Press Release, UConnectCare

ALBION – UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services is pleased to invite the community to an Open House at its Women & Children’s Residence on Wednesday, August 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The new residence is at 3597 Butts Rd. in Albion.

This special event offers an opportunity for community members, partners, and supporters to learn more about the vital services offered to women and children in need of support for substance use disorder and behavioral health care. A

Attendees will have the chance to tour the residence, meet the dedicated team, and learn how UConnectCare is making a meaningful difference in the lives of families in our region.

An informational presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., providing insight into the program’s goals and future plans. Refreshments will be served.

“This open house is not only a chance to showcase our facility, but more importantly, to connect with the community we serve,” said Kathleen Hodgins, chief executive officer of UConnectCare. “We are proud to offer a safe, supportive environment where women and children can heal together and build stronger futures.”

Community members are encouraged to RSVP by August 6. Guests may click here to respond.

Photo courtesy of Susan Starkweather Miller: The tower at Mount Albion Cemetery is a memorial to 463 Orleans County residents killed during the Civil War.

ALBION – The Orleans County Historical Association will host a series of cemetery tours during the month of August, all focusing on the county’s bicentennial, according to Sue Starkweather Miller, village of Albion historian.

• The first tour on Aug. 3 will be at Mount Albion Cemetery on Route 31 with Miller serving as a guide along with Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian.

“To commemorate our county’s bicentennial, we will focus on several prominent pioneers around the tower area, including Nehemiah Ingersoll, and hear the story of how Albion became the county seat,” Miller said.

Guests may enter through the main gate, park at the chapel and walk to the tower, or drive to the area and park in the woods behind the tower. It is short walk up a slight incline to the tower.

• The tour on Aug. 10 will be at Robinson Cemetery, Route 237 and Glidden Road, Clarendon, with guide Melissa Ierlan, town of Clarendon historian.

• On Aug. 17, town of Shelby historian Alice Zacher and Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper will lead the tour of Millville Cemetery, 4394 East Shelby Rd., Medina.

Highlights will be a visit to the wooden chapel/memorial vault and a tour of some of the impressive monuments, including the gravestone of Asa Hill, a Civil War soldier who suffered amputation of a leg, yet returned to run the family farm a few short miles west of the cemetery.

• The tour on Aug. 24 Greenwood Cemetery, 16670 Roosevelt Hgy./Route 18, Kendall, will focus on the first Norwegian settlement in the United States in 1825 in Kendall. Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper will lead this tour.

• Aug. 31 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 581 East Ave., Albion, will conclude the series of tours. Catherine Cooper and Sue Starkweather Miller will lead the tour, which will include a visit to the chapel to view the beautiful interior stained glass windows, and stops at several prominent gravesites.

All tours begin at 6 p.m. and are free, although donations are gratefully accepted.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A Medina Fire Department ambulance heads out for a call on Monday evening.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has set a special meeting for Aug. 20 for the discussion to focus on the future of the Medina Fire Department.

Board members say they highly value the work of firefighters, but the board is concerned about the costs of running a department with 17 full-time paid staff. The board recently reduced the paid staff from 21 to 17.

Trustee Debbie Padoleski, a retired clerk/treasurer for the village, said it is imperative for Medina to get more financial help from neighboring towns for the fire department services, which includes running the primary ambulance service for western Orleans County. The fire department responds to about 2,500 calls a year and about 90 percent, more than 2,200, are EMS/ambulance calls.

The towns of Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates each contribute $35,000 a year to Medina towards the ambulance service.

“That doesn’t even begin to pay for our firemen, the ambulances, fuel, and wear and tear,” Padoleski said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.

The other seven towns in Orleans County contract with Mercy EMS for ambulance services. The amount varies and is based on call volume. Mercy will be paid $250,000 this year for staging two basic life support ambulances in central and eastern Orleans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, plus an advanced life support fly car that would be available 24-7.

