By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is promoting Samantha Roskowski, left, from administrative assistant to executive director. She is pictured with Kathy Blackburn, the executive director the past three years. Blackburn will stay on with the Chamber as director of special projects, managing grants for the organization.
GAINES – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce will have a new executive director on Feb. 1. Samantha Roskowski has already proven to be dedicated to the organization with an attention to detail and commitment to many programs, said the outgoing executive director, Kathy Blackburn.
Roskowski has been working as administrative assistant for the Chamber the past 2 ½ years. She has stepped up in many roles for the organization as its lone full-time employee.
“She has taken on one job after another,” Blackburn said after today’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn. Roskowski was the main organizer of the event, coordinating with elected officials, including staff for Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Blackburn was praised for leading the Chamber the past three years. It was supposed to be an interim assignment for about 6 months but Blackburn stayed, helping the Chamber administer a facade grant program for houses and businesses in Medina.
She will stay on as special projects director, managing that $100,000 grant program this year as well as a $335,000 NY Main Street grant awarded to downtown Medina for renovation of mixed-use buildings.
“The Chamber is a lot healthier now than when she came on as executive director,” Cindy Robinson, former board president, said about Blackburn.
The Chamber has about 200 members, and Roskowski said she wants to grow the membership to 250 to 300 members.
More members would give the Chamber more clout and resources to promote local businesses, and organize seminars and other special events on their behalf, Roskowski said.
Blackburn said the Chamber could also be stronger if the county government provided some funding and if it allowed the tourism department to work out of the Chamber.
“We would like to have tourism out of our office,” Blackburn. “We could work in conjunction. We are one of the few Chambers without government backing or tourism promotion.”
The Chamber’s next big event is the Home and Garden Show on April 16-17.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2016 at 12:00 am
PEMBROKE – The new National Cemetery in Pembroke will ensure veterans from Orleans County and Western New York have a fitting burial and well-maintained gravesite.
“Right now they have to drive to Bath for a National Cemetery,” said Earl Schmidt, the director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County. “Now it will be within 15 minutes.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs acquired a 132-acre parcel at 1232 Indian Falls Road in 2014 for $625,000. The cemetery will have room for more than 96,000 veterans.
The VA will have a public meeting tonight to share information and solicit feedback on the cemetery. The meeting is scheduled in Batavia at the VA Medical Center from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Building #4.
Speakers will include Joshua M. de Leon, National Cemetery Administration; Glenn Madderom, Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery Development and Improvement Service; and Mark Tillotson, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management.
VA officials will provide an update on the project and seek feedback on the master plan and design process.
Schmidt said he welcomes the cemetery to the area.
“A National Cemetery will always be maintained and veterans are honored everyday,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Ashley Ward – This photo, taken approximately in 1983 during the Lyndonville Fourth of July Parade, shows Ashley Ward’s grandson Alan with a 13-foot-long fiberglass salmon.
MEDINA – Orleans County’s biggest fish is making a comeback.
A 13-foot-long fiberglass salmon used to be in parades in the 1980s, promoting the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Al Capurso acquired the giant fish on a trailer and parked it by the Bait Barn on Route 279 in Gaines.
The fish was there for about 25 years. Capurso has given the fish back to promote the fishery in the community.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Here’s how the fish looked in 2013 when it was by the Bait Barn.
Medina students led by teacher Todd Eick are working to restore the fish to its original luster. The fish had been painted reddish brown with the words “Go Fish.”
Students will paint the fish a shiny silver, refurbish the fiberglass and put in on a new mount. The county’s sportsfishing promotion department is buying a new trailer so the fish can be taken in parades and moved around the county, said Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator.
Money from the World Fishing Network, which named Point Breeze the “Ultimate Fishing Town” in 2013, will be used towards the project.
“We’ll get it done and get it up to snuff,” Waterhouse said.
However, the fish might not be ready until 2017, or it may make its new debut this year.
The fish was originally used to promote the Orleans County Fishing Derby. It was created by Chuck Wind of the Medina Rotary Club, said Ashley Ward, a long-time coordinator and volunteer for the derby.
The Medina, Holley and Albion Rotary clubs used to work together running the fishing derby. The Albion Rotary Club has been running the derby each August since 1984.
