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Orleans County smoking rate nearly twice the state average

Posted 15 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Reality Check and Smoke Free NOW

ALBION, NY – Director of Public Health, Paul A. Pettit and local tobacco-control advocates Reality Check and Smoke Free NOW are drawing attention today to the tremendous health and financial burden caused by tobacco use in our local communities. The United States Surgeon General says tobacco marketing is a cause of tobacco use. The 32nd Report on Smoking and Health will highlight the 50th anniversary of the first Smoking and Health report released in January 1964. The report was the first to hit the American public that identified smoking as a cause of lung cancer in men.

The Surgeon General’s 32nd Report on Smoking and Health, released later this month, provides new findings on the health effects of smoking along with a call to end the continuing tobacco use epidemic. In New York, tobacco use remains the leading cause of premature death and disease, with the highest smoking rates among the poorest New Yorkers who disproportionally suffer the deadly consequences of tobacco use.

New York State is a leader in tobacco control with strong clean indoor air laws, the highest tobacco taxes in the nation; smoke-free outdoor laws, youth prevention initiatives, and cessation programs that together have led to substantial reductions in smoking rates among adults and youth. However, more than 25,000 New Yorkers still die every year due to tobacco use.

“New Yorkers earning less than $25,000 per year and those who report poor mental health are still smoking at significantly higher rates that the rest of the population and helping them quit remains an uphill battle,” said Mr. Pettit. “We need to ensure effective resources continue to be available to protect youth from ever starting, and to help those most vulnerable to smoking (people with lower income and reporting poor mental health) successfully quit.”

In New York State, the smoking rate for middle school students has declined to 3.1 percent and the smoking rate for high school students has declined to 11.9 percent. The adult smoking rate has been reduced to 16.2%, but is much higher in some parts of the state. In Orleans and Genesee County, the smoking rate remains at 29.9% and 18.7% respectively; higher than the state average.

“Research has shown the poorest New Yorkers have the highest smoking rates and as a result suffer more deadly illnesses due to tobacco use”, said Kevin Keenan, project director for Smoke Free NOW; a program of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. Furthermore, some counties in upstate New York have higher than average lung cancer rates largely driven by higher than average smoking rates. The American Lung Association has estimated that if no one in the United States smoked, one-third of all cancer deaths could be avoided.

The New York State Tobacco Control Program effectively reduces tobacco use, saves lives and saves money. The Department of Health estimates that approximately 35 percent of the total decline in adult smoking is attributable to youth prevention strategies. The significant reduction in smoking among young adults will reduce future health care costs by approximately $5 billion.

“It is hard to believe that we are still fighting this deadly product fifty years later,” said Kyla McCormick, Program Coordinator for Reality Check in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. “We’ve made tremendous progress, but we must continue to tackle the enormous financial and health burden that tobacco use causes our community.”

For more information contact Smoke Free NOW at 585-815-1875 or Reality Check at 585-344-3960.

Holley may sell land for restaurant parking

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2014 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Dan and Monica Seeler are working on transforming the former Tagg’s Tavern in Holley into a steak and seafood restaurant.

The couple expects to open the Holley Falls Bar and Grill in October or November. Besides extensive renovations to the building, they are trying to ensure enough parking for their customers.

They want to make it as easy as possible for people to park close to the restaurant in the Public Square. The Seelers think a chunk of land next to Hair Affair could be used for 12 vehicles. The lot would need to be cleared. The village owns the land and is open to selling it, Mayor John Kenney told the Seelers during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting.

The Seelers and village attorney John Sansone will negotiate a price for the property.

In other action, The Village Board hired Sharon Ebbs as a temporary part-time imaging clerk. She will be paid with a state grant that is paying for Holley to convert 96,000 paper records into digital records through Laserfiche.

Ebbs, a Holley resident, will be paid $6,468 in the part-time role until June 1, Holley’s deadline for completing the project. The village was awarded a $29,304 Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund Grant.

Holley will convert payroll records since 1959 and Village Board meeting minutes from 1900 into digital files.

Paul Lauricella, 24, killed in Lyndonville accident

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2014 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – A 24-year-old Lyndonville man was killed this morning when he hit black ice, lost control of his vehicle and then hit a tree.

Paul Lauricella was travelling westbound at about 6:30 a.m. on East Yates Center Road when he hit a patch of black ice, crossed into the eastbound lane and then collided with a tree.

He was transported by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he was pronounced dead, State Trooper Victor Morales said.

Local girl advances to zone competition in Oratorical Contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

Marisa Hanlon, a junior at Kendall, finished second in Sunday’s district competition for the American Legion Oratorical Contest. That is good enough to advance tothe zone competition on Feb. 8 in Mount Morris.

