By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2017 at 9:44 am
Polls are open today from noon to 9 p.m. for village elections in in Medina and Lyndonville. The candidates in both villages are unopposed.
In Lyndonville, Mary Kage is the lone candidate for a two-year term as a village trustee. Kage was appointed to the board in September, filling a vacancy created when Jim Tuk resigned. The election is for the final two years of Tuk’s term. Lyndonville’s election is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall.
In Medina, two incumbents are uncontested for re-election. Owen Toale and Todd Bensley are seeking two-year terms on the board. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 615 West Ave.
Toale is a retired publisher of the former Journal-Register in Medina. Bensley teaches AP government and participation in government in Medina, and also is the village historian.
“I’m proud to be a member of a board that discusses issues and goals and comes up with a plan,” Toale posted on Facebook on Sunday. “Communication and cooperation are hallmarks of this board. No agendas here other than the betterment of our community.”
Toale said negotiating and ratifying contracts for the DPW, fire and police are among his biggest accomplishments in the past two years. The agreements were approved without an outside negotiator which Toale said saved thousands of dollars..
“We sat down with the union people, came to fair agreements for both, got full board approval and union ratification and sealed the deal,” he said.
Toale, in his Facebook post, said he has time to tend to village issues during the day because he is retired. He often meets with agencies, village employees and department heads, and attends webinars to learn how to better run the village.
Toale praised Bensley, calling him, “a deep thinker who looks for solutions before jumping to conclusions.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2017 at 12:02 pm
YATES – Paul Lauricella said “politicians” continue to shock his senses, taking advantage of ways to enrich themselves at the public’s expense.
Lauricella, the vice chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, said it should not be legal for some elected officials to “retire” from their positions, collect their pensions, and then stay on in their elected positions receiving their full pay.
Lauricella addressed the Yates Town Board on Thursday. He is upset that Roger Wolfe, the town highway superintendent, is considered retired and able to collect his public pension, while continuing to work as town highway and water superintendent. Wolfe is paid $64,180 as highway superintendent and $13,658 as water superintendent in 2017.
He entered the NYS Employees Retirement System on Dec. 31, 2015, eligible for a pension at $50,619 annually. (He can’t receive that full pension each year because he is younger than 65. But he can receive a prorated amount until he surpasses $30,000 in pay in a year. A letter from the state comptroller’s office on March 15 said Wolfe was able to receive his monthly pension of $4,209.02 until May 2016, when he hit the $30,000 level in income.)
Once over 65, retired municipal employees have no income restrictions that affect their pensions, according to the state Retirement and Social Security Law.
Lauricella has been sending Freedom of Information Act requests to the town and comptroller’s office. He presented the responses to the Town Board on Thursday. Town Supervisor Jim Simon asked Lauriella to present his questions in writing, and the board would work to answer them.
Lauricella shared some of his concerns during the meeting on Thursday. He said the town minutes don’t show any record of Wolfe retiring. Town Councilman Jim Whipple said he recalls the Town Board accepting the resignation at a December 2015 meeting. Whipple said the minutes could be modified to show that.
Wolfe had been re-elected that November and started a new term on Jan. 1, 2016. That is how some of the elected officials who then collect their pensions handle the timing. When they have already been re-elected to start new terms on Jan. 1, they retire typically the day before the new term starts.
Ed Morgan, the Murray highway superintendent, and Larry Swanger, the Clarendon highway superintendent, also are retired and continuing to work full-time in the jobs. Many long-term state legislators, such as David Gantt in Rochester, also are retired, collecting a pension and their regular pay for their elected positions.
Simon, the Yates town supervisor, said Wolfe has done nothing illegal. As an elected official, the rules are different for “double dipping,” collecting a pension and full-time pay.
Normally a public employee has to get a waiver to continue working on the government payroll and collect a pension. The municipality needs to show the person is difficult to replace, without a qualified successor ready to take over.
Lauricella said other capable people could serve as highway and water superintendent for Yates.
Normally municipal retirees also have to stay out of the same position they were working in for at least a year, before they are brought back to that job. But that stipulation doesn’t apply to elected officials.
Lauricella said it was wrong to have different rules for elected officials and other public employees.
“I’m sure there is some loophole because when you’re a politician you can get away with anything,” Lauricella said at the meeting.
Simon said he would research Lauricella’s questions to make sure the answers were correct.
