Photo by Tom Rivers: The flag waves at the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze on Sunday evening. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is in back.
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that flags on state government buildings will be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, September 11, in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 men, women and children who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
“Nearly 17 years ago, New York was dealt a blow so devastating that the loss and suffering are still felt to this day,” Cuomo said. “On September 11, 2001, the lives of countless Americans were forever changed in an instant as thousands of innocent men, women, and children perished in the deadliest terror attack this nation has ever seen.
“We will never forget these individuals and the selfless heroes who did not make it home that day. Today, we honor those we lost and thank the brave law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical professionals and other first responders who saved so many lives in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy. We also remember the courageous men and women of the United States Armed Forces including the New York National Guard who protected our freedom then and continue to do so now at home and abroad, New York is eternally grateful for their service to our nation.”
Editor’s Note: There will be a remembrance ceremony at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Courthouse lawn in Albion.
Staff Reports Posted 10 September 2018 at 12:58 pm
Michael Kracker
A group that advocates for upstate businesses, trying to reduce taxes and other costs, has named Michael Kracker as its new executive director. Kracker most recently was working as an aide to Congressman Chris Collins.
In his new role, Kracker will lead Unshackle Upstate’s advocacy efforts in Albany and across the state, strengthen its partnerships with allied organizations and raise awareness about the extraordinary challenges facing Upstate businesses and taxpayers, the organization said in a news release.
“As a lifelong Upstate New Yorker, I’m all too aware of the struggles that our hardworking residents must face every day,” Kracker said. “Sky-high taxes and energy costs, burdensome red tape and costly state mandates are just some of the factors that hurt the Upstate economy. I’m excited to lead Unshackle Upstate’s efforts to improve our economy and fight for a brighter future for my fellow Upstate New Yorkers.”
Prior to joining Unshackle Upstate, Kracker previously worked in several senior positions in the United States House of Representatives. Collins, his most recent boss, has suspended his re-election campaign and faces federal charges related to insider trading.
In 2017, Kracker was selected as “30 Under 30” honoree by Buffalo Business First. He is a 2010 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Political Science. He lives in Buffalo.
“Unshackle Upstate plays a critical role in effectively advocating for Upstate employers and taxpayers, and this responsibility requires a strong, experienced leader,” said Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “I am very pleased we have found such a person in Michael Kracker. Michael has an acute understanding of politics at all levels of government and an appreciation for how policy impacts employers and hardworking taxpayers across Upstate for better or worse. I am excited for the next chapter of Unshackle Upstate’s success with Michael as our new executive director.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Bob Duffy said, “Rochester Chamber is pleased to welcome Michael Kracker as Unshackle Upstate executive director. Michael has a long history of work in the public sector that positions him well in representing the interests of Upstate business. I have every bit of confidence that his candor, his experience, and his energy are a formula for success.”
Provided photo: Justin Corser (Lyndonville) and Joe Meaney (Royalton-Hartland) work in the computer lab.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – The Computer Technology students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center have been hard at work using the skills they picked up in junior year to set up the class’s computer lab.
The students, who are taught by Paul Herrmann, spent their junior year learning the basic concepts of the peripherals and components of a computer, printer management and networking.
They acquired knowledge on motherboards, storage media, memory, operating systems antivirus protection, troubleshooting, Cisco Business Management Systems and help desk management.
Now in the first week of school they are putting that knowledge into practice.
“I have students who are wiring the whole room and running all the network cable,” Herrmann said. “The kids are also punching down on gold pens. They have been learning about networking and how the lines works and how they get plugged into a switch. I also have students that are formatting and building all the computers and getting them all up and running for a workable lab.”
The class is extremely popular as Mr. Herrmann has a class of 27 juniors that will be learning the basics this year.
“I give all the credit to my seniors,” Hermann said. “They really enjoy being in this class and talk to the students who are touring the program about what they like about it. So I owe them all the credit for these record-breaking numbers.”
