By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 6:22 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Orleans and Genesee counties, speaks during a news conference on Monday at the old Genesee County Courthouse in Batavia. Genesee County Sheriff Bill Sheron is at left. On Monday there weren’t any confirmed cases of coronavirus in either Genesee or Orleans. Pettit was notified at 3 p.m. today that Genesee has its first confirmed case. That person, a 65-year-old man, will be in isolation for at least the next eight days.
BATAVIA – Genesee County has its first confirmed case of the coronavirus after a positive test from the Erie County Health Lab for a 65-year-old man.
That person has been in a quarantine since symptoms started to appear and will remain in isolation for at least another eight days, until he is no longer sick from the virus, said Paul Pettit, the Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans counties.
Orleans doesn’t have a confirmed case, but Pettit said the county’s neighbors have confirmed cases. He suspects it’s only a matter of time before Orleans has its first positive test.
There are five people in mandatory quarantine in Orleans County. Genesee also has 11 people in precautionary quarantine and two others in mandatory quarantine.
Wyoming County, another nearby rural county, also has its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
Pettit urged people to maintain a six-foot social distance if they are out in public, and to wash their hands frequently and wipe down common areas, such as doorknobs, with disinfectants.
“We do have community spread,” he said. “Hopefully this will be short-lived. In order to do that we need to be compliant and adore to the guidance that is being put out there.”
(Click here to see a video from the Batavia Daily News of the news conference this afternoon in Batavia.)
The Genesee & Orleans Health Departments is trying to get more swabbing kits so more people can be tested. Pettit said there is a big demand for those kits.
If people are feeling a respiratory illness, he said it may also be the flu which remains prevalent in the community.
He urged the public to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the virus. He is especially concerned for senior citizens and immune-compromised people who are more vulnerable to be harmed by the virus.
The 65-year-old man from Genesee County hadn’t traveled. That shows evidence of community spread, that the virus is within the community, Pettit said.
The Genesee County Department of Health has begun an investigation to identify potential close contacts of the individual who tested positive for the virus. Once identified, any close contacts will be notified of their potential exposure to COVID-19 and placed under mandatory quarantine to monitor for symptoms.
In order to hamper the spread of the virus, residents can practice social distancing and proper germ prevention practices:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Disinfect high-traffic surfaces often.
If you have questions about recent travel and symptoms regarding COVID-19, please call the NYSDOH Coronavirus hotline: 1-888-364-3065.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 5:29 pm
All town halls, village offices in Orleans closed until further notice
Photo by Tom Rivers: A crowd gathered on June 11 for a ribbon-cutting at the County Administration Building in Albion.
ALBION – Orleans County officials are closing the Public Safety Building and the County Administration to the public, effective immediately, due to concerns about the coronavirus.
County departments affected by this change from the Public Safety Building include the District Attorney’s Office, Probation and the Sheriff’s Department.
The departments at the County Administration Building include Public Health, Elections, County Legislature and Computer Services which are in the new addition. Other departments in the building include Department of Motor Vehicles, Office for the Aging, Job Development, Personnel & Self Insurance, Planning, Tourism and Department of Social Services.
“Over the past two weeks, COVID-19 has evolved rapidly,” said Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman. “While Orleans County has no confirmed cases, there are confirmed cases in neighboring counties and increasing local testing. I believe it is inevitable we will see cases here in Orleans County.
State agencies have changed standards this week to move away from face-to-face appointments to allow for interviews by phone in many cases.
“The current need for social distancing for the public’s safety is a high priority and the county is working to deliver services to our residents as safely as possible,” Johnson said.
Departments in the two buildings will still service the public’s needs by appointment only, Johnson said.
“We understand this may be challenging for some people, however out of an abundance of caution, we need to take this action,” Johnson said. “We will be looking at each county building individually to determine the best course of action for everyone’s health and safety.”
Currently, to make an appointment to conduct business with the affected departments call (585) 589-7000. The phone system will direct to the appropriate party to assist with a need.
“We will be continuously working to make this transition as smooth as possible as we begin to deliver services utilizing a new protocol,” Johnson said.
The Orleans County Legislature meeting on March 25 at 4:30 p.m. will be available using the Zoom app which may be downloaded to any device. The Legislature will only be using audio. There will be no video.
Topic: Orleans County Legislature Meeting Time: Mar 25, 2020 04:30 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting (https://zoom.us/j/876636369) or you may also dial in 1.646.558.8656 Meeting ID: 876 636 369.
All 10 town halls, 4 village offices closed to public
The 10 town hall buildings and four village offices in Orleans County are all closed to the public until further notice.