Simon praised Wolfe and the highway workers for their recent effort cleaning up after the powerful wind storm last week and then for their work clearing town roads from the big snowstorm this week.
Simon also praised the Lyndonville Fire Department and Village of Lyndonville for making their facilities available as warming shelters for people without electricity. Simon said some residents went four days before their power was restored.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2017 at 9:33 am
YATES – The Yates Town Board voted against a contract with the Village of Medina on Thursday night, where the town would contribute to the ambulance service.
Town Board members say they want to pay towards a new ambulance, but don’t like the language in the contract referring to a “deficit” with the ambulance service.
The Medina Fire Department provides ambulance service for the western Orleans County towns of Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby. The Fire Department has four ambulances and wants to replace one every two years. The ambulances cost about $160,000 each, so each year the department wants to set aside $80,000 towards an ambulance.
The three towns and village of Medina will pay a pro-rated share towards the ambulance based on percentage of ambulance calls in each municipality between Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 each year.
In Yates, the town share, including for residents in the Village of Lyndonville, would be about $15,000 a year, said Jim Simon, the town supervisor.
The current contract with Medina expires June 30. Yates has been in a contract with Medina since 2007 for ambulance services. Yates hasn’t been contributing to the cost in recent years.
Town Board members said they want to support paying for an ambulance, but don’t want to be pulled into financing other operational costs.
Yates officials have been meeting with Medina officials for more than a year, discussing the ambulance contract. Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, said the focus initially had been on an ambulance replacement fund and having the three towns contribute. But it has expanded to helping with an undefined deficit for the service.
“I’m still not 100 percent comfortable (with the contract),” Bradley said during the Town Board meeting.
Bradley has been a member of the Lyndonville Fire Department for 37 years. He said the Medina Fire Department provides “top-notch” service to the Yates community. He just wants the language clear in the contract.
The proposed contract would establish an Advisory Board, with Yates, Shelby, Ridgeway and Medina all appointing a representative. That board is welcome to make recommendations to the Medina Village Board on how to reduce a deficit with the service.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari declined to discuss the issue until he had a chance to talk with the Village Board. He said he wanted to three towns to view the ambulance as a shared service.
Jim Whipple was the lone Yates board member to vote for the new contract. Whipple, however, didn’t want the town to be pulled into management of the service.
“We just want to support the ambulance and not get involved in collections and operations,” Whipple said.
The Medina Village Board would still oversee the service, but the new Advisory Board would give the towns more input in how the ambulance service is run.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon, and councilmen John Riggi and Wes Bradley voted against the contract. Councilman Brad Bentley was absent from the meeting.
Simon said the town already budgeted $15,000 this year to support the ambulance. He said Yates is pleased with the service and wants to help pay for new ambulances in the future.
The contract in the past has been rolling over each year. Simon and the Yates officials would like to have the issue settled soon.
“We don’t have another ambulance service we can turn to,” Simon said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2017 at 5:23 pm
Photo courtesy of Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – These four Lyndonville students hold their award-winning photos in the Rural Schools Association Student Photo Contest. The students include from left: Victoria Wagner, Skyler Lear, Devon Allen and Jessica Smith.
Students were asked to submit photographs of their schools, their community or their surroundings. RSA has already used some of these photos for the cover of the organization’s testimony before the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Feb. 14.
The photos will also be displayed at Lyndonville Central School and at the Yates Town Hall.
Devon Allen took this photograph, entitled, “Community Red Barn.”
Victoria Wagner took this picture, entitled, “Johnson’s Creek on School Grounds.”
Jessica Smith’s award-winning photos feature Johnson’s Creek & the Lyndonville Library, and also one of a tree by Johnson’s Creek.
Skyler Lear’s photo shows a swan swimming on Johnson’s Creek.
To see all the winning entries in the contest, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2017 at 3:32 pm
Photo courtesy of Jason Smith
LYNDONVILLE – The wind storm on Wednesday ripped off a chunk of the rubber membrane on the Lyndonville school. The Elmer W. Davis roofing company has been at the school today and made a temporary repair.
“Through the hard work of roofers in coordination with district personnel, the roof has been repaired and is safe for students and staff to occupy,” said Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent.
If power is restored, Smith said he expects there will be school on Friday.
