Press Release, Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library

LYNDONVILLE – Yates Community Library will regretfully close its doors to the public, for an as yet undetermined period of time, beginning at 5 p.m. today.

This is due to the critical need to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This decision was made with careful research of current, reliable information from the U. S. Centers For Disease Control and the Orleans County Health Department, and with thorough discussion among the library’s trustees, with input from our family of library users.

Emily Cebula

The library has stayed open during the early part of this week so that patrons may select the materials they need in person, use our computers to complete their Census questionnaire online, and for other needs.

Here is our plan in order to provide the best service we can in the days ahead:

Overdue Fines: all materials belonging to any Nioga Library System member library, placed in our book drop outside the library’s front, will be checked in fine-free.

Our registered borrowers can easily continue to obtain library materials to take home, using one of the following ways to request books, DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks, belonging to Yates Community Library, or to many of the Nioga System member libraries.

Three ways for registered borrowers to request materials:

• Call Yates Community Library between 2 and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, at (585) 765-9041, to speak with a staff person directly. Or please leave us a phone message, clearly and slowly stating your full name, with spelling of the last name, and the titles of materials you need, along with your phone number;

• Place a Hold at www.nioga.org.  You will need your borrower ID number and PIN.

• Email: yatescommunitylibrary@gmail.com.

Staff will notify you when the items are available. We will check out the items, put them in a bag with your name attached, and place them on a table located in our foyer. Please pick them up here as soon as possible. The front door will be unlocked between 2 and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If this is not convenient, please call us at the above phone number to make an appointment.

To renew library materials:

Call the library at (585) 765-9041 between 2 and 6 p.m.

Log in to your account at www.nioga.org.

Additionally:  Yates Community Library’s WiFi is available 24/7 in the parking lot, from the spaces close to the building’s south side. It is not password-protected, nor is your data secure with this connection.

Please take this opportunity to try the online services available through the Nioga Library System, at www.nioga.org. You can stream or download movies, books, audiobooks, magazines, comics, and more using Hoopla, Overdrive (Libby app), and RB Digital, when you set up an account using your 14-digit Borrower ID number on your library card. Registering is much easier than in the past, and there are tutorials on the Nioga website, avove.

Please return all items to the Book Return (slide them in individually, not in a bag), which is located outside the library’s front door, in the corner to your left.

If, in an emergency situation, you need copies or faxing done, please call us between 2 and 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and we will do our best to help you.

We will strive to answer any reference questions you have, M-F, except Wednesdays, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. Call us then, or leave a message. Or you can email us at yatescommunitylibrary@gmail.com.

Check the Library’s Facebook page for updates. Also, please visit our website at www.yateslibrary.org.

And we urge you to complete your 2020 Census questionnaire, either online (with desktop or mobile device), by mail, or by phone, using the instructions in your invitation recently received by mail. The organizations that serve you will benefit from the secure collection of your information by the Census Bureau now, more than ever.

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From Lyndonville Village Clerk Teri Woodworth

LYNDONVILLE – Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Village of Lyndonville offices and all facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

All payments can be made by using the drop box located on the front of the Village Hall. Please put payments in an envelope with a name and phone number. If there are any questions or concerns, call the Village Hall at 585-765-9385.

Payments can also be made online (Click here).

Lyndonville village meetings will temporarily be closed to the public as permitted by Governor Cuomo’s executive order 202, which modifies the rules of open meetings.

Village elections have been moved from March 18 to April 28, per Governor Cuomo’s executive order.

The Village Clerk-Treasurer and Mayor will be available by appointment only at (585) 765-9385 or email: villageoflyndonville@rochester.twcbc.com

We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic.

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From James Simon, Town Supervisor in Yates

(UPDATED: Town Court scheduled for March 18 has been cancelled.)

YATES – Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Yates Town Hall offices are closed to the public until further notice.

The Yates Town Clerk and the Town Supervisor will be available by appointment at (585) 727-0209 or (716) 946-2075, respectively.

Town Court, including the session for March 18, is cancelled until further notice.

Please deposit necessary documents in the drop box located at the front of the building in the south door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.

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LYNDONVILLE – The school district has cancelled or postponed several programs, due to concerns about the spreading coronavirus.

