Provided photo, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office  – Sheriff Randy Bower, left, and Undersheriff Chris Bourke are pictured with a new radar speed sign.

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has a new radar speed sign. Sheriff Randy Bower issued this statement today about the sign:

“In our continuing attempt to provide for the safety of Orleans County residents, the Sheriff’s Department has recently purchased a new radar speed sign using grant money secured by State Senator Robert Ortt. Using radar technology, the sign detects and displays the speed of oncoming vehicles, thus alerting drivers to check their current speed to the posted speed limit and adjust accordingly.

“These traffic control devices have been proven very effective in improving traffic safety, especially in transitional speed zones, work and school zones, residential neighborhoods, and on roadways adjacent to special events such as concerts, carnivals, festivals, and fairs. Researchers believe that a majority of speeding occurs when drivers become complacent or distracted.

“While motorists may overlook ordinary speed limit signs, they are more likely to see and pay attention to these traffic-calming innovations. The device’s electrical system is supplemented with solar energy and the entire unit is very mobile and can be easily moved to different locations as needed.”

File photo by Tom Rivers – In this photo from last October, Jay Pahura, a motor equipment operator for the Albion Department of Public Works, runs a roller over fresh pavement on Hamilton Street. The village will receive $22,775.05 in state paving funds, part of the $100 million fund state-wide.

New York State is making $100 million available to almost 1,600 municipalities throughout the state to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of local highways and roads.

This funding, provided under Governor Cuomo’s PAVE NY initiative, is being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation as part of its $21.1 billion five-year Capital Plan.The PAVE NY program emphasizes projects that improve the physical condition of local roadways, create jobs and enhance local economic competitiveness.

“From replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge to the transformative redesign of LaGuardia Airport, New York has been leading the way in reshaping our infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century,” Cuomo said. “PAVE NY funds strategic investments in local roadways, helping ensure roadways across the state are in good repair, remain reliable for motorists and able to help foster regional economic growth for years to come.”

PAVE NY funds are awarded to New York City and cities, counties, towns and villages for activities such as roadway resurfacing, widening and realignment; construction of turning lanes at intersections; and new drainage to mitigate the harmful effects of flooding.

In Orleans County, the funds add up to $573,186.38. That includes the following: County of Orleans, $294,362.76; Town of Albion, $13,926.46; Town of Barre, $35,103.49; Town of Carlton, $28,017.44; Town of Clarendon, $24,172.92; Town of Gaines, $9,150.03; Town of Kendall, $15,135.70; Town of Murray, $16,431.93; Town of Ridgeway, $26,726.17; Town of Shelby, $25,454.18; and Town of Yates, $20,231.67.

The shares to the four villages include: Village of Albion, $22,775.05; Village of Holley, $6,145.02; Village of Lyndonville, $3,963.36; and Village of Medina, $31,590.21.

News site sees big jump in readers

Provided photo – Nearly 100 Medina teachers wore ribbons with Notre Dame blue and gold, and a small green ribbon during the June 24 commencement in honor of Jeff Evoy, the school superintendent who died on June 23 at age 50. Evoy was a big fan of Notre Dame and he was also proud of his Irish ancestry. His death was mourned by the community.

MEDINA – Orleans Hub saw a big jump in traffic in June, setting a new record high for readership. Orleans Hub had 780,920 page views in 30 days, an average of 26,031 per day.

That breaks the record of 765,677 page views in September 2015, a daily average of 25,523.

September was also our previous high for average daily users. We had a 7,671 daily average in September during a heated primary season for sheriff and other local elected positions.

We’ve consistently stayed over a 7,000-average, but hadn’t eclipsed the September standard until June, when the daily average was 8,424. That is the first time we’ve been over an 8,000-daily average for a month. For the first six months this year, the daily average was 7,054 in January, 7,135 in February, 7,108 in March, 7,556 in April, 7,530 in May and 8,424 in June.

Jeff Evoy, a well-regarded superintendent of schools for Medina, died on June 23 at age 50. Evoy had been battling a serious illness, but continued to be active in running the district while he was in the hospital. He checked email and was often on the phone in the last month before he passed away the day before graduation.

The story about his death was the most-viewed during the month, and by far the most-viewed story of the year on the Orleans Hub.

