Companies are due to submit proposals by Dec. 19

Government officials in Orleans County have talked for years about a lack of Internet access in parts of the county. It hurts students, farms and other businesses, putting them at a competitive disadvantage in an increasingly wired world.

Industry leaders would say 97 percent of the county was covered, but town and county officials sensed it was lower.

Now there is data that identifies 3,600 households without access to the Internet. Out of about 20,000 households in the county that represents 18 percent of homes without Internet.

The four villages – Albion, Holley Lyndonville and Medina – have 100 percent access. But out in the country it’s a different story.

“There are entire segments of roads with no access,” said Evhen Tupis from BPGreene.

His firm is working with Orleans and seven towns in Niagara County on a Broadband Internet initiative.

The communities completed a study to determine how many houses do not have access, and also compiled a vertical asset inventory, which includes water towers, barns, buildings and other structures that could serve as transmission points.

The counties put out a request for proposals to Internet providers to serve the unserved areas, and those proposals are due Dec. 19. Tupis said it will take time to analyze the proposals.

The project is being spearheaded through the Orleans Land Restoration Corporation, which operates under the Orleans Economic Development Agency umbrella.

The data and proposals could be used as part of grant or other funding application.

Tupis said some of the $2 billion approved for schools in a recent ballot proposition could be used. He has sent letters to the five districts in Orleans County, urging them to set aside some of the technology funds through the state program to boost “connectivity” at the school districts.

He is hopeful there will be lots of interest from Internet service providers to boost the service in underserved areas of the two counties.

“The RFPs should determine how much money is needed,” he said.

Photo provided by GCASA

KENDALL – Kendall students and school counselor Mirjam Bauer are pictured last Thursday inside the Crosby’s store in Kendall. Students placed stickers on alcohol at the store.

Medina students are scheduled to do the same with Medina area stores on Friday, and Albion youth will be hitting the stores in Albion, Holley and Clarendon area on Saturday.

The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse began Project Sticker Shock in 2008 to combat the sale of alcohol to minors in Orleans County. The basic concept involves local students from the five school districts placing orange stickers on a variety of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores, convenient stores and gas stations.

“This community awareness campaign is intended to address youth access to alcohol and community norms that support not providing alcohol to minors,” said Pat Crowley, project director for Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition.

These stickers warn purchasers of the ramifications of buying and distributing alcohol to minors.

“The sticker’s bright orange color immediately draws the purchaser’s attention to its warning stating ‘Know The Law,'” Crowley said.

With the assistance of GCASA staff, school students, teachers and local stores thousands of stickers have been placed on alcoholic beverages.

Julie Berry praises upbringing and education in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

It’s been a busy day for Julie Berry in her return to Orleans County. She led writing workshops and assemblies at Medina Central School earlier in the day, before heading to Albion for a book talk and signing at 3 p.m. at the Hoag Library.

She was back in Medina at 6:30 for another book event at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, is pictured in her event at the Hoag Library. She is promoting her eighth book, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. That book follows the 2013 Viking release of her highly acclaimed YA novel, All the Truth That’s In Me.

“Loving stories is part of being human,” Berry told a Hoag crowd of about 25 people. “One of the things that distinguishes us from animals is we are a storytelling species.”

Berry shared some of her secrets to a good story: suffering and an underdog.

She develops characters who overcome struggles and challenges. She gives them friends and they are often outnumbered.

“Make them the underdog and pile on the enemies,” she said.

Berry reads from her latest novel, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place from Roaring Brook Press is a farcical Victorian murder mystery for ages 10 to 14. It tells the story of seven proper schoolgirls in a Victorian finishing school, who bury their dead headmistress in the back yard after she is mysteriously poisoned at Sunday dinner. To avoid being sent home, they carry on as if nothing is amiss. Deception, danger and mayhem abound in this rollicking middle-grade romp.

