By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2015 at 12:00 am
The controversy over the wind turbine project, as well as contested races at the town and county level, brought a higher percentage of voters to the polls in Yates than any other town in Orleans County last Tuesday.
Yates has 1,466 registered voters and 736 cast ballots on Tuesday, for 50.2 percent of the registered voters. Countywide, the turnout was 38.2 percent.
One of the Yates races still isn’t over. Absentee ballots will be counted Tuesday at 9 a.m. to determine the winner of the town supervisor race. Incumbent John Belson received 352 votes on election day. Jim Simon, an anti-turbine candidate, ran a write-in campaign and is 14 votes behind Belson.
Yates also had races for Town Board seats, a local county legislator position, and the contentious county-wide sheriff race.
While Yates had the best turnout, neighboring Ridgeway had the fewest at 29.8 percent or 1,066 voters out of 3,579.
Here is a breakdown of turnout at the 10 towns.
Community
Voters
Registered
Percent Voted
Albion
1,230
3,147
39.1
Barre
566
1,219
46.4
Carlton
706
1,771
39.9
Clarendon
771
2,149
35.9
Gaines
743
1,800
41.3
Kendall
692
1,593
43.4
Murray
923
2,516
36.7
Ridgeway
1,066
3,579
29.8
Shelby
998
2,829
35.3
Yates
736
1,466
50.2
County
8,431
22,069
38.2
Source: Orleans County Board of Elections; Orleans Hub calculations.
Turnout was higher than in a typical local election but was down from a year ago in the gubernatorial election, when 9,742 people voted on Election Day in a race highlighted by Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino for governor.That was about 1,300 more than voted last Tuesday.
Bower won the sheriff’s election, 3,951 to 3,507 for Tom Drennan and 847 for Don Organisciak.
Drennan is from Kendall and the town had a bigger turnout at 43.4 percent than many other towns, even though Kendall had unopposed candidates at the town level. That was the same issue for Murray, Bower’s hometown, which had a turnout of 36.7 percent.
Besides the Yates town supervisor race, another close election will be determined Tuesday morning when absentees are counted in the Town of Albion. Darlene Benton has a 6-vote lead over Paul Fulcomer for a Town Board position.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 8 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Ariel Vinca chose to feature corn in her corn loaf recipe which was topped with fresh raspberries during a competition Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
KNOWLESVILLE – Participants in this year’s Grown in New York contest, sponsored by the Orleans County 4-H Leader’s Association, had the opportunity to demonstrate cooking, baking and menu planning skills during the annual event held Saturday at the Trolley Building on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The contest featured items grown or produced in New York State and demonstrators and those in attendance enjoyed samplings of the recipes prepared.
4-Hers from around Orleans County competed in Jr. Novice, Junior, Senior and Sr. Novice (based on age) divisions and were judged on their demonstration skills as well as the taste and nutritional value of the finished product.
Recipes featured fruits, meats, vegetables, grains and dairy products, and could be baked, cooked or prepared to eat raw, such as a salad. Evaluators observed demonstrators to look for techniques, organization and ability to prepare their recipe.
Additional evaluators tasted a finished product prepared at home to look for eye appeal, taste and to review the nutrition statement of the product.
Orleans County 4-Her Lauren Becht is evaluated as she prepares Mexican chicken and rice during the annual Grown in New York Competition Saturday at the Trolley Building. Demonstrators have about 30 minutes to prepare their entry during the silent food demonstration.
Participant Lauren Becht, 16, of Albion prepared Mexican chicken and rice featuring chicken she raised herself. She said she has been competing in Grown in New York for, “as long as I can remember. It’s a little nerve-wracking.”
She said she enjoys the competition. Lauren typically prepares a dessert item but wanted to try a savory main dish this year.
Orleans County 4-H member Saleya Williams prepares a Rustic Pear Tart featuring New York State pears.
Lilly Mathes, competing in the Junior Division, prepares her own homemade applesauce.
Apples were a featured ingredient in an apple salad prepared by Zac Albright.
Emma Mathes is evaluated as she begins to prepare carmel apple cheesecake.
Provided photos/Orleans-Niagara BOCES – Trevon Robinson of Medina, left, takes down Tyrellis Atkins (Medina) and Brent Oliver (Medina) starts a maneuver on James Ward.
