Flood watch issued for Orleans over the weekend

Photos by Tom Rivers – Sandy Creek in Albion already is starting to look swollen in this photo from Butts Road.

The foot or more of snow in most of Western New York and Orleans County has already started melting with today’s 40-degree weather.

More upcoming days in the 40s, as well as rain on Saturday, could overwhelm local creeks and streams. That has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch for western and central New York from Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening.

Orleans is one of 17 counties under the flood watch. The NWS warned that snowmelt and potential ice jams could lead to localized flooding of creeks and streams as well as low-lying and poorly drained areas.

The ice is starting to melt in Sandy Creek in this photo taken from the Brown Street bridge.

ALBION – Orleans County is tapping its contingency account to distribute $11,500 to five organizations in the county.

The Legislature did not give the agencies an increase in funding in the 2014 budget. But with the year nearly over county officials said there is money in the contingency account to give some of the agencies a little boost.

The Legislature agreed to give $4,000 to the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, $2,500 to Cornell Cooperative Extension, $2,000 for Soil and Water Conservation District, $2,000 to the Sportmen’s Federation and $1,000 to the Cobblestone Society Museum.

This is the second straight year the county has used contingency funds to give agencies a year-end financial boost. Last year the Legislature approved $14,500 for three groups.

Legislature Chairman David Callard said the agencies submitted funding requests as part of the county’s annual budget process. The agencies sought increases in funding, but the Legislature did not raise the budgeted amounts.

The county was comfortable, with the year nearly over, that it could direct some of its contingency funds to the agencies. All are currently in the county budget except the Cobblestone Museum, which was taken out a few years ago.

Here are the funded agencies and how much they will receive from the county in the 2014 budget: Cornell Cooperative Extension, $219,150; Orleans Economic Development Agency, $150,000; Soil and Water, $57,750; Libraries, $10,000; Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, $1,000; and the Sportsman’s Federation, $500.

ALBION – A three-person board of directors expects to make a decision next month on the sale of The Villages of Orleans, a 120-bed nursing home on Route 31 in Albion, the chairman of the group said today.

“We’re not dragging our feet but we’re not rushing it, either,” said Russ Martino, chairman of the Orleans County Health Facilities Corporation.

The County Legislature in February voted to transfer the county nursing home to the Health Facilities Corporation. The board for that local development corporation has been tasked with finding a buyer for the site.

The proposals have been submitted and the board is weighing two final offers. Martino said the board will try to iron out the framework of a purchase agreement during a 1 p.m. meeting on Friday. Most of that session at the Health Department, next to the nursing home, will be behind closed doors from the public due to the negotiations with the sale of real estate.

The board is considering more than price, Martino said. The board wants the new owner to work with Albion Central School to continue an alternative education program at the site. At-risk students at Albion take classes at the nursing home and do an internship or job shadowing with staff.

The nursing home also currently prepares meals for residents at the hospice residence down the road. Martino wants that partnership to continue.

“We’re still negotiating and we want to make sure the school and hospice are in the agreement,” Martino said.

The LDC board isn’t rushing to reach a deal, but Martino said the group doesn’t want to delay the process.

The LDC and county hired Marcus and Millichap’s National Senior Housing Group, a Chicago firm that specializes selling nursing homes. The firm helped find buyers and is working with the county on the sales agreement. Marcus and Millichap will get a 2.5 percent commission as its fee.

The county still owes about $8 million in debt for nursing home renovations and an expansion in 2007. The county is paying about $800,000 a year in debt for the nursing home.

If the sale was approved before the end of a calendar year that could save the county about $800,000 in an additonal debt payment. The county budgeted for about $800,000 in nursing home debt in 2014.

It will likely have to make that payment again in 2015 because the sale is subject to a review by the state Department of Health. That review is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Martino has said bids for the nursing home would at least cover the outstanding debt for the nursing home.

The cover includes two dirt roads in Orleans County: Clark Mills Road (bigger photo) in Carlton and Culvert Road in Ridgeway.

ALBION – We have calendars ready that showcase the four seasons of splendor in Orleans County.

The 2014 Orleans Hub calendars include 26 photos of local scenes (two for each month plus the two on the cover). Some of the pictures have never been published before.

The calendars are $10. You can get them by coming to the Lake Country Pennysaver at 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. The office will be open on Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon and will be closed on Christmas.

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

I like all of these pictures, but my favorite is the swing hanging from the massive willow tree at Nesbitt’s Pond in Barre. That is the dominant photo for the month of June.

