By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Two people pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday and could be sentenced to state prison in February.
A Holley woman admitted to bringing a controlled substance into the Orleans County Jail on Oct. 1. Stephanie M. Rauch, 27, of North Main Street pleaded guilty to attempted promotion of prison contraband in the first degree and could face up to 4 years in state prison when she is sentenced on Feb. 22.
Rauch tried to bring suboxone into the jail to give to an inmate. She was stopped at the jail gate. The substance was tested at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department lab and found to a controlled substance and narcotic, District Attorney Joe Cardone told Judge James Punch.
Rauch has a prior misdemeanor. She remains free on $1,000 bail.
An Albion man pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and could face a maximum 1 to 3 year sentence in state prison.
John L. Sunday Jr., 46, of Crandall Road said he drank about nine beers on the evening of July 25. His Blood Alcohol Content was .19 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent, according to the BAC test from a Medina police officer.
Sunday has a prior DWI conviction in Ridgeway from Aug. 23, 2010. He will be sentenced on Feb. 22.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – We have a lot of photos from the Parade of Lights and already posted some of the winning floats.
Several other groups also put a lot of effort into their displays but didn’t win awards in what must have been a tough decision for the judges on Saturday. The top photo shows the float created by the Orleans County YMCA.
HOLLEY – A Holley police officer who was charged with official misconduct, stalking and aggravated harassment has been placed on administrative leave.
Lloyd Christ III, 54, of Hamlin was charged by State Police on Monday. Christ has worked as a part-time police officer in Holley since 2000.
Police Chief Roland Nenni III issued this statement this morning:
“The Holley Police Department aided and assisted with the Investigation. The internal investigation is protected from public release because it is deemed a personnel matter.”
“I want to insure the public that the Holley Police Department holds its officers to the highest standards and that public integrity and transparency is paramount within the operations of the Police Department. Misconduct of any kind by police officers will not be tolerated and will be dealt with quickly and appropriately.”
Provided photo – Medina Choral Director Lisa Roeseler practices with the A’Cappella Choir.
Press Release Medina Central School
MEDINA – The Medina High School A’Cappella Choir, under the direction of Lisa Roeseler, has been diligently practicing for one of their biggest concerts of the year.
The annual Christmas concert for the community will be 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the corner of West Avenue and Eagle Street.
“It is an amazing event that attracts people from all over WNY,” says Mrs. Roeseler.
The tradition began decades ago with the former Choir Director Robert Connor.
“I remember attending in 1975, when my brother was in the choir, at the Presbyterian Church in Medina,” says Mrs. Roeseler. “It was amazing and such a wonderful thing to do for the community. When I became the choral director in 1986, I knew it was a tradition that I wanted to continue. It has become a beloved event in our community. It became so popular, that we eventually outgrew the Presbyterian Church and moved the performance to St. Mary’s.”
Every concert has been something special, but a highlight was when Mr. Connor returned to Medina to see the concert last December.
“It meant so much to me, the choir and the community,” Roeseler said. “Everyone gave him a standing ovation. Unfortunately, Mr. Connor passed away soon after that concert. A scholarship has been established to honor his memory and what he has brought musically to Medina. Since we do not charge admission for the concert, we are asking for a goodwill offering to support the Robert Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund at Medina High School. We would love to assist a student to continue to pursue a college education, while honoring a man who has done so much for Medina.”
The concert will be an hour-long and contain many sacred and secular pieces by the acclaimed choir. Mrs. Roeseler does recommend that anyone attending arrives at the church early to secure a seat.
“We always have great support from the community and it is going to be a fantastic concert,” she said. “The students have really put their hearts into it. I am sure it will put everyone in the holiday spirit.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Sharon Smith (left), principal of the Kendall Elementary School, receives a “Friend of 4-H” award from Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County during the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday evening. Smith was recognized for the school’s support in hosting 4-H clubs.
