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Ortt and State Senate back legislation for veterans

Posted 29 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

ALBANY – As we prepare to honor Memorial Day, New York State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and the Senate Majority passed seven measures last week dedicated to improving the lives of veterans. The bills pay tribute to their service to the state and country.

Senate Committee Member on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Senator Ortt said, “My Senate colleagues and I are committed to supporting our veterans in every way that we can. Our veterans fought to defend our values, beliefs and freedoms, and it’s important to show that we are forever thankful to them by helping to make their lives more meaningful and successful. The legislation we just passed does exactly that.”

Senator Ortt’s bill (S3408) allows any veteran who has served this nation to be awarded a high school degree based on their knowledge and experience gained while in service. Current law, under Operation Recognition, allows World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans to receive their high school diploma. This legislation would expand this program to cover all veterans.

Other legislation passed Tuesday that would benefit veterans includes:

S6577A sponsored by Senator Terrence Murphy (R-Yorktown) allows New York State income tax filers to contribute to the Veterans’ Home Assistance Fund;

S2245C sponsored by Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) gives school districts the option to offer real property tax exemptions to eligible veterans;

S1200A sponsored by Senator Kathleen Marchione (R-Halfmoon) provides an increase in the rates of annuities payable to veterans and surviving spouses of veterans from $1,000 to $1,500;

S2263 sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo (R-Rome) allows those with military service and honorable discharge to attend classes at the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) on a tuition-free audit basis; and

S870 sponsored by Senator Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) permits each county, city, town, or village to adopt a local law to authorize veterans who have not been discharged or released from a current, subsequent military service to receive an additional veteran real property owner tax exemption.

The Senate also gave final passage to S3137C, sponsored by Senator Tom Croci (R-Sayville), which requires the State Division of Veteran Affairs to maintain a fact sheet on their website containing contact information for all Veterans Integrated Service Networks in New York and for the U.S. Veterans Health Administration to help veterans better navigate the health care system.

All bills have been sent to the Assembly, except S3137C, which will be sent to the Governor.

Fire destroys Barre home on Burns Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2016 at 11:30 pm

BARRE – Firefighters, including a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company in front, work to put out a fire Friday night at 5581 Burns Rd.

The location is in southern Barre near the Genesee County line.

The initial dispatch call went out at 9:13 p.m. Firefighters from several departments in Orleans and Genesee counties responded to the scene. The house is owned by Allen and Constance Whipple and located at the end of a long driveway.

The house was fully engulfed in flames and bystanders said they could see the orange flames from the road.

No one was injured in the fire, and the Whipples’ dogs were able to get out.

These Barre firefighters work to put out hot spots at the back of the house.

In addition to Barre, firefighters responded from Albion, Elba, East Shelby, Shelby, Medina, Ridgeway and Oakfield.

The fire happened on a section of the road without fire hydrants. Firefighters went to a hydrant on Johnson Road to fill fire trucks with water, which then hauled it to dump tanks to be pumped to the scene.

Water is hauled and then put in the dump tanks. Several fire companies brought tankers and pumpers to fight the fire in a remote part of Barre.

Jason Watts, a past chief for the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, is at the smoky scene after a house was destroyed by a fire.

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Many from Orleans County served and died in Civil War

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 28 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Matthew Ballard – The Soldiers & Sailors Monument, dedicated 140 years ago in the spring of 1876, contains the names of 466 soldiers and sailors etched on marble tablets; those men who gave their lives for the preservation of the Union buried both at home and on the battlefield. The monument stands as a testament to the beauty of our native Medina Sandstone and the pride and community commitment to honoring our veterans.

Volume 2, Issue 22

ALBION – The 7th grade class of students from Albion Middle School dedicated a beautiful granite urn, sugar maple tree, and bronze plaque affixed to a slab of pink Medina Sandstone on May 26.

The task undertaken by Tim Archer should be applauded and imitated by teachers throughout the region as a heartfelt effort to educate students about the importance of becoming noble citizens.

Over 140 students stood on the very ground once selected by David Hardie and other area municipal supervisors for use as a lot for veteran burials. Just two years later, the men of Curtis Post Grand Army of the Republic dedicated a flag pole and M1841 6-pounder bronze howitzer cannon to the memory of their fallen comrades. Those same men committed themselves to ensuring that all indigent soldiers who found themselves interred within potter’s field be removed to this newly consecrated lot.

In conjunction with the ceremonies held on May 26th and Memorial Day, it may be fitting to share a few brief notes of interest pertaining to Civil War veterans from Orleans County.

Thousands of men would enter into service with the Union Army, some would never return, yet many would return with permanent physical and mental scars from the horrors of battle.

