Sen. Ortt also introduces legislation to extend hydropower to hospitals, housing authorities

MEDINA – More incentives are being offered to a Canadian company, trying to make Medina the best option for a new vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility.

Pride Pak Canada Ltd. has been offered 1 megawatt of hydropower, deeply discounted electricity from the New York Power Authority.

Pride Pak is considering acquiring and renovating the former BernzOmatic plant in Medina, a site vacated last year by Worthington Cylinders. Pride Pak’s investment in Orleans County and the property would be $18 million and would create 163 new jobs, according to the New York Power Authority.

“These low-cost hydropower allocations from the Niagara Power Project demonstrate the Power Authority’s commitment to invest in the people and businesses of New York State,” said John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman.

Low-cost Niagara hydropower is currently priced more than 40 percent less than wholesale market electricity in the Buffalo-Niagara region and is linked to tens of thousands of existing jobs, NYPA officials said.

Pride Pak, based in Mississauga, Ontario, is currently Canada’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable processor.

The power allocation follows a move by the Orleans Economic Development Agency last month that would save Pride Pak $1 million in property taxes over 20 years at the site, plus $280,000 in sales tax for materials and equipment in the renovation and expansion.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, praised the news from NYPA.

“As a small-business owner, I know the resources that are necessary to flourish in New York’s economy,” Hawley said. “I am excited to see public-sector entities actively supporting private-sector businesses in my district. For the private-sector businesses to thrive, we need initiatives such as these that will create jobs and grow Western New York’s economy.”

State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, also said the NYPA decision is good for Medina and the regional agricultural economy.

“This proposed project is a great example of how low-cost hydropower can be used to help grow our local economy while meeting the demand for locally grown food,” Ortt said. “Working with our partners across the border to deliver fresh, healthy food from a home base in Medina is a start to strengthening our region’s and state’s leading industry, in hopes of one day, distributing these local products around the world.”

Ortt also announced on Tuesday an effort to make the hydropower available to hospitals and housing authorities in Niagara and Orleans counties.

Ortt has introduced a bill (S4414-A) that would make low-cost hydropower easily available to hospitals and municipal housing authorities located in the two counties.
These types of institutions in the two counties would not be required to go through the eligibility process that’s currently in place for allotments of power through the Niagara Power Project, Ortt said.

“Niagara Falls is a powerful resource in our very own backyard, and certain facilities should be able to take advantage of its ability to produce cost-effective electricity provided by the Niagara Power Project,” Ortt said. “Making hydroelectricity easily accessible to housing authorities and hospitals in Niagara and Orleans counties will help those in need while spurring economic development.”

The idea to implement this bill came after Senator Ortt realized how many entities, including the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, are not currently eligible to take advantage of low-cost hydropower.

A hydropower allocation would reduce the operating costs at Medina Memorial Hospital, said Wendy Jacobson, interim chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health, the hospital’s parent organization.

“Cost containment is essential to smaller hospitals,” she said. “Reducing operating expenses through lower cost hydropower will help us to continue serving health care needs in our community. Along with physician alignment and affiliation with larger institutions to share resources, cost containment measures such as lower cost hydropower will assist Medina Memorial Hospital in achieving a healthy future.”

Eligible facilities that do not fall under the category of a housing authority or hospital would still need to apply for low-cost hydropower as long as they are within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, Ortt said.

Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Polish culture was celebrated today with Dyngus Day parties throughout Western New York, including one at the Sacred Heart Club in Medina. In the top photo, Sharon and Frank Gurzynski of Holley dance to music by Brass Magic, a polka band from Rochester.

The Sacred Heart Club served up Polish food, while about 150 people enjoyed the polka music and the crowning of Dyngus Day royalty.

Bill Wymyczak of Lyndonville was named king for 2015. He gets pinned by last year’s queen, Tessa Hartway.

Wymyczak, a construction worker, joined the Sacred Heart Club in the late 1990s. He has helped with many projects at the club, from redoing the back stairs to other concrete work.

“It’s a place to come and hang put and have some fun,” he said.

Tammy Hinkson was crowned queen this evening. She is dancing with Wymyczak, her fiancé.

The two met about two years ago on Good Friday at the Sacred Heart Club.

Hinkson helped prepare the Polish food for the Dyngus Day celebration, working in the kitchen on Saturday and today.

