ALBION – The county is moving forward with several infrastructure and capital projects, including the replacement of the roof on the Public Safety Building.

The County Legislature approved a bid on Wednesday to replace the roof at a cost not to exceed $476,820. The Public Safety Building has a large flat roof. It is prone to leaks and the project should not be delayed, said Legislator Bill Eick.

“It’s at the point where we have to do something and we will do it,” Eick said during Wednesday’s Legislature meeting.

The Legislature last October approved an $8 million bond to work on replacing bridges, culverts, roofs and other infrastructure work.

Most of that money, about $5 million, will go towards replacing six bridges from 2015 to 2017. The county is moving forward with some of the projects after getting little state and federal dollars for bridges. Another state and federal funding cycle doesn’t come up until 2017.

The bond will also provide funding for projects at the county buildings, including the roof replacement at the Public Safety Building. That contract was approved for Garland/DBS, a company from Cleveland, Ohio.

Legislators also approved spending $48,814 from the Capital Project Infrastructure Account on Wednesday for a natural gas emergency generator from Southworth-Milton CAT, Inc. in Boston, Ma.

The Legislature also approved engineering agreements for culvert and bridge projects. Labella Associates in Rochester will be paid up to $96,000 for engineering and design work for the Oak Orchard Road Bridge over Manning Muckland Creek in Barre, up to $80,000 for work on Waterport Carlton Road Bridge over Beardsly Creek in Carlton, and up to $40,000 for work on two culverts in Ridgeway on Knowlesville Road over an Oak Orchard River tributary.

The county also approved an agreement with the state Department of Transportation for replacing the Hulberton Road Bridge over the west branch of Sandy Creek in the Town of Murray. That project will be $1,338,900. The county share will be $66,945 with the state and federal governments paying the rest. This is one of the few bridge projects in the county with the federal and state contributions.

Dr. Clark Godshall

MEDINA – The 13 school districts in the Orleans-Niagara BOCES have shrunk from about 44,000 students eight years ago to 36,000 today, a result of a low birth rates locally and an out migration of residents, Dr. Clark Godshall, BOCES superintendent, told the Medina Board of Education on Tuesday.

However, the BOCES program has grown during that time from 1,400 students to 1,600 currently.

BOCES has career and technical centers in Medina and Sanborn with a 99 percent graduation rate, Godshall said.

“We have a 100 percent job placement in some of our programs,” he said. “You have a set of skills in your back pocket.”

BOCES continues to assess its programs to make sure students are learning skills that are needed in the local workplace. That has resulted in expanded welding and culinary programs, and a push for more STEM (science technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Godshall said some of shrinking school districts are sharing programs and staff to maintain programs for students.

“It has implications on how small can we get,” he said about the shrinking schools.

The rate of reduction has slowed and Godshall believes school districts will soon see their enrollments level off without more significant decline.

County Legislature honors first responders, dispatchers in March 21 shoot-out

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Deputy James DeFilipps (right), who was wounded in a March 21 shoot-out in Clarendon, made a public appearance today at the Orleans County Legislature, joining other law enforcement officers, first responders and dispatchers in accepting “Special Recognition” awards from the Legislature.

DeFilipps is pictured with deputies Brian Larkin, left, and Kevin Colonna.

DeFilipps was shot twice in the abdomen. A bullet proof vest blocked the bullets, but DeFilipps sustained deep bruising in his torso. He is recovering from those injuries.

He was shot twice by James Ellis, 44, of Wyoming County. Ellis allegedly pulled a handgun on an ex-girlfriend in Shelby on March 21. Ellis was then chased by law enforcement before crashing his vehicle into a telephone pole on Route 31A in Clarendon.

DeFilipps was working the east end of the county and responded to the scene in Clarendon. Police say Ellis open fired on responding officers, including DeFilipps. After DeFilipps was shot twice, he fired at Ellis, killing him.

Evidence from the incident will be presented to a grand jury to review the actions by DeFilipps and law enforcement. DeFilipps declined to speak extensively about the incident until the grand jury is done reviewing the case.

He said he looks forward to offering “a huge thank to the community” for its support.

