POTSDAM, NY – Ryan P. Golden of Kent, N.Y., a junior at Clarkson University majoring in computer science, received the Pi Mu Epsilon Award for Sophomores In Computer Science at the University Recognition Day ceremony during the spring semester. The award is given to the sophomore mathematics or computer science major who has made a noteworthy contribution in mathematics or computer science while at Clarkson.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company.
Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world’s pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A former Catholic school on Brown Street that was turned into a bed and breakfast a decade ago is in the process of being sold and will become an adult daycare and assisted living site.
Tender Loving Family Care Inc. currently operates similar sites in Brockport, Le Roy and Batavia. The Le Roy site has a waiting list, and some Orleans County residents have expressed interest in staying there. That prompted Annika D’Andrea, the business’s president and CEO, to look for a spot in Orleans County.
Lou and Jeri Becker, both Xerox retirees, bought the property 10 years ago and turned it into the Erie Canal Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast with four guest rooms. Those rooms and another one will be available for seniors to stay in with staff on site.
Tender Loving Family Care also is planning to have an adult daycare where seniors can stay during the day with structured activities.
The Village Planning Board approved a special use permit for the project at its meeting this afternoon.
The Beckers had many community events at the location, including a tribute day for Charles Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School in Albion, and also a 100th anniversary celebration for the former St. Mary’s Catholic School.
The Beckers are working to close the Bed and Breakfast on July 21. Cindy Ingraham, a realtor and friend of D’Andrea’s, told the Village Planning Board that the site could be open for senior citizens in September.
“It’s turnkey,” she said. “We expect to be open within 30 days after the closing.”
The Beckers believe the new use will be a good fit for the location.
“We’re excited,” Mr. Becker said. “The people who went to school there can come back and finish their last years.”
Tender Loving Family Care expects to have an open house for the community before the business opens in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – At 10:43 a.m. today, Kevin Doherty switched off the analog equipent and made a digital system the sole system after weeks of testing the new emergency communications system. Doherty is one of the county’s consultants for the project. The analog equipment is in front of Doherty and to his left. The digital equipment is much more compact and represents two racks to his right.
Keith Whitt, a consultant on the new emergency communications system, works in the Civil Defense Center this morning after the new digital system was activated.
ALBION – Firefighters, police officers, highway workers and other first responders in Orleans County now have a new emergency communications system.
The county officially made the switch from an analog system to a digital one at 10:43 a.m. today. The “cut over” was scheduled for 10 a.m., but a fire call in Holley delayed the change. The county wanted to wait until after that call before changing over to the new system.
The county has been working with contractors to test the new system in recent weeks. Users can expect better coverage, especially on the eastern and western edges of the county and along Lake Ontario where there were weak signals and often dead spots.
“I think everybody will be presently surprised,” said Paul Wagner, the county’s emergency management director. “The coverage is spectacular in my opinion.”
The county built the analog system in 1991-92. It included one tower on West County House Road by the Civil Defense Center and Fire Training Center.
As part of the new $7.1 million upgrade, the county added three towers: one by the Clarendon Highway Department near Route 31A, one in Albion by the Civil Defense Center and one in Shelby next to the Medina water tank on Route 31A.
Those towers help ensure nearly blanket coverage in the county, including on the edges. The towers also will expand coverage of the county’s signal into eastern Niagara, southern Genesee and western Monroe counties, where Orleans firefighters often respond for mutual aid calls.
The Harris Corporation is guaranteeing 95 percent coverage in Orleans, but Wagner said tests with radios show the system has about 99 percent coverage.
Paul Wagner, the county’s emergency management director, points to a rack that transmits signals from the radio towers to the consoles and the radios.
Paul Wagner listens to a portable radio while Dennis Rose, left, talks with Keith Whitt. Rose is the project manager for the harris Corporation and Whitt is a consultant on the project.
The upgrade includes emergency communications equipment at the dispatch center at the Public Safety Building in Albion and the backup location at the Civil Defense Center.
The upgrade also includes 1,100 radios for police, firefighters, Probation officers and other emergency responders. There are also 550 mobile systems that are mounted in police cars, highway vehicles, fire trucks and other vehicles.
The analog system that was at least 22 years old was designed for mobile units and not handheld portable radios. Users found the portable radios were often unreliable, especially when they were brought inside a house.
The new radios on the digital system were tested by firefighters over the weekend, and Wagner said they reported they worked fine inside houses, including many basements.
The county has been working on the upgrade since 2004. It was a challenging project that required permission from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and its counterpart in Canada.
The county needed to make the upgrade because manufacturers of analog system radios, tower equipment and other infrastructure have notified users that parts will soon no longer be available. The phase out of analog has prompted many municipalities around the country to push for new systems, said Keith Whitt, vice president of consulting services with Trott Communications Group in Irving, Texas.
He has been working as a consultant for the county for about four years, first with its rebanding, or its switch to a new approved signal and system. He has been a technical consultant the past year, inspecting the new equipment and making sure the system serves the county.
