By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2013 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Firefighters were dispatched to a call at 4:10 a.m. today after smoke was observed from a house at 206 Prospect St.
There was heavy fire in the attic and the blaze consumed the roof at the house. By about 5:30 a.m., the fire was under control, said Mike Maak, a captain with the Medina Fire Department.
The fire is under investigation. The department is also trying to determine the owner of the site.
Medina was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Lyndonville, Ridgeway and Shelby. Middleport and East Shelby firefighters were on standby at the Medina fire hall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2013 at 12:00 am
The tax on lodging generates about $35K for tourism
Photo by Tom Rivers – Dollinger’s Motel in Albion is among the lodging businesses in Orleans County that collect a 4 percent tax, in addition to the sales tax, from their customers.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators voted today to continue a 4 percent tax on lodging businesses, a tax that generates about $35,000 annually for the county’s tourism budget.
The county first imposed the tax in the year 2004. It has been extended every two years since then.
Motels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging providers collect the 4 percent tax from their customers, which is on top of the sales tax. The bed tax in 2012 raised $35,859, County Treasurer Susan Heard said.
The county doesn’t designate how the funds be used by tourism, but it helps pay for easements for fishing access, advertising and other outreach, said Legislator Ken Rush, R-Carlton.
He said most of the tourism funds are targeted towards getting more fishermen to the county. They, in turn as visitors, pay 90 to 95 percent of the bed tax, Rush said.
Legislators were asked to cease with the tax.
“There are better ways (to raise money for tourism) than by punishing businesses,” said Paul Lauricella, Conservative Party vice chairman.
None of the lodging operators in the county attended today’s public hearing, but in the past they have asked the county not to impose the tax. They have said not having a bed tax could give the lodging operators an advantage over other options outside the county.
Rush said he doesn’t know of a county that doesn’t have a bed tax.
“It doesn’t matter where you travel, you pay a bed tax,” Rush said in response to Lauricella. “If we don’t charge it we’d be the only one without a bed tax.”
The tax doesn’t generate much money for Orleans compared to counties with chain hotels. In neighboring Genesee County, which has more than 1,000 hotel rooms, the bed tax generates more than $400,000 a year. That money is used to promote Genesee businesses and attractions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Democrat & Chronicle today highlights the Medina Sandstone Society and its efforts to create a Hall of Fame. The newspaper includes a photo of the former Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society will induct its first class of honorees in the Sandstone Hall of Fame on Thursday. Already, the venture is getting some publicity locally and beyond.
Today, the Democrat and Chronicle features the Hall of Fame initiative and includes a photo of the former Medina Armory and the Sandstone Society President Bob Waters.
“Medina sandstone had it all,” D & C columnist Jim Memmott writes today. “Impressively fireproof, famously durable, pleasing to the eye, it was a go-to building material in most of the 19th century and the first part of the 20th.”
Orleans Hub, the Medina Journal-Register and The Daily News of Batavia all have published several stories about the Hall of Fame.
The publicity for the community was one of the goals for the initiative. The Sandstone Society wants to annually highlight some of the great structures locally, in the region and elsewhere that used the Medina stone.
The society hopes newspapers from the communities with the honorees will publish articles when sites are inducted in the Hall of Fame.
Waters, in an interview with Jim Memmott, said there is strong interest in the community’s sandstone heritage.
“All of a sudden, Medina has got a flair for rediscovering its history,” Waters told Memmott. “And it’s not just me; it’s the young folks who are all gung-ho.”
Thursday’s Hall of Fame ceremony will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at City Hall. The event is invitation only.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Bent’s Opera House is eyed as a performing arts center with a restaurant and retail/office space. The state denied the project any funding in the latest round of economic development grants.
New York State won’t be playing Santa Claus for Orleans County. A breakdown of the state economic development grants, announced today, shows very little for Orleans County despite the county’s high unemployment and clear need for these funds.
The state approved $58.9 million for 94 projects in the nine-county Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. This is the third year the state has awarded the funds through regional councils.
Bent’s Operas House in Medina was recommended by the council for state funding for a roof repair and renovations. Orleans Renaissance Group, owner of the building, sought $500,000 in state funding, but the organization was denied even a cent from the state.
The state approved $65,776 to the village of Holley for a canal park improvement project. Holley will use the funding to improve its existing gazebo, pavilions and stone paths.
New elements of the park will include tree planting, installation of grills and picnic tables, fire pits, and the purchase of new equipment to maintain the park.
The improved amenities should make the canal park a bigger attraction for Holley, drawing more bicyclists and boaters, state officials said.
Another grant allocates $46,680 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee to provide employment support services for residents in the two counties. Community Action will offer job skills instruction and training, job placement assistance, computer skills and financial literacy.
These are the only grants that are targeted to a project in Orleans County. That’s barely $100,000 out of $715 million approved across the state. It’s woeful for a county burdened with poverty and high unemployment.