The Legislature honored police, firefighters and dispatchers involved the incident, including from left: Deputy Kevin Colonna, State Police Trooper Kevin Bentley, Deputy Brian Larkin, State Police Trooper Scott Gregson, Holley Police Officer Guy Burke, County Legislator Lynne Johnson, Deputy James DeFilipps, County Legislator Ken DeRoller, Albion Police Sergeant William Scribner, Orleans County Dispatcher Julie Vendetti, Dispatcher Michael Schultz, and Jon DeYoung, fire chief for the Clarendon Fire Company.

Orleans County Sheriff Deputy Josh Narburgh also was recognized, but he was not present at the meeting today.

The “Special Recognition Award” stated the following: “At a moments notice, First Responders risk their own safety in the execution of their duties to protect others. Courageous men and women are the first to arrive and assist at an emergency scene and are our first line of defense against all public safety threats.

“On the 22nd of April 2015, we do hereby recognize your devotion to duty and unwavering commitment to our fellow citizens, specifically in the early morning hours of March 21, 2015. Orleans County is fortunate to have such excellent and distinguished Responders who are ready to quickly react and assist in times of emergency and crisis.”

The certificates were signed by all seven county legislators: David Callard, Lynne Johnson, John DeFilipps, Don Allport, Bill Eick, Fred Miller and Ken DeRoller.

Orleans and several other counties in New York have falling sales tax revenues for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same time in 2014, the New York Association of Counties is reporting.

The sales tax money is a critical source of revenue that pays for services and eases pressure on property taxes.

There are 62 counties in the state and 33 collected less in sales tax in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014. Of these counties, 12 saw their collections drop by more than 5 percent. Orleans County had a tiny drop. It went from $3,617,157 to $3,614,715 in the first quarter.

Outside of New York City, the average change per county was -0.9 percent, NYSAC reported. New York City had an increase of 1.2 percent in sales tax revenue.

Overall, the state sales tax collections were up from $2.87 billion to $2.95 billion. However, the counties’ share was a much smaller increase, from $1,714,967,327 to $1,718,676,745.

It is not clear what the reason for the sharp drop off for some counties, but there are two major factors that may be contributing to these numbers, said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. He cited the harsh winter and gasoline prices that were 32 percent lower in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.

“Sale tax collections are an important economic indicator,” Acquario said. “These taxes have a direct relationship to consumer confidence and the general direction of the economy measured during a certain period of time. As property taxes remain flat across the state, sales taxes are even more important to local governments trying to continue essential governmental services. This quarterly distribution continues to demonstrate volatility and uneven collections across the state.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Job Development Agency is continuing a summer work program for people between the ages of 16 and 24, a program the county has been running the past 40 years.

The initiative places qualified participants in private and government positions for summer work experience. The Job Development Agency is accepting applications for this subsidized employment program. Participants must fall under income and other eligibility guidelines.

More than 30 local businesses and government agencies are partners in the employment program, including The Arc of Orleans, Arnold’s Auto Parts, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Olde Dogge Inn, Kendall Highway Department, Shelridge Country Club, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, Saint-Gobain ADFORS, Cobblestone Country FCU, and many others.

“Our staff observed (our 2014 youth employee) grow in people- and time-management skills and she was successful in finding a job in her career field of choice after the program,” said Jennifer Wagester, program director for the Cornell Cooperative Extension. “We look forward to hosting another youth employee this year.”

Job Development is proud to assist in the employment of 30 to 40 young men and women, each of whom benefit not only from the job opportunity, but also from the comprehensive experience, which includes career exploration, financial literacy, leadership development and many other complementary program components and supportive services.

“The work program is a good fit for both us as the employer and the participant,” said Daniel DeCarlo of Arnold’s Auto Parts in Albion. “The young man we have now is a good worker and a pleasure to be around. We are able to give him more job duties every week.”

For more information or to request an application, contact Job Development at 585-589-2822 or 589-2823. Applications are available at Orleans County high school guidance offices and at the Job Development office in the County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion (across from DMV).

A downloadable pdf of the application and a list of required documents are available at orleansny.com. Also, Job Development will be on hand for Community Action’s Annual Community Job Fair on Friday, May 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 South Main St., Albion.

File photo – GCC’s Civil War Re-enactment returns April 24-26 for the final time. This photo shows re-enactors from the Confederate States of America firing on the Union soldiers during last year’s encampment and mock battle.

