By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2019 at 12:18 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Medina and Lyndonville school officials will discuss shared programs and take questions from students and community members about the programs this evening during an open house at Lyndonville Central School.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and provides an opportunity for students and parents to meet coaches, athletics directors and school leaders from both districts.
The two districts starting sharing some programs six years ago, first with boys varsity soccer.
That has expanded to eight shared programs. Lyndonville hosts the boys volleyball, girls varsity soccer and the musical program.
Medina hosts a merged boys varsity soccer, varsity football, cross country, the marching band and swimming.
Both school districts in February approved new four-year agreements for the shared programs.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Central School: Alviia Goigova portrayed Amelia Earhart, the first woman aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Posted 13 June 2019 at 4:47 pm
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville fourth-grade roster had famous names such as Steve Irwin, Rosa Parks and Barack Obama for one afternoon. Students last week participated in a Biography Wax Museum as a culminating event to a research project.
Nicole Adamson’s students studied historical figures and popular names prior to the event. The students created poster displays about the individuals and had a start “button” on the poster. The fourth-graders stood still in front of their posters until a visitor pressed the button. The students then came to life as the characters and shared facts about themselves.
“My favorite part of the project was to dress up as Amelia Earhart,” said fourth-grader Alviia Goigova. “She was brave enough to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.”
Sarah Corser as Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Each student ended their speech with an inspirational wish for their visitor.
“I hope I inspire you to keep trying and persevere,” said Sarah Corser as she portrayed Marie Curie.
“I hope to inspire you to help injured animals,” said Logan Gerling, who was Steve Irwin.
“I hope to teach you to do anything if you try hard enough,” said Grant Freeman as Jackie Robinson.
Nicole Adamson’s fourth-grade class portrayed many famous figures, including King Tut, Edgar Allen Poe, Harriet Tubman, John F. Kennedy, Charlie Chaplin, Steve Jobs and Helen Keller.
Grant Freeman as Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. He played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He won the most valuable player award with the Dodgers.
Logan Gerling as Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter” who was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist and television personality.
Photos by Tom Rivers: David Bellavia of Waterport speaks during a news conference on Tuesday at the US Army Recruiting Station in Cheektowaga.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2019 at 8:21 am
Bellavia wants to highlight service of Iraq War vets
CHEEKTOWAGA – When Bill Bellavia talked with his son, David, the father would praise him for his service in the Army and other accomplishments.
“Way to go, man,” Bellavia would tell his son.
Dr. Bellavia, a Medina dentist, was the only one who used that phrase with David, until October when the younger Bellavia was on the phone with President Donald Trump. The president told Bellavia he would be receiving the Medal of Honor.
“‘Good job, David. Way to go, man.’ That’s what the president said and I haven’t heard anyone say that to me but my father and it just brought me right back down to Earth,” Bellavia shared with reporters on Tuesday.
On Monday, the White House announced the medal would be awarded on June 25. Monday was the 75th birthday of Bill Bellavia, David’s father. Bill was a well-known dentist who wrote many op-eds for the local newspapers. He died on Dec. 6, 2017 after a long fight with cancer. David is the youngest of four sons.
David Bellavia said his service in the Army brought added purpose and direction to his life.
“It was pretty crazy that the White House announcement came on his birthday, but my dad was my hero. I loved him,” David Bellavia said.
His father was a big Buffalo Bills fan and would send his son long letters, detailing every play in a Bills game. It was as if the father and son were watching the game together, and brought some normalcy to the stress of being in a war zone.
Bellavia said he joined the Army after a home invasion at his parents’ home. Bellavia didn’t like feeling like a victim.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 1999 and worked about two years in recruiting for the Army while his infant son received medical care in Syracuse. Bellavia on Tuesday said he appreciated that compassion from the Army.
“I’m forever grateful to the United States Army,” Bellavia told reporters during a news conference at the Army Recruiting Station in Cheektowaga. “They gave my life purpose and direction. They gave my life meaning and value. I’m a better human being because of my service and I think most of the people I served with can tell you the same thing. I encourage any man or woman that wants to become an individual in their community to serve the United States military.”
