Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion High School students Enoch Martin, Chase Froman and Laiken Ricker are among the student leaders who will be helping with Wednesday’s student-driven remembrance for the 17 students and faculty killed last month in Florida. Froman, center, is urging his classmates to wear burgundy and silver, the school colors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Students in Orleans County will be part of a nation-wide movement to remember the 17 victims who died in last month’s shooting in Parkland, Florida.

In Orleans County there will be memorial observances inside the schools and team-building exercises to help students connect with their classmates. The events aren’t intended to be political, local school leaders said.

At Medina High School, students are planning an assembly where the names of the 17 victims will be read. The school resource officer will address the student body. Students have also created a hat with the Medina Mustang logo and the logo from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a 19-year-old gunman opened fire last month with an assault rifle. The hat with the two logos will say #NeverAgain and will be sent to the Florida school, said Mark Kruzynski, the Medina district superintendent.

In Kendall, students and staff developed a 17-minute mini lesson that focuses on character and compassion, said Julie Christensen, the district superintendent.

Students are also expected to observe a 17-second moment of silence for each of the victims.

“Rather than a walk out, empower students to interact with each other in meaningful conversations on what they can do to improve the climate of Kendall,” she said. “The goal is to help our students understand how we treat each other and the impact on society.”

Holley students will have a memorial observance at 10 a.m. at the high school. Students will gather in the auditorium to read the names of the victims in the Florida shooting.

Holley students also have created posters with information about each of the 17 victims. They will observe a moment of silence for each life lost. Students also are selling wristband bracelets, with proceeds going Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

In Albion, the middle school student council has planned 17 minutes of team-building exercises that is intended to include all 420 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, Middle School Principal Brad Pritchard said.

Student leaders in the high school are encouraging students to wear burgundy and silver on Wednesday, the school colors for Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Senior Class President Victor Benjovsky will share a reflection over the PA system and students will observe a moment of silence. Seventeen student leaders will also spend the school day making an effort to connect with all students.

“It’s the students reaching out to the students,” said Enoch Martin, a junior.

Lyndonville doesn’t have any events planned for Wednesday, but the district – students, teachers and administrators – have been discussing student safety and the atmosphere at the school for the past month since the shooting in Florida, said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.

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Provided photo: Diesel technology students and staff include, from left: Max Chraston (Roy-Hart), Marshall Nichols (Roy-Hart), Bryan Cooper (Roy-Hart), Kaelyn Watson (Albion), Carolyn Merlin (Barker), teacher aide Gail Urtel, Matthew Miller (Newfane), Nathan Grant (Roy-Hart), Rhett Wagner (Medina), Ryan Hnat (Newfane), Kyle Kasier (Barker), Robert Nesbitt (Barker), Alex-John Doran (Lyndonville), Dominic Fazzolari (Barker), Preston Harris (Barker), Mr. Wallace, Kyle Berry (Newfane) and Michael Bartosik (Albion).

Press Release, Orleans-Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Diesel Technology teacher, Ed Wallace, was recently gifted with a heavy duty diesel truck from the University of Northwestern Ohio. He will use this to train his students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

The University is known worldwide as being a leader in training for automotive, diesel and high performance industries in Lima, Ohio.

“We have a recruiter from UNOH that comes in to talk to the students, his name is Pat Dixon,” said Mr. Wallace. “One day I was talking to him about how I would be able to get some used training equipment from the college for my class after they were done with it. He got back to me and said they have two diesel semi-trucks that they would be willing to donate. He sent me photos, I looked at the trucks and after discussion with our principal, Dr. Weyrauch, and we decided one of the trucks fit our criteria. It’s newer – a 1999 Freightliner with a Cummings M11 diesel engine. The truck was in very good shape.”

