By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2015 at 12:00 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County dropped to 5.3 percent in October, which is down from 6.3 percent a year before and 8.5 percent in October 2013.
The State Department of Labor reports that the rate state-wide is 4.8 percent, the lowest rate in New York since November 2007. That includes a 4.8 percent rate in New York City and 4.9 percent in upstate.
The data from the DOL shows that 17,400 people were working in Orleans County in October, up by 400 from the 17,000 in October 2014. The number of unemployed fell from 1,100 in October 2014 to 1,000 last month.
The state’s private sector job count increased by 168,600 from October 2014 to October 2015. In October 2015, the number of private sector jobs in the state reached an all-time high of 7,859,000, according to the state DOL.
Unemployment in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area fell from 5.4 percent in October 2014 to 4.8 percent last month. The jobless rate in the Rochester metro fell from 5.1 to 4.5 percent in that time.
Other nearby counties have unemployment rates below Orleans County’s: Genesee, 4.2; Wyoming, 4.4; Livingston, 4.2; Monroe, 4.6; Niagara, 5.2; and Erie, 4.8.
Only two counties in the state had rate a 6.0 percent or higher: Oswego (6.0) and Bronx (6.5).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Vince Flow – Kendall resident Vince Flow sent in this photo last winter of two Snowy Owls in a corn field on Lakeshore Road in Kendall.
(Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub is taking a daily challenge this week to express thankfulness for a different aspect to living in Orleans County.)
One of the most popular stories in the past week on the Orleans Hub was an article about the return of Snowy Owls. Ben Jones of Kendall got two pictures of one with his camera phone on Saturday in Carlton.
He shared the pictures with Orleans Hub, and the article quickly racked up the “likes” and “shares” on social media.
This week we’re counting blessings about living in Orleans County, and presence of Snowy Owls and other glorious wildlife are among the perks of living here.
Snowy Owls usually don’t fly down past Canada into these parts of the United States. But they have been showing up the past three years. Last winter was a historic migration, perhaps the biggest in a half century. The owls would hang out in corn fields, and sit on fences, telephone poles, you-name-it.
Many people were delighted to see one. They have been extra popular because they were so prominent in the Harry Potter stories. Harry’s owl is named Hedwig.
Photos by Tom Rivers
Not every place has a world-famous fishing attraction, but Orleans County can boast of the Oak Orchard River. You can also catch a lot of fish in Johnson Creek and some of the other Lake Ontario tributaries.
Many people from out-of-state flock to Orleans in the fall to try to hook salmon and trout. Even if they don’t catch any fish, just being outside in the river, with the blazing colors of the fall foliage, does a body and soul a lot of good.
We have a lot of geese around here with the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in the southern part of Orleans and stretching into Genesee County.
There are also a lot of geese in Lyndonville. They like to hang out in Johnson Creek. This photo was taken during a sunset in Lyndonville on Nov. 3.
You can also find a lot of geese along the Erie Canal. Many blue herons also camp out along the canal.
Deer season is underway for hunters and the animals seem to be in abundance. I “shot” these deer last Nov. 20.
I was out trying to get a picture of deer in a snow-covered field. These two deer were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104. They held still for a few seconds before scampering away in the field and heading into the woods.
This county offers many picturesque views along the winding country roads past barns, orchards, corn fields and even rural, historic cemeteries.
This photo on Oct. 18 shows Zig-Zag Road in Gaines by John Long’s former dairy barn.
The sun was coming down and really lit up the barn and trees.
We have several really nice waterfalls in Orleans County. The one in Medina is probably the most powerful and breathtaking.
These waterfalls are by the Erie Canal near the Horan Road bridge. This was one of the toughest construction points for the Erie Canal. The Oak Orchard Creek runs along here. The canal contractors would use an aqueduct to provide a path for the Oak Orchard to run under the Erie Canal in Medina. Not long after, the creek plunges in a waterfalls.
This is a shockingly awesome spot, but it is difficult to view up close due to the lack of public access.
