Press Release, Preservation League of New York State

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from October 2015 shows the Tug Urger when it was in Albion.

ALBANY – The Preservation League of New York State is seeking support for its efforts to protect the historic Tug Urger and other Erie Canal vessels that provide an authentic link to the past.

The League recently learned that the New York State Canal Corporation, under the New York Power Authority (NYPA), has plans to beach the tugboat Urger, flagship of the Erie Canal and beloved “teaching tug.” This vessel has introduced thousands of school children and members of the public to New York’s navigable waterways, reinforcing the role of the Erie Canal in making New York the Empire State.

Tug Urger used to travel up and down the canal system for school field trips and public events. Now the Canal Corporation and NYPA want to pull it from the water and make it a dry-land exhibit at a NYS Visitor Center off the Thruway in Montgomery County. NYPA’s plans would permanently disable the Urger and prevent it from returning to service.

The League is launching an advocacy campaign to call attention to the plight of the Urger and to call on the Canal Corporation and New York Power Authority to work with stakeholders to develop a plan for the fleet of historic canal vessels, more than a dozen of which are slated to be scuttled off Long Island to create artificial reefs for sport fishing and recreational diving.

According to Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League, “The Erie Canal is an engine for recreation and tourism with significant economic benefits for canal communities, businesses, and New York State. The Preservation League has been working for years to help communities in the Erie Canal Corridor address their unique preservation challenges and revitalize canalside assets.”

Through more than $600,000 in grants, technical services, workshops, awards and the Industrial Heritage Reuse Project, the Preservation League has helped individuals, not-for-profits and municipalities throughout the canal corridor. Loans from the Endangered Properties Intervention Program (EPIP) have added more than $300,000 in support.

“As we mark the 100th anniversary of the Barge Canal, it seems like a remarkably poor time to remove historic resources from the National Historic Landmark NYS Canal System,” continued DiLorenzo.

“It’s hard to imagine the future of the canal system without Tug Urger and other significant historic vessels on the water,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “These vessels convey the sense of New York State pride, stewardship, and heritage that are integral to a thriving, living waterway.”

According to Dan Wiles, president of the Board of Directors of the Canal Society of New York State, “The 1901 Urger already had a storied career even before plying Barge Canal waters in the 1920s, serving as a fishing boat on Lake Michigan. As one of the State’s maintenance workhorses, its presence overlaps nearly all of the years of the Barge Canal, now celebrating its centennial. It has been appreciated by generations across these many years and across New York State. It is one of the essential links between that past and the future. We all need it to continue this mission on the waterway, being shared by communities throughout the canal corridor.”

In addition to the effort to save the Urger, the League is also calling on the Canal Corporation and New York Power Authority to work with stakeholders to develop a plan for the remainder of the fleet of historic canal vessels, which currently numbers 57.

More information and a petition is on the Preservation League’s website at www.preservenys.org/save-the-urger.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Contractors have been busy the past three months working on an addition to the County Administration Building.

These photos taken this afternoon show progress with the $10 million project that will add 23,000 square feet to the complex on Route 31.

Construction is expected to take about 15 months until the building is ready for about 50 employees from the Health Department, Board of Elections, information technology department and the County Legislature’s office and staff.

The new space will include a meeting room for the Legislature with about 60 seats. The current Legislative chambers has about 30 seats and is one of the smallest municipal meeting rooms in the county.

The building will be connected to the current Administration Building with the addition on the south side. There are currently about 125 people working out of the building for the Department of Social Services, Office for the Aging, Job Development, Tourism, Planning and Development, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Personnel.

A temporary traffic light helps with the traffic flow through the construction zone.

Holdsworth Klimowski Construction of Victor is the general contractor for the project.

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Photos by Tom Rivers: David Schubel of Medina thanks Orleans County legislators for a special recognition award on Wednesday in honor of his 27 years as county attorney.

ALBION – David Schubel was praised on Wednesday for his wisdom and research the past 27 years in helping the county work through numerous contracts, agreements and other issues.

Schubel is retiring as the Orleans County attorney on Aug. 17. He is currently the longest-serving county attorney in the state, said Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman.

“He has been a great resource for the legislators,” Johnson said. “He was always there for me.”

Schubel of Medina is turning 70 next month. He will continue working full-time in private practice for Webster, Schubel & Meier in Medina. Schubel also is part owner of the SK Herefords cattle operation in Shelby.

“You’ve earned the respect of your colleagues,” Johnson said. “We all owe you a debt of gratitude.”

He has worked 45 years as a lawyer. He said serving as an municipal attorney was a goal when he was in law school at the University of Buffalo.

The Legislature appointed Kathy Bogan of Medina to succeed Schubel, effective Aug. 20. Her appointment is through until Dec. 31, 2019.

Schubel said the county will need to be “creative” in the future responding to mandates from Albany.

“The county will face a lot of challenges that are up and coming,” he said.

Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, said Schubel has provided invaluable insight to county officials.

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The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the annual business awards.

The categories include:

• Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.

• Lifetime Achievement – This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements.

