Kelley, Cyr make cases for Allegany Co. treasurer nomination
In the June 24 Republican primary election for treasurer in Allegany County, deputy treasurer Jenna Kelley and former county legislator Adam B. Cyr face each other for the nomination.
The longtime coun-
ty treasurer, Teri Ross, who will have served six terms at the end of this year, did not seek re-election.
Kelley has served the past 12 years as deputy treasurer and the past eight years as West Almond town tax collector.
Cyr is a business owner and served as a legislator representing the county’s District III after being elected in 2021. His seat was vacated by the legislature early this year after he moved from Bolivar
Jenna Kelley: Experience matters in race for county treasurer
The importance of choosing the right Republican candidate for Allegany County treasurer has never been more crucial. I am proud to declare myself as the best candidate for this vital role, backed by experience, a deep understanding of governmental financial management and a firm commitment to serving our county. With over a decade of experience in government finance, my career has been dedicated to mastering the intricacies of
fiscal responsibility and transparent accounting practices. I have worked with county officials to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed wisely and effectively. My track record speaks for itself — Allegany County has developed strategies that prioritize the safety of funds, liquidity to meet financial obligations and yield to generate supplementary revenue. While my opponent may have skills in other areas, he lacks any relevant financial government experience that would prepare him for the complexities of the treasurer’s office; the role of county treasurer demands a specific understanding of public finance and accountability that he does not possess. Entrusting our county’s finances to someone without this experience could jeopardize our county’s
financial stability and growth.
I believe it is imperative to recognize the significance of maintaining this financial stability. A strong financial position allows the county to invest in vital services, infrastructure and development projects that benefit all residents; from education and public safety to community services, our budget ensures that we can respond effectively to the needs and aspirations of our citizens.
My primary goal is to ensure the financial stability of our county. In a landscape where, financial regulations and fiscal responsibilities are increasingly complex, leveraging outside expertise has become a crucial strategy. Collaborating with specialized firms allows us to tap into targeted knowledge
to the town of Andover, which is in Legislature District IV.
The legislature cited Section 30 of the New York State Public Officer’s Law and an Allegany County local law that indicates legislators who change their addresses to outside a legislative district vacate their positions.
Cyr alleges his seat was vacated in retaliation for his no votes on some matters and for announcing his run for treasurer against the wishes of the Allegany
County GOP — all 15 members of the county legislature are Republican.
Today’s edition includes campaign statements by Kelley and Cyr as they seek the nomination to be on the GOP ballot in the fall.
Adam B. Cyr: Change is needed in Belmont
BY ADAM B. CYR
I have been overwhelmed with the support from residents of Allegany County who want to see change take place in Belmont — and it’s going to start with my vision as your new Allegany County treasurer. When I was a legislator, I witnessed how the treasurer in Allegany County sat in on every department head meeting and gave directions on how to run county business. As treasurer, I will have an experienced, trusted team who have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the treasurer’s
office and being fiscally responsible with your money. My very first business was sealing foundation walls with tar. I saved money, I invested and I expanded my company into a long-standing construction firm with many employees. I continued to value every dollar and I wanted to keep investing and creating new businesses like my roll-off and demolition companies while making sure employees were well compensated. I did not borrow a single penny to build my businesses. I have learned how to invest and run a successful business despite the ever-changing tax laws and mandates for businesses in the county and New York state. That’s another reason for running for treasurer, I do not want future generations to have to overcome the obstacles like I did to invest in businesses and property
in Allegany County. I have not been a part of the treasurer’s office, who recently paid to receive awards from an investment company, and I have financed my own campaign without asking for donations. I also like to quote Mark Twain, who said, “I never let schooling get in the way of my education.” Education is important, but it should not be confined to the walls of a classroom or the structure of a broken system. There are a lot of things we need to do to make real change in Allegany County, and by listening people have told me they want me to investigate several things once elected:
• Why are all county vehicles leased?
Could we save money with alternative purchases on state bids with significant savings?
