By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Lyndonville Elementary School is again a center for learning. The building was closed by the district after the 2011-12 school year. It is being used this summer for a migrant education program.
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE A year after Lyndonville closed its elementary school due to a falling enrollment, the building is again alive with the sounds of children and teachers.
This summer there will be 120 students from grades K to 8 learning to read, write and do arithmetic – as well as participating in art and physical education. The students are in the migrant education project through Brockport State College. The college is sending students from Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties for the six-week program that started yesterday and runs until Aug. 9.
“This is beneficial to everybody,” said Jason Smith, the Lyndonville district superintendent. “It’s great to see the school used again. The last thing the Board (of Education) wanted to see was the building sit underutilized.”
Brockport is paying Lyndonville $10,000 to use the building for the program. Brockport is also is working out transportation for the students and is paying a food service provider. There are 10 teachers and 10 teachers aides working in the program.
The money for leasing the building should cover the utilities for the school year at the site that was closed after the 2011-12 school year.
The school was down to 100 students in grades three and four, and a special education class during its last year. Those classes and grades were shifted to the main campus where all grade levels are now in one building.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2013 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The Board of Education has reached a two-year contract with the Medina Teachers’ Association, an agreement that gives teachers an average of 1.5 percent annual raises and also is projected to save the district $770,000 in health insurance costs over the two years.
The board on Monday also approved a five-year contract with Jeff Evoy, the district’s superintendent of schools. Evoy started as the district’s top administrator in Nov. 1, 2011. He signed a contract then for three years and seven months.
The new five-year deal is effective the beginning of the current 2013-14 school year.
“We talked about long-term and we wanted consistency,” Evoy said today. “I want to retire here.”
Evoy’s contract calls for modest salary increases of 2 percent each of the first two years, then 1.5 percent, 0.68 percent and 0.67 percent the final year. His pay will go from $142,800 this school year and end at $149,841 in 2017-18.
The contract with teachers will only be for two years because both the Board of Education and the union want to see the impact of Obamacare on the district’s health insurance costs, Evoy said.
He praised the teachers for stepping up to help with the district’s health insurance costs. The union agreed to a less costly point of service plan, and all teachers will now pay towards a share of the premiums.
Teachers also agreed to two additional work days during the 2013-14 school year and three more work days during the 2014-15 school year. These days may be used for professional development and increased instructional time for students.
“I would very much like to thank the leadership of the Teachers’ Association for the professional approach to these talks and to the recognition that these are very different and difficult financial times,” Evoy said. “This agreement will allow the district to move forward in a financially responsible manner, rewarding unit members for their efforts while keeping students and student learning as its top priority.”
Joe Byrne, the union president, said the contract will keep the district focused on educating Medina students.
“Through the negotiations process, our number one priority was to maintain present – and ensure future – programs for our students,” he said.
ALBION Marsha Rivers is the newest member of the Hospice of Orleans team. She joined the staff as Director of Development and Community Relations on June 17.
Rivers has been working in Albion since 2008 at Care Net of Greater Orleans, a pregnancy resource center. She served as Care Net’s part-time executive director from 2009 until this summer, when she joined Hospice full time.
As successor to Cora Goyette, who retired in March following the successful campaign to build the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence, Rivers will be reinforcing support for the residence as well as all the vital services Hospice of Orleans provides, including home care, transitions, and bereavement assistance for our community.
“I consider it a high honor to be part of Hospice,” Rivers said. “I agree wholeheartedly with the hospice philosophy of considering all aspects of a person’s needs as they navigate life-limiting illness. Also, it’s a real blessing for me to have meaningful work so close to home.”
Rivers’ first public appearance for Hospice will be the Ducks Ahoy Race at 3 p.m. on July 4 in Johnson’s Creek, as part of the Lyndonville Lions’ Annual Independence Day Celebration. Duck tickets, each one representing a chance to win cash prizes donated by Baxter of Medina, are for sale at the Hospice office, 14080 Route 31 West, or at the Hospice booth near the creek in downtown Lyndonville on July 4.
