By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Nadine Hanlon re-elected to Board of Education
KENDALL – Kendall residents gave strong support for a $15,065,842 budget today. The spending plan passed 172-50.
The budget increases expenditures by 1.6 percent but keeps the tax levy unchanged.
All of the propositions passed with wide margins of support.
Proposition 2 creates a school bus replacement reserve fund not to exceed $100,000 annually. It passed 180-40.
Proposition 3 allows the purchase of school buses to replace existing vehicles at a sum not to exceed $250,000. It passed, 174-46.
Proposition 4 allows the creation of a capital improvement reserve fund not to exceed $5 million. It passed, 174-47.
Kendall residents also re-elected Nadine Hanlon, the current Board of Education president, to another five-year term. She was unopposed and received 199 votes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Elijah Martin shakes hands with members of the Albion Board of Education during Monday night’s academic honors convocation dinner, when 33 students were recogizned for graduating with grade point averages at 90 or higher.
Each honor grad received a certificate noting their achievement.
HOLLEY – Albion Central School honored 33 students who will graduating with cumulative grade point averages at 90 percent or higher. The students and their families were treated to dinner on Monday at Hickory Ridge Country Club.
Bill Lattin, an Albion graduate and a former Albion art teacher, was picked to address the students. Lattin recently retired as county historian. He did that job for 36 years and also worked 40 years as the part-time curator at the Cobblestone Museum.
Lattin urged the students to have open minds and not let differences get in the way of their work and service.
“Don’t be rigid in your thoughts,” Lattin said. “Let your mind be expansive.”
Bill Lattin addresses the honor grads during Monday’s program.
He urged the students to take time to enjoy simple pleasures in life, which could be smelling the peonies flowers.
When Lattin worked at the Cobblestone Museum, the organization held several ribbon-cutting ceremonies for buildings that were rededicated or relocated and saved. Lattin always invited Congressman John LaFalce. There was at least one Republican on the Cobblestone Board who didn’t want to see LaFalce, a Democrat, invited to the ceremonies. But Lattin insisted the congressman be welcomed.
LaFalce attended the celebrations. In 1993, the Cobblestone Musuem tried to get the Cobblestone Universalist Church from 1834, a central point of the museum, declared a National Historic Landmark. State officials said the museum would need the support of its congressman. Lattin made a call and LaFalce backed the effort. The Cobblestone Church is the lone National Historic Landmark in the county.
“Don’t burn your bridges,” was Lattin’s advice to the students. “Don’t be afraid especially in politics to reach across the aisle. We need more of that today.”
Nita Bela, one of the honor grads, is congratulated by Michael Bonnewell, superintendent of Albion Central School.
Lattin was thanked by Margy Brown, the Board of Education president, for working with students though the years on many service learning projects.
The students were praised for their years of hard work in the classroom. Many juggled their school work with busy schedules with extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.
Kyler McQuillan is graduating number 3 in the class. He is thankful he doesn’t have to give a speech at commencement. Kyler’s advice to students: “Do your work.”
Kyler McQuillan is congratulated by his parents, Brenda and Sean McQuillan. Mrs. McQuillan presents her son with his honor cord.
Kyler often stayed up late to get his homework done and to study, often after soccer and tennis matches. He insisted on getting enough sleep so his body wouldn’t wear down.
He will major in chemical engineering at the University at Buffalo this fall. He said Albion offers rigorous courses that helped him gain acceptance at UB’s engineering program.
Kyler took advanced placement classes in calculus, chemistry and physics at Albion, classes he needed to get into the UB program.
Dyer Benjovsky kept up his grades while playing golf, hockey and tennis. He took AP classes and also earned 38 college credits while in high school.
His advice to students: “Do your homework.”
He said the honors students had a friendly rivalry, pushing each other to excel in the classroom. He is headed to UB to study aerospace engineering.
Morgan Seielstad is congratulated by Albion Board of Education members Dean Dibley, Margy Brown and Marie Snyder, left.
Students who are graduating with a cumulative grade point average at 90 percent or higher include:
Andrea Aman, Drake Arnold, Jayne Bannister, Nita Bela, Monica Benjovsky, Theodore “Dyer” Benjovsky, Alex Bison, Mallory Broda, Adryan Cheeseboro, Peiyi “Aaron” Chen, Madyson Coville, Amanda Covis, Nicholas Ettinger, Morgan Ferris, Laura Flanagan, Brittany Francis, Elijah Martin, Sara Maxon, Kyler McQuillan, Sara Millspaugh, Dakota Monno, Justice Nauden, Kellie O’Hearn, Charlyne Olick, Carol Pritchard, Cristal Quintana Aragon, Ryan Reed, Kerry Rice, Morgan Seielstad, Jacob Squicciarini, Gabriell Struble, Benjamin Vanacore and Crystal Zayac.