• Phoenix Award – This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility.

• New Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year.

• Community Service Award – This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres.

• Agricultural Business of the Year – This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.

• Businessperson of the Year – This award is presented to an individual who has had outstanding accomplishments within their own business/businesses and who has made notable contributions to our local business sector.

• Small Business of the Year – This award is presented to a small business that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year.

Send a nomination to the OCCC, PO Box 501, Medina, NY or email it to director@orleanschamber.com.

The businesses and individuals will be recognized during an awards dinner on Oct. 18.

For more information on the Chamber, click here.

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Provided photo: Otto, a K9 for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, is a 3-year-old German Shepard from Holland. Otto has been serving with the Sheriff’s Office since Oct.13, 2016.

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff’s Office K9 Otto has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by SICDTC, Staten Island, NY.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,000 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies. The dogs must be certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

“Many thanks to Vested Interest in K9’s, Inc. for their gift,” said Sheriff Randy Bower. “We are thrilled to have received a Body Armor Vest for K9 Otto’s protection during service.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Arc of Genesee Orleans planted a rose bush in a memorial garden on Washington Street this morning in honor of the 70^th anniversary of Ann Greenberg placing an ad in the New York Post.

Greenberg wanted to start a day nursery for children with developmental disabilities. Ten people initially responded to the ad, which started the momentum to form Arc chapters throughout the state. Genesee County’s chapter would start in 1966 with Orleans County’s chapter in 1970. The two have recently merged.

Donna Saskowski is the director of the Arc of Genesee Orleans. She said Greenberg’s ad inspired the movement to better serve people with disabilities and their families.

“She was very important to our organization and the other organizations in our state,” Saskowski said. “People with developmental disabilities didn’t have anywhere to go. Her movement was the beginning of the Arc of New York.””

People served by the Arc each added a cup full of soil to help plant rose bush.

The garden next to Orleans Enterprises is named in honor of Terri Carr Krieger, a beloved Arc staff member who passed away in 1997.

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Provided photo: Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower is pictured with the 11 children who attended camp last week. The Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club in Medina provided a donation so each child had two travel bags to pack for Sheriffs’ Camp.

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

This past week 11 children from Orleans County attended the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s 2018 Summer Camp. The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This marks the 41st year of the camp’s operation.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp will accommodate over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State.

“This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Orleans County residents for donating and making this possible,” Sheriff Randy Bower said.

Throughout the week-long stay, the children observed special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriffs’ Offices from across the State. Included in these presentations were D.A.R.E. presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show just for fun.

Upon completion of their stay, all children were awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”

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Ken DeRoller

KENDALL – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall has been appointed by the governor to serve on the state’s Canal Recreationway Commission.

He was notified by letter on June 19 from Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor. DeRoller will serve the remainder of a term that lasts until March 23, 2019.

DeRoller told the other county legislators on Wednesday that serving on the commission gives him a chance to speak up for the canal communities in Orleans County.

He is pleased with recent state commitments to repair canal bridges. However, he said the canal is an underdeveloped asset in Orleans. He wants to see the local communities better capitalize on the canal, drawing more tourists and economic activity.

The Recreationway Commission was created by the New York State Legislature in 1992 and has 24 members. There are 14 voting members including ten other members who work together trying to promote canal use, development, preservation and enhancement.

DeRoller believes the canal communities will be better positioned to utilize the canal after two waterfront plans are developed. The Village of Medina is working on a waterfront development plan while the rest of the canal communities – towns of Shelby and Ridgeway, Gaines, Albion and Murray, as well as villages of Albion and Holley – are developing a canal waterfront plan.

State funding is covering most of the costs for those plans for about 25 miles of waterfront in Orleans along the canal.

The waterfront revitalization plans will include public input to identify assets along the canal and identify projects and strategies to enhance the canal waterfront.

DeRoller said serving on the Recreationway Commission gets him “in the room” with state officials to advocate for the county, and see successes in other communities.

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Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

File photo by Tom Rivers: A section of Thompson Drive at the western end of Kendall was eaten up by Lake Ontario. This photo was taken on May 7, 2017.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC has completed revisions to the Lake Ontario General Permit related to erosion and shoreline damage caused by the historic high-water levels of Lake Ontario during 2017-18, and is extending the permit authority to September 30, 2019.

The revisions and extension of the General Permit are the latest in a series of State actions that support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ongoing commitment to helping residents impacted by last year’s devastating flooding.

Commissioner Seggos said, “DEC has been working hand-in-hand with communities along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River since day one, helping New Yorkers protect their homes and businesses from record flooding and related damages. Our efforts aren’t subject to an arbitrary expiration date. We’ll be on the ground helping these communities until the job is done and will continue to authorize shoreline repair work until these communities are back on their feet.”

DEC’s General Permit was revised to include additional typical activities undertaken by shoreline property owners to make necessary repair and stabilize their properties from high water levels and wind-driven high wave events. The revisions incorporate lessons learned from experience gained over the course of the State’s response to this major flooding event.