Local law enforcement also did active shooter drill at Kendall
Provided photo: Deputy Torry Tooley, left, and other law enforcement officers did an active shooter drill at Kendall Central School last month.
Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower
ALBION – In the month of August, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center processed 2191 police incidents, including 839 events for Sheriff’s Road Patrol, 189 for the New York State Police and 1,163 calls for the village police agencies of Lyndonville, Medina, Albion and Holley.
There were 584 Fire/EMS related calls dispatched countywide with 367 of those emergency medical in nature as well as six for drug overdoses.
The Sheriff’s Office road patrol deputies handled 38 automobile accidents, including 13 with injury and 9 car-deer collisions. Road patrol also made 62 service attempts and served 30 subpoenas, civil or court papers.
The Marine Patrol handled 29 calls for service including boaters in distress, reckless operation, and marine vessel inspections on Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, as well as the Erie Canal and Glenwood Lake.
In addition, deputies and members of local law enforcement agencies participated in an “active shooter” drill at Kendall schools along with Kendall Fire Department, Monroe Ambulance and Orleans County Emergency Management.
The Orleans County Jail processed in 84 inmates with 4 incarcerated females boarded for other jurisdictions.
The Sheriff’s Animal Control Division handled 153 incidents including 38 stray dogs, 7 dog bite complaints, 17 neighbor dog problems, 1 domestic animal struck by a vehicle, and several other miscellaneous animal calls. In addition, 24 animals were taken in at the shelter on voluntary surrenders.
6 numbers from Lisa’s Dance Boutique advance to semifinals
This group from Lisa’s Dance Boutique in Holley came in fourth at the State Fair with its tap performance of “Sing “Sing, Sing, Sing.” They performed in the finals on Labor Day. The dancers include, front row, from left: Allison Amoroso, Charley London, Julia Frederick, Leah Kania and Savanna Isenberg. Back row: Olivia Amoroso, Madigan Neumann, Olivia Miller, Miss Heather Kelley, Deanna Schubmehl, Kylie Towne and Hannah Coolbaugh.
Part of the group, including Charley London (center) is shown performing during the talent show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on July 23.
Lisa’s Dance Boutique sent eight groups of dancers to compete at the State Fair, which one of the groups coming in fourth overall.
Six of the eight numbers from Lisa’s advanced to the semifinals, which include the top 80 acts. Seven of the groups performed in the maxi division, which is ages 13 and older, with one number in the mini division, 12 and younger.
Lisa’s, a past state champion, qualified after doing well at the Orleans County 4-H Fair talent show.
This group – Hannah Coolbaugh, Olivia Miller, Deanna Schubmehl, Abby Connelly and Kamryn Berner – performed Jazz Dance to Summertime Sadness.
Allison Amoroso did a Jazz Solo, “Havana.”
This group did a jazz dance, “The Beautiful People.” Front row: Allison Amoroso, Savanna Isenberg and Julia Frederick. Back Row: Olivia Amoroso, Leah Weinbeck, Kylie Towne and Tori Allen.
Kamryn Berner, Abby Connelly and Morgan Davis performed a tap dance, “Heart Cry.”
Morgan Davis, Abby Connelly and Kamryn Berner performed a tap dance to “Tap Dat.”
This group did a lyrical dance to “Don’t Let Me Down.” Front row: Deanna Schubmehl, Savanna Isenberg and Julia Frederick. Back row: Olivia Miller, Leah Weinbeck, Olivia Amoroso, Tori Allen, Kylie Towne and Emilie Weinbeck.
Bailey Amoroso did a jazz solo, “Every Girl’s A Super Girl.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 September 2018 at 5:29 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Shown here during Saturday’s scrimmage, Holley will begin its 8 man football era by hosting Marcus Whitman this coming Saturday.
Holley’s debut in 8 man football at home on Saturday (1:30 p.m.) against Marcus Whitman will cap off a busy week of area high school sports action.
Also on the gridiron, both Albion and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker will play rare Saturday night interdivisional games. The Purple Eagles will host Burgard at 7 p.m. and the Mustangs will entertain Lew-Port at 7:30 p.m.
