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Towns say they can cut Medina village taxes through shared services

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Shelby, Ridgeway decline dissolution, will look at savings through highway

Photos by Tom Rivers – Shelby Town Supervisor Merle “Skip” Draper, center, said the town will look at assuming some of Medina’s non-emergency services to see how that would affect the tax rate for village residents and town residents outside the village. Town Board members William Bacon, left, and Steve Seitz were also at a joint session among Shelby, Ridgeway and Medina officials.

MEDINA – Before the Village of Medina makes a radical change and dissolves – a move that could shave $6 off the village’s tax rate – the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway believe they can find significant savings for the village with shared services.

Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper wants to see how much villagers could save if the two towns took over the village’s highway services. The village already pays twice for the service: to the village and then to either Ridgeway or Shelby.

Draper noted that the town of Yates plows the village of Lyndonville’s roads. He thinks a similar arrangement could work for the village of Medina, which sits about halfway in Shelby and halfway in Ridgeway.

Medina Mayor Andrew Meier reluctantly supported the shared service pursuit. Meier said the issue was brought up before during doomed shared services discussions about two years ago. Meier said a dissolution plan already gives village taxpayers the $6 savings and spells out how current village services would be provided by either the towns, or local development corporations.

About 50 residents attended the meeting at Shelby Town Hall to watch 15 elected officials talk about possibly sharing more services among two towns and the village of Medina.

But Ridgeway and Shelby officials say they won’t talk about dissolution. That angered Meier, who said a committee and consultants worked for nearly a year on the plan.
“There has been a concerted effort to ignore the plan,” Meier said at a joint meeting Monday evening among the three boards.

He asked the two towns to correct “false statements” they have made publicly about the plan.

“That’s your opinion,” Draper responded.

Napoli said the two towns weren’t asked to helped shape the plan.

“That is your plan,” Napoli told Meier. “We were not asked to be involved.”

Meier shared an email from July 2013 that Napoli sent to Scott Sittig, the lead consultant for the plan from the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester. Napoli told Sittig that Ridgeway would not cooperate with the study because “it was a waste of taxpayer money and a waste of Town of Ridgeway employees’ time.”

Meier told Napoli he “removed himself from this process.”

Meier was chided by a mediator, Richard Moffit, for pressing dissolution and Meier’s perceived slights from the towns.

“You can’t keep bringing up the past,” Moffit said.

The highway discussions represented a good start in potential tax savings, he said.

Medina Village Trustee Mike Sidari urged the three local boards to find some common ground. He is joined by Trustee Marguerite Sherman of Medina, Mayor Andrew Meier, left, and Richard Moffit, right, who served as mediator at Monday’s meeting.

Ridgeway and Shelby officials said they wanted to focus on shared services, which can provide immediate relief to taxpayers, rather than a drawn-out process with dissolution. That plan called for creating an LDC to manage some services, create an ambulance district, a debt district and pass other services, including police, to the towns. Draper said it could take years to establish the new taxing entities.

“We should look at everything rather than create LDCs and new layers of government,” he said.

Draper took command of the meeting at times, offering to crunch the numbers and work with Shelby Town Highway Superintendent Mike Fuller about how the town could take over some of the village highway costs.

Draper asked Meier to provide the village’s non-emergency budget for costs outside of police, fire and ambulance. Draper said emergency services account for about $10 of the village $16.45 tax rate. He expects the towns could bring down the other $6-plus of the village tax rate by assuming some of the non-emergency services.

Meier said he would have those budget figures, as well as the revenues for each service, to the two towns by the end of the week.

Draper said he would determine potential cost savings to the village and cost increase to Shelby by the next joint session, which was scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Meier said the cost impacts have already been spelled out in the dissolution plan. He returned to that document several times during Monday’s hour-long meeting, but town officials wouldn’t discuss the plan in detail.

Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway councilwoman, said the community isn’t ready for dissolution. The shared services discussions could better prepare the community and the boards for a dissolution and perhaps a merger of the two towns, she said.

One Medina, a group headed by local attorney Nathan Pace with support from Meier, favors dissolving the village and merging the two towns. But Woodruff said that is premature right now.

Town leaders also want to look at how water and sewer services are provided among the three governments and try to find ways to reduce administration and costs for that service.

