By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 May 2024 at 6:00 am
ALBION – A program of World Life Institute to educate the public on nuclear energy will continue with a presentation at 7 p.m. June 5 at Hoag Library focusing on “Fukushima and Biological Effects of Radiation.”
Global Nuclear Awareness is a program of World Life Institute, founded in 1986 by the late Dr. Asaf Durakovic, MD, PhD, DVM, MSc and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Durakovic was the author of more than 225 scientific publications in recognized international journals focusing on the biological effects of ionizing radiation.
“As a medical doctor, Dr. Durakovic realized not only the medical effects, but the biological hazards of radiation,” said Samiah Ghani, a volunteer with World Life Institute, who has been involved with the nuclear awareness program since it was started.
In addition to presentations at Hoag Library, World Life Institute has held webinars and in-person training on the subject of radiation, Ghani said.
The awareness program June 5 will feature presentations by Stella Gresham, a member of the steering committee for Global Nuclear Awareness, titled “Fukushima: What’s the Fuss About?” and Tedd Weyman, deputy director of the Uranium Medical Research Center in New York and Toronto, discussing “Surrounded: Military and Industrial Nuclear Technology in Space.”
Redfield-Shakoor worked closely with Durakovic to coordinate the accredited Radiation Emergency Management program for medical professionals and emergency personnel sponsored by Brockport State College and the U.S. Veterans Administration.
Weymann has 35 years’ experience in his field as a consultant in organization behavior, emergency management and planning, integrated municipal emergency services, training and community capacity building and public policy. He is a senior lecturer for Global Nuclear Awareness and conducts presentations, certificate program classes and educational consulting to local and international audiences, including undergraduate students, the public and “nuclear communities” on issues of nuclear war and deterrence, nuclear reactor accidents, radiation risks, contamination and health effects.
The program June 5 is free and light refreshments will be served.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department, with the assistance of the Medina Police Advisory National Night Out Sub-Committee, are collaborating again for this year’s Orleans County National Night Out.
We are proud to give an update on this year’s event that will take place on Tuesday, August 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Medina Clifford H. Wise Intermediate School, 1016 Gwinn St.
National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to bring law enforcement and citizens together nationwide on the same night each year. We have expanded on that principal and put together an event that focuses on bringing many agencies and organizations together for the annual National Night Out date each year.
Participants in this event will include law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that will be providing activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from past events have been the Battle of the Belts, K-9 demonstrations and the bike rodeo.
Our mission is simple: to offer a free event where families can come and have fun in an in an environment that is free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We hope citizens can meet members of our local organizations and get to know the services they provide to our community.
We are currently in the process of reaching out to many local organizations to coordinate participation. It is the efforts, participation, and donations of these local organizations and businesses that make National Night Out possible. These sponsoring organizations will be highlighted throughout our event.
Registration and donation information is being distributed through mail, email, and social media. For more information you may contact either Heather Jackson – Committee Chairperson, at NNOOrleans@gmail.com or Medina Police Chief Todd Draper at tdraper@villagemedina.org.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department announced today it arrested a 32-year-old, Ghislaine Pena of the Town of Barre in regards to stolen credit card information.
Ghislaine Pena
Pena was allegedly purchasing credit card information online and then using the stolen credit card information to make purchases over the internet.
The Albion Police Department was advised after several credit card transactions were found to be fraudulent at Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion. Subsequently the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force conducted a search warrant at 102 Rice Road in the Town of Barre.
Pena on March 3 was charged with the following:
1 Count of Scheme to Defraud 1st – Class E Felony
20 Counts of Grand Larceny 4th of a Credit Card – Class E Felony
1 Count of Grand Larceny 4th – Class E Felony
20 Counts of Criminal Impersonation – Class A Misdemeanor
Pena was subsequently transported to the Albion Police Department for processing and released on an appearance ticket. The Albion Police Department was assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2024 at 12:06 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proposing a $17,664,583 budget for the 2024-25 school year that increases spending 4.3 percent.
The budget would raise taxes by 1 percent or by $46,649 to $4,711,576.
District Superintendent Sharon Smith said the budget keeps robust academic and extracurricular programs for students. She noted AP and college classes are available at no charge to students, while music, the arts and athletics remain a priority.