In order to get the truck, BOCES had to be willing to go get it. Mr. Wallace and craft committee advisor, Randy Librock from Relco Systems, towed the truck back from Ohio to the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

“This has been a huge asset to the Diesel Technology Program,” Mr. Wallace said. “Our class has been able to use it for training on: air brake systems, steering and suspension, and diesel engines. I would like to say thank you to UNOH because they understand the value in student education and training at the high school level. I am very appreciative for their help and support of my program.”

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Board also wants to honor adults who work and volunteer on behalf of children in Orleans County

HOLLEY – The Orleans County Youth Board wants to honor local youths for their community service and adults for their work on behalf of children in Orleans County.

The Youth Board is sponsoring its 36^th annual Youth Recognition Dinner on May 10. The Youth Board each year recognizes about 20 youths for their outstanding community service or if they have taken on an extraordinary role in their family.

In addition to the youth awards, at least two adults will be honored for their service to young people.

The Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award recognizes a youth-serving professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.

The Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award is given to an adult who provides service as a volunteer to Orleans County youth.

Nominations are due to the Youth Bureau by March 30. For more information, call the Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960, or email youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us, or click here to see an application.

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State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, said the state broadband grants announced last week only brings “peanuts” to Orleans and Niagara counties.

Orleans was approved for $36,669 in in state funding to expand broadband to 154 addresses with Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans. Niagara County was approved for $173,487 for 955 addresses.

The Orleans numbers pale compared to other rural GLOW counties. In Genesee County, the state is providing $118,603 in grants for 519 addresses. In Livingston County, the state grants total $274,203 for 881 addresses, and in Wyoming County, the grants include $727,528 for 1,031 addresses.

Ortt released this statement today:

“After many broken promises – and half a billion dollars later – many residents of Niagara and Orleans County will not be receiving quality broadband services promised by the state. Significant work is underway by the private sector, but we are years away from seeing those results.

“When I saw the press release hailing the accomplishments of the New NY Broadband and announcing its conclusion, I asked ‘What about Orleans and Niagara?’ Apparently, someone else noticed that omission because another ‘final’ award went out, delivering peanuts and sub-par satellite coverage to many of my constituents. In a modern economy, families, schools, and small businesses rely on basic internet services and the state has absolutely failed them on this issue.”

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ALBION – Orleans County will hold its annual tax auction on May 23 for properties with several years of delinquent taxes.

The auction will be held at the Albion Elk Lodge, 428 West State St. The sales start at 10 a.m.

The county hired Absolute Auctions and Realty to run the auction for the next three years. At the auction, buyers agree to a sale price and also have to pay a year of the back taxes. The buyer also agrees to an 11 percent buyer’s premium which goes to the auctioneer.

In other action at last week’s Legislature meeting:

• Approved spending $74,863 for new carpet in the Mental Health Department building with the Federal Medicaid Salary Sharing funds covering the cost. Greenfield Flooring in Henrietta is the contractor.

• Approved spending $19,526 for furniture and furnishings for the mental Health Department with $10,350 from Krantz Furniture in Albion and $9,176 from Staples in Orlando, Fla. There is no county cost with Finger Lakes Participating Provider System paying the bill.

• The sale price was increased for county-owned land at 106 Beaver St., Albion. The county increased the price from $12,501 to $14,337 for DePaul Acquisitions LLC, which is looking to put a housing development at Liberty and Beaver streets. The added price reflects the addition of the 2018 county/town real property tax bill.

• Appointed Tracy VanSkiver to a two-year term as the Village of Albion’s representative on the County Planning Board, with Matthew Hand serving as the alternate.

• Renewed a $25,000 annual contract with Heath & Martin Law Firm in Holley to administer the assigned counsel program.

• Accepted a $1,500 donation for a new hanging ceiling gas heater for the Orleans County Animal Shelter.

• Reappointed the following to four-year terms on the Orleans County Youth Board: Scott Green of Medina, Cynthia Lonnen of Albion and Barbara Flow of Kendall.

• Approved a $5,000 payment to Mercy Flight for air medical transfers.

