By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 8 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVLLE – Orleans County 4-H’ers and 4-H Educator Robert Batt (at the hood) work to put the finishing touches on a car being washed as part of a 4-H Open House held Wednesday.
October 4-10 marks National 4-H Week and locally Orleans County 4-H held an open house outside the Education Building on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to celebrate.
Free car washes were provided by 4-Hers for volunteers; non-volunteers could also participate for a goodwill donation. Popcorn was provided as part of the event and there were free T-shirts and other surprises for those who stopped in.
Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raiser Joan-Marie Gabalski sprays a car being washed during open house on Wednesday at the fairgrounds.
One family traveled from Kendall during the festivities to sign up for 4-H. As of Wednesday, six new families joined during 4-H Week. A newly formed goat club with seven members held its first meeting this week, Batt said.
Current enrollment in Orleans County 4-H now stands at 442.
Members of the Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers club participate in a car wash Wednesday morning as part of National 4-H Week.
Contributed Story Posted 7 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Rick Heise of Albion, center, won a Buffalo Bills package through the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. Heise is pictured with Laverne Bates, GOMOC executive director, and Mary Grace Demarse, treasurer for the agency.
Heise won two tickets to last Sunday’s Bills game versus the New York Giants. The seats were 12 rows up at the center line of Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Ministry of Concern raised $2,000 through the raffle that included the two seats at the 50-yard-line, plus a Bills jacket, hat, shirt, golf balls, signed pictures and a year’s subscription to Sports Illustrated.
“Thanks to all who throughout the summer bought chances to win the Bills Basket in support of the Ministry of Concern program that provides emergency services to assist families living in poverty, used furniture as needed and a creative children’s E3Team program, that provides events focused on Energy, Encouragement and Empowerment and the positive influence of a great team of coaches,” Bates said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, a candidate for Orleans County sheriff, is pictured at a Sept. 11 memorial service in Albion. Bower forced a Primary and won the Republican line for sheriff. The race has been a hard-fought battle and also has generated lots of traffic on Orleans Hub.
September was a record-breaker for traffic on the Orleans Hub. We obliterated records for unique visitors and page views, and also set a new record for most traffic for sports in a month.
We had 765,677 page views in 30 days last month, a daily average of 25,523. We averaged 7,671 unique visitors each day of the month. This is the first time we’ve been over a 7,000 daily average in a month.
The race to be the next Orleans County sheriff generating a lot of interest to the site, especially in the letters to the editor, which included letters from the two Republican candidates, Tom Drennan and Randy Bower, and many of their supporters.
Two of the letters about the sheriff’s race were in the top 5 for most clicked on stories for September. Bower won the Republican line with a narrow victory in the Primary over Drennan, 1,671 votes to 1,650. (The two are both on the ballot for Nov. 3, which will also include Don Organisciak, the Democratic Party candidate and retired Medina police investigator.)
The death of Deputy Erin Fuller, by a self-inflicted gun shot, also reverberated in the community. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including many police officers in Orleans County and Western New York.
Law enforcement officers included a black band over their badges in honor of Fuller. This photo shows the badge worn by Deputy Josh Narburgh at Fuller’s funeral on Sept. 19.
Here are the top five stories in September (the ones with the most clicks).
Fall sports season has been in full swing and Mike Wertman has been providing a daily report on the games. His wife Cheryl also takes many photos showing action and drama from the games.
Sports had 38,107 pageviews last month or a 1,270 daily average, which is our highest ever. That just counts the people who click on the “Local Sports” tab. We also get a lot of sports traffic through Facebook and Twitter.
The most viewed sports story for the month was the season-opening victory for the Medina/Lyndonville football team, a 46-41 win over Lew-Port at Vets Park on Sept. 4.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jake Cotter runs in for a two-point conversion for the Mustangs as Nick Christman tries for the tackle for the Lancers during the 46-41 season-opening win for Medina/Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2015 at 12:00 am
‘It’s a great organization with great people doing great things for our community.’ – Grace Denniston, chairwoman of Community Action board
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Ed Fancher, executive director for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee,welcomes about 100 people during a celebration of the agency’s 50th anniversary on Thursday at Hickory Ridge Country Club.
