotta Dance.

Sidari said Grieco proved to be dedicated, talented and loving with about 100 students in the two years at Gotta Dance. Grieco led tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and strength and technique classes. She worked with dancers from age 4 to teen-agers.

“I loved it here,” Grieco said about her time with Gotta Dance. “If this (Disney) doesn’t take me farther, I’ll definitely be back.”

Grieco is an Albany native. She auditioned for seven hours in Toronto for the role of an aerial dancer for the Disney show. She leaves in January for three months of training with her co-workers. Then it will be six months of performing multiple shows each day. Besides dancing, Grieco will be lip-syncing songs in Japanese.

“I’m very, very excited,” she said at Gotta Dance last week.

She stopped by the studio on East Bank Street to see Sidari and some of her students one last time before she heads out for Tokyo.

“Amy is like a second mother,” Grieco said. “She treats you like family.”

Sidari said two other Brockport dance students are currently working as instructors at Gotta Dance.

Provided photos from Wendi Pencille: Some of the Medina Marching Band leaders accept the first place Governor’s Cup on Sunday night during the New York State Field Band Conference Championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The two adults are Chris and Beth Calhoun, NYSFBC 2019 inductees into the NYSFBC Hall of Fame. The students from left are Margaret Klotzbach, Miranda Zelazny, Jada Draper, Lacey Kenward and McKenna Callard.

Trenton Crews, top, is thrilled with the band’s victory on Sunday.

SYRACUSE – The Medina Marching Band is the state champion for the first time since 2013. Medina had the top score in the Small School 1 Division on Sunday at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Medina’s 91.6 score was higher than seven other bands in SS1.

The Mustangs won all six captions or categories that make up the score – “That’s unheard of,” said Jim Steele, the band director.

The band this season performed to a program titled, “Walk the Path.” Medina had top marks in the competition for Ensemble Music Performance, Ensemble Visual Performance, General Effect Music, General Effect Visual, Individual Field Music Performance and Individual Field Visual Performance.

The band was second or third from 2014 to 2018, before bringing home the sliver-plated Governor’s Cup on Sunday.

Steele praised the 115 students who are in the marching band. Of those band members, 40 percent are in the band for the first time.

Some of the band members started reading through music for the fall show back in June. Some band members, the drumline and those who play the wind instruments, started practicing in early July, and then there was band camp during the third week in July.

After that, the full band and colorguard practiced three days a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – through the summer and the first two months of the school year.

“There is a tradition here, there is no doubt about it,” Steele said. “The kids like to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Medina puts up some of the highest scores, even those from much larger schools. Medina is actually the fifth smallest school district out of the 53 schools at the New York State Field Band Conference Championship.

Sunday’s victory was Medina’s 14^thstate championship. Medina won five straight years, from 2009 to 2013, before taking the title on Sunday.

“Our emphasis is not winning at all costs,” Steele said. “It’s building better young adults and still be entertaining.”

The band is fortunate to have such a supportive booster program and school administration, he said.

This season was Medina’s 53rd time competing as a marching band and Sunday was the Mustangs’ 43rd appearance in the New York State Field Band Conference Championship.

These Mustang band members include Margaret Klotzbach, Lily Kiebala, Mirana Zelazny, Mary Flores, Jada Draper, Grace Cook, Lacey Kenward, Trenton Crews and Reagan Wilkins.

Van Lieshout Farm is first in Orleans with robotic milking units

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Mike Van Lieshout on Friday leads a tour of the family’s dairy farm on Route 98 in Barre. About 50 people from Western New York attended the tour which included representatives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, National Grid, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The farm was started by Mike’s parents, Leon and Hendrika Van Lieshout, in 1978. Mike’s son, Garrett, joined the operation in 2015, bringing a third generation into the dairy farm.

The Van Lieshout farm recently constructed new buildings and installed new equipment. On May 7 they started using eight robotic milking units.

