By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Dennis Piedimonte helped see county through big changes with voting machines
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick presents a special recognition award to Dennis Piedimonte who is retiring after 18 years as an elections commissioner.
Piedimonte was appointed as the Republican elections commissioner 18 years ago, succeeding Bob Batt.
Piedimonte and Helen Zelazny, the former Democratic elections commissioner, saw the county through implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. HAVA resulted in the end of the old lever voting machines and transition to new electronic machines that scanned ballots.
Piedimonte said he enjoyed working in the elections office with Zelazny, who was later succeeded by Janice Grabowski. Clara Martin and Eileen Aina have been deputy election commissioners, with Martin switching about a month ago to become confidential secretary for Sheriff Randy Bower. Dorothy Morgan is the new deputy elections commissioner.
“It’s been a wonderful 18 years,” Piedimonte said at Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. “We never once had an argument in the office. There were never any loud voices. I don’t know how many places can say that.”
The Legislature appointed Sylvia Shoemaker of Carlton to serve as elections commissioner. Shoemaker worked for the county for 17 years as a welfare fraud investigator. She is currently vice chairwoman of the Orleans County Republican Party. Her husband, Jim Shoemaker, is on the Carlton Town Board.
Sylvia has worked part-time the past four years as clerk in the BOE.
“I think she is an excellent selection,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “She served the county for many years already and did a wonderful job.”
Shoemaker will be paid $18,860 for the part-time position.
Orleans County legislators Fred Miller, left, and Bill Eick, right, are pictured with the county’s elections commissioners, Janice Grabowski, second from left, and Sylvia Shoemaker, who starts her new job on Feb. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s push to raise the minimum wage from $9 to $15 would cost New York hundreds of thousands of jobs and add to the onerous tax structure in the state, Orleans County legislators said on Wednesday.
New York just raised the minimum wage in three steps over three years from $7.25 to $9. That increase resulted in job losses in the county, the County Legislature said in a formal resolution opposing the proposed minimum wage hike.
“This proposed increase in minimum wage will also create pressure on local governments, as employers, to increase wages in order to attract workers,” legislators said.
Cuomo wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 in New York City on Dec. 31, 2018 and on July 1, 2021 for the rest of the state.
County legislators said the state’s tax cap only allows a 0.12 percent increase in taxes next year due to inflation. That is less than the 2 percent cap that was advertised by Cuomo and the State Legislature.
The wage pressure from Cuomo makes puts local government under strain to meet the tax cap. Legislators said local governments would likely be forced cut non-mandated programs for youth employment and senior citizens.
County Legislator Lynne Johnson serves on the board of directors for Orleans Community Health, parent organization for Medina Memorial Hospital. A $15 minimum wage would be a jolt to the hospital’s bottom line, she said.
“It is one more thing that could cripple our only county hospital,” she said.
Legislator Don Allport said the big jump in the minimum wage would force a lot of local businesses to close or not hire workers.
The County Legislature is sending its resolution to Cuomo and state legislators, asking the state officials to reconsider the proposal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Ron Albertson, one of the organizers of Rock the Park, is pictured during last year’s music festival at Bullard on July 25. This year’s event on Aug. 20 will run in cooperation with the Metro 10 race in Albion.
ALBION – The Village of Albion may have been denied a state grant for Bullard Park last month, but members of the “Rebuild Bullard” committee are determined to upgrade the park.
Committee members, led by the Albion Lions Club, would like to add new playground equipment this year.
“We’re trying to be part of the solution,” Ron Albertson, a Lions Club member, told the Village Board on Wednesday. “We’re trying lots of things to build up our little community.”
The third annual Rock the Park music festival will also be bigger this year on Aug. 20, Albertson said. That event will partner with the Metro 10 race in Albion and both events should feed off each other. The Metro 10 is a 10-mile race pitting runners from Rochester versus Buffalo. The race concludes at Bullard Park in a party-like atmosphere with a band and food.
Rock the Park will continue after the post-race party with several more bands playing until about 9 p.m.
The first Rock the Park drew about 200 people to the Elks Club. Last year was moved to Bullard and about 2,000 people attended, said Albertson, one of the event organizers.
“It’s getting more exciting with the Metro 10,” Albertson told the Village Board. “We’re thinking 4,000 to 6,000 people now.”
Albertson said his long-term goal would be to develop an amphitheater in the park for larger concerts at Bullard. He believes a concert series at the park with some big-name bands in the region could draw thousands of people to Albion.
They could park in the downtown and take shuttle buses to the park. That way the downtown merchants could benefit from the events.
