By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Saturday’s parade on the Fourth of July in Lyndonville including numerous political candidates and office holders at the town, county and federal levels.
Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, is one of three candidates running for Orleans County sheriff. Organisciak has the Democrsatic Party endorsement for the November election.
Tom Drennan, the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, walks with supporters. He has the Republican Party endorsement for sheriff.
Randy Bower is out in front of his group of supporters. Bower works as a county dispatcher. He has the Conservative Party endorsement for sheriff and is working to force a Republican primary against Drennan. Incumbent Scott Hess is retiring as sheriff on Dec. 31.
Mike Fuller, the Shelby highway superintendent, is out with his supporters. He faces a challenge from Ed Houseknecht, the former Orleans County highway superintendent and DPW superintendent in Medina.
U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, represents the 27th Congressional District, which includes Orleans County.
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, marched in the Lyndonville parade for the first time since succeeding Gerge Maziarz in the State Senate.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, tosses candy to the crowd. Hawley mixed in some behind the back tosses to some of the kids along the parade route.
Paul Lauricella, a Conservative Party candidate for County Legislature, joins members of SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education). Lauricella is running for Legislature against Lynne Johnson.
Legislature Lynne Johnson, who is also president of the Lyndonville Lions Club, walked the parade route. She was joined by her Republican legislator colleagues David Callard, John DeFilipps and Ken DeRoller. They wore T-shirts supporting Johnson. She represents a district that includes the towns of Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby.
Political newcomer James White is endorsed by the Democrats for an at-large spot on the County Legislature. He is challenging Don Allport, the Republican incumbent.
Candidates and office holders weren’t the only ones with a political message. The group, Save Ontario Shores, was in the parade and had an information booth trying to rally support against a proposed project with 60 to 68 large wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Young Explosives put on about a 40-minute fireworks show in Lyndonville on Saturday, the biggest in the 41 years the community has hosted a July Fourth celebration.
Young Explosives does about 100 fireworks shows on the holiday weekend and Lyndonville’s is the second biggest after Rochester’s.
Lyndonville had this fire truck and a group of firefighters close by the high school sports fields while the fireworks lit up the sky.
Walt Snell, a Lyndonville firefghter, climbed on top of the truck to watch the fireworks.
A big crowd came out for the fireworks. The Lyndonville Lions Club is the main organizer for the annual festival with help from several other community groups and the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates.
Bennie Blount, 11, of Medina twirls a sparkler before the fireworks went off in Lyndonville.
Bennie’s twin sister Bridgette Blount holds a sparkler while waiting for the fireworks.
This photo was taken through the row of trees by the sports fields.
The fireworks were red, white, blue and other colors.
Trees and people are silhouettes with the big fireworks in back.
An array of colors burst into the sky.
The fireworks make Lyndonville the place to be on the night of the Fourth.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 5 July 2015 at 12:00 am
CLARENDON – The history of Orleans County is sprinkled with the stories of our ancestors who served this great nation over the last 239 years.
As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, it is only proper to recall the service of those men before us who risked everything they had as young men. They took up arms against what they believe to be an oppressive government focused on unfair taxation and inconsistent representation.
One such hero of the American Revolution was Lemuel Cook. A native of Northbury, Connecticut, Cook enlisted near Watertown, Connecticut at the young age of 16. He was present for the Battle of Brandywine and at Yorktown for General Cornwallis’ Surrender in 1781.
An eventual settler of Clarendon, “Lem” as he was known, would earn the distinction of the oldest pensioner of the Revolution at the time of his death on May 20, 1866 at the age of 107.
As a man in his old age, his talk became fragmented and his thoughts became scattered, but a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes when asked to recall the stories of his meetings with General Washington.
On the first occasion Washington approached Lemuel to ask “Is that your horse soldier?” Coming to attention, Lem responded, “Yes, Sir!” Placing the young lad at ease, Gen. Washington inquired of his name to which Lem responded, “Lemuel Cook, from Connecticut, Sir.”
After a quick compliment on the fine horse that Lem was tending to, Washington said, “Well, you take care of him, you will be glad you did,” and the General continued on.
