Governor says police agencies must adopt a plan by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for future state funding

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an Executive Order — the “New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative” — requiring local police agencies, including the NYPD, to develop a plan that reinvents and modernizes police strategies and programs in their community based on local input. Each police agency’s reform plan must address policies, procedures, practices and deployment, including, but not limited to use of force.

Police forces must adopt a plan by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for future state funding and certify that they have:

• Engaged stakeholders in a public and open process on policing strategies and tools;
• Presented a plan, by chief executive and head of the local police force, to the public for comment;
• After consideration of any comments, presented such plan to the local legislative body (council or legislature as appropriate) which has approved such plan (by either local law or resolution); and

If such local government does not certify the plan, the police force may not be eligible to receive future state funding.

“The protests taking place throughout the nation and in communities across New York in response to the murder of George Floyd illustrate the loss of community confidence in our local police agencies – a reality that has been fueled by our country’s history of police-involved deaths of black and brown people,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our law enforcement officers are essential to ensuring public safety – they literally put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect us. This emergency regulation will help rebuild that confidence and restore trust between police and the communities they serve by requiring localities to develop a new plan for policing in the community based on fact-finding and meaningful community input.”

Immediately following the death of George Floyd, Governor Cuomo laid out a series of reform policy items – called the “Say Their Name” agenda – including allowing for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by reforming 50-a of the civil rights law; banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers; prohibiting false race-based 911 reports and making them a crime; and designating the Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement.

This builds on prior executive actions the Governor has taken including appointing the Attorney General as a special prosecutor in matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement.

Market changes hours for 2020, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays

Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: Hannah Pollard, a new vendor at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, sold pies and masks on opening day last Saturday.

MEDINA – Blue skies and sunshine greeted visitors to Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market last Saturday.

Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market, said market volunteers and vendors were happy to be back for the summer season, and welcomed many regular and new customers.

Greg Canham, a vendor at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, greets customers at one of the two designated entrances. Covid-19 social distancing signs were donated by Takeform in Medina.

“The market looks essentially the same, with the customary colorful canopies and vendor tables,” Busch said. “However, Covid-19 has forced a few new protocols that differ from years past, and upon a closer look, some changes are evident.”

One noticeable change, not related to Covid-18, is the hours of operation. The market now starts one hour later, at 9 a.m., and closes one hour later, at 2 p.m.

“Over the past several years, we’ve studied our trends and customers have asked if the market could remain open later to allow better access,” said market manager Gail Miller. “We hope these new hours make it possible for more people to come to the market.”

Other changes are definitely Covid-related, Busch said.

“The market has two identified entrances this year to greet customers, offer hand sanitizer and explain our market guidelines,” Miller said. “Being an open air market makes it safer than being in an enclosed space. When everyone comes through the entrances, we are able to ensure there are not too many people in the market at the same time, so maintaining social distancing requirements is easy.”

Market personnel and vendors emphasize if anyone is sick, they should please stay home.

Face masks are required to enter into the market, and vendors and staff are also required to wear face masks at all times. Customers are encouraged to move quickly around the market.

Miller said that on opening day, patrons were very kind and responsible about following the new guidelines.

Vendors still have their products on display, allowing customers to see what is available and ask questions. But only vendors and their staff are allowed to handle products. Customers point to what they would like to purchase and the vendor helps them.

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market opened last Saturday, while observing safety precautions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Social distancing is also required, with customers maintaining a six-foot distance from vendors’ stands, staff and other customers. Reminders are positioned around the market.

Food demos are not allowed this year. Food items available for purchase must be treated as take-out and consumed off the premises.

“Farmers’ markets everywhere have worked hard over the years to encourage people to gather, linger, eat and converse as a community, but unfortunately we can’t do any of that right now,” Miller said. “But we look forward to the day when we can again have the market as a gathering place. Until then we will abide by the state rules and guidelines for a safe environment.”

Miller said products available each Saturday are listed every week on the market’s Facebook page at Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

“As the season progresses, we will have our usual wide variety of offerings, including vegetables and fruit, beef and pork products, pies and cookies, vegetable, herb and flower plants and face masks, in addition to a different local winery, meadery or distillery each week,” Miller said.

Miller said state guidelines initially prohibited some vendors, such as artists and crafters, but that has recently changed.