An Orleans County native, Rivers graduated from Albion High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. She worked as a reporter for the Batavia Daily News before returning to her alma mater, where she filled several roles, including admissions, alumni relations, public relations and marketing, ultimately serving as editor of the college magazine, Roberts Today, for nine years. During that time, Rivers also earned her master’s degree in theological studies, with a concentration in nonprofit leadership and management, from Northeastern Seminary.
Editor’s note: Marsha Rivers is married to Tom Rivers, editor of OrleansHub.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Medina resident who allegedly stole $20,000 in lottery tickets was offered a plea deal on Monday that would result in no more than six months in county jail plus five years of probation.
Kim Capstick and Orleans County Court Judge James Punch will consider the deal that will come with restitution. Capstick can make an offer on restitution or Punch can set a hearing to determine the amount.
Capstick worked Curvin’s News and Smoke Shop in Medina from February 2011 to June 2012 when the alleged thefts occurred.
She has been charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and could face 1 1/3 to four years in state prison.
In other cases Monday in County Court:
Judge Punch set $250,000 bail or bond for Robert W. Tetrault, 32, of Albion, who is currently in the Orleans County Jail. During a court appearance June 25 at Albion Town Court, Tetrault allegedly threatened a witness while he was being escorted from the courtroom. Punch also issued an order of protection for that person.
Tetrault was charged in May for second-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and unlawful possession of marijuana.
A Lyndonville man pled guilty to driving while intoxicated and could face 1 to 3 years in state prison.
Jeremy H. Boyce, 30, of 32 Maple Ave. will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 19. He was charged on March 31 for driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to use an interlock device, aggravated unlicensed operator, aggravated unlicensed operator, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.
Boyce has a prior DWI from Oct. 3, 2011. He faced a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison for the March 31 DWI, but now is looking at a maximum of 1 to 3 years.
We’ve published hundreds of photos on The Hub in the past three months, and many of the site visitors say they enjoy the photography the most. My favorite picture was published on our first day – April 2.
It shows Baillie Oberther, 16, of Medina being crowned queen of Dyngus Day during a celebration at Sacred Heart Club. Bonnie Boyd, last year’s queen, passes on the crown.
I like their happy faces and the intergenerational bonding. I like that Medina keeps up the Dyngus Day tradition, and that it is embraced by people of all ages.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2013 at 12:00 am
GAINES Three projects – the renovation of a historic brick house, the conversion of a home into a labor camp, and the construction a new camp for farmworkers – are all before the town Zoning Board of Appeals.
Town residents can air their views about three projects during public hearings and meetings in the next month.
Ray Burke is working to convert a single-family house at the corner of routes 98 and 104 into a co-op for high-end crafters and artists. Burke plans to add a driveway to the south of the building that will be accessible to Route 98. He also is planning a parking area for about 15 vehicles.
Burke is seeking a permit to run the business in the town’s commercial and historic overlay district. There will be a hearing on July 16. That will follow a 7 p.m. hearing on one of the labor camp projects. The Orleans County Planning Board will review Burke’s project during its 7 p.m. meeting on July 25. The Gaines ZBA will then meet 7 p.m. Aug. 5 to vote on it.
Burke and a group of volunteers have been working on the 3,000-square-foot house, which was built around 1840, for several months. They still have a lot of work to do, Burke told the ZBA on Monday night. He would like to be open in the fall, but that may be too ambitious.
He believes the project will complement the cobblestone historic district, which includes the Cobblestone Society Museum, Tillman’s Village Inn and several nearby antique dealers.
“There are a lot of people who do nice things craft-wise, but they have no place to show their wares,” he said.
Two fruit growers also are trying to establish housing for their seasonal workers, who come to pick apples for about 10 weeks in the fall.
Kast Farms wants to add four manufactured housing units, with a capacity of eight people in each building, at 2824 Densmore Rd. The manufactured housing buildings are about 1,000 square feet – 14 by 76 feet. They each include two bathrooms.
The town will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. July 17 on the project. Kast is seeking a variance to have a maximum of eight people per unit, which is two more than the town’s standard. Kast’s orchard manager Gary Davy said the units are designed for up to eight people.