I also like the July photo featuring the fireworks at Lyndonville. It’s hard to get photos of the fireworks in focus. This one looks like a giant red strobe light went off over a field at Lyndonville.

ALBION – In 1830, when Orleans County’s government was led by a Board of Supervisors, the county leaders passed a resolution making care of the local poor a county responsibility.

Al Capurso, a Gaines resident, believes that resolution commits the county to owning and maintaining the nursing home. Last month he met with county legislators and the county attorney, and asked them to research the issue.

County attorney David Schubel reviewed the resolution and social welfare responsibilities for the county.

Schubel said other resolutions about the nursing home have superceded the 1830 resolution, including one from last February when the Legislature voted to create a local development corporation. The LDC became owner of the nursing home and has been working to sell the site.

The Legislature’s creation and use of the LDC has twice been held up in court after state Supreme Court challenges by residents and the CSEA union.

“The judge says we were lawful,” Schubel said during Wednesday’s Legislature meeting. “The judge says we did proper legal actions.”

Capurso said the judge wasn’t presented with the 1830 resolution as part of the lawsuits. Capurso believes that resolution may have resulted in a different decision from the judge.

In 1830, the Board of Supervisors voted: “Resolved, That the distinction between the town and the county poor be and the same is hereby abolished, and that the expense of maintaining all the poor shall be a county charge.”

The county created an alms house that took in local poor and infirm. That site was a social services function and not a medical facility like the current nursing home, which is licensed by the state Department of Health, Schubel said.

“To tie (the nursing home) with the alms house is a stretch beyond any rational basis,” Schubel told Capurso.

The attorney said the 1830 resolution is now “irrelevant.”

Capurso is a member of the Concerned Citizens of Orleans County, a group that has fought the Legislature on its push to privatize The Villages of Orleans, 120-bed facility of Route 31 in Albion.

The tax on lodging generates about $35K for tourism

Photo by Tom Rivers – Dollinger’s Motel in Albion is among the lodging businesses in Orleans County that collect a 4 percent tax, in addition to the sales tax, from their customers.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators voted today to continue a 4 percent tax on lodging businesses, a tax that generates about $35,000 annually for the county’s tourism budget.

The county first imposed the tax in the year 2004. It has been extended every two years since then.

Motels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging providers collect the 4 percent tax from their customers, which is on top of the sales tax. The bed tax in 2012 raised $35,859, County Treasurer Susan Heard said.

The county doesn’t designate how the funds be used by tourism, but it helps pay for easements for fishing access, advertising and other outreach, said Legislator Ken Rush, R-Carlton.

He said most of the tourism funds are targeted towards getting more fishermen to the county. They, in turn as visitors, pay 90 to 95 percent of the bed tax, Rush said.

Legislators were asked to cease with the tax.

“There are better ways (to raise money for tourism) than by punishing businesses,” said Paul Lauricella, Conservative Party vice chairman.

None of the lodging operators in the county attended today’s public hearing, but in the past they have asked the county not to impose the tax. They have said not having a bed tax could give the lodging operators an advantage over other options outside the county.

Rush said he doesn’t know of a county that doesn’t have a bed tax.

“It doesn’t matter where you travel, you pay a bed tax,” Rush said in response to Lauricella. “If we don’t charge it we’d be the only one without a bed tax.”

The tax doesn’t generate much money for Orleans compared to counties with chain hotels. In neighboring Genesee County, which has more than 1,000 hotel rooms, the bed tax generates more than $400,000 a year. That money is used to promote Genesee businesses and attractions.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Bent’s Opera House is eyed as a performing arts center with a restaurant and retail/office space. The state denied the project any funding in the latest round of economic development grants.

New York State won’t be playing Santa Claus for Orleans County. A breakdown of the state economic development grants, announced today, shows very little for Orleans County despite the county’s high unemployment and clear need for these funds.

The state approved $58.9 million for 94 projects in the nine-county Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. This is the third year the state has awarded the funds through regional councils.

Bent’s Operas House in Medina was recommended by the council for state funding for a roof repair and renovations. Orleans Renaissance Group, owner of the building, sought $500,000 in state funding, but the organization was denied even a cent from the state.

The state approved $65,776 to the village of Holley for a canal park improvement project. Holley will use the funding to improve its existing gazebo, pavilions and stone paths.

New elements of the park will include tree planting, installation of grills and picnic tables, fire pits, and the purchase of new equipment to maintain the park.

The improved amenities should make the canal park a bigger attraction for Holley, drawing more bicyclists and boaters, state officials said.

