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Nice little waterfalls run through big culvert under railroad

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

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – You live in a place for two decades and you think you’ve found all the nice spots. On Tuesday, while heavy equipment was ripping apart the Clarendon Street bridge, I noticed Sandy Creek ran under the railroad tracks just east of Clarendon Street. I hadn’t seen this place before.

I decided to take a look. I didn’t expect to seen the little waterfalls and the impressive culvert, with some fine Medina sandstone work. That big culvert was built in 1919.

Orleans County has many nice waterfalls and nature trails, but many do not have public access or signage pointing people to the locations.

Places like this are good for the body and soul. As a community we should develop a map, improve signage and accessibility for these special places.

The bottom photo shows the Clarendon Street bridge in the upper right corner before it was knocked down. You can see it through the trees.

Counterterrorism grants include $105K for Orleans

Staff Reports Posted 9 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced more than $233 million in federal grants that will support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties and urban areas across New York State, including a $105,000 grant for Orleans County.

The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Homeland Security Grant Program, supports regional preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, and training activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities.

“New York continues to be a target for terrorism, and we must ensure there is adequate funding to prepare, plan and prevent,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help defend the state against those who wish to do harm and will support our first responders who are called upon when emergency strikes. Keeping New Yorkers safe is the top priority, and through these programs and exercises we will continue to work toward this goal.”

The homeland security grants support exercises and training for first responders, equipment purchases, and other capabilities essential to keeping New Yorkers safe. Federal guidelines require that 25 percent of each county’s total award be directed toward law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Priority projects include efforts that build upon Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Program, development of effective cyber security programs and policies, and continued coordination of emergency management planning efforts.

The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is also advancing regional partnerships and enhancing information sharing among law enforcement. The agency provides guidance and support to counties, which must submit detailed project plans in order to receive reimbursement-based grant contracts.

Key programs and grant amounts include:

The Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is providing nearly $181 million in funding to critical anti-terrorism programs in the New York City urban area, which includes New York City, the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.

The State Homeland Security Program, which is providing more than $52 million in funding to counties across the state and to New York City to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic disasters.

The Western NY region also received a $2,322,953 grant.

Concert, ‘Run for Wayne’ meet $10K goal for Burlison scholarship

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

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion High School Alumni Foundation will offer a new scholarship this year in memory of Wayne Burlison, the district’s elementary band teacher who died at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Burlison also served as assistant marching band director, assistant jazz band director and was active in many community musical groups. He also was co-founder of the Albion Running Club and spearheaded a fitness program through the Albion Free Methodist Church that helped many people run their first 5-kilometer race.

A concert on Jan. 30 included 20 musical acts and raised about $7,000. A “Run for Wayne” on March 28 raised another $3,000 towards the scholarship. The proceeds from the events met the $10,000 goal for an endowed scholarship in honor of Burlison.

Some of the leaders of the Albion Running Club met with Burlison’s family and Chris Haines, president of the Alumni Foundation, for a check presentation today.

The group includes, from left: Thom Jennings, Running Club communications director; Brian Krieger, Running Club executive director, Adam Burlison; Lisa Burlison; Mark Moore, Run for Wayne race director; Chris Haines from the Alumni Foundation; and Shannon Brett, board member for Running Club.

The first scholarship for $500 will be awarded in June at Class Night. It will be presented to a graduate with a passion for the arts, who demonstrates perseverance and overcame challenges, said Mrs. Burlison. She and her son Adam will be on the selection committee with members of the Alumni Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.

The scholarship winner doesn’t have to be majoring in music or the performing arts, but needs to participate in the fine arts in college.

“Wayne believed anyone could be a life-long musician,” his wife said.

She is grateful the community responded to the concert and the “Run for Wayne” and raised the money for the scholarship. She thanked the Running Club for organizing the run and walk on March 28 and Mike Thaine, the high school band teacher, for taking the lead in the concert on Jan. 30.

“I’m very grateful for how it all came together,” Mrs. Burlison said. “I couldn’t have done it by myself. They’ve turned into beautiful community events.”

Hydropower approved for company eyeing Medina site

Staff Reports Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Sen. Ortt also introduces legislation to extend hydropower to hospitals, housing authorities

MEDINA – More incentives are being offered to a Canadian company, trying to make Medina the best option for a new vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility.

Pride Pak Canada Ltd. has been offered 1 megawatt of hydropower, deeply discounted electricity from the New York Power Authority.

