This photo includes back row, from left: Teacher Nicole Homme, Kathryn Young, Jamie Boyce, Taylor Hurrell, Hannah Sones, Alexandria Sargent. Front Row: Hailee Ogden, Bryanna Sikorski, Mercedes Wilson, Megan Dunn and Morgan Roach.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Mercedes Wilson is 2000 graduate from Medina High School. Recently she found herself back on campus with a new mission.
She spent several days talking with the high school girls about feeling confident in expressing themselves and being their own advocate when it comes to their health.
“When I was 28 years old I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer,” says Mrs. Wilson. “I thought I had a pulled muscle and when I discussed it with my doctor they assured me that I was too young to be concerned about anything. I was fortunate enough when I started to go to a new doctor that they insisted that I get it checked out. It was devastating to think if I had pushed to be tested earlier, I would not have had to undergo what I did.”
Her journey inspired her to start the organization For Our Daughters (click here). Its focus is to empower young women to break down communication barriers and become advocates for their own health and wellness.
“Our youth are under an immense amount of pressure and while they are developing, it is our job to teach them valuables,” she says. “Not only do we address self-esteem issues, but encourage communication with parent/guardians.”
Mrs. Wilson was invited to talk to the students during their gym period by teacher Nicole Homme. The girls ran different scenarios on how to communicate with their mothers showing a productive way to do that and a negative way. Mrs. Homme says she thinks the students respond better to hear these important strategies from someone on the outside.
“Her story is very personal and she has experience of what happens if you don’t learn communication skills earlier on in life,” Homme says. “She tells the students if they feel something is not right, they need to advocate and communicate what it is that they are feeling. It is a very valuable lesson.”
This group participated in Zumba led by Ashley Ramsey, owner of FIT Method in North Tonawanda. She is in front of photo. Other participants include second row, from left: Abigail Neuman, Abbigail Lilly, Kali Worley, Lillian Alberi, Regan Dole, Brooke Bearss, Paige Dunn and Shelby Weese. Back row: Syiera Dow, Alexis Greco, Jessica Lawrence, Nicole Cooper, Jelia Howard, Nodia Osby, Hannah Heil, Divere Brown, Brianna Bearss and Jizzell Banks.
As part of the workshop, a Zumba instructor, Ashley Ramsey from FIT Method in North Tonawanda, came in to teach a class to the students.
“Being active is a key to promoting a healthy life,” says Mrs. Wilson. “Hopefully it will instill a desire to do some sort of activity for the rest of their lives. We can do better, if we know better.”
Mrs. Wilson talks regularly to many local high schools and hopes to reach her goal of reaching 1,500 young women in the Western New York area.
“These girls deserve a world where they feel confident, empowered, and their voices are heard,” she said.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jonathan Higgins, a captain with the Medina Fire Department, interviews Meghan Hurley on Wednesday during mock interviews with Albion seniors in the school’s internship program.
Hurley has been interning at the Medina Fire Department with paramedics. She is considering a career as a nurse aesthetician.
Albion has 19 students in internships this semester and 17 were interviewed on Wednesday, with students preparing cover letters and resumes.
Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, interviews Kyle Smith, who is interning with the EDA and considering a career in business.
Mary Leto, assistant superintendent at Albion Central School, interviews Olivia Prest, who has been interning at D & K Autobody. She is interested in a welding career.
(Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, interviewed Katelyn Perry, who has been interning in Hoag Library with communications and also at Bloom’s Flower Shop. She is interested in a career in journalism.)
Provided photos – Cattrianna Hernandez (left), Megan Seefeldt and Madison Kenward clean up on the high school campus on Monday.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Instead of leaving for their half day at school, many Medina High School students chose to stay behind and help to clean up around the school and the community on April 18.
Students, along with their teacher-mentors, divided into groups and kicked off the day with a luncheon and some team-building activities in the auditorium. Students had to work together with some string to make a star and had to see how long they could keep balloons afloat before they hit the ground. The teams then headed to their assigned locations, whether it was the high school or the community to help out for the afternoon.
Jon Sherman, Lillian Duffield, Lincoln Pace and Connor Berg assist with clean up outside the Medina City Hall.
The idea originated from the IMPACT (Influencing Many People As Concerned Teens) students themselves and the staff thought it was a wonderful idea.
“The students were picking up trash outside the school, fire station and police station and Medina’s parks, painting picnic tables, cleaning trophy cases and cubbies around the school,” said Assistant Principal Julie Webber. “They also wrote letters and put together care packages for our military. I am so proud of our students for helping out in the community.”
