By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2016 at 5:14 pm
CARLTON – Brown’s Berry Patch hosted a 5K run and Memory Walk today to benefit Hospice of Orleans. The event also honored Libby Jurs, a beloved school nurse at Kendall who died last Dec. 12 after a long battle with ovarian cancer and, more recently, leukemia.
This group works at Kendall Central School. They participated in today’s walk/run in honor of Jurs. They include, from left: Matt Zimmer, high school math teacher; Carol D’Agostino, high school principal; Marlene Morrow, ELA teacher; and Rhonda Oliver, high school secretary.
Kathy Jurs crosses the finish line where there was a photo of her late mother-in-law.
Cheryl and Bill McCall of Kendall cross the finish together. They were part of the Healthy Orleans group that trained for the event. About 40 people in Healthy Orleans completed the course.
Paul Glor, coach of the Churchville-Chili Cross Country team, finished first overall today with a time of 17:41, just ahead of Evan Steier of Albion. Glor has won the race eight times the past decade.
Emma Mathes, a member of the Albion Varsity Girls Cross Country team, accepts her trophy for the first female to finish with a time of 22:44. Jeffrey Brown is handing her the trophy and pumpkin.
Margy Brown, the race organizer since 1996, thanks participants for coming out on a rainy day. The run/walk has raised about $40,000 for Hospice in the past 20 years.
Dan Brundage and his son Ben, 10, of Hamlin sprint to the finish in today’s race.
Megan Makarchuk of Brockport and her father David Makarchuk of Oneida run the race together.
Finn McCue, 10, (left) and his brother DeClan, 12, of Carlton covered the 3.1-mile course together.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 8 October 2016 at 8:56 am
“Overlooked Orleans,” Volume 2, Issue 41
POINT BREEZE – In 1867, the U.S. Federal Government allocated approximately $87,000 to construct a set of piers and a lighthouse at Point Breeze. The result was this beautiful local landmark situated along the west side of the Oak Orchard River.
This picture, taken around 1900, shows two women and four men standing along the piers that were said to extend upwards of 1,600 feet out onto Lake Ontario. Where is the fourth man you may ask? While the five individuals stand on the walkway, a sixth person is standing on the lower level to the left of the group, peering into the water. The man on the far right appears to be extending a long pole into the water, possibly fishing.
The Point Breeze Lighthouse was officially completed in 1871 and was accompanied by a light-keeper’s home located on the western shore of the river. The keeper would carry containers filled with lamp oil along the pier to refill the lantern – oil was stored in a square iron building on shore, that building remains on exhibit at the Cobblestone Museum.
After the turn of the century, U.S. Congress passed a piece of legislation called the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1905. These acts, passed every few years, allocated funds to specific projects along rivers and harbors. This particular act brought about an end to maintenance of the two piers and accompanying lighthouse, which fell into a state of disrepair over the next ten years.
During a storm in 1914, the structure was severely damaged and with no available funding to provide necessary repairs to the lighthouse, it remained in place to suffer the continued effects of Lake Ontario.
Finally, a storm on December 28, 1916 delivered the final blow and swept the entire structure and a portion of the pier into the lake. A local newspaper reported that the pier on the west side of the river extended nearly 1,300 feet onto the lake, but was reduced to a length no longer than 1,000 feet after this terrific storm.
Although the lighthouse disappeared from sight, it remained a troublesome obstacle for boaters in the area for years after. Boaters unfamiliar with the area often found themselves running aground on the submerged wreckage of the lighthouse and pier. One such occasion involved a boat from Canada carrying five women and two men. The group was halted suddenly when the boat became lodged on the debris – a higher than normal water level was to blame for the unfortunate occurrence.
On another unfortunate occasion, a cruiser carrying rum from Canada during prohibition became lodged on the wreckage resulting in the subsequent seizure of the crew and its precious cargo. It is believed that this boat was one sold at auction east of Rochester, known as the Q9-92. In 1925, the vessel was captured near Kendall offloading 200 cases of Canadian ale at the Knapp Farm; State Police and Sheriff’s Deputies were led to the location by a nosey neighbor.
The boat was seized, the owner forced to pay $95, and the two 400 horsepower engines stripped from the vessel. The farm owner admitted to helping unload approximately 4-5 boatloads of liquor per week at that very spot, shipping the spirits to Rochester by truck. Police auctioned the boat off outside of Rochester in 1925, so it was no surprise that the new owner would choose to use the cruiser for its original purpose!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2016 at 5:54 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow today by the Albion Rotary Club.