“Current modifications to state guidelines now allow artists and crafters, so we will definitely be adding them back at the market, starting this Saturday,” Miller said.

For anyone who is uncomfortable coming into the market, has a mobility issue or just needs to be in and out quickly, there are new options available, Miller said.

“An online pre-order option will be available very soon,” she said. “This will enable a customer to select from vendor products offered online. The process will be very simple and user friendly. They just need to go to the online store, open an account, select products and pay in cash only when they pick up their order at the back of the market building between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The market’s Facebook page will announce further details soon.”

Miller said while most market transactions continue to use cash, several vendors are able to accept cashless transactions on site.

The market accepts Senior Coupons, WIC, SNAP and Fresh Connect Checks and will soon be able to offer Double Up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients. More information is available in at the Market Manager’s tent.

‘The noble police officers of this State are suffering from your actions and your rhetoric, and ultimately all New Yorkers will suffer when, by your actions, our police agencies have been rendered unable to effectively pursue the guilty and protect the innocent.’  

Two leaders of law enforcement associations in New York have sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, asking that he stop “fanning the flames of division” to ram through “anti-police” legislation.  

Jeffrey Murphy, the sheriff of Washington County, and president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association sent a joint letter to Cuomo with Patrick D. Phelan, Greece police chief, and president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Their letter is as follows:

Dear Governor Cuomo:  

During times of chaos and division, uncertainty and unrest, tension and suffering, we look to our leaders to help guide the ship. We look to our leaders to bring clarity, solutions, resolve, action, and healing. At the same time, we trust that our leaders will stoically stand for what’s right, for truth and for the good of all.

Governor Cuomo, we call upon you today to stick to the facts. We call upon you to stop fanning the flames of division. We call upon you to stop exploiting anti-police hysteria and unwarranted political rhetoric to ram through legislation that is ill conceived, hastily crafted, and anti-police. We call upon you to involve all stakeholders in this process, and we call upon you to do what’s right.

The noble police officers of this State are suffering from your actions and your rhetoric, and ultimately all New Yorkers will suffer when, by your actions, our police agencies have been rendered unable to effectively pursue the guilty and protect the innocent.  

For more than 40 years, anti-police activists have pushed for the repeal of Civil Rights Law 50-a which protects the police and other emergency responders from undue harassment, and safeguards the Peoples’ criminal cases from sabotage by unscrupulous defense attorneys. Each year, when repeal has been considered in the light of day, reason and logic have prevailed and the Legislature has rejected repeal. 

Now we find ourselves in a time when reason and logic are seemingly lost. As a result, you appear ready to “seize the moment” and stampede into law repeal of 50-a and a whole package of other anti-police legislation, without an opportunity for meaningful input and dialogue from all of the stakeholders. Not even the rank and file members of the Legislature have been afforded the opportunity to give these bills due consideration as they have been rushed through to a vote. A democratic legislative process requires transparency, due deliberation and leadership that can withstand the inflamed passions of the moment.

Governor Cuomo, your rhetoric and your refusal to speak up for the selfless police officers who, every day, put their lives at risk to defend those who are otherwise defenseless, is contributing to the irrational calls by a very vocal few to “Defund the Police.” This ideology is dangerous and, if accepted and acted upon, only serves to put our communities, our families, our neighbors and our public servants at greater risk.

Make no mistake; the potential for very dangerous and unsettling days ahead is real. In recent days there have been more than 80 burglaries of firearms dealers, with more than a thousand firearms stolen. Explosives are finding their way into the hands of anarchists. The violent agitators who have been hijacking peaceful demonstrations are being empowered by demagogues who refuse to acknowledge that their criminal acts are wrong.

Their violent activities will not soon subside. If police departments are defunded, who will protect the majority of our citizens from the marauding few?  This situation screams for leadership. We implore you to call for reason in this time of mindless rage. Your silence on this issue is contributing to the dismantling of society’s bulwark against anarchy.  

Governor, before rushing to sign into law poorly vetted legislation that will put our police officers in grave danger, we implore you to consider the consequences of doing so. The overwhelming majority of police officers, firefighters, correctional workers, EMS providers and other public safety first responders are good and faithful servants. They do not condone the wrongdoing of any rogue cop.  They serve ALL of the people of New York, without regard to race. 