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ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is seeking state funding for drug treatment services and a transition program in the county jail.

Those services would reduce the likelihood of people committing new crimes when they are released, county legislators said last week when they sought funding from the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Many of the inmates in the county jail are addicted to drugs, and those addictions lead to other criminal behavior, including larcenies, burglaries, domestic violence, driving while intoxicated and other crimes. Legislators said about 80 percent of the crimes for people in jails state-wide can be linked to drug use.

The state is funding community-based treatment programs for individuals and their families in recovery. However, county legislators said there “remains a significant gap in the treatment and support of continuum care” in the local jails.

Providing services in the jail is a “unique opportunity” when inmates are clean and sober, legislators said.

In addition to having services in the jail, the county wants to develop a comprehensive re-entry plan and transition program for inmates with addictions. That would greatly reduce the possibility of those people from reusing drugs, overdosing or committing new crimes, legislators said.

Counties in New York are asking the state to approve $12.8 million annually for the programs in jails.

The resolution approved by the Legislature is being sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, State Sen. Robert Ortt, and Assembly members Steve Hawley and Michael Norris.

Sheriff Randy Bower also said he has a team of trained recovery coaches who will also help inmates as they transition from the jail back to the community. Those coaches will help people with addictions attend their treatment programs and spend time “with the right people,” Bower said.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: Marcy Downey performed several popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s during a concert in February 2016 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, including Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley. The concert was part of the library’s Finally Fridays series during the winter. The series was approved again for funding from GO Art!

BATAVIA — The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council presented grants to artists and local organizations for $63,084, including for many cultural programs in Orleans County.

GO Art! has been administering the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Regrant Program for 31 years. A panel picks from applications submitted by municipalities, organizations and artists. The awards were presented last Thursday at GO Art! in Batavia.

Reach Grants for community arts groups include:

• The Cobblestone Society for the Cobblestone Museum Arts Series — $4,431
• Village of Holley for concerts at Canal Park — $2,100
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina for Finally Fridays — $2,500
• Village of Albion for Concerts on the Canal — $1,200
• Lyndonville Lions Club for The Sound of Music — $2,600
• World Life Institute for Voices from Earth: Pottery Experience in Orleans County — $3,143
• Yates Community Library in Lyndonville for More than Just Books — $1,200
• The Arc of Genesee Orleans for Sprout Touring Film Festival and Art Show — $2,249
• Batavia Concert Band for its 2018 summer concert series — $4,180
• Batavia Players for its 2018 theatrical season including the filming of Romeo and Juliet — $3,000
• Genesee Chorale for its 2018 season — $4,431
• Genesee Symphony Orchestra for “GSO at 71: Ready, Willing and Able” — $5,000
• Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble for its autumn concert — $1,438
• Gillam-Grant Community Center for Art from Every Angle — $3,748
• Woodward Memorial Library for Everyone’s an Artist — $973
• Town of Le Roy for Music in the Park — $776

Spark Grants are for artists teaching the process of their art in a public school setting or to adult learners:

• Judd Sunshine at Albion Central School District for an Erie Canal song writing project — $3,300
• Annette Taylor at Albion High School for a poetry walk called “We the People” — $1,866
• Julie Lambert Coleman at Wolcott Street School in Le Roy to teach the art of paper and its influence on the human race — $3,400
• Jill Pettigrew at the Batavia Senior Center to paint “Mural, Mural on the Wall” with the help of senior citizens — $4,050

Ripple Grants for projects where artists involve the community in the creative process:

• Diana Martin to illustrate “Ellen’s Elephant” — $2,500
• Eric Zwieg for his project, “A Killer, A Victim, A Mourner” — $2,500
• Mandy Humphry to paint a mural in Batavia on the All State building — $2,500

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Provided photo – Pictured from left include: Charles Bruning (Royalton Hartland), James Terwilliger (Royalton Hartland), Lance Krieger (Royalton Hartland), Franklin Laport (Royalton Hartland), Ryan Croft (Albion) and Tom Paisley (Royalton Hartland).

