Photos by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Taylor of East Shelby poses with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s newest piece of equipment, a pumper/tanker, which she will be driving a lot more, now that she’s been named fire chief of the department. She is the first woman to serve in that position in Orleans County.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 November 2020 at 1:03 pm
‘She’ll be a role model for any lady who wants to become a firefighter or EMS member.’ – Dale Banker, county EMO director
EAST SHELBY – When Debbie Taylor first joined East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company at age 21, she had no thought of becoming a longtime member, let alone, be named fire chief, the first woman from Orleans County in that role.
Taylor received the honor at the fire company’s Nov. 3 meeting.
David Green, who will celebrate 60 years as a member on Dec. 13, has served in many positions, including chief. He had nothing but praise for Taylor, who he called loyal, hard working and dedicated.
“She’s been a member for quite a few years, and she works hard,” Green said. “She is quick to learn things, she’s well organized and she’s got the personality to do a really great job.”
Taylor changed positions with former chief Andy Beach, who has a new baby at home and is very busy on his farm. He was anxious to step down, Taylor said.
After joining East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company at age 21, Taylor moved away and then came back and rejoined. She’s been a member now for 16 years. She said joining the fire company was a natural thing.
“I grew up watching the TV show ‘Emergency,” and when I married Jeff, both he and his father were members of East Shelby fire company.”
When she first joined, she said the thought of becoming chief wasn’t even on her radar.
“I just wanted to do something for my community,” she said.
Debbie Taylor, who was just elected chief of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company on Nov. 3, is dwarfed next to their new pumper/tanker, Truck No. 36.
Serving the fire company is a family activity of the Taylors. Husband Jeff is fire captain and son Devin is first assistant chief. Debbie has worked her way up from lieutenant, to captain and 2nd assistant chief. She hopes to some day pass the chief’s hat to her son.
“There is no competition among us,” Debbie said. “We have a great fire company and we all work very well together. The fire company is my second family.”
Jeff was first assistant chief, and he stepped back so Devin and Debbie could advance.
Debbie drives school bus for the Medina School District, so she would usually be free to answer a fire call.
“I’m still going to be learning things, with all the modern technology,” Debbie said. “It’s always changing.”
‘We have a great fire company and we all work very well together. The fire company is my second family.’ – Debbie Taylor, East Shelby fire chief
She is not intimidated by driving even the biggest fire truck. She has had her CDL license since she was 19 and got it to drive milk truck.
The biggest challenge, Debbie said, is the fact of the unknown when responding to a call.
“You don’t know what you’re going to encounter,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of help from Dale Banker, director of Orleans County Emergency Management, and Jerry Bentley (deputy coordinator).”
Banker said having the first woman chief is a great thing for the county.
“She’ll be a role model for any lady who wants to become a firefighter or EMS member,” he said. “As long as they are properly trained, a woman can do well in a firefighting role.”
He said the county is fortunate to have several women coming up the ranks, any one of whom he wouldn’t be surprised to see become chief of their fire company. These include Kristin McAdoo, who is assistant chief of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company; Crystal Luckman and her sister Tiffany Petry in Shelby; Sue Maslyn, EMS captain in Kendall; Patty Knapp, EMS captain in Holley; and Robin Hughson, captain in Carlton.
“I look forward to working with Debbie, or any of the ladies,” Banker said. “With the shortage of firefighters and EMS personnel, these women fill an important role.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 9:35 am
Boy with sensory processing disorder welcomed at firehall
Photos by Tom Rivers: Alex Baker, 7, received a certificate from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, designating him as an honorary member. He received the recognition on Monday during a meeting of the fire company. He is pictured with his family: parents William Baker and Candice Vought, and brothers Ryan and Adam.
SHELBY – Alex Baker looks forward to stopping by the Shelby fire hall every Tuesday evening. He and his mother, Candice Vought, will bring firefighters cookies and brownies.
The firefighters will give him a short ride in a fire truck.
The gestures and acceptance are much appreciated by Alex’s family. Alex, who turns 8 next month, has a sensory processing disorder. That makes it difficult for him to be around a lot of people or in buildings with unpredictable noises.
Alex made his first visit to the fire hall about a month ago. He was very reluctant to go inside.
But the firefighters proved friendly and welcoming.
“It’s still new to him, but he is happy and walks right into the building,” said his mother.
Alex Baker is congratulated on being a new honorary member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Tim Petry, Shelby president, shakes Alex’s hand. Fire Chief Jason Watts also welcomed Alex as an honorary member. Alex is joined up front by his mother, Candice Vought.
The firefighters have noticed he feels more comfortable and doesn’t shy away.
“He is really coming out of his shell,” said Tim Petry, president of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Petry and Fire Chief Jason Watts made Alex an honorary member of the fire company on Monday. They presented him with a certificate during the fire company’s monthly meeting.