“Anything that goes on she is willing to help,” said Dee Lucas, one of the Dyngus Day organizers at Sacred Heart.

Dee Lucas announces the king and queen for Dyngus Day.

Hinkson is a member of the Sacred Heart board of directors. The club has about 200 members, and rents the hall out for weddings and special events.

“I just love working with the people,” she said.

Hinkson works as an accountant for Empire Coatings in Albion.

Dudley Reimer is a singer for Brass Magic in Rochester.

There were plenty of Polish food items to pick from, including cabbage rolls.

The annual Dyngus Day party is a popular event at the Sacred Heart Club.

‘Critical access hospital’ status will raise reimbursements

Photo by Tom Rivers  – Wendy Jacobson, interim president and chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health, speaks to the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday.

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital may be a small hospital but it ranks high in the region for providing quality care, said the interim president and chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health.

Wendy Jacobson said Medina Memorial tops the national benchmark for providing care for surgical, chest pain, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarct and many other conditions.

“We really provide quality care close to home,” Jacobson told the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday. “We are held to same standards as the larger hospitals.”

Jacobson has been leading the hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health, since Dolores Horvath resigned in February. Jacobson said she intends to apply for the position on a permanent basis.

She sees positives for the organization, especially with the impending announcement that it will be a “critical access hospital.” That status from the state Department of Health is expected to be retroactive, going back to January.

That status will give Medina Memorial higher reimbursement rates through Medicaid and will strengthen Medina’s bottom line, Jacobson said.

The designation as “critical access hospital” also will help Orleans Community Health attract doctors to work in Medina and at the healthcare site in Albion at the corner of Butts Road and Route 31, which would be considered a rural clinic. Doctors that work at those sites will get a break on paying back their student loans for medical school, Jacobson said.

Orleans Community Health has an affiliation with Catholic Health Systems. That organization is helping to bring primary care doctors and other specialists to Orleans Community Health, said Jacobson, who also addressed the Orleans County Legislature last week.

The hospital on April 9 will celebrate the renovation of the North Wing Long-Term Residential Home. That celebration, including tours, will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Steve Cavers, right, and Paul Wengrzycki, members of the First Baptist Church in Medina, carry the cross in the Medina Canal Basin as part of a Good Friday walk in the Medina downtown today.

About 40 people from Medina area churches were part of the “Pilgramage to Golgotha.” Christians took turns carrying the cross, while local pastors read Scriptures and the group sang hymns.

Cavers and Wengrzycki walk with the cross across Main Street.

DeAnn Diermyer, a member of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, carried the cross at one point with Judy Hipes of the Medina United Methodist Church.

“It was awesome, awesome,” Diermyer said. “There aren’t enough words to describe it.”

Cavers and Wengrzycki carry the cross on West Avenue, headed to the Medina Historical Society.

Lang Lilley, in Bills jacket, hands the cross to Judy Hipes in front of the First Baptist Church. Hipes has been to Israel fives times, tracing the steps of Jesus when he carried the cross to Golgotha.

Hipes is married to Tony Hipes, pastor of the Medina United Methodist Church. Today was her first time carrying the cross, and she said it was a powerful experience, helping her to imagine Jesus carrying the cross after being brutally beaten.

“He was beaten nearly to death and he still had to carry it,” Mrs. Hipes said. “The fact that someone would do this for you is a very personal thing. That’s why Easter comes off as an amazing day.”

The Rev. Alfreda Morse, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, speaks in front of the Presbyterian Church on Main Street. Judy Hipes, center, and DeAnn Diermyer are holding the cross.

There will be Good Friday services this evening at 7:30 at the Medina United Methodist Church and 7:30 at the Knowlesville United Methodist Church.

On Easter, there will be a sunrise service at Boxwood Cemetery at 6:30 a.m. and at 7 a.m. at the Millville Cemetery.

ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency approved a plan today that would save a Canadian company $1 million in property taxes over 20 years.

The agency is offering an aggressive tax incentive proposal to try to sway Pride Pak Canada Ltd. to move into the former BernzOmatic property. Pride Pak officials are weighing other sites in Western New York and Pennsylvania for a new vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility.

The site in Medina was vacated last year by Worthington Cylinders. The site is a 180,000-square-foot facility at 1 BernzOmatic Drive.

In addition to a discount on property taxes, Pride Pak would receive a sales tax exemption for equipment and building materials, an estimated savings of $280,000.