“This budget allows for continuation of important programs,” Smith said in a budget message in the school newsletter.
Eligible voters 18 and older will go to polls from noon to 8 p.m. on May 21 in the school’s Stroyan Foyer.
Smith also noted the budget continues to offer free breakfast and lunch for all students, keeps a school resource officer, and has the district geared up for a capital project that could start in the fall.
State aid covers 71.2 percent of Lyndonville’s budget with the tax levy the second-biggest source of revenue at 26.7 percent.
Lyndonville is Orleans County’s smallest school district with an enrollment of 538 students. The district said enrollment is holding steady and is projected to remain the same next school year.
The district will also present a proposition for funding the local Yates Community Library, with an increase from $124,808 to $135,316.
There are also six candidates for three positions on the Board of Education that are three-year terms. The candidates include George Avery, Megan Bruning, Susan Hrovat, Ted Lewis, Steven Vann and Patrick Whipple.
ALBION – Orleans County Social Services Commissioner Holli Nenni today said she has been alerted by the state that New York’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is expected to be unavailable on Sunday, May 19, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11 a.m. The actual outage may be shorter or last longer than expected.
Benefit recipients can check www.otda.ny.gov on May 19 to find out when the EBT system is back up and running.
Nenni said that New York’s EBT system will be changing over to a new EBT vendor during this timeframe. Cardholder access to EBT benefits will not be available during the changeover. This includes access for food and cash purchases or cash withdrawals, as well as access to the EBT toll-free customer service helpline, mobile app, and online client portal.
“While the system will be down for a short period of time, we want benefit recipients to be aware and plan any necessary food purchases or other transactions accordingly,” Nenni said.
For more information on the new system, click here.
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is once again partnering with Sunnking Sustainable Solutions to offer free electronic device collection and recycling for the community.
Collection day will be Saturday, June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the parking lot at 5130 E Main Street Rd. in Batavia. Pre-registration is requested of all attendees. Click here to register.
“Recycling is a small but impactful way we can help keep our communities clean and I’m grateful to the good people at Sunnking Sustainable Solutions for partnering with me for another year of work,” Hawley said. “Anything from cell phones to computers to TVs can be recycled, so please, register today and help keep our communities clean!”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2024 at 10:13 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Heinsler speaks during Monday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting.
LYNDONVILLE – Matthew Heinsler looks forward to giving back to the Lyndonville school district that he said has given so much to his children.
Heinsler wanted to serve on the Board of Education, and submitted a petition with enough signatures to be on the May 21 ballot.
Heinsler, however, was forced to withdraw from the race. He works as a full-time squadron commander for the U.S. Air Force. He checked with the base to see if he could be on the local school board and was told that wouldn’t be a problem.
But, upon further review, Air Force officials at the state level said the current policy does not allow service on the Board of Education for a full-time Air Force officer.
Heinsler said he would like to see that policy changed, but for now he can’t be on the board.
“I apologize for the amount of time for the redo to have to happen,” he said at Monday’s BOE meeting.
The district reopened the petition process and George Avery met the deadline to be on the ballot. Avery, a former Walmart store manager, now works as an advisor for Camping World in Churchville. He has two children in the district and has served on the PTSA and as a parent rep on school hiring committees.
Other candidates on the ballot will be Megan Bruning, Susan Hrovat, Ted Lewis, Steve Vann and Patrick Whipple.
Focus will be to reach underserved rural parts of region
Press Release, WNY Independent Living
BATAVIA – A partner of the Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMC) in Buffalo and Batavia, Western New York Independent Living, Inc. received the sole contract for Veteran Directed Care (VDC) with the VA.
While the Veteran Directed Care model is new to WNY, it has demonstrated success in self-directed care by veterans across the nation. VA Medical Centers partner with non-profit Independent Living Centers to empower Veterans to employ their own aides (often already being provided by family members).
WNY Independent Living CEO, Douglas Usiak shares, “As an aging service-connected disabled veteran myself, I am excited to know that my brother and sister veterans will have the comfort to direct their own homecare needs and remain in their home of choice as long as possible.