BY JENNA KELLEY
Big turnout for Wellsville’s No Kings demonstration
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
Nearly 300 people weren’t deterred by huge trucks and damp weather for Wellsville’s No Kings demonstration on Saturday.
The advertised event was held at the Fassett
Greenspace where two large Matco Tools trucks (a Belmont business) occupied the parking places on the North Main Street side of the park. The tall trucks blocked the visibility from the road, but that didn’t stop the protesters. They lined up across the street and on both adjoining street corners and many pressed their backs to the Main Street side of the trucks and displayed their signs anyway.
Although a one-car police patrol drove by, they didn’t stop or chastise the protesters for standing on the street-side of the trucks. The trucks were parked from before the demonstration started at 2 p.m. until about 3:15 p.m. when they were driven away.
Many of those in the crowd suspected the trucks were parked there purposefully, including the organizer of the
event, Ally Fesmire who said she suspected it was planned.
Fesmire said she organized the No Kings demonstration in Wellsville “to make it easier for people to make it clear to our representatives how the people really feel.”
The event was open to anyone who wanted to show up. Fesmire said
Photo by Kathryn Ross No Kings demonstrators are shown near the Fassett Greenspace in Wellsville on Saturday.
Wellsville’s No Kings continued on PAGE 4
CUBA — The village of Cuba hosted the Dairy Days 2025 celebration June 1315, which featured the Community Yard Sale throughout the area on that Saturday and Sunday and food and craft vendors, the traditional milk bar and entertainment.
On Friday evening there was a foam party for children — with a portion of West Main Street covered in foam in which kids could frolic. On Saturday there was a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, the craft show, a car show on East and West Main, a petting zoo and a book
Cuba hosts Dairy Days 2025
sale by Friends of the Cuba Library and the Dairy Days parade. Music was provided during the weekend by The Chumps, Old Dawgs New Tricks, Queen Mary-A Tribute to Queen, CRCS Pop
Group and Jazz Band, Generations, Casual Remix, Miss Hoshi’s Trio, Steel Reign, The Chumps and Cutt N Run.
On Sunday there was a 5K run on the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail.
Highway Superintendents Association and was a member of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways and the New York State Association of Towns.
BELFAST — A newly constructed and reopened bridge on County Road 26 in the town of Belfast has been named the William “Bill” A. Nichols Bridge.
Allegany County officials attended an official reopening ceremony on Thursday along with family members and friends of Nichols. Representatives from the offices of Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, state Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski were also present.
William “Bill” Nichols, who attended the ceremony as well, is a long-time resident of Belfast. His career in public works began in 1968 and continued for nearly 50 years. During that time, he served as Belfast highway superintendent, president of the Allegany County
The bridge was closed to traffic in February 2022, which greatly impacted the routing of police, fire and emergency services, significantly altered school transportation plans and created a substantial detour for commuter and business traffic, officials said.
Belfast celebrates reopening of County Road 26 bridge
Shortly after the bridge was closed, Hochul announced that Allegany County would be awarded $8.6 million toward the replacement of the bridge. The $8.6 million was funded by the state Department of Transportation through a combination of federal, state and local funding.
STRETCH OF ANGELICA ROAD TO CLOSE
Meanwhile, in the town of Angelica, County Road 15 from Peavy Road to Lamont Road will be closed for approximately six weeks starting on June 23 to repair a culvert. There will not be an on-site detour, and motorists are urged to seek alternate routes.
Photo provided
William “Bill” A. Nichols gives remarks at the dedication of the new bridge in Belfast named in his honor.
Photos provided
Children play in foam on Cuba’s West Main Street Friday evening during Dairy Days.
and skills that bolster our financial management efforts. By engaging with external professionals, we are not only enhancing our financial operations but also demonstrating our commitment to responsible governance and the prudent management of taxpayer resources. As county treasurer, I will prioritize transparency and accountability. I believe that taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent. I will provide regular reports on the county’s financial status; including budget reports, expenditures
and revenue collections. My approach includes regular public reports to the Committee of Jurisdiction and an opendoor policy that invites input from all county residents.