The Van Lieshouts are the first farm in Orleans County with the robots. One of the robots is shown milking a cow.

The farm has about 400 cows milked by the robots and another 85 cows in a traditional milking parlor.

The robots milk the cows 24/7. They spare the farm owners worry over a reliable workforce. The robots also allow the cows to milk on their own schedule.

The cows go to the milking parlor on their own accord when they are ready to be milked.

Each cow has a RFID, which is like a Fitbit, on a collar. The RFID allows the robot to identify each cow and track the animal’s feed intake and milk output.

“Labor was a big reason why we went this route,” said Cyndy Van Lieshout. “We wanted the younger generation to be able to come home.”

Jay Snyder of National Grid speaks to the group gathered in one of the barns. He said the energy company offers many incentives to help farms install energy-saving equipment.

The Van Lieshouts participated in a no-cost energy audit with the Agriculture Energy Audit Program through NYSERDA. Equipped with the results of the energy audit, the dairy farm worked with National Grid to install robotic milking equipment and other energy efficient equipment.

National Grid’s Energy Efficiency and Economic Development programs provided about $90,000 towards some of the new equipment at the Van Lieshout farm. The more efficient equipment is estimated to save the Van Lieshouts about $22,500 in reduced electricity costs.

The Van Lieshouts made upgrades in the barn with fan controls, plate coolers, milking equipment, LED lighting and with VFDS for manure pumps and water pumps. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor.

The Van Lieshouts said the upgrades at the farm were about 5 years in the making.

“It didn’t happen overnight,” Cyndy told the group on the tour Friday.

The Van Lieshouts also completed a Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summary on an annual basis to assess their business and plan for a sustainable future. For this project, they used Pro-Dairy’s Dairy Acceleration Program, now known as the Dairy Advancement Program, funded through New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to cost share their facility engineering.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A row of trees are pictured by the Erie Canal in Holley by the village’s canal park this afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning for Thursday evening (Halloween) through Friday evening for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Jefferson and Chautauqua counties

There will be southwest winds 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

The damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, with widespread power outages possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, the Weather Service said.

The high temperatures for the next few days include 67 on Tuesday, 54 on Wednesday, 57 on Thursday and 49 on Friday.

Marcia Tuohey

MEDINA – Village officials joined Marcia Tuohey’s family and friends in dedicating “Marcia Tuohey Way” at the Medina Business Park this morning.

Tuohey served as a village trustee, mayor and then Orleans County legislator. She was instrumental in developing the Medina Business Park off Bates Road in the 1980s. Tuohey pushed to bring infrastructure to the Business Park and also welcomed its first tenants.

The site continues to grow, with Takeform doing a recent expansion, Pride Pak building a new vegetable processing and packaging facility, and a new hotel currently under construction alog Maple Ridge Road.

“Today we recognize Marcia’s contributions not only to the Village of Medina but also to the Medina Business Park and the Orleans Economic Development Agency,” said Mayor Mike Sidari. “We recognize that this street is the gateway to the Business Park and with it comes out hopes for new development and more prosperity for the area. It is fitting to honor Marcia in this way.”

After Tuohey retired as an elected official, she served on the Village Planning Board and was the county’s representative on the Board of Directors for the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. She passed away on Aug. 7, 2014.

“My mother would be very proud to receive this recognition,” Cal Tuohey said about the road naming “This is a great tribute for her and our family. Mom loved Medina and did her best to make it a better place. If she were here today she would be both humbled and delighted by this honor.”

Jim Whipple, chief executive officer of the Orleans Economic Development Agency, said the Medina Business Park has been a great asset for attracting and retaining companies in the county.

“We are standing at ground zero where it all started, where her vision of an industrial park began,” Whipple said at today’s dedication. “As Marcia’s vision becomes a reality I want her family to know what an inspiration and driving force she was both to me personally and to our agency.”

