ALBION – Meredith Patterson of Albion won the Orleans County American Legion Oratorical Contest on Saturday. She is pictured with Steve Goodrich, left, of Lyndonville who is the county Legion commander. Brandon Nunnery, right, of the Lyndonville Post serves as chairman of the oratorical contest.
Patterson won the 77th American Legion Orleans County Oratorical Competition. She competed against students from the other school districts in the county.
Participants delivered an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution.
Patterson will now advance to a regional competition in January.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Orchard Manor, a 160-bed nursing home and rehabilitation site on Bates Road, celebrated an expanded rehab site on Tuesday.
Orchard Manor knocked out walls from next-door office rooms and enlarged the area for rehabilitation services. The expanded space also has new equipment for physical therapy and exercise.
Joining in for the ribbon-cutting include, from left: Kathy Blackburn, executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce; Greg Forsey, chief operating officer for Global Health Care (owner of Orchard Manor); Randi Scholes, clinical liaison; David Denny, Orchard Manor administrator; Medina Mayor Andrew Meier; Jamal Hussain, rehab director; Benjamin Addura, regional director of rehab; and Heidi Smith, director of nursing.
Orchard Manor has about 40 of its 160 beds in a dedicated rehab unit where people usually stay for a short time and receive services to come back from a broken hip, stroke or other injury.
“The main reason we did this is to help people get better so they can go home,” said Heidi Smith, the director of nursing.
David Denny, Orchard Manor administrator, thanked the staff and community for embracing the recent changes at Orchard Manor.
Orchard Manor about two years ago was sold by Medina Memorial Hospital to Global Health Care.
Besides the expanded rehab unit, Global has switched the site to electronic health records, added touch-screen kiosks for staff to report care provided and the status of residents, redone the lobby and hallways, and added new equipment.
Medina Mayor Andrew Meier addressed a crowd of more than 100 people at the celebration on Tuesday. He praised Global and the Orchard Manor leadership for the many improvements at the site.
“This is indeed a community asset providing services to the elderly and people who need services,” Meier told the crowd. “This institution has become a greater asset since you’ve taken over.”
Meier told the group Orchard Manor has a special place for his family. His father and grandmother both received care at Orchard Manor.
Santa Claus stopped in for the celebration at Orchard Manor. He is pictured with Macenzie Sword of Medina. Her mother Corina Sword works as a certified nursing assistant in training at Orchard Manor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Fire victim was active in local politics, Main Street presence for half century
Fran Nayman is pictured in 1978 when he was Albion town supervisor and a member of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors.
ALBION – He battled a stroke and other health scares, but Fran Nayman wouldn’t let those issues keep him down. He stayed committed to his customers and his community.
“The things he dealt with would have broken most people,” said Nayman’s friend Gary Kent. “He just pushed himself and kept going. He amazed me.”
Nayman was 76 when he died Friday in a fire at his shop. Nayman’s, a small engine repair business, was a presence on Main Street since 1959.
Nayman was active in local politics, serving as a village trustee, Albion town supervisor and an Orleans County legislator. He had been out of public office for about three decades, but Nayman stayed supportive in the background, encouraging candidates and offering advice and money for their campaigns.
That’s how Kent became close with Nayman, beginning in 2001 when Kent made his first run for public office. Kent grew to admire Nayman, especially his iron will. Nayman committed to physical therapy to improve his health so he could come back home after stays in an assisted living facility and also the county nursing home.
“It was a testament to his endurance,” Kent said.
Nayman graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and retired as a engineer at RG & E. At Nayman’s, he fixed small engines for lawnmowers, snowblowers and other equipment.
“He died doing what he wanted to do,” Kent said. “There’s where he wanted to be.”
Nayman was a life-long bachelor. He quietly supported many civic causes and organizations, Kent said.
“His death is a big loss for Albion,” Kent said. “He could be counted on for a lot of things. He had a gruff exterior, but he was like a cupcake inside.”
Even when he was limited to a wheelchair, he had friends drop him off at his shop so he could work.
Jeanne Crane, the Orleans County Democratic Party chairwoman, said Nayman took out many ads supporting Democratic candidates. He also opposed the sale of the county nursing home and took out ads stating his opinion on that sale.
His shop was in a prominent spot on Main Street and let both Democratic and Republican candidates put their campaign signs on his property.
