He has been key in working to develop STAMP site

Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Masse speaks during a public hearing last July about the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama.

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors has selected Mark Masse, the GCEDC’s Senior Vice President of Operations, as the organization’s next President and CEO.

The appointment was unanimously approved at the GCEDC’s May 2 board meeting. Masse will succeed Steve Hyde, who announced in April that he is retiring after over 21 years and over 500 projects during his tenure as President and CEO, on Aug. 1.

“Mark’s leadership alongside Steve has produced a period of unprecedented investment and growth, and he was the clear choice to lead the GCEDC into the future,” said GCEDC Board Chair Pete Zeliff. “We are impressed in Mark’s capability to both guide a seamless transition as we accomplish the projects currently under development and to pursue a vision for the future growth of Genesee County.”

Since joining the GCEDC in 2010, Masse has provided leadership and direct project management, working with the organization’s civil engineering firm and finance staff, leading the way in the development, infrastructure deployment, financing, and management of the organization’s portfolio of real estate assets.

He has been responsible for the permitting, engineering, and infrastructure deployment at the STAMP mega-site in the Town of Alabama, including projects that are investing $1 billion between the renewables manufacturing and semiconductor industries; and a 600-megawatt 345kV-to-115kV substation.

“Mark is more than ready to take the reins of leadership at the GCEDC,” said Hyde. “As he has demonstrated with developments large and small, Mark has the talent, experience, and readiness to lead our organization during a critical time. Private and public investment are at an all-time high as the GCEDC, Genesee County and New York State build a semiconductor and advanced manufacturing economy.”

Masse is a graduate of Nazareth University of Rochester with a degree in accounting, and is a certified public accountant licensed in New York State with 15 years of experience at Freed, Maxick & Battaglia prior to his tenure at the GCEDC. He is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership Genesee program as well as a 2012 Buffalo Business First Forty Under Forty award winner.

Masse has also served on the Economic Development Committee and the Public Market Committee for the Downtown Business Improvement District in Batavia, as well as serving as a Board Member for the Batavia Development Corporation.

“I want to thank the board for this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing the historic economic development advancements made by Genesee County under Steve with the support of the members of the GCEDC team,” Masse said.

Tim LaLonde thankful for best outcome in emergency

This screenshot from The Today Show that aired last Friday shows Albion native Tim LaLonde meeting Marine Corps General Eric Smith and his wife Trish.

It’s been a whirlwind the past week for Tim LaLonde, an Albion native who said he much prefers to be in the background and out of the limelight.

But LaLonde has been highlighted in The Washington Post, The Today Show and was a featured guest at a Marine Corps celebration and parade in Washington, D.C. last weekend.

On Oct. 29, LaLonde saved the life of Marine Corps General Eric Smith. The general was out for a 3-mile run around Washington when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. LaLonde did CPR for nearly 10 minutes and kept the general alive until EMTs arrived. The general has made a full recovery.

LaLonde last week met the general for the first time since Oct. 29, and received a deep appreciation from the general’s wife, two children and so many in the Marine Corps.

“Everyone I met in his close family was extremely gracious, they were very thankful,” LaLonde said by phone Tuesday evening. “They are nice people.”

The soldiers under the general’s command told LaLonde how grateful they were he was able to come to Smith’s aid.

“It was nonstop that for two whole days,” LaLonde said about all the warm greetings. “Every person I ran into had an amazing story about the guy. I was getting overwhelmed.”

LaLonde, 33, was in Washington on Oct. 29 for the Marine Corps Marathon. He trained for many months for the ultra marathon, a 50-kilometer or 31.1-mile route that took him over five hours on a warm day.

General Smith was at the finishing line that day, congratulating many of the runners, including his wife Trish who also did the ultra.

LaLonde embraces the challenge of a long distance. He has done marathons before. On Oct. 29, he did the race with his sister Joyce LaLonde, who lives in D.C.

After the marathon, they had a late lunch with many family members to celebrate. While walking back to Joyce’s residence, they saw a man collapsed on the sidewalk.

Tim LaLonde is shown by The Today Show at the sidewalk where he found General Eric Smith unconscious and in need of CPR.

Tim LaLonde works as an environmental Health and safety professional for a manufacturing company in Seattle, Wash. He has been certified in CPR since he was 18. He has been a CPR instructor since he was 25 and has taught hundreds of people to do CPR and to use an AED. But he never used CPR in an emergency until Oct. 29.

Joyce first saw the man who was down, with blood coming out of his mouth and told her family the man needed help.

Tim sized up the situation and directed his father Steve to help position the general so Tim could do CPR. Joyce called 911 and her husband Nate Birnbaum took off to a police station get aid for Smith.

Tim for about nine minutes did chest compressions and provided air for Smith.

The EMTs took over, and the LaLonde family went back to Joyce’s residence, unsure of who the man was or how he was doing.

Later that night they were called by the military, seeking information about the incident. But LaLonde said it was only through a press release in the military when they realized the man on the sidewalk was the top general for the Marine Corps.

