news

Administrative roles changing a bit at Medina Central

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Mike Wertman – Roles will be shifting a bit in January for Medina Central administrattors Chris Hughes, left, and Mark Kruzynski.

Academic demands will be causing a bit of a shift in the work load for two Medina Central administrators, Medina High Principal Mark Kruzynski and Athletic Director and Wise Middle School Assistant Principal Chris Hughes, as of January 1.

Kruzynski will be adding the responsibilities of athletic director while Hughes will remain as Wise Middle School assistant principal and head of the district’s Physical Education Department.

The increased academic demands on staff due to the state’s listing of Wise Middle as a Focus School is cited as a primary reason for the shifting of duties.

“Academics is our primary concern and since the middle school is a Focus School this year Chris is needed in that area,” Kruzynski said. “And that is a very time consuming effort so this is really a balancing of work loads.”

Adding the role of athletic director is not a new one for Kruzynski who previously served in that position for several years before becoming high school principal.

Albion names winners of downtown decorating contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Knight’s Pride at 120 North Main St. had the second most votes in the contest.

ALBION – The downtown merchants in Albion stepped up their decorating efforts this holiday season, with many of the storefronts full of holiday displays.

“I think the downtown looks nice and festive,” said Carolyn Ricker, president of the Albion Merchants Association and owner of Bindings Bookstore. “A lot of people have commented that there is a sense of pride in the downtown.”

The Merchants Association held a contest for the best window decorations and the public cast ballots for their favorites.

The Main Street Store at 49 North Main St. garnered the most votes.

Burgio Salon at 117 North Main St. came in third, according to the public votes.

Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade at 50 North Main St., sent letters to all the downtown building owners and convinced many to decorate for the holidays. Stratton’s shop in shown above.

Brunner is weighing $15M expansion, 43 new jobs in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

NY approves low-cost power for company to grow in Orleans

(Editor’s note: This article has been updated from an earlier version.)

MEDINA – A Medina company will receive 2.4 megawatts of low-cost electricity as part of a $15 million expansion project that will add 43 jobs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.

The New York Power Authority approved the low-cost hydropower allocation for Brunner International. The company is considering a 45,000-square-foot addition to expand the production of machined axle forgings that are sold to large, heavy-duty truck and trailer suppliers.

Brunner hasn’t committed to project yet and is weighing locations in other states for the expansion, said Jim Whipple, chief executive officer for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

The power allocation makes Medina a more enticing site for the project, he said.

“This is not a done deal but it certainly helps,” Whipple said about the power allocation. “Brunner is weighing all the issues.”

Brunner, located at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31, has been a longtime hydropower customer for NYPA.

The state also approved a $750,000 incentive package under Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program and additional tax incentives are expected from the Orleans County Economic Development Agency if the company commits to the expansion in Medina.

Brunner completed a 41,250-square-foot expansion about five years ago that added 50 jobs in Medina.

Brunner is one of three growing companies in Western New York approved for the cheap electricity, according to the governor’s annoucement today. The hydropower is available to companies within 30 miles of the power plant in Lewiston. Medina is at the far end of the eligible territory.

Ford Motor Company will receive 1 megawatt in support of its plans to invest $150 million in its 63-year-old Hamburg stamping facility, located just outside Buffalo. Ford will upgrade equipment and add 10 new assembly lines.

The company will commit to creating 350 new positions at its facility above its current employment of 640 as a result of the expansion, with startup of the new equipment and assembly lines by the end of 2014, according to the governor’s announcement.
Gracious Living USA will receive 3.7 megawatts to renovate and refurbish four abandoned buildings on 50 acres of property in Buffalo to open an injection molding manufacturing facility and warehouse. The Canadian company wants to establish a greater presence in the U.S. for its resin-based furniture and other plastic products. The new facilities will lead to the creation of 250 jobs.

“Today’s low-cost hydropower allocations are a major win for Western New York, helping to create more than 600 new jobs, while reducing business costs to support the manufacturing industry,” Cuomo said. “As we grow the manufacturing sector in Western New York, the state will continue to leverage these kinds of investments to strengthen the local economy.”

State Sen. George Maziarz praised the power allocations for the companies.

“Ford Motor Company employs many Western New Yorkers and this award will expand that number exponentially,” Maziarz said. “I am also pleased that Brunner International in Medina will benefit from the excellent programs NYPA provides businesses, as it will continue to grow Orleans County’s largest private-sector employer.”

CRFS will save $350K by not paying sales tax for equipment in expansion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Claims Recovery Financial Services could spend up to $4,430,000 for new equipment, machinery and furnishings as part of its relocation and expansion into the JP Morgan Chase call center on East Avenue.

The company won’t have to pay sales tax on any of those purchases, a benefit that could save the company up to $354,400 because of the sales tax exemption.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency approved the tax exemption on Friday. That followed a public hearing on Dec. 10. No one spoke against the tax savings benefit for CRFS.

