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Cuomo makes announcement about Pride Pak coming to Medina

Posted 5 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Canadian company to invest $20M in NY, create 200 jobs

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

MEDINA – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that work has begun on Pride Pak Canada Ltd.’s new 68,000-square-foot facility on 13 acres in the Medina Business Park.

Pride Pak, Canada’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable processor, is spending more than $20 million to build a state-of-the-art facility and install machinery and equipment in Orleans County in order to be closer to its U.S. customers.

“This company will not only bring new jobs to the regions, but will also bolster local farmers and help attract other businesses to the area by being the anchor to this new commerce hub,” Cuomo said. “Today’s action is more exciting news for the Finger Lakes.”

Pride Pak in Ontario currently exports 35 percent of its produce to the U.S. market. The company packs fresh-cut vegetables for other companies, including Wegmans Food Market. The vegetables are packed fresh, not frozen.

“Pride Pak is very much looking forward to this collaboration with Orleans County,” said Steve Karr, CEO of Pride Pak. “This is a mutually beneficial opportunity; Pride Pak is expanding its business and moving closer to its customer base, while Orleans County can count on a positive impact on its economy.”

The facility will work with local farmers with carrots and other “root vegetables” and will also package salads, with some of the salads going to Pride Pak’s Canadian customers. Pride Pak expects about 45 truckloads of product each month. The vegetable waste, about 220 tons a month, will be delivered to local livestock farms to be used as animal feed and fertilizer.

The economic support and assistance from state agencies was a critical factor in locating the Pride Pak distribution project in New York State. New York State, through Empire State Development provided up to $2 million in Excelsior tax credits.

The New York Power Authority is also providing an allocation of low-cost hydropower to Pride Pak in return for job and capital investment commitments. Pride Pak is also receiving a $750,000 grant from New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said, “This has been an extraordinary year for economic development projects in my district. I am excited to usher in the new Pride Pak fruit and vegetable processing plant in the Medina Business Park and look forward to monitoring its progress. The new facility will create an estimated 200 new jobs and bring fresh produce to customers right here in Western New York. Furthermore, any excess fruit and vegetable waste will be delivered to local livestock farms to bolster our local agriculture industry. I am proud to have worked with Empire State Development, Gov. Cuomo and local leaders to bring this business into my area.”

Assemblywoman Jane Corwin said, “Growing the Upstate New York economy and creating new jobs for our region has been my top priority since taking office. I am proud of the all that we have accomplished in the State Legislature, both in working with Governor Cuomo and our local partners in making new development a reality. Pride Pak will be as great asset to Orleans County and will significantly make both a direct and indirect impact on our local economy. The continued investment in our region will have a long term positive effect on our economy and ensure that our children will have opportunity right here in New York State.”

State Senator Rob Ortt said, “With the potential of creating approximately 200 jobs in an area that needs it most, this project is exciting news for Medina as well as our entire region as the demand for locally-grown food continues to rise. The new Pride Pak facility will collaborate with local farmers to help to deliver fresh, healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables to consumers while strengthening our economy’s agriculture industry. I’m looking forward to working with our partners across the pond, and assisting them in any way we can to help further expand its operations globally.”

Dave Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature said, “We are very excited to welcome Pride Pak to Orleans County. Pride Pak fits in extremely well with our developing agricultural cluster. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with our new partners as they develop this fantastic new venture.”

The Pride Pak facility in Medina is expected to be completed in spring 2016 with processing to begin in June 2016.

Milk truck, SUV collide on 98 in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 7:17 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A tractor trailer hauling milk and an SUV were in a violent collision on Route 98 near the Allen Road intersection at about 6 p.m. today.

The milk truck’s tanker detached from the truck and hit the former Five Star Fabrication company, just south of Allen Road. The milk truck is owned by Stahl Brothers in Lockport. The driver of the truck wasn’t injured.

Many gallons of milk spilled on the road and in front of the former Five Star, which is now used by a car dealership.

The driver of this vehicle, a woman, needed to be freed by firefighters. She was taken by Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance to a nearby Mercy Flight landing area. Firefighters said the woman was conscious and talking.

It was a big effort by Albion firefighters who used extrication tools to get the woman out of her vehicle.

The tanker ended up on its side after hitting the building on Route 98. Onlookers at the scene said there was a loud boom with the accident.

Firefighters worked to clean up the scene, and all of the milk and debris in the road.

No additional information was available, including the cause of the accident.

Holley students raise funds to fix chapel at Hillside Cemetery

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – The music room at Holley Elementary School was bustling with activity late Tuesday afternoon as members of the school’s Student Council gathered to make collection boxes for this year’s community project, which will raise funds for the restoration of the historic chapel in Hillside Cemetery in Clarendon.

HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Elementary School Student Council got busy Tuesday afternoon making containers for this year’s community project: raising money for the Hillside Cemetery Chapel Restoration Fund.

The containers – black boxes with a photo of the chapel and a “stained-glass window” decorated by the students – will be placed at local businesses allowing community members to make monetary donations.

Decorated collection boxes line up in preparation for being distributed around the Holley community.

Last year the community project raised more than $1,000 for the Holley Community Free Library roof project. Student Council Advisor Sally Martin says students will be able to place containers themselves again this year.

“Last year we went out and went business to business,” she says, and explains that the students approached business owners themselves regarding to place the containers.

