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Nursing Home LDC officially dissolves

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Russ Martino, chairman of the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation, speaks during this morning’s meeting to dissolve the corporation. Martino is pictured with the other two directors, Richard DeCarlo Sr., left, and Richard Moy.

ALBION – An organization that formed about two years ago to sell the Orleans County-owned nursing home voted to dissolve today.

The Orleans County Legislature formed the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation on March 7, 2013. The entity was tasked with selling the 120-bed Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility.

The Legislature transferred the nursing home to Health Facilities Corporation, which then sold it for $7.8 million to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. That entity became the owner on Jan. 1.

The county intends to use the sale proceeds to pay off the debt from a $10 million renovation and expansion of the nursing home in 2007. About $7 million remains in that debt. Paying it off will spare the county about $900,000 in annual debt service payments, Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer, said today.

County officials will discuss how to use the remaining funds from the sale. It may go to replenishing the county’s fund balance, which Nesbitt said has taken a hit with sales tax revenues off about $360,000 from budget in 2013, the expense with a recent murder trial, and some less-than-expected state reimbursements.

Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor and retired Lyndonville principal, served as the LDC’s chairman. He is pleased with the sale price and the transition to the new owner.

“It has really work out smooth,” he said. “Everything I’ve heard has been positive.”

He is pleased to see most of the employees have been retained and Comprehensive Healthcare Management has recognized seniority of the county employees, and hasn’t made the workers start all over based on work experience. Albion Central School also is continuing to operate an alternative high school program at the nursing home, where students do internships with nursing home staff.

Martino served on the LDC board with Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy, and Richard DeCarlo, the former Gaines town supervisor.

Martino said the group didn’t face the ire of the public as it worked on selling the nursing home.

“We didn’t get beat up,” Martino said.

For much of 2012 and ’13, many residents protested the sale of the nursing home. Many residents and nursing home employees picketed on Main Street during County Legislature meetings.

Legislature Chairman David Callard attended the meeting today to dissolve the LDC. He thanked the three-man volunteer board for overseeing the nursing home sale.

“You did a very professional job,” Callard said.

Nesbitt served as president and CEO of the LDC. He said the county continues to assist the new owners with minor transition issues at the nursing home.

“We’re helping them to understand the various nuances of the facilities,” Nesbitt said. “Things are going pretty well overall.”

Sheriff asks residents to keep snow out of streets and clear of hydrants

Posted 13 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – This fire hydrant at the corner of East State and Platt streets in Albion is among the many that could use some shoveling to make it more accessible in case it was needed by firefighters.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to caution residents and snow plow contractors that it is against the law to plow snow into public streets or roadways.

Section 1219 of the New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law specifically prohibits placing glass or other injurious substances on streets or roadways. Subdivision (a) of that same section includes SNOW as an “injurious substance.”

If you are pushing snow out of a driveway and across the public street or roadway – Subdivision (b) of that same section requires you to remove ALL the snow from the street or roadway IMMEDIATELY.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with all local fire departments, would like to encourage all residents to adopt a fire hydrant. Each time you’re removing snow from your driveway and/or sidewalk, take a few moments to also clear the snow away from the nearest fire hydrant.

When fire strikes, time is precious! By shoveling out that hydrant, you provide a valuable and necessary service to your fire department, your community, your neighborhood and yourself.

Ashlee’s Place reaches 1,000 donated bras

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Angela Waldriff, owner of Ashlee’s Place in Medina, is pictured inside the store where Waldriff and customers have collected and sent 1,000 bras in the past two years to the Breast Oasis, which shares the bras with battered women’s shelters, teen shelters and rape crisis centers.

MEDINA – The owner of a women’s clothing and boutique store recently hit a milestone when the store and its customers sent the 1,000th donated bra to an organization that gives them to women in crisis situations.

Angela Waldriff, owner of Ashlee’s Place at 116 East Center St., has been collecting the gently worn and new bras for the past two years. Her customers donate many of them.

Waldriff then ships the clothing to the Breast Oasis, which is based in Akron, Ohio. That organizations has now collected over 135,000 bras for women who can’t afford them. Many are donated to women and teens escaping domestic violence.

