By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2022 at 5:05 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Barker’s Mason Allee-Castro leads the boys from beginning to end in today’s Niagara-Orleans League Championship in cross country. Allee-Castro was first among 75 runners with a time of 17:37 in the 5-kilometer course at Lakeside Beach State Park in Carlton. In this photo he is followed by Jaydan Ruble and Joey-Dane Jones of Wilson, and Jack Cecchini of Medina. The Barker boys also won the league title for the first time since 2016. In the girls race, Newfane won again for the 8th straight year and Kylie Bowman of Newfane made it three straight league titles for her. Click on local sports for more coverage of the race.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2022 at 11:28 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion players celebrate this evening’s come-from-behind home field 26-20 win over archrival Medina. See the Hub’s local sports section for complete coverage of the contest.
Press release and photo from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
CARLTON – The Kendall Elementary School Safety and Responsibility Squad took a field trip on Thursday to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Division.
Students learned about the role of the Marine Patrol Division, what kind of calls the Marine Patrol Division responds to, how many vessels the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for, and what types of equipment are on the vessels.
Sheriff Christopher Bourke remains committed to community policing, and building a positive relationship with the communities the Sheriff’s Office serves.
Sheriff Bourke is proud of the positive relationship between the Kendall Central School District and the Sheriff’s Office, made possible by our School Resource Deputy James White and Kendall Elementary School Administration.
This program enables the next generation to have a positive relationship with law enforcement, and gain a better understanding of the good work law enforcement does each day. Sheriff Bourke would like to acknowledge and thank Deputy Ryan Flaherty and Deputy Steve Ploof for taking time to meet with the students.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2022 at 1:59 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: These leaves are bright colors along the Oak Orchard River in Carlton a week ago.
The area is starting to move past peak fall foliage, I Love NY reported on Thursday during a weekly update about the changing leaves this fall.
“In Orleans County, trees are showing peak and past-peak foliage with 90% color change and very brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, and deep red,” according the report from I Love NY.
This map from I Love NY shows the status of fall foliage around the state.
The Southern Tier and Adirondacks are past their peak, while much of the Greater Niagara and Finger Lakes regions are in peak conditions, according to I Love NY.
The next four days will have nice weather to get out and see the sights. It will be sunny with high temperatures at 70 or the low 70s in Orleans County from Saturday through Tuesday.
The trees are still loaded with bright-colored leaves on Brown Road in Albion earlier this week while it was raining.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
October 23-29 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and government to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead.
About 3.3 million American households, including 2.1 million low-income households that have children under six years of age, live in homes containing lead exposure hazards. According to the 2021 American Community Survey, approximately 74% (30,000) of housing units in Genesee and Orleans counties were built before 1978 and may have lead exposure hazards.
“Childhood lead exposure is a significant issue in Genesee and Orleans counties because of the large number of older homes that may contain lead-based paint, which is the main source of exposure in children,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Lead is a toxic element that can cause damage to the brain and nervous system when it is absorbed into the body.”
Lead poisoning is preventable. The key is to stop children from coming into contact with lead hazards before poisoning occurs. Children can be exposed to lead by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on surfaces coated with lead-based paint such as windowsills. Lead exposure in children can cause learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and cause hearing and speech problems. These effects may be permanent and can continue into adulthood.
New York State requires health care providers to obtain a blood lead test for all children at age 1 and again at age 2. Health care providers are also required to assess all children ages 6 months to 6 years for risk of lead exposure.
Below is a table that shows local screening rates among children in Genesee and Orleans counties from 2021.
We encourage parents and community members to educate themselves about the dangers of lead exposure by reviewing the three key themes of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week:
1. Get the Facts!
Any exposure to lead hazards can be serious, especially for children. The only safe blood lead level is zero!
The most common source of lead exposure in children is through eating dust particles or paint chips so small that they may not be visible to the naked eye.
The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets and fixtures.