He might disagree with local officials, but Crane said Nayman always took the high road.
“He was opinionated but I never saw him get angry,” she said. “He was so even-tempered.”
Crane worked with Nayman for about four decades in local politics, trying to build the Democratic Party. Nayman told Democrats they only had a chance at winning if they were committed to public service and a zealous campaign.
“He always used to say, ‘If you’re going to run, you need the desire to win or else you’re not going to win,'” Crane said.
Even as he struggled in recent years, Nayman sent Crane birthday cards and called at least monthly to check in on the Democratic doings. He wanted the party to be thinking early about fielding candidates for local elections.
“He was someone who was always in the background,” Crane said. “He was always there for us.”
Brad London sold Nayman his ads for The Lake Country Pennysaver. Nayman regularly took out ads in recent years, letting the community to know he was still in business.
“He was always optimistic about serving his customers,” London said. “I really looked up to him. He had a determination and drive.”
Nayman always ran a holiday ad in The Pennysaver, thanking his customers.
“The friendships we’ve made throughout the years have been our greatest pride,” the ad would state. “Holiday greetings and thanks to all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2014 at 12:00 am
A report from The Washington Post about the vanishing Middle Class says Orleans County peaked in 1969.
“Why America’s Middle Class is Lost” was published on Dec. 12 by The Washington Post. The story includes a database on the median household income in 3,139 counties across the United States. Orleans is one of 210 counties, or less than 7 percent of the country, that reached its inflation-adjusted peak in 1969.
About half of the counties in New York state hit their median household peak in 1969. That includes seven out of the eight Western New York counties. Wyoming County was the only one to hit its peak after 1969. Wyoming hit it in 1999 with a median household income of $55,668.
Orleans households had an inflation-adjusted median income of $56,963 in 1969, according to the database that used information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
In Orleans, the median household income between 2009 to 2013 was down to $48,502, according to the American Community Survey.
The Washington Post says the median household incomes have fallen in many areas in the country due to the exodus of higher-paying manufacturing jobs and other positions.
“Make no mistake: The American middle class is in trouble,” according to Post article written by Jim Tankersley. “That trouble started decades ago, well before the 2008 financial crisis, and it is rooted in shifts far more complicated than the simple tax-and-spend debates that dominate economic policymaking in Washington.”
Tankersley says a smaller share of Americans are reaping the benefits of an expanding economy.
To see the article and the database of counties, click here.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department has been awarded the 2014 Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award by the America Automobile Association.
The nationally recognized AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award is the highest award AAA can bestow on any police department. The award is given to police departments that have developed and maintained traffic safety initiatives in their communities and who have shown success in those initiatives.
The Albion Police Department has used programs such as Buckle Up New York, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Stop DWI and the Child Passenger Safety Seat Program to enforce vehicle and traffic laws as well as to educate and assist motorists.
Throughout 2014 the Albion Police Department conducted several targeted details that focused on specific areas of safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
“These details were done in non-traditional ways to increase their effectiveness,” said Roland Nenni, Albion police chief. “Several more details are planned using techniques that have never been done in our area and will increase awareness and effectiveness with the end goal of making our community safer.”
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Albion Police Department has received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award.
“The Albion Police Department is dedicated to making our highways and streets safer for all who use them,” Nenni said. “Throughout the holiday season we will continue our efforts by adding more patrols and details and we urge motorist to make responsible decisions.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Judith Villavisanis takes a break from painting to pose with a new entrance leading to the children’s section. The library is having the entrance resemble a giant book.The portals in the book cover are spots for people to place books. The pig is Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web.
MEDINA – Winnie the Pooh, Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, fairies, elves and other characters are all taking shape in a new entrance leading to the children’s section at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
Artist Judith Villavisanis has been working on the project for about three weeks. She is painting book sides of a book-shaped entrance. The cover faces the children’s section. The front or the pages in the book includes illustrations and famous characters from children’s literature, including Winnie the Pooh.
Some details from the front of the entrance, which resemble illustrations on a page.
Villavisanis, a former Albion resident who now lives in Florida, also wrote a poem and those words will be painted on the book pages. She submitted her proposal after reading an artilce in August on the Orleans Hub, where the library sought artist submissions.