Press Release Orleans-Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Students in Steve Browning’s and John Marotta’s Security and Law Enforcement program have been learning takedown and defense moves.
Retired Western New York police officer Joe Follendorf, who is an internationally recognized defensive tactics and firearms instructor, has been coming to the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center to show students how to protect themselves from being overtaken by a criminal and how to get the upper hand in a physical confrontation.
“We are very thankful to Mr. Follendorf for coming to work with the class,” says Mr. Marotta. “He has a very distinguished career as an Assistant SWAT Team Commander, Firearms Training Officer, Physical Force Instructor and adjunct academy instructor.”
Mr. Marotta says he and Mr. Browning have been teaching their students how important it is to know how to stand and get leverage when a suspect attacks them.
“They have to know that if the suspect gets the upper hand he could potentially kill you,” Mr. Marotta says. “To know these tactics could make the difference between life or death.”
Teacher Steven Browning shows Raeanne Lefever (Newfane) and Lindsay Fulwell (Medina) a takedown.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Tom Drennan won four of the 10 towns in Orleans County on Tuesday, including a huge advantage in his home town of Kendall. Drennan had 290 more votes than Randy Bower in that town.
However, Bower won six of the 10 towns, and had big leads in Murray and Clarendon. Bower topped Drennan by 334 votes in Murray (Bower’s hometown) and by 257 in Clarendon.
Bower won county-wide by 444 votes, 3,951 to 3,507 for Drennan. Don Organisciak had 847 votes, running as a Democrat.
Here is the voter breakdown in each of the 10 towns:
Town
Bower
Drennan
Organisciak
Albion
583
515
120
Barre
281
225
46
Carlton
347
307
48
Clarendon
481
224
52
Gaines
320
342
71
Kendall
181
471
36
Murray
603
269
50
Ridgeway
433
439
182
Shelby
352
454
172
Yates
370
261
70
Total
3,951
3,507
847
Source: Orleans County Board of Elections
The strong support in Murray and Clarendon was critical in Bower’s election. Murray was his most supportive town with 65.4 percent of the votes, 603 out of 922 cast for sheriff. He received 63.5 percent of the vote in Clarendon.
Bower received 47.6 percent overall in the county running under the Republican and Conservative lines.
Drennan wasn’t too far behind with 42.2 percent of the vote under the Independence and Reform lines. Drennan had strong support in Kendall, receiving 68.5 percent of the vote. That was the most dominant showing in a town for any of the candidates.
Drenann also won Shelby by 102 votes over Bower and had narrow leads in Ridgeway and Gaines.
Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, received 10.2 percent of the vote for sheriff countywide. He had his best showings in Shelby, 17.6 percent; and Ridgeway, 17.3 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, right, and Chris Bourke celebrate late on Tuesday night after Bower won the sheriff’s election. Bourke, a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Department, is Bower’s choice to serve as undersheriff.
HOLLEY – Randy Bower celebrated a stunning victory for Orleans County sheriff on Tuesday night with many of his co-workers who are dispatchers, deputies, and corrections officers at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Bower, 50, has been a public safety dispatcher for 29 years. On Jan. 1, he will be the new Orleans County sheriff, succeeding Scott Hess who is retiring.
Bower topped Tom Drennan, 3,951 votes to 3,507, with Don Organisciak getting 847.
Drennan has been chief deputy for nine years and a 23-year member of the Sheriff’s Department. He ran a campaign on “Experience Matters.” He had support from past sheriffs and key leaders in the law enforcement community and Republican Party.
Bower had the backing from most of the deputies and the unions in the department. They wore red shirts, “Bower for Sheriff,” and they were highly visible at community parades and events in support of Bower.
“I think the people are ready for a change,” Bower said after the results came in Tuesday night. “Now we have to go to work for the people of Orleans County.”
Bower gained more momentum after forcing a Republican Primary and winning by 21 votes over Drennan on Sept. 10. Bower also had the Conservative Party line.
Randy Bower and his supporters had a big presence in Lyndonville during the Fourth of the July parade.
Drennan stayed in the race on the Independence and Reform lines, while the Democrats backed Organisciak.
