Provided Photo – Pictured from left: Eric Maxon, Pat Bolton, Jeff Rodas and Helen Unterborn.
The Kendall Lions Club held its annual Officer Installation and Awards Dinner on Thursday at the Kendall Fire Hall. Members were recognized for their years of service, new members were welcomed and a slide show of our year in pictures was presented.
In addition four awards were presented to members of our club. The Ray Ernenwein Lion of the Year Award was presented to Lion Eric Maxon. The Robert J Uplinger Award for distinguished service to Lions and the Community was awarded to Patrick Bolton. Two Lions were named Melvin Jones Fellows, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Lion. Lion Jeff Rodas and club secretary Lion Helen Unterborn were recognized for their service to the club and community.
The State Assembly has approved a legislative bill that would modernize ways for non-profits to collect money for raffles and other fund-raisers.
Current gaming regulations do not allow charitable groups and non-profits to collect raffle fees using check or credit cards and do not allow the sale of tickets outside of the county which the event will be taking place. The Stafford Fire Department previously sold tickets nation-wide for its annual car raffle and used the proceeds for charitable donations and to fund the department.
The new legislation would allow organizations to accept credit and legal tender for raffles, as well as advertising and selling tickets online.
“I am pleased to announce that the ‘Charitable Gaming Act of 2016’ has overwhelmingly passed the Assembly Thursday afternoon,” said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, co-sponsor of the legislation.
He thanked Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Kenmore) for pushing the bill through the Assembly, as well as Sen. Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma), the bill’s author in the Senate, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) and Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) for leading the proposal in the Senate.
“I am proud to have helped lead this initiative to update our archaic and detrimental gaming laws that have hurt charitable organizations, churches, non-profit organizations and service clubs all across the state, including the Stafford Fire Department,” Hawley said. “This is a great example of how bipartisan politics can work in Albany’s sea of gridlock and can have lasting positive effects for the people and organizations of our state. The bill is now in the Senate, where I am told by Sen. Gallivan that he is very hopeful it will pass before we adjourn for the year today.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kim Pritt
ALBION – The band Grand Canyon Rescue Episode kicked off a new season on the concerts on the Erie Canal in Albion on Thursday.
The bands will perform every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gazebo behind the Albion Fire Department, between the two lift bridges.
Music fans listen to the band play on a sunny Thursday evening.
The concerts are sponsored by the Village of Albion and CRFS, with additional funding from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the State Council on the Arts.
The schedule includes:
June 23, The Who Dats; June 30, Old Hippies; July 7, The Dady Brothers; July 14, The Lonely Ones; July 21, Triple Play Band; July 28, Don Newcomb Band; Aug. 4, The Legendary Jonesie & the Cruisers.
The band Grand Canyon Rescue Episode includes guitarists Tom Mahoney and Miles McHugh, Steve Day on dobro, Jim Howe on banjo, bassist Ron Permoda and drummer Jimmy McAvaney.
Albion firefighters were selling refreshments during the concert. Pictured, from left, includes Bill Francis, Fire Chief Harry Papponetti, Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti and firefighter Jeremy Graham.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2016 at 10:00 am
GAINES – This roadside sign was installed on Wednesday on Gaines Basin Road, about a quarter mile south of Route 104. The marker is a memorial for Deputy David Whittier, who was fatally injured here in 1989.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office had a reception on Monday afternoon with Whittier’s family and former colleagues to unveil the sign for the only Orleans County deputy ever killed in the line of duty.
David Whittier worked 20 years at Kodak before following his dream of being a police officer. He was hired as a full-time deputy on June 22, 1987. Whittier made many arrests for people driving while intoxicated. Ironically on Jan. 19, 1989, Whittier was on routine road patrol when he came upon an unoccupied pickup truck on Gaines Basin Road. The driver of that truck was out hunting.
While Whittier was inspecting the truck a young man who was driving drunk struck the parked pickup truck. Whittier had dove between the pickup and his patrol car. He was crushed between the two vehicles after the pickup was hit. He was then dragged about 100 feet and left for dead under the truck.
He survived the accident and remained in the hospital until April 1989. After being home for a few months, his condition did not improve. He had contracted cancer, which doctors said was trauma induced. Doctors said his immune system was too compromised due to injuries sustained from the accident. He and his family were advised that treatment was not an option and would only cause further pain and suffering.
Whittier was 41 when he died on Sept. 8, 1989. About 700 people, including police officers around the state, attended his funeral in Clarendon at the Disciples United Methodist Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Closure expected to last several weeks
Photos by Tom Rivers – The State Canal Corp. has posted a detour on the towpath for a section just west of the lift bridge so emergency repairs can be made to a culvert.
HULBERTON – The Erie Canal will be drained between Brockport and Middleport beginning on June 27 so emergency repairs can be made to a culvert in Hulberton. The Canal Corporation estimates the canal closure will last several weeks.
The problems with the culvert, about 500 yards west of the lift bridge, were discovered during a routine inspection. The Canal Corp. has spent the past three days discussing how to address the situation with its engineering team and a consultant, Bergmann Associates.
