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County sets budget hearing for Nov. 30

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Chairman Callard says budget prevents tax rate increase

ALBION – Orleans County officials will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 on a $64,435,941 budget. The spending plan for 2016 reduces costs from 2015 and keeps the tax rate at $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.

“It’s been an extremely good year,” David Callard, chairman of Legislature, said about the budget. “We’ve maintained costs, which we started six years ago and we’ve done extremely well.”

The public hearing will be at the county courthouse. Following the hearing, the Legislature will convene at the legislative chambers next door in the County Clerks’ Building to vote on the budget.

The county in recent years has worked to streamline staffing and have employees pay more towards health insurance costs. The selling of the county nursing home also reduced the county workforce by about a third.

The county’s workforce has shrunk from 416 full-time and 164 part-time positions in 2014 to 318 full-time and 89 part-time for 2016.

The $64,435,941 budget is the county’s smallest since 2007, and is down by $579,325 from the $65,015,266 in 2015. In 2014, the last year the county owned a nursing home, the budget was $79.8 million. That year the tax rate was $10.11.

Callard said efforts to fight welfare fraud are paying off with social services costs at a “historic low.” The county has reduced welfare caseloads and that will reduce welfare costs to local taxpayers by an estimated $200,000 in 2016.

The tax rate will be unchanged, but the county will take in a slight increase in taxes. The tax levy will increase by 0.7 percent from $16,209,165 to $16,323,150. Property taxes represent about 25 percent of the revenue for funding the budget.

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.

County officials don’t foresee too many additional opportunities for significant cost saving by reducing staff. Callard said the county wants to maintain the tax rate by boosting tax assessments. That can happen by addressing many of the vacant homes in the community, Callard said.

Many of those houses are owned by banks but sitting idle. The homes should be put in the hands of owners with a plan and purpose for the houses, Callard said.

Medina has started a vacant housing law that tracks the houses and assesses a fee to the owners. That law may spur the owners to take action on the properties. Callard said Medina’s law could serve as a model for other local municipalities.

“We want them to get turned over before they deteriorate,” Callard said about the houses. “We need to improve the housing stock and explore it on a countywide basis.”

There are about 250 vacant homes in the county, Callard said. He expects there will be more demand for housing with the new Pride Pak vegetable processing plant in Medina and the developments at the STAMP site across the Orleans line in Genesee County.

NY suspends road construction from Wednesday to Monday morning

Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will not be permitted from 6 a.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, in order to accommodate motorists during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week.

Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

“The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so starting Wednesday, the state will temporarily suspend major construction projects to reduce traffic congestion and delays,” Cuomo said. “This action puts drivers first by getting them where they need to go faster and with less aggravation this holiday weekend.”

Ensuring that more lanes remain open is in keeping with Gov. Cuomo’s Drivers First program, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.

AAA predicts that nearly 47 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home from Wednesday through Sunday. That number is up slightly from last year, spurred in part by lower gas prices this season.

“The people of New York State need to be able to visit with their families and friends this holiday season without worrying about travel delays from road construction,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. “We encourage all travelers to check 511NY before traveling and join with Governor Cuomo is wishing all New Yorkers a Happy Thanksgiving.”

There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available by clicking here.

4 sentenced to state prison for crimes in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Four people were sentenced to state prison by Orleans County Court Judge James Punch today with a Niagara Falls man getting the longest sentence.

Robert Wright, 23, of Niagara Falls was sentenced to 7 years in prison. Wright faced charges of first-degree burglary, criminal possession of a firearm, petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree for alleged crimes that occurred in Medina on June 16.

He went to trial and was found guilty. He apologized for the crimes and to the victims today in court.

Wright is a second-felony offender with a previous conviction in Genesee County on March 25, 2010.

Punch said Wright is “a very dangerous person” and the latest felony “is a very serious crime” that the judge considered a home invasion. He said Wright has not taken responsibility for the crime “in a meaningful way.”

In addition to the state prison sentence, Wright will have five years of post-release supervision. Punch also issued two orders of protection for the victims in the crime.