Bower said he will be the “People’s Sheriff.” He said he reached across party lines, including to Democrats, and attended numerous community events the past 10 months. He intends to keep up that pace in the community.
He recently met with church leaders at predominantly black congregations, including the Royal Church of God in Christ in Carlton, Glad Tidings Baptist Church in Medina, and The Lord’s House in Waterport.
Bower was joined by Lt. Chris Bourke, Bower’s choice for undersheriff, at many of the community events and church visits.
“We felt these are people who feel ignored and we want to reach out to all people,” Bourke said at the Bower election headquarters at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. “All people in the county should be involved in the process.”
Bower and Bourke have worked together for nearly 30 years. When Bower decided to run for sheriff, courting town and county Republican Committee members in the spring, he reached out to Bourke for undersheriff.
They ran as a team. Bourke said he was confident Bower could be an effective sheriff back in the spring when they began the campaign. Bower’s work ethic and optimism over a grueling campaign has Bourke even more confident the new sheriff will be a a strong leader.
Bower named team leaders for the campaign, and challenged them to get 21 people out to vote on Tuesday. The goal was originally 20, but Bower raised it to 21. That was his margin of victory in the Republican Primary.
Randy Bower leads a meeting of supporters in August at the St. Mary’s Athletic Club in Albion.
Bower led frequent campaign rallies, but they were also work meetings, where he gave tasks to his campaign volunteers and discussed his strategy for sharing the campaign message and getting out the vote.
Dennis Piedimonte, an election commissioner, has known Bower since he was a kid. Piedimonte was impressed with Bower’s skills during the campaign.
“He is organized,” Piedimonte said. “He knows how to motivate people.”
Bower has been paralyzed from the waist down since he was in a car accident at age 18. He hasn’t let the accident keep him from an active life.
He said he lives a blessed life with his wife Robin and their two grown children, Jessica and Jacob.
Bower said during the campaign he loved his job as a dispatcher. But he felt compelled to lead the department. His plan includes more community policing, particularly for the rural schools in Kendall and Lyndonville.
Bower also said he will push for drug treatment programs in the county jail. That message connected with many residents, Bower said, because so many families have felt the pain of a loved one battling drug addictions.
“We got to help them,” Bower said Tuesday night. “They are our people.”
Bower is a high-energy person, who led a turnaround as Holley’s girls basketball coach a few years when his daughter played. The team went from winless to the playoffs.
Bower said he has support from the employees for his vision for the department. Many of the deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers actively campaigned for him.
“We’ll set a pace,” Bower said. “They know my philosophy and they’ll work for me.”
Bower had a busy Tuesday, driving to all 10 towns. When he got out of his vehicle, he said many passing motorists waved and gave him honks of support. He was warmly greeted with handshakes while making stops throughout the county.
Jim Halstead, a retired deputy, worked with Bower for 20 years. Halstead said the department will rally behind Bower.
“He’s going to be an outstanding leader,” Halstead said. “He’s not going to be distracted by the pride thing.”
Halstead also worked with Bourke, who was Halstead’s shift supervisor. Bourke is a respected manager in the department, Halstead said.
“He makes you feel like you’re working with him,” Halstead said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Here are the unofficial results for the town elections, with 40 of the 40 polling places in Orleans County reporting. Some of the races are too close to call until the absentee ballots are opened next Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Orleans County
Sheriff – Randy Bower: 3,951
Sheriff – Tom Drennan: 3,507
Sheriff – Don Organisciak: 847
County Coroner – Rocky Sidari: 5,983
Orleans County Legislature
At-Large (west) – David Callard: 5,413
At-Large (central) – Don Allport: 4,543
At-Large (central) – James White: 2,244
At-Large (east) – John DeFilipps: 5,285
District 1 – Bill Eick: 1,457
District 2 – Lynne Johnson: 1,147
District 2 – Paul Lauricella: 552
District 3 – Fred Miller: 1,123
District 4 – Ken DeRoller: 1,566
Town of Albion
Town Supervisor – Matt Passarell: 844
Town Councilman – Anthony Jake Olles: 803 Town Councilman – Darlene Benton: 526
Town Councilman – Paul Fulcomer: 520
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Tom Drennan is pictured directing traffic on Route 98 in Albion in August during the Metro 10, a 10-mile race. After a 23-year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Drennan said he will retire.
