Plus key appointments by the Chairman
From Allegany County NY,
Allegany County Board Chairman Delivers 2024 Recap
On January 2, 2024, newly reappointed Allegany County Legislative Chairman W. Brooke Harris provided the Chairman’s annual “State of the County” address:
“Good Morning. I’d like to thank my fellow Board members for their support today. The work of the Chair is collaborative, and I appreciate everyone’s guidance and encouragement as I continue to grow into the role.
It’s my privilege to speak briefly with you today about the state of Allegany County. As I’m sure those in attendance would agree, 2024 was one of the busiest years we’ve had in recent memory.
In development, the County has vigorously supported our new Office of Economic Development and the establishment of an independent Economic Development Corporation. Through those efforts, we’re already reaping benefits in the attraction of new business opportunities both small and large, and improved support of our existing small businesses, educational institutions, and large commercial and industrial partners. Lots of work to be done, but I know that this Board is taking the right steps to create a sustainable, vibrant, pro-business climate in Allegany County. (Pictured is W. Brooke Harris)
In Emergency Services, the Board has successfully restructured the Office of Emergency Management through strategic hires and the adoption of the local law creating a Director of Emergency Management. Further, the 2025 County budget reflects the largest-ever financial commitment to our County’s irreplaceable volunteer agencies. It’s the Board’s hope that these investments, including expanded training opportunities and reimbursements, equipment purchases, and technical support will continue to encourage recruitment and retention in the volunteer ranks.
I also want to thank the Board for having the political courage to act in the best interests of public safety through our contractual relationship with Medical Transport Services. Not only is a robust EMS system critical to ensuring the safety of County residents, but it is also a prerequisite to maintaining our quality of life and attracting new residents and businesses to Allegany County.
I want to thank our administration for their leadership and commitment to securing outside funding this year. The amount of work and time committed to this effort has been far greater than in years past. Because of this, Allegany County was recently awarded millions of dollars in competitive state and federal grants across multiple project areas including infrastructure expansion and improvement, economic development, housing, and outdoor recreation.
There are challenges ahead. With big ideas and big changes come big expenses. It will be the job of this Board in the coming year to do the difficult work of prioritizing these projects and existing services, to judiciously strategize their funding, and ensure that we continue to operate efficiently and with as little burden to taxpayers as possible. I’m confident in the ability of this Board to accomplish that goal, and I look forward to sharing the work with you all.
Finally, I’d like to recognize the dedicated employees of Allegany County, who work day-in and day-out to provide vital services and support to County residents. The Board wants to thank you for your professionalism and commitment and wishes you a heathy and happy 2025. With that, I humbly yield and thank you all, once again, for your support.”
SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS
January 2, 2025
CHAIRMAN APPOINTMENTS:
ACCORD Board of Directors (1-year term)
Jennifer C. Bigelow
Reita Sobeck-Lynch
Allegany County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board (1-year term)
Scott Torrey (coterminous with his designation as Executive Director of the Soil & Water
Conservation District Board)
Allegany County Safety Committee
Management Representatives:
Heather Bedow, Executive Secretary Workers’ Compensation
Mallory M. Short, Deputy County Administrator
Thomas H. Windus, County Superintendent of Public Works
Scott A. Cicirello, Sheriff
Tyler J. Shaw, Public Health Director
H. Robert Budinger, Personnel Officer (Non-voting member serving as Chairperson)
Employee Representatives:
Shawn Grusendorf, Deputy Sheriff Sergeant
Dana Hand, Correction Officer
Bonnie VanHousen, Acting Director of Office of Emergency Management
Cash Davison, Assistant General Supervisor
Nicole Helmer, Probation Officer
Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Development Board (3-year term)
(Joint Measure with Cattaraugus County Chair M. Andrew Burr)
Lisa Lee
Jeremy Martin
Frank McAndrew
Richard Zink
Cornell Cooperative Extension (1-year term)
Jennifer Ricketts-Swales, Fillmore (Legislative Representative)
Philip G. Stockin, Houghton (Legislative Representative)
Emergency Interim Successor (1-year term)
Philip G. Stockin, Houghton
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Bonnie VanHousen, Acting Director of Office of Emergency Management
Hazard Mitigation Team
William “Bill” Day, Jr., Fire Coordinator
Bonnie VanHousen, Acting Director of Emergency Management Services
Kevin “Fred” Demick, District I Legislator
James M. Rumfelt, District IV Legislator
Thomas H. Windus, County Superintendent of Public Works
Max William Bigelow, Allegany County Highway Superintendent
Association Representative
H. Kier Dirlam, Allegany County Director of Planning
Michelle Linza, Deputy Director of Economic Development
Scott Torrey, Executive Director of the Soil and Water Conservation District
Tyler J. Shaw, Allegany County Public Health Director
Inter-County Association of WNY (1-year term)
Voting Members:
Gary R. Barnes, Wellsville
W. Brooke Harris, Alfred
Brenda Rigby Riehle, Belmont
Alternate Voting Members
Gretchen Hanchett, Belmont
Jennifer Ricketts-Swales, Fillmore
Majority Leader
Steven A. Havey, District IV Legislator
Open Space Advisory Committee (1-year term)
H. Kier Dirlam, Almond
Resource Conservation and Development Board (1-year term)
County Representative Member
Scott Torrey, Belmont, NY
County Alternate: Philip B. Curran, Alfred Station, NY
Legislative Member
Kevin “Fred” Demick, Angelica, NY
Member At Large
Norman G. Ungermann, Jr., Cuba, NY
Solid Waste Hearing Board (1-year term)
Members must include the Chairman of Public Works Committee and two Legislators that are not on the Public Works Committee.
Dwight R. Fanton, Chairman of Public Works
John D. Ricci, District II Legislator
Gretchen Hanchett, District II Legislator
Alternates
Kevin “Fred” Demick, District I Legislator
Dwight “Mike “ Healy, District II Legislator
STOP-DWI Coordinator (1-year term)
Scott G. Grantier, Belmont
CHAIRMAN APPOINTMENTS SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL
Aging, Citizens Advisory Council
Over 60 Members:
Janice Carson, Belmont
Joseph Felsen, Wellsville
Vicki Grant, Houghton
Susan Stout, Wellsville
Fish & Wildlife Management Board (2-year term)
Landowner Representative Member:
Robert Chamberlain, Belfast
Alternate: Darleen Krisher-Meehan, Andover
Planning Board (3-year term)
Jean Louis “John” Roederer, Houghton
Ex-Officio Members (1-year term)
Thomas H. Windus, County Superintendent of Public Works, Little Genesee
Terri L. Ross, County Treasurer, Angelica
Philip G. Stockin, Ways & Means Committee Chairman, Houghton
Veterans Service Agency Director
Michael Hennessy, Wellsville
