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Brockport college president recognized as NY Woman of Distinction

Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) on Tuesday recognized The College at Brockport President Heidi Macpherson as one of the New York State Senate’s “Women of Distinction” during a ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

ALBANY – Heidi Macpherson, president of The College at Brockport, was recognized in Albany on Tuesday as one of 59 distinguished women in the state.

The State Senate’s “Women of Distinction” program celebrates outstanding women from all walks of life throughout New York State whose contributions have enriched the quality of life in our communities.

“There are remarkable women in our midst whose lives, work or special accomplishments contribute to making our communities better, making our families stronger and serve as special examples to others. President Macpherson is one of those women,” said Senator Ortt. “The Senate’s Women of Distinction program provides a special opportunity to honor these women for their achievements and to thank them for the pride they bring to our communities.”

“I’m honored that Senator Ortt selected me as the ‘Woman of Distinction’ for his district, as enhancing our community is such an important part of what we are trying to accomplish,” said President Macpherson. “In the short time I’ve been at Brockport, Senator Ortt has proven to be a friend to the College and a strong supporter of public higher education.”

Dr. Heidi Macpherson was formally installed on April 29 as the seventh president at The College at Brockport. She is the first female president in the college’s history, which dates back to 1835. Ortt first met President Macpherson last summer, shortly after she took over leadership of the college in July 2015.

President Macpherson has more than 20 years of experience in higher education as an English professor, a writer and administrator in both the United States and England. Prior to her current position, Macpherson served as the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

The Minnesota native spent 22 years of her life in the United Kingdom, where she developed a love for international education and launched her career in higher education. Pres. Macpherson began her academic career at the University of Central Lancashire in England in 1995. While there, she took on the roles of program leader, head of the division of English, head of the Department of Humanities and professor. In 2007, she was appointed Dean of Humanities at De Montfort University in Leicester, England and subsequently held two different Pro Vice-Chancellor positions there. As Pro Vice-Chancellor at De Montfort, Macpherson wrote the university’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy.

Additionally, President Macpherson plays a vital role in her community – on a regional, national and international level. She’s an active member of Rotary International. In her previous role, she volunteered with the YWCA and Bethany Lutheran Homes. She’s a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council Steering Committee, and the Rochester Regional Community Advisory Council for Rochester Regional Health. In June, Macpherson will be recognized as the Honorary Chairwoman of the New York State Special Olympics, which will be held in Brockport.

“President Macpherson is someone who is not only committed to the academic community at The College at Brockport, but also to her community at home and abroad,” said Senator Ortt. “Her leadership, experience, and role in society are many of the reasons why I chose to recognize her as a woman of distinction in the Senate. She truly embodies the word ‘distinction.'”

President Macpherson calls the Village of Brockport home, where she lives with her husband, Dr. Allan Macpherson, and her Springer Spaniel, Tilly.

The “Women of Distinction” celebration was started in 1998. Previous winners in the annual event have included leading women from the world of business, academics and civic life, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries, or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.

Farmers are busy with planting season

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A farmer is busy planting crops at field on Butts Road in Albion today. Planting season is one of the most hectic times of the year for farmers.

They will have nice weather on Thursday with a high near 76, followed by a high of 66 on Friday. It will cool off on the weekend with a high of 54 on Saturday with scattered showers, followed by a high of 53 with a chance for rain on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Albion has made big cuts in staff as enrollment shrinks over past decade

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The school district has eliminated 87 positions in the past 13 years, at a time when the student enrollment has shrunk 29 percent or by nearly 750 students.

The district had 2,574 students in 2003-04, but next year’s enrollment is projected to fall to 1,834, a 38-student drop from the current school year. The total number of full-time equivalent positions has fallen in 13 years from 349 to a proposed 262 in the 2016-17 budget, a 25 percent reduction. The district doesn’t plan to cut any teaching positions but will eliminate a full-time clerical job as part of the proposed 2016-17 budget.

