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Ortt, Heroin Task Force press Assembly to join fight against epidemic

Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

In the wake of a study released earlier this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that shows a dramatic rise in heroin use and overdose deaths, the co-chairs of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction are calling on the Assembly to join the Senate in passing a package of legislation that would help eradicate the heroin epidemic.

From 2002-04, 379,000 Americans reported using heroin within a 12-month period. According to the study made public this week, that number has increased to 663,000 Americans in 2011-2013, with overdose deaths nearly doubling.

The Task Force, co-chaired by Senators Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), George A. Amedore, Jr. (R-Rotterdam) and Terrence Murphy (R-Yorktown), put forward a package of bills that were passed by the state Senate earlier this year, which would enhance treatment options, help decrease heroin overdoses, and put more drug dealers behind bars for dealing heroin and other dangerous opioids. The Assembly failed to consider the legislation.

“The CDC study offers a detailed, comprehensive analysis on the dramatic rise of heroin use in the U.S.,” Ortt said. “It confirms what we’ve heard in our community – from users, parents, police officers, and doctors. Heroin use and abuse is cutting across all demographics to affect people of all ages, ethnicities, geographic regions, and social classes. I’m encouraged by the work we accomplished this past legislative session, but more work remains. My colleagues and I are committed to working toward meaningful legislation that will hold drug dealers accountable, expand treatment options, and better protect New Yorkers.”

The bills passed by the Senate earlier this year would:

Allow law enforcement officials to charge a drug dealer with homicide if a person overdoses on heroin or an opiate-controlled substance sold to them by that dealer (S.4163);

Expand the crime of operating as a major trafficker (S.4177);

Make it easier for dealers to be charged with intent to sell (S.100);

Improve safety at judicial diversion programs (S.1901);

Prevent the sale of synthetic opioids (S.1640);

Establish assisted outpatient treatment for substance use disorders (S.631);

Create a Prescription Pain Medication Awareness Program (S.4348);
Create drug-free zones on grounds of treatment centers (S.4023);

Make Kendra’s Law permanent (S.4722);

Criminalize the illegal transport of opiate controlled substances (S.608);

Establishes the option for a youth, suffering from substance abuse to be adjudicated as a person in need of supervision (S.3237); and

Increase the effectiveness of abuse prevention (S.2847).

The package of bills builds on the Senate legislation successfully enacted last year as a result of the Task Force’s efforts. In addition, the 2015-16 State Budget provided significant funding for programs targeting the heroin crisis, including: $7.8 million in funding for statewide prevention, treatment and recovery services; $450,000 to purchase Narcan kits given out for free to individuals who participate in a Narcan training class; and $140,000 to finance the cost of Narcan kits for staff and nurses authorized to administer Narcan in the event of a heroin or opioid overdose at school.

The Senate Task Force held four forums throughout the state earlier this year, and intends to hold more in the fall. They will issue a report with recommendations for further legislative action to address concerns raised by law enforcement, treatment providers, health and mental health experts, and victims’ advocates that participated in the forum.

Albion accepts bid for new fire truck

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Albion Fire Department will have a new fire truck in its fleet next year.

The Village Board on Wednesday approved a $668,796 bid from Churchville Fire Equipment, a Pierce Manufacturing dealer, to build the new triple combination pumping engine.

The new truck will replace two vehicles for the Albion Fire Department: 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 pushed for 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 board.

Albion received two other bids for the new truck, but those bidders didn’t meet all the specifications for the new truck, Village Clerk Linda Babcock said today.

The Village Board is expected to soon approve a bond to pay for the truck. The Fire Department paid off the debt on one truck in 2014-15, freeing up money for the new one.

The department has an aging fleet with a pumper from 1992 and a ladder truck from 1995. Fire Chief Harry Papponetti said he expects to get another decade out of those trucks. At a recent Village Board meeting, he praised village mechanics, Dusty DeCarlo and Ray Smith, for giving the fire trucks such an extended life.

Marshall Road bridge closed 2 weeks for repairs

Staff Reports Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

RIDGEWAY – The canal bridge on Marshall Road will be closed for about two weeks while crews make repairs to some of the steel on the structure, Town of Ridgeway officials said today.

The State Department of Transportation advised Ridgeway of the work. The bridge was closed on Monday so repairs could be made.

Albion man honored for 4 decades of documenting daily weather

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Gerald Scharping checks the thermometers inside a shed in his backyard. Scharping has been a weather observer for the past 41 years for the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

GAINES – Gerald Scharping has checking the thermometer and the rain gauge in his backyard as a daily duty for 41 years.

He is dutiful in recording the high and low temperatures, as well as the precipitation for the day. He charts it all, and makes notes about other weather issues of the day, noting if it was windy, sprinkling or snowing.

He sends in a report each month to the National Weather Service, with puts the information in the National Climatic Data Center.

Gerald Scharping is presented a framed certificate and letter of appreciation for his years of service as a weather observer from Dan Kelly of the National Weather Service.

