news

Medina hospital wants to seize ‘window of opportunity’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Leaders of Medina Memorial Hospital see an opportunity to attract more doctors and patients following the closing of Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport.

MEDINA – It doesn’t happen too often on the local health care landscape, a chance for a rural hospital to grow and have money to invest in capital improvements.

But Medina Memorial Hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health, have a narrow window to position the organization for a long-term future in the county, said Bruce Krenning, chairman of the organization’s board of directors.

The organization has about $4 million in a reserve account from the sale of the Orchard Manor Nursing Home. It also has one less competitor for local health care services following the closing of Lakeside Memorial Hospital.

“We have this window of opportunity and we need to seize it and go forward,” Krenning said today, a day after Jim Sinner resigned as CEO and the board hired a health management firm to serve as interim management and also work as a consultant.

HealthTech Management Services will provide management support for the hospital and Orleans Community Health, while performing an assessment of the organization.

The firm is based in Franklin, Tenn. and manages 20 small hospitals, including one other one in New York, the Adirondack Medical Center. HealthTech provides consulting services to 60 other hospitals.

Mike Lieb flew up from Dallas and met with staff and the media today. He will be temporary CEO until Dolores Horvath begins as interim CEO on July 8. She works for HealthTech and is completing another assignment for the company.

A day after CEO Jim Sinner resigned from Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health, a new team met with hospital staff on Tuesday. Bruce Krenning, board chairman for OCH, is pictured at left with Diane Bradley, regional clinical coordinator, and Mike Lieb, temporary CEO.

HealthTech will bring a fresh perspective to Medina’s organization, perhaps finding ways to utilize proven strategies from other hospitals, Lieb said. He also expects to learn from Medina’s operation, and take some of its strengths to other healthcare organizations, which are trying to maximize narrow profit margins.

Both Lieb and Krenning want to assure the public that the Medina hospital is on solid financial ground.

“This is not something to panic over,” Lieb said. “We see a lot of potential here.”

That’s why Orleans Community Health hired a firm to assess the hospital’s current operations and identify opportunities for growth and long-term sustainable, Krenning said today.

The hospital recently expanded to Albion with a healthcare facility at Butts Road and Route 31. The timing of that center, with the closing at Lakeside, has Medina poised to reach out to Albion and eastern Orleans. Lieb and hospital leaders will meet with physicians affiliated with Lakeside, urging them to align with Medina and Orleans Community Health.

“We’ll talk with the area physicians as fast as we can,” Lieb said.

The University of Rochester Medical Center announced last week it is buying Lakeside’s Brockport hospital and plans to reopen it in August as “Strong West.” Krenning expects the organization will make a push for patients in Orleans.

He believes Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health have made several good moves recently, upgrading technology at the hospital, expanding to Albion and selling Orchard Manor.

HealthTech has an experienced team that can help Medina and OCH capitalize on its assets and make any other needed improvements, Krenning said.

HealthTech will provide the CEO for at least the interim, but the remainder of the management team at Medina will stay. The board of directors also retains control of the organization, Krenning and Lieb said.

“We won’t be cramming something down their throats that doesn’t work for the community,” Lieb said.

OCH may eventually pick a long-term CEO affiliated with HealthTech or it could go outside that organization. HealthTech offers a lot of advantages for the Medina Memorial and OCH during this transition, Krenning said.

“The strongest benefit will be having outside eyes,” he said about HealthTech’s role. “They have tremendous experience.”

Waldo hunt will highlight Albion businesses

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore in Albion, has organized a “Where’s Waldo” event for July that highlights 23 Albion businesses.

ALBION – A fictional character will write a chapter for Albion businesses next month, when shoppers are urged to visit merchants to find Waldo.

The elusive character, with black-rimmed glasses and striped shirts, will be at 23 Albion businesses from July 1-31. If shoppers can find him in 10 spots, they will be eligible for prizes and coupons.

Each participating shopper will receive a passport with addresses of businesses in the game. If shoppers can find Waldo in 20 spots, they will be eligible for the grand prize. Mayor Dean Theodorakos will pull the name from a basket on July 31. The winner receives a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore, organized the event. The passport with a list of participating businesses is at her store at 28 West Bank St. She said the promotion is a great summer vacation activity, and a way to support local businesses.

Waldo’s American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including Bindings Bookstore, for some hide-and-seek fun while promoting local businesses.

For more information, call Bindings Bookstore at 585-283-4498.

