By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2015 at 12:00 am
YATES – The Orleans County Planning Board supported a 196.85 foot high meteorological tower in Yates that will measure wind strength and consistency.
Apex Wind Energy wants the MET tower on a 65-acre lot at the southwest corner of Lakeshore and Marshall roads. The company would put the tower up on land owned by Donna Bane.
Apex needs final approval for the tower from the Yates Town Board. The Planning Board’s decision this evening is separate from Apex’s pursuit for a larger wind farm, a proposal for 60 to 68 turbines in Yates and Somerset.
A state siting board will have final say on that project. That seven-member board is supposed to include two representatives from the project area.
About 30 members from Save Ontario Shores, a citizen group that has formed to oppose the project, attended the County Planning Board meeting, but weren’t allowed to address the board.
Planners said they were only looking at the MET tower and the not the overall turbine project.
Apex will need a special use permit from the town for the tower, and that permit would allow the structure to stay for up to two years.
Apex said it is planning to hire Anemometry Specialists from Alta, Iowa, to put up the tower.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District is one of 131 school districts or BOCES in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group’s “School Safety Excellence Award – Titanium” for 2015.
The honor, presented annually, recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. Lyndonville Central School District received the highest honor during Utica National’s 35th annual school safety seminar at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia.
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 BCOES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying preventions 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,” explained Mark Aquino, regional manager in Utica National’s risk management department. “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.”
Aquino 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,” Aquino said.
Provided photo – Jeremy Foss is pictured with his teacher Todd Wolford. Jeremy was picked to advance to a national competition.
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – Students in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at Lyndonville Central School recently took the stage to present their business to an investor panel.
Each student or group of students was given 6 minutes to pitch their business ideas. Based on the appeal and merit of the presentations, students were awarded funds to be used toward startup costs.
Jeremy Foss of Tightlines Bait and Tackle was selected to advance to the YEA Saunders Scholars National College Scholarship competition. He will compete for college scholarships and an all-expenses paid trip courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to America’s Small Business Summit in Washington D.C.
Jeremy also was awarded a $500 shopping spree at Sam’s Club. He plans to run his online business starting this summer and while he attends Cobleskill College.
The 15 students in YEA at Lyndonville are among 8,000 students in 38 states nationwide enrolled in the entrepreneurial education classes that teach students how to generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their own, legally registered companies.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Company eyes Yates, Somerset for 60 to 68 turbines
Photos by Tom Rivers – Cathi Orr, a Somerset resident who opposes “Lighthouse Wind,” speaks during a public meeting Wednesday at the Barker Fire Hall. About 150 people attended the 4:30 p.m. session. There was another one at 6:30.
BARKER – A State Siting Committee may have the final vote on whether Apex Clean Energy can build 60 to 68 wind turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset, but local residents will have plenty of opportunities to weigh in and influence the project, including having two members on the seven-member Siting Committee.
That’s what about 150 people were told on Wednesday during a presentation at Barker Fire Hall from the state Department of Public Service.
“This process is long and involved and there are many opportunities to effect this process,” said Andrea Cerbin, attorney for the Department of Public Service.
Andrew Davis outlines the Article X process for a crowd of 150 people Wednesday at the Barker Fire Hall.
Cerbin and Andrew Davis, a utilities specialist with DPS, discussed the Article 10 process for permitting and siting wind turbine projects in New York State that exceed 25 megawatts.
The companies proposing the projects need to work with the state and local governments on scoping documents that identify potential issues in 41 categories, including health and safety issues, state and local law compliance, wildlife and numerous other issues.
“The applicant has its work cut out for them,” Davis said while presenting the Article 10 process. “It’s a robust set of requirements that must be addressed in the application.”
Andrew Davis goes over the Article X process with a slide-show presentation at the fire hall.
Apex also needs to evaluate “any reasonable and available alternative locations,” Davis said.
Companies need to pay the state up to $350 per megawatt in the scoping phase to help cover the state and local government’s expenses in reviewing the proposals.
Apex Clean Energy of Virginia wants to build a wind energy project with 200 megawatts close to the Lake Ontario shoreline in the two towns. The company would need to provide up $70,000 to the governments in the scoping phase of the application.