Pride Pak is considering acquiring and renovating the former BernzOmatic plant in Medina, a site vacated last year by Worthington Cylinders. Pride Pak’s investment in Orleans County and the property would be $18 million and would create 163 new jobs, according to the New York Power Authority.

“These low-cost hydropower allocations from the Niagara Power Project demonstrate the Power Authority’s commitment to invest in the people and businesses of New York State,” said John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman.

Low-cost Niagara hydropower is currently priced more than 40 percent less than wholesale market electricity in the Buffalo-Niagara region and is linked to tens of thousands of existing jobs, NYPA officials said.

Pride Pak, based in Mississauga, Ontario, is currently Canada’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable processor.

The power allocation follows a move by the Orleans Economic Development Agency last month that would save Pride Pak $1 million in property taxes over 20 years at the site, plus $280,000 in sales tax for materials and equipment in the renovation and expansion.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, praised the news from NYPA.

“As a small-business owner, I know the resources that are necessary to flourish in New York’s economy,” Hawley said. “I am excited to see public-sector entities actively supporting private-sector businesses in my district. For the private-sector businesses to thrive, we need initiatives such as these that will create jobs and grow Western New York’s economy.”

State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, also said the NYPA decision is good for Medina and the regional agricultural economy.

“This proposed project is a great example of how low-cost hydropower can be used to help grow our local economy while meeting the demand for locally grown food,” Ortt said. “Working with our partners across the border to deliver fresh, healthy food from a home base in Medina is a start to strengthening our region’s and state’s leading industry, in hopes of one day, distributing these local products around the world.”

Ortt also announced on Tuesday an effort to make the hydropower available to hospitals and housing authorities in Niagara and Orleans counties.

Ortt has introduced a bill (S4414-A) that would make low-cost hydropower easily available to hospitals and municipal housing authorities located in the two counties.
These types of institutions in the two counties would not be required to go through the eligibility process that’s currently in place for allotments of power through the Niagara Power Project, Ortt said.

“Niagara Falls is a powerful resource in our very own backyard, and certain facilities should be able to take advantage of its ability to produce cost-effective electricity provided by the Niagara Power Project,” Ortt said. “Making hydroelectricity easily accessible to housing authorities and hospitals in Niagara and Orleans counties will help those in need while spurring economic development.”

The idea to implement this bill came after Senator Ortt realized how many entities, including the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, are not currently eligible to take advantage of low-cost hydropower.

A hydropower allocation would reduce the operating costs at Medina Memorial Hospital, said Wendy Jacobson, interim chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health, the hospital’s parent organization.

“Cost containment is essential to smaller hospitals,” she said. “Reducing operating expenses through lower cost hydropower will help us to continue serving health care needs in our community. Along with physician alignment and affiliation with larger institutions to share resources, cost containment measures such as lower cost hydropower will assist Medina Memorial Hospital in achieving a healthy future.”

Eligible facilities that do not fall under the category of a housing authority or hospital would still need to apply for low-cost hydropower as long as they are within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, Ortt said.

Lots of rain before a sunny weekend

Staff Reports Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman

LYNDONVILLE – This mouse took up residence under the Lyndonville baseball dugout and was trying to have its dinner during Tuesday’s game between Lyndonville and Kendall.

It’s going to be rainy the next three days with highs of 42 for today, followed by 62 on Thursday and 64 on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

It will be sunny on the weekend with highs of 48 on Saturday and 58 on Sunday.

Albion picked for ‘walkability audit’ to improve pedestrian safety

Staff Reports Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A pedestrian walks south on King Street on Tuesday in Albion while a motorist heads north on the street after crossing the railroad tracks. King Street doesn’t have sidewalks.

ALBION – The Village of Albion is hosting one of 10 “walkability audits” happening across the Finger Lakes region. Community members are welcome to be part of the discussion and audit on April 13 to make the village more pedestrian-friendly.

The project is funded by the Genesee Transportation Council through its Unified Planning Work Program. The purpose of the audit is to get local perspectives on the problems and opportunities faced by pedestrians, and develop solutions for improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, convenience and comfort.

The intent of the effort is to help increase foot traffic and encourage alternatives to automobiles as a means of transportation. As a result, the Council hopes to increase the vibrancy and appeal of the Village of Albion as a place to shop, socialize and recreate.

