ALBION – The Albion Police Department is pleased to announce being awarded the 2015 Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award by the America Automobile Association.
The nationally recognized AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award is the highest award AAA can bestow on any Police Department. It’s awarded to departments that have developed and maintained traffic safety initiatives in their communities and who have shown success in those initiatives.
The Albion Police Department has used programs such as Buckle Up New York, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Stop DWI and the Child Passenger Safety Seat Program to enforce vehicle and traffic laws as well as to educate and assist motorist.
Throughout 2015 the Albion Police Department conducted several targeted details that focused on specific areas of safety for both motorists and pedestrians. These details were done in non-traditional ways to increase their effectiveness.
Several more details are planned using techniques that have never been done in our area and will increase awareness and effectiveness with the end goal of making our community safer.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the Albion Police Department has received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award.
The Albion Police Department is dedicated to making our highways and streets safer for all who use them. Throughout the holiday season we will continue our efforts by adding more patrols and details and we urge motorist to make responsible decisions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Art Hill Excavation has been doing some of the site work for the new Pride Pak on Maple Ridge Road.
ALBION – Pride Pak, a Canadian company that is building a new 64,000-square-foot vegetable processing plant in Medina, is a new real estate owner in the community.
The company and the Orleans Economic Development Agency today approved a deal where the company will pay $130,000 for 13 acres along Maple Ridge Road. The EDA is selling the land at $10,000 per acre.
The agency will use proceeds from the sale towards infrastructure for the site. Jim Whipple, the EDA chief executive officer, said the $130,000 will cover a portion of the expense.
The Medina Village Board has committed $50,000 and the Shelby Town Board $10,000 to add a sewer line and build an access road. The Town of Shelby, Village of Medina and Orleans County highway crews will provide in-kind work on the road and some of the infrastructure work.
Construction equipment has been at the site for about two weeks with site work underway.
Steve Karr, Pride Pak chief executive officer, would like to have the new building done in late April and then equipment moved in for a June 1 opening. But he said last month that cooperation from Mother Nature over the winter will be a big factor in meeting that schedule.
The EDA board of directors on Friday also approved a 20-year tax savings plan that will save Pride Pak $1,737,75 in property taxes over 20 years. The PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) commits Pride Pak to paying $1,330,204 over 20 years to the Village of Medina, Town of Shelby, Medina Central School, and Orleans County.
The property has been tax exempt and hasn’t generated any taxing revenue. Pride Pak won’t pay any taxes in the first year and will then see its tax bill increase in 5 percent increments over 20 years until it is paying $157,421 in year 20.
The company plans to add 85 to 100 jobs in phase 1 of the project. It expects to add two more buildings after the first one is up and operational next year. Any structures after the first building are not part of the proposed PILOT and those buildings would result in additional tax revenue for the local governments.
Pride Pak says it would have 206 employees at full build-out, making an average of $25,000 the first year, $27,000 the second year and $28,500 after three years.
In addition to the $1,737,75 discount in property taxes on property taxes, the EDA approved a sales tax exemption for $320,400, and an exemption on the mortgage tax worth $65,000 or 1 percent of $6.5 million. That puts the total incentives over $2 million.
The EDA will administer the PILOT and will be paid an estimated $251,000 for its services with the project.
Photos courtesy of Eastern Niagara Post – Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni, left, and Sgt. David Mogle accept the Platinum Award from AAA Safety Advisor Terri Rae Anthony during an awards luncheon on Thursday at Donna Eick’s restaurant in Lockport.
LOCKPORT – Three police departments in Orleans County were recognized by AAA with traffic safety initiatives on Thursday.
Albion, Holley and Medina police departments were all honored during an awards luncheon in Lockport at Donna Eick’s restaurant.
Albion received the top award – the Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award. Medina was given a “Silver” and Holley a “Bronze” for their efforts.
The Platinum recognized departments for outstanding efforts and enforcement activities geared towards making communities safer over a consecutive three-year period, AAA said.
In addition to Albion, AAA recognized the Middleport Police Department, New York State Police in Lockport and Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
Chad Kenward, a Medina police officer, accepts the “Silver Award” from Anthony for the Medina PD’s efforts to promote traffic safety.
The Lockport Police Department also was recognized with a Gold award, and Barker Police Department was given a Bronze.
“We are proud of all these departments for their achievement and participation in the Community Traffic Safety Program,” said JJ Miller, AAA East Central Safety Advisor. “They went above and beyond the call of duty by organizing projects to make their communities safer places for motorists and residents.”
To be eligible for the annual awards, a community must conduct traffic safety promotions and educate the public on safety topics.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Village Board members are sending out a warning: two-hour parking and overnight parking restrictions in the Public Square will be enforced.
