By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2014 at 12:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club welcomed two new members last night. Both are administrators at Lyndonville Central School. Jason Smith, second from left, is the district superintendent. Dr. Aaron Slack, right, is the middle-high school principal.
They are pictured with prospective member Vernon Fonda, left, who works as a conservation officer for the DEC. Club President Andrew Cousins is third from left. The Lions are busy planning their biggest event of the year: the annual Fourth of July celebration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Vibrations could be an issue for ‘quiet’ site
ALABAMA – One of the attractions to building a 1,250-acre mega-site manufacturing site by a swamp: It’s quiet.
A “quiet” site is essential in the nanotechnology, the construction of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices.
The Alabama swamp and the rural surroundings make for a very quiet site, without vibrations in the ground that can compromise the manufacturing at such a small scale.
A proposal for a 215-acre quarry on Fletcher Chapel Road, not too far from the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed STAMP site, has officials concerned in Genesee County.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center will weigh in on the quarry proposal, asking the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the quarry developer for studies to make sure the project wouldn’t have a negative impact on STAMP.
“There are some concerns about vibrations,” said Steve Hyde, president of the GCEDC. “Let’s do a study. It may not be an issue.”
The proposed STAMP (Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) is projected to attract $20 billion in investment, employ 10,000 on site and have a spinoff impact of another 50,000 jobs in the region. Companies could manufacture semiconductor 450mm chip fab, flat panel display, solar, and other advanced manufacturing, Hyde said.
Just north of the site in the town of Shelby, Frontier Stone LLC wants to develop and operate a dolomite/limestone quarry. If the company can satisfy the DEC’s standards with a final environmental impact statement, Frontier will then need a permit from the town of Shelby for the project.
There will be a hearing at 6 p.m. at the Shelby Town Hall on April 30 for the draft environmental impact statement.
David J. Mahar, president of Frontier, has been working on the quarry project the past eight years. He has projected 15 jobs at the site. The quarry would be operated over 75 years on land that has been owned by Chester Zelazny.
Hyde said the quarry may not have an impact on STAMP, but he would like to see tests done to assure there wouldn’t be too much ground vibrations to make the site in Alabama unattractive to developers in nanotechnology.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Mark Peterson, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Enterprise, says the STAMP project in the town of Alabama will be a tremendous economic boost to the region. Peterson and economic development officials in Buffalo, Rochester and Genesee County addressed the Orleans County Legislature about the project on Wednesday. Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller is at left.
ALBION – Economic development leaders from Buffalo, Rochester and Genesee County were in Orleans County on Wednesday, united in their push for a project in the town of Alabama.
Although STAMP (Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) is outside Orleans County, the project will be offer huge benefits for Orleans communities and the region, county legislators were told.
“This is real,” said Mark Peterson, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Enterprise. “This will really be a transformative time in our community’s history and you’re all going to a be a part of it.”
The STAMP project is about 1 mile south of the Orleans County border. STAMP is south of Lewiston Road at Route 77. The 1,250-acre site will accommodate nanotechnology companies including semiconductor 450mm chip fab, flat panel display, solar manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing.
Supply companies and other businesses are expected to set up within an hour of the site. The Medina Business Park, for example, could see new businesses because of STAMP, said Steve Hyde, Genesee County Economic Development Center president and CEO.
The state has committed $33 million in the new state budget to the infrastructure of the park. That has the attention of prospective companies that the state is committing significant resources to the project.
“It’s very, very real,” Peterson told county officials. “This site is very much in play on a world-wide stage.”
The site is attractive for companies because of it’s large size, proximity to the Thruway (only 5 miles from Pembroke), access to talent from universities in Buffalo and Rochester, and the presence of major utilities, including low-cost hydropower, Hyde said.
Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, touts the benefits of the STAMP project for Orleans County.
The site, in full build-out, is expected to employ 10,000 people with many making $100,000 or more. Another 50,000 jobs will be created in the region to support the companies at STAMP.
Hyde said he expects at least 800 to 1,000 people to work at STAMP from Orleans County, and perhaps 4,000 to 5,000 more through construction and supply-chain jobs.
Ray Cianfrini, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, said STAMP has been nine years in the making, but will become a reality with so much support from the region and state.
“It’s not a question of whether it will happen, it’s when it will happen,” he said. He impact will be “transformational” with Orleans County reaping many of the positives.
“You are our neighbor,” Cianfrini told the county legislators. “You, Orleans County, will certainly benefit tremendously from this.”