The project also needs a variance because Kast wants to set the manufactured units on a piers rather than a full foundation. Gaines’ zoning requires a full foundation, but HUD standards allow the piers, said Roger Kopas, the town’s code enforcement officer.
Oded Kalir of Brockport also is working to add farmworker housing in Gaines at 13105 Eagle Harbor-Knowlesville Rd. Kalir wants to convert an existing single-family house into farmworker housing. The house currently isn’t in an agricultural district but Kalir has applied to have it added to County Agricultural District No. 3.
Because the project isn’t in a certified ag district, he needs a permit. The ZBA set a hearing for 7 p.m. July 16 at the town hall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Chet Wheelock flew over his farm and rural Carlton last night
Photo by Tom Rivers – Chet Wheelock takes off over his farm on Kent Road. He was joined by his daughter Peggy Bropst, grandson Jeremy Mikels and great-grandson Mason Mikels. Greg Livadas of Penfield piloted the balloon.
Photos courtesy of Peggy Bropst – The shadow of the balloon appears in a cornfield.
KENT – He waited a long time to finally go up in the air, and Chet Wheelock says his debut hot-air balloon ride surpassed his expectations.
“It was wonderful,” Wheelock said today after his journey in the sky last night aboard the “Yeowza” balloon piloted by Greg Livadas of Penfield.
Wheelock, an 82-year-old farmer, was given the trip as a Father’s Day present. It had to be postponed until the weather cooperated.
Wheelock flew over the trees with his daughter Peggy Bropst, grandson Jeremy Mikels and great-grandson Mason Mikels.
“You don’t feel any wind up there,” Wheelock said. “You’re traveling with the wind. It’s as still as can be.”
The balloon took off over his farm on Kent Road and passed over cornfields, the Oak Orchard River, Brown’s Berry Patch, and the Harbor Pointe Country Club before settling at the Riverview Camp Site on Park Avenue in Waterport. They were up in the air about an hour.
Afterwards, they celebrated the voyage with cheese, crackers and some champagne.
“It was great, Wheelock said. “I’d love to do it again.”
Photos by Peggy Bropst – The balloon travelled near the Oak Orchard River, where you can see two of the bridges and Brown’s Berry Patch to the left.
Chet Wheelock sits on the packed-up balloon. His grandson Jeremy Mikels is at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Ron Mathes
ALBION – In 2000, a contractor was hired to climb to the top of the 175-foot-high spire at the Albion First Presbyterian Church, part of an inspection and repointing of the steeple.
Ron Mathes of Holley asked one of the workers to take up a camera and get some shots from up high.
Mathes, a retired Postal Service worker in Albion, unearthed these photos and shared them with The Orleans Hub.
“I watched the man climb the steeple using a long rope which he would throw around the steeple and work his way up like a lumberjack,” Mathes wrote in an email. “After the first day, he used a chair-platform that was suspended from a pulley. I was talking with him one day, and he offered to take my camera up and snap some photos for me.”
Mathes saved the photos on floppy discs. The images were recently moved to his PC.
“I especially like the close up of the top of the steeple,” Mathes said. “From the ground you have no idea how big it really is.”
The last picture shows the very top of the steeple.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Joyce Powell allegedly wrote a song about the crime in 1992
ALBION – Two years after she was sentenced to 25 years to life for a drug-related slaying, Joyce Powell is working on an appeal. Her attorney wants to examine critical evidence that led jurors to convict her.
Powell in 1992 allegedly shot John Rutledge, 37, of Rochester and dumped his body in a ditch along Sawyer Road in Carlton. The murder was a cold case for 19 years until 2011.
The most damning evidence against Powell may have been a cassette tape that was seized from a car driven by Powell in 1992. She was stopped in Ontario County. The tape include a song that Powell allegedly wrote and sang that details how she murdered Rutledge, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
The song was on a store-bought music tape. The tape sat in evidence storage for nearly two decades. Investigators didn’t play it until January 2011.