They do so with concern and compassion for those they serve, even those who do not appreciate it, and do so despite the obvious risk to their own safety. Law enforcement officers across the country have been engaged for the past two weeks in protecting the peaceful protestors who have been protesting against them, in the course of which three police officers have been killed and 800 have been wounded.  What other profession would expose themselves to such risks, and for such little gratitude? Governor, these good men and women deserve your active support, not harmful rhetoric nor punitive legislation.

‘We have seen too many examples in the last few years of criminal justice legislation being pushed through in the dark of night without the opportunity for scrutiny or input from law enforcement, resulting in disastrous, unworkable laws.’

Each year, a ceremony is held at the Police Memorial Wall in Albany where the names of New York’s 1,622 hero police officers killed in the line of duty are inscribed. There is a long tradition, spanning several decades, of every sitting Governor attending this annual, somber event; but you never have. Each year your own criminal justice agency coordinates the selection of the winner of the Governor’s Police Officer of the Year Award, recognizing an officer’s sacrifices above and beyond the call of duty. Here again, there is a long tradition of the Governor attending every such annual ceremony to pay respect to the honoree, but you have chosen not to follow that tradition.

Governor Cuomo, your absence from these events is palpable and strongly felt by the law enforcement community each time they gather. There is a broad sense among law enforcement that you simply do not support police officers in this state. That lack of support is made evident once again by your failure to insist that law enforcement have a seat at the table when momentous changes in policing are being considered.

This is the time we should be working together.  Law enforcement officers could provide important insight that would insure that any desired changes in the system would actually be workable. We have seen too many examples in the last few years of criminal justice legislation being pushed through in the dark of night without the opportunity for scrutiny or input from law enforcement, resulting in disastrous, unworkable laws.

The time has come to hear each other, to support each other, and to work collaboratively to bring clear, transparent and fact-based information, ideas, and reforms forward. Let us work together to effect the positive change that we all wish to see, and let’s do so in a way that accomplishes our goals without endangering the police officers who already risk so much, or the communities that they serve.

Governor Cuomo, we need more leadership and less rhetoric.  

School district wants to hire more African-Americans, include literary works by black authors

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Anita Chinn, center, was among a group carrying a long “Black Lives Matter” poster down East Center Street, on a walk from Rotary Park to State Street Park.

About 100 people participated in a “Walk for Peace & Inclusion” this evening. The event was in response to the killing of George Floyd in custody of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25. Floyd was on the ground and died after being held down for nearly nine minutes while an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.

His death has spurred nationwide protests and marches for more than two weeks and already led to legislation being passed in Albany banning chokeholds by police.

More legislation is likely on the way against police brutality and more accountability, including unsealing police officer’s disciplinary records. Many legislators and activists also are calling for spending less money on law enforcement and more on community development.

Elizabeth Novak, 26, of Albion holds up a sign that says, “Your Fight is My Fight!” Novak said she is a proud Mexican-American who supports the Black Lives Matters movement. The other side of the signs said, “Chicanos for BLM.”

These demonstrators hold a sign, “Please I Can’t Breathe” in the walk down East Center Street with about 100 people. George Floyd spoke those words while he was held down by a police officer.

Medina native Carolyn Chinn, now of Georgia, gave the opening remarks. Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward is at left and Mayor Mike Sidari is in back.

Chinn graduated from Medina in 1973. She said her family was the first black family to move to Church Street and had their house burned down. They weren’t wanted in the neighborhood. Two years ago she was back home in Medina, driving a Mercedes-Benz when she said she was pulled over by a Medina police officer for no other reason than “driving while black.”

Jennifer Chinn holds her cousin Mari on the walk on East Center Street to State Street Park. She was at the event, wanting to see the community “come together as one and be united as one.”

She said white people don’t get pulled over for driving a nice car. White people don’t have to talk to their children about how to respond when pulled over by police. “Yes sir, no sir” and keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, Chinn said.

She said Medina should have more community policing, with officers walking the streets and getting to know residents better.

She said the death of Floyd, which was videotaped, has struck a chord with the country. Floyd cried out for his mother before  becoming unresponsive with an officer’s knee on his neck.

Chinn read the names of more than a dozen other people who have been killed by police officers. She said the country is grappling with discrimination. She said hard discussions are needed.

“I am fighter, I am a survivor,” she said. “We can do this together.”

Mayor Sidari also addressed the group, telling them he has an open mind and open heart. He said the community needs to acknowledge “an imbalance not only today but going back to the beginning of our country.”

