Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Before the United States launched air strikes tonight against ISIS in Syria, a few people held a peaceful protest at the edge of the Courthouse Lawn near Main Street this afternoon.

Diana Dudley, top photo, holds up a sign stating her feelings about the military intervention.

Dennis Seekins also held a sign against the military involvement. Lee Richards (right), pastor of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church and his wife Louise Wu also joined the demonstrators.

The U.S. military launched air strikes against the Islamic State in the northeastern Syrian city of Raqqa, the Islamic State’s self-declared capital. The U.S. was planning to attack as many as 20 Islamic State targets in the operation, according to the Associated Press.

The Orleans County Democratic Committee is keeping its leadership team. The Democrats met on Wednesday and re-elected Jeanne Crane to serve as the party chairwoman.

Other leaders, all re-elected unanimously, include: Tracy Jennings, vice chairwoman; David Green, vice chairman; Agnes Recco, secretary; Sandra Walter, treasurer; and Janice Grabowski, elections commissioner.

The Democratic Committee is looking for members for town committees in Ridgeway, Yates and Murray.

The group also will be seeking candidates for next year’s town and county elections.

Marsha Rivers

Press release, United Way of Orleans County

MEDINA – The United Way of Orleans County has named Marsha Rivers as its new executive director. Rivers will replace Lisa Ireland, who in recent years led the merger of the Eastern and Western Orleans United Way chapters and successfully ran multiple fundraising campaigns.

Ireland is headed to the Rochester Institute of Technology to serve as the director of donor relations and stewardship within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations.

Rivers, a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, brings 18 years of communication and fundraising experience to the United Way.

After serving her alma mater for 12 years in admissions, alumni relations, marketing and public relations roles, Rivers returned to work in Orleans County, serving as executive director of the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans and, through the end of September, development director for Hospice of Orleans.

“In Marsha, we have found a well-qualified professional and also a person who is passionate about Orleans County,” said Bill Hungerford, United Way Board chairman. “She’s the perfect fit for the job.”

Hungerford continued by thanking Lisa for her terrific service. “Lisa was a great leader for us the last three years. She brought her passion, energy, enthusiasm and empathy to the underserved in Orleans County. We thank Lisa for her support, leadership, and guidance over the past years and wish her the best as she continues her professional career at RIT.”

Rivers has also served as president of the Human Services Council of Orleans County and is an active volunteer at the Villages of Orleans.

She starts her United Way tenure at a busy time, as the annual campaign begins Oct. 9. Last year, UW set out to raise $325,000 in support of more than 20 local agencies, including the Arc of Orleans, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Christ Church Community Kitchen, and YMCA and many others. This year’s goal will be announced at the kickoff event next month.

Photos by Sue Cook – Anni Skowneski takes the plunge first as ice water is dumped over her head.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – In the last few months, people worldwide have been doing the Ice Bucket Challenge and today Community Action in Orleans County got in on the action.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is a viral marketing campaign for the ALS Association to raise awareness of ALS, a lethal neurodegenerative disorder also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. The challenge involves a person filling up a bucket with ice water, they get someone to film them, then they challenge other people to do it followed by dumping the water over their head. A person can opt out by donating money.

It’s become very popular to make a video of the challenge and still donate money to the cause. Several celebrities have joined in the challenge including Liam Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. As of Friday, the ALS Association has raised $112.4 million dollars which will go toward patient care and research.

“We had this brainstorm that we would gather as many staff together as possible to do this Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Annette Finch, director of community services for Community Action. “We felt that being in the community and being community-minded, we should do something for another charity.”

Theresa Price reacts after the ice bucket is dumped on her head.

On a chilly Saturday morning 10 employees from Community Action in Albion took the challenge together. (Click here to see the video.) The group challenged all other Orleans County transportation services to do do it, too, and lined up in front of a Community Action bus during the challenge to drive the point home.

“This is just to show awareness of ALS and how severe it can be,” said Theresa Price, a Head Start employee. “A couple years ago I didn’t know what it was until I did a walk with my niece. She explained it to me and what it is. This is to show awareness and get it out there how serious this is.”