In other cases today, Judge Punch sentenced the following:

A Medina man was sentenced to 5 years in state prison for attempted burglary in the second degree.

Joey Johnson, 28, of South Avenue admitted in a previous court appearance to breaking into the home of an elderly Albion couple and stealing some of their possessions, including a safe with $10,000.

The charge, a Class E violent felony, normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 to 7 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Johnson was to face no more 5 years in state prison. Punch gave him the maximum as part of the plea.

A Hamlin man was sentenced to 4 years in state prison. Joel E. Johnson, 31, admitted he sold cocaine in Monroe County and Holley in transactions arranged with a confidential informant in Orleans County.

He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a charge that normally carries a sentence up to 5 1/2 years in state prison.

Johnson’s attorney Nathan Pace said Johnson completed probation successfully 11 years ago when he was 20 and had been out of trouble since then, working full-time. However, Johnson lost his job and “acted out of circumstances” in selling drugs, Pace said.

Punch said for probation to be successful it has to have a long-lasting effect.

“It looks to me like you’re a pretty significant seller of hard drugs in Orleans County,” Punch said during sentencing. “You’re completely self-centered and you’ve profited from selling this poison in our community.”

An Albion man was sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison for third-degree criminal sale of marijuana.

Charles A. Santiago, 27, of 214 North Main St. previously admitted to selling marijuana in excess of 25 grams on May 28. He is a first-time felony offender.

Santiago has been on probation three times. Punch said prison was needed.

“At some point you didn’t reach a turning point while on probation,” the judge said. “You’ve been given chances over and over again and you never took a chance to get straightened out.”

4 Lego teams from Orleans put smarts and creativity on display

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

BUFFALO – Bryce Wilson, left, and Wesley Parker react after the Lego robot they helped create performed a task during Saturday’s qualifying tournament at the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School.

Bryce and Wesley are members of the “Battery Boys” team from the Orleans County 4-H program. Orleans County sent four teams to the competition. In addition to having to build and program a Lego robot, teams had to research an issue with recycling and propose a solution for helping the environment.

The Battery Boys created collection boxes for used batteries which they said could be placed at sites in the community.

The “Three Musketeers” receive instructions from a judge during Saturday’s competition. The Musketeers include, from left: Zachary Grinnell, Nate Scott Avery and Nick Burke.

The Musketeers for their project researched used eye glasses and thought of ways to have more reused.

Zachary Neal of Albion is a member of the KOWZ (Kids Only Work Zone) team. His hat has buttons from other teams he has met in the past three years.

The KOWZ team gets its robot ready to compete at a table with obstacles and challenges. The teams have 2 1/2 minutes to complete as many tasks as possible. Only two members of the team should be at the table, and members can swap out during the competition.

The teams started meeting in September to design and program their robot, using different attachments for tasks.

They also had to create a display board and research a recycling topic. KOWZ researched ways to recycle sneakers. Some sneakers are ground up with those pieces used at playgrounds and on playing fields.

The Robo Foam team watches its robot complete a task. Team members include, from left: Jacob Foote, Isaac Becker (in back), Reuben Rivers, James Michael Beach, Cole Moyle and Jaiden Farrell.

The Robo Foam team for its project suggested ways to reduce the use of Styrofoam and also made a Syro-Shredder that turns Styrofoam cups into packing peanuts.

The four teams from Orleans County are part of the 4-H program led by Marlene and Erik Seielstad of Albion. About 25 kids were in the program from Orleans County.

There were about 170 students participating in the competition on Saturday from about 20 teams. Four teams advanced to a regional competition next month at the University of Rochester. None of the Orleans County teams were able to get past the qualifying round.

Many of the teams put together colorful outfits for the competition.

High winds tonight, possible snow Monday, Tuesday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These pictures of leaves are from my yard following an overnight frost last week.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning for Orleans, Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sunday. Southwest winds will be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph, according to the Weather Service.