There are at least two good-size waterfalls in Holley. This photo shows one near the Holley Rod and Gun Club. There is also an old Medina sandstone building next door at South Holley Road and Pumping Station Road. The east branch of Sandy Creek runs by here.
If you like to explore and see some natural wonder, Orleans County is a great place to be.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Tom Drennan campaigns for sheriff during the Fourth of July Parade in Lyndonville. Drennan worked hard over several months in the race for sheriff but lost a close race to Randy Bower.
(Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub will offer a daily Thanksgiving tribute this week. Today, we look back at the election season with competitive races.)
The election season is over and it was highly unusual for the feistiness in several local races. Often in recent years a full slate of candidates has run unopposed. That happened this election season again with some of our local towns.
But every resident who voted on Nov. 3 had choices in at least two races: county sheriff and one of the county-wide legislator positions.
In my 20 years as a reporter in Orleans County, I’ve never seen anything like this past sheriff’s race, such a heated and close battle to the very end.
Randy Bower emerged as the victor, but I’d like to congratulate Tom Drennan and Don Organisciak for both running and pushing hard up to election day. They certainly made Bower work hard to get elected. I bet Bower is a better man for it and will do a better job in his new role as sheriff than if he had a free pass throughout the election season.
I wish more people would run for office, that we would have competitive races and candidates would be forced to put out ideas and an action plan for the local municipalities. Too often, the candidates don’t have opposition. There isn’t much accountability for voters who don’t believe the elected officials are doing a good job.
It’s hard for Democrats to get elected with Republicans holding a 2-to-1 enrollment advantage. So many Democrats don’t try. Darlene Benton pulled off an upset in Albion, winning a spot to the Albion Town Board over Paul Fulcomer, the endorsed Republican. I give Fulcomer credit for getting on the ballot, and wanting to continue public service after retiring as the Veterans Service Agency director in Orleans County.
James White, 21, ran a spirited, low-budget campaign for county legislator. He is shown making pancakes during the 4-H Fair.
James White, 21, of Gaines made his first attempt at elected office, running against Don Allport, who cruised to a victory for an at-large legislator position. White ran a vigorous campaign and put some ideas on the table. I’ve seen younger adults run for the Board of Education, but I don’t recall seeing someone so young make a serious run for a county elected position.
White may have lost on election day, but he deserves praise and appreciation for giving the voters a choice.
Paul Lauricella has been a long-time observer and critic of local government. This year he stepped it up and ran for county legislator – a district that includes the towns of Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby. Lauricella only had the Conservative Party line and didn’t win, but he received 552 votes.
Paul Lauricella, shown here in the Lyndonville pararde on July 4th, received about a third of the vote on Nov. 3 despite only being on the Conservative Party line.
The Town of Yates rarely generates much opposition or excitement for elections. It’s about as quiet as it gets in a democracy – until this year. The wind turbine issue brought out candidates and voters. Yates had the highest turnout of any community on election day with 50.2 percent going to the polls, compared to a 38.2 percent county average.
Jim Simon won the town supervisor race in a write-in bid. That rarely happens, but John Belson, the incumbent town supervisor, should be commended for his public service.
Orleans Hub would like to praise every candidate for being part of the election process, for their willingness to be on the ballot and give voters a choice.
Overall, the county still has more unopposed candidates than those with opposition. That doesn’t give voters much reason to go to the polls, or provide extra incentive for the elected officials to do the best job possible.
We still have a long ways to go for competitive elections in our county. Consider the following:
There were nine county positions up for election but only three were contested. That’s 33 percent with a choice.
Three of the 10 towns had candidates who were all unopposed.
The 10 towns combined had 49 positions up for election but only 16 had more than one candidate or 32.7 percent.
The candidates who didn’t win on election day shouldn’t be viewed as losers. They made for one of the more exciting election seasons in recent memory. Here’s to more candidates giving it a try next time.
ALBION – Orleans County officials will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 on a $64,435,941 budget. The spending plan for 2016 reduces costs from 2015 and keeps the tax rate at $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.
“It’s been an extremely good year,” David Callard, chairman of Legislature, said about the budget. “We’ve maintained costs, which we started six years ago and we’ve done extremely well.”
