Press Release, Girl Scouts of Western New York 

ALBION – Girl Scouts of Western New York Troops 82007 and 82261 visited Albion Mayor Eileen Banker and other Village Board members last week to kick off the start of their cookie booth season.

The Girl Scouts met the mayor, along with Village Trustees Stanley Farone, Gary Katsanis and Peter Sidari to talk about how their local government works and to share insights into their own cookie sales.

Mayor Banker explained how the village makes decisions and operates, including the roles of certain departments like the Department of Public Works or the caretaking of places like Mount Albion Cemetery. The girls asked questions about changing laws, the difference between a village and a town, and how elections work.

Albion Village Board members discussed local government with the Scouts. The board members pictured include Trustee Gary Katsanis,  Trustee Peter Sidari, Mayor Eileen Banker and Trustee Stan Farone.

The Girl Scouts explained to the mayor and trustees that they sell cookies because it helps to build skills like being able to get more comfortable talking to people and counting money to make change, and that cookie sales also fund activities like travel trips, going camping, attending Girl Scout programs, or working on community service projects.

Everyone in attendance also took part in a cookie sampling with top choices being Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints and Lemonades.

Will Francis gives this scout a tour of the police station.

After the meeting, the troop went around the corner to the village police station. The officers took the girls on a tour of the station and then showed them the inside of one of the police vehicles including all the gear they carry with them.

The Girl Scouts were also able to try on some of the police SWAT gear and were surprised at the weight. They also saw some of the equipment the officers use such as handcuffs and helmets with communication devices built into them. The girls brought some cookies as a gift and the officers also purchased additional cookies.

Girl Scout cookie season ends March 29. To learn more about Girl Scouts or to find a cookie booth, visit gswny.org.

The Girl Scouts were given a chance to sit in a patrol vehicle.

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves nearly 15,000 girls and over 6,000 adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Batavia, Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

A new report released by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) projects state plans could squeeze local taxpayers out of between $150 million and $1.7 billion, at a time when costs are growing, and counties have limited ability to contain them.

“Instead of making local taxpayers pay for new Medicaid costs, state leaders should let the Medicaid Redesign Team II do its work and make cost containment reforms that don’t punish local taxpayers,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “We are asking state legislators to reject these budget proposals.”

If Part R of the Health and Mental Hygiene Article VII is passed, it will impact all New Yorkers and result in increased property taxes and cuts to services such as public health, veterans’ programs, road maintenance and repair, youth services, public libraries, Meals on Wheels and other senior services.

“We agree reforms need to be made in the Medicaid program to place it on a sustainable fiscal path, and we will remain a partner in that effort, but the current proposal charges counties with reigning in costs that we do not control. We will review the MRT proposals when they are released to gauge their impact at the local level,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

Counties have limited ability to contain Medicaid costs for the following reasons.

• The state directly enrolls and determines eligibility for about 60 percent of all Medicaid recipients today, and outside of New York City they enroll 2 out of every 3 recipients

• Counties do not control benefit design or eligibility income thresholds

• The state sets all reimbursement rates paid to health care providers

• The cost of prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and other major health care inputs are controlled by the state, or the marketplace

• Changing demographics are outside the control of counties including the aging, longevity and disability of the population

• Rates of illness are population and community-based and beyond the control of counties

• Minimum wage increases are set by the state

Adding to the pain, the governor’s proposal would penalize counties for any growth in Medicaid spending that exceeds the global Medicaid spending growth cap, which is currently set at 3 percent, based on the 10-year average growth in the medical care component of the consumer price index.

The proposed penalties are likely to ensnare counties in future years and drive up their Medicaid costs. Historically, Medicaid costs in New York state, the rest of the nation, and in counties around New York have grown more rapidly than the global growth cap. Projections of future Medicaid cost growth and of underlying drivers of that growth suggest that absent fundamental changes to the program itself, costs will grow more rapidly than the economy as well as the global growth cap.