“There has been no decision made to close school tomorrow as the building is safe for occupancy,” he said. “If a decision is made to close tomorrow, parents will be notified through normal closing procedures.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2017 at 12:13 pm
Photos courtesy of Jason Smith
LYNDONVILLE – A roof contractor is on site at Lyndonvlle Central School making a temporary repair to a section of the roof after strong winds on Wednesday ripped part of the rubber membrane off.
Some of the membrane also peeled back and needs to be secured, said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.
The roofing company brought 50-pound pavers that will hold down the membrane as part of a temporary fix. Smith said the district has reached out to the State Education Department to see if state aid could be expedited for an emergency repair that would also last long-term.
The temporary repair should be complete by later today, Smith said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2017 at 9:33 am
LYNDONVILLE – Mayor John Belson announced this morning that the Lyndonville Fire Hall is open as a warming station. The fire hall is located at 148 North Main St.
Belson said there is a big room for residents to warm up at the fire hall. If the fire hall becomes too crowded, the Village Office is also open at 2 South Main St.
National Grid reports that nearly 11,000 customers remain without electricity in Orleans County. The company didn’t give an estimate for when power would be back on. On its website, National Grid reported it is “assessing condition” in Orleans County.
YATES – The Yates Town Board and Highway Superintendent Roger Wolfe are very pleased with the results of the 2017 Association of Town Legislative Program Resolutions passed on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, in New York City.
In particular, the Town of Yates is fully supportive of the resolutions titled, Increase Highway and Bridge Funding, Address Unfunded Mandates, and Support Constitutional Home Rule in the Siting of Wind and Solar Energy Facilities.
“These resolutions, passed unanimously by nearly 200 town delegates from across New York State, will become the legislative program for the association in its dealings with the governor, the state legislature, and state agencies,” said Jim Simon, Yates Town Supervisor, who was the delegate selected by the Town Board to represent Yates. “It is good to know that the association will champion these resolutions in Albany, and we hope that people in positions of authority listen.”
Resolution No. 2, Increase Highway and Bridge Funding, states, “… that the Association of Towns calls upon the Governor and Legislature to increase funding for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and ensure that the PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY programs are fully funded for the lifespan of these programs.”
Roger Wolfe, Yates Highway Superintendent, praised the association for shining a light on the need to increase funding for highways and bridges. “These funding programs help Yates not only with near-term paving of town roads and repair of culverts, but they help fund long-term needs as identified by the 2013 NYS Association of Towns Highway Superintendent’s Needs Study.”
Resolution No. 4, Address Unfunded Mandates, states, “…that the Association of Towns calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to enact comprehensive mandate relief legislation that provides permanent and full funding of existing and future mandates and requires legislation to include thorough local fiscal impact notes regarding the actual expense of implementing said legislation.”
Jim Whipple, Yates Councilman, sees the importance of mandate relief across many areas of municipal government. “Every time Albany implements policies, they need to consider the impact it will have on municipalities like the Town of Yates – we should have our voices heard early and often whenever mandates are being considered much less developed and imposed.”
Resolution No. 9, Support Constitutional Home Rule in the Siting of Wind and Solar Energy Facilities, states, “that the Association of Towns supports the constitutional rights of local governments to decide how land will be used within their jurisdiction, which is closest to the citizens of that region; and be it further resolved, that the Association of Towns seeks amendments to the Article 10 state siting procedures to involve local governments and communities more in the siting of industrial wind energy facilities.”
According to John Riggi, Yates Deputy Supervisor, “Any law, like Article 10, which places the final decision about industrial zoning with a siting board consisting of five unelected bureaucrats in Albany and only two members from the local communities, is a clear violation of home rule.”
The Town Board members include Jim Simon, John Riggi, Jim Whipple, Wes Bradley and Brad Bentley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2017 at 9:48 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Owen Toale, left, and Todd Bensley are unopposed in the March 21 village election at Medina.
Two villages in Orleans County will hold elections on March 21 for positions on the Village Board. The candidates in Medina and Lyndonville are all unopposed.
The deadline for submitting petitions passed on Feb. 14.
In Lyndonville, Mary Kage is the lone candidate for a two-year term as a village trustee. Kage was appointed to the board in September, filling a vacancy created when Jim Tuk resigned. The election on March 21 is for the final two years of Tuk’s term. Lyndonville’s election is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall.
In Medina, two incumbents are uncontested for re-election. Owen Toale and Todd Bensley are seeking two-year terms on the board. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 615 West Ave.
