By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Medina Memorial Hospital, pictured today on Ohio Street, will be the focus of capital projects, including a lobby and emergency department renovations.
MEDINA – The $6.2 million announced for Medina Memorial Hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health, will reduce the hospital’s debt and allow capital projects to move forward.
Gov. Cuomo on Friday announced $6,275,528 was approved for Orleans Community Health. The funding is part of $1.5 billion for 162 health-related projects state-wide.
Orleans Community Health plans to use $2,691,329.40 for debt relief and $3,584,198.60 for capital projects, said Wendy Jacobson, president and CEO of Orleans Community Health.
The debt relief funds will go towards paying off loans, including mortgages for the hospital and a health care center that opened in 2012 on Butts Road in Albion. The state funds will also go towards repaying loans from the hospital’s foundation, and a loan from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
For the capital projects, Orleans County Health is planning to renovate the hospital’s lobby and emergency department. It is also working on a new project to increase outpatient services, and a co-located primary care and behavioral health site that follows guidelines through the state’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program. DSRIP is the main mechanism that the state uses to implement the Medicaid Redesign Team Waiver Amendment.
Jacobson said Orleans Community Health has 180 days to submit the Certificate of Need to the state Department of Health for the capital projects.
Some of the state funds will be used to pay off debt for building the health care site at the corner of Butts Road and Route 31 in Albion. The site opened in November 2012.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 March 2016 at 12:00 am
District has high graduation, Advanced Regents rates
ALBION – In the Albion school district, 63 percent of the 1,874 students are eligible for free or reduce lunch. That puts Albion among the 100 poorest school districts in the state.
Poorer school districts tend to have lower graduation rates, and lower percentages of students earning Advanced Regents diplomas.
Albion, despite its high poverty rate, is attaining academic success close to the levels of the 100 wealthiest school districts, Albion school leaders said on Monday during the monthly Board of Education meeting.
“This speaks to our students, our parents and our staff and the hard work they do everyday,” said Michael Bonnewell, school district superintendent. “It’s an incredible number that we as a community should be very proud of.”
The 100 poorest school districts have a graduation rate of 66 percent. That’s the percentage of students who graduate with their freshman cohort four years later. In the 100 wealthiest districts, the graduation rate is 92 percent. Albion, at 90 percent, nearly matches the wealthiest schools’ grad rate.
In terms of Advanced Regents, 18 percent of the graduates in the poorest schools earn the advanced diplomas, while 49 percent of the graduates in the wealthiest districts are at the level. In Albion, 44 percent of grads earn the advanced levels.
Albion does it despite being underfunded by the state of New York by about $3.5 million a year, said Shawn Liddle, the district’s assistant superintendent of business.
He used a formula from the Alliance for Quality Education to show how the state has been short-changing Albion and many other poorer school districts with Foundation Aid.
Liddle said the district has a culture that pushes student achievement.
“We’re fortunate to have the staff, the community and the students that we have who rise above it,” Liddle said about the poverty in the community.
Albion last year was recognized as one of 17 school districts in the country where students reach their potential despite issues with poverty and other challenges.
The National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado recognized Albion with a “School of Opportunity” designation. These outstanding schools demonstrate a range of practices that ensure that all students have rich opportunities to succeed, the center said in a news release last May.
For more on the “School of Opportunity,” click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The American flag by the VFW Lincoln Post in Medina is at half-staff this afternoon in honor of Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady who died on Sunday at age 94.
President Obama directed the flags at half-mast or half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Reagan.
“Born in Queens, Nancy Reagan was committed to improving the lives of others, and her legacy will no doubt be felt for decades to come,” Cuomo said. “As we mourn the former First Lady’s passing, I am directing that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff to honor her life and her many contributions to our nation.”
Provided photo – Dakota Purvee of Albion holds the banner with the logo he created in his graphic design class at BOCES.
