Towns not choosing Mercy despite lower cost and higher level of service

Photo by Tom Rivers: A Mercy EMS ambulance is decorated with lights for Medina’s Parade of Lights

ALBION – Mercy EMS officials are puzzled they aren’t being considered for an ambulance contract in central and eastern Orleans County.

Barre and Albion have already voted for Monroe Ambulance for 2024. They are the first of the seven towns to approve a $300,000 total contract.

Mercy EMS is willing to provide ambulance coverage for $180,000. That’s with two advanced-life support ambulances dedicated to the county, 24-7. Monroe is committing to one ALS ambulance in Albion and a second basic life support ambulance that would be in Holley 12 hours a day, and then just outside the county in Brockport for 12 hours. Monroe also can draw on other ambulances as needed from Monroe County.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Scott Wooton, executive vice president for Mercy Flight. “We were excited and charged up to think we would be given a real shot at the contract.”

He has heard the towns are portraying Mercy as being slow to respond with a contract proposal, or submitting a higher cost than Monroe Ambulance. When the Albion Town Board voted 5-0 to approve Monroe on Monday, board members said they wanted at least a full year with Monroe to evaluate the call data and to better scrutinize Monroe’s performance.

Albion agreed to pay $155,820 to Monroe Ambulance in 2024, which is up from the $84,400 Albion paid the Rochester-based company in 2023. The towns are divvying up the shares of the $300,000 based on percentage of overall call volume.

Mercy was asked by the towns how much the contract would be if it also had a fly car with a paramedic as well as the two ambulances. That fly car would respond to EMS calls but can’t transport patients.

With a fly car and two ALS ambulances, Mercy submitted a proposal for $495,000 from the seven towns. If it’s one ALS ambulance, one BLS and a fly car, Wooton said the proposal is $405,000.

Taking away the fly car, Mercy has been consistent that the two ALS ambulances dedicated to Orleans would be $180,000. Wooton said he sent that proposal to the towns on Aug. 15, about three months ago.

One ambulance would be based out of the former COVA headquarters in Albion and the other likely in Holley at a location to be determined, Wooton said.

Mercy continues to operate the COVA base in Albion. It has kept most of the COVA employees on its payroll, responding to calls in Niagara and Genesee counties, Hamlin in Monroe, and some backup calls in the Albion area when Monroe is short-staffed or has its ambulances tied up.

Albion town officials said the block of seven towns is planning to do a formal request for proposals in mid-2024 for ambulance services in 2025 with the contract going to the lowest qualified bidder.

Wooton said Mercy would have liked that option for the 2024 contract, for a formal RFP with the providers brought in to detail their proposals in person. Mercy’s contract proposals were sent to the attorney for the Town of Barre who served as the point person for the seven towns. Wooton said none of the town officials called him directly.

“Their constituents could have better service at almost half the price,” Wooton said.

Mercy EMS took over the former COVA on Nov. 15, 2022. COVA sought some municipal support for years, but never was given any. The organization folded about a year ago.

Mercy then was the primary ambulance provider in central Orleans until Monroe was up and running on April 15, with an ambulance stationed at the Albion Town Hall.

Once Monroe took over in central Orleans, Mercy shifted those Albion-based employees primarily to Terry Corners in Gasport. Mercy had a contract to serve that area until Oct. 31, but is still assisting with ambulance services. Mercy also started a new contract on Nov. 1 to provide ambulance transports for the Catholic Health Service’s new hospital in Lockport.

The former COVA workers would prefer to be working in their home community. Mercy for now will keep the former COVA employees by responding to calls that are mostly outside of the Albion area.

“Mercy Flight was eager and excited to bring our people back to get back to do what they intended to do,” Wooton said. “We’re really disappointed.”

Photo courtesy of the NYS Canal Corp. – Construction has started on a canal embankment in Royalton. A soil-bentonite slurry wall will be installed between Wruck Road and Peet Street.

Press Release, NYS Canal Corp.

ROYALTON – The New York State Canal Corporation announced that a construction project to address persistent seepage along the Erie Canal’s earthen embankment in the Town of Royalton, Niagara County has commenced.