Alex’s brothers – Ryan, 13, and Adam, 10 – have joined a youth group through the fire company that meets Tuesday evenings. Alex looks forward to joining too when he is 10.
Alex enjoys watching the cartoon, Fireman Sam, and admires firefighters. Besides riding in the fire trucks, he has watched firefighters do an extrication drill, tearing apart a car.
She and Alex’s father also wanted firefighters and police officers to get to know Alex and understand his disability in case they ever encounter him in an emergency.
“We wanted to get him involved in the community,” said his mother.
William Baker said the firefighters have been kind to his son.
“I was surprised that they have been very open to him,” he said. “That makes Alex want to see them again.”
Alex Baker and his mother Candice Vought are pictured with Shelby Fire Chief Jason Watts, left, and President Tim Petry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 9:11 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Jeff Lyons (right), owner of Lyons Emergency Services, presents a new drone to Shelby Fire Chief Jason Watts on Monday during the fire company’s monthly business meeting.
Lyons, a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, said the drone will assist Shelby firefighters with searches, especially in the swamp and can also give a quick aerial view of large fires, showing if flames are coming through a roof.
“You can cover a lot of ground quickly,” Lyons said.
Two Shelby firefighters will be trained and certified to operate the drone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2020 at 12:19 pm
MEDINA – The Orleans Economic Development Agency approved a payment in lieu of taxes plan for Western New York Energy, where the company will pay about $1 million annually the next 20 years to three local governments.
The PILOT plan goes from 2021-22 to 2040-41, with the company paying $890,000 the first year to the Town of Shelby, Orleans County and Medina central School. The PILOT payment will increase 1 percent annually over 20 years to $1,075,218 in 2040-41.
The PILOT agreement was approved this morning the Orleans EDA board of directors as part of a $25 million expansion at the company on Bates Road. The 6,050-foot expansion will allow the company to produce high-grade ethanol for Covid-19 hand sanitizer products and distillation-grade ethanol for distilleries and similar end-users.
WNY Energy currently operates a 90,000-square-foot ethanol manufactory facility at 4141 Bates Road
As part of the expansion the company expects to create 10 new jobs at average salary of $55,000, while retaining 47 other full-time positions, the EDA said.
The PILOT will save the company about $611,000 annually in what it would pay in property taxes if fully assessed. The EDA also approved a sales tax exemption estimated at $16,000.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2020 at 7:06 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – A fast-moving fire devoured a barn on West Shelby Road late this afternoon. The barn is owned by Darrel Barnes. The fire also badly damaged a workshop and apartment owned by Barnes.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 5 p.m. Barnes had removed a section of the barn and was burning some of the old wood. He said the fire sparked to the barn and quickly spread. He tried to put it out with a hose, but the fire quickly engulfed the barn in flames.
“I couldn’t believe all of a sudden it was whoosh,” he said. “I couldn’t put it out.”
Barnes said no one was injured in the fire.
Shelby, Medina and several other fire companies were at the scene, using tankers to haul water to put out the flames.
Orleans County fire investigators were also on the scene to confirm the cause.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 September 2020 at 8:12 pm
SHELBY — Western New York Energy is considering a $25 million upgrade to its Bates Road plant for the company to produce high-purity ethanol.
That ethanol would be sold for beverage, pharmaceutical and industrial purposes, allowing the company to diversify its revenue stream and provide a supply with a known demand in the state, the company stated in an application to the Orleans County Planning Board and Town of Shelby.
The County Planning Board this evening voted in favor of the site plan and also a variance request for the project.
Tim Winters, company president and CEO, spoke with the board and said the ethanol plant was able to provide alcohol for sanitizer during the Covid crisis.
“That allowed us to keep the doors open and maintain the workforce,” he said.
The company has seen there is a proven need for higher-purity alcohol from natural fermentation, rather than synthetic processes, Winters said.
The company opened in Medina 13 years ago and produces about 60 million gallons of ethanol annually from about 20 million bushels of corn.
The expansion would allow the company to add at least eight full-time employees, and buy 5 to 10 percent more corn, Winters said.
The high-purity ethanol would be used for products “in dire need” and not available on a commercial scale, Winters told the Planning Board. The higher-grade ethanol will support sanitizer production, craft distilleries and other industrial businesses in NY, the company stated in the application.
Paul Hendel, a Planning Board member from Murray, said Western New York Energy has been a proven good business partner for the county and region. Hendel is also chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
“We’re fortunate to have them here in Western New York,” Hendel said.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller praised the company for pursuing an “amazing diversification.”
“You’re getting ahead of the curve,” DeRoller said.
The company is looking at about a 6,000-square foot addition to accommodate the new equipment and a building for loading and storage of high-purity ethanol.
WNY Energy anticipates the construction to be complete by September 2021.
The company needs a variance because the tallest distillation tower will be about 150 feet tall, above the town’s 35-foot maximum. However that isn’t as tall as some of the grain handling equipment at the plant.