ALBION – The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting at its Albion campus last week, and the college highlighted several efforts in the county. The board also heard from students and staff about the college experience at the campus centers in Albion and Medina.

James J. Simon, Associate Dean of the two campus centers, reported that GCC served 712 Orleans County students over the last year, with 316 of these students participated in courses offered in Albion and Medina.

Each of the two campus centers has been developing informal academic specialties over the last several years, Simon said. Albion has specialized in Art, Business, Criminal Justice, Office Technology, and Spanish courses, while Medina has specialized in Human Services, Biology and Chemistry courses. The Medina Center has a multi-disciplinary science lab, he noted.

Both campus centers emphasize service to the community. Simon cited GCC’s driving courses, OSHA courses, field placements, service learning, GO-ART gallery (located at the Albion Center), Heritage Heroes awards, and Civil War encampments as examples of initiatives that have served numerous area residents.

The third annual Civil War Encampment at the Medina Campus Center is scheduled for April 24 – 26, 2015 featuring demonstrations, exhibits, reenactments, camps, workshops and the Victorian Cotillion with City Fiddle performing. (Visit https://civilwaratgcc.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/encampment-schedule_2015_final.pdf to see the schedule of events.)

Edward J. Grabowski is a GCC alum (class of 1973), GCC adjunct faculty member, former Shelby town justice, and local attorney. He commented on the impact of the Albion and Medina campus centers on area students.

“A lot of our faculty members have experience and knowledge from life, and GCC does a great job bringing real-world experience and the classroom experience together,” he told GCC trustees.

Grabowski also praised GCC’s use of instructional technology, noting that online courses and video-linked courses make higher education available to many students whose schedules prevent them from attending traditional classroom-based courses.

Two students who have completed several courses at the Albion and Medina centers described their experiences.

Christine A. Chennell of Albion, who is planning a career in Veterinary Technology, spoke about dropping out of college at a young age and coming back to GCC as an older student.

“Life happens. I found myself as a single parent, trying to support my child,” she said. “Now, it was 15 years after I dropped out of UB [The University at Buffalo], in my second marriage, out of a job, and I realized I liked helping people. I thought, why not a Human Services degree? But the idea really scared me. I didn’t think I could do it. I passed by the campus center a million times.”

She eventually decided to begin her studies on a part-time basis, and found out that she could excel in the classroom. She praised GCC faculty who, she said, gave her the knowledge and inspiration to excel.

“They are really awesome,” she said.

Keith McKinney also addressed the GCC trustees. After completing 27 ½ years of active duty in the U.S. Army, McKinney moved to Lyndonville with his wife and decided to pursue his dream of becoming a history or political science teacher.

The transition was challenging at first.

“I had spent years in the military and I was a very dedicated soldier, but walking into college I was scared to death,” he said. “I was older than many students and some of the instructors. But I felt welcomed by everyone.”

McKinney also praised the faculty.

“These are the best educators I have ever met in my life,” he said.

David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, welcomed the Board of Trustees to the Albion Campus Center.

Callard told trustees that he and the Legislature appreciate GCC’s service to Orleans County residents and hope for even greater collaboration between the college and the county in the years ahead.

“Education is the greatest gift we can give,” he told trustees.

He said he intends to make transportation to and from Batavia via Routes 98 and 63 a priority project in the next year.

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
ALBION – A corrections officer in the Orleans Correctional facility had an unknown liquid thrown at him by an inmate three days after a similar incident at Attica Correctional Facility, according to the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

The union said an inmate at Attica Correction Facility is facing criminal and disciplinary charges after taking a water bucket and throwing an unknown liquid on correction officers who were attempting to deliver his meal.

The Attica incident occurred on April 7 at approximately 4:15 p.m. Two officers were handing out meals to inmates on a unit at the maximum security facility. When they approached inmate Jeramias Santiago’s cell, they attempted to give him his meal tray through a hatch on the cell door.

Santiago pushed the tray back at the officers and became agitated, saying he wasn’t going to eat the meal. As one of the officers attempted to close the cell hatch the inmate grabbed a water bucket inside his cell, and threw an unknown liquid through the cell hatch, hitting both officers, the union reported.