The Canal Corporation and its contractors will install a soil-bentonite slurry wall along a one-half mile stretch of the earthen embankment underneath the centerline of the Erie Canalway Trail between Wruck Road and Peet Street. This project is the first of its kind to be initiated under the Canal Corporation’s Earthen Embankment Integrity Program (EEIP) that was implemented after completing an extensive State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) in December 2022.

“As stewards of the historic Erie Canal, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the waterway’s infrastructure continues to operate safely for generations to come,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “This project in Royalton and future investments in the earthen embankments that carry the canal high above surrounding communities are integral components of maintaining the longevity of the Canal system.”

The Canal Corporation has been monitoring three known seeps, or leaks, along this half-mile rural stretch on the north side of the Erie Canal for more than 20 years. Due to dense vegetation that had grown on the outboard slope of the earthen embankment, the Canal Corporation’s maintenance staff were previously unable to fully inspect this location for additional seeps. In the spring of 2021, after clearing all three-inch or less in diameter vegetation, 14 additional seeps were uncovered.

Upon this discovery, a “filter blanket,” comprised of layers of sand and gravel earthen material, was installed to mitigate water that was seeping through the embankment. In addition, the Canal Corporation began monitoring the embankment daily.

In October of 2021, a 176-foot-long limited depth clay cut-off wall was installed at this location to slow down the seeps after a sinkhole along the Erie Canalway Trail that sits atop of the embankment was discovered.

Building upon the initial clay cut-off wall and to seal the earthen embankment, over the next several weeks, a soil-bentonite slurry wall will be installed into the full depth of the embankment, in places 30-feet deep to bedrock, by Hohl Industrial Services, Inc. of Tonawanda and DeWind of Zeeland, Michigan using DeWind’s “One-Pass Trenching Technology.”

This technology allows a trench in the embankment to be excavated while simultaneously mixing the existing, in-place soil with a hydrated bentonite slurry that is pumped in. Once cured, the soil-bentonite cut-off wall provides a permanent underground wall or barrier to water. Utilizing this machinery allows the cut-off wall to be installed more efficiently, without any open excavations, resulting in minimal disruption to the earthen embankment while the canal remains watered.

Throughout the duration of the project, the Erie Canalway Trail and Empire State Trail will be detoured in this area. Long-distance cyclists should follow the posted detour route along local roads. The trail is expected to reopen in the spring of 2024 after the trail surface is fully restored.

In accordance with the EEIP Embankment Maintenance Guide Book, the Canal Corporation has notified municipal officials in the towns of Royalton and Hartland, Niagara County emergency managers, as well as adjacent property owners of the planned work.

The Canal Corporation’s EEIP is a comprehensive and programmatic approach to restore, maintain, and manage earthen embankments. An earthen embankment is an engineered structure or dam wall of the canal, which is made from soil, rock, clay, and other “earthen material,” holding water for a prolonged period above the adjacent land surface elevation. Earthen embankments comprise about 130 miles of the 524-mile Canal system and are located across the state.

 Embankment failures could have significant consequences for the communities nearby and areas downstream, which include loss of life, property damage, damage to essential infrastructure, and the loss of benefits such as hydroelectric generation, navigation, and water supply. In recent years, water levels in a few areas of the canal, including this stretch in Royalton, have been reduced due to concerns about embankment integrity. While reduced depths are an effective way to mitigate embankment seeps, the adjustments can also limit the amount of water available for agriculture and fishing, complicate inspections for officials, and present safety concerns for boaters.

Ortt says legislation continues ‘disastrous’ trend making communities less safe

Photo from Susan Watts/Office of Governor: Kathy Hochul was in Brooklyn today to sign the Clean Slate Act, which allows certain criminal records to be sealed years after an individual is sentenced or released from incarceration if that individual is not subsequently convicted of an additional criminal act.

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Clean Slate Act which seals certain criminal records if the sentence has been served and no additional crimes have been committed.

Hochul said the legislation will allow individuals to seek employment, housing and educational opportunities to improve their lives. And it will help fill many job openings for businesses desperate for workers.

“It’s a victory for common sense and moral decency,” Hochul said. “It’s a victory for anyone who believes in economic progress and a just society. It’s a victory for anyone who wants to make sure that our communities are safe and vibrant.”

Records of individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions will be sealed after three years and those with certain felony convictions, after eight years, following their release from incarceration.