In 2001, Bellavia had a decision to make. He could change his military occupational specialty, submit a hardship discharge, or remain as an infantryman. He chose to stay in the infantry after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Bellavia’s unit in 2003 deployed to Kosovo for nine months and then was sent directly to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. From February 2004 to February 2005, Bellavia and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, were stationed in the Diyala Province along the Iranian border. His task force took part in the battles for Najaf, Mosul, Baqubah, Muqdadiyah and Fallujah.
He is being honored for actions on his 29thbirthday, when he and his platoon were clearing buildings in Fallujah. The first nine buildings were unoccupied. The 10thhad insurgents inside and they were determined to kill the American soldiers.
Bellavia engaged the attackers, providing cover for his soldiers to get outside. He then re-entered the house and killed four insurgents and seriously wounded another.
His actions were described by Michael Ware, a Time correspondent. Bellavia said Ware is the “Ernie Pyle” of this generation of war correspondents. That reporting likely is a big factor Bellavia is getting the Medal of Honor.
Bellavia said many soldiers are deserving of the Medal of Honor. He listed five from his unit – commanding officer Ed Iwan, company commander Sean Sims, task force sergeant major Steven Faulkenburg, scout J.C. Matteson and staff sergeant Scott Lawson. All were heroic, saving men in the face of extreme danger. Iwan, Sims, Falkenburg and Matteson were killed in Iraq. Lawson died on March 13, 2019.
“I’m trying to bring those families to Washington so we can all share in this together,” Bellavia said about those men in his unit.
He recalled a team leader who saved a platoon from entering a building with an IED, which would have killed the platoon.
“I think of young men who pull their buddies out of doorways,” Bellavia said. “We literally live minute to minute in a firefight and anything can change. You don’t have time to immediately keep a scorecard on who’s doing what and who’s where in a firefight. It’s about survivability, it’s about coming home and achieving mission success.”
Photo courtesy of Army: David Bellaria, third from left in second row, is pictured with his unit in Iraq.
Ware, the journalist, was with Bellavia in the house on Nov. 10, 2004. Bellavia single-handedly saved an entire squad, risking his life while under heavy fire inside a house.
“His actions stand as a testament to those who put everything on the line as they do the grim work required to keep each other safe and alive on the battlefield,” the Department of Defense states in its summary of why Bellavia is being awarded the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia was awarded the Silver Star in 2005 and was nominated for the Medal of Honor more than a decade ago. He didn’t get a phone call from Presidents George W. Bush or Barack Obama, the final approval for the honor.
In August he was told he would be getting an important phone call from a top leader in the Department of Defense. Bellavia didn’t know why or who the official was. Two months later, it was President Trump, the commander in chief, on the phone.
Bellavia said his life has changed and he will advocate for veterans and promote the military as a desired option for young men and women.
The news of the award was reported on Friday. It’s been a whirlwind since then for Bellavia, who works as a talk show host in Buffalo for WBEN.
“I never expected this much love and support and kindness,” Bellavia told reporters. “It really has meant a lot.”
He noted many veterans, especially those from the Vietnam War era, were treated poorly by the public and felt they needed to be quiet about their service. Bellavia said their valor is honorable, and all veterans should feel pride.
“It seems we have learned some of those lessons,” Bellavia said. “I just wish that more Vietnam veterans, Korean War, World War II, everyone, guys at VA hospitals could feel half of the love that Western New York has given to me.”
‘All I’ve ever wanted to do is serve my country. I happen to think veterans make the best neighbors you can have. I think we make great employees. I think we make great teachers. I think we make great friends.’
He wants to continue to highlight the service of all veterans, and the ultimate sacrifice of Gold Star families.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is serve my country,” he said. “I happen to think veterans make the best neighbors you can have. I think we make great employees. I think we make great teachers. I think we make great friends.”
Bellavia joined the Army when he was 23. He was older than most of the soldiers. He tried to be a big brother to many of them, to look out for the soldiers in his unit who were across the world from the families.
