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Holley will take a year to reorganize June Fest

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 16 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Village wants to bring festival back in 2017

File photos by Tom Rivers – Members of the combined Holley-Kendall marching band participate in the parade in this photo from June 7, 2014.

HOLLEY – Mayor John Kenney says the annual June Fest community celebration has been postponed for this year, but should be back in 2017.

“We are going to start planning for next year,” he told Orleans Hub this week.

The mayor said funds will be included in the village budget and he expects a committee will be formed to help organize the event. He said he also expects to contact Town of Murray officials to see if they have an interest in being involved.

Clarendon residents Dr. Marge Krizan and John Krizan approached the Holley Village Board in February and offered to form an ad hoc committee to organize a 2016 June Fest, as the continuation of the event appeared to be in jeopardy. Dr. Krizan told Orleans Hub that she presented a scaled-back version of the event to the Village Board at its March 8 meeting, but the ad hoc committee did not receive the “blessing” of the village to continue.

In a letter to the Village Board dated March 21, Dr. Krizan wrote that the festival could not go forward this year without approval and sponsorship of the Village Board; sufficient information and materials from prior June Fest celebrations; and the credibility of a Village of Holley endorsement of their plan.

Fireworks at the soccer field capped last year’s festival, when there was a full schedule of events from the morning to the night.

“We believe it would be better to produce a quality … event for all concerned as opposed to producing an event which would not satisfy the Board based on their comments at the March 8, 2016 board meeting,” she wrote.

Additionally in her letter, Dr. Krizan offered the assistance of the ad hoc committee to bring the 2017 June Fest to fruition.

“We like to do things the right way,” she told Orleans Hub. “We had to have credibility … (A 2016 scaled-back June Fest) can’t be done the right way without the full backing of the Board. We tried. We learned another thing about local government.”

Dr. Krizan said Village Board members did not want to make a decision on moving ahead with June Fest this year without vendors and donations in place, but she explained that the ad hoc committee had difficulty accessing information on the event from previous years, which would have helped them seek out and secure vendors and donations.

“We tried, but from the start there was obstacle upon obstacle,” she said. “No one knew where the paperwork was.”

Additionally, Dr. Krizan said board members indicated they would prefer to have a full slate of events included if June Fest were held this year.

The ad hoc committee had proposed an abbreviated event.

First librarian transformed Swan more than 100 years ago

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 16 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Volume 2, Issue 16

ALBION – As the American Library Association closes 2016’s National Library Week, we take a look back at this interior image of the Swan Library taken in 1900.

This year’s theme for library week was “Libraries Transform,” meaning libraries transform the lives of those who use them and transform the communities they serve. Of course, this also means libraries physically transform how they serve their communities.

This image shows the north room of the library known as the reading room, one of the few public spaces in the original building. We see a sign atop one of the tables in the rear of the room that says “HUSH,” the library’s original reference section with two shelves in the back, and numerous resources set out on the tables. Miss Lillian Achilles sits at the front desk, situated to look over the reading room, and the antiquated card catalog positioned near the librarian.

The Swan Library was established by the will of prominent businessman William Gere Swan upon his death in 1896. It was the executors of his will, Emma his wife and Isaac Signor who were responsible for carrying out Swan’s wishes. After the organization received its charter signed December 21, 1899 by Melvil Dewey (then director of the NYS Library), J. Mills Platt of Rochester was hired to develop plans for the conversion of the Burrows mansions to a functioning library.

The reading room stretched the length of the north half of the first floor, a desk was positioned to overlook this room and a window installed to receive and distribute books to patrons from the front foyer. A “Trustees Room” was positioned in the southeast corner of the building, providing the governing body a location to meet and the basement was affixed with a kitchen and dining room for events.

Shortly after renovations were completed, Lillian Achilles was hired as the Swan Library’s first librarian at an annual salary of $600. Although the trustees had consulted with her about the proposed layout of the building’s interior, she found numerous shortcomings that needed to be addressed immediately. Less than 25% of the total floor space was allocated for books and no space was set aside for processing and cataloging new materials.

Achilles designated a room as an office for this task and spent nearly three months cataloging the 4,900 books from the Albion Free Town Library and Albion Public Library as well as the 700 books purchased specifically for the new building. Without the luxuries of a typewriter, she spent countless hours handwriting all of the cards, which she finally finished on March 17, 1900; it would be another year before the card catalog was completed.

Now supported by taxes, the library’s original trustees felt that the library should be predominantly supported by Swan’s endowment. This led to severe budget limitations and restricted Miss Achilles’ abilities to purchase new books. The problem became substantially worse in 1907 when the Village of Albion withdrew their financial support. Along with several local drug stores, the library established rental collections to supplement income and provide continued access to information – support was eventually restored.