KNOWLESVILLE – Local officials, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff, 4-H Leaders, volunteers and friends gathered Tuesday evening for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension annual meeting at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, reported on 2015 highlights, which included an increase in programming for nutrition with participation in the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the addition of a nutrition educator to the staff. The Master Food Preserver program was also revived and a three-day training held during the fall.
Wagester reported the most significant increase in program enrollment was in 4-H with the addition of 84 new members, a record growth of 24 percent. She noted the 4-H program is on its way to meeting the 2016 enrollment goal of 500 youth.
The highest facility update was in the Trolley Building kitchen made possible by grant funds, the Fern Blackburn Memorial, Fair Committee, the Leaders’ Association and a concession stand hosted by staff. A fire suppression hood was installed and the range refurbished. Additionally, a three-bay sink was installed along with a commercial refrigerator.
“These positive changes occurred because our volunteers, staff, community members, and county legislators worked together to make a difference in the lives of Orleans County residents,” Wagester said.
Long-time Lake Ontario Fruit Program Team Leader Debbie Breth receives recognition in honor of her upcoming retirement from special guest, Dr. Chris Watkins, Cornell Cooperative Extension director.
Neil Johnson, right,receives the Legacy Award from Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors President Ed Neal while Board Vice President Erin Anheier looks on.
Anheier said the Legacy Award is special as it is not given annually. She noted Johnson has served Extension and 4-H over the last 40 years in “as many capacities as possible.” She said the History of the Orleans County 4-H Fair, written by Johnson, was his most lasting and profound contribution over those years. The history provides, “Valuable insight into the past…. which would have been lost,” without Johnson’s efforts, Anheier said.
“I love 4-H,” Johnson said in accepting the award. “I couldn’t think of a better organization to give my time to.”
Stephen Kruger (left), architect, and his dad, Warren Kruger, Kendall Highway Superintendent, were honored along with Oak Orchard Concrete with Friend of Extension Awards.
All three worked with the Extension in 2015 donating time, expertise and materials to help make much needed structural repairs to the Curtis Pavilion on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Board of Directors member Vincent Flow of Holley made the presentation and noted the Pavilion, which was constructed decades ago, was beginning to tilt to the northeast.
Nineteen posts supporting the Pavilion were reinforced, and Flow said Oak Orchard Concrete was always very prompt with deliveries, even though they were needed sporadically throughout the project.
Through the efforts of the Krugers and Oak Orchard Concrete, Extension was able “to minimize the cost without sacrificing the quality of the job,” Flow said.
Other special awards went to Shelly Daggs, Outstanding 4-H Leader; and Sara’s Garden Center (Kathy Kepler), Friend of the Master Gardeners.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, right, and Chris Bourke celebrate on Nov. 3 after Bower won the sheriff’s election. Bourke, a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Department, is Bower’s choice to serve as undersheriff.
November was one of the best months for Orleans Hub for traffic since we started in April 2013. We had 678,666 pageviews over 30 days last month for a daily average of 22,622. We also averaged 6,879 daily visitors to the site.
The first part of the month was dominated by election coverage. We topped 10,000 unique visitors on both Nov. 3 and Nov. 4. There was some added election drama because some of the town races were too close to call and had to wait until absentee ballots were counted on Nov. 10.
The Letters to the Editor continue to be popular on the site and drew 36,714 pageviews, which nearly beat the record of 38,747 in September during the heated primary season.
Here are the top stories for the month. I expanded it from five to seven because numbers four through seven were so close in “clicks.”
A tractor trailer hauling milk and an SUV were in a violent collision Nov. 4 on Route 98 in Albion near the Allen Road intersection.
Even though sports was in an in-between season in November, with fall sports ending and winter sports getting started, Orleans Hub still drew 26,392 pageviews to sports. The top sports story was Kendall High senior Evan Gaesser accepting a Division 1 golf scholarship from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pa. Click here to see that story.
YATES – State Sen. Rob Ortt issued the following statement today about the proposed Lighthouse Wind Project, where Apex Clean Energy wants to build up to 71 large-scale wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
“The process thus far has been extremely disappointing and frustrating for local residents and government officials. I’m hopeful that the next phase will address the serious concerns raised by property owners, businesses, farmers, and local representatives.