A key Niagara-Orleans League field hockey matchup will have defending co-champs Akron and Barker meeting at Akron on Tuesday (4:45 p.m.). Akron is currently 3-0 and Barker 2-0.
In N-O girls soccer, Albion (2-0) will host Wilson (1-0) in a key contest on Monday (4:30 p.m.). The Purple Eagles (1-1) will also host the undefeated (3-0) Lakemen on Wedneday in a key N-O boys soccer contest.
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Soccer: CCA at Medina/Lyndonville (at Lyndonville), Holley at Batavia, Allbion at Livonia, 4:30 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 6:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: Wilson at Albion, Roy-Hart at Newfane, Akron at Barker, 4:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Albion at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Lyndonville, Attica at Holley, 6:30 p.m. Field Hockey: Sacred Heart at Roy-Hart at 4:30 p.m. Golf: Albion at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, Roy-Hart at Barker, 4 p.m.
Tuesday Girls Soccer: Holley at Lyndonville/Medina, 4:30 p.m.; Alexander at Kendall, 6:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Medina at Newfane, Albion at Akron, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m. Field Hockey: Newfane at Roy-Hart, Barker at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Kenmore at Medina, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Soccer: Akron at Medina/Lyndonville, Roy-Hart at Newfane, Wilson at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; Holley at Kendall, 6:30 p.m. Field Hockey: Medina at Sacred Heart, 5 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, Holley at Pembroke, 6:30 p.m. Golf: Akron at Medina, Roy-Hart at Albion, Newfane at Barker, 4p.m.
Thursday Girls Soccer: Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville/Medina, Albion at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Pembroke at Kendall, 6:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Medina at Roy-Hart, Akron at Wilson, 6:30 p.m. Field Hockey: Barker at Kenmore, Akron at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
Friday Football: Silver Creek at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Boys Soccer: Holley at Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; Medina/Lyndonville at Pavilion, 7 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Rochester Prep at Kendall, 5 p.m.; Newfane at Albion, Notre Dame at Holley, 6:30 p.m. Golf: Medina at Newfane, Barker at Albion, Wilson at Akron, 4 p.m.
Saturday Football: Marcus Whitman at Holley, 1:30 .m.; Burgard at Albion, 7 p.m.; Lew-Port at Medina/Lyndonville/Barker, 7:30 p.m. Boys Soccer: Medina/Lyndonville at Global Concepts, Kendall at Albion, 10 a.m. Girls Soccer: Akron at Lyndonville/Medina, 10 a.m.; Attica at Roy-Hart, 12 p.m.; Holley at Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Medina at Starpoint Tournament; Rochester Academy Charter at Kendall, 12 p.m. Boys Soccer: Lyndonville/Medina at Pavilion, 1 p.m. Cross-Country: WNY Officials Invit. at Beaver Island State Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2018 at 9:25 am
Jodi Shaffer, a librarian at Albion Middle School, took this photo on her way to work Thursday morning. She stopped on Presbyterian Road in Knowlesville to get a picture of the raindrops on her windshield.
Moderate to heavy rain is expected tonight and will continue through Monday morning, with 1.5 to 2 inches of rain is expected in Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for the three counties, warning that strong currents will make for dangerous swimming conditions.
“This means life threatening waves and currents are expected,” the Weather Service said. “Stay out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls.”
Today is forecast for a high of 64 followed a high of 67 on Monday. The highs for the rest of the week include 72 on Tuesday, 76 on Wednesday, 80 on Thursday, 82 on Friday and 81 on Saturday.
ALBION – There was a car show on Saturday at Bullard Park that was a benefit for Hospice of Orleans County. There were 61 vintage vehicles at the event and the Masonic Lodge from Albion served food with proceeds donated to Hospice.
The event is organized by Becky Karls of Albion and sponsored by Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes.
The event, now in its fifth year, typically raises about $2,500 for Hospice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2018 at 11:36 am
3rd annual event begins and will include many impressionists, lectures, Civil War Encampment and timeline festival
Everyone who attends the festival will receive a free commemorative button.
