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Proposed concrete plant in Albion needs to provide more information

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board wants to support a concrete batch plant in Albion but planners said they need to see more information before casting a final vote.

David Hill of Gasport wants to put a small concrete plant at the southwest corner of West Countyhouse Road and Route 98 in Albion. Hill would have a storage hopper and gravity-fed discharge truck loading tower with an 85-foot antenna.

His site plan includes entrances on West Countyhouse Road and Route 98, as well as 12 parking spaces for employees and a 4,200-square-foot wood framed building.

Planners said they support the concept of the project, but they wanted to see a stormwater management plan before a final vote.

Dan Strong, the Albion code enforcement officer, said that issue could be resolved with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the project review shouldn’t be held up by planners. Hill said he didn’t want to spend $10,000 for an engineer to work on the plan if the Planning Board wouldn’t support the project.

Joe Sidonio of Murray and other planners said the board likes the overall concept and plan for the project. However, the board wouldn’t be doing its due diligence if it voted to support the project without the stormwater management plan, said Marty Busch, a board member from Medina.

The board voted that the application was incomplete because there wasn’t a stormwater management plan.

Hill owns a construction business that uses concrete. He expects his company will be the main user of the concrete. He intends to make the product available to other contractors and customers.

The proposed Transit Concrete would develop about 2 acres of a 14.7-acre site. Most of the property would keep the existing vegetation.

Hill estimated about 12 trucks would go back and forth to the site each day, which would be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. six days a week, except for Sunday.

Ron Vendetti of Holley, a Planning Board member, thought it would be better to eliminate the driveway for Route 98 and have trucks enter and leave a single driveway on West Countyhouse Road.

Strong didn’t see a problem with another entrance on Route 98, which Strong said already is a main truck route to and from Albion.

Holley wrestles with frozen water pipes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Village advises residents to keep trickle of water flowing until thaw

Photos by Tom Rivers – Matt Campbell, superintendent of Holley’s water and electric departments, operates an excavator to dig down to a frozen water line on East Albion Street this afternoon.

HOLLEY – It started last Tuesday amidst a punishingly cold February: water lines became clogged with ice.

About 15 Holley residents have since called the Village Office to report no water was coming out of their faucets.

Village water crews have been busy for the past 10 days, sometimes working late into the night to thaw out frozen pipes.

“People can’t be without water,” said Don Wharram, a technician with the electric and water departments.

The village is advising residents to maintain a trickle of water at all times until the deep freeze is over and the spring thaw arrives. Matt Campbell, Water and Electric superintendent, said the steady stream of water can help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Don Wharram, a Holley electric and water technician, attaches a chain to a sign post that would have to be removed to heat up a frozen water line about 4 feet below ground.

That steady trickle may save the water department from digging 4 feet down into the frozen ground. Workers have to dig into a hard ground, and then pump boiling water into the service line to get a water flow back into the line.

The village is responsible for the service lines which are under the street and sidewalk. Some residents have also had their water lines freeze because of unheated basements. If those cases, residents have to hire a plumber or solve the problem themselves.

The Holley crews have responded to about 15 frozen lines so far, working at times in sub 0 temperatures.

Dryer fire spews smoke in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A dryer fire filled an apartment house with smoke tonight at 120 West State St. Firefighters put out the fire, which didn’t cause much damage to the house owned by Chris Kinter.

Firefighters from Albion and Barre were called to the scene at about 9:30 p.m., and encoutnered lots of smoke coming from the building. They also removed clothes that were on fire from the dryer.

Barre firefighter Nic Elliott sets up a fan to air out the house. Temperatures are only in the single digits.

Albion firefighter Charlie Monacelli shovels snow away from the vents in the house.

Planners approve car repair/sales businesses

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Board backs zoning change for former NYSEG in Albion

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday backed two car sales and repair businesses, with one in Shelby and the other in Albion.

Shawn Cobb wants to relocate his business by Frank’s Auto on Route 31 across the street on vacant land currently owned by Griffith Energy, just west of the Environmental Construction Group.