Marcia Tuohey’s friends and family briefly placed one her hats on top of the sign of the roadway bearing her name during a dedication ceremony this morning. Tuohey was known for being an impeccable dresser capped with her fancy hats.

“Upstream Journey” by Ellen Riccobono was among the top-rated photos in the 2018 Orleans County Tourism Photo Contest.

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department

ALBION – The 2019 Orleans County Tourism Photo Contest is underway. This is the fourth year that the Tourism Department has had the contest and we are overwhelmed by the wonderful and creative photographs that showcase the unique and inviting character of Orleans County.

Last year the winning photograph was taken in Point Breeze by Sharon Gavenda.

Click here to download the official contest rules and entry forms.

The contest is open to any amateur or professional photographer with the exception of employees of the Orleans County Tourism Department. We will accept up to 5 photographs from an individual photographer. All photographs must be taken within Orleans County with a “tourism-draw” subject matter such as recreation, heritage, nature, annual event or tourist attractions.

All entries must be submitted by midnight, Nov. 3, via email or postmarked no later than Nov. 2. Winners will be notified by Nov. 15.

A panel of 8-10 judges will rate the photos on the basis of “Tourism Attraction” relevance, subject matter, creativity and quality as well as those which capture the unique quality and beauty of our region. Photographer’s names will not be revealed to the judges.

Once again, we’re looking for the “wow factor” or “magazine cover worthy” image. New this year: sunrise and sunset images will be rated more favorably when it includes either an icon specific to Orleans County, wildlife specific to our region or activity. We want to insure the photograph is specific to Orleans County and wouldn’t pass for another locale.

The first-place photographer will have first choice on 2 complimentary tickets to any one of the following performances. The second and third place winners will choose from the remaining tickets in that order. Only one prize will be awarded per photographer.

• Wayne Brady at the Seneca Niagara Events Center at Seneca Niagara Resort in Niagara Falls, NY, Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. (Attendees must be over 18 y/o)

• Celine Dion at the Key Bank Center, Buffalo, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

• The Lion King at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre in Rochester on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m..

We look forward to your submissions! Questions can be directed to Lynne Menz at lynne@orleanscountytourism.com or 585-589-3103.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Shyller Elusma waits outside the cafeteria at the Kendall Elementary School today. Elusma, 27, is home on leave for about a week.

He is stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. He hasn’t been home since Christmas.

Elusma walks through the cafeteria, where many of the students were encouraged to wear red, while and blue as part of Red Ribbon Week.

Elusma is tackled by his kids, Amara and Jenady. His son Jeremiah also gave him a big greeting.

To see a video of Elusma surprising his kids today at Kendall Elementary, click here.

There are big smiles when Elusma greeted his wife Amber and children, Amara in first grade, Jeremiah in kindergarten and Jenady in fourth grade.

Mrs. Elusma works in the cafeteria at the school. She orchestrated the surprise visit today with help from the school and her co-workers.

Jan Traino, a cafeteria worker, makes sure a big poster welcoming Elusma is securely in place.

Elusma is held tight by daughter Amara. He joined his kids for lunch in the cafeteria.

Elusma is from Orlando, Florida. His wife is from Barker. They like the small-town atmosphere in Kendall.

“I love it here,” he said. “The community is amazing. It’s a great place.”

Elusma is a specialist in the Army. He joined 7 years ago and wants to make it at least a 20-year career. He enjoys the camaraderie among the soldiers and being part of a team that serves the country. He was deployed to Poland for two months earlier this year. He has been training at Fort Riley for the past eight months.

Heather Eysaman, the school principal, was happy to help accommodate Elusma’s visit today.

She started as the principal on Oct. 1, and said Kendall is a caring community.

“It’s special for us because he has three students here and his wife works here, too,” Eysaman said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The legislative chambers for the Orleans County Legislature added a new feature last week: a wall with 61 photos of past elected leaders of the board overseeing county government. The County Legislature moved into the new space in July. It is part of a 23,000-square-foot addition to the County Administration Building.