The New York State Thruway Authority board of directors today approved a modified budget for 2015 that is balanced and does not include toll increases for any part of the Thruway system.
The $1.9 billion spending plan approved today at a board meeting in Albany closes a gap that was identified in the original 2015 budget approved in December and includes more than $22 million in spending cuts and nearly $44 million in reduced debt service costs.
“The budget approved by the board today reflects the commitment of the Thruway Authority’s new management team to scrutinize all spending and to take a more conservative approach regarding revenue estimates,” said Thruway Board of Directors Chair Joanne M. Mahoney. “Thruway board members and management share a common goal – to keep tolls as low as possible for as long as possible.”
The 2015-16 Enacted State Budget directed $1.285 billion in bank settlement funds to the Thruway Authority for the New NY Bridge project to replace the Tappan Zee and other capital projects throughout the system. An estimated $750 million of these funds will be used for the new bridge project this year, allowing Thruway to avoid borrowing and generating debt service cost savings.
“The bank settlement funds allow us to ensure that there will be no toll increase anywhere in the system this year and that any future increases will be as small as possible,” said Thruway Acting Executive Director Robert L. Megna. “We worked closely with staff to review all spending throughout the organization and made cuts in virtually every area of Thruway operations.”
Thruway’s modified 2015 budget also addresses current-year costs related to winter weather that were higher than expected, and provides additional support for capital projects across the state.
The Thruway Authority’s fiscal year is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Contributed Photo – A gathering of Newell Shirt Factory employees at the Drake House in 1922.
By Cheryl Wertman
BARKER – A recent “I Love My Park Day” project at Golden Hill State Park involved cleaning up an area at the old “Drake House Ruins” site, on the west side of County Line Road.
Although the house itself was demolished in the early 1960s when New York State acquired the land as part of the development of the Golden Hill State Park, some remnants of the estate’s grounds remain, primarily the elaborately decorated perimeter (likely garden) walls.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – A section of the wall is shown here, a picture taken during the “I Love My Park Day” cleanup project on May 3.
Following an initial article and photos on the Orleans Hub of those remaining walls, photos have been received of the house itself. Two photos of the house in this article were taken in the 1920s when the estate was owned by Medina’s Newell Shirt Factory owner Robert Newell. In fact, the closeup photo of the group on the porch has the date of 1922 on it.
The first photo, shown at the start of this article, is of the house at the annual Newell outing in 1922 with the employees from the shirt factory gathered in front of the porch area.
This photo was contributed by Alana Koneski whose great-grandmother and grandmother worked at the shirt factory and the great grandmother is in the picture. The photo shows that the house itself was very near the shoreline as the lake is clearly visible in the background on both sides of the building.
This photo is an overview shot of the area with the red X marking where the ruins are (via bing maps). The estate’s location is at the far east end of the Golden Hill State Park property adjacent to County Line Road.
The second photo of the house shows employees in front of the house’s porch at the outing in 1922. The photo was contributed by Andrew Meier who currently owns the Newell Shirt Factory building.
Information contained in a booklet about the estate written by Town of Somerset Historian Lorraine Wayner indicates that the house was constructed in the 1850s by Aaron Drake. Several other owners followed over the years including Newell.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Rochester man who was charged with driving while intoxicated in October in Murray allegedly stole the ID from a man in a homeless shelter in Rochester.
Jeffrey Houghtaling, 49, was arraigned in Orleans County Court on numerous charges today. In addition to DWI, he was arraigned for driving with Blood Alcohol Content above 0.8 percent, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, forgery in the second degree, offering a false instrument in the first degree and criminal impersonation in the second degree.
Houghtaling was in a homeless shelter in Monroe County when he allegedly stole the identification from a person there.
Houghtaling then allegedly drove to North Carolina with the other person’s documents, District Attorney Joe Cardone told Judge James Punch in court today during Houghtaling’s arraignment.
Houghtaling has at least four prior felony DWIs, two prior misdemeanor DWIs, and possibly other charges, Cardone said.
Houghtaling was arrested in Murray on Oct. 25 when he was driving with another person’s ID.
