By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – A motorist drives a car headed west this afternoon around 3:30 on Route 31 in the Town of Ridgeway. The blowing snow made travel difficult today.
There were at least three car accidents today with one on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway, an accident on Oak Orchard Ridge Road in Shelby and a 2-car accident on Ridge Road in Gaines.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. today until noon on Friday for Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties. A wind chill watch also has been issued from Saturday night through Monday morning.
The wind chill values could fall as low as -25 tonight, the National Weather Service said. On Saturday night through Monday the wind chill could plummet to 30 below.
Icicles hang on the back of The Book Shoppe in Medina, facing the municipal parking lot.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 10:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Albion firefighters, including Rob Connor with Hurst Tool, pry open a door on a pickup truck to let out the driver after an accident this morning at about 9:07 on Clarendon Street.
The driver of the pickup truck was making a left turn from Crimson Drive and was struck by another vehicle that was coming over the Clarendon Street Bridge.
Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance was on scene treating people for minor injuries.
Police Chief Roland Nenni said the accident remains under investigation. He said the intersection at Crimson Drive and the base of the bridge is “very dangerous” due to limited visibility. However, there haven’t been too many accidents there over the years.
The bridge is scheduled to be torn out this spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
‘We Are Called To Rise’ gets strong reviews
Photos by Tom Rivers – Margaret French leads a book discussion on Monday evening at the Yates Community Library.
LYNDONVILLE – Each winter for the past 13 years book lovers in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties have read the same book and met to discuss issues raised in the novels.
“A Tale for Three Counties” culminates with a visit by the author in each of the three counties in late March. The book discussions have started, with Yates Community Free Library hosting the first one in Orleans County on Monday.
The readers gave a strong endorsement to “We Are Called To Rise,” a book by Laura McBride. She will be in the area from March 26-28 for book discussions, including March 27 at 7 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
McBride’s book focuses on an immigrant boy whose family struggles to assimilate. A woman wrestles with an imploding marriage and a troubled son. A wounded soldier also recovers from an injury.
These are some of the themes and characters in the book, which is available at local libraries and bookstores.
“We were amazed by the book,” said Emily Cebula, director at Yates Community Library.
Members of ‘The Renegade Readers’ meet on Monday to discuss the latest Tale for Three Counties. Yates Community Library Director Emily Cebula is at left and Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent, is in the back corner.
Despite the heavy themes and tragedies early in the book, Cebula said McBride has a hopeful message at the end.
Additonal book discussions in Orleans County are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Hoag Library in Albion; 1 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina; and 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at Community Free Library
in Holley.
Cebula and other members of the Renegade Readers have been meeting monthly for 6 ½ years to discuss books. Usually the dozen members don’t pick the same book. They may pick an author or genre. When they meet they share in a potluck and may recommend books they’ve read.
“It keeps it lively,” Cebula said.
Jackie Reynolds enjoys the format, where the readers aren’t committed to the same book.
“I like the other people’s suggestions,” she said. “It might be for books I’d never read.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
It looks like it will be a quiet election for the Village Boards in Lyndonville and Medina.
In Lyndonville, two incumbents – Charles Coville and James Tuk – are unopposed for the trustee positions. The election is on March 18. The election is typically the third Tuesday in March but will be pushed back a day this year because of St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17.
In Medina, only one candidate turned in petitions signed by at least 100 people. Todd Bensley is the village historian, member of the Planning Board and a Medina teacher. He is running under the independent “The Medina’s Future Party.”
Bensley spoke out against dissolution last year during a public meeting in April.
There are two positions open in Medina. Both Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski aren’t seeking re-election.
Last election in March two write-in candidates – Mike Sidari and Marguerite Sherman – were both victorious.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Orleans Community Health is promoting healthier lifestyles at a series of events this year around the county.
The outreach effort began on Tuesday with a “Healthier U” open house at The Village Inn in Childs. Several local health providers and agencies had displays at the event, which started with a healthy breakfast with no fried foods.
The Albion Urgent Care health center was among the participants with a display at the event. Jennifer Herring, left, is office manager at the site run by Orleans Community Health and Randi Johnson, right, is a physician’s assistant.
About 40 people attended the event. Orleans Community Health is the parent organization for Medina Memorial Hospital. The organization is planning many events at the hospital and Medina this year, and will also be leading health events throughout the county in 2015, said Jim Moody, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.
“This is a community-wide effort to educate residents on different topics to make them healthier,” Moody said.
Dr. Ahmet Guler, a cardiologist, speaks with Ron Felstead, a member of the Orleans Community Health board of directors. Dr. Guler spoke at the Healthier U event on Tuesday, and highlighted programs for healthier hearts at the hospital and Orleans Community Health.
Orleans Community Health is planning at least a monthly outreach event where residents can connect with health professionals.
The next event, “Ask the Doctor,” will be Feb. 26 at Calvary Tabernacle Church (the old Medina High School).