“Let’s keep this discussion moving forward,” Sidari said.

The Walk for Peace was organized by Cheryl Thompson, a school district employee.

Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward, a 1992 Medina graduate, said the department strives to be responsive to the community. All officers now wear body cameras, and the department has increased its training, and will do more.

Kenward said he is “disgusted and enraged” at Floyd’s death by the Minneapolis officer.

He said he wants to hear from the community “on where we need to go and how to get there.”

Mark Kruzynski, superintendent of Medina Central School, is joined up front by Dan Doctor, the district’s director of community outreach.

Kruzynski said the district’s workforce doesn’t reflect the makeup of the student body, where about 10 percent of the students are black. Kruzynski said Medina would work to hire more African Americans and also would have students read books by black authors. Right now, all of the books read in the school are by white writers.

“We’re going to review our hiring practices so we have a staff that is more reflective of the community,” Kruzynski said. “We are going to become better, I promise.”

Dan Doctor, the district’s director of community outreach, is shown speaking while someone holds up a sign that says, “Silence is Betrayal.”

Doctor said the community needs to continue a march for justice, for better opportunities for students. The parents and guardians of students need to be more engaged in their kids’ education.

Doctor said it truly takes a community to raise a child. He said the march for justice includes students who excel at school.

“Our actions speak louder than words,” Doctor said. “Faith without works is dead.”

Rich Damey, pastor of Faith Bible Baptist Church, said he is sad that many Americans are marginalized right now. The death of George Floyd has galvanized the country, and highlighted the systemic injustices – “our economic and social systems are very biased.”

Damey urged everyone in the crowd and community to ask themselves what they can do for black lives.

“The voice of the African-American community is being heard throughout the world like never before, in an unprecedented way,” Damey said. “You have the world’s ear.”

Greg Boose, a deacon at Glad Tidings Baptist Church, leads the crowd in singing, “Every Praise.”

Nathaniel Little, elder at Glad Tidings Baptist Church, said God made black and white people in his image. “Until your heart changes there will not be change,” he said.

Anita Chinn and about 100 people knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd. That’s how long his was down on the ground with a police officer’s knee on his neck.

Medina Lt. Todd Draper and Police Chief Chad Kenward joined the group in taking a knee in memory of George Floyd.

The group, which included several Medina teachers and staff members, kneels as a tribute to George Floyd.

Garage and yard sales are now allowed with precautions in place

Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today. Orleans has had 246 cases and Genesee, 201.

Earlier this afternoon, the Health Department reported a participant in the March for Justice on Sunday has tested positive for Covid-19. That person tested positive earlier this week, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a a daily Covid-19 news release.

Orleans is reporting one more recovery from Covid-19, bringing that total to 94. In Genesee, 140 community residents from recovered after getting Covid-19.

Other information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

• Nursing home staff testing: The Governor has amended Executive Order 202.40 for those regions that have reached Phase Two of reopening: all nursing homes and all adult care facilities must test or make arrangements for the testing of all personnel, including all employees, contract staff, medical staff, operators and administrators, for COVID-19, once per week instead of twice per week.

• Phase 3 is opening this Friday. With that in mind, everyone waiting on Phase 3 should developing and implementing their Business Safety Plan to the best of your ability and geared toward your organization whether it be a business, house of worship, non-for-profit organization, etc.

You are responsible to have your plan and all necessary supplies in place prior to opening. You will not be submitting your plan, however it must be on the premises in the event of a state, local or safety inspection. Keep checking the New York Forward website for your industry/organization summary guidelines.

• Guidance for indoor seating at restaurants and food services establishments and for personal care services for tattoo, piercing facilities, appearance enhancement practitioners, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, UV and non-UV tanning, or waxing are now posted on the NY Forward website under Phase Three Industries.

Remember plans (including that the affirmation guidance has been read) and supplies have to be in place before opening.

• Garage/Yard sales are now able to be open following masking, social distancing, sanitizing and limiting to 10 or under.

Garage and yard sales – as informal events for the sale of used goods by private individuals in residential settings – are permitted to operate so long as sellers ensure that (1) occupancy of the space used for the sale is limited to the number of people who can be safely and appropriate spaced such that each person is at least six feet away from others and, in no case, should the space be occupied by more than 10 people at any given time; (2) appropriate face coverings must be used by people in areas or situations where they are likely to come within six feet of another individual; and (3) adequate hand hygiene supplies (e.g. hand sanitizer) and regular cleaning/disinfection protocols are in place.