Houghtaling currently is in the county jail. Judge Punch set bail at $100,000. The judge noted Houghtaling has four prior instances of failing to appear for court dates.
“That’s quite a series of problems,” Punch said after reviewing Houghtaling’s criminal history.
BATAVIA – Full-time Genesee Community College students will pay $25 more in tuition in the 2015-16 college academic year, an increase from $1,925 per semester to $1,950. The entire academic year will cost $3,900 in tuition.
“As compared to the proposed tuition increases that we are aware of from peer institutions, this modest increase maintains Genesee’s competitive position as one of the most affordable higher education options available among SUNY’s 30 community colleges,” GCC President James Sunser said. “It is a carefully-constructed, ‘hold the line’ budget, providing for inflationary cost increases while maintaining the quality of our academic programs.”
The tuition increase is part of GCC’s $39,927,000 budget for the 2015-2016 academic year. The budget is up from last year’s $38.7 million budget.
The new budget, which covers the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1, will be reviewed by Genesee County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee prior to its submission to the Genesee County Legislature.
Other highlights of the budget include:
GCC is adding a new online learning fee of $10 per credit hour for courses that are taught fully online. The revenue from the online learning fee will be reinvested to fund the enrollment growth and enhancements to online learning programs and courses.
College staffing will be maintained at current levels adding no new positions.
Assumes New York State “base aid” at $2,597 per full-time-equivalent student. This is a $100 increase over the New York State 2014-2015 budget, but remains below the state aid of $2,675 the college received six years ago.
The New York State budget also included support for GCC’s capital projects, the construction of the College and Community Events Center and the Student Success Center. These projects are designed to transform the campus by supporting the GCC’s academic mission and vision by promoting student success, partnering with the community and maintaining facilities in a cost-effective manner, GCC officials said in a news release.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Sara Millspaugh leads organization with 4,000-plus members
Photos by Tom Rivers – Sara Millspaugh will serve as president of the FFA in New York in 2015-16. She has been president of the FFA chapter in Albion the past two years.
ALBION – An Albion student who has helped the Albion FFA chapter organize food drives, banquets, chicken barbecue dinners and other community service projects is the new leader of the state-wide FFA organization.
Sara Millspaugh wants to bring some of the successes from the Albion chapter to chapters throughout the state, while encouraging each student to pursue their potential through the many opportunities in FFA.
More than 1,000 FFA students gathered at Morrisville State College for the state convention from Thursday through Saturday. Millspaugh was elected the new state president on Friday.
“It’s about giving back to the organization,” Millspaugh said the Albion High School today.
She joined the FFA as a freshman. She didn’t grow up on a farm. But the FFA is more than traditional farming. The organization remains rooted in agriculture and teaching those skills, but it has transitioned to train students for leadership, community service, business and many other skills.
“I’m not the traditional FFA student,” said Millspaugh. “I didn’t come from a farm background.”
Her father Sam Millspaugh owns Sam & Sons, a construction company.
Sara Millspaugh, left, is pictured with Jayne Bannister. Both earned their Empire Degrees, the top honor in the FFA at the high school level.
The new FFA president is heading to Cornell University in the fall to major in agricultural business management.
She and the five other state officers will go to Camp Oswegatchie in the Adirondacks next week for five days to prepare for next school year.
Millspaugh believes her college schedule will be less demanding than in high school, where students have multiple classes each day while juggling sports and other activities.
Millspaugh and the five other state officers were interviewed for 2 ½ days last month in Syracuse by FFA delegates and adult advisors. Millspaugh emerged as the leading candidate for president.
She spoke to the 1,000-plus students during the closing ceremonies on Saturday.
Adam Krenning, the Albion FFA advisor, said Millspaugh has proven she is up for the challenge.
“She carries herself well and she includes everyone in what’s going on. Those are among her best qualities,” Krenning said. “She works well under pressure.”
The FFA chapter is busy throughout the year. It organizes a food drive each December that results in nearly 30,000 pounds of produce being donated by local farms and delivered to Community Action and other food pantries.
The chapter organizes a citrus sale and also puts on a mini-farm at the school where students can see livestock and farm machinery. The chapter also helps plan the annual Farmer to Neighbor dinner in Lyndonville, and runs other events and competitions. FFA members are busy today preparing for Tuesday’s chicken barbecue dinner with 1,300 meals.
“There are many passionate people in FFA,” Millspaugh said. “It’s an organization where you can discover yourself.”