Other sources of lead could include metal toys, wooden toys or furniture painted with lead-based paint, metal jewelry, lead-glazed pottery or porcelain, some candles, spices, and even make-up.
2. Get your Home Tested!
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If your home was built before 1978, you should get it tested for lead paint.
If you rent, ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested.
Contact GO Health for more information on getting your home tested.
3. Get your Child Tested!
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months.
A simple blood test is the only way to find out if your child has been poisoned by exposure to lead.
Most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms.
Blood lead tests are also recommended for pregnant women who think they may have been exposed to lead.
“Please contact your health care provider and make it a priority get your child tested for lead,” Brodie said. “Early detection is the key to preventing long-term health problems.”
In January 2019, the Genesee County Health Department received a $1.3 million federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address lead-based paint hazards in homes and apartments in Genesee and Orleans counties.
“This funding can be used specifically for lead-based paint repair activities as well as other health-related home repairs,” stated Gabrielle Lanich, Lead Program Coordinator for GO Health. “Eligible homeowners and property managers with qualified tenants may apply to receive these funds.”
Contact the Genesee County Health Department for eligibility information. For more information on the HUD program, other lead prevention programs, to obtain an application or to determine if your family and home fits the criteria, contact GO Health’s lead program staff at the Genesee County Health Department at 344-2580 ext.5555 or Health.GOlead@co.genesee.ny.us.
You can also visit the GO Health website at www.GOHealthNY.org. Program staff can quickly determine your initial eligibility, and will help to guide you through the application process.
To learn more about the New York State Lead Poisoning Prevention program, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2022 at 12:32 pm
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke announced that local law enforcement will increase DWI patrols from Oct. 29-31.
The STOP DWI Halloween High Visibility Engagement Campaign includes law enforcement agencies throughout the state. They will work to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths, said Bourke, the county’s STOP DWI coordinator.
“An increase in traffic on our roadways is expected during Halloween due to trick or treating, Halloween parties and festivities,” Bourke said. “With increased traffic comes an increased risk in crashes, including impaired-driving crashes.”
Bourke urged people to have a plan to not drink and drive.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2022 at 9:16 am
St. Joseph’s in Albion, Canal Culvert in Ridgeway and Ryan Quarry House in Clarendon recognized by Medina Sandstone Society
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Sandstone Society added three sites to its Hall of Fame at Medina City Hall. There are now 35 sites in the Hall of Fame which was established in 2013. Pictured from left include: Brandan Simon, west region canal engineer for Canal Corporation (representing the Canal Culvert); Maureen and Robert Christian, owners of the Ryan Quarry home on South Holley Road in Clarendon; and the Rev. Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Albion which was recognized for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, its lyceum on Main Street and the chapel at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Route 31.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society inducted three members into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame on Thursday, bringing the total to 35 sites that have now been recognized since the Hall of Fame was established in 2013.
The three new inductees are all in Orleans County and include the Erie Canal Culvert in the Town of Ridgeway, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion (including the parish’s lyceum and cemetery chapel), and the Ryan Quarry home owned by Robert and Maureen Christian on South Holley Road in Clarendon.
The Hall of Fame includes churches, mansions, civic buildings, monuments and public works projects from Erie, Pa., to Buffalo, Batavia and Orleans County, Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.
Dave Miller welcomes about 30 people to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday in the main meeting room at Medina City Hall. The Hall of Fame plaques are all made and donated by Takeform.
David Miller, Hall of Fame Committee chairman, said the Sandstone Society wants to showcase how the local quarried stone was used to build so many magnificent sites.
“What a wealth of beautiful buildings that have come out of the ground in Orleans County,” he said during Thursday afternoon’s Hall of Fame ceremony at Medina City Hall. “We need to appreciate them.”
About 70 sites have now been nominated for the hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Committee wants to recognize Medina Sandstone sites with exceptional beauty, architectural uniqueness and longevity, or as Miller said, sites “that have the wow effect.”
Miller said the Sandstone Society welcomes more nominations. (Click here for more information.)