Today the Weather Service presented Scharping with a certificate and letter of appreciation for his many years of service. Only a weather observer in Oswego, who has been volunteering daily in the data collection for more than 50 years, has been at it longer than Scharping, said Dan Kelly, the observer program leader for the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Kelly works with 53 observers in a territory from Buffalo to Watertown.

“There are very few who have been at it longer,” Kelly said about Scharping.

The Crandall Road resident walks to his backyard each day, sometimes trudging through snow. He tries to get the measurements at 5 p.m. each day.

“I was interested in it,” Scharping said about collecting the weather data.

Scharping checks the rain gauge.

Kelly said the Weather Service has data from Albion since 1938. Tom Lamont was the first to collect the data on Densmore Road, which is about a mile from Scharping’s. Dennis Kirby and Stanley Kast followed, with Scharping starting in 1974.

Kelly said the Weather Service doesn’t have too many spots like in Albion with daily data from the same area going back more than 75 years. That long-term data can help the Weather Service study possible changes in weather patterns and climate, Kelly said.

Scharping has lived in his house for all 87 years of his life. He ran a general farm until 1972, when he was hired as the first manager for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District. He worked in that job until retiring in 1992.

Kelly shared some highlights from Scharping’s reports over the years. The hottest day recorded was 101 degrees on July 8, 1988 and the coldest was minus-20 on Feb. 18, 1979.

Scharping has counted 2,706 inches of snow in the 41 years with the biggest snowfall – 16 inches – on March 11, 1992. He has also tracked 1,448.76 inches of rain with the biggest day, 4.83 inches, on Sept. 14, 1979.

Scharping said he is committed to the task each day and wants to keep at it.

Kelly said he welcomes more volunteers to collect data. He said the Weather Service would like someone in Medina and people near the Lake Ontario shoreline. For more information, email Kelly at Dan.kelly@noaa.gov.

Firemen’s Carnival returns to Kendall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – The annual Kendall Fire Department Carnival kicked off today with midway rides, waffles, and lots of pep in downtown Kendall.

The top photo shows the Super Trooper ride and other attractions at the carnival, which continues until Saturday. Friday will be highlighted by a parade at 7 p.m. with fireworks capping off Saturday. Click here to see a schedule.

Colleen Clary, left, and Diane Furness sell waffles covered in confectionary sugar. They said the waffles are popular at $1 each. They expect the Ladies Auxiliary will sell hundreds of them during the carnival.

Alana Kirstein, left, rides in the Ferris Wheel with her friend Kayla Cole. Both girls are from Kendall.

The “Clam Crew” includes, from left: Dave Cole, Tom Drennan and Craig Herman. The Fire Department has 1,100 dozen of clams available for the carnival.

The band Swamp Moose from Hamlin performed under the tent at the carnival. The group includes, from left: Jim Greco, vocals and lead guitar; Steve Lauth, lead vocals and guitar; and Gil Eller, vocals and guitar.

Albion grant application for Bullard Park includes online petition

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Some kids watch the fireworks on Sunday from the top of the skateboarding ramp at Bullard Park in Albion.

ALBION – The Village of Albion is trying a new tactic for bolstering a grant application for improvements at Bullard Park.

The village has twice been turned down for state funds for the Bullard improvements. Besides a different scope of work at Bullard in the latest application – new playground equipment and a splash pad – the village and its grantwriter has created an on-line petition to show the state the community support for the project.

Since that petition went live on July 6, 231 people submitted their names in support of the Bullard upgrades with 56 writing comments as of about 7:45 this morning. Click here to see the petition.

The application is due in late July to New York State Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for a grant under the Environmental Protection Fund.

A Rebuild Bullard Committee has met in recent years to develop long-term plans for the park and try to raise funds for the improvements. Phase 1 includes the splash pad and playground equipment, as well as a changing area/bathroom and concession stand near the spray park.

The village in the future would also like to establish a recreational trail around the park, regrade and build up its ball fields and add other park amenities.

Some improvements are under way, including a regrading of the big sledding hill. Keeler Construction, the contractor for the Clarendon Street bridge removal, has moved soil from the bridge embankments to the sledding hill.

The Lions Club has been helping raise money for Bullard. The Lions Club last year had a music festival that raised $2,000 for the park with those funds helping to pay the grantwriter.

Another “Rock the Park” is planned for July 25 with bands performing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Trip to Adirondack camp leads to encounter with famed bounty hunter

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 July 2015 at 12:00 am

‘Dog’ was looking for escaped convicts

Provided photo from Maria Strathearn – Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of a reality TV series, poses with Aaron Strathearn at a gas station in Saranac Lake. Aaron, 14, of Holley was headed to camp and Dog was looking to track down a prison escapee.

HOLLEY – Aaron Strathearn, 14, was leaving for a week-long camp in Saranac Lake, the rewards for being on the High Honor Roll and being active in his 4-H Club.