Village resident and business owner Dan Seeler spoke to members of the Village Board during their regular meeting Tuesday evening regarding tenants who reside in the Public Square leaving cars parked there overnight.
“It’s just in the Square,” Seeler noted, “but it does affect the small businesses.”
Beginning Nov. 1, overnight parking was prohibited in the Public Square and Trustee Connie Nenni related that Holley Police intend to enforce the restriction as well as the two-hour limit.
In other business, trustees approved the purchase of alarm systems for the Water Department and the Department of Public Works. The alarms will be placed at the pumping station, the Glidden well and the DPW building.
“This related to Homeland Security,” Trustee Skip Carpenter said of the alarms for the Water Department. “This is our water.”
The cost of the alarm system at the pumping station is $1,987; at the Glidden well, $1,390; and at the DPW, $1,900.
Trustees also approved an additional $29.95 monthly fee for maintenance monitoring for the Glidden well.
Additionally, trustees tabled spending $10,000 to purchase a mobile reading unit for the Electric Department, as Matt Campbell, superintendent of the village’s Electric and Water departments, was unable to attend the meeting.
Trustee Skip Carpenter reported that Holley has borrowed the same type of automatic reader from the Village of Churchville and the high-tech equipment has been a huge time-saver.
“Now, it takes us one-half to three-quarters of a day (to take readings),” Carpenter said. “This (the automatic reader) takes 15 minutes. We used Churchville’s this month and it works really well.”
Carpenter further explained the same reader can be used for water readings, but the village would have to purchase transponders for water meters. He noted the transponders are about $70 a piece, but a grant might be able to help with the cost. Reading water meters now takes two days, he said.
Trustee Connie Nenni questioned the need for the new equipment, noting the village hasn’t had it’s current equipment for very long.
“Maybe we should wait a month and talk to Matt,” she said. “This is a lot of money.”
Mayor John Kenney agreed. “We can wait a month to talk to Matt directly,” he said.
“I think this is where we should go,” Deputy Mayor Brian Sorochty said of the new reader, but also questioned what would be done with the readers the village currently uses.
Carpenter said the new mobile reading unit would be better and more efficient that the readers currently in use and the expense of the new automatic reader has already been budgeted.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Powerful winds are expected through Orleans County and much of Western New York today. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Orleans and much of WNY from 10 a.m. today until 1 p.m. on Friday.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo is calling it “a once in a 10-20 year storm system.” The storm will push northeast across the Upper Great Lakes today before making its way across Eastern Canada tonight and Friday, the Weather Service posted on its Facebook page.
“This cyclone will generate strong to potentially damaging winds across our region in the process, with the highest winds expected late today and tonight,” the Weather Service said.
The area will see winds from the southwest of between 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, and gale-force winds out on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the Weather Service said.
The strong winds will make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles, and could bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages.
Provided photos – WXXI-TV met with Lyndonville students on Tuesday to hear about the school district’s character education program.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District’s character education program will be featured on WXXI-TV’s Need to Know news and public affairs program.
The district has adopted the innovative We R 3C program to help students develop positive behaviors when interacting with each other. The goal is for students to be active participants in creating caring communities – the three Cs in the We R 3C program.
WXXI-TV host Helene Biandudi-Hofer and videographer Martin Kaufman visited Lyndonville MS/HS on Tuesday to record video of students participating in program lessons and to interview students about their experiences. The segment profiling Lyndonville will air on WXXI-TV sometime in January or February.
“It was great to hear students talking about the importance of community and appreciation for self and others,” Biandudi-Hofer said. “The connections students have been able to make with their peers and teachers through a program focused on character development is a great story that should be told.”
WXXI visited Kevin Lasky and his seventh-grade students.
The WXXI television camera captured seventh-grade students in Kevin Lasky’s classroom as they broke into small groups and shared what makes each of them unique as people. The purpose of the lesson is to learn the meaning of respect by recognizing the value of others.
“We R 3C is a groundbreaking way to help our students develop good habits and reinforce the strong character traits that the Lyndonville community is known for,” said Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith.
“We R 3C is dedicated to building and sustaining caring communities through programs which develop and celebrate respect, kindness and compassion,” said We R 3C program founder Bart Dentino of Genesee County. “Lyndonville’s students and staff have embraced the program and seamlessly integrated the lessons to build strong relationships in the school community. It’s exciting to watch.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Orleans County officials gathered on Monday morning to cut the ribbon for a new bridge on Waterport-Carlton Road Bridge over Beardsley Creek. The new bridge replaced one from 1934, with the new bridge costing $486,606. C.P. Ward of Scottsville was contractor on the project. Those pictured, from left, include: John Papponetti, project manager for LaBella Associates; County Legislator John DeFilipps; County Legislator Fred Miller; County Legislature Chairman David Callard; County Highway Superintendent Jerry Gray; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; and Chris Bayer, structural engineer with LaBella.