ALBION – After a close election defeat on Tuesday, Tom Drennan said he will retire “with my head held high.”
Drennan posted a statement on Facebook, thanking his supporters and saying he looks forward to the future.
“We will take a few days to regroup and then move on,” he wrote on Facebook this morning. “As I look out the window I see a beautiful sunrise. Just like we knew there would be.”
Drennan, the chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Office the past nine years, lost to Randy Bower in the race for sheriff, 3,951 to 3,507. Bower received 47.6 percent of the vote on the Republican and Conservative lines.
Drennan ran under the Independence and Reform party lines and received 3,507 votes or 42.2 percent of the total.
Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, was backed by the Democratic Party and received 847 votes or 10.2 percent.
Drennan said he ran on his qualification in an “Experience Matters” campaign. He was challenged within the Sheriff’s Office by Bower, a public safety dispatcher the past 29 years.
“#1 I am a cop and not a politician,” Drennan said in a Facebook post last night. “Tonight the people of Orleans County spoke and they want to be led by a politician. I wish them the best.”
Many of the deputies, corrections officers and staff in the Sheriff’s Office openly campaigned for Bower, although Drennan also had many supporters in the department.
“To the satisfaction of some at the OCSO I will be retiring soon,” Drennan said. “I have had a great career and will be walking out with my head held high and it will be someone else problem to figure out.”
He thanked the community for a rewarding career.
“To the residents of Orleans County it has been an honor and privilege to serve and protect the past 23+ years,” he wrote. “As one door closes another door opens. I wish all of you safety and happiness in the future.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Albion voters can cast their ballots at the Hoag Library, one of the polling locations in Orleans County. To see a list of polling locations, click here.
A hard-fought campaign for Orleans County sheriff will conclude today when residents go to the polls and pick among three candidates: Don Organisciak, a Democrat; Randy Bower, a Republican and Conservative; and Tom Drennan, who is backed by the Independence and Reform parties.
It has been a contentious race going back to the spring. Drennan, the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, was endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Committee on May 7.
However, Bower, a public safety dispatcher, mounted an aggressive charge during the summer and won the Republican Primary on Sept. 10 over Drennan by 21 votes, 1,671 to 1,650. Bower has been highly visible at community events in recent months, from church chicken dinners to the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Drennan has stayed in the race and also has been showing no signs of let up before Election Day with meet-and-greet events as recently as Sunday in Carlton.
Organisciak is a retired Medina police officer and investigator. He is currently a part-time Medina school bus driver. He, too, held meet-and-greet events last week and has attended numerous community festivals and events since the summer.
The sheriff’s race isn’t the only county contest on the ballot today.
Two incumbent county legislators have opposition. Republican Don Allport faces a challenge from James White, a 21-year-old Democrat, for a county-wide legislator position from the central towns. Republican Lynne Johnson is challenged by Paul Lauricella, vice chairman of the County Conservative Party, for a District 2, which includes Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby.
Other county candidates are unopposed, including David Callard for at-large legislator (west); E. John DeFilipps for at-large legislator (east); William Eick for District 1 (Barre, Clarendon and most of Shelby); Fred Miller for District 3 (Albion and Gaines); and Kenneth DeRoller for District 4 (Kendall, Murray and Carlton).
A county coroner, Rocky Sidari of Albion, also is on the ballot. The former Albion fire chief is unopposed and backed by the Republican, Conservative and Reform parties.
Here is how the Hoag Library main meeting room looked at about 7 a.m. today, with several spots set up for voters to cast their ballots.
The candidates for town positions include:
Albion
Matthew Passarell (R,C) is unopposed for town supervisor and Sarah Basinait (R, D) is unopposed for town clerk. There is a three-way battle for two Town Board positions. Darlene Benton, a Democrat, joins the ballot with Republican Paul Fulcomer and Anthony (Jake) Olles, who is backed by the Democrats and Republicans.
Michael Neidert and Jed Standish are vying for highway superintendent. Neidert is backed by the Democrats and Republicans. He won a Republican primary over Standish, who is running under the Reform and “All In For Albion” independent party.