Berry said she was at a lecture when she heard the phrase “a regiment of maidens.” She thinks people think of maidens as being innocent. In her novel, they try to solve a murder.

“What’s important is coming up with stories that keep people moving the pages,” she said.

Berry said she is grateful for her upbringing on a farm in Medina and for her education by dedicated teachers.

“I had a phenomenal education in Medina,” she said. “I had teachers who cared. I had programs and resources available to me.”

Julie Berry said she enjoys coming back to Orleans County, calling it “a magical place.”

Berry lived in the Boston area for about a decade before moving to the Los Angeles area with her husband and four sons. She welcomes the chance to come to her hometown.

“Orleans County is a magical place for me because of all of my memories of the countryside,” she said.

She told the Albion group, which included many teen-agers, she has been fortunate to have a husband who encouraged her to pursue writing, even when there were “a lot of failures and disappointments.”

“I hope for each of you there is someplace where there are people who believe in you,” she said. “My husband believed in me and cared about me. I’m so grateful I listened to my family and husband.”

For more on Julie Berry, click here.

Without nursing home, total spending down 20%

ALBION – Orleans County property owners will pay less in county taxes next year, according to a county budget proposal that for the first time doesn’t include the nursing home.

The sale is expected to close soon after Jan. 1. The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center is being sold for $7.8 million to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC.

That will take 98 full-time and 64 part-time employees off the public payroll. It will also save the county a projected $1.5 million subsidy for the nursing home in 2015.

County residents will see the tax rate fall by 22 cents, from $10.11 to $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property.

If the county didn’t sell the nursing home, Legislature Chairman David Callard said property owners would have faced a 50-cent increase in the tax rate in 2015.

The Legislature will use some of the projected savings from the nursing home to boost some member agencies and also beef up infrastructure work, including replacing bridges and culverts.

“I believe this budget is one of the finest budgets the Legislature has prepared in a number of years,” Callard said during this afternoon’s Legislature meeting.

Overall spending would drop 19.4 percent from $79,786,629 to $65,015,266. The county’s tax levy, what it collects in taxes from property owners, would drop by 1.5 percent from $16,441,366 to $16,209,165.

This is the tentative budget as submitted by Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer. Residents can comment on the plan during a public hearing at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Orleans County Courthouse.

The budget increases the county allocation to the Orleans County Economic Development Agency from $150,000 to $170,000, the Soil and Water Conservation District from $57,750 to $75,000, the share to the Cornell Cooperative Extension from $219,500 to $225,000, Genesee-Orleans Regional Council on the Arts from $1,000 to $3,000, and the Sportsmen Federation from $500 to $1,000. The four public libraries will remain at a collective $10,000 from the county, according to the budget proposal.

ALBION – Orleans Hub has new calendars for 2015 that showcase the four seasons in Orleans County. The cover photo shows Marisa Hanlon of Kendall riding her horse at the 4-H Fairgrounds while the sun was setting during the fair this past July.

That is one of 25 images in the calendar (two for each month plus the cover image).
The calendars are $10. They are available at the Lake Country Pennysaver, 170 North Main St., Albion. The office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 3:30.

They are also available at Main Street TV & Appliance Sales at 430 Main St. in Medina.

Orleans Hub can mail these as well with an additional charge for shipping. For more information on that, call the office at 585-589-5641.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – An Honor Guard stands at attention during a Veterans Day ceremony today outside the Veterans Service Agency at 13996 Route 31 West.

Carl Boyle, a member of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is pictured at the far right. The Honor Guard did a 21-gun salute at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Frank Berger, left, and Ken Schaal are part of the Honor Guard doing a 21-gun salute at today’s Veterans Day ceremony.

The Rev. Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion, gave the invocation at the service. Three of Lindsay’s sons enlisted in the military and one continues in active duty.