The walkability audit will succeed best if it includes a range of community stakeholders from all perspectives working together to understand the issues and opportunities and make sure the plan is responsive to locally identified needs.

Participants in the “walkability audit” should RSVP with Dale Brooks, Albion DPW superintendent, by calling 585-589-7061.

The tentative schedule for the day includes:

11:30 a.m. – Stakeholders to join at Village of Albion board room, 35-37 East bank St., with lunch to be provided

Noon to 1 p.m. – Presentation to stakeholders

1 p.m. – Audit Start (tentatively planned to meet at the Village DPW)

2:30/3 p.m. – Working Group Sessions at Village Hall

4:30/5 p.m. – Wrap Up

Fallen police officer in Florida was a dedicated Orleans County Jail employee

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

Jared Forsyth

ALBION – A police officer in Florida who died in a tragic accident on Monday worked nearly three years as a corrections officer at the Orleans County Jail.

That part-time job, often on the night shift, helped Jared Forsyth pursue his dream of becoming a police officer.

“He was friends with a lot of the staff and stayed in touch with them,” said Scott Wilson, superintendent of the jail.

The jail staff is in mourning after learning that Forsyth, 33, was killed Monday during a firearms training exercise in Ocala, Fla. Forsyth worked three years as a patrolman for the City of Ocala.

He was killed when another officer’s gun discharged as it was being unloaded at the end of the training session, The Buffalo News reported. The bullet ricocheted off a bench, went through Forsyth’s arm, damaged his lung and severed his aorta, according to the newspaper.

Forsyth was wearing a bulletproof vest, but there is no protective material under the arms, Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham told local reporters.

Forsyth, a Lockport native, worked at the county jail in Albion from December 2007 to September 2010.

“A lot of younger guys start here,” Wilson said. “It’s a foot in the door to a career in law enforcement.”

Wilson was lieutenant of the jail during that time and he sometimes worked the same shift with Forsyth.

“He was a dedicated employee who did a good job,” Wilson said. “There were never any discipline issues or complaints.”

Forsyth had a friendly demeanor and got along well with the other staff and the inmates, Wilson said.

The union representing the corrections officers plans to send a memorial in honor of Forsyth to his family.

4 picked as ‘Heritage Heroes’ in Orleans County

Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Winners will be recognized at Civil War Encampment in Medina

Press Release, Genesee Community College

MEDINA – The renaissance mayor of Medina, a benevolent author who’s chronicled veterans’ oral histories, a tireless educator who restored a cemetery and a founding member of the Medina Sandstone Society have been selected for recognition with the second annual Orleans County Heritage Heroes Awards.

These awards honor the time and investment of individuals who are tireless advocates in preserving Orleans County history. The awards will be presented on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. under the central tent at the Civil War Encampment hosted by GCC’s Medina Campus Center. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“It’s a true pleasure to shine a spotlight on these individuals who rarely receive recognition for all they do to preserve local history,” said Derek Maxfield, GCC assistant professor of history and coordinator of GCC’s Civil War Initiative.

The recipients of the second Heritage Heroes Awards include:

Holly Ricci-Canham – One of the founders of the Orleans County Genealogical Society, Holly has served as the president of the organization and spearheaded the effort to educate the public about the Orphan Train Movement. This led to a reenactment at the Medina Railroad Museum and the discovery of several area residents who were brought to Orleans County by an Orphan Train.

For many years now Holly has also spent many hours recording and transcribing oral histories of veterans for permanent preservation by the Library of Congress.

Somehow in the midst of these many efforts, Holly has published a number of books including “Legendary Locals of Orleans County,” and a book about the history of Carlton and Point Breeze for the “Images of America Series.” Holly has donated the proceeds of these works to the Orleans County Genealogical Society.

Susan Starkweather Miller – A longtime leader of student learning projects, Susan has taken on heritage initiatives time and again. The most ambitious of these was the effort to clean up and restore a cemetery at the former County Alms House on West Countyhouse Road. Working with 175 seventh-graders, their teachers and local historians, she researched the people buried in the cemetery for the county’s poor residents, reset headstones and erected a historical marker at the site. Later Susan would work with students on a booklet highlighting the cemetery and the efforts to restore it.

Susan also serves as one of the coordinators of the popular annual ghost walk at Mount Albion Cemetery and also works with students on projects that connect them with local senior citizens.