This is the highest honor given by Rotary. The Albion club will donate $1,000 in Narburgh’s name to Rotary International for humanitarian projects.
Narburgh is pictured with long-time friend and Rotarian Dick Pilon, left, and Bill Downey, chairman of the Orleans County Fishing Derby, which is run by the Albion Rotary Club. Narburgh sells more than half of the tickets for the fishing derby which runs for about two weeks every August.
She has been outspoken in promoting the fishery and Point Breeze area during her 50 years at Narby’s, including the 2013 community effort when Point Breeze was named “The Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2016 at 7:37 pm
This photo which was widely shared on Facebook shows a hose for irrigation connected to a fire hydrant without a backflow prevention device by the hydrant. It shows a hydrant on Fancher Road in Murray.
(Editor’s note: This article was updated from the original to state the towns could face a $100 fine, although that likely would be waived once the towns assure the Health Department they are in compliance.)
ALBION – Two towns in Orleans County were sent violation notices last week for not having backflow prevention devices by a fire hydrant when farmers were using water for irrigation.
Carlton and Murray both allow farmers to use water from hydrants, just like most towns in an agricultural community. However, the Orleans County Health Department saw instances in the two towns where backflow devices were not by the hydrants.
It is the towns’ responsibility to ensure backflow devices are by the first point of connection, in these cases the fire hydrants, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans County.
“It’s not the farmer or any other end user that are in violation,” Pettit said today. “It’s the towns that are responsible for the water districts.”
The towns could face a $100 fine by the Health Department. That fine likely would be dropped if the towns respond by next week and ensure the Health Department they are in compliance by not allowing hook-ups to the system without backflow devices by the hydrant, Pettit said.
Water with bacteria or contaminants from a hose could get in the main water system without a back flow device, he said. In the case of a fire where there could be a big draw or change in pressure in the water system, water from a hose could be pulled into the main waterlines if there isn’t a backflow device, possibly contaminating the public water supply, Pettit said.
The Health Department sent letters to all 10 towns, reminding them to use backflow devices by hydrants for outside users.
“We have a great working relationship with all of the towns,” Pettit said. “But we wanted to make sure they all are doing their due diligence to protect our water supply.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2016 at 1:55 am
‘It will be one of the most physically and emotionally challenging things I’ve ever done.’ – Wendy Cannon
Photo by Tom Rivers: T.J. and Wendy Cannon have been training and raising money for a 50-mile walk Sept. 9-11 in a benefit for people battling Multiple Sclerosis. Mrs. Cannon was diagnosed with the condition almost 17 years ago.
WATERPORT – A decade ago Wendy Cannon was so debilitated by multiple sclerosis she was wheelchair bound. That lasted about a month.
Treatment and medication, as well as her determined spirit, got her back on her feet.
Cannon is thankful she has been able to continue working as an occupational therapist. She is grateful she made it to her son’s recent graduation from high school.
She wants to help others with MS, and improve her odds in battling a disease where the cause is unknown. That’s whey she and her husband T.J. are planning to walk 50 miles on Sept. 9-11 in Cape Cod in a MS Challenge Walk.
They have been raising money and training for the long walk. They are about halfway towards the $3,000 goal.
“I’m excited about it,” Cannon said at her home this evening on Knight’s Lane off Oak Orchard River Road. “It will be one of the most physically and emotionally challenging things I’ve ever done.”
Cannon, 45, was stricken with MS when she was 28. It was a cold winter day and she had been playing with her son, then 3. Her lips, the left side of her scalp and her left arm felt numb. She thought she might have frostbite. Doctors diagnosed her with a disease that afflicts women far more than men.
The Challenge Walk will raise money for research and treatment, and to assist people fighting the disease.
“Who knows, the $3,000 we raise might find the cure for MS,” said Mr. Cannon.
He works as a technician for Respiratory Services of WNY. He has been training with his wife, going on long walks, including 7 miles on Sunday.
The couple has had a wine tasting, kayak race and tupperware party to raise money for the challenge. They have been collecting pop cans and water bottles as well. Some of their friends and neighbors leave bags of bottles for them, which adds up towards the $3,000 goal. They also have an online giving option. (Click here for more information.)
She expects the MS Challenge Walk will be a highlight as she and her husband walk 20 miles on Sept. 9, followed by another 20 miles and 10 miles the final day.
