Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery on Hulberton Road includes burials of Revolutionary War soldier, Civil War vets and many early residents

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – About 75 people attended a program today at the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery at 3960 Hulberton Rd. in Murray. Two historical markers were unveiled at the cemetery.

The markers were part of an effort by Albion middle school students and their teacher Tim Archer, who researched Orleans County’s Revolutionary War soldiers.

The “Early Cemetery” marker recognizes the approximately 135 early citizens of the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, with burials dating back to 1818.

Sutton Sanders, an eighth-grader who has been working on project since last summer with classmate Luci Borello, thanked local officials for their assistance researching and recognizing the Revolutionary War soldiers.

There are 65 proven burials, but Sanders said there are likely more, but cannot be proven. There are 30 cemeteries with a Revolutionary War veteran.

The Daughter of the American Revolution purchased 13 bronze Revolutionary War flag markers for those who had none, she said.

The students also secured a new headstone from the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC for Revolutionary War veteran Lott Smith at the East Barre Cemetery. It replaces a broken headstone. Another headstone for the Revolutionary War veteran will be replaced in Medina this fall.

Besides the two historical markers at the cemetery on Hulberton Road, the students secured markers that have been placed in Albion at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road and Tanner Road on Route 31 across from Mount Albion.

Luci Borello shared about the historical marker for Robinson Smith, who died on Aug. 27, 1828 at the age of 66.

Smith is buried at the cemetery with his wife Mariam. He enlisted as a private in August 1782 in New Hampshire and served several months in General Washington’s Commander-in-Chief’s Life Guard.

Known to many as Elder Robinson Smith, he was one of a group forming the “Christian Society,” which started in Murray in 1815. Smith had seven children and at least 16 grandchildren.

The other namesake of the cemetery originates with Aretas Pierce. Upon his arrival to the natural wilderness of Western New York, the family lived in a log schoolhouse where they would later construct a simple log cabin.

Aretas was their school teacher. Nine Pierce family members are buried at the cemetery. Prior to their arrival to New York from Vermont, Aretas served as a captain in the Vermont state militia.

Another Pierce family member, Darwin, was a Civil War solider in a New York cavalry. He died at the Andersonville Prison in George on Oct. 30, 1864. Andersonville was a notorious Confederate prison at Camp Sumter where over 45,000 Union soldiers were held captive, and 13,000 died from disease, malnutrition and exposure. The cemetery on Hulberton Road includes headstones for four Civil War soldiers.

Tim Archer welcomes the group. He worked with students on the project. It is among many service-learning projects he has been a part of in the past two decades, connecting students with community services efforts. In the back are regiment flags from the Revolutionary War. They were brought by the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Caleb Wolfe, standing next to Tim Archer, provided some details about the two new historical markers. He read a letter from the Pomeroy Foundation, which paid for the markers. The two markers represent over two centuries of history in Albion and Murray, and memorialize Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans and also early residents who are interred at the cemetery.

The foundation praised the Albion School District and the students for worked with teacher Tim Archer on the project. The foundation congratulated them for identifying one of General George Washington’s special unit “Life Guards” who protected the Commander-in-Chief during battle.

Sutton Sanders, left, and Luci Borello, right, presented folders of their research to Elizabeth Haibach, assistant director at Hoag Library; Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian; Patrice Birner of the Orleans County chapter of the DAR; and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian.

The folders include information about the 65 Revolutionary War soldiers in the county. The document lists the soldiers by town and cemetery. There’s a master list with the service record of each of the soldiers, when they served, where they served, wife’s name, birth and death date. The folder includes some of the records that were used to prove they were Revolutionary War soldiers – enlistment papers, pension records that showed their wives were trying to get a pension after their husband’s death, and census records. The students collected the data since last summer.

Albion student Lucas Palone read an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.

Civil War re-enactors, including retired Albion teacher Doug Mergler, do a military volley during today’s program.

These Sons of the American Revolution members from Rochester and Buffalo were part of the service. They said they have a busy schedule this year as part of the country’s 250^th anniversary. They plan to attend other marker unveilings, parades and special events throughout the year.

Ron Boyd of Holley is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Rochester chapter.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: The Lyndonville Lions Club will have a wreath-laying ceremony on July 4 at the grave of Nehemiah Spaulding, a Revolutionary War soldier buried at LynHaven Cemetery. His descendants will be in the parade on July 4.