A long-awaited joint session among the Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby boards occurred on Monday at the Shelby Town Hall.

Draper said the local government leaders will have their work cut out if they are to make a significant change in the tax burden for the village.

“That $6 won’t just disappear with a magic wand,” he said. “There’s work you have to do.”

Meier has pressed for dissolution because he said the current village government isn’t sustainable. The tax base tends to shrink every year as housing values fall. That puts pressure on the village to raise the tax rate. The $16.45 per $1,000 of assessed property is one of the highest in the region. Villagers then have the added burden of paying a $3.04 rate to Ridgeway and $3.35 to Shelby for a combined town-village rate of nearly $20.

“The elephant in the room is the $16.45,” Draper acknowledged.

Dissolution would shift some costs to the two towns. But even with dissolution residents outside the village would pay far less in taxes than the village property owners.

The Ridgeway residents outside the village currently pay a $6.71 rate for town, lighting and fire protection. That would rise 46 percent to $9.83 if the village dissolves and services are picked up according to the plan.

Shelby residents would see a 10 percent increase with dissolution with the current rate for outside-village residents going from $8.36 per $1,000 of assessed property to $9.17. That would raise taxes for a $70,000 home from $585 to $642.

Meier said he wants to compare the impact to outside-village residents with the shared service possibilities and the dissolution plan. The dissolution plan should receive support from the towns, Meier said, if it proves the best way to reduce village taxes while minimizing an increase to the towns, and still maintaining services in the community.

County will put hitching post on courthouse lawn

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – This undated photo, provided by Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, shows the Courthouse Square in its pre-automobile days with hitching posts to tie up horses.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A hitching post will be installed sometime soon near the historical marker at the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.

This hitching post is next to the home where Grace Bedell grew up on West State Street in Albion. Bedell is the girl who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, encouraging him to grow a beard.

ALBION – The historic Courthouse Square will soon add an artifact from a bygone era.

The County Legislature has agreed to accept a hitching post from the Albion Main Street Alliance. The post will be added to the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn, likely in August, said Legislature Chairman David Callard.

The post will be located near a historical marker that was installed last July. That marker, with a log cabin logo, honors the pioneering spirit of Albion’s first residents. The marker recognizes William McAllister.

In December 1810, McAllister bought 368 acres in Albion, the east side of the village, from the Holland Land Company. The following year he built a log cabin where the current County Clerks’ Building stands next the county courthouse.

McAllister and his wife, known only in historical information as “Mrs. McAllister,” were Albion’s first settlers. The hitching post adds to that spirit of honoring the pioneers and early residents in the community. That was part of my message last week when I addressed the Legislature.

I showed them pictures of the many hitching posts and carriage steps in the community. I think Albion and Gaines have more of these survivors from the horse-and-buggy era than anywhere else. (I don’t think an inventory has ever been done to see which community has the most of these historical relics.)

Most of Albion’s hitching posts and carriage are on side streets. We don’t have too many along the state roads. AMSA is working with the village and now the county to have four hitching posts put back on Main Street. They will be set back off the state right of way. By having four in more prominent places on Main Street, we’ll be better able to promote the other sites that have hitching posts and carriage steps.

Many of them are in front of grand old houses from the 1800s or other historical sites, including the Cobblestone Society Museum and Mount Albion Cemetery.

I encouraged the Legislature to consider putting six to eight hitching posts along Main Street in front of the courthouse lawn, replicating the setup from the 1800s. I think we could find that many hitching posts or have them made.

I think the county could negotiate the placement with the state Department of Transportation, as long as the county assumes liability. I just wanted to put that idea out there for the county officials to mull over. For now I’m happy the Legislature will allow the one to go by the historical marker.

Police make arrest in July 18 gunshot in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – A Rochester man has been arrested for a July 18 incident in the village of Medina when he allegedly fired one shot from a rifle at two people fleeing after an altercation. The gunshot missed the two men and also an elderly woman who was working in her garden along South Main Street.

Nathaniel Harvey, 21, of Rochester has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree. He was arraigned in Shelby Town Court and placed in Orleans County Jail on $250,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Shelby Town Court on Tuesday.

Harvey was arrested on Thursday by the Medina Police Department and Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. The arrest was made following an investigation with assistance from the State Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

The two men who fled on foot on July 18 were not injured. A verbal altercation started on Church Street and moved near the corner of South Main and Oak Orchard streets.