(Editor’s Note: If counties have to assume the costs of Medicaid for any local increase by 1% more than the global cap, in Orleans County local taxpayers would have to pay $161,000 more in Medicaid. That’s for each percent beyond the cap. Click here to see the NYSAC report showing impact on the counties.)

The proposal contains three separate initiatives, referred to collectively as “Medicaid Local District Spending Reforms” that would impact the Medicaid local share county taxpayers pay in support of the state Medicaid program. The proposals would:

• Intercept the federal Medicaid funding to counties and transfer that funding to the state financial plan,

• Require counties to keep local Medicaid cost increases to no more than a “global Medicaid cap” now set at 3%, or the county will be penalized and required to pay the state for anything above that amount, and

• Require counties and NYC to adhere to the 2% Property Tax Cap or lose the Medicaid cap savings.

“There is a better way. Lawmakers need to remove Part R of the Health and Mental Hygiene Article VII, preserve the local Medicaid cap, and let the MRT II complete its cost containment work,” President Marren said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Health care professionals at Orleans Community Health’s Walk-In Clinic in Albion demonstrate the new machine which can detect strep throat and flu in minutes. From left is Stephanie Wilson, clinic supervisor, and Connie Woroszylo, nurse practitioner. The Clinic is seeing an increased number of people with flu in recent weeks.

ALBION – Flu and strep are on the rise in Orleans County, according to health care professionals at Orleans Community Health’s Walk-In Clinic in Albion.

Nicole Helsdon, practice manager, said they are seeing as many as five people a day with the flu, but with acquisition of a new Cobas Liat machine, they are able to detect the virus in minutes.

Connie Woroszylo, nurse practitioner, and clinic supervisor Stephanie Wilson explained the process.

If strep is suspected, the nurse swabs the patient’s throat and then thrusts the swab into a vial, which is inserted into the Cobas Liat machine. A similar procedure is done to diagnose flu, except the patient is asked to blow his nose and then the nasal cavity is swabbed. With either illness, lab confirmed results are ready in 20 minutes.

“If we had to send the sample out for a culture, it would take days,” Woroszylo said. “This machine will detect both type A and B flu.”

Patients being seen at the clinic have mostly flu, with a few strep cases, Helsdon said.

We are at the peak of the flu season, Wilson said, and she stressed everyone should have a flu shot.

“It’s still not too late to get one,” she said. “The flu season runs through the end of May.”

She said the older population – over 60 – need a higher dose than would be available at a doctor’s office, and they can get it at their pharmacy.

The flu vaccine is recommended for ages beginning at six months, Wilson said. The vaccine usually lasts the entire year and the new vaccine typically comes out in August.

When people come in with flu symptoms, Helsdon said they are asked to put on a mask. As a precaution, she said her office is being very diligent in wiping down the surfaces often where people touch. She said when someone is diagnosed with the flu, they may be prescribed Tamiflu, which is a prescription which lessens symptoms, but doesn’t cure the flu.

“Otherwise they may be told to practice the traditional cures of rest, drink lots of fluids and stay home,” Helsdon said.

Press Release, GCC

Provided photo from GCC: Pictured from left include GCC President Dr. James M. Sunser, Lieutenant Commander Barry C. Chow and Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina Weaver.

BATAVIA – In 1972, the United States Department of Defense established the ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserves) program to promote and recognize civilian employer support of Reserve Component Service members. Recently, two leaders at Genesee Community College are being recognized for their efforts in upholding that mission.

For more than 45 years, the ESGR has worked to foster a culture in which employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. Using a network of more than 50 committees comprised of 3,600 volunteers, the ESGR provides programs that help protect employment for enlisted employees, services to support families and opportunities to recognize significant employer support of an enlisted employee.

After his recent year-long deployment, Lieutenant Commander Barry C. Chow, the Deputy J2 with U.S. Forces Japan Detachment 105, nominated Genesee Community College President, James M. Sunser, Ed.D. and Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina Weaver for the prestigious Seven Seals Award.