Hawley says NY’s ‘anti-business climate’ driving out companies

Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Responds to shutdown by Medina manufacturer in 2014

Press release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

MEDINA – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, lamented the loss of 174 jobs through the announced closure of the Bernz-O-Matic manufacturing plant in Medina.

Worthington Industries, owners of Bernz-O-Matic, indicated that local employees would have the opportunity to transfer to the company’s plant in Wisconsin, which served as little consolidation for proud local residents, Hawley noted. The assemblyman has reached out to Worthington Industries Chairman and CEO John McConnell to discuss the best ways to mitigate the economic damage in Medina.

“The news of Bernz-O-Matic’s closure is heartbreaking for the people employed at the plant, their families and all of us across Orleans County,” Hawley said. “Our immediate priority must be to help those affected find new work here in our community as quickly as humanly possible. I offer my deepest regrets to all of Bernz-O-Matic’s employees and pledge my full support in working through this difficult time.”

Coming on the heels of Chase Bank’s call center closure, Hawley lamented the job-killing policies forced on Western New York by out-of-touch lawmakers at the Capitol.

“How many more local jobs must be lost; how many more local families have to suffer before the Capitol lawmakers see the destruction that New York ’s anti-business climate causes?” Hawley said.

“Runaway taxes, overregulation and regressive policies have run countless job creators out of our community, yet legislative leaders continue to repeat the mistakes of old that have left our hardworking families out in the cold,” he said. “It’s time to open our eyes and change our courses before Western New York ’s families are forced to watch another company take their jobs across state lines.”

Record runners boost Albion event’s charitable donations

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Ryan Lubba was the “Strawberry” during the June 8 race in Albion.

ALBION – A record field of runners, 274 in all, is allowing Strawberry Festival race organizers to share more money with three local missions.

The 5-kilometer and 8-kilometer races on June 8 drew the biggest field of runners since the race started more than two decades ago. The race features a runner dressed as a strawberry. If runners can beat the strawberry – this year 2007 Albion grad Ryan Lubba wore the outfit – they win a prize.

This year’s race included 100 “day-of” registrations that pushed the number of runners to a record high.

The race is organized by the recently formed “Albion Running Club,” which is headed by local runner and businessman Brian Krieger. (He was the Strawberry two years ago.) The club includes many members of the Albion Free Methodist Church.

The 5k and 8k course started at the Orleans County Courthouse, and wound through the canal neighborhoods, with the last stretch of the race following the Erie Canal towpath and ending at the Courthouse Square.

With the record number of runners, the proceeds from this year’s race outweighed the committee’s expectations. The group shared $2,100 in proceeds with Care Net of Greater Orleans and the Community Kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church, plus funding to help a local group from the Free Methodist churches in Albion and Brockport go on a missions trip to Haiti.

State restores $90M in programs for disabled residents

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said $90 million that was targeted in cuts to the agency that serves people with disabilities has been restored by the state Legislature. He addressed supporters of The Arc of Orleans County on Monday when quad-amputee John Robinson visited as part of his bike ride across the Erie Canal.

ALBION – For three months State Assemblyman Steve Hawley has been railing against the state’s plan to chop $90 million in funding from programs that support people with disabilities.

The money has been restored due to bipartisan efforts in the state Legislature, Hawley told supporters of The Arc of Orleans on Monday.

Grass-roots advocates from throughout the state pressed the state to restore the funding for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Hawley and sate legislators said the $90 million in cuts, which was approved in the current state budget, can be made up for through management efficiencies or an influx of cash.

The state’s tax revenue is exceeding projections for the year, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently announced. Hawley also said the $90 million came partly at the expense of offering tax incentives to Hollywood movie producers. One of those producers called him to say the industry would film in New York without the incentives.

“Many of the individuals who receive assistance through these programs are among the most vulnerable in our society, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the care and support they need,” Hawley said. “During the budget process, I spoke out against these cuts and supported an amendment which could have restored the funds at that time. I had genuine concerns about the impact it would have on the providers and those receiving care.”

The $90 million funds programs state-wide for disabled residents. The money will allow The Arc of Orleans to “protect existing service levels,” said Kellie Spychalski, agency executive director.

She praised Hawley and state Sen. George Maziarz “for their steadfast work on behalf of the thousands of children and adults with disabilities throughout New York State.”

Medina hospital CEO resigns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Sinner led organization during time of growth and change

MEDINA – Jim Sinner, CEO of Medina Memorial Hospital and its parent organization Orleans Community Health the past 15 years, resigned on Monday.