Nick Bogan, Melanie Hibbard, Trevor Luthart, Courtney Bailey, Ian Wagner and Madison Holland do team-building activities in auditorium prior to departing for day’s activities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Town also seeks moratorium on turbines until zoning updated
YATES – The Town Board is inviting the public to comment on proposed changes to the local law for wind energy facilities. There will be a 7 p.m. hearing today at Lyndonville High School Auditorium, 77 Housel Avenue.
The town is working to amend its local law from 2008. Since that law was passed, Apex Clean Energy has approached landowners in Yates and neighboring Somerset to construct about 70 wind turbines that would peak at more than 600 feet high.
Yates is also having a hearing this evening at 7 on a proposed moratorium on the wind facilities law. The town seeks a moratorium on wind energy facilities while it updates its zoning regulations, reviews the Yates-Carlton-Kendall Local Waterfront
Revitalization Plan, and also updates the Town Comprehensive Plan.
The revamped wind energy facilities law will promote the public health, safety and welfare through the establishment of standards and review processes that will regulate the installation of wind energy conversion systems in the Town of Yates, town officials said in a notice about the law.
Yates officials are seeking a law that “minimizes adverse impacts on the town’s character, environment, economy and property values.”
Provided photos
HOLLEY – The Cat in the Hat joined Holley Elementary School students on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate a read-a-thon that raised $280 towards the renovation of the chapel at Hillside Cemetery.
Melissa Ierlan, the cemetery caretaker, is also Clarendon’s historian and a member of the Holley Board of Education. On Tuesday, she added a new role as The Cat in the Hat.
Ierlan dressed at The Cat in the Hat to surprise students and reward them for their efforts in reading and raising money for the chapel restoration.
Members of the Holley Central School Elementary Student Council pose with The Cat in the Hat on Tuesday. The Student Council has made fundraising for the chapel restoration their civic project for this year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club presented $3,000 today to PAWS Animal Shelter, the proceeds from the first-ever Masquerade Ball at The Pillars on April 9.
Albion Rotarians Tammy Yaskulski, left, and Deb Boyer, right, were key organizers in the event. They present the check to Morgan Tinkous, manager of PAWS.
State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) today released a legislative package of bills to help make college more affordable and attainable for thousands of students and families and debt less burdensome.
The bills deal with community college scholarships, establishing an apprenticeship program for career readiness, requiring public disclosure of financial statistics to current and potential college students, and reforming New York’s Tuition Assistance Program.
“The rising cost of college tuition over the years has burdened families and left students drowning in debt before they graduate and start a career in their chosen field,” said Ortt, a member of Higher Education Committee. “Currently, big government politicians continue to propose that taxpayers take on trillions of dollars in student debts, and New York City liberal special interests continue to push to have government foot the bill for illegal immigrants or prisoners to attend college. But, I’m working to enact legislation that’s pragmatic and fair. The proposed legislation that’s supported by my Senate Majority colleagues will help tens of thousands of individuals achieve the dream of attending college.”
The exponential increase in the cost of tuition and the amount of money students have to borrow go hand in hand. A 2015 report from the Project on Student Debt showed that the average debt of a Class of 2014 borrower graduating from a four-year college in New York State was $27,822. That debt level increased from a decade ago when the average student loan debt was $18,857 in 2004.
The average debt of 2014 graduates at Buffalo State SUNY was $24,290. Student debt data for Niagara University, a private institution, showed an average debt of $30,289 for 2014 graduates.
Legislation sponsored by Ortt and supported by the Senate Majority to help reduce unsustainable student debt includes:
(S6838) Launching the “Learning for Work Program” that establishes a Youth Apprenticeship Program for high school juniors or seniors. The apprenticeship program would combine academic work in the classroom with mentored on-the-job training to advance career readiness. This legislation would also offer an Enhanced Regents Professional Diploma in the specified occupation, and create a tax credit of $1,500 for each apprentice the participating employer sponsors.
(S6839) Increasing transparency to help students and families make informed decisions about college and borrowing. Higher education institutions would be required to collect data and provide more detailed information on student retention and graduation rates, average amounts of federal and private student loan debt after graduation, and average earnings and employment metrics broken down by program of study.
(S6841) Awarding a Community College Merit and Mobility Scholarship to high school students across the state who graduate within the top 20 percent of their class. Eligible students must attend a New York State community college and would receive $1,000 per year for up to two years. Up to 1,000 scholarships would be awarded to new students every year.