The contract calls for the seven towns to pay the following in 2025: Albion, $93,000; Barre, $11,000; Carlton, $18,500; Clarendon, $28,000; Gaines, $38,500; Kendall, $12,750; and Murray, $48,250.

Medina village officials also need to decide soon about whether it will proceed with an addition to the fire hall to accommodate a new ladder truck due to arrive in December.

Medina will be paying $1.7 million for the ladder truck. A one-bay addition to the fire hall is expected to be just over $1 million. Medina is pursuing a state grant for $1 million to help pay for the addition, but Padoleski said she worries about the difference in the final cost and what a grant may cover. She said village taxpayers are already stretched to the limit.

The Aug. 20 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. whether at the Ridgeway Town Hall or the Medina Senior Center. The location will be posted soon, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The county also is doing a study for EMS/firefighting services throughout the county. Village Trustee Scott Bieliski said village officials already know Medina is a cornerstone for the service in western Orleans, and often providing mutual aid in central Orleans as well. The big issue is getting more revenue to Medina for the service that often goes outside the village boundaries, he said.

“They’re doing a study, but we know we are taking care of a lot of the county,” Bieliski said.

Provided photos and information from Eileen Williams

ALBION – The Albion Class of 1972 held another Class Picnic at Bullard Park on Saturday, July 26.

Front Row: Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Sue Pilon, Brenda Staines Bierdeman, Barb Chappius Papili, Sharon Smith McAllister, Ann Gemeo Tower, Patti Smith Buckner, Joey Fiorilli Conlon and Vickie Condoluci Wheeler

Middle Row: Cindy Downey Troy, Candy Hockenberry Fasano, Robert Moore, Marilee Tokotch, Flugel, Marge Colonna Burgio, Eileen Williams, Colleen Murphy McKenna, Rex Hults, Faye Hollenbeck Stowell. Howard Ward and Velma Snell

Back Row (left side only): Joanie Peters, Robert Neilans, Dennis Allis and Kim Standish.

Howard Ward is essential for these picnics as he provides his own super delicious barbecue chicken for everyone to enjoy.

It was a potluck picnic, and many delicious salads, fruits, and heavenly desserts were provided by classmates. Eileen Williams has organized the picnics for several years, along with much help from Howard Ward and Marita DeLuca Dumrese. Eileen also enjoys arranging class lunches as often as possible at various restaurants.

Our wonderful class really has enjoyed various gatherings since we graduated. We are very fortunate and grateful to spend time together and share old and new memories whenever we can.

The Class of 1972 also has a Reunion Committee consisting of Bob Capurso, Howard Ward, Ann Germeo Tower, Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Eileen Williams, and Patti Smith Buckner. All have been instrumental in getting the class together for reunions for many years.

Pictured include: Ann Germeo Tower, Eileen Williams, Howard Ward, Patti Smith Buckner and Marita DeLuca Dumrese.

Provided photo: County Legislators Skip Draper, Lynne Johnson and John Fitzak are shown outside the U.S. Capitol building last week.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

Scott Buffin, deputy emergency management director for Orleans County

ALBION – A local delegation from Orleans County joined U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the First Responders Summit on Thursday, July 24th in Washington, DC.

The summit provided in-depth information about supporting the wellbeing of first responders and their families, fostering community engagement, and grant writing.

“This summit was a great opportunity to discuss a broad array of issues on how we can support our first responders and provide critical services to our residents,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson. “Plus, there are unique challenges for rural communities like ours when it comes to first responders so being able to share information between similar counties is very helpful.”

Johnson was joined at the summit by County Legislators Skip Draper and John Fitzak as well as Scott Buffin, deputy director of the Emergency Management Office.

 Over the course of the summit, representatives from law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management departments across New York shared their expertise and best practices. The summit featured speakers from the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, amongst others.

County representatives plan to use the information shared at the summit to provide the best law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management services for our county residents.

“The discussions on first responders and family well-being brought some new ideas to incorporate into what we are already doing for our first responders in Orleans County,” Buffin said. “The opportunity to network with other first responders at the summit was invaluable.”