“A secondary satisfaction to being involved in the launch of this program is the opportunity to work with the VAMC in the capacity of a partner, and not just one of their consumers of services,” Usiak said. “This partnership gives me the opportunity to advance my lifelong passion of promoting the Independent Living philosophy that believes that we all have a right to live in our homes, work in our communities, and engage in society as a person with a disability.”
A focus of this program is to reach the underserved rural parts of WNY where veterans face provider shortages, geographic and distance barriers, limited broadband coverage which impairs their ability to participate in telehealth, and social determinants of health relative to rural living experiences (i.e., access to transportation, employment).
To ensure a trust-built rapport with veterans, WNY Independent Living has employed another Army veteran, Thomas Patterson, to serve in the Person-Centered Counsellor role and interface directly with the veterans in assessing their needs in their homes and communities.
Veterans and Patterson will work together to build a spending plan to identify costs for their personal assistants and obtain any additional goods and services the veteran requires to improve quality of life in their home and community.
The power of this Veteran Directed Care program can be recognized in the experiences of the individual veterans who are participating in VDC. For example, a 94-year-old veteran who functions independently in his own home and wants to remain there with some additional oversight for specific household tasks and community access – like going to the library for a new mystery novel – has employed his daughter-in-law for these functions.
Another veteran depends on his granddaughter for activities of daily living and then she needs to go to her job in the community to support herself. Being able to be paid to continue the care she already provides to her “Poppy” will improve the quality of life for both. One thing is certain: their stories are being heard.
Crucial to WNY Independent Living’s successful launch as a VDC program, VDC Director Julie Andrews Krieger expresses gratitude for the mentorship of the other providers in the VDC community, including the Independent Living Center of Hudson Valley and VA Medical Center in Albany.
WNY Independent Living will support veterans across the wider WNY region in Orleans, Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties. We are proud to serve the veterans in our community.
To qualify for this program, a Veteran must request Veteran Directed Care from their VA physician and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at the local VA Medical Center or VA Clinic and an assessment is completed and referral made to the VDC program.
The Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2024 at 8:57 am
LYNDONVILLE – There is a big rift between the Lyndonville Teachers Association and some members of the board of education over a health insurance option that teachers say doesn’t include many of their current medical providers, would result in a higher cost to teachers with less coverage.
Steve Vann, a board member who researched and put together the new proposal, says the plan offers comparable coverage and would save Lyndonville over $500,000 a year in reduced health insurance costs. Vann put the savings at $571,000 – which represents 10 percent of the district’s tax levy.
Vann, an executive who helps oversee many Burger King restaurants, said the high cost of health insurance threatens the financial stability of the district long-term. The proposed Lyndonville school budget has health insurance costs at $2,111,909 out of the district’s $17,664,583 total budget or 12 percent of the spending.
Vann and incumbent board members, Sue Hrovat and Ted Lewis, want the district to try to bring down those costs.
The issue has made for a very contentious election for the school board on May 21, and led to acrimony during Monday’s “meet the candidates” forum and then the BOE meeting that followed.
Harold Suhr, a current board member, said in his 65 years in Lyndonville he’s never seen such an atmosphere for the school board elections.
“I’ve never seen so much backstabbing, lying and deceit,” Suhr said during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Gina Marker, an English teacher at Lyndonville since 2002, said changes in the health insurance plan would lead to an exodus of teachers. “I have never felt less appreciated by the board,” she said.
Shane Price, the LTA president, spoke during Monday’s meeting and said the incumbent board members have “vilified” teachers, making them look greedy when they are among the lowest paid in the region and contribute a higher percentage towards their healthcare, 15 percent, than most other districts.
He faulted the district and board for bringing negotiations about employees into the public when the matter should have been private. Teachers also were only given five days to ask questions about the Cigna plan, and 10 days to decide whether to switch, which Price said wasn’t enough time for a review.
Lyndonville’s health insurance is currently part of consortium. Price said no other school districts use Cigna, where he said there are much higher deductibles and a shift away from guaranteed healthcare for retirees who paid into the system.
Price said he checked with his doctors and four out of six are not covered under plan.
Gina Marker, an English teacher at Lyndonville since 2002, spoke at the board member in response to what she said were “blatant lies and contradictory statements” from board members about the health insurance issue.