Lindsay said veterans are role models, providing examples of putting service before themselves. He prayed for the families of veterans, who may feel anxiety while loved ones are deployed. Lindsay also prayed for veterans when they transition from active duty to civilian life.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed about 50 people at the ceremony. Hawley, a former member of the Army National Guard, said veterans have secured other rights for Americans, including freedom of press and freedom of speech.

“We should never forget the sacrifice of veterans,” Hawley said. “Let’s not forget the families of those deployed. They bear a special burden this season.”

The U.S. military ensures a safer world, Hawley said, responding to terrorists including Osama bin Laden and the ISIS.

Orleans County Legislator Don Allport said American soldiers have secured freedom for the United States, and much of the world. Allport, pictured next to Veterans Service Agency Director Paul Fulcomer, noted that 4,000 current Orleans County residents are veterans, about 10 percent of the county population.

Allport urged all county residents to take an oath to defend the Constitution. If everyone did that, Allport said, “America would be an unstoppable force in the world.”

Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson shared the words of General Douglas A. MacArthur, who addressed the Military Academy at West Point on May 12, 1962. “Duty, Honor, Country,” MacArthur told the cadets at the time.

Those words from MacArthur represent the ideals of the U.S. military Johnson said. She recently joined veterans on a trip to the Nation’s capital to see war memorials. She said she was touched by the veterans’ stories of service.

Jennifer Printup sings “America the Beautiful” during a Veterans Day ceremony today.

Veterans stand at attention during the service.

Russell Young of Medina plays “Taps” near the end of the service. He is using his father’s trumpet. His father Russell Young served in World War II. Behind Young is a 105 MM Howitzer, Model 101A1. It was used in the Korean War from June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1953. The memorial was dedicated on July 27, 2003, the 50th anniversary of the ending of the war.

A crowd gathers outside the Veterans Service Agency on Route 31 for a Veterans Day service today.

Julie Berry has written a new murder mystery

Julie Berry has a new novel out: The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

MEDINA – Julie Berry is coming home for a series of events on Thursday to promote her latest murder mystery, The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

Berry, a 1991 Medina High School graduate, will meet with Medina students during the school day on Thursday for writing workshops and assemblies. She also will have book talks and signings at 3 p.m. at the Hoag Library in Albion and then at 6:30 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. Books will be available for sale at book library events.

She will also be at the Rochester Children’s Book Festival on Saturday at Monroe Community College.

Berry currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and four sons.

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place from Roaring Brook Press is a farcical Victorian murder mystery for ages 10 to 14. It tells the story of seven proper schoolgirls in a Victorian finishing school, who bury their dead headmistress in the back yard after she is mysteriously poisoned at Sunday dinner. To avoid being sent home, they carry on as if nothing is amiss. Deception, danger and mayhem abound in this rollicking middle-grade romp.

Julie Berry

The book has been called “a delicious confection” by Jessica Day George, author of Wednesdays in the Tower. According to Holly Goldberg Stone (Counting by 7s) it is “Stunning. Hilarious. And wholly original. If David Sedaris and Agatha Christie had a child, it would be Julie Berry.”

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place is Berry’s 8th title, and it follows the 2013 Viking release of her highly acclaimed YA novel, All the Truth That’s In Me.

“All the Truth” received many accolades including: Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book for 2013, 2014 Edgar Award nominee, Carnegie Medal nominee, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten title, Junior Library Guild Selection, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, Horn Book Fanfare 2013 title, and a 2014 TAYSHAS Top Ten pick.

The author’s previous titles include The Amaranth Enchantment (Bloomsburv 2009), Secondhand Charm (Bloomsbury, 2010), and the Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys series (Penguin Books, 2010-11).

For more information, or to view the animated book trailer, visit www.julieberrybooks.com.

File photo by Tom Rivers – The community dedicated this monument in front of the YMCA in 2008. The Y used to be an Armory and was used by the 29th Separate Company of the New York Army National Guard, which formed in 1891. The 29th saw its first action in the Spanish-American War, before the Armory was built. Company F would be deployed in World War I. It also fought in World War II. In 1977, the state announced it was closing the Medina Armory. Company F was moved to other units.