The Canal Culvert on Culvert Road in Ridgeway was initially built in 1823 for the Erie Canal. The current culvert was built in 1911 when the canal was enlarged. This is the only spot where traffic can go under the Erie Canal.
While the Hall of Fame features many ornate churches, mansions and civic structures, the Canal Culvert is the first inductee that served a more utilitarian purpose as a public infrastructure project.
The culvert has a 7 foot, 6 inch clearance, with a peak height of 11 feet inside the tunnel.
The stone tunnel is 200 feet long, 11 feet high at its peak and 19 feet wide. It is an iconic site in Orleans County, and is one of a kind on the 524-mile-long canal system – the only place where you can drive under the canal. The site has been featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
The culvert was originally built in 1823 and was enlarged when the canal was expanded. The current culvert was built in 1911 as part of the Barge Canal enlargement.
The stone arch structure has a reinforced concrete prism liner directly above it, said Brendan Simon, west region canal engineer for the Canal Corp.
“The structure is near and dear to the canals,” Simon said. “I don’t know of any other structure like it on the canal system. Our staff is passionate about maintaining key pieces of infrastructure like the stone arch culvert.”
Simon said the Canal Corp. is gearing up for the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal in 2025. That year Buffalo will host the World Canals Conference.
Photos by David Miller: The Ryan Quarry House has been lovingly restored and cared for by Maureen and Robert Christian. The home was built in 1863 from stone likely obtained from the nearby banks of Sandy Creek. A former quarry on the property is now a 2-acre pond. This farmhouse became the office building for the Ryan Company quarry beginning in 1920.
The induction of the Ryan Quarry House at 4160 South Holley Rd. in Clarendon is the first Hall of Fame inductee that has a direct link to a Medina Sandstone quarry operation.
The house was likely built from sandstone from the banks of the east branch of Sandy Creek. This was in 1863 when there weren’t any commercial quarries in Clarendon.
This part of Clarendon and Holley would later have three quarries – Down’s and Gorman’s quarry in 1881, Gleason Place quarry in 1890 and the large Ryan Company quarry in 1920.
The Ryan quarry was adjacent to the house at 4160 South Holley Rd. and the building was used as an office building for the Ryan Company in the 1920s and much of the ’30s. Writing from Civilian Conservation Corps workers were found inside on the walls of the house during a later restoration.
Dave Miller of the Sandstone Society praised Maureen and Robert Christian for an extensive renovation and upkeep since they bought it in 1977. They credited their aunt Flo Johnson for saving the site when she bought it in 1950. At that point the site had been abandoned with a collapsed roof and trees growing up inside the house.
“She was told it was too far gone,” Mr. Christian said. “But she always wanted a stone house in the country.”
The Christians bought the house from her in 1977 and raised their three children at the house. Mrs. Christian said the sound of the nearby creek and waterfalls is peaceful and relaxing.
“We just love the history of it,” she said. “It’s built like a fortress.”
Her husband said the family has tried to maintain a part of the county’s sandstone legacy.
“That’s what it’s all about – being a steward of it,” he said.
Miller said the Hall of Fame would like to include more history of local quarrying families. The group welcomes biographies of families that were prominent in the local quarrying industry.
Photos by Tom Rivers: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion is a new member of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. The First Baptist Church, right, is St. Joseph’s neighbor on West Park Street.
The induction of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is long overdue, said Jim Hancock, a member of Hall of Fame Committee. The site was nominated this year by former County Historian Bill Lattin. It joins other Albion sites in the Hall of Fame including the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Albion, and the Civil War Monument at Mount Albion Cemetery.
St. Joseph’s Church was dedicated in 1897, built of locally quarried sandstone in a Gothic Revival style on West Park Street. The parish also dedicated St. Joseph’s School and Lyceum on Main Street in 1905 and then a new chapel at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Route 31 in 1920. The lyceum is the first school to be included in the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame Committee praised Holy Family Parish for its care of the three sites for more than a century.
