By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 2 May 2015 at 12:00 am
MURRAY – This image taken in the late 1920s shows the interior of a classroom at the Murray District No. 6 School located on the corner of West Brockville and Fancher roads. Unlike other rural schoolhouses in the area, this building had four classrooms used to teach over 100 students enrolled in the district.
This particular school was constructed in 1911 and was likely built to accommodate the Italian families living in the area. Guy D’Amico served as the first teacher and instructed all eight grades in three of the classrooms. Mabel Brockway and Ella Clark were the last two teachers to serve the district.
The school was closed in 1947 and in 1955 the district allowed the Fancher Legion Post to use the building following a devastating fire that burned their former post building the previous year. When the Fancher Post disbanded in 1971, a heated debate over ownership ensued.
Per terms of the original use agreement, ownership would revert to District No. 6 should the Fancher Post cease to use the building. Instead, Jewell Buckman Post of Holley claimed ownership and razed the building in 1972, claiming the building was dilapidated and a safety hazard to the community.
Row 1 (near door): Kathryn Vendetta, Roger Valentine, Nello Seusoli and Laurence Passarell.
Row 2: Billy Bower, Henry Paduano, Edwin Bower, Camille Monacelli, Antonette Colucci, Fern Napoleon and Arthur Monacelli.
Row 3: Louis Monacelli, Lena Mele, Gordon Valentine, James Bell, Clara DePalma, Richard Vendetta and Myron Converse.
Row 4: Floyd Valentine, Seymour Clark, Ronald Hilfiker, Verna Presutti, Iola Valentine and Otta Nenni.
Three students – Norma DiLaura, Ettore D’Amico and Lorraine Monacelli – were absent from class the day this photograph was taken.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Shelby, long before it was officially the Town of Shelby, was once home to the only double palisaded fort in New York State.
The Neuter Indians built the fort with two walls in the 14th Century on Salt Works Road, south of Route 31 near Blair Road.
There is a historical marker by the property that was put up in 1932 by the NYS Department of Education. The sign says the fort was destroyed by the Iroquois Indians in 1650. This area is an ancient Indian archeological site.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
OCH and union are at odds in contract negotiations
MEDINA -Employees at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital will be doing a public demonstration today and Saturday in downtown Medina, trying to build community support for a new contract with pay increases.
Orleans Community Health’s leadership team has been meeting with the union since late November, often meeting twice a week to work out a new labor agreement.
There are 281 employees from OCH in 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Their contract expired on Dec. 31, 2014.
“At this time, the SEIU has continued to support contractual increases that would cost about $1.7 million over the current contract,” OCH officials said in a press release this morning.
Union leaders say OCH has had several recent positive developments, including the opening of an Urgent Care site in Albion, the sale of Orchard Manor and $500,000-plus in renovations to a 30-bed North Wing at the hospital.
The hospital recently was designated a “Critical Access Hospital,” which brings the prospect of higher reimbursement rates through Medicare. However, hospital leaders say the exact financial implications is unknown.
“The changes in healthcare reimbursement and shifts in patient volume continue to impact many area healthcare organizations like Orleans Community Health,” OCH said in a statement this morning. “The current contract includes pay practices such as daily overtime and shift differential (from 7.5% to 20% of the hourly pay rate). These pay practices can no longer be supported under the current healthcare environment. OCH did not propose any change in health insurance or pension for employees. Orleans Community Health must make sure we have affordable and quality healthcare available for our community.”
Hospital employees plan to be in downtown Medina today at the corner of Main Street and West Center Street from noon to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. They will be there on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
The slates are set for the May 19 elections for the Board of Education at five local school districts.In addition to voting on proposed school budgets and propositions, residents will elect volunteer members of the Board of Education.
Medina is the only district with a surplus of candidates for the Board of Education. The district has five candidates seeking three terms that are three years each.
Ann Bunch, Carol Heiligenthaler and Renee Paser-Paull all have terms up for election. Bunch and Paser-Paull are seeking re-election while Heiligenthaler, a former board president, has decided against another term.
Three other candidates – Danielle Class, Brian Koch and former board member Virginia Nicholson – will be on the ballot.
Albion, Kendall and Lyndonville all have as many candidates as they have positions on the ballot. Holley has three spots open, but only two candidates.