Community Action will be making a donation to ALS through the Community Action Angels in Action fund in the near future, though they have not determined an amount yet. Many of the participants will also donate on their own as well.

“I’m very proud of the staff for coming out on a cold, rainy Saturday to do this for charity,” Finch said. “That’s what we’re all about here.”

The group raises their arms and lets out a victory cry after completing the challenge together.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Tammy Yaskulski, the branch manager for Five Star Bank in Medina, paints the dining hall at Christ Church in Albion. The church hosts the community kitchen every Friday, providing hundreds of meals.

Yaskulski was one of nine members of the Albion Rotary Club doing service projects in the United Way’s Day of Caring. Rotarians were also doing yard work and projects at Community Action and Head Start.

“I want to help the community,” Yaskulski said.

Employees at Baxter Healthcare in Medina and CRFS in Albion also helped paint the dining hall and kitchen at Christ Church. Sandra Walter, a CRFS employee, paints a wall in the dining hall.

“It is Sept. 11 and I can’t think of a better way to honor those people, the firefighters and police officers, than to come out and give back,” Walter said.

In this photo, Missy Gibbs, right, from CRFS and Sherry Quazi from Baxter paint inside the dining hall at Christ Church.

Provided photo – Lisa Tombari and Madhusharee Gnanasambandan, both employees at Baxter Healthcare, work on a landscaping project outside the Marshall Road residence for the Arc of Orleans County.

About 50 volunteers were out doing service projects through the “Day of Caring” by the Orleans County United Way. This is the second annual Day of Caring with the event scheduled on Sept. 11.

Volunteers also worked on projects at Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway, the Hamilton Street residence for The Arc, the Stork Street residence for The Arc, the day hab site for The Arc at the former Grammar School in Albion, Hospice of Orleans in Albion, a Habitat home in Medina, and the Cooperative Extension fairgrounds.

‘Law enforcement is a brotherhood. We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.’
Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

Police officers from every department in Orleans County attended the funeral in Rochester today for Daryl Pierson. About 1,000 law enforcement officers were at the funeral at Blue Cross Arena.

Pierson, 32, died a week ago when he was shot by a man wanted on a parole violation. That man fled from police after a traffic stop.

The contingent from Orleans County included eight officers and Police Chief Roland Nenni from the Albion Police Department, three officers from the Sheriff’s Department, one from the county jail, two officers from the Medina Police Department and four officers from the Holley PD.

“Law enforcement is a brotherhood,” said Nenni, chief of the Albion PD. “We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.”

One Albion police officer Kyle Edwards worked with Pierson at the Rochester PD before Edwards transferred to Albion about four months ago. Jeff Cole, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, attended the same police academy class with Pierson.

Nenni said the funeral for Pierson was “very touching” and a great tribute to the 8-year veteran of the RPD.

The funeral was also a reminder of how dangerous the job can be for police officers. Nenni said officers in Albion and other departments in Orleans County often have to apprehend parolees.

“We come in contact with parolees a lot,” he said. “It could have been any one of us.”

The officers attended the funeral on their own time.

“We wanted to show our respects,” Nenni said.

27 pieces of artwork are for sale to raise money for art scholarships

Photos by Tom Rivers – This painting was done by Christine VerSteeg of Kendall and is on display in Bindings Bookstore in Albion. There are 27 paintings in the Palettes of Orleans.

ALBION – The Chamber of Commerce has organized a public art project for the second straight year. Artists created 27 paintings on canvas that are displayed at local businesses.

The Palettes of Orleans project will conclude with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, 10609 Ridge Rd., Medina.

The community is welcome to submit bids for the artwork. The proceeds will go towards art scholarships at each of the five school districts in Orleans County.

“We have a lot of really nice pieces,” said Samantha Roskowski, coordinator of the project for the Chamber of Commerce. She also painted a canvas on display at Creekside Florist in Medina.

Five Star Bank in Albion displays this painting by Connie Maines.

The Palettes of Orleans debuted last year with 70 paintings on palettes. This year the numbers were reduced and the format was switched to an 11-by-14-inch canvas.