Emma Brady, a 4th-grader at Holley Elementary, holds the collection box she decorated on Tuesday.

Retired Holley art teacher Larry Dabney as well as members of the Clarendon Historical Society attended the workshop to assist students with the project.

“This is great,” Clarendon Historical Society member Erin Anheier said. “It’s really wonderful that the students have gotten involved and that they are thinking about the community.”

Fifth-graders Makayla Evans (left) and Tia Hoffarth (right), members of the Holley Elementary School Student Council, work to decorate collection boxes that will be placed around the Holley community.

Melissa Ierlan is the Clarendon town historian and a member of the Holley Board of Education. She called the project is “cool” and “the kids can see what they are supporting. They can see that they are doing some good.”

The containers are one part of a fund-raising effort by students for the chapel. Additional events may include a read-a-thon or a scavenger hunt. The fundraising effort will continue through the end of the school year.

Members of the Student Council decorate collection boxes for this year’s community project, which will raise funds for the Hillside Cemetery Chapel Restoration Fund.

Holley 6th-grader Thomas Dobri holds the collection box he decorated. The boxes each feature a photo of the Hillside Cemetery Chapel and a stained-glass window decorated by the students. Each stained-glass window has a slightly different pattern.

After win, Bower says he’s ready ‘to go to work’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, right, and Chris Bourke celebrate late on Tuesday night after Bower won the sheriff’s election. Bourke, a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Department, is Bower’s choice to serve as undersheriff.

HOLLEY – Randy Bower celebrated a stunning victory for Orleans County sheriff on Tuesday night with many of his co-workers who are dispatchers, deputies, and corrections officers at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Bower, 50, has been a public safety dispatcher for 29 years. On Jan. 1, he will be the new Orleans County sheriff, succeeding Scott Hess who is retiring.

Bower topped Tom Drennan, 3,951 votes to 3,507, with Don Organisciak getting 847.

Drennan has been chief deputy for nine years and a 23-year member of the Sheriff’s Department. He ran a campaign on “Experience Matters.” He had support from past sheriffs and key leaders in the law enforcement community and Republican Party.

Bower had the backing from most of the deputies and the unions in the department. They wore red shirts, “Bower for Sheriff,” and they were highly visible at community parades and events in support of Bower.

“I think the people are ready for a change,” Bower said after the results came in Tuesday night. “Now we have to go to work for the people of Orleans County.”

Bower gained more momentum after forcing a Republican Primary and winning by 21 votes over Drennan on Sept. 10. Bower also had the Conservative Party line.

Randy Bower and his supporters had a big presence in Lyndonville during the Fourth of the July parade.

Drennan stayed in the race on the Independence and Reform lines, while the Democrats backed Organisciak.

Bower said he will be the “People’s Sheriff.” He said he reached across party lines, including to Democrats, and attended numerous community events the past 10 months. He intends to keep up that pace in the community.

He recently met with church leaders at predominantly black congregations, including the Royal Church of God in Christ in Carlton, Glad Tidings Baptist Church in Medina, and The Lord’s House in Waterport.

Bower was joined by Lt. Chris Bourke, Bower’s choice for undersheriff, at many of the community events and church visits.

“We felt these are people who feel ignored and we want to reach out to all people,” Bourke said at the Bower election headquarters at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. “All people in the county should be involved in the process.”

Bower and Bourke have worked together for nearly 30 years. When Bower decided to run for sheriff, courting town and county Republican Committee members in the spring, he reached out to Bourke for undersheriff.

They ran as a team. Bourke said he was confident Bower could be an effective sheriff back in the spring when they began the campaign. Bower’s work ethic and optimism over a grueling campaign has Bourke even more confident the new sheriff will be a a strong leader.

Bower named team leaders for the campaign, and challenged them to get 21 people out to vote on Tuesday. The goal was originally 20, but Bower raised it to 21. That was his margin of victory in the Republican Primary.

Randy Bower leads a meeting of supporters in August at the St. Mary’s Athletic Club in Albion.

Bower led frequent campaign rallies, but they were also work meetings, where he gave tasks to his campaign volunteers and discussed his strategy for sharing the campaign message and getting out the vote.

Dennis Piedimonte, an election commissioner, has known Bower since he was a kid. Piedimonte was impressed with Bower’s skills during the campaign.

“He is organized,” Piedimonte said. “He knows how to motivate people.”

Bower has been paralyzed from the waist down since he was in a car accident at age 18. He hasn’t let the accident keep him from an active life.

He said he lives a blessed life with his wife Robin and their two grown children, Jessica and Jacob.

Bower said during the campaign he loved his job as a dispatcher. But he felt compelled to lead the department. His plan includes more community policing, particularly for the rural schools in Kendall and Lyndonville.

Bower also said he will push for drug treatment programs in the county jail. That message connected with many residents, Bower said, because so many families have felt the pain of a loved one battling drug addictions.

“We got to help them,” Bower said Tuesday night. “They are our people.”

Bower is a high-energy person, who led a turnaround as Holley’s girls basketball coach a few years when his daughter played. The team went from winless to the playoffs.

Bower said he has support from the employees for his vision for the department. Many of the deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers actively campaigned for him.

“We’ll set a pace,” Bower said. “They know my philosophy and they’ll work for me.”