Albion has tried three times for state grants to upgrade Bullard. The last grant application included a request to help develop a spray park. But Albion was denied.
“The Lions Club hasn’t given up on the park,” said Dale Brooks, a Lions Club member and former DPW superintendent for the village. “We’re still going forward with the park.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters from Albion and Medina are pictured on Sept. 11 during a memorial service on the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
ALBION – Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti worries about the future of the all-volunteer Albion Fire Department.
He said it is increasingly difficult to find volunteers able to spring into action for fire and other emergency calls. Many families have both parents working, and there are other demands on people’s time, making it a challenge to find volunteers who can put in the needed training, respond to calls and complete other tasks in the Fire Department.
Papponetti has seen the success of junior firefighter programs at other departments, including the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Shelby has welcomed a new wave of younger firefighters in recent years.
“We have to start this program or else we won’t have volunteers in the future and the village will need a paid fire department,” Papponetti told the Village Board on Wednesday.
Albion used to have an Explorer program but Papponetti said those participants were limited in what they could do in training.
“Our hands were tied with the Explorer program,” he said.
With junior firefighters, they can’t be interior firefighters, but they can take state firefighter courses and work towards becoming a certified firefighter. They are also covered through the Fire Department’s insurance program.
“We have to look at recruitment,” Papponetti told the Village Board.
The board gave Papponetti permission to pursue the program, although the board wants a final say after it sees the application process and more details.
Papponetti said the Fire Department responded to 430 calls in 2015 and already has been on 40 calls the first 27 days of 2016.
The fire chief also updated the board on the Fire Department’s new fire truck. It is expected to arrive and be in service in April. The new truck will replace two for the Albion Fire Department – a pumper from 1974 and a smaller truck used to respond to motor vehicle accidents. That truck from 2004 has extrication equipment.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
The unemployment rate for December 2015 in Orleans County was much better than December in the previous year, the state Department of Labor is reporting.
The county’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent last month, compared to 7.2 percent in December 2014. The DOL data shows 17,100 people were working in Orleans last month, compared to 16,500 in December 2014. There were 2,400 unemployed in the county last month, compared to 2,700 a year earlier.
State-wide the unemployment rate was 4.8 percent last month, the lowest level since November 2007.
In Orleans County, the rate actually went up last month compared to November 2015 when the rate was 5.5 percent.
Tompkins County has the lowest December unemployment rate in the state at 3.4 percent while Hamilton County, at 8.9 percent, is the highest.
Here are the unemployment rates for other nearby counties: Niagara, 5.8; Wyoming, 5.5; Monroe, 4.5; Livingston, 4.8; Genesee, 4.8; and Erie, 4.7.
Provided photos – Karen Blank talks healthy eating and fitness with Holley students.
Press Release, Holley Central School
HOLLEY – Karen Blank, owner of The Whole Approach in Holley, last month led Holley first and second graders through a workshop entitled “Healthy Snack Cooking & Games.”
Blank met with 24 students after school twice a week and taught them about nutrition, games to stay active, how to make their own healthy snacks and how to make healthy living choices.
The students were joined by their parents for the final workshop on Dec. 17, when they set the table together and prepared a healthy dinner of homemade ravioli and salad.
Families work on making homemade ravioli together.
Blank’s workshops were offered free to Holley students as part of the three-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant the district received last year. The school district regularly offers before- and after-school programs to grades K-12 students as part of its FIT4U! program, made possible by the PEP grant. The FIT4U! program focuses on teaching students about fitness and nutrition through a variety of activities and educational programs.
Students took pre- and post-tests evaluating how much they knew about healthy choices at the start and conclusion of the workshop. Their knowledge of healthy behaviors increased from 61 percent to 99 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Nicole Spohr is congratulated by Chief Deputy Michael Mele, left, and Undersheriff Chris Bourke this afternoon after she was named the Orleans County Employee of the Year. Spohr works as a senior civil clerk at the Sheriff’s Office.
ALBION – A senior civil clerk, who handles payroll for 90 Sheriff’s Office employees and serves in many capacities with the employee union, has been named the Orleans County employee of the year for 2015.
Nicole Spohr prepares the payroll with knowledge of two union contracts as well as the management compensation plan. It’s a complicated job, said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director.
He presented the award today to Spohr in the legislative chambers of the County Clerks Building during the County Legislature meeting.
Spohr has been a representative for her union since 2006, and serves on the union’s negotiating committee. She also has been on the Employee Assistance Program Committee since 2004, and has been the EAP treasurer since 2006.