Fancher noted the agency has grown to several sites in the two counties, and continues to grow and expand services for the community.
He started with Community Action in 1987 as the fiscal director. He was 22 at the time. Community Action had a $750,000 annual budget in 1987.
Now it has a budget of $5.5 million and 130 employees, who provide emergency services, a food pantry, Head Start early childhood education, weatherization, transportation, child care resource and referral, Alternative Choices for Teens (to promote positive choices and less risky behavior), disability program navigation, and a community center that serves lunches in Holley.
Community Action also runs the Main Street Store in Albion, providing job readiness skills. That store moved into the former American Legion Post in Albion last year, after renovating the site.
Grace Denniston, the retired Office for the Aging director in Orleans County, is now the Community Action board of directors chairwoman. She joins Fancher at the podium.
She had the Community Action employees stand and be recognized. They work on the “front lines” in providing important services to needy families in the community, Denniston said.
She also said Community Action works closely with many other agencies to provide services in the two counties.
“It’s a great organization with great people doing great things for our community,” Denniston said.
Community Action organizations were started with the “War on Poverty” initiative by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. The former Orleans County Board of Supervisors did a needs assessment of the county in June 1965 to see if a Community Action would be helpful.
Three months later the organization was incorporated. Fancher marvels at how quickly the county leaders moved to establish Community Action 50 years ago.
This photo shows the former Guido’s Super Market on East State Street in Albion, which has been home to Community Action for many years. The photo was part of a historical display during Thursday’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson reads a proclamation from the County Legislature in honor of Community Action’s 50 years.
The Legislature praised the agency for a half century of service and “acknowledges their many achievements by providing priceless resources to our Orleans County community.”
Eileen Kirkpatrick, DSS commissioner in Genesee County, reads a proclamation from Genesee County in honor of Community Action.
Like Lynne Johnson, Kirkpatrick has also served on the Community Action board of directors.
The agency collaborates with Department of Social Services in both counties, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Red Cross and other agencies.
A group of about 100 people attended the celebration at Hickory Ridge. They are listening to a proclamation from the State Legislature for Community Action. Eileen Banker, representing State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt, and Jay Grasso, representing State Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer, present the proclamation to Ed Fancher.
The Batavia Swing Band entertained after the official speeches and dinner. Dan Gross plays the drums for the group.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Cobbblestone Universalist Church, one of the historic structures in the Cobblestone Museum grounds on Ridge Road in Gaines, will be part of this weekend’s Museum Crawl in three counties.
A multi-museum project that started last year, linking five museums along Route 98 from Batavia to Lake Ontario, is growing in a big way this weekend.
The Museum Crawl has expanded to 13 locations in three counties, and isn’t limited to spots along Route 98.
This weekend residents are invited to get a passport at one of the 13 participating museums and tour the locations on both Saturday and Sunday. A $5 admission gets history hunters into all of the locations. (It’s $10 for a family pass.)
The Ward House in the Cobblestone Museum includes household artifacts from the 1800s, including this bathtub for a small child.
If people get their passports stamped by at least 8 of the locations, they will be eligible for discounts and prize baskets.
“It’s a really good idea for museums to showcase themselves,” said Georgia Thomas, a member of the board of directors for both the Medina Historical Society and Cobblestone Museum. “People can crawl to all of these museums and get a sense of the local history and Western New York history.”
The 13 sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
The Medina Historical Society includes a display of many of the toys made by Fisher-Price. The company started producing toys in Medina in 1970. This Pull-A-Tune Pony was among the first to be produced in the former Heinz factory on Park Avenue.