Heavy rains saturate fields

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

It’s been raining hard since about 11 last night, and many of the local farm fields, including this one on Brown Road in Albion, are flooded.

The rain also have swollen local creeks, including Sandy Creek in Kendall. This picture was taken from Route 272, looking west.

This field on Route 18 in Kendall, just east of the Kendall Junior-Senior High School, also is full of water.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo says there is a chance of rain each of the next four days.

Candidate would welcome working immigrants, revise tax code

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Jim O’Donnell faces uphill fight against Collins

Photo by Tom Rivers – Jim O’Donnell, a candidate for Congress, poses for a picture with Jeanne Crane, chairwoman of the Orleans County Democratic Party, during the party’s annual summer picnic at Bullard Park on Sunday.

ALBION – He has little money to spend on his campaign, and no staff to help get out his message in a near iron-clad Republican District.

But Jim O’Donnell likes his chances to pull off a big upset victory against Chris Collins, the Republican congressman in the 27th Congressional District, which covers eight counties, including Orleans.

O’Donnell, 29, is a police officer in Buffalo. He’s also an attorney with a master’s in economics.

“I’m tired of this mentality that Washington is this impossible minefield that you can’t get through unless you play to every little interest,” O’Donnell said in Albion on Sunday. “I want to be the guy that proves you can go to Washington with a purpose and you can get those purposes done.”

O’Donnell was in town for the Orleans County Democratic Party picnic at Bullard Park. He is juggling the demands of a full-time job as a police officer with the campaign. As a police officer, he can’t solicit campaign donations, according to the state election law. Some have encouraged him to quit his job to focus on the campaign, but O’Donnell has declined.

“That is one of the strengths of my campaign, that I have a full-time job working in the community with the people,” he said.

O’Donnell lives in Orchard Park. He said there is a strong anti-Chris Collins sentiment in the Congressional district. In the last election, Collins won a close race against Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. The district was reconfigured about two years ago to make it even more Republican friendly.

The gerrymandered district stretches through rural areas of Western New York. O’Donnell said agriculture is big in the district, and many of the farms rely on foreign workers to milk cows, and plant and harvest crops.

However, many of their workers are not in country legally, making the farms vulnerable to losing their workers.

“I don’t think it should ever be a crime for someone to want to come here and work,” O’Donnell said. “If someone is willing to cross the desert, to cross the cartels, to cross oceans to get here, in order to work an be productive members of society, those are the people who we want. We want to figure out a system to make those people legal citizens and start adding them to our tax base. It’s something everyone should be trying to do.”

Immigration reform is needed in our region, and not only for agriculture, O’Donnell said. Welcoming hard-working young adults would add vitality to communities suffering from population losses, he said.

“We need to be fostering a very strong immigration policy that grows our population, that does so in a way that promotes the success of our country,” he said. “If you’re coming across for the right reasons we should want you here.”

Efforts to reform immigration laws have stalled in the past 20 years. O’Donnell thinks Congress sometimes tries to do too much with a proposal, leading to the legislation’s demise.

“It’s a complex issue because there are a whole bunch of different side issues that go along with it,” he said about immigration. “Whenever you try to do these big wide scope legislative things it ends up either not getting passed at all or it misses a lot of the important things should have been handled on an individual basis.”

He said he agreed with Collins that the U.S. shouldn’t house migrant children in our region who have recently crossed the southern U.S. border illegally, fleeing violence and poverty. Many of those children came across without their parents.

“It sends the wrong message to those parents,” he said. “I don’t want them sending their kids here alone, risking dying in a desert. That isn’t good policy. The border should be secured. It doesn’t make sense to allow just anyone to come in.”

O’Donnell said simplifying the tax code, which totals more than 70,000 pages, would also be a goal in Congress. A streamlined tax code would foster business growth and boost the economy, he said.

“The tax code is one of the few things government can do to help the economy,” he said.

O’Donnell urged Democrats in Orleans to rally behind his campaign, and not let the odds discourage them.

“He’s not a popular Republican,” O’Donnell said about Collins. “He’s not out there doing things for the community. Hopefully people will recognize that and the vote will go my way.”