Press release from Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Welding students in Eric Farrell’s and John Schrock’s junior classes at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center recently incorporated many of the skills they learn in class into an interesting project. The students made a lawn roller for an Orleans/Niagara BOCES employee, Mark Standish.

“I had a sample in my shop and it involves a lot of different fabricating skills and machinery,” said Mr. Farrell. “The lawn roller ties into a lot of math the students need to learn to be a welder/fabricator, so I thought it would be a great project for them.”

The students utilized welders, saws, rollers, a CNC plasma cutter and AutoCAD, a design and drafting software to design and complete the piece. After it was finished, the Auto Body students at the center painted it a glossy black.

The Welding students were very proud of their work and said how much they enjoy their class and working on the roller. Mr. Farrell said he and Mr. Schrock like to challenge the students with having them use the fundamentals of welding to create interesting or artistic projects. In this case it was not only educational, but very beneficial for Mr. Standish.

“The students did an excellent job of building the roller and I know it will last a lifetime,” said Mr. Standish.  “I was really impressed by what they achieved.”

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‘This crisis has devastated families, wreaked havoc on our economy, and produced a generation of narcotic dependence.’ – Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has declared the opioid epidemic a “public nuisance,” which legislators say is a first step in allowing the county to recoup costs to taxpayers in responding the crisis.

Many governments have declared the opioid epidemic a public nuisance, which is part of a litigation strategy to recoup the costs for providing services due the crisis, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The epidemic has hit the county, with 43 overdoses last year, including eight fatalities.

The county normally wouldn’t be able to recoup costs for providing services, such as with a police chase. However, by declaring a “public nuisance,” the county intends to recover some of its costs.

“As a result of the opioid epidemic, costs related to healthcare, family and social services, criminal justice, addiction and rehabilitation, and many other areas significantly increased,” according to a resolution from the Legislature.

The County Legislature in September also voted to join a growing number of municipalities in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for allegedly fueling an opioid crisis.

The Legislature retained Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, a Manhattan firm, in the lawsuit. The firm is paying any upfront costs for staffing and retaining expert witnesses, County Attorney David Schubel said.

The counties are contending the pharmaceutical manufacturers knew that opioids were effective for short-term or trauma-related pain, as well as palliative (end-of-life) care. However, the manufacturers also knew for years that opioids were addictive and subject to abuse, especially when used for more than three months.

The lawsuit contends that prescription painkillers, as well as heroin abuse, are the prime causes for an increase in overdose deaths.

“Vast amounts of prescription opioids were sold, distributed, and prescribed in the County over the past several years, a practice that continues today,” the Legislature stated in a resolution. “The selling, distributing, and prescribing of large amounts of opioids in our community has created a public health and safety hazard affecting the residents of the County. This crisis has devastated families, wreaked havoc on our economy, and produced a generation of narcotic dependence.”

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ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has joined the Yates Town Board in opposing large-scale industrial wind turbine projects offshore in Lake Ontario.

The County Legislature last week passed its resolution against large-scale offshore wind energy development along the shores of Orleans County, which includes about 24 miles in the towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall.

Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, said the state may be looking to push the projects on rural areas.

Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, said the state should focus its renewable energy efforts on better utilizing the hydroelectric facility at Niagara Falls.

“We are sitting on the cleanest and cheapest hydropower,” he said.

The county’s resolution, opposing offshore wind in Lake Ontario, will be sent to Gov. Cuomo, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Assemblyman Mike Norris and State Sen. Robert Ortt.

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Courtesy of Orleans County Planning Department

Last week the state announced 154 addresses in Orleans County were approved for broadband access.

The state announced $225.5 million in broadband grants, including $36,699 to serve 154 addresses in Orleans County. The NY Broadband Program Round III grants will fund broadband infrastructure and support connections for nearly 129,000 locations statewide.

