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Barre, Clarendon leaders respond to questions about court consolidation

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

CLARENDON – The towns of Barre and Clarendon were unable to hold a planned public hearing on the possible consolidation of their justice courts Tuesday evening due to the Barre Town Board not making the necessary quorum.

Barre Supervisor Mark Chamberlain explained that health-related issues had kept some members from attending.

Despite the fact an official public hearing could not be held, municipal leaders decided to discuss the issue informally and answer questions from residents in attendance.

Clarendon Supervisor Richard Moy explained that an official public hearing will need to be held as part of the process. If one or both of the towns then decide against consolidation, the issue would be dead. If both town boards agree to consolidate the court, the issue would be on the November ballot for a public vote. Clarendon residents would additionally decide if the town would go from two justices to one.

Moy outlined facts regarding consolidation: Each town can retain its own court facility; Clarendon Town Justice Thomas DiFante and Barre Town Justice Richard DeCarlo would have jurisdiction in both towns; and money would stay in the town in which it was collected.

Moy also clarified figures regarding state grant money. A $12,000 matching grant would be available to each town for costs associated with the consolidation process and additional grant money would be available from the state following consolidation.

District Attorney night would be held in each town, just as it is now, Moy added.

Joe Cardone, Orleans County district attorney, attended the meeting.

“From my perspective, (consolidation) has worked well,” he said, regarding the west side of the county where the Ridgeway, Shelby, and Yates justice courts have been consolidated.

“One judge is able to handle the workload in these jurisdictions,” he said and noted that in 1992, the county had 23 municipal justices.

“I think now the number is down to 14,” Cardone said.

Besides the town court consolidation on the western end, where the three towns went from two judges to one each, the villages of Medina and Albion eliminated their courts, with towns picking up the added workload.

A Clarendon resident asked about the extent of financial savings if consolidation takes place.

“It’s not a huge amount of money,” Moy said and explained that at budget time, the town could decide to pay a single justice more, but not as much as both justices combined.

“Overall, most people will tell you there’s not great financial savings,” Cardone added. “There are some savings to the county.”

Others asked about what would happen if one of the justices needs to take a long-term leave. Cardone explained that County Court Judge James Punch would then appoint someone to serve as justice. In the case of short-term leaves, one judge would take over both courts. If a judge needs to recuse himself from a case, the case is moved to another jurisdiction.

Barre Town Justice Richard DeCarlo expressed concerns that in the future, the state might step in and change the law regarding consolidation – perhaps compelling towns to have only one court facility.

“The direction from the state has been to let local jurisdictions do what best works for them to make the court system most efficient,” Cardone responded, but explained if changes come from the state level, there would not be much the towns could do.

Clarendon Town Attorney Karl Essler said that the town boards could work together on the language of future resolutions regarding court consolidation to help protect them from any future changes which might happen at the state level.

Town of Ridgeway Court Clerk Stacy Silker attended the meeting.

“It works just fine,” she said of consolidation on the county’s west side and referenced a recent traffic ticket conflict in the Ridgeway court. “We sent it to Yates and didn’t have to take it to Judge Punch,” she said.

Clarendon and Barre will now have to determine if they can set a new date for an official public hearing, or, if because of the time-frame, need to pass another resolution first before calling for a public hearing.

Sept. 28 is the “drop dead date” for the towns to approve consolidation in order for the issue to appear on this November’s ballot, Moy said.

Medina’s Tourism Committee prepares for busy season

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

File photos – “Wild” Bill McDonald, center, of Batavia performs with the Ghost Riders last summer during a concert series in Holley. McDonald and Kay McMahon, left, will play a concert in Medina from a boat on July 12 as part of the Traveling Towpath Troubadours.

By Howard Balaban, Correspondent

MEDINA – In just a few weeks, the Medina Village Tourism Committee will start to hit its summer stride.

At Monday night’s Village Board meeting, Jim Hancock, the committee chairman, briefed the trustees on upcoming events.