Andrew W. Meier – Currently mayor of Medina, Andrew has long been an advocate for the preservation of historic buildings. Beginning with his effort to preserve the Newell Building, he has been a leader of the movement to save the Bent’s Opera Hall and other buildings in historic downtown Medina.

Opened in 1875, the Newell building was purchased by Andrew about six years ago. Since that time he has created the Shirt Factory Café and renovated the building for apartments and a boutique hotel.

The Bent’s Hall opened in February 1865 and was dedicated near the end of the Civil War. The Orleans Renaissance Group was formed to salvage and restore the building. Andrew has served on the board of directors and served as treasurer and counsel. He also takes his message beyond the limits of Medina, speaking about preservation and revitalization wherever he can find an audience.

Andrew’s interest in preservation extends beyond buildings to include pipe organs as well. At one time Medina could boast seven such instruments. Today there are efforts to restore two organs. Andrew is leading the charge to install a rescued Holtcamp organ at Trinity Lutheran Church.

In 2012, Andrew’s preservation efforts were recognized by Business First in an extensive article that spotlighted the renaissance of downtown Medina.

William A. Menz – Dating back to 1977 and earlier, William Menz demonstrated his passion for historic preservation and celebration of local heritage. Beginning with the formation of the Armory Action Committee, William led efforts to find a civic purpose for the sandstone armory building and its maintenance. Eventually, the Medina Sandstone Society was born from these efforts with William a founding member.

More recently William formed the Company F Monument Committee to find a way to commemorate the armory’s military past and to honor the many war veterans from the area. This effort was very personal for William and he immersed himself in the planning, research, fundraising and even the construction of the monument itself!

Many days were spent choosing the stone, grinding and milling it to perfection. And he did not stop there. Working with the scouts and others, he planned a little memorial park around the monument with flag poles and plants and shrubbery. A monumental effort indeed!

Those selected as Heritage Heroes could be of any age but had to be living residents of Orleans County. No posthumous nominations were accepted. History professionals and GCC employees were also not eligible for the award, nor were those serving on the awards selection committees. The selection committees were made up of staff and students of Genesee Community College, community members and history professionals.

The Civil War Encampment at the Medina Campus Center includes a wide range of activities on April 25-26. Saturday’s planned activities include Prof. Maxfield narrating the retreat of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army and subsequent surrender at Appomattox Court House.

The event begins with a lively skirmish at State Street Park. Troops will then advance into downtown Medina where Generals Lee and Grant will meet, and a sandstone plaque will be dedicated at Bent’s Opera Hall followed by a flag-raising and the playing of “Taps.”

For the latest information about the Encampment visit https://civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com, or contact assistant professor Derek Maxfield at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6288 or ddmaxfield@genesee.edu. GCC’s Medina Campus Center is located at 11470 Maple Ridge Rd.

Powerful rain roared through Orleans this afternoon

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

Photos by Tom Rivers

A man walks down East Park Street in Albion today at about 2 p.m. when torrential rain and some hail hit the area.

There is more rain in the forecast for Thursday and Friday. Thursday will see a high of 58 degrees, with a 90 percent chance of another tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Friday should reach 62 degrees and there is an 80 percent chance of another tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain.

Water flows from an orchard on East State Street in Albion to a culvert under the road.

Fire departments welcome recruits at open houses April 25

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

File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters work to put out a fire in a garage on Fancher Road in Clarendon on March 23.

Some local fire departments will participate in open houses on April 25-26, part of the fifth annual Recruit NY state-wide initiative to draw more volunteers to fire departments.

“There is a great demand for firefighters and EMS personnel throughout the state, but even more so in our local area,” said Gary S. Sicurella, president of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company. “This event is to help bring this issue to the public as well as possibly increase our recruiting base.”

FHM, Carlton and Kendall departments have committed to the events.

Sicurella said local departments need more active members to provide the optimum level of protection for residents.

At the open houses, community members can tour the fire houses and apparatus, and learn about the commitment needed to help the fire department. Visitors also can try on firefighter gear and see demonstrations. FHM will have a children’s corner with kids’ activities.

FHM has set its open house for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25 and noon to 4 p.m. on April 26 at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company, located at 3353 Hulberton Rd., Holley. FHM may also have Mercy Flight visit on Sunday.

Carlton will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Fire Hall at 13504 Waterport/Carlton Rd.

Kendall will have its open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25 at its fire hall on Kendall Road. That will include a child seat inspection by Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.