There was a glitch: The camp in the Adirondacks was close to the manhunt for prison escapee David Sweat, a convicted cop killer. Sweat, 35, and Richard Matt, 49, broke out of Clinton Correctional Facility and had been on the loose for about three weeks.

Matt was tracked down on June 26 and fatally shot by a federal agent.

Aaron was heading to camp while Sweat was still on the run.

“I was a bit nervous sending Aaron to camp with the manhunt focusing 40 miles away,” said Aaron’s mother, Melissa.

On the way to Camp Colby in Saranac Lake, the Strathearns stopped at a gas station. They met a famous person, Duane “Dog” Chapman. He is a star of a reality TV series that shows him kicking in doors and capturing wanted people. Click here for more on Chapman’s show.

Dog gave Aaron a high five for being on the High Honor Roll.

When they made it to Saranac Lake, the Strathearns saw vehicles racing with lights and sirens, on the main road across the lake. While walking to Aaron’s cabin, they saw a helicopter fly overhead.

“When we got back to the car we learned that David Sweat had been captured,” Strathearn said.

Aaron went on to have a great week at camp, his mother said. At the DEC camp, he went canoing, fishing, birding, swimming and was able to try archery and build a shelter.

“He made a lot of friends,” his mother said.

Hawley criticizes Cuomo for 3-day moratorium on road work

Posted 8 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Cuomo’s moratorium of roadwork done by private contractors during the Independence Day weekend.

The governor announced in a press release last week that private contractors working on state roads and highways would have to cease work and remove equipment not behind a permanent barrier starting July 3 at 6 a.m. until July 5 at 10 p.m.

“I certainly understand the need to make last weekend’s travels as convenient as possible for motorists but it is unfair and burdensome to small businesses to ban them from making a profit for three days,” Hawley said. “This added a large cost to local businesses by denying a potential three days of work and mandating that equipment be moved without reimbursement from the state. Gov. Cuomo should not be penalizing the private sector for a bad traffic experience he had during a holiday weekend several years ago.

“This is another example of how Downstate issues are projected throughout the state and inconvenience those in Western New York who are only marginally affected. If we are truly open for business, we should keep our actions consistent with our words and stop burdening small businesses trying to survive.”

NY corn growers sought for lawsuit against Syngenta

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 July 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo Tom Rivers – Corn is pictured in Barker in this file photo from August 2013. That was a period when corn prices took a sharp fall.

ALBION – New York corn growers are being recruited to join a lawsuit against agricultural giant Syngenta, a suit that seeks damages for farmers who saw the corn market tumble in 2013 and last year.

Watts Guerra LLP, a law firm from Austin, Texas, stopped at the Village Inn this afternoon as part of several stops in Western New York to explain the lawsuit and urge farmers to sign up for compensation from Syngenta.

Linda Leibfarth, an attorney with Watts Guerra, met with about a half dozen farmers today at the Village Inn before heading to another meeting in Lockport. Leibfarth said Syngenta caused a glut of corn in the U.S. market, which depressed the price.

Swiss-based Syngenta is one of the world’s largest developers of seeds. It produced an insect-resistant variety of Viptera corn. That genetically modified corn was rejected by China in 2013 and was banned from the country up until December 2014.

Not only was that corn rejected, but China wouldn’t take other corn shipments from American growers, fearing cross-pollination of corn in fields and commingling of corn in shipments.

Syngenta has already been sued by Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland, claiming the company pushed the product to the market without a stewardship program to prevent the grain from export markets that didn’t accept the product.

ADM says it suffered “tens of millions of dollars in damages.”

The corn price fell from about $7 per bushel to $3.25 in the spring 2014. Leibfarth said Syngenta isn’t entirely to blame for the price drop because there was a bumper crop. But she said Syngenta’s disruption of the export market, where 40 percent of U.S. corn is shipped, played a big role in the price drop.

The lawsuit will need economists to debate the overall damage to corn growers. Leibfarth said she believes that could be at least $1 per bushel. That could be significant for individual farms.

Her firm has signed up 16,000 farms in the lawsuit, and Watts Guerra wants more to join the case.

That’s why she is traveling throughout New York and other states. She was joined today by Lawlor Quinlan III, a partner with Connors & Vilardo in Buffalo.

“There’s real money involved and we want to get as much money in recovery as possible for the farmers,” she said.

She has been on the road since December, explaining the case to farmers. She said they deserve to be compensated for their lost income.

“In New York, they got hurt just like every farmer in the country,” she said. “Farmers are still feeling a depressed price.”

For more information on the lawsuit, click here.

Ruddy Duck makes unusual stop in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 July 2015 at 12:00 am

CARLTON – Doug Boyer took these photos on Sunday of what he thought was a very rare duck to be at Lake Alice. Boyer did a Google search of a duck with a blue bill and was directed to Ruddy Duck.

That description seems to fit the bill. I sent the photos to Vernon Fonda, a conservation officer with the DEC, and he said the picture is of a Drake Ruddy Duck, which he said is very uncommon in these parts this time of the year.