Bower had a busy Tuesday, driving to all 10 towns. When he got out of his vehicle, he said many passing motorists waved and gave him honks of support. He was warmly greeted with handshakes while making stops throughout the county.

Jim Halstead, a retired deputy, worked with Bower for 20 years. Halstead said the department will rally behind Bower.

“He’s going to be an outstanding leader,” Halstead said. “He’s not going to be distracted by the pride thing.”

Halstead also worked with Bourke, who was Halstead’s shift supervisor. Bourke is a respected manager in the department, Halstead said.

“He makes you feel like you’re working with him,” Halstead said.

Drennan says he will retire from Sheriff’s Office

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Tom Drennan is pictured directing traffic on Route 98 in Albion in August during the Metro 10, a 10-mile race. After a 23-year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Drennan said he will retire.

ALBION – After a close election defeat on Tuesday, Tom Drennan said he will retire “with my head held high.”

Drennan posted a statement on Facebook, thanking his supporters and saying he looks forward to the future.

“We will take a few days to regroup and then move on,” he wrote on Facebook this morning. “As I look out the window I see a beautiful sunrise. Just like we knew there would be.”

Drennan, the chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Office the past nine years, lost to Randy Bower in the race for sheriff, 3,951 to 3,507. Bower received 47.6 percent of the vote on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Drennan ran under the Independence and Reform party lines and received 3,507 votes or 42.2 percent of the total.

Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, was backed by the Democratic Party and received 847 votes or 10.2 percent.

Drennan said he ran on his qualification in an “Experience Matters” campaign. He was challenged within the Sheriff’s Office by Bower, a public safety dispatcher the past 29 years.

“#1 I am a cop and not a politician,” Drennan said in a Facebook post last night. “Tonight the people of Orleans County spoke and they want to be led by a politician. I wish them the best.”

Many of the deputies, corrections officers and staff in the Sheriff’s Office openly campaigned for Bower, although Drennan also had many supporters in the department.

“To the satisfaction of some at the OCSO I will be retiring soon,” Drennan said. “I have had a great career and will be walking out with my head held high and it will be someone else problem to figure out.”

He thanked the community for a rewarding career.

“To the residents of Orleans County it has been an honor and privilege to serve and protect the past 23+ years,” he wrote. “As one door closes another door opens. I wish all of you safety and happiness in the future.”

List of election results in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Here are the unofficial results for the town elections, with 40 of the 40 polling places in Orleans County reporting. Some of the races are too close to call until the absentee ballots are opened next Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Orleans County

Sheriff – Randy Bower: 3,951
Sheriff – Tom Drennan: 3,507
Sheriff – Don Organisciak: 847

County Coroner – Rocky Sidari: 5,983

Orleans County Legislature

At-Large (west) – David Callard: 5,413

At-Large (central) – Don Allport: 4,543
At-Large (central) – James White: 2,244

At-Large (east) – John DeFilipps: 5,285

District 1 – Bill Eick: 1,457

District 2 – Lynne Johnson: 1,147
District 2 – Paul Lauricella: 552

District 3 – Fred Miller: 1,123

District 4 – Ken DeRoller: 1,566

Town of Albion

Town Supervisor – Matt Passarell: 844

Town Councilman – Anthony Jake Olles: 803
Town Councilman – Darlene Benton: 526
Town Councilman – Paul Fulcomer: 520

Highway Superintendent – Michael Neidert: 845
Highway Superintendent – Jed Standish: 340

Town Clerk – Sarah Basinait: 938

Town of Barre

Town Supervisor – Mark Chamberlain: 322
Town Supervisor – Cyndy Van Lieshout: 229

Town Councilman – Larry Gaylard: 298
Town Councilman – Richard Bennett: 285
Town Councilman – Sean Pogue: 268
Town Councilman – Joe Grabowski: 201

Highway Superintendent – Dale Brooks: 474

Town Clerk – Maureen Beach: 460

Town of Carlton

Town Supervisor – Gayle Ashbery: 448

Town Councilman – John Fitzak: 454
Town Councilman – Dana Woolston: 446
Town Councilman – Marcus Coville: 422

Town Justice – Patricia Russell: 440

Town of Clarendon

Town Supervisor – Richard Moy: 559

Town Councilman – William Campbell: 506
Town Councilman – Allen Robinson: 495

Highway Superintendent – Larry Swanger: 453
Highway Superintendent – Tracy Bruce Chalker: 232
Highway Superintendent – Frederick Seeman: 58

Town Clerk – Susan Colby: 594

Town Justice – Thomas DiFante: 483
Town Justice – Kevin Rombaut: 458

Town of Gaines

Town Supervisor – Carol Culhane: 432
Town Supervisor – Patrick Swiercznski: 252

Town Councilman – Mary Neilans: 445
Town Councilman – Richard DeCarlo: 361
Town Councilman – Bill Lattin: 347
Town Councilman – Pete Toenniessen: 209

Highway Superintendent – Ron Mannella: 620

Town of Kendall

Town Supervisor – Anthony Cammarata: 496

Town Councilman – Margaret Lynn Szozda: 507
Town Councilman – Barbara Flow: 527

Highway Superintendent – Warren Kruger: 553

Town of Murray

Town Supervisor – John Morriss: 582

Town Councilman – Lloyd Christ: 544
Town Councilman – Edwin Bower: 555

Town of Ridgeway

Town Supervisor – Brian Napoli: 750

Town Councilman – Mary Woodruff: 706
Town Councilman – Sarah Fisher: 656
Town Councilman – Paul Blajszczak: 208