The groups participating in the crawl this year in Orleans County include the Oak Orchard Lighthouse, Cobblestone Museum, the Daughters of American Revolution House in Albion, Medina Historical Society Museum and Medina Railroad Museum.
In Genesee County, the participating sites include the Alabama Historical Society, Oakfield Historical Museum, Bergen-Harford Livery Museum, Stafford Historical Museum and Alexander Historical Museum. In Wyoming County, the Attica Historical Museum will be on the Crawl.
Thomas said the event has museum volunteers and staff networking, and sharing success stories and tips for best showcasing their collections.
She urges the community to check out some of the sites.
“Museums hold the past and there is room for the future,” Thomas said.
Fisher-Price made toys in Medina from 1970 to 1997, employing 950 people at its peak locally. Fisher-Price topped 100 million toys made in Medina on May 29, 1980 with this ferry boat.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The owners of the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Bates Road in Medina are contesting the assessment for the property, claiming it should be assessed at $410,000 and not $4.1 million.
Orleans County legislators agreed to contribute county dollars to fight tax assessment challenges where many thousands of dollars of tax revenue are at stake for municipalities.
The county will only get involved with properties assessed at $3 million or more, and if the owners are seeking at least a 10 percent reduction or more than $300,000 off the assessed value.
Towns handle assessing properties in Orleans County, and those values determine the taxes on the properties for villages, towns, county and schools. However, the towns have the smallest of the tax rates of the local municipalities. The towns also have the smallest budgets for defending an assessment challenge against more well-financed corporations.
The County Legislature voted to help with the tax challenges on Monday. The county is getting involved after two nursing home owners filed legal action to drastically reduce their assessments – and local property tax bills.
The owners of Orchard Manor in Medina are seeking the biggest reduction as a percentage. The 160-bed facility is assessed at $4.1 million – the sale price from 2012. The owners, Global Health Care, say the assessment should be $410,000.
Global Health pays about $225,500 in property taxes with a combined tax rate of about $55 per $1,000 of assessed property. Shelby has less than a tenth of the combined tax rates. The town rate is $3.48, with the county rate at $9.89, the village at $17.13 and the school district at $23.01. (There is also a library tax rate of $1.37.)
The county currently takes in $40,549 in taxes from Orchard Manor at the $4.1 million assessment. If Global Health is successful in reducing the assessment to $410,000, it would pay a tenth in taxes what it does now or $4,055 to the county.
The County Legislature made a stipulation that it would only participate in the tax challenges if the other municipalities also shared in the fight, with the amount to be spent to be based on the percentage of the municipalities’ tax rates. That would shift most of the financial burden for defending the assessment to the village and school district, which have the higher tax rates.
Shelby town officials have asked the village to join in the fight. The formula voted on by the county would make Shelby pay the least in defending the assessment.
The Village Board has discussed the issue behind closed doors because it is a legal issue. At least one board member questions if the village should join the tax fight because village residents already pay in their town taxes for assessing.
The village receives $70,233 in taxes from Orchard Manor, which pays a $17.13 tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property. If Orchard Manor’s assessment falls to $410,000, it would pay $7,023 in taxes, or more than $63,000 less to the village.
The former county-owned nursing home is now privately owned by Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. The company paid $7.8 million on for the 120-bed Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Route 31 in Albion.
The property went on the tax rolls for the first time this year with a $6,618,900 assessment. Comprehensive is challenging that assessment, filing legal papers saying it should be valued at $2.5 million.
Albion Town Supervisor Matt Passarell said he and James Bell, the town attorney, have discussed the issue and will bring it to the full Town Board soon.
Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson, left, and Sheriff’s Deputy Marty Stirk prepare to transport collected items for destruction.
Press Release, Sheriff Scott Hess
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that another successful Household Pharmaceuticals Collection Event was held this past weekend.