LYNDONVILLE –  The Lyndonville Lions Club have been busy preparing for their 52nd Annual July 4th Celebration in Lyndonville.

This year’s event will be especially meaningful as it also commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Americans and patriots alike will join together in celebrating “America 250” across this great nation.

Parade organizers have planned for all the traditional favorites to be part of this daylong community celebration. The Lyndonville High School band, the Mark Time Marchers, and the Gates Police Pipe Band are all scheduled to perform in this year’s parade lineup.

Local businesses and community organizations are encouraged to participate by entering floats, displays, trucks, tractors, and other equipment to showcase their organizations while adding a unique and exciting twist to the parade experience.

Of course, no Lyndonville July 4th parade would be complete without the strong presence of the many local fire companies whose participation has long been a proud tradition.

The parade is once again expected to begin with a military flyover to salute the brave men and women who have served — and continue to serve — to keep the “free” in our freedom.

The popular lawn arts and crafts show, along with a variety of food truck vendors, will return this year, although some adjustments are anticipated due to ongoing construction at Lyndonville Central School District facilities. Current plans may place vendors and food trucks along the north side of the school and in the area behind the school on the west side to accommodate limited space on the front lawn.

Closing out the evening festivities, an encore performance by The Bleeding Hearts will once again headline the popular Firecracker Concert Series beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until the firework’s spectacular lights up the sky around 10 p.m.

Revolutionary War Veteran Selected as Honorary Grand Marshal

After an extensive search the Lions have decided to posthumously honor Mr. Nehemiah Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding is the only Revolutionary War Veteran buried in Lynhaven Cemetery which is located in the Town of Yates and the Village of Lyndonville.

Extensive research through the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, along with family and government military records, confirms Nehemiah Spaulding’s dedicated service to our fledgling nation from early 1776 through 1783. His contributions during the American Revolution are well documented and preserved through historical records.

Nehemiah Spaulding was born on August 9, 1757, in Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, to Isaac and Mrs. Spaulding, whose family had immigrated from England to the American Colonies around 1745. Cornwall is also recognized as the birthplace of Ethan Allen, famed leader of the Green Mountain Boys.

As a young boy, Spaulding’s family gradually moved westward and eventually settled in the Albany region of New York — an area that would become one of the most fiercely contested regions during the Revolutionary War. The Saratoga, Albany, and Mohawk Valley regions were the sites of numerous battles and skirmishes as British and American forces fought for control.

Among the most significant campaigns was the British Army’s failed “three-pronged attack,” a major strategy intended to divide and defeat the colonies during the Revolution.

Historic engagements stretching from Lake Champlain to Fort Ticonderoga became pivotal moments in America’s struggle for independence and helped shape the foundation of the nation’s eventual victory over British colonial rule.

Mr. Spaulding’s military service is further documented through his enlistment in the 9^th Regiment of the Albany County Militia. During this period, he served under Colonel Peter Van Ness from approximately October 1776 through November 1776.

His service continued under the command of Robert Van Rensselaer, who rose through the ranks during the Revolutionary War to become a brigadier general.

Mr. Spaulding’s military record eventually culminated in service with the 3rd New York Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett. This unit was commonly associated with “Willett’s Levies,” a term referring to soldiers conscripted or recruited for a fixed duration of service in support of the Continental Army.

Units in which Mr. Spaulding served saw action across several key engagements of the Revolutionary War, including the Saratoga Campaign, the Battle of Klock’s Field, and the Battle of Johnstown, along with multiple skirmishes throughout the lower Mohawk Valley and upper Hudson Valley regions.

During the American Revolution, local militia units played a critical role in supporting the Continental forces. These part-time citizen-soldiers provided flexible manpower that allowed General George Washington and other commanders to respond to British movements, maintain pressure on smaller enemy detachments, and preserve Continental Army strength for major coordinated campaigns.

The units associated with Mr. Spaulding were also noted for providing important surge support during several pivotal conflicts, including the Battle of Oriskany, the Battle of Bennington, and other regional engagements that helped shape the broader Saratoga Campaign. These battles were instrumental leading into the decisive confrontations of September and October 1777.