There is grumbling from rural county leaders that the new system hurts the small counties because the state tends to pick projects with an emphasis on job creation and capitol investment. The state also wants a local match for many of the projects.
Those criteria are steering more projects to the bigger communities that have deeper pockets and staffs to put together the applications.
I’ll have more on this in the coming days. But this is bad news for Orleans County.
Orleans is listed as recipient of some other multi-county initiatives including $62,050 through the Arts Council of Wyoming County to add culinary traditions to farmers markets and other agrarian, horticultural and rustic events. The initiative will expose market and festival goers to traditional foods and local chefs, according to state officials.
Orleans is listed as one of nine counties that would benefit form a $250,000 grant to High Tech Rochester Inc. The funding will help create a partnership between High Tech Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester to leverage each partner’s strengths to improve the breadth of services to all entrepreneurial activities in the Finger Lakes Region.
A grant that covers eight counties, including Orleans, will fund a regional watershed management plan through the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The $507,830 focuses on a watershed management plan for the Niagara River and Lake Erie.
CARLTON – Our photo posted here, which has recently come to light, was taken in 1888 from the top of the lighthouse at the Oak Orchard Harbor.
The building to the left was known as The Orleans House. The white building behind the trees is now the Black North Inn. Next to it is a mobile photographer’s wagon which advertises on its side, “Photography Car.”
This was a studio on wheels that would have been pulled around by a team of horses. The other buildings near it were part of the Selheimer & Beckwith lumber and coal business.
To the right we see the west pier where the lighthouse was located. A raised walkway for people leads to the lighthouse. It is perhaps John Kelley, the lighthouse keeper who is standing on the pier.
Note the number of iron cleats for boats to tie up. To the very far right in the distance is the lighthouse keeper’s house. This later became the Archbald residence.
The U.S. government gave up maintaining the lighthouse in 1904. The lighthouse was toppled in a wind storm in 1916.
Provided photos – Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life participants look for their loved ones’ names among the ornaments.
Press release
Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – Some Christmastime traditions are worth a bit of sacrifice, even withstanding frigid air for a half-hour or more. That’s just what more than 60 people did last Saturday as they witnessed the lighting of the Hospice of Orleans’ memorial tree on the front lawn of the Route 31 campus.
The annual Light-A-Life event provides a way for family and friends of people who have passed away – not just Hospice patients, and not only those who have died recently – to remember their loved ones, while also supporting Hospice of Orleans.
The tree is available to any for whom a measure of comfort can be found in paying tribute to a loved one in this manner. Light-A-Life participants purchase an ornament in memory or honor of their chosen designee.
The purchaser takes home an ornament for his/her own tree, and Hospice creates a paper laminated ornament for the outside tree, which was donated by Jerry and Carol Culhane of Gaines. Bill Downey of Albion donated his sign-making services to identify the tree’s meaning to passersby.
A crowd gathers for the annual Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 7.
Brandi Hazel DiMatteo attended in memory of her grandparents, Merle and Eleanor Hazel. “The tree lighting at Hospice used to be me and Grandma’s annual event to find Grandpa’s name on the tree. Unfortunately, I was looking for both their names this year. My aunt Linda Wilkins and I were there to show our love. We’re missing them everyday more and more.”
Hospice Board Member Craig Lape sang a solo rendition of the Alabama song, “Angels Among Us,” prompting tears from many present, some of whom quietly sang along.
Pastor Linda Haight, a Hospice spiritual care coordinator, offered a reflection about how grieving is still allowed, even at this merry time of year. Her meditation will be available on the Hospice website (www.hospiceoforleans.org – lower left, “Latest News”).
In addition to the Light-A-Life, Hospice is celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Martin-Linsin Residence this month. To help deck the halls, Albion Ace Hardware donated a 7.5-foot pre-lit Christmas tree for the main living area. Hospice friend Winnie Wawrzyniak donated a second tree, which is on display in the indoor courtyard. County House Christmas Trees contributed two fresh wreaths. And Walmart of Albion gave a gift card toward other Christmas decorations.
The piano students of Bonnie Heck of Lyndonville will be giving a recital at the Residence on Dec. 14. Eccles Piano Studio of Albion is hosting a Hospice benefit recital at the Albion Free Methodist Church on Dec. 20. In addition, various carolers and other visitors are planning appearances at the Residence. Even Santa is rumored to be stopping by.
“Having so many people pitch in is so heartening,” said Hospice Development Director Marsha Rivers. “That’s what makes this ‘the most wonderful time of year’ – not that everything is perfect, but that people open their hearts and their pocketbooks to help their neighbors. The reason we love Christmas is because Christmas is about love.”
