KENDALL – The school district has been approved for a $544,838 technology grant that will boost high-speed Internet access and also allow every high school student to have a device connected to the Internet.

The state announced the funding for Kendall and 64 other school districts on Friday. The state approved $44 million for the “Smart Schools Investment Plans.” The money is part of $2 billion approved in 2014 by New York voters in the Smart Schools Bond Act. The funding is “aimed at reimagining teaching and learning for the 21st century,” Gov. Cuomo said on Friday.

Kendall school leaders have been working on the “Smart Schools” plan the past two years with the State Education Department, said Julie Christensen, the school district superintendent.

Kendall’s grant has $99,034 devoted to school connectivity and $445,804 to classroom technology.

The district will have enhanced broadband and Internet access, Christensen said today.

Kendall will also be providing one-to-one technology for students in grades 7-12 as a pilot in 2017-18, beginning in September, the superintendent said.

The district will also upgrade its elementary computer lab, which will be available later this month. The district will also add laptops and iPads for grades kindergarten through 6.

“We’re pleased the funding has finally become available to access technology hardware and software to ensure our students are prepared for 21st Century learning,” she said.

Cuomo said the state will use the funding to equip students with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the global economy, and close the “digital divide” in hundreds of schools across the state.

With the Smart Schools Act, many school districts are investing in technology such as computer servers, interactive whiteboards, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, and high-speed broadband and wireless connectivity, Cuomo said. This technology helps students to learn at their own pace, expands access to advanced courses and interactive curriculum, and enhances communication between parents and teachers.

“The Smart Schools Bond act has played a critical role in expanding educational opportunity by helping schools modernize outdated classrooms,” Cuomo said in a statement. “This funding ensures that all of New York’s students –no matter their zip code—have access to the technology that has become so essential to modern education by preparing them to meet the demands of the 21st century economy.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Firefighters battle a house fire this morning at 2465 Peter Smith Rd. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 9:45 a.m.

The house is owned by Terry Bliss and his wife Cookie. Mr. Bliss said he had put firewood in an outdoor stove and was taking a shower when his wife told him the house was on fire.

Bliss and his wife both made it out safely.

“Houses can be replaced, lives cannot,” he said.

The Bliss family has lived in the house for 31 years. They had the stove for 25 years and had not experienced any problems from the stove before. The stove is behind the garage. The stove heats up coils and a 350-gallon water tank.

Bliss is well known in the Kendall community. He is a past president of the Kendall Lions Club and also served as a Lions district governor.

Fire officials at the scene said manpower was an issue this morning. Several departments had to be called for mutual aid. Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, Holley, Albion, Clarendon, Kendall and Carlton all sent firefighters to the scene.

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Provided photos

ALBION –  Girl Scouts from Albion and Kendall Troop 82127 completed their Bronze Award project, the highest award for junior level Girl Scouts, by hosting a Christmas Tea for the residents at the the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence in Albion on Saturday.

This photo shows, from left, front row: Abigail Merkley; second row: Sarah Thom, Sophia Albanese, Julia Fuller and Autumn Flugel; third row: Kaitys Allen, Sarah Mathes, Riannon Newbould, Abrielle Shuler and Julia Knight. Missing from picture: Liana Flugel.

There are 7 required steps to earn the award. They must earn a Girl Scout Journey badge, build their Girl Scout junior team based on each other’s strengths and talents,  explore their community to come up with ideas for projects to help their community,  brainstorm and decide as a team which idea best suits them and fills a need, make a plan for a take action project, put their plan in motion and, lastly, spread the word.

The Scouts met at the Martin-Linsin Residence to speak with Michelle Toenniessen about their idea and have their plan approved. From left include Julia Knight, Julia Fuller, Abrielle Shuler, Sophia Albanese and Riannon Newbould.

The Scouts set up with homemade cookies and desserts for Saturday’s Tea.

Singing carols!  Left to right Kaitlyn Allen, Autumn Flugel, Julia Fuller, Julia Knight, Riannon Newbould, Abigail Merkley, Sarah Thom, Abrielle Shuler and Sarah Mathes with leaders Yvonne Newbould and Janelle Shuler.

The Scouts also stopped by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and thanked the staff, including Communications Director Allen Turner, for working to keep the community safe.  From left include Kaitlyn Allen, Abigail Merkley, Autumn Flugel and Riannon Newbould.

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Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Tony Cammarata, the Kendall town supervisor, is joined in the gazebo by Santa, two elves and Mrs. Claus (blocked from view) for the Kendall Community Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday evening.

The event continued at the Kendall Fire Hall with music from the Kendall Community Band, cocoa and cookies.

Preston Manners, a second grader at Kendall Elementary, has a chat with Santa during the Supper with Santa program at Kendall Elementary School. The supper was held prior to the Kendall Community Tree Lighting Ceremony and included pizza, a drink and a cookie in addition to the opportunity to speak with the man in red.

Four -year old Bryson Shuler enjoyed an opportunity to make his Christmas wishes known to Santa.