Jen Maynard, the director of radiology and corporate compliance for Orleans Community Health, also spoke about the benefits of the new CT scan machine at Medina Memorial Hospital. The machine gives hospital staff much improved imaging when scans are taken of a brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
The CT scanner replaces one from 2001. The new one is a 64 slice CT scan compared to a 4 slice. Besides better imaging, the new machine exposes patients to 33 percent less radiation, Maynard said.
“It’s something that not every place has,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have it in our community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – This picture was taken today of the former Swan Library at 4 North Main St.
ALBION – The board of trustees at Hoag Library tonight approved a $53,000 sale price for the former Swan Library. The closing date has been set for March 15.
The library will have to work hard to empty the building in the next month before Chad Fabry of Holley takes ownership of the building, a former mansion at 4 North Main St. The 6,000-square-foot building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fabry 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.
“He is looking for the highest and best use of the building,” said Kevin Doherty, president of the library board of trustees.
Library leaders say they are disappointed the building didn’t command more on the open market. It was listed by Peter Snell Realtors for $99,900.
“We wanted it to be more,” said Dele Theodorakos, a library trustee who works in real estate.
The building from 1851 only has a few parking spaces. It doesn’t have a kitchen and has asbestos in the basement. The building is being sold “as is” and for cash.
Fabry likes that the building is intact and hasn’t been altered too much since it was built.
The money from the sale will be used to pay down the mortgage on the new Hoag Library, which opened in July 2012. Selling the Swan site will relieve the library of about $25,000 to $28,000 in annual expense for utilities, insurance, elevator maintenance and other costs.
The library has an ambitious time frame to clear out items from the site. Most of the historical artifacts including those from the Civil War Room will be moved to the new building to be displayed in the foyer and also in the local history room.
The library will likely need to rent storage units for many of the items at the Swan site, and many items will likely be discarded.
Library employees and volunteers will set about the task of determining what goes to the Hoag, what goes to storage and what will be thrown away. A professional mover may be hired after the items are catalogued, Doherty said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – A motorist leaves his car parked on Main Street in front of the Yates Community Library in this photo taken Monday evening in Lyndonville.
The string of cold days will continue the next few days. On Thursday temperatures will reach a high of 21 degrees and then plummet to -6 on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
On Friday, the high is forecast for only 9 degrees with a low of 4. Saturday will reach a high of 18 before dropping to -7 on Saturday night.
The Weather Service has issued a wind chill watch from 12 p.m. Thursday to 12 p.m. on Friday for Orleans and much of Western New York.
“If you will be outdoors use common sense and dress warmly, making sure that all exposed skin is covered,” the Weather Service said. “If possible avoid prolonged exposure to the cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.”
The waterfalls at the Lyndonville Dam have slowed to a trickle with the ice buildup at the spot on Johnson Creek.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo – Medina and Lyndonville teamed up last year for the production of “Into the Woods.” Here, The Wolf (Christian Hahn) is attempting to lure Little Red Riding Hood (Regan Stacey) into being eaten in the woods.
MEDINA – School district leaders at Medina want to continue a shared service partnership with Lyndonville, and possibly add to the effort.
Lyndonville’s Board of Education approved a two-year extension of the partnership on Monday and Medina’s Board of Education expects to extend the two-year contract on Feb. 24.
Medina officials discussed the program on Tuesday night, saying it has given more students opportunities by strengthening sports, drama and the marching band.
The program is in its third year and allows Lyndonville students to play on Medina’s boys soccer and football teams, and be a part of the marching band and track and field programs. Medina students are welcome to be part of Lyndonville’s musical program.
“Collaboration will be important for these districts to keep moving forward,” said Chris Keller, Medina BOE president.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Medina Board of Education President Chris Keller, right, and Board Vice President David Sevenski see a partnership with Lyndonville Central School, where the districts share some extracurricular programs, as a success.
Both districts have seen enrollments drop significantly in the past decade. Some programs would struggle to find enough students to field competitive teams.
Medina would like to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the shared services. For example, Medina students have to find their own transportation to Lyndonville for rehearsals and shows. The Medina Board of Education wants to look at the costs of providing school transportation for those students to see if that would remove a barrier to student participation and result in more kids in drama.
Medina also wants to look at adding a second drama production during the year, with the second one perhaps offered at Medina school.
If a second show isn’t added, Medina BOE members would like to host some of the productions in the future.
Medina eliminated its drama program after a budget crisis in 2010-11, when the district cut about 30 positions and many programs. But the district is in a better financial position now, board members said.
Keller and Board Vie President David Sevenski urged the board to approve the two-year extension of the shared service contract, allowing Lyndonville to host the musicals if there is only one production. Sevenski said the Lyndonville Board of Education took some heat from the public and continued to honor the agreement, despite pleas to pull Lyndonville boys out of the soccer team with Medina.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville players celebrate after claiming the Niagara-Orleans title with a victory over Roy-Hart last Oct. 16.
“Maybe we give a little,” Sevenski said. “They went to bat to protect that agreement.”
Board member Wendi Pencille didn’t see why it was out of line to talk about rotating the site for the musical productions.
“If the tables were reversed and four out of five things were in Lyndonville, we’d want that one thing,” Keller responded.