The County Planning Board recommended Shelby approve the variance and also the site plan for the project.
In other action tonight, the Orleans County Planning Board:
• Recommended the Town of Gaines Planning Board approve the site plan for David Oakley, owner of Woodside Granite Industries, to put a 50-by-60 addition on the south side of the current monument business. The property is located at the corner of of Ridge Road and Gaines Basin Road.
Oakley said the addition would mainly be used to store monuments.
• Recommended the Town of Barre Planning Board approve a special use permit for Keeler Construction to add an electrical control building, which Keeler said would allow the company to remove temporary facilities, improving electrical safety.
The electrical control building would be built at 14120 West Lee Rd. at Barre Stone Products.
The cast-in-place concrete building will accommodate electrical starters and controls in a controlled atmosphere to protect equipment and improve safety for servicing equipment, Keeler said in the application. The building will allow Keeler to remove trailers with motor controllers, starters and generators no longer being used. The generators have been replaced with a service from National Grid.
• Recommended the Town of Clarendon approve revisions to the zoning ordinance to allow for large-scale solar and battery energy storage systems for the projects.
• Supported the site plan and special use permit request by Kerri and Cole Glover to operate wedding and events venue, and a bed and breakfast at 13800 West County House Rd. in Albion at the former Pillars. The couple doesn’t intend to run a separate bed and breakfast business but wants to make that option available for wedding parties.
The new business would be known as Maison Albion. They want to expand the parking at the site.
• Voted in support of a special use permit for a recreational pond in the Town of Ridgeway. Steven Miller wants to build the 40,000-square-foot pond at 10749 Ridge Rd.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 September 2020 at 8:55 am
Darlene and Mike Rich battle lingering effects from virus
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Shelby Town Clerk Darlene Rich and her husband Mike stand in their home in Shelby six months after contracting Covid-19. The couple says they still aren’t back to normal.
MEDINA – It has been a little more than six months since Shelby Town Clerk Darlene Rich became Orleans County’s first confirmed case of Covid-19.
Three weeks later, her husband Mike was diagnosed with it.
Now, neither says they are back to normal, and continue to fight fatigue.
The Riches’ ordeal began March 10 when they left the Buffalo Niagara International Airport for a vacation in Florida. Two days later Darlene started coughing.
“That brought on an asthma attack and I started using an inhaler, but it didn’t help much,” Darlene said. “The news on Friday the 13th was all about Covid and its symptoms. Mike went and bought a thermometer and my temperature was 101.5. Then it became hard to breathe and we called the ER. I had a chest X-ray and the doctor said I had pneumonia in my right lung and had the symptoms of Covid, so on Monday he would send my results to the Health Department and I had to quarantine until then.”
The Riches let their motel know they had to stay in their room and they brought them breakfast. Darlene’s temperature the whole weekend was 104.5 and she took Tylenol and Motrin. Then the hospital called and said she tested positive for the virus. The Health Department gave them instructions and told them to stay there for now. For an entire week, Darlene ate very little and just wanted to sleep.
“I was scared. I figured I’d probably end up dying,” Darlene said.
The Riches thought back where they had been the first two days in Florida. They had been on a helicopter ride, and Give the Kids the World in Kissimmee, where they had been several times in the past with their son Mikey. They saw the paving stone they bought their son, who died in March 1997 at the age of 23. The had also taken an airboat ride with many other people. And they wanted to call everybody they had been in contact with to let them know. Several days later they received a gift basket thanking them for their consideration.
By the end of the week they had canceled their flight home and rented a car, and that Friday they started the drive home.
The trip was a nightmare.
First, Darlene was worried sick about Mike driving the entire way as she usually did a lot of the driving. All the stores were closed and the truck stops were barricaded. If one was open, they only had port-a-johns.
Mike had bought a cooler and made egg salad sandwiches. They ate them and apples on the way home.
While still in Florida, they had called the Orleans County Health Department, where they were connected with a nurse who made regular calls to the couple in Florida and continued to support them after they returned home.
They got home on a Sunday and on Monday and Tuesday the Health Department came and tested Darlene. Both tests were still positive.
Mike, in the meantime, was on pins and needles. The arthritis medication he takes compromises his immune system, and he figured if he caught the virus he would probably die.
Almost three weeks later, their worst fears came true when Mike tested positive.
“We both had a loss of appetite big time and awful exhaustion,” Darlene said. “Even now I go to work and come home and sit in the chair and fall asleep for an hour.”
Darlene went back to work the end of May, but was only able to work half days. Mike, who works for General Motors in Rochester, was able to go back the middle of June, but also still has a hard time with the fatigue.
Their doctors can’t assure them they will ever be totally over the effects.
In spite of it all, Darlene said they were both fortunate that they apparently had a light case.
“Nobody really knows anything about it,” she said. “We were lucky.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2020 at 8:02 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board backed plans for a new 165-foot-high phone tower in Shelby.
