By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the Albion Merchants Association filled 17 concrete planters with flowers on Thursday. Those flowers are scheduled to be moved to spots in the Albion downtown today by the Albion Department of Public Works.
In the top photo Carolyn Ricker of Bindings Bookstore, left, and Lisa Stratton of the Hazy Jade work on the project. The new planters are part of a Main Street grant approved for the town of Albion. The planters will be stained a Medina sandstone red in the fall.
Lisa Stratton adds soil to a planter. Debbie Grimm also worked on the project with the Merchants Association.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Genesee Community College’s main campus is pictured here in Batavia.
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College will raise tuition by $75 per semester as part of a $38.70 million budget approved last week by the college’s Board of Trustees.
Full-time college students would see their tuition rise from $1,850 per semester to $1,925. Tuition for part-time students will increase by $5 per credit hour, from $150 to $155. The college’s technology fee also will increase from $25 to $50 per semester for full-time students, and a new Academic Support Fee will be $25 per semester for full-time students.
Both fees help the College maintain the quality of academic technology and instructional support services to students, said President James Sunser. The majority of Genesee students will see the increases covered by their financial assistance packages, and Genesee remains one of the most affordable colleges in the SUNY system, Sunser said.
GCC operates campus centers in Albion and Medina, as well as the main campus in Batavia and centers in Wyoming and Livingston counties.
The college’s budget maintains staffing at current levels and provides for anticipated increases in the cost of heating and lighting, other building-related costs, and contractually obligated salary and wage increases.
The budget also assumes New York State “base aid” at $2,497 per full-time-equivalent student. While the New York State Legislature and Governor approved this figure for 2014-2015, it is almost 7 percent less than the $2,675 GCC received five years ago.
The college is asking Genesee County, the host county, to increase its sponsorship support by $500,000 to $2.53 million. Sunser said that there is increased interest throughout the SUNY system in creating “regional” community colleges instead of locally-sponsored colleges, and that increasing sponsor support may help preserve local sponsorship as well as saving Genesee County money over the long term.
“We are committed to maintaining our position as one of the nation’s great community colleges, but we face declining state support, increased inflation, and a tighter regulatory environment,” Sunser said. “Putting together a budget that combines programmatic excellence, fiscal conservatism, and affordability for students is indeed a challenge.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – A state arts grant will provide $2,500 to the Lake Plains Players to help with the costs of putting on a musical in the fall. The group last October performed Les Miserables. One of the classic songs from the musical includes ‘The Innkeeper’s Song’ (Master of the House).
BATAVIA – The new round of state grants for concerts and art projects includes funding for a new canal concert series in Albion and other projects in the county.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council announced the Decentralization Regrant recipients for 2014 in Genesee and Orleans Counties, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts.
GO ART! received 27 applications for the Reach Grant Program for total requests of $65,696. With $41,600 available, 26 of the applicants were awarded grants.
In Orleans County, the awards include:
$2,000 to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in medina for the Finally Fridays Music Series.
$1,500 for Yates Community Library for More Than Just Books Music Series.
$1,200 to the Lyndonville Lions Club for Concert Fun for the Summer.
$4,000 to World Life Institute for Voices from the Earth – pottery program.
$2,500 to Lake Plains Players for its production of “Follies” in October.
$1,510 for the “A Tale for Three Counties” community reading project.
$800 to the Village of Albion for a new concert series by the canal.
$775 to Hoag Library for Art for Youth: Acrylics.
$500 to the Cobblestone Society Museum for “Stories at the Cobblestone.”
GO ART! also approved a $2,000 grant for artist Stacey Kirby to work with Holley first graders to create a mural for the school.
LYNDONVILLE – Students were given a sobering message this morning at Lyndonville Central School, a day before the prom.
Some Lyndonville students teamed with local firefighters and police to simulate a crash in the parking lot due to a drunk driver. Firefighters, police and the school district wanted to remind students of the deadly dangers of drunk driving with prom season and graduation parties just around the corner.
Lyndonville students in the simulated crash wore makeup so their faces and shirts appeared bloodied. Firefighters tore apart the vehicles to get access to the students, who were then removed by stretcher and taken away in an ambulance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – There is no foul play in the death of a woman who was discovered today on property near the Orleans-Niagara BOCES in Medina. The woman resided on the property where she was found.