Toale is a retired publisher of the former Journal-Register in Medina. Bensley teaches AP government and participation in government in Medina, and also is the village historian.
There aren’t any positions up for election in Albion, and Holley holds its election in June.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The entrance to L.A. Webber Middle-High School is pictured at Lyndonville Central School. A capital project for $10.7 million in improvements to the school district was approved by district residents today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2017 at 9:33 pm
LYNDONVILLE – District voters today passed a $10.7 million capital project, 106-19, allowing a series of improvements to go forward.
The “yes” votes accounted for 85 percent of the total.
State aid will pay for most of the costs, but Lyndonville will have to pay $4.5 million. The district already has that saved over 10 years in a capital reserve account. District Superintendent Jason Smith said there will be no added increase to local taxes because of the project.
The proposed project includes the following work at the school district:
• Cafeteria – Full renovation and air conditioning
• Auditorium – Adding projector, sound system, LED lights, and stage lighting (LED).
• Gymnasiums – Refinish floor, remove partition and add screen, backstop motors, backstop safety straps, paint, LED lights, and air conditioning and LED lights in JV gym.
• Classrooms that don’t have air conditioning will receive AC with /HVAC installation/repairs. Many classrooms would get new doors, ceiling repairs, and window treatments.
• Building-wide projects – Masonry work, replace skylights, intruder door security, replace public announcement system, replace old electric panels, generator upgrades, fire/safety system upgrades, exit sign work, and exterior LED lights.
• Bus Garage – New roof, door work, electric upgrades, emergency lights and generator, water main, and extend bus garage parking lot.
• School Parking Improvements – Separate school bus drop-off zone, separate parent drop-off zone, storm drainage improvements, stormwater management facility, sidewalks and curbs, parking lot pavement, striping and signage, and restoration and landscaping.
• Varsity Soccer Field Improvements – Widen soccer field to west, two 15’x30’ bleacher pads, 4’ chain link spectator fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, and netting – south line.
• Varsity Baseball Field Improvements – Replace existing scoreboard, 4’ chain link spectator fence, 6’ chain link outfield fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, two bleacher pads, and power to existing batting cage.
• Track Parking Area Improvements – Water system with backflow prevention and yard hydrants, sanitary service for future building, electric service (from bus garage), parking lot pavement, striping, signage and lighting, restoration and landscaping, high jump equipment, and pole vault equipment.
• Softball and Baseball Field Improvements – 4” under drain along first and third baselines, 4’ chain link outfield fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, and softball backstop and fencing.
The work would be done in two phases. Design for the first phase will begin shortly with the goal of submitting the project to the New York State Education Department in spring 2017, the district stated.
The goal is to have Phase One out for bid and awarded by fall 2017 with roof construction happening near the end of 2017 and into early 2018.
Phase Two of the project would begin to be designed in March 2017 and plans will be submitted to SED at the beginning of 2018. Review for the second phase of the project will take longer than the first, so the construction would not begin until fall 2018 with completion in 2019, the district stated on its website.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The parking lot and driveway in front of Lyndonville Central School is pictured on Saturday. A capital project would add parking spaces and a separate drop-off zone.
Staff Reports Posted 13 February 2017 at 10:31 am
Voting is from noon to 7 p.m. at school auditorium
LYNDONVILLE – School district residents today will go to the polls from noon to 7 p.m. to decide whether a $10.7 million capital project will go forward.
Voting is at the school in the Stroyan Auditorium. Voters must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.
The $10.7 million project addresses maintenance and improvements on the L.A. Webber building, bus garage and surrounding grounds. The Lyndonville Board of Education unanimously voted for the capital project on Dec. 12. The project needs an OK from the community to move forward.
State aid will pay for most of the costs, but Lyndonville will have to pay $4.5 million. The district already has that saved over 10 years in a capital reserve account. District Superintendent Jason Smith said there will be no added increase to local taxes because of the project.
The proposed project includes the following work at the school district:
• Cafeteria – Full renovation and air conditioning
• Auditorium – Adding projector, sound system, LED lights, and stage lighting (LED).
The capital project also includes funds to widen the soccer field to west, add bleacher pads, a chain link spectator fence, dugouts and netting.
• Gymnasiums – Refinish floor, remove partition and add screen, backstop motors, backstop safety straps, paint, LED lights, and air conditioning and LED lights in JV gym.