Cobb wants to establish a 50-space lot for selling used cars and also build a 30-by-40-foot wood framed building as an office and for vehicle repairs.

Planners said the new setup will ease some of the congestion in Cobb’s existing location.

The Planning Board on Thursday also recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan and a special use permit for Lance Hudomint to operate a motor vehicle repair shop at 10666 Maple Ridge Rd., the former location for Medina Car Sales.

“I’ve wanted to open my own repair shop,” Hudomint told county planners. “It’s been a dream.”

Hudomint will fix vehicles out of a 32-by-60-foot building. The location will also be used by Jim Paxon of Rochester to sell used cars. Paxon said he would have a maximum of 18 cars for sale at the site.

Photo by Tom Rivers – The former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. had its zoning changed from commercial to residential after the building sat empty for more than a year. The new owner wants the zoning to be changed to allow for business uses.

The Planning Board also recommended the Village of Albion change the zoning for the former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. The site was long used for commercial and business purposes, but after it sat empty for more than a year the site’s zoned was changed to residential to reflect the neighborhood.

The 4,215-square-foot stone building has several truck bays. It would be an ideal site for businesses that do auto repair, construction, HVAC, roofing/siding, distribution, storage, landscaping as well as other uses, building owner Charles Maloy told the Albion Village Board in December.

The village favors the zoning change, including for two neighboring vacant parcels.

“There’s no way this will ever be residential,” Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti told the County Planning Board.

The property abuts an existing General Commercial district that runs along West Avenue. The former NYSEG and two vacant spots would be the first General Commercial sites with frontage along Washington Street.

Planning officials noted that there has been little residential development on the street after a few starter homes were constructed several years ago. The Albion Correctional Facility is down the street to the west.

Orleans EDA looks to build on strong 2014

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Companies invested $30M-plus, added 108 jobs

File photos by Tom Rivers – A 48,000-square-foot addition takes shape at Brunner International in this photo from September.

ALBION – Last year was a big year for the Orleans Economic Development Agency with three companies collectively investing $32 million in expansion projects and committing to 108 new jobs.

This year looks even more promising, said Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA chief executive officer. Whipple told county legislators this week that the job creation numbers could top 2014’s “by six or seven times.”

He expects state officials to soon make announcements about two big job creation efforts in the county.

He outlined the highlights from 2014 with legislators on Wednesday. Those EDA projects include a $14.5 million expansion at Brunner International in Medina. Brunner produces components for heavy-duty trucks and trailers. It constructed a 48,000-square-foot addition with new equipment.

Brunner is keeping 363 existing jobs in the community and adding 33 more as part of the expansion at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31.

Intergrow Greenhouses built 7.5 acres more of greenhouses in a $14.5 million company investment that added 15 jobs.

The company has grown to 55.5 acres of greenhouses since its first 15-acre greenhouse in the Town of Gaines in 2003. Intergrow now has 100 employees at the site.

Claims Recovery Financial Services in Albion also increased its workforce by 60 people last year as part of a continued expansion at the former Chase building on East Avenue. CRFS now has about 600 workers at the Albion location.

Intergrow Greenhouses started another big expansion last year at 2428 Oak Orchard Rd. in Gaines.

It spent $2,660,000 as part of the expansion in 2014, according to the Orleans EDA.

Several projects are expected in 2015, Whipple said, including a new hotel in Medina at a $4 million company investment that will add four new jobs.

Helena Chemical also is expected to invest about $2 million in a new complex in Ridgeway, moving from a site in the Village of Albion.

Whipple didn’t detail two large projects that could be announced very soon. He said Precision Packaging Products in Holley also is working on a vertical integration project, while Snappy/Acme is looking at a project in Medina.

In addition, Apex Clean Energy would like to build 60 to 68 wind turbines Yates and Somerset, structures that could tower nearly 600 feet in the two rural lakeshore towns.

The Orleans EDA has stepped up its marketing efforts by hiring Mindful Media Group to develop a new website, push social media and also send news releases to American and Canadian markets.