Pvt. Ross Brown, 18th U.S. Colored Troops – born a slave in North Carolina, Brown escaped as a stowaway aboard a ship traveling for New Orleans. Making his way inland, he enlisted with the Union Army in 1864 and moved to Albion in 1890. He was affectionately known locally as “Uncle Ross.”

Maj. Thomas Bell, 8th N.Y. Cavalry – developing a fondness early on in life for theater, Bell allegedly spent two years with Edwin Booth’s company in Alabama before engaging in the foundry business at Albion. After the war, he introduced an article into U.S. law giving veterans preference in civil service appointments.

Dr. Arthur K. St. Clair, 5th Michigan Cavalry – graduating at the head of his class from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, Dr. St. Clair was regarded as an outstanding field surgeon having participated in at least 14 battles. When Gen. Wadsworth was killed at The Wilderness, St. Clair volunteered with a party of men to retrieve the body from the Confederate line.

Pvt. Herbert Taylor, 140th N.Y. Infantry – Clarendon native Herbert Taylor was with his regiment at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and repulsed the attack on Little Round Top. Making the ultimate sacrifice, he is believed to be the only Orleans County native to have died at Gettysburg.

Pvt. Isaac Hawkins, 54th Massachusetts Infantry – Medina resident Isaac Hawkins enlisted with the all African-American regiment once headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw and made famous by the 1989 film “Glory.” Hawkins was captured at the Battle of Olustee in Florida, spending over a year at Andersonville Prison Camp and on one such occasion allegedly received 250 lashes as punishment for an unknown reason.

Col. Fazilo A. Harrington, 27th Illinois Infantry – a native of Medina, Harrington entered West Point Military Academy in 1850 before resigning his position in favor of a career in civil engineering. Answering the call of Gov. Yates of Illinois, he was placed in command of the 27th Illinois Infantry. Harrington was struck in the face by an artillery shell at the Battle of Stones River, killing him instantly. A Confederate private attempting to steal the colonel’s boots was given quite the scare when he looked up to see Harrington’s eyes wide open, as if to stare at him.

Maj. Angelo Paldi, 1st Michigan Cavalry – a native of Italy, Paldi was a respected painter and solider who allegedly served with the French Army in Algeria and Spain before immigrating to America. Serving under Gen. George Custer for a short period of time, it was Paldi’s suggestion to form a regiment of Hussars, or heavy cavalry, modeled after the regiments of Europe. After the war he moved to Albion, his body is interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Albion.

Gravestone coming for Medina man killed in World War I

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Debbie Morse is pictured near a spot at Boxwood Cemetery where a gravestone will soon be installed for her great-uncle, Jay David Hebner, who was killed in World War I.

MEDINA – Debbie Morse remembers her late father, Don Cook, mentioning one of his uncles had been killed in World War I.

Cook was a prominent local photographer who served in World War II. He died in 2004. Morse recently reflected on her father’s uncle. She didn’t know much about Jay David Hebner. But she has been researching him.

Hebner grew up in Medina and lived at 920 Gwinn St. He was born in Le Roy and enlisted in Company F, the 74th Infantry of the New York Guard that trained out of the Armory in Medina. Hebner enlisted on Dec. 4, 1917, and was discharged on April 26, 1918. Morse isn’t sure why he was discharged, but she found documents showing he joined the Army on April 3, 1918. The Army private was killed in France on Sept. 17, 1918, at age 22. He was hit by a shell.

Hebner is buried at Saint Mihiel American Cemetery in France, one of 4,153 American soldiers in the cemetery. Hebner doesn’t show up in Company F records. His service isn’t noted on the Company F Monument outside the Armory, the Pearl Street building that is now the YMCA.

Provided photos – Jay David Hebner, a Medina native, was killed in France in 1918, serving in the U.S. Army during World War I.

Morse and her husband Jim have paid for a gravestone for Hebner which should be installed soon in Boxwood Cemetery. The stone will be next to the Hebners and Cooks. (Don Cook’s father Irving Cook married Etta Hebner.)

“It’s about bringing honor to him,” Mrs. Morse said Friday at her home on Erie Street. “There’s nothing about him in the village.”

Morse thinks Hebner’s parents may not have had the money to bring the soldier home to be buried in Medina or to buy him a gravestone.

“It was important to me to leave behind a reminder of that sacrifice, one that has gone unnoticed all these years,” Morse said.

Morse, who works as a kitchen designer for Barden Homes, said other researchers helped her locate Hebner’s military records, and also find a picture of him.

“My wish is that from this day forward he will have the respect and remembrance he deserves each and every Memorial Day along with the countless others who gave so much for our country,” she said. “After all he has been waiting almost 100 years.”

A record shows Hebner started at Company F in medina on Dec. 4, 1917 and was discharged on April 26, 1918.

This gravestone will soon be installed to recognize Jay David Hebner’s service to his country.