If Apex clears those hurdles, it then has to provide up to $1,000 per megawatt in the application phase or up to $200,000. Those documents and studies would be subject hearings from an administrative law judge.
Residents distributed signs opposing the plan for 60 to 68 wind turbines in the two rural towns.
Right now, Apex is at the preliminary scoping statement phase of the project. The state requires a public involvement plan as part of the process. Apex held its third public meeting about the project on Wednesday.
Besides the two local representatives on the Siting Committee, the seven-member group is chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.
The Apex project differs from many other wind turbine farms in that it is spread over two counties. It’s turbines are also taller than most other ones currently in operation. The Apex turbines would peak at up to 570 feet at the top of the blade. That’s about 150 feet higher than many of the turbines in Wyoming County.
Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, said each town – Yates and Somerset – should have a representative on the Siting Committee.
“My township needs representation and the other township needs representation,” Bradley said.
Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, said both Yates and Somerset should have a voice on the State Siting Committee.
Cerbin, the DPS attorney, agreed that “is a good concern,” but she said the State Senate and State Assembly leaders, as well as Gov. Cuomo will have the final say. The local communities can submit names of potential committee members.
During the meeting at Barker Fire Hall, several residents said they didn’t like the process with so much power given to the State Siting Committee and they didn’t understand why the state would entertain the project with the Somerset power plant and nearby hydropower in Lewiston.
“Why do we need these wind turbines?” one resident asked.
Davis said Apex has submitted a proposal and now the Public Service Commission needs insist the rules are followed and a host of potential impacts considered during the review process.
Some residents said the local community should have the majority of the votes on the Siting Committee, not 2 out of 7.
“We are a minority,” a resident told Davis, who responded, “That’s the math.”
John Riggi is president of Save Ontario Shores, which opposes the wind energy project in the two towns.
Many residents have banded together to form Save Ontario Shores, an opposition group to the turbine project. John Riggi, the group’s president, said the community should have the power to reject the turbines.
But Davis said the Siting Committee will make that decision, with local input.
“The municipality can not prevent the Siting Board from giving a certificate,” Davis said.
Residents are welcome to submit written comments throughout the process to the secretary of the Siting Committee: secretary@dps.ny.gov, by mail at Honorable Kathleen Burgess, NYS Siting Board, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12223-1350, or by phone (800) 355-2120. The case number is 14-F-0485.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2015 at 12:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County Planning Board members voted to kick back an application to the developer and Yates town officials for a $5 million project that would add controlled-atmosphere storage for apples.
Empire Fruit LLC (H.H. Dobbins) wants to construct a 26,240-square-foot metal building with ancillary facilities for CA storage at 10775 Millers Rd. The company wants to get started on the project soon and have it ready for the fall harvest.
The project has support from the Orleans Economic Development Agency for tax incentives.
The problem, planners said on Thursday, was the project disturbs more than 1 acre of land. When that happens, the developer needs to provide a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. That hasn’t been done for the project.
That prompted planners to deem the application incomplete. Dobbins needs to provide the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the application to move forward.
County planners said 3 acres of land would be disturbed for the project, when parking spaces, the driveway and the building footprint are all factored.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2015 at 12:00 am
School district, law enforcement warn of consequences
Photos by Tom Rivers – Lee Dillenbeck, Lyndonville athletic director and dean of students, said the school district has held student assemblies to talk about e-cigarettes, alcohol and tobacco use to stress students shouldn’t use those products. Dr. Aaron Slack, middle-high school principal, also spoke during a panel discussion Tuesday night on current trends and issues in drug and alcohol use among youth.
LYNDONVILLE – A recent survey of students in grades 6 through 12 at Lyndonville shows more students are using tobacco and alcohol products in 2013 than in 2011, and Lyndonville also has a higher percentage of students using the products compared to the county-wide rate.
The district has held assemblies to warn students of the health and legal repercussions of using tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Lyndonville also has a simulation of a drunk driving crash in May during prom season to send the message about the dangers of underage drinking.
In this simulation in May 2013, firefighters and emergency responders take a student from a smashed car and transport her by stretcher to an ambulance. The school district is trying to show the dangers of drunk driving.
The district had a panel discussion about drug and tobacco trends among students on Tuesday night. Jason Smith, school district superintendent, wants to engage parents and the community to bring the numbers down and also to avoid a future tragedy.