This year’s derby will be from Aug. 6-21. There are usually about 700 entrants with grand prize $4,000 for the biggest fish. For more on the derby, click here.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 19 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski
CLARENDON – After a wintry blast of snow on Sunday and Monday, it looks like January in Orleans County. Kristina Gabalski took this photo this morning of the waterfall in Clarendon on Route 237, just south of Route 31A.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – An Albion school bus makes a stop Tuesday afternoon on West State Street in the Village of Albion.
Local school districts would receive about $2.6 million more in operating aid in 2016-17, according to the governor’s budget presented last week.
Local school superintendents welcome the additional money, but they also said the state needs to do more in this era of tax caps to help districts provide a quality education without burdening local property taxpayers.
Here is a breakdown of the operating aid for local school districts:
District
2015-16
2016-17
Increase
Albion
$22,148,076
$22,613,231
$465,155 (2.1 %)
Holley
$12,952,601
$13,973,110
$1,020,509 (7.9 %)
Kendall
$9,340,355
$9,909,923
$569,568 (6.1 %)
Lyndonville
$6,947,301
$7,172,378
$225,077 (3.2 %)
Medina
$20,238,422
$20,575,185
$336,763 (1.7 %)
Orleans County
$71,626,755
$74,243,827
$2,617,072 (3.7 %)
Source: NYS Division of the Budget
The governor announced he would work to restore the Gap Elimination Adjustment, which was implemented during the state budget crisis in 2009. However, Cuomo said it would take two years to restore those funds, not all in the 2016-17 state budget.
High-needs and low-wealth districts have already had much of those funds restored. Medina and Albion are considered by the state to be low-wealth and much of their GEA funds have been restored. That’s why Albion is proposed to only receive $4,875 more in GEA money and Medina $11,537 in 2016-17.
However, three other districts in Orleans with higher wealth will see significantly more in 2016-17 in restored funds through Gap Elimination Adjustment. Holley would receive $141,247 more, Kendall would see an additional $117,348, and Lyndonville, $89,700.
“I am pleased that the Governor’s proposal includes full restoration of the GEA over a period of two years,” said Robert D’Angelo, Holley school district superintendent. “For Holley, that is approximately $284,000. The state aid runs show us receiving an increase of 7.8 percent in state aid. However, it is more attributed to expense driven aid such as transportation and BOCES than foundation aid which is proposed at an increase of 1.4 percent for Holley.”
D’Angelo said he would reach out to state legislators about more equity in foundation aid for school districts and elimination of some non-funded mandates “which place a financial burden on public school districts and that burden is further magnified by the tax cap restrictions as well as the small increase in foundation aid.”
Julie Christensen, Kendall school district superintendent, said the state still owes Kendall about 40 percent of the Gap Elimination Adjustment.
“In essence Kendall Schools will be receiving approximately the same amount of operational aid at we did in 2008-09 with this projection,” she said. “Overall, the state aid is better than years past, which is positive as the tax cap will be zero this year. However, the increase in minimum wage becomes problematic as that increases impacts our expenses without an increase in revenues.”
Kendall will get more in building aid as it begins to pay down the debt on its capital project.
“We saw an increase in expense-based aid, mostly BOCES aid,” Christensen said. “This was also expected as we purchased new technology and equipment with the initial phase of the project last year and will use this increase in aid to offset the remaining purchases required to complete the technology upgrade in the second phase of the project.”
Mike Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, said the governor’s budget includes, for the first time, “Community Schools Aid.”
“Little information is out about this new program yet, but it does seem it is dedicated to new student and family support services,” Bonnewell said.
He noted that the tax cap, which was supposed to allow up to 2 percent in tax increases, could be very close to 0 percent for districts.
“This year, even more than past tax cap years, state aid and Albion Central’s continuing commitment to conservative budgeting decisions will be very important,” he said.
Medina also would receive $135,337 in Community Schools Aid, as part of the governor’s budget, said Jeff Evoy, Medina school superintendent.
“Being a new revenue source, we need to review how these funds can be allocated,” he said.
The district saw a sizable restoration in GEA funds in 2015-16, but would see far less in the new state budget.
“We were prepared for our Gap Elimination figure to be lower than other larger districts in WNY,” Evoy said. “The adjustment for MCSD for 16-17 is $11,537 compared to over $300,000 in 2015-16. The overall impact of our budget year to year is $260,900 or 1.7 percent.”
Jason Smith, the Lyndonville school superintendent, said restoring the Gap Elimination Adjustment “will allow schools like ours to explore ways to improve programming for students.”
Smith said he is pleased the governor didn’t bring up teacher evaluations and Common Core. “That is best left to State Ed and local districts to handle and negotiate,” Smith said.