Here are top five most-viewed stories of the month:

1. Jeff Evoy, Medina school superintendent, dies unexpectedly

2. Injuries in head-on collision in Barre

3. Holley man dies in motorcycle accident in Town of Greece

4. Carlton home badly damaged in fire

5. 3-car accident at 5 Corners; 1 taken by Mercy Flight

Photo by Tom Rivers – This home on Sawyer Road in Carlton was badly damaged in a fire on June 6.

Local sports also continues to be popular on Orleans Hub. Mike Wertman, a long-time local sports writer, provides a daily update on local high school athletes and other local sports. His wife Cheryl has photos from many of the games.

The most-viewed sports story was on June 4, featuring Medina High sophomore Jalin Cooper. He scored an impressive sweep by capturing both the 100 and 200 sprints at the Section VI Division 2 championships.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jalin Cooper was a double winner at Sectionals.

Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This photo last Sunday shows a soccer field at Albion with yellowed grass. Many of the lawns, crops and vegetation are suffering with a shortage of water so far this growing season.

The United States Drought Monitor on Thursday announced that nearly all of Orleans is in “moderate drought” conditions. Niagara, and portions of Erie and Genesee counties also are considered to be in “moderate drought.” Many other counties in New York are considered “abnormally dry,” according to the Drought Monitor. (Click here to see the map.)

The Orleans County did get some rain late this afternoon when a severe thunderstorm briefly passed through the area.

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Legislature approved hiring the Wendel firm to design an addition on the County Administration Building on Route 31, behind The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved an agreement with the Wendel firm to design an addition on the County Administration Building, new space that could be used for relocated county offices and perhaps as a meeting room and offices for the Legislature itself.

The Legislature on April 27 announced that is was considering new construction on the County Administration Building at 14106 Route 31 West.

The Legislature on April 27 authorized paying Wendel $30,000 for a feasibility study for an addition to the County Administration Building.

The county may shift several offices to the addition, including the Board of Elections and Public Health Department, which is leasing space from Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services.

Comprehensive purchased the former county nursing home for $7.8 million in January 2014. The county has been leasing space from Comprehensive for Elections and Public Health because those offices are part of the nursing home complex.

The county could also shift information technology (currently in Treasurer’s Office), the legislative chambers (in County Clerk’s Building), the county’s administrative office (also in Clerk’s Building) and create large multi-use rooms to accommodate training for large groups, conference rooms and offices.

The Legislature last week approved paying Wendel up to $70,000 to design the addition to the Administration Building. That scope of work not only includes designing the building, but determining parking and circulation needs, site access, utility service requirements, energy efficiency and sustainability requirements, and other analysis of the site.

David Callard, the County Legislature chairman, said in April that moving Elections and Public Health from leased space will free up money that could go towards the addition, perhaps making the project cost neutral to county taxpayers.

Callard said he and county officials have looked at existing buildings, including sites in Albion’s historic downtown, but those sites wouldn’t improve efficiency of the county government operations.

ALBION – A steering committee that will study law enforcement services in Orleans County will meet today at 7 p.m. and is expected to pick a vendor to assist with the project.

The committee will meet in Conference Room C of the County Administration Building on Route 31, and will interview two consultants interested in working on the study.

The county received a $36,000 matching state grant for the law enforcement shared service and efficiency study. The county is paying the other $36,000.

The committee will include police chiefs and elected officials from the four villages and Orleans County, which all provide police services. The steering committee and a consultant will explore the efficiency of current local law enforcement operations and compare them with alternative policing models, including the potential consolidation of all local departments into one.

County officials have set May 2017 for completion of the report with recommendations and alternatives for the community.

The study will look at the operations at the Sheriff’s Office, and the Albion, Medina and Holley police departments. Lyndonville also has a part-time officer.

There may be opportunities for shared administration, joint purchasing and other initiatives that would keep the existing village police departments. Or the committee may suggest the village departments be dissolved with a county-wide force taking the lead.

If the villages dissolved their police departments, it would provide significant tax relief for villages. However, county taxes would likely then go up.

Holley has talked before of dissolving its police department and Medina, as part of a failed dissolution proposal last year, said a town-wide force in Shelby and Ridgeway could be created.

County Legislature Chairman David Callard has said he wants to be proactive in looking at policing services and not be caught off guard by a village that dissolves its force, expecting the Sheriff’s Office to assume village road patrols and calls.