“It’s much more for the camaraderie and being with other people and sharing stories,” she said.
She works for HCR Homecare and provides occupational therapy to many people fighting MS. Cannon said the disease can leave many people bed-ridden. She still has some bad days, where it is hard to move and keep her balance. But she keeps moving.
She gets up at 4:30 and goes to Fast Fitness in Medina to work out for at least an hour. She wants to run again. She ran the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K in 2013 when she felt like she was in her peak shape. For now, she is focused on the 50 miles over 3 days.
Cannon has a sister in Connecticut who will be at the MS Challenge. Some of her friends in Waterport also plan on going to root on the Cannons. Western New York doesn’t have a Challenge Walk. That’s why the Cannons are going to Cape Cod.
Mrs. Cannon said there is a candlelight service as part of the Challenge. She has watched the video and it brings her to tears. Mrs. Cannon has been in clinical trials with treatment. She hopes to slow the disease’s progression. She said she is focused on quality of life, not quantity of days.
“I don’t have a bucket list,” she said. “I try to live each day to the fullest.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2016 at 4:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – Albion, Carlton and Kendall firefighters worked together late this morning to put out a garage fire at 14017 Park Ave., in Carlton.
The top photo shows firefighters cutting open the garage door to ventilate the building. The fire didn’t spread to a house close by. A woman and her daughter were able to safely get out of the house.
Jeff Gifaldi, a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, takes photos of the scene. Deputies and Carlton fire officials say the fire is under investigation.
In addition to Carlton, Albion and Kendall firefighters, the Orleans County Emergency Management Office responded to the scene as well as Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance as a precaution.
A tractor with an American flag is in the front yard of the property.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 July 2016 at 12:00 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers-Jayne Bannister, 18, is pictured with her pig, Edith, that will be auctioned off July 30 at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Proceeds will go to Hospice of Orleans.
Jayne walks with Edith the pig on Saturday at the family farm on Route 98 in Point Breeze.
Robert Bannister, right, serves as auctioneer for the 4-H Market Meat Auction. His sister Jayne Bannister is in the ring with the lone steer at last year’s auction. Panek Farms paid $4.50 a pound or $5,378 for the 1,195-pound animal.
KENT – Jayne Bannister later this month will end her 4-H experience after about a decade of showing animals at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Bannister has won numerous ribbons for showing pigs, cows and other animals.
She wants to make her final time in the show ring special. Instead of going for a blue ribbon, Jayne, 18, is using her 4-H finale to raise money for Hospice of Orleans.
Jayne has been raising a pig that will be auctioned off July 30 during the 4-H Market Meat Auction. The auction is at 7 p.m. on Saturday, the last day of the fair.
Jayne said she appreciates the care provided by Hospice about a year ago when her grandmother, Doris Bannister, was dying. Hospice sent nurses to help care for Doris so she could be at home in her final days.
“It was really great for our family,” Jayne said about having her grandmother at home instead of at a hospital. “We could see her as the mother and the grandmother we knew.”
Doris stayed close to her loved ones and the farm, even joining her son Roger on a Kubota for a ride in the orchard.
“It was so much better for her to be able to be at home rather than in a hospital bed,” Jayne said. “She had a sense of freedom, which was always important to her.”
Doris Bannister was 97 when she died peacefully last July 30.
Jayne in May finished her freshman year at Kansas State University, where she is a double major in animal science and agriculture education.
She has been getting three pigs ready for the fair since she came home. One of the pigs she calls Edith will be in the auction with proceeds going to Hospice. Edith weighs about 240 pounds. Jayne is hoping the pitch will fetch more than $1,000 at the auction.
Edith is named for one of the sisters in the popular PBS show, Downton Abbey. Two other pigs that Jayne named Mary and Sybil – also Edith’s sister in Downton – will also be going to the fair. Jayne is calling the trio, ” Downton Hammy.”
The auction starts at 7 p.m. with a buyer’s preview and reception at 6:30. Steer, pigs, lambs, meat goats, meat rabbits, chickens and turkeys will all be up for auction.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2016 at 12:00 am
CARLTON – A cigarette in a pail on the back porch of a house in Carlton didn’t extinguish and caused the fire on Monday at a home on Sawyer Road, said Walter Batt, an Orleans County fire investigator.
Batt said the cigarette was put in a pail, and didn’t go out after being used. The homeowner attempted to put out the fire as it climbed up the back wall of the house, but it spread too fast, Batt said.