The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga, led in opposition to British General John Burgoyne, is widely regarded as the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

After his military service, and following a short period of residence in southern central New York, Mr. Spaulding eventually relocated to the Town of Yates, where he lived out the remainder of his life until his passing on August 19, 1789.

His sons and numerous descendants remained connected to the broader Lyndonville region for generations, with family ties continuing locally until the early 1980s, when the last known living relatives relocated to South Carolina. Mr. Spaulding was laid to rest at Lynhaven Cemetery in the Village of Lyndonville.

In recognition of his Revolutionary War service, the Lyndonville Lions Club will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony at his gravesite following the July 4th parade to honor his legacy and sacrifice.

Representing the family lineage, Mr. Peter Byron, great-great-great-great-grandson from York, New York, along with his sister Nancy Gerhardt, great-great-great-great-granddaughter from Tonawanda, New York, will serve as honorary grand marshals during the July 4th parade, carrying forward the remembrance of Mr. Spaulding’s service and the family’s historic connection to the community.

“Light Up Lyndonville” in red, white and blue

Lions Club members John Belson, right, and Larry Wolfe inspect the long stem roses for the Lions Mother’s Day Rose Sale.

The Lyndonville Lions are proud to announce our “Light Up Lyndonville”! Beginning July 1st through July 5th, the Lions will decorate Main Street in the Village of Lyndonville with red, white, and blue lights and festive banners to honor our nation’s independence and the spirit of “America 250.”

We invite residents of both the Town of Yates and the Village of Lyndonville to join in the celebration by decorating homes, businesses, and properties with lights, flags, banners, and inflatables that showcase your patriotic pride.

The Lions will be judging displays throughout the holiday weekend, with cash prizes awarded to winning decorations following the celebration!

Stay connected for updates and details by following: The Orleans Hub and Lyndonville Lions Facebook.

Busy Month in May

The Lyndonville Lions wrapped up May with their annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale and distributed approximately 100 new glasses to people who attended the Lions Pop-Up Eyeglass Clinic.

Members of the Sawyer family receive their new glasses after attending the Lyndonville Lions Eye Glass Clinic.

Photo by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The entrance to Veterans Drive off South Main Street in Holley is barricaded over a culvert.

The entrance is blocked off to traffic after a powerful storm on April 1 caused flooding that damaged a culvert near the entrance. The road is crumbling near the culvert.

It would be too expensive for the village to take on the cost of replacing the culvert, Holley Mayor Mark Bower said at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting.

Early estimates put a replacement at $300,000 to $500,000, he said.

The VFW and businesses in the Holley Business Park are accessible from Maziarz Drive off Route 31 by Crosby’s and Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals.

The Veterans Drive entrance has long been considered a dangerous intersection, especially making a left turn onto South Main Street due to limited sight lines, village officials said.

There is a chance the culvert and road could be fixed if federal funding is approved by FEMA. Holley and other municipalities that suffered damages from the flooding may be eligible for FEMA funding. The state is currently going through the process to see if there will be FEMA aid for the affected counties.

MEDINA – Medina Healthcare Center has announced a new occupational health service for the community, with the addition of Department of Transportation physicals and compliance testing now available on-site through Michelle Smith FNP, a National Registry certified provider.

DOT physicals are available for $145 per exam and are designed to help commercial drivers and employers meet federal safety requirements quickly and conveniently close to home.

With Orleans County and surrounding communities serving a strong agricultural, transportation, logistics and commercial driving workforce, this new service fills an important local need, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Medina Memorial Hospital.

Seasonal farm operations, trucking companies, school transportation providers, construction firms, municipalities and independent drivers often rely on CDL-certified drivers to keep operations moving safely and efficiently, Robinson said.

“Access to certified DOT examinations locally is an important service for both workers and employers,” said Michelle Smith, FNP. “Our goal is to make the process convenient while helping drivers stay healthy, compliant and on the road.”

DOT physicals are required for many individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles, including:

• Commercial truck derivers
• CDL license holders
• Bus and motorcoach drivers
• Municipal and highway department vehicle operators
• Delivery and freight derivers
• Municipal and highway department vehicle operators
• Construction and heavy equipment transport drivers
• Emergency response and specialty vehicle operators.