The economic development agency also secured a $34,000 document storage grant to scan in documents from the past four decades. The EDA also is seeking a $200,000 EPA brownfield assessments grant to identify sites in the county that may be contaminated and need remediation.

NY makes $8M available to combat heroin, prescription drug abuse among young adults

Posted 27 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the state has been awarded $8.1 million in federal funds to help prevent heroin use, prescription drug abuse, and opioid overdose among adolescents and young adults across New York, while also increasing awareness about the dangers of these drugs.

“This funding will help in our battle against heroin and prescription drug abuse, an epidemic that disproportionately affects teens and young adults, and has resulted in far too much needless tragedy,” Cuomo said. “Drug abuse has devastating consequences for families across New York, and these grants are another way our administration is working to help communities fight this heads on, and ultimately save lives.”

The five-year, $8.1 million Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnership for Success funding was awarded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The funds will be awarded in up to 10 local community coalitions located in high need communities across New York State. These funds will be used to implement environmental prevention strategies targeting heroin and prescription drug abuse and overdose prevention in the 12- to 25-year-old age group.

This new grant funding will support community coalitions in meeting the following goals:

Reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse in the 12- to 25-year-old population;

Reduce heroin use and heroin/prescription opioid overdose deaths among the 12- to 25-year-old population;

Increase public awareness through statewide and community media campaigns directed at parents and community members about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse and the strategies to prevent heroin/prescription opioid overdose deaths;

Increase the number of anti-overdose medication Narcan/naloxone trainings offered to parents, family members, and anyone living with a heroin/prescription opioid addict.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) will administer the grant. The funding will run through Sept. 30, 2019. Applications for community coalitions to apply for this funding are available by clicking here.

Heroin addiction and prescription opioid abuse are persistent national problems that reach deep into communities across New York and heavily affect young adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 15,000 people die every year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers nationwide. In 2014, there were more than 118,000 admissions into New York State-certified treatment programs for heroin and prescription opioid abuse – a 17.8 percent increase over 2009. The largest increase in opioid admissions during that time was patients ages 18 to 34.

Governor Cuomo has made this issue a priority and implemented aggressive measures to help New Yorkers address heroin addiction and prescription opioid abuse. The Governor launched the #CombatHeroin campaign in September 2014 to inform and educate New Yorkers about the risks of heroin and prescription opioid use, the warning signs of addiction, and the resources available to help.

Additionally, the Governor launched the expanded first responder training program that in part requires every SUNY and CUNY police officer to be trained to respond to an opioid overdose by using naloxone. More than 41,000 New Yorkers are now trained – including nearly 4,000 law enforcement officers – and more than 1,200 lives have been saved.

“Heroin and prescription drugs are ravaging communities throughout New York and this federal funding will make a real difference in helping us address the epidemic,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “We must do everything in our power to prevent young people from falling victim to these horrible drugs, and I will continue to do everything I can to fight for funding that we need to address both the supply of these drugs and enhance treatment options that limit demand.”

450 Santas coming to Albion in April for conference

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of the Santa Claus Oath Foundation – Charlie Howard portrays Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He served in the role from 1948 to 1965.

ALBION – The community that was home to the first school for Santa Claus will again see a big crowd of of red suit-wearing jolly old elves.

Albion will be hosting a Santa Claus conference in April, and about 450 Santas are expected from April 16-18, Carol Culhane advised the Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday.

Culhane, the Gaines town supervisor, has helped set up the event with Phil Wenz, a Santa historian who has portrayed Santa in Illinois and the Midwest for about three decades.

Wenz wanted to bring the conference to Charlie Howard’s hometown. Howard established the first Santa Claus School in 1937. He ran it on Phipps Road until his death in 1966.

The school has since been moved to Midland, Mich., but it still bears the name of Charlie Howard, who remains a revered figure in the Santa world.

The Santas will use the Albion Middle School auditorium and gym for most of their events and conference, Culhane said.

Many of them will also be part of Peace Garden dedication at April 19 at Fairhaven Treasures at the corner of routes 98 and 104 in Gaines.