The house at 1523 Sawyer Rd. is owned by Lee Kruger, who built the house in 2007. Batt said the family intends to rebuild.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2016 at 11:26 am
CARLTON – A home on Sawyer Road was badly damaged in a fire this afternoon.
The house at 1523 Sawyer Rd. is owned by Lee Kruger. It was built in 2007. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 4 p.m.
Kruger and his family were able to get out of the house safely.
Firefighters from Carlton, Kendall, Albion, Medina and Lyndonville were at the scene, as well as the county emergency management office, fire investigators and the Red Cross. The fire devoured the roof of the house.
Firefighters work together to get water on the blaze.
These firefighters are at the back of the house, where the air was filled with smoke.
Firefighters have multiple hoses going to put out the fire.
A Carlton firefighter connects two hoses to reach the back of the house.
These firefighters get the thick hose in better position to battle the fire on Sawyer Road, just north of Route 18.
ALBION – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was honored on Monday for attaining the most training hours for both fire and EMS training.
The top photo shows, from left: Dale Banker, emergency management coordinator for Orleans County; Jerry Lewis, state fire instructor; and Shelby Fire Chief Andy Benz.
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was recognized during the Fire Chief’s Association Meeting. Shelby firefighters completed 1,782.5 hours for fire service and 1,110 hours for Emergency Medical Services training between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. Shelby led all departments in the county in both categories.
Provided photo
File photo by Tom Rivers
Provided photo
Dale Banker and Jerry Lewis recognize John Miller III and Lori Miller, both of Shelby, for each each completing more than 200 hours of training. Their names are now on a plaque that hangs in the classroom at the Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road. John Miller III also received the award for highest individual EMS training time with 240 hours.
Ben Diltz of the Carlton Fire Department puts on the turnout gear, a multi-step task that needed to be done properly in less than 2 minutes as part of a basic firefighting course. He is pictured on May 16, 2015. Diltz had the most fire training hours for an individual with 189 hours.
County Legislators John DeFillipps, second from left, and Bill Eick, right, hold the Fire and EMS Plaques that will hang in the Legislative Chambers at the County Clerks’ Building. These plaques recognize the top agency for fire and EMS training each year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2016 at 10:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers-The Rev. Eddie English, pastor of The Lord’s House in Waterport, and his wife Rose greet church attendees on Sunday following a church service.
WATERPORT – A congregation that started a decade ago remains committed and optimistic in serving God and helping the Orleans County community.
The Rev. Eddie English, pastor of The Lord’s House, is grateful for the church’s first 10 years, and the way many people have stepped forward to work with the church, particularly with renovations of a former United Methodist building in Waterport.
The Lord’s House started a decade ago when English and his wife Rose succeeded Ella Mae and Le Roy Hawkins, who ran the Faith Power Mission next to their home on Root Road in Barre.
English said he prayed about the church’s future, and felt led to bring The Lord’s House to storefront on East Bank Street in Albion. The Lord’s House opened in downtown Albion in 2007, with prayer meetings, Bible studies and Sunday church services.
Rose and Eddie English are pictured outside The Lord’s House at 2038 Eagle Harbor Rd. The church acquired the former United Methodist building in Waterport at an auction in 2011.
The Lord’s House was cramped on East Bank Street in Albion. Eddie English felt God leading the congregation to a bigger building, a former United Methodist site in Waterport, a church building that had been vacant for 20 years.
English attended the county’s tax auction, when properties with several years of back taxes are put up for sale. It was May 2011, and The Lord’s House bought the building for $500, plus $2,500 in back taxes.
The building was in disrepair, in need of major repairs. English was called a fool by some in the community. Some church members also were skeptical about moving to a building out on the country that needed so much work.
English, with help from church members and some local residents, worked diligently to make the building ready for worship services. They painted, upgraded electric and plumbing, and put in a new bathroom, an outside ramp, a new pulpit and other improvements.
Eddie English stands in the sanctuary of The Lord’s House in this photo taken looking out from the pulpit with an open Bible.
Eddie and Rose English believe the efforts to redeem a building that was left to rot is a metaphor for how God can transform any life, including people scorned by society.
“When people come here they will feel love,” English said. “Here it is God led. We hope people will see what is going on and that we’re progressing.”
There are about 30 regulars for Sunday services, but English said that sometimes grows to 60 when farmworkers, including many Jamaicans, are in the area working at fruit and vegetable farms. The church plans to take the Jamaicans up on their offer to help with building repairs, play in the worship band and help as ushers. English uses a church van to pick up many of the farmworkers and some other church attendees.
