By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
Marisa Hanlon, a junior at Kendall, finished second in Sunday’s district competition for the American Legion Oratorical Contest. That is good enough to advance tothe zone competition on Feb. 8 in Mount Morris.
Hanlon, 16, won the Orleans County contest last month and advanced to the district event in Kenmore. She was joined by American Legion leaders Larry Montello, left, of Medina and Charles Eberhardt of Holley. Frank Berger, a Legion member from Medina, also attended Sunday’s competition with Hanlon.
She had to deliver a memorized speech about the Constitution that was between 8 to 10 minutes and then give another 3 to 5 minute speech about an amendment.
Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) announced today that he will vote in support of the federal budget bill, which was introduced late last night, and will come before the House of Representatives later this week.
The $1.012 trillion spending deal will fund the government through the end of September.
“In addition to cutting spending for four years in a row, and resulting in total discretionary savings of $165 billion since 2010, the federal budget bill includes provisions that will have a direct, positive impact on New York’s 27th Congressional District,” Collins said. “This includes increasing funding for Customs and Border Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers and NASA, while providing no additional funding for ObamaCare.”
The budget bill increases Customs and Border Protection’s overall budget to $10.6 billion, which is a $220 million increase from FY2013 funding. This will allow for the largest operational CBP force in history.
“Increasing funding for Customs and Border Protection will help boost the economy of Western New York by ensuring we are moving people and products across the border faster,” said Congressman Collins. “This includes an increase of 2,000 additional CBP officers for our nation’s busiest ports of entry, which will go a long way toward easing congestion at both the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Peace Bridge.”
Collins has been at the forefront of advocating for an increase in staffing at our nation’s northern borders. Last month, alongside Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), Collins wrote a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the CBP calling for additional staffing at local border crossings in order to address the wait times.
The budget bill also sets the Army Corps of Engineers funding at $5.5 billion, a $487 million increase from FY2013, and provides $1 billion for activities related to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Funding for NASA is set at $17.6 billion, which is an increase of $120 million from FY2013 levels.
“Increasing funding for the Army Corps of Engineers is essential to maintaining our Lake Ontario harbors,” Collins said. “Additionally, the increase in funding for NASA means more opportunities for private sector companies, like Moog Inc., which support our nation’s space program and are located in Western New York.”
Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is set at $147.9 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding. Discretionary funding for VA programs is set at $63.2 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion above FY2013. This increase in funding is aimed in part at eliminating the VA’s backlog of claims by 2015.
The budget bill does not provide any additional funding for ObamaCare.
“The bill slashes ObamaCare’s $1 billion slush fund and freezes funding for the President’s healthcare program at the post-sequester level. This will prevent any unnecessary spending on a flawed law and, given the mismanaged launch of ObamaCare and lack of transparency surrounding enrollment numbers, is only appropriate,” Collins said.
LYNDONVILLE – A Waterport man has a court date in the Town of Yates after leaving the scene of a crash last night in downtown Lyndonville.
The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. Blake Strickland, 25, was operating a ’98 Dodge pick-up truck, travelling north on Main Street when he failed to negotiate a right turn onto Maple Avenue.
The vehicle ran off the north side of Maple Avenue and struck the building on the northeast corner of the intersection. The building houses a liquor store and hair salon on the main level, and vacant apartments on the upper level. There was significant structural damage.
Strickland left the scene but was located a short time later at a residence on Oak Orchard River Road by State Troopers from the Albion barracks. He was returned to the scene and faces traffic charges including Leaving the Scene of an Incident, Unsafe Speed, Failure to Keep Right, Unsafe Lane Change, and Failure to Notify DMV of Address Change.
Strickland is next scheduled to appear in Town Court on Feb. 19.
The incident was investigated by Deputy D.S. Klips, assisted by Lieutenant R.E. Perry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The town is without an official attorney because a faction of the Town Board wants to bring back Robert Roberson of Lockport for the job while other board members would prefer a less pricey attorney from Orleans County.
Roberson served as attorney for the town in 2012 and 2013 for $36,000 annually as a base retainer fee. John Gavenda of Albion served in the role before the board two years ago picked Roberson. That board was led by then Town Supervisor Dennis Stirk.
Matt Passarell, the new town supervisor, wants a different attorney, but he needs at least three of the five members of the board to agree to the change. Passarell last week tried to bring Gavenda back at a $25,000 cost, but board members Dan Poprawski, Jake Olles and Todd Sargent wouldn’t vote for Gavenda.
Passarell on Monday said he wanted to appoint Andrew Meier of Medina as town attorney at a base retainer cost of $25,000. Councilman Richard Remley joined Passarell in support of Meier, who also works as town attorney for Gaines, Yates and Kendall.