Small Lyndonville building served as doctor’s office

Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

By Matt Ballard
Cobblestone Society Museum co-director

LYNDONVILLE – This small building, standing on the east side of Main Street in the Village of Lyndonville, once served as the office of Dr. John D. Warren.

Later, this same building was used by Dr. Warren’s son-in-law, Dr. Charles E. Fairman. It was common practice for a physician to have a smaller building located near their home for use as an office. Many homes had separate wings or extensions that served as the location for their practice.

Dr. Warren was well known for his interest in fruit and vegetable drying. Around 1880, he submitted a patent for “Warren’s Vegetable Soup Package,” the precursor to the instant soup packets we currently use today. Later that same year, Gaines farmer A. J. Palmer assigned half of the patent for his fruit dryer to Dr. Warren. The Cobblestone Museum has the patent model of Palmer’s fruit dryer on display in the Farmer’s Hall.

Editor’s Note: The Cobblestone Museum is hosting an exhibit, “Medicine at the Museum,” through Oct. 13, The exhibit displays a collection of medical artifacts from the Rexall Drug Store in Albion and features over 20 local physicians and pharmaceutical giants.

The museum in August and September also will have a four-part lecture series about the development of the medical profession in Western New York. The series starts with the development of Buffalo’s Medical College in the 1840s, and goes through the progression of 19th century medicine from the establishment of WNY health spas and sanitariums to the trivial and candid stories of Orleans County physicians. The series will conclude with a look into the Victorian culture surrounding death and illness in the 19th century.

For more information about the museum and its events, click here.

Morris Taylor admits selling cocaine

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Former track star could get up to 6 months in jail

ALBION – Morris Taylor, 24, admitted in Orleans County Court today that he sold cocaine on State Street in the village of Albion last Sept. 4.

Taylor has no prior felony convictions and has never served on Probation. District Attorney Joe Cardone presented a plea deal to Taylor where he would face no more than 6 months in Orleans County Jail and 5 years on Probation. Taylor accepted the plea offer in court today.

If Judge James Punch gives Taylor more than 6 months in jail, Taylor can rescind his plea and go to trial. He has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which carries a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison.

Taylor, a former state track champion and football star for Albion, was accused of robbing Mark’s Pizzeria in February 2013. That case went to trial and Taylor was found not guilty.

Taylor on Dec. 2 also was arraigned on first-degree rape and forcible compulsion rape. Those crimes allegedly occurred on Thanksgiving morning. Those charges are now in a lower court and will be prosecuted separate from the drug case. Cardone said in court today there are some “issues” with the rape case. It may be handled as a misdemeanor.

“Some are questioning her motives with coming forward,” Cardone told the judge about the alleged victim.

Punch set Oct. 20 for sentencing for the drug charge.

Kendall teen in guarded condition after accident on Sunday

Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

KENDALL – A Kendall teen-ager remains hospitalized in guarded condition this morning after crashing his pick-up truck late Sunday afternoon in the Town of Kendall.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. in the 16100 block of Woodchuck Alley, near West Kendall Road. Ryan D. Clay, 17, was operating a ’96 Chevrolet pick-up, travelling west on gravel road surface when he lost control of the vehicle.

The truck ran off the north side of the roadway, turned sideways, and slammed driver’s side into a tree. Clay was extricated by Kendall firefighters and transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Kendall FD ambulance.

A front seat passenger is identified as Andrew A. Eden, 17, of Kent. Eden was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He was not transported by ambulance.

The incident was investigated by Deputy T.N. Tooley, assisted by Deputy K.J. Colonna and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler. It appears that excessive speed was a contributing factor in the crash.

Medina, 2 towns meet tonight to talk shared services, perhaps more

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2014 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – A joint session among the Medina Village Board and Town Boards for Shelby and Ridgeway will finally happen at 7 tonight at the Shelby Town Hall.

The meeting nearly didn’t happen after officials from the towns contested an agenda by Medina Mayor Andrew Meier. He wanted the village’s dissolution to be a topic but was rebuffed by Ridgeway Town Supervisor Brian Napoli and Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper.

The two town supervisors also insisted on an outside mediator and stenographer. The three governments will share the costs.

The bulk of the agenda will be geared to shared services among the three entities and perhaps some consolidation of functions. The meeting at 4062 Salt Works Rd. is open to public.