Ashlee’s Place in Medina is the only site in Upstate New York that accepts the bras. Waldriff became a site for Breast Oasis about two years ago aftershe read a fashion magazine article about the organization and its mission. Waldriff puts inserts about the program in many of her customers’ shopping bags. They often return with donated bras, and many are new with the tags on.

“Our customers have done an exceptional job with the bra contributions,” Waldriff said. “I couldn’t believe it when we counted them up.”

Waldriff sees a trend with breast cancer survivors dropping off gently used mastectomy bras.

“It’s not a huge percent, but it’s enough that we’ve noticed, and we think it’s great,” Waldriff said.

Ashlee’s Place runs an annual Breast Cancer Promotion near Mother’s Day in honor of Waldriff’s mother who battled the disease and won over a decade ago.

“My mom’s cancer free and is in the clear,” Waldriff said.

Ashlee’s will continue accepting donated bras.

“Anyone can drop off gently used or new bras to the store during regular business hours,” Waldriff said. “As soon as our box is full we seal it up and send them off right away.”

For more information on Breast Oasis visit http://breastoasis.org/site/page.php?id=275.

Shelby plow truck tips over

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2015 at 10:04 am

Provided photo

SHELBY – A Shelby plow truck is on its side after tipping over at about 9:30 a.m. this morning on South Gravel Road between Fletcher Chapel and Oak Orchard Ridge Road.

The Town Highway Department is on site and firefighters are assisting with traffic control.

O’Brien’s owner also announces write-in campaign in Medina

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

O’Brien’s owner also announces write-in campaign in Medina

Jeremy Hogan – Photo by Erin Townsend

MEDINA – A second write-in candidate has stepped forward today after only one candidate submitted petitions to run on the ballot for the March 18 village election.

Jeremy Hogan, co-owner of O’Brien’s Tavern in Medina, announced his write-in campaign this afternoon. Owen Toale, a former village trustee and retired newspaper editor, also announced a write-in campaign this morning.

Toale was against village dissolution and sees shared services with the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway as a way to reduce taxes in the community.

Hogan thinks it could take a more drastic step to make a significant dent in Medina taxes, which have the highest combined tax rate – $54 per $1,000 of assessed property – in the Finger Lakes region.

Hogan said consolidation of local governments would reduce taxes.

“I supported dissolution as a route to consolidation and a means to bring the Towns back to the discussion on consolidation,” Hogan posted on Facebook. “I did not view the vote against dissolution as a vote for the status quo. Rather I saw, and repeatedly heard, it as a rallying cry. A call to get back together. There is a solution we can all get behind, one that saves us all tax dollars and removes layers of inefficiency and that is consolidation.”

Hogan, 43, worked in the software industry before returning to his hometown four years to co-own O’Brien’s.

He supports the One Medina effort that would see the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway merge into a new “Town of Medina.” The village government would go away with another push for dissolution.

“We ARE Medina,” Hogan writes on Facebook. “Whether you live in Shelby or Ridgeway, you were a Medina Mustang. Your mail comes to Medina, NY. When you’re running errands, you don’t say ‘I’m going to the Village’ you say ‘I’m going into Town.'”

Hogan said he supports Todd Bensley for village trustee. Bensley, a Medina teacher and village historian, is the only candidate who will appear on the ballot.

“I’m not one to play along party lines or get into petty political boundary games,” Hogan said. “We can craft a solution that lowers taxes for ALL of us. Town and Village. We can have a solution that brings ALL of us, together, into the future.”

New Hoag director will make customer service top priority

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

Photo by Tom Rivers – Betty Sue Miller, interim director at Hoag Library, wants to boost programming for adults and computer training for employees.

ALBION – The new director of Hoag Library is a familiar face in the Albion community. Betty Sue Miller grew up in Albion, taught in the district and later was a library director for Holley Central School.

She will serve at Hoag for about a year in an interim capacity. The library Board of Trustees will begin another search process for a permanent director, but wants some time before starting that process.

Miller started about three weeks ago and has been working with staff to develop programs for the future, while tending to other needs in the building. That includes providing more guidance to teen-agers and making sure they are respectful in the building, Miller told the Board of Trustees on Wednesday during the monthly board meeting.

“We’ve re-established rules,” she said about the teens.