CLARENDON – The third annual Orleans County Heritage Festival started on Friday with a kick-off celebration at the Clarendon Historical Society. The 10-day festival has events around the county and this year includes a focus on women’s history.
Organizers chose to focus on four themes this year: the Erie Canal, historic women, barns/barn quilts, and nature/wildlife.
“I think this is our best programming year,” said Derek Maxfield, a GCC history professor and one of the organizers of the festival. “We have stellar women’s programming.”
The festival will include impressionists of Abigail Adams and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Dr. Melinda Grube, who portrays Stanton, has three appearances during the festival, including a presentation at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, at the Hoag Library. She will lead a women’s history program entitled “Justifying Suffrage: From Mothers of the Republic to Angels of the Home.” Even before the patriots of 1776 first proclaimed that “all men are created equal,” Americans struggled to define women’s proper role. Are women included among the equal “men” of this nation? Are women citizens? Are they persons? Dr. Grube will examine the issues.
Several leaders of local historical associations have worked with Maxfield, GCC and the Orleans County Tourism Department for the event. The first year the kick off was in Albion. Last year it was at Forrestel Farms in Medina. This year the Clarendon Historical Society hosted the kick off.
“We want to have it at all corners of the county,” Maxfield said about the festival.
Maxfield said the county is very fortunate to have many historic sites and resources. The festival highlights some of those assets.
“This year is a tipping point,” Maxfield said about the event’s future. “We need more community support. The key to sustaining this is to see more bodies. We need more people to attend the events.”
Derek Maxfield gives welcome address on Friday evening. A GCC history professor, Maxfield said the festival and the many events during the 10-day celebration offer a chance to educate outside of a traditional classroom.
“I love this,” he said about the Heritage Festival. “You got to keep looking for new ways to teach history.”
The kick off included a wine tasting by the Clarendon Historical Society.
The Clarendon Lions Club served refreshments at the kick off on Friday.
The former schoolhouse at Manning Corners in Clarendon was relocated to Route 31A by the Town Hall. A limestone hitching post is in front of the schoolhouse.
The inside of the school includes many artifacts from the community.
Roy Bubb of Holley gave tours of the schoolhouse that he attended as a kid in the Clarendon hamlet of Manning Corners on Route 31A. Bubb attended the school from first grade through sixth grade. The 1949 Holley graduate has written a book, “Memories of Manninng Corners,” about growing up on a farm in the community. Bubb has published nearly a half dozen books. When he was 18, he attended an auction at the school after it was closed. He bought many of the contents for $1. Some of those, the teacher’s desk and chairs, were donated to the Cobblestone Museum. Bubb saved other registers and documents that are on display at the schoolhouse.
“I’m glad they saved it,” he said about the school building.
Some highlights for today’s schedule include:
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Clarendon Historical Society will host Civil War Encampment featuring Union and Confederate soldiers.
• 2 to 3 p.m. – World premiere of Rudely Stamp’d presentation “Now We Stand Together Always: A conversation between Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.” The outdoor performance will be at the Clarendon Historical Society. The play features a conversation between Civil War commanders Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Major Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. Based on a March 1865 discussion between the men at City Point, Virginia, where Grant made his headquarters, the play will be performed by GCC professors Tracy Ford (as Sherman) and Derek Maxfield (as Grant). This free event is outdoors, weather-permitting; lawn chairs are suggested.
• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners’ “Orleans Pollinators” display/presentation and plant sale at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Medina Historical Society will feature the marriage of former Medina resident Frances Folsom to President Grover Cleveland.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Cobblestone Museum Art Show Opening: Cobblestone Sunday Painters presents, “An Eye for History,” an exhibit of paintings of historic artifacts from the Cobblestone Collection painted by Pat Greene and her students.
• 11a.m. to 5 p.m. – Cobblestone Museum will be open for tours and programming including the famous “Akeley Fox”
• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge presents Native American Walks-Uses of Wild Plants led by Marvin Jacobs at Kanyoo Trail (Route 77). Bring bug spray.
