Local News
Orleans County adopts $70.7M budget
The Orleans County Legislature adopted a $70.7 million 2009 budget Wednesday, with a tax levy of $13.8 million. The tax rate will be the same as in 2008 — $9.16 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Chairman Henry Smith Jr. thanked department heads, legislators, the treasurer’s office and everyone involved for their work with this year’s budget.
“I think you all did a tremendous job,” Smith said. “Without you, we would have never gotten to where we are today.”
The budget passed by five votes. Legislator William Eick was not in attendance and Legislator Gary Kent abstained.
“The entire Legislature spends a lot of time on the budget,” Kent said. “Hour after hour, day after day. I think that might be misunderstood by some of the people in the community. I think generally speaking, we did a really fine job on the budget. I think it could have been a little bit better.”
Kent also said that part of the county’s taxes go to the villages and towns around Orleans County. He said legislators could have lowered the tax rate by 91 cents per $1,000 if they didn’t give to the local municipalities.
The total spending for 2009 is projected to be $70,655,343, with total revenues projected at $55,730,711. After cash surplus deductions, there was a $76,691 tax levy increase from the 2008 fiscal year.
In other board news:
n The board passed a new policy for the submission of assigned counsel claims for payment. This was an issue the board was facing, with attorneys not turning in their claims in what the Legislature considered a timely manner.
The new policy states that for compensation, counsel should submit to a magistrate, judge or justice as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days from the conclusion of representation on a case.
“The assigned counsel claims have been coming in quite late,” Legislator Lynne Johnson said. “It’s caused quite a headache for our treasurer.”
Legislator Kenneth Rush said that after auditing the bills, this new policy was needed because many assigned counsel were still turning in claims dating back to June 2006.
The Legislature will be notifying the Orleans County Bar Association, as well as other organizations, of the new policy.
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Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
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Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
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Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
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Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
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Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
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Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
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District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
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Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
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Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
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Natale introduces book about spirituality, sexuality
Maintaining a relationship with God can be difficult for anyone who is tempted by the distractions of everyday life — money, sex, addictions. But faith goes deeper than the labels affixed to these indulgences and the churches people go to seeking guidance.
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