“We cannot have such a dramatic change in our community – potential risks to our environment, health, and property – with scarce details provided by developers and without community input. For this reason, I’ve been adamant in calling for a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) to study the impact that a project of this scale will have on our community.
“While federal aviation officials are studying the effect wind turbines will have on our skies and how it will impact local air traffic, the state needs to increase its diligence on this matter.
“I’ve also advocated for greater local involvement by moving siting decisions away from politicians and bureaucrats in Albany – and giving it back to local officials. I will continue working with concerned citizens as well as officials at the town, county, state, and federal level.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2015 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There is a new poster available in Albion that highlights the architecture of many historic sites in the community. I’ve been taking pictures of these doors for more than a year, trying to find the 25 most interesting ones.
I saw a poster of Buffalo doors about a year ago and decided to put one together for the Albion-Gaines community. I wanted to include many of the historic churches in Albion and also several of the doors from buildings at the Cobblestone Museum.
I was also looking for some oddball doors and included the marching band bus, the outhouse for former Gov. Rufus Bullock and one from a tugboat.
I decided to call it “14411 Doors” and use the zip code for Albion and Gaines. The two towns both have many striking historic treasures and linking the two makes the community even more dynamic.
You might wonder where I got the numbers for the 14411. Going across from left: a column from the Orleans County Courthouse; a 4 from the sign about Mount Albion Cemetery in the arch that says 1843; the 4 from the door on the former Swan Library; a window on the side of the Free Methodist Church (the first Free Methodist Church in the world); and a hitching post in Mount Albion.
Dublin, Ireland has really played up its doors with posters and numerous other products and tourism promotions. Click here for more about the Doors of Dublin.
I think there is potential to use the doors in Albion and Gaines as a draw for the area.
The “D” is actually one of the windows on the Albion Village Hall but it is tipped clockwise at a 90-degree angle. The first “O” is the big stained-glass window in the First Presbyterian Church and the second “O” is an old hitching post at Mount Albion.
The “R” is an ornate letter at Mount Albion for the Randall family (not far behind the chapel), and the “S” was taken from the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain at the cemetery.
The posters are 16 by 24 inches. They are available exclusively in the 14411 zip code at Bindings Bookstore, Hazy Jade Gift Shop, Watt Farms Country Market and the Lake Country Pennysaver.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Orleans County officials presented a $64,435,941 budget plan during a public hearing Monday evening in the main courtroom at the Orleans County Courthouse. Chuck Nesbitt, the chief administrator, provides details about the budget. Most of the attendees at the hearing were county department heads.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a $64,435,941 budget for 2016 on Monday evening, a spending plan that reduces overall spending and holds the tax rate at $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.
County officials have worked in recent years to reduce the county workforce by streamlining departments and sharing services with other counties. The Legislature also sold the nursing home to a private company.
That has resulted in some tax relief for residents. (The tax rate was $10.11 per $1,000 in 2014). Local residents also should receive a rebate check from New York, which will make the state look like the heroes when it was the local governments that pared down costs, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer.
He said the state could provide significant relief to local taxpayers by reining in some of the state-mandated programs or assuming more of the expense for the programs.
“The state captures dollars from taxpayers and they do it in a lot of ways that you may not be aware of,” Nesbitt said during a budget hearing.
Nine state-mandated programs – Medicaid, Child Welfare, Temporary Assistance/Safety Net, Indigent Defense, Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education, Probation, Youth Detention and Pensions – account for 100 percent of the county’s tax levy of $16,323,150.
Although the tax rate is unchanged, taxes in the county budget are up by 0.7 percent, which is under the tax cap allotment of 1.4 percent.
Nesbitt, as he has in recent years, railed against the state for not taking more action on mandate relief. He pointed to a study by Pew Charitable Trust that looked at all 50 states and how they receive revenue for state programs. (Click here to see that report.)
