Photos by Tom Rivers: Aaron and Jim Preston, brothers and co-owners of Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping, have built a growing business since it started in 2015. They are pictured today at Zig Zag Road in Albion, where the business is based by Jim Preston's home.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2018 at 6:29 pm
ALBION – Two brothers who were mowing lawns together as teen-agers decided to form a new business, Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping, three years ago.
The two spent about 15 years doing other jobs before coming back to a business they enjoyed as children.
Jim Preston, 38, and his brother Aaron, 35, are the winners of the “Small Business of the Year,” given by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
Their business has grown to five seasonal workers, along with the two brothers and other family. They do lawncare and landscaping from cutting grass to the increasingly popular hardscape – patio pavers, fireplaces, walkways and retaining walls. They also trim bushes, put in mulch and tackle over lawncare and landscaping issues.
“We’re able to work in Orleans County and meet great people,” said Jim Preston.
The two Prestons are Kendall graduates who spent many hours of their youth pushing mowers to Countyline Road to take care of customers. They also worked with their father, the late James Preston Sr. on many lawncare jobs.
The elder Preston was 56 when he died on Sept. 23, 2015, following a career at Kodak. He helped get the lawncare and landscaping business off the ground for his sons.
The Preston brothers put in this memorial to their father, James Preston Sr., who encouraged them to mow lawns when they were teen-agers in Kendall. Their father also was an active force in the startup of the business in 2015.
Jim and Aaron are both grateful to have returned to their roots, doing a career that gives them both a great sense of accomplishment.
Jim previously worked as a truck driver, electrician and was in sales.
“The office work wasn’t my thing,” he said today in a greenhouse at Preston’s, where he and his brother grown nursery stock.
Growing their own plants and buying some from wholesale helps them give their customers a better deal, the brothers said.
Jim asked his brother if he would be interested in joining the operation in 2015. Aaron had been working nine years as an electrician.
Jim Preston gives a tour of one of the hoop greenhouses where there are blackberries and other nursery stock.
Aaron welcomed the chance to work with his brother, while being closer to home. (Both of them live in Albion.)
They are so busy with their Orleans County customers they seldom leave the county for a job. When they started the business they assumed they would be on the road, outside Orleans for jobs.
“It’s a great feeling because we rarely have to go outside Orleans County,” Aaron said.
Preston’s Lawncare & Landscaping won “most original” in the June 2015 Strawberry Festival parade for creating a lush landscape on a float.
He said he is grateful to have met so many people locally, especially after several years of driving into Rochester and outside the area for his work as an electrician, and a warehouse manager prior to that.
Many of their customers are older people, and the Prestons say their work maintaining the lawns and property has given those customers peace of mind and helped them to stay in their homes.
“We meet a lot of wonderful people in this town,” Aaron said.
His brother followed that by saying, “They are friends. We’ve built great relationships.”
The Prestons don’t want the business to get too big. They want to have at least one Preston at each job site. They also like to physically do the work, and plan the beautification projects for the customers.
They will be presented with their award on Thursday during the Chamber of Commerce dinner at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2018 at 1:56 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo shows Orchard Street in the Village of Albion including part of the back parking area for the Lake Country Pennysaver. A property owner next door would like to see sidewalks on the street.
ALBION – A property owner working to establish a wedding venue and also a store that sells candy and ice cream has asked the Albion Village Board to add sidewalks on Orchard Street to make the street safer for pedestrians.
Natasha Wasuck of Spencerport next spring expects to open “The Lockstone” at 160 North Main St. The building was the longtime site of Burgio Tire and then a carpet store.
Natasha and her husband John Wasuck bought a site on Orchard Street as an overflow parking lot. They would like to have a sidewalk on the street.
Sidewalks are generally the responsibility of the property owner, Village Attorney John Gavenda told Wasuck during last week’s board meeting.
The village has received grants before to add sidewalks and there is some money in the village budget for sidewalk work.
Gavenda questioned if Orchard Street was the best place for the village to spend public money for a sidewalk. He said Orchard is a low-volume street, and there are other streets with more foot and car traffic in need of sidewalks and sidewalk repairs.
He noted Linwood Avenue, and sections of Ingersoll and East State streets, for example.