If Lyndonville made the change, it would drive away younger and veteran teachers, she said.
“I have never felt less appreciated by the board,” she said. “The school district will not run well using a model by a fast-food restaurant.”
The issue has been shelved for now, but the board said the district needs to find ways to rein in the health insurance costs, even if it’s within the current consortium. Vann said that group hasn’t invested any of the money paid for health insurance from Lyndonville in the past 28 years. Investing some of those funds would have generated more money and lowered Lyndonville’s costs, he said.
“There are better ways of doing business,” Vann said. “There’s a lot of money on the table we’re wasting.”
Vann said “scare tactics” from the LTA have prevented a robust discussion of the issue, and also interfered with the election. He said some teachers who have long been his friends have said they are told to keep campaign signs off their yards for the three incumbents who wanted to look at health insurance costs.
“Some of the employees are afraid to put my sign in their sign,” Vann said during the candidate forum. “Are you kidding me? In Lyndonville, NY.”
Sue Hrovat said the pressure to not put out signs for some candidates is “bullying” and an effort to disrupt the democratic process.
She sees the health care plan researched by Vann as a “win-win” for the district, but acknowledged it could have used better communication in the rollout.
Hrovat has 12 years on the BOE. She said she and other board members are more involved than a typical BOE and some schools, trying to provide oversight.
“It’s important to have experienced members at the helm,” she said.
Current Lyndonville board members spoke during Monday’s meeting, including from left: Board President Ted Lewis, Sue Hrovat and Steve Vann. They said the Lyndonville Teachers Association leadership isn’t being honest with all of its members. Vann said the LTA is using “scare tactics” to stymie discussion about health insurance.
Ted Lewis, the board president the past 11 years, responded to claims that the board is not transparent enough with some decision-making. Lewis said some of the decisions, especially involving personnel, are confidential and information shouldn’t be shared publicly.
Lewis said Lyndonville is a thriving small school with rising student academic scores, and increased student participation in athletics, music and extracurriculars.
He noted the board and the school administration were able to find a way to keep in-person education during the year of Covid restrictions in 2020-21, when many other districts were on a hybrid schedule with students out of the school setting three days a week or fully remote. Lewis praised the teachers for making that possible in Lyndonville.
Lewis said he worries about public schools in the country, with pressure from the state and federal governments to impose social policies. Teachers unions also wield tremendous power, and Lewis said he is concerned Lyndonville will find itself under pressure from many forces.
That’s why he wants to see a strong Board of Education that advocates for local control of the district.
He said the LTA wants more influence in the district, even though he said only about 15 percent of the teachers live in the Lyndonville community.
“Our teachers’ union has been quite vocal and aggressive in this election,” Lewis said.
He sees a shrinking student population in most local and upstate districts, and financial pressures could threaten the small districts in the future. That’s why Lyndonville should look at ways to maximize efficiencies and reduce some costs.
“The local school board is the last bastion of local control with our schools,” he said.
Patrick Whipple, a former Lyndonville elementary principal and administrator, said the board should provide more rationale for its decisions.
Patrick Whipple, a candidate for the board, said the BOE needs to be more transparent in its decision-making so the public and district employees know how conclusions are reached.
Whipple has been endorsed by the LTA, which isn’t backing the incumbents. But Whipple said he isn’t a “yes man.”
“I will go with the facts and the evidence,” he said. “There’s always compromise.”
Following procedure and policy “will take the emotion out of it” when it comes to making decisions, Whipple said.
He said the board would benefit from some new perspectives. He said the current group is often “an echo chamber.”
While he praised the board and administration for being “excellent financial stewards,” he said the district needs a easier to use website as well as social media to make residents more informed about the district.
The candidate discussion also included brief comments from Megan Bruning and George Avery, who did not comment on the health insurance issue.
Bruning said many of the school policies are vague and should be made clearer. Avery has been on the PTSA and a parent rep on hiring committees. He said the school district remains a very important foundation for the community.
Other board members addressed the health insurance topic during the regular board meeting following the meet the candidate event.