Here is the breakdown of candidates for the school districts:
ALBION – There are two five-year positions up for election in Albion. Marie Snyder is seeking re-election while John King is not. Chantelle Sacco is seeking the other position and is unopposed.
HOLLEY – In Holley, three positions are open that have three-year terms and two incumbents, Anne Winkley and Mark Porter, are seeking re-election. The other incumbent, Jack Welch, isn’t running again. No one submitted petitions to fill that position. That spot will be filled by the person with the most write-in votes.
KENDALL – Nadine Hanlon, the president of the Board of Education, is unopposed in seeking another five-year on the board.
LYNDONVILLE – The district has three positions open that are three-year terms. Incumbents Michelle Dillenbeck and Theodore Lewis, the current president, are both seeking re-election. Richard Mufford has decided against re-election. Kelly Cousins will be the other candidate on the ballot.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Mark Merithew is pictured inside Apple Blossom Florist at 530 Main St., Medina. He has owned the business for about two years and plans to close it at the end of this month.
MEDINA – After 26 years in corporate America, Mark Merithew was looking for a break and a change of pace. He also wanted to follow a dream of running his own business.
His sister, Betty Rogowski, knew an opportunity in Medina. Rogowski owns a bed and breakfast in the village. She also was doing payroll for Apple Blossom Florist.
She told her brother the flower shop was for sale. Merithew decided to buy it from the former owner, Lisa Trippensee, who agreed to stay on a floral designer.
Merithew had his first day of business on April 1, 2013. Now, more than two years later, he is planning to close the business the end of May. He is also willing to sell it. He said the business is profitable, but flowers haven’t been his forte.
He wants to return to his former life in consumer lending, with a focus on putting together financial packages for college students.
“If you’re going to own your own business you should really have a passion for it,” he said this afternoon. “I’m a creative guy but my talent isn’t with flowers.”
Rene Miller, a floral designer at Apple Blossom, works on an arrangement.
Merithew moved to Kent and enjoys his home by Lake Ontario. He wants to stay there after living in Rochester, Cincinnati and northern Virginia. He welcomes a return to work that he said better utilizes his skills. He said he is creative in seeing a spreadsheet and figuring out ways to make college affordable for students.
He appreciates the warm reception from the community the past two years.
“I was an outsider moving in from Virginia,” he said. “The community has been very welcoming.”
Merithew has three part-time employees, including two designers. His sister has also stayed on doing payroll.
Merithew also has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Medina Business Association and has helped with many community events.
He will ramp up for Mother’s Day and then said he is planning a “Time to say good-bye sale” until the end of May.
He also is looking for a home for “Blossom,” a cat that has been staying at the site.
“I’d like to say, ‘Thank you’ to Medina and the Orleans County community,” Merithew said. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business. It was on my to-do list.”
The location has been a flower shop for about 20 years. Before it was Apple Blossom, it was Floristry by Trudy.
Merithew said he enjoyed the many connections in the community throughout the day.
“It’s been a lot of fun coming in here and seeing the customers and the employees,” he said.
For more information on Apple Blossom, visit abfflowers.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, left, is pictured with Jeanne Crane on Thursday evening at dinner in Hochul’s honor at Tillman’s Village Inn.
GAINES – Kathy Hochul was a long-shot candidate in 2011 when she ran for Congress in a overwhelmingly Republican district. She pulled off the upset win versus Jane Corwin in that special election.
Hochul said Democrats in rural areas such as Orleans County were essential in that victory.
“Representing you was one of the highest honors of my life,” said Thursday during a dinner at Tillman’s Village Inn.
The Orleans County Democratic Party put on the dinner for Hochul. She was knocked out of Congress in November 2012 by Chris Collins. The district was redrawn through redistricting, stacking more Republicans in the 27th District.
Hochul, after working as vice president of governmental relations for M&T Bank Corp., was picked as lieutenant governor by Andrew Cuomo. That team was elected state-wide this past November. Hochul said she is thankful for the chance to return to public service.
Hochul addresses about 100 people at the dinner on Thursday, including Helen Zelazny, left, and Jesse Green, right.
Thursday was Hochul’s second time in Orleans County since the election. She also was in Albion on Feb. 18 to discuss the governor’s “Opportunity Agenda” and to meet with local officials, including the County Legislature.
“I know we have some challenges here,” Hochul told about 100 people at Thursday’s dinner.