Sellers may consult the New York Forward safety plan template for additional precautions that they should consider implementing during such sales.

Postal Service employees were bitten by 55 dogs last year, including 1 in Albion

Press Release, U.S. Postal Service

WESTERN NY — The number of U.S. Postal Service employees attacked by dogs nationwide fell to 5,803 in 2019 — more than 200 fewer than in 2018 and more than 400 fewer since 2017.

For Postal Service officials and mail carriers, one bite is one too many. The Postal Service has new technology tools to help reduce dog attacks and is championing a local program as well.

In the Western NY District (ZIP Codes 140 through 149), there were 55 dog attacks in 2019; one more than the year before. (That includes one in Albion, the only dog bite of a Postal Service employee in Orleans County.)

The theme for the 2020 U.S. Postal Service National Dog Bite Awareness Week, June 14-20, is “Be Alert: Prevent the Bite.” The campaign addresses aggressive dog behaviors that pose serious threats to the more than 80,000 Postal Service employees delivering mail and how communities they serve can play an integral part in their safety.

“During this difficult time, our letter carriers are delivering mail and they need to do it safely,” said Western NY District Manager Gary Vaccarella. “We are using technology and a dog awareness program to assist our customers and carriers in reducing bites.”

According to Vaccarella, technology supports carrier safety in two ways: Mobile Delivery Devices, handheld scanners used by carriers to confirm customer delivery, now include a feature to indicate the presence of a dog at an individual address; and Informed Delivery, which alerts customers to mail and packages coming to their homes, allows customers to plan for the carrier’s arrival by securing dogs safely.

In addition, Post Offices around western NY have started using a Dog Paw program where stickers are placed on mailboxes to alert carriers that a dog is nearby. Some Post Offices piloted the program last year; a district-wide rollout is occurring for many others.

The Postal Service offers the following safety tips for dog owners:

• When a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate glass windows to attack visitors.
• Parents should remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet. The dog may view the carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
• If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office location or other facility until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office location.

No Western NY District Post Offices were in the national top 20 offices for dog bite attacks.

New York had the fifth most dog bites among states with 320. Illinois had 323, Oklahoma had 378, with 491 in Texas and California, a nation-leading 777.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department received notification that a Genesee County resident who attended the “March for Justice” event on Sunday in Batavia has tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual did not know about being positive prior to attending the event but exhibited symptoms associated to COVID-19 at the event. The individual reported to have been wearing a mask the entire time at the event from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Currently three close contacts have been placed under mandatory quarantine in Genesee County and two additional close contacts reside outside of the county.

“Although the warmer weather is here, COVID-19 is still very much in our communities,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We must continue to take actions to decrease the spread of the virus by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water, and avoiding large crowds such as social events and parties.”

Pettit also mentioned that an increase in cases may slow down the reopening of businesses in our region.

“Our region must maintain a set of metrics in order to continue the phased reopening in our region. If we see a spike in cases or hospitalizations, the reopening process will either be delayed or stopped depending on the metrics.” Click here to view the NYS COVID-19 Regional Metrics Dashboard.

Although the exposure risk is low, anyone who attended the “March for Justice” is encouraged to monitor their symptoms for 14 days from the event until June 21st. If symptoms develop, contact your primary care provider or click here to find a testing site near you.

Governor Cuomo is also urging all people who attended a protest or rally to get a COVID-19 test (please click the link above to find a testing site near you). Symptoms of COVID-19 may include: a fever of 100.4 or greater, fatigue, loss of taste and and/or smell, headache, cough or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Governor Andrew Cuomo today said Orleans County and the Finger Lakes Region can enter into Phase 3 of the state’s reopening on Friday.

Orleans is one of nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region. The region’s health numbers with Covid-19 hospitalizations, including people in intensive care, are well within the state’s threshold for moving into the next phase.

The governor said five of the 10 regions – Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley and North Country – will advance to Phase 3.

Phase 3 would allow restaurants to serve patrons inside the buildings, up to 50 percent of the restaurants capacity, with tables be spaced at least 6 feet apart, employees wearing masks and taking other safety precautions against Covid-19.

Phase 3 would also allow for tattoos, nail salons, spas and some other personal care businesses.

