— Members of the Cattaraugus County Legislature unanimously re-elected M. Andrew Burr of Gowanda as their chairman Wednesday, Jan. 7, the start of a new year for the 15-member, all-Republican body.
This will be the third year Burr has been elected to the leadership position. He previously served as vice chairman from 2020 to 2023 under Howard VanRensselaer of Randolph.
“Thank you all for the vote of confidence,” Burr said upon taking his place in the chairman’s seat. “What a privilege it is to work with all the members of this legislature.”
Burr said he feels every legislator and those elected to the offices they serve in are people of character who make thoughtful, balanced decisions for the benefit of the taxpayers and residents — adding that he wished the judgment of the legislature could be found in the leaders of New York state.
“I appreciate all of you and all the department heads and the county residents,” he said. “Thank you, and we look forward to continuing our progress in 2026.”
The legislature also re-elected Ginger D. Schroder of Farmersville
New York DEC seeks input on outdoor rec accessibility
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Cattaraugus County swears in legislature leaders for ’26
as the vice chairman. The post carries with it the chairmanship of the powerful Finance Committee. Schroder was appointed Vice Chair in August, replacing Michael Brisky, who accepted an appointment as Deputy Administrator of Cattaraugus County. “It’s been a joy, a privilege and an hour to serve with my legislative family,” she said. “I’m greatly humbled by the confidence you’ve
expressed in me for the second time.” Schroder said she believes she’s up to the task of doing the same work in this leadership role as she has throughout her legislative tenure and is looking forward to the job ahead. Prior to the legislature meeting, the Republican caucus met to vote on its party leadership for the year. Schroder announced that Kelly J. Andreano
of Olean was re-elected majority leader with Norman L. Marsh of Little Valley as assistant majority leader and R. Donald Benson of Allegany as majority whip.
“Interestingly, we all come from different districts,” Schroder noted. “It’s nice that we have a good geographic mix in order to represent the legislature.”
Burr comes from District 1 (Dayton, Leon, New Albion, Otto,
Perrysburg and Persia); Schroder comes from District 2 (Ashford, East Otto, Ellicottville, Farmersville, Franklinville, Freedom, Great Valley, Ischua, Lyndon, Machias and Yorkshire); Marsh comes from District 3 (Conewango, Little Valley, Mansfield, Napoli, Randolph, Salamanca and South Valley); Benson comes from District 4 (Allegany, Carrollton, Coldspring, Humphrey
and Red House); and Andreano comes from District 5 (Hinsdale, Olean and Portville).
Much of the regular meeting included approving contracts with different agencies provided for in the county budget. They included:
• ChautauquaCattaraugus Library System, $82,840.
• Cattaraugus County SPCA, $152,320.
• Empire Animal Rescue Society, $80,000.
• Phoenix Humane Society, $10,000.
• Tri-County Arts Council, $11,726.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension, $267,769.
• Cattaraugus County Land Bank Corp., $150,000.
• Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs, $2,400.
• Southern Tier West, $24,970.
• BOCES Student Government Program, $8,000.
• Soil and Water Conservation District, $147,942.
• Ischua Creek Watershed maintenance, $17,434.
• Mercy Flight, $7,650.
• Southern Tier Health Fly-Car, $15,300.
• Olean Historical and Preservation Society, $35,000. The legislature also unanimously named the Olean Times Herald and Salamanca Press as the official newspapers of the county for 2025.
Cattaraugus County Farmer-Neighbor Dinner set for April 8
WEST VALLEY
— The 14th annual Cattaraugus County Farmer-Neighbor Dinner will be held April 8 at the West Valley Fire Hall, located at 9091 Route 240. Most of the food and beverages at the dinner are grown and/or made locally. Local farms and organizations either donate or sell the dinner organizers the food and beverages at a reduced cost. Additionally, area exhibitors have tables set up to converse with attendees.
At the 2025 dinner, Farm of the Year was presented to Williams Ranch & Cattle of Little Valley; the Telaak Farm of Mansfield was named Conservation Farm of the Year; the Agriculture Legacy Award was presented to Dave Zilker; and the Friend of Agriculture Award went to Dan Steward.
The dinner is sponsored by the Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Farmland Protection
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
From right, Cattaraugus County Legislature Chairman M. Andrew Burr, Vice Chair Ginger Schroder, Republican Majority Leader Kelly Andreano, Assistant Majority Leader Norm Marsh and Majority Whip Donald Benson recited their oaths of office on Jan. 7.