In conjunction with the Cycle the Canal Event in July, Medina’s stop will feature two entertainment spots. He noted how the annual ride passes through Middleport, Albion, Fancher, Holley and heads east to Rochester. The Tourism Committee wanted to be sure that the stop in Medina offered “the possibility for cyclists to do something.”

With that in mind, on July 12 at Canal Basin Park the Traveling Towpath Troubadours will put on a concert from 2 to 3 p.m. That will be followed by Teresa Wood, of Tonawanda, telling canal stories in the same venue.

The next day, at 9 a.m., there will be a Culvert Road display panel dedication. Hancock said that panel is something a long time in the making and will mark a truly unique spot along the Erie Canal.

Just a few weeks later, on August 8, the Concert by the Canal Series will feature Blind Leading the Blind at 2 p.m. and the Mercury Blues Band at 4 p.m., both in the Canal Basin. In the event of rain, the concert series will move indoors to the Medina Theater.

Also on August 8, Hancock said Medina’s Wide Angle Art Gallery will put on a display in the Canal Basin, and there will also be a Bad Ash Barbecue.

Jena Hemphill gives out cheesecake samples at Celebrity Day Spa last August during the first Sweets in Summer event, when businesses offered samples of desserts and treats.

Finally, he gave a plug for the Medina Business Association’s Second Annual Sweets in Summer event, being held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The Tourism Committee is also going to once again be in charge of Christmas in Medina, featuring the Parade of Lights in November.

As he wrapped his presentation to the board, Hancock made note of plans to host a Canal Opening Celebration on May 7, 2016, to coincide with its refilling.

Also, he said the Erie Canal Corporation will soon be adding panels to the Canal Basin to educate passersby along the Erie Canalways Heritage Corridor. Those signs will be managed by the corporation, he noted.

Unpaved road leads to blocked bridge in Murray

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

An occasional series off the beaten path

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Orleans Hub has highlighted some of the dirt roads in Orleans County and we found another one recently. A section of Hindsburg Road south of Route 104 lacks pavement.

This photo shows the spot on Hindsburg Road where the pavement ends. It’s a section of the road between East Transit Church Road and West Brockville Road. This photo was taken looking south.

There aren’t very wide shoulders on this road. Wildflowers are close by, however.

The canal bridge over Hindsburg Road was built in 1911 but has been closed in recent years. I was surprised to see how much vegetation has spread and encroached on the bridge.

New York State doesn’t want anyone exploring by the old bridge.

Clay Crushers are on target at state meet

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Orleans County Clay Crushers are pictured after members won many medals in last Sunday’s State Trap and Skeet Championships.

Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers

Thirty-six members of the Orleans County Clay Crushers youth shooting team participated in the State Trap and Skeet Championships held at the DeWitt Fish and Game Club in Jamesville on Sunday. The event is part of the New York State Scholastic Clay Target Program.

In the Trap shooting competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division the OCCC squad of Alex Rustay (Albion), Ryan Krenning (Albion), Austin Aman (Albion), Jacob Long (Elba) and Tyler Goslau (Albion) earned first place honors.

The OCCC squad of Shane Hastings (Albion), Max Hapeman (Albion) Cole London (Albion) and Madison Bale (Medina) shot their way to a third place finish. Individually, Jacob Long broke 92 out of 100 targets to place first in the division. Alex Rustay broke 74 out of 100 targets to take third.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion), James Hapeman (Albion), Jacob Delamarter (Albion) and Andrea Muoio (Albion) came in first place.

The OCCC squad of Victor Benjosky (Albion), Bryan Bale (Medina), Zachary Monagan (Albion), Ryan Mileham (Wyoming, NY) and Jacob Kuhmann (Medina) placed second.

Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place, Ryan Mileham broke 83 out of 100 for second place and Andrea Muoio also broke 83 out of 100 targets and earned a third place finish.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Anthony Tomasetti (Holley), Bryce Wickham (Medina), Brett Nichols (Wyoming, NY), MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) and Jacob Bensley (Medina) shot their way to first place. Individually, Anthony Tomasetti broke 90 out of 100 targets to capture first place. Bryce Wickham broke 85 out of 100 targets to earn a third place finish.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Brandon Baker (Brockport), Zach Brazzell (Medina), Jared Atwell (Albion), Jenna Coyne (Pittsford) and Jack Burgoon (Albion) shot their way to a first place finish.

The OCCC squad of Josh Hylkema (Batavia), Dyer Benjovsky(Albion), Hayden London (Albion), Logan London (Albion) and Kerry Rice (Albion) placed third. Individually, Jared Atwell broke 95 out of 100 targets and earned second place.

In the Skeet competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division, the OCCC squad of Madison Bale (Medina) and Alex Rustay (Albion) earned second place honors. Individually, Madison Bale broke 52 out of 100 targets and placed second.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the OCCC squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion) and Jacob Delamarter (Albion) came in second place. Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place honors.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jacob Bensley (Medina), Anthony Tomasetti (Holley) and Bryan Bale (Medina) shot their way to first place.

The OCCC squad of Zach Monagan (Albion) and MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) came in second. Individually, Jacob Bensley broke 78 out of 100 targets to earn first place while Bryan Bale broke 72 out of 100 targets for second.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jared Atwell (Albion), Zach Brazzell (Medina) and Brandon Baker (Brockport) earned first place honors.

Individually, Jared Atwell broke 94 out of 100 targets for first place, Zach Brazzell broke 85 out of 100 targets for second place and Brandon Baker broke 83 out of 100 targets for third place.

The Orleans County Clay Crushers, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth safe and responsible firearms handling in a safe, fun and competitive manner. For more information, contact Chris Rice at 585-589-5025.

Zinkievich says good-bye as fire chief; Maak named officer in charge

Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Zinkievich

By Howard Balaban, Correspondent

MEDINA – During the latter stages of Monday night’s Medina Village Board meeting, outgoing Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich addressed the trustees in what was his final meeting as chief.

“This is very bittersweet for me,” he said. “I’ve learned some valuable life lessons in my time as chief.”

Adding that he also learned the same kind of lessons from his father – including “speak your mind” – Zinkievich took a few minutes to look back on his time as chief and his interactions with the village board during that time.

“I’ve been here a long time and seen a lot of different board members come and go,” he said, noting that some were quite obvious with their personal agendas. “I know for a fact that you all have the best interests of the village at heart, and it’s really an exciting time for the village.

“The residents here voted a couple months back to stay a village, and there’s an opportunity in front of you to prove why we should,” Zinkievich continued. “I also know there’s a lot of work ahead to make and keep us feasible as a village.”

Each member of the board praised Zinkievich’s work and expressed gratitude for his time with the Medina Fire Department.

Mayor Andrew Meier said Zinkievich should be “commended and lauded” for how well the department has run. Trustee Owen Toale, recalling his previous stint on the board almost a decade ago, told Zinkievich he remembered when the department took over ambulance services and how well the chief handled that operation.

“You’ve set a high standard,” Toale said.

Zinkievich led the Fire Department through a momentous time in its history, particularly when the department replaced Rural Metro in July 2007 as primary ambulance provider in western Orleans County.

The Department grew from six full-time firefighters to 13 now, plus two temporary full-time positions and about 20 call men. The call volume has jumped from about 300 a year a decade ago to 2,986 in 2014, the most ever in the Fire Department’s history.

Trustees Todd Bensley and Margueritte Sherman added their thank yous, and Mike Sidari slyly warned Zinkievich about his “plans for your last day at the station.”

As the lighthearted and heartfelt discussion came to a close, the board named Captain Mike Maak the officer in charge of the Medina Fire Department starting July 4.

Zinkievich’s last day is July 3, and he will be officially done with the department about two months later after using up vacation time.

Medina native is in town for book-signing

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Christopher Scharping writes Word War II novel based on Medina family

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Medina native Christopher Scharping is pictured with a copy of his latest book, “We Regret To Inform You,” a World War II-based novel that is based on a Medina family.

