By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This plaque was given to the Village of Albion on its 150th anniversary in 1978 by Macy’s in honor of Charlie Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School. He also was the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from 1948 to 1965.
This plaque was unearthed in the former Swan Library. Volunteers and library staff have been working to clear out the building since last month.
The library is renting a storage unit on East Avenue for some of the itemsremoved from the former library. Some things have been moved to the Hoag Library, and others may be made available to the Cobblestone Museum, Orleans County Genealogical Society and Orleans County Historian’s Office, said Kevin Doherty, the library board president.
In addition to the plaque from Macy’s, Doherty said staff and volunteers discovered posters from World War I, a banner with insignias from the volunteer fire companies from about 1900, and “all kinds of stuff.”
The building should be emptied of keepsakes by Friday. The library is set to close on the building on March 23. Holley resident Chad Fabry is buying it for $53,000.
He would like to make the building available for professional offices. He intends to make the main meeting room in the library available as a community meeting space.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club is preparing for its annual St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion (corner of East State and Main streets).
In the top photo, Fred Nesbitt puts potatoes in a pot to boil.
Mary Anne Braunbach gets hams ready to be baked.
Ed Fancher puts hams with brown sugar and pineapple on top in the oven with help from Bruce Landis.
Dinners are available for take-out or dining in. Proceeds from the dinner go to the Rotary Interact Club at Albion High School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – If you were wondering what the bell tower looks like inside the tallest steeple in Orleans County, the top photo gives you a look.
You have to climb up the steps to get a closer view, and I wasn’t up for it today.
Bill Diehl, a member of the Albion Rotary Club and one of the caretakers of the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, gave Bruce Landis and me a tour of the bell tower this afternoon.
Bruce couldn’t resist tugging the rope and making the bell ring.
(File photo) The church was built in 1874 and at 175 feet high, it’s the tallest building in the county. It’s one of seven churches on the Courthouse Square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Diehl also gave us a quick tour of the basement. There are some old signs and furniture down there, and some tools for working on many projects to maintain the building.
Photo by Tom Rivers – A bale of hay is pictured last summer off Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that as a result of the Agricultural Land Assessment Cap, last year farmers across the state paid $11 million less in agricultural property taxes.
Signed into law by Cuomo in October 2013, the law ensures that any increase in the agricultural assessment will be no more than 2 percent per year for farmers. Coupled with the 2 percent property tax cap, New York farmers are now enjoying a more predictable property tax climate, Cuomo said.
This predictability allows for smart business decision-making that helps to increase productivity and profitability on farms across the state, he said.
“Protecting our farmers from drastic adjustments in agricultural assessment values is crucial to ensuring that New York’s booming agriculture industry continues to thrive,” Cuomo said. “This control on property tax growth is helping some of our hardest working individuals support themselves and their families. The agriculture industry is an important part of the State’s economy, and this program will continue to provide meaningful relief to help keep our farmers’ hard-earned income in their pockets.”
The base assessment value for agricultural lands nearly doubled over the seven years prior to Cuomo implementing the assessment relief, despite a 10 percent cap on annual assessment growth. The Department of Taxation and Finance projects the 2 percent cap will yield even greater benefit to New York farmers in 2015.
“Our state is home to thousands of world class agricultural producers and we have a lot to be proud of,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.
“In all my years as a farmer, I can honestly say that there has never been a better relationship between agriculture and state government than there is right now. This new law is living proof of this partnership.”
Between 2000 and 2011, property taxes nearly doubled in New York. As a result of the property tax cap introduced by the governor in 2011, New York’s property taxes have been held to an average growth rate of 2.2 percent during the past three years, nearly 60 percent less than the 5.3 percent rate of growth over the previous 10 years.
“The cap on agricultural land assessment was a top priority for our members who were seeing their tax bills skyrocket because of rising land values,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president. “In turn, the money they have saved can be reinvested into our farms to help grow our rural economies upstate and on Long Island. We appreciate Governor Cuomo working with us to invest in New York agriculture and accomplish such significant savings.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Jack Hill, a junior FFA member in Medina, recites the FFA creed during the Farmer to Neighbor Night last March at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. The event returns this Saturday beginning at 6 p.m.
LYNDONVILLE – The farm and FFA community will gather on Saturday for Farmer to Neighbor Night, an annual tradition for 17 years at the tail end of winter with the planting season not too far away.