“I know businesses are anxious to get going,” Cuomo said. “I know everybody is anxious to get the economy going.”

He said businesses need to follow the state guidelines for taking precautions against Covid-19.

“The rules are clear,” Cuomo said. “Follow the rules. You can lose your liquor license, your right to operate.”

The governor also said state-wide local municipalities today can decide whether they want to open community pools and playgrounds.

He said New York residents deserve the credit for bending the Covid-19 curve, by adhering to social distancing, wearing a mask and taking other precautions.

He said the coronavirus remains the public health threat.

“Covid is still out there,” he said. “It is increasing in 21 states.”

Indoor-seating at restaurants, tattoos, nail salons and spas could get approval to reopen on Friday

Friday could be the start of Phase 3 of reopening the state’s economy. Orleans County is part of the Finger Lakes Region and the health numbers for Covid-19 all meet the state thresholds to enter the next phase, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties.

“The numbers are trending very positively,” Pettit said this morning. “From my perspective I don’t see any reason why Finger Lakes won’t be moving into phase 3 tomorrow.”

He spoke to businesses this morning in Genesee County through a webinar. He expects Gov. Andrew Cuomo will give the OK for Phase 3 to start on Friday.

But when Phase 2 was approved, that announcement didn’t come until 1 in the afternoon on a Friday, May 29. And the state didn’t have many of the guidelines available on its New York Forward website. This time, the guidelines are on the website, a few days ahead of the anticipated reopening. (Click here to see Phase 3 guidelines.)

Phase 3 would allow restaurants to serve patrons inside buildings, up to 50 percent of a restaurant’s capacity, with tables to be spaced at least 6 feet apart, employees wearing masks and taking other safety precautions against Covid-19. Phase 3 would also allow for tattoos, nail salons, spas and some other personal care businesses.

Pettit urged businesses to check the New York Forward website that offers detailed guidelines on safety precautions businesses must follow to open and serve the public.

He thanked the community for adhering to social distancing, wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and taking other safety precautions to slow the spread of Covid-19. That has the region in a good position to move to Phase 3.

“We are moving in the right direction,” Pettit said. “Thank you for all of your hard work and sacrifice.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Erin Smith was “The Strawberry” during the June 10, 2018 race. She is battling near the finish with Jeff Casillo. The two are now married.

ALBION – This Saturday would have been the 30^th anniversary of the 5K and 8K races at the Albion Strawberry Festival.

But with the festival cancelled, and a current ban on most social gatherings to no more than 10 people, the race isn’t happening.

The race typically attracts about 200 runners, making it one of the better attended races in the GLOW counties. It hit a high of 320 runners in 2015.

Brian Krieger has served as the race director the past 11 years, following 19 years by the late Judy Christopher. She started the race as a motivator for people in the community to work on their fitness goals. Christopher used to own the Phoenix Fitness gym.

Krieger also saw the race as fun community event, in addition to serving as a motivator for people to get out walking and running. The race in recent years had someone dress up in a strawberry costume, and prizes were given to runners who beat “The Strawberry.”

Krieger and his friend, the late Wayne Burlison, also organized a “Run for God” program through the Albion Free Methodist Church. That was like a “Couch for 5K” program designed to take people who haven’t been too active with running to finishing a 5K after three months of training. The Strawberry Fest would be the culminating event in the program.

A race in March honoring the memory of Burlison – the sixth annual Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K – also was cancelled due to Covid-19. The Burlison race and Strawberry Festival run are both organized by the Albion Running Club.

This Saturday’s Strawberry Festival race would have been Krieger’s last time as the race director. He is handing off the reins to Bert Gallmon for 2021.

“I’m disappointed for the first time in 30 years it won’t be happening,” Krieger said about the race. “It was just fun.”

Besides given out medals to age groups winners, the race organizers gave out jars of strawberry jam to leading runners in each age group.

Orleans County will have nine days of early voting beginning on Saturday at the Board of Elections at the County Administration Building on Route 31 in Albion.

The voting includes all registered voters in a special election to fill a vacancy in the 27 th Congressional District. There are also primaries at the local level, and state and federal positions, including the Democratic Presidential primary.

The County Board of Elections encourages voters to wear a mask for early voting.