The forecast also shows the chance for snow on Monday and Tuesday. However, it will warm up for the Thanksgiving holiday with a high of 49 on Wednesday and 56 on Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued Lake Effect Snow warnings, through Monday morning, for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The forecast calls for up to six to twelve inches of snow in Chautauqua County and eastern Lake Ontario region. While heavier snow amounts will be confined to the Chautauqua Ridge and Tug Hill Plateau, localized bands of heavy snow will make driving conditions dangerous due to slick roads and low visibility, the governor’s office said in a news release today.

“With snow and strong winds on the horizon for parts of the state, I am urging New Yorkers to be prepared and stay safe,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement today. “We are actively monitoring these storms, but New Yorkers should also take appropriate precautions now, especially if they will be traveling. Roads may become hazardous, and I strongly encourage everyone to take their time and drive responsibly.”

Local homeschoolers send care packages to needy children

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Students and the LIFE LEAH homeschool co-operative packed shoeboxes for needy children in association with Operation Christmas Child, an international campaign to help those in need.

The top photo shows Hannah Holcomb, 14, of Brockport and Eli Sugar, 14, of Albion with shoeboxes that they filled on Friday with pencils, notebooks, soap, wash clothes, stuffed animals and other items.

The home schoolers filled 20 boxes that will be sent overseas to children.

Jayden Neal, 12, of Albion fills a shoebox. He was looking for a variety of items that were spread on tables inside the Faith Alliance Church. The students also wrote a note for each of the children receiving a box.

Betsy Holcomb of Brockport helped to organize the effort, which homeschoolers have worked on for the past seven years. She is pictured with her sons, Jack (left) and Jeremiah (blue shirt).

Medina company made clocks a century ago before moving to Brockport

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Taken in early 1912, this image shows the construction of the new Monitor Clock Works factory in Medina. At that time the business was located on Rock Avenue, which was later renamed to Glenwood Avenue. The company began advertising their plans to construct this new 30,000-square-foot facility in early December of 1911.

The history of the Monitor Clock Works dates back to Daniel Azro Ashley Buck, a native of Vermont who spent time as a jeweler and watchmaker in Massachusetts, then in Connecticut. It was in this area that he patented the long spring Waterbury Watch in the 1880s. Buck became well known for manufacturing small, mechanical items and received numerous patents during the 1880s and 1890s.

Buck received patents for watch parts, portable clocks, musical toys, kaleidoscopes, coin operating vending machines, and even an 1887 camera. It was the completion of the world’s smallest steam engine that earned him greater notoriety; a 150 piece engine that was built atop a gold coin. After his arrival in Medina, he became the president of the Medina Manufacturing Company, a position he held until his death on April 6, 1904.

In that year, the company became The Monitor Company and began the production of clocks and engaged in the made-to-order woodworking business. It was in 1907 that the company transitioned into the Monitor Clock Works. It is cited that the failure of the National Bank in Medina indirectly led to the eventual sale of the company to B. A. Chubbuck.

It was in October of 1913 that the Daily Journal published an article stating, “the goblins have secured one of our factories, for the Monitor Clock Works has decided to move its entire plant to Brockport” Chubbuck, along with Brockport native Frank LeVan, decided to move the company to Brockport with plans to expand their operations.

It was during this time that the company continued to engage in the manufacture of mantel and tall clocks in the Mission style for sale in Chicago and New York City, as well as through mail-order catalogs.

So it was only a short period of time after constructing this new building, located in the vicinity of the A. L. Swett Iron Works that the company removed to Brockport, effectively becoming the Brockport Clock Works. On December 18, 1913, the Brockport Republic so proudly boasted, “we consider the recent removal of the Monitor Clock Works to this place as one of our most fortunate acquisitions”

Unfortunately for the company, talk of bankruptcy began to surface as early as 1916 as Syracuse companies began to call in unpaid loans. The company involuntarily filed for bankruptcy in 1918.

This building, still in construction, was later used as a storehouse by the Swett Iron Works. In 1914 it was deemed a dangerous fire hazard and relocated 100 feet south of this location.