County Legislature Chairman David Callard praised Culhane for helping to organize the event.

“Things of this nature draw people to Orleans County,” Callard said.

Besides starting the Santa Claus School, Howard portrayed Santa during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City from 1948 until 1965.

Cat found with frozen paws finds a new home

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – This cat was found Feb. 6 in Holley by garbage workers with its paws frozen to the ground. After a rebound in health, the cat was adopted out to a family in Pittsford.

HOLLEY – A cat that was found between two garbage cans with its paws frozen to the ground has recovered from its injuries and been adopted to a home in Pittsford.

The white, underweight cat was found on Gulf Road by sanitation workers on a brutally cold Feb. 6. The skin had peeled from its paws and the cat appeared to have frostbite.

A Holley resident brought the cat to Wiley’s Animal Ark in Holley. Dr. Krista Wiley, owner of Wiley’s Animal Ark, said the cat nicknamed “Snowflake” still has tender feet, but the bruising has healed. The cat’s ears also turned back to a healthy pink color after about nine days of care.

Wiley and her staff also spayed and wormed the cat, “and fed her lots of calories to try to get her body condition improved.”

Collins says FCC saddling Internet with ‘Big Government’ regulations

Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Press release, Congressman Chris Collins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) today issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission voted to reclassify the Internet as a Title II utility.

“FCC actions to reclassify the Internet under Title II pose a direct threat to Internet freedom,” said Congressman Collins. “Today’s vote threatens the innovative culture that makes the Internet one of the world’s greatest technologies. I am disturbed by the lack of transparency involved in this decision process, and am afraid it is a foreshadowing of the big government overregulation that will stem from Title II classification. These actions will add further uncertainty to the net neutrality debate chilling vital private sector investment.

“Here in Congress, under Chairmen Thune and Walden, we have proposed draft legislation that would achieve the goal of protecting Internet consumers through the bright-line rules that net neutrality proponents are calling for in a way that limits burdensome regulations from crushing innovation. This fight is far from over and I will be steadfast in my commitment to keeping the Internet free from debilitating government intervention.”

Another day of extreme cold

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

The Civil War cannon and some of the headstones for Civil War soldiers are largely covered in snow at the Civil War section of Mount Albion Cemetery.

Today will be another bitterly cold day, with temperatures forecast for a high of 12 and a low of 3 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold alert with the wind chill to fall to minus 8 degrees.

Friday will be even colder with a high of 11 and a low of minus 1 in the forecast.

The weather gets better on the weekend with a high of 20 on Saturday and a high of 29 on Sunday. On Monday, it is forecast to hit 30.

Some foot prints show up in the snow at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Public Works Association honors work at Waterport bridge

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
David Callard (center), chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 17, 2014, when the bridge on Route 279 was reopened following repairs.

The project was honored by the Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association during a banquet on Jan. 29. The Orleans County Highway Department was recognized along with the state Department of Transportation, LaBella Associates and Keeler Construction Company for their work on the project.

Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, right, stands with Jerry Gray, the county highway superintendent, on Wednesday to highlight the bridge’s recognition by the APWA for projects that cost less than $5 million.

The bridge was closed for five months last year while it received $1.5 million in upgrades, including new railings, repairs to concrete piers, a new deck, asphalt top, two new fascia beams and drainage improvements.

The bridge is the longest county-owned span at 700 feet, crossing Lake Alice and the Oak Orchard River.

Hawley says governor needs to release school aid numbers

Staff Reports Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Assemblyman also responds to DREAM Act and business competition

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) called on Gov. Cuomo to release school aid runs across the state. Hawley said that school districts are up against the clock to present a workable budget plan to their faculty and residents.

The aid numbers are typically part of the governor’s budget proposal in January. This time Cuomo did not detail numbers for individual districts. He said they would see a state-wide increase of 1.7 percent in educational aid if the State Legislature doesn’t approve his educational reforms, and 4.8 percent more if the reforms are passed.