Jason Smith, the school district superintendent, advised the community of the following cancellations: LCS Pickup Soccer, Lyndonville Youth Baseball/Softball Camp, AGOGE Wrestling Club, Lyndonville Youth Baseball Organization, Town of Yates Men’s Basketball, and the Spring Fling Daddy/Daughter Dance has been postponed until April 24.

“Please stay tuned for future announcements regarding upcoming events,” Smith said in message on the district website.

‘No plans to close school at this time’

Smith also wrote this letter to the Lyndonville community:

“We are continuing to monitor the Novel Coronavirus. As a district, we have been working together to discuss strategies on how to best keep our students, staff and families healthy during this emerging public health situation.

“According to the New York Governor, the decision to close a school is made locally with the guidance of the Orleans County Health Department. While there are no plans to close school at this time, we recommend that families begin to prepare for childcare in case closures become a reality.

“As a district, we have begun to develop a plan for extended school closings. Our instruction office, technology, transportation department and food service are collaborating on how to ensure the continuation of instruction and services in the event of closing.

“At this time, there are no confirmed cases in Orleans County.

“However, due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, the state and health department recommend that restrictions be placed on large group gatherings. Therefore, select cancellations and postponements may be needed.

“We are all working to navigate unknown situations.

“I ask that you check our district website regularly for updates. Please know the health and safety of our students and staff will continue to be the priority in all decisions we make.”

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Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Students may now take their driver’s permit knowledge test online at Lyndonville Central School through the New York State DMV-certified program.

The purpose of the program is to drastically reduce the time spent by students and parents at the DMV office.

This opportunity is offered free of charge to students who are within two months of their 16th birthday and are currently enrolled, and in good standing, at Lyndonville High School. All training materials and forms are provided free of charge by the DMV. After passing the online exam, the students who are at least 16 years of age will then be able to take the receipt and completed forms to the DMV to get their permit processed.

Jason Barnum, Lyndonville’s School Resource Officer, was selected by the administration to research, start and proctor this program. For more information on the online permit testing program, contact Officer Barnum at jason.barnum@orleanscountyny.gov. To register for the test, contact Lyndonville’s main office at 585-765-3162.

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Press Release, Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon and Somerset Town Supervisor Jeff Dewart

File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 14, 2015 shows some of the 400-foot-high turbines in Sheldon, Wyoming County.

The Town of Somerset (Niagara County) and the Town of Yates (Orleans County) are adamantly opposed to Governor Cuomo’s attempt – under the guise of a last-minute amendment to the state budget process referred to as Article 23 – to accelerate renewable energy development at the expense of our towns, our citizens and our environment.

Towns, citizens, environmental groups, developers and state agencies have operated for almost a decade under Article 10 (the current siting law), so one wonders what changed now that the existing process is hitting its stride. Lord Acton’s quote comes to mind, “All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This is a power grab, pure and simple.

Article 23, should lawmakers accept it, is sweeping in its scope and changes all aspects of how power plant siting (including industrial scale wind and solar projects) are permitted and approved. It eliminates the role of local zoning laws, allows for eminent domain takings of land, guts critical environmental review, and limits a town’s taxation and assessment powers and ability to negotiate host community agreements.

The proposed changes are inconsistent with our NY State Constitution’s Home Rule provisions and removes all local land-use control for power plants, transmission lines, and battery storage projects greater than 10 mega-watts in size. This is achieved through broadening the definition of an “unreasonably burdensome” local law to mean inconsistent with Cuomo’s energy goals.

The proposed changes will result in financial benefits to out-of-state energy developers at the expense of local governments and citizens. The changes will authorize the state (rather than the counties, towns and school districts) to cap PILOTs (payments in-lieu of taxes), to standardize the methodology for assessing property values with wind and solar energy facilities, and to create generic permitting conditions that could eliminate a municipality’s ability to identify and study the local conditions and problems that may require mitigation.

The proposed changes will alienate local constituents by excluding them from the siting process entirely. Individuals and public interest groups would be excluded from the Article 23 Siting Proceeding. This is a complete reversal of one of Article 10’s primary goals, which is to facilitate meaningful public participation in the siting process.