Orleans should see more demand in its real estate, more business for its shops, and more revenue for some of its municipal services, particularly the Medina sewer plant, Hyde said. STAMP companies are expected to use 1 million gallons of sewer from Medina initially and could use 11 million gallons at full build-out, Hyde said.
Hyde said Medina will be an important partner for the sewer services, and other local governments will be needed to support having sewer and other utility infrastructure run to the site in Alabama.
“We will need pipes and pumps to get the waste water to Medina,” Hyde said. “We need regional infrastructure to support it or else it won’t happen.”
David Callard, the Orleans County Legislature chairman, said the county supports the project and is excited about the potential.
“Your success is our success and everyone’s success,” Callard said.
MEDINA – The sun came up this morning and cast a warm glow on Medina. Chris Busch took these pictures of the lift bridge over the Erie Canal on Route 63 and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
The forecast for today has a lot of sun with a high of 52 degrees. It will drop to 34 degrees tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Friday is forecast with a high of 65 with showers likely.
MEDINA – The former Pizza Hut is on its last legs after a steady demolition this past month. Construction is expected to start almost immediately on the new 4,000-square-foot building that will be a women’s health center for United Memorial Medical Center.
Developer Chad LaCivita will own the new building that will be leased to UMMC. The site should be ready for UMMC to move into in late July, said Colleen Flynn, UMMC director of community relations.
UMMC provides obstetrics, gynecological care and other health services. The new building will be close to the eastern side of the property. Pizza Hut sat in the middle of the property.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2014 at 6:05 pm
Albion man hospitalized after crash near Hulberton Road
Photos by Tom Rivers – A tractor-trailer rolled over and came to a rest in the front lawn of Roy and Marlene Kenyon at 16305 Route 31.
Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess
MURRAY – An Albion man is hospitalized following a two-vehicle crash this morning involving his car and an 18-wheeled tractor-trailer truck.
The incident occurred at about 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of State Route 31 and Hulberton Road in the town of Murray.
Frank Kania IV, 18, was the sole occupant while operating a 1993 Ford Escort travelling south on Hulberton Road. Kania failed to yield right-of-way and entered the intersection into the path of the east bound tractor-trailer truck.
The truck driver took evasive action but was unable to completely avoid striking the car. Following the collision, the truck ran off the north side of the roadway into a ditch, struck a utility pole, and over-turned on its side.
Lyons Collision from Medina is working to get the truck upright and removed from the scene.
Kania was transported by Monroe Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The driver and sole occupant of the truck is identified as Zdenek Smykal, 43, of Palatine, Ill. Smykal was not injured. The truck is owned by Vodik Transport Inc., of Deerfield, Illinois. The enclosed refrigerated trailer was loaded with blueberries and frozen food. It is not yet known if the load was compromised by the crash.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident brought a response from the Holley, Clarendon, and FHM (Fancher-Hulberton-Murray) fire departments.
State Route 31 between Hulberton and Lake roads remained closed at 5:45 p.m.
The incident remains under investigation by Deputy A.L. Jenks, assisted by Deputy K.J. Colonna, Sergeant D.W. Covis, and Investigator D.E. Foeller Jr.
A section of Route 31 between Hulberton and Lake roads has been closed since about 10:30 a.m. Crews were still at the scene at about 5:45 p.m. today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Editorial
File photos by Tom Rivers – The Brown Street bridge in Albion was shut down about two years ago. There isn’t a timetable for the bridge’s reopening.
Orleans County officials and many of the village and town government leaders have been making phone calls, writing letters and passing resolutions, trying to pressure state officials to better maintain bridges over the Erie Canal.
Many of the spans have reduced weight restrictions or have been closed. Only a handful can accommodate tractor trailers, fire trucks and big farm equipment. Local officials say it hurts commerce, threatens public safety and wastes time with detours.
The local leaders have been making noise about this in recent years. It doesn’t seem to be paying off in more upgraded canal bridges.
The canal bridges are low volume and costly to maintain, Bob Traver, DOT regional director, told county officials in a meeting last September. The DOT has many infrastructure needs and it directs the money to higher-volume bridges, he said.
The county should try a new approach in bringing state action to the bridges. The county should consider a trade off. Let’s offer up the north side of the Lake Ontario State Parkway. That is the two-lane recreational expressway that runs west for 12.5 miles in the county.
The Lake Ontario State Parkway is lightly traveled. It was supposed to extend from Rochester to Niagara Falls, but stops in Carlton.