“The release of school aid runs is supposed to be a routine part of the budget process each year,” Hawley said. “The governor’s tactics rob students, faculty and parents of the ability to plan things such as availability of classes, extracurricular programs, faculty size and school tax burden. Without this information, school districts are forced to build contingency budgets that could likely include many layoffs and program eliminations. I am calling on Gov. Cuomo to do what is right for our school districts and release the required funding information.”

Hawley’s comments come after a press conference was held this morning by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R-Canandaigua) urging Gov. Cuomo to release school aid runs. Superintendent Christopher J. Dailey of the Batavia City School District also commented on the lack of information.

“The governor holding back state aid runs has hindered the process of formulating our budget for the 2015-16 school year,” said Dailey. “To plan for flat state aid is the only choice we currently have. Playing games with the school system helps no one.”

Passage of Dream Act should not be a priority

The State Assembly passed a bill that would give college financial aid to immigrants living in the country illegally. The legislation still needs to get through the State Senate.

The Democrat majority in the Assembly approved the bill that would allow immigrants to participate in programs that distribute state-funded tuition breaks, including the Tuition Assistance Program and the Educational Opportunity Program.

“The Assembly’s passage of the DREAM Act demonstrates that we are still not putting the needs of New York citizens first,” Hawley said. “At a time when school districts are still struggling with the Gap Elimination Adjustment cuts and cannot properly formulate budgets because school aid runs have not been released, we chose to focus on funding for illegal aliens.

“The Assembly leadership and the governor are sending the message that legal New York taxpayers are less important than illegal aliens. Our priorities should be to fully fund and protect New York parents, teachers and students who are here legally before we give money to those who are not.”

Promotes the NY business plan competition

Hawley also encouraged college students to participate in New York’s annual business plan competition. Hawley praised the competition for allowing bright students across the state to present new ideas consistent with New York’s focus on nanotechnology, entrepreneurship and advanced technology. More than 600 students are expected to participate and compete for a top cash prize of $100,000.

“As the owner and operator of a small business, I know the hard work and ingenuity it takes to succeed as a business owner in New York,” Hawley said. “This competition highlights principles that make our state great – determined and visionary entrepreneurs and businesspeople. I am thrilled that we are allowing the next generation of business- and technology-minded students to fulfill their passions right here in New York State and generate ideas that will allow our economy to grow and thrive. I encourage all college students interested in this competition to participate.”

The competition’s regional semifinals, held at St. John Fisher College in Rochester for students from Hawley’s district, will be held in March and early April with the finals being held on April 24 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Since the first competition in 2010, more than 1,130 students have competed with cash prizes being awarded in excess of $1,300,000. Visit www.sunycnse.com/NYSBusinessPlanCompetition for more information about the competition.

Albion seeks bids for new fire truck

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Village Board voted on Wednesday to seek bids from manufacturers for a new fire truck that would replace two vehicles for the Albion Fire Department.

The department wants to replace a pumper from 1974 and a smaller truck used to respond to motor vehicle accidents. That truck from 2004 has extrication equipment.

The fire department wants a new fire truck that is a pumper and also has extrication equipment. That will save the department in maintenance costs and also reduce some manpower needs, fire department leaders told the Village Board on Wednesday.

“This will be an all-around truck,” said Harry Papponetti, a past chief for the AFD.

He outlined the plan during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. He handed the board a 160-page document with specifications for the new truck. The department won’t know the cost of the truck until bids come in, but Papponetti said he expects it will be about $500,000.

It will take about 8 months to a year for the truck to arrive once the board makes a decision on accepting a bid. That vote could happen in June.

The village wouldn’t have to start paying on the truck until the 2016-17 budget. By that time some existing debt for fire trucks will be reduced. The new debt payment will likely be less than what the village is currently paying, especially if the payments for the new truck are stretched over 10 years, said Steve Lanning, a member of the fire truck committee.

Papponetti said the department expects to get another decade of use out of a pumper from 1992 and a ladder truck from 1995. He praised the work of village mechanics, Dusty DeCarlo and Ray Smith, for giving the fire trucks such an extended life.