New York DEC seeks input on outdoor rec accessibility
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released a draft commissioner policy to improve access to the outdoors for people with mobility disabilities on DEC-managed lands.
The proposed policy guides the use of Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices by consolidating and streamlining several existing DEC policies and procedures and establishes a framework to identify new opportunities for the use of OPDMDs
by people with mobility disabilities. “DEC manages nearly 5 million acres of land to conserve natural resources while providing diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking and bicycling to camping and hunting,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a press release. “Forests and natural areas provide physical and mental health benefits to millions of New Yorkers, and this proposed policy would improve transparency and help ensure those benefits
are available to people of all abilities.”
The new policy is part of DEC’s ongoing efforts to make reasonable modifications to the state’s general policies, practices and procedures to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded equitable access without taking any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs, services or activities.
OPDMDs are batteryor fuel-powered devices, other than wheelchairs, used for locomotion,
including golf carts, scooters, e-bikes and other personal mobility devices. DEC currently administers an accommodation program for people with mobility disabilities.
The new draft policy is intended to replace Commissioner Policy 3 (Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities), continuing the permitted opportunities identified under that policy for cars, trucks and ATVs, while also expanding opportunities for a wider range of devices.
The proposal provides clear information about public recreation opportunities that allow OPDMD use in select locations and guidance for evaluating additional device uses over time. The proposal also identifies areas of DECmanaged lands where certain categories of OPDMDs would not be allowed due to public
safety issues, risks to natural resources or other concerns.
Written comments on the draft policy will be accepted through March 9. DEC will host a virtual public meeting Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. for those interested in learning more.
To register for the public meeting or to access the draft policy and provide comments, visit tinyurl.com/3ef8f5pk.
For information about DEC’s accessible recreation destinations and to explore the range of wheelchairaccessible opportunities statewide, including an interactive online map to identify accessible features on DEC lands, visit dec. ny.gov/places-to-go/accessiblerecreation.
DEC SPRING
SEEDLING SALE UNDERWAY
DEC also announced Col. William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s
annual spring seedling sale is now open and will run through May 13.
Each year, the nursery offers low-cost, locally grown trees and shrubs for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve New York state’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests.
“DEC’s Saratoga Tree Nursery annual seedling sale is a simple, affordable way for New Yorkers to help create wildlife habitat, clean our air and water, reduce flooding, lower summer temperatures and improve the quality of life in their communities,” Lefton said. “By planting native seedlings today, you’ll be making a lasting investment in a healthier, greener future for generations to come.”
DEC’s tree nursery grows more than 50 conifer and hardwood species from local seed sources, creating seedlings that are well-suited to New York’s climate. Seedlings are sold in bundles of 25 or more, and there are several mixed species packets available. Seedlings are bare root, a minimum of five inches tall, and 1 to 3 years old, depending on the species. Call (518) 587-1120 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to place an order. For more information, visit the Spring Seedling Sale website: dec.ny.gov/nature/foreststrees/saratoga-tree-nursery/ spring-seedling-sale Applications are also being accepted for the nursery’s School Seedling Program until March 27. Schools and youth education organizations across New York may apply to receive 50 free seedlings to plant with their students. The program aims to foster environmental stewardship at a young age and equip students to make informed decisions about natural resource use, according to a press
group, co-op or other association. Seedlings are 2 to 3 years old, about 4 to 12 feet tall and bare root. There are three species available — pitch pine, red oa, and silky dogwood — and up to two educators per school or organization may apply for a package of seedlings this year.
perks to keeping festivities local. The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study indicated six in 10 couples chose to get married in a place where they currently live; 23 percent opted for a hometown venue; and 18 percent decided on a destination wedding. Here’s a look at some of the perks of staying local.
• Convenience: One of the biggest benefits of a local venue is convenience for both the couple and their guests. Local venues tend to be easily accessible for those who live nearby, minimizing travel time and reducing any barriers brought on by a lack of familiarity with distant locales.
• Familiarity: Couples who love their hometowns and close environs may want to get married in a familiar and comfortable atmosphere. Plus, they may already be familiar with venues in the area and what they offer.
• Expertise: Venue staff likely live in the area or are familiar with other services close by. They can offer valuable recommendations and insights on other vendors, including what has worked before and what to avoid.
• Familiarity with clergy: Couples who get married in a local house of worship likely know the religious leaders there and any support staff. This can add a particularly personal component to the ceremony.
• Easy payments: Many venues require some sort of payment plan that consists of a deposit at the time of booking and a series of payments culminating with the last installment upon learning the final head count. Choosing a local venue makes it easy to stop at the recep-