The Rev. Richard Csizmar, pastor of the parish since 1994, said many people over the years have given resources, time and talent to keep up the sites. The lyceum recently completed a $100,000 renovation, he noted.
“They’re so valuable, so beautiful, and so memorable” he said about the buildings. “They are gifts from God.”
The Medina Sandstone Society also highlighted the lyceum and chapel in the Hall of Fame induction for St. Joseph’s, which is in the Holy Family Parish.
Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers is a member of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame Committee.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust is making several thousand dollars available in grants to community organizations and projects.
The grants generally range from $200 to $500 and are awarded to qualifying not-for-profit organizations and/or programs in the Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby region.
Funding is intended to help programs that clearly benefit the community and that have favorable tax and regulatory status.
To apply for a grant, organization leaders need to fill out a Sandstone Trust Applications form and mail to Sandstone Trust, Post Office Box 25, Medina, New York 14103 by the application deadline, Nov. 4.
Application forms can be obtained as follows:
In person at Michael Zelazny, CPA, 511 Main Street, Medina, NY 14103
By regular mail request sent to Sandstone Trust, PO Box 25, Medina, NY 14103
Provided photo: Commodore Bob Bialkowski, right, and Vice Commodore Erik Roth speak during the Point Breeze Yacht Club’s annual meeting on Oct. 15.
The Point Breeze Yacht Club held its annual members’ meeting and dinner on Oct. 15 in the Clubhouse at Godfrey’s Pond.
The following officers were elected: Commodore Bob Bialkowski, Vice Commodore Bob Turk, Rear Commodore Emrys March, Port Captain William Elliott, Secretary Marietta Schuth and Treasurer Madeline Bialkowski. Vice Commodore Erik Roth was thanked for all his service and dedication to the club.
Members enjoyed a nice fall day at Godfrey’s with a dinner catered by D and R Depot from Le Roy.
The Point Breeze Yacht Club is based at the Orleans County Marine Park, located on the Oak Orchard River at Point Breeze. Interested individuals can check the club website for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2022 at 10:05 am
ALBION – When David Snell was in college at Baldwin-Wallace University in Ohio, he majored in health and physical education. He was expecting to become a coach and lead teams in athletics.
Snell played fullback for Baldwin-Wallace football team. He enjoyed playing that role for a team that was nationally ranked and won its conference championship.
Snell also spent a lot of time with his father, Peter Snell, in Albion. The elder Snell started a real estate business in 1958. When he was a senior in college in 1978, contemplating his next move after Baldwin-Wallace, David decided to get his real estate license and return to Albion and work with his dad. His mother Irene also was in the business as the administrator of the office, and David’s siblings – Peter, John and Sue – all worked there too. (Sue recently retired.)
David has stayed in real estate in Albion for 44 years now. He has fulfilled his goal of building a successful team.
“I have a very excellent staff,” Snell said. “They are very bright and conscientious of their work. They are very involved in the community.”
The Snell Realtors staff has grown to about a dozen real estate agents, doubling in size in the past five years after Snell expanded next door in the former Fischer’s News Room.
The Chamber of Commerce is honoring Snell with a “Lifetime Achievement” award this evening during the Chamber’s annual awards celebration.
Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director, said Snell deserves recognition for running a business for 44 years now on Main Street, and for putting together a successful and committed staff.
“It’s really a team effort,” Hartway said about Snell Realtors. “The realtors pitch in for each other. He has fostered a team approach. The common thread among the staff is they’re all vested in the community.”
Snell has grown his staff and expanded next door without seeking any fanfare.
David Snell is shown with a photo of his father, the late Peter Snell who started in real estate in Albion in 1958. The elder Snell ran a real estate business with John Paganelli, before it became Peter Snell Real Estate. The business is now known as Snell Realtors.
Snell joined his father in the business at a time when Albion was at a difficult crossroads. Lipton’s close din 1980 and interest rates were at 16 to 17 percent.
Peter Snell told his son houses would still sell, especially with so many people leaving the area to find other jobs.