She said the governor is devoting state resources to rural communities, particularly with $500 million in a broadband initiative to bring high-speed Internet throughout the state by 2018, including the rural pockets of New York.
“That will be a game changer for Orleans County,” Hochul said. “It is coming. It will be ready in New York as we compete with other states.”
The governor also wants to work with local governments to improve roads and bridges, and continue support for the state’s agricultural industry, Hochul said.
Hochul has also been busy around the state pushing a policy to combat sexual assaults on college campuses. She and Gov. Cuomo also have been advocating for equal pay for equal work, an effort to boost the pay for women who do the same jobs as men.
Local Democrats turned out for the dinner with Kathy Hochul.
Orleans County is solid Republican territory, with Republicans holding a 2 to 1 advantage in enrollment over Democrats.
In the governor’s election, Orleans County voters gave Rob Astorino the strongest support for governor of any county in the state except for one. The 73.4 percent support for Astorino among Orleans County voters was only topped by Wyoming County, which gave him 76.0 percent of the vote for governor.
Jeanne Crane, the Orleans County Democratic Party chairwoman, admitted it is difficult for a Democrat to win in Orleans County. Hochul has proven a Democrat can enjoy success in the rural county.
“It’s important that we as Democrats have to reach out to all of Orleans County, including the Republicans and Conservatives, because we need everyone if we are going to win,” Crane said.
Hochul is a “personable person” with a work ethic, Crane said.
Hochul said she enjoys being away from the state capital and connecting with people outside of Albany.
The lieutenant governor’s presence in Orleans, and other rural counties, shows Democratic Party leaders care about those communities, Crane said.
“We don’t have the finances or the big number of voters, but they are showing that someone does care,” Crane said. “Usually people don’t come out to see the rural counties.”
Hochul said she enjoys meeting with people. When she was campaigning, it was often at diners and community events.
“I know what is in their hearts and minds because they told me,” she said.
Hochul said she intends to be an advocate for Orleans and she won’t be a stranger.
“I will always treasure our friendships,” Hochul told the group of Democrats.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Employees at Orleans Community Health were out in downtown Medina trying to get public support for a new contract. These employees are pictured in front of the Bent’s Opera House.
MEDINA – Workers at Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health say their pay would barely budge over the next three years, according to the contract proposal from Medina Memorial.
The 281 employees in the union were out doing public demonstrations in downtown Medina today, and will be back from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, trying to build public support for a new contract.
Orleans Community Health is offering a three-year deal that would keep employees’ pay at no increase the first year, followed by a 0.25 percent pay hike and then another 0.5 percent in the third year, said Gerard Wojcinski, a respiratory therapist at the hospital and a union delegate.
He said Medina employees are already the lowest paid healthcare workers in Western New York hospitals represented by the union, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
Workers at Medina Memorial/OCH are pushing for raises at 5.75 percent in the first year, followed by 4 percent in both the second and third years.
“It would help increase our pay compared to other hospitals in the area,” Wojcinski said at Medina Rotary Park today.
There were about 25 OCH employees at the demonstration this afternoon. Wojcinski said many of the passing cars gave the demonstrators supportive honks.
In addition to the small pay increases, Medina Memorial/OCH leaders want to cut shift differential pay for nurses on the night shift. That is currently a 20 percent difference over the nurse pay during the day.
Workers at Medina Memorial/Orleans Community Health are pictured at Rotary Park. The group includes, from left: Donna Keavney, Debbie Stocker, Noel Kepner, Stephanie Atwell, Gerard Wojcinski, Terra Blount, and Maria Higgs with her children Lincoln and Wyatt Higgs in stroller.
Wojcinski also said a training and education fund would be eliminated, and workers wouldn’t be able to carry over as much unused time. With the most recent contract they could carry over 150 hours a year, but the hospital is proposing to reduce that to 37.5 hours maximum. Anything beyond 150 hours was previosuly paid at the employees’ regular hourly pay. That would be cut by 75 percent after 150 hours of unused carryover time, Wojcinski said.
Employees would also lose pay step increases, weekend differential pay, daily overtime pay, and a drop in Christmas and New Year’s holiday pay, the union said.
The employee contract expired on Dec. 31, 2014.
The pay raises and benefit requests by the union would cost the Orleans Community Health an additional $1.7 million a year, OCH leaders said in a statement today.