English said there is a lot of work remaining. He wants to create a fellowship hall in the basement and also a room for people to do homework, or check the Internet.
The building could use more fresh paint to improve the looks.
“People see a lot of work has been done,” English said. “We’re bringing back something that was dead. It was an eyesore.”
Willie Graham, an elder at The Lord’s House, speaks from the pulpit this past Sunday.
English felt called to the ministry about a decade ago. He had a full-time job as a head cook at the Margaret House, a child care center at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He had been a deacon for about 25 years at the Royal Church of God in Christ in Carlton, where his brothers-in-law, William Morrell Washington and Mark Washington, are leaders.
When they started the church, Mrs. English was working as a public relations executive for the RIT Inn and Conference Center. She now serves as administrator for The Lord’s House. The couple has been married for 38 years and has three grown children.
Their daughter Angela heads up the youth ministry, including a liturgical dance team that has performed in Tampa, Fla. at a conference for the Church of God in Christ denomination. The dancers regularly are part of the church service at The Lord’s House.
Olivia Peterson, 7, practices as part of the liturgical dance team following church on Sunday. Her grandfather is the church pastor.
English admits the church restoration hasn’t always been easy. He has sometimes doubted himself and the call to take on the project. When he feels low, he said God comes through. One time a stranger showed up and handed him $2,000 to help with a new furnace.
Other donations and help have arrived including a Henrietta church that gave The Lord’s House a pulpit, communion table, sliding doors and a refrigerator. English said the gifts, often unsolicited, strengthen his resolve and faith.
“I have learned so much as I have taken this journey,” he said Sunday. “Sometimes I didn’t know which way to turn and the burden became heavy. Every time I wanted to throw up my hands and quit, a still small voice told me, ‘I cleaned you up and now I want you to clean up this church.'”
Eddie English preaches on Sunday.
Some of the church members who were originally skeptical of the move to take on the Waterport church now praise English, and thank you for following that vision, and for being so committed.
“We had a small membership, and some people didn’t think we could do it,” English said. “People wanted to take a chance, but there was fear. By faith we’re trying to be a light in the community.
The church has Sunday School from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., followed by worship from 10:30 to about noon.
Eddie and Rose English are often at the church on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the evenings. They said they would welcome a chance to give residents a tour of the building on those days, or on a Sunday.
The church has a Facebook page (click here) with more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, left, reads a “Special Recognition” Award that was presented last week to members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, which donated $3,249 for a swing set at the County Marine Park.
The donation is part of an effort to relocate and upgrade the playground at the park. OONA members also put on a summer concert series at the park, and lead other efforts to promote the Point Breeze community.
The new playground equipment should be installed soon. “We’re waiting for the ground to firm up,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s director of planning and development. He also oversees the Marine Park on Route 98.
Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard, left, and Legislator John DeFilipps congratulate Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon for receiving a “Special Recognition” Award for repainting 15 historical markers in the county. Ierlan started by redoing all four in Clarendon, and now has given a facelift to many others in Orleans County, including one outside Orleans in Elba.
County legislators also issued a proclamation declaring May 1-7 as “Western New York Armed Forces Week.” Pictured, from left: Former Legislator Frank Berger who is active in veterans’ causes, Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator Fred Miller, and Earl Schmitt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – Albion firefighter James Fisher joins Caden Woolston and his sister Ava Woolston during an open house today at the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company.
Carlton let children use water hoses to hit targets, and welcomed kids to ride fire trucks and meet firefighters. Caden and Ava’s father Ryan Woolston is second lieutenant with Carlton.
Carlton hosted an open house today at the recreation hall on Route 98 as part of Recruit NY, a state-wide effort to boost membership in fire departments.Carlton firefighters also did an extrication demonstration.
Lily Eggleston, 5, of Albion has a big smile after riding in a Carlton fire truck.
Carlton firefighter Ryan Woolston shows a flashlight to twin brothers Weston Ernst, left, and Wyatt Ernst, both age 3. They are joined by Valerie Niederhofer, secretary of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company.
Fancher-Hulberton-Murray also hosted an open house today as well as yesterday. here, FHM firefighter Ray Keffer assists a girl in climbing down a ladder of a trailer from the Hilton Fire District.