The proposed changes will exempt developers from a rigorous review of local environmental impacts through reliance on state-wide, yet-to-be-determined conditions and automatic approval provisions.

The most egregious proposed change? Once the application is deemed complete by the newly established Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), the ORES will have one year to issue a final decision.  If the ORES fails to make a decision in one year, then the siting permit will be “deemed to have been granted.”  That’s right, this means that if the ORES (read: the state) doesn’t do its job then the project is automatically approved.

Ultimately, state lawmakers should realize that voting to jettison Article 10 and to force Article 23 into law is an unconscionable power grab and will result in numerous obstacles by picking winners and losers among developers and creating new agencies, staffing, rulemaking and, inevitably, litigation.

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Jade Moore, 15, has struggled with neurological disorder the past 5 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jade Moore, 15, looks forward to having a seizure alert response dog. Jade has been taken by ambulance from school after having seizures.

LYNDONVILLE – Jade Moore has to be careful around loud noises, and bright and flashing lights – which are often unpredictable. She never knows what will trigger an epileptic seizure.

Provided photo: Roman is a seizure alert response dog that graduates in June from a training program by Canines 4 Hope in Palm Beach, Fla.

She can’t watch the Lyndonville fireworks because of the exploding colors and tries to stay clear of the loud booms. Even her brothers need to be careful with the sounds and screens from video games if Jade is closeby.

The seizures aren’t always started by a thunderous noise or flashing light. Sometimes they strike while she is sleeping.

Jade, 15 is a sophomore at Lyndonville. She has had seizures at school, with the ambulance called. It’s worrisome for her and her family, and the school, because her breathing will often slow down during a seizure.

“It scares me because she can’t be left alone,” said Jade’s mother, Elizabeth.

Jade has suffered from epileptic seizures for at least five years. She may have had mini-seizures when she was younger than 10, but Jade and her family didn’t realize it.

But when she was 10, cheerleading at a Medina youth football game at Vets Park, the condition couldn’t be ignored.

She was on the sideline, rooting for the football team when she started twitching and lost her balance. Her arms and legs were shaking, and everything seemed to be spinning.

The seizures have been increasing since then. Jade has suffered two concussions from falling and hitting her head during a seizure.

Jade’s mother stays close to Jade at night and may need to spring into action if there is a seizure. The family, including Jade’s siblings, keep emergency pills on them to give to Jade to help bring her out of a seizure.

Each day she takes 10 different pills to help stave off the seizures. Her mother said the medication seems to work for a few weeks, then the seizures start up again and doctors try other medicines.

Elizabeth Moore wears this shirt as the mother of a daughter with epilepsy.

The family is optimistic help is on the way. Roman, a German shepherd, is being trained as a seizure alert dog. Roman completes his training in June and is expected to join the family in July. The family has raised $4,000 towards the $18,000 cost. They are seeking help to meet the expense. They have started a Go Fund Me and will be selling candy bars as a fundraiser. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost for the alert dog.

Moore is determined to get Jade the dog. Moore has been gladly taking overtime shifts at Mizkan, a vinegar plant in Lyndonville, to help pay for the dog.

Her daughter has been more withdrawn socially since the seizures increased and became more intense. She is sensitive to people staring at her when she has a seizure and her eyes roll back in her head.

Roman the dog will be able to detect Jade’s odor, which secretes when she has a seizure. Roman will be trained to wake up Elizabeth or a sibling if Jade is having a seizure at night.

The trainers have been sent clothes with Jade’s scent. Near the end of the dog’s training, Jade will go to Florida to spend a week with the dog as the last step in the training.

Jade has had to back off some of her extracurricular activities due to the seizures. She looks forward to being more active at school and the community once she has Roman by her side. Next school year, Jade is planning to enroll at the Orleans-Niagara BOCES to study cosmetology.

Her mother said Jade has been courageous in coping with the condition.

“She’s a tough kid,” Moore said. “She can handle a lot more than most children can handle.”

Jade Moore is pictured with some of her family members, including Ilana Shapiro, mother Elizabeth Moore, Jade, brother David Moore and brother Gauge Moore.