“If there’s anything that can come out of this hopefully young people in Western New York will see their country as more worthy than anything else in their life,” he said. “We are a very special institution, the United States Army. I encourage young people to look at that as an opportunity to better themselves but more importantly better their communities and their country.”
Bellavia said he was fortunate to grow up in Lyndonville. He played on the sports teams and performed in the school musicals. He was Jack in the show, Into the Woods.
“In Lyndonville I was blessed,” he told the reporters on Tuesday. “In a small high school you can be on a sports team, you can be in a play and you can play an instrument. In some big high schools you can’t do that. You have to choose. You’re either a sports guys, a music guy or you’re in the science club. In Lyndonville because we were so small we could all do the same thing. I just loved being on teams. I loved even losing. I loved being a part of a culture where we all shared something together. Win or lose we were part of something. I was really enamored by that whole thing. I found those guys in college. I found those guys in the Army. I’m really motivated by that dynamic in a group. We share things. We experience things. I love that camaraderie.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2019 at 1:47 pm
David Bellavia, a Waterport resident and Lyndonville graduate, will receive the Medal of Honor on June 25 during a ceremony at the White House. He will be the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia was then a staff sergeant in the Army. He describes that day in this video from the Army.
The Army provides this description of Bellavia’s heroic actions in Fallujah:
Staff Sgt. Bellavia was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down. He quickly exchanged an M16 rifle for an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, entered the house where his squad was trapped, and engaged insurgents, providing cover fire so that he and his fellow soldiers could exit safely, the Army said.
A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrived to help suppress the enemy, but it could not fire directly into the house. Bellavia re-entered the house, armed with an M16, and assaulted insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades. He proceeded to kill one insurgent and wound another, who then ran to another part of the house.
Bellavia was soon engaged by another insurgent rushing down the stairs when the previously wounded insurgent re-emerged to engage him as well. Bellavia returned fire, killing both attackers. He then took enemy fire from an insurgent who had appeared from a closet across the room. He pursued him up the stairs and killed him. Soon thereafter, he moved to the roof where he engaged and wounded a fifth insurgent, who fell from the roof of the building.
On that remarkable day, Bellavia rescued an entire squad, cleared an insurgent strongpoint, and saved many members of his platoon from imminent threat.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2019 at 10:14 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville native David Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran with the U.S. Army, was keynote speaker during a July 24, 2016 banquet for the New York Warrior Alliance at the Hickory Ridge Country Club in Holley.
David Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate who enlisted in the Army and fought in the second battle of Fallujah, will be the first living veteran of the Iraq War to receive the Medal of Honor.
Bellavia, 43, of Batavia previously was awarded the Silver Star. Army Times and other media outlets are reporting he will receive the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia works as a radio talk show host for WBEN. He is being recognized for his actions in combat against insurgents. He was part of a campaign that took the heavily fortified city.
Bellavia wrote a book that detailed his experiences as a staff sergeant in Fallujah. He wrote House to House: An Epic Memoir of War with John R. Bruning, describing the efforts of front line forces in urban combat against insurgents.
In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He has been active in politics, twice running for Congress. He also has been an advocate for veterans in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
He is to receive the Medal of Honor on June 25 at the White House.
LYNDONVILLE – Seventh-graders of Lyndonville, in classes taught by Joe Suhr, were able to get a close look at the local justice system. After studying government and the constitution, the students witnessed a mock field sobriety test and arrest by Deputy Jason Barnum, who works as Lyndonville’s school resource officer.
After the arrest, the students followed the defendant into the Town of Yates Court and heard from Kathy Bogan, a Medina attorney, and Town Justice Don Grabowski.
Students learned about trial procedures and career paths to becoming a police officer, lawyer and judge.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Kate Krieger starred as Cinderella in Albion High School’s production of Into the Woods, which was named an outstanding musical in the annual Stars of Tomorrow competition.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2019 at 4:02 pm
ROCHESTER – Two musical productions by schools in Orleans County received lots of accolades Thursday night at the Stars of Tomorrow competition in Rochester, which recognizes the top school musicals in the Rochester area.