She has cleared off some of the displays at the front counter and slid them over by a bookcase of new books. That has made staff more visible to patrons, improving those connections with the public.

Miller also has been a visible presence in the building, talking with staff and community members, said Board President Kevin Doherty.

Library staff are developing the summer reading program which will be split into reading groups for children, tweens, teens and adults. The tween group will be new. Miller and the staff wanted that age group to have its own focus.

She will push for more computer training for staff, and also wants to order more new books and other materials for patrons.

Expanding programs for adults also will be a focus. Miller said some programs could include sessions on knitting and crocheting. She is open to ideas from the community on other topics for adult programs.

Doherty said the library board and Miller had a retreat on Jan. 31 with a facilitator from the Nioga Library System. The group identified four goals: a collection development strategy that meets the needs of the community, “relentness” pursuit for improved customer service, recommendation from director on best use of staff and how to perhaps use employees to develop new programs, and more adult programming.

The library has had a turbulent past year following the termination of director Susan Rudnicky, Terry Wilbert serving in an interim role, and then Jeff Davignon leading the library for about five months.

The library parted ways with Davignon last month after many community and staff members complained about his management style. Several long-time employees either quit, retired or were fired under Davignon.

Gerard Morrissey, a library patron, addressed the board last night. He said the board should consider it a fresh start with Miller on board.

“This is a new start for everyone,” Morrissey said. “It doesn’t matter who started it or who’s right or wrong. Let’s have a new beginning. The old stuff is wiped away.”

Miller’s husband Fred is an Orleans County legislator. He is also the long-time owner of Family Hardware in downtown Albion.

The library has long been a customer of the store. Doherty said that will likely continue. The library will compare prices between Family Hardware and Ace Hardware and go with the lowest price when it needs hardware supplies. Mrs. Miller said she would have someone else sign off on any purchases from Family Hardware.

Wind chill warning in effect until noon Friday

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

Photos by Tom Rivers – A motorist drives a car headed west this afternoon around 3:30 on Route 31 in the Town of Ridgeway. The blowing snow made travel difficult today.

There were at least three car accidents today with one on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway, an accident on Oak Orchard Ridge Road in Shelby and a 2-car accident on Ridge Road in Gaines.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. today until noon on Friday for Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties. A wind chill watch also has been issued from Saturday night through Monday morning.

The wind chill values could fall as low as -25 tonight, the National Weather Service said. On Saturday night through Monday the wind chill could plummet to 30 below.

Icicles hang on the back of The Book Shoppe in Medina, facing the municipal parking lot.

Nursing Home LDC will vote to dissolve on Friday

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

ALBION – With the sale of the county-owned nursing home complete, a three-person local development corporation will dissolve on Friday.

Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor and retired Lyndonville principal, has served as the LDC’s chairman. The Legislature also appointed former Gaines Town Supervisor Richard DeCarlo Sr. and current Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy to the group.

It accepted a $7.8 million offer from Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. That entity became the owner on Jan. 1.

The Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Orleans County legislative chambers in the County Clerks’ Building, 3 South Main St., Suite 2.

Hospital CEO resigns, praised for efforts with Orleans Community Health

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

File Photo by Tom Rivers – Dolores Horvath announced today to staff at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital that she is resigning, effective on Friday, to a family obligation that is out-of-state.

MEDINA – The leader of Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health is resigning, effective Friday, so she can be available for an out-of-state family obligation.

Dolores Horvath has led the local healthcare organization since mid-2013. She is credited for aligning Orleans Community Health with the Catholic Health System, an agreement that gives local access to cardiologists, and other physicians who would be difficult to recruit to a rural county.

Horvath has also pushed for equipment upgrades and has the healthcare system on course for more upgrades and higher reimbursement rates, said Dawn Meland, vice chairman of the board of directors.

“We love Dolores,” Meland said. “Dolores has accomplished much in her short time with us. She has set us on a positive course to expand and maintain vital healthcare services for our patients and families throughout the area. We thank her for her service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Horvath has technically been an employee with HealthTech Management Services, a firm hired to manage Orleans Community Health in June 2013. HealthTech offered to bring in another leader for OCH, but Meland said the board of directors wants to promote Wendy Jacobson as interim CEO. She has served as the organization’s chief operating officer/chief nursing officer since 2014.