Another grant allocates $46,680 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee to provide employment support services for residents in the two counties. Community Action will offer job skills instruction and training, job placement assistance, computer skills and financial literacy.

These are the only grants that are targeted to a project in Orleans County. That’s barely $100,000 out of $715 million approved across the state. It’s woeful for a county burdened with poverty and high unemployment.

There is grumbling from rural county leaders that the new system hurts the small counties because the state tends to pick projects with an emphasis on job creation and capitol investment. The state also wants a local match for many of the projects.

Those criteria are steering more projects to the bigger communities that have deeper pockets and staffs to put together the applications.

I’ll have more on this in the coming days. But this is bad news for Orleans County.

Orleans is listed as recipient of some other multi-county initiatives including $62,050 through the Arts Council of Wyoming County to add culinary traditions to farmers markets and other agrarian, horticultural and rustic events. The initiative will expose market and festival goers to traditional foods and local chefs, according to state officials.

Orleans is listed as one of nine counties that would benefit form a $250,000 grant to High Tech Rochester Inc. The funding will help create a partnership between High Tech Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester to leverage each partner’s strengths to improve the breadth of services to all entrepreneurial activities in the Finger Lakes Region.

A grant that covers eight counties, including Orleans, will fund a regional watershed management plan through the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The $507,830 focuses on a watershed management plan for the Niagara River and Lake Erie.

Provided photos – Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life participants look for their loved ones’ names among the ornaments.

Press release
Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – Some Christmastime traditions are worth a bit of sacrifice, even withstanding frigid air for a half-hour or more. That’s just what more than 60 people did last Saturday as they witnessed the lighting of the Hospice of Orleans’ memorial tree on the front lawn of the Route 31 campus.

The annual Light-A-Life event provides a way for family and friends of people who have passed away – not just Hospice patients, and not only those who have died recently – to remember their loved ones, while also supporting Hospice of Orleans.

The tree is available to any for whom a measure of comfort can be found in paying tribute to a loved one in this manner. Light-A-Life participants purchase an ornament in memory or honor of their chosen designee.

The purchaser takes home an ornament for his/her own tree, and Hospice creates a paper laminated ornament for the outside tree, which was donated by Jerry and Carol Culhane of Gaines. Bill Downey of Albion donated his sign-making services to identify the tree’s meaning to passersby.

A crowd gathers for the annual Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 7.

Brandi Hazel DiMatteo attended in memory of her grandparents, Merle and Eleanor Hazel. “The tree lighting at Hospice used to be me and Grandma’s annual event to find Grandpa’s name on the tree. Unfortunately, I was looking for both their names this year. My aunt Linda Wilkins and I were there to show our love. We’re missing them everyday more and more.”

Hospice Board Member Craig Lape sang a solo rendition of the Alabama song, “Angels Among Us,” prompting tears from many present, some of whom quietly sang along.

Pastor Linda Haight, a Hospice spiritual care coordinator, offered a reflection about how grieving is still allowed, even at this merry time of year. Her meditation will be available on the Hospice website (www.hospiceoforleans.org – lower left, “Latest News”).

In addition to the Light-A-Life, Hospice is celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Martin-Linsin Residence this month. To help deck the halls, Albion Ace Hardware donated a 7.5-foot pre-lit Christmas tree for the main living area. Hospice friend Winnie Wawrzyniak donated a second tree, which is on display in the indoor courtyard. County House Christmas Trees contributed two fresh wreaths. And Walmart of Albion gave a gift card toward other Christmas decorations.

The piano students of Bonnie Heck of Lyndonville will be giving a recital at the Residence on Dec. 14. Eccles Piano Studio of Albion is hosting a Hospice benefit recital at the Albion Free Methodist Church on Dec. 20. In addition, various carolers and other visitors are planning appearances at the Residence. Even Santa is rumored to be stopping by.

“Having so many people pitch in is so heartening,” said Hospice Development Director Marsha Rivers. “That’s what makes this ‘the most wonderful time of year’ – not that everything is perfect, but that people open their hearts and their pocketbooks to help their neighbors. The reason we love Christmas is because Christmas is about love.”

Police believe group was responsible for 32 burglaries

Police agencies in three counties worked together to arrest Jonathan Banks, top left; Isaiah Bonk, top right; Jasper Lloyd, bottom, left; Thomas Shingleton, bottom right.

ALBION – Police from multiple agencies in three counties believe they have arrested the people responsible for 32 burglaries in August and September, a rash of break-ins in Albion, Medina, Oakfield and Lockport.