Albion and Lyndonville-Medina both won several awards. Albion, which competes with many large suburban schools in Division B, performed Into the Woods on March 29-30 and Lyndonville-Medina, in Division D, performed Sister Act from March 22-24.
Albion was recognized with the following awards:
• Outstanding Overall Musical
• Outstanding Production Crew
• Outstanding Orchestra
Laiken Ricker, left, as Milky Way and Nate Grammatico as Jack were both recognized by Stars of Tomorrow.
• Outstanding supporting actor for Nate Grammatico as Jack
• Outstanding supporting actress with Myleigh Miller as Little Red Riding Hood
Myleigh Miller was named an outstanding supporting actress in her role as Little Red Riding Hood, shown here in a scene with the Wolf, played by Zach Kilner.
• Adjudicator’s Tip of the Hat award to Laiken Ricker for her portrayal of Milky White
• Special Recognition to April Henchen (actress), Morgan Brower (costume design) and stage crew/production team members Dan Grabowski, Ashley Ames, Aisha Drisdom and Kyle Sidari.
Enoch Martin performed the role of the Baker for Albion. He is featured in round 2 of Stars of Tomorrow next week.
• In addition, Enoch Martin, who had the lead role as the Baker, advances to round 2 of the Stars at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are free and available at the door. Martin is hoping to earn a spot competing at the NYC Jimmy Awards. He also has the opportunity to be chosen as “Fan Favorite” earning him 4 box seat tickets to the National Tour premiere of the new Donna Summer musical. To vote for him, text SOT12 to 75327. People can vote every 24 hours in that contest. Nate Grammatico also was nominated but decided not to be in that competition.
Layna Viloria, second from right in front, portrays Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. Deloris is a nightclub singer who is sent to a convent in hiding after she witnesses someone being killed. She takes over the choir and the nuns respond to her high-energy style.
Lyndonville-Medina won the following awards for Sister Act:
• Outstanding student pit orchestra
• Outstanding acting ensemble
• Tip of the hat for Qasim Huzair, Sawyer Wilson, Anna Lewis and Sarah Cochrane
• Rising star awards to Layne Hodgins and Elizabeth Whipple
Sawyer Wilson, who played the role of a dancing custodian, was recognized for his efforts on the stage.
LYNDONVILLE – The newly formed Tree Committee of the Village of Lyndonville celebrated being named as a Tree City USA by planting a tree in the front of the Lyndonville Central School on Friday. Several students, members of the Tree Committee and DPW were there to celebrate.
People in the photo include Sawyer Wilson, Savannah Poler, Shantel Benedict, Faith Chaffee, Allyson Deslatte, Tamara Huzair, Tyler Coyle, Mason Boyd, Elizabeth Whipple, Dustin Solomon, Patrick Hargrave, Amber Grabowski, Jenahlee Reimer, RitaJane Isaacson, Mayor John Belson (far left), Ginny Hughes, Keith McKinney, Aimee Chaffee, Carla Woodworth and Teri Woodworth.
The tree was planted near the Main Street side of the school. Future plantings in the village are being planned. Tree Committee members were assisted by Robert Bow, head groundskeeper for the school; Mayor John Belson; and Terry Woodworth, superintendent of the Department of Public Works. Residents are encouraged to contact the village office if they would like to be involved in future plans.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District is one of 156 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group’s School Safety Excellence Award for 2018 at the Titanium with Honors level.
The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. Lyndonville Central School District received its award at Utica National’s 39th annual school safety seminar at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel in Batavia, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state.
Lyndonville officials accepted a certificate to commemorate the district’s safety efforts and a $500 award for use in furthering those efforts from Utica National representatives.
Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels (titanium, platinum, and gold) in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation, and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.
“Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts,” said Brian Saville, Resident Senior Vice President in Utica National’s Educational Institutions Unit. “Districts that go ‘above and beyond’ to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we’re pleased to count Lyndonville Central School District among them.”