• Classrooms that don’t have air conditioning will receive AC with /HVAC installation/repairs. Many classrooms would get new doors, ceiling repairs, and window treatments.
• Building-wide projects – Masonry work, replace skylights, intruder door security, replace public announcement system, replace old electric panels, generator upgrades, fire/safety system upgrades, exit sign work, and exterior LED lights.
• Bus Garage – New roof, door work, electric upgrades, emergency lights and generator, water main, and extend bus garage parking lot.
• School Parking Improvements – Separate school bus drop-off zone, separate parent drop-off zone, storm drainage improvements, stormwater management facility, sidewalks and curbs, parking lot pavement, striping and signage, and restoration and landscaping.
• Varsity Soccer Field Improvements – Widen soccer field to west, two 15’x30’ bleacher pads, 4’ chain link spectator fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, and netting – south line.
• Varsity Baseball Field Improvements – Replace existing scoreboard, 4’ chain link spectator fence, 6’ chain link outfield fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, two bleacher pads, and power to existing batting cage.
• Track Parking Area Improvements – Water system with backflow prevention and yard hydrants, sanitary service for future building, electric service (from bus garage), parking lot pavement, striping, signage and lighting, restoration and landscaping, high jump equipment, and pole vault equipment.
• Softball and Baseball Field Improvements – 4” under drain along first and third baselines, 4’ chain link outfield fence, two pre-manufactured dugouts, and softball backstop and fencing.
If the project passes today, the work would be done in two phases. Design for the first phase would begin shortly after the project approval by voters with the goal of submitting the project to the New York State Education Department in spring 2017, the district stated.
The goal is to have Phase One out for bid and awarded by fall 2017 with roof construction happening near the end of 2017 and into early 2018.
Phase Two of the project would begin to be designed in March 2017 and plans will be submitted to SED at the beginning of 2018. Review for the second phase of the project will take longer than the first, so the construction would not begin until fall 2018 with completion in 2019.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Harold Scribner, second from left, is pictured with his sons, Bill (left), Guy (third from right) and grandson, Josh Ames, during the Lyndonville Fire Department’s annual fire installation banquet on Saturday at the Carlton Recreation Hall. Harold Scriber has honored for 50 years of service to the Lyndonville Fire Department. His son Bill recently retired from the Albion Police Department and now works for the VA in Batavia. Guy is an active member of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance in Albion, and Josh works as a professional firefighter for Newton Township in Ohio. Josh grew up in Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2017 at 3:44 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Harold Scribner was honored Saturday with numerous proclamations and a ceremonial firefighter axe in appreciation for his 50 years of service to the Lyndonville Fire Department.
Scribner traces his passion for serving the community as a firefighter to when he was in Boy Scouts and learned First Aid.
“It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing, knowing you’ve helped people,” Scribner said on Saturday.
I addition to serving the Lyndonville Fire Department, Scribner spent 17 years with Medina’s Rescue Squad and 10 years with COVA in Albion. He did that while working 36 years as a chemical operator for FMC in Middleport.
“I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie with the firemen,” he said. “I am friends with firefighters in fire companies from all over.”
Scribner is still very active with the Lyndonville Fire Department, going on about 200 calls a year. He is captain of the fire police.
“He’s rock steady,” said Scott Buffin, the Lyndonville fire chief in 2016. “He is a good guy who goes above the call of duty.”
Scribner received citations or proclamations on Saturday from Congressman Chris Collins, State Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, the Orleans County Legislature, the Village of Lyndonville and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.
The following received awards during the fire installation banquet for their service in 2016, from left: Dave Hydock, Chief’s Award; Tyler Heideman, Firefighter of the Year; and Ken Starr, President’s Award.
Other Lyndonville firefighters were also recognized with awards on Saturday.
Tyler Heideman was named “Firefighter of the Year” by Scott Buffin, the fire chief in 2016. Heideman, 23, has been an active firefighter for four years, eager to attend training to improve his skills.
“Hs is a quiet leader who always wants to learn more,” Buffin said. “He’s got the fire in the belly to be a firefighter.”
Dave Hydock received the Chief’s Award for leading a committee that worked on replacing a 30-year-old rescue truck with a new one. The new truck is expected to be ready next month. Hydock has volunteered for 37 years with the Lyndonville Fire Department.