The project has sparked lots of questions and interest from library patrons. Many stop and chat with the artist, and each passing day more details emerge. Villavisanis is hoping to have the project completed by this Sunday.
Villavisanis needs to add the text from a poem she wrote. She is doing the illustrations first and will then add the words from this poem:
All you wishers and dreamers,
pretenders and schemers,
Come in!
Pass through this portal
to enchanted forests
With fairies and
elves aplenty.
Or musical waters
where mermaids play
and treasures are
so many
Please do come in!
Walk through this book
and sail to worlds you have never been.
Come in!
This door will transport
you to towers of learning,
bending space and time.
Discover the moon and
stars and how they
all align.
Come in!
Magic awaits you
The Adventures are
Many, not costing a penny.
It can only begin
When you
Come in!
Villavisanis works on an illustration for the art project. Library Director Catherine Cooper is pleased with project and the public’s reaction.
“It’s a public piece of art,” Cooper said. “Everyone walks over and makes a comment. The creation of this will be part of people’s memory.”
Cooper said the project is part of interior renovations at the library, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016.
ROCHESTER Orleans County Farm Bureau was presented with four Silver Key Awards at the annual meeting for the New York Farm Bureau on Dec. 9-11 in Rochester.
The Silver Key Awards are presented to county Farm Bureau organizations that have exhibited excellence in a variety of categories relating to effectiveness in policy implementation, promoting agriculture in the public and in classrooms, leadership development, and membership building.
The Orleans County Farm Bureau awards was recognized for excellence in the following categories: Membership, Agricultural Education & Promotion, Leadership Development, and Policy Development & Implementation on the local level.
While at the State Annual Meeting, farmer members also took part in the grassroots process of laying the groundwork for the year ahead. More than 100 delegates from across New York proposed, discussed and voted on resolutions that set NYFB’s public policy agenda for 2015.
Orleans County Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community. The county is part of New York Farm Bureau, the largest agricultural advocacy group in New York State, known to members and the public as “The Voice of New York Agriculture.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2014 at 12:00 am
File Photo by Tom Rivers – The Village of Holley received the lone grant in Orleans County last year through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. A $65,776 grant was approved for a canal park improvement project. Other nearby counties receive far more in funding through the council.
It’s become an annual rite in mid-December. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state economic development officials announce hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for projects around the state.
Some small counties receive several awards. In Orleans County, it’s a short list. Last year there was one small grant: $65,776 to the village of Holley for a canal park improvement project.
Last week, the state announced $709.2 million in grants. It was another light showing for Orleans County with $81,500 approved for the Orleans County Marine Park along the Oak Orchard River in the Town of Carlton. Intergrow Greenhouses also was awarded $600,000 for “grow lights” and an electric supply upgrade.
Orleans County doesn’t get many grants, especially for the local towns and villages, because they typically don’t seek any funding. The Orleans Economic Development Agency wants to encourage the Orleans towns and villages to put together projects and pursue the funding through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
The EDA’s Local Development Corporation has approved $10,000 to cover grant-writing costs for projects submitted by towns and villages.
“We want to encourage them to get some money in the next round,” said Gabrielle Barone, EDA vice president of business development.
Many other communities received grants for downtown business development. Livingston County, for example, was approved for $500,000 for Main Street revitalization projects for several villages.
In Genesee County, several municipalities were awarded grants. The City of Batavia was approved for $75,000 for a “Sustainable Batavia” initiative to update the city’s comprehensive plan. The City of Batavia also was awarded $200,000 to establish the Batavia Microenterprise Assistance Program for small business owners.
The Village of Alexander was approved for $30,000 for a wastewater infrastructure evaluation study. The Village of Bergen also was OK’d for $30,000 for wastewater collection system study. Another $30,000 grant was approved for an east side sewer study in the Town of Batavia.
The Genesee Economic Development Center also hit it big, landing a $1.5 million grant for a company to build a biogas plant at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia.
The Orleans EDA plans to work with the Chamber of Commerce on the $10,000 initiative. The money will be passed to the Chamber, which will administer the funds to the local villages and towns.
Barone said the funds could be used for the municipalities to not only seek money through the regional council, but from other sources, including foundations.
“We’re hoping in 2015 we will see some funding for projects in a couple of our downtowns,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Volunteers will be busy this week sorting presents for families and senior citizens in the Medina Central School District.