Drechsel named Grand Master Showman of Small Animals

Posted 27 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – Claudia Drechsel explains to judge Linda Wilbur how to check rabbits for ear mites.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

KNOWLESVILLE – The Grand Master Showman of Small Animals competition tested participants’ skills in showing chickens, rabbits and dogs.

Competitors were chosen for their excellence at earlier shows in the week for the small animals. Six competed for Grand Master Showman including Jordyn Smith and Rachel Gregoire, representing rabbits; Andrew Moore and Claudia Drechsel, representing poultry; and Brooke Kiefer and Bailey Jackson, representing dogs.

Judges were brought from outside the area so that they would not have a bias or prior knowledge of any of the competitors.

Rachel Gregoire shows the Australian cattle dog.

Jordyn Smith went into the chicken portion of the show with great confidence.

During each portion of the show, the 4-H’ers had to demonstrate the correct care and handling of the animal. During the dog portion, they also had to run the dog around the show ring and make the animal perform patterns for the judge. They also had to know the nomenclature and what each of the body parts did or how it should be cared for.

Brooke Kiefer shows the dog to judge Toni Garcia.

Claudia Drechsel of Holley was named the Grand Master Showman for her competence of all three species of animals. Brooke Kiefer was named the Reserve Champion.

“This is my third year participating in small animal grand master and I really enjoy learning about all the different breeds,” said Drechsel. “I like that they switch up what we use (each year). It’s really cool to learn about all the different breeds.”

Dreschel also competed in the Grand Master Showman competition on Friday for large animals, qualifying for her prowess in showing sheep.

Kiefer (left) and Drechsel received trophies for their hard work.

Poultry judge Bill Ziehm found the 4-H’ers impressive. He said that when they weren’t sure about an answer or gave a wrong answer “they maintained their composure and moved on to the next question with a positive attitude.”

“You have to study. You really do,” said Drechsel. “Small animals are lots of knowledge. Large animals are more how you present the animal and present yourself. It’s a really good experience and a good thing to have fun with. It’s not all about winning. From a personal standpoint, I’d rather lose and have fun, than win and not have fun.”

Andrew Moore answers questions for Bill Ziehm.

Bailey Jackson talks to the judge while the audience looks on.

Democrat who wants to succeed Maziarz says he’ll fight for more WNY aid

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Johnny Destino speaks to about 75 people at the Orleans County Democratic Party picnic this afternoon at Bullard Park in Albion.

ALBION – It’s a rallying cry repeated often by Republican leaders locally and state-wide: the State Senate needs to remain in Republican control or the downstate Democrats will give free rein to the State Legislature and governor to pass a liberal agenda and drive up taxes.

Johnny Destino doesn’t buy that argument. He is running as a Democrat for Senate in the 62nd District, George Maziarz’s seat.

“Look at the downturn in Western New York over the last 40 years while we’ve had a Republican majority in the State Senate,” Destino said today in Albion. “That argument that all of a sudden it’s going flip to Democratic control and I’m going to succumb to downstate liberal interests is just false. I’ll be a strong advocate for the 62nd District.”

Destino, 37, is an attorney in Niagara Falls. He said he would make increased state funding for local schools a top priority. He serves on the Niagara Falls Board of Education and the board for the Orleans-Niagara BOCES.

He was critical of Maziarz for giving “bullet aid” to each school district in Orleans County rather than pushing for more state aid that would be outside the whims and influence of a state senator. Maziarz this past school year directed $67,800 in bullet aid to each of the five districts in Orleans.

Destino ran against Maziarz in a Republican primary two years ago and was soundly defeated. He didn’t want to associate with the Niagara County Republican Party this election, saying the party is corrupt.

Alisa Lukasiewicz

Dennis Glascott

Daniel Furlong

Maziarz opted against re-election two weeks ago, a day before the deadline to decline the nomination. Many Republican Party leaders are rallying behind North Tonawanda Mayor Rob Ortt, who faces a GOP primary challenge from Gia Arnold of Holley.

Maziarz’s campaign fund is being investigated by the US Attorney. Maziarz’s sudden absence from the race gives voters a chance to pick a senator who will fight for Middle Class families, Destino said.

Using the region’s low-cost hydropower to create and sustain jobs can keep more hard-working residents in Western New York, Destino said. The state government can also enact policies to bring down the cost of electricity for everyone.