Tarpon Towers II and Bell Atlantic Mobile are pursuing the project for Verizon Wireless. The tower would be a monopole and would have options for other companies to collocate.
It will be located on vacant agricultural land near a wooded area on 5093 Creek Rd., one land owned by Edward Zelazny.
“Hopefully it will improve communication in the area because I got to tell you we have a lot of dead spots,” Dan Wolfe, the town code enforcement officer, told Planning Board members.
Tarpon Towers, in the application for the tower, acknowledged there are dead spots in the area and the tower will improve phone service.
The project needs a height variance from Shelby, which caps the size of towers at 35 feet. The County Planning Board recommended that Shelby approve the variance, the site plan and a special use permit for the project.
The Planning Board also recommended the Town of Gaines approve a project at 3278 Oak Orchard Rd.
Dennis “D.J.” Button wants to move his business, Digital Ink Arts, from downtown Albion to his garage. He would like to put on a 1,200 square foot addition (30 by 40 feet) for the apparel printing business.
The town requires a 15-foot setback from the neighboring property line. Button only has 6 feet of space from the end of his garage to the neighbor’s property line. He also would need to share the neighbor’s driveway for the business.
The County Planning Board recommended Gaines approve the variance, the site plan and a special use permit for Button. The county recommended Gaines have the right-of-way agreement in writing with the neighbor regarding the driveway.
The State Department of Transportation announced that repaving along 10 miles of Route 31A will begin this week.
The $1.9 million project includes Route 31A from Route 98 to Route 63. The project is funded through the state’s PAVE NY Initiative.
The resurfacing work is expecting to last until mid-August. During this time, two-way traffic will be maintained using alternating single-lane closures. Motorists may encounter short delays and are encouraged to seek an alternate route.
All construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2020 at 3:10 pm
SHELBY – The Town of Shelby has a new town supervisor following the resignation of Ed Houseknecht on May 31.
Ed Houseknecht
The Town Board on June 9 appointed Jeff Smith to serve as town supervisor. Smith, a fruit farmer and owner of Ledge Rock Farms on North Gravel Road, was the town’s deputy town supervisor.
He was appointed town supervisor by the other Town Board members – Stephen Seitz, William Bacon and John Pratt.
Houseknecht was re-elected in November to another two-year term as town supervisor. He was first elected to the position in November 2017.
He is retired as the Orleans County highway superintendent and was the former superintendent of the Village of Medina’s Department of Public Works.
He couldn’t be reached for comment about why he resigned.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 10:18 am
The town halls in Albion and Shelby are closed to the public until further notice, to protect the public and town employees. This also means court cases will be delayed.
Officials from the towns made the decision due to the current state of emergency in Orleans County and New York State due to the coronavirus health threat.
Shelby will accept any payments in the court drop box on the south side of the town hall on Salt Works Road. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the town hall at 585-798-3120.
The Albion Town Hall on Clarendon Road is currently locked and not accessible to non-employee traffic.
“Phone numbers and email addresses are posted on the door and we will service resident needs as quickly as possible,” said Town Supervisor Richard Remley. “Additionally, the court system is closed and all cases have been delayed into May. Judges will continue to perform essential services. These actions were taken at the direction of the head of the court system.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Officers of the East Shelby Fire Company pose with their new pumper/rescue truck after their annual awards banquet Saturday night. From left are Allen Turner, treasurer; Joe Newton, vice president; Karen Bracey, secretary; Mike Fuller, president; Andy Beach, chief; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; Debbie Taylor, 2nd assistant chief; Todd Ralph, 3rd assistant chief; Jeff Taylor, captain; Sharon Grimes, lieutenant; Laura Fields, fire police captain; Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and Dave Green, steward. Not shown is Ken Printup, trustee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 March 2020 at 8:58 pm
Carol Lonnen, left, and Gerry Zinkievich hug Dave Green after he presented them with his Steward’s Award at East Shelby Fire Company’s annual awards dinner. The ladies also received bouquets of flowers for always being ready to help the auxiliary at special events.
EAST SHELBY – East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company recognized dedicated members, and celebrated new members and the arrival of a new fire truck at their annual awards dinner Saturday night.
Master of ceremonies Dave Green, Auxiliary President Bronwyn Green and Fire Company President Mike Fuller welcomed guests and introduced special dignitaries.
The first order of business was to thank the Ladies Auxiliary for their gift of $7,000 which paid for new dining room chairs. It is customary for the auxiliary to give the fire department a gift each year, and this donation paid for about half of the chairs needed. It is a great start, Green said.
Ladies Auxiliary officers were installed by Town Justice Dawn Keppler, while Sheriff Chris Bourke installed the fire company officers.
New officers of the Ladies Auxiliary are Bronwyn Green, president; Deb Green, vice president; Sawyer Green, secretary; Carol Lonnen, treasurer; Shirley Printup, Sharlene Pratt and Elaine Newton, trustees; and Carol Lonnen, chaplain.