During the four-hour detail, which was held at three locations within the county, unwanted and/or expired medications and drug paraphernalia in excess of 630 pounds were surrendered for destruction. This was the most successful collection event, to date.
As in years past, it is anticipated that another collection event will be held in the spring of 2016.
Some of the items are boxed and ready to taken to be destroyed. Residents dropped off pharmaceuticals at the Holley Fire Department, Orleans County Public Safety Building in Albion, and Medina Fire Department.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Two local groups have organized a candidate forum with the three people seeking to be the next sheriff of Orleans County.
Don Organisciak, Randy Bower and Tom Drennan are all scheduled to be at an Oct. 21 candidate forum. They will have an opportunity to give opening and closing statements, and respond to questions from the public.
“We want educated voters,” said Mattie Zarpentine, one of the forum organizers. “That’s our goal.”
Zarpentine, a Holley resident, is regional director for New York Revolution. She worked with David Thom, chairman of Orleans County SCOPE (Shooters Committee On Political Education), to set up the forum.
The three candidates are all vying to replace Scott Hess, who is retiring from the job on Dec. 31. Zarpentine said it has been a heated campaign that has generated lots of public interest.
Organisciak is a retired Medina police investigator who is running with the Democratic Party line. Bower, a public safety dispatcher, won the Republican primary over Drennan. Bower also has the Conservative Party line.
Drennan, chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, has the Independence and Reform party lines.
“I would like people to go to the polls and know their candidates,” Zarpentine said. “It’s different when you get to see them face to face. You really get to know them which is important because one of them will be your sheriff.”
The forum will be Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Albion Elks Lodge in Albion at 428 West State St. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 September 2015 at 12:00 am
A widespread phone outage has many people without phone service this morning in Orleans County, and neighboring communities.
In Orleans County the 9-1-1 emergency phone system is working, but some agencies and organizations don’t have service.
Medina Memorial Hospital is unable to accept phone calls through its usual phone number so the hospital has a dedicated cell phone at the switchboard. People can call in at (585) 261-0829. The hospital can still call out with its phone system, said Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of the hospital.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Tom Drennan
After a very close loss in the Republican Primary for Orleans County sheriff, Tom Drennan announced he is staying in the race and “working harder than ever.”
Although he lost the primary, 1,671 to 1,650 to Randy Bower, Drennan remains on the Nov. 3 ballot. He has the Independence Party line, which is the third one down on the ballot. He also has the Reform Line, which Rob Astorino started in his bid for governor last year against Andrew Cuomo.
“After coming up a few votes short in the Republican Primary it is important for all the voters in Orleans County to know that we are still here working harder than ever,” Drennan said in a statement this evening. “Every voice should be heard and every vote counts on Election Day, November 3rd.”
Drennan, 50, is currently the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. He started as a road patrol deputy in September 1992 and has been promoted to lieutenant, criminal investigator, major and chief deputy.
The Nov. 3 election will include Bower under the Republican and Conservative Party lines and former Medina police investigator Don Organisciak, who is running with the Democratic Party line.
Drennan has been running his campaign with the message “Experience Matters.” Besides his 23-year career in the Sheriff’s Office, Drennan has completed numerous training courses.
“The Drennan for Sheriff committee has a strong group of supporters from all walks of life and all political party affiliations,” Drennan said in his statement. “There is a great deal of law enforcement experience that knows what it takes to be the Sheriff and who is the most qualified candidate in this race. They are standing behind Drennan and spreading the word.”
Drennan, a Kendall resident, said he will be out the next six weeks, connecting with as many voters as possible.
“Tom Drennan cares about all of you,” he said in his statement. “We work for everyone. Party affiliation does not matter when Public Safety is Priority #1.”
Photos by Tom Rivers – Marsha Rivers, executive director of the United Way of Orleans County, has an office in the southeast corner of the former Swan Library, a spot that used to have several tall shelves of books.