Town Justice – Joseph Kujawa: 865

Town of Shelby

Town Supervisor – Skip Draper: 733

Town Councilman – Ken Schaal: 671
Town Councilman – Dale Stalker: 677

Highway Superintendent – Mike Fuller: 601
Highway Superintendent – Ed Houseknecht: 361

Town Clerk: Darlene Rich: 715

Town Justice – Dawn Keppler: 783

Town of Yates

Town Supervisor – John Belson: 352
Town Supervisor – Jim Simon: 338

Town Councilman – John Riggi: 457
Town Councilman – Wes Bradley: 412
Town Councilman – Glenn Maid: 310

Highway Superintendent – Roger Wolfe: 582

Town Clerk – Michele Harling: 591

Clarendon has three-way battle for highway superintendent

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

CLARENDON – The election today includes a three-way race for highway superintendent in the Town of Clarendon.

Larry Swanger, the incumbent, won a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 with four candidates. Swanger is on the ballot today with the Republican, Independence and Reform lines.

He is challenged by Tracy Bruce Chalker (Conservative, Labor Force) and Frederick K. Seeman III (A & K Party).

The other Republican candidates are all unopposed, including Richard Moy for town supervisor, Thomas M. DiFante and Kevin Rombaut for town justices, William Campbell and Allen Robinson for town councilman, and Susan Colby for town clerk.

Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Town Hall.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors on a balmy November day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – With the sun shining and temperatures at about 70 degrees, many folks were out not only voting today, but enjoying the Great Outdoors.

The top photo shows a flock of geese in flight in Lyndonville during a sunset.

Pete Ricci of Waterport fishes near the dam in Lyndonville. He could see a lot of big fish close to the dam.

John Paul Simon, 12, (left) and his brother Sharbel, 13, fish in Johnson Creek behind the Yates Community Free Library. They spent much of the day in Lyndonville, fishing and reading at the library while their father, Jim Simon, campaigned for Yates town supervisor.

The Simon brothers, John Paul with net and Sharbel with fishing pole, caught this catfish. The brothers said they caught several catfish while enjoying the warm day.

There are hundreds of geese camped out in water in Lyndonville.

A fisherman in waders gets close to the dam, trying to catch some of the big fish in Johnson Creek.

Bower wins sheriff election

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Randy Bower was elected the new Orleans County sheriff today, over Tom Drennan and Don Organisciak, ending a hard-fought race that saw Bower come back to win after missing out on the Republican Party endorsement in May.

Bower had the Conservative line and then won the Republican primary over Drennan in September. The primary was close and went to the absentees. Bower would win by 21 votes.

But today, Bower had more distance between Drennan, 3,951 to 3,507. Retired Medina police officer and investigator Don Organisciak was backed by the Democrats and received 847 votes or 10.2 percent of the total.

There are about 450 absentee ballots. Bower has a 444-vote lead.

Orleans Hub will have more on the race later.

Here are other unofficial results of key local races:

Orleans County Legislature:
Lynne Johnson: 1,147
Paul Lauricella: 552

Don Allport: 4,543
James White: 2,244

Town of Albion Highway
Michael Neidert: 845
Jed Standish: 340

Albion Town Board (elect 2)
Jake Olles: 803
Darlene Benton: 526
Paul Fulcomer: 520

Barre town supervisor
Mark Chamberlain: 322
Cyndy Van Lieshout: 229

Barre Town Board (elect 2)
Larry Gaylard: 298
Richard Bennett: 285
Sean Pogue: 268
Joe Grabowski: 201

Clarendon highway superintendent
Larry Swanger: 453
Tracy Bruce Chalker: 232
Frederick Seeman: 58

Gaines town supervisor
Carol Culhane: 432
Patrick Swiercznski: 252

Gaines Town Board (elect 2)
Mary Neilans: 445
Richard DeCarlo: 361
Bill Lattin: 347
Pete Toenniessen: 209

Ridgeway Town Board (elect 2)
Mary Woodruff: 706
Sarah Fisher: 656
Paul Blajszczak: 208

Shelby highway superintendent
Michael Fuller: 601
Ed Houseknecht: 361

Yates town supervisor
John Belson: 352
Jim Simon: 338

Yates Town Board (elect 2)
John Riggi: 457
Wes Bradley: 412
Glenn Maid: 310

Forum at Holley tries to clear up confusion over state education standards and assessments

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Parents in the Holley Central School District had the opportunity Monday evening to learn more about standards and assessments in New York State during an informational forum at the Middle School/High School auditorium.

Holley School district administrators and Board of Education members attended the forum that was presented by Monroe 2 – Orleans BOCES administrators Dr. Marijo Pearson and Dr. Michelle Ryan.

“There has been confusion around Common Core standards and assessment tests, we want to make sure you understand why they are different,” Dr. Pearson said.

Parents attending received an information packet with Common Core resources for parents, “A Parent’s Guide to Student Success,” and examples of state assessment testing report data for teachers and parents.

Standards and assessments were addressed separately with administrators explaining that current standards help ready students for both college and careers after high school.