Orleans County residents can attend Veterans Day ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. in Holley at the American Legion Post or at 11 a.m. in Albion at the Veterans Service Agency at 13996 Route 31 West.

In addition, veterans in Medina will visit cemeteries and memorials beginning at 8 a.m.

The service in Albion will include presentation of overdue medals to a Korean War veteran, said Paul Fulcomer, director of the Veterans Service Agency.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Businesses in Orleans County will team with Community Action to try to provide at least one toy for what is expected to be at least 350 families. Community Action met with business representatives this morning at Hoag Library. Pictured include, front row, from left: Carolyn Wagner, human resource manager for BMP in Medina; Anni Skowneski, case manager for Community Action; and Kris Hartwig, administrative assistant at S.B. Whistler and Sons (Phinney Tool and Die). Back row: Marsha Rivers, executive director for the Orleans County United Way; Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action; and Wendy Hinkley.

ALBION – It started in 2011 as a challenge for Medina businesses. Andrew Szatkowski was Worthington Cylinder’s quality control manager. He wanted to see which Medina manufacturer could give the most toys to needy families served by Community Action.

Szatkowski has since taken another job and Worthington Cylinders closed this summer, putting about 150 people out of work.

The toy challenge has been such a success that the effort will continue and it has spread around the county. It also isn’t being called a “Toy Challenge.” It’s part of Community Action’s “Holiday Giving Program” that welcomes toys, food donations, Christmas trees, ornaments and donations.

Last year 370 families were served through the effort coordinated by Community Action. The toy donations make it possible for each child to receive at least one toy at Christmas. The toy drive accounts for most of those gifts, said Anni Skowneski, case manager for Community Action.

“Without this we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Skowneski said during a kickoff meeting today at the Hoag Library.

Companies that donate to the cause receive certificates of participation. The company that gives the most gifts, as a percentage of its employees, will get a plaque.

Carolyn Wagner, human resources manager for BMP in Medina, urged businesses to tout the toy giving effort. BMP wraps a box and urges employees to leave unwrapped toys in it. The company offers prizes for employees that donate.

Precision Packaging Products in Holley has offered to give participating companies boxes for the effort, which will run until Dec. 5. Community Action will pick up the gifts and they will be stored in the First Baptist Church basement in Albion. Parents of the children can come to the church, pick out a gift and wrap the present.

Skowneski said many of the families have working parents who struggle to pay their bills. Paying for Christmas presents is difficult for many of the working poor, who are already struggling with rising heat and energy costs, she said.

She said the community continues to come through with generosity during the holiday season.

“God smiles on us and finds a way for us to take care of our families,” Skowneski said.

Annette Finch, community services director for Community Action, has been filling holiday baskets for families for more than three decades.

“I was hoping we’d be out of job,” she said. “It’s horrible that we still have to do this. These families are not asking for iPods or big things. They’re asking for clothing or a football.”

For more information on the toy drive, call Skowneski at 585-589-5605 or Kris Hartwig at S.B. Whistler and Sons in Medina at 585-798-3000.

The Affordable Care Act has reduced the number of uninsured residents in Orleans County from 15 to 9 percent of the population, according to a report in The New York Times. (Click here to see “Obama’s Health Law: Who Was Helped Most.”)

The reduction of 6 percent in the population without health insurance was one of the biggest gains in Western New York. However, the 9 percent of residents without health insurance tops most nearby counties.

Genesee County went down from 13 to 8 percent, while Wyoming County dropped from 10 to 7 percent. Other nearby counties include Monroe (from 12 to 8 percent), Livingston (from 11 to 8 percent), Niagara (from 12 to 8 percent) and Erie (from 12 to 9 percent), according to the NYT report.