Press Release, Orleans-Niagara BOCES
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was looking for some artwork to represent their 9th District Eastern Region.
The group asked Orleans Career and Technical Education Graphic Arts teacher Crystal Hall-Cirillo if she had anyone in class who would be willing to take on the project.
“I thought one of my seniors, Dakota Purvee, would be a great person to tackle it,” she said.
Dakota, who is from the Albion Central School, was excited to see what he could come up with.
“They wanted a logo to put on their banner that would represent Buffalo, Cleveland, Massena and Niagara Falls,” Dakota said.
He submitted designs to the 50-person board and waited for feedback.
“They chose one and asked me to add more color and make some other changes,” he said. “When it was done they said they loved it.”
When Dakota saw his finished product on the Coast Guard banner he said, “It’s awesome. It was a good experience for me because I saw what it was like to work with a real client and have to keep making changes to please them. I really enjoyed the process.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 March 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Rochester man who admitted he sold cocaine from his car in Holley in March 2015 was sentenced today to 5 years in state prison.
Roy L. Carter, 40, has at least one prior felony for a drug charge in Monroe County in June 2008.
Carter on Nov. 2 pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. As part of a plea deal, he would face no more than 5 years in state prison.
Carter declined to speak during sentencing this afternoon. His attorney, Brian Degnan, said Carter wants to make changes to his life while in prison, earning his GED and taking vocational training.
Orleans County Court Judges James Punch gave Carter the maximum sentence as part of the plea.
“You need to turn your life around,” Punch said. “You’ve been selling drugs for a long time. You are clearly a drug seller. You’ve caused a lot of misery and young people to go off the tracks.”
In other cases today:
Judge Punch set bail at $150,000 for a Medina man facing numerous drug charges. Reginald A. Kendrick, 40, of 703 Church St., Apt. 2, was charged last month with eight counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and four counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree.
He was allegedly selling crack cocaine in the Village of Medina. District Attorney Joe Cardone said Kendrick has a history of crimes, including in other states. He also has given false names, Cardone said.
“He has a remarkable record,” Punch said about Kendrick’s criminal history.
A mother and son were arraigned for three counts of promoting prison contraband.
Scott Briggs, 31, of Broome County is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility serving a 6- to 7-year sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property.
Lori Briggs, 54, of Endicott allegedly mailed her son a painkiller on three occasions and also had it during a prison visitation. She faces an additional charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Judge Punch set bail for her at $20,000 and bail for her son at $150,000.
Provided photo – Pictured from left: SUNY Brockport student Kelly Valente of Mottville, NY; SUNY Brockport student Mariel Rivera of Webster, NY; State Sen. Rob Ortt; SUNY Brockport President Dr. Heidi Macpherson; and SUNY Brockport Chief Communications Officer David Mihalyov.
Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt
BROCKPORT – Senator Rob Ortt (R – North Tonawanda) today met Brockport State College’s president and students to announce $150,000 in state funds to renovate the Hazen Health Center.
The money, included in the 2015-16 state budget, will be used to modernize and upgrade approximately 3,000 square feet of the 12,000 square-foot student health center in Hazen Hall.
The college’s holistic Hazen Health Center is available to all enrolled students for both their physical and mental health needs. The funds secured by Senator Ortt will ensure an improved delivery of physical and mental health care to students.
“As chairman of the Mental Health Committee, it’s imperative for me to do what I can to help with the psychological well-being of individuals, improve mental health care services, and aid and educate in the prevention of mental illness,” said Senator Ortt. “College can be a stressful time in a person’s life and can take a mental and physical toll on our students. Outreach programs and services offered at places like the Hazen Health Center can deliver much-needed support at a critical time.”
The College at Brockport President Dr. Heidi Macpherson said, “The Hazen Center has been a leader in the field of Health, Counseling and Prevention/Outreach Services among New York colleges. In 2013-14, there were 3,401 individuals who received assistance with health services, and more than 900 individuals who received counseling services. I applaud Senator Ortt and the New York State Legislature for recognizing and investing in the health and wellness needs of our campus community.”