The public hearing will be at the county courthouse. Following the hearing, the Legislature will convene at the legislative chambers next door in the County Clerks’ Building to vote on the budget.
The county in recent years has worked to streamline staffing and have employees pay more towards health insurance costs. The selling of the county nursing home also reduced the county workforce by about a third.
The county’s workforce has shrunk from 416 full-time and 164 part-time positions in 2014 to 318 full-time and 89 part-time for 2016.
The $64,435,941 budget is the county’s smallest since 2007, and is down by $579,325 from the $65,015,266 in 2015. In 2014, the last year the county owned a nursing home, the budget was $79.8 million. That year the tax rate was $10.11.
Callard said efforts to fight welfare fraud are paying off with social services costs at a “historic low.” The county has reduced welfare caseloads and that will reduce welfare costs to local taxpayers by an estimated $200,000 in 2016.
The tax rate will be unchanged, but the county will take in a slight increase in taxes. The tax levy will increase by 0.7 percent from $16,209,165 to $16,323,150. Property taxes represent about 25 percent of the revenue for funding the budget.
Sales tax also represents about a quarter of the revenue for the budget. After budgeting for no increases in 2014 and 2015, county officials are going to recommend another $250,000 in sales tax to $14,035,000.
County officials don’t foresee too many additional opportunities for significant cost saving by reducing staff. Callard said the county wants to maintain the tax rate by boosting tax assessments. That can happen by addressing many of the vacant homes in the community, Callard said.
Many of those houses are owned by banks but sitting idle. The homes should be put in the hands of owners with a plan and purpose for the houses, Callard said.
Medina has started a vacant housing law that tracks the houses and assesses a fee to the owners. That law may spur the owners to take action on the properties. Callard said Medina’s law could serve as a model for other local municipalities.
“We want them to get turned over before they deteriorate,” Callard said about the houses. “We need to improve the housing stock and explore it on a countywide basis.”
There are about 250 vacant homes in the county, Callard said. He expects there will be more demand for housing with the new Pride Pak vegetable processing plant in Medina and the developments at the STAMP site across the Orleans line in Genesee County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BUFFALO – Bryce Wilson, left, and Wesley Parker react after the Lego robot they helped create performed a task during Saturday’s qualifying tournament at the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School.
Bryce and Wesley are members of the “Battery Boys” team from the Orleans County 4-H program. Orleans County sent four teams to the competition. In addition to having to build and program a Lego robot, teams had to research an issue with recycling and propose a solution for helping the environment.
The Battery Boys created collection boxes for used batteries which they said could be placed at sites in the community.
The “Three Musketeers” receive instructions from a judge during Saturday’s competition. The Musketeers include, from left: Zachary Grinnell, Nate Scott Avery and Nick Burke.
The Musketeers for their project researched used eye glasses and thought of ways to have more reused.
Zachary Neal of Albion is a member of the KOWZ (Kids Only Work Zone) team. His hat has buttons from other teams he has met in the past three years.
The KOWZ team gets its robot ready to compete at a table with obstacles and challenges. The teams have 2 1/2 minutes to complete as many tasks as possible. Only two members of the team should be at the table, and members can swap out during the competition.
The teams started meeting in September to design and program their robot, using different attachments for tasks.
They also had to create a display board and research a recycling topic. KOWZ researched ways to recycle sneakers. Some sneakers are ground up with those pieces used at playgrounds and on playing fields.
The Robo Foam team watches its robot complete a task. Team members include, from left: Jacob Foote, Isaac Becker (in back), Reuben Rivers, James Michael Beach, Cole Moyle and Jaiden Farrell.
The Robo Foam team for its project suggested ways to reduce the use of Styrofoam and also made a Syro-Shredder that turns Styrofoam cups into packing peanuts.
The four teams from Orleans County are part of the 4-H program led by Marlene and Erik Seielstad of Albion. About 25 kids were in the program from Orleans County.
There were about 170 students participating in the competition on Saturday from about 20 teams. Four teams advanced to a regional competition next month at the University of Rochester. None of the Orleans County teams were able to get past the qualifying round.