This is Scharping’s fourth novel and the latest self-published book is nearly 500 pages. It is based on a husband and wife who have one son, who enlists in the military as a pilot. The son and his crew would be listed as Missing in Action. They flew a B-17 bomber as part of an 8th Air Force mission over Czechoslovakia. The novel details the father’s efforts to find his son.

Scharping is retired from the Air Force. He worked 16 of his 21 years with the Air Force as a historian.

Scharping visits with a childhood friend, Wayne Litchfield, during the book-signing event at Bindings Bookstore in Albion this evening.

Scharping lives in Panama City, Fla. He hadn’t been home to Orleans County in about three years. He is in town for his niece’s graduation at Byron-Begren.

Scharping is working on a fifth book, this one about bootleggers at Point Breeze and Orleans County during Prohibition.

He said he is looking to move back to the area.

Holley Police warn of vehicle break-ins

Staff Reports Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Police Chief William Murphy is warning village residents of several vehicle break-ins and larcenies, specifically in the areas of East Avenue and North Main, Perry, Geddes, High and South Main streets.

The Holley Police Department is investigating several vehicle break-ins and vehicle larcenies that have occurred in the last two months, including 10 such cases with items stolen in the last four days. These break-ins are primarily taking place after midnight and before 6 a.m., Murphy said.

The department asks all residents to report any suspicious activity they see or hear by calling 911 so the police may investigate.

“We are also asking the residents to make sure they have their vehicles locked and their valuables taken out of their vehicles,” Murphy said.

This is an ongoing investigation, and if anyone has any information concerning the people involved, please call police by dialing 911, he said.

Medina trustees approve $1 million bid for sewer upgrades

Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

By Howard Balaban, Correspondent

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board on Monday awarded Blue Heron Construction with the winning bid for wastewater treatment plant improvements.

The bid of $1.07 million was the lowest of three proposals on the project, with all three being reviewed by Larsen Engineers. That firm has worked with Blue Heron in the past and Chelsea Bajek, an environmental engineer with Larson, said the company was comfortable recommending Blue Heron to the village. Blue Heron is based in Jordan, NY, near Syracuse.

Bajek also said Larsen Engineers suggested the village should approve an additional 10 percent of the bid as a contingency. However, the village has already bonded $1.02 million and is paying that back via a 30-year, zero-interest loan. The difference in costs could be made up by dipping into existing reserves, according to Pete Houseknecht, Public Works Superintendent, and could be approved as needed.

The work on the plant was estimated to be done by the end of next year.

Once completed, the upgrades will make Medina’s water plant more efficient and give it more capacity, which will help make it more attractive as a provider as the Genesee County STAMP project continues to move forward and the Medina Business Park seeks to add industry.

Cuomo and legislative leaders announce agreement on tax cap, other major priorities

Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie announced the framework of a three-way agreement on a number of priorities for the end of the 2015-16 legislative session.

The three-way agreement includes the following reforms and actions, among others:

Strengthening and Extending Rent Laws in New York City and Other Metropolitan Areas

The New York metropolitan region’s rent laws will be extended for four years, and will be made retroactive to June 15, 2015. Further, additional reforms will be made to strengthen these laws, including:

Increasing and indexing the high rent threshold to the applicable rent guidelines board (rent guidelines boards apply different rents to different geographic areas). This will make it more difficult for units to be removed from rent regulation because it will allow for the high rent watermark to float based on the rent guidelines board increases.

Vacancy decontrol limits will be increased, and be indexed to the Rent Guidelines Board.

Increasing civil harassment penalties. These provisions increase monetary penalties imposed on landlords who harass tenants by approximately $1,000.

Extends the Major Capital Improvement amortization period to reduce the overall increase to a tenant’s rent.

Limits the vacancy bonus provided to landlords on tenants who receive preferential rent as a way to stop the “drain” on these units.

Putting the successful tenant protection unit into statute to ensure the unit remains permanent in protecting tenants.