As enrollment has steadily dropped, the district has pared back staff. That has allowed the district to either cut or hold the line on taxes in nine of the last 10 years, school leaders said Tuesday during a budget hearing.

The proposed $33,890,990 school budget keeps taxes at the same amount, $8,355,939, as the 2015-16 budget.

The district’s rate of reducing staff, 25 percent, doesn’t quite match the reduction in student enrollment, at 29 percent in the past 13 years. Shawn Liddle, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, said teachers and staff have more “extra things” from the State Education Department.

Liddle noted Albion has the lowest per pupil cost at $18,479 of any district in Orleans, where the average is $22,918. The state per pupil cost for 2016-17 is $25,962. Albion is one of 57 districts spending less than $19,000 in the state, out of 669 districts, Liddle said.

The district’s tax rate for the current school year, $16.06 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest of all districts in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties. The Albion rate is estimated to fall to $15.87 in 2016-17, Liddle said.

District residents will vote on the budget Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. at the elementary school, conference room A.

Other propositions on the May ballot will include:

Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses;

Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library. That is up 1 percent from the $680,411 for 2015-16.

Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. The candidates include Dylan Hellems, Steven LaLonde, Kevin Doherty and Anitrice Riley.

Veterans’ Memorial almost ready for dedication at Hillside Cemetery

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

CLARENDON – Jacob Crandall is working on a new Veterans’ Memorial at Hillside Cemetery for his Eagle Scout project. This photo shows Jacob’s father, John (left), and Jacob’s uncle Tom Crandall, a mason.

They are pictured with a memorial that includes five granite etched stones (for the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard), and a pentagon-shaped concrete base. The memorial also will include a 25-foot flagpole.

John Crandall is pictured with his sons Jacob (center) and Jeremy. The memorial will be dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, after the Memorial Day parade through Holley to the Hillside Cemetery.

The cemetery’s chapel will be open that day for tours from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Many military items will be on display at the chapel.

No injuries when Arc van hits underpass

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – An Arc of Orleans County van hit the underpass on Butts Road at about 10:40 a.m. today. The handicapped accessible van was damaged after trying to pass under the bridge with a 7-foot, 2-inch clearance.

The van had several passengers with developmental disabilities. No one was injured in the incident. Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies, the Albion Fire Department and COVA all responded to the scene.

Murray town leaders hear more concerns over water districts

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 11 May 2016 at 12:00 am

MURRAY – Town resident Joe Sidonio continued to ask town board members to come up with a plan for sustainability of the town’s water districts during the board’s regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Sidonio spoke during public comment at the end of the meeting and presented Town Supervisor John Morriss with documents including copies of the petition signed by residents for the establishment of the town’s Water District #10 extension, and the engineer’s report, which Sidonio said states how the water district is to operate – with tax money covering the bond repayment, and operations and maintenance funded by sale of water to users.

“That’s not happening,” he said. “It is unfair to people…. the long term sustainability (of the town’s water districts) is questionable.  It cannot sustain itself on water rates.”

Sidonio also provided a profitability chart which he said shows that even with mark up on water and an over levy, the town is still losing money. His figures show a total operating loss on the sale of water from 2013-2016 of $370,637.

Morriss noted that some of the town’s water districts are “healthier than others,” and pointed to Water District #1 where the possibility of raising the rates will likely need to be considered to cover operating and maintenance costs, he said.

Sidonio told the Orleans Hub that he feels the supervisor is admitting that the town is over taxing residents on the water districts by stating there are significant problems with long term sustainability.

“Over taxing residents on water districts who are not connected is unjust,” Sidonio said. “They are paying for the operations and maintenance for a system they don’t benefit from.”

Morriss said he has been in contact with Rural Development, which provides funding for municipal water districts, and he said officials there said they feel the numbers are not out of line.

“If you guys were out of line, you would not get money,” Morriss said he was told by Rural Development.

Morriss noted Rural Development is continuing its look at Murray water district finances.

“Your points are well-made,” town attorney Jeff Martin told Sidonio and other residents who attended the meeting. “There should be further consideration of concerns you are raising.”