One officer was hit in the face, upper body and legs. The second officer was struck in the arms and face. After getting hit with the liquid, both officers secured the cell hatch and exited the unit.

They were both brought to the prison’s medical facility for treatment. A doctor who examined them determined they had significant exposure. Both officers were then taken to Erie County Medical Center for further treatment and released later that evening, the union reported.

Santiago is serving a 4-year sentence after being convicted in Kings County in 2011 for Assault 2nd and Attempted Assault 2nd.

On April 10 a similar incident occurred at Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium security prison.

At approximately 5:05 p.m. an officer was making his rounds when an inmate, Jeddidia Manning, stopped the officer and stated he was going to flood his cell by stuffing toilet paper into the toilet, the union said in a news release.

The officer ordered the inmate to bring his hands out so he could put restraints on so other officers could go inside the cell and remove the toilet paper. Manning refused.

A sergeant who came to the scene, again ordered the inmate to put his hands out. Manning refused again, the union said.

The sergeant turned away to go and notify a supervisor of the situation. When he did the inmate threw liquid from a small cup through the cell hatch, striking the officer who was attempting to close the cell hatch.

The inmate was not charged with aggravated harassment based on a decision made by the administration at the prison.

The officer remained on duty but was not allowed by administrators to shower for two hours after the incident.

Manning is serving a 2- to 6-year sentence after being convicted in 2014 in Oswego County for Attempted Arson 3rd and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th.

In 2013, lawmakers amended the current law at the time to make it a Class E Felony for throwing toilet water on a correctional officer.

“Correction officers work in adverse and difficult conditions every day. Even when performing routine duties, officers are subjected to conditions that can be, or are, dangerous to their health and safety,” stated Western Region Vice President Mike Dildine. “We are disappointed that the administration at Orleans Correctional Facility did not pursue criminal or disciplinary actions against the inmate. We will continue to monitor both situations and advocate on behalf of our members for criminal prosecution when it is appropriate.”

Photos by Tom Rivers – Kim Zarpentine, one of nine full-time Orleans County dispatchers, works in the 911 Center last week at the Orleans County Public Safety Building.

ALBION – When people are in distress in Orleans County and then call 911, they talk to a dispatcher who will collect the information and activate a response, whether from police, the fire department, an ambulance or animal control.

Sometimes, while help is on the way, the dispatchers will give instructions on performing CPR, delivering a baby or removing a choking obstruction.

The job can go from being fairly quiet to life-or-death situations within seconds.

“There’s so much we have to do,” said Allen Turner, a dispatcher for 23 ½ years and communications coordinator for the 911 center. “We’re basically the lifeline in Orleans County.”

Allen Turner, the communications coordinator for the dispatch center, started as a dispatcher 23½ years ago.

This week is “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week,” an effort by government officials to recognize the important and critical work by dispatchers. In Orleans County, there are nine full-time and four part-time dispatchers.

They receive about 80,000 calls a year. Last year that included 23,447 police calls, 5,773 ambulance calls, 2,541 fire calls, and 1,490 animal control calls. In addition, there were another 57,924 calls to dispatch.

“Dispatchers need to be patient and remain calm when people are in a very heightened state of emotions,” Turner said.

When Turner started as dispatcher in October 1992, he remembers there was little training for the job. That is not the case today. The dispatchers have three days of in-house training and refresher courses throughout their careers.

Many of the dispatchers are also firefighters and involved in emergency services. Four fire chiefs in Orleans County – Pete Hendrickson of Holley, Mike Schultz of Kendall, Jerry Bentley of Barre and Jon DeYoung of Clarendon – work in dispatch.

One dispatcher, Bill Oliver, was an Albion police officer before switching to dispatch 24 years ago.

Kevin Colonna, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, looks for information from dispatcher Bill Oliver.

Kim Zarpentine was a firefighter, EMT and CPR coordinator for the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company. She has worked as a dispatcher for 12 years.

“It was a natural transition,” she said about the job.

Sometimes when there is a frantic caller, dispatchers will need to use “repetitive persistence” to draw out the details and determine the problem, the address and which emergency responder to send.