Press Release, United Way
ALBION – United Way of Orleans County has taken its place as the first office occupant of the former Swan Library, 4 North Main St., just in time to begin its fall campaign.
The annual kick-off will be Oct. 22 at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, but fundraising is already under way. Albion and Medina Tops Markets began their United Way campaign this week, and dozens more companies and organizations are signing on to offer employees the giving opportunity that gives back to the community in dozens of ways.
Executive Director Marsha Rivers, who this week marks her first year at the helm of the county-wide charitable organization, said: “When I’m out and about, people ask me things like, ‘Why should I give to the United Way?’ Or, ‘What difference can my little bit make?’ And my answer is the old saying: ‘Every little bit helps!’ Because it’s true.”
United Way hosts campaigns at about 40 local workplaces and receives additional donations from several dozen companies and hundreds of individual donors. The organization then distributes funds to about 20 local programs, among them Arc of Orleans’ Meals on Wheels, Orleans County Adult Learning Services’ literacy programs, and Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s Last Resort for emergency assistance. Funding applications for 2016 are now available to non-profit agencies and due Nov. 2.
The former Swan Library was purchased by Chad Fabry of Holley who wants to use the three-story site for offices.
“A gift to United Way goes a long way,” Rivers said. “Last year we showed donors how just two dollars per week could pay for a child’s registration to Camp Rainbow, or sponsor their attendance at 4-H Conservation Days.
“This campaign season, I’m sharing true stories about how seemingly small gestures or changes have made a huge difference in people’s lives, right here in Orleans County, through United Way donor dollars.”
The office relocation brings United Way closer to many of its partner agencies’ headquarters, based in the county seat. It is also a smaller space than the previous office, reducing rental costs and allowing United Way to help the community even more, Rivers said.
“Again, every little bit helps – I personally contribute to the campaign, so I understand how much it matters that this money is invested carefully, wisely. A big part of my job is trying to maximize the impact of our donors’ generosity.”
In addition to the ongoing workplace campaigns and the direct mail appeal this fall, United Way is hosting its annual volunteerism event, Day of Caring, on Oct. 23. A second day, Oct. 24, is being offered as an option for local high school students looking for opportunities to fulfill their schools’ community service requirements.
Day of Caring participants should call the United Way at their new number, 585-283-4773. During campaign season, public office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Rivers may also be reached via email mrivers@orleansunitedway.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Contractors have built two 60- by 150-foot pole barns on West Academy Street for the Orleans County Highway Department.
The new facilities will allow the county to put vehicles, equipment and some materials inside year-round. It will better secure the county equipment, and also speed up time in deploying the vehicles during the winter after snow. County employees won’t have to brush off snow, for example.
This pole barn is currently empty but will be used to store equipment, vehicles and other materials.
Secor Building Solutions in Savannah NY submitted the lowest bid, $382,698, to build the two pole barns. The company is located near Syracuse.
Provided photos – State Sen. Robert Ortt stopped by Hoag Library in Albion today to present ceremonial checks for $35,000 to four public libraries in Orleans County, plus $15,000 for the Medina Railroad Museum. Pictured at Hoag Library, from left, include: Betty Sue Miller, interim director of Hoag Library; Sandra Shaw, director of Community Free Library in Holley; Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina; Senator Robert Ortt; Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library in Lyndonville; and Hugh James, treasurer of Medina Railroad Museum.
Pictured at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in Albion, from left, include: Holley Police Officer Peter Colombo; Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tom Drennan; Medina Police Chief Jose Avila; Senator Ortt; Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni; Orleans County District Attorney’s Office 1st Assistant DA Susan Howard.
Press Release State Sen. Robert Ortt
ALBION – State Sen. Rob Ortt (R – North Tonawanda) today delivered a total of $85,000 to the Medina Railroad Museum, public libraries and law enforcement agencies throughout Orleans County.
The senator secured the money as part of the 2015-16 State Budget.
