Provided photos by Alyssa Baker
KENDALL – A Snowy Owl was caught in Kendall on Tuesday in a field near Kludt Farms in Kendall. Andrew Kludt is holding the owl that was caught by Tom McDonald.
A member of Braddock Bay Raptor Research, McDonald (bottom left) collected photos, measurements, and other data for research on the owl before letting the creature go.
By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for the Orleans County Health Department
Although it is snowing and it will soon officially be winter, it is still a good time to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. The best way is to do it with friends to help you stay motivated and for safety.
The Albion Running Club, Inc., is a new non-for-profit organization to help all residents get moving and active throughout the year. Started by Wayne Burlison, Jack Burris, Mark Moore and Brian Krieger to keep the Strawberry Festival 5K running several years ago, the group realized the need to expand on what they could offer our county in the area of physical activity.
As they looked at the statistics for Orleans County, which has ranked low in the annual County Health Rankings with high incidents of overweight and tobacco use and low access to exercise, they started a Run for God 12-week beginner training running/walking program at their local church. The first year was a success with many of their graduates running their first 5K ever. Since then they have increased participants every year.
This growth was encouraging so the Running Club moved forward to incorporate. The board of directors for Albion Running club will be working together to initiate two new races and continue the Strawberry Festival race in 2015.
The first race will be in March 2015 with the Run for Wayne Scholarship race. This fun run/walk is in memory of Wayne Burlison, Albion School music teacher and the original idea man for the Running Club. He died from colon cancer in March 2014. The scholarship will be for an Albion High School senior.
In June, the Strawberry Festival 5K/8K will put the strawberry to test once again and in August an exciting new race, the Metro 10 will be initiated to draw a competition between Buffalo and Rochester which will highlight the historic and scenic area of Orleans County. The race will be open to everyone, but participants will choose if they will represent Buffalo or Rochester. All races will be sanctioned under the USA Track and Field and be in insurance and safety compliance.
Besides organizing the races, ARC has received a grant from The Greater Rochester Health Foundation to continue the Run for God program, and initiate a Fit in Fifty weekly groups to encourage consistent exercise.
Fit in Fifty includes accumulating mileage to different prize levels to help participants see progress and keep motivated. And last, but not least, the Shoe Fits program is designed to assist program participants (for a minimal fee of $20) to be fitted by trained personnel and given a pair of sneakers, participate in a training or weekly run groups as well as receive an entry in one of the Albion Running Club hosted events.
All of these activities fit the mission, which is “the Albion Running Club is committed to nurturing the mental, physical and spiritual health of its community by promoting civic engagement through fun, family friendly events and programs.”
Having such an organization as the Albion Running Club is encouraging for Orleans County residents who want to make healthy changes in their lives. The Orleans County Health Department looks forward to working with them as we strive to become a Healthier Orleans County together.
To learn more about the Albion Running Club and how you can participate in their events or partner with them through donations or volunteering opportunities, visit their web site by clicking here or contact Brian Krieger, executive director, at 585-590-0955.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Officials from the Town of Albion at left met with officials from the Village of Albion at right during a joint session this evening at Hoag Library.
ALBION – Officials from the village and town of Albion had a rare joint meeting this evening and they talked about ideas to make local parks and the downtown business district stronger, while also sharing services for highway projects.
The Town Board said it would give $8,000 toward the village parks program. The village currently spends about $50,000 annually on parks. The town officials said they want the village to specify where the town money will go for parks.
Village officials said it was a reasonable request. The attorneys for the town and village will discuss how an agreement should be written for any town funding at the parks.
The town also said it would be interested in helping pay towards an event coordinator. Sid Beaty has been serving in that part-time position. She helped plan a debut downtown concert series on Thursdays last summer, as well as other events.
The village is debating bringing her back at about $10,000 a year. Trustee Stan Farone said the Village Board is pleased with her work, but the village budget is a challenge.
The town would consider helping pay towards Beaty’s position, but Town Supervisor Matt Passarell would like a list of projects Beaty would work on. Town Councilman Jake Olles also would like to have Beaty or whoever serves in the role possibly be available for projects in the town.
The town is also open to helping fund the downtown concert series, but Passarell said he would like to see a plan for promoting the event.
When Olles asked the village how the town could help with the concert series, Farone was quick to respond.
“Money,” Farone said.
Farone and village officials said they want the concerts to return in 2015. The village is open to another venue for the concerts besides a closed off East Bank Street.
Bobby Skrzypek And The Pedestrians performed last July in the Albion concert series.
Farone said the canal bank area is being considered. Town Councilman Todd Sargent said the green space by a village parking on Main Street, between the Presbyterian Church and El Gallo restaurant, also might be a good possibility.
The town and village officials were praised for their service by Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore and president of the Albion Merchants Association.
Ricker was unable to attend the meeting this evening, but Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop, handed each official a letter from Ricker.
Ricker said many of the downtown merchants are struggling as many shoppers are “Walmart-minded.” The Merchants have organized many events and promotions. Ricker asked the elected officials to shop at the locally owned businesses and attend many of the downtown events.