The ESGR has adopted the slogan – “Together, We All Serve” – and grants the Seven Seals Award in recognition of significant individual or organizational effort and achievement that supports a member of the Reserve or National Guard.

In his nomination, Chow wrote, “I have been part of the GCC team for 21 years and a member of the Navy Reserve for just over 16 years, during which time I’ve had to take leave for monthly drills and have been activated for deployment twice. Dr. Sunser and Ms. Weaver have consistently supported my service to this country and have worked to ensure I could continue.”

“GCC has always prioritized supporting the needs of our community which includes our staff and faculty, and of course, our country,” Dr. Sunser said. “We are proud of Barry and proud to extend our support to all of our reservists, active-duty personnel and veterans. It is an honor to receive the Seven Seals Award, however, the true pride lies in the strength and bravery of those who serve.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Michael Bonnewell, Albion Central School superintendent, speaks during commencement on June 28, 2019.

ALBION – Michael Bonnewell has announced he will retire as Albion Central School superintendent in June 2021.

He shared the news today in a letter to parents in the school district.

Bonnewell is in his 10^th year as Albion superintendent of schools. He said he reached a mutual decision with the Board of Education last week. The timing  gives the district plenty of time to find his successor and also to help with the transition.

“It has truly, truly been my privilege to serve the students and, by extension, the community of Albion Central for nearly ten years already – and I know that I will enjoy the year and a half I will continue to serve,” Bonnewell wrote in the letter to the community.

Bonnewell came to Albion after working as superintendent of the Schroon Lake school district in the Adirondacks. That district only has about 200 students. Bonnewell was the district’s superintendent, K-12 principal and also served as the business administrator.

Before Schroon Lake, he was principal of Honeoye Middle-High School. He said he is thankful for a 35-year career in education.

“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to interact with students daily, as a teacher, coach, advisor, director and administrator for more than thirty-five years and believe that I am one of those lucky to have found the career that they love,” Bonnewell said. That has been most obvious here at Albion Central.”

Bonnewell was highly visible at the district, attending numerous events after school. He was a chaperone with the high school chorus to New York City last year.

He shared during commencement last June 28, that a woman stopped him in New York City on that trip to ask him if a group of students were his kids. He answered affirmatively, which surprised the woman.

“Yes, these are all my kids,” Bonnewell shared in his speech. “You are all my kids.”

Bonnewell stepped in as interim high school principal last year for three months, and said he welcomed the chance to get to know students better.

In his letter to parents today, Bonnewell reflected on a song at the district-wide choral concert at school last week. In one selection, students sang, “Put a little love in your heart and the world will be a better place.”

Bonnewell said the lyric should have a revision: “Put a little love in your heart, and these children in your life, and the world will be a better place.”

“My life is a better place because our children are in it,” Bonnewell wrote. “The world is a better place because our children are in it.”

Michael Bonnewell served as interim high school principal for three months last school year in addition to being superintendent.

A wind advisory is in effect for Orleans County until 8 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The wind advisory also includes Niagara, Monroe, Genesee and northern Erie counties.

There are southwest winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts of 45 to 50 mph.

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” the Weather Service said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”

The Barre water tower stands tall near this field on East Barre Road on Sunday.

Press Release, Shirt Factory

Provided photo: The Shirt Factory in Medina won the award for most creative Bloody Mary during a competition in Buffalo.

MEDINA – The Shirt Factory is proud to announce its recent victory as the “Most Creative Bloody Mary” at Sunday’s Bloody Mary Festival in Buffalo. The recipe submitted was a collaborative effort by all members of the Shirt Factory, but developed by Lead Bartender Chris Kozody and Manager Madison Greenwald.

“Competing in an event of that magnitude was a lofty goal for us considering the small scale of our kitchen and equipment,” said Alix Gilman, co-owner of the Shirt Factory. “Something about the nature of our team made the announcement and call for applications to the festival more realistic despite the obvious concerns about our limited space. Everything we dream, every challenge we throw their way, they take it and run together.”