The Parkway was supposed to link Rochester to Niagara Falls. It got about halfway built and ends abruptly in the town of Carlton. It strikes me as a colossal waste of money, and a big broken promise.
The Parkway is costly to the state. The DOT could simply close down the north side, and make the south side – the two lanes that currently go east – into a regular two-lane state highway with one eastbound and one westbound lane. This would save the DOT in maintenance, plowing and mowing costs.
Those savings should stay in the county and be directed towards keeping up the canal bridges. The Parkway is lightly travelled, and putting both the east- and west-bound traffic on the south side of the Parkway wouldn’t hinder the motorists at all.
I think the DOT would be more willing to listen to our pleas about the bridges if we offered a trade off, rather than just insisting on more money.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Candidates have submitted petitions to run for volunteer positions on the Board of Education at the five school districts in Orleans County.
Two of the districts will have contested elections, while two have lone candidates seeking a single open position. Holley has three candidates for three spots.
Monday was the deadline for the petitions. The election is May 20.
Here is the rundown for each district:
ALBION – Four candidates are running for three positions: two five-year terms and one one-year term.
Kevin Doherty and David Sidari are both finishing five-year terms. They are running again. Marie Snyder, another incumbent, had a break from the BOE but was recently appointed to fill a vacancy from Melissa Osburn. Her term has one year remaining. Snyder will be on the ballot.
Wendy Kirby also is running for the BOE. The top two vote-getters will get the five-year terms while the candidate with the third most votes gets the one-year term.
HOLLEY – Three candidates are running for three positions, with the top two candidates getting three-year terms and other receiving a two-year term.
John Heise, the former BOE president, is running again after choosing not to a year ago. Other candidates include incumbents Robin Silvis and Salvatore DeLuca Jr.
Another incumbent, Norman Knight, has opted not to seek re-election.
KENDALL – Lucille Welch has decided against seeking re-election after 10 years on the board. Chaley Swift is the lone candidate to file a petition to run for the five-year term.
LYNDONVILLE – Incumbent Susan Hrovat is unopposed in seeking a three-year term.
MEDINA – There are five candidates seeking four positions on the Board of Education.
The top three candidates will receive three-year terms while the candidate with the fourth most votes gets a one-year term. The one-year term will fill Rosalind Lind’s vacant position.
Three incumbents – Christopher Keller, William Keppler and David Sevenski – are seeking re-election. Other candidates include Renee Paser-Paull and former BOE member Virginia Nicholson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – A 1993 Ford Escort was damaged after a crash this morning in Murray. Frank Kania IV, 18, was the driver and escaped serious injury.
MURRAY – A section of Route 31 in Murray that was closed for about 10 hours reopened about 8:30 p.m. today.
Route 31 was closed between Hulberton and Lake roads after a crash about 10:30 a.m.
Frank Kania IV, 18, was the sole occupant while operating a 1993 Ford Escort travelling south on Hulberton Road. Kania failed to yield right-of-way and entered the intersection into the path of the east bound tractor-trailer truck, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Kania was hospitalized following the accident, but firefighters on the scene said he wasn’t seriously injured.
The truck driver tried to avoid Kania, was able to completely avoid striking the car. Following the collision, the truck ran off the north side of the roadway into a ditch, struck a utility pole, and over-turned on its side.
A truck hauling produce lies on its side in the front lawn of Roy and Marlene Kenyon at 16305 Route 31.
Photos by Sue Cook – Debbie Secrist, Medina Memorial Hospital’s Medical Transcriber, will be making a quilt for this year’s For Women Only event on May 7.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health will be holding its 18th Annual For Women Only event on May 7. The event is a focus on breast cancer awareness for survivors and for all women who should be getting checked for cancer. Approximately 250 to 300 guests are expected at the event.
“Truly, early screening saves lives,” said Wellness Director Cindy Perry. “There is no reason why any woman should not have a mammogram. The goal is to raise awareness for breast health practices. This will also raise money for services for women who are uninsured or under insured that our grant doesn’t cover.”
During the event, quilt squares will be available for $5 each. Once a square is purchased the buyer can write a message using a fabric pen. Local artist Carol Culhane will also be available if the buyer would like her to write the message in a more artistic style.
The quilt is being made from start to finish by hospital employee Debbie Secrist. As a child, Secrist enjoyed sewing, but didn’t branch out into quilting until one day she was walking through the old Lockport Mall. She spoke to the Kenan Quilters and met Gretchen Lang. Lang encouraged Secrist to pursue quilting and to join the Quilter’s Guild.