Despite these limitations, the library quickly became a cultural center for the community. It served the local schools as a supplement to small classroom collections, provided “quiet” games for children to play, established a boys club in 1901, and became a repository for historical artifacts – a true transformation from the traditional view of the public library’s role.

Any librarian will tell you that Miss Achilles was a saint for handwriting the library’s first card catalog!

Orchard Manor hosts luncheon for volunteers

Staff Reports Posted 15 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided Photo

MEDINA – Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina hosted a luncheon on Thursday for its volunteers in recognition of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16).

The following were recognized, from left, front row: Robin Dubai and Jan Pritchard. Back row: Ray Levesque, Gail Nellist, Laurie Seager (volunteer coordinator) and Paula Banazwski.

The theme was “Volunteers, Our Greatest Natural Resource.” Residents also created a decorative mural to show their appreciation. Anyone wishing to learn more about volunteering at Orchard Manor should call Laurie Seager, Volunteer Coordinator, at (585) 798-4100.

GCC celebrates 50th anniversary of its founding today

Posted 15 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – Founding a college is no simple task. Establishing Genesee Community College in the mid-1960s involved more than a decade of planning with hundreds of community members working hard in support of the innovative idea that Genesee and surrounding counties would benefit from having a college.

As GCC recognizes its 50th Anniversary, numerous historical dates are being celebrated, as are the pioneering efforts and vision of its founding citizens.

Today (April 15, 2016) is Founding Day at GCC’s Batavia Campus, which will celebrate the exact date 50 years prior that the State University of New York officially approved and recognized the interests of the Genesee County Board of Supervisors to establish and sponsor a two-year college in Genesee County. It is one of many important dates in the college’s history, and also the first event in the coming 18 months where GCC will reflect on it’s unique past while planning ahead for the future.

At 11 a.m. today on Founding Day, the college community including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and friends will gather in the William W. Stuart Forum for a cake cutting ceremony. In addition, a specially prepared historical photo show will run continuously until 2 p.m., and all visitors will have the chance to be part of a pending time capsule by briefly answer the inquiry: “What I found at GCC.”

Edited responses to this inquiry will be added to the soon to be launched 50th Anniversary website. WGCC, the college’s radio station will be broadcasting live, and the GCC Cougar mascot will pose for numerous photo ops. Lastly, the college will officially release the new 50th Anniversary logo featuring a creative blue and gold flame matching the College’s colors that date back to the late 1960’s with the insignia “The True-Blue Past – Our Golden Future.”

“This is the ‘soft opening’ to the college’s anniversary program,” President James Sunser, Ed.D. said at a recent planning meeting. “It gives us the opportunity to publish and promote our calendar of upcoming events and the many opportunities we are looking forward to, including the new logo with a few surprises.”

The next big college event is the official groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 28 at 4 p.m. for the new Student Success Center and the Event Center. College and community leaders will gather to recognize the start of construction for these two new facilities, collectively valued at more than $21 million and totaling 75,000 square feet.

In addition, the program includes the opportunity to officially kickoff GCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, paying homage to the community leaders 50 years ago whose vision gave rise to Genesee Community College’s long term success. Final plans for groundbreaking ceremony are in development and details will be available soon.

Gillibrand pushes for elevated historic status for Barge Canal

Posted 15 April 2016 at 12:00 am

File photo Tom Rivers – This tugboat in Albion stands out in the fog, with the Main Street lift bridge in back, in this photo from May 31, 2015.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to the National Park Service urging for the New York State Barge Canal to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.

The NYS Barge Canal extends through Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo and includes the Erie Canal, the Oswego Canal, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and the Champlain Canal, stretching 525 miles across New York State. This designation would provide additional economic development and tourism promotion opportunities.

“The New York State Barge Canal shaped the course of settlement in the Northeast, Midwest, and Great Plains, and established New York City as the nation’s premiere seaport and commercial center,” said Senator Gillibrand. “For over a century, New York’s canal system has played an influential role in the economy and development of the region and our country. This designation would be another national highlight of New York’s rich history and strengthens our commitment to preserving our landmarks.”

In this photo from the Orleans County History Department, crews work on the retaining walls at the Canal Basin in Medina on April 3, 1914. It was part of the Barge Canal expansion about a century ago.

The National Park Service in October 2014 announced the Barge Canal was on the National Register of Historic Places. Gillibrand now is pushing for a higher designation.

The Erie Canal opened in 1825. The Barge Canal represents the widening of the canal between 1905 and 1918. Many of the bridges, guard gates, waste weir systems and other canal infrastructure remain in use today.
Gillibrand, in her letter to the National Park Service, highlighted that during the 1850s the canal carried 33,000 shipments and by 1882, carried over $120 million dollars in cargo. Today, the canal is used for recreational purposes, contributing to New York’s tourism economy.