“My number one job as the New York State Governor is to keep people safe,” Hochul said. “And I believe that the best anti-crime tool we have is a job. When people have steady work, they’re less likely to commit crimes and less likely to be homeless. New York also has a labor shortage right now. I have 460,000 jobs that are unfilled today. Our employers are begging for workers. That’s the equivalent of the populations of Buffalo and Rochester combined.”

Effective one year from today, the law provides the New York State Office of Court Administration up to three years to implement the processes necessary to identify and seal all eligible records.

 “The millions of New Yorkers who have paid their dues and are ready to rebuild their lives deserve a second chance,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “The Clean Slate Act will help ensure our justice system is fairer and more equitable, and help build stronger families and communities by making it easier for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers to find stable housing, good-paying jobs, and quality education.”

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “A conviction on a person’s record hinders opportunities like stable jobs, professional licenses, and secure housing. After someone pays their debt to society, they deserve the opportunity to procure a good job to forge a path towards a new life. Today represents a pivotal moment in New York’s commitment to breaking down barriers for individuals with criminal records who have already paid their debt to society.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “As public safety remains on the mind of every New Yorker, Governor Hochul has signed another bill that continues the alarming trend of disastrous criminal justice ‘reforms’ that have made our communities less safe.

“Under this law, criminals convicted of some of the most violent offenses – including attempted murder, gang assault, arson, and animal abuse, just to name a few – will be eligible to have their records sealed. As we see a dramatic rise in antisemitism, even hate crimes would be sealable. Meanwhile, there is no ‘clean slate’ for the victims and loved ones whose lives have been devastated.

“There should be no question in the minds of New Yorkers: Albany Democrats will always prioritize criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) also is critical of the “Clean Slate” legislation. He said it will make it impossible for employers, landlords and other business owners to fully vet their incoming employees and tenants.

“This is yet another example of the Majority in Albany imposing their radical ideology on everyday New Yorkers,” Hawley said. “We live in a country where criminals are treated like victims and the people who are hurt by these crimes are put to the side. Public safety is not something we can afford to mess around with. We need to return to a system where we respect the rule of law and hold criminals accountable for their actions.”

Photo and information from Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Congratulations to the students from the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES center, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students need to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.

Congratulations go to:

• Layla Andrews (Early Childhood Education/Lockport CSD),  Nicholas Armenia (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Corliss Bacon (Cosmetology/Lockport CSD), Hady Beltran-Roblero (Security & Law Enforcement/Albion CSD), Petra Bish (Cosmetology/Barker CSD), Riley Bloomingdale (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD),

• Samuel Bruning (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Cayla Burch (Animal Science/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Kayla Burgio (Animal Science/Albion CSD), Adeline Castricone (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Noah Cudzillo (Automotive Technology/Medina CSD), Brayden Cwiklinski (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Royalton-Hartland CSD),

•Trent Dickinson (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Barker CSD), Anthony Gagliardi (Computer Technology/Lockport CSD), Austin Gardner (Electricity & Electronics/Lyndonville CSD), Dakota Gilhousen (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering/Lockport CSD), Michayla Greene (Cosmetology/Barker CSD), Javier Hamilton (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Lockport CSD),

• Raselyn Hewitt (Cosmetology/Lockport CSD), Justin Higgins (Welding/Lyndonville CSD), Morgan Hodge (Culinary Arts/Lockport CSD), Layne Hodgins (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Riley Holmik (Animal Science/Lockport CSD), Caleb Joseph (Computer Technology/Newfane CSD), Isabella Joy (Health Occupations Technician/Barker CSD), Ella Kasperek (Animal Science/ Lockport CSD),

• Maddison Keen (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD), Andrew Kimball (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Newfane CSD), Jenna Lee (Cosmetology/ Newfane CSD), Kelsey Lemoi (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Bryce Mathes (Computer Technology/Medina CSD), Baileigh McAdoo (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Cayla Mendetta (Animal Science/Lockport CSD), David Merlin (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Barker CSD),

• Mackenzie Moore-Cuillo (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD), Kristopher Myers (Animal Science/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Brookelyn Nawotka (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Jack Nesbitt (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Lyndonville CSD), Ethan Nicosia (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Hanna Pahura (Cosmetology/Albion CSD), Jayla Rosado (Security & Law Enforcement/Lockport CSD),