Extending the Property Tax Cap and Cutting Taxes for Homeowners

The agreement extends the property tax cap for an additional four years. Since its enactment in 2011, the real property tax cap has dramatically reduced the growth in local property taxes. As compared with the 10-year period prior to 2011, the real property tax cap has reduced the rate of growth in local taxes by nearly 60 percent.

As a result, the cap has saved the typical homeowner $800 since its enactment. This savings is expected to increase to $2,100 by 2017.

The agreement also includes $1.3 billion in property tax cuts for homeowners.

Extending and Reforming 421-a

The agreement extends and reforms the 421-a program for four years to provide more affordable housing to residents in New York City and a Memorandum of Understanding will be required between the industry and trades.

Investing in Education

The agreement also includes major advancements in education policy, as well as assistance for both public and private schools in New York State. These include:

Increased funding of $250 million to reimburse private schools for the costs of performing state-mandated services and the CAP program.

The Parental Empowerment Act which will require the disclosure of state exam questions and answers, the creation of a student content review committee by the State Education Department, and a review of growth model.

An amendment on the cap on charter schools in New York City. This will allow 50 unissued and expired charters to be made available for new schools from the State Education Department or from the State University of New York.

A one-year extension of mayoral control of the New York City school system, subject to annual review and approval.

Building on Progress

The Governor and legislative leaders also recently reached agreements on two other significant packages of legislation – the first ensuring that private colleges in the state establish a uniform and comprehensive set of policies to protect students from sexual violence, and the second giving the state the authority to crack down on bad actors in the nail salon industry, while also establishing a new licensing program to help workers acquire new skills.

Last week, the Governor and legislative leaders also reached an agreement on a bill to codify comprehensive reforms to overhaul the port authority of New York and New Jersey.

These reforms also build on the earlier accomplishments secured during the first half of the legislative session, including:

Landmark education reforms and a $1.3 billion increase in state education aid, bringing total state funding to $23.5 billion – the highest in New York’s history;

New ethics laws to deter, detect and punish breaches of the public trust, including the nation’s strongest disclosure requirements for outside income;

$5.4 billion investment in programs and initiatives to grow New York’s economy (such as the $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative, a $1.3 billion investment in the New York State Thruway, and $500 million to establish the New NY Broadband Program and ensure statewide high-speed broadband access by the end of 2018); and

An economic mobility agenda that includes investments in affordable housing, student loan relief, MWBE support, and homeless and hunger assistance programs.

Rochester man accused of selling cocaine in Orleans County

Staff Reports Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Roy Carter

A Rochester man is in Orleans County Jail without bail after being arrested on Monday and charged with eight counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.

Roy L. Carter, 39, of 474 Alexander St. is accused of selling crack cocaine in Orleans County, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.

Carter was arrested after a six-month investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from Rochester to Orleans County. The Task Force was assisted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Town of Ogden Police Department, Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and Rochester Police Department in executing a search warrant on a vehicle in Spencerport and a residence at 474 Alexander St., Rochester.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force

Police seized approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine and powder cocaine, a loaded defaced 9 mm semi-auto pistol, more than $1,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

Carter was committed to Orleans County Jail without bail, and is to appear in Orleans County Court at 2 p.m. today. He is currently on probation in Monroe County.

Further drug and weapon charges are pending in Monroe County, the Task Force reported.

Bridge is gone, and new-look Clarendon Street is almost done

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Keeler Construction of Barre is nearly done with the tear out of the Clarendon Street bridge in the Village of Albion. The photo above shows the site earlier today.

Here is how it looked on April 7 when Wargo Enterprises in Akron dismantled the concrete bridge. Wargo was hired as a subcontractor to rip apart the structure. Keeler Construction in Barre is the main contractor on the project.

Besides removing the 40-year-old bridge over the railroad tracks, the highway embankments have been lowered and the street is blocked off at a 90-degree angle at Crimson Drive (see photos from this afternoon). On the north side, the street is also blocked off with a turnaround spot near Childs Street.