“The changes in healthcare reimbursement and shifts in patient volume continue to impact many area healthcare organizations like Orleans Community Health,” OCH said in a statement. “The current contract includes pay practices such as daily overtime and shift differential (from 7.5% to 20% of the hourly pay rate). These pay practices can no longer be supported under the current healthcare environment.”
OCH has proposed the same health insurance and pension programs for employees.
“Orleans Community Health must make sure we have affordable and quality healthcare available for our community,” according to the statement.
Wojcinski and the union say they worry about high staff turnover and low morale if the OCH proposal goes through.
The union said the hospital management and employees have weathered some tough years to keep Medina Memorial open. But the site has turned the corner now that it has higher federal reimbursement rates as a “critical access hospital” and an affiliation with the Catholic Health System, providing access to physicians.
“That’s why we don’t understand why hospital management is demanding that we take pay and benefit cuts in our contract negotiations,” according to a flyer given out by the union today.
MEDINA – After four months of negotiations and over 30 meetings, union contract talks remain deadlocked between employees and management at Orleans Community Health, according to the employees’ union, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
In spite of a variety of positive developments for OCH’s Medina Memorial Hospital, management is still proposing major cuts in pay for nearly 300 nurses, technicians, and other staff, the union said.
Hospital employees plan to bring their message to the public on Friday and Saturday in downtown Medina at the corner of Main Street and West Center Street. Employees will be out from noon to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The employees will be passing out a leaflet to local citizens and holding signs for passing cars.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Heritage Hero: William Menz
Photos by Tom Rivers – William Menz stands next to a monument that was dedicated in October 2008 to soldiers in Company F that trained at the Medina Armory. There are 550 names included on the monument for local soldiers who fought in wars on behalf of the United States. Menz is trying to raise funds for a bronze statue of a soldier to be on top of the monument.
MEDINA – In 1977, the National Guard left the Medina Armory, a site on Pearl Street in Medina that had been used to train soldiers since the building opened in 1901.
(Company F, which formed in 1891, trained at a different location prior to the Armory.)
Bill Menz was one of the soldiers to train in the Armory. That was for 18 months when he was in the National Guard in the 1950s. He served on active duty in Greenland. He attained the rank of a corporal E-4.
Courtesy of Bill Menz – Bill Menz is pictured with his wife Elizabeth in the mid-1950s. The couple, now married for 62 years, raised four children in Medina.
Menz loved the 90,000-square-foot Armory building, a striking location built of local Medina sandstone. Menz used to work in the plaster business and some of his work had him inside YMCAs.
When the Guard left the building, Menz was on the Armory Action Committee looking for a new use for the site. Menz pitched the plan to have a YMCA go in there. The organization has used the Armory since the early 1980s, and just spent about $600,000 in a capital improvement project.
Menz is grateful the Y has proven a good fit for the building.
“In 1977, the town was wondering what to do with the building,” Menz said. “Bringing in the Y was a no-brainer. Everything you did to train guys for war you could train them for peace.”
Courtesy Medina Sandstone Society – Company F prepares to leave Medina Oct. 24, 1940 for training at Fort McClellan and active duty in WWII.
While Menz is pleased the Y has put the building to good use, he started to worry about a decade ago that the community was forgetting the original purpose of the Armory and the many local men who trained there, who fought for the country – with many losing their lives in war.
In 2006, he launched a push for a monument in front of the building. The five-sided monument would take two years to get built, raising money, lining up in-kind donations, and researching the names of those who served in five wars.
Provided photo – Bill Menz, left, and John Fuller work on the monument’s construction. They cut and grinded the stone for the project, using a shop owned by John’s son Dave at Gulf Street and Ryan Road for most of the work.
Menz would serve as chairman of the effort, and teamed with his friend John Fuller to cut the stone for the monument. It lists the names of the 550 soldiers who fought in five wars – the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Mexican Border Incursion of 1916, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War period from 1947 to 1977.
The monument notes if soldiers were killed in action, missing in action, and if they received Purple Heart, Medal of Honor and other recognition.
“Over the past 37 years he has worked harder than most any other Medinan to preserve the history of our community in helping fight the nation’s wars,” Robert Waters, president of the Medina Sandstone Society, said in a letter nominating Menz for a “Heritage Hero.”
Menz and three others were presented with their Heritage Hero awards last Friday during a reception at GCC in Medina during the first day of the Civil War Encampment.