• William Roth (Computer Technology/Lockport CSD), Jackson Rowe (Food Services/STEP/Lockport CSD), Lexoni Russo (Health Occupations Technician/Medina CSD), Jane Schuler (Cosmetology/Newfane CSD), Michelle Schultz (Early Childhood Education/Newfane CSD), Gina Sidari (Animal Science/Albion CSD), Noah Soliday (Electricity & Electronics/Medina CSD), Hannah Songer (Animal Science/Lyndonville CSD),

• Lillian Stoltz (Early Childhood Education/Lockport CSD), Addison Taylor (Allied Health/Medina CSD), Grace Walker (Allied Health/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Braeden Williams (Allied Health/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Nathaniel Wolf (Computer Technology/Royalton-Hartland CSD), Hannah Zastrow (Welding/Newfane CSD) and Sharifa Ziad (Health Occupations Technician/Lockport CSD).

Photos courtesy of Sandra Shaw, director of Community Free Library

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library was very happy to host a program called “Christmas Cards for Vets” on Veterans Day this past Saturday.

More than 100 people visited the library on Saturday and signed more than 400 cards that will be delivered to the NYS Veterans Home in Batavia and the VA Medical Center in Batavia. Assemblyman Steve Hawley was among the community members who attended and signed cards.

Elected officials from Holley, Murray and Clarendon also signed messages of appreciation for veterans.

Many veterans, and scouts from Troop 59 and 62 also were part of the effort, and so was Holley Police Chief Bob Barton.

 Sandra Shaw, library director, thanked the community for their time and heartfelt messages in signing the cards.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, your risk for developing lung cancer increases. Testing your home for radon is the only effective way to know if you and your loved ones are exposed to toxic levels of this poisonous gas.

“Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas,” said Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “It has no smell, taste or color. Radon forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and mixes into the air you breathe. When radon is formed under homes and buildings, it can enter through cracks in the foundation. This leads to high levels of radon, especially in enclosed areas. Any home can have high radon levels and the only way to know is to test your home.”

The Genesee County Health Department Radon Program has a limited supply of short-term radon test kits free of charge for residents in Genesee County. We also offer educational materials and presentations to those interested in learning more about radon and the risks. Residents in other counties can get radon test kits at their local hardware store or through radon testing laboratories found at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radon/

For more information about radon and how to receive a free radon test kit in Genesee County, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us.

File photo: Sean Pogue is shown during a Barre Town Board meeting in November 2019. Pogue has been re-elected to another two-year term.

BARRE – All of the votes have been counted and Sean Pogue has won re-election to Barre town supervisor.

Pogue had a 1-vote lead, 293-292, over Scott Burnside at the end of Nov. 7. That included the votes that day, nine days of early voting and the absentees received at that point.

This morning, the Board of Elections did a manual recount and any absentee ballots received after Nov. 7, but by Nov. 14, were included today.

Pogue picked up four more votes, and won the election, 297-292, over Burnside.

Burnside ran under the Conservative line after losing a Republican Primary in June to Pogue, who has been supervisor for nearly six years and won three previous elections.

Pogue ran as a Republican and also under the “Future for Barre” line. He ran with incumbent board member Margaret Swan and Kirk Mathes, a dairy farmer on the Planning Board.

Mathes had the most votes, 343, of three candidates seeking two positions as council members. Swan had 318 with Kerri Richardson, an incumbent who ran under the Conservative line, finishing with 299.

Pogue said he is grateful to be the victor. He said many of the controversial issues in the town – wind turbines and ambulance services – are outside the Town Board’s control. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting will determine if the turbine project is approved in Barre. Pogue said he is focused on trying to get the best package financially for the town.

With the ambulance services, Pogue said his goal is having a dependable provider to respond to calls in Barre. The Town Board last week approved a contract with Monroe Ambulance for 2024.

He is aware that some people want him and the Town Board to be more transparent, but Pogue said he strives to answer questions at meetings, and if people call or email him.

“If you ask me anything I’ll give you an answer if I know it,” he said. “People can contact me anytime. My phone number and email are right on the town website. I’ll get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.”

Pogue and Burnside both watched the ballot count by hand today in a conference room at the Orleans County Administration Building. It took nearly two hours for Board of Elections staff to count them and tabulate the votes. Kirk Mathes, Steve Harling and the Orleans Hub editor also were there.