Jacobson started with Medina in 2012 as quality manager. She has proven her work ethic and commitment to the organization, Meland said.

“We have every confidence in Wendy’s ability to lead Orleans Community Health at this time,” Meland said. “Wendy’s knowledge of hospital operations and clinical services will help us make a seamless transition as we continue to work to strengthen healthcare services for the residents of Orleans County, northern Genesee and eastern Niagara counties, our service area.”

Meland said Orleans Community Health is preparing for renovations to the lobby and emergency room, and also is awaiting final state Department of Health approval for Medina Memorial Hospital to be considered a “critical access hospital.” That designation will boost reimbursement rates for Medina.

Catholic Health leaders have offered to help Orleans Community Health during this leadership transition.

“They are willing to be a mentor (for Jacobson) and be a resource,” Meland said.

Persistent cold creates bumper crop of icicles

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

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Icicles, many 10 feet or longer, are hanging from the roofs around Orleans County. It has been a bitter stretch of cold, and it will get colder in the next few days with Sunday forecast for a high of -3 degrees.

The top photo shows icicles hanging from a maintenance garage owned by the Canal Corp. at the end of Liberty Street.

This Canal Corp. building has an enormous collection of icicles.

Water trickles down from roofs and freezes in mid-drip, resulting in icicles, such as these at the Canal Corp.

There is a long stretch of icicles on the south side of First Presbyterian Church in Albion.

These icicles hang over a stained-glass window at the Presbyterian Church.

There are even icicles on my mini-van.

Owen Toale announces write-in campaign for Medina trustee

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

File photo by Tom Rivers – Owen Toale speaks on Orleans Radio on Jan. 11 with Village Trustee Mike Sidari, arguing against dissolving the Village of Medina government.

MEDINA – With only one candidate stepping forward with petitions to run for the Village Board, a former trustee has announced a write-in campaign for the board.

Medina has two open positions on the March 18 village election. Both incumbents, Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski, opted against re-election.

Only Todd Bensely, a local teacher and historian, submitted petitions signed by at least 100 people to be on the ballot.

Owen Toale, a retired newspaper publisher, has served on the board before. He also was outspoken against dissolution, which was defeated in a referendum on Jan. 20.

“Initially I did not want to become involved in village politics again and had not taken out a petition to do so. Many individuals had approached me to run again but I declined,” Toale said in a Facebook post this morning.

Toale said he wants to help the village address “the taxation issue,” and he believes shared services can make a difference in lowering costs to the village.

“Hopefully, if I get elected, my work on the village board along with the cooperation of the rest of the board and the boards of the towns we can find ways to keep our services and lower the village taxes,” Toale said on Facebook. “It’s a tall order that is going to take some time and effort on all parts.”

Toale thinks the village and town officials can find ways to reduce the local tax burden by more than the $277,000 in savings identified by a Dissolution Committee with help from a consultant, the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester. The two towns and village have combined budgets that exceed $11 million.

“Maybe I’m a dreamer but I believe we can do better on our own,” Toale said.

Toale said Bensley is a good candidate for the board. Toale urged residents to write his name in on the ballot for March 18. Two write-in candidates, Mike Sidari and Marguerite Sherman, last March were elected, getting more votes than Patricia Crowley and David Barhite, whose names appeared on the ballot.

“If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem,” Toale said in concluding his announcement on Facebook. “I hope to be part of the solution. Thank you.”

Minor injuries after accident in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 10:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
Albion firefighters, including Rob Connor with Hurst Tool, pry open a door on a pickup truck to let out the driver after an accident this morning at about 9:07 on Clarendon Street.

The driver of the pickup truck was making a left turn from Crimson Drive and was struck by another vehicle that was coming over the Clarendon Street Bridge.

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance was on scene treating people for minor injuries.

Police Chief Roland Nenni said the accident remains under investigation. He said the intersection at Crimson Drive and the base of the bridge is “very dangerous” due to limited visibility. However, there haven’t been too many accidents there over the years.

The bridge is scheduled to be torn out this spring.

Readers begin talks about latest community reading effort

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am

‘We Are Called To Rise’ gets strong reviews

Photos by Tom Rivers – Margaret French leads a book discussion on Monday evening at the Yates Community Library.