About 200 people usually attend the event at the White Birch Golf Course, with the program shining a light on the FFA programs in Albion and Medina. Those students recite the creed, deliver a prepared speech and help with a auction to raise money for the FFA programs.
“We like to focus on the youth,” said Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni. “The kids learn early on that agriculture is a big thing in Orleans County and how it interacts with the community.”
The most recent Agriculture Census from 2012 counted a $150 million impact in the farm economy for Orleans County, and that only was for the sale of milk, fruit, vegetables and other farm products. It didn’t include the ripple effect with equipment dealers, truckers, seed companies and other businesses that serve agriculture.
The FFA Alumni, Medina FFA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District and Chamber of Commerce all work together planning and promoting the dinner. There is still time to reserve a ticket by calling the Extension by Thursday at 798-4265.
Flansburg said the annual event comes at a time when farmers and community members are weary from the cold weather.
“It’s been a long hard winter,” he said. “We can’t wait for spring.”
MEDINA – The community is welcome to attend a disaster preparedness program on March 19, a training overview that will help citizens and local officials be ready in case of emergencies or disasters.
The Medina Lions Club and American Red Cross are teaming to offer “Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes.” The class will be 7 p.m. on March 19 at Orchard Manor, 600 Bates Rd. No advanced registration is required to attend the program.
“There is always a need to be prepared and always things you can do to minimize a disaster,” said Jim Hancock, a member of the Lions Club.
The free training class is offered in partnership with New York State, which is at a high risk for man-made, technological and natural disasters, the Red Cross said.
The local community isn’t immune to disasters, from ice storms, breaches in the canal, flooding and other problems, Hancock said.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Corps training program provides residents with the knowledge and tools to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly, and recover to pre-disaster conditions as quickly as possible.
A trained Red Cross representative will lead a session for about an hour on the Citizen Preparedness Corps training program, which provides a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) announced today that he will sponsor a bill to provide tax credits against New York State Thruway tolls for farmers who travel the highway.
Assembly Bill 2414 provides a tax credit of 75 percent of the Thruway tolls assumed by farmers in order to allow them more profits when selling their products across the state. Hawley said this is a vital piece of legislation that will help sustain the farms in his Western New York district and allow them to sell crops statewide.
“Growing up on our family’s farm, I know firsthand the struggles our farmers face every year,” Hawley said. “Profits are not guaranteed and much of the business relies not only on the ability to produce a high yield of crops, but also the ability to transport those products across the state and sell them at a variety of outlets. Thruway tolls are continuing to rise, and large-box trucks and farm vehicles are not allowed on smaller highways. Because of this, farmers are losing a large amount of their profits in tolls. This bill would allow greater intrastate commerce while also financially supporting those who feed our state.”
The legislation is a bipartisan effort currently awaiting action in the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. Under the bill, to receive the tax credit, farm vehicles cannot exceed 26,000 pounds, must be controlled and operated by a farmer for the transport of agriculture products, farm supplies or farm machinery.
Provided photo – Hospice of Orleans accepted a $2,500 check on Saturday night from Monsanto. The following are pictured, from left: Jeff Cunningham, Monsanto’s Northeast business manager; Nyla Gaylord, Director of Development for Hospice; and Charles Mathes of the Mathes Farm in Holley.
MEDINA – For the second year in a row a local farmer has selected Hospice of Orleans to receive a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, a Monsanto Fund.
Mathes Farms in Holley picked Hospice to be the $2,500 recipient. The check was presented on Saturday during the Hospice Beat the Winter Blues event at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina.
“Hospice has helped a number of people in my family and I’m happy to help them,” said Charles Mathes as he and Jeff Cunningham presented the large ceremonial check.
Cunningham explained that the donation “is Monsanto’s way of supporting the local communities in which we sell seeds and other agricultural products to local farmers.”
Hospice of Orleans will use this gift to help fund costs associated with renovating a room at the main office for use by the bereavement group. Renovations will make the room look like a comfortable living room where there is ample space for group members to gather in an inviting atmosphere.
A sell-out crowd Beat the Winter Blues and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Zambistro Catering and improvisational jazz and blues by Doug Egling on winds and Mike Putman on guitars. A surprise guest, Kate Egling, sang some old blues tunes accompanied by Doug and Mike.