Photo by Adam Krenning, Albion FFA advisor – Albion FFA members pose for a photo at their leadership retreat this past weekend. The group includes, from left: Sara Millspaugh, Kellie O’Hearn, Megan Rosato, Logan London, Kyle Smith, Dominic DiCureia, Brian Bentley, Brianna Caldwell, Mackenzie Luft, Vivian Rivers, Abigail Maines, Mikayla Yaskulski, Riley Kelly, Kelsee Soule and Jayne Bannister.
By Logan London and Vivian Rivers, Albion FFA members
This weekend 15 members of the Albion FFA earned the privilege to attend a Leadership Retreat at Oswegatchie Educational Center in Croghan, NY.
These dedicated students spent 48 hours working and living together in the middle of the snowy Adirondacks Mountains. With this experience they learned to trust each other, communicate with one another, and to step outside of each of their individual comfort zones.
From frustrating challenges (being lost and blind folded) to the more enjoyable games (having everyone write with one marker attached to 15 strings) this brought the group of kids together as a team. To challenge themselves, every student climbed 30 feet up a pine tree and zip lined across a pond on the camp’s property.
While avoiding the cold in the lodge, the members worked on a FFA informational project to bring home to present to the chapter. Overall, this experience allowed FFA members to spark new friendships, bring the kids together, and broaden their leadership skills.
Contributed Story Posted 10 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – A junior at Kendall won this year’s American Legion Oratorical Contest. Marisa Hanlon competed Saturday against winners from all five school districts in Orleans County.
Students needed to deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution. Hanlon and second-place winner Zach Shaffer of Albion advance to a regional competition on Jan. 12.
Participants are pictured after the event on Saturday at the Albion Middle School. The group includes, from left: Mikaela Cherry of Medina, Jacon Wachob of Lyndonville, Emily Radford of Holley, Jonathan Price of Kendall, Marisa Hanlon of Kendall, Zach Shaffer of Albion, and Paul Fulcomer, commander of the American Legion in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Theresa Nichols
ALBION – An Albion woman pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday to selling hydrocodone and other prescription narcotics.
Theresa S. Nichols, 51, of 209 North Main St. could face up to four years in state prison after she pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.
As part of the plea, Nichols’ maximum prison sentence will be reduced from 5 ½ years to four. She was charged on Oct. 1 with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Nichols has a prior criminal history. She admitted in court to selling hydrocodone to an undercover police officer.
Nichols was on social services and disability. She was selling prescription narcotics to supplement her income, her attorney Michael O’Keefe told County Court Judge James Punch.
She also faces a charge of felony welfare fraud in the third degree.
She remains in county jail on $25,000 bail. Judge Punch set a Feb. 24 sentencing for Nichols.
Her two sons also face numerous counts of criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance. The sons, along with their mother, were allegedly selling hydrocodone and tramadol pills, which were prescribed to the mother.
Joshua Nichols, 26, of 209 North Main St. appeared in county court on Monday. He was initially assigned a public defender, but Punch said Nichols earns too much money to qualify. He gave Nichols until Monday to hire an attorney.
In other cases in county court on Monday:
A Rochester woman was sentenced to four months of weekends in jail for selling cocaine.
Raquel T. Torrez, 34, of 256 Ave. D, Rochester was arrested on June 19 and charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. She pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Torrez is a cancer survivor who cares for five children, including a son with disabilities.
“I know you’re not the kingpin behind a drug operation, but you were fully involved,” Punch said during sentencing.
The judge was going to revoke her driver’s license, but issued a hardship waiver so she can drive to and from jail and take her son to physical therapy.
A Rochester woman was sentenced to a year in the county jail for felony driving while intoxicated.
Julie M. Makowski, 50, took a breath test two hours after being arrested on March 31 and registered a 0.15 blood alcohol content, nearly double the legal limit for driving drunk.
Punch said she also must install an interlock ignition device, which checks her BAC, on any vehicle she drives in the future. Her license to drive was revoked for a year.
An Appleton woman appeared in court on charges of third-degree grand larceny.
Dawn Papazian allegedly stole a horse trailer from Lynn-Ette and Sons farm in Kent. Judge Punch set $1,000 bail for Papazian, who is to reappear in court on Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Susie Gaylord, an administrative assistant at Hoag Library, helps serve hors d’oeuvres and entrees prepared by the Crooked Door during last Thursday’s Tasty Treats at the library.
Debbie Martillotta, co-owner of the Crooked Door with her husband Joe, is pictured at right.
The event is organized by the Friends of the Library and attracted about 60 people.
Tasty Treats started seven years ago and has become a popular tradition at the library, a way for the organization to express its thanks to the community, said organizer Grace Kent.
This year’s event included a silent auction for an oak chair from Swan Library that was painted by artist Cheryl Watson of Lyndonville. The winner will be announced on Dec. 23.
Joe Martillotta, center, talks to the group about some of the entrees at the Crooked Door. Mary Anne Braunbach, Friends president, is pictured at right by the podium.