Kendall Christmas concert raises funds for food cupboard

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – The Kendall Community Chorus, directed by Mary Campbell, performs “I Just Want to Sing in a Choir” during a concert Friday evening to benefit the Kendall Food Cupboard.

The Kendall Community Chorus presented “Celebrate Christmas with Musical Memories” at the David J. Doyle Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium. The cost of admission was a donation of non-perishable food items or monetary gifts. Proceeds from a basket auction held during the concert also benefited the Food Cupboard.

“Popper” Eileen Young, center, makes a popping sound utilizing her finger and her cheek, for the song “My Boy Lollipop” which was part of the “60’s Partyline” medley sung by the Kendall Community Chorus.

Tenors and Basses in the Kendall Community Chorus were featured in the song, “For Tenors and Basses Only – Medley,” during the concert Friday evening.

Concert selections included popular favorites from the ’50’s and ’60’s with songs such as “Musical Memories,” and “60’s Partyline” – featuring the sopranos and altos.

The program also included holiday favorites such as “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s “Messiah,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “The Holly and the Ivy,” and an arrangement of “Silver Bells” featuring the Morton Baptist Bell Ringers.

Robert Bissell sings “The Old Road” accompanied on piano by Mary Campbell.

Concert goers check out theme baskets before the concert. A basket auction was part of the evening’s festivities and also benefited the Kendall Food Cupboard.

New sign notes Albion as home of Santa Claus School

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A new sign was put up today on Route 98 across from the Don Davis car dealership that notes Albion is the home of Charles W. Howard and a Santa Claus School that still bears his name.

After Howard’s death in 1966, the school moved to Michigan. Howard remains a revered figure in the Santa Claus community for his efforts to establish standards for Santa’s wardrobe and interaction with the public.

The top photo shows Michael Neidert (right), an Albion Highway Department motor equipment operator, and Clarence Winkelmann, a volunteer with the Albion Betterment Committee.

The Betterment Committee worked with the Lonowood Art Company in Albion to create the sign.

The display will include a life-size cutout of Howard. That image will be added soon.

The sign is located on the property of Gil and Donna Wolcott.

Here is a vintage photo of Howard by the sign for his Santa School on Phipps Road near Route 31 in Albion. The new sign tries to replicate some of the detail on top of the sign.

Dancers, singers working hard on Hometown Christmas show

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dancers at the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio have been practicing for the upcoming Hometown Christmas show on Dec. 5. This group pictured is led by Gloria Lear.

There will be about 15 acts in the show, which will be the sixth annual benefit for the Nicholas Kovaleski scholarship. Nicholas fought leukemia before dying at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.

His father Jay Kovaleski said he appreciates the hard work from the participants in Hometown Christmas, which includes three shows: noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The shows will be at the Holy Family Lyceum at 106 South Main St.

“They’re all doing it for a great cause,” said Mr. Kovaleski, a teacher at Albion. “No one thinks twice.”

Amy Sidari, owner of the Gotta Dance studio, works with a group practicing a jazz dance for Hometown Christmas.

The Hometown Christmas shows draw about 500 people. Proceeds from the event go to the scholarship. About $10,500 has been awarded to graduating Albion seniors. They write essays about community service and living with a purpose.

Jay and his wife Kelly and Nicholas’s siblings look over the applications for the scholarships. They are looking for students who are committed to their families and community.

“It touches us to read them,” Mr. Kovaleski said.

Nicholas’s mother Kelly and sister Michayla will both perform in the Dec. 5 show. Nicholas’s brother Matthew will be part of back stage team. The oldest Kovaleski son, Thomas, 21, is in the Army at Fort Riley in Kansas.

Mr. Kovaleski appreciates the upbeat messages in the Christmas program, and some of the fun scenes, including skits by the Boy Scouts.

Michayla Kovaleski performs as the Sugar Plum in a dance from The Nutcracker during last year’s Hometown Christmas.

“Nicholas would want people to come and enjoy themselves,” Kovaleski said.

He appreciates the community’s generosity to the scholarship fund and the all of the effort in putting on Hometown Christmas.