In the top photo, Sue Metzo (left) and Sylvia Riviere are pictured inside the Medina United Methodist Church at the former Apple Grove Inn, which has become the headquarters for the annual present sorting. The two are members of the Medina Area Association of Churches.
Metzo is president of MAAC and Riviere is serving as chairwoman of the toy and gift initiative. MAAC for at least 30 years has coordinated gift donations from the community, matching those gifts with local families and senior citizens.
MAAC and Medina firefighters placed 29 barrels in the community at churches, businesses, schools and the library. On Monday, firefighters collected the barrels – some overflowing with gifts – and delivered hem to the church where the gifts were sorted by age group.
The number of families that signed up is down this year, from 149 in 2013 to 82 this year. Metzo said there will be extra gifts and then will be shared with Community Action, which manages a gift-giving program for central and eastern Orleans County.
MAAC starts signing up families in September for the toy drive. Families will receive gifts for each child at their age level, as well as a book, board game, puzzle and stuffed animal. Each family also receives a ham dinner, and socks, mittens, scarves and hats.
“A lot of the people are who we call the ‘Working Wounded,'” said Metzo, a member of the First Presbyterian Church. “They’re working they just aren’t making enough.”
Metzo said many of the recipients of the presents have their extra cash drained with unexpected medical bills, or furnace and car repairs.
The community comes through with the donations. Metzo said the generosity inspires the 30 core volunteers who will work this week sorting the gifts and preparing them for Saturday’s delivery. Firefighters from East Shelby, Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby will deliver the toys and gifts on Saturday morning.
“It’s overwhelming to see the contributions and the peoples’ giving,” said Gerry Grimes, the retired pastor at Faith Covenant Fellowship, one of 16 churches in the MAAC.
Chad Wirth, pastor at Faith Covenant Fellowship, arranges coloring and activity books.
Grimes was volunteering today in organizing the presents by age group. Faith Covenant filled a barrel and then some with presents.
Chad Wirth, the church’s new pastor, challenged the congregation to be generous with the MAAC toy campaign.
“Jesus Christ took care of the orphans and the widows, meeting their physical needs first,” Wirth said. “God is love, and one of the greatest ways to show love is to help people.”
In addition to the gifts for families, about 50 senior shut-ins will receive poinsettias and fruit baskets.
Metzo and Riviere thanked the community for contributing to the effort again this year.
“The people of Medina have supported this ministry for years,” Metzo said. “The people are awesome. We can’t thank them enough.”
File photos by Tom Rivers – A train on the Falls Road Railroad passes through Albion near Platt Street.
State officials announced grants for aviation and rail safety projects today, including two to be funded in Orleans County.
Pine Hill Airport in Barre was approved for $42,000 to purchase snow removal and air field maintenance equipment.
The state also approved $466,000 for the Falls Road Railroad Company in Batavia. The company plans to repair culverts and bridges in the railroad that runs from Lockport to Brockport with most of the line in Orleans County.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $26.8 million in state funding for 38 rail and aviation safety, security and economic development projects across the state. This funding will generate approximately $36 million in new investments for transportation projects statewide, the governor said.
“New York remains a vital transportation hub, as well as a tourism destination, and this funding will help ensure travel to and in this state is safer, more convenient and more reliable,” Cuomo said. “By investing in our transportation infrastructure, we are making long-term improvements to our rail and aviation systems in order to better serve the people who use them, while also expanding economic opportunities throughout New York.”
An airplane comes in for a landing at Pine Hill Airport in Barre in this photo taken in September 2013. The airport is the only one in Orleans County with a hard-surface runway.
New York approved $17.8 million in funding from the State’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to 12 rail projects that will repair and replace 65 miles of track and ties, rehabilitate rail grade crossings and bridges, and construct new connections to improve safety and operations.
The state also approved $9 million to 26 aviation projects through the Governor’s Aviation Capital Grants Program. These investments will enhance airport safety and security, including taxi-lane striping and markings, runway and airfield maintenance, and installation of automatic weather observation stations. Other airport related improvements that will benefit from this funding include the construction and rehabilitation of new and existing airport terminals and aircraft hangars.
The funding allocated today was included in the State’s 2014-15 budget. The projects that received the funding were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated on established criteria, including project eligibility, consistency with state rail and aviation plans, regional economic benefits, and the ability to leverage additional investments.
