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Knowlesville family produced lineage of physicians

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Volume 1, Issue 38
KNOWLESVILLE – The eldest son of Benoni Grover, Lysander was born Jan. 22, 1802 at Deerfield, Massachusetts. Lysander’s father was a farmer in his early life, forced to adopt a new profession after a horrible milling accident cost him his leg. It was after this accident that he married his wife, Thankful Smith, and raised several children including Lysander.

When Lysander was all but five years of age, his father moved the family to Phelps, New York, where he attended schools and worked on area farms. Despite his rugged family genes, young Lysander’s body could no longer take the physical strain of manual labor and he was forced to establish himself in a profession that was more manageable.

Attending an academy at Geneva, Lysander attained a teacher’s certificate and proceeded to teach in the local school districts for several years. Finding the profession of a teacher quite bothersome, he sought out a new vocation. Deciding that he was neither pious enough for ministerial work nor confident enough to practice law, he decided that the occupation of physician would suffice.

Studying with Dr. James Carter of Geneva, Lysander spent the next four years learning the specifics of the medical profession. With six cents in his pocket, the eager Dr. Grover travelled to the village of Alloway in the township of Lyons where he borrowed enough money to start a medical practice.

His first year of practice in Alloway was marked by much health amongst the population of the village as he wrote, “nobody would get sick to accommodate me, or test the efficiency of my drugs, or my ability in prescribing them.” With patience and due diligence (and eventually patients), Dr. Grover established a successful practice in Wayne County.

In 1844 Dr. Grover relocated to a farm in Alexander, New York where he spent less than one year before exchanging the land for a farm located at Knowlesville. He remarks in his short autobiography in Arad Thomas’ Pioneer History of Orleans County that, “I practiced medicine but little, keeping a drug and book store, and superintending my farm.” He also writes that he operated both an ashery and distillery in the area for a portion of his time in Orleans County.

Dr. Grover died before his grandson, Dr. Edward L. Frost, graduated from the University of Buffalo’s Medical School in 1892. The son of Cecilia Grover and William H. Frost, Edward later served as an Instructor of Obstetrics at the University of Buffalo’s Medical School from 1893 to 1897.

Dr. Frost was one of four physicians who testified at the trial of Olive Sternaman, Canada’s Black Widow who was accused of poisoning her two husbands with arsenic in Cayuga, Ontario. Dr. Frost’s son, Carl Grover, attended the University of Michigan where he earned his medical degree in the specialty of Ear, Nose, and Throat.

Lyndonville senior receives big Navy scholarship

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Thomas Follman, a Lyndonville High School senior, was presented with a NROTC Scholarship last week by Sgt. Yertich from the Batavia recruiting station. Follman is pictured with his father, Curt Follman, left.

LYNDONVILLE – It started as a normal school morning for Thomas Follman, president of the Lyndonville Student Council. He read the morning announcements on Dec. 10, one of his roles as president.

But then the High School Principal, Dr. Aaron Slack, claimed the microphone for one more announcement.

Slack let Follman and the student body know about a prestigious scholarship for one of the seniors. In fact, Follman was the recipient of the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship.

The award will cover four years of tuition for Follman, who wants to join the Marine Corps. He has applied to several universities to study either mechanical engineering or criminal justice.

The NROTC could save Follman $160,000 to $180,000 if he is accepted and enrolls at the University of Rochester, for example.

“It takes a whole lot of pressure off,” Follman said about the scholarship.

Follman keeps a 92.65 academic average, and he is president of the Lyndonville Class of 2016 and the National Honor Society. He also has been active playing football for the combined Lyndonville-Medina team, wrestling for Lyndonville and participating in the school musicals. He also works full-time in the summer at the White Birch Golf Course, maintaining the grounds.

Thomas Follman is presented with the (NROTC) Scholarship last week during a surprise at Lyndonville High School.

Follman said his dream would be to go to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He has interviewed with the offices of the U.S. Rep. Chris Collins and U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to be accepted to the Naval Academy. The Marines are a component of the Navy.

Recipients of the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship must meet extreme rigorous academic standards. In addition to a normal academic workload leading to a four-year college degree, NROTC students attend classes in Naval Science, participate in the NROTC unit for drill, physical training, and other activities, and are taught the leadership principles and high ideals of a military officer.