Also, legislation co-sponsored by Ortt would:
(S2129) Restore New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for graduate students. In 2010, the state legislature eliminated TAP for all graduate degree programs. Many of today’s jobs now require a Master’s degree, but without the help of financial aid, the cost of graduate school is too expensive for many. Since the program’s elimination, it’s been increasingly difficult for students to further their education and obtain a graduate degree. This bill would provide students with access to tuition assistance and make them more competitive in today’s job market.
In addition to this legislative package, the Senate Majority was able to recently secure more than $1 billion for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) as part of the enacted 2016-17 State Budget. The budget also freezes SUNY and CUNY tuition this year while boosting funding for SUNY and CUNY community colleges with an additional $20 million.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Albion Betterment Committee is backing off plans to put a bronze statue of Santa Claus with a “Santa House” in a vacant spot next to the First Presbyterian Church after several merchants and past Village Board members expressed concerns that the land should be used for public parking. The Betterment Committee is looking at other sites, including Waterman Park, a spot on Main Street next to Cropsey and Cropsey.
ALBION – The Village Board was encouraged to support efforts for a bronze statue of Santa Claus in honor of Charles Howard, the Albion native who ran a Santa Claus School from 1937 until his death in 1966.
However, the Village Board was urged not to allow the Howard memorial to be erected on vacant land next to the First Presbyterian Church. The village took down a building that was considered unsafe five years ago with the goal of creating a parking lot. The spot hasn’t been turned into parking yet, but several merchants said they don’t want to see that potential go away.
Greg Schmitt of the Olde Coach Inn said he only has three parking spaces now for his business. He would like to add a sports bar, but not having access to the parking would hurt that effort.
Dean Theodorakos was mayor of Albion when the building was demolished. He spoke at the public hearing Wednesday about using the space for a Santa statue and memorial. Theodorakos favors keeping it for parking. He also urged the village to enforce existing two-hour parking in the downtown. He also shared his concern that a Santa House, which could sell merchandise and refreshments, be self-supporting and not be a drain on village finances.
The Albion Betterment Committee shared concerns about the aesthetics of a big parking lot on Main Street. Theodorakos said there were plans for green space if the village moves forward with the bigger lot.
(Editor’s note: I’m on the Santa committee and spoke during the public hearing. I suggested the village put historic-looking lights in the median of the parking lot and some small trees to be a buffer looking at the former Sneezy’s bowling alley and to help with the aesthetics of the space.)
As a committee member I favor the Waterman Park site on Main Street, a half block south of the canal. The site is owned by the village and much of the landscaping is done. The Memorial Art Company in Buffalo visited Albion twice about three years ago to look at spots for a potential quarryman memorial site.
That company, which has created and installed several bronze statues, thought Waterman was the best spot. It’s high-profile on Main Street with two intersecting sidewalks. The company didn’t like the land by the Presbyterian Church because a bronze would look so small next to a 175-foot-high building.
Waterman could be renamed the Charles W. Howard Memorial Park. Murals could added with a Santa theme and Christmas trees planted to create a Christmas feel (my opinion).
The Village Board would need to vote on making public space available for any Santa projects.
Maureen Bennett is a vendor across from Waterman in the Uptown Browsery. She thought the location with a statue would give a lift to several of the businesses that would be close by to the statue.
Community members have pitched other sites for a Santa statue and House, including this spot at the corner of Ingersoll and West Bank streets. I think it’s too far from Main Street and wouldn’t be a springboard for other businesses to piggyback off of. If the statue is on Main Street, I could see businesses opening with a Santa theme, or selling Santa-related merchandise.
The site at the former Swan Library also has been suggested for the Santa statue. The property is now privately owned by Chad Fabry. He wants to remove the large tree. Some people, including Village Trustee Pete Sidari, have suggested the statue could go there. (I don’t think the statue would “connect” well with the site. It would be harder to create a Santa theme here and I think the statue would look out of place.)
Ken McPherson is a graduate of the Charles Howard Santa Claus School, which is now in Midland, Mich. McPherson said Howard is well regarded among the Santa community. More than 200 attended a Santa conference in Albion a year ago.
The Betterment Committee would like a Santa statue to be made of bronze and placed in a prominent part of town, serving as a icon, much like the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, which is featured in the film “A Perfect Storm” and remains a big part of the identity of this Massachusetts community.