“Andrew Meier is extremely qualified in municipal law,” Passarell said.
Sargent and Olles both said they wanted Roberson.
“You know what you’re getting,” Sargent said about Roberson.
Olles said he would prefer an out-of-county attorney who may bring more independence. He noted Albion would be Meier’s fourth municipal client.
Meier was at the Albion meeting on Monday. He works with David Schubel in a law practice in Medina. Schubel also works with municipalities.
The $25,000 is more than Meier’s other towns are charged. He is paid $600 a month or $7,200 a year by Gaines and Kendall, and $7,500 by Yates. Albion has about three times the population as each of those towns. Albion also is planning several zoning and policy changes this year as the town works to implement a comprehensive plan.
Meier’s proposal would include the legal work for the zoning changes. He would receive additional compensation for litigation and other “unpredictable” work for the town.
Poprawski looks like the swing vote for attorney. Poprawski didn’t vote on Monday, saying he wanted more time to study Meier’s proposal and compare it with Roberson’s.
Passarell said he didn’t understand the delay. Meier is well-versed in municipal law and will work for less cost than Roberson, Passarell said.
“You want to pay more for an attorney?” he said.
The board will meet again Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. to vote again to fill the position.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Town Board may drop a 13-cent “pass-through” charge to the town of Murray for water.
Albion buys water from the village of Albion and some of the town water lines link with Murray’s water system. Some of the village water ultimately goes to Murray water customers.
Ed Morgan, Murray highway superintendent, last month asked the town of Albion to waive the 13-cent charge the town of Albion adds to the village rate. Albion has been paying $2.86 per 1,000 gallons of water from the village of Albion. Murray then buys that water from the town at a $2.99 rate.
The village is raising its rate to $2.94 to the town. Albion is considering charging Murray $3.07 under the new structure.
Jed Standish, the Albion highway and water superintendent, estimated that “pass-through” charge generates about $1,100 a year for the town of Albion.
Murray saves the town more than that by preventing dead ends on the east side of Albion, Standish said. He would have to flush water lines more often if the lines weren’t connected with Murray.
“I may have to flush 8,000 dollars down the ditch,” Standish told the Town Board. “It wouldn’t hurt us to eliminate that cost to Murray. He is definitely helping the town with residuals.”
Standish worries that Murray could switch to the Monroe County Water Authority. The Albion lines would then have dead ends and wouldn’t be connected with Murray’s.
Albion Town Board members tabled the Murray proposal, which hasn’t been submitted in writing. Albion officials want more information on what the pass-through charge generates for the town and more precise estimates on the flushing costs.
In other action on Monday:
The board approved giving $1,000 to the VFW in Albion to purchase flags and grave markers for veterans. Town Supervisor Matt Passarell, a former VFW commander, abstained from the vote.
The board appointed Russell Olles to the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is the uncle of Jake Olles, an Albion town councilman. Code Enforcement Officer Dan Strong suggested Russell Olles for the position.
The board appointed Issac Robinson to Planning Board. There is another vacancy on that board. David Cristofaro resigned because he is moving out of the town of Albion.
The Town Board voted to increase the rate of pay for a part-time motor equipment operator from $15 to $16.50 per hour, a 10 percent raise. Highway Superintendent Jed Standish said the rate of pay hadn’t been increased since 2008.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – The front wall of Sixes and Sevens Spirits was damaged last night after a car crashed into the building at 2 North Main St. in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – A hit-and-run driver caused significant damage last night to the Sixes and Sevens Spirits liquor store in Lyndonville.
Business owner Julie Caleb isn’t able to open the store today after the front windows and wall were smashed by a car. The vehicle also snapped a supporting beam at the building, 2 North Main St.
“We’re trying to clean up and we hope to open back up tomorrow,” Caleb said this morning.
The driver crashed through the store at 9:49 p.m., and then backed out of the building and took off. Orleans Hub is awaiting a police report from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Caleb said someone was arrested for the crime.
She opened the business on June 28. The store was a dream come true for Caleb, a Medina native who had been working as an office administrator, first for an insurance company in Virginia and then for a fertilizer business in Knowlesville.
Caleb said the incident could have been tragic. The driver smashed through the front of the store where she normally sits by the counter.
“If I had been sitting there I wouldn’t be talking to you,” she said.
A hub cap and the grill from the vehicle were found inside the store.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Lingering moisture from overnight rain will make it foggy this morning, reducing visibility to as low as half a mile in areas of the Niagara Frontier, the National Weather Service is reporting.
The fog will affect Orleans, Genesee and Niagara counties.