To conclude the summit, county representatives spoke with Sen. Gillibrand and her staff where they shared ideas about the areas for growth and support of Orleans County.

“I thank the representatives from Orleans County for making the trip to share their expertise and enhance the quality of our larger discussion,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “I hope that the First Responders Summit provided information to enhance the quality of life of the constituents of Orleans County.”

ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church this morning arraigned an Albion man on multiple charges, including first-degree rape.

Allan Bieber, 22, allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at St. Joseph’s Park on South Clinton Street on April 25. It was dark at the park at about 9 p.m. when the alleged rape occurred.

Bieber also has been charged with third-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child.

Judge Church set bail at $5,000 cash, $15,000 bond or $30,000 partial secured bond.

Bieber is to next appear in County Court on Aug. 13.

File photo: Jesse Cudzillo, left, and Dean Bellack are shown in this picture taken last year at the YMCA while Cudzillo was director. He has recently stepped down to accept a position in a new online telehealth company founded by his brother.

MEDINA – Jesse Cudzillo has announced his resignation as executive director of the Orleans County YMCA.

Cudzillo is stepping down to pursue a new venture as chief executive officer of Neneu Wellness Club, a next-generation wellness company he has launched with his brother and founder, Nicholas Cudzillo.

“This is an opportunity we saw to really help people, and this seemed like the right time,” Jesse said. “I am filled with gratitude for my time at the YMCA. The mission, the people and the impact we have made together in this community will always be part of who I am. The YMCA stands for strengthening spirit, mind and body – and I have witnessed firsthand the real change it creates in people’s lives.”

Cudzillo led the Orleans County YMCA through significant programming expansion, community partnerships and youth development initiatives. He credits the organization with preparing him to take the next step in his professional journey, building upon the foundation of health, wellness and community.

“Jesse Cudzillo will be greatly missed,” said Dean Bellack, former board chair who is serving as chief volunteer officer until a decision can be made how to replace Cudzillo. “He has accomplished many new community partnerships, including the Christian Bow Hunters Archery Program, building the teen center and kitchen and bringing Kwandrans’ Tae-Kwan-Do into the Y. He established himself as a community leader and grew membership in our Orleans County branch. On behalf of the staff and board members in the GLOW YMCA, we wish him success in his new venture.”

“We have launched Reneu Wellness Club to take our mission one step further,” Cudzillo said. “Reneu is a physician-aligned telehealth and functional wellness platform focused on personalized care, advanced peptide therapies, hormone optimization and lifestyle coaching. Our mission is to deliver transformative, medically-responsible wellness to individuals across the country – starting right here in Western New York.”

Reneu Wellness Club aims to blend cutting-edge medicine with heart-centered coaching to help people feel, look and live better, Cudzillo explained. The company operates through a concierge telehealth model, offering care that is proactive, not reactive.

While stepping away from the YMCA is bittersweet, Cudzillo said, he emphasized that his admiration and support for the Y’s mission remains as strong as ever.

“The YMCA will always have my respect and appreciation,” he said. “I am proud of the work we did together, and I am excited to continue serving our community in a new way.”

Appointments can be made by logging on to www.reneuwellnessclub.com.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board approved an expanded school zone where the speed limit is capped at 15 miles per hour.

Police Chief Todd Draper advocated for the change with the extended boundaries near the Wise Intermediate School and Oak Orchard Primary School.

The Village Board held a public hearing on the change on Monday evening. Tim Zeiner, a local resident, supported the change and asked the village to better mark cross walks for pedestrians. He would like to see signs and paint in the road similar to what is done with the Main Street cross walks.

The school zone is designated from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. The state Department of Transportation allows a school zone to extend a maximum of 1,320 feet along a highway passing a school building entrance or exit of a school abutting on the highway.