He noted last year the governor “held hostage” state aid due to negotiations about teacher evaluations.
Timothy G. Kremer, executive director of the New York State School Boards Assocoation, said Cuomo’s budget “falls short” for school districts.
“Increasing funding for struggling schools, expanding prekindergarten programs, enhancing school safety and implementing the recommendations of the Common Core Task Force are all positive and sensible goals that lead us in the right direction,” Kremer said. “Unfortunately, the governor’s proposed state aid increase is much less than what schools need to maintain current programs and services – especially in the face of a zero percent tax cap – and will leave districts wanting as they attempt to implement these ambitious programs.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Icicles hang off the print shop at the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines last week when temperatures dropped below freezing.
It’s going to be cold this week in Orleans County. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs of 19 today with blowing snow, 22 on Tuesday with more snow, 26 on Wednesday with a chance for snow, 26 on Thursday with a chance for snow, 27 on Friday and Saturday, and 33 on Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency expects 2016 will be a big year for economic development in the county, with several projects years in the making expected to bear fruit this year.
Pride Pak has a new manufacturing facility under construction on Maple Ridge Road in Medina. The company is spending $12.5 million on a new vegetable processing facility that will add 80 jobs.
That is the biggest project expected in 2016, but there are other sizable efforts expected this year, including a new hotel in Medina, a new facility for Helena Chemical in Ridgeway, and an expansion of Western New York Energy in Medina, as well as other projects, EDA officials said during a board meeting this morning.
A commitment on a $4 million hotel could be announced soon, said Gabrielle Barone, vce president of business development for the EDA. The hotel would add four direct jobs, but would also keep visitors in the community longer which should benefit other local businesses.
Western New York Energy opened a new ethanol plant in November 2007. The company produces about 55 million gallons annually of ethanol. It is looking to expand capacity by about 30 percent, Barone said.
Helena Chemical is looking to move from Platt Street in Albion to a new site in Ridgeway on Allis Road, off Route 31. The $2 million investment will create 10 jobs, EDA officials said today.
Niagara Food Specialties also could commit to a $3.5 million project in Yates adding 20 jobs. EDA leaders said other projects are identified, including ones in Holley and Albion, but those company names can’t be disclosed.
Altogether, at least $22 million in projects creating about 115 jobs have been identified.
That follows 2015 with $6,270,000 invested in the county by businesses creating eight jobs. Empire Fruit did the biggest project, a $3,520,000 investment in Yates that added three new jobs in agriculture storage.
Western New York Energy also spent $2 million on a new 800,000-bushel grain bin. Velocitti also invested $750,000 in an adaptive reuse in Medina, adding five jobs.
The EDA spent a lot of effort in 2015 preparing business parks and other land for projects in the future. That work will begin to pay off next year with new construction and investment, including Pride Pak and the possibility of the new hotel on Maple Ridge Road in Medina.
“It’s been a good year getting ready for 2016,” said Jim Whipple, the EDA chief executive officer.
Paul Hendel, chairman of the EDA board, agreed that 2015 was a foundation year, laying the groundwork for projects in the future. Hendel commended Whipple and Barone for their efforts to make several sites attractive to businesses.
“In my humble opinion you do an awesome job,” Hendel said.
GCC started recognizing “Heritage Heroes” in 2014 and the first class included Erin Anheier, Matthew Ballard, Chris Busch, Craig Lacy and Robert E. Waters. Bill Lattin, the county historian, was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement” award. This plaque hangs in GCC’s Albion campus center.
Press Release, GCC
MEDINA Genesee Community College is eager to recognize the efforts of dedicated citizens who work hard to preserve the county’s history. The college is now seeking nominations for the third annual Orleans County Heritage Heroes Awards.
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15.
“Residents of Orleans County take great pride in their heritage,” said Jim Simon, associate dean of GCC’s Orleans County Campus Centers in Medina and Albion. “For our third consecutive year, we want to continue to recognize the time and investment of individuals who are tireless advocates for local history.”
Nominees for Heritage Heroes Awards can be any age but posthumous nominations will not be accepted. History professionals and GCC employees are also not eligible for the award, nor are those who serve on the awards selection committees. Nominees must be Orleans County residents.
Four winners were honored last year including Holly Ricci-Canham, Susan Starkweather Miller, Andrew W. Meier and William A. Menz. Because nominations are not retained for future consideration, nominees not selected to receive awards in previous years are encouraged to re-submit a nomination again for this coming year.