“Motorists are urged to reduce speed and allow extra time to reach your destination due to the fog,” according to the NWS announcement.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A company that has added nearly 200 positions since September will receive almost $750,000 in state incentives as part of its expansion in Albion.
Claims Recovery Financial Services agreed to add 150 positions to be eligible for the incentives. The company has already exceeded its commitment to new jobs by hiring 194 people since September.
Just last week CRFS moved more than 200 employees from its site in Medina to the former Chase site in Albion. Roger Hungerford and his company Talis Equity acquired the building from Chase.
State officials on Monday announced the state Office of Community Renewal approved $744,165 to help CRFS with its expansion in Albion. The money is divided with half in a grant and the other half a deferred loan.
The funding is a Community Development Block grant that will be given to the Village of Albion, which serves as a pass through with the money then going to CRFS.
“It is important to mark the final approval of this anticipated funding,” State Sen. George Maziarz said. “This award is a sure sign that the CRFS expansion project is moving forward.The Village of Albion, CRFS, and Talis Equity are all to be commended for their commitment to growing a local business to remarkable heights of success.”
CRFS has nearly 700 employees in Orleans County and is still hiring.
“It’s exciting to see a home grown business be successful and make a commitment to Orleans County,” said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “This important expansion will bring further employment opportunities close to home for Orleans County families.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Orleans Hub has published several photos of Snowy Owls in Orleans County in recent weeks with the majestic creatures spotted in Barre, Lyndonville and Kendall.
One of the owls has been hanging around Albion the past few days. Jaime Brennan shared this picture taken on Lattin Road. Her husband ventured into the corn field to get a photo of the owl.
I’m glad he got close. The owls typically nest in the Artic tundra and winter in Canada. Bird watchers believe we are having a historic year with the presence of so many Snowy Owls in the U.S.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2014 at 12:00 am
United Methodists don’t have money for building repairs
File photos by Tom Rivers – The First United Methodist Church in Albion, built in 1860, is located at the corner of Platt and East State streets.
ALBION – The congregation at the First United Methodist Church is looking for a buyer for its historic building, a 14,000-square-foot structure built in 1860.
The building at 19 Platt St. needs about $1 million in repairs. Its roof is structurally unsound. The church has used five tall wooden beams to help support the roof since December 2012.
The 30 active families of the church in August voted to abandon the site. The church still uses the site for its services and doesn’t have a time frame for leaving, said Terry Wilbert, chairman of the administrative council.
“We’re thinking sooner rather than later,” Wilbert said.
The congregation five months ago voted to turn the building over to the denomination. In October, denomination officials sent a letter back to Albion saying that the denomination wouldn’t take over the site.
“They didn’t want to set a precedent,” Wilbert said. “They would have 95 other churches behind us.”
The church has been using five wooden beams to help support the roof. The beams were added in December 2012.
Many of the mainline denomination churches have cavernous historic buildings with small congregations that struggle to keep up with the maintenance and bills on the structures.
In 1914, the Albion church reoriented the sanctuary. When that happened, some members didn’t like that lower beams that helped support the roof truss system were more visible. The church removed the lower beams. A century later, the roof is in danger of collapse from a truss system that needs to be totally rebuilt.
The congregation thinks the project will cost too much for the members. So the congregation is looking at three options:
Wilbert said the United Methodist congregation may leave its building and share another church building with an existing church, with the two congregations staggering their worship services.
The United Methodists may decide to acquire land and build a new site that would be smaller, handicapped accessible and have more parking than the current site.
Or the church may acquire an existing building and rehab it. He doubts the church will stay in its current site long-term. But if a big donation comes in for the repairs, Wilbert said the congregation may not go.
“If someone offers us $500,000, we’ll take it and stay,” he said. “That’s just my opinion.”
The United Methodist Church building is one of seven churches in Albion that are part of the Historic Courthouse Square, a district named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The church is working with the Landmark Society of Western New York to identify potential buyers for the building. The United Methodists also will reach out to real estate firms to see if they can help find a buyer.
“We don’t know what to ask for it,” Wilbert said. “That’s to be determined.”
The church applied for a $350,000 state grant last year through the Environmental Facilities Corporation, but was denied. Albion also sought a state grant for Bullard Park improvements but wasn’t approved.
Wilbert said the state is directing more grants to bigger population centers.
“The money is going to ‘the haves,’ the people that already have a lot of money,” he said.
(Editor’s note: I think this building could be turned into a Sacred Sites Discovery Center, a site that would draw tourists to Albion and detail important religious movements in the state’s heritage. I wrote about this on Aug. 28. Click here to see that article.)