The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to the National Park Service Director is included below.

Mr. Jonathan B. Jarvis
Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Director Jarvis,

I write in support of the nomination of the New York State (NYS) Barge Canal to be designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). Listing as a National Historic Landmark would be a logical step in appropriately honoring the nationally-significant role that New York’s canal system has played in our country. Furthermore, NHL designation would be timely and appropriate, helping to raise the waterway’s stature and creating additional economic development and tourism promotion opportunities.

The NYS Barge Canal system is composed of the Erie Canal, the Oswego Canal, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and the Champlain Canal, and stretches 525 miles through New York State. New York State’s Erie Canal has been in continuous operation since 1825 and has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of not only New York State but the country.

It facilitated and shaped the course of settlement in the Northeast, Midwest and Great Plains, and established New York City as the nation’s premiere seaport and commercial center. The Erie Canal alone originally stretched 363 miles from Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York. During its peak in 1855, the canal system carried 33,000 shipments and by 1882 the canal had carried over $120 million dollars in cargo. Today the canal is used almost entirely for recreation, open for walking, jogging, biking and cross-country skiing, contributing to New York and the nation’s tourism economy.

As we approach the Barge Canal’s Centennial year in 2018, as well as the observance of the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial period between 2017 and 2025, NHL designation would help attract national and international attention during this important period of reflection and celebration.

Further, through the efforts of the NYS Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the World Canals Conference will be held in Syracuse in September 2017. This international event provides another opportunity to celebrate and promote the national significance of New York State’s Barge Canal system, which is about to embark on its 192nd year of continuous operation.

I ask that you please give the New York State Barge Canal’s application your full consideration.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

Holley will work to bring down tax increase in village

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 15 April 2016 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Village Board members Tuesday evening approved the tentative budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year that would raise the tax rate to $16.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The 2015-2016 village tax rate was $14.81.

Village Clerk Sarah Trowbridge says village trustees have until April 30 to approve the final budget and they will be working to bring the tax rate down. She noted it cannot go higher than the $16.00 approved in the tentative budget.

Trowbridge said no residents spoke during a public hearing on the tentative budget which was held prior to the vote.

The total General Fund appropriation totals $1.166 million; the Water Fund appropriation is $409,271; Sewer Fund appropriation is $173,587; and the Electric Department appropriation is $2.16 million.

Included in the General Fund appropriation is the clerk’s budget of $217,595, the Police Department budget of $289,831, Department of Public Works at $349,791, and Hospitalization/Retirement/Bonds, $308,852.

Additionally, trustees adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2016 during their meeting, which will allow them to override the tax levy limit, if that becomes necessary. Trowbridge said the board typically adopts the override as a precautionary measure, even if an override of the tax cap is not needed.

Few campaign signs in heated presidential primary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – This sign in support of Bernie Sanders is placed in a front yard on Park Avenue in Medina. It’s one of the few political signs out despite a heated primary season.

It may be a heated primary and a rare chance in New York for a spirited presidential race, but you wouldn’t know it driving around Orleans County. There are few signs for presidential candidates out on front lawns.

Local Republican and Democratic leaders haven’t ordered signs. The few that are out have been picked up at candidate rallies or purchased by local residents.

Ed Morgan, the Orleans County Republican Party chairman, said federal election laws require reporting by the local parties if they spend on the presidential race. He didn’t want to be committed to the lengthy paperwork if the party bought signs or placed ads.

“We’d have to file a federal campaign contribution form,” Morgan said.

He and the GOP Committee have endorsed Donald Trump for president. They made Orleans County one of the first counties in New York to endorse Trump.

Morgan said Trump has a strong following locally, even if there aren’t many signs in front lawns. He said he expects more signs will go out before the vote Tuesday as signs are distributed from Buffalo and Rochester sites trying to get out the vote for Trump.

There are also a few signs out in the county in support of John Kasich and Ted Cruz, who are seeking the Republican nomination.

A Barre resident on Route 98 has a sign out in support of John Kasich.

Morgan is traveling to New York City today for the State Republican Committee annual gala where the three presidential candidates are expected to speak. All three are making a hard push for votes in New York.

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton also are in a tight race for the Democratic nomination. There aren’t very many signs out for them, either.

Jeanne Crane, the Democratic Party chairwoman, said a few of the Sanders and Clinton supporters have bought signs and put them out, although some of the Clinton signs appear to have been stolen. Morgan said some of the Trump signs also have been snatched.

Crane said she didn’t push to hard to get signs out when she noticed there were so few Republican ones.

“If they’re not too worried about it, then I’m not,” she said.

Crane and the Orleans County Democratic Party Committee last week voted to endorse Clinton for president. It wasn’t unanimous. Sanders has some support on the committee.