Takeform in Medina made the display, which starts with the Board of Supervisors in 1889-90 and includes the current County Legislature. The terms for the former Board of Supervisors and the current county legislators are for two years. Every term a new group photo was taken, except during World War II.

The seven-member Legislature replaced the Board of Supervisors about 40 years ago. Before the Legislature, the county government was led by the 10 town supervisors. Some counties, such as nearby Wyoming, continue with the Board of Supervisors.

The display begins with the Board of Supervisors from 130 years ago.

This photo shows the 2018-19 County Legislature, county attorney and the clerk of Legislature. County Attorney David Schubel has since retired and Kathy Bogan is now in that role.

Photos courtesy of Kelly Kiebala: The Medina Marching Band is shown performing at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse this evening. The Mustang band was crowned state champion in the Small Schools I Division.

SYRACUSE – The Medina Marching Band is a 2019 state champion. The Mustang band won the Small Schools 1 Division in today’s New York State Field Band Conference Championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Medina scored 91.6, which topped the others bands in the division, including last year’s champ Malverne from Long Island (85.2), East Syracuse-Minoa (88.7), New Hartford (87.2), Central Square (87.0), Mohonasen (85.4), East Irondequoit (83.9), and Oswego (83.2).

Medina finished second in 2018. The band this season performed to a program titled, “Walk the Path.” This is Medina’s 53rd season competing as a marching band and today was the Mustangs’ 43rd appearance in the New York State Field Band Conference Championship.

Orleans Hub will have more on the state champions on Monday.

Click here to see photos of the band from its home show on Sept. 21 during the Fall Festival of Bands.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning

ALBION – The first community meeting to gather public input on the Orleans County Canal Corridor Waterfront Revitalization Plan will be held 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St., Albion.

Those in attendance will be provided with information on the Canal Corridor Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan process followed by a hands-on, interactive public workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to identify potential transformative revitalization strategies that will provide long-term community and economic benefits for the communities along the Canal Corridor including the Town and Village of Albion, Village of Holley, and the Towns of Murray, Gaines, Ridgeway and Shelby.

This is an opportunity for residents and businesses in the community to provide feedback and help plan the future of the Canal Corridor. The Orleans Local Waterfront Advisory Committee would like to know what you love about the Canal Corridor – what draws you to it and what amenities would bring you to it more often.

The workshop is the first in a series of three public participation meetings that will be held over the next six months. Future public meeting will focus on a review of potential revitalization projects and the final recommendations for the Plan.

Press Release, GCC

Provided photo: Rozenn Bailleul-LeSeur and Sue Savard show artifacts at the Morgan-Manning House in Brockport.

BROCKPORT – Applied learning projects are a critical component to the educational experience at Genesee Community College, and GCC professors look for engaging opportunities to enhance their curriculum and the learning outcomes for their students.

Projects that reinforce a positive citizenship, an appreciation of history and community, and support local resources and civic treasures are ideal. And projects that do all of that plus celebrate a popular holiday are nearly a dream come true.

Welcome to the special exhibition entitled, “Changing Victorian Deathways in the 19th Century” in the Red Parlor of the Morgan-Manning House at 151 Main Street in Brockport. The three-day exhibition is scheduled Monday through Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be a special lecture on Wednesday at 7 p.m., “Dying on Script: Changing Victorian Deathways in the 19th Century,” by Derek Maxfield, GCC professor of history who is also a member of the Morgan-Manning House Board of Trustees.

Approximately 25 GCC students from a variety of academic programs are participating in the project by researching specific historic museum artifacts, developing detailed descriptions, and helping to curate the exhibition in preparation for the three-day event. The students are also learning the history of Morgan-Manning House, which was built in 1854, fully restored in 1965 and placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991.