In Orleans, the grants include $12,758 for 51 addresses in Barre, $6,773 for 29 addresses in Yates, $5,670 for 21 addresses in Shelby, $4,568 for 15 addresses in the Town of Albion, $2,678 for 15 spots in Ridgeway, $2,363 for 15 addresses in Gaines, $12,600 for six sites in Clarendon, and $630 for two addresses in Carlton. Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans.

Several Orleans Hub readers requested the specific addresses for the project. We were able to find the census tract numbers. The Orleans County Department of Planning created the map above, showing where the high-speed Internet will be going.

(Editor’s Note: The state announced that broadband would be going to some spots in Gaines, Ridgeway and the Town of Albion, but those locations weren’t reflected in the census data.)

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Russell Kingdollar, center, of Albion and other members of the junior high chorus perform today at Albion during the All County Music Festival today, featuring the top music students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

There were about 200 students in today’s concert. The students and their directors were challenged by Friday’s snow day, which denied them a day of rehearsals.

Elizabeth Banner, a Brockport music teacher, led the junior high chorus. She also tried to get the crowd to join in singing, “Give Us Hope.” The chorus also performed, “Sing Dem Herrn,” “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” and “(If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

Trenton Crews of Medina and Cassie Serafin of Albion were members of the senior high band.

Dr. Paul Shewan, professor of instrumental music and conducting at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, directed the senior high band, which performed, “First Suite in Eb,” “Mt. Everest,” and “Billboard March.”

Kevin McLaud, a retired music teacher and band director at Pavilion, led the elementary school band today, which performed, “”Engines of Resistance,” “Scarborough Fair,” Funkytown,” and “Sweet Caroline.”

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The state has announced $225.5 million in broadband grants today, including $36,699 to serve 154 addresses in Orleans County.

The NY Broadband Program Round III grants will fund broadband infrastructure and support connections for nearly 129,000 locations statewide, according to an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In Orleans, the grants include $12,758 for 51 addresses in Barre, $6,773 for 29 addresses in Yates, $5,670 for 21 addresses in Shelby, $4,568 for 15 addresses in the Town of Albion, $2,678 for 15 spots in Ridgeway, $2,363 for 15 addresses in Gaines, $12,600 for six sites in Clarendon, and $630 for two addresses in Carlton. Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans.

The Orleans numbers pale compared to other rural GLOW counties.

In Genesee County, the state is providing $118,603 in grants for 519 addresses in Alabama, Alexander, Bethany, Elba and Le Roy.

In Livingston County, the state grants total $274,203 for 881 addresses in Groveland, Ossian, Portage, Springwater and York.

Wyoming County is the biggest recipient of the four rural counties for the grants with $727,528 for 1,031 addresses in Arcade, Castile, Eagle, Middlebury and Wethersfield.

Niagara County also was approved for $173,487 for 955 addresses in Niagara Falls, Wilson, Lockport, Somerset, Hartland and Royalton.

Niagara and Orleans officials have been working together for several years to extend rural broadband.

“Access to high-speed internet has never been more important for New York residents and businesses,” Governor Cuomo said. “By leveraging state investments with private and federal funding, we are building a stronger, smarter and more competitive New York poised to lead the nation as the first state to achieve total connectivity.”

When the New NY Broadband Program was launched in 2015, 30 percent of New Yorkers – approximately 2.42 million locations – lacked access to broadband, Cuomo said. This was most acute in the eight Upstate Regional Economic Development Council regions, where only 35 percent of New Yorkers had access.

As a result of the Program’s Round I awards and additional state-secured upgrades, broadband access was expanded by more than 2.2 million locations to 97 percent of New Yorkers. Round II awards then extended coverage to more than 80,000 locations to 98 percent of New Yorkers.