Here is how the spot looked before the construction project started.

Keeler submitted the low bid of $442,640 for the project. That was below the engineer’s estimate of $700,000.

There is still some hydro-seeding to be done at the site, as well as trees to be planted. The road also will be painted with striping lines.

Much of the dirt from the 11-foot-high embankments was moved to the big sledding hill at Bullard Park.

Here is the north side of the street, which is also blocked off. The site will have trees and will soon be hydro-seeded.

Wargo Enterprises brought in the heavy equipment in April to take apart the bridge.

The federal government is paying 80 percent of the costs, with the state paying 15 percent and the village 5 percent.

The village was planning on replacing the bridge but the costs building a new bridge exceeded estimates by about $600,000. The state and federal shares weren’t approved for the additional cost, which would have left the village footing the entire bill for the increase.

The Village Board deemed that too expensive and chose a different, less costly option of tearing out the bridge and blocking off the street near the railroad tracks.

Village officials have said they will pursue an at-grade crossing at the site in the future.

Survey shows strong opposition in Somerset for wind project

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am

SOMERSET A survey of residents in the Town of Somerset shows strong opposition for the proposed wind project by Apex Clean Energy, including if the company downsized the turbines from about 600 feet in height to less than 495 feet.

Somerset town officials announced the survey results last week. The town mailed about 1,100 surveys and 644, or nearly 60 percent were returned. To see the survey results, click here.

Apex has proposed a project with 60 to 68 wind turbines in Somerset and Yates. The turbines would peak at about 570 feet in height to the top of the turbine blade when it’s straight up from the tower’s base.

The Somerset survey shows 61 percent “strongly oppose” the project while 17 percent “strongly support” it. Another 6 percent said they “moderately oppose” it while 12 percent “moderately support” the project.

Even if the turbines “were set back far and away from residences and lot lines of non-participating landowners,” 55 percent said they still “strongly oppose” the project, while 23 percent strongly support it.

If the turbines and the blades were reduced to less tan 495 feet in height, 56 percent in Somerset said they still strongly oppose the project, while 17 percent said they would strongly support it.

Apex said the project would bring significant revenue to reduce taxes in Somerset. Even with that revenue, 49 percent said they still strongly oppose the project while 27 percent said they would strongly support it with “a significant property tax decrease.”

If the project brought significant electricity costs savings to residents, 48 percent of respondents said they would still strongly oppose the project while 27 percent said they would strongly support it.

The survey results prompted Daniel Engert, Somerset town supervisor, to tell reporters he would actively oppose the turbine project in Somerset.

Somerset and Yates don’t have the final say on the project. That rests with a seven-member siting commission that will include two representatives from Somerset-Yates.

Besides the two local representatives on the Siting Committee, the seven-member group is to be chaired by the state Department of Public Service and will include the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.

Officials from the Town of Yates are considering a town-wide survey, said Town Supervisor John Belson. The town did a survey before in 2007. At that time most respondents had a “favorable” view of wind energy. That was before there was a proposal for turbines that are about 100 feet higher than most commercial wind turbines.

$75M for paving state roads includes section of 98 in Orleans

Staff Reports Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced resurfacing projects totaling $75 million will be completed this year on approximately 428 lane miles of state highways across New York. That includes Route 98 from Route 31A to Route 104 in Orleans County.

Funding for these projects was accelerated into this construction season in order to repair widespread damage from deep frost over the winter.

“It’s important to keep the state’s highways in top shape, and after another harsh winter, we’re expediting critical repair projects to ensure the roads are safer for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will speed up much-needed resurfacing and rebuilding efforts, which is good for motorists across the state.”

These accelerated paving projects are in addition to more than $437 million in capital construction funds dedicated to paving an estimated 2,311 miles of state roads in the 2015-2016 State Fiscal Year.

Depending on the location, the New York State Department of Transportation’s resurfacing projects will include paving over sections of rough road, removing the worn top layer of pavement from all travel lanes and shoulders, repairing base concrete and/or asphalt and installing a new asphalt riding surface.