Administrative officers of the fire company are Mike Fuller, president; Joe Newton, vice president; Karen Bracey, secretary; Allen Turner, treasurer; Ken Printup, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and Dave Green, steward.
Firematic officers are Andy Beach, chief; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; Deb Taylor, 2nd assistant chief; Todd Ralph, 3rd assistant chief; Jeff Taylor, captain; Sharon Grimes, lieutenant; Laura Fields, fire police chief; and Sue Behrend and Mike Fuller, EMS officers.
President Mike Fuller announced the fire company has welcomed five new members. They are Megan Perkins, Jared Zinkievich, Scott Barber, Ben Shiffer and Emma MacDonald.
Members of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary took time out from the annual awards banquet Saturday night to pose with the new pumper/rescue truck which just arrived the end of January. From left are Bronwyn Green, president; Sawyer Green, secretary; Deb Green, vice president; Carol Lonnen, treasurer; Elaine Newton, Sharlene Pratt and Shirley Printup, trustees.
Bronwyn Green said the auxiliary has welcomed new members Lynn Woodruff and Maureen Beach.
Bob Scharlau received proclamations from town board member Jeff Smith and Assemblyman Mike Norris for 25 years in the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Norris also thanked all the firefighters for their service, saying they are the lifeblood of the community. He said there are 26 fire companies in the 144th district he represents.
East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company president Mike Fuller, right, presented Gordon Reigle with a certificate for 55 years of membership in the fire company during their annual awards dinner Saturday night. Fuller also was presented a plaque from vice president Joe Newton on behalf of the town of Shelby community for Fuller’s 44 years of service as an employee of the Town of Shelby Highway Department, 14 of them as highway superintendent.
Norris also conveyed regards from Senator Rob Ortt, who was unable to attend, saying he and Ortt both continue to sponsor and support bills for the good of firefighters.
Fuller handed out certificates for years of service, from five to 55 years. These included Matt Seever amd Andy Beach, 10 years; Deb Taylor, Jackie Keller and Alan Lonnen, 15 years; Rusty Hoffmeister and Todd Ralph, 20 years; Bob Scharlau, 25 years; Ken Printup and David Allen, 30 years; Jim Ralph, Kirk Zinkievich, Rich Pitcher, Dave Morien and Ron Sanders, 35 years; and Darrell Green and Gordon Reigle, 55 years.
Fuller chose a couple as recipients of his President’s Award. Sue and Norm Behrend have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in their service as New York State educators in EMS training, Fuller said. They previously taught certified first responders, EMTs and CPR in Kendall and continue to offer the training at East Shelby.
Joe Newton made a surprise presentation to Mike Fuller for his outstanding service and commitment to the town’s residents as highway superintendent. The plaque conveyed a thank you from the community and fire department.
“I gave 110 percent in my 44 years with the town of Shelby – 14 of them as the boss,” Fuller said.
He also said his retirement now gives him more time to spend at the fire company.
Chief Andy Beach handed out two awards this year – a newly created EMS Award and his Chief’s Award.
“Several weeks ago, Sue Behrend asked me if we could give an EMS award this year,” Beach said. “We are the fire department in the county with the fewest calls, but 90 percent of them are EMS.”
The first EMS Award was presented to Dave Green.
“He is no stranger to EMS, and continues to insist every year he is too old to recertify, but he keeps doing it,” Beach said. “He recently responded to a call which resulted in the delivery of a baby. Whether it’s a fire or a house call, Dave is there, insisting he’s OK.”
East Shelby Fire Chief Andy Beach, right, congratulates Dave Green, who was recipient of the first EMS award given by the department. Green was recognized for responding to a call for a woman having a baby.
Beach said he didn’t have to think too hard to choose the recipient of his Chief’s Award.
“Out in the hall is our new truck, which required a lot of paperwork, dealing with a lot of difficulties, writing grants and negotiating with the company we bought it from,” Beach said, naming Allen Turner for the Chief’s Award.
Mike Fuller was named the Firefighter of the Year.
“With a new truck comes a lot of responsibility,” Beach said. “We combined a pumper and rescue into one truck, and everything had to be shifted from two trucks to one. I got calls every day from Mike, asking where he should put this or that. I told him he had more years of experience than I did and to just put things where he thought they should go.”
“I appreciated the opportunity to work on the new truck, now that I have the time to do it,” Fuller said.
From left, Assemblyman Mike Norris, East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company president Mike Fuller and Fire Chief Andy Beach stand next to East Shelby’s new fire pumper/rescue truck after their banquet Saturday night.
Beach named the top 10 responders in the fire department and gave them each a $10 gift card to Tim Hortons. They are Dave Green, Gordon Reigle, Nick Culver, Mike Fuller, Rusty Hoffmeister, Scott Barber, Karen Bracey, Walt Dingman, Paul Albone and Steve Wolter.