The board of directors has hired HealthTech Management Services to manage the hospital and healthcare organization, an agreement that could be as short as six months or as long as three years, with chances to extend the relationship beyond this initial contract.

HealthTech will provide interim management support, help assess the hospital’s current operations and identify options to assure “a strong strategic future for continued healthcare services in the Orleans County region,” according to a statement from the hospital.

Sinner resigned to pursue other career opportunities, said Bruce Krenning, the board chairman.

“The board appreciates Jim Sinner’s 15 years of service to Orleans Community Health and wishes him the best,” Krenning said.

Orleans Hub will post more information, including an interview from the interim CEO, soon.

Carlton man, injured in explosion a month ago, dies

Posted 25 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department

CARLTON – A Carlton man injured in an explosion at his home last month died on Monday, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Wesley R. Baes, 75, died at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he had been hospitalized since the May 17 incident.

Baes was operating an acetylene torch in an attempt to patch a hole in a 200-gallon above ground gasoline tank. The tank had been drained, but there were residual vapors that ignited and caused the explosion at his home, 12905 South Hillcrest Drive.

Baes sustained severe burns and was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.

The original incident was investigated by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and that investigation now shifts to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Suhr wins U.S. Championships

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2013 at 12:00 am

She set world best for 2013 the previous week in Lyndonville

Tom Rivers, file photo – Jenn Suhr of Kendall is shown May 31 in the first of three New York Invite Series at the White Birch Golf Course.

DES MOINES – Jenn Suhr is the U.S. national champ in pole vaulting. Again. Make that 14 times.

Suhr topped the American field Sunday during the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. She cleared 15 feet, 5 inches on a hot and humid night.

She qualified for the world championships in August. She will compete on the home turf of two-time Olympic gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva.

Suhr, a resident of Kendall, in the previous three weeks competed in Lyndonville at the White Birch Golf Course, which is owned by her brother-in-law Harold Suhr. He turned a fairway into a runway for the vaulters.

Those sanctioned events were part of the New York Invite Series. Suhr on June 14 established the world outdoor best for the year with a 16-1 jump at the White Birch.

Slew of projects approved for downtown Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Businesses will upgrade buildings as part of Main St. grant

Photos by Tom Rivers – The third floor opera house at 118 North Main St. will be brought up to code in a project by Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler.

ALBION – Contractors will soon go to work on several historic buildings in downtown Albion, giving upgrades to the exteriors that are in line with the character from a century ago while modernizing the infrastructure inside some of the structures.

The improvements are part of a $477,000 Main Street grant approved for Albion by the state in December 2011. The grant matches money by the building owners for projects. Albion Main Street Alliance is working to have the projects complete by the end of September.

The work needs to pass the state Historic Preservation Office and also the local Albion Historic Preservation Commission. SHPO has signed off on most of the work. The local commission approved a slew of projects at its meeting on Thursday.

The projects include:

114-118 North Main St., the Pratt and Day buildings owned by Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler.

The interior of 114 North Main will have new insulation between the second and third floors, a high-energy HVAC system on the first floor, AC on the third floor and a new commercial space on the third floor. That space will have a cleaned brick wall and repointed soft mortar. The site will receive a new sanitary line, plumbing and electrical systems, and other improvements.

Vincent Navarra will replace some of the mortar at this building at 10 North Main St.

The ornamental castings on the east face will be removed, cleaned and repainted, and then reattached in their original locations. Damaged mortar on a chimney will be removed and repointed with a soft lime mortar. Some brick will be replaced. The roof line will be resealed and some portions of the roof will be sealed and coated, with repairs made to damaged sections.

The east façade at 114 North Main will be repainted on the first, second and third stories with the first and second stories repainted on the west façade.

The first floor belt courses (display areas under plate glass) will be removed and the original materials will be repaired and repainted. A cracked plate glass display window will be replaced on the east façade.

Bonafede and Koehler will replace steel shutters, replace a metal door from the rear entry with a wooden one, and put in a new door at a rear entrance that was sealed by a previous owner. The couple will also add exterior safety lighting, and complete a fire escape.

118 North Main, the site of the former opera house building, will have exterior ornamental castings cleaned and repainted. Chimneys and roofs will be repaired, and painted windows will be washed and scraped, and then repainted with two coats of paint.

Bonafede and Koehler will repair and repaint the belt courses on the first floor facades, and windows will be repaired and reglazed. A ladder for the first floor of the fire escape on the north side of the building will be added so the fire escape is complete.