Wasuck said she was bringing up the issue to see if there was interest from the village with the project.
The board didn’t take any action, but praised Wasuck for working on the buiding just north of the Erie Canal.
Village officials will see what funds are set aside for sidewalks in the budget and determine a priority system for spending the money.
In other action at last week’s meeting:
• The board approved closing a section of West Bank Street, from Liberty to Main streets on Saturday, Nov. 24. It will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to noon. so Gotta Dance by Miss Amy can shoot a dance video that studio owner Amy Sidari said will be a celebration of Albion.
“The community is welcome to be part of the visual,” she said. “Let’s let Albion be happy.”
• The following were accepted as members of the Albion Fire Department: Christine Bloom, Paul Urquhart and Scott Warney.
• Adam Johnson, owner of 39 Problems on Main Street, asked the board for help in getting state approval to allow new trees to be planted in front of his store. Johnson said he would pay for the trees and install them.
But he said he needs help doing the paperwork to get the state Department of Transportation permission. The board said it would assist with the effort. If the DOT allows the trees, Johnson needs to work with Jay Pahura, the DPW superintendent, in picking the types of trees.
• The board approved spending up to $100 for ads on the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Pennysaver to promote Beggars’ Night on Oct. 26. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the fire hall. Last year there were 687 kids in costume for the event, going to merchants in the downtown for candy and treats, said Lisa Stratton, president of the Albion Merchants Association.
HOLLEY – The Marine Corps League /Holley Hellhounds in Holley donated two pallet jacks to the Toys for Tots warehouse located on Buffalo Road in Rochester. Pictured, from left, include Urb Bennett and Tom Sietmann, members of the Holley Hellhounds.
Sharon Berkeley, the Toys for Tots volunteer coordinator, is pictured with the pallet jacks.
The warehouse distributes toys to surrounding counties during the Christmas Holiday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2018 at 8:40 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula, director of the Yates Community Library, joined other library directors in asking for a funding increase from the Orleans County Legislature.
ALBION – Directors from the four public libraries in Orleans County made their annual pitch for more funding from the County Legislature recently.
The county currently provides $10,087 to the four libraries – Albion (Hoag Library), Holley (Community Free Library), Lyndonville (Yates Community Library) and Medina (Lee-Whedon Memorial Library).
The libraries would like to receive $1 per resident or $42,883.
The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011. It hasn’t changed since then.
During a budget presentation on Sept. 26, the library leaders’ presentation focused on the services the four sites provide for seniors, from large print books, to concerts and entertainment, to expertise in using computers and technology. In previous years, library directors touted their children’s programming.
Emily Cebula, director of the Yates Community Library, said the libraries are committed to serving everyone in the community, regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances.
“We love our jobs,” Cebula said. “We want you to know we are doing our best for new people in our county and people who have been here forever.”
A funding boost from the county would allow the libraries to maintain a current collection, acquire new books and other materials, and lessen pressure to raise their taxes.
The local libraries will be part of an upcoming community engagement initiative through the Nioga Library System, looking for more ways to engage the community.
The Nioga study will also look at changes in the local communities, including a rising percentage of senior citizens.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2018 at 7:15 am
Jason Smith
LYNDONVILLE — Lyndonville school district won’t need to look for another superintendent. Jason Smith, the district’s leader the past seven years, is staying.
Smith was one of three finalists for the superintendent’s job at Elba. That district is a closer commute from his home in Batavia. The other finalists include Ned Dale, principal of Cosgrove Middle School in Spencerport, and Matt Stroud, principal of Alexander Elementary School.
Elba today announced that Dale will serve as the new superintendent, following the retirement of Keith Palmer next month.
Smith posted a message on the Lyndonville website on Tuesday, saying he didn’t get the Elba job. He wished the best for the new superintendent and Elba school district.
Smith said he remains deeply committed to the Lyndonville school district.
He posted this message to the Lyndonville community:
“As many of you are aware, I was recently named a finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools at the Elba Central School District. This was a special opportunity I felt drawn to consider primarily for personal reasons, as I continue to find great professional joy serving as your Superintendent here in Lyndonville.
“That being said, the Elba Board of Education has selected another candidate to fill this position. I sincerely wish both him and the Elba Central School District well as they pursue this new beginning together.