Martin explained there can be a certain amount flux in bond replacement units per district – which sometimes decrease or increase in number over time, depending on factors such as development. He said it can make a significant difference is smaller districts if the loss of one unit occurs.

“If what I’m hearing is correct, we are not charging enough for water,” board member Paul Hendel said.  He suggested checking neighboring municipalities for their water rates.

Morriss said another possibility for increasing revenue might be imposing a rental charge on water meters.

“It’s clearly a long-range issue,” Sidonio told the board. “I would like to see the board address that and be thinking about how to address shortcomings financially.”

In other business, Town Board members heard a continued complaint from a resident regarding parking around the Holley Central School District during special events, which often spills out onto Lynch Road, causing a safety hazard.

The resident questioned liability issues and suggested the town might want to put up no parking signs along the roadway.  Town attorney Jeff Martin said he would bring the issue to the attention of school district officials during the next Board of Education meeting May 17.

Town Clerk Cindy Oliver requested during her report, that the Murray Town Board – possibly in conjunction with the Clarendon Town Board – host a town hall meeting for veterans to make them aware of the many services provided through the Orleans County Veterans Services Agency.

Oliver said the agency director, Earl Schmidt, spoke recently to Orleans County town clerks regarding the services that are available to veterans.

“I was shocked by all they provide,” Oliver said, and noted the town hall meeting would be a way to “get the word out” to local veterans.  “I don’t know if they realize help is available,” she said.

No date has yet been set, but town board members agreed to move ahead with plans.  Council member Paul Hendel enthusiastically supported the idea.  He said he volunteers in the winter driving vans for the agency.

“It’s heart-warming to help those who have given so much,” Hendel said.

Orchard provides setting for FFA to read book on apples

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Emily Blanchard, a member of the Albion FFA, reads a book, The Apple Orchard Riddle, to second graders at the FFA’s Land Lab today.

FFA high schoolers read the book by Margaret McNamara and G. Brian Karas to second grade classes as part of an ag literacy effort. Normally ag literacy is in March, but Albion pushed it back so students could be out in the orchard in May. The trees should be in blossom later this week.

Alexis Bentley reads the book to students in Lisa Burlison’s class.

These second graders are happy to be outside to hear the story read by Emilie Barleben of the FFA.

Allyson Graham, left, and Mikayla Yaskulski read to these second graders in Jamie Beach’s class.

Cuomo supports lawsuit to allow collective bargaining for farmworkers

Staff Reports Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am

The governor was named in a lawsuit to allow farmworkers the right to organize, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today he won’t fight the lawsuit by the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The group said farmworkers are excluded from the critical protection of the right to organize without fear of retaliation under New York state’s labor law, a violation of the state constitution.

The New York Civil Liberties Union named New York state and Cuomo today in the lawsuit filed in State Supreme Court. It is the first lawsuit that demands that farmworkers receive the same basic protections from the state that virtually every other worker receives.

“It’s a shame for New York that in 2016, a holdover, racist policy from the Jim Crow era prevents farmworkers from organizing to improve their brutal work conditions,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Enough is enough. Farmworkers who we depend on to put food on our tables deserve no less dignity and humanity than any other hardworking New Yorker.”

Cuomo issued a statement that he supports the lawsuit.

“Because of a flaw in the state labor relations act, farmworkers are not afforded the right to organize without fear of retaliation – which is unacceptable, and appears to violate the New York State Constitution,” Cuomo said. “I agree with the NYCLU that the exclusion of farmworkers from the labor relations act is inconsistent with our constitutional principles, and my administration will not be defending the act in court. We will not tolerate the abuse or exploitation of workers in any industry. This clear and undeniable injustice must be corrected.”

The NYCLU’s lawsuit was filed on behalf of Crispin Hernandez, who was fired from one of New York’s largest dairies, Marks Farms LLC in Lowville, after his employer saw him meeting with co-workers and an organizer to discuss workplace conditions, even though it was after work hours and in a worker’s personal residence, NYCLU said.