Renovation work includes updating patient rooms, improving waiting areas to make them more discrete, and transforming an underutilized back room into three new offices. The building will also have new floors, ceilings, lights and wall finishes to modernize the Hazen Health Center. Construction is expected to start this summer.
The $150,000 in capital funds for the project may be used for the payment of capital costs of construction, demolition, replacement, renovation, planning and design.
YATES – State Sen. Rob Ortt (R – North Tonawanda) thanked Gov. Andrew Cuomo for responding to a pressing request to appoint a representative from Orleans County to the Lighthouse Wind LLC Siting Board.
The Governor’s Appointments Office has announced the appointment of Russell Martino, a Town of Yates resident and former Yates town supervisor.
The seven-member Siting Board will review the final application by Apex Clean Energy in its project proposal to construct up to 70 wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset. The turbines would be as tall as 600 feet.
“I commend Governor Como for fulfilling the role that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie failed to follow through on,” said Sen. Ortt. “Russ was a wise decision for this appointment. When Russ was the town supervisor, he was instrumental in drawing up the wind ordinance laws in 2008. He is well-versed in this issue. I have no doubt he will honorably voice the serious concerns raised by property owners, businesses, farmers and local representatives.”
Russ Martino said, “I’ve lived in the Town of Yates for 50 years now and am very invested and involved in my community. I’ve seen what this issue is doing to our community; residents don’t feel they’re being heard. I hope to be the voice of my community members who don’t want this project to move forward in our town.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R – Batavia) said, “I would like to congratulate Russell Martino on his appointment as an ad hoc member of the board of the Yates Wind Project. I am pleased to see that Orleans County will be fairly represented in this process and that the board is allowing ordinary citizens to voice concerns about local projects. As I’ve said before, this is a local project that would greatly impact the Yates community and I fully support the decision to oppose the APEX Clean Energy Lighthouse, LLC. Local citizens know what is best for their community and this appointment is a great example of transparent and inclusive government.”
State Senate Majority leader John Flanagan and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie were required to appoint a siting board member from nominations approved by host municipalities of where the project is being proposed. Senator Flanagan chose his representative from the Town of Somerset in Niagara County.
Assemblyman Heastie, however, failed to meet his obligation, and the responsibility to select a board member fell on the governor.
Sen. Ortt wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo, immediately following Assemblyman Heastie’s shortcomings. In the letter sent in January, Senator Ortt advocated for greater local involvement by moving siting decisions away from politicians and bureaucrats in Albany and giving back to local officials.
Apex Clean Energy has not formally submitted an application for the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Peggy Thomas, a children’s book author from Middleport, reads “Snow Dance” during a recent visit to Albion to meet with parents of children ages 0 to pre-kindergarten. Thomas shared tips about telling engaging stories to children.
Her visit was part of a four-part session organized by the Albion Rotary Club, the Albion school district and Head Start through Community Action.
The next session will be Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and will focus on prekindergarten and kindergarten readiness with the parents’ role. That workshop will include classroom visits.
Parents should enter at about 5:45 p.m. through the community entrance in the back of the elementary school. Child care is available for the sessions.
The program concludes on March 31 with a family fun night that includes children’s author Josie Waverly, professional storyteller Gretchen Murray Sepik, and other games, stories, prizes, refreshments and a book fair.
For more information, contact Community Action at 589-5683.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 5 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – Young musicians and choral singers from across Orleans County gathered at Holley Central School today for the All-County Music Festival featuring Elementary Band, Junior High Chorus and Senior High Band.
The top photo shows members of the All-County Elementary Band, which performed selections including “Joy” by Frank Ticheli and “Mystic Ricer Fantasy” by James Swearingen during the concert.
The band was conducted by Rachael Medler, a teacher at Odyssey Academy in the Greece Central School District.