The final resting place of Mr. Cook was vandalized in early 2006 and we are fortunate that quick work was made of restoring his beautiful gravestone to its rightful condition.
Nearly three years later, Lemuel would cross paths with Washington again. Minding his own business, Cook’s attention was grabbed by a deep, rich voice that called out, “Lem Cook, is that you? I thought that might be you with that Bay.”
Taken aback by the comment, Cook managed to let out a “Yes Sir, it’s very good to see you Sir.” A brief conversation concluded with yet another compliment of Cook’s fine horse; “I admire the lines of your Bay, Lem. I have one like it at Mount Vernon.”
Cook lived out the last days of his life at his home in Clarendon. In one of the last interviews conducted, he was asked to comment on the Civil War that was currently engulfing the nation. With a strong, booming voice he brought his cane down upon the floor with force shouting, “It is terrible, but terrible as it is the rebellion must be put down!”
Lem Cook was a celebrity in his day with people across the nation seeking the signature of their last living patriot. It is said that a publisher from Hartford, Connecticut sent a photographer to capture this only image of Cook in 1861.
Editor’s Note: Cook is buried at a cemetery on Munger Road in Clarendon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2015 at 12:00 am
For fourth year church treats community to event
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The skateboarding ramp provides a nice spot to watch the fireworks tonight at Bullard Park in Albion.
The High Point Community Church in Corfu paid for the fireworks show, and also served food, provided games and played Christian music at the park. This is the fourth straight July 5 that the church has put on the event for Albion.
Two girls are on the swings while the fireworks go off. They appear blurred because of the slow shutter speed on the camera.
Some young families watch the fireworks from another swingset at the park on Route 31.
People watched the fireworks from lawn chairs, picnic tables, blankets on the ground or many just stood to take in the sights and sounds.
The fireworks were launched from near the big sledding hill at the park.
Before the fireworks, the praise band at High Point played for the crowd. The church is looking to start a congregation in Albion.
Marci Jonathan is the bass guitarist in the praise band. Her brother Nate plays the drums and their father Dave also is in the band.
Melanie Dean, ceneter, is one of the singers in the priase band. Her father, Bobby Dean, is the church pastor. Her brother Matt is lead singer in the band and their brother Mike sings and plays guitar for the group.
Bobby Dean, pastor of the church, shares a message before the fireworks. Nate Jonathan is in back on the drums.
Matt Dean is a high-energy singer for the praise band.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2015 at 12:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Firefighters try to put out the smoky remains from a fire at West Ridge Mobile Estates in Murray on late Friday.
The fire appears to have started in the back end of the mobile home and spread.
The home is owned by Cathy and David Scheck. Their daughter and grandson also live at 16699 Ridge Rd.
The mobile home suffered extensive damage. Mrs. Scheck said everybody got out without being injured, including the family dog. They were still looking for their cat at about 11:30 p.m.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 10:52 p.m. Firefighters form Holley, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, Kendall and Morton responded to the scene.
Firefighters pull insulation and clothes from the laundry room as they work to put out the fire on Friday night.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The biggest party in Orleans County for the Fourth of July is at the smallest village in the county. Lyndonville once again welcomed residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day.
In the top photo, a line of fire trucks, including Middleport in front, makes their way down Main Street in the village.
The village had 838 residents in the 2010 Census and probably exceeded that by 10 times or more today.
The duck (Evan Pappalardo of Albion) slaps hands with the crowd and tries to drum up support for the duck race on Johnson Creek to benefit Hospice of Orleans County.
Members of the 4-H program were out promoting the upcoming fair from July 27 to Aug. 1 in Knowlesville.
Teresa Allen of Medina helps her daughter Peyton with the YMCA dance while waiting for the parade to start on Main Street.
Mattie Zarpentine, a leader with New York Revolution, leads a group that marched in the parade in favor of Second Amendment rights.
Members of the Lyndonville Marching Band are dressed for the holiday while playing patriotic music in the parade.