Jerod Thurber, a board member whose wife is a teacher at Lyndonville, said he supported looking at health insurance options, but didn’t expect it to move so fast. He said the plans aren’t comparable with the new proposal “slapped together” and “contrived.” It would leave him and his children not covered by their current doctors. He said the issue has brought undue uncertainty and tension within the district.
“This unfortunately ended up as a battle,” Thurber said. “It should never be on the table again or go public. It needs to be dropped. It needs to be done.”
He is open to working with the current consortium to see if there are savings but doesn’t want to see a radical change.
Kristin Nicholson, a board member, said she would never support a “subpar” health insurance option for teachers and staff. She said she was disappointed at Monday’s candidate event, when she said at least one teacher was loud and “heckling” the incumbents when they were speaking.
“This whole thing has come down to mudslinging,” she said about the election and health insurance issue.
Despite the dissension, Nicholson said the teachers have stay committed to their jobs with their focus on the students.
“We have fantastic kids who are flourishing because of what you’re doing,” she told the teachers who packed the board room in the library on Monday.
(Editor’s Note: This story was updated from the original version that stated 50 percent of the teachers live in Lyndonville. Board President Ted Lewis said it is actually 15 percent.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2024 at 5:40 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The upcoming Independence Day celebration in Lyndonville, the 50th anniversary bash to be put on by the Lyndonville Lions Club, will include a beer tent at the end of the parking lot behind the town hall.
Some residents shared their concerns about the beer tent during last Thursday’s Town Board meeting.
Bob DeMallie said he would rather alcohol not be available for Lyndonville’s biggest celebration of the year, when thousands of people come to the village for a parade, music, a craft show and fireworks.
“It’s a family-friendly day and this will create nothing but problems,” DeMallie said about the beer tent.
Another resident, Sandy Lauricella, questioned why have a beer tent when there are businesses nearby that serve alcohol.
The board during a Dec. 28 meeting approved use of a designated space for the beer tent as long as the Lions Club made sure “safe and reasonable operational considerations and measures are taken (i.e., hours of operation, security, responsible alcohol consumption, cleanup).”
Harold Suhr and Sue Hrovat are both Town Board members and on the Lions Club. Suhr said the intent of the beer tent is to have a centralized place for people to have alcohol, rather than where many now are spread out on the festival grounds often with beer and alcohol in coolers.
And with the beer tent, the Lions Club should make some money “to do more things for the community,” Suhr said.
Hrovat said she didn’t want a beer tent, but the club has compromised, moving it away from the original goal of having it near the bus garage to farther away from the main festival grounds at the town parking lot.
The beer tent will be surrounded with a 6-foot-high fence, with one way in and one way out and security. It will be available from 2 to 8 p.m.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon said other community events offer beer tents, including the Kendall Carnival.
“We’ll be definitely watching to see how this goes,” he said about the beer tent debut at the Fourth of July. “There will be some controls.”
LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates will be holding a special election to decide whether or not the Town Board should be authorized to purchase NYS Electric and Gas (NYSEG) land to expand the Yates Town Park on Lake Ontario.
The vote will take place on Thursday, June 20, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Yates Town Hall, 8 S. Main St.
The ballot referendum will read: “Utilizing grant funds, shall the Town of Yates be authorized to purchase 153.3 acres from NYSEG for $700,000 to expand the Yates Town Park? YES or NO”
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand the town park as it was originally envisioned 25 years ago,” said Russ Martino, the former town supervisor responsible for obtaining the original 6-acres of the current park.
He emphasized that from the beginning the planning efforts have called for a much larger park.
“Our original 2002 Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and our 2003 Western Orleans Comprehensive Plan (WOCP) strongly supported a 120-acre park,” he said.
According to Jim Simon, the current town supervisor, the updated LWRP is at the NYS Department of State for final review, and it includes the Yates Town Park expansion goal. “In addition to the LWRP, our 2019 update to the WOCP, which included a survey of town residents and two public hearings, features a primary goal of expanding the Yates Town Park,” he said.
Only Town of Yates registered voters will be allowed to vote in the special election. The registration deadline with Orleans County Board of Elections is May 28. Absentee ballot applications must be requested from the Yates Town Clerk no later than May 28, and absentee ballots must be postmarked to the Yates Town Clerk no later than June 20.