McPherson is also on the local Santa committee. He said a statue would be a nice way to recognize Howard’s impact in the community and with the people who portray Santa around the world. McPherson would like to see a display of memorabilia of Christmas Park that tells the story of that site created by Howard on Phipps Road. However, McPherson said he wants a project that has strong support in the community.
Albion residents Lori Laine and Gary Condoluci also voiced support for the bigger project of a statue and “Santa House.” Laine said that combination would be a bigger draw to the downtown. However, she said she would support the statue at first, with the possibility of developing a Santa House later on.
Adam Johnson is working to develop a restaurant in the downtown. He submitted a letter that was read at the public hearing. Johnson didn’t want to give up parking spaces for a Santa House that he said doesn’t have a viable long-term plan. Johnson said he favors the statue at Waterman Park.
Resident Mark Parker also shared concerns about the viability of running a Santa House and the burden on the village with ongoing maintenance.
Another issue raised on Wednesday was whether Howard’s family would support a memorial project. Howard’s grandchildren attended the Santa convention a year ago and gave verbal support for the project. Village Board members said they want to see that in writing. McPherson said he knows Howard’s granddaughter, Jane Holland of Williamsville, and would see if she would state her support for the project.
Charles Howard is pictured in 1965 in one of the last times he wore the Santa suit. The 50th anniversary of his death is on May 1.
Condoluci said he remembers when he was a kid and visited Christmas Park and Howard.
Condoluci urged the Village Board to “take a leap of faith” and allow a Howard memorial to be created on village-owned land on Main Street.
“I remember Charlie Howard,” Condolucci said. He was a big deal. He is a very proud and vibrant part of Albion history.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) said today that he is tired of the Legislature providing a disproportionate amount of aid to New York City, and showing a blatant disregard for the needs of upstate New Yorkers.
Hawley wrote to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie asking him to bring the “Two New Yorks” legislation to the floor and allow a vote to gauge public opinion on the issue. The bipartisan, non-binding measure would be an important step toward understanding whether New Yorkers feel that the amount of aid allocated upstate and the amount sent downstate is equitable, Hawley said.
“In the eyes of the Legislature, NYC and its welfare policies take precedence over upstate businesses and taxpayers,” said Hawley. “I have introduced legislation that will simply gauge the interest of New Yorkers in a non-binding way. For instance, the battle over minimum wage and the implications it would have on farmers and upstate small businesses was completely overlooked by our downstate counterparts. Such disconnect has been present for many years, which is why this legislation is long overdue.”
Hawley’s letter includes:
April 13, 2016
Honorable Carl E. Heastie
Speaker of the Assembly
Room 932 LOB
Albany, NY 12247
Dear Speaker Heastie:
I respectfully urge you to report Assembly Bill 4167 out of the Local Governments Committee to allow a full vote on the Assembly Floor. As you may know, A.4167 would allow voters to vote yes or no in a nonbinding referendum to indicate their preferences on whether New York should be divided into two states.
I believe that upstate and downstate New York citizens have differing needs, wants, and desires regarding legislation and budgetary requirements. Upstate citizens are representative of less urban and more rural values, while downstate citizens tend to be more city oriented. There are also distinct social and political differences. Upstate citizens are more reflective of conservative to moderate traits while downstate citizens are reflective of moderate to liberal traits.
In light of the fact that there is a philosophical view of the SAFE Act dividing Upstate and Downstate, now again, we have seen a division with the two minimum wages. It is apparent that now would be the perfect opportunity to take up my legislation and allow a referendum for citizens to indicate their preferences.
Again, I urge you to assist in reporting this piece of legislation out of committee so that the people of this great State are able to indicate their views. After all, isn’t this what being a representative is all about – actually finding out what constituents’ viewpoints are on issues affecting their lives as New Yorkers? Please contact me with any questions or concerns you have regarding this bill. Let the people’s voice be heard.
MEDINA Julie Berry discusses her latest book, “The Passion of Dolssa,” with the Medina Historical Society on Tuesday. Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, is promoting her ninth novel with book launch parties, including Tuesday’s visit to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
Berry now lives in Los Angeles. Her latest young adult novel is a historical thriller published by Viking Children’s Books. “The Passion of Dolssa” is set in 13th Century Europe. Dolssa is a mystic accused of heresy and sentenced to death. She flees and is chased by an inquisitor until she is rescued by a pair of peasant girls. Dolssa’s presence creates problems for the tavern-owning sisters and other village residents.
Her book is available at The Book Shoppe in Medina and Bindings Bookstore in Albion. For more on Berry and her books, click here.