Ken Starr received the President’s Award. He has been a member of the LFD for 33 years. He was praised “for taking care of all the little problems around the hall.”
The 2017 officers for the Lyndonville FD include:
• Line Officers – Chief Ben Bane, First Assistant Chief Steve Bane, Second Assistant Chief Lee Kistner, Fire Captain T.J. Heideman, EMS Captain Scott Buffin, Lieutenant Mike Heideman, Fire Police Captain Harold Scribner, and Chaplain Wes Bradley.
• Executive Officers – President Anna Schuner, Vice President Mike Tabor, Treasurer James Wells, Secretary Pam Durow, and WNY Delegate Morgan Gerety.
• Auxiliary Officers – President Teresa Carvalho, Vice President Nicole Kistner, Treasurer Anna Schuner, and Secretary Pam Durow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2017 at 8:13 pm
Provided photo: Don Colquhoun, vice president of the board of directors for Orleans County Adult Learning Services, accepts a $4,000 check from Lyndonville Area Foundation board members Jason Smith, left, and David Cook, right.
LYNDONVILLE – A $4,000 contribution from the Lyndonville Area Foundation will allow the Orleans County Adult Learning Services (OCALS) to expand its tutoring program for students and adults.
OCALS for the past two years has had tutors available for fifth-graders.
The $4,000 from the Foundation will pay for supplies and some supervision some tutors can work with first-graders, other students and adults from the community, said Don Colquhoun, vice president of the OCALS board.
The organization has tutors ready to serve the Lyndonville community. Colquhoun said students can be referred to the program by teachers or parents, and adults can make self-referrals.
Colquhoun said OCALS is working to expand tutoring and literacy services to other school districts as well.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Performers from Shake on the Lake perform Shakespeare last July 31 at the Orleans County Marine Park. The travelling troupe, based in Wyoming County, will be back in Orleans County this year, partnering with Lyndonville drama students.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2017 at 10:21 am
Provided photo: Darren Wilson (center), president of Lyndonville Area Foundation, presents a donation from the Foundation to Lyndonville Central School Superintendent Jason Smith and Music Teacher Jennifer Trupo to sponsor “Shake on the Lake” this spring and summer, featuring Lyndonville students. One performance will be at school on May 5 and then there will be two performances, August 8-9, at the Yates Community Library, and Yates Town Park, respectively, at 6 p.m.
LYNDONVILLE – A theater group that performs Shakespeare will be back in Orleans County this year, performing with students from Lyndonville.
The Lyndonville Area Foundation has provided funding for Shake on the Lake to team with local students in performing Shakespeare on May 5 at Lyndonville Central School, and then Aug. 8 at the Yates Community Free Library and Aug. 9 at the Yates Town Park.
Shake on the Lake will also do a two-week theater camp in late April/early May for Lyndonville students.
The Foundation is providing funding for the program and the school district will provide rehearsal space and use of equipment, said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.
Shake on the Lake started in 2011 with a goal to bring Shakespeare to rural Western New York. The group is based in Silver Lake, Wyoming County.
Last summer Shake on the Lake toured in five counties, including a July 31 performance at the Orleans County Marine Park at Point Breeze.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2017 at 12:30 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 14, 2015 shows some of the 400-foot-high turbines in Sheldon, Wyoming County. Apex Clean Energy is proposing a project that would have about 70 turbines more than 600 feet high in the towns of Yates and Somerset.
In November, Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) announced he introduced legislation that would curb the installation of wind turbines in close proximity to military installations, such as the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls.
Now, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, said he is working on similar state legislation. Hawley on Friday said he and Assemblyman Michael Norris, R-Lockport, are working together to craft the legislation.
Collins in late November introduced the “Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act.” It would ensure that any new wind turbines located within a 40-mile radius of a military installation will be ineligible for renewable energy tax credits.
“Our military installations are crucial to the security of our nation,” Collins said on Nov. 29. “This legislation ensures that military installations like the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station can fully operate without potential interference from wind turbines, some of which can be as tall as 600 feet.”
Apex Clean Energy is proposing “Lighthouse Wind,” a project that would have about 70 turbines more than 600 feet high in the towns of Yates and Somerset. The company said the project wouldn’t have a negative impact on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Hawley said he also opposes the Article 10 process where a state-appointed siting board has the say in approving or rejecting large-scale wind energy projects.
“Article 10 has been a horrendous thing,” Hawley said.