Brownyn Green presented Shirley Printup with a certificate as outgoing president.
“Shirley is super organized and made the transition an easy one for me,” Green said.
Two 10-year certificates were presented to Megan Wolter and Cassidy Oliver.
Bryan Zinkievich accepted an award for his mother, Sue Zinkievich, who has 45 years of membership in the auxiliary.
Two members of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary pose with Auxiliary president Brownyn Green, right, after being recognized at their annual banquet. Elaine Newton, left, was honored as recipient of the President’s Award, while Printup received a certificate as outgoing president.
Printup recognized Elaine Newton as the auxiliary member who had outdone herself in supporting the auxiliary.
“So many members outdid themselves, but this lady is the first here for any event and often the last one out the door,” Printup said. “She is a big help at all our events and is always here when I need her.”
Carol Lonnen and Gerry Zinkievich received bouquets of flowers for being willing to make a pie or an extra casserole when needed.
Lonnen and Zinkievich also were recipients of Dave Green’s Steward’s Award for being faithful supporters of the fire company.
The evening concluded with viewing the new fire truck and music by Eli Howard.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2020 at 6:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Firefighters pick up equipment after fighting a fire this afternoon at the Hoffman residence, 10772 Ryan Rd., in Shelby.
Firefighters said no one was home at the time of the fire. A motorist called in the fire after seeing flames on the back of the house at about 2:45 p.m. Firefighters arrived on scene to see the flames and smoke from the house.
The fire caused extensive damage to the house, especially on the back side, said Shelby Fire Chief Jason Watts. He said the damage inside makes it a near total loss.
Fire investigators from the Orleans County Emergency Management Office are working to try to determine the cause. Watts said the fire appears to have started at the back of the house and spread.
A Shelby firefighter walks through the inside of the house, which suffered extensive damage.
Besides Shelby, firefighters responded from Medina, East Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway.
The fire was the first call for this new pumper-rescue truck for East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. The new fire apparatus went into service on Tuesday. It allows the fire company to replace two vehicles – a pumper and a rescue truck – with one fire truck. The new pumper-rescue truck carries 1,000 gallons of water and has the tools to respond to a motor vehicle vehicle accident.
Photos courtesy of Sasha Azeez, HAF: Tom Roster, manager of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, presents a plaque to Carl Zenger on Saturday when he was honored at the refuge for reaching a 35,000-hour milestone for volunteer service.
Staff Reports Posted 3 February 2020 at 11:07 pm
BASOM – A volunteer who has donated 35,000 hours at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge was honored on Saturday.
Carl Zenger began his volunteer service at Wildlife Refuge in 1997. He created an extensive cavity bird nesting program, helped re-establish a rapidly declining purple martin population, managed habitat, created opportunities for children, and built more nest boxes, bat, bird, and butterfly houses than anyone could count, refuge leaders said.
Zenger was joined by his wife Phyllis at the refuge on Saturday. Refuge Manager Tom Roster presented Zenger with a plaque and a 35,000-hour volunteer pin in front of the 65 visitors, Friends Board Members, Fish and Wildlife Service staff, NYS DEC staff, partners, and other volunteers.
Zenger has given about an average of 30 hours a week in volunteer service to the refuge since 1997. He is retired from a 42-year career as an engineer and supervisor at General Motors.
Carl Zenger has been nearly a full-time presence at the refuge since 1997, and has been instrumental in many projects. He is shown with Tom Roster, refuge manager, during a celebration in Zenger’s honor.
In his tenure at Iroquois NWR, Zenger spearheaded the restoration of what was once a tiny purple martin colony in 2001 into an impressive martin program with over 180 cavities at six locations today. In 2019, these cavities fledged 702 purple martins, which is an increase of 75 percent over the last 9 years.
Additionally, Zenger has headed the cavity nesting program since he learned the ropes. He designed a unique winch system for American kestrel boxes ensuring weekly checks can be safely accomplished. And through this program, Carl has banded and taught others how to age, sex, and band eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, purple martins, great-crested flycatchers, eastern screech owls, American kestrels, and prothonotary warblers. His team of volunteers banded 1,307 birds in 2019 with 99 percent of them fledging.
Zenger has taken students, children, volunteers, and the public under his wing. He has exposed these groups to the refuge, educated them about refuge programs, and has been known to let them hold a hatchling or two. He has been instrumental in a University of Buffalo study on nest parasites of purple martins, assisting the PhD candidate in organization and implementation of data collection at Iroquois NWR.
Every year, the Youth Conservation Corps students rave about working with Zenger on refuge banding projects, stating it was their favorite part of the summer. He helps with public outreach through special events and interpretive programming, and has even developed an educational program called Take-a-Kid-Along, allowing children to participate in and learn in a one-on-one situation about bird banding, bird identification, and marsh habitat exploration. It’s ideas and work such as these that help promote the refuge to not just younger audiences, but to all generations.