The total benefits – sales tax and property taxes – are calculated at $1,273,014. The EDA projected the company would spend $136,890,650 in Orleans County over 20 years. That translates into $107.50 spent in Orleans for every $1 given back as an incentive.

If the company chooses Orleans for the project, it is expected to hire 80 people the first year, then be up to 136 in year 2, and 206 after three years. The positions are expected to pay an average of $27,500 after the first year, $28,000 the second year, and $28,500 after the third year.

Pride Pak would buy some local produce, and package it to be distributed to grocery stores. The company wants to expand its operations from Canada and better serve a large northeastern US grocery chain, Orleans EDA officials said.

“It’s perfect for Orleans County,” said Jim Whipple, the Orleans EDA chief executive officer.

The EDA has worked to finalize the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) plan to eliminate that uncertainty in its taxes for the company.

Generally, the EDA and local governments approve 10-year tax-savings deals for companies where they pay a sliding scale of the tax burden, adding 10 percent increments over 10 years.

Pride Pak would get a 20-year deal and see the increments rise 5 percent annually. The tax savings would help offset the costs needed to renovate and retrofit the manufacturing space into food grade specifications and other company needs, EDA officials said.

Pride Pak is looking to invest $10 million into the site, by acquiring the building and installing new machinery and equipment. The EDA is proposing the company be spared from paying sales tax on up to $4 million worth of equipment and materials.

The complex is currently assessed for $2.4 million. The EDA plan would have the company pay a fraction of the taxes on a reduced assessment, starting at 0 percent of a $1.2 million assessment in year 1.

The payment in lieu of taxes plan raises the assessment by 3 percent each following year until it’s at $2,104,207 in year 20.

The PILOT plan also sets the tax rates at a combined $45 per $1,000 of assessed property. That is below the combined tax rates of $54.21 for the Village of Medina, Town of Ridgeway, Orleans County and Medina Central School. Those entities will receive PILOT payments on a percentage of their overall share of the combined tax rate.

Should the tax rates fall below a combined $45, perhaps through a dissolution of the village and/or a significant increase in state aid, the PILOTs would then be based on whatever the combined rates are below $45.

Whipple said the EDA wanted to show Pride Pak the community wants them in Medina. He is hopeful the company will soon announce a commitment to Orleans County, but he said it’s not a done deal.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Pride Pak Canada Ltd. is eyeing the 180,000-square-foot former BernzOmatic site for a vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility.

MEDINA – In an effort to sway a Canadian company to move into Medina, the Orleans Economic Development Agency is proposing deep discounts in the property taxes over 20 years at the former BernzOmatic property.

Pride Pak Canada Ltd. in Ontario, Canada, proposes to establish a new vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility in a 180,000-square-foot facility at 1 BernzOmatic Drive.

The company wants to expand its operations and better serve a large northeastern US grocery chain, Orleans EDA officials said.

Medina is competing with other sites in Western New York and Pennsylvania to attract the company. In addition to discounted local property taxes, the EDA is working to secure state incentives and reduced electricity costs for the company.

“It’s still not a given,” said Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA chief executive officer. “We have to show that Orleans County is ready for them.”

Generally, the EDA and local governments approve 10-year tax-savings deals for companies where they pay a sliding scale of the tax burden, adding 10 percent increments over 10 years.

Pride Pak would get a 20-year deal and see the increments rise 5 percent annually.

The tax savings would help offset the costs needed to renovate and retrofit the manufacturing space into food grade specifications and other company needs, EDA officials said.

Pride Pak is looking to invest $10 million into the site, by acquiring the building and installing new machinery and equipment. The EDA is proposing the company be spared from paying sales tax on up to $4 million worth of equipment and materials.

Pride Pak expects to create up to 80 new permanent full-time positions by the end of year one. By year five, the company could have up to 200 workers at its U.S. site, according to the EDA.

The site was vacated last year by Worthington Cylinders, which shut down its Medina operation, laying off about 150 workers. It consolidated the Medina work with a site in Wisconsin.

The complex is currently assessed for $2.4 million. The EDA plan would have the company pay a fraction of the taxes on a reduced assessment, starting at 0 percent of a $1.2 million assessment in year 1.

The payment in lieu of taxes plan raises the assessment by 3 percent each following year until it’s at $2,104,207 in year 20.