There were 11 ballots where no one voted for the town supervisor. Two other ballots had write-in votes, 1 each for Richard Bennett and Chris Flansburg.

Burnside declined to make a comment after the vote totals were announced. He said he would send a statement later today.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Board of Elections staff do a manual count of the votes for Barre town supervisor and council members this morning. From left include Christine Pask, deputy election commissioner for Republicans; Abby Fitzwater, deputy election commissioner for Democrats; Eileen Aina, deputy election commissioner for Democrats; and Mike Mele, Republican election commissioner. In front on table are Orleans Hub editor’s tallies for the candidates.

Press Release, Orleans County Master Gardeners

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will be hosting their popular Wreath-Making Workshop again this year on Monday, Nov. 27.

There are two separate time slots for the public to choose from – at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The class is one of the most popular offered by Master Gardeners every year and serves as their main fundraiser for the overall Master Gardener program. Funds raised from the Wreath-Making classes support educational programming like their monthly Master Your Garden classes, sustainability-focused initiatives like installing rain barrels and recycling bins on the fairgrounds, and resources for the office lab which fields roughly 100 gardening questions from the community each year.

In addition to the practical aspect of funding Master Gardener programming, the classes are just plain fun for everyone involved.

“What’s not to love about making your own wreath!” said Janelle Flammger, Master Gardener and long-time chairperson for the event. “The atmosphere during the classes is always lively and merry, and someone is always there to help you. It is really exciting to see the wreaths come together where each one is unique, unlike the mass produced ones from the stores.”

During the Wreath-Making Workshop, participants can choose base greens purchased from local a Christmas Tree farm as well as various plant accents collected and donated by the Master Gardener volunteers.  MG volunteers offer a brief tutorial on how to position and secure the greens and accent material within the wreath frame to ensure that the wreath can withstand outdoor winter weather conditions.

Wreath-making participants are hard at work on their wreath frames.

MG volunteers are available throughout the class to offer help with anything participants may need – from physical help inserting the greens, to making a festive bow and choosing the perfect accessory!

“The Wreath-Making classes are so great!” said Master Gardener Sue Starkweather-Miller. “They offer a little practical education about the greens used, a great selection of plant accents, bows, baubles and extras to decorate the wreaths, as much help/assistance as you need from Master Gardeners, and a relaxed vibe that lets you work at your own pace.  And everyone leaves the class with a beautiful wreath!”

The Wreath-Making class has been a staple of the Master Gardener program for over 15 years and several of the participants have made it an annual tradition.

 “I love that people have made the wreath making class a family outing! It has become a multi-generational event!” added Tammy Leach, a long-time Master Gardener volunteer.

The workshop will be held in the Trolley Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairground, 12690 State Rt 31, Albion, NY 14411. The cost for the class is $30 per wreath, and there are a few spots remaining for each time slot. Pre-registration is required by calling 585-798-4265 ext125 or emailing klo54@cornell.edu.

“Whether you are young or old, come as a group, family outing or individually – everyone is welcome and satisfied making their very own one-of-a-kind wreath!” Flammger said.

Enrollment is up for the first time in a decade across the State University of New York campuses. Total enrollment grew 1.1 percent overall from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 for a total of 367,542 students, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.

Brockport leads the SUNY system with a 7.9 percent increase, followed by the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University with a 6.0 percent increase. Geneseo has the third biggest decline at 6.2 percent, with Fredonia at a 7.8 percent drop. Upstate Medical University in Syracuse has the biggest enrollment decline at 10.1 percent.

“New York continues to make important progress towards building the best public higher education system in the country and as a result, more young students are choosing SUNY,” Hochul said in a news release. “I know firsthand that access to higher education is an engine for social mobility. That’s why I will continue to make important investments in our higher education systems and take steps to ensure college is affordable and accessible for students of all backgrounds.”

Among community colleges, Columbia-Greene leads with a 17.2 percent enrollment gain with Broome second at 16.8 percent. Niagara County has fourth biggest community college enrollment gain at 7.0 percent and Monroe is at 3.0 percent.

Locally, Genesee Community College is showing an overall enrollment drop of 0.8 percent, and Erie is down 2.9 percent. Dutchess is seeing the biggest decline at 17.7 percent.