Many of the teams put together colorful outfits for the competition.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – These pictures of leaves are from my yard following an overnight frost last week.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning for Orleans, Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sunday. Southwest winds will be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph, according to the Weather Service.
The forecast also shows the chance for snow on Monday and Tuesday. However, it will warm up for the Thanksgiving holiday with a high of 49 on Wednesday and 56 on Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued Lake Effect Snow warnings, through Monday morning, for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties.
The forecast calls for up to six to twelve inches of snow in Chautauqua County and eastern Lake Ontario region. While heavier snow amounts will be confined to the Chautauqua Ridge and Tug Hill Plateau, localized bands of heavy snow will make driving conditions dangerous due to slick roads and low visibility, the governor’s office said in a news release today.
“With snow and strong winds on the horizon for parts of the state, I am urging New Yorkers to be prepared and stay safe,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement today. “We are actively monitoring these storms, but New Yorkers should also take appropriate precautions now, especially if they will be traveling. Roads may become hazardous, and I strongly encourage everyone to take their time and drive responsibly.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – A new class graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program on Tuesday. The group includes, front row, from left: Amanda Wolford, Justin Froman, Jenny Rae Siplo, Christine Heideman, and Linda Benz. Back row: Shaun Swanson, small business advisor Dick Pettine, Michael Klepp, Rion Pawlak, Janell Thompson, Charlene Washington and Diane Blanchard, MAP manager.
ALBION – A 10-week class has given 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.
The Fall 2015 class of the Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated on Tuesday with a celebration at Tillman’s Village Inn. More than 400 entrepreneurs have completed the program since 1999.
“I want to say, thank you for having the courage and tenacity to step up and own your own business,” Paul Hendel, chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency, told the new MAP graduates.
The program is run through the EDA with classes in the fall and spring. Graduates who complete business plans may pursue low-interest financing up to $30,000 through the EDA.
“The sole proprietor is the backbone of the economy in Orleans County, New York State and across the whole nation,” Hendel said.
The fall graduates include: Linda Benz, consultant for office management; Justin Froman, road kill removal; Christine Heideman, gourmet cupcakes; Michael Klepp, The Plant Man; Rion Pawlak, vapor shop (plastic cigarettes) or food truck; Jenny Rae Siplo, Flower Well; Shaun Swanson, Filmwell Studios; Janell Thompson, Marva’s Clothes & Beauty Supplies; Charlene Washington, 3 Twice (information technology); and Amanda Wolford, retail.
Klepp has been running his “Plant Man” business for 27 years, providing horticulture advice and training. The West Shelby resident, 44, is considering whether to build a barn on his property for teaching programs – “anything garden related,” he said.
He also is thinking about growing his business and adding an employee. The MAP class helped him look into the future, calculating expenses and needed revenue.
Jenny Rae Siplo, 24, of Holley started her floral design business in May, providing flowers for weddings, events and florists. The MAP class helped her to plan for growing the business.
Jenny Rae Siplo accepts her certificate for completing the 10-week MAP class from Diane Blanchard, manager of the program.
Janell Thompson opened Marva’s Clothes & Beauty Supplies on Sept. 1 on East Bank Street in Albion. Thompson said the MAP class has been an “eye opener” to create a business plan and tailor the store’s hours and products to customers.
She is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. She decided to close on Monday and open later in the day after hearing from customers and noticing shopping trends.
She sells clothes, shoes, perfume, hair products, and homemade jewelry. The store is named in her mother’s honor.
“The store is something my mom always wanted,” Thompson said. “It was her dream.”
Justin Froman, 32, of Albion read a news article about two years ago, detailing how municipalities try to get rid of roadkill. Froman read that article and saw an opportunity for a business.
Next year will will start his venture where he will pick up deer and other dead animals along roadways. He will then compost them. He is looking for his first contract and hopes to start the business in January.
Rion Pawlak accepts his certificate for completing the MAP class.
Rion Pawlak has two business ideas: starting a food truck that he can take to events and locations in Orleans County and beyond, and also opening a Vape Shop with plastic cigarettes and vaping supplies.