Students from all Orleans County school districts – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – took part. Following rehearsals, which began Friday afternoon, the groups gathered for a concert at 2 p.m. today.
Rachael Medler leads the All-County Elementary Band during at the Holley Central School Jr./Sr. High Auditorium.
Members of the All-County Junior High Chorus perform “Festival Sanctus” by John Leavitt during their portion of the concert at Holley Central School.
The Junior High All County Chorus performs under the direction of Katherine Klock, a middle school music educator in the Webster Central School District.
The All County Senior High Band performs under the direction of John Blickwedehl, the director of bands at West Seneca West Senior High School.
The All-County Senior High Band wrapped up the afternoon’s performance, playing the classic John Philip Sousa March, “El Capitan.”
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 5 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Volume 2, Issue 10
In the earliest years of settlement in Orleans County, the establishment of religious and educational institutions was of the upmost importance. Pioneers cleared their land of trees, constructed cabins, planted crops, and once all other necessities were met, established rural schools to educate their children.
In Albion, Caroline Phipps Achilles became a driving force behind the creation of female-only institutions for education when she constructed her seminary in 1840. It was soon after that other academies developed throughout the region including the Albion Academy and Yates Academy, which would produce highly successful and industrious graduates.
These tuition-driven institutes provided a valuable service to the community, although limited to those families who could afford it. The concept of using taxation to support the common school system allowed for the creation of the union school, providing education beyond the rural one-room schoolhouse.
Freeman Abram Greene was a product of the early academy system. Born on Sept. 23, 1844, Greene was educated in the rural school districts of Yates before attending the famed Yates Academy. It was upon the completion of his studies there that he entered the University of Rochester, graduating in 1869.
His absence from Orleans County was short-lived and he returned to Yates to teach in the same school that provided him with his outstanding education. From there he taught several years in Wilson but was called to Albion soon after. Having established quite the reputation as an educator, Greene was asked to serve as the first principal of the Albion Union Free School.
Greene remained in that capacity for approximately seven years when the school board provided him with the opportunity to serve as school superintendent. Starting in 1887 he was paid $800 annually to act in that capacity. During his tenure, the reputation of the school grew and enrollment increased.
With the loss of Albion’s earliest library in a fire around 1881, Greene worked diligently to establish a replacement. He studied the methodology and standards associated with libraries at the time and pushed for its continued growth. Later, he would approach Lillian Achilles to oversee the collection until she left that position upon the establishment of the Swan Library in 1900.
Freeman Greene’s commitment to education extended far beyond the Albion Union Free School. Working with other prominent men from Albion including Isaac Signor, Greene assisted in the creation of a university extension center, which offered advanced classes to students in his school. Signor would enlist Greene to write the history of schools in Orleans County for publication in Landmarks of Orleans County.
His second wife, Susan Price Greene, was believed to be a descendant of Quakers and was acquainted with Susan B. Anthony. During her visit to Albion in January of 1894, Anthony wrote that she immediately traveled to the home of Prof. Greene, superintendent of the school at Albion. The couple led Anthony to the courthouse where she delivered an address to a sizeable audience.
Freeman continued as the superintendent of the Union Free School until 1899 when he resigned the position due to poor health. He died at Albion on August 25, 1900.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2016 at 12:00 am
NY also awards $105,000 grant to Community Health Center
File photo by Tom River – Medina Memorial Hospital has been approved for state funding for capital projects.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital, has been approved for $6,275,528 from the state for “essential capital projects” and debt restructuring.
The funding was announced today, part of $1.5 billion for 162 health-related projects state-wide.
“The Orleans County Legislature couldn’t be more pleased with Governor Cuomo’s decision to make such a significant investment in our community hospital,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature vice chairwoman and also a member of the hospital’s board of directors. “Orleans Community Health is such a vital part of the Orleans County health system. Our county is a medically underserved area and such a substantial investment by the state helps to keep our system sustainable and couldn’t come at a more crucial time.”