In addition to DOT physical examinations, Medina Healthcare Center now offers

• DOT drug testing
• DOT alcohol testing
• Randomized drug testing services for employers.

These services support businesses and organizations that must maintain compliance with federal workplace safety and transportation regulations.

“We’re hoping this announcement is helpful to many in the community,” Robinson said.

Appointments and additional information are available by called Medina Healthcare Center at (585) 798-2550. The center is located on the first floor of the Medina Memorial Hospital.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Canal Corp. employees raise the flags on Thursday at the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion. The flags include the American flag, New York State flag and the Canal Corp. flag.

The Erie Canal officially opened today for its 202^nd consecutive navigational season.

The canal is coming off the bicentennial celebration for when the historic waterway was completed in 1825, linking Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany on the Hudson River.

This season the canal will be open to boaters from May 15 to Oct. 14. There will again be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the canal system.

The standard operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

There are extended hours until 9 p.m. from May 16 through September 10 at select locks and lift bridges, including the lift bridges in Spencerport, Adams Basin, Brockport, Holley, Hulberton, Albion, Eagle Harbor, Knowlesville, Medina, Middleport, Gasport and Lockport.

Here is the scene last week looking east from the Main Street lift bridge towards the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – Two new historic markers were installed this week, one honoring Revolutionary War soldiers at Tanner Cemetery on Route 31, across from Mount Albion Cemetery, and the other at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road.

The markers were installed by Albion highway superintendent Mike Neidert and the highway department.

The funding for the markers was secured by Albion eighth-graders Luci Borello and Sutton Sanders through the Pomeroy Foundation. Two more markers will be unveiled on Saturday in Hulberton.

The Tanner Cemetery marker recognizes “Patriot Burials.” The marker notes the cemetery had burials as early as 1825, and Revolutionary War soldiers Jedidah Phelps and William Tanner are buried there. This marker includes a special insignia on them indicating partnership with the Sons of the American Revolution.

The marker for Annis Cemetery also notes there were burials there as early as 1825. The cemetery includes young children, war veterans and early immigrants from England.

There will be a 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, 3960 Hulberton Rd. for the Hulberton markers. The public is welcome to attend and bring a lawn chair.

The ceremony is student-organized and will be part of a celebration for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Both Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactors will be present.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Holley Mayor Mark Bower addresses a big group of Holley students in the elementary school parking lot on May 4, 2024 before they went out picking up littler along the canal and village streets. He thanked them for helping to make the Holley community a better place.

HOLLEY – More than 100 Holley students will out on Sunday picking up litter and doing other community service projects. The effort is the annual Day of Impact led by Holley Rotary Interact and EarlyAct Clubs.

They will be at the elementary school parking lot at 10 a.m. and then disperse into the community. The Day of Impact will be held in honor of Eric Fredendall, who welcomed opportunities to make a positive difference in his community.

The event expands upon the Annual Clean Sweep, an effort Fredendall actively supported, to create a day of service that reflects the lifetime of impact he had on Holley.

Participants will take part in a variety of service projects, including cleaning the canal and village streets, organizing the fire department’s storage center, working on the memorial tank at the VFW, and completing several additional community improvement tasks.

Volunteers will also prepare meals and assemble emergency supply kits for Operation Open Hearts.

HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, a farm going back more than 200 years, will be honored next week when it is included on the State Historic Business Preservation Registry.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be at Hurd’s for a 2 p.m. celebration on May 22 at 17260 West Ridge Rd.

Founded in 1825 by Luther Hurd, Hurd Orchards has two centuries of history from its early beginnings in pioneer farming to its evolution into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise, Hawley said.

“The Hurd family has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt, innovate and lead within New York state’s agricultural industry,” he said.

Hawley is proud to be able to present this prestigious certificate and proclamation to Susan Hurd Machamer and Amy Machamer, who represent the sixth and seventh generations. The orchard continues to grow and evolve while honoring its rich history and commitment to excellence.

Hurd Orchards is the fourth business in the

Hawley last week presented citations to two other Holley businesses for the joining the State Historic Business Preservation Registry – Stockham Lumber and the Holley Cold Storage.

Kirby’s Farm Market, down the road on Route 104 from Hurd Orchards, also was recognized last year. Kirby’s is just across the Orleans/Monroe county line in the town of Clarkson.