“Prom night is the most stressful night for me as superintendent,” Smith said. I don’t want to get that phone call about a tragedy. I don’t want to be waiting in a line with hundreds of kids at a funeral home.”
Jason Smith
Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse facilitated the discussion. GCASA also does the student surveys every two years, with new surveys planned for 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Lyndonville and Orleans County middle and high schoolers are showing increased use of e-cigarettes and marijuana.
The numbers show percentage of students that tried alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and marijuana within 30 days of the survey.
Lyndonville students, at just over 20 percent, lead in trying smokeless tobacco within 30 days from when the survey was taken in 2013. Twenty percent of students in grades 6 through 12 also reported to have used marijuana within 30 days of the survey.
Alcohol use is much higher with nearly 45 percent of Lyndonville students saying they tried it within 30 days of the survey.
This chart shows student alcohol use, according to the survey results from 2013.
Ken Strickland, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, said many parents keep alcohol in their homes and students will consume it, sometimes without their parents knowing and often with support of their parents.
Strickland said parents could be charged with unlawful dealing with a minor and endangering the welfare of a child if underage drinking occurs on their property.
If a kid gets hurt or dies in a car crash or from alcohol poisioning, the parents could be sued, Strickland said.
Strickland said he is surprised how many parent-condoned drinking parties occur during prom and graduation season.
“You’d be amazed at how many people are OK with this,” Strickland said.
Deputy Ken Strickland, left, was among the panelists during Tuesday’s discussion of alcohol and tobacco trends. Dr. Magdi Credi, a physician, also discussed the health dangers of using the products.
The school district isn’t OK with it. Lee Dillenbeck, the athletic director and dean of students, said students are likely to be suspended or kicked off teams for underage drinking and using tobacco products.
He attributed some of Lyndonville’s high numbers in 2013 to older high school students buying alcohol and tobacco products and then reselling them to middle schoolers. The district has stepped up efforts to educate students about the dangers and confront older students suspected of selling to younger students.
The village of Lyndonville also made a cemetery across from the district campus off-limits for smoking, and school officials said that has helped prevent tobacco use.
Rebekah Hoffee, a three-sport athlete at Lyndonville, said she and many of her teammates try to use positive peer pressure to keep students from violating the code of conduct by smoking and drinking.
“The teams are supportive,” Hoffee said. “As a friend you pull people back into the light when they go searching for darkness.”
Rebekah Hoffee said a busy student schedule may be the best way to keep students from using drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, is at left.
Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, said e-cigarettes and vape pens are new threats for teen substance abuse. Teens think the e-cigarettes are safer, but they are also addicting and dangerous, she said.
Manufacturers offer e-cigarettes in kid-friendly flavors such as watermelon and root beer.
“They come in a variety of flavors that are appealing to young people,” she said.
Dr. Magdi Credi, a physician, said smoking damages lungs, increases cancer risks and reduces circulation. Drinking alcohol as a kid “is going to affect your system, especially if you drink a full force,” he told students at the panel discussion.
Drinking alcohol while the brain is still developing “will be harmful,” he said.
“If you drink at 14 and 15, by your 20s there is no doubt you will not be like a normal person,” he said.
GCASA officials say vape pens, e-cigarettes and vapor flavors are some of the newest enticements for teens and younger children.
Aaron Slack, the principal, urged parents to be aware of what their children are doing and ask questions. “If you see something, say something,” Slack said.
He also urged students to tell adults if they know other students are using drugs, drinking alcohol or using tobacco products. The information will be kept confidential by the school.
“Students aren’t snitches if they say something,” Slack said.
Contributed Story Posted 20 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Erin Mufford
LYNDONVILLE – Thomas Follman of Lyndonville plays Shrek and Regan Stacey of Medina is Fiona in “Shrek,” which will be performed in Lyndonville 7:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Stroyan Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.
Leif Isaacson of Lyndonville plays Lord Farquaad. Based on the animated film of the same name, Shrek features a story about becoming who you are truly meant to be, said Jennifer Trupo, director of the musical in Lyndonville.