The Shirt Factory also finished 3rd in the “Best Overall Bloody Mary” category.

Sponsored by Step Out Buffalo, Buffalo’s Bloody Mary Fest is now in its 5th year. The event was held at Buffalo Riverworks and included 10 bars from around the Buffalo area. Hartman’s Distillery was the sponsoring vodka and was used in every competing Bloody Mary.

“While this is certainly an incredible victory for the Shirt Factory, we are equally as excited to further showcase what Medina can do when up against the best the city has to offer,” said Scott Robinson, co-owner of the Shirt Factory.

Located in the heart of Medina, the Shirt Factory is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night. Recently named one of the top cocktail bars in Western New York by Step Out Buffalo, the Shirt Factory also focuses on showcasing only local beers and wines from the region. The winning Bloody Mary will be available all this coming weekend during “Boozy Brunch” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A small steelhead is headed for one of the pens at Oak Orchard River in Carlton in this photo from April 8, 2019, when the DEC delivered 100,000 fish to the Oak Orchard, including 10,000 steelhead and 90,200 Chinook salmon. Charter boat captains and other volunteers have been raising fish in pens in the Oak Orchard River since 1998.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said it will reduce salmon stocking by 20 percent this year to help protect the alewife population, which is a primary prey fish for salmon in Lake Ontario.

“In response to concerns over ongoing declines in Lake Ontario’s adult alewife population, DEC must reduce Chinook salmon and lake trout stocking further to provide adult alewife additional relief from predation,” the DEC states on its website.

Lake-wide salmon and trout stocking will still exceed 3.6 million fish by DEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

A fisherman walks on west side pier at the Oak Orchard Harbor in this photo from May 3, 2015.

“Given favorable wind and water temperature patterns, anglers should expect continued, excellent fishing in 2020,” the DEC said. “Failure to reduce stocking levels would serve to extend the severity and duration of low adult alewife abundance, with greater potential impacts to the sportfishery.”

DEC is planning to stock 1,161,568 chinook yearlings in 2020, 601,600 lake trout yearling equivalents, 755,700 rainbow trout spring yearlings, 556,755 brown trout spring yearlings and 240,000 Atlantic salmon spring yearlings.

Dec officials will discuss the stocking strategy during a March 18 online public meeting. That day the DEC will also release the stocking locations and fish for those sites.

“DEC continues to apply the best available science to maintain the world-class status of Lake Ontario’s fisheries, which attract anglers from around the globe,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “These changes to our Chinook salmon stocking strategy will enhance survival of stocked salmon and improve angling opportunities.”

DEC’s stocking site allocations of salmon and trout are decades old and largely proportioned by shoreline miles within DEC’s administrative regions bordering Lake Ontario. This proportional approach does not take into consideration fish movement studies, the benefits of pen rearing, and other factors that affect the success of the stocking program, including angler preferences, fishing effort, and geographic and seasonal differences in fish distribution.

DEC is currently working with the Lake Ontario Fisheries Management Focus Group, a panel of 16 anglers representing open lake and tributary fisheries, to modify trout and salmon stocking allocations to optimize the benefits of stocked fish to the overall sportfishery.

In 2020, DEC will concentrate Chinook salmon stocking at fewer sites to enhance post-stocking survival and improve open lake fisheries overall. This strategy will also enhance New York State’s late-summer staging fishery and existing tributary fisheries in key locations.

The online meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 18. Participants can use the following link to join the meeting: WebEx Meeting. Participants are directed to use the meeting number 647 538 274, password: Chinook2020.

Upon joining the meeting, participants will be prompted to connect to audio using their computer. To connect to audio via phone, use the following call-in information: toll free number 1-844-633-8697 and access code: 641 790 213.