The towns and villages are using dropboxes and many have on-line payment options.
The 10 towns to close their town offices include Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates.
The four villages include Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina.
These deaths are believed to be drug-related, police chief says
Press Release, Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department in cooperation with other local law enforcement agencies are investigating the recent deaths of two young adults.
These deaths are believed to be drug related. If anyone has any information regarding these deaths, please contact the Medina Police Department at (585) 798-5602.
In addition to these incidents, we are aware of a recent spike in the area of drug-related deaths. It is believed that many of these deaths may be linked to heroin and fentanyl usage. These deaths are often due to increased levels of fentanyl. Individuals using these products many not even know that fentanyl is being mixed into these drugs, or may not be aware of their potency.
A reminder to all residents, fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug that can be deadly even when touched and absorbed into the skin. These dangers can increase dramatically when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, and individuals may not be aware that they are taking them.
As always, we are continuing to work with local partners to fight opioid addition. Please work with us in keeping yourself and others safe. Thank you.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 2:18 pm
‘Grab and go’ bagged lunches will be available at 6 locations
ALBION – The school district on Wednesday will begin providing “grab and go” bagged lunches for all students in the school district. (Breakfasts will be available beginning on Thursday.)
Albion has been approved by New York State’s school meals program to offer the meals for all residents under the age of 18 in the home of an Albion Central School student.
Students in the school district (or a parent of an ACS student presenting ID) may pick up meals. Parents need to fill out a short form available by clicking here so the district can have the right number of meals ready for each location.
Meals will be available Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday at the following locations:.
• Barre Center Presbyterian Church (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Carlton Recreation Hall (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
For the elementary school pick up, parents should enter from East Avenue (by the tennis courts) and drive towards the elementary school building. They will stop at D-wing (the wing next to the farm playground) to place their order and then drive to A-wing to pick up their food and leave via Clarendon Road. The school is a different time than the rest (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.).
The five other sites will have ACS buses or vans in the parking lots. Food will be distributed from these school vehicles between 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Organization also reports bouquet sale raised $11,500
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans has suspended the use of all volunteers from the Martin-Linsin Residence, nursing homes and homecare duties until further notice. The organization is making the decision out of an abundance of caution.
Hospice has also decided to postpone the annual membership & volunteer appreciation luncheon that was scheduled for April 23 at the QWL building in Albion.
“We thank you for your understanding during this time,” said Derek Reiner, Development & Public Relations manager. “Please stay well out there and take good care of one another. We will see you all again very soon.”
Hospice of Orleans also shared the Annual Spring Bouquet Sale brought in well over $11,500 in net profit for the organization. This is a new record for Hospice of Orleans, and could not have accomplished this without the support of a generous community, said Kellie Spychalski, CEO for Hospice.
Every dollar from the bouquet sale goes directly back to the terminally ill patients served in Orleans County.
“Thank you to our wonderful community for your support every single day of the year,” Spychalski said. “Without you, we would be hard pressed to meet our mission of providing exceptional care to our neighbors in need. Orleans County is one of the most generous communities anywhere!”
Press Release, Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library
LYNDONVILLE – Yates Community Library will regretfully close its doors to the public, for an as yet undetermined period of time, beginning at 5 p.m. today.
This is due to the critical need to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This decision was made with careful research of current, reliable information from the U. S. Centers For Disease Control and the Orleans County Health Department, and with thorough discussion among the library’s trustees, with input from our family of library users.
Emily Cebula
The library has stayed open during the early part of this week so that patrons may select the materials they need in person, use our computers to complete their Census questionnaire online, and for other needs.
Here is our plan in order to provide the best service we can in the days ahead:
Overdue Fines: all materials belonging to any Nioga Library System member library, placed in our book drop outside the library’s front, will be checked in fine-free.
Our registered borrowers can easily continue to obtain library materials to take home, using one of the following ways to request books, DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks, belonging to Yates Community Library, or to many of the Nioga System member libraries.
Three ways for registered borrowers to request materials:
• Call Yates Community Library between 2 and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, at (585) 765-9041, to speak with a staff person directly. Or please leave us a phone message, clearly and slowly stating your full name, with spelling of the last name, and the titles of materials you need, along with your phone number;
• Place a Hold at www.nioga.org. You will need your borrower ID number and PIN.
Staff will notify you when the items are available. We will check out the items, put them in a bag with your name attached, and place them on a table located in our foyer. Please pick them up here as soon as possible. The front door will be unlocked between 2 and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If this is not convenient, please call us at the above phone number to make an appointment.
To renew library materials:
Call the library at (585) 765-9041 between 2 and 6 p.m.