The newspaper states that 10 million people gained health insurance this year through the Affordable Care Act with the biggest gains in rural areas.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Orleans Hub was on the scene on Oct. 13 when a tractor trailer got stuck under a railroad bridge in Holley.

Orleans Hub set another record for traffic in October, eclipsing the standard set the previous month.

Last month we had a daily average of 5,640 unique visitors, which was up from the 5,600 in September. (Prior to September the previous high was 4,757 in June.)

We also stayed over the half million mark for monthly pageviews. Orleans Hub had 551,375 total page views in October for a daily average of 17,786. That topped the September record 519,161 when there was a 17,305 daily average.

Our sports articles also are drawing a bigger audience. The 29,669 pageviews for Local Sports topped the previous record of 26,062 in September.

Mike and Cheryl Wertman have been all over the county and beyond covering high school athletes. In this photo from Oct. 24, Kendall’s Taylor ReQua (10) works to take control of the ball against Campbell-Savona’s Monica Cartas (7). Kendall rolled to a 6-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the Section V Class CC girls soccer playoffs.

One sports story by Mike Wertman was our second most viewed article overall for the month. Wertman on Oct. 23 wrote Zach Adams scoring a goal in Kendall’s Sectional win over Bolivar-Richburg.

Adams is a senior with Downs Syndrome. He was brought up from the JV squad for soccer playoffs. His brother Jake also plays on the varsity team and helped set up the goal.

“It’s just so overpowering I think I went into shock,” the boys mother Kelly told Wertman. “At first I didn’t even realize that Jake had assisted on the goal. It’s really hard to put into words what it means to Zach and to our family. The Bolivar-Richburg players just took it upon themselves to help make it possible. It was just so overpowering.”

Contributed Photo

Zach Adams, center, who is shown here with his brother Jake and mother Kelly, scored a special goal in Kendall’s sectional opener against Bolivar-Richburg

The story was shared on Bolivar-Richburg’s Facebook page and also prompted the Olean Times Herald to write a story: “Winless Bolivar-Richburg team shows heart of a champion.”

Here are the five most viewed stories of the month:

1. Teen dies in apparent accidental shooting

2. Kendall’s sectional contest has a special moment, a special goal

3. Tractor trailer gets stuck under railroad bridge in Holley

4. Brothers open new winery in Murray

5. Sheriff releases name of boy, 15, killed in Shelby

State-wide all 3 gain voter approval

Referendums on a change in redistricting, $2 billion to upgrade technology at school districts, and electronic records for state legislators all gained state-wide approval on Tuesday, although Orleans County voters rejected two out of the three.

Orleans gave strong support to Proposal No. 2, which brings legislators into the digital age by allowing electronic distribution of state legislative bills. In Orleans, it passed with 5,217 yes votes or 66.7 percent compared to 2,605 no votes or 33.3 percent. State-wide it passed with 77 percent in favor.

Two other ballot propositions passed state-wide but had a slight majority opposing them in Orleans County.

A ballot proposition authorized a new commission for the once-a-decade assignment of drawing state legislative and congressional districts. The proposition passed state-wide with 57 percent in favor of it, according to the Associated Press.

In Orleans, 49.5 percent of voters or 3,776 were in favor of it while 50.5 percent or 3,853 were opposed.

The “Smart Schools Bond Act” will allow the state to borrow $2 billion for school districts to buy computers, connect to the Internet, improve security and build classrooms for prekindergarten students.

State-wide it passed with 62 percent, but in Orleans, 3,948 voters or 49.6 percent were for it while 4,018 or 50.4 percent were opposed.

Astorino has 3-to-1 edge over Cuomo in Orleans

Orleans County showed its Republican colors on Tuesday, giving overwhelming support to Republican candidates, including Rob Astorino for governor.

Andrew Cuomo may have been re-elected to another four-year term as governor, but he was disdained in Orleans, receiving only 24 percent of the vote or 2,179 votes to 6,530 for Astorino or 72.4 percent.