LYNDONVILLE – Each winter for the past 13 years book lovers in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties have read the same book and met to discuss issues raised in the novels.

“A Tale for Three Counties” culminates with a visit by the author in each of the three counties in late March. The book discussions have started, with Yates Community Free Library hosting the first one in Orleans County on Monday.

The readers gave a strong endorsement to “We Are Called To Rise,” a book by Laura McBride. She will be in the area from March 26-28 for book discussions, including March 27 at 7 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.

McBride’s book focuses on an immigrant boy whose family struggles to assimilate. A woman wrestles with an imploding marriage and a troubled son. A wounded soldier also recovers from an injury.

These are some of the themes and characters in the book, which is available at local libraries and bookstores.

“We were amazed by the book,” said Emily Cebula, director at Yates Community Library.

Members of ‘The Renegade Readers’ meet on Monday to discuss the latest Tale for Three Counties. Yates Community Library Director Emily Cebula is at left and Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent, is in the back corner.

Despite the heavy themes and tragedies early in the book, Cebula said McBride has a hopeful message at the end.

Additonal book discussions in Orleans County are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Hoag Library in Albion; 1 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina; and 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Community Free Library
in Holley.

For more information, click here.

Cebula and other members of the Renegade Readers have been meeting monthly for 6 ½ years to discuss books. Usually the dozen members don’t pick the same book. They may pick an author or genre. When they meet they share in a potluck and may recommend books they’ve read.

“It keeps it lively,” Cebula said.

Jackie Reynolds enjoys the format, where the readers aren’t committed to the same book.

“I like the other people’s suggestions,” she said. “It might be for books I’d never read.”

Residents urged to embrace ‘Healthier U’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Orleans Community Health is promoting healthier lifestyles at a series of events this year around the county.

The outreach effort began on Tuesday with a “Healthier U” open house at The Village Inn in Childs. Several local health providers and agencies had displays at the event, which started with a healthy breakfast with no fried foods.

The Albion Urgent Care health center was among the participants with a display at the event. Jennifer Herring, left, is office manager at the site run by Orleans Community Health and Randi Johnson, right, is a physician’s assistant.

About 40 people attended the event. Orleans Community Health is the parent organization for Medina Memorial Hospital. The organization is planning many events at the hospital and Medina this year, and will also be leading health events throughout the county in 2015, said Jim Moody, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

“This is a community-wide effort to educate residents on different topics to make them healthier,” Moody said.

Dr. Ahmet Guler, a cardiologist, speaks with Ron Felstead, a member of the Orleans Community Health board of directors. Dr. Guler spoke at the Healthier U event on Tuesday, and highlighted programs for healthier hearts at the hospital and Orleans Community Health.

Orleans Community Health is planning at least a monthly outreach event where residents can connect with health professionals.

The next event, “Ask the Doctor,” will be Feb. 26 at Calvary Tabernacle Church (the old Medina High School).

Jen Maynard, the director of radiology and corporate compliance for Orleans Community Health, also spoke about the benefits of the new CT scan machine at Medina Memorial Hospital. The machine gives hospital staff much improved imaging when scans are taken of a brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis.

The CT scanner replaces one from 2001. The new one is a 64 slice CT scan compared to a 4 slice. Besides better imaging, the new machine exposes patients to 33 percent less radiation, Maynard said.

“It’s something that not every place has,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have it in our community.”

Candidates file petitions for Medina, Lyndonville village boards

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am

It looks like it will be a quiet election for the Village Boards in Lyndonville and Medina.

In Lyndonville, two incumbents – Charles Coville and James Tuk – are unopposed for the trustee positions. The election is on March 18. The election is typically the third Tuesday in March but will be pushed back a day this year because of St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17.

In Medina, only one candidate turned in petitions signed by at least 100 people. Todd Bensley is the village historian, member of the Planning Board and a Medina teacher. He is running under the independent “The Medina’s Future Party.”

Bensley spoke out against dissolution last year during a public meeting in April.

There are two positions open in Medina. Both Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski aren’t seeking re-election.

Last election in March two write-in candidates – Mike Sidari and Marguerite Sherman – were both victorious.