CARLTON – A bridge on Waterport-Carlton Road from 1934 was replaced with a new one at a cost of nearly $500,000. The county celebrated the new bridge with a ribbon-cutting on Monday.
That project is the latest effort by Orleans County officials to upgrade its infrastructure. It is doing much of the work without any state or federal asisstance.
The county is also paying $322,935 this year to Redman Construction in Brockport to replace a bridge from 1968 in Barre on Oak Orchard Road over Manning Muckland Creek.
The county replaced two bridges last year, two culverts this year, and will do two more bridges and two more culverts next year, all to be paid with county dollars. The projects will cost about $5 million.
Many of those projects used to be funded 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent by the state with only a 5 percent local share. But the federal and state dollars have been hard to come by in recent years.
County officials worried the bridges would be closed due to deteriorating condition.
“The county is doing it’s part to repair our roads and bridges,” Legislature Chairman David Callard said.
He wants the state and federal governments to follow that example, particularly directing more resources to fix canal bridges. Some of those have weight limits less than 10 tons.
Local farmers have complained for several years that the weight-reduced or closed bridges force them to take long detours. It’s the same with fire trucks and school buses.
And now, with winter approaching, Callard said it could be the same dilemma for snow plow trucks.
“Our snow plows won’t be allowed over some of these bridges,” Callard said.
He has a meeting on Friday with state legislators to press the issue. Callard said he will be meeting with State Sen. Joe Robach of Rochester, who is chairman of the Transportation Committee in the State Senate. Callard said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt will also be part of the discussion.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement today about Gov. Cuomo’s announcement to raise the minimum wage for all state employees to $15 per hour. The new wage covers about 10,000 state workers, with 9,000 outside New York City, the governor said.
“Gov. Cuomo’s decision to increase the state employee minimum wage to $15 per hour is misguided and wrong for New York,” Hawley said. “The minimum wage was never meant to be a living wage and by raising it over 50 percent we are essentially killing the motivation of state employees to work hard, take advantage of their opportunities and find better paying employment. In a state where our budget is already stretched thin and we have trouble providing funding for deteriorating upstate infrastructure and paying down the Gap Elimination Adjustment education cuts, we simply can’t afford this added expenditure. Our residents already pay the highest taxes in the nation and asking them to absorb more of a burden is wrong.”
The state wage increase will follow the schedule set for pay hikes for fast food workers. That schedule for New York City includes a $10.50 minimum beginning Dec. 31, 2015; then $12 the following year; then $13.50 on Dec. 31, 2017; and then $15 on Dec. 31, 2018.
Outside New York City, the minimum for fast food workers increases to $9.75 on Dec. 31; then $10.75 on Dec. 31, 2016; $11.75 on Dec. 31, 2017; $12.75 on Dec. 31, 2018; $13.75 to Dec. 31, 2019; $14.50 to Dec. 31, 2020; and $15 on Dec. 31, 2021.
“It is autocratic and disconcerting to the democratic process for Gov. Cuomo to sidestep the Legislature and unilaterally pass this minimum wage increase,” Hawley said. “Just as the case with the increase for fast-food workers, all laws should go through an appropriate legislative process that includes vetting and discussion. Any other way is irresponsible governing. What we need is a more fertile business environment that provides better paying opportunities for state workers, not dependence on the state for higher wages.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2015 at 12:00 am
BAD-AsH-BBQ already has built up a following
Photos by Tom Rivers – Gerald “JJ” Heideman has run BAD-AsH-BBQ from a trailer since the business’s debut on Memorial Day weekend in May 2014. He is working with Adam Johnson to open a BAD Ash restaurant in Albion at the former location of “A Place To Go.”
ALBION – BAD-Ash-BBQ is coming to downtown Albion this spring in a new restaurant after about 18 months on a trailer.
J.J. Heideman, BAD Ash owner, will continue to take the business on the road to parties and community events, but he looks forward to having a permanent location where he can serve barbecue for lunch and dinner.
He is partnering with Adam Johnson in the BAD Ash restaurant on North Main Street. Johnson in January bought two building storefronts, sites that were used as a hair salon and thrift store.
Johnson, a Holley resident, sees a struggling downtown in Albion with several empty buildings. He was looking for a business that would be a draw for the community, bringing customers for the other businesses.
He asked for ideas on Facebook. Heideman read Johnson’s Facebook post, and Heideman was interested. After seeing the space downtown, Heideman was convinced the site would work.
J.J. Heideman, left, and Adam Johnson are renovating the former thrift store space into a restaurant.