Oak Orchard Health, a community health center, has several healthcare sites, including in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell. Oak Orchard was approved for a $105,000 grant to “create integrated delivery systems that are focused on evidence-based medicine/population health management, and create a medical village using existing hospital infrastructure.”
Governor Cuomo said the state funding will dramatically transform and improve the delivery of health care in the state.
“We have a responsibility to continue to make critical capital and infrastructure improvements that transform our health care system into one of sustainability with a deep focus on improving patient care and delivery of vital services,” Cuomo said. “This funding allows them to do just that and is yet another example of how New York is leading the nation in adapting to meet 21st century health care needs.”
The awards are being made through the Capital Restructuring Financing Program and Essential Health Care Provider Support Program, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Both were created by Cuomo to support the goals of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program, the main mechanism for investing the $7.3 billion in Medicaid savings that resulted from the groundbreaking waiver between New York and the federal government in 2014.
The goals of DSRIP include reducing health care costs, improving the health of New Yorkers, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and emergency room visits by 25 percent by 2020, and ensuring the financial sustainability of safety net health care providers, Cuomo’s office said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Robyn Ottaviano
POINT BREEZE – Robyn Ottaviano of Medina took these photos of ice on the pier at Point Breeze on Thursday. Ottaviano said she stopped at Point Breeze on Sunday and there was little ice. But on Thursday it looked like everything was coated in ice.
Temperatures will be on the rise in the coming days with Saturday forecast for a high of 30, followed by a high of 38 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Monday is forecast to reach 52, followed by a high of 61 on Tuesday and high of 60 on Wednesday.
Provided Photos – Albion FFA members traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators including State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), shown here with FFA members, from left: Vivian Rivers, Kelsee Soule, Emily Blanchard, Garrett Derisley and Allyson Graham.
ALBANY – Farmers and FFA students from Orleans County went to Albany visiting with lawmakers on Monday and Tuesday.
They met with local state legislators and three “adopted” legislators, including one from Long Island and two from New York City.
The farmers were a contingent from Orleans County Farm Bureau. They highlighted the organization’s public policy priorities for the year, topped by opposition to a $15 minimum wage.
Monday was kicked off with the popular Taste of New York reception for state lawmakers, commissioners and staff. Farm Bureau hosted a table highlighting local farm products. Following the evening event, members participated in the annual lobby day where they met with both their local and adopted senators and Assembly members.
The Farm Bureau and FFA met with State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), and Assembly members Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Jane Corwin (R-Clarence). The adopted legislators included Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens), and Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head in Long Island).
Michael Montesano, a state assemblyman from Long Island, meets with Orleans County Farm Bureau members, including, from left, David Bittner, Adam Krenning, Jeff Toussaint and John Kast.
Orleans County Farm Bureau members shared their concern with a $15 minimum wage on New York farms. Farmers say that a nearly 70 percent increase in labor costs will make it harder to compete with products coming in from other states and countries with considerably lower production costs.
An American Farm Bureau Federation analysis found $15 minimum would costs New York agriculture $500 million or 25 percent of additional net income. This is expected to impact farms in a number of ways. The county will likely see farms reduce employment, turn to automation or close the barn doors, Farm Bureau said.
State funding for critical farm programs is another top priority for Farm Bureau. Governor Cuomo included a number of things in his budget plan which would help the farm industry. This includes increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will assist farms with water quality, conservation and farmland protection programs.
Farm Bureau also asked lawmakers to support critical funding for animal health, promotion and research programs that also benefit agriculture in the county.
Members also asked for funding parity when it comes to repairing upstate roads and bridges. The governor is committing $20 billion to match infrastructure efforts happening in and around New York City. The parity in upstate-downstate funding remains a priority because our farms need access to safe, well-maintained roads and safe bridges in order to move equipment to farm fields and transport their goods to market.