The Historic Business Preservation Registry was established by the State Legislature in 2020. The registry recognizes businesses that are at least 50 years old. These businesses also contribution to the municipality’s history and identity.

Linda Sue Park and Gordon Korman also giving presentations at nearby schools

Press Release, Author’s Note

MEDINA – Two  #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning middle grade authors with nearly 135 published works between them, Linda Sue Park and Gordon Korman, will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent bookstore, for a special double-hitter event in conversation together at Author’s Note to discuss and sign their newest books, Just One Gift and Hypergifted, on Wednesday, May 20th at 6:30 p.m.

Linda Sue Park, the acclaimed author of the #1 New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water, which has sold 3 million copies worldwide, constructed her newest title, Just One Gift, in a special format.

Using linked poems written in accessible verse that highlights transformative moments of connection, the new middle grade novel celebrates the ways, large and small, obvious and unanticipated, in which our lives are enriched by the people we encounter. Robert Sae-Heng contributes black-and-white art to this eloquent stand-alone read that is also a welcome companion to the author’s popular book, The One Thing You’d Save. Booklist, in a starred review, said the book “bursts with so much heart and community,” while Kirkus Reviews called it “charming, poignant, and thoughtfully woven.”

A #1 New York Times bestselling author of scores of novels, Gordon Korman, will share his newest book, Hypergifted. The novel is the third book about Noah Youkilis, a super-genius robot who graduates from middle school straight to college.

Friendship, education, and a robotic fish-out-of-water lend theme and charm to this heartwarming sequel to Ungifted (2012) and Supergifted (2018), in which Noah Youkilis attempts to learn how to fit into the wild world of a college campus while being bombarded with hilarious mishaps. Kirkus Reviews says, “Told from multiple points of view, the story is laugh-out-loud funny, and readers will be entertained as Noah and Donovan try to make sense of college life,” call the work “a hilarious romp.”

Ms. Park and Mr. Korman will present and read from their new works, sign books purchased at the event, and answer questions during their visit to Author’s Note on Wednesday, May 20th at 6:30 pm.

Linda Sue Park, a renowned author of numerous picture books and novels for young readers, won the 2002 Newbery Medal winner for A Single Shard. In addition to writing essays for numerous publications, Linda Sue has served as a panelist for the National Book Award, the Kirkus Prize, the PEN Naylor grant, and the SCBWI Golden Kite Award. She will visit Merton Williams Middle School in Hilton earlier that day.

Gordon Korman is the #1 NY Times bestselling author of more than 100 books for kids and young adults, most recently HYPERGIFTED and SNOOP. His writing career began at the age of twelve when his seventh grade English assignment became his first published novel. Now, nearly fifty years later, he is a full-time writer and speaker, with over forty million copies of his novels in print in thirty-three languages. A native of Ontario, Canada, he lives with his family on Long Island. He will visit Avon Central School earlier that day, and York Central School the day following and Geneseo Central School the day prior.

Author’s Note anticipates a large turnout for this special event and strongly suggests preordering copies of both authors’ works at Author’s Note, 519 Main Street, Medina or online at authorsnote.com/events.

Due to both authors’ extensive bodies of work, signing books purchased elsewhere is not permitted at this event. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note for more information at (585) 798-3642.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Brett Decker, club manager at Shelridge Country Club, explains the rules to 112 golfers in their carts, waiting to tee off during a golf tournament to benefit the United Way of Orleans County. The organization is now known as Orleans Community Connects. This year’s tournament is June 5.

MEDINA – The annual charity golf tournament to benefit Orleans Community Connects (formerly United Way of Orleans County) is scheduled for June 5 at Shelridge Country Club, 10994 Telegraph Rd. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and tee-off is at 9 a.m.

“To community members, sponsors and golfers of all skill levels – you are invited to ‘Hit the greens and help the community’ at this major fundraising event,” said Dawn Winkler, financial manager for Orleans Community Connects.

This annual tournament plays a crucial role in supporting Orleans Community Connects’ efforts to give back to local organizations. One-hundred percent of all profits will benefit non-profits within Orleans County, helping fund vital programs that make a difference in the lives of residents.