Allegany County deserves a treasurer who understands that trust and communication
are key to fostering a strong relationship with constituents.
My extensive experience in government finance, commitment to
transparency and vision for growth make me the best candidate. As we approach the primary election day, I urge you to consider the impli-
➡Adam B. Cyr
continued from PAGE 1
cations of your vote. Choose a candidate who has proven expertise and a genuine commitment to serving our county.
• Why is the county benefitting from the death of our loved ones? The county treasurer’s office gets 10% of any estate that does not have a will. That money should go back to the family.
• Could we save money by cutting back on lawsuits against the county for unlawful tax sales?
• Can we stop profiting from residents
and instead work with them to stay in their homes? The county has a line item that shows $1 million in revenues each year from delinquent property tax sales. If you owe a few thousand on back taxes, the county then sells your property; where is that profit going? The excuses for profiting from taxpayers must end.
➡Wellsville’s No Kings
that she was delighted at the number of people who participated.
“I wanted to encourage people from across the county to show up, but I never expected this many people,” she said.
People from other towns and nearby counties attended the local event as more than 2,000 No Kings events took place across the country as participants expressed their opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.
demonstrators having gray or white hair, Fesmire said she was grateful that they came out.
Our neighbors, friends and families are trying to make ends meet and not lose their homes. Meanwhile, the county administrator received a $43,000 pay raise in the span of 18 months and the legislators voted to give themselves a 42% pay raise (I voted no to that). It will take time to make changes in Belmont, but change is needed, and I appreciate the ideas and support.
Anti-protestors were not seen and no derogatory comments were heard.
Fesmire has organized a new group called Rise Up for the purpose of giving like-minded people a place to vent their concerns with the current government. She hopes to hold monthly demonstrations as needed. Advertising for Saturday’s event emphasized that it was a peaceful demonstration and that no belligerent rhetoric would be tolerated. There were no incidents.
“It shows how older people really do have wisdom,” she said. She hypothesized that younger people may have more fear about participating in such events, but she hopes they take courage from seeing older people demonstrating their concerns and advocating for people’s rights. Drivers were encouraged to honk their horns as they drove by to show their approval of the protest. The cacophony solicited cheers from the sign carriers.
One young man sporting a MAGA hat walked through the crowd. The majority of signs reiterated the No Kings theme, while some hit other topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, rising prices and the economy and the cost of the military parade in Washington on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — on Trump’s 79th birthday — while federal employment and funding is being slashed.
Organizers also set aside time to read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Amendment I, guaranteeing freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly drew applause from the crowd.
With the majority of
Brooklyn Dahlgren Hanna Deming
Shaeleigh Fisk
Noah
Haelyn
Ty
Commentary: County treasurer weighs in on office’s role
BY TERRI ROSS
The Allegany County treasurer is an elected official who takes a sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York. At the beginning of each term, they pledge to faithfully perform their duties as treasurer.
The treasurer has NO voting power on decisions by the state, federal, local government or any other appropriate standards that govern the operation of the treasurer’s office.
The responsibilities of the treasurer are defined by various laws, including New York State County Law, state Local Finance Law, General Municipal Law and Real Property Tax Law, among others. The execution of the treasurer’s duties is guided by the state comptroller, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal regulations, local policies established by the Board of Legislators, and a host of other standards and laws that govern the county’s services and funding sources.
The county treasurer must abide by these laws, rules and regulations as does every other treasurer/CFO across the state.
The treasurer does NOT have any voting authority regarding the approval of service contracts.
The county operates a fleet management program under a contract with Enterprise, which commenced in January 2017 through a board resolution. This program was thoroughly discussed in Public Works and Ways and Means Committee meetings prior to its implementation. Its purpose is to fund the vehicle, and equipment needs primarily of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the sheriff’s office. This initiative aims to ensure that the county provides and upgrades its fleet with safe vehicles for employees, promoting fiscal stability in fleet maintenance. Before the lease program, the fleet was outdated and posed safety risks.
The county treasurer has very little choice in a court ordered appointment as administrator of an estate.