Wherever practical, pavement that is removed will be recycled and reused, either at the same location or in future construction. Traffic signal vehicle detectors will be replaced and new pavement markings will be installed as needed.

“By accelerating essential resurfacing projects into this construction year, we are able to mitigate some of the damage caused the severe freeze-thaw cycle that contributed to advanced road deterioration this winter,” said DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald.

Sheriff’s Association will send 12 kids from Orleans to camp

Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Sheriff Scott Hess

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess is pleased to announce that 12 children from Orleans County will attend the NYS Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Camp this year.

Located on Keuka Lake in Yates County, the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. The camp has been in operation since the mid-1970s and is supported by the NYSSA’s honorary members through their contributions and annual dues. This year, as in the past, the camp will accommodate hundreds of deserving kids from across New York State from June 28 through July 4.

Throughout their week-long stay, these children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriff’s Deputies and other law enforcement personnel from across the state. Included are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat- and bicycle-safety programs, law-enforcement equipment & technical demonstrations, pistol & archery competitions, and a talent show.

Upon completion of their stay, all campers will be awarded a certificate for their participation in a program of Good Citizenship & Law Enforcement Studies.

The following children are the 2015 Orleans County attendees:

From Albion: Maria Cruz, 12, Kaitlyn Ramirez, 12, Raul Cruz, 11, Vanessa Perez, 10, Alejandro Samsel, 10, Anayeli Cruz, 9, Charles Samsel, 9, and Raja Warren, 9.

From Kent: Brianna Sample, 10, and Aries Schuster, 10.

From Lyndonville: Tyler Sietmann, 12.

From Waterport: Elizabeth Inman, 11.

Kendall Lions Club honors members committed to community service

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Club celebrates 40th anniversary and names ‘Citizen of the Year’

Photos courtesy of Helen Unterborn

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club celebrated its 40th anniversary last Thursday and presented several awards to members of the club, as a well as the “Citizen of the Year.”

Kim Corcoran receives the Citizen of the Year award from Kendall Lion Tony Cammarata, who is also the town supervisor.

Corcoran is the leader of the Kendall lawn Chair Ladies. That group started in 2012 for the town’s bicentennial celebration. Corcoran and some of her friends decided to add some excitement to the local parade.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Kim Corcoran, second from left, is pictured with the Lawn Chair Ladies during their performance in Albion on June 13 during the Strawberry Festival Parade.

Corcoran and her friends formed the Lawn Chair Ladies and had a dance routine on the parade route during the 200th anniversary celebration for Kendall. The women, while wearing pink boas, choreographed a number with lawn chairs.

They were an immediate sensation and now perform at many community events during the year. The group has about 20 members who practice regularly.

Corcoran grew up in Kendall and was in the marching band. After a 35-year career in New York City in the advertising and publishing business, Corcoran moved back to her hometown in June 2011. Corcoran also is the town historian.

Tony Camarrata is presented the award for “Lion of the Year” by Debbie Ryan, a member of the Lions Club.

The club’s highest honor is a Melvin Jones Fellow, givien for years of community service. Ken DeRoller (left), last year’s recipient, presents the Melvin Jones Fellow to 30-year Lion Dan Peckham. Dan’s wife Peggy joined him in the presentation.

Lion President Randy Unterborn presents the Robert Uplinger award for outstanding service to Lions and the community to Lion John Becker as his wife Wendy looks on. Becker is a former Kendall town supervisor.

The Kendall Lions Club celebrated 40 years of service on Thursday. Lions and guests were invited to come dressed as they would have in 1975 the year of our charter. In honor of our 40 years of service and in recognition of charter president Ray Ernenwein, the Lions Club presented Lions Camp Badger with a check for $1,500. This donation at an opportune time for the camp as it has been damaged by flooding.

Terry Bliss, a Kendall Lions Club member and past district governor, presents a check for $1,500 for Camp Badger to Judith McNight, first vice president in the district.