The early voting schedule includes:

• Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, June 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 16, from noon to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 17, from noon to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday, June 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The elections on the ballot include:

• 27^th Congressional District: The 27th Congressional seat has been vacant since Chris Collins resigned on Sept. 30. Collins was sentenced on Jan. 17 to 26 months in federal prison for participating in a scheme to commit insider trading and for making false statements to federal law enforcement agents when interviewed about his conduct. He also was fined $200,000.

The special election was set for April 28 but was pushed back about two months due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

The special election includes the following candidates:

• Nathan D. McMurray – Democratic, Working Families
• Chris Jacobs – Republican, Independence
• Michael J. Gammariello – Green
• Duane Whitmer – Libertarian

• Republican Primary for 27th District: There will also be a Republican primary on June 23 to see who gets the Republican line in the November election for a full two-year term. Jacobs, Beth Parlato and Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw are pursuing the Republican line.

• Presidential Primary: A Democratic Presidential primary will go on even though Joe Biden has the nomination secured. His name will be on the ballot, along with other candidates who have withdrawn, including Bernie Sanders, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bennet, Deval Patrick, Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang.

The local primaries include the Orleans County Clerk, and the Republican Committees in Ridgeway and Murray.

• County Clerk: There are two Republican candidates are running for Orleans County Clerk. Nadine Hanlon, the current clerk of the County Legislature, is running against Diane Shampine, the current acting clerk. She assumed the post after Karen Lake-Maynard retired.

• Republican Committees in Murray and Ridgeway:

In Murray, there are primaries for three of the districts, with three candidates seeking two positions in District 3, District 5 and District 6.

In District 3, the candidates include Kathleen Case, Anthony Peone and Kerri Neale.

In District 5, the candidates include Lynn Wood, Cynthia Oliver and Ronald Vendetti.

In District 6, the candidates include Kellie Gregoire, Robert Miller and Adam R. Moore.

In Ridgeway, there are three candidates for two positions with District 2 on the Ridgeway Republican Committee. The candidates include Virginia Nicholson, David Stalker and Ayesha Kreutz.

All polling sites will be open in each of the 10 towns on June 23 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Employees with Environmental Enterprises Inc. in Cincinnati sort some the household hazardous waste at one of the stations on August 17, 2018. Orleans hosted a household hazardous waste collection each year since 2015. Before that it was every two years.

ALBION — Orleans County won’t be holding its annual household hazardous waste collection event this year. County officials expect the event to be back next year, likely in August.

The event allows residents to dispose of tires, propane tanks, auto/marine batteries and other hazardous household waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

The county typically pays Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati about $18,000 to collect and remove the household hazardous waste, with the state them reimbursing the county about half of the costs.

Orleans County last year accepted tires for the first time. There was a big response from the public with about 1,000 tires dropped off at by the Orleans County Highway Department on West Academy Street.

The county has been holding the household hazardous waste collection on annual basis since 2015. Before that it was biennially.

Last year residents also dropped off 349 propane tanks and 52 auto/marine batteries. They also disposed of oil-based paints, solvents, polishes/waxes, aerosols, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, adhesives & resins, motor oil & filters, acids, corrosives, antifreeze and other household hazardous waste.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Ed Morgan and his wife Dorothy watch a parade of dump trucks pass by his garage at his home on Hulberton Road today in a surprise tribute.

Morgan retired on May 31 after 30 years as the town highway superintendent. Trucks and highway leaders from the 10 towns in Orleans County visited Morgan today. It was also a meeting for the Orleans County Highway Superintendents Association, which Morgan led as president on multiple terms. The group decided to recognize Morgan and show their appreciation for his years of service to the town and also for his assistance to the other highway leaders.

Click here to see a video of the truck parade.

The trucks roll past Morgan’s garage. He was joined at a mini-retirement party by some family members and highway workers across the county.

“We felt he deserved some recognition for his years of service,” said Mike Neidert, Albion town highway superintendent and president of the Orleans County Highway Superintendents Association.

The truck parade “was something extra” for Morgan. The highway group would like to recognize him in August at the group’s next meeting, when Neidert hopes some Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted to allow larger social gatherings.

Neidert has been the Albion superintendent for about 5 years, and a highway worker for 24 years. Highway leaders and employees felt comfortable reaching out to Morgan for advice.

“He was always someone you could go to with questions,” Neidert said.

Ed Morgan is pictured with Josh Veronica, director of community relations for State Sen. Rob Ortt, and Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

The State Senate approved a Legislative Resolution on May 27 commending Morgan for a 30-year career.