Pawlak, 34, said the MAP class helped him to research and understand regulations and insurance with owning a business.
“The biggest thing the class gave me is confidence,” he said.
He expects to be in business by next summer.
“I’m taking the winter to get the finances together and to build an unstoppable plan,” Pawlak said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Earl Schmidt addresses the Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday after he was appointed to serve as new director of the Veterans Service Agency, replacing Paul Fulcomer, who is retiring.
ALBION – The new director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County served 23 years in the military, including combat in both the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.
Earl Schmidt of Ridgeway has worked the past 3 ½ years as an accredited veterans’ service officer with the Niagara County Veterans Service Agency. He will start on Dec. 7 as the director in Orleans County.
The County Legislature appointed him to the job today. He will succeed Paul Fulcomer, who has served in the position for 13 years.
“I wish to continue what has already been started with the Veterans Service Agency and I wish to strengthen it,” Schmidt told county legislators today.
Schmidt served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard for 23 years, retiring as sergeant first class; reconnaissance platoon sergeant. He earned 17 medals including a Bronze Star.
He is active with the American Legion as a service officer, the VFW and sits on the VFWNYS Department service officer’s committee as well as a member of the Iraqi Afghan Veterans of America.
Schmidt, during his comments to the County Legislature, recited a quote from Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1865: “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Schmidt said Lincoln’s words “are the backbone of all that I do.”
He will make helping veterans access their benefits the focus of the Veterans Serice Agency. He said the rules and regulations change frequently, and he is happy to help veterans work through the bureaucracy.
“There are benefits they may not even realize,” he said. “The laws change on a fairly consistent basis. My goal is the maximum benefit in the shortest amount of time.”
Schmidt and his wife Catherine have four children. He was welcomed today by legislators, including Legislature Chairman David Callard, who said the new director is a great addition.
“He’s very passionate about veterans’ issues and I’m sure his energy and dedication will make an immediate impact for our Orleans County veterans’ community,” Callard said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – After several months of effort, Orleans County officials have put together a tentative budget for 2016 that keeps the tax rate at $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The $64,435,941 budget plan filed Friday reduces spending by $579,325 from the $65,015,266 in 2015. In 2014, the last year the county owned a nursing home, the budget was $79.8 million. That year the tax rate was $10.11.
The county’s workforce has shrunk from 416 full-time and 164 part-time positions in 2014 to 318 full-time and 89 part-time for 2016.
County officials have pared other departments, and negotiated health insurance deals where employees pay more towards insurance. That has resulted in costs for salaries and benefits below what the county was paying in 2012 for non-nursing home departments, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.
He is also the budget officer and filed the tentative budget on Friday, before the Nov. 15 deadline. The County Legislature is expected to discuss the budget during its 4:30 p.m. meeting on Wednesday. The Legislature will also set a public hearing on Wednesday for the budget.
The tax rate will be unchanged, but the county will take in a slight increase in taxes. The tax levy will increase by 0.7 percent from $16,209,165 to $16,323,150. Property taxes represent about 25 percent of the revenue for funding the budget.
Sales tax also represents about a quarter of the revenue for the budget. After budgeting for no increases in 2014 and 2015, county officials are going to recommend another $250,000 in sales tax to $14,035,000.
“Weak gas prices and continued economic uncertainty causes us to look at this number with a great deal of caution,” Nesbitt says in his message with the tentative budget.
State reimbursements are also big revenue sources for the budget, but Nesbitt said the state has been slow with its share of the money, which often forces the county to use its reserve funds.
With the nursing home’s “enterprise fund” being closed out last month, some of those funds (over $2 million) will likely stay in the county’s fund balance to provide a bigger cash flow cushion. Some of the enterprise fund will also be set aside for workers’ compensation claims and a self-insurance fund.
The budget also accounts for a drop in welfare expenses as caseloads decrease and the county has more success with welfare fraud. There will also be a slight drop in community college expenses from $1,740,000 to $1,700,000 (county pays a third of tuition costs for residents from Orleans County).