Barre
There is a race for town supervisor with incumbent Mark Chamberlain, a Republican, challenged by Cyndy Van Lieshout, a Democrat. Republicans have backed Larry Gaylard and Sean Pogue for Town Board, and Democrats are challenging them with Joe Grabowski and Richard Bennett, a former county legislator.
Dale Brooks is unopposed for highway superintendent after winning a Republican primary. Maureen Beach (R, D) is unopposed for town clerk.
Carlton
The Republican candidates are unopposed on the ballot, including Gayle Ashbery for town supervisor; John Fitzak and Dana Woolston for Town Board (4-year terms); Marcus Coville for Town Board (2-year term); and Patricia Russell for town justice. Frank Lauta is mounting a write-in campaign for Town Board.
Clarendon
There is a three-way race for highway superintendent. Larry Swanger, the incumbent, won a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 with four candidates. Swanger is on the ballot today with the Republican, Independence and Reform lines. He is challenged by Tracy Bruce Chalker (Conservative, Labor Force) and Frederick K. Seeman III (A & K Party).
The other Republican candidates are all unopposed, including Richard Moy for town supervisor, Thomas M. DiFante and Kevin Rombaut for town justices, William Campbell and Allen Robinson for town councilman, and Susan Colby for town clerk.
Gaines
The Republican Town Board candidates – Carol Culhane for town supervisor, and Mary Neilans and Richard DeCarlo for councilmen – are challenged by a Democratic Party team including Patrick Swiercznski for town supervisor, and Bill Lattin and Pete Toenniessen for councilmen. Ron Mannella is unopposed for highway superintendent and is running with five political party lines.
Kendall
It’s quiet in the Kendall town elections with the candidates all unopposed, including Anthony Cammarata for town supervisor, Barbara Flow and Margaret Lynn Szozda for Town Council, and Warren Kruger for highway superintendent.
Murray
The candidates are all unopposed including John Morriss for town supervisor, and Lloyd Christ and Edwin Bower for councilmen.
Ridgeway
Town Supervisor Brian Napoli and Town Justice Joseph Kujawa are unopposed. Three people are seeking two spots on the Town Board, including Mary Woodruff and Sarah Fisher, who have the Republican line. Incumbent Paul Blajszczak is running under the independent “Badger Party.”
Shelby
The big race in Shelby is for highway superintendent, with incumbent Michael Fuller challenged by Ed Houseknecht, the former county highway superintendent and Medina Department of Public Works superintendent. Fuller has the Republican, Independence and Reform party lines, while Houseknecht is backed by the Conservative Party.
The other Shelby candidates are unopposed, including Merle “Skip” Draper for town supervisor; Kenneth Schaal, Jr. and Dale Stalker for Town Council; Dawn Keppler for town justice; and Darlene Rich for town clerk.
Yates
After winning a close Republican primary for town supervisor, incumbent John Belson faces a write-in campaign from Jim Simon. There is also a three-way contest for two town council positions. Wesley Bradley and John Riggi are backed by the Republican Party and Glenn Maid is running with the Conservative Party. Town Clerk Michele Harling and Highway Superintendent Roger Wolfe are unopposed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Randy Bower was elected the new Orleans County sheriff today, over Tom Drennan and Don Organisciak, ending a hard-fought race that saw Bower come back to win after missing out on the Republican Party endorsement in May.
Bower had the Conservative line and then won the Republican primary over Drennan in September. The primary was close and went to the absentees. Bower would win by 21 votes.
But today, Bower had more distance between Drennan, 3,951 to 3,507. Retired Medina police officer and investigator Don Organisciak was backed by the Democrats and received 847 votes or 10.2 percent of the total.
There are about 450 absentee ballots. Bower has a 444-vote lead.
Orleans Hub will have more on the race later.