If it’s a police call, dispatchers will try to give it to the closest car outside the villages with police departments. A call in Albion, Medina or Holley is dispatched to those police departments, while calls outside those villages are sent to state police and Sheriff’s deputies.

Zarpentine said callers sometimes aren’t sure of their whereabouts or the extent of the problems. The dispatchers will work to get the most relevant information for responding police, fire departments or ambulances.

Bill Oliver, a dispatcher for 24 years, talks over the air about an emergency call last Friday.

The dispatchers are essential to the emergency services in Orleans County, said Chief Deputy Tom Drennan.

“That’s the start of whole process,” he said. “Getting the right information is critical for officers’ safety and the individual’s safety.”

Drennan said the dispatchers are professionals determined to work quickly and accurately.

“They have to draw out the information and the get addresses, and then pass it out to the right jurisdictions and people,” he said.

Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – There are 30-plus vendors at the Home and Garden Show this weekend at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville. The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual event.

In the top photo, Chamber Executive Director Kathy Blackburn, left, greets a woman attending the show on Saturday. Blackburn is joined in the Chamber welcome booth by administrative assistant Samantha Roskowski, center, and board member Greg Piedmonte.

Cindy Smith, right, of Batavia eyes the wine choices by Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms in Gasport. Mindy Vizcarra, left, served up wine tastings throughout the day.

David Sevenski, a real estate agent at Zambito Realtors, is among the vendors at the Home and Garden Show, which continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4-H members, including Natalie Mrzywka of Holley, have hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.

ALBION – James DeFilipps, the Orleans County deputy who was shot twice on March 21, is recovering from his injuries and is expected to return to work “in probably a few more weeks,” said Chief Deputy Tom Drennan.

DeFilipps was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was shot twice in the abdomen. That vest may have saved his life. DeFilipps still suffered deep bruises from the gun shots.

He has undergone a stress debriefing and remains in good spirits, Drennan said.

DeFilipps was working the east end of the county when he was in a shootout at about 3 a.m. on March 21 with James Ellis.

Ellis lived in Wyoming County. He allegedly pulled a handgun on an ex-girlfriend in Shelby. Ellis was then chased by law enforcement before crashing his vehicle into a telephone pole on Route 31A in Clarendon.

Police say Ellis open fired on responding officers, including DeFilipps. After DeFilipps was shot twice, he fired at Ellis, killing him.

Drennan said evidence from the incident will be presented to a grand jury soon and he expects DeFilipps will be found 100 percent justified in the shooting.

School leaders acknowledge controversy, say ‘Common Core’ tests provide important data

Photo by Tom Rivers – Michael Bonnewell, Albion Central School superintendent, speaks at the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday. He said student standardized test scores count too much on teacher evaluations.

Local school superintendents are urging parents to have their children take standardized tests that begin next week – and not join the “opt out” movement.

The tests provide important benchmarks for measuring student and grade level progress, school leaders said.

They acknowledge the controversy with high-stakes tests, and the state’s push to make the tests count 50 percent of a teacher’s evaluation.

“While I respect a parent’s right to make decisions that they believe to be in the best interest of their child, the district is without authority to excuse a student from this state requirement,” said Robert D’Angelo, superintendent of Holley Central School.

There is no “opt out” option for students in grades 3 to 8 to miss the tests, superintendents said. Parents can have their children “refuse” the test and they will likely remain in the testing room, quietly reading.

The districts could face negative consequences, including reduced federal aid and more expenses, if they don’t have 95 percent or more of their students take the tests, said Julie Christensen, Kendall Central School superintendent.

If there is a drop in student participation on test days, it will be reflected in the district’s overall report card.

“As a district, our State School Report Card will reflect a decreased rate of student performance and possibly a designation of not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress for student participation (95%) and schools could become a District in Need of Improvement,” she said in an email. “Lastly, we understand we will lose funding if we don’t meet AYP and the consequences as being a School in Need of Improvement could become costly.”

Jeff Evoy, the Medina Central School superintendent, said Medina needs at least a 95 percent participation rate or it could be required to submit a plan for increased student participation and face other penalties.

The state’s teacher evaluation rates teachers as either highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective.

If a teacher was rated less than effective for two years, districts had the option of holding a hearing to dismiss the tenured teacher. If teachers are rated ineffective for three years, districts must now move to dismiss that teacher.