Stocking information presented at the meeting will be posted on the DEC’s website the day of the meeting. Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to Steve LaPan, Great Lakes Fisheries Section Head, at 315-654-2147 or fwfishlo@dec.ny.gov.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement, saying there is an elevated wildfire potential this afternoon in Orleans County and part of the Finger Lakes and Western New York.

“Breezy, mild and very dry conditions, especially in areas that have lost the snowpack, will result in an elevated wildfire potential,” the Weather Service said. “The risk will be greatest in open and sufficiently dried out locations such as fields and less wooded areas. Any outside burning is strongly discouraged.”

MEDINA –  The Medina Police Department and First Presbyterian Church of Medina are teaming up to provide a program for adult church members on how to handle an active armed threat.

Pat Crowley, a member of the Presbyterian Church and retired prevention educator from GCASA, has helped organize the presentation on Tuesday evening at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 522 Main St.

This topic is applicable, not only in houses of worship, but any places accessible to the public, Crowley said. The presentation is not restricted to church leadership, and all are welcome and highly encouraged to attend.

Lt. Todd Draper of the Medina Police Department will lead the presentation, which begins at 5 p.m.

Topics will include:

• See something, say something.

• Run, hide, fight

• Situational awareness/mental preparation/choosing to act

• Making a plan: Individually and as a congregation

• Emergency response: What to expect from first responders.

The Presbyterian Church will provide dinner immediately following the presentation.

Any church members in the Medina area are welcome to attend, but a head count is requested. Please respond by e-mail to Crowley at pcrowley5555@gmail.com or call the First Presbyterian Church at (585) 798-1264 and leave a message.

Specific questions on the presentation or this topic can be directed to Draper at tdraper@villagemedina.org.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Erie Canal is pictured on Dec. 8, 2017 in Albion with the Gaines Basin Road bridge in the background. This bridge will close on March 23 for six months for rehabilitation.

ALBION – The Gaines Basin Road canal bridge will close on March 23 for six months of rehabilitation. It is one of seven canal bridges to be upgraded as part of a $10.7 million initiative by the state Department of Transportation.

Crane Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is the contractor on the job. Crane Hogan will be installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates, and truss elements.

Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also will be improved and the bridge will be repainted to black. The alignments and profiles of the bridges will not change.

The  seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914.

The bridges in the $10.7 million project include Bennetts Corners Road in the Town of Murray, Telegraph Road in the Town of Murray, Transit Road in the Town of Murray, Densmore Road in the Town of Albion, Gaines Basin Road in the Town of Gaines, Bates Road in the Village of Medina, and Marshall Road in the Town of Ridgeway.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – Students in Albion Rotary Interact attended a leadership conference last Thursday at Clarence High School with about 100 other students in Western New York.

Area civic and community leaders provided a panel discussion around the student-led conversation. Topics included mental health, social media, politics, racism and college preparation.

Albion Rotary Interact students are pictured with Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, one of the presenters at the conference. From left include Samantha Basinait, Alanna Holman, Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, Emily Mergler, Ally Mathes and  Sarah Mathes.

Provided photo: Medina’s varsity winterguard performs on Saturday in Lancaster.

LANCASTER – Medina’s two winterguard teams both earned second place on Saturday in Lancaster, which hosted 24 guards from Western New York and Canada. This it was Medina’s fifth competition this season.

The RA class had 5 competitors and Medina’s JV guard earned 2nd place with a score of 78.50, bested only by Orchard Park with a score of 78.75.

In Scholastic A, Medina’s Varsity guard came in 2nd with 80.38, topped only by Orchard Park with 82.38.

On Saturday Medina is the host for a winterguard show, “Colorburst.”  It’s an opportunity to see Medina’s guard perform without having to travel far. The doors open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m.

There will be 18 guards performing in competition. Medina’s Jr. Varsity guard performs at 6:06 p.m. with the Varsity Guard at 7:52 p.m.

All of the competitions are scheduled to be done at 8:30 p.m.

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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