Heideman envisions a buffet and a menu that will be expanded from his current offerings of baby back ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken and brisket.
“I thought Albion needed a restaurant, something different than a diner,” Johnson said. “It has to be something special. That’s what downtown really needs.”
Johnson and Heideman are working together on renovating the space for the restaurant. They are taking out the dropped ceiling, uncovering the floor and finding many positive surprises.
“People are going to see a lot of the old classic architecture that has been hidden,” Johnson said.
He has 25 years in the real estate and construction business. He said renovating the storefront will take hard work, but it isn’t a daunting task.
“Nothing that we’ve seen in here scares me,” he said.
Heideman will continue to run Bad Ash with winter catering and parties. He and Johnson believe the restaurant will be ready in the spring 2016. Heideman will keep the concession trailers going after the restaurant opens. Those trailers will continue to build the BAD Ash name, drawing more people to the Albion location, Heideman said.
He will be in Albion early in the morning to barbecue for lunch and dinner. He said he won’t have to worry about running out of food with the restaurant. And it will be easier for customers in the winter or in bad weather because they can come inside.
Adam Johnson has already repainted one storefront and is looking to draw more people to downtown Albion.
Heideman, 35, recently bought a house in Middleport. He was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as “New Business of the Year” in 2014.
He is thankful the business has taken off so quickly. He is interested in bringing barbecue competitions to the area as part of the growing appetite for barbecue.
Johnson would also like to have an ice cream shop in a neighboring storefront. He thinks BAD Ash, which will also have breweries and wine on tap, will be a draw, perhaps creating congestion in the downtown, which he said would be a nice problem to have.
“This is going to be a big boost for the downtown,” Johnson said.
Photo courtesy of Mattie Zarpentine – Michelle Restivo and her grandfather, Richard Heard of Rochester, return to the Rochester airport on Oct. 25 after being on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
(Editor’s Note: Richard Heard of Albion was on the Honor Flight last month, flying out of Rochester to Washington, D.C., so veterans and their families could see the memorials in the nation’s capital. Heard was joined by his granddaughter, Michelle Restivo of Albion. She has shared highlights from the trip with the Orleans Hub. This is the fourth and final installment. Heard enlisted during World War II and was a radar mechanic. In February of 1943, he was called to active service from reserve status. He was stationed in six states. Restivo works as a kindergarten teacher in Batavia.)
By Michelle Restivo
Our Honor Flight tour of Washington, D.C. was over. We’d visited all of the war memorials and much more.
Grandpa Dick had been thanked for his service by hundreds of people. The little snippets of his experience in the service during WWII that he shared with me are conversations that I will treasure forever.
Seeing and learning so much in such a short amount of time was more than I’d ever imagined. Back on the bus Saturday evening, we started our trek back to our hotel in Baltimore.
I was sure Grandpa would doze a little on the ride back; I’d guess he averages about 14 little naps on any given day at home. And up to this point in our journey, I hadn’t seen him close his eyes once! But to my surprise, it was ME who nodded off on the ride.
I would wake and glance over to check on him, and there he was – looking out the window, or around the bus, wide eyed as ever. I don’t think he wanted to miss a thing of this trip, and his adrenaline must have kept him going long after he felt tired.
Photos courtesy of Michelle Restivo – A big crowd gathered at the airport to greet the Veterans on the Honor Flight.
Since our delayed start earlier in the morning had put us far behind schedule, we didn’t have much time in our room before heading down to dinner. A quick freshen up, and we were off again.
Honor Flight Rochester kept our momentum going, we had heard about the delicious turkey dinner awaiting us in the ballroom. We made a quick stop to cash in our drink tickets at the bar. (The Veterans literally paid for nothing on this trip. And why would they – they have already paid so much in their time and sacrifice!)
Walking in, I could almost see these soldiers back in time. Dressed in uniform, gathering with their comrades at a local watering hole on a base or while deployed.
We found a table to join, and I enjoyed hearing the men swap stories of their time and place in the service. It’s really difficult for Grandpa to hear in situations like a dinner party, the background noise muffles all conversation. But, the men tried to include him in their conversations as much as possible.
During our trip, I quickly became adept at being Grandpa’s interpreter, as he called me. I made sure to sit on his “good side”. That way, I could lean in and relay what was being said to him so that he could reply. His voice is incredibly soft these days, so I would often have to repeat what he said to the others at the table. It was an interesting way to hold a conversation, that’s for sure.
After dinner, we retired to our room for the evening. It was pretty cool sharing a room with Grandpa. He is such an interesting guy and watching him putter around was very entertaining. He even shared some hilarious stories with me, about some of his shenanigans while he was in the service. Those are best kept out of print, we decided.
