Local News
Officials recess county meeting
Lawmakers debate appointing new commissioner
ALBION — Instead of a normal adjournment, Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature meeting was put into recess because of a resolution to appoint a new commissioner of Social Services.
Current Commissioner Carol Ludwig announced her retirement effective Dec. 30. Over the past several weeks, members of the Legislature have been interviewing candidates in order to fill the vacant position.
The resolution, introduced by Legislator Gary Kent, would appoint Thomas D. Kuryla, deputy commissioner in Seneca County, to fill the vacant position, effective Jan. 1. He would receive 90 percent paid health coverage, be treated as an employee with five years of service and must establish residency in Orleans County within 60 days.
Chief Administrative Officer Charles Nesbitt Jr. would be appointed acting commissioner of Social Services for one day, Dec. 31.
When the resolution came before the board, Kent moved to push it to the back of the agenda so the Legislature could recess the meeting. The recess would allow legislators to call another meeting before their next scheduled one on Dec. 9.
Kent said that calling a meeting before Dec. 9 may be necessary because Kuryla needs to give his current employer 30 days notice. He said that if they wait, Nesbitt will have to be acting commissioner longer than just one day.
According to Kent, the reason for not acting on the resolution Tuesday was that several legislators who originally favored Kuryla had changed their mind. He said that the legislators had interviewed the candidates and all decided that Kuryla was the best choice.
A resolution passed in 1994 stated that preference will go to candidates within the county. Kent said this is what is causing the sudden change of heart, because candidates applied who live in Orleans County. He said that even though the resolution states that someone from Orleans County would take precedence, the 1994 resolution states that the Legislature can make an exception if they vote on it to hire the best candidate. Kent said the best candidate is the person who is on the resolution.
Legislator Lynne Johnson and Kenneth Rush were also not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.
“The overall thought was to have everyone there,” said Legislator David Callard.
Callard said that with two absent, several felt uncomfortable making the decision. He said he thinks this whole matter will be resolved by the next meeting and said there was a good number of well-qualified people.
If a special meeting is not called, the resolution will come back up for discussion during the Dec. 9 meeting.
In other board news:
n The Legislature set the unit charge for the 2010 County Solid Waste/Recycling Program. Legislator George Bower said a new contract will be up for negotiation next year. He encouraged the county to recycle as much as possible because their contract price is determined by volume, and the more that is recycled, the more they will save, because the volume goes down.
Contact Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
- Local News
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
- More Local News Headlines
-