“That will lead directly to the increase in jobs that we all deserve so our children don’t have to graduate from college and leave the area to find work and raise families,” he said.

Destino said he supports a fiscally conservative government “but not at an expense of the people.”

He vowed to be a strong advocate for the area if he is sent to Albany.

“I’m going to be a team player working for labor’s interests, for Western New York and to get our families back into good-paying jobs where they can start raising families and actually afford to stay in Western New York,” he said. “I’m not going to play games with my position. I’m not going to try and cut deals in exchange for votes. That’s what got us into this position in the first place.”

Three candidates for State Supreme Court Justice also addressed Demcorats at the picnic.

Alisa Lukasiewicz works a special counsel for the Phillips Lytle firm in Buffalo. She is a past corporation counsel for the City of Buffalo, the first woman to serve in the position. Lukasiewicz said she has worked hard in her career.

Dennis Glascott, current village of Angola judge and acting Buffalo City Court judge, has 25 years of trial experience across New York. He worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Navy.

Daniel Furlong has worked the past four years as a confidential law clerk for State Supreme Court Judge Joseph Glownia. Furlong also worked 26 years in private practice as an attorney.

Orleans Hub will have an article Monday about Jim O’Donnell, a Buffalo police officer running against Chris Collins for Congress.

Grapplers extend streak to 4 grease pole crowns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Jed Platt of Appleton, dressed in a turtle outfit, slips down on the grease pole with teammates Royal Snyder of Lyndonville, right, and Elliott Perkins of Barker. The team, Udder Suckers Reloaded, wasn’t able to get to the top of the grease pole during Saturday’s competition.

The Grease Grapplers, a team made up of guys from Albion and Lyndonville, extended their grease pole titles to 4 after climbing the pole in 16.06 seconds, their fastest time in any championship road. In this photo Tyler Palmer is headed to the top of the pole, with Jesse Follman the next man up with Andy Follman below.

The Grease Grapplers sprint to the pole after the starting horn is sounded. The team includes Jordan Mufford, Phil Panek, Joe Smith, Josh Smith, Dutch Smith, Andy Follman, Jesse Follman and Tyler Palmer.

Mufford helped form the team in 2011 when it took its first title. The secret to the Grapplers’ success: “Communication and good teamwork,” Mufford said.

Most of the team put crosses made out of duct tape on their shirts. Most of the Grapplers attend a Bible study at the Oak Orchard Assembly of God on Ridge Road in Medina.

The Grapplers have an enthusiastic cheering section.

The Troll Diggers, a new team from Hamlin, finished a close second to the Grapplers with a time of 19.18 seconds. In this photo, Andrew Jones is on top, followed by Jeff Ebel and then Isaiah Jenks.

Sam Remley, the only man on the BB Queens, slides down the pole after reaching the top. The BB Queens finished third with a time of 29 seconds.

Jeremy Neal, one of the grease pole chairmen, tells the rules of the contest to the BB Queens.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, right, attended the championships and congratulated all of the teams, while praising the Cornell Cooperative Extension and the fans for supporting the contest. Barry Flansburg, left, serves as emcee for the event.

Puddles of grease landed all over the grounds near the grease pole.

Auction brings home the bacon for 4-Hers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Ethan Bannister looks for bids at the 4-H Animal Meat Auction on Saturday. His sister Jayne is in the ring with a lamb. Jayne had the grand champion market lamb for the auction.

Her brother Robert, in back, serves as auctioneer for the event, which brought in about $27,000 for 4-H’ers. Emily Bannister was clerk for the auction and Skip Lear, back right, serves on the 4-H Livestock Auction Committee.

Trevor Bentley of Lyndonville leads the reserve champion steer out of the ring after the 1,170-pound animal sold for $6.75 a pound or $7,904 total, the biggest price on the day. Bill and Stacy Corcoran bought the steer, paying well above the market price to support Trevor and the 4-H program.

Robert Bannister, a former Orleans County 4-H member, serves as auctioneer for the event, which is now in its fifth year at the fair since it started in 2010. Robert’s sister Jayne of Point Breeze is in the ring with a lamb.

Some turkeys raised by 4-H youths wait to be auctioned off on Saturday.

Janie Schutz of Waterport raised this lamb that was sold during Saturday’s auction.