Senator Ortt presented the Medina Railroad Museum with a $15,000 check to support its educational, cultural, and recreational programming.
The Orleans County libraries received a total of $35,000 to assist with educational services and programming, materials, renovation projects, operations, or events that serve the community.
The amount of Senate grant money to the county libraries is as follows: Hoag Library, $20,000; Community Free Library, $5,000; Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, $5,000;and Yates Community Library, $5,000.
Ortt also secured funds for law enforcement agencies to help fight against crime, operate more effectively and efficiently, and aid emergency services and public safety measures.
The amount of Senate grant money to law enforcement is as follows: Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, $10,000; Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, $10,000; Albion Police Department, $5,000; Holley Police Department, $5,000; Medina Police Department, $5,000.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Community turns out to say goodbye to Erin Fuller
Photos by Tom Rivers – Many of the police officers who attended the calling hours on Friday and funeral today for Deputy Erin Fuller included a black band over their badges in honor of Fuller. This photo shows the badge worn by Deputy Josh Narburgh.
SHELBY – In his 16 years as a deputy sheriff in Orleans County, Erin Fuller saved many lives and proved an advocate for his fellow deputies, whether at the negotiating table for a union contract and writing successful grants to bring equipment and resources to the Sheriff’s Office.
More than 300 people attended a funeral service for Fuller today at the Shelby Fire Hall, including many police officers from throughout the county and outside Orleans.
Sean-Michael Green served four years in the Marines with Fuller, including a deployment during Desert Storm.
“He was incredibly special,” said Green, who travelled from West Haven, Connecticut for the service today. “He was absolutely a hero.”
Erin Fuller
Fuller was committed to serving his country, said Green, who first met Fuller at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.
“Erin was more creative and passionate than your typical Marine,” Green said during the service at the fire hall.
Fuller was 45 when he took his own life a week ago on Sept. 12. His death has shocked with colleagues, friends and family.
His cousin, Doug Fuller, told the crowd at the service that Erin inspired his family by joining the Marines and then serving as a deputy sheriff.
“We’re very proud of Erin,” Doug Fuller said. “He sacrificed and put his life on the line.”
Members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office served as Honor Guard during calling hours and the funeral. The group includes, from left: Alex Breuilly, Dave Foeller, Ryan Flaherty, Jeff Cole, Chris Bourke, Brian Larkin, Josh Narburgh and Dean Covis.
Sheriff Scott Hess spoke at the funeral and said Fuller “proudly served his community.”
Fuller was president of the 23-member Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. That role put him a “tough spot,” Hess said. Fuller would sometimes butt heads with management while advocating for deputies.
Fuller was re-elected by his deputies year after year to serve as the union leader.
“That speaks to his leadership and commitment,” Hess said.
Fuller wrote the grants that resulted in two new boats for the Marine Patrol. One of the grants he wrote also paid for new boots, sunglasses and sneakers for deputies on the Marine Patrol.
In 2013, Fuller earned his captain’s license to be part of the Marine Patrol. It’s another example of him pushing himself to excel and serve the community, Hess said.
David Thom, a member of the auxilliary police, wore the black band over his badge today in tribute to Fuller.
Fuller also was president of the NYS Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which has about 2,000 members. Fuller was a resource to union presidents around the state, offering advice and often traveling to Albany and other counties to speak on behalf of deputies.
“He had the respect of everybody in the association,” said Tom Ross, executive director of the NYS Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Ross worked closely with Fuller and watched him develop into an effective leader for the deputies.
“He was reasonable, and you have to be reasonable,” Ross said. “He wouldn’t keep arguing a point if there was no point in arguing. He could have a rational conversation, figure out the differences and then fnd a solution.”
Chuck Nesbitt, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, said he admired Fuller and respected him as the leader of the local union. Fuller was aware of the county’s budget needs and secured concessions from the deputies while also reaching a deal in their benefit, Nesbitt said.