Additionally: Yates Community Library’s WiFi is available 24/7 in the parking lot, from the spaces close to the building’s south side. It is not password-protected, nor is your data secure with this connection.
Please take this opportunity to try the online services available through the Nioga Library System, at www.nioga.org. You can stream or download movies, books, audiobooks, magazines, comics, and more using Hoopla, Overdrive (Libby app), and RB Digital, when you set up an account using your 14-digit Borrower ID number on your library card. Registering is much easier than in the past, and there are tutorials on the Nioga website, avove.
Please return all items to the Book Return (slide them in individually, not in a bag), which is located outside the library’s front door, in the corner to your left.
If, in an emergency situation, you need copies or faxing done, please call us between 2 and 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and we will do our best to help you.
We will strive to answer any reference questions you have, M-F, except Wednesdays, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. Call us then, or leave a message. Or you can email us at yatescommunitylibrary@gmail.com.
Check the Library’s Facebook page for updates. Also, please visit our website at www.yateslibrary.org.
And we urge you to complete your 2020 Census questionnaire, either online (with desktop or mobile device), by mail, or by phone, using the instructions in your invitation recently received by mail. The organizations that serve you will benefit from the secure collection of your information by the Census Bureau now, more than ever.
Cuomo confirms 432 more coronavirus cases in New York, bringing state-wide total to 1,374
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a three-way agreement with the Legislature on a bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
The program bill also includes the permanent comprehensive paid sick leave policy first advanced in the Governor’s FY 2021 Executive Budget proposal.
This follows the Governor’s announcement last week that the state will guarantee two full weeks of paid leave for all state workers who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine as a result of the novel coronavirus.
“This is an extraordinary time in this nation’s history, and it will go down in the history books as one of those moments of true crisis and confusion,” Gov. Cuomo said. “So my message to New Yorkers is this: Be a little bit more sensitive, understand the stress, understand the fear, be a little bit more loving, a little bit more compassionate, a little bit more comforting, a little bit more cooperative. We are going to get through it and we are going to get through it together.”
The governor also announced that the state is reaching out to qualified former doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to supplement the personnel at hospitals. The State Department of Health and the State Education Department have sent letters to retired health care professionals and all schools of nursing, public health and medicine encouraging qualified health care personnel to sign up for on-call work during the COVID-19 crisis. Healthcare professionals who wish to sign up can contact the State Department of Health at health.ny.gov/assistance.
Governor Cuomo also directed the Greater New York Hospital Association and the Healthcare Association of New York State to work with 1199 SEIU to develop a plan to create drop-in child care opportunities and expand child care facilities at their hospitals to ensure child care for hospital workforce. They will submit a joint plan to the state by Friday.
“The single most effective way to contain the spread of this virus is to ensure people who may have come into contact with it do not interact with others. Last week I said we would lead by example by guaranteeing two weeks’ pay for state workers who have been quarantined as a result of covid-19,” Gov. Cuomo said. “The paid sick leave measure we’ve agreed to today expands those protections to all new Yorkers – because no New Yorker should lose their job or income for following a critical public health order.”
To address the immediate need of employees affected by COVID-19 who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation, the Governor’s legislation will provide the following:
• Employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000.
• Employers with 11-99 employees and employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave, job protection for the duration of the quarantine order, and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000.
• Employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers (regardless of number of employees), will provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order.
The provisions of the quarantine legislation are set to take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring that New York workers will be able to take advantage of these benefits.
The legislation also includes the comprehensive paid sick leave proposal that was advanced by the Governor as part of his State of the State and FY 2021 Executive Budget, which will be effective 180 days after enactment. Specifically, the legislation provides:
• Employers with 4 or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide at least 5 days of unpaid sick leave each year.
• Employers with 5-99 employees and employers with 4 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave each year.
• Employers with 100 or more employees will provide at least 7 days of paid sick leave each year.
Finally, the Governor confirmed 432 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 1,374 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 1,374 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is suspending office hours for the duration of March 2020. This is being done to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus.
“This change is not being taken lightly, because I always want to be sure people can reach me and talk to me,” said Hawley. “But in the interest of preventing the spread of the coronavirus further, I am hoping my friends and neighbors will understand why this change is happening.”
Despite the change of in-person availability, staff will be working remotely, and citizens are encouraged to call or e-mail Hawley’s office in Albion if they have any comments or questions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 10:15 am
Holley school district providing meals for more than 500 students and educational assignments during shutdown
HOLLEY – The school district on Wednesday will begin providing meals for more than 500 students.