Here are other unofficial results of key local races:
Orleans County Legislature: Lynne Johnson: 1,147
Paul Lauricella: 552
Don Allport: 4,543
James White: 2,244
Town of Albion Highway Michael Neidert: 845
Jed Standish: 340
Albion Town Board (elect 2) Jake Olles: 803 Darlene Benton: 526
Paul Fulcomer: 520
Barre town supervisor Mark Chamberlain: 322
Cyndy Van Lieshout: 229
Barre Town Board (elect 2) Larry Gaylard: 298 Richard Bennett: 285
Sean Pogue: 268
Joe Grabowski: 201
Clarendon highway superintendent Larry Swanger: 453
Tracy Bruce Chalker: 232
Frederick Seeman: 58
Gaines town supervisor Carol Culhane: 432
Patrick Swiercznski: 252
Gaines Town Board (elect 2) Mary Neilans: 445 Richard DeCarlo: 361
Bill Lattin: 347
Pete Toenniessen: 209
Ridgeway Town Board (elect 2) Mary Woodruff: 706 Sarah Fisher: 656
Paul Blajszczak: 208
Shelby highway superintendent Michael Fuller: 601
Ed Houseknecht: 361
Yates town supervisor John Belson: 352
Jim Simon: 338
Yates Town Board (elect 2) John Riggi: 457 Wes Bradley: 412
Glenn Maid: 310
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Nearly 700,000 pageviews for news site during month
Photo by Tom Rivers – A fire broke out at a farmhouse for six year-round employees at Watt farms on Oct. 24. The damage was extensive and the building will have to be knocked down.
Orleans Hub had one of its biggest months for traffic in October with 682,735 pageviews, a daily average of 22,074. We also averaged 6,906 daily unique visitors, which was also one of our best months since the Orleans Hub started in April 2013.
The election has sparked reader interest, particularly with letters to the editor. We had 33,219 pageviews for the letters last month, or just over 1,000 each day.
Crime and a big fire at a historic farmhouse were among the top stories of the month. However, an article about a gravestone donated to Hillside Cemetery in Holley for Lillian Bentham, a survivor of The Titanic, proved very popular with readers.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Brigden Memorials in Albion donated this garve marker for Lillian Bentham, who survived The Titanic. Two men form Holley perished when the ship sank in April 1912.
Here are the five most popular stories from October (the ones with the most “clicks”).
Sports had its second-biggest month ever with 37,204 pageviews, with coverage highlighted by the playoffs. However, the top sports story of the month was a feature on a new Wall of Fame for Medina varsity football players. (Click here to see “‘Pinky’ Loughlin Memorial Wall of Fame to induct first members Friday.”)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Main Street clock in Albion is pictured after dusk on Friday.
ALBION – Tonight is the end of Daylight Savings Time and people should turn their clocks back an hour.
The American Red Cross also reminds people to take simple steps to make sure their household is prepared for emergencies.
“It’s important for everyone to make sure their household is ready,” said Chuck Marra, executive director of the Western New York Chapter. “A disaster like a home fire can happen anywhere, at any time. We urge people to take these steps now and know what they should do if an emergency occurs.”
Check smoke alarm batteries. When turning the clocks ahead, take a few minutes to replace the smoke alarm batteries and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide detectors.
Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
Get a kit. Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.
Make a plan. Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.
Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bill Lattin signs a copy of his new book, “Halloween Pictures and Pranks,” for Albion resident Kim Pritt during a book launch party and photo exhibit this evening at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.
Lattin retired last Dec. 31 as Orleans County historian. He has been working on the book about Halloween, and includes submitted photos and essays of recollections and pranks from local residents.
Lattin also shares some personal photos, including one of him dressed as Tootsie for Halloween. He also divulges some of his own tricks during Halloween.
Lattin and organizers of the event at Pullman encouraged people to attend in costume, and Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, dressed as a historical marker, noting that Lattin had written another book about local history.
The book launch party included a presentation by Joe Struble, retired archivist from the George Eastman House. He shared some historic photos about Halloween from the Eastman House collection.
The book is available for $10. It can be purchased from Bindings Bookstore and the Pullman church in Albion. Proceeds from sales of the book go the Pullman Memorial Repair and Restoration Building Fund.
A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and additional support from businesses and sponsors helped make the book possible.