Undergraduate first-time enrollment – a leading indicator – was up across all sectors at 4.3 percent. The technology sector showed the strongest increase at 13.3 percent, followed by community colleges at 3.9 percent.

Brockport has the second-highest change in first-time enrollment with a 25.2 percent increase. Only Morrisville is higher at 38.5 percent. Geneseo is ninth at 13.1 percent higher. Fredonia is down 10.6 percent and Oswego declined 18.6 percent with Empire State seeing the biggest decline at 24.3 percent.

Among community colleges, Genesee has the fourth highest increase in first-time enrollment at 13.3 percent. Sullivan County has the highest at 20.3 percent, followed by Onondaga at 20.0 percent and Schenectady at 14.9 percent. Niagara County is at 9.1 percent higher and Monroe Community College has a 7.0 percent increase in first-time enrollment.

To see the chancellor’s report on the enrollment data, click here.

MEDINA – An important part of students’ curriculum at Iroquois Job Corps is getting out into the local community to interact with people and volunteer their services.

In recent months, Job Corps students have painted the Shelby Town Hall and did construction work for PAWS animal shelter in Albion, to name a few projects.

Last weekend, however, the students showed their respect for veterans by volunteering to help at a Veterans’ Day lunch provided by the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina.

As part of their volunteer efforts, the students made 75 patriotic cards, which they handed out to veterans who came for lunch.

John Thomas of Medina, operations director at Iroquois Job Corps, accompanied the students, Hasmieu Jalloh, Marcos Garcia, Javen Feliciano, Jermaine Miller and Asia Borden. The students helped by selling red poppies and serving lunch.

Jim Freas, former commander of the Post, said he thought it was great the students come to help. He added it is so important for the students to show their appreciation of veterans. He also thanked Thomas for bringing the young Job Corps people out and promoting community service.

At least 40 veterans were served lunch, a Veterans’ Day tradition Freas said the VFW has done for more than 20 years.

A large photo of Marines in front of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. is the backdrop for this picture of students from Iroquois Job Corps who volunteered to help at the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina on Veterans’ Day. From left are Hasmieu Jalloh, operations director John Thomas of Medina, Marcos Garcia, Javen Feliciano, Jermaine Miller, Asia Borden and VFW Post commander Patrick Little.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mary Ellen Messmer is happy on Tuesday when she was presented a special recognition award in appreciation for her 28 years of service with the Orleans County Health Department. Messmer is retiring as a supervising public health nurse.

Next to her is Public Health Director Paul Pettit, left, and County Legislator Don Allport.

Messmer was the county’s employee of the year in 2020-21 in recognition of her efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Back then she took the lead with case investigations when someone tested positive for Covid. She was praised for showing compassion to residents in a stressful situation.

Messmer started her career with the county as an RN charge nurse 28 years ago in the county nursing home and then move to the Supervising Nurse in the Public Health Department.

“Your dedication and expertise has benefited our county tremendously, especially leading the nursing response during the Covid pandemic, managing the migrant outreach community preventing illnesses and making sure individuals are compliant with various additional treatments,” county legislators said in the recognition award. “We appreciate your support and commitment, which will forever be widespread, long lasting and extremely appreciated. The Orleans County Legislature does hereby wish you well as you enjoy retirement.”

ALBION – A Department of Social Services worker who has helped homeless residents find temporary shelter has been named the Orleans County Employee of the Year.

Jennifer Szalay, a principal social welfare examiner, was recognized during the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday as the employee of the year. She was commended for her work in assisting the local homeless population, which has soared in the past year to the current level of 90 placements.

Many of the local motels are full so Szalay and the DSS have had to secure rooms in out-of-county motels.

Szalay and the DSS have been short-staffed for much of the year, and Szalay has often come in early and stayed late to get the work done and support her co-workers, said Katie Harvey, director of personnel and self insurance for the county.

“This employee has grown as a leader and become such a valued asset to the Department of Social Services and Orleans County,” Harvey said. “Due to multiple vacancies within the unit, (Szalay) has shown her dedication continuing to manage vacant caseloads, train newer staff and support her entire team through a very difficult year.”

Szalay of Medina said she shows empathy to people in crisis and tries to connect them to services to help them long-term to be self-sufficient.