During the summer break between school years, NROTC students participate in training activities to help students understand career options and familiarize them with military life.

Firefighters enjoy helping Santa in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Valerie Childs, a Ridgeway firefighter, carries a box full of toys this morning. She was one of about 30 firefighters who volunteered to deliver toys to about 150 children in the annual toy drive by the Medina Area Association of Churches.

Firefighters delivered boxes of toys, food and clothes to more than 100 Medina families and senior citizens this morning. The delivery was the last step in annual toy and gift effort coordinated by MAAC, an annual initiative going back more than four decades.

Ridgeway firefighters fill a truck up with boxes of toys. Rick Tuohey is in the truck. He has been helping with the toy delivery the past 18 years.

Don Marchner, Ridgeway fire chief, is in front at right. He has helped deliver the toys for about 40 years.

“It’s for a good cause,” Marchner said. “When you see the kids’ faces light up, it means a lot and makes you feel warm inside.”

Firefighters from Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby delivered toys to Medina families this morning. Paul Wengrzycki, a Medina firefighter, is in front at left.

The Medina United Methodist Church at the former Apple Grove Inn served as the staging area for the MAAC holiday effort.

Brothers Vinny Viterna, left, and Dominic Viterna help load up a truck with toys. Vinny just joined the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and his brother is a junior firefighter.

Medina firefighter Jacob Crooks gets one of the last boxes ready for delivery.

Medina firefighters also placed 29 red barrels in the community in November and residents filled them up with toys and donations.

Medina firefighters head out to deliver some of the toys and food.

First snowfall hits this winter

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The first snowfall finally hit today, with harsh winds part of the onslaught. The weather turned nasty around 3:30 p.m. This cyclist is crossing Main Street in Albion at about 4 p.m.

At least three accidents were reported on Ridge Road in Ridgeway since 4 p.m. with a car into a tree between Marshall and North Gravel roads, a vehicle rollover between Knowlesville Road the Gaines-Ridgeway town line, and a rollover between Swett and Oregon roads.

The weather will get better after today with highs of 38 on Sunday, 48 on Monday, 50 on Tuesday, 55 on Wednesday, 59 on Thursday and 45 on Friday (Christmas), according to the National Weather Service.

Here is how Main Street leading to downtown Albion looked at about 4 p.m.

NY apple industry pleased with Fed relief on hard cider tax

Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Congressman Chris Collins joins members of the Orleans County farm community in September 2013 at the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina to promote the Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation Act, which would reduce the excise tax on hard cider.

Press Release, NY Apple Association

FISHERS – New York state’s apple industry is raising glasses of hard cider today to toast the news that the U.S. Congress has approved an overhaul of how hard cider is taxed that will allow New York state hard ciders to be more competitive in the marketplace.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the measure as part of the so-called tax extenders bill approved Thursday; the U.S. Senate approved it today as part of a combined tax and government funding bill.

The House and Senate bills included language from bills introduced in both chambers earlier this year to level the playing field regarding how hard cider is taxed relative to other alcoholic beverages such as champagne, wine and beer. New York’s U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) had introduced the “Cider Investment and Development through Excise Tax Reduction (CIDER) Act of 2015” with five bipartisan cosponsors in May.

New York’s U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27) had introduced similar bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives in January with Oregon’s Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Several U.S. representatives from New York subsequently co-sponsored that House bill: Richard Hanna (R-NY-22), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18), Charles Rangel (D-NY-13), Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20).

“As the second-largest apple producing state in the country, New York should be the core of hard cider boom we are seeing now. With this sensible change, our hard cider makers can sell more cider and grow their businesses – and that means our apple growers can sell more apples to those cider makers,” said NYAA President Jim Allen.

“Cheers to the leadership shown by the New York congressional delegation, our thanks to Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Chris Collins in particular,” he added.

Under current federal law, depending upon its alcoholic content hard cider can be taxed at same rate as wine, $1.07 per gallon – and depending upon its carbonation, it can be taxed at the even higher champagne rate of $3.30 per gallon. The CIDER Act provision included in the tax extender bill changes the definition of hard cider to tax it at $.23 per gallon, equivalent to beer.