The NYCLU’s lawsuit was also filed on behalf of the Workers’ Center of Central New York, a group that organizes and advocates for low-wage workers, and the Worker Justice Center of New York, an organization that seeks justice for farmworkers through advocacy and legal representation. Both groups have been unable to provide critical supports to farmworkers because they are unconstitutionally excluded from protections for organizing.

Farming in New York is a multi-billion dollar industry, with sales of $6.36 billion in 2014. The state’s approximately 60,000 farmworkers are critical to making New York a national leader in farm produce and the fourth largest dairy producer in the country.

New York Farm Bureau issued this statement about the lawsuit:

“New York Farm Bureau is unable to comment on specifics of the NYCLU lawsuit until we have had a chance to review the case. However, public allegations being made in the organization’s announcement greatly misrepresent dairy farms, and working conditions of all farm employees, in New York. In addition, the allegations contradict and ignore the valued relationships that farmers across the state have with their employees.

“The farm industry has long been pushing for comprehensive immigration reform that will have many positive benefits for the employees and the industry as a whole. However, the right to organize is a labor union tactic that may work in a factory setting, but not on a farm where the planting and harvesting of crops and the milking of cows are extremely time sensitive and weather-dependent. For a farm to lose employees to an untimely walk-off of the job could jeopardize a season’s crop and place livestock health at risk.”

State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, also issued a statement against the lawsuit, saying it “is nothing more than politically-driven theater from New York City radicals.”

Ortt said agriculture is critical to the state’s economy.

“Anyone who knows anything about farming, or about New York State north of the Bronx or East of Queens, knows how vital agriculture is to our economy and to our communities,” Ortt said. “And, they know a measure such as this would be the final nail in the coffin for many of our small family farms and result in dramatic price increases for nearly all of our foods. Efforts to apply certain labor practices from other industries to the agriculture industry ignores the realities facing our farms. We have a very short growing season in New York with many specific crops that demand intensive labor or specific skill sets. Our farms aren’t giant corporations, they’re universally small family operations that require flexibility. They already face one of the nation’s worst tax and regulatory climates and yet they persist because farming is in their blood and it’s in their hearts. It’d be a shame if our Governor and our state turned our backs on them to appease the swelling influence of liberal New York City interest groups.”

The NYCLU said farmworkers are excluded from the workplace protections afforded to nearly all other workers, including a day of rest, overtime pay, disability insurance and the right to organize without retaliation.

“Because of an 80-year-old outdated law, poverty, fatalities and legally-sanctioned discrimination are a way of life for tens of thousands of people working in New York,” said Erin Beth Harrist, senior staff attorney at the NYCLU and lead counsel on the case. “New York must reject the farmworker exclusion for violating our constitution, progressive values and commitment to human rights.”

The group said the combination of poverty, isolation, and lack of permanent legal status and language access makes farmworkers among the most exploited groups in the American labor force.

Hilton woman allegedly assaults 2 Orleans deputies

Staff Reports Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am

MURRAY – A Hilton woman allegedly assaulted two Orleans County deputies on Sunday, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said today.

Sara J. Harris, 34, of Hilton allegedly “head butted” Deputy Josh Narburgh in the face, causing a cut and swelling, and bit down on Deputy Devon Pahuta’s arm, breaking the skin, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said today.

Harris faces multiple charges following the incident in the Town of Murray. Deputies responded to a call at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, when the 911 center received a frantic call for help from a residence located on Route 31 in Murray.

Deputies arrived and a man in the residence stated that his girlfriend was intoxicated, and had left the house following an altercation. It was also reported that she had an 8-year-old child with her and was bleeding from the leg.

As deputies were arriving in the area, Deputy Narburgh located Harris walking along Route 31. Narburgh reported that Harris then ran into a wooded area pulling and dragging the 8-year-child. Narburgh located Harris in a field.

Harris then allegedly physically resisted being handcuffed and did become disorderly, using profane and racially charged language towards deputies, Bourke said.