The team of experts determined the repairs can’t be put off until after the canal boating season, said Shane Mahar, canal spokesman.
The Canal Corp. wants to fix the culvert so there isn’t a bigger problem, including the potential for a blowout.
A tender heads east on the canal towards the lift bridge in Hulberton. The canal will be drained in this section beginning on June 27.
“It’s not ideal,” Mahar said about draining a section of the canal at the start of the summer boating season. “But our team of experts believes it is necessary or it could lead to bigger problems.”
After the canal is drained between Brockport and Middleport and preliminary construction work is started, the canal between Middleport and Albion will be refilled with water.
However, a 15-mile section of the canal between the Albion Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Albion) and the Brockport Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Brockport) will remain de-watered until repairs are complete.
Mahar said the Canal Corp. is putting off dewatering the section for about 10 days so contractors can be mobilized and boaters given notice to plan their navigational trips.
An advisory from the Canal Corporation states:
“Residents who live along the Erie Canal in the immediate vicinity of the culvert repair work are safe. Local mariners are advised to remove their vessels from the Canal prior to Sunday, June 26, 2016.
“The Canal Corporation will assist in towing boats outside of the above referenced closure area if requested by the owners, but shall not be responsible for any damage to vessels, as a result of towing or that are not removed from the Canal prior to the closure.
“Effective immediately, a detour on the Erie Canalway Trail from the Hulberton Lift Bridge to approximately 3,500 feet west of the lift bridge is in effect utilizing Canal Road on the north side of the Canal. Users of the trail should follow the posted detour signs.
“Mariners seeking information on alternative routes should contact the Canal Corporation at 518-471-5014.”
Several farms have permits to siphon water from the canal in the 15-mile stretch. Mahar said the Canal Corp. will work with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to make sure farms are notified.
The Canal Corporation appreciates the public’s patience and understanding while this maintenance work is completed, Mahar said.
BARRE – Scouts from Troop 175 in Barre retired the American flag on the Barre Fire Hall during a ceremony on Monday.
These Scouts make sure the flag doesn’t touch the ground. On the left is Eli Pask and Dominic DiGuilio is at right. Ivan Barry, second from left, and Nicholas Andrews are in the middle.
Scouts retired the flag a day before Flag Day, which was celebrated on Tuesday.
Scouts are pictured outside the Barre Fire Hall while the flag was lowered from the building. The Scouts and their leaders include Tony DiGiulio, Steve Hickman, Karl Driesel, Pat Lamka, Mike Schreiner, Ben Hickman, John Schreiner, Eli Pask, Nicholas Andrews, Aiden Rush, Alex Zaczek, Dominic DiGuilio, Ivan Barry, Bryan Loney, Noah Kowalski, Adam Burgio, Nicholas Luft, Gideon Pask, Colin Coyle, Ethan Dunn, Liam Coyle, Tristan Lusk, Willem DeRuysscher, Isaac Hickman, Dillon DiGiulio, Dennis Mathes and Matthew Mathes.
The flag is brought down from the Barre Fire Hall on Route 98.
The flag was then cut by colored fields, with the Scouts saluting and burning all of the blue fields, red fields and white fields separately. This photo shows Jess Markel (center), senior district executive for the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and Eileen Banker, right, who is chief of staff for State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Photo by Cathy Legacy – Neveya Barnes from Troop 82007 of the Girl Scouts puts one of the stripes into the fire with help from Brad Driesel.
A Medina woman was killed in a accident on Wednesday in Texas. Tammy Page, 53, was a passenger in the back seat of a car that was pinned between two tractor-trailers in a 13-vehicle accident during a dust storm.
The accident was in northern Texas in Conway, which is in Carson County. Police say the dust storm created zero visibility, which likely caused the crash on Interstate 40, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The accident involved six cars, a motorcycle and six tractor-trailers. They were traveling eastbound about 8:45 p.m. when the dust storm blew through Carson County.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 16 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Kendall High School student Madison Rath, standing at far right, describes a traumatic motor vehicle accident she experienced recently in front of the Jr./Sr. High School to Board of Education members and school administrators. She said the speed limit needs to be lowered and the stretch of Route 18 should also become a no-passing zone.
KENDALL – A group of concerned parents and students told Kendall Board of Education members and administrators Wednesday evening that they want to see the speed limit lowered on Route 18/Roosevelt Highway in front of the Jr./Sr. High School.
The current speed limit is 50 miles per hour and parents who spoke said that is dangerously high. They noted a blind spot on the hill as drivers approach the school from the east and the lack of a flashing sign to warn motorists. There is a caution sign, parent Cherise Nesbitt-Oakley said, but it is partially hidden by tree and plant growth.
Madison Rath, a 16-year-old Kendall High School student, spoke to the Board regarding a motor vehicle accident in which she was involved six weeks ago in front of the school.
“Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but it was one of the most horrifying situations of my life,” Rath said. She noted that in addition to a speed limit of 50 miles per hour, the section of road in front of the school is also a passing zone.
“Why would you have a dangerous situation like that in front of a high school?” Rath questioned. “We are the newest of (new) drivers just wanting to get home after another long school day. What if someone was seriously hurt or even killed?”