She also earned her Empire Degree during the state convention and was awarded a gold in proficiency for an ag education focus. She job shadowed Krenning, and created workshops and lesson plans that she shared with some of the classes. Krenning said she would make a good ag teacher.
Jayne Bannister also earned her Empire Degree with a gold in proficiency for her beef and swine production. She raised the animals and tracked her expenses and assets with the livestock.
Bannister served as a district president this past year. Clara Stilwell, another Albion student, was picked for that post in 2015-16.
Bannister is heading to Kansas State University next year with a double major in animal science and ag education.
She would like to return to area and teach agriculture and lead an FFA program someday. Bannister said she is grateful for the opportunities in FFA, working with the local community and travelling throughout the state and making trips to the national convention in Louisville and Indianapolis.
“It has been amazing,” she said. “It has been experiences I will never forget that have shaped me.”
Millspaugh is the third Albion student elected among the top leaders of the FFA in the past decade. Anna Metcalf served as president in 2007-08 and Paige Levandowski was vice president in 2012-13.
“We have great kids that are motivated to get the most out of themselves,” Krenning said.
There are about 100 FFA chapters in the state, and Krenning said some nearby school districts may start programs. Albion students have met with some of the schools to help start FFA chapters.
“The FFA is producing great leaders for our country and state and more school districts are noticing that,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Two Albion residents pleaded guilty to drug crimes today in Orleans County Court and could be sentenced to state prison.
Leeanne Krull, 45, of 35 N. Main St. admitted in court today to having hydrocodone in Medina. She told Judge James Punch she sold it one time on April 22.
She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which usually carries a maximum sentence of 2 ½ years in state prison. Because Krull has a prior felony, the maximum will be 4 years in state prison.
She will be sentenced on July 27. She is currently in the county jail on $5,000 bail.
John B. Lang, Jr., 56, of 175 North Main St., Apt. 16, also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Lang admitted he had hydrocodone on Sept. 9 and made one sale. He has no prior felonies and faces a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 27.
Lang has been in the county jail on $75,000 bail. Judge Punch agreed to reduce the bail today to $25,000.
Provided photos – The Medina Mustang Marching Band performs in Saturday’s parade at Seneca Falls.
SENECA FALLS – The Albion and Medina marching bands both competed in the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands on Friday and Saturday with Medina taking the top prize as grand champion champion.
Albion won first place in the marching band category.
There were 16 bands from western and central New York competing in jazz, concert band, color guard, twirling, percussion and parade. The schools are placed in classifications based on the size of their enrollment.
Medina’s Color Guard took first place.
In Jazz, Medina took first place in the Senior High B class, with Solvay coming in second and Albion in third. In Senior High Concert Band, Medina took first against Akron. Medina also was awarded first place in Twirling, Color Guard, Percussion and Parade.
The Medina band leaves for Ohio on May 21 and will be back to perform in the Memorial Day parade on May 25.
Logan London, right, and the Color Guard from Albion lead the marching band in the parade.
Albion was first in Marching Band with an 89 score and third in Jazz Ensemble with a 96.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 17 May 2015 at 12:00 am
This image shows the storefront of F. H. Lattin & Company in Chicago, Ill. Although this is not an image of a building in Orleans County, Frank Haak Lattin of Gaines operated this store as one of several specializing in the sale of natural specimens, instruments and supplies.
Graduating from the Albion High School in 1882, Lattin would spend several years teaching in Gaines. Lattin recognized the rich geological nature of the Orleans County region and collected a number of specimens from neighboring sandstone and limestone quarries.
In his earliest years as a collector he focused his attention strictly on birds’ eggs and started a publication called the “Oologist” in 1884. That collection of eggs became so extensive that it occupied two warehouses and at one time pieces of the collection were placed on exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago.
By the time of his retirement in 1896, he was regarded as one of the most well known dealers of his kind in the United States. He would later attend the University of Buffalo, graduating from the medical department in 1899.
Lattin also became a well-respected fruit grower throughout New York State with over 200 acres of land dedicated to the growing of pears, cherries, peaches, plums and apples in both Orleans and Oswego counties.
At the time of this photograph, Lattin was heavily engaged in the wholesale and retail business, selling specimens, instruments, supplies and publications for the naturalist. The careful eye can catch a glimpse of the variety of specimens within the storefront.
In the window to the left is the nose extension of a sawfish. In the window to the right you can see an alligator lying across the length of the window and the mounted head of a red fox. Frank Lattin is standing on the left.