“Christmas comes from the heart, and everyone has their heart in this,” he said.

Sidari said she welcomes donations of baskets and cookies for the benefit. For more information about the show, click here to see the Miss Amy website.

Medina teachers participate in annual Helpful Harvest

Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

MEDINA – Oak Orchard Elementary School teachers helped gather food for their Helpful Harvest donations. The group includes, from left: Katie Ames, Natalie Scott, Roberta Culver, Sue Anderson, Sue Lehman, Judy Jennings, Wendi Fuller, Barb Merritt, Allison Harmon, Tammy VanDeGenachte, Andrea Roland, Sandy Southworth, Julie Granchelli, Liz Allis, Paula Kwandrans, Debbie Congelli, Tracey Fike, Tricia Stacey, Andrea Lonnen, Nicole Miller and Nicole Goyette.

Members of the Medina Teachers Association held the Helpful Harvest food drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 13. Teachers filled grocery bags donated by Tops Markets in Medina. The drive completed with more than100 bags of food being donated to the local food pantry.

These teachers pictured below also helped with the drive.

Churches, community provide Thanksgiving food for 141 families and counting in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ruth Verrantti of Gasport helps unload a truck full of food that will be given to Medina families on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

Medina area churches, businesses, organizations and residents all donated enough food for 141 families for Thanksgiving. The food will be shared with the families at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 203 West Center St.

Cindy Curtin has been coordinator of the effort the past 11 years. It has been growing in recent years, up from 128 families last year. Most of the families are connected to the effort by word of mouth.

Curtin and her husband John gather the food with the help of many volunteers over about six weeks. They keep most of it in their garage on Slade Road. Today volunteers showed up to move the food to the Baptist Church.

Tim Verrantti of Gasport helps move the food from the Curtin garage this afternoon. Verrantti and his wife Ruth are in a small group ministry with the Curtins.

The Veranttis attend church at the Chapel at CrossPoint in Getzville. The Curtins go to church at Community Fellowship in Johnson Creek.

Cindy and John Curtin read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Church, 11 years ago and decided to push for the Thanksgiving food effort for local families.

“This has grown into such a wonderful thing,” she said.

John Curtin carries in cans of green beans. He and his wife help lead the Thanksgiving food ministry. Families with three or more people get an assortment of food, including a turkey while others with one or two people in the household will receive chicken and other food.

Cindy Curtin said other families struggling to provide Thanksgiving can reach out to a Medina church and she would try to make sure there is food for them on the big holiday this Thursday.

Christian Hahn, a local Boy Scout who also attends First Baptist Church, helps get the food out of boxes and on to tables at the Baptist Church.

Dump truck takes down telephone pole on Ridge Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 4:35 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – A dump truck driver dumped a load at a Ridge Road property and was headed back on the road when the truck caught overhead wires at about 3:30 p.m.

The driver forgot to bring down the box of the truck after delivering the load. A telephone pole snapped, just east of Brown Road.

National Grid crews were on scene and Albion firefighters were directing traffic, which was limited to one-way.

A state trooper and Orleans County deputies were also on scene. The driver wasn’t injured.

Big race, Rock the Park will band together in Albion

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

File photos by Tom Rivers – Runners cross the Main Street lift bridge as part of the Metro 10 race in Albion on Aug. 22. The debut 10-mile race pitted runners from Rochester versus Buffalo. The metro area that accumulated the most points won a trophy cup to be displayed in its city. Rochester took the title for 2015.

ALBION – Organizers of a day-long music festival and a big running event are teaming up next year to put on their events on the same day, Aug. 20.

Rock the Park and Metro 10 compliment each other, and the events will make for a bigger bash for the community.

“It’s going to make for a bigger draw by partnering up,” said Zack Burgess, one of the organizers of the Rock the Park event at Bullard Park.

The second Rock the Park was July 25 and featured bands playing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The attendance picked up throughout the day for Rock the Park, but organizers want more people for the late morning, early afternoon performers.