She also helps plan the employee summer picnic and holiday luncheon, events that needed to be done in 2015 for the first time without the nursing home’s staff as a base.
“This employee is able to perform her duties and is willing to take on additional service to the county and to the county employees, always cheerfully with a can-do attitude,” Welch said.
Spohr was named employee of the month in February. Other employees honored with monthly awards in 2015 include Katherine Marks from Probation; Diana Kephart from Social Services; Claire Haulk from Social Services; Michael Mele from the Sheriff’s Office; James DeFilipps from the Sheriff’s Office; and Julie Vendetti from the Sheriff’s Office.
Welch said the employee of the year was picked from the pool of monthly winners. A committee looked at additional service by the employees since they were recognized with the monthly award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine, a senior at Albion, delivers the speech that won the Orleans County Oratorical Contest, as well as American Legion Oratorical District Competition in Buffalo on Jan. 10. He is shown giving the speech today at the Orleans County Legislature meeting. Legislator Ken DeRoller is at right.
Thaine and another Albion senior, Meredith Patterson, took the top two spots during the competition in Buffalo. They move on to the zone competition at Mt. Morris High School on Feb. 6.
Thaine gave a speech from memory today that was nearly 10 minutes long. He shared about his family lineage, a legacy of service that dates to soldiers serving in the Revolutionary War. One of his ancestors, John Proctor, was a key settler in Gaines and known as the Paul Revere of Ridge Road because he rode along the Ridge warning settlers that the British were coming during the War of 1812.
Other Thaine relatives served in World War II and the Korean War.
The Legion competition teaches leadership qualities and the history of our nation’s laws. The American Legion Oratorical Contest also teaches an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
The winner of the zone contest at Mount Morris will advance to Department Oratorical Contest held March 4-5 in Albany.
Kyle Thaine said he wants to be a history teacher for his career. He commended Patterson for advancing the zone competition as well.
Thaine and Patterson have both attended Legislature meetings before when they were seventh-graders in a service learning class. Those seventh-graders in 2011 helped fix up the cemetery for the former Alms “Poor” House on County House Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Three people have been backed to run for two trustee positions during the March 15 village elections.
Both Albion Republican and Democratic parties held caucuses on Tuesday evening to nominate candidates to fill open seats currently held by Peter Sidari and Gary Katsanis.
Gary Katsanis
Republicans supported Katsanis for a four-year term, while Democrats backed Sidari and political newcomer Mattea Navarra-Molisani.
There was light turnout at the caucuses with only six registered Republicans at the GOP caucus at the County Clerks Building, and 11 Democrats at Hoag Library.
Katsanis is the lone Republican candidate. He was elected to the board in March 2014 to fill the remaining two years of a term vacated by Fred Miller when he was elected county legislator.
Katsanis, 57, is retired after working in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica.
He said he brings an analytical approach to village business.
“I listen and then make an informed decision,” he said.
He said the village faces many issues, from upgrades at the water plant, downtown revitalization, keeping up with aging infrastructure and providing many other services. After two years on the board, Katsanis said the work is challenging.
“It’s a lot harder than I thought,” he said. “I can’t do it by myself.”
Katsanis said working with the Department of Transportation and other state agencies, even for what seems like simple projects with signage, takes effort and coordination.
The Democrats have two candidates with Sidari and Navarra-Molisani.
Sidari, 55, was elected to the board four years ago. He works as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District.
Peter Sidari
Sidari said the current board works well together and is moving along projects, including a solar installation at the sewer and water plants. He also is pleased there is more open dialogue with the Albion Town Board. He wants to have Gaines officials at the table so the community can look for ways to share services and make government services more affordable.
The DPW also is transitioning to a new leader with Dale Brooks, the former superintendent, now the Barre highway superintendent. Sidari said the village will be looking to hire a new superintendent.
He praised village department heads and employees for stepping up efforts to work with other communities. Albion runs Holley’s sewer plant under the direction of Aric Albright, and Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni also is serving as Holley’s police chief. Albright and Albion water and sewer personnel also are running Elba’s plants.
“That has helped bring in some resources to the village,” Sidari said.
Ultimately, the village needs more aid from the state to reduce taxes and continue the existing services, Sidari said. The state provides an average of $277 in per capita aid to cities through Aid and Incentives to Municipalities or AIM funding. Villages only get about $7 per capita.
The Village of Albion has 6,056 residents and receives $45,249 in state aid, or $7.47 per person. The city of Salamanca in Cattaraugus County has 5,815 people and receives $928,131 in AIM funding or $159.61 per person.