There will be two public meetings open to all and attended by town board members to discuss the proposal and to answer questions: Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the Yates Town Hall; and Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at the Yates Town Park (north terminus of Morrison Road).
Details regarding the proposal – including an informational flyer, the final draft of the purchase agreement, and a map of the proposed expanded park – can be found at the town website: townofyates.org.
One of the important conditions in the purchase agreement is that the town has two years to obtain grant funding for the $700,000 purchase. If the town does not find grant funding for the purchase, the agreement is void and the town’s escrow will be returned.
“Even if we get the grant funding, does that mean there is no impact on the Yates’ taxpayers? No,” Simon said. “There will be some costs for environmental review of the land, for town insurance, and for upkeep.”
Many ideas have been suggested about what to do with the additional land, but according to Simon, two things are certain – that it will always remain parkland by virtue of the purchase agreement, and that any other development of the land (like a nature trail) would be based on the recommendations to the Town Board by a committee comprised of town staff and residents (to be formed should the voters approve the proposal).
Another factor town voters will need to weigh is whether or not the decrease in tax levy from NYSEG will be outweighed by the positive economic activities, the enhanced recreational opportunities, and the improved health benefits of people visiting an expanded park.
The Yates Town Board believes that increasing free public access to the wildlife, forest and natural Lake Ontario shoreline is worth the investment.
Supervisor Simon encourages people to attend the public forums, to email him (jamesjsimon11@gmail.com), or to call him (716-946-2075) to learn more about this proposal.
“This is not so much about us as it is about our children and grandchildren – it is a chance to preserve one of the last stretches of open space on Lake Ontario for all our current and future residents to enjoy,” he said.
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office will be hosting a district-wide day of constituent services, bringing personalized federal casework assistance directly to all 12 counties in New York’s 24th District.
A member of Tenney’s team of expert caseworkers will be on hand to assist constituents with a range of issues pertaining to federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Passport Agency.
If you are interested in attending any of these mobile office hours or for more information, please contact one of Tenney’s district offices, the Lockport (716-514-5130), Victor (585-869-2060), and Oswego (315-236-7088) offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mobile office hours will be available at the following times and locations on May 16:
Chart from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The 2024 County Health Rankings have been released and updated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
“Each year we look at the County Health Rankings to get an overview of our health and factors that influence our health,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “This year the County Health Rankings have made some changes in reporting. Rather than ranking with specific numbers, the Rankings are looking at how each county fits in the scale from Healthiest in the United States to Least Healthiest in the U.S. The purpose of the annual data release is to help communities understand the many factors that influence health.”
The rankings are broken into two main categories: Health Outcomes, which include length of life and quality of life, and Health Factors, which include health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.
Genesee County is faring about the same as the average county in the state for Health Outcomes, and better than the average county in the nation. Orleans County is faring worse than the average county in NYS for Health Outcomes, and better than the average county in the nation. For Health Factors, Genesee is faring worse than the average county, and better than the average county in the nation. Orleans is faring worse than the average county in New York State and in the nation.
“As Chief Health Strategists, we collaborate with our partners and community members to provide quality training, education and referrals as well as develop coalitions to explore the best way to help our county residents thrive and improve health factors,” Pettit said.
As referenced in the chart above, both Genesee and Orleans counties have health factors that could be improved specifically with local access to physicians, mental health providers and dentists along with excessive drinking, adult obesity, and adult smoking. Access to care significantly impacts and drives the rankings for both counties. Additionally, it is a substantial barrier for residents and ultimately, has an impact on not only an individual’s physical, social, and mental health, but also their overall quality of life.
Some key areas of the 2024 County Health Rankings for Genesee and Orleans Counties are:
Genesee and Orleans are currently working on providing information and programming to decrease adult smoking (20% with New York at 12%) and adult obesity (40% with New York at 29%). GO Health is providing an awareness campaign in partnership with Tobacco Free GLOW on the impact smoking and vaping has on health.
Both counties are bringing back the National Diabetes Prevention Program by presenting the Lifestyle Change program. This is an evidence-based program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help individuals at-risk of or diagnosed with pre-diabetes to learn how to lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes over 26 one-hour sessions.