“There are still quite a few analogs but there has been a big shift to digital,” Whitt said. “The analogs are all at an end-of-life mode. The part supplies are running out.”
County officials are planning a celebration this afternoon in the Legislature Chambers at 3:45 to mark the transition to the new system.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
The Orleans County Conservative Party has endorsed Steve Hawley of Batavia in his re-election effort for the 139th Assembly District, which includes all of Genesee, most of Orleans and a portion of western Monroe.
Al Lofthouse, the party chairman, said Hawley pushes party principles for a smaller state government.
Hawley met with the local Conservative Party leaders on Thursday and received their support. He has served as Assemblyman since a special election in February 2006.
His district includes all of Orleans except the town of Shelby, which is represented by Jane Corwin of Clarence.
Provided photo – Medina resident Heather Kuepper ran a half marathon on Sunday in Buffalo to raise money for brain cancer research. She received a medal at the end of the race.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Brain-tumor survivor Heather Kuepper met her goal on Sunday in running the half marathon in Buffalo to raise money for cancer research.
Kuepper shared her story earlier this month with Orleans Hub. (Click here to see “Diagnosed at 23, survivor shares her story for Brain Tumor Awareness Month.”)
At age 23, Kuepper was diagnosed with a large brain tumor that was in a complicated location. Kuepper went through surgery and now three years later hopes to spread the word about brain cancer, as well as raise money for research and a cure.
“I am honored to have been able to share my experience with the community, and hope it has been able to benefit someone else,” she said.
Kuepper raised $318 for the Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure organization through Race For a Cure, which allows runners to raise money at any running endurance event they are registered for. Kuepper registered to participate in the Buffalo Marathon. Her fundraiser (click here) is still open through the end of the month.
“The crowd was so motivating, and I believe the support from the Buffalo community plays such a vital role in helping many people cross that finish line,” Kuepper said. “I am glad I was able to complete the race and bring awareness to brain tumors. I also got to be a role model for my daughter who was there to cheer me on during the race. I demonstrated setting a goal, working toward that goal, completing the goal, as well as showing her how important it is to strive for a healthy lifestyle.”
Provided photo – Gracie, 4, was there to cheer her mom along during the race.
Kuepper ran the half marathon in 2 hours, 11 minutes. She trained for about four months at the Medina YMCA and at the school track. She also added strength training to her routine to build muscle for endurance.
“Preparing for a race like this takes a lot of time and dedication,” she said. “It felt great to have a big goal, and to be able to complete it. It motivates me to train harder and try for a better finishing time at another race.”
Kuepper also had a follow-up MRI earlier this May to check her health and make sure the tumor hadn’t come back. She also had an oncology follow up shortly after. Both came back with a clean bill of health.
Kuepper’s doctors were very pleased with her results and this has given her a great outlook.
“I look forward to completing another race in the future, and hope to work on other projects to promote brain-tumor awareness,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
The Conservative Party in Monroe County has endorsed George Maziarz for re-election. Maziarz is also endorsed by the Niagara County Conservative Party.
He is being challenged by Gia Arnold of Holley and she has the Orleans County Conservative Party’s endorsement.
Maziarz, a 19-year incumbent, also has been endorsed by the Republican Party. Arnold has the official backing of the Libertarian Party.
In endorsing Maziarz, Monroe County Conservative Party Chairman Tom Cook said Maziarz “is a good guy and a great senator.”
“George shares our Conservative values of lower taxes, less government, life, 2nd Amendment, public safety, and individual initiative,” Cook said.
The 62nd Senate district includes all of Orleans, most of Niagara and a portion of western Monroe counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Here is a rendering of the proposed Barre Fire Hall that would have three bays on one side and two on the back.
BARRE – Registered voters in the town of Barre next Wednesday will determine whether the Barre Fire District has permission to borrow up to $1.4 million for a new fire hall.
Voting will be from 3 to 9 p.m. at the current fire hall. The fire district is projecting the building will add $50,000 annually to the fire tax. That money was already included in the 2014 town tax bill, which set the fire protection rate at $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The $1.4 million represents a worst-case scenario for borrowing, fire officials said. The district will seek grants for the project that would reduce the amount of debt needed for the project, said Barry Flansburg, treasurer for the fire district.
The new fire hall would replace one that has been the Barre Volunteer Fire Company’s home since 1961. That building at 4709 Oak Orchard Road was originally a schoolhouse constructed in 1910. An addition was added in 1961.
The hall currently needs repairs and a roof replacement. It is also too small for modern fire vehicles. The most recently purchased truck cost an extra $100,000 to be custom-created to fit inside the small fire hall. Flansburg said the building also has limited space for offices, storage, equipment and HVAC. The site also has limited handicapped accessibility.
The new fire hall would be north of the existing one on Route 98 on the west side of the road, almost acorss from the Barre Town Park.
The new building would be 7,300 square feet with five truck bays, three on the front and two on the back. This will allow two of the lanes to be pull-through.