Morgan helped the town construct nearly 60 miles of water districts during his tenure. As highway superintendent, he oversaw 30 miles of town roads, and was responsible for plowing 17 miles of county roads and 16 miles of state roads.

He also helped put in the infrastructure for the Holley Business Park, made improvements to the town hall and highway department facilities, including construction of a new salt storage building, as well as a computerized fuel system to better serve the town and first responders.

Morgan served multiple terms as president of the Orleans County Highway Superintendents Association.

“For three decades, Edward F. Morgan rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Town of Murray, truly earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues,” according to the Senate resolution. “Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Edward F. Morgan over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others.”

The State Assembly also approved a citation for Morgan.

Dennis Mandigo joined the dump truck parade to honor Morgan. Mandigo has worked 20 years as a motor equipment operator for Murray.

“You couldn’t find a better man,” Mandigo said about Morgan. “He’s been a great boss and a great friend.”

Genesee has 2 more cases, passes 200 total

Orleans County has two new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 246 people who have tested positive.

Of the two new cases, one lives in Carlton and the other is a Murray resident. One of the new cases is a person in the 20s, and the other is in the 50s.

Neither of the new positive cases were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, said the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Orleans also had two more people recover after contracting coronavirus, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 94.

Fifteen residents from Orleans remain hospitalized from Covid-19.

Genesee County received 2 new positive cases of Covid-19, pushing the county’s total past 200 to 201.

Both new cases are Batavia residents. One is in the 20s and the other is in the 30s.

The new positive cases were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has two more recoveries for 140 total. The county currently doesn’t have anyone hospitalized with Covid-19.

Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

More information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Testing for nursing home staff reduced from twice a week to once a week: The Governor has amended Executive Order 202.40 for those regions that have reached Phase Two of reopening: all nursing homes and all adult care facilities must test or make arrangements for the testing of all personnel, including all employees, contract staff, medical staff, operators and administrators, for Covid-19, once per week.

• Phase 3 reopening: At the earliest, Phase 3 may be opened this Friday. However, it will be at the Governor’s discretion. With that in mind, everyone waiting on Phase 3 should be developing and implementing their Business Safety Plan to the best of your ability and geared toward your organization whether it be a business, house of worship, non-for-profit organization, etc.

You are responsible to have your plan in place prior to opening. You will not be submitting your plan, however it must be on the premises in the event of a state, local or safety inspection. Keep checking the New York Forward website for your industry/organization summary guidelines.

• Indoor seating: Guidance for indoor seating at restaurants and food services establishments and for personal care services for tattoo, piercing facilities, appearance enhancement practitioners, massage therapy, spas, cosmetology, nail specialty, UV and non-UV tanning, or waxing are now posted on the NY Forward website under Phase Three Industries. Remember plans (including that the affirmation guidance has been read) and supplies have to be in place before opening.

• Groups of 10 people or less: Per Governor Cuomo, gatherings (groups, assembly, meeting, etc.) of 10 or less are permitted with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place. The executive order is through June 21 or unless it is extended.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Natalie Mrzywka, a 4-H administrative assistant at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, carries a 20-pound box of produce to a vehicle this afternoon at the 4-H Fairgrounds.

Extension staff and volunteers were at the site early this morning for the delivery of 1,200 boxes. Cars started to line up by 8:30 for a distribution that was scheduled to start at 10.

By 1 o’clock, about 750 boxes had been given away for free to local residents. Extension staff expect there will be boxes later this afternoon until about 6 p.m.

Gabrielle Lanich, an education nutrition coordinator for the Extension, carries a box in 90-degree heat this afternoon. She works for the Extension in Orleans, Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

The Extension is hosting the distribution of USDA farmers-to-families produce boxes that include potatoes (1-5 pounds), oranges (1-4 pounds), apples (1-3 pounds), onions (1-3 pounds), green vegetables (1-3 pounds of broccoli, cabbage, green pepper, etc.), and carrots (1-2 pounds). Some of the produce items come from Orleans County farms.

The Extension hosted the first distribution on May 29 and will have another one in two weeks on June 24, beginning at 10 a.m.

James Desiderio Inc. of Buffalo is the distributor of the produce.

Kim Hazel, administrative assistant in the agricultural program at the Extension, brings a box to an RTS Orleans bus.