Local governments provide 2.2 percent of funding for state programs as a national average. However, in New York the local governments pay 15.4 percent, by far the most in the country. Wyoming is No. 2 at 3.9 percent.
“When someone asks, ‘Why are my taxes so high?’ There’s the answer,” Nesbitt said during the hearing. “That’s what’s different about us.”
He urged local residents to press state officials to reduce the local share for state programs. That would have a big impact on lowering local taxes, Nesbitt said.
Instead, Gov. Cuomo and many state legislators point the finger at the local governments as the culprit for high taxes. The upcoming rebate checks, a reward for local governments that stayed under the tax cap and met an efficiency plan, are a “smoke screen,” Nesbitt said.
Paul Lauricella tells the Legislature the group should have reduced the tax rate instead of keeping it at the same level.
Paul Lauricella of Lyndonville said he wanted to see more reductions and a tax cut in the budget, especially with the nursing home no longer under county control.
He suggested the county pull back on its contributions to agencies, such as the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Orleans Economic Development Agency and Soil and Water Conservation District. Lauricella said those groups all have ways of generating their own funds.
The county budget provides the following funding for agencies with 2015 in parentheses: $232,500 for Cornell Cooperative Extension ($225,000); $166,500 for Economic Development Agency ($170,000); $77,500 for Soil and Water Conservation District ($75,000); $10,000 for four public libraries ($10,000); $5,000 for Mercy Flight ($5,000); $5,000 for Friends of Mental Health ($0); $3,000 for GO Art! ($3,000); $1,000 for Sportsmen’s Federation ($1,000).
Ed Neal, president of the Cooperative Extension board, thanked the county for keeping the agency in the budget and providing an increase. Neal said the agency provides important services for agriculture, children and families.
Joe Sidonio of Murray thanks the county for not cutting dollars to the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Sidonio said his daughter has benefitted from the 4-H program.
Nesbitt said the county is also working to build up its reserve funds and tackle infrastructure projects. Two bridges and two culverts will be replaced in 2016.
Sales tax also represents about a quarter of the revenue for the budget. After budgeting for no increases in 2014 and 2015, county officials are going to recommend another $250,000 in sales tax to $14,035,000.
After the public hearing, the Legislature convened in the legislative chambers and passed the budget.
ALBION – Two photographs by Bruce Landis have won first place awards in an international competition by the Professional Photographers of America. Landis is owner of Photos by Bruce on Ridge Road.
The top photo shows Aaron Burnside, a 2015 Albion graduate, posed at a dairy farm owned by the Neal family on County House Road. That senior picture won a first place award. Judges commented about the excellent knowledge for using existing light and control of the mix of ambient and supplemental lighting.
Burnside, a four-year member and past vice president of the Albion FFA, was photographed in the one of the barns wearing his FFA jacket with several cattle in the background.
In addition, a photo of a pet dog titled “Blue Eyed Mikko” also was awarded the International First Place Award. Mikko was photographed as part of an outdoor winter photo session as the snow was actually falling and also used a mix of lighting methods.
The Siberian Husky is owned by Nick Causyn. “Blue Eyed Mikko” was taken outdoors at Bruce’s studio on Ridge Road.
Both images will be on public display January 2016 in Atlanta, Ga. at the Professional Photographers of America annual convention.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A new Christmas tree went up in Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Saturday, a tree that was months in the making and will find a new use after the holidays.
Library patrons and some staff spent several months knitting or crocheting 10-inch squares for the tree. The finished tree has 175 of the squares. After New Year’s, the squares will be used to create blankets for cancer patients at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.
Joy Cameron, a library staff member and five-year breast cancer survivor, is pictured with Library Director Catherine Cooper (right) by the tree.
Cameron and library staff member Lisa Pritchard were big cheerleaders for the project, promoting it to patrons. About 30 people made squares for the tree.
Cooper heard about a similar effort from a friend who was visiting from Ireland. That friend shared with Cooper how a library in Navan, Ireland, made a Christmas tree with squares that were then turned into blankets for cancer patients.