Photos by Tom Rivers – John Butts is among the names of local soldiers on the monument at the Armory. Butts was killed in Normany during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and the American Legion post in Medina is named in his memory.
Waters said Menz was tenacious in seeing the monument through to completion, including taking on the task of grinding and milling stone segments for the project.
“He was, in fact, like a bulldog and never once considered giving up his dream,” Waters said. “There seemed to be no end to the effort. The days were busy.”
When the monument was dedicated on Oct. 14, 2008, some of the widows and family members of World War II soldiers and other veterans in Company F attended and expressed their appreciation.
Bill Menz looks over some of the names of local soldiers listed on the monument outside the Medina Armory.
Menz said many community members contributed to the effort and continue to help in maintaining the grounds, especially a local garden club.
The community gave $18,000 in money towards the project, and others donated materials and labor to get the monument built. Menz estimates the combined value of all those donations at about $80,000.
The monument isn’t quite done.
Menz has wanted a bronze statue of a soldier, someone who looks between 18 and 21, to be on top of the monument.
He is leading the effort to solicit bids for the bronze statue. It will be 5 foot, 9 inches from head to toe.
“The life-sized statue will provide a meaningful depiction of those deployed men whose names are engraved on the monument plaques,” Menz said.
He thinks about the 120 men who left Medina in 1940, boarding a train down the street. They were gone for five years during World War II, with some not returning home alive.
He wants that sacrifice to be recognized by the community.
This depiction shows how a bronze statue of a soldier would look on top of the monument by the Medina Armory. The soldier would be holding a rifle, campaign hat, World War I-era backpack and mess kit.
Menz said the bronze statue can be a reality “for the price of a new pickup truck.”
The Company F Memorial Committee is working with the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council and Lincoln Post No. 1483 VFW on the project. For more information about the statue and monument, click here.
Any donations for the statue can be mailed to Company F Monument, P.O. Box 522, Medina NY, 14103.
Bill Menz said the statue of the soldier would be a perfect compliment to the monument by the Armory.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Village plans to eliminate 3 positions through attrition
MEDINA – On Monday the Village Board presented a budget to the public that called for an 11.7 percent increase in the tax rate. The public and board members agreed that was too high.
The board met Tuesday, Wednesday and this evening to continue working on the spending plan. The final budget was approved unanimously tonight that will raise the tax rate by 4.2 percent from $16.43 to $17.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The rate was at $18.36 before the board decided to make more cuts and put some equipment purchases in a bond.
The board expects a new ambulance for $143,000 and a new police car for $26,000 will be purchased in the next budget year that starts June 1. The village will likely borrow funds for those vehicles rather than pay for the full costs in the 2015-16 budget.
Mayor Andrew Meier said if additional revenue streams come through, the village may be able to pay for the ambulance and police car without borrowing. That would save the village interest costs. He also doesn’t want to see Medina get in the habit of borrowing for ambulances and police vehicles.
But he doesn’t want to see the tax rate continue the upward trajectory.
“Borrowing the money doesn’t solve our problems,” Meier said. “It kicks the can down the road.”
The budget also includes three eliminated positions through attrition, positions that haven’t been identified. The board wants to discuss the issue first with employees and department heads.
The overall $5,037,089 budget increases spending by 1.6 percent or $79,575. The village will take in $2,848,608 in taxes, a 4.1 percent increase or an additional $111,006 from 2014-15.
Meier said Medina is challenged with a shrinking tax base and stagnant revenues outside of property taxes.
The board worked diligently all month to bring the tax increase down to about 4 percent.
“It’s still bad,” Meier said about the increase. “None of us should feel good about a 4 percent tax increase. We should be going in the other direction.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
A tractor driver is pictured this afternoon with a planter at Roberts Farm in Shelby at the corner of Salt Works Road and Maple Ridge Road.
After a miserable last week, with so much rain and cold and wind, local farmers have been out in force the past few days with sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. Farmers have been plowing fields and planting seeds.
This photo shows a farmer with tillage equipment, getting a field ready for planting on West County House Road in Albion by Hu-Lane Farm.
Photos courtesy of Shana Smith
HULBERTON – The Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company hosted an open house this past Saturday and Sunday, part of the fifth annual Recruit NY effort to attract more members to fire departments.
The fire company based in Hulberton did live car fire demonstrations and vehicle extrication demonstrations.
There was also a bounce house both days and a Future Firefighters of Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company station for the kids with many activities for all ages.