The study will look at alignment of current compensation and benefits agreements, determining the costs of a combined police force. The committee will look at potential obstacles to consolidation and provide guidance to overcome those obstacles, according to the county’s Request For Proposals for the study.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski
ALBION – The Orleans County Veterans Service Agency held an Open House Monday afternoon at its Albion office.  Those attending were able to meet Director Earl Schmidt, administrative assistant Mary Jo Syck and volunteers from the Joint Veterans Council Veterans’ Van Transportation Service.

Additionally, information was provided on benefits and services available to veterans and their families and dependents.  The office has undergone renovations recently which include making it handicapped accessible.

The Veterans Service Agency provides veterans in Orleans County with state and federal veterans benefit counseling and application services. Director Earl Schmidt says he will be able to take these new tri-fold display boards to events around the county, such as the 4-H Fair, to help inform veterans of the services the office can provide.

The office is located at 13996 Route 31 in Albion.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Chuck Baker of Medina tries to make contact with a ham radio operator outside the area on Saturday. Baker is president of the Orleans County Amateur Radio Club, which has 42 members.

The club is joining ham operators from throughout the country in the annual Field Days event, where ham radio operators try to make contact with other operators. The Orleans club has won awards in the past for making contacts from operators in all 50 states.

The event started at 2 p.m. Saturday and continues until 4 p.m. today. Within the first five hours on Saturday, the Orleans operators had made 300 contacts.

The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club is holding the event at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, 14064 West County House Rd., Albion. This photo shows ham radio operators, from left: Mike Moriarty of Medina, Ed Weider of Medina and Chuck Baker of Medina.

The Field Days are also a chance to introduce the public the amateur radio. The ham radio operators have a license to operate a ham radio from the FCC. Each operator has a call sign, and must take a test.

The Orleans club meets the second Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at Emergency Management Office. The club welcomes more members. It currently has several members outside Orleans in Niagara, Genesee and Monroe counties.

George Lloyd of Brockport, left, takes a turn at the radio. The operators will give visitors a chance to be on the air during Field Days.

The Orleans County Club is about 65 years old. For more information about the club, click here to see its web site.

David Callard

(Editor’s Note: Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard delivered these remarks during the June 22, 2016, Legislature meeting.)

Every year it seems that the Empire Center for Public Policy puts out a list of the highest tax rates in the state – and every year the citizens of Orleans County are treated to a rehash of news articles highlighting certain parts of the study and scolding local officials, whether they be village, town, county, or school, for their role in achieving that dubious ranking.

Most recently there was an article on village taxes within the county reporting them among the worst in the state. What is lacking in this news article, however, was the whole story.

Villages are constantly being ranked regardless of size. Given that premise – one benchmark that is always used is the Top 20 Property Tax Bills on Median-Value Homes. That list has never included an Orleans County village, but that is never mentioned. Or more significantly, included in the report, but is never mentioned in articles, is that the county taxes paid per capita in Orleans County are the SECOND
LOWEST of the 57 counties in New York State. Again – the second lowest taxes paid per person in New York State.

People tend to be negative without acknowledging all of the facts. This is something the state government does all the time when deriding the counties. The town of Ridgeway is a solid 816th out of 932 for towns in taxes per capita. The Medina School district is also very solid at 625th out of 702 for local spending per pupil among school districts. Even the Village of Medina’s 238th out of 557 in taxes per capita doesn’t seem so earth shattering considering the high level of services.

Let’s face it; casting blame without an acknowledgement of all the facts is something we get plenty of from people in Albany. We don’t need to do it here as well. It would be responsible to cite those other stats as they give a fuller picture.

Orleans County pays over $16,000,000 to the state in unfunded mandates- our entire tax levy. But articles and the critics constantly disregard that fact, and seldom if ever criticize the Governor and the New York State Legislature for the property taxes at the county level alone and even more at the school level.

According to every academic study ever undertaken on the subject, the fundamental differences between New York State and the other states in the country boil down to two basic things: 1) the way New York State funds Medicaid and 2) the way New York State funds education. Sure we have lots of other over-regulation and taxation issues beyond those two. But, those are the really big ones.

New York is the only state in the country to require a significant local share of Medicaid be paid by the counties and the average state funds two-thirds of public education through income taxes while New York State funds about one-third. It’s really that simple.

Indeed the village governments of Orleans County face tremendous challenges, not the least of which is the high property tax rates. The dissolution efforts in the Village of Medina, though rejected by Medina residents, if nothing else, forced a conversation, a necessary conversation.