The next morning at breakfast, we heard stories of several Vets who closed down the bar the night before, what a great time they had! Our bus was second to leave the hotel for the airport, so we remained in the breakfast room chatting at a table with two other Vets and their guardians. They seemed to know each other, and since it was quiet with just us in the room, Grandpa was able to participate freely in the conversation.
They again traded stories of their time serving, and then of course the conversation turned to their life after service. Grandpa enjoyed talking with them about Albion; one of the men knew people there through his business. They talked a lot about the way town used to be, establishments that were there that I’d never heard of, people whose names I recognized but didn’t really know. It was fun little trip back in Albion’s history for me.
Our flight back to Rochester was uneventful, and right on time. Grandpa did catch some shut-eye this time; I think the previous day’s events were finally catching up to him. After landing, our trip leaders gave instructions for us to meet by the ramp heading toward security and we would enter the airport as a group. More than once, we heard the volunteers say, “The best is yet to come.”
How could anything top the experiences we’d just had? I knew that Honor Flight invited the public to welcome the group home, and that is special for sure. But I had no idea of what the organization really had planned.
Similar to our arrival into the Baltimore airport, there were people cheering for the Veterans as we exited the plane in Rochester. Waving flags and reaching out their hands. Still staying, “Thank you for your service, sir,” but this time adding, “Welcome home.”
We made our way through a line of distinguished individuals: a retired Army general, a Monroe County executive, a news anchor, an American Legion Post president, and the president of Rochester Honor Flight. Then, the president made an announcement to our group, and I finally realized just what was to come.
Lucille Bloom holds a picture of Richard Heard from when he visited the World War II Memorial in Washington on Oct. 24. She was among the greeters to see him when he returned.
“Ladies and gentleman, we can’t thank you enough for your service. We are so grateful for all that you sacrificed for our freedom. We know many of you returned home after your time in the service, to no fanfare, no thank yous, and that some of you, you returned home to protests of your service and opposition to you, the soldiers. Here is the homecoming you all deserved. Welcome home, and thank you for your service. Now, go enjoy your welcome home party.”
I could hear strains of a brass band playing and we all pushed forward into the airport. What was to come was a scene like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Hundreds of people lining the sides of our pathway, all cheering, “Welcome home! Thank you!”
Included in this first group that we saw was our family. My grandma was there in the front row, holding a picture of Grandpa Dick in front of the WWII memorial. We spotted many of Grandpa’s family members in the crowd, cheering for him and all of the Veterans, welcoming them home.
The smiles I saw Grandpa give during these few minutes were some of the biggest I’ve ever seen. We continued on our way, moving through the cheering crowd. Each time we rounded a corner, went down another hallway, even riding the elevator down to the next level, we saw more people.
There was a flag line by the Patriot Guard riders, girl and boy scout troops, Knights of Columbus presenting their swords, a brass band playing patriotic songs, previous Honor Flight participants, a second flag line by I don’t even know who, a color guard of ROTC cadets, and hundreds of people holding flags and signs.
At one point, we passed a group of school children and I could hear them saying things like, “Is that my guy? What does his nametag say? There’s mine!” I quickly deduced that these were some of the kids who had written letters to the Vets for their mail call the day before.
I leaned down to tell Grandpa this, and he stretched his hand out for me to push him closer to the side so he could see the kids better and shake their hands. Many of the kids held handmade signs, and all of them were cheering and smiling. It was surreal.
A belated welcome home celebration for those men and women most deserving of our gratitude, so amazing that my words cannot even describe it.
After what I can estimate to be 20 minutes, we arrived at our final destination, the international room of the Rochester Airport. We heard from several speakers, including Brian Mitchell as the keynote. He is a Korean War Veteran, and Legion Post President. In his speech, Mr. Mitchell talked a lot about the “Greatest Generation,” people who came of age during the Great Depression and lived during the WWII era. Again, I didn’t know much about this saying and decided to learn more upon returning home.
An excerpt from Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation, says it best. “At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of a workday world, they answered the call.”
Richard Heard is welcomed back by his nephew, Stephen Heard.
Through my reading and my personal experience spending 36 hours with members of this greatest generation, I am forever changed. What I had previously thought to be an uncommon attitude, my Grandpa often told us that he didn’t do anything special in serving during WWII.
However, what I’ve learned is that this is an incredibly common attitude of WWII Veterans. When speaking of their service, I heard many of the Vets I traveled with say things like, “I was doing my job. I was doing what was asked of me. I was doing what was expected of me. I was doing what I knew I needed to do.”
Whether they fought on the front lines or remained stateside like my grandpa, the theme was the same: it was no big deal. I never expected to hear that.
I am far from being part of the Greatest Generation. Instead, I am living within a generation of entitlement, of self service, of avoidance. Hearing such a contrast of attitude was shocking to me, and it made me appreciate all service men and women even more.