Matt Kludt is NY corn king for 2015

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am

KENDALL – The National Corn Growers Association released the state and national winners in its annual corn yield contest and a Kendall farmer led the state and finished third in the country.

Matt Kludt of the Kludt Brothers Farm led New York with a yield of 322.97 bushels per acre in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class. He used a DeKalb seed.

Kludt will receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.

Kludt is a past winner for the state. He finished third overall in the country. Only Jill Justice of Beckley, WV, at 368.78 bushels and Jay Justice, also of Beckley, WV (360.32 bushels) had more in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class.

The National Corn Growers said improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the 2015 contest.

David Hula of Charles City, VA. Set a new national record with a yield just over 532 bushels per acre. He competed in the no till/strip till irrigated class. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.

“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”

For more on the contest, click here.

Planners approve old cobblestone school as meeting house

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Volunteers have worked to save a former Cobblestone Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road in Albion. The school was built in 1832, and may be the oldest cobblestone building in the county.

ALBION – A cobblestone building from 1832 that was used as a schoolhouse until 1944 will find new use as meeting place for the Orleans County Historical Association.

The group has worked the past year to put on a new roof and stabilize the building at 3302 Gaines Basin Rd., just north of the Erie Canal.

The 913-square-foot building hasn’t been used much since it was closed as a school in 1944. Nor had there been much upkeep of the building until this year.

Al Capurso, the Gaines town historian, pushed to save the building from collapse. The site received a new historical marker in October, and the Historical Association is trying to get it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On Thursday, the Orleans County Planning Board approved the site plan and recommended the Town of Gaines approve variances and give a permit for the Historical Association to use the building for a public/semi-public community facility.

The association needs 200 feet of frontage but the property only has 125 feet. It also needs a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet, but only has 22,500. Planners backed the frontage variance of 75 feet, and a 17,500 square foot variance for minimum lot size.

The Historical Association didn’t create the hardships for the variances, planners said. The group should be commended “for restoring a vital piece of Orleans County history back to an active use.”

The site shouldn’t draw too much traffic. There is parking available in the back on a hard-pack surface for about 20 vehicles.

Capurso told planners on Thursday the site will be used for meetings and could be home to donated artifacts.

The Historical Association in 2016 plans to repair the floor, have the building rewired and ceiling and walls plastered. Some missing sections of cobblestones will be replaced with appropriate soft lime mortar.

In 2017, Capurso said he expects the site will receive donations for a piano, school desks, teachers desk, wood stove, tables, chairs and wall hangings.

3 small business projects backed by Planning Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board approved three small business projects on Thursday, including a new tortilla store in Albion, small engine repair and appliance sales business in Yates, and a motor vehicle repair shop in Kendall.

Gabriel Rodriguez wants to put up an 1,800-square-foot building to make and sell tortillas at 439 West Ave., Albion. The site would be next door to Rodriguez’s home, where he also sells boots and clothing.

The tortilla store would share the driveway to the residence and the other business.
The site is west of King Street in a General Commercial district.

Carl Stauffer wants to fix small engines and appliances, and also sell appliances from of 12025 Roosevelt Highway (Route 18), the former site of Murphy’s Fruit Stand.

Stauffer and his family moved to the property in July and have made several improvements, cleaning up the site. The Orleans County Planning Board recommended the Town of Yates give Stauffer a permit for a home business in a residential/agricultural district.

Carl Catracchia II wants to operate White Knuckle Motorsports and Automotive at 2655-2639 Peter Smith Rd., Kendall.

Catracchia says he will repair, maintain an build motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and work on automobiles at the site, which is in a residential/agricultural district. The Orleans County Planning recommended the Town of Kendall approve the site plan and permit for the business.

Kendall fourth-graders entertain at Town Hall

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Kendall residents young and not-so-young enjoyed the music of the holiday season together Wednesday at the Town Hall. Fourth-graders from Kendall Elementary School entertained Kendall senior citizens, their families and town residents prior to a lunch.

The students performed instrumental selections under the direction of Leanne Zito which included “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” – a clarinet duet; “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” – a trumpet duet, and “O Christmas Tree.” Fourth Graders also sang carols under the direction of Jeremy Rath which included “Deck the Halls,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and ” Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Students then joined the members of their audience for a sing-a-long of Christmas carols.

Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith said the event was organized by the Kendall Elementary Fourth Grade Team and Michelle Werth, Kendall Recreation Director.

Kendall Fourth Graders perform instrumental holiday selections during a celebration at the Town Hall with Senior Citizens and other residents Wednesday morning.

During the Kendall School Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening, Smith noted that students finding a “buddy” in the audience for the sing-a-long was something different this year. She said one student was very touched when the senior sitizen with whom she sang told her, “… ‘this is so wonderful,’ and then started to cry,” Smith said.

She added that 80 percent of third- and fourth-graders at Kendall Elementary participate in music performance.

“We are blessed to have Leanne and Jeremy at Kendall,” Smith said.

Following the concert, the students enjoyed juice and holiday cookies.

Kendall fourth-graders sing Christmas carols at the Town Hall.

Yates town clerk gets a surprise presentation

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Some members of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association include, from left: Susan Colby, Clarendon; Darlene Rich, Shelby; Cindy Oliver, Murray; Jean Klatt, Gaines; Brenda Donald, Yates; Amy Richardson, Kendall; Barb Klatt, Ridgeway; and Donna Goodrich, deputy clerk for Clarendon.

YATES – Members of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association made a surprise presentation last week to retiring Yates Town Clerk Brenda Donald.

The presentation was made during the regular meeting of the Yates Town Board on Dec. 10. The clerks wanted to recognize Donald for her many years of service. She will retire Dec. 31.

Donald was presented with gifts and a declaration that stated in part: “Being the closest level of government to the people, the Clerk can’t help but care for the Community almost like extended family, as residents put their trust in that office for not only honest, efficient service, but in caring for the Clerk they elect, as in Brenda’s case, many times over.”

Donald was appointed as deputy to Town Clerk Larry Brown on Aug. 1, 1987. She served in that position until 2001 when she was appointed to the position of Town Clerk, following Brown’s death, and has served as Town Clerk for the past 14 years.

She has been a member of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association throughout her years of service. Members of the Town Clerk’s Association expressed gratitude to Donald for her decades of service to the Yates community.

“We thank you for the respect you’ve given to the position of Town Clerk and your attention to matters of importance to your community,” they said.

Archer’s Club praised for 70 years of hospitality to fishermen

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Fishermen try to catch trout and salmon in October by St. Mary’s Archer’s Club at the Oak Orchard River.

The club started 70 years ago and offers hospitality to many local and visiting fishermen, especially during its annual fishing derby.

The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday presented the Archer’s Club with a Special Recognition award for its 70 years of dedication and service to the community. The Archer’s Club has 142 members.

Pictured from left include: Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator; County Legislator John DeFillipps; Alan Hackenberg, Archer’s Club president; Jim Wooldridge, past president; and John Page, past president.

Legion in Albion will move to Scottish Pines golf course

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The American Legion is moving from Main Street to the Scottish Pines club house on Gaines Basin Road.

The Legion has acquired the site at 3429 Gaines Basin Rd., just north of the Orleans Correctional Facility.

The Legion sold its Main Street location to the Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which moved its thrift store to the building at 131 South Main in October 2014. The Legion was given up to 18 months to use the bar in back.

The organization could put on an 2,800 square foot addition at the club house at the golf course. The Legion would like to have more public events at the site.

The Orleans County Panning Board reviewed the site plan for the 70-by-40-foot addition and recommended the Town of Albion approve the project, as well as a permit for public/semi-public use in a residential/agricultural district.

A Legion representative said the organization hasn’t decided if it will continue the par 3 golf course. That will depend on availability of members. The golf course could provide income for the Legion. If the course doesn’t remain open, some of the land may be sold, the Legion representative told members of the Orleans County Planning Board this evening.

If the Legion decides to put on the addition, planners said it would have to add 28 parking spaces as well. Currently there are 43 parking spots.

Orleans will step up efforts to treat mentally ill in jail

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Mark O’Brien (right), director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, presents the Stepping Up Initiative to Orleans County legislators on Wednesday. O’Brien is joined by Scott Wilson (center), the jail superintendent, and Randy Bower, who takes over as sheriff on Jan. 1.