Funding for agencies includes:
$232,500 for Cornell Cooperative Extension (requested $254,966) – $225,000 in 2015;
$166,500 for Economic Development Agency (requested $166,500) – $170,000 in 2015;
$77,500 for Soil and Water Conservation District (requested $85,000) – $75,000 in 2015;
$10,000 for four public libraries (requested $42,883) – $10,000 in 2015;
$5,000 for Mercy Flight (requested $5,000) – $5,000 in 2015;
* $5,000 for Friends of Mental Health (requested $5,000) – $0 in 2015;
* $3,000 for GO Art! (requested $5,000) – $3,000 in 2015;
* $1,000 for Sportsmen’s Federation (requested $1,000) – $1,000 in 2015.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 16 November 2015 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – Ken Strickland, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, competes in a new donut-eating contest at the fair last July. He competed against 4-H’ers and 4-H volunteers. Every contestant ate more donuts than Strickland. Deputy Jeff Cole also competed in one of the heats.
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair is getting some international attention for its first-ever donut-eating contest held during the fair in late July.
The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) has awarded the contest first place (fairs under 100,000 in attendance division) in the Competitive Exhibits (participatory contest) category of its annual contest program.
“This is the first time our fair has been recognized with an IAFE award and we’re all very excited,” says Robert Batt, Orleans County 4-H Youth Development Educator.
The award will be presented at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas Nov. 29-Dec. 2.
“Brandon Johnson will attend to represent our fair as he has for the last three years while looking for new exciting entertainment,” Batt said. “Our entry will also be put on a flash drive and shared along with all other winners with all member fairs in attendance at the IAFE annual convention.”
According to the IAFE website, the contest program awards, “display the level of professionalism we strive to uphold in the industry.”
The IAFE represents more than 1,000 fairs around the world.
Jason Clark, center, and Morgan Seielstad compete in a donut-eating contest. Contestants were challenged to eat six doughnuts.
The Donut Eating Contest was sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, which provided the donuts for the event. The event included heats involving three participants at a time who went head to head with a local law enforcement officer from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department to see who could consume the most donuts during a set period of time.
Participant and audience reactions were excellent, fair officials reported in their entry form for the award.
“Many people have already commented that they plan to participate again next year and we have a small number of sheriff’s deputies working on plans and strategies for next year,” the entry states.
The awards and convention bring recognition to the Orleans County 4-H Fair, and also help local fair planners make the Orleans County 4-H Fair an even better event.
“These awards allow our fair members to not only compete for top honors in the respective division, contest, and categories, but also give fair representatives the opportunity to network,” the IAFE website states. “Having the ability to learn from one another in the fair industry is priceless.”
Robert Batt agrees. “Hopefully Brandon (Johnson) comes back with some more news about potential acts and a thumb drive full of great ideas for us to think about.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The power has stayed on in Orleans County since fierce winds began whipping through the area on Thursday. This photo shows the American and POW/MIA flags by the Post Office in Albion on Thursday afternoon.
Dispatchers say trees or large branches have fallen since Thursday on West Road in Carlton, Hulberton Road in Murray, and Lyndonville Road in Ridgeway. Dispatchers say there have been no power outages from the wind.
Orleans and much of Western New York are under wind advisory until 3 p.m. today. Today is forecast for a high of 47 degrees with a chance of rain and the possibility of snow overnight.
Saturday will have a high of 43 with chance for rain/snow. Sunday will reach 56 and be mostly sunny, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Powerful winds are expected through Orleans County and much of Western New York today. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Orleans and much of WNY from 10 a.m. today until 1 p.m. on Friday.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo is calling it “a once in a 10-20 year storm system.” The storm will push northeast across the Upper Great Lakes today before making its way across Eastern Canada tonight and Friday, the Weather Service posted on its Facebook page.
“This cyclone will generate strong to potentially damaging winds across our region in the process, with the highest winds expected late today and tonight,” the Weather Service said.
The area will see winds from the southwest of between 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, and gale-force winds out on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the Weather Service said.