“We are excited to see our friends and supporters at our first golf tournament as Orleans Community Connects,” said board president and golf chairman Dean Bellack. “The proceeds from this year’s tournament will go to the most deserving non-profits in Orleans County. If you have played before, please join us again, and if you have not had the opportunity yet, we are looking forward to meeting you. Let’s all Connect.”

Participants will enjoy a full day of golf, contests, prizes and community engagement. Each registration includes green fees and golf cart, lunch, beverages and dinner.

“Our golf tournament is absolutely essential to the success of our 2026 fundraising campaign,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Orleans Community Connects. “By joining us on the course, participants are directly helping other non-profits in Orleans County that are doing incredible work on behalf of us all.”

Golfers may register online or print registration form to mail in by visiting www.OrleansCommunityConnects.org/events.

 For the first time, the basket raffle will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on the lower level of Shelridge. Drawings will start at 3 p.m.

For more information, e-mail Events@OrleansCommunityConnects.org.

Photo by Kim Remley: Green Orleans sponsored a discussion last week at Hoag Library about a proposed data center at the STAMP site in Alabama, NY.  From left to right, David Giacherio (Green Orleans and Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association), Sarah Howard (Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation), and Grandell “Bird” Logan (Tonawanda Seneca Nation).

Press Release, Green Orleans

ALBION – Approximately 50 Orleans County residents recently gathered at the Hoag Library for a Green Orleans sponsored presentation on the mega data center proposed for the STAMP site in Alabama, NY.

The evening was kicked-off by Dave Giacherio, a retired scientist and professor, representing Green Orleans and the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association. Giacherio posted a quote that set the tone for the evening’s presentation. It read: “Nothing that is vast enters the life of mortals without a curse” (Sophocles, circa 480 BCE).

Giacherio gave a broad-brush overview of artificial intelligence (AI), because the rush to build data centers around the nation is closely linked to AI. Data centers function as the “brains” for AI, carrying out the incredibly large number of calculations needed to answer AI queries.

He noted AI offers both great promise and great risks. The promise includes massive increases in efficiency and productivity across all of society, a revolution in healthcare, and large advances in science and technology. He gave an example where AI readily solved the extraordinarily difficult bio-science problem of protein folding.

The risks of AI include massive economic and social disruption (including huge job losses), societal risks from people using AI for criminal purposes, and the risks from AI itself acting against the best interests of humanity.

Giacherio gave examples where AI urged a young man to commit suicide, where AI provided instructions for preparation and dispersal of toxic pathogens, and where AI helped plan a school shooting.

The current rush to develop AI and build data centers does not include appropriate measures to ensure human safety. Giacherio claimed that what is needed is a pause in the manic rush to develop AI and data centers, and a reimagining and redirection of AI so that humans and their concerns are “in the loop.”

Sarah Howard of the Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation focused on health and environmental concerns. Low-frequency noise, which is emitted by such hyperscale data centers can travel several miles and would be heard by some Orleans County residents.

Persistent exposure to noise, especially low frequency noise, causes physical health problems such as hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as emotional distress. This noise will also impact wildlife in the surrounding public-protected areas.  Also, the 24/7 lighting will affect birds, including migratory birds (light pollution affects migratory fly-path navigation).

Wastewater discharge from the proposed data center will flow into a tributary of the Oak Orchard Creek via the Village of Oakfield wastewater treatment facility – inevitably impacting the $28 million/year sportfishing industry. The Orleans County coordinator of Sportfishing and the Seth Green Chapter of Trout Unlimited have expressed opposition and concerns.

Next up was Grandell “Bird” Logan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation (TSN). Logan did a short review of the history of the Tonawanda Seneca people, noting that their territory has shrunk dramatically over the last centuries. He talked about the “Big Woods”, a section of old-growth forest on the reservation that is rich in plant and animal life, and which is culturally central both to the TSN and to other tribes around the country.

The STAMP site is adjacent to the TSN and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Logan explained that there is only a 400-foot buffer between it and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s federally recognized reservation territory.

He noted the risks of noise pollution, air pollution, and groundwater pollution from a gigantic data center so close to their homeland. Logan stressed that humans are not the only creatures that can be affected – the rich animal and plant life of the reservation could also be at risk.

The evening’s presentation ended with a vigorous discussion with the audience.

Green Orleans is a small grassroots organization committed to the preservation of our environment. The organization holds its meetings on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Hoag Library. All are welcome.