Members of the American Legion in Lyndonville ride on a trailer and wave to the crowd. Bob Bracey of Medina loans the trailer so veterans can be part of the lengthy parade route.
Scott Schmidt gives his dog Goliath, a 203-pound Neopolitan mastiff, a ride in the parade. Goliath was dressed as Uncle Sam for the event.
Jason Smith, superintendent of Lyndonville Central School, plays with the Mark Time Marchers in the parade. Smith is at the head of the line with his trombone.
Stan Thurber waves Old Glory while riding in the parade with a float for Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina, where his son Dan is the pastor.
Members of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church had a float in the parade for the first time in four years today. The group is promoting an upcoming Vacation Bible School for children and letting the community know it’s welcome at the church, said Beth Malone, the pastor.
Randall Bane had a starring role on the float along with his mother Mildred Bane, who portrayed Betsy Ross. She is credited with making the first American flag.
Jeanne Crane, chairwoman of the Orleans County Democratic Party, was dressed for the holiday.
A lineup of vehicles, carrying flags, heads down Main Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Young Explosives has a crew in Lyndonville today setting up for tonight’s fireworks show at 10 p.m.. The group of six will spend several hours getting the fireworks set up for the show.
The crew will vary the pace for releasing the fireworks, mixing low-lying colorful ones with high flyers and big booms.
Stan Powers holds a 12-inch shell. Young Explosives will send two of these 1,000 feet into the sky tonight for the first time in Lyndonville. The shells weigh about 40 pounds. They have a wing span of about 400 to 500 feet and will burst into four or five different colors.
Powers does about 40 shows with Young Explosives each year. Lyndonville ranks among his favorites, Powers said this afternoon.
There is a very enthusiastic crowd and an ideal location. Plus the community raises a lot of money for a big show.
“Lyndonville is the perfect location,” Powers said.
The crew gets fireworks ready for tonight’s show. This group will be used for the finale.
Powers likes the nicely mowed lawn to set up. The crowd also gathers on an open field up on a hill with no houses nearby in three directions. Powers does some shows where the crew is limited to straight up high fireworks because houses are close by. Sometimes, the fireworks crew can’t see the crowd.
At Lyndonville, the crowd is visible and they often cheer wildly during the 38-minute fireworks show.
Powers said only the City of Rochester spends more than Lyndonville for the show, and Young Explosives of Canandaigua does about 100 shows over the July 4th weekend.
Lyndonville is a special place for the crew because of the community appreciation and the chance for the crew to be creative, sending fireworks sideways and at varying heights.
Stan Powers lights a firework at 2 p.m. today. Young Explosives set one off at the top of each hour beginning at noon to build enthusiasm for tonight’s show.
Powers and the crew are wearing shirts about Lyndonville with an image of fireworks reflected in the water at the Lyndonville Dam. They made the shirts because they enjoy the community and they wanted to give some as gifts to Wes Bradley and other Lyndonville Lions Club members.
Bradley serves as the fireworks coordinator in Lyndonville, and tries hard to raise the money for the big show.
Powers said Bradley also brings the crew water and a chicken barbecue, and stays after the show to help them clean up.
“He is really an awesome guy,” Powers said.
The crew will lift and set up about 1,000 fireworks, a process that takes several hours.
“It’s a lot of work but you get your 30 minutes of glory,” Powers said. “When you’re done, you can hear everyone cheering.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – JP Morgan Chase announced in June 2013 it would close its Albion site the following September, cutting about 400 jobs.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article should have stated CRFS has 600 employees, but due to a typo said 60.
ALBION – The economic development agency for Orleans County needs clear policies for why some businesses are approved for tax benefits and assistance and others are not, according to an audit for the State Comptroller’s Office.
The comptroller also said some businesses, notably JP Morgan Chase, are approved for tax-saving benefits and leave town early, without a “recapture of benefits” clause from the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
In the case of Chase, the company received $605,000 in tax abatements in the first three years of the 10-year tax deal. The company paid $98,900 to local governments during that period.
However, the company announced in June 2013 it would close its Albion site the following September, and would eliminate 400 jobs in the village.