“My dad said everyone needs a roof over their head,” David said.
His father passed away in 2000. Peter was known to be very talkative while David is more reserved.
But Hartway said David has shown a clear commitment to Albion and Orleans County.
David said he feels very blessed in his career, especially the many years he was able to work so closely with his parents and siblings.
“The older I get I realize how fortunate I am,” he said. “My father was my mentor.”
Snell said he could have sold real estate elsewhere, and made more money. But he doesn’t regret staying in Albion.
“There are bigger prices in other areas,” he said. “But working with my clients in Orleans County means more to me than working in another area with a higher average sale price.”
Snell called his team of agents “an All Star team.” He also has contacts with many mortgage representatives, lenders, surveyors, attorneys, title examiners, home inspectors and septic contractors.
Cindy Burnside has worked 25 years for Snell as a real estate salesperson and more recently as the office administrator. She praised Snell for fostering a team environment where the real estate agents help each other rather than compete with others on staff. If one agent needs help with a showing, meeting a home inspector or having signs picked up, others will gladly lend a hand.
“No one is trying to outdo someone else,” Burnside said. “They’re just trying to do their job and help others, too. It’s not every man for himself. David has cultivated at atmosphere of a team effort. Everyone takes care of each other.”
Snell brings a passion for real estate – and for people, Burnside said.
“He is extremely fair and honest,” she said. “It’s a family atmosphere that we have here. It’s a great team.”
Karen Conn has worked four years with Snell after 17 years with another real estate broker. Conn, an Albion school teacher, said Snell is very accommodating to her full-time job while giving her and the other agents the staff development and support they need.
“This kind of business it’s all about relationships,” Conn said. “David has been the best person to work with. He is so even keeled and so knowledgeable. He goes in everyday with the best intentions. He is not out there grandstanding at all. He would rather us all be successful.”
When Snell played football at Baldwin-Wallace, he was an undersized fullback at 180 pounds.
“I learned a lot about teamwork, hard work and competing against athletes who are bigger and faster than I was,” Snell said.
Snell Realtors is smaller than many others in the region. But the Snell staff continues to find a way to grow and serve their customers.
“Our strength is our team,” Snell said. “It’s not about me. It’s about us.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2022 at 8:59 am
Charts from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
Orleans and Genesee counties combined continue to see about 200 confirmed Covid cases each week.
In recent weeks the confirmed cases in Orleans and Genesee combined include 183 from Oct. 12-18, 191 from Oct. 5-11, 203 from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 199 from Sept. 21-27, and 202 from Sept. 14-20. The two counties are both ranked as medium for community Covid level by the federal CDC.
The seven-day positivity rate state-wide is at 6.65 percent ending on Oct. 18. Orleans and Genesee are in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, where the positivity rate is at 7.51 percent.
The seven-day positivity averages for the Finger Lakes counties includes:
Orleans, 7.1 percent
Genesee, 7.4 percent
Livingston, 9.8 percent
Monroe, 7.1 percent
Ontario, 9.3 percent
Seneca, 8.5 percent
Wayne, 6.8 percent
Wyoming, 9.9 percent
Yates, 6.2 percent
The Capital Region and North Country both have the highest positivity rates at 10.03 percent, while New York City is the lowest at 5.63 percent.
Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to urge people to get vaccinated and boosted to help fight off serious cases of Covid.
“As the weather across the state continues to cool, New Yorkers must remain vigilant and be sure to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”
Hochul on Wednesday also announced that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against Covid.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against Covid-19.
The state Department of Health updated its guidance this week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended its emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated its clinical guidance, which collectively will allow more children to safely boost their immunity against Covid-19.
“Being able to provide the bivalent boosters to an even greater number of children throughout the state will expand protection against the Omicron variants, as we collectively work to stay up to date with these safe, effective vaccinations,” Hochul said. “I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to get these boosters to protect themselves, their families, their children, and our communities from this virus as we head into the cold weather months.”