Grandpa told me that when he got out of the service, he spent a week in Florida with a family member. Then, he took the bus home to Rochester and arrived at the station to no fanfare at all. He returned to his civilian life after serving our country for almost 4 years during the war, much like I return home from a weekend away. The Honor Flight welcome home party, although belated, was an experience I am grateful to have been part of.
Jacob Williams, Richard Heard’s great-grandson, was part of the welcoming commttee on Oct. 25.
Grandpa doesn’t speak of his time in the service often, he doesn’t act like he did anything special, and he certainly doesn’t think he is a hero. This trip taught me that every American Veteran both living and passed, should be honored and celebrated, and their sacrifices never forgotten.
We can’t give every Veteran a ceremony every time we encounter one in our daily lives. But, I’ve now seen the impact it has to reach out your hand and simply say, “Thank you for your service,” to those men and women. They deserve our eternal thanks and gratitude, and we should be willing to tell them.
Please join me this Veteran’s Day: shake a Vet’s hand, attend one of the programs put on to honor our Vets, send a note to a VA Hospital, or spend time reading about the service of so many before our time and telling others what you learned and what it means to you.
Or perhaps most importantly, if you know a Vet, ask them to tell you a little about their service. Most don’t often offer it up freely, but as Mr. Mitchell said in his closing remarks at our Honor Flight welcome home celebration, ” With every passing day, we are losing a bit of history. Make it a priority to learn from our Veterans about their experiences. Every Vet has a story to tell, and while not all are dramatic, every one is important.”
Thank you Honor Flight Rochester for teaching me so much about American history and the people who helped shape this great country. Thank you to all the American Veterans out there. And most of all, thank you, Grandpa, for your service and for the privilege to join you on this most amazing experience. Happy Veteran’s Day.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, have issued statements on Veterans Day, thanking veterans for their service to the country.
Cuomo: Honor ‘extraordinary sacrifices’ of veterans
It takes incredible courage to place the safety of others ahead of one’s own. Every day, members of our state and nation’s armed forces put on their uniforms and unflinchingly head towards danger. Our Veterans exemplify dedication, patriotism, and sacrificeand we owe them a debt that can never be repaid.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, we honor not only the extraordinary sacrifices they’ve made on our behalf, and their service here and abroad, but also the contributions they make to our communities once they return to private life.
Our administration’s commitment to Veterans is a solemn vow. One way we’re fulfilling this is by helping Veterans start businesses of their own. We’ve set a goal of 6% for participation in state contracts by small businesses owned by Veterans with service-connected disabilities. Since passing the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act in 2014, over 164 businesses have been certified, and a significant number of them are currently engaged in state contracts.
This is just one of a multitude of programs and benefits we provide for the roughly 900,000 Veterans living in New York. Today, I ask you to reach out to the Veterans in your life and thank them for all that they’ve given in uniform, and all that they do today for those who are home.
New York is one community and one family. Together we hope and pray for the safe return of our military men and women serving around the world. Above all, we remember those who have paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom and security.
To our Veterans and military families, on behalf of all New Yorkers, thank you.
Sincerely,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Hawley: Veterans deserve gratitude
We owe the men and women of the armed forces our sincere gratitude. Their courage and bravery have ensured that we remain a free nation and safe from threats, both foreign and domestic. As a veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, as well as the son of a veteran, I know the sacrifices and determination it takes to serve in our country’s military. The U.S. is the greatest military power the world has ever seen, and that honor is owed in large part to the brave servicemen and women who have sustained our freedom over the past 239 years.
As Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I have strived to give our veterans and active duty military members a voice in Albany. I beseech all my constituents and New Yorkers across the state to join me in celebrating Veterans Day on Wednesday by thanking a veteran and taking a moment to reflect on those who have perished while defending our freedoms.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Ortt: Serving veterans is a top priority
I’d like to take a moment to wish you a heartfelt Veterans Day. Throughout Western New York, we have thousands of heroic men and women who served their country and to them, I say, thank you. Thank you for all you’ve done to strengthen the United States, protect our liberties, and preserve peace across the globe.
As your State Senator, I’ve made veterans issues one of my top priorities in Albany. Here’s a summary of some of our recent work on this critical issue:
Cell Phones For Soldiers
As we approach the upcoming holidays, it’s important to remember and honor the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who have served and continue to serve our great nation. I recently teamed up with AT&T and the nonprofit Cell Phones For Soldiers asking the community to help troops call home by donating cellular phones and tablets.
Proceeds from the recycled devices are used to buy long distance calling cards for troops at home and abroad. I know from personal experience that staying connected to your loved ones while serving in the military helps the day pass, and makes time away from home a little bit easier. I’m privileged to be a part of this initiative in support of our troops to help keep our heroes connected.