During a public hearing on the PILOT on Tuesday, no one from the local taxing entities – Village of Medina, Town of Ridgeway, Medina Central School or Orleans County – spoke against the plan.

Whipple said Pride Pak would have a big benefit to the area. The company would buy produce from local farmers and would also be a big water and sewer users, which would help the Village of Medina. The company would also employ about 200 people at full build-out, which would strengthen the local economy.

The EDA board of directors is expected to approve the PILOT plan during its meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday.

Paul Hendel, the EDA board chairman, attended the public hearing on Tuesday. He praised Whipple and Gabrielle Barone, the EDA vice president of business development, for putting together the incentive packages to keep Orleans County in the running for the project.

“They’ve put in tons of energy with all of the phone calls and site visits,” Hendel said. “There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people don’t see just to get to this point.”

Provided photos – Medina flute players practice for tonight’s concert at 7, when 50 students in grades 4 through 12 will perform together.

Press Release, Medina Central School

Medina School District flute students in grades 4 through 12 have been preparing a special piece for the district concert at 7 this evening at the High School.

An ensemble of more than 50 flautists have been working on a trio arrangement of the popular song “Twist and Shout” first recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1962 and later covered by many different groups including The Beatles.

The trio was arranged by flute player Tammy Rohring, who is the elementary band teacher for the Wilson Central School District. She arranged the music to have three different levels of playing ability for elementary, middle, and high school aged players.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for younger students to work with older students,” said Jeanette Sheliga, Medina elementary band teacher. “They see and hear what they can accomplish with continued practice.”

Sixth grade flute students also commented on their experience of playing in the Flute Ensemble.

“It was cool hearing high schoolers play,” said Hannah Kenward.

Brooklyn Brown enjoyed hearing different ages playing different parts, and Amanda Woodruff said the opportunity allowed her to meet other flute players.

MEDINA – The Village Board has been told it has violated Civil Service rules by having temporary paid firefighters for an extended period.

Jack Welch, the Orleans County director of personnel, advised the Village Board members last week that the village needs to address the situation.

The village created a temporary paid firefighter position 18 months ago. It was first created for a year and then was extended another six months. The Village Board created a second temporary paid position about six months ago.

Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich asked the Village Board tonight to make the two positions permanent. He estimated the two positions, as permanent full-time jobs, would cost about $4,000 to $4,500 more each annually than the temporary positions. That doesn’t include health insurance costs.

Zinkievich said the two positions have helped reduce overall overtime costs for the department, and also allows the department to answer nearly every call on a speedy basis. He said revenue increases in the ambulance service – higher mileage reimbursement rates and increased out-of-district charges – should more than cover the added expense for the two full-time permanent positions.

Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said the board would likely request a little more time from Welch to resolve the issue. The board briefly discussed the matter during its meeting tonight, before going into executive session behind closed doors.

Zinkievich urged the board to reach a decision soon.

“We need to have serious dialogue,” he said. “We can’t let this drag out.”

The fire chief said the union for firefighters is willing to make concessions in its new contract if the village would make the two positions permanent.

Zinkievich also reported that firefighter Ashton Lang passed the test to serve as a paramedic.

“We have another paramedic on staff so that is excellent,” Zinkievich said.

Mark Irwin, a village official the past 18 years, attends his last Village Board meeting tonight after opting against re-election on March 18. Irwin has been a village trustee the past six years, and was on the Village Board for 12 years before that. Trustee Mike Sidari is at right.

MEDINA – Two Village Board members were praised for their service tonight, the final meeting of their terms as village trustees.

Both Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski opted against re-election on March 18, when Todd Bensley and Owen Toale were elected.

Irwin served three terms over six years. He favored the dissolution of the village government, seeing it as an effective way to lower the tax burden on village residents. A referendum to dissolve the village failed, 949-527 on Jan. 20.

“The dissolution vote was good for the community,” Irwin said during tonight’s Village Board meeting. “It was a good airing out.”

He regretted the Medina community continues to have the highest combined tax rate – village, town, county and school district – in the Finger Lakes region at $57.27 per $1,000 of assessed property. Irwin said that high tax rate devalues homes and drives away potential residents and businesses.

Mark Kruzynski

“Sadly, Medina is still the highest,” Irwin said about the tax rate. “I don’t think that’s anything any one of us can be proud of.”