To see the entire schedule for the Heritage Festival, click here.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 8 September 2018 at 10:15 am
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 37
Photo by Matthew Ballard: The Amos & Rosamond Grinnell Lot is shown at Mt. Albion Cemetery.
ALBION – During tours of Mount Albion Cemetery, it is nearly impossible to visit a section of the cemetery that is void of at least one zinc marker. The “stones” themselves are a rather unique feature given their short-lived history, but the variety of sizes, shapes, and iconography provide visitors with a unique look into the beautiful art of cemetery monuments.
The photograph highlights a particular stone, belonging to Amos and Rosamond Whaley Grinnell, that stands near the front of the cemetery on Hawthorn Path and displays a stunning urn draped in a cloth that symbolizes the veil that separates Heaven and earth.
The Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut commenced the manufacture of these memorials in 1875. In addition to the company’s headquarters, subsidiaries opened in Des Moines, Detroit, and Chicago where the final stage of the manufacturing process was completed; all casting was performed in Connecticut.
It is important to note the use of the term “bronze” to describe these unique monuments. Although zinc was used to cast the memorials, the company understood the nature of marketing and thus affixed the name “white bronze” to the product in an effort to move more merchandise. The company boasted the use of 99% pure zinc that was rust, frost, and moisture resistant while preventing the growth of moss and requiring minimal cleaning. An artist in Bridgeport would fashion a wax model of the ordered monument and then use that model to produce a plaster mold. Molten zinc was then poured into these molds and allowed to set. On these larger stones, each side was crafted separately then fused together using zinc, which was stronger than soldering the joints.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of these monuments is the method in which they were sold. There were no showrooms or local dealers who provided samples of completed works. Instead, individuals received a visit from a salesman and sifted through the pages of the company catalog to select a monument style that appealed to them. If a potential customer wanted to see a physical example of a marker, they were encouraged to visit the local cemetery to look at examples. To place an order a customer would request an “order blank” through the mail, which provided space for illustrating the location of inscriptions and bas-relief emblems.
The white bronze monuments were marketed as more durable than their stone counterparts were and far more customizable. After installation, the markers developed their unique blue-gray appearance thanks to a sandblasting process that allowed for the formation of a layer of zinc oxide. On this particular monument are four tablets, one on each side, containing inscriptions and emblems. Visible in this photograph are tablets that show an ear of corn, representing the bounty of God, and the golden sheaf of wheat with sickle, representing the divine harvest. Each of these panels was attached with decorative screws that allowed the individual to remove and replace them upon the death of a loved one. In doing so, the monument always appeared complete and never displayed unfinished inscriptions.
Although the company marketed these monuments as superior to traditional stone memorials, the public failed to fully accept the product. Many failed to believe the claim that white bronze would outlast marble and granite and preferred the traditional appearance of stone. Perhaps it was the lack of the personal touch from a local businessman that limited the sale of these markers? Regardless of the reasons, production of white bronze monuments ended around 1912. Today we see that the claims made by the company held true, in many cases, holding their inscriptions far better than stone monuments. This particular memorial stands a large and beautiful example of the work produced by the Monumental Bronze Company.
On Saturday, September 15th, I will conduct two tours of Mount Albion Cemetery as part of the Orleans County Heritage Festival. The first tour, starting at 10 a.m., will take visitors to a number of stops located on the eastern end of the cemetery. The second tour, starting at 1 p.m., will take visitors around the western end of the cemetery. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes and visit many sites not included in the August tours.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Ben Restivo leads the Albion Purple Eagles onto the field for the start of Friday’s game vs. Lackawanna. Albion won 43-8 to improve to 2-0.
The Medina/Lyndonville/Barker football team also rallied for a late touchdown to defeat host Springville 28-24 to improve to 2-0. Click here for more on the games in Local Sports.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 September 2018 at 4:05 pm
Jim Bonafini, president of the Cobblestone Museum, also was a student in one of the classes. Patricia Greene, the instructor, is in back at center.