The treasurer, who also serves as the chief financial officer (CFO) of the county, can be appointed as an administrator of an estate. This role is in addition to the treasurer’s regular duties, as New York state law designates the CFO as the administrator of last resort.
If creditors, family members or other interested parties file a petition in Surrogate’s Court for an estate administrator and no family member is willing to take on the role, the judge may appoint the CFO as the estate administrator. This administrator receives letters of administration and is required by Surrogate’s Law to manage and close the deceased’s estate, similar to the duties of an executor of a will. There may be fees for the administrator
based on the type and value of the estate, as outlined in Surrogate’s Law.
In our county, most estates are valued at under $50,000, generally resulting in no associated fees; however, the CFO must comply with the law to administer the assets despite any fee received. Fees are calculated as set forth in the statute and are not at the discretion of the treasurer to set a fee.
The treasurer has no voting power on any policy, procedures, contracts, union contracts, raises or salaries, projects, payments of bills, borrowing, tax foreclosures, sales tax, budgets, etc. The position holds NO voting power on any county board decisions.
The Treasurer has NO voting power on the approval of the tax foreclosure process or the sale of county-owned property of any kind.
The county treasurer, by law, holds the title of tax enforcement officer, which pertains to the enforcement of unpaid taxes under the Real Property Tax Law. Allegany County operates according to Article 11 of this law, established in 1995. This law outlines the responsibilities of the treasurer in enforcing the collection of real property taxes, includ-
ing delinquent taxes for towns, schools and villages. While there are no real qualifications for the position of county treasurer, this job would be very difficult for someone off the street with no experience in governmental accounting. It takes education with a concentration in accounting/finance/math and several years of insti-
tutional knowledge to comply with all the laws, regulations and policies to take care of the people’s money. It does not make fiscal sense to choose a person that does not have a clear understanding of the position/role of the treasurer.
(Allegany County Terri Ross will have served for six terms when she leaves office at the end of 2025.)
Allegany County appoints new director of emergency management
Scott D. Golden
BELMONT — The Allegany County Board of Legislators has acted to appoint longtime resident, Scott D. Golden of Friendship, to the position of
director of emergency management. Upon the appointment, Golden shared, “I thank God and my fellow citizens of Allegany County for both the opportunities and challenges that this job brings. I look forward to synchronizing and coordinating a united effort with my cohorts across disciplines and the sectors of the community.
“By doing this, I hope to focus on disaster preparedness and mitigation before disasters occur so we can build resilient and sustainable commu-
nities together. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with others and, in turn, learning from them as well.”
This appointment is the next step of a process incited in 2024, when the Allegany County Board of Legislators adopted a local law establishing the Office of Emergency Management. This action repealed an earlier local law and provided
updated organizational direction for essential services such as emergency management, EMS, and fire programs.
Allegany County interviewed and selected Golden from a large field of highly qualified residents of Allegany County. Golden’s qualifications include a master’s degree in emergency management and 29 years of experience in
the U.S. military, where his career started as an enlisted medic and has progressively grown in rank and responsibility to his current assignment as colonel in the New York Army National Guard, with the primary specialty of medical operations, plans, intelligence and security.
Regarding the appointment, Chairman Harris stated, “We’re excited to begin this
new chapter in the expansion of our Office of Emergency Management. Scott brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the role. Those attributes, paired with the strong and effective team already in place, positions us well to continue providing critical services in the areas of EMS, fire services, and emergency management.”
Mental health is now discussed more openly than it once was. Mental illness or issues that affected mental health used to be stigmatized, and many people suffered in silence and might not have gotten the help they needed.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. Mental illnesses include many different conditions that may vary in degree of severity, from very mild to severe. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health advises that, in any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness as well. Such statistics highlight just how common mental illnesses are.
The NIMH notes self-care plays a significant role in maintaining mental health and supporting recovery. People can safeguard their mental health in many ways, and doing so will improve their overall health as well.
• Spend time in nature. Nature can have a calming effect on people. Going for a walk can help tame stress and break patterns of negative thinking. In Japan, the concept of forest bathing is said to improve mental
• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can get feel-good endorphins flowing through the body to boost mood and bodily health.