The Rankings have become an important tool for communities that want to improve health for all. Working collaboratively with community partners in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, Genesee and Orleans use the GOW 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment to choose the priorities for the Community Health Improvement Plan over the next three years.
We analyze the Rankings along with New York State data and community input from the Community Health Assessment survey and Community Conversations to determine these priorities. The 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan priority areas are: prevent chronic disease, promote well-being, and prevent mental and substance use disorders.
For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2024 at 1:57 pm
MEDINA – Marguerite Sherman, the mayor of Medina, paid a visit to Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility on Mothers’ Day to read a proclamation proclaiming May 12 to 18 as National Skilled Nursing Care Week.
“I am so happy to have Orchard Manor here,” Sherman told the residents, before reading the proclamation.
The week’s theme this year, “Radiant Memorials: A Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio,” celebrates the rich tapestry of stories and experiences of those who reside and work within skilled nursing care centers, recalling an era cherished by many community elders, the proclamation states.
Sherman continued to read, “Skilled nursing care providers play a pivotal role in delivering compassionate care to America’s elderly and individuals with disabilities. This week serves as a testament to the essential role that skilled nursing care plays in our communities and in the lives of many individuals and their families.”
In celebration of Mothers’ Day, the facility served coffee and donuts to all residents and their visitors.
Resident Kenny Draper, 88, made sure to wish activities director Jamie Murphy a happy Mother’s Day. He said it wasn’t the same without his wife and he was missing her, but he thanked God for all the nurses.
“I’m still alive because of all of them,” he said.
Sherman and Murphy took the opportunity to talk about their memories of the facility.
Sherman recalled when Lois Hilger was activities director and her daughter and Sherman used to come in and play their flutes for the residents, while Hilger accompanied them on the piano. They were 12 years old, Sherman said.
Murphy announced she would retire from her position on June 14.
“I’ve been here almost 35 years, and it went so fast,” Murphy said. “Tom Morien hired me. There have been a lot of changes through the years.”
Murphy said in honor of National Skilled Nursing Care Week she solicited downtown businesses, who very generously donated gifts, which Murphy will give to staff. Events during the week include a coffee truck for staff today (Monday), and lunch on the grill.
Each day has a special theme. Today is “Rock Your Favorite T-shirt Day; Tuesday will be “Beach Day;” Wednesday is Resident and Staff Twin Day (a day to pair up and dress alike) and “Random Act of Kindness Day; Thursday will be Country Western Day with an ice cream social for residents and staff; and Friday will conclude the special activities with “Embrace Your Favorite Decade.”
Each day of the week will also feature different entertainment activities, beginning with karaoke on today, Magician Patrick Holman on Tuesday, bingo on Wednesday, the ice cream social on Thursday, music by Brian Beaudry on Friday and entertainment by the Hot Country Liners Dance Team on Saturday.
Press Release, Orleans County Tourism and New York Sea Grant
WATERPORT – Orleans County Tourism will host a “Learn to Fish Seminar” for women at St. Mary’s Archers Club along the Oak Orchard River in partnership with New York Sea Grant and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on June 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. The club is located on Clark Mills Road.
The seminar will focus on stream fishing basics, fly fishing and spin fishing techniques, angling safety, and fish biology; gear will be provided for use at the event. Space is limited to 20 women so each participant can receive individual attention. Participants can bring their own angling gear and must have a valid New York State Fishing License.
Register online (click here) to reserve your place or contact New York Sea Grant Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist Stacy Furgal at 315-234-1329 or slf85@cornell.edu for assistance.
Orleans County Tourism Director Dawn Borchert participated in a New York Sea Grant Women Learn to Fish seminar in 2023 on Oneida Lake. She provides this preview of what participants may experience at the June 1 seminar in Orleans County.
“Orleans County is home to fantastic year-round fishing opportunities on our tributary waters that include Oak Orchard River, Johnson Creek, and Sandy Creek,” Borchert said. “The angling experiences here can be both relaxing and exhilarating with the diversity and productivity of the fishery of our tributaries and Lake Ontario.”
The 2024 County Health Rankings have been released and updated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