In some areas of our local governments, we are doing business in the 21st century on 20th century terms. In some cases, we are holding on to old ways of doing business that could be changed for the betterment of the community at large. This isn’t to say that people are wrong for feeling that they want to hold on to their village, or their town, or their school district.

What it does tell us, is that it’s time for us to challenge ourselves, people on both sides of the argument, east and west, north and south. Challenge ourselves to take a hard look at what we are doing and ask ourselves “If given a clean slate, would we build our service delivery models the way they are now, or completely different?”

Inevitably, we are going to find areas where we can build a better mousetrap together. We have the ability to fix what ails us to some degree. We can work with our friends and neighbors and make changes that will raise all boats. We can realign service models, adjust cost centers, and change the landscape profoundly.

If we are going to seek honesty about mandates and education funding from the state, we also need to be honest with ourselves. This is a conversation that should take place in earnest and should seek solutions that remove Orleans County and its villages, towns and school districts from such a list forever.

Apologies to those that believe the answer is to complain that the county should give away more sales tax. The answer to this challenge is not to have the taxpayers of the county surrender cash to the village governments, to throw at their existing service models, buying them time until the inflation and expense curve catches up with them again as some suggest.

The answer is change. Change that we can all buy into that alters the equation. It requires compromise. It requires faith. And, it requires casting off old notions of provincialism.

Truth be told about sales tax, when examining statistics from 2013 on New York State Counties, there are 14 counties under 50,000 in population like Orleans County and four in the Finger Lakes Region, of which we are a part. Orleans County ranks as the fourth highest for the percentage of sales tax shared.

However, two of the 14 counties have cities (Cortland and Montgomery) that are able to preempt and capture much larger shares of the overall revenue. Dropping those two counties lifts Orleans County to number two in the state among small counties without a city in terms of sharing sales tax, second to Schuyler County, the home of Watkins Glen International Speedway.

Delving further into those same statistics, it’s evident that eight of the 14 counties do not share sales tax revenue at all, zero percent. So, the majority of small counties in New York State do not share sales tax. Orleans County is the only county in the Finger Lakes Region under 50,000 in population that actually shares sales tax revenue.

The local law enforcement community in Orleans County is about to embark on a comprehensive study of the way we are doing business. Orleans County and our partners, the Villages of Albion, Medina, Holley and Lyndonville, along with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and all the law enforcement unions in the county have agreed to undertake a process to look at new service models and explore
what can be done.

There are ways to change the way we do business that could guarantee that our communities are never negatively reported on the annual list put out by the Empire Center again.

This is going to be hard and it will require that we work together. This legislature is bound and determined to make positive change for all within our county. We can begin to say goodbye to the dark cloud over our heads. Those that offer only criticism and opposition absent of solutions will be forgotten. This legislature will be remembered for leading and making a difference.

ALBION – Rob Doyle, principal auctioneer and appraiser for Absolute Auctions and Realty, seeks bids for the former Lyndonville Pennysaver Market. The property sold for $1,000 to Jonathan Daniels of Waterport in the Orleans County tax foreclosure auction on Wednesday.

The Pennysaver Market closed three years ago. The property had $37,945 in back taxes.

The county sold 41 properties for a $324,200. The properties collectively carried $497,914 in back taxes. The auction didn’t cover the back taxes, resulting in a net loss of $173,714. (Winning bidders have to pay the current year’s taxes on the properties.)

Several of the houses in the auction sold for less than $1,000.

Frank T. Pietrzak, auctioneer for Absolute Auctioneers, seeks bids for house at 134 West Bank St. in Albion. It sold for $300 to Phillip Newbould of Kendall.

Business sites also didn’t command much money. A site in downtown Medina at 333 Main St., next to the Starlite Cleaners, sold for $200 to Demetrios Bitsas.

The former S.A. Cook Furniture Factory, where there was a small fire on Monday, sold for $100 to William Grathouse III of Holley. The 70,600-square-foot building is located at 525 East Ave.

In Kendall, a 3,584-square-foot building in the downtown at 1841 Kendall Rd. sold for $400 to Phillip Newbould of Kendall. One of Holley’s attached row buildings in the downtown also was up for sale. The site at 89 Public Square fetched $100 from an online bidder, The Eaton Agency in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

One property was in command. An apartment complex at 218 Linwood Ave. in Albion sold for $100,000, the highest bid of the day. Brad Bokman of Albion bought the site.