Shrek the Ogre (Thomas Follman) wants to rid his swamp of the fairytale creatures who were dumped there by Lord Farquaad’s henchmen. Shrek and his sidekick Donkey (Joe Mangiola of Medina) set out to rescue Princess Fiona from her Dragon-guarded tower and return her to her “one true love,” Lord Farquaad. (Jessie Harling of Lyndonville plays the Dragon.)
Along the journey, Fiona and Shrek begin to fall in love, but many complications arise.
Pinocchio is played by Victoria Carter of Medina.This year’s production features a cast and crew of over 60 Lyndonville and Medina students. They have been working tirelessly since the beginning of November to prepare a production full of singing, dancing and special effects.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Tuk, Covell re-elected in Lyndonville
Photo by Tom Rivers – Owen Toale, left, and Todd Bensley were elected to two-year terms on the Village Board today. The terms begin on April 1.
MEDINA – Todd Bensley and Owen Toale were elected to two-year terms to the Village Board today.
Only 311 voters came out, down from the nearly 1,500 that voted on Jan. 20 public referendum on the village dissolution.
Bensley led with 285 votes followed by 180 for Toale, who was a write-in candidate. Jeremy Hogan, co-owner of O’Brien’s, also was a write-in and received 98 votes.
The two-year terms will start on April 1. Bensley and Toale will replace Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski, who didn’t seek re-election.
Bensley and Toale were both outspoken against dissolution leading up to that vote. They believe cost savings can be achieved by working with the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway.
“I don’t think enough effort has been put in with the towns to find common ground and solutions to problems,” said Toale, a retired newspaper publisher and public transportation manager.
Toale has served on the Village Board before. He believes his management experience will be an asset to overseeing village services.
Bensley is a teacher at Medina. He teaches AP government and participation in government.
“I teach the kids about civics and about giving back to the community,” he said.
Bensley has been active in the village as historian, and a member of the Boxwood Cemetery Commission and Planning Board. He will have to give up his appointed positions on the Planning Board and Commission to become a Village Trustee. He expects he will also step back from historian to devote more time to village trustee.
Bensley said he will continue to promote Medina history and work on projects at the cemetery, which was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.
He would like to see more economic development for the community, more attention on vacant houses, and more aid from the state for the village and a greater share of the local sales tax from the county.
The village also needs to work on its infrastructure. “That’s on everyone’s mind as we drive down the roads,” he said.
In Lyndonville, incumbents Charles Covell and James Tuk – both unopposed in today’s election – each received 15 votes and were re-elected.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lydia Erakare, a member of the Albion FFA, sings the national anthem during the Farmer to Neighbor dinner on March 9.
LYNDONVILLE – They came to celebrate Orleans County’s top industry – the $100 million-plus generated annually by the local farm economy – and to be inspired by a new crop of future farmers.
About 200 people, including elected officials from throughout the county, attended the March 9 Farmer to Neighbor dinner at the White Birch Golf Course.
“Agriculture is very representative of Orleans County,” said David Callard, County Legislature chairman. “Agriculture represents a quality of life in Orleans County.”
FFA students from Albion and Medina shared the limelight at the event. The two chapters will take turns hosting the state FFA convention 1,200 students and 250 judges due in Albion from May 2-4 for the convention. Next year it will shift to Medina.
Each chapter convinced a panel from the state FFA that they had the right facilities, activities and farm community. The diversity of local agriculture – fruit, vegetables, dairy, maple and more – is one reason why the FFA chapters from around the state want to come to Orleans County, said Barry Flansburg, the Albion Alumni FFA president.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Alexis Maines, a seventh-grader from Albion, impressed 200 people when she recited the FFA creed during a dinner March 9 in Lyndonville.
He served as master of ceremonies during the March 9 event, but gladly shared the microphone with local FFA students. Alexis Maines, an Albion seventh-grader, recited the FFA creed in front of the crowd. Chantelle Kidney, a 15-year-old from Medina, delivered a speech about legislation that would ban youths under age 16 from using farm machinery.
Chantelle told the group the youths benefit from working with machinery, making a bigger impact on a farm. They use the tools with respect and care, she said.
Lydia Erakare of Albion sang the national anthem and other FFA students handed out items won in an auction.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Chantelle Kidney, a member of Medina FFA, delivered a speech advocating for youths under age 16 to be able to use farm machinery.