Through December 7, on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, area residents and businesses can donate their unwanted cell phones and/or tablets at the following locations:
* Senator Ortt’s District Office: 175 Walnut St., Suite 6, Lockport
* Hoag Library: 134 S. Main St., Albion
* Lockport DMV Office: 111 Main St., Suite G1, Lockport
* Niagara County Veterans Service Agency: 111 Main St., Suite 200, Lockport
* Niagara Falls Housing Authority: 744 10th Street, Niagara Falls
* North Tonawanda DMV Office: 500 Wheatfield St., North Tonawanda
* Seymour Public Library: 161 East Ave., Brockport
* All AT&T Stores in WNY including: 5724 S. Transit Rd., Lockport / 8292 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda / 1741 Sheridan Dr., Tonawanda / 8200 Transit Rd., Amherst / Galleria Mall, 1 Walden Galleria Dr., 2nd Floor, Cheektowaga / 4900 Transit Rd., Depew / 3505 Amelia Dr., Orchard Park
Dwyer Expands in Western New York
We secured many legislative and budget victories for our veterans this past year including $800,000 for post-traumatic stress treatment and support, $250,000 for the American Legion Department of New York to provide burial services for indigent veterans, and $500,000 for the New York State Defenders Association’s Veteran’s Defense Program.
But, I’m especially proud that we expanded the successful Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Program and brought it to Niagara County. The Dwyer program connects veterans coping with the effects of PTSD and TBI with other veterans in a secure, comfortable atmosphere.
Whether it’s talking to a fellow soldier, or not having to worry about the stigma associated with seeking help, Dwyer offers critical benefits to veterans in need. While we’ve drawn down our military presence overseas, we have a generation of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with physical and emotional scars that they carry with them every single day. We cannot allow them to carry those scars and that burden alone.
WNY Warriors Flight
Several weeks ago, I was honored to lead two dozen local veterans in an inaugural Western New York Warriors Flight to Washington, D.C to visit several war memorials dedicated in their honor. This trip allowed members of the Greatest Generation, who are now in their 80s and 90s, and other generations of Americans who have served our country, to travel to the nation’s capital to see their monuments for the first time.
Prior to take off, the American Legion Stephen Sikora Post 1322 held a special sendoff ceremony at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport for the 24 World War II and Korean War veterans on the Warriors Flight. Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) welcomed us to D.C.
We later visited the National WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, among other notable sites. At the WWII and Korean War memorials, the group participated in an emotional wreath laying ceremony. The trip concluded with a salute to the veterans from the Patriot Guard Riders as they welcomed them home at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
The WNY Warriors Flight was made possible with a $20,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation, making the trip free for the veterans. Other partners included the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce and Health Systems Services, which lent the vets wheelchairs. I also want to thank the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Transportation Security Administration, and Southwest Airlines for their friendly cooperation. This Warriors Flight was an excellent way for us to honor our veterans and I hope to turn this into a tradition moving forward.
In honor of Veterans Day, please take a moment to thank a veteran for his or her service. I hope to see you at one of our community’s numerous veterans ceremonies.
Faithfully yours,
Robert G. Ortt
State Senator, 62nd District
Provided photos – Shown here in front of the new Wall of Heroes Memorial Plaque, include, from left: resident Robert Hale; Jamie Murphy, activities director; resident Anthony Stefaniak; resident Howard Brusie; and Dave Denny, administrator.
Press Release, Orchard Manor
MEDINA – Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center unveiled its new Veterans Memorial Plaque just in time for Veterans Day.
The idea to acknowledge and honor deceased Orchard Manor veterans with a plaque was submitted months ago as a suggestion by Lori Zdrojewski, LPN.
Dave Denny, administrator, assigned the project to Jamie Murphy, activities director. She sought out local sign maker Greg Stanton of Stanton Signs to create the Wall of Heroes plaque, designed by Wayne Dorpfeld D’Zines, which includes names of veterans who passed away at Orchard Manor.
To commemorate the event, members of Medina and Albion VFW & American Legion performed a gun salute in the courtyard, followed by the playing of Taps.
Orchard Manor veterans also joined in as the entire group recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Residents were then treated to coffee with donuts compliments of Medina Dunkin’ Donuts.
Veterans in an Honor Guard do a gun salute in the courtyard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – William Fox of Lyndonville was presented with medals today from his service in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. Fox was one of three local veterans to receive long overdue medals. David Hellert of Shelby and Ronald Jewell of Holley, both Vietnam War veterans, also received medals.
Fox was in the blockade of Cuba in 1962 and President John F. Kennedy came aboard his ship, an experience that Fox said was a highlight of his service in the Navy.