The exhibit is a collaborative effort involving not only GCC, but other museums and historical societies including the Waterloo Library and Historical Society, Emily L. Knapp Museum and Library of Local History in Brockport, and the Town of Bergen History Department.

Retired Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin also generously loaned items from his private collection. Among the related artifacts that will be on loan include mourning apparel, jewelry, hair wreaths and accessories and even a 1890’s glass encased child’s casket from the Waterloo Library and Museum, which has an interesting history all its own.

“Victorian society had rules about everything, and one of the most fascinating aspects about their culture was the manner in which people were put to rest,” Professor Maxfield said. “The students are not only learning about this history, but they are experiencing how exhibits are coordinated, how nonprofit organizations support one another, how to use a popular holiday today to celebrate the past, and perhaps most importantly, how important volunteerism is to community groups.”

Admittance into the Morgan-Manning House is free, but donations are encouraged. No tickets are necessary.

MEDINA – The Committee for the Parade of Lights urges local businesses and organizations to enter a float in the Parade of Lights on Nov. 30. This will be the 11^thyear for the parade, which follows on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Participants are encouraged to send in an entry form to ensure a position in the parade, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and continues through the downtown. The deadline to enter is Nov. 25. (Parade entry forms are available at www.christmasinmedina.com.)

The parade is the culmination of a daylong celebration in downtown Medina, sponsored by the Medina Business Association and the Village’s Tourism Committee. Some of the activities include a noon-time parade on Main Street with Santa, a 5K race in the morning and numerous other events.

This year’s edition of the parade includes music at Rotary Park by Prime Time Brass from Churchville at 5 p.m. and the Community Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30, followed by a fireworks display by Young Explosives.

“This year there are a few surprises that we’re sure will delight the crowd,” said Jim Hancock, the parade chairman.

The parade is adding DownBeat Percussion, which is a regular performer at the Buffalo Bills home games.

The parade route also has been lengthened. Instead of ending at NAPA Parts, the parade will extend to Hartway Motors. This will give additional viewing for the crowds on Main Street.  There also will be a spot for handicapped parking and viewing in the Five Star Bank parking lot. Space is limited, but will the additions allow an opportunity for better parking and viewing of the parade.

Organizers are also looking for volunteers to be parade marshals.  Anyone interested in helping can call Hancock at (585) 798-2118.

The Lyndonville Fire Department won Best in Class for the fourth consecutive year in 2018.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion teacher Dana Martin boogies on the basketball court with Road Runner, left, and Swoop, two members of the Harlem Wizards. Martin and about 20 Albion school staff members formed the Albion Hotshots and played the Harlem Wizards in a fun basketball game on Saturday. The game ended in a tie, 64-64, with some creative scoring and frequent antics on the court.

Wiz Kids – Keira Lemcke, right, and Rianne Hand – take a warmup lap around the gym just before the start of the game.

These members of the Albion Hotshots – Rachel Curtin (school principal) and teachers Shani Faraci and Joyce Monacelli – cheer on their teammates while they were introduced.

Swoop runs through a fog machine during player introductions. He is the leader of the Swoop Unit of the Harlem Wizards.

The Albion Hotshots, including teachers Tim Archer (left) and Jeff Radder, gets fired up for the game. Radder was nicknamed the “The Lumberjack” by the announcer from the Wizards.

Swoop gets the ball spinning for a young fan. Saturday’s game against the Albion Hotshots was attended by nearly 400 people. It was a fundraiser for the Albion Elementary School PTA.

Swoop has been a Wizard since 2007. Prior to that, he was a showman with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Swoop and the Wizards frequently went into the crowd with zany antics. Here Swoop has inflatables that he pretended were boxing gloves. He gave some of the fans a few friendly jabs while the Rocky theme song played.

Brayden LaMartina and his mother Danielle walk off the court after Brayden won a gold basketball. His mother guessed many of the theme songs for different television shows. Each correct answer moved her son closer to the hoop for a basketball shot.