The students have been featured in the annual dinner since 2009, when Albion celebrated the 100th anniversary of its agriculture program. The response was so enthusiastic from the crowd, seeing the FFA students in their blue corduroy coats, that the students have been coming back. Attendance has nearly doubled since the FFA students were included in the annual celebration.
“It makes people see there is a future,” Flansburg said.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Barry Flansburg, president of the Albion Alumni FFA, leads an auction to benefit the FFA. Jenny McKenna of Albion holds one of the items up for bid.
During the dinner, the Orleans County Farm Bureau also honored long-time Daily News staff writer Ginny Kropf for her years of coverage of the farm community. Margo Bowerman, the 4-H team coordinator, also was recognized for her 13 years of service. She is taking a job with 4-H in Minnesota.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Jack Hill, a junior FFA member in Medina, recites the FFA creed during the Farmer to Neighbor Night last March at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. The event returns this Saturday beginning at 6 p.m.
LYNDONVILLE – The farm and FFA community will gather on Saturday for Farmer to Neighbor Night, an annual tradition for 17 years at the tail end of winter with the planting season not too far away.
About 200 people usually attend the event at the White Birch Golf Course, with the program shining a light on the FFA programs in Albion and Medina. Those students recite the creed, deliver a prepared speech and help with a auction to raise money for the FFA programs.
“We like to focus on the youth,” said Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni. “The kids learn early on that agriculture is a big thing in Orleans County and how it interacts with the community.”
The most recent Agriculture Census from 2012 counted a $150 million impact in the farm economy for Orleans County, and that only was for the sale of milk, fruit, vegetables and other farm products. It didn’t include the ripple effect with equipment dealers, truckers, seed companies and other businesses that serve agriculture.
The FFA Alumni, Medina FFA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District and Chamber of Commerce all work together planning and promoting the dinner. There is still time to reserve a ticket by calling the Extension by Thursday at 798-4265.
Flansburg said the annual event comes at a time when farmers and community members are weary from the cold weather.
“It’s been a long hard winter,” he said. “We can’t wait for spring.”
Contributed Story Posted 10 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided Photo
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Academic Decathlon team won its 9th NYS Small School Championship on Feb. 28.
Pictured, in front row, from left: Trevor Thaine, Rebecca Schoolcraft, Rachael Kiefer and Danielle Allison. In back: Jeremy Foss (captain), Jessica Czechowicz, Amanda Blackburn, Leif Isaacson and Thomas Bummer.
Participants compete in ten academic areas and are awarded medals and team points based upon the scores that they earn.
Lyndonville’s medal winners:
Gold – Rachael Kiefer: Math and Literature; Jessica Czechowicz: Art; Jeremy Foss: History.
Bronze – Trevor Thaine: Literature; and Amanda Blackburn: Music.
The Lyndonville team, coached by Paula Reimann and Kristine Mostyn, advances to its final competition at the National US Academic Decathlon Tournament 2015 in Garden Grove, California, from April 16-18.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has been recognized by District Administration magazine as a “District of Distinction” for implementation and success with a college readiness program known as AVID.
Advancement Via Individual Determination is designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple: raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge, Lyndonville school officials said.
“Over the past several years, AVID has played an integral role in our students’ success, both before and after graduation from Lyndonville,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “In addition, AVID-trained teachers implement highly effective and engaging teaching strategies in their classrooms, which is also closely aligned to the demands of the Common Core.”
Districts of Distinction is a national recognition program created by District Administration magazine to honor school districts that are leading the way with new ideas that work. Districts of Distinction recognizes initiatives that are yielding quantifiable benefits, and that could be replicated by other districts.
The magazine highlighted 62 districts this month. Lyndonville started AVID at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year with a goal of boosting the academic performance of first-generation college hopefuls in grades 7 through 12.
In addition to implementing the AVID elective, Lyndonville CSD is in the process of creating school-wide and district-wide programs for college success. Since implementing the AVID in 2010 for grades 8 and 9, the program has expanded to all K12 grade levels.
With AVID in place the district has increased AP course enrollment, the passing rate for AP Social Studies assessments, and more students are applying to four-year colleges and receiving acceptance letters, according to District Administration magazine.