In accordance with FDA’s authorization and CDC’s recommendations for use, the state Department of Health New Yorkers 5 years and older should receive the bivalent booster dose at least two months after completing their initial vaccine series or following their last booster or additional vaccine dose.
Eligible children 5 years and older can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster and those 6 years and older can receive Moderna’s bivalent booster. Viruses commonly mutate over time, so scientists update a vaccine’s composition to be as effective as possible in protecting against the strain circulating.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “The new bivalent booster is the first available made to target the currently circulating Omicron subvariants, offering the most important protection for children and adults yet. Getting all your shots is the best way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization. Parents and guardians, please get yourselves and your children boosted as soon as eligible.”
As noted by CDC, the new boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the vaccine, helping to restore protection that has waned previously and targeting recent variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading. The shots are expected to meaningfully reduce New Yorkers’ chances of getting severe illness from Covid-19, including being hospitalized or even death.
More than 1 million Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the United States. Nearly 75,000 New Yorkers have died from the infection since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
In addition to recommending bivalent boosters for all who are eligible, the Department of Heath continues to urge parents and guardians to have any of their children who are six months old and up complete their primary vaccine series as soon as possible. Receiving the initial doses are necessary to be eligible for a booster two months later.
Booster doses are free and available statewide. Supply is increasing each week as orders by providers continue to be filled by vaccine manufacturers. To schedule a shot, New Yorkers should contact a health care provider, local pharmacy, or county health department.
New Yorkers can also visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. At vaccines.gov, after entering a 5-digit ZIP Code, New Yorkers can click “Updated Vaccines” and select the bivalent booster type by age they are seeking to book an appointment for themselves or their children.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 October 2022 at 5:13 pm
Murray resident served as EDA board chair, OC Planning Board member and town councilman
Photo by Tom Rivers: Paul Hendel leads a toast welcoming a new hotel to the Medina community during a celebration on May 16, 2019. Hendel was the chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency board at the time.
MURRAY – Paul Hendel, an active local government official for the past two decades, has resigned from his positions after moving from Murray to Ontario County.
Hendel has stepped down from the Murray Town Board, Orleans Economic Development Agency and Orleans County Planning Board.
Hendel, a retired school principal at Sweet Home, said he enjoyed being a part of the local government. He followed his late father Art Hendel on the County Planning Board, and then joined the Orleans EDA, serving as the board chairman for about a decade. He was on the Murray Town Board for nearly 13 years.
“You reach a point a time where it’s time to pass the torch,” Hendel said. “It was a joy to work at all levels for the residents of the town and county. I will miss it. But it’s time to move on.”
Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator and EDA board member, said Hendel was an advocate for the entire county, and helped the EDA and local governments to bring in businesses and projects around the county.
“He stepped up to the plate for us,” DeRoller said. “He took a wholistic view of county. He will be missed because he has a lot of history with the county. He has a lot years involved with giving back.”
DeRoller said Hendel brought great administrative skills to the local positions, especially as board chairman for the EDA. Hendel was very supportive of the EDA staff, and his leadership was a factor in the staff staying long-term with the EDA. DeRoller said.
“He is very supportive of the process,” DeRoller said. “He was very engaged.”
The EDA only has three employees compared to other EDAs with bigger staffs and more resources. But Hendel and Orleans EDA were able to convince several companies to build in the county, DeRoller said.
Brian Napoli, the County Planning Board chairman, commended Hendel for serving on that board for about 20 years, including time as the vice chairman.
“Paul Hendel was an excellent vice chairman of the County Planning Board,” Napoli said. “He provided an insight and guidance that will be missed.”
Hendel said he is grateful he was able to be a part of the three boards and see positive direction locally.
“Over the years with all three boards I see progress in Orleans County with people moving into the county,” he said. “I’m proud of some of the businesses we brought in. And I’m proud of the individuals that work for the town or county. Anyone who works for town and county, they provide services to residents. People do pay a lot in taxes but they get a lot of services.”
October 23-29 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and government to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead.