• Get more sleep. Adults generally need between seven and nine hours of sleep for optimal health and reaching deep sleep phases, says the Mental Health Foundation. Creating consistent sleep routines that include going to bed and waking at the
health & Wellness
health. Forest bathing involves spending time in a forest or another green area experiencing the different sounds, sights and smells that nature offers.
• Set boundaries. B2B Reviews says 12 percent of U.S. workers were fully remote in August 2023. Estimates suggest that number may have increased to around 14 percent by 2025. Working from home can make it more challenging to set firm divisions on time spent working and for home life. Establishing boundaries means not being available 24/7 for calls or emails and not feeling guilty about taking time away from work.
same time each day; avoiding screens before bed; and avoiding caffeine or vigorous exercise late in the day can help improve sleep.
• Try relaxing activities. Relaxing activities can include reading, listening to music, meditation, or low-stress crafts and hobbies. Make time each week for these calming pursuits.
How to make mental health matter
services company
• Use your vacation time. Too many people are not using enough of their deserved and accrued time off. A survey from the financial
• Socialize with others. Socialization provides opportunities to see others and talk about anything you want to get off your chest. People feeling stress or anxiety might think they are alone. But having conversations with others can illustrate that these are common problems and there are solutions. Sometimes just talking about an issue can help you overcome it.
Safeguarding mental health can involve various self-care techniques that anyone can employ.
Sorbet found that 62 percent of Americans don’t use all of their paid time off. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of U.S. employees with paid time off take less time than their employers offer. Failure to take time off is a recipe for burnout. Mental health should be a priority.
home improvement
(BPT) - Are you always seeking new ways to improve your culinary creations - as well as your process? If so, you may have heard about induction cooking. But if something is holding you back from trying the method, it’s probably one of the many myths that’s out there.
To help you get
started, the experts at KitchenAid® brand will sort out myth from fact, so you can learn about this method of cooking that may not be familiar to you, but has actually been around for decades.
Myth #1: Induction cooktops are too expensive.
Fact: Consider the value of your purchase. While the initial cost for an induction cooktop may be higher than a gas cooktop, you may soon find that the overall quality of performance that you experience with an induction cooktop is well worth the investment.
Myth #2: You need to buy expensive, induction-compatible cookware options
Fact: You may already have the cookware you need for induction
cooking. All you need are pans that have a flat base and a magnetic bottom. Induction cooktops work with most high-quality cookware such as multi-ply stainless steel, enameled steel or cast iron. Aluminum and copper cookware will not work unless it has a base made of iron or steel.
How can you tell if
your pan is magnetic?
It’s easy: Look for pans marked “Works with Induction” or test to see if a magnet sticks to the bottom.
Myth #3: Induction doesn’t work as well as gas Fact: Induction works quickly. This is because
allegany county Community Source induction transfers heat directly to the cookware, and is very efficient at dispersing heat across the surface of the cookware.
For one example of a highly efficient induction cooktop, check out the new KitchenAid® Temp Cook™ Induction
Cooktop with 5 Cooking Zones. Its advanced Temp Cook™ Induction Technology lets you set an exact temperature from 120-400°F for precise control beyond the standard high, medium and low settings. Best yet, this cooktop’s EvenHeat™ Zone provides the versatility to cook with large pans, like griddles, grill pans and braising pans - or even two pans at two different temperatures. Unlike traditional round bridge elements, the rectangular zone in this particular model heats evenly edge-to-edge, so the crepe in the back cooks just as beautifully as the one in the center.