The EMS team gave free glucose testing, blood pressure checks and gave out free First Aid kits.
The event resulted in eight new social members and three new active members, with several people saying they were interested in applying in the near future, said Gary Sicurella, FHM president.
Mercy Flight flew in on Sunday and gave the public a chance to see the helicopter up close.
Firefighters from Fancher-Hulberton-Murray are pictured with the crew from Mercy Flight.
As a gun owner, I believe in our Second Amendment right to bear arms. As your Congressman, I swore an oath to protect that right.
Whether it has been the implementation of the SAFE Act in New York or the Obama Administration’s attempts to ban ammunition used in the popular AR-15, recent headlines have been dominated by government led infringements on our right to bear arms.
In response to these overreaching government actions, I have focused on maintaining and protecting Western New Yorkers’ Second Amendment rights.
I am a firm believer in responsible gun ownership. My father taught me how to safely handle a firearm, and I was fortunate to teach my son the same. However, I cannot stand behind initiatives that hurt law-abiding gun owners, while failing to achieve the intended goal of reducing gun-related crimes.
In February, I helped reintroduce the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2015. This legislation, endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), ensures that valid concealed carry permits issued in one state are valid for carrying concealed handguns in any other state that recognizes its residents’ right to carry a concealed firearm.
Responsible gun owners who are certified to carry concealed firearms should not have their right to protect themselves stripped away when they travel across state lines.
In March, numerous news sources reported that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) was attempting to ban the sale of M855 and SS109 ammunition. This strategy was adopted by the Obama Administration with the intention of eliminating the popular AR-15 rifle by banning its most commonly used ammunition.
To stop this overreach, I sent a letter to the ATF demanding they remove this request immediately.
Due to the public pressure generated by the American people and my colleagues in Congress, the ATF withdrew their proposed rule. This was a huge win for personal liberties and the protection of our Second Amendment rights.
Recently, I reintroduced the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act. This bill, also endorsed by the NRA, amends the federal definition of protected “household goods” to ensure that firearms cannot be confiscated by creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding.
Families and individuals across the nation are doing their best to make ends meet. But bankruptcy filings continue to prevail in the United States. Currently, only 13 states provide protection for our nation’s gun owners by having some form of explicit exemption for firearms. This means 37 states in our nation force gun owners facing bankruptcy to cede protection provided to them under the U.S. Constitution. This legislation will ensure citizens’ Second Amendment rights remain intact, despite any financial troubles they encounter.
While activist legislators in Washington and Albany seek to curtail our rights, I have remained a staunch advocate for Western New Yorkers’ constitutional freedoms. I will continue to support legislation that protects legal gun owners by establishing common-sense reforms and protections.
We have the power to combat President Obama’s anti-gun agenda.
Congressman Chris Collins
Representative for the 27th District in New York
HOLLEY – The Orleans County Youth Board will honor 20 youths for their community service and three adults for their work on behalf of children in Orleans County.
The Youth Board will sponsor its 33rd annual Youth Recognition Dinner on May 14 at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club.
The following young people will be recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Kevin Alvarado-Rosario, Tania Arellano, Samantha Barniak, Cameron Bennage, Trevor Bentley, Adryan Cheeseboro, Jordan Deskins, Claudia Drechsel, Zachary Farruggia, Marisa Hanlon, Aracely Hernandez, Rachael Kiefer, Taylor Kingsbury, Abigail Maines, Kellie Moore, Keighlin O’Connor, Morgan Seielstad, Lucas Silvis, Jonathon Thomas and Emma Wilson.
In addition to the youth awards, Dr. Clark J. Godshall is receiving the Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award for his service as the Superintendent of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
Jeannine Larkin is receiving the Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award for her position at the Orleans County Department of Social Services for going above and beyond her job requirements.
Kathie Valley is receiving the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Award for all the work she continues to do in her community even in her retirement.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. The program and dinner will commence at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact the Orleans County Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960 no later than Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The historic Erie Canal has been filling up with water in recent days. The still water created a mirroring effect this evening at dusk.
The top two photos were all taken in the backyard of Community Action on State Street, looking west towards the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.
The NYS Canal Corporation has scheduled the start of the navigation season on the canal for 7 a.m. on May 8.
The canal opened in 1825 and this year will be the 191st season.
This photo shows the Butts Road canal bridge reflected in the water.