“I am and remain proud of our school, proud of our students, proud of our staff, proud of the community, and proud of my administrative team and support staff.
“As I shared with my staff and Board of Education earlier today, I remain fully committed to serving the students and families of Lyndonville, and I sincerely look forward to our continued growth together as a District and community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2018 at 10:45 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The flag is blowing hard late Monday afternoon in Albion with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, left, and the First Baptist Church in the background.
There will likely be snow showers Thursday morning in Orleans County, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The snow showers will possibly be mixed with rain before 10 a.m. The temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 45 on Thursday.
On Wednesday showers are likely after 3 p.m. with a high of 47. The low will drop to 35 on Wednesday night, according to the Weather Service.
Thursday night the temperature will fall to 38 before a high of 58 on Friday, when the forecast will be sunny.
Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced $1 million in funding is available to assist early-stage farmers through the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund.
The program, now in its fifth year, promotes growth and development in the state’s agriculture industry. To date, $3.27 million has been awarded to nearly 90 farms throughout New York State to expand their operations and improve their profitability.
The $1 million New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. To qualify, all farm business owners must be within the first 10 years of having an ownership interest in any farm business, and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. Eligible project costs include the purchase of machinery, equipment, supplies, and the construction or improvement of agricultural structures.
“Agriculture is vital to New York State’s economy, and the New Farmers Grant Fund supports our early stage farmers by promoting projects that increase overall farm profitability and ensure sustainability of farming operations,” said ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky.
Applications and guidelines for the New Farmers Grant Fund are available by clicking here. The deadline for submission is January 25, 2019.
New farmers are a critical piece of the overall agricultural landscape in the State and the future of the industry. To further support the State’s new and beginning farmers, the Department of Agriculture & Markets launched a New and Beginning Farmer One Stop Shop in 2017. The web-based resource helps new and beginning farmers connect to the resources and services that can help their businesses thrive. Information can be found by clicking here.
“The New Farmers Grant Fund encourages young people and those seeking second careers to pursue a livelihood that is not always easy but always rewarding,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.
New York State is home to 36,000 farms that are top producers of more than 30 commodities, including apples, grapes, snap beans, maple products and dairy. New York’s dairy industry is the largest sector of the state’s agricultural industry, accounting for approximately one-half of its on-farm production, support services and value-added products.
ROCHESTER – A Waterport woman who is a music teacher in the Rochester City School District will be honored on Wednesday as one of two outstanding educators for the district.
Kelly Follman is a music teacher at the Rise Community School No. 106. Follman has served students at several Rochester city schools, including Nathaniel Rochester Community School No. 3, George Mather Forbes School No. 4, Roberto Clemente School No. 8, Francis Parker School No. 23, Pinnacle School No. 35, and Kodak Park School No. 41.
Two of her former colleagues at School No. 23 nominated her for the Outstanding Educator Award. A graduate of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, with a Master’s degree from SUNY Brockport, Follman has produced musicals at her home school as well as helping direct the district-wide musical.
She also serves as a liaison between the Eastman Pathways program and the District. Outside of her time in the classroom, Follman keeps busy as a semi-professional musician in local orchestras.
The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes Rochester educators who are strong partners of Rochester students, making a positive impact on their lives.
The Rochester Education Foundation will recognize staff and students on Wednesday at the Annual Partnership Awards Event. That event is at the Wintergarden by Monroe’s in Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2018 at 2:48 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: The former Bernzomatic plant is pictured in 2014 after it was closed by its last tenant, Worthington Cylinders.
MEDINA – A new owner has purchased the former Bernzomatic complex from Newell Operating Company, a subsidiary of Newell Brands.
The manufacturing plant has 160,000 square feet and has been vacant since 2014. It was last used by Worthington Cylinders, which had 174 employees in Medina. The company closed the Medina plant in mid-2014 and shifted those operations to a Worthington site in Wisconsin.
Worthington bought Bernzomatic in 2011. Bernzomatic had operated in Medina since 1969, making torches.
Worthington makes cylinders for the torches in Wisconsin. The company closed its site in Medina and shifted the torch production to Wisconsin, where the company said it could do everything at one site, saving in transportation costs.
The building has sat empty for more than four years.