Myth #4: Induction cooking is complicated
Fact: Induction is easier than it looks - and it offers greater control over your cooking. Induction cooking offers precise control that’s not reliant on visual cues like how a flame looks. For instance, the KitchenAid® Temp Cook™ Induction Cooktop with 5 Cooking Zones makes cooking even easier, with Temp Cook™ Smart Presets
that will set and hold the ideal temperature for popular cooking methods and alert you when to add ingredients, so you can perfectly sear salmon, gently simmer sauces and quickly boil water. You can also use the KitchenAid™ App to unlock specialized options like stir fry, melt, chicken cutlets and more.* In addition, with the KitchenAid® Temp Cook™ Induction Cooktop with 5 Cooking Zones, you can even use Voice Control, which gives you hands-free control of the cooktop with your Google Assistant or an Alexaenabled device,* so you can stay hands-on while prepping the rest of your meal or entertaining. Simple voice commands let you set cooking modes for each zone and adjust the heat as needed. And when you’re done cooking on this model, WipeClean™ Coating eliminates scraping, intense scrubbing and harsh cleaners, making this the easiest induction cooktop coating to
• Genesee Valley Antique Tractor Pull, Hahn and Schaffner, 9am
• Chicken B-B-Q at the tractor pull by Trailblazers Snowmobile Club
• Bicentennial Event: Bolivar Bicentennial Ceremony –5:00pm Community Park on Main Street
• Bicentennial Event: The Great Bathtub Race –Immediately following the opening ceremony
Monday, June 23rd
• Lions Club Euchre Tournament at American Legion. Registration at 5:30pm, games start at 6:00pm. $15.00 includes registration, food and soda. Bolivar Bicentennial Cemetery Tour. 6:00 Maple Lawn Cemetery. See Bicentennial website for details.
TueSday, June 24Th
• Lions Club Family Fun Night 5:00pm, Shaner Field featuring: - Bolivar Lions Club Ice Cream Social - Faith Bible Church penny carnival - ACCORD Head Start Face Painting - Methodist Church Bounce House - Bolivar Bicentennial Historical Games - Baldwin Family Children’s Tractor Pull - 6:30pm
clean.** Just wet the surface with water and wait five minutes to easily wipe up splatters and spills. Myth #5: You can’t produce the same results on induction that you can on gas Fact: Induction cooking can give you better results than gasand here’s why. The KitchenAid® Temp Cook™ Induction Cooktop with 5 Cooking Zones, for example, offers precise temperature control and even cooking from side to side of your cookware.
your pan to a specific temperature, giving you a much finer control of the cooking temperature compared to the standard LowMed-High. We designed Temp Cook™ with six default temperature settings, which will enable you to precisely perform a broad range of cooking techniques, from a gentle melt to a quick sear. Feel empowered to get creative: The KitchenAid® App will unlock specialized options such as confit, slow cook and poach.*” Make the most of your culinary efforts with Temp Cook™ culinary precision now at your fingertips! Learn more of the facts about how KitchenAid® induction cooktops can improve your cooking precision, control and mastery at KitchenAid. com.
*Wi-Fi & App required. Features subject to change. For details and privacy information, visit KitchenAid. com/Connect (U.S.) or KitchenAid.ca/Connect (Canada).
“I’m sure you’ve already heard about the compelling advantages that induction technology offers over traditional gas or radiant electric,” said Annalisa Pacioni, Senior Analyst Food Technology Engineer - GPO cooking at Whirlpool. “But get ready for the KitchenAid Induction Cooktop with Temp Cook™. This new induction cooktop is equipped with dual sensor patented burners that allow you to set
**When compared with cooktop with same heating technology at similar power output.
2025 Schedule of Events Pioneer Oil Days
• History Presentation by Craig Braack
- Bicentennial Event - Craig Braack will present “The Unusual Ways that Towns & Villages Got Their Names”. 7:00pm at Pioneer Oil Museum.
WedneSday, June 25Th
• Concert Event Celebrating Bolivar: A musical tribute to 200 years. 7:00 pm BRCS Middle/High School
- Mosaic Women’s Choir directed by Norene Ferris
- Genesee Valley Choir directed by Matthew MorrisPurks
- BR Music Students
- Local Celebrities & Nostalgia
ThurSday, June 26Th
• Bolivar Lions Club Scavenger Hunt. 5:45 Hahn & Schaffner site. 6:00 Team costume judging by special guest Eric Jones. Hunt begins at 6:15 and will feature interactive historical stops on the route.