The Lee-Whedon tree also includes hand-made ornaments. Cameron said it takes about 10 of the squares to make a blanket.
She said she hopes the hand-made gifts will provide comfort to people battling cancer.
HOLLEY – A part-time Holley police officer has been charged with official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly harassing and stalking two victims, the State Police reported today.
Lloyd Christ III, 54, of Hamlin also faces misdemeanor charges for fourth-degree stalking and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Christ was charged today. He was arraigned before Murray Town Justice Gary Passarell and released on his own recognizance.
State Police reported that Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney, was notified of the case against Christ and recommended the charges.
Cuomo: Zero tolerance for officials who break public trust
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said some good may come from the conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges: ethics reform.
Hawley, R-Batavia, said Republicans in the Assembly have been pushing for ethics standards in the state capitol for years, but have been rebuffed by Silver and the Assembly majority.
“The conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on all seven counts yesterday signals a shift in the way business is done in Albany,” Hawley said in a statement today.
“Corruption and quid pro quos have been an unfortunate reality of New York’s culture for decades, and Silver’s conviction may be the beginning of the end of tolerating these types of abuses,” Hawley said. “For years, members of the Assembly Majority blindly re-elected Silver as Speaker and voted yes on his hand-picked legislation in exchange for campaign donations, district pet projects and political protection. My hope is that the powerful, entrenched autocrats who once controlled the state’s political process are a thing of the past and the Assembly finally embraces real ethics reform.”
Silver served as Assembly speaker for two decades. The Manhattan Democrat was convicted on all seven counts against him.
He was charged with honest services fraud, extortion and money laundering. He is accused of obtaining nearly $4 million in exchange for using his position to help benefit a cancer researcher and two real estate developers.
Gov. Cuomo issued this statement on Monday: “Today, justice was served. Corruption was discovered, investigated, and prosecuted, and the jury has spoken. With the allegations proven, it is time for the Legislature to take seriously the need for reform. There will be zero tolerance for the violation of the public trust in New York.”
Silver stepped down as speaker last January. Because he is convicted, he will have to automatically give up his Assembly seat. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.
Hawley said the conviction should prompt the State Legislature to pass strong ethics standards.
“The Assembly Minority Conference has led the charge on meaningful ethics reform for years,” Hawley said. “While others, including the governor, have touted watered-down reforms and passed useless one-house bills, we are the only conference to champion the strongest anti-corruption package in state history. The Public Officers Accountability Act would restrict campaign spending, make it a crime for failing to report corruption, and institute term limits for legislative leaders. Furthermore, we have introduced a bill that would strip corrupt public officials of their pension and retirement benefits. Unfortunately, both of these bills were defeated in committee by the Assembly Majority. Unless true ethics reforms are passed in Albany, we run the risk of further corruption as we have seen far too often over the past several years.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2015 at 12:00 am
While the rest of the region and most of the country saw personal income grow from 2013 to 2014, the income dropped per household in Orleans County, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
In Orleans, the per capita household income went from $31,967 in 2013 to $31,720 the following year, a 0.7 percent drop.
The federal government said only 14 percent or 438 of the 3,100 counties saw per capita household income decline.
Nationally, it grew by 2 percent from $45,159 to $46,049 in 2014. The eight counties in Western New York all grew except for Orleans. Allegany saw the biggest growth at 3.7 percent, up from $31,946 to $33,128, according to a report from the Buffalo News.
Orleans County has a significantly smaller per capita household income than the other counties. Here are the per capita personal incomes of the eight WNY counties in 2014 with the percent growth in parentheses:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sophie Kozody, 4, of Medina shares her Christmas wish with Santa Claus this evening at Hoag Library when Santa visited with children for two hours.
Santa sang songs with the kids and also read them the story, Olaf’s Night Before Christmas. Santa encouraged the children to leave out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve.
Santa was happy to meet the kids. He gave them candy canes.
Adam Burlison of Albion has a red nose on while the group sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Santa made antlers for Adam in this photo.
Santa and Adam get the crowd involved in singing the song about Rudolph.