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Provided photo: Lyndonville opened its expanded PreK program last week at the former elementary school on Main Street.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School’s newly expanded Pre-Kindergarten program officially opened at its Main Street campus on Feb. 10.

Through a grant received from the NYS Department of Education, the district was able to expand the hours of its current program for 4-year-olds and initiate a new program for 3-year-olds.

Students engage in singing, art projects, dramatic and constructive play and early literacy and math learning. They are developing important skills including sharing and following routines, interacting with peers, controlling emotions and engaging in meaningful relationships with peers and adults. Breakfast and lunch are served within the classrooms, and students have rest-time each day.

To accommodate this expansion, the Pre-K program was moved to the former elementary school. The district partnered with the YMCA to staff and run the program for 3-year-olds. As part of this partnership, the YMCA leases the space from the district, which helps off-set the general operating expenses.

The district currently has two classrooms for 4-year-olds and one for 3-year-olds. Each class is set-up for a day of educational fun. An age-appropriate gymnasium with play equipment was created, and a large library was set up on the second floor.

“The students are enjoying their time at school,” said Dr. Elissa Smith, Elementary Principal. “We transitioned slowly, allowing all current Pre-K students to meet and interact with new staff in the new space prior to adjusting to a full-day. This allowed students to become comfortable in the new space, prior to making other changes. The transition was very smooth, thanks to all of the pre- planning and help from our staff.”

Smith explained that the benefits of an expanded Pre-K program for the community are both immediate and long term. Children have access to social-emotional skill building and early literacy and math skills in an interactive play-based learning environment that supports early learning standards. It helps families through providing safe and appropriate full-day programming for their children.

“All of us involved in the expanded Pre-K program look forward to following these children as they grow to see the future social and academic implications for primary and elementary grades and beyond,” said Dr. Smith.

The district currently has two spaces available for 4-year-olds this school year and is accepting applications the 2020-21 school year for children who will be 3 or 4 by Dec. 1, 2020. Pre- registration forms are due by April 1. A lottery will be held if requests received by April 1 exceed capacity.

Additional information, including registration, can be found on the district’s website or by contacting the Elementary Office at 585-765-3122.

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Provided photo

LYNDONVILLE – Members of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 announced the delegate and alternates for the 2020 Boys’ State program at Morrisville State College from June 28 to July 3.

Pictured from left include Steve Goodrich, Commander Post 1603; Hayden Arlington, 2020 delegate; Isaac Becker, alternate; Jacob Corser, alternate; and Joseph Hausler, Adjutant for Post 1603.

An alternate can go if the delegate is unable to, or if a delegate from another community has to back out of the week.

American Legion Boys’ State is a week-long program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. They learn the practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government. They also participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities, under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Senior High Chorus sings “Three Madrigals” this afternoon during the Orleans County All-County Music Festival at Stroyan Auditorium in Lyndonville.

There were 82 students in the chorus from the five school districts in Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The chorus was led by Dr. Daniel David Black, the assistant professor of vocal music & conducting and director of choral activities at Houghton College. He served as guest conductor for the All-County Music Festival, which is organized by the Orleans County Music Educators Association.

There were 270 students from the five districts selected for the music festival, with 112 in the elementary chorus, 76 in the junior high band and 82 in the high school chorus.

The festival was hindered by a snow on Friday for all five districts. That meant that couldn’t rehearse the day before the concert.

Many of the students received the music a month earlier and worked with their district music teachers on the learning the notes and rhythms. They then rehearsed for the first time together as a group this morning.

The high school chorus was accompanied by Jeremy Rath, a Kendall music teacher.

The high school chorus sang Three Madrigals, How Can I Keep From Singing, Sing Me to Heaven, and Praise His Holy Name.

The junior high band performed Letchworth Fanfare, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bass, and Eagle Mountain Overture.

Dr. Timothy McGarvey, professor of conducting, director of instrumental activities and the wind ensemble director at Houghton College, was guest conductor of the junior high band.

Photos courtesy of Jen Trupo: Evee Heinsler danced during the elementary chorus’s performance of Dance of the Willows. This was taken during rehearsal.

The elementary chorus was led by guest conductor James DesJardins, a music teacher at Frontier Central School. The group sang The Sailor, The Vine and Fig Tree, Dance of the Willow, and Seed to Sow.