While in the patrol vehicle, Harris attempted to kick the windows out and banged her head on the partition. While being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for an evaluation, Harris allegedly became so out of control that an ambulance was called for her safety. While transferring Harris from the patrol vehicle to the ambulance, Harris allegedly was screaming, kicking and spitting on deputies.

She allegedly “head butted” Narburgh in the face and bit Deputy Pahuta’s arm. Deputy Martin Stirk also assisted at the scene. The deputies were treated for their injuries and released.

Harris on Monday was charged with disorderly conduct, endangering the welfare of a child, obstructing governmental administration, two counts of resisting arrest, and two counts of second degree assault on a police officer.

Harris was arraigned by Town of Murray Justice Gary Passarell. Bail was set at $500 and Harris is scheduled to appear in Murray Town Court on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Marker for Sanford Church, high-ranking state official from Albion, gets facelift

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A historical marker for Sanford Church was given a fresh coat of paint by Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon. She put the redone marker back up April 27 with help from Craig Lane. Ierlan has now repainted 15 of the markers in Orleans County.

This marker sits in the lawn at Church’s former home in Albion along Ingersoll Street, near the intersection with East State Street. The house is now a funeral home for Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Homes.

This marker initially went up in 1935 for Sanford E. Church. He was a prominent force in New York politics about 150 years ago.

In 1841, the son of Albion farmer was elected to the State Assembly at age 26. He did it as a Democrat in an overwhelmingly Whig district. In 1845, he was appointed district attorney of Orleans County, one of the original “Barnburners” of the Democratic Party. He joined the Free Soil Party and spoke at Free Soil Rallies across the country, arguing against the expansion of slavery into the states that were newly forming in the West, according to a biography of Church by Kristin A. Mattiske, written for the Historical Society of New York Courts. (Click here for more information.)

When the Free Soil Party dissolved upon losing the presidential bid in the 1852 election, Church rejoined the Democrats. During the Civil War, Church spoke of states’ rights and maintaining a solid Union. He actively sought volunteers to fight to save the union and when the Orleans County war committee was formed in summer 1862, he was elected chairman.

Politically, Church was elected in 1850 as the state’s lieutenant governor, and was re-elected to the position in 1852. He served as state comptroller from 1857 to 1859 and was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1844, 1860, 1864, and 1868.

At the convention in 1868, the New York State delegation chose him as its nominee for the United States presidency. Horatio Seymour, the NY governor, ultimately was backed to run against Ulysses Grant, losing to the Civil War hero. Church was frequently mentioned as a potential presidential candidate or NY governor. He didn’t have the personal funds for a major campaign, and didn’t want to cozy up to the Democratic machine, Mattiske wrote.

In 1870, Church was nominated for Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. He served in the role for 10 years, the second-longest tenure in the court’s history. He and Noah Davis, Jr., a former law partner of his from Albion, would bring down the New York City Tammany Hall ringmaster William M. “Boss” Tweed. Judge Davis presided over Tweed’s trials on charges of conspiracy, perjury, and larceny. On appeal to the Court of Appeals, Chief Judge Church upheld the conviction.

Church died at age 66 on May 14, 1880. An estimated 6,000 people gathered in Albion for Church’s wake and funeral. Church is buried at Mount Albion Cemetery.

“An elaborate marble canopy supported by red granite pillars – a baldacchino – covers his tomb,” Mattiske writes. “In Medieval times, baldacchinos of silk and gold thread were held over honored persons and sacred objects.”

Today, the great-great-great grandson of Judge Church, Sanford A. Church, runs a law office on East Bank Street in Albion and serves as the public defender in Orleans County.

Another historical marker will be rededicated on Saturday in Barre. Town officials will have a ceremony at 2 p.m. at  Elisha Wright’s home at 5544 Eagle Harbor Rd., just south of West Barre. A reception will follow the ceremony at Mulberry Park in West Barre, across the road from the United Methodist Church.

Ierlan also repainted that sign, which also needed to be rewelded.