The list of participants includes:

Albion
Arnold’s Auto – Mark G.
Bloom’s – John Hewitt
Bindings Bookstore – Chris Versteeg
Knight’s Pride – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella
Hazy Jade – Connie Mosher
Orleans County Chamber of Commerce – Ed Rosko
Orleans County Farmers Market – Kim Nesbitt
Tillman’s Historic Village Inn – Sue Wells
Five Star Bank – Connie Maines
Marti’s on Main – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella

Kendall
Partyka Farms – Amanda Wilmier

Medina
A Lily & A Sparrow – Glenda Gross
Apple Blossom Florist – Connie Maines
Ashlee’s – Brandi Zavitz
Blissett’s – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella
The Book Shoppe – Jen Scott
Case Nic Cookies – Nicole Tuohey (also sponsored by OC Farmers Market)
Creekside Florist – Samantha Roskowski
C&H PC – Clara Lake
Della’s Chocolate – Jen Scott
East Center Stop N’ Shop – Jim Nicholson
English Rose Tea Shoppe – Patricia Worrad
Lakes Wine N Spirits – Clara Lake
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery – Eric Valley
Orleans County Farmers Market – Kim Nesbitt
Roberts Farm Market – Todd Eick
Rosenkrans – Mrs. Hamm
Vision 2000 – Glenda Gross

Photo by Tom Rivers – This memorial to victims in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was dedicated two years ago in Medina’s Rotary Park.

ALBION – The community is invited to two memorial events on Thursday for the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when nearly 3,000 people were killed.

There will be a 10 a.m. service at the Elks Lodge on West State Street in Albion, with first responders recognized. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medics and citizens will light candles and place memorial wreaths. Larry Montello, an active member of the American Legion, is organzing the event to honor the people who were killed in terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a downed airplane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

Participants are asked to gather at the Elks Lodge at 9 a.m. Community Action will provide refreshments.

The service will also include the playing of taps, the raising of a 9/11 flag and a gun salute.

Later at 6 p.m., there will be a candlelight vigil in front of the Orleans County Courthouse.

Andrew Cuomo and his running mate, Kathy Hochul, have about 60 percent of the state-wide votes with 55 percent of precincts reporting. That is enough for the Associated Press to declare them winners.

Cuomo and Hochul faced spirited challengers in law professors Zephyr Teachout for governor and Timothy Wu for lieutenant governor.

Hochul, a former member of Congress whose district included Orleans County, campaigned hard in New York City in recent weeks. Neither she or Cuomo made an appearance in Orleans during the campaign.

Orleans is hardly Democrat country. Republicans have about a 2 to 1 edge in enrollment. Voting today in the Democratic primary was particularly meager with 248 voting for Cuomo, 119 for Teachout and 36 for Randy Credico, a comedian and activist. There are about 5,500 registered Democrats in the county so today’s vote totals – 403 – was less than 10 percent of the Democrats.

Hochul had a bigger majority in Orleans than Cuomo. She received 297 votes to Wu’s 103 or 74 percent of the total. Cuomo received 61 percent of the Orleans vote.

Hochul issued this statement at 11:04 p.m.:

“I am sincerely honored that Democrats from every corner of this state have put their faith in me to be their nominee for Lieutenant Governor. As a proud daughter of Buffalo, I have a deep gratitude for the support and encouragement they have shown to me. And I would also like to thank Tim Wu for running such a spirited campaign.

“I congratulate Gov. Cuomo, who has once again shown that he is the choice of all New Yorkers. His accomplishments over these past four years have been nothing less than extraordinary, and his vision for the future of our state is exactly what we need to keep New York moving in the right direction.

“New York has made so much progress under the leadership of Gov. Cuomo. From creating jobs to cutting taxes, to getting government to function once again, we have turned this state around, and this November, we will continue our march forward.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Robert Ortt, mayor of North Tonawanda, is pictured on Monday speaking at a pro-gun rally in Albion. He defeated Gia Arnold today in a Republican primary, getting 71 percent of the three-county vote.

NORTH TONAWANDA – Robert Ortt won a decisive victory in a Republican primary today against Gia Arnold of Holley.

Ortt, the North Tonawanda mayor, received 71 percent of the vote from Republicans in three counties, 4,927 votes to Arnold’s 2,007.