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LFD honors other members for dedicated service

Photos by Tom Rivers: Wes Bradley, center, receives citations from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Robert Ortt on Saturday when Bradley was recognized as Lyndonville’s firefighter of the year.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Fire Department on Saturday honored Wes Bradley as its firefighter of the year for 2019.

Bradley, a retired middle school science teacher at Lyndonville, remains an active firefighter, responding to about 50 calls a year. Bradley also serves as the department’s chaplain.

“He does everything very professional,” Fire Chief Ben Bane said. “As chaplain, he is always there to comfort members when we have bad calls.”

Last year the department responded to 200 calls, including a fatal fire.

Bradley, 71, joined the department in August 1979 when he moved to Lyndonville to work as a teacher. He was about 30 at the time.

He was inspired by his father’s example. Ray Bradley volunteered for more than 30 years as a firefighter in Canton, NY.

“I saw my father volunteering and it was something I always wanted to do,” Bradley said on Saturday at the Carlton Recreation Hall, where Lyndonville had its annual awards and installation banquet.

Lyndonville Fire Chief Ben Bane, right, presents the Firefighter of the Year award to Wes Bradley, who remains an active firefighter at age 71.

Bradley, after years as an interior firefighter, continues as an exterior firefighter and with the fire police on traffic control. He also goes on EMS calls. He isn’t an EMT but he said it is comforting for many residents to see their neighbors in the fire service respond to the calls.

“I enjoy serving the community,” Bradley said. “The community has been good to me. I can give a little bit back.”

Bradley also is a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club and is a girls soccer referee for Section VI.

The Fire Department presented other awards on Saturday for 2019, including:

Fire President’s Award – Gary White (right), president of the Lyndonville Fire Department, presented the President’s Award to Pete Kage, who responded to 84 calls last year. He also has been an active member for five years.

“This is a person who does a lot for the department but doesn’t get much credit,” White said.

Chief’s Award – Fire Chief Ben Bane announced the Chief’s Award is going to John Flanagan, a long-time member currently battling cancer. Flanagan also was recognized for reaching 15 years of service with the department. Flanagan was unable to attend the banquet.

“Before his illness he would do anything to help out,” Bane said.

Auxiliary President’s Award – Nicole Kistner, Auxiliary President, presented the award to Anna Schuner, who has been a member of the Auxiliary for 15 years, and is the current treasurer. She is also an active firefighter and is an officer as the EMS lieutenant.

Top Five responders – These five firefighters responded to the most calls in 2019: 137, Mike Heideman; 108, Ken Starr; 106 Harold Scribner; 84 Pete Kage; and 76, TJ Heideman.

Service Awards – Some members were also recognized for reaching milestones in years of service. Jim Scharlau, right, is congratulated on 40 years of service by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Other firefighters who were recognized with service awards include: 5 years, Pete Kage; 10 years, Pam Durow; and 15 years, John Flanagan.

Auxiliary members with service awards include: 5 years, Pam Durow, Cheryl Mapes and Taylor Piskorowski; 15 years, Anna Schuner; and 20 years, Vicky Bane.

The fire department swore in new officers and leaders for 2020. They are shown taking the oath of office, which was administered by Dale Banker, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Fire Officers include: Chief, Ben Bane; First Assistant Chief, Mike Heideman; Second Assistant Chief, Steve Bane Jr.; Fire Captain, TJ Heideman; Fire Lieutenant, Danny Woodward; EMS Captain, Wally Snyder; EMS Lieutenant, Anna Schuner; Fire Police Captain, Bruce Fumia; and Chaplain, Wes Bradley.

The Fire Executive Officers members include: President, Gary White; Secretary, Peter Kage; and Treasurer, Jim Wells. Board of directors include Kenny Starr, 3-year term; Keith Weaver, 2-year term; and Mike Tabor, 1-year term.

Fire Company Auxiliary Officers include: President, Nicole Kistner; Vice President, Cheryl Mapes; Secretary, Cindy Grabowski; and Treasurer, Anna Schuner.

The group is gathered at the Carlton Rec Hall for dinner and the annual awards and installation.

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