The group is known locally for their regular performances with jazz, blues, and jazz fusion bands at the Dinosaur Grill in Rochester and local events.
Kate Egling sings while joining Mike Putnam and Egling’s husband Doug during a performance Saturday at the winery on Ridge Road.
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, represented by Darrel Oakes and his sister Wendy Oakes Wilson, served as hosts of the event and provided a first glass of Blanc d’Orleans wine for free. Since 2013, for every bottle of their white wine, Blanc d’Orleans sold, $1 goes to Hospice of Orleans.
According to Mary Anne Fischer, Hospice executive director, this first-time event was a sell-out and a huge success.
“We hope to hold a similar event next year,” Fischer said. “We are very grateful for the support of the community, for our entertainers, donors, caterers, and the Oakes family for their long-term support of Hospice of Orleans with their signature wine Blanc d’ Orleans.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The snowbanks are tall along Dresser Road in this photo taken on Monday in the Town of Ridgeway.
The National Weather Service is warning of patchy areas of dense fog until 11 this morning. Moist air moving north from the Ohio Valley overnight, coupled with relatively cooler temperatures and an abundant snowpack, has resulted in fog and drizzle across Western New York, the Weather Service said.
Visibility could be reduced to less than a quarter-mile at times.
“Motorists are advised to exercise caution as visibilities may decrease rapidly with little warning,” the Weather Service said in a special weather statement issued at 5:11 a.m.
Press Release, GCC
BATAVIA – Two leaders in the field of education will be celebrated by their alma mater as Genesee Community College inducts the class of 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame.
The new honorees will be recognized at 4 p.m. on March 18 with the induction in room T119 of the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus. A reception follows in the Alumni Hallway on the second floor.
The following will be recognized:
Renee Garrett
Renee Cain Garrett graduated from GCC’s teacher education program in 1993. She went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from SUNY Geneseo and an administrative degree from the College at Brockport. She began her career in the Attica Central School District where she taught students with disabilities and first grade before becoming an elementary principal.
She served as superintendent of schools in Mount Morris and Wayne Central School Districts and in January 2015 became superintendent of the Forestville Central School District in Chautauqua County.
Renee grew up in Orleans County and credits her success to the teachers who inspired her at a young age.
“While I didn’t have many resources, my teachers served as great role models for me,” Renee told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, which selected her for a Women to Watch interview. “I had a few key teachers that said, ‘you are worth it, push yourself and you can get it.'”
As superintendent Renee sees herself as “a teacher, mentor, advisor and facilitator. Making sure you know and understand who you are serving is really essential in this role, as well as the ability to make tough decisions.”
She is known as an innovator and top-level communicator and is committed to the value of lifelong learning for students, staff and stakeholders. She has been active in community organizations, including Rotary and Kiwanis, and is a member of a number of professional organizations.
Renee lives in Forestville with her husband, Mike, and their rescue dog, Tess. They enjoy exploring the outdoors together. Renee also enjoys quilting and is very handy with all kinds of home improvement projects from drywall to plumbing to exquisite tiling.
Roger Klatt
Dr. Roger J. Klatt is superintendent of both the Barker and Royalton Hartland (Roy-Hart) Central School Districts in Niagara County. He led the Barker district for six years before taking on leadership of Roy-Hart in 2013 in a first of its kind arrangement for the Buffalo area that has thus far proven successful.
For his work in leading both districts as a shared superintendent, Klatt received the Educational Leader of the Year Award from Niagara University’s College of Education in October 2014.
A native of Albion and a 1978 graduate of Albion High School, Klatt spent 15 years in that district as a teacher and coach, earning Albion’s Educator of the Year award in 1995.
He has been with the Barker Central School District for 17 years and served as middle school principal, director of instructional services and assistant superintendent before being named superintendent. Under his leadership Barker ranked 17th among the 98 Western New York school districts and earned an Achievement Index ranking of 2 among 425 schools across the state.
He was nominated for the GCC’s Alumni Hall of Fame by Barker athletic director David Carson who noted that “I have known Dr. Klatt for 17 years and he often speaks of how instrumental Genesee Community College was in his career. Dr. Klatt serves as an outstanding example of the impact that the GCC experience can have on one’s career.”