Here is the Orleans breakdown for other state and federal races:

Comptroller
Tom DiNapoli (D) 2,937 votes or 33.8 percent
Robert Antonacci (R) 5,437 votes or 62.6 percent

Attorney General
Eric Schneiderman (D) 2,357 votes or 27.1 percent
John Cahill (R) 6,049 votes or 69.6 percent

Congress 27th District
Chris Collin (R) 6,858 votes or 78.7 percent
James O’Donnell (D) 1,856 votes or 21.3 percent

State Senate 62nd District
Robert Ortt (R) 6,968 votes or 79.8 percent
Johnny Destino (D) 1,500 votes or 17.2 percent

Assembly 139th District
Steve Hawley (R) 6,884 votes or 95.0 percent
Mark Glogowski (LBT) 356 votes or 4.9 percent

Assembly 144th District
Jane Corwin (R) 810 votes
(Corwin was unopposed.)

Photos by Tom Rivers

Voters cast their ballots inside the Hoag Library today.

Barre election inspectors are pictured in front of a giant American flag. The inspectors include, from left: Adrienne Daniels, Richard Brakenbury, Carol Smith and Terry Gillette. The 10-by17-foot flag is from 1886 and includes 38 stars. It was donated to the town by the DeZetter family.

Election inspectors say today felt like Presidential Election with a big turnout at the polls.

The photo at left shows a voter at the Hoag Library, which served as a polling place for the first time.

Jack Baron was among the voters at the library polling place today.

Baron remembers when the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1971 with the 26th Amendment.

He said he was the third person in the county between ages 18 to 20 to register to vote back in 1971.

He hasn’t missed a chance to vote since then.

“It’s your civic duty,” he said. “If you don’t vote, you let very few people run everything.”

Angela English voted today and she gave her support to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for re-election as governor.

She said Cuomo impresses her as a strong leader, unafraid to take a stand even with an unpopular issue.

The governor most recently stepped out to take the lead with the state’s handling of the Ebola sickness, English said.

She appreciated that the governor picked Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester as a medical institution for people to receive treatment.

She thought that showed great confidence in Strong as a medical facility.

The governor didn’t any support from another county resident. Rebecca Cross of Barre voted today for the first time. She is 38.

She is upset with Cuomo over the SAFE Act, which she sees as an infringement on her gun rights.

“I’m gun owner and I figured it’s about time I registered and voted,” Cross said.

“I never took the time to register but our rights as gun owners are under attack.”

Polls are open until 9 p.m. Orleans Hub will have election results later tonight.

Ortt

Voters in three counties gave overwhelming support Rob Ortt to serve as the next state senator for District 62.

Ortt, the current North Tonawanda mayor, will succeed George Maziarz, who is retiring after 19 years as a state legislator. Ortt was challenged by a Maziarz foe, Johnny Destino. Destino, an attorney in Niagara Falls, had challenged Maziarz in a Republican Primary two years ago but switched to the Democratic Party.

Ortt had his biggest margin of victory in Orleans County with 6,968 votes (79.8 percent) to Destino’s 1,500 (17.2 percent). Those totals do not include the 258 votes or 3.0 percent for Paul Brown of the Working Families Party.

In Niagara County, the Board of Elections reported Ortt just about doubled Destino’s votes, 32,335 to 16,570 with 1,207 for Brown.

The Senate district also includes a western portion of Monroe County. Voters there backed Ortt with 69.7 percent or 6,078 votes to 26.8 percent or 2,336 votes for Destino. Brown had 292 votes or 3.4 percent.

Ortt’s win today follows a decisive win on Sept. 9 in the Republican Primary over Gia Arnold. Ortt received 71 percent of the votes that day.

Ortt, 35, has been North Tonawanda’s mayor for nearly 5 years. He served in the National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan from March to December 2008. Prior to being elected mayor, he served as the city’s treasurer and then clerk-treasurer.