Vinnie Flow IV, 8 months old, was decked out in his First Christmas Santa garb on grandma’s lap during the Supper with Santa program. Grandma is Barb Flow, a member of the Kendall Town Board.

Members of the Kendall Elementary Choir sing carols following the lighting of the community tree at the gazebo in the Kendall Community Park.

The Orleans County Sheriff Department’s new canine, Otto, was in attendance at the Kendall tree lighting.  He was accompanied by Deputy Jeff Cole and Cole’s two-year old son, Logan. Otto came from Holland in mid-October and was obtained by the Sheriff’s Department through Upstate Canine in Hamlin.

Sheriff Randy Bower said donations from the community made the acquisition of Otto possible.  Otto is ready to serve the Department on tracking jobs.

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Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Community Band performed a benefit concert Tuesday evening in support of the Kendall Food Cupboard. The concert was held in the auditorium of the Jr./Sr. High School.

This photo shows the trumpet section with lead by Dave Warren. They played the “The Toy Trumpet,” by Raymond Scott and Robert Longfield.

The concert was free, but those attending were asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Cupboard.

“We appreciate you coming out,” band director Lori Cyr told the audience. “We’ve been playing together for about four years. We play at local events and nursing homes. We would like to grow in the future.”

Tuesday evening’s program included a mix of patriotic, swing and Broadway music. Cyr said pieces such as “The Blue and the Gray” and “Armed Forces Salute” were chosen to honor veterans.

Those attending Tuesday’s concert brought non-perishable food items to be donated to the Kendall Food Cupboard.

The concert was held at the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.  Concert goers had a chance to see the newly renovated entry/atrium which is now finished. It features an illuminated Kendall schools “K.”

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KENDALL – The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday joined growing effort to have the speed limit reduced in front of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.

Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, spoke to members of the Kendall Board of Education on Wednesday evening after the Legislature’s session earlier that day.

“It’s a major safety concern,” DeRoller told the Board of Education.

He said he and Legislator John DeFillipps, R-Clarendon, received a petition with 358 signatures from Kendall residents, seeking a speed limit reduction by the school.

“The Orleans County Legislature supports a safer road with a reduced speed limit and a double line,” DeRoller said.

The Legislature passed a resolution asking the state Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit from the current 50 miles per hour on Route 18 in front of the school.

The Legislature also asked the DOT to eliminate the passing zone in the area and have double solid line striping on Route 18 from Route 237 to Norway Road.

“We are in the fight with you to get these changes,” DeRoller said.

Kendall Town Board members on Tuesday evening approved a resolution in support of the change. DeRoller said he hoped the Kendal Lions Club and the LEO Club at the high school would also write letters in support of the lower speed limit.

Board President Nadine Hanlon said Assemblyman Steve Hawley is “on board to get the speed limit reduced.” She said Hawley has already approached the New York State DOT, which is opening a former study done on the site.

“We will continue to pursue the issue,” Hanlon said.  “We appreciate the letters.”

School leaders plan to meet with DeRoller and Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata to compile all letters in support of the change. The package will then be sent to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, state lawmakers, and the DOT commissioner.

In other business, the Board of Education approved the creation of an Elementary School Honor Society.  Elementary principal Sharon Smith said the Kendall Elementary Student Council has been gathering information to determine criteria for membership.

“They think (inductees) have to be all 100’s,” Smith said of the students, who want to set the bar high for membership, but she noted tongue-n-cheek, “We are trying to temper them a little.”

Smith said it is likely sixth-graders will be the first inducted, perhaps during ceremonies in February. Fifth-graders would be inducted at the end of the school year and then inductions would be held in a regular cycle.

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Board favors reducing speed limit by school

KENDALL –  Members of the Kendall Town Board unanimously adopted the 2017 budget which includes $1.4 million in total appropriations including water and street light districts.

The 2017 tax rate is $4.60 per $1,000 of assessed property, up from $4.46 in the 2016 budget. The 2017 budget includes a total of $50,273 in appropriated fund balance and $845,116.52 to be raised by tax.

“We remain under the tax cap, that has been our goal,” Supervisor Tony Cammarata said following the board meeting on Tuesday night.

He noted the town’s tax rate has remained flat over the past 10 years, but, “We needed to ensure that we could provide services without cutting back.”

He said putting the budget together was a task. “There were a lot of challenges… to achieve what we had to do, we had to be innovative and creative,” Cammarata said.

He believes the town is moving in a positive direction.

“We are pleased with the progress the town is making,” he said.  So far this year Kendall has issued nearly ten certificates of occupancy for new family homes and businesses, he said.

“Kendall is a sleeping giant,” Cammarata said. “It is a wonderful town with people who are outstanding, with a terrific school district.”

In other business, council members approved a resolution in support of the reduction of the speed limit in front of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School on Rt. 18/Roosevelt Highway from 50 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour during school hours. Parents and the Kendall School Board of Education have been working to have the speed limit reduced.