Albion Rotary awards scholarships

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club awarded three scholarships to graduating seniors for $2,750 total. Rotarians Bonnie Malakie, left, and Club President Karen Sawicz, right, are pictured with the scholarship winners Kyle Smith and Elizabeth Goff. Nathaniel Tremblay, not pictured, also was awarded a scholarship.

Elizabeth Goff received the A. B. “Dick” Eddy Rotary “Service Above Self” Scholarship. This scholarship for $1,250 is awarded in memory of Dick Eddy, a community leader, businessman, and Rotarian, who committed his life to the principle of service above self. The award goes to a senior who has demonstrated a personal commitment to community service and leadership, and displays high potential for future accomplishment.

Goff has been on the high honor roll, and has run sprints in track, while also being active in the school music program. She also serves as president of Rotary Interact, a Rotary program in the school. She wants to study physical therapy in college, with plans to go to Genesee Community College for two years before finishing at Daemen College in Buffalo.

Kyle Smith received the Edward B. Archbald Memorial Scholarship for $1,200. Archbald was a farmer, philanthropist, outdoorsman and a 70-year member of Rotary. This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior pursuing a college education who shares a love for sports, recreational activities, community service and work experience. The scholarship was raised from $500 to $1,250 this year by Rotary.

Smith has been a key player for Albion football and baseball. He will play football at Ithaca College where he will major in business and marketing. He has worked part-time at Mark’s Pizzeria and Panek Farms also also interned with the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Tremblay received the Rotary Career Advancement Prize for $250. The award goes to a graduating senior entering a field that doesn’t require a traditional college education, such as a technical field, agriculture, law enforcement, or business. Key factors in selecting the recipient include community service, school activities, and work experience. Tremblay wants to become a police officer.

State approves grant for teaching kitchen at fairgrounds

Staff Reports Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

KNOWLESVILLE – The state has approved a $25,675 grant for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County to establish a teaching kitchen at the 4-H Fairgrounds. The funds will go towards a kitchen at the Trolley Building.

The funding was announced today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said $1.1 million in state funds will be used for projects to strengthen the research, promotion and development of New York State’s agricultural industry.

The funding, approved by the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, supports efforts range from upgrading equipment at the New York Wine & Culinary Center, to developing a marketing plan for the Lake Ontario Wine Trail, to boosting the craft beverage industry through research at the New York State Agricultural Experimental Station.

The Upstate revitalization Award-winning Finger Lakes Forward plan for investing state resources recognizes the centrality of agriculture in the region’s economy. The Finger Lakes produces approximately a quarter of New York State’s total agricultural output and the industry supports 19,000 jobs in the region.

“Agriculture remains a key economic engine for New York and we must do all we can to ensure its continued strength,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will support the thousands of farms and agricultural businesses that call the Finger Lakes home, as well as the research that has been critical in the growth of New York’s craft beverage industry.”

The Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, solicits applications each year to assist in the development of agriculture and agriculture-related businesses in nine counties in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. The Authority has awarded more than $6.5 million to 60 projects in the region through the Agriculture Development Grant Program since 2011.

The Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority Board of Directors has voted to fund the following projects in 2016:

New York Wine and Culinary Center: $192,000 for the purchase of audio visual equipment, purchase of new kitchen equipment, food truck improvements, 2017 CSA Fair, guest chef events, and marketing and promotion material and collateral.

New York Wine & Grape Foundation: $195,000 to support the NY Drinks NY program.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County: $25,675 to establish a teaching kitchen at the Orleans County fairgrounds.

Lake Ontario Wine Trail: $27,750 to implement the Lake Ontario Wine Trail Marketing Plan.

New York Apple Association: $82,701 to assess the economic contribution of the apple industry in New York State and to enhance the industry’s economic development activities.

New York State Agricultural Experimental Station: $100,000 for plant growth chamber renovation and purchase of a bench top refractometer.

New York State Agricultural Experimental Station: $220,000 for research to support accelerated production of organic grains, corn and soybeans.

New York State Agricultural Experimental Station: $200,000 for the third year of a multi-year plan to research malting barley production.

New York State Agricultural Experimental Station: $56,874 to support the development and testing of apple varieties for the production of hard cider.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “These counties are home to some of New York’s most diverse agricultural producers and are vital to the success of the industry throughout the State. These key investments in research, facility upgrades, and marketing will benefit both the producers and the public, and this funding will help to ensure the success of agriculture in the state and drive the industry forward.”

For more on the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, click here.

2 from Albion among GCASA scholarship recipients

Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – GCASA awarded scholarships this week to three students, from left: Caitlin Malanowski of Albion, Jessica Bukowski of Notre Dame High School in Batavia, and Madeline Gibbs of Albion.