Saville noted that, beyond the recognition itself, an added benefit of following the safety program is the chance to pinpoint specific threats to safety. “The time to address those threats is before a loss happens, which really helps contribute to the safety culture that districts are working toward.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2019 at 9:16 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman
LYNDONVILLE – Construction has started on expanding the parking lot behind Lyndonville Central School. This work is part of a $10.7 million capitol project which includes a new roof, air-conditioning in 95 percent of the school campus, upgraded kitchen and dining area, major improvements to the locker rooms, and conversion of the elementary school library into two classrooms.
The parking lot will be expanded and the soccer field will also get new drainage and other improvements.
The expanded parking lot will allow for more efficient pickup and drop off of students.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 April 2019 at 2:39 pm
Yates, Somerset town officials call on company to abandon project
YATES – Apex Clean Energy announced today it won’t be submitting an application this year to build 47 wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset.
The company isn’t giving up on the project, which Apex says “has the potential to provide significant economic development investment to the Somerset and Yates communities.”
The company also is closing its office in Barker and consolidating its Western New York operations in Albion at 49 North Main St. Apex also will continue to keep its website active for Lighthouse Wind.
“Though we are not able to offer a more specific application timeline, we will provide stakeholders with updated information regarding permitting actions, adjustments in design, and anticipated scheduling as that information becomes available,” said Cat Mosely, Apex’s public engagement manager. “We look forward to identifying the proper time to advance those benefits to the region.”
Apex last October presented a layout for the turbines with 39 in Somerset and eight in Yates.
Paul Williamson, an Apex project manager, in January said at an Albion meeting the company expected to submit its application to the state for Lighthouse Wind this summer. The company also is working on a project for 33 turbines in Barre.
The company’s Lighthouse Wind project has been bitterly opposed by many in Yates and Somerset, who said turbines over 600 feet in height were way out of scale with a rural community by the lake. Residents also have concerns the turbines would affect public health with noise and shadow flicker, and also negatively impact wildlife and property values.
‘We lived under the dark cloud of this Virginia-based company’s ill-sited industrial wind proposal for five years,’ – Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon
Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon issued a statement today, calling on Apex to remove the proposal from the Article 10 process, where projects are reviewed by a state Siting Board.
“We lived under the dark cloud of this Virginia-based company’s ill-sited industrial wind proposal for five years,” Simon said. “By announcing they are closing their Lighthouse Wind office in Barker, Apex is signaling their confirmation of rumors flying across the Town of Yates the past seven days that they are no longer pursuing this disruptive project.”
Dan Engert, Somerset town supervisor, also has been vocal opponent of the project, saying Apex has caused “extreme division and turmoil” in the community.
Engert wants Apex to abandon the project, and is asking Gov. Cuomo and the Siting Board to tell Apex “enough is enough.”
Simon echoed Engert’s call for Apex to “step away once and for all.” Simon said Mark Goodwin, Apex CEO, should “do the right thing out of professional courtesy — cancel Lighthouse Wind.”
Save Ontario Shores, a group of local citizens, also has been steadfast in opposing the project. Save Ontario Shores issued this statement today:
“We renew our call for Apex to end this project immediately. Today’s announcement causes further havoc, anxiety and unrest among residents who have clearly said they oppose installation of these massive industrial wind turbines. The turmoil Apex has caused in our communities is despicable and is the absolute opposite of corporate responsibility. Apex is not saying they’re pulling this project; once again, they’re simply pushing it back, as they’ve been doing for years. Apex refuses to admit this project is done. It’s time to end it, once and for all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2019 at 10:40 am
Medina welcomes more Lyndonville students in Mustang band
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Mustang Band performs Sept. 22 during its home show at the Fall Festival of Bands.
LYNDONVILLE – Medina and Lyndonville have set June 17 for an open house on the shared sports programs, given students and parents from both school districts a chance to meet coaches, athletic directors and other school leaders from both districts.
Lyndonville will host the open house in the evening on June 17. The time hasn’t been set yet.
The two districts starting sharing some programs six years ago, first with boys varsity soccer.
That has expanded to eight shared programs. Lyndonville hosts the boys volleyball, girls varsity soccer and the musical program.