The expanded zone includes:

• Gwinn Street, extending 1,320 feet north from the northern intermediate school entrance
• Gwinn Street, extending 650 feet south of the southern intermediate school entrance
• West Oak Orchard Street, extending 500 feet west of Oak Orchard School western loop entrance
• West Oak Orchard Street, extending 1,320 feet east of Oak Orchard School eastern loop entrance

The school zone restrictions do not apply to ambulances, fire vehicles or police vehicles when on emergency trips.

MFD, pared back from 21 to 17 full-time, needs to fill fire chief vacancy

Photo courtesy of Medina Fire Department: The Medina Fire Department welcomed Mackenzie Rider-Work, left, and Brian Bates as probationary firefighters. They were hired at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department has two new full-time members after they were hired at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

Brian Bates and Mackenzie Rider-Work both are joining the department, while it loses Andrew Steel, a full-time firefighter the past three years whose resignation effective July 31 was accepted by the board on Monday.

Steel’s departure follows the resignations last month of fire chief Matt Jackson and firefighters Tiffany Petry and Dylan Schreader. Captain Jonathan Higgins also retired.

The department was at 20 full-time members and a fire chief, but was pared down to 16 firefighters and a chief.

Once the fire chief position is filled, the Medina FD would need to fill one more position if the fire chief is promoted from within the department.

Bates joins Medina, coming from the Hilton Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance. He has completed the fire academy and is waiting to take the paramedic test.

Rider-Work comes from the Clarence Fire Department. He is an EMT-B and a state fire instructor assigned to Erie County.

“Brian will be assigned to the 4th Platoon and Mackenzie will join the 2nd Platoon once they complete the onboarding process,” stated the Medina professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161. “They are both a welcome addition to the team but we still face a long road to return to being considered fully staffed.  We are still awaiting the promotion of a new fire chief to lead our department.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Pickleball courts at Bullard Park in Albion are becoming a reality. There are two courts fenced in next to the basketball courts.

Today, a crew from JM Pro Courts & Surface Solutions in Lancaster is putting sealer on pavement that used to be part of the parking lot at Bullard. Later today, the company is expected to paint the courts purple with green on the perimeter similar to the basketball courts.

JM Pro Courts & Surface Solutions clears off any dust and debris before putting the sealer down.

The project is the latest improvement at Bullard. The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc., a non-profit organization that has secured grants and other funding for Bullard improvements, is pushing the pickleball addition.

Susan Oschmann, a member of G-ACRE, said about $5,000 is needed to finish off the pickleball courts. She said some generous donors, including Judge Sanford Church, have paid for fencing and part of the costs for the sealing and painting.

She will be at Rock the Park on Friday and Saturday selling $5 tickets for a wine and beer raffle to raise money for the final work on the new courts.

There is also a GoFundMe set up for people to donate towards the remaining cost of the courts. Click here for more information.

Photo courtesy of Greg Jones

The first coat is on the two pickleball courts, with paint to follow.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the US the past four years. Players use paddles to hit a perforated ball over a net. The court space is much smaller than a tennis court.

There will be demonstrations Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. on the new courts for people to learn the rules of the sport and see players in action.

If the pickleball courts are popular in Albion, there is room next to them for two more to be added in the future, Oschmann said.

Photo courtesy of Susan Oschmann

The purple paint gets applied to the courts this afternoon.

SHELBY – Two people will be on the November ballot to fill one of three sudden vacancies on the Shelby Town Board.

The Republican Committee has backed John Pratt III, a former Town Board member, while the Conservative Party has nominated Mark Wambach.

They are seeking to fill two years of an unexpired term from Jeff Schiffer. He and Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and councilman Stephen Seitz Sr. have all resigned from the Town Board, leaving the board with only two members – Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny.

The board needs at least three members to carry out town business and pay bills.

The terms for Wengewicz and Seitz both end Dec. 31. Those can’t be filled with a special election. The town has reached out to the governor’s office for Gov. Hochul to appoint at least one person to fill out the final months of either board members’ term.

Because Schiffer has more time on his term after this year that spot can be filled at the Nov. 4 election.

That councilman’s position will be on the ballot as a two-year term, along with the full terms for town supervisor and two other councilman positions.