That trailer has a smoke simulator and firefighters could use the trailer to discuss the dangers of unattended stoves, overloaded extension cords and other household fire hazards.
Kali Keffer, an FHM junior firefighter, joins children in a safety drill inside the trailer from Hilton.
FHM firefighters Debbie Fiorito, left, and Mark Mallet do an extrication drill as part of today’s open house.
ROCHESTER – A Waterport woman who teaches music in the City of Rochester was one of four teachers honored last week by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for outstanding work in the classroom.
Kelly Follman is an instrumental and vocal teacher at Francis Parker School #23 in the Rochester City School District. Follman directs the Compass Choir and two bands, as well as directs and produces two elementary musicals each year.
She holds the position of Eastman Pathways program liaison between the city school district and the Eastman School of Music. This year, she is a recipient of the RCSD Board of Education “Yes We Can” Award for her work with children in urban education, specifically at Francis Parker School.
Follman is a woodwind specialist who performs in area pit orchestras and serves as costumer for community theater productions. She passionately believes that children in the city of Rochester should have access to the same music-making opportunities as their peers in surrounding communities, and works diligently to achieve this, according to a news release from the RPO.
Photo: RPO
The four teachers recognized by the RPO include, from left: Kathleen Sullivan of Pine Brooke Elementary School at Greece Central School District; Kelly Follman of Francis Parker School #23 in Rochester City School District; Brian Bohrer of Rush-Henrietta High School; and William Baldwin, Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton Central School District.
She was recognized last Thursday during the 28th annual RPO Musicians’ Awards for Outstanding Music Educators. Founded in 1988, the Awards program works to strengthen the relationship between area music educators and the musicians of the RPO.
The awards commend those teaches who have shown both educational and musical excellence and who recognize the positive influence they have on musicians and audiences of the future. Administrators, educators, parents and students submit nominations that are then reviewed by a committee comprised of community educators and RPO musicians.
“We want to see how they engage students in the classroom, and how they are creating an atmosphere of excitement toward music,” explains Anna Steltenpohl, chair of the Awards committee and RPO oboe and English horn player. “We want to see how they are bringing music alive.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2016 at 9:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Beef cattle are pictured on Tuesday as the sun sets on Route 98 in Carlton.
CARLTON – The Town of Carlton mailed out nearly 2,400 letters with property assessments to landowners in mid-March. This was the first town-wide reassessment in six years, and the data shows big increases in farmland.
Town Assessor Gene Massey said those landowners shouldn’t be alarmed because the taxable value will likely go down to small increases when ag exemptions are factored in. He bases assessments on comparable sales, and he said farmland has been selling for high prices. The last two sales in Carlton include farmland at nearly $8,000 an acre and another one at $6,500 per acre.
Carlton was mired in controversy when it attempted a town-wide reassessment three years ago. Residents were outraged when some properties saw big increases, and others didn’t. Residents questioned the fairness of the town’s assessing.
The Town Board voted to freeze assessments at 2012 levels and not use the 2013 numbers, unless there was new construction and other property improvements.
Carlton hired a consultant, GAR Associates Inc., to visit every property in town and make note of swimming pools, additions, sheds, garages and exterior property improvements. Carlton also appointed Gene Massey the new assessor. He also works as Kendall’s assessor.
Massey said the reassessments show small changes for old-style homes, ranches and most other houses.
Overall, the town’s tax base grew 7.3 percent or by $14,089,207 (from $192,067,296 in 2015 to $206,156,503).
However, he said farmland has nearly doubled in assessed value. Poorer quality farmland with clay was assessed at $1,000 an acre in Carlton and Kendall last year, but the new assessments push the value to $1,600 in Kendall and $1,800 in Carlton. Higher quality soil, such as sandy loam, jumped in assessed value from $1,400 an acre in Carlton to $2,600.
One Carlton farmer, Robert VanWuyckhuyse, said his ag land increased 77 percent, or by $89,000, with the latest assessment. That will make it difficult for Lee Farms, a beef operation on Sawyer Road, to stay in business, he said.
VanWuyckhuyse said he has hired an attorney to contest the big hike in his assessment.
Carlton Town Board members declined to discuss the assessments in public on Tuesday. Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery said residents should first meet with Massey for his rationale on their assessments. If they contest the valuation, they can file a grievance and go before the Board of Assessment Review on May 25.
Ashbery said she has heard few complaints about the new assessments.
“I am very confident in Gene’s work,” she said about Massey after the meeting on Tuesday.