Sarge tries to distract one of the audience members who was pulled from the crowd for a game on court.

Road Runner and the other Wizards accommodated the autograph seekers during halftime. Kids who attended the game in a costume received a free basketball.

Swoop keeps this boy entertained with some fancy ball handling.

Mattea Woolston was one of the last contestants in game where Swoop made people miss on some of his passes. Here he is doing a slow-motion pass to Woolston.

Swoop takes a selfie with Todd Graham, who had courtside seats. His daughter Julia was one of the Wiz Kids.

Sky-Walker leads an energetic crowd in dancing to the “YMCA.”

Chief administrative officer has led Orleans through major construction projects

Chuck Nesbitt has served as the chief administrative officer in Orleans County for 14 ½ years.

ALBION – The chief administrative officer for the Orleans County government has announced he is leaving the job by the end of the year to take a job in the private sector.

Chuck Nesbitt has served as CAO for the county for 14 ½ years, leading the county through several major building projects, including the recent $11 million addition to the County Administration Building.

The county also is doing the second major upgrade to its emergency communications system in Nesbitt’s tenure.

He is taking a job with Wendel, an architectural and engineering firm. He will help Wendel expand its customer base in the Rochester and Syracuse area. Nesbitt will be a resource for local and state governments tackling building projects and infrastructure upgrades.

“He has committed a lot to Orleans County,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature. “He gave it 110 percent. We were lucky to have Chuck Nesbitt for as long as we did. It was only a matter of time before a great offer came along. He was a gift to Orleans County.”

Nesbitt, an Albion resident, said he will continue to live locally. He and his wife, Elissa, have two young children. She is a member of the Albion Board of Education.

“I’m grateful to the legislators, the department heads and the people of Orleans County for the opportunity,” Nesbitt said today about the CAO job.

Nesbitt is well regarded in the county government circles. He just finished his tenure as president of the New York State Association of Counties. He served as president of the NYS Association of County Administrators and Managers from 2008 to 2018.

He has worked to reimagine the county government in Orleans County. That includes a merged health department with Genesee County, the only two-county public health department in the state.

Another recent hire for the county, John Papponetti, was recruited by Nesbitt to work as the county’s highway superintendent and also as an in-house engineer. Papponetti was working as an engineer for Labella and Associates. Papponetti was with Labella when he helped the county do an inventory of the conditions of county bridges and culverts.

He also worked with the department last year when it poured the concrete slabs and constructed a culvert on Culvert Road in Ridgeway. That was the first time the highway department did that kind of project by itself. It reduced the construction costs by an estimated $180,000.

The work of the highway department, and the partnership with Genesee County for public health is the kind of “outside the box” thinking Nesbitt brought to the county – a push to reduce costs while providing excellent service to the local residents.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson on May 22 presents Chuck Nesbitt with a “Special Recognition Award” from the County Legislature after he received a Public Service Excellence Award from the NYS Academy for Public Administration.

Nesbitt informed legislators and department heads on Friday that he will be leaving by the end of the year. He has the 2020 county budget nearly complete and the addition project is done.

“He’s left us in very good shape,” Johnson said. “But it’s going to be incredibly difficult to find another Chuck Nesbitt.”

Johnson praised Nesbitt for building a strong team of department heads. Nesbitt said he will exit the job knowing the county is in good hands with so many capable and dedicated county department heads.

Johnson said Nesbitt set a high standard for the department heads and county employees.

“He is a very hard leader, and he is also a very kind leader,” she said. “He balances that very well. He sits and he listens. He has great leadership skills.”

Nesbitt said he looks forward to the new job, which will keep him in contact with government leaders in the region.

“I’ve invested so much of myself in that position,” he said about serving as the CAO. “I’ve done everything I can do to help the county change course and with the professionalism. I’m really excited for the future and the great people I’ll work with. I’m looking forward to a new mountain to climb.”