Council members agreed the speed limit is creating dangerous conditions outside the school.

“I think it is very needed,” Councilperson Barb Flow said of the proposed change.

Councilperson Bruce Newell reported that a recommendation has been made regarding a consultant for the Lake Ontario State Parkway Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study, which will determine how the most poorly maintained section of the roadway would be best used. Newell has been part of a selection committee to recommend a consulting firm.

The study will determine if the 12.7-mile section in Orleans County should be repurposed, decommissioned or reduced to less than four lanes.

Newell noted at peak times, the section of the Parkway sees 1,000 vehicles per day.  That compares to 1,500-2,800 for Rt. 18 and 3,500-4,500 for Rt. 104.

“You can understand why the DOT has a hard time justifying maintenance” for the Parkway section, Newell said.

He also had figures on traffic volume going back to 1980.  He said during the peak years between 1991-1993, the section of the Parkway in eastern Orleans County saw 2,250-2,500 vehicles per day.  He said the drop in usage is, “probably partly due to the (current road) conditions as well as less traffic for people working at Kodak and Xerox.”

The Orleans County Planning Department has said that once the study gets underway it could take 12-15 months to complete and the public will have the opportunity to participate.

The Orleans County Planning Department and the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) are overseeing the study.

Photo courtesy of Helen Unterborn: Wallace Higgins, a former Kendall resident, shared his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman during a talk with the Kendall Lions Club. This photo is from June 2015.

GENESEO – Wallace Higgins, a Kendall native, was one of five Tuskegee Airmen from Western New York honored today with a Congressional Gold Medal.

The medals were presented during a Veterans Day ceremony at the National Warplane Museum.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by the United States Congress. The medals were presented about 70 years after the Airmen completed their historic World War II mission.

“At a time in our history where African-Americans faced tremendous prejudice, the Tuskegee Airmen remained true to their convictions and answered the call of duty, serving our nation honorably,” said Congressman Chris Collins, who presented the medals. “These brave men undoubtedly laid the foundation for change, so future generations can serve in our armed forces, no matter their race or ethnicity. It was a true honor to join these men and their families on Veterans Day to recognize their service and the service of all of our veterans.”

Higgins grew up in Kendall. Born on November 11, 1925 on a small farm in Kendall, a son of Alice and Daniel Higgins.

During a presentation to the Kendall Lions Club last year, he talked about encountering racial segregation and discrimination for the first time after entering the service and training in Pre-Flight at the Tuskegee Institute. He also discussed his post-war education at NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He went on to become an Associate Professor at Alfred, retiring in 1985.

Higgins, who turned 91 today, has been a member of Alfred Lions Club for 50 years and spent decades in community service. In May last year he was inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame in Albany.

As soon as he turned 18 years old, Higgins enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. Having already been attending Civil Air Patrol classes in Rochester during his senior year of high school, he already had interest in pursuing aviation.

After initially reporting to Fort Dix, New Jersey, Higgins was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi for basic training and aptitude testing. As a result of his skin color and proficiencies, Wally was selected to be part of the Tuskegee Airmen experiment in Alabama, where he trained in Pre-Flight and Primary Flight training, including solo runs in the P-17 Stearman.

Following 11 months at Tuskegee, a downturn in the war in Europe resulted in less pilot training and Higgins was transferred to the 1909th Engineers Aviation Battalion. A sergeant in charge of an all-black, 30-man platoon, Mr. Higgins served in Saipan and Okinawa building roads, airfields and ammunition storage buildings.

On March 17, 1947 “Wally” was Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant with Squadron F, 3505th Army Air Force. For his service, Higgins earned the WW-II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and New York State Medal for Merit. He was also recently presented with a Congressional Gold Medal due to his Civil Air Patrol involvement during the war.

Upon returning from the war, Higgins was accepted to the College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramic design in 1952. While a student there, he met and married Norma Miller about 65 years ago and never left Alfred. They raised four children.

In 2015, Higgins was recognized by Congressman Tom Reed with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his service. When Wallace heard that his fellow Airmen were identified, he wanted to attend this program today to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony.

Other Tuskegee Airmen honored today include Herbert Thorpe, a Brooklyn native, who earned B-25 Pilot’s Wings in October 1945 at Tuskegee. He was one the first black pilots in United States history.

The families of three other Tuskegee Airmen accepted the medals on behalf of the late Richard Thorpe who died in 1945 (His brother Herbert Thorpe accepted the medal on his behalf today), Robert M. Johnson (killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944) and Leland H. Pennington of Rochester who died on April 21, 1945 on a flight mission.

“We are excited to be a part of this significant event, especially on Veterans Day,” said Austin Wadsworth, President of the National Warplane Museum. “Honoring these Tuskegee Airmen today is just one of the ways we are able to continue our mission—to recognize all United States military personnel for their selfless service and sacrifice. I’d also like to thank Congressman Collins for joining us today to present these well-deserved medals to the Airmen and their families.”

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