Medina hosts a merged boys varsity soccer, varsity football, cross country, the marching band and swimming.
Both school districts in February approved new four-year agreements for the shared programs.
District leaders met last week to discuss an increased outreach for the shared programs. They decided to have an open house on June 17. Besides coaches and athletic directors, the open house will include the district superintendents, leaders of the Board of Education, and the Sports Boosters from both districts, said Jason Smith, Lyndonville district superintendent.
He would like there to be an annual open house, with the districts rotating as the host site.
Smith discussed the shared sports open house during Monday’s Board of Education meeting in Lyndonville.
He also said Jim Steele, leader of the Medina marching band, would be meeting with Lyndonville students this week to welcome them to be part of the band this fall. Lyndonville usually has had two to five students in the Medina band. Steele would be happy to welcome more Lyndonville students in the program, Smith said.
Medina band leaders also will have a parent meeting in May in Lyndonville.
Lyndonville has a marching band that performs in the Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades. Medina’s band performs in many competitions during the fall and spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2019 at 8:18 am
More state aid, joint bus contract help contain tax impact
Photo by Tom Rivers: Joe DiPassio Jr., Lyndonville school district business administrator, goes over the proposed $14.1 million budget on Monday.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district last month was projecting a 2 percent tax increase for the next school budget.
However, the district business administrator shared good news with the Board of Education on Monday. State aid came in higher than projected, and a joint busing contract also will save Lyndonville money.
Those factors are resulting in a budget with a 1 percent tax increase. Lyndonville also won’t have to use as much money from reserve funds, giving the district a bigger cushion in the future with those accounts.
The budget includes 5 new full-time positions, with 2 full-time special education teachers, a full-time elementary intervention teacher at $52,000; and two full-time aides at $50,000.
The Board of Education on Monday adopted a proposed $14,171,700 budget that will go before voters on May 21 from noon to 8 p.m. The budget increases spending by $165,000 or 1.2 percent.
The 2019-20 budget will rely on $4,352,341 in the tax levy, which is up 1 percent or $43,092 from this year’s budget.
The district is projected to get $9,290,748 in state aid, which is up $160,402 from the governor’s number in January.
District officials were concerned Lyndonville could be facing a $$250,000 to 300,000 increase in busing costs. But Lyndonville decided to do a joint bid with Roy-Hart and Barker for out-of-district transportation. Busing costs will be up, but the increase is $122,064 or 17.4 percent, from $701,300 to $823,364. The 5-year contract will then increase 2.6 percent annually from years 2 through 5.
Other highlights of the budget include:
• Instruction costs are up by $419,363 or 6 percent from $7,035,469 to $7,454,832. That includes contractual salary increases of $235,000; 2 more special education teachers, $90,000; $50,000 for two teacher aides; $45,000 for elementary intervention teacher; $35,000 for two classroom aides; $50,000 for BOCES support for in-service training, occupational education, technology and other services; $20,000 for equipment and $15,000 for grant writer to be shared with Medina.
• Lyndonville also is saving $193,000 in instruction with four teachers retiring to be replaced by new teachers at lower salary and benefits.
• Bond payments down from $1,407,000 to $840,700, a $566,300 reduction after the district paid off a serial bond last year.
• Health care rates are up $152,000
• Social Security and other benefits are up $59,000
• The teachers’ retirement system payments are down $62,000
The May 21 vote will include the following propositions:
• School budget
• 3 board seats
• Transportation purchases, not to exceed $260,000. That includes one new 64-seat passenger bus, not to exceed $125,000 (which will replace a 2007 bus with 137,000 miles); two new passenger vans, not to exceed $46,000 each (replacing one from 2010 with 167,000 miles and one from 2014 with 150,000 miles); a new vehicle with room for four or five people to transport staff and students, at a cost not to exceed $43,000.
• Allowing one student to serve as ex-officio, not-voting member of the Board of Education.