The building owners also will add exterior lighting in Beaver Alley, will add 15 fire doors on the first and second floors, HVAC on the first and second floors, and a second floor performance room will be brought up to code with upgraded electrical wiring.

The third flood opera house will have the hardwood floor patched, windows stripped and repainted, stone walls repointed, and two separate electrical services installed – one for audience space and one for the stage.

10 North Main St., a building owned by Vincent Navarra, will have damaged mortar joints replaced on the west façade facing Main Street, the south façade and side facing Liberty Street. He will repoint with soft mortar.

Nathan Lyman will replace windows in his building (the one with green paint) at 51 North Main St.

18 North Main Street, a building owned by Vincent Navarra will have the existing vinyl siding replaced with steel siding. The drywall underneath will be replaced with plywood. Navarra will also remove old tile on the first and second floors and add carpet and a new air-conditioning system.

132 North Main St., a building owned by Jim Theodorakos, will be repainted and a broken window will be replaced.

138 North Main St., owned by Braunbach-DeCarlo Inc., will have a 20-year-old flat rubber roof replaced with a new one.

Five Star Bank, 102 North Main St. will be repainted and the rear entrance accessibility will be enhanced with steps and a new hand rail.

4 North Main St., the former Swan Library will replace 17 deteriorating aluminum storm windows with new ones, and will repair 15 wooden storm windows. The library will also test for asbestos in tiles on the second floor, remove it and refinish the hardwood floors underneath the tile.

51 North Main St., owned by Lyman and Lyman. Attorney Nathan Lyman will remove and restore 10 windows on the third floor, six more on the rear and will recoat the roof. Lyman will also repair the green-painted plywood panels on the first floor façade and scrape, prime and repaint the interior of the first and second floor hallways and stair treads.

59 North Main Street, owned by Corey and Marilyn Black. The owners will remove damaged mortar and repoint the south and west façades. Any damaged bricks will be replaced.

Cyclist wants to inspire people to ‘get up and get moving’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2013 at 12:00 am

John Robinson, a quad-amputee, is riding the Erie Canal

Photos by Tom Rivers – John Robinson of Albion leads caravan of bike riders, including his son Owen, front left, to a reception outside the former Albion Grammar School, which is now used for senior apartments and services for The Arc of Orleans County and senior citizens.

John Robinson addresses about 50 people at a reception organized by The Arc of Orleans County. Robinson was presented proclamations by Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick, a representative for State Sen. George Maziarz and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

ALBION – John Robinson pushed a 3-wheeled adaptive hand cycle 27 miles today in the hot sun.

Robinson doesn’t have any arms or legs. But he kept the recombinant hand cycle moving.

He is on a journey for 16 days across the 363-mile Erie Canal, a trip he is doing to raise awareness for people with disabilities and promote adaptive sports for amputees.

“No matter what your age, no matter what your ability, no matter how tired or how discouraged you may feel, we can all do it,” Robinson told about 50 people during a reception in his honor at Albion. “We can get up and get moving and achieve.”

Robinson is joined on the trip by his wife of 19 years Andrea, their 15-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. Robinson’s son suggested the canal trip for his father, CEO of “Our Ability,” an organization that strives to connect people with disabilities to job and educational opportunities.

John Robinson and his wife Andrea were presented this quilt featuring local historical sites by Nicole Tuohey, second from right, and Erica Francis, who participate in the day rehabilitation program at The Arc.

Robinson believes the canal is a great symbol of determination and bold risk-taking by the state and U.S. officials nearly two centuries ago.

“The canal is an absolute hidden gem in New York State,” said Robinson, who lives in Albany. “It’s a symbol for economic development. But why not use it today for education and employment?”

Robinson trained the past four months for his trek across the canal. He was greeted by many consumers in The Arc of Orleans County today outside the former grammar school. He also was presented gifts from the Arc, including a quilt made by people in the day rehabilitation program. The quilt features historical scenes from the Albion area.

Local political leaders also presented Robinson with proclamations. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Sen. George Maziarz and the Orleans County Legislature praised Robinson for his “extraordinary ability to connect, inspire and achieve.”

The Arc of Orleans was pleased to host Robinson, said Kellie Spychalski, The Arc executive director.

“He is very inspiring to a lot of people, whether they are people we serve or a member of our staff,” Spychalski said.

Robinson traveled with family and friends from Lockport to Albion today. He starts day three of trip tomorrow in Albion, beginning at about 8:30 a.m. at the Main Street lift bridge and heading east to Spencerport.

For more information, check Robinson’s web site by clicking here.