Ian Smith of Lyndonville stands with his rabbit during the auction. Andy Beach, right, assisted with the event that included $26,988 in sale prices.

4-H’ers sold beef cattle, pigs, lambs, meat goats, meat rabbits, chickens and turkeys.

Today’s Fair Schedule (July 26, 2014)

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Blacey Bakutis, 18, of Kendall practices dodging barrels with her horse Boomer Fritz during a drill on Friday evening.

Special Event: Kids Love Trucks: Orleans Emergency, Fire Departments, Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county will have vehicles on display from 1 to 4 p.m.

Strolling Entertainment: Amazing Magic Joe, throughout the grounds, 5-9 p.m.

8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens

9:30 am: Horse Games Day (Gymkhana) – Carlos Marcello Arena

10 am: All Buildings Open

10 am: Little Britches Swine Show: Open to the Public – Swine Pavilion

11:10 am: Iron Chef 4-H Youth Activity Starts – Trolley Building

12 pm: Small-Animal Grand Master Showman Competition – Wachob Pavilion

Aaron Sugar of Albion pedals down the lane in the small fry tractor pull on Friday evening. Aaron won the 45 pounds and under division with a full pull that went 45 feet.

12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens – Davis Building

12 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardner – Lawn of Education Center

12:10 pm: Iron Chef 4-H Youth Activity Judging – Trolley Building

1 pm to 4 pm: Kids Love Trucks: ORLEANS EMERGENCY, Fire Dept., Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county. Education Center Parking Lot

1 pm: Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office

1:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Pedal Tractor Course: Fair Office

1:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage

A classic car show drew about 100 participants and big crowds by the Trolley Building and Education Center. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from around the county will be stationed there for tours today from 1 to 4 p.m.

The classic car show took a break from the Medina Canal Basin to move to the fairgrounds on Friday.

2:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building

3:30 pm: Market Animal Auction Preview – Show Arena

3:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage

4 pm: Market Animal Auction – Show Arena

4 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Pedal Tractor Course: Fair Office

4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

4:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building

5 pm: Steak Dinner: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97 Grand Lodge F&AM of NY Cost $12 – Curtis Pavilion

Trenton Jones, right, greets a horse ridden by Faith Woody of Albion on Friday evening. The horse riders were practicing a dance pattern set to music. Part of the routine includes a brief meeting with people along the fence.

5:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage

6 pm: Set up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage

6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

7 pm: Julie Dunlap & High Maintenance Country Band – Orleanshub.com Stage

7 pm: Master Gardener Lecture – Education Center

7 pm: Awards Ceremony and Crowning of Fair Royalty – Curtis Pavilion

8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin

8:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building

9 pm: 4-H Dairy Cow Bingo – Cattle Building

10 pm: Buildings Close

10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Contest, Final Qualifying Round (Teams Must Pre-register at Fair Office) – At Greased Pole

10:30 pm: Greased Pole Championship – At Greased Pole

Grease pole teams work together to get to the top

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Coming In Greasy works their way to the top of the pole. The team climbed the pole in 51.28 seconds.

The A Team works its way up the grease pole on Friday. The A Team was the second fastest of five teams with a time of 40.33 seconds. The Troll Diggers had the fastest time with 22.33 seconds to advance to tonight’s championship at 10:30 p.m.

The team 5 Guys And 2 Chicks are all smiles after climbing the grease pole in 44.95 seconds. Some of the team members include Brandi Newman of Medina, center, and Sean Poprawski, right, of Albion.

Mikayla Jackson of Barker made it to the top of the grease pole with 5 Guys And 2 Chicks. She smiles while sliding down the pole.

Iva McKenna of Barre acknowledges a cheering crowd after she was introduced by Barry Flansburg, emcee of the grease pole competition, as “the greatest female grease pole climber ever.”

Iva competed with the Iron Fists, which included two of her daughters, Jenny McKenna and Kerri Richardson. The team came about a foot short of getting to the top of the pole.

The Iron Fists gave a valiant effort in climbing the pole. The group includes, from left: Emily Bannister, Jessica Derefinko, Julie Cecchini (in back), Kerri Richardson, Zach Welker (in back), Andy Beach, Jenny McKenna, Iva McKenna and Amber Demmin.