Hanlon, 16, won the Orleans County contest last month and advanced to the district event in Kenmore. She was joined by American Legion leaders Larry Montello, left, of Medina and Charles Eberhardt of Holley. Frank Berger, a Legion member from Medina, also attended Sunday’s competition with Hanlon.

She had to deliver a memorized speech about the Constitution that was between 8 to 10 minutes and then give another 3 to 5 minute speech about an amendment.

Collins says he’ll back federal budget

Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Congressman Chris Collins

Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) announced today that he will vote in support of the federal budget bill, which was introduced late last night, and will come before the House of Representatives later this week.

The $1.012 trillion spending deal will fund the government through the end of September.

“In addition to cutting spending for four years in a row, and resulting in total discretionary savings of $165 billion since 2010, the federal budget bill includes provisions that will have a direct, positive impact on New York’s 27^th Congressional District,” Collins said. “This includes increasing funding for Customs and Border Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers and NASA, while providing no additional funding for ObamaCare.”

The budget bill increases Customs and Border Protection’s overall budget to $10.6 billion, which is a $220 million increase from FY2013 funding. This will allow for the largest operational CBP force in history.

“Increasing funding for Customs and Border Protection will help boost the economy of Western New York by ensuring we are moving people and products across the border faster,” said Congressman Collins. “This includes an increase of 2,000 additional CBP officers for our nation’s busiest ports of entry, which will go a long way toward easing congestion at both the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Peace Bridge.”

Collins has been at the forefront of advocating for an increase in staffing at our nation’s northern borders. Last month, alongside Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), Collins wrote a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the CBP calling for additional staffing at local border crossings in order to address the wait times.

The budget bill also sets the Army Corps of Engineers funding at $5.5 billion, a $487 million increase from FY2013, and provides $1 billion for activities related to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Funding for NASA is set at $17.6 billion, which is an increase of $120 million from FY2013 levels.

“Increasing funding for the Army Corps of Engineers is essential to maintaining our Lake Ontario harbors,” Collins said. “Additionally, the increase in funding for NASA means more opportunities for private sector companies, like Moog Inc., which support our nation’s space program and are located in Western New York.”

Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is set at $147.9 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding. Discretionary funding for VA programs is set at $63.2 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion above FY2013. This increase in funding is aimed in part at eliminating the VA’s backlog of claims by 2015.

The budget bill does not provide any additional funding for ObamaCare.

“The bill slashes ObamaCare’s $1 billion slush fund and freezes funding for the President’s healthcare program at the post-sequester level. This will prevent any unnecessary spending on a flawed law and, given the mismanaged launch of ObamaCare and lack of transparency surrounding enrollment numbers, is only appropriate,” Collins said.

Waterport man faces multiple charges after crashing into liquor store

Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

LYNDONVILLE – A Waterport man has a court date in the Town of Yates after leaving the scene of a crash last night in downtown Lyndonville.

The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. Blake Strickland, 25, was operating a ’98 Dodge pick-up truck, travelling north on Main Street when he failed to negotiate a right turn onto Maple Avenue.

The vehicle ran off the north side of Maple Avenue and struck the building on the northeast corner of the intersection. The building houses a liquor store and hair salon on the main level, and vacant apartments on the upper level. There was significant structural damage.

Strickland left the scene but was located a short time later at a residence on Oak Orchard River Road by State Troopers from the Albion barracks. He was returned to the scene and faces traffic charges including Leaving the Scene of an Incident, Unsafe Speed, Failure to Keep Right, Unsafe Lane Change, and Failure to Notify DMV of Address Change.

Strickland is next scheduled to appear in Town Court on Feb. 19.

The incident was investigated by Deputy D.S. Klips, assisted by Lieutenant R.E. Perry.

Albion can’t reach consensus on hiring town attorney

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The town is without an official attorney because a faction of the Town Board wants to bring back Robert Roberson of Lockport for the job while other board members would prefer a less pricey attorney from Orleans County.

Roberson served as attorney for the town in 2012 and 2013 for $36,000 annually as a base retainer fee. John Gavenda of Albion served in the role before the board two years ago picked Roberson. That board was led by then Town Supervisor Dennis Stirk.

Matt Passarell, the new town supervisor, wants a different attorney, but he needs at least three of the five members of the board to agree to the change. Passarell last week tried to bring Gavenda back at a $25,000 cost, but board members Dan Poprawski, Jake Olles and Todd Sargent wouldn’t vote for Gavenda.

Passarell on Monday said he wanted to appoint Andrew Meier of Medina as town attorney at a base retainer cost of $25,000. Councilman Richard Remley joined Passarell in support of Meier, who also works as town attorney for Gaines, Yates and Kendall.

“Andrew Meier is extremely qualified in municipal law,” Passarell said.