He wished the incoming board success in bringing down the tax rate. The Village Board will meet with officials from the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway at 7 p.m. on April 15 to discuss shared services. The session will be at the Shelby Town Hall.

“There’s been much talk about shared services,” Irwin said. “I hope it comes to be. So far those talks haven’t been too fruitful.”

Irwin is a retired corrections officer. In his outgoing remarks tonight he mentioned the late Ernie Orgar, Tom White and Marcia Tuohey as dedicated village officials who influenced him, offering encouragement even when they differed on issues.

Kruzynski, Medina’s high school principal, has been on the board for four years, following two years as an alternate on the Planning Board. Kruzynski thanked the village employees and the board members for their dedicated service to the community.

Trustees Marguerite Sherman and Mike Sidari thanked Irwin and Kruzynski for their countless hours on the community’s behalf the past several years.

MEDINA – Village residents will go to the polls today from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center at 615 West Ave.

Two trustee positions are open in Medina and both incumbents, Mark Irwin and Mark Kruzynski, aren’t seeking re-election.

Village Planning Board member and historian, Todd Bensley, was the only candidate to submit petitions to be on the ballot. Bensley, a Medina social studies teacher, is running under the independent “The Medina’s Future Party.”

Two other candidates are mounting write-in campaigns. Owen Toale is a former village trustee and a retired newspaper publisher. Jeremy Hogan is co-owner of O’Brien’s Tavern in Medina.

All three candidates have sent letters to the editor to the Orleans Hub. Click here to see the letters.

Photos and article by Thom Jennings

MEDINA – About 200 people attended the final installment of the 2015 “Finally Fridays!” concert series at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Friday and they were greeted with cookies and Library Director Catherine Cooper, whose face beamed with pride.

Cooper had reason to smile, not only was The Middleport Community Choir performing to a packed house, the series reached an important milestone, the 100th performance.

“It is a wonderful turnout,” Cooper noted, “and we are honoring the community with a community choir.”

Started in 2002, Cooper said the concerts, which run from January through March, were a sort of a “winter survival” during the cold months when there is not much else to do in the area. Cooper said she enjoys seeing patrons “dancing in the library and having fun.”

Before the Middleport Community Choir took the stage, patrons passed around a clipboard so that they could write personal notes of appreciation to Cooper for bringing the series to Medina, and the Library’s Board of Directors presented Cooper with a large bouquet of flowers.

Catherine Cooper

“On Friday nights this place turns magical,” Cooper told the crowd. “It is filled with the magic of music. I thank all of you for coming out on many of these cold nights and having to park far away.”

Members of the Middleport Community Choir, led by Ric Jones, were dressed for the occasion, and immediately had the crowd entranced with their beautifully layered harmonies.

Ric Jones

Even though the group gets its name from Medina’s neighbor to the west, Middleport, the ensemble has a strong Medina presence. The group’s director Ric Jones is a Medina resident and is very active in Medina’s cultural and arts community.

Medina residents likely will not miss the cold winter months, but many of them will eagerly await the “Finally Fridays!” series return in 2016.

Ric Jones and the choir perform at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Nancy Huntington, left, and Jan Lajoie, both of Middleport, were among about 200 who attended the concert.

Yvonne Freeman, a Medina native, plays the flute.

MEDINA – The Medina Memorial Hospital Business Office is currently under construction for renovations.

The office has been temporarily relocated to 100 Ohio St. This is the building north of the hospital parking lot.

If you have any questions, please call (585) 798-8401.

MEDINA – The community is welcome to attend a disaster preparedness program on March 19, a training overview that will help citizens and local officials be ready in case of emergencies or disasters.

The Medina Lions Club and American Red Cross are teaming to offer “Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes.” The class will be 7 p.m. on March 19 at Orchard Manor, 600 Bates Rd. No advanced registration is required to attend the program.

“There is always a need to be prepared and always things you can do to minimize a disaster,” said Jim Hancock, a member of the Lions Club.

The free training class is offered in partnership with New York State, which is at a high risk for man-made, technological and natural disasters, the Red Cross said.

The local community isn’t immune to disasters, from ice storms, breaches in the canal, flooding and other problems, Hancock said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Corps training program provides residents with the knowledge and tools to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly, and recover to pre-disaster conditions as quickly as possible.

A trained Red Cross representative will lead a session for about an hour on the Citizen Preparedness Corps training program, which provides a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.