Mattea Navarra-Molisani
If the state gave villages $100 in per capita aid it would make a huge difference for Albion, Sidari said. The village has about 6,000 residents and $100 per person in Aim funding would mean $600,000 for the village.
“Nothing drives me crazier than the disparity in AIM funding,” Sidari said.
The Village Board passed a resolution last year, seeking more equity from the state with AIM. The governor’s budget proposal for 2016-17 doesn’t change how the money is divvied up.
Navarra-Molisani, 40, has worked 11 years for Claims Recovery Financial Services. She is currently a claims operation manager.
She is familiar with Housing and Urban Development regulations and thinks that federal department could bring resources into the village.
She said she would bring an attention to detail and a new perspective to the board.
“I think the Village Board could use fresh thoughts and new eyes,” she said.
Her family has long been involved in the community. Her father Vinny Navarra owns a downtown building that used to be home to CRFS before the company outgrew the site that is now home to a fitness center, hair salon and liquor store.
Navarra-Molisani said the village needs to work to retain its younger generation and make the community more attractive for younger families.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Main Street is pictured in downtown Albion in October 2015.
One measure of the local economy – sales tax revenue – showed Orleans County and much of Upstate New York lagged in 2015 compared to 2014.
The sales tax collections in Orleans dipped 1.5 percent or down $233,412, from $15,703,362 in 2014 to $15,469,950 last year, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
Not only does that show a decline in the local economy, but it means less money for the county government for services and to ease pressure on property taxes. (The county has budgeted a $250,000 increase in 2016 from the 2015 budgeted amount.)
Other smaller nearby counties also saw a decline. Genesee County was down 0.12 percent or by $47,206. Its sales tax receipts dropped from $37,994,929 to $37,947,723.
Wyoming County, which has nearly the same population as Orleans, declined 1.56 percent, from $16,853,447 to $16,591,138, a decrease of $262,309.
There are 62 counties in the state and 30 experienced negative growth in sales tax receipts in 2015, according to the New York State Association of Counties.
“According to NYSAC’s analysis, it is not clear whether these lower receipts are related to a lackluster economic growth, lower motor fuel and energy prices, minimal wage growth, household deleveraging (debt reduction vs. spending) or some combination of factors,” NYSAC said in a news release.
Overall, the counties combined saw sales tax increase 0.7 percent from $7.369 billion to $7.418 billion.
While upstate sales tax numbers were sluggish, New York City saw big growth, 7.3 percent, from $6.653 billion to $7.140 billion. State-wide, total sales tax was up 3.0 percent from $27.536 billion to $28.366 billion.
YATES – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley today issued a statement that he is opposed to the proposed Lighthouse Wind, a project that could include up to 71 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins also have opposed the project, and the Yates Town Board, Somerset Town Board, and Legislatures at Niagara, Orleans and Erie counties have all passed formal resolutions against the project.
The Yates Town Board went on the record Jan. 14, opposing the project by Apex Clean Energy.
“I will stand with the Town of Yates’ decision in opposition to the Apex Clean Energy Lighthouse, LLC project,” Hawley said in a statement this morning. “The town’s recently passed resolution is a perfect example of local government having complete autonomy over local issues. Local residents, leaders and elected officials know what’s best for their particular municipality, and I believe that is a cornerstone of good government. I have always been a strong advocate for local control and will support the Town of Yates in its decision.”
A siting board that will include five state officials and two representatives from the project area will review the proposal and have the final say. Many of the local officials have opposed the Article 10 process for siting the project, with a local board and zoning not being the ultimate factor in siting the project.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am
KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Town Board will continue to research and discuss solar energy options for the town.
Councilman Bruce Newell reported last week on NYS Affordable Solar /Community Distributed Solar – programs the state hopes will make solar easier and more affordable through community-driven initiatives.
Newell said the town is looking at “improving the energy situation,” and explained that he took part in a webinar in mid-December on the topic.
“There are two different approaches to get solar better distributed,” he explained.
The first approach includes additional support for low-income installations – households most in need of electricity cost reductions. Under this approach there is “double the amount of financial support” for installing solar in homes by helping homeowners overcome roadblocks such as not having the capital upfront for installation, Newell said.
The second aspect supports community distributed generation of shared solar. Newell said state programs provide opportunities for renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools and businesses to join together to set up shared solar projects.
In Kendall, for example, the fire department, post office, town hall and schools could band together for community-distributed generation, Newell explained. He noted there is also interest in solar energy on the county level.
Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata told Newell to continue his efforts exploring solar opportunities.