Orleans County Farm Bureau also remains committed to securing funding to assist schools in starting up new FFA programs as well as for agricultural education programs. Each year, more schools are interested in these programs that provide career and technical skills that students need. The USDA estimates that there will be 60,000 new jobs a year in the farming and food industries, and it is vital to have a workforce that can meet those demands to help the rural economy grow right here at home.
Farmers also discussed with lawmakers about transferring farm assessment functions to the Department of Agriculture and Markets from the Department of Taxation and Finance. Moving the process to be entirely housed within the Department of Agriculture and Markets will not only streamline the assessment process, but it would be a common sense move to improve a valuable program for our farms, Farm Bureau said.
These priorities were based on member-approved public policies that originate every year at the county Farm Bureau level and are passed by the full delegate body at New York Farm Bureau’s State Annual Meeting in December.
In addition to advocating for priorities with lawmakers, members also participated in a special panel discussion with the Commissioners and representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation and Labor. Members were able to ask questions about a number of issues facing the state’s family farms.
“Orleans County Farm Bureau members spent time away from their farms to cultivate the important relationships we have in Albany,” said Amanda Flansburg, Orleans County Farm Bureau President. “We work hard to secure public policies at every level of government that support every farmer in the county, and we will continue to advocate for priorities that will not only benefit agriculture but our rural communities as a whole.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Governor names Yates resident to board that will review ‘Lighthouse Wind’
File photo by Tom Rivers – Russ Martino, pictured here on Feb. 13, 2015 during the final meeting of the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation, has been named to a siting board for the proposed Lighthouse Wind project. Martino served as chairman of the Health Facilities Corporation, which was created to facilitate the sale of the former county-owned nursing home.
YATES – Gov. Andrew Cuomo has stepped in to appoint a Yates resident to fill a spot on a siting board for the proposed Lighthouse Wind project.
The seven-member board includes leaders from five state agencies. It also has two spots for local residents. Cuomo on Tuesday named Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor and retired Lyndonville elementary principal, to the board.
That follows a couple months of pressure from local and state officials for Yates to have a voice on the board. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie didn’t appoint someone to the board.
John Flanagan, the State Senate majority leader, appointed Cathi Orr of Somerset to the board. Orr has been a vocal critic of the project, which could include up to 71 turbines in Somerset and Yates.
Apex Clean Energy is working on the application. Many of the documents for the project are available on the state Public Service Commission website. Click here to see the PSC website.
The Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment hasn’t convened. It is part of the new Article 10 process that has been criticized for shifting the final say on the project from local control to a board where the majority of the votes are state officials.
The five state representatives include the chairman of the Department of Public Service, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, commissioner of the Department of Health, chairman of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the commissioner of Economic Development.
After Heastie didn’t act on a local appointment, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and county officials both appealed to the governor’s office to fill the spot with a Yates resident.
“I am pleased to see that Orleans County will be fairly represented in this process and that the board is allowing ordinary citizens to voice concerns about local projects,” Hawley said. “As I’ve said before, this is a local project that would greatly impact the Yates community and I fully support the decision to oppose the APEX Clean Energy Lighthouse, LLC. Local citizens know what is best for their community and this appointment is a great example of transparent and inclusive government.”
Former Yates Town Supervisor John Belson and Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard nominated four Yates residents for the board, including Martino, Cynthia Hellert, Glenn Maid and Jeffrey Oakes.
“I am gratified you have accepted this appointment and I am confident you will serve the people of New York State with dedication and distinction,” Cuomo said in a letter to Martino on March 1.
The Siting Board wouldn’t be officially convened until Apex submits a final application for the project in Yates and Somerset. Company officials say they are working to submit that application this summer.
File photos by Tom Rivers – Joseph Cecchini, 11, of Medina cleans a cow on July 27, 2015 at a new wash rack at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be the place to be this year.