The comptroller said Chase was able to leave Albion without returning any of the tax breaks. The EDA needs a clause that requires companies to pay back the benefits if they don’t follow through with promised benefits to the community, according to the comptroller’s report. (Click here to see it.)
Jim Whipple, chief executive officer for the EDA, said the tax incentives gave the community more time with Chase as a major local employer.
“Those three to four years were very important,” Whipple said.
When Chase acquired the former Washington Mutual, Chase evaluated other sites in the country for the Albion operation. The tax incentives helped keep the company in Orleans County until “a further retrenchment in the banking industry,” EDA Board Chairman Paul Hendel said in a letter to the comptroller.
Claims Recovery Financial Services has since moved into the former Chase site and has about 600 employees in Albion.
The EDA in August 2013 also added a recapture-of-benefits clause to be used at the discretion of the agency, Hendel said.
In another case, the EDA under-billed a company for its payment of lieu of taxes by $246,000 over 12 years. The EDA billed the company for less than the PILOT plan approved by the seven-member board.
The comptroller said the payments should be corrected, or else the discrepancy will balloon to $635,000 over 20 years.
The EDA said the PILOT was amended, however the paperwork wasn’t available for that change. That paperwork issue is an isolated incident and has been resolved, Hendel said.
Comptroller staff reviewed Orleans EDA projects from Jan. 1, 2013 to Oct. 10, 2014, and analyzed documents from back to 1998. The EDA has 22 open projects with capital investment of about $134 million. (Western New York Energy in Medina accounts for $89 million of that total.)
The report cited some “deficiencies” in the EDA’s evaluation and approval of businesses seeking benefits, the EDA’s determination of agreement terms with businesses and the subsequent monitoring of the businesses for compliance.
Economic development agencies should follow a 1:10 minimum cost benefit ratio, or $1 granted for at least $10 in capital investment and other benefits to the community, the comptroller said.
The EDA has a document cost-benefit ratio for six of the 22 projects, but not for 16, the comptroller said.
“Lack of consistent computing of the CBA (cost-benefit analysis) for all projects can lead to selective inclusion and exclusion of these ratios by management, potentially creating an advantage or disadvantage for an applicant,” the report states.
The report further states the EDA board and management did not formally document and adopt procedures for calculating cost-benefit ratios and for determining the contractual time periods for businesses seeking financial assistance.
Because of that, evaluation criteria may not be consistently applied, and the basis for approving or rejecting businesses is not clear, according to the report.
Whipple said the EDA board will work to formalize its methodology for the cost-benefit analysis.
The EDA also approves some tax-saving plans for 10 years and others for as long as 30 years. The majority are for 10 years. The comptroller said the EDA needs to be clear in justifying the varying lengths for PILOT plans.
In a response to the comptroller, EDA officials said the standard PILOT is 10 years, but the agency can deviate from that schedule for some manufacturing facilities and vacant buildings.
The comptroller said the EDA should better monitor businesses to see if they are following through with capital investments and job creation (as well as employee salaries and benefits).
The comptroller reviewed employment numbers for the 22 EDA projects and found 14 companies met their employment targets, but eight did not. The 14 businesses exceeded their projections by 278 jobs. However, eight businesses did not meet their projections. Overall, the 22 businesses were projected to create or retain 2,118 jobs, but reported 1,348 jobs for a shortfall of 770.
Associated Brands in Medina had the biggest net increase in jobs with 282.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County dropped from 7.2 percent in May 2014 to 6.0 percent this past May, according to the state Department of Labor.
There were 17,100 people working in the county in May, compared to 16,800 in May 2014. The number of unemployed fell from 1,300 in May 2014 to 1,100 in May 2015.
The 6.0 percent unemployment rate is higher than the 5.3 percent rate in both New York and for the country. Of the 62 counties in New York, Orleans is one of 14 with an unemployment rate at 6.0 percent or higher.
Here are the rates for other nearby counties: Genesee, 4.7; Wyoming, 5.2; Livingston, 5.3; Niagara, 5.7; Erie, 5.2; and Monroe, 5.1.