Since the day Zenger walked through the door, this energetic man has done anything refuge staff have asked of him from litter pick up to carpentry, habitat work, painting, and mowing, refuge leader said.
Along with the help of other volunteers, he has built 200-300 different habitat houses each year for the refuge’s annual Spring Into Nature festival. He even helps the children (and sometimes adults) build the houses to take home. Since becoming a certified tractor operator, he has personally mowed approximately 3,800 acres over the years in order to maintain habitat for ground nesting birds, pollinators, mammals and native plant species.
Additionally, he obtained his backhoe and tracked dozer operator certificates enabling him to assist with numerous habitat management projects including, floodplain restoration via dike removal, trail development, private lands habitat restoration projects, and water control structure installation.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Steve Seitz, left center, and Sidney “Buster” Watts, were honored Saturday night for 50 years of membership in the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. They are pictured with fire company president Tim Petry, left, and fire chief Jason Watts, right. Seitz and Buster Watts are holding a wooden plaque with firefighter’s emblems, which was presented to Jason Watts as incoming chief.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 January 2020 at 3:07 pm
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company also swears in officers during annual meeting
SHELBY – Two members of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were honored Saturday night for 50 years of dedicated membership.
At left, Orleans County legislator Bill Eick, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Mike Norris line up to shake hands with Steve Seitz on his 50 years of membership in the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Steve Seitz and Sidney “Buster” Watts each joined the fire company in 1970.
Seitz said he joined right out of school. His family had been members and he always liked coming to the fire hall and see the parades in which they participated. Besides, he and Buster grew up together.
One of the most gratifying things for Seitz was receiving the President’s Award three times.
“That showed I was really appreciated,” he said.
For Watts, belonging to the fire company was all about family and the respect he got as a firefighter. His father was a charter member of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and growing up, Buster and his siblings spent most of their time at the fire hall with their parents. His mother was one of the original members of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary.
During their 50 years of membership, both Seitz and Watts were active in the fire company.
Seitz was chairman of the fall gun raffle for 30 years. He works all through the year on discounts and raffle prizes to save the fire company money.
“The Fall Gun Raffle is always a big success due to Steve’s dedication every year,” said Tim Petry, president of the fire company. “Steve always lends a hand to all the chairman of our other events.”
Seitz volunteered to be the bride in a mock wedding the fire company had in the 1980s, and he also donates and cooks a variety of game at Shelby’s annual chicken barbecue.
Sidney “Buster” Watts is congratulated by Kenna Liddell, a representative of the Firefighters’ Association of the State of New York, on being honored as a 50-year member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Watts has always supported the fire company and shown his appreciation for them. He served many years as president, vice president, secretary, bingo chairman and Nevada chairman. He was one of the starters of the Christmas party and served as an usher in the 1980s mock wedding.
Both Seitz and Watts received plaques from the fire company and certificates and/or proclamations from Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick, Shelby deputy supervisor Jeff Smith, Senator Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Mike Norris (who also represented Assemblyman Steve Hawley, whose district used to include Shelby) and Kenna Liddell from the Firefighters’ Association of the State of New York.
Pat Fuller, president of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary, and chaplain Phil Keppler presided over a memorial service in honor of four members who died during the past year: Charlie Wilson, Kenneth Schaal, Anthony Satkowski and Robert Fuller.
Petry introduced master of ceremonies, Stefano Napolitano, chief of the city of Batavia Fire Department. Napolitano shared his reasons for becoming a firefighter, having joined the fire service 33 years ago in Herkimer County. He gave up a career as a mechanical/nuclear engineer after joining his local fire company as a volunteer. He became a fire inspector at the State Firefighters’ Academy, where he wrote curriculum.
He told the firefighters leadership was getting everyone to act in a way to achieve a common goal. He said leadership is a gift which can’t be bought. It can only be obtained in one way.
“You have to earn it,” he said.
Napolitano also stressed how important it is when a new firefighter comes up with a new idea.
“That’s very positive,” he said. “We’ve often heard someone say, ‘It was done this way for the last 50 years and we’re not going to change.’ If you have that attitude, you’re never going to get better.”
He urged all in the room to try and be a hero to somebody.
“Every day, do something nice for someone,” he said.
He added he was very blessed to lead 33 people in the city of Batavia Fire Department.
Newly installed officers of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company are, from left, fire chief Jason Watts, deputy chief David Moden, assistant chief Scott Petry, firematic captain Zach Petry, firematic lieutenant Crystal Luckman and EMS captain Jeff Lyons.
All officers of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company lined up for this photo after their 51st installation banquet Saturday night at Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall. Front row, kneeling from left, are EMS captain Jeff Lyons, secretary and EMT Tiffany Petry, sergeant-at-arms Vincent Viterna and lieutenant Crystal Luckman. Standing in front are steward Dawn Petry and assistant chief Scott Petry. Back row, from left, are chaplain Phil Keppler, assistant chaplain Karl Haist, president Tim Petry, vice president Gary Lamar, treasurer Kirk Myhill, chief Jason Watts, trustee Lee Hellert, captain Zachary Petry, deputy chief David Moden, trustee Marcus Watts and trustee Andy Benz.