“There is no connection to the school,” said Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith. “It was an unattended death. Nothing suspicious.”
MEDINA – In 1914, when our picture was taken, William Gallagher of Medina owned this stone building where he rented wagons and carriages.
Likewise he did moving for hire as the signage indicates “moving vans.” This building which backs up to the canal now serves as the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina.
Provided photo – The Medina Mustang Band poses in the nation’s capital after performing there last weekend.
Press release
Medina Mustang Band
The Medina Mustang Band traveled to Washington, DC from May 15-18 and competed in the Music in the Parks Festival.
Instead of numerical scores the band received ratings. Medina was rated “superior” in parade and wind ensemble and “excellent” in jazz. Jenna Brien was rated “best” jazz soloist. There were approximately 20 schools performing in this festival.
Band Directors Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard stated that the students performed well and represented their school and community very well. The trip was a huge success and everyone had a wonderful time.
The directors want to publicly thank the chaperones and staff that made this trip a success. Without the chaperones, the Band Boosters, school administrators and staff, the band would not have been able to pull off this monumental trip.
The Mustangs look forward to performing their street show, “Crossing Abbey Road,” for the Medina community on Memorial Day. The next and last competition for the band will be at the Gorham Pageant of Bands on May 30-31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Former State Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, left, joined State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. George Maziarz for the unveiling of a sign this afternoon that notes Route 98 is the Genesee and Orleans Veterans Memorial Highway. Another sign near the Genesee-Wyoming border in Alexander will be unveiled Friday morning.
POINT BREEZE – A new sign, proclaiming Route 98 as the Genesee and Orleans Veterans Memorial Highway, was unveiled today near the Point Breeze exit off the Lake Ontario State Parkway.
Several veterans and local and state officials gathered for the unveiling of the sign near the entrance of the Orleans County Marine Park.
“It’s a great tribute to the veterans,” said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Another sign will be unveiled in Genesee County on Friday morning near the Genesee/Wyoming border. Hawley said he will push the state Department of Transportation to put up additional signs in Genesee and Orleans counties besides the first two.
State Sen. George Maziarz is pleased the signs are up before Memorial Day.
“We’re honoring the men and women who did not come home,” he said. “This is just a small way to say thank you.”
This is the second state route to be dedicated to veterans in Orleans County. Route 104 has signs in Jeddo and at the eastern edge of Murray declaring it as the American Legion Memorial Highway in Orleans County.
Paul Fulcomer, director of the Veterans Service Agency, said the designations are appreciated by veterans.
“It’s always nice to see a veterans’ memorial highway,” Fulcomer said.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks at the dedication.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s an exciting day for students at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School. Today a new playground opened.
After an opening ceremony, students joyfully played on new slides, swings, climbing apparatus and other playground equipment.
Students watched Titan from Gasport work on the project for about five weeks. The previous playground was about 20 years old. It was made of wood and tended to attract bees. The site also had poor drainage, which kept students off the site after a big rain.
Titan added new drainage, wood chips and the playground, which is a Game Time brand unit.
Elementary band students were given the first shot at playing on the new equipment. They performed at the dedication ceremony.
Rachel Curtin, principal of elementary school, uses a microphone to thank the contractors, community and school employees for working to make the project a reality. State Sen. George Maziarz also directed $67,800 to the district, which was used for the new playground.
Jen Ashbery, assistant elementary school principal, and District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell line up ambassadors from grades K through 2 classrooms to cut the ribbon for the new playground.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion DPW installed new American flags on Main Street and in the downtown today, as well as hanging banners for the Strawberry Festival on June 13-14.
Todd Sargent is pictured at right with the flag while Scott Bradshaw installs the banner.
The new flags – 50 in all – are being paid for with a fund-raiser by the Albion Main Street Alliance. The group is looking for “Friend of Flag” sponsors at $50 each. For more information contact AMSA members Kevin Lake at 331-6477 or Clifford Thom Sr. at 331-9831.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2014 at 12:00 am
GOP candidate for governor says state is biggest enemy to business
Photos by Tom Rivers – Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive, talks with reporters this afternoon after touring Precision Packaging Products in Holley. Astorino is the Republican candidate for governor against Andrew Cuomo.
Precision Packaging Products VP of Sales Steve Langdon, left, and Andrew Moreau (chief financial officer for Precision) show some of the plastic packaging the company makes for bakeries and the produce industry. Rob Astorino, second from right, toured the factory with State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, right.