The four are all in jail and Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone said they will face long prison sentences.

One of the suspected burglars, Jonathan Banks, 21, of Medina, was arrested by Lockport police in September. After his arrest, there weren’t additional burglaries, police officials said.

Police officers continued to work on the cases and had a break through last week when Medina police arrested Isaiah Bonk, 20, of Medina. He was arrested following a foot chase. He gave information to police that led the arrests of two others who were part of the crimes.

Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said the four were persons of interest in the crimes before their arrests. Police from Albion, Medina Lockport and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department were in daily communication, sharing information and gathering evidence.

“Criminals don’t follow jurisdictional lines and neither do we,” Nenni said at a news conference at the Village Hall. “We became one big sheriff’s department or police department.”

The following were arrested:

Jonathan Banks, 21, of 4886 South Townline Rd., Medina, faces 10 counts of second-degree burglary, one count of attempted burglary and attempted robbery in the second degree, six counts of grand larceny, seven counts of petit larceny, three counts of attempted petit larceny, and four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

He is held in Niagara County Jail on $160,000 bail.

Banks was involved in a high-profile crime in May when he took a 12-year-old girl from Albion overnight to Buffalo. The girl was subject to a missing persons report. Banks was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Law enforcement officials gathered at 11 a.m. today at Albion Village Hall to discuss the arrests of four people in a rash of break-ins in August and September. The group includes, from left: Lockport detective Kevin Schrader, Orleans County DA Joe Cardone, Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert, Albion Police Chief Ronald Nenni (at podium), Medina Police Chief Jose Avila and William Sheron, undersheriff at Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.

Isaiah Bonk, of 531 East Center St., Medina, faces nine counts of second-degree burglary, one count of attempted burglary in the second-degree, six counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, seven counts of petit larceny, three counts of attempted petit larceny, and four counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

He is held in Orleans County Jail on $50,000 bail.

 Jasper Lloyd, 20, of 107 East Bank St., Albion, was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, two counts of grand larceny and one count of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

He is in Orleans County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Thomas Shingleton, 36, of 177 Bates Rd., Medina, has been charged with one count of attempted burglary in the second degree and one count of attempted petit larceny. He is in Orleans County Jail on $20,000 bail.

The four worked together in the crimes, but not necessarily all four at each location, Nenni said. With some of the break-ins, one or two of the burglars may have been at the scene. They sometimes provided each other with rides after the burglaries, Nenni said.

Albion had 20 break-ins. There were five in Medina, three in Lockport and four in Oakfield.

The burglars tended to hit multiple locations each night. They would go through unlocked doors or cut out screens in windows to gain access.

“It was alarming to the victims to have people come into their house,” Nenni said.

One of the victims from Albion attended the news conference. He said the burglary in August traumatized his young son, who wouldn’t sleep the rest of the summer unless a parent was by him.

The family used to keep its windows open in the summer to let in a breeze. After the crime, their windows were locked tight.

“You never expect someone to come through the screens,” the victim said.

Nenni said the burglars took cash, credit cards and electronics. The credit cards were never used after being stolen. Some of the electronics were sold. Nenni estimated the burglars took about $20,000 all together in cash and electronics.

There was also about a $20,000 cost to taxpayers for the officer overtime on the case, he said.

Nenni and the police leaders said the investigation is continuing.

ALBION – A budget vote that ended in a 3-3 tie this morning would be broken by Ken Rush, a county legislator who missed today’s vote.

Rush had surgery for carpal tunnel on Monday. He stayed home this morning, recovering from surgery.

But Rush said he supports the budget that calls for a 5 percent tax increase. It would raise the tax rate from $9.71 to $10.11 per $1,000 of assessed property.

“I don’t want to see a tax increase but the people have got to have a budget,” Rush said when contacted after the Legislature meeting.

Three legislators – Don Allport, Henry Smith and George Bower – opposed the budget, saying the tax increase was too much. Allport said department heads should be required to reduce spending by 10 percent in their departments.

Rush said the department heads have already worked to rein in spending.

“I don’t know what more can be done with it,” Rush said.

He wants to see the county work towards upgrading its emergency communications system. The budget includes a $475,000 initial debt service payment on the radio system upgrade. Rush said he wants that project to go forward.

The Legislature could have another vote on the budget before a Dec. 20 deadline. If the budget fails to pass, the tentative budget would take effect, which is identical to the one that was deadlocked in a vote earlier today.