CHILDS – Budding artists will show off their work during a reception at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cobblestone Museum.
Artists are all members of the Cobblestone Sunday Painters’ group, which was taught by Pat Greene of Medina.
Many will be exhibiting their very first paintings, Greene said.
Artists are Valerie Collins, Susan Giorgio, Deb Roberts, Cathy Feldman, Cheryl Keppler, Pat Payne, Jim Bonafini and Sandy Chenelly.
In addition Greene will have five of her paintings in the exhibit.
The Sunday Painters classes are so popular, more will be scheduled in the future, according to Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum.
“This art exhibit is really amazing, considering many of the students just started painting this year at our Cobblestone Art Classes,” Farley said. “I would have thought the artists were seasoned professionals. Pat Greene has a very hands-on way of helping people get their ideas onto the canvas.”
A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council helped fund the project.
Greene led workshops on April 8 about composition, on May 6 about “Creating Drama” and on June 3 about “Learning from the Masters.”
Refreshments will be served during the reception on Saturday.
The exhibit will be open during regular museum hours in September and October – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2018 at 2:34 pm
SYRACUSE – The Village of Holley came in third at the State Fair in the best-tasting water competition.
New York City’s water system won the top honor for best-tasting tap water, with the Saratoga County Water Authority in second place.
People at the State Far sampled the tap water on Aug. 30 and voted for their favorite. The Village of Lyndonville won the title last year.
Visitors taste samples with each cup labeled with only a letter. The results are unscientific. The New York Water and Wastewater Education and Outreach Committee organizes the competition, trying to highlight the importance of maintaining safe drinking water supplies.
Holley qualified for the State Fair after winning the Western Region Tap Water Taste Contest at the City of Rochester Public Market. Holley topped five water systems at the Rochester event, including the City of Rochester, Village of Albion, City of Jamestown and Village of Arcade.
Holley gets most of its water from a well on Powerline Road. The village pumps about 160,000 to 190,000 gallons a day from the well. Holley also buys some water from the Monroe County Water Authority.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2018 at 10:35 am
‘The things we’re doing here are extraordinary.’ – Chuck Nesbitt, county chief administrative officer
File photos by Tom Rivers – Employees at Modern Disposal Service pick up trash in Albion in this photo from August 2013. The countywide contract, at $212 per household in 2018, offers big savings for local residents, county officials said. Orleans may be the only county that has a county-wide garbage collection contract.
ALBION – Municipalities in Orleans County have worked together for many years to reduce costs in providing government services, a mission that has extended with partnerships in Genesee County.
Many of the town supervisors, county legislators and village mayors met Thursday evening for a public hearing on a shared services plan that will be sent to state Department of State next week. Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2017 required the shared service plans in the 57 counties outside New York City.
In Orleans, the villages, towns and county have been sharing long before it was a Cuomo decree.
The governments in Orleans have been doing it “out of necessity” for many years, to try to bring down costs, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.
“Orleans County is and has been at the forefront,” he said during Thursday’s shared service meeting at the County Administration Building. “The things we’re doing here are extraordinary.”
The local governments have moved beyond “low-hanging fruit,” he said. Courts have been consolidated, and the health departments in two counties have a shared board and staff, a first in the state.
There is county-wide garbage collection, animal control services, dispatching and many other intermunicipal services. Just recently the county’s mental health department has teamed with local school districts to have mental health staff based in schools.
“It is clear that Orleans County continues to leave no stone unturned when searching for opportunities to do gain efficiencies and savings for our taxpayers,” Nesbitt writes in a letter to the Department of State. “This has been a long term, ongoing and very effective effort of our leadership.”
As part of the latest shared service plan, the county and the 10 towns in Orleans will formalize a long-standing practice where the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes vehicle and traffic tickets at the town courts. The DA’s Office provides the service without charging the towns.
“The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes the V & T tickets on a handshake deal,” Nesbitt said during Thursday’s meeting.