ALBION – About 80 percent of the inmates in the Orleans County Jail have mental health disorders, and half of the inmates have drug and alcohol addictions, the jail superintendent told Orleans County legislators on Wednesday.

About 30 inmates each month take medication, paid for by taxpayers, to help fight their addictions and mental health issues, said Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent.

Many of the inmates fighting addictions and mental health disorders have high rates of recidivism, returning to the jail, Wilson said.

He thinks there is a better way to help inmates with their addictions and disorders, and also to break the cycle of crime.

Wilson was joined by Sheriff-elect Randy Bower and Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, in presenting the Stepping Up Initiative (click here) to county legislators. Many counties across the country are working to provide more mental health and drug addiction services to inmates.

“We want to keep them out of our jails and break the cycle of addiction,” Wilson told legislators.

Bower in his campaign for sheriff made treatment for inmates battling addictions one of his top priorities. He already has made connections with other sheriffs running the Stepping Up Initiative. Bower said he would like to have the program in place in early 2016.

“Other counties have taken up this initiative and we’re going to piggyback on their successes,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard.

Mark O’Brien, director of the Mental Health Department in Orleans County, said it will be a community effort to assist those with mental health disorders. His department will coordinate with Probation, the Department of Social Services and other agencies to reach people before they are in jail.

He noted Mental Health has agreement with four of the five school districts to have mental health counselors in the schools to work with children.

The county already has a drug court. It could look at other jail diversion programs with Mental Health and perhaps Veterans courts, O’Brien said.

Wilson cited statistics from the Stepping Up Initiative that estimate 2 million people in the United States are admitted to jails annually. Those people tend to be incarcerated longer than other inmates, and require more attention from staff and taxpayer resources, Wilson said.

“I really applaud you for this effort,” Callard told the trio leading the initiative in Orleans County. “It’s long overdue and it’s certainly welcome.”

The Legislature presented Wilson with a proclamation for leading the effort.

“We want to put it in writing to show just how fully we support this initiative,” Callard said.

State Police will increase checkpoints, patrols from Dec. 18 to Jan. 1

Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police and local law enforcement across New York will participate in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Friday, Dec. 18, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols along roadways during the campaign, which is funded through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

“State Troopers will be out in force this holiday season to crack down on dangerous drivers,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York State has zero tolerance for drunk driving and the preventable tragedies it causes. I encourage all motorists to obey the rules of the road and to think twice before getting behind the wheel this holiday season.”

In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped in or on the side of the road.

During the campaign, Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

During last year’s crackdown, State Police issued more than 49,000 tickets. Of those tickets more than 17,000 were for speeding, 1,730 were for distracted driving and 697 for the “Move Over Law”. There was also 702 people arrested for DWI and 13 people killed in vehicle crashes.

The facts are grim: During the 2013 holiday period, 1,180 people nationwide were killed on the road, with almost a third of the fatalities related to drunk-driving. On Christmas Day that year, 23 people were killed by drunk drivers.

To keep our roads safer this holiday season, the New York State Police, the GTSC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer these tips:

Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins;

Before drinking, designate a sober driver;

If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;

Use your community’s sober ride program;

If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;

If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

County goes on record against zone pricing for gas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The price at the Kwik Fill in Albion is $2.27 for unleaded today. Gas is cheaper at many stations outside Orleans County.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators say gas prices can sometimes be 30 cents more per gallon in Orleans, compared to neighboring counties, hurting businesses and residents in the community.

County officials have railed against the high prices before, which are attributed to “zone pricing,” according to a report from the Attorney General’s Office. The AG said in 2011 that no laws are being broken due to higher prices in some counties.

The County Legislature is asking Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature to pass a law making it illegal for zone pricing and other artificial changes in fuel prices.

The State Assembly has already passed a bill, A.00103, targeting zone pricing and the State Senate is considering the issue with bill, S00332.

“It’s imperative that we level the playing field for our businesses in Orleans County,” County Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, said on Wednesday during the Legislature meeting.

The national average for gas prices today is $2.007, according to AAA. That is the lowest price since 2009.

In New York State, the average price is $2.272 per gallon, AAA reported today. In New York City, the average price per gallon is $2.37. in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls region it’s $2.24. Gas gets cheaper moving east with an average price of $2.20 in Rochester and $2.13 in Syracuse.