“Green energy continues to be a hot topic at the county, state and national level,” Cammarata said. “We’ve got be ahead of the game.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Captain Mike Maak retires after 27 ½ years with MFD
File photo – Medina firefighter Mike Maak, right, is pictured with Ridgeway Fire Chief Don Marchner last March during a pellet stove fire on Porter Road in Ridgeway.
MEDINA – Mike Maak, a captain in the Medina Fire Department who was instrumental in the department’s move to full-time ambulance services in Western Orleans County, has retired, effective Jan. 21.
Maak served 27 ½ years with the Fire Department, starting as a callman. Besides his role as captain, he also had been serving as officer in charge since Todd Zinkievich retired as fire chief last June.
“He’s done a lot for the village,” Deputy Mayor Mike Sidari said about Maak at Monday night’s Village Board meeting. “He was instrumental in the ambulance.”
The Fire Department replaced Rural Metro in July 2007 as primary ambulance provider in western Orleans County. The Department grew from six full-time firefighters to 13 as part of the transition and its call volume increased from about 300 a year to nearly 3,000.
Maak in recent years has pushed the Village Board to add more full-time firefighters to help handle the call volume and reduce overtime. He also ran for a county legislator position and lost to incumbent David Callard about four years ago.
Maak’s retirement opens another leadership position in the Fire Department. The Village Board will soon interview candidates for the fire chief’s job and expects to make an appointment next month, Sidari said. Then it will need to fill Maak’s captain position.
Filling those two positions will open two firefighter jobs if the positions are filled internally.
The Medina Police Department also has two full-time positions open, including a lieutenant’s position. Chad Kenward, the new police chief effective Dec. 27, announced that one patrolman, Ed Bower, is leaving Jan. 31 for a job at the Gates Police Department. The village is accepting another officer in a lateral transfer. However, two other positions need to be filled.
The Village Board will busy with interviews to fill some of the positions, and Sidari said existing staff will have to work more hours to cover all of the shifts.
The village should see some savings when the new firefighters and police officers are hired because they will start at lower salaries than the retiring personnel, Sidari said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with his wife Marie and their infant son Jake at the Orleans County Public Safety Building on May 19 during a recognition program.
ALBANY – An Orleans County deputy sheriff was named “Deputy of the Year” by the New York State Sheriff’s Association in Albany today.
Jim DeFilipps, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, was recognized for performing an act of valor and heroism, above the normal call of duty, the Sheriff’s Association said.
It was 3 a.m. on March 21 when DeFilipps was shot twice following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County.
DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A. Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun.
After the crash in Clarendon, Ellis fled to a nearby wooded area and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene. DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending his threat.
Police feared Ellis could have shot more officers on the scene if DeFilipps hadn’t been there. Ellis could have fled to a neighbor’s house.
DeFilipps as wearing a bullet-proof vest which likely saved his life. After recovering from his wound to his stomach, he returned to the night shift for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, where he has worked nearly 13 years.
Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with deputies Brian Larkin, left, and Kevin Colonna, who also responded to the March 21 incident with James Ellis. The deputies and other first responders were recognized during an April 22 County Legislature meeting.
DeFilipps, a Holley resident, did not attend the ceremony in Albany today because he and his wife just had a newborn baby.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower said DeFilipps will receive the award in the spring during a ceremony at the Orleans County Courthouse.
“It is absolutely a proud day for the Sheriff’s Department,” Bower said after the announcement this afternoon.
DeFilipps described the incident on March 21 in a previous extended interview with the Orleans Hub. Click here to read it.
The Sheriff’s Association named two deputies for the top award. Joe Tortorella, a Niagara County deputy, was the other winner.
Tortorella responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence in Wheatfield on April 17. While investigating the 911 call, Tortorella was confronted by an armed man who had just shot both his parents. During a lengthy shootout with the suspect, Tortorella was struck by a bullet in the chest.
The residence in Wheatfield was located next to an elementary school that was in session at the time of the incident. During the gun fight, Tortorella called dispatch over his radio to alert the school to lock-down. The suspect was shot three times, and ran back behind the house. Tortorella ran towards the school to place himself between the school and the suspect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am
BARRE – The Barre water tower, pictured on Saturday behind the fire hall on Route 98, is one of the landmarks in the town.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued wind advisory from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today for Orleans County, as well as Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.
Southwest winds will be 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph, the Weather Service said.
“Winds of this magnitude will typically result in isolated minor property damage and localized power outages,” according to the Weather Service. “Remember to secure loose objects outside.”