While a student at GCC, Klatt played on the men’s basketball team and earned his associate degree in physical education in 1982. He continued his studies at the College at Brockport and the University at Buffalo where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Klatt resides in Barker with his wife of 24 years, Kristen. They have two daughters: Emily is a recent graduate of Purdue University’s pharmacology program and Madeline is a junior studying business management at SUNY Oswego.
The GCC Hall of Fame is located in the Conable Technology Building of the Batavia campus on the second floor corridor, and features photos of alumni who have distinguished themselves through business and personal achievement, as well as service to the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – The village has formed the Village of Holley Development Corporation to focus on putting distressed properties back on the tax rolls and as contributing assets for the community.
The local development corporation met on Monday and picked its officers with Holley dentist Dan Schiavone to serve as president, Holley veterinarian Krista Wiley as vice president, Mark Monacelli as treasurer and Jenna Amering as secretary.
In addition, Village Trustee Brian Sorochty and Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti will attend the local development corporation’s meetings and assist it with its goals.
The Village Board on Tuesday agreed to allow the Village Hall to be used for meeting space for the LDC.
The group will be focusing on getting eight houses back on the tax rolls that were feared contaminated by Diaz Chemical more than a decade ago. The Environmental Protection Agency owns the houses and has deemed them safe to live in.
The village would like the houses to be given to the LDC, which would then sell them and use proceeds from the sale to fund other redevelopment projects.
Village officials said on Tuesday that the EPA has offered to share 25 percent of the revenue from the housing sales with the village. Holley wants all 100 percent, not only to help fund other reclamation projects in Holley but to make up for years of the having the houses off the tax rolls.
“I would consider we’re miles apart,” said Village Attorney John Sansone.
Village Trustee Connie Nenni said the dollars from the houses “are small peanuts” to the EPA. She suggested the Town of Murray, Orleans County and Holley Central School join the effort in pressuring the EPA to release the houses so they can be sold.
“Everybody wants these back on the tax rolls,” she said. “It would benefit everyone.”
The village could also use the LDC to focus on houses in mortgage foreclosure. Often those houses can sit empty for three to five years. With the LDC, the village could push to have those houses reoccupied, perhaps in about a year.
The LDC could also be useful in redeveloping the former Holley High School, which has been vacant for about two decades, Sorochty said.
In other action Tuesday:
The board accepted the resignation of Timothy Moulton from the Police Department, effective Feb. 27.
Contributed Story Posted 10 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided Photo
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Academic Decathlon team won its 9th NYS Small School Championship on Feb. 28.
Pictured, in front row, from left: Trevor Thaine, Rebecca Schoolcraft, Rachael Kiefer and Danielle Allison. In back: Jeremy Foss (captain), Jessica Czechowicz, Amanda Blackburn, Leif Isaacson and Thomas Bummer.
Participants compete in ten academic areas and are awarded medals and team points based upon the scores that they earn.
Lyndonville’s medal winners:
Gold – Rachael Kiefer: Math and Literature; Jessica Czechowicz: Art; Jeremy Foss: History.
Bronze – Trevor Thaine: Literature; and Amanda Blackburn: Music.
The Lyndonville team, coached by Paula Reimann and Kristine Mostyn, advances to its final competition at the National US Academic Decathlon Tournament 2015 in Garden Grove, California, from April 16-18.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Several people were arraigned in Orleans County Court on drug charges on Monday.
Jerry Walls, 45, of Brockport faces the most charges and has been jailed on $200,000 bail. Walls was arraigned by Judge James Punch on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, eight counts of CPCS in the fifth degree, two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and five counts of CSCS in the fourth degree.
Walls, a resident of 71 West Ave., Apt. 45, was arrested in December with two others following a five-month investigation into the sale and distribution of prescription narcotics in the Village of Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported on Dec. 4.
Police seized hundreds of prescription morphine and Hydrocodone pills, which were obtained through Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Task Force worked with the Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.
Vickie Hughes, 49, of 71 West Ave., Apt. 45 in Brockport, was arrested with Walls in December. She also was arraigned on multiple drug charges on Monday and bail was set at $25,000.
John B. Lang Jr., 56, of Albion also was part of the trio arrested in the alleged drug activity. Lang, of 175 North Main St., Apt. 16, was previously arraigned in county court. He remains in jail.
