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State Troopers will step up DWI patrols over weekend

Staff Reports Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am

State Police will be out in greater numbers today through Monday as part of special law enforcement effort over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

Police will be working to keep drunk drivers off the roadways and alcohol out of the hands of minors. Last year’s effort resulted in 184 arrests for driving while intoxicated and more than 11,000 tickets issued for traffic and other violations.

“State Police will be out in force to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend for all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “Our message is clear: Be safe, act responsibly and there will zero tolerance for behavior that puts public safety at risk.”

Drivers can expect increased road patrols and sobriety checkpoints along roadways throughout the state, as well as a stepped-up effort to ticket distracted drivers using handheld electronic devices.

Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation in order to more easily identify motorists who are not following traffic laws. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations by blending in with traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

The State Police will also engage in operations to identify underage drinking and sales to minors during the campaign. During the 2014 enforcement period, State Police issued 34 tickets on charges ranging from unlawful possession of an alcoholic beverage to sale to a person under 21.

“The New York State Police would like everyone to have fun this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, but urge people to do it safely,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. “If you plan on drinking please designate a sober driver. Impaired drivers can cause needless deaths and injuries. Together, we can keep New York State’s roads among the safest in the nation.”

For too many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has ended in tragedy as a result of drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. Over St. Patrick’s Day weekend from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives lost in drunk driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Every 45 minutes, a person was killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States in 2012, and most of the drunk drivers involved had blood alcohol concentrations nearly double the legal limit of .08.

Those who choose to drink and drive can face jail time, the loss of license, a higher insurance rate, and dozens of unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000.

Hospital moves business office due to renovations

Staff Reports Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The Medina Memorial Hospital Business Office is currently under construction for renovations.

The office has been temporarily relocated to 100 Ohio St. This is the building north of the hospital parking lot.

If you have any questions, please call (585) 798-8401.

‘Finally Fridays’ marks 100th concert at Medina library

Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos and article by Thom Jennings

MEDINA – About 200 people attended the final installment of the 2015 “Finally Fridays!” concert series at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Friday and they were greeted with cookies and Library Director Catherine Cooper, whose face beamed with pride.

Cooper had reason to smile, not only was The Middleport Community Choir performing to a packed house, the series reached an important milestone, the 100th performance.

“It is a wonderful turnout,” Cooper noted, “and we are honoring the community with a community choir.”

Started in 2002, Cooper said the concerts, which run from January through March, were a sort of a “winter survival” during the cold months when there is not much else to do in the area. Cooper said she enjoys seeing patrons “dancing in the library and having fun.”

Before the Middleport Community Choir took the stage, patrons passed around a clipboard so that they could write personal notes of appreciation to Cooper for bringing the series to Medina, and the Library’s Board of Directors presented Cooper with a large bouquet of flowers.

Catherine Cooper

“On Friday nights this place turns magical,” Cooper told the crowd. “It is filled with the magic of music. I thank all of you for coming out on many of these cold nights and having to park far away.”

Members of the Middleport Community Choir, led by Ric Jones, were dressed for the occasion, and immediately had the crowd entranced with their beautifully layered harmonies.

Ric Jones

Even though the group gets its name from Medina’s neighbor to the west, Middleport, the ensemble has a strong Medina presence. The group’s director Ric Jones is a Medina resident and is very active in Medina’s cultural and arts community.

Medina residents likely will not miss the cold winter months, but many of them will eagerly await the “Finally Fridays!” series return in 2016.

Ric Jones and the choir perform at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Nancy Huntington, left, and Jan Lajoie, both of Middleport, were among about 200 who attended the concert.

Yvonne Freeman, a Medina native, plays the flute.

Albion Middle School brings ‘The Jungle Book’ to stage

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

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kate Krieger plays the role of Kaa, a snake trying to prey on Mowgli (Sophia Zambito), during tonight’s opening performance of Disney “The Jungle Book.”

The Albion Middle School will also perform the show on noon and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the door.

Zachary Moore plays the part of Baloo, a bear, during the show and Hannah VanEpps is Shante at right.

Kaylyn Holman is Bagheera, a black panther who looks out for Mowgli. In back are two members of the Vulture Committee, Omar Peterson and Dalton Wilkins.

Sophia Zambito plays Mowgli, “The Man Child.” Mowgli prefers life in the jungle.

King Louie, the leader of The Barrel of Monkeys, is played by Katelyn Spierdowis.

Mallory Kozody, daughter of musical director Carrie Kozody, makes her Albion stage debut as Hathi Jr., a baby elephant. Annalise Steier plays the elephant in back.

Arella Ives stars in the role of Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger that tries to hunt down Mowgli.

Prepping for St. Patrick’s Dinner

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

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club is preparing for its annual St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion (corner of East State and Main streets).

In the top photo, Fred Nesbitt puts potatoes in a pot to boil.

Mary Anne Braunbach gets hams ready to be baked.

Ed Fancher puts hams with brown sugar and pineapple on top in the oven with help from Bruce Landis.

Dinners are available for take-out or dining in. Proceeds from the dinner go to the Rotary Interact Club at Albion High School.

See the highs and lows of historic Albion church

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

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – If you were wondering what the bell tower looks like inside the tallest steeple in Orleans County, the top photo gives you a look.

You have to climb up the steps to get a closer view, and I wasn’t up for it today.

Bill Diehl, a member of the Albion Rotary Club and one of the caretakers of the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, gave Bruce Landis and me a tour of the bell tower this afternoon.