The strong winds will make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles, and could bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Orleans County officials gathered on Monday morning to cut the ribbon for a new bridge on Waterport-Carlton Road Bridge over Beardsley Creek. The new bridge replaced one from 1934, with the new bridge costing $486,606. C.P. Ward of Scottsville was contractor on the project. Those pictured, from left, include: John Papponetti, project manager for LaBella Associates; County Legislator John DeFilipps; County Legislator Fred Miller; County Legislature Chairman David Callard; County Highway Superintendent Jerry Gray; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; and Chris Bayer, structural engineer with LaBella.
CARLTON – A bridge on Waterport-Carlton Road from 1934 was replaced with a new one at a cost of nearly $500,000. The county celebrated the new bridge with a ribbon-cutting on Monday.
That project is the latest effort by Orleans County officials to upgrade its infrastructure. It is doing much of the work without any state or federal asisstance.
The county is also paying $322,935 this year to Redman Construction in Brockport to replace a bridge from 1968 in Barre on Oak Orchard Road over Manning Muckland Creek.
The county replaced two bridges last year, two culverts this year, and will do two more bridges and two more culverts next year, all to be paid with county dollars. The projects will cost about $5 million.
Many of those projects used to be funded 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent by the state with only a 5 percent local share. But the federal and state dollars have been hard to come by in recent years.
County officials worried the bridges would be closed due to deteriorating condition.
“The county is doing it’s part to repair our roads and bridges,” Legislature Chairman David Callard said.
He wants the state and federal governments to follow that example, particularly directing more resources to fix canal bridges. Some of those have weight limits less than 10 tons.
Local farmers have complained for several years that the weight-reduced or closed bridges force them to take long detours. It’s the same with fire trucks and school buses.
And now, with winter approaching, Callard said it could be the same dilemma for snow plow trucks.
“Our snow plows won’t be allowed over some of these bridges,” Callard said.
He has a meeting on Friday with state legislators to press the issue. Callard said he will be meeting with State Sen. Joe Robach of Rochester, who is chairman of the Transportation Committee in the State Senate. Callard said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt will also be part of the discussion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Staff at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and leaders of the Albion Correctional Facility gathered for a photo by the prison in Albion. The group includes, from left: Andy Ebbs, facilities manager for Community Action; Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action; Sheryl Zenzen, superintendent of Albion Correctional Facility; Duane Artus, deputy superintendent of administration for ACF; Patricia Assel, deputy superintendent of programs; Tom Colton, vocational supervisor; and Mike O’Connor, horticulture instructor.
ALBION – For more than a decade inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility have been growing vegetables and donating them to local food pantries.
In the peak harvest season in the summer, the inmates have about 200 to 300 pounds a week of vegetables, which may include cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, broccoli and cabbage.
The produce is available beginning in June with squash and lasts until November with broccoli and cabbage. Soon they will work on making wreaths for Christmas and the holidays.
About 3,000 to 4,000 pounds of produce are given to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which distributes it to food pantries in Albion, Medina and Holley. The steady source of fresh vegetables fills a need for the pantries in the summer and fall.
“It’s really a godsend because it helps so many people,” said Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action.
There are 40 inmates that work in the horticulture program, growing vegetables and flowers. Some of those flowers have been donated to the downtown business district in Albion.
“They’re doing things for others, which helps them move forward in their own lives,” said Sheryl Zenzen, superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility, which has about 1,000 female inmates.
Inmates and correctional facility staff last month also walked a 5K on the prison grounds and raised $1,400 for a domestic violence program.
The staff also are active in donating to the United Way and other charities through SEFA, the State Employees Federated Appeal.
Zenzen said Community Action has been a strong partner for the facility, providing inmates with a chance to learn job skills in an office setting, the Main Street Store and at special events.
Those skills will help the inmates find and keep jobs when they are released from prison, Zenzen said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This tree stands in front of the DAR House on North Main Street in Albion on Monday.
There may not be too many leaves left on the tree after high winds are forecast to hit the area on Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Orleans County and much of Western New York from 7 am. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Winds are forecast to be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 55 mph.
“This is expected to be a prolonged wind event with the strongest winds peaking from late in the day Thursday through Friday morning,” according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