Parents said they would like to see the speed limit reduced to 35 miles per hour, but noted 40 miles per hour may be the lowest the state will go. They said a school speed zone should be posted from Norway to Kendall roads. Route 18 is a state highway.
Board members and administrators were very supportive of the effort to lower the speed limit. School Board President Nadine Hanlon advised that residents send letters to the Orleans County Legislature as well as NYS Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Senator Robert Ortt. She said the greater the number of letters, the more significant the impact on lawmakers.
“I don’t want there to be any more accidents,” Hanlon said, and added that she is always watching in her rearview mirror as she slows to pull into the school campus.
Superintendent Julie Christensen said she would make concerns known to local officials, but also advised that parents need to speak up.
“You are really the voices they will listen to,” she said.
Parents presented board members with a memorandum from Lovette French, who works in security at the Jr./Sr, High School. French noted that the accident involving Madison Rath was one of six observed personally in the area.
“A reduced speed limit during school hours would benefit the safety and well-being of our student body population,” French wrote.
Alicia Charland, a parent who lives just across the street from the campus, said visibility is poor in both directions and the road is busy. She said Kendall bus drivers are also, “worried about the danger,” in the area.
In other business, board members approved a partnership agreement between the Kendall Central School District and Orleans County YMCA regarding a before and after school program for students that will be housed at the Kendall Elementary School beginning in the fall. The program will begin at 6 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. in the evenings.
The Orleans YMCA is, “a great partner,” said Christensen, the district superintendent. “They are excited about bringing this service to us.”
Elementary Principal Sharon Smith said officials at the YMCA have told her the new partnership ensures that before and after school care will, “never be out of reach for anyone in Kendall Schools.”
Smith explained that the YMCA hopes to expand the program after a year’s time with support of the Universal Pre-K half day and perhaps an in-house summer program.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Walter Jakubowski – This and other photos of the Pratt Opera House in Albion are featured in an exhibit at the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council in Batavia. There is an opening reception today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 201 East Main St., Batavia.
BATAVIA – An Albion photographer has documented the restoration efforts at the Pratt Opera House, a transformation that shows the floor of historic site covered with pigeon droppings and bird carcasses to a space that has been cleaned, sanded and refurbished.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is displaying photographs of the work at Pratt Opera House, an exhibit that opened June 7 and continues until Aug. 30. There is an opening reception today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the GO Art! gallery in Batavia from 5 to 8 p.m. The gallery is located at 201 East Main St.
One of Jakubowski’s photos shows a ticket from a performance at the Pratt Theatre.
Walter Jakubowski of Albion photographed much of the restorative work at the opera house from 2013 to 2015, highlighting the efforts by the building’s owners, Michael Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler.
The exhibit also includes old seating charts and some historic photos of the Pratt, where construction on the third floor building started in 1890.
The opera house seated 400 and hosted numerous plays, theater events and other live performances. By World War II, the opera house was largely dormant and its chairs removed so the steel could be salvaged during the scrap metal drives.
The opera house would spend about 70 years pretty much out of the public eye. The site was falling in disrepair when Bonafede and Koehler purchased it in 2005. The couple was on the tour with former Congressman John LaFalce and former Albion Mayor Ed Salvatore. The mayor asked the Bonafede family to take on the project, seeing a restored opera house as a major draw for Albion.
The family has done extensive work on the opera house and the entire building. The opera house has more work to be done.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Walter Jakubowski is pictured in May 2015 when he was setting up his exhibit on the Pratt Opera House at the Salih Studio in Albion.
“My goal artistically was to produce images which evoke the spirit of what once was a lively cultural landmark of a small Historic community along the Erie Canal,” Jakubowski said in an artist statement. “Within this space of grandeur, remembrances of spirited times past await in repose with perhaps a hope of a future awakening.”
Jakubowski wanted to document the efforts by Bonafede and Koehler, and also highlight an important building in Albion’s history. Jakubowski said generations of people have been driving by the building without seeing or appreciating the opera house. He wanted them to get a glimpse of the grandeur.
“I think a lot of people aren’t aware of what’s up there,” he told the Orleans Hub last year. “It’s tucked up on the third floor and people don’t see it or think about it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2016 at 9:00 am
GAINES – An employee with Xzeres Wind reinstalls the turbine today at Watt Farms on Route 98 in Gaines. The turbine was taken down on April 14 for repairs.
The turbine was originally put up in August 2011. Xzeres gave the turbine new blades and other parts. The main issue was with the alternator. Chris Watt said there was bad insulation on the wiring, which resulted in signals being sent for the turbine to not run.
The 10-kiloowatt turbine is 154 feet above ground. It has three 12.6-foot-long blades. It has a swivel head with a tail so it can face the wind at its peak strength.
The turbine was the focus of a lawsuit from the Town of Gaines, which claimed the 154-foot-high turbine needed to be moved farther away from a farm market and storage building.
Judge James Punch, acting as a State Supreme Court justice, ruled in December the turbine didn’t need to be moved. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets also sided with Watt Farms, saying the turbine location met the proper setbacks.