Benefits of Common Core learning as well as shifts in standards for English/Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics were explained.

“Standards are not curriculum,” Dr. Pearson noted. “Here in Holley you have the initiative to write curriculum according to Common Core standards. Teachers have autonomy on how it is taught.”

Parents were given specific ways they can help their children meet ELA and Mathematics standards and questions were taken from the audience.

The parent of a sixth-grader asked about a quiz her son had taken on a computer which included a question he got wrong. The question asked the student, “What do you think might happen?”

“How do you get that wrong?” the parent questioned. “My son thinks outside the box.”

Dr. Pearson responded that the student likely needed to make an inference based on the text in the test.

The same parent also expressed dismay that there are fewer textbooks now to reference when helping students at home, and that it can be difficult to see first-hand what they are learning via computer in school.

Another parent noted online resources, such as YouTube searches, have helped him understand how subjects are being taught.

“I ask my kids for key words that the teacher said,” he explained. He then uses those words to search for information and it has proven to be successful.

Holley Elementary Principal Karri Schiavone said parents do have access to materials and tests students are given on computers.

BOCES 2 administrators also alerted parents to a survey being conducted by the State Education Department seeking feedback from parents regarding state standards. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.

“You are encouraged to fill that out,” Dr. Pearson said.

Dr. Ryan observed that the way New York State education reforms came out all at one time with new standards, new assessments and new teacher evaluation was “probably not the smartest way to do it.”

Parents were also provided with information on various assessment tests including formative, summative, benchmark and state assessments as well as data reports regarding state assessments.

“Data can create conversation, that’s what’s important about data,” Dr. Ryan said. “If we don’t assess, we’re not going to know if they learned it. Assessment has become a bad word. It really isn’t a bad word. We have to assess to know how we are doing.”

Albion budget holds the line on town taxes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The proposed 2016 Albion town budget would keep the tax rates the same – $4.25 per $1,000 of assessed property outside the village and $2.85 for property inside the village.

The Town Board had a public hearing Monday evening on the budget, which includes 2 percent raises for town employees except for the five Town Board members and the highway superintendent. The pay for those positions will stay the same.

The budget includes a wild card with The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, the former county nursing home. That is on the tax rolls for the first time with a $6,618,900 assessment. However the owners, Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC, are seeking to reduce the assessment to $2.5 million with a legal challenge.

If the assessment stays at $6,618,900, the town stands to gain another $28,130 in tax revenue. If the assessment is $2.5 million, the town would collect $10,625 in taxes.

Town Supervisor Matt Passarell said the budget includes conservative numbers for the nursing home. However the assessment challenge ends up, Passarell said the facility will give the town’s tax base a nice increase.

Passarell and the Town Board said the town will continue to chip in with programs inside the village, with $8,000 set aside for the village parks program. The town also expects to continue with $1,000 towards flowers in the downtown business district.

“This board has been very proactive in reaching out to the village,” said Richard Remley, a Town Board member.

Passarell and the board said they would like to continue meeting regularly with the Village Board to discuss ways to share services and other cooperation.

The preliminary budget includes $919,081 for the general and highway funds, which is a tiny increase over the $918,277 in 2015.

The fire protection portion of the budget is its own line item and shows a decrease for 2016, down from $113,189 to $105,000. That will also result in a drop in the fire protection rate, which was $1.23 in 2015.

The Town Board plans to adopt the budget on Monday at 7 p.m. during a meeting at Town Hall.

Big turnout at Yates called ‘wonderful’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Patrick Whipple fills out his ballot today at Yates Town Hall, which has been busy with voters.

YATES – Long-time Yates residents are seeing something today they don’t recall in their lifetimes: A big flock of people has turned out at the polls for a local election.

There has been a steady stream of people throughout the day on Main Street for people to vote at Yates Town Hall. By 5 p.m., 550 people had cast ballots out of 1,466 registered voters, or about 40 percent of the eligible voters. There were still four hours to go till the polls closed.

“There have been a lot of new faces,” said one of the poll workers. “This just doesn’t happen like this in this little town.”

Most of the local elections in Yates offer a slate of unopposed candidates. Turnout is light at the polls. But this election, there is a race for town supervisor, and three candidates are vying for two other spots on the Town Board.

Jim Simon, a write-in candidate for town supervisor, arrived at 6 a.m. and has been standing by this sign all day, hoping to connect with voters.

Jim Simon mounted a write-in campaign after losing the Republican Primary in September to incumbent John Belson for town supervisor. It was close, with Belson winning 153-146.

But Simon stayed committed in the race. He stood by the Post Office beginning at 6 a.m. with a big sign urging people to vote for him, John Riggi and Glenn Maid. All are vocally opposed to a proposed wind turbine project in the community.

A citizens group, Save Ontario Shores, formed when Apex Clean Energy announced its plan for 60 to 68 of the turbines in Somerset and Yates.

The election workers established 100-foot buffer zones for candidates to not campaign before voters entered the Town Hall to cast their vote. Simon stood in front of the Post Office. He had many conversations throughout the day.

“It’s great to see everyone exercising their Constitutional right to vote,” he said.

There was a sign not far from Simon displayed high, promoting Wes Bradley, a town councilman who wasn’t endorsed by SOS. The sign urges voters to support a “fair and impartial” town official. That is the same message in signs for Belson.