The county will continue to fund the service, but wants a formal agreement with signatures from the town officials.
Some counties bill towns to prosecute the vehicle and traffic tickets. If Orleans charged the towns, Nesbitt said it would be a bill for about $165,000 ($3.85 multiplied by 42,883 residents).
That savings for the towns will be noted in the shared services plan to be submitted to the state.
The county has taken the lead in a plan for providing water and sewer services for the county. A consultant has completed the first draft for a study that will look at water plants, transmission lines, pump stations, storage tanks and other infrastructure, as well as the personnel to run the systems.
The county and villages also studied law enforcement services, including the possibility for a county-wide agency with no village police departments. That didn’t get any traction from the villages.
Nesbitt, in his letter to the Department of State, listed the following shared service successes:
• Nationally recognized cross jurisdictional shared services in public health Orleans and Genesee Counties
• First in New York State joint Board of Health, Orleans County and Genesee County
• Founding member of 14 county Behavioral Health network and numerous community partners, Integrity Partners for Behavioral Health
• The New York State Leader in Justice Court Consolidation
• Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance (NORA), joint advocacy for regionally significant issues such as rural broadband, Plan 2014 – lake levels and regional shallow draft harbor dredging
Bill Oliver, a dispatcher for Orleans County, takes a call at the Orleans County Public Safety Building in this photo from April 2015. Dispatchers respond to about 33,000 calls a year.
• Countywide solid waste and recycling program
• Countywide 9-1-1, Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
• Countywide Self-Insurance program for Worker’s Compensation
• Countywide Town/County shared services and mutual aid agreements for highway services
• Countywide Town/County snow and ice removal agreements
• Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Workforce Investment Board
• Town and county level shared services in real property assessment including three coordinated assessment programs and contracted county assessment
• County and Town level – Centralized real property database services and Pictometry Imaging contract
• County level inter-municipal agreement for tax mapping, Orleans County and Genesee County
• Countywide animal control services
• School-based social services caseworkers
• School-based mental health satellite clinic offices
• County Level – Shared Crisis Services Hotline, Orleans County and Genesee County contract with Niagara County
• Multi-Agency Land Bank, Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation, Orleans County, Niagara County, City of Niagara Falls, City of Lockport, City of North Tonawanda
• Cooperative Mental Health Continuing Day Treatment, Orleans County and Genesee County
• Town and County level cooperative Property and Casualty Insurance purchasing – NYMIR
• Town and County level cooperative energy purchasing MEGA and NYMEP
• County level cooperative health insurance procurement the Alliance of Western New York
• County level shared Youth Bureau – Orleans County, Genesee County and the City of Batavia
• Stop DWI education inter-municipal agreement with Genesee County Youth Bureau
• County and several towns cooperate to provide a countywide E-Waste Program
“I would put this list against anyone else in the state,” Nesbitt said at Thursday’s meeting. “This is no longer low-hanging fruit. This is the real deal.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2018 at 9:32 am
Country Lane Veterinary Services named ‘Business of the Year’
Photo by Tom Rivers: Iva McKenna, front left, joins daughters Jenny and Kerri (and Kerri’s daughter) on the float for Country Lane Veterinary Services during the Barre Bicentennial Parade on June 30. Country Lane has been named the Chamber’s Business of the Year for 2018.
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has announced its award winners for 2018. They will be recognized at the Chamber’s 20th annual awards dinner on Oct. 18 at the White Birch Country Club in Lyndonville.
The honorees include:
• Business the Year – Country Lane Veterinary Services in Barre
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina
• New Business of the Year – Sourced Market & Eatery in Medina
• Small Business of the Year – Preston’s Lawn Care in Albion
• Agricultural Business of the Year – LynOaken Farms in Lyndonville
• Phoenix Award – 39 Problems Bar & Grill in Albion
• Business Person of the Year – Gail Miller of Medina
• Community Service Award – Wayne Litchfield of Medina
• Employer of the Year (presented by Orleans County Job Development Agency) – Penasack Machine Co. in Albion.