Sargent and Olles both said they wanted Roberson.

“You know what you’re getting,” Sargent said about Roberson.

Olles said he would prefer an out-of-county attorney who may bring more independence. He noted Albion would be Meier’s fourth municipal client.

Meier was at the Albion meeting on Monday. He works with David Schubel in a law practice in Medina. Schubel also works with municipalities.

The $25,000 is more than Meier’s other towns are charged. He is paid $600 a month or $7,200 a year by Gaines and Kendall, and $7,500 by Yates. Albion has about three times the population as each of those towns. Albion also is planning several zoning and policy changes this year as the town works to implement a comprehensive plan.

Meier’s proposal would include the legal work for the zoning changes. He would receive additional compensation for litigation and other “unpredictable” work for the town.

Poprawski looks like the swing vote for attorney. Poprawski didn’t vote on Monday, saying he wanted more time to study Meier’s proposal and compare it with Roberson’s.

Passarell said he didn’t understand the delay. Meier is well-versed in municipal law and will work for less cost than Roberson, Passarell said.

“You want to pay more for an attorney?” he said.

The board will meet again Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. to vote again to fill the position.

Albion town may waive water charge to Murray

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Town Board may drop a 13-cent “pass-through” charge to the town of Murray for water.

Albion buys water from the village of Albion and some of the town water lines link with Murray’s water system. Some of the village water ultimately goes to Murray water customers.

Ed Morgan, Murray highway superintendent, last month asked the town of Albion to waive the 13-cent charge the town of Albion adds to the village rate. Albion has been paying $2.86 per 1,000 gallons of water from the village of Albion. Murray then buys that water from the town at a $2.99 rate.

The village is raising its rate to $2.94 to the town. Albion is considering charging Murray $3.07 under the new structure.

Jed Standish, the Albion highway and water superintendent, estimated that “pass-through” charge generates about $1,100 a year for the town of Albion.

Murray saves the town more than that by preventing dead ends on the east side of Albion, Standish said. He would have to flush water lines more often if the lines weren’t connected with Murray.

“I may have to flush 8,000 dollars down the ditch,” Standish told the Town Board. “It wouldn’t hurt us to eliminate that cost to Murray. He is definitely helping the town with residuals.”

Standish worries that Murray could switch to the Monroe County Water Authority. The Albion lines would then have dead ends and wouldn’t be connected with Murray’s.

Albion Town Board members tabled the Murray proposal, which hasn’t been submitted in writing. Albion officials want more information on what the pass-through charge generates for the town and more precise estimates on the flushing costs.

In other action on Monday:

The board approved giving $1,000 to the VFW in Albion to purchase flags and grave markers for veterans. Town Supervisor Matt Passarell, a former VFW commander, abstained from the vote.

The board appointed Russell Olles to the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is the uncle of Jake Olles, an Albion town councilman. Code Enforcement Officer Dan Strong suggested Russell Olles for the position.

The board appointed Issac Robinson to Planning Board. There is another vacancy on that board. David Cristofaro resigned because he is moving out of the town of Albion.

The Town Board voted to increase the rate of pay for a part-time motor equipment operator from $15 to $16.50 per hour, a 10 percent raise. Highway Superintendent Jed Standish said the rate of pay hadn’t been increased since 2008.

Driver crashes into Lyndonville liquor store

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The front wall of Sixes and Sevens Spirits was damaged last night after a car crashed into the building at 2 North Main St. in Lyndonville.

LYNDONVILLE – A hit-and-run driver caused significant damage last night to the Sixes and Sevens Spirits liquor store in Lyndonville.

Business owner Julie Caleb isn’t able to open the store today after the front windows and wall were smashed by a car. The vehicle also snapped a supporting beam at the building, 2 North Main St.

“We’re trying to clean up and we hope to open back up tomorrow,” Caleb said this morning.

The driver crashed through the store at 9:49 p.m., and then backed out of the building and took off. Orleans Hub is awaiting a police report from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Caleb said someone was arrested for the crime.

She opened the business on June 28. The store was a dream come true for Caleb, a Medina native who had been working as an office administrator, first for an insurance company in Virginia and then for a fertilizer business in Knowlesville.

Caleb said the incident could have been tragic. The driver smashed through the front of the store where she normally sits by the counter.

“If I had been sitting there I wouldn’t be talking to you,” she said.

A hub cap and the grill from the vehicle were found inside the store.

It’s going to be foggy this morning

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Lingering moisture from overnight rain will make it foggy this morning, reducing visibility to as low as half a mile in areas of the Niagara Frontier, the National Weather Service is reporting.

The fog will affect Orleans, Genesee and Niagara counties.

“Motorists are urged to reduce speed and allow extra time to reach your destination due to the fog,” according to the NWS announcement.