Richard and Linda Fisk arrived across the street from Simon at 7 a.m. They were there to support Belson and Bradley. The couple has lived in the Lyndonville community for more than 70 years.

They said they hadn’t seen a bigger crowd to Main Street since the Fourth of July, when Lyndonville hosts a big festival.

“There has been a lot of interest and a lot of traffic,” Mrs. Fisk said.

Richard and Linda Fisk have stood by their 1948 Mercury truck since 7 this morning. The truck includes a stuffed animal of a dalmation. “Fear Not The Wind” is painted on the truck door.

The Fisks said they have known Belson and Bradley for many years, and both are long-time community servants with the best interests of the community in mind.

“I’m doing this to keep the Town Board where it’s at,” Mrs. Fisk said. “I believe in what I’m doing. I believe it’s best for the town.”

They said they have received many honks of support and thumbs up from passing motorists.

The Fisks even chatted with Simon during the day and SOS members. Everything was civil, Mrs. Fisk said.

“We’re not at each others’ throats,” she said. “The bottom line is everyone has their own opinion and they’re entitled to it.”

Glenn Maid (left), a candidate for Town Board, is pictured with Anne Smith, treasurer of Save Ontario Shores, and Paul Lauricella, a candidate for County Legislature.

Some Save Ontario Shores members were on the north side of the Town Hall, near the library looking to speak with residents before they voted.

“We want to elect our candidates,” said Smith, who has been out since 9 a.m., hoping to chat with voters.

“We’ve had a lot of thumbs up from people and horns beeping,” she said.

Lauricella has been an active government watchdog in recent years. He often speaks about voter apathy. But he was smiling about the busy election polls today in Yates.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much traffic on Election Day,” Lauricella said. “It’s the revolution of Lyndonville. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Election Day arrives with choices at the polls

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Albion voters can cast their ballots at the Hoag Library, one of the polling locations in Orleans County. To see a list of polling locations, click here.

A hard-fought campaign for Orleans County sheriff will conclude today when residents go to the polls and pick among three candidates: Don Organisciak, a Democrat; Randy Bower, a Republican and Conservative; and Tom Drennan, who is backed by the Independence and Reform parties.

It has been a contentious race going back to the spring. Drennan, the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, was endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Committee on May 7.

However, Bower, a public safety dispatcher, mounted an aggressive charge during the summer and won the Republican Primary on Sept. 10 over Drennan by 21 votes, 1,671 to 1,650. Bower has been highly visible at community events in recent months, from church chicken dinners to the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Drennan has stayed in the race and also has been showing no signs of let up before Election Day with meet-and-greet events as recently as Sunday in Carlton.

Organisciak is a retired Medina police officer and investigator. He is currently a part-time Medina school bus driver. He, too, held meet-and-greet events last week and has attended numerous community festivals and events since the summer.

The sheriff’s race isn’t the only county contest on the ballot today.

Two incumbent county legislators have opposition. Republican Don Allport faces a challenge from James White, a 21-year-old Democrat, for a county-wide legislator position from the central towns. Republican Lynne Johnson is challenged by Paul Lauricella, vice chairman of the County Conservative Party, for a District 2, which includes Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby.

Other county candidates are unopposed, including David Callard for at-large legislator (west); E. John DeFilipps for at-large legislator (east); William Eick for District 1 (Barre, Clarendon and most of Shelby); Fred Miller for District 3 (Albion and Gaines); and Kenneth DeRoller for District 4 (Kendall, Murray and Carlton).

A county coroner, Rocky Sidari of Albion, also is on the ballot. The former Albion fire chief is unopposed and backed by the Republican, Conservative and Reform parties.

Here is how the Hoag Library main meeting room looked at about 7 a.m. today, with several spots set up for voters to cast their ballots.

The candidates for town positions include:

Albion

Matthew Passarell (R,C) is unopposed for town supervisor and Sarah Basinait (R, D) is unopposed for town clerk. There is a three-way battle for two Town Board positions. Darlene Benton, a Democrat, joins the ballot with Republican Paul Fulcomer and Anthony (Jake) Olles, who is backed by the Democrats and Republicans.

Michael Neidert and Jed Standish are vying for highway superintendent. Neidert is backed by the Democrats and Republicans. He won a Republican primary over Standish, who is running under the Reform and “All In For Albion” independent party.

Barre

There is a race for town supervisor with incumbent Mark Chamberlain, a Republican, challenged by Cyndy Van Lieshout, a Democrat. Republicans have backed Larry Gaylard and Sean Pogue for Town Board, and Democrats are challenging them with Joe Grabowski and Richard Bennett, a former county legislator.

Dale Brooks is unopposed for highway superintendent after winning a Republican primary. Maureen Beach (R, D) is unopposed for town clerk.

Carlton

The Republican candidates are unopposed on the ballot, including Gayle Ashbery for town supervisor; John Fitzak and Dana Woolston for Town Board (4-year terms); Marcus Coville for Town Board (2-year term); and Patricia Russell for town justice. Frank Lauta is mounting a write-in campaign for Town Board.

Clarendon

There is a three-way race for highway superintendent. Larry Swanger, the incumbent, won a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 with four candidates. Swanger is on the ballot today with the Republican, Independence and Reform lines. He is challenged by Tracy Bruce Chalker (Conservative, Labor Force) and Frederick K. Seeman III (A & K Party).