• $103,750 for Yates Community Library, up from $2,832 or 2.8 percent which is within the library’s allowable tax cap.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Stephen Hill says he plunged into drug addiction beginning when he was 14 and lasting until he was 24. Hill has now been sober for more than six years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2019 at 2:42 pm
Ex-addict shares story of recovery after decade of drug abuse
LYNDONVILLE – Stephen Hill thought he could handle it. He was 14 and started smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
He was a freshman on the school’s hockey and lacrosse teams, playing with juniors and seniors. The older students introduced him to the party scene.
They all seemed to be having a good time. Hill wanted to fit in with that crowd.
“That first drink and first drug changed my life forever,” he told about 300 students this morning during an assembly at Lyndonville Central School. “Once you get into it, it’s so hard to get out of it.”
Hill as a freshman tried marijuana and one of his team’s captains encouraged him to sell marijuana to other students. Hill used that money to buy marijuana for himself. Then he tried cocaine. Then it was prescription painkillers that he took from a friend’s sister who had her wisdom teeth out.
By his sophomore year of high school, Hill said the drugs were taking over his life. He was failing classes. By his junior year he was kicked off the sports teams and was in drug treatment.
The programs didn’t help him break free from drugs. It wasn’t until he was 24, when he turned away from drugs and alcohol. That was about 6 ½ years ago.
“I was the one who was insane,” he said. “I was completely out of mind. I couldn’t see life without it.”
Dr. Aaron Slack, middle-high school principal at Lyndonville, introduces Stephen Hill to about 300 students in grades 6 to 12 during this morning’s assembly. Slack said the opioid epidemic is harming the local community and country.
Hill, while facing felony drug charges in two states, completed a year-long drug treatment program. When he finished the program, he was welcomed at the treatment program as an employee, helping others gain sobriety.
He also returned to college after flunking out when he was 18. He was successful in community college and then graduated from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is currently a student at Brooklyn Law School.
Hill shared his experiences with Lyndonville students today, telling them he wasn’t trying to scare them straight or use fear to motivate them to stay away from drugs. He doesn’t think those approaches are very effective.
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to fit in, or to cope with sadness and anxiety, he told students. These days when he feels anxious or sad, he goes for a walk or to the gym. He often will call a friend. The emotions are temporary. Before he would use drugs to cope, and then he would feel more anxious when withdrawals kicked in.
Stephen Hill is now a law school student who also speaks at schools about the dangers of drinking and using drugs.
He would then be desperate to get a drug, doing things he couldn’t imagine to feed his addiction.
He said addiction is often progressive and fatal. He sees marijuana and alcohol as precursors to harder drugs. He tried cocaine and heroin when his judgement was clouded by marijuana and alcohol. He was nearly killed in a 4-wheeler accident when he was under the influence.
Hill said there are lots of ways to have fun without using drugs or alcohol.
“Go out there and take those healthy risks,” he said. “Just don’t risk your life.”
He also urged students to get help for themselves or their friends if they are using drugs and other substances, including nicotine. Vaping has become popular among teens and young adults, and Hill said that vaping is highly addictive. He struggled with that while trying to break free from drugs.
Hill grew up in Rockland County, north of New York City. He didn’t use drugs to escape neglect or abuse. He was in a loving home with three brothers and doting parents. He excelled at sports. His three brothers didn’t get into drugs, but they suffered from his addiction as he destabilized the family, getting arrested and being so unpredictable.
Hill said he was derailed by his drug abuse, and he regrets the hell it put his family through. He missed his grandfather’s funeral because he couldn’t cope while fighting withdrawals. Hill developed a bad reputation at his high school, and that hurt the chances for his younger brother to make sports teams and have friends over to the family’s house.
He regrets the “collateral damage” to his family and friends, saying addiction is a family disease because it impacts more than just the addict.
He has made amends with family members, but he said many of his friends continue to keep their distance.
Hill urged students to accept themselves and others, and not include drugs and alcohol in their idea of fun.
Student leaders, especially, need to show a better way of socializing that doesn’t include drugs and alcohol.
“I was insecure and I wanted to fit in,” Hill said. “I should have been OK with who I was.”
Hill also is addressing Batavia students this afternoon. The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse invited him to speak at the local schools today.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is urging the community to download a free App that has information on school programs.