It has been purchased by Kyle Brent through his B360 Holdings LLC. Brent plans to upgrade and rehab the former manufacturing site.
“The entire site will be completely modernized so the building and complex can again accommodate a fully-functioning manufacturing operation and warehouse, if that’s what a tenant needs, and there will still be plenty of flex space for separate offices or a call center,” Brent said in a news release from the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The main building is 160,000 square feet with ceiling heights ranging from 14 feet to 22 feet. There are two grade-level doors and 12 truck doors with levelers.
“The former Bernzomatic facility was designed and built to accommodate manufacturing,” said James Whipple, CEO of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. “There are very few buildings around anymore with high ceilings, multiple truck docks, rail access and expansion potential like this complex. And Kyle Brent knows exactly how to turn this property into a prime development site.”
There is rail access to the 33.85-acre site located at 1 Bernzomatic Drive in the Village of Medina, which is situated in both the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby.
“Kyle Brent’s restoration of the entire Bernzomatic complex means Medina will have more options,” said Medina Mayor Michael Sidari. “There continues to be a lot of interest in Medina as a place to do business. The village is committed to working with Kyle to implement his vision for the property. We want to do everything we can to work with him to bring more opportunities and jobs here.”
The location has been primarily used for industrial purposes since 1915. It was operated as a cannery and food processing center when it was purchased in 1969 by Birds-Eye. Bernzomatic, a division of Newell-Rubbermaid, later acquired the site to manufacture and distribute hand-held torches for soldering, welding and brazing.
Zoned industrial, with available infrastructure and access to low-cost hydropower, the site is located along Bates Road near the Medina Business Park, the largest shovel-ready business park in Western New York and the Finger Lakes.
“Having worked with Kyle on this project for quite some time, there is a lot to be optimistic about,” said Gabrielle Barone, Orleans EDA’s vice president of development. “With this complex sold and under the control of a successful businessperson like Kyle, I am confident this project will pay off with significant economic development.”
Kyle Brent’s company Brent Industries, home of KJ Motorsports and Outdoor Furnace Supply, will remain on Mountain Road in Middleport.
“The last two years of this acquisition have been a marathon, now it’s time to tackle modernizing Bernz,” Brent said. “This next phase is something I’ve really been looking forward to.”
Here at the Hub, we’re finally making good on something readers have been asking about since we started this 24/7 news site more than five years ago: The opportunity to pitch in to make it possible.
No, we’re not going to start requiring subscriptions for access. We’re not going to start posting pop-up surveys, either – there will be no annoying questions you have to answer before you can read the news. This invitation doesn’t indicate that the Hub is at risk of going away. On the contrary, daily viewership is up, ads are selling well, and the whole enterprise is thriving. We get about 7,500 unique visitors and about 23,000 pageviews every day. We also hear from folks, near and far, how highly the Hub is valued by those who care about this community.
Our success is the very reason we are now inviting you, our Hub readers, to invest in this resource you rely on daily. Most households used to spend several hundred dollars a year for their media subscriptions. People are constantly reconsidering the best deals that make the most sense for their needs, based on the resources they actually use and enjoy.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely a regular Hub reader. We’re asking you to consider investing $50 – $100 per year (a steal compared to many of your other media payments) so that we can make the Hub stronger, upgrade some of our equipment, and better serve our readers and advertisers, who we greatly appreciate. (We would gladly accept $10 or $20 if that is more manageable for you.)
You can make an online payment (click here), or you can send us a check (more information below). This could be a one-time payment or you could do it more than once during the year. There won’t be a contract you’re locked into for several years. We won’t be sending you any bills or reminders to give again. You need to know that contributions are not tax-deductible. But with whatever amount you send, you’ll be investing in a local company employing local people presenting local news on an easily accessible platform.
The Orleans Hub partners with The Lake Country Pennysaver. We share staff and leadership, with Karen Sawicz as owner/publisher of both publications. We invest our own time and money to build better lives for ourselves and our neighbors in Orleans County. Thank you for considering this opportunity to keep the Orleans Hub going and growing.
Checks can be addressed to Lake Country Media, 170 North Main St., Albion, NY 14411. Please indicate “Hub Club” on the memo line.
Thank you,
Orleans Hub publisher Karen Sawicz, editor Tom Rivers and the rest of the staff
Three weeks from election day, Republican Representative Chris Collins holds a narrow 3-point lead over Democrat Nate McMurray, 46-43 percent, according to a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll of likely voters in the 27th Congressional District.
Collins has a negative 37-49 percent favorability rating, compared to 32-21 percent for McMurray, the Grand Island town supervisor.
“The indicted incumbent, who only recently reignited his campaign after initially suspending it, ekes out a small advantage over his challenger,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. “Republican Collins holds a narrow 3-point lead over Democrat McMurray in a district that has more than 40,000 more Republicans than Democrats. A district that favors Republicans maintaining control of the House by 18 points. And a district that gives President Trump an 18-point net positive job approval rating.”
This Spectrum News/Siena College 27th C.D. survey was conducted October 6-11, 2018 by telephone calls in English to 490 likely 27th C.D. voters. This poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percentage points.
“While McMurray is supported by nearly three-quarters of Democrats, Collins has the support of 19 percent. However, with the support of nearly one-quarter of Republicans, McMurray does better than Collins with the opposite party. Independents are nearly evenly divided,” Greenberg said. “Men are nearly evenly divided, as women tilt toward Collins by four points. In the biggest demographic divide, voters with less than a bachelor’s degree favor Collins by 13 points, while those with at least a bachelor’s favor McMurray by eight points.
“Collins is well known but not particularly well liked. Only Republicans view him favorably, and that’s not overwhelming at 48-35 percent. In fact, one of every eight Collins voter views him unfavorably. At the same time, Republicans approve of Trump 74-17 percent,” Greenberg said. “McMurray is still largely unknown to about half the electorate but has a solid 50-11 percent favorability rating with Democrats.
“New York has certainly seen its fair share of indicted officeholders being re-elected, including former Rep. Michael Grimm in NY11 in 2014. It remains to be seen whether this will be another example or not,” Greenberg said. “This is a district where independents lean Republican and the district as a whole strongly leans Republican. Will voters show their loyalty to the President and their party inclinations by re-electing Collins? Or will they spurn the indicted pol and vote for Democrat McMurray despite their yearning for the House to remain in Republican control?
“Like many other close races this will come down to turnout. Democrats – who trail Republicans by eight points among registered voters – need to outperform their generally far lower than Republican turnout in midterm election years. Republicans need to rally their troops and get them to continue to significantly outperform Democratic turnout. This is certainly not a headache national and local Republicans had been counting on just a few short months ago,” Greenberg said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2018 at 11:25 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured on Nov. 20, 2014 when they were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104.
There were far fewer car-deer accidents in Orleans County compared to similar-size counties in the GLOW region, according to information from AAA.
AAA analyzed New York crash data and found that October, November and December are by far the peak months for deer crashes in the Empire State.
From October to December 2016, there were 9,720 deer crashes across the state – equivalent to one deer crash every fifteen minutes, AAA said.
In the GLOW region, there were 98 car-deer collisions in Orleans County during the last three months of 2016. That compares with 312 in Genesee County, 292 in Livingston County, and 207 in Wyoming County.
From October to December 2016, the top five counties for deer crashes were: Orange (581), Monroe (469), Erie (398), Oneida (364) and Ulster (354).
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The committee planning Orleans Community Health’s annual Treasure Island on Nov. 3 show some of the items which have been donated for the auction. From left are Dawn Meland, Cindy Hewitt, Tammy Pritchard, Teressa Taylor, Lori Condo and Foundation director Angela DiRosa.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 October 2018 at 11:08 am
MEDINA – This year’s Treasure Island Nov. 3 to benefit Orleans Community Health will mark a milestone for the event.
This will be the 25th year for the fundraiser, which was started in 1993 by the Association of Twigs. After several successful years, Medina Memorial Hospital Foundation took it over and continued to expand its features.
Orleans Community Health’s Foundation director Angela DiRosa holds one of the paintings which have been donated for the hospital’s annual Treasure Island.
Dawn Meland and Cindy Hewitt were both Twig members when the first one took place. They continue to be part of its planning today.
Treasure Island has had a theme during different years, and this year’s is “No Passport Required,” building on an around-the-world theme, Meland said.
“In the past, we’ve done a Masquerade theme and a gala,” she said.
The event didn’t take on the name Treasure Island until after the Muppets movie came out in 1996.
“We used Treasure Island for the theme that year, and it just stuck,” Meland said.
The event has taken place at several venues during recent years, but this year is moving back to Sacred Heart Club, after being at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Murray.
“We want to bring it back to Medina,” Hewitt said.
There will still be a silent and live auction, raffles and the popular Lucky Cork feature. Donna Eick will cater the food with her signature dishes – real comfort food with unique side dishes, Meland said.
Treasure Island continues to be the hospital Foundation’s premier fundraiser, said Foundation director Angela DiRosa.
The hundreds of prizes donated generate an average profit of $35,000, which is used for equipment updates and upgrades around the hospital.
Tammy Pritchard, who is secretary in CEO’s Mark Cye’s office, said he has a number of grants in the works and the money raised this year will supplement his projects, all of which will definitely benefit patients.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets include a meal and commemorative wine glass. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Orleans Community Health Foundation at foundation@medinamemorial.org, charityauction.bid/supportOCH or calling (585) 798-8061.
Courtesy of GCEDC: This rendering shows a full build-out of the STAMP site in the town of Alabama, Genesee County.
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Economic Development Center announced that it has received notification from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) confirming that the Western New York Science Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (WNY STAMP) has been approved to interconnect to the New York Power Authority’s dual 345-KV bulk transmission circuits.
The interconnection provides STAMP with the capacity of being able to deliver 450 MW of low-cost power to the site.
“Advanced manufacturing companies are extremely energy intensive so having the capacity to provide these businesses with low-cost power is yet another attraction for them to come to STAMP,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “It also provides us another tool to further market and promote STAMP to corporate site selectors and advanced manufacturing executives.”
The GCEDC continues to oversee the build-out of various infrastructure at STAMP, including construction and engineering design work on roadways, natural gas and electric and water and wastewater lines. This work is the result of $33 million in funding provided to STAMP by New York State.
WNY STAMP is New York’s second shovel-ready mega site (1,250 acres) and is aligned to attract the next generation of nanotechnology companies, including semiconductor chip fabs, flat panel displays, solar, bio-manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing companies to the Empire State.
The site is within a 60-minute commute of 2.3 million residents from the Rochester and Buffalo metro regions as well as six university centers with over 17,000 enrolled engineering students. Within a two-hour drive from STAMP there are 57 college and university centers.
STAMP has the potential to generate significant economic activity, as well as propel growth in several high-technology fields and strengthen the state’s leadership in the nanotechnology industry. STAMP has the potential to generate $30-$50 billion in investment and employ up to 10,000 workers on-site with thousands more jobs created through the supply chain.
For more information on WNY STAMP, please visit www.WNYSTAMP.com.
New York drivers need to buck up this fall and watch for deer. AAA analyzed New York crash data and found that October, November and December are by far the peak months for deer crashes in the Empire State.
From October to December 2016, there were 9,720 deer crashes across the state – equivalent to one deer crash every fifteen minutes.
Animal-related crashes are on the rise in New York. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, 2017 had the most crashes listed with an animal’s action as a contributing factor since 2009, the earliest year that records are available.
Motorists should be especially vigilant after dark. From October-December 2016, 84 percent of deer crashes occurred outside daylight hours. Crashes were most common from 5 to 7 p.m., during the evening rush when darkness had just set in.
From October to December 2016, the top five counties for deer crashes were: Orange (581), Monroe (469), Erie (398), Oneida (364) and Ulster (354).
“Drivers should always be on the lookout for hazards on the road, but the danger of deer increases every fall,” said Elizabeth Carey, director of public relations at AAA WCNY. “Car-deer collisions can be both deadly and costly. Drivers should pay close attention, avoid distractions and scan the road for deer when traveling on area roadways.”
AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:
• Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you. Deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road. They often travel in herds.
• Follow the speed limit. Keeping your speed down will give you more time to respond to unexpected wild-life movements.
• If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane. Swerving sharply to avoid an animal can often cause a more serious crash.
Three weeks from election day, Republican Representative Chris Collins holds a narrow 3-point lead over Democrat Nate McMurray, 46-43 percent, according to a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll of likely voters in the 27th Congressional District.