Columbia County has the lowest unemployment rate in state at 3.9 percent and the Bronx is the highest at 8.0 percent.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
LYNDONVILLE – Participants in the “Snail Watches” science workshop observe a snail-paced race. The first snail to make it across the black border on the mat was declared the winner.
Participants ages 8 and up observed live invertebrates up close and additionally learned about the food web of a meadow through an outdoor game.
Rick Merritt (and family) led the program Thursday at the Yates Community Library.
Provided photos – The Button family poses with superhero masks during Hoag Library’s carnival.
Press Release, Hoag Library
ALBION – Hoag Library kicked off the Summer Reading Program on Monday by hosting a carnival.
Hoag Library’s carnival featured live animals such as goats and mini donkeys, plus pony rides for children. The animals were supplied by Serenity Acres’ owner Dona Scharping. The carnival also featured games, food and temporary tattoos.
Scharping’s 4-H volunteers kept riders safe and informed them about the horses they were riding, as well as providing a fun time.
A volunteer puts a helmet on a girl.
The main purpose of the event was to inform the public of the Summer Reading Program, which started right after the carnival. This year’s theme is “Every Hero Has A Story.”
The Hoag Library will have a series of events focusing on superheroes and community heroes, such as story times and a meet-and-greet with emergency responders. Other summer events also include gardening for children and a visit from the Buffalo Zoomobile.
The Summer Reading Program is every Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. through July 23. Participants can enter raffles to win prizes and anyone can still register.
For more information about this program or other Hoag Library events, visit www.hoaglibrary.org or stop by the library at 134 South Main Street in Albion.
Volunteers ran the games at the carnival. Gabriell Struble supervises the bean bag toss, while Bethany Bowman sets up the wheel of chance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new exhibit at the Marti’s on Main art gallery features Albion artist Laurie Kemler, whose watercolor paintings highlight everyday life. She is holding a painting of a man with a horse entitled, “Gentleman’s Pride.”
She has pictures of gossiping girls, people fishing at Point Breeze, a girl sitting on a step and many other “overlooked moments of life.”
She likes to create scenes from generations ago, before smart phones, video games, cell phones and other technology that can get in the way of life.
Judy Wenrich looks at some of the work by Laurie Kemler.
“I’m a vintage girl,” Kemler said during the opening reception Friday night for her show at Marti’s, a gallery at 229 North Main St.
Kemler likes to paint from black and white photos that highlight scenes from the 1970s and earlier. She likes to fill in the colors.
“It is my way to add a creative spin to a structured photograph,” she said.
Kemler’s work has been featured several times at Marti’s, which is now in its seventh season as an art gallery. Kemler collaborated with gallery owner Kim Martillotta-Muscarella on a children’s book, “My Grandma’s Kitchen Window.” That book hasn’t been released yet. It features 72 illustrations by Kemler.
She works as an art teacher at the Bergen School of the Arts, which is run by her sister-in-law, Alysia Fink, on Route 19 in Bergen.
Kemler grew up in Elba and took art lessons as a kid from Bernice Yunker.
The gallery this month also includes paintings by Medina art teacher Jennifer Ohar Scott. Waterport resident Terry Vick also has an assortment of her creations – “Second Hand Critters.”
Terry Vick uses cast-off clothes to create these characters.
“Everyone is individual with its own personality,” Martillotta-Muscarella said about Vick’s creations. “No two are alike.”
To see the gallery, contact Martillotta-Muscarella at 585-589-6715.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – These deer were out on Wednesday evening along West Countyhouse Road in Albion.
The weather looks nice for the July 4th weekend.
Today it is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a sunny day with a high of 75 on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
On July 4th, there will be a high of 77 with a chance for rain between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the Weather Service. It will be mostly clear at night when it’s time for fireworks. (Lyndonville is hosting a fireworks show at 10 p.m.)
On Sunday it will reach 78 degrees and it will be sunny. (Albion will have fireworks from Bullard Park that night.)
Here’s is another picture of one of the deer in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Wendi Pencille has been on the BOE for 5 years
Photos by Tom Rivers – Wendi Pencille was elected the new president of the Medina Board of Education during an organizational meeting on Wednesday.