During the trial, experts studied the tape for authenticity, and deemed it hadn’t been altered, Cardone said. Musical friends of Powell also said it was her voice on the tape, he said.
Powell’s attorney Marcel Lajoy of Albany wants to have the tape studied again. He was in Orleans County Court this afternoon with Powell, and asked Judge James Punch to allow Lajoy’s experts to look at the tape to make sure it’s authentic.
Cardone doesn’t want to let the original tape out of his possession.
Punch didn’t issue a ruling today.
Powell was a high-profile anti-violence leader in Rochester in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, that image changed in 2007 when she was convicted of brutally assaulting a woman. Powell was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for burglary and assault for that crime.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Five Orleans districts to receive $3.2 million more
Photo by Tom Rivers – Albion Central School officials say they will be able to preserve their programs at the middle school (pictured) and other schools in the 2013-14 budget.
District
2012-13
2013-14
Increase
Albion
$20,389,686
$21,203,440
$813,754 (4.0 %)
Holley
$10,879,581
$11,621,917
$742,336 (6.8 %)
Kendall
$8,273,703
$8,826,811
$553,108 (6.7 %)
Lyndonville
$6,066,589
$6,357,344
$290,755 (4.8 %)
Medina
$18,008,806
$18,812,657
$803,851 (4.5 %)
Orleans County
$63,618,365
$66,822,169
$3,203,804 (5.0 %)
Source: NYS Division of the Budget
State aid increases are making life a little easier for school leaders this budget go-round.
The five districts in Orleans County will receive between 4 and nearly 7 percent more in state funds next school year, according to the state budget approved last week. That follows two years of meager increases. The districts were all cut significantly when David Paterson was governor. The state sliced education spending by nearly $3 billion state-wide during Paterson’s tenure.
“With the latest aid increases we are now back to the funding levels of 2009,” said Clark Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans-Niagara BOCES.
The 13 districts in the Orleans-Niagara BOCES cut 700 positions during the school funding crisis over the past five years, Godshall said. Some of those reductions were made due to shrinking enrollments. But many teachers, administrators and staff lost their jobs because districts were contending with rising costs and tepid revenue growth. The state also imposed a tax cap of about 2 percent on local governments.
“With the tax cap you were forced to reduce,” Godshall said.
State-wide education funding is up nearly $1 billion for about 700 school districts. The five districts in Orleans County collectively will receive $3.2 million more in operating aid, or a 5.0 percent increase to $66.8 million.
“We will be able to preserve all of our programs,” said Shawn Liddle, Albion Central School assistant superintendent for business. “We’re always grateful for the aid we receive from New York State.”
State and federal governments pay for about 80 percent of the district’s $33 million annual budget. The state budget gives Albion about $800,000 more in operating aid for 2013-14.
Although programs will be maintained, Liddle said the Finance Committee is eyeing some staff cuts to mirror a drop in student enrollment. The committee will make its budget recommendation to the Board of Education during Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting.
The district went the past six years without raising taxes. Albion cut staff and tapped reserve funds to stave off a tax increase during that time. But Liddle said the committee is looking at a 1.5 percent tax increase for 2013-14, which will be under the 2 percent cap.
Lyndonville also expects to preserve all of its programming and stay under the tax cap, said Board of Education President Ed Urbanik.
Rather than dig deeper into its reserve funds, the district can preserve those funds due to the increase in state aid. That gives Lyndonville a cushion with the uncertainties with health care costs, Urbanik said.
Rural schools have been lobbying the state to boost funding the past several years. Rural districts say they were disproportionately hit hard with the state funding cuts under Paterson.
Educate NY Now, an advocacy group of school stakeholders throughout NY, praised the new state budget, particularly the sizable increases for some districts. But Billy Easton, executive director for the Alliance for Quality Education, said the state needs to do more to help school districts, especially those in rural areas.
“There remain urgent educational needs that must be addressed, such as closing the now widening gulf in educational opportunities between wealthy and poor schools,” he said in a statement. “Legislators are getting the message loud and clear that our schools are in crisis. This budget will slow the rate of classroom cuts, not stop it.”