“I read that and my blood was boiling,” Michael Bonnewell, Albion school superintendent, told the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday.

He said the teacher evaluation law has taken some of the local control from districts.

“New York State shouldn’t tell us which teachers to hire and fire,” he said.

He also doesn’t support having so much of a teacher’s evaluation based on the standardized tests.

However, Bonnewell wants to see students take the tests. If 5 percent or more refuse, the district could lose some federal funding.

Refusing the tests poses a challenge for teacher evaluation scores, as well as the district, Christensen said.

“Currently, a portion of a teacher’s score is based upon growth shown on student exams,” she said. “Depending upon the number of students in a given classroom if the student participation is reduced, the growth value of each remaining student is actually increased.”

D’Angelo, the Holley superintendent, sees positives with Common Core in the district’s curriculum, for raising the rigor in the classroom. But he acknowledges the controversy in using the tests for evaluating students and teachers.

“It is the assessment piece that I personally believe to be what parents find objectionable and hopefully very soon everyone can come to an agreement on assessments,” he said.

Jason Smith, superintendent at Lyndonville Central School, said parents have valid concerns in the pressure the tests put on children, families and faculty.

“Learning is measured and demonstrated in so many ways and it is dangerous to overemphasize one test in Math and ELA,” Smith said in a letter to district residents.

However, Smith said the district supports the tests as a way to identify groups of students that may not be doing as well as their peers and school programs that may need additional attention when compared to others.

“The state assessments also allow us to benchmark our instructional programs against other districts from across New York State,” Smith said in his letter. “Without these data points, we lack a context to ensure that we are providing your children with the best possible education.”

The teacher evaluation standards were just changed in the new state budget and Gov. Cuomo wants to make the tests count for 50 percent of a teacher’s grade, up from the 20 percent placed on the test results.

The New York State United Teachers said changes in teacher evaluation and tenure laws are a “sham” and disgrace.

“NYSUT rejects this evaluation system,” the United Teachers said on March 31, when the budget was passed. “It is an unworkable, convoluted plan that undermines local control, disrespects principals and school administrators, guts collective bargaining and further feeds the testing beast. It does nothing to help students and will do nothing to foster the professional dialogue and collaboration that is essential to helping New York’s already strong teaching force become stronger. Ironically, this will only make it harder for school districts in impoverished communities to attract and retain the excellent teachers that students need and deserve.”

Testing has been in place in public schools in New York State since 1865, said Christensen, the Kendall superintendent. The original intent was to assess students for high school entrance and end-of course completion, she said.

“In 1966, we assessed students in grades 3, 6 and 9 on the Pupil Evaluation Program tests,” Christensen. “In 2006, students in grades 3-8 began yearly assessments in ELA and Math to gather data so teachers could provide specific interventions and instruction based upon student needs.”

The current state assessments are meant to measure growth in learning, she said.

“Some of the tests are new in their implementation, taking these will provide an opportunity for our students to become familiar with an increased level of rigor,” Christensen said.

Some teachers are outspoken against the tests, even urging parents to have their children refuse them.

“We have received messages from the state indicating possible repercussions to educators, up to and including loss of certification, if they are believed to have fostered civil disobedience and the opt out movement,” Christensen said. “Kendall Schools employ fantastic teachers that provide quality educational services to our children, the student results on the NYS assessments have demonstrated our teachers proficiency over the years.”

The tests will be given from April 14-16 and April 22-24.

“Our goal is not to incite anxiety in your child, but rather, instill an overall disposition of perseverance and confidence to tackle tasks that may be challenging,” Smith, the Lyndonville superintendent, said in a letter to parents. “These, we believe, are the lifelong lessons that can be learned from this assessment event. We believe that it is best to help students understand that although tests are an important challenge to be aware of, they are meant to be an opportunity to show others their personal best.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

The area has been hit with hard winds today, with some gusts up to 50 to 60 miles per hour.

Those winds have knocked down some trees and taken wires off poles. The top photo shows a telephone pole that tipped along Route 31 near Densmore Road in Albion.

The winds seemed to pick up around 3 p.m., Orleans County dispatch said. There was a partial barn roof collapse in Clarendon on Holley-Byron Road at about that time.