The auction drew a crowd of bidders and some curiosity seekers to the Elk’s Club on West State Street.

Return to top

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower announced that 8 children from the county are attending the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s 2016 Summer Camp.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This will mark the 39th year of the camp’s operation.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp will accommodate over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State.

“This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Orleans County residents for donating and making this possible,” Bower said.

The camp program provides an opportunity for children to go away for a week during the summer. These are often kids who normally wouldn’t have that chance.

“The primary objective is to create positive interaction between the kids attending camp and the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who participate in the camp programs,” Bower said. “We have found from experiences during the first 38 summer camps that the kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce the laws. The deputies become their friends and in some cases substitute parents for a week.”

Throughout the week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriffs’ Offices from across the State. Included in these presentations are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show just for fun.

Upon completion of their stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Shoe Tree is pictured Saturday at dusk at the corner of Foss and Lakeshore roads in the town of Yates.

The Shoe Tree is one of Orleans County’s quirky attractions.

It’s going to be hot today with temperatures forecast to top 90 degrees in Western New York. The Weather Channel has issued an extreme heat alert for today, urging people to have liquids readily on hand in order to stay hydrated during periods of high heat.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also has issued an air quality alert for today for Western New York, including Orleans County.

The DEC warns that there will be high levels of ozone. The alert is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects,” The DEC said in an advisory.

“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.”

Monday will also be hot with temperatures again forecast to top 90 degrees.

The highs will then fall back into the 70s, with a high of 77 on Tuesday, 73 on Wednesday and 72 on Thursday.

Photos by Tom Rivers – A new class graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program on Tuesday. The group includes, front row, from left: John Gonzalez of Medina, Andre Mitchell-Hurlee of Rochester, Judy Richardson of Albion, Amanda Smith of Barre, Jeff Cole of Kendall and Brian Allis of Hilton. Back row: Diane Blanchard, Microenterprise Assistance Program manager; Sam Campanella, business advisor; Dick Pettite, business advisor; Tara Thom of Albion; Samantha Marchincin of Rochester; Justin Weese of Albion; Candi Schutrum of Medina; Sarah Nolan of Medina; Jodi Sugar of Albion; Karin and Tim Menz of Lyndonville; Christine Falbo of Holley.

ALBION – Another class of entrepreneurs has graduated from a 10-week small business training program, bringing the total graduates to 435 since the program started in 1999.

A 10-week class gives a new group of entrepreneurs tips in taxes, marketing, legal issues, handling stress, computers and bookkeeping – all factors that are key to running successful businesses. They also must complete a business plan.

The graduates are now eligible to seek low-interest financing for up to $30,000 from the Orleans Economic Development Agency. The EDA also has additional assistance to help the new business owners. The EDA is offering downtown rental subsidies for entrepreneurs to move into the downtown business districts in Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina.

Jeff Cole accepts a certificate for completing the MAP class from Dick Pettite, one of the class’s business advisors. Cole is looking to start a Christmas tree and berry operation in Kendall.

Businesses can seek $3 per square foot annually if they move into the downtown. The EDA is capping the subsidies at $4,500 a year, the maximum for a 1,500 square foot space.

The EDA also has $100,000 in grants to share with small businesses (5 or fewer employees) that need working capital, equipment purchases or inventory. The grants are capped at $15,000 per recipient.

The subsidies and small business grants has created added interest from entrepreneurs to look at the downtown business districts, said Diana Blanchard, director of the Microenterprise Assistance Program. She said 18 people have already applied for the 10-week class in the fall.

Karin Menz of Lyndonville accepts her MAP certificate. She is starting an online snowmobile track stabilizer business.

The spring 2016 graduates include: Jody Sugar (dog grooming business); Christine Falbo (hearth/fireplace business); Jeff Cole (JC’s Trees and Berries); Tara Thom (Town and Country Quilter); Sarah Nolan (party supply store in Medina); Candi Schutrum (Happy Guru Loves Me/Lotions); Karin Menz (Snow Trackers/Snowmobile Track Stabilizer online business); Brian Allis (grower of hops); John Gonzalez (flipping homes); Judy Richardson (Italian deli/bakery in Albion); Justin Weese (small engine repair or deli); Amanda Smith (bakery/crafts/deli in Barre); and Samantha Marchincin (social media for musicians).