“Many residents from all over the county work hard on restoring historic houses and protecting other community assets, including museums and churches,” said Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor. “The dedicated people working to preserve these treasures deserve praise for adding to the quality of life and character of our community.”
To nominate someone for the Heritage Heroes Awards, write up a brief statement outlining the person’s contributions, projects and community affiliations. Anyone sending in a nomination should provide their name (anonymous nomination packages will not be accepted), address, phone number and email address. The more in-depth the detail provided in the nomination, the stronger the submission.
Submit the nomination to:
ATTENTION: Heritage Heroes Committee
Genesee Community College / Medina Campus Center
11470 Maple Ridge Rd.
Medina, NY 14103-9675
The Heritage Heroes recognized last year include Holly Ricci-Canham, Susan Starkweather Miller, Andrew Meier and William Menz. This plaque hangs in GCC’s Medina campus center.
Nominations may also be emailed to Jim Simon at jsimon@genesee.edu. Please write Heritage Heroes Nomination in the subject line.
A screening committee made up of community members, history professionals and GCC students will review the nominations and select finalists. From those finalists, a committee including GCC Associate Dean Jim Simon, Associate Professor Derek Maxfield and Orleans Hub Editor Tom Rivers will choose the Heritage Heroes.
“We’re excited to continue these awards,” said Maxfield. “When we held the Civil War Encampment in Medina for three years, it became obvious how Orleans County values its history and embraces its preservation. These efforts often go unnoticed. This is a way to shine a light on those who make many personal sacrifices in order to preserve history for future generations.”
The Heritage Heroes will be recognized during a ceremony at Genesee Community College in Medina in April 2016.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Most of the appliances and floor tiles have been removed from the kitchen at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County is upgrading the kitchen so it can be better used for classes and also to prepare food for events at the Trolley Building. The Extension is working to develop a commercial kitchen that would also be available to rent.
The Extension received a $15,000 grant from a foundation for the upgrades, which includes new plumbing and electric, new flooring, a 3-bay sink and other improvements. The Extension is trying to secure additional funds for two stainless steel table islands with water and electric.
The top photo shows a refurbished stove with 10 burners that was recently acquired. The Extension also added ventilation and fire suppression systems to the kitchen.
Volunteers and staff removed these pieces from the kitchen. The sink will be put in the Senior Council Stand.
The Extension would like to put an addition on the building and turn the site into a larger commercial kitchen/conference center.
Jennifer Wagester, the Extension executive director, is applying for a $250,000 state grant for the addition, which would include a new roof for the Trolley Building, and renovations, including handicapped accessible bathrooms.
Those funds are available through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York in the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. The grant would cover 100 percent of the project, meaning no local match. The grant application is due Jan. 29.
The $50 million was announced by Gov. Cuomo last year with the one-time funding to help non-profit agencies combat poverty and who work with vulnerable populations in the state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2016 at 6:42 pm
High winds, slippery roads and freezing temperatures aren’t a good combination for safe traveling.
Those conditions were likely factors in several accidents in Orleans County today. A dispatcher said none of the accidents resulted in serious injuries.
Some of the accidents include: A car into a tree on Ridge Road in Gaines at about 5:15 p.m. between Kent and Transit roads; accident on Main Street in Albion near railroad tracks around 2:30 p.m.; accident on Quaker Hill Road in Barre at about 2 p.m.; and 2-car accident in Medina around noon on South Avenue.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Dorothy Morgan new deputy elections commissioner
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature set salaries for some appointed positions, including for Chris Bourke, the new undersheriff in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Bourke will be paid $63,814 as the No. 2 leader in the Sheriff’s Department. Bourke, a long-time lieutenant for the department, started as undersheriff on Jan. 1 when the new sheriff, Randy Bower, took office.
The Legislature last week also reappointed Nadine Hanlon of Kendall as clerk of the Legislature at a salary of $55,535. David Schubel of Medina also was reappointed county attorney at $84,273.
The Legislature authorized filling a deputy elections commissioner position. That position was vacated when Clara Martin left to become Bower’s confidential secretary in the Sheriff’s Department.
Dennis Piedimonte, the Republican elections commissioner, makes the appointment for his deputy and he appointed Dorothy Morgan of Murray at a salary of $39,776. She had been working at the Orleans County Health Department. Her husband, Ed Morgan, is chairman of the Orleans County Republican Party and also the Murray highway superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse and First Presbyterian Church are pictured recently after a coating of snow fell.