Gaines

The Republican Town Board candidates – Carol Culhane for town supervisor, and Mary Neilans and Richard DeCarlo for councilmen – are challenged by a Democratic Party team including Patrick Swiercznski for town supervisor, and Bill Lattin and Pete Toenniessen for councilmen. Ron Mannella is unopposed for highway superintendent and is running with five political party lines.

Kendall

It’s quiet in the Kendall town elections with the candidates all unopposed, including Anthony Cammarata for town supervisor, Barbara Flow and Margaret Lynn Szozda for Town Council, and Warren Kruger for highway superintendent.

Murray

The candidates are all unopposed including John Morriss for town supervisor, and Lloyd Christ and Edwin Bower for councilmen.

Ridgeway

Town Supervisor Brian Napoli and Town Justice Joseph Kujawa are unopposed. Three people are seeking two spots on the Town Board, including Mary Woodruff and Sarah Fisher, who have the Republican line. Incumbent Paul Blajszczak is running under the independent “Badger Party.”

Shelby
The big race in Shelby is for highway superintendent, with incumbent Michael Fuller challenged by Ed Houseknecht, the former county highway superintendent and Medina Department of Public Works superintendent. Fuller has the Republican, Independence and Reform party lines, while Houseknecht is backed by the Conservative Party.

The other Shelby candidates are unopposed, including Merle “Skip” Draper for town supervisor; Kenneth Schaal, Jr. and Dale Stalker for Town Council; Dawn Keppler for town justice; and Darlene Rich for town clerk.

Yates
After winning a close Republican primary for town supervisor, incumbent John Belson faces a write-in campaign from Jim Simon. There is also a three-way contest for two town council positions. Wesley Bradley and John Riggi are backed by the Republican Party and Glenn Maid is running with the Conservative Party. Town Clerk Michele Harling and Highway Superintendent Roger Wolfe are unopposed.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Barge Brewing Company to open in downtown Medina in 2016

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Jeremy Hogan, owner of O’Brien’s, leading effort for micro-brewery on Main Street

Jeremy Hogan

MEDINA – The owner of O’Brien’s is working to open a new micro-brewery in downtown Medina. Jeremy Hogan said he is establishing the Barge Brewing Company on North Main Street.

The new business will be located in the Zambito Realtors building, next to NAPA Auto Parts. The brewery will have a Main Street storefront and will back up to the canal and have access in the Canal Basin for boaters.

Hogan expects the business will be ready for a “soft opening” in March, and will be ready for bigger crowds and bus tours in May.

He has already begun work on converting the space, which once was a bowling alley. It will become a tasting cellar, production area and retail store for beer and merchandise.

“This is a project I’ve been working on for quite some time, and I’m glad to say the time is finally right and the pieces have all fallen into place,” Hogan said.

He has owned O’Brien’s, a tavern on Main Street, the past four years. Hogan also worked in the software and information technology industries before returning to his hometown of Medina. He plans to keep O’Brien’s open, with the sites as complimentary businesses.

“There’s no doubt that craft beer is experiencing a boom such that the average American lives within 5 miles of a brewery,” Hogan said. “That kind of saturation might indicate the movement has topped out, but the trend we see is in smaller batches and a hyper local experience, more of a nano brewery.”

Hogan has been a home brewer. He will bring in master brewers to create the beer at the Barge Brewing Company.

“We create a large scope of beers rather than focusing on scaling one flagship recipe that is mass marketed and mass produced,” he said. “I know from my experience running a tavern that there is no shortage of beer enthusiasts and an ever-growing connoisseurship of craft beer drinkers.”

Each of the recipes has a bit of Medina in its foundation, from sourcing local ingredients to highlighting and celebrating the local heritage and famous visitors, Hogan said.

He plans to offer a standard American Pale Ale called Barge Beer; a highly hopped, higher alcohol double IPA called The Muleskinner; a seasonal Bock that honors John Steinbeck’s visit to Medina called Steinbock; a raspberry infused ale named for Medina’s first lady (Frances Folsom who married U.S. President Grover Cleveland) called Framboise Folsom; a grog-inspired ale in tribute to a pirate known to frequent the Great Lakes called Skull Dugger.

Hogan also plans to offer a milk chocolate stout, a vanilla bourbon porter, a cherry lime shandy and other brews.

“That’s the main benefit of doing smaller batches,” he said. “We can release anything that suits the season or strikes our fancy.”

Hogan has reached out to locals in the industry. Hogan said Barge Brewing is working on a cask-conditioned barleywine in partnership with Jonathan Oakes of Leonard Oakes Winery and a mead-based beer called a “braggot” with Bryan DeGraw of 810 Meadworks.

There will also be a menu created in part with J.J. Heideman of Bad Ash BBQ and an exclusive catering agreement with Zambistro for parties and events. Hogan is also developing custom beers for Zambistro and Bad Ash, as well as a Stout and Irish Red that will be available exclusively at O’Brien’s.

Mayor Andrew Meier said Barge Brewing will be an exciting addition to the downtown, drawing customers that should visit other local businesses.

“Jeremy’s business concept is fresh and inspired,” Meier said. “Medina’s emerging craft beverage scene will benefit from the uniqueness of Barge Brewing’s nano-brewery model. This new business will help Medina emerge as a standout food and beverage destination in WNY.”