Tim Fearby installed Shelby’s new officers. They are Executive Board members Tim Petry, president; Gary Lamar, vice president; Kirk Myhill, treasurer; Tiffany Petry, secretary; Vinny Viterna, sergeant-at-arms; Phil Keppler, chaplain; Karl Haist Jr., assistant chaplain; and Dawn Petry, steward.
Outgoing fire chief Andy Benz, right, pins the chief’s badge on Jason Watts, who is beginning his third term as Shelby fire chief.
Trustees installed are Andy Benz, one year; Lee Hellert, two years; and Marcus Watts, one year.
New firematic officers are Jason Watts, chief; David Moden, deputy chief; Scott Petry, assistant chief; Zach Petry, firematic captain; Crystal Luckman, firematic lieutenant; and Jeff Lyons, EMS captain.
Members of the Ladies Auxiliary were installed by Tracy Hendricks. They are Patricia Fuller, president; Elaine Watts, vice president; Robin Watts, secretary; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Brianna Wheeler, sergeant-at-arms; Stacy Benz, chaplain; Rosemary Pray, three-year trustee; Delores Wolters, two-year trustee; and Sharon Wright, one-year trustee.
Chief Jason Watts installed new Junior Firefighter officers. They are Alex Benz, president; Degan Bragg, vice president; Maddison Simpson, secretary; and Frankie DiCureia, sergeant-at-arms.
The awards ceremony began with president Tim Petry announcing the winner of his President’s Award.
“Every year it is really tough to pick a winner,” he said. “But this year was easy.”
In an unprecedented move, he named members of the entire fire company as the recipients of his award.
“During this past year, this fire company has become even more of a family,” Petry said. “That’s why I’m presenting my award to the complete fire company.”
For his award, he had a wooden plaque made with symbols of the fire company. Incoming chief Jason Watts accepted the award for the department.
Watts is beginning his third term as fire chief. Five years ago, Watts said he turned the position over to Andy Benz, and now Benz has turned it over to him.
Tim Petry, left, president of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, holds a check for $10,000 which had just been presented to him and outgoing chief Andy Benz Saturday night by Pat Fuller, president of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary.
Benz completed his term by choosing Zach Petry as recipient of the Chief’s Award. He said Petry has really matured during the last year and he is going to make a fine officer.
Benz announced the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company responded to 197 calls during 2019, most of which were EMS. They have one new EMT, Josh McKeehen; one new certified first responder, Nick Brown; and Joe and Lori Kyle were both re-certified as EMTs.
Shelby was awarded the most EMS training hours in the county, with 789.
Three new firefighters, John Palmer, Jenna Prince and Trevor Fox completed the Firefighter Officer I class taught by Napolitano.
In his farewell speech, Benz urged all new firefighters to take all the training they can.
“Be a leader and learn how to speak, not only to fellow firefighters but to members of the community, especially law enforcement,” he said. “Take new members under your wing and teach them all you can.”
Members of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s Junior Firefighters line up behind president Alex Benz, who announces the Junior Firefighters had raised money to purchase three new lights for the company’s fire trucks.
Alex Benz and his Junior Firefighters do fundraising each year, and this year they raised enough money to purchase three sets of lights for Shelby’s fire trucks.
Pat Fuller said the Auxiliary had a very busy year. She presented Auxiliary secretary Elaine Watts with a gift certificate for her hard work as purchasing agent for the department.
Then Fuller explained how the firemen work side-by-side to help the Auxiliary any way they can. As a result of their fundraising efforts, the Auxiliary was able to present president Tim Petry and outgoing chief Andy Benz with a check for $10,000.
Recognition was given to Rusty Hoffmeister for his work in developing the new parking lot on the corner of South Gravel Road and Allegany Road. The fire company is also going to be looking at remodeling their building next door, Petry said.
Three men who are not even members of the fire company were acknowledged for their efforts in selling raffle tickets for Shelby’s events. Buddy Watson, Bob Clark and Gary Brien all step up to sell an enormous number of tickets each year.
Petry also commended Shelby and three other local fire companies who joined to sponsor a boot drive to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. On Sept. 7, Shelby, East Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway raised $7,152.15 in two and one-half hours.
Final recognitions were paid to Mike Fuller, who served 44 years in the Shelby Highway Department and was a strong supporter of the fire company; and to Junior Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club.
Junior Wilson donates generously to the fire company, without even being asked, Petry said.
The evening concluded with gag gifts being presented to Howard Watts, Andy Benz and Stefano Napolitano.
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company poses with members of three other fire companies who joined them on Sept. 7 to conduct a boot drive to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Those who participated with Shelby were East Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway, who raised $7,152 in 2 1/2 hours.