More snow is expected on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow advisory from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday for Orleans County, when 2 to 3 inches of snow is expected in the morning and another inch to 2 inches in the evening.
There will be southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 mph, producing significant blowing and drifting snow. Visibility could be as low as a quarter mile at times.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
This photo shows Log City Road in Elba on Saturday afternoon. The weekend has been warm, including high temperatures near 50 today.
But the temperatures will take a big drop later tonight, falling to 19 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The Weather Service warns of black ice tonight due to the rapidly falling temperatures.
It has issued a wind advisory from 2 p.m. today to 4 a.m. Monday with winds at 30 to 40 miles per hour and gusts up to 50 mph. The winds could take down trees and cause power outages. The wind advisory applies to Orleans and much of Western New York and northern NY.
The Weather Service says blowing snow could hit before 9 tonight. There is a chance for snow showers on Monday with a high near 23. That will be followed by more snow likely on Tuesday with a high near 31. The forecast includes highs of 22 on Wednesday, 25 on Thursday and 27 on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Orleans County officials have been working for four years to identify locations in the county without high-speed Internet and to lay the groundwork for bringing the service to rural homes and businesses.
County officials believe those efforts put the county in a good position to receive some of the $500 million in state funds that Gov. Andrew Cuomo says will expand the service throughout the state by 2018.
“We’ve proven the need,” said Lynne Johnson, an Orleans County legislator who has headed local efforts to expand broadband. “(Today’s announcement) is a positive shot in the arm.”
Orleans and Niagara counties have worked together mapping areas of need, and developing requests for proposals from companies. The state today said it will seek RFPs from companies to bring the service to 10 regions.
Johnson was part of the conference call today with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. The state will seek bids from companies with a goal to serve the most homes at the lowest cost.
Johnson said she is optimistic Orleans County will be in the first round of the funding. However, she said many areas have been pressing the state and Internet providers for better coverage.
“Other counties have as dire need as we do,” she said.
In addition to the $500 million in state funding, a merger between Time Warner and Charter Communications comes with a directive from the state Public Service Commission to install line extensions that will bring high-speed broadband to 145,000-plus unserved and underserved homes and businesses. The merged company also needs to upgrade the system to increase service speeds.
Johnson and Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer, say they are grateful the issue is on the governor’s agenda.
“We applaud the governor for making money available,” Nesbitt said.
The initiative is a public-private partnership that will bring “last-mile” broadband services to New Yorkers and significantly expand connectivity in the most remote regions of the state.
Central components of the program include:
New access to broadband at speeds of at least 100 Mbps; 25 Mbps in the most remote areas of the state.
Public-private partnership with a required 50 percent match in private sector investment targeted across the program.
High priority for projects that most improve broadband Internet access in underserved areas, including libraries and educational opportunity centers.
Applications will be chosen through a “reverse-auction” process, which will award funding to projects bidders seeking the lowest state investment.
Auctions to be held within each Regional Economic Development Council region to ensure statewide allocations of funding.
For more on the state’s broadband program, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency already has received several phone calls from businesses interested in the downtown rental subsidy program.
The agency is developing guidelines for the program and expects to have it ready by the end of the month, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the EDA.
The state approved $200,000 for the EDA last month in small business programs. The money comes from the federal government through the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
That includes $60,000 for downtown rental subsidies. The EDA wants to target start-ups or businesses doing expansions for the program. To be eligible, the businesses need to move into a downtown business district in one of the four villages.
The EDA ran a downtown subsidy program before and about $20,000 was directed to businesses in the four village downtowns. The EDA started that program in 2009 and offered a maximum of $3,000 a year to help small business owners with their rent if they locate in the Albion, Medina, Holley or Lyndonville business districts.
The EDA hasn’t settled on a maximum amount for each business in the program. The specifics of the downtown subsidy program are being developed.
The grant also includes $100,000 for microenterprise grants/low-interest loans. That money will be available to qualifying small business owners who complete the 10-week small business training program through the EDA. Barone said the qualifying criteria is being reviewed. When the details are finalized, the program will be presented to the public, she said.
More than 400 entrepreneurs have completed the Microenterprise Assistance Program since 1999. The 10-week program gives an overview on taxes, record keeping, marketing, organizational skills, accounting and insurance, leadership and assists participants in developing a business plan.
The $200,000 overall grant also includes $30,000 for program delivery costs and $10,000 for grant administration expenses.