Today, with the announcement of Round III awards, the Program accomplishes its mission of statewide broadband availability, providing the last mile funding to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-speed internet by the end of 2018, Cuomo said.

The program’s goal was to achieve statewide access to internet download speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second and 25 Megabits per second in the most rural and remote areas. After full implementation of the commitments announced, 99.9 percent of New Yorkers will have access to high-speed broadband – with almost 99 percent at speeds of 100 Megabits per second or greater. Consistent with the program’s prioritization of unserved areas, of the broadband funds deployed, nearly 90 percent of all funding was awarded to projects that will address unserved areas of the state, connecting these locations for the first time, Cuomo said in a news release.

(Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version that said 131 addresses would receive broadband in Orleans County.)

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ALBION – Catholic Charities Finger Lakes is pleased to announce the availability of a Targeted Permanency Resource Center (TRPC) based in Albion that provides post adoption and post guardianship services for Orleans County.

The program goal is to improve safety, sustain permanency, and promote the wellbeing of the whole family.  The program is offered to any post adoptive or post guardian family, and there are no income restrictions. The TRPC is funded through a NYS Office of Children and Family Services grant.

“Parenting is difficult, add to that complexity the dynamics of adoption or guardianship, and there is increased possibility for challenges and an increased need for programs and services that support families,” said Ellen Wayne, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes. “This program helps us work directly with these families to navigate the bumpy roads, and to make sure that the family remains strong as the children grow.”

The TRPC offers: Home case management, assessments, monthly support groups, advocate, referrals, educational support and workshops, individualized support, linkages to services for treatment of trauma, assistance to local resources unique to client needs, parent training, peer support, mentoring, navigation for cross-system needs, counseling and respite care.

If you are interested in this service, please call Catholic Charities at (585) 737-0892 and ask for Emily Sorenson, or email her at emily.sorenson@dor.org.

Since 1982 Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes has served Ontario, Seneca, Yates, and Cayuga counties by providing quality human service programs and by advocating for social justice. The organization work with faith communities, government, elected officials, business leaders, and other human service organizations to meet human needs and effect public policy that addresses the needs of all people.

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Local party leaders will make endorsement after hearing from Nate McMurray, Nick Stankevich

Nate McMurray

ALBION – The Orleans County Democratic Party Committee will host a forum on March 6 with the final two candidates seeking the Democratic endorsement for the 27^th Congressional District.

The forum will be form 7 to 9 p.m. at the QWL Building on Washington Street in Albion. The event is open to the public, including people who aren’t Democrats.

After hearing from Nate McMurray and Nick Stankevich, Democratic Party leaders from Orleans expect to endorse one of the candidates, said Jeanne Crane, party chairwoman.

Nicholas Stankevich

There were five Democrats seeking to challenge incumbent Chris Collins, a Republican from Clarence. But the following have recently dropped out of the race: Joan Seamans, owner of a photography studio in Williamsville; former Erie County Assistant District Attorney Sean B. Bunny; and engineer Thomas P. Casey of Erie County.

“There is a lot of money involved and that discourages people,” Crane said today.

McMurray, the Grand Island town supervisor, has the backing of Turn 27 Blue, a coalition of left-learning grassroots groups as well as many Democratic Party leaders. McMurray currently lives just outside the 27^th District. He grew up in North Tonawanda which is in the district. McMurray’s campaign noted that Chris Collins lived outside the district when he challenged John LaFalce for Congress in 1998. LaFalce was re-elected.

Since the endorsement from Turn 27 Blue, the Democratic field has narrowed with only Nick Stankevich, a businessman from Mumford in Livingston County, remaining to challenge McMurray for the Democratic line.

Stankevich, in a statement on Sunday, said he will force a Democratic Party primary.

“You deserve the freedom of a primary, and you deserve a rural candidate who lives in the district,” Stankevich said in his statement to supporters. “I’ve shown you, my neighbors, that I have a plan to beat Chris Collins come November, and it starts with you.”

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