The EDA has the authority to lift the 8 percent sales tax for companies in an expansion project. CRFS won’t have to pay the 4 percent county and 4 percent state sales tax rates. Both the county and state would have received $172,200 in sales tax if CRFS spends $4.43 million for equipment and furnishings in its expansion and relocation.

The company is expected to start moving into Chase next month. It is consolidating Albion and Medina work sites into the former Chase building, and adding 150 employees. It projects there will be 750 workers out of the building.

County leader will retire, then return

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

(Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version.)

ALBION – A fourth county department head is retiring, only to return to a management role on a part-time basis.

Craig Lape, the county’s weights and measures director, also manages the fuel farm on West Academy Street. After Lape retires on Dec. 31, the fuel farm duties will be shifted to a secretary in the highway department, whose weekly hours will increase from 35 to 40.

Lape will continue as weights and measures director. He visits stores, markets, warehouses, wholesale houses, gas stations and other businesses to test and verify the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices. The position ensures accuracy in meat, produce and platform scales.

County Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county is fortunate Lape is staying on in the position, at a reduced cost to the county.

He is the fourth department head to reach retirement, and then agree to stay on in a part-time basis.

Wayne Hale retired as planning and tourism director, but has stayed on in a part-time role in the positions. Pam Canham also retired as Office for the Aging director, but continued with the department as an assistant director. Carol Miller also serves as part-time director for job development after she retired from a full-time role in the position.

“Their experience is invaluable,” Callard said. “They’re working at a reduced cost to the county, and we’re still able to deliver the service.”

The part-time retired directors receive their state pensions. They can not earn more than $30,000 in their part-time roles if they want to receive their full pension, according to state comptroller rules, county officials said.

Lyndonville Lions Club names lighting contest winners

Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville residents put their best lights forward for Lyndonville Lions Club’s “Spirit of Christmas” annual lighting contest this year.

Judges patrolled the area on Monday visiting the winners’ homes and presenting the top 5 with plaques. The winners are:

Village of Lyndonville, 2 South Main St.

Mr.& Mrs. Gary Newman, 1548 N Lyndonville Rd.

Alex Seaman, 1559 N Lyndonville Rd.

Bill Harrold, 10 Garland St.

Jacob, Margaret, and Emily Cebula, 15 Miller Drive.

Farm Credit donates to Medina FFA for state convention

Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Farm Credit East

MEDINA – Farm Credit East’s Batavia branch recently presented the Medina FFA Chapter with a $5,000 donation to help support the 89^th annual New York State FFA Convention.

The three-day event will be at Medina High School in May and will draw over 1,000 FFA members, advisors and officials from around the state. During the convention, students will have the opportunity to attend workshops, network with agriculture professionals and compete in career development events. The event also showcases local agricultural businesses and the surrounding area.

Supporting young farmers and youth agricultural organizations is an area of special focus for Farm Credit East. In addition to providing financing and business services to Northeast farmers, Farm Credit maintains special programs for young, beginning and small farmers and also helps to provide and encourage their participation in activities that improve farm and financial management skills.

Kendall school issues statement on accident

Posted 17 December 2013 at 12:24 pm

KENDALL – A Kendall Central School District school bus carrying four students was involved in an accident with another vehicle this morning near the intersection of Route 237 and Ridge Road.

Our four students and bus driver were taken by ambulance to Strong Hospital as a precaution. Thankfully, their injuries are minor.

We are saddened to learn news that the driver of the other vehicle suffered fatal injuries and we are working with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department as they conduct their investigation.

Kendall Central School District

Brockport man, 23, was killed in accident with school bus this morning

Posted 17 December 2013 at 12:08 pm

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

MURRAY – A Brockport man is dead following a head-on crash this morning with the car he was driving and a school bus.

The incident was reported at 7:09 a.m. and occurred in the 16600 block of Ridge Road (State Route 104) in the Town of Murray.

Daniel L. Hollaert Jr., 23, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, travelling east on Ridge Road when the vehicle collided with a full-size school bus owned and operated by the Kendall Central School District.

Hollaert was pronounced dead at the scene by Orleans County Coroner Joseph Fuller. Hollaert was extricated from the car by firefighters from the Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Departments, and then transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester.

The driver of the bus is identified as Harold F. Barnard, 72, of Kendall. There were four students on-board at the time of collision ranging in age from 11 to 15. All the students as well as their driver sustained minor injuries. They were all transported by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. School District officials responded to the crash scene.

Deputies D.E. Foeller Jr., & A.J. Houghton responded to the incident. They were assisted by Deputy D.S. Klips, Investigator C.L. Black, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. State Troopers from the Albion barracks also assisted at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Fatal accident involving a Kendall school bus on Ridge Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2013 at 10:24 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A Kendall school bus is towed back to the school at the intersection of routes 104 and 237 this morning at about 9:45 a.m.

MURRAY – The driver of the car that collided with a Kendall school bus at the intersection of routes 237 and 104 this morning has died. None of the students on the bus were seriously injured. Four of the children have been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Route 104 is now open in both directions. The school bus has been towed from the scene.

Orleans Hub will have more information as soon as it becomes available.