Holley Central School will provide meals and have them available for pick up at the Holley Elementary School bus loop and four other locations in the community – Clarendon Town Hall, Thomas Estates (bus stop loop), County Line Trailer Park (Gulf Road & County Line Road) and the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Hall.
Brian Bartalo, Holley Central School superintendent, said closure of schools across the state is unprecedented and also a very emotionally taxing time for students, teachers and staff.
Sharon Zacher, Holley’s assistant superintendent, was able to secure approval from the State Education Department on Sunday for the district to provide the program free of charge for students and their families. As of Monday’s Board of Education meeting, 512 students were signed up to receive the meals, which represents about half of the school enrollment.
Robin Silvis, Board of Education president, praised the district for working quickly to get the program in place.
She also praised teachers and administrators for working over the weekend to have an educational plan in place for students while school was shut down due to a pandemic. Gov. Cuomo on Monday announced on Monday school districts across the state would be closed for at least the next two weeks.
Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, said staff have been working hard to serve students during a very difficult situation.
“The emotion of this is overwhelming,” he said during Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting.
That session was moved from the board room to the elementary school cafeteria, so board members and anyone in the audience could sit farther apart.
Bartalo said future board meetings in the short-term might be livestreamed to reduce the chance of the virus spreading.
He said teachers and administrators are trying to stay connected with students. Elementary school staff prepared packets with school work for students the next three weeks. Those were available at the school Monday and today for parents to pick up.
The Board of Education met in the elementary school cafeteria on Monday, instead of the smaller board room. That allowed board members to be more spread out and gave more spacing for the chairs in the audience.
Bartalo observed one teacher reading a book in a video message to be sent to her students. But the teacher only got halfway through the book before getting choked up and having to stop.
Susan Cory, the middle-high school principal, also is planning to send students a daily message to help them stay connected to the school and not feel so isolated.
“This is not something we’ve ever experienced in our times,” Bartalo said at Monday’s BOE meeting. “It’s just unbelievable. It’s figuring it out as we go.”
Bartalo said the district still needs to conduct other business, including preparing its 2020-21 budget, which is scheduled to go for a public vote in May.
He is waiting to hear from the state about the state assessments for grades 3-8.
The district is waiting out the pandemic, just like the rest of the state.
“If we get back to regular school we hope to have concerts, sports, the musical and graduation,” Bartalo told the board.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus has made adjustments to its operational plans. These operational plans are accordance with guidelines set by the CDC and other federal, state, and local authorities.
The Medina Police Department administrative office is closed to the public until further notice. Only police officers and other essential personnel will be allowed inside the building.
Police Officers can be contacted by calling Orleans County Dispatch (585) 589-5627 or, in the case of an emergency, 911.
During business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), you can also call (585) 798-5602 for an officer or administrative assistance.
Calls for service that are not priority, officers may utilize phone contact rather than appearing in person.
Calls for service that require officers to appear in person may result in the officer asking persons to come outside to speak rather than inside or in close proximity.
We understand any frustration this may lend you, but please understand these measures are taken to reduce officers’ exposure to the virus and to still provide a high level of service to the public.
These operational plans will remain in effect until further notice.
LYNDONVILLE – Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Village of Lyndonville offices and all facilities are closed to the public until further notice.
All payments can be made by using the drop box located on the front of the Village Hall. Please put payments in an envelope with a name and phone number. If there are any questions or concerns, call the Village Hall at 585-765-9385.
Lyndonville village meetings will temporarily be closed to the public as permitted by Governor Cuomo’s executive order 202, which modifies the rules of open meetings.
Village elections have been moved from March 18 to April 28, per Governor Cuomo’s executive order.
We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 8:48 am
KENDALL – The school district is closed until further notice but beginning today will continue to provide meals to students age 18 and younger who reside in the district.
Bagged breakfasts and lunches will be available to all students between 10 a.m. and noon each weekday at the Junior/Senior High School Cafeteria.
Parents are asked to remain in their vehicles and drive around to the back of the school (closest to the varsity soccer field) where a school representative will deliver the meals directly to the vehicle, Julie Christensen, the district superintendent, advised the community in a letter on Monday.
If a parent or guardian is unable to pick up the breakfast/lunch, contact Cindy Wolck at 659-8317 to have meals regularly delivered to a residence.
Kendall will have a school representative be responsible for recording the family name and the number of meals issued to each family. Christensen said parents need to be prepared to share their child’s name at the time of pickup.
“On behalf of the staff at KCSD, we are thankful for the support of our families and students during this challenging time,” Christensen wrote in her letter. “The district will monitor the distribution process throughout the week and make any necessary adjustments as needed.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2020 at 8:26 am
MEDINA – Medina Central School, which is closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, will continue to provide students with the meal service program.