“We are pleased to honor Lyndonville as a District of Distinction,” says JD Solomon, editorial director at District Administration magazine. “Like all our honorees, Lyndonville Central School District serves as a model for school leaders across the country.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am
The Village of Lyndonville and Town of Shelby have both gone on the record in asking the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to distribute municipal aid in a fairer way, rather than the current lopsided approach that directs an overwhelming majority of the funds to cities in Upstate New York.
The Medina Village Board passed a resolution on Monday calling on fairness in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities. The state allocates $714 million in AIM funding, and 90 percent goes to upstate cities. That gives the average city resident about $277 per capita in aid, while town and village residents only get an average of $7 per person.
“It should be equal for each resident, across the board,” said Ken Schaal, a Shelby town councilman. “This is very unfair to rural residents.”
The Shelby Town Board passed a resolution on Feb. 10, calling for more aid for the towns and villages.
“We are tired of the millions of dollars that are given to upstate cities. We believe it is time for our fair share,” Town Clerk Darlene Rich said in an email to State Sen. Robert Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.
Shelby passed the resolution after a vote to dissolve the Village of Medina was rejected by village residents on Jan. 20. Schaal said the Town Board wanted to show support for more aid for the villagers.
He said the town and village have many of the same issues as cities with aging infrastructure and the need to provide services and push for economic development, initiatives that don’t come cheap.
The Lyndonville Village Board passed the resolution on Jan. 12, one week after Orleans Hub proposed a draft resolution, urging the local elected board to pass resolutions for more AIM funding. Click here to see “Here’s a resolution that every elected official in Orleans should support.”
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Steve Anderson, a Lyndonville student, excelled on Medina’s boys soccer team this past year. He was named a Niagara-Orleans all star and helped the team capture the league title.
(Editor’s Note: The Lyndonville school district issued this statement following Monday’s vote by the Board of Education to extend an agreement for two more years where Lyndonville students play on Medina’s soccer team.)
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – At its Feb. 9 meeting, the Lyndonville Board of Education approved a two-year agreement to continue the boys soccer merger with Medina.
“There is a strong tradition and history of Lyndonville soccer,” said Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith. “The challenge to honor the Lyndonville soccer tradition while being aware of the projected enrollment numbers and student opportunities was not taken lightly.”
Smith and Lyndonville board members had conversations with current student-athletes and parents regarding the merger and the future of the Medina-Lyndonville Mustangs. The district and the board also communicated with Medina administrators and coaches.
“Lyndonville monitors and adjusts shared services on a continuous basis,” said Lyndonville Board of Education President Ted Lewis. “Time was taken by many individuals to evaluate this specific merger and it was found that the merger provides the best opportunities for current LCSD students and those in the future.”
The Medina-Lyndonville Mustangs have worked hard over the past three years and the program has flourished. The transition has been successful and has led to a 2013 sectional title and a 2014 league title with a sectional semi-final appearance.
Lyndonville student-athlete Steven Anderson received individual accolades this year as part of the merged team. Anderson was named to the 2014 First Team All Western New York after a successful senior season.
Enrollment numbers are a concern when looking at a Lyndonville varsity team. There is an average of 20.5 boys per grade level in grades pre-K through 8. Estimates for the next three soccer seasons show that by the 2017 season, the varsity team would have approximately 14 student-athletes, assuming all interested students play soccer in lieu of football or cross country. These numbers would not be indicative of sustaining a successful and competitive team.
Lyndonville aims to continue hosting non-league soccer matches on its campus with the Medina-Lyndonville Mustangs donning the orange and black of the district.
Lyndonville intends to keep its modified and junior varsity boys soccer teams as it has over the past three years during the initial two agreements. Prior to the merger, Lyndonville went multiple years without a junior varsity team due to a limited number of interested students. The JV team has since grown, allowing Lyndonville student-athletes to hone their skills and prepare for participation at the most competitive level.
If Lyndonville were to end the merger with Medina, the district runs a risk of not having a sustainable soccer program in the future if Medina or another district were to not be interested in a future merger.
Soccer is not the only activity that Lyndonville merges with Medina. Lyndonville student-athletes currently participate with Medina student-athletes on shared football, boys soccer, cross country and track and field teams. Lyndonville and Medina students also come together on the stage for a combined musical each year.