The new fire hall is estimated to cost $1.55 million. The Fire District has $150,000 set aside as a capital contribution and plans to borrow the remaining $1.4 million that would be paid back over 30 years.
Fire officials have been having open houses every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the current fire hall to take questions from the public. Fire officials will be there again this Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Flansburg said the new fire hall will not only meet the Fire Company’s needs for the next 50 years, but will also boost community pride.
“A brand-new fire hall will show Barre is a progressive community where people will want to be,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Paul Wagner led emergency management after 9-11, and through radio project
Photo by Tom Rivers – Paul Wagner, director of the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County, poses with a birthday cake for him today on his 68th birthday. The cake was shared before the Orleans County Legislature meeting this afternoon.
ALBION – The leader of the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County will retire on July 18 after seeing through a $7.1 million new emergency communications system.
Paul Wagner, 68, considered retiring sooner but he was committed to waiting until the new digital system was ready and working. Today the county switched from an analog system to the new digital one.
“I didn’t think it was fair to leave somebody else to pick up all of the pieces,” Wagner said today when county officials celebrated the radio system’s success.
He was praised for seeing the project through, while also working with firefighters to keep up with their training for numerous potential disasters, from dirty bombs to hazardous materials to ethanol tankers that catch fire.
“He prepared everyone for threats and worst-case scenarios, including weapons of mass destruction,” said Mike Fuller, chief of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Wagner started as a firefighter in 1964, when he joined the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. He later moved across the county and joined the Clarendon Fire Company, serving as the fire chief.
He was appointed EMO director 14 years ago. Fuller said Wagner has the respect of the firefighters, partly based on a long commitment as a volunteer firefighter and past chief.
“You have to walk the walk before you can talk the talk,” Fuller said.
Three firefighters are vying to replace Wagner as the EMO director. Current Albion Fire Chief Rocky Sidari, Past Albion Fire Chief Dale Banker and Past Holley Fire Chief David Knapp, a current county fire investigator, are all pursuing the job.
The Fire Chiefs Association could recommend Wagner’s successor at its meeting June 5. Legislature Chairman David Callard and the Legislature will fill the opening by appointment.
This snapshot from the 1890s shows an unidentified artist working on a landscape painting along the marshes of Oak Orchard River.
He is seated in a row boat wearing a velvet suit consisting of knickers, vest and coat. This is topped off with a beret. He also appears to be smoking a pipe while sketching.
A canvas appears in the foreground. The case supported on his lap contains tubes of paint and brushes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Dave Mogle, owner of D.K. Auto Body Repair in Albion, worries that a blocked off Clarendon Street bridge would hurt his business at 338 Childs St.
ALBION – David Mogle has a new mechanic starting today at D.K. Auto Body Repair in Albion. A couple months ago, Mogle added on to the business, giving the front office more room and a new look.
But now Mogle is questioning those investments. His business is at the corner of Clarendon and Childs streets. He’s right next to a bridge that could soon be closed and torn out. The street could be blocked off at the bridge.
The bridge carries 1,600 vehicles a day, and Mogle said his customers and delivery trucks account for some of that.
“This is a great street and we have good neighbors,” Mogle said. “I never envisioned they would just block it off and put up a guard rail.”
Mogle started the business at Childs Street in 1990. He was 28 then. He has grown D & K to 10 employees who do mechanical and autobody work.
The business has steadily grown, and Mogle attributes some of that to the vehicles who pass by Clarendon Street and see his shop.
“We have many dedicated customers,” Mogle said. “But I worry about getting new customers if we’re hard for them to find.”
The Clarendon Street bridge carries about 1,600 vehicles a day on the east side of the village of Albion.
Mogle said ideally his business would be on routes 31 or 98, busy and highly visible locations. But Childs and Clarendon streets has proven a good spot, and he assumed the village was working to have the bridge replaced.
But about two weeks ago that changed. New construction, design and other costs for the bridge raised the cost by about $600,000 over the budget, and that increase would have to be paid by the village. The federal and state governments committed to 95 percent of the costs when the project was about $1.5 million. The village share jumped from about $200,000 to $775,000 with the latest projected costs.
The Village Board says that is too high for village taxpayers. The federal and state money can be used demolish the bridge and block off the street near the railroad tracks. The board hopes to have renderings of how the blocked off street will look in time for its 7 p.m. meeting on June 11.
Mogle is disappointed by the latest developments. He said his business will be hurt if the street is blocked off by the tracks. He also worries it will be dangerous for students, who he said will walk around barricades to get to and from school.
Mogle isn’t the only business owner worried. Sue Holmes purchased the Crooked Door Tavern on April 3. That business is at the corner of East State and Brown streets. The Brown Street canal bridge has been closed for about two years. Now the Clarendon Street bridge faces demolition with no replacement.
“It’s one less way for people to find a way to us,” said Holmes, who has 17 employees. “We’re already off the beaten path. We want to make it easier for people to get to us, not harder.”