She often tries to assist people facing eviction of utility shut-offs so they can not be forced out of their residence and become homeless.

“We’re trying to help people through some of these hard problems,” she said. “These are difficult challenges. I try to be empathetic to their circumstances.”

Some of the people who are homeless have mental health issues, disabilities and drug and alcohol addictions that can make it harder to be self sufficient, she said.

Jennifer Szalay accepts a plaque as employee of the year from Katie Harvey and John Fitzak during the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday. Legislator Bill Eick is in back.

Szalay started with DSS in 2009 as a keyboard specialist. At the time, she was “shy and quiet,” Harvey said.

But Szalay’s confidence and skills grew and she has been promoted several times, to social welfare examiner, then to senior social welfare examiner overseeing public assistance and HEAP programs before being promoted last year to principal social welfare examiner.

The county’s Employee Assistance Program recognizes an employee of the month in the county government, taking nominations from employees and department heads.

The employees of the month for the past year include:

• October 2022: James White from Sheriff’s Office
• November 2022: Jennifer Gonzalez from DSS
• December 2022: Martin Stirk from Sheriff’s Office
• January 2023: Justin Niederhofer from Emergency Management
• February 2023: David Foeller from Sheriff’s Office
• March 2023: Tisha Dought, Taylor Tinkous and Patricia Urquhart from Mental Health
• April 2023: Cory Martindale from Sheriff’s Office
• May 2023: Ariel Ambrose from Sheriff’s Office
• June 2023: Jennifer Leverenz from District Attorney’s Office
• July 2023: Mark Tucker from Mental Health
• August 2023: Jennifer Szalay from DSS
• September 2023: Devon Pahuta, Brian Marsceill and Kevin Colonna from Sheriff’s Office

From this pool of candidates, a department head makes a recommendation to a separate committee which then considers the service the employee has performed, Harvey said.

ALBION – Oak Orchard Lanes hosted 85 teams this weekend in the 9^th annual PAWS Triples No Tap Tournament. The event on Saturday and Sunday raised $4,000 for the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

This brings the total in nine years to about $30,000 for PAWS, said Randy Hanks, owner of the Oak Orchard Lanes.

The 85 teams, with some driving two hours to play, is the most since the tournament started. Most of the bowlers, however, are regulars at Oak Orchard Lanes in a league.

The team of Ron Ricker, Josh Bowman and Greg Daniels won the tourney’s grand prize of $700.

Each team could play three games per bowler with the highest average, including a handicapped score, used to determine the winner.

There was a basket raffle that raised $1,200 as part of the total for PAWS.

“We’re just animal lovers,” Randy Hanks, Oak Orchard Lanes owner, said about supporting PAWS. “We always want to give back to the community and the bowling center is a good way to do it.”

Hanks said Curtis Foss did a lot of the work in organizing the PAWs tournament.

Oak Orchard Lanes will host the Scott Whittier memorial tournament in late January, with proceeds going to $500 scholarships for Albion students.

ALBION – A Medina man admitted in Orleans County Court this morning that he had cocaine with the intent to sell it.

Demarques “Dutch” Underwood, 34, was charged last month along with Erica Davis, 35, after police seized over 40 baggies of crack cocaine, $3,400 in cash, scales, numerous packaging material and other drug paraphernalia.

Underwood pleaded guilty in court today to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

He will be sentenced on March 6.

In other cases in court this morning:

• Cassandra McGuire, 33, of Albion was sentenced to four months of weekends in the Orleans County Jail plus five years of probation.

She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree on Sept. 13. She admitted she had cocaine on June 18, 2020 with the intent to sell it.

She is a first-time felony drug offender. She could have faced up to 1 to 2 ½ years in state prison.

Her attorney, Scott Stopa, said McGuire has made many positive changes in her life. He asked for no jail time.

Judge Sanford Church said he will give someone incarceration if they have been selling drugs, which he said McGuire did multiple times.

She also has to pay $550 in restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, and $425 for court, DNA and crime victims’ fees.

• Alonzo Jorge of Holley pleaded guilty to attempted criminal mischief in the second degree. He used an ax to break windows and cause damage to a Silverado truck on Aug. 24. Jorge admitted to causing the damage on Aug. 24, which is estimated at $1,531.

He faces a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 17.