Law enforcement vehicles are parked outside the Shelby Fire Hall, where more than 300 people attended a funeral service today for Deputy Erin Fuller.
Lt. Chris Bourke worked closely with Fuller on the Marine Division and also with road patrol. Bourke said Fuller enjoyed a good conversation.
“He liked to debate,” Bourke said. “He would take a position.”
Fuller stepped up in writing the grants to secure the boats for the Marine Patrol, which was a lot of extra work for Fuller.
“He was always for the good of the department and moving us forward,” Bourke said. “He worked hard for the Marine Division, getting us more equipment and raising the professionalism.”
The Rev. Stanley Thurber, retired pastor of the oak Orchard Assembly of God, led today’s service. He said Erin is part of the Fuller family that is heavily involved in serving the community.
Thurber said there is no making sense of Fuller’s death. Thurber said God was with Fuller during his death and has welcomed him.
The pastor shared Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Many of Fuller’s colleagues and first responders have posted this image on Facebook in honor of Fuller, who wore badge No. 155 for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Chamber honored local businesses and community leaders at its 17th annual awards dinner Friday. Front row, from left, include Kathy Blackburn, Chamber executive director; Lora Partyka, Businessperson of the year; Barbara Waters, accepting lifetime achievement in honor of her late husband Robert Waters; Laura Gardner, Phoenix Award for her efforts at “a lily and a sparrow”; and Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop and special recognition for her work in promoting downtown Albion. Back row, Greg Budd, general manager for Business of the Year, Hinspergers Poly Industries; Barb Flow, Community Service Award; Jill and Mike Bower, owners of Small Business of the Year, Erie Way Tree Farm; Bernie Heberle, general manager and co-owner of Roberts Circle R Fruit Farms, named Agricultural Business of the Year; and Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks, the New Business of the Year.
GAINES – Orleans County is a place where you can bring your business dreams and turn them into a reality and a success. It’s a place where volunteers can pitch in, and become involved in youth sports, festivals and other community events.
Those were among the themes at the 17th annual awards dinner on Friday for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Award winners described a welcoming community, open to “outsiders” trying ventures in the county.
Bryan and Larissa DeGraw moved 400 miles from New Jersey to Orleans County to open 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina last November. The business makes alcoholic drinks by fermenting honey.
Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks, accept the award for New Business of the Year.
Their meadery, named New Business of the Year, has become a destination, drawing visitors to the county. The DeGraws said the community has supported the business and embraced the couple.
Mr. DeGraw said 810 Meadworks received lots of help and encouragement along the way. Mayor Andrew Meier and real estate agent Katt Battaglia were instrumental in their decision to pick downtown Medina for the business.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency also approved a loan for 810 Meadworks.
“The EDA board puts its faith in our business plan to give us a loan to get us going,” Mr. DeGraw said.
Lora Partyka of Kendall accepts the award for Businessperson of the Year, a new honor presented by the Chamber of Commerce.
Lora Partyka, a Barker native, moved to Kendall with her husband Jeff in 1985. They opened a roadside stand. That has grown to a farm market, gift shop, ice cream and the base for community projects, including the country barn quilt trail, which includes 40 sites in the Kendall area.
The Partykas take produce to several farmers’ markets in the area, and in April opened The Farmers’ Table, a restaurant in Hamlin that serves breakfast and lunch made from local produce, eggs, syrup and hash.
“It’s not frozen food,” Partyka said. “The concept is fresh and local.”
Partyka was praised for her work ethic and community dedication when she was presented the Businessperson of the Year, a new award from the Chamber.
Partyka admitted she didn’t know too much about Kendall when she and her husband moved there 30 years ago.
“We couldn’t do what we do without a great supportive community,” Partyka said during an awards dinner attended by 130 people at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Barb Flow accepts the community service award. Last year’s winner, Ken DeRoller, presented the award to Flow.