“If the leadership in our town shopped locally and supported the downtown businesses and talked about that, others may follow suit,” Ricker said.
The two boards talked about an idea to have speakers in the downtown playing music and broadcasting announcers at local parades. Wireless speakers could be added to Main Street and the downtown for about $10,000, village officials said.
Olles initially proposed the idea last year. He said he would continue to support the effort with town funds.
The village and town also committed to working out any issues to get the final pieces installed in the downtown from a Streetscape grant. Some concrete planters with trees still need to be introduced to the downtown as part of the grant.
The village and town have stepped up their efforts with shared services for highway projects in recent years. Todd Sargent, a town councilman, also works for the village DPW. He said the village, towns and county have done far more road work and other projects together recently than 20 years ago.
“We’re doing more now than ever before,” he said.
About once a week the municipalities work on a project together. Passarell said the municipalities should document that work to show the state the shared services at the local level.
Passarell said he would be open to more shared services. He would like to discuss the village maintaining town water and sewer lines. The town has nine water districts that the town highway workers maintain. The village provides the water for the districts.
The two boards said they would like to continue the joint meetings, perhaps once every six weeks to two months. They want to identify ways to reduce costs.
“We all have a responsibility to deliver services to taxpayers and try to keep taxes down,” said Town Councilman Richard Remley.
ALBION – Two people pleaded guilty to crimes today and both could be sentenced to state prison by Orleans County Court Judge James Punch.
Richard Wheeler, 45, of Lockport pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree. He could be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison on Feb. 23.
He admitted he took checks from a local farmer, forged signatures and cashed them. As part of a plea today, he was ordered to pay $4,971 in restitution. Wheeler worked for the victim in the crime, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Wheeler has a prior driving while intoxicated conviction, making him a second felony offender. That means Judge Punch will have to sentence Wheeler to at least half of the maximum sentence, the judge said.
Punch on Jan. 1 set bail at $200,000 for Wheeler, who remains in the county jail.
In another case, an 18-year-old woman from Albion pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree, a crime that carries a maximum of 4 years in state prison.
Makaylee Maxwell of East Academy Street could receive a lesser sentence and be given youthful offender status when she is sentenced on Feb. 23. YO status would seal the crime from her record.
She admitted in court today she was part of a burglary in the Village of Albion on Aug. 18. Three others also were allegedly part of the crime. One of the alleged participants broke many antiques at the home on West Park Street.
Maxwell admitted to the judge she entered the house without permission and also took a DVD player and sold it at a pawn shop.
File Photos by Tom Rivers – The Oak Orchard Rivers draw anglers from many states to Orleans County.
Press Release
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and Orleans County Tourism are pleased to announce the launch of a new tourism initiative designed to bring more out-of-state visitors to the 2-county area in 2015 and beyond.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has been working with Orleans County Sportsfishing Coordinator Mike Waterhouse and recently retired County Tourism Director Wayne Hale to develop overnight, full and half day charter and fly-fishing packages. The program is up and running and packages can now be booked. You can view them online at www.FishingPackages.Net.
Orleans County is a year-round fishing mecca for charter fishing adventures on Lake Ontario, as well as fly fishing on Oak Orchard River, one of the United States top tributaries for Salmon, Brown and Steelhead trout. Many who come to fish in Orleans County stay overnight in Batavia area hotels, due to the limited inventory of guest rooms in Orleans County.
Given the Genesee Chamber’s success at developing and booking golf packages for the area, as well as the regional marketing approach it takes in attracting visitors, it was a win-win for both counties to partner in packaging fishing.
“This is yet another program where the individual strengths of two counties are combined for the betterment of both,” Waterhouse said.
The Oak Orchard River is considered a top fishing spot for Brown Trout, Steelhead and Chinook Salmon.
Visitors have their choice of seven different packages with options for full and half day guided excursions and each includes choice of overnight accommodations in Batavia, breakfast and boxed lunch in Point Breeze, $25 towards dinner at their choice of restaurants in either county, and $50 Batavia Downs Gaming FreePlay.
The tourism representatives are finalizing a new print brochure of the packages and each will take them to upcoming consumer shows. Waterhouse has a full slate of fishing shows scheduled, and the Chamber will also bring them to their golf shows to cross-promote to their golf visitors, who return each season through our packages. A targeted online marketing campaign and TV commercial to run in select Pennsylvania markets is scheduled for February.
“Genesee and Orleans tourism offices have for years pooled resources as we market our areas to visitors,” said Kelly Rapone, Tourism Marketing Director for Genesee County. “Fishing wasn’t an obvious next step, but it certainly was a step in a new direction that made a lot of sense the more we thought about it. The participating charter captains and fly-fishing guides are excited about this, as are our hoteliers, and that’s what makes it exciting for us.”
Packages can be booked by calling the Genesee Chamber office at 585-343-7440 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and a tourism representative will organize the entire trip. Questions may be emailed to visit@geneseeny.com as well.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The photo above shows a wreath with lights at a window in the Pratt Opera House. The Briggs Building is located across the street in downtown Albion.