The Village of Medina became more winery and brewery friendly last year with the creation of code variances to allow for that type of industry in the historic downtown area.

In Gaines, slate of Democrats and Republicans vie for Town Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 November 2015 at 12:00 am

The Republican Party candidates include, from left: Mary Neilans for town councilman, Carol Culhane for town supervisor, and Richard DeCarlo for town councilman.

GAINES – Gaines residents will go to the polls on Tuesday (Nov. 3) and will have choices for the Town Board, with a slate of Democrats squaring off against three Republicans.

That doesn’t happen too often in Orleans County in recent years, where in many towns the Republican candidates run unopposed.

Carol Culhane leads the Republican ticket. She is seeking a third two-year term as town supervisor. Culhane said she has worked to sort out town finances, including correcting some overcharging with water districts and reducing unbilled water by improving the town’s water meters.

She has worked to promote the Ridge Road corridor by pushing for new town signs and working on the project to open Fair Haven Treasures. She manages that site for owners Ray and Linda Burke. It has several artisan vendors.

Culhane has worked as a professional artist the past 26 years. She created the artwork for the new town signs, which include a cobblestone and patriotic theme. Culhane notes Gaines had a role in the War of 1812.

“We wanted to show the history and patriotism of the area,” she said.

Culhane owns Oak Orchard Galleries. She also works on several community projects, and was a liaison to the Santa Claus community when about 250 Santas came to Albion and Gaines for a Santa Claus Convention in April. The Santas helped dedicate an International Peace Garden at Fair Haven.

Culhane and the Town Board last month presented a budget for 2016 that would reduce the town tax rate by 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed property.

“The costs are down through conservation, oversight and management,” she said. “We tightened our belt.”

The town also benefitted from a boost in its tax base by $851,000 with most of that credited to the growth at Intergrow Greenhouses.

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Democratic Party in Gaines endorsed three candidates for Town Board, including, from left: Bill Lattin for councilman, Patrick Swiercznski for town supervisor, and Pete Toenniessen for town councilman.

Swiercznski is a familiar name in Gaines. Patrick is following his father Ted Swiercznski in pursuing local politics. Ted Swiercznski was a Gaines and county official, and remains active in the local Democratic Party.

Patrick Swiercznski has worked the past 25 years in local construction with Keeler Construction, the Pike Company, and then with Keeler again since 2004. Swiercznski primarily works as a surveyor for Keeler.

“I work with state, town and county governments on the various public works projects, working to keep them within budgets,” he said.

Keeler and governments often work on tight time constraints to get big projects done by deadline, Swiercznski said.

He would like to see the town be more active in addressing so-called “zombie” houses, which are properties in the midst of an unfinished foreclosure. Often a bank-owned house will be left vacant for years. It’s become an issue locally, state-wide and beyond.

“The ghost properties are abandoned and need to be cleaned up,” Swiercznski said.

He was nominated to run for town supervisor during the Democratic Party caucus.

“People thought enough to nominate me, and I don’t want to let them down,” he said.

The Town Board will have at least two new members in 2016 because incumbents David Kast and Doug Syck aren’t seeking re-election.

The Democrats have backed Bill Lattin and Pete Toenniessen. Lattin served on the board for 30 years from 1979 to 2009, before a two-year term as town supervisor. He retired as county historian last Dec. 31 after 35 years in position. A former school teacher, he also was director of the Cobblestone Museum for 40 years.

“Certainly I have a long-time interest in the Town of Gaines,” Lattin said. “I feel there are some things that need to be addressed.”

Lattin would like to see more attention given to the “zombie homes.” He also wonders if it is prudent for the town to reduce the tax rate by 30 cents.

“I question what the town is scrimping on that a future administration will have to make up for,” he said.

Lattin would also like to continue support for growing the community’s agriculture businesses. He said he is pleased to see the expansions at Intergrow and Lake Ontario Fruit, which runs a packing and distribution site on Route 104.

Pete Toenniessen worked 30 years at Kodak. He has been a school bus driver the past 18 years and has been an active adult volunteer with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H and the Fair Board.

“A lot of the areas need to be cleaned up in the town,” Toenniessen said.

He said he backs Right-To-Farm laws and wants to see Gaines welcome farming.

“The farmers are our lifeblood,” he said.

The Republican candidates for Town Board include former Town Supervisor Richard DeCarlo and Mary Neilans, a local veterinarian.

DeCarlo was on the Town Board during recent water district expansions. A retired industrial arts teacher from Churchville-Chili, DeCarlo also started and developed Heritage Estates, which has 163 units off Brown Road in the Village of Albion.

DeCarlo said he will be an advocate for taxpayers, particularly with the fire contract with the Village of Albion. The town has budgeted for a 5 percent increase in the contract for 2016.

Neilans lives in a historic cobblestone house on Route 98 that was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. She has been a regular attendee at Town Board meetings the past four years.

“I’m knowledgeable on the issues, and I’m willing to put in the time and effort,” she said.

Neilans and Culhane are both also endorsed by the Conservative Party. Neilans also was a trustee for nine years on Niagara County Community College, dealing with a budget and employees much larger than in Gaines.

Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Town Hall. Ron Mannella is also on the ballot for highway superintendent. He is unopposed and is running under five party lines: Republican, Democratic, Conservative, Independence and Reform.