Flow also moved into Kendall. She remembers coming to town and seeing no grocery store or a bank. But she is thankful to have raised a family and built her life in Kendall.
“It has the people of a hard-working community,” she said.
The school district and 4-H programs are also assets, she said.
She recently retired after 26 years of leading the recreation program. She is now on the Kendall Town Board and runs a garlic farm with her husband Vince.
“Helping a child succeed and supporting them on their journey is truly a reward for me,” Flow said.
Greg Budd, general manager for Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina, accepts the award for Business of the Year.
In 2002, a Canadian company opened a site in Medina. Hinspergers has expanded the former Jamestown Container manufacturing building on West Oak Orchard Street from 25,000 square feet to 83,000 square feet.
The company had 17 employees in 2003 and now is up to 70 workers in Medina who make covers and solar blankets for swimming pools.
“We are here long-term,” said Greg Budd, general manager for the Medina site. “We have no plans on leaving.”
Budd moved from Ontario, Canada to help get the Medina plant up and going. The company has proven a “good corporate citizen” for the community.
Other businesses recognized on Friday started from scratch in Orleans, and have found success in the county.
Bernie Heberle is general manager and co-owner of Circle R Fruit Farms in Carlton. The farm started in 1986 and has grown to 80 employees and a retail farm market that sells ice cream.
Circle R has expanded to 550 acres and expects to produce 450,000 bushels of fruit this year. The Chamber praised the farm for its growth and for providing “exceptional local produce to Orleans County and beyond.”
Heberle accepted the award for Agricultural Business of the Year in honor of Lynn Roberts, the farm’s longtime leader who died at age 80 on June 13.
Mike and Jill Bower won Small Business of the Year for their work in expanding the Erie Way Tree Farm of Holley. The couple has run a Christmas tree farm since 1985. It has grown since 2010 and expanded to landscaping, wreaths, centerpieces and holiday decor.
“They are an excellent example of how small businesses can succeed in Orleans County, said Greg Piedmonte, a member of the Chamber board of directors.
Laura Gardner accepts the Phoenix Award for her work in renovating a storefront for her business, a lily and a sparrow in Medina.
Laura Gardner opened a lily and a sparrow five years ago in downtown Medina, after she worked more than two decades as an accountant. About a year ago she moved the business down the street to 438 Main St., a site that had been home to Baughn’s Shoe Store since 1960.
Gardner has given the storefront a vastly different look. “It has been transformed into a modern, chic storefront,” said Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association. “It’s like a boutique in Rochester or Buffalo.”
Gardner draws local shoppers and out-of-towners for the designer clothing from designers in Turkey, Israel, India and the United States. Gardner also has an array of leather handbags, perfume, jewelry and vintage glassware and note cards.
Barbara Waters accepts the “Lifetime Achievement” award in honor of her husband, the late Robert Waters.
“It’s beautiful,” Gardner said about the renovations. “I love when I look at that building everyday when I’m coming into town.”
Robert Waters and his family ran the local newspaper, The Journal-Register, for decades until it was sold in 1985. Waters expanded its coverage from Medina to a county-wide publication.
After getting out of the newspaper business, Waters would work 10 years as communications director for State Sen. John Daly and his successor, George Maziarz. Waters also served on the Ridgeway Town Board for a decade, and was deputy town supervisor.
He was active in numerous community causes. He helped found the Shelridge Country Club, and was instrumental in finding a new use for the shuttered Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA.
He was active in the Medina Historical Society and was president of the Medina Sandstone Society.
Mr. Waters was 90 when he died on July 29.
“He extended such warmth as he worked for the greater good of Orleans County,” said Bruce Krenning, who presented the award to Waters’ wife, Barbara.
Chamber Executive Director Kathy Blackburn also presented a special recognition to Lisa Stratton, honor of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop in Albion for her efforts to beautify downtown Albion with flowers and also to promote many events to highlight local businesses in the downtown.