“It was awesome,” Fox said. “Not everyone had that opportunity.”
Fox served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 13, 1959 to July 26, 1963. He was presented with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Navy Expeditionary Medal.
“I wish my mother was alive,” Fox said. “She told me to go get my medals.”
After his military service, Fox worked 23 years for the former Abex Corporation in Medina and then 17 years for a steel mill in Lockport.
David Hellert is handed his medals from Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, who spoke during a Veterans Day program today outside the Veterans Service Agency on Route 31 in Albion.
Hellert was in the Army from Oct. 10, 1969 to May 5, 1972. Today he was presented with the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Attachment, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device, and Marksman Badge & Auto Rifle Bar.
Hellert worked as a plumber and steamfitter for the State Canal Corp. after his service in Vietnam. He remains active with the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Ronald Jewell of Holley, left, is presented with medals for his service in Vietnam, including an Army Commendation Medal for an act of valor when Jewell risked his life to put out a fire. Jewell left his bunker on March 8, 1967 to help put out an ammo dump, which caught fire from a mortar attack.
Jewell was in Vietnam for a year, leaving on Oct. 25, 1966 and returning a year later. He left for Fort Hood in 1966 when his son was 2 months old.
“I was kind of loose and crazy and it calmed me down,” Jewell said about his military service.
He would work 33 years at Rochester Products. He said his wife of 49 years, Dianne, has been a great influence in his life. The couple raised three sons.
The three veterans presented with medals today include, from left: William Fox of Lyndonville, Ronald Jewell of Holley, and David Hellert of Shelby.
Paul Fulcomer, the Veterans Service Agency director, helped the veterans secure their medals.
Fulcomer, pictured at right, is retiring at the end of the month after 13 years as the Veterans Service Agency director. He is pictured with his grandson, Mason Berry, during today’s Veterans Day program.
“It’s the best job I’ve ever had in my life and the most rewarding,” said Fulcomer, a Vietnam War veteran.
There will be a retirement celebration and open house for Fulcomer at the VFW Post in Medina from 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 22.
Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion, shared an opening prayer and also the benediction at today’s Veterans Day observance. Lindsay has three sons serving in the military.
He said the military draws out the best qualities of valor, duty and honor.
“Their service has made us a better people and nation,” Lindsay said about veterans.
Markeya Lucas-Drisdom of Albion, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, served in the Honor Guard during today’s observance.
County Legislator Lynne Johnson delivers remarks at the service today.
“Veterans are ordinary and yet extraordinary human beings – men and women who offered some of life’s most vital years in the service of their country, and who sacrificed their ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs,” Johnson said.
She urged the community to thank veterans for their service.
“Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in their eye,” she said. “Others may carry the evidence inside of them: a pin holding a bone together, or a piece of shrapnel in the leg.”
Members of the Honor Guard do a gun salute in today’s Veterans Day program.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 11 November 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Village Board are reaching out to state and federal representatives in an effort to convince the Environmental Protection Agency to drop its insistence that the eight “Diaz homes” in the village undergo certified lead abatement. The EPA wants that done as part of an agreement that would turn the homes over to the village for eventual sale.
Holley Mayor John Kenney said the village sent letters Monday to the Army Corps of Engineers/EPA, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Collins, State Sen. Robert Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County legislators John DeFilipps and David Callard.
Members of the Village Board discussed the letters during their regular meeting Tuesday evening.
Talks between the Village of Holley Development Corporation and the EPA have been at an impasse for months over the lead abatement issue and now Mayor Kenney says the letters seek, “assistance in dealing with the EPA’s stance on lead abatement in the Diaz homes.”
The mayor said he is concerned over the insistence by the Army Corps of Engineers/EPA regarding the homes. Officials there recently requested
that the village shut off electric to the homes, a move village board members worry will lead to their deterioration.
The Village HDC has been charged with working to acquire the homes and then decide how best to sell them to get the properties back on village tax rolls. Dan Schiavone, president of the board of directors of the VHDC, has said the corporation is not a dumping ground. The expense of the certified lead abatement process would make it difficult to sell the homes, several of which are valued at less than $25,000, Schiavone said.
Deputy Mayor Brian Sorochty said during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting that the VHDC has worked hard to come to an acceptable agreement. “The LDC has done what they can do,” he said.
As of Tuesday evening, Mayor Kenney said the village has not received any response from the EPA.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This tree stands in front of the DAR House on North Main Street in Albion on Monday.
There may not be too many leaves left on the tree after high winds are forecast to hit the area on Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Orleans County and much of Western New York from 7 am. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Winds are forecast to be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 55 mph.
“This is expected to be a prolonged wind event with the strongest winds peaking from late in the day Thursday through Friday morning,” according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