The band Zero closed out the music festival on Saturday with Zack Burgess, center, as the lead singer. Dylan DeSmit, left, is on lead guitar and vocals, and Brad Maxon on bass. Dan Ryan plays the drums.

The Metro 10 started at 10 a.m. on Aug. 22 and ended with a post-race party at Bullard from about noon to 1:30 p.m. The race will start at 8 a.m. next year, with the post-race celebration to start in the late morning. That will guarantee a good crowd for Rock the Park during what was a slower time for the bands this past year.

“We’re going to work together to build a bigger event,” said Thom Jennings, the Metro 10 organizer. “The village will only have to set up the park once and we won’t compete for sponsors.”

Metro 10 is shifting to a new umbrella organization, from the Albion Running Club to the Warrior House, a charity that provides hunting opportunities in West Shelby for wounded veterans. Jennings’ nephew Peter Zeliff Jr.is head of the Warrior House.

There were about 400 runners in Albion race last year. Jennings said that was a great start for the debut race. The feedback from runners was overwhelmingly positive, but many wanted an earlier start time to beat the heat of the summer day.

Up2Somethin’ , a popular party band from Rochester, entertains at Bullard Park during the Metro 10 post-race party on Aug. 22. The seven-piece band includes Rickey Ellis on bass and vocals at right, and lead singer Evyn Grassl.

Jennings would like to bring back Up2Somethin’ to perform at a stage in the park. Burgess said many local bands are expected to follow.

“This is going to fill in the gaps,” Burgess said. “I think it will be a cool thing.”

Jennings also sees the race crowd giving a lift to Rock the Park. That event, with its many arts and craft vendors and lineup of entertainment should keep runners in the community after the race.

“As we’re winding down, they are starting to rev up,” Jennings said. “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

Collins, county legislators meet with State Department about lake plan

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

File photo by Tom Rivers – This sign on the shore of the Golden Hill State Park in Barker warns of an eroding shoreline.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday meeting with State Department officials about a proposed plan for regulating Lake Ontario water levels.

Johnson and many officials from the southshore counties have been pressing the federal government not to support the plan from the International Joint Commission, a bi-national group that regulates the water levels.

A 2014 plan could result in bigger swings in water levels, damaging property and hurting boating and fishing industries.

“We need to work hard and stop this nonsense from going forward,” Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard said Wednesday during the Legislature meeting.

He noted that Johnson was in Washington with David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator. They were joined by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman John Katko (NY-24) in a meeting with the State Department.

“The IJC’s Plan 2014 hurts homeowners and businesses along Lake Ontario’s shoreline,” Collins said in a statement. “I am vehemently opposed to this plan which would quicken erosion along shrinking shorelines, lower property values for specific homeowners, and have a negative impact on the region’s economy by limiting recreational and commercial boating. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in federal, state, and local government against the plan’s implementation and am glad Congressman Katko and county legislators Dave Godfrey and Lynne Johnson could join me in this fight.”

Plan 2014’s intent is to re-establish Lake Ontario’s natural water level fluctuations to restore the region’s natural wetlands and environmental diversity. The proposal has met significant resistance due to the disproportionate damages that will fall onto Lake Ontario’s southern shore communities, Collins said.
“Today’s meeting was yet another opportunity to discuss the potentially devastating impact that Plan 2014 could have on Wayne County’s shoreline, economy, and vast agriculture community,” Katko said.

He hosted a similar meeting earlier this year with Wayne County lawmakers and representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

“I’m appreciative of Representative Collins’ efforts in facilitating this meeting,” Katko said. “I recognize the value of preserving our natural resources and supporting conservation measures, but Plan 2014 could cause a great loss of shoreline, erosion damage to property, and flooding in Wayne County. It is critical that we make these points known to stakeholders on a federal level, and that we continue to have an open dialogue moving forward.”

Godfrey said the IJC plan would be “economically devastating four our entire area.”

Johnson said residents and officials spoke out about the plan during public meetings and hearings. But the IJC still pushed it through.

“The approval by the IJC of Plan 2014 is government at its worst,” Johnson said. “The IJC did not listen to the voice of people.”