In other arraignments on Monday:
A Brockport resident, Jesus M. Vargas, 35, was arraigned on several drug charges and jailed on $200,000 bail.
Vargas was arrested in December following a three-month-investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine and marijuana in Orleans County and the Village of Brockport, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported on Dec. 22.
Vargas was living at 18 North Main St., Apt. 111 – The Villager Apartments – when he was arrested. He was arraigned on four counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Three people in a car accident on Jan. 12 on Ridge Road in Gaines were arraigned on fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
In addition to that charge, Nathan L. Parsad, 24, of 5513 Gates Dr., Williamson, also was arraigned on driving while ability impaired by drugs.
Two passengers – Caitlin E. Jones, 29, of 3145 Hopkins Rd., Canandaigua; and Eric L. Shirley, 28, of 5253 Route 21 Canandaigua – also were arraigned in court.
Following the car accident, police found drugs in the vehicle, District Attorney Joe Cardone said on Monday.
The judge set bail at $5,000 each for all three.
All of the defendants arraigned on Monday pleaded not guilty to the charges.
New York residents in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off can now apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance Program, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced today.
The additional assistance is being made available in light of the prolonged cold weather and additional federal funding awarded to the state.
“This year’s severe winter has left many families struggling to pay their heating bills – but a second round of emergency assistance will help people stay warm and safe through the end of the season,” Gov. Cuomo said. “This extra funding will be a crucial form of support for families across the state, and I encourage anyone who may need help affording their heating bills to reach out to us today.”
Normally, eligible households can receive one regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for a single emergency HEAP benefit if they face an energy emergency situation. The state made an emergency round of funding available in January and now has added a second emergency benefit if residents find themselves in a crisis situation. Applications for regular and emergency HEAP benefits will be accepted through Friday, March 27.
Orleans County residents should call the Department of Social Services at 589-3182 to inquire about HEAP, with senior citizens (ages 60 and older) calling the Office for the Aging at 589-3191.
“Another harsh winter has wreaked havoc on household budgets and we’ve heard from our local partners that senior citizens and the elderly have been particularly hard hit,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Sharon Devine. “It’s important that households facing an emergency situation know that help is still available but they need to contact their local department of social services to apply.”
HEAP is 100-percent federally funded and New York State has received a total of $377 million in federal HEAP funding for the 2014-15 season, including a late-winter release of $33.3 million. Emergency benefit amounts vary depending on the emergency, up to a maximum of $575.
Eligibility varies based on income and household size. For the 2014-15 HEAP season, a household of four can earn up to $50,629 a year, or $4,219 a month, and still qualify for assistance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Town also approves resolutions for AIM funding, repeal of SAFE Act
File photo by Tom Rivers – A member of the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps from Dansville performs in the Albion Strawberry Festival in June 2013. About 10 marching bands usually perform in the festival parade.
ALBION – The Albion Town Board agreed to provide town funds for the first time to help put on the Strawberry Festival, a two-day bash that is the Albion community’s biggest celebration each year on the second Friday and Saturday in June.
The Town Board would like the funds to go towards the costs in bringing in the many marching bands for the event, and perhaps the cost of a fishing pond that may be part of this year’s event, Town Supervisor Matt Passarell said.
This year’s Strawberry Festival will include a fishing theme and organizers are working on some fishing-related activities.
The parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday during the festival is one of the big highlights of the two-day fest. The marching bands don’t perform for free. Altogether they cost about $5,000.
Some of the bands have increased their appearance fees, and other festival costs have also been rising. The contribution from the town will help the festival committee continue to offer an array of entertainment, the Town Board was told.
The Rotary Club is the sponsor of the festival, which costs about $18,000 to $22,000 to put on over two days. Karen Sawicz, a Rotarian, attended Monday’s Town Board meeting and made the pitch for funding.
Passarell said the money would come out of the town’s B Fund for outside-village residents. That way village residents aren’t paying twice towards the festival, Passarell said. The village provides manpower with the DPW, police and other staff for the event.
In other action, the Town Board approved two resolutions about state issues. The board stated its support for a fairer system for distributing Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM), a formula that currently directs 90 percent of a $715 million pot to upstate cities.
The Town Board also stated its support for repealing the SAFE Act, a gun control measure passed by the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January 2013.