MEDINA – The Board of Education has a new leader after Wendi Pencille was elected president on Wednesday.
Pencille has served five years on the board. She has been active in the community for many years, volunteering for three decades as a wildlife rehabilitator and leading the recent fight by Citizens for Shelby Preservation against a new quarry in Shelby near the Wildlife Refuge.
Pencille has two children in the school district and she said Medina has provided many opportunities for her sons, Noah, 15; and Jaden, 12.
The board picked her as its leader. She replaced Chris Keller, who served in the role the past 1 ½ years. Keller is a teacher at Albion and the newly elected union president for Albion teachers. He said he didn’t have the time to serve as both union and BOE presidents.
The Medina BOE is in good hands with Pencille serving as president, Keller said.
“She is Cornell educated and very personable,” Keller said. “She’ll be outstanding.”
Keller said it was an honor to serve as board president. He is especially grateful for the chance to hand his son Chris his high school diploma at last Friday’s commencement.
Wendi Pencille, owner and handler of Humphrey, poses with the trained therapy dog at the Medina school administration office in this file photo from March 2013. Humphrey, a 125-pound Landseer Newfoundland, has visited Medina classrooms. It’s another way Pencille has volunteered with the school district.
Pencille came on the Board of Education during a stressful time for the district. State aid cuts forced the board to eliminate about 30 positions and some programs her first year on the board.
The district is in a stronger financial position now, and has been making gains academically.
“I want to keep going in the direction where we’re going,” she said. “We’re really doing good things here and I’m proud of what Medina graduates are doing.”
Pencille works as a market development specialist for IBM in Williamsville.
The board re-elected David Sevenski as vice president and welcomed Brian Koch as a new board member. Koch works for Hewlett-Packard in sales. He has two kids in the school district.
Koch and Pencille both work out of the site owned by Ingram Micro in Williamsville, where several technology companies are based.
Pencille’s family attended Wednesday’s swearing in. Her mother, Janet Vullo, was the president of the Board of Education in Starpoint.
The board voted to change its monthly meeting schedule. Instead of meeting the second and fourth Tuesdays, the board will meet the first Tuesday and last Tuesday each month. That will allow Pencille to attend Shelby Town Board meetings on the second Tuesday each month.
The board on Wednesday also accepted the resignation of Tim Ames as director of facilities. He oversaw recent building and campus upgrades.
District Superintendent Jeff Evoy said Ames will be missed.
“I’d like to thank Tim for his many years of service to the Medina School District,” Evoy said.
ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced the State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols to crack down on drivers who violate the law this Fourth of July weekend from Friday until Monday.
“As we approach the July 4th weekend, State Police will be out in full force to crack down on reckless behavior and distracted driving on our roadways,” Cuomo said. “I urge all drivers to act responsibly and stay safe in order to avoid needless tragedies this holiday weekend.”
Last year, the New York State Police issued more than 10,200 vehicle and traffic tickets during the Fourth of July weekend. Troopers arrested more than 180 people for DWI and responded to more than 650 accidents, two of which resulted in fatalities.
“The Fourth of July is known for its fun and fireworks, but New Yorkers should also remember it can also be fatal if they don’t make the right decision,” said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. “Our Troopers will be out to identify and arrest any motorist who is driving drunk or impaired. Be safe this holiday weekend, allow plenty of time to travel, put down your cell phones and don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking.”
During the enforcement, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will also be targeting the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.
Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.
During the campaign, Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
Data shows that the Fourth of July holiday period is especially deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the July 4th period in 2013, there were 512 people killed in crashes, of those 199 (39 percent) had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
This campaigns serves as a reminder to New Yorkers that driving drunk not only puts lives at risk, but that those who drive drunk could face arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drinking and driving arrest costs up to $10,000.
Arrested drunk drivers face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.
The New York State Police and NHTSA recommend these simple tips to prevent drunk driving:
Plan a safe way home before the fun begins;
Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
Use your community’s sober ride program;
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