Beginning today, breakfast and lunch will be available to our students between 11 a.m. and noon each day at the following locations:
• Pine Street Park: corner of Pine Street and Park Avenue
• MAAC Thrift Depot: corner of Starr Street and Orient Street
• Orleans County YMCA Parking Lot: 306 Pearl Street
• Former Towne School Parking Lot: 181 Bates Road
• Shelby Fire Department Parking Lot: 4695 S. Gravel Road
• Knowlesville Volunteer Fire Company Parking Lot: Knowlesville Road
• Oak Orchard Elementary Bus Loop
Students must be present, when possible, to receive their meals, Marc Graff, assistant superintendent, said in a letter to the community.
“We will monitor the distribution process and make any necessary adjustments as needed,” Graff said. “We wish to thank all of our students, families and staff for their understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented times.”
For more information, click here to be directed to the district’s website.
(UPDATED: Town Court scheduled for March 18 has been cancelled.)
YATES – Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Yates Town Hall offices are closed to the public until further notice.
The Yates Town Clerk and the Town Supervisor will be available by appointment at (585) 727-0209 or (716) 946-2075, respectively.
Town Court, including the session for March 18, is cancelled until further notice.
Please deposit necessary documents in the drop box located at the front of the building in the south door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 10:55 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Hillary Ingalls, left, and Kim Hodon, waitresses at Sam’s Diner in Holley, said they rely on their tips and worry with the shift to take-out only for restaurants. They also said many of their customers are like family and not having the dine-in option will be hard on many of the residents.
Restaurants and bars won’t be serving customers on premises, effective at 8 p.m. today.
Gov. Cuomo said the directive is needed to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. Friday the governor announced that restaurants can have up to 50 people or be no more than half full. Today came more stringent news, than dining on premises is now not permitted until the threat of the coronavirus passes.
“It’s going to be a tough road for everybody,” said George Gitsis, owner of Sam’s Diner in Holley.
He hopes the pandemic threat is over quickly and businesses and residents can get back to life as normal.
“The main thing is we have to get through this as a country,” Gitsis said this evening, not long before dining area would be closed temporarily to the public. “It’s changing so quickly.”
Natalie Galletto, a waitress at the Village House in Albion, holds take-outs orders at the restaurant on Route 31 this evening at about 7:30 p.m. After 8 p.m. today restaurants and bars are no longer allowed to serve patrons on premises until after the coronavirus health emergency passes.
Sam’s will remain open with take-outs.
Kim Hodom has worked as a waitress at Sam’s for 20 years, since she was a junior in high school.
“We’re extremely nervous,” she said about the impact on the business. “I live off my tips.”
The diner is popular with many residents in the community as a social gathering place. She worries about customers who come in frequently to see their friends.
The Village House in Albion is another popular local diner, where some customers come in daily, often two or three times a day.
The Village House also will transition to take-outs on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, and will have a special of corned beef and cabbage.
Natalie Galletto has worked as a waitress at The Village House for 12 years. She feels the anxiety among her co-workers and customers.
“It’s a sad situation,” she said. “We’re going to think positive and get through it. No one has ever dealt with this before.”
The New York State Restaurant Association is urging Gov. Cuomo to help the industry to prevent restaurants from going out of business. One way would be delaying restaurants quarterly sales tax payment.
Melissa Fleischut, president & CEO of the NYS Restaurant Association, wrote a letter to governor on March 12 asking for some concessions and intervention for the industry.
“We need your assistance during this ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” she wrote to Cuomo. “We applaud the proactive steps you and your administration have taken in the face of this growing crisis, and we firmly agree that the health and safety of our employees is the number one priority.”
Brick-and-mortar small businesses are struggling to make ends meet, and face an “inevitable downtown” with the government’s restrictions.
“We are asking the state to develop a program to provide the hospitality industry in the state with some relief as they weather this impossible situation,” Fleischut said.
Some of the organizations suggestions include:
• The state should extend the window for restaurants to make payments on COVID-19-related costs they are incurring, including paid sick leave;
• Extend the terms of payments to alcohol distributors from 60 to 90 days;
• Enact a 90-day extension on paying monthly sales tax;
• Make available no interest loans to those who have seen a dramatic decrease in business;
• Eliminate penalties for late payment of business and property taxes.
• Educate the public about how it is safe for patrons to continue to go about their normal business and to patronize their local community brick-and-mortar restaurants and bars.
“We cannot overstate how many restaurants are facing a dire future right now,” Fleischut said. “We want to stay open and keep employees on the payroll, but for some that will not be possible if this pandemic, and the associated quarantines, continue for even the next month.”