Ortt received 78 percent of the votes in Orleans County, 829 to Arnold’s 229.In Niagara County, Ortt had 3,998 votes to Arnold’s 1,154. The district also includes a portion of western Monroe County, where Ortt received 100 votes to Arnold’s 24.

He now has the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines for the Nov. 4 election against Johnny Destino, a Niagara Falls attorney running as a Democrat.

They are vying for the seat currently filled by George Maziarz, who opted not to seek re-election.

“I want to thank everyone who contributed to this victory tonight,” Ortt said in a statement tonight. “We won this race the same way we will win in November – with grassroots campaigning, taking our message directly to the voters of Niagara, Orleans and Monroe Counties.

“Albany is broken and we need a proven public servant to fight on behalf of the residents of the 62nd Senate District. As a combat veteran and mayor of my hometown of North Tonawanda, I have dedicated my life to public service and am committed to fighting for the values of my community.”

Ortt, 35, said he will work to reduce the cost of government and help create good-paying jobs.

“I will commit myself to standing up for your constitutional freedoms, something I swore to do when I put on the uniform of a United States solider,” he said. “Tonight is only step one. Tomorrow we continue to take our message to every corner of the 62nd Senate District to ask for their support in sending a combat veteran and chief executive to Albany.”

Photo courtesy of Brittany Kennedy  – Brittany Kennedy returned to West Kendall Road home on Aug. 11 to see a black bear by her house. The bear went up on her porch and sifted through a recycling bin and grabbed a coffee can before taking off for the woods. The story about the bear sighting was the most clicked story of the month on the Orleans Hub.

Orleans Hub just completed our 17th month of covering local news and August proved our busiest month for total pageviews.

Readers checked out 454,522 pageviews, which topped the July record of 444,389. Our number of unique visitors each day is holding steady at just over 4,600. Orleans Hub went “live” on April 2, 2013.

We typically post our Top 5 stories of the month but this time we will do our Top 7 because numbers 5, 6 and 7 were nearly tied in pageviews or “clicks” on the headline, numbers that are usually generated through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

1. Bear is spotted in Kendall

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Shelby firefighter John Miller, 36, was injured in this accident on Aug. 1 near the intersection of Maple Ridge Road and West Avenue.

2. Accident with injuries on Maple Ridge

3. Medina police seek autopsy for unattended death

4. 48 ticketed today for failure to yield to pedestrian in Albion

5. Kendall rated top school district in Orleans

6. Medina man arrested for growing marijuana

7. Marcia Tuohey, a trailblazing leader in Orleans County, dies

Photo by Tom Rivers – An Albion school bus heads down East Park Street this morning after picking up students.

Press release
Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess wants to remind everyone that all area schools are back in session this week following the summer recess.

School buses are back on our roadways, and students will be walking along streets and highways and/or waiting for their buses.

“This is the time of year when we ask motorists to be especially watchful in residential areas, along school bus routes, and in school zones,” Hess said. “Children and traffic are often a deadly combination because kids often make impulsive decisions that can result in grave consequences. Drivers must never assume that children walking to or from school will make responsible, mature decisions.”

The NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee recommends the following:

Please watch carefully for children near school buildings, in areas where school buses are traveling, or where there are signs for school zones or bus stops.

Motorists please remember that if you are approaching a school bus from either direction, and its yellow lights are flashing, the bus is preparing to stop.

If the red lights are flashing on the school bus YOU MUST STOP! It’s the law and the penalty for violating it is severe.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe return to school and continued safety throughout the school year!

Photos by Tom Rivers
A caravan of Model T Fords head down South Main Street in Medina this morning in route from Albion to Orleans Ford in Medina. These two cars are driven by Tom Eagles (1914 Model T Ford four-door convertible), front, of Hamilton, Ontario, and Brad Glover (red 1911 Model T) from Scarborough, Ontario.

About two dozen of the Model T cars are in Orleans County for the weekend, touring local sites. The owners are members of the Model T Ford Club, Ontario Region. Many of the drivers are Canadians.

Glover, the Ontario resident, said he welcomes the get-a-ways with his car.