DeCarlo and Smith served on the truck committee along with Papponetti, Lanning, Dale Banker, Rocky Sidari, Jeremy Graham, Jeremy Babcock and Ron Armstrong.

County, Albion village pass resolutions seeking fair AIM funding from state

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Albion Village Hall is a historic building at the corner of Platt and East Bank streets. The Village Board on Wednesday approved a formal resolution, asking the State Legislature and Gov. Cuomo to direct more state aid to villages.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and Albion Village Board both passed formal resolutions on Wednesday, calling on state government leaders to update a formula for sharing aid to villages, towns and cities.

Right now, 90 percent of the $714 million in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities goes to upstate cities, about $277 per capita for city residents compared to only $7 for residents in towns and villages.

The resolution approved by the Village Board says the current AIM formula is a form of “state-sponsored economic discrimination” for villages, because those residents pay for a myriad of services with little state aid, resulting in high property taxes for villagers.

Albion passed the same resolution as the Medina Village Board on Monday. The issue is gaining momentum in Orleans County with several municipalities passing resolutions that are forwarded to the governor and local state legislators. The Albion Village Board also is sending its resolution to Carl Heastie, the new speaker of the State Assembly and a Bronx resident.

The village is challenged with a shrinking tax base and many needs, from dilapidated housing and decaying infrastructure, while trying to meet the public needs for police, parks, water, sewer and other services.

The County Legislature joined the push for state aid with its own resolution. Legislators said the revenue-sharing formula – intended to ease property taxes – has not been updated in at least 30 years.

The state should boost the AIM funded by 50 percent and share more with towns and villages, the Legislature said. That state aid would be an effective way to knock down the local property taxes, according to the resolution.

The formula should factor population, population density, poverty and public safety services, and should also consider tax-exempt property within a municipality’s borders, legislators said.

The current formula is not targeted to communities based on economic and demographic factors, and “fails to accurately reflect the fiscal need and capacity of recipient cities, villages and towns,” according to the county resolution.

County officials raised the issue with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week when she visited Albion. David Callard, Legislature chairman, said he is optimistic Hochul can push for a change in AIM funding with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“She can bring it closer to the governor than maybe anyone,” Callard said.

The Legislature chairman said an increase in state aid is critical for the local governments, especially during a time of 2 percent tax caps.

“The time has come when we need to help our villages and towns,” Callard said.

County legislators praised for again opposing SAFE Act

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature again gave a unanimous vote for the repeal of the SAFE Act on Wednesday. The Legislature opposed the gun control measure soon after it was passed by the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January 2013.

County legislators say the legislation makes criminals out of law-abiding gun owners, and also has imposed financial burdens on counties and gun owners. The SAFE also “does not increase the safety of the public,” according to the resolution approved on Wednesday.

Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to local state legislators, Gov. Cuomo, local towns and villages, and InterCounty of Western New York.

The Legislature was praised by Mattie Zarpentine of Holley, regional director for New York Revolution, a group that formed after the SAFE Act was passed.

Zarpentine said 52 out of 62 counties have gone on the record to oppose the SAFE Act, which she said is unconstitutional and an infringement on Second Amendment rights. Orleans County is the only county to have the Legislature and all of the town and village boards formally oppose the SAFE Act.

“Orleans County residents should be extremely proud of our strong stance in support of our Constitutional rights,” Zarpentine said during Wednesday’s Legislature meeting. “Those resolutions sent a very clear message.”

She was joined by about a dozen New York Revolution supporters at the Legislature meeting.

“Here we are, nearly two years after the passage of that resolution, unwavering in our resolve to fight tyranny,” Zarpentine said in an address to the Legislature. “What we understood about the SAFE Act back then has proven true: It has done nothing to make us any safer. It has only managed to infringe upon the freedom of the law-abiding citizens of New York.”

County Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, echoed those comments, saying the state government has been “overbearing” in the SAFE Act, limiting residents’ right to bear arms.