He thinks a solution might be adding a second production to be staged at Medina, and that show could perhaps be a service learning project with proceeds to go to a local charity.
Board member William Keppler said Lyndonville should also be invited to be part of Medina’s swimming program.
Neither district charges each other for students that participate in programs in the other districts.
Keller is pleased with how well the arrangement has gone. He said shrinking rural schools need to do more partnering with neighboring districts – sharing programs and resources – for students to have the opportunities available at bigger suburban districts.
The local districts also could find themselves in a financial crisis again if the state reduces aid.
“We don’t really know what the future holds,” Keller said. “The governor is introducing a lot of uncertainty in our budget process.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Tom Klotzbach, a former Lyndonville Board of Education member, addresses the board on Monday, voicing his displeasure over Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision not to release preliminary aid runs for school districts. Klotzbach represents Lyndonville on the Orleans-Niagara BOCES board of directors.
LYNDONVILLE – Even with the uncertainty over state aid in 2015-16, Lyndonville Central School leaders expect to present a budget to the public in May that doesn’t raise school taxes.
The district will see about a $90,000 drop in employee benefits, mainly through a reduction in retirement contributions, said John Wolski, the district’s business administrator.
He presented the early work of a budget proposal for 2015-16. The overall budget would be up about $25,000 from the $13,188,750 budget in 2014-15. The tax levy would be unchanged at $4,666,578.
Lyndonville didn’t raise taxes with the 2014-15 budget, either. If state aid comes in at about a 1 percent increase, Wolski said the district won’t have to raise taxes. Lyndonville can utilize some reserve and fund balance to prevent raising taxes.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo didn’t give the preliminary school aid projections with his budget proposal in January. The governor is pressuring the State Legislature to adopt a number of school reforms. If the Legislature approves the reforms, Cuomo said he would support a 4.8 percent school aid increase. If the Legislature blocks the reforms, Cuomo said education aid would only increase 1.7 percent.
“It’s a new wrinkle he’s never done before and we’ll have to work through it in the coming months,” Wolski said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Tom Klotzbach, a former Lyndonville BOE member, was more critical of Cuomo’s decision to make districts guess about their aid.
“I think it’s unconscionable that governor is withholding preliminary state aid runs,” Klotzbach said at the board meeting. “I’m very disappointed in the governor doing that.”
The district is considering not doing about $100,000 in buildings and grounds improvements. Some of those savings could be used to maintain a college readiness program known as AVID. A grant for that program expires after this school year and Lyndonville wants to continue the program.
Some of the building and facilities money could also be used for a building conditions survey that would take stock of school buildings and infrastructure, including sewer pipes, Wolski said.
There is a chance the state could give the district more than 1 percent in aid. If that happens, Lyndonville wouldn’t need to use as much fund balance. It could also consider a building project or perhaps reduce taxes, Wolski said.
“Let’s see how the revenue plays out,” Wolski said about the state aid.
The district by March 1 needs to submit a proposal to state for how much it intends to collect in taxes in 2015-16 as part of a tax cap calculation. The state budget is due to be adopted by April 1. Under Cuomo, the state has passed four straight on-time budgets.
Districts should approve their budgets by late April and early May, with the spending plans to be voted on by the public on May 19.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2015 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Combat and disabled veterans who served in wartime won’t get a discount on their Medina school taxes, the Board of Education voted tonight.
The board was considering offering the minimum tax exemption allowed by a new state law. That would have lowered the taxable assessments by $6,000 for veterans who served in wartime (World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf Conflict since Aug. 2, 1990). With $6,000 off the assessments that would save eligible veterans about $140 each.
But in a 5-2 vote, the board opted against the exemption with the majority not thinking it was fair to other school taxpayers who would see an increase in their taxes.
“Our duty is to all of the taxpayers,” said William Keppler, a Board of Education member. “We have to lower everyone’s taxes so all people see a savings.”
Keppler’s father served in World War II.
“I respect the vets,” Keppler said. “I love the vets.”
Board Vice President David Sevenski also opposed the exemption. He thought it was discriminatory towards some veterans, including those in the Cold War and those who are renters and don’t own their own homes.
“The law doesn’t treat all veterans equally,” Sevenski said.
Sevenski comes from a military family. His daughter leaves next week for the Marines. He would prefer to see tax relief for all residents.
“Our goal is to try to reduce the tax rate for everyone,” Sevenski said.
Several veterans attended a Jan. 14 public hearing about the exemption with most speaking in favor of it. Other community members worried about the tax shift, especially on lower-income young families.
The minimum tax exemption for veterans would have raised taxes by $32 for nonveterans for a property assessed at $100,000.
BOE President Chris Keller and board member Carol Heiligenthaler both voted for the exemption.
“I went with the idea that providing it for combat and disabled veterans was do-able in my mind,” Keller said after tonight’s meeting. “That’s a different category of citizen.”
Sevenski said the board wrestled with the issue. Medina is the first Board of Education in Orleans County to bring the exemption to a vote since the state passed a law in December 2013 allowing school districts to offer the exemption.