The fairgrounds on Route 31 has experienced a steady increase in use over the past few years, but 2016 will be a banner year. The addition of 10 horse shows, a major dog show on Labor Day Weekend, and a Fiber Festival in November along with the return of existing horse, dog, & rabbit shows; the April Home & Garden Show; spring horse pull; and fall Christmas Antiques Show mean just about every weekend at the fairgrounds will be busy.
These activities will be held in addition to Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, food preservation, and 4-H youth development, which includes the annual Orleans County 4-H Fair held July 25-30 this year.
Teams of powerful draft horses, with participants from eight states, competed on April 25 last year at 4-H Fairgrounds in the “Pull of Champions.”
Community members are encouraged to view the schedule of Events at Orleans Extension’s website, cceorleans.org. Registration forms and contact information for event organizers are posted online and the website has a contact box to email questions directly to Extension staff. The website also includes a “Facility Use” page with registration forms and information for groups interested in using the grounds.
The fairgrounds was purchased in 1965 by Orleans Extension and its first building, the Trolley Building, was built in 1966. A majority of the funding for purchase and development of the fairgrounds was raised by 4-H volunteers, members, and their families along with donations primarily from farmers, business owners, and long-time residents.
In recent years, technology-centric companies such as Baxter and Xerox have contributed to the growing 4-H Robotics program and Extension staff has sought grant funding to maintain strong programs.
With the fairgrounds 50th anniversary in 2015, significant infrastructure improvements were made and continue as funding allows. The rabbit & poultry barn, named for the Wachob family, received a new floor, a new wash rack was installed near the cattle barn, and a fitness trail was established. The Trolley Building kitchen also received updates including a 3-bay sink, fire suppression hood and updated range oven, and commercial refrigerator.
During the Home and Garden Show last April, Cindy Smith, right, of Batavia eyes the wine choices by Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms in Gasport. Mindy Vizcarra, left, served up wine tastings throughout the day, April 12, 2015.
In 2016, updates will continue with new plumbing, flooring, and stainless countertops and storage units. Orleans Extension has also requested $25,675 in grant funding to complete the kitchen update with commercial appliances, islands with prep sinks, and a stainless steel serving window, along with $250,000 from New York State for renovating the entire Trolley Building, which is estimated to cost a total of $350,000. Options are also being explored to upgrade the fairgrounds’ restroom and shower facilities, which could cost an additional $240,000.
Orleans Extension board member, Charlie Pettit, sees grant funding as a significant component to continuing fairgrounds renovation. The board has tasked Executive Director, Jennifer Wagester, with seeking funds and streamlining operations to make every dollar count.
Over the past two years, the Extension has implemented changes and renegotiated vendor contracts to save over $10,000 annually. These changes are allowing Extension to maintain services amidst rising costs.
Currently, about one third of Extension’s budget is supported by funding from the Orleans County Legislature, one third by state funding, and one third by funds raised by Extension through program participation fees, rental of the fairgrounds, winter storage, and fundraising by volunteers. Federal funding has increased in the past year from about $9,000 in Smith-Lever funds to over $50,000 with Orleans Extension’s participation in the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program; however, it remains a small part of the overall budget.
John Steier and his son Evan haul tires on Oct. 8 at the new fitness trail at the 4-H Fairgrounds, which opened that day to the public.
The Orleans fairgrounds is one of three in the state that is owned and operated by a county Cornell Cooperative Extension association. The others are in Niagara and Orange Counties. While owning and operating a fairgrounds requires a major investment in infrastructure, it ensures the Orleans community has a facility for learning, gathering, and holding activities.
Extension staff are excited about the increase in use and look forward to introducing new people to 4-H, Extension, and Orleans County. If you or your organization is interested in using the fairgrounds or reserving a classroom or building, contact the Extension office at 585-798-4265 for details.
Staff are housed in the Education Center at the fairgrounds, which is open year round, and office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