“This is a passion of mine,” said Secrist. “I love doing it. It brings me a lot of peace and tranquility.”
The quilt will be a vibrant eye-catching wall piece when it makes its home in the Medina Memorial Hospital. The completed quilt will be hung for display in the hospital as a reminder to the community of how important personal health is. The quilt will also be brought to special events.
Employees at the hospital have seen her work before and recommended Secrist to the Community Partners committee. They approached Secrist who agreed it would be a great project. She had saved money she had previously won from the hospital bowling tournament and her bonus from serving at the hospital for 25 years. She used the money toward materials for the quilt.
When Secrist was saving the money, she didn’t have any plans what to do with it. “I didn’t really know what I was going to save it for. I knew it was something special, but then when they asked me if I would be interested in making the quilt I thought this is the perfect way to contribute and give back.”
Secrist says that Lang was the inspiration for the quilt. Lang is a breast cancer survivor and Secrist is using the quilt to show her appreciation and recognition of Lang. Secrist and Lang will be at the event to see the squares being signed. Secrist will also be writing a personal message for Lang on a quilt square.
Perry was very happy that Secrist was willing to provide such an incredible donation. “It’s phenomenal that she is willing to give back for such a good cause!”
Secrist reveals the final pattern of the quilt. The final piece will include 300 quilt squares. She says that it will likely take a few weeks or even a couple of months to put all the signed squares together.
The event will have speakers, Chinese auctions, a 50/50 raffle, wine tasting, appetizers and desserts. There will also be stories from survivors and time will be taken during the evening for survivors to stand up and be recognized. They will also receive a gift as acknowledgment of their fight against cancer.
The evening will also feature entertainment from the group DIVA by DIVA. Their act is comprised of songs, poetry, humor, quotes, and a variety of other performances. The all-female cast includes women from all walks of life with some of the cast sometimes including lawyers, bankers, cancer survivors, teachers and more.
All are welcome to the event, young or old. Despite the event’s name, men are encouraged to attend as well because they are also at risk of getting breast cancer or may wish to acknowledge a person in their life with breast cancer. The event is sponsored by the Community Partners and Cancer Services Program of Genesee and Orleans and also the WNY Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville is hosting the event. Tickets can be purchased by calling (585) 798-9542. Item donations are also still being accepted for the Chinese auction.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – The top photo shows the Holley water tank on Route 237. The picture was taken looking through one of the stained glass windows in the chapel at Hillside Cemetery in Holley.
Not too many people get inside the chapel at Hillside Cemetery. I was given a tour recently. The Clarendon Historical Society may soon launch a fund-raising campaign to upgrade the chapel, which was built in 1894.
The Historical Society would like to see the building used for more community events. The bottom photo shows one of the big trees on the lawn by the chapel.
Provided photo – L.A. Webber Middle-High School has been recognized by a national publication.
Press release
Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – L.A. Webber Middle-High School was ranked as one of the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
The magazine analyzed more than 31,200 public high schools and ranked them on overall student performance on state-mandated assessments, as well as how effectively schools educated their black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Schools were also evaluated on how well prepared students were for college-level course work. In the national rankings, 500 high schools earned gold medals, 1,519 took home silver and 2,688 were awarded bronze.
L.A. Webber received a silver medal and was ranked 97 in the state and 1,229 in the United States.
“This honor is indicative of the high quality work by the Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff and our students,” said LCS Superintendent Jason Smith. “We are pleased and humbled to have our collective efforts for our students recognized with this special honor.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Izzy has been missing since Friday
Provided photo – Izzy likes to hunt. She weighs about 48 pounds.
MEDINA – A poodle that loves to explore and hunt has been missing since Friday, when Izzy wandered off a farm on Marshall Road.
Barbara Jantzi, the dog’s owner, has been looking for the 1-year-old poodle mix since then. The dog weighs 48 pounds and is white, but she may be dirty from her adventures.
“She is very busy and she is real lovable,” Jantzi said this morning.
If anyone sees or finds the dog, give Jantzi a call at 585-798-1468.
ALBION – A course in Home Economics was introduced into the Albion High School curriculum in 1934. It was first taught by Miss Evelyn S. Fischer, a graduate of Cornell University.
The late Fred Holt took this picture 80 years ago of high school girls in the kitchen area of the Home Economics classroom. This was located on the third floor of the old high school, which is now the Carl I. Bergeson Middle School.
Teen-agers looked a lot older, somehow back then, than they do now.