“It’s for the camaraderie,” he said. “That’s the whole the point of doing it. I don’t see the point of just looking at it.”

Most of the Model T cars are painted black. That’s how they were made from 1914 to 1925. Glover’s car was made in 1911 and was painted red.

“The early cars had colors,” he said. “They also had more brass.”

George Bidleman (left), owner of Orleans Fords in Medina, poses with Doug Lockwood of Albion and Lockwood’s 1926 Ford Model T. Lockwood has owned the car since the 1960s and driven it in many states.

“It’s been a good car,” Lockwood said.

Bidleman served the Model T drivers and riders breakfast at the dealership.

“It’s awesome,” Bidleman said, looking at the lineup of old cars.

The “Easy Ride Tour” heads to Lockport and Olcott today. On Sunday the cars head to Pine Hill Airport in Barre for breakfast, then they go to Brockport and swing back to Schwenk’s Winery in Kent.

Monday they are going to Mount Albion Cemetery before heading out to see the Shoe Tree in Lyndonville, and nearby Amish and Mennonite businesses.

Visitors now have to use elevator and be ‘buzzed’ in

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Residents who wanted to see the County Legislature typically would ascend the stairs at the County Clerks’ Building at 3 South Main St.

But visitors now have to use an elevator from the bottom floor and be “buzzed” in.

The county took out old tall wooden doors and replaced it with smaller doors with a steel frame. The old doors are being stored. (This picture was taken in late July while the old doors were still in place. A new door is in the back.)

Most of the Legislature’s visitors won’t be using the new door. They are directed to a door just outside the elevator on the top floor. Legislature David Callard said legislative staff were often caught off guard with two entrances leading to their work area.

The upgraded security is part of an effort to make the county buildings safer for employees, Callard said.

“We’re looking at other departments,” he said. “This is concern for all municipalities across the nation.”

The finished product includes a secure entrance leading into the top floor of the County Clerks’ Building.

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Allens Bridge Road canal bridge in Albion has a weight limit of 7 tons. It is one of several canal bridges that can not carry heavy trucks.

It doesn’t happen very often but the elected town, village and county boards are united on an issue. They have all passed formal resolutions for more state funding for roads and bridges.

The money is already there, said Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, but the state diverts funding for roads and bridges to other purposes.

The County Legislature, 10 Town Boards and four Village Boards in the county have all formally approved resolutions “Urging Structural Reform of the State Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund.” Carlton was the most recent to approve the resolution, making it unanimous among the elected municipal boards.

Taxpayers pay billions into the Highway and Bridge Trust Fund through taxes and fees but 75 percent of the money is then “siphoned off to pay for borrowing and operating costs of state agencies, leaving fewer dollars for improving our infrastructure,” according to the resolution.

The local government leaders are urging the governor and State Legislature to develop a multi-year plan for the fund to meet the infrastructure needs for bridges and roads in the state.

This is only the second time all municipal boards in the county have passed the same resolution. The boards did it for the first time last year in opposing the SAFE Act, a gun control law approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature in January 2013.

The county, towns and villages also have been pressing the state to better maintain bridges in the county. The canal bridges are particularly worrisome, officials said. There are 26 canal bridges in the county, including seven lift bridges.

Twelve of the 26 bridges have been declared “functionally obsolete.” Another six are considered “structurally deficient” by the state Department of Transportation. Two are closed – Brown Street in Albion and Hindsburg Road in Murray. The Knowlesville lift bridge is limited to one lane and 6 tons.

Other bridges have reduced weight limits below 10 tons, including Transit Road in Albion at 9 tons, Allens Bridge Road in Albion at 7 tons, Presbyterian Road in Albion at 5 tons, and Groth Road at 9 tons in Murray. Most of the bridges are about 100 years old. They were installed when the canal was widened in 1909 to 1914.

The closed and weight-reduced bridges forces longer trips for school buses, fire trucks, tractor trailers and big farm equipment, hindering public safety and commerce in the county, legislators said.

With less state funding for bridges, the county is considering using more local dollars for infrastructure projects so more bridges aren’t closed in the near future. That will put the burden of the projects on local taxpayers.