Over the past year, DEC has received more than 3,000 applications for permits to authorize shoreline repair work, and issued over 2,700 emergency authorizations. Commissioner Seggos is granting this extension for the General Permit authority to address the continued demand for restoration permits. The extension allows DEC to accept applications through April 30, 2019, and extends the permit expiration date to September 30, 2019.

Additional activities permitted include:

• Repair of erosion control structures that require minor deviations waterward necessary for the stability of the structure;

• New toe stone necessary for the stabilization of vertical erosion control structures;

• New stone revetments for the emergency stabilization of existing dwellings; and

• Removal of channel blockages in tributaries to Lake Ontario blocked by shoreline sediments.

DEC’s revised General Permit was developed in consultation with the New York State Department of State (DOS) and the Buffalo District of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE). Activities authorized under this permit qualify for coverage under the USACOE Nationwide Permit Program and have received a Federal Coastal Consistency Concurrence from DOS. These revisions mean applicants eligible for the revised General Permit will receive a single approval from all three agencies.

Governor Cuomo remains committed to helping New York’s Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River communities recover from last year’s historically high water levels. Following the flooding of both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway, which damaged homes, businesses, and local infrastructure, the Governor and the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services coordinated with county and local partners to monitor water levels and deliver resources, including millions of sandbags and the construction of thousands of feet of temporary dams.

An initial $45 million commitment to provide aid to residents, small businesses, and municipalities affected by the flood was supplemented with two $5 million grants from the State and Municipal Facilities Program to bolster previous relief and provide necessary financial assistance to recovery efforts.

The new permit is available on DEC’s website by clicking here.

Homeowners and municipalities with questions about the Lake Ontario grant program should call DEC at 518-474-2057 during normal business hours.

Small business owners and other eligible property owners should contact Empire State Development with questions by emailing LakeOntario@esd.ny.gov or calling 518-292-5348.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and two Sheriff’s Office investigators, Shannon Brett and Ken Strickland, are pictured with some of the Self Advocate All Stars in Orleans County before Bower took the All Stars to a conference in Batavia today.

Bower and the two investigators are pictured with, from left: Jonathan Doherty, Robert Greer, Tyler Nunnery and Mike Woodward.

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State is holding a two-day Western Region Conference today and Friday at the Quality Inn in Batavia. Bower will be the group’s keynote speaker on Friday. He also will lead a seminar on Internet safety. The sheriff said he will discuss “overcoming challenges” during his keynote presentation.

The Self Advocate All Stars formed in Orleans County in 2006. The local group made Bower an honorary member in 2015.

The All Stars advocate for people in the community with disabilities. All Stars include residents who live at home with their families, in apartments with supportive services or in Arc residential homes.

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ALBION –  The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was authorized today to fill two newly created school resource officer positions.

Lyndonville and Kendall school districts both have approved paying the county $100,000 annually to have a deputy work full-time in the school districts from Sept. 1 to June 30 each school year. The districts and the county have approved agreements for three years.

The Sheriff’s Office will post the two jobs and accept input from the school districts in filling the positions, Sheriff Randy Bower said.

The new school resource officers will start on Sept. 1. During the summers they will work on road patrol for the Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s such a win for the community, the teachers and the students,” Bower said this afternoon after the County Legislature authorized the sheriff to create and fill the positions.

Bower said the Sheriff’s Office has expanded its presence in Lyndonville and Kendall, the two schools in the northern part of the county that do not have a full-time police presence in their communities.

The contracts with the school resource officers will include 125 hours of overtime so the officers can attend some after-school activities, athletic events and the prom, Bower said.

The officers will provide security for the schools, and also educate students with anti-bullying programs, anti-drug education and also guide them in using a new STOP DWI Driving Simulator, where students and other users can see the effects of driving while texting, drowsy or if they are impaired or intoxicated.

Medina is the only other school with a resource officer in Orleans County. Corey Ambrose from the Medina Police Department filled the role this past school year.

Holley for the past five years has contracted with COP Security Inc. to have security staff members who are often retired law enforcement officers.

In Albion, an officer from the Albion Police Department isn’t assigned to the school, but several have increased their presence at school buildings this past year.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club is shown on June 25, 2016 at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, 14064 West County House Rd., Albion. This photo shows ham radio operators, from left: Mike Moriarty of Medina, Ed Weider of Medina and Chuck Baker of Medina.

ALBION – The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club will be participating in Amateur Radio Field Day with a 24-hour marathon beginning at 2 p.m. today and ending at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to their communities and nation.

It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The public is welcome to stop in and get on the air with the Orleans County Amateur Radio Club, which meets at the Emergency Management Office, 14064 W County House Rd.

The local club has been in operation in Orleans County for the past 60 years.

“During this activity, we will be trying to contact as many other stations in North America and around the world using voice, Morse Code, and digital modes of communications,” said Chuck Baker, a member of the club. “In addition to the fun and food, we will be experiencing what bands are best at all hours to get information from point A to point B, testing equipment and making sure what we have is up to the task if a real emergency takes out conventional communications.”

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