Press Release, GCASA

Each year, GCASA Foundation awards two $1,000 scholarships: one to a Genesee County student and one to an Orleans County student. GCASA Foundation Scholarship was established to support the work of GCASA. The foundation board is committed to the scholarship program, created to help students who will study human services, counseling, or health services.

This year, the selection committee, comprised of two board members, Kathleen Maerten and James Morey, and one past board member, Jason Smith, decided to add an additional Director’s Choice scholarship award in the amount of $250 due to the exceptional applications received.

The committee selected Jessica Bukowski, a senior at Notre Dame High School as the award recipient for a Genesee County student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Senate, and Mock Trial Team. She also is a competitive gymnast and member of the Varsity swim, diving, softball, and cross country teams. Jessica works as a gymnastics coach and is expected to graduate second in a class of 39 students. In Jessica’s essay, she wrote, “I will study and perform the best I can in my education and then take what I learn to help make at least one person’s life better.” Jessica plans to pursue a degree in Psychology at Canisius College.

Caitlin Malanowski is an Albion Central School senior and the recipient of the award for an Orleans County student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Albion Marching Band, Women’s Select Choir, and Drama Club. She participates in track and cross country. She also volunteers as a tutor at the Albion Elementary School, helping younger students with reading, writing, math, and science. Caitlin is expected to graduate third in her class of 131 students. Scott Green, High School Counselor, commented in his recommendation letter that Caitlin is someone who leads by example. He said, “I don’t think I can truly express how deserving I believe Caitlin is of this scholarship.” She plans to study Nursing at Elmira College.

The Director’s Choice scholarship was awarded to Albion Central School senior Madeline Gibbs. She has been involved with cheerleading and track throughout high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, and Yearbook Club. Madeline volunteers as a tutor in the Elementary School and as a religious education teacher for pre-K and kindergarten children at her church. She also volunteers for Vacation Bible School and Cheerleading Camp. She is expected to graduate 16th out of 131 students. Madeline plans to study Nutrition and Exercise Science at Ohio State University.

Patriotic chalk art added outside Albion Middle School

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jennifer Gray, a chalk artist and director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, works on a chalk art creation of the Statue of Liberty and an American flag today outside the Albion Middle School.

Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home sponsored the display which will be on the grounds for the Memorial Day ceremony following a 10 a.m. parade on Monday.

Jennifer Gray, left, and Go-Art! intern Alexis Krinki of Brockport work on the chalk art creation today. Krinki is also a GCC student. This is her first time doing chalk art.

Go Art! and the Albion Merchants Association are organizing a chalk art display and contest on June 11 as part of the Strawberry Festival. For more on that event, click here.

Alexis Krinki works on the stars in the flag for the chalk art display by the Middle School.

Several Memorial Day parades planned in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Flags have by placed by the graves for veterans at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina in time for Memorial Day.

Here is the list for Memorial Day parades in Orleans County for Monday:

Albion – Parade starts near the Orleans County Court House on Main Street at 10 a.m. and proceeds to the Albion Middle School front lawn where there will be a service near the Vietnam Memorial.

Holley – A ceremony will start at the American Legion Post at 9 a.m. and proceed to the VFW Post. Veterans will also visit cemeteries.

Kendall – A parade will start 7 p.m. at the Morton Fireman’s Field and end at the Morton Union Cemetery where a ceremony will be held.

Lyndonville – The parade will start at 9 a.m. at the Catholic Church and end near the library. A ceremony will be held there.

Medina – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held.

Waterport teen rescues man who drove into Lake Ontario

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Hayden London is pictured today at Frank’s Auto in Albion, where he has a part-time job.

BARKER – A Waterport teen went fishing with three friends at Golden State Park in Barker on Thursday and likely saved the life of a man who drove into the lake.

Hayden London, 17, and his friends – Alex Plummer, Josh Tombari and Matt Scroger – were fishing by the inlet at the state park. They heard an engine roar and then a big splash in the water.

They ran to the lake and saw a green van pointed down in the water. The front was submerged. Another man was standing near the shore and told the teens a man was inside the van.

London and Plummer each grabbed big rocks. London took off his shirt and dove in the water. He saw a man who appeared to be elderly inside, hitting at the window trying to get out.

London smashed the driver’s window with a rock. Water came rushing inside the van, London recounted today. London put his shirt on the window, to protect the man from the broken glass. London and Plummer then pulled the man out of the van.

“He did a damn fine job,” Lt. Patrick Rindsleisch of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department said about London.

The rescued man seemed to be OK at the scene but was taken by ambulance for observation. Rindsleisch declined to release the man’s name, citing privacy concerns.

But he said London “helped the guy immensely” in a remote area of the Niagara County.

London is a junior a Lyndonville Central School. He said he is grateful the man was saved from the sinking vehicle.

“At first we were froze because we didn’t know what to do,” he said. “We could see he was trying to get out. I didn’t want to watch someone die.”