The National Weather Service is forecasting above-freezing temperatures for most of this week with highs at 39 for today, 45 on Tuesday, 41 on Wednesday and 32 on both Thursday and Friday.
The Erie Canal has been mostly drained. Some of the remaining water froze late last week. This photo was taken on Friday evening on the Butts Road canal bridge looking west.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lyndonville Central School Superintendent Jason Smith is pictured with teacher Laura Moore, center, and Elementary School Principal Kathy Stewart.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has received a $63,000 “Common Core Institute” grant to bolster English performance for students in grades 3 through 8.
The State Education Department announced that Lyndonville and nine other school districts in the state were approved for the grants. Lyndonville will have one of its teachers, Laura Moore, go on special assignment from January through June. She will work with Lyndonville teachers and administrators, as well as state education officials to identify effective teaching strategies and emphasize them with the local district.
Moore is a fifth grade teacher. Her class will be led by a long-term substitute beginning in January. Moore will serve as an SED fellow. Elementary School Principal Kathy Stewart will serve as supervisor and administrator of the grant.
Stewart said Moore is well suited to lead the project for Lyndonville.
“Laura is a master teacher,” Stewart said. “She is well respected by her colleagues.”
The grant will pay for the cost of a long-term teaching substitute, as well as travel and other costs for the grant.
Lyndonville made gains in boosting the mastery levels, students who score 3s and 4s, in the math portion of the Common Core for grades 3 through 8. The district jumped from 20 to 38 percent at that level from 2013 to 2014, District Superintendent Jason Smith said.
Moore and “Common Core Institute” grant will focus on raising the English proficiency for students in grades 3 to 8, where 23 percent were at a 3 or 4 in 2014. The district is pushing to have 43 percent at the higher scores by 2017, Smith said.
“The focus will be on literacy,” Stewart said.
Moore will help teachers develop effective lesson plans and other teaching strategies, including connections for students with disabilities or who speak English as a second language.
Smith said it will be a rigorous six months in meeting the objectives of the grant. The goal will be in establishing a sustainable program. As part of the grant, Moore and the district also need to be available to share best practices and their successes with other schools.
By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
ALBION – Santa Claus acts as a crossing guard in downtown Albion during the Christmas season around 55 years ago. The Santa might possibly be George Cond, who worked at Christmas Park.
Perhaps some of our readers may recognize themselves as they wait to cross Main Street. In the background is Marine Midland Bank, the A&P Store, the Sugar Bowl, and Landauer’s. Note the 1950 vintage autos Santa is holding up.
Photo by Tom Rivers – The former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. had its zoning changed from commercial to residential after the building sat empty for more than a year. The new owner wants the zoning to be changed to allow for business uses.
ALBION – Charles Maloy sees a vacant building on Washington Street as a site with potential for employees and business, all generating economic activity in the village.
Maloy recently purchased the former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. The 4,215-square-foot building is in good shape and Maloy said it would make for an ideal site for businesses that do auto repair, construction, HVAC, roofing/siding, distribution, storage, landscaping as well as other uses.
There is a big obstacle to the site’s reuse: the location’s zoning. It is zoned residential. The site was zoned for commercial use but after it sat vacant for more than a year, the zoning was changed to residential.
Washington Street is considered a residential street. However, Maloy noted the Albion Correctional Facility is down the street and the Village DPW garage is at the corner of King and Washington streets. There are several vacant lots on the street. A new house hasn’t been built on the street since 1992, he told the Village Board last week.
Maloy said there is little chance the NYSEG building would be redeveloped for housing. The site is assessed for $192,000.
“Without a solution this property will be obsolete,” Maloy told the Village Board. “It is well built, very versatile and would lend itself to commercial uses.”
The village doesn’t want to spot zone properties, assigning zoning to sites that don’t match neighboring properties.
Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti sees two viable alternatives that avoid spot zoning. The former NYSEG property backs up to a commercial district on Route 31. The back of the NYSEG property touches the railroad tracks and a district that is zoned commercial. The village could zone the property commercial and there wouldn’t be spot zoning.
Vendetti has also suggested an adaptive overlay district for some of the vacant commercial sites in the village in residential neighborhoods. Many of the sites had their zoning reverted to residential, which makes it difficult for the buildings to be reused, Vendetti told the board.
The adaptive reuse proposal would allow for special permits to be issued from the village for some of the sites. Vendetti said the special permits would require more oversight and control from the village than if the sites were zoned commercial.
He sees the plan as a way to get more vacant structures as a contributing assets to the community. He noted the village has struggled in recent years with a shrinking tax base.
Village Board members said they want to consider the options and will get back to Maloy soon.
“I took a chance on it,” Maloy, a Rochester resident, told the board. “The highest and best use for it is as a commercial building.”
The National Weather Service is warning motorists about fog tonight. Low clouds and fog could reduce visibility to less than a half mile at times tonight.
Fog is expected to be an issue in Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
“Motorists are urged to use caution overnight as visibilities can quickly change while on route through this area,” the Weather Service advised. “When driving through fog use caution and slow down as objects on and near roadways will only be seen at close range.”