Rob Astorino, front left, gets a tour of Precision Packaging Products from Steve Langdon, the company’s vice president of sales.
HOLLEY – Rob Astorino said the state’s high taxes, burdensome regulations and costly worker’s compensation in the state are causing an exodus of residents out of New York.
The Westchester County executive is making a more business-friendly state a focus in his run for governor against incumbent Andrew Cuomo.
Astorino made three stops in Orleans County today and he saw three success stories: Precision Packaging Products in Holley, Western New York Energy in Medina and the Olde Pickle Factory in Medina. The three have all made major investments in the county.
“They’re winning despite the odds,” Astorino said. “Businesses are begging for relief. New York is the worst in the country for taxes and corruption. The state policies that have been enacted are driving out residents and businesses.”
The state ranks 50th or dead last in taxes in the country, and Astorino said 400,000 New Yorkers have fled the state in the past three years.
“It’s no secret it’s very hard to do business here,” he said. “The state has become the enemy.”
New York needs to get its tax burden to be less than other Northeastern states, which are competitors for businesses and residents, Astorino said. Then NY needs to push to have its tax burden below Texas and North Carolina, he said.
At Precision Packaging the company has done four major expansions in Holley in 12 years. The company now has 110 employees and 180,000 square feet of space. The company was acquired in March by the Waddington Group in Kentucky. The new owner has the resources to grow Precision in Holley, perhaps doubling the workforce in the next five years, said Andrew Moreau, the company’s chief financial officer.
He said the state can be a challenge for the company, particularly working through the “maze” of worker’s compensation. But Holley has proven a good site for the company, providing lower-cost municipal electricity. The company has room to grow in Holley and the local workforce has stepped up to meet the company’s personnel needs, said Steve Langdon, the company’s vice president of sales.
Astorino has twice been elected as county executive in Westchester where Democrats are far in the majority. He said the county dropped unemployment, added jobs and is in a much stronger position now that he’s in his second term as county executive.
“In Westchester County we lowered taxes,” he said. “We went from losing to winning.”
“We’ve had a net job loss in Western New York,” he said. “I’ll ask Western New Yorkers: Do you think we’re winning?”
MURRAY – Emergency personnel were dispatched at about 7:45 this morning for a vehicle that crossed over Ridge Road in the Town of Murray.
A male, 30 years old, was traveling northbound on North Main Street Road (Route 237) under heavy fog conditions. When he approached the intersection, unaware of the stop sign due to visibility, he crossed over Ridge Road (Route 104) on to the property on the north side of the road.
The driver was able to maintain control, narrowly missing a vehicle and slightly damaging a barn before his vehicle rolled coming to a rest about 200 feet from the roadway.
The driver was evaluated by Monroe Ambulance at the scene, while members of the Holley Joint Fire District and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray District handled hazards caused from the crash. Stae Police handled the scene investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – I had to go Buffalo yesterday and on the way home and drove along some of the rural roads of Shelby. Here are a few highlights from the drive.
These ducks were in the road at the intersection of Bigford and Martin roads at dusk on Wednesday.
Telephone poles line Martin Road, which includes several picturesque barns.
Two birdhouses are attached to a tree on Edwards Road.
The leaves from a tree in the Millville Cemetery are in the foreground while bales of hay are lined up across the street on East Shelby Road.
The sun comes down over the bales of hay on East Shelby Road across from the Millville Cemetery.
The monument of Asa Hill is a prominent landmark in the Millville Cemetery and the East Shelby community. Hill served in the Civil War and returned to the community and became a prominent farmer.
The monument to Asa Hill looks towards Sanderson Road, where local lore says he keeps watch on the family farm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Claudia Dreschel, a freshman from Holley, shows sixth-graders a heritage sheep, a Navajo Churro, as part of the 46th annual Orleans County Conservation Field Days today at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
About 500 sixth-graders from the Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina school districts attended the conservation event on Tuesday and today.
Kim Hazel from the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension and master gardener Michael Klepp tell students about composting. It was one of 13 conservation stations.
Tom Hicks, a salesman for Bentley Brothers in Albion, tells students about a four-tiered engine, which has less emissions and is better for the environment.
Dennis Kirby, district manager for the Soil and Water Conservation District, talks about soil health and erosion control.