Bruce couldn’t resist tugging the rope and making the bell ring.

(File photo) The church was built in 1874 and at 175 feet high, it’s the tallest building in the county. It’s one of seven churches on the Courthouse Square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Diehl also gave us a quick tour of the basement. There are some old signs and furniture down there, and some tools for working on many projects to maintain the building.

Governor says cap on farmland has helped agriculture

Staff Reports Posted 12 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A bale of hay is pictured last summer off Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that as a result of the Agricultural Land Assessment Cap, last year farmers across the state paid $11 million less in agricultural property taxes.

Signed into law by Cuomo in October 2013, the law ensures that any increase in the agricultural assessment will be no more than 2 percent per year for farmers. Coupled with the 2 percent property tax cap, New York farmers are now enjoying a more predictable property tax climate, Cuomo said.

This predictability allows for smart business decision-making that helps to increase productivity and profitability on farms across the state, he said.

“Protecting our farmers from drastic adjustments in agricultural assessment values is crucial to ensuring that New York’s booming agriculture industry continues to thrive,” Cuomo said. “This control on property tax growth is helping some of our hardest working individuals support themselves and their families. The agriculture industry is an important part of the State’s economy, and this program will continue to provide meaningful relief to help keep our farmers’ hard-earned income in their pockets.”

The base assessment value for agricultural lands nearly doubled over the seven years prior to Cuomo implementing the assessment relief, despite a 10 percent cap on annual assessment growth. The Department of Taxation and Finance projects the 2 percent cap will yield even greater benefit to New York farmers in 2015.

“Our state is home to thousands of world class agricultural producers and we have a lot to be proud of,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.

“In all my years as a farmer, I can honestly say that there has never been a better relationship between agriculture and state government than there is right now. This new law is living proof of this partnership.”

Between 2000 and 2011, property taxes nearly doubled in New York. As a result of the property tax cap introduced by the governor in 2011, New York’s property taxes have been held to an average growth rate of 2.2 percent during the past three years, nearly 60 percent less than the 5.3 percent rate of growth over the previous 10 years.

“The cap on agricultural land assessment was a top priority for our members who were seeing their tax bills skyrocket because of rising land values,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president. “In turn, the money they have saved can be reinvested into our farms to help grow our rural economies upstate and on Long Island. We appreciate Governor Cuomo working with us to invest in New York agriculture and accomplish such significant savings.”

Albion agrees to provide manpower for Elba water and sewer

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

ALBION – The Village Board agreed to have village employees run Elba’s water and sewer plants, a move that will help the small village in Genesee County and generate about $24,000 in net revenue for Albion.

Albion will have personnel at the Elba facilities for about 2 hours each day. Rick Albright, the sewer plant chief operator, will handle the sewer oversight in Elba while Bill Logan, a DPW worker with a water license, will work at Elba’s water plant.

Albright urged the Village Board to move on the agreement with Elba, and the board on Wednesday gave it’s blessing to the municipal contract. Mayor Dean London said the village will have to finalize the contract with Elba.

Albion also has been managing the Holley sewer plant for the past year.

Albright said the village has dedicated and talented group of employees who could help nearby municipalities and also bring in needed revenue for the village.

Albright estimated the village’s costs would be for the weekend overtime, which he said would total about $8,000 over the year for the two workers.

Many relics unearthed from former Swan Library

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

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This plaque was given to the Village of Albion on its 150th anniversary in 1978 by Macy’s in honor of Charlie Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School. He also was the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from 1948 to 1965.

This plaque was unearthed in the former Swan Library. Volunteers and library staff have been working to clear out the building since last month.

The library is renting a storage unit on East Avenue for some of the itemsremoved from the former library. Some things have been moved to the Hoag Library, and others may be made available to the Cobblestone Museum, Orleans County Genealogical Society and Orleans County Historian’s Office, said Kevin Doherty, the library board president.

In addition to the plaque from Macy’s, Doherty said staff and volunteers discovered posters from World War I, a banner with insignias from the volunteer fire companies from about 1900, and “all kinds of stuff.”

The building should be emptied of keepsakes by Friday. The library is set to close on the building on March 23. Holley resident Chad Fabry is buying it for $53,000.

He would like to make the building available for professional offices. He intends to make the main meeting room in the library available as a community meeting space.

Hawley: Farmers could get tax credits for Thruway tolls

Posted 11 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) announced today that he will sponsor a bill to provide tax credits against New York State Thruway tolls for farmers who travel the highway.

Assembly Bill 2414 provides a tax credit of 75 percent of the Thruway tolls assumed by farmers in order to allow them more profits when selling their products across the state. Hawley said this is a vital piece of legislation that will help sustain the farms in his Western New York district and allow them to sell crops statewide.

“Growing up on our family’s farm, I know firsthand the struggles our farmers face every year,” Hawley said. “Profits are not guaranteed and much of the business relies not only on the ability to produce a high yield of crops, but also the ability to transport those products across the state and sell them at a variety of outlets. Thruway tolls are continuing to rise, and large-box trucks and farm vehicles are not allowed on smaller highways. Because of this, farmers are losing a large amount of their profits in tolls. This bill would allow greater intrastate commerce while also financially supporting those who feed our state.”

The legislation is a bipartisan effort currently awaiting action in the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. Under the bill, to receive the tax credit, farm vehicles cannot exceed 26,000 pounds, must be controlled and operated by a farmer for the transport of agriculture products, farm supplies or farm machinery.