State approves $744K in incentives for CRFS

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A company that has added nearly 200 positions since September will receive almost $750,000 in state incentives as part of its expansion in Albion.

Claims Recovery Financial Services agreed to add 150 positions to be eligible for the incentives. The company has already exceeded its commitment to new jobs by hiring 194 people since September.

Just last week CRFS moved more than 200 employees from its site in Medina to the former Chase site in Albion. Roger Hungerford and his company Talis Equity acquired the building from Chase.

State officials on Monday announced the state Office of Community Renewal approved $744,165 to help CRFS with its expansion in Albion. The money is divided with half in a grant and the other half a deferred loan.

The funding is a Community Development Block grant that will be given to the Village of Albion, which serves as a pass through with the money then going to CRFS.

“It is important to mark the final approval of this anticipated funding,” State Sen. George Maziarz said. “This award is a sure sign that the CRFS expansion project is moving forward.The Village of Albion, CRFS, and Talis Equity are all to be commended for their commitment to growing a local business to remarkable heights of success.”

CRFS has nearly 700 employees in Orleans County and is still hiring.

“It’s exciting to see a home grown business be successful and make a commitment to Orleans County,” said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “This important expansion will bring further employment opportunities close to home for Orleans County families.”

Snowy Owl hangs out in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Orleans Hub has published several photos of Snowy Owls in Orleans County in recent weeks with the majestic creatures spotted in Barre, Lyndonville and Kendall.

One of the owls has been hanging around Albion the past few days. Jaime Brennan shared this picture taken on Lattin Road. Her husband ventured into the corn field to get a photo of the owl.

I’m glad he got close. The owls typically nest in the Artic tundra and winter in Canada. Bird watchers believe we are having a historic year with the presence of so many Snowy Owls in the U.S.

New mural in Knowlesville celebrates the Widewaters

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Arthur Barnes is pictured next to a 10-foot-long mural he installed on Monday at the corner of Presbyterian and Knowlesville roads at a former fire station.

KNOWLESVILLE – Arthur Barnes installed his fourth canal-themed mural in Orleans County on Monday. His latest effort is in Knowlesville and features the Widewaters along Presbyterian Road.

The mural combines two of Barnes’ favorite themes: the canal and dusk. He has other canal murals at the Holley-Murray Historical Society, in Albion on the former Burgio Tire and in Medina on the Canal Country Artisans building.

Barnes lives near Knowlesville in a farm house on Long Bridge Road. He remembers when Knowlesville was a bustling little town with a grocery store, hotel, Post Office and fire station.

He hopes the mural can be part of a rebirth of the town.

“I wanted to give some props to Knowlesville,” he said.

He thinks the Widewaters is an unusual location on the canal. It feels like a wildlife refuge in that spot. His mural, mounted on a building owned by Sam Swan, includes a painting of a heron.

Barnes received some funding support in creating the mural from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Worker arraigned in theft from Albion canal facility

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION A state Canal Corporation worker was arraigned in Orleans County Court on Monday for allegedly stealing $5,700 of metal from the Canal Corp.’s Albion maintenance facility.

Bruce Rotoli, 55, of Albion has been charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was arrested in May following a four-month investigation by state police, Village of Albion police and the Thruway Authority, which runs the canal system.

Rotoli pleaded not guilty to the crimes in court on Monday. Judge James Punch kept his bail at $2,500. Rotoli is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27.

Police say that Rotoli in the fall of 2012 removed bronze bushing material from the Albion maintenance facility. Rotoli is currently on disability.

Medina man could get state prison for burglary, defacing guns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION A Medina man pleaded guilty to breaking into a house on Mill Road in Ridgeway on June 13, and taking guns and defacing them.

Christopher Hollenbeck, 27, could be sentenced to 2 to 7 years in state prison for the crimes. Orleans County Court James Punch could decide a lesser sentence of jail and probation. Hollenbeck will be sentenced March 31.

He has no prior record. Punch reduced the bail from $100,000 to $10,000 at Hollenbeck’s attorney’s request. Shirley Gorman, Hollenbeck’s lawyer, said Hollenbeck helped police locate the guns and has been cooperative.

Hollenbeck told the judge he used a credit card to break into the Mill Road home. His girlfriend Rebecca Bischoff, 26, of Medina drove him to the site and allegedly helped him sell the defaced guns. Her case is going through the court system. She faces four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and two counts of criminal sale of a firearm in the second degree.

Hollenbeck pleaded guilty today to second-degree attempted burglary and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

He faced 24 counts, including burglary, grand larceny, defacing weapons, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal sale of a firearm.

He is accused of taking nine guns, including several hand guns. He admitted in court today he took a .45 Glock pistol and scratched off the serial numbers so he could hide the theft.