Crane said she has backed Clinton since 2000, when Clinton (then the first lady) ran successfully for the U.S. Senate, representing New York.

Crane said Clinton stands out among all of the candidates for her experience, particularly with foreign policy.

“She’s better prepared,” Crane said.

Although they won’t be pushing for yard signs for candidates, Crane said she and the Democratic Party leaders will be making phone calls, urging local Democrats to back Clinton on Tuesday.

NY forms new commission to review state’s business climate

Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the formation of a temporary Business Regulation Council charged with conducting a comprehensive review of New York State’s business climate.

The Council will make recommendations on additional ways to decrease the cost of doing business in the state while not compromising protections in place for working men and women.

The seven-member council will be comprised of business representatives, labor leaders and workforce advocates. Among the issues the Council will study are unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, temporary disability insurance, energy, taxes and other business related costs.

The Council will conduct a series of forums and meetings to hear from business groups, labor groups and other interested stakeholders and make recommendations to the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader and the Assembly Speaker by June 3rd which allows for consideration of the recommendations before the end of the 2016 legislative session.

“This action builds upon the progress our administration has made to lower taxes and improve this state’s economic climate, while also ensuring workers are being treated fairly,” said Governor Cuomo. “I look forward to receiving the Council’s recommendations and I thank the members for working with us to find ways to further lower the costs of doing business and build a stronger and more prosperous New York for all.”

Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, “For far too long, businesses in New York State have been forced to work harder to succeed or even survive due to burdensome red-tape and costly state mandates. The landmark tax cut plan introduced by Senate Republicans and approved in the 2016-17 state budget is a huge step in the right direction, but New York businesses continue to face many additional hurdles. This fast-tracked commission will thoroughly and swiftly study the current business climate in New York and make real recommendations that will help our businesses compete and create jobs.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “We are always looking for ways to reduce costs to our businesses while ensuring that workers are paid a fair wage and have adequate benefits. The Assembly Majority has long advocated for laws and policies that are good for both businesses as well as workers, and the recently enacted budget accomplishes both of these goals. The enactment of Paid Family Leave and an increased minimum wage will benefit our businesses as well as their employees. This Council will make recommendations to provide a balanced approach to the cost of doing business in this state while preserving and protecting the laws that ensure a stable workforce.”

The Business Regulation Council will be comprised of the following members:

Governor Cuomo’s appointees: Mario Cilento – President of the New York State AFL-CIO; Ted Potrikus – President and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State; and Kathryn Wylde – President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

Senate Majority Leader Flanagan’s appointees: Heather Briccetti – President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.; and Dean Norton – President, New York Farm Bureau.

Assembly Speaker Heastie’s appointees: Gary LaBarbera – President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York; and Robert Grey – Chair, New York Workers’ Compensation Alliance.

Corrections officers give $1,600 to Cancer Services

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

ALBION – Staff at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion today cooked hot dogs, dressed in casual clothes, sold wristbands to raise awareness for colon cancer and made donations, an effort that raised $1,600 for the Cancer Services programs of Genesee and Orleans.

Some of the staff members are pictured outside the prison this afternoon. The facility is a medium-security prison on Gaines Basin Road.

The staff at Orleans Correctional pushed to raise the funds after Al Miller (pictured) of Corfu, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in December. Miller continues to work his shifts at the prison while he is on light duty.

Miller said he is grateful for his job, which he has had for 20 years. He said he is fortunate to have good health insurance. The Cancer Services Program in Genesee and Orleans provides free cancer screenings and other services.

Miller said he appreciated the turnout and support from his collages today.

“I feel bad for people without family and friend support,” he said. “I’m very fortunate here for the support system that I have.”

Kenny Gold, a corrections officer and leader in the union, said Miller has been a dependable worker for two decades.

“He’s been here for everybody for 20 years, and we’ll all be here for him, especially during his most vulnerable time,” Gold said today.

The union representing the corrections officer gave about $400,000 to different charities and causes last year, Gold said.

“The prisons are more than just people watching over convicted felons,” he said.

Watt turbine taken down for repairs

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am

GAINES – The turbine at Watt Farms was taken down today for repairs. The turbine needs a new alternator and will also get new blades. The replacement parts are on order and an installation hasn’t been scheduled.

The turbine was the focus of a lawsuit from the Town of Gaines, which claimed the 154-foot-high turbine needed to be moved farther away from a farm market and storage building.

Judge James Punch, acting as a State Supreme Court justice, ruled in December the turbine didn’t need to be moved. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets also sided with Watt Farms, saying the turbine location met the proper setbacks.

The 10-kilowatt turbine is expected to be repaired and placed back on a tower soon.

A big crane was brought in to bring down the turbine so repairs could be made. The turbine is located behind Watt Farm Country Market on Route 98, next to a fruit orchard.