He followed updates from the Marine Corps and could see Smith made a full recovery and was back at full strength about four months after the incident. For LaLonde, that news brought closure. He never expected to meet the general again.

“I was already content,” LaLonde said when he knew the general had fully recovered and that LaLonde’s training made a difference. “We know what we did mattered and worked. I wasn’t expecting or even hoping for a meeting with the general. But it was awesome to be able to meet him.”

The general and his wife wanted to thank the group that saved his life, and also highlight the importance of civilians knowing CPR.

LaLonde said he did what he was trained to do. He is more impressed his family sprung into action, made decisive decisions and stayed calm.

“The big thing for me is I’m trained to do it,” LaLonde said. “My dad, sister and brother-in-law all handled themselves as best as could be expected. I’m proud of how they handled themselves.”

LaLonde said he has received many messages since the story came out last Friday, with many people saying he inspired them to learn CPR.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the formation of the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission to recognize the anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The first meeting of the Commission will convene from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the Huxley Theater in the New York State Museum in Albany.

“New York State played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary in 2026,” Governor Hochul said. “The commemoration will not only celebrate the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence, but will also emphasize New York’s ongoing effort to achieve our nation’s founding principles of representative democracy with equal participation and rights for all.”

Randy Simons, Commissioner Pro Tempore of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education, will co-chair the Commission.

In its first year, the Commission will advise on the development of a multifaceted commemoration to support New York’s heritage organizations to plan and support programming and exhibits, coordinate New York State learning standards; encourage and promote heritage tourism; advance scholarship surrounding the history and values of the American Revolution; and ignite public interest in the history of New York State and the United States.

The commemoration will extend beyond the period of American Revolution and the formation of the United States to ongoing efforts to reach the goals expressed by the nation’s founders. New York has been a significant force in those movements, including such iconic, historic stories as serving as the routes for the Underground Railroad, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the labor movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

State Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “This very important chapter of New York’s early history is imperative to share, as New York was at the center of political decisions that influenced the outcome of the Revolutionary War and helped shape the United States. When our students have opportunities to explore and learn about the significant historical events of the past, they are able to gain invaluable insights into the present, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and informed decision-making. We are honored to be able to collaborate with our partner agencies on this Commission and look forward to igniting an excitement for lifelong learning through historical education as we celebrate 250 years of democracy, freedom, and independence.”

The meeting today will be open to the public. The Commission will meet quarterly. For more information and a livestream of the meeting, visit Revolutionary NY 250 | The New York State Museum (nysed.gov).

ALBION – A program of World Life Institute to educate the public on nuclear energy will continue with a presentation at 7 p.m. June 5 at Hoag Library focusing on “Fukushima and Biological Effects of Radiation.”

Global Nuclear Awareness is a program of World Life Institute, founded in 1986 by the late Dr. Asaf Durakovic, MD, PhD, DVM, MSc and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Durakovic was the author of more than 225 scientific publications in recognized international journals focusing on the biological effects of ionizing radiation.

“As a medical doctor, Dr. Durakovic realized not only the medical effects, but the biological hazards of radiation,” said Samiah Ghani, a volunteer with World Life Institute, who has been involved with the nuclear awareness program since it was started.

In addition to presentations at Hoag Library, World Life Institute has held webinars and in-person training on the subject of radiation, Ghani said.

The awareness program June 5 will feature presentations by Stella Gresham, a member of the steering committee for Global Nuclear Awareness, titled “Fukushima: What’s the Fuss About?” and Tedd Weyman, deputy director of the Uranium Medical Research Center in New York and Toronto, discussing “Surrounded: Military and Industrial Nuclear Technology in Space.”

Redfield-Shakoor worked closely with Durakovic to coordinate the accredited Radiation Emergency Management program for medical professionals and emergency personnel sponsored by Brockport State College and the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Weymann has 35 years’ experience in his field as a consultant in organization behavior, emergency management and planning, integrated municipal emergency services, training and community capacity building and public policy. He is a senior lecturer for Global Nuclear Awareness and conducts presentations, certificate program classes and educational consulting to local and international audiences, including undergraduate students, the public and “nuclear communities” on issues of nuclear war and deterrence, nuclear reactor accidents, radiation risks, contamination and health effects.

The program June 5 is free and light refreshments will be served.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – The Albion Police Department announced today it arrested a 32-year-old, Ghislaine Pena of the Town of Barre in regards to stolen credit card information.

Ghislaine Pena

Pena was allegedly purchasing credit card information online and then using the stolen credit card information to make purchases over the internet.

The Albion Police Department was advised after several credit card transactions were found to be fraudulent at Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion.  Subsequently the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force conducted a search warrant at 102 Rice Road in the Town of Barre.

Pena on March 3 was charged with the following:

• 1 Count of Scheme to Defraud 1st – Class E Felony
• 20 Counts of Grand Larceny 4th of a Credit Card – Class E Felony
• 1 Count of Grand Larceny 4th – Class E Felony
• 20 Counts of Criminal Impersonation – Class A Misdemeanor

Pena was subsequently transported to the Albion Police Department for processing and released on an appearance ticket.  The Albion Police Department was assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.  The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.