One of the images in the book shows this group at a Halloween party in 1943. Front row: Cary Lattin (standing), John Larwood, Avis Lattin, Robert Brown, Katherine Church, Fred Miller, William Phillips. Seated on floor: Ward Wilson. 2nd row: Jean Jackson, Geraldine Larwood, Doris Phillips, Dorothy Miller, Agnes Wilson, Angie Brown, Grace Phillips. 3rd row: Albert Mason, Ruth Mason, Marcus Phillips, John Jackson, Sanford B. Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Some of the turbines that peak at about 400 feet high are pictured in Sheldon, Wyoming County. The turbines proposed for Yates and Somerset would reach 570 feet high.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators may be taking a wait-and-see approach with a proposed wind energy project in Yates and Somerset, but the county officials aren’t holding back their opinions on the loss of local control in deciding the fate of the project.
“Every New Yorker should be outraged with Albany stepping on local governments,” said Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines.
The state has previously allowed the local governments to have the final say with wind turbines, landfills and other projects.
But the state has created a Siting Committee for large-scale wind turbine projects, including the proposed “Lighthouse Wind” from Apex Clean Energy in Yates and Somerset.
The seven-member Siting Committee is to include two members from the local project area. The committee will be chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.
State officials have five of the seven votes.
“People should be outraged that Albany can sit there and dictate what goes into a town or village,” Allport said at Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. “Every citizen in New York, regardless of where they live, should be outraged.”
The Town of Albion likely wouldn’t have been able to stop Waste Management from building an 80-acre landfill in the late 1990s if the state had changed “home rule” and didn’t give the localities the final say in the process, Allport said.
The Legislature expects to pass a formal resolution condemning the state’s shift in the Article X process, giving the final vote to the Siting Committee. Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county will try to get all 10 towns and four villages in the county to pass similar resolutions.
“The Orleans County Legislature will take on the fight,” Callard said. “We’re going to take on the fight because really it’s a matter of principle and it affects the towns and villages.”
Callard and the Legislature have declined to weigh in on the Apex project specifically. Callard wants to see the results of a town-wide survey on the wind project before the Legislature votes whether to support or oppose it.
The Niagara County Legislature passed a formal resolution against the project after a survey by the Town of Somerset showed strong opposition to the project.
Yates officials are working with a member from Save Ontario Shores, a citizens group opposed to the wind turbines, and Apex Wind Energy on the survey. SOS did its own survey earlier this month and found 77.9 percent of the 421 respondents opposed the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – This photo is looking south on Waterport Road from Stillwater Road on Wednesday, when it was raining for most of the day.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory today for Orleans County and much of Western New York. The advisory is in effect until 11 p.m.
Southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 mph, are expected. The strong winds could make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and could take down tree limbs, resulting in power outages.
Today is forecast for a high of 52 degrees with showers likely.
This photo shows Clarks Mills Road, a dirt road in Carlton along Oak Orchard River, during the rain on Wednesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Don Organisciak
HOLLEY – William Murphy, the former Holley chief who worked at small and large police departments in a 30-year law enforcement career, would be Don Organisciak’s first choice for undersheriff, the candidate for sheriff said on Wednesday.
Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, is endorsed by the Democratic Party in the Nov. 3 election for sheriff. He faces Randy Bower (Republican and Conservative lines) and Tom Drennan, who is running under the Reform and Independence lines.
Bower has said Chris Bourke, a lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office, would serve as undersheriff and Drennan last week said Brett Sobieraski, a sergeant with the Rochester Police Department and a Kent resident, would serve in the role if Drennan is elected.
Murphy, an Albion native, started his career with Holley in 1985. He went on to work at the Albion, Rochester and Greece police departments and then retired. However, he took the opportunity to return to Holley as police chief about 7 ½ years ago.
He led the department with 10 part-time officers until Sept. 1.
“He would be my first call,” Organisciak said about Murphy.
The sheriff candidate said Murphy’s experience with small, medium and large departments would be an asset. Murphy has been an officer and worked in management, Organisciak said.
“He has a good background,” Organisciak said. “If I had to leave the office or go out of town, I would feel comfortable leaving him in charge.”
Organisciak has said the election should be about the sheriff. However, he wants the public to know if he is elected he will have a qualified and experienced undersheriff in the post.
“I want someone I can trust, someone with a level head, someone who can communicate with the staff and the citizens, and Bill can do that,” Organisciak said.