Some wires were also knocked down on East Barre Road in Barre, South Gravel Road in Shelby and Eagle Harbor Road in Gaines.

The wind was going so hard this flag was blowing upwards. The flag is at the Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road in Albion. The canal bridge is in the background.

This photo shows a barn on Transit Road in Albion near a corn field.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced more than $233 million in federal grants that will support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties and urban areas across New York State, including a $105,000 grant for Orleans County.

The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Homeland Security Grant Program, supports regional preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, and training activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities.

“New York continues to be a target for terrorism, and we must ensure there is adequate funding to prepare, plan and prevent,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help defend the state against those who wish to do harm and will support our first responders who are called upon when emergency strikes. Keeping New Yorkers safe is the top priority, and through these programs and exercises we will continue to work toward this goal.”

The homeland security grants support exercises and training for first responders, equipment purchases, and other capabilities essential to keeping New Yorkers safe. Federal guidelines require that 25 percent of each county’s total award be directed toward law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Priority projects include efforts that build upon Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Program, development of effective cyber security programs and policies, and continued coordination of emergency management planning efforts.

The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is also advancing regional partnerships and enhancing information sharing among law enforcement. The agency provides guidance and support to counties, which must submit detailed project plans in order to receive reimbursement-based grant contracts.

Key programs and grant amounts include:

The Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is providing nearly $181 million in funding to critical anti-terrorism programs in the New York City urban area, which includes New York City, the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.

The State Homeland Security Program, which is providing more than $52 million in funding to counties across the state and to New York City to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic disasters.

The Western NY region also received a $2,322,953 grant.

Jared Forsyth

ALBION – A police officer in Florida who died in a tragic accident on Monday worked nearly three years as a corrections officer at the Orleans County Jail.

That part-time job, often on the night shift, helped Jared Forsyth pursue his dream of becoming a police officer.

“He was friends with a lot of the staff and stayed in touch with them,” said Scott Wilson, superintendent of the jail.

The jail staff is in mourning after learning that Forsyth, 33, was killed Monday during a firearms training exercise in Ocala, Fla. Forsyth worked three years as a patrolman for the City of Ocala.

He was killed when another officer’s gun discharged as it was being unloaded at the end of the training session, The Buffalo News reported. The bullet ricocheted off a bench, went through Forsyth’s arm, damaged his lung and severed his aorta, according to the newspaper.

Forsyth was wearing a bulletproof vest, but there is no protective material under the arms, Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham told local reporters.

Forsyth, a Lockport native, worked at the county jail in Albion from December 2007 to September 2010.

“A lot of younger guys start here,” Wilson said. “It’s a foot in the door to a career in law enforcement.”

Wilson was lieutenant of the jail during that time and he sometimes worked the same shift with Forsyth.

“He was a dedicated employee who did a good job,” Wilson said. “There were never any discipline issues or complaints.”

Forsyth had a friendly demeanor and got along well with the other staff and the inmates, Wilson said.

The union representing the corrections officers plans to send a memorial in honor of Forsyth to his family.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters work to put out a fire in a garage on Fancher Road in Clarendon on March 23.

Some local fire departments will participate in open houses on April 25-26, part of the fifth annual Recruit NY state-wide initiative to draw more volunteers to fire departments.

“There is a great demand for firefighters and EMS personnel throughout the state, but even more so in our local area,” said Gary S. Sicurella, president of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company. “This event is to help bring this issue to the public as well as possibly increase our recruiting base.”

FHM, Carlton and Kendall departments have committed to the events.

Sicurella said local departments need more active members to provide the optimum level of protection for residents.

At the open houses, community members can tour the fire houses and apparatus, and learn about the commitment needed to help the fire department. Visitors also can try on firefighter gear and see demonstrations. FHM will have a children’s corner with kids’ activities.

FHM has set its open house for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25 and noon to 4 p.m. on April 26 at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company, located at 3353 Hulberton Rd., Holley. FHM may also have Mercy Flight visit on Sunday.

Carlton will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Fire Hall at 13504 Waterport/Carlton Rd.

Kendall will have